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 After School Program Gingerbread House Decorating Contest, students performing at the Orchestra Concert.
 8th grade students on the field trip to Finance Park.
Franklin Community,
As we head into our final week before winter break, there’s a great sense of excitement and energy throughout Franklin. Students are learning, celebrating, and enjoying the many seasonal activities that make this time of year so special. We’re grateful for a strong fall and look forward to a joyful week together as we close out 2025.
On Monday during Advisory, students will receive important information about the new Western High School opening in the 2026–27 school year. We are pleased to share that the planning principal, Mr. Dave Jagels, will be on site to speak with students about the school’s programming, enrollment options, and what they can expect as planning continues. He will also take time to answer student questions and help them begin thinking about their choices for next year. Families should also be on the lookout for upcoming community information sessions, where additional details will be provided for parents and caregivers. These sessions will be a great opportunity to learn more and ensure you have the information needed to make an informed decision.
This week, our 8th graders participated in their annual Finance Park field trips, an exciting hands-on experience that gives students a glimpse into the world of adulthood. Throughout the day, students created personal budgets, made financial decisions, and learned just how much planning goes into managing everyday responsibilities. One of the biggest takeaways each year—much to the students’ surprise—is discovering just how expensive children can be! We are incredibly grateful to our parent volunteers and our dedicated teachers for making this learning experience possible. Their support helps bring financial literacy to life in a meaningful and memorable way for our students.
We are excited to share that Franklin has received a grant from Educate Fairfax, thanks to the hard work and initiative of Mr. Agosta! This generous funding will support the development of a multicultural sports unit later this year, giving students the opportunity to learn about and experience games and athletic traditions from around the world. We are grateful to Mr. Agosta for securing this meaningful opportunity for our students and for continually seeking innovative ways to enrich their learning.
We want to make families aware that we have seen an increase in bathroom vandalism over the past couple of weeks. While we are addressing these incidents directly with students and reinforcing expectations here at school, we also ask for your partnership in reminding students about the importance of respecting our building and taking care of our shared spaces. Maintaining a clean and safe learning environment is a responsibility we all share, and your support at home makes a meaningful difference. Thank you for helping us reinforce these values with our students.
As we head into the final days before winter break, we’re excited to celebrate our Winter Spirit Week! Each day next week brings a fun theme for students and staff to enjoy: Monday – Ugly Sweater Day, Tuesday – Winter Lights (bright colors, glitter, and tinsel), Wednesday – Blizzard Blast (white, blue, and all things snowy), Thursday – Winter Holiday (your favorite winter holiday wear), and Friday – Pajama Day. We can’t wait to see all the creativity and school spirit throughout the week! We’re also looking forward to our Holiday Concert on Thursday, December 19, which will take place right before dismissal. This event is always a highlight of the season, and we’re excited to showcase the hard work and talent of our student musicians. We hope everyone enjoys the festivities and the joy this time of year brings!
Tom DeRusso
Principal
Franklin Middle School
Weekly CARE Card Raffle Winners
~Important Dates~
December 17 - Band Concert - 7pm
December 19 - No After School Activities
December 22-January 2 - Winter Break - School & Office Closed
~Action Items~
🍪Donations for PTA Holiday Staff Snacks
On Wednesday, December 17th, the PTA is excited to provide a mid-day snack bar for all Franklin Middle School staff, about 150 team members.
Here's how you can help us:
Sign-up to volunteer at the Dec. 17th event via the following Sign-Up Genius Link. Please drop off all donations at the school no later than December 16 at 2 PM!
https://tinyurl.com/FranklinTeacherAppreciation
We know everyone is super busy -- if it's easier, please consider making a cash donation and the PTA will do the shopping!
Submit donation via this Givebacks Link:
https://tinyurl.com/FranklinTeacherDonation
Thank you for your generosity in helping to celebrate our amazing school and its people!
Window for Full-Time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15
Parents and guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for full-time Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) services must submit the AAP Full-Time Referral Form to Janet Schiavone at jpschiavone@fcps.edu no later than December 15, 2025.
Each year, families can submit a referral for full-time AAP services any time from the first day of school through December 15. No late referrals for full-time AAP services will be accepted.
