Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Box Tops... every little bit helps!



Hey hey hey Jaguar families!!!

We're doing GREAT on the Box Tops!  As of Nov 30, 2017, our school has brought in about $944 in Box Tops monies!  We're getting closer to our $2500 goal!  

And this year all monies collected from Box Tops will go to purchasing 
trees to line the back field!!!

Now remember... you can go to the Box Tops website

https://www.boxtops4education.com

and see the school's progress as well as enter any sweepstakes there may be going on!  The website also has coupons available for products with Box Tops on them, AND you can see which products will give BONUS Box Tops!  Just log into the Box Tops website for all of that and more!

Additionally, Box Tops has a free app that you can download to your smart phone... just use the same log in for the website and you are in!

Also make sure that you specify "Benjamin Franklin Charter School Gilbert Campus" in Gilbert, AZ 85296 as the school you are supporting.

With everyone's help, we'll have it made in the shade in no time!!!

Monday, November 20, 2017

Thank you!!!


FPAC would like to take a moment to thank the Basha family and the Bashas' store at Gilbert and Chandler Heights for generously donating ALL of the Halos/Cuties that were given to the kids during the Turkey Trot!

THANK YOU so much!!!


Another thank you goes out to all of the parents who volunteered at the Fall Festival and the Turkey Trot!  Without your help these events would not be possible!

You all show us the real meaning of community!  You are greatly appreciated!


THANK YOU JAGUAR FAMILIES!

Monday, October 30, 2017

Online Book Fair!



HOWDY!!!

With the Fall Festival, we have our Book Fair happening in the gym on Saturday!  Now, we know that some families will not be able to come to the Fall Festival but you would love to get books for your child… we have an option for you!!!

ONLINE BOOK FAIR!

Round up your young readers and help us get new books into the classrooms by purchasing your books online!  The school will earn Scholastic dollars and we'll be able to get the teachers' wish lists of books for them!  Easy peasy!

Mosey on down and use the link below to visit the Online Book Fair and see the choices!  Besides… book reports are coming up!  The Online Book Fair will be available through November 11, 2017… get those books as soon as you can!

Link to Online Book Fair

Hey hey hey Jaguar families!!!
We’ve fallen back into a nice school routine after Fall Break, so now we’re shaking things up a bit with the Fall Festival!
Fall Festival is THIS Saturday, November 4th from 1pm-4pm here at the school.
As per tradition, every class will have either a game booth or event or station that can be called their own. What this means is that we need parent or teen volunteers to help man the booths. While having parents help out with the booths is awesome, FPAC knows that families have teens that would love to earn service hours for the various organizations they are a part of. FPAC will gladly sign for teen service hours for jobs well done!  The teens will need to bring their sheet from their organization to Linda Wheeler (she's going to be in the gym that day with Silent Auction) and she will sign for their service hours.
Class game booths and events or stations will be staffed every 30 minutes from 1-4pm that Saturday. Ideally we would like to have 2 volunteers at each class booth/event per 30 minute time slot. Again, volunteers can be either parents or teens.
To get parent/teen volunteers, we have set up a Signup Genius link for each class so that the parent(s) can sign themselves or their teen(s) up to help. 
 If there are no volunteers during a time slot, the class booth will need to be closed until another volunteer comes.
Also happening this week… Fall Festival wristbands will be sold before and after school on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday!  During the 3-day presale, wristbands are $7.  (Please note- wristbands will not be sold on Friday.)  Wrist bands will be available on the day of the Fall Festival for $10.  Concession tickets and raffle tickets will also be available to purchase.
The Silent Auction and Raffle will be in the gym during the Fall Festival, as will the Book Fair!  If you have a business and would like to donate to the silent auction and raffle it's not too late... please contact the FPAC president, Linda Wheeler (fpacgilbert@gmail.com)  The Silent Auction and Raffle helps to fund everything the FPAC does throughout the year (like Color Run, 100th Day Celebration, teacher appreciation, Field Day items…), so that our children don't have to sell cookie dough, wrapping paper, or go door-to-door doing sales.
Back by popular demand… Kiss the Pig!  Here's the deal… Monday during the school day there will be coin vortexes set up in the school by the doors to the courtyard.  If we, as a school, can raise $50 for Feed My Starving Children, then Mrs. Dana has, once again, agreed to kiss a pig (well… a little pig!) during flag ceremony!  YAY!!!  The coin vortexes will be available from Monday through Saturday, so let your kids bring in some coins!
Bringing items in for the class baskets has been extended to Tuesday!  YAY!  Please consider donating an item to your child's class basket for the silent auction.
We’re so excited for the upcoming Fall Festival! If you have any questions you can ask the FPAC president, Linda Wheeler or the FPAC VP, Sherron Stone (fpacgilbert@gmail.com)… or you can route questions through the ladies in the front office and they will get the questions to Linda if the ladies in the office don’t already know the answer.
Please find and use the link below to sign up for a 30 minute shift at your child's class booth!  Feeling adventurous?  Check out other stations where we need help… like in the Book Fair or Concessions.  Can't make it to the Fall Festival but would still like to help?  You might like wrapping a class basket!  We could also use cupcakes for the Cupcake Walk!  Just buy or bake and send them in!
 ----------
Set Up and Clean Up
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d4ba9a823abf94-fall14

