1

The Franklin Academy-Pembroke Pines Chapter of National

Junior Honor Society (NJHS) was proud to induct 68 new

members into this nationally recognized society on the

evening of Wednesday, March 21, 2018. The inductees

underwent a rigorous application process, which lead them

to participate in an evening of rite of passage.

Dr. Sandberg, the Superintendent of Franklin Academy

Charter Schools, as well as Ms. Elena Diaz, our esteemed

principal of Franklin Academy Pembroke Pines, imparted

words of wisdom, guidance, and inspiration onto the

aspiring leaders assembled that evening.

The newly inducted members listened attentively as the current officers of

NJHS, Erica G. (President), Andrea G. (Vice President), Kayley H. (Historian),

Angie S. (Project Manager), and Taylor B. (Secretary), shared about the

pillar standards of NJHS—leadership, service, character, scholarship and

citizenship. Ms. Diaz then presented the students with their official

certificates, as Mrs. Bryant, our wonderful assistant principal, officially

announced the names of the new inductees into this honorable society.

Students also received their official NJHS pins, and signed their names into

the official record book for the Franklin Academy Pembroke Pines Chapter

of National Junior Honor Society. After participating in the official exit

processional, as official members of NJHS, the new members, along with

their family and friends, shared in a beautiful array of refreshments

sponsored by Franklin Academy’s Amazing PTO!

Pembroke Pines K-8 Campus March 2018

Important Dates:

3/2: Happy Birthday

Dr. Seuss!

3/10: Chess Tournament

3/11: Daylight Savings Begins

3/14: Art & Multicultural

Exhibit @ 6PM

3/22: Early Release

3/23: No School

3/26-3/30: Spring Break

4/2: Back to School!

Inside this issue:

2nd Grade’s Wacky Science

3rd Grade at Sawgrass Recreation

3rd Grade’s Green Dot Challenge

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

NJHS Induction

Student Spotlight

And more...

The mission of Franklin Academy is to create life-long learners by developing

critical thinking skills and promoting high levels of academic achievement in students,

while meeting the benchmarks of a standards-based curriculum utilizing varied

research-based instructional strategies, technologies, and

media, with an emphasis on character development.

Njhs Induction

2

This year the Franklin Academy

Art & Multicultural Show was an

inspiring showcase of culture,

music, talent and art that was

truly one-of a kind! In years

past, the show was held in May

as an, “End of the Year

Celebration” of the arts. This

year, the Art & Multicultural

Show was held in March to

connect with, and support,

Youth Art Month and Music in

Our Schools Month. Youth Art Month (YAM) a nationwide initiative, is part of the

National Art Education Association that’s been going on since the 1960’s.

Our program incorporated fashion, singing, dancing, personal talents as well as

art installations, digital and visual art! Making a debut this year was the Franklin

Art Passport! The Franklin Art Passport is a game that attendees were invited to

participate in to engage with and interact through art. Families were given a

passport with descriptions and asked to find various art “stations” where they would visit different art pieces

and add a stamp to their art passport. Artworks included a collaborative 4th grade mural, a room full of

edible and nonedible doughnuts, a Monet-inspired black light room, a tea room, and so much more! This

year, like last, the Franklin Academy Chapter of the National Junior Art Honor Society was very involved in

the evolution of the program. They painted all the panels for the black light room, helped hang it, and the

students dressed up in costumes of famous artists. Invited to our YAM

program was Vincent van Gogh, Leonardo da Vinci and Mona Lisa,

M. Edgar Degas and his

dancers, Frida Kahlo, the

Girl with the Pearl Earring,

Andy Warhol, and Bob

Ross. Franklin Academy’s

Art & Multicultural Show is

always a huge hit, but it

was even bigger and bet-

ter this year by teaming

up with Youth Art Month

and playing the Art Pass-

port game.

3

The kindergarten students have been learning about

the Life Cycle of a Butterfly during science.

In March, the students attended ‘Butterfly World’,

where they experienced and watched the four stages

of a butterfly’s life. The children interacted with real life

caterpillars, ladybugs, and butterflies!

