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Students preparing for this weekend’s play, Legally Blonde Jr., by doing stage and theatre makeup!

Students from Franklin participated in the State History Day Competition and enjoyed a tour of the Virginia Historical Society. Great job Falcons!

Franklin Community,

As we head into the month of May, there is a great deal happening across our school community, and I want to take a moment to highlight a few important updates and celebrations.

First, I want to look ahead to next week as we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week! This is an important opportunity for us as a community to recognize the incredible work our teachers do each day to support, challenge, and care for our students. Their impact goes far beyond the classroom, and Franklin is a special place because of their dedication and commitment.

We encourage all students and families to take a moment next week to share their appreciation, whether through a note, a kind word, or a simple thank you. Those gestures go a long way.

Here at school, we are excited to partner with our PTA to celebrate our staff throughout the week. Plans include staff gifts, a Walking Taco Bar, a Ben and Jerry’s Sundae Bar, breakfast sandwiches, and a snack bar to show our appreciation in a small way for all that our teachers and staff do. We are grateful for the PTA’s support in helping make this a meaningful week for our team.

I also want to acknowledge that the Skyview High School boundary adjustments are on many people’s minds. We understand that these decisions are significant and can have a real impact on our community. FCPS will be hosting additional community meetings on May 28 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and May 30 from 9:00 to 11:00 am. Both meetings will take place in person at Skyview High School with a virtual option available. We encourage families to attend if you are able, as these sessions are an important opportunity to receive accurate information and ask any questions you may have. We recognize the importance of this process and remain confident in the work being done to support our community.

Lastly, a reminder that our SOL testing begins next week. We will start with the Reading SOL for both 7th and 8th grade students on Tuesday, May 5. These assessments are an opportunity for students to demonstrate the progress they have made this year. We ask for your support in ensuring that students are well rested and arrive at school ready to do their best. Please also take a moment to complete the SOL retake consent in the parent digital consent system by opting in or out, as this helps us plan appropriately following initial testing.

Good luck to our Track and Field team this weekend as they participate in their second meet of the season. Go Falcons!

Tom DeRusso
Principal
Franklin Middle School

Weekly CARE Card Raffle Winners

~Important Dates~ 

April 30-May 3:  Spring Musical

                          May 1 - 7:00pm

                          May 2 - 2:00pm & 7:00pm

                          May 3 - 2:00pm

May 5:  Reading SOL

May 12:  Science 8 SOL

May 18:  NJHS Induction and Pinning Ceremony - 3:00pm

May 19:  Math SOL

May 20:  Last day of After School Program

May 25: Memorial Day - School & Office Closed

May 26:  Teacher Workday - School Closed

May 27:  Eid Al-Adha - School & Office Closed

May 29:  8th Grade Formal - 6:00pm-8:00pm

~Action Items~

Teacher Appreciation Week - May 4-8

Help us make this Week of May 4th - Teacher Appreciation Week the very best by doing one or both of the following: 

• Donate to help us cover event expenses. Submit donation via this Givebacks Link.
• Volunteer via Sign-up Genius to help at school that week or to donate snacks and drinks.

Thank you for your generosity in helping to celebrate our amazing school and its people!

~ The PTA

National Junior Honor Society 

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!

~Student Services~

The Anxious Generation –  Book Discussion via Zoom Wednesday, May 6, 2026 5:30pm-7:00pm       Have you noticed changes in your child’s mood, sleep, or behavior? Do you worry about how social media is shaping your child’s confidence or anxiety? Are you constantly negotiating screen time—and losing?    YOU ARE NOT ALONE….. Join other parents in the book discussion of The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt—a #1 New York Times bestseller that explores how today’s world is shaping our children’s mental health and what we can do to support them Be part of a conversation where parents share concerns, compare experiences, and talk about what’s working—and what isn’t.” No need to read the book to participate. Use the QR code to see a video of Jonathan Haidt talking about the book.   REGISTER TO ATTEND  Here Zoom link will be sent to your email next week.

