The Franklin Bolt

Dear Franklin Families,

It is with great pleasure that we welcome you to the upcoming 2026-2027 school year. We are about to begin our 142nd year as a place of learning. We look forward to the many opportunities and possibilities we will face together as a school community focusing on our school-wide beliefs of maximizing relationships and engagement and fostering confidence in lifelong learning and service.

The administration and staff have been busy preparing for the approximately 1,750 students enrolled at Franklin for the coming school year. We are excited to welcome all of our 9th grade, transfer, and returning students. We continue to embody the Franklin school values: Honoring Identity, Collaboration, Mutual Respect, Kindness, and Joy.

Please take a moment to read this entire newsletter as it contains important information regarding the Back To School Prep process, which takes place August 18 and 19. Please make every effort for your student to attend, as important materials will be distributed to that will be meaningful for a successful start, including, chromebooks, Yondr pouches, ID cards and bus passes.

Franklin will continue the school wide expectation of using Yondr pouches during the school day. Cell phones must be turned off or silenced and placed in a locked Yondr pouch during the entire school day, including lunch time. Here is the Student Personal Electronic Device Policy and how it will be implemented and enforced.

Please update your student and family information, including email and phone numbers, in ParentVUE, as this is our way to keep in touch and communicate important information (instructions included here). If students cannot attend Back to School Prep Day, they can get their ID card/Trimet Hop Pass during Make-Up Day on Tuesday, September 1.

Take a moment to find and bookmark our school website to become familiar with PPS/FHS programs and information. The web address is franklin.pps.net. This is an excellent resource of up-to-date information for parents and students. Also, sign up for the Trivory app at trivory.com/franklin or in the App Store to receive school calendar information and updates.

In community,

Dr. Zulema Naegele

Back to School Prep Days (BTSPD) are designed to ensure every student has exactly what they need to hit the ground running on the first day of classes. Think of it as your one-stop shop for getting geared up for the year! Your student will have their picture taken, get their student ID card/TriMet Hop pass, get a paper copy of their class schedules, pay class contributions and fees, request a locker and pre-order the yearbook. If you cannot attend, your student will still be able to check their schedule on StudentVUE or ParentVUE (remember, there's a NEW app this year!) on August 18th. Freshmen can also ask for a copy of their schedules during Orientation Day (August 26th) and get their student ID on September 1st, which is our picture makeup day. You can make contributions to the school and pay fees in-person or through SchoolPay. Lifetouch is our school photo provider, you can order pictures directly on their website. Pre-order today on mylifetouch.com using your Student ID or Picture Day ID: EVT73GD94

Tuesday, August 18

Freshmen and Seniors: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM (Doors will close between 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM)

Note: Freshmen can purchase and pick up their required PE t-shirt and lock during BTS Prep Days. Please pay in advance through SchoolPay (see details below). Students unable to attend can pick up their items after school starts from the Franklin Bookkeeper. Please bring your SchoolPay receipt.

Wednesday, August 19

Sophomores and Juniors: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM (Doors will close between 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM)

Make-up Picture Day:

September 1

8:30 AM – 3:00 PM

(For anyone who missed BTS Prep Day)

What to Expect at Your Session

• School Photos & Student IDs: Smile! Students will have their official school photo taken and receive their new Student ID card, which conveniently serves as their TriMet HOP pass. You can also purchase a sports pass* and that can be added to your student ID.

• Yondr Pouches (Freshmen): Incoming freshmen will be issued their Yondr pouches. Please note: Students are responsible for maintaining their assigned pouch for all four years at Franklin HS. The replacement cost is $30.

• Yondr Pouches (Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors): Please find your Yondr pouch and make sure it's in working order.

• New Chromebook Distribution: Every single student will receive a brand-new, school-issued Chromebook and charger for the 2026/2027 school year. This will be their device to use through all 4 years at Franklin HS.

• Schedules: Students who do not have complete schedules or have a scheduling error may have the opportunity to meet with their Counselor (based on availability) during these days and once school starts.
  
  

  *What is a Sports Pass?

  A sports pass is a sticker that gets added to your student's ID card. It costs $25

  and will get them into every home athletic event for no extra charge when they

  show the pass at the entry gate.

