FPHS Parent and Student Memo
September 27, 2021
Franklin Pierce High School
FPS District Equity Statement
DISTRICT AREAS OF FOCUS AND IMPROVEMENT:
- Equity and Social Justice
- Improved Instruction
- Family and Community Partnership
Our Equity Team would like to partner with our parents and students to fulfill our mission to support our students, staff, and families by identifying and dismantling systems that perpetuate, exacerbate, or produce inequities based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, etc. If you would like to collaborate with us, please let us know HERE. If you want to learn more about our commitment to EQUITY and ANTI-RACISM, feel free to contact any of our FPHS Equity Team members: Hartley, Marzano, Wright, Laban, Apelu, Brist, Call, Chapman, Detweiler, Fineman, Goodrum, Inman, Kaunda, B. Lee, Martin, Plaskett, Quill, Roscoe, Scroger, Shoopman, McNeil, Wacker, Tracy, T. Johnson, Henley, Hill, and Gilbert.
Dear Parents and Students,
- Student Led Conferences are coming up quickly! See below for more details.
- TikTok: Students and Parents, as you may be aware, there a several videos being posted on TikTok encouraging students across the nation to vandalize, destroy, or steal school property. Unfortunately, we have even had vandalism and destruction of property at FPHS. This is not the type of school community we are trying to create and promote for FP. We know the vast majority of our students value their education and our school community. We are calling on all students to take care of our school and each other. If you see something that is causing harm to our school or others, please report it immediately to a staff member so that we can take action. Any student caught damaging, destroying, or stealing school property will be charged for all damages and reported to the Pierce County Sherriff's Department.
- If you ever need to see our Daily Bulletin announcements, use this LINK. Running Start and Pierce County Skills Center students, please use this link to keep up to date with FPHS announcements.
- Every Monday is COLLEGE and CAREER Monday! Wear your favorite college or career-related gear (UW, WSU, Pierce College, Army, Boeing, ILWU Local 19, etc.) College includes all post-high school education (trades, vocational, apprenticeships, universities, etc.). Ask your teachers about college, careers, goals, etc.
- Every Friday is SPIRIT Friday! Wear your favorite FP gear to show your school spirit! During the season, you can also show your community spirit and pride by wearing gear to celebrate the Seahawks, the Sounders, the Kraken, the Mariners, the Storm, etc.
- Homework Center: Need extra help in any of your classes? The HW Center is open Monday through Friday from 3pm to 4pm. Hours are extended on early release Wednesdays from 1:30pm to 4pm. You can attend in person in room 202 (next to the Library) or you can attend virtually at the same times using this LINK.
- Schedule this week: ABABA. Link HERE to see the A Day / B Day calendar for the year.
- Make sure you're following us on Social Media: FPHS Facebook page; FPHS Twitter page; FPHS Instagram page.
Visit HERE to view previous Parent and Student Memos.
Please, make sure you have all the info below. We miss you and wish you all the very best. Stay safe and be well!
Student Led Conferences: Oct. 5 and 6 by appointment from 12pm to 7pm.
- Student Led Conference serves as an early check-in to see how your child is doing both academically and personally in their transition back to high school.
Student Led Conference appointments are scheduled in advance through your student's Advisory (Cardinal Connections) teacher.
- Student Led Conferences are available in person or via Zoom.
- Parents and students should arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment to check-in in the Cafeteria.
- Students will be presenting on academics, community involvement, social emotional check-in, and post-graduate planning.
- Conferences will take place in your student's Advisory classroom or via Zoom.
- For Covid safety, please limit in-person attendees to parents/guardians and your FPHS student only.
- Masks and social distancing are required for all parents, students, and staff for in-person conferences.
- If you or your child are sick, please stay home and schedule a Zoom conference.
Bell Schedule during Conference Week: Oct 5 - 8
Meet Our Cardinal Staff:
Name: Amrit Kaur
Subject I teach: English to Multilingual Learners
Favorite hobbies: listening music, reading good books, shopping, watching Punjabi movies.
Favorite book: “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding…and (Any book that teaches virtues.)
