Robinson Student Ram Blast, Week of December 9, 2019

STUDENT RAM BLAST

Providing students and parents with important updates and reports of events and happenings in the middle school.

Robinson Welcomes New Subschool Principal

Robinson Secondary School welcomes Grade 8 Subschool Principal Chelsea Tryon!  Ms.Tryon comes to our school with 15 years of educational experience as a grades 6-12 teacher and administrator.  She brings much experience from Stafford County to us in Fairfax County and we are happy she has joined us.  Since arriving on November 18, Mrs. Tryon has enjoyed getting to know the students and staffulty and looks forward to an amazing year.

tryon

Holiday Happenings

The middle school is hosting several special events in December including our annual food drive. Plan to participate in one or more to celebrate the season! See details below.

Winter Food Drive

The following non-perishable canned foods items are needed :

  • Canned Fruit such as peaches or pineapples
  • Beans
  • Rice
  • Pasta
  • Soup
  • Canned Vegetables such as green beans and corn
  • Canned fish

This food drive ends on December 13th and all items will be delivered to Food For Others. Collection boxes are located in the history and civics classrooms as well as the SS 7 and 8 offices.

Thank you for your generosity as we serve those in need!

Sponsored by Ram Zone, an after school club!


gingerbread

Please note: All slots have filled, but additional teams of students are welcome to attend if they can provide their own gingerbread house kit to decorate. Supplemental candy will be provided for all students.

Students wanting to participate need to see Ms. Whitwell in A215.


locker

winterparty

After School Activities

Explore, Create, and Connect!

New this year!  Students can access the activity calendar, registration forms, and announcements on their grade level google classroom site.

The Basics!

Activity Period:  3:00 to 4:25pm

Late Bus Days: M, W, TH; departing at 4:45pm

Late bus routes are posted in each sub school office window and on grade level Google Classroom sites.

Activity Sign-up Procedure: 

Most activities are "open" and allow students the flexibility to select a different activity each day. Students sign-up on the café stage during their lunch period each day they plan to stay after. Select programs require registration due to program design. (Click here to view programs requiring registration). Return completed forms to sub school office or directly to Ms. Aunon in the café during lunch periods.


Activity Program Links

Helpful links to stay informed and connected!

View the Robinson After School Program Website

Review program guidelines, activity descriptions, registration forms for specific programs, and sponsor contacts. 

2nd Quarter Schedule

A great planning tool with start dates posted for new activities. Updated 12/6

Options for viewing the daily activity schedule and meeting locations:

Activity Calendar (Also posted on student grade level GC site)

TV screen in each sub school locker bay.

Posted on Twitter @RobinsonSSNews  (Late bus days)

Cancellations will be announced during lunch periods, posted on the TVs in each locker bay, grade level google classroom sites, and on school Twitter feed. Activities are subject to change due to facility use and staffing changes.

School Contact: Mary Aunon, ASPS | mfaunon@fcps.edu


Activity Updates

A few programs are highlighted below, but make sure to check the daily calendar for the updated daily schedule!


Arena Stage VON Ensemble Audition

Students who participated in the fall workshop series are invited to audition for the Robinson Voices of Now ensemble on Thursday, 12/12 in Davala Hall. The audition will take place from 3:00 to 5:00pm. Parent pick-up required.

No preparation is necessary as the audition format will be similar to what students' experienced during the fall workshops. Students cast in the musical who wish to audition will be excused from rehearsal on this date.


Dance Team

The MS Dance Team begins in January! Attend the interest meeting on Thursday, 1/9/20 from 3:00 to 4:25pm to meet the coaches and learn more about this program including performance opportunities. All are welcome! Interested students will be asked to sign-up during lunch on 1/9 and meet by 3:00pm in the main hallway by the MS sub schools.

Late bus service available; departing at 4:45pm.

Contact: Coach Lawson | ellawson@fcps.edu

dance

Eco Club

Please join our MS Green Team/Eco Club and the HS Ecoclub in the Trex recycling challenge!  We are competing with other schools across the country to collect the largest amount of plastic bags and overwrap.  Instead of taking these plastics back to the store recycling bins, bring them to us! 

Collection bins are located in A203, B107, and E106A. 

The Green Team (ECO Club) meets each Thursday in A203. Space is limited to 15 students each meeting, so make sure to sign-up early (during lunch period in café) for this popular program.

Sponsor Contact: Ms. Riddick | amriddick@fcps.edu


Football Conditioning Program

Students interested in playing freshmen football should plan to attend a meeting with Coach Arena on Thursday, 12/12 in Recital hall from 3:00 to 4:25pm. Students will learn about Robinson's football program and specifically about the after school conditioning and weight training program designed for middle school students. The program will be offered on Mondays and Thursdays, beginning the week of 1/6/20. Late bus service available both days.

Please note: Parent permission is required to participate due to the equipment use in the high school weight room. The permission form will be distributed at the interest meeting and completed forms need to be returned to Mrs. Aunon or the SS office before participation.

Coach Contact: Coach Arena | paarena1@fcps.edu

football

Game Design Program

Learn the fundamentals of game design through hands-on experience using current game engine tools. This program is being offered through a partnership with GMU's Game & Technology Academy. 

Interested students should plan to attend a meeting on Thursday, 12/19 to learn more and pick-up a registration form. Space is limited and students must be 13 or older to participate (due to FCPS software use policy) and commit to attending all seven sessions. This program will be offered on Mondays, beginning 1/13/20. Late bus service available. No program fee.

