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Franklin PTA August Newsletter
Mon, Aug 19 7:29pm

Updated link to reserve a spot for LiveScan Clearance fingerprinting.

 

Hello Falcon Families!

Wow, what a great turn out at the Back to School Social! We’d like to thank all volunteers, especially PTA Hospitality Chairs Naomi Weisenberg and James Kim for organizing the event 👏🏼 👏🏼

Did you leave behind a pair of adult size sunglasses or a navy blue cardigan? Message Karen Reuel via Konstella or email president@franklinpta.org to arrange for pickup. 

The Franklin PTA will send out a newsletters like this one about once a month. This inaugural newsletter will cover:

  • Upcoming dates, including our first in-person PTA meeting (we'll provide childcare and pizza!) 
  • What the PTA does
  • How you can help
  • Helpful information for new families 

Important Upcoming Dates

🎒Back to School Night, on Wednesday August 21.

During Back to School Night, parents or other caretakers learn more about what their child(ren) will experience this school year. Kindergarten - 2nd grade classrooms will open at 6:00 PM, while 3rd - 5th grade classrooms will open at 7:00 PM.

Are you interested in volunteering directly with students or chaperoning field trips? Western Notary Services will be the Multipurpose Room during Back to School to provide LiveScan (fingerprint) Clearance for potential volunteers. Visit Alameda Unified School District's Volunteer page here to to view the different levels of volunteering, and the requirements for each level and reserve your spot UPDATED LINK: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1BGp0I54HpV8eMOjuIzHXNe_emg2QxAsNiyeq-qP3YTE/edit?usp=sharing

Please note that the fingerprint clearance only needs to be completed once, as it is valid for the remainder of your time with AUSD. If you've already completed this in a past year, AUSD has it on file, you do not need to do it again. However, you need to register online with AUSD.

Fill out the attached form to bring with you along with the $67 fee (cards and digital payments accepted) and a valid ID. You can also have the service completed on your own with any licensed Notary Public.

If the fee is a financial barrier for you, the Franklin PTA will cover the cost (contact ask@franklinpta.org). Questions about volunteering at Franklin? Email volunteer@franklinpta.org

♟️Enrollment for AEF After School Classes, on Thursday, August 22 at 9:30 AM
Keep your students active and engaged with enrichment classes offered on campus by the Alameda Education Foundation (AEF). Visit AEF's Franklin Elementary page for complete information and registration. 

🚶🏽‍♀️Walk-a-thon Planning Meeting, Friday, August 23 at 8:20 AM at Franklin Park 
The Walk-a-thon second largest fundraising event! The Walk-a-thon Committee is looking for planning help- please join via Konstella or email walkathon@franklinpta.org

🎨Art Docent Training, Tuesday, August 27 at 8:30 AM on campus 
Want to lead or help with art lessons in your student's classroom? No art experience necessary! Join the Art Docent Committee on Konstella, or email artdocent@franklinpta.org and then come to the training session. 

🕙 PTA Meeting, Monday, September 9 at 6:30 PM in the Media Center (on the 2nd floor)
Our first PTA meeting will be in-person! Please join us to learn about upcoming events and review Franklin’s PTA budget. You do not need to be a member to come to a PTA meeting, but you do need to be a member to vote. Childcare and pizza will be provided for the kids. The meeting agenda will be sent out in advance and posted on our Konstella calendar.  

 

What Does the PTA do?

The PTA helps our school community in numerous ways, including:

  • Organizes community building events such as: Back to School Social, Spooktacular, the Science Fair, and Heritage Night.
  • Funds support staff at the school as needed. This year we’ll be funding staff such as a Reading Specialist and a Paraprofessional.
  • Raises money for things such as classroom supplies, field trip buses, after school tutoring, and assemblies.
  • Supports the school with the Art Docent Program, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, Room Parents, Lost & Found, Teacher & Staff Appreciation, and so much more.
  • Advocates for all of our students. 
  • ...and so much more!

