Important Upcoming Events
- May 1 - May 5 - Carson Celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week!
- May 9 - SOL Exams begin - See schedule below
- May 11 - RCMS 25 Year Anniversary NEW DATE!
- May 29 - Holiday - Memorial Day-No School
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Message From the Principal
Greetings Panthers,
This week we will celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week. One of the vital foundations of our school is the incredible team of teachers and instructional assistants who work so diligently to lead and support our students. It is important to extend our gratitude for their hard work throughout the year. With the arrival of Teacher Appreciation Week, we have dedicated time on the calendar to share our best sentiments. Please join me in thanking these awesome men and women for their commitment to providing an outstanding experience for each of our students. Any actions that you take to join in next week’s celebration are fully appreciated.
Sincerely,
Mr. Stokes
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April SWAG Recognition
(Students with Awesome Growth)
Each month teachers from different departments recognize students for their hard work, perseverance, and commitment to making a positive impact at Carson. Mr. Stokes had the pleasure of celebrating the April students of the month complete with certificates and SWAG bags. Congratulations to these students for having SWAG (Students with Awesome Growth): Druv, Griffin, Caroline, Thomas, Ivy, Sierra, Vivienne, Maanasi, Eve, Anna, Hansika, Ansh, Misha, Lucille, Victor, Celine, George, Kenneth, Arya, Ryan, Isabella, and Everett! A picture of these students is proudly displayed outside of the cafeteria for all to see. Congratulations!!!
Attention 8th Grade Families Only!
Click HERE to purchase tickets to the 8th grade dance.
Update Your Contact Information in WeCare@School
Within SIS ParentVUE, FCPS provides weCare@school (weCare), an emergency care information system. weCare helps manage contact and emergency medical information by allowing parents/caregivers to enter and update their children’s data online.
That contact information automatically enrolls parents/caregivers to receive critical updates from the district and their child’s school through the eNotify system. FCPS uses eNotify to communicate emergency, transportation, attendance, weather closing and delay, and essential outreach messages. Messages are sent by email, text, and occasionally by phone. Learn more about updating your emergency care information
SPRING SOL DATES
Testing will take place first thing in the morning. It is critical that students be in attendance and on-time for their designated test days. If at all possible, please avoid or reschedule absences/appointments for the morning of your child’s test dates. Also make sure that your child brings a fully-charged laptop on test days.
Contact Sharri Clifford, school test coordinator, with any questions (ssclifford@fcps.edu).
The Virginia Board of Education allows certain elementary and middle school students who fail their spring Standards of Learning (SOL) to retake the test before the end of the school year. Retesting is available when a student fails their first SOL attempt with a score of 375-399. (A score of 400 is considered passing for SOL tests.) Parent/guardian permission is required for the school to retest any student in grades 3-8. Your child is bringing home a form for you to indicate whether or not you would like your child to have the opportunity to retake an SOL test, should their first score fall in that range. Please fill out and return by Thursday, April 20th. If you prefer, you may fill out this electronic form instead. Please direct any questions you have regarding SOL testing and retakes to our school testing coordinator, Sharri Clifford (ssclifford@fcps.edu).
 Don’t miss the Rachel Carson Middle School’s spring musical, Disney’s Freaky Friday! The classic story is of a daughter and mother who grow to understand each other when they literally spend a day in the other person’s shoes (and bodies)! Don’t miss this relatable, amusing, and ultimately moving tale about one extraordinary and magical day!
The show is May 4, 5, & 6 at 7 PM in the Rachel Carson Middle School Lecture Hall. Tickets are $8, and they are on sale starting April 17 through eTix: Click HERE.Buy yours before they sell out!
Attention Rising RCMS 7th Graders!
RCMS-101
Coming August 2023!
Click HERE
To register for the summer program for RCMS Rising 7th Graders.
Or go to:
https://carsonms.fcps.edu/announcements/rcms-101
Institute for the Arts
Students in all FCPS secondary schools can enroll in the Institute for the Arts (IFTA). IFTA is a two- or four-week summer arts enrichment program for students in rising 7th through 12th grades. Students create their own schedules in art, music, theatre, and dance from nearly 80 courses offered. Transportation is provided from around the county. Tuition assistance is available for students who qualify. Check out the website for more information or email ifta@fcps.edu.
Action Required
Post information above in community newsletter or on website.
Deadline Date
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
Contact
Kara Drinkwater
kmdrinkwater@fcps.edu
571-423-4543
 PE and Health classes will be teaching the Family Life Education units, including Emotional and Social Health and Human Growth and Development curriculum over the next several weeks.
March 27th – 31st : 7th and 8th grade HGD
April 10th – 25th : 8th grade ESH
April 26th – May 9th : 7th grade ESH
Students who have been opted out of these lessons / units will have alternative assignments to complete in the library during their regularly scheduled PE class. You may access the curriculum and opt out forms via the Carson Parent Schoology Course. Please notify your child’s PE/Health teacher if you have any questions.
Thank you!
Carson PE Department
Summer VIP Camp Program
Click on the link below for more information about the Summer VIP Camp
click HERE
or go to:
https://www.canva.com/design/DAFehD4otWw/RU00gVfR_il3Th1yiWyGVQ/view?utm_content=DAFehD4otWw&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=publishsharelink
VIP Camp Registration Form - click HERE
Or go to:
https://forms.gle/rr3DNsrR5aaCSW2P7
Important Reminders from the Carson Tech Team
As Part of our Ready, Respectful and Responsible expectations at Carson, students must bring a fully charged laptop to school each day for learning. It has been our practice in the tech office to issue loaner laptops or chargers when a student forgets, however, there is a trend of students borrowing equipment and not returning them at the end of the day. Unfortunately, so many items have now gone missing that we will have to re-evaluate our practice for future use.
As a reminder, all students were issued laptops and chargers with preprinted labels at the beginning of the year. If students are in need of a new label for either their laptop or charger, please stop by A-113 to request a new one.
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.
AFTER SCHOOL CORNER
Please click on the link below to access the Q4 after school schedule
Q4 After School Schedule
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZQcqXtCaYDI6GeT4XSaWkLuyrWmfgwNN/edit
Sincerely,
Riley Barrows
After School Program Specialist
Rtbarrows1@fcps.edu
Join RCMS PTA!
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.
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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.
Other Schools Are Sharing
Oakton HS Dance Team 2023-24 Tryout Information Meeting
If you are interested in trying out for the Oakton High School Dance Team for the 2023-24 season, there will be a virtual informational meeting Thursday, April 27 at 7:00pm (sign up to receive the Google Meet link here. Coach Rowley will give out tryout information, explain what the tryout process is, and answer questions about what a year on dance team is like.
Oakton HS Dance Team Spring Prep Clinic
If you are interested in trying out for the Oakton High School Dance team for the 2023-24 school year or the year after or just love to dance, the Dance Team is holding a Tryouts Prep Clinic May 8, 10, 15, and 17 at Oakton HS from 3:30-6pm. It is open to students in grades 7-11 from any school! The clinic will teach a variety of skills and choreography that will be helpful for preparing for tryouts and help you learn what dance team does. If you are planning to try out for the 2023-24 team this year, attendance at this clinic is required. To participate in the Dance Team Prep Clinic, complete the Spring Clinic Interest Form to receive the registration form and information. If you have questions, please reach out to Coach Rowley at kmrowley@fcps.edu.
OHS Dance Team 2023-24 Tryouts
If you love to dance and want to be involved in your school, come try out for the Oakton High School Dance Team! Tryouts will be held May 22-24 for current 9th-11th graders and June 16th for current 8th graders for the 2023-24 team selection. Attending the Tryouts Prep Clinic May 8, 10, 15, and 17 will be required for participation in the final audition dates. Contact Coach Rowley directly with any questions related to tryouts or the Prep Clinic.
