The Franklin SURGE

Dear Franklin Families,

Spring has arrived, and with it comes an important opportunity for our students to demonstrate their learning and growth. We are excited to begin state testing and to give our students the opportunity to showcase all the growth, effort, and learning they’ve achieved this year! This is a time for our students to shine and demonstrate their progress with confidence.

As we prepare for testing, we ask for your partnership in helping students approach this time with focus and care. Encouraging your child to take their time, do their best, and approach each test with a positive mindset makes a meaningful difference in their performance and confidence.

To support a smooth and successful testing environment, please remind your child that state testing requires all electronic devices, including cell phones, to be powered off and stored away before testing begins. Following this guideline helps ensure that every student’s hard work counts and that their test is completed without interruption.

Testing Schedule:

• April 20–24: 8th Grade WCAS (Science)
• April 28–30: ELA CAT
• May 1–7: ELA PT
• May 8–12: Math CAT
• May 13–14: Math PT

State assessment results provide valuable insight into each student’s strengths and areas for growth. This information helps guide instructional decisions, inform class placements such as honors or intervention support, and ensures we are meeting state learning standards while continuously improving our programs.

You can help set your child up for success by ensuring they get plenty of rest, arrive at school on time, and come prepared each day with a positive, confident mindset.

For families who would like to provide additional support at home, we have optional study resources available:

• Study Guide: https://platform.colleague.ai/interactive/kmJLkp0BSwfe_xyoECgo?s=u2lw9npWju
• Practice Test: https://wapt.tds.cambiumast.com/student?a=student

These resources will also be shared directly with students through their school email.

Thank you for your continued partnership. We are proud of our Franklin students and look forward to seeing them do their very best!

Sincerely,

Andrew Espindola
Principal
Franklin Middle School

Franklin Middle School students got to jump into a really fun, hands-on project with the Zoon Hot Air Balloon kits, where they built and launched their own balloons. There were definitely some challenges along the way—getting the balloons sealed right, heating them safely, and figuring out what worked (and what didn’t). Students kept testing and making changes, and it was great to see them stick with it and improve their designs. Through all of that, they were learning about things like heat transfer, air density, and why hot air actually makes the balloon lift off.

At the same time, students worked on a Google Slides project about the history of hot air balloons and the science behind them. They looked into early balloon flights and explained how things like temperature and air pressure affect how well a balloon flies. It helped connect what they were doing in class to real-world science, and gave them a better understanding of how and why their own balloons were able to get off the ground.

These colleges consist of two-year colleges and technical colleges where students can attend and earn associate degrees and certificates as well as prepare students for specific trades. Many students earn an associate degree and then transfer to a 4-year college.

Bellingham Technical College (BTC) believes that students should forge their own path. At BTC they offer affordable two-year degrees, certificates, and applied bachelor’s degree options in fields with high wages. Bellingham Technical College is located in Bellingham, Washington about 90 miles north of Seattle and 60 miles south of Vancouver, British Columbia. They offer over 39 degrees and 55 types of certificates through hands-on training. It is the only technical college in northwest Washington state.

Description: Automotive Mechanics or Technicians troubleshoot automotive problems. They inspect vehicles seeking clues and replace old parts. Sometimes mechanics use computers or technology to inspect parts and systems in a vehicle, but other times they run through their lengthy checklists.

As vehicle experts, mechanics learn how to translate issues their customers are having with their vehicles in scenarios that are easy to understand. This allows customers to make informed decisions.

One thing to note is that work as a Mechanic can be physically demanding. It requires standing for long hours and lifting heavy objects.

People in this career field typically work in car dealerships, auto repair shops, or self employment.

Education and experience required:

• Completed Vocational / Technical Program in Automotive Service Technology

• Additional Industry Certifications

Typical Annual Wages:

$33,660 - $80,850

Projected Employment:

New job opportunities are likely in the future with 70,000 annual projected job openings.

Eat a good meal. Brain work burns a lot of calories and needs good fuel for focus. Be sure to plan a good meal the night before the test and nutritious, non-sugary breakfast food the next day.

Prepare for the morning. Students will receive instructions for what to bring. Most supplies and materials, like pencils, scratch paper and calculators, are provided at school. Water bottles are often allowed. Pack everything into your backpack the night before to avoid last-minute organizing and stress the next morning.

