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Students participated in spirit week at Franklin - Pajama Day, Team Day, Jersey Day and Red, White and Blue Day. Check out some photos from Pajama Day and Jersey Day. Go Falcons!

Franklin Community,

We had a great week at Franklin as we celebrated our first official Spirit Week of the school year! It was wonderful to see so many students participating and bringing some extra energy and school spirit into the building. We started with Pajama Day, followed by Interdisciplinary Team Day, Game Day where students represented their favorite sports teams, and wrapped things up today with Red, White, and Blue Day. Thank you to all of our students who participated throughout the week and helped make it such a fun way to build community early in the school year. A special thank you goes to Ms. Gallagher and our Student Services team for organizing the week!

Looking ahead to next week, Franklin will be conducting a lockdown drill as part of our ongoing school safety procedures. A separate eNotify was sent to families with additional information about the drill. While we certainly hope that we never need to use these procedures during an actual emergency, practicing them is an important part of ensuring that our students and staff understand what to do and can respond quickly and appropriately if the need ever arises. We take these drills seriously and appreciate our students and staff doing the same as we continue working together to maintain a safe learning environment.

Speaking of student safety, I also want to take a moment to reinforce some important expectations for students who ride bicycles, e-bikes, scooters, or other personal transportation devices to and from school.  Students should understand what they are riding, know the laws that apply to that device, wear appropriate safety equipment, and follow traffic and pedestrian laws while traveling to and from school. Helmets are required for riders under 15.  The brochure also reminds families that e-bikes and motorized scooters carry many of the same responsibilities and risks as other vehicles on the road.

From our perspective at Franklin, the most important thing is that students arrive at school and return home safely. We ask families whose students ride bikes, e-bikes, scooters, or similar devices to talk with them about safe riding habits, helmet use, following traffic signals and signs, and being especially cautious around cars, buses, pedestrians, and other students during arrival and dismissal. Please also make sure that your student understands the specific rules for the device they are using. Just because a bike, scooter, or other device can be purchased does not necessarily mean that it can legally be used everywhere or by riders of every age. We appreciate your partnership in reinforcing safe and responsible choices before students head out on the road.

Lastly, we experienced our first real rainy arrival of the school year this week, which certainly has an impact on our arrival procedures. On rainy mornings, we will typically open our doors a few minutes early when possible so that we can begin moving students through Open Gate and into the building as quickly as possible. Even with an early start, however, it is likely that there will still be a line outside as students move through the gates. If rain is in the forecast, please encourage your student to bring a raincoat and/or umbrella so they can stay as dry and comfortable as possible while waiting to enter the building.

Have a great weekend. 

Go Falcons!

Tom DeRusso
Principal
Franklin Middle School

Weekly CARE Card Raffle Winners

~Important Dates~ 

September 15 - After-School Program Begins

September 21 - Yom Kippur - School & Office Closed

October 5 - TJHSST Applications Open - 4:00pm

October 19 & 20 - School Picture Day

November 3 - Spirit Night @ Big Buns - 4pm-9pm

~Action Items~

Franklin Spirit Wear Sale

Franklin families!

Our Franklin Back-to-School Sale Deadline has been extended through September 18th! If you missed the initial deadline take advantage of some extra time and big savings! Click here to get your gear: https://1stplace.sale/97233

Register To Volunteer

All parents must register before volunteering for a school event.  At Franklin Middle School, our volunteers are a vital part of our school community. We deeply value the time and care they give to our students. 

We encourage all our parents and community members interested in supporting our students by volunteering at school to visit Volunteer FCPS, click “Learn More,” and then “Sign Up.” After you create a profile, you will view an orientation video and complete a volunteer application. Visit the Volunteer FCPS Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more. 

Want to volunteer? Visit Volunteer FCPS to find and sign up for volunteer opportunities. Contact Volunteers@fcps.edu with any questions. 

~Need to Know~

Specialty Drinks / Energy Drinks

We ask for your support in reminding students not to bring in specialty coffee drinks or energy drinks to school.  When spilled, these can be difficult to clean up and these items can become a distraction to the learning environment. We appreciate your partnership in helping us maintain a focused and safe school setting for all students.

~Student Services~

Are You a U.S. Military-Connected Family?

Department of the Army - Department of the Navy - United States Coast Guard - United States Marine Corps - Department of the Air Force

Franklin Middle School would like to identify our U.S. military-connected families so we can better support and recognize them throughout the school year.

If you or your spouse/partner currently serves or has previously served in the United States Armed Forces, please complete this short Google Form

This form is only for families connected to the U.S. military

America’s military families live a transient lifestyle, moving into a new community every two to three years.  Over 13,500 military-connected students are enrolled in FCPS. Welcome new military families into your community and share your appreciation for their service and sacrifices during this year’s #BlueStarWelcomeWeekFCPS from September 26 - October 4. 

TJHSST - Applications open

October 5, 4:00pm

Eighth graders who have an aptitude and passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are encouraged to apply for admission to the Class of 2031 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST).

The application will be available Monday, October 5, at 4 p.m. Applications must be started by 4 p.m. Wednesday, October 28, with a submission deadline of 4 p.m. Friday, October 30. Visit the TJHSST registration page for more information, including a schedule of upcoming information sessions at middle schools. 

Franklin MS will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 through October 15. This special month recognizes and celebrates the rich cultures, histories, traditions, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities.

Join us as we celebrate the diversity and heritage that enrich our Franklin community!

~After-School Program~

FRANKLIN AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM 

Franklin Middle School offers free after-school activities every Monday through Friday all school year long.Whether your student wants to join sports, get help with homework, create, and compete in STEM clubs, play video games, or attend special events—there is something for everyone! 

The After-School Program will begin next Tuesday September 15. We will have programming Tuesday - Thursday next week.

Key Highlights:

• Bus Transportation: Available 4 days a week.
• Schedule & more info on the Franklin After-School Website
• Late Runs - Posted in the After-School and Parent Schoology Course

• Parents can access the schedule via the Parent Schoology and the Franklin After-School website.

Even if your student isn't sure they want to participate right away, we strongly encourage every family to complete the registration form now.