Cupcake Walkhttp://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d4ba9a823abf94-cupcake
Book Fair
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d4ba9a823abf94-fall13

Kinder:
Miss Sarah Roy

Mrs. Tiffany Nielsen

Mrs. Becky Willis

First:
Ms. Taylor Zamudio

Miss Meagan Michalko

Miss Kristin Dau   
                           

Second:                   
Ms. Copper Link 

Miss Suzie Mac

Mrs. Kim Stephens


Third:
Mr. Emmett Abel

Miss Katie Lochner

Mrs. Christi Jensen


Fourth:
Ms. Merly Karsom

Ms. Ashley Martin

Mrs. Kelly Ballard


Fifth:
Mrs. Vickey Roa

Mrs. Melody Nelson

Mrs. Carmella McNeill


Sixth:
Mrs. Morgan Hutchison

Mrs. Dortha Lane     
(no sign up link- booth staffed by students)

Ms. Heidi Anderson


Tuesday, October 24, 2017


Woo hoo!!!  Fall Festival is just around the corner!  It will be Saturday, November 4th from 1pm - 4pm at the school!  

In order for everyone to have a fabulous time, we ask that parents volunteer 30-60 minutes helping in the class booth or concessions.  If the class booths are not manned, then it will have to be shut down during that time when there is no parent to help.  And guess what???  We would love to give your teenager service hours!  So if you have a teen who needs some service hours, please sign them up as well!  Check the blog soon for times to sign up and help out your child's class!

Sunday, September 3, 2017

Mini Charger Dance Camp



All elementary students from grades K-8 are invited to the BFHS Mini Charger Dance Camp

Are you ready for a fun-filled camp?  This will be a day of learning routines, playing games, and making new friends at the Benjamin Franklin High School Campus. Boys and girls invited. 

Registration $25.00 for the first child and $20.00 for each additional sibling. Mini Charger Dancers will receive a complimentary T-shirt with the price of registration and an opportunity to perform at the BFHS football game! 

Registration and Waiver Forms are available in the link below. 
Fill out both and bring them and your registration fee to the high school front office at 18864 E. Germann Rd., Queen Creek, AZ 85142 - OR - to your elementary office by September 6, 2017.

Camp participants should wear comfortable clothes and shoes OR a dance outfit.  We will be doing a lot of stretching, dancing and a few fun games.  PLEASE BRING A SACK LUNCH AND A WATER BOTTLE WITH YOUR NAME ON IT.

When: Saturday, September 16, 2017
Time: 10:00am - 2:00pm (parent preview starts at 1:30pm)
Where: The BFHS gym (18864 E Germann Rd., Queen Creek, AZ 85142)
Fee: $25.00 for the first child and $20.00 for each additional sibling
Checks can be made payable to BFHS Parent Booster Council

We look forward to seeing your child there!

Link to registration forms for Mini Charger Dance Camp

Saturday, September 2, 2017

Teacher lunches...


Hello Jaguar parents!

We love our teachers and staff!  Many times they are at the school early and stay late to prepare the school and the lessons to enrich the lives of our students!  And Parent-Teacher Conference week is no exception!  In fact, they are there even earlier and stay later during this week to make sure and speak with ALL of the parents!  

That's why FPAC arranges lunches during this week.  We want to take one thing off the teachers' list of things to do this week to show how much we appreciate them!

We still have some slots available to help feed our amazing teachers and staff during Parent-Teacher Conference week!  If you are able to help with the potluck and give a little something (whether it's food on one of the days or $5 to help cater for the teachers on Thursday) then please sign up for something yummy!

