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 Honoring Mr. DeRusso during National Principal's Month, Band students got a special treat recently with a guest conductor, Students hanging up a Unity Chain preparing for Unity Day next week, Eighth-grade English students are working on their Technology CER planning. They are creating a claim about the value (or lack thereof) of technology in our lives and looking through texts we’ve read this quarter to find evidence to support their claims.
Franklin Community,
This week, we celebrated our Soaring Falcons, recognizing students who go above and beyond in demonstrating our CARE traits each day. Two students are selected from each team to be honored as our Students of the Month, earning a certificate, a small prize, and recognition in a special video shared during advisory. This program is one of the many ways we work to reinforce positive behavior and celebrate students who consistently make Franklin a kind, respectful, and supportive community. Congratulations to all of our Soaring Falcons!
As part of the ongoing commitment to strengthening layered safety and security programs, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has continued to phase in a weapons detection system at all secondary schools this fall. Franklin will begin full implementation on Monday, November 10.
In preparation, we will be providing presentations and practice opportunities for students during the week leading up to implementation. These sessions will allow students to understand the procedures, see how the screening process works, and ask any questions they may have. Our goal is to ensure everyone feels comfortable, informed, and confident before the system goes live.
Please take a moment to watch this video of the Superintendent’s conversation with students about the weapons screening system. The most important thing is for students to have the correct items removed from their bags before getting in line.
Items to be removed include:
- Three-ring binders
- Laptops
- Collapsible umbrellas
- Metal lunch boxes
- Metal pencil cases
- Metal glasses cases
These items may remain in a student’s bag:
- Non-metal lunch boxes
- Books
- Planners
- Spiral notebooks and folders
- Cell phones
- Keys
- Non-metal pencil cases
Once the items are removed, students should walk to the shortest line and proceed through the system. If the light turns red, they will be directed to a secondary screening to identify what may have caused the alert. Experience from other schools shows that this process becomes easier and more efficient with each passing day.
You can learn more about the system by watching the video linked above and reviewing the Frequently Asked Questions on the FCPS website. If you have additional questions, please submit them online to the FCPS Office of Safety and Security.
We appreciate everyone’s cooperation and support as we work together to maintain a safe and welcoming learning environment for all students and staff.
As I mentioned last week, this year we are in the process of revising our school’s Vision and Mission statements, and we’re seeking input from our entire community — including families, students, and staff. Your feedback will help us ensure that our Vision and Mission truly reflect our shared values, goals, and hopes for the future of Franklin.
A clear Vision and Mission are important because they provide a shared sense of purpose and direction for our school — shaping our priorities and the culture we build together. They define who we are, what we stand for, and the kind of learning environment we strive to create for every student.
We’d love to hear your thoughts! Please take a few minutes to share your input by filling out the Franklin Vision and Mission Community Input Form.
As we head into the long weekend, we want to wish everyone a happy Diwali and hope you enjoy a safe, joyful, and relaxing day off on Monday.
Tom DeRusso
Principal
Franklin Middle School
Weekly CARE Card Raffle Winners
Students of the Month
Congratulations to our Falcons who were honored as our September Students of the Month! We are so proud of you. Continue to Soar!
~Important Dates~
October 20: Diwali - School & Office Closed
October 22 - SEL Screener
October 31 - Quarter 1 Ends - 2 hour Early Release
November 3 & 4 - Teacher Workday - No School
~Action Items~
🥤Fast Food Lunch Deliveries
Please do not deliver fast food for your student's lunch. If fast food is delivered, your student will not be able to bring it in the cafeteria. Students will need to eat in the office. Once they are finished eating, they will return to the cafeteria for the remainder of the lunch period.
🗓️Register for PTA Meeting - October 28
You're invited to join us for our October PTA meeting on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 from 7:00-8:00 PM. This meeting will take place virtually so you can attend from wherever is most convenient for you. Please click here to register. You will receive an email confirmation and link to join upon registering.
This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with Principal Tom DeRusso, our 2025-2026 PTA Board President Necoya Tyson, and other parents and faculty members. Come hear more on school updates, learn about upcoming initiatives, and share ideas on how we can make this school year even more meaningful for our students.
Whether your a long time volunteer or new to the Franklin community, your voice and participation truly make a difference!
📅 Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 🕑 Time: 7:00 - 8:00 PM 💻 Location: Virtual (Zoom Registration Required)
🏆Outstanding Employee Award Nominations
Nominations are now open for the FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards! To submit a nomination for a Franklin Middle School Outstanding Employee, please complete the nomination through this Google form link: https://forms.gle/ttoDhtqucYwGVTEz7 Spanish Form: https://forms.gle/6dTk9V74CVmjGbx6A
All that is required is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work. You may nominate up to one employee per category.
