October 1, 2024

Dear Southwood Glen Families,

As we wrap up the first trimester, we want to take a moment to celebrate the wonderful progress and learning that has taken place! Our students have worked hard, and it has been a great trimester filled with growth and achievements.

We are currently finalizing report cards, and you can expect to receive a link to your child’s report card later this week. This will provide an opportunity to review their progress and celebrate their accomplishments.

Thank you for your continued support as we work together to help our students thrive. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Warm regards,

Bridget Mowbray

Last week, we had our December Grow and Glow Assembly! We celebrated students and classrooms who received the ROAR Awards, Going for the Gold Awards, and the Blue Crew Wednesday Award. Then, we focused on learning about choices and consequences.

We explored the "Choice Escalator," understanding how every choice we make can either escalate (words or actions that make things bigger or harder to solve) or de-escalate (words or actions that make things smaller or easier to handle) challenges. We also played a Choices and Consequences game, where making kind and positive choices helped participants move closer to the Grand Winter Festival, showing how positive choices lead to better outcomes for everyone.

The key takeaway: Our choices matter—not just to us, but to everyone around us! Positive and kind choices help us solve challenges, build trust, and create a happier environment.

Please click here to view a folder of resources, including the slide deck from the assembly and materials to continue the learning about choices and consequences at home!

Beginning on Thursday, December 12th, Elementary student report cards will be viewable in PowerSchool (please note you should sign in to PowerSchool in a web browser to view your child's report card as this is not viewable in the PowerSchool app). This is the same process as last year. Please know that report cards will not be available until you receive an email from your child’s school office stating they are available.

Below are directions you can use to access your child’s report card when they are ready:

HOW TO VIEW STUDENT REPORT CARDS IN PS PARENT/STUDENT PORTAL

1. Sign in to your PowerSchool Account
   NOTE TO PARENTS: please sign in using a web browser as the report card is not viewable in the PowerSchool parent app. If you forgot your password, please use the ‘forgot password’ link under the sign in area to reset your password to a password of your choosing.

2. If you have more than 1 student in the district, select the appropriate tab/name

Select the Report Card icon from the left-side menu (it is at the bottom of the menu):
NOTE: If you would like a printed copy, or to save as a pdf file - Select the printer icon in the upper right-hand corner to print or save as a file on your device.

The state of Wisconsin, our local communities, and our District are seeing an increase in individuals diagnosed with pertussis, more commonly known as “Whooping Cough.” Our FPS nursing team and District administration are working together closely and in regular communication with the Franklin Health Department at this time.

Pertussis is a respiratory infection caused by bacteria that can be transmitted from person to person through airborne saliva droplets. Pertussis is treated with 5 days of antibiotics. Early symptoms include running nose and cough that can progress into violent fits of coughing or vomiting, generally not responsive to cough medications. The pertussis cough can be severe and last for weeks or months. Anyone can get pertussis, but it can be very dangerous for infants and people with weakened immune systems.

Pertussis is a vaccine preventable disease, so please make sure your family members are up-to-date with pertussis vaccinations. Pertussis vaccines are recommended and available for children, adolescents, and adults. Please note, even if your child is up to date on their immunizations, it is possible to get Pertussis so if your child is coughing please contact your child’s healthcare provider.

Please protect yourself and others against Pertussis and various germs by these daily actions:

• Washing hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol based hand sanitizer.

• Cover all coughs and sneezes with a tissue and if tissue is not available, cough into your shirtsleeve. Always wash your hands after coughing or sneezing.

• Avoid touching your nose, mouth and eyes.

• Keep all ill family members home from work or school.

• Contact your health care provider if you have any questions or if symptoms worsen.

For more information please see the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Pertussis webpage and their 9/19/24 Press Release.

Thank you for your partnership in keeping our students and families as healthy as possible.

At the elementary level children are learning about their big emotions and how their peers, environment and academics can affect their responses. Developing the awareness of the impact of emotions on functioning is a valuable skill to create overall health and wellness.

If you feel your child might benefit from further support, FSD has partnered with Clinical Psychology Associates (CPA), who has established counseling clinics in Pleasant View and Country Dale Elementary Schools available to provide further support and establish a process of therapy. More details about how to get started are on our website and here is an introduction to our elementary therapists:

Jessica Ramdohr (MS, SAC-IT, LPC-IT) She provides a warm, safe space for students to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences without judgment. You can learn more about Jessica please see our website.

Alex Williams (MS, LPC-T, ATR-P) blends art making, talk therapy, and somatic therapy to create a unique approach. Alex believes everyone deserves a safe, compassionate, and non judgemental environment to foster growth and healing. You can learn more about Alex please see our website.

Registration for the 2025-26 school year is open on our website here. Registration is for any new families to Franklin or new students looking to register for next year in 4K, 5K or up through 12th grade. If you have any friends or family in Franklin that plan to have children attend Franklin Public Schools next year, please pass this information along to them! Registering early helps to get all information in our system for planned communications. Please note that students already enrolled in our schools do not have to have a new registration completed. You may utilize the “Create Account” and “Forgot Password” buttons on the registration page to complete your registration or gain access if you have created an account in the past.

In addition, any family who knows a student will not be returning for the next school year should notify your school’s main office staff.

Now that we have officially had our first snowfall of the season, we want to review basic bus safety rules and winter safety tips and we encourage you to review these with your children.