Link to PTC week potluck sign up

Link to donate for Thursday catering
SaveSave

Monday, August 28, 2017

Teacher lunches during PTC week


During Parent-Teacher Conference week (Sept. 5-8) the BFCS staff and teachers are here early and stay late so they can talk to you, the parents!  So let's take something off their minds....we’re going to provide food for them those days! 
This time around we are trying something a little different. We know every family has a busy schedule so we are going to do one catered meal and accept donations to cover the cost. (The catering is new and is not budgeted in our annual budget.  That is why we are asking for donations.)  That will eliminate the pressure of having to cook for a large group and drop off/pick up the food!  Any amount is appreciated!  If a lot of families can donate $5, we can provide a great meal for our teachers and staff!  The sooner you send the donation the better so we know the budget we are working with for the catered meal on Thursday. If you have any suggestions on this idea we would absolutely love to hear them!

SignUp Genius link for PTC teacher and staff lunch potluck

Tuesday- Taco Tuesday

Wednesday- Italian

Thursday- Catered lunch from TBD (see link below to donate for this)

Friday- Pizza Day!

PayPal link to donate for PTC teacher and staff lunches

The teachers and staff are so grateful for your generous donations of time, food and effort!                                      Thank you for helping our teachers during this busy week!

Thank you parents!!!



A huge THANK YOU to all of the parents and teen helpers for making the annual Ice Cream Social a success!  Even with our out-of-our-control challenge, it was still a fantastic night!

If your teen helped at the Ice Cream Social and still needs their earned service hours signed for, please contact me at FPACGilbert@gmail.com so we can arrange to meet up and I can sign the paper.

Thank you again for making the Ice Cream Social amazing!!!

Linda Wheeler
FPAC-Gilbert president

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ICE CREAM!!!


Are you ready?  It's that time again!!!


It's time for that sweet, melty, ooey gooey goodness called
ICE CREAM!!!

Come and enjoy ice cream and the company of other Jaguar families!
When: Monday, August 28, 2017  6-7:30pm
Where: BFCS- Gilbert gym

Also at this year's Ice Cream Social…
Uniform Exchange- drop off the smaller shirt, pick up a larger shirt (subject to availability)

Link to SignUp Genius - volunteer at the Ice Cream Social

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Help us earn more Box Tops!




Hello parents!

Box Tops is launching, and we have a couple of ways for you to help us earn more Box Tops!
  • On your smart phone, download the FREE Box Tops app!  
  • Make sure you register yourself AND put in "Benjamin Franklin Charter School Gilbert Campus" in Gilbert, Az 85296 as the school you are supporting.
  • Browse the offers that are listed… you can actually earn additional Box Tops for the school on products that already have Box Tops on them.
Towards the bottom of the Offers list, you'll see stores with offers- like earning an extra 100 Box Tops at Sam's Club from 7/31/17-9/30/17 when you purchase 3 Box Tops products!  Or even earning an extra 50 Box Tops at Walmart when you purchase 5 Box Tops products from 8/1/17-8/31/17!!!

Also… you can go to www.boxtops4education.com with your same log in from the app.  On the site you can enter sweepstakes for the school as well as get coupons for Box Tops products.  And YES!!!  A couple of year's ago we DID win one of the sweepstakes!  Our school received an extra $1000 because parents like you entered the sweepstakes!

Remember, all monies earned from Box Tops this year will go to help plant trees and other landscaping needs surrounding the field out back… we definitely could use the shade back there!

Offers, coupons and sweepstakes change so please make sure you check the app and the website often!


Monday, August 7, 2017

Volunteers wanted for Health Screening


We will be holding the BFCS Health Screenings on Tuesday, August 8th, and Tuesday, August 15th.  We need volunteers to help screen vision and height/weight for the students.  We will be running sessions those Tuesdays on morning (8:30a-11:30a) and afternoon (11:45a-2:30p).  
Please consider signing up for a session or two!  The link below will take you to the Sign Up Genius page so you can sign up and volunteer.
Feel free to contact FPAC (fpacgilbert@gmail.com) with any questions.  Thanks so much!  


Link to volunteer for Health Screenings

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Dinner's Night Out at Pizza Pie Cafe!


Pizza Pie Cafe is hosting BFCS- Gilbert Dinner Nights Out!

