Important Dates
10/25-10/29: Spirit Week! Read more below.
10/29: Last Day of Q1, 2 Hour Early Release for Students - 12:15 PM
- No After-School Activities
- Office Closed for Staff Celebration: 1 PM
11/1-2: Student Holidays, Staff Workdays
11/11: Veteran's Day, 2 Hour Early Release for Students - 12:15 PM
Events on RRMS Website
Note from Dr. Goodloe:
Dear Rocky Run Families and Students,
It is hard to believe that the end of the first grading quarter is fast approacing, Next week is the last week of quarter 1. We will celebrate with a schoolwide Spirit Week sponsored by our SCA. We look forward to seeing our students and staff showing their RRMS spirit through their creative attire. Details included below.
Covid Testing for Students:
In support of our commitment to safety, Rocky Run MS will begin optional COVID-19 screening testing students the week of November 15.
We will also provide no-cost testing for students participating in winter or spring sports and other activities requiring a physical. Student-athlete screening testing will begin the week of November 1. As a reminder, students are unable to participate in these activities unless they meet FCPS’ vaccination and testing requirements:
Routine testing is a highly recommended strategy to reduce COVID-19 transmission and keep our schools safe. Following recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 10% of students who are not fully vaccinated and have parent/guardian consent will be randomly selected for weekly testing.
Parent/guardian consent is required for students to be part of the testing pool. We will share more information about how to submit your child(ren)’s vaccination status and opt-in to testing soon.
Test results will be kept confidential. Parents/guardians will be able to review results through the secure vendor portal. Parents/guardians may select an option to share their child’s test results with FCPS. Sharing results with FCPS is optional.
More information about COVID-19 testing in FCPS can be found on the FCPS website. As always, I encourage you to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Digital Citizenship Week:
This past week we recognized Digital Citizenship Week at Rocky Run! This year’s theme brings together digital citizenship and social emotional learning as students explore SEL in Digital Life. Students are online more than ever before, so teaching them how to use technology thoughtfully and responsibly is an essential part of their social and emotional development and academic success. We shared optional activities each day through our All Student Schoology Course. Students who completed the activities will earn badges in Schoology and will be entered into a raffle for tech accessory prizes. You can view all the topics and tips for connecting at home by going to to our school website.
I welcome your feedback, questions and suggestions. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me. Enjoy the long weekend.
Amy T. Goodloe, Ed.D.
Principal
atgoodloe@fcps.edu
@DrGoodloe
Together WE...Reconnect, Reflect, Rise
Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid
Beginning on October 13, FCPS will be asking all families to fill out a Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid.
Returning this form is important because information from this survey results in an additional $3 million in grants each year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.
For each school-aged child in your household, please complete, sign, date, and return the survey to your child's school. If sections 1 and 2 of the survey do not apply to you, just check the boxes in Section 3. All forms must be signed, dated, and returned by November 5. All results are confidential.
More information is available online.
Spirit Week: Next Week!
Monday: PJ & Onesies
Tuesday: Twin Tuesday
Wednesday: Oversized Clothes
Thursday: Blackout Neon Day
Friday: Freaky Friday (Halloween Costumes)
Applications for TJHSST Open October 25
8th grade students who have an aptitude and passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are encouraged to apply for admission to the Class of 2026 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) beginning Monday, October 25.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Enrolled in both math (honors Algebra 1 or higher) and science honors courses
- Enrolled in one additional honors course or identified as a Young Scholar
- Minimum GPA is 3.5. This GPA is for final unweighted marks in 7th grade for math, science, English, social studies and World Language (if for high school credit) as well as 1st quarter 8th grade for the same subjects.
The application will be available on the TJHSST Admissions Office webpage starting October 25, at 4 p.m. Applications must be started by 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 17, with a deadline to submit the application by Friday, November 19, at 4 p.m. Contact the Admissions Office at tjadmissions@fcps.edu for questions regarding the admissions process and contact your child's counselor for any other questions.
Fairfax County Youth Survey - 8th Grade Only
The Fairfax County School Board and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors work together to administer the Fairfax County Youth Survey. The survey is given to all students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12 each fall. It provides a wealth of information about a variety of topics related to our youth that influence their physical and mental well being, from sleep and nutritional habits to substance abuse behaviors to symptoms of depression and suicidal thoughts.
Read more about the Youth Survey on the FCPS website.
Youth Survey administration dates at Rocky Run is November 16 and 17 through Civics classes.
Families may choose to opt out their students. Students opted out will attend school regularly and will spend their Civics class period completing or reviewing class work. You can access links to the FCPS Youth Survey opt-out forms in English, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, and Vietnamese.
Opt-out forms can be sent to the office, mailed, or emailed to Ms. Sandra Meador at srmeador@fcps.edu.
Wellness Screening - 7th Grade Only
RRMS Student Services is conducting an ACT Wellness Screening on November 9th and 10th during Health/PE classes as part of the Signs of Suicide (SOS) ® Prevention Program for all 7th grade students. The program has proven to be successful at increasing help-seeking behaviors by students concerned about themselves or a friend.
Students will watch age-appropriate video clips and participate in a guided discussion about depression, suicide, and what to do if they are concerned about a friend. Through the program, students learn that depression is treatable, so they are encouraged to seek help, how to identify depression and potential suicide risk in themselves or a friend, to ACT (Acknowledge, Care and Tell a trusted adult) if concerned about themselves or a friend, and who they can turn to at school for help, if they need it. Following the video, students will complete a Brief Screen for Adolescent Depression.
We encourage you to visit www.sossignsofsuicide.org/parent for information on warning signs for depression, suicide, useful resources, and some of the key messages students will learn. Additionally, this parent information video provides key information about the SOS program itself. If you would like for your child to Opt-Out of the Brief Screen for Adolescent Depression, you may use this Google Opt Out Form by Nov 3, 2021. Contact your child's counselor for any questions.
After-School Program
Click here to view the after-school schedule for next week.
Programming Club - A few Chantilly HS students will be sponsoring a Programming Club, which will get started later this month. Students will learn Python and will able to apply it to a final project done in the meetings. You will learn different aspects of programming as well as have the opportunity to hear from STEM Guest speakers where you get insight into the field and are able to scope out your future. There will be an INTEREST MEETING on Monday, 10/25 during session 2 (3:20-4:05 pm) in the lecture hall. This will be for students to learn about the club and attendance expectations before deciding if they want to sign up. If your student is interested in this club, it is highly recommended that they attend the interest meeting. A sign up form will then go live on Schoology (after-school group) at 3:00 pm on Tuesday, 10/26, and students will be accepted on a first come, first served basis with priority given to students who can commit to attending the scheduled sessions. Spaces are limited! All details will be provided to students at the interest meeting. Email Mrs. Campbell at SLCampbell@fcps.edu if you have any questions.
So far over 600 of our students have been accessing our after-school program. If your student has not yet participated, it's not too late!! Many of our clubs are "open enrollment" meaning students are welcome to start attending whenever they are ready.
Questions? Contact Shannon Campbell, our After-School Specialist, at SLCampbell@fcps.edu.
Go Paperless- Feature on ParentVue
ParentVue now has the option to "Go Paperless". This might include paperless options such as progress reports and report cards. You can opt to "Go Paperless" for Report Cards by clicking the checkbox just under your account details in Parent Vue.
Real Assistive Technology for Everyone (RATE) Conference
Assistive Technology to Enhance Learning for All Students
Saturday, October 23, 2021
9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
This year’s conference will be VIRTUAL with synchronous (live) sessions.
The RATE Conference is an educational conference that focuses on strategies for using assistive technology hardware, software, and peripherals to enhance learning for all students, especially for those with special needs. Sessions will focus on high and low incidence special education assistive technology supports, as well tools to help students using augmentative and alternative communication.
This year’s keynote presentation features the Thomas Jefferson School for Science and Technology Assistive Technology Club.
View details on flyer (.pdf)
The 2022 Yearbook is in the Works!!
Ms. Kaplan’s Journalism class is excited to create this year’s yearbook. This 80 page, all color, hardbound yearbook will feature class photos, candid photos, quotes, and stories of our 2021-22 year here at Rocky Run!
We are also offering a special EARLY BIRD PRICE of $25!!
To Order: www.yearbookordercenter.com. Please use school code : 5333
Order yours today to get this special price!!
Any Questions: lkkaplan@fcps.edu
Quick Links:
If you do not have a student attending Rocky Run Middle School and do not wish to receive this communication, you may update your subscription here.
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