The Weekly Update #68

Here are some quick updates:

5th grade camp fundraising

• Please look out for an email and sms message about our 5th graders who will be fundraising on Fridays in support of Camp.
• We appreciate any donations in support of this.

TWCI theme for the month of March:

• Power Dynamics: I am a good leader

Spirit Day Theme for March:

• Rainbow Day 3/31

Toothfairy Experience is coming up!

• The Tooth Fairy Experience is returning to Franklin and will be split up in 2 assemblies on Wednesday, April 15th in the cafeteria. TK-K will have the same presentation as last year, and the 1st and 2nd grade will get an all-new presentation to build on last years information!

• TK-K 1:45-2:15

  1st-2nd grade 2:30-3:00

Classroom and individual Spring Pictures March 30th

• Spring Picture Day is coming on Monday, March 30!
• You can place your order on mylifetouch.com using your Picture Day ID: EVTF7Q9NH. Order before midnight on Picture Day to get FREE shipping!
  Your child can also bring their completed flyer with cash or check on Monday, March 30. Orders after Picture Day must be placed online only on
• Your child can also bring their completed flyer with cash or check on Monday, March 30. Orders after Picture Day must be placed online only on mylifetouch.com.
• Parent Helpers Wanted:
• Help us make the Picture Day smooth and effortless. Contact the office if you'd like to volunteer at Picture Day.

Students, families invited to tour colleges

• All Tacoma Public Schools families are invited to participate in our annual set of College Tours for Families, March 11 – May 16.
• Our Community Partnership Office, in partnership with the College Success Foundation, organized tours of seven outstanding local colleges. Guests will tour campuses and learn from college staff about their admissions process, financial aid, and scholarships and college life.
• Tours are designed for TPS students and families to learn together. They can explore future possibilities and gain firsthand insights into programs, resources and more.
• Registration is open now for the University of Puget Sound tour on March 11. Family Engagement - Tacoma Public Schools

Supports available for all students

• As a reminder, our schools have skilled counselors who can help with academic, career and social-emotional guidance. If your child needs support beyond what a counselor can offer, we also have exceptional mental health partners who provide services at schools. School counselors can assist with referrals to our partner agencies.
• You can also find helpful mental health resources on our website: Mental Health Resources - Tacoma Public Schools.

TPS Night at the Rainiers is May 27

• TPS and the Rainiers are once again teaming up for a night at the ballpark in May.
• All Tacoma Public Schools attendees are invited to participate in the pre-game parade on the baseball field. Rainiers players will wear student-designed jerseys that will be auctioned off during the game. Students will also sing the national anthem, perform color guard, throw the first pitch, and perform during the game.

• When: Wednesday, May 27 at 5:30 p.m. (game at 6:05 p.m.)
• Where: Cheney Stadium, Tacoma
• Get tickets here: Tacoma Public Schools Night

Learn about advanced programs offered in our schools

• TPS families and students are invited to attend a March 19 event to learn more about the advanced programs and pathways offered in Tacoma Public Schools, including International Baccalaureate, highly capable and AVID.
• Join school district representatives on Thursday, March 19, from 4-7 p.m. at Hunt Middle School, 6501 S. 10th St., Tacoma.
• Register here: Advanced Programs Community Information Night

The last thing we ask is that you enjoy your weekend! We are SO excited to see you and your children this upcoming week. Please read below for other updates.

Have a wonderful and safe weekend Franklin families!

-The Franklin team

Please bring charged laptops to school. 🙂

Please keep personal electronics at home.

Reminder, no sharing of food due to allergies

Permission slips if your student walks home.

Arrival and Dismissal

• As a reminder, arrival and dismissal will look like it did towards the ending of the school year. Please say your goodbyes at the gate as students walk to their class lines. If you are walking your student to the gate, please park and walk OR you may have your student leave from your car as long as your car continues to move through the line (no parking in the loading zone). There is specific parking for families with students who have special individualized plans or who have ADA accommodations. Please keep these areas clear for those families.
• If you have students who normally walk home, please send fill out a permission slip. We would need to have one on file to allow students to walk without an adult.

Catching the bus

• If your child plans to take the bus to school, please download our free transportation app, My Ride K-12 for bus stop location, route and pickup times. Your child’s bus route is available now.
• Bus 40: Please bring your badges back with you to school. If they have lost them, there will be a $5 replacement beginning this school year. (Free for free/reduced lunch eligible students).

• Please remind your students there is no sharing of food during lunch or snack times. We have many students with allergies who cannot share food items.
• We ask that all personal electronics stay home. We do understand that some give families give their student a phone or smart watch to stay in communication with you about arrival and dismissal, in this case, we ask that it is turned off and put away for the school day so they can focus on their learning.

