Dear Franklin Families,
Thank you to everyone who came out on a beautiful spring weekend to beautify our school, both inside and outside. The plantings and mulch look amazing, and we deeply appreciate the painting and cleaning projects in classrooms. Many Thanks to Volunteer Coordinator Siobhan Crosby and PTO Co-Presidents Jessica Allen and Emilie Chang for their leadership! Thank you also to everyone who donated diapers for the Newton Neighbors’ city-wide drive on Friday. Second Grade Teacher Stephanie Lefever and Social Action Committee chairs Ranjani Paradise and Jackie Savage-Borne coordinated this project, including a parade of students on Friday afternoon to deliver the diapers!
It was wonderful to see all of you who came to Friday morning’s Parent Coffee, where we talked about how we can help our students focus on Impact rather than Intent as they build the skills of empathy and collaboration. Here are the slides from that presentation.
Eid Mubarak to all of our families who are celebrating today!
With Best Wishes,
Mark Chitty
Tonight: Supporting and Affirming Transgender and Gender Expansive Students: This event is open to all NPS students, parents and staff to hear from trained facilitators, along with a panel of LGBTQ+ members of our community. This conversation is intended to help us better understand the experiences of our transgender and gender expansive student community and to learn more about the ways we can support and affirm the dignity, safety and inclusion of all of our students.
*To register, please RSVP in advance in order to receive a zoom link prior to the event.
Newton Schools Foundation News: As Teacher Appreciation Week and 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 4/25, Franklin School recorded 1 COVID case. 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.
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 Date: We will have dismissal at 12:10 p.m. on May 12th.
Remaining MCAS Dates: Please note the following dates as you are planning family vacations and appointments:
Math: Grade 5: 5/2 and 5/3
Science: Grade 5: 5/6 and 5/9* (Note Change of Date)
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