Franklin MS Weekly Update - February 19

Franklin Families and Students, 

Good afternoon. I hope that this message finds you safe and warm during the winter weather that we have experienced during the last few days. During all of the snow and ice, we have been keeping busy at Franklin with our preparations for the upcoming transition to a hybrid learning model at our school and across FCPS. There is a lot of information in this message, but I wanted to take the opportunity to highlight a few resources:

  • Thank you to everyone who attended our Return to School Family Information Session on Tuesday. A link to the presentation that was shared during the session can be found here and a recording of the session can be found here.
  • Thursday, February 25 and Friday, February 26 will be asynchronous independent learning days for all Group 8 students at FMS. Teachers will provide asynchronous activities that can be accessed via Google Classroom. 
  • We will host two Self-Guided Student Open House sessions that will allow our in-person students to visit our school before the first day of in-person instruction. Details about these sessions can be found below and an electronic appointment sign-up form will be shared on Monday, February 22.

If your student is returning for in-person instruction, we would like to encourage you to start thinking about the classroom supplies they will need with them on the days they are in the building. Teachers will be sharing curriculum-specific requirements, but in general, we are encouraging students to pack light because they will have their laptop, lunch, and backpack with them all day. Some things to be considering at this point would be a water bottle, a pair of headphones, and an extra mask to have just in case.

We know that the upcoming transition will be a significant one for our students who are returning for in-person instruction and for those who will continue learning virtually for the remainder of the year. Our staff is here to support you and your family throughout this process. Do not hesitate to reach out to me directly at dpwright@fcps.edu with questions, feedback, or if there is anything we can do to help. 

Sincerely, 

Dustin Wright

Principal

 

Upcoming Events

February 25 -  Asynchronous Day for All Group 8 Students

February 26 - Asynchronous Day for All Group 8 Students

March 5 - 2 Hour Early Release - In-Person/Synchronous Day

March 8 - Student Holiday

 

Return to School Family Information Session Recording

On Tuesday, February 16, Franklin MS hosted a Return to School Family Information Session. Click here for a link to the presentation that was shared during that session. Click here if you would like to watch the recording from the session.

 

Asynchronous Instruction on February 25 and 26

Thursday, February 25 and Friday, February 26 have been identified as teacher preparation days. These days will be asynchronous days for all Group 8 students. Students will be assigned asynchronous work for each of their classes that will be available through Google Classroom. If your student is not in Group 8, you will continue to have in-person instruction on these days. 

 

Self-Guided Student Open House Sessions

We will be hosting two in-person Student Open House Sessions at Franklin MS, which will take place on the dates and times listed below. Families will have the opportunity to sign their student up for a 20 minute in-person walk through of their schedule. A Sign Up Genius will be sent to the community via News You Choose on Monday, February 22 at 12:00 PM.

Please note that this event is for students only. Parents will be asked to wait outside the school building. We will follow all FCPS health and safety protocols during the session. More information will be provided in the Sign Up Genius.

 

8th Grade Student Open House

Monday, March 1 from 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

 

7th Grade Student Open House

Monday, March 8 from 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

 

Student Medication

Parents and guardians of students who are returning to in-person learning may bring medication to the Health Room beginning on Tuesday, January 23. Staff will be available to receive student medication Tuesday - Friday from 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM. As a reminder, students may not carry medication during the school day. Please click here for information on School Health Services and a link to medication authorization forms. Please contact our School Health Aide, Donna Long, with any questions.

 

WIDA ACCESS Exam

Students taking the WIDA ACCESS exam on Monday, February 22nd should arrive at Franklin by 7:30 AM. Students need to bring their laptop with their charger and should wear their face masks. Bus pickup information was shared with students and sent via a text message. Please contact Brandon Clarke with any questions.

 

Chrome Sync

As part of FCPS’s ongoing effort to support student use of technology, Chrome Sync and the ability to save passwords will be available as an option starting on February 18th. Students are not required to use Chrome Sync and save passwords, but may choose to them in order to:

  • reduce their log-in time
  • access bookmarks and extensions across devices

Chrome will remember and offer saved passwords when students are logging into different instructional applications. Chrome will also make bookmarks and extensions available on any device in which the student logs into Chrome and turns on Sync.

If your student would like to use Chrome Sync and save passwords, support resources are available on the FCPS website. If your child is logging into Chrome now, they may need to log out of Chrome and log back in to see the new features. 

 

School Pictures

We are currently working with Lifetouch to schedule make up school pictures in mid March. Times will be available for both in-person and virtual learning students. As updates become available, we will notify you through our weekly News You Choose.

 

Health Screening Commitment Form Required Prior to Student Return to School Buildings

Parents or guardians who chose in-person learning for their child are required to complete a Parent/Guardian Health Screening Commitment form as students are phased back into in-person learning. This document indicates the parent or guardian’s agreement and commitment to completing a daily health screening prior to sending the student to school and also to keep ill students at home. The commitment form is available in English, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, and Vietnamese. Additional information is available at https://www.fcps.edu/return-school/student-health-and-safety-guidance-document.

The Health Screening Commitment form can be submitted electronically through ParentVUE (PVUE) beginning January 4, or via hard copy. Please contact Kristine Smith if you need a hard copy sent to you.

 

Franklin MS Virtual After School Program

  • New Club Alert – FutureSmart Club will begin on Thursday, March 4. This club will help students make real-life decisions about personal finances, as well as how to achieve important goals around saving money, education and career planning, and budgeting. To enroll, students should go to their grade level Google classrooms, where they can get to the After School Google site and sign up.
  • Students can join after school clubs and activities throughout the year. Please take advantage of our free After School Program!

If you have any questions about the After School Program, please feel free to contact Mrs. Mollé.

Molle picture 2.19.2021

 

World Languages Credit Exam

The 2021 Credit Exam for World Languages will take place in March of 2021. Students who take the credit exam have the opportunity to earn up to three (3) credits, based on demonstrated proficiency.

Thirty (30) languages will be assessed via the FCPS Credit Exam. In order to offer the test in all languages while maintaining a safe testing environment, some languages will be tested online and some will be tested in person.

  • These languages will be tested online between March 2, 2021 and March 10, 2021:  Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.
  • These languages will be tested in person on March 13, 2021 and March 20, 2021 (Saturdays):  Amharic, ASL, Bengali, Farsi, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Nepali, Pashto, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Somali, Tagalog, Tamil, Telugu, Tigrinya, Turkish, Twi, Urdu and Vietnamese.

Registration opens Monday, February 8, 2021, at 8:00 AM and closes at 4:00 PM on Tuesday, February 26, 2021. All students must register for the exam through their school counselor by February 26, 2021. Please contact Zena Chapman with any questions. Click here for additional information about the FCPS Credit Exam for World Languages.

 

TJ Intermediate Math Open

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology will be hosting the 31st annual TJ Intermediate Math Open (TJIMO) on April 24 this year. The contest will be virtual and you may register through this link.

As in past years, TJ Intermediate Math Open (TJIMO) is meant to be a fun and educational experience, and no prior competition math participation is required. Please carefully read the instructions in the form and make sure to save the "Edit Responses" link so you may edit your submission later. 

Please note that each registered student must be taking geometry or below this school year (2020-21). Please contact the VMT Officers with any questions.

 

TJHSST Freshman Application Process

The Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Admissions Process will open on February 1, 2021. The application will be available online starting Monday, February 1 at 8:00 AM and the application deadline is Friday, February 26 at 4:00 PM.

Click here for more information regarding the eligibility requirements and application process. If you have additional questions, please contact your student's 8th grade counselor.

 

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