2023 Summer Knightly News
Franklin STEAM Academy
Welcome to the 2023-2024 School Year!
Hello Franklin Family,
I hope this summer newsletter finds you doing well and enjoying your summer. First, I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome all of you who are new to our Franklin Family. You are now part of an amazing school community! I also want to welcome back all returning families and thank you for your continued support of Franklin STEAM Academy. I'm excited for the upcoming school year and look forward to working with you and your students!
This year, I will be starting my first year in the role of Principal of Franklin STEAM Academy. I have had the honor of being a part of this incredible school community for the past 19 years witnessing the highest level of kindness, dedication and expertise within our faculty and staff. I am extremely proud to be a part of this school community and look forward to what this year has in store for our Franklin Family.
This newsletter will provide you with important dates and information to help our FSA families prepare as we are quickly approaching the beginning of the school year. At Franklin, we understand the critical role our families play in the education of our students. We welcome and encourage your participation and feedback throughout the school year. If you happen to have any comments, questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me at 217-351-3819 or by email at mastda@u4sd.org.
Dave Mast
Important Dates
First Days of School
- Monday, August 14- 6th Grade ONLY (7th & 8th Grade do NOT attend)
- Tuesday, August 15- 7th & 8th Graders' First Day of School (6th Graders also attend)
School and District Calendar-The school and district calendar is linked here.
Early Dismissal Days
Please note: The dates listed below will be "Early Dismissal" Days for Unit 4 Students. Franklin Students will be released at 12:55 p.m. Lunch and transportation will be provided on Early Dismissal Days. Our first Early Dismissal Day is Monday, September 18.
- Early Dismissal Dates: 9/18/23, 10/2/23, 11/6/23, 12/4/23, 1/22/24, 2/5/24, 3/4/24, 4/1/24 and 5/5/24.
Upcoming School Days for No Student Attendance
- Monday, September 4- Labor Day
- Monday, September 25- Fall Holiday
- Thursday, October 12 & Friday, October 13- Parent/Teacher Conferences
- **NEW THIS SCHOOL YEAR**- Monday, October 16 - Friday, October 20- Fall Break
School Picture Days
- School Picture Day- Tuesday, October 3 (ALL DAY)
- School Picture Retake Day- Thursday, November 16 (8:00 a.m - 12:00 p.m.) This is only for those who will need a "retake" or were absent on October 3.
Upcoming Events
6th Graders' First Day of School Event- A Special Orientation
Annual Franklin STEAM Academy Block Party- Franklin's Fall Open House
- Meet our amazing staff and tour the building.
- Visit the tables and stations of local agencies and our U of I community partners.
- Enjoy all the fun activities and games
- Eat at one of the local food trucks in attendance, and
- Dance to our live DJ
Registration and School Physical Information
Registration
We are also hosting a school registration event for those who need assistance with online registration on July 27th from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. During this time we will have staff available to help you through the registration process. Additionally, the school office is open daily Monday-Thursday from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm if you are unable to attend the registration event and need assistance registering your student.
School Physical and Immunization Information
Who needs a School Physical?
- Is your family new to the state of Illinois? Regardless of how old your child is, all students new to Illinois schools must turn in a completed physical examination prior to entering Illinois schools for the first time.
- Children entering the following grades: early childhood, kindergarten or first grade (if the first year in school), sixth grade, and ninth grade. *It should also be noted that a student's "Sports Physical" does not meet the sixth or ninth grade physical exam requirements; however, if you anticipate that your student may participate in school sporting events, you should have your child's physician complete a "Sports Physical" form while at their "School Physical" appointment. For more information about Sports Physicals for Athletics, please see the next section below about Franklin Athletics.
What is the deadline for the School Physical and Proof of Immunizations?
In the Unit 4 School District, all school physical forms and proof of required immunizations must be submitted by Sept. 1, 2023.
Where in the community could I go to get a Physical and Immunizations?
Promise Healthcare Back to School/Well-Child Exams Open House
Website: www.promisehealth.org
Athletic Information and Important Dates
Franklin Baseball
Franklin Scholastic Bowl
Franklin Volleyball
Reminders and Expectations
Attendance
If your student needs to be absent from school or late to school, please contact the Main Office after 7:30 a.m. at (217) 351-3819 and speak to our Attendance Secretary Cherryl Ellis. If you need to report an absence or late arrival before or after the school day, please either leave a voicemail or email her at ellische@u4sd.org. Please be sure to state the student's name, grade level, and reason for absence/tardy.
If a student needs to be released from class/school early, please make time to come in early to sign your student out. This will enable the office staff to have enough time to call your student down and get their items from their locker. Unfortunately, we will not be able to call students out of class early to wait in the main office.
***NEW THIS YEAR- SCHOOL BELL SCHEDULE- 8:05 A.M. - 2:55 P.M.***
Student Medication
- Complete the medical form, which can be received from the Main Office or School Nurse OR can be downloaded from this link - Medication Administration Form.
