2024-25 #02 9/19/24

Hello Franklin Public School Families. Last newsletter, I shared the partnership we all work to build to ensure a successful year for your child(ren). Thank you for attending the Open Houses that have occurred at all of our schools and the connections you have made with your ‘team’ for this school year.

This newsletter, I would like to share the processes and practices FPS has in place to ensure the safety of our students, staff, and community. We know as a public school system, there may be moments where children make decisions or say things that are not expected and we work through a variety of different avenues and experts to quickly address concerns to ensure safety and learning for all students. Communicating our practices builds the school-home connection and offers the opportunity for each family to also communicate with their child(ren) about safety and safe choices.

Below we outline different safety precautions, practices, policies and action steps we utilize throughout FPS:

• In August, we hold a staff safety meeting at each school to review the practices, procedures, and policies we follow in FPS and outline each staff member's role in reporting, acting and supporting. District leaders are also able to answer questions at this time.
  
  

• Throughout the school year, our district safety team meets with the Franklin Police Department and Franklin Fire Department to practice our Incident Response Protocols, review our roles and table top different exercises to ensure we are all prepared to enact a common protocol for any emergency or potential threat.

• The first month of school, each school practices a lockdown drill and also takes a walk to their safe haven location in the event that we would have to evacuate or work towards reunification. An age-appropriate classroom presentation precedes this activity to teach our students what this means, how to act, and why we do it. We follow the “I Love U Guys” Standard Response Protocol (linked). You can read more about the “I Love U Guys” Foundation at this link. We practice some type of safety drill (lockdown, fire, tornado, etc.) at each school each month.
  
  

• We hire and train experts in leadership, behavior support, school counseling, and school psychologists, who are trained anywhere from crisis response to the day-to-day interactions our students have as they learn and grow. The human brain is not fully developed until the late 20’s. Our goal is teaching, reteaching and aligning consequences when decisions that are not expected take place. This is the team with which to report anything your child(ren) may have experienced that is not expected or threatening in nature so the team can quickly investigate. New this year, we have contracted with a trained behavior specialist to support school teams in planning to support students having behavioral challenges.

We partner with the Department of Justice Office of School Safety Team in multiple ways:

• When a perceived threat is reported, our team of certified staff initiate a Behavioral Threat Assessment. This determines: (1) Is the threat credible?, (2) Next steps if it is credible (see the Incident Response Protocol above) OR if not credible, works with the students involved to align consequences. You can learn more about Behavioral Threat Assessments at the School of Safety Website. This team includes the experts listed above and our School Resource Officer, Officer Amy Hempe. Included in Behavior Threat Assessments are home visits to ensure safety measures and check on families. We also have a Franklin Police Officer assigned to each school as an “Adopt a School” Officer. We are working to build in monthly visits this school year and increase presence for our students to learn about the FPD as partners.
  

• We have the Speak Up Speak Out (SUSO) app where anyone can anonymously report something they saw or heard. This tips off our administration, district level leaders, the police department and the School of Safety in Madison immediately so an investigation can begin. This app and our team operate 24/7 to ensure SUSO tips are received and acted on in a timely manner. You can find the SUSO app here, linked in every building & district newsletter, or under the Parents and Students tab on the district website.

This year we developed a Discipline Matrix that is embedded in all of the Student and Family Handbooks that you read and signed off on.

• This outlines the behaviors that are expected and potential consequences that can take place. It also outlines state statutes around expulsions. There are very few and very specific reasons that a child can be expelled from school making this level of consequence extremely rare. Free and Appropriate Public Education, ensuring all students have access to education, is our job as a public school system. We continue to work to see how this can look different for different learners as they learn and grow.
  Elementary School Handbook: pages 5-10
  Middle School Handbook: pages 7-12
  High School Handbook: pages 2-8
  

• Our School Board works to ensure we have policies that outline Student Conduct, Anti-harassment, Anti-Bullying and consequences that can lead up to suspension or expulsion. If a student experiences harassment or bullying, they should report it immediately, to an administrator, student services worker, or through the SUSO app so our trained team can quickly jump into action following our investigation protocol. School Board Policies: 5400 Code of Classroom Conduct/Student Conduct, 5012 Student Anti-Bullying, 5010 Student Non-Discrimination, Anti-Harassment, and Equal Education Opportunity and 5430 Suspension and Expulsion of Pupils.

