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 Students play Dungeons and Dragons during the After School Program; Rehearsals for the Legally Blonde, Jr musical; Chemical reaction labs in science class
Franklin Community,
We would like to wish our band students and Ms. Magwire the very best of luck as they complete their State Band Assessment today. We are incredibly proud of the dedication, practice, and teamwork our musicians have shown in preparing for this performance. We know they will represent Franklin well, and we are grateful to Ms. Magwire for the time and care she puts into helping our students grow as musicians and performers.
Our Behavior Leadership Team has also been hard at work drafting a revised Scholastic Dishonesty Policy that aligns with the expectations students will encounter at both Chantilly and Oakton High Schools. Our goal is to create a policy that is fair, equitable, and promotes accountability while still giving students who have made a mistake an opportunity to demonstrate their mastery of the learning.
As new technologies continue to emerge, including the growing presence of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, schools across the country are thinking carefully about how these tools intersect with academic integrity. While AI is a newer method students may attempt to use inappropriately, research continues to show that the overall percentage of students engaging in cheating has remained relatively consistent over time. Our focus is not only on addressing dishonest behavior, but also on understanding the root causes behind it and helping students learn how to use tools like AI responsibly and ethically as part of their academic work. This will be an ongoing process as our Behavior Leadership Team continues to review feedback and refine the policy. We look forward to sharing more information with families in the future.
Next week, we will also be celebrating Stress Less, Laugh More Week, an initiative designed to support student well-being and promote positive mental health throughout our school community. Each day will feature a theme focused on healthy ways to manage stress. On Music Monday, students are encouraged to wear their favorite band or singer gear and reflect on how music can help us relax and stay motivated. Talk It Out Tuesday highlights the importance of sharing feelings and connecting with trusted people when we feel stressed. On Take a Trip Wednesday, students can wear vacation gear and take an "imagination vacation" by practicing ways to mentally step away from stress. Team Thursday focuses on exercise and teamwork, with students invited to wear jerseys or athletic gear. Finally, Fun Friday encourages laughter and rest, with students wearing pajamas and celebrating the importance of humor and sleep in reducing stress. We will also have visits from therapy dogs and a few other surprises throughout the week. A special thank you goes to Ms. Gallagher and our Student Services team for their hard work in organizing this meaningful week and for the many ways they support the social and emotional well-being of our students each day.
I hope that everyone has a safe and restful weekend. Go Falcons!
Tom DeRusso
Principal
Franklin Middle School
Weekly CARE Card Raffle Winners
~Important Dates~
March 20: Eid al-Fitr and Nowruz- School & Office Closed
March 23-27: Stress Less, Laugh More Week
March 27: End of 3rd Quarter - 2 hour early release
March 30-April 3: Spring Break
April 6: Teacher Workday - School Closed
April 10: Teacher Workday - School Closed
April 13: Last Day to Order a Yearbook
April 21: Special Election - School Closed
~Action Items~
Stress Less, Laugh More Week
During the week of March 23-27, Franklin Middle School students and staff will be celebrating Stress Less, Laugh More Week. This week is an annual event that aims to create a healthy and supportive school environment for students by ensuring we all play a role in normalizing conversations around mental health. Students and staff will learn ways to cope with stress and participate in activities that promote an inclusive and fun school community. We will have several games and activities that require small treats or prizes! If you would like to donate, please click here and drop off items to the main office by Thursday, March 19th. Thank you and we appreciate your support!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0B49A8AC2DA7FB6-55470855-stress
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Want a quick way to recognize an employee or team? Share an FCPS CARES! Families, colleagues, and students are all invited to submit. The FCPS CARES is automatically sent to the recipient(s) and their supervisor, and is posted on fcps.edu. Additionally, each month one school in our region wins a staff celebration from HR. Encourage your community to show our staff that their hard work is appreciated!
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Franklin MS Spirit Wear
Now’s the perfect time to grab your favorite Franklin hoodies, long sleeves, tees, hats, and cold-weather gear for the whole family. Whether you're staying warm at home, events, or around town, don’t miss your chance to show your Franklin pride and save. These winter savings won’t last long! Use code SPIRIT308 at checkout! Plus enjoy free shipping on orders $85+.
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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!
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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.
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.
Want to volunteer? Visit Volunteer FCPS to find and sign up for volunteer opportunities. Contact Volunteers@fcps.edu with any questions.
~Student Services~
2026 FAMILY ENGAGEMENT SURVEY
The Family Engagement Survey is a wonderful opportunity to let FCPS know how our schools can best serve your family. This survey is aligned with the FCPS 2023–2030 Strategic Plan, Pillar B: Vibrant Home, School, & Community Partnership.
This year’s survey will launch next Monday, March 9, and will remain open until March 23, 2026.
Parents will receive an email directly from FCPS with a link to complete the survey electronically. The survey can be completed online using that link on most electronic devices. Families may also access the survey beginning March 9 through the public URL available on both the FCPS and Franklin websites. The survey will be available in nine languages: Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Pashto, Spanish, Urdu, and Vietnamese.
Paper copies of the survey will be available in the school office.
