FPHS Parent and Student Memo
August 1, 2020
Franklin Pierce High School
Dear Parents and Students,
I hope that you all are doing well and making the most of this summer even during this on-going COVID-19 health crisis. We are working daily and making adjustments to our Fall planning based on the recent Pierce County Health Department recommendation that all schools should begin remotely in the Fall. We are saddened that we won't be able to begin the year with in-person instruction to see all of you face-to-face, but we are hopeful that as conditions improve in Pierce County, we will be able to transition back to in-person learning as soon as possible.
Some updates and things to expect:
- Last Spring, our goal was to make the best of an unexpected global health crisis and salvage the remainder of the school year while not adding to the challenges of an already difficult situation. However, Fall planning is significantly different. This Fall, we need to "get back to school" and resume grade level instruction for all students in every way possible. The challenge we face is that our learning platform has been temporarily shifted to remote vs. in-person. It will take our best efforts from staff, students, and parents to ensure that we continue to foster high achievement and maintain high expectations.
- We will be providing a combination of synchronous (live) and asynchronous (independent) instruction.
- Students will be required to attend online classes with their teachers and classmates and attendance will be taken daily.
- New instruction will occur daily and assessments will count toward a student's grade, GPA, and credits earned.
- Each teacher will have posted and specified Office Hours to provide additional support to students and families.
- We will continue to host a daily Homework Center for all students to receive additional assistance and tutoring.
- Our IT Department has been working all summer with Canvas, our online learning platform, to resolve some technical issues experienced in the Spring due to the sudden increase in student and teacher use.
- We also understand the importance and impact of missing out on the social aspects of school. We will be working with staff and student leaders to create social opportunities for all students to participate in including regular meetings for all student clubs and groups.
- We know that when teachers and students are able to interact face-to-face in the school buildings, we can create the best learning outcomes possible. That being said, we are still in a global health crisis and need to focus first on the safety of all of our students, staff, and families. We're all in this together.
Stay tuned for more information and details. We wish you all the very best. Stay safe and be well!
SENIOR POWER!
Obviously, we're not starting off your Senior year the way you may have hoped. Nonetheless, we all still have the ability to make it a memorable and impactful year that can launch you into your future endeavors. I encourage you to make the best of your Senior year despite the current situation. Our challenges, hardships, and obstacles do not define us. What defines us is how we respond in the face of these adversities.
Make sure you're setting yourself up now for success beyond high school. Keep your eyes on the prize!
Welcome, Freshmen!
We wish we could start the year seeing you in person, but we're going to make the best of it anyway. Stay tuned for more information about an online presentation to include a campus tour, a "meet and greet" with teachers, information about clubs and sports, critical information from counselors about graduation requirements, and a message from administration about high school expectations and how to maximize your success in high school.
FPHS Sports!!!
For the latest updates and information about 2020-21 high school sports, please visit the WIAA website HERE.
For the most recent modified sport season calendar, visit HERE.
As families in the Franklin Pierce School District, there are a few items you can do to help you and your child to be ready to go for 2020-21 high school sports regardless of when that occurs:
- Make sure your son or daughter has a current physical that has been completed within the last 2 years. If it expires within the next 3-4 months, we recommend getting that taken care of as soon as possible. If you have a question about your expiration date, Please email jmcneil@fpshools.org
- If your son or daughter had a physical while at Ford, we have those on file at FPHS and they will be transferred over.
- Follow the WIAA and Franklin Pierce HS on Facebook, Instagram, and twitter for continuous updates.
- Connect with coaches of your sport. Coaches have been given permission to host online meetings with current and prospective athletes. We know they would love to connect with families and athletes to be able to begin sharing important information.
Fall Coaches' emails:
- Football: Trevor Hanson, Thanson@fpschools.org
- Cross Country (Boys & Girls): Jesse McNeil, Jmcneil@fpschools.org
- Golf (Boys): Colin Horak, chorak@fpschools.org
- Golf (Girls): Jeff Melvard, jmelvard@fpschools.org
- Soccer (Girls): Kyle Wynkoop, kwynkoop@fpschools.org
- Swim & Dive (Girls): TBH
- Tennis (Boys): Tyler Parsons, tparsons@fpschools.org
- Volleyball (Girls): Tiffany Disney, Tdisney@fpschools.org
- Cheerleading: Rebecca Matthews, franklinpiercecheer@gmail.com
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)
- TED Talks: a great place to learn from some of the world's brightest minds on a variety of subjects: https://www.ted.com/talks. Listen to a new one every day!
- Free library card with access to audiobooks: https://www.piercecountylibrary.org/services/library-card/library-card.htm
- FPS Breakfast and Lunch Program: www.fpschools.org/meals
- FPS Education Resources: https://www.fpschools.org/exended-closure-resources-and-information/closure-educational-resources
- Resources for Continuous Learning.
- Want to add Canvas to your phone? Android or iOS. Once you download the app, search "fpschools" to find our district.
- FPHS Facebook page.
- Info for Running Start 2020-21.
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