The Franklin Academy
Weekly Update Newsletter September 12th - 16th
Monday, September 12th
- Franklin Academy's Annual Fund begins
- Cross Country Practice 3:15 - 4:45 pm
Tuesday, September 13th
- Cross Country Practice 3:15 - 4:45 pm
Wednesday, September 14th
- Individual Student Photos - ROBIN HALL
- Camp Saturna for 6th - 8th graders
- Cross Country Practice 3:15 - 4:45 pm
Thursday, September 15th
- Individual Student Photos - MARKELL HALL
- Cross Country Practice 3:15 - 4:45 pm
Friday, September 16th
- Cross Country Practice 3:15 - 4:45 pm
NEW ADDITIONS TO THE CALENDAR
PALS Meet and Greet - September 20th - After drop-off at Markell Hall Cafeteria
Franklin Academy Chess Club - September 22nd - May 20th
- Pizza Lunches are coming!!! - This will start September 27th on Tuesdays and Thursdays ONLY
UPCOMING EVENT AND SCHEDULE DETAILS
Camp Saturna for 6th - 8th Graders ONLY
This is an optional day for all Middle School students to attend and will be excused if your family would like to opt out of the day.
Please contact Dawn Regier if you are NOT attending dregier@thefranklin.academy.
6th - 8th grade students will need the following:
Permission slip Signed and Returned to Advisor - No Later than 9/13
Advisors will hand out
Tennis Shoes, Coat or TFA sweatshirt
Water bottle
Snack - please pack extra - (students do get more hungry on field trips)
Lunch - please pack extra - (students do get more hungry on field trips)
Wear HOUSE COLORS
5th Grade will participate at the school in the following activities throughout the day:
- Team Building
- House History
- House Craft for Lower School Locker Decorating
- Movie and House Snack mix
Individual Student Photos - Professional School Imaging
Wednesday, September 14th - Robin Hall Students - Preschool -1st Grade will have individual pictures taken.
- Preschool students may wear regular school clothing.
- Students K-1, must wear their school uniform.
Thursday, September 15th - Markell Hall Students - 2nd-8th grade will have individual photos taken
- Students 2nd-8th, must wear their school uniform (please no hoodies.)
HERE'S HOW TO ORDER PHOTOS –
This year we will be using our new “Proof” ordering system. You will see your student’s photo before
you purchase. You will also have multiple backgrounds to choose from.
- All students will be professionally photographed
- An individual email will be sent from Professional School Imaging within 1-2 business days with a unique code to VIEW and then ORDER your student’s photos.
- No Pre-Ordering before Picture Day.
- You can order online 24/7 with your unique code.
- Orders will be shipped to the address you provide at no additional charge.
Please email us at sales@professionalschoolimaging.com if you have any questions.
Parents Actively Lending Support (PALS) Meet and Greet
September 20th - After drop-off at Markell Hall Cafeteria
Join PALS for coffee and tea and learn about how you can get involved here at school and start earning your volunteer hours.
Meet PALS Presidents Sara Jentz and Nneka Brown. Meet our Development and Marketing Director, Katie Dement. Together they will share with you the opportunities to get involved with our community and events happening this year.
We look forward to seeing you and working with you to make this year fun-filled and successful!
All School Curriculum Night - September 21st, 5:30 - 7:00 pm
Join Franklin Academy Staff and learn about your students curriculum, classroom and exciting events we have planned throughout the year.
Our goal for the evening is for you to leave informed and excited for your child's learning. Please see complete schedule below:
5:30-6:00 pm - ALL K-8 parents come to Markell Hall Gym.
- We will gather in the bleachers and chairs where Head of School, Gretchen Bucsko, will welcome you.
- Associate Head of School, Melanie Hurley, will talk about some initiatives for the coming year.
- You will have an opportunity to meet our teachers and staff.
6:00- 7:00 pm you will have the opportunity go to visit your child's classroom(s).
