CARDINAL CONNECTIONS
November 21, 2022
Franklin Pierce High School Community Newsletter
FPS District Equity Statement
DISTRICT AREAS OF FOCUS AND IMPROVEMENT:
- Equity and Social Justice
- Improved Instruction
- Family and Community Partnership
Cardinal Parents, Students, and Staff:
"Attitude of Gratitude"
As we get ready for Thanksgiving, it's a great opportunity for us to spend some time counting our blessings. It's really easy to get caught up in complaining about the things and people around us, but it's almost never helpful. If you're having a hard time switching from "glass half empty" to "glass half full," start by thinking about the people you love. Be grateful for them. Think about the people who make you better or take care of you. Be grateful for them. Think about your health and your own physical body. Be grateful for that. Get out into nature, and be grateful for the beauty of the world that's always there but we just don't take the time to notice. There's been plenty of research done on the life-changing benefits of just taking 10 minutes to think about or write about all the blessings in your life each day. Try it. What do you have to lose?
Let's do this! Cardinal Strong!
- Nov 21: What is a favorite memory you have?
- Nov 22: Are you a glass half full or glass half empty type of person?
- Nov 23: What three items would you want to have with you on a deserted island?
Hey, Cards!
CARDINALS on the mountain! Cards, we would like to organize a ski and snowboard trip to one of our local ski resorts. You can be a beginner or an expert. First, we need to know how many students might be interested. We would also welcome parent chaperones join us (especially if you are an experienced skier or snowboarder). If you are interested, please complete this FORM (students and parents) to let us know (name, grade/parent, skill level, etc.) Also, parents, if you have any connections with ski schools at our local mountains, that might be very helpful in planning this trip! Let us know.
Parents, on Friday we had a modified lockdown on campus while police were investigating a social media threat. The threat was not substantiated and the modified lockdown was lifted toward the end of the day. You should have received notifications from our district via phone, text, and email at the start and end of the modified lockdown. If you did not receive notifications, it is possible that we do not have your current information in Skyward. You can update your Skyward contact information and preferences via Skyward Family Access.
What is a modified lockdown? The details of a modified lockdown can change based on the particular situation. In general, it means there is an investigation occurring regarding a possible threat or there is some police activity in the area of the school. While in a modified lockdown, all exterior doors are locked, all classroom doors are locked, and all walking traffic on campus is strictly monitored by security, admin, and support staff. It may also involve additional police presence on campus. Classroom instruction occurs as normal during a modified lockdown.
No school Thursday or Friday. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
Wednesday is an early release day (11:15am). All classes will meet briefly (periods 1 through 8, No Advisory). Lunches are not served on Wednesday.
Attention seniors — an important reminder for you from yearbook — if you want your school photo from picture day replaced with a special senior portrait in the yearbook, you will need to submit that portrait. Our submission deadline is December 16th, so get those photos taken before then. For instructions about submitting your portraits, a handout is available from Ms. Rice in room 804 or in the main office.
Academic Excellence!
One of our unifying teacher practices is proactively anticipating variability. What does this mean? It means that we understand that every student is coming to the classroom with different needs, different skills, different goals, and different experiences.
What does this look like for teachers? When teachers plan their lessons and assessments, they are considering the different skill, needs, goals, and experiences of students to make the learning accessible and relevant.
What does this look like for students? Students should have opportunities to magnify their strengths, explore their interests, and identify their opportunities for growth.
How can parents help? Continue to engage in conversations with students about what they're learning in school and the different ways they are connecting to their learning. Help them make the learning relevant by sharing your own unique experiences and connection to the content.
GENERAL INFO:
Have you noticed the change in weather? Winter is coming! If we have a school closure or delays due to weather, staff and families can expect to receive information via phone, SMS for families who opted in, email, website, and local media.
All athletes and students joining clubs need to purchase an ASB card from the bookkeeper as soon as possible. ASB cards help us raise funds for our many school ASB programs and clubs.
- The schedule this week is AB, All classes meet Wednesday. View our full A/B calendar HERE.
2023 GRADUATION Info HERE. Seniors, start marking your calendar and letting people know that your graduation day is coming!
Current COVID Guidelines can be found HERE.
Student immunization requirements can be found HERE.
Interested in learning about our FPHS clubs? Look HERE.
If you ever need to see our Daily Bulletin announcements, use this LINK. Running Start and Pierce County Skills Center students, please use this link to keep up to date with FPHS announcements.
Looking for a career with Franklin Pierce Schools? We have openings for teachers, para educators, bus drivers, custodians, guest teachers, and more! Get started HERE.
Visit HERE to view previous Parent and Student Memos.
Staff Spotlight:
Name: Stacey Wright
My Role at FPHS: Assistant Principal
Favorite Hobbies: Remodeling houses
Favorite Book: The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Favorite Quote: Workers are Winners and Winners are Workers.
