The Franklin Academy
Weekly Update Newsletter September 26th - 30th
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:
PARENTS, PLEASE DO NOT USE ELIZABETH ST. WHEN ARRIVING OR DEPARTING SCHOOL. PLEASE ONLY USE THE MAIN ARTERIAL STREETS NORTHWEST, E. VICTOR AND MERIDIAN. USING ELIZABETH ST. PUTS US IN VIOLATION OF OUR CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT.
HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK:
JOG-A-THON
Today Franklin Academy's Pre K - 8th grade students participated in our annual Jog-a-thon. The Jog-a-thon has been a part of Franklin Academy's tradition since 2001.
Markell Hall's field was teeming with energized students as parents and staff cheered them on. Students weren't the only ones getting exercise today as some parents and teachers accompanied the runners, making the event all-encompassing.
Students are encouraged to fundraise for the event by asking friends and families to support the number of laps they run. Last year the Jog-a-thon raised over $21,000 for Franklin Academy’s Parents Actively Lending Support (PALS.) PALS supports and funds school events, celebrates teachers and staff throughout the year, pays for school field trips, and more.
Stay tuned to next week's newsletter to learn the winners!
THANK YOU TO PALS AND ALL THE PARENT VOLUNTEERS WHO HELPED MAKE THE EVENT A SUCCESS!
Lower School: Pre K - 1st grade
Upper School: 2nd - 8th grade
RESPECT - SEPTEMBER'S CHARACTER THEME
CHAPLAIN AARON'S - REFLECTION
Hello from the Franklin Academy Chapel! Can you believe we are nearing the end of our first month of school? Wow! In all of the midst of establishing rhythms and routines of beginning the school year, I am hoping things are leveling out for your family.
As you may remember, in chapel we are focusing each month on a different Character Theme. This month’s character theme is Respect, and may I commend your student(s) on how I have seen them living this out!
Along with establishing our rhythms in chapel, we have already had many fruitful conversations about how we can respect each other, and each other's ideas and opinions.
My primary encouragement at the end of each chapel is the message, "You are loved!" Each of us is worthy of love, and therefore worthy of respect. And each of us have the opportunity to share our love by honoring and respecting each other's thoughts, beliefs, and opinions.
It has been a great start to the chapel year! I look forward to dialoging more with you and your student(s). Thanks for allowing me to serve this great community!
~Aaron
WEEKLY SCHEDULE:
Monday, September 26th
- Cross Country Practice 3:15 - 4:45 pm
- Volleyball Clinic 5/6/7th grade beginners - 3:15 to 4:45 pm
Tuesday, September 27th
- PALS Meet and Greet - Markell Hall - after drop-off
- Chapel Service Guild Meeting - Markell Hall Chapel - 8:20 am
- Cross Country Practice 3:15 - 4:45 pm
Wednesday, September 28th
- Cross Country Meet - Nooksack Valley Middle School - Arrive: 3:30 pm, Start: 4:15 pm
- Volleyball Clinic 6/7/8th grade Girls Intermediate - 3:15 to 4:45 pm
Thursday, September 29th
- Auction and Gala Volunteer Meeting - after drop-off Markell Hall - learn more and sign up below
- Chess Club - after school until 4:30 pm
Friday, September 30th
- MANDATORY - PARENT PORTAL REGISTRATION DUE - SEE HOW BELOW
- FREE DRESS
- Cross Country Practice 3:15 - 4:45 pm
NEW ADDITIONS TO THE CALENDAR:
- Cross Country Meet Schedule - See details below
- Volleyball Clinics - See details below
- Chapel Service Guild Meeting - September 27th, Markell Hall Chapel - 8:20 am
- Auction & Gala Volunteer Meeting - September 29th, after drop-off at Markell Hall, volunteers needed - info and sign up below
- Free Dree - September 30th
- MANDATORY - PARENT PORTAL REGISTRATION DUE - SEPTEMBER 30TH- SEE HOW BELOW
- Pizza Service Begins- October 4th
- Franklin Academy Board of Director Meeting - Everyone welcome - October 18th - starts at 4:00 pm
UPCOMING EVENT AND SCHEDULE DETAILS:
Parents Actively Lending Support (PALS) Meet and Greet
Join PALS for coffee and tea and learn about how you can get involved here at school and start earning your volunteer hours.
Meet PALS Presidents Sara Jentz and Nneka Brown. Meet our Development and Marketing Director, Katie Dement. Together they will share with you the opportunities to get involved with our community and events happening this year.
We look forward to seeing you and working with you to make this year fun-filled and successful!
This year's continual focus back on the school community is only possible with the steadfast initiative and sacrifice of our PALS Co-Presidents.
The Franklin Academy Chess Club
Year Round: September 22nd - May 20th
When: Thursdays afterschool until 4:30 pm
Who: 2nd-8th Grade- Beginner, intermediate or advanced
Where: Markell Hall Cafeteria and other classrooms
- Coach Morgan and Arlo will be back to lead our team this year!