- Your child's teacher will have samples of curriculum set out and mini presentations about highlights for the year.
If you have more than one child attending our school you can move to their classrooms as it works for you.
We look forward to seeing you there and sharing with you what the year has instore for your child(ren.)
PARKING:
Please park in our parking lots at Markell Hall and Robin Hall and around the school.
THIS EVENING IS FOR PARENTS ONLY - there will not be childcare.
Franklin Academy Chess Club
Year Round: September 22nd - May 20th
When: Thursdays afterschool until 4:30 pm
Who: 2nd-8th Grade- Beginner, intermediate or advanced
Where: Markell Hall Cafeteria and other classrooms
- Coach Morgan and Arlo will be back to lead our team this year!
- Chess Tournaments: Fall and Spring TBD
*No meetings*
November 24th, Christmas break, March 9th, or April 6th
Please click on the icon below, download and complete the form, and return it along with the fee to Dawn at the Markell Office.
Franklin Academy Get to Know You Golf Day!
Join TFA dads Tom Jentz and Blaise Bucsko for a fun day on the links!
September 22nd starting at 2:30 PM through dinner you will get a chance to play at Bellingham Golf and Country Club with other parents of Franklin Academy students! Club members and non members are welcome! After you finish your round of golf head to the clubhouse for a bite to eat.
GOLF IS FREE!
The only cost is for dinner.
Space is limited to 16 golfers to sign up by clicking below today!
JOG-A-THON - SEPTEMBER 23rd
SCHOOL INFORMATION
PARENTS ACTIVELY LENDING SUPPORT - PALS - ANNOUNCEMENTS
WELCOME AND VOLUNTEER INFORMATION
PALS is the place to go to get involved!
Sara Jentz and Nneka London-Browne are excited to serve as the PALS Co-Presidents this year. Together with staff, teachers, and administration they hope to help organize volunteers for Fall Festival, Family Fun Night, Family events such as ice skating, roller skating and going to the movies! They are also open to suggestions regarding new, enjoyable get together opportunities so we can get to know new families and reconnect with returning families.
How can you be involved?
Read the Newsletter each week for the schedule and details about upcoming events.
The PALS section of the Franklin Academy newsletter will keep you up to date on Volunteer Opportunities. Volunteering is a great way to get to know other families as well as your child’s teachers!
Franklin Academy Volunteer Hour Requirement
There is a 30 hour per family volunteer requirement to be fulfilled over the course of the school year for K-8th graders and a 15 hour per family requirement for preschool. These requirements are per family, not per student.
Here are a few ideas about how to get those hours in:
- Attend any PALS or Operating Committee (OC) meeting
- Attend the State of the School Meeting
- Be a room or house parent
- Help plan and serve at an event
- Laminate and cut items for the teachers
- Take home the directory and assemble while watching Netflix
- Take home tablecloths for the auction and launder them
- Help with outdoor groundwork maintenance at both buildings
- Join the Auction Committee
- Volunteer to serve Pizza Lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays
- Drive on a field trip
- Ask your teacher if you can take projects home
- Help in the Library
- Be a judge or speaker in the Science Fair
- Organize the Lost and Found
- Create and install bulletin boards seasonally
- As the year goes on many opportunities will pop up – watch the newsletter for ways to help
What if I work full time and cannot volunteer?
- You may volunteer for a few hours and buy out the rest at the end of the year at the rate of $30 per hour.
- You may buy out the hours at the beginning of the school year with a payment of $900 (K-8th) or $450 (preschool) to PALS
We are excited for the start of the 2022-2023 School Year!
Thank you in advance for your help. Together we will make this the best year yet!
If you have any questions, please contact Sara or Nneka at pals@thefranklin.academy
Thanks,
Sara Jentz & Nneka London-Browne
PALS Co-Presidents
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Please contact pals@thefranklin.academy if you're interested in any of these volunteer opportunities.
