

The Weekly Update #25

Hello Franklin students and families! ๐
Family Memo ๐ฌ
Greetings Franklin Families,
Here are some quick updates:
PTSA POPCORN Friday
March 7th
Read Across America Week
We have some fun things planned for our panthers this upcoming week of March 3rd. Please check out the flyer below for more details.
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!
BTB Session 3 has begun
Have a wonderful and safe weekend Franklin families!
-The Franklin team
Welcome Letter for 24-25 School year ๐
Reminders
Please bring charged laptops to school. ๐
Please keep personal electronics at home.
Reminder, no sharing of food due to allergies
Permission slips if your student walks home.
Upcoming Events
March 6th- 4th grade field trip to Tacoma History Museum
March 7th- PTSA popcorn FRIDAY
March 8th- International Womenโs Day
March 10th-14th- School conferences- Early Release, NO SCHOOL ECEAP, pre-school, peer inclusion
March 20- Absolutely Incredible Kid Day, School Board Study Session
March 25-Elementary Trimester 3 Begins
March 31st- TWCI school wide assembly and spirit day and No School, IDEA, SAMI, SOTA (31st)
April 1st- Spring Individual Class pictures
Month of March Holidays and Recognition
March 2025
American Red Cross Month
Irish American Heritage Month
National Middle Level Education Month
National Nutrition Month
Social Work Month
Womenโs History Month
Youth Art Month Music in Our Schools Month
March 2-8 National Foreign Language Week NEA Read Across America Day
March 8th- International Womenโs Day
March 3-7 National School Breakfast Week
March 9 Billy Frank Jr. Day Daylight Saving Time Starts
March 10-14 Education Support Professionals Week (all classified employees)
March 17- St Patrick's Day
March 21 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
March 31 Cesar Chavez Day
Student Morning announcement theme this Month
Power Dynamics: I am a good Leader
Safe campus
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.
Visitor and volunteer information
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:
- 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.
- Stay at Your Designated Spot: Volunteers are expected to remain at their assigned location. Please do not gather in areas not assigned to you โ we work hard to know where all visitors are at all times
- 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.
- Adhere to District Conduct Guidelines: Itโs important that all volunteers follow the districtโs guidelines on appropriate conduct while in the building. This ensures that we maintain a professional and respectful atmosphere for students, staff, and guests.
- 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 donโt hesitate to reach out directly to me.
Updates from the Franklin Health Room ๐ฅ
School Website ๐ป
Check our website for our updated student handbook!
Parent Vue
Update your contact information to ensure you receive weather-related alerts
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.
School Hours ๐
Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 8:40 AM to 3:10 PM
Late Start Wednesday: 9:40 AM to 3:10 PM
Student Arrival and Dismissal๐ ๐
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday
- School starts at 8:40
- Supervised valet will begin at 8:35
- 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.
- Supervised valet will begin at 9:35.
- 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 driverโs instructions
- If there is a seat belt, keep it fastened
- Keep bus aisles clear
- Donโt 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.
Beyond the Bell ๐
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.
Session 2 details:
ยท Session dates: Dec. 2 - Feb. 7
AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS
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.
YMCA
Arrival
Please enter through the side handicap main entrance door and ring the bell. A YMCA staff member will answer and check your student in.
TPS 24-25 Student Calendar ๐
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES AND OTHER WAYS TO KEEP HEALTHY
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.
Coffee with the principal โ๐ฉ
DATE COMING SOON!
Here is a bedtime story on us! ๐ฅฐ
Need anything? ๐ฑ๐ฉ
Need to get ahold of us?
Email: franklin@tacoma.k12.wa.us
Attendance
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