FPS District Newsletter #10 6/4/26

5th Grade students participating in activities at the 5th Grade Future Wildcat Days Camp!

May you and your family and friends have a memorable summer. While it may be shorter this year, with our students set to return beginning Monday, August 24th, it will be longer next summer! As a reminder:

• Monday, August 24th is the First Day of School for grades 4K up through 6th grade and 9th grade at FHS.
• Tuesday, August 25th, the rest of the students join in and this is the first day for grades 7-8 and 10-12.

The Summer stays busy in Franklin! We will welcome back our Summer Learning and High School Summer courses on Monday, June 15th; look for final copies of schedules to come to your email next week. Our Recreation Department is stacked full of exciting opportunities for you and your child(ren) throughout the summer, so do not be strangers.

Oh, and, one last ask? If you have an AMAZING out of the norm way a staff member impacted your child(ren) this year or even a small moment that really made your child(ren) or family experience memorable, please take a few minutes and share that moment with me. You can email me at: annalee.bennin@franklin.k12.wi.us with the story or we can set up a time to meet. These stories are what keep us going and what will launch us into next year. Literally, they will be shared in a special way as we set up our 2026-2027 school year theme for our staff! So, please, reach out! I look forward to hearing from you!

Make those memories, treasure those smiles and laughs, and be intentional about how you enjoy the Summer together.

With gratitude to have the best job in the world serving the best families and staff in the world,

Dr. Annalee Bennin

FPS District Administrator

District Calendars: 2025-26 | 2026-27 | 2027-28

All dates integrated in the District Calendar page here.

• Tues, June 9th: 4K Last Student Day
• Wed, June 10th: 5K-12 Last HALF Day of School (End of Q4 / S2 / T3)
• FHS Dismissal Time: 10:45 AM
• FPMS & PV Dismissal Time: 11:40 AM
• BF, CD, RW, & SG Dismissal Time: 12:20 PM
  
  
• Fri, June 12th: Franklin Educational Foundation Golf Outing (see below)
  
  
• Mon, June 15th: FPS Summer Learning Programs Begin
  ECC District Office Summer Hours Begin: Mon-Thurs 7a-3:30p (through Friday, August 14th)
  
  
• Wed, June 17th: FPS School Board Meeting @ 6pm ECC District Office
  
  
• Sat, June 20th @ 4pm: FHS Graduation Ceremony at American Family Field
  (Live Stream Link & All Graduation Details are here)

• By Sun, July 19th: Complete Back-To-School Online Check-In
  (will be emailed to families LATE June; details below)
• Wed, July 22nd: FPS School Board Meeting @ 6pm ECC District Office
  
  
• Wed, August 12th: Annual Meeting of the Electors @ 6pm, followed by Regular School Board Meeting at ECC District Office
  
• Sat, August 15th Beginning @ 5pm: Franklin Educational Foundation Hosts Franklin Public Schools Family Night & Staff Appreciation @ the Franksville Beer Garden (see details below)
  
  
• Wed, August 19th: Forest Park Open House Event 5:30-7pm

• Thurs, August 20th: Elementary Open House Events 5:30-7pm
  
  
• Mon, August 24th: First Day of School for grades 4K through 6th Grade & 9th Grade
• Tues, August 25th: First Day of School for grades 7-8, 10-12

The award-winning Franksville Craft Beer Garden is located minutes south of Oak Creek, north of Kenosha, and just east of I-94 inside the Franksville Memorial Park in Racine County. This is approximately 20 minutes from the Forest Park Middle School area.

No carry-in alcohol allowed per WI State Law. Fire pits and tables are reserved at the south end of the Beer Garden for FPS Families & Staff! Live Music that night is by Weston Ross from 6-9 PM. There will be multiple food trucks on hand and 26 taps of WI Craft Beer to choose from, as well as other options like hard seltzer, wine, and other beverages. The beer garden also has lawn games, playgrounds and a sandbox to add to the family friendly atmosphere.

Come join us to kick off "Back to School" for 2026-27! At this event, the Franklin Educational Foundation will announce the winners of the "Excellent Educator Award!"

