CARDINAL CONNECTIONS
March 27, 2023
Franklin Pierce High School Community Newsletter
FPS District Equity Statement
DISTRICT AREAS OF FOCUS AND IMPROVEMENT:
- Equity and Social Justice
- Improved Instruction
- Family and Community Partnership
What is the mission? Help all students prepare themselves for successful enrollment, enlistment, and/or employment beyond high school.
Cardinal Parents, Students, and Staff:
"At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can."
It is in our most challenging and difficult situations, where we find our true strength. In most cases, we learn that we had much more capacity to overcome hardship than we thought. We are more resilient and durable than we can imagine.
Let's do this! Cardinal Strong!
- Mar 27: What do you think we should do about homelessness?
- Mar 28: How would you define success?
- Mar 29: Do you have a favorite pet story?
- Mar 30: What does it mean to struggle forward?
- Mar 31: What do you know about your grandparents or great grandparents?
Course Registration for 2023-24!
- Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors registered for next year's classes after student interviews at Conference Night on March 21 and 22.
- Make-Up Registrations will take place on March 27 and 28.
- 8th Graders will register on March 31 at Ford.
- Explore our course offerings and grad requirements in the Course Catalog HERE.
- Watch the video below to get info on some of our CTE classes.
Registration 411:
Hey, Cards!
Parents, we're noticing some of our students running across the parking lot and traffic on 18th Ave in order to get in their parents' cars at dismissal. Please, talk with your child about being safe in traffic at the end of the day. Ideally, student pick up should take place in the front parking lot until we make the switch after Spring Break (see below).
If you are interested in learning about how you can participate in a hands-on, in-person visit to several HBCUs, please see the flyer and videos below.
Enjoy the latest edition of the Tuffy Tribune! Great job, Cards!
March Madness!
March Madness has been a blast! Thank you to all the students and teachers who participated in our Spirit Week leading up to TOLO. As we enter our last week of March Madness, make sure you're paying attention to announcements and getting to class on time. We have a lot of prizes and snacks to hand out to classes!
Hey, Seniors!
- 2/16: Senior Meeting.
- 3/1: FPHS Scholarship Application Opens.
- 3/13: Senior Class Meeting.
- 3/30: Distinguished Senior Essays Due.
- 3/30: Senior Class Photo.
- 4/4: Cap and Gown Pick Up Day.
- 4/18: Distinguished Senior Exit Interviews.
- 4/21: Prom!
- 4/27 - 28: SBA Testing.
- 5/1 - 12: AP Testing.
- 5/3: Graduation Walk List Posted (updated weekly).
- 5/11: Senior Essays Due.
- 5/22 - 24: Senior Exit Interviews.
- 5/30: Graduation Tickets go on Sale.
- 6/1: Last Chance Senior Essays Due.
- 6/2: Last Day for on-track Seniors.
- 6/7: Senior Awards Night
- 6/8: Graduation Parade, 10:30am.
- 6/8: Last Chance Senior Exit Interviews.
- 6/9: Graduation Rehearsal, 3pm (Required).
- 6/10: Graduation! 11am.
- 6/12: Diplomas Available for Pick Up.
NEW Student Drop-Off and Pick-Up Zones!
As the Performing Arts Center construction continues, the front parking lot will be completely fenced in and no longer accessible to vehicles or pedestrians.
The new Drop-Off and Pick-Up Zone will be located on the north side of the PAC. Vehicles will travel down 18th Ave past the PAC and make a U-Turn into the newly constructed Drop-Off and Pick-Up Lanes in front of the 300, 400, and 500 buildings. The right lane is for loading and unloading. The left lane is for through traffic. Vehicles will exit the loading zone back onto 18th Ave to exit.
We will have staff and signage out there to help with the transition, but please give yourself an extra 5 minutes while everyone gets used to the process. Remember, the AM and PM traffic routines are a mix of buses, student drivers, staff, and parent pick-ups and drop-offs. Let's all play nicely.
