Welcome to the 2026–27 School Year!

We are excited to welcome all of our students and families to Framingham High School for the new school year. Whether you're just beginning your journey with us or preparing for your final year, we hope the year ahead is full of growth, success, and connection.

To our new students and families—welcome. My name is Mark Albright, and I’m honored to serve as the principal of FHS. Before stepping into this role, I proudly served as a vice principal here for 17 years. Now, as I begin my 21st year at FHS, leading our incredible #FlyerFamily continues to be one of the greatest privileges of my career.

This newsletter contains important information to help everyone get off to a smooth and informed start. I aim to keep communication clear and concise, so while this message may be a bit longer than usual, I encourage you to read through it carefully.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your student’s vice principal.

Here’s to a great start and an even better year ahead.

Day 0 Schedule

Our first day of school will focus on welcoming students, building community, and helping everyone become familiar with their schedules and school routines.

All students will remain on campus for the full school day. Off-campus privileges will not be available on Day 0.

Class Schedule

7:30–8:00 AM | A Period
8:05–8:35 AM | B Period
8:40–9:10 AM | C Period
9:15–9:45 AM | D Period
9:50–10:20 AM | E Period
10:25–10:55 AM | F Period

Advisory and Lunches

From 11:00 AM–1:10 PM, students will participate in advisory activities and attend lunch with their grade level.

• 11:00–11:40 AM | Grade 9 Lunch
• 11:40 AM–12:10 PM | Grade 10 Lunch
• 12:10–12:40 PM | Grade 11 Lunch
• 12:40–1:10 PM | Grade 12 Lunch

Grade 9 students will have an extended lunch period to help them learn cafeteria routines, become comfortable navigating the lunch area, and connect with members of the school community. A group of senior students will also be present to welcome and support our newest students.

1:15–1:45 PM | G Period

Dismissal

Students will be dismissed at 1:45 PM, and buses will depart shortly afterward.

If you need to reset your Aspen X2 password after the initial reset during the school year, please fill out this Google Form. Aspen Password Reset Form (Click Here). In addition, we will help facilitate all students again updating their passwords as part of their fall advisory session at FHS.

Schedules will be available on Tuesday, August 18th in the afternoon/evening under their schedule tab in ASPEN. School counseling staff will be working to review and finalize all schedules which includes filling scheduling holes as well as ensuring graduation requirements are being met.

Please do not email counselors to request schedule changes unless you see a missing graduation requirement or core subject. Counselors are currently working diligently to ensure all students have the required and recommended courses. They are not available for individual appointments at this time. As a reminder of our class change policy, there will be no student-requested changes to their class schedule (i.e. level changes or general class changes) unless there is a hole in a student’s schedule, or they are missing a graduation requirement prior to Term 1 progress reports being released on October 2nd.

Official FHS schedules will then be available to download from the Aspen/X2 portal the evening of Sunday, August 23rd. Please be on the lookout for a forthcoming School Counseling Newsletter as well.

At FHS, our 2026–29 School Improvement Plan is currently in draft form and centers on four connected goals: strengthening instruction, improving student transitions, expanding opportunities, and deepening students’ sense of belonging. The goals will be formally presented to the school community and School Committee this fall, but I wanted to share an early look at the priorities that will guide our work.

Our first goal, Instructional Rigor and Equity, focuses on clear content and language objectives, purposeful academic discourse, standards-aligned instruction, and regular checks for understanding.

Our second goal, Early High School Readiness, strengthens the transition from Grade 8 to Grade 9 by identifying student needs early and providing coordinated support to help students stay on track.

Our third goal, Personalized Pathways, helps students understand their progress, explore future opportunities, and take greater ownership of their academic and postsecondary plans through Advisory, MyCAP, and other pathway experiences.

Our fourth goal, Belonging and Operational Supports, emphasizes welcoming classrooms, strong relationships, improved attendance, and coordinated academic, social-emotional, and counseling supports.

Together, these goals create a focused improvement agenda that prepares students to communicate, collaborate, think critically, persist, and succeed.

This year we will continue to use ParentSquare platform as a district for direct and two-way communication with families. You will receive a separate message about signing up to customize your own notices and preferences prior to the start of the school year.

With ParentSquare you’ll be able to:
• Receive all district, school and classroom communication via email, text, or app.
• View the school and classroom calendar and RSVP for events.
• Easily sign up to volunteer and/or bring items.

Activate your Account
You will soon receive an invitation email or text from the district to join ParentSquare. Please click the link to activate your account. It takes less than a minute.

You can use ParentSquare on any device. You can download the free mobile app for iOS or
Android or use the desktop version at www.parentsquare.com.
Our goal is for every FHS family to join ParentSquare and engage with our school community.

Upon entering the classroom, students will place phones in caddies. Phones will not be visible or on their person. Same applies to airpods/earbuds.

• During instructional time, phones are away and silent. (Consistent with MCAS/AP Protocols)

• No charging, not on desk, in pant pockets, on desk seat, on top of backpack, etc.