Be sure to nominate an educator by July 1st using this form!

Wisconsin / Federal

• MONTH OF JUNE: LGBTQ Pride Month

• Sun, June 14th: Robert La Follette Sr. Day (per Wis. Stat. sec. 118.02)
  
  

• Sat, July 4th: 4th of July

As you may have noticed if you've been by the Franklin High School campus lately, a LOT has changed over the last month or so.

• Included here is the most recent update document that highlights the last month of work.
• Below is a special time lapse video sharing the addition of the large crane, earthwork and the first wall panels being erected on the site for the new field house.

360 Virtual Tours of (5) spaces under current construction are available online here. Click into the album and you can click into a rendering and recent photo of each space!

Our FHS Construction II students were featured for their recent house build project on CBS58 this past weekend! Check out the video below! The original story on CBS58 is here from the "Open House" event that was held this weekend for family and friends.

On Wednesday, May 13th, Franklin Public Schools proudly partnered with ZOLL Medical, SaveStation®, Project ADAM, the Franklin Fire Department and the Franklin Health Department to celebrate the installation of a new outdoor AED and SaveStation at the Franklin Community Education & Recreation Center.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony highlighted the importance of public AED access and emergency preparedness. The donation was inspired by Franklin teen Carter Zahn, whose life was saved by quick action and an AED after he collapsed during a basketball game in 2024. This SaveStation was dedicated in his family’s honor.

Community members had the opportunity to participate in live CPR/AED demonstrations and connect with local health and wellness organizations focused on safety, prevention, and community preparedness. During the ceremony, Project ADAM awarded the Program HERO Award to Assistant Fire Chief Shannon Anthoine for her contributions to developing AED programs, like this one, within the community and her role in demonstrating the lifesaving impact of preparedness within the Franklin community.

The climate-controlled outdoor SaveStation is located along the new walking path on the Community Education & Recreation grounds. This SaveStation helps ensure 24/7 public access to a life-saving AED for the Recreation Center, nearby athletic fields, playgrounds, and surrounding community.

WISN12 & CBS58 covered this great community event and their videos are below:

GRADUATION CEREMONY

Our Franklin High School Graduation Ceremony will take place at American Family Field on Saturday, June 20th at 4pm. All details about the ceremony are on the Graduation page on our website here.

GRADUATION LIVESTREAM

If you are not able to attend the event or know people that want to watch the event, it will be live streamed at this link here.

ELEMENTARY "GRAD WALK" PHOTO ALBUMS (COMING SOON)

Our seniors will be visiting their old stomping grounds in the district next Tuesday as part of our traditional "Elementary Grad Walks.'" All photos we take at these events will be added to the Graduation page following the events!

As another incredible school year comes to a close, we are reflecting on the many moments that made this year so special — and celebrating the staff members whose dedication has helped shape Franklin Public Schools for generations.

This year, we honor 14 retirees who have collectively dedicated nearly 400 years of service to our learners, families, colleagues, and community. Their impact can be seen in classrooms, offices, stages, fields, and countless student experiences throughout FPS.

Thank you for the legacy you leave behind and for all you have given to Franklin students over the years. We wish you the very best in this exciting next chapter! Nearby are some photos from our recent special retirement dinner and celebration.

Last week, 5th grade students from across Franklin Public Schools gathered at Whitnall Park for the annual Future Wildcat Days Camp. Held at Wehr Nature Center and Ross Lodge, the two-day experience celebrates students' completion of elementary school while helping them build connections with future classmates before starting at Forest Park Middle School this fall.

Students participated in a variety of outdoor learning and team-building activities, including tie-dyeing, archery, wood splitting, fire building, marshmallow roasting, rocketry, yoga, pond studies, geocaching, collaborative games, and more.

A special thank you to the following for helping this event to run well for our students:

• Wehr Nature Center
• Whitnall Golf Course
• Milwaukee County Parks
• Buck Rub Archery - provided us free bows to use for archery
• Yoga Jane and Rocket Jay Christensen
• Franklin Fire Department
• Franklin Volition
• Campbell Construction - provided lunch to staff and volunteers on Thursday
• Southbrook, Victory of the Lamb, and Root River Churches - provided lunch to staff and volunteers on Friday
• All 117 parent volunteers that helped out!