Outstanding Teacher
Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category
Outstanding New Teacher
Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category
Outstanding Principal
Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a building principal (in any school/school district)
Outstanding New Principal
Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a building principal (in any school/school district)
Outstanding Leader
Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current position as a Schedule-C or School-Based Administrator scale employee (that is not the building principal) at their current location
- Positions in this category include Assistant Principal, Associate Principal, Director of Student Services, Director of Student Activities
Outstanding Professional Employee
Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position as a Schedule-B employee or other non-instructional employee in a school that supports school leadership at their current location
Positions in this category include Resource Teacher and Special Education Department Chair and Multilingual Learners Department Chair who serve in a non-instructional role for more than 50% of their time, After-School Specialist, Assessment Coach, Athletic Trainer, Career Center Specialist, Career Experience Specialist, College and Career Specialist, Crisis Resource Teacher, Instructional Coach, School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Psychologist, Reading Specialist, Safety and Security Specialist, Social Worker, Speech Language Pathologist, School Counselor, Systems of Support Administrator, or other employee paid as a Resource Teacher who serves in a non-instructional or administrative role in the school)
Outstanding Operational Employee
Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee at their current location
Positions in this category include Administrative Assistant, Office Assistant, Student Information Assistant, Finance Technician, School Finance Assistant, Student Services Assistant, Registrar, Custodian, Building Supervisor, Operating Engineer, Food Services staff, Instructional Assistant, Family Liaison, Public Health Training Assistant, Safety and Security Assistant, and all hourly employees*
The deadline to submit a nomination is October 31, 2025.
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Sciabica at cdsciabica@fcps.edu
📔Yearbook Orders
Pre-order your 2025-2026 Franklin Yearbook! Orders are open between now and April 13. No late orders will be accepted.
To order, visit yearbookordercenter.com and use order number 5330, or use the QR code provided on the attached flyer.
Don't miss out!
☑️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~
🍞Food for Neighbors
Help Franklin MS and Food for Neighbors, Fight Student Hunger with the Red Bag Program
1 in 4 kids in Northern Virginia faces hunger. Food For Neighbors supports local students by collecting food through the Red Bag Program and distributing it to school pantries.
How it works:
- Request a free Red Bag
- Fill it with listed food items every 2 months
- Leave it outside on collection day — it’ll be picked up!
Learn more about what to donate and how to get involved: Red Bag program click here.
You can also volunteer to collect or sort bags — a great way for students to earn service hours.
Questions? Contact the school’s social worker, Elyse Brunais, or our family liaison, Janet McFadden.
📝 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.
🧑💻SEL Screener
At Franklin Middle School, our Fall SEL Screener will be administered through Advisory the week of October 21, 2025.
You can opt out your child from participating in the SEL Screener by completing the SEL Screener Opt-Out included on the Parent Digital Consent System or by completing the form on Page 16 of the Annual Opt Out Forms Packet. The opt out applies to the current school year and must be completed annually.
~AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM~
Students should be picked up from the After-School Program no later than 5:00PM. Parents should communicate with your student on their pickup time. Late Buses run Monday-Thursday with a departure time of 4:45pm. On Fridays there are no late buses but parents may pick up their students by 4:35pm on Fridays.
MS Cross Country
Franklin MS will host the second Cross Country Meet on Saturday October 25. Franklin MS runners will participate in the first races that will begin at 7:30am. Come out and support our Cross Country team!
Cross Country Practice Schedule
- Tues. October 21 2:30-3:45
- Wed. October 22 2:30-3:45 (Optional Practice)
- Thurs. October 23 2:30-3:45
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.
 ~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~
📍 October Community Boundary Review Meetings
FCPS’ October community boundary review meetings are underway. Each of the 12 meetings will focus on two pyramids. Our pyramid will be covered at the meeting on:
. Register by clicking “in person” or “virtual,” based on how you would like to participate.
At the meeting, the consultant will present the latest draft boundary map (Scenario 4) and potential changes specific to our pyramid. Participants will also be invited to ask questions.
If you are unable to attend the meeting for our pyramid, you are welcome to attend any meeting that is convenient. View the list of October boundary meetings.
Visit the Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage for more information.
🩹 Immunization Events for FCPS Students
FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will be providing school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students with no out-of-pocket costs. Immunization clinics will take place from 3 to 6:30 p.m. at Willow Oaks Administrative Center on:
- Thursday, November 6
- Tuesday, November 18
- Wednesday, November 19
- Thursday, November 20
A clinic will also take place at Frost Middle School on Saturday, November 15, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additional dates will be made available throughout the school year.
Participation is voluntary. Parents or guardians may schedule an appointment for their student. Learn more about immunization resources.
🔍 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~
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