Staff Spotlight:
Name: Donnielle Baumer
My Role at FPHS: LOTS! Math Teacher, Grade Band Leader, Math Department Head, Volleyball Head Coach, Flag Football Coach
Favorite Hobbies: Playing volleyball, hiking, concerts, building things, rehabbing old furniture, and gardening
Favorite Book: A Game of Thrones / A Clash of Kings / A Storm of Swords / A Feast of Crows / A Dance with Dragons
Favorite Quote: “The best way to get something done is to get started”
What's your "E" (Enrollment, Enlistment, or Employment) after high school?
Thinking about Gonzaga University? Learn more here.
Social Justice, Equity, and Anti-Racist Resources:
In the video below: Get a glimpse at America's largest Powwow.
The first step in ALLYSHIP is LISTENING.
The second step is BELIEVING.
The third step is ACTION. Get involved and create the positive change you want to see in the world.
CARDINAL SPORTS!
Attention flag football players! Girls flag football will begin Tuesday, November 29th. Be on the field by 3 pm.
- FP Spirit Gear Still Available Stop by the Cashier's Office during your lunches, before school, or after school to pick up your FP spirit gear. T Shirts and Sweatshirts are still available. Also, be on the lookout for your chance to own a Franklin Pierce football jersey of your own. Football will be selling used Jerseys for fans to have and wear when supporting ALL of our teams.
Daily Bell Schedules
Title 1, Part A
- What is Title 1? Title 1, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) provides financial assistance to states and school districts to meet the needs of educationally at-risk students. The goal of Title 1 is to provide extra instructional services and activities which support students identified as failing or most at risk of failing the state's challenging performance standards in mathematics, reading, and writing. The Title 1 program will provides students with extra educational assistance beyond the regular classroom. The program serves students in our five secondary schools who have demonstrated that extra assistance is needed. Learn more HERE.
- The FPHS Report Card can be found HERE.
- Learn more about state and national assessments HERE.
- Learn more about Guides and Resources for Parent and Family Engagement HERE.
- Learn how to file a Citizen Complaint HERE.
- Copies of the 2022-23 School/Parent Compact were distributed at the beginning of the year. If you missed it, you can see it HERE.
- You can find the FPHS Handbook HERE.
- You can find the FPHS Parent and Family Engagement (PFE) Plan HERE.
NEW Performing Arts Center!
We are very excited about our new Performance Arts Center! We are in eager anticipation of the day that we can fully showcase the talents of our band, orchestra, choir, drama programs, and so much more!
- Part of the "cost" for a new Performing Arts Center is going to be a little dust, a lot of change, and even a few inconveniences. Please, bear with us as we work through the "under construction" phase with an estimated completion date of the start of the 2023-24 school year.
- Student and Staff Parking: All staff and students must park together in the parking lot alongside 112th St. The section nearest the tennis courts is reserved for staff parking. The section nearest the stadium is reserved for student parking. Students and staff must drive all the way around the school to access the new student/staff parking lot. Please, do not cut through the drop-off and pick-up zone to park.
- AM student drop-off and PM student pick-up and zones. Please, do not park in the drop-off and pick-up zones between 7:30am and 3pm. The drop-off and pick-up zones will be the same for 2022-23 as they were for the end of 2021-22.
- Main Entrance: The former main entrance to the building is no longer accessible. The new main entrance is on the south end of the main building near the student pick-up and drop-off zone.
- Handicapped Parking has been relocated to the stalls in the drop-off zone nearest the new main entrance.
- Bicycle Parking has been relocated to the 1400 building (outside the band classroom).
- Pedestrians in the drop-off and pick-up zone should use the pedestrian walkway along the fence line.
- As with all construction projects, almost everything is subject to change. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
Pierce County Skills Center:
Fall Newsletter HERE!
- PCSC Main Office: 253-800-4800.
Application Questions contact Paulla Hockaday - phockaday@bethelsd.org - 253.800.4800
Application links, in English and Spanish, can be found on our website. https://www.bethelsd.org/domain/4387
Resources
School Resources:
- District Website: https://www.fpschools.org/
- Franklin Pierce HS Website
- Attendance info HERE.
- IT Help Desk for Students and Parents: 253-298-4647, 7:30AM to 4PM. IT Website.
- Transportation Department website: 253-298-3865 or email to Transportation_Vendor@fpschools.org.
- Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
- FPS Breakfast and Lunch Program: www.fpschools.org/meals
- FPS Education Resources: https://www.fpschools.org/exended-closure-resources-and-information/closure-educational-resources
- Want to add Canvas to your phone? Android or iOS. Once you download the app, search "fpschools" to find our district.
- FPHS Facebook page.
- FPHS Twitter page.
- FPHS Instagram page.
- Information about GRADES and GRADING.
- Information about BUSES.
- District CALENDAR.
- How to access and use DORA.
COVID- 19 Resources:
- District Health Services Website
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
FPS COVID Dashboard HERE.
Community Resources:
- District resources and partners: https://www.fpschools.org/departments/family-engagement-office/community-resources
- Financial Resources: https://dfi.wa.gov/coronavirus/financial-resources