Not sure if you have all of the skills for dance team?? Come to the Prep Clinic and tryouts anyway! You will have the opportunity to learn skills there, and dancers are often selected based on potential ability to pick up the needed skills! Complete this Tryout Interest Form to receive information about registering for tryouts and access to the tryout materials. Check out the Dance Team Website for more information about the team and what to prepare for tryouts. Contact Coach Rowley at kmrowley@fcps.edu with questions.
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Chantilly High School
Any rising freshman girls interested in playing basketball at Chantilly next year, please fill out this google form so Coach Regan can let you know about offseason workouts, summer camp, and other events. We are looking forward to seeing you and can’t wait for you to join the Charger family!
Please click the link below.
https://forms.gle/QayT22zgXfjzVTJL7
Parents can email Coach Regan at reganjg@fcps.edu with questions or for more information.
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SOUTH LAKES CHEERLEADING
Calling all rising 9th graders! Interested in trying out for the South Lakes Cheerleading program? If so, please fill out the following online interest form to be added to our email list: https://forms.gle/hVeWZPTPR187AnmX9 Those on our email distribution list will receive information throughout the spring/summer regarding the upcoming season.
A little bit about our program: South Lakes Cheerleading is both a sideline and competitive program. When we are not on the track cheering on the SLHS Football team on game nights, we are practicing for our own District, Region, and State competitions! We have two teams: JV and Varsity that both begin on July 31st and run through early/mid November.
We welcome all levels of experience and hope to meet you soon!
If you have any questions at all feel free to email Coach Slaight at: raslaight@fcps.edu
SOUTH LAKES DANCE TEAM
The South Lakes Dance Team is excited to be holding our 23-24 tryouts from June 20-22! If you are interested in trying out, please fill out this interest form and we will add you to our email list: https://forms.gle/MbkS57BPWUer9tK17. We will be sending out communication about our interest meeting, tryouts, and eligibility requirements through the email list.
The South Lakes Dance Team performs at Football games, Basketball games, pep rallies, and various other school events. We also compete regionally and sometimes even nationally! We love cheering on the Seahawks and promoting school spirit in the community. South Lakes currently has only a Varsity level Dance Team, but we encourage dancers of all skill levels to tryout! We will also be holding a pre-tryout skills clinic on April 13th.
Please email Coach McDermott at chmcdermott@fcps.edu with any questions.
SLHS Seahawk CO-ED Golf Meeting For Rising Freshmen
Is your student-athlete interested in playing for the Seahawk Co-ed Golf Team? Tryouts are projected to begin July 31 and the regular season runs through mid-September. Email Coach Anderson at kanderson3@fcps.edu for more information.
SOUTH LAKES FOOTBALL
Calling all rising 9th graders! Are you:
-Bigger than most people? -Faster than your friends? -Tougher than most others?
If you answered yes to one or more of those questions then we are interested in you trying out for the South Lakes Football Program!
Hurry and fill out the following online interest form to be added to our email list:
https://forms.gle/xbGnwMhDN2M11CPM6
Those on our email distribution list will receive information throughout the spring/summer regarding the upcoming season.
A little bit about our program:
South Lakes Football has three levels in our program; Freshmen, Junior Varsity, and Varsity. Our season officially begins on July 31st, but the JV and Varsity teams are already preparing for our next season and so should you too!
We welcome all levels of experience and hope to meet you soon!
If you have any questions at all feel free to email Coach Hescock at: jrhescock@fcps.edu
SOUTH LAKES GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Calling all rising 9th graders! Interested in trying out for the South Lakes Girls Volleyball program?
For additional questions please email Coach Miller at pmiller@fcps.edu
SOUTH LAKES FIELD HOCKEY
Calling all rising 9th graders! Interested in trying out for the South Lakes Field Hockey program. For additional questions please email Coach Mueller at: almueller@fcps.edu
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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