Here are some quick updates:

Valet at drop off and dismissal will be ending right after Spring Break!!!!

In response to Tacoma City not in agreement nor supporting our school having a valet system, and safety concerns during arrival and dismissal, Franklin Elementary will no longer operate a valet system. The Tacoma School District and City of Tacoma believe that eliminating the valet program will result in less driver confusion and congestion in front of the school, improve safety for students walking and biking to school, and eliminating the need for staff to interact with moving vehicles. This will go into effect after Spring Break, April 14th. We appreciate your patience as we navigate this new plan.

• Before school you may drop off your student in the valet loading zone however, your vehicle must continue to move as NO parking will be allowed in this zone. Your car must not be unattended and must keep moving after your student has left the car. Staff will not be available to assist students out of cars.
• Crossing will be available if your student is crossing the street in the front of the school campus.
• After school, please do not use the loading zone. You must park in the city parking available or our school parking lot.
• Families with ADA needs will have spaces available at the front of our old valet loading zone.
• Staff will release students after school upon seeing their trusted adult. NO releasing of students to waiting adults in a vehicle. (unless ADA accommodation has been made)

Beyond the Bell registration opens on staggered schedule this week

You can now register for the next session of Beyond the Bell, fun and engaging after-school programs in Tacoma Public Schools. Registration starts Monday on a staggered schedule by school. Our registration started on March 25th

Help choose the session your child is most interested in, take a look at the programs available this session.

Session 4 details:

• Registration: March 24 – April 9
• Registration runs on a staggered schedule starting at 7 a.m. by school name. Please check the registration schedule. Once it’s open at our school, it will remain open through April 9.
• Session: April 21 – June 13
• Flexible pricing: When you register, select the payment option that best fits your family’s need.

Mark your calendar for spring break

There’s no school Monday, April 7, through Friday, April 11, for spring break.

Use these tips to create boundaries around screen time

Setting screen-time boundaries at home can improve mental health for all of us. Start by establishing screen-free zones and times during meals and bedtime. Encourage outdoor activities, reading, or family games to promote balanced habits and improve social interaction.

You can also create screen-free zones like the dining room or bedrooms; promote activities like reading or playing outside; and talk about the impact of excessive screen time. Additionally, you can use parental controls to monitor and manage device usage, ensuring age-appropriate content.

Find more strategies here: Ways to Connect to Your Child - Tacoma Public Schools.

PTSA Updates

Now thru April 3 - PTSA Plant Sale orders

For our Spring fundraiser, we’re selling flower baskets, and flats of geraniums or mixed annuals, as well as individual 4” assorted annuals. Get your order in by April 3 and we’ll have the flowers ready for pickup on May 7, just in time for Mother's Day.

Turn in paper order form with check to the office or use the online order link:

https://franklinelementarypta.givebacks.com/store?limit=21&live=true&category=Plant%20sale

Givebacks

Givebacks helps you engage your supporters, raise money online with less work, and harness innovation to build up your entire community through GIvebacks. See why over 12,000 organizations and over 2.4 million people use Givebacks to thrive.

franklinelementarypta.givebacks.com

April 3 - PTSA presents: Reptile Man 6:30pm

Cost: FREE

Location: Franklin gym

Students will meet reptiles at the afternoon assembly, then families are invited to the evening event, where Reptile Man will have some different animals.

Upcoming Spirit Day and Awards Assembly

March 31st

Themes for our awards assembly are Power Dynamics: I am a good leader. Talk to your students about what they are learning in SEL time and through the morning announcements. We discuss what it means to be a good leader each day!

Have a wonderful and safe weekend Franklin families!

-The Franklin team

Please bring charged laptops to school. 🙂

Please keep personal electronics at home.

Reminder, no sharing of food due to allergies

Permission slips if your student walks home.

March 31st- Monthly spirit day, TWCI assembly

April 1st- Spring Individual Class pictures

April 3rd- PTSA event- Reptile man @2:10 and family event @6pm

April 4th- BTB session 3 ends, PTSA popcorn Friday

April 7-11th- SPRING BREAK

April 17th- Kindergarten field trip

April 21st- BTB Session 4 begins, 5th grade field trip, s

April 30th- Awards assembly, monthly spirit day

April 2025

March 31 Cesar Chavez Day, Transgender Day of Visibility

April 2 International Children's book day

April; 6-12th National Library day

April 10 Dolores Huerta Day

April 21-25 Public school volunteer appreciation day

April 21-25 Administrative professional's week

Aprill 22 Earth Day

April 23 Administrative professional's Day

April 25 National Arbor day

Discomfort: "I have a growth mindset"

Here a few safety precautions we have for this school year both at Franklin, and throughout Tacoma Public Schools:

Safe campus

As you know, student safety is out top priority. We have measures in place to ensure a smooth transition to class for students while maintaining safety. Breakfast will be eaten in the classrooms. We ask that parents and guardians say their goodbyes at the front gates of the school. We cannot allow families or guests in the classroom/building unless it has been pre-arranged. Once again this is part of our safety measures.

