|
Franklin Families and Students,
Good afternoon! I hope that you have had a good week. While looking out my office window as I write this message, it sure is nice to see sunshine and warmth compared to the snow, freezing rain, and ice that we experienced this time a week ago.
8th grade students who have selected In-Person instruction will be returning to Franklin MS on beginning on Tuesday, March 2. Our 7th grade In-Person students will return to school starting on March 9. The chart below shares the days of the week students will attend in-person instruction. Our staff is excited and ready to support all of our students, virtual and in-person, as we work through this transition and finish the school year strong.
Please take a few moments to review this entire message as it contains a lot of important information. I have highlighted a few key topics below. We will also be sending some final reminders for our In-Person students on Monday afternoon.
- 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 and an electronic appointment sign-up form can be found below. The 8th grade sign-up form will be available until Sunday afternoon at 6:00 PM.
- Earlier this month, the FCPS Transportation team sent a notice to all families asking them to review their student’s bus route assignments using their SIS ParentVue account. If you have not checked your student’s bus route assignment, please do so as soon as possible. Information that will help you access SIS ParentVue can be found below.
- Students who are returning to the building for In-Person instruction are encouraged to check out the resources available on our Grade Level Google Classroom pages. These include a Returning to Franklin video, a template for creating your daily schedule, and activities that will help students find their classes and navigate their way around our building.
Thank you for your continued support. Best wishes for an enjoyable weekend.
Sincerely,
Dustin Wright
Principal
Upcoming Events
-
March 5 - 2 Hour Early Release
-
March 8 - Staff Development Day - No School for Students
-
March 15 - School Pictures for Virtual Students from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
-
March 16 - School Pictures for In-Person Students (during school hours)
-
March 19 - School Pictures for In-Person Students (during school hours)
Transportation Information
Parents of students who have selected in-person instruction are able to view their child's bus route assignment using the SIS ParentVue account. The image below will help you find the information in ParentVue. Earlier this month, the FCPS Transportation Team sent a notice to all families about their student’s route assignments. If you have not checked your student’s route assignment, please do so as soon as possible. If there is an issue with the route assignment, families are asked to call Area 3 Transportation at (703) 249-7000. It is suggested that students plan to arrive at their bus stop five minutes early in the morning. Franklin families can also contact our Main Office at (703) 904-5100 with any additional questions.
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.
Please note that this event is for students only. Parents will be asked to wait in their vehicles. We will follow all FCPS health and safety protocols during the session. Prior to coming to Franklin MS, please review the FCPS Health Screening Questionnaire. If you answer yes to any of the questions, please do not come to the school.
Please click on the appropriate grade level below to access the Sign Up Genius.The Sign Up Genius will close the day before each event at 6:00 PM. Feel free to call the school office at (703) 904-5100 with any questions. Thank you!
8th Grade Student Open House on Monday, March 1 from 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
7th Grade Student Open House on Monday, March 8 from 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
WIDA ACCESS Exam - March 1
Students taking the second half of the WIDA ACCESS exam on Monday, March 1 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 is the same as last Monday’s exam. Please contact Brandon Clarke with any questions.
SOL Updates
Franklin students are scheduled to take the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) starting on May 3, 2021 and will run until June 4, 2021. This includes students who are taking classes virtually as the SOL tests cannot be taken at home and will require them to come to school for their scheduled tests. The tests that are scheduled to be given this year are:
- Reading 7
- Reading 8
- Science 8
- Math 7
- Math 8
- Algebra 1 (Verified Course Required for Graduation)
- Algebra 2 (Verified Course Required for Graduation)
- Geometry (Verified Course Required for Graduation)
Given the challenges of the pandemic, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is allowing students to opt-out of SOL testing for this year. Should you want your child to opt out of testing this year, please fill out the following form by March 31, 2021 so that scheduling the tests can be finalized. Testing schedules and dates will be released at the beginning of April.
If your child decides to opt-out of a verified course required for graduation, they will need to take the appropriate SOL test in the Fall of 2021. If you have any questions, please contact our School Testing Coordinator, Lenore Ale.
Library Updates
As some students return to in-person school, all students should continue to use the library by checking out ebooks through MackinVia and placing holds on printed books from the library catalog, Destiny Discover.
If your student is attending Franklin for in-person learning, Mrs. Ruffle will deliver the library books you place on hold to your classroom.
If you are learning from home, you can come to school to pick up books you place on hold during our Curbside Library program on Mondays from 12:00 PM to 3:30 PM or Wednesdays from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Mrs. Ruffle will send you an email when your books are ready for pickup.
Please email Mrs. Ruffle with questions, if you need help finding something to love to read, help with a project, or with ideas for the library.
School Pictures
School picture dates have been scheduled with Lifetouch for the dates and times listed below. Families with virtual students will be able to select an appointment time on Monday, March 15, and in-person student groups will participate during the school day on March 16 and March 19. This will be the last opportunity for school pictures for the 2020-21 school year.
A Sign Up Genius for the Monday, March 15 evening session will be included in the News You Choose update on March 5. Students who are attending Franklin MS in-person will be photographed on March 16 and March 19 during the school day. Please contact the main office at (703) 904-5100 with questions.
March 15 - School Pictures for Virtual Students from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
March 16 - School Pictures for In-Person Students (during school hours)
March 19 - School Pictures for In-Person Students (during school hours)
Franklin MS 2021 Yearbook
Franklin MS 2021 yearbooks are on sale through April 19, 2021. The cost of the yearbook is $25. Families may order online by clicking here. Our school order number is 5330. Please contact Kelly Barlow with any questions.
Franklin MS Virtual After School Program
We have three new virtual activities beginning in March.
- Getting Buckets Basketball Academy will begin on Wednesday, March 3
- FutureSmart Club will begin on Thursday, March 4
- Beat Mr. A. Food Challenge will begin on Thursday, March 4
It is not too late to participate in the after school program, and we have opened up spots in some of our clubs that were previously closed. We have something for everyone! Students may access the After School Google site (through their grade level Google classroom) for information, including announcements, schedules, club descriptions, and enrollment links. If you have any questions about the After School Program, please feel free to contact Mrs. White.
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.
Cloth Masks and Face Coverings Required for In-Person Instruction
If your child will be returning in-person, please review the types of masks that are approved for student use. Students must wear a mask to school. We recommend students have an extra mask in their backpack.
The following cloth masks/face coverings are acceptable and supported by FCPS:
- Gaiters with 2 or more layers - NEW
- Cloth masks/face coverings with 2 or more layers – NEW
Please refer to the following resources for detailed information: Your Guide to Masks.
The following cloth masks/face coverings are NOT supported by FCPS:
- Gaiters with a single layer - NEW
- Face masks/face coverings with exhalation valves/vents
- Cloth masks/face coverings with a single layer - NEW
Quick Links
|