INVITACIÓN PARA PADRES DE ESTUDIANTES DEL GRADO 7 EN FRANKLIN MS EL PROXIMO AŇO ESCOLAR

MARTES 3 DE JUNIO, 2025 6:00 – 7:30 PM

En agosto, sus hijos comenzarán una nueva etapa en middle school, y es fundamental que ustedes, como padres, tengan la información necesaria para apoyarlos y asegurase que sean exitosos. Quiero invitarlos cordialmente a una presentación informal en Español para darles información sobre Franklin MS.  La presentación será el Martes 3 de Junio a las 6:00 p.m. en la escuela Franklin Middle School - 3300 Lees Corner Rd., Chantilly VA 20151. Su hijo(a) también es bienvenido a acompañarnos.

Por favor, hágame saber si podrá acompañarnos, llamando al 703-904-5193 o por email a jamcfadden@fcps.edu.   Esperamos verlos el 3 de Junio!

Janet McFadden, Enlace de familia de Franklin Middle School (FMS).

Required Immunizations for Rising 7th Graders

As required by the Code of VA, parents or legal guardians need to provide proof of immunizations for their child to attend at a Virginia public school.

In addition, all students entering 7th grade are required to receive one dose of each of the following immunizations: 

• Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis booster (Tdap) given at age 7 or older; 
• Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) given at age 10 or older;  
• A complete series of 2 doses of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. 

• After reviewing educational materials approved by the Board of Health, the parent or guardian, at the parents or guardians sole discretion, may elect for the child not to receive the HPV vaccine.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to plan ahead by scheduling an appointment with your child’s healthcare provider now to avoid the rush this summer. Immunization appointments are available. Inspire Health Alliance will be providing immunizations for currently enrolled FCPS students at no out-of-pocket cost. Visit the Inspire Immunization Events Student Registration webpage to schedule an appointment. 

Please review the Virginia Department of Health Information Packet (PDF) for more information on rising 7th grade immunization requirements.

Additional Immunization Resources are also available. 

FCPS Family Cafe: Introduction to Career Pathways for Students

Join Family and School Partnerships to explore career pathways, academies, and the wide range of courses and certifications available in FCPS. 

This virtual workshop will be held on Wednesday, May 13, at 6:30 p.m. and will highlight the various career and technical education courses available to middle and high school students in FCPS. Currently, there are more than 160 Career and Technical Education (CTE) course options available to students. Many CTE programs include industry credentials, work-based learning, and career and technical student organizations, allowing students to develop the skills needed to be successful in future education, training, and careers. 

Register in advance for Career Pathways to receive the Zoom link. Email FamilyEngagement@fcps.edu for more information or call 703-204-4300. 

~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. 

• For more info on the After-School Program visit the website or schoology.

MS Sports - Spring Track

Practice next week will be on Monday (May 4) and Wednesday (May 6). Runners should try and make both practices if possible. Good luck to those runners competing this week at West Springfield High School. 

Track Schedule 

• Monday -  May 4 (Practice)
• Wednesday - May 6 (Practice)
• Saturday - May 9 (Meet at Marshall HS)

Remaining Meets

• May 9 - Marshall HS
• May 16 - Oakton HS
• May 30 - MS Track Championships at Robinson (Qualifiers Only)

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.

COMMANDERS CAMPS

Coming to Franklin MS!!

Commanders Camps are coming to Chantilly this summer! Get ready for high-energy flag football, skill-building, and team-first fun crafted for rising 2nd through 7th graders of every experience level!

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.

• July 20 through July 24

• July 27 through July 31

• August 3 through August 7

Camp Runs 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Franklin Middle School

3300 Lees Corner Road

Chantilly, VA 20151

Register today at www.commanderscamps.com or the QR code provided on the flyer for registration.

Special Offer: Save $75 for FCPS families with code: FCPSFIRSTYEAR.

8th Grade Formal - “A Night in Hollywood”

The 8th grade formal will be held:

Friday May 29

6:00PM-8:00PM

Franklin Middle School Gymnasium.

Tickets and Event Details:

• Tickets are $5.

• Tickets will be available on MySchoolBucks May 11-May 26

• Dress to impress!

• Music, dancing, and refreshments provided.

The dance is for 8th grade Franklin students only.

Semi-Formal Attire

Questions please contact Chris Tippins at WCTippins@fcps.edu.

Chantilly Athletics Physical Night - Now Open

Registration for FCPS athletic preparticipation exams (physicals) is now open!

