8/18/26
No matter how your student and family spend these last days of summer, know that here at FHS there is a community getting ready to welcome you back and make the most of the one and only 2026-27 school year. Today I would like to (re)share with you what we mean by Saber Pride at Franklin High School. For our students to be respectful, responsible, and engaged every day, is to give themselves the best opportunity to maximize the moments they have. Consider reflecting on or talking about how your student can demonstrate Saber Pride every moment of every day. Our staff will certainly be intentionally engaging our students in conversations about classroom expectations, learning for the upcoming year, and important habits and skills. When our scholars have and live Saber Pride, our pride of Sabers is stronger. Vince Lombardi once said, "the quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor." Our individual commitment to Saber Pride and one another is what will make Franklin High School a better place to learn, a better place to work, and part of a better community.
Here is to making the most of our final days of summer, preparation, and kick off for this school year.
With Saber Pride,
Mr. Vuolo
August
August 18
- Student Picture Day 10am-7pm
August 24
- Freshmen & New Students First Day
August 25
- Welcome Back ALL Students
September
September 2
- Staff/Student Picture Re-take Day
- FHS Open House 5:45pm-8pm
September 7
- No School-Labor Day Holiday
- Saber Marching Invite
September 21
- No School-Staff Professional Development
- Parent Teacher Conferences 4pm-7pm
September 30-October 3
- Homecoming Activities (More to come)
First Days of School
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!
Student Picture Day and Id's
We have one more picture day scheduled for today:
August 18
- Student Picture Day 10am-7pm
Please sign up for a time slot HERE
Seniors, you still need to get an ID photo taken!
If for some reason you cannot make one of these dates, don't worry, we will hold a make up session on 9/2 during lunch hours.
Photos can be ordered through this link. Use the drop down menu to select your school name.
Yearbook Pick Up
2025-26 yearbooks will be handed out during the student photo days at the following times:
August 12th: 3-6pm
August 18th: 11am-3pm
Students will need their student ID to pick up their yearbook. If they are taking their ID photo and picking up their yearbook, they should take their ID photo FIRST. If an adult is picking up on their students behalf they will need to show the order confirmation from Josten’s (digital is fine). Students may not pick up for other students - the only exception is siblings.
Any yearbooks not picked up during these time slots can be picked up during A day lunches during the second week of school. Any books not picked up after the second week of school will be handed out based on the availability of yearbook staff. Further communication will be sent on late pick up at another time.
Any questions about yearbook pick up can be sent to fhsyearbook@franklinsabers.org and a yearbook staff member will follow up as soon as possible.
STUDENT PARKING TAGS
Distribution of FHS Parking tags will continue this week in the FHS Main Office. Please follow the email directions sent to you if you signed up for parking.
Only the student that will be parking or a listed parent/guardian in Powerschool may pick up parking tags (parents will still need to bring in documentation of student license and vehicle insurance).
If you have detention to serve, an email was sent to you in late June. You may serve this time in the office, from 7:00 am until 3:00 pm before school resumes. Once detention hours are clear and all other requirements are met, you may pick up your tag.
Parking fees have been charged to Powerschool accounts for those who have met all requirements. It is preferred, but not required, that you pay for the entire year $200. At a minimum, Semester 1 parking must be paid before the tag will be issued. Payment can be made online through your Powerschool account, or at time of tag pick up, via cash, check (payable to Franklin Public Schools) or credit card.
Student parking spots are numbered and are selected randomly by picking a number from a bucket for the lot of your choice. We are selling tags for the south lot (Student Lot A) which is on the Saber Center end of the building and a small number of spots will be available in Student Lot C near the baseball fields. The north lot (Student Lot B) which is on athletic end of the building is SOLD OUT. You will need to decide which student lot you prefer to park at time of tag distribution and that is where you will park for the entire school year.
For tag pick up, students must come prepared to show your current drivers license and current proof of auto insurance for the vehicle you will park on the FHS premises. Expired insurance cards will prohibit you from obtaining your tag.
We will be running Mr. Vuolo’s fundraiser again this year with proceeds going to students in need. For $5 you can opt to re-draw and choose the best spot of your picks. This is a cash only fundraiser, so stop at the ATM on your way in.
