Math Monday

Dozens of parents and guardians joined their children for Math Monday.  In each classroom, students eagerly showed their knowledge and mastery through interactive math games.  There was an abundance of proud smiles!

Principal Coffee - May

Classroom updates:

• There are three classes of incoming kindergartners, four first grade classes and four second grade classes

• Lindsay Scott will teach one of the second grade classes next year and will switch with Ms. Chiosi

• Class size will be approximately 20 students

• Next year’s third graders may have a fourth classroom with approximately a dozen students

Redistricting updates:

• Newton Public Schools has acquired the Aquinas property

• Lincoln Elliot will move to the Aquinas and the former Lincoln Elliot building will become a swing school

• Redistricting could affect families even if they already have students enrolled in school

• Currently there is no plan to add to or to renovate the Franklin

• Day Middle School recently added six permanent classrooms, five elementary schools feed into day with 360 students per grade

• Horace Mann School will become Newton Parks and Rec

PARCC updates:

• Make sure your child is rested

• Students get anxious about end of year and next year’s transition

• Testing on computers went smoothly

Principal search:

• Because Elaine Harold is retired there needs to be a waiver granted form the state in order for her to continue as the interim principal next week.  Paperwork has been submitted proving that there is a critical shortage

• Was the failure of our search process a timing issue?  No, the timing was appropriate.  There is a shortage of experiences candidates.  It’s a hard job and not a lot of people want it.  He hours are long, the increase in pay is not significant, there is no job security, and little authority.

A Day in Ghana

text by Nora Horick
photos by Stephanie LeFever

Joe and Vida Galeota presented their A Day in Ghana program for each of the second grade classes. Joe is an Associate Professor at Berklee School of Music who lived in Ghana for many years. Vida, his wife, grew up in Ghana. Together, they took the students on an imaginary tour of Vida’s native village—where the students helped with the morning chores, visited the local schoolhouse, learned about Ghanaian customs, and heard some amazing drumming!

The Galeotas have come to Franklin for over a decade. Their program is fascinating and fun and meshes perfectly with the Grade 2 social studies curriculum.

Motion: Forces and Work

Text, images and video by Sammy Kim

The 5th graders took part in the program called "Motion: Forces and Work" presented to them by the Museum of Science. The students learned how Sir Isaac Newton's laws of motion apply to simple machines, such as levers, wheels, and pulleys.

While demonstrating how simple machines change the ratio of force and distance to give advantages, student volunteers on carts were moved at different speeds and distances across the room. Students also worked with a wheel and axle to get a huge force advantage over their teacher. 

The program concluded with volunteers using a giant lever to lift a teacher. A lot of fun learning was had by all!

The Geometry Song

You may remember Mr. Mersky in his theatrical debut as Captain Planet.  This month, he stole the show at the All School Meeting led by the fourth graders.  They did a phenomenal job but the highlight of the assembly was Mr. Mersky's Geometry Song:

Multicultural Day!

Once again, Ms. Foster, Ms. Mustachio, and Ms. Murgia knocked it out of the park - THANK YOU!  Each grade learned and performed two complete dances and a song.  A wide range of countries, cultures, styles and eras were represented.  Dozens of parents came out for each grade level and there were many proud smiles among students, teachers and families.  Here are some photos of the second graders and the kindergartners:

Gong Hey Fat Choy!

The second graders went on a wonderful field trip to the Chinese Cultural Center.  Students experienced a traditional presentation, tried their hand at making (and eating) dumplings, and made beautiful lanterns out of traditional red envelops.

The red envelop symbolizes energy, happiness and good luck. Sending red packets is a channel for sending good wishes and luck. Those who receive a red packet are wished another year negotiated safely and peacefully. 

To our friends of Chinese heritage, we wish you  Gong Hey Fat Choy!  Happy New Year!

Catching Up With CAS!

If you've ever wondered what your PTO dues pay for, you'll love these photos!  The Creative Arts and Sciences program at the Franklin - paid for by the PTO - provides 5-6 unique experiences per grade for our students.

In recent months, fifth graders have gotten up close and personal with owls and birds of prey, the kindergartners have gone on Winter Wanderings, the fourth graders have become Rock Detectives with the Museum of Science, and the kindergartners and first graders have explored the ocean.

