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 Students this week explored the difference between chemical and physical changes in 8th grade science. Students in English explored a digital escape room in the library.
Franklin Community,
This week I told students about a new initiative we are starting in the leadup to our Franklin v. Rocky Run Basketball event called Falcons in Good Standing. We want every student to be able to enjoy the game, and we have certain behavior standards that students need to meet in order to be to play in or attend. Starting next week on March 17th until the basketball event on April 10th, we will be tracking the following behaviors to ensure that students are meeting expectations. Students are expected to have:
- No Discipline Referrals
- No Cell Phone Violations
- No more than 5 unexcused tardies to class
Students who meet these expectations will be allowed to attend the basketball event. Students who have failed to meet one of these expectations will be notified prior to the games on April 10th that they will not be able to attend. Please help reinforce to your student how important it is to be Connected, Accountable, Respectful, and Empathetic at school. We hope to see all students and families out to support the Falcons on April 10th!
We also had some very important advisory activities this week, with students completing our SEL Screener on Thursday. This data helps inform how we can best support our students from a Social-Emotional perspective and drives programming that we provide through both advisory and through instructional blocks. It is also essential to support our School Improvement and Innovation Plan goals. Additionally, on Tuesday during advisory we practiced our Tornado Drill procedures at the same time as many other schools across the state did. These drills are imperative to school safety and I thank all students that took the drill seriously and practiced our protocols.
We were also able to celebrate our Students of the Month for January and February this week. These students are selected by their teachers for showing the CARE traits consistently in their classrooms and beyond. Congratulations to all of our winners, keep up the great work!
Have a great weekend, and go Falcons!
Tom DeRusso
Principal
Franklin MS
Important Dates
March 17 - St. Patrick's Day
March 19 - Integrated Reading & Writing SOL (8th grade only)
March 28 - Chantilly Pyramid Art Show - 6pm-8pm
March 28 - End of 3rd Quarter
March 31 - Eid al-Fitr Holiday - No School
April 1 - Teacher Workday - Student Holiday
April 7-11 - Stress Less, Laugh More Week
April 10 - Franklin vs Rocky Run Basketball Game - Chantilly HS - 5pm-8pm
April 11 - Last day to purchase a yearbook
April 14-18 - Spring Break
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Stress Less, Laugh More Week
During the week of April 7-11, Franklin Middle School students and staff will be celebrating Stress Less, Laugh More Week. This week is an annual event that aims to create a healthy and supportive school environment for students by ensuring we all play a role in normalizing conversations around mental health. Students and staff will learn ways to cope with stress and participate in activities that promote an inclusive and fun school community. Click here for more information about Franklin's Stress Less, Laugh More Week. We will have several games and activities that require small treats or prizes! Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up to support Stress Less, Laugh More week. Thank you! Please drop off all items to the main office by Friday, April 4th.
www.signupgenius.com
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Ramadan Considerations
Happy Ramadan to our Franklin students and families who are observing this holiday. For students who are fasting or require access to a silent prayer or meditation space during the month of Ramadan, please review the following times and spaces available to students during non-instructional times:
- Recess: Students who need a place to rest or pray during recess (10:25 am - 10:45 am daily) should report to the library during this block of time.
- Lunches: Students who are fasting and would like a place free of food are welcome in the library during their lunch block. This quiet space will also have a dedicated area for any students who would like to pray during their lunch block as well.
- After School: Immediately following dismissal, any students staying after school will have access to a silent prayer and meditation space in Room 120 (right by the cafeteria) for this purpose.
If your child has a special circumstance that requires their use of the prayer or silent meditation space outside of these non-instructional times, please connect directly with your child's counselor via email.
Student Fasting Meal Kits for February 28 - March 28, 2025
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has issued a new, first-time waiver allowing students fasting during the school day from February 28 to March 28, 2025, to request take-home breakfast and lunch meal kits. The Office of Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) will provide meal kits reflecting the school menu. Meals will be kept cold and must be heated at home. Students may claim one breakfast and one lunch kit per day. If a student purchases breakfast or lunch at school, they cannot pick up a kit that day. Meal kits must be picked up by students at the end of the school day—adults cannot collect them.
Parents or guardians must submit a weekly request form via the FCPS FNS website by the deadlines:
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March 17, 2025, for the week of March 24, 2025
Forms must be submitted on time to receive meal kits for the following week.
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Academic Advising
In January and February, our counselors support all students with academic advising and course requests for the 2025-2026 school year. See below for updates by grade-level and reminders about upcoming deadlines.
Rising 7th Grade Reminders:
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March 2025: Families will be able to see final course selections in ParentVUE.
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June/July 2025: End of year performance verifies course selections, including Algebra 1 Honors placement and support classes for literacy and math.
For more information, including presentations, course selection sheets, and the course catalog, please see the Franklin MS Site: https://franklinms.fcps.edu/Rising7th.
Rising 8th Grade Information:
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February 28: Finalized course selections are due by 4:00 pm on Friday, February 28, 2025.
