Franklin Weekly Update - June 5

Franklin Families and Students,

Good afternoon. I hope that this message finds you well. 

Our community has endured wave after wave of incredible challenges in 2020.  The coronavirus, the economic hardships, feelings of uncertainty, and the incredible upheaval happening right now as the struggle for civil rights continues. It is my hope that you were able to review the message I sent earlier this week on behalf of all of the schools in the Chantilly Pyramid. As we finish the week, I would like to restate the commitment that we are here for you and we stand with our Black and African American community. Racism and hate have no place at Franklin and our schools are places that strive towards inclusiveness and compassion for all, while providing hope for the future. It is our diversity that makes our community a wonderfully unique place to live, work, learn, and grow.  

We recognize that everyone may be impacted by these recent events differently and we welcome you to reach out to an administrator, a teacher, our school counselors, or our clinical staff if there is anything we can do to support you. 

Please take a few minutes to review the information at the bottom of this email when you have a few moments this weekend, as it provides some important updates as we finish the school year next week. 

Thank you for your support in working together to create a better community for our students.  

Sincerely,

Dustin Wright

Principal

 

End Of The Year Student Item Return and Pick-Up

We will provide an opportunity for our students to return Franklin and FCPS items in June 15 & 16 from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM each day. Please fee free to visit the school on either day.

Items that can be dropped off include laptops (for select students), library books, text books, music uniforms and calculators. Items that will be available for pick-up include spring photos, End of the Year certificates, elective class projects, locker items, and Lost & Found items.

Specific details about this process will be sent next week.

FCPSOn Student Laptop Information

Our current 7th Grade students who are returning to Franklin MS should keep their laptops at this time. All 8th Grade students and any student that is moving away from FCPS who do not need their laptop during the summer to support their distance learning opportunities, can return their device on June 15 & 16.

Please feel free to contact Mr. Gibbs (ragibbs@fcps.edu) with any questions.

 

Virtual NJHS 8th Grade Celebration

Earlier this week, we were able to celebrate our 8th grade NJHS members with a virtual pinning ceremony. If you would like to view this celebration, a recording can be found here.

 

Summer Learning Opportunities

FCPS school buildings will remain closed through the end of July.  Therefore, we will continue to provide recommended, virtual learning opportunities for students from June 29 to July 31. 

Click here to see all options, below a few are highlighted.

 

Continuity of Learning Booklets

Students currently in grades 7-8 will receive both a Mathematics and Language Arts Essentials Summer Practice Book in the mail by the end of June: digital versions of the books will also be posted on the Continuity of Learning Blackboard page. These books will provide practice activities that review essential content from the 2019-2020 school year. Students will receive a mathematics book based on the level of mathematics they took during the 2019-20 school year. The language arts book will focus on essential skills in reading, writing, grammar, mechanics and vocabulary.

A supplemental English Language Development Summer Practice Book will be sent to middle school English learners who are ELP levels 1 & 2. These books will provide English Language Development (ELD) practice activities to support and enrich language development during the summer. In addition, the Language Arts workbook that all students receive will contain an ELD section with language development activities designed for students at ELP level 3 & 4.

To support student learning from June 29 to July 31, there will be one hour per week of office hours available for each course. Office hours for mathematics, language arts, and English Language Development will be with one of our own outstanding staff members and are intended to support students with the Mathematics Essentials Summer Practice Book, the Language Arts Essentials Summer Practice Book, and the English Language Development Summer Practice Book. Attendance is recommended.  Any student can sign up to receive office hours, teachers and schools may also invite students to attend office hours. Sign up here if you would like to receive the links for office hours or click here for more information.

 

Options for Algebra Students

Students currently enrolled in Algebra can also participate in one of two Algebra specific summer learning options. 

Students who passed or failed Algebra 1 may take the Virtual Credit Recovery course to improve their understanding and skills before the next school year. Students who participate will meet daily with high school staff, review Algebra content, and receive a grade at the end of the summer. Students currently in the 6th or 7th grade should work with their counselor in deciding to expunge one of the passing Algebra 1 course grades before the end of the first quarter of the following school year. Students currently in the 8th grade should work with their student's counselor prior to the end of the 1st quarter of the following school year in deciding to expunge the Algebra 1 course and the grade that was taken during the 19-20 traditional school year. High school credit bearing course work taken during the summer between the 8th and 9th grade may not be expunged. Any student can sign up for Credit Recovery, teachers and schools may also invite students to attend. Sign up here if you would like to Participate in Credit Recovery or click here for more information.

In addition to the Credit Recovery for Algebra, teachers and schools can also recommend students for Summer Algebra Intervention. Like the Continuity of Learning option, Algebra Intervention will offer a self-directed, self-paced option for students who want to review Algebra. Students who are recommended for or sign up for Algebra Intervention will be able to connect with high school staff once a week for office hours. There is no credit or grade for this program. This virtual program can be accessed by signing up here.

6th grade students who plan on enrolling in Algebra Honors as 7th graders in the 2020-21 school year will also receive information about Algebra specific learning opportunities.

 

Yearbook Order Information

In this extraordinary time, Franklin Middle School, especially our 8th graders, could not participate in the traditions many of us have come to expect: the 8th-grade dance, end of year picnics, teacher send-offs, and yearbook signings. However, having a yearbook to remember what a great year they did have is a tradition that can still be maintained. Currently, there are still 100 2019-20 FMS yearbooks left for purchase. The only way to guarantee that your child will get a yearbook is to order online. No yearbooks will be sold during yearbook distribution in July.

Here is a “sneak peek” at this year’s yearbook, and please consider ordering a yearbook using the link provided below.

Yearbooks are expected to arrive during the second week of July. The distribution will occur toward the end of July on a date to be determined with additional opportunities during FCPSOn laptop distribution in August.

https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/index.cfm/job/5330