NOVEMBER 10, 2022
Franklin District Bi-Weekly Newsletter | 2022-23 #6
Being Grateful
As the first quarter comes to a close, we have so many wonderful experiences to reflect upon and for which to be grateful!
We hope you and your child(ren) have experienced the engaging learning environments our entire team works hard to create for them daily. We are always a phone call away to collaborate around your child’s learning experience.
We have Thanksgiving around the corner and we hope that brings memorable moments with your loved ones and friends. Our hope is you find time to ‘disconnect’ so you can ‘reconnect’ with those around you.
Veterans are celebrated every day, but specifically we dedicate this Friday, November 11th to all of those who have given for our country and their families and friends who have also dedicated much of their life to this journey. We are excited to share further down in this newsletter a variety of ways our learners are showing their appreciation to our Veterans.
Thank you for being a supportive community that trusts us with your child(ren) each day. We do not take this duty lightly and feel grateful to be a part of their life.
With gratitude,
Annalee Bennin
FPS District Administrator
2023-24 FPS Calendar Coming Soon
The District Calendar for the 2023-24 school year will be released in the next District Newsletter just before the Thanksgiving break. Thank you for your patience as we work out the last of some logistic details for next school year.
As a reminder, the District Calendar and all building calendars can be found here.
All of our calendars are able to be subscribed to! Follow the steps at the top of the District Calendar for how to subscribe.
Recognizing Our Veterans
MILWAUKEE VETERANS PARADE "NATURAL SOUND" STUDENT VIDEO
This video below is produced by FHS students Alex Klement, Gabriel Troia & Mason Cha for the Student Television Network Challenge. The prompt for the challenge was 'Rhythm of the Street' so the team took on doing a story about last weekend's Veterans Day parade in Milwaukee. This "Nat Sound" story story is purposely produced with no voice over and uses just interviews and natural sound to tell the story. Look for this story to be part of next week's student produced "The Saber Roar" at their YouTube Channel here.
Check out the short video below were a few students share about family members that are Veterans and also thank all Veterans for their service.
ROBINWOOD VETERANS BOARD
Families at Robinwood shared Veteran family member pictures as part of the lobby bulletin board to recognize Veterans. Thank you to parent volunteer Amy Winters for helping to set this up! Click on the image below to see closer images of the board.
RW STUDENTS SEND CARDS TO USO
Earlier this month, Robinwood students made cards to send to teacher Ann Alcorn’s niece who works with the USO in West Des Moines, Iowa. She plans events for Veterans returning to transfer bases. These cards are going to Veterans as they process through the facility.
FP STUDENTS HELP WELCOME HOME FRANNY
8th Grade Math & Science Teacher Elizabeth Ricco asked some students for help with making signs for Ms. Ricco’s friend who is in the Air Force Reserves and was returning this week from a 6 month deployment in Dubai. Students stepped up and decorated signs with messages welcoming her back. Welcome home, Franny!SG STUDENTS CREATE LETTERS AND CARDS
At Southwood Glen, teacher Sunaina Talwar reached out to families to learn about Veteran family member connections so students could create cards and messages. Big envelopes were placed on the wall and students will be filling them with special messages and sending them out. You can see all the pictures shared here and a few are scattered around this article.
FPS Busing Update
As of this communication, First Student, our transportation provider, is still working to add drivers to help with the remainder of our PM routes. We currently have a (1) new driver coming to work for FPS next week that will allow us to add additional students at the High School, Forest Park Middle School and Robinwood in the afternoon and help to alleviate some slower times across the district in the morning.
For those families impacted by us adding a route back or altering some morning routes, we will directly communicate with you about those details. We also continue to monitor and adjust times where needed to better satisfy the need for buses to get to the next route in a timely manner.
Weather Related Closing Information
As we begin to move into the winter months, we want to share with you how the district plans to handle Weather Related Closings (Snow/Cold Days) this school year. The state of Wisconsin requires a minimum number of instructional hours during the school year. Our 2022-23 school year calendar currently has (1) built in day as part of our planning for a Weather Related Closing. This means that in the event we have a first Weather Related Closing this 2022-23 school year, the day will be treated as a “No School Day” for all students meaning no required work, virtual or otherwise, will be planned.