Give your brain a break. Try not to worry about the test the night before. Plan time to relax, read a book, write in a journal, or talk to your family. Turning off your brain for studying will help you wind down before bed, making it easier to get a good night’s sleep to help with test performance the next day.

Get some exercise. Exercise is always a helpful way to take a mental break. Plan time for physical activity by going outside for a short walk, hitting the gym, riding your bike, or doing any non-mental activity that helps reduce stress and recharge your brain.

Set your alarm. Don’t oversleep. Set your alarm and don’t overuse the snooze button. If you usually struggle to wake up on time, consider moving your alarm across the room, so you have to get up to turn it off. Plan to get up with enough time to eat breakfast and get out of the house with minimal stress.

Get a good sleep. Oversleeping is usually caused by staying up too late. Be sure to get enough sleep to ensure that your brain will operate at full capacity. Go to bed at a scheduled time that will allow you to wake up refreshed.

Source: https://gradepowerlearning.com/what-to-do-night-before-test

• Teacher Professional Day-April 29th Half-day release-11:15 am
• Memorial Day- May 25- No School
• State Funded P.D.- May 29- No School
• Treaty Day- June 5- No School
• Last day of School- June 10- Half-day release at 11:15 am

At Franklin Middle School, we’re committed to helping every student grow and succeed — and one of the best tools to make that happen is Imagine MyPath!

💡 What Is Imagine MyPath?

Imagine MyPath is an adaptive learning program that supports students in both reading and math. It’s designed to meet each student exactly where they are — filling in skill gaps, strengthening foundational learning, and helping them catch up or get ahead.

Students use MyPath Reading and MyPath Math to work through fun, engaging lessons that build confidence and mastery. Every activity adjusts automatically based on how the student performs, ensuring the right balance of challenge and support.

🚀 Why It Matters

• Personalized Learning: MyPath tailors each lesson to your child’s unique needs.

• Skill Acceleration: Helps students strengthen key reading and math skills critical for grade-level success.

• Engaging Format: The program includes interactive lessons, visuals, and feedback that keep students motivated and invested in their own growth.

• Proven Results: Schools across the nation use MyPath to help students make measurable gains in reading and math.

🧠 How Families Can Help

You play a huge role in your child’s success! Here’s how you can support them:

1. Set a Routine: Encourage your child to spend at least 20 minutes a day on MyPath Reading and 20 minutes on MyPath Math.

2. Celebrate Growth: Ask them what they learned each day — celebrate their progress and milestones!

3. Stay Connected: Check in with teachers for updates on your child’s MyPath progress and celebrate their achievements at home.

🌈 The Goal: Confidence and Success for Every Student

Imagine MyPath helps our students build the foundational skills needed for long-term academic success. Whether it’s mastering fractions or improving reading comprehension, MyPath empowers students to take ownership of their learning journey.

Together, we can help every Quaker become stronger, more confident learners — ready to take on new challenges and reach new goals!

At Franklin Middle School, we believe in recognizing and rewarding students who are doing the right things—academically, behaviorally, and in their attendance. When students consistently show Good Grades, Good Attendance, and Good Behavior, they earn the opportunity to participate in special privileges such as field trips, school celebrations, and other fun activities throughout the year.

To help maintain the integrity of these rewards, students who fail two or more classes will not be eligible to participate unless they can get passing grades. Our goal is to encourage responsibility and accountability, while still offering every student a chance to succeed.

We want families to know that we make every effort to support your child's academic success. At Franklin Middle School, here are a few examples of the support we offer:

• Highly capable classes for students ready to be challenged,

• Support classes for students who need extra help,

• Imagine MyPath Reading and Math, which students can access both at school and at home to catch up on important skills,

• And twice-monthly targeted intervention and enrichment sessions(Lightning Learning Days) to meet students where they are and help them grow.

• Lightning Learning Room for students who need to refocus and speak to someone about their behavior.

We appreciate your partnership and look forward to a successful year for every student—together, we can make it happen!

If you are interested in registering your child for Spring Sports we have:

Coed Track - (Volunteers needed for two home meets- email lindley.faith@ysd7.org )
Coed Baseball
Girls Soccer

If your athlete is in need of a sports physical contact your child's physician. Physicals must be complete and signed by the physician for the athletes to participate.

