February 7, 2022
Dear Franklin Families,
I hope that all of you enjoyed the weekend despite the ice and are looking forward to warmer temperatures later this week. We will have two busy pre-vacation weeks at Franklin, including Progress Reports, a Parent Coffee with Dr. Fleishman and members of the Newton School Committee, Valentine's Day, and our February All School Meeting, which will include a celebration of Black History Month and the 100th Day of School. It is an honor to be your principal, and I wish you the best in this new week.
Progress Reports will be available in Aspen for all families this Thursday, February 10th. Students’ current performance levels in a variety of academic and social objectives are reported in reference to our grade-level benchmarks. In areas where students are meeting expectations for this time of year, they receive a “3.” “4” indicates performance significantly beyond grade-level benchmarks. “2” and “1” indicate varying degrees of required growth toward benchmarks. As you review the Progress Reports, please keep in mind that spring conferences are coming up next month and are the perfect opportunity to check in with your child’s teacher. It feels good to use the word “spring” in reference to a not-so-distant event!
Teachers will be communicating specific information about how each class will celebrate Valentine’s Day. If your child would like to participate in exchanging Valentines, they need to have one for every member of the class. Please do not send in food, in keeping with our districtwide practice of not sharing food at the elementary level.
With Best Wishes,
Mark Chitty
Blue Zone Reminder: Please remember that the Blue Zone is a moving pick-up and drop-off lane during Arrival and Dismissal, and you cannot park an unattended car there during these times. If you need to park and walk up to the school either with or without your child, please park on a nearby neighborhood street rather than in the Blue Zone.
Kindergarten Registration: Please see the attached information below about Kindergarten Registration for the 2022-23 School Year.
Weekly COVID Case Numbers: During the week of 1/31, Franklin School recorded 3 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.
Save the Date! Dr. David Fleishman, Superintendent of Schools, and members of the Newton School Committee will be visiting Franklin at the Parent Coffee on Friday, February 11th, 8:30-9:15 a.m., as a part of their annual tour of Newton schools. They look forward to speaking with members of the Franklin community. Interpretation for this meeting can be available. Please complete this Google form at least three days before the meeting if you require interpretation: https://forms.gle/daA8qQjm61BJDocD7.
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. We will meet on Zoom for the January and February gatherings and revisit the format for the spring times. Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Fleishman and members of the Newton School Committee will join us at the February 11th Parent Coffee.
February 11th 8:30 a.m.
March 24th 7:00 p.m.
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 Dates: We will have dismissal at 12:10 p.m. on the following dates: March 24th and May 12th.
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