News and Announcements (Ben Franklin Elementary PTA)

The Benjamin Franklin Green Team is excited to announce the introduction of a new environmental education program! Think Recycle, is an environmental fundraising program offered to schools to help educate our students and communities on recycling It’s a program that’s good for our school, our community and the environment.

The Think Recycle program is simple. Students and families can collect used cell phones, ink cartridges, and laser cartridges from the community and return them to the boxes located by our Green Team bulletin board. As a result our school will earn funds for each qualifying cartridge or cell phone returned. These funds will help our Green Team continue efforts in waste reduction with purchasing items such as: re-usable bags, environmental books, assembly programs and workshops. Through partnership with the Tree Canada Foundation and American Forests, Think Recycle will sponsor the planting of one tree for every 24 qualifying cartridges or cell phone collected.

We request your on-going support in ensuring the success of this cost-free program. Your place of employment can also support Benjamin Franklin by saving used cartridges and cell phones, and having your child return them to school.

Support of the Think Recycle program will help teach the children and our community the importance of Recycling & Rethinking. For more information call 1.888.265.2895 or visit www.thinkrecycle.com.

Ben Franklin PTA is on facebook. Are you?

posted Sep 17, 2009 1:44 PM by Franklin PTA

Come join the Ben Franklin PTA facebook group! Click here to find the Ben Franklin facebook group. Or search for Ben Franklin PTA in facebook and join.

Every FRIDAY is a Waste Free Lunch Day

posted Sep 16, 2009 6:45 PM by Franklin PTA

Green Team is pleased to announce that every FRIDAY will be a

WASTE FREE LUNCH DAY

On our Waste-Free Lunch Day, students will be asked to bring lunches that include as many items as possible that can be eaten, reused, recycled, or composted and as few items as possible that must be thrown away. You can help your child pack his or her waste-free lunch by including only what your student can eat, using reusable containers or bags, or buying non-perishable foods in bulk.

Items Include: Don’t Include:

Sandwiches in reusable containers. • Individually wrapped snacks
Whole fruits without packaging. • Plastic baggies that are not reusable
Drinks in containers that can be • Disposable forks and spoons

reused, such as a thermos

Snacks purchased in bulk and brought in reusable containers.
Reusable ice packs.

Thank you for your support as we try to make Fridays and every day a waste-free lunch day!

Needed: Special Needs Liason for Ben Franklin

posted Jun 18, 2009 9:06 AM by Franklin PTA [ updated Oct 10, 2009 11:02 AM by Amanda Maggiora ]

There is an opening for a PTSA Special Needs Liaison at your school for the 2009-2010 school year. This person distributes the monthly meeting info to the families on your campus. The info will be sent to the liaison by email and just needs to be forwarded to your school's newsletter editor, posted on your school web site or printed up as hard copies to be sent home to families on your campus who have a child with special needs. Click here to see the meeting schedule. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Beth Angelo 4bangelo3@verizon.net or Amy Verrall (Liaison Coordinator) home@verrallfamily.com Thank you!

Bike To School Month Happening in May

posted May 5, 2009 2:17 PM by Franklin PTA [ updated May 5, 2009 2:19 PM ]

We invite you to join our team for

Bike to School Month, May 2009

Dear Ben Franklin families,

May is Bike to School Month, designed to encourage bicycle commuting and mentor new riders. When you cycle to school with your child you:

Create daily exercise habits that help keep your child active and healthy.
Reduce car traffic and air pollution.
Help your child become a competent and independent cyclist.

We envision Bike to School Month as a family project, one that will also introduce parents to the fun of cycling with their kids.

Everyone who rides at least once wins a prize!

All participants who ride to school on Bike to School Day May 15^th

earn a reflective “slap bracelet”.

7-14 trips earn a reflective sticker pack.
15+ trips earns a bike lock.

So, how do you participate? It's easy! 1) Fill out the form below and return to your child's teacher or to Ms. Denney by Monday, April 28th. We will send home bicycle safety information, “passport” and instructions. You keep track of your trips each day you ride* and turn in your passport at the end of the month. Or 2) Ride your bike to school and sign in each day on the sign in sheets by the bike rack. We'll add your trips to our school total and deliver your prizes.

*Because some children cannot cycle safely to school, and because the "work" that kids do also includes sports, music lessons, trips to the library, etc., commuter trips for Bike to School 2009 will include any trip made by bicycle somewhere your child needs to go, one round-trip per day.

