Early Out Schedule

There will be NO SCHOOL on December 23rd through January 1st due to the Holiday Break. Classes will resume as regularly scheduled on Thursday, January 2nd.

The last day of classes for 1st Semester is Thursday, January 16th, 2024.

There is no school for students on Friday, January 17th and Monday, January 20th.

Dear Ben Franklin Middle School Families and Community,

As the year winds down and the holiday season is upon us, Ben Franklin Middle School is buzzing with activities to spread joy and cheer. Our students and staff are embracing the spirit of celebration through a variety of events. From our concerts showcasing our talented choir and band students to the school-wide "Advisory Door Decorating" contest, there’s no shortage of festive fun. Additionally, we will have holiday dress up days the week before the holiday break for all students and staff. These moments of togetherness and giving truly embody the values we hold dear as a school community.

Even amidst the holiday excitement, our classrooms remain focused on learning and growth as we approach the end of the first semester on January 16th. Teachers are diligently preparing students to meet academic milestones and build on their successes. We encourage families to log into Parent PowerSchool to check on current student progress and discuss next steps as we approach the break. If you have questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to teachers directly—we are here to support your student’s success.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to share updates on our school improvement goals in the next newsletter. Thank you for your continued partnership as we work toward achieving these priorities and ensuring a safe, respectful, and enriching environment for all.

Wishing you a holiday season filled with joy, peace, and time with loved ones. Let’s finish this semester strong and celebrate all the wonderful achievements we’ve made together this year.

Warm holiday wishes,

Kirstin Hanson
Principal
Ben Franklin Middle School

Ben Franklin Middle School will be conducting ND A+ interim assessments on December 10th and December 11th. The interim assessments measure in-year growth in reading and mathematics. NDDPI states that each test will be approximately 40 minutes. We are going to be planning 2 class periods per test. We are testing Reading and Mathematics.

• December 10th: Testing Period 2 and 3

• December 11th: Testing Period 6 and 7

Parents/Guardians, please help your student get to school on time during these days with a charged computer. Make sure that students have a good night's sleep and breakfast in the morning. Discuss with your student how important it is to try their best during testing. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

Jennifer Olson

Assistant Principal

701-446-3605

Holiday Dress Up Days

Monday, December 16th-Friday, December 20th

• Movie Star Monday- Holiday Character Day: Dress up as a winter or holiday character, like Frosty the Snowman, Mrs. Claus, or an elf (keeping it simple and school-appropriate).

• Tree Topper Tuesday-Holiday Hat Day: Wear a fun holiday hat, such as Santa hats, elf hats, antlers, or reindeer ears and holiday shirts.
• Warm and Fuzzy Wednesday – Pajama Day: Celebrate the middle of the week with cozy holiday pajamas, perfect for a relaxed, wintery vibe.

• Santa vs. Elves Thursday: Choose to dress as either Santa or one of his helpers, with red and white for Santa's and green for elves.

• Festive Friday: Ugly Sweater Day: End the week with classic “ugly” holiday sweaters.

• At the end of the 2024-2025 school year 60%, or 530, BFMS students will be proficient on 100% of the Skills in All Content Areas.

• At the end of the 2024-2025 school year, the average score of secondary students who believe all students are treated with respect will increase compared to the 2023-2024 school year.

• By the end of the 2024-2025 school year 90%, or 797, BFMS students will identify a trusted adult as measured by counseling minute meetings twice per year.
• Behaviors reported to occur in the classroom will decrease from the start to the end of the 2024-2025 school year as measured by the PowerSchool reporting form and/or EduClimber Data.
• The number of periods of TRU-IS (In School Truancy) will decrease as compared to the 2023-2024 school year as measured by PowerSchool Attendance Report monthly.

Fargo Public Schools is seeking input from our entire community on the next steps for addressing the facility needs identified in our Long-Range Facility Plan. Over the past year, a team of parents, staff, students, and community members has worked together to develop a plan to improve and modernize the District's school facilities. We’ve heard from community members through committees, focus groups and meetings, and now we want to hear from you.