- Deliver and serve pizza for lunch service (currently need Tues/Thurs)
- Room Parent (fulfills all 30 Hours)
- House Parent (fulfills all 30 Hours)
- Chapel Guild - organizes chapel guild projects, training provided
- Loaves and Fishes - organizes meal trains for families with health emergencies
- Paint Hopscotch at Robin Hall - on the weekend before the temps drop!
- Outdoor Grounds - pruning, trash pick up, painting games for kids, adding mulch, etc
- Fall Festival - October 28th
- Field Day and School Picnic (coordinate with Mrs. Fox and PALS)
- Family Fun Night - needs multiple coordinators
OTHER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: click the icons below to sign up & learn more!
HAVE YOU COMPLETED YOUR ONLINE REGISTRATION YET?
Please follow these easy steps to Register.
- Go to the Parent Portal page: https://thefranklin.academy/parent-portal/volunteer-portal/
- Click Register
- Complete the Parent Portal Registration Form
After submitting it may take up to 48 hours for your account to be activated. Once activated, you’ll receive an email with a link to complete your registration.
Find the email with the Subject: The Franklin Academy Parent Portal Registration Confirmation, and click the link to set your password.
Enter your password in the form and click Save Password.
Click Login to go to the login form.
Enter the email you used to sign up with and the password you just set, then click Log In. You will then be redirected to the Parent Portal.
If you don’t receive an email within the 48 hr timeframe, please search your email inbox for:
The Franklin Academy Parent Portal Registration Confirmation
Please also search your Spam or Junk email folder.
If you still can’t find the email, please email frontdesk@thefranklin.academy.
We are so excited to again offer Parent Observer Accounts in our Canvas Platform!
By following the steps below you will be able to see assignment dues dates, announcements, and other course content. Parents/Observers can view the course content but cannot participate in the course. This will allow you to stay up to date on your child's progress and enjoy an in-depth look at their learning journey here at the Franklin Academy.
One new addition this year is our Single Sign On tool Clever.
This will allow students to access their educational resources using their Google credentials! Our school's unique link to access this is below and our front desk can help with any Google password issues.
More information about Clever for families
How to set up your account:
- In order to create a Canvas account, you must use the unique Canvas URL associated with our school: https://thefranklinacademy.instructure.com/
- Click the Parents link above the login box and create your account.
- Your students account creates a student pairing code. These are unique and available in your student's account. These can only be used once per account, a new code must be generated for additional observers.
Notes:
- If you had an account already last year it will already be active, no need to rejoin.
- Once you have an account, you will be able to view student information through the Canvas Parent app.
- The student's institution controls access to the Canvas Parent app.
Additional Support:
Setting up an observer account
For Technical support please email helpdesk@thefranklin.academy
--
Brekke Bull, M.Ed.
Technology Administrator
Social Studies Specialist
Email: bbull@thefrankin.academy
Phone: 360-733-1750
GET TO KNOW OUR STAFF
JENNIFER SNYDER - MUSIC TEACHER
Hello! I am Jennifer Snyder, the preschool-8th grade music teacher at Franklin Academy. I grew up in Mount Vernon, just a short drive south of Bellingham. As an only child, I didn't have any siblings, but I had many stray cats, a few dogs and an occasional parakeet!
I started my musical journey when I was six years old, taking lessons on an electric organ. This is much smaller than a church organ, though it has pedals and often more than one keyboard. Later I played trombone in band and took piano lessons in high school. At first I thought I might become a veterinarian, but it was in high school that I realized I wanted to be a music teacher. In college I continued to play piano and trombone and graduated from WWU in 2003 with a degree in music education. In the Fall of 2003, I started teaching music at what is now The Franklin Academy and I've been here ever since. That's a whopping 20 years! Sharing my love of music with a wide range of ages gives me the opportunity to teach many different aspects of music. My favorite part of being the music teacher at the Franklin Academy is getting to know the families, from the youngest siblings to the oldest, and making special connections with them.
