September 2026 Newsletter

What a wonderful start to the 2026–2027 school year! The halls of Ben Franklin Middle School are once again filled with energy, we missed our learners! Our staff and students have hit the ground running, and the positive momentum across the building is undeniable.

We want to extend our deepest gratitude to our students, families, and community members. Transitioning into a new school year always comes with adjustments, and this year brought several changes—including Infinite Campus, a new middle school schedule, and a redesigned bus loop and parking area. Thank you for your patience, flexibility, and grace as we navigated these new routines together!

September also kicks off our fall athletics season! We invite all of our families to come out, cheer on our Wildcats, and show your school spirit at our upcoming sporting events. Your support in the stands means the world to our student-athletes.

Important Reminders for September:

• School Picture Day – Wednesday, September 9th: Students will be photographed during the school day for their Student ID card and yearbook.

• First Early Release Day – Wednesday, September 16th: Fargo Public Schools will continue implementing early release days this year. Ben Franklin will dismiss at 1:40 PM, and buses will run at that time. During this first early release period, students will complete their required NDA+ Interim testing.

This first week of school has been a reminder that we truly have the best students, staff, and families in Fargo!

All my best,

Mrs. Kirstin Hanson

Principal, Ben Franklin Middle School

hansonk7@fargo.k12.nd.us

See below for our admin team and their contact information!

Families use School Pay to pay for school meals and fees. However, School Pay will not be available through Campus Parent as it used to be via PowerSchool. Due to this change, all families will need to establish a new School Pay account.

To create your parent account for SchoolPay:

1. Go to schoolpay.com

2. Click “Find my Account”

3. Enter your email address (the email address you have stored on file with your child’s student record).

If a matching email address is found, you will be led through a process to create your account.

Once you have created your account, you can set up a credit card, make fee payments, and set up meal payments for your student(s). SchoolPay can be accessed at any time by going to https://schoolpay.com.

No School- Labor Day Holiday

• Monday, September 7th

Early Release Day #1

• Wednesday, September 16th. All FPS schools dismiss 2 hours early. Ben Franklin dismisses at 1:40pm. Busses will run at that time.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

For the 2026-27 school year, Fargo Public Schools (FPS) will implement four “early release” school days for learners. On these days, learners will be dismissed two hours early at each building. The early dismissal will allow our teaching staff to gather in an extended Professional Learning Community (PLC). The schedule for early release days is included below.

During these early release days, our teachers will be focusing on safety training, training on our new learner information system, analyzing student data, furthering implementation of Infinite Campus, setting goals for student learning, and reviewing and planning research-based instructional strategies for learners who need support and those who need enrichment. Teachers will collaborate with grade- or content-level peers to review, reflect, and learn from each other in meeting learners' needs.

We understand that early release days may cause some inconvenience for families, but this is an important step towards improving our teaching practices and ultimately benefiting our learners' learning outcomes. We appreciate your understanding and support in this matter.

The dates of the early outs are:

Early Out Days:

Wednesday, September 16

Wednesday, October 21

Wednesday, December 9

Wednesday, February 10

School pictures for all grades will be taken on Wednesday, September 9th during the school day. All students will be photographed for their Student ID Card and the yearbook.

There is NO CHARGE for your student ID Card. Picture order forms were sent home with students on Friday, August 28th for those wanting to order pictures. You can preorder now at this link:

http://scherling.preorderphotos.com/?AccessCode=K39GC6

Fall Parent Teacher Conferences are scheduled for Oct. 13th and 22nd from 4-8pm.

Spring conferences are scheduled for March 23rd from 4-8pm.

• 🟠 ORANGE; Student Drop Off/Pick Up Lane; Staff will be outside with traffic signs, please follow their directions and be kind!

• 🔷 BLUE; Handicap Parking; Parking is limited to those with the appropriate signage.

• 🟥 RED; Bus Lane; NO PARKING

• At arrival students can enter Door #4 and Door #13.
• At dismissal, students can exit most doors, so please plan ahead on where your student can locate you at pick up time.

