October 30, 2026
Message From Principal | IB Head of School, Mrs. Fox
Thank you to all the families and friends who joined us today for our Storybook & Idiom Parades. Celebrating literacy with a twist!
Reminder: 11/3 No School for Students/Teacher Planning Day
11/6 is the FIRST FRIDAY where students can wear their "26-27 Spirit Shirts"; if they have the Franklin sweatpants, they can wear them as well or just wear their regular uniform skort/pants/shorts. (If they have PE in K-5, they can wear it with their PE bottoms.)
This week our Golf qualifier, MYP student Penelope R., participated in the MSAA Golf Championshiip Tourrament and tied for 7th place. Way to go Penelope! Today, MYP student Shane C. will be traveling to the State Cross Country Championship. Wishing all of our students success on their next sports' journey!
IXL October challenge...see flyer below and let the competition between classes stay STRONG! For MYP, we will be celebrating the top 15 from each grade level for each of the four challenges in October. Third round ended on 10/24, did your child's class jump to the top? FINAL round runs from 10/25-10/31!
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THIRD ROUND WINNERS-
Kinder - Ramirez ONCE AGAIN
1st Grade - RaoONCE AGAIN
2nd Grade - Paniccia
3rd Grade - Georgianna
4th Grade - Gil ONCE AGAIN
5th Grade - Perez, C ONCE AGAIN
βWhat's Coming Up - October β
10/30-31/2026 Cross Country State Championship
11/02/2026 Fall Food Drive Begins (See Flyer)
11/02/2026 Honor Roll Assemblies 1st Grade and MYP (See flyer)
11/02/2026 Basketball-AC Perry
11/03/2026 Planning Day-NO SCHOOL for Students
11/04/2026 Basketball-Driftwood
11/05/2026 Honor Roll Assemblies 2nd-5th Grades (See flyer)
11/07/2026 MYP Masquerade Ball
11/06/2026 Basketball-Franklin Academy Pines K-12
11/10/2026 Veterans' Day Breakfast
11/11/2026 NO SCHOOL/OFFICE CLOSED
11/12/2026 Basketball-Franklin Academy Pines K-8
11/13/2026 Interim Reports Distributed
11/17/2026 Fall Feast Kinder & 1st Grade (See Flyer)
11/18/2026 Fall Feast 2nd Grade & 3rd Grade (See Flyer)
11/19/2026 Fall Feast 4th Grade & 5th Grade Grade (See Flyer)
11/19/2026 Fal Feast MYP Treat Bar
11/20/2026 Hello Holidays Parade Kinder-2nd Grade (See Flyer)
Price Increases at the End of the Month
Voters in Palm Beach and Broward counties will consider a renewal of an existing one-mill school property tax levy on the November 3, 2026, General Election ballot. This is a renewal of an existing tax, not a new tax. If it is renewed, it will provide funds to both traditional public schools as well as charter schools.
Because Franklin Academy is a public charter school serving families in both counties, we are sharing the attached information to help families understand the referendum and how it relates to public charter schools.
Franklin Academy is not taking a position for or against the referendum. Our role is simply to provide factual information, so that each voter can make their own informed decision.
_____________________________________________________________________
OFFICIAL BALLOT LANGUAGE
Broward County Public Schools, Florida Referendum
Election: November 3, 2026
REFERENDUM TO CONTINUE AD VALOREM LEVY FOR
SCHOOL SAFETY, TEACHERS, AND OPERATIONAL NEEDS
Fund School Employee Pay, Safety, and Mental Health through a One-Mill Property Tax Levy
To enhance school safety and mental health services, recruit and retain highly qualified teachers and essential employees, improve student achievement, and support critical school operations, shall the School Board of Broward County continue to levy a one-mill ad valorem property tax from January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2030, to fund school safety personnel, mental health services, increased compensation for teachers, and school-based support staff for public and charter schools?
_____Yes or _____No
_____________________________________________________________________
Please review the above flyer for additional information.
Sincerely,
The Franklin Academy Foundation Governing Board
K-5 Families: Square 1 Art
Current artwork ready to be shipped out
to be made into beautiful momentos!
More details to follow soon from Ms. Centeno!
Falcon Sports' Corner
Dress Down Passes-ORDERS ARE NOW OPEN
IB Learner Profile Attribute Corner
November: Risk-Taker
IB Risk-Takers approach uncertainty with courage and determination. They work independently and cooperatively to explore new ideas and innovative strategies. They are resourceful and resilient when faced with challenges and change. Being a risk-taker doesnβt mean being fearless; it means being willing to try, learn, and grow, even when something feels difficult or unfamiliar.
Throughout the month, please encourage students to:
Step outside their comfort zones and try something new.
Share their ideas and opinions confidently, even when they are unsure of the outcome.
View mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow.
Support classmates as they take positive academic and social risks.
Set a personal goal to try something new or face a challenge.
Resources to Explore
Here are some resources and ideas to help bring the Risk-Taker trait to life in your classrooms. Please feel free to use them at your convenience and adapt them to your studentsβ grade levels.
Short Videos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hv4E9XligoI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF4kQfEVJLM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rravJ7RVsY
Discussion Starters
When have you tried something new, even though you werenβt sure how it would go?
Why is it important to take risks in learning?
How can we support classmates when they try something challenging?
What can we learn from making mistakes?
What is one risk you would like to take this month?
Classroom Ideas by Grade Level
Kβ2: Read a story about a character who tries something new, such as The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds. Discuss how the character feels and how courage helps them grow.
3β5: Create a βRisk-Taker Wallβ where students post examples of times, they tried something new, faced a challenge, or learned from a mistake.
6β8: Have students write or discuss a time they took an academic or personal risk and reflect on what they learned from the experience.
Additional Extension Ideas
Connect the Risk-Taker trait to current units through science experiments, performances, debates, creative projects, and other classroom activities.
Highlight risk-takers in literature, science, history, and current studies.
Encourage students to set a personal βRisk-Taker Goalβ for the month by identifying one new thing they will try or one challenge they will work to overcome.
2026β2027 IB Learner Profile Schedule
- August β€οΈ Caring
- September βοΈ Balanced
- October π Open-Minded
- November π Risk-Taker
- December π¬ Communicator
- January β Principled
- February πͺ Reflective
- Marchπ‘ Thinkers
- April π Knowledgeable
- May π Inquirers
Why wait until the end of the school year to stress about service hours?
Get an early start on your 2026β27 service hours right now and cross one more thing off your familyβs to-do list!
Service hours for the new school year are already open. There are plenty of great ways to get involved, lend a hand, and support Franklin Academy today.
Don't have an account? Ready to get started?
Log in to the Raptor Volunteer portal to view upcoming opportunities.
https://apps.raptortech.com/.../MTMxMjpWb2x1bnRlZXI6ZW4tVVM=
Daily service hour opportunities at morning/afternoon carline, as well as lunch support and hallway monitoring. Come on over with your ID and we'll get you earning your service hours any day! You can pop in for 15 minutes or stay all day. We are always grateful to have helping hands around campus supporting our students and staff. (You must have your RAPTOR account established to be on campus volunteering.)
Get your EIGHT hours done early! Future you will thank you!
π©Ί Health Corner With Nurse Schwam π©Ί
I need/want to send medication to school for my child - what do I do?
What is considered βmedication:β
ANYTHING that requires a prescription
Epi Pen
Inhaler
Seizure Medications
Nasal Sprays
Eye Drops
Over the counter items:
Ibuprofen including but not limited to: Motrin, Advil, CVS/Walgreens/Publix and all generic brands, etc.
Acetaminophen including but not limited to: Tylenol, CVS/Walgreens/Publix and all generic brands, etc.
