FPS Newsletter Vol 7 #02 08/20/26

Incoming 9th graders explore Franklin High School during our early August "Transition Days."

• August 20 (Elementary): Back-to-School Nights will be held from 5:30–7:00 p.m. Watch your building newsletters for details.

• School Begins August 24: Monday is the first day for 4K-6th grade and 9th grade students. Students in grades 7-8 and 10-12 begin on Tuesday, August 25.

District Calendars: 2026-27 | 2027-28

All dates integrated in the District Calendar page here.

• Thurs, August 20th: Elementary Open House Events 5:30-7pm
  
  
• Mon, August 24th: First Day of School for grades 4K-6th Grade & 9th Grade
• Tues, August 25th: First Day of School for grades 7-8, 10-12

• Wed, September 2nd @ 6pm: FPS School Board Meeting (ECC District Office)
• Mon, September 7th: No School (Labor Day)
• Sat, September 12th: Franklin Educational Foundation Consignment Sale @ FPMS 8:30a-2pm*
  
• Wed, September 16th @ 6pm: FPS School Board Meeting (ECC District Office)
• Sat, September 19th: Franklin Educational Foundation GLOW Run @ FPMS 6p-8p*
• Mon, September 21st: No School Day for Students (Professional Development for Staff)
  

*More information further down in this newsletter!

Wisconsin / Federal

• MONTH 9/15 TO OCT 10/15: Hispanic Heritage Month

• Sun, Sept 13th: National Arts in Education Week

• Wed, Sept 16th: U.S. Constitution Day & Mildred Fish Harnack Day

• Thurs, Sept 17th: Wisconsin Day

• Fri, Sept 18th: POW-MIA Recognition Day

• Fri, Sept 25th: #SeeSayDay

• Mon, Sept 28th: Frances Willard Day

• School Supply Lists Online! The lists are linked on our School Supply webpage! Please look for "2026-27" in the supply lists to make sure you are viewing the most current version!

• Just a reminder that Franklin Public Schools has a new PowerSchool login webpage for families and students: https://fps.powerschool.com/public. Please update any bookmarks!
  
  
• All Free and Reduced Lunch applications must be submitted online for the upcoming school year. Last year’s benefits will expire October 7, 2026. Visit this FAQ for details. To Apply... Create an account to apply for free/reduced lunch -OR- If you are unable to complete an online application, please click here to print out the paper application for 2026-27.
  
  
• New to Franklin? Click through to our registration page to get started!
  

Fall Consignment Sale - Saturday, Sept 12th

Registration for the Franklin Educational Foundation's Fall Consignment Sale is open.

• Saturday, September 12, 2026
• Forest Park Middle School - 8225 West Forest Hill Ave, Franklin
• 8:30-11:30AM (12:30-2PM (most items 1/2 off)
• Free Entrance

Whether you're looking to sell children's clothing, toys, baby gear, books, or other family-friendly items, our sale is a great way to declutter, shop for amazing bargains, and support Franklin students at the same time. Visit our website for more information or to register!

Franklin GLOW Run - Saturday, Sept 19th

Join the Franklin Educational Foundation for the Franklin Glow Run on Saturday, September 19, from 6–8pm at Forest Park Middle School. The evening features something for everyone, including a Glow Hunt, Toddler Dash, 1-Mile Fun Run, 5K, Neon Yoga, and a Vendor Fair. $12 for adults & $8 for children. Register by Tuesday, September 1st to guarantee your event T-Shirt. Register Online Here.

Continuing into the 2026-27 school year, we will be enforcing our handbook language around cell phone usage during the school day. What this means in grades 6-12 is that we will have a “No Cell, Bell-To-Bell” expectation that will be followed this year at Forest Park Middle School and Franklin High School. The purpose of this expectation is to limit distractions that occur during learning time and to help develop healthy habits for electronic device usage amongst our students.

Information about expectations and use of Yondr pouches at FPMS and FHS can be found in the most recent Franklin High School Weekly Bulletin and Forest Park Middle School Weekly Bulletin and will continue to be shared as school approaches.

