September 22nd, 2024

Hello Franklin Families,
Thank you to those who joined us for this past week’s School Council meeting. It was a productive meeting. Here are your reminders and updates for this week.

Reminders:

1. October 11th is a PD day. There is no school for students.

2. We should only be using the row of parking at the church that faces the school. The intent is for quick drop offs/pickups so it is not too congested. You will soon see Trailblazers that are walking to school with vests on. Children can join them on their walk to school. Please note Trailblazers are NOT babysitters. They model safe walking and allow Franklin students to join for safety in numbers.

3. Franklin is getting ready for the 2024 Terry Fox School Run! We’re super excited to take part in this annual tradition that supports cancer research while building school spirit. Our Terry Fox Run is Friday, September 27th, 2024!

Attached, please find the link to our school’s donation page. Our goal this year is to raise $1900.00. Here is the link:

schools.terryfox.ca/FranklinPSKitchener

4. Please see the September 9th School-Day message regarding the Artshine program coming to Franklin Public School and if you are interested in signing up your child(ren) for this. Artshine & Arts4All make up an innovative mobile art school & social enterprise.

5. Please walk your bikes, scooters, etc. onto school property (adults and children) as children can run out when you least expect (especially if playing a running game), and an accident can result. Please help keep our children safe.

6. To support your student’s safety, we ask that you review and sign the data verification form that your child(ren) will bring home and or have brought home. The information on the form is generated from our student information system and requires your signature to confirm your student’s personal information is up to date and accurate, this includes contact and emergency contact information. If any information changes during the year, please notify your school office. Please review the information, make appropriate changes, sign the bottom of the form and return to the school by September 30, 2024.

7. There are additional forms that require acknowledgement if not already completed. These forms can be found on School-Day, under School Items, Forms. They include:

2024-2025 Media Release Form

2024-2025 Concussion Code of Conduct

2024-2025 Responsible Use Procedure Form

Ongoing off Campus Form

Instructions on how to complete the forms can be found on WRDSB website (www.wrdsb.ca/our-schools/using-school-day/) at Parents Viewing and Completing Forms.pdf (drive.google.com/file/d/1yG7KWYgz79LWs08osQWFf_SstR6BV1Rw/view)

If you have questions about Information for the 2024-2025 school year, please contact the office, 519-893-1334.

8. If you are looking to support your child with technology, see below for more information on this.

Part One: Reading and Part Two: Writing are now completed.

Part Three: Language Learning – Learn about three Read&Write tools that can help your child learn and understand new words at home.

Tuesday, September 24, from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM (meet.google.com/ihw-dmps-iht)

Thursday, September 26, from 12:00 PM to 1

Updates:

1. Various community information will be shared electronically via the board website. These are community volunteer or participation opportunities for your children and or adults if interested, e.g., one program offers a 4 week program for ages 7 to 9 to learn and play new board games. Please note that, “These materials are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Waterloo Region District School Board, the Director of Education, or any of its schools or service departments.”

www.wrdsb.ca/community/community-e-flyers/

2. There is a board meeting Monday Sept. 23rd, in the evening from 7 to 9:30 pm. Here is the link if interested in virtually attending, www.youtube.com/c/WRDSBVideo/live

3. Monday September 30th is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. Franklin Public will have an Orange Shirt Day on Monday September 30th to show our support and recognition of these days. (If your child does not have an orange shirt, maybe a spot of orange – socks, headband, etc.)

4. Students participated in a fire drill and a lockdown drill. We hope never to need them but we always need to be prepared and they did a wonderful job of listening to the educators.

5. We continue to teach personal space, using words to address conflict (or Tools for Life strategies) and then see a staff member. Being a good friend requires showing and giving kindness which also requires having empathy. This is something we continually try to teach our students especially when they have a difficult time with making good choices.

Link of the Week:

“When we feel love and [show] kindness toward others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us to develop inner happiness and peace.” (Author Unknown)