Nasal Spray
Eye Drops
Homeopathic Medications
Vitamins
Topical ointments including but not limited to: hydrocortisone, antibiotic ointment, etc.
What do I do if my child needs to bring medication to school (prescribed OR over the counter):
You MUST have the Medication Authorization Form (form attached below) completed and signed by the physician.
Once signed by the physician, the parent/guardian MUST sign as well.
Parent/Guardian MUST bring the medication to school to be stored in the locked medication cabinet in the clinic.
HOW to send the medication:
THE MEDICATION MUST BE:
current (NOT expired)
properly labeled
NEW (unopened)
Q. Why is this the process:
Dispensing medication in the school is the same as dispensing medication in a hospital or clinic setting.
We are REQUIRED to have signed physician orders to dispense medication.
We are REQUIRED to have a parent/guardian signature giving us authorization to administer medication
Q. Where is medication kept?
Medication is kept in the locked medication cabinet in the clinic.
Forms are kept in the Medication binder in the locked cabinet.
During field trips, medication is sent with the teacher to have if we need to use while on trip.
Title I Corner
Thank you for joining us on 10/22, notes from meeting in attachment.
PTO Corner
β PTO Purpose β
The group, through collaboration with the school administration, is organized for the
purpose of supporting the educational environment at Franklin Academy Charter School
by organizing fundraising efforts, events to benefit the school and its mission.
Meet our PTO Board
PTO President: Holli McGee
PTO Vice President: Daniely Millan
PTO Secretary: Fatima Richardson
PTO Treasurer: Nadirah Phillip
PTO Volunteer Coordinator: Erika Shannon
PTO Event Coordinator: Mary Renderer
Click on link below to find e-mail
contacts for our board!
2026-2027 PTO Calendar of Events
UNIFORM POLICY REMINDERS
Dress code guidelines specify appropriate school attire for normal school days. Franklin Academy reserves the right to interpret these guidelines and/or make changes during the school year. Students are expected to comply with these guidelines. If a student arrives without the proper uniform, they may be sent to the front office and will remain there until a parent/guardian brings the correct uniform.
Improperly fitted uniforms are considered a violation of the dress code, and students may not be allowed to attend class until appropriate clothing is provided. Offensive, immodest, or inappropriate attire, as deemed by the faculty, is not permitted. Torn or tattered clothing is also prohibited. All clothing should be labeled with the student's name. Parents/guardians of Kindergarten and first grade students are encouraged to leave an extra set of clothes in a labeled Ziploc bag in their childβs backpack in case of emergencies.
iUniforms: all back orders have been fullfilled at this time. Starting on Monday, 10/19, all non-Franklin outerware will be confiscated and child can pick up at end of school day. Please ensure your child has the uniform options for sweatshirts, sweaters, and jackets. They can also layer with long sleeves under their uniform shirt that they can remove throughout the day if they are warm.
Discipline Matrix Link - For families looking for the matrix for their child's grade band, (K-2, 3-5, 6-8), you can follow the link to the Code of Conduct which lives on our website in the SCHOOL INFO TAB.
Starting on page 47, you will see each grade band matrix with the indicents and consequences.
FortifyFL - See something, say something
FortifyFL is a suspicious activity reporting tool that allows students to instantly relay information to appropriate law enforcement agencies and school officials.
QUICK AND EASY SAFETY TIP SUBMISSION
By accessing FortifyFL, students can provide a description of the threat, share pics, and videos and optionally submit their contact information. Submissions can be anonymous or non-anonymous. Submitting a tip is quick and easy using our mobile app or website.
All Franklin Academy students have access to FortifyFL via their Clever portal dashboard.
Level 2 Fingerprinting Clearance
REMINDER:
Screening/Fingerprinting requirement for families that would like to volunteer for field trips.
Step one is to make an appointment with our Business Manager, Ms. Yepez, and then make your appointment for the actual fingerprinting.
CLICK on link below!
