The third graders are trying to get everyone to vote to save a crayon. It is just for FUN!!! Check out the survey on Ms. Stochaj’s website—-Crayon Color Survey.

We are still looking for someone to chair the Traffic Safety committee. There are lots of ideas in the works on how to improve the traffic safety at Franklin, we are actively asking people to obey the parking rules and not park on the other side of the street between 2:30 and 3:30, also do not park within 50 yards of the corners on Blackburn Place. We know it is difficult to juggle pickups and other commitments but the safety of your children is foremost in our minds. Last week there was a very close call on the cross walk when a boy on a bicycle was nearly knocked over.

This is a reminder to write your child’s name and phone number on all outerwear, backpacks, lunch boxes and loose items that may get lost. This will allow us to get the items back to their owner much easier.

Did you know you can recycle used ink cartridges outside of FLIC? There is a box just in the hallway before you enter FLIC. Send them in your child’s backpack and remind your child to put them in the box. The money we raise will be used to purchase new books for our wonderful library. Questions please email Ms. Stochaj  lstochaj@fc.summit.k12.nj.us THANKS A LOT.  We hope to fill the box by winter vacation.  Loreli Stochaj, Librarian

As the recent enterovirus D68 overwhelms hospitals in the Midwest, many parents are wondering how they can protect their children.  The enterovirus 68 is one of many non-polio viruses and can cause mild to severe respiratory illness. Confirmed cases of the virus have only been identified in the midwest not in N.J.  The symptoms can cause mild to severe respiratory illness and may include fever, runny nose, sneezing, cough, body and muscle aches as well as difficulty breathing and wheezing. Those with asthma may have a higher risk for severe illness.  It is spread by respiratory secretions such as saliva, nasal mucus or sputum.  Like most other respiratory illnesses, it spreads from person to person when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or touches contaminated surfaces. Back to school and close contact with other children causes increased risk and exposure to any type of respiratory illness.  Basic precautions to protect against any respiratory illness (including the common cold) include: Washing hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands Avoid handshakes, hugs, kisses or sharing cups with people who are sick Use good respiratory hygiene – cough/sneeze in elbow Stay home when […]

Dear Franklin Parents, Last spring, a group of parents decided to take action on removing voting in our schools.  For several years, this has been an issue of great concern to families, teachers and administrators, because on voting days, absolutely anyone can walk in the unlocked doors of the Summit Public Schools, no questions asked, no ID needed, and roam thorough unsecured hallways near where our children are learning.  In light of the recent uptrend in school shootings and violence, opening our schools to the general public is a potential tragedy waiting to happen. While there have been many discussions regarding this issue, there has been no action, and with the 2016 Presidential election on the horizon and the thousands of voters descending on our schools for that, the time to act is now.  Towns including New Providence and Berkeley Heights have moved, or are in the process of moving, voting out of the schools with the full support of their Boards and their local governments.  Unfortunately, the situation in Summit is different.  The superintendent and Board of Education have addressed this concern numerous times, but have not been successful in bringing it to a conclusion.  It is apparent that it is […]

As promised, the final draft of the new report card documents is complete and attached.  Thank you for your insight, support, and feedback throughout this revision process.  With your participation we have been able to develop a student progress reporting mechanism that better reflects the learning taking place in the classroom, student progress against grade level expectations, and a clear representation of the progression of skills Kindergarten through grade 5, aligned to the Common Core State Standards. Elementary School conferences regarding student progress will be scheduled November 3-5, 2014. The first report cards are scheduled to go home to families December 12, 2014. *Dr. Julie Glazer, Assistant Superintendent will be speaking at The Franklin General PTO Meeting on Friday, November 10th. Please click on the link here to read Dr. Julie Glazer’s Letter and Parent Packet –Parent Report Card Packet Please click on the links below to view a draft report card for each grade: Grade 1 Report Card Grade 2 Report Card Grade 3 Report Card Grade 4 Report Card Grade 5 Report Card

Starting Monday, September 15, 3rd grade students will arrive and be dismissed from the gym exit, which is next to the playscape by Franklin Field.   This change is to alleviate crowding at the library door.

The Recess Leaders program The program has 5th grade volunteers providing guidance and support to the 1st grade during recess by teaching and then participating in a variety of games and activities with them. The program will run for October and November and we need Parent Monitors to volunteer for 2-3 sessions. They will sit with the 5th graders at the start of lunch to chat through the games/activities they would like to play and then monitor the play on the field. The parents also need to attend a 30 min emergency training session on the 23rd Sept at 8.30am. Its a fun and very rewarding program, so if you would like to help out please contact Jo Weir joanna_weir1@hotmail.com (908 858 0974)

For information on contract negotiations with the Summit Education Association, please refer to: The district website, Summit Public School Website Karen Greco, Summit Public Schools, Communications Specialist 908-918-2100 ext 3400 You may also reach out to the members of the Board of Education.

September 10, 2014 Dear Franklin Parents: We all recognize the importance of a child’s birthday and how much they enjoy celebrating it in school.  We are, however, asking that we celebrate this important milestone in a somewhat different way this year. In an effort to promote the goals of good nutrition, our literacy initiative, and to abide by the district’s nutrition policy No. 8505, we are asking that you no longer send in food treats to hand out for your child’s birthday.  Instead, please consider picking out a book for the teacher to read to the class or donating a book to your child’s classroom library in his or her honor. Please note that we will continue to have our annual class parties for various holiday celebrations and will attempt to assure that the treats offered there are appropriate for all students. We thank you in advance for your cooperation in this matter.  If you have any additional ideas that may further this goal, please feel free to send in your suggestion. Sincerely, Felix Gil, Principal

  In order to drive and chaperone on class field trips, parents must be Fingerprinted and complete a Volunteer Driver Form. Please click on the links below for the paperwork needed to complete the fingerprinting: FINGERPRINTING DETAILS FINGERPRINTING PROCEDURES FINGERPRINTING EMERGENCY FORM VOLUNTEER DRIVER FORM We are hoping to have a mobile unit come to the school for fingerprinting later this year. Please stay tuned for details. In the meantime, if you would like to complete the fingerprinting now, please follow the instructions on the links above.    

On September 1, 2014, Franklin’s wonderful teacher’s aide, Joanne Tremallo, has retired. We wish her much happiness in her retirement.  We will miss her.

As you know Dr. Cole is retiring on October 1. During her 15 years at Franklin School she has attended the Franklin Fair and won a collection of stuffed animals from the birthday cube. This collection has been available for use by students over the years for stuffed animal days and other school activities over the last 15 years. We are raffling off the stuffed animals to all of the students in Franklin School.  A name will be raffled every day until all of the stuffed animals are gone.  Any student who wants to be included in the raffle can place their name in the raffle box in the Main Hallway.  You can place your name more than once and can continue to place your name in the box even after the drawing begins on September 17 and continue until Dr. Cole’s last day of school.

FLIC Volunteers and Substitutes Needed!!!! Duties include – reshelving books, checking books in and out, occasional special projects, support to Ms Stochaj. Please note that you will not be scheduled to volunteer during your child(rens) FLIC time. Please contact Lauren Pardo at lpardo4@gmail.com if you would like to volunteer.