February is typically a month filled with challenges for our students, families, and staff. Between unpredictable winter weather, the Valentine's holiday, the 100th day of school, illnesses, increased academic rigor, and all the other surprises life throws our way, the month often requires extra patience from all of us. Not surprisingly, we are very excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for all our Franklin Falcons. With the weather beginning to turn, the amazing learning taking place every day, and the support all our families provide each day, this is shaping up to be another very successful spring at Franklin. Thank you, families, for all you do to support your children and our staff. It truly is a total team effort!
If you read the February 19th Edition of the MAPS Connection District Newsletter, you saw the following information around 2 hour late start times:
We received many questions from families asking what a two-hour late start means. Simply put, school start times shift exactly two hours later than usual. For example, if a school typically starts at 8:00 a.m., it will begin at 10:00 a.m. This change applies to all schools.
The same is true for bus pick-up times. Look at your child's bus pass (attached to their backpack). Add two hours to the pick-up time listed on the pass. The bus should arrive within 5-10 minutes of that new time.
On a normal school day, teacher supervision begins at 7:35 AM. On a two-hour late day, there is no supervision available for students prior to 9:35 AM. We had several families / students arriving between 8:45 - 9:30 on the two-hour late start day we had in February, and we wanted to be sure families were clear on why they can't just drop students off when it's convenient for them.
When we have our monthly Early Release days, the opposite is true. If your child takes the bus home, they should arrive home approximately two hours earlier than normal. If you pick your child up from school, the pick-up time is 12:30 PM, two hours earlier than our typical dismissal at 2:30 PM.
If severe weather causes the need for an early dismissal, those times will be communicated through our district communications office and local media outlets.
While we understand the inconveniences caused by weather delays and other changes to our school schedule, we also want to be sure families understand the challenges we face on our end during these altered-schedule days. Thanks for working with us to keep our students safe.
As spring approaches and more data becomes available around the progress our students have made this year, we want to continue to ensure our families have access to assessment results, and they can find them quickly. Attached below is messaging from our district Assessment Coordinator, Tyson Walker, around how to access student reports.
Welcome Caregivers of Future Kindergarten Students!
We are excited to welcome your child to Mankato Area Public Schools in Fall 2025! Kindergarten is a crucial time for growth in academics, social skills, and emotional development, setting the stage for your child's K-12 journey.
Ready to Enroll?
Visit https://www.isd77.org/enroll to access the online enrollment form. The online enrollment form can be completed on a variety of devices including a computer, tablet or smartphone. **A computer or tablet is recommended, as the process isn't quite as smooth when using a phone.**
Parents can also call 507-387-2125 or email centralregistration@isd77.org to make an appointment with Central Registration staff if they need help completing the enrollment form.
*JOB OPPORTUNITIES*
At Franklin we believe that strong parent-teacher collaboration is essential for our students' success. When parents and teachers work together, we create a powerful support system that enhances student learning and achievement. We encourage you to engage in open communication with your child’s teachers, participate in school events, and provide feedback on school programs. Your involvement not only helps us understand your child's unique needs but also fosters a sense of community and shared responsibility for their education. Together, we can help our students thrive academically and socially. Thank you for being an integral part of our school community!
