Franklin Academy Pembroke Pines K-8

Dear Franklin Families,

As we stand on the threshold of a new school year, I am filled with a sense of excitement and anticipation that only the start of something truly special can bring. Welcome back to Franklin Academy's Pembroke Pines K-8 Campus!

This marks my tenth year as your school principal, and it is with immense gratitude and joy that I embark on this journey alongside you once again. Over the years, I have witnessed our school community grow and flourish, and it is because of your unwavering support, dedication, and partnership that we have achieved so much together.

The first day of school is more than just a date on the calendar; it is a symbol of new beginnings, fresh opportunities, and boundless potential. As we step into this academic year, let us remember that education is a shared journey, and our students' success relies on the collaboration between home and school. Your involvement, encouragement, and active participation in your child's educational journey are invaluable. Together, we will empower our students to reach for the stars, embrace challenges as opportunities, and cultivate a love for learning that will last a lifetime.

Our dedicated and passionate faculty and staff have been diligently preparing to provide a safe, nurturing, and inspiring environment for your children. With a curriculum designed to ignite curiosity, critical thinking, and a thirst for knowledge, we are committed to nurturing well-rounded individuals who are not only academically proficient but also compassionate, responsible, and resilient citizens.

I encourage you to stay connected with us through our various communication channels, attend school events, and be active participants in our PTO. Your presence and involvement make a significant impact on the lives of our students and the overall vibrancy of our school community. Please take a moment to review the rest of this newsletter for important back-to-school information and updates. We are committed to providing you with the resources you need to ensure a smooth transition into the new school year

As we open our doors to a new chapter, let us embrace it with open hearts and open minds, ready to embrace the challenges and celebrate the triumphs that lie ahead. Together, we will continue to build a legacy of excellence at Franklin Academy's Pembroke Pines K-8 Campus.

I look forward to a year filled with growth, exploration, and meaningful connections. Thank you for entrusting us with the privilege of educating and nurturing your children. Here's to an amazing year ahead!

With warm regards,

Elena Diaz, M.Ed.

Principal

The academic calendar for the 2023-2024 school year is now available on our website's homepage. All essential dates have been incorporated into the campus Events Calendar, which can be easily integrated into personal Google, iCalendar, or Outlook calendars.

Morning Arrival: To ensure smooth traffic flow and the safety of all students, parents are kindly reminded that parking and escorting students into the building is not permitted. Students should be dropped off at designated areas along the school curb. It is essential for all parents to follow the instructions provided by both police officers and school officials. Your cooperation in adhering to these guidelines is greatly valued as we strive to uphold a safe and efficient environment during arrival and dismissal times. Please review the arrival procedures linked below.

Bus Passes will continue to be issued via email as adjustments are made to routes and stops. Kindly print the bus pass and place it in your child's backpack, as it is essential for boarding the bus; students without a pass will not be permitted to board. If you have any questions or concerns, contact Always on the Go at aotgbuses@alwaysonthegobuses.com or email us at bus.attendance@franklin-academy.org. Our team is dedicated to assisting you and addressing any inquiries you may have. Thank you for your patience during these first weeks of school.

The Code of Student Conduct, Policy 5090, provides specific information regarding the rules that all students are expected to adhere to, as well as consequences for violations. Please review all information in the Code of Student Conduct policy carefully and together discuss the consequences of violating the rules. The Code of Student Conduct, SBBC Policy 5090, is available electronically on the school's website, under the School Info tab. Students and parents are required to sign a statement indicating that they have accessed their Code of Student Conduct booklet online and are aware of the explanation of rules it provides in policy. Acknowledgment forms are due by Friday, August 25th.

Kindly ensure that you have downloaded DashPass and that the application is active upon your arrival at the campus. It's crucial that your attention remains focused on DashPass during this time, as using your phone for other purposes might impact the smooth dismissal process for your child(ren). For additional details about DashPass, please explore the link below. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Color-coded dashboard placards with your child’s name and grade level were issued during Meet & Greet (Grades K-5). For students who did not attend, placards will be issued on the first day of school. Placards must be displayed on the passenger side of the vehicle dashboard to help expedite the dismissal process.

