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 The Blue Star Welcome week reception was a hit. Students got to have therapy dogs come and visit on Wednesday. Also students in robotics making an amazing creation.
Franklin Community,
This week brought a change to our usual routine with a day off on Thursday. We hope students and families were able to take advantage of the break to rest, recharge, and enjoy some extra time together. As we head into the weeks ahead, we’re excited to build on that energy and continue all the great learning and activities happening at Franklin.
We were proud to host our Blue Star Welcome Breakfast as part of Blue Star Welcome Week. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with our military-connected families, hear their stories, and celebrate the important role they play in our school community. Events like this remind us how much we can support one another and strengthen our sense of belonging. A special thank you goes out to our Student Services department for organizing and hosting this meaningful event.
On Wednesday we welcomed our therapy dogs to Franklin, as we do on the first Wednesday of each month. Many students participated and enjoyed spending time with the dogs, which always brings smiles and a sense of calm to our building. Research shows that therapy animals can have a positive impact on mental health by reducing stress, easing anxiety, and boosting overall well-being. We are grateful to Mr. Tippins for organizing these visits and look forward to welcoming our furry friends back next month!
We also celebrated students who have been consistently on time to class with our Low Tardy Party! Over 700 students earned a ticket to enjoy a freeze pop at recess as a reward for having two or fewer tardies so far this year. This celebration was a fun way to recognize students who are making punctuality a priority and showing they are ready to learn each day. A big thank you goes to Ms. Lombardi for organizing the event and helping us celebrate this positive achievement!
Next week brings a rare treat—a full five-day week! We know that’s not something we see very often, so let’s make the most of it. I’m hoping we can make it through! Wishing all of our students and families a relaxing and enjoyable weekend, and we look forward to another great week at Franklin!
Tom DeRusso
Principal
Franklin Middle School
Weekly CARE Card Raffle Winners
~Important Dates~
October 13: Teacher Workday - School Closed
October 16 & 17: Fall Pictures
October 20: Diwali - School & Office Closed
October 31 - Quarter 1 Ends - 2 hour Early Release
~Action Items~
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Picture Day is Coming
Thursday, October 16 and Friday, October 17
You can place your order on mylifetouch.com using your Picture Day ID: EVT3HH3B3. Order before midnight on Picture Day to get FREE shipping! Your child can also bring their completed flyer with cash or check on Picture Day. Orders after Picture Day must be placed online only on mylifetouch.com
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Vision and Hearing Volunteers
Vision and hearing screening will be held on October 10th and 14th for all 7th graders and students who are new to FCPS. The purpose of screening is to identify students who need further evaluation due to difficulty seeing the screening chart or hearing the screening tones. If your child wears glasses, please be sure their glasses are at school on screening day.
Parents will be notified by letter if screening results indicate that further evaluation is needed. Prompt follow-up with your health care provider is recommended as vision and hearing difficulties can interfere with learning. If you would like to assist as a volunteer with the screening process, please contact Donna Long, School Health Aide at 703-904-5110 or Sign Up Here!
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☑️Register To Volunteer
All parents must register before volunteering for a school event. 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~
📝 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.
🍴 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.
🎓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.
Walk and Roll to School Day
FCPS will participate in International Walk and Roll to School Day on Wednesday, October 8, in an effort to promote physical activity and reduce traffic congestion and pollution near schools.
~AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM~
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.
Cross Country Practice Begins Next Week!
Cross Country will begin next week with our first practices. Practices will be held on Tuesday September 30 and Wednesday October 1 next week. Practices will be twice a week and should be wrapped up no later than 4pm.
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.
K-9 Caring Angels
Next Wednesday we will again have a visit by K-9 Caring Angels during all lunches. Students will have the ability to sign up via google form that morning (7:10am-10:20am) to be able to visit with the dogs during their assigned lunch.Teddy, Finn and two additional dogs will be joining this month as well. We are thankful to have the K-9 Caring Angels Therapy Dogs with us every month.
 ~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~
🔍 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.
📑 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 are being 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. Events are planned for the following dates from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.:
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.
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