2/26/24

As a school, we have a goal to increase student engagement. At the start of this month, our students took our student engagement pulse survey. This Spring, we will gather students in focus groups to learn more about their everyday experiences.

We will continue to take action to proactively teach our students to speak up and create a school culture where everyone belongs. As a staff we will address and take action when our students make choices that do not align with, support, or realize our vision of a school culture of belonging, helping, empathy, compassion, understanding, and cooperation.

Here is to a great week and go Sabers!

Mr. Vuolo

Please see this message from MySchoolBucks, our online payment portal for cafeteria payments, regarding an increase in their processing fees effective Thursday, March 7th:

We’re updating the program fee you pay at checkout in MySchoolBucks when funding your student’s meal account to $3.25 for each credit/debit card payment beginning on March 7th. Please note that if your district accepts e-checks, the program fee when paying by electronic check will be $2.75 per meal payment on the same date.

Due to rising payment processing interchange fees and increased operational costs, this adjustment to our per-transaction program fee for school meals is necessary to continue providing you with the best and most secure online payment experience.

If you would like to make changes to your saved payment methods or automatic payment settings, please log into your MySchoolBucks account. For questions, please call our support team at 855-832-5226.

On Saturday, March 2nd, Franklin High School will be hosting the WSMA District Solo & Ensemble. This is a full day event featuring 6th to 12th grade band, orchestra, and choir students from FPS and surrounding school districts performing for adjudicators throughout the day. It is vitally important to the success of the event that we have many volunteers to help the day run smoothly. No prior experience is needed and accommodations will be made for you to see your student perform. Students are also encouraged to volunteer and can log volunteer hours accordingly. Areas to volunteer will include:

• Room & Door Monitors

• Hospitality/Info Desk

• Headquarters

• Concessions

• Set-Up/Tear-Down

For a description of volunteer roles and to sign-up, please visit http://tinyurl.com/WSMAVolunteers2024

For additional information or questions, please contact Allison Umhoefer

On Wednesday, March 6th from 5 P.M. - 7 P.M., Franklin High school is hosting a trades hiring event for students and families interested in learning more about the trades, and speaking directly with employers about employment opportunities. We hope to have over 60 employers at the event that will cover all areas of the trades. Everyone is welcome!

On Tuesday, March 12th, Franklin High School Juniors will participate in the ACT exam. This is a state-required, accountability test and is administered to students attending public schools in Wisconsin. All Franklin High School Juniors will need to report to Franklin High School for this testing. Freshman, Sophomore, and Senior students will complete classwork at home through asynchronous virtual instruction. Students will receive further information from their teachers prior to March 12th.

General Information About the ACT Exam

The state administration of the ACT assessment includes tests in the areas of English, Math, Reading, Science, and Writing. The ACT assessment measures college readiness and helps students understand what they need to learn next so they can build rigorous high school course plans and identify career areas that align with their interests. Scores from the administration of the statewide administration of the ACT assessment can be used by students for a variety of purposes including college admission, scholarships, course placement, and NCAA eligibility. For additional information about preparing for the ACT please use the website listed below. https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/Preparing-for-the-ACT.pdf

In preparation for this assessment, students can access ACT practice materials on demand through Methodize. Methodize can be accessed through our college and career readiness platform, Xello (available in PowerSchool). Methodize includes two full-length practice exams, diagnostic evaluations, and self-paced lessons. For more information, students should contact their school counselor or administrator.

Mode of Administration

The ACT assessment will be administered through an online platform. There will be no paper and pencil testing. Junior students will need to report to the high school with a fully charged and functional chromebook on Tuesday, March 12th.

In addition, students will be expected to complete the ACT pre-administration online prior to test day. The pre-administration portion of the assessment will be completed during advisory on February 28th and/or March 6th. Any students who do not complete the pre-administration during these times will need to finish the pre-administration on their own. The pre-administration involves students providing non-testing/demographic information that is used to prepare reports for students and the school. More information about the pre-administration process will follow in a later communication to students and parents.

