CARDINAL CONNECTIONS
September 2, 2024
Franklin Pierce High School Community Newsletter
Email: bmarzano@fpschools.org
Website: https://franklinpiercehighschool.fpschools.org/
Location: 11002 18th Avenue East, Tacoma, WA 98445, USA
Phone: (253)298-3800
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fphscards
Twitter: @FPHScards
ATHLETICS
Welcome back Cards!
August 21st marked the first official day of Football. Remaining fall sports will began Monday, 8/26.
Here are some important pieces to know:
- Students must be completely cleared in final forms and showing green. This means they completed all forms, and signed on waivers, along with a valid physical. A valid Physical requires: Name of Athlete, Date of the exam, doctors signature, and level of activity clearance indicated on form.
- Note: Child Wellness forms and Mychart reports do not count as a valid physical.
- The following fall sports are OFF CAMPUS activities and require self transportation to and from Practices:
- Girls Swimming (Co-Op team with Mt. Tahoma High School). I am currently awaiting practice schedules from Mt. Tahoma, that information will be shared with families as soon as I receive it.
- Golf (at the home course in Dupont). Please reach out to Coach Melvard, jmelvard@fpschools.org or Coach Zagar, bzagar@fpschools.org for information regarding practice schedules.
We are looking forward to an amazing school year and amazing season of Athletics. Lets start the year off right and set the tone for all our programs this season! Please reach out to FPHS Athletic Coordinator Michael Andrews at mandrews@fpschools.org if you have any questions.
Thank you,
Michael Andrews
Franklin Pierce High School Athletics Administration
COUNSELING CORNER
Schedule Changes
Tuesday & Wednesday: Schedule changes for all students with a hole in their schedule, missing a CORE class (Math, English, Science, History), or incorrectly placed into a course
Thursday & Friday: Counselors will work with students in the Corrigan room during lunches to make requests for a new class.
Until Mrs. Nelko returns from maternity leave, counselor caseloads will be as follows:
M-N = Plaskett
O-P = Fineman
Q-R = Detweiler.
We are delighted to invite students at your school to participate in Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland’s inaugural Congressional Youth Advisory Council. This prestigious event, designed for high school juniors and seniors, offers a unique opportunity for students to engage directly with the Congresswoman, deepen their understanding of the federal government, and share their own policy priorities.
Student Participation: Due to the inaugural nature of this event, participation is limited to ten students from schools within Washington’s 10th Congressional District. We encourage interested students to register via the Microsoft form https://forms.office.com/g/idSR5dUguY. A key factor in the selection process will be applicants' thoughtfulness and attention to detail.
Dear FPS Families:
Happy New Year!
Franklin Pierce Schools uses Remind as a tool to help teachers and school staff communicate with families. If you're not already familiar with Remind, it's a school/classroom communication tool that makes it easy to stay involved with your child's learning. Remind is free to use, and you'll be able to get and send messages on any device—even a simple text message from your phone!
As part of this rollout, you'll receive an email or text message from Remind. All you need to do is follow the steps in the message to finish setting up your account. Here is a video demo to see how Remind works. Also, we've already set the preferred language for you and your child so you can receive messages in your home language. As long as the teacher is receiving replies, you can also send messages back in your preferred language, and they’ll automatically be translated into the teacher’s preferred language. Learn more about how to send a translated message here.
We encourage you to check out this parent guide to get tips on how to use Remind. We're excited to use Remind to make connecting with your family more engaging!
Sincerely,
Franklin Pierce Schools
Public Information Office
Message From The Principal
Dear Franklin Pierce High School Community,
As we step into the new school year, I’m thrilled to share my vision and the steps we’re taking to ensure every student has the best opportunity to succeed. I’m especially excited to begin my second year as your principal, building on the progress we’ve made and continuing to foster a vibrant and inclusive school community.
I also recognize that this Fall brings some significant transitions for our school. With the loss of some beloved teachers due to budget cuts and our shift from an 8-period day to a 6-period day, I know that these changes may bring challenges. I want you to know that I am here for you—our students, staff, and families—as we navigate these changes together. My commitment is to ensure that these transitions are as smooth as possible and that our focus remains on providing the best education and support for all our students.
Our main goals include:
Supporting Student Success: I’m committed to making our school a place where every student feels valued and understood. To do this, we’re improving how we track and manage student behavior and attendance and ensuring our approaches are fair and respectful of all cultures. These enhancements will allow us to intervene in real-time, addressing issues as they arise and providing timely support to keep every student on the path to success.
Inclusive Learning for All: I want our classrooms to be places where every student’s background is recognized and celebrated, where each student feels a deep sense of belonging. We’re committed to creating an environment where every student knows they are valued and has the opportunity to thrive. We’re working hard to make sure our teaching methods connect with all students, giving them the tools they need to excel both academically and personally.
My Target for Growth: Centering Community Perspectives
I believe that by listening to and valuing the voices of our students, families, and staff, we can create a more inclusive and supportive school environment. However, I recognize that our school needs to go beyond just surveys and feedback forms. This year, my focus is on building genuine, authentic connections with our community—ensuring that our decisions and practices are truly reflective of the diverse needs and strengths of everyone involved. To support this, I will be conducting community meetings to actively center your perspectives and engage in meaningful dialogue. I am committed to making these connections a cornerstone of our work together.
Together, we will build a school environment that not only meets the highest standards of academic excellence but also fosters a deep sense of belonging and respect for everyone.
Thank you for your continued support. Lets do this!
Warm regards,
Brixey Marzano
Principal