Favorite quotes: ‘’Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere” Chinese proverb
“If there is no struggle, there is no progress”- Fredrick Douglas
Meet Our Cardinal Staff:
Name: Colleen McDougall
Subject I Teach: CTE Biomed
Favorite Hobbies: Watching all sports, hiking, travel
Favorite Books: mysteries and suspense
Quote: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou
Students in Forensic Science were learning how to process a homicide crime scene in order to produce a crime scene report while preserving and documenting potential evidence:
Behavior Reminders:
With students returning to the building, FPHS is making every effort to keep all students safe and healthy by following strict COVID guidelines set forth by the district. Parents and students may have noticed that we have added a new behavior offense of “Failure to follow COVID guidelines” to the office referral. This offense includes non-compliance with mask wearing and failure to follow social distancing expectations. The continual violation of COVID expectations will result in an office referral and parent conference. The district is in the process of updating the web page to include our COVID guidelines, but you may view department of health guidelines for K-12 schools at the link below.
https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/1600/coronavirus/820-105-K12Schools2021-2022.pdf
Attendance Reminders:
Our goal is to have all students arrive to all classes on time every time!
Tardy Policy:
Tardy Definition: Arrival to class after the period has begun (after the bell).
All tardies will be monitored by the attendance office, and consequences for tardies will be immediate. Progressive discipline will apply. Tardies are cumulative. Students may have four (4) tardies in a quarter without consequence; however, interventions will occur with the fifth tardy.
Tardy Intervention Response Plan:
- Tardy 5: Meeting with Admin Intern w/phone call home.
- Tardies 6-7: Required Homework Center; failure to attend results in automatic parent conference with Assistant Principal.
- Tardy 8: Parent conference with Attendance Administrator.
SEPTEMBER Culture Calendar
SEPTEMBER is ...
- ROSH HASHANAH. Learn more HERE.
- 9/5: INTERNATIONAL DAY OF CHARITY. Learn more HERE.
- 9/7: LABOR DAY. Learn more HERE.
- 9/11: 9/11 REMEMBRANCE DAY. Learn more HERE.
- 9/16: MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY. Learn more HERE.
- 9/17: CONSTITUTION DAY. Learn more HERE.
- 9/21: INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE. Learn more HERE.
- 9/30: ORANGE SHIRT DAY. Learn more HERE.
The Cardinal Character Trait for SEPTEMBER is INCLUSION. Learn more HERE.
LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL:
Family and Community Partnerships:
The Franklin Pierce High School Food & Hygiene Pantry is available for all students and their families.
Use this LINK to view our current food & hygiene pantry options. Please mark the items you need and staff will put together a bag or box. We will contact you when your items are ready for pick up or delivery. Items can be requested twice a month. Additional ways to request items: You can request a paper copy of this form by contacting Bonita Lee at blee@fpschools.org or call 253-298-3837 to request items via phone.
In community with families and partnerships, we are here to help point you in the right direction to local resources. If you have a specific need, contact Bonita Lee at blee@fpschools.org or call 253-298-3837.
Upward Bound Program!
I am Ms. Arceneaux, an advisor at Franklin Pierce High School for the TRIO Upward Bound program. This program is free and designed for students of low-income and/or first generation. We support students through their high school journey to prepare them for the next steps in life after graduation. Here is some information about the program…
- Will support students through career readiness, and trade school. Assist students for not just college, but career exploration as well. This includes supplying help and revising resumes, cover letters, and searching for job opportunities.
- Assist with applying for colleges and scholarships. Help and revise application essays, FAFSA applications, and personal statements. Provide assistance for undocumented students, including WASFA applications. Able to help with classes through tutoring and there is a Virtual Village tutoring program Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. Wednesdays 3pm-5pm, Thursdays 6pm-8pm, and Sunday 4pm-6pm. Students have to maintain a 2.5 GPA or higher for the Upward Bound program.
- Offer financial assistance through stipends. Participation counts! Attend meetings, events, workshops, tutoring, and/or extracurricular activities. Amount is determined through communication and participation.
- Host a Summer Program. Will have virtual events and virtual college tours. Without COVID, there are in-person events and college tours. This includes in Washington, and travelling out of state. Incorporates academic advising, career awareness, family activities, and work study position opportunities. This is free as well.
During COVID, there are virtual movie nights, virtual scholarship discussions, other financial assistance, virtual game nights, and many more student interactive events. There are social and cultural events as well. Would like to have at least one virtual contact with each student a week.