Sponsor Contact: Ms. Lambert | clambert@fcps.edu

game

Homework Club

Do you prefer to work on your homework in a quiet setting before heading home or need access to media center resources? Sign-up for Homework Club each late bus day you plan to stay. Space is limited to 20 students. Students meet in a classroom by 3:00pm for a snack before heading to the media center. Check the google calendar for meeting locations.

Sponsor Contacts: 

Monday | Ms. O'Brien, oeobrien@fcps.edu

Wednesday | Ms. Malloy, dmalloy@fcps.edu

Thursday | Ms. Williams, ejwilliams2@fcps.edu


Yearbook Orders

yearbook

Rams Looking Ahead

December 10 | MS Band Concert - Russell Theatre, 7pm

December 18 | HS & MS Chorus Concert - Russell Theatre, 7pm

December 23 - January 3 | Winter Break

January 20 | Martin Luther King Jr's Birthday - Student Holiday

January 24 | End of 2nd Quarter

January 27 | Teacher Workday - Student Holiday

January 28 | Professional Development Day - Student Holiday

January 30 - February 1 | All District XI Band HS/MS - Woodson HS

February 11 | Sweets 'n Swing Night of Jazz - Gold Cafe

February 17 | George Washington's Birthday/President's Day - Student Holiday

March 3 | Professional Development Day - Student Holiday

April 3 | End of 3rd Quarter

April 6 - 10 | Spring Break


Counselors' Corner

Welcome to Counselors’ Corner:  an occasional tip sheet from the Robinson Middle School Office of Student Services

MS Chain of Gratitude

chain

 

The response was fantastic!  We had over 300 links to our Gratitude chain which is displayed across the railing in the Middle School Hallway.

A steady flow of students and a few staff members added to our chain during the days prior to the Thanksgiving holiday. 

Some of the statements consisted of the following:

I am thankful for my family and friends.

I am grateful for my teachers.

I am thankful for my dog; cat; fish.

Food; clothes; getting my house heat working again; water

Some specific people mentioned were Ms. Gilbert; Ms. Dunphy and Ms. Lockard.

We are thankful for our Robinson community!


SOCIAL WORK SPOTLIGHT

by Kristen Licciardo, School Social Worker

The Kinship Family Institute Support Groups

December 13, 2019 and January 24, 2020 | 10:00 – 11:30 am

Support groups for caregivers who are raising a child for a family member or friend. These groups are open to residents of Fairfax County and the cities of Falls Church and Fairfax, and are great opportunities to speak with other kinship caregivers and find out about what community resources are available for support. Sessions will be held at the Herndon Fortnightly Library. For more information and to register, contact Mary Elizabeth Fleming by email at kfi@fairfaxcounty.org, by phone at 703-246-4653, or online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/hscode/ereg/registration.aspx?groupid=27


Weekly Progress Reports

All parents/guardians of Middle School and High School students who have registered for a SIS ParentVUE Account and have a primary email address recorded in SIS ParentVUE can receive Weekly Progress Reports via email. This report provides a summary of your student(s) grades for the current quarter.

To activate the Weekly Progress Reports via email, login to your SIS ParentVUE Account and first verify that you have a primary email address within the system. It is listed under the “My Account” tab. If it is blank, enter the email address where you would like to receive the progress reports and click on update account. Once confirmed, parents/guardians are able to activate and select their preferences for receiving these reports within the SIS ParentVUE “My Account” tab.

Weekly progress reports for all of your Middle and High School students will be included in one email. FCPS Elementary Schools do not use the SIS grade book and therefore are not included in these reports. 

For questions about a specific progress report or grade you can login into your SIS ParentVUE Account to find detailed grade book information. Additionally, your student’s teacher is always the best resource to answer any grade book questions that you may have.
Weekly Progress Report Parent Quick Reference Guide


Mental Health Resources

Click here for FCPS Mental Health Resources

crisis

CrisisLink.org


RMS Administrative Contacts:

Chris Farmerie:       7th Grade Principal |  cfarmerie@fcps.edu

Chelsea Tryon:        8th Grade Principal | catryon@fcps.edu

Katy Frank:              Director, Student Services | kmfrank@fcps.edu

Mary Aunon:            After-School Program Specialist | mfaunon@fcps.edu   

Bryan Hazard:         Systems of Support Advisor | bthazard@fcps.edu

Student Services Department Contacts:

Director, Student Services | Ms. Frank | kmfrank@fcps.edu

DSS Registrar | Ms. Skold, meskold@fcps.edu | 703-426-2222

8th Grade Counselors by TEAM

Purple and Red | Mr. Herendeen, neherendeen@fcps.edu | 703-426-2214

Gold and Green | Ms. Malloy, dmalloy@fcps.edu  | 703-426-2215

7th Grade Counselors by TEAM

Champions and Eagles | Ms. Lyons, jalyons@fpcs.edu | 703-426-2226

Comets and Stars | Ms. Peters, vcpeters@fcps.edu | 703-426-2225

Social Worker: Ms. Licciardo, kflicciardo@fcps.edu | 703-426-2229

School Psychologist: Ms. King, elking@fcps.edu | 703-426-2213

Special Education Department Chair:  Ms. Stickels, sastickels@fcps.edu