Franklin Community:

They say that time flies when you’re having fun; to which I firmly agree.  It’s hard to believe that we are only a few days away from closing out the first semester.  While we’ve been faced with new challenges and opportunities this school year, it has been an enjoyable experience seeing our school community grow closer each day which the common goal of best supporting our students and pushing them to reach their academic, physical, and emotional potential.

As we prepare for semester one finals, I want us all to be mindful of the stressors and triggers these assessments can have on students.  While we want each student to have the chance to demonstrate their learning and ability; we also want to be mindful of the mental and emotional impact associated with this period.  I ask that we all keep a watchful eye on our students as they prepare and participate in finals. Regardless of the outcomes let’s continue to support and love our students and ready them for their next opportunity for learning and growth.        

Updates and Information:

AVID Certified Site:

Franklin is again being recognized as an AVID Certified Site for the 2018-2019 school year.  This status is awarded to sites that have met AVID’s implementation expectations and submitted required data documentation that supports program effectiveness and student progress.  Congratulations and thanks to Desi Wolff-Myren, Bryan Dykman, our AVID Site Team, teachers and staff for their leadership and desire to support the academic success of our students.   

FHS Mascot Identification Committee:

A sincere thank you to all the parents and students who expressed interest in serving on the FHSMIC. Our committee has been selected with our first meeting taking place Thursday, January 31^st.  The FHSMIC and I will continue to send out information about this process and ways in which we can get feedback and input from our larger school community.  Please check the Franklin school website and Weekly Bulletin for updates and information.

Sign Up for AP Tests:

Please go to www.aptestservice.com/pps and follow the steps. The deadline to register is February 15th.

If you are on free/reduced lunch please see your AP teacher or your counselor to pick up a fee waiver or email aheadley@pps.net to request one be sent to you.  Once the fee waiver is signed and returned to Alice Headley aheadley@pps.net in counseling or in her mailbox in the mail office.  She will then give the fee waiver code to your student to complete the registration process.

 If you don’t qualify for Free/Reduced lunch but have a barrier to paying for your AP tests please pick up the same fee waiver form, check that box and explain the situation on the backside of the waiver.  We will work to help you.

Senior Parents –Free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Update

We want to remind seniors to please complete their FAFSA applications.  Students or families who have questions or concerns regarding the FAFSA are encouraged to reach out to their school counselor.

While each graduating class is different, I wanted to share that our FAFSA completion rate is down by 10% this year.

As of 1/1/19:

Class of 2019              51.5% Completion

As of 1/1/18:

Class of 2018              61.6% Completion

There has been some improvement, but we still have a ways to go. Let’s do everything we can to work on this first important step towards college matriculation.   

Make Music Day PDX Benefit Concert:

There is a benefit concert for a great cause featuring three of Portland's greatest jazz artists (Phil Baker of Pink Martini, Tom Grant, and Ron Steen) with our own FHS Jazz Ensemble as the opening act this Sunday, January 13th at 1:00 in the Performing Arts Center.

PPS staff only need to show their PPS I.D. for a $15 entry (instead of $25) and $5 for students.  Hope to see you there! See attached.

Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBAC):

The Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBAC) will be administered to 11^th grade students from February through May.  PPS has a renewed focus on increasing the number of student who participate. The SBAC provides students the opportunity to demonstrate their progress. The SBAC provides data to teachers and administrators and the ability to view student growth across multiple years and compare to other districts, in Oregon and nationally.  Please see the attached letter from Dr. Curtis, Deputy Superintendent of Instruction and School Communities for Portland Public Schools, with more information for families.

This week’s Franklin STRONG Winner:

Victor Candia-Hernandez: Grade 12

Recognized by Elenoir Wilder-Tack

Victor will receive credit at the Quaker Nation Student Store!

From the Student Climate Guide and Handbook

Each week we will focus on a particular aspect of the Student Climate Guide and Handbook to keep the lines of communication open in our community.  Please take some time to review these focal points with your students as a concerted and intentional effort from us all provides clarity and reinforcement.

1. SENIORS AND GRADUATION

GRADUATION/SENIOR INFORMATION

All seniors must meet Portland Public School District graduation requirements in order to participate in commencement. Please stay apprised of your progress toward graduation. Remember—ONLY students who have completed ALL requirements for graduation (including credit requirements, personalized learning requirements, demonstration of essential skills and an academic portfolio containing all work samples) are allowed to receive a diploma and participate in commencement exercises. No exceptions will be made.

DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS

Franklin STRONG, 

Chris Frazier

Principal