Franklin MS Weekly Update - May 20

Franklin Families and Students,

Good Morning!

It is hard to believe it, but there are only four more weeks left in our school year! This time of the year is an important opportunity to reflect upon and celebrate everything that our students have accomplished in the last nine months. This is also a time when there are many activities that will prepare your student for the year ahead. Please be sure to take a look at all of the upcoming events and information below for more details about some of these great opportunities.

Our 8th graders are taking that next step in their education journey very soon, so we are going all out to make sure they have a great end to their middle school experience! Our PTA is hard at work planning an exciting celebration and they need YOUR help to make it happen! We currently have about 15 more volunteer slots for the 8th Grade End of Year Celebration on Wednesday, June 14. The slots are 1.25 - 2 hours and you can review the available spots on the Sign Up Genius and click on a button to sign up and help out. Please contact Heather Tomasek, our PTA President, with any questions. Thank you for your support.

Best wishes for a relaxing and enjoyable weekend.

Sincerely,

Dustin Wright

 

Spotlight on Portrait of a Graduate at Franklin MS

At Franklin Middle school our teachers are giving students the opportunities to use and grow skills that will help them succeed in all aspects of life. In FCPS we call these Portrait of a Graduate (POG) skills.

Recently, our eighth grade English teachers utilized Socratic Seminars to help our students grow as communicators, collaborators, and critical thinkers. These student-led discussions, in which students shared their reflections on their Book Club texts, helped students to examine and express their perspectives on social issues in the world.     

To learn more about Portrait of a Graduate in FCPS please visit POG on the FCPS Website.

 

POG pic collage

 

Important Dates

May 19            Music Department Field Trip (ALL DAY)

May 22            NJHS Grade 7 Induction Ceremony

May 23            Math SOL (all)

May 23            NJHS Grade 8 Pinning Ceremony

May 23            Chorus Concert at 7:00 PM

May 24            Awards Ceremony from 2:45 PM - 4:00 PM

May 25            Last Day of After School Activities

May 29            Memorial Day Holiday (all staff)

May 30            SOL Retakes and Makeups

May 31            Band Concert at 7:00 PM

 

Spring SOL Testing Calendar

The spring SOL testing calendar can be found below. Details about testing days and possible changes to the bell schedule will be communicated regularly to students ahead of the testing window. Please avoid absences, such as scheduling appointments, during this time. As always, it is important for students to arrive at school on time, especially on these testing days.

 

SOL testing calendar pic

 

Expunging High School Credits

High school credit courses taken in grades 7 and 8 become part of the student’s high school transcript and are included in the calculation of the high school Grade Point Average (GPA). VA State and FCPS regulations permit parents/guardians to make a request to have that course expunged from the student’s record.

Please contact your child's school counselor and submit the completed Request to Expunge High School Courses Taken in Middle School Form.

 

Laptop and Laptop Charger Collection Dates

FCPSOn laptops and chargers will be collected from FMS students during lunch periods using the following schedule:

  • Monday, June 12 - All 8th grade students and any 7th grade students leaving Franklin MS
  • Tuesday, June 13 - All 7th grade students returning to Franklin MS and remaining 8th grade students

All ESY, Young Scholar, and IMAGINE students will keep their laptop and charger. They will return it after their program ends. Additionally, any student who wants to keep their laptop over the summer for educational purposes may do so. We ask that the student please see Mr. Jones or Mrs. Baker to have their names, ID number, and laptop barcode recorded. Families will need to bring the laptop back before the beginning of the next school year to exchange it for one that has been updated and refreshed.

Please have your students remove all stickers, writing, and world language shortcuts that they put on their laptops before turning in the laptops.

Please help your child account for their FCPSOn laptop and charger. Families are responsible for any lost or irreparable damage at the following costs:

 

Laptop - $481

Charger - $23

Payments for lost or damaged items can be made through the main office by check payable to Franklin Middle School (memo: Student Name) or through MySchoolBucks. Families will not be charged for laptop carrying cases but we ask that they be returned to the school for future use. Any questions or concerns, please contact Sarah Burrowbridge at 703-904-5228 or at scburrowbrid@fcps.edu.

 

Franklin MS After School Program Information

The schedule for May 22 – May 26 can be found here

We had a great year of after school and had over 40 different activities that students could participate in. We hope your child has enjoyed staying after school. For questions regarding the After School Program, please email Mrs. Mollé. The last day for all after school programs and late buses will be on Thursday, May 25.

We hope you will consider completing the parent survey about the Middle School After School Program. Please click here to complete the survey. The survey should take no longer than 5 minutes to complete. The survey is an important component of the After School Program evaluation and is critical for future funding. The more responses we receive, the more valuable and reliable the data. The responses not only allow us to assess the impact of the after school program, but they help drive program improvement and program quality.

 

Student Intention Forms - Moving this Summer?

If your family plans include relocation, please notify us by completing the Intention Form and send it to Ms.Smith at your earliest convenience.

 

Medication Pickup

All medication(s) stored in the school health room must be picked up no later than the student dismissal time on the last day of school, Friday, June 16th at 12:15 PM. Medication left in the clinic will be disposed of after student dismissal. It is school policy that medications must be picked up by the parent or guardian. If you have any questions, please contact your School Health Aide, Donna Long at (703) 904-5110 or FranklinHealthRoom@fcps.edu.

 

Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow. We All Belong Here!

In FCPS, we all belong. From the first day of school, to the last day of school, every child matters. If your student is having a hard time finishing the year strong and attending school, please contact a trusted adult at the school - a teacher, counselor, or administrator. Visit our website for more attendance resources

 

Calling All Student Artists and Designers: Observance Design Challenge

FCPS is looking for middle and high school students to submit artwork to represent the observances on the FCPS school year calendar for 2023-24 (PDF)

The goal of the Observance Design Challenge is to encourage students to tap into their creativity to create visuals that accurately and positively represent the many religious observances celebrated in the FCPS community. Students may also choose to submit a design for Thanksgiving.

Selected entries will be featured on FCPS social media and in newsletters in the next school year! 

See all the submission guidelines and instructions on the FCPS website. Entries will be accepted through June 11, 2023.

 

Middle School Athletics Coming This Fall

FCPS has designated funding in the budget for 2023-24 for middle school spring and fall athletic activities to support student well-being at no cost to students. Pending budget adoption, this will be the first time FCPS has offered middle school students a chance to participate in extracurricular sports programs. 

Middle schools will start with cross country this fall. Track will follow in spring 2024.

Any middle school students who would like to participate in athletics will need to have a Virginia High School League (VHSL) pre-participation examination (PPE). The physical exam form must be completed and signed by a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant. Fairfax County public high schools will offer PPEs at a cost of $50 per student through June 17. Students who receive free or reduced meals are eligible to receive an exam at no cost. Learn more about PPE and middle school athletics.

 

CHS Charge Ahead - Class of 2027 Orientation

Back by popular demand, Chantilly High School is offering 3 one day Freshman Orientation options for your student to attend this summer’s “Charge Ahead Program”. The choices to attend a 1 day session are either Aug 8, 9 or 10 from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Students will get a chance to get to know the school and learn how to navigate high school life at Chantilly HS. The cost is $50 per student and includes a class of 2027 t-shirt, snacks, and a Chick-fil-A lunch. Registrations are on a first-come, first-served basis until July 28. Register today to secure your spot. Registration link: https://forms.gle/7nwqf2XpUetqqP666

 

CHS charge ahead

 

Quick Links