September 2008
As school budgets become leaner and leaner, staffing a school above classroom teachers has been difficult to maintain. The Franklin Elementary parent community has had a long history of supporting our school and important programs above the basics of the classroom experience with student support and enrichment opportunities including literacy, art, music, physical education and technology.
Supporting our school's enrichment opportunities helps us maintain a high quality educational experience for all students attending Franklin. Over the years, Franklin’s parent community has worked tirelessly to support these programs by raising monies to purchase additional staffing to make these programs possible and Franklin’s administration and teaching staff are truly grateful. For the 2008-2009 school year, through parent and community generosity and fundraising efforts, the community graciously contributed $40,000 or 78% from the PTO general fund, to provide an additional .8 staffing points to our “weighted staffing”, making our current support programs possible.
The remaining 22% is used to support activities such as technology development, staff development, the garden, Art Start, the writing museum, hospitality support, and teacher appreciation.
Franklin’s PTO is also striving to collect “extra” monies beyond our basic funding needs. For instance, this year we are completing the installation of computer stations in every classroom by using “extra” monies from the PTO general fund. In 2006/2007 Document Cameras were purchased for every classroom; again, using “extra” funds raised by parents.
Teachers, the Principal and volunteer parents are working to itemize and prioritize “extra” items the school is requesting. Check back soon for more details.
Other very important programs include our fabulous Art Start program in all classrooms that provide a valuable enrichment piece to our art curriculum. Our Hospitality Committee hosts our popular Thanksgiving Feast, along with assisting with many other special functions.
Parent fundraising helps our school hire expert consultants:
Of major importance to our academic progress and staff development is access to expert consultants. We have had staff training in Writer’s Workshop with Mark Overmeyer, systematic reading strategies training for our K-2 teachers from Vicki Winterscheidt, and this year we are beginning some in-depth training around word study for our 3-5th grade teachers with Liz Peyton. All of our consultants are experts in their respected fields and have spent many years in the role of staff development around the metropolitan area.
By participating in Franklin’s fundraising programs and/or donating, you are truly making a difference and enriching the educational experience of all children attending Franklin.
Thank you parents and community for your unwavering support.
Janie Youderian
Principal