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Paws Up! At Franklin Sherman we look and listen carefully for important information and instruction when we put our Panda "Paws Up!"
Dear Franklin Sherman ES Parents/Guardians,
Student ID cards will be distributed this week to all our students who ride the school bus or use FCPS transportation services and were enrolled at Franklin Sherman prior to the beginning of July. Studentswill be tapping their ID cards when boarding and exiting the bus.
The cards are attached to lanyards and should remain inside your child’s backpack each day. Students will be reminded to place the lanyard in their backpack when they arrive at school and to put it on before boarding the bus at dismissal.At this time, only students who use FCPS transportation services will receive an ID card.
Please reach out with any questions or concerns as FCPS is introducing a new school bus naviagtion system as part of their ongoing committment to strengthening layered safety and security programs.
Sincerely,
Farris Thomas
Principal
Franklin Sherman ES
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September 21 Student Holiday
September 25 Advance Academic Programs Parent Coffee 9:30-10:30 a.m.
September 30 3 Hour Early Release
FCPS Calendar: 2026-27
Franklin Sherman Calendar
We are thrilled to invite parents once again for "Lunch with a Panda."
Please join your child for lunch. Reservations become available 2 weeks in advance.
Submit this Reservation Form to let us know that you will visit for lunch.
Important Details:
- This form creates a reservation for 1 parent at a time (if both parents wish to visit for lunch the form must be submitted twice)
- There are at most 3 reservations available per grade per day
- Reservations will only become available 2 weeks in advance
- If a date does not appear in the list of choices it is either because there are no more reservations available for that day, or the school calendar/schedule of events does not allow us to have lunchtime visitors
This school year we will be using a numbering system to help make Kiss and Ride be more efficient. If you need a number, please reach out to our School Counselor Sara Crummett at SLCrummett1@fcps.edu Please place your number in the front windshield each time that you arrive on campus to pick up your child for school. Numbers are for the full school year.
Ms. Crummett, School Counselor, is looking for fifth and sixth grade leaders who are role models of appropriate behavior, and are able to help prevent or respond to safety incidents. Ms. Crummett has planned monthly leadership lunches for patrols as well as outings to safety patrol events. If you feel this would be a good fit for your child, please encourage them to fill out an application. Safety Patrol Application
Franklin Sherman is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction. A continuum of Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) services is available to students in Grades K to 6 and is designed to match services to each student’s unique academic needs.
The process of identification for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP services is prescribed by Fairfax County Public Schools and occurs throughout the school year. Full-Time AAP services have two identification cycles:
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Fall identification: Students in grades 3 to 7 who have enrolled in FCPS since January may be referred by October 15.
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Spring identification: Any FCPS student in Grades 2 to 7 may be referred by December 15.
Note: These are county set deadlines, and late entries can not be accepted.
FCPS uses ability testing as one consideration in the holistic identification process for AAP services:
- All students in Grade 2 take the Naglieri General Ability Test (NGAT).
- Students in Grades 3 to 6 who do not have a multi-domain ability test score take the NGAT later this fall.
- Students in Grades 3 to 6 may retake an ability test one time. Families may request the ability test retake by contacting our Assistant Principal Scott Ralston school testing coordinator, at scralston@fcps.edu by September 30.
Parent Coffee: Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) Information & Full Time Screening Supports meeting
Families are invited to attend our AAP information meeting led by Christy Stoermann, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART) on September 25th from 9:30-10:30 a.m. in the school cafeteria. This information meeting will review both of the following topics:
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AAP Continuum of Services (All students): Families will learn about the continuum of advanced academic services available to FCPS students.
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Full-Time AAP Identification (Grades 2-6): Families will learn about the referral and identification processes for Full-Time AAP services.
Ms. Stoermann will also plan to host virtual “open office hours” in October, November, and December to support families with questions about the AAP Continuum of Services, or the Full-Time AAP Identification process. For more information, please contact Christy Stoermann, AART, at cestoermann@fcps.edu or visit the FCPS Advanced Academic Programs webpage.
The beginning of the school year is the best time to develop strong attendance habits! Students who attend school regularly are more likely to perform well in reading and math, develop strong social and emotional skills, and graduate from high school on time. Help prepare your child for future success by helping them build good habits.
If you or your family need any kind of support, please reach out to our front office. We are here for you! Visit FCPS’ Attendance webpage for tips and strategies.
Volunteers are an important part of helping our students learn, grow, and succeed at Franklin Sherman and throughout FCPS! Parents, caregivers, and community members who would like to volunteer on field trips, in classrooms, at school events, or in other school activities must complete the FCPS volunteer registration process. This includes an online application, a training video, and, depending on the role, a background check.
