Franklin Middle School
May Newsletter 2023
Principal's Message
Dear Franklin Families:
Let the testing season begin!
State testing begins May 2 and runs the entire month, off and on.
Our teachers and students have worked hard to prepare for the assessment. Please make sure your student gets plenty of sleep this month and attends daily. The data derived from the tests informs placement and supports for next year, as well as helps us in our planning for next year for instruction.
Additionally, parents of incoming sixth graders-the big event is May 11. We will greet all our
incoming sixth graders, feed you dinner, and talk about the transition to middle school. This year, we added music day and all the fifth graders came to see over 200 Franklin students perform in choir, band, and orchestra. If we sparked any interest, on May 18 th , we are having a Ted Brown night, where students can rent instruments for the upcoming year. Don’t let money be the hold up if your student is interested-we have some funds available. We are excited to welcome all the new faces and talent.
Lastly, as we move into the end of the 2022-23 school year, we still have several fun events in the works. After a three-year absence, the Franklin Follies returns. It is a fun-filled evening talent show for all to enjoy. Dance, singing, skits, bands, comedians-we take it all! Stay tuned for further announcements. Spring sports are in high swing, and competition is fierce. Come watch the students play. And, although we do not have an 8th grade graduation, we send them off on an all-day field trip. More information to come. In closing, the last day of school is June 15th . It will be a half-day, with students leaving at 11:00 a.m.
Thank you for all that you do and enjoy the sunshine and warmth-finally!!
Mrs. Anderson
Excellence in Education Award Nominee's
Franklin Middle School has two nominees!! Mr. Jeffery McFadden was nominated for the Crystal Apple Award and Mrs. Michelle Werts was nominated for the Shining Star Award. We are so proud of them, winners will be announced on April 28th at 4:30 PM at Eisenhower High School.
Franklin Students Cheer on the Mariners
On Wednesday, April 19th, 51 amazing Franklin students went to the Mariners Weather Education Day. Students from across the state had the chance to come out for a memorable field trip, filled with exciting science experiments and a great day of baseball. This was a first time experience for almost all students involved. Students were selected for their submission of an essay and involvement in school activities. Many of our students had not experienced a trip to Seattle. IT was a great day for all involved. We hope to continue to provide students with these opportunities.
5th Grade Orientation
On Wednesday, April 20th, Franklin Band, Orchestra and Choir students showcased their talents at a get to know the Music Department assembly for incoming 6th graders. Three hundred 5th grade students from Roosevelt, Robertson, McKinley, and Garfield attended and were very impressed. Over 150 Franklin students performed music for them! Way to go Franklin! Beautiful job!
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State Testing
The time has come to begin our state testing. In the month of May, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades will be taking the Smarter Balanced Assessment in English and Math. Franklin students will begin testing on May 2nd.
Additionally, 8th Grade Students will take the Washington Comprehensive Assessment in Science(WCAS).
We need your help reminding your student to have their computers charged every day.
Additionally, here are some tips for parents to help their students prepare for State Testing.
Testing Tips for Parents
1. Ensure your child gets plenty of rest the night before the test.
2. On the morning of the test, your child needs to get up in plenty of time so he/she won't feel rushed.
3. Make sure your child has a good breakfast. Research shows that children do better on tests if they have had a good breakfast.
4. Do as much as you can to make your child feel comfortable. Try not to say things to make him/her feel more nervous.
5. Have your child bring their charger to school everyday.
6. Remind them to bring their charged laptop to school every day.
7. Wish them luck!!!
Thank you for your support.
Franklin Middle School Administration
May 11th: Incoming 6th Grade Open House
On Thursday, May 11, FMS will host a night for all our incoming sixth graders. We will be serving food from 530-6 pm and then presenting information to FMS families. Families will be able explore the building to get a feel for what the first day of school will look like next year. The event ends at
7 pm.
Class Spotlight-Mrs. Norman-Earth Day
Class Spotlight-Mr. McFadden's Technology Class
Mr. McFadden's students were busy this month making mousetrap cars and balsa gliders. When making mousetrap cars, students learn science concepts, applied math, and design possibilities. Balsa gliders taught his students the basics of aerodynamics. Once they were finished they tried them out!
The Franklin Follies are back and better than ever!
Come see all the talented students and staff perform on stage June 1st, 2023! If you are interested please sign up in the FMS office with Mrs. Thomas. Stay tuned for more information.
8th Grade Field Trip
Pick-up and Drop-off Reminder
Parents, we would like to thank you for following our Pick-up and Drop-off routes. Since we have returned from break, we would like to remind you about the routes.
We also ask that you refrain from using the parking lot on 19th during drop-off and pick-up time. We have noticed congestion in the parking lot and cars trying to weave in between parked vehicles; this causes an unsafe situation. We will be blocking off the parking lot during pick-up and drop-off times. Please continue to pick your students up at the Arches on 19th. Thank you for your understanding.
PBIS NEWS
BOLT STORE OPEN
We have opened our PBIS BOLT Store. We encourage teachers to recognize positive behavior daily by giving students our PBIS Rewards incentive called a BOLT. Students can collect BOLTS and spend them at our BOLT Store, which will be open every Friday.
Our Grand Opening was held on Friday, September 30th and it was met with a positive reception. Our students were excited about the items that were being sold, they were excited that they could use their BOLTS to buy items of high interest to them. Some of those items include snacks, keychains, tumbler cups with a Franklin logo, stickers for computers and phones, and much more. We will continue to ask students what items they feel should be in our store.
