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Franklin Families and Students,
It was a wonderful week at Franklin. The students and staff demonstrated positive attitudes, teamwork, and perseverance throughout the week. Some of our 8th grade students finished up the week by sharing encouraging messages with their classmates as a part of our Positivity Project initiative.
Here are a few helpful updates as we plan for the weeks ahead:
- We are heading into the home stretch of our SOL assessment schedule with our 8th grade Science SOL on Monday and Tuesday. To support the assessment sessions, our in-person and virtual students will both follow a modified bell schedule on Tuesday and Wednesday that can be found here
- Franklin MS has been selected as one of four schools in FCPS to serve as a pilot location for COVID diagnostic and screening testing. Student consent forms have been emailed home and can also be found on our website. All student testing is optional and no students will be tested without a signed parental consent form. Completed consent forms can be dropped off by your student in our main office or can be emailed to jahorne@fcps.edu
- While we continue to be encouraged about the availability of vaccines and the updated guidance on mask policies, we will continue to follow the layered mitigation procedures established by FCPS and follow all Virginia Department of Health expectations, which include the wearing of masks for all staff and students until directed otherwise.
Be on the lookout next week for information about several End of the Year events for all students including school-wide award ceremonies and student celebrations. It will be an exciting finish to a very memorable year. Thank you for all of your support along the way.
Sincerely,
Dustin Wright
Principal
Upcoming Events
May 25 - Spanish Language Rising 7th Grade Family Orientation
May 31 - Memorial Day Holiday - No School
June 8 - Primary Election Day - All Students Virtual
SOL Make-Ups
If your student was absent for one of their scheduled SOLs and you would like them to have the opportunity to participate in a make-up, please email the school testing coordinator, Lenore Ale, as soon as possible.
SOL Testing
The week beginning Monday, May 24 is the last week of scheduled SOL testing at Franklin Middle School. This week's test is Science and it is for 8th grade only.
- Virtual Students Testing on Monday, May 24
- Testing begins at 7:30 AM. Please plan to drop your student off between 7:10 AM and 7:25 AM to ensure they have time to make it to their testing room.
- On Monday, May 14 testing ends at 11:00 AM. Please plan to pick your child up by that time. Students who complete their SOL early and have a ride may be dismissed and permitted to call for a ride home as early as 9:00 AM. Please only pick your child up early after you receive a text or phone call requesting a pick up.
- Walkers and bicyclists will be dismissed at 10:30 AM based on the availability of our crossing guard.
- Parents of students who are testing on Monday, May 24 should refer to an email message from Mrs. Davenport regarding bus stops and times for SOL testing on May 24. Please contact the main office with questions about bus transportation for SOL testing.
- In-Person Students Testing on Tuesday, May 25
- All Tuesday testing begins at 7:30 AM. Please plan to drop your student off between 7:10 AM and 7:25 AM to ensure they have time to make it to their testing room.
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Here is the testing calendar with times and links to the adjusted Bell Schedules for Tuesday, May 25 and Wednesday, May 26.
- All 7th graders will report to their first period classes on Tuesday during the Science SOL testing block.
Yearbook Orders
We have extended the deadline to purchase Franklin MS 2021 yearbooks, and they are on sale through May 31, 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.
National Junior Honor Society 7th Grade Applications and 8th Grade Pinning
7th grade students: Invitations to apply were emailed to eligible students on Monday, May 10. Please check both parent/guardian primary email and student email accounts. All students with a third quarter cumulative GPA of at least a 3.75 received an invitation to apply. Applications are due by May 28, no later. Click HERE for more details about NJHS and the application process at Franklin. Please email Kara Taylor with additional questions.
8th grade members: NJHS members who are eligible to receive their Service Pin will be contacted by email to their @fcpsschools.net account by Ms. Bridenbaugh on Monday, May 24.This email will contain congratulations and details regarding the pinning ceremony. Members who are ineligible for their pin either due to not maintaining the required 3.75 GPA or failure to complete the service requirements have already been contacted regarding their membership status.
The Pinning Ceremony will be held virtually on Monday, June 7 at 6:00 PM. A link to join the ceremony will be provided as we get closer to the event.
Library Updates
Thank you to everyone who has used the library to check out books this year. Please help your student remember to return any books they are finished reading. If they have books from last school year they can return them to Franklin even if the books are from another FCPS school library. If your student is learning virtually you can return books during curbside library on Wednesdays from 4 to 7 pm near the main entrance at door #1. If you want to check to see what books your student has from the library, they should log in to Destiny Discover, click the three bars in the upper left and then select check outs. Please contact Mrs. Ruffle if you have any questions or if you need assistance.
Franklin MS Virtual After School Program
Our Virtual After School program ends on Friday, May 28th and we have had a great year. This student enrichment program inspired creativity, provided challenges, teamwork and fun. A huge thank you to all of our wonderful club sponsors and to all of our students who participated so enthusiastically in activities. We look forward to seeing many of our students again in next year’s After School program. If you have any questions about the After School program, please feel free to contact Mrs. White.
Virtual After School Activities - May 24 - 28
PTA Updates
PTA is looking for Board as well as committee positions for next school year. We will have openings for President, Treasurer, Secretary, as well as multiple other committee member positions. If you are interested and would like more information, please contact the PTA President at president@franklinmiddleschoolpta.org.
Fairfax Summer Recharge: Free Child Care Program
Fairfax Summer Recharge offers free child care during Summer 2021 for children and youth of families who have low and moderate income and who live in Fairfax County, Falls Church City and Fairfax City. Families must be impacted by COVID-19 due to financial hardship or limited access to child care and be caring for a child or youth with behavioral or emotional health needs. Fairfax Summer Recharge: Free Child Care program. Applications will open at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, June 1.
The program has limited space and all applicant families must be able to include accurate and complete contact information for their chosen child care provider at the time of application. We believe this time before June 1 will give interested families the lead time they may need to line up a provider. Note that participants who used Fairfax Kinship Respite to Recharge in 2020-21 or the Winter/Spring 2021 Fairfax Recharge: Free Child Care programs are not eligible to participate in this summer program. Please click here for more information.
Oakton High School Dance Team Tryouts
Oakton High School’s Dance Team tryouts are coming up soon. Tryouts will be May 24 - June 4. To find out more information about the team and tryout process, students should fill out the Tryout Interest Form. Students completing the interest form will be included in a Tryouts Google Classroom where they will receive more information. If you have any questions, please contact Coach Karen Rowley.
Oakton High School STEM Open House
Want to learn more about STEM and robotics? Want to drive a robot used for competition? The Oakton High School robotics team is hosting a STEM Open House Saturday, May 29th from 1:00-4:00 pm. Activities including driving a robot, making DIY gadgets, learning about our robotics team, and more! CDC and FCPS regulations will be in place, so make sure you bring a mask and socially distance. Please help the team plan for the event and keep everyone safe by indicating your arrival time on this sign-up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090f4fa4a9292-oakton; Any questions regarding this event can be directed to Gwen Harter and the Robotics Business Team.
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