Franklin families,

Week two was good, what can we say! We thank you for sending your students ready to learn! We are still learning the routines of the building and students are having fun while doing so.

Lastly, votes are in....Our panther's name is Frankie! Students voted at back-to-school night and had another opportunity to vote on their mascots name during class this last week. Thank you to each of you who participated!

Please have a wonderful weekend!

-The Franklin team

Hello Franklin Families! We will be having our annual hearing and vision screening day, Wednesday, September 25th. Screening your child’s hearing and vision is so important to ensure they can access their education. Please do your best to have your child present that day, and wearing any prescription lenses they may require. If you have any questions, please reach out to our nursing staff, Annette Bunker/Katie Camarena at 253-571-1776.

You can help limit the spread of infectious illnesses by keeping your child home from school when they are sick. Students should stay home if:

• They are too sick to participate in normal activities
• They need a level of care or observation not manageable at school

• They create an unhealthy or unsafe environment for others

If case you didn't know, MultiCare offers a school health clinic that's open to all Tacoma Public Schools students. The clinic is open three days a week throughout the school year; call to make an appointment. Get more details about the clinic, located at Mount Tahoma High School.

Here a few safety precautions we have for this school year both at Franklin, and throughout Tacoma Public Schools:

Closed 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

Parent and guardian volunteers are welcome in the 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.

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 to unless you have pre-arranged to visit in the classroom with the teacher and have a volunteer/background check done.

Experience tells us that every year our enrollment will fluctuate during the first two weeks of school, as some students have moved and new students register for school.

When enrollment numbers stabilize, we make final classroom adjustments for our school. Families with students in classrooms impacted by enrollment changes will be notified by me Sept. 17-27.

Please ensure your child's district laptop is updated, charged and ready to bring on the first day of school by plugging it in, connecting to Wi-Fi, and leaving it on overnight.

Get help with school district laptops.

"Help PTSA design this year's spirit gear. Be on the lookout for more info and a PTSA calendar of events sent home next week!"

When families complete the CNEEB application, it helps fund things like before- and after-school programs, school counselors, health and wellness services, and classroom resources. It also ensures that students who are eligible for low-income benefits and discounts are recognized and can take advantage of additional benefits, including things like fee waivers for ASB cards.

Online Application Tip! Translate the form by clicking the language button at the top right of the screen and selecting your preferred language.

If you would like to see what your child is working on at school, you can use ParentVUE on a mobile device or on a desktop. If you'd like some help doing that, check out ParentVUE - Tacoma Public Schools (tacomaschools.org)

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.

If your child plans to take the bus to school, please download our free transportation app, My Ride K-12 for bus stop location, route and pickup times. Your child’s bus route is expected to be available the first week of September.

Tacoma Public Schools partners with the City of Tacoma to provide suggested walking maps for all elementary schools. These maps recommend walking routes to school and nearby parks, middle schools, and other community amenities. You can find our school's map and lots of safety tips here: Suggested Walking Route Maps - Tacoma Public Schools (tacomaschools.org)

Beyond the Bell will dismiss students at the main entrance of the building.

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.

Click the button above to schedule if you are interested!

15-minute meetings in the window of 9:15-10:15. 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