September 9th, 2024

Forest Park Families,

Last week we welcomed students back and this week, we look forward to our first full week of school!

A few reminders to discuss at home with your student:

• No Cell Bell to Bell: Cell Phones should be put away in backpacks or lockers while at school. Students may use their phones before school or after school, and at lunch. Social media use is prohibited at FPMS.

• Lockers: Remind students to practice accessing their locker, if they need help please ask a teacher.

• Lunch: We ask that students stay seated the first 15 minutes of lunch. After this time, students are welcome to go outside for recess.

• FPMS Schedule: Please take some time each week to review the Monday Schedule and our Bell Schedule. This helps students get into a routine of knowing where their classes are.

This year, our FPMS Staff members are focusing on celebrating success by “shouting out” other staff members. Check out all of the positivity that is being spread around our building. Congrats on the September Staff Shout Outs!

Ms. Rosienski

Principal

jenna.rosienski@franklin.k12.wi.us

Earlier this summer, all families completed Back-To-School Online Check-in. During that process, students and families signed off on our elementary, middle and high school Student/Family Handbooks. These Handbooks contain policies and procedures that families and students must understand and agree to while attending Franklin Public Schools.

During the summer, there were some updates to Board Policy. Consequently, updates to the Student/Family Handbooks needed to be made. We will need students/families to sign-off on the updated versions of Handbooks for 2024-25 again to make sure we are in compliance with new policy updates.

Sometime this week, all parents/guardians will receive an email and text message ONCE PER CHILD to complete the Handbook sign off form. In order to complete the form, you will need your child’s 6-digit ID# and Birthdate. We thank you for taking the time to complete this again.

If you have any questions, please contact your school principal.

Any 7th or 8th grade girl that has 1) registered online for girls basketball and 2) submitted their valid physical form with their online registration can report to the gym today 9/9 and tomorrow 9/10 for tryouts. Tryouts will take place from 3:30-4:30.

Any questions, please email Morgan at morgan.rosencrants@franklin.k12.wi.us.

Auditions for the FPMS Drama Play will be held on September 17 & 18 (students only need to attend one day). There will also be a tech crew information session on October 7. This year we will be producing the play Who Killed Elivs? A madcap mystery-comedy written by Craig Sodaro. Registration for auditions and more information is available on the FPMS Drama website. https://sites.google.com/franklin.k12.wi.us/fpmsdramaclub/home

Forest Park's school social worker, Audrey Rudersdorf, is collecting donations to help support students and families in need. Click on the flyer to learn more about what items we are collecting. If you have any questions, please reach out to Audrey at audrey.rudersdorf@franklin.k12.wi.us.

If you are not signed up for the April 2025 Washington DC/Gettysburg trip, check this out! It is our final call! Deadline for enrollment is Sept. 20th. Click HERE to view the important info flyer.

Any questions, reach out to erin.szablewski@franklin.k12.wi.us

On Thursday September 26th, School and Sport Pics will be back at Forest Park to take any remaining student photos during the regular school day.

If your student needs to have their photo taken, they must be signed up using this form HERE. Students with entires on this form will be given a pass with a specific appointment time to have their photo taken on our re-take day, September 26th. This appointment time will happen during the regular school day. Students will show their teacher their pass at the time of their photo appointment to be allowed to leave class to have their photo completed. If you have questions about signing up, please email Betsy at betsy.halat@franklin.k12.wi.us.

Pictures can be ordered online here:

https://orders.schoolandsportpics.com/ordering

Use the drop down menu to select your school name

If you have any questions about school photos, please email School and Sport Pics directly at customerservice@schoolandsportpics.com.

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW! Join us on Friday, September 20, for a night of clean, Southern-style, Saber Center comedy featuring Etta May, winner of the prestigious American Comedy Award "Female Comic of the Year," and Carollynn Xavier, better known as the viral sensation the "Recovering Californian."

• Etta May with special guest Carollynn Xavier

• Friday, September 20 | 7 p.m.

• Purchase tickets: https://www.franklin.k12.wi.us/ticket-purchasing-information

• Group discounts are available!

