Falcon Flyer

Email:

Marco Galante - Principal - mgalante@ktufsd.org

Michelle Jaros - Assistant Principal - mjaros@ktufsd.org
Website: https://www.ktufsd.org/domain/853
Location: 540 Parkhurst Blvd, Buffalo, NY 14223, USA
Phone: (716) 874-8404
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Franklin-Middle-School/100083695913137/

We hope you and your family have had a wonderful summer and found time to relax, recharge, and enjoy being together. As September gets closer, there's a sense of excitement around Franklin. Our teachers and staff have been hard at work getting classrooms ready, planning lessons, and preparing for another great year, and we can't wait to welcome our students back.

Whether your child is returning to Franklin or walking through our doors for the very first time, we are so glad they're part of our Falcon family. One of my favorite parts of every school year is seeing students reconnect with friends, meet new classmates, and begin the year with a fresh start. There is something special about the energy that fills our building on the first day of school, and we're looking forward to sharing that with all of you.

At Franklin, our goal is simple: we want every student to feel safe, welcomed, challenged, and supported each day they walk through our doors. Middle school is an exciting time filled with new experiences, new opportunities, and a lot of growth, and we're committed to helping every student find success—both inside and outside the classroom.

We also know that students are most successful when families and schools work together. Thank you for the trust you place in us each day. We truly value the partnership we have with our families and appreciate everything you do to support your child's learning and growth.

Below you'll find some important information to help your family get ready for the start of the school year, including school hours, important dates, arrival and dismissal procedures, and a few reminders to make those first days go as smoothly as possible.

Enjoy these last few weeks of summer, and we look forward to seeing you at Open House on Monday, August 31 and welcoming our Falcons back on Wednesday, September 2.

It's going to be a great year. We can't wait to get started!

One of the greatest predictors of student success is consistent attendance.

Research shows:

• Missing just 2 days per month (approximately 18 days each year) is considered chronic absenteeism.
• By middle school, chronic absenteeism is one of the strongest predictors of a student not graduating from high school.
• Students who attend school consistently perform better academically, develop stronger relationships, and are more engaged in school life.

Every school day provides valuable learning opportunities that cannot be fully replaced.

Thank you for partnering with us to establish routines that promote strong attendance and student success.

• Immunizations are required for all new students and students in grades 6 and 7.
• Physicals are required for grade 5 and grade 7 students along with any new students. Medications can be dropped off prior to school but please make an appointment with our nurse at (716) 874-8404 or feel free to drop it off during locker move-in on August 31st from 4:00-6:00.

Our PTA will be grilling hot dogs out front for families to enjoy during locker move-in/open house. Please consider joining us. If interested, please fill out the form below in order for us to have an accurate count.

5th grade and new student Chromebook distribution will take place during locker move-in on August 31st from 4:00-6:00 in the student cafeteria. If you are unable to pick up your child's Chromebook we will ensure they get it during the first day of school.

Student arrival time is 7:35-7:55 AM. If your child is transported by bus, you will receive notification in the mail one week before school begins. Please click on the link below for the phone number to transportation to get all of your bussing questions answered.

All students are to report to 1st period class upon arrival unless they are having breakfast. Students are expected to be in their first period classroom when the bell rings at 7:55 AM.

We ask that students enter the building in the following manner:

• Students who take the bus or walk will enter through Door 2
• Students who are dropped off will enter through Door 17

A Few Tips to Help Keep Morning Arrival Traffic Line Running Smoothly

• Once you reach the sidewalk, please have your child exit the vehicle. Our students are capable of walking safely to the entrance independently, and this helps keep the drop-off line moving efficiently.
• If you would like to watch your child enter the building, please park in one of the designated parking spaces rather than stopping in the traffic lane.
• To help reduce congestion during our busiest arrival time, families whose children are not eating breakfast at school are encouraged to arrive closer to 7:45 a.m. whenever possible.
• When exiting the parking lot, please remember that all vehicles must make a right turn onto Parkhurst.

No student should arrive prior to 7:35 AM, as supervision is not provided until that time, and the doors will not be open.

Dismissal starts at 2:30 PM. Each student has been assigned one of three dismissal categories:

• Walker
• Bus Rider
• Parent Pick-Up

Please review the procedures below for your child's assigned dismissal method.

Grades 5 & 6 Parent Pick-Up

Families picking up Grade 5 or Grade 6 students will enter the Lincoln Park parking lot during dismissal.

Upon entering the lot, you will use your number tag which corresponds to your child.

• Your number will be displayed on the cafeteria screen.
• When students see their number displayed, they will report to Door 17, where staff will assist them into the appropriate vehicle.

Please Note:

The Lincoln Park parking lot will remain closed until 2:25 PM to provide a safe and organized dismissal process.

Grades 5, 6 & 7 Walkers and Bus Riders

Students who are walkers or bus riders will continue to exit with their teachers through Door 2 or Door 3.

Families wishing to pick up students off campus may arrange to meet them at Highland Parkway or another nearby side street. Students using this option should be designated as walkers.

Grade 7 Parent Pick-Up

Grade 7 students, along with any Grade 7 sibling of a Grade 5 or 6 student, will be dismissed from the side parking lot.

Staff members will be present to supervise students and assist them safely to their vehicles.

Dismissal Video Demonstrations

Grades 5 & 6: https://youtu.be/Fwpt8qLD8T4

Grade 7: https://youtu.be/nUDGxVLOxrU

Parent Pick-Up Parking Tags

Families with students entering Grade 6 or Grade 7 should continue using the parking tag they received last school year.

Families of incoming Grade 5 students who will be utilizing parent pick-up will receive a parking tag during Open House. If you are unable to attend Open House, a tag will be provided on the first day of school.

If you live close enough, consider having your child walk to school! Walking is a simple way for students to get moving, enjoy some fresh air, and start the day feeling awake and ready to learn. It also helps build independence and healthy habits—and cuts down on traffic around the school during arrival.

A few extra steps in the morning can be a great start to the day!

We encourage all students and staff to join in our school spirit days each week in order to build community spirit!

Mondays = Wear RED or Franklin Gear Day - show your Falcon spirit!

Thursdays = Kindness Day (wear kindness theme shirts, buttons, be extra kind to others)

Fridays = Buffalo/Sports Day! (favorite buffalo or team gear)

We are the Falcons, where we REACH new heights everyday!

• All students at Franklin Middle School will receive one free breakfast and one free lunch each day.
• We will continue to not offer straws in the middle school cafeteria in order to reduce waste.
  
• All foods sold and served in the cafeteria will not have any artificial colors.

August 31 - Open House & Locker Move-In 4:00-6:00

September 2 - 1st Student Attendance 7:55 AM -2:30 PM Doors open at 7:35 AM

September 15 - PTA Meeting 6:00 PM

October 1 - Early Release - 11:20 PM

October 2 - Picture Day

October 2 - Early Release Drill - 2:15 PM