Book time with Business Manager-CC: Fingerprinting - STEP 1 - Data Collection & Privacy Policy
Instructions stated in the link:
Effective November 30, 2025, all Field Trip Chaperones must complete and pass a Level 2 Background Screening in order to participate.
This is a two-step process.
Step 1: Schedule an appointment with the schoolβs Business Manager to complete data verification and receive the required documentation.
This is an IN PERSON appointment. IGNORE THE MICROSOFT BUTTON TO JOIN ONLINE!! Please bring drivers license and social security card.
Step 2: Using the documentation from Step 1, the parent/guardian must schedule an appointment at a Live Scan location for fingerprinting and background processing.
Please note: fees for this step vary and are the responsibility of the parent/guardian.
*The booking window only allows 90 days lead time, if full, please check back each week. Clearance is good for 5 years.**
Q&A
1.Is this an in-person or online Microsoft teams meeting?
The meeting is in person as per instructions. Parent or guardian also has to sign the Privacy Policy Acknowledgment Form at the start of the meeting.
2.Do you have any earlier appointments?
This application is self-managed and runs automatically. You would need to check back periodically in case there are any cancellations. Booking window is Tuesday to Thursday from 12 to 1PM. NO EXCEPTIONS.
3.I have prior clearance for work or from the prior school. Can I submit this as clearance?
Unfortunately, no. As for providing your own printed clearance, I need to verify your clearance directly in the system before it can be accepted. This is necessary to ensure that we are properly protecting our students and following our required procedures. If I were to accept a printed clearance without verifying it myself, I would also have to make the same exception for others. To ensure consistency and compliance, I must follow the same verification process for everyone.
4. I missed my appointment. What should I do?
Reschedule.
5. I canβt make it to my appointment. What should I do?
Cancel and reschedule.
6. What is the maximum lead time for the booking application?
90 days
7. How do I make an appointment to start the fingerprint process?
Click on the link and follow the instructions.
Who's who?
Assistant Principal over PowerSchool/Academic Concerns: Ms. Vazquez - vazquez.emilia@franklin-academy.org
Assistant Principal over Curriculum/Academic Concerns: Ms. Carrizo- carrizo.cassandra@franklin-academy.org
Service Hours/Raptor/Carline/E2E Bus Transporatin/All NON-Instructional aspects: Director of School Operations-Mr. Williams - williams.demon@franklin-academy.org
School Fees/Balances: Ms. Yepez - businessmanager-cc@franklin-academy.org
Registration/School Records: Ms. Cabrera - cabrera.elizabeth@franklin-academy.org
Health/Clinic: Nurse Schwam - cc-nurse@franklin-academy.org
Service Hour Forms: Ms. N. Gonzalez - gonzalez.nancy@franklin-academy.org; Ms. Conatser conatser.amy@franklin-academy.org
Attendance Inquiries: Ms. Conatser - attendance-cc@franklin-academy.org; conatser.amy@franklin-academy.org
Placards: Ms. Conatser -conatser.amy@franklin-academy.org
Private Bus Registration- Gonzalez.diana@franklin-academy.org
Title 1 Liaison: Ms. Carrizo - carrizo.cassandra@franklin-academy.org
Special Programs Coordinator (ESE, IEPs, Gifted 504 Plans): Ms. Hackworth- hackworth.taryn@franklin-academy.org
ESOL Coordinator: Ms. Ordonez- ordonez.gracy@franklin-academy.org
Testing Coordinator: Ms. Plummer - plummer.danielle@franklin-academy.org
Athletic Director: cc-athletics@franklin-academy.org
School Counselors: grullon.penelope@franklin-academy.org lindsay.tashon@franklin-academy.org
9/11/2026
2026-2027 School Theme...
πβ Diving Beneath the Surface;
Anchored in Success βπ
Franklin Academy
Email: fox.alexandra@franklin-academy.org
Website: franklin-academy.org
Location: 6301 South Flamingo Road, Cooper City, FL, USA
Phone: 954 780 5533
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FranklinAcademyCharter/