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 Students showing school spirit on the first Friday of the year, The Superintendent of Fairfax County Schools, Dr. Reid, came to visit Mr. Adams’ engineering class, alongside our Principal, Mr. DeRusso, our friendly welcome back sign celebrating the start of the new year in the front office, and students rushing to class in our lovely atrium.
Franklin Community,
What a great first week of school at Franklin! It has been wonderful to have our students back in the building and see the energy and excitement that comes with the start of a new school year. Our students have done a fantastic job getting back into their routines, navigating their schedules, meeting new teachers and classmates, and adjusting to those early morning alarm clocks! Throughout the week, our teachers have focused on building relationships, establishing classroom expectations, and creating welcoming learning environments. We could not have asked for a better start, and I am excited about what is ahead for our students this year!
On Tuesday, we were excited to welcome our Superintendent, Dr. Reid, to Franklin for a visit. Dr. Reid had the opportunity to visit several classrooms and see our students and teachers in action. She also spent time during Advisory talking with some of our student ambassadors. Our ambassadors were able to share their experiences at Franklin, ask questions, and even receive some leadership advice directly from Dr. Reid. We are proud of our students for representing Franklin so well and appreciate Dr. Reid taking the time to visit our school and connect with our students.
We are also looking forward to welcoming families to Franklin for Back to School Night on Wednesday, September 2, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. Back to School Night is a great opportunity to meet your student’s teachers, learn more about their classes, and get a better understanding of what their school day looks like. We know that strong partnerships between families and schools make a tremendous difference for students, and we hope to see many of you on Wednesday evening!
With high school football season getting underway, we also want to remind families about expectations for middle school students attending games at Chantilly and Oakton High Schools. We love seeing our students come out to support the Cougars and Chargers and encourage them to show their school spirit! However, middle school students must attend games with a parent and remain accompanied by that parent during the event. Please also be aware that FCPS has implemented a new bag policy for football stadiums this year, and most bags are not permitted. Families planning to attend a game should review the FCPS bag policy before arriving at the stadium. We appreciate your partnership in helping make these events safe and enjoyable for everyone.
Lastly, we received significant news this week regarding the proposed expansion of Advanced Academic Program (AAP) centers to every FCPS middle school. The School Board approved a timeline for community engagement, public hearings, and professional learning connected to the expansion. Franklin is currently included in Phase 2 of the proposal, which would begin with 7th grade implementation during the 2027-28 school year.
As part of this process, there will be a community meeting on September 30 at 6:00pm to provide families with additional information and an opportunity to ask questions about what the proposed expansion could mean for Franklin. The School Board is expected to reconvene in December to vote on final approval of Phase 2 implementation for the 2027-28 school year. We know this is an important topic for many families in our community, and we will continue to share information and updates as they become available.
Have a wonderful weekend, and Go Falcons!
Tom DeRusso
Principal
Franklin Middle School
Weekly CARE Card Raffle Winners
~Important Dates~
September 2 - Back to School Night - 6:00pm-8:00pm
September 2 - Dining for Dollars - Chipotle - 4:00pm-8:00pm
September 11 - NJHS Applications Due
September 15 - After-School Program Begins
October 19 & 20 - School Picture Day
 Back to School Night
September 2 - 6:00pm-8:00pm
Back to School Night will be held on Wednesday, September 2, 6:00pm-8:00pm. Caretakers will start in 1st period with welcomes from FMS and FCPS leaders. They will then move through each class on a set schedule.
~Action Items~
Reminders for the Start of the Year
☑️ Sign Up for SIS ParentVUE
Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Contact our registrar at [email/phone number] if you need an activation code. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE. Also, download the new ParentVUE mobile app so you can access your child’s records easily from anywhere!
☑️Update Your Contact Information
Be sure you receive important information! Update your phone number(s) and/or email address(es) by clicking “My Account” and reviewing the “Online Verification/Update.” On that form, you can also update immunization records, health information, and emergency contacts.
☑️ Update Immunizations and Records
Immunizations are required for all students to attend school in Virginia. This is an important part of protecting them from certain diseases and keeping them healthy.
When your child is immunized, remember to request a copy of their immunization record and bring that to our front office or submit the record via SIS ParentVUE as soon as possible. Find more information on FCPS’ website.
☑️ Learn About School Meals
Families need to provide their children with money to purchase meals at school or send them with a packed lunch. Alternatively, families may apply to receive free and reduced-price meal benefits, pending approval.
☑️ Bookmark the School Year Calendar
Be sure to bookmark the FCPS school year calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances:
- Days marked blue with an “H” are student holidays. Schools are closed on these days.
- Days marked orange with an “O” are religious and cultural observance days (or evenings, if only half marked). There is school on these days, but certain events that cannot be made up may not be scheduled on these days.
- Days marked as TW, SD, and SP and in pink are holidays for students but working days for teachers and staff.
 Attention 8th Grade Students and Families:
Invitations for 8th-grade students eligible to apply for NJHS have officially been sent! Applications are due September 11, 2026.
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Eligibility: Students who achieved a 3.75 GPA or higher during their 7th-grade year.
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Where to Look: Check the student's @fcpsschools.net email account.
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Next Steps: Open the invitation email for full program details, requirements, and submission deadlines.
Franklin Spirit Wear Sale
Franklin families! Our online spirit wear store closes soon!
Make sure to shop today and save up to 35% on items sitewide!
Our sale ends September 14th! Gear up now and support our school :)
Free Shipping on orders over $85
Click here to shop today ➡️ 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~
Student ID Cards for Franklin Middle School Bus Riders
Bus riders only were issued their new Bus ID cards this week. Students will begin tapping as they board and exit the bus. Please remind your student to store the card in a safe place. If the ID card is lost, your student will need to go to the main office to report the lost card and have a new one issued.
