Principal's Notes
Franklin Families,
This past week we concluded our Soft Start schedule. I want to thank our students and teachers for their engagement these past few weeks as we began the relationship building process. We acknowledge that the transition has been difficult at times and we are grateful for the patience and understanding demonstrated by our entire community.
Starting Monday, September 14, teachers will begin introducing academic content to students. It is imperative that students make every effort to attend both their synchronous and asynchronous class sessions to ensure a strong start. The Franklin HS Instructional Schedule is attached.
UPDATES & REMINDERS
Student Attendance Update - NEW
To address the numerous circumstances regarding a student's education amid a pandemic and that of a distance learning model, the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) has changed attendance protocols.
The following protocol is based on the most recent ODE guidance released August 11, 2020.
Evidence of attendance
Evidence of student attendance will be measured in at least one of the following ways within a 24 hour period:
- A. Participating in a video class
- B. Communication from the student to the teacher via chat, text message, communication app, or email
- C. A phone call between the teacher or EA/Paraprofessional with the student, or, for younger students, with the parent
- D. Posting completed coursework to a learning management system or web-based platform or via email
- E. Turning in complete coursework on a given day.
HS teachers are required to take attendance for every period taught i.e., both synchronous and asynchronous classes.
New this year attendance will NOT be reported live.
Attendance will be recorded in Synergy the following school day (by 9:30 am) to ensure that all forms of attendance/participation can be recorded accurately from the previous school day. Autodialer will call families at noon for the previous school day’s attendance informing them of any non attendance/participation days/periods.
Student Attendance Example
Monday 9/14 | Tuesday 9/15 |
---|---|
Period 1 - Absent | Period 3 - Present |
Period 2 - Absent | Period 4 - Present |
Period 3 - Present | Period 1 - Present |
Period 4 - Present | Period 2 - Present |
In the example above the autodialer would call home on Tuesday 9/15 at noon, indicating that the student missed Periods 1 & 2 on Monday 9/14.
*Attendance for Friday will be reported on the next school day (Monday or Tuesday if there is a Monday holiday)
Parents/guardians are still asked to report if their child will be absent. Please email the Attendance Secretary at franklinattend@pps.net or call via phone at 503-916-3543. Email is preferred, to assist with documentation.

Canvas and Student Email - Basics
Portland Public Schools has moved to a new Learning Management System called Canvas. This platform is a replacement of Google Classroom.
Please use this guide as a quick reference on the basics of using Canvas.
For help accessing student email accounts please use this quick guide.
If you need a student password reset, please use this link to request one. For any other technical issues, please email Dan Green at dgreen@pps.net
Franklin Focuses on Equity
Each week we will share, highthight, or introduce a concept or topic related to our climate and equity work. This section will allow us to learn, use common language and create an opportunity to discuss climate and equity related topics; allowing us to collectively grow as a school community.

Equality: Treating everyone the same and giving everyone the same thing regardless of individual need.
Equity: Giving people what they need based on what an individual requires to be successful given the systemic barriers to opportunity.
Every person's needs are different, just as every person is unique. Being equity centered requires us to recognize and honor those differences and give people what they need to be successful.
Franklin STRONG,
Chris Frazier
Principal