 How Can I Help? 

#1. Volunteer

Our PTA programs, community events, and the classroom activities are only possible with the generous support of parents like you. All types of volunteering, whether directly with the kids at school or behind the scenes, helps enrich our students' academic and social experience. There are many volunteer opportunities to get involved. Below are some areas where help is especially needed this year:

  • OPEN LEAD POSITIONS — these programs and events will not happen this year without someone to lead: Science Festival Coordinator (you can follow the format from last year), Ability Awareness Coordinator (we have curriculum and supplies), Dine & Donate Coordinator (easy job to do from home), Heritage Night Coordinator, Community Service Coordinator. Email volunteer@franklinpta.org with any questions or sign up on Konstella.
  • Room Parents— In addition to helping the teacher with classroom-specific jobs, Room Parents work closely with the PTA to help disseminate information to each class. You will also help with teacher gifts from the class and activities during Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week (early May). Please tell your child’s teacher if you’re interested in serving as Room Parent or Co-Room Parent and sign up in Konstella. Questions about what the role entails? email volunteer@franklinpta.org 
  • Art Docent Program—Don't have an MFA? Don't sweat it- no art experience is required to be an Art Docent! You’ll be spending a few hours a month leading or helping with an art project for the classroom. Please sign up under the Art Docent Committee in Konstella or email artdocent@franklinpta.org. There will be an Art Docent training session on August 27 at 8:30 AM in the Multi-Purpose Room. A make up training season on Zoom will be held on September 3 at 6:30 PM.
  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee—The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Committee promotes AUSD and PTA values of belonging and providing equitable opportunities for student success and well-being. We both joyfully celebrate our differences and support our community in doing the difficult work associated with dismantling dominant narratives. No experience necessary; all you need is an open mind! Please sign up under the DEI Committee or contact Tyler Fuentes via Konstella.
  • There are many more committees to join! Please see the Committees section of Konstella for the full list.

#2. Renew Your Membership or Join the PTA

The Franklin PTA gives parents and caregivers the opportunity to connect with other families and influence their child’s educational and extracurricular activities. Only PTA members are able to vote on decisions such as which programs to fund and which political measures that affect our schools to endorse. With schools facing challenges like shrinking budgets and lack of educational equity, PTAs are more important than ever. PTA dues are $15 per member per year (plus a $1 fee). Membership dues do not auto-renew. Renew or join the PTA through Totem here.

If financial hardship is an obstacle to joining the PTA, please email (ask@franklinpta.org) about our membership grant program. Requests will be kept confidential- no questions asked.

#3 Donate

The Franklin PTA is funded by families like you. We hold 2 major fundraisers a year: the Walk-a-thon in the Fall and the Auction Party in the Spring. Most of our budget comes from these two fundraisers plus general direct donations made to our PTA. You can donate directly to the PTA at any time of the year through our Franklin PTA PayPal account at President@franklinpta.org.  Every little bit helps! 

New to Franklin?

In addition to the above, here are some tips to get started: 

  • Make sure you've registered with the PTA's communication platform, Konstella. Registering allows you to do things like: sync the PTA’s calendar with your own so you don’t miss events, access the school directory to contact other families for play dates, join volunteer committees, send a message to your classroom, create or join a social group, and more! Emails were sent out with an invitation to register with Konstella. Didn't get one? Need help? contact communications@franklinpta.org 
  • Are you interested in connecting with a veteran Franklin family to show you the ropes? Fill out our survey to be matched with another family!
  • Last but not least, check out the PTA Welcome Packet. 

Got Any Bright Ideas?

Whether you’re a seasoned Franklin parent or are new to our community (welcome!) we want to hear from you. Please feel free to reach out to any PTA Exec Board member, or contact PTA president Karen Reuel at president@franklinpta.org.

Still hankering for more PTA content? We got you covered

Thank you for reading and we look forward to an amazing school year together,

Your PTA Board