Important Dates
September 1 & September 4 - No School. Labor Day Holiday
September 7- Back to School Night, 6-8pm
Week of September 18 - After-School Activities & Late Buses Begin
A Note from the Principal
Dear Rocky Run Families-
CONGRATULATIONS on finishing the second week of school! The students have been positive, polite, and full of great energy. It has been a pleasure visiting classrooms and interacting with students in the halls. Be sure to ask what the best part of your students' week was!
I continue to be proud of our students efforts to RAISE the Ram by being Respectful, Accountable, Inclusive, Safe, and Engaged. I sign off on the morning announcements each day reminding the students to make a positive impact on the school community. It truly seems that the students are taking this message to heart.
As a reward to all Rams (students, staff and families) for their hard work over these first weeks, let’s have a four day weekend in honor of Labor Day! Hopefully all Rams will take advantage of the beautiful weather, re-charge their batteries, and celebrate the successful start to the school year.
Thank you for your continued support and please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Peter Kownacki
Principal
Rocky Run Middle School
@pakownacki
 Congratulations to this week's Ram card winners: Gabby Chavez-Meruvia (Engaged), Alexandra Dagdelen (Engaged), An Bui (Respectful, Accountable, and Engaged), Saaya Patel (Respectful), Joel Viera (Respectful), and Meghana Nannapaneni (Engaged). Great job!
2023 Student Rights and Responsibilities
FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities document (SR&R) explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. In late June, the School Board approved changes to the SR&R for the 2023-24 school year. Updates include a revision of dress code expectations, bystander expectations for students witnessing harmful or unsafe behaviors, bullying, and substance abuse responses. Read Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid’s letter to families regarding the SR&R.
Parents/caregivers should talk to their child(ren) about expectations for this school year. Also, please log in to SIS ParentVUE and sign to acknowledge your review of the SR&R, or sign and return the signature sheet to your child’s school by Friday, September 29.
Parental Permission to Use Digital Resources
Some FCPS-approved digital resources require parent consent before they can be used by students. Find the list of resources which require consent on the Parent Consent webpage