Franklin MS Update- 03/27/2026

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This week was Stress Less Week, a week long celebration of ways to make the stress disappear, just in time for Spring Break. Students played mini basketball at lunch on Thursday, students got to meet the therapy dogs on Monday, and on Wednesday it as a fantastic imagination vacation for our students.

Students pausing at a photobooth on imagination vacation day, students petting visiting Alpacas on Wednesday during PE, the really cool chalk inspirational messages that showed up on Wednesday, and the Take What You Need board where students could get positive affirmation messages on Tuesday.

Students meeting with the therapy dogs, students dressed up for Music Monday, and the winners of the staff v students music competition (it was so close), the staff!

Franklin Community,

As we head into Spring Break next week, we want to take a moment to wish all of our students and families a safe, restful, and enjoyable time away. This break is a great opportunity to recharge, and we hope everyone is able to relax and spend meaningful time together.

This week, we had the opportunity to celebrate our Stress Less, Laugh More Week, and it was a fantastic success. Throughout the week, students were able to take part in a variety of activities designed to promote well-being, connection, and a little bit of fun during the school day. We welcomed students each morning with music during arrival, setting a positive tone to start the day. During lunches, students enjoyed staff versus student “Name That Tune” and a 7th grade versus 8th grade basketball shooting competition. Students also had a visit from mini alpacas during all PE classes, which was certainly a highlight for many. It was great to see so much positive energy and engagement from our students throughout the week.

A very special thank you goes to Ms. Gallagher and our Student Services team for their hard work in planning and organizing this meaningful week. Their efforts continue to make a positive impact on the overall well-being of our students and help create a supportive and connected school environment.

We would also like to recognize National Librarian Day on April 4 and extend our sincere appreciation to Ms. Ruffle for all that she does for our students and staff. The library is an important part of our school community, and we are grateful for the welcoming and engaging space she creates for our students each day.

Looking ahead, the week we return from Spring Break is Assistant Principal Appreciation Week. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Ms. Lombardi and Ms. Sciabica for their leadership, dedication, and the countless ways they support our students, staff, and families. Their work plays a critical role in ensuring that our school runs smoothly each day, and we are fortunate to have them as part of our Franklin team.

We also ask for your support in reminding students not to bring in specialty coffee drinks to school. Recently, we have had several spills, and these items can become a distraction to the learning environment. We appreciate your partnership in helping us maintain a focused and safe school setting for all students.

Lastly, families will be receiving an email from noreply@fcps.edu on April 6 containing a link to the annual principal evaluation. This is a legitimate message, and we encourage you to take a few moments to complete the survey. Your feedback is anonymous and provides valuable insight into key aspects of our school, helping to guide our ongoing work and shape our vision moving forward. The survey will remain open through April 19.

We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Spring Break, and we look forward to welcoming students back refreshed and ready for the weeks ahead.

Tom DeRusso
Principal
Franklin Middle School

Weekly CARE Card Raffle Winners

Students of the Month

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

~Important Dates~

March 30-April 3: Spring Break - School Closed

April 6: Teacher Workday - School Closed

April 10: Teacher Workday - School Closed

April 13: Last Day to Order a Yearbook

April 15: Purple Up! Day (Month of the Military Child)

April 21: Special Election - School Closed

~Action Items~

We Want Your Feedback! Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Questionnaire

On Monday, April 6, parents and guardians of Franklin Middle School will receive an email with a link to the FCPS Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Feedback Form. This questionnaire is part of the Performance Evaluation Program and provides an opportunity to share anonymous feedback about our school’s leadership and environment.

Topics covered in the survey include:

✅ Instructional leadership

✅ School climate

✅ Management (human resources and organizational)

✅ Communication and community relations

✅ Culturally responsive and equitable leadership

✅ Professionalism

The questionnaire will be open April 6 - April 19 and will be collected online. When you receive the email from noreply@fcps.edu, please take a few minutes to complete it. Your input is valuable and helps shape the future of our school. Thank you for your time and feedback!

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!

Franklin MS Spirit Wear

Now’s the perfect time to grab your favorite Franklin hoodies, long sleeves, tees, hats, and cold-weather gear for the whole family. Whether you're staying warm at home, events, or around town, don’t miss your chance to show your Franklin pride and save. These winter savings won’t last long!

Use code SPIRIT308 at checkout! Plus enjoy free shipping on orders $85+.

Yearbook Orders

Pre-order your 2025-2026 Franklin Yearbook! Orders are open between now and April 13. No late orders will be accepted.

To order, visit yearbookordercenter.com and use order number 5330, or use the QR code provided on the attached flyer. Cost is $30.

Don't miss out!

Register To Volunteer

All parents must register before volunteering for a school event. At Franklin Middle School, our volunteers are a vital part of our school community. We deeply value the time and care they give to our students.

We encourage all our parents and community members interested in supporting our students by volunteering at school to visit Volunteer FCPS, click “Learn More,” and then “Sign Up.” After you create a profile, you will view an orientation video and complete a volunteer application. Visit the Volunteer FCPS Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more.

Want to volunteer? Visit Volunteer FCPS to find and sign up for volunteer opportunities. Contact Volunteers@fcps.edu with any questions.

