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Franklin Families and Students,
Good Afternoon! It has been a busy week at Franklin and we continue to start the 2nd quarter with a lot of positive momentum. A big thank you to all of the families and students who attended our yearbook photo events on Monday and Thursday. Even though it was only for a few moments, it was exciting to have our students in the building again and to reconnect with so many of them. As long as the health conditions allow, we plan to offer other opportunities like this throughout the school year.
The FCPS School Board met last night to receive a Return to School update from the Superintendent and his team. A recording of the meeting is available here and the slidedeck used during the presentation can be found on the school board website. As more decisions are made at the division level, we will host additional Franklin Town Halls to inform our community about what the Return to School plan will look like at FMS.
On Wednesday of this week, all of our students were able to take part in a Veterans Day presentation during their Falcon Time session. They engaged in reflective discussions about the importance of honoring our veterans and what Veterans Day means to them.
On behalf of the Franklin Middle School students and staff, we would like to express our gratitude to all of the men and women, and their families, who have served our nation as members of the United States Armed Forces.
Sincerely,
Dustin Wright
Principal
Community Message
Important Upcoming Events
November 16 - Math Inventory Assessment
November 16 - Art Supplies Distribution from 12:00 PM - 2:30 PM
November 16 - National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) Member Meeting at 1:30 PM (8th Grade Student Members only)
November 25-27 - Thanksgiving Holiday
Math Inventory Assessment on November 16
This year, all FCPS students taking Math 7, Math 7 Honors, Pre-Algebra, Algebra and Algebra Honors are required to take Math Inventory pre and post assessments for the purpose of measuring student growth. The assessment is ungraded and not intended to measure current grade level standards. Franklin students will take this assessment on Monday, November 16 to begin at the conclusion of the News Show during Check and Connect.
During this week’s math classes, students have received instruction on how to log in and how to complete the assessment. Please encourage your child to attend Monday’s Check and Connect with their Falcon Time teacher and to take this 25-30 question CAT assessment until 9:30 AM or until the test concludes.
Art Supplies Distribution on November 16
Mrs. French will be distributing watercolors and any remaining art supplies to all of her art students on Monday, November 16 from 12:00 PM - 2:30 PM. This drive-through process is an opportunity to visit the school to gather instructional materials that are not available in a digital format and to say hello.
Distribution procedures will be as follows:
- Social distancing guidelines will be in effect and please review the health screening questions found here before visiting FMS.
- Vehicles will enter the bus loop and pull ahead to the pick-up station near Door 2.
- Families and students will stay in their vehicle.
- Vehicles will exit the bus loop near Old Dairy Road.
All Art, Engineering, and FACS materials are part of a student fee included in course enrollment and are preferably payable using MySchoolBucks, but can also be paid by cash or check through the main office.
Franklin MS will make all reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy all of its programs, services, and activities. Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service to facilitate the pickup of materials should contact Mr. Gibbs (ragibbs@fcps.edu) as soon as possible.
Families who cannot pick up art materials on Monday are welcome to come to Franklin each weekday between the hours of 7:30 AM and 3:00 PM. Please use the Door 1 intercom and our front office staff will be happy to assist you.
National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) Member Meeting on November 16 (8th Grade Student Members Only)
We will have our first meeting this Monday, November 16 at 1:30 PM. This meeting is for current 8th Grade NJHS members only. Members may access the meeting through our NJHS Google Classroom (all members already have access) and use the Google Meets link in the banner. We will be discussing member expectations, leadership opportunities, GPA minimums, and service. The meeting will be recorded and posted in our NJHS Google Classroom should a member not be able to attend.
Using Google Classroom to Support Your Student at Home
As the first quarter closes and we move into our second quarter, the partnership between the school and home continues to be important for monitoring student progress and performance in the virtual setting. Google Classroom is the Learning Management System (LMS) that all of our Franklin teachers are using to assign, collect, and grade school work.
