APRIL 1, 2022

As educators, we are constantly learning about the most effective ways to teach students. In doing so, we rely on research-based high leverage strategies. Over the years, that has resulted in some new ways of teaching and learning. One academic area where this is probably most noticeable is in mathematics instruction. Years ago, we heard it referred to as “new math.” Today, while it looks different from what you, as a parent, may have experienced during your education, our mathematics instruction is familiar to our students and is helping them develop the needed mathematical skills for their future. While developing students’ ability to think mathematically and apply mathematics in the real world, we know that learning basic math facts is extremely important. At the elementary level, our students engage in daily fluency practice to build efficiency and accuracy in math computation. Fluency builds on a foundation of conceptual understanding, strategic reasoning, and problem-solving to achieve automaticity.

So, keep the flashcards handy at home! When students have good muscle memory of their basic facts, they can focus more on thinking mathematically and learning to use math effectively in life.

Have a great weekend,

Dr. Judy Mueller

District Administrator

As a reminder, the District Calendar and all building calendars can be found here.

All of our calendars are able to be subscribed to! Follow the steps at the top of the District Calendar for how to subscribe. You will also see our 2021-22 AND 2022-23 Calendar Events in your own calendar app on your device!

As we continue to work towards summer and the next school year, we have continued to recruit and interview for leadership positions for next year. Please click on the associated image or this link to see the recent announcement of Mr. Bob Blessington as our new Director of Teaching & Learning, effective July 1st.

Calling all consignors, volunteers, and savvy shoppers! The Foundation is once again hosting its semi-annual children's consignment sale and they are looking for more volunteers to help on Friday, April 1, and Saturday, April 2. There are also a few more spots for sellers for those interested in cleaning out closets for a little cash. Go to the FEF Children's Consignment website for information on selling, buying, and volunteering!

And big THANK YOU to Kumon Math & Reading Center of Franklin-West for sponsoring this event!

As we close out March, which is also recognized as Women’s History Month, we want to share a special story with you about how one teacher honored the young women working in her classes with a special get-together.

Before Spring Break, Franklin High School Metals and Machining Instructor Noel Bisog decided to pull together all of the young women enrolled in her classes throughout the year.

"I was watching the news and when women's history month was brought up, it made me think about the amazing group of young women that I have in my classes this year,” shared Ms. Bisog. What follows are some of the words Ms. Bisog shared directly with the young women in her classes.

“I am so grateful to have you in my classes and lucky to be your teacher. I wanted to get you all together so that I could get a picture with you and remember this awesome year. I also wanted you to hear directly from me that I know how difficult it can be to sign up for a metals class knowing that this is a change from normal classes where you may now be the only girl. You all took on that challenge and came into the metals shop ready to learn. That is something special that should be celebrated. I would love to get your feedback on what motivated you to try out a metals class and what advice you would give to an 8th-grade girl thinking about trying out a metals class at the high school."

From there, Ms. Bisog had the girls answer a few questions on chart paper that you can see in some of the accompanying photos. This small gesture from Ms. Bisog helps to exemplify the district’s core value of #PersonalGrowth and how we are a #BetterPlaceToLearn while also honoring Women’s History Month.

Our FPS Summer Learning Program information was shared with families back on 3/14 and the deadline to register is this coming Sunday, April 3rd. New this year - FPS Summer Learning is offered Mon through Thurs. Please note that registration is NOT first-come-first-serve. Click here for all details.

NOTE: Those looking for a Friday offering for your child can check out our Kids Camp programming below...

The Community Education & Recreation Department will once again be offering Kids Camp this summer for children who have completed 5K through those entering 6th grade. Click here or on the image to view all details. Registration opens next Wednesday, April 13th.

If your child is enrolled in FPS Summer Learning and wants to attend Kids Camp, there is a bus to Ben Franklin for Camp after FPS Summer Learning ends around noon. Kids Camp is also offered on Fridays if you are looking for options for your child since there is no FPS Summer Learning on Fridays.

Save $10 on your 2022-23 annual Kids Club membership fee if you register online between April 1 and May 2. For more information please see the Kids Club website by clicking here or contact Shana Gagliardo, Recreation Coordinator at shana.gagliardo@franklin.k12.wi.us if you have any questions.

Our FHS Spring Musical is taking place April 7-10! Tickets and pricing information are on our Saber Center for the Performing Arts website here.

