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Letter from Mrs. Hansen
Dear Ben Franklin Families,
This is our first Franklin Forum, our Ben Franklin newsletter to families. At the beginning of each trimester, we will send it as a link on your Sunday School Messenger as well as post it on our website for your reference. We hope you will find it to be a valuable communication tool to keep you well connected to your child's school.
I am privileged to serve as the principal of Ben Franklin. You have entrusted us with your most precious possession, your child. Many of you made the decision to live in Menomonee Falls because of the outstanding reputation of our school district. The teachers at Ben Franklin are highly skilled in delivering researched-based curriculum and implementing strategies to engage all learners. Most importantly, they demonstrate a genuine concern for the well-being of every child. Our instructional teams collaborate to meet the needs of all learners.
School is in full swing. Our young learners made a great transition to the classroom, and we appreciate all that you have done to get your child off to a good start. Attending our Parent Information Night this Thursday, September 19th will be a great way for you to find out how you can support your child's learning. Teachers will provide information covering routines, curriculum, classroom events and schedules. I will be hosting my first monthly principal meeting, (decaf) Coffee with Carlene, in the cafeteria that evening. (5:30-6:00 p.m. & 7:30-8:00 p.m.) Stop by to say hello and learn more about our goals for the year.
I look forward to teaming with you, your child's teacher and our entire Ben Franklin staff to ensure the best possible learning experience for your child. My commitment to our mission of "pursuing excellence one student at a time" is unwavering. Whether it is excellence in attitude, academics or activities, I strive to make each day a positive experience for all who enter Ben Franklin. My goal is for each child to feel connected, safe and excited to learn at Ben Franklin. Feel free at any time to contact me with an email, phone call or visit to my office.
Best regards,
Carlene Hansen
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Parent Information Night on Thursday
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*PIN (Parent Information Night)-September 19
6:00-6:30-Kindergarten, 6:30-7:00 First Grade, 7:00-7:30 Second Grade
5:30-6:00 & 7:30-8:00 decaf Coffee with Carlene
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You are invited to attend our monthly meetings to hear Ben Franklin updates, learn from a specialist on our staff and share your ideas. I would love the opportunity to connect with you in person, however, if you are unable to attend, you can tune into our sessions through our website. Starting in October, we will live stream our meetings. Please mark your calendars with our dates for the year:
Sept. 19 (5:30-6:00 pm & 7:30-8:00 pm) Carlene Hansen, Principal, Ben Franklin Goals for the Year
Oct. 30 (9:00 am) Jessica Schumacher & Amy Stevens, Speech/Language Specialist
Nov. 26 (3:00 pm) Katie Caprez, School Counselor
Dec. 18 (7:15 am) Dan Johnstone, Math Interventionist
Jan. 29 (9:00 am) Angie Vogt, Physical Education Specialist
Feb. 20 (3:00) Quinn Elliott, Art Specialist
Mar. 18 (7:15 am) Denise Johnstone, Cindy Mueller Reading Specialists
Apr. 29 (9:00 am) Corynn Nordstorm, Music
May 27 (3:00 pm) Grade level teachers, What to expect in the next grade
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| We have made some changes to our student recognition ceremonies at Ben Franklin. Last year we highlighted students who exemplified our traits of a safe, responsible and respectful role model in a Striking Statesmen ceremony each trimester. Our staff has reviewed this practice and decided we would like more students to experience this honor. Therefore, teachers will honor the Statesman of the Month in a classroom celebration. These students will have lunch with the principal. Our first recognition will be in October. |
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New Faces at Ben Franklin
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You may have seen some new faces around Ben Franklin. We feel fortunate to have such skilled, child-centered staff join us! In Kindergarten, Karen Zhea, will support classroom teachers as an educational assistant. Two classroom teachers, Malorie Baker and Lynn Grimm, joined our first grade team. Our special education team has welcomed Jenny Doss, an early childhood teacher, and two educational assistants, Claire Bittner and Kristina Krist. Carissa Wilson who will provide reading support moved from Riverside to BF. We are happy to have Kina Stringfellow return to Ben Franklin as a second grade teacher. Our physical education department has two new specialists: Jake Sweet, who teaches two second grade classes, and Kelly Klendworth, who is our adaptive P.E. teacher. Shelly Hansen is our new physical therapist and assisting her will be Megan Schroeder (PTA). Check out our Ben Franklin website to read more about them.
We are grateful to have such highly-qualified substitutes fill in for staff members who are on leave. I have been impressed with their commitment to meeting the academic and emotional needs of their students. Our guest teachers include Laura DeVoe, subbing for Lauri Langerock; Kelly Buchholz, subbing for Ashley Lent; Linda Ferandes, subbing for Lindsay Lucas; Laurie Spors, subbing for Stacy Schuck.
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Global Learning at Ben Franklin
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One of the biggest gifts we can give our children is learning to find joy in human differences as well as to see connections between themselves and others. Our goal is to teach that different beliefs enrich all of our lives and the Ben Franklin community.
We continually increase our efforts to ensure that all students feel they belong at our school. We have taken the following steps to be more inclusive: we are building our classroom libraries to better represent the diversity in the world. Our 5K classes offer a global menu of pretend food from around the world in their play kitchens.
