Keller Connections
Family Update - December 10
Principal's Note
Dear Keller Families,
It is hard to believe we have completed the first term of school! On Thursday, December 14 at 3:00 PM report cards will be released in Aspen. Your child's report card will share information about student responsibilities and work habits, as well as how they are progressing toward mastering grade level standards. As you discussed with your child's teacher during conferences, there are a range of ongoing formative and summative assessment opportunities in place to assist with capturing a student's performance as well as assist teachers with guiding tiered instruction to meet the needs of all learners.
Throughout students' educational journey, they will work individually and collaboratively to practice and further develop the skills identified in Franklin's Portrait of a Graduate: Confident and Self-Aware Individual, Empathetic and Productive Citizen, Curious and Creative Thinker, Effective Communicator, and Reflective and Innovative Problem Solver. This year, the district's strategic work around Universal Design for Learning speaks to developing students as Expert Learners who possess these qualities and identifies the importance of providing opportunities for students to self-reflect and set goals as integral to their learning development. Katie Novak and Steven Van Rees shared that, "An expert learner is someone motivated to improve and develop their skills continuously. Expert learners don't necessarily start with the highest level of ability or knowledge - but they never give up and work hard to reach their goals."
As you discuss your child's report card with them, celebrate the "Glows" and discuss the "Grows." Here are some questions to begin conversations with your Keller Kid about their learning and how they feel they learn best. Encourage your child to reflect on what they feel are successes and areas they want to continue to develop. We believe all students have the potential to reach their goals.
- What is something you feel you understand well from your learning this term?
- How do you learn best? What do you need to do your best learning?
- How do you know when you understand something?
- What is an area you want to "grow" next term (student responsibilities and/or academic) ?
- What can you/we do together to help you reach that goal?
As always, please reach out to your child's teacher at any time to discuss your child's progress or if you have questions as to how to further support them at home.
Additionally, as we embrace the holiday season, I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for your unwavering support and active involvement in your child's education. Thank you for partnering with us on behalf of your children. I wish everyone a joyous holiday season.
Warm Regards,
Keri Busavage, Principal
Keller Connection - Translations
凯勒连接翻译
Keller Connection Traduções
Tradiksyon Koneksyon Keller
Keller Connection Traducciones
Keller ترجمه های Connection
Click “Translate” on the top of this update and select your preferred language.
单击此更新顶部的“翻译”,然后选择您的首选语言。
Clique em "Traduzir" na parte superior desta atualização e selecione seu idioma preferido.
Klike sou "Tradui" sou tèt aktyalizasyon sa a epi chwazi lang ou pi pito ou.
Haga clic en "Traducir" en la parte superior de esta actualización y seleccione su idioma preferido.
Telling Our Story
Fire Safe Programs - December 4
THANK YOU to Firefighter Doug Perro and Firefighter Matt LaFleur for joining us on December 4 for a presentation on fire safety. We appreciate you and thank you for your service to Franklin and for teaching us how to stay safe.
We look forward to the Franklin Fire Department returning in the spring to meet with Grade 5.
Inclement Weather Information
As winter approaches, please see Superintendent Giguere's update on inclement weather, school closings, and notifications.
Arrival/Dismissal Reminders!
Below, please find two reminders regarding car arrival and dismissal at Keller.
First, as a way to alleviate a bit of traffic on Lincoln Street, please remember to loop through the lower lot upon arriving at Keller for both arrival and dismissal times. Thank you for your cooperation and helping us to reduce traffic congestion.
Also, in the afternoon, cars should not arrive before 2:15 for Keller dismissal in order to leave the driveway clear for Annie Sullivan dismissal. Thank you for your cooperation, it is greatly appreciated.
Lost & Found
Take a look at the pictures below! If you see a lost item that belongs to your child, please have them pick it up in Lost & Found. This table is located right outside the Health Office - thanks!
Coats for Kids and Families
Keller will be hosting a Winter Coat Drive in conjunction with Jordan's Furniture and Anton's Cleaners.
