2024-25 #05 10/31/24

Did you know…that Franklin Public Schools has a referendum on the ballot next week? Thank you to everyone that has invested an interest in learning more about the School Board and District’s Franklin Forward long-range facility planning needs over the last year and a half. We appreciate the efforts of everyone to attend listening sessions, join us for tours, review our website with a plethora of information, or submit questions for us to respond to and add to our Frequently Asked Questions. Of the 421 school districts in the state, we are fortunate as we are one of the few districts with a growing enrollment. What this means is that the number of students in our district has been increasing over the years and is projected to continue to increase over the next 20 years (MD Roffers report, slides 37-42 here). At the same time, many of the classrooms at Franklin High School are original to the school (1960’s) when our graduating classes were around 100 students and we are now graduating classes that are around 400 students and educating them in many of the same original classrooms. This creates space constraints, safety concerns and does not allow all students that are interested in courses to actually be able to take the courses as our classes fill up and we have waitlists.

Did You Know...We are one of 137 referendum questions on the ballot next week across WI for over 100 school districts and one of 241 referendum questions on the ballot in 2024. It is evident districts are going to their communities to seek additional support for their staff and students and I am thankful our Board is also giving our community the opportunity to share your voice around the future of Franklin Public Schools. If you have not had a minute to learn more about the referendum or know someone that has not been able to further engage in learning more, please visit our website or view this video from our October Community Engagement Sessions. Getting your voice through at the polls is important and our job is to inform you so you can make the best informed decision. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Did you know…our Beyond 18 program, called "Transitions," has opened a coffee shop called Diverse Grounds? Ms. Grace Barr, educator, and her students have partnered with Anodyne Coffee and offer their very own roast of coffee with seasonal flavors to ‘spice them up’. They are currently open on Tuesday’s from 9:30-11:00 at the ECC. You can start your Tuesday out right for just $2 for a cup of coffee or a fresh muffin. Feel free to stop by the ECC during this time, check in at the front entrance, and visit the coffee shop. You can find more information about the coffee shop and mission as you read on in the newsletter.

We are grateful for a community that trusts us with their child(ren) each day and we do not take that lightly. We have successful schools because of the wonderful staff, family and community in Franklin. We are innovative and creative to meet our learners' needs and work to engage with our families, students and staff regularly to learn how we can continue to improve. As you celebrate the end of the first quarter (nearly the end of the first trimester for our elementary families), please reflect with your child(ren) on those celebrations so far this school year and set goals for the month ahead. As always, we are your team to support your child(ren)’s growth, so please do not hesitate to reach out.

With Gratitude,

Annalee Bennin

FPS District Administrator

2024-25 Full District PDF Calendar

District Calendar webpage - all calendars can be subscribed to! Follow the directions at top of page

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL SECTIONAL PLAY TONIGHT 10/31

Our Lady Sabers take on Burlington tonight (Thurs 10/31) at Racine Horlick at 5pm. They are in the Sectional 7 & 8 Bracket which you can follow here. Tickets for the game today can be purchased here as part of the WIAA Volleyball Double Header taking place at Racine Horlick. GOOD LUCK!

FOOTBALL THIS FRI NIGHT 11/1!

Congratulations to our Franklin High School Football Team as they advance to Level 2 of WIAA Playoff Football this Friday against Muskego. Game time is set for 7pm at Franklin High School's Sullivan Field! This will also be the WISN12 "Game of the Week!" Get your tickets online now! In addition, Zaleski Sports will be livestreaming the game at this link.

BOYS VOLLEYBALL SECTIONAL PLAY THIS SAT 11/2

Our Boys Volleyball Team has advanced to the Sectional Finals against New Berlin Eisenhower this Saturday at New Berlin Eisenhower. They are part of the Sectionals 7 & 8 bracket which you can track here. Game time is 7pm and tickets are $7 and can be purchased here via GoFan (no cash sales).

Next Tuesday, November 5th is the general election and as we have been sharing over the last few months, the $145M referendum question for Franklin Public Schools will be on the ballot. Below are links to any resources all about referendum work so you are informed before you vote!

• www.franklin.k12.wi.us/franklinforward - our full website of resources
• Referendum Question - the exact wording of the question you will see on the ballot
• Tour Information (Virtually Tour FHS!) - our scheduled tours are complete, but contact information is on this page if you want to schedule a tour before Tuesday! OR - use the map we've created to see the spaces through photos and videos right on the map!
• Videos - TMJ4 News Segments, CBS58 Construction Home Build Story, Current Needs videos -- they are all on this page.
• FHS Project Phasing Video - this video explains how the project will move forward if the referendum passes and the ways that FHS will be impacted through contstruction.
• Financial Information - Read up on the financial information we have on this page -OR- use the tax impact calculator to calculate how the referendum will impact you.
• Voter Information - if you still need to register or have questions about returning absentee ballots, the information on this page and links to the city website will be helpful!
• Frequently Asked Questions - We have worked hard to organize questions and answers we have received on this page. Look here for more information OR submit a question if you still have one!

