May 2015 Parent Power News

Charlotte L. Matthew, M.Ed., Principal

 Dr. Ramona J. Perkins, Assistant Principal

May 2015

 The last month of school is here!!! This is such a busy time. Every day brings new events and new challenges. I am not one who counts down to the last day of school. I am stretching each day, savoring our last teaching moments to make a difference in the education of each student at our two campuses of Benjamin Franklin Elementary. We will be teaching, testing, and having fun activities every day until May 20th when report cards will be distributed at the end of the day.

 We have had an amazing year! Our students are awesome, our teachers and staff are incredible, and our parents are supportive and magnificent. Thank you to all who contributed to the success of this school year. I want to say a special thank you to our outgoing PTO President Aloyce Randell-Novel, and her Executive Board. This school is blessed to have parent leadership that puts students and the learning environment first. We also have parents who do whatever it takes to support the school. Thank you to the hundreds of parents who took off time from work or leisure to attend field trips, volunteer in classes or around school, and come out for special events. A big shout out to our Dads Club, a small but mighty group who show up faithfully for Dads Duty Day! We will be celebrating you and your family May 9th as we picnic at the Jefferson Campus.

 With our dedicated, talented staff and our committed parents there is nothing we cannot accomplish. We are finishing the year strong and making plans for next year. All things are possible and great things are in the works. Stay tuned!!!!

Staff Appreciation

 The week of May 12th is Staff Appreciation Week. The first thing our staff would like to have is students on time, ready to learn every day. There are other things students can do to show their appreciation. Every day of the week beginning May 12th, students are asked to bring a small item to show their appreciation to teachers, paras, support personnel and administrators. Monday: Card Day; Tuesday: Plants or Flowers, Wednesday: Candy, Thursday: Fruit, Friday: A Small Gift. Thank you for your continued support of our staff and instructional program. We love our jobs because of you and your children. Special thanks to our PTO for the faculty celebration planned for Tuesday, May 12th at 4:00 PM.

Spirit Week

 Our Student Council has planned Spirit Week which will coincide with Staff Appreciation Week. There is no cost to participate in Spirit Week. There will be a special Update to let you know what the students can wear.

Last PTO Meeting

 Tuesday, May 5th at 5:30 PM is our last PTO meeting of the school year. Our PTO has worked hard this year for the betterment of the school. The PTO meetings are vital to the communication stream between the PTO, staff, administration and our families. Please add your voice to the PTO.

Calvin Mackie Motivational Speaker

 Monday, May 11th at 6:00 PM we will have the incredible Calvin Mackie as our end of the year speaker for our parents, staff, and community. Mr. Mackie is an American award-winning mentor, motivational speaker, and successful entrepreneur. Please look for the flyer that will come out the week of May 4th with more information. Mark your calendar!!

Summer Opportunities

 There are many opportunities around the city to prevent summer academic regression for your child. Please plan now for their summer activities. We will have three programs at the Jefferson Campus of Franklin Elementary. We are hosting the ECS Extended School Year Services for the District and have two programs for our students going into fourth and eighth grades. Be on the lookout for the applications as space is limited for our programs. We will accept students on a first come/first serve basis. We will be sending home summer reading lists and other important information to help your child grow and be in the know this summer. Here is the link to the summer camps around New Orleans.

neworleans.nokidhungry.org/summer-programs-new-orleans