Keller Connections
Family Update - September 4
Principal's Note
Dear Keller Families,
Last week, staff members were thrilled to welcome back students in Kindergarten to Grade 5!
First, we welcomed our incoming Kindergarten class with Popsicles on the Playground and then again at Kindergarten Orientation on August 30. Then, our K-5 community joined together on August 31 for our first full day together.
Despite the raindrops, our first day was filled with smiles and excitement. We are happy to share that students are familiarizing themselves with routines, reconnecting with classmates, welcoming new students, and beginning to engage in community-building experiences in their classrooms. It is exhilarating to walk through classrooms and see students settling in.
Below are images from our staff faculty meeting on August 28.
Keller teachers launched the year with professional learning centered around Universal Design for Learning (UDL) with a focus on engagement strategies and executive functions. Staff engaged in team-building experiences that promoted self-reflection and increased awareness of learner preferences and how providing access to tools allows all learners to make decisions to increase engagement and reduce barriers to learning.
We look forward to a fantastic year!
As always, please know you can reach out at any time with questions or concerns.
Warm Regards,
Keri Busavage, Principal
Keller Connection Translations
凯勒连接翻译
Keller Connection Traduções
Tradiksyon Koneksyon Keller
Keller Connection Traducciones
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Lifelong Music Academy
Please see the linked flyer for additional information.
You can also visit the Lifelong Learning website at www.FranklinLifelongLearning.com.
School Picture Day
Unified Arts - 6 Day Schedule
In addition, here is the full SY 23-24 Franklin Public Schools, 6-Day Elementary Calendar linked here. In the event of a school closing, the cycle days remain as identified on the calendar.
Kindergarten & Grade 5 Dismissal Buddies
Additional information about Dismissal Buddies can be found in this communication.
Calling All Lunch Volunteers!
Keller is looking for volunteers to assist in the cafeteria!
If you are interested and would like to volunteer in the lunch room please click the link which will bring you to the Sign-Up Genius. Lunch volunteers help students with opening food packaging/drinks, wiping tables between grade-level lunches, and sweeping floors if needed.
Please remember that a CORI Form must be completed before volunteering. You may come to the Keller Office to complete a form or see the information below.
Every month, a new sign-up will be posted! Thank you to Mrs. Doenges for assisting with the creation of sign-ups!
Back to School Night
Back to School Night will be Wednesday, September 13 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM. Parents, guardians, and caregivers as well as students are invited to visit anytime during these two hours.
During your visit, the Keller Staff invites you to meet:
Classroom Teachers
Special Educators and Related Service Providers
Unified Arts Specialists (Art, Instructional Technology, Music, PE/Health)
Literacy and Math Curriculum Specialists
School Counselors and School Psychologist
Principals
Families will have the chance to:
See learning spaces
Learn more about classroom routines
Explore curriculum resources
Families will also have the opportunity to meet members of the PCC Board and hear more about:
Volunteer opportunities
Upcoming events
Keller Spirit Wear
Student Directory sign-up
Please remember to stop by the Keller Office to complete a CORI Form in advance of volunteering or chaperoning a field trip during the school year.
CORI Forms
Please remember to stop by the Keller Office to complete a CORI form. CORI forms need to be completed annually and prior to volunteering in the building or chaperoning a field trip. You can bring this completed form to the Keller Office, or fill out one when you arrive. Also, please have with you one form of photo identification. Parents/guardians/caregivers will be able to complete CORI forms at Back to School Night on September 13.
Daily Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
Each day, the arrival process begins at 8:15 AM. If students arrive in cars or as walkers they enter the front doors. If students arrive on buses they enter the cafeteria doors. Once inside the school, students may pick up breakfast in the cafeteria if needed. Students are expected to be in their classrooms and ready to begin the day by 8:30 a.m.
Students who arrive close to 8:30 AM may not have enough time to make it to their classrooms and unpack by 8:30. These students may be marked tardy.
The dismissal process begins at 2:45 PM and is staged. Buses and vans park in the long lanes to the left of the front doors. Cars form ONE line which begins in front of the school doors. As a school community, we are committed to creating a more accessible and inclusive school environment. During arrival and dismissal, we ask you to support our efforts and draw your attention to pavement markings in front of the school. Please note the following: If you are idling and waiting for drop off/pick up to begin, please keep the blue box/accessible ramp clear. While in an active drop-off line, please continue with the flow of traffic and watch for staff members to pause the line if needed.
