Franklin School prepares for new school year
FRANKLIN — A parent came to the Franklin Borough School Board of Education meeting on July 28 to express concern about conflicting personalities in the second-grade class and to question the effectiveness of looping classes.
Barbara DeRenzo also discussed adding new students to a class where children already are looping.
Superintendent Thomas Turner addressed the looping-class issue and said children grow and develop continuously, which facilitates success in the classrooms.
Turner also assured DeRenzo and the public that the Franklin Borough School has the most well-equipped teachers. He said teachers’ expertise is dealing with situations that may arise within the classrooms.
Board member Suzanne Ross said that the students go through a social and behavioral growing period that can contribute to more effective relationships between students.
Turner gave credit to the board members because they work hard to guarantee the best program for the Franklin Borough School.
Board President Mary Alonso also spoke on behalf of the school board stating that “the board’s priority is the students.”
Personnel changes
Alonso announced the resignation of fourth-grade teacher Steve Sandor, which became effective July 24. The motion was approved and Alonso wished him the best in all his endeavors.
Another teacher, R.J. Baumgartner, will take a leave of absence from Oct. 3-21. Also, Patrick Vetter was approved to serve as part-time music teacher for the 2014-15 school year at the annual salary of $21,094. No medical benefits are provided because it is a part-time position.
School use approved
A letter from Franklin Cub Scout Pack 90 requested use of the school beginning in September 2014 and ending June 2015.
The schedule is:
Bears ‑ 1st and 3rd Mondays in the faculty dining room from 7-8 p.m.
WeBeLos I ‑ 1st and 3rd Wednesday in cafeteria from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
WeBeLos II – every Wednesday in faculty dining room from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Wolves – 1st and 3rd Wednesday in cafeteria from 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Leaders Meetings – 2nd Tuesday in faculty dining room at 7:30 p.m.
Other items
Turner added that the Board of Education is in the process of getting prices and quotes for the conversion of the baseball field and backstop. The goal is to convert the field into an additional grass soccer/field hockey field.
The Spring Mineral Show which is scheduled in May is changed to April 24th, 2015.
School Principal Patricia Pfeil reported the lockdown took 35 seconds and is part of the mandated emergency drill practice required of each district every month. She also informed everyone the state has asked the school districts address persistent absenteeism (18 days or more) with parents. The necessary parents will receive letters notifying them of their children’s attendance records. Parents are urged to have their children attend school regularly and to make sure their children arrive to school on time.
Also the custodians have been working hard waxing and cleaning the floors, homeroom letters are ready to go out, schedules are set, and the school marquee displays the orientation days and the first day of school, which is Sept. 3 for students.
The orientation schedule is as follows:
5th grade – Aug. 20
New students – Aug. 26
Kindergarten – Aug. 27