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 The Falcon welcomed familes to Open House, students received their schedules, met friends in the hallway and practiced opening lockers.
Franklin Community,
The first day of school is almost here! We are so excited to welcome our students back to Franklin on Monday and officially begin another school year together. It was wonderful to see so many students and families at Open House. We hope students had the opportunity to meet their new teachers, see their classrooms, get a feel for their schedules, and find some time to reconnect with friends. There was a lot of great energy throughout the building, and we are looking forward to having our hallways full again on Monday morning!
For our bus riders, please take a few minutes this weekend to double-check your student’s bus stop and scheduled pickup time. We strongly encourage students to arrive at their bus stop at least five minutes early, especially during the first few days of school as everyone settles into new routines. We want to make sure no one starts their first day by watching the bus drive away!
As a reminder, all students will go through our Open Gate weapons detection system when they arrive at school each morning. Students should follow staff directions and proceed through the system with their belongings. Everything will go through the machines except for student laptops. Once laptops are distributed, students will remove them from their bags and pass them around the machines to a staff member before walking through. Our students did a great job learning and following these procedures last year, and we appreciate your help reinforcing the expectations at home.
FCPS-issued laptops will be distributed to students on Wednesday and Thursday during the first week of school. This is also a good opportunity to remind families that FCPS policy no longer allows students to use personal electronic devices during the school day, including cell phones, personal laptops, and tablets. Students may bring a cell phone to school, but it cannot be used between 7:30am and 2:15pm. We want our school day to be focused on learning, building relationships, and interacting with peers, and we appreciate your partnership in reinforcing these expectations with your student.
During laptop distribution, students who ride the bus will also receive their RFID bus cards. These cards are important and students will need them when riding FCPS buses. Please reinforce at home that students need to keep track of their card, bring it with them each day, and make sure it does not get lost. Establishing a consistent place to keep the card, whether in a backpack or another secure location, will hopefully help students build this into their daily routine.
We know the first day of school comes with a mix of excitement, nerves, and probably some earlier alarm clocks than students have been used to this summer! Our staff has been working hard to prepare for their arrival, and we cannot wait to welcome everyone back on Monday morning. We are looking forward to a fantastic first week and an even better school year ahead.
Go Falcons!
Tom DeRusso
Principal
Franklin Middle School
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A special THANK YOU to the PTA for providing staff with a delicious Chick-Fil-A lunch. It was a wonderful treat leading into Open House. |
~Important Dates~
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
September 11 - NJHS Applications Due
October 19 & 20 - School Picture Day
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.
 Attention 8th Grade Students and Families:
Invitations for 8th-grade students eligible to apply for NJHS have officially been sent! Applications are due September 11, 2026.
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Eligibility: Students who achieved a 3.75 GPA or higher during their 7th-grade year.
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Where to Look: Check the student's @fcpsschools.net email account.
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Next Steps: Open the invitation email for full program details, requirements, and submission deadlines.
Franklin Spirit Wear Sale
Franklin families! Our online spirit wear store closes soon!
Make sure to shop today and save up to 35% on items sitewide!
Our sale ends September 14th! Gear up now and support our school :)
Free Shipping on orders over $85
Click here to shop today ➡️ https://1stplace.sale/97233
~Need to Know~
Family Life Education (FLE)
Parent Preview Night
FLE Parent Preview night will be held on September 2, 5:30pm-6:00pm in room 121.
Please see below regarding more information on FLS instruction.
Students in grades 7-8 participate in Family Life Education (FLE) instruction through their Health/PE classrooms.
8th grade HGD FLE Feb. 2-5
7th grade HGD FLE Feb 8-11
8th grade Emotional & Social FLE lessons begin February 16.
7th grade Emotional & Social FLE lessons begin March 15.
In addition, grade level-specific curriculum lessons are available for review in multiple locations.
- Online in Schoology - includes lessons and media titles that FCPS has streaming rights for. Any additional media or book titles that are not streamed are available at your child’s school library.
o Parents/guardians login to Schoology using the same username and password as their Student Information System (SIS) Parent account.
- Your child’s school. Please contact the school to schedule a time to review lessons and/or media.
- City of Fairfax Regional Library – lessons only. Media is not available.
In the beginning of the year, parents/guardians who did not wish to have their child participate in FLE instruction chose to opt their child out of any or all of the lessons. If you have not and would like to opt your child out of one or more lessons, please fill out and return the form https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/english_3.pdf.
If you have already indicated your desire to opt your child out of FLE lessons by using the form provided earlier in the school year, you do not need to complete another form. Should you opt your child out and then later decide you want your child included in FLE instruction, you must notify your child’s school principal in writing before instruction begins.
An alternative non-FLE health instructional program is provided for children who do not take part in FLE instruction, and every effort is made to foster understanding and respect for family choices and to avoid peer pressure for or against participation in the program.
Student ID Cards for Franklin Middle School Bus Riders
We will begin distributing student ID cards to all our students who ride the school bus or use FCPS transportation services. Cards will be distributed to bus riders only at the end of the first week of school.
Students who have student ID cards should begin tapping as they board and exit the bus. Only students who use FCPS transportation services will be provided with a student ID card at this time.
We ask for your patience! Bus drivers will begin checking in students next week and may need some extra time at each bus stop while they do this. The transportation team is working hard to minimize any potential delays.
Learn more about the bus navigation and student ID cards.
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:
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