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Rocky Run MS News and Updates can be translated in other languages. Visit HERE to read more.
Important Dates
Events on RRMS Website
5/8-5/12: Staff Appreciation Week
5/17: Reading 7/8 SOL
5/17: Band Awards Concert
5/18: Orchestra Awards Concert
5/22: All Math SOLs
5/24: Chorus Spring Awards Concert
5/25: NJHS Pinning Ceremony 3PM, Gym; Last day for After-School Activities & Late Buses
5/29: Memorial Day Holiday
6/2: 8th Grade Celebration, 6-8 PM
6/16: Last day of school - 2 Hour Early Release
In this Issue
A Note from Mrs. Burke
- Middle School Athletics Coming this Fall
- Portrait of a Graduate (PoG) - Survey
- Calling All Student Artists and Designers
- Final Feedback Opportunity on the Draft Strategic Plan
- Standards of Learning (SOL)
- Tutor.com Services for All Students
- Congratulations RRMS TSA!
- After-School
- Additional Summer Opportunities
- Observances
- PTA Board Nominations
A Note from Mrs. Burke
Dear Rocky Run Families and Students,
Thank you to all our parents and community members who donated to our celebrations for Teacher Appreciation Week. From the smiles on our teacher's faces and full stomaches, I know they felt honored this week. Thank you to our community that filled out the Thank a Staff Google form. We were able to deliver your messages to the staff today, and it was great to see the gratitude they felt when reading your kind words.
On Thursday, we had a great Spanish-speaking parent night for our rising 7th graders. Our families heard about life at middle school, including information about our bell schedule, academics, rock time, afterschool programs, and support within the school. They also received the book “Como Hablar para que los Adolescentes Escuchen y Como Escuchar para que los Adolescents Hablen” (How to talk so teens will listen and listen so teens will talk) and will be participating in a book club later in the month. Thank You to our students who presented Linda Alvarez-Gonzalez, Guiliana Mejia-Salgado, Julissa Rosales, Camila Chavez-Meruvia, Roxana Bautista Martinez, and Cristhian Mejia Murcia. Thank you to Brookfield ES and Ellen Mukai for hosting the event. Thank you to our Rocky Run Staff Rachel Sweeney (Dean of Students), Suzanne Landon (ESOL Teacher), Caitlin Ivey (Counselor), Mandie Sayers (ESOL Teacher), Michelle Kroes (Reading Specialist), Anna Slevin (English/ESOL Teacher), Rachel Singer (World Languages Teacher), Jackie Torres (World Languages Teacher), Young Hong (Director of Student Services), Carolina Bolivar (Parent Liasion), Helen Seo (Parent Liason) and Maria Delgadillo (Brookfield Parent Liasion) for putting the event together. If you could not attend the event, please contact Rachel Sweeney rwsweeney@fcps.edu to receive a copy of the book.
We have exciting news that FCPS is starting Middle School Sports for the 2023-2024 school year. Please see below for more information. We look forward to competing in Cross Country and Spring Track against our fellow middle schools next school year. More information will be coming out this year as we get more specifics, so be on the lookout for our communications.
Next week, we look forward to our PTA meeting on Tuesday at 6:30 pm in the lecture hall and our Band (Wednesday) and Orchestra (Thursday) Concerts at 7 pm in the gym.
Enjoy your weekend, and Happy Mother’s Day to all our Rocky Run families.
Amanda Burke
Interim Principal
 Rocky Run and Brookfield staff hosted a family Spanish lanugage book club for rising 7th grade families.
1. Middle School Athletics Coming This Fall
FCPS has designated funding in the budget for 2023-24 for middle school spring and fall athletic activities to support student well-being at no cost to students. Pending budget adoption, this will be the first time FCPS has offered middle school students a chance to participate in extracurricular sports programs.
Middle schools will start with cross country this fall. Track will follow in spring 2024.