Below is a recording of the Community Information Sessions from October edited down to the 27-minute presentation. If you weren't able to join us or you know someone looking for what was presented, please direct them to this video (linked here) or displayed below.

CLICK ON THE MAP BELOW TO "LOOK" AROUND!

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EARLY VOTING THRUS & FRI!

• From the City of Franklin website (here): Absentee voting in the City Clerk's office is restricted to the 2 weeks before an Election and ends at the close of business the Friday before an Election. In-person absentee voting at the City Clerk's Office for the November 5, 2024 Fall General Election will be available weekdays Tuesday, October 22, 2024, through Thursday, October 31, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday, November 1, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. No in-person absentee voting may occur on the day before the election.

Our VOTING page has more voter information details

Over the last few weeks, our Beyond 18-year-old Transition Services Program has been busy creating their own student-run coffee business, Diverse Grounds. The program has partnered with Walker’s Point coffee house Anodyne Coffee Roasting Co. to offer various coffees for sale. Part of their business takes place on Tuesday mornings where they host a coffee shop at the ECC District Office and sell baked goods, coffee and tea to staff. The funds raised from these sales help to support their business and classroom needs.

Diverse Grounds is now EXPANDING their business ventures and providing coffee bags for sale! From their social media pages: “We are selling 12 oz and 2 oz exclusive bags of coffee with our Diverse Grounds Coffee Shop logo! 12 oz bags (about 15 cups of coffee) are $16.00 and 2 oz bags (sample size) are $5.00! These are great gifts for others or for yourself! All proceeds go to our community-based learning and instruction materials. Please have payment ready before pick up as you could get your order as soon as next week! Get your holiday gifts now so you don’t have to worry later! Click here to order!"

The Transition Services program prepares our Beyond 18-year-old students with special needs for independence and necessary life skills. Thank you for helping to support their program!

Last year, our Buildings & Grounds team partnered with community member Mr. Jerry Young at one of our elementary schools to lead a session for 3rd graders about the American Flag. This year, our Buildings & Grounds Department, along with Mr. Young, expandanded this program across all five elementary buildings. Over the last week, sessions took place with 3rd grade teams led by Andy Daniels (Director of Buildings & Grounds), Lead Custodial Staff, and Mr. Young where they shared about the history, importance, symbols, meaning and proper care & disposal of the American Flag. Students were also treated to American Flag themed coloring sheets and a miniature flag gift. Thank you to our B&G Teams & Mr. Young for helping to share with our young learners about the importance of the American Flag.

Last Saturday was the first ever Franklin Educational Foundation Pickleball Tournament fundraiser and by all accounts, the event was a big success! Special thanks to all the volunteers who helped to run the event and to Dave Blask for coordinating the tournament, brackets and energy! Congratulations to the winners of the brackets and the costume contest. The Foundation is already looking to plan a possible event in the spring! To see more of the pictures posted to the FEF Facebook page, click here!

Our Family Information Series continues this year in November with a session that focuses on understanding the digital world that children are growing up in. These sessions are not only open to FPS families, but to neighboring communities as well so please share where appropriate.

• How to Reach, Teach, & Support iGeneration Students: This session will be led by Katey McPherson, Child Advocate & Education Consultant and take place Forest Park Middle School in the Commons (map here) on Tuesday, November 12th @ 6pm.

Click here or on the flyer below to see more details and we hope to see you there!

NOTE: Our partners in the Pewaukee Schools are also hosting this same event one day after ours. Here is a link to their flyer with details if you want to help share with friends and family in the area.

We are making families aware that the nomination window is open for Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Fellowships and Leadership awards in Wisconsin in case there is that special teacher or administrator in Franklin Public Schools that you would like to nominate!

The Herb Kohl Educational Foundation awards 100 Fellowships and 16 Leadership awards annually from among all applicants throughout the state. For teachers or principals to be considered for an award, they must be nominated by a parent, student, other teacher, community member, or school administrator. Wisconsin teachers and principals in grades PK through 12 who plan to continue in their current capacity for at least one year are eligible to be nominated. Educators are chosen for their superior ability to inspire a love of learning in their students and ability to motivate others, and for their leadership and service within and outside the classroom. Selection of recipients will be made by a state-level panel composed of representatives from the Wisconsin Newspaper Association (WNA), cooperative educational service agencies, several education-related associations and community representatives. This program was established in 1990 and has awarded nearly $20 million to educators and their schools. The Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Fellowship and Leadership programs are co-sponsored by the WNA Foundation, DPI and the state’s 12 cooperative educational service agencies. Awards are $6,000 for the recipient, with an additional $6,000 grant awarded to the school of each selected teacher and principal.

