October 13th, 2024

Hello Franklin Families.

We hope you are enjoying your weekend. As we enter the third week of October, here are your reminders and updates.

Reminders:

1. Monday October 14 is Thanksgiving. Schools are NOT open tomorrow. No school for students or staff.

2. Don’t forget to follow us on our Franklin Instagram page. Fra_wrdsb.

3. If you are planning to volunteer at some point in the year, please remember to get a criminal and vulnerable sector check, via the police department.

4. Spirit wear is finally here! Below is the link to our online store where you will be able to purchase student or adult spirit wear. Please provide the student’s and teacher’s name in the notes section during checkout. The spirit wear online store closes by Friday, October 18th. Once the online store has closed, the spirit wear will take approximately 4 weeks to arrive at Franklin. Not sure which size to buy? Check out the size guide on the website, or stop the spirit wear table right near the main office to view sample sizing. This will only be available during office hours, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm. Thank you! Here is your link:

https://sycolifeco.com/collections/franklin-falcons

5. Families and Caregivers: Are you looking for ways to support your child with technology? Here are some learning opportunities.

Part One: Reading and Simplifying

Monday, October 28, from 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. (https://meet.google.com/ues-idqi-bxk)

Part Two: Gathering and Organizing

Friday, October 18, from 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. (https://meet.google.com/hyd-keec-kfu)

Thursday, November 7, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (https://meet.google.com/njg-tvem-tkd)

Part Three: Presenting and Studying

Wednesday, October 23, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (https://meet.google.com/qxy-wcwc-tpt)

Tuesday, November 12, from 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. (https://meet.google.com/zzx-wecy-maa)

No registration is required. Simply join a Google Meet at the appropriate time.

6. Please remember that if you have any questions or concerns, your first point of contact is your child’s/children’s classroom teacher(s). Most outside concerns though, are dealt with during recess by whomever is on supervision.

7. Regarding the outdoors – there are several outdoor supervisors that children can go to if they have conflict, preferably after they practice our steps: 1. Firmly tell the person to stop a certain action; that they do not like it. 2. Use a Tool for Life (tell them again, walk away, ignore, etc.). 3. If the continued behaviour continues, get an adult. We are trying to show children that they have power to stop something and that there are adults to help if their efforts do not work. We will work with them to use the steps. We do not condone hands on behaviours to solve problems.

8. If you are interested in getting lunches for your children, please see the recent School-Day message on ESNS lunches.

Updates:

1. Please see the following link to get the October Lunch and Learn Sessions https://www.wrdsb.ca/blog/2024/10/02/october-lunch-and-learn-sessions-for-families-and-caregivers/ for Families and Caregivers. These include:

Get it Done! How to Stop Procrastinating

When: October 16, 2024 from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m.

Screen Time and Technology Use

When: October 23, 2024 from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m.

Sweet Dreams: The Importance of Sleep and How to Help our Children Get Enough

When: October 30, 2024 from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m.

2. Toonies for Tummies campaign is occurring from Tuesday to Friday this week If able, consider having your child bring in a toonie. If interested, there is also a direct donation link as well https://nutritionforlearning.ca/donate/donate-now/

3.Community Flyers – The board’s Community E-Flyers website, https://www.wrdsb.ca/community/community-e-flyers/, shares information about community opportunities such as:

Explore Worldwide Art Forms – City of Waterloo

Littles at Play Drop-In – City of Waterloo

Kids Science Open House University of Waterloo (October 26, 2024)

4. A message/opportunity from one of our local universities. “GIRLsmarts4tech is a free outreach program, presented by WiCS and SAP, aimed at inspiring girls and gender-diverse students to explore technology. During the day-long workshop, participants will learn about various aspects of computer science, including mobile app design and programming, user interfaces, and how computer science applies to other fields and disciplines.”

Workshop Details:

Date: Saturday, October 19th, 2024

Time: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm ET, In Person

Location: University of Waterloo, MC, 3rd Floor

Food: Lunch (Pizza) and Snacks will be provided, BRING YOUR WATER BOTTLE!

Additional Information: No experience or equipment required! We will provide you with everything you need to participate in this workshop (including access to computers & mobile phones).

Register here: https://www.ticketfi.com/event/5894/girlsmart4tech-fall-2024

Quote of Week:

“All children need nature. Not just the ones whose parents appreciate nature. Not only those children of a certain economic class or culture or set of abilities. Every child.” (Richard Louv)