Throughout the year, your children will have the opportunity to learn about different holidays and traditions with a more balanced approach. If you would like to speak to your child's class about a special tradition your family celebrates, please contact your child's teacher.
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Ben Franklin PTO Newsletter
Dear Ben Franklin Families,
I have had the pleasure of meeting many of you, but for those I have not yet met, my name is Melinda McShane and I am the Ben Franklin PTO President. My husband, James, and I have four daughters: a third grader at Riverside, a second grader and kindergartner at Ben Franklin and a three year old. We have lived in the Falls for nearly four years, having moved here from Alabama. Being native Midwesterners, James and I have quickly adapted to all things Wisconsin: the amazing summers, the never-ending winters, the Brewers, and the Friday fish frys. True Wisconsinites will notice the one glaring omission here and I must confess, you will not catch the McShane crew rooting for the Packers anytime soon. Fortunately, this leaves me with plenty of time to work on all the PTO things.
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Supporting Your Child in Math
by Dan Johnstone, BF Math Interventionist
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Parents are bombarded with messages to read with their children, but it's rare to hear about the importance of doing math with them. Here are some helpful tips on why and how to instill a love of math in your children.
Early Math Matters
We may take for granted that our children will inevitably learn how to add, subtract, multiply and divide, but early math lessons establish the base for the rest of their thinking lives. "Mathematics that kids are doing in kindergarten, first, second and third grades lays the foundation for the work they are going to do beyond that," says Linda Gojak, president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). "They are learning beyond just counting and numbers." That's why it's so important to help children love math while they are still young. Parents can build on those first preschool lessons by counting with their children, asking them to look for patterns and recognize shapes, then moving on to numbers, Gojak says.
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Musical Notes
by Corynn Nordstrom, BF Music Specialist
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Your Child's Developing Singing Voice
BF Kindergarten students often come to their first music classes asking, "...but when are we going to play instruments?" Who can blame them when they walk into the Ben Franklin music room and they see tempting instruments everywhere? I tell my students that, believe it or not, they are already using an instrument! In fact, their most important instrument: their voice. Students of course do not believe me, but, being the terrific kiddos that our BF statesmen are, they give me a chance.
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P.E. POWER Angie Vogt
BF Physical Education Specialist
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Welcome to K-2 physical education! As your child's physical education teacher, I am excited to teach, guide and give your children the power of wellness! I am passionate about incorporating movement and exercise in all our activities as well the opportunity to introduce lifelong skills and sports. I encourage you to talk with your child about the movements and activities we do as I do get the opportunity to work with them three times a week.
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Reading
by Denise Johnstone, BF Reading Interventionist
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September: A perfect time to establish reading & writing routines at home
This is a great time of year to reflect on how you can help your child to grow as a reader and writer. One way you can do this is by setting up literacy routines at home. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
- Surround your child with books. Place books throughout your house, in your car, in your bag while you travel. Whether you buy books or get them from the library, your child is more likely to read if books are easily accessible.
- Grab a book instead of a device. Consider all the times a child reaches for a device and replace some of those times with a book. Those extra minutes spent reading will add up to a lot of extra practice.
- Encourage choice and authenticity. Choice and enjoyment matter! Any kind of reading helps a child grow. Consider the same with writing and look for authentic writing opportunities such as writing a letter to a friend or helping create a grocery list.
- Create a reading routine. Consider when and where your child can read and write every day. Encourage your child to successfully follow this routine and celebrate every time your child initiates this at home.
- Enjoy reading and writing together. Engage in reading, talking about books, and writing stories together. Share the love of reading and writing with your child!
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ARTicle
by Quinn Elliott, BF Art Specialist
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Hello families,
I am Mr. Elliott, your child's art teacher. I would like to share the philosophy behind your child's art experience at Ben Franklin. Art starts in first grade in our elementary system. Young aged school children have the best learning opportunities with creative arts.
When your child comes to art, they will start out learning by experiencing art through mark making and trying different media. There will be art techniques learned during experimenting, yet students will not be trying to copy an example artwork that the teacher provides. My goal as your child's art teacher is to develop their problem-solving skills while improving their creative thinking.
Young students have active creative thought processes going on for all learning situations. Their most important creative process is during playtime. Often children develop learning strategies through trying things. Students build confidence by trying new things and playing while learning. In art class students will try many new art supplies, learn new techniques for making art along with developing how "order of operations" and problem solving create original artwork made by themselves. Art class is the place your child can have their own individual outcome created by their ideas.
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Katie Caprez, BF School Counselor
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Here's a little info about my role at BF. I have also sent home letters to my classes with information about our Second Step program.
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to you. My name is Katie Caprez and I am Ben Franklin's full-time school counselor. I started in Menomonee Falls in 2007. One of my roles as a school counselor is to implement a school wide social-emotional learning program to help our students grow as learners and build better relationships. These lessons take place in Kindergarten-Second grade classrooms each week and 4K classrooms (1-2 times/month). I also meet with students individually and in small groups throughout the school year as well (small group topics may include: friendship, grief, social skills, or coping with family changes). Please know I am always available to meet with parents too. I look forward to a great school year!
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Franklin Forum | fallsschools.org/benfranklin
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