APPLE NEWS
Franklin Elementary
October 2007

LET'S RAKE TOGETHER

At least 40 APPLE students and a handful of parents can help their community Nov. 4 by raking leaves for families that could use an extra hand (or several). Most of the slots are filled, but interested families can contact Bronwynn Shew at bronwynn@comcast.net or 536.1629.

The group will meet at Franklin at 9 a.m., break up into four crews and rake until noon. Bring a rake, gloves, a thermos of cocoa and a good attitude.

THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY

APPLE'S public service committee is asking parents to help their children expand their world views by taking part in the Global Meal Project, where families eat a "World Meal" once a month. The average meal consumed by people throughout the world includes a small amount of rice and beans and costs about $1.50. Families would donate the balance of their average meal cost to a special account, which APPLE students will evenly distribute to selected countries. Contact Janeen Steer at 838-7455 or janeen.steer@gmail.com

NEWS YOU CAN USE

CELEBRATION AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE

Mark your calendar for this year's celebrations and social events:

If you have questions, contact Gina Linke at 536-7943 (home), 209-3297 (cell) or davidandgina3524@msn.com

CLASSROOM NEWS

First-Grade News

Conferences are just around the corner. Don't forget to sign up. Remember: This is a "Parent/child/teacher" conference. Conference packets will come home with your child the week of Nov. 5th. These give your child an opportunity to set goals for themselves for their first- grade year. They will be turned in and reviewed at the conference.

Volunteers willing to commit to a regular time - weekly, bi-weekly or monthly - please sign up on the calendar posted on Beth's bulletin board in the CORE AREA.

Beth needs extra parent help for an (MESSY J) upcoming art project making paper mache lanterns. The class will be working on them in the afternoon from 2-3p.m. on Wednesday & Thursday, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, and Monday & Tuesday, Nov. 5 and 6. If you can help during ANY of these times, please sign-up on the calendar.

Auction project ideas include:

If you have other ideas or if you were not at the meeting and have ideas to share, please email them to Jessica Hieronymus at jlynn30@comcast.net
We will make our final decision at the Dec. 4 Apple Action meeting.

A reminder: If you are volunteering at school, please remember to use discretion when sharing information. We must respect every child's right to privacy in regards to their academic performance. It can be very hurtful to the child and parents if negative comments are overheard. As parents are at the school, we support the success of ALL the students and should conduct ourselves accordingly.

From Jessica Hieronymus, first-grade classroom coordinator

Second-Grade News

A field trip to the MAC takes place Nov. 29 at 9:30 a.m. We need four volunteers to chaperone. Please contact Paige Swaim at kpswaim@comcast.net or 455-6279.

Classroom Volunteers should sign up in advance. Please contact Ellen if you can't come. One volunteer at a time is optimal but two can work. Please remember that conversations between volunteers can be distracting in the classroom and in the hallway.

Parent participation/committment forms need to be turned in as soon as possible.

Art projects: For the next two weeks, the class will be working on lanterns for the Nov. 8 Lantern Walk. If you can help, contact Amy Haghighi at amyhaghighi@hotmail.com or 534-4237.

Conference Schedule: Sign up for November conference as soon as possible. Times slots are filling fast.

Festivities: In the next couple of weeks, the kids will bake with Tania Olson and Sam Somes. Janeen Steer and Chrysta Thomas will be leading the group that puts on the Halloween party. Should be fun!

From Amy Haghighi, second-grade classroom coordinator

Fifth- and Sixth-Grade News

Thought for the month: What is one of the things that your family values most about the APPLE Program?

Commitment letters/Action Plans: If you haven't already, please turn in your completed forms to me

Friday recess time: Teachers are proposing that instead of having a free recess period on Fridays, kids take part in multi-age activities facilitated by parents and, perhaps, sixth graders. This would encourage interaction among the classrooms and strengthen the kids' sense of community.

Classroom Auction Projects: Samantha Russell has volunteered to take on the fifth-grade auction project. She is proposing a large, stained-glass window. Lisa Regehr will be handling the sixth-grade project. She is proposing a mosaic wall mirror.

