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 Students in Engineering classes are part of the Franklin Invitational Raceway event, involving 80 feet of CO2 Car Racing excitement! Students in Science were exploring photosynthesis using microscopes. Curriculum night was on Wednesday and invited the parents of Future Falcons to school to help them learn about course offerings.
Franklin Community,
It was so great to see so many future Falcons at our Rising 7th Grade Curriculum Night on Wednesday night. The purpose of this event is to familiarize our future students and families with what Franklin is all about and inform them as they decide which electives they may want to enroll in for next year. Thank you to the Student Services team for working hard to put on such an informative and well attended event! The highlight for me was our student panel of 8th graders that spoke to attendees about their favorite electives, their experience with honors classes, and their advice for incoming middle schoolers.
I also had an opportunity to visit Mr. Adams' Engineering class on Thursday to observe some intense CO2 car races. Each student had put their unique spin on their cars, which they designed and fabricated from a block of wood. The excitement and anticipation for each race was fun to see! Thank you to Mr. Adams for providing students with an engaging and authentic project that culminated with the ultimate test of their designs.
I also want to put a plug in for our upcoming talent show, Franklin's Got Talent. Auditions are after school next Monday, January 27th. If you think that your child has a unique talent or skill that would be great for the talent show, please encourage them to attend the auditions. We are looking forward to seeing all of the amazing things that our students can do!
Go Falcons!
Tom DeRusso
Principal
Franklin MS
Weekly CARE Card Raffle Winners
Important Dates
January 28 - End of 2nd Quarter
January 29 - Teacher Workday - No School
February 6 - K-9 Caring Angels
February 17 - Presidents' Day - School Closed
Academic Advising
In January and February, our counselors support all students with academic advising and course requests for the 2025-2026 school year. Keep reading below for what you can expect in the coming weeks.
Rising 7th Grader Information (current 6th graders):
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December 2024: Franklin MS Counselors visited elementary schools.
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January 16 and 17, 2025: Students will visit Franklin MS on a field trip during the day to tour the building, meet staff, and get a glimpse of middle school life!
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January 22, 2025: Students and families are invited to come to the building to hear directly from school staff about academic advising, explore electives, and take a self-guided tour.
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February 7, 2025: Students will work with their 6th grade counselor to ensure course selections are entered into SIS StudentVUE by Friday, February 7, 2025.
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March 2025: Families will be able to see final course selections in ParentVUE.
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June/July 2025: End of year performance verifies course selections, including Algebra 1 Honors placement and support classes for literacy and math.
For more information, including presentations, course selection sheets, and the course catalog, please see the Franklin MS Site: https://franklinms.fcps.edu/Rising7th.
Rising 8th Grade Information (current 7th graders):
- Franklin students will begin the academic advising and course selection process in February.
- Students will learn about courses and programs through counselor lessons in early February through advisory and science classes.
- The course catalog is now available, and families can explore these resources on the Franklin MS Site: https://franklinms.fcps.edu/Rising8th.
Rising 9th Grade Information (current 8th graders):
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Early January: High school counselors visit to review the course selection process and share about life in high school (rescheduled due to cancellations; stay tuned for date).
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January 14 (Chantilly) and January 15 (Oakton): Curriculum Night and Electives Fair. See websites linked above for more information.
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January 15-24: Students creating a 4-year plan for high school and entering course selections into SIS StudentVUE through Advisory.
- January 24: Initial Course Selections DUE in StudentVUE/SIS
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January 27-February 7: FMS Counselors Conference 1:1 with students to review and confirm course selections in SIS.
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February 7: Final course selection is due in SIS StudentVUE. After this date, any additional requests should be emailed directly to your student’s counselor and are not guaranteed.
- More information and links to other resources are available now at https://franklinms.fcps.edu/Rising9th.
As your student navigates these processes and events, our counselors are here to support. Please reach out to your student’s counselor with any questions or concerns.
Save the Date: Academy Open Houses Begin in January!
FCPS high school academies will hold open houses for interested students beginning in January.
A high school academy is a center within a high school that offers advanced technical and specialized courses to prepare students for postsecondary education and/or career fields. Students enrolling in academy elective courses will be provided with opportunities to participate in a variety of career experiences including shadowing, mentoring, or internships with local businesses.
Learn more and view the calendar of Academy Open Houses.
After-School Program Information
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.
After-School Registration Form - 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! Buses will run Monday-Thursday. There is programming on Fridays but there are NO Late Buses. Parent pickup only by 4:35pm..
- New Club - Future-Prenurs Entrepreneurs Workshop - Sign Up Full!
