Community Ed & Rec Monthly Roundup

🍁 Fall Program Highlights – A Fantastic Start to the School Year!

Fall is here, and with it comes a full slate of exciting programs through Community Education and Recreation! We’ve officially wrapped up the first month of the school year, and it’s been amazing to see both familiar and new faces participating in our wide range of offerings.

🎨 Kids Club Is In Full Swing!

Our Kids Club before and after school program is running strong at all five elementary schools. Students are enjoying recreational play, arts and crafts, group games, and themed days — all while making new friends and building important social skills. This program continues to be much more than childcare — it’s an extension of the school day where kids learn, play, and grow together.

⚽🏈 Youth Sports Are Kicking Off Strong

Our fall sports leagues are off to a fantastic start! From fall soccer and co-ed flag football to our brand-new NFL Girls Flag Football League, students are staying active, learning teamwork, and having a blast on the field.

We’re especially excited about the NFL Girls Flag Football League, which launched on September 14. We’ve partnered with 19 Community Ed & Rec departments across Wisconsin to bring this opportunity to girls in 2nd–5th grade. Our league includes teams from:

• Franklin

• Oak Creek

• South Milwaukee

• Whitefish Bay

• Nicolet

• St. Francis

• West Allis-West Milwaukee

• Cudahy

• Menomonee Falls

It’s a strong start, and we’re looking forward to expanding this program into the middle school age group in the future!

💪 Fitness & Enrichment Programs

Our fitness classes and enrichment programs are thriving this fall. Whether it’s a group workout or a hands-on class, these programs offer fun and engaging ways for community members of all ages to stay active and learn something new.

🗓️ Upcoming Program Reminder: Kidz Connection – Oct 24th

A quick reminder: Kidz Connection will be held on Friday, October 24th, during the district’s staff professional development day. This full-day program offers a structured, fun-filled experience similar to our Kids Club and summer camp programs.

➡️ Be sure to register early, as spots fill quickly! https://franklin.arux.app

🏗️ New Community Education and Recreation Center – Opening Soon!

Construction is progressing well on our new Community Education and Recreation Center, and we couldn’t be more excited! Our staff is working hard to prepare both returning and new programs so we’ll be ready to go the moment the doors open.

• Construction Completion: Expected by the end of October

• Tentative Opening: Mid-November (official date to be announced in the near future)

This center will be a new hub for learning, wellness, and connection, and we can’t wait to welcome the community inside!

Thank you for being part of such a strong start to the year. We’re looking forward to a great fall season filled with learning, laughter, and connection!

"Where Fun And Learning Come Together"

Best regards,

Matt Gomez
Director, Community Education and Recreation Department

Hi! My name is Alexis Betker and I am the new youth sports coordinator for Franklin Public Schools Community Education and Recreation Department. I am from Racine, WI and the oldest of 5 kids. I recently graduated from Western Illinois University where I played Division I soccer for 4 years. I started playing sports at the age of 3 and have been playing them ever since. Growing up, I played a variety of sports, some of which included basketball, soccer, golf, and volleyball. Sports are my passion and a big part of my life. I am eager to share my sports experiences and am very excited to be a part of the Franklin community! I look forward to helping continue growing the recreation sports leagues and programs here in Franklin!

Welcome Alexis to the Team!

We are excited to welcome Alexis to our team! She brings a wealth of experience to our youth sports leagues and camps from a player’s perspective. Having played a variety of sports at different levels—including Division I in college—Alexis offers valuable insight into athlete development and teamwork.

In her first month with us, she has already brought an incredible amount of positive energy and enthusiasm. She has jumped right in, learning about the programs she’ll be overseeing and getting to know the Franklin community.

Alexis is full of fresh ideas to help keep our youth sports leagues up to date and ensure our programs continue to provide high-quality instruction. Her focus is on teaching the fundamental knowledge and skills kids need to enjoy and succeed in sports.

You’ll be seeing Alexis out on the field at practices, games, camps, and clinics—be sure to say hello!

September has come and gone — and what a busy, exciting start to the fall season it has been!