Per recent updates to Board Policies, effective July 1, 2026, the following is in effect for Student Personal Transportation Devices on District Property:

Allowed:

• Bicycles & Personal Transportation Devices (PTDs): Bicycles, manual scooters, skateboards, and hoverboards are permitted as a privilege, not a right. (Policy 5514). Operators must follow all safety laws and city ordinances.*
  

Not Allowed:

• Motorized Scooters & Minibikes: The Board specifically prohibits the operation of motorized scooters and minibikes on District property (Policy 5515).

• Unsafe Operation: Negligent or reckless use of any bicycle or PTD can lead to the permanent revocation of the privilege to bring it to school.

The District is not responsible for any vehicles or personal devices that are lost, stolen, or damaged on District property. If questions, please reach out to your building principal.

Read Franklin City Ordinance Chapter 87 for more information about Franklin regulations: ecode360.com/8428978

Franklin High School recently welcomed members of the Class of 1966 back to campus as they celebrated their 60th reunion! Alumni had the opportunity to walk the halls of today’s high school, revisit familiar spaces and see some of the newer facilities and additions that have transformed the school over the years. It was a special opportunity to connect Franklin’s past with its present—and to see how the place they once called home has continued to grow and evolve. We’re grateful they took the time to come back and share in a little Franklin history!

The alumni also shared their senior photos with us! From left to right in the picture above! Thank you to Athletics & Activities Director Cordell Smith and Communications Specialist Chad Kafka for making this happen.

Our transportation provider, GoRiteway, has recently updated their routing platform. As part of this transition, we are switching from last year’s "Here Comes the Bus" to Stopfinder, an all-in-one parent engagement app designed to keep you informed about your child’s bus schedule and location.

Key Details & Action Items:

• App Access & Invitations: You should have already received an email invitation to set up your account. Please be sure to download the Stopfinder app to access your child's schedule.

• Real-Time Tracking: Stopfinder provides accurate, real-time bus tracking and updates directly to your device.

• PowerSchool Discrepancies: If you notice any differences in bus information between PowerSchool and Stopfinder, please defer to the Stopfinder app, as it will always hold the most up-to-date details. We encourage families to review these times periodically in case adjustments are made.

• Bus Stop Reminders: As a reminder, students should continue to arrive at their designated bus stop at least 5 minutes prior to their assigned pick-up times.

• Support & Questions: Please note that Stopfinder is a product provided by GoRiteway, not Franklin Public Schools. If you have any support questions or need assistance, please contact GoRiteway directly at (414) 571-9001 (Option 1) or visit GoRiteway Transportation Services for more information.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we roll out this new tool to improve our transportation services.

As we head into the school year, we want to remind parents/guardians that you should be seeing “Google Classroom Guardian Summary Emails” weekly as school gets underway. As a reminder, teachers will share updates within Google Classroom and those updates from all of your child's teachers will pull into one email you receive late Friday afternoon! Teachers will be sharing updates weekly about classroom happenings, a preview of what’s coming next week and resources to support student learning. Be sure to check the "Announcement" section which will have a link to the classroom's newsletter or daily agenda!

This is a way to keep all parents informed about what’s happening in the classroom and also organize all this into one email for all your child’s classes. You can review the nearby handout for more details about how this works.

Hot off the presses is our August Community Ed & Rec Monthly Roundup! Check it out for all the latest news and updates from our COmmunity Education & REcreation Department.

2026 Fall Activity Guide Registration Is Open!. Aug 5th in District. Aug 12th Out of District. Questions, Call 414-423-4646. Visit franklin.arux.app for all details and to register!

FPS District Administrator Dr. Annalee Bennin shared the following:

• Transition Days for our incoming 6th and 9th graders took place Wed 8/5 and Thurs 8/6. THANK YOU to all of our staff that help organize these days and the staff that make themselves available to ease our attendees into the new school year.

• On Wednesday, August 19th, we welcome back all of our staff! This is such an exciting time of year and a bit earlier this year to clear the way for a longer summer in 2027 to continue construction in the district.