Through our continued partnership with Forte Theatre, we are pleased to share that Forte Youth Productions is holding auditions for their next youth musical production, "Oliver! Jr" that will be taking place at the Saber Center for the Performing Arts in late January and early February! This adaptation of the classic novel & award-winning musical springs to life with some of the most memorable characters & songs to ever grace the stage!

• Auditions for grades 6th-12th: Mon 10/14 & Tues 10/15 (NEW DATES) 6-8pm (please sign up for one 15 min time slot)

• Audition location: FHS Choir Room

• Callbacks: Sat 10/19 12p-5p (NEW DATE & TIME)

• Rehearsals: Mon 11/25 - Thurs 1/30/25 (no rehearsals during holiday breaks)

• Performances: Fri 1/31/25 to Sun 2/2/25 at the FHS Saber Center

• More info at https://www.fortetheatrecompany.org/oliver-jr

* If you aren't available for auditions, but would still like to be considered, please contact us at randall@fortetheatrecompany.org

Looking to clean out those kids' closets and earn a little cash? Register today to be a seller at our semi-annual children's consignment sale at Forest Park Middle School. This past Spring we had a record amount of sellers and buyers and are expecting similar turnouts this Fall. For more information on SELLING or VOLUNTEERING for this event, check out our website.

This year, Franklin Public Schools is partnering with various other organizations to put together a “Parent Series” of topics that may be of interest for parents in our community to learn about. The first event focuses on “Artificial Intelligence” and will take place on Thursday, September 19th from 5pm-8pm in partnership with the Indian Community School. You can click here or on the flyer to pre-register. Dinner is provided by That’s Amore for anyone who pre-registers. Childcare will be available for non-school aged children and a supervised Open Gym is available for students in 4K-2nd Grade. Keep an eye out in future newsletters for our October and later events!

Please take a moment to review the FPMS drop-off and pick-up procedures video before the school year begins. The procedures are the same as last year. We appreciate your cooperation in following these guidelines.

Forest Park is proud to offer a variety of athletic and activity opportunities for our students!

Please visit Forest Park's website HERE to learn more about athletic offerings. Registration is currently open for students looking to participate in a Fall Sport. Registration is available on the Forest Park website by choosing the “Activities and Athletics” tab. You can also access the registration website HERE.

Participating in any athletic offerings (including tryouts and practices) at Forest Park requires a valid and signed physical form to be uploaded to your student's online registration (we do NOT accept paper copies of physical forms!).

Information about activities/clubs will be available soon. Registration for all activities (clubs) happens either at the first meeting or through a separate online sign up system. Information on how to sign up for activities will be shared with families as they start up throughout the year. Visit Forest Park's website HERE to learn more about activity offerings.

If there are questions regarding activities and athletics, please contact Brian Karolewicz at 414-525-7590 or brian.karolewicz@franklin.k12.wi.us.

Go Wildcats!

Over the summer, Franklin Public Schools communicated a few times about the Franklin School Board’s decision to move forward with putting a referendum question on the November 5th general election ballot. The recent Summer District Newsletter here has lots of information and updates to review including results from the spring Community Survey, the adjusted scope of the $145M referendum, project focus, October community sharing sessions and tours at FHS, financial information including tax impact, voting information and a phasing video of the projects planned for FHS if the referendum passes.

All of this information is housed on our Franklin Forward website here. Thank you for being informed and please plan to vote on November 5th!

UPCOMING FHS VISIT OPPORTUNITIES

As we move toward the November 5th referendum vote, we are offering the opportunities below to visit Franklin High School to see the spaces of need.

In addition, we are offering the following COMMUNITY INFORMATION SESSIONS in October where you can hear from district leaders about the path to the referendum and also tour FHS following the presentation.

Can't make one of the dates above? Check out our "virtual tour" of the FHS spaces by clicking on the map below! Short videos are clickable at each location right from your phone and will better explain the areas we hope to address through the referendum.

