Benjamin Franklin School

K3 Head Start - 8th Grade

MPS- Stacked-Logo 414-875-4400
179@milwaukee.k12.wi.us
2308 West Nash Street
  • Welcome
  • About
    • Mission and Vision
    • Principal’s Message
    • History
  • Calendar
  • Academics
    • Common Core
    • Curriculum
    • Response to Intervention
    • Technology
    • Specials
  • Partnerships and Programs
    • Partnerships
    • Programs
  • Students
    • Student of the Week
    • Toolbox
      • PreK – K5 Academic Websites
      • 1st & 2nd Grade Academic Websites
      • 3rd Grade Academic Websites
      • 4th & 5th Grade Academic Websites
      • 6th & 8th Grade Academic Websites
      • Tech Education
    • Parent / Student Handbook
    • Athletics
    • Extra Curricular
  • Families
    • Parent Portal
    • Parent Guides
    • Parent/Student Handbook
    • District Forms
    • Student Days Off – District Calendars
    • Family Newsletters
    • Parent Toolbox
    • Parent / Student Handbook
    • Join Us
    • Community
    • Forms
  • Staff
  • Contact

Welcome

Head Start Enrolling Now! 

To register your child for the Head Start program please call 414-252-0350.

Family Welcome Letter for the 2022-23 School Year

August 29, 2022

Dear Franklin Families:

Welcome to the 2022-23 school year! I hope you enjoyed a safe summer and had opportunities for fun and building memories with friends and families. The staff and I are thrilled to welcome all of you back to a new school year of in-person learning, academic achievement and personal growth. I am extremely grateful to be starting my 6th year as the proud Principal at Franklin and am honored to lead this amazing staff of professionals to support the students, families and community as we grow together and build long-lasting bonds. Together, we are the village that will make the difference for the young people we serve. The Playground Redevelopment is on track and you will be learning more about the project this year. We have new teachers and classroom assistants to welcome to the Franklin Family and new, exciting curriculum to present to our students.

One of our school goals this year is to increase our attendance rate. Did you know just missing two days a month, or about 18 days in the year, means your child misses 10% of the school year? Please help us to reach our school goal of 95% attendance by having your child attend each and every day.

I want to personally invite you to attend our Back-to-School Open House on Thursday, September 1st from 3:15– 5:30PM on the school playground. This will be a great time for you to strengthen our Franklin community, meet other families, and learn about the upcoming school year. There will be games and activities for the children to engage in and parents will be able to pick up their child’s uniform shirt, backpack and packet of school information. Students are asked to wear their uniform shirt and khaki or black bottoms along with closed-toe shoes to school daily. No body-hugging shorts or leggings should be worn to school. More information on the Dress Code is located in the Family Manual. **If you are unable to attend the Back-to-School Picnic, you may pick up your child’s uniform shirt, backpack and packet of information on Wednesday, September 1st from 12:15 – 3:00PM. Please come to the Main Entrance. **

The first day for student attendance is Tuesday, September 6th. The school day begins at 7:20 AM and students are asked to be on the playground at that time. They should line up behind their classroom number on the playground. Staff members will be on the playground to direct you, or your child, if there are questions about which classroom your child is registered for. Look for busing information to arrive in the mail from the Transportation Department at MPS Central Services.

As always, please feel free to reach out with questions or concerns. You can reach the Main Office at (414) 875-4400. Thank you for your continued support and belief in Benjamin Franklin School.

Yours in Education,

Sara Hmielewski

Principal – Benjamin Franklin School


Milwaukee Public Schools Banner

Enrolling Now!!

See Headstart enrollment information: Headstart Enrollment Flyer

Benjamin Franklin School is currently enrolling students in Head Start → 8th grades for the 2020-2021 school year.   Stop in to register your child(ren) between the hours of 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM weekdays.  You may also register online through the MPS Homepage.

To register your child for the Head Start program please call 414-252-0350.


Principal’s Message:

August 2023

Dear Benjamin Franklin Parents/Guardians,

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” Charles Dickens opened Great Expectations with this famous line which seems quite appropriate to our current situation. Although there are many reasons to be anxious and upset, the current situation has forced families and communities to come together to support those most in need. There is also hope that the social unrest we are experiencing leads to social justice improvements that are long overdue. As educators, we are called to provide hope and a sense of normalcy, predictability and routine to our students’ lives. There is a lot to learn for all of us, and at times it can feel overwhelming. We are fortunate that Franklin has a strong community of families and staff willing to do what it takes for every student to succeed. Although we are not together in the building, we are together in spirit. 

We welcome parents and guardians to be involved in all aspects of their students’ education. Thank you for choosing Benjamin Franklin and for your support of the staff, students and program. I look forward to seeing everyone soon, whether virtually or in-person. 

If you have any questions, please call me at (414) 875-4400 or email me at hmielese@milwaukee.k12.wi.us

Respectfully yours,

Sara E. Hmielewski 

Principal


Virtual Learning

During Phase I of the MPS Reopening Plan, students will be 100% virtual. We are aware that while this ensures we are keeping our Franklin families safest, this can place additional stress on families that depend on in-person schooling for education, as well as childcare, socialization, and meals. Our staff is committed to working with each family to provide the instruction that each student deserves, and we will be as flexible as we can to make the virtual experience work for all. 

Partners in Learning:

Franklin teachers are excited about building strong relationships with families of our students. We love your child, and we know you want the absolute best for them. Teachers will be reaching out to families via several methods, and we’ll identify what works best for each family, whether that be phone calls, text messages, email, or video chat. Additionally, keep an eye out for a Franklin Facebook page that we’ll use as an informal way to connect with one another! 

Academic Rigor with a Hefty Dose of Patience

We know that we’re embarking on challenges we haven’t seen previously. Some students will find virtual learning works well for them, and they may benefit from being away from the distractions of their peers. Some students will struggle to stay focused or find it difficult to stay organized. Just like in the classroom, teachers will work hard to get to know each student to find out what works best for them and teach the specific skills that are needed for virtual learning. We still expect to hold our students to high academic standards, while also acknowledging that, in many ways, this is uncharted territory. While there will likely be some bumps along the way, together we will find our groove. 

School Schedule

Officially the school day will begin at 7:20AM and dismiss at 2:20PM. Your child’s teacher will communicate to you what their daily schedule will look like. We know that for a multitude of reasons, your child may need more flexibility around scheduling, and we will be making school lessons available outside of the official school day.

Online Platforms

Students in K-3 through 2nd Grade will be using Seesaw. Students in 4th through 8th Grade will be using Google Classroom. All students will be using Google Meet for live meetings. The Chromebooks offered by Franklin come pre-loaded with these apps. (Class Dojo & Remind, too)

Open House

Following these dates, we will be hosting a Virtual Open House where you will get to know your child’s teachers and have any questions answered. This will take place on Thursday, August 27th from 3:30 – 5:30 PM. Mr. Turner has been working his creative muscles on organizing this — come and say hello! (Check back for a Virtual Invite!) 


Important Dates:

  • Tuesday, September 6: First day of school! 
    • K3-K5 will be staggered start – please refer to letter mailed to your home to determine your child’s first day of school
  • No school on  Monday, September 5!  Happy Labor Day!

Uniforms

Benjamin Franklin is a UNIFORM SCHOOL. The uniform consists of a royal blue polo shirt with an orange Benjamin Franklin logo and khaki pants.

Each student at Benjamin Franklin School will be issued one uniform polo top and one pair of khaki pants free of charge.

Additional Benjamin Franklin School Uniform Polo Shirt: $10 each  (2XL and 3XL $12 each). Order at Benjamin Franklin School. Payment must accompany order.

Administrative Policy 8.20: Uniforms and Student Dress Code


Attendance:

 

Parents we need YOU… to help your child STRIVE FOR FIVE! 

Every Benjamin Franklin student will take a pledge to strive for less than 5 days absent for the entire 2022-2023 school year! 
 
Why?  Your children can suffer academically if they do not attend school on a regular basis.  Absences add-up quickly.  Missing two days of school a month leads to 20 days absent at the end of the school year (which equals an entire month of school missed 😞).
 
How?  For younger children, you can set a regular bedtime and morning routine. Make sure they get 9 to 11 hours of sleep. You can lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.  For older children, you can help them develop homework and bedtime routines that allow for 8 ½ to 9 ½ hours of sleep. Make sure that when the lights go out, so do the cell phones, video games and computers.
 
Whether your child is in preschool or middle school, school attendance matters and is a predictor of your child’s future!  The school day is from 7:20 am and 2:20 pm.       

Please ensure your child is in school and on time daily.


Testing Dates can be found here.


School Improvement Plan
and State Report Card

Franklin Updates

MPS Immunization Clinics

Families — Read the MPS rights and responsibilities guide as the school year starts

More Updates >>>

Franklin Calendar

  • February 17, 2023 – No School (Record Day)
  • February 20, 2023 – No School (Mid-Semester Break)
  • March 17, 2023 – No School (Parent-Teacher Conferences)
  • March 20, 2023 – No School (March Break)

Contact Franklin School

414-875-4400
179@milwaukee.k12.wi.us
2308 West Nash Street

Contact MPS

Milwaukee Public Schools
5225 W. Vliet Street
Milwaukee, WI 53208
Switchboard: (414) 475-8393

Additional Resources

Breakfast & Lunch Menus
Volunteer
MPS Programs
District Calendar
District News
Non-Discrimination Notice

Connect with MPS

       

MPS Newsletter Sign-Up

Whether or not you are an Milwaukee Public Schools employee or have a child enrolled at an MPS school, all of our community members have a vested interest in what goes on at MPS. Subscribe to one or all of our newsletters for important updates and information.

Sign Up Now! | Privacy Notice

Copyright © 2023 Milwaukee Public Schools · Log in