• We will continue with our Pick-up and Drop-off protocol from last year for those of you returning.
• 6th-grade parents this is new learning for you. Please pay attention to the routes.
• We will block the turn on 19th from Tieton. Please follow the routes below.
• Student Drop off is at the arches on 19th.

Franklin has another drop-off and pick-up route. The routes above will stay the same. We will be opening the parking lot on 19th for drop-off & pick-up as an option for families who prefer to drop-off/pick-up in the parking lot.

We are placing cones in our parking lot to make it safer. Please do not attempt to pass a car in the drop-off/pick-up line, follow the car in front of you.

As you exit the parking lot, please turn right. Do not attempt to turn left as it will cause serious congestion in the entrance area to the parking lot. Here is the image of our additional Drop-off/pick-up route.

Dress Code and Cellphone Policies

We want to ensure all families are familiar with our school's policies, particularly regarding dress code and cellphone usage. Adherence to the dress code promotes a respectful and distraction-free learning environment. Similarly, our cellphone policy is designed to minimize distractions and maximize learning time.

Franklin Middle School Dress for Success Code

The primary responsibility for a student’s attire resides with the student and their parent(s) or guardian(s). The Yakima School District expects students to dress in a way that is appropriate for the school day or any school sponsored event. Student dress code requirements reflect fair, equitable and consistent practices for all students, while contributing to a safe and positive school climate. We believe it is one more component of preparing students for success.

Students who choose to dress inappropriately* will be asked to change. If they do not have other attire to change into, parents will be called and asked to either bring appropriate clothing or take their student home. Suspension is a viable option for students who repeatedly ignore dress code.

The following is a guideline of how to wear some articles of clothing, as well as what is viewed as unacceptable.

* Inappropriate clothing is any item deemed by administration as disruptive to the educational process, advertises illegal substances, or promotes/is identified with gangs.

Clothing must cover underwear and cover body areas from the top of one armpit to the top of the other armpit, and down to mid-thigh. Tops must have shoulder straps and be long enough to adequately cover the waistline and not expose the midriff. Jeans/Shorts with rips/tears higher than mid-thigh that expose skin are not allowed ( if shorts or opaque leggings are worn underneath and cover the skin, then the jeans will be allowed)

Wear shoes that are appropriate and safe for a learning environment-including Physical Education and lots of stairs. No slippers.

Headgear- Appropriate caps and beanies are allowed if they do not cover the ears. Hoods and sunglasses may not be worn indoors.

Clothing and accessories displaying profanity, violence, discriminatory messages, sexually suggestive phrases, phrases or symbols of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs are unacceptable.

Gang related clothing, accessories, symbolism, or jewelry is everchanging and not tolerated. This includes gang symbolism, graffiti, and Old English writing. Gang graffiti drawn or worn on the person, in notebooks, folders, papers, backpacks, or hats will lead to a gang contract and further discipline. We collaborate with the Yakima Police Dept to update changes in gang related apparel. We publish the changes in our newsletter. At this time, the following have been designated as gang related and are not allowed:

Please Stay Away from Clothing or Accessories with the following:

• Old English Writing

• Dickies Brand Pants

• Clothing that Represents Drugs & Alcohol(i.e. Cookies, etc.,)

• Clothing with weapons or violence

• The New York Yankee emblem

• Bandanas

• Belts, especially web belts, with the tails hanging down from the waist

• Rosaries/Excessive Bracelets in a Specific Color(i.e. Red, Blue)

• Too much red or too much blue(I.e., coordinating red/blue clothing with like accessories and shoe strings or the same color jumpsuit or sweat suit)

• Extremely Baggy Pants& Sweats(These items need to fit your students well)

• No Blue, or Red Pajama Pants or Plaid Pajama Pants

Franklin Middle School students will not be allowed to have their phones out in classrooms, or common areas, such as restrooms and hallways. This policy is implemented to decrease behaviors like social media bullying. To continue supporting a safe and connected school environment that promotes enhanced learning, we will be requiring students to keep their cell phones, earbuds, headphones, etc. in their backpacks and out of sight during the entire school day. This policy is in alignment with the other 3 middle schools in the Yakima School District. The District Communications Devices Policy can be found in the Student Handbook under (COM) on our website. https://www.ysd7.org/resources/student-resources

The goal of our cell phone policy is to increase student engagement in the classroom and to create a culture of respect for learning. Data shows that students are more focused and have higher test scores and grades when cell phones are kept out of the classroom. (See awayfortheday.research)