Welcome!
TO: FCMS Students and Parents FROM: Trent Liggett, Principal
My name is Trent Liggett, and I am honored to serve as the principal of Franklin County Middle School.
We are truly blessed to have such an outstanding staff who take their roles seriously and consistently make decisions based on what is best for our students. At Franklin County Middle School, we believe every student should feel welcomed, valued, and accepted, regardless of their background or where they come from.
We encourage parents to reach out to their child’s teachers regularly. Building strong relationships between parents and teachers is an important part of supporting our students and, ultimately, helping them achieve greater success in school.
We understand that no one is perfect, and we are all continually learning from both our successes and our failures. Each day provides a new opportunity to learn, grow, and make a positive difference in the lives of others—as well as in our own.
The middle school years can be some of the most challenging years in a young person’s life. Our students are growing and changing in so many ways, while also trying to figure out who they are and where they fit in. During these important years, they need encouragement, patience, guidance, and people who believe in them. Our goal is to provide a safe and supportive environment where students can learn from their mistakes, celebrate their successes, and continue to grow into the young adults they are becoming.
Thank you for your continued support of Franklin County Middle School. We are proud to serve our students, families, and community, and we look forward to making each day a meaningful one for every student who walks through our doors.
SCHOOL START AND END TIMES:
The school day begins at 8:20 am and ends at 3:20 pm. If students arrive before 8:15, then they will report to the cafeteria and then will be released for class at 8:15 am. All students are expected to be in their seats with their materials ready by the time the bell rings to start class at 8:20 am. Students who arrive after 8:20 am are required to report to the office to sign in as being tardy to school. Please keep in mind that there is a lot of construction going on around the school, and there are three schools in close proximity, so traffic may not move quickly. Please be cautious and drive slowly for the safety of all our students. FCMS Bell Schedule - FCMS 26-27
SCHEDULED EARLY RELEASE DAYS FOR TEACHER TRAINING:
Students will be released 30 minutes early (@ 2:50 pm) on the following teacher training days.
First Semester Second Semester
September 9th January 13th
October 7th February 3rd
November 11th March 3rd
December 9th April 7th
SCHEDULED TEACHER PROFESSIONAL LEARNING DAYS - NO School for Students
First Semester Second Semester
August 24th January 15th
February 12th
ATTENDANCE:
When a student is absent from school, a parent or guardian is required to notify the school to verify that the absence is excused. If the school does not receive verification from a parent or guardian, the absence will be recorded as unexcused. To report or verify an absence, please contact the school office at 765-647-6040 or email Mrs. Edwards at ledwards@fccsc.k12.in.us with any attendance-related questions.
CONTROLLED ENTRY PROCEDURES:
For the safety and security of our students and staff, all visitors are required to present and scan a valid state-issued identification card before entering the building. The ID scan performs a brief check for specific criminal offenses. School administration will follow established safety procedures as appropriate based on the results of the screening.
Visitors without a scheduled appointment may not be granted access to the building. Parents and guardians who wish to meet with school administrators, counselors, or teachers are encouraged to schedule an appointment in advance. Parents and guardians who need to drop off items for students may leave those items with the controlled entry attendant, who will ensure they are delivered appropriately.
MORNING STUDENT DROP-OFF PROCEDURE (Main doors unlocked at 7:30 am):
Personal vehicles transporting FCMS students to school in the morning should enter the campus using the first entrance and proceed to the designated circle drive for student drop-off. To help maintain a safe and efficient traffic flow, drivers should pull forward as far as possible before allowing students to exit the vehicle. Students should exit only on the sidewalk side of the vehicle and should be prepared to leave the vehicle promptly once the vehicle has come to a complete stop. Drivers are asked to follow all posted traffic signs, remain alert for school buses, pedestrians, crossing guards, and other vehicles, and obey the directions of school personnel assisting with morning arrival. For the safety of everyone on campus, please do not pass other vehicles in the drop-off lane or leave your vehicle unattended in the circle drive.
After dropping off students, drivers should exit the campus using the second entrance/exit located immediately to the right of the circle drive. Following the designated traffic pattern helps maintain a safe and orderly flow of traffic and minimizes congestion during morning arrival.
STUDENT DISMISSAL / PICK-UP PROCEDURE:
Parents and guardians picking up students from FCMS at the end of the school day should enter campus using the second entrance to the middle school parking lot. Upon entering, drivers should immediately turn right and follow the designated traffic pattern around the outside of the parking lot. Vehicles should remain in a single line, beginning just east of the entrance to the circle drive.
At 3:10 p.m., vehicles may begin moving into the circle drive for student pick-up. Student car riders will be dismissed from the building at 3:15 p.m. and should report directly to the designated pick-up area near the circle drive.
To ensure the safety of all students and maintain an efficient dismissal process, drivers are expected to remain in line, follow the directions of school personnel, and avoid passing other vehicles. Students should enter vehicles promptly once they have pulled to the designated loading area. For the safety of students, parents and guardians should not park or leave their vehicles to meet students outside the designated pick-up area. Following these procedures helps reduce traffic congestion and provides a safe, orderly dismissal for all students and families.
As always, we are committed to providing a safe environment in every aspect of our school community. To improve student safety and reduce congestion at dismissal, we are making changes to our end-of-day pick-up procedures. These adjustments will help create a safer and more efficient student loading area. Thank you for your cooperation and support as we implement these changes. We look forward to a safe, successful, and productive school year!
WATER BOTTLES:
To reduce distractions and support a focused learning environment, students are allowed to use only clear plastic water bottles during the school day. This policy helps prevent disruptions that can be caused by the noise often associated with metal or other non-plastic bottles. Students will receive a new clear plastic water bottle on the first day of school.
CELL PHONE POLICY:
Indiana Code 20-26-5-40.7 defines wireless electronic devices as a device that is portable and is capable of providing voice, messaging, or other data communications between two or more persons and includes cellular phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, digital cameras, and/or gaming devices. The Indiana Code specifically prohibits the use of wireless electronic devices in a manner which constitutes an interference with a school purpose or educational function, an invasion of privacy, or an act of academic dishonesty, or is profane, indecent, or obscene. Per the Board-approved student handbook, students are required to put wireless communication devices (Any portable wireless device that has the capability to provide voice, messaging, or other data communication between two (2) or more parties) in their hallway locker before the beginning of the first period and keep them in their lockers throughout the entire school day. Wireless communication devices may be used in the cafeteria prior to the start of first-period class. Wireless communication devices are not permitted to be used during the school day. The school district will not be responsible for the loss, damage, or theft of any cell phone/electronic device brought to school.
Mr. Trent Liggett, Principal