FCPS Schools Closed Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Offices Open by 11 a.m.
All Fairfax County public schools are closed Wednesday, January 8, 2025. School offices and central offices will open to the public at 11 a.m.
Central and school office 12-month employees should report to work pending safety and childcare concerns. Please check in with your program manager or supervisor.
The following activities in schools and on school grounds are canceled:
Extracurricular activities
Interscholastic contests
Team practices
Field trips
Middle school after-school programs
Professional learning and training courses
Adult High School and GED
Adult and Community Education (ACE) classes
Recreation programs and community use by outside groups not affiliated with FCPS
School Age Child Care (SACC) centers are closed
Homebound and home-based instruction are canceled.
Franklin Middle School’s MWEE Adventure at Cub Run ReCenter
From September 30 to October 2, students from Franklin Middle School took part in an exciting trip to the Cub Run ReCenter for a Meaningful Watershed Experience (MWEE). Led by our dedicated science teachers, this adventure helped students learn about the local environment in Northern Virginia. Click here to see a slideshow video!
A Dynamic Natural Classroom
Just before our trip, the area had experienced heavy rainfall, making the Cub Run stream lively and full. The sound of rushing water filled the air as students arrived, eager to explore. With their teachers guiding them, they discovered how rain affects local ecosystems and why it’s important to keep our watersheds healthy.
Hands-On Learning and Data Collection
One of the best parts of the trip was the chance to get hands-on experience. Students participated in activities that allowed them to collect data about plants and animals.
Exploring Plants: Students identified different native plants and learned how they help clean our water and provide homes for animals.
Animal Investigations: Using nets, students caught tiny creatures in the stream, like macroinvertebrates. These little animals are great indicators of water quality, and observing them helped students connect what they learn in the classroom to real-life situations.
Teamwork and Falcon Spirit
The MWEE trip was also about teamwork. Students engaged in group activities that encouraged them to communicate and work together. They shared their discoveries and talked about environmental challenges, brainstorming ways to protect our local waters.
As they moved through the stream and trails, the energy was infectious. With the spirit of our school mascot, the falcon, soaring high, students felt inspired to be curious and adventurous in nature.
Reflecting on the Journey
At the end of the trip, students gathered to share their favorite moments. From spotting unique wildlife to tackling challenges as a team, each student had a story to tell. This reflection not only reinforced what they learned but also inspired a commitment to protect the environment.
Looking Forward
The MWEE experience at Cub Run ReCenter was more than just a field trip; it was a chance for personal growth and environmental awareness. The lessons learned during these days will stick with the students, motivating them to take care of their local ecosystems.
As Franklin Middle School continues to promote a love for nature through hands-on experiences like this, our students are sure to become informed and responsible guardians of the planet. With a gallery full of images capturing the excitement of the trip, this adventure will be remembered for years to come, reminding everyone of the beauty and importance of our natural surroundings.
A student in a white shirt holding up a small turtle
A student in a white shirt holding up a small turtle
A student in a red shirt holding up a small turtle
A student in a red shirt holding up a small turtle
Shoes of students who are in the water wading during the MWEE
Shoes of students who are in the water wading during the MWEE
a closeup of an orange, brown, and yellow centipede crawling over a small branch
a closeup of an orange, brown, and yellow centipede crawling over a small branch
A student reading after lunch at the MWEE
A student reading after lunch at the MWEE
A collection of specimens from the watershed
A collection of specimens from the watershed
A student finding animals in the nets at the MWEE
A student finding animals in the nets at the MWEE
A student using a net to catch specimens at the MWEE
A student using a net to catch specimens at the MWEE
A student holding a small animal at the MWEE
A student holding a small animal at the MWEE
A student in a garbage bag like jacket at the MWEE smiling
A student in a garbage bag like jacket at the MWEE smiling
4 students posing in the middle of the river at the MWEE
4 students posing in the middle of the river at the MWEE
A specimen collection at the MWEE
A specimen collection at the MWEE
A student examining a specimen up close at the MWEE
A student examining a specimen up close at the MWEE
Three students wading in the river looking for specimens at the MWEE
Three students wading in the river looking for specimens at the MWEE
A student catching specimens in a net.
A student catching specimens in a net.
Students spinning around a playground during the MWEE
Students spinning around a playground during the MWEE
A turtle shell found at the MWEE
A turtle shell found at the MWEE
A crayfish found at the MWEE
A crayfish found at the MWEE
A student holding up a specimen in the river at the MWEE
A student holding up a specimen in the river at the MWEE
A student looking at the net while collecting specimens.
A student looking at the net while collecting specimens.
Students looking at a tiny frog at the MWEE
Students looking at a tiny frog at the MWEE
A student giving a peace sign in the river looking for specimens
A student giving a peace sign in the river looking for specimens
A group shot of students in improvised rain gear at the MWEE
A group shot of students in improvised rain gear at the MWEE
A station manager explaining the job of that station at the trip
A station manager explaining the job of that station at the trip