🦅 Franklin PTA October Newsletter

Hello, Falcon Families!

🍂 Happy October! We have a busy month ahead, with opportunities to celebrate our diverse community, discover new books, get active together, and enjoy some Halloween fun. Here’s what’s coming up at Franklin!

🎉 Rock & Walk Success!

The 11th Annual Color Walk was a huge success — thanks to our amazing students, teachers, families, and community!

Together, we blew past our $45,000 goal and raised $59,220 as of October 4! 🥳

Special thanks to Caro Thamkul, our Walkathon chair for another great year of leadership, especially with organizing and recruiting so many sponsors and fun giveaways & prizes. A huge THANK YOU to everyone who volunteered, donated, cheered on our Falcons, and helped make this year's Walkathon so special. We truly couldn’t have done it without you! Highlights and photos from the event can be added to this Google Album. 

And now it’s time to celebrate! 🎉

🍧 Popsicle Dance Party

Tuesday, October 27 at 2:15 PM

Students will celebrate their hard work with a Popsicle Dance Party — and parents are welcome to join the fun!

🚶‍♀️🚲 International Walk & Roll Day

Wednesday, October 7

Celebrate International Walk & Roll Day by walking, biking, scooting, or rolling to school! 🌎💚

Leave the car at home if you can and join fellow Franklin Falcons as we get active, connect with our community, and start the school day with some fresh air and fun.

Every trip counts — whether you walk the whole way, bike from home, or park a few blocks away and roll from there! 🦅

📚 The Book Fair Is Almost Here!

Get ready, Franklin Falcons! The Literati Book Fair is coming to the Media Center October 16–24. Please note that the book fair will not be open on Friday the 23rd due to teacher training.

Every class will visit the Book Fair during their regular Media Center time, and families can shop after school or during Spooktacular on Saturday, October 24, from 4–7 PM.

💳 Easy-Peasy Shopping

You can purchase a Literati gift card through the Franklin Book Fair website — a quick and easy way for your student to shop without bringing cash to school. Just remember to add a little extra for tax!

Cash and credit cards will also be accepted.

🎁 Share the Book Love

• Books 4 Kids: Help make sure every Falcon gets to go home with a book they love. Venmo @Kalinda-Lisy, with the donation being noted for Books4Kids

• Teacher Wishlists: Help build classroom libraries by purchasing a book from your teacher's wishlist.

🦅 We Need You!

Book Fair magic happens because of our amazing volunteers! We need help during school, after school, and during Spooktacular.

Keep an eye on Konstella for volunteer sign-ups.

Questions? Contact Kalinda at krlisy@gmail.com or Brittany at brittlasky@gmail.com

We can’t wait to see you there — it’s going to be book-tastic! 📚✨

🎃 It’s Time for Spooktacular!

The Franklin Spooktacular is back!

🎃 Saturday, October 24 | 4:00–7:00 PM

This one-night-only Halloween celebration is one of Franklin's biggest community events — don’t miss it!

This year's Spooktacular will feature:

👻 Haunted Hallway
🎯 Carnival Games + Prizes
🎨 Arts & Crafts
📸 Professional Halloween Photos
🍰 Cake Walk
🎸 Live music from parent band That Dad Band
📚 Book Fair
🍬 The legendary Candy Cannon
🍔 Food Trucks

🕓 Event Schedule

4:00–6:30 PM

• Arts & Crafts — Multi-Purpose Room

• Carnival Games — Blacktop near Room 15

• Photo Booth — Blacktop near picnic tables

• Book Fair — Media Center

• Food Trucks — Paru Street

4:30–5:30 PM
🍰 Cake Walk — Blacktop

5:00–6:00 PM
👻 Haunted Hallway — 2nd floor

6:00–6:30 PM
🎸 Live Performance by That Dad Band

7:00 PM
🍬 Candy Cannon!

The event is free and open to the entire family. Food truck purchases are optional.

🛍️ Help Us Stock the Fun!

Donations through our Spooktacular Amazon Wish List are needed soon. Since Spooktacular is earlier than usual this year, we need donations with enough lead time to avoid duplicate purchases.

🙋 We Need LOTS of Volunteers!

Spooktacular takes a village! Look for volunteer sign-ups for parents and middle/high school students coming soon through Konstella.

Questions or want to help? Contact Spooktacular chairs Andrea (Annie) Gregg or Greg Nielsen through Konstella.

👻 Costume Reminder

We can't wait to see everyone's costumes! Please choose costumes that are respectful of all cultures, races, ethnicities, religions, genders, sexualities, physical appearances, disabilities, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Please also leave weapons and weapon-like accessories at home.

We look forward to celebrating with you! 🎃

🌎 Celebrating Our Community

October gives us several opportunities to learn about and celebrate the diverse cultures that make Franklin special. 💚

Indigenous Peoples Day

💃 Special Assembly — Monday, October 19

We're excited to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day with a special assembly featuring Aztec dancers!

The dancers will perform on the Franklin blacktop after lunch, giving students an opportunity to experience traditional dance and learn more about Indigenous culture and heritage.

📅 Monday, October 19
📍 Franklin Elementary blacktop
🕐 After lunch

Families are welcome to attend and enjoy the performance with our students!

Learn more about the performers at Aztec Dancers.

🇵🇭 Filipino Heritage Month

🍗 Jollibee Dine & Donate

Thursday, October 22 | 10:00 AM–10:00 PM
📍 Jollibee — 2670 5th St, Pad A, Alameda, CA 94501

Join your Franklin Falcon families at Jollibee for a delicious night out while supporting Franklin PTA! 💚

Come enjoy some Jollibee favorites — Chickenjoy, Jolly Spaghetti, Peach Mango Pie, and more! 😋 — and celebrate Filipino culture and community at the same time.

A portion of sales will benefit Franklin PTA when you mention Franklin PTA or use the event code JOLLIGIVE at checkout.

Bring the family, invite your friends, and come hungry! 🇵🇭❤️💚

Alameda People's Forum

When: October 8th, 7-9pm 
Where: Buena Vista United Methodist Church
RSVP Here: tiny.url.com/AlamedaPPL

Please join us at the Alameda People’s Forum on October 8th! Learn about issues our community has on their minds as we approach the November election. Get to know the candidates for Alameda Mayor and City Council as they answer YOUR questions. The People’s Forum is a chance to engage on issues in Alameda and a place to connect with friends and neighbors who are making Alameda the beloved community we all want to see. 

💚 Get Involved with PTA

Want to know more about what’s happening at Franklin or have a voice in our PTA?

Join us for our next General PTA Meeting:

Wednesday, October 21 | 6:30–8:00 PM
📍 Media Center — 2nd Floor

And yes — kids are welcome! We'll have childcare, games, and pizza for the kids while parents meet.

📣 Stay Connected

Make sure you're following along throughout the school year:

🌐 Franklin Elementary PTA Website
Franklin PTA Website

📘 Franklin Elementary PTA Facebook Page
Franklin Elementary PTA Facebook Page

🦅 Franklin Falcons of Alameda Facebook Group
Franklin Falcons of Alameda Facebook Group
This is a private group managed by the school office staff. You must request to join.

💚 Your Franklin PTA Board

Thank you for being part of the Franklin community. We’re looking forward to a fun and festive October with our Falcons!

Go Falcons! 🦅💚