Following a first Weather Related Closing, we will communicate with families what any subsequent Weather Related Closing days will look like or how required instructional hours will be met (i.e. virtual days, adding days on at the end of the school year, utilizing other hour makeup options, etc.).
How are closures determined?
When inclement weather is approaching or evident, we work to make a school closure determination and communicate this to families by 6 am at the latest. When our local weather authorities begin discussing the possibility of severe weather, FPS District Administrator Annalee Bennin will consult with various sources, including area superintendents, National Weather Service (Milwaukee/Sullivan Office), and road reports.
If schools are closed, all after-school activities, including athletic competitions, practices and FPS Community Education & Recreation activities, will be canceled unless otherwise communicated. Please know that the safety of our students and staff is our top priority. We will always make decisions out of caution and, at the same time, communicate with you as early as possible.
How can families and staff expect to receive information about closures?
The following are the ways we communicate the closing and where you can expect to see information:
Parents and Staff will be sent an email, phone call and text message alert.
Students will be sent an email at their @franklinsabers.org account (4K, 5K, & up through 12th grade)
Closing information will be posted to our district and school webpages (in the “News” feeds).
Closing information will be posted to our district social media channels (be sure to like or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram if you don’t already!).
Closing information will be shared with local media so that our information is included in the weather updates that occur on local news (CBS58, FOX6, TMJ4, WISN12)
FPS Family Engagement Survey - Spring Results
Last Spring, we asked families (parents/guardians) of Franklin Public Schools students to respond to a survey on how we can build a stronger school/family partnership. We appreciate this feedback, as it helps us continuously improve our practices and connections with families. We will ask for feedback again in the same areas in the Spring of 2023.
Below are the results of the survey based on your responses:
- Total Responses: 1051
- Net Promoter Score (likelihood to recommend FPS): +43
Click here to read a short overview of Net Promoter Score
In addition, below is a high level look at how families responded to individual statements. Please note that when viewing the data listed below, the percent (%) listed represents those that responded favorably as "agree" or "strongly agree." Click on the image to see a larger version if needed.
FPS Utilizing Hydroponic Gardens
Our FPS Food Service Department has been partnering with Fork Farms to grow our own lettuce using the system of hydroponics. With hydroponics, plants don't use soil, use less water, and grow indoors. The Food Service team started planting this past week and will start growing different veggies that can be utilized in our cafeterias in the future. We are so excited to bring crisp, bright, and nutrient dense produce to Franklin High School and Forest Park Middle School. Click the associated image to see a few images shared from Food Service and be on the lookout for updates as we start this journey with hydroponics!
Work With Franklin Public Schools!
FRANKLIN REC LOOKING FOR BASKETBALL REFEREES The Franklin Rec Dept is currently looking for Basketball Referees for kids ages K-8th grade! Games will run on Saturdays beginning December 3rd through Sunday, February 12th from 9am-3pm (Note that the only Sunday of play is Sunday, February 12th and there is no play on Saturday, February 11th). Even if you can't make it all the weeks, please email leah.voss@franklin.k12.wi.us for more info on how to apply. Thank you!
THIS SATURDAY NIGHT! The "Educate In Style" Student Fashion Show Takes Place! Get Tickets Now!
The Franklin Education Foundation is proud to once again host the student fashion show! With almost 30 FHS sports, clubs and activities represented, you will not want to miss this fantastic event! Doors open at 6pm at the Saber Center for the Arts for food, silent auction, shopping and fun followed by 45 FHS students showcasing the latest fashions while raising funds for great causes! Half of all proceeds raised by the groups go toward supporting foundation grants, scholarships and student emergency funding. The group that raises the most funds keeps 100% of the proceeds for their group! You can read more details, book your tickets, and donate online to your favorite organization here or by clicking on the image below!
To see more about the Franklin Educational Foundation happenings,
click here for their website!
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
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(Note: Any imagery containing students, staff, events, or FPS logos shared by FPS are the property of Franklin Public Schools and are solely for district use. Reproduction or reuse of these images without written permission is not allowed.)