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Our book fair this week was a great success! Thank you to the students, staff and families who shopped at the book fair.
Chorus Concert at Rocky Run Middle School on December 5, 2023
Good afternoon, Franklin Community,
We have had another busy and exciting week here at Franklin Middle School! We wrapped up our week-long book fair, which was a tremendous success. A special thank you to our librarian, Sheri Ruffle, for her hard work in coordinating this event. Also a special thank you to our English teachers and other staff members for their support in providing our students the opportunity to visit the book fair and stock up on some new books before the holiday break.
This week we also wrapped up our winter holiday concerts with our choral performance at Rocky Run Middle School Tuesday night. Our students did an amazing job and it was so fun to see them celebrating with one another and their families after a wonderful night.
As we head into our last week before break, please note we will be celebrating with a spirit week! Details for each day are below and will also be posted on our social media accounts.
Lastly, while there is much excitement about the upcoming holiday season and the potential for winter weather, I also am aware some families might need some extra support during these times. Please do not hesitate to reach out to a member of our team if you or your loved ones are in need of community resources, warm weather gear, support during the holidays or anything else.
I wish you all a wonderful weekend and as always, please reach out to me at MLCase@fcps.edu with any questions or concerns.
Michelle Case
Interim Principal
Important Dates
December 12-13 - VGA Testing
December 18 - January 1 - No School - Winter Break
January 2 - Classes Resume (Blue Day - 1, 3, 4, 5, 7)
Outstanding Employee Awards on December 1, 2023
Outstanding Employee Awards
On Friday, December 1, 2023, we recognized some very important staff in our building as part of our Outstanding Employee Awards.
Please join us in congratulating the following Franklin Staff Members:
Outstanding Teacher – Sarah Francis
Outstanding New Teacher – Ashley Guillie
Outstanding Professional Employee – Kim Gallagher
Outstanding Operational Employee – Chennel Polhemus
Outstanding Leader – Michelle Case
These employees were nominated for this recognition by staff and Franklin families, and were selected based on their work to instill in students a desire to learn and achieve, connect meaningfully with their students, demonstrate outstanding leadership, and foster an environment of belonging and inclusion across our Franklin Community. Congratulations to these staff members!
Next, we will forward these nominees to our Chantilly Pyramid for consideration in the next level of Outstanding Employee Awards. If you are interested in contributing to these nominations, please reach out to our Director of Student Services, Danna Hailfinger, via email at dehailfinger@fcps.edu.
Winter Spirit Week Next Week!
Students and Staff will have the opportunity to show their Winter Spirit next week. Students are reminded that all attire should fall within the SR&R Guidelines.
- Monday, December 11 - “Holidays are My Jam-mies” - PJ Day
- Tuesday, December 12 - “Holidays on the Brain” - Crazy Winter Hats
- Wednesday, December 13 - “Put some Pep-permint in your step!” - Dress like a Candy Cane
- Thursday, December 14 - “Winter Wonderland” - Wear White or Winter Gear in preparation for Winter!
- Friday, December 15 - “Elf Yourself” - Ugly Sweaters, Holiday Colors and Jewelry
We hope that everyone will participate in our Spirit Week to support Franklin. Be sure to follow the SR&R guidelines when it comes to your choices of clothing. Thank you for your support!
Academic Advising Season - Save the Dates
Rising 7th Grade Franklin Curriculum Night: Rising 7th graders at feeder elementary schools will be hearing soon (between December 5-15) from Franklin Counselors at their school, and will plan for a visit to Franklin Middle School in January. Additionally, Franklin’s Curriculum Night will take place on January 17, 2024. The event is for Rising 7th graders and families for the 2024-2025 school year. More information will be sent directly to those families.
Rising 8th Grade 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 will be live on December 11, 2023 and more information will be shared in January.
Rising 9th Grade High School Curriculum Nights: Rising 9th graders will hear directly from Oakton or Chantilly Counselors through a presentation during Falcon Time in January (date is still being finalized). Additionally, rising 9th graders and their families are encouraged 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 3, 2024 (4:30 PM – 7:00 PM)
- Chantilly High School - January 4, 2024 (6:00 PM – 8:00 PM)
Advanced Academic Program (AAP) Referrals
Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for full-time advanced academic programs may submit the AAP Full-Time (Level IV) Referral Form to Janet Schiavone no later than December 15, 2023.
The window for families to submit a referral for full-time AAP services is the first day of school through December 15, annually. Forms for full-time and part-time referrals are available on the AAP Forms Page. No late referrals for Full-Time AAP services will be accepted.
Submitting a referral form for full-time AAP will initiate a process that begins at the local school and is then completed at the central office level. Our school will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data which are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of six trained professionals from various schools and roles will review the portfolio materials to determine eligibility for full-time placement. Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of the portfolio that was submitted after they have been turned in for central selection by emailing Janet Schiavone.
Referrals for subject-specific and part-time AAP are screened at the local school. If you miss this deadline, your student can still be screened for subject-specific AAP or part-time AAP for the remainder of the year and submit a referral for full-time AAP next fall. For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs website.
Please note: The Parent Referral form is required. The Parent Questionnaire is an optional way for families to provide additional information about their student that the school might not know.
