Building an Inclusive Community: "Merhaba from Turkey!"
In the name of spreading kindness, finding common ground, building community and celebrating our diversity, Tami Dinstein wanted everyone to learn how to say "Hello" in our various native languages. This week, Asaf and Atlas made an announcement over the loudspeaker and explained some facts about Turkey and told us that "Merhaba" means "Hello" and "Sen nasilsin?" means "how are you" in Turkish.
We are busy getting ready for Math Night! This year's theme is Old Mac Donald Had a Number Farm! Students get a passport as they travel around Franklin School and experience an array (pun intended) of math challenges!
Student Council Celebrations Committee members researched, designed, and created a great bulletin board display for for Black History Month.
Artists of the Month!: These students were respectful and kind toward others as well as dedicated to excellence and creativity in their artwork. Congratulations to John Flood, Elyse Brungraber, Max Brown, Ella Narod, Liam Joffe, Ellie Reinartz, Cole Gaglione, Aubrey Barrasso, Liam Gross, Meghan Yang.
Music Students of the Month! These students demonstrated respect, kindness, a positive attitude, and strong effort in every class. Congratulations to Pippa Campbell, Henry Palestrini (not pictured), Hazel Boneparth, Peter DeSimone, Caitlin Young, Mason Daswani , Annetta Malvasio, Brooks Murphy, Charlotte Lechner, Bennett Raths
Save the Date! Lottery registration for our popular Summer 2024 Westfield STEM Camp for Grades 3-8 begins Mon, Feb 12 through Fri, Feb 23. For dates, workshop descriptions, and other important details, visit :https://sites.google.com/westfieldnjk12.org/stemcamp/home
MTSS in Focus
As outlined in the September issue of The NEWS Letter, the district is committed to a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) as part of Goal 1 of the 2023-2028 Strategic Plan. MTSS, which consists of three tiers of support, is a framework to provide academic, social-emotional, and behavioral support strategies for students with diverse needs.
We will continue to provide examples of MTSS in action. Recently, Franklin Elementary School teachers Valerie Neuhaus and Ramona Dunning worked together to create a buddy lesson for students in Grades 1 and 5, highlighting important Social Studies and ELA skills. Students used the book ‘Drawn Together’ by Minh Le, illustrated by Dan Santat to learn about similarities and differences. In the book, a Thai-speaking grandfather and his American grandson figure out how to bridge language and cultural differences through the joy of sharing the creative process. Both teachers used Tier 1 strategies, like a Venn Diagram, video support, and small group peer instruction to reinforce the importance of understanding and celebrating differences.
Aedan decided that Dr. Duncan needed an assistant so he put on a shirt and tie for school and came down to the main office to offer to help. While the position of assistant principal is already taken by Mrs. Morano, we'll keep him in mind if anything opens up. Thanks Aedan!
Student Council members Meghan and Sophia kicked off our Black History Month announcements by telling us about Stepin Fetchit who was so famous that he became the first African American movie actor to become a millionaire!
Each week during the morning announcements, as part of our Great Kindness Challenge, students are explaining how to say, "Hello", in their native language (or the language of their heritage). Lucca and Sam explained a few things about Brazil and how to say, "what's up" in Portuguese. Hello is a simple "Oi".
Franklin students worked to create colorful patterns and designs on pieces of a portrait that art teacher Mrs. Davenport created. These pieces were assembled together to create an entire display of famous and influential African Americans spanning across various time periods to help us celebrate Black History Month! Check out our Franklin Art Gallery now!
More STEAM classes: Music Engineers, Code Ninjas, Chess, Art Around the World!
The Great Kindness Challenge Spirit Week was (super) powered by kindness. Students put on their capes and used their superpowers to promote kindness at Franklin School!
Students have decorated 1,000 coffee sleeves as part of the Great Kindness Challenge. If you are at Track 5 in Cranford next week you might get a cup with a splash of kindness from the Franklin students!
Calling all January and February Birthdays!
If your child has a birthday in January or February and you would like to sponsor a library book in their name to celebrate, then please click the link below for more information. It's a great way to celebrate while enriching our school library collection. Thank you to all who have contributed!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0B44ACA92BA1FA7-franklin
It's Franklin Family Fun Night with our very own Mrs. Juliano and Mr. Staluppi emceeing the fun and games!
Powered by Kindness! Students and staff are wearing superhero attire for today's GKC theme!
Cooking Without Heat!
Jewelry Business 101 STEAM class!
Mr. Pask has organized another great Franklin Winter STEAM session! Thank you to our PTO for sponsoring this program! Here's a Lego challenge!
