2024-25 #03 10/3/24

October has arrived and likely your child(ren) have shared stories of adventure and learning through this first month of school! Our staff was busy learning on Monday during our Professional Development time and really appreciated the ability to dive into our strategic goals, learn more about our new literacy adoption, Savvas, and have time to co-plan with colleagues. Thank you for enjoying the day with your child so we could professionally grow to best meet the needs of all of our learners and staff!

While the first two newsletters of the year messaged about getting to know your ‘school family’ and understanding the procedures we have in place for safety. This message is going to focus on the resources that we have available to your child(ren) and entire family, free of charge, to ensure your mental health is working at peak performance. Mental Wealth is a term I first heard years ago that I feel is of great importance. We need to invest in our mental health as that is a wealth that money cannot buy.

Did you know we have multiple resources available to your child(ren) and family to support their mental health? These services are accessible through our website and also by simply reaching out to the Student Services team (school counselor or school psychologist) in your child’s school. We all go through moments where we may be carrying heavier stress, worry, grieving, or simply needing a professional to talk to, and it is important to invest in those needs to be able to feel ready to take on each day.

Advocate Aurora Student & Family Assistance Program (SFAP) - We are proud to partner with Advocate Aurora and the SFAP is available to ALL students and members of their households within our district AT NO COST and offers up to (4) free one-hour sessions with a licensed counselor per issue on a variety of topics related to mental health. The program also provides other services and benefits, including legal and financial consultation. Click here for a flier with a description of this program along with contact information to get started with accessing these services. You can also view this video which provides a comprehensive overview of the program. All of this information is parked on our website here.

Clinical Psychology Associates – We partner with Clinical Psychology Associates, which is an outpatient counseling center. We have worked with them to establish on-site clinics at Franklin High School, Forest Park Middle School, Pleasant View Elementary and Country Dale Elementary. Whether you attend one of those schools or one of our other three elementary schools, all students and families have access to these clinics, which are confidential. The clinics do charge to your family's insurance. You can read more about how to get started with this service here.

How have you challenged yourself to take care of your mental health or that of your child? Please, reach out if we can be of assistance.

Go Brewers!

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

INFO SESSIONS & TOURS IN OCTOBER

In addition, in October, we are offering the following COMMUNITY INFORMATION SESSIONS where you can hear from district leaders about the path to the referendum and also tour FHS following the presentations.

VIRTUALLY SEE THE SPACES OF NEED!

Can't make one of the dates above? Check out our "virtual tour" of the FHS spaces by clicking on the map below! Short videos are clickable at each location right from your phone and will better explain the areas we hope to address through the referendum. NEWLY ADDED are 360 photos where you can click and drag around to see a room.

CLICK ON THE MAP BELOW TO LOOK AROUND!

VOTING INFORMATION

Earlier this week was National Voter Registration Day, which is the single largest day that new voters register. If you are not yet registered to vote -OR- if you are interested in absentee ballot voting, here are some details to share:

If you are not registered to vote and you are eligible, there is still time!

• Register Online: Wed, October 16th by 11:59 p.m. CDT
  
• Register by mail (postmarked by): Wed, October 16th
• Register In-person at voting location on Election Day: Tues, November 5th

Absentee ballot deadlines

• Request ballot (received by): Fri, October 31st by 5pm CDT
• Return ballot by mail (received by): Tues, November 5th by 8pm CST
• Return ballot in person: Tues, November 5th by 8pm CST
  
  
• 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

Last week was Franklin High School's Homecoming Week. Included below are a few pictures from the Homecoming Parade and Friday student Pep Rally. This Homecoming Album contains more pictures as well. Thank you to all the staff, students and families that helped this to be a safe and fun week!

In September, we kicked off our year of “Family Information Sessions” with an “Artificial Intelligence” session in partnership with the nearby Indian Community School. Author, Educator and Speaker Dee Lanier shared insights about rapidly changing AI and how that’s being incorporated into the ways we learn. Workshop discussion then took place amongst families about the ethical and equitable implications of AI in education and the benefits and challenges to utilizing AI in today’s world. Thank you to those parents and community members that participated! Below is information on our next two Family Information Sessions coming up in October and November!

We are proud to share the next (2) connected events in this years 2024-25 "Family Information Series" for Franklin Public Schools caregivers. Mark your calendars for these events and please share with friends and family locally as these events are open to non-FPS caregivers as well!