If there is a change in dismissal, we ask that you email/send a note to the classroom teacher the day prior if possible. As teachers only check email on occasion during the day, if you are sharing notice of a dismissal change for that day, please email your child's teacher, but also call the Keller Office to ensure the message makes its way to the classroom.
Please note because of Annie Sullivan Middle School’s schedule, cars may not begin lining up until 2:25p.m. This line forms down the hill, through the lower parking lot, and onto Lincoln Street if necessary. Cars may not turn left into the school from the town side. Instead, cars must pass the driveway, turn around, and join the car line.
Parents, guardians, or caregivers who walk and pick up their children wait at the crosswalk. A school staff member will escort walkers across the driveway.
Breakfast & Lunch
The Massachusetts Legislature has provided funding to make meals available at no cost to all students during the 2023-2024 school year regardless of household income. However, families should still complete a Meal Benefits Application as this provides data for key funding for academic resources and may also connect families with additional benefits. This data will also support the additional funds provided by the Commonwealth for this pilot
Every student in the Franklin Public Schools is entitled to one free breakfast and/or lunch each day, if interested.
School menus consist of the "main" menu and several other options. Menus can be found linked here. Students do not need to pre-order lunches but should be aware if they are getting breakfast and/or lunch at school, or if they are bringing lunch from home.
Students should come to school with a snack and water bottle.
School Permissions Form
Please read each section of this document with your child and complete this form for each Keller student in your family by September 29.
Thank you!
PCC News!
We hope everyone had a fantastic start to school! The Keller Student Directory is back for the 23/24 school year. To be listed, families must complete this Google form every year! Be sure to enter your information so that you can stay up to date with PCC news as well as receive contact information from students in your child's class to send birthday party invites, playdates, etc. We also have planned an Adult Meet and Greet at La Cantina on 9/29. See the links below.
Student Directory Sign up: 23-24 School Year Keller Directory Signup
La Cantina Meet and Greet September 29th: La Cantina Adult Meet and Greet information
As always, if you have any questions please reach out to us at: helenkellerpcc@gmail.com
~ Hayley Doucette, President
~ Lianne Chelman, Vice President
~Thea Charles, Treasurer
~ Ali McDonald, Corresponding Secretary
~ Jennifer Micalone, Recording Secretary
~ Ally Bowser, FACE Coordinator
Health Office Updates
Our school nurses continue to receive Medication Drop-Offs in the Health Office.
Please note the following:
** All medications, prescription and over-the-counter, must be accompanied by a physician / authorized medical provider's order dated on or after July 1, 2023, and written parent consent.
** A 30-day supply of medication can be accepted by the school nurse. Medications must be delivered by a parent, guardian, or authorized adult.
** District forms (Medication and Allergy Action Plans) can be found on the FPS Website under Health Services. Providers may use their own forms for medication orders.
Physical forms are required for students in grades K, 4, and 7.
Current physical forms for all students are appreciated and can be dropped off, sent in with students, faxed to the nurses at 508-541-2109, or emailed to the school nurses at dalyl@franklinps.net or roblese@franklinps.net. As always, please reach out to the nurses with any questions or concerns, or if you wish to share information.
Weekend Backpack Program
Franklin Public Schools has partnered with the Franklin Food Pantry to provide food to students who might benefit from this support. Together, we will gather, package, and provide bags of food for students during the school year to take home over the weekend. Students who participate in this program are kept confidential to appropriate school personnel. Names are not shared with food pantry personnel. Packaged food is sent home on Fridays throughout the year. This is a free program for all participating families. The backpacks will contain a variety of child-friendly foods. Some examples are snacks, canned fruits, and macaroni and cheese. Backpacks will be distributed to students in a discreet and caring manner.
If you are interested in receiving the Backpack or have questions about the program, please call the Keller Health Office, at (508) 553 -0322, Ext. 3609 or 3421. You may also print and sign this letter and return it to the School Nurse.
Upcoming Dates! and MORE to Come!
- September 12 - School Picture Day
- September 13 - Back to School Night, 5:00 - 7:00 PM
- September 25 - No School - Yom Kippur
- September 26 - Early Release at 11:45 AM- Professional Development Half Day
Go Hawk News!
You will find archived Keller Connections and related school information.
Contact Information
Ellen Trott, Assistant Principal - trotte@franklinps.net
Kathy Dacey, Secretary - daceyk@franklinps.net
Website: https://www.franklinps.net/helenkeller
Location: 500 Lincoln Street, Franklin, MA, USA
Phone: 508-553-0322