Administrator’s Message
Greig Black
Principal
Tara Wagg
Vice Principal
Gail Koidis
Office Administrative
Assistant
Dina Tsigaridis
Secretary
Becky Green
Superintendent of
Schools
905.940.7800
Allan Tam
Trustee
416-898-9607
Franklin Street Public School
21 Franklin Street, Markham, ON, L3P 2S7
t. 905.294.3562 f. 905.294.6665
www: http://franklinstreet.ps.yrdsb.ca/
email: [email protected]
twitter: @FranklinStPS
April, & May 2020
Volume 4, Issue 8
The Franklin Flash
SCHOOL DAY
TIMES
For all Students JK-8
8:00-8:15 a.m.
Yard Supervision
8:15 a.m.
Entry Bell
8:15-9:55 a.m.
Learning Block
9:55-10:25 a.m.
Recess
10:25-12:05 p.m.
Learning Block
12:05 a.m.-1:05 p.m.
(all students outside
from 12:25-1:05)
1:05-2:45 p.m.
Learning Block
As I sit to write this message to you my first and most important thought that comes to
mind is that I hope you are all staying healthy and doing well as we all adjust to the
changes we’re all experiencing in our day-to-day lives.
With the current closure of Ontario schools extended until May 4, and possibly longer,
our staff have pivoted to implementing our school board’s Learning and Caring Plan,
with teachers providing teacher-directed online learning opportunities for students in all
grades. One of the biggest questions many have about the Learning and Caring Plan is
related to the assessment of student work during this time. All grade 1 to Grade 8
students will receive a final report card at the end of the 2019-20 school year
and Kindergarten students will receive Communication of Learning.
Assessment information gathered prior to March 13th will be used to inform
the information in these documents. Elementary students will continue to be
assessed throughout the remainder of the school year to support their ongoing learning.
Specifically, teachers will use a variety of Assessment for/as Learning (formative)
approaches to gather evidence of how students are progressing in their learning. In
order to accomplish this, under the direction of the school board as well as the
Ministry of Education, teachers will provide feedback to students on their
progress, but specific letter and numerical grades cannot be provided for
specific tasks. Regardless, in order to continue with academic growth and new
learning we are encouraging all students and families to engage in the teacher-directed
learning opportunities as best possible.
We recognize you likely have a lot of other questions about what this ongoing school
closure will mean for students and when schools may reopen for staff and students.
Rest assured that as we learn more, we will continue to provide you with information.
Please continue to monitor your email, the Board’s website and its Twitter feed for up-
to-date information.
You may also be concerned about your child’s emotional well-being. You can find tips
on how to speak to your child about COVID-19 on the YRDSB website, as well as
some well-being resources. We also know that this situation is affecting families in
different ways and we have a list of COVID-19 related community supports on the
YRDSB website at www.yrdsb.ca/covid19.
We will continue to keep in contact with families with information and updates. To
keep up-to-date, please follow the Board’s Twitter feed: @YRDSB, or for general
information, visit the Board’s website: www.yrdsb.ca./covid19.
We will ge through this together and by working together we will ensure that Franklin
Street PS remains a school of excellence!
2019-2020
Professional
Activity &
Training Days
(No School for
Students)
Monday, June 1, 2020
Thursday, June 25, 2020
(11:15 a.m. dismissal for
all students)
2019-2020
School Holidays
(School Closed)
Victoria Day
Monday, May 18, 2020
Kindergarten Registration is Still Happening
Even though school buildings are closed for the right now, Kindergarten
registration for the 2020-21 school year is happening now. Registration forms are
available on YRDSB’s website: www.yrdsb.ca.
Children who turn four or five years old during 2020, live within the school boundary and
whose parents are public school tax supporters will be eligible to register for
kindergarten. For more information please visit the YRDSB website.
Please remember that all school buildings are closed to students and staff alike and as a
result phone extensions in the school are not being monitored on a regular basis. Families
can still contact the school by email at [email protected] and individual staff can
be reached through email and their online learning platform.
