December 5th, 2025

Fall Fundraising Campaign


Our annual fall fundraiser is a vital source of support for our Franklin-Randall school community. Your contribution has a direct impact on your child’s education by funding student programs and teacher support that otherwise wouldn’t be possible. Here’s what that looks like:

Supporting Students and Families


  • Community building events like Glow Ball, movie nights, end of year picnic and more
  • Social justice funds that enable school social workers to assist families with basic needs in times of crisis
  • Funding for student enrichment

Supporting Teachers and Schools


  • Upgrades to the schools’ open spaces
  • Teacher appreciation meals and activities
  • Classroom supplies and snacks
  • Curriculum and instructional support

No gift is too small, every dollar makes a difference!

Join us for the Tuesday December 9, PTO meeting:

5:30pm -7:00pm Franklin Elementary School Library

In this issue...


  • Thank You PTO Volunteers
  • Special Thank You to Franklin Volunteer
  • School Volunteer Opportunities: Randall Lunch & Recess Support, Franklin Academic Volunteers Needed
  • PTO Volunteer Opportunities: 12/12 Movie Night!, Glow Ball Planning
  • Bayview Free Vaccine Clinic & Health Resources Fair 12/6
  • Toys for Tots Gift Distribution 12/15
  • Families of Current 5th graders: Middle School Lottery
  • MSCR Winter and Spring Program registration
  • Sprouts Nature School After School Programing
  • OASIS Outdoor Adventure
  • Dates to Remember

Thank You PTO Volunteers!

THANK YOU to everyone who volunteered this fall — at PTO events or at Franklin and/or Randall in partnership with the PTO. Thanks to the people listed below, the PTO raised money via our ongoing fall fundraiser, hosted kindergarten playdates, facilitated a food drive, hosted a garden party and costume playdate, provided direct support to schools, and is reviewing applications to our grant program to support teachers and school programs. None of this would be possible without the dedication of our volunteers! We are truly grateful for all you do to support this community! 


If you have some capacity to support our schools, either during school hours or in the evenings, please contact Kate Freedman at volunteer@franklinrandallpto.org, or look out for sign-up genius links throughout the PTO newsletter and on our instagram and facebook posts. We have a myriad of projects requiring a range of skills, expertise, and time. We would be grateful if you would reach out and see how even an hour of your time can make a BIG difference to our community!


Aela Valentine

Allison Malecek

Amanda Franklin

Angelina Chang

Ann Sydnor

Anna Rusk

Anne Reis

Ashley Check

Ashley Russell

Becca Youngerman

Ben Stein

Beth Waldron

Bill Dean

Brenda Chamberlain

Brian Schneirow

Caitlin Voegele

Cheri Rossi

Claire Sullivan

Colleen Manner

Corinne Burgermeister

Dan Hawk

Dan Stolz

Derek Ryan

Elizabeth Kraege-Soechting

Emily Smith

Erika Anna

Ian Lowe

Jack Kuhn

Jackie Leigl

Jennie Bastian

Jessica Slind

Jimmy Soat

Julie Ballweg

Julie Hunt Johnson

Julie Kull

Kate Freedman

Kayla Snell

Kemper Smith

Kennedy Turner

Laura Anderson

Linsey Steege

Lisa Hawk

Lissa Koop

Liz Blair

Mara Dawson

Marcus Conley

Maria Villaescusa

Marianne Griffin

Mary Rihani

Mel Askay

Mickey Willis

Nat Schroeder

Owen Sizemore

Patrick Marty

Pilar Farfan-Guzman

Puri Patel

Randy Rock

Sara Ryan

Sarah Levin

Sequoia Loheide

Soumya Palreddy

Stephanie Cowling-Rich

Susannah Rockman-Lee

Sylvia Ramirez

Val Schroeder

Vickie Eiden

Special Thank You to Franklin Volunteer

Sharing a special thank you to our Franklin neighbor, alumni, and volunteer Christina!


Over the last month, Christina has put together 40 chicken and vegetable kits (with her homemade chicken soup recipe included) and another 20 bags of fresh veggies and butter for cooking! The time,

expense, and kindness Christina has given to Franklin this Fall has fed so many of our kids and their families. We appreciate you!


With gratitude,

Your Franklin Family

Volunteer Opportunities at Franklin & Randall

Randall Lunch Volunteers


Immediate need for volunteers on the following dates:


12/9: 3rd & 5th

12/10: 3rd & 5th

12/11: 3rd & 5th

12/12: 3rd, 4th & 5th

12/15: 3rd, 4th & 5th

12/16: 3rd & 5th

12/17: 3rd & 5th

12/18: 3rd

12/19: 3rd & 5th


Please support the teachers and staff at Randall by providing additional support during lunch/recess.


