Franklin County Public Schools

FCPS Families,

Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year!  I speak for all of our faculty and staff in saying that we are very much looking forward to having our students back in our school buildings tomorrow.  Hopefully everyone had a great summer break and is ready to hit the ground running.

At Franklin County Public Schools, the safety, health, and well-being of our students are the highest priorities.  New Virginia Law (Va. Code § 22.1-79.3(F) requires that school divisions provide all families with an annual reminder regarding the importance of safely storing prescription drugs and firearms within the home.  We understand that most families already have great practices in place regarding prescription drugs and firearms in their homes but given the facts that overdose & misuse of prescription medication are leading causes of emergency department visits among children and firearm injuries remain the leading cause of death among children in the United States, we support the state’s effort to provide families with reminders about these two incredibly important issues.  In addition, new legislation this year impacts how firearms should be stored and we want to make sure everyone is aware of these changes.

Listed below are a few recommendations and legal requirements for the safe storage of prescription medications and firearms:

Prescription Medications

• Lock Them Up- Keep all prescription narcotics, controlled substances, and medications in a locked cabinet, drawer, or lockbox that is out of reach for children.
• Store in Original Containers- Most medications arrive in containers with child resistant caps so keeping them stored this way should reduce access by small children.
• Monitor Quantities of Medication- Regularly keeping track of medication quantities will help adults notice if pills are missing or have been taken by mistake.
• Dispose Using Proper Methods- All expired, unused, or unwanted medications should be disposed of on a regular basis.Preferred options include using local pharmacy kiosks, participating in community Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) take-back days, or by asking your pharmacist for mail back envelopes.You can also dispose of many drugs in your household trash by removing them from their original container, mixing them with dirt or cat litter, placing the mixture in a sealed plastic bag, and throwing it out with your regular trash. (Note- Strong narcotic pain medicines or controlled substances often have specific, strict disposal rules or should be taken to an official collection site.)You can review safety guidelines and find official instructions at- https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/where-and-how-dispose-unused-medicines

Firearms (Legal Responsibilities & Storage)

• Va. Code § 18.2-56.2- It is unlawful for any person to recklessly leave a loaded, unsecured firearm in such a manner that it endangers the life or limb of a child under the age of 14.  Law enforcement and state regulations place strict legal responsibility on gun owners to prevent minors from gaining unauthorized access to firearms.
• Va. Code §18.2-308.7:1(B)- Any person who possesses a firearm in a residence where such person knows that a minor or person who is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm is present shall store such firearm in a locked container, compartment, or cabinet that is inaccessible to such minor or prohibited person, or shall render such firearm incapable of being fired by use of gun locking device appropriate to that firearm and specific to this purpose.  A firearm may be stored loaded, provided that such firearm is stored in a storage device with a combination lock, coded lock, or biometric lock and that no minor or prohibited person is an authorized user for the lock of such storage device.
• Va. Code § 18.2-308.7:2(B)- No person shall knowingly leave a handgun in an unattended vehicle or trunk unless such handgun in placed out of the plain view in a locked hard-sided container, including a locked container that is affixed to the vehicle’s interior by steel cable, bolt, or welding.  A locked container affixed to the vehicle’s interior includes a locked glove compartment or locked center console.
• Va. Code § 22.1-289.056- During hours of operation, all firearms in a home in which licensed or registered home-based childcare is provided or in a home in which home-based childcare is approved by a home-based childcare system shall be stored unloaded in a locked container, compartment, or cabinet, and all ammunition shall be stored in a separate locked container, compartment or cabinet.  The key or combination to such locked containers, compartments, or cabinets shall be inaccessible to all children in the home.
• Recommended Storage Practices- The Virginia Department of Health recommends that firearms be stored unloaded and locked using a gun safe, lockbox, trigger lock, or chamber lock.  The firearm should be stored separately from ammunition, which should also be stored in a locked space/container.
• Crisis Prevention- Increasing locking protocols or temporarily removing firearms from the home of a youth suffering from depression, severe distress, or suicidal thoughts can save lives.  If you are concerned that a child may be a danger to themselves or others, please contact their school counselor, call or text the suicide & crisis lifeline at 988, call the Piedmont Community Services crisis line at 276-336-8320, or call 911 to reach local law enforcement. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this information that was required by the Virginia General Assembly to be distributed and for evaluating these potential risks within your home.  It is our sincerest hope that everyone has a safe, happy, and successful school year. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Kevin Siers, Superintendent