Hello Ben Franklin Families!
As we step into November, we’re reminded of all that we have to be grateful for, especially the amazing community we have here at Ben Franklin Elementary. We are incredibly thankful for each of you—our families, students, and staff—who contribute daily to creating a warm and welcoming environment for learning and growth.
November is a time of reflection, and we want to recognize the dedication, hard work, and support that each of you brings. Your involvement—whether it’s attending school events, helping with homework, volunteering, or simply cheering on your child’s achievements—makes a difference in their lives and strengthens our school community.
As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, we’re reminded of how fortunate we are to have such engaged, supportive families. Your partnership in your child’s education is invaluable, and we look forward to continuing to work together to provide the best possible experience for our students.
Thank you for being part of our school family, and for everything you do to make Ben Franklin Elementary such a special place. We wish you a wonderful November filled with warmth, reflection, and quality time with loved ones.
-Mrs. Skarperud, Principal
Veteran's Day Program
Ben Franklin will host a Veteran's Day Program on Tuesday, November 12th at 9:30 am. Invitations have been sent home with students to invite a special Veteran in their lives. We ask that the RSVPs are returned by Wednesday, November 6th to ensure we plan accordingly for seating. Students have been rehearsing songs and creating artwork to display for this special event. We are looking forward to honoring our Veterans and special guests!
Roadrunner Roundup
Our November Roadrunner Roundup monthly assembly was filled with excitement and pride! We were thrilled to welcome special guests from the UND Men’s Basketball team, who inspired our students with their visit. We also recognized our November Roadrunner card recipients, highlighting students who have shown outstanding respect, responsibility, and safety. Additionally, we awarded 15 Roadrunner Rockstar trophies to students who have earned three Roadrunner cards so far—an incredible accomplishment! Their pictures will be added to our hallway bulletin board.
Our students also rehearsed songs in preparation for our Veteran's Day assembly. There’s just something truly special about children singing that brings joy to the entire room. We look forward to sharing these songs with you soon and honoring those who have served. Thank you for your continued support of our school community!
A special THANK YOU to the UND Men's Basketball players that helped make our November 1st Roadrunner Roundup Assembly one to remember. We appreciate the time that Bentiu Panoam (Director of Basketball Operations), Amar Kuljuhovic (Senior, forward/center), Treysen Eaglestaff (Junior, guard), and Anthony Doppler (Redshirt Freshman, guard) set aside in their busy schedules to connect with our students and staff. Students interviewed them and we learned things such as their favorite NBA team/player, how they fuel their bodies for games, advice they have for students going through challenging times, how they balance school and athletics, their favorite local restaurants, and more. We also saw some impressive shooting skills, including a slam dunk or two! A few students and staff members also had the chance to shoot some hoops with them while the rest of us chanted, "Let's Go Hawks!"
The Ralph Engelstad Arena and The Betty Engelstad Sioux Center will be hosting our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders on Thursday, November 14th as they attend a men's basketball game where the Hawks take on Utah Valley. THANK YOU to the REA and BESC for covering the cost of tickets and bussing for this unique experience. Additional information to come from classroom teachers of participating classrooms.
ELBA updates from the Library...
Currently we have 40 students who have competed division 1, 5 students who have completed division 2 and it looks like we have two students who are competing to be the first to complete this year's Elba challenge and adopt their pet!!
We have 10 staff members who are taking the Elba challenge this year!! 4 have completed division 1 and one has even completed division 2!! (and no they are not Mrs. Spicer or Ms. Johnson!)
It's been so wonderful to see so much participation already!!! It's going to be a very fun year!!!