The Long-Range Facility Plan aims to support Fargo Public Schools’ mission by creating safe, inclusive, and effective learning environments that meet the needs of our growing community. This plan includes new school construction, consolidations, and updates to aging buildings to ensure each student has access to a supportive, modern educational experience and the same educational opportunities. Take the survey here.

Fargo Public Schools Accepting Nominations Beginning November 25 for Teacher, Administrator, and Support Staff of the Year Awards

Community members are invited to nominate deserving Fargo Public Schools employees for the Teacher, Administrator, and Support Staff of the Year Awards. The Staff Recognition Program honors FPS staff members who serve our students with excellence. Nominate online and learn more about the program at: www.fargo.k12.nd.us/StaffRecognitionProgram.

Fargo Public Schools deeply values the nearly 2,000 staff members who ensure our students receive a high-quality education in a safe learning environment. To honor our employees, the District annually awards the following:

• Teacher of the Year Award − awarded to a certified staff member
• Administrator of the Year Award − awarded to a principal, assistant principal, director, or coordinator
• Support Staff of the Year Award − awarded to an educational support staff member, custodial/maintenance department staff member, or nutrition services staff member

Nominations will be accepted online from 9 a.m. November 25 to 4 p.m. December 13.

The Fargo Public Schools 2023-24 Annual Report is a summary of the District’s efforts to carry out its mission of “educating and empowering all students to succeed” during the 2023-24 school year. Read the report for an in-depth examination of the District’s students, staff, schools, departments, and programs and a celebration of their achievements. And view key statistics regarding staffing, budget, demographics, and assessment data. Thank you for supporting Fargo Public Schools and allowing the District to serve its students and families and provide an exceptional educational experience. Access the full document at www.fargo.k12.nd.us/AnnualReport

Fargo Public Schools is excited to introduce the Mental Health Series Platform from ParentGuidance.org, a powerful new resource designed to support family mental health and well-being. Experts agree that adult involvement is important in a child's success. When caregivers have helpful tools, it benefits children, strengthens families, and contributes to a thriving community.

The Mental Health Series features virtual events each day in November, discussing a wide variety of topics. This month's focus session is "Helping Your Child to Succeed" with live sessions on Tuesday, October 2 at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. There is also an "Ask a Therapist" live session on Nov. 20th. View the full calendar. Register at this link or contact info@cookcenter.org for registration help and support.

Fargo Public Schools' Early Childhood Special Education program is seeking Community Friends to join its preschool classrooms. Community Friends are typically developing peers who will join the ECSE classrooms alongside the students with developmental delays or disabilities. Students must be 4 years old by July 31 and pass a developmental screening to be eligible for the program. The program is free of charge for families, but parents must provide transportation. The ECSE sessions are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Click here to apply for the ECSE Community Friends program.

As advancements in technology reshape our world, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as one of the most transformative advances of our time. From healthcare to entertainment, AI is influencing nearly every aspect of our lives, including the field of education. At Ben Franklin Middle School, we recognize the importance of staying informed and adapting thoughtfully to new developments, especially when they impact our students' learning environments and future opportunities.

In the coming months, we will be sharing a three-part informational series on AI. Our goal is to help create a more clear understanding of what AI is, how it is shaping education today, and how parents/guardians can help students navigate this ever changing technology.

Thank you for your ongoing support and engagement as we navigate these exciting and sometimes nerve wracking changes together. We look forward to partnering with you in understanding and harnessing AI's potential to enhance the educational experience for all our students.

AI's influence on education is profound and multifaceted. Here are key considerations for parents:

• AI is Here to Stay: Unlike fleeting educational trends, AI has established itself as a permanent fixture in our technological landscape. Its growth trajectory suggests increasing integration into educational practices.

