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 Students in Science class working on electric circuits, students hard at work in art, and the band practicing.
Franklin Community,
Another week, another long weekend! Please don't forget that students have Monday, 11/11 off as a Holiday in honor of Veteran's Day. Ms. Burrowbridge is still working on a slideshow to honor veterans of our families. If your student would like to add a slide, please have them send Ms. Burrowbridge a message in Schoology! We had an amazing opportunity to connect with our military families at our Blue Star Welcome Week Breakfast several weeks ago. I want to extend another thank you to our military connected families for their service to our country and the sacrifices that they and their students make!
Next week, on Tuesday and Wednesday, we will be conducting our Signs of Suicide (SOS) program with all 7th grade students. The program has students watch a brief video and complete a screener called the Brief Screener for Adolescent Depression. If the screener indicates that any student may need additional support, a member of our students services team will follow up with them. This is an evidence-based program meant to teach students about depression and reduce the number of self-reported suicide attempts. Please see the eNotify message that was sent out on 10/10/2024 for more information, including links and information on opting out.
I hope students enjoy another long weekend!
Tom DeRusso
Principal
Franklin MS
Weekly CARE Card Raffle Winners
Important Dates
November 11 - School Closed - Veterans Day
November 27-29 - School Closed - Thanksgiving Holiday
December 2 - Fall Picture Retakes
School Pictures are Ready
To order, log in to your account on mylifetouch.com or create an account using your student's student ID number.
All families can also log on and order a FREE Digital SmileSafe card.
More about the Smilesafe program here.
Yearbooks on Sale Now
Don't wait to purchase your child's yearbook! Yearbooks are available for online purchase only, and supplies are limited. Secure your copy now to ensure your child doesn't miss out on this special keepsake of memories. Visit yearbookordercenter.com and use code 5330 to order today!
Franklin Middle School PTA
DINING DAYS! MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Please come out to the MOD Pizza (located at 13061 LEE JACKSON MEMORIAL HWY, SUITE S FAIRFAX, VA 22033), any time on Thursday, November 14th. Order in store or online using the Code MODGIVES25, and 25% of what you spend will go right back to supporting the students and staff at FMS for events such as Author Visits, Student Enrichment, and End of Year Celebrations!
The PTA needs your support. Your membership funds go right back to supporting the students and teachers at Franklin Middle School. No volunteering is required although it is appreciated. Thank you for your support. Please click here for membership information, https://franklinmspta.givebacks.com/store?limit=21&live=true
Keep in Touch with what's going on via our website, https://fms.ptboard.com/home and Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/fmsptainchantillyva
After-School Program Information
After-School Registration Form - Please Complete
Click the After-School Program Website Link below for more info and the schedule for next week. Buses will run Monday-Thursday. There is programming on Fridays but there are NO Late Buses. Parent pickup only by 4:35pm.
Please use the google link to register, even if you don't anticipate your student staying After-School. Unforeseen circumstances happen, and we want to be prepared to contact you if anything arises!
Parents - When picking up your student from the After-School Program, please do not use the bus loop after 4:00pm. It makes it difficult for the buses as they are entering for the dismissal of the After-School Program. Parents can use the parking lot or the Kiss and Ride.
More information on the After-School Program and schedule for next week can be found on the After-School Program website and on the Parent Schoology.
- Friday November 8th - No After-School Program
After-School Ping Pong Tournament
Students that are interested in participating in the Fall Franklin Ping Pong Tournament should sign up below. Brackets will be based on the number of entrants into the tournament and will be a random draw. Matches will be a best 2 out 3 games. Matches will be on Tuesdays & Thursdays starting November 19/21. Tournament Registration closes Wednesday November 13. Any questions see Mr. Tippins
Students can scan the QR Code below or register by completing the Ping Pong Tournament Registration.
Lost & Found
Our lost and found has grown since the start of the school year. Please remind your students to check the lost and found for their water bottles, clothing and lunch boxes. Any items NOT claimed by November 21 will be donated to a local charity. Any questions please contact the main office.
Fairfax County Youth Survey
Franklin Middle School will be administering the Fairfax County Youth Survey on Thursday, November 19, during 4th period Advisory to participating 8th grade students. While it is our hope that as many students as possible will participate, if you do not wish for your child to take part in the Youth Survey a Talking Points will be sent on Monday, October 28, instructing you how to go about the opt-out process. All opt-out forms will need to be submitted no later than November 8, 2024.
The Fairfax County Youth Survey, a collaboration between the Fairfax County School Board and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, is a comprehensive, anonymous, and voluntary survey given each year to students in grades 6, 8, 10 and 12. The survey examines behaviors, experiences, and other factors that influence the health and well-being of Fairfax County's youth. The results, published each year at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/youthsurvey, identify trends and areas of need, providing a snapshot of the county's youth and serving as a barometer of the community's effectiveness in fostering healthy choices in young people.