What if my student can't come to their grade's designated BTS Prep Day?

We ask that students follow the BTS Prep Day schedule as much as possible but they are welcome to come on any day that works. If your student cannot attend any of the two days, they can get their Student ID on September 1st. You can make contributions to the school, pay fees and preorder the yearbook online through SchoolPay (QR code below) and check with schedule through Synergy.

We Need Volunteers!

Getting all our Lightning ready for the new school year is a huge undertaking, and we truly cannot do it without the support of our amazing parent community!

We are looking for volunteers to help hand out materials, direct traffic, and assist with student check-in during our Back to School Prep Days from August 18th – August 19th.

If you have a few hours to spare during any of the shifts, we would love your help to make these days run as smoothly as possible. It is also a great way to welcome students back to campus and see some familiar faces!

Families who can are asked to help contribute funds to classes and programs each year. Our operational budget does not cover all course supplies and costs, so we rely on contributions from families to enhance the classroom experience for students. Classes that have optional contributions associated with them are listed on SchoolPay.

Donations and payments for PE shirts and locks (encouraged but not required), athletic fees, event tickets, uniforms, library fees, sports passes*, etc. can be made through SchoolPay or in person with check, cash or credit card at Back-to-School Prep Days. Please have your receipt ready when you come to BTS Prep Day!

If you paid for a fee but need to request a refund, please request it through SchoolPay or by emailing kdebenedetto@pps.net. Thank you!

Building on the incredible success of last year, we are excited to announce that we will continue using Yondr pouches for the 2026-27 school year! Cultivating a focused, engaging, and socially vibrant environment remains a top priority at Franklin, and we have seen firsthand how disconnecting from screens improves academic focus and boosts face-to-face peer connections.

What you need to know for this fall:

• Returning Students: Please remember to bring your assigned Yondr pouch with you on the very first day of school.

• New Students & Incoming 9th Graders: You will receive your Yondr pouch and a brief orientation on how the system works during Back to School Prep Days.

• Emergency Contact: We know communication is important! If you have an emergency and need to reach your student during the school day, please call the main office directly, and we will connect you immediately.

August 15, 9:00 AM: Franklin Beautification Day

August 18, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM: Back To School Prep Day for Freshmen and Seniors

August 19, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM: Back To School Prep Day for Sophomores and Juniors

August 26, 8:30 AM to 12:00 AM: Half-Day Orientation for Freshmen and Seniors

August 27, First Day Of School for ALL Students

September 1, Picture Make-Up Day

September 23, 6:30 PM: Back To School Night. (Please note the date change)

October 15: Picture Retake Day (for students who ordered pictures; new ID cards will not be issued)

To ensure you maintain seamless access to your student's grades, attendance, and important school updates, we are transitioning to a new version of the ParentVue mobile app.

What you need to do:

1. Delete the old ParentVue app currently installed on your smartphone.

2. Download the new ParentVue app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Don't worry, the transition is quick and easy! Detailed, step-by-step instructions for both iPhone and Android devices are attached to this newsletter.

Thank you for taking a few minutes to update your app and staying connected with us!

Each year parents and/or guardians are asked to review and update the information on file for their students. This information can be reviewed, edited and submitted online via PPS ParentVUE.

Verify Online

Benefits of verifying online via ParentVUE:

• Complete yearly verification of your student's information

• Update your communication and language preferences

• Ensure your school has the most up-to-date information

• Save paper and time

We're excited to welcome 9th and 12th graders back on August 26, with all students returning on August 27 for the start of the 2026–2027 school year.

Seniors will meet with counselors to review graduation policies and more!

Stay tuned! More detailed information will be sent out soon.

School starts at 8:30 AM and ends at 3:34 PM

8:30 – 10:02 AM Period 1 (A days) / Period 5 (B days)

10:02 – 10:09 AM 7 min Passing Time

10:09 – 11:45 AM Period 2 (A days) / Period 6 (B days)

11:45 – 12:18 PM 33 min Lunch

12:18 – 12:23 PM 5 min Passing Time

12:23 – 1:55 PM Period 3 (A days) / Period 7 (B days)

1:55 – 2:02 PM 7 min Passing Time

2:02 – 3:34 PM Period 4 (A days) / Period 8 (B days)

✅ A Days: Periods 1, 2, 3, 4

✅ B Days: Periods 5, 6, 7, 8

Take a moment to review the A/B Calendar and Bell Schedule below. These will help you see which days follow the regular A/B schedule, which are Flex Days (formerly called Tutorial), and which include assemblies or other special schedules.

