Franklin e-Newsletter
Monday, November 2, 2020
Follow us on Twitter: @FranklinBolts
Principal's Message
We can't wait for our return to in-person instruction. On Monday, November 16 we continue our next transition when we welcome 300+ students back into the building. As we prepare for this transition, we want to make sure families know of the building procedures that will go into effect when we return.
In-person Building Procedures
Monday, November 9 (No School for In-person Learners)
Updated Supply List
As we come back in-person, we want to provide an update on what students should bring with them. Please refrain from going out and spending a lot of money on supplies. If you're unable to get certain items, we will assist.
All School/Classroom Supplies (Optional)
If you wish to bring the all school supplies before November 13, we will have a drop off table available outside of the front doors on Monday, November 9 from 8:00AM-3:00PM.
- 1-2 reams of white paper
- 1 box of Kleenex
- 1 package of disinfectant wipes
Student School Supplies
- Backpack
- Charged student device w/ their charger.
- Headphones or earbuds
- Sharpened #2 pencils
- Markers
- Colored Pencils
- Calculator
- Highlighters
- 1-3 spiral notebooks
- 1-3 folders
At this time, please do not bring 3-ring binders or trappers due to space limitations in the classroom and in a student's backpack.
Health & Safety Guidelines
Students and families are encouraged to notify staff if they're exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms. See the list of possible symptoms. If students inform their teacher of possible symptoms they will immediately be sent to our Clinic.
Masks
Once students arrive on campus (by bus, car, bike, or walking) they must have their mask on. When students arrive on Monday, November 16 they will receive a new Franklin-designed mask and lanyard. Staff are also required to wear masks at all times. When interacting with students, and within 6', they will also be required to wear a face shield. Staff will offer mask breaks during the day for students.
Sanitizer
New sanitizer pumps have been installed in every classroom and at each entrance. Students will be asked to sanitize each morning when they enter the building and when they enter their classroom.
Clinic & Procedures
If your child is displaying symptoms and you plan to take them to the doctor, please follow these guidelines from the CDC:
Monitor your child's symptoms.
Stay home, except for medical care.
Call ahead before visiting your child's doctor.
Avoid going near others when outside your home.
If your child displays symptoms, please follow Cedar Rapids Community School District Health Service’s guidelines to determine if they should stay home from school and school activities. Click here for the District document for Student Illness Guidelines.
Cohorts
At each grade level, students will be divided into 6 cohorts. This may or may not be the same teacher your student currently has for their Advisory class. In many cases, this teacher will be different. Students will learn of their new cohort teacher the week of November 10. During that week, we'll have opportunities during their Advisory time to meet their new cohort teacher and the students they'll be in class with.
Entrance & Exiting Procedures
Entering Procedures
- Student should not be on campus earlier than 7:30.
- When students arrive on campus, they are required to wear their mask.
- Beginning at 7:30, staff will begin supervising outside and inside. Students will use one of three entrances to come in the building. These include the 20th Street (main door entrance) as well as the B Ave. entrance. Bus riders will use our main parking lot door, labeled as Door #7.
- To allow room for buses, and to limit congestion, families SHOULD NOT use the main parking lot, north of our building, for drop off or pick up.
- When entering the building, students will sanitize their hands using the provided touch free stations.
- Students will report directly to their cohort rooms with their belongings-backpacket, coats/jackets, and lunch-if bringing their own. Students WILL NOT use lockers this year or gather in the hallways.
Exiting Procedures
- We will continue with our regular building dismissal times of 2:50 Monday-Thursday and 1:20 on Fridays.
- We'll begin our dismissal procedures at 2:40 each afternoon. We will first dismiss bus riders. Next will be those students who are being picked up by family/friends, and lastly students walking or riding bikes.
- Students will sanitize their hands upon exiting the building.
- If you're planning to pick up your students, make a plan on where to pick up prior to the school day. Our 20th Street entrance is a busy area. Vehicles SHOULD NOT be double parked. Areas that are less congested include 21st Street or the lower area by the tennis courts.
- All students should be picked up, or walking home, no later than 3:00PM.
Breakfast & Lunch
Breakfast will be delivered by Franklin Staff members to the classrooms based on the previous day's orders. If a student did not place an order, we have options to ensure any student that wants to eat, has the choice.
For lunch, all students in a cohort will walk down to the cafeteria to get their meal. We have a staggering schedule that will ensure students have limited exposure to other cohorts. Students will follow all social distancing guidelines and will sanitize their hands prior to entering the lines. This will be a contact free ordering process. Our food and nutrition staff will pack the student's lunch based on their preference for certain items. After all students in their cohort have gone through the line, students will walk back up to their classroom to eat. There will be cleanup guidelines our staff will follow to ensure a clean space is available for students to learn from the rest of the day.
Classroom Instruction
Time during the day will also be designated for iReady lessons in Reading and Math and Extended Learning (EL). EL is a time where teachers can virtually "pull" small groups of students for additional support or where students can go to a staff member for virtual "office hours" for enrichment or interventions.
Quarter Exploratory Rotations (All students at the grade level, with the exception of 6th)
- 6th Grade: Computer Science & Engineering Technology
- 7th Grade: Art
- 8th Grade: Wellness
Continuing Information
Updated District Calendar
Virtual Counseling Services
- Ms. Letteney: Last names A-L
- Ms. Thomas: Last names M-Z
Virtual IMC
The Franklin Library will be doing curbside pick up for any student that would like to check out a book beginning October 5. There are two ways a student can place books on hold:
- Calling the library at 558-4426, or
- Making a reservation online. Follow the directions in this video: https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYQbhyJkE2
Once a hold is placed, Ms. Cornell will email the student to let them know their book is ready for pickup. Pickup will be at the main entrance from 8:30-2:00.
School Fees
If you have any questions regarding the Book Fee, please call the Main Office at 558-2452.
Attendance
Attendance remains one of our top priorities and is key to a student’s success. Attendance will be taken each day and monitored throughout live instruction. We will have proactive collaboration between home and school if attendance and engagement becomes a concern.
For in-person and remote learners, if your student has a pre-arranged absence or is unable to attend their scheduled classes, please call our Attendance Office at (319) 558-2162 to have it documented.
Franklin Middle School
Email: lptacek@crschools.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