Come in anytime Monday August 7 - Thursday August 10, 2017!  Simply mention you are from Benjamin Franklin Charter School and 25% of your purchase will go to benefit our school!

Pizza Pie Cafe has an all-you-can-eat pizza, pasta and salad bar buffet!  18 signature pizzas, 6 dessert pizzas, lots of pasta with your choice of sauce and a deliciously fresh salad bar… It's a crowd pleaser!  And with all-you-can-eat, it will fill up everyone in the family!  

Pizza Pie Cafe is located on the SW corner of Val Vista/Elliot, next to Safeway.

Go for lunch!  Go for dinner!  Go to support our Jaguars!!!

Monday, April 17, 2017

FPAC- Gilbert Elections 2017


Hello Jaguar families!

It's that time again!  Half of the FPAC- Gilbert Board positions are up for election/re-election.  

Please use the following link to go to the voting page.https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd1s-ELhHksYX4WD5i01FBbPocWoqjmbNTt5JO3NCg7uWmYmA/viewform?c=0&w=1

NOTE:Please choose 7 candidates. Write-in votes are welcome.Names are in the same order as the bios on the FPAC Blog.

To view bios, please go to the FPAC blog at:http://fpacgilbert.blogspot.com/2017/04/bios-for-fpac-election.html

Only 1 vote per family please. Once your vote is submitted, you will not be able to change it.

Voting closes Friday, April 21, 2017 at 12:00noon.

Sunday, April 2, 2017

Bios for FPAC Election



It's almost time for the FPAC elections!!!  We currently have 6- 2 year terms as well as 1- 1 year term available.  If you would like to add your name to the election ballot, please email your name and bio to fpacgilbert@gmail.com.  Below are the bios we have received so far.  Bios are not in any particular order and have been posted exactly as they were received.
Elections will be held the week of April 17-21, 2017.  A link will be sent to you by email.


Dorian Richardson
Dorian Lorrae Richardson is a Naturopathic Medical Student at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ.  She obtained her B.S. in Biology from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in 2012.  Prior to entering medical school, she worked in the pharmaceutical industry.  She is also a public speaker and trained Life Coach where she works with others to help them reach their maximum potential. She spends her free time mentoring disadvantaged youth in her community and is a peer mentor for underclassmen at her institution.  One of her greatest pleasures is being a mother to her energetic 5 year old son.

Pindi Sparks
My name is Pindi Sparks and I have 4 children who are apart of the Benjamin Franklin Charter School family.  My youngest is in the 3rd grade and I have twins in the fourth. My oldest, Jacey,  is a freshman at Benjamin Franklin High School.  I have volunteered in many of their classes over the last few years by helping in the classrooms and by being a chaperon on a couple of field trips as well as being behind the scenes for classroom parties and staff appreciation weeks. This past year I was on the FPAC board.  I worked on the Scholastic Books set up and sales at the Fall Festival.  Also the coordinator of the fall poster contest and most importantly the Box Tops program.  I enjoyed working with parents, staff and other FPAC members. I love the Benjamin Franklin family and I look forward to serve on the board next year.

Courtney South
My name is Courtney South. I have four children. Two of my daughters are currently students at Ben Franklin. Grace is a fifth grader in Mrs Nelson's class and Vanessa is a fourth grader in Mrs Rowe's class this year.  This year was my first year serving on the FPAC. I helped organize the 100 day celebration and have been a helper wherever I'm needed in the school and within FPAC. I never realized just how much FPAC does to help enrich the school! I love working with kids and families, and I love that Ben Franklin is a community. Outside of the FPAC, I work as a crisis therapist and help people who are struggling with various areas of life and I love Zumba and spending time with my family. I look forward to helping the school next year as an FPAC member. Thanks for your consideration!

Ashlee Frei
My name is Ashlee Frei and I am 28 years old. I was born in Provo, UT but have lived in Arizona from the time I was about 6 months old. I grew up in Awhatukee until I was 8 when we moved to Gilbert. I obtained my Bachelors degree in Communications with a minor in Computer Technology. I am married with three beautiful children. Loren is our oldest and the only boy! He is in kindergarten this year and will be continuing at Benjamin Franklin next year for 1st grade. My two daughters are Myra, age 4, and Hollis, born in November of 2016. My interests include spending time with my family, reading, singing, and watching movies. We love to take walks to the park and play with our dog Phoenix. I also help my husband run our window cleaning company, Pane Frei Window Cleaning. I love helping out whenever I can and would enjoy the opportunity to work with FPAC to help our school!

