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Students participated in preparation for the Franklin V Rocky Basketball game, students in band, and rewards being passed out for good attendance.

Franklin Community,

This week we had the opportunity to celebrate students who demonstrated being Connected and Accountable through our Low Tardy Incentive. Students who had five or fewer tardies during the month of January were eligible to receive a treat as a recognition of their effort. Popsicles were distributed during lunches, and candy was provided for students who are fasting during the day. Students received tickets earlier in the day and redeemed them during their scheduled lunch block. We are proud of the many students who earned this recognition and want to continue reinforcing how important it is to arrive to class on time. It maximizes learning time, builds responsibility, and helps create a smooth and productive school day for everyone.

We also want to provide an update on our Falcons in Good Standing (FIGS) program as we prepare for the Franklin vs. Rocky Run basketball game. As a reminder, students must meet the following criteria during the month of February to remain eligible to attend the game: no more than five tardies, no cell phone referrals, no Acceptable Use Policy referrals, no hate speech violations, and no suspensions. Students who were not currently in good standing were notified on Tuesday. We held our first FIGS Reset session today and will offer another one next week to give students an opportunity to reflect and potentially earn back their good standing prior to the game on Friday. We appreciate your partnership in reinforcing positive decision-making and accountability at home as we build toward this exciting event.

Speaking of, we are looking forward to our annual Franklin vs. Rocky Run Basketball Game next Friday, February 27, at Chantilly High School! The event begins at 5:00 pm with the staff game, followed by the girls game at 6:00 pm and the boys game at 7:00 pm. This long-standing tradition is always a highlight of the year, and we invite all families to come out and show their Franklin spirit as we strive to maintain control of the coveted Route 50 Cup. It promises to be a fun and spirited evening for our community.

As we approach the beginning of Ramadan, we want to acknowledge and honor those in our Franklin community who will be observing. We wish all who celebrate a meaningful and peaceful month.

To support our students during this time, we are providing several accommodations:

Fasting Space During Lunch
The library will be available for students during their scheduled lunch block. While using this space:
• Students must remain seated in a quiet environment. They may talk quietly with friends, play a quiet board game, rest, or work on school assignments.
• No food or drink is permitted in this area out of respect for those who are fasting.
• Students may use their school laptops for academic work. Personal electronics, including cell phones and AirPods, are not permitted.

Prayer and Meditation Access
The library also houses our designated prayer and meditation space:
• During recess or lunch, students may access the space without prior arrangement.
• If access is needed during instructional time, a written note from a parent or guardian should be provided to the school counselor indicating the time and reason for the request. Students are responsible for returning to class promptly and making up any missed work.

FCPS Meal Kits for Fasting Students
FCPS offers take-home meal kits for students who are fasting during the school day. Each kit includes one breakfast and one lunch to be enjoyed after sunset.
• Kits are available through March 19, 2026.
• Families must submit a request form each week for each student. Forms are available on the FCPS Food and Nutrition Services website.
• Forms must be submitted by the Monday of the week prior to pickup.
• Meals are charged at the standard daily rate. Students must pick up their kits at the end of the school day, as adults are not permitted to collect them.

We are honored to support our students and families during this time. To all who are observing, we hope this month is filled with joy, community, and meaningful connection.

Thank you, as always, for your continued partnership. We will see if we end up with some more snow this weekend as we look forward to an exciting week ahead at Franklin!

Tom DeRusso
Principal
Franklin Middle School

Weekly CARE Card Raffle Winners

Students of the Month

Congratulations to our Falcons who were honored as our December and January Students of the Month.  We are so proud of you.  Continue to Soar!

~Important Dates~ 

February 22-27 - Spirit Week

February 27 - Franklin vs. Rocky Run Basketball

                       5pm-Staff / 6pm-Girls / 7pm-Boys

March 20 - Eid al-Fitr - School & Office Closed

March 27 - End of 3rd Quarter - 2 hour early release

March 30-April 3 - Spring Break

Spirit Week - February 23-27

Show your Franklin spirit throughout the week as we prepare for the Battle for Route 50 - Franklin vs. Rocky Run basketball game!

~Action Items~

Want a quick way to recognize an employee or team? Share an FCPS CARES! Families, colleagues, and students are all invited to submit. The FCPS CARES is automatically sent to the recipient(s) and their supervisor, and is posted on fcps.edu. Additionally, each month one school in our region wins a staff celebration from HR. Encourage your community to show our staff that their hard work is appreciated!