Confidentiality while volunteering: Volunteers need to students' rights to privacy with regard to their academic performance and as member of the 5/6 class. It's hurtful to students and parents if negative comments about a child are overheard.

Conference signup: A sign-up sheet has been taped to the table so that it doesn't get misplaced between now and conference time. Keep in mind that these are student-led conferences with a focus on goal setting. If you feel the need to speak privately with Tama, please make a separate appointment outside your scheduled conference time. There is plenty of course work to look at from the first trimester and the students are already evaluating their own progress and setting their goals. You will get the chance to review their goals prior to the conference. Because the conference time is only 20 minutes, Tama asks that you review your student's goals ahead of time and think of ways to support them before you arrive for conference.

Keep social events social: Please remember to the teachers' time during social events and not ask them to discuss student issues during these functions. If you need to talk to your student's teacher, please contact them to make an appointment.

Fourth-grade WASL Scores (For students who were in 4th grade last year and presently in fifth grade): During the class meeting, parents discussed students who scored low on the writing portion of last year's WASL. Parents were concerned that these students may not be able to participate in middle-school honors writing classes because the middle school might use their fourth-grade WASL score as the sole determining factor for enrollment. This matter is being investigated and more information will be provided when available.

November Classroom Newsletter: Please let me know you have photos, announcements, or information you would like me to include.

Sorry that I could not be at the meeting as I had a pressing personal matter. If anyone has any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me at kimmilah@hotmail.com or 532.9275.

From Kimm Hill, 5/6 Classroom Coordinator

Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) Report from Oct. 8

The CAC is a district-wide committee comprised of two representatives from each school. The CAC's purpose is "to provide broad-based community advisory input on district-wide educational matters" to the School Board. Franklin representatives are: Gladys Evans, current CAC co-chair, and Darci Bierman.

Interim Superintendent Nancy Stowell reported that the distrct expected enrollment in to be down 330 students. Actual enrollment is down about 580 students. School board member Christie Querna reported the district would be holding a national search for a new superintendent this year. Also, in preparation for the next bond election, the district will complete a new facilities study. They will look at all of the schools/buildings in the district and assess the need for repairs & updates.

The election is Nov. 6. There are three positions for school board and Measure EHJR 4204, an amendment to the State constitution proposed by the Legislature to allow school levies to be approved by a simple majority vote.

The rest of the meeting was spent meeting the school board candidates.

For the next meeting our state Legislators have been invited to come and present to the group.

Everyone should have received their ballot in the mail.

(From Darci Bierman)

LEADERSHIP MEETINGS

Executive Meetings take place at Franklin from 7 to 9 p.m. on the Tuesday of the week prior to the APPLE Action Meeting. The meeting is open to committee chairs, executive members and interested Apple parents.

Upcoming leadership dates:

Committees can meet at 6:30p.m. prior to the Leadership Meeting. Check with your committee chair for more information.

QUESTIONS?

The following parents can help make your school year a success:

Classroom Coordinators 2007-08

Executive Committee

Apple Newsletter contact: Kris Morehouse at krisanter@comcast.net

Apple Website: http://www.sd81.k12.wa.us/franklin/Apple/appleweb.htm

NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

Spokane Public Schools complies with all federal rules and regulations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability. This holds true for all students interested in participating in educational programs and/or extracurricular school activities. Inquiries regarding compliance procedures may be directed to the district Equal Opportunities office, Ivan Bush at (509) 354-7344.

Minutes from Oct. 23, 2007, APPLE Meeting

At 7:55 p.m., Lisa Regehr opened the meeting by introducing first-year families.

Pat Arguinchona reminded APPLE families that Franklin's printer can only be used to copy items that benefit students.

Mark Becker said he recently assumed maintenance duties for the APPLE Web Page. APPLE families who want something school- or student-related added to the Web site should send him an email at m2wbecker@msn.com

PTG vice president Tania Olson said the Franklin Fund Run raised $5,500. Programs benefitting from the money include the Missoula Children's, coming in January, jump-rope club and the after-school Spanish classes.

