JANUARY 8, 2021
FPS Family Newsletter | 20-21 Issue 24
WHAT TO SAY TO KIDS WHEN THE NEWS IS SCARY
It has been a difficult week for the American people and our local communities. The events of this week add to the stress and uncertainty in our lives. As adults, we have the ability to process what is happening and understand our emotions. However, children are developing in their ability to do this and are not fully equipped to understand what they are exposed to in the media, and in everyday conversations, they may hear.
As a district, we are committed to ensuring high achievement by implementing research-based teaching practices that ensure equity and are responsive to our students’ social and emotional learning needs. We care about how students grow in their ability to learn and interact with each other and the world around them. COVID-19 has heightened our awareness of our students’ need to feel safe and supported.
I discovered an article and podcast by NPR that you might find helpful in helping your children process what they may hear in the news.
NPR: What to Say to Kids When the News Is Scary
One section of the article advises parents to ask their children, “What have you seen and how are you feeling?” Asking them what they have heard provides them a safe place to reflect and share.
If you would like more information about how to support your child with any concerns you may have about their mental health, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Principal of your school, who will provide you direct contact with one of our school services professionals.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Dr. Judy Mueller
District Administrator
UPCOMING DISTRICT DATES
As a reminder, the District Calendar and all building calendars can be found here.
All of our calendars are able to be subscribed to! Follow the steps at the top of the District Calendar for how to subscribe. You will also see our 2021-22 Calendar Events in your subscription!
Welcome Back
Snow Business
Thumbs Up!
COVID-19 DASHBOARD UPDATE
Below is a screenshot of today's dashboard update. Please note that we are back to updating our dashboard on Wednesdays and Fridays. We will always reference and link the dashboard on Friday here in the weekly district newsletter. If you want to see the Wednesday update, you can visit our Reopening Doors webpage at http://www.franklin.k12.wi.us/reopen
You can click or tap on the screenshot to see a larger version on your device.
NEW FPS COVID-19 QUARANTINE DETAILS
After careful consideration and planning, Franklin Public Schools has implemented our 10-day quarantine period for staff and students, based upon the guidelines from the CDC. Any new quarantine issued on or after Monday, January 4th falls under the new 10-day protocols. The specific protocols have been discussed with the Franklin Health Department and our Medical Advisory Team. Your health department or provider may recommend a full 14-day quarantine, but the Franklin Health Department is supportive of the school district implementing a 10-day quarantine period with continued symptom monitoring on Days 11-14. Parents can choose to quarantine the full 14-days if they would like.
As we continue to quarantine individuals, it is important to remember that the date of exposure to someone who is positive is "Day Zero." Here is what families can expect when it comes to our 10- and 14-day quarantine timelines:
10-DAY QUARANTINE DETAILS
The date of exposure is Day Zero.
The student quarantines through the end of Day 10.
The student will return on Day 11 or the next school day after Day 11.
Families will receive an email and phone call the day before the return to school date with directions to follow and the FPS RETURN FROM QUARANTINE FORM that needs to be complete by 6:30 am on the morning of the child’s return. This also will include the option to choose the 14-day quarantine if preferred.
If a student returns after the 10-day quarantine, the family is expected to continue screening on Days 11-14. The student should be kept home if they have an elevated temperature or are exhibiting other COVID-19 related symptoms.
14-DAY QUARANTINE DETAILS
The date of exposure is Day Zero
The student quarantines through the end of Day 14.
On Day 10 or the date before the child would be expected to return following our 10-day quarantine protocols, parents will receive an email with the FPS RETURN FROM QUARANTINE FORM where they can choose the 14-day quarantine option. Please note that if the 14-day quarantine is chosen, this also excludes the child from any activities or athletics that take place on Days 11-14.
The student will remain in quarantine on Days 11-14 and continue to learn asynchronously (not live) with resources provided by the teacher.
If the family opts for the student to stay out for the full 14-day quarantine, the student will return to school on Day 15, or the next school day after Day 15.
