Classroom Assignments & Get To Know You Conferences (GTKY)

As the start of the year approaches, many pieces will look different, and we greatly appreciate your patience as we work to staff our building and our eAcademy to serve all of our students and provide the very BEST!  In lieu of in-person GTKY Conferences, we are planning the following:

• Teachers will create an introductory video and virtual tour.
  • Teachers will film a video introducing themselves to students and families.  We want students to see teachers' faces and hear their voices!  In the introduction, your teacher will tell you a little bit about themselves!
  • The video will also include a virtual tour of your classroom.  This will give families and students a general idea of what kids can expect when they return to school. 

• Families can expect a welcome letter, along with the video from the teacher, via email no later than the end of the day on August 26.

• In the email from your child's teacher, you will also be provided with an option to schedule a personal Zoom meeting with you, your child and your classroom teacher.  Please know, the personal Zoom may not be feasible prior to the first day of school, but it will still be a personalized opportunity to spend time with your new teacher.  If you would like to schedule a Zoom meeting, please coordinate with the teacher via email to determine a time that works best for everyone.

Classroom Assignments for 2020-21 School Year

Your child's classroom teacher assignment has been updated and will be available for your to view on the Parent Portal by August 26.  As indicated above, your child's teacher will reach out to you via email, so please make sure that your information on the parent portal is up to date.  A great deal of time and effort was made to create these class assignments to accommodate the new AB Schedule and to ensure the best environment for learning for all students.  No changes will be made to these assignments. 

Attendance

If your child is going to be absent or late for school for any reason, please contact the office at 424-0078 (Press "0" for the Operator).  You may leave a message on the voice mail system to report the absence.  If you email the teacher, please also email the office.  Absences are considered "unexcused" if we do not hear from a parent/guardian.  Students who are absent from school more than 10 minutes of any part of the day without a proper excuse shall be recorded as unexcused.  A student who is absent less than 10 minutes of a day shall be recorded as tardy.  The time a student enters or leaves the building will be documented, and the system will calculate the absence accordingly and uniformly across the district.  Please keep this in mind as you schedule appointments for your children.  It is always best to schedule appointments during non-school hours.  Students are expected to be in class from 7:45 to 2:45 daily.

The District's attendance policy aligns with State DPI attendance policies.  To view the Oshkosh School District's attendance policy, please click on the following link:  OASD Board Policies  You will need to click on the Icon to the upper right that says "POLICIES" then click on the button that indicated "5000 Students" then select 5200 Attendance.

Calling the School

When you call the main school office number of 920-424-0078, you have the option to leave a message directly for a teacher without going through the office.  You can reach the teacher's voicemail by keying in their last name or using the voicemail extensions on the Staff Directory link at the top of the newsletter.   Staff will be able to see that they have a message on their computer screens, so you can now leave changes in pick up and drop off arrangements directly with the teacher. 

Your Child's Health

Welcome to the 2020-21 School Year!  Just a few reminders from your school nurse:

• If your child requires medication to be given at school, please complete a medication request and have your health care provider sign it--forms are available at their offices or at school.  School staff cannot administer medications without your consent, the provider's signature, and original, labeled medication bottles.  If medications need to be cut in half, parents must do that prior to sending the medication to school.
• Please report any changes in your child's health to school as soon as possible.  Your school nurse will contact your regarding school interventions.  If your child has a health plan in place, please contact the school nurse with updates.
• If your child has a serious allergy requiring antihistamines or an epipen at school, please provide that by the first day of school, with signed authorization to use as directed.  
• Students with asthma are allowed to carry their rescue inhaler at school as needed, if approved by doctor and school nurse.  A medication sheet with a doctor signature must be on file in the health office.  If they require supervision in using the inhaler, a medication form must be completed as state above.
• All diabetic students must have emergency supplies and testing equipment provided by parents.  The school nurse needs to get updated diabetic plans in place prior to the start of school.

