August 18th, 2026

Forest Park Families,

The following information was shared via email with families earlier this week. We invite you to bring any questions regarding Yondr pouches with you to Wednesday's Open House where we will have a Yondr information booth!

At Forest Park Middle School, we are committed to creating a learning environment where all students can thrive—academically, socially, and emotionally. To support this, we will again enforce “No Cell, Bell-to-Bell” and Forest Park Middle School will utilize the Yondr Phone-Free Schools Program pouches. Yondr is a proven, bell-to-bell approach that supports student focus, well-being and connections by removing mobile phone distractions during the school day. The goal with this letter is to share with students and families about the move to using Yondr, what this looks like day-to-day, and expectations for cell phones from first bell to last bell.

Yondr provides each student with a personal, magnetically sealed pouch to store their phone during the school day. This simple, effective system supports student well-being, focus, and in-person connection by eliminating mobile phone distractions.

Why Phone-Free Matters

1. Supporting Mental Health - Research shows a “strong connection between early smartphone use and rising rates of anxiety, depression, and loneliness in youth” (The Anxious Generation). Removing phones during the school day creates healthier boundaries and supports brain development during these critical middle school years. In addition, “The more hours a day a teen spends on a smartphone or social media, the more likely it is that they will experience poor mental health outcomes” (The Anxious Generation).
   

2. Encouraging Real In-Person Social Connection - Phones during lunch or transitions often replace face-to-face interaction. By going phone-free, we create space for students to develop real relationships, communication skills, and conflict resolution—skills we will actively build during our advisory period through digital citizenship and peer support lessons.
   

3. Improving Learning and Focus - Even when not in use, phones can reduce attention and academic performance.

4. Reducing Social Media Conflicts - Limiting phone access during the day helps prevent impulsive posts, online drama, and digital harassment that often spill into learning time.
   

5. Teaching Healthy Tech Habits - Middle school is the right time to teach balance. “No Cell, Bell-to-Bell” creates structure during school hours while we continue to teach responsible tech use and digital citizenship.

The use of Yondr has helped schools nationwide improve student wellness, focus, and school culture—with impressive results:

• 86% reported improved student safety and well-being

• 84% saw increased classroom engagement

• 68% experienced academic growth

• 44% saw fewer behavior referrals

How It Works

• Students are responsible for bringing their pouch daily (along with their Chromebook) and keeping it in good condition.

• Morning: Students turn off/silent their devices and lock them in their personal Yondr pouch before 1st period, by 7:45. It is important phones are turned off or silent so as to not cause disruption while in the pouch.

• During the Day: Locked pouches stay in backpacks or lockers.

• Afternoon: Students unlock pouches at dismissal stations to retrieve their devices.

What if my child does not have a cellphone?

• If your child does not have a cell phone, please complete this form. (complete each year)

What if my child needs the phone for medical reasons?

• We can absolutely accommodate medical needs and plans. Students who need their phones for medical reasons will have a slightly different pouch (velcro) that can be quickly opened by the students without the use of the unlocking device. Please reach out directly to your grade level Associate Principal to coordinate a velcro pouch.

When will students receive their Yondr pouches?

• Monday, August 24th - 6th graders review expectations with administration & receive Yondr pouch.

• Tuesday, August 25th- 7th / 8th graders review expectations with administration & receive their Yondr pouch.

• Wednesday, August 26th- All students begin using Yondr pouches “Bell-to-Bell.”

Staying Connected

If you need to reach your child during the school day, please call our main office at (414) 529-8250.

To learn more:

• Watch the Yondr Pouch Phone-Free Overview Video

• View our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Page here

Thank you for your continued partnership in helping us create a safe, focused, and positive learning environment for every student. Please reach with any additional questions.

We are looking forward to seeing you tomorrow (Wed 8/19) from 5:30-7:00 for our Open House!

Jenna Taylor

Principal

jenna.taylor@franklin.k12.wi.us

As we prepare to welcome students back next week, we wanted to share our arrival and dismissal procedures.

Please review this video prior to our first day of school. Students who are taking the bus will exit the building through the event entrance and the main office entrance. Staff will be on hand to provide students the location of their bus. Staff will also have a roster of students that contains their bus number. Please let your student know that if there are questions during dismissal, adults will be on hand to answer and assist.

Students who are utilizing parent pick up will exit door D15 and wait for their parent/guardian. Please do not park in the lot while students are dismissed. We want to ensure the safety of all students and do not want students crossing two lanes of traffic to reach the lot. We will have staff present at parent pick up as well for questions and assistance.

Please reach out with any questions, we are happy to help in any way.

Brian Karolewicz (brian.karolewicz@franklin.k12.wi.us; 414-525-7590)

Austin Karraker (austin.karraker@franklin.k12.wi.us; 414-525-7506)

AUGUST

• Wed 8/19: Forest Park Open House, 5:30pm-7:00pm
• Mon 8/24: First Day of School for 6TH GRADE ONLY; this will be an "A" day
• Tues 8/25: 7th & 8th Grade's First Day of School (all three grades attend); this will also be an "A" day
• Wed 9/23: School Picture Day (more info to be shared soon!)

Any girls that are interested in joining Poms should plan on attending an informational meeting on September 2nd, after school in Mrs. Bachofen's room (B216) from 3:30 to 3:45pm. If you have any questions regarding Poms, please reach out to Mrs. Bachofen at christine.bachofen@franklin.k12.wi.us.