Contacting the School and School Staff
During School Closure
This is the time of year that school staff begin the collaborative process of
class placement decisions. Classroom teachers, in cooperation with support
staff, administration, and parental input work diligently to create balanced
classes for the upcoming school year. School staff consider the
academic, social, and emotional strengths, needs and interests,
and more of each student when preparing class lists. The ultimate
goal of class placement is to support and enhance the learning of all
students. We welcome any input you wish to share about your child’s
strengths, needs, and learning styles. However, requests for specific
teachers cannot be considered. The responsibility for final decisions lies
with administration. Please send any information you would like
considered about your child’s placement for next year to Mr.
Black ([email protected])no later than May 4th.
2020-2021 Class Placement Process
MOVING? CHANGE OF ADDRESS?
Are you moving before September, or have you recently moved?
Families who are planning to move before the start of the
next school year are asked to please contact the school
office through email ([email protected]) as soon as
possible. Families in York Region are eligible to attend
specific schools based on their residential address. School staff
can help you locate your child’s new school and also can assist you
with the student transfer process. In addition to helping make your
child’s transition to a new school a smooth and hassle-free process, by informing the
school of your plans to move, you are helping us ensure that our school is organized for
September with the most up to date information. Thank you for your cooperation!
Cancellation and Postponement of all School Events
As the situation with COVID-19 continues to evolve on a daily basis, our top priority during this challenging time
remains the health and safety of our students and staff.
It is therefore with much regret and after careful consideration, that York Region District School Board has made the
difficult decision to postpone all scheduled school events for the remainder of the school year, regardless of whether
or no school reopen before the end of June. This includes our annual Franklin Fete fun fair, as well as Grade
8 Graduation. The postponement of events is in line with measures currently being taken by health authorities and
various levels of government to stop the spread of COVID-19.
We will plan to recognize the important milestone iof Grade 8 Graduation in the fall, and will be in
contact with parents of Grade 8 students when we have more details. We recognize that this is
disappointing news. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to work through this evolving
situation.
What to Expect Regarding Assessment of Student Learning
As previously shared with all families in a letter from our Director of Education, Louise Sirisko, all Grade 1 to Grade 8
students will receive a final report card at the end of the 2019-20 school year and Kindergarten students will receive a
Communication of Learning. Assessment information gathered prior to March 13th will be used to inform
the information in these documents. Elementary students will continue to be assessed throughout the remainder
of the school year to support their ongoing learning. Specifically, teachers will use a variety of Assessment for/as
Learning (formative) approaches to gather evidence of how students are progressing in their learning. Teachers will
provide feedback to students on their progress. As a general approach, letter, level, and numerical grades for
work completed at home will not be given. The YRDSB focus is on communication of learning, not summative
marks or letter grades for work completed while engaged in teacher-directed instruction while school buildings are
closed. Contact with students and families related to tasks completed will be feedback based, including growth and
next steps for improvement.
The Math Corner
Monthly Math Problem
In this sequence of numbers (3, 7, 10, 17, 27), after the first two, each number is the sum of the previous two numbers.
If you want the fifth number to 100, what two positive numbers could you start with?
Spring Math - Math is Outside Too!
Spring and nice weather make for a great time to get outdoors and connect with math. Whether you are taking a walk,
filling compost bags with leaves or starting to build that garden shed, there are many opportunities to engage in rich
mathematical discussions with your child.
Here are some questions you can pose to your child as you engage with nature:
What shapes do you see in that house?
How tall do you think that tree is?
How far do you think we walked today?
How many piles of leaves do you think will fit into this bag?
How many ___ did you see on our walk?
How many windows do you think are in that building?
How long do you think it will take us to walk one kilometer?
If we double our pace how long do you think it will take us to get home?
So the next time you spend some time outdoors with your child, take some time to engage in some math talk!
You may also be interested in reading a new article for parents written by Jo Boaler, Professor of Mathematics
Education at Stanford University: Developing Mathematical Mindsets, The Need to Interact with Numbers Flexibly and
Conceptually
Rabbit and Bear Paws Perform at Franklin Street PS
Just prior to the March Break students and
staff were fortunate to enjoy a drama
performance put on by puppeteer Chad
Soloman, from the Indigenous troupe, Rabbit
and Bear Paws. “The Way” and “Dream
Catcher” were performed for Kindergarten
to Grade 3 students and Grade 4-8 students,
respectively. Through the use of characters
introduced during the plays, many voiced and
controlled by students and staff in the
audience, we learned more about the 7
Grandfather Teachings of Indigenous culture
and the story behind Turtle Island. Moving
forward, we will continue to make
connections between the 7 Grandfather
Teachings, Character Education, and our
Learning Skills.
