Piper, one of our 5th grade leaders, read this announcement to help kick off Hispanic Heritage Month. Thanks Piper!! Today is the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month. It’s a special time when we celebrate the culture, history, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities. Hispanic Heritage Month happens every year from September 15th to October 15th. Over the next few weeks, we’ll get to learn about the traditions, music, food, and stories shared by people of Hispanic and Latino heritage—both in our school and around the country. We’re just getting started with the school year, and now—and always—is a great time to appreciate the different people and cultures that make our school such an amazing place. Have a great day and a happy Hispanic Heritage Month!
1 day ago, Franklin Elementary School
student reading announcement
The crowd is gathering for another great movie night! 158 pizzas have arrived and it won't be enough! We have our former and future Franklin All Stars in attendance for the epic movie event... Dog Man! What a night!
4 days ago, Franklin Elementary School
movie night
movie night
movie night
movie night
movie night
movie night
movie night
movie night
security
movie night
More photos from the week!
4 days ago, Franklin Elementary School
first week photos
first week photos
first week photos
first week photos
first week photos
first week photos
first week photos
first week photos
first week photos
first week photos

What a fantastic first full week of school!
From day one, students dive right into learning while also building strong classroom routines and expectations. These early lessons include learning how to collaborate on projects and activities, setting the stage for a year of teamwork and success.

Community building is also at the heart of Franklin. Teachers work to deepen connections within their classrooms, while our Buddy Program pairs older and younger students to create friendships that extend beyond the classroom.

We are so proud of the energy and excitement already filling our school—here are some photos from this week!

4 days ago, Franklin Elementary School
first week
first week
first week
first week
first week
first week

Fifth graders are currently engaged in their Op Art Heart project. This project began after the students had the opportunity to learn about Op Art and several artists associated with the movement. For their artwork, students are combining a heart with an optical illusion. The goal is to create unique artwork, which also relates to the character Molly Lou Melon, who was unique and proud of herself. Molly Lou Melon is the main character in the picture book Stand Tall Molly Lou Mellon which all classrooms are reading as part of our character education launch to the school year.

4 days ago, Paul Duncan
Image of book Stand Tall Molly Lou Mellom
Op Art
Op Art
Op Art
Op Art
Back To School Night is a wonderful time to get up to speed on what's going on in your child's class but it's also a nice time to see familiar faces after the long summer break. We also try to capitalize on the potential leadership opportunities for our 5th graders. Many of them volunteered to help as ambassadors for the evening--helping parents find classrooms. When they were done, and waiting for their parents, they played duck, duck goose to pass the time. Leadership can be fun!
5 days ago, Franklin Elementary School
ambassadors
ambassadors
ambassadors
ambassadors
ambassadors
ambassadors
ambassadors
ambassadors
Teachers love to catch up with their former students!
11 days ago, Franklin Elementary School
students and teacher
tudents and teacher
More recess fun!
11 days ago, Franklin Elementary School
 recess
 recess
 recess
 recess
 recess
 recess
 recess
 recess
Thank you to the PTO for another great welcome back coffee!
11 days ago, Franklin Elementary School
PTO welcome back coffee
Friends and siblings get to catch up at recess!
11 days ago, Franklin Elementary School
friends and siblings!
friends and siblings!
friends and siblings!
friends and siblings!
friends and siblings!
friends and siblings!
friends and siblings!
friends and siblings!
Recess is a great time to reconnect!
11 days ago, Franklin Elementary School
lunch and recess
lunch and recess
lunch and recess
lunch and recess
lunch and recess
lunch and recess
lunch and recess
lunch and recess
lunch and recess
We had an exciting first day!
11 days ago, Franklin Elementary School
first day
first day
first day
first day
first day
first day
first day
Teachers spent two days in professional development and putting the final touches on their classrooms. The PTO also served them a great welcome back luncheon!!
11 days ago, Franklin Elementary School
teacher professional development
teacher professional development
teacher professional development
teacher professional development
teacher professional development
teacher professional development
More positive vibes from teachers!
11 days ago, Franklin Elementary School
bulletin board
bulletin board
bulletin board
bulletin board
Our PTO and Project Playground have partnered with the Westfield Public Schools to help enhance our property. A dedicated outdoor space helps us have a gathering place to build community, enjoy our Habitat Garden, capture opportunities for when our curriculum can be enhanced with outdoor learning and gives us a quieter setting for an expanded "quiet recess" area. That's just the start! Thank you to everyone involved in this project!!!
11 days ago, Franklin Elementary School
outdoor classroom
outdoor classroom
outdoor classroom
outdoor classroom
outdoor classroom
outdoor classroom
outdoor classroom
outdoor classroom
outdoor classroom

Mr. Jesse and his custodial team have been super busy trying to get Franklin ready for a new year. They make sure everything is clean and shines like new. Here's just one example of a before and after shot.

11 days ago, Franklin Elementary School
Custodian cleaning the gym floor
Clean gym floor
Playgrounds need mulch! Mountains of mulch! We're getting ready for some great playground fun!
21 days ago, Franklin Elementary School
mulch
mulch
mulch
mulch
mulch
The classrooms are getting cleaned, the floors are getting waxed, and new bulletin boards are going up!
21 days ago, Franklin Elementary School
bulletin boards
bulletin boards
bulletin boards
bulletin boards
bulletin boards
bulletin boards
bulletin boards
bulletin boards
bulletin boards
Last year our 1st grade rooms were fully outfitted with new desks, rugs, furniture and paint! This year it's 2nd grade with the new look, plus the usual cleaning and polishing!
21 days ago, Franklin Elementary School
new furniture
new furniture
new furniture
new furniture
new furniture
new furniture
new furniture
Our ongoing partnerships with the PTO and Project Playground along with a grant from NJEA and Sustainable Jersey are helping turn our Habitat Garden area into an outdoor hub. The addition of a shaded outdoor space is in the works! It will help us get the most out of the learning in the garden area. It will also be a gathering place for community building activities. Thank you to our generous partners!
27 days ago, Franklin Elementary School
supplies
supplies
cement truck
cement truck
outdoor classroom
outdoor classroom
outdoor classroom
cement truck
cement truck
outdoor space