As we shared in our final newsletters in June, going into the 2024-25 School Year, our Food Service platform has transitioned to a new platform called SchoolCafe. Please note that all remaining balances from last school year have been moved over to SchoolCafe for this year! $$$

Below are (2) handouts that explain the following:

1. Handout 1 (1 page) - Get the App for your smartphone so you can deposit money in your child(ren)'s account(s)
   
2. Handout 2 (2 pages) Directions on how to create accounts for your students so you can add money, set up automatic payments, and set up low balance alerts.

You can get started with creating your account by going to https://family.schoolcafe.com/FPS and utilize the directions linked above or pictured below.

If after following the directions above, you have any questions, please contact:

Jessica Christensen, Food Service Manager

jessica.christensen@franklin.k12.wi.us

(414)-423-4656

As shared above, Franklin Public Schools now utilizes School Cafe for lunch purchases, menu planning and free/reduced applications. We have updated our website HERE with all of the Free & Reduced Lunch information for the 2024-25 details and that information is also below and this specific spot on our Lunch page explains what to do for Free & Reduced Lunch

All Free and Reduced Lunch applications must be submitted online after August 1st for the upcoming school year. Any families that qualified for free/reduced lunch in the 2023-24 school year (last school year) should apply for new benefits yearly. Last year’s benefits will expire after October 16, 2024. Once approved, you will be notified. Please direct any questions regarding free/reduced lunch or fee waivers to FPS Auxiliary Services Coordinator Heidi Engel (414-525-7634) or heidi.engel@franklin.k12.wi.us Please note that the district office will be closed on Fridays through August 30th.

If your child will require ANY (over the counter or prescription) medication for the upcoming school year, please fill out the Request to Administer Medication form found on our district website and have it signed by your healthcare provider. This form can either be:

1. scanned and emailed to nurses@franklin.k12.wi.us

2. This form can be turned into your school's main office.

In addition, all medication can be dropped off at school in its original container.

Please see the chart to the left for the state required immunizations for your child(ren) as they enter the grade levels listed.

The Student Immunization Law requires that all students through grade 12 meet a minimum number of required immunizations prior to school entrance. To remain compliant with the law, the student immunization record must be completed by either claiming a waiver (Step 1, Step 4, and Step 5) or providing the dates of the required immunizations (Step 1, Step 2, and Step 5).

Please email, fax, or drop off the completed waiver/record to your school's front office. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to nurses@franklin.k12.wi.us

If your student will be riding an alternate bus home with a friend due to an unforeseen circumstance, please complete THIS form by 11am on the on the date of this change. The bus company requires consent from both parents/guardians; in other words, one parent/guardian for each student must submit this form in order for us to make this change happen.Forms that are not completed by 11am on the date of the change run the risk of not being processed in time for dismissal. Bus drivers will not allow extra riders on a bus without proof of both parent and school approval.

If you are requesting a bus route change that will be for more than one day, please connect with Heidi at our district office by emailing her at heidi.engel@franklin.k12.wi.us.

If you have any questions, please call the Forest Park office at 414-529-8250.

Thank you!

Are you interested in learning to fly a plane, engineering, science, leadership, or community service? Civil Air Patrol is a voluntary auxiliary branch of the Air Force and offers these opportunities to students 12-21 years old. Milwaukee Composite Squadron 5 will have an Open House this Thursday, September 12th at the National Guard Armory at 8520 South Howell Avenue in Oak Creek. A presentation will be led by cadets, starting at 7pm followed by snacks and stations to ask questions until 8:30pm. Please feel free to bring the whole family and learn more. https://www.milwaukee5cap.org/

Please be sure to read the newest District Newsletter that comes out now every Friday. You can access all the issues here.

• Ellen Montenero, 6th grade counselor: ellen.montenero@franklin.k12.wi.us
• Mindy Greco, 7th grade counselor: melinda.greco@franklin.k12.wi.us
• Bernadette VanLith, 8th grade counselor: bernadette.vanlith@franklin.k12.wi.us.wi.us

All past newsletters are stored on our website here

School Secretary Email: Betsy.Halat@franklin.k12.wi.us

Website: https://www.franklin.k12.wi.us/forest-park-middle-school

Location: 8225 W Forest Hill Ave, Franklin, WI 53132, USA

Phone: 414-529- 8250

Fax: 414-529-2428

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForestParkMS/