Franklin e-Newsletter
Friday, December 21, 2018
Follow us on Twitter: @FranklinBolts / Hashtag: #FMSBoltPride
New Fax Number: (319) 558-2640
NO SCHOOL: MONDAY, DECEMBER 24 - TUESDAY, JANUARY 1
Happy Holidays to all Franklin Families!!!
7th Grade STEM Event
On December 18, 2018 our Franklin 7th graders attended STEM II Institute at Linn County Regional Center in Hiawatha. The original STEM I Institute was developed 7 years ago as a collaboration with the University of Iowa Health Care and Workplace Learning Connection to provide interactive experiences with a heavy STEM focus. This event has been so successful and well received by students and teachers in the delivery of STEM education and careers that it’s being duplicated in Linn County. While at the STEM event the 7th graders rotated through three seperate sessions that offered exploration of different careers presented by volunteers in our community in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math. Some being, Schneider Electric, Kepros Physical Therapy, Mathnasium, Linn County Conservation, University of Iowa Healthcare, Go Daddy, Legacy Manufacturing, and three academies within Kirkwood Community College. This event provided an opportunity for our students to begin to understand how to determine a best career fit for themselves and explore careers that they might have not been previously aware of.
8th Grade Ski Trip
Students received a letter with information on Thursday, December 20. You'll also find an electronic form in this e-Newsletter.
Hy-Vee Receipts Recap
Winter Sports Recap
Girls' Swimming
Girl swim team was an amazing group of girls. We had all kinds of talent to some girls not swimming at all. The girls were hard working and very coachable. Team one Was 4-1. Team Two won all their meets. The city Meet was November 21st at Linn-Mar. The girls came in 8th place out of 13 team from Cedar Rapids, Marion, and Iowa City. The girls were a joy to work with, I’m excited about the seventh grade girls next season.
7th Grade Boys' Basketball
The result to our season wasn’t what our boys expected, but I am extremely proud of the passion and the grit they would show up with to every game. This season was full of highs and lows, but one thing that remained consistent was the hard work our 7th grade boys continuously brought out on the court. It was a joy to watch the growth that was made not only within the game, but also within themselves. I am extremely proud of these boys for working together as a team and supporting one another throughout the season. It was a pleasure to coach them and I cant wait to cheer them on next season!
8th Grade Boys' Basketball
The 8th grade boys basketball team finished at the end of last month. The boys A team finished 3-6 and the B team finished 7-2 on the season. The boys worked hard and developed their skills throughout the season which translated to better play on the court. Throughout the season, the teams had several close losses that could have went either way with another made shot here or a few more made free throws. Each of the boys were willing to be a part of the team and will benefit them in their future years on and off the court.
Dance Marathon
It’s quitting time on a Friday. Most people are racing for the door. So what could possibly entice a few hundred middle school students to stay after school for a couple extra hours? A fundraiser might seem an unlikely answer, but Franklin Middle School knows how to put the ‘fun’ in fundraiser. Friday, December 14th, students and staff celebrated life at the school’s thirteenth dance marathon. This event is held each year in conjunction with the University of Iowa Dance Marathon to raise money for children facing cancer and other serious illnesses at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
Aristotle first put forth the idea that “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” Dance marathon is the perfect embodiment of this concept. It has touched the hearts of so many students, who have danced on to touch the hearts of so many others. Franklin alumni have continued to be involved in dance marathons at the high school and college level. We were especially blessed to have Franklin alumni, Lily Wiese, return as a U of I dancer this year.
A big thank you goes to all the staff and PTA volunteers who helped in countless ways, especially those who helped set up before the event and clean up once the party was over. Those who took a pie in the face for the cause also deserve a pat on the back for going the extra mile! Donations of candy and beverages from Hy-Vee Food and Drug stores helped fuel our students as they danced, and our guests from the University of Iowa took time at the end of finals week to come dance with us. They were impressed with our students’ energy and dance skills.
Over the past 12 years, Franklin has raised over $65,000 in conjunction with the University of Iowa Dance Marathon. Our total this year came in at $5,411.43. These funds help provide a wide variety of services and programs for the children and families affected by pediatric cancer. Thank you for all your support! With your help, Franklin continues to educate not only minds, but hearts as well.
Continuing Information
Waiting Before & After School
Tutoring Available
If you're interested in your child attending tutoring please contact our Counseling Office at (319) 558-2258.
Bolt Closet
Franklin Office Hours
Getting Messages to Your Child
Upcoming Events
Thursday, January 10
- Girls' Basketball: 7th @ Home/8th @ Harding
- Boys' Swimming @ Linn-Mar Aquatics Center
Friday, January 11
- Last Day of 1st Semester/2nd Quarter
Monday, January 14 (NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS)
Franklin Middle School
Email: lptacek@cr.k12.ia.us
Website: franklin.cr.k12.ia.us
Location: 300 20th Street Northeast, Cedar Rapids, IA, United States
Phone: (319) 558-2452
Facebook: facebook.com/franklinms
Twitter: @FranklinBolts