RCMS Updates - Week of June 1, 2020


RCMS Front

Helpful Links

Distance Learning:  RCMS Distance Learning

Eighth Period Resources  8th Period Resources

Covid-19 Parent Support:   How to Support Your Child During COVID-19 Closures


Principal's Message

Please see the latest message from Principal Stokes here


Important Upcoming Events

Be sure to check out our Weekly Virtual Spirit Week Themes:  RCMS Spirit


Locker Retrieval Dates

Teams have been assigned pick-up dates beginning May 26.  Please remember to:

1.  Follow designated path and remain in your car.

2. Display student's name in passenger side windshield.

3. Return all school-owned property, labeled with student name.

4. Arrive during your team-assigned time.  Staff will retrieve your child's locker and PE locker contents to return to you.

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ALL STARS:  Tuesday, May 26, 1:00-3:00PM

CHAMPIONS: Tuesday, May 26, 3:00-5:00PM

DREAM TEAM: Thursday, May 28, 8:00-10:00AM

LEGACY: Thursday, May 28, 10:00AM-12:00PM

MAJESTICS: Thursday, May 28, 12:00-2:00PM

TRAILBLAZERS: Monday, June 1, 10:00AM-12:00PM

DOLPHINS: Monday, June 1, 12:00-2:00PM

EXPLORERS: Monday, June 1, 2:00-4:00PM

VOYAGERS: Tuesday, June 2, 8:00-10:00AM

XTREME: Tuesday, June 2, 10:00AM-12:00PM

YELLOW JACKETS: Thursday, June 4, 8:00-10:00AM

WOLVES: Thursday, June 4, 10:00AM-12:00PM


National Junior Honor Society

8th Grade Members: Students should check their FCPSSchools email account for notification as to whether their final GPA qualified them for recognition as members of NJHS. Due to the closing of schools, we have waived the service hours requirement for this year. More information regarding a virtual ceremony will be sent out in the coming weeks, via the NJHS Google Classroom.

7th Grade Students: All 7th grade students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher were emailed an invitation to apply for membership in the RCMS chapter of NJHS. Applications must be submitted via the NJHS Application Google Classroom by 5:00 pm on Friday, June 5, 2020. There are NO EXCEPTIONS to this deadline - late applications will NOT be accepted for any reason.

Please email Ms. Joyce (eajoyce@fcps.edu) with any questions regarding NJHS.


Summer 2020 Continuity of Learning

For summer 2020, FCPS is encouraging all students to practice their English and math skills over the summer.  All FCPS students will be receiving workbooks containing English and math practice opportunities.  These materials will also be available on Blackboard 24/7.  Completion of these materials is optional and voluntary.  However, we encourage all of our students to take advantage of these materials.  More details are forthcoming.  For a preview, please visit the FCPS website at:  https://www.fcps.edu/node/41017


Summer VIP Program

The Middle School VIP program will be going virtual for the summer!  Even during these times of social distancing and virtual learning, we want to offer your child a summer experience that is safe and full of fitness, friends, fun and enrichment. FCPS and Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services (DNCS) have teamed up to offer a 5 week virtual program for middle school students- rising 7th and 8th graders in Fairfax County.  Due to the unprecedented  times, we will also be including our rising 9th graders. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in a number of virtual after-school activities in the arts, music, STEM, physical fitness, cooking, games, puzzles, literature, and more – things students can do at home. The staff is led by your local After-School Specialists and trained DNCS staff.

Details

  • Dates – Monday – Thursday from June 29th - July 30th
  • A mixture of synchronous and asynchronous activities
    • Synchronous – staff and students are online working together at the same time
    • Asynchronous – activities that students can work on at any time
  • Location – Virtual
  • Cost – Free

Registration Process

The Online Registration will be available by the beginning of June.  You will be sent another "News You Choose" email with a link to the application.  Participants will receive further details/instructions in mid-June. 

We hope you will consider Virtual VIP this summer!


FCPS Summer Online Courses

Middle and high school students who meet the course prerequisites can take one online course. Students who have completed a high school math course may take an online campus math class. Middle school students who expunged a high school math course or those wanting to recover a course credit may take the course again. Students need to have a computer and make sure their computer is ready for the online course. Students will not be able to take online courses using tablets and smartphones. Parents or guardians should ask their child’s counselor to make sure the course aligns with the student’s plan.