I find the beginning of the year to be a time for us all to check in on our team for the new year and understand that safety is our number one priority. The above does not happen without a committed and thoughtful team. It also does not happen without committed students and families that keep us informed and also trust that we take the responsibility of educating and keeping your child safe very seriously. We investigate anything that comes to us, work with the families involved and adjust student learning plans as necessary. We work to do this swiftly and confidentially, ensuring the privacy of our students and families is respected.

Thank you for trusting us with the care of your child(ren),

Annalee Bennin
FPS District Administrator

2024-25 Full District PDF Calendar

District Calendar webpage - all calendars can be subscribed to! Follow the directions at top of page

This year, Franklin Public Schools is partnering with various other organizations to put together a “Family Information Series” of topics that may be of interest for parents in our community to learn about. The first event focuses on “Artificial Intelligence” and will take place TONIGHT, Thursday, September 19th from 5pm-8pm in partnership with the Indian Community School. You can see the flyer below and click here or on the flyer to pre-register. Dinner is provided by That’s Amore for anyone who pre-registers. Childcare will be available for non-school aged children and a supervised Open Gym is available for students in 4K-2nd Grade.

THREE FHS STUDENTS NAMED NATIONAL MERIT SEMIFINALISTS

It is with tremendous Saber Pride that we share seniors Sruti Palla, Nehan Sajeeth, and Niharik Vuyyuru were recently named National Merit Semifinalists. They are each individually one of 16,000 students across the country named for this prestigious honor.

From National Merit:

“NMSC is excited to announce the names of more than 16,000 Semifinalists in the 2025 National Merit® Scholarship Program. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 6,870 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next spring. About 95 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and about half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title. The release is made available here to provide information about the National Merit Scholarship Program. To compete for National Merit Scholarships, Semifinalists must advance to the Finalist level of the competition by fulfilling several additional requirements. A Semifinalist can become a Finalist and compete for a Merit Scholarship award in only one program year.”

We are very proud and wish them luck on the next steps in the process!

TWO FHS STUDENTS NAMED NATIONAL MERIT COMMENDED

In addition to FHS having three National Merit Semifinalists this year, we are very proud to share that we also have (2) National Merit Scholar Commended students. Each year, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) recognizes these students as "commended scholars" for their outstanding academic achievements. Commended scholars receive a Letter of Commendation from the NMSC and some candidates may be considered for Special Scholarships by corporate sponsors. Congratulations to Caden Berg and Ina Jashinsky.

Next week is Homecoming Week 2024 for Franklin High School! Listed below are various activities taking place including PowderPuff games, the Saber Homecoming Parade, the Community Pep Rally, and details on the football game. Click here or on the image to view more details if needed.

On Friday evening, FHS seniors, Amy M. and Navpreet K., coordinated a party to welcome Franklin's ELL students. Students and their families ate, played games, and made friends - helping to finish their first week on a great note. The celebration was Amy and Navpreet's final project for the Global Scholars program, a state-certified credential in global competence. ELL teachers throughout the district and FHS teacher, Mr. Andrew Levin, were there to help out. Financial support for the event was generously provided by the Franklin Educational Foundation.

SEPTEMBER 23-27: OPERATION SAFE STOP WEEK

Operation Safe Stop Week promotes school bus safety through education and

enforcement efforts.

• In Wisconsin, there are over 12,000 school buses that transport more than 750,000 students to and from school each school day and travel nearly 70 million miles a year.
• From this year’s survey, an estimated 38% of motor vehicles illegally pass Wisconsin school buses every day.
• Motorists are required to stop at least 20 feet from a stopped school bus that is displaying flashing red lights and stop arm. Each time a motorist violates the school bus stop law, he or she creates a real hazard for the students who are boarding or leaving the bus.
• Wisconsin uses an 8-light school bus warning system. The alternately flashing yellow lights mean CAUTION to other motorists because the bus is preparing to stop. The flashing red lights and stop arm mean STOP.

Please see this short video below that shares reminders about school bus safety

TRANSPORTATION UPDATES/CHANGES NEEDED?

Please be sure that you are checking your child’s PowerSchool for transportation updates. If at any time you need to make a change, including removing a student from a route, please complete the Transportation Update Form. This includes removing any high school students that may now be driving and will no longer need transportation. This helps us to be more efficient with our routing.