• Wednesday, Aug 19th is Open House at Forest Park Middle School from 5:30-7

• Thursday, Aug 20th is Open House at the elementary schools from 5:30-7

• Friday, Aug 21st we welcome back all of our staff including EAs, food service, custodian, educators, administrators at the Saber Center. We have a soft start with a light breakfast and coffee or the option to join a yoga session or a ‘fun run’ of sorts led by PE extraordinaire Tony Morissey. The fun kicks off at 7:30 and we head into the Saber Center at 8:15 for our kick off, theme for 2027, Coherence Plan 2025-2026 SY in review and a guest speaker. Starting at 9:30 our professional staff and EAs will have a choice of two professional development sessions in areas of focus for this school year!

• First Day of School: Monday, August 24th we welcome back our 4K-6th grade and 9th grade learners. Tuesday, August 25th we welcome all of our learners back for the 2026-27 school year

• 4th Annual Leadership Summit took place last week! It was two days filled with reflection, celebrations and deep dives into our data to inform our goals and action steps for the 2026-27 school year. Here are a few of our favorite quotes from the feedback over the two days:

• Intentionality of tasks helping us be better for ALL students.

• "We take it for granted now, but the fact that we take this time, it's funded and planned for... it says a lot about our values and purpose!"

• "Wellness start—people make up systems, so thank you for caring for your people

• "I feel as though I'm in good hands. Thank you for your care and attention to today."

• "Getting time as a school to deep dive into goals (and the why behind them)."

• "Seeing how the sausage was made."

• "Admin team & the example they set in how they lead and serve in this summit."

• Bender Park made data interpretation + role perspective a very enjoyable activity.

• "The field trip to the Conservancy coupled with a Return to Nature activity from the playbook was exceptionally intentional."

• "Loved the structure of the day things never seemed to drag."

• Response to Day 1 Feedback: Several people explicitly thanked the organizers for listening to their feedback from the previous day and making adjustments to the schedule and flow.
  
  

• Also SPECIAL SHOUT OUT to the following partners of Franklin Public Schools that supplied lunch, snacks, discounted bus service and door prizes: Diverse Grounds Coffee Shop, CD Smith Construction, Dairy Queen of Franklin, and Franklin Education Foundation! What a wonderful community of sponsors to make our days extra special!

• This Saturday, August 15th, beginning at 5pm, The Franklin Education Foundation is hosting our Franklin Public Schools Family Night & FPS Staff Appreciation at the Franksville Craft Beer Garden. Fire pits. Live Music. Food Trucks. Lawn Games. Playgrounds. Sandbox. Family Friendly atmosphere. The Foundation will also be announcing the winners of the Excellent Educator Awards! Come join us to kick off the 2026-27 school year!

• The FPS School Board held their Annual Meeting of Electors on August 12th. The 2026-27 Budget presentation was held with motions to approve to Adopt the 2026-27 Tax Levy FPS General Fund, the FPS Debt Service Tax Levy, and the Community Education/Recreation Tax Levy for 2026-27.

• The School Board Salaries for 2026-27 were approved.

• Next year's Annual Meeting of Electors was approved to be held on Wednesday, August 11, 2027.

• Andy Thompson (FHS Community Experience Coordinator), Mike Vuolo (FHS Principal), and Dr. Jess Moe (Asst. Supt. for Continuous Improvement) presented the Ed for Employment Update.

• Andy Chromy (Asst. Supt. of Business and Operations) along with Laura Lancour (Director of Human Resources) gave an update on the Proactive MD Health Clinic. The clinic has been open since February, 2026. Since the opening there have been 2026 new patients (staff and dependents).

• The Board approved the Neola Board Policy Volume Act 89.

• Andy Chromy presented information on Policy 7250 Commemoration of School Facilities.

• The Board approved two 9-week tuition waivers for families new to the district.

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, September 2, 2026 at the ECC District Office @ 6pm.

• Summer School Report

• Ed for Employment

• Sponsorship Guide Review

• Sponsorship Guide (info)

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.

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! Register online!

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