Feel free to click on this link here for more information regarding FCPS Summer Online Courses.


Expunging High School Credits

High school credit courses taken in grades 7 and 8 become part of the student’s high school transcript and are included in the calculation of the high school Grade Point Average (GPA) and weighted as such. Virginia state and FCPS regulations permit parents/guardians of a middle school student who has completed a high school credit course to have that course expunged from the student’s record.  

The request to remove a course from the transcript must be made in writing to the middle or high school that the student will attend the following year and prior to the end of the first nine weeks of the school year. 

See Request to Expunge High School Courses Taken in Middle School Form.  If you have questions or concerns regarding this, please contact your child’s middle school counselor no later than June 13, 2020.  After this date, please contact your child’s high school counselor.   


Student Intention Form for 2020-21 School Year

To be completed by:

Rising 8th grade families who will NOT attend RCMS next year

AND

Rising 9th grade families who will NOT attend their FCPS boundary high school next year

Please complete the student Intention Form 2020-2021 if your student is transferring to:

  • Another FCPS school other than Carson Middle or your boundary HS
  • A private school in Virginia or out of Virginia
  • Another Virginia public school division outside FCPS
  • Another state public school outside of Virginia
  • Out of the United States

A typed parent/guardian name on the Parent Signature line is acceptable.  Student ID Number may be left blank.  Save the completed form, attach it to an email and send to our Student Services Registrar via email at lmlloyd@fcps.edu .  Feel free to contact Mrs. Lloyd if you have any questions.  


FCPS Virtual After School Program

The RCMS After-School program has put together a number of virtual after-school activities to engage middle school students in the arts, music, STEM, physical fitness, cooking, games, puzzles, literature, and more – things students can do at home. 

FCPS students can access these virtual after-school activities by joining the individual after school classroom using the appropriate classroom code.  Codes are located on the After School website (linked below).

Once your student has joined the classroom, there are a variety of activities (topics) they can choose from in the "Classwork" tab. We hope your students enjoy this site, and that it helps them actively pursue their interests during this time of social distancing. If you or your student have ideas for other activities, please email the After School Specialist, Adam Pawlowski at ajpawlowski@fcps.edu.

Be Safe! Be Active!  And know that we are here for you and your family! 

Please check the RCMS After School website for after school club updates.


Virtual STEAM Challenge

The Kuma Foundation provides STEAM challenges and curriculum for grades K-8.  Join them here on Monday mornings at 9:00AM to connect to their Facebook page, where you will find more virtual STEAM challenges, and another chance to win $100.  Play along to earn points by completing daily STEAM tasks!

The Fine Print:
1. Kuma Foundation employees and their families are not eligible to win.
2. Contest is open to kids ages 5-18.
3. Challenges must be completed by midnight on the day they were issued.
4. 1 point will be awarded for every challenge completed as per the challenge instructions.
5. Challenges may not be completed more than once (for points).
6. Challenges will be posted at 9am and 1pm, Monday - Friday.
6. In the event of a tie, a random drawing will determine the winner.
8. Winners will be announced on Saturday morning.


Yearbook QR code

Yearbook Sales End June 10!

2019-2020 Yearbooks are available for sale at www.MySchoolBucks.com or you may scan the QR  for a direct link.  All yearbooks purchased will be shipped directly to your home mailing address on file at no additional cost to you, directly from the yearbook vendor. 

 


Other FCPS Schools are Sharing....

Tune in here to find out what other schools are sharing about activities and events that may be of interest to you:

From South Lakes HS: South Lakes PE uniforms and other gear can be purchased through our online store! To order, visit: South Lakes HS PE Gear

The PE uniform consists of the t-shirt and shorts (5 in. or 9 in. available). The “GYM PACK” is the full uniform at a discounted price! Long-sleeve shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants and other great gear is also available.

Use the code #SOUTHLAKES to receive free shipping until August 30, 2020. All orders placed before August 5 will be shipped directly to South Lakes High School and be distributed to students the first week of school! Orders placed between August 5-August 30 will arrive during the third or fourth week of school. Don’t wait to place your order!

Please contact Angelica Ortiz (amortiz@fcps.edu) with any questions.