Many of our fall programs kicked off over the past month, bringing energy, enthusiasm, and lots of smiles across our community. From youth sports to adult fitness, our fall lineup is off to a fantastic start.

⚽🏈🏸 Highlights from September:

• Fall Soccer League – Young athletes hit the fields for another exciting season of skill-building and fun.

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• Flag Football – Both co-ed and the new NFL Girls Flag Football League kicked off with competitive spirit and great teamwork.

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• Adult Fitness Classes – Participants are working hard and staying healthy with a variety of engaging workouts.

• Badminton & More – Our indoor rec programs are offering fun and friendly competition for all ages.

We’ve loved seeing so many community members getting involved and staying active this fall!

📸 Check out a few action shots from our fall programs below!

Fall Registration is now open! Check out these exciting courses that are still open for enrollment. Whether you're looking to improve your fitness, learn a new skill, or have fun with others, we’ve got something for everyone!

🏀 Winter Basketball- Registration closes October 13
Get ready to hit the court this winter! Our Winter Basketball program focuses on skill-building, teamwork, and fun through age-appropriate drills and games. Whether your child is a beginner or looking to sharpen their game, this is the place to grow and play!

🥎 Girls Softball Camp

Start Date: November 5
Get ready to develop your softball skills in a high-energy camp led by experienced coaches. Ideal for girls looking to improve their game and build confidence on the field.
👉 Open to all skill levels!

🧵 Punch Needle Crafting Workshop

Date: October 15
Discover the relaxing and creative art of punch needle crafting! Learn techniques, patterns, and take home your own handmade piece.

Don’t miss out on our upcoming programs — now open for registration!

Don’t miss out on these awesome opportunities to learn, grow, and stay active! Sign Up Today To secure your spot.

We’re thrilled to announce that our popular Before and After School Program is returned to all five elementary schools this year! Sign your students up today for a fun and enriching experience that goes beyond basic childcare.

Why Join Our Program?

• Engaging Recreation Activities: Your child will enjoy a variety of recreation play, arts and crafts, board games, and special themed events designed to spark creativity and teamwork.

• Social Connections: Kids will have the opportunity to make new friends or join their current friends for extra fun before and after school.

• More Than Just Care: This program extends the school day with meaningful activities that support your child’s social, emotional, and physical development in a safe and welcoming environment.

Staff Training and Program Highlights

Before the school year kicked off, our dedicated staff participated in comprehensive training sessions to ensure a high-quality experience for your children. Training focused on:

• Enhancing child engagement through creative play and activities

• Promoting positive social interactions and teamwork

• Ensuring safety and wellbeing at all times

• Implementing inclusive practices to welcome all students

• CPR/AED

Meaningful programming

• Creative arts and crafts projects tailored to different age groups

• Group games that build cooperation and communication skills

• Opportunities for physical activity to keep kids active and energized

Sign your child up today( https://franklin.arux.app) and give them a safe, fun, and enriching way to extend their school day!

First Month Programming Highlights below:

To All Kids Club Families,

As we all continue to navigate the new Arux system, I want to take a moment to sincerely thank you for your patience and ongoing support.

Moving forward, please keep the following important reminders in mind:

📅 Monthly Scheduling

• All MONTHLY schedules must be submitted in the Arux system by the 20th of each month for the following month.

• When entering your schedule, please select “Change Schedule” - do not select “Drop-In”

💳 Invoicing & Payment

• Invoices will be created on the 21st of each month (or the next business days).

• Payments are due on the 1st of each month for that current month.

🔁 After Invoicing

• Credits will not be issued for missed days.

• If your child will be absent, please email your Site Supervisor to ensure they have an accurate student count for both AM and PM sessions.

• If you need to add a day after invoices are issued, the additional day will be charged at the Drop-In rate of $12.

KIDZ CONNECTION – No School Day Reminder

• Friday, October 24th – No School
  Students will not have school on Friday, October 24th.

• 🎉 Join us for a Full Day of Fun!
  We’re offering a Full Day Kids Connection Program at Southwood Glen Elementary from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

• 📝 Register now on the Arux system to reserve your spot for a fun-filled day your child won’t want to miss!

