The Bridge Newsletter

November 16th, 2023

Franklin Center Book Club

Do you love to read? A group of Franklin Center parents, caregivers and alumni gather at 2:00 pm on select Fridays for the Franklin Center Book Club. We read a variety of books, mostly from the New York Times and other bestseller lists. 

If you are interested in joining us for an upcoming meeting, contact Maureen at maureen.maher@franklinmn.org for further details. 

Note: We adjourn in time to pick up students and participants at Franklin Center.

Classroom Highlight: Art

By Nancy Shelledy

From exploring new creative endeavors, to sharing their ideas and supplies with one another, the artists here at Franklin Academy have been hard at work!



In Lower School, artists have been exploring the element of color. Currently they are creating Pop Art Inspired self portraits using photograph copies and brightly colored paint.  Chippewa River has been practicing the elements of perspective, color, and value by creating landscapes. They used mixed media for this project including liquid watercolor painting, collaging, and drawing. 

Pigeon River and Temperance River have been working on collaboration and storytelling through their art. They used printmaking techniques to create a scene, setting, or character from their own stories. 

High school artists are creating mixed media projects inspired by Gordon Parks' American Gothic. Artists identified symbols that represent American culture or society for them personally. They are using an acrylic gel photo transfer method, as well as painting and collaging for this project.

Culinary Science: Pumpkin Pie Contest

High School's Culinary Science class recently participated in a Pumpkin Pie Contest, where students had the chance to showcase their baking skills and creativity. After meticulous judging by the High School teachers, the winners were chosen. Each team did a fantastic job, but the Libby's Famous Pumpkin Pie recipe took the win. Congratulations to Addison, Sophie, Parker and Maddie for their success with Libby's Famous Pumpkin Pie recipe!

Winter Weather Closure Reminder

As winter approaches, we want to remind parents of Franklin Center's snow day policy and procedures. If a decision is made to close the school or start late due to snow and/or driving conditions, you will receive an email, text, and voicemail to the contact information you provided at the start of the school year. In the case of a snow day, our goal is to inform you as early as possible, typically by 6:00 am, to allow for proper planning. We also post our closings on KARE 11 and WCOO-TV. Classes will continue virtually. Please keep in mind there will be no after-school activities if Franklin Center is closed.

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we navigate the winter months. If you would like to update or add to your contact list, please contact the office at office@franklinmn.org.

Chloe Herzog, Enrichment Program Manager

The Enrichment Program is designed to provide students with a platform to explore their interests, develop new skills, and foster a love for learning outside of school hours. As I navigate my new position, I'm excited to contribute to the extracurricular enrichment of our students.

With one month left of Session One Clubs, it's rewarding to witness the talents and enthusiasm displayed by our students. From finger knitting in Crochet and Knitting Club to producing a commercial in Video Production, the dedication and creativity is great to see! Please note: Session One Clubs end Tuesday, December 19th. There will be no clubs and no Owl's Nest Wednesday, December 20th. Activity Days will resume as planned Thursday, December 21st and Friday, December 22nd.

That said, registration for Session Two Clubs is now open! This is another fantastic opportunity for your child to explore a passion, improve their social connections, and motivate them to try something new. The variety of clubs available ensures that there is something for everyone! Please review the updated flyers in the section below to see what is still available.

Special Person's Day is just around the corner. To help you/ your student's special person prepare, I've attached a map/schedule for the event here. A printed copy of the map and schedule will be available at check-in. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me at chloe.herzog@franklinmn.org.



Thank you for your continued support and I look forward to this enriching journey together!

Warm regards,

Chloe Herzog

Unified Basketball

Basketball is back- join our team! Up to 20 Franklin students can join our team with Breck students. Learn new skills, be a part of a team and play in tournaments! Practices are 3:30-4:30 pm on Thursdays, December 7th through February 15th. The regional tournament is January 21st, which will determine if we play in the state tournament (February 15th).

Please register with Special Olympics and on Blackbaud by December 7th. The Special Olympics application can be found here. Register as a Traditional Athlete ("Delegation" is Franklin Center).

Contact Amy Higgins (parent Special Olympics coordinator) if you have any questions about registering with Special Olympics at amykhiggins16@gmail.com or 650-269-7081.

Session Two Clubs Open!

Mark your calendars for Session Two Clubs! Registration on Blackbaud is currently open. Keep in mind enrollment is limited and clubs fill up fast! Please review the updated flyers below and if you have any questions, contact Chloe at chloe.herzog@franklinmn.org

Activity Days

We've planned an array of exciting activities to keep students entertained and engaged on days with no school. To register, log into your Blackbaud account. More details to come for 2024 winter/spring Activity Days. Learn more about our December Activity Days below:

If you have any questions related to after-school activities or Activity Days, please contact Chloe at chloe.herzog@franklinmn.org.

Please note there is no AM Owl's Nest on Activity Days. PM Owl's Nest is 3:10-4:30.

Owl's Nest

Owl's Nest is a before and after school program available Monday-Friday. The program provides a safe, fun and productive environment for Franklin Academy students while their parents are at work.

If you have any questions about Owl's Nest, please contact Austin, our Owl's Nest Senior Classroom Behavior Therapist, at austin.gumbiner@franklinmn.org

Donna Grubka

Parent Connections

donna.grubka@franklinmn.org

Kim Snow

Executive Director

kim.snow@franklinmn.org

Kim Strandemo

Academy Principal

kim.strandemo@franklinmn.org