Franklin MS After-School Program Information
All students that stay after-school for academic support, clubs or activities must have a completed After-School Registration Form. The After-School Registration only needs to be completed once for the 23-24 SY.
Bus Transportation for the After-School Program is available Monday - Thursday. There is no transportation on Fridays for the After-School Program and dismissal is by parent pick up only.
Click Here to to see the Club/Activity Descriptions and Weekly Schedule
The After-School Program will not meet on the following days. All clubs that meet on Tuesday, December 12 have moved to Monday or Wednesday next week.
Tuesday December 12
Friday December 15
Middle School Track Coming this Spring
All FCPS Middle Schools will field Track teams in the spring. More information is coming soon!
MS Athletes will need the following to participate in Track in the Spring:
All students that ran Cross Country this fall are already eligible to participate in Track in the spring. More information can be found on our website about Cross Country and Track or you can visit the FCPS MS Athletics Website.
Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow
We often notice more empty seats in our classrooms as winter break approaches. This year, let's work together to nurture a rock-solid attendance habit. Every hour of every school day is a unique opportunity for students to learn, connect, and grow.
A big thank you to:
- Students who show up every day and the parents/caregivers supporting them.
- Teachers who create a welcoming environment for learning.
- Administrators providing a safe and engaging place to grow.
- Bus drivers, support staff, and volunteers lending a helping hand to all our learners.
If you or your child need support, please reach out to our school social worker or family liaison. If your child is not feeling well, please refer to the When Should I Keep My Child Home? webpage for guidance.
There will be no school from Monday, December 18, to Monday, January 1, 2024, for winter break. Classes will resume on Tuesday, January 2. Visit FCPS’ website for more attendance resources.
Assignments Over Winter Break
So that all students may enjoy winter break and rest and recharge, no assignments will be due, nor assessments given on January 2-3.
Keep Learning Over Winter Break with Tutor.com
Does your child need help getting up to speed in high school math, science, or English? Tutor.com offers diagnostic quizzes to help students test their knowledge and find areas where they may need help. Quizzes can be taken anytime, and students can connect immediately to a tutor.
Test prep is also available for students preparing for the PSAT, SAT, or ACT.
FCPS students have unlimited access, 24/7, to online tutoring support services through Tutor.com at no cost to families. Students can connect online any time, any place, and in most K-12 subjects for however long they need.
Food Insecurity Resources for Families
Food insecurity impacts more than 60,000 Fairfax County residents. There are many resources available to support those who need food assistance. Find out how to receive or offer support on the Fairfax County website, or view their Human Services Resource Guide for assistance with food, clothing, housing, and other services.
Recess
During the winter months we continue to offer indoor and outdoor recess, as well as indoor and outdoor lunch. Parents, as the temperatures drop please make sure your student is bringing a coat to school if they plan to take advantage of these outdoor options.
Lost and Found Items
We have accumulated many misplaced items. Please encourage your student to check for their lost items in the lost and found area in the cafeteria before winter break. At the end of the school day on Friday, December 15, any remaining lost and found items will be donated to a local charitable organization.
Winter Break – Franklin MS Office Closed
The Franklin MS office will be closed during Winter Break (December 18, 2023 – January 1, 2024). For urgent needs, please contact FCPS at: (571) 423-2000. We look forward to seeing you back on Tuesday, January 2, 2024.
Preparing for Winter Weather
Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather-related closing decisions are made.
FCPS’ website is generally the first place where we will post an emergency weather closing. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.
Be sure to plan for the winter season. Make sure your contact information is up-to-date in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and plan for childcare if appropriate.
Snow Days This Winter
For the current school year, FCPS will be returning to its previous procedure for snow days — there will be no virtual learning days when school is closed due to bad weather.
During snow days, students may still access Tutor.com, complete any supplemental learning opportunities recommended by their teachers, and view educational programming (available virtually and on public access television channels):
Eleven snow days are built into the existing FCPS calendar. Eliminating virtual learning days will allow us to maximize students’ in-person learning and provide equitable access to instruction and student services.
Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services - Teens in Action Program
Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services is hosting a Winter Teens in Action Program for two weeks over the winter break at the Sully Community Center. Featured activities include: sports, arts and crafts, STEAM, music, and even field trips (such as the pool, movies, trampoline park, and more). Spots are limited for the camp, so reserve a spot for your student today. If you have questions about the program, please contact Joshua Renne-Brown at the Sully Community Center.
Week 1 - December 18-21
Week 2 - December 26-29
Please click here for more information and the application for the Winter Teens in Action Program.
Chantilly High School Varsity Basketball Double Header on January 3, 2024
January 3 is a Varsity Basketball Double Headers at Chantilly HS. We will celebrate Pyramid Night and we welcome families from our feeder schools to attend one or both games!
5:30 PM - Girls Varsity vs. Stafford HS
7:30 PM - Boys Varsity vs. Stafford HS
Varsity Sideline cheer will be at both games as well. All feeder students get in free to the games with a paying adult. Wear school spirit gear or school colors! Please click here for more information.
Stay Connected on Social Media
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Follow Franklin on Facebook and on Instagram @FCPSFranklinMS to see what’s happening in the building throughout the year. |
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