Any middle school students who would like to participate in athletics will need to have a Virginia High School League (VHSL) pre-participation examination (PPE). The physical exam form must be completed and signed by a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant. Fairfax County public high schools will offer PPEs at a cost of $50 per student through June 17. Students who receive free or reduced meals are eligible to receive an exam at no cost. Learn more about PPE and middle school athletics.
2. Portrait of a Graduate (PoG) - Survey
As we shift focus to the fourth quarter, the students are reflecting on their growth in and out of school during the year. Part of that reflection revolves around FCPS’s Portrait of a Graduate (PoG) attributes (Collaborator; Communicator; Critical and Creative Thinker; Ethical and Global Citizen; and Goal-Directed and Resilient Individual) and how students expect to use those skills in high school as well as throughout their lives. Unfortunately, many of the kids have no idea of the critical role these skills play in the work environment. We would love to hear from our community as to what your profession is, which PoG attributes are the most crucial to success in your profession, and any additional information you would care to provide to help our students. Please fill out this Survey to assist our students in learning more about the various professions and what POG attributes are used.
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3. Calling All Student Artists and Designers: Observance Design Challenge
FCPS is looking for middle and high school students to submit artwork to represent the observances on the FCPS school year calendar for 2023-24 (PDF).
The goal of the Observance Design Challenge is to encourage students to tap into their creativity to create visuals that accurately and positively represent the many religious observances celebrated in the FCPS community. Students may also choose to submit a design for Thanksgiving.
Selected entries will be featured on FCPS social media and in newsletters in the next school year!
See all the submission guidelines and instructions on the FCPS website. Entries will be accepted through June 11, 2023.
4. Final Feedback Opportunity on Draft Strategic Plan
FCPS’ draft Strategic Plan survey will close on Wednesday, May 17. Please take the survey today, if you haven’t already. Your voice matters! Visit FCPS’ website to stay up-to-date on the strategic planning process.
 Rocky Run science teachers and high school volunteers hosted a Saturday review session for the science SOL. Approximately 40 eighth grade students attended this great event!
5. Standards of Learning (SOL) Tests
This May, students will be taking the SOL tests in Math, Reading, and Science. Students should be checking their laptops in the coming days for any problematic issues with connectivity, display, keyboards, etc. and visiting the Tech Office at school to have them resolved. Students should also be restarting their laptops often to receive updates.
Please make note of the following dates and if at all possible avoid being out of school on these days:
- May 17 – Reading 7 & 8
- May 22 – All Math Levels
Last month an e-notify was sent out with information about expedited retakes. Retesting is available when a student’s score falls in the 375-399 range. (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. In an effort to more quickly reassess students, a form was sent out for parents/guardians to give permission if you believe that your student would benefit from a second opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills on the spring SOL test. Please take a moment to either print, complete and return that permission form to the school, or alternatively, indicate your choice through this google form no later than May 5th. A decision not to allow retesting will not impact your student’s course grade or academic record. Please contact our School Test Coordinator, Ms. Ashleigh Kim at ASKim@fcps.edu for any questions.
6. Tutor.com Services for All Students
Writing help, practice quizzes, and SAT test prep are available to all FCPS students at no cost through Tutor.com. Find out how your child can get these services, in addition to 24/7 live tutoring, through their Schoology account: Elementary School | Middle and High School.
7. Congratulations RRMS TSA!
The Rocky Run Technology Student Association (TSA) Chapter competed in several middle school events at the state competition this past weekend. We are proud of their hard work and accomplishments! Thank you to Mrs. Kronimus for leading this group this year!
- Biotechnology – Fourth – Ruby B., Shivani C., Hiral J., Meghana N., Anvita T.
- Children’s Stories – Fifth – Amber Bang, Anvita Tangella, Ruby Bang, Anisha Namboodiripad
- Technical Design Fourth – Riddhi P. & Ayan P.
- Technical Design Tenth – Amber B. & Shivani C.
