Franzen Falcon

We hope this monthly newsletter will give you a glimpse into the goings on at Franzen Intermediate School.

The format of this newsletter will include the following:

• upcoming calendar events
• pictures from around the school community
• any IPTO (parent teacher organization updates)
• and much more!!

A LOT OF INFORMATION THIS MONTH

!! Please scroll all the way to the bottom !!

• December 2 - Holiday Spirit Calendar Begins
• December 11 - Franzen School collecting Toys For Tots (last day is December 11)
• December 18 - 2026 Preschool Information Night
• December 20 - IPTO Holiday Parties
• December 23 - January 6 - No School - Winter Break
• January 7 - School Resumes (Tuesday)

The 2nd and 5th graders at Benson and Franzen designed and painted ornaments for the Itasca Community Library's annual tree decorating contest. Stop by the library anytime through the end of the year to see these artists' beautiful work! Both schools' trees are located upstairs between the magazines and the vending machines. You can vote for your favorite tree from December 1st-31st, either in person at the library or online at the library's website, itascalibrary.org.

• Collecting new, unused toys
• Now through December 11th
• All District 10 Schools are collecting this holiday season

NOW GEAR - Cold Weather Reminder

When weather permits, we will go outside with the students at noon recess.

Necessary cold weather clothing . . .

• every day: winter coat, hat and gloves

• on any day when it snows: winter coat, hat, gloves and boots

• to play in the snow: winter coat, hat, gloves, boots, and snow pants

Extra clothes at school:

Several times this school year, there have been children who have needed their parents to bring them a change of clothes for a variety of reasons. Therefore, we are requesting that you send a change of clothes for your child to keep in his/her locker. This should include pants, shirt, socks, and underwear all placed in a plastic bag. As with other items your child brings to school, it is important that you write your child’s name in each item in case they are lost.

The temperature will be checked daily. If the temperature is 20 degrees or below factoring wind chill, the children will not go outside for recess.

If the temperature is above 20 degrees, per our student/parent handbook the children will have recess outdoors.

ALL CHILDREN WILL GO OUT TO RECESS UNLESS EXCUSED WITH A NOTE FROM THEIR DOCTOR.

The libraries at Peacock, Franzen and Benson are always looking for an extra hand. As a volunteer you might check out books for the students, help shelve library materials, listen to a small group of children read aloud, assist with library projects … The possibilities are endless!

Volunteers are needed each day in some capacity. Your help would be appreciated one morning or afternoon each week, once or twice a month, during your student's library time or whenever you find you have some free time to spend at the school with the children!

Please complete the form linked here to volunteer in your child's library. Training will required prior to volunteering. Volunteers will be invited on an as needed basis. The school librarian will contact you to get you started!

Thank you,

Ashley Darling - Peacock Librarian

Anita DeValk - Franzen Librarian

Jennifer Susina - Benson Librarian

Art

Music

PE

This school year, students will learn more about the 8 Keys to Excellence through activities that include reflection and application. We encourage all students to go beyond being "respectful, responsible, and safe" to embody the characteristics of the 8 Keys. More information about each key and it's meaning can be found here.

Our school goal is to always be above 95%. PLEASE HELP US CONTINUE REACH OUR GOAL!! Thank you :)

Students must be in school at least half of a school day in order to participate in after school events.

In order to attend school, students must be in compliance with all DuPage County Health regulations. See the Health section for more information related to deciding when your child is too ill to be in school.

Attendance patterns are monitored regularly by school staff. If the number of days missed to school is equal to 5% of the total days that school has been in session, a referral will be made to the DuPage County Truancy Office. This means that the truancy officer will contact you for problem solving in order to improve the child’s school attendance. A student who misses 5% or more of school every year will lose ONE FULL ACADEMIC YEAR of learning before reaching high school graduation.

If your child has a medical condition that is contributing to missed school days, contact the school nurse.

We are excited to share that all Franzen students have access to individual and personalized math and reading lessons through iReady. Through this platform, students will follow an individual learning path that provides interactive lessons on specific academic skills. Grade level teachers Have taught students how to use this program. Students are welcomed and encouraged to complete these lessons outside of school as well!

Students can login with their school username and password at https://login.i-ready.com/. More information on how you can support the learning process is linked below.

IPTO Monthly Newsletters

IPTO December Newsletter

IPTO November Newsletter

IPTO October Newsletter

IPTO September Newsletter

• November 15- Trivia Night (adults only)

Other IPTO News


We will include monthly newsletters from the IPTO here. The IPTO also has a website & Facebook page, please consider joining their organization.

Questions or comments, reach out to denisedicianni@hotmail.com

• Itasca District 10 Registration Page.pdf

  Itasca District 10 Lunch at a Glance.pdf

Please see the link below for the IPTO holiday program which will provide gifts for 3 of our Itasca families. If you would like to participate please use the link to sign up. Please note it is completely OPTIONAL.

Link to SignUp Genius for Holiday Fundraiser

Attached below is additional information on childcare providers in our community.

Before/After School Childcare & Tutor List

As the year begins please know it is normal for your child's bus route to be delayed as students become familiar with their bus route. We have a service to help you be notified if there is a delay.

Please click the link below to sign up for BUS BULLETIN notifications.

The district offers optional Chromebook insurance that can be purchased at the link below.

https://gpo.worthavegroup.com/gpo/itasca10/

Please contact the school if you have any questions.

The IPTO is proud to announce online clothing store that will also be linked on their website. Here are some details

• Store never closes
• Items ship directly to your house
• Shop from several school stores and all items will be placed in one shopping cart
  

Below are links to our school stores:

• Benson Primary School
• Franzen Intermediate School
  
• Peacock Middle School