Our Voices, Our Future: Multilingual Learners’ Day of Service
Our Voices, Our Future: Multilingual Learners’ Day of Service will be offered for FCPS secondary students on Saturday, November 16, 2024, from 9:00-11:30 a.m. at Edison High School. Dr. José Luis Zelaya, keynote speaker at the Multilingual Learners’ Summit this past summer, will be returning as the featured guest for this student workshop. Dr. Zelaya will engage and empower students with the strengths of multilingualism, as students explore leadership skills to plan for future success. Reflective service learning practices allow students to impact their communities through advocacy, engagement, and empowerment. All FCPS secondary students who attend will earn service learning credit for participating. Students planning to attend should register and bring their FCPS laptop to the event. Light refreshments and family resources will be available for parents/caregivers during the student workshop.
📚 Social Studies Basal Resources Review
FCPS is adopting Social Studies Basal Resources for the 2025-26 school year. Basal resources are the primary resources used to support instruction in a given subject. Public review of the instructional materials under consideration — which is part of the process for selecting new resources — is underway. Visit the Community Review webpage for more information on how to view the materials online or in person.
All community feedback will be shared with School Board members before they vote to select materials in spring 2025. FCPS adopts basal resources by the process outlined in Regulation 3004.
Federal Impact Aid Survey
Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey
FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available in SIS ParentVUE under Online Packets (in the upper right corner after logging in). Please complete it as soon as possible.
For any families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE, we will provide paper forms starting Wednesday, November 13. Paper forms should be returned by Wednesday, December 4.
Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important. Information from this survey resulted in more than $4 million in funding last year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.
For more information, please watch this video on Impact Aid and visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.
Need to Register for ParentVUE?
Learn how to activate your SIS ParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey.
Technical support for using ParentVUE or completing the survey online is available by submitting a Parent Support Request ticket. Select SISParent in the Application dropdown menu and type Federal Impact Aid Survey under Issue Description. Or, call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS).
TJ Applications
- 📝 Applications Open October 21 for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Middle school students who have an aptitude and passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are encouraged to apply for admission to the Class of 2029 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST).
The application will be available on the TJHSST Admissions Office webpage starting Monday, October 21, at 4 p.m. Applications must be started by 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 13, with a deadline to submit the application by Friday, November 15, at 4 p.m. Visit the TJHSST registration page for more information.
Boundary Review Community Meetings Start This Month
As a reminder, FCPS has started the process of reviewing school boundaries across the division. This important work will help the district better support student population growth, changes in school capacity, and evolving community needs. Community input is vital to this process. With that in mind, FCPS, in partnership with Thru Consulting, will be hosting a series of community meetings in each of FCPS’ six regions. Participants are encouraged to share their thoughts, ask questions, and learn more about the boundary review process.
Please visit FCPS’ website for meeting dates, locations, and other information. Sign up for the School Boundary Review newsletter for updates.
WIDA Test Scores
2024 WIDA Alternate ACCESS scores are now available. Families can access score reports through SIS ParentVUE. If you do not have a ParentVUE account, your child’s score report will be provided by your school.
Native American Heritage Month
Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native Americans. It is also a time to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges they have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.
National Career Development Month
By enrolling in a Career and Technical Education (CTE) course or program, students learn the technical applications of many occupations while preparing for higher education or entry-level employment. A core program of CTE courses is offered in every middle and high school. Based on the needs of the populations served, each school determines optional courses to be offered. Learn more about Academies and Specialized Programs.
National Family Engagement Month
This month reminds us that families are children's first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers. Strong family support is vital to student well-being and success.
FCPS has many resources designed to increase engagement and partnerships with families while fostering academic success and social-emotional growth.
Additionally, every school has a family liaison who will welcome and orient families, and help them understand the school's culture, policies, procedures, and practices. They can help connect families to resources in the community. Family liaisons might also assist a family in transitioning to a new school and encourage family-school partnerships to help ensure their student's success and healthy development.
If you have questions or would like more information, ask your school office to connect you with your family liaison or visit FCPS’ website for a list of region representatives.
Tutoring Resources for Families
Is your family looking for resources to help support your child’s academic success? FCPS’ Family Resource Center (FRC) maintains a list of district employees who hold a valid Virginia teaching credential and who are available to be hired as a tutor by parents. FRC maintains this list, but families are responsible for contacting and working directly with tutors. This list is not “approved” by FCPS and is only meant as a resource.
FCPS also partners with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors' services at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests.
Progress Reports in ParentVUE/StudentVUE
At the start of this year, you should have already verified that your contact information is correct in ParentVUE. It is extremely important that your email address and phone numbers are correct.
Starting in middle school, parents and guardians have access to weekly progress reports beginning September 9, 2024. To activate Weekly Progress Reports via email, log-in to your SIS ParentVUE account, verify that you have a primary email address, and select your preferences in the “My Account” tab. For more information please visit this information page.
Middle and High School Clinics
FCPS is partnering with the health department to host immunization clinics at middle and high schools. Clinics will take place during the school day. Students may only participate in the clinic at the school where they are enrolled. Parental/caregiver consent is required for students to receive immunizations.
Please check the Immunization Resources page for clinic locations, dates, and how to submit a consent form.
 ✨ The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 5: Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation
FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts.
Our final goal is Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation. We are preparing our students for a future that has yet to be imagined. We must give them the skills they will need to succeed. Watch this video to see students exploring and preparing for careers through Career and Technical Experience programs. See how Goal 5 is being put into practice.
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