Happy May to All!

A little bit of gardening wisdom-never plant until after Mother’s Day or you risk a killing frost. I think

this spring is really underscoring the point!

I would like to start this newsletter by congratulating Franklin teacher Jeff McFadden and Franklin paraprofessional Kelsie Beaman for exemplifying the quality of work and love of profession we continually strive for here at Franklin. Jeff was recently honored by the district with the Crystal Apple award for his excellence as a teacher. Jeff currently teaches technology at Franklin and leads our TSA club (with the help of Mrs. Garfias). His students have consistently won state and national awards in TSA competitions. We thank you Jeff for the experiences you offer our students…you are one cool dude.

Additionally, Kelsie won the Shining Star award for her work as a paraprofessional in Mrs. Nix’s self-

contained classroom. Students love the joy Kelsie brings to the classroom, her humor and her

caring ways. Kelsie and Mrs. Nix make quite a team and learning abounds in that classroom.

Lastly, the students are also continuing our winning ways. Last month we tested 70 more 8 th graders for the Seal of Biliteracy. We had students test in Spanish, Dutch, Japanese, Sign Language, and Native American languages. Fifty seven received at least one high school credit. They join our mid-winter group and we are pleased to announce almost half of the 8 th grade class at Franklin will enter his or her respective high school with at least one high school credit completed. You rock Class of 2028!

We are in the middle of SBAC testing and hope to complete it before Memorial Day weekend. Also if you have a fifth grader in the house, keep your eyes open for the Incoming Sixth Grader Open House…a great time for students to visit the school.

Have a great month!

Mrs. Anderson

• 6th Grade Orientation- Thursday, May 9th-6:30-7:30 pm
• No School-Friday, May 24
  
• Memorial Day- No School, May 27
• Staff Development-Early Release at 11:15 pm- Wednesday, May 29
• Treaty Day-No School, Friday, June 7
• Last Day of School- Early Release at 11:15-June 18

Washington Middle School proudly announces the 25th Annual Yakima Valley Middle School Art Exhibit! This lively event spotlights the outstanding talent in our middle school art programs and provides a wonderful opportunity for students to participate in community art exhibitions.

The opening night reception is Tuesday, May 14 from 5-7 PM in the Washington Middle School gym at 510 South 9th Street. There will be live entertainment by Washington and Franklin Middle School bands, including refreshments for guests.

Bring the whole family and join us for a festive evening in celebration of the arts! For more information, contact fortier.michelle@ysd7.org.

We are so proud! Two of our staff members received awards at the Excellence in Education Awards Ceremony held at Eisenhower on April 24, 2024.

Crystal Apple

This award, given by the Yakima business community and co-chaired by Carmela Solorzano and Drew Harris, honors the teacher or certified educator profession by awarding individuals who positively impact the lives and futures of their students.

Shining Star Nominees

The purpose of this award is to recognize the outstanding achievements of Yakima Public Schools’ classified employees. It honors those employees who consistently demonstrate outstanding work performance, exemplary leadership, collaboration, and dedication to the district and its mission every day.

Jeff, who teaches at Franklin, consistently makes a positive impact on students, staff, and families. His dedication to his teaching, passion, and unwavering commitment to excellence in all he touches enhance the lives of all around him. So, how does Jeff accomplish all this? It begins with fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment and extending the love of learning beyond the classroom and school day. Jeff spends hours of his own time constantly tweaking how and what he teaches. Thank you Jeff!!

As a Paraeducator at Franklin Middle School, Kelsi is dedicated and patient when supporting self-contained students, ensuring she positively impacts them while they receive their daily education and exercise. She is the first person to offer her assistance when she sees a struggling student or staff member. Kelsi is not only a leader at her building, she is also a leader to the community. She owns two local businesses dedicated to contributing to the community: Mountain View Wildfire, which provides equipment to help prevent and suppress wildfires, and Playground Amusements, which attracts families to engage in active play and entertainment. Thank you, Kelsi!

We are now a PBIS Rewards school. Parents, your child will now be given digital BOLTS. What is PBIS Rewards? With PBIS Rewards, it is fast and simple to recognize a student for complying with the basic rules of conduct. It takes the concept of “Observe and Praise Appropriate Behavioral Actions” and extends it by making it easy to award points to students for positive behaviors. Students can redeem their accumulated points in the BOLT Store for tangible and intangible rewards. Think of it as a student debit card for their PBIS points.

How does my student access their PBIS Rewards? They can access it through their student account by logging into the CLEVER portal.