As part of the new bus safety procedures, students will no longer be issued guest bus passes. Students can only ride on their assigned bus. Students who wish to go home with friends must make their own arrangements that do not include riding the bus. ID cards are linked to assigned buses only.
It is possible that the ID program will expand in the future to include uses such as library cards and meal payment. Learn more about the new transportation system and student ID cards.
Learn more about the bus navigation and student ID cards.
Thank you for making bus safety a priority for our students.
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.
Family Life Education (FLE)
Parent Preview Night
FLE Parent Preview night will be held on September 2, 5:30pm-6:00pm in room 121.
Please see below regarding more information on FLS instruction.
Students in grades 7-8 participate in Family Life Education (FLE) instruction through their Health/PE classrooms.
8th grade HGD FLE Feb. 2-5
7th grade HGD FLE Feb 8-11
8th grade Emotional & Social FLE lessons begin February 16.
7th grade Emotional & Social FLE lessons begin March 15.
In addition, grade level-specific curriculum lessons are available for review in multiple locations.
- Online in Schoology - includes lessons and media titles that FCPS has streaming rights for. Any additional media or book titles that are not streamed are available at your child’s school library.
o Parents/guardians login to Schoology using the same username and password as their Student Information System (SIS) Parent account.
- Your child’s school. Please contact the school to schedule a time to review lessons and/or media.
- City of Fairfax Regional Library – lessons only. Media is not available.
In the beginning of the year, parents/guardians who did not wish to have their child participate in FLE instruction chose to opt their child out of any or all of the lessons. If you have not and would like to opt your child out of one or more lessons, please fill out and return the form https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/english_3.pdf.
If you have already indicated your desire to opt your child out of FLE lessons by using the form provided earlier in the school year, you do not need to complete another form. Should you opt your child out and then later decide you want your child included in FLE instruction, you must notify your child’s school principal in writing before instruction begins.
An alternative non-FLE health instructional program is provided for children who do not take part in FLE instruction, and every effort is made to foster understanding and respect for family choices and to avoid peer pressure for or against participation in the program.
FRANKLIN MIDDLE SCHOOL PROCEDURES 2026-2027
Welcome! Whether you are making the transition to middle school or returning for 8th grade, please review the following procedures to ensure that all students are safe and accounted for each school day and to minimize disruption of classroom instructional time.
Phones
Franklin Middle School has an “off and away” policy for student phones in classrooms, hallways, bathrooms, and locker rooms. Phones must be turned off and put in a backpack or locker for the duration of the school day (7:30 am - 2:15 pm).
Early Dismissal
*The attendance line is NOT to be used to request early dismissal. To minimize disruptions to the classroom learning environment, please have your student bring a written note to the main office by 7:30 detailing the student name, date, and time you will pick up your student and the reason for the early dismissal. A pass will be issued to your student to be released from class at the designated time. Parents, guardians, and those listed as emergency contacts in SIS must provide a photo ID when picking up students from the main office. Early dismissal passes may be printed from our website.
Absences and/or Late Arrivals
Absences and late arrivals should be reported by 8:00 am using any of the following methods. The following methods are NOT to be used to request early dismissal.
- Attendance line: 703-904-5151
- Online attendance form on the FMS website
- Through ParentVue submission
Forgotten Items
Please do not drop off forgotten items, including lunches, as we cannot guarantee they will get to the student’s classroom. Exceptions include prescription glasses, hearing aids, medication, etc.
Bus Transportation
In support of student safety and accountability, bus riders are to get on and off at their own assigned FCPS bus stop. Students will tap on/off with individually assigned ID cards issued by the school.
Clinic
Students should not use their phones to call home if they are not feeling well. They should get a pass from their teacher and report directly to the clinic.
Pre-Arranged Absences (3 or more days)
A student with a planned absence for 3 or more consecutive days requires a prearranged absence form. The completed form must be submitted to the Attendance Office a week in advance. The prearranged absence form is available on the FCPS website or a paper copy may be picked up in the main office. Emails to staff members other than the attendance office may not be recorded properly or in a timely manner.
Clinic Procedures
Greetings from your school Health Room! Our Health Room team is excited to partner with you in supporting the health and well-being of your student. Our goal is to help every student stay healthy, safe, and ready to learn. The Health Room team is here to provide care for illness or injury during the school day, assist in managing health conditions, administer medications as needed, screen hearing and vision as indicated, and promote healthy habits. We value strong communication with families. Please keep us informed of any health concerns or medical needs your child may have so we can support them effectively throughout the school year.
How can you help us provide the best possible care for your student?
Does your student require a special diet?
- If your student requires a modified diet and will eat school meals, please refer to the Steps to Request Dietary Accommodations. Forms are available for students who require medical dietary accommodations and those who cannot drink cow’s milk and need milk substitutes.
Has your student had a head injury at home?
- Immediately notify the school heath room and your student’s school counselor so school staff can implement appropriate accommodations if needed and follow established protocols to support a safe recovery and return to learning.
Has your student had an injury at home that may impact their physical activity at school?
Any questions about opioid awareness?
Does your student have a medical condition, require medication during the school day, or need a health care procedure?
- If your student has a seizure disorder (epilepsy), please have your student’s health care provider complete the FCPS Authorization for Seizure Action Plan (SS/SE-385) and return it to the school public health nurse (PHN). This includes authorization for seizure rescue medications and procedures that may be required during the school day.
- If medication must be administered during the school day, please follow the guidelines established in the current version of
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