Every parent wants to know how to protect their child. This month's newsletter is about exactly that: recognizing the signs, knowing what to do, and understanding that a caring conversation can change everything. When someone feels heard and supported, they are far less alone in their struggles. You don't need to be a therapist to make a difference. You just need to know what to look for and how to show up. In this month's newsletter, you'll find the warning signs to watch for, questions worth asking, and simple ways to let your child know they're loved, no matter what they're carrying.

Want to go deeper?

ParentGuidance.org’s no-cost course walks you through everything you need to know about suicide prevention, so you feel confident having the hard conversations before they're urgent.

Take the Course: What Parents Need to Know About Suicide Prevention

Counselor contact information is linked here:

https://benfranklin.fargo.k12.nd.us/counseling-center/overview

The Fargo Board of Education set meal prices for the 2026-27 school year. The prices are:

· Elementary Breakfast $1.85

· Elementary Lunch $2.85

· Secondary Breakfast $2.10

· Secondary Lunch $3.20

· Adult Breakfast $2.95

· Adult Lunch $4.25

· Extra Milk $0.50

Please note:

1. Schools qualifying for the Community Eligibility Program will receive free student meals in the 2026-27 school year. These schools include Ed Clapp Elementary School, Madison Elementary School, Jefferson Elementary School, Dakota High School, Early Childhood Special Education at Agassiz, and Explorer Academy.

2. Any additional meals purchased by a student will be charged at the adult price.

3. Starting July 1, 2026, the district will be passing along credit card fees to the payer on all electronic payments. This information will be displayed in SchoolPay and will replace the $10 minimum requirement.

4. Milk for classroom breaks will not be offered at Fargo Public Schools elementary schools during the 2026-27 school year. Currently, Fargo Public Schools funds approximately 45% of the milk program's cost. Due to declining resources, the program is no longer feasible to continue. In addition, school staff have reported significant milk waste, making the program unsustainable. Students will continue to have access to drinking water, following their school’s guidelines. The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program will continue to be offered at qualifying buildings and is typically provided during classroom breaks.

Free and Reduced-Price Meals Application

Students attending school are provided breakfast and lunch through the USDA National School Lunch Program. Students may qualify for federal and state assistance to cover the cost of meals. Households may qualify based on income and size, participation in a federal assistance program (SNAP, etc.) or other criteria. Families receive free meals if they fall below 225% of the federal poverty line. Families must submit a Student Fees Assistance and Benefits Application (also known as a Free-and Reduced-Price Meal Application) every year.

If families qualify, households can receive free meals and additional benefits such as:

· Waived (canceled) fees for school related activities such as band rentals, activity fees, exam fees, and others.

· Increased funding to the district for educational programs through Title 1 funding, foundation aid, e-rate for technology grants, and others.

Households wishing to apply for Free or Reduced-Price Meals may apply by submitting a Student Fees Assistance and Benefits Application. It is only necessary to submit one application per household.

For more information about Free or Reduced-Priced Meals or the Student Fees Assistance and Benefits Application, visit the FPS Nutritional Services Department website. If you need assistance with the application, call FPS Nutrition Services at 701.446.1153.

Yearbooks can be purchased in SchoolPay for $15 and are delivered on the last day of school. The main office will accept cash, check or charge as well.

Every student locker is equipped with a combination padlock loaned by the school. Lockers should be kept locked at all times and locks/combos/lockers should not be shared with other students. Students are expected to utilize their locks and keep their lockers locked at all times. Lost, stolen, or damaged locks will be paid for by the student at a fee of $10. Students are responsible for books and personal possessions at all times. STUDENTS ARE ADVISED TO LEAVE VALUABLES AT HOME.

We appreciate you speaking with your student in advance!

Your child will participate in a Physical Education class every other day throughout the year. The goal of physical education is to develop physically literate individuals who have the knowledge, skills and confidence to enjoy a lifetime of healthful physical activity. Students should dress for physical education in clothing conducive to physical activity with shoes appropriate for gym flooring and outdoor activity.

Students will not be changing for PhyEd classes, or using locker rooms, so they should dress accordingly on their Phy Ed days.

Fargo Public Schools 2026-27 "Energy Saver" bus route schedules are available on the Fargo Public Schools transportation website. Student bussing information will be emailed to families. Please call 701-446-1016 with questions.

