Ben Franklin Newsletter

Dear Ben Franklin Families,

We so appreciate the support that allowed this past week's bond referendum to pass! To learn more about the vote and the plans moving forward, please see this article. Thank for making your voices heard and going out on Tuesday to cast your vote! Looking forward to the bright futures of our Lawrence Township Public Schools and the students we serve!

Our PTO and participating families outdid themselves with this year's Multicultural Night on Wednesday evening. The evening provided close to 20 different cultures represented as students moved country by country and had their passports stamped while learning about the culture of each! Families did such an amazing job educating and entertaining all who visited their stations... thank you! The food (from more than 20 countries!!) was absolutely delicious and plentiful! Not to mention, new this year, the performances of students/families showcasing dances from Bulgaria, India, Colombia, as well as the signing of the Indian National Anthem. The evening was well-organized thanks to Petra Crevier and Ilana Hernandez (Multicultural Night event chairs) and ALL of the volunteers who made the evening possible including staff members Jen Skorupa, Meena Arvind, and Ilona Chasar. A special thank you to Susan Iglesias for creating the music for both the Global Food Market and the Airport Terminal!

This week also ended with a whole lot of fun while also raising funds for a great cause... St. Baldrick's fight against childhood cancer. Thank you to Dan Rude, Carlee Cimorelli, Jen Skorupa, Donna Delgado, and Lori Tenant for all of their efforts in making the events not only successful, but lots of fun too! Our Ben Franklin Team consisted of the following shavees: Noah Gervon, Bastian Hernandez, Kiaan Patel, Dan Rude, and James Yates! In addition, Michelle & Ellie Basmagy, Paolo Beuzer, Marcus Gervon, Geoff Hewitt, and Madison Perez also joined the team to help in the fundraising efforts. We also had a number of staff members participate in Pi Day including: Mrs. Basmagy, Ms. Chasar, Mrs. Cimorelli, Ms. Cole, Mrs. Hargraves-Dix, Mr. Hewitt, Mrs. Hoehne, Mr. Matt, Mrs. Perez, Ms. Piliere, Ms. Rodriguez, Mr. Rude, Mrs. Sansone, Ms. Taglairino, Officer Tom, and Mrs. Valdez. The final events that took place this morning, the Face Painting and Color Fun Run kept the momentum going as we continued to raise funds. As you can see, it was certainly a team effort and we can not thank everyone who participated enough!

Looking ahead to this upcoming week, we will be celebrating St. Patrick's Day (Monday), the 1st Day of Spring (Thursday), and World Down Syndrome Day (Friday). All are encouraged to wear mis-matched socks on Friday to recognize and show support of World Down Syndrome Day!

Have a wonderful rest of the weekend!

Sincerely,

Geoff Hewitt
Principal

If you were hoping to donate to our BF St. Baldrick's Team this year, it's not too late! Feel free to make a donation at our BF Team's webpage by Friday, March 21st. Donations can be made to one of our BF Team's members by visiting this page - https://www.stbaldricks.org/teams/teambenfranklin2025

Here is the link to ALL the pics from our BF Shaving and Pi Day events that were held on Friday, March 14th - https://photos.app.goo.gl/A3XQsa14TEEqQ1tx8

Check out the fun that was had this morning while raising funds to help St. Baldrick's conquer kids' cancer!

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!!

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!

The Performers!

Visiting the Various Countries!

Food from around the World!

Holidays in Harmony Posters!

Communication between home and school is extremely important and we hope to always keep those lines of communication open! With that being said, please know that during the school day staff members are working with students the majority of their day. Teachers have one preparation period a day to plan all the lessons that take place throughout each day and one lunch period. They will do their best to get back to any emails, TalkingPoints messages, or phone calls that may have been received as soon as possible. However, it is not expected that teachers/staff members be expected to respond in the evenings or on weekends when they are with their family and/or loved ones. We very much appreciate your understanding.

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.

Spring Teacher Clubs (click here for the offerings) -

• It’s time to enroll students in teacher clubs! Registration opened on February 27th. Click here to sign up for a Spring Teacher Club. Review the club descriptions as dates, club exclusions and costs vary by club. If your child is ineligible to sign up for a club (grade level exclusion etc.), we will have to remove your child from the club and refund your payment, less fees. Enrollments are first-come, first-served. Additional information on payment is in the description in the Signup Genius. Please note that no refunds will be given after the enrollment period ends.
• A club volunteer is required for every club. Click here to sign up as a club volunteer. As the club volunteer, your child will be GUARANTEED a spot in that club AND you will be refunded $10 at the end of the club after successfully completing your club volunteer duties. The club volunteer takes attendance and supervises the club students in the gym after the school dismissal until the club teacher finishes their dismissal duties and arrives at the gym to collect the children at 3:45pm. If a club does not get a volunteer, we will have to cancel that club.
• All the teacher clubs take place at Ben Franklin school. At the end of each session, the club students must be picked up at the school on time. Transportation home is not provided. If a child attends the YMCA after school program at the school, they can be dismissed to aftercare at the conclusion of the club.
• The enrollment period ends on Sunday, March 16th (Tomorrow!!). If you have any questions, please reply to this email.

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

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.

The LTEF is excited to announce that we are adding an Art Contest to the 2nd annual Lawrence Has Talent show on April 4, 2025 at Lawrence High School.

The LTEF is so excited to announce the addition of the Lawrence Has Talent Art Contest. Not everyone has talent that is able to be shown on a stage and we aim to honor and celebrate all types of talent. We will be holding an art contest in conjunction with the talent show and we are pleased to invite artists of all types to enter. Visit here for more info and to enter: https://givebutter.com/LHTartcontest

Questions? Info@ltefnj.org.

Sign up here: https://givebutter.com/LHTartcontest

All entries are due by March 20th.

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:

15 -

• BF's Super Fun Color Run (Registration & Face Painting), 10:15-11:00 am at BF
• BF's Super Fun Color Run, 11:00 am at BF
• St. Baldrick's Fundraising & Shaving Event at Amalfi's, 11:00-1:00

17 - St. Patrick's Day

18 - K to see LMS Musical, Moana, Jr. (during school day)

19 - BOE Mtg., 7:00 pm at LHS

20 - 1st Day of Spring

21 - World Down Syndrome Day - Wear mismatched socks!

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

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