Crystal Coronado
Hi, my name is Crystal Coronado. I'm a 27year old mom of two beautiful children. I have been married for 7 years and one of my little ones attends school here. I love children and I am always looking to share a helping hand. I am very creative and would love to be more involved in promoting and seeing our school flourish as well as our children's education. I am a firm believer that school should be a place where learning can be fun. Let's go Jaguars!

Katie Hastings
My name is Katie Hastings. I am a wife and mother to four boys, three of which will be at Benjamin Franklin for the 2017-2018 school year. My husband Scott and I have been married 10 years, he owns a small business in Gilbert. Our oldest son is seven years old, our twins are five years, and our youngest is two years. I enjoy running, movies, traveling, spending time with family and friends, and Dr. Pepper!
I am a pediatric nurse and have been for nine years, actively involved in the health community for Gilbert and Phoenix area children. My specialty Focuses on children born with chronic heart or lung defects, working in areas of corrective and preventative care with these children from birth to two years. I currently work seasonally, enjoying my summers off with my family as I manage an RSV clinic for Los Ninos Hospital, during RSV season when children in the valley are prone to contracting RSV. I love being a nurse and have worked in oncology, hospice, PICU, acute care, long term care, and home health.
I have experience in management and budgeting as a charge nurse and assistant director of nursing in prior work positions. I am happy to volunteer in whatever area needed for the school.
Education is important to me. My family has been so pleased with the primary education our oldest son has received at BFCS. As such, I would love to get more involved in the FPAC and helping the school meet the needs of its children. I look forward to hearing from you.

Linda Wheeler
Hello Jaguar families!  My name is Linda Wheeler and I am up for re-election onto the Franklin Parent Advisory Council (FPAC) Board.  During my term on the Board, I have been a Board member, held the office of Secretary and I am currently serving as the FPAC President.  I have done Art and Music Masterpiece in the classroom, helped at FPAC run/sponsored events, and have even been known to decorate doors for teachers!  I enjoy being involved with my children’s school!
I have 3 children, 2 of whom are here at the Gilbert campus, and the eldest has gone through the Gilbert campus and is currently in 8th grade at Benjamin Franklin Junior High/High School (where I am also the orchestra booster.)
I am a small business owner, running my business out of my home.  I love what I do in my business, so working doesn’t feel like work- just fun!
I am also a karate enthusiast!  I have earned the rank of 2nd grade black belt, and will be testing for my 1st degree black belt this Fall.  In fact, the entire family (husband, the 3 kids and myself) all participate in karate.  It’s one way we like to spend time with each other!  The family that kicks together sticks together!  LOL
Before children, I earned my BS in Marketing, Business Management and my MBA in Global Management.  I worked in the Corporate Communications/Marketing Department of an international broker/dealer.

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Color Run is coming!!!



Get set!  Get ready!!  Because it's almost here!!!

Spring Family Fun Night is the COLOR RUN this year!  The kids have had a blast with this event in the past and it was requested AGAIN!

Join us on Friday, March 31, 2017 at the school's field!
5:00-6:00pm-  Bring a picnic dinner to eat on the field
6:00-7:00pm-  Time to run and splatter color on everyone!

To register, click on the link below for the registration form.
The cost is $2 per running participant to cover the cost of insurance for hosting an event.  
If you would like a BFCS Color Run shirt, the cost starts at $5 (see registration form, purchase of shirt covers the cost of the shirt).  Orders for the shirts MUST be received by March 1, 2017.
Color packets can be pre-ordered on the form or purchased at the event.

Don't forget to fill out the waiver for the Color Run!  Please, only 4 people per form.  If you have more than 4 you will need additional waivers.

Parents- please note this is not a fundraiser.  Any extra money made will go toward our annual service project.

Click here to get the Color Run registration and order form!

Click here to get the waiver for the Color Run

Monday, February 13, 2017

Box Tops Due Date - February 24th


The Box Tops due date is fast approaching!  
We need ALL Box Tops in by Friday, February 24th!

And did you know that every Box Top is worth 10 cents?  And that money comes right back to the school!  In fact, Box Tops monies earned is used to purchase new playground equipment!

So cut out those Box Tops and send them in with your child!  But please… no expired Box Tops as those cannot be redeemed, therefore- they do not get counted towards class totals.