April Newsletter – 2008

Dear Franklin Parent(s)/Guardian(s),

            Calamity Day Update

Since the March Newsletter we missed 3 more days of school due to poor weather.  This brings our calamity day total to 8.  We are required to make up the last 3 days that we missed.  These days will be added on to the end of the school year.  Students will now have to attend school on Friday, May 30^th, Monday, June 2^nd, and Tuesday, June 3^rd.  Hopefully we can get through the rest of the school year without anymore cancellations.

            April Calendar of Events

Please mark the following events on your April school calendar.

                        April 2              Report cards sent home with students

3                          2008-2009 kindergarten screening

10                      2008-2009 kindergarten screening

16                      Mrs. Roebke’s IEP meetings

17                      2008-2009 kindergarten screening

24                      2008-2009 kindergarten screening (if necessary)

25                      Mrs. German’s IEP meetings

28                      Reading O.A.T. – grades 3-5

29                      Interim reports sent home with students

Math O.A.T. – grades 3-5

30                      Writing O.A.T. – grade 4

Science O.A.T. – grade 5

                        May 1              Social Studies O.A.T. – grade 5

            2008-2009 Kindergarten Screening

We will screen children for our 2008-2009 kindergarten class in April.  Screening appointments are full for April 3 and 10 but we still have some openings on April 17.  A child must be 5 years old by August 1, 2008, to attend kindergarten this fall.  There is still time to contact the office to set up an appointment.

            Dress Code Policy

The Delphos City Schools Dress code states that students can wear shorts to school the last two months of the school year (April and May).  The dress code guidelines for Franklin are stated on page 12 of the Franklin Elementary handbook.  This handbook was passed out to every student at the beginning of the school year.  Shorts must be fingertip length.  Students shall not wear tank tops, halter tops, garments with spaghetti straps, or strapless garments unless a shirt is worn underneath.  Garments that are “see through”, cut low, or expose one’s midriff are unacceptable.  Sandals and flip flops can be worn to school with socks.  For health and safety precautions, no bare feet are allowed with sandals or flip flops.  Students found in violation of our dress code will be required to call home and their parents will have to bring suitable attire to school for them to wear.

            New Staff E-mail Addresses

Earlier this school year our school district changed over to a new e-mail provider.  This resulted in all staff members receiving new e-mail addresses.  It has been brought to my attention that some of you may still be trying to communicate by e-mail using the old addresses.  These messages will no longer be delivered.  All staff e-mail addresses have been updated on our school’s website.  Go to the Delphos City Schools web site at www.noacsc.org/allen/dl then click on Franklin Elementary to get to our school.  Click on the “faculty” button and you can scroll down and see all current e-mail addresses for our staff.  We value our communication with you.  If you still have trouble e-mailing your child’s teacher(s), contact us in the office.

            Ohio Achievement Tests (O.A.T)

We will be administering the Ohio Achievement Tests (O.A.T.) the week of April 28^th.  The testing will run for 4 consecutive days.  The schedule is as follows:

            Monday, April 28 – Reading O.A.T. – grades 3-5

            Tuesday, April 29 – Math O.A.T. – grades 3-5

            Wednesday, April 30 – Writing O.A.T. – grade 4

                                                   Science O.A.T. – grade 5

            Thursday, May 1 – Social Studies O.A.T. – grade 5

Our teachers are working hard with your children to prepare them for these tests.  We need your help too.  First, make sure that your child gets plenty of sleep so that he/she comes to school well rested on test days.  Second, make sure that your child has a good breakfast each morning.  Studies show that students perform better on tests when they are not tired and hungry!  I want to remind you that we are serving breakfast at Franklin this year.  So, if you do not have time to fix breakfast for your child at home, they can get one at school.  Breakfast is served from 7:30-7:50 a.m.  The cost is $1.00.  Students on free lunches get a free breakfast and students on reduced price lunches can buy a breakfast for $ .25.  Finally, we will be testing in the mornings from 8:30-11:00 a.m.  Try not to schedule appointments during this time so that your child does not miss testing.  If your child is absent or tardy (after 8:30 a.m.) during testing they will have to make it up which will result in them missing valuable instructional time in class. 

These tests are important.  Your child may come home and express some anxiety over taking them.  This is normal.  Be positive and encouraging with them.  Tell them the tests are important and you expect them to do their best.  Tell them to come to school each day with a positive attitude and to try their hardest on each test.  Tell your child that if they give their best effort on each test then everything will be okay and you will be proud of them.  If you have any questions about the upcoming testing, contact your child’s teacher.

            Mini Relay for Life

We are preparing for our fifth annual Mini Relay for Life which will take place on Friday, May 16^th (rain date is May 19).  All Delphos students in kindergarten through eighth grade will once again be involved.  We will be walking laps, listening to speakers, and participating in cancer awareness activities.  Your child will be bringing home an order form for t-shirts and a request for candy or small toys to be used as game prizes.  Also, if you would like to volunteer to help us on that day please let your child’s teacher know.  More information will be coming as we get closer to the big day.  Many thanks ahead of time for all of your help and support! 

Contact first grade teacher, Mrs. Joyce Wiechart, if you have any questions about this event.

Thought for the Month

“Before we even attempt to teach children, we want them to know each of them is unique and very special.  We want them to like themselves, to want to achieve and care about themselves.”

                                                                                    - Marva Collins

Respectfully yours,

Tim Larimore

Principal