Dear Families,

Fargo Public Schools uses “Here Comes the Bus” to track students who ride the bus. Students in grades K-5 who ride the bus will receive a bar-coded card; school staff will attach the card to a student’s backpack on the first day of school or the day that your child begins riding the bus. Students in grades 6-12 will use a student ID card to scan or input their lunch number on the bus keypad.

Students will scan each time they enter the bus. When students arrive at the school, they will not scan off the bus, but the bus driver will complete a walk-through of the bus to make sure all students are off the bus (this saves valuable time each morning). At the end of the school day, returning home, your student needs to scan on and off the bus. When students scan, we can, in real-time, know that they are either on the bus or have exited the bus. This provides another level of safety for our students. Please encourage your child to participate in the scanning process onto the bus in the morning and scanning both on and off the bus after school.

If your child needs a replacement card, please notify the school office. A replacement will be given to the child at their school.

Parents/guardians can download the “Here Comes the Bus” app, which notifies parents when their children are picked up and dropped off. Click here for instructions on how to set up Here Comes the Bus. Students can also download the app and view where their bus is located.

If you have any questions about this system, please call the school office.

Thank you,

Brad Johnson, Transportation Coordinator

Fargo Public Schools

During the school day, we will call your student to the office for a message only in an emergency situation. We ask that you please communicate with your student any information they may need for the day, prior to coming to school. (Ex. transportation, appointments, lunch money, etc.) Thank you.

Ben Franklin is measuring several indicators this year to show our overall school growth and improvement. Our key areas, Tier 1 Instruction, PBIS/MTSS, and Staff Wellbeing align with the new Fargo Public School Strategic Plan.

Tier 1 Instruction: At the conclusion of the 2026-2027 school year, 50% of Ben Franklin students will score proficient or advanced on the NDA+ summative assessment.

Positive Behavior Intervention Supports: Attendance- At the end of the 2026-2027 school year, the number of periods of tardiness will decrease from the 700 periods averaged per month during the 2025-2026 school year.

Staff Wellbeing: At the end of the 2026-2027 school year, staff responses to “I feel a sense of belonging to my school,” will increase by 10% or have an average score greater than 5.43 as measured by the school Vital Survey.

To help all of our Wildcats succeed academically, we need our amazing families in our corner! Research shows that students who read regularly at home achieve significantly higher than those who don't. This year, we’re stepping up our reading and writing culture—both inside and outside our school walls.

Here’s How We’re Making It Happen:

• Weekly Silent Reading: Once a week during Advisory class, the entire school will pause to dive into a good book.

• Always Be Prepared: Students are expected to carry a library book or physical reading material with them wherever they go at school.

• "Write Like a Wildcat": Across all subjects, students will practice writing using clear, school-wide expectations to build strong communication skills.

What About Homework?

We often get asked about homework expectations! This year, our primary school-wide homework ask is simple: we ask students and families to read together or independently for 15 to 30 minutes every night.

Thank you for partnering with us to help your student grow and thrive!

Nicole Justesen is the Communities in Schools Social Worker at Ben Franklin. Nicole works closely with Ben Franklin administrators and counselors to identify at risk students and provide targeted support within school and in the community. One of the focuses of Communities in Schools is improving attendance for all students. Attendance matters! Nicole can be contacted at 701-446-3623 or justesn@fargo.k12.nd.us

DID YOU KNOW?

• Students should miss no more than 9 days of school each year to stay engaged, successful and on track to graduation.

• Frequent absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with school work, dealing with a bully or facing some other difficulty.

• By 9th grade attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th grade test scores.

HOW PARENTS CAN SUPPORT ATTENDANCE

• Make school attendance a priority

• Talk about the importance of showing up to school every day with your student.

• Help your student maintain daily routines, such as finishing homework and getting a good night’s sleep.

• Try to schedule dental and non-urgent related medical appointments on a non school day.

• Keep your student healthy. If you are concerned or have questions, Ben Franklin has a school nurse ready to assist!

HELP YOUR TEEN STAY ENGAGED

• If your student is truant or truant in school, talk with your student about why they are choosing to skip class. Reach out to school administrators or counselors for support and problem solving!

• Monitor your teen’s academic progress and encourage your student to seek help from teachers when necessary. Advisory period is a great way for students to connect with teachers.

