Dear Franklin Families,
I hope that all of you had a restful Mother’s Day weekend. It was a bit chilly for sitting on the soccer sidelines, but breaks of sun provided a great opportunity to take a long walk and smell the lilacs. It looks like the wind will remain with us as we start the week, but summer temps will be here by Thursday. We know that our school building can get quite hot, especially on the top floor, so please plan ahead with your children about how they can dress to navigate the week’s temperature swings.
Last week was a wonderful time of appreciation from our PTO, including breakfast, treats, flowers, and decorations. We are still looking forward to a delicious lunch on Wednesday! It is a pleasure to be a part of such a thoughtful community, and we are thankful for your kindness.
Another enjoyable part of the past week was the restart of field trips. On Thursday alone, we had a visit from Drumlin Farm for First Graders, a trip to the BSO for Third Graders, and a Fifth Grade walk to Day Middle School to see Matilda. The final seven weeks of the school year remain packed with fun events, including Color Day on June 1st and another Friendship Walk with Buddy Classes on June 15th. Please stay tuned to school and classroom newsletters to keep your calendar updated.
With Best Wishes,
Mark Chitty
Newton Schools Foundation News: As 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 5/2, Franklin School recorded 9 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.
Color Day will be on Wednesday, June 1st, with a Rain Date of June 8th. Many thanks to Mr. Wong and his team of volunteers for making this enjoyable annual event possible! A new feature this year will be a “Fun Run” station designed as a fundraiser to benefit a nonprofit organization. More information about this event will be published soon.
Parent Coffee/PTO Evening Meeting Dates: This year, we planned a mixture of morning Parent Coffees and evening PTO Meetings through which we hoped to engage all of you in conversation about life and learning in our school community. Please join us for our final event of the year:
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 this Thursday!: We will have dismissal at 12:10 p.m. on May 12th.