Greetings from Franklin City Schools!

On behalf of the entire district staff, I'd like to wish you a Happy New Year. I hope that everyone had a warm and wonderful winter break and holiday season.

The year has flown by and the first semester is nearly over. Franklin students continue to work hard in the classroom and pursue academic excellence. Additionally, our fall sports teams had tremendous success. The high school football team made the playoffs and the district was excited to host its first-ever home playoff game. Coach Rodney Roberts was named Coach of the Year for the Southwestern Buckeye League.

Our district is committed to excellence in the arts. We've added a number of arts-related courses to the curriculum such as 5th and 6th grade band, dance, and show choir. One new course this year is a semester-long piano class at Franklin High School. This course is enormously popular and many students have asked that the class be extended to a second semester.

The high school's fall play, Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, further demonstrated our commitment to the arts. The large cast -- over 50 students -- from both elementary and high school grades, put on an outstanding performance that rivaled many professional shows. Large crowds enjoyed the play, and we were especially pleased to offer a special afternoon performance for senior citizens.

In mid-November, our district held three Veterans Day performances. Our sixth graders combined for a evening performance, and both the junior high and high school had programs during the school day. Our staff and students were proud to recognize men and women who have served our country and honored that many area veterans attended and participated in the programs.

Because our school district and our community are so intertwined, our district is committed to community outreach. On November 21, the district hosted lunch for the Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce. Members of the business community enjoyed performances by the high school jazz ensemble and the show choir, and enjoyed interacting with the students who helped to greet our guests and serve the meal. We received excellent feedback and plan to make it an annual event.

During the second semester, teachers and students will focus on preparation for our state-mandated academic tests. The Ohio Graduation Test, required for high school students, will be March 11-24; the Ohio Achievement Assessments (for grades 3-8) will be April 22 - May 10. Results will be available later in the year; these will figure into our score on the district report card issued by the Ohio Department of Education.

Our junior high and high school students will also be planning their schedules for next fall. When your child brings materials home, please take the opportunity to sit with him/her to discuss what courses will best serve them in their future endeavors.

A reminder about calamity days: We've escaped bad weather so far, but it's coming. The district offers many ways to learn whether school is delayed or canceled. However, the BEST way is to register with the One Call Now system. With One Call Now, you'll receive a phone call to alert you to delays and closing. You can sign up with One Call Now through this website by visiting http://www.franklincityschools.com/parents to update your profile. Both One Call Now and the district website offer the most real-time information. While we send delay/closing information to area radio and TV stations, there can be as much as a 45-minute delay before it is posted.

In late January/early February, I will be hosting a series of informal coffees with parents and community members. It is vital that the district hears your feedback about what you think we're doing well, what you wish we'd do differently, and what you envision for the future of our district. Please stay tuned for more information about these and plan to attend one in your neighborhood.

Because education is a partnership between the district, students, and their families, I want to remind you that we offer many opportunities for you to get involved. Please consider attending a PTO meeting or volunteering at your child's school. Giving your time and talent is a wonderful way to invest in our children's future.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at aelam@franklin-city.k12.oh.us">aelam@franklin-city.k12.oh.us or 937-746-1699.

Sincerely,

Arnol Elam

Superintendent of Schools