The Mattoon community is a very important part of Franklin Preschool. Over the years, we have incorporated a variety of activities to partner with parents and community members. We have developed a monthly newsletter which includes LiM language and information. Teachers send home weekly family activities that align with the “habit of the week”, including creating their own Family Mission Statement. Each classroom has a Lending Library that includes books that teach the 7 Habits. The preschool has designed Leader in Me Family Night Activities to help teach LiM to family members. During the school year, teachers meet with families to create year-long goals for their child(ren) to achieve. Furthermore, Franklin Preschool has Memorandums of Understanding with several community partners. These partners serve on our Family Advisory Council and help plan Family Nights. These community agencies teach our students about the importance of being a leader in all aspects of their lives.
Links to Leader in Me Franklin Family Projects & Activities
Click here to view Family Information Link: https://mcusd2.org/Franklin-LiM1-3-FamilyInformation
Click here to view a Family Activity Link: https://mcusd2.org/Franklin-LiM1-3-FamilyActivity
Click here to view the Family Mission Statement Link: https://mcusd2.org/Franklin-LiM1-3-FamilyMission
Click here to view a Virtual Family Night pertaining to the 7 Habits Link: https://mcusd2.org/Franklin-LiM1-3-VirtualFamilyNight7Habits
Click here to view a Virtual Family Night Slide of Activities Link: https://mcusd2.org/Franklin-LiM1-3-VirtualFamilyActivities
Family and Community Partnerships Parent Advisory Committee
We have a very strong Parent Advisory Council (PAC) at Franklin Preschool. This council consists of parents and community members to support academic goals and whole child development. They form action teams to help plan family nights, graduation, and teacher appreciation week.
At registration parents volunteer to be a part of the committee.
Purpose: Provide input to make the preschool program be the best it can be. Assist in planning events and activities for the school.
Expected to attend a meeting at least 4 times during the school year.
Participate as officers: Co president, secretary, treasurer.
Participate on committees
Plan and participate in at least one of the school’s Family Nights
Check out our notes and our Parent Advisory Council member list below:
Click here to view our Parent Advisory Council Meeting Notes Link: https://mcusd2.org/Franklin-LiM1-3-PACNotes
Click here to view our Parent Advisory Council Member List Link: https://mcusd2.org/Franklin-LiM-1-3-PACMembers
Parent Advisory Committee Family Night
Franklin hosted their annual Parent Advisory March Family Night in collaboration with Douglas Hart, U of I Extension Office, YMCA, and the Mattoon Public Library. Douglas Hart had animals to touch. The U of I Extension Office had a healthy snack and cook book for parents to take home. The YMCA had a movement activity where students planted a flower or vegetable and measured their self with a 6 foot tall sunflower. The Library read a book to the students.
Butterfly Garden
In May 2022, Franklin Preschool had a plant day with students, families, and staff. Families were invited to come to school and help their child and their class plant in our new butterfly garden. Students were able to learn how to plant a garden, and also how to water and take care of a garden. The butterfly garden is an ongoing project that students will be able to enjoy and work in for many years to come at Franklin Preschool. A lot of special people and organizations from the community helped to make this project possible.
Shonn Hild, at Hild Landscaping For volunteering his time and efforts to remove the sod
Douglas Hart Nature Center For donating landscaping pavers and bricks for the garden
MMS and MHS Students For helping to paint pavers to make them look like children's storybook covers
Justin Grady, Head of the Mattoon Township Park District For helping with the positioning of plants
Neal Tire For donating all the tires we could ever want!