• Be aware of your student’s social contacts. Peer pressure can lead to skipping school, while students without many friends can feel isolated.

• Encourage your child to join extra curricular activities including sports and clubs. Check out all Ben Franklin has to offer at https://benfranklin.fargo.k12.nd.us/activities/overview

• If you notice changes to your child’s mental health, reach out to your student’s counselor for assistance and community resources if needed.

• Remember, we want to work with you and your student! Go Wildcats!

We are well underway with many of our fall activities, and it has been exciting to see so many students getting involved!

A special thank you to our parents for your patience as we navigate so many new processes and systems this fall. We know there have been a lot of messages filling your inboxes, and we truly appreciate your flexibility and understanding as we work through these changes.

Theater

The Ben Franklin Theater Department is up and running and has announced roles for its fall production, Shakespeare's Got Talent! Students are already working hard and staying late to prepare for performances on October 1st and 2nd at 7:00 PM. Mark your calendars and come support our talented students!

Fall Activities

Volleyball, football, and 6th grade cross country are in full swing! Between these three activities, we have approximately 200 students participating! THIS IS AMAZING!

Coming Up Next

Next up are 7th & 8th grade girls basketball and 6th grade girls volleyball. Registration information for 7th & 8th grade activities will be sent directly to students, while 6th grade parents will continue to receive registration forms by email. Look for information in mid-September.

We would especially love to see more girls participating in basketball! Participation has been declining across the FM area, and we would love to help revive the sport at Ben Franklin. If your daughter has ever thought about trying basketball, this is the year to give it a shot!

Being involved in school activities can help students build relationships, develop confidence, learn teamwork, and feel more connected to school. Research consistently shows that students who are engaged in school activities tend to experience stronger school engagement and positive academic and social outcomes.

Jackie Shultis - Activities Director

701-446-3606
shultij@fargo.k12.nd.us

Laura Jacobson - Activities Assistant

701-446-3609

jacobsl@fargo.k12.nd.us

Must haves prior to the first day of practice:

• Completed sports physical (NDHSAA approved physical examination dated and signed by a physician).

• https://d2q0tptsfejku7.cloudfront.net/uploads/files/NDHSAA_Physical_Form.pdf

• Physicals must be dated on or after April 15th, 2026 to be credited for the 2026-2027 school year.

• Co-Curricular online forms (This is viewed online via the registration forms in each parent's Infinite Campus account). **If you did not fill these out online and submitted your registration, you cannot change this electronically. Please contact Laura Jacobson and the office will give you a paper copy to fill out, sign, and submit back to the office.

• *Concussion Verification

• By signing the co-curricular forms, via Infinite Campus, both the parent(s) and student athlete are acknowledging that they have reviewed the concussion information.

• It is highly recommended that every student-athlete and parent successfully complete the 20-minutes National Federation of High School's online course, "Concussion in Sports". The course can be accessed at www.nfhslearn.com.

Please feel free to turn your sports physical in as soon as it is completed. This aids in a productive first day of practice if physicals can be verified ahead of time. Return using the following:

• Upload a copy directly to your child's Infinite Campus account under the registration forms

• Drop forms off at the Ben Franklin main office M-F, 8:00am-4:00pm

• Email a copy to Ms. Laura Jacobson at jacobsl@fargo.k12.nd.us

Current Clubs:

Builders, Dungeons & Dragons, Math Counts, Mindfulness, Pokemon, Science Olympiad, Speech/Debate, Book Club, Art Club, and Puzzle Club.

There are multiple different opportunities and extracurricular activities through the music department. The music department communicates these opportunities within their music classes.

Throughout the school year, the Theater department puts on two productions, the One Act Play and the Musical. These are audition based roles, more information will be provided at a later date.

