FPHS Parent and Student Memo
February 7, 2022
Franklin Pierce High School
FPS District Equity Statement
DISTRICT AREAS OF FOCUS AND IMPROVEMENT:
- Equity and Social Justice
- Improved Instruction
- Family and Community Partnership
Our Equity Team would like to partner with our parents to fulfill our mission to support our students, staff, and families by identifying and dismantling systems that perpetuate, exacerbate, or produce inequities based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, etc. If you would like to collaborate with us, please let us know HERE. If you want to learn more about our commitment to EQUITY and ANTI-RACISM, feel free to contact any of our FPHS Equity Team members: Hartley, Marzano, Wright, Laban, Apelu, Brist, Call, Chapman, Detweiler, Fineman, Goodrum, Inman, Kaunda, B. Lee, Martin, Plaskett, Quill, Roscoe, Scroger, Shoopman, McNeil, Wacker, Tracy, T. Johnson, Henley, Hill, and Gilbert.
Dear Parents and Students,
- Parents, second semester is under way. Please, help us to reiterate the message to our students that being "on time" matters. We're really trying to help our students to understand the importance of getting to class on time and not disrupting teachers or other students by arriving tardy to class. An occasional late arrival is understandable, but when it becomes a pattern of tardiness we get concerned.
- Parents, do you know about Learning Lab? Every Monday and Friday, all students have 30 minutes with their Advisory teacher to complete HW, prepare for exams, or visit with other teachers to get extra help. Please, encourage your child to make good use of Learning Lab time.
- SENIOR CLASS PHOTO for the yearbook: March 24. Stay tuned for details.
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.
- Schedule this week: BABAB. Link HERE to see the A Day / B Day calendar for the year.
FPS COVID Dashboard HERE.
Visit HERE to view previous Parent and Student Memos.
Please, make sure you have all the info below. We miss you and wish you all the very best. Stay safe and be well!
Support FPHS BSU!
The store is open from 2/2 to 2/10, and items should be delivered by 2/14.
Link HERE!
Meet Our Cardinal Staff:
Name: Tobi Bernth
My Role at FPHS: CTE Teacher, I teach American Sign Language
Favorite Hobbies: Painting, reading, decorating and spending time with family, friends and my dogs
Favorite Book: The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Favorite Quote: I have 3 that I live by: 1. You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think; 2. Doing nothing often leads to the very best something; and 3. Don’t dwell on those who let you down. Cherish those who hold you up! By Winnie the Pooh
Meet Our Cardinal Staff:
Name: Leigh Kelly
My Role at FPHS: Kitchen Cook
Favorite Hobbies: Taking care of my family and 2 huge Great Danes, riding bikes, and fishing with my hubby.
Favorite Book: Love reading books on space
Favorite Quote: Do what you love, love what you do.
FEBRUARY Culture Calendar
FEBRUARY is ...
BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Learn more HERE.
2/2: GROUNDHOG DAY: Learn more HERE.
- LUNAR NEW YEAR: Learn more HERE.
- 2/14: VALENTINE’S DAY: Learn more HERE.
- 2/15: PRESIDENTS DAY: Learn more HERE.
- 2/15: PARINIRVANA: Learn more HERE.
- 2/16: MARDI GRAS: Learn more HERE.
- 2/17: ASH WEDNESDAY: Learn more HERE.
- 2/19: JAPANESE DAY OF REMEMBRANCE: Learn more HERE.
- 2/20: WORLD DAY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE: Learn more HERE.
Cardinal Character Trait for FEBRUARY: COURAGE!
LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL:
Baccalaureate at Spelman College is a moving experience and touches the hearts and souls of both graduates and attendees.
Social Justice, Equity, and Anti-Racist Resources:
In the video below: Emmanuel Acho and Barack Obama talk about race and racism.
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.
Cardinal Sports:
FPHS Courses: It's almost time for REGISTRATION for next year's classes!
HERE is a link to all of our current course offerings.
Here are a few classes you might not know about:
- BEGINNING GUITAR: In beginning guitar, students will learn basic notes and chords for guitar or ukulele. After mastering this, we will learn simple folk songs and twelve bar blues. Required equipment is an acoustic guitar or ukulele and a notebook for music.
- SPANISH NATIVE SPEAKERS: A heritage speaker is someone whose first language is Spanish. This class will help you further develop the reading and writing skills in Spanish while learning more about the Spanish-speaking culture. We will be reading and analyzing works of Spanish authors. One of the main goals in this class is to improve your Spanish writing skills.
- ECO SYSTEM DESIGN: Eco System Design studies environmental science and ecosystems through agricultural, using the FPSD Farm as a living laboratory. The course is designed as a hands-on course that digs into systems thinking, biology, and ecology concepts while learning practical skills of growing food, business, and leadership skills. Students will have access to state-of-the-art tools and resources on the Franklin Pierce Farm site and learn how to design sustainable systems by growing food from seed to harvest. This class is lab and activity heavy are held outside on the farm.
- FINANCIAL LITERACY: Are you constantly running out of money and finding it difficult to pay for the movies? This course will teach you financial management skills that will help you make smart financial decisions, now and in the future. Topics include: banking services, consumer credit, budgeting, saving, investing, stocks, insurance, retirement planning, how to buy a car and more. You will learn how to avoid financial mistakes by understanding your options and responsibilities. This class will help you to be financially successful in the real world.
FPHS athletes, parents, and community:
Covid 19 Testing Requirements
Recently the Washington State Department of Health in working with the WIAA updated guidelines around high school athletics and testing requirements. Please read below the latest announcement from the DOH below.
In response to recent sports-related outbreaks, the testing requirements for high-risk sporting activities has been updated to require screening testing of all athletes, coaches, trainers and supporting personnel, regardless of vaccination status. Further, the testing frequency has increased to 3 times weekly. Among those screening tests, at least one must occur no sooner than the day before the competition; ideally and whenever possible, the day of the event.
Franklin Pierce HS Events Calendar
Are you looking for the most up to date list of event for the athletic programs at Franklin Pierce HS. Then be sure to visit FPHSCards.com and check out the calendar to get the most up to date information on teams and events. https://fphscards.com/events
Spring Sports
If you are interested in turning out for any of the spring sports that Franklin Pierce HS has to offer then be sure to register online with FamilyID and have a current physical on file in the athletic office. Sports offered are Softball, Baseball, Track and Field, Girls Tennis, and Boys Soccer! Reach out to one of the following coaches with any questions you may have.
Family and Community Partnerships:
The FPHS Lisa Watson Memorial Food & Hygiene Pantry is available for all students and their families.
Use this LINK to view our current food & hygiene pantry options. Please mark the items you need and staff will put together a bag or box. We will contact you when your items are ready for pick up or delivery. Items can be requested twice a month. Additional ways to request items: You can request a paper copy of this form by contacting Bonita Lee at blee@fpschools.org or call 253-298-3837 to request items via phone.
In community with families and partnerships, we are here to help point you in the right direction to local resources. If you have a specific need, contact Bonita Lee at blee@fpschools.org or call 253-298-3837.
Black History Month at Tacoma Community College with TCC's BSU!
We’re very proud to announce our Black History Month offerings. From a presentation about Historic Black Colleges and Universities, to dazzling displays with the Zuzu African Acrobats, learning how to heal and transform with a national author, improving on financial literacy, and a celebration of culture through fashion, we have you covered with these unique offerings co-sponsored by the Black Student Union. You can join all of the events with a simple click on the link below during the dates and times listed!
You can join these virtual events on the dates and times listed below here:
Black History Month Resources:
Lunar New Year:
Pierce County Skills Center:
LINK for 2021-22 PCSC Student Handbook.
- 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
- IT Help Desk for Students and Parents: 253-298-4647, 7:30AM to 4PM.
- Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
- FPS Breakfast and Lunch Program: www.fpschools.org/meals
- FPS Education Resources: https://www.fpschools.org/exended-closure-resources-and-information/closure-educational-resources
- 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.
- District CALENDAR.
- Information about ATTENDANCE.
- How to access and use DORA.
COVID- 19 Resources:
- District Website: https://www.fpschools.org/
- Gov. Inslee's COVID-19 updates web page: https://www.governor.wa.gov/tags/covid-19-coronavirus
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Community Resources:
- District resources and partners: https://www.fpschools.org/departments/family-engagement-office/community-resources
- Check with your phone and internet provider: many providers are offering free and/or unlimited data, internet etc. during the Stay Home, Stay Healthy order.
- Financial Resources: https://dfi.wa.gov/coronavirus/financial-resources
Covid Safety:
Tacoma Pierce County Health Department has changed their quarantine and isolation guidelines for schools.
Please use this link to access these updates on the district website. https://www.fpschools.org/departments/health-services/student-covid-resources
Quarantine Guidelines:
- Students and staff who have come into close contact with someone who has covid are now required to quarantine for 5 days instead of 10, unless they meet one of the criteria below:
- Vaccinated AND boosted (18 and older)
- Vaccinated (Primary series; 5-17 yrs. old)
- Had confirmed Covid in the last 90 days
- Participate in Test-to-Stay program at school
Isolation Guidelines:
- Students and staff who test positive for Covid may return to school after a 5 days isolation instead of 10. All the following criteria must be met to return within 5 days:
- 5 days have passed since symptom onset or positive specimen collected if no symptoms present,
- No symptoms are present or resolving
- No fever in last 24 hours
- MUST wear a tight-fitting mask for 5 days following return to school.
Test-to-Stay Program:
- All students and staff can participate in Test-to-Stay. Please contact Stephanee Disney in the Attendance Office to enroll.
- Students who have been exposed to Covid inside or outside of school will be asked to participate in Test-to-Stay. If declined, students must quarantine for 5 days from the exposure.
- Students participating in Test-to-Stay will be given a Rapid Antigen test twice within a 5-day period.
- If the exposure is within the household, students will be tested 5 times within a 15-day period.
- Fully vaccinated students will not be required to participate yet it is highly encouraged.
For all Covid questions, please reach out to Brixey Marzano at 253-298-3930 or bmarzano@fpschools.org.
Stay safe and healthy!