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 Leadership collabroated to build towers with spaghetti and marshmallows. The winning tower was over 24 inches tall! Media Arts students learned how to use equipment in preparation for recording their first news show.
Franklin Community,
We are excited that Cross Country season is officially underway at Franklin! Participating in a school sport is such a great opportunity for students to get involved and connected to their school community. In addition to the obvious physical benefits, being part of a team helps students build friendships, develop confidence, learn how to work toward a goal, and experience the commitment and perseverance that come with being part of something bigger than themselves. Cross Country certainly requires plenty of perseverance, especially when you are running mile after mile!
Thank you to Mr. Fauver, Dr. Pratt, and Mr. Ross for giving their time and energy to coach our students this season. We appreciate everything that goes into providing this opportunity for our students and wish all of our runners a great season! Their first meet is Saturday, 10/3, at Carson Middle School at 7:30am. Good luck to all of our runners. Go Falcons!
We are also excited to welcome back our Franklin news show next week after several years off! Thank you to Ms. Bello and her Journalism class for all of the hard work they have put in to get the show off the ground. A school news show is obviously a great way to get important information out to our students, but I am even more excited about the opportunity it gives us to highlight all of the great things happening throughout Franklin. With so much happening in our classrooms, clubs, activities, athletics, and throughout the school, this gives our students another way to celebrate each other and continue building a positive culture and sense of community at Franklin. We are looking forward to seeing the first show next week!
On Wednesday morning, we will be conducting a bus evacuation drill in the bus loop. This is a simple and quick drill that helps students understand how to safely use the emergency exit on a school bus if they ever need to do so. When students arrive Wednesday morning, they will leave their belongings on the bus, sit and slide out of the emergency exit, and then reenter the bus to collect their belongings before heading to the Open Gate line. The drill should only take a few minutes, but it is an important opportunity for students to become familiar with the process.
Speaking of Open Gate, our students have been doing a MUCH better job getting through the lines and into the building on time! We have seen a vast improvement over the last couple of weeks, so thank you to our students for adjusting their routines and helping us speed up our arrival procedures.
As a reminder, students can help keep the lines moving by taking their computers, eyelash curlers, umbrellas, and metal eyeglass cases out of their bags before going through Open Gate. These continue to be some of the most common items that set off the alarm. Students who bring instruments to school must walk through Open Gate with their instrument cases for security reasons. If the instrument sets off the alarm, we will simply conduct a secondary check. Great work to all of our students for the improvements we have seen during arrival!
Finally, I want to share an important opportunity for families to learn more about a proposed change to Advanced Academic Programming at Franklin.
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is proposing to open a new Full-time Advanced Academic Program Center at Franklin Middle School. If approved by the School Board, students who live within the Franklin MS boundary will attend Franklin Middle School for Full-Time AAP, starting with grade 7 in SY 2027-28 and grades 7-8 in SY 2028-29.
There will be a community meeting for interested families to learn more about the proposal to expand Full-Time AAP to all FCPS middle schools and provide feedback on October 5, 2026 at 6 p.m. at Franklin Middle School. More information can be found on the FCPS public webpage.
Please let us know if you plan to attend and if you require interpretation services by filling out the Franklin MS RSVP form.
I hope all of our students and families enjoy a relaxing, fun, and safe three-day weekend! Remember that there is no school on Monday. We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Tuesday!
Have a great weekend and Go Falcons!
Tom DeRusso
Principal
Franklin Middle School
Weekly CARE Card Raffle Winners
~Important Dates~
September 21 - Yom Kippur - School & Office Closed
September 25 - TJHSST Information Meeting - 9:45am - Franklin Theater
October 3 - Cross Country Meet at Carson MS
October 5 - PTA Meeting - 5:30-6:00pm - Library
October 5 - AAP Community Meeting - 6:00pm - Gym
October 5 - TJHSST Applications Open - 4:00pm
October 19 & 20 - School Picture Day
November 3 - Spirit Night @ Big Buns - 4pm-9pm
~Action Items~
Picture Day is Coming!
October 19 and October 20
- School pictures will be taken during PE classes
- Pre-order today using the QR Code or go to mylifetouch.com
- Create an account or login with the Picture Day ID: EVT4QV8W4
- Orders will be sent home a few weeks after picture day
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.
~Need to Know~
Specialty Drinks / Energy Drinks
We ask for your support in reminding students not to bring in specialty coffee drinks or energy drinks to school. When spilled, these can be difficult to clean up and these items can become a distraction to the learning environment. We appreciate your partnership in helping us maintain a focused and safe school setting for all students.
~Student Services~
THOMAS JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL INTEREST MEETING
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25TH STARTING AT 9:45 AM
FRANKLIN MIDDLE SCHOOL THEATER
An admissions representative from Thomas Jefferson School of Science and Technology will be at Franklin Middle school to explain the requirements and process for applying to the TJ for 9th grade. This event is geared towards 8th grade students interested in applying this Fall. 7th grade students are welcome to attend this presentation.
Parents are welcome to attend and will need to complete attached RSVP Form
Student Google Form
Parent RSVP Form
Are You a U.S. Military-Connected Family?
Department of the Army - Department of the Navy - United States Coast Guard - United States Marine Corps - Department of the Air Force
Franklin Middle School would like to identify our U.S. military-connected families so we can better support and recognize them throughout the school year.
If you or your spouse/partner currently serves or has previously served in the United States Armed Forces, please complete this short Google Form
This form is only for families connected to the U.S. military
America’s military families live a transient lifestyle, moving into a new community every two to three years. Over 13,500 military-connected students are enrolled in FCPS. Welcome new military families into your community and share your appreciation for their service and sacrifices during this year’s #BlueStarWelcomeWeekFCPS from September 26 - October 4.
TJHSST - Applications open
October 5, 4:00pm
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 2031 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST).
The application will be available Monday, October 5, at 4 p.m. Applications must be started by 4 p.m. Wednesday, October 28, with a submission deadline of 4 p.m. Friday, October 30. Visit the TJHSST registration page for more information, including a schedule of upcoming information sessions at middle schools.
Twice-Exceptional (2e) Learners
Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction. Twice-Exceptional (2e) learners are students who are both gifted and have learning challenges or disabilities.
Families can learn more about 2e learners, how to support them, and how to partner with schools on the 2e webpage, which also includes a link to the Special Education Handbook.
New information, including printable flyers, has been added under the heading Supporting 2e Learners in FCPS.
For more information, please contact Janet Schiavone at jpschiavone@fcps.edu
 Franklin MS will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 through October 15. This special month recognizes and celebrates the rich cultures, histories, traditions, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities.
Join us as we celebrate the diversity and heritage that enrich our Franklin community!
~After-School Program~
FRANKLIN AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM
Franklin Middle School offers free after-school activities every Monday through Friday all school year long.Whether your student wants to join sports, get help with homework, create, and compete in STEM clubs, play video games, or attend special events—there is something for everyone!
- Bus Transportation: Available 4 days a week.
- Schedule & more info on the Franklin After-School Website
- Late Runs - Posted in the After-School and Parent Schoology Course
- Parents can access the schedule via the Parent Schoology and the Franklin After-School website.
Even if your student isn't sure they want to participate right away, we strongly encourage every family to complete the registration form now.
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