Winter Sports

At Ben Franklin

7th & 8th Girls Basketball 10/19 start

6th - 8th Girls & Boys Wrestling 11/9 start

6th Girls Volleyball 10/14 start

7th & 8th Boys Basketball 1/4 start

At North HS

7th & 8th Girls & Boys Gymnastics 11/16 start

7th & 8th Boys Swimming & Diving 12/30 start

Spring Sports

At Ben Franklin

6th Girls & Boys Basketball 3/1 start

7th & 8th Girls & Boys Track and Field 4/5 start

6th Girls & Boys Track and Field 4/12 start

At North HS

7th and 8th Grade Girls Soccer 3/22 start

7th & 8th Girls Softball 3/22 start

7th & 8th Girls Tennis 4/5 start

7th & 8th Boys Golf 4/12 start

$25 Activity Fee

Sixth grade athletic activities will have a five to six-week season offered at various times. Announcements will be made prior to the activity starting. Practice will be three to four times a week. There will be roughly 18 contact days that consists of 15 practices and 3 competitions.

*All Dates are tentative and subject to change.

Wrestling (boys & girls) – 11/9/26

Volleyball (girls) – 10/13/26

Basketball (boys & girls) – 3/1/27

Track & Field (boys & girls) – 4/12/27

The practice time will be 1½ hours and families must provide transportation at the end of practices. Transportation is provided to and from competitions. Competitions take place at Ben Franklin, Carl Ben Eielson, and Discovery Middle School.

The Co-Curricular Parent Meeting is NOT required. A physical is not required but recommended due to the physical nature of the activities and to establish an athletic baseline.

Activity Fees:

High School = $100.00

7th/8th Grade - $50.00

6th Grade Intramural - $25.00

Middle School Gate Admissions:

Admission fees will now be charged for 7th and 8th grade athletic competitions. Game tickets will be available to be purchased at the admission gate for each site. The cost will be $5.00 for adults. Activity passes can also be purchased online. Directions to purchase a GoFan pass (the online/electronic activities pass) are available at this link. Fargo Public School's employees can still use their badge for admission for themselves and a guest.

Want to support our Ben Franklin Wildcats? Purchase and wear Wildcat apparel from our BSN Sideline Store! They have tons of colors, styles and logos to choose from! Every Friday is Blue and Gold or school spirit wear at school!

Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year from the PTO! The BFMS PTO's goal is to support our Ben Franklin students and staff through funding classroom activities, supplies, trips, teacher conference meals and staff appreciation. Everyone is a member of the PTO and we encourage you to attend a meeting - our first meeting of the year is September 14th at 6:00pm in the Ben Franklin Library. PTO is financially supported through parent donations and concession stands. All money raised directly supports our Ben Franklin community! Donations can be made through our Venmo @BenFranklinFargoPTO or Donate via school pay

We are also looking for volunteers to help on school picture day, Wednesday, Sept. 9th. You can sign up to work at shift here: Sign up for picture help

Thank you for helping us support BFMS!

Emergency Care Plans

Fargo Public Schools requires an Emergency Care Plan to be on file for students with conditions such as diabetes, seizures, significant allergies, and other chronic conditions. If you have not completed the Emergency Care Plan for your student, please contact Nurse Jacki to ensure this is completed.

Immunizations

• All immunizations for students must be up to date by October 20th. If you have updated immunization paperwork, please drop off a copy at the main office or email a copy to bfnurse@fargo.k12.nd.us.
• The TDap and MCV4 vaccines are required before entering 7th grade.

Fargo Public Schools also partners with Family HealthCare to offer on-site immunizations. The Family HealthCare mobile unit will be at Ben Franklin Middle School during the day on September 10th. To participate in this option, please complete the online intake form: https://hushforms.com/fhcmobileunit

If you have questions about these or any other health-related topics, please don't hesitate to reach out. I look forward to a wonderful year!

-Jacki Kruse

bfnurse@fargo.k12.nd.us

701-446-3640

Fargo Public Schools respectfully acknowledges that we gather on the lands of the Oceti Sakowin (Oh-chéh-tee Sha-koh-wee), who are the Dakota, Lakota, and Nakoda people, and the Anishinaabe (Ah-ni-shin-nah-bay) people of this area.

This information is also available on our website at:

https://www.fargo.k12.nd.us/landacknowledgement

Jennifer Liebersbach, Assistant Principal

Jackie Shultis, Assistant Principal/Activities Coordinator

Jake Snyder, Dean of Students

Website: https://www.fargo.k12.nd.us/benfranklin
Location: 1420 8th Street North, Fargo, ND, USA
Phone: 701-446-3600