Ready to get involved? Click here to begin!
https://volunteer.fcps.edu/custom/501/affiliation_details/3144
Please save the date for September 10th for Celebrate McLean. It will run from 3:30 - 6:00 p.m. at the McLean HS practice football field, prior to our football home opener vs Falls Church. We will have games, food, DJ and tables from our clubs and sports. We look forward to another amazing day!
FCPS News |
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Save the Date: Community Conversations with Superintendent 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 will be held across the school division. You are invited to share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Events are planned for the following dates at 6:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted):
- Wednesday, September 16, 6:45 p.m., at McNair Elementary School
- Monday, September 28, at Riverside Elementary School
- Monday, October 19, at Spring Hill Elementary School
- Monday, October 26, at Beech Tree Elementary School
- Thursday, October 29, at North Springfield Elementary School
- Friday, November 13, at Colin Powell Elementary School
Registration links will be shared soon. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are one-hour long and open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.
Weather Happens, FCPS Is Ready
Virginia is no stranger to inclement weather. From severe thunderstorms to high winds to flooding, many different types of weather events can (and sometimes do) impact our schools. FCPS has a plan for each of these scenarios that prioritizes the safety of all our students and staff. What does FCPS do during a flood? What about a severe thunderstorm?
Learn how FCPS prepares for and responds to weather events, and find resources to help your family prepare, on the FCPS Weather Safety webpage.
Safety Drills During the School Year
Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for FCPS. Each school has an emergency preparedness plan to respond to incidents such as fires and extreme weather. Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills, each year. Schools are also required to notify parents and guardians at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill. However, schools are not required to give the specific date and time of the drill in advance.
The first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school. Preschool and kindergarten students are exempt from practicing the first lockdown drill.
Your child may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Please review these frequently asked questions to support your child before and after school lockdown drills.
Know Our Security Terms
FCPS uses specific terminology to describe the actions school staff and students should take to ensure safety in a variety of situations. It is important for staff, families, and students to understand what the different terms mean and how they impact school operations.
Watch this video to learn about safety terms including lockdown; secure the building; and stay put, stay tuned.
If students, staff, or families have a safety concern at school (that is not an immediate emergency), they should submit a tip to the FCPS Safety Tipline. In an emergency, please call 9-1-1.
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26-27 PTA MEMBERSHIP
The new school year is here, which means it's time to renew your PTA membership! For $30 a year, you help directly fund the field trips, teacher grants, and family events that make Franklin Sherman special. Membership doesn't ask for your time, just your name on our roster, and the bigger our numbers, the stronger our voice for our kids. Sign up today!
Get Ready for MMD!
Join your Franklin Sherman friends for one of our favorite annual traditions!
Whether you’re ready to race the 5K, walk with friends, or bring the whole family out for the 1-Mile Fun Run, everyone is welcome. Costumes are encouraged, and you definitely don’t have to be a runner to join the fun!
Sunday, October 25
5K at 8:00 AM
1-Mile Fun Run at 9:00 AM
Come run, walk, cheer, dress up, and be part of a fun FSES tradition.
Sign up today!
Fall Enrichment Signup is HERE!
We have lots of options for before and after school enrichment this fall! Please take a look at the offerings and signup on the PTA Website.
2026-2027 Volunteer Opportunities
Opportunities big and small are available to help support students, connect families, and shape our school community. As Elvis put it, “A little less conversation, a little more action, please!” We'd love to have your talents help our school community. Click here.
Sign Up for the PTA Newsletter
Know someone who doesn't receive our weekly newsletter?
Send them to our SIGN UP FOR THE FSESPTA NEWSLETTER link here!
Our weekly newsletter is filled with important school info.
Panda Fund is ALMOST halfway there! Can you help us get there?
Did you hear about all the ways the PTA supports Franklin Sherman at Back to School Night? The Panda Fund helps make so much of it possible!
Donate Today!
Thanks to our amazing FSES families, we’ve already raised $4,300 — almost halfway to our first goal!
Can you help us get there before the long weekend?
Your Panda Fund donation helps support field trips, classroom supplies, educational subscriptions, assemblies, technology, library resources, events, teacher appreciation, and so much more throughout the school year.
Every donation makes a difference, and every dollar goes right back to supporting our students, teachers, and school community.
Let’s see how close we can get before the long weekend!
Reminders
FCPS CARES
Want a quick way to recognize an employee or team at Franklin Sherman? 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 party from HR. Celebrate our wonderful staff today!
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