Keller Connections
Family Update - January 1
Principal's Note
Dear Keller Families,
Welcome back, and Happy New Year to all!
I hope this winter break allowed you time to pause, reflect, and share special moments with friends and family. As we enter 2024, January 2 marks day 75 of our school year, we are almost half-way through our year together! After a break or vacation, it takes a few days to reset and get back into our day to day routines, and we will all work through it together!
We are excited for the wonderful experiences ahead of us as we enter the second half of the year. With students, we will look to reflect and set personal goals for their hopes and achievements for the second half of the year.
I am excited to welcome students back tomorrow as we embrace January!
Warm Regards,
Keri Busavage, Principal
Keller Connection - Translations
凯勒连接翻译
Keller Connection Traduções
Tradiksyon Koneksyon Keller
Keller Connection Traducciones
Keller ترجمه های Connection
Click “Translate” on the top of this update and select your preferred language.
单击此更新顶部的“翻译”,然后选择您的首选语言。
Clique em "Traduzir" na parte superior desta atualização e selecione seu idioma preferido.
Klike sou "Tradui" sou tèt aktyalizasyon sa a epi chwazi lang ou pi pito ou.
Haga clic en "Traducir" en la parte superior de esta actualización y seleccione su idioma preferido.
Telling Our Story
News from our School Adjustment Counselors
Mrs. Ballinger and Mrs. Torilli
Grades K-2:
During SEL classroom lessons in Kindergarten through 2nd-grade, students have been learning about the social emotional competency of self-awareness as it relates to their emotions, energy level, and body sensations. They are now experts in the Zones of Regulation and have learned that our feelings and energy levels can be categorized into four different colored zones to help us be more aware of our own emotions (see below). Discussions also included talking about our body sensations and the physical feelings that are inside and outside of our body (ex: your breathing, heartbeat, muscle tightness, etc.) It is important for us to acknowledge these sensations as they also help us identify the emotions we are feeling so that we know which strategies to use to get back to the green zone. Ask your child to demonstrate our new strategies like: massage it out, hawk hands, hand over heart, or hot cocoa!
Grade 3-5
In grades 3-5 we continue to learn about Wise Owl (frontal lobe) and the Guard Dog (Amygdala) and their respective jobs.
If we are having big emotions, our guard dog comes out to protect us, but this can also mean big reactions. We have worked on different strategies that can calm the guard dog by bringing out the wise owl. Activities such as counting backward from 100 by 7’s or trying to say the alphabet backwards; activities that require thinking and planning to distract the guard dog. We also talked about how watching TV or playing video games doesn’t always help because we can still think about what is upsetting us when watching TV and video games tend to get us more worked up. Above everything else, taking calming breaths is the most important thing to do. We talked about the science behind how when we have big feelings, we inadvertently hold our breath. This sends another signal to our brain increasing the size of the problem and feelings. If we take a deep breath, our brain knows things will be ok and we can better access and use a different strategy.
In some classes, we began talking about how the guard dog and wise owl also affect our executive functioning abilities in the classroom. If our guard dog is out because we are excited or frustrated with an activity or task, we may not be able to access our wise owl to complete what is expected of us. We are working on new strategies to bring the wise owl out in these situations. Stay tuned as we learn more about the different levels of engagement and how this helps us to increase our self-awareness about how we are engaging during various learning or social situations.
Inclement Weather Information
As winter approaches, please see Superintendent Giguere's update on inclement weather, school closings, and notifications.
Arrival/Dismissal Reminders!
Below, please find two reminders regarding car arrival and dismissal at Keller.
First, as a way to alleviate a bit of traffic on Lincoln Street, please remember to loop through the lower lot upon arriving at Keller for both arrival and dismissal times. Thank you for your cooperation and helping us to reduce traffic congestion.
Also, in the afternoon, cars should not arrive before 2:15 for Keller dismissal in order to leave the driveway clear for Annie Sullivan dismissal. Thank you for your cooperation, it is greatly appreciated.
Coats for Kids and Families
Keller will be hosting a Winter Coat Drive in conjunction with Jordan's Furniture and Anton's Cleaners.
We will be accepting donations of like-new and new adult and child winter garments!
Jordan’s Furniture is proud to sponsor the Coats for Kids & Families program. This philanthropic initiative is aimed at collecting and donating gently-used, like-new, and new quality winter garments for both children and adults to families in-need through a wide network of social service agencies. Coat donations will be accepted at Keller from January 2 - 5.
All coats will be professionally cleaned and sanitized by Anton’s prior to distribution. Donated items are provided to families in-need in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Maine.
Thank you Coach Nordberg and Ms. Pepin for leading this event!
And, a special thank you to our Keller Student Council for assisting with this project.
Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System MCAS 2024
Below are dates for Franklin Spring 2024 MCAS testing.
ELEMENTARY
April 2 and 3, 2024- Grade 4 ELA
April 8 and 9, 2024- Grade 3 ELA
April 10 and 11, 2024- Grade 5 ELA
April 30 and May 1, 2024- Grade 3 Math
May 7 and 8, 2024- Grade 4 Math
May 9 and 10, 2024- Grade 5 STE
May 15 and 16, 2024- Grade 5 Math
MIDDLE
April 2 and 3, 2024- Grades 7 and 8 ELA
April 9 and 10, 2024- Grade 6 ELA
May 1 and 2, 2024- Grades 7 and 8 Math
May 8 and 9, 2024- Grade 6 Math and Grade 8 STE
HIGH
November 8 and 9, 2023- ELA Retests
November 14 and 15, 2023- Math Retests
February 6 and 7, 2023- Science Retests
March 26 and 27, 2024- ELA
May 21 and 22, 204- Math
June 4 and 5, 2024- Science
KELLER KIDS ARE UNIQUE!