Volunteers

Volunteers are welcome. To volunteer in a classroom, it must be arranged with the teacher beforehand. All volunteers must complete a background check before volunteering. Volunteers must check in at the office and always wear a visitor's sticker or lanyard.

Late arrivals

If your student arrives after 8:50, please come with them to the main office. You can ring the bell and the front office will let you in. The front office will then ask you to sign in and will give your student a tardy pass. We ask that you then say your goodbyes to your student at the front office.

Visitors and Volunteers

We truly appreciate your willingness to volunteer at our school and are grateful for the strong partnerships we have with our families. Volunteers play a vital role in supporting our students and staff, and we want to ensure that all expectations are clear so everyone can have a positive experience.

As a reminder, here are the key guidelines for all volunteers:

1. Sign-In Procedure: Please make sure to sign in at the office each time you volunteer. This helps us maintain a clear understanding of who is in the building for safety and security purposes. You will also be given a visitor badge that identifies you.
2. Stay at Your Designated Spot: Volunteers are expected to remain at their assigned location. Please do not gather in areas not assigned to you – we work hard to know where all visitors are at all times
3. Respect for Classroom Spaces: Volunteers should only be in classrooms by pre-arrangement from the teacher. Please respect the learning environment and follow the teacher's instructions during your visit.
4. Adhere to District Conduct Guidelines: It’s important that all volunteers follow the district’s guidelines on appropriate conduct while in the building. This ensures that we maintain a professional and respectful atmosphere for students, staff, and guests.
5. No Photos of Other Children: To protect privacy, we do not allow for photos of students or classroom settings.

We are committed to providing a safe and positive learning environment for our students, and your cooperation in following these guidelines is greatly appreciated. If you have any questions or need clarification, please don’t hesitate to reach out directly to me.

Tacoma Public Schools shares weather-related scheduling impacts in a number of ways, including email, calls and texts directly to you. You can make sure your contact information is up to date by checking ParentVUE. Get directions to update your account here: ParentVUE Help - Tacoma Public Schools

If you need help updating your information, contact our Franklin Front office.

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday

• School starts at 8:40
• NO valet effective April 14th 2025!
• Students will line up on teacher designated white lines on the blacktop as early as 8:35
• Teachers will pick up their students.
• Students will have breakfast and begin class.
• School ends at 3:10.

Wednesdays

• School starts at 9:40 on late starts.
• NO valet effective April 14th 2025!
• School ends at 3:10.

School bus safety
Please help us keep children safe on the school bus by talking to them about what to do while riding the bus, including:

• Stay seated while the bus is moving
• Follow the bus driver’s instructions
• If there is a seat belt, keep it fastened
• Keep bus aisles clear
• Don’t toss anything out of a bus window or wave hands out of the window

Thank you for your help, which will keep buses running on time and create a safer environment for all students.

Families of elementary school students can soon register for the next session of Beyond the Bell, fun and engaging after-school programs in our school.

Beyond the Bell activities run from when school gets out to 5:45 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Our students can participate in after-school programs through the Beyond the Bell program. Registration starts Aug. 26 on a staggered school schedule. Get more information on our school's website under the "Programs & Activities" menu.

Please enter through the side handicap main entrance door and ring the bell. A YMCA staff member will answer and check your student in.

Our schools have skilled counselors who can help with academic, career and social-emotional guidance. If your child needs support beyond what a counselor can offer, TPS also has exceptional mental health partners who provide services at schools. School counselors can assist with referrals to our partner agencies.

Find behavior health resources here.

Take a look at the back-to-school welcome guide for information about how our Health Services team can partner with you to keep your child healthy.

DATE COMING SOON!

Email: franklin@tacoma.k12.wa.us

253-571-1400

Report an absence in ParentVUE

FranklinAttendance@tacoma.k12.wa.us

School Phone: 253-571-1400

Franklin Elementary School

Address: 1402 S Lawrence St, Tacoma, WA 98405