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 Students and staff participate in spirit week. We also had a door decorating challenge!
Franklin Community,
As you can see by the collage, it was a fun last week before Winter Break here at Franklin! We had great participation in our Spirit Week with students showing off their ugliest sweaters, crazy hats, and sparkly New Years outfits. We also had our door decorating contest with some amazing work done by students during their Falcon Times. It was fun to walk the halls earlier this week and see all of the teamwork and enthusiasm students had while designing and decorating. Congratulations to __________ Falcon Time class for winning the contest!
On Monday we turned the tables on our CARE Matrix, with many teachers receiving CARE Cards from their students. In addition to recognizing their teachers for bring Connected, Accountable, Respectful, or Empathetic, students were also able to write a personalized note to their teachers on the card. I'd like to thank the almost 350 students who gave a CARE Card to one of their teachers, they greatly appreciate the recognition and positive messages!
We capped off the week today with our Winter Concert. Our Band, Orchestra, and Chorus students performed two concerts, one for each grade level, during Falcon Time today. It was a great way to send us into Winter Break with some good entertainment and school spirit!
Yesterday, we were treated to a staff breakfast by the PTA. Thank you to the PTA for thinking of us at this time of year. The breakfast was perfectly timed!
Our main office will be closed over Winter Break. Wishing all students a great vacation and we'll see everyone back in school on Monday, January 6th.
Go Falcons!
Tom DeRusso
Principal
Franklin MS
Weekly CARE Card Raffle Winners
Important Dates
December 23-January 5 - Winter Break - School & Offices Closed
January 7 - Rising 9th grade High School Counselors Presentation
(Falcon Time)
January 20 - Martin Luther King, Jr's Birthday/Inauguration Day-School Closed
January 22 - Curriculum Night
January 28 - End of 2nd Quarter
January 29 - Teacher Workday - No School
School Pictures are Ready
To order, log in to your account on mylifetouch.com or create an account using your student's student ID number.
All families can also log on and order a FREE Digital SmileSafe card.
Yearbooks on Sale Now
Don't wait to purchase your child's yearbook! Yearbooks are available for online purchase only, and supplies are limited. Secure your copy now to ensure your child doesn't miss out on this special keepsake of memories. Visit yearbookordercenter.com and use code 5330 to order today!
Franklin Middle School PTA
Thank You, PTA!
Thank you to the PTA and sponsors for the wonderful holiday breakfast! The faculty lounge was filled with delicious food that the staff was able to enjoy throughout the day. Congratulations to Kristina Ragland who won a gift card through the staff raffle!
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.
The After-School Program will resume on Monday January 6, 2025.
COMING SOON!! - FRANKLIN'S GOT TALENT
Do you have a talent that you can showcase? Singing, Dancing, Comedy or some other amazing talent. Start practicing now. Auditions will be held in January and the show will be Thursday February 13 at 6:30pm.
Book Donations Drive
The books that are collected are going to make their way to Northern Virginia Family Services (NVFS) to be given to children who need books but don’t have access to them. Books that are donated can be dropped off to the main office or have your student bring them to one of the book donation bins around the school.
Course Selection Begins in January
Beginning in January 2025, students will meet with their counselors to discuss course selection for next year. Families are encouraged to actively participate in this important process.
As students choose courses, it is important to remind them to consider the following:
- Current academic strengths and habits.
- Graduation requirements (high school students).
- Interests and career and postsecondary goals.
- Personal well-being.
- Extracurricular activities and other commitments that may impact students’ time and energy.
School-life balance is an important consideration as students strive for academic and personal success. Families are welcome to contact their student’s school counselor with questions.
Oakton High School Curriculum Night
Oakton High School's Curriculum Night will be held on Thursday, January 9 from 4:30pm to 6:30pm. You will have the opportunity to learn about electives and core classes.
Itinerary:
- Curriculum Fair: 4:30pm – 6:30pm
- Registration Overview Presentation: 4:30pm-5:00pm – Auditorium
- Special Education Session: 5:15pm – 5:45pm – Auditorium
Specific Department Information:
- Cafeteria: Math, Social Studies, World Languages
- Aux Gym: English, Science, Health & PE
- Cougar Studio: Academy Courses, School Counselors
- Oakton Hall: CTE, Fine Arts, Performing Arts, General Electives
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Save the Date: Academy Open Houses Begin in January!
FCPS high school academies will hold open houses for interested students beginning in January.
A high school academy is a center within a high school that offers advanced technical and specialized courses to prepare students for postsecondary education and/or career fields. Students enrolling in academy elective courses will be provided with opportunities to participate in a variety of career experiences including shadowing, mentoring, or internships with local businesses.
Learn more and view the calendar of Academy Open Houses.
Comprehensive Boundary Review Update
The Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee held its second meeting on December 16 at Gatehouse Administration Center. View key takeaways from that meeting and access the meeting agenda, slides, and other materials that committee members received. If you did not get a chance to attend an in-person Community Boundary Review Meeting, please consider participating in a virtual meeting:
- Friday, January 10, 2025, 6-7:30 p.m.
- Thursday, January 16, 2025, 1-2:30 p.m.
- Saturday, January 25, 2025, 9:30-11 a.m.
- Monday, January 27, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m.
- Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m.
- Monday, February 10, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m.
 ❄️ Preparing for Winter Weather
Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather-related closing decisions are made.
FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.
Be sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange for childcare if needed.
Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities
We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories which may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. See the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.
If you need assistance supplying your child with cold-weather clothing, please call Fairfax County's Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health care.
Tutoring Resources for Families
Is your family looking for resources to help support your child’s academic success? FCPS’ Family Resource Center (FRC) maintains a list of district employees who hold a valid Virginia teaching credential and who are available to be hired as a tutor by parents. FRC maintains this list, but families are responsible for contacting and working directly with tutors. This list is not “approved” by FCPS and is only meant as a resource.
FCPS also partners with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors' services at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests.
 ✨ The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 5: Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation
FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts.
Our final goal is Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation. We are preparing our students for a future that has yet to be imagined. We must give them the skills they will need to succeed. Watch this video to see students exploring and preparing for careers through Career and Technical Experience programs. See how Goal 5 is being put into practice.
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