Franklin e-Newsletter
Friday, November 18
Follow us on Twitter: @FranklinBolts
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No School November 23-25
Principal's Message
Hy-Vee Receipts: Homeroom Receipt Challenge
We will conduct another Homeroom Receipt Challenge. Save those receipts and contribute to your child's homeroom. The Challenge will be January 9-13.
Your help is great appreciated.
Dance Marathon Recap
It’s quitting time on a Friday. Most people are racing for the door. So what could possibly entice a few hundred middle school students to stay after school for a couple extra hours? A fundraiser might seem like an unlikely answer, but Franklin Middle School knows how to put the‘fun’ in fundraiser. Friday, November 11th, students and staff celebrated life at the school’s eleventh Dance Marathon. This event is held each year in conjunction with the University of Iowa Dance Marathon to raise money for children facing cancer and other serious illnesses at the University of Iowa Hospitals.
It is Aristotle who is first credited with the idea that “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” Dance marathon is the perfect embodiment of this concept. It has touched the hearts of so many students, who have danced on to touch the hearts of so many others. Franklin alumni have continued to be involved in dance marathon at Washington, Kennedy, and various colleges. We have even had some return to Franklin as U of I Dance Marathon dancers!
A change war between homerooms, and afternoon school bake sales were held to raise money for dance week. Jack Hoeger, who had inspired Franklin students over the past three years with his personal survivor story, returned to throw a pie in Mr. Baylor’s face again. Donations of candy and beverages from parents helped fuel our students as they danced. Our guests from the University of Iowa were impressed with our students’ energy!
Over the past ten years, Franklin has raised over $60,000 in conjunction with the University of Iowa Dance Marathon. Our total this year came in at $4,508.00. These funds help provide a wide variety of services and programs for the children and families affected by pediatric cancer. Thank you for all your support! With your help, Franklin continues to educate not only minds, but hearts as well.
Over the years check out our totals recognizing the hard work by our students and staff...all for a great cause.
- 2008 $5,214.79
- 2009 $6,162.56
- 2010 $5,780.73
- 2011 $5,494.55
- 2012 $7,063.55
- 2013 $5,602.25
- 2014 $5,096.87
- 2015 $4,757.20
- 2016 $4,508.00
Taking A Pie!!!
Spotlight Students
P: Personal Best
A: Active Listening
R: Respect
R: Responsibility
T: Trustworthiness
6th Grade
Ryne Bauldry, Ishan Chawla, Emily Cline, Katie Earl, Grace Jasper, Mya Malone
7th Grade
Alyssa Below, Jessica Cline, Conner Eisenmann, Salaah Jung, Abby Owen, Colton Parmer
8th Grade
Lamaur Benjamin, Jessie Koozer, Taliesyn James, Sky Monty, Elli Palma, Dylan Sines
Career Day
8th Grade UNI Visit
Selected 8th grade students at Franklin had the opportunity to visit the University of Northern Iowa for a college visit. The students began their visit in a large group and a brief presentation was offered by four UNI college students. Our students learned about many aspects of college life that included studying behavior and class rigor, living quarters, eating venues, college costs, intramural activities and many other college related topics. Our students were then split into three groups and were given a guided tour of the facilities that included lecture halls, the UNI Dome and also a dormitory room. Our students were then given 45 minutes to enjoy a buffet style luncheon alongside many UNI college students. Overall, we had a great time and the kids enjoyed their visit to the UNI campus. We are hopeful we can visit again next year with our whole 8th grade class. Stay tuned!!
PACT State Mock Trial
The State Competition was held in Des Moines at the Veteran’s Memorial Convention Center on November 14th and 15th. There were a total of 34 teams from around the state that advanced. Both Franklin teams competed on Friday night as the Plaintiff. The next day the teams participated in two more trials representing the defense and the plaintiff and different times. It was a long day of trials with very few breaks and a lot of rehearsing and preparing for the next trials. Throughout the whole event teams are kept anonymous and are identified only by letter codes. This is to keep everything unbiased and fair. We met lots of new friends and coaches throughout our journey.
Finally, (we waited for over 2 hours for results to be tabulated) it was time for the awards ceremony on Tuesday evening. Drum roll, please…. There is an award that is given in memory of a judge called the “The Judge Anthony Critelli Award for Professional Conduct and Decorum.” It is a sportsmanship award that is voted on by all of the students at the state competition. There are 3 awards given and Franklin was nominated for two of them. Our students were very proud of this honor as it is based on things like: shaking others’ hands before and after competition, being respectful and kind toward everyone, and generally being a kind and caring team! John Wheeler, the director of Iowa Middle School Mock Trial, spoke of this award as being the most prestigious award a team could receive. As their coach, I was VERY, VERY proud.
There were also awards given for best witnesses and best attorneys. Very few of these awards were given out and Franklin had four students nominated. Receiving special recognition were: Best Witnesses at State Mock Trial: Elise Fashimpaur as D.J. Hatchet, Rahma Elsheikh as Dr. Lindsay Rogers, Best Attorneys for State Mock Trial were: Zelda Siegel and Sofia Burke
Special thanks go out to all our attorneys that helped prepare our students for state. Mr. Thies Kolln was our attorney for 8th grade. He was in class with us 2- 3 times per week, assisting in proofreading scripts, offering advice, and giving us tips regarding the law. His help was invaluable. He said time and time again, that he loved working with the students because they were so enthusiastic about mock trial. The team put in countless hours during school, after school and on weekends preparing for the competition. Special thanks to all the parents who drove these students to all the practices and “hosted” rehearsals at your homes.
It was an amazing journey for these 18 students and one they will not soon forget!
Fall Sports Recap
The 8th grade football team enjoyed a high level of success this year due to their outstanding work ethic and commitment. We finished as undefeated city champs for the 3rd time in the past 6 years. Our season was highlighted by wins over our two metro rivals Harding (54-0) and McKinley (42-0) as well as a hard-fought battle over Regis/LaSalle (24-8). The boys did a great job of responding to every challenge put in front of them.
Boys Tennis
Boys tennis went undefeated, finishing the season with a record of 8-0. The reserves went 7-1. The team improved throughout the year and finished as City Champions. Congrats to all our outstanding tennis stars!
Girls' Volleyball
Franklin 8th grade girls had a phenomenal volleyball season both on and off the court. They started the season with a great set of basic skills and were able to move into more complicated plays. Our team had an effective serve and we were one of the most successful in returning the ball for the win. More importantly, each player had a strong set of academic skills, spotlighting their understanding of what it means to be a student athlete. I am very proud of the student athletes and thank you for a marvelous season!
Concession Stand Volunteers NEEDED
Please click on the link below if you're interested. Thanks.
Upcoming Events
- Boys' Basketball,
- Girls' Swimming City Meet @ Linn-Mar HS
Wednesday, November 23-Friday, November 25
- NO SCHOOL
Monday, December 5
- PTA Meeting, 11:00AM in IMC Annex
Thursday, December 8
- Vocal Concert, 7:00PM
Thursday, December 15
- Bolt Buddies Meeting, 3:00-4:00PM
Franklin Middle School
Email: lptacek@cr.k12.ia.us
Website: franklin.cr.k12.ia.us
Location: 300 20th Street Southwest, Cedar Rapids, IA, United States
Phone: (319) 558-2452
Facebook: facebook.com/franklinms
Twitter: @FranklinBolts