NOMINATION DEADLINES

• Tues, November 12th - Teachers (Info | Form)
  

Our music program at ALL levels are offering Franklin Music branded spiritwear! The deadline to order is this Thursday, November 7th @ 11:59pm so order now! All purchases are processed online and items will be delivered to each school, sorted by student to bring home. Click on the flyer nearby OR this link to access the sale!

The FHS Fall Play is fast approaching with shows taking place Thurs 11/14 through Sun 11/17. For tickets and show information, please visit the Saber Center website here.

Show Description: Welcome to Almost, Maine, a place that’s so far north, it’s almost not in the United States. It’s almost in Canada. And it’s not quite a town, because its residents never got around to getting organized. So it almost doesn’t exist. One cold, clear, winter night, as the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky above, the residents of Almost, Maine, find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and hilarious ways. Knees are bruised. Hearts are broken. But the bruises heal, and the hearts mend—almost—in this delightful midwinter night’s dream.

• November 14-17: FHS Saber Theater presents "Almost, Maine"

• December 11: "The Founding -- A Celtic Christmas”

Get tickets here, and like the Saber Center on Facebook or Instagram for the latest information!

Our Fall Guide is currently out with recreation offerings. Click here or on the catalog nearby to visit our recreation website where you can find activities and programming for you or your family.

District Administrator Annalee Bennin shared the following:

• Thank You to the Franklin Educational Foundation for running the first “Pickleball Tournament” this past weekend at Forest Park Middle School. The inaugural event brought in around 20 teams to compete and raised over $2,000!

• Thank you to the Franklin Police Department for the new Adopt-a-School program where officers will partner with schools for monthly visits including lunch visits, lunch buddies, recess visits, introduction in school newsletters, school assembly participation, and to read or present in classrooms.

• Forest Park Middle School Staff (Principal Jenna Rosienski, Assoc Principal John Brandes, Assoc. Principal Brian Karolewicz, Math Teachers Dani Hogan & Tim Hogan, Reading Teacher Lindsay Schuh, Math/Sci Teacher Morgan Rosencrants, Literacy/Soc Studies Teacher Sara Fenn, Instructional Coach Adam Jensen, and 6th Grade Students Conor B. & Gianna C. presented how the 6th grade Welcome Visits were conducted. 346 homes (including Open Enrolled) were visited by staff to Welcome 6th graders to FPMS in late August. Families loved this.

• Friends of Franklin Presentation: FPS School Board Vice President Angela Bier nominated Mr. Gary Elkins as the Franklin Public Schools Friends of Franklin for his dedication to FPS.

• Early College Credit/Start College Now: presented by FHS Principal Mike Vuolo, annual approval for Spring Course Requests was Approved.

• Theater Pathway/Teacher Pathway – presented by Director of Teaching & Learning Amanda Pound and FHS Principal Mike Vuolo. Coming back for year two as we look to add a course to this pathway; appreciate the partnership with Parkside to offer this opportunity for our learners.

• City of Waukesha & District Fiber Infrastructure MOU was presented by Director of Technology LuAnn Zielinski.

• The Staffing Report was presented by Director of Human Resources Laura Lancour where she reviewed historical staff turnover data and shared the shortage of people going into the educator field in general, though it has started to climb. This necessitates the need to create interest in the schools and community to build for future hiring.

• 2024-25 Budget and Tax Levy was presented by Andy Chromy and was approved.

• Policies #5410 Use of Physical Force by Staff, and #6320 Open Enrollment changes were approved.

These are not official Board minutes. Find more details, official minutes & videos at www.franklin.k12.wi.us → ABOUT US → BOARD OF EDUCATION

The next FPS School Board Meeting is Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at the ECC District Office @ 6pm. Current agenda items include:

• Friends of Franklin Presentation
• Annual Health Report
• 2025-26 School Calendar (1st Read)
• New Courses: Theater Pathway, Teacher Pathway (Approval)
• At Risk Report

Agendas are posted on the Board of Education/Board Docs page of the Franklin Public Schools website the Friday evening prior to the Board meeting. Policies are located in Board Docs through this Policy link.

Apply now at teachersoncall.com/talent/apply-now so you are ready to begin working in our schools! No experience necessary for our entry level roles! Contact our Teachers On Call Recruiter, Megan Gibson, with any questions. megan.gibson@teachersoncall.com | (800) 713.4439 ext. 18777

We are always looking for people to join our amazing support systems for students! We are currently looking for a part-time district bus driver (see post here), educational assistants, coaches, food service staff, custodial staff, and more.

Click here to see all of our current SUPPORT STAFF LISTINGS on WECAN for more details and please apply through WECAN.

Parents, Guardians, and Staff are set to automatically receive our District and Building Newsletters. If you are a community member that would like to receive any of our newsletters, please complete our SUBSCRIBE FORM.

(Note: Any imagery containing students, staff, events, or FPS logos shared by FPS are the property of Franklin Public Schools and are solely for district use. Reproduction or reuse of these images without written permission is not allowed.)