Greetings Franklin Community!

As I sit down to write my first newsletter as the new Director of the Community Education and Recreation Department, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has made me feel so welcome since I arrived in this position in early November. From the moment I stepped into Franklin, I have felt right at home! The warm welcome from all of you has been incredibly meaningful, and I am excited for the journey ahead.

With over 20 years of experience in the recreation field, I come to this role with a deep passion for community engagement and a wealth of knowledge. My career has spanned a variety of roles, starting in my early years with part-time and seasonal positions, including camp leader, youth official, and site supervisor for various programs. Over the years, I worked my way up, holding positions such as Program Coordinator, Youth Sports and Activities Coordinator, Director of a Community Center, Director of Community Centers and Youth Sports, and Assistant Director. These roles have given me the experience and insights to truly understand all aspects of recreation programming.

Since arriving in Franklin, I have spent the past couple of months getting to know many people within the Franklin Public Schools system and the broader Franklin community. I've visited numerous program sites to see our programs in action and, more importantly, to introduce myself to as many of you as possible. I am thrilled to be here and I look forward to the the growth we will experience together in the coming months.

As we look ahead, I am eager to lead our fantastic team through the exciting opportunities for expansion, new programming, and continuous improvement. Together, we will continue to raise the bar for what we offer and strive to be the "standard" for excellence in the community education and recreation field.

Thank you once again for your warm welcome. I am truly excited to be a part of this amazing community and look forward to all that we will accomplish together.

Warm regards,
Matt Gomez
Director, Community Education and Recreation Department

As we wrap up another successful season of youth basketball, I want to take a moment to thank everyone who made it such a memorable experience. This year, over 400 boys and girls participated in the league, and it was truly a joy to see the energy and excitement from players, families, and volunteers alike.

Games were held on Saturday mornings for the past 10 weeks, providing our young athletes with not only a chance to hone their basketball skills but also to build teamwork, confidence, and friendships. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the families who supported their kids, the dedicated volunteer coaches who gave their time to nurture the next generation, and, of course, the players who gave it their all on the court.

A special thank you goes to Leah and Natalie, our youth sports coordinators, whose hard work and passion were instrumental in making this season run smoothly. We also want to acknowledge the outstanding efforts of our game management team—including our officials, gym supervisors, and all the parents who volunteered at the score tables. Your contributions ensured that everything went off without a hitch.

Looking ahead, we’re already planning exciting new developments for next season. We can’t wait to bring even more energy, fun, and innovation to the league. So, be sure to stay tuned for what’s to come!

Finally, thank you again to everyone who participated in our basketball league this season. We hope you’ll continue to explore our guide for upcoming sports programs, camps, clinics, and adult offerings. There’s something for everyone, and we’re looking forward to seeing you all again soon!

It's not too late to sign up! 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!

• Ba Duan Jin for Health and Wellness
  A traditional Chinese exercise routine designed to improve health, boost energy, and increase vitality.
  
  

• Barre
  A fun and challenging workout combining ballet, Pilates, and yoga for a full-body sculpting experience.
  
  

• Beginner Weight Training
  Learn the basics of strength training in a safe and supportive environment. Perfect for newcomers to weightlifting.
  
  

• Beginning Tai Chi
  Discover the ancient practice of Tai Chi to improve balance, flexibility, and mental focus.
  
  

• Chair Flex & Stretch
  A gentle, low-impact class designed to improve flexibility and mobility, great for all fitness levels.
  
  

• Continuing Tai Chi
  Deepen your Tai Chi practice with more advanced movements and techniques.
  
  

• Cooking Demo with Staci Joers
  Join Staci Joers for a fun and informative cooking demonstration, where you'll learn to create healthy, delicious meals!
  
  

• Yoga Classes
  From beginners to advanced, our yoga classes offer something for everyone. Improve flexibility, strength, and relaxation.
  
  

• Girls and Boys Little League Baseball & Softball Clinics
  Get your little ones in the game! These clinics are perfect for kids looking to learn and improve their baseball or softball skills.
  
  

• Friday Night Badminton
  Join us for some fun and friendly competition every Friday night! Whether you're a beginner or a pro, it's a great way to unwind.
  
  

• Pilates
  Strengthen your core, improve flexibility, and enhance overall body awareness with this low-impact workout.
  
  

• Pound
  A high-energy workout using drumsticks to make exercise fun and motivating. Get ready to rock out while you sweat!
  
  

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

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.

*Midday care for 4K Kids students is not available. Morning 4K students can attend AM Kids Club and afternoon 4K students can attend PM Kids Club.