They all enjoyed learning about them, as they took a

personal tour around the Paradise Adventure Aviary.

Kindergarten Goes to Butterfly World

Our MYP Year 2 students had

the opportunity to visit the Frost

Museum on February 2nd.

From beautiful aquariums with

live fish, shark, and stingray, to

the bird sanctuaries on the top

floor, there was much to see

and explore. Students took a

tour of the various exhibits

featuring ocean wonders as

well as the wonders of flight

and space.

The exhibit Feathers to the Stars was one the students

especially enjoyed as they were able to use a launcher

to experiment with aerodynamics and paper airplane

design. This fun trip also featured a movie at the

museum’s 8k visual Planetarium which connected the

importance of Space exploration to our everyday lives.

It was a great day full of fun and learning!

MYP Year 2 at the Frost Museum

4

Second Grade’s In house wacky science field trip

Second grade had such a wonderful time on their Wacky

Science in house field trip! The students had the chance to

meet some very interesting creepy crawly friends, like a

tortoise, iguana, tarantula, gecko, scorpion and even a

VERY BIG cockroach! Some of the students were even

brave enough to touch a few of their new creeping

friends. The second half of the trip consisted of performing

some pretty cool experiments. They were able to observe

dry ice and how it reacts with water and food coloring.

Just having finished their states of matter unit, was a

perfect time to review the three states of matter with this super cool observation.

The students also did some brilliant things with pressure and how pressure can blow the lid off things!

We cannot wait to see the Wacky Science Team for some more science fun!

Third grade students had a fabulous time at Sawgrass Recreation

Park. Their adventure began on an airboat ride through the Ever-

glades where they listened to fun facts about the ecosystem and

encountered alligators and other wildlife. During the wildlife show,

students learned facts about the Eagle Owl and American Alliga-

tor, including their prey, behavioral traits, and natural instincts.

They even had the opportunity to get up

close and personal with a young

alligator.

The day ended with a visit to the Exotic

Wildlife and Reptile Exhibits.

Third Grade Goes to Sawgrass Recreation Park

5

Youth Art Month is a celebration of visual arts!

Youth Art Month encourages support for quality

school art programs, and promotes art material

safety. The program provides a medium for

recognizing skills developed through visual arts

experiences unlike any other curriculum subjects,

including:

Problem solving

Creativity

Observation

Communication

Art shows, special exhibits, fundraisers, and school and community activities take place annually, tradi-

tionally during March, to celebrate visual art education for grades K – 12.

Started in 1961 through The Art & Creative Materials Institute, Inc. (ACMI), Youth Art Month exists to:

1. Recognize art education as a viable factor in the total education curricular that develops citizens of a

global society.

2. Recognize art is a necessity for the full development of better quality of life for all.

3. Direct attention to the value of art education for divergent and critical thinking.

4. Expand art programs in schools and stimulate new art programs.

5. Encourage commitment to the arts by students, community organizations, and individuals every-

where.

6. Provide additional opportunities for individuals of all ages to participate in creative art learning.

7. Increase community, business and governmental support for art education.

8. Increase community understanding and interest in art and art education through involvement in art

exhibits, workshops, and other creative ventures.

Reflect and demonstrate the goals of the National Art Education Association that work toward the im-

provement of art education at all levels. (www.arteducators.org)

6

Third grade takes on the green dot challenge

“The Challenge Starts Now!” shouted the

third grade students that filled the

cafeteria on the morning of March 20th

while attending a motivational assembly

that was led by Ms. Elena Diaz, school

principal and Ms. Michelle Wehn,

Curriculum Specialist.

The purpose of this assembly was to

encourage our third graders as they

prepare to take the Florida Standards

Assessment (FSA) for the first time. Students participated in a “Minute to Win It” challenge,

where Ms. Diaz discussed the importance of finding the power within to succeed.

The classes were then invited to take on a grade-wide challenge - The Green Dot Challenge.

