Principal's Message
Dear Franklin Sherman Elementary School Community,
This week was filled with many exciting after school programs for Franklin Sherman. I had the pleasure on Wednesday to hear our band and strings assembly during the day for the upper grade students and at night for the families. Ms. Nevils, Mr. Gurian, and Dr. Robertson did a fantastic job getting students ready and were able to bring back our winter concert this year to Franklin Sherman! Bravo to all of the hard work that goes into preparing for a concert and thank you to the parents who help encourage your children to practice at home. I also had the pleasure of enjoying the tradition of CultureFest. It was wonderful to experience so many cultures and give the students a learning opportunity. As one student said, he set the world record for traveling around the world on Friday night! Thank you to the PTA who runs this event and all of the parent volunteers who made the night appear seamless and filled with laughter and fun. Mr. Roland and I left stuffed and happy to be part of such a wonderful community.
I continued my morning meeting drop in visits this week and was so thrilled to end my week in a kindergarten classroom where we relaxed on the carpet and watched a live Panda News Network. I love this age where children want to share just about anything. I heard about pets, what they were looking forward to at CultureFest, and many more other exciting pieces of news.
I look forward to another week of morning meeting drop ins and times to connect with the community. We have a PTA meeting this Thursday at 6:30-7:30. Pizza and childcare are provided. I will also have a parent coffee coming up on February 29th at 9:30. As always, my door is always open.
Farris Thomas
Principal
Franklin Sherman Elementary School
Important Dates
February 8 100th Day of School
February 8 PTA Meeting
February 12-16 Spirit Week
February 19 Presidents Day Holiday
February 21 Yearbook Club Photo Day
February 29 Principals Coffee
School Calendar: 2023-24
Contents
We will have a school wide celebration of spirit during the week of February 12-16. All students are invited to participate.
- Monday - Pajama Day
- Tuesday - College Day
- Wednesday - Red, White, and Pink!
- Thursday - Wacky Hair & Socks Day
- Friday - Can't Hide Our Panda Pride Day - Go Green!
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Stuart Gibbs, the author of the Bestselling series Spy School is coming to Franklin Sherman on March 7, 2024. He is a very prolific writer and his style is described as “fun and fast-paced”.
Gibbs is hugely appealing to our youth. He has several other series published such as The Fun Jungle , Once Upon a Tim, The Last Musketeer, The Moon Base Alpha and The Charlie Thorne Series. In that same week, his third graphic novel, Evil Spy School, will be released.
Students will be able to preorder these and have them autographed by Mr. Gibbs when he is here. Please look for more information coming soon with details for pre-purchasing his books.
In the meantime, please encourage your children to read as many of his books as they can. Also, have them visit his official website to learn more about him. They can prepare their questions and put them in the envelope provided to them in the classroom.
As we get closer to the event, we will share more information as needed.
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For the second year in a row, the Mclean Project for the Arts, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and Fairfax County Public Schools teamed up to create an art exhibit at Dulles Airport.
Students from a few schools in Fairfax County had art chosen for the exhibit. The art displayed at the airport can be seen by more than 35 000 daily travelers passing through and will remain on display until summer.
Congratulations to the 7 students from Franklin Sherman whose art is part of the exhibit. If you are at Dulles, please make sure you go to the second floor of the main terminal near the ticketing counters to look for the exhibit.
Be sure to make time to go with your family to see our students’ artwork!!
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Band and Strings Concert
Morning Meeting
Family CultureFest
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In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Superintendent to Present Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget
- Here Comes the Bus App
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
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Join the PTA Board
Work with other dedicated parents to foster our strong school community; bring much-needed resources to support Franklin Sherman; and offer enriching programs, events, and activities for our students and families.
The following positions are available for the 2024-25 school year:
- President
- Treasurer
- VP, Fundraising
- VP, Programs
- Secretary
We also are seeking help with Web design, social media, philanthropy, Food Bus, and dine-out fundraisers. If you can help in any of these areas, we would greatly appreciate your support. We have experienced current and former Board members who can answer questions and help get you settled into your role, in whatever capacity you would like to serve. Please reach out to Melissa Vayra at mdavistwh@yahoo.com if you can help.
PTA Meeting with Principal Thomas
February 8, 6:30-7:30 pm
Franklin Sherman Cafeteria
Join us this Thursday evening and hear from Franklin Sherman's new principal, Farris Thomas, who will join us as the meeting's featured speaker. This is a great opportunity to meet Principal Thomas and ask questions. Free babysitting and pizza will be available in the gym for children ages 3+.
Annual PTA membership costs $20 per family and is due EACH school year. Join here!
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New Student Registration is Open for the 2024-2025 School Year
Registration is available online or you can pick-up paperwork in our front office.
Required documents for registration:
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Proof of residency: A deed, lease agreement
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Proof of birth: Original birth certificate
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Health documentation: A certificate of physical examination including required screenings completed within the last 12 months prior to starting school by a US licensed physician.
Kent Gardens Boundary Update
As previously communicated, FCPS made its recommendation for a boundary adjustment to address the overcrowding issue at Kent Gardens and recommended "Scenario B". Scenario B reassigns an estimated 380 students among five elementary schools. A map of affected homes can be found here (scroll to Scenario B).
- Rising Kindergarten and 1st-grade students will be reassigned to attend the newly assigned school for the 2024-25 school year.
- Rising 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th-grade students have the option to attend the newly assigned school or remain at their prior assigned school for the 2024-25 school year and until they matriculate to middle school.
The adopted phasing plan allows students/caregivers the option to remain at their current school or change schools now, addressing the different perspectives voiced in public feedback. It also considers the needs of older elementary school students who were in school during COVID, and another change may be stressful. The phasing plan allows continuity for students enrolled in the French Immersion program at Kent Gardens, which starts at first grade.
Students that are involved in phasing over the next several years will be provided bus transportation to their elementary school. Please understand that with a current shortage of bus drivers in our area and the requirement of additional bus runs to accommodate phasing, your patience will be required as all of these new runs are established. We need those that are involved in the affected neighborhoods to fill out the form indicating which school your child will attend by the February deadline so our transportation staff has maximum planning time.
The McLean Elementary Boundary Webpage will continue to be updated with important news going forward.
Message From Longfellow MS
It was so nice meeting many of our rising 7th graders, parents, & guardians during curriculum night! We hope that you were able to learn about the curriculum, course offerings, and connect with staff & students. If you were unable to attend, no worries! You can access all our presentations on the LMS Academic Advising website!
Please be on the lookout for future programs and activities to ensure a smooth transition for all rising 7th grade students!
Thank you and we look forward to fostering healthy partnerships with every one of you.
Non-profit Distribution of Fliers
Review Regulation 1367 on Distribution of Fliers
FCPS offers the opportunity for nonprofit organizations to make their materials available, through local schools, to students and parents. Fliers will be sent home in student’s backpacks. Fliers, sorted into 15 groups of 25, need to be at the school by 12:00 p.m. on the Friday before the below date.
May 17, 2024
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FCPS Cares is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize those who go above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story so we can all acknowledge the outstanding work of FCPS and specifically Franklin Sherman.
FCPS Cares Program
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