Dear Ben Franklin Families,
I'd like to thank all who joined for the PreK-3 Halloween Parade this past week. Your participation made the event special, and the excitement of our students made it clear how much they appreciated you being there. We also want to extend our appreciation to the PTO for hosting a successful Trunk or Treat last weekend. The creativity and enthusiasm displayed by our families made it a memorable evening for everyone involved.
Additionally, thank you to everyone who attended Tuesday night's Community Conversation at Slackwood Elementary. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect and share information with our PreK-3 families about our district and the future of our district. The engagement and input are vital to our school community.
Looking ahead, we are excited to announce that we will be collecting items for our Thanksgiving Sharing event this year to support families within the Ben Franklin community. Details can be found in the link and in the news blurb within this newsletter. We appreciate your generosity and support in advance.
Just a quick reminder... clocks get turned back one hour tonight! Enjoy an extra hour of rest this weekend!
Sincerely,
Geoff Hewitt
Principal
Happy Diwali
The Indian Festival Diwali began on Thursday, October 31st! Diwali is the festival of lights which is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains all over the world and is a 5-day celebration.
The days of Diwali are:
1. Dhan Teras - marks the beginning of Diwali. It is customary to buy gold or silver on this day.
2. Narak Chaturdashi (Chhoti Diwali) - Second day of Diwali.
3. Diwali - Third day, diyas (lamps) are lit around the house, new clothes are worn, prayers are performed, and celebrations are held with family and friends.
4. Hindu New Year/ Govardhan Pooja - This is day 4 of the festivities. Hindus celebrate New Year and visit family and friends to extend wishes.
5. Bhai Dooj - Last day of the Diwali celebration. Sibling relationships are celebrated, sisters put a tilak (vermillion mark) on their brothers' forehead and pray for their well-being. Brothers give gifts to the sisters as a token of love.
Wishing all a Happy Diwali!
School Leaders' Assembly
On Monday, October 28th, our Ben Franklin 3rd graders came together to welcome Mayor Patricia Hendricks Farmer, Superintendent Dr. Robyn Klim, School Board Member Jo Ann Groeger, and School Board Member Kevin Van Hise. A number of students presented information about the election process, civic responsibility, voting, and the role of various members within our Lawrence Township Public Schools as well as Lawrence Township to the entire grade level. Mrs. Erika Smoots organized the presentation and the event and members of each 3rd grade class had prepared questions for our guests. It was a wonderful program of learning and getting to know some of the key stakeholders who make decisions regarding our district and Lawrence.
National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. Donation
Thank you to all who donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. and/or who participated in our Pink Out at BF earlier this month! The National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. donates over 80% of collected funds directly to the fight against breast cancer. Thanks to everyone's donations, Ben Franklin was able to donate $878.00 to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.!! It's amazing what our community does when it pulls together, thank you!!
Thanksgiving Sharing
Another holiday season is upon us and the Caring & Sharing Committee is getting ready to help families in the Ben Franklin Community at Thanksgiving. In the past, Ben Franklin families have generously helped with donations. We were able to provide not only a Thanksgiving meal, but also food staples to help fill pantries beyond the holiday time. This year, we will make suggestions of food items for each class so that we can make things easier for everyone. Please send your donations to school between Monday, November 4th and Monday, November 18th.
- Pre K and Kindergarten: canned fruits or vegetables, applesauce, canned sweet potatoes, stuffing.
- First Grade: pastas and sauces, macaroni and cheese, rice, canned or dried beans.
- Second Grade: tuna, peanut butter, jelly, soups, nuts, tea, coffee and cranberry sauce
- Third Grade: cereal, sugar, canned juices, turkey gravy, pancake mix
**If you would prefer to give a monetary donation instead, please send it in an envelope marked “Thanksgiving Drive.” We will take care of purchasing food items with these funds.
Please call or email Mrs. Umbach at (609)671-5545 or mumbach@ltps.org with any questions.
Dine to Donate at Shake Shack: Wednesday, November 6th from 11:00 am to 9:30 pm Please come on out and join us for the next dine to donate at Shake Shack! A very generous 25% of the proceeds goes to BF PTO.
Charleston Wrap! -This fundraiser helps to both raise money for the PTO and to get ready for the holidays as well as just to order other useful items. There are holiday items that include Hanukkah, Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Halloween. In addition, there are many other items such as household decorations, food, kitchenware, accessories, etc. Check it out! Sales will be open through Friday, November 8th (this is an extended deadline)!
PTO Meeting: Monday, November 18th at 7:00 pm on Google Meet (Link to join - https://meet.google.com/yjp-dezv-vcv)
Scholastic Book Fair: November 20th - November 26th
The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to Ben Franklin! Look out for information coming home in backpacks the week prior, including an invite for our Friends & Family Event on Saturday, November 23rd, from 11am-1pm. Friends & Family of BF Students are invited to attend and shop our fair. While you're waiting for more info, please consider volunteering during our shopping hours. The biggest need at this time is for our Friends & Family Event. Click here to volunteer or email Kristen.L.Paladino@gmail.com with your availability.
All volunteers will get a credit towards the goal of having 12+ hours of volunteering to earn the grand prize of your child/children having lunch with Mr. Hewitt during the school year (only for BF students)!!