Once a referral is received, our school will compile information related to the student. Then, a committee of six trained professionals from across the county will review materials to determine eligibility for full-time AAP services.
Next Steps for Parents
Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of their child’s materials after February 20, 2026, by emailing Janet Schiavone at jpschiavone@fcps.edu.
At the elementary level, referrals for subject-specific and part-time AAP are screened by the school. If you miss the full-time referral deadline, your student can still be screened for subject-specific or part-time AAP services for the remainder of the year.
At the middle school level, honors courses are open to all students.
For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs webpage
.
📸School Pictures Ready to View
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.
📔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.
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. Visit the Volunteer FCPS Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more.
Volunteer Registration Update
Due to the overwhelming response from our community, FCPS is temporarily pausing fingerprint requirements for most Level 3 volunteers.
If you are scheduled for an upcoming fingerprinting appointment, please cancel your appointment unless you are a mentor, host parent, or non-parent volunteer having frequent, direct, and unsupervised contact with students, which will still require fingerprinting. FCPS will be charged if individuals miss a fingerprinting appointment without canceling in advance.
Those who have already been fingerprinted will be processed to be eligible for all Level 3 opportunities.
Field trip chaperone opportunities will now be classified as Level 2 (not requiring a background check).
To ensure continuous safety, all new volunteers are required to sign a Volunteer Certification Statement. This statement is a legal attestation confirming you have no history of violent felonies, physical/sexual crimes against children, or crimes of moral turpitude.
Want to volunteer? Visit Volunteer FCPS to find and sign up for volunteer opportunities. Contact Volunteers@fcps.edu with any questions.
~Student Services~
Rising 9th Grade Students
The Parent University 101: Helping Your Child Navigate Rising 9th Grade Academic Advising and the Important Rising 9th Grade Academic Advising Dates are posted in the Student and Parent Schoology.
🍞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.
~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 Sports - Spring Track
MS Track & Field will begin in late March or April. Stay tuned for more information.You can also visit the Franklin MS Sports page or at the FCPS MS Sports site for more information.
 ~Franklin Middle School PTA~
PTA Meeting - December 11, 6:00pm
Please join us for our PTA meeting on December 11. Learn about upcoming events at FMS and PTA plans for the remainder of the school year.
https://american.zoom.us/j/9173969004?pwd=sCaBAWX4BJdxdtzPP9CvVdoNEy8S3N.1&omn=92077916988
Meeting ID: 917 396 9004
Passcode: FMSPTA
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~
⛄ Winter Resources for Families
A list of resources has been compiled for students and families in case they or someone they know needs assistance while schools are closed for winter break. Please visit FCPS’ winter resources page for information on academic support, mental health support, and county resources related to food, clothing, housing, and other needs.
❄️ Prepare for Winter Weather
Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather closing decisions are made at FCPS.
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, the new FCPS mobile app, 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 emergency child care 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 that 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. View the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.
If you need assistance getting cold-weather clothing for your family, please call 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.
📱 Download the New FCPS Mobile App!
The FCPS mobile app offers a customized platform to help keep families connected and informed, directly from their smartphones. You can download the Fairfax County Public Schools mobile app by going to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and searching for “FCPS.”
With the app you can:
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Stay up-to-date: Get the latest news from FCPS.
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View school calendars: See events, activities, holidays, and early dismissals.
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Check school menus: See what’s for lunch and breakfast today, tomorrow, or next week.
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Tap to contact: Quickly call attendance lines or email school staff.
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Access key links: Jump to ParentVUE, Schoology, and the FCPS website in one tap.
Users can access updates and content without having to sign in, making it easy for everyone to stay informed.
Learn more about the new mobile app, including feedback from parents TeAndra Nelson and Roy Dykes.
Tutoring Resources for Families
Some families may be looking for additional resources to help support their child’s academic success. The FCPS Family Resource Center (FRC) maintains a list of FCPS employees who hold a valid Virginia teaching credential and who are available to hire as tutors. This list is a resource offered by the FRC, but families are responsible for contacting and working directly with the tutors. This list is not approved by FCPS and is only meant to be a resource to families.
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, and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests.
~Community Events~
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