We will be accepting donations of like-new and new adult and child winter garments!
Jordan’s Furniture is proud to sponsor the Coats for Kids & Families program. This philanthropic initiative is aimed at collecting and donating gently-used, like-new, and new quality winter garments for both children and adults to families in-need through a wide network of social service agencies. Coat donations will be accepted at Keller from January 2 - 5.
All coats will be professionally cleaned and sanitized by Anton’s prior to distribution. Donated items are provided to families in-need in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Maine.
Thank you Coach Nordberg and Ms. Pepin for leading this event!
Click smore.com link to access the Instructional Technology Fall Newsletter!
Keller School Council
Many thanks to Lauren Demake, Jennifer Godin, and Kathleen Papadeas who will serve as Parent Representatives on Keller's School Council this year! The council will also include Jennifer Zeilor, Grade 2 Teacher Representative, and School Resource Officer Daniel Smith as our Community Representative. I look forward to working with you on behalf of our students and school community.
Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System MCAS 2024
Below are dates for Franklin Spring 2024 MCAS testing.
ELEMENTARY
April 2 and 3, 2024- Grade 4 ELA
April 8 and 9, 2024- Grade 3 ELA
April 10 and 11, 2024- Grade 5 ELA
April 30 and May 1, 2024- Grade 3 Math
May 7 and 8, 2024- Grade 4 Math
May 9 and 10, 2024- Grade 5 STE
May 15 and 16, 2024- Grade 5 Math
MIDDLE
April 2 and 3, 2024- Grades 7 and 8 ELA
April 9 and 10, 2024- Grade 6 ELA
May 1 and 2, 2024- Grades 7 and 8 Math
May 8 and 9, 2024- Grade 6 Math and Grade 8 STE
HIGH
November 8 and 9, 2023- ELA Retests
November 14 and 15, 2023- Math Retests
February 6 and 7, 2023- Science Retests
March 26 and 27, 2024- ELA
May 21 and 22, 204- Math
June 4 and 5, 2024- Science
ST Math at Home!
Thank you to our Kindergarten and First Grade families for joining us at math morning this past week!
Linked is information for K-5 families regarding accessing ST Math at home!
If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. McIntyre or Mrs. Young, Keller Math Specialists.
KELLER KIDS ARE UNIQUE!
Thank you Keller Kids for sharing the ways you are unique!
Our interests and hobbies remind us that we can connect with others around the things we have in common and bring us joy!
Thank you to Aislyn, Ava, Chloe, Claire, Elise, Jennifer, Keira, Piper, and Will for sharing how you are UNIQUE!
As a school community, we continue to grow opportunities for students to experience Keller’s Core Values of caring, inclusive, intelligent, respectful, and unique. We look forward to welcoming more Keller Kids to participate and share their interests.
If your Keller Student would like to participate, please sign up using this link. We invite Keller 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th-grade students to sign up! We will continue to add grade levels!
How it works . . .
Every Friday at 2 o’clock, students signed up for that week, will meet with principals to set up their display in the main hallway. Students will also pick up their collection from the previous week.
Each student will have half a shelf to display their items
Bring a name tag to be displayed (folded index card, piece of paper, etc.)
Bring 5-7 items to display that tell your story!
Unified Arts - 6 Day Schedule
In addition, here is the full SY 23-24 Franklin Public Schools, 6-Day Elementary Calendar linked here. In the event of a school closing, the cycle days remain as identified on the calendar.
Keller Parent Communication Council
Mark your calendars! Bag Bingo is back on March 15th! Join us for an evening of fun, games, and fantastic prizes.
Cozy up this season with our Keller Camp Mug! Embrace the winter chill with a warm hug in your hands. Order now and receive your mug just in time for the holidays. Plus, enjoy a delightful treat inside: hot chocolate and a sweet candy cane. Get yours today and make this winter extra special! Please use this link to order yours.
