Franklin 411

Dear Franklin Families,

Happy New Year! I hope you found our winter break to be restful and you were able to spend some quality time with friends and family. It is important to be able to disconnect from our daily routines and recharge as best as we can.

I wanted to take a moment to inform you of the passing of our longtime and beloved custodian, Adrian Phillips. Adrian was a part of our Franklin family for over 10 years and was previously at Summit High School. He has been at countless PTO and school events helping to set up and take down decorations, seating arrangements and electrical needs to ensure our families had the best experience. He had built wonderful relationships with many of our students over the years. Although we won’t be publicly sharing this news with the students at school, I wanted to give families the opportunity to talk about this at home as you see fit. I know that some of you are in touch with Franklin families that have moved on to the middle and high school. Please feel free to share this news with them as their children may have had a connection with Adrian as well. There will be a memorial service on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 11 am at the United Methodist Church in Summit. Here is Adrian’s obituary for more information about his life.

Should you decide to share the news with your children, below are some resources that may be beneficial in assisting you to understand the grieving process from a child's point of view and to open the lines of communication:

• Grief Speaks - When a Child Asks an Adult About Loss. Death or Grief (GriefTerms)

• National Association for School Psychologists - Addressing Grief- Brief Facts and Tips

As always, Ms. Audino, our school counselor, is available if your children need support at school or if you would like additional resources. Her email is laudino@summit.k12.nj.us.

I wish you health and happiness in 2025. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

With Warmest Regards,

Mrs. Loor

This a friendly reminder that students should be wearing sneakers not only on days they have P.E., but also for recess if they want to play basketball, soccer, football or in the gaga pit. Sturdy shoes are a must for outdoor activities for safety reasons. Slip-ons, Crocs or shoes without a back are not appropriate for sports play at recess.

Thank you for your help!

Our 2nd Multicultural Night will be held on Thursday, January 23rd from 5:00-6:30 PM. We had a great turnout last year, both for those who signed up to showcase a country or culture as well as participants.

To sign up, please click HERE. Families are welcome to join together to celebrate a country or culture with a food dish, game and/or items that represent your country/culture.

A couple of reminders for arrival and dismissal:

• Pull up all the way up to the first cone and signpost in the car line.
• Once stopped, your child should exit the vehicle no matter where they are on the car line.
• Do not u-turn out of the end of the car line on Blackburn.
• Do not cut out of the car line between the cones.
• As always, double parking and parking on the side of the houses on Warwick is not allowed.
• Refrain from using private driveways to do k-turns. You are holding up traffic, going onto private property and creating an unsafe situation for the students walking to and from school.
• Please observe the parking rules for the streets surrounding Franklin School.

It would helpful if you could share this information with any caregivers who drop off or pick up your children as well.

BABY IT’S COLD OUTSIDE!

Winter weather and freezing temperatures have arrived! It is important that students dress appropriately for the cold temperatures by wearing long pants, jackets, hats and gloves to school to ensure their health and safety while outside at morning line-up and recess. In addition to appropriate outerwear, dressing in moisture wicking layers is also recommended.

Risks associated with underdressing in the cold are frostbite and hypothermia. Frostbite and hypothermia occurs more quickly in children as their smaller bodies lose heat more rapidly than adults. Younger children are also less likely to actually realize they are getting cold as they are not as in tune with their bodies and the symptoms of frostbite and hypothermia as adults.

Signs and symptoms of frostbite include skin that first appears red and then turns a waxy grayish-yellow, numbness, tingling and burning. Shivering, clumsiness, and slurred speech are signs and symptoms of hypothermia. Follow up with your child’s pediatrician should your child develop any of the above symptoms.

Fly high Falcons, but before you do, remember to put on your coat, hat, gloves and appropriate footwear!

If you have any medical questions or concerns never hesitate to reach out to our school nurse, Ann Zanelli. Her email is azanelli@summit.k12.nj.us. You can also visit the Summit Public Schools Virtual Health Office for additional information.

January 16: 4th Grade Concert, 1:30 – 2:15pm

January 20: Martin Luther King Day - No School

January 31: Single Session Day, Dismissal 12:30pm

Please bookmark and use this year's form. It is labeled 2024-2025 so you know you're in the correct one.