Ben Franklin Focus
Back to School Edition 2023-2024
Welcome, Ben Franklin Families!
Dear Ben Franklin Families,
Summer isn't over yet, but we wanted to send this newsletter out to welcome you to Benjamin Franklin Middle School and keep you informed about our upcoming school year. We are so thankful to have you here and we look forward to the opportunity to get to know and work with you and your child throughout the upcoming school year. At Ben Franklin we work hard and have fun! We know that with the start of school comes many questions, so we wanted to provide as much information to you as possible. Please know that if you ever have any questions, concerns, or ideas, we welcome you to contact us. We are here for you. Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Sincerely,
Jeanie Sienkowski (Principal) and Nick Slater (Assistant Principal)
Upcoming Events
August
7 - Schedules and Locker Information Available in Skyward Family Access
9 - 6th Grade Locker Jamboree from 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. (6th Graders Only)
10 & 11 - Building Open from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. for Students & Parents to Walk Schedules
15- 6th Grade & New Student Orientation from 8:00-10:15 a.m.
16 - First Day of School
17 - Open House for Parents from 5:30-7:00 p.m.
23 - School Picture Day
September
4 - No School - Labor Day
29 - 1/2 Day for Students - 11:30 a.m. dismissal
School & Contact Information
Principal: Jeanie Sienkowski
Assistant Principal: Nick Slater
Secretary: Kristy Nondorf
Secretary/Treasurer: Becky Stralnic
Nurse: Anita Ostojic
Counselor Last Name A-K: Rebekah Cowan
Counselor Last Name L-Z: Tammy Hofer
Social Worker: Carolyn Ostafinski
Welcome to Our New Staff Members!
Mr. Quinlan
Ms. Krinock
Mrs. Martin
Hi! My name is Emily Martin and I live in Valpo with my husband, our 1 year old daughter, Indie, and our two dogs. I love to travel, spend time outdoors, and try new restaurants. I previously taught for Chicago Public Schools for the past 5 years, but recently moved back to NWI to be closer to family. I am so excited to get to continue teaching middle school and to join the Ben Franklin community!
Mrs. Okeley
Meet Zoe!
Lockers & Schedules
Supply Lists
Physical Education Uniforms
6th Grade & New Student Orientation
Tuesday, August 15th, is our 6th grade and new student orientation day!
All 6th grade and NEW 7th and 8th grade students are expected to attend school from 8:00-10:15 a.m. on this day. Students will meet their teachers, follow their class schedule, and practice opening their lockers. All 6th grade students will start their morning in their 1st hour class. All new 7th and 8th graders will meet in the auditorium. From there, students will be dismissed to go through their daily class schedules. Don't worry! There will be numerous staff on hand to help students find their classroom locations.
If your child rides a bus, pickup information can be found soon on Skyward Family Access by clicking on the “Busing" tab. This will give the time and location of both pick up and drop off approximate times. Bus riders will be picked up Tuesday morning and dropped off after our 10:15 a.m. dismissal.
Students are asked to bring their schedule and locker information. 7th and 8th grade students who have already attended BFMS should remain at home on this day.
We can't wait to see your kids!
School Day & Calendar
Bus Information
Pick up and drop off information can be found on Skyward Family Access by clicking on the “Busing” tab. Be sure your child is at the bus stop at least 5 minutes ahead of the scheduled pick up time and please understand that the afternoon drop off times are an estimate only and will most assuredly run a little later the first few weeks of school.
Parent Pick Up and Drop Off
Handbook/Student Expectations
Absences
VCS School Nutrition Information
Athletics Information
Cross-Country
Cross-Country will begin on Wednesday, August 16th. Practices will be Monday-Friday from 3-4:15 p.m. Cross-Country is open to 6th, 7th, and 8th graders and is for runners of all abilities. Make sure your child has a physical packet turned into the office so they can participate. If you have any questions you can contact Coach Otto or Coach West.
aotto@valpo.k12.in.us
kwest@valpo.k12.in.us
Gymnastics
Any girls entering 6th-8th grade in the Fall who are interested in trying out for Middle School Gymnastics should contact Coach Cook at lcook@valpo.k12.in.us. The season runs from mid-August through the third week in October, with practices at Valparaiso High School from 3:20-5:30. Completed physical packets must be on file with your middle school before tryouts begin August 17 and 18.
The date for our Parent meeting changed from August 2 to August 9. We will meet at the VHS Fieldhouse at 6:00 p.m.
Football
Football practice will begin on Wednesday, August 2nd from 6-8 pm. Football is open to 7th and 8th graders only. We will be practicing in shorts and t-shirts for the first couple of days. The first week of practice will be 8/2 6-8 pm, 8/3 6-8 pm, and 8/4 8:00-10:00 am. Further practice schedules will be given at practice. If you have any questions, you can email Coach Osburn or Coach Salomon.
Volleyball
7th and 8th grade girls volleyball tryouts will be held on Wednesday, August 16th through Friday, August 20th from 3-4:30 p.m in Annex and Boucher gyms. Be sure you have a physical on file. It is very important to attend all of the try out dates. If you have any questions, you can email Coach Mersman (8th Grade) or Coach Mendoza (7th Grade).
Leaving During the School Day
Messages & Deliveries
We are unable to pass along messages or deliver items to students during the school day except in the case of emergencies. Parents may bring forgotten items to Door 2 off of Campbell St. Your child will then be able to retrieve these items from the office during one of their passing periods.
Skyward & Canvas
If you are new to BFMS or you would like more information about the tools available to you through Skyward Family Access (attendance, grades, and school news) or Canvas (classroom resources, teacher information, etc.), then please contact the office at 531-3020.
Parent Advisory Group
Ben Franklin Staff Appreciation Group
We Can't Wait to See You!
We look forward to working with you and your child this coming school year! We know that we are going to have a wonderful time together. Thanks for all you do and please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if there is anything you need!
Jeanie Sienkowski is the principal of Benjamin Franklin Middle School in Valparaiso, Indiana.