• Get your student ID/TriMet Hop Pass at Back To School Prep Day
• Update your ParentVUE and StudentVUE app, see details above.
• Update your student's information online through ParentVUE
• Download Trivory:
  Trivory is our go-to tool for real-time school updates—including Flex dates, sports schedules, student activities, and important reminders. It is an essential resource for our school community, and because it is paid for by the school, it is completely free for all students, families, staff, and community members to use!
  
• Download the ParentSquare App: Apple or Android
  
  

Attendance is taken for every class period that meets on a given day. Please plan to report and

excuse all absences in the way that best suits you:

• Call the attendance office at 503-916-3543
• Email franklinattend@pps.net
• Have your student bring a note to the attendance once (located in the main office)
• For full-day absences, you can self-report on ParentVUE (this does not work for tardies or

partial-day absences)

Counselors are assigned alphabetically based on last names.

A-Da: Javier Huerta; jhuerta@pps.net

De-Ho: Alice Headley; aheadley@pps.net

Hu-La: Krystal Toderick; ktoderick@pps.net

Le-Ol: Katie McLaughlin; kmclaughlin@pps.net

Om-Sm: Tearale Triplett; ttriplett@pps.net

Sn-Z: Keixa Bridges; kebridges@pps.net

We hope you are all enjoying a restful and rejuvenating summer! While we still have plenty of sunshine left to enjoy, now it's time to get ready for the 2026-27 School Year! This Website includes what you need to know to complete the Athletic Clearance Process, contact coaches, see summer opportunities, etc.

If your student is planning to play a fall sport, please review the important information below to ensure they are cleared and ready to go for the first day of practices in August.

✅ The Athletic Clearance Process

To hit the field, court, or track, all student-athletes must complete the clearance process. Here is a quick checklist of what needs to happen:

1. Register Online: Complete the 2026 Fall Registration on ArbiterSports. Parent/guardian and athlete should complete this together!

2. Submit a Valid Physical: OSAA rules require a physical examination every two years. Make sure an up-to-date, signed Oregon physical form is uploaded to your registration or submitted to the Athletic Office.

3. Pay the PIL Fee: Pay the PIL participation fee via SchoolPay (or apply for the reduced rate/fee waiver if applicable). Note: For "cut" sports, hold off on payment until rosters are finalized.

Multnomah County Student Health Centers are offering sports physical appointments for students entering grades 6–12 on select dates August 10–18.

Appointments are required — no walk-ins. Same-day appointments may be available if families call early.

Students must bring a completed Sports Physical Exam form to their appointment. Forms are available in English, Spanish, and other languages.

See the attached flyer for clinic dates, locations, and phone numbers.

Need another date? Sports physical appointments are also available at David Douglas on August 20 and Parkrose on August 21. Students can also schedule with their regular clinic once the school year begins.

Benson Wellness Center is also open during the summer on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Subscribe via School Pay: https://aws.schoolpay.com/parent/mip/Mfck (Look for "The Post")

There are 3 easy ways to get involved this year:

1 · JOIN

Become an official member, or renew your membership!

Join for $20 via SchoolPay

Where your dues go:

• Classroom Grants
• Library Activities & Books
• Field Trips, Art & Theater Programs
• Mock Trial & Debate Teams
• Campus Beautification & Teacher Appreciation
• Local & Regional Advocacy (...and more!)

2 · VOLUNTEER

Fill out a quick survey about your volunteer interests and availability. You don't have to be a

paying member to volunteer!

Take the Survey

3 · ATTEND A MEETING

• Stay informed and share your voice! Our first meeting is: Thursday, 9/17 — details to come
• No dues required to attend—we welcome all in the Franklin community and value your input!

The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) will be repaving SE Division St. between 39th Ave. and SE 50th Ave. Construction began the last week of July and will last approximately 10 weeks. To learn more about the project and to sign up for the mailing list, please visit the website at: Portland.gov/DivisionRepaving