Dear Franklin Families,
Welcome Back! Whether you stayed close to home or traveled far, I hope that your week was filled with joy. We did another round of university visits with Ryan (our high school Junior), visiting six schools between here and Pittsburgh. At each stage, it is fun to watch children grow and get a glimpse of the adults they are becoming. The Franklin Team and I are thankful to be a part of this journey with each family in this community.
During the month of May, we will begin working on class lists for the 2022-23 school year. We ask that all families please let us know as soon as possible if your children will not be returning to Franklin next year so that we can plan with accuracy. If you have any additional information regarding your child’s placement that you would like to share with the team, please do so in writing. Your letter should be marked to my attention and delivered to the school office no later than Friday, April 29th. I will review these letters and share them with the grade-level teams. Your letter can include information about your child's friends, learning style, strengths, special interests, or any information you feel is important to share with the team that we don't already know. Please do not request specific teachers as we are unable to honor these requests. Also, please do not feel that you must write a letter to ensure that your child's placement will receive careful consideration. All teacher assignments will be available in Aspen in late August.
With Best Wishes,
Mark Chitty
Supporting and Affirming Transgender and Gender Expansive Students: This event is open to all NPS students, parents and staff to hear from trained facilitators, along with a panel of LGBTQ+ members of our community. This conversation is intended to help us better understand the experiences of our transgender and gender expansive student community and to learn more about the ways we can support and affirm the dignity, safety and inclusion of all of our students.
*To register, please RSVP in advance in order to receive a zoom link prior to the event.
Newton Schools Foundation News: As Teacher Appreciation Week and the end of the school year approaches, you may be wondering how best to thank the special teachers and staff who have taught and nurtured your children since September. Please consider participating in Newton Schools Foundation’s (NSF) Honor Thy Teacher program, which provides a way to simultaneously recognize our faculty and support our schools while complying with the Newton Public Schools Gift Policy.
When you donate to Honor Thy Teacher, NSF will
Notify honored teachers and staff of your gift
Share honoree names with the Superintendent’s office and individual school principals
List all honored teachers and staff on the NPS website
Deliver to all honored staff a Certificate of Honor and Honoree commemorative magnet
By donating to NSF, you are not only acknowledging teachers on a personal level but also providing rich professional development opportunities for them, and supplementing the existing enrichment opportunities that the district provides. The funds raised through Honor Thy Teacher fund new approaches in the classroom, teachers’ professional development, and programs addressing inequities, which collectively impact schoolchildren across all grade levels. Read about the programs NSF funds.
You can find out more information about Newton Schools Foundation, the Honor Thy Teacher program, and how you can make a donation today.
Thank you for considering this opportunity to support Newton’s teachers.
Weekly COVID Case Numbers: During the week of 4/11, Franklin School recorded 4 COVID cases. Information on districtwide COVID cases and vaccination rates can be found on the Newton Health and Human Services website here: NPS COVID Case Count and Vaccination Rates.
Parent Coffee/PTO Evening Meeting Dates: This year, we have a mixture of morning Parent Coffees and evening PTO Meetings through which we hope to engage all of you in conversation about life and learning in our school community. Please join us on the following dates.
April 29th 8:30 a.m.
June 2nd 7:30 p.m.
Absences: If your child will be absent from school for any reason, please call the Student Absence Line at 617-559-9509 before 7:50. Also, please be sure that teachers have accurate information about dismissal routines for your child.
Early Release Date: We will have dismissal at 12:10 p.m. on May 12th.
MCAS Dates: Please note the following dates as you are planning family vacations and appointments:
Math:
Grade 3: 4/25 and 4/26
Grade 4: 4/28 and 4/29
Grade 5: 5/2 and 5/3
Science:
Grade 5: 5/6 and 5/9* (Note Change of Date)