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 Students resting after running a mile in PE, Students playing a competitive game of Apples 2 Apples, Our staff in the cafeteria this morning had a surprise, they accidentally were twinning! Students playing a game of Headbanz.
Franklin Community,
Fall Spirit Week kicks off next week! Students are encouraged to participate and show their Franklin Pride! Each day has a different theme, and we can’t wait to see everyone’s creativity and school spirit on display:
- Monday – Blackout Day: Wear all black from head to toe.
- Tuesday – Team Jersey Day: Rep your favorite team with a jersey or team shirt.
- Wednesday – Cozy Day: Break out the comfy clothes, pajamas, or anything that keeps you cozy.
- Thursday – Fire vs. Ice: 7th grade wears red (Fire) and 8th grade wears blue (Ice).
- Friday – Little White Lies Day: Wear a note with a silly “little white lie” about yourself—for example, “I’m 6'5.”
Thank you to Ms. Bridenbaugh and our leadership class for coming up with the themes. We can’t wait to see our hallways filled with spirit and creativity all week long!
Over the past week or two, students have been taking the iReady Reading Assessment. This tool gives us valuable information about each student’s strengths and areas for growth, allowing teachers to better tailor instruction and provide the right support. We are happy to share that almost all classes have now completed the assessment, and we look forward to using the results to help every student continue making progress in reading.
As we get ready for tonight’s home football games at both Chantilly and Oakton High Schools, I want to remind everyone of our game-day expectations. For safety reasons, backpacks and water bottles are not permitted at any sporting events. Middle school students are welcome, but they must be accompanied by an adult.
We are proud to be part of the larger Cougar and Charger communities, and your cooperation helps us maintain a safe, orderly, and positive environment where all fans can enjoy the game. Thank you for supporting our schools and teams tonight!
Tom DeRusso
Principal
Franklin Middle School
Weekly CARE Card Raffle Winners
~Important Dates~
September 15-19: School Spirit Week
September 17: After School Program Begins
September 23: Rosh Hashanah - School & Office Closed
September 30: Cross Country Practice Begins
October 16 & 17: Fall Pictures
September Spirit Week
Leadership Development is happy to present our first spirit week of the year!
Monday 9/15 - Blackout wear black
Tuesday 9/16 - Team Day- wear something to support your favorite team
Wednesday 9/17 - Cozy Day- wear your comfiest clothes
Thursday 9/18 - Fire and Ice- 7th graders wear red (fire) and 8th graders wear blue (ice)
Friday 9/19 - Little White Lies- wear white and add something on the shirt or on a paper that is not true about yourself.
~Action Items~
Ensuring Student Safety: Register for Volunteer FCPS
At Franklin Middle School, our volunteers are a vital part of our school community. We deeply value the time and care they give to our students.
Recent updates to our volunteer process focus on one primary goal: keeping students safe.
These updates — such as checks against the sex offender registry and, in some cases, criminal background checks — are safety measures that will help us maintain a secure and supportive learning environment for every student in our care.
We encourage all our parents and community members interested in supporting our students by volunteering at school to visit Volunteer FCPS, click “Learn More,” and then “Sign Up.” After you create a profile, you will view an orientation video and complete a volunteer application.
Volunteer FCPS ensures a safe, consistent, and welcoming environment at all of our schools. All volunteers must be registered in Volunteer FCPS. This includes individuals who volunteer to chaperone on field trips, work at book fairs, and help out regularly in classrooms, libraries, or cafeterias. Volunteers who work unsupervised with students will also be required to undergo a background check.
We understand these changes may seem disruptive, especially for long-time volunteers. Our intent is to ensure that our students feel safe and supported with each and every person they encounter at school.
As a reminder, all volunteers — and visitors to a school — are required to sign in by scanning their ID at our visitor kiosk. Visit the Volunteer FCPS Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more.
~Student Services~
🍴 Apply Today for Free and Reduced-Price Meals!
You must reapply by Oct. 1st.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, eating breakfast at school is associated with better attendance rates, fewer missed school days, and better test scores. School meals have high nutrition standards, and recent updates make them even better. Studies show that students who eat both school breakfast and lunch tend to have healthier diets than those who don't participate in school meals.
Families that are earning less than 185% of the poverty level can receive breakfast and lunch for their students at no cost. Families must complete the Free and Reduced Price Meals (FRM) application before the start of each school year. Approved applications may also qualify students for additional benefits.
