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 Welcome Back Falcons!
Franklin Community,
It’s hard to believe that summer is already beginning to wind down, but we are incredibly excited to get another school year underway at Franklin! I hope everyone has had an opportunity to relax, recharge, spend time with family and friends, and enjoy a little break from the school-day alarm clock. Our staff has been hard at work getting classrooms and the building ready, and we can’t wait to welcome our students and families back!
Our biggest back-to-school event is our Open House on Thursday, August 20. We strongly encourage families to join us for this opportunity to tour the building, meet teachers, and begin getting comfortable with Franklin before the first day of school. Administrators and counselors will also be available to answer questions and help families get ready for a successful start to the year.
In addition to meeting our staff and exploring the building, families will be able to connect with important beginning-of-the-year information, including our After School Program and required forms. We will also have Kona Ice available for purchase in the parking lot, so hopefully you can enjoy a treat while getting ready for the new school year!
Open House will also give students an opportunity to learn more about our arrival procedures and practice entering the building through our open gate weapons detection system. We know that arrival procedures can be one of the many questions students have before the first day, especially for our new Falcons, so this will be a great chance to see how the process works and become comfortable with the routine before school officially begins.
As we get closer to opening day, please remember that student schedules and bus information will be available in StudentVUE beginning Thursday, August 20. We encourage families to take a look at this information together before the first day so students know their schedule and transportation plan.
And then the big day arrives! The first day of school is Monday, August 24. We know there will be some excitement, some nerves, and probably a few students wishing summer lasted just a little bit longer, but our staff will be ready to help everyone get settled and off to a great start.
Enjoy these final days of summer, and we hope to see everyone at Open House on August 20. We are excited for another great year at Franklin and can’t wait to have our students back in the building!
Go Falcons!
Tom DeRusso
Principal
Franklin Middle School
~Important Dates~
August 20: Open House - 3:00pm-5:00pm
August 24 - First Day of School
September 2 - Back to School Night - 6:00pm-8:00pm
September 2 - Dining for Dollars - Chipotle - 4:00pm-8:00pm
Open House
August 20th - 3:00pm-5:00pm
 
First Day of School
August 24th - 7:30am-2:15pm
Students will start in 1st period at 7:30 am on Monday, August 24, 2026. Students should check their StudentVUE ahead of the first day to confirm their class schedule and bus assignment for the year (available the morning of August 20th).
Here is a list of recommended school supplies that most students will use throughout the year. Please note that teachers will share lists of supplies needed for specific classes during the Open House and the first week of school.
~Action Items~
Reminders for the Start of the Year
☑️ Sign Up for SIS ParentVUE
Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Contact our registrar at [email/phone number] if you need an activation code. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE. Also, download the new ParentVUE mobile app so you can access your child’s records easily from anywhere!
☑️Update Your Contact Information
Be sure you receive important information! Update your phone number(s) and/or email address(es) by clicking “My Account” and reviewing the “Online Verification/Update.” On that form, you can also update immunization records, health information, and emergency contacts.
☑️ Update Immunizations and Records
Immunizations are required for all students to attend school in Virginia. This is an important part of protecting them from certain diseases and keeping them healthy.
When your child is immunized, remember to request a copy of their immunization record and bring that to our front office or submit the record via SIS ParentVUE as soon as possible. Find more information on FCPS’ website.
☑️ Learn About School Meals
Families need to provide their children with money to purchase meals at school or send them with a packed lunch. Alternatively, families may apply to receive free and reduced-price meal benefits, pending approval.
☑️ Bookmark the School Year Calendar
Be sure to bookmark the FCPS school year calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances:
- Days marked blue with an “H” are student holidays. Schools are closed on these days.
- Days marked orange with an “O” are religious and cultural observance days (or evenings, if only half marked). There is school on these days, but certain events that cannot be made up may not be scheduled on these days.
- Days marked as TW, SD, and SP and in pink are holidays for students but working days for teachers and staff.
~Need To Know~
FRANKLIN MIDDLE SCHOOL PROCEDURES 2026-2027
Welcome! Whether you are making the transition to middle school or returning for 8th grade, please review the following procedures to ensure that all students are safe and accounted for each school day and to minimize disruption of classroom instructional time.
Phones
Franklin Middle School has an “off and away” policy for student phones in classrooms, hallways, bathrooms, and locker rooms. Phones must be turned off and put in a backpack or locker for the duration of the school day (7:30 am - 2:15 pm).
Early Dismissal
*The attendance line is NOT to be used to request early dismissal. To minimize disruptions to the classroom learning environment, please have your student bring a written note to the main office by 7:30 detailing the student name, date, and time you will pick up your student and the reason for the early dismissal. A pass will be issued to your student to be released from class at the designated time. Parents, guardians, and those listed as emergency contacts in SIS must provide a photo ID when picking up students from the main office. Early dismissal passes may be printed from our website.