- Crafts-Paper Quilling - Monday Feb. 3
MS Sports - Spring Track
FCPS again will offer Spring Track as part of the MS Sports Program. Track is open to all students. The Spring Track season will begin on April 2 and there will be five meets from April through the end of May on Saturdays.
Track & Field Interest Meeting will be held on Thursday February 27 during the Advisory Period. More information to be posted in the News You Choose and on Schoology.
MS Athletes will need the following to participate in Track for the Spring.
Students that have already turned in a physical for the Cross Country Season do not need to turn in another physical. All other information will be needed to participate in Spring Track. Any questions please reach out to Chris Tippins at WCTippins@fcps.edu.You can also visit the Franklin Cross Country/ Track Website or at the FCPS MS Sports site for more information.
COMING SOON!! - FRANKLIN'S GOT TALENT - Thursday February 13 at 6:30pm
Does your student have a talent that they can showcase? Singing, Dancing, Comedy or some other amazing talent. Auditions will be held on Monday January 27 After-School and all that are interested in auditions must fill out the google form posted in Schoology.
K-9 Caring Angels
Starting in February, we will have the K-9 Caring Angels Organization visiting during the lunches with therapy dogs. Students will have the opportunity to sign up to visit with the therapy dogs during their lunch block in the theatre. Students will sign up the morning of the visit via a google form that will be posted in Schoology until 10:25AM. Our first visit from K-9 Caring Angels will be Thursday, February 6. The remaining visits will be the first Thursday of the month until the end of the school year. We are looking forward to the visits from K-9 Caring Angels.
Franklin Middle School PTA
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PTA Guest Speaker
It’s a new year and a great time to declutter and get you and your family on track! Please join us on February 6th in the Chantilly Library at 6:30PM. Amy has some great tips and tricks to help jump start your organization and take the stress out of the process.
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Comprehensive Boundary Review Update
The Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee held its second meeting on December 16 at Gatehouse Administration Center. View key takeaways from that meeting and access the meeting agenda, slides, and other materials that committee members received. If you did not get a chance to attend an in-person Community Boundary Review Meeting, please consider participating in a virtual meeting:
- Saturday, January 25, 2025, 9:30-11 a.m.
- Monday, January 27, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m.
- Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m.
- Monday, February 10, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m.
SR&R and Cell Phone Policy Survey Coming Soon
All FCPS families and middle and high school students will be receiving an email invitation on Tuesday, January 21, to participate in a survey about FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R), cell phone policy, and cell phone storage options. The survey will be available from January 21 to February 3. Please take a few moments to share your feedback and help FCPS make informed, inclusive decisions for all of our schools!
Gradebook Available Until End-of-Quarter
Based on community feedback from the first quarter closure, FCPS revisited the scheduled dates for closing the Gradebook and Report Card modules in the SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE apps.
Moving forward, the app will close in alignment with the actual quarter-end dates. This change will allow students and families to view their assignments and grades until the last day of the quarter. Gradebook will be closed for the second quarter from Tuesday, January 28, 4 p.m. to Tuesday, February 4, 6 a.m.
Access Your Child’s Grades Through SIS ParentVueLearn how your ParentVUE account allows you to easily access grade reports and other helpful information about your child.
🧥 Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities
Winter weather is here! As a reminder, please make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy time outdoors. Schools monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories that may prevent children from being outside for activities like recess or physical education.
View Fairfax County’s Winter Weather/Extreme Cold safety tips.
If you need assistance getting cold-weather clothing for your family, please contact our family liaison. You may also contact Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health care.
 ❄️ 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 to find out about emergency weather closings. 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. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange for childcare if needed.
Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities
We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories which may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. See the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.
If you need assistance supplying your child with cold-weather clothing, please call Fairfax County's Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health care.
National Mentoring Month
Imagine a world where young people feel empowered, encouraged, and understood. Mentors can make that world a reality by helping young people find and follow their passions, excel in school, and thrive wherever they are.Learn more about Mentoring Month.
Research has shown that young people with at least one trusted mentor are less likely to skip school, less likely to use illegal drugs or drink alcohol, and more prepared to enter college or the workforce. Yet one in three children lack a mentor.
All it takes is one person to serve as a trusted adult to help change a young person’s path in life. Mentors provide attention, support, and enrichment, and help connect their mentees to resources that may help them on their journey in life.
The FCPS MentorWorks program matches mentors with students in schools near where they live or work. They meet for at least 30 minutes a week. Learn more about how to become a mentor for an FCPS student. Contact Martha Macdonald, mentoring specialist, for additional information at mmacdonald@fcps.edu.
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!
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.
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.
 ✨ 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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