- Chess Tournaments: Fall and Spring TBD
*No meetings*
November 24th, Christmas break, March 9th, or April 6th
Please click on the icon below, download and complete the form, and return it along with the fee to Dawn at the Markell Office.
CROSS COUNTRY MEET SCHEDULE:
VOLLEYBALL CLINICS:
Sept 26 to Oct 21
Hi, I’m coach Céline and we had so much fun last year during the volleyball season that we decided
to expand on it and offer these clinics outside of the regular league play. We are even offering a
clinic for boys who enjoy playing the sport in PE or at recess but want more of it.
With these clinics, you will:
- Learn and develop new skills
- Get prepared physically for other sports (aka the Basketball seasons)
- Try out volleyball or Practice before the season starts in January
- Practice volleyball before signing up for a local club. Club Tryouts are at the end of October for both MS Girls AND Boys.
- And have fun with your classmates!
This is our first experiment with a Clinic of this nature. We are looking for a minimum of 8 students to go forward with each level!4-class weekly 5 th -8 th Volleyball Clinics
16 students maximum (each level)
$50/clinic or $15/drop-in
Space is limited so sign up early and drop-ins may not be an option.
- 5/6/7 th grade Girls Beginner: Mondays 3:15 to 4:45pm – Sept 26 to Oct 17. This clinic is designed for players with no or little experience or want to start again with the basics.
- 6/7/8 th Grade Girls Intermediate: Wednesdays 3:15 to 4:45pm – Sept 28- Oct 19. This clinic is designed for 6-7-8 th grade girls with experience playing in a league, club, or summer camps and have a good basic knowledge and skills to build upon.
- MS Boys All levels: Thursday 3:15-4:45pm – Sept 29- Oct 20. This clinic is designed for MS boys who are interested in developing their volleyball skills, get a workout and play with their friends. (FYI: a local volleyball club offers a program for MS/HS Boys)
**Please send an email to Mrs. Fox if you are interested in joining us for this any of
these Clinics:
Stephanie Fox: sfox@thefranklin.academy
SCHOOL INFORMATION:
MANDATORY REGISTRATION IS DUE BY SEPTEMBER 30TH
Please follow these easy steps to Register.
- Go to the Parent Portal page: https://thefranklin.academy/parent-portal/volunteer-portal/
- Click Register
- Complete the required information on the Parent Portal Registration Form (Health form too)
When you complete the Health Form you will need to click on submit and then return to the Parent Portal Registration Tab and complete that information.
On the Parent Portal Registration Form Tab be sure to click Submit
After submitting it may take up to 48 hours for your account to be activated. Once activated, you’ll receive an email with a link to complete your registration.
Find the email with the Subject: The Franklin Academy Parent Portal Registration Confirmation, and click the link to set your password.
Enter your password in the form and click Save Password.
Click Login to go to the login form.
Enter the email you used to sign up with and the password you just set, then click Log In. You will then be redirected to the Parent Portal.
If you don’t receive an email within the 48 hr timeframe, please search your email inbox for:
The Franklin Academy Parent Portal Registration Confirmation
Please also search your Spam or Junk email folder.
If you still can’t find the email, please email frontdesk@thefranklin.academy.
THE ANNUAL FUND HAS BEGUN!
Why is an Annual Fund important?
An annual fund helps nonprofits cover their everyday expenses. Since other fundraising efforts (like grants) are usually intended for specific purposes, an annual fund allows nonprofits to have unrestricted funds that go toward general operations.*
Please consider making an Annual Fund donation to ensure Franklin Academy's high-quality STEM education can continue to flourish.
OUR GOAL FOR THE 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR IS $250,000. If every family donated a $1000 we would reach our goal with ease. You can set up monthly payments of any amount or make a one time donation. Click the link below to make your contribution today!
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
Click on the icons below to sign up-
OTHER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
Please contact pals@thefranklin.academy if you're interested in any of these volunteer opportunities:
- Chapel Guild - organizes chapel guild projects, training provided
- Paint Hopscotch at Robin Hall - on the weekend before the temps drop!
- Outdoor Grounds - pruning, trash pick up, painting games for kids, adding mulch, etc
- Fall Festival - October 28th
- Field Day and School Picnic (coordinate with Mrs. Fox and PALS)
- Family Fun Night - needs multiple coordinators
CHAPEL SERVICE GUILD:
Please join us for our first meeting of the school year on Tuesday, 9/27 at 8:20 am in the Markell Hall chapel.
What is Chapel Service Guild or CSG?
CSG is a group of parent volunteers who encourage the spiritual life of the students through community service projects and support of chapel services.
What does CSG do?
