Ben Franklin Newsletter

Dear Ben Franklin Families,

Happy Spring! We officially welcomed the season on Thursday, and with it, a renewed sense of energy and excitement here at school. I want to thank all who were able to participate in our St. Baldrick's fundraising efforts over the past month. Your generosity and support for the fight against childhood cancer are truly inspiring, and together, we raised a total of $3,313.00 ! These funds will make a positive difference in the lives of so many children and families, thank you!

I also want to express my gratitude to everyone who took part in our celebration of World Down Syndrome Day by wearing mis-matched socks on Friday. It was wonderful to see our students and staff come together to show support for inclusion and to help raise awareness!

As we look ahead to next week, I’d like to remind everyone that class photos will be taken on Tuesday, March 25th. Most class photos are scheduled to take place in the morning on Tuesday. Thank you, once again, for your continued support and for all the ways you contribute to making our school such a wonderful, caring community.

Wishing you all a relaxing and enjoyable weekend!

Sincerely,

Geoff Hewitt
Principal

The 10 artists pictured to the right had their work selected for display at our LTPS March Board of Education meeting for Youth Art Month on Wednesday, March 19th! Their art was on display with selections from the other schools as well. The artwork lined the entry way to the meeting in Lawrence High School for all to see as they entered. Thank you to Ms. Skorupa and all of our BF artists!! Check out the pictures below of the display.

Students and adults have been tracking the books they have read and will continue to do so throughout the month of March! Each book read is written on a link of our "Reading Chain" as we attempt to line the hallways visibly demonstrating how reading bonds us! We can't wait to see how far our chain (which is already circling the foyer and headed down the hallway towards the gym) will go!! Keep reading and sending those links to Mrs. Reif or Mrs. Offery!!

On behalf of the American Heart Association, thank you very much for raising *$1,037.85 with your school's recent Kids Heart Challenge/American Heart Challenge program. Families and schools are critical links in providing the foundation for cardiovascular wellness in our country. Your support and participation in the Kids Heart Challenge/ American Heart Challenge makes a tremendous impact in helping millions of Americans through increased awareness of cardiovascular disease, lifesaving scientific research and critically needed education efforts.

With heart,
Nancy Brown
Chief Executive Officer
American Heart Association

* Thank you to Mrs. Cimorelli for organizing this fundraiser at BF!!!

Spring Conferences will be held April 9th, April 10th, and April 11th. Each day will be an early dismissal day for students and students will be dismissed at 1:20 pm. Teachers will be reaching out regarding the opportunity to schedule a conference. Please know that spring conference are not required and are on an "as needed basis". Teachers will reach out if they are requesting a conference and families may also reach out to teachers if you would like to sign up for a conference. April 9th and 11th will be afternoon conferences and April 10th (Thursday) will be evening conferences.

On Wednesday, April 2nd, LIS invites families of students in grades 3rd through 6th to a very important discussion about our youth, technology, cell phones, and social media. They plan to watch the movie Screenagers (the elementary version) together and host a Question & Answer session to discuss strategies that can help us ALL! The target audience is families in grades 3-6, but all Lawrence families are welcome. Child care for school-aged children is available and refreshments will be served. View the flyer and sign-up form here.

The 3rd grade yearbook committee is working hard to complete the yearbook for this year's 3rd grade class. They are asking all 3rd grade families to complete this survey. Time is moving quickly and the committee really needs each 3rd grade family to complete a survey. Please take a moment to complete the survey for each of your 3rd grade students by Friday, April 4th!

Link to survey - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1zwGvkqwzA6-3lzEBb4pO3d-pRR-CkW-U5o_BHjsuzPA/edit

In addition, here is an email address that can be used for all communication regarding the yearbook - benfranklinyearbook2025@gmail.com This is the email address that all communication to families will come from and that can be used to send photos (class photos, students photos at school events, etc.) to Felissa Szold and Amanda Taglairino.

PTO Meeting: Monday, March 24, 2025 at 7:00 pm on Google Meet (Link - https://meet.google.com/emf-gjsn-vkn)

1st Grade Sponsored Teacher Appreciation Luncheon - Our next teacher & staff appreciation luncheon of the year is on Wednesday, March 26th and sponsored by 1st grade families. This luncheon will have a brunch theme with entrees and sides such as chicken and waffles, bagels, sandwiches, salads, etc.

• Please see the link to sign up to bring in a food item or supplies:[goog_85664487] https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0548A5AA22ABFD0-55382294-1stgrade#/
• Monetary donations are also greatly appreciated and will be used to purchase hot food trays and any remaining items on the Signup Genius.