Highlights from Rock Detectives (thank you to Sammy Kim for the photographs and summary):

• Students had the opportunity to "play detective" while learning about different types of rocks and how they form over geologic time.
• In smaller groups, students were given a mystery rock to identify using various test parameters. 
• After making their observations, students reported their findings to the group and they used the information to figure out how a particular rock (such as granite, limestone, etc) formation has changed through history.

And who can resist some adorable owls (thank you to Sue Membrino for the photos):

Thank you to the Franklin community for your incredible generosity - you are providing these experiences for our students. And thank you to Julie Pinto for her tireless efforts in coordinating this wonderful program!

March PTO Meeting Notes

Thanks to everyone who made it out to the PTO meeting on Wednesday night. Here’s a brief recap; please let us know if you have any questions.

Thank you to Sue Membrino, Megan Reilly, and Claudia Rossi for Trivia Night – it was a fun night out.

Thank you to Juliet Harrison for organizing and implementing the Franklin Online Auction!

Thanks to everyone who has been attending the Principal Coffees; they are a great way to learn about what’s going on at Franklin and meet other parents.

There have been some successful CAS programs, most recently for Kindergartners and 1st graders; next up will be Tanglewood Marionettes in early April.

Spring into Swing is happening on April 10; it is a community event to bring awareness to the CAS program. Tickets are available at http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/CASC.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

March 31: Kindergarten registration, and visiting day is May 5 – if you are veteran Franklin parent who has an incoming student, please consider helping out! Email the PTO Board for more information.

April 14: Multicultural Night, 6PM. There are 18 country booths confirmed already, and the students will also be performing dances and singing.

April 28: NewtonServes

May 12: Staff Appreciation Lunch

Date TBD: Color Day

Check the Franklin School website for updates: http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/franklin

GUEST PRESENTERS:

Ed Hauben, Director of Newton Community Ed and Paula Black, Assistant Directory of Student Services of Newton Public Schools (NPS) presented on mindfulness, how teachers are incorporating into their classrooms, and the benefits for everyone: being present, non-judgmental, and staying calm in a world where everyone is so busy and feeling stressed.

FRANKLIN UPDATE from Interim Principal Elaine Harold

PARCC testing will begin next week. It’s new for everyone but should not be a source of stress. Please be sure that your students are well rested, have a good breakfast, and are on time for school.

Later this spring, parents will receive an optional form if they would like to provide information to staff about class placement for next year. Specific teachers can not be requested but it is an opportunity to inform Ms. Harold of any issues of which she may not be aware. Please wait until the form is available to provide this information.

Thanks all!

From the PTO Board

Drop Everything and Read!

On March 2nd, in honor of Dr. Seuss's birthday, parents and students at the Franklin kicked off their morning by reading together.  As we are accustomed to at the Franklin, there was a large turnout of parents.  Both the adults and the children were delighted in the break from their everyday routines.

Annie Connors, Literary Specialist at the Franklin, hosted parents in the cafetorium to share strategies for improving oral reading and reading comprehension.  For those unable to attend, you can read through her presentation and also view the handouts - sample questions to ask your reader and favorite read aloud books.  Annie is a wonderful resource for our students.  You may reach out to her directly at connorsan@newton.k12.ma.us.

Eugene is the Pied Piper of kindergartners!

More fun than Pike traffic.

Looks like little sister can't wait to start school.

That face says it all!

Franklin Family Fitness Week

It's Family Fitness Week at the Franklin!  Today I joined my kindergartner, his classmates and several families in Physical Education.  We started by warming up our bodies with marching, jogging, and twisting.  The jumping jacks, squats and the "pendulum" really got us raring to go.

Now that we were ready, Franklin's PE teacher, Sharon Foster, explained the game which involved rolling dice, understanding which number was higher, and running and tabulating laps.  In just thirty minutes, we were able to run a combined total of EIGHT miles.  Not a bad start to the day!

If you haven't yet attended, I highly recommend joining your student for their PE class this week.  It was so much fun.  When we said goodbye, I commented to my son that he is a really fast runner.  His reply was, "I know.  I've had more gym than you."  Classic!

Listening to instructions

Warm up instructions on the board

Almost ready

Warming up

Don't let the smiles fool you...

the competition was cut throat ;)

Running another lap

The eye of the tiger

"I love running!"

Straight off the blocks

The Kindergartners and their families managed to run a total of eight miles!