2024-25 #13 3/6/25

Above: This week, our elementary schools had visitors from our district office, community leaders and special guests that helped to promote "Read Across Franklin" as part of "Read Across America Week!" See more further down in the newsletter.

Franklin Public Schools uses survey results as an integral part of our continuous improvement efforts. Surveys are given to monitor our progress towards our overall district Coherence Plan metrics. Below, you will see our progress in overall district score and response rate along with each Coherence Plan metric from our recent student and family engagement surveys:

We continue to support our survey data with interviews and listening sessions. With the addition of qualitative data and the voices of stakeholders, we can get a more clear understanding of action steps and further improvement needed. Thank you to each student and family member of our organization for your continued support as we continue to make Franklin Public Schools a Better Place to Work, a Better Place to Learn, and Part of a Better Community.

Dr. Jessica Moe

Assistant Superintendent for Continuous Improvement

District Calendars: 2024-25 | 2025-26

All dates integrated in District Calendar webpage here.

As we progress on our Franklin Forward work for the additions at Franklin High School and updates to the elementary buildings that were part of the $145M November 2024 referendum, we will regularly update families and the members of the community in our first district newsletter and website.

Here are some updates about the progress of that work:

• Thank you to those that gave feedback through the stakeholder form we shared recently. We received 483 feedback submissions (text, video, or audio). As part of stakeholder feedback collection, we received many responses from current and future FHS students that will also help to inform the design process!

• The FPS Core Planning Team has focused on the general layout of the addition and remodeling at Franklin High School. As that becomes more final, the team will turn to the interior portions of the facility and start generating more curricular area specific planning for spaces.

• In regards to the capital projects at the elementary buildings, the district has been bidding out work and selecting partners for Roofing, Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing projects. Many projects such as roof replacements and boiler plant updates will be underway as soon as students are released for the summer.

Country Dale even had a very special visitor as Mrs. USA (who was Mrs. Wisconsin) visited the class. Andrea Bender is from Kenosha and visited with students while she also volunteered to read!

A special thank you to our FPS Board Members for also volunteering...

To see even more pictures that were shared by teachers, staff and community members, click here for a full album of photos!

As we begin to plan for the 2025-26 school year, Franklin Public Schools is sharing a COMMUNICATION SURVEY with parents and families to collect feedback on our communication efforts. Information provided in this survey will be used to improve district communication with families. Responses will be collected through Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 11:59pm. The survey only needs to be completed once per parent or guardian and not once per child. The survey can be found here. Thank you for your time to provide this valuable feedback!

Last Thursday was our annual K-12 ART GALLERY NIGHT that took place at Franklin High School and over 500 people attended the evening! Student artwork from around the district was on display for friends and family to enjoy. Art students were featured during a special ceremony to kick the evening off. Throughout the event, there were also some hands-on art activities for all to enjoy. Thank you to everyone who came out to support our students and to support the arts! Click here to see an album of pictures from the event.

A few weeks ago, the South Suburban Chamber of Commerce in our area held their annual “Awards Celebration” evening where various clubs, organizations, businesses and individuals were honored. One of the awards they gave out was the “Educator of the Year” Award and the recipient was Franklin High School’s Family & Consumer Science Teacher, Linda Krause.

Linda has been an educator with Franklin Public Schools for 15 years and has over 35 years of teaching experience. She shares that she loves helping students see and reach their full potential, getting to know and interact with students every day, seeing the joy on their faces when they’re working with children or designers and experiencing the satisfaction with students as they are successful at something they’ve never tried before.

Within the community, Linda has actively partnered with businesses and organizations through various courses for field experiences, mentorships, and projects over the past 10 years including Pleasant View Elementary, Florence Eisman Co. Ebenezer Child Care Center Oak Creek, Wisconsin Kitchen Mart, the City of Milwaukee Architectural Office, and Amy Carman Design.

As part of the Award ceremony, Linda was also presented with a special written commendation by Senator Van Wanggard on behalf of the citizens of Wisconsin.

Congratulations to Linda Krause for being awarded the South Suburban Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year Award for 2025!

Wednesday night, FHS hosted the 2025 Youth Trades Hiring Event which showcased partnerships with more than 70 local companies in the Metro-Milwaukee area. The Southwest Milwaukee Consortium, a collaboration of Whitnall, St. Francis, Greendale, Greenfield and Franklin school districts helps these connections to happen. With chronic labor shortages being a significant concern for Wisconsin companies, this event was a win-win for helping to connect students with companies in manufacturing, skilled trades and healthcare. This event was open to students not only from Franklin but any students in the area and we had over 750 attendees.

Congratulations to Corey Rynders for receiving this prestigious award!

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials (WASBO) recognized Corey Rynders, Custodian for Franklin Public Schools, as the recipient of one of four 2024 WASBO Custodian/Maintenance Professional of the Year Awards on March 3, 2025, during the 2025 Facilities Management Conference at the Kalahari Convention Center. See below for Corey's recognition video.

The Custodian & Maintenance Professional of the Year Award — sponsored by SERVPRO — acknowledges the outstanding contributions of those who are making a difference to their local school district, community, and the custodial and maintenance profession. Rynders is being recognized for his 37 years of outstanding service, leadership, and dedication to his school community. His nomination letters state that Rynders is known as “Mr. Franklin” by students, staff, and families. He has built lasting relationships through his kindness, problem-solving skills, and unwavering commitment to maintaining a welcoming environment. His impact goes far beyond his custodial duties—mentoring students, fostering a sense of belonging, and even finding creative ways to support those struggling emotionally.

