MAPS School Board Staff Spotlight

Zach Kahmann, aka Mr. Zach, is an incredibly valued member of the Franklin Family. He regularly goes above and beyond to meet the needs of our students, families, and staff. Through two years of construction projects, some unexpected turnover in custodial staff, and all the issues that arise when you’re in charge of keeping a building safe and clean, Mr. Zach has always been there for the people he serves. He continuously puts others before himself, and his servant leadership makes our school better every day. Kids and adults appreciate his kindness, patience, and under-the-radar sense of humor.

THANK YOU Mr. Zach! We are so PROUD to have you at Franklin!

What does this mean for families? ELEMENTARY students will be dismissed from school at 12:30 P.M. as teachers engage in professional learning. Buses will drop students off at their normal bus stop, approximately two hours earlier than a typical afternoon, and parents who pick their students up at school should make arrangements to do so right at 12:30. There will be no Excel or other after school programming, with the exception of ACES. Students who are registered for the ACES after school program will be supervised by school staff from 12:30 - 2:30, and ACES staff will take over at that time. Families whose children don't attend ACES, but still require supervision from 12:30 - 2:30 were able to sign up for "after-school care" using the link sent to households on Dec. 5th.

As the weather turns colder, there are a few reminders we want to give families to ensure they, and our students, are prepared for the winter season.

- Unless it is "dangerously cold", students will continue to be outside for morning and lunch time recess. Please help them remember to come to school prepared for the weather each day. It's not an option for them to stay inside because they don't like the cold. Getting fresh air and regular exercise is important for children, and we will continue providing those opportunities unless unsafe conditions exist.

- How do we determine when it's safe or unsafe for students and staff to be outside? Many factors play into our decision making process. We use the National Weather Service Wind Chill Chart (pictured below) to guide our decision making process.

A few variables exist that impact this process and may create variability between elementary school sites and even grade level decisions throughout the day:

• Wind isn't the same from site to site or hour to hour (Rosa Parks vs Franklin or 11:00 AM vs. 12:30 PM)
• The direction from which the wind is blowing. Winds from the north or west tend to impact the Franklin playground the most.
• The preparedness of students, particularly early in the winter season, for unexpected drops in temperature.
• The presence or absence of snow/sleet/rain/ice, which impact the condition of the blacktop/playground equipment.
• The presence or absence of sunshine, as well as the number of days students have had access to recess recently, also factor into our decision-making on days the temperatures are "borderline".

In the end, there are many things we contemplate when deciding whether or not to have our students and staff outside during cold winter weather, but rest-assured we are always considering the health and safety of those impacted by our decisions.

What about days when the weather is so severe we have to delay school, leave school early, or cancel school altogether? Below is the Winter Weather Letter to Families that contains all the important information you need when you aren't sure about the weather's impact on our school days.

**Important note: Always look and listen for "Mankato Area Public Schools"**

Blue Earth Area Schools is a smaller school district south of us. When you hear or see this, IT IS NOT Mankato Area Public Schools. This is something that often confuses parents because of the county in which we live.

Welcome Caregivers of Future Kindergarten Students!

We are excited to welcome your child to Mankato Area Public Schools in Fall 2025! Kindergarten is a crucial time for growth in academics, social skills, and emotional development, setting the stage for your child's K-12 journey.

Ready to Enroll?

Visit https://www.isd77.org/enroll to access the online enrollment form. The online enrollment form can be completed on a variety of devices including a computer, tablet or smartphone. Parents can also call 507-387-2125 or email centralregistration@isd77.org to make an appointment with Central Registration staff if they need help completing the enrollment form.

Are you, or is someone you know, looking for a way to earn some extra money or looking for a rewarding job working with students? If so, check out the links below to explore opportunities to work as a paraprofessional, lunch/recess supervisor, or ACES staff member. We have multiple openings right here at Franklin, and we'd love to have Franklin family members as part of our school staff. If you have questions specific to any open positions, please call the Franklin office at: 507-345-4287.

The next PTO meeting is tonight, Monday evening, December 9, starting at 6:30 PM in the Franklin media center. We encourage any and all parents interested in making a positive impact for kids at Franklin to attend these meetings and/or volunteer at PTO-sponsored events.

• 12/9 - PTO Meeting at 6:30 PM in the Franklin Media Center

• 12/11 - Early Release Day (Elementary Students Dismissed at 12:30 PM)

• 12/20 - Last Day of School Before Winter Break

- 5th Grade Gingerbread House Viewing (11:45 - 12:30 in the Auditorium)

- Kindergarten Winter Festival (1:15 - 2:00 in the kindergarten classrooms)

• 12/21- 1/1 - NO SCHOOL / Winter Break

• 1/2 - Students Return to School