Ayanna Arceneaux
Youth Education Advisor
Social Justice, Equity, and Anti-Racist Resources:
- Young Latinos talk about how their American experience has defined their identity at a time when Latinos, ages 18-34, are part of one of the largest and fastest-growing youth populations in the country.
The first step in ALLYSHIP is LISTENING.
The second step is BELIEVING.
The third step is ACTION. Get involved and create the positive change you want to see in the world.
FPHS Sports!
Athletes and families,
We are half way through September and our programs are continuing to grow. Below is some important information athletes and families should know moving forward through the fall season and into the winter season!
Games and Officials Shortages
A number of sports this fall are experiencing officials shortages. This is especially true when it comes to football. The association for football is about 40 officials short to be able to cover all of the games happening on Friday nights. Games are now being moved to Thursdays and Saturdays when possible in order to help with the officials shortage. Be sure to visit the athletics website fphscards.com for the most recent schedule updates.
ASB Cards
ASB cards are now for sale at the bookkeepers office. ASB cards cost 40$ and are a requirement as part of athletic participation at Franklin Pierce HS. Revenue from ASB card sales go to fund our athletic programs and ASB leadership activities for our student body.
Schedules and Results
Results and schedules for your favorite athletic programs at Franklin Pierce High School can be found at www.FPHSCards.com Visit this website to see varsity and sub-varsity schedules and know where your favorite cardinal sports team is playing! The website also includes maps and directions to the facility of the competition you will be attending. This can be really helpful for away competitions.
FPHS Athletics Event Calendar
Winter Sports
Winter sports are coming fast. Below is a list of coaches for our winter sport programs. Please be sure to have had a physical within the last two years and to register in familyID. If you have questions about the season or practice times be sure to email the coaches below.
Hey, Seniors!
Financial Aid Season is almost upon us. Counselors will be available in the CCC from 2:00-6:00 during conferences. We are creating packets for students to get started with their financial aid journey. FAFSA and WASFA applications open on October 1st, and many priority deadlines are early February. The sooner kids get their apps in the better.
FAQ:
- Do I do the FAFSA or WASFA or both?
- Students only submit 1 application based on eligibility.
- I haven’t even applied to schools yet; don’t I do financial aid after?
- Nope. You can send the FAFSA and WASFA to 10 colleges for free. You don’t have to be committed to complete the financial aid
- How do I get started?
- What is financial aid?
- A way to help you pay for college. Come to our Senior Meeting on 10/11/21 to learn about all the kinds of financial aid and how to access them!
- Still confused?
- Book an appointment with your counselor in the CCC 😊
Looking Ahead:
- October 5th and 6th- Counselors available in CCC for financial aid questions
- I will compile to-go packets for students, and will give each of you a digital copy so you also have the resources
- October 11- Senior Meeting run by Counselors regarding Financial Aid and Early Decision/College Apps
- November 5- Senior Advisors get updated FAFSA numbers from Scroger (Feeling like a competition anyone?!?!?)
Pierce County Skills Center:
Greetings from PCSC: Welcome back! Our back to school newsletter can be found HERE as well as our Facebook page.
- LINK for 2021-22 PCSC Student Handbook.
- PCSC Main Office: 253-800-4800.
Application Questions contact Paulla Hockaday - phockaday@bethelsd.org - 253.800.4800
Application links, in English and Spanish, can be found on our website. https://www.bethelsd.org/domain/4387
First Day of School - Tuesday, September 7th. Session Times: AM Session - 7:55-10:25; PM Session - 11:15-1:45.
Daily Bell Schedules
Advisory classes will meet on M, T, Th, and F.
Most Wednesdays will be early dismissal.
See bell schedules below.
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)
- FPS Breakfast and Lunch Program: www.fpschools.org/meals
- FPS Education Resources: https://www.fpschools.org/exended-closure-resources-and-information/closure-educational-resources
- Want to add Canvas to your phone? Android or iOS. Once you download the app, search "fpschools" to find our district.
- FPHS Facebook page.
- FPHS Twitter page.
- FPHS Instagram page.
- Information about GRADES and GRADING.
- Information about BUSES.
- District CALENDAR.
- Information about ATTENDANCE.
- How to access and use DORA.
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