May 15, 2020
For Our Families From The District Administrator | #9
I hope this newsletter continues to find you and your families doing well. As you have no doubt heard by now, the State Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday night to strike down the Safer At Home order (Executive Order 28). What is important to know is that Wisconsin schools will remain closed for the remainder of this school year, with our buildings remaining closed until June 30th.
Our staff will continue to lead virtual learning through the last day of school, which is Tuesday, June 9. As we have previously communicated, in-person summer school remains canceled and we are continuing to evaluate our virtual options. The Community Education & Recreation Department Summer Kids Camp remains canceled.
Following the Supreme Court’s decision, local health officials created the COVID-19 Public Health Plan for Suburban Milwaukee County. This includes Franklin. Click here to read Order #1. Note, this plan expires next Thursday, May 21 at 11:59 p.m. I share all this with you to help keep our families informed of what to expect within the Franklin community.
These are extraordinary times. I constantly try to put myself in the shoes of our students and to look at this world that is unfolding around us through their eyes. What questions do they have? What concepts do they not understand? What do they hear from conversations or the media that they might be nervous or unsure about? I share those thoughts so that we can all do what we can to talk with our young people and to help them through this time so we can continue to strengthen ourselves as a Better Community.
Dr. Judy Mueller
Administrator
Our Current Calendar
SUMMER LEARNING PROGRAM UPDATE
As we communicated last week, Franklin Public Schools will not run any in-person Summer Learning Programs (i.e. Summer School) this summer. We are exploring the possibility of holding 5K-8 enrichment virtual courses and 9-12 credit recovery courses. Earlier this week, we sent a survey to all 5K-8 families asking for feedback on offering virtual enrichment courses this summer. That survey closes this coming Monday, May 18. Please complete this survey as soon as possible so we can make informed decisions about next steps.
Following the survey deadline and based on community response, we will work to evaluate our ability to offer courses (i.e. explore programs to offer, secure teaching staff). We will announce on Monday, June 1 if we plan to offer virtual Summer Learning Programs (i.e. Summer School) along with any procedures for enrolling students. This page on our district website is where you can find all information about our Summer Learning Programs.
STUDENT ITEMS PICKUP INFORMATION COMING
As we work to wind down the school year, our staff is working to organize student items from lockers, gym lockers and other areas of the building for family pickup. Each building will be communicating information to families after dates, times and drive thru directions have been put together. Thank you for your patience as we work through this process. You can expect to hear information in the next week or two from your building. Please check your building newsletter (released on Mondays around noon) for more information.
DISTRICT CHROMEBOOKS SUMMER PLANNING
Students will keep any district issued Chromebook over the summer unless the device needs a repair or the student is not returning in the fall. If the device has anything that is not functioning on it at the end of the school year, please complete this form and an IT support staff member will email you with instructions on when to bring the device in for repair. We plan to continue to offer technical support through June 9. If you encounter an issue that makes the device unusable during virtual learning, fill out the Student or Family Virtual Learning Technical Assistance form.
During the summer months, we ask that you find a safe place to store the device and power charger to keep it in good working order so it will be ready to use the first day of school in the fall.
Graduating Seniors (12th) or students that are leaving the district will turn their device, charger, and case in at the end of the school year during time slots when schools will be collecting all district items such as Chromebooks, library books, textbooks, etc. Your school will communicate plans in the next few weeks about how we will be collecting district items.
FOOD REQUESTS & PICKUP FOR NEXT WEEK MAY 18-22
Franklin Public Schools is continuing to offer lunches to children ages 2-18 in the Franklin community who are experiencing hardship and need a meal.
FOOD REQUEST PROCESS FOR NEXT WEEK MAY 18-22
PLEASE COMPLETE this sign up form for May 18-22 as soon as possible, but by Sunday night 5/17 at 10pm at the latest, so we can properly plan for food distribution.
- PICKUP DETAILS: Meals will be distributed at FHS in front of the Saber Center on Mon (Mon & Tues meal), Wed (Wed meal only) & Thurs (Thurs and Friday meals) from 11:30a-12:30p only.
PICKUP PROCESS: We are asking families to pull up to the pickup station, tell the Food Service staff how many meals you need, and then please come up to the table to pick up your meals.
This form can only be filled out once for this one-week cycle. If you have already filled it out and need to make a change, please directly contact Monica Houtler (414-423-4656), our Food Service Director with any questions.
Our Food Service staff is following USDA guidelines for meals, which may include receiving starchy vegetables and legumes. Food Service staff may mix in some heat and serve items as part of the meal; this all depends on the inventory we have available.
ST. MARTIN OF TOURS FOOD PANTRY IN FRANKLIN
If any families in Franklin are in need of food assistance or help, St. Martin of Tours Food Pantry (located St. Martin of Tours Parish School, 7933 S. 116th Street) is open Tuesdays from 10a-12p for drive-thru food pick up. No proof of income is required and everything is confidential. They also provide assistance with enrolling guests in BadgerCare and Food Share at their offices. Porch Drop offs are available if needed. Baby food, formula, diapers and wipes are also available. St. Martin of Tours website and contact information is here: https://www.stmoftours.org/ | 414-209-7674 (Barbee Sorenson, lead)
COVID-19 PARENTING RESOURCES
New information about COVID-19 is being learned almost constantly, and it can be challenging to stay on top of the facts that are important to know! As more public settings start to reopen, you can keep yourself, your family, and those around you safe by continuing to maintain a distance of 6 feet between yourself and others, focusing on frequent hand washing, and wearing a mask or facial covering.
The challenge to be a parent at this time is far greater than the challenge of keeping up-to-date with your COVID-19 information, and we know that you are all working hard to do the best that you can for the children in your home!
If you need help, Children’s Wisconsin is offering support to parents with some great coaching workshops and seminars available virtually or by phone.
The image below gives some parenting tips for managing stress.
Please click on the image to see more details.
NEW FAMILIES ENROLL NOW!
Even though we are currently experiencing a school closure, we are still accepting new enrollments for next year at all grade levels 4K, 5K and up through 12th Grade. If you are aware of any families that are new to the area or moving to Franklin, please help us to pass the word along that all registrations can be completed online at our Enroll Page here. Enrolling now puts you in our system and once the school closures are lifted, we can accept any required documentation for registration (proof of residency, birth certificate, etc) at the main desk of any of our school buildings.
4K or 5K Students? Know of any children that would be entering 4K or 5K next year? Please help us by passing along this information to friends, family or those new to the Franklin area!
Our 4-Year-Old Kindergarten information page is here.
Our 5-Year-Old Kindergarten information page is here.
All enrollments occur on this page here.
Register now to secure your spot for the 20-21 school year!
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