It is a requirement for parents/guardians to indicate their child's chosen WAY HOME through our eCollect system in the PowerSchool Parent Portal. Please note that physical forms will NOT be accepted. Before you proceed with completing your child's way home form in the PowerSchool Parent Portal, please keep the following guidelines in mind:

• Students residing between 2 and 6 miles from the campus may be eligible for bus transportation. Students may not board the bus without a bus pass.
• Only students residing within 2 miles of the campus are permitted to walk or ride a bike home from school.
  
• If you have enrolled your child(ren) in AfterSchool Connections, registration will be verified prior to the approval of your Way Home form.

To monitor the status of your dismissal request, you must log in to the PowerSchool Parent Portal. It is important to emphasize that the choice of student dismissal method must be submitted exclusively through the PowerSchool Parent Portal. Approval of the chosen method is contingent upon verification by the school administration, and the status must reflect "APPROVED."

Franklin Academy is a mandatory uniform school and the dress code is strictly enforced. All uniforms must be purchased from the school-approved vendor, iUniforms.com.

Please review the information shared below to see the required immunizations for your child's school entry to Kindergarten and/or Grade 7/MYP Y2 for the 2023-2024 school year.

Class Schedules: MYP schedules were sent via email and are available through two convenient platforms: the PowerSchool Parent Portal and Clever. The first day of school is Monday, August 21st. MYP students may arrive on campus beginning at 8:00 AM. For students who may encounter challenges accessing their schedules, we will have a dedicated support team available in the cafeteria to assist.

Schedule Changes: Our team has worked diligently to create balanced and meaningful schedules for each student and schedule changes will only be made in the event of a school error (i.e. missing a core class (English, Math, Science, Social Studies) and/or enrolled in a class previously completed with a grade of “D” or higher.

Completing your lunch application is not just about lunch! Franklin Academy participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), a meal program that provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost, or free breakfasts and lunches to children each school day.

Did you know that it also helps Franklin gain access to additional funding, resources and staff to best support your children? Even if you aren't certain that your family will qualify, use the link below and submit an application today to find out.

If you already applied online for Free & Reduced Lunch Meal Benefits and have application status questions, please email lunch@franklin-academy.org.

The PowerSchool Parent Portal provides families 24/7 access to grades, attendance, lunch balance, forms, alerts, and parent service hour totals.

Our Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) plays a vital role in our school community. Get involved, support our events, and stay connected. Learn more at https://ppk8.franklin-academy.org/pto-information

All Franklin families are required to contribute 8 service hours per year. To start the process please submit your one-time application to set up your account. Once your account is active you will have the ability to view volunteer opportunities, sign up to participate in events, and view your service hour history. To Access the Volunteer Portal, complete a one-time “Volunteer Application”. Once the application is approved, you will receive an email with instructions on the next steps, including a link to set up your portal password.

We encourage parents to conveniently pre-pay for school lunches on a weekly or monthly basis. Please note that Franklin Academy operates as a cashless school environment. If opting for payment by check, kindly make it payable to Franklin Academy and include your student's name, homeroom teacher's name, and specify that it is a lunch payment.

Lunch payments cannot be completed within the payment section of our website. Instead, payments for meals can be easily made through the PowerSchool Parent Portal or via www.slalunch.com.

To add funds to your child's lunch account through the PowerSchool Parent Portal, follow these steps:

1. Log into the PowerSchool Parent Portal.

2. Look for the "arrow" icon in the upper right-hand corner of the screen and click it.

3. A new menu will appear; select the "School Payment Portal" link from this menu.

4. This link will lead you to the payment processing page. If you haven't yet linked your account, you'll need to do so.

5. Once linked, clicking this link will directly take you to the payment portal, bypassing the need to log in again.

Please visit our school website for grade-specific school supply lists tailored for students in Grades K-5. For those who have pre-purchased supplies through our PTO fundraiser, these items will be conveniently available in your child's classroom during the Meet & Greet session. This occasion presents an optimal time for labeling your child's supplies. For middle school students, a generic supply list has been posted on our website. Students will receive course-specific lists during the first week of school.

Building Better People, Every Day

Website: https://ppk8.franklin-academy.org/
Location: 18800 Pines Boulevard, Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
Phone: 954-703-2294
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FranklinAcademyCharter
Twitter: @FranklinCharter