Congratulations, Corey!

The City of Franklin has informed us that the stoplights at the main intersection in front of Franklin High School have begun this week. The anticipated plan is as follows:

• First Week of March (3/3-3/7): The lights will ‘flash yellow’ signaling for vehicles to “proceed with caution” and slow down and be prepared to stop if necessary. This is to help adjust those driving through this intersection to be cautious and leading toward full stop light operation.

• Second Week of March (3/10 forward): The stoplights will begin to be fully operational.

Please discuss this with the driving members of your family that frequent Franklin High School so we can all do our part to make sure this intersection remains controlled and safe, not only for walkers, but also for those driving in the area.

Check out this fun little happening that took place at Pleasant View by our own FPS District Administrator, Annalee Bennin! Thank you to Phy Ed Teacher Anthony Morrissey for not only creating this fun challenge for students and staff at the school but for also capturing this "almost" impossible moment!

Resource Night is Back! Join us on Tuesday, March 11th from 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM at Franklin High School for an informative evening featuring over 60 agencies for people with disabilities offering services in areas of: Advocacy, Health and Medical, Recreation, Day Programs, Employment, Transportation, and Post-Secondary Education. Resource Night is set up in a booth-style format, so families can stop by any table they choose, at their own pace. It's a great opportunity to connect with local and community resources all in one place!

Premiering at the Saber Center for the Performing Arts with shows running from Thursday, March 13th through Sunday, March 16th is the FHS Saber Theater student production of "The Addams Family - A New Musical Comedy." Featuring the talents of 70 Franklin students in the cast, crew and pit, this musical is sure to be a hit!

THE ADDAMS FAMILY - a comical feast that embraces the wackiness in every family, features an original story and it’s every father’s nightmare: Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family – a man her parents have never met. And if that wasn’t upsetting enough, Wednesday confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done before – keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents.

Get your tickets now at sabercenter.ludus.com

• Thurs, March 13th - Sunday, March 16th: FHS Saber Theatre Presents: "The Addams Family"

• Sat, April 5 & Sun, April 6th -AND- Fri, April 11th to Sun, April 13th: Forte Theatre Company Presents: "The Secret Garden"

Get tickets here, and like the Saber Center on Facebook or Instagram for the latest information!

In an effort to keep our Community Education & Recreation Department audiences updated about happenings, our Rec Department has begun their own newsletter which you can see here or by clicking on the image below. This newsletter will be sent directly to those who are engaged in programming or with any of our Community Ed & Rec offerings. This is a great place to hear what's new and being worked on for Rec! Check it out!

The Community Education and Recreation Department is excited to announce the implementation of our new software system, ARUX, beginning April 1st. All participants will need to create a new account when logging in for the first time. A postcard with registration directions will be mailed to all residents and an email will be sent to all families and rec participants the week of March 17th to help guide you through this process.

Please note that Summer Kids Camp and 2025-26 Kids Club registration opens Tuesday, April 1st and registration will occur using the new ARUX registration system. Watch for the postcard and email right before Spring Break!

As of December 3rd, the Winter-Spring program registration is OPEN for Franklin residents! Check our website here to see the guide and to register!

Celebrate your graduating senior with a Class of 2025 yard sign! Signs are now available for purchase from the Franklin Educational Foundation through this link for $20! Pick up of all signs will be at FHS sometime the first week of May, with more specific details to follow. Proceeds from the sale go to support student and activity grants, the Foundation Student Assistance Fund and senior scholarships.

Here's your chance to spotlight that special FPMS 8th grader as they prepare for the next step of their academic journey! Yard signs are now available for purchase from the Franklin Educational Foundation for $20 through this link. Signs will be available for pickup at FPMS the first week of May, with more specific details to follow. All proceeds for the signs go to support PAWS who in turn use the funds to support teachers, staff and classroom / activities.

Not sure what to do with all those outgrown kids clothes, toys, books, etc. and looking to make a little cash? Sign up to be a seller at our semi-annual Children's Consignment Sale on April 12. Everything you need to know can be found on our website.

Our Fall event was a huge success, and we've decided to move this annual event to Spring! Join us for a fun morning of exercise, meeting new friends and raising money for a great cause. See our website for registration information! Everyone who registers is entered into a drawing for a FREE pickleball party for 8 people at Elite Tennis.

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, February 19, 2025 at the ECC District Office @ 6pm. Current agenda items include:

• Franklin High School Presentation
• FHS International Trip Presentation for approval (Claire Bastian and Erin Weston)
• Summer/Fall 2025 Early College Credit & Start College Now Request Approvals - Mike Vuolo
• Communications Update - Chad Kafka
• Award the Sale of Bonds
• Emil Ewald Family Foundation Scholarship Donation - Andy Chromy
• Board Clerk's Report - Election Notice & Notice of Ballot Positions

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.

Join us THIS SATURDAY for the “March into Spring Craft Fair” at Forest Park Middle School on from 9am-3pm to benefit the Franklin High School Saber Marching Band. There will be more than 90 vendors to shop from as well as a raffle, bake sale, concessions and live music. Admission is $3 or “2 for $5” at the door. Children 12 and under are free. For additional information please check our website (we are also looking for volunteers!) or contact FHSCraft@gmail.com. We hope to see you there!

We are always looking for people to join our amazing support systems for students! We are currently looking for a part-time 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.

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(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.)