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March 2025: Families will be able to see final course selections in ParentVUE.
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June/July 2025: End of year performance verifies course selections, including support classes for literacy and math.
The course catalog is now available, and families can explore these resources on the Franklin MS Site: https://franklinms.fcps.edu/Rising8th.
As your student navigates these processes and events, our counselors are here to support. Please reach out to your student’s counselor with any questions or concerns.
Save the Dates: Spring Testing
Spring SOL Testing dates have been identified.
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Wednesday, March 19, 2025: Integrated Reading & Writing SOL Test (8th Grade Only)
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Tuesday, May 13, 2025: Reading SOL (All Students)
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Friday, May 16, 2025: Science 8 SOL (8th Grade Only)
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Wednesday, May 21, 2025: Math SOLs (All Students)
Please avoid any scheduled absences like appointments and trips on the dates identified to ensure students are ready and able to test on the given dates.
Retakes: The Virginia Board of Education allows elementary and middle school students who fail their spring Standards of Learning (SOL) tests by a narrow margin to retake the test before the end of the school year. Retesting is available when a student fails their first SOL attempt with a score of 375-399. (A score of 400 is considered passing for SOL tests.) Note that retests are not offered for the integrated reading/writing (IRW) component of the grade 8 SOL reading tests. A decision not to allow retesting will not impact your student’s course grade or academic record.
Parent/guardian permission is required for the school to retest any student in grades 3-8. If you believe that your student would benefit from a second opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills on the spring SOL test, submit your decision using the Parent Digital Consent application (https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/technology/digital-resources/consent).
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Yearbooks on Sale Now
Don't wait to purchase your child's yearbook! Yearbooks are available for online purchase only through April 11. Secure your copy now to ensure your child doesn't miss out on this special keepsake of memories. There will be no in-person yearbook sales! Visit yearbookordercenter.com and use code 5330 to order today!
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After-School Program Information
More information on the After-School Program and schedule for next week can be found on the After-School Program website and on the Parent Schoology.
After-School Registration Form - Please use the google link to register, even if you don't anticipate your student staying After-School. Unforeseen circumstances happen, and we want to be prepared to contact you if anything arises! Buses will run Monday-Thursday. There is programming on Fridays but there are NO Late Buses. Parent pickup only by 4:35pm..
MS Sports - Spring Track
FCPS again will offer Spring Track as part of the MS Sports Program. Track is open to all students. The Spring Track season will begin on April 2 and there will be five meets from the end of April through the end of May on Saturdays.
There will be a Track & Field Meeting on Thursday March 20 during the first block of the After-School Program. All students that plan on participating in track should attend and bring any forms to this meeting.
MS Athletes will need the following to participate in Track for the Spring.
Students that have already turned in a physical for the Cross Country Season do not need to turn in another physical. All other information will be needed to participate in Spring Track. Any questions please reach out to Chris Tippins at WCTippins@fcps.edu.You can also visit the Franklin Cross Country/ Track Website or at the FCPS MS Sports site for more information.
DMV Debate
DMV Debate will again host a virtual Debate Club on Wednesday Evenings from 6pm-7pm. This will be a 6 week course and meet weekly. Students can sign up by scanning the QR Code attached or click the link below.
DMV Debate Sign Up
Questions please email thedmvdebate@gmail.com.
The Battle for Route 50
The Annual Franklin vs Rocky Run Basketball Games will take place on Thursday April 10 at Chantilly HS. Game times will be 5:00pm (Staff), 6:00pm (Girls) and 7:00pm (Boys). Tickets for the game will go on sale via MySchoolBucks on Monday March 24 thru April 7. Cash sales will start April 7 in all lunches and will be sold at the door.
PTA Spirit Wear-Fundraiser
The Franklin Middle School Spring Sale is underway, featuring all new designs! You'll save 20% with code: SPRING. Shop at https://1stplace.sale/97233
Dates: March 10th - April 1st - Savings: 20% sitewide
Promo Code: SPRING:
Jennifer Nielson Book Club
Rocky Run Middle School and Franklin Middle School are partnering to host Family Book Club with author Jennifer Nielsen. The evening event will be held at Rocky Run Middle School on April 9th at 7pm.
For this Family Book Club, both the student and an adult family member (parent, grandparent, aunt, etc) select the same book to read and come together on the evening of April 9th to discuss their book with other families and the author.
The featured titles for this spring's Family Book Club are:
Summer 2025 Online Campus Courses
Registration for the Summer 2025 Online Campus courses starts Friday, February 14, 2025, and ends Friday, June 6, 2025. Courses are open to middle and high school students who meet prerequisites.
Courses may be cancelled if they are under-enrolled. If a course is cancelled, students will be notified using the registration contact information and a full refund will be given.
Please note that students wishing to enroll in a summer course must enroll and notify their counselor by March 7,2025 in order to ensure a seat in the desired course (s) for 25-26 school year.
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