If you have any questions, please contact our Family Liaison, Janet McFadden, at 703-904-5193 or by email at jamcfadden@fcps.edu.
We encourage all families to participate and share their valuable feedback.
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.
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For more info on the After-School Program visit the website or schoology.
- The After-School Program will meet on Thursday March 19.
- No After-School Program on Friday March 27 due to the early dismissal.
Western Fairfax VIP Application Opens
March 17
Western Fairfax VIP Camp will be held at Liberty Middle School from July 1-July 30 for rising 7th & 8th grade students. The application link can be found in the link below. The application for VIP Camp will open and be made available on Tuesday March 17, 2026 at 6pm via the link below.
Click here for more information on VIP Camp
MS Sports - Spring Track
Spring Track Information is posted below. The first practice will be on Tuesday April 7. All students will need to make sure that they register using the MS Sports Track Registration Link posted below. If your student ran Cross Country their FCPS Physical is still valid but will need to complete the Registration Link and ECC.. If they are new to track, they will need to complete all forms listed below.
Meets for Track will be held at designated High Schools across FCPS on Saturdays. The first meet of the season will be on Saturday April 25 at Herndon High School.
All paperwork and the MS Sports Registration must be submitted before any student can participate, try out or practice. 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.
Flag Start - Spring Flag Football League
Flag Star Football is launching its Spring Flag Football League in Reston and is looking for a few more players to complete the field! Whether your child is brand new to football or already loves to compete, this league is all about great games, great teammates, and a positive sports experience.
Who: 2nd–8th graders (boys & girls, all skill levels welcome) When: Saturdays, April 18 – June 6 Where: Local Reston/Herndon fields
Players can register as free agents and we’ll place them on a team — or rally 10+ friends and form your own squad.
To help get things started, FCPS families can use promo code FCPSRESTON for 50% off registration.
Register here: https://flagstarfootball.sportngin.com/register/form/175837137
Questions? Reach out to ximena@flagstarfootball.com.
COMMANDERS CAMPS
Coming to Franklin MS!!
Franklin Middle School will be hosting 3 Commanders Flag Football Camps run by Flag Star Football this summer. For more information visit www.commanderscamps.com or scan the QR Code below.
🏈Chantilly HS Football Workouts
Rising 9th Graders that will attend Chantilly HS. See the info about Football Workouts. Families can join the Band App by scanning the QR Code. More info can also be found in the After-School Schoology Course for Franklin MS.
 ~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~
😷Health Reminders
Flu season is here, and we all want to keep our students healthy and safe. Please remind your child to practice good hygiene, such as washing their hands frequently and covering their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
If your child is feeling unwell, especially with flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, cough, sore throat or body aches, we ask that you to keep them at home to rest and recover. If your child has a fever of 100.4 or higher, keep them at home until his or her fever is below 100.4 for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication.
Thank you for your support in keeping our school community healthy. If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to reach out to our Public Health Nurse, Lauren Nichols, RN, at 703-904-5135.
📱 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~
Community Conversations: Share Your Thoughts With Dr. Reid
As a listening leader, connecting with community members across our school division is critical to Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid. Dr. Reid’s Community Conversations are opportunities for you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Events will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) on:
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Tuesday, March 3, at Waples Mill Elementary School.
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Tuesday, March 17, from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m., at Glen Forest Elementary School.
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Monday, March 23, at Ravensworth Elementary School.
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Monday, April 13, at Belle View Elementary School.
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Monday, April 20, Westgate Elementary School.
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Wednesday, April 22, at Crestwood Elementary School.
Child care and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Visit the superintendent’s engagement page for the most up-to-date information.
 
🤖Oakton Cougar Robotics
Oakton Cougar Robotics would like to invite our students to Oakton High School’s STEAM Symposium!
During this event, your students will be able to explore the STEAM clubs of Oakton High School and other FCPS High Schools through various booths and activities proctored by each of the clubs. Through this symposium, we hope this event will foster STEAM interest and learning in your students and get them excited about all the opportunities available in the near future.
This event will take place on Friday, April 10th, from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm, set up in a rotational manner so that your students may come and go as they please.
 
Prepare for Summer Learning and Fun for Students
Registration is open or will be available soon for summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.
Career and Technical Education and Institute for the Arts Camps
Career and Technical Education camps and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Robinson Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Tuition assistance is available to FCPS families eligible for free or reduced meals.
CTE Summer Academy (CSA) is a week-long enrichment program that allows students in grades 6-11 to dive deeper into CTE program areas, develop skills, and begin career exploration. Watch this video about CTE camps. Registration is open for these programs through Friday, June 5.
Institute for the Arts (IFTA) is a two-week camp for students currently in grades 6-11. Students select from nearly 60 classes in art, dance, music, and theater. Rising freshmen have the option to take Health and PE 9 through IFTA as well!
Production Camp is a four-week summer theatre intensive for students in grades 6-11. Students in performance or technical theatre tracks rehearse, design, and build a musical in a collaborative atmosphere. The show is presented to the public at the end of camp.
New this year: Students in the above camps can also register for aftercare, which is available from 2 to 5 p.m.
Quick Links
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