- Please ensure that your child's doctor completes their section of the form prior to the start of the new school year.
- The School Nurse cannot distribute prescription medication without a completed medical form from your child's physician.
- All medications must be in the prescription bottle with specific instructions: School staff is not allowed, at any point, to distribute over-the-counter pain relievers (such as Tylenol or Advil), even with your permission.
- If your child carries their inhaler at school, please ensure that their name is on it.
If you have any questions about student medication or the process, please contact Franklin's Nurse- Jessica Hatfield (hatfieje@u4sd.org)
Student Expectations
Franklin Student/Family Handbook
The Student Code of Conduct can be found here on the Unit 4 District website.
A couple areas to highlight:
Student Cell Phones- Students are allowed to have personal cell phones; however, cell phones should be "silenced" and put away for the duration of the school day in order to limit distractions and enhance student academic engagement. We should not see or hear cell phones at any point during the school day. If a cell phone is "heard" or seen at any point, a verbal reminder and/or warning will be issued. Continual violation may result in the cell phone being confiscated for either the remainder of the class period or until the end of the school day.
Student School Attire- Students have the right to dress according to their personal preference and expression. Students also have the responsibility to adhere to the following as scholars at Franklin STEAM Academy:
- Hoods or other head coverings that prevent easy identification & visibility are not to be worn in school at any time (with the exception of head coverings or head scarves for religious purposes). This imposes a critical safety risk if/when we need to easily identify individuals in the building.
- Students’ clothing will cover undergarments and bare midriffs/décolletage area at all times.
- Students will wear shoes at all times. For PE, students will need to wear closed toed shoes for safety.
- Garments or jewelry depicting alcohol, tobacco, drugs, messages or symbols that include obscenity, derogatory language, sexual innuendo, violence-related messages (guns, weapons, etc.), racist or culturally derogatory language, gang affiliation, or occult reference will not be tolerated at school.
*For more information about FSA's Cell Phone and Attire Expectations, please visit page 13 and 14 of the Family/Student Handbook.
Meals and Transportation
Meals- Breakfast and Lunch
Franklin offers breakfast (from 7:40 - 8:05 a.m. every morning) and lunch for any student who wants it. At Franklin, all students will receive universally free breakfast/lunch under the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Program. Students may bring their own lunches from home as well. We also respectfully request that you do not order students lunch to be delivered at school. This creates a series of inconveniences for our office staff.
Grade level lunch hours are as follows:
- 6th grade - 11:27 a.m. - 11:57 a.m.
- 7th grade - 12:11 p.m. - 12:41 p.m.
- 8th grade - 12:55 p.m. - 1:25 p.m.
Grade level lunch hours for Early Dismissal Mondays (dismissal at 12:55 p.m.) are as follows:
- 6th grade - 10:33 a.m. - 11:03 a.m.
- 7th grade - 11:18 a.m. - 11:48 a.m.
- 8th grade - 12:02 p.m. - 12:32 p.m.
Contact Information
- Franklin's Cafeteria Manager- Staci Jordan (jordanst@u4sd.org)
- Unit 4 Lunch Services Website
Transportation Information & Bus Expectations
Transportation Contact Information:
- Unit 4 Transportation Department: 217-351-3993
- MTD: 217-384-8188
Students Who Walk or Ride a Bike
Yellow Bus Riders
MTD Bus Riders
*** MTD Riders: Take a look at this video to know how to Plan Your School Trip Online! ***
Bus Expectations
Students who ride a Unit 4 yellow school bus or MTD bus to/from school must understand that school bus safety is very important. It is every student's responsibility to follow the Bus Safety Expectations. When students are being transported to and from school on school buses, MTD, or any other authorized mode of transportation, they are considered to be on school property and the rules of the Unit 4 Student Code of Conduct apply. All buses have security cameras which pick up on audio and visuals. When students are not following safety guidelines, they are subject to disciplinary action per the Student Code of Conduct and it could result in suspension or termination of bus ridership privileges.
Contact Information
The following are the names and contact information for administrators who will be working with each grade level. They will be your first point of contact for any student concerns, questions, etc. that should arise.
- Principal: Dave Mast (mastda@u4sd.org)
- 6th Grade North Team: Jessica Lehmkuhl- Assistant Principal (lehmkuje@u4sd.org)
- 6th Grade South Team: Lindsay Greenwood- Athletic Director/Dean of Students (greenwli@u4sd.org)
- 7th Grade: Jeff Buhnerkempe- Associate Principal (buhnerje@u4sd.org)
- 8th Grade: Gabrielle Shaffer- Dean of Students (shaffega@u4sd.org)
Franklin STEAM Academy
817 N. Harris Ave.
Champaign, IL 61820
ph: (217) 351-3819
fax: (217) 394-1262