BF PTO Website: www.bfpto.org

Email: bfptorocks@gmail.com

The 2nd Annual LTEF Lawrence Has Talent will take place on Friday, April 4th at LHS! Last year's showcase of talent was impressive!! Looking forward to seeing all of our Lawrence community members participate including current Ben Franklin 3rd grader, Keegan Brennan, along with former Ben Franklin graduates Bianca Agosto and Zoe Lelyanov-Crevier!! Click on the images below to see more details and to purchase tickets! Here's a direct link as well for tickets - https://givebutter.com/2ndLHT

On Tuesday, March 25th at 4:00 pm, the rich history of Lawrence Township will be honored and an unveiling of a historical marker near the site where the Mt. Pisgah African Methodist Episcopal Church once stood will take place. This special event commemorates March 25th, the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Please see the program highlights below:

• Welcome – Joe Ciccone, President, Lawrence Historical Society
• The Importance of March 25 – Bill Howard, Lawrence Neighbors Together
• History of Lewisville – Brooke Hunter, Township Historian & Rider University Associate Dean/Professor
• The Lawrenceville School & Lewisville Road – Steve Murray, Head of School, The Lawrenceville School
• Marker Unveiling – Mayor Patricia Hendricks Farmer & Glern Nevius, Lewisville Road Resident
• Closing Remarks – Joe Ciccone, President, Lawrence Historical Society

This project is a collaboration of the Lawrence Historical Society, Lawrence Neighbors Together, The Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville, and sponsored by The Lawrenceville School. Bring your family and be part of this meaningful moment in our town’s history!

It is understood that there may be days when students have afterschool activities or playdates that may cause them to want to bring toys, devices, games, etc. to school with them for afterschool. If that is the case, we do require that all games, toys, electronics (watches included), Pokemon cards, etc. remain turned off (if that applies) and in their backpacks throughout the school day and on the bus. These items tend to only cause distractions and other issues during the day and/or on the bus. We appreciate your support in helping to minimize these types of distractions from making their way into the school. Of course, if there is a special occasion when toys may be used at school, teachers will be sure to communicate that. Thank you for your understanding and support!

As spring approaches and our 3rd graders are preparing for 4th grade, we know that there may be many questions and a little bit of nervousness about the move to a new building, LIS. Our goal as a district is to make this transition as smooth as possible for students and families. In an effort to do this, LIS has scheduled a variety of transition events that will be taking place this year. Please visit this link to see dates and information about each event scheduled - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1g1jANjEOTJlpV9WiLMBuedAzd7oWRfhn/view?usp=sharing

You may have noticed that BF has begun to store non-perishable foods in the front foyer of the school. We have partnered with Mercer Street Friends to assist in supporting our community. If you would benefit from receiving support from our school in the form of care packages of food, please feel free to reach out to Mrs. Umbach (mumbach@ltps.org), Mr. Hewitt (ghewitt@ltps.org), Mrs. Delgado (ddelgado@ltps.org), or Mrs. Tennant (ltennant@ltps.org). You can also call the main office at (609)671-5540.

Attention families of three and four-year-old children that live in Lawrence - LTPS's preschool application is now available on our website and will remain open until April 11, 2025. See this flyer for more details. Please note that this is a lottery system and not "first come first served." Tell your friends!

Link to LTPS District Calendar (2024-2025)

February 28th - March 29th - Ramadan... click here for information about Ramadan!

March:

24 - PTO Mtg., 7:00 pm on Google Meet (Link - https://meet.google.com/emf-gjsn-vkn)

25 - PreK-3 Class Photos with Photo Haven

26 -

• Schoolwide Assembly - The Illusion Maker’s Brand New “POP QUIZ” Environmental Quiz Show
• Staff Luncheon hosted by 1st grade families (PTO sponsored)

31 - No School for Students, Staff Development

April:

2 - Screenagers Showing at LIS (3-6 Families), 6:30 pm

4 -

• Mad Science Assemblies (PreK-3) sponsored by PTO (during school day)
• LTEF's Lawrence Has Talent, 7:00 pm at LHS
• Family Survey for 3rd Grade Yearbook Due - click here to access the link (3rd grade families only)

8 - LIS Jazz Band to visit BF (during school day)

7-11 - PTO Book Fair

9 -

• Early Dismissal Day (students dismissed at 1:20), Afternoon Conferences
• BOE Mtg., 7:00 pm at LHS

10 - Early Dismissal Day (students dismissed at 1:20), Evening Conferences

11 - Early Dismissal Day (students dismissed at 1:20), Afternoon Conferences

14-18 & 21 - No School, Spring Break

24 - K Field Trip to Howell Living History Farm

25 - BF Spirit Assembly - ALL students and staff members encouraged to wear spirit wear and/or wear blue and white!

28 -PTO Mtg., 7:00 pm on Google Meet (link to follow)

28-May 2 - PTO Teacher Appreciation Week