All middle and high school students interested in participating in school athletic programs MUST have a valid athletic physical on file with their school prior to participating.  All rising middle school students, specifically those who will be in 7th or 8th grade (and rising 6th graders at Poe, Glasgow, and Holmes middle schools) next school year (2026-2027) interested in participating in the middle school sports program are eligible to receive a FREE athletic physical exam through these events.

Athletic physicals are coordinated by the certified athletic trainers at our FCPS high schools and are only available at the dates and times indicated.  Students must register in advance and additional information is available through the link above.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdo_1j5mhiRin35nuDOStUgh-GHNYYZgMAo11Or6XXRsSP_Ug/viewform

Dates and Times:

• Wednesday, June 10, 2026.

• Appointments: 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM.

Cost and Registration:

• $50 per physical with online registration. Rising middle school students are eligible for a Free exam

• $60 for walk-ins.

• Register now!

https://www.chantillyathletics.com/news/f0512881-1c93-444e-9113-dae0a7627b10

Teen Explorer Camp Presented by:

Fairfax County Park Authority

Event Details:

• Location: E C Lawrence Park.

• Age Range: 12 through 14 years.

• Activities: Field trips, games, and nature activities!

Dates and Registration:

• Dates: 1 week session from July 22 through July 26.

• Registration: Scan the provided QR code on the flyer to register or go to fcps.edu/vip-summer-camp

Accessibility and Accommodations: Fairfax County is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in all county programs, services and activities. Reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request. For details, call 703-324-8563, TTY 711.

~Franklin Middle School PTA~

PTA Updates & Reminders

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~

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:

• Stay up-to-date: Get the latest news from FCPS.
• View school calendars: See events, activities, holidays, and early dismissals.
• Check school menus: See what’s for lunch and breakfast today, tomorrow, or next week.
• Tap to contact: Quickly call attendance lines or email school staff.
• 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~

Spring Ice Cream Social Save the Date!

Join us for a sweet afternoon of community connection and support for our families.

Dates and Times:

Saturday, May 2, 2026

12:00pm-2:00pm

Location:

Ox Hill Baptist Church (across the street from Chantilly High School).

4101 Elmwood Street

Chantilly, Virginia 20151

Event Details:

Free Ice Cream

Family Fun For All Ages

Giveways

Resource Information and More

Program Interest Survey: scan the QR code or go to forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=y1Zhom9dckGdfZNOsKeydbuQEPuh545JvS1_KqqAec5

Discover Exciting Summer Learning Activities and Ideas

Join Fairfax County Public Schools for a free, family-friendly community celebration filled with hands-on STEM, arts, and creative experiences for students of all ages. This year’s Summer Extravaganza takes place on Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Woodson High School. 

Explore summer learning resources and connect with FCPS offices and community partners. Don’t miss the Student Market and a full day of engaging activities designed to spark learning, growth, and inspiration for the whole family. 

For more information, visit the Summer Extravaganza webpage.

Free Vegetable Seedling Giveaway

The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District, in partnership with local organizations, is hosting a free vegetable seedling giveaway on May 8 and 9, 2026. The goal is to increase access to healthy food, support beginner gardeners, and strengthen community connections.

Event Highlights:

• Free vegetable seedlings available at multiple community locations
• Over 1,500 seedlings to be distributed (first come, first served)
• Limit of approximately 6–10 seedlings per person/family to ensure equitable access
• Seedlings include tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, basil, and bunching onions (smaller varieties suitable for limited spaces)

Event Locations & Times:

Friday, May 8

• James Lee Community Center | 12–2 PM
• Minnie R. Peyton Community Center | 12–4 PM
• Hybla Valley Community Center | 12–4 PM

Saturday, May 9

• Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture | 12–4 PM
• Annandale UMC Mission Center | 2–5 PM
• Kingsley Commons Community Garden | Private distribution

Volunteer Opportunity (Optional):

If you are interested, NVSWCD is seeking volunteers to assist with plant distribution and provide basic gardening guidance. Participation is completely voluntary and outside of work responsibilities.

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

• Franklin Middle School
• Attendance Information and Early Dismissal Procedures
• Technology Support for Families
• Schoology
• SIS ParentVUE Account Access
• Mental Health Resources and Emergency Services Information

3300 Lees Corner Road Chantilly, VA 20151  | Main Office: 703-904-5100
Attendance: 703-904-5151 | Web | Facebook | Instagram