New board policy states that students are no longer allowed to ride or utilize motorized bikes and scooters on district property. This includes, but is not limited to e-bikes, e-scooters, any vehicle that does not require students to physically power their vehicle.

Brian Karolewicz- 6th (Blue, Red) & All 7th Grade 414-525-7590

Austin Karraker - 6th (Green, Gold) & All 8th Grade 414-525-7506

While it may be shorter this year, with our students set to return beginning Monday, August 24th, it will be longer next summer!

As a reminder:

• Monday, August 24th is the First Day of School for grades 4K up through 6th grade and 9th grade at FHS.

• Tuesday, August 25th, the rest of the students join in and this is the first day for grades 7-8 and 10-12.

We appreciate our families' flexibility with the school calendar as we brace our district for new and exciting opportunities through career and technical education, science, special education, athletics, and activities at Franklin High School! This year’s 6th grade class will enter FHS as the final touches are put on the referendum work and will enjoy their entire FHS career in the updated facility!

Please click HERE for school supply lists.

All Forest Park families are welcome to attend our Open House on Wednesday August 19th from 5:30-7:00. Open House allows students and their parent/guardian an opportunity to walk their schedule, put school supplies in their locker, and meet with teachers. We look forward to seeing everyone on 8/19!

The 6th grade staff will host 30-minute sessions during the Open House for you and your child to learn more about the ins and outs of middle school and our house system. There will be 3 different times to choose from and you only need to attend one session as they will repeat every half hour. Sessions will take place at 5:30, 6:00, and 6:30.

Families are encouraged to bring all school supplies to the one session you choose to attend that evening!

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Locations for sessions are as follows:

• Blue House: C100 (T. Hogan, Wachter, Lewandowski, Wiemers, Tate)

• Gold House: C115 (D. Hogan, Schuh, Ilk, Bergersen, Nass)

• Green House: C111 (Rosencrants, Fenn, Acevedo)

• Red House: C110 (Stauber, Tuchel, Szablewski, Bowers, Gerrietts)

Please reach out to 6th grade teachers, Tim Hogan at timothy.hogan@franklin.k12.wi.us or Dani Hogan at danielle.hogan@franklin.k12.wi.us if you have any questions about the 6th grade style open house!

We are so excited to announce that Forest Park will be hosting a Scholastic Book Fair!

Join us during our Open House on August 19th from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM to explore a fantastic selection of books, graphic novels, and fun reading accessories for every reader.

Can’t make it during Open House, or want to send your child back for another look? Don't worry! Students will have additional opportunities to shop during their grade-level lunch periods.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

• Cash

• Credit/Debit Card

• Scholastic eWallet (a safe, cashless way for students to shop)

We look forward to seeing you there and celebrating the joy of reading together!

“Open a book, unlock an adventure!”

**If you have any questions about the Book Fair, please contact our coordinators Mr. Hanson (benjamin.hanson@franklin.k12.wi.us) or Mrs. Poznanski (brooke.poznanski@franklin.k12.wi.us).

Forest Park's picture day will happen on Wednesday September 23rd during the regular school day. Students will go down for pictures with one of their core teachers. Ordering info will be shared with families as we get closer to this date.

Picture make-up/re-take day will take place on Wednesday October 21st. Students that were absent on the original picture day, or those that would like to re-take their photo, will have the opportunity to do so on this day. More info about how to sign up for re-takes will be shared in early October.

Our Spirit Wear store is open 24/7, 365 days a year! From sweatshirts and tshirts, to hats and backpacks, you can find an abundance of cool merchandise with a variety of logos to choose from. Click HERE to start shopping!

PAWS is Forest Park's parent group which helps raise funds to help support our students and staff.

PAWS has quarterly meetings and ALL parents/guardians are welcome to attend. The more, the merrier! The 26-27 school year meetings will take place on:

September 22nd

November 17th

February 9th

April 6th

All meetings will be held in the Forest Park library and run from 5pm-6pm.

If you'd like to make a donation to PAWS, you can use the QR code below.

If you'd like to learn more about PAWS, please reach out to Rashel at rashelwalman@gmail.com. We are always looking for fundraising opportunities, ideas for how to show our staff gratitude and ways to support our students.

The 2026 Franklin Community 1.25 mi Youth Race will be held Wednesday, September 9th open to all children, Kindergarten through 8th Grade. This event is sponsored by the Forest Park XC Team and Franklin Community Education and Recreation.

• Where: Forest Park Middle School.

• Time: 5:30 Girls Race followed immediately by the Boys Race

• Awards will be given for top 3 in each age division.

Pre Registration is recommended, but we will allow families to register the day of the event.

We look forward to seeing all our young runners in Franklin!

CLICK HERE to register!

Please be sure to read the newest District Newsletter that comes out once-a-month. You can access all the issues here.

In order to be ADA compliant with the flyers we receive from the community, we house these on our Community Events / Virtual Backpack page where accompanying text can be properly displayed.

• This week's flyers featured on the webpage are:

  • 2026 Franklin Community Youth Race Wed 9/9 - register!

  • Metals, Electronics, Wires Recycling on Sat 9/12

  • Wehr Bug Day on Sun 9/13

  • 5th-9th Grade Franklin Novice Dance Team Forming (by 9/15)

  • Upcoming Forte Theatre Classes & Auditions for Matilda Jr on 9/15 & 9/16

  • Franklin Jr Sabers Baseball Golf Outing Sun 9/20

  • Dynamic Duos Dance & Dessert Party Sat 9/26

  • Stepping Stone Farms (501c3) Open House Fundraiser Sat 9/26

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