Franklin High School
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Franklin Features
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November 2011 Dear Franklin Families, As many of you know, Franklin has undergone many changes this year. Among the changes we have seen an increase in class sizes. We have voiced our concerns and are happy to report that our central office has been able to provide the high schools with additional FTE. This means a great deal to our community as we will be able to reduce class sizes in some content areas and provide some supports for our staff and student population. We are happy to introduce the following staff members joining our FHS family. We welcome Kimberly Hoffman- Social Studies, Amanda Helmers- Social Studies/English/ELD, and Doug Jenkins will return to Franklin this year- English/ELD. We look forward to having these new teachers on staff. We recognize that many students have created bonds and built relationships and regret that we will need to make some schedule changes for students at this point in the year. In reality, this process can be messy. We realize that schedule changes/moves are never simple and they impact more than one individual. We have put a great deal of thought into these moves therefore, once the schedules are moved we will not consider changes until the end of the semester. It is, however, our belief that the benefits will outweigh any hesitations you may have with the move. We are confident that you will find that your students will either enjoy getting to know and building relationships with our new staff members and/or a smaller class. We appreciate your understanding regarding this matter. We would like to take this moment to remind you that our parent teacher conferences are on the 21st and the 22nd. This will be a wonderful opportunity to meet our new staff members as well as see how your student is doing. To our continued success, Shay James GO QUAKERS!
October 7, 2011
Dear Franklin Community,
Some of you may have heard about an incident that occurred Thursday night during the Franklin-Madison JV2 football game. During the game a disturbance started in the park involving one Franklin student and a few non-Franklin students. Staff from the game reacted immediately when one of the alleged victims notified the coaching staff.
Two students involved in this situation were detained and a gun was later found off campus. No shots were fired and Police immediately responded and began an investigation that resulted in an arrest. Police have taken the lead on the investigation and we are doing everything to cooperate with them. Our students are of utmost importance and we take their safety seriously every day. In light of this incident, at tonight’s football game, extra staff and police officers will be supervising. Additionally, we have a NO backpack policy (and this includes large bags that the ladies carry) at all PIL games. As you know if you’ve come to a game, adults and students alike are not allowed to bring bags into the game. This is for safety purposes. Thank you for understanding. If you have questions, please call Administration. Sincerely, Shay James Principal 503-916-5140
We welcome the longer days of light that is Spring’s promise. And, do we ever need them to enjoy the many annual Franklin activities offered in the months ahead!
*Congratulations to Lamarra Haynes, Franklin’s Princess to the Rose Festival Court. Congratulations to her fellow Franklin court members Madeline Stowell, Christina Salvitelli, Heather Jett and Maria Robles. Job well done, ladies!
*Graduation is around the corner — Tuesday June 7th. Seniors, it is not too early to be aware of the District’s 60-day policy (4.30.022-D Commencement Disqualification). Seniors can be disqualified from participation in commencement exercises and related activities if within 60 consecutive calendar days of the last senior school day they are found to be in violation of District Alcohol and Drug policy, or any violation resulting in 3 or more days of suspension or more serious disciplinary action. We want to see all of our seniors up on that graduation stage; please be safe!
*The PTA Annual Auction will be held on April 2nd. This year’s theme: Stand By Me: Standing Together for Franklin High School. Tickets are on sale now! More about the auction on pages 4 and 5.
*May Fete, a blood drive, FHS Idol 2, class elections, carnival and the annual dodgeball tourney are just a few of the activities planned for students.
*Immediately following graduation is the time honored tradition of SANP (Senior All Night Party). Your help is needed! See story inside.
*Administrators and counselors are in the thick of forecasting and planning for next school year’s class offerings. We’re also planning for our new students from Marshall and how we can make their transition a smooth one. We really are excited to have them here, yet are mindful that this transition could be challenging for them.
*Oliver!, our musical production, will be performed April 14-16. See the fabulous poster on page 3. of The Tower.
*Spring sports are aplenty, and many are subject to reschedule due to rain. Sports supporters will need to keep in touch with their students and coaches for any changes.
I look forward to greeting you at any one of these wonderful activities that enhance our students’ high school experience.
Shay James, Principal
At this time in the academic school year we begin looking ahead to next year and the courses we will offer to challenge our students as they work toward fulfilling their high school graduation requirements. The Forecast Guide outlines the academic programs and courses of study offered in the 2011-2012 school year.
The process of forecasting is a way of identifying the courses in which you wish to enroll in the 2011-2012 school year. It is important that you review the guide thoroughly, and are thoughtful in your selections, as classes are set up and teachers assigned based on your collective forecasting requests. Please note that classes are subject to change and cancellations may occur. Finally, electives can also be difficult to change once schedules have been determined, so please make sure you select alternative courses. Remember, too, that your counselor can be of great assistance in guiding your course selections.
As we welcome new students from both the Marshall campus and our Franklin feeder middle schools, I remain committed to ensuring equity and high academic rigor for all students regardless of racial, cultural, gender, disabilities, socio-economic, or linguistic background. The entire staff joins me in upholding our mission of “providing excellent instruction in a caring environment.”
Go Quakers!
Shay James
February 2011
Nearly 100 years ago, work began on building the campus that hundreds of Portland teens have called home : Benjamin Franklin High School. I like to imagine the faces of the first students to walk through this new school. They must have been excited about a new experience, but also a bit wary of leaving behind their familiar school settings.
Our Quaker community finds itself anticipating a similar event as we look forward to welcoming students from the Marshall HS campus, as well as our incoming ninth graders from “traditional” Franklin feeder schools AND some that historically led students to Marshall High School. We are sure that those who attend our upcoming Discover Franklin open house on February 1st, or our Quaker Conversations on February 9th and 23rd, might be feeling some of the same excitement and nervousness as those students a century ago.
The commitment our administrators, teachers, staff and students make to our new Quaker friends is to uphold the mission of our school that is as firm a cornerstone as the first brick laid in 1915: “to providing excellent instruction in a caring environment.”
Happy New Year,
Shay James, Principal
Dear Franklin Family,
Welcome to the 2010-2011 school year! Each new year that I greet our Franklin students I am reminded of William Butler Yeats quote: “Education is not filling a pail but the lighting of a fire.” I witness this “fire” each September as I observe the boundless energy our students exhibit as they embrace new learning opportunities, participate in co-curricular athletics and eagerly sign up to join one of the many fine clubs here at Franklin. Our staff is in agreement that this year’s student body is one of the liveliest group of students we’ve welcomed to Quaker Country!
I look forward to seeing you on Wednesday, September 22nd at our annual Back To School Night. I know that you will appreciate the chance to tour this great campus, meet teachers, counselors and administrators, and learn about the important ways you can be involved in supporting our students. Be sure to stay after the event and attend the first PTA meeting of the new school year.
Our new teachers, staff members and student teachers/interns are introduced to you on the next page. I believe they represent the “best of the best” and know that you will heartily agree as you get to know them this year.
As you know, this has been a challenging year for our District leaders as they’ve struggled with high school re-design proposals and tightening budgets. I am so impressed with the positive, thoughtful response from our staff. Turning lemons into lemonade became job number one as staff came together to find ways to provide challenging and worthwhile elective course offerings despite tightening budgets.
We continue to work on making our website an effective communication tool and, as always, welcome your comments and suggestions: http://www.pps.k12.or.us/schools/franklin/.
Here’s to the best year ever at Franklin High School. Thank you for sharing your amazing children with us!
Shay James
Principal
September 2010