On the day of the exam, examinees should be aware of the following:

• A valid photo ID is required for testing.

• Students should bring their chromebook & an approved calculator. Students will be provided with the ACT calculator policy during pre-registration.

• Students may NOT be in possession of or use cell phones or any other electronic devices during testing or breaks.

• Textbooks, dictionaries, scratch paper, reading materials, notes, backpacks, highlight pens, food or beverages, including water, are NOT allowed in the test room.

Schedule

Students engaging in testing will report to Franklin High School on Tuesday, March 12th at the regular start time and should be in their testing rooms by 7:20 a.m (test locations will be communicated in advance and posted in the building upon entry the day of the exam). A light breakfast will be available to all 11th grade students in the cafeteria from 7:00 a.m. to 7:20 a.m. Snacks will also be provided to examinees after the completion of the second test. A brief overview of the day can be found below.

While all Franklin High School Juniors will report to Franklin High School for ACT testing, Freshman, Sophomore, and Senior students will complete coursework at home through asynchronous virtual instruction. Students learning from home will be expected to access Google Classroom and/or email and complete assigned work provided by their teachers.

We are excited to share that once again, we will have in-person ACT Prep courses right at Franklin High School! For these continued opportunities, we have teamed with Wisconsin Test Prep. With the support of our Franklin Education Foundation, ACT Prep waivers/scholarships are available for students who are eligible for reduced or free lunch & students with acute financial need. If you qualify, please complete this form and submit it to Student Services two weeks prior to the start of your prep class (or sooner!). By requesting a fee waiver, you give authorization for FHS Administration to access information verifying your eligibility for a waiver. This information, along with this waiver request, are confidential. If approved, the waiver will cover the entire prep course. Please note that, once a student’s online form is submitted and payment for the class is received, they are registered for the class. If a waiver/scholarship is approved, payment will be made on your student’s behalf. If you plan to sign up, please make sure to complete the online registration form at Wisconsin Test Prep. Cost: $175.00 All classes are held at Franklin High School and space is limited, so please sign up early!

PURCHASING 23-24 YEARBOOKS: In an effort to continue capturing the school full year within the yearbook, we are going to continue doing a summer delivery book. This means yearbooks will be distributed to class of 2024 students in late July/early August and to all other students during back to school picture days in August. Yearbooks are available to be purchased online by clicking the link here. NEW THIS YEAR - you have the option to select to have your yearbook shipped to your home. Click here to see instructions on how to purchase that option.

SENIOR RECOGNITION (BABY) ADS: Senior baby ads will be created on Josten's website by following these instructions and then clicking here. Ads will be 1/8 of a page and will be designed online by the person submitting the ad. Yearbook ads are to feature senior students only, and there is a limit of one ad per senior student. Each ad is $65 and the deadline is May 9th.

22-23 YEARBOOK PICK-UP AND PURCHASING: If you have yet to pick up your 22-23 yearbook, please stop by A216 before or after school. We also have a few yearbooks remaining. They will be sold on a first come first serve basis for $75 before/after school in room A216. Cash (exact change) or checks are accepted. Sorry, we cannot take cards or digital (venmo, etc) payments.

Please visit the yearbook website for more information or reach out to fhsyearbook@franklinsabers.org with questions.

Check out Saber Pride, recognizing students that are RESPECTFUL, RESPONSIBLE & ENGAGED

(click on the image)

Saber Roar Episode 1516 (click on our logo):

Stories include:

• Pros vs. Joes
• Mythbusters
• Culturefest
• FHS Gallery Night
• Student Follow
  

FHS Varsity Cheer placed 3rd at the WACPC State Cheer Finals in the Traditional LARGE division this weekend!

The team placed 1st in all 7 competitions in the Traditional SMALL division, including earning Grand Champions and high-points scores throughout the regular season. They took 1st place and were Small Division Champions when they qualified for UCA Nationals. State Division splits moved the team into the Large division, meaning teams could consist of 11-34 athletes. FHS was the smallest team in the top 5!