CSG helps students live out the "I Will Care" core commitment through different "Love Thy Neighbor" projects assigned to each grade. If a student attends TFA from Kindergarten through 8th grade, they will have completed 9 different service projects, some of which include delivering apple baskets to Franklin neighbors, making sack lunches for the Salvation Army food bank, Christmas caroling at the Woodway Inn retirement home, putting together hygiene kits for the residents of the Lighthouse Mission or delivering May Day bouquets to the school neighborhood.
Another component of CSG is the Loaves & Fishes ministry which provides meals to Franklin families during times of illness, hospitalization, new babies, etc. Over the last few years our volunteers have made over 45 meals for school families!
How Can I Help?
- Volunteering with us means helping out with planning and carrying out our service projects as well as some other fun activities at holiday seasons like the St. Nicholas Day chapel and folding palm crosses at Easter time. We have monthly meetings which are not mandatory but are open to any parent who wishes to attend. Check out the upcoming newsletters for information on our first meeting of the year.
- Sign up to provide meals for our Loaves & Fishes ministry (see below).
- Parents are always welcome at the class service projects. We will let you know in advance when your student's project will take place.
Attending CSG meetings, helping with service projects or making a meal for Loaves & Fishes all count toward your 30 service hours!
For more information, please contact CSG chair Christy Fankhauser at christyfank@gmail.com. If you are interested in volunteering with Loaves & Fishes, please contact Erin Meese at Erin.Meese@bellinghamschools.org.
VIP PARKING SPOTS STILL AVAILABLE:
HAPPENINGS AT FRANKLIN ACADEMY:
MUSIC WITH MRS. SNYDER
THE READING CORNER WITH MRS. SAMUEL:
LOVE YOUR LIBRARY BOOKS AND PRACTICE BOOK CARE -
This week in K-3 library, we have been talking about Book Care. We read a fun book about what
happens if you DON’T take good care of your books and I showed examples of library books
that have been damaged by water, sun, food, and a puppy! We reviewed a handout about
proper book care and sent it home in their folders to you.
Even with much care on everyone’s part, book damage happens! Even in my household! Please
know that when that happens, I am happy to attempt a repair, and if that is not possible, send
you an email link to the cheapest replacement option (usually Amazon).
This is also true if books get lost. If your student has a lost book, I always recommend checking
the following places that library books love to hide in: under the seat in the car, between the
bed and the wall, under the couch, and on your at-home book shelf!
Also the Scholastic Book Fair is coming up! Can’t wait to see you all.
Scholastic Book Fair
October 3-7
Before and After School
Markell Hall Chapel
Happy Reading,
Mrs. Samuel
GET TO KNOW OUR STAFF:
Natalie Bennett - Admissions Director
I was born in the Mid-west, one of four kids. I loved the lightning bugs and watching a good thunderstorm, which the Mid-west can be notorious for having. Here I am, back in the day, as a fresh Kindergartner.
My family relocated to Bellingham when I was in 3rd grade. My family’s move created an instant appreciation for all the outdoor activities Washington can provide year-round (big thanks to my parents for fostering that exposure).
Both my twin sister and I chose careers in education. After I had worked in Higher Education for five years, I went to Istanbul, Turkey. There I completed my graduate studies with an internship at Istanbul International Community School (one of the world’s oldest international schools). I then returned to the Pacific Northwest, to use my skills and experience at home.
In January of 2014 (a year shy of a decade ago), I joined The Franklin Academy community as the Admissions Director.
I was drawn to our school because of the friendly atmosphere, devoted teachers, and quality family environment. I genuinely appreciate how much our school has grown over the years, while still intentionally maintaining its personalized educational focus.
I am grateful to be serving both students and families in my admissions role. I seek to create a smooth and positive experience as they explore and discern the best educational path, from inquiry through graduation, from the school’s program and beyond.
In my free time, you can find me mowing the lawn and reading. To me, there is nothing like downtime on a deck with family or friends on a sunny day! And I’ve never had a bad day in the mountains, either. I enjoy holidays, a quality homemade meal, a new fall sweater, a run outside, and fresh flowers.
My experience around the world, my family, my love of the Northwest, and my commitment to quality education, have led me to this best place: here with you, at The Franklin Academy.
The Franklin Academy
Website: www.thefranklin.academy
Location: 1509 East Victor Street, Bellingham, WA, USA
Phone: (360) 733-1750
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheFranklinAcademy
The Franklin Academy Points of Contact
Melanie Hurley, Associate Head of School: mhurley@thefranklin.academy
Dawn Regier, Administrative Assistant, dregier@thefranklin.academy
Rachel Lee, Administrative Assistant, rlee@thefranklin.academy
Natalie Bennett, Admissions Director, nbennett@thefranklin.academy
Katie C. Dement, Development and Marketing Director, kcole@thefranklin.academy
PALS (Parents Actively Lending Support) pals@thefranklin.academy