If you are experiencing difficulties with transportation, it is best to directly contact our Auxiliary Services Coordinator Heidi Engel (414-525-7634). Oftentimes, we hear about situations through social media posts when we would much rather help you to directly address the issue. Please be aware that when we receive requests for changes, it may take more than a day for those updates to be resolved or implemented.

DROP OFF TIMES ARE APPROXIMATE

Please be aware that the DROP OFF TIMES listed for your child(ren) in PowerSchool are approximate and may not be exact, especially during the first few weeks of school as buses settle into their routes. FPS runs (3) waves of busing for our schools so if a bus is late getting to a school or late leaving a school, the drop off time will not be correct. We advise parents to use the "Here Comes the Bus" app to keep more accurate tabs on your child's bus...

BUS APP SETUP

As a reminder, GoRiteway offers the “Here Comes the Bus” app. Here is a link to the instructions for setting up the app. We encourage both parents/guardians and students to download the app. Note: If your child takes a district-owned (non-Riteway) bus, you will not be able to track your child as the app is not set up to work with our district-owned buses.

HAVE YOU MOVED? As a reminder if at any time during the school year you move anywhere in or out of the Franklin Public School District you MUST complete a Family Information Change Form and return it to your school secretary within the first week of your move.

Franklin High School is once again proud to host the SABER MARCHING BAND INVITE 2024 this Saturday, September 21st at Sullivan Stadium! Gates open at 3pm and the event begins at 4pm with a performance of the National Anthem by the Forest Park Middle School bands. You can view the schedule, see parking information and acquire tickets here. There are 13 bands scheduled to perform at the event including the Franklin High School band! Bands will be judged in the areas of music performance, visual performance, music general effect, visual general effect, percussion, and colorguard. Individual class placement awards will be given to all participating bands. Concessions will be open and FHS will be selling student shout-outs and 50/50 raffle tickets at a booth by the home stands. Come spend Saturday night under the lights and enjoy local high school bands performing!

As we begin a new school year, our core value of well-being remains a priority as we work to serve students and families in our community. Our Student Services staff, composed of our school psychologists, counselors, social workers, nurses, and other specialized staff, continue to promote positive mental health by providing comprehensive support to our students. In addition, we want to remind you of the onsite partnership we have with Clinical Psychology Associates (CPA). CPA has established counseling clinics with a team of five therapists working at Franklin High School, Forest Park Middle School, Pleasant View Elementary, and Country Dale Elementary. All students and families within our district have access to these services.

Clinical Psychology Associates also has an outpatient location in Oak Creek, providing another convenient way for families to receive therapeutic services if an off-site location is preferred, while still benefiting from the collaborative partnership with the district. For more information please see our website. Appointments are scheduled directly with CPA staff by calling or texting (262) 975-0012.

We are making families aware that the nomination window is open for Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Fellowships and Leadership awards in Wisconsin in case there is that special teacher or administrator in Franklin Public Schools that you would like to nominate!

The Herb Kohl Educational Foundation awards 100 Fellowships and 16 Leadership awards annually from among all applicants throughout the state. For teachers or principals to be considered for an award, they must be nominated by a parent, student, other teacher, community member, or school administrator. Wisconsin teachers and principals in grades PK through 12 who plan to continue in their current capacity for at least one year are eligible to be nominated. Educators are chosen for their superior ability to inspire a love of learning in their students and ability to motivate others, and for their leadership and service within and outside the classroom. Selection of recipients will be made by a state-level panel composed of representatives from the Wisconsin Newspaper Association (WNA), cooperative educational service agencies, several education-related associations and community representatives. This program was established in 1990 and has awarded nearly $20 million to educators and their schools. The Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Fellowship and Leadership programs are co-sponsored by the WNA Foundation, DPI and the state’s 12 cooperative educational service agencies. Awards are $6,000 for the recipient, with an additional $6,000 grant awarded to the school of each selected teacher and principal.

NOMINATION DEADLINES

• Thurs, October 3rd - Principals & Administrators (Info | Form)

• Tues, November 12th - Teachers (Info | Form)

We are proud to share the next (2) connected events in this years 2024-25 "Family Information Series" for Franklin Public Schools caregivers. Mark your calendars for these events and please share with friends and family locally as these events are open to non-FPS caregivers as well!

