Franklin Focus
Week of May 25-29, 2020
Message from Mr. A

Hi Franklin Families ~ By now, I trust you have learned that the last day of school for students for this school year will be Friday, June 5. This early end date will allow the District to use the week of June 8 for professional development for staff. Please know that we are also developing a plan for the collection/return of student materials from this school year. We will communicate this plan/procedure to families once it is finalized.

Earlier this week, many FES staff members participated in the parade through NA communities to acknowledge our graduating seniors. It was so nice to see our students and families along the parade route and to honor the NASD Class of 2020. As we waved, beeped, clapped, and shared smiles with families, I was reminded of just how strong the home-school connection is within the Franklin community. I sincerely miss the daily interactions, connections, and friendships that we share at Franklin and cannot wait to be reunited with the FES students, staff, and families in the fall.

I want to take a moment to recognize the careers of two beloved Franklin staff members, Mrs. Lisa Schram and Mrs. Karen Sanguigni, who will be retiring at the end of this school year.

  • Mrs. Lisa Schramm has been employed in North Allegheny for 19 years, all of which have been in Franklin where she has tirelessly served our students as a Special Education Assistant. Mrs. Schramm is the fabric of our Franklin Family and is everything you would want in an employee, teammate and friend...she is hard-working, passionate, consistent, honest, loyal, and always puts kids first! Her contributions to FES are endless and irreplaceable, and we will certainly miss Mrs. Schramm immensely.  
  • Mrs. Karen Sanguigni began her career in NA over 34 years ago, and we have been so fortunate to have her spend the final eight years of her illustrious career as the Reading Specialist at Franklin where she has showered us with kindness, gratitude, energy, positivity, and love. She is a devoted advocate for students, an incredible resource for staff and families, and one of the most thoughtful people you will ever meet. She is a servant leader who has always put the needs of others ahead of her own needs. We thank Mrs. Sanguigni for the impact she has had on all of us, and we wish her the best as she moves onto the next chapter of her life.  

I encourage our Franklin community to reach out to Mrs. Schramm and Mrs. Sanguigni to wish them the best!
Back to School Kits

The FES PFA is happy to offer families the opportunity to purchase a kit containing necessary supplies for the 2020-2021 school year. These kits can be delivered directly to your home OR directly to your child’s desk at school. All ordering information can be found on the PFA website. For more information, contact Lynn Steffanos at  anewlynn@yahoo.com or 724-272-2427.
Tiger Strong Live Long - Mental and Emotional Well-Being Resources

Since we are unable to see students each day in the school buildings for our usual conversations, information sharing, and check-ins, we have created a “virtual” place where students and their families can visit to gain and utilize resources to support students’ mental and emotional well-being. Students' mental health and happiness are just as important to us as academics during this time of remote learning at home.
This site, “Tiger Strong Live Long”, is a resource guide meant to answer questions, provide information, and give you real-life tips and strategies from familiar voices at school.
Remember:
Reach out to someone if you need help. We’re all in this together.
STAY #TigerStrong
Counselor's Corner

I would love to hear from you! Please remind your children that I continue to be here for them as a helper and a listener. The form below is one of the ways they can check-in with me! Just like the notes that they can leave on my door at school, students can leave me a note via the link below and I will be sure to get back to them! Parents, I would love to continue to support you during this time of remote learning. I look forward to hearing from you! You can reach me at ezinsser@northallegheny.org.
Important Dates
Monday, May 25 - No School (Memorial Day)
Tuesday, May 26 - Elementary Pause Day (no new instruction provided)
Friday, June 5 - Last day of school for students
District Updates
NASD School Year to End on Friday, June 5 for All Students

The North Allegheny Board of School Directors voted at their Regular Meeting on Wednesday, May 20, to  end the 2019-2020 school year and remote learning for all students on Friday, June 5. This early end date allows the District to use the week of June 8 to provide professional learning opportunities for staff members and coordinate the collection/return of student materials. Details about the collection/return of student materials will be sent in the coming weeks. This plan allows us to efficiently close out the current school year and effectively plan and prepare for the 2020-2021 school year.
All District Outdoor Facilities to Open on Friday, May 22

When schools were officially closed in March to comply with the Governor's stay-at-home order, we also closed all school facilities, including outdoor fields, courts, playgrounds, etc. out of concern that the limited staff may not be able to maintain the facilities. Starting Friday, May 22 the District is reopening outside facilities following the guidelines below:
  • All District outdoor facilities (fields, playgrounds, basketball courts, tennis courts, etc.) will be open for general use by the public. This does not include Newman Stadium.
  • Contact sports and organized practices are prohibited.
  • Facilities are not available for rent.
  • Social distancing guidelines must be maintained.
Pause Days

North Allegheny School District students will participate in “Pause Days” on the dates below. “Pause Days” are intended to give students opportunities to catch up on assigned work, and no new instruction or assignments will be assigned for the specific grade levels. Teachers will be participating in activities outside of their normal instructional duties, and may not be available via email on these days. Secondary teachers will not be holding “office hours” on these days.

Pause Days for Elementary Buildings: Tuesdays in May (5/26)
Pause Days for Middle and High School Buildings: Wednesdays in May (5/27)

On each “Pause Day”, students are still required to check-in for daily attendance by logging into TigerID and clicking on the Remote Learning Check-In App. Click here for directions: https://nasd.school/StudentRemoteCheckIn.
Volunteer Clearances

School volunteers need to update volunteer clearances every five years. This program began five years ago this coming fall, and many volunteers have clearances expiring in the coming months. Please  reference the North Allegheny School District website for further information about the types of clearances needed and how to update those clearances.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

Coronavirus (COVID-19) updates are archived on the North Allegheny website. This designated webpage will be updated as new information is provided.
Remote Learning Guidelines

The District will continue with the remote learning plan for the duration of the closure of our buildings. Details on remote learning for elementary and secondary students can be found on the NA website.
Resources
Missed a Newsletter?

All building newsletters are archived weekly on the North Allegheny website. This designated webpage will be updated with links to the previous week’s newsletters at the beginning of each school week by 11:30 a.m. A link to the archive is accessible on the District’s homepage and on each building’s homepage.
Community Flyers
The North Allegheny School District often receives requests for the distribution of athletics and approved non-profit community organization digital flyers. All requests for community flyers to be included in this newsletter must be submitted via email only at flyers@northallegheny.org. Flyers will only be posted and removed from the District website on Friday. Visit our website for details on how to submit flyers.
Building Contacts
Main Office - 412-366-9663
Nurse's Office - 412-366-9663
Counseling Office - 412-366-9663