Outside of school, I like to spend time with my son, Samuel (a middle school student TFA), and my husband, Karl. I am also a self-proclaimed crazy cat lady and have two black cats, Chloe and Cosmo, whom I love dearly. On weekends you might find me working in my garden, taking a walk, listening to music, or enjoying some relaxation time with a purring cat on my lap!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Snyder
THE READING CORNER WITH OUR LIBRARIAN - MRS. SAMUEL
Welcome to another year in the library! I have been so happy seeing familiar faces and new
ones—some of your kids grew A LOT over the summer, my goodness!
Every school year brings changes, and this year there are two big changes for the library. If you
have students in Markell Hall, the library is also being shared with Ms. McDonnell, so some
Spanish classes are now in this space, and Ershig 5th and 6th grade activities also happen in the
library.
If you have students in Robin Hall, they now get me as their librarian! Mrs. Snyder has
so many sections of music classes this year that it was not possible for her to also do library
classes. Lucky for me, she is still around and available for my millions of questions as I settle in
to my new library space.
Students must return their library books each week in order to check out new ones, so it is
great if you can have your students place their books in their backpack the night before. Here
are the days your students have library:
- Kindergarten: Tuesdays
- First Grade: Thursdays
- Lyzwinski and Belmont: Tuesdays
- Richcreek: Wednesdays
- Third grade: Tuesdays
- Fourth grade: Thursdays
- Middle School: Wednesdays
Middle School library check out rotation will begin the week of electives, September 21st . I know
that for some of your voracious readers, that is simply too long to wait! They are welcome to
ask their study hall teachers to come down and see me on my work days (Tuesdays,
Wednesdays, and Thursdays) or find another time to pop in. I have a ton of new books, thanks
to the Used Book Sale last spring.
Happy Reading,
Mrs. Samuel
THIS WEEK AT THE FRANKLIN ACADEMY
Highlights from Robin Hall
Ms. Camaya- Preschool 3 day
Our theme this week is All About Me so we talked about what made each of us different from the other. Some of us have blue or brown eyes or blonde or brown hair.
Our class is doing wonderful. Today, we had Spanish and the class learned how to say “Hello!” and “What’s your name?” in Spanish with Senora McDonnell. At circle time, we practiced counting the days, learning the days of the week and doing our weather. We learned a new good morning song and a goodbye song.
We started working on Lady Bug footprints in class today as well and friends loved watching someone get their foot painted.
Friday, the class earned popsicles for awesome lining up and walking between transitions!
Spanish with Senora McDonnell
Music with Mrs. Snyder
Mrs. Killian and Ms. TeVelde - Pre-K Class
Literacy
Our writing curriculum begins with an introduction to Mat Man. The preschoolers are learning how to use circles and lines for proper letter formation. This allows us the opportunity to make sure kids have a strong foundation in writing. Muscles from the shoulder to the fingers are used in writing, and we want to make sure early that kids are doing it correctly.
Science
We began our new science unit on magnets. Our unit began by making predictions about what our magnets would pick up, and we then looked at the traits these objects shared. In preschool our concepts seem easy, but we do work through the entire scientific process. The class made predictions before their experiment. Our goal is to introduce these ideas early, so that they have a foundation in these skills later in their education.
The Franklin Academy
Website: www.thefranklin.academy
Location: 1509 East Victor Street, Bellingham, WA, USA
Phone: (360) 733-1750
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheFranklinAcademy
The Franklin Academy Points of Contact
Melanie Hurley, Associate Head of School: mhurley@thefranklin.academy
Dawn Regier, Administrative Assistant, dregier@thefranklin.academy
Rachel Lee, Administrative Assistant, rlee@thefranklin.academy
Natalie Bennett, Admissions Director, nbennett@thefranklin.academy
Katie C. Dement, Development and Marketing Director, kcole@thefranklin.academy
PALS (Parents Actively Lending Support) pals@thefranklin.academy