• Part 1 is a screening of the documentary "Childhood 2.0" at the FHS Saber Center for the Performing Arts on Monday, October 21st @ 6pm. This will be followed by a panel discussion led by Katey McPherson, Child Advocate & Education Consultant.
• Part 2 is a session led by Katey on how to teach and support the "iGeneration" of students. This will take place at the FPMS Commons on Tuesday, November 12th @ 6pm.

Click on the flyer below to see more details and we hope to see you there!

NOTE: Our partners in the Pewaukee Schools are also hosting these same events one day after each of ours. Here is a link to their flyer with details if you want to help share with friends and family in the area.

VOTING INFORMATION

Earlier this week was National Voter Registration Day, which is the single largest day that new voters register. If you are not yet registered to vote -OR- if you are interested in absentee ballot voting, here are some details to share:

If you are not registered to vote and you are eligible, there is still time!

• Register Online: Wed, October 16th by 11:59 p.m. CDT
  
• Register by mail (postmarked by): Wed, October 16th
• Register In-person at voting location on Election Day: Tues, November 5th

Absentee ballot deadlines

• Request ballot (received by): Fri, October 31st by 5pm CDT
• Return ballot by mail (received by): Tues, November 5th by 8pm CST
• Return ballot in person: Tues, November 5th by 8pm CST
  
  
• From the City of Franklin website (here): Absentee voting in the City Clerk's office is restricted to the 2 weeks before an Election and ends at the close of business the Friday before an Election. In-person absentee voting at the City Clerk's Office for the November 5, 2024 Fall General Election will be available weekdays Tuesday, October 22, 2024, through Thursday, October 31, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday, November 1, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. No in-person absentee voting may occur on the day before the election.

Our VOTING page has more voter information details

SELF-GUIDED & GUIDED TOURS NEXT WEEK

As we move toward the November 5th referendum vote, we have two offerings NEXT WEEK to visit Franklin High School to see the spaces that are planned to be address through the passing of the referendum.

INFO SESSIONS & TOURS IN OCTOBER

In addition, in October, we are offering the following COMMUNITY INFORMATION SESSIONS where you can hear from district leaders about the path to the referendum and also tour FHS following the presentations.

VIRTUALLY SEE THE SPACES OF NEED!

Can't make one of the dates above? Check out our "virtual tour" of the FHS spaces by clicking on the map below! Short videos are clickable at each location right from your phone and will better explain the areas we hope to address through the referendum. NEWLY ADDED are 360 photos where you can click and drag around to see a room.

CLICK ON THE MAP BELOW TO LOOK AROUND!

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW! Join us THIS Friday, September 20, for a night of clean, Southern-style, Saber Center comedy featuring Etta May, winner of the prestigious American Comedy Award "Female Comic of the Year," and Carollynn Xavier, better known as the viral sensation the "Recovering Californian."

• Etta May with special guest Carollynn Xavier
• THIS Friday, September 20 | 7 p.m.
• Purchase tickets: https://www.franklin.k12.wi.us/ticket-purchasing-information
• Group discounts are available!

Through our continued partnership with Forte Theatre, we are pleased to share that Forte Youth Productions is holding auditions for their next youth musical production, "Oliver! Jr" that will be taking place at the Saber Center for the Performing Arts in late January and early February! This adaptation of the classic novel & award-winning musical springs to life with some of the most memorable characters & songs to ever grace the stage!

• Auditions for grades 6th-12th: Mon 10/14 & Tues 10/15 6-8pm (please sign up for one 15 min time slot)

• Audition location: FHS Choir Room

• Callbacks: Sat 10/19 12p-5p

• Rehearsals: Mon 11/25 - Thurs 1/30/25 (no rehearsals during holiday breaks)

• Performances: Fri 1/31/25 to Sun 2/2/25 at the FHS Saber Center

• More info at https://www.fortetheatrecompany.org/oliver-jr

* If you aren't available for auditions, but would still like to be considered, please contact us at randall@fortetheatrecompany.org

She Loves Me is part of Forte’s MAINSTAGE season, featuring adult, professional actors from throughout the Milwaukee area and we are super proud to host them at the Saber Center for the Performing Arts! Featuring a score by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick (“Fiddler on the Roof”) and a book by Joe Masteroff (“Cabaret”), “She Loves Me” follows two feuding clerks in a 1930s European parfumerie who unwittingly fall in love as anonymous romantic pen pals. Based on the story that led to the films Shop Around the Corner & You’ve Got Mail, "She Loves Me" is an endearing romantic comedy you won't want to miss! Tickets on Sale Now here!