• Part 1 is a screening of the documentary "Childhood 2.0" at the FHS Saber Center for the Performing Arts on Monday, October 21st @ 6pm. This will be followed by a panel discussion led by Katey McPherson, Child Advocate & Education Consultant.
• Part 2 is a session led by Katey on how to teach and support the "iGeneration" of students. This will take place at the FPMS Commons on Tuesday, November 12th @ 6pm.

Click 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 these same events one day after each of ours. Here is a link to their flyer with details if you want to help share with friends and family in the area.

The next issue of "The Franklin Focal Point" publication (October #04) will be coming to your mailboxes this week! Click here or on the cover nearby to access the issue digitally. "The Franklin Focal Point" is a way to connect with all residents in Franklin about the great things happening in our schools. This particular issue is our second issue focused on stories around the spaces to be addressed through the November 5th referendum, with a strong focus on our Career & Technical Education spaces at Franklin High School. If you missed any past issues of The Franklin Focal Point, you can click on this folder link to access all Focal Point issues!

Brad Anderson, our Director of Community Education & Recreation, shared with us his intentions to retire after a distinguished career of 32 years serving the Franklin community. We wish Brad well on his retirement as he looks forward to his next chapter. Brad will be helping with the transition for the new Director.

Please see this message from Assistant Superintendent of Business & Operations Andy Chromy in regards to the hiring of new Community Ed & Rec Director Matt Gomez. Matt will start his time with us on Monday, November 4th.

HAVE YOU MOVED? As a reminder if at any time during the school year you move anywhere in or out of the Franklin Public School District you MUST complete a Family Information Change Form and return it to your school secretary within the first week of your move.

As we begin a new school year, our core value of well-being remains a priority as we work to serve students and families in our community. Our Student Services staff, composed of our school psychologists, counselors, social workers, nurses, and other specialized staff, continue to promote positive mental health by providing comprehensive support to our students. In addition, we want to remind you of the onsite partnership we have with Clinical Psychology Associates (CPA). CPA has established counseling clinics with a team of five therapists working at Franklin High School, Forest Park Middle School, Pleasant View Elementary, and Country Dale Elementary. All students and families within our district have access to these services.

Clinical Psychology Associates also has an outpatient location in Oak Creek, providing another convenient way for families to receive therapeutic services if an off-site location is preferred, while still benefiting from the collaborative partnership with the district. For more information please see our website. Appointments are scheduled directly with CPA staff by calling or texting (262) 975-0012.

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

• Thurs, October 3rd - Principals & Administrators (Info | Form)

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

Franklin Public Schools hosts screenings for 3-year-old children on language, cognition, social-emotional, adaptive, and physical development. This program combines a play-based observational screening of children with community information for parents to learn more about child and family-related services in our area. If you know a friend, family member or neighbor in the community with a 3-year-old, please help us by sending them this information! Click here for the informational flyer and click here for a detailed brochure.

FINAL WEEKEND! She Loves Me is part of Forte’s MAINSTAGE season, featuring adult, professional actors from throughout the Milwaukee area and we are super proud to host them at the Saber Center for the Performing Arts! Featuring a score by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick (“Fiddler on the Roof”) and a book by Joe Masteroff (“Cabaret”), “She Loves Me” follows two feuding clerks in a 1930s European parfumerie who unwittingly fall in love as anonymous romantic pen pals. Based on the story that led to the films “Shop Around the Corner” & “You’ve Got Mail,” "She Loves Me" is an endearing romantic comedy you won't want to miss! Tickets on Sale Now For This Weekend Here!

The music of Elton John and Billy Joel is coming to Franklin! Join us a musical celebration of the 1970s, as award-winning Canadian recording artist Jim Witter and his incredible band lead an expertly crafted tour of an entire decade that begins with "Your Song" and winds us along on a musical time machine, saluting two of the century's most popular contemporary songwriters.

"The Piano Men" starring Jim Witter

7 p.m. | Thursday, October 24

Saber Center for the Performing Arts

8221 S. 51st St. (attached to Franklin High School)

Purchase Tickets Here

$32 Reserve | $40 Premium Reserve

Through our continued partnership with Forte Theatre, we are pleased to share that Forte Youth Productions is holding auditions for their next youth musical production, "Oliver! Jr" that will be taking place at the Saber Center for the Performing Arts in late January and early February! This adaptation of the classic novel & award-winning musical springs to life with some of the most memorable characters & songs to ever grace the stage!

