September 9, 2024

Dearr Country Dale Families,

What a fantastic start to the school year we've had! The first week was a whirlwind of excitement and new experiences. Our students have adjusted to routines, making new friends, and diving into their studies with enthusiasm. They've come home buzzing about their new teachers, fun classroom activities, and the playground adventures. It has been heartwarming to see them so eager and engaged. We’re all looking forward to seeing how they continue to grow and learn in the weeks ahead. Thank you for your continued support and encouragement as we embark on this new chapter together!

Warm regards,

Mrs. Nickel

As a reminder, the 2024-25 District Calendar can be found in PDF format here and linked into our district calendars on our website here. All of our calendars are able to be subscribed to! Follow the steps at the top of the District Calendar webpage for how to subscribe.

Earlier this summer, all families completed Back-To-School Online Check-in. During that process, students and families signed off on our elementary, middle and high school Student/Family Handbooks. These Handbooks contain policies and procedures that families and students must understand and agree to while attending Franklin Public Schools.

During the summer, there were some updates to Board Policy. Consequently, updates to the Student/Family Handbooks needed to be made. We will need students/families to sign-off on the updated versions of Handbooks for 2024-25 again to make sure we are in compliance with new policy updates.

Sometime this week, all parents/guardians will receive an email and text message ONCE PER CHILD to complete the Handbook sign off form. In order to complete the form, you will need your child’s 6-digit ID# and Birthdate. We thank you for taking the time to complete this again.

If you have any questions, please contact your school principal.

When: Tuesday, September 17th

Time: during the school day

School Pics is no longer sending home order forms for parents to fill out and return with their students. All orders will only be placed online.

If you are unable to make it this day, our Make-Up/Retake Day is scheduled for Thursday, October 15th. If you are unable to make it on either of these days, please contact the School and Sport Pic New Berlin office at 262-780-2901 to set up an appointment.

Pictures can be ordered online. School & Sports Pics order link.

Use the drop-down menu to select "Country Dale". NO ACCESS KEY IS REQUIRED

As we move toward the November 5th referendum vote, we are offering the opportunities below to visit Franklin High School to see the spaces of need.

In addition, we are offering the following COMMUNITY INFORMATION SESSIONS in October where you can hear from district leaders about the path to the referendum and also tour FHS following the presentation.

Can't make one of the dates above? Check out our "virtual tour" of the FHS spaces by clicking on the map below! Short videos are clickable at each location right from your phone and will better explain the areas we hope to address through the referendum.

This year, Franklin Public Schools is partnering with various other organizations to put together a “Parent Series” of topics that may be of interest for parents in our community to learn about. The first event focuses on “Artificial Intelligence” and will take place on Thursday, September 19th from 5pm-8pm in partnership with the Indian Community School. You can see the flyer below and click here or on the flyer to pre-register. Dinner is provided by That’s Amore for anyone who pre-registers. Childcare will be available for non-school aged children and a supervised Open Gym is available for students in 4K-2nd Grade. Keep an eye out in future newsletters for our October and later events!

As we shared in our final newsletters in June, going into the 2024-25 School Year, our Food Service platform has transitioned to a new platform called SchoolCafe. Please note that all remaining balances from last school year have been moved over to SchoolCafe for this year! $$$

Below are (2) handouts that explain the following:

1. Handout 1 (1 page) - Get the App for your smartphone so you can deposit money in your child(ren)'s account(s)

2. Handout 2 (2 pages) Directions on how to create accounts for your students so you can add money, set up automatic payments, and set up low balance alerts.

You can get started with creating your account by going to https://family.schoolcafe.com/FPS and utilize the directions linked above or pictured below.

If after following the directions above, you have any questions, please contact:

Jessica Christensen, Food Service Manager

jessica.christensen@franklin.k12.wi.us

(414)-423-4656

As shared above, Franklin Public Schools now utilizes School Cafe for lunch purchases, menu planning and free/reduced applications. We have updated our website HERE with all of the Free & Reduced Lunch information for the 2024-25 details and that information is also below and this specific spot on our Lunch page explains what to do for Free & Reduced Lunch

If your child will require ANY (over the counter or prescription) medication for the upcoming school year, please fill out the Request to Administer Medication form found on our district website and have it signed by your healthcare provider.

This form can either be:

1. scanned and emailed to nurses@franklin.k12.wi.us

2. This form can be turned into your school's main office.

In addition, all medication can be dropped off at school in its original container.

Please see the chart below for the state required immunizations for your child(ren) as they enter the grade levels listed.

The Student Immunization Law requires that all students through grade 12 meet a minimum number of required immunizations prior to school entrance. To remain compliant with the law, the student immunization record must be completed by either claiming a waiver (Step 1, Step 4, and Step 5) or providing the dates of the required immunizations (Step 1, Step 2, and Step 5). Please email, fax, or drop off the completed waiver/record to your school's front office. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to nurses@franklin.k12.wi.us

Join us Friday, September 20th at 6:30pm in the Country Dale Gym

This FREE event will include fun, low-key, interactive games perfect for the entire family!

Country Dale’s one-and-only Mr. Blask will be your host for the evening.

We need a few volunteers to help Mr. Blask with setting up, passing out medals, and putting away equipment. Sign up here to volunteer. We hope to see you there!

The Cougar Chase is just around the corner on Friday, October 4th. It is an excellent combination of fun, fitness, and fundraising! All students will participate in the event during the school day. This year we are going to try a new digital platform called Fund Hub to help us meet our fundraising goals.

More information coming next week!

Join us tomorrow, Tuesday, September 10th at 5:30pm in the Country Dale Art Room (Room 1)

This will be the first PTO meeting of the year. Feel free to bring any new ideas/suggestions, or just come to listen. Your support is always greatly appreciated!

• PTO CALENDAR

• MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY

• PTO FACEBOOK GROUP

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW! Join us on Friday, September 20, for a night of clean, Southern-style, Saber Center comedy featuring Etta May, winner of the prestigious American Comedy Award "Female Comic of the Year," and Carollynn Xavier, better known as the viral sensation the "Recovering Californian."

• Etta May with special guest Carollynn Xavier

• Friday, September 20 | 7 p.m.

• Purchase tickets: https://www.franklin.k12.wi.us/ticket-purchasing-information

• Group discounts are available!

Come explore the wonderful world of theater with Character Kids! This fun-filled after school class takes place at Country Dale on Wednesdays, 4-5 pm, September 18th-December 4th (11 weeks, no class 11/27). Students will play theater games, learn stage skills and explore popular Broadway musicals while developing imagination, social skills and confidence. Parents are invited to a special performance on the last day of class! Visit our website for more info or to register.

Looking to clean out those kids' closets and earn a little cash? Register today to be a seller at our semi-annual children's consignment sale at Forest Park Middle School. This past Spring we had a record amount of sellers and buyers and are expecting similar turnouts this Fall. For more information on SELLING or VOLUNTEERING for this event, check out our website.

Email: terese.tubbs@franklin.k12.wi.us
Website: https://www.franklin.k12.wi.us/country-dale-elementary-school
Location: 7380 South North Cape Road, Franklin, Wisconsin 53132, USA
Phone: 414-529-8240
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/CountryDaleElementary/posts/