Cyndi Ochner of the celebrations committee said there will be a Dad's Night Out on Nov. 10. Details will come via email.

Merrie Dehmer of the program planning committee said the International Program kickoff on Oct. 19 included belly dancing, food, musical instruments and exuberant APPLE  students. The program still needs volunteers to help with curriculum on Fridays.

Janeen Steer of the public service committee urged APPLE families to get involved in the Global Meal Project, where families eat a "World Meal" once a month to help teach children to expand their world views. The average meal consumed by people throughout the world includes a small amount of rice and beans and costs about $1.50. Families would donate the balance of their average meal cost to a special fund, which APPLE students will evenly distribute to selected countries.

Bronwynn Shew, also of the program planning committee, detailed the leaf-raking project, which takes place Nov. 3 from 9 a.m. to noon. The committee needs at least 40 students to help rake leaves at several homes.

Andrea Heidenreich, co-chair of the auction committee, urged parents to get involved in a subcommittee:

Jessica Hieronymous reminded families that the auction pays for everything that makes APPLE special.

A 10-minute break allowed APPLE members to shop for a committee that met their talents.

When the meeting reconvened, Joe Herzog, APPLE's new treasurer, introduced the 2008 budget. Joe said he is emphasizing transparency in the budget process so that APPLE families know exactly how money is being spent. Families that buy items for APPLE must turn in within 30 days a receipt that is initialed by the teacher or the committee chair, depending on how the items are used. Joe will issue a check within 10 days. New expense forms are next to the little red school house in the core room. Items not claimed within 30 days will be considered a donation, and Joe will write a letter the family can use for tax purposes. The non-profit must now file with the IRS because the APPLE auction raised more than $25,000 in 2007. Joe has set up a special email account for the APPLE budget, appletreasurer@gmail.com. Joe said he hopes to end the year with $28,000, based on projections for this year's auction.

Pat Arguinchona said that Spokane Superintendent Nancy Stowell will speak at the next APPLE meeting.

Pat's and Lance Shew's Executive Committee terms end in January. Nominations for those spots will take place during the December meeting.

Mark Your Calendar

NOVEMBER

Nov. 1               -   9:30 a.m. start
Nov. 6               -   Election Day
Nov. 7               -   Pacific Science Center visits Franklin
Nov. 8               -   9:30 a.m. start
               -   Lantern Walk
Nov. 10             -   Dad's night out
Nov. 12             -   NO SCHOOL (Veteran's Day Observed)
Nov. 14             -   PTG meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 15             -   9:30 a.m. start
             -   1 p.m. dismissal for conference/progress reports
Nov. 16             -   1 p.m. dismissal for conference/progress reports
Nov. 19-21        -   1 p.m. dismissal for conference/progress reports
Nov. 22-23        -   NO SCHOOL (Thanksgiving Holiday)
Nov. 27             -   APPLE committee meetings at 6:30 p.m.
             -   APPLE leadership meeting at 7:30 p.m.

DECEMBER

Dec. 4               -   APPLE Action Meeting, 7 to 9 p.m.
Dec. 6               -   9:30 a.m. start
Dec. 12             -   PTG meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Dec. 13             -   9:30 a.m. start
Dec. 14             -   APPLE Ice Skating Party, 10 a.m. to noon
Dec. 18             -   Pajama Day for Winter Solstice
Dec. 19-Jan. 1  -   Winter Break

JANUARY

Jan. 2               -   Back to school
Jan. 3               -   9:30 a.m. start
Jan. 8               -   APPLE committee meetings at 6:30 p.m.
               -   APPLE leadership meeting at 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 14-19        -   Missoula Children's Theater
Jan. 17             -   9:30 a.m. start
Jan. 21             -   NO SCHOOL (Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday)
Jan. 24             -   9:30 a.m. start
Jan. 31             -   9:30 a.m. start