CHARGER WEEKLY 2026-2027
August 28th, 2026

In this update:
Please read carefully! A lot of info as we start the year!
- August and September calendar
- All 7th grade and new students need to sign up for busing needs
- Drop off/pick up procedures - Watch video!
- Picture day is next week!
- Student Schedule changes
- Online registration and pay fees
- School supply list
- We will miss Henry
- OLC registration deadline approaching
- You can still sign up for the Washington D.C./NYC trip
- Important information from the School Nurse
- Athletic News
- Music Events
- Ben Franklin apparel store now open!
- Frequently Used Forms
- Parent Partners
Our Charger Weekly will be sent every Friday through the school year. Make sure to also follow us on Facebook and visit our website for additional school information!
August/September 2026 calendars
2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR
8/31: 7th grade ONLY first day orientation *transportation and school day will run normal
9/1: First day of school for ALL grades
9/2-9/3: Ben Franklin Student and Staff PICTURE DAYS *details below
9/7: No School - Labor Day
9/25: No School (Professional Development)
Ben Franklin daily schedule here
Instruction begins promptly at 7:40AM. Students need to be in their seats at this time.
Sign up for busing if you're a New student or in 7th grade!
Please visit the District Transportation page for any busing questions. New and 7th grade students need to confirm busing needs with district transportation.
Make sure to download the My Stop App for accurate arrival times, especially during the first few days when staff and students are still getting used to the new routines!
Important reminder on drop off/pick up
DROP OFF and PICK UP:
We ask to please be patient when dropping off or picking up your student(s). We have limited areas to do this safely. Cooperation from everyone is appreciated!
Before School: There will be no parking in the drop-off zone. Cars should pull as far forward as possible into the zone, then drop-off. Cars can then move forward or safely use the left lane to exit the circle drive. Please be careful to check the left lane and signal before turning into it.
After School: If you arrive before dismissal, please pull as far forward as possible to maximize the number of vehicles that can enter the circle drive. Students will be allowed to be picked up anywhere along the sidewalk, however, for student safety, we won’t allow students to cross traffic to get to a vehicle in the left lane. After picking up your student, you may safely utilize the left lane to exit the circle drive. Students will be permitted to walk to be picked up off Polk Street, the side streets South of Ben Franklin, or the businesses to the East of Ben Franklin. Please do not cross traffic on the circle drive in front of Ben Franklin to access vehicles, use the sidewalks to get to your vehicle. Please know it is illegal to stop to pick up your child on Water St.
📸 School Pictures will be taken the first days of school!
Pictures will be taken during students' Science classes as follows:
Wednesday September 2nd
All 7th grade
8th grade students who have Mrs. Vrieze as their teacher
Thursday September 3rd
All 9th grade students
8th grade students who have Mr. Koss and Ms. MacDonald as their teacher
You can place your order on mylifetouch.com using your Picture Day ID: EVTP8DVKB. Order before midnight on Picture Day to get FREE shipping!
Your child can also bring their completed flyer with cash or check on Picture Day. Orders after Picture Day must be placed online on mylifetouch.com
Student Schedules
All schedule changes must be turned in by the end of the day, Tuesday Sept. 8th. No requests will be honored after that date.
For schedule questions, contact:
- Student last names A-L: Miranda Johnson (mijohnso@pointschools.net)
- Student last names M-Z: Trevor Neukirchen (tneukirc@pointschools.net)
Please note that course enrollments, including advanced courses, are based on available space. Families will be notified whenever possible if a requested course is unavailable.
Online Registration (required back to school forms)
Primary parents or guardians may complete back-to-school forms online through Skyward Family Access for the 2026-2027 school year. This is the same streamlined process used at SPASH.
- Verification of Student Information
- Student Handbook and Code of Conduct
- General Health Information
- Over the Counter Medication Form
- Student Participation Agreement
- Out-of-State/Overnight Field Trip Code of Conduct Agreement
- Free and Reduced Lunch Application (Go to the Food Service Tab and click "Application")
You can still pay school fees or submit a fee waiver. For more information and directions on how to complete the online forms, please reference this resource.
**If you are unable to complete the forms online, paper copies are still available.
✅Payment of Student Fees
Parents/guardians are encouraged to make payment of school fees through Skyward Family Access. Parents will need their personal “parent” login and password. Using your student’s login and password will not give you access to the payment screen.
If your family is experiencing financial hardship, you're welcome to fill out the following applications:
Fee Waiver for student and co-curricular fees
2026-27 Free/Reduced Meal Application Packet
2026-27 Paquete de solicitud para comidas gratuitas y a precio reducido - Español
2026-27 Cov ntaub ntawv thov kev pab cuam noj mov dawb thiab nqi qis - Hmoob
Additionally find the district's Meal Charge Policy
A new way to view the BF SCHOOL SUPPLY list
School Supply Lists are Now Digital and Accessible! ✏️
To make back-to-school preparation as smooth as possible, our district is now utilizing TeacherLists to host our school supply lists.
To view your student's list, head to your school’s website or BF's website and look for the School Supply List under the Students & Families tab 2026-2027 Ben Franklin SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST
You will be missed....
You brought so much joy to both students and staff. Thank you for your loyal service and love. We will miss you Henry!
~The Ben Franklin Community
💻 Deadline approaching for OLC enrollment....
Check out our Online Learning Center (the OLC)! The OLC offers a large variety of online courses in all core subject areas and many electives, including some titles that are not available in-person. OLC classes are a great fit for students who are Motivated, Mature and Manage time well who are looking for an online asynchronous learning experience. Adding an OLC class can help with schedule conflicts and four-year course planning. To learn more, go to our website: www.pointschools.net/olc where you can find our course list, access course descriptions, and complete the e-application. The deadline to apply for fall semester enrollments is Monday, August 31. If you have any questions, please email secondaryolc@pointschools.net or call 715-345-7337
It's not too late to sign up for the Washington D.C./NYC trip!
Health Office
Athletic News
👉Order your Ben Franklin Athletics Apparel here - store closes September 7th!
👉 2026-2027 Athletic Bus Shuttle information
👉Find BF sports events and times at the new Arbiter site
👉Find current ATHLETIC NEWS here!
Any questions contact our Athletic Director Mr. Kirklewski, dkirklew@pointschools.net.
ATTENTION VISITORS attending sports events:
Please use Door 12 for entrance to all Ben Franklin events. It is located in the back, off of the back parking lot, near the tennis courts. All other doors will be locked.
2026-2027 Ben Franklin Music Events
Coming soon!
BF apparel store runs through September 7th!
Apparel Store open! Get your back to school Ben Franklin gear here! Sale runs through September 7th.
SHOP AT: 1STPLACE.SALE/115395
Frequently Used Forms
Student Release form (Appointment/personal/non-Athletic) *Reminder: Full day absences can be emailed to BenFranklin-Attendance@pointschools.net (you will need to type the email address)
Pre-Arranged Absence Form (out 3 or more school days)
District Volunteer Application (if volunteering, a new form has to be on file each school year)
English Free/Reduced Meal Application Packet
Spanish Free/Reduced Meal Application Packet
Hmong Free/Reduced Meal Application Packet
Fee Waiver for student and co-curricular fees
Parent Partners...
Si necesita ayuda traduciendo información que se encuentra en el correo electrónico, por favor, contacte a Sue Worzalla al correo sworzall@pointschools.net o llame al 715-498-1976