April 21st, 2024

Hello Franklin Families. Thank you to those who were able to attend the School Council meeting this past week. On that note, we are truly grateful for all of our volunteers as many hands make many things possible, e.g.,Strong Start, Nutrition for Learning, School Council initiatives, etc. Here are your reminders and updates.
Reminders:

1. The WRDSB SEA Assistive Technology Team is pleased to offer support opportunities for families and caregivers.

Part One: Creating Multiple Profiles in Read&Write – completed

Part Two: Using Read&Write for Translation in Google Docs

Wednesday, April 24, 2024 from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. (See School-Day for Google Meet link)

Part Three: Using Read&Write for Translation on Websites

Thursday, May 2, 2024 from 12:30 to 1 p.m. (See School-Day for Google Meet link)

2. April Lunch and Learn sessions continue.

Parenting and Educational Support for Newcomers

When: April 24, 2024 from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m.

Where: See School-Day for details.

3. Board Meeting coming upon Wednesday April 24th from 7 pm to 9:30 pm.

Join at www.youtube.com/c/WRDSBVideo/live

4. Business Education Partnership’s “Explore Your Future” Career Expo for

students and their caregivers.

May 1, 2024 – 5:00 – 8:00 pm – Tapestry Hall in Cambridge

May 15, 2024 – 5:00 – 8:00 pm – The Aud in Kitchener.

Target audience is Grade 7-12 students and their caregivers but all are welcome. (Sharing this one as many of you have older children).

5. Next PD Day is Friday May 31st. On this day, there is no school for students.

6. Next, and last Council meeting for this year is on the third Thursday in May, May 16th.

Updates:

1. The Humane Society is visiting Franklin May 8th, 9th and 10th to teach students about animal safety and caring for animals. If you are able, please consider donating to the Kitchener Humane Society before they visit our school. Every little bit helps! kwsphumane.ca/donate

2. Students in pod 4 and 5 had an assembly this past week due to the increase of inappropriate words and racial slurs. We touched on:

How everyone in the room has been hurt by an action or words whether at school, community or home

Feelings from these experiences include sadness, fear, anger, being upset, and numerous other emotions

We reviewed what was not allowed at school (focussed on inappropriate words) and reviewed the school rule and motto, steps to take and when adults must be told

They learned about steps taken if doing or saying inappropriate things – begins with education – but things like racial slurs, weapons, etc. can lead to suspensions

Students were encouraged to reflect on what type of person they want to be

3. There is a poster on the front door about Keeping Your Home Language which was provided to us by WRDSB. It encourages families to use their home language at home as maintaining one language helps students learn new languages. The poster also states, “Using multiple languages improves learning and memory; Home languages are the foundation of our identity and culture.” Please speak to your children in your home language.

4. We have three programs occurring in various classes (older students) at this time. Bystander Training, Culture of Consent (only grade 6s) and soon, Inspire (on Empathy, Bullying, Diversity, etc.). All of these program are teaching students important lessons to help with peer pressure and social relationships (friendships, connections with others).

5. Draws for the baskets from Family Night were made this past Monday and there were numerous winners. See School-Day for the list of winners.

Quote of the Week:

“Words, like nature, half reveal and half conceal the soul within.” (Alfred Lord Tennyson)