August 2025

Dear Franklin Families,

Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year at Franklin Elementary. I hope your summer was relaxing, joyful, and full of great memories.

It is my absolute pleasure to join this incredible community as the new Principal of Franklin. While I am new to Franklin, I bring many years of experience as an elementary school leader, and I am truly honored to serve this school. I have already seen the care, commitment, and enthusiasm that make Franklin such a special place, and I am looking forward to getting to know all of you in the days and weeks ahead.

The first day of school is Thursday, August 21, and I cannot wait to welcome you and your students to campus. I am also looking forward to meeting many of you at arrival, dismissal, and our upcoming school events. I believe that strong relationships with families are essential to a thriving school, and I am committed to building a warm and collaborative partnership with each of you.

Class placement emails will be sent out on the evening of Tuesday, August 19. Please keep an eye on your inbox and check your spam folder just in case. Please keep in mind that balancing classes is a task that takes many factors into consideration. Franklin is fortunate to have highly qualified teachers who build connections, create positive classroom communities, enhance rigor into teaching, and keep our students curious and thriving.

Franklin is incredibly fortunate to have an active and supportive PTA  as well as a strong partnership with the Santa Monica Education Foundation. These organizations play a vital role in providing enrichment opportunities, funding instructional assistants, supporting the arts and music programs, and organizing community-building events throughout the year. Your participation, whether through volunteering, donating, or attending events, has a significant impact on our students’ educational experience.Thank you so much for your support!

To stay informed and connected, please be sure to subscribe to the FLASH newsletter, sent out each Friday by our wonderful PTA. It is full of important updates, upcoming events, and opportunities to get involved. I will also include a weekly message to share school news and celebrations. The FLASH is an invaluable source of communication for our families, and I encourage all families to subscribe and stay connected so you don’t miss any important updates or opportunities to engage with our school community.

Annual Data Confirmation
A friendly reminder that all families, both current and new, must complete the yearly Data Confirmation process through the Aeries Parent Portal. This is a required step to verify your student’s enrollment, update emergency contacts, and ensure we have accurate and current information on file.

Please complete your Data Confirmation by Tuesday, September 2, to help us start the year smoothly. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact our school office.

Minimum Day Schedules
For TK and Kindergarten (Dismissal at 12:15 PM):
• Thursday, August 21
• Friday, August 22
• Monday, August 25
• Tuesday, August 26 (Back to School Night for TK through 2nd grade)

For Grades 1 through 5 (Dismissal at 1:30 PM):
• Thursday, August 21
• Friday, August 22
• Monday, August 25 (1st and 2nd grades only)
• Tuesday, August 26 (Back to School Night for TK through 2nd grade)
• Tuesday, September 2 (3rd through 5th grades only)

No School: Monday, September 1 (Labor Day)

Thank you for your warm welcome and for the trust you place in all of us at Franklin. I am excited for a year filled with learning, growth, and meaningful connections. It is going to be a great year!

Fondly,
Natalie Rollhaus Burton
Principal, Franklin Elementary School