• Rethinking Assignments: Traditional assignments, particularly writing tasks, are being reevaluated due to the capabilities of large language models like ChatGPT. These tools can generate coherent text, challenging educators to find new ways to assess student understanding.

• Supporting Learning: Contrary to misconceptions that AI hinders critical thinking, many educators are finding ways to leverage AI tools to enhance learning experiences. These technologies can stimulate critical discussions and encourage creativity among students.

How can AI support student learning?

• Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GArewF4AA54&t=1309s ends at 42:10 in the video

How would we know if this assignment is something a student should use AI for?

It is important for educators to share the expectations for assignments with students (can AI be used for this assignment and to what extent). Teachers should use something like this document (to help students and parents as to the acceptable use of AI on an assignment.

• Visual One Pager: A Guide for Students: Should I Use AI?

The staff would like to thank everyone who contributed snacks or beverages for our teacher's lounge the week before the Thanksgiving break! We have enough left over to put snacks out once a week in December as well! It's so appreciated!

Please join us at our next meeting: Tuesday, January 7th at 6:00pm in the Ben Franklin library.

Cold & Flu Season is Upon Us!

Keeping students healthy in and out of school is important to their education. As the temperature drops and people spend more time indoors, cold and flu viruses tend to spread more easily. Here are a few tips to support your student during the season:

• Drink plenty of fluids and eat a balanced diet, especially breakfast. Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and vitamins can help keep your immune system strong. Eating breakfast and staying well hydrated can also help decrease the chance of your child having stomachaches and headaches. Encourage your student to bring a water bottle to school.
• Get plenty of rest. A good night’s sleep is essential for maintaining a strong immune system. School-age children should be getting 9-11 hours of sleep each night.
• WASH, WASH, WASH YOUR HANDS! This is the best defense against illness. Remind your child to wash their hands with soap and water, especially before meals, and avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Cover your mouth and nose. If you're coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or elbow to prevent spreading germs.
• Consider flu Shots. The flu vaccine can reduce your chances of getting the flu or lessen the severity if you do get it.
• Disinfect high-touch surfaces. Phones, doorknobs, light switches, and remote controls can harbor germs, so clean them regularly.

It is important for children to attend school, but when a child is truly sick, they need to stay home to get well and prevent spreading illness to others. If your child has a fever, contagious infection, uncontrolled cough, diarrhea, or is vomiting at home, DO NOT send your child to school. If you feel your child needs to be assessed for illness, please contact your primary care provider. Please do not send a sick child to school to be evaluated by the nurse. We are unable to provide cough medicine, allergy medicine or cough drops.

I hope this information is helpful to you! Have a safe and healthy holiday season. If I can be of any help throughout the year, please don’t hesitate to reach out! bfnurse@fargo.k12.nd.us or 701-446-3640

-Nurse Jacki

Communicating with parents and families is always our goal at Ben Franklin Middle School.

You may subscribe to Ben Franklin's Newsletter and Daily Announcements on our website by going to “Content E-Alerts” on our website. Parents/guardians can sign up to receive alerts about new Daily Announcements, Newsletters, etc., for each school your students attend. E-Alerts are sent to users who have subscribed to a homepage or website section of interest. You will receive an email notification that content has been modified.

You may also want to add our school calendar to your personal calendar. This will help you stay informed about all the activities that are happening at Ben Franklin.

Want to join us for Spirit Wear Friday during the 2024-2025 school year by purchasing and wearing your own gear to show your Ben Franklin support?

Ben Franklin's School Store will remain open through the holiday season. Follow the link below to find items for purchase. Please note all orders will come directly to your home address as this is a third party company.

Kirstin Hanson, Principal

Jennifer Olson, Assistant Principal

Matt Quintus, Assistant Principal/Activities Director

Jacob Snyder, Dean of Students

Website: https://www.fargo.k12.nd.us/benfranklin
Location: 1420 8th Street North, Fargo, ND, USA
Phone: 701-446-3600