March Madness in Kid Club!

March is here, and that means it’s time for some basketball fun in our Kid Club program! This month, we’re bringing the excitement of March Madness — the NCAA college basketball tournament — to all five of our elementary schools!

Here’s how it works:

• Each student in the Kid Club program will pick their favorite mascot or favorite team from the tournament.
• Throughout March, students can watch some of the games before or after school to cheer on their team and see if they can advance to the next round.
• We’ll also have fun basketball-themed activities throughout the month to keep the excitement going!

But that’s not all! The Top 4 students whose teams finish in the top four will win an awesome prize! So, get ready to pick your team, show your spirit, and join in the fun!

Let the Madness begin! 🏀🎉

We’re thrilled to announce that we’re making a big change to improve your experience with us! Starting soon, we’ll be switching to a new registration software platform called Arux. This upgrade will allow us to serve you better with a user-friendly system and plenty of exciting new features to enhance your experience.

What Does This Mean for You?

• If you’ve taken a course or participated in a program with us over the past few years, look out for a postcard in the next few weeks. The postcard will provide step-by-step instructions on how to create your login and start enrolling in upcoming programs.

• You’ll be able to use Arux to register for any classes and programs featured in our Summer Guide (and beyond!).

• Stay tuned for more information! We’ll be sending an email blast, posting updates on our social media, and including detailed instructions in our next monthly newsletter.

By switching to Arux, we’re excited to offer a more streamlined and efficient registration process, as well as additional tools and resources that will benefit all participants.

We can’t wait to introduce you to this new system and continue offering you great classes, programs, and recreational opportunities!

Thank you for being part of our community. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us.

We are thrilled to announce that our new Community Education and Recreation Center will be opening its doors in late 2025! This facility will be a game-changer for our community, offering more space, more opportunities, and more programs for all ages.

Why the New Center Is So Important:

• Currently, the Rec Department is working hard to secure limited spots in local businesses to offer youth and senior programs. While we deeply appreciate these partnerships, these limited seats have led to long waitlists. Moreover, our existing district facilities are also at full capacity, with many classes still running waitlists.
• The new center will address these challenges, providing the space we need to expand programming, reduce waitlists, and offer more opportunities for our community to engage in activities that improve health, education, and wellness.

Indoor Space for All:

• Right now, we face limitations due to our schools being used for educational purposes during the day, and safety protocols limiting outside visitors. This means we can't offer as many programs during the school day as we'd like. The expanded facility will provide additional indoor space, allowing for more classes, larger class sizes, and more flexible scheduling. Plus, we will be able to provide programming for all ages and interests during the day — not just when schools are closed. This new space will be designed with input from the 2018 community needs assessment, addressing top requests, such as more senior programming on weekdays.

Outdoor Space to Grow:

• Our current outdoor spaces are shared between FHS Athletics, Recreation Department activities, and youth programs, leading to challenges in accommodating all of our community's needs. As these activities grow, the demand for green space and gym usage increases. With the new facility, we will add outdoor fields and activity spaces that will allow us to expand existing programs and offer new opportunities for all community members. We’ll be able to accommodate even more youth and adult programs, ensuring that everyone has access to the recreation they need.

What's Next:

• We're excited about the future and the impact this center will have on our community. By providing much-needed space for youth, senior, and family programming, the new Community Education and Recreation Center will help us reduce waitlists, expand offerings, and bring new activities to Franklin that will enrich lives.

To keep up-to-date on the progress of the project and to learn more, please visit this link. The newest update is also posted below.

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

Check Out Our Winter/Spring Guide!
Our Winter/Spring guide is currently in progress, and we have a wide variety of offerings still available for you! From exciting programs to engaging classes, there's something for everyone. Many programs are still open, so don’t miss out!

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

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 Coordinator - Sports, Enrichment, Fitness
  Email: natalie.walz@franklin.k12.wi.us

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

Located on the North End of Franklin High School thru the pool/gym entrance doors.

Office - 414-423-4646

Stay connected by 'liking' or 'following' our Facebook page below

• Summer Recreation Guide: Our Summer Recreation Guide will be available in May 2025!
• Kids Club Early Bird Registration: Early bird registration for the 2025-2026 school year starts in April—more info coming soon!
• Kids Camp Registration: Registration details for Kids Camp are on the way—get ready for an exciting summer!
• ARUX Registration System: Stay tuned for more information on our new ARUX registration system. Keep an eye out for postcards and emails with step-by-step instructions on how to use it.