Important Upcoming Events
- October 28 - End of Quarter 1; 2-hour early release
- October 31- Student Holiday/Teacher Workday
- November 8- Election Day- No School
- November 11- School Planning Day- No School
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Panthers On Time!
Please continue to stress on-time class arrivals with your student(s). Carson’s expectations for being to school and class on-time support a safe and less disruptive learning experience for all students. Students who accumulate three tardies in any one class will meet with their administrator to plan for timely arrivals. Students and families can review their attendance and class tardies on their StudentVue and ParentVue accounts.
https://carsonms.fcps.edu/about/attendance-procedures
 October SWAG (Students with Awesome Growth) Recognition
The picture above is proudly displayed outside of the cafeteria for all to see. Each month teachers from different departments recognize up to three students for their hard work, perseverance, and commitment to making a positive impact at Carson. Mr. Stokes had the pleasure of celebrating the October students of the month this past week complete with certificates and SWAG bags.
Congratulations to these students for having SWAG (Students with Awesome Growth): Francesca A, Serhat A, Ibrahim A, Darin A, Justin B, Ellie C, Sorna C, Lauren E, Sophia F, James F, Eunhye G, Aracely G, Savion G, James H, Olivia M, Sheshfika M, Hussein O, Ava P, Avalon R, Giselle R, Rahman S, Maximiliano S, and Lillian X. We are proud of you all!
1st Quarter ends Friday, October 28
SIS ParentVue and SIS StudentVue Gradebook and Report Card Modules will be unavailable Friday, October 28 at 4pm until Tuesday, November 9 at 6 am in order for teachers to finalize first quarter grades. After Nov 9, 1st Quarter Report cards will be visible in SIS StudentVue and ParentVue. A copy of your child’s report card will also be provided to students during Panther Time on Friday, November 4th.
Conversing with Your Teen about Drug Use
For some reason, as a culture we avoid talking about things that can be both lifesaving and life changing, such as finances, drugs, and other topics that make us uncomfortable. What do you wish you knew when you were younger that can be shared with your teenager now? Here’s a few tips for talking about drugs with your teenager.
Resources:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VWGxTZrpCU
For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: (571) 423-4270.
For further Information & support:
Michael McNulty
Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
mpmcnulty@fcps.edu
RCMS December Parent Coffee: Input Needed
We are thrilled to have speaker Rachel Bailey join our next RCMS Parent Coffee on November 30th at 9AM. Rachel Bailey has a Master’s degree in clinical psychology and has been an ADHD Coach, therapist, and teacher of positive parenting techniques. Please complete the form below to let us know which topic you are most interested in by November 4th. Thank you!
RCMS Parent Coffee Topic Interest Survey
Parent Coffee Schedule - SAVE THE DATES:
-Guest speaker, Rachel Bailey: November 30th, 9-10AM
-Guest speaker, Zaina Bankwalla, Little-Known Secrets of Paying for College: March 9th, 9-10AM
-Rising 7th Grade- Transition to Middle School: April 13th, 9-10AM
Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) Spring Screening
Spring 2023 AAP Level IV referrals and optional screening materials are due by Friday, December 15, 2022. Parents or guardians of seventh grade students may initiate screening for full-time AAP Level IV services by submitting an Advanced Academic Programs Level IV Referral Form and any optional screening materials to RCMS Counselor Liaison, Christy Ryder. Please view AAP Testing and Identification Timelines for more information.
AAP Level IV services are available to students in grades 3-8. Students may be found eligible for full-time placement in AAP Level IV Center classes through a central selection process where multiple criteria are reviewed by a central selection committee to determine eligibility for all FCPS advanced academic services. More information about the screening process as well as an overview of AAP services available at the middle school level may be found here on the FCPS website or families can view this video, AAP Overview of Services.
If you have any questions about this process please reach out to RCMS Counselor Liaison, Christy Ryder, at clryder@fcps.edu
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Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid
The Impact Aid Program is a federal grant program designed to directly compensate local school districts that have been financially impacted by federal activities. The program's mission is to reimburse local school districts for local revenues lost due to the presence of federally owned and therefore tax-exempt property. Your support in identifying students with federal connections will ensure that FCPS can obtain its fair share of grant funds from this program.
The surveys went home during Panther Time the week of October 17th. Please be sure to complete and sign the survey and have your child return the original (fax or email copies may not be sent) to their Panther Time teacher no later than Friday, November 4th. If you have any questions, please contact Monique Berkeley- mtberkeley@fcps.edu.
Fairfax County Youth Survey to be Administered Wednesday, November 9
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. The survey and other information can be previewed by accessing the link above.
Parents/Guardians who wish to opt-out their child must fill out and return the form found in the parent notification letter no later than Monday, November 7th. (The parent notification letter was emailed to families on October 10, and it can be accessed in the links below.)
Parent Notification Letter and Opt-Out Forms:
English
Spanish
Urdu
Vietnamese
Arabic
Chinese
Questions about the survey can be directed to Stefan Mascoll, coordinator, Student Safety and Wellness Office, at 571-423-4270 or smascoll@fcps.edu.
