March Newsletter – 2008

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

            The weather in February has not been kind to us this year.  As of this writing we have had two cancellations and four 2-hour delays.  With the two cancellations in February we have now used all five of our allotted calamity days for this school year.  If we have to cancel school for any reason during the remainder of this school year, we will have to make the missed days up.  All make up days will be added on to the end of the school year.

            March Calendar of Events

Place the following activities on your March school calendar.

                        March 3                       Quiz Bowl @ Shawnee M.S., 4:30 p.m.

                                   9                       Daylight Savings Time begins

                                 20                       Early dismissal @ 1:30 p.m.

                            21-24                       NO SCHOOL – EASTER VACATION

                                 26                       3^rd grading period ends

                                                            IEP meetings – Mr. Jostpille

28                                              P.T.O. Carnival @ Franklin

29                                              P.T.O. Amateur Show @ M.S.

30                                              IEP meetings – Mrs. Buettner

God, Flag and Country Contest Results

Our school’s God, Flag and Country contest was held on Tuesday, February 5^th.  All fifth graders participated and the top three speeches from each homeroom were picked to participate in our school’s contest.  The nine finalists were Alyssa Fetzer (5A), Jordyn Radler (5A), Gaige Rassman (5A), Karen Cline (5B), Andrea Geise (5B), Jenna Gilden (5B), Shannon Coil (5C), Rebecca Hale (5C), and Emma Wurst (5C).  All the speeches were very good!  Three finalists were selected to go on and represent Franklin at the local God, Flag and Country Contest held at the Delphos Eagles on Sunday, February 17^th.  The finalists were Alyssa Fetzer, Gaige Rassman and Jenna Gilden.  Alyssa is in Mr. Harper’s homeroom.  Her parents are Brian and Amanda Fetzer.  Gaige is also in Mr. Harper’s homeroom.  His parents are Jamie and Angela Rassman.  Jenna is in Mr. Sommers’ homeroom.  Her parents are Jerry and Teresa Gilden. 

Due to another family obligation Gaige was not able to participate in the contest at the Delphos Eagles.  Taking his place was Rebecca Hale.  She is in Mrs. Grothaus’ homeroom.  Her parents are Dan Hale and Angela Cross.  We are very proud of all the fifth graders for participating and especially proud of Alyssa, Jenna and Rebecca.  They did a very nice job at the Eagles on February 17^th.

            2008-2009 Kindergarten Screening

We will be screening for our 2008-2009 kindergarten class on April 3, 10, 17 and 24.  As of this date, April 3 and 10 are full.  We still have appointment openings on April 17 and 24.  Students are eligible for kindergarten next year if they turn 5 years old by August 1, 2008.  If you have not registered your child for kindergarten next year, there is still time.  Contact the school office to pick up registration materials and set up an appointment for screening.  Please share this information with anyone who has a child eligible for kindergarten next year.

            Report Cards

The 3^rd grading period ends Wednesday, March 26^th.  Report cards will be sent home with students on Wednesday, April 2^nd.  Be involved in your child’s education.  Our school year is three quarters over.  If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s academic progress, contact his/her teacher(s) for an appointment to discuss them.

            IEP Conferences

If your child is on an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP), we will hold a meeting with you this spring to discuss your child’s progress on his/her 2007-2008 educational goals and to set goals for the 2008-2009 school year.  You will be contacted by your child’s teacher to set up a date and time for this meeting.  Mr. Jostpille’s IEP meetings will be held on Wednesday, March 26^th, and Mrs. Buettner’s IEP meetings will be on Monday, March 31^st.  Mrs. Roebke’s IEP meetings will be in April and Mrs. Kroeger’s meetings will be in May.  If you are not contacted, call the school office for an appointment.

            P.T.O. Carnival and Amateur Show

The P.T.O. will again be bringing their carnival games to Franklin for the enjoyment of our students and Landeck students on Friday, March 28^th.  This is a big fund-raiser for the P.T.O.  The monies that the P.T.O. raises are put back into our schools for our students’ benefit.   An endeavor of this kind requires a lot of volunteers.  If you can donate your time on March 28^th to help with the games, contact Mrs. Patti Thompson at 419-692-2919.

The P.T.O. Amateur Show is scheduled to be held on Saturday, March 29^th, at the Middle School.  At this time I have no details as to the time of the show or when tryout and practices will be held.  When I get this information, I will share it with you.

            More Internet Safety Tips for Your Children

In the February Newsletter I shared with you some internet safety tips for your children.  Attached to this newsletter are some more tips that we picked up from the Westerville Police Department.

            Retirements

Two long time Franklin teachers have announced their retirements effective the end of this school year.  They are Mrs. Robin Wark, kindergarten teacher, and Miss Karen Hartman, 3^rd grade teacher.  We appreciate the many years of dedicated service that Mrs. Wark and Miss Hartman have given to the students of the Delphos City School District.  They will be greatly missed.  We wish them well in retirement!  Replacements have not been named for either of these positions as yet.

            Daylight Savings Time

Daylight Savings Time begins on Sunday, March 9^th, this year.  This is earlier than in past years.  Remember to set your clocks ahead one hour when you go to bed on Saturday night.  We do not want anyone late for school on Monday morning, March 10^th!

2008-2009 Scheduling

I will begin scheduling for the 2008-2009 school year later this spring.  I value your input in the scheduling process.  If you have strong feelings about your child not being placed in a particular teacher’s classroom you can submit a request to me.  You may make such a request for one teacher per grade level only.  You may also request that your child be separated from another child if you wish.  All requests must be submitted in writing with the reason(s) for such request being made.  I will not guarantee that your request will be honored but I promise that I will take all requests under advisement when scheduling.  I will not entertain any requests to have a child placed with a particular teacher.  Please do not submit such a request.  The deadline for turning in your request is Friday, April 25, 2008.  If you have any questions, contact me at school.

            Ohio Parental Informational and Resource Center

Franklin Elementary is a Title I school.  We receive federal funds to operate a Title I reading intervention program in grades 1 through 3.  One of the requirements of the federal “No Child Left Behind” act is that we inform our parents of the existence of the Ohio Parental Informational and Resource Center (Ohio PIRC).  Attached to this newsletter is a flyer from the Ohio Department of Education about this center.

            Thought for the Month

“I have thought about it a great deal, and the more I think the more certain I am that obedience is the gateway through which knowledge, yes, and love, too, enter the mind of a child.”         

-         Anne Sullivan, teacher of the blind and

deaf, including Helen Keller

Tim Larimore

Principal