Franklin Flier
August, 4th
Integrity * Respect * Excellence * Adaptability * Responsibility * Engagement * Collaboration
What's New: Updates and Information
Good morning Franklin Families!
A video message from Mr. Grensteiner
I hope you are all well and enjoying summer. Though we do not officially start school until September 10th, I know that we are all anxiously awaiting the plan of what school will look like this fall. As this plan becomes clear each day, we also know that we are still awaiting a few pieces of key information before the "complete" plan can be finished and shared. Which model we start the school year in will be contingent on the amount of identified COVID cases within our county. This is the key factor that determines the decision in which model we will choose (in person, hybrid, distance learning).
*Key Information that the district will need from you is: are you planning to send your student to an “in school” option (in person learning/hybrid) or are you planning to start the year in a “distance learning” structure? Also, PLEASE complete the family Census Verification, that the district will be sending out. This will help us understand our families, your needs, and how we can support you. *Please watch for this information and complete these in a timely fashion. Thank you.
With this said, there is much we do know and have already made strides on. Below is information for families to get a preliminary feel for our direction and plan as we inch closer to September 10th.
Safety of Students and Staff is our #1 Priority
COVID 19 Preparedness Plan - Shared last week in the email from Superintendent Peterson. Outlines health and safety expectations ALL schools MUST follow.
All students and staff must wear a mask - masks will be provided
Wash hands often
Social distancing
Monitor health daily - those with symptoms stay home
Cleaning and disinfecting protocol
Possible platforms for the Fall and what they will look like:
In Person Learning: This is defined as every student coming to school every day. We are not as bound to the occupancy requirements as we are in hybrid (see below). The health and safety measures laid out in the Safe Learning Plan will be in place, and there will be very specific changes to every aspect of your child’s day.
-Students and staff will wear masks and follow social distance guidelines at school
-Students will be assigned an arrival time and entry door based on their transportation
plan (bus, walker, rider)
-Students will go directly to their homeroom class (Pod)
-Students will remain in their Pod for the entirety of the school day
-Lunches will be delivered to classrooms
-Students will take breaks outside with their Pod only
-Student dismissal will be staggered based on their transportation plan
Hybrid Learning: We are working through capacity issues to determine the maximum number of students who can safely attend in person under a hybrid model that states we can operate at 50% capacity. A reminder that 50% capacity does not mean 50% of students. Instead, it means 50% of the space can be filled, per the fire marshal, while maintaining social distancing requirements.
- Elementary- Under the hybrid model, we are developing a plan to bring students to school 5 days a week meeting the 6 feet of social distancing throughout the day. This model will also result in very specific changes to every aspect of your child’s day (as listed above). In this model, there’s potential for the student day to end earlier than 2:30, possibly as early as 1:30.
Distance Learning (Family Option): Consistent with the MN Department of Education Safe Learning, Mankato Area Public Schools has a deep desire to keep our students and families connected in our school community. Therefore, every family has the option to choose distance learning if that is their preference beginning this fall. If your family chooses distance learning, your child may or may not have a teacher from your home school and may or may not be grouped with students from your home school.
Making A Choice: Be watching for a message through the Parent Portal including the Census Verification form that will include an opportunity to indicate which option you are going to choose with each of your children this fall. Please complete the census form and questionnaire as soon as your family is ready to make the decision. The accuracy of our plan is based on the results of your survey responses, and this information will be significant as we plan for the fall.
Lastly, please know that I and the entire district team care about you and your child very much. We are thinking deeply about the emotional and physical health of all and are committed to supporting everyone through the challenges we face. As we collect the key data as mentioned above, this will help us guide and plan for September 10th. In the coming weeks, I will be connecting again to provide updated information. Until then, enjoy summer! Go Falcons.
Mr. Grensteiner
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Don’t forget!
Infinite Campus Parent Portal
Please make sure you are able to log into your Infinite Campus Parent Portal account.
If you have problems logging in or need to set up an account, please contact our Infinite Campus support team at ICsupport@isd77.org
Device Repair (Grades 6-12 Only)
In preparation for the upcoming school year, if your child's chromebook is in need of repair, please send an email to familytechhelp@isd77.org and set up a time to get it repaired or replaced. Please take care of this as soon as possible.
Tiered Busing Plan Continues
On December 16, 2019 the school board approved a transportation plan that will establish a tired busing system for the 2020-21 school year. Since that time, the district’s tiered busing implementation team has been working diligently to establish the new routes and other details for implementation. While we do not know for sure how school will be delivered in September, we do know that we will continue the implementation plan for tiered busing that was approved in December 2019. We will send you more information in August, once the start of school is more clearly defined.
Bus Registration Reminder
If your child is eligible for busing (Live at least 1.0 mile from school for grades K through 5 and 2.0 miles from school for grades 6 through 12), and plan to use bus services, please email tbaumg1@isd77.org the following information:
Student(s) name
Student's home address
Student's school beginning September 2020
Student's grade
Parent name
Parent phone number
One email listing all eligible students in your family will successfully register the students for busing.
Phone Numbers
Office
507.345.4287
- 0 for secretary
- 1 for health office
Palmer Bus
507.386.0210
Yaeger Bus (from ExCEL)
507.345.5470
District Helpline
507.386.4777
School Hours
7:30 Office opens
7:30 Breakfast begins
8:00 School Day Begins
2:30 School ends
3:30 Office closes
Quick links to...
Have a child in need of Preschool?
Mankato-Register for Mankato Area Public Schools' Preschool Program 2020 to 2021 afternoon programs offered at:
- Early Childhood Center, 2077 Lookout Drive, North Mankato
- Family Learning Center, 820 Hubbell Avenue
- Franklin Elementary School, 1000 North Broad Street
- Rosa Parks Elementary School, 1001 Heron Drive
This child-centered program is based on early learning standards and designed to help children build kindergarten readiness, additionally:
- has a four-star Parent Aware rating,
- provides a high staff to student ratio and
- encourages parent involvement because it’s key to children’s learning success.
Families can register online. Scholarships available for qualifying families.
For more information contact staff at 507-625-4620.
Have you registered you child(ren) who will be in kindergarten next fall?
Use this link to access the district web page.
If you need help, you can call or email Central Registration staff for assistance.
Phone: 507-387-2125 or centralregistration@isd77.org
Knowing which students will be attending Franklin in the fall helps us in our planning process, thanks in advance to taking care of this.
* The current Stay at Home order and school closure will mean that Kindergarten Round Up will have to happen later than the scheduled date of April 16. Stay tuned for information about when we can hold Kindergarten Round Up.
Have questions about Mankato Area Public Schools COVID-19 prevention efforts?
Welcome to 2019-20 school year from Franklin Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO). As a parent, legal guardian,or staff of students enrolled at Franklin Elementary School, you are a member!
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About Us
Safety First
Our Responsibility
Always Try Your Best
Respect Yourself and Others
Email: bgrens1@isd77.org
Website: http://www.fe.isd77.org/
Location: 1000 North Broad Street, Mankato, MN, United States
Phone: (507) 345.4287