AFTER SCHOOL CORNER
Would you like to be a part of the RCMS PTA Family? Members and volunteers are needed.The Carson PTA is sponsoring school events in support and gratitude for our educators and families and kicking off 2 major fundraisers to support our mission statement in support of our students. Parents, please join the PTA fun and participate in our "Name that Tune" contest. Congratulations to a parent winner, Leah for winning a $15 gift card to Starbucks!
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Cookie Dough, Cheesecake and More! - Go to the link below.
https://onlineorders.mrsfieldsfundraising.com/rachelcarsonmiddleschool/cookies
Hurry and Get your gifts for the Holidays! RCMS PTA has launched the Mrs. Fields Cookie, Cheesecake Factory Cheesecake website. Feel free to browse the website opened on October 10. Order forms and brochures will go home with students soon! THIS is our biggest and most important fundraiser which supports Technology and Instructional Projects throughout the school. Get Hungry and get Ready for Mrs. Field's desserts!!!
RCMS PTA Reflections Chair Needed!!
We are looking for a volunteer to serve as RCMS PTA Reflections Chair for 2022-2023. Below is some information for your reference. Rest assured that PTA is going to guide and help you to get started. If you are interested, please respond back to rcmspta.fundraiserchair@gmail.com.
To Download a copy of the Reflections Entry Form Application. Deadline date is November 4th.
click here
Digital Consent resources
Parents, we need your consent for digital tools! Some of the digital resources your child may use this year require parental consent. Listed on this page on our website are the digital tools that are used at Carson that require approval. Not all tools will be used by every student.
To provide consent for your student’s use of digital tools, please click here.
Free and Reduced-Price Meal Applications
For the past two years, the federal government has provided no-cost meals to all public school students without the need to complete the annual Free and Reduced-Price Meal application. The extension of the no-cost meals benefit to all students is expected to expire at the end of this school year, meaning families must submit an application and be approved to be eligible for free and reduced-price meals for the 2022-23 school year. Learn more about the Free and Reduced-Price Meal program online.
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Yearbook Sales
2022-2023 Yearbooks are available for purchase. Reserve your copy today by purchasing through MySchoolBucks!
Link to Purchase: Yearbook Sales - MySchoolbucks
We have a limited number of surplus, once we reach our sales limit yearbooks will be sold out. Sales are on a first come first serve basis. Make payments online to avoid the handling of cash and check.
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If a student will be absent or arriving late to school, parents or guardians should always report the details of the absence to the RCMS Attendance Office. Teachers do not have access to mark a student excused for an absence, which is why it is imperative that parents contact the attendance office (instead of, or in addition to, the teacher) when their child is absent so we can mark them correctly.
To report an absence, parents have these options:
- Use the link to our online attendance form (preferred) from the main page of the RCMS website:
- Send an email with full details to: CarsonMiddle.Attendance@fcps.edu, or
- Call the attendance line at 703-925-3636 being sure to include the spelling of your student’s last name and reason for the absence.
If your student will be picked up early for an appointment:
Please send them to the front office in the morning with a note stating the time of the dismissal. Students will be given a pass to leave class and meet parents in the office. Parents should come to entrance #1, to the main office, with a photo ID to pick up their student for early dismissals.
For more information on the attendance policies, please visit the RCMS Attendance page.
Here Comes the Bus Mobile App
 Here Comes the Bus® app is a school bus tracking app that can simplify morning and afternoon routines for parents and students by giving them real-time bus location and text or email notification alerts, helping them get to the bus stop on time. Here Comes the Bus® utilizes our GPS data and an easy-to-use customizable map that works on one or multiple devices, such as a tablet or smartphone.
Using the app is EASY! You will need the FCPS school district code 28982 and a Student Information System (SIS) Parent Account. Please be sure to follow the detailed instructions at this link. Do Not Use the Student Login or Sign Up links.
If you have problems with the Here Comes the Bus app, please contact the support information within the app itself. Your school has no access to this third-party system.
Other Schools Are Sharing
Westfield Theatre would like to invite your school community to our Halloween FUNdraiser this Saturday October 29th from 4:00pm-8:15pm at Westfield High School in our Auditorium & Black Box (parking outside door 14). We are excited to host two simultaneous events:
- 4-8:00 p.m. Halloween Carnival Games, Contests, & Disney princess meet & greet sponsored by WHS International Thespian Honor Society. Come Anytime! Wear your Halloween Costumes! ($5, All ages)
- 4-8:15 p.m. Haunted Escape Room “Chuck E Scream” created by the WHS Tech Theatre 1-4 Class ($8, Suitable for ages 12 & up; Spaces will fill up fast for this event. Reservations for this event are highly recommended, but not required. Please reserve your spot at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050b4faea62fa7fd0-westfield
RCMS Students at HS Football Games
This is a reminder that all RCMS students who plan to attend a football game at any FCPS high school must be accompanied by a parent. The purpose is to assist with keeping students well supervised and accounted for during these games. High schools will turn away students who arrive at an HS football game without a parent . Thanks for your support with this matter.
Who to Contact
If you have a question or concern, please visit our website for a full listing of Who to Contact. This listing includes all of our administrators, our counselors, and who to speak to regarding a specific content area or class. Contact information for all staff members is listed on our website - just click on the name of the person you wish to contact to be redirected to their email address: RCMS Staff Directory.
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