The donations from MOD Pizza and Panda Express will help cover TSA (Technical Student Association) expenses encountered this year at Franklin and to help fund leadership events at the beginning of next year school year. TSA is a national organization of students engaged in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).TSA is supported by educators, parents, and business leaders who believe in the need for a technologically literate society. Members learn through exciting competitive events, leadership opportunities, and much more. A wide range of activities makes TSA a positive experience for every student. Thank you for your support!

Tech students in Mr. McFadden's class designed, assembled and painted birdhouses. This kind of problem-solution thinking builds engineering skills and gives students experience with how things work. And the finished product gives them a sense of accomplishment and pride. Way to go! Loving the results.

Happy Earth Day! Our seventh graders spent the day collecting data on the amounts and types of trash on our campus and surrounding park as they participated in a lab activity studying how we impact our environment. Students picked up almost 6000 pieces of trash by the end of 5th period!

Coaches Marcus Culler, Brandon Denney, Cierra Juarez, Elias Moctezuma, and Richard Casares did a great job teaching our boys how to play the game of basketball. A lot of our boys showed improvement during the season and we are really excited about our young core going into next years boys basketball season. Basketball isn't done yet. They will play in the All City games at Davis High School at 3:30 on Wednesday, April 10th for 3rd and 4th place. Please go out and support.

Shout out to Coaches Allen Davis, Ana Montemayor, Kai Maxwell and Laurel Huth for a great girls bowling season. The girls worked hard learning about bowling and competing with other Yakima Valley Middle Schools. The our Lady Quakers will play in the All City Championship on Tuesday, April 9th starting at 2:00 PM.

• We will continue with our Pick-up and Drop-off protocol from last year for those of you returning.
• 6th-grade parents this is new learning for you. Please pay attention to the routes.
• We will block the turn on 19th from Tieton. Please follow the routes below.
• Please do not come into the parking lot on 19th to drop off students.
• Student Drop off is at the arches on 19th.

Franklin Middle School Dress for Success Code

The primary responsibility for a student’s attire resides with the student and their parent(s) or guardian(s). The Yakima School District expects students to dress in a way that is appropriate for the school day or any school sponsored event. Student dress code requirements reflect fair, equitable and consistent practices for all students, while contributing to a safe and positive school climate. We believe it is one more component of preparing students for success.

Students who choose to dress inappropriately* will be asked to change. If they do not have other attire to change into, parents will be called and asked to either bring appropriate clothing or take their student home. Suspension is a viable option for students who repeatedly ignore dress code.

The following is a guideline of how to wear some articles of clothing, as well as what is viewed as unacceptable.

* Inappropriate clothing is any item deemed by administration as disruptive to the educational process, advertises illegal substances, or promotes/is identified with gangs.

Clothing must cover underwear and cover body areas from the top of one armpit to the top of the other armpit, and down to mid-thigh. Tops must have shoulder straps and be long enough to adequately cover the waistline and not expose the midriff. Jeans with rips/tears higher than mid-thigh that expose skin are not allowed ( if shorts or opaque leggings are worn underneath and cover the skin, then the jeans will be allowed)

Wear shoes that are appropriate and safe for a learning environment-including Physical Education and lots of stairs. No slippers.

Headgear- Appropriate caps and beanies are allowed if they do not cover the ears. Hoods and sunglasses may not be worn indoors.

Clothing and accessories displaying profanity, violence, discriminatory messages, sexually suggestive phrases, phrases or symbols of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs are unacceptable.

Gang related clothing, accessories, symbolism, or jewelry is everchanging and not tolerated. This includes gang symbolism, graffiti, and Old English writing. Gang graffiti drawn or worn on the person, in notebooks, folders, papers, backpacks, or hats will lead to a gang contract and further discipline. We collaborate with the Yakima Police Dept to update changes in gang related apparel. We publish the changes in our newsletter. At this time, the following have been designated as gang related and are not allowed:

• Old English Writing
• The New York Yankee emblem
• Bandanas
• Belts, especially web belts, with the tails hanging down from the waist
• Rosaries
• Too much red or too much blue (i.e. a red sweatshirt with a different colored pant is okay; red sweatshirt with red pants is too much)

Franklin Middle School is requiring that ID badges be worn and visible every day for identification and safety purposes. This helps us easily identify students on our campus. Please make sure your students have their ID badges in their backpacks when they arrive to school every day.

Replacement ID Badges can be purchased in the Franklin office.

• ID Card $3.00
• Lanyards $2.00
• Plastic Covers $1
• Clips $1