The Fall Rec Program Guide is now online at the Rec website!

Kids Club is currently looking for MORNING ONLY staff at one of our elementary schools during the school year. Hours would be 7am-9:15am. Please email Shana.gagliardo@franklin.k12.wi.us for more information.

Whether you're a pro, or just getting started, the FEF Charity Pickleball Tourney will be an event you won't want to miss! All proceeds go to support grants, scholarships and student assistance funding through the Educational Foundation. Matches begin at 8 am on Sat 10/26 and will end by 4 pm in the FPMS gym (wood floors). Brackets will include competitive and recreational play. FPS staff and High school students 14 and above can play at a discounted rate! Click here for more and to register!

District Administrator Annalee Bennin provided the following updates:

• Prior to schools starting, FPMS Administrators & Educators embarked on door-to-door visits to all 6th grade families to welcome them to FPMS and offer a ‘swag bag’ of FPMS goods!

• This year, we welcomed 4,652 learners either back to school or to Franklin Public Schools for the first time!

• Our families were outstanding in attending Open Houses, meeting our educators and connecting to the learning community.

• FHS Construction II, led by instructor Andrew Mente, broke ground on their new home build last week! This is the 6th home the program will build which continues to build interest and grow the amount of learners interested in this program.
  

• The connection with Kayla’s Playground continues to build. We look forward to how instructor Brian Debelak and his FHS students continue to support the playground. We also look forward to partnering to train a new cohort of educators to volunteer at Kayla’s Playground.

• Assistant Superintendent for Continuous Improvement Dr. Jessica Moe recognized Friends of Franklin, Michelle (Shelly) Runte (Kayla's Playground) for her partnership with the Franklin Public Schools to coordinate Ambassador Training for teachers and staff as part of professional development days.

• Student Services Coordinator Jeannine Bombien shared the 2024 Summer School Report and noted that the enrollment was up this year.

• The REVISED 2024-25 School Board Meeting Dates were approved.

These are not official Board minutes. Find more details, official minutes & videos at www.franklin.k12.wi.us → ABOUT US → BOARD OF EDUCATION

The next FPS School Board Meeting is Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at the ECC District Office @ 6pm. Current agenda items include:

• Friends of Education: Autism Society of Wisconsin
• Seclusion & Restraint Report (Information Item) -- Mr. Eckman

Show your music pride and support our music students by purchasing a yard sign and 40% of all proceeds will benefit the 2025 FHS Music Department Performance Tour in New York.

FHS band, choir, and orchestra students will have the opportunity to travel to New York in March to perform at various venues, work with clinicians, and take in the sights and sounds of New York while deepening their connections with their classmates and educators. Thank you for your support!

• On Sale: September 23 to October 7, 2024 at https://fhsumps.weebly.com/store
• Cost: $20 + $1 processing fee
• Pick-Up:
  Wednesday, October 16 from 7pm-9pm at FHS Sullivan Stadium
  Wednesday, October 23 from 6:30pm-8pm at the Saber Center (6th Grade Band "Informance")
  Monday, November 11 from 7pm-8pm at FHS Library (UMPS Meeting)

Apply now at teachersoncall.com/talent/apply-now so you are ready to begin working in our schools! No experience necessary for our entry level roles! Contact our Teachers On Call Recruiter, Megan Gibson, with any questions. megan.gibson@teachersoncall.com | (800) 713.4439 ext. 18777

We are always looking for people to join our amazing support systems for students! We are currently looking for a part-time district bus driver (see post here), educational assistants, coaches, food service staff, custodial staff, and more.

Click here to see all of our current SUPPORT STAFF LISTINGS on WECAN for more details and please apply through WECAN.

Parents, Guardians, and Staff are set to automatically receive our District and Building Newsletters. If you are a community member that would like to receive any of our newsletters, please complete our SUBSCRIBE FORM.

(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.)