The application for FRM is now available for the 2025-26 school year. Students who were approved for FRM last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should reapply as soon as possible so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost.
Access the application and view criteria and up-to-date information on the FRM webpage. Families should reach out to their schools with questions or for assistance.
📝 Applications Open Monday, October 20, for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Eighth graders who have an aptitude and passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are encouraged to apply for admission to the Class of 2030 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST).
The application will be available Monday, October 20, at 4 p.m. Applications must be started by 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 12, with a submission deadline of 4 p.m. Friday, November 14. Visit the TJHSST registration page for more information, including a schedule of upcoming information sessions at middle schools.
🎓College Fair and Virtual Postsecondary Night (MS, HS)
Fairfax County Public Schools high school students and their families are encouraged to participate in these events. The 2025 College Fair will be held on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at George Mason University’s Eagle Bank Arena from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Approximately 200 colleges and universities will be represented, including two and four-year colleges and US Service Academies. Following the fair, the Virtual Postsecondary Night will be held on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, from 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Please encourage students to register for these events if they plan to attend. Both events can help students be better prepared for the next chapter of their educational journey.
2025 College Fair Flyer - Arabic
2025 College Fair Flyer - Chinese
2025 College Fair Flyer - English
2025 College Fair Flyer - Korean
2025 College Fair Flyer - Spanish
2025 College Fair Flyer - Urdu
2025 College Fair Flyer- Vietnamese
Contact: Pamela White, Postsecondary Special Projects Liaison, pcwhite@fcps.edu or 571-393-1102 if you have any questions.
Every Day Counts: Setting Your Child Up for Success
September is Attendance Awareness Month. There are many ways parents and caregivers can help their children create healthy routines and make a habit of getting to school on time every day. Some examples include:
- Set a regular bedtime and morning routine. (Need help? Download this checklist in English or Spanish.)
- Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
- If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make them feel comfortable and excited about learning.
- Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
- When possible, avoid medical appointments or extended trips when school is in session.
Visit the FCPS website for more attendance tips and resources. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!
~AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM~
All parents/guardians must complete the MS After-School form in the Parent Digital Consent System before the start of the school year.
After-School Schedule for the first week is posted on Schoology and the Franklin website
Here is the link to the Parent Digital Consent information site. https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/technology/digital-resources/consent/directions
MS Cross Country
All paperwork and the MS Sports Registration must be submitted before any student can participate in a practice or tryout for Cross Country.
There will be a Cross Country Interest Meeting on Monday September 8 for all students that are interested in Cross Country. Students can sign up via the link posted in Schoology.
- Cross Country Parent Zoom Mtg - Sept. 24 (Link to Follow)
Any questions please reach out to Chris Tippins at WCTippins@fcps.edu.You can also visit the Franklin MS Sports page or at the FCPS MS Sports site for more information.
MS Basketball-UPDATE
MS Basketball - Parents as of now, the MS Basketball Program inter-school competitions is on hold. There is no other information at this time on when or if it may take place as part of the MS Sports/After-School Program. We will offer Basketball as part of the after-school program weekly. That schedule will be coming out in a few weeks.
 ~Franklin Middle School PTA~
Support Franklin's PTA
We're One-Third of the Way to Our Goal!
Welcome back to all our families to another busy school year! We're grateful to everyone who has already joined the PTA this year! So far, we're only about one-third of the way to meeting our membership goal. Your membership dollars go directly back into supporting our students, teachers, and classrooms by covering a variety of costs from classroom resources and teacher appreciation to student enrichment opportunities and more.
While we anticipated membership numbers might dip compared to last year, we're hopeful that families who are able can help close the gap. In addition to the standard $25 membership, please consider subscribing to the $50, $75, or $100 levels. Every extra contribution makes a big difference and helps reduce the need for heavier fundraisers later in the school year. Click here to register for membership, and please try to do so as soon as possible.
A reminder to returning Franklin families and awareness for our new families--for details and links on information and resources you'll need as your children progress through Franklin, visit and subscribe to our PT School Board and follow the Franklin MS PTA Facebook page.
~Helpful Information~
🚌 Transportation Patience and Safety
Thank you for your patience as we all get used to new routines this school year. We appreciate our families following Kiss and Ride procedures and being patient while waiting for your children’s buses.