This challenge is monitored through

USA Test Prep, an online source for

students which is centered around

student performance from Quarter 3

Benchmark data. The Green Dot

Challenge contains content videos,

practice quizzes, tests with instant feedback and focuses on each student’s individual

weakness. The goal is for students to complete assigned activities that have red or yellow dots

showing student weakness on a specific skill. Once a child has mastered this skill, the dot will

turn green.

The class with the most green dots by the end of the

challenge wins a party in the patio, dress down day and a

movie/popcorn day.

“I like the Green Dot Challenge because if your class gets all

green dots…you get a party. I like watching the videos

because it explains what it is, so it helps you answer the

question.” Jessica L -Third Grade Student

“With the USA Test Prep Green Dot Challenge, the students are challenged daily to meet a

goal. It’s a great motivator and helps monitor student success.”

Rebecca Rodriguez- Third Grade Teacher

7

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss! “Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one

alive who is you-er than you!”

Theodor Seuss Geisel was an American author, poet, ani-

mator, book publisher, and artist, best known for authoring

more than 60 children's books under the pen name “Dr.

Seuss.” Dr. Seuss’ birthday was on March 2nd and we cele-

brate every year by reading books that Dr. Seuss would

love. Dr. Seuss forever changed the way children’s books

are written and continues to inspire future generations with

his colorful animals and witty rhymes. What better way to

celebrate than to create whimsical, educational crafts

projects inspired

by Dr. Seuss?

The first grade students at Franklin Academy- Pembroke Pines

celebrated this year by rotating throughout our first grade class-

rooms participating in creative, "Dr. Seuss-like" crafts. The stu-

dents learned about ways to save trees, wrote letters to pack a

suitcase, and created houses for animals using only sticks and

clay. In addition, each student wore a "Thing 1-144" shirt symbol-

izing the unity of the students and their love of reading!

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss- We love you!

Kite Cart

Throughout the school year, our students get recognized for exemplary

behavior by their teachers, staff members and administration.

One way they get recognized is by receiving Kite Cash.

Kite Cash is our Bulldog currency which our students use to purchase

items at the Kite Cart.

The items range from pencils

and headphones to the most

desirable toys of the season.

This year our students have had the opportunity to shop at our Bull-

dog Kite Cart three times.

Our wonderful PTO not only funds but also manages the Kite Cart

with the assistance of parent volunteers. It is an inspiring sight to see

our students lined up holding their Kite Cash ready to shop.

8

2018 Franklin Academy Chess Challenge

In a mix of silence and suspense, our campus cafeteria was the setting of a very competitive chess

tournament this past March 10th. Forty eight students from Kindergarten through 8th Grade participated in 4

categories (K-1, K-3, K-5, K-8) for the 2018 Franklin Academy Chess Challenge directed by our chess teachers

and tournament arbiters, Ms. Viviana Cordero and Mr. Brandon Rosado.

K-1 and K-3 played a Round Robin system with the following winners:

K-5 and K-8 group played a 5 Round Swiss System that landed on the following winners:

Our K-8 group had one of the most competitive results as we experienced triple ties on the 2nd place (which

was defined by Tie breaker Match), and a six player tie for the fifth place.

Congratulations to all our champions who gave us a great spectacle and demonstration of good sports-

manship and tenacity.

K-1 K-3

1.Jaeko R. 4 pts. 1.Spencer M. 3 pts.

2. Valentina M. 3 pts. 2. Adriana V. 2,5 pts.

3.Christopher C. 3 pts. 3.Aleen D. 2 pts.

K-5 K-8

1.Audrey D. (4th grade) - 5 points 1.Daniel H. (7th grade) – 5 points

2.Santiago Estabridis (4th grade) – 4 points 2.Gabriel E. (6th grade) – 4 points

3. Taj Lofton (4th grade) – 3,5 points 3.Judith N. (6th grade)- 4 points

4. Ava Grace A.l (5th grade) and

Ayaan H. (4th grade) – 3 points 4.James B. (6th grade) – 4 points

5. Tyler B. (7thgrade), Mauricio B. (6thgrade),

Orlando M. (6thgrade), Samantha L. (6thgrade),

Kariff M. (6thgrade), Connor A. (6th grade)– 3 points