March 2026

• March 1 National middle level education month
• March 1 American Red cross month
• March 1 Irish American Heritage month
• March 1 Music in our schools month
• March 1 National nutrition month
• March 1 Social work month
• March 1 Women's history month
• March 1 Youth art month
• March 1-7 National Foreign language week
• March 2-6 National Breakfast week
• March 2nd Read Across America Day
• March 9-13th Classified staff week
• March 17th St Patrick's Day
• March 21st International Day for the elimination of racial discrimination

• Paint Night 3/3
• Read Across America week 3/2-3/6
• 4th grade field trip to WA State History Museum 3/5
• PTSA Popcorn Friday 3/6
• Early Release conferences for Headstart and Preschool 3/9-3/13th
• Early release conferences 3/12-3/13th
• Headstart in person field trip 3/19
• Class pictures 3/30
• Spirit Day - Rainbow Day 3/31
• TWCI Awards Assembly 3/31

Here a few safety precautions we have for this school year both at Franklin, and throughout Tacoma Public Schools:

Safe campus

As you know, student safety is out top priority. We have measures in place to ensure a smooth transition to class for students while maintaining safety. Breakfast will be eaten in the classrooms. We ask that parents and guardians say their goodbyes at the front gates of the school. We cannot allow families or guests in the classroom/building unless it has been pre-arranged. Once again this is part of our safety measures.

Volunteers

Volunteers are welcome. To volunteer in a classroom, it must be arranged with the teacher beforehand. All volunteers must complete a background check before volunteering. Volunteers must check in at the office and always wear a visitor's sticker or lanyard.

Late arrivals

If your student arrives after 8:50, please come with them to the main office. You can ring the bell and the front office will let you in. The front office will then ask you to sign in and will give your student a tardy pass. We ask that you then say your goodbyes to your student at the front office.

Visitors and Volunteers

We truly appreciate your willingness to volunteer at our school and are grateful for the strong partnerships we have with our families. Volunteers play a vital role in supporting our students and staff, and we want to ensure that all expectations are clear so everyone can have a positive experience.

As a reminder, here are the key guidelines for all volunteers:

1. Sign-In Procedure: Please make sure to sign in at the office each time you volunteer. This helps us maintain a clear understanding of who is in the building for safety and security purposes. You will also be given a visitor badge that identifies you.
2. Stay at Your Designated Spot: Volunteers are expected to remain at their assigned location. Please do not gather in areas not assigned to you – we work hard to know where all visitors are at all times
3. Respect for Classroom Spaces: Volunteers should only be in classrooms by pre-arrangement from the teacher. Please respect the learning environment and follow the teacher's instructions during your visit.
4. Adhere to District Conduct Guidelines: It’s important that all volunteers follow the district’s guidelines on appropriate conduct while in the building. This ensures that we maintain a professional and respectful atmosphere for students, staff, and guests.
5. No Photos of Other Children: To protect privacy, we do not allow for photos of students or classroom settings.

We are committed to providing a safe and positive learning environment for our students, and your cooperation in following these guidelines is greatly appreciated. If you have any questions or need clarification, please don’t hesitate to reach out directly to me.

Tacoma Public Schools shares weather-related scheduling impacts in a number of ways, including email, calls and texts directly to you. You can make sure your contact information is up to date by checking ParentVUE. Get directions to update your account here: ParentVUE Help - Tacoma Public Schools

If you need help updating your information, contact our Franklin Front office.

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday

• School starts at 8:40
• NO valet effective April 14th 2025!
• Students will line up on teacher designated white lines on the blacktop as early as 8:35
• Teachers will pick up their students.
• Students will have breakfast and begin class.
• School ends at 3:10.

Wednesdays

• School starts at 9:40 on late starts.
• NO valet effective April 14th 2025!
• School ends at 3:10.

School bus safety
Please help us keep children safe on the school bus by talking to them about what to do while riding the bus, including:

• Stay seated while the bus is moving
• Follow the bus driver’s instructions
• If there is a seat belt, keep it fastened
• Keep bus aisles clear
• Don’t toss anything out of a bus window or wave hands out of the window

Thank you for your help, which will keep buses running on time and create a safer environment for all students.

*Attached below is a picture of our valet updates and map for parking.

• Before school you may drop off your student in the valet loading zone however, your vehicle must continue to move as NO parking will be allowed in this zone. Your car must not be unattended and must keep moving after your student has left the car. Staff will not be available to assist students out of cars.
• Crossing will be available if your student is crossing the street in the front of the school campus.
• After school, please do not use the loading zone. You must park in the city parking available or our school parking lot.
• Families with ADA needs will have spaces available at the front of our old valet loading zone.
• Staff will release students after school upon seeing their trusted adult. NO releasing of students to waiting adults in a vehicle. (unless ADA accommodation has been made)

Families of elementary school students can soon register for the next session of Beyond the Bell, fun and engaging after-school programs in our school.

Beyond the Bell activities run from when school gets out to 5:45 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Our students can participate in after-school programs through the Beyond the Bell program.

Please enter through the side handicap main entrance door and ring the bell. A YMCA staff member will answer and check your student in.

Our schools have skilled counselors who can help with academic, career and social-emotional guidance. If your child needs support beyond what a counselor can offer, TPS also has exceptional mental health partners who provide services at schools. School counselors can assist with referrals to our partner agencies.

Find behavior health resources here.

Take a look at the back-to-school welcome guide for information about how our Health Services team can partner with you to keep your child healthy.

Email: franklin@tacoma.k12.wa.us

253-571-1400

Report an absence in ParentVUE

FranklinAttendance@tacoma.k12.wa.us

School Phone: 253-571-1400

Franklin Elementary School

Address: 1402 S Lawrence St, Tacoma, WA 98405