If your student’s bus is delayed, you may access the Bus Delay Notification System or use the Here Comes the Bus mobile app to receive the delayed bus report. Email messages will be sent to announce significant bus delays. Please contact the Transportation Office at 703-249-7000 with any additional questions. For concerns after 5:30 p.m., contact the FCPS Office of Safety and Security at 571-423-2000.
Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE to make sure you receive email messages about bus delays.
🔍 See Where Your Child Goes Online With Lightspeed
Parents can access their child’s activity on FCPS devices through Lightspeed, the school division’s internet content filtering service. Parents may sign up for a weekly Parent Report, which will provide a list of the top sites their child visited.
The report also offers parents the ability to sign up for the Internet Use Parent Portal. Through the portal, parents may pause their child’s access to the internet on their FCPS device during non-school hours.
Learn more about Lightspeed Parent Reports.
☑️FRANKLIN MIDDLE SCHOOL PROCEDURES 2025-2026
Welcome! Whether you are making the transition to middle school or returning for 8th grade, please review the following procedures to ensure that all students are safe and accounted for each school day and to minimize disruption of classroom instructional time.
Phones
Franklin Middle School has an “off and away” policy for student phones in classrooms, hallways, bathrooms, and locker rooms. Phones must be turned off and put in a backpack or locker for the duration of the school day (7:30 am - 2:15 pm).
Early Dismissal
The attendance line is NOT to be used to request early dismissal. To minimize disruptions to the classroom learning environment, please have your student bring a note to the main office detailing the student name, date, and time you will pick up your student and the reason for the early dismissal. A pass will be issued to your student to be released from class at the designated time. Any adult picking up a student must provide a photo ID and be listed as an emergency care contact.
Absences and/or Late Arrivals
Absences and late arrivals should be reported by 9:00 am using any of the following methods.
- Attendance line: 703-904-5151
- Online attendance form on the FMS website
- Through ParentVue submission
Forgotten Items
Please do not drop off forgotten items as we cannot guarantee they will get to the student’s classroom. Exceptions include prescription glasses, hearing aids, medication, etc.
Bus Transportation
In support of student safety and accountability, bus riders are to get on and off at their assigned FCPS bus stop. If the need arises, a one-time pass can be issued to ride a different bus as long as a written note is provided to the school by the parent/guardian of each student. *Notes are to be turned into the main office by 7:30 AM the day of the request. Emails, calls and text messages are not accepted.
Clinic
Students should not use their phones to call home if they are not feeling well. They should get a pass from their teacher and report directly to the clinic.
Pre-Arranged Absences (3 or more days)
Pre-arranged absences must be approved in advance. Please complete the Request for Prearranged Absence Form/Middle and High School (found on the FCPS website) and turn in to the main office at least one week before the scheduled absence.
📑 Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost
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; and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors.
~Community Events~
🎤 Save the Date: Community Conversations with Superintendent Dr. Reid
Your voice matters, and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! At FCPS, parents are partners, working with us to set our students up for long-term success at school and in life.
A series of Community Conversations will be held across the school division to discuss current challenges and future opportunities. These events are also a chance for you to share your thoughts and ask questions about FCPS. Events are planned for the following dates from 6 to 8 p.m.:
Locations and registration links will be shared in future issues of FCPS This Week. Child care and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all.
 
Fairfax Out of the Darkness Walk
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Fairfax Out of the Darkness Walk on Saturday, October 4th in the Mosaic District.
Each year, AFSP hosts community walks throughout the country to support the mission of the organization, to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. Participation in the Walk provides a meaningful opportunity for our youth to engage in community service, learn about mental health resources, and show solidarity as a community.
The AFSP leads the fight to stop suicide, and this lifesaving event raises awareness for suicide prevention, breaks down stigma, and encourages help-seeking. It also helps fund innovative research, the development and implementation of prevention education, advocacy for impactful public policies, and programs for those with lived experience and survivors of suicide loss.
National Hispanic Heritage Month
From September 15 to October 15, FCPS recognizes and celebrates the histories and cultures of the members of our community who trace their heritage to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month.
✨ The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 4: Equitable Access and Opportunities
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.
One of the measures of the fourth goal is to provide all students with consistent availability of and accessibility to electives, extracurricular, co-curricular, and enrichment activities. See how Goal 4 is being put into practice.
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