The Seven Grandfather Teachings are a set of traditional teachings that have been passed down in Indigenous culture
from generation to generation. The seven teachings were given to the people to guide them in living a good life, living
without conflict and in peace. They include Humility, Love, Respect, Wisdom, Courage, Honesty and Truth.
Humility is represented by the wolf. For the wolf, life is lived for a pack and the ultimate shame is to be outcast.
Humility is to know that you live life selflessly and not selfishly. Do not become arrogant and self-important.
The eagle that represents Love because he has the strength to carry all the teachings. The Eagle’s teaching of love can
be found in the core of all teachings. To know love is to know peace. View your inner-self from the perspective of all
teachings. This is to know love and to love yourself truly. Then you will be at peace with yourself.
Respect is represented by the buffalo. The buffalo gives every part of its being to sustain the human way of living, not
because he is of less value, but because he respects the balance and needs of others. Live honorably in teachings and in
your actions towards all things. Treat others the way you would like to be treated. Do not be hurtful to yourself or
others.
The beaver represents Wisdom because the beaver uses his natural gift wisely for survival by altering the environment
in an environmentally friendly way. Continuously observe the life of all things around you. Listen with clarity and a
sound mind. Respect your own limitations and those of all of your surroundings. Allow yourself to learn and live by
your wisdom.
Courage is represented by the bear. The bear has the courage and strength to face fears and challenges and also
shows us how to live a balanced life with rest, survival and play. To face life with courage is to know bravery. Make
positive choices and have conviction in your decisions.
Honesty is represented by either the raven or the sabe (Sasquatch). An honest person is said to walk tall like Kitchi-
Sabe, while the raven accepts himself and does not seek the power, speed or beauty of others. He uses what he has
been given to survive and thrive. Be honest with yourself. Recognize and accept who you are. Do not seek to deceive
yourself or others.
Truth is represented by the turtle which according to Aboriginal culture was here during the creation of Earth and
carries the teachings of life on his back. The turtle lives life in a slow and meticulous manner because he understands
the importance of both the journey and the destination. Truth is to know all of these things. Show honor and sincerity
in all that you say and do. Be true to yourself and all other things.
Using the 7 Grandfather Teachings
The Falcons continue to soar… Join us as we celebrate our school spirit together from home April 20-24th
Monday
Movement Monday! Show your moves...have a dance party, stretch, do some yoga, work out, skip, or any activity that gets your body moving! @FranklinStPS #FranklinFalcons
Tuesday Together Tuesday! Wear your Franklin Gear or dress in our school colours (green and white) and take a picture and share it with us! Or, post to Twitter tagging @FranklinStPS #FranklinFalcons
Wednesday Earth Day! Show your spirit today by getting outside for a short walk with your family or help clean up your garden/yard (practising social distancing and hand washing). Take a selfie and post to Twitter @FranklinStPS #FranklinFalcons
Thursday Thoughtful Thursday! Get creative and post signs that give people hope. Put them in your window or draw them on your sidewalk/driveway. Let’s create a hopeful community. Take a selfie with your message and share it on Twitter @FranklinStPS #FranklinFalcons #FranklinFalcons
Friday PJ Day! You have made it through the third week of online learning! Way to go, let’s keep it relaxed and wear our favourite jammies all day! Take a selfie and post to Twitter@FranklinStPS #FranklinFalcons #FranklinFalcons
When to washyour hands
1 After blowing your nose,or coughing and sneezinginto your hands.
2 After going to the washroom. 3 Before and after visiting
someone who is sick.
4After playing outside. 5 After playing with animals. 6 Before eating or drinking.
7 Before and after handlingfood. 8 If hands look or feel dirty. 9 After handling garbage.
Health Protection 2007