• Be at stop on time: Students are expected to be at their assigned stop 5 minutes prior to their assigned time. We do ask for a 5 minute window both before the student’s assigned time and after the assigned time for transportation to arrive. If we are notified that a bus will be late 10 minutes or more we will do our best to notify all families that this will affect.

• Allow enough time: When roads, walkways and driveways are slippery or snow covered, rushing to get to your stop on time can actually slow you down. Encourage your children to leave a few minutes earlier than usual and take their time to get to their stop. This can help to avoid falls on the slick pavement.

• Bundle Up: Students need to keep warm while at their stop. But they also need to be able to hear and see their surroundings. Be sure that their vision or hearing is not impeded by winter or other accessories.

• Electronic Devices, Put Away: Not looking where you are walking is dangerous whether there is snow and ice or not. Watch your step and take it slow.

Give Grace: Snow and icy roads can slow the buses down which may affect pickup and drop off times. Drivers may need to take extra time while getting to a stop so we ask for some patience and grace when waiting for a bus. This is a great reason to utilize the Here Comes the Bus app (iOS App Store or Google Play) for the Go Riteway routes! Note that the first time use code for FPS is 30112.

In the event we have inclement weather, the information below is helpful for parents and students to understand in regards to FPS School closures. This information is also housed on our website here

How are closures determined?
When inclement weather is approaching or evident, we work to make a school closure determination and communicate this to families by 6 am at the latest. When our local weather authorities begin discussing the possibility of severe weather, FPS District Administrator Annalee Bennin will consult with various sources about the impact potential weather may have on the ability to hold school. These sources include National Weather Service updates (Milwaukee/Sullivan Office), road condition reports, and conversations with other area superintendents.

If schools are closed, all after-school activities, including athletic competitions, practices and FPS Community Education & Recreation activities, will be canceled unless otherwise communicated. Please know that the safety of our students and staff is our top priority. We will always make decisions out of caution and, at the same time, communicate with you as early as possible.

How can families and staff expect to receive information about closures?
The following are the ways we communicate the closing and where you can expect to see information:

• Parents and Staff will be sent an email, phone call and text message alert.

• Students will be sent an email at their @franklinsabers.org account (4K, 5K, & up through 12th grade)

• Closing information will be posted to our district and school webpages (in the “News” feeds).

• Closing information will be posted to our district social media channels (be sure to like or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram if you don’t already!).

• Closing information will be shared with local media outlets so that our information is included in the weather updates that occur via local news online and on TV (CBS58, FOX6, TMJ4, WISN12)

How do closures impact school days?
The state of Wisconsin’s Department of Public Instruction (DPI) requires a minimum number of instructional minutes during the school year. Our current school calendar allows for one School Closure day across the district. If we were to see subsequent closure days, FHS will need to adjust scheduling for the remainder of the school year in order to meet DPI requirements. If we experience more than three school closures at the elementary and middle school level we will communicate around further adjustments that may need to be made. Outlined below is what families can expect:

• Closure #1 - 4K-12 no school, no virtual learning

• Closure #2-3 - 4K-8th - No school, no virtual learning
  9-12th grade - HS will communicate adjustments to accommodate instructional minutes per DPI

• Closure #4+ - The district will communicate any further changes that may need to take place district wide

• This is our NEW Membership hub!

• How to register:

• Go to https://swg.givebacks.com/

• Under PTA Store is where you can purchase a “Local Unit” which will donate $10 towards your membership

• Follow us on Facebook at Southwood Glen PTA.

The FHS FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) club is sponsoring its THIRD annual WINTER ACTIVITY DAY for any Franklin Public Schools students in grades 4K-5th grade. The event will take place on Saturday, December 14th from 2pm-4pm in the FHS Main Commons. Need some extra time to shop? Let the kids enjoy snacks, crafts, activities and fun while you use the afternoon time to get ready for the holidays! The costs will be $15 for your first child, $10 if you have a second child and $5 for any additional children. If you are planning to have your children attend, please complete this REGISTRATION FORM before Friday, December 13th at noon. Payment (cash, check or card) will be accepted when you drop off your child(ren). If you have any questions, please reach out to student leader Kaitlyn Klinkowitz kaitlyn.klinkowitz@franklinsabers.org or advisor Lauren Zomboracz at lauren.zomboracz@franklin.k12.wi.us

Winter is almost here! Southwood Glen Families are invited to join the Ski and Snowboard Club at Crystal Ridge (formerly called The Rock Snowpark)! Registration is now open! We will meet on January 22nd, January 29th, February 5th, and February 12th (Wednesdays). Learning zones are intended for children ages 7 and up.

For more details and registration, please use the link below.

https://shop.crystalridge.com/groups/details?gc=SWGS25

Group Contact: michelle.jurvelin@gmail.com

Join Character Kids for our fun-filled After School Theater Classes at Southwood Glen! The Winter Session runs Thursdays, 4-5 pm, December 12 - March 6 (11 weeks, no class 12/26 or 1/2). Students will explore new stage skills, theater games and performance material at each session; so new and returning students are welcome! Parents are invited to a special performance on the last day of class. Focus is put on developing imagination, social skills and a positive self-image through the performing arts. Visit our website for more info or to register.

All past newsletters are stored on our website here

Email: Stephanie.genke@franklin.k12.wi.us
Website: https://www.franklin.k12.wi.us/southwood-glen-elementary-school
Location: 9090 South 35th Street, Franklin, Wisconsin 53132, USA
Phone: 414-761-1181
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/SouthwoodGlenFPS/posts/