As always, if you have any questions please reach out to us at: helenkellerpcc@gmail.com
~ Hayley Doucette, President
~ Lianne Chelman, Vice President
~Thea Charles, Treasurer
~ Ali McDonald, Corresponding Secretary
~ Jennifer Micalone, Recording Secretary
~ Ally Bowser, FACE Coordinator
Health Office - Cold Weather Update!
This is a friendly reminder that students need to come to school properly dressed for the weather.
As the weather gets colder, students need to have the following items: winter hat, mittens/gloves, scarf/neck warmer, winter boots, snow pants and a proper winter jacket.Despite the cold weather, we will be going outside at recess for 20 minutes, unless the guidance states it is too cold.
Please remember to:
* LABEL EVERYTHING!
* Send in an extra pair of pants and socks in your child’s backpack.
We are seeing a fair amount of Strep Throat and stomach bugs. Please see the chart below for school guidance.
Lunch Volunteers!
Thank you to our lunch volunteers for giving your time and assisting in the cafeteria!
If you are interested and would like to volunteer in the lunch room please click the January Link which will bring you to the Sign-Up Genius.
Lunch volunteers help students with opening food packaging/drinks, wiping tables between grade-level lunches, and sweeping floors if needed.
Please remember that a CORI Form must be completed before volunteering.
Thank you to Mrs. Doenges for assisting with the creation of sign-ups!
CORI Forms
Many have stopped by the office to complete their CORI form paperwork - thank you!
CORI forms need to be completed annually and prior to volunteering in the building or chaperoning a field trip. If you are chaperoning an upcoming field trip, please be sure to stop by the Keller Office to complete a form.
Completing a CORI form can be done at any time. Just bring this completed form to the Keller Office, or fill one out when you arrive. Also, please have with you one form of photo identification.
Lunch Menu
The elementary lunch menus are linked here. Students do not need to pre-order lunches but should be aware if they are getting breakfast and/or lunch at school, or if they are bringing lunch from home.
Students should come to school with a snack and water bottle.
Weekend Backpack Program
Franklin Public Schools has partnered with the Franklin Food Pantry to provide food to students who might benefit from this support. Together, we will gather, package, and provide bags of food for students during the school year to take home over the weekend. Students who participate in this program are kept confidential to appropriate school personnel. Names are not shared with food pantry personnel. Packaged food is sent home on Fridays throughout the year. This is a free program for all participating families. The backpacks will contain a variety of child-friendly foods. Some examples are snacks, canned fruits, and macaroni and cheese. Backpacks will be distributed to students in a discreet and caring manner.
If you are interested in receiving the Backpack or have questions about the program, please call the Keller Health Office, at (508) 553 -0322, Ext. 3609 or 3421. You may also print and sign this letter and return it to the School Nurse.
Upcoming Dates! MORE to Come!
December
12 - School Committee @ 7:00 PM
14 - Report Cards Distributed
21 - PCC Meeting @ 7:30 PM (LINK)
22 - Early Release @ 11:45 AM - Professional Development Half Day
25 - January 1 No School - Winter Break
January
2 - Return to School
2-5 Coats for Kids and Families
9 - School Committee @ 7:00 PM
15 - No School - MLK Jr. Day
16 - Early Release Day - Dismissal @ 11:45 AM
18 - PCC Meeting @ 7:30 PM (LINK)
23 - School Committee @ 7:00 PM
February
2 - Early Release Day - Dismissal @ 11:45 AM
15 - PCC Meeting @ 7:30 PM (LINK)
19 - 23 - No School - February Break
28 -- Early Release Day - Dismissal @ 11:45 AM
Go Hawk News!
You will find archived Keller Connections and related school information.
Contact Information
Ellen Trott, Assistant Principal - trotte@franklinps.net
Kathy Dacey, Secretary - daceyk@franklinps.net
Website: https://www.franklinps.net/helenkeller
Location: 500 Lincoln Street, Franklin, MA, USA
Phone: 508-553-0322