Greetings Franklin Families,

We have completed another week of school! Whoo hoo! Thank you all for coming to the Open House on Thursday. It was a joy seeing all of you and your students. We are so thankful for each of you!

Our theme on our morning announcements this month is growth mindset. We have been discussing what it means to have the belief that you can learn. Even if something is hard now, believing in yourself that you can and will be able to learn it. We encourage you to also discuss this with your students at home. They have been showing great learner schools and we want to continue to cultivate this.

As a reminder, lunch and breakfast at Franklin is completely free. if your student brings home lunch, they are still welcome to get a school lunch too.

We also have conferences coming up. Here is some important information on upcoming dates.

Tuesday, Oct. 15

· Early release for grades PreK-5, including Head Start, ECEAP and Transition to Kindergarten:

· Franklin will dismiss at 11:55 a.m.

· No school for p.m. preschool or Peer Inclusion preschool

Wednesday, Oct. 16

· No school for Peer Inclusion preschool

· Everyone else all other grades at Franklin should follow their regular late-start Wednesday schedule

Thursday, Oct. 17 and Friday, Oct. 18

· Early release for grades PreK-12, including Head Start, ECEAP and Transition to Kindergarten:

· Franklin will dismiss at 11:55 a.m.

· No school for p.m. preschool

· No school for Peer Inclusion preschool

We hope you have a wonderful and safe weekend!

-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.

Hello Franklin Families,

It is that time of year again! Respiratory season is around the corner.

Below is the link that will provide 4 free COVID tests to all residential households.

https://special.usps.com/testkits

Conferences October15th, 17th, 18th

Trunk or Treat October 25th

Spirit Day October 31st (more information coming soon)

Popcorn Friday November 1st

Disability History Month

LGBTQIA+ History Month

National Bullying Prevention Month

National Principals Month

Czech Heritage Month

Italian American Heritage and Culture Month Polish American Heritage Month Filipino American Heritage Month

Growth Mindset: I am a good learner

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

Closed 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

Parent and guardian volunteers are welcome in the 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.

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 to unless you have pre-arranged to visit in the classroom with the teacher and have a volunteer/background check done.

Greetings from your PTSA!

You are invited to our first PTSA Members Meeting of the year, this Tuesday, Oct 8th at 6:30 pm, in the Cafeteria/Gymnasium.

All are welcome to attend. Childcare for age 4+ provided, little ones in arms welcome. Learn about upcoming events and programs, members vote on important business, find out how to get involved, and connect with other Franklin families.

PTSA Trunk or Treat: Friday Oct 25th, 5:30-6:30pm, school parking lot.

Come in costume and collect Halloween goodies!

Candy donations now being collected in the school office.

To decorate a trunk and hand out treats, contact Katie at kstarirwin@gmail.com by 10/18.

Not a drop-off event, all children need to be supervised. No restrooms available.

PTSA Website:

https://franklinelementarypta.givebacks.com/

If you would like to see what your child is working on at school, you can use ParentVUE on a mobile device or on a desktop. If you'd like some help doing that, check out ParentVUE - Tacoma Public Schools (tacomaschools.org)

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.

If your child plans to take the bus to school, please download our free transportation app, My Ride K-12 for bus stop location, route and pickup times. Your child’s bus route is expected to be available the first week of September.

Tacoma Public Schools partners with the City of Tacoma to provide suggested walking maps for all elementary schools. These maps recommend walking routes to school and nearby parks, middle schools, and other community amenities. You can find our school's map and lots of safety tips here: Suggested Walking Route Maps - Tacoma Public Schools (tacomaschools.org)

Beyond the Bell will dismiss students at the main entrance of the building.

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.

Click the button above to schedule if you are interested!

15-minute meetings in the window of 9:15-10:15. If you need longer than 15 meetings to share concerns or feedback I will schedule for a follow-up. (:

These will be held monthly.

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