Students can continue use in hallways, cafeteria, or during privileges.

In order to ensure the safest possible learning environment here at Framingham High School, it is mandatory that all students have a School ID Badge in their possession at all times during normal school hours as well as during all after school activities (with the exception of certain athletic or other activities that would be a safety hazard). Students should wear their School ID Badge and keep it clearly visible at all times while in the building. Students are required to present their School ID each time they enter the building. Additionally, all students must present their ID to any staff member upon request.

All incoming 9th graders will receive a new ID during Advisory on the first day of school. Students in grades 10 through 12 should bring their ID from the previous school year and will have an opportunity to request a new one, if needed, during Advisory.

Any student who does not have their ID will be issued a temporary ID for the day, either by staff in the main lobby or by their house or academy office, depending on the situation. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain a physical ID as soon as possible for the following school days.

Additionally, Campus Safety Monitors will be monitoring throughout the day and assisting students with this policy. They will circulate through the hallways and check for visible IDs and active passes. They will escort any student without an ID to their house office.

Chronic disregard for and/or refusal to comply with the FHS Student ID Policy will result in disciplinary action, up to and including suspension, in accordance with the FPS Code of Conduct, Character, and Support.

Please review the formal full attendance policy below. We encourage you to pay specific attention to the class attendance policy as it relates to skipping class and receiving the grade “failure due to attendance.” Framingham High School Attendance Policy

At this high school level, there is a difference between daily attendance and class attendance. Daily attendance indicates whether or not a student came to school that day. Class attendance indicates whether or not a student arrived at that specific class each day.

Please email fhsattendance@framingham.k12.ma.us when parents and guardians are reporting all excused absences and dismissals as this is the most efficient method of communication regarding attendance. In case of emergencies, other modes of communication are acceptable.

Per the FPS School Committee policy, after 7 absences for the year, additional interventions and potential consequences may be administered. 

After 7 absences, the absences listed below will be considered unexcused unless accompanied by communication from a legal guardian and/or documentation. When communication and/or documentation appropriately warrants, absences may be considered excused. Excused absences will be documented in Aspen/X2.

FPS recognizes that students will, at times, have legitimate reasons to be absent:

• Student illness or injury

• Death in family

• Observance of a religious holiday

• Court summons (student’s name must appear on summons)

• School pre-approved activities

• College Visits (documentation required) 

• Suspension

• Legal, immigration, military or other similar obligations

*Reminder: excused absences must be communicated to the school via email and/or phone call. 

When a student misses school for reasons that are not accepted by the school, with or without parent/guardian permission: 

• Family travel/vacations/camps

• Missing the school bus

• Sleeping late

• Weather-related absences other than district-wide school cancellations

• Undocumented illness/injury exceeding 3 days

*Additional circumstances may warrant consideration from the house attendance team on a case by case basis following communication by a legal guardian.

FHS will continue utilizing a digital hall pass system this year it is called SmartPASS and is a similar platform to Securly Pass (Formerly named E-Hall Pass).

As we have done in the past, juniors and seniors may leave the building if they have privileges. Privileges are granted to students who remain in good standing academically and behaviorally and may be revoked if students do not maintain their grades or if they accrue too many tardies or absences. Any family may opt out of privileges by filling out this form.

Students will check-in using the vestibule window in the main lobby if they have a privileges period first block. This also means that all students should be entering and exiting the building using only the main entrance Door #1.

Privileges are for 11th and 12th grade students only. 9th and 10th graders are not allowed to leave the school building for any reason without dismissal from a parent/guardian.

Our school is organized into smaller houses, each led by a Vice Principal and supported by a dedicated team of staff members. We are also fortunate to have an outstanding group of academic department heads who co-lead the school alongside the administrative team.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your student prior to the start of school, please contact your student’s assigned Vice Principal.

Please see the listings below for specific house contact information. Or click click here for more detail.

With a collective effort from our community, we aim to prioritize attendance for all our students. It is essential students are present in and on time to school.

School hours: 7:25AM-1:55PM

Morning Schedule

• Doors open: 6:55 - please note students are not allowed in the building prior to this time

• Students proceed to 1st period at the 7:15 warning bell.

• Students should be in 1st period class by 7:25

• If students are not in class by 7:25 they will be marked as tardy on their daily attendance.

• If students arrive to the building at or after 7:25 we will be directing them to the attendance window.

Students who are habitually tardy to school or homeroom will be addressed via the Student Code of Character, Conduct and Support.

We have a 7-day rotating schedule. While it may look a little overwhelming to begin with, we promise you all will be professionals after a cycle or two.

You can find a picture of the general schedule rotation to the right and your advisory assignment will be listed at the top of your individual schedules once posted in Aspen/X2.

Bus schedule information may be accessed by visiting the district website linked here. Please note that the bus information will be sent by email to “Contact 1” in Aspen/X2 when it is complete. It is very important that we have the correct email address on file, otherwise you won’t receive this information and any other emailed district notifications. 