Since it is web-based, parents and guardians have access to their child’s Google Classrooms from a computer or smartphone once they enter their child’s username (studentID#@fcpsschools.net) and password. There are a number of features in Google Classroom that make it easier for parents to identify missing or late assignments. Please take a moment to review this short video created to help parents and guardians navigate their child’s Google Classroom account. Consistent access to your child’s Google Classroom account is an important way you can work collaboratively with teachers to help your child be successful with distance learning. If you have any general questions about Google Classroom, please reach out to our School-based Technology Specialist Ryan Richardson (rdrichardso1@fcps.edu).
Franklin MS After School Program
After-School reminders:
- Students can find more information about the After-School Program in their grade-level Google Classroom and on the student After-School site.
- Students should check out the “Clubs by Day” and “Club Descriptions” sheets for club information and schedules.
- The after-school program will not meet on Monday, November 23 and Tuesday, November 24.
If you have any questions about the After-School Program, please feel free to contact Mrs. Mollé (cemolle@fcps.edu).
School Board Votes to Make Changes to 2020-21 Calendar
The Fairfax County School Board has voted to make Inauguration Day (Wednesday, January 20, 2021) a holiday for Fairfax County Public Schools students and employees, and Juneteenth (Saturday, June 19, 2021) a holiday for employees that will be observed on Friday, June 18, 2021.
On the 2020-21 school year calendar, January 20, 2021, had been listed as an instructional day for students and regular workday for all employees.
Previously, during every fourth year, Inauguration Day was designated as a holiday for students and employees. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors recently authorized its 2021 holiday schedule, which includes Inauguration Day as a holiday for Fairfax County employees.
In an effort to further create an inclusive environment, Juneteenth was included as a holiday in 2020; it was recently included by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors as a holiday for county employees. Virginia has also passed legislation to observe Juneteenth as an official holiday for state employees.
See the complete 2020-21 school year calendar.
Outstanding FCPS Employee Awards
Each year Fairfax County Public Schools recognizes outstanding employees through an employee awards program. Nominations are now open for the Outstanding FCPS Employee Awards. Franklin families will be able to submit a nomination for Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below using the google form link. Nominations may be in one or more category. All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. The google form link will have more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards and the eligibility requirements are below. The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, November 20. Please reach out to Zena Chapman with any questions.
Outstanding Teacher
Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category
Outstanding New Teacher
Eligibility: Within their first three years of being a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category
Outstanding Principal
Eligibility: Has at least three years’ experience as a building principal (in any school/school district)
Outstanding Leader
Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current position as a Schedule-C or School-Based Administrator scale employee (that is not the building principal):
Common positions in this category: Assistant and Associate Principals, Director of Student Activities, Director of Student Services
Outstanding Professional Employee
Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position as a Schedule-B employee or other non-instructional employee in a school that supports school leadership
Common positions in this category: School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Assessment Coach, Career Center Specialist, Instructional Coach, Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor, Safety and Security Specialist, Resource Teachers that serve in an administrative role in a school
Outstanding Operational Employee
Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee
Common positions in this category: Administrative and Office Staff, Safety and Security Assistant, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, All Parent Liaisons
PTA Spirit Wear Sale - 2nd Chance to Purchase! Orders due November 26
The PTA is offering a second chance to get Spirit Wear! There will be no more opportunities to buy until the Fall of next school year. Some new items have been added, and the favorites are still included to choose from. Purchases are online only and ordering is open until Thursday, November 26 at 11:00PM. No late orders will be accepted and all sales are final. Please click here to order your Franklin MS spirit wear. Distribution of orders will be before the winter holiday break, with scheduled pick-up windows held outside of school. Families will be contacted with pick-up information when the orders are in. Please contact our Spirit Wear Coordinator with any questions.
Service Learning Opportunities
If your student is interested in service learning opportunities, please visit the FMS PTA Facebook page.
3300 Lees Corner Road Chantilly, VA 20151 | Main Office: 703-904-5100
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