~Student Services~

In April we Celebrate the Month of the Military Child (MOMC)

We recognize and thank children from military families for the sacrifices they make living the military lifestyle.

Purple Up! Day in FCPS is April 15, 2026

#PurpleUpFCPS

Let’s Talk About The Anxious Generation – Book Discussion

We invite you to join us for a virtual Book Discussion of The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, a #1 New York Times bestseller exploring how today’s world is impacting our children’s mental health.

When: Wednesday, May 6, 2026 - 5:30 – 7:00 pm

Where: Zoom

This will be a judgment-free conversation about our kids’ screen time, smartphones, social media, and other topics that affect our kids’ lives.

If you’ve read the book—great! If not, no worries. We’ll share a summary you can review, and we’ll also have a few copies of the book available after Spring Break for those who are interested.

The conversation will be led by two parents and will be a chance to connect, share perspectives, and learn from one another in a supportive space.

We hope you’ll join us!

Parent Acknowledgment of Course Requests for Next School Year

We are excited to introduce a new feature in SIS ParentVUE that allows you to review and acknowledge your child’s course requests for the 2026-27 school year. Follow the step-by-step directions below or click here to download directions.

How to Review Your Student's Selections

Log into your ParentVUE account.
Select the Course Request module.
Review the list of courses for the next school year.

Please Note: These are requests, not a schedule. Schedules will be made available in August.

Primary Requests: Located in the top section (includes Core classes and Electives).
Alternate Electives: Located in the bottom section. These alternate courses may be used if there is a scheduling conflict, staffing limitations, changes in services (IEP/ESOL) or intervention needs, Academy acceptance, or music audition placement results.

How to Acknowledge Your Review

We strongly encourage you to discuss these selections with your child if you have not already done so. Once you have reviewed the list, please confirm your acknowledgment by March 27, 2026, following these steps:

Navigate to the Student Info module.
Click Edit Information.
Locate the Course Request Acknowledgment field.
Update the field to "Yes" and click Save Changes.

Food for Neighbors

Help Franklin MS and Food for Neighbors, Fight Student Hunger with the Red Bag Program

1 in 4 kids in Northern Virginia faces hunger. Food For Neighbors supports local students by collecting food through the Red Bag Program and distributing it to school pantries.

How it works:

Request a free Red Bag
Fill it with listed food items every 2 months
Leave it outside on collection day — it’ll be picked up!

Learn more about what to donate and how to get involved: Red Bag program click here.

You can also volunteer to collect or sort bags — a great way for students to earn service hours.

Questions? Contact the school’s social worker, Elyse Brunais , or our family liaison, Janet McFadden.

~AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM~

Students should be picked up from the After-School Program no later than 5:00PM. Parents should communicate with your student on their pickup time. Late Buses run Monday-Thursday with a departure time of 4:45pm. On Fridays there are no late buses but parents may pick up their students by 4:35pm on Fridays.

For more info on the After-School Program visit the website or schoology.
No After-School Program on Friday March 27 due to the early dismissal

Western Fairfax VIP Application Opens

March 17

Values in Prevention Camp Presented by: Fairfax County Public Schools and Neighborhood and Community Services

Dates and Times:

July 1 through July 30, 2026.
Monday through Friday, 8 A.M. to 4 P.M.
Note: There is no camp on July 3.

Registration and Cost:

Registration opens on Tuesday, March 17th at 6 P.M.
Link to register is www.fcps.edu/get-involved/activities/middle-school-student-activities/vip-summer-camp
Cost is 100 dollars for all five weeks.
Contact your Middle School After-School Specialist for general questions.

Camp Location and Feeder Schools:

Western Fairfax Camp at Liberty Middle School VIP Site will serve rising 7th and 8th graders from: Franklin Middle School, Johnson Middle School, Liberty Middle School, Rocky Run Middle School, and Stone Middle School.

Accessibility and Accommodations: Fairfax County is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in all county programs, services and activities. Reasonable accommodations are made upon request. For information, call 703-324-4600, TTY 711. A Fairfax County, VA publication. February 2026.

MS Sports - Spring Track

Spring Track Information is posted below. The first practice will be on Tuesday April 7. All students will need to make sure that they register using the MS Sports Track Registration Link posted below. If your student ran Cross Country their FCPS Physical is still valid but will need to complete the Registration Link and ECC.. If they are new to track, they will need to complete all forms listed below.

FCPS Middle School Sports Physical (Revised April 2025)
Emergency Care Card
MS Sports Registration

Click Here to Watch this video about MS Track and Field in FCPS

Meets for Track will be held at designated High Schools across FCPS on Saturdays. The first meet of the season will be on Saturday April 25 at Herndon High School.

All paperwork and the MS Sports Registration must be submitted before any student can participate, try out or practice. Any questions please reach out to Chris Tippins at WCTippins@fcps.edu.You can also visit the Franklin MS Sports page or at the FCPS MS Sports site for more information.

COMMANDERS CAMPS

Coming to Franklin MS!!

Commanders Camps are coming to Chantilly this summer! Get ready for high-energy flag football, skill-building, and team-first fun crafted for rising 2nd through 7th graders of every experience level!

Franklin Middle School will be hosting 3 Commanders Flag Football Camps run by Flag Star Football this summer. For more information visit