Click here for more photos from 5th Grade Future Wildcat Day Camp.

Our 18-21 year-old Transition Services program held a special graduation ceremony this week for (4) of our students. Family members, friends, district leadership and staff were on hand to congratulate the new graduates and to hear what's next!

Our Back-To-School Online Check-in (BTSOC) for the 2026-27 school year will be opening up for all families at the end of June. We are getting some of our final pieces in place and will communicate to families through email once the opening date is known. BTSOC asks parents and guardians to complete check-in activities such as updating your child(ren)’s emergency contacts, medical information, and transportation needs so we can verify they will be attending school with us for the fall and get everything ready for their return. Look for more information soon! After BTSOC opens, families will have until Sunday, July 19th to complete check-in so please mark your calendars!

If you are not planning on enrolling your child(ren) in Franklin Public Schools for the 2026-27 school year and have not already notified your child's school, please contact them as soon as possible. You will not complete Back-To-School Online Check-In if you are not returning to Franklin Public Schools.

Our Instructional Technology Department has put together information for all families regarding Chromebooks, summer planning and for those grades that need to turn devices in. ALL DETAILS ARE IN THIS DOCUMENT and the highlights by grade level are below:

• 5K through 8th Grade Students will turn their Chromebooks in for the summer. Specifics on when this will occur will be in your building newsletters.

• 9th through 11th Grade Students will KEEP their Chromebooks for summer. The devices will have access to limited websites and resources needed for summer school work for Summer Learning, AP coursework, etc. Students will have limited access to tech support during the summer months Monday-Thursday. If your child is experiencing issues with their chromebook, please review these troubleshooting steps. If you are not successful with troubleshooting the chromebook and need summer support, please call the district office at 414-529-8220 x8881.

• Graduating Seniors and families received this communication recently on what graduating seniors should do with their Chromebooks before turning them in on Wednesday, June 10th. If seniors want to export any of their digital work, directions are provided in the communication.

• Students Leaving the District - If you know your child will not be returning to Franklin Public Schools for Fall 2026, we ask that their chromebook, case, and charger be turned into the school library at the end of the school year. Families that do not turn in the equipment will be assessed a $250 fee. If during the summer your plans change and your child will not be returning in the fall, we ask that you turn in your child’s chromebook, charger, and case to the district office located at 8255 West Forest Hill Avenue during normal business hours Monday through Thursday between 7am-3:30pm.

Over the last few weeks, families have received emails for our "Family Engagement Survey."

• We use this data to help check our progress towards our Coherence Plan Goals for the 2025-26 school year and are hoping to collect as much feedback as possible!
• The survey can/should be taken ONCE per child. If there is more than one parent/guardian in the family, the link for each child will be sent to both parents.

We appreciate the time you will spend responding to the survey. We will use your responses to shape our action steps towards being a better place to learn, a better place to work and part of a better community. Please find the email you received in your inbox for the survey link! Thank you!

Please note the following in regards to district Summer Hours:

• From Monday, June 15th through Friday, August 14th, the ECC District Office, Franklin High School and Forest Park Middle School will shift to summer hours and will be open 7am to 3:30pm Monday through Thursday. These offices will not be open on Fridays.

• Elementary School Building Offices are closed during the summer and will reopen the week of July 27th. Elementary buildings will also follow summer hours 7am to 3:30pm Monday to Thursday (closed on Fridays) through Friday, August 14th.

Summer Hours for the district will be in place until the week of August 17th, when all buildings will resume normal office hours Monday through Friday (exact times found here), not including Monday, September 7th which is Labor Day.

Are you a new Franklin resident looking to register your child for the 2026-27 school year? Click through to our registration page to get started!

The Summer Electronic Benefit (EBT) program helps families buy food while school is out during the summer. Through Summer EBT, families can get one payment per summer for each eligible child in their household. For the 2025-26 school year, Summer EBT benefits will be sent to families with eligible children starting in May 2026. For all details about how this program works and links to more information, please view this webpage and click on the image below to visit their website for more details.