Absences and/or Late Arrivals
Absences and late arrivals should be reported by 8:00 am using any of the following methods. The following methods are NOT to be used to request early dismissal.
- Attendance line: 703-904-5151
- Online attendance form on the FMS website
- Through ParentVue submission
Forgotten Items
Please do not drop off forgotten items, including lunches, as we cannot guarantee they will get to the student’s classroom. Exceptions include prescription glasses, hearing aids, medication, etc.
Bus Transportation
In support of student safety and accountability, bus riders are to get on and off at their own assigned FCPS bus stop. Students will tap on/off with individually assigned ID cards issued by the school.
Clinic
Students should not use their phones to call home if they are not feeling well. They should get a pass from their teacher and report directly to the clinic.
Pre-Arranged Absences (3 or more days)
A student with a planned absence for 3 or more consecutive days requires a prearranged absence form. The completed form must be submitted to the Attendance Office a week in advance. The prearranged absence form is available on the FCPS website or a paper copy may be picked up in the main office. Emails to staff members other than the attendance office may not be recorded properly or in a timely manner.
Clinic Procedures
Greetings from your school Health Room! Our Health Room team is excited to partner with you in supporting the health and well-being of your student. Our goal is to help every student stay healthy, safe, and ready to learn. The Health Room team is here to provide care for illness or injury during the school day, assist in managing health conditions, administer medications as needed, screen hearing and vision as indicated, and promote healthy habits. We value strong communication with families. Please keep us informed of any health concerns or medical needs your child may have so we can support them effectively throughout the school year.
How can you help us provide the best possible care for your student?
Does your student require a special diet?
- If your student requires a modified diet and will eat school meals, please refer to the Steps to Request Dietary Accommodations. Forms are available for students who require medical dietary accommodations and those who cannot drink cow’s milk and need milk substitutes.
Has your student had a head injury at home?
- Immediately notify the school heath room and your student’s school counselor so school staff can implement appropriate accommodations if needed and follow established protocols to support a safe recovery and return to learning.
Has your student had an injury at home that may impact their physical activity at school?
Any questions about opioid awareness?
Does your student have a medical condition, require medication during the school day, or need a health care procedure?
- If your student has a seizure disorder (epilepsy), please have your student’s health care provider complete the FCPS Authorization for Seizure Action Plan (SS/SE-385) and return it to the school public health nurse (PHN). This includes authorization for seizure rescue medications and procedures that may be required during the school day.
- If medication must be administered during the school day, please follow the guidelines established in the current version of FCPS Regulation 2102.
- Have your student’s health care provider complete appropriate FCPS medication authorization forms and submit them to the school health room annually, as applicable:
- Bring your student’s medications to the health room.
- If your student must have health care procedures during the school day, please follow the guidelines established in the current version of FCPS Regulation 2104.
- Have your student’s health care provider complete an appropriate authorization form and submit them to the school health room annually, as appropriate:
- Bring your student’s health care procedure supplies to the health room.
Thank you for partnering with us to help keep all FCPS students healthy, safe and ready to learn. We look forward to working with you throughout the school year.
If you have any questions, feel free to call your school Health Room at 703-904-5110 or your school Public Health Nurse, Erica Meacham, RN, at 571-585-3502.
~Student Services~
Student ID Cards Coming for Bus Riders This Fall
As part of the ongoing commitment to strengthening layered safety and security programs, FCPS will implement a new student ID system for students who ride our school buses. ID cards will give students access to their assigned bus. As a result, Franklin Middle School will no longer issue temporary passes to students who are not assigned to a bus. Students who wish to go home with friends must make their own arrangements that do not include riding the bus.
The implementation of the student IDs is designed as an additional safety measure for our 130,000 FCPS students who ride the bus each day, ensuring they are on the right bus and that they get on and off at the correct bus stop, as well as making sure only authorized students are on our buses.
The IDs will be provided to students who ride the bus. Those students will be expected to tap on and tap off the bus. The student IDs do not track student movement. The only information available is when a student taps on or off a bus. Much like our Here Comes the Bus app, our new app will allow parents/guardians to track the progress of the school bus.
It is possible that the ID program will expand in the future to include uses such as library cards and meal payment. Learn more about the new transportation system and student ID cards.
~After-School Program~
Franklin Middle School offers free after-school activities every Monday through Friday until 5:00 PM 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!
Key Highlights:
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Free Programs: Running Monday–Friday until 5:00 PM.
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Bus Transportation: Available 4 days a week.
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Full Schedule & Details: View specific program information on the Franklin MS After-School Program website starting August 14, 2026.
Action Needed: Complete Registration Today!
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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No obligation: Registering does not require your child to attend.
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Be prepared: Completing this form ensures your student is cleared to join in on any activity, any time during the school year!
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