Here are some quick updates:

Upcoming Spirit Day and Awards Assembly

On February 27th is Sports day.

Themes for our awards assembly are Truth: I respect the diversity of all people.

New school-based healthcare clinic open to all students
Tacoma’s students now have another healthcare option - the new SeaMar Health Center based at Lincoln High School. It’s open to all Tacoma Public Schools students.

Nurse practitioners provide services including sports physicals, annual checkups and acute illness care for things like cough, cold, ear pain, UTI and minor injuries. Immunizations are also available.

Get more information here: SeaMar School-Based Health Center - Lincoln High School

Give your input on TPS Strategic Plan
Tacoma Public Schools wants to hear from you! We are in the process of updating our Strategic Plan and want to hear from students, staff, families and the community. We want to know what characteristics, attributes, and/or skills that:

• Students should have when they graduate
• Adults should have as they teach and support students
• The system should prioritize as it ensures the best learning and working environment for students, staff, and families

The survey takes about 5-10 minutes to complete. Your answers are anonymous. Take the survey: https://forms.office.com/r/PFY74YTfVs

Beyond the Bell registration opens on staggered schedule this week
Registration for Beyond the Bell starts on a staggered schedule this week. Our school can register starting Tuesday January 28th at 7 a.m.

To help choose the session your child is most interested in, take a look at the programs available in our school.

• Registration: Jan. 27 – Feb. 12. Register here.
• Session: Feb. 24 – April 4

Payment changes start this session
Families with outstanding Beyond the Bell invoices are now required to settle their balance in MySchoolBucks before registering for future sessions. No student will be denied access due to financial need.

To learn more, please read this FAQ.

BTB staggered schedule

Have a wonderful and safe weekend Franklin families!

-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.

Feb 7th: BTB session 2 ends and PTSA Popcorn Friday

Feb 11th: PTSA membership mtg

Feb 14th: NO SCHOOL Snow make up day

Feb 17th: NO SCHOOL President's Day

Feb 18th: Teacher work day NO SCHOOL

Feb 27th: Franklin TWCI awards assembly

Feb 27th: Franklin Spirit Day "Sport's Day"

February 2025

*Black History Month

*Career and Technical Education Month

*National Children's Dental Health Month

Feb 2nd: Groundhog Day...Early Spring (fingers crossed)

Feb 3rd-7th: National Counseling Week

Feb 14th: Valentine's Day - NO SCHOOL

Feb 15th-22nd: National FFA week

Feb 17th: President's Day-NO SCHOOL

Feb 19th: Civil Liberties DAY OF Remembrance

Truth: I respect the diversity of all people

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.

Jan. 10 - Popcorn Friday

Jan. 31 - Family Movie Night 6pm in the gymnasium. Film: Kung Fu Panda 4

Hello Franklin Families! Choice application deadlines are coming soon! Per Enrollment Services, these dates are firm and late applications will not be accepted.

Choice applications for the 2025-2026 school year for First thru Twelfth Grade is Friday, January 31st at 11:59 pm.

To complete an application, log in to your parentVUE account to complete the online choice application if you would like your student to attend kindergarten or middle school outside of your assigned school.

Please reach out to Miss Jessica if you have any questions or are in need of assistance to complete the choice application process.

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:

· 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.

Come to the main office on February 27th if you are interested! These are

15-minute meetings in the window of 9:15-10:15. I do them 1:1 so you get sometime for yourself. 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