For more information check out Cascade's website at www.cbcef.org/commuting_btw.html or contact Jon Osborn at Cascade Bicycle Club (ypa@cascadebicycleclub.org) or Nancy Denney Ndenney@lwsd.org)

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R.S.V.P. Form, Bike to School Month, May 2009

Yes! I would like to participate by cycling to school* and keeping track of my trips for the

Ben Franklin Elementary Bike to School Team.

Name:_______________________________________ Email:__________________

Teacher:_____________________________________ Grade:__________________

Parent / Guardian Signature_______________________________________________

Parents: I give permission for my child to participate in Bike to School Month and I will provide the support he or she needs to do so safely.

Questions? (Contact Nancy Denney – Ndenney@lwsd.org – 425-822-7460)

Annual District Parent Survey is Open Now Through May 8

posted May 5, 2009 2:06 PM by Franklin PTA

Annual District Parent Survey Now Open

Every year, the Lake Washington School District asks parents for their input on how the district and schools are doing, in terms of educating students, communicating with parents, or providing the right environment for learning. This information helps the district and schools to focus on continuous improvement efforts. This year’s survey will open on April 20, at http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB228UAEAZA7N. The survey will be available through May 8. Please take just a few minutes and let us know what you think.

Franklin would really appreciate your feedback! Our staff will look at the data and make specific goals for our School’s Continuous Improvement Plan.

New Officers Nominated for PTA Board of Directors

posted Mar 27, 2009 11:37 AM by Franklin PTA

The officers nominated for 2009-2010 PTA Board of Directors are as follows. We thank those who are joining the Board as well as those returning for their contributions to the Ben Franklin community.

Co Presidents:
Donna Blinn
Mandi McChesney

Secretary:
Tamara Hill

Treasurer:
Mark Whiteside

Communications:
Megan Hoskins (current)
Amanda Maggiora

Education & Enrichment:
Julia Ednie (current)
Valerie Horvath

Fundraising:
Colette Ulloa (current)
Cindy Furutani

Health & Welfare:
Paula Goelzer (current)
John Wharton

Special Events:
Frida Kumars (current)
Rena Peterson

Thank you,
Pam Hay, Sally Norred & Valerie Horvath
2009 Nominating Committee

Voting to confirm the nominees will occur at the April 9th General PTA Membership meeting, 7:00 PM, following the school’s math presentation.

LWSD Assistance League Needs Assistance!

posted Mar 27, 2009 11:15 AM by Franklin PTA

As you know, Assistance League of the Eastside serves many LWSD students through their Operation School Bell program. As individual PTAs and as a council, we have recognized their contributions to the welfare of children.

Now you and your PTA members have an opportunity to help Assistance League. Normally, this would have been the year for their big auction, but due to the economic crisis, they are scaling back. One of their smaller-scale events will be a “Good Stuff” Rummage Sale on April 24 & 25 at Overlake Business Park.

At this time, they are soliciting donations of goods for the sale. So if you will be doing some spring cleaning in the next few weeks, they would love to have your donations. I have attached information above. On the Flyer (1) you will find a list of items they would like to have as well as a “please do not donate” list. The Flyer (final) advertises the event itself.

| Attachments: RummageSaleFlyer (1).doc Rummage Sale Flyer final.pub

Be part of the 2009-10 Ben Franklin PTA Board

posted Feb 18, 2009 1:03 PM by Franklin PTA

The Franklin PTA is looking for people to join the 2009-10 Board. The PTA oversees a budget of approximately $30,000 that is used to support teachers, students and staff at Ben Franklin. The PTA also supports the school by organizing and staffing events, such as Health Screening, Walk to School, Week, Family Event Nights, fundraising, Thursday Packets and the Franklin Courier. It is a great way to be involved and to meet other Franklin parents.

Franklin PTA is set up so that each year half of the board positions are open. (Board positions are shared with another person and are for a two year term. More information is available in the PTA Corner.) If you are interested in learning more about being on the board or would like to volunteer, please send email to theNominating Committee.

On Facebook? Join the Ben Franklin Facebook group

posted Feb 18, 2009 12:59 PM by Franklin PTA

Ben Franklin PTA now has a group for parents. Check us out at the group: Ben Franklin PTA/Kirkland, Washington.

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