In addition, Coach Mark Robinson was awarded the 2024 WACPC Cheer Coach of the Year! His dedication to the team is unmatched and he has pushed the team each year to master higher-level skills. The team is already looking forward to next football & competition season!

Registration for spring sports is open now. Please find information, forms and the online registration link at https://www.franklin.k12.wi.us/franklin-high-school/athletics-and-activities/participation-forms

Our Community Education & Recreation Dept is looking for an adult to coach a youth soccer team. Ages needed are for the K4/K5 and 3rd/4th grade leagues. Practices are once a week on the night of your choice. Games are Saturday mornings at Robinwood from April 20th - June 1st. This is a paid position. Please contact Leah Voss (leah.voss@franklin.k12.wi.us) if you have any questions or are interested.

Franklin United Music Parents (UMPS) will be holding our March Into Spring Craft Fair on Saturday, March 9th from 9am to 3pm at Forest Park Middle School. There will be more than 90 vendors to shop from as well as a raffle, bake sale, concessions, and music. This is a tremendous fundraiser for our FHS Saber Marching Band and to make it a success we need volunteer help in several areas. Students are also encouraged to volunteer and can log volunteer hours accordingly. Areas to volunteer include:

• Donations of Baked Goods for the Bake Sale

• Vendor Registration, Lunches and Support

• Admissions

• Bake Sale

• Concessions

• Raffle

• Set-Up/Tear-Down

For a description of volunteer roles and to sign-up, please visit: http://tinyurl.com/SpringCraftFairVolunteers2024

Mark your calendar for March 16th for our semi-annual sale at FPMS. With over 120 consigners, we'll be selling everything from children's clothing, books, games, toys, baby items and more. We have a "Donation Hour" after the sale is closed for nonprofits and schools to "shop" the sale for free. Besides FPS schools, organizations that benefit from the sale are Kids Matter Inc., Street Angels Homeless Outreach, Next Door Milwaukee, Robyn's Nest at Children's Hospital, Ladies of Charity, Father Gene's, St. Vincent DePaul, and many MPS schools.

Registration for the 2024-25 school year is open on our website here. Registration is for any new families to Franklin or new students looking to register for next year in 4K, 5K or up through 12th grade. If you have any friends or family in Franklin that plan to have children attend Franklin Public Schools next year, please pass this information along to them! Registering early helps to get all information in our system for planned communications. Any family who knows a student will not be returning for the next school year should notify your school’s main office staff.

At the January 24, 2024 School Board Meeting, the FPS School Board approved (139) open enrollment seats for the 2024-25 school year. Online applications for open enrollment are accepted beginning Monday, February 5th through Friday, April 30, 2024 @ 4pm. For all other open enrollment information, please view our webpage here which includes the breakdown of open seats by grade level and directions to follow for those wishing to open enroll. For any questions, please contact Heidi Engel, FPS Auxiliary Service Coordinator by email or phone (414) 525-7634.

The Resource Fair will feature over 60 community providers with information on post-secondary education for people with disabilities, employment, housing, health/medical, year round recreation opportunities. Each agency represented will have information for you to take and a representative to answer your questions.

The 2023-24 Winter/Spring Rec Guide is now available online here and registration for Franklin families opens on Tuesday, December 5th (tomorrow as you receive this newsletter on Monday). We have a bunch of new programs including Basketball Camps, Athlete Performance Training, more Abby Martin cookie decorating, Kayak Trips, Adult Gym Classes and more! Sign up early as spots are limited!

Below are links to some helpful student resources!

Hotsheet (scholarship info)

Community Academic & Career Planning Opportunities

Upcoming College Rep Visits

Community Resources for Families

Job Board

With all of the many activities and events happening at FHS, it is suggested that you become familiar with our website. Here are some ways you can find high school information.

Website: https://www.franklin.k12.wi.us/franklin-high-school

Location: 8222 S 51st St, Franklin, WI 53132, USA
Phone: 414-423-4640
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FranklinHighSchoolSabers
Twitter: @franklinsabers

Instagram: @FHSSABERS