Thank you Keller Kids for sharing the ways you are unique!
Our interests and hobbies remind us that we can connect with others around the things we have in common and bring us joy!
Thank you to Asher for sharing how you are UNIQUE!
As a school community, we continue to grow opportunities for students to experience Keller’s Core Values of caring, inclusive, intelligent, respectful, and unique. We look forward to welcoming more Keller Kids to participate and share their interests.
If your Keller Student would like to participate, please sign up using this link. We invite Keller 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th-grade students to sign up! We will continue to add grade levels!
How it works . . .
Every Friday at 2 o’clock, students signed up for that week, will meet with principals to set up their display in the main hallway. Students will also pick up their collection from the previous week.
Each student will have half a shelf to display their items
Bring a name tag to be displayed (folded index card, piece of paper, etc.)
Bring 5-7 items to display that tell your story!
Unified Arts - 6 Day Schedule
In addition, here is the full SY 23-24 Franklin Public Schools, 6-Day Elementary Calendar linked here. In the event of a school closing, the cycle days remain as identified on the calendar.
Keller Parent Communication Council
Mark your calendars! Bag Bingo is back on March 15th! Join us for an evening of fun, games, and fantastic prizes.
As always, if you have any questions please reach out to us at: helenkellerpcc@gmail.com
~ Hayley Doucette, President
~ Lianne Chelman, Vice President
~Thea Charles, Treasurer
~ Ali McDonald, Corresponding Secretary
~ Jennifer Micalone, Recording Secretary
~ Ally Bowser, FACE Coordinator
Health Office - Cold Weather Update!
This is a friendly reminder that students need to come to school properly dressed for the weather.
As the weather gets colder, students need to have the following items: winter hat, mittens/gloves, scarf/neck warmer, winter boots, snow pants and a proper winter jacket.Despite the cold weather, we will be going outside at recess for 20 minutes, unless the guidance states it is too cold.
Please remember to:
* LABEL EVERYTHING!
* Send in an extra pair of pants and socks in your child’s backpack.
We are seeing a fair amount of Strep Throat and stomach bugs. Please see the chart below for school guidance.
Lunch Volunteers!
Thank you to our lunch volunteers for giving your time and assisting in the cafeteria!
If you are interested and would like to volunteer in the lunch room please click the January Link which will bring you to the Sign-Up Genius.
Lunch volunteers help students with opening food packaging/drinks, wiping tables between grade-level lunches, and sweeping floors if needed.
Please remember that a CORI Form must be completed before volunteering.
Thank you to Mrs. Doenges for assisting with the creation of sign-ups!
CORI Forms
Many have stopped by the office to complete their CORI form paperwork - thank you!
CORI forms need to be completed annually and prior to volunteering in the building or chaperoning a field trip. If you are chaperoning an upcoming field trip, please be sure to stop by the Keller Office to complete a form.
Completing a CORI form can be done at any time. Just bring this completed form to the Keller Office, or fill one out when you arrive. Also, please have with you one form of photo identification.
Lunch Menu
The elementary lunch menus are linked here. Students do not need to pre-order lunches but should be aware if they are getting breakfast and/or lunch at school, or if they are bringing lunch from home.
Students should come to school with a snack and water bottle.
Weekend Backpack Program
Franklin Public Schools has partnered with the Franklin Food Pantry to provide food to students who might benefit from this support. Together, we will gather, package, and provide bags of food for students during the school year to take home over the weekend. Students who participate in this program are kept confidential to appropriate school personnel. Names are not shared with food pantry personnel. Packaged food is sent home on Fridays throughout the year. This is a free program for all participating families. The backpacks will contain a variety of child-friendly foods. Some examples are snacks, canned fruits, and macaroni and cheese. Backpacks will be distributed to students in a discreet and caring manner.
If you are interested in receiving the Backpack or have questions about the program, please call the Keller Health Office, at (508) 553 -0322, Ext. 3609 or 3421. You may also print and sign this letter and return it to the School Nurse.
Upcoming Dates! MORE to Come!
January
2 - Return to School
2-5 Coats for Kids and Families
9 - School Committee @ 7:00 PM
15 - No School - MLK Jr. Day
16 - Early Release Day - Dismissal @ 11:45 AM
18 - PCC Meeting @ 7:30 PM (LINK)
23 - School Committee @ 7:00 PM
February
2 - Early Release Day - Dismissal @ 11:45 AM
15 - PCC Meeting @ 7:30 PM (LINK)
19 - 23 - No School - February Break
28 -- Early Release Day - Dismissal @ 11:45 AM
March
5 - Early Release Day - Conferences - Dismissal @ 11:45 AM
6 - Early Release Day - Conferences - Dismissal @ 11:45 AM
28 - Early Release Day - Dismissal @ 11:45 AM
29 - No School - Good Friday
Go Hawk News!
You will find archived Keller Connections and related school information.
Contact Information
Ellen Trott, Assistant Principal - trotte@franklinps.net
Kathy Dacey, Secretary - daceyk@franklinps.net
Website: https://www.franklinps.net/helenkeller
Location: 500 Lincoln Street, Franklin, MA, USA
Phone: 508-553-0322