Franklin is fortunate to have a full-time School Health Assistant:  Tracy Werner, RN, can be reached by calling 424-0078 Ext. 1509 or via email: tracy.werner@oshkosh.k12.wi.us

For additional needs, you may contact Franklin's School Nurse:  Kaitlyn Williams by calling 424-0078 Ext. 6967 or via email:  kaitlyn.williams@oshkosh.k12.wi.us

 

School Supplies List 

A few changes have been made to the original School Supply List that was distributed in the spring.  These changes were made to keep in line with district's guidelines.  Students will NOT be sharing supplies.  Also, because their art class will be held in their regular classroom, a few additional supplies were added for that purpose.  Supplies may be brought to school on the first day.  Please review the updated School Supply List at the following Link:

Supply List 2020-21 

 

School Times and NEW Morning Drop Off/Pick Up Procedures

Franklin school hours for this school year are 7:45 am to 2:45 pm

DROP OFF PROCEDURES: 

The circle drive in front of school is for SCHOOL BUSES ONLY and vehicles with a valid disabled parking permit.  Vehicles with a disabled parking permit MUST pull in the disabled parking stalls.  This area is not a drop off or pick up site for students.  The preferred location for you to pick up and drop off your student is on Mason Street. 

This year students will NOT be meeting on the playground and lining up with their class.  Instead, all Franklin students will come directly into the building and go directly into their classrooms beginning at 7:30 am. (or as close to 7:40 am as possible). Students will need their masks on before entering the building.  They should not take off coats or hang up backpacks, etc.; take them right to the classroom.  We will have staff positioned at the following school doors: #1, #2, #3, #4, #6, and #7 to let students into the school building.  Please refer to the school map at the following link:    School Map     

If you are dropping your children off, the preferred streets for you to do so is Mason Street on the east side of Franklin and Meadow Street on the north side. 

Unfortunately this year, for safety reasons,  students may not play on the equipment or with each other before or after school.  They need to come directly into the school building at 7:30 am.  If you need care before 7:30 am, please sign up for the YMCA Before School Care Program. 

Please talk with your child about these procedures and remind them about social distancing practices (6 ft. apart) as they enter and leave the building.

More information will be coming on dismissal procedures.  Please be working with your child on a plan for where you will meet your child after school.

YMCA Before School and After School Care Program

The Oshkosh YMCA will offer Before School and After School Care Programs at Franklin School during the 2020-21 School Year.  The Before School Program runs from 6:10 am to 7:45 am.  The After School Care Program runs from 2:45 pm to 6:00 pm.  On Early Dismissal Wednesdays, the program starts at 12:30 pm.  There is a fee for participation and registration is required.  Register early to ensure your child a spot.  Registration forms were mailed during the summer to shoe families that have participated in the YMCA Kids's Club Program.  If you would like to be on the mailing list and have a registration form mailed to you, please contact Cecelie Panske at (920) 236-3380 or via email at ceceliepanske@oshymca.org.

 

Kobussen Busing

The Oshkosh Area School District uses Kobussen Busing Company as its provider for transporting students.  Information on busing will be sent to all households in August.  Preregistration is required.  For information on busing, please contact Kobussen directly at 920-424-7575.

 

Franklin Staff

We would like to welcome several new staff this year at Franklin in addition to a couple of changes.  For a full list of staff, please click on the Staff Directory link above:

New Staff:

• Mrs. Elise Gilchrist - Literacy Support Teacher
• Mrs. Sarah Kersten - Cross-Categorical Teacher
• Ms. Erica Maddix - Cross-Categorical Teacher
• Mrs. Michelle Mees - Behavior Interventionist
• Mr. Alex Pishler - Psychologist
• Mrs. Dana Van Elzen - Instructional Support Teacher
• Ms. Sydney Walcheck - Grade 3 Teacher
• Ms. Rebecca Mueller - Art Teacher

Changes for 2020-21:

• Ms. Elizabeth Crain  - Grade 5 Teacher
• Mrs. Katie Cheesebro - E-Academy Teacher
• Mrs. Jennifer Sperling - E-Academy Teacher

 

Franklin Students and Families

I wanted to send out a farewell to the students and families at Franklin Elementary School. I have made a very hard decision to retire before the new school year. Franklin Elementary has been my home for 22 years of my 31 year teaching career. If I have any advice to give to my former students it would be, find something you love and do it for your career. If you do, you will love to go to work. I found my love: teaching art and I loved my job for 31 years! I will miss everyone and wish you all well. 

Keep making art and remember creativity never goes out of style! 

Mrs. Konen (King)

Retired Elementary Art Teacher