We are going to have an assembly on November 26th with the theme of Taking Ownership. Our spirit day for November is also on the 26th. Our theme is Twin day. 🙂

November days off
Schools and school district offices will be closed Nov. 27-29 for Thanksgiving break.

Teaching empathy through simple actions

In addition to teaching academic skills at school, we try to nurture emotional intelligence in children. Our Whole Child team put together a plan that can help families do this at home, too.

At home, you can help your child foster empathy. Encourage your child to think about how others might feel in different situations.

• Try asking questions like, “How do you think your friend felt when that happened?” This helps children develop emotional awareness and improves communication skills.

Follow the link for more ideas on fostering empathy: Take a look at more practical tips, insights and activities to get started.

Have a wonderful and safe weekend Franklin families!

-The Franklin team

Spirit Wear orders are here! They’ll be sent home early next week if not sooner.

Popcorn Thursday in December - to kick off the long weekend we’ll hold Popcorn “Friday” on Thursday, December 5.

RAD Ceramics Takeover - December 6 & 7. Come paint some pottery either of these days in store and 20% of sales will go to Franklin PTSA! Friday Dec 6th from 2-8pm, Sat Dec 7th from 10am-6pm.

Family Movie Night - December 13 6pm in the gym. Free admission, food available for purchase. More details to follow.

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.

Nov. 26 Franklin TWCI awards assembly/Spirit Day

Nov. 27th-29th Thanksgiving Break NO SCHOOL

November 2024

Nov. 1-30: Native American Heritage Month

Nov. 3: Daylight Savings Time

Nov. 5: Election Day

Nov. 11: Veteran’s Day; District Offices Closed

Nov. 11-15: National School Psychologist Week

Nov. 27-29: Holiday Break; District Offices Closed

Taking Ownership: I am responsible

Whole Child Champions
Please consider nominating a school staff member to be a Whole Child Champion. Champions create a positive school culture where we can all feel safe, healthy, engaged, challenged and supported.

To nominate someone, complete this form by Nov. 26: 2025 Tacoma Whole Child Champion Award Nomination

Use these tips to find ways to connect with your child
In addition to teaching academic skills at school, we try to nurture emotional intelligence in children. Our Whole Child team put together a plan that can help families do this at home, too.

Ask questions like, “How are you feeling today?” and “What made you feel that way?” This helps children develop emotional awareness and improves communication skills.

Hey Panther families, it's the holiday season and we are able to provide holiday dinner to families in need. Please contact the school or the counselor Ms. Foust and state your student’s name and how big the family is so there is enough food. They meal will need to be picked up.

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.

Franklin Panther Families: Just a reminder that students are not allowed to have medication on their person/in their backpack while at school UNLESS it has been okayed by their medical provider, the health room has received a provider order for that medication and student has been cleared by nursing staff to have it outside of the health room. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to the health room at 253-571-1776.

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
• 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 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.

Session 2 details:

· Registration: Nov. 4 – Nov. 20

· Session dates: Dec. 2 - Feb. 7

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