Inspired by the twisted genius of Roald Dahl, the Tony Award-winning Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical is the captivating masterpiece from the Royal Shakespeare Company that revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination, and the inspiring story of a girl who dreams of a better life. Packed with high-energy dance numbers and catchy songs, children and adults alike will be thrilled and delighted by the story of the special little girl with an extraordinary imagination.

The FHS Student-run company, Saber Manufacturing, is wrapping up the spring season’s order form and the order form closes today, Friday, April 1st! You can see some of the items we are offering in the accompanying picture. If you have any questions, please contact Saber Manufacturing via email at sabermanufacturing@franklin.k12.wi.us Thank you so much for your support!

For more information, check out our website or

Twitter: @SaberManufactu1

Instagram: @sabermanufacturing

Facebook: @SaberManufacturing

The Franklin High School Child Development 2 students will be sponsoring Saber Preschool Monday through Thursday from Monday, May 2nd through Thursday, May 19th from 9am to 10:15am. Saber Preschool is designed for children ages 3 to 5 who are toilet trained and ready to experience a supportive and enriching preschool environment including storytime, large/small group activities, free time, songs, and other fun activities. The student teachers prepare daily lesson plans that not only provide opportunities for the Little Sabers to develop socially but also to enhance their kindergarten readiness skills. The Saber Preschool program offers a truly excellent experience for both our big and small students.

Tuition will be $15 to cover the cost of materials and snacks for the 3 weeks. Pre-registration is required. Click here to make a Google Doc COPY of the form OR Click here for a PDF version that you can download or print.

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Linda Krause at 414-817-3629 or at linda.krause@franklin.k12.wi.us

We have not been able to hold an in-person Culture Fest since early March of 2020. We are very proud to share that event is coming back. Mark your calendars for Thursday, May 19th from 5:30-7:30 at Franklin High School. Come experience food, performances, activities and cultural presentations. We currently have Objiwe dancers and African drummers lined up with many more conversations occurring. Check out the student-designed poster below and please contact Mr. Andrew Levin at andrew.levin@franklin.k12.wi.us with any questions or if you want to be involved.

As we shared previously, Franklin High School is proud to be the host site for the traveling "Wall That Heals" that will be coming to Franklin from June 30th to July 3rd. See this recently shared flyer from the Franklin Civic Celebrations Commission below and you can learn more about the Wall That Heals here.

• As shared in this update from the March 11th Newsletter, we will only resume publishing dashboard updates if the Milwaukee County rating moves to high.
• In partnership with Summit Clinical Labs, we continue to offer on-site testing for students, staff, or families. Details here.

Our Superintendent Search continues to move forward. During Spring Break, School Exec Connect met with the Board of Education at the March 23rd Board Meeting to present the Superintendent Candidate Profile. This profile was compiled from survey data, focus groups, and open forums with students, staff, parents, and community members. You can view the information collected and the candidate profile at our Superintendent Search Update Page here

Next, School Exec Connect will now seek out and pre-screen candidates based on the candidate profile. School Exec Connect will present candidate information to the Board of Education in a closed session at the April 13th Board Meeting.

Would you like to speak to a Franklin school board member in person? Two board members will be available 30 minutes before regular meetings to speak with you informally. Board members can also be reached by email or phone.

See the flyer below for all details and click on it for registration for this event taking place on Saturday, May 14th.

Our neighbors at the Indian Community School here in Franklin passed this along. The Wisconsin Indian Education Association is hosting a Youth Art Contest open to all American Indian and Alaskan Native students in the state of Wisconsin in grades 6-12. Click here for more information. The deadline is April 15th.

Our registration is now open for next school year for new families to the district and next year’s 4K. You can find all the necessary details on our website here. Please note that students already enrolled in our schools do not have to have a new registration completed. You may utilize the “Create Account” and “Forgot Password” buttons on the registration page to complete your registration or gain access if you have created an account in the past. Please help us share that registration is open with any new families to the area or those with younger children that would be entering 4K or 5K!

Looking for a past issue of the District Newsletter?

Check the ARCHIVE page here.

We pride ourselves on being...

• A Better Place to Learn
• A Better Place to Work
• Part of a Better Community

Email: communications@franklin.k12.wi.us
Website: http://www.franklin.k12.wi.us
Location: 8255 West Forest Hill Avenue, Franklin, WI, USA
Phone: 414-529-8220
Facebook: facebook.com/franklinpublicschools
Twitter: @fpsdistrictwi

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(Note: Any imagery containing students, staff, events, or FPS logos shared by FPS are the property of Franklin Public Schools and are solely for district use. Reproduction or reuse of these images without written permission is not allowed.)