3rd Grade Sponsored Staff Appreciation Lunch: Thursday, November 21st
The first staff appreciation lunch of the year will be a Friendsgiving sponsored by third-grade families on Thursday, November 21st.
We have about 90 staff members to serve, so if you can, please use the Sign Up Genius link below to volunteer to bring in needed items or, if you prefer, donate toward the lunch cost. There's no contribution too small and cash or checks can be sent to school in an envelope marked "3rd Grade Teacher Lunch/PTO mail". You can also send contributions through Venmo to @Krista-Gervon and add “3rd-grade teacher lunch” in the notes section.
There is also the option to volunteer with set up and clean up on the day of the event.
Sign Up Genius - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F49AFA82CA0F58-52308134-3rdgrade
Please feel free to email Krista Gervon (kgervon@gmail.com) with any questions and thank you, all, for your support!
Turkey Trot and Fun Run! - Saturday, November 23rd from 10:00 am to 11:00 am
The BF PTO will be hosting a Turkey Trot one-mile fun run at Ben Franklin Elementary School!! To register for the Turkey Trot visit, https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094CAAA92CA5FBC52-50581552-turkey#/
All registered runners will receive a finishing medal. Please see the attached flyer for more details.
Teacher Experiences will be sold at this event! Do not miss this student favorite where they have a chance to win time with BF staff doing an array of special activities! Raffle tickets will also be sold on Thurs & Fri at the book fair leading up to the Turkey Trot. Winners to be drawn at conclusion of Book Fair event (1 pm)! This will be the only time this year where Teacher Experience raffles are offered.
Clothing Drive - This year's clothing drive will run through January 13th. Click on the link to see the flyer for more information.
Amerikick Kids’ Night Out: Saturday, December 7th, 5:30 pm – 8:15 pm
Need a night out? AmeriKick’s Sensei Vince and the PTO have you covered! Drop the kids off at AmerKick for an evening of martial arts including pizza, drinks and refreshments! Please see the attached flyer for more details. Please use the QR code within the attached flyer to register!
BF PTO Website: www.bfpto.org
Email: bfptorocks@gmail.com
Lost and Found
We do keep a Lost and Found area outside the entrance to our All Purpose Room. It is quickly filling up with sweatshirts, jackets, water bottles, etc. To help avoid items from ending up in Lost and Found please be sure to label items with your child's name. Any items labeled will be more easily and more quickly returned. Thank you!
Attendance - Genesis Portal
We have opened the feature in Genesis that allows you (as the parent/guardian) to mark your child absent. This allows you to use the app or the website to simply go into the system and mark an absence for the day or for a day in the future that you know your child(ren) will be absent. Here are the directions for utilizing this system.
Please know that the Ben Franklin Attendance email and phone line do remain active, however, we encourage you to take advantage of this "Notify Attendance Office" feature for a more direct and immediate response. Should you need any assistance or have questions about your parent portal account (link to parent portal), do not hesitate to contact our front office staff at (609)671-5540.
LTPS Tip Line
In an effort to continually improve safety and security within our district of all members, the district has set up a Tip Line. Please check out this brief (1 minute) video to learn more about the purpose of the Tip Line and how to access it: Tip Line Video
Link to LTPS District Calendar (2024-2025)
November:
Oct. 21st - Nov. 8th - Charleston Wrap Fundraiser (PTO)
2 - Daylight Savings (Clocks turn back one hour)
5 - Election Day
6 - Dine to Donate (PTO fundraiser) at Shake Shack, 11:00 am - 9:30 pm
7-8 - School Closed, NJEA Convention Weekend
8 - Last Day to Purchase Charleston Wrap Items!
12 - Veterans' Day Assembly at BF (during school day)
13 - Board of Education Mtg., 7:00 pm at LHS
18 - PTO Meeting, 7:00 pm (Google Meet link - https://meet.google.com/yjp-dezv-vcv)
20-26 - Scholastic Book Fair (PTO event)
21-22 - Early Dismissal Days (K-3 students dismiss at 1:20 & PreK students dismiss at 1:40), Conferences
21 - PTO Sponsored Staff Luncheon (Thank you 3rd Grade Families for Hosting!)
22 - BF Spirit Assembly (during school day) - ALL students and staff members encouraged to wear spirit wear and/or wear blue and white!
23 - PTO Turkey Trot and Fun Run! (10:00-11:00 am a BF) & Teacher Experience Raffle
26-27 - Early Dismissal Days (K-3 students dismiss at 1:20 & PreK students dismiss at 1:40), Conferences
28 - Early Dismissal Day (K-3 students dismiss at 1:20 & PreK students dismiss at 1:40), Thanksgiving Recess Begins
29-30 - School Closed, Thanksgiving Recess
December:
4 - 3rd Grade Music Concert, 7:00 pm
6 - End of 1st Trimester
7 - AmeriKick Kids' Night Out, 5:30 pm - 8:15 pm
11 - BOE meeting, LHS at 7:00 pm
12-13 - PTO Holiday Shop
16 - PTO Meeting, 7:00 pm (Google Meet Link to follow)
20 -
- BF Spirit Assembly (during school day) - ALL students and staff members encouraged to wear spirit wear and/or wear blue and white!
- Early Dismissal Day (K-3 students dismiss at 1:20 & PreK students dismiss at 1:40), Winter Recess Begins
21-31 - School Closed - Winter Recess
January 2025:
1 - School Closed - New Year Day
2 - Students return!