We have an amazing team of staff members on our PBIS team that have made this BOLT Store possible. They have donated items to the store that students find of value. Our staff works hard to make sure that we are recognizing when students have pride in our school and are following the Franklin Way.
If you are interested in donating to our PBIS BOLT Store, please reach out to the Franklin Middle School office for more information.
Migrant Education Program
The goal of the Migrant Education Program is to ensure that all migrant students reach challenging academic standards and graduate with a high school diploma (or complete a GED) that prepares them for responsible citizenship, further learning, and productive employment. The goal also includes collaboration with migratory parents and the collective community to provide a full range of services to address unique educational needs. The Washington State Migrant Education Program (MEP) is federally funded to ensure high-quality education programs and supplemental support services for migratory children. Migratory families often have trouble receiving continuous, high-quality educational services because of their high rate of mobility, cultural and language barriers, social isolation, health-related problems, disruption of their children’s education, and the lack of resources in the areas in which they live and work.
The Migrant Education Program is authorized under Part C of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended. Federal funds are allocated to OSPI based on per pupil expenditure for education and counts of eligible migratory children, ages 3 to 21, residing within the state. OSPI authorizes the sub-grants to local education agencies (school districts), institutions of higher education and other public and non-profit agencies.
Services offered to migrant children and their families may include:- Supplemental academic programs to assist in the achievement of state academic standards
- Instructional training
- Health programs
- Preschool programs (readiness, transitioning to elementary education)
- Family home visiting and academic counseling services
- Parental involvement
- Migrant student data and collection
- Student leadership opportunities
- Summer school programs
- Secondary credit accrual and exchange
- Grants for supplemental secondary services, dropout prevention and retrieval and alternative education programs
For more information, please contact Ms. Elizabeth Montelongo, our Franklin Middle School Migrant Education Advocate. Montelongo.elizabeth@ysd7.org
Peer Pressure
How to deal with Peer Pressure
Most of the time you know what decision you should make, but peer pressure can sometimes make that difficult to do. Here are some ways to deal with negative peer pressure.
- Keep it simple
- Often, a simple "Nah, I'm good" is enough. If you feel more comfortable giving a reason, you can say something like, "No thanks, I don't like the way that makes me feel."
- Plan Ahead
- If you think you may be put in a difficult situation, figure out ahead of time how you're going to handle it, and what you're going to say.
- Be true to yourself
- Regularly reflect on who you are and who you want to be. Make a promise to yourself to stick to your values, even when it gets hard, and to always think for yourself.
Upcoming Events at FMS
- Memorial Day
- May 28th, no school
Franklin Dress Code and PBIS Expectations
As the weather begins to warm up, we wanted to remind students about our Dress Code. Please remind your students to follow the following school rules. The purpose of the Franklin Dress Code is to foster a professional, safe, and respectful learning environment at school. We believe it is one more component of preparing students for success.
Students who choose to dress inappropriately* will be asked to change. If they do not have other attire to change into, parents will be called and asked to either bring appropriate clothing or take their student home. The following is a guideline of how to wear some articles of clothing, as well as what is viewed as unacceptable.
* Inappropriate clothing is any item deemed by administration as disruptive to the educational process, advertises illegal substances, or promotes/is identified with gangs.
Shirts-
- Must cover all of the stomach, back, and chest at all times, even with raised arms
- May not be see-through (except sleeves) nor reveal any undergarment. No portion of bra may be visible.
- Tank tops can only be worn as a layer with another shirt.
Pants-
- Cannot sag below hips or show any portion of underwear, even when worn with untucked shirts
- May not have tears or rips in the hip or thigh area, where skin is visible
Miscellaneous Articles that may not be worn
- Apparel with pictures, symbols, graphics, or words that depict alcohol, tobacco, drugs, unlawful activities, profanity, or have messages deemed lewd or suggestive by administration.
- Gang related clothing, accessories, or jewelry. This includes gang symbolism, graffiti, numbers 13, 14, 21, XIV, XIII. We collaborate with the Yakima Police Dept to update changes in gang related apparel.
- Bandanas/Headbands/Do Rags / Web belts
- Rosaries, Dangling chains, unsafe jewelry, or unsafe body piercing jewelry
Spring Sports Schedules
Franklin Middle School Title 1 Information
2022-2023 Nondiscrimination Statement
Nondiscrimination Statement: “Yakima School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:
Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator: Title IX – Dr. Robert Darling, Deputy Superintendent, 104 N. 4th Ave., Yakima, WA 98902,(509) 573-7003, darling.robert@ysd7.org ;
Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator (Students): ADA/Section 504 – Omar Santoy, Director of Student Services, 104 N. 4th Ave., Yakima, WA 98902, (509) 573-7221, santoy.omar@ysd7.org
Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator (Non-Students): ADA – Christopher Miller, Director of
Human Resources, 104 N. 4th Ave., Yakima, WA 98902, (509) 573-7066
Individuals with disabilities who require assistance or special arrangements to attend a program or activity sponsored by the Yakima School District should contact one of the ADA Coordinators 24 hours in advance of the event to inquire about reasonable accommodation. Deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing, and/or speech impaired individuals may access Washington Relay Services by calling 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.”