RCMS Weekly Updates-Week of April 1, 2019


school

Important Upcoming Events

April 4 - End of 3rd Quarter

April 5 - Teacher Workday, No School for Students

April 8 - Ticket Sales Begin - 8th Grade End of Year Celebration

April 15-19 - Spring Break; RCMS Offices Closed


Attention Parents of Middle School Students–College Financial Aid Awareness Workshops to Be Held in March and April

College Access Fairfax is holding Financial Awareness workshops to help middle school parents get a jump on understanding the financial aid process for post-secondary education. The program will provide general information on what financial aid is, how it is determined and what parents can do now to prepare. The workshops are held from 7 to 9 p.m. on:

  • March 28 at Herndon Middle School.
  • April 4 at Key Middle School.
  • April 8 at South County Middle School.
  • April 10 at Jackson Middle School.
  • April 24 at Lanier Middle School.
  • April 25 at Whitman Middle School.

Interested parents should register to attend on the College Access Fairfax website


Dress Code Reminders

Spring has arrived.  As the weather gets warmer, students often like to show off the latest clothing trends and fashions.  Some of these fashions are not always appropriate for the school setting.  So far this year, we have really appreciated our students’ attention to wearing the proper attire to school.  We want to maintain that mindset as we reach the final months of the year. 

We certainly want for students to dress in an appropriate way for school.  We expect that all student attire comply with the dress code outlined in the FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities book.  This is intended to help minimize distractions and keep the focus on our positive learning environment. 

Per the dress code, any clothing or accessories worn should not:

•    Display vulgar, discriminatory, or obscene language or images
•    Promote illegal or violent conduct
•    Contain threats or gang symbols
•    Promote the unlawful use of weapons, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, or drug paraphernalia
•    Expose cleavage, private parts, the midriff, or undergarments, and in the case of pants, the waistband should not fall below the hips 
•    Contain studs
•    Be see-through
•    Include caps or other head coverings unless required for religious or medical reasons.

 


Family Life Education

Human Growth and Development lessons will begin next week, April 9-12.  This unit will be presented to all 7th and 8th graders through their PE class.  Please direct any questions regarding this unit to your child's Health and PE teacher.

FLE grade level-specific lessons and media that FCPS has streaming rights for are available for parents online in FCPS 24-7 Parent View: https://www.fcps.edu/academics/middle-school-academics-7-8/family-life-education-fle


RCMS-Visiting French students

French exchange students, RCMS host students, and staff members gather for a photo!


National Junior Honor Society Information

8th Grade Members: The NJHS service hour deadline is Friday, May 3rd. In order to be eligible to attend the spring medal ceremony, all 10 NJHS service hours must be verified in x2VOL by no later than 2:15PM on Friday, May 3rd. NJHS service hours must be completed at an FCPS school for a school-sponsored activity/event. More information regarding requirements and deadlines is posted in the NJHS Google Classroom. Students should contact their team liaison if they have questions about their NJHS service hours.

7th Grade Students: Information about applying to NJHS will be emailed to eligible students’ fcpsschools.net email addresses in mid-May. The NJHS recognizes students for excellence in Scholarship, Character, Leadership, Citizenship, and Service.  Membership in the society indicates that a student attains, demonstrates, and promotes all of these qualities.  All seventh grade students who have maintained a 3.5 cumulative grade point average (GPA) in the first three quarters of seventh grade will be invited to complete an application. The 3.5 GPA is calculated by the county office and not at RCMS.  The query used to calculate a 3.5 uses 3.4999.  Any average below the 3.4999 is not considered a 3.5. Please contact your counselor if you have questions about your GPA. Students cannot begin earning NJHS service hours until after they have been accepted and inducted into the organization.


Other FCPS Schools are Sharing....

From Coates ES:  If your child attended Coates Elementary School, please take note:  Lutie Lewis Coates ES will hold its 10th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, April 6 from 10:00AM-1:00PM at the school.  The event features a dance party for students from 10:00AM-12:00PM, video and picture displays that highlight the opening of the school and it’s history, and events for alumnus.  Special guests will give remarks at 12:00PM before unveiling the campus’ s new boulder feature (to become a mural) and enjoying birthday cake.  Join us!

From Westfield HS PTSA: Westfield High School PTSA invites you to attend an evening presentation about teenage stress and anxiety: Tuesday, April 9, 7:00PM. Our meeting will begin with Westfield High School PTSA agenda items. The presentation will begin at 7:30pm.

Unraveling Teenage Angst: Stress and Anxiety in the iGen World

We don't need to see the numbers to know that student stress and anxiety appears to be at an all-time high. During this workshop, we will share the latest research on stress and anxiety especially as it applies to the current generation, we'll delve into the mysteries and intricacies of the teenage brain and we will offer strategies and resources that can be great to use one on one with teens at home.

From Westfield HS:  Register your child for Westfield Theatre's Young Actors Studio being held at Westfield High School from July 22-26, 2019 from 9:00AM to 1:00PM.  This performing arts workshop is for rising 7th, 8th, and 9th grade students who want to learn higher level theatre skills, including audition and performance techniques.  Click on the following link to complete your registration and submit your payment to secure your spot today!

Register for Westfield Theater's Young Actors Studio

From Westfield HS: freshmen interested in playing field hockey at Westfield High School next year please contact Coach Barthold at dgbarthold@fcps.edu. We will begin our spring conditioning on Monday, April 29-May 23, 3:30-4:15 in the gymnastics room. Even if you have never played or just thinking about it, come join us and meet some players and coaches!  Bulldog Field Hockey Camp is also a great way to get involved. Camp runs June 10-13, 5-8pm.  Sign up here - https://goo.gl/forms/YT8Zniy152I6IYld2 -- Go Bulldogs!

From Westfield HS: The Westfield Football Staff and Players will be holding a youth football camp at Westfield June 17-20 from 5:30-8:00. For more information, visit westfieldathletics.org.