If you completed Back to School Online Check-In but did not apply for parking at that time, please fill out the PARKING APPLICATION LINKED HERE. Students must bring in the completed paper application, copy of signed parking agreement, current driver's license and current proof of auto insurance for the vehicle they plan to park on the lot in order to obtain their tag.
All vehicles on our lot MUST visibly show a parking tag on the rearview mirror of the vehicle from 6:30am-2:34pm. This begins on the first day of school. Per the FHS Student Handbook, One day parking is available with a very limited number of spots. This option is only allowed one day per week per student. Do not depend on this option. The cost is $2 per day and MUST BE RESERVED IN ADVANCE through the main office.
Beginning on Monday, August 24th, parking tags will be sold/issued AFTER SCHOOL ONLY. If you have not taken care of the process before your first day of school, you are not allowed to park on school grounds. Our lot will be monitored and you can be ticketed. Please ensure all student drivers are aware of the parking rules and the parking agreement that was signed during the Back to School Online Check-In.
YONDR Pouches Coming to Franklin High School
As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we remain committed to providing the best possible learning environment academically, socially and emotionally for your child while they attend Franklin High School. To support this goal, our school board has approved new policy language around a few items we want to share with you in regards to technology usage while at school and also how some practices at Franklin High School are being adjusted for the 2026-2027 school year.
Families should have completed the Back-To-School Online Check-In (BTSOC) for 26/27.
- In accordance with Board Policy 7540.03 and administrative guidelines, “all students and parents of minors must acknowledge compliance with the Student Technology Acceptable Use and Safety Agreement.” There is a checkbox in the BTSOC to be clicked recognizing agreement. District-issued devices or access to student Google Accounts will not be released until this has been completed.
- Students may not bring technology resources or other electronic equipment (ex. personal laptops) to school. See Board Policy 5136.01. The District will supply any needed technology resources or other electronic equipment.
- FHS will continue the practice of “no cell bell-to-bell” (see Board Policy 5136 and Wisconsin Act 42 – new for the 2026-2027 school year) with the proactive addition of Yondr pouches to store student personal communication devices during the entirety of the school day. The Board Situation Report with additional information and data is linked.
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 use of Yondr has helped schools nationwide improve student wellness, focus, and school culture—with impressive results:
83% saw increased classroom engagement
65% experienced academic growth
74% saw fewer behavior referrals
How It Works:
Morning: Students turn off/silent their devices and lock them in their personal Yondr pouch before 1st period, by 7:20. 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 designated stations to retrieve their devices.
Students are responsible for bringing their pouch daily (along with their Chromebook) and keeping it in good condition. If your child needs device access during the day for medical reasons or as part of their individualized education plan, please contact their grade-level Associate Principal to discuss accommodations.
We believe this shift will allow for deeper learning during instructional time and build personal relationships among our students that are positive throughout the school day. Schools in our area, including Forest Park Middle School, have implemented practices similar to this and found success in reductions in school disciplinary incidents with increases in student engagement while supporting student mental health at a key time in their development.
We hope this message allows for time to be spent previewing this with your child(ren). To learn more, watch the Yondr Pouch Phone-Free Overview Video. If there are questions, please fill out this form, and we will generate an FAQ document as we get closer to the school year to provide more details of the roll out. Thank you for your continued support and partnership to support your child(ren). Stay tuned for further information regarding the use of Yondr pouches as we get closer to the start of school in August.
Enjoy the last week of summer break!
Saber Roar
Episode: Will return in the new school year!
Saber Pride
Will return in the new school year!
Check out our FHS students showing Saber Pride this week, by being RESPECTFUL, RESPONSIBLE and ENGAGED!
(Click on the Image)
Current Flyers & Community Happenings
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
Helpful Links For Students
Below are links to some helpful student resources!
Community Academic & Career Planning Opportunities
Community Resources for Families
FHS Information Links & Tips!
School Information
Website: https://www.franklin.k12.wi.us/franklin-high-school
Location: 8222 S 51st St, Franklin, WI 53132, USA
Phone: 414-423-4640
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FranklinHighSchoolSabers
Twitter: @franklinsabers
Instagram: @FHSSABERS
