Franklin MS Weekly Update - December 17

Franklin Families and Students,

As the final day of school in 2021 comes to a close this afternoon, I have reflected on the range of emotions our entire school community has experienced this week. The threats that were connected to our school at the end of last week were unsettling for students, families, and staff. We continue to be grateful to all of the FMS community members who reached out to share their awareness, concerns, questions, and feedback.

These events allowed our entire school to put an important focus on the physical and emotional safety of our students every single day. Our student’s safety always has been, and will continue to be, our number one priority. This has also been an opportunity for us to learn and grow about how we can support and communicate with our community during times like these.

As we moved through the week, we have also placed great value on the smiles, celebrations, and laughter we have seen in our students. This is a time of year when we can reflect upon, and appreciate, all of the wonderful people that make FMS so special, and this starts with our students. 

Thank you for your continued support and trust in our school. We are grateful to have the privilege of working in this community in service to our students and their families. On behalf of the Franklin MS staff, we wish all of you a safe, warm, and relaxing winter break over the next few weeks!  Enjoy the time with your families and friends and we look forward to an amazing year in 2022.

With Gratitude,

Dustin Wright

Principal

pic collage

Chorus Concert on Decmeber 7 and Band Concert on December 9

 

urban gardening club

The Urban Gardening Club has been busy working on a vertical growing unit for our school’s main stairway.

 

Upcoming Events

December 17 - No After School Program

December 20 - 31 - Winter Break - Office Closed

January 3 - School Resumes, Gray Day, Periods 2, 4, 6 and 8

 

Congratulations to our Franklin MS Outstanding Employees

Every year, FCPS facilitates an Outstanding Employee Recognition Program. Below are the Franklin MS Staff members who have been nominated as outstanding employees.

Outstanding Teacher: Jeannine Domedion

Outstanding Professional Employee: Joni Fraundorfer

Outstanding Operational Employee: Kathy Yangas

Outstanding Principal: Dustin Wright

It is an honor to be recognized as an outstanding employee and the work of these employees reflects the dedication of our entire Franklin MS Staff.

outstanding employees

Kathy Yangas, Dustin Wright and Joni Fraundorfer

(Jeannine Domedion not pictured)

 

Academic Advising Season - Save the Dates

Rising 7th Grade Franklin Curriculum Night: Franklin’s Virtual  Curriculum Night will take place on January 18th. The event is for Rising 7th graders and families for the 2022-2023 school year. More information will be sent directly to those families. 

Rising 8th Grade Franklin Town Hall Meeting:  This virtual event on February 2nd is for our Rising 8th graders and their families to learn more about the course selection process for 8th grade.  More information will be shared in January.

Academic Advising: Franklin students will begin the academic advising and course selection process in January. Students will learn about courses and programs through Falcon Time after returning from winter break. The course catalog is now live on our website and more information will be shared in January.

High School Curriculum Nights: Rising 9th graders are invited to attend curriculum nights for their respective high schools. The current dates are below.  Please check each school’s website, as dates may change.

Oakton High School - January 5th (5:30 PM - 7:00 PM)

Chantilly High School - January 12th (6:00 PM - 7:45 PM)   

 

PTA News and Updates

PTA

 

Save the Date - Chipotle Family Dining Night on January 12

Please consider supporting our PTA with Dining for Dollars at the Chipotle in Franklin Farm on Wednesday, January 12 from 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM. Please mention the fundraiser for Franklin Middle School at the register before you pay in order for our PTA to receive a donation. If ordering online, use the code: AZ3L4PV. Fundraiser online ordering is only valid through pickup during the date and time above. Thank you for your support of our PTA!

 

PTA Membership Information

The Franklin Middle School Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is a group of parent volunteers who graciously donate their time in a variety of different ways to support the school. The PTA creates community and educational connections with the school, teachers and parents. Please take a few minutes to learn more about our organization and our Membership Drive by visiting our website.

 

Winter Break - Franklin MS Office Closed

The Franklin MS office will be closed during Winter Break, December 20 - December 31, 2021. For urgent needs, please contact FCPS at: (571) 423-2000. We look forward to seeing you back on Monday, January 3, 2022. Happy Holidays!

 

Library Updates

Thanks to families, students and staff for supporting the Fook Fair. By making more than 200 purchases, you allowed us to donate books to 15 of our amazing teachers, and 20 students were able to win for getting caught reading or wishing for a book. Keep reading over Winter Break!

 

Schoology for Parents

View this short video to see how to use Schoology to view updates from your student’s teachers, your student’s assignments, and more.

 

Yearbook Information

Franklin MS 2022 yearbooks are on sale through April 1, 2022. The cost of the yearbook is $25. Families may order online by clicking here. Please contact Kelly Barlow with any questions.

 

Family Life Education (FLE) Virtual Information Session on January 5 

There will be a Virtual Parent Preview Night on Wednesday, January 5, at 6:30 PM. This opportunity is for parents who would like to meet the teachers and ask any questions pertaining to the upcoming FLE (7-8) curriculum. Parents and guardians will need to have their SIS Parent Vue username and password available for the session.

Please click here to attend the combined 7th and 8th grade-level sessions from 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM.

Prior to attending, it is recommended that parents and guardians view the detailed Middle School (7-8) program descriptions online. FLE grade level-specific lessons and media that FCPS has streaming rights to are available for parents online in Schoology/SIS Parent Vue.

Human Growth and Development (HGD) Timeline

  • 7th Grade HGD classes will be taught January 25-28
  • 8th Grade HGD classes will be taught January 31-February 4
  •  All HGD classes will be gender separate

Emotional and Social Health (ESH) Timeline

  • 7th and 8th ESH classes will be taught February 7-25

Parents and guardians may choose to opt their child out of all or part of the Family Life Education program. Students who are opted out are provided with age-appropriate, nonpunitive alternative health instruction, and every effort is made to foster respect for family choices. If you wish to opt your child out of all or part of FLE for this school year, click here for opt-out forms. Any parents/guardians wishing to opt their child out of instruction may complete and return the opt-out form or scan and email a copy of the completed form. An opt-out request can also be made in an email which indicates the lesson(s) the child will be opted out of. The actual opt-out form is not required. Opt-out emails or scanned forms should be addressed to Mr. Howes at: srhowes@fcps.edu with the subject line FLE opt-out: Student last name

 

School Improvement and Innovation/ESSER Plan

The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III) is a federal grant which requires that spending be used in specific areas. Part of the Fairfax County Public Schools spending plan identifies funding to be used for Unfinished Learning and Student Academic and Social, Emotional, Mental Health (Wellness) Needs. Schools have been given funding allocations to support the academic and wellness needs of students. Schools are required to create plans in Language Arts, Mathematics, and Wellness highlighting the strategies they will use to support these areas using their ESSER III funding. An overview of our School Improvement and Innovation/ESSER Plan is on our website.

 

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