Hot off the presses! Click here or on the image nearby to access the June issue of the Community Ed & Rec Roundup Newsletter!

Our new 4K Wraparound Care program registration is open online! 4K families for 2026-27 that have received a placement letter for 4K class are eligible to apply for 4K Wraparound Care. This new program will provide before- or after-session care for students enrolled in our half-day 4K program, helping support families who need a full-day option. While 4K Wraparound Care will be located at Ben Franklin Elementary School, Franklin Public Schools will provide mid-day transportation to/from the child’s home school for their AM or PM 4K class. Please visit the 4K Wraparound Care page for all information.

The Rec Guide is online and all registration occurs via our website at: https://franklin.arux.app

Golf may be SOLD OUT for our 30th Anniversary Tee Up for Education Outing, but YOU can still join the fun through our incredible online auction! We’ve packed this year’s auction with some AMAZING high-value experiences, including:

• Brewers suite experiences & premium game packages
• FHS Parking Pass - Pick your own spot!
• VIP Summerfest tickets
• Travel getaways & unique adventure opportunities
• Exclusive golf packages
• Dining, entertainment, spa, and family experiences

…and SO much more! We will continue to add items to the auction so keep checking. Every bid helps support Franklin students, educators, scholarships, classroom grants, and student assistance programs as we celebrate 30 years of maximizing student potential. Preview items and register to bid now: https://www.32auctions.com/FEFgolf26

Auction closes June 12 — don’t miss your shot at these incredible items. Thank you to all of our wonderful sponsors listed below for supporting this great event!

FPS District Administrator Dr. Annalee Bennin shared the following:

• Mid-May, FHS Automotive Tech Students Jonah and Zach were recently crowned the 2026 Technicians of Tomorrow Champions after completing a competition that included a written test, on car diagnosis and repair of problems, and 8 hands on workstations testing their knowledge of different vehicle systems. Both students were awarded scholarships, tons of tools, gift certificates, and lots of other goodies for their accomplishment.
  

• Recently, Representative Bob Wittke visited Franklin High School to recognize the ProStart Restaurant Management Team of Kaylee, Malyeka, Reina and Adrianna for earning a Top 10 finish at the recent National ProStart Invitational. He presented the team and advisor Sarah Heinevetter with an official Wisconsin State Assembly Citation honoring their outstanding national achievement and heard from them about their restaurant idea, “Chicken Atlas.”

• Congratulations to our FHS Women’s Softball Varsity team as they recently became the Conference Champions for the first time in school history!
  

• Recently, Franklin Public Schools hosted its annual Saber Business Alliance Breakfast at Ascension Franklin Hospital, bringing together local business and community partners who have participated in FPS Youth Apprenticeships, Internships, job shadows and other work place experiences. This is FPS’ way to thank our partners and share additional ways that we can all stay connected.

• Thank you to all of our 2026 retirees! We had a wonderful recognition dinner last Thursday evening with many memorable moments shared about our retirees. This year we have a total of 14 staff members retiring. They have contributed a combined 397 years of service to the students, staff and community of Franklin!

• The Buildings and Grounds Annual Report along with the Capital Improvement 10-year Plan was approved.

• Andy Chromy presented the 2026-27 Preliminary Budget. This will come in front of the Board on June 17th for Board approval.

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, June 17, 2026 at the ECC District Office @ 6pm.

• Annual Academic Standards Adoptions
• 2025-26 Preliminary Budget
• Approval of Teacher Contracts
• Student/Family Handbook

Agendas are posted on the Board of Education/Board Docs page of the Franklin Public Schools website the Friday evening prior to the Board meeting. Policies are located in Board Docs through this Policy link.

The Milwaukee Brewers are bringing back the Grand Slam Teacher of the Month Award, presented by Window Nation, to recognize outstanding Wisconsin educators who make a lasting impact on their students and communities. Winners will be honored at American Family Field with a special pregame ceremony and are invited to throw out a ceremonial first pitch.

Nominate an educator by clicking here.

Click here or on any flyer below to see more details about the events being shared!