Important Upcoming Events
May 23 - PTA Meeting, RCMS Library, 6:30PM
May 27 - Memorial Day holiday
May 29 - Last day for late buses and after school clubs/activities
May 31 - Anchor day
June 12 - 8th Grade Celebration, 6:30-9:00PM (RCMS 8th graders only)
 RCMS celebrated School Nutrition Employee Week, May 6-10!
Rachel Carson Middle School showered our Food Services employees with goodies throughout the week, including a special luncheon on May 8th. We love our School Nutrition Employees - thank you for all you do!
SOL Testing Dates
Both 7th and 8th grade students will be taking the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) Tests in May. The schedule is below and can be found on our website. It is important that your child attend school on these days. If possible, please avoid scheduling trips or appointments that would take your child out of school during this time period. It is also important that your child have a good night’s rest and a healthy breakfast before testing.
The Virginia Department of Education requires students in grades 3-8 across the state to take the SOL tests. SOL tests measure the extent to which students have learned the content and skills detailed in the Virginia Standards of Learning. Content areas that will be tested are shown for each grade level below.
 *8th graders enrolled in Geometry or Algebra 2 take their Mathematics SOL test on 5/13, then take Reading on 5/15.
*8th graders enrolled in Pre-Algebra or Algebra 1 take their Mathematics SOL test on 5/15, then take Reading on 5/13.
The purpose of SOL testing is to provide information about student achievement to the parent, school, school division, and state. In most cases, test scores are available for parents at the end of the school year. More information will be shared in May.
SOLs and RAMADAN:
This spring, the SOL non-writing window will have a significant overlap with Ramadan, the Muslim holy month marked by daily fasting from sunrise to sunset. Only two days at the end of the expedited retake window fall completely outside this religious observance.
- Ramadan 2019 begins the evening of Sunday, May 5 and ends with Eid-al-Fitr on Wednesday, June 5.
- The middle school SOL non-writing window begins Monday, May 6, with all retakes completed by Friday, June 7.
- Here is a link for additional information: https://www.fcps.edu/node/37645
- All testing at Carson begins at 7:40AM.
If you have questions about these state assessments, please contact your child’s counselor or our Assessment Coach, Maureen McLoughlin at mamcloughlin@fcps.edu.
**UPDATED**
Late Buses and After School Program Ending
The last day for late buses and after school clubs/activities will be Wednesday, May 29. If your child stays after school after this date, please make arrangements to have them picked up as soon as their activity ends.
National Junior Honor Society
Information about applying to NJHS was emailed to eligible students’ fcpsschools.net email addresses on Monday, April 29. All seventh grade students who have maintained a 3.5 cumulative grade point average (GPA) in the first three quarters of seventh grade are invited to complete an application. 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. NJHS applications are due to the box in the Main Office by Friday, May 17 at 2:30PM.
Service Learning Requirements Reminder
FCPS requires students to complete 15 hours of community service: 7 hours were due the first semester (January 11, 2019) and 8 hours are due the second semester (by May 31, 2019). All 15 hours of service learning must take place outside of instructional hours such as: during Panther Time, after school, and/or outside of school. Hours must be entered into X2Vol by the dates listed above. For additional information please visit the RCMS Service Learning webpage.
8th Grade Celebration Tickets Now on Sale
NEON NIGHTS tickets are now on sale. Tickets purchased prior to May 28 are $20. Ticket prices will increase to $25 on May 28. 8th Grade Celebration Tickets
Students may also purchase tickets in-person with cash or check during lunches from May 22-24.
This year's 8th grade celebration will be held on June 12, 2018 from 6:30-9:00PM. This fun-filled, festive send off for our 8th graders will include a DJ, karaoke, inflatables, photo booth, and plenty of refreshments! It's sure to be a night of fun and friends that students won't want to miss!
Other FCPS Schools are Sharing....
From South Lakes HS: SLHS Administration is hosting a "Meet the Coach" night for volleyball and a few other sports with new coaches this Thursday evening. The event will be held at Langston Hughes Middle school cafeteria from 6:00 - 7:30PM.
From South Lakes HS: The South Lakes HS Athletic Booster Club is sponsoring summer camps for boys and girls basketball, field hockey, girls lacrosse, coed volleyball and football. Registration is now open at this site: https://southlakehscamps.jumbula.com/#/home . Register now as space is limited! For questions contact seahawkboostertreasurer@outlook.com
From Westfield HS: Run for Remembrance 5K and 1K - All runners and walkers too! Westfield HS SGA will be coordinating the Run on Sunday May 19 at 8:00AM. The Run will start and end at Westfield High School. This year the proceeds will go to the American Heart Association and our local Ryan Lopynski Big Heart Foundation. The Big Heart foundation provides free heart screenings for young athletes from age 12 to 26. Screenings have been held in local high schools and also universities including George Mason and Virginia Tech. Come join in on the fun and support these good causes!
Register at https://potomac.enmotive.com/events/register/2019-westfield-5k-run-for-remembrance
|