Once complete bus assignments will also be posted in Aspen/X2 on the portal during the week ending August 21st. If you have questions regarding transportation, please contact our FPS Transportation Department at 508-626-9179.

The current arrival and dismissal procedures will remain in place for morning arrival before 8:00 AM and for afternoon pickup.

Morning Arrival Before 8:00 AM

All vehicles dropping off students should enter the middle lane and form two rows leading toward the crosswalk. Once the rows are at capacity, students should exit their vehicles, and both rows will move forward together.

Students may not always be dropped off directly at the crosswalk. To keep traffic moving, drivers should allow students to exit wherever their vehicle falls in line rather than waiting to reach the crosswalk. Students should be prepared to exit their vehicles promptly and should use the designated crosswalk when walking through the parking lot.

Families whose students require additional time or assistance should contact their student’s House Vice Principal to discuss alternative arrangements.

Traffic Pattern Beginning at 8:00 AM (New for 2026-27)

Beginning at 8:00 AM each school day:

• The back gate near Bonito Drive will be closed and locked.
• Barriers near the softball fields will redirect traffic.
• The Upper Lot will be accessible only through the front entrance.
• A parking attendant will check Upper Lot hanging tags and parking stickers as student vehicles enter.
• Students attempting to enter the Upper Lot without the proper permit will be directed to turn around. Students may proceed to the Lower Lot only if they have a valid Lower Lot sticker.

Afternoon Pickup and Dismissal

The existing dismissal procedure will remain unchanged. Vehicles may access the first parking row as they have in previous years. Drivers should pull forward as far as possible and form two rows so that the maximum number of vehicles can safely fit in the designated pickup area.

We appreciate everyone’s cooperation and patience as we work to maintain a safe, organized, and efficient traffic flow on campus.

We know that parking is challenging as we have more people on campus than available parking spaces. For the 26-27 school year, seniors that entered the lottery by the August deadline have been assigned parking spots in either the upper or lower lots and have been emailed directly with lot assignment and payment information. If spaces are still available once the senior parking assignment is complete there will be a junior parking lottery held in mid to late September.

Please note that students are not being assigned specific parking spaces but instead to the upper or lower lots. Students who have an upper lot spot may park in any yellow-lined spot on a first come, first served basis but must NOT park in white-lined faculty spots.

Upon receipt of payment, all seniors who have a parking spot will be given a sticker that must be placed in the driver’s side rear window. In addition, students assigned to the upper lot will receive an additional parking tag that has the same number as their sticker and must be hung from the rearview mirror.

Every effort will be made to identify illegally parked cars and their owners.

When a violation occurs the following steps will be followed:

• 1st offense - A warning paper will be placed on the car

• 2nd offense - A violation sticker will be placed on the car

• 3rd offense - the car will be towed from the FHS parking at the car owner’s expense

As a condition of their parking pass, students are expected to drive courteously and safely in the vicinity of the school. 

Parking on campus is a privilege. Students who have a parking sticker and who drive recklessly may lose their spot; that spot may be reassigned to students on the waiting list. Parking fees will not be refunded. A single incident of irresponsible driving in the vicinity of the school as observed by school staff or reported by neighbors or the police is likely to result in the revocation of parking privileges.

Students who do not have passes and park off campus are also subject to the same expectations as representatives of FHS and may be subject to the future loss of eligibility for parking privileges or other consequences.

If you have any specific questions regarding parking, please email Ms. Powers directly at epowers@framingham.k12.ma.us

Monday, August 24th - 9th Grade Orientation

Wednesday, August 26th - First Day of School (Day 0 - ABCDEFG)

Tuesday, September 1st - No School, Voting Day & Professional Development

Monday, September 7th – No School, Labor Day

Tuesday, September 8th - 9th Grade Assembly (8:20-9AM)

Tuesday, September 8th - 10th Grade Assembly (9:20-10AM)

Wednesday, September 9th - 11th Grade Assembly (8:20-9AM)

Wednesday, September 9th - 12th Grade Assembly (9:20-10AM)

Thursday & Friday, September 10th-11th – FHS School Photo Days (Legacy)

Monday, September 21st - No School, Yom Kippur

Thursday, September 24th - Open House (Plus Side Live) from 6-8pm

Thursday, October 1st - PTBO - Principal's Conference Room 6:30PM

Friday, October 2nd - Term 1 Progress Reports are published to Aspen/X2

Monday, October 12th – No School, Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Wednesday, October 21st - PM Collaboration, students dismissed at 1PM

Thursday, October 29th - Day 2 (CEF) - Early Release (Virtual Caregiver Conferences) Dismissal at 10:55AM

Thursday, November 5th - Day 4 (ADE) - Early Release (Virtual Caregiver Conferences) Dismissal at 10:55AM

Friday, November 6th - Term 1 Ends

Wednesday, November 11th – No School, Veteran’s Day

Friday, November 13th - Term 1 Report Cards are published to Aspen/X2