- Mechanical Engineering – Dev G., Ananth N.
- Leadership Strategy – First – Ruby B., Shivani C., Meghana N.
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8. After-School
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For your planning purposes, please note that our last day of activities and late buses for the school year will be Thursday, 5/25.
- Kudos to our Boys Varsity Basketball Team as they participated in the Southwest Fairfax MS After-School Basketball Tournament last weekend. Rocky Run didn't bring home the trophy, but we are proud of our students for giving it their best! It was a great night!
- Rising 9th graders - information about spring/summer sports opportunities will be posted on the After-School Group on Schoology as they are received. Check there frequently for updates. Interest meetings/clinics will also be added to our weekly after-school calendar as they are scheduled.
- Program Details
- Questions? Contact Shannon Campbell, After-School Program Specialist, at SLCampbell@fcps.edu.
9. Additional Summer Opportunities
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Rising 7th & Rising 8th grade families - Registration opened on 3/29 for the VIP Summer Program. Information was sent to all of our rising 7th and rising 8th grade families via a Western Fairfax VIP News You Choose message. We are currently on a waitlist, but feel free to fill out the registration form as we are typically able to pull students up throughout the summer.
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Rising 9th grade families - Here is the link for the Teens in Action Summer Camp Registration. Check it out!
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TJHSST Middle School Technology Institute (MSTI)
Registration has opened for the 2023 Summer Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology’s Middle School Technology Institute (MSTI). The program will take place at Thomas Jefferson and is open to all FCPS middle school students. Participation in MSTI does not mean one is accepted into Thomas Jefferson.
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Institute for the Arts Camps (IFTA)
IFTA is a two- or four-week summer enrichment program for students currently in grades 6-11. Students select from nearly 90 classes in art, dance, health and physical education 9, music, self-directed economics and personal finance, and theater. Visit the IFTA webpage to register.
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Career and Technical Education (CTE)
Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a week-long exploratory camp designed to give current K-6 students an opportunity to explore science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM); culinary; health; trades; and business and marketing areas. Visit the TAC webpage to register.
10. Observances
May Observances
- Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
- Mental Health Awareness Month
- Jewish American Heritage Month
- Better Hearing and Speech Month
- National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
- School Lunch Hero Day
- Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week
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NOTE! This observation occurs during the first FULL week of May, May 8-12
- National School Nurse Day
11. RRMS Executive PTA Board Nominations Open, Apply Now!
The RRMS PTA board supports many of the enrichment activities for students and staff like the author visits, mentor program, teacher appreciation week, and end-of-school-year celebrations to name a few.
We are in need of candidates to run for the PTA Executive Board positions for the 2023-24 school year. The time commitment is minimal and it is a great way to be connected in the RRMS community. Current open positions are Secretary, Treasurer, President, and Vice President. Position Descriptions are below.
Please consider joining the board and use this Google form to self-nominate or nominate a peer. Nominations are being accepted through June 3.
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Secretary: Collects information for meeting agendas, prior to the meeting, and distributes agendas for each board meeting. Takes minutes and records business transacted at each meeting (board and general meetings).
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Treasurer: Collects money for PTA functions, dispenses money for PTA expenses, maintains all accounts and records, provides monthly reports and projections at PTA meetings, and files all tax forms. Serves as chair of the budget/finance committee and presents the budget to the membership.
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President: Serves as the managing executive of the PTA. The PTA president trains, counsels, and provides information to parents and teachers in the school district, according to PTA bylaws, and oversees the activities of board officers.
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Vice President: Supports the President with the broad management of matters related to fundraising and overseeing PTA activities. The VP also serves as an aide to the president and may perform the duties of the president in his or her absence.
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Middle School Athletics
- Student Awards
- Career Fair
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, sign up today.
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FCPS Cares - Recognize Rocky Run MS Employees!
The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for families, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story, so we can all acknowledge the good work of FCPS employees at Rocky Run MS.
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