• Auditions for grades 6th-12th: Mon 10/14 & Tues 10/15 6-8pm (please sign up for one 15 min time slot)

• Audition location: FHS Choir Room

• Callbacks: Sat 10/19 12p-5p

• Rehearsals: Mon 11/25 - Thurs 1/30/25 (no rehearsals during holiday breaks)

• Performances: Fri 1/31/25 to Sun 2/2/25 at the FHS Saber Center

• More info at https://www.fortetheatrecompany.org/oliver-jr

* If you aren't available for auditions, but would still like to be considered, please contact us at randall@fortetheatrecompany.org

• October 12-13: Forte Theatre Company presents "She Loves Me"

• October 24: Jim Witter "The Piano Men"

• 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 for the latest information!

The Franklin Recreation basketball program for 2nd through 8th grades will be closing registration on October 18th. Spots are limited based on the number of volunteer coaches. Practices begin the week of November 18th with games on Saturdays starting December 14th. REGISTER HERE.

The Fall Rec Program Guide is now online at the Rec website!

Kids Club is currently looking for MORNING ONLY staff at one of our elementary schools during the school year. Hours would be 7am-9:15am. Please email Shana.gagliardo@franklin.k12.wi.us for more information.

Whether you're a pro, or just getting started, the FEF Charity Pickleball Tourney will be an event you won't want to miss! All proceeds go to support grants, scholarships and student assistance funding through the Educational Foundation. Matches begin at 8 am on Sat 10/26 and will end by 4 pm in the FPMS gym (wood floors). Brackets will include competitive and recreational play. FPS staff and High school students 14 and above can play at a discounted rate! Click here for more and to register!

This past summer, the Autism Society of Wisconsin held the iCan Bike Camp at Forest Park Middle School. This was a collaboration between "i Can Shine" and the Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin where they used a fleet of adapted bicycles, a specialized instructional program and trained staff members to teach individuals with disabilities how to ride a bike. Click here for an informational brochure.

At the most recent Board Meeting, Director of Student Services, Leo Eckman presented Ms. Rechelle Chaffey of the Autism Society of Wisconsin with the "Friends of Franklin" award for their partnership with the Franklin Public Schools. Rechelle thanked the district and custodial staff for their help in making this such a great event and they are looking forward to partnering again in the future!

District Administrator Ms. Annalee Bennin shared the following:

• Homecoming Week - Dress up days across all schools; numerous home sporting events, showcasing of our Saber Marching Band, Dance and Cheer, Hall of Fame Announcement Friday, Powder Puff games, the parade and of course the dance Saturday where we wish fun and safety to all our admin and students

• No School on Monday, September 30th (Staff Professional Development Day)

• Absentee Ballots are out; please refer to our website for referendum information

• Saber Marching Band Invite last Saturday - Thank you to all the volunteers – The Forest Park Middle School band played the national anthem to open the event and then FHS hosted 12 schools for the invite and the Saber Marching Band performed as the final act as an exhibition. It was a beautiful night for music at Sullivan Field!

• Director of Student Services, Leo Eckman presented Ms. Rechelle Chaffey of the Autism Society of Wisconsin with the Friends of Franklin award for their partnership with the Franklin Public Schools.

• Leo Eckman presented the Seclusion and Restraint Report and explained the data.
  
  

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, October 9, 2024 at the ECC District Office @ 6pm. Current agenda items include:

• WASB 2024 Business Honor Roll
• Community & Recreation Department Report - Brad Anderson
• Preliminary Budget Review - Andy Chromy
• WI School Board Recognition Week (10/6-10/12) - Annalee Bennin
• Policy reviews and updates: 6320 Open Enrollment, 5410 Use of Physical Force by Staff

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.

Show your music pride and support our music students by purchasing a yard sign and 40% of all proceeds will benefit the 2025 FHS Music Department Performance Tour in New York.

FHS band, choir, and orchestra students will have the opportunity to travel to New York in March to perform at various venues, work with clinicians, and take in the sights and sounds of New York while deepening their connections with their classmates and educators. Thank you for your support!

• On Sale: September 23 to October 7, 2024 at https://fhsumps.weebly.com/store
• Cost: $20 + $1 processing fee
• Pick-Up:
  Wednesday, October 16 from 7pm-9pm at FHS Sullivan Stadium
  Wednesday, October 23 from 6:30pm-8pm at the Saber Center (6th Grade Band "Informance")
  Monday, November 11 from 7pm-8pm at FHS Library (UMPS Meeting)

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.)