Here are some quick updates:

June schedule for students

Please note the school schedule for the rest of June:

• Tuesday, June 17: Last day of school for ECEAP, Head Start, Peer Inclusion
• Thursday, June 19: No school in honor of Juneteenth; district offices are also closed
• Friday, June 20: Last day of school and early release for most students

• Release at 11:55

Free summer meals for kids

The Parks Tacoma Summer Meal Program provides free lunch to all youth age 18 and younger over the summer, from June 23 to Aug. 28.

In addition, games, crafts and other activities are led by Parks Tacoma staff.

Get locations and times here: Free summer meals for kids at Tacoma parks | Story Detail - Tacoma Public Schools.

Field Day Volunteers Needed!

We are looking for ten volunteers for Franklin's Field Day on June 16th. We need both AM and PM volunteers. Thank you so much for considering!

Tooth Fairy experience for grades K-2

We are excited to host the Tooth Fairy to Franklin on June 11th at 2:30 PM. If you want your K-2nd grade student to participate in the experience, we encourage their attendance on this day! They may even get a prize! 🦷🪥🧚🏻‍♀️

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.

PTSA Popcorn will be served at Field Day

June 2025

June 1- Caribbean-American Heritage Month

June 1- LGBTQIA + Pride Month

June 1- July Fireworks Safety Month

June 18th - Father's Day

June 19th - Juneteenth

Advocacy: I will use my voice to help others!

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.

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
• NO valet effective April 14th 2025!
• 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.
• NO valet effective April 14th 2025!
• 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.

Valet at drop off and dismissal ended right after Spring Break 2025!!!!

In response to Tacoma City not in agreement nor supporting our school having a valet system, and safety concerns during arrival and dismissal, Franklin Elementary will no longer operate a valet system. The Tacoma School District and City of Tacoma believe that eliminating the valet program will result in less driver confusion and congestion in front of the school, improve safety for students walking and biking to school, and eliminating the need for staff to interact with moving vehicles. This will go into effect after Spring Break, April 14th. We appreciate your patience as we navigate this new plan.

*Attached below is a picture of our valet updates and map for parking.

• Before school you may drop off your student in the valet loading zone however, your vehicle must continue to move as NO parking will be allowed in this zone. Your car must not be unattended and must keep moving after your student has left the car. Staff will not be available to assist students out of cars.
• Crossing will be available if your student is crossing the street in the front of the school campus.
• After school, please do not use the loading zone. You must park in the city parking available or our school parking lot.
• Families with ADA needs will have spaces available at the front of our old valet loading zone.
• Staff will release students after school upon seeing their trusted adult. NO releasing of students to waiting adults in a vehicle. (unless ADA accommodation has been made)

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.

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.

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