Franklin MS Weekly Update - September 16

Franklin Families and Students,

Good afternoon! It has finally started to feel like Fall around the Franklin MS campus and there are many great events that accompany this time of year. I am looking forward to attending football games at Chantilly HS and Oakton HS over the next few weeks!

I also wanted to put a spotlight on some events in our community that are taking place this weekend.

  • Sully Community Center Grand Opening on Saturday: Please help us in welcoming the Sully Community Center to our neighborhood. It is right around the corner from FMS! The grand opening will be on September 17 from 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM. Click here or visit the Sully Community Center webpage for more information. For information on the Sully Community Center Teen After School Program, click here.
  • ASHA-JYOTHI 5K Run/Walk on Sunday: We are pleased to share that we are partnering with a non-profit named Asha-Jyothi to support their 14th Annual 5K Run/Walk on Sunday September 18 at Fairfax Corner at 8:00 AM. Participating staff, students and/or their families can sign up here. Simply enter the code “AJ4schools” and select your school from the drop down menu. Thank you for your support!

Finally, even though it is only September, we wanted to let you know that you can start placing your orders for a Franklin MS Yearbook now. We have a new yearbook class at our school and they are already off to a great start! Ordering information can be found here.

I am always available for your questions, suggestions, and feedback. I can be reached directly at dpwright@fcps.edu if there is anything we can do to support your student or your family.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Sincerely,

Dustin Wright

Principal

 

Important Dates

September 18 - Asha-Jyothi 5K at Fairfax Corner

September 28 - 19 - VGA Testing

October 5 - Religious and Cultural Observance - Yom Kippur

October 10 - Student Holiday/Staff Development Day, Religious and Cultural Observance - Indigenous Peoples' Day

October 19 - PTA Dining for Dollars - Chipotle at Franklin Farm

October 20 and 21 - School Pictures

 

Newsies, JR. Audition Workshop Information

Newsies, JR. Audition Workshop will be on Tuesday, September 27. Everyone planning on auditioning should attend to learn the audition song and dance. Auditions will be on Wednesday, September 28 or Thursday, September 29. Students should choose one date and plan to stay after school from 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM. Rehearsals begin on October 6, and will be Monday - Thursday after school until 4:30 PM. The dates of the show are January 13, 14, and 20 at 7:00 PM and January 21 at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM. 

Audition packets and music are available for pickup with Ms. Hoffman (SD-2). Please contact Sierra Hoffman with any questions.

 

Franklin MS After School Program Information

Our After School Program and late buses will start on Monday, September 19. If your child plans to attend an after school activity, you must complete the Registration Form (required for all Franklin students). Most activities are drop in and your child will not need to sign up in advance. Check out the club descriptions along with our two week calendar. Clubs are added throughout the school year, so students should check Schoology and the cafeteria bulletin boards for updated and added club information. Please review the general information guide for additional after school information. For questions regarding the After School Program, please email Mrs. Mollé.

 

September is Attendance Awareness Month

The beginning of the school year is the best time to develop strong attendance habits! Students who attend school regularly are more likely to perform well in reading and math, develop strong social and emotional skills, and graduate from high school on time. Help prepare your child for future success. Visit FCPS’ Attendance web page for tips and strategies.

 

attendance flyer

 

SIS ParentVue Weekly Progress Reports

Are you interested in receiving weekly progress reports to stay informed about how your child is doing in their classes? Find out more and sign up HERE.

 

SR&R Parent/Guardian Signature Sheet

Please log on to your SIS ParentVue account and sign to acknowledge review of this document OR sign and return the Signature Sheet to your child’s school by September 30, 2022. We will also be sending home a paper option to sign and return.  

 

Virginia Growth Assessment Fall Testing Dates

In 2021, the Virginia General Assembly introduced the expectation for new state "through-year" assessments in elementary and middle schools. Beginning in 2022-23, students in grades 3-8 take the Virginia Growth Assessment in fall and winter. The purpose of these assessments is to measure student growth and progress in reading and mathematics content standards.

Please note that the Math assessment is NOT given to students taking a high school credit course, so Algebra, Geometry, and Algebra II students will not be assessed. All students take the Reading VGA. Please click here for more information about Virginia Growth Assessments.

 

Fall VGA Testing Dates

Math: Wednesday, September 28

Reading: Thursday, September 29

Each assessment will take place at the beginning of the day.

   

Please make sure that your child brings a fully-charged laptop on these days. If at all possible, please avoid making appointments for which your child would need to be absent on these days.

 

School Pictures on October 20 and 21

Please save the date for school pictures! Lifetouch photographers will be at Franklin MS to take individual student portraits on Thursday and Friday, October 20 and 21 during PE Classes. Orders may be placed in advance online at MyLifetouch.com or by phone at: 1-800-736-4753 using the Picture Day ID:EVTFRRRMR. For assistance with ordering pictures, please contact Lifetouch by phone or email at: UCanswers@lifetouch.com. Please click here for more information.

 

World Languages Credit Exam

The 2022 World Languages Credit Exam will be administered on November 3, 9 and 10, at Centreville HS, West Springfield HS, and Edison HS. Thirty languages will be included. Please click here for more information and a list of the languages offered.

The World Language Credit Exam assesses language proficiency. Students must be able to read and comprehend exam instructions and writing prompts in the exam language. The Credit Exam requires students to write multiple well-developed essays about personal experiences using complete sentences and at least three cohesive paragraphs. Students earn credit based on the level of proficiency demonstrated by their writing.  Students who take the exam may earn up to three pass-or-fail credits (levels one, two and three) in the language.

All students must register for the exam through their school counselor. Registration opens Tuesday, September 6, 2022, at 8:00 AM and closes on Thursday, October 6, 2022 at 4:00 PM. Late registrations will not be accepted.

 

Free and Reduced-Price Meal Applications

For the past two years, the federal government has provided no-cost meals to all public school students without the need to complete the annual Free and Reduced-Price Meal application. The extension of the no-cost meals benefit to all students is expected to expire at the end of this school year, meaning families must submit an application and be approved to be eligible for free and reduced-price meals for the 2022-23 school year. Learn more about the Free and Reduced-Price Meal program online. 

 

Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist (SAPS) Introduction

Each school pyramid has a Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist (SAPS) assigned to provide substance abuse prevention, education, and intervention services. Substance Abuse Prevention Specialists are part of the FCPS Office of Student Safety and Wellness.

Key roles of a Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist:

  • Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug education for students, parents, and the Fairfax County Community
  • Intervention services upon violation of the Student Rights and Responsibilities handbook or suspected substance use involvement
  • Assessing a student’s level of substance use and, if appropriate, making referrals to the Fairfax Community Service Board for additional services or other community resources as appropriate
  • Group and individual prevention services for students, staff, parents, and the Fairfax County community
  • Most importantly, building positive relationships with students to provide support and encouragement

Resources:

Free Virtual Parent Support Group

Free Online Narcan Training for Opioid Overdoses

Free Lock Boxes for Medications & Firearms

Spiritual Support by Phone for Adults

Spanish Podcast: Tips on How Parents Play an Important Role in Substance Abuse Prevention

Juvenile Court Parent Support Group 

For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: (571) 423-4270. For further information and support, please contact Ally Jacobi, Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist.

 

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