Franklin Middle School

We've heard your feedback and have extended our FMS Back to School Night until 6:00 PM. We hope you'll join us TONIGHT starting at 4:30 to meet teachers, make a wish at our FMS Wishing Well, and connect with others over cookies. Looking forward to seeing you TONIGHT from 4:30-6:00 at the Middle School!

The first week of the 2025-2026 academic year is in the books!

Staff and students started the week with an all-school morning meeting ( after the staff enjoyed the third annual FMS Tailgate Breakfast - courtesy of Harrison and Perkins!) and ended the week with an all-school closing circle. In between team building activities were enjoyed, introductions were made, explorations were encouraged, expectations were outlined and processes and procedures were practiced. We are stoked for the second week! GO HURRICANES!

Dear Franklin Families,

As you probably have heard, schools in New Hampshire are required by law to implement a "bell to bell" cell phone ban for students this school year. The Franklin School Board hosted a Community forum on August 19th and received input from over 60 parents and staff members regarding the policy.

At the School Board meeting on Monday, August 25th, the School Board passed the policy SHOWN HERE which will go into effect when school starts next Tuesday.

What this means for students:
Students may have their phones and other personal communication devices in their pocket, a backpack or locker but must be powered off and out of sight from bell to bell.
Any phone that is visible will be considered "in use"
The law makes exceptions for students with documented needs regarding language acquisition, health, and educational access. Please arrange a meeting with me if your child's needs meet one of these 3 criteria.
Consequences for Infractions:
First offense: Student receives a warning to put the phone away and parent/guardians are notified.
Second offense: Phone is taken away by administration and the student may retrieve the phone at the end of the school day. Parent/Guardian is notified.
Third offense: Phone is taken away and must be picked up by a parent/guardian. The student will turn the phone in each morning to the office and retrieve it at the end of the day for a period of time determined by the principal.
Please remember that this is now a state law that we are required to implement. I encourage all parents/guardians to review the policies and procedures with their students so they are prepared for the opening of school next Tuesday.

As always, please feel free to reach out to me with any questions.

Sincerely,

Dan LeGallo
SAU 18 Superintendent
dlegallo@sau18.nh.gov
603-266-9833

Dear Franklin Families,

I want to thank our parents, students, staff and community members who were able to join us last night at our community forum on the new bell to bell cell phone ban law. There were about sixty in attendance and the input was very helpful to the Board as they consider the policy for our school district.

At the forum we read the exact language of the law and watched this video that explains the ban a little bit more. We then opened the floor for conversation, questions and suggestions about how to implement the law in Franklin.

The School Board Policy Committee will present the new policy to the full Board on Monday, August 25, 2025 at the regularly scheduled School Board meeting in the high school cafeteria. at 6:00. The Board has a public input agenda item at the beginning of every meeting if you are interested in coming to the meeting and sharing any thoughts you have on the new law and policy. I will be communicating out the new policy on Tuesday so everyone can prepare for the opening of school on September 2nd.

Thank you for all your support. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Dan LeGallo
SAU 18 Superintendent