Thank you again for your cooperation and for helping us ensure a smooth experience with everyone involved.

The Franklin Community Education & Recreation Department offers before and after school program for 4K*-5th grade at all Franklin Elementary Schools. Being a proud partner of Franklin Public Schools, Kids Club focuses on the district's core values: Equity, Personal Growth, Innovation, Stewardship and Well-Being of all. Kids Club offers a variety of activity choices: Free play, gym activities, games, arts and crafts, and outdoor play. A morning snack & afternoon snack are provided. Please bring your own water bottle daily.

Community Education & Recreation Office Has Moved!

We are excited to announce that the Community Education and Recreation office has officially moved to the ECC (District Offices), located at:

8255 W. Forest Hill Avenue
Across from Forest Park Middle School

Our public office hours are:
Monday–Thursday, 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Please note that all phone numbers and contact information remain the same.

Our main office number is: 414-423-4646

We look forward to continuing to serve you from our new location!

We’re thrilled to share that the new Community Education and Recreation Center is making great progress! While construction is still underway, the transformation since our groundbreaking ceremony in April has been incredible to witness.

We encourage everyone to drive by and take a look — it’s exciting to see this long-time dream turning into a reality for our community!

🏥 More Than Just Recreation

This new facility won’t just be home to community programs — it will also include an Employee

Wellness Clinic, expanding access to important health and wellness services for staff.

🎠 Playground Coming Soon!

A new playground is also being built on-site and is currently in the assembly phase. We can’t wait to see kids and families enjoying this fun addition in the near future!

🔜 What’s Next?

Behind the scenes, our team is hard at work planning a variety of programs to launch once the doors open. We're preparing to offer:

• Your favorite fitness classes

• Daily pickleball

• New and exciting programs for all ages

• Senior-focused offerings

• And much more!

🌟 What This Means for Franklin

The new Community Education and Recreation Center will allow us to:

• Reduce waitlists

• Expand our program offerings

• Bring new and enriching activities to the community

This space will be a hub for learning, wellness, and connection — for all ages and all interests.

📅 Opening Date Coming Soon!

We’re hopeful to announce an official opening date soon. For now, stay tuned — and thank you for your continued support as we bring this vision to life!

To keep up-to-date on the progress of the project and to learn more, please visit this link.

Thank you for your ongoing support — we can’t wait to see you at the new center in late 2025!

Check Out Our FALL RECREATION Guide!
Our fall guide is currently in progress, and we have a wide variety of offerings available for you and the family! From exciting programs to engaging classes, there's something for everyone. Many programs will fill up fast, so don’t miss out!

👉 Click BELOW to view all our offerings and secure your spot today.

This week, our dedicated staff — including fitness instructors, sport officials, sport supervisors, and Kids Club team members — participated in a hands-on professional development day focused on CPR, AED, First Aid, and Stop the Bleed training.

These essential life-saving skills are a critical part of our staff development, especially for our part-time employees who are often “out in the field” leading programs, facilitating games, or working directly with youth and community members.

By equipping our team with the knowledge and confidence to respond to medical emergencies, we’re not only prioritizing safety, but also reinforcing our commitment to excellence in service and care.

Training like this ensures our team is prepared, empowered, and ready to act in any situation — creating safer, more supportive environments for everyone who participates in our programs.

A big thank you to our staff for their engagement and dedication to continuous improvement!

Staff Contact Information

• Matt Gomez, Administrator
  Email: matthew.gomez@franklin.k12.wi.us

• Shana Gagliardo, Kids' Club Manager
  Email: shana.gagliardo@franklin.k12.wi.us

• Danielle White, Kids' Camp/Kids Club Recreation Coordinator
  Email: danielle.white@franklin.k12.wi.us

• Natalie Walz, Recreation Supervisor - Sports, Youth, Enrichment,
  Email: natalie.walz@franklin.k12.wi.us

• Leah Voss. Recreation/Facilities Manager - Fitness
  Email: leah.voss@franklin.k12.wi.us

• Alexis Betker. Recreation Coordinator - Youth Sports & Activities
  Email: alexis.betker@franklin.k12.wi.us

Main Office: 414-423-4646

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