GENERAL INFO:
Do you need your official transcripts? Use this LINK. Click on Transcript Request. Fill out all information. Transcripts are normally mailed out on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Parents, we have an FPHS Food and Hygiene Pantry available to help out families in need. Please, use this LINK to see available items.
Parent Volunteers: In order to be a volunteer, parents must complete an easy, online volunteer application HERE.
Every Monday: College and Career Day! Wear your college and career gear.
Every Friday: Cardinal Spirit Day! Wear your FPHS gear.
The schedule next week is ABABA. View our full A/B calendar HERE.
SBA State Testing: April 27 and 28.
May 12: Multicultural Night!
June 3: First Annual FPS Pow Wow!
2023 GRADUATION Info HERE. Seniors, start marking your calendar and letting people know that your graduation day is coming!
Click HERE to buy a yearbook.
Current COVID Guidelines can be found HERE.
Student immunization requirements can be found HERE.
Interested in learning about our FPHS clubs? Look HERE.
If you ever need to see our Daily Bulletin announcements, use this LINK. Running Start and Pierce County Skills Center students, please use this link to keep up to date with FPHS announcements.
Looking for a career with Franklin Pierce Schools? We have openings for teachers, para educators, bus drivers, custodians, guest teachers, sports trainer, and more! Get started HERE.
Visit HERE to view previous Parent and Student Memos.
Staff Spotlight:
Name: Penni Sulkosky
My Role at FPHS: Special Education Teacher and Co-Teacher
Favorite Hobbies: Watching the Kraken, reading, baking
Favorite Book: Whichever book is currently in my hand
Favorite Quote: I cannot live without books- Thomas Jefferson
Staff Spotlight:
Name: Mr. Tank
My Role at FPHS: Support Team
Favorite Hobbies: Playing Madden, shooting Pool, and coaching
Favorite Book: Gifted Hands by Ben Carson
Favorite Quote: “Greyhound don’t float on water”
What's your "E" (Enrollment, Enlistment, or Employment) after high school?
Learn more about careers in construction.
Social Justice, Equity, and Anti-Racist Resources:
In the video below: Learn about Cesar Chavez Day (Mar 31).
The first step in ALLYSHIP is LISTENING.
The second step is BELIEVING.
The third step is ACTION. Get involved and create the positive change you want to see in the world.
Community Art students at Owen Beach!
This was one of those days where the hard work pays off, and the healing of the chaos from the last couple years was felt. Community Art took students to Owen Beach for a field trip to talk about site specific art, look at some local art, and explore line, color, shape, texture, and space in nature. Students were off their phones, engaging in nature, connecting, and being curious. Check out some of the art they made below!
CARDINAL SPORTS!
- Spring sports are off and running! FPHS offers students the opportunity to participate in a variety of sports in the spring. Students are currently representing Franklin Pierce in Boys and Girls Track, Boys Soccer, Girls Tennis, Boys Baseball, and Girls Fastpitch.
Our FP girls tennis team had an epic two day tennis match vs Fife and after being down 2-0 came storming back with shots to tie the match and eventually winning 3-2 for the 4th win of the season and claiming 2nd place overall in league. Huge wins came from Keeva Lawrence, Emma Swenson, Jeannie Yoon, Ellanor Elliott and Emily Sullivan. Great win ladies and keep the winning streak alive!
Important Reminders:
- If you still haven’t turned in gear from Winter Sports season, please get those items to your Coach or Mr. Andrews in the athletic office as soon as possible. If you do not return your gear, you will be put on the fine list until those items are returned.
(WIAA/FPSD Eligibility)
- Student’s must pass 7/8 classes to be eligible to compete in Spring Sports. If you are not meeting this requirement when grade checks are conducted, you will be notified through your school email.
- ATTENDANCE MATTERS! Remember, if you miss 15 minutes or more of any class you will not be able to participate in the competition that day. Make sure we get to classes early and giving your best effort. This rule does not apply to medical appointments if you bring a note from your medical care provider.
Keep up the awesome work!
HBCU Experience!
Daily Bell Schedules
Title 1, Part A
- What is Title 1? Title 1, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) provides financial assistance to states and school districts to meet the needs of educationally at-risk students. The goal of Title 1 is to provide extra instructional services and activities which support students identified as failing or most at risk of failing the state's challenging performance standards in mathematics, reading, and writing. The Title 1 program will provides students with extra educational assistance beyond the regular classroom. The program serves students in our five secondary schools who have demonstrated that extra assistance is needed. Learn more HERE.
- The FPHS Report Card can be found HERE.
- Learn more about state and national assessments HERE.
- Learn more about Guides and Resources for Parent and Family Engagement HERE.
- Learn how to file a Citizen Complaint HERE.
- Copies of the 2022-23 School/Parent Compact were distributed at the beginning of the year. If you missed it, you can see it HERE.
- You can find the FPHS Handbook HERE.
- You can find the FPHS Parent and Family Engagement (PFE) Plan HERE.
Washington Youth Academy!
Do you need a fresh start?
Do you need more self-discipline?
The Washington Youth Academy might be right for you! Not only can you recover school credits quickly, the WYA will also help you focus on Academic Excellence, Leadership, Life Coping Skills, Job Skills, Community Service, Responsibility, Health and Hygiene, and Physical Fitness. The WYA is a FREE, residential school in Bremerton. Learn more HERE.
NEW Performing Arts Center!
We are very excited about our new Performance Arts Center! We are in eager anticipation of the day that we can fully showcase the talents of our band, orchestra, choir, drama programs, and so much more!
- Part of the "cost" for a new Performing Arts Center is going to be a little dust, a lot of change, and even a few inconveniences. Please, bear with us as we work through the "under construction" phase with an estimated completion date of the start of the 2023-24 school year.
- Student and Staff Parking: All staff and students must park together in the parking lot alongside 112th St. The section nearest the tennis courts is reserved for staff parking. The section nearest the stadium is reserved for student parking. Students and staff must drive all the way around the school to access the new student/staff parking lot. Please, do not cut through the drop-off and pick-up zone to park.
- AM student drop-off and PM student pick-up and zones. See updates above.
- Main Entrance: The former main entrance to the building is no longer accessible. The new main entrance is on the south end of the main building near the student pick-up and drop-off zone.
- Handicapped Parking has been relocated to the stalls in the drop-off zone nearest the new main entrance.
- Bicycle Parking has been relocated to the 1400 building (outside the band classroom).
- Pedestrians in the drop-off and pick-up zone should use the pedestrian walkway along the fence line.
- As with all construction projects, almost everything is subject to change. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
Pierce County Skills Center:
Fall Newsletter HERE!
- PCSC Main Office: 253-800-4800.
Application Questions contact Paulla Hockaday - phockaday@bethelsd.org - 253.800.4800
Application links, in English and Spanish, can be found on our website. https://www.bethelsd.org/domain/4387
Resources
School Resources:
- District Website: https://www.fpschools.org/
- Franklin Pierce HS Website
- Attendance info HERE.
- IT Help Desk for Students and Parents: 253-298-4647, 7:30AM to 4PM. IT Website.
- Transportation Department website: 253-298-3865 or email to Transportation_Vendor@fpschools.org.
- Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
- Want to add Canvas to your phone? Android or iOS. Once you download the app, search "fpschools" to find our district.
- FPHS Facebook page.
- FPHS Twitter page.
- FPHS Instagram page.
- Information about GRADES and GRADING.
- Information about BUSES.
- How to access and use DORA.
COVID- 19 Resources:
- District Health Services Website
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
FPS COVID Dashboard HERE.
Community Resources:
- Financial Resources: https://dfi.wa.gov/coronavirus/financial-resources