3rd grade: 10:45-11:25 am

4th grade: 11:15-11:55 am

5th grade: 12:00-12:45 pm

Help Franklin Students with Literacy and Math Skills



We are looking for Franklin community members who are interested in being an academic volunteer.

  • Volunteers will help provide one-on-one reading and math sessions for students.
  • No prior teaching experience is necessary to volunteer for this program. All that is required is a love for learning, and a willingness to support and encourage our students.
  • Volunteers will be provided with the necessary resources and training.

Learn more about this opportunity here





Help in the Randall LMC: Contact Gabrielle Sharrock


Help in the Randall Art Room: Contact Mr. Ludke


Help in the Franklin Art Room: Contact Mr. Steffes



More volunteer info & requirements on PTO website


Have any questions about volunteering? Please email Kate Freedman: volunteer@franklinrandallpto.org 

NOTE: Looking for ways to help our schools with donations of materials? Check out our current needs on our Community Support page

Glow Ball Volunteers Needed


Glow Ball is Franklin and Randall's annual school wide dance that is held for all students each year. It's glowing good time with neon lights, snacks and a dj! This year the dance will be held at Franklin on Saturday, February 7th.


Do you or your child love the Glow Ball? We NEED help! If you are able to help plan this event, please reach out to Mickey Willis

Bayview Vaccine Clinic & Health Resources Fair


Click here for more information on available vaccines in English and Spanish.

Toys for Tots Gift Distribution

The Toys for Tots gift distribution will be on Monday 12/15 at Franklin from 9am to 2pm. Families join us to shop for your children.


For more information, contact your School Social Worker. For Franklin: Nina Sevier. For Randall: Katie Larsen-Klodd.

Families of current 5th graders: Middle School Lottery


Starting on Monday, November 3rd, current 5th graders could start applying for one of the following Lottery Schools:


  • Badger Rock - There is no attendance area preference.
  • Spring Harbor - Preference given to students residing in the Memorial High attendance area.
  • Wright - Preference given to students residing in the Elementary Schools feeding into West High.


Visit the Middle School Lottery website for more information. The application opened on November 3rd at 8:00 am and will close on January 9th at 11:59 pm.

MSCR Winter and Spring Program registration begins Monday, December 1, at noon for MMSD Residents and Monday, December 15, at noon for non-MMSD Residents.


Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR) is a department of the Madison School District and offers many recreation programs for all ages at affordable prices. Fee assistance is available for those who qualify. For programming information and to register, please visit mscr.org.

Sprouts Nature School After School Programs

Get Your Kids Outside After School with OASIS!

Now registering for spring!


OASIS (Outdoor Adventure Steeped in Story) is a fully outdoor, nature immersed opportunity for kids to lead their adventure through exploration and imagination while being supported in social-emotional development and risk assessment. With a focus on Deep Nature Connection and storytelling, kids will play games, wildcraft, sneak, hide, build forts, share gratitude, tell stories, scamper up and over downed trees, listen to stories, and whatever else their imaginations create.


OASIS Tuesdays

Hoyt Park, Madison, WI

Open to those in K-5th grade

Every Tuesday 3:00-5:00 PM, February 3 - May 26, 2026

$395 per child for the whole session, Sliding Scale: $304 - $487

For more details including scholarships and discounts contact:

Coral Conant Gilles at coralconantgilles.com/oasis


We are currently open for pre-registration. We must have at least seven children registered by December 20th to open full registration. Otherwise, OASIS will be canceled for this spring.

Important Dates to Remember


Franklin-Randall PTO Calendar


2025/2026 MMSD School Year Calendar

  • Tues 12/9 PTO Meeting @ Franklin 5:30-7pm
  • Fri 12/12 Family Movie Night @ Randall 6-8pm
  • Sat 2/7 Glow Ball @ Franklin 5:30-7:30pm
  • Tues 2/24 Madison Children's Museum Night from 5-7:30pm
  • Fri 2/27 4th Grade Concert 10:30am & 3rd Grade Concert 1:30pm
  • Sat 3/14 Super Science Saturday
  • Wed 5/27 5th Grade Strings Concert 10:45-11:30am 
  • Mon 6/1 End of Year Picnic 5:30-7pm
  • Tues 6/2 4th & 5th Grade Talent Show @ West High School 8:30am 
  • Tues 6/9 5th Grade Concert & Movin' On Ceremony 1pm


Watch for more details and volunteer opportunities!

Franklin School Flyers

Randall School Flyers

Support the PTO with Box Tops for Education

Please join the Franklin – Randall PTO in earning cash for our schools by using the Box Tops app. It’s an easy way to make a difference. Get the app to get started.

Goals of the Franklin-Randall Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) include helping children, parents, teachers and schools build a strong and positive school community.

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