Please know that as we adopt this new 10-day quarantine period, we will review any new information and reflect on the effectiveness of this model to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our schools and make adjustments as needed. If any school hits the 3% positive case rate, that school will move to virtual learning for a minimum of 14-days.
The calendar below helps to illustrate how the timelines work for 10-day and 14-day quarantines.
FROM FHD: COVID-19 VACCINE PRIORITIZATION
COVID-19 TESTS & SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
As we shared in the fall, if any individual (staff or student) that attends Franklin Public Schools gets a COVID-19 test for any reason, that individual should not report to school or work until the test result returns as a negative result.
Some common reasons we hear that individuals are urged to get a test may include:
If they are showing signs of illness
If a physician requests a COVID-19 test for any reason (upcoming procedure, just to check, etc)
If there is upcoming travel that requires a COVID-19 test
If they were exposed to another person with COVID-19
Any outstanding COVID-19 test prohibits the student or staff member from coming to the school buildings. Thank you for following this as it helps to limit the spread of COVID-19 in Franklin Public Schools.
ONSITE COUNSELING CLINICS FOR STUDENTS & FAMILIES
As we head into the new year, our core value of well-being remains a priority as we work to serve students and families in our community. Our Student Services staff, comprised of our school psychologists, counselors, social workers, nurses, and other specialized staff, continue to promote positive mental health by providing comprehensive supports to our students. In addition, we want to remind you of the onsite partnership we have with Clinical Psychology Associates (CPA). CPA has established counseling clinics with a team of five therapists working at Franklin High School, Forest Park Middle School, Pleasant View Elementary, and Country Dale Elementary. All students and families within our district have access to these services.
Clinical Psychology Associates has also recently opened an outpatient location in Oak Creek, providing another convenient way for families to receive therapeutic services if an off-site location is preferred, while still benefiting from the collaborative partnership with the district. For more information please see our website. Appointments are scheduled directly with CPA staff by calling or texting (262) 975-0012.
USDA FREE MEALS CONTINUES
As we shared in the fall, the USDA is helping to offer free meals to students throughout this school year. This has been extended to the last full day of school, which is June 9th since June 10th is a half day.
Per the USDA, Franklin Public Schools is now part of the program to make lunch meals available at no cost to all children age 18 and younger regardless of free/reduced lunch status. Some reminders about this program:
The USDA program will provide one free meal per student per day.
Student allergen information will not be available at the point of distribution of the meals
If you have allergen concerns, please view the online menu and discuss with your child(ren) the allergens in that day's meals.
Students at the high school and middle school can still purchase an additional entree if they choose
Individual milk purchases, separate from a meal, are not free under this program, so the student’s lunch account will be charged.
We are happy we can provide this service to the children of Franklin!
FPS "SHOP WITH A COP" EVENT HELD
Just before winter break, Franklin Public Schools was thankful to once again have the opportunity to connect deserving students to "Shop With a Cop!" Shop With a Cop is an annual experience that occurs in various cities around the country, during which kids get to buy gifts for themselves and their families for the holidays. It also helps foster positive relationships between the youth and police officers helping them shop. The Franklin Police Department has been committed to participating for several years and were able to help eight of our students get gifts for their families in 2020. Thank you to Officer Nicole Maramonte and her colleagues for coordinating with student services and helping to make this possible! #BetterCommunity
COMMUNITY ED & REC WINTER GUIDE IS LIVE!
The Community Ed & Recreation Department Winter Guide is online! Check out all the programming we are offering! Registration is open. Head to our website here where you can click on the guide or go right to the registration page and sign up!
Franklin Public Schools
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Email: communications@franklin.k12.wi.us
Website: http://www.franklin.k12.wi.us
Location: 8255 West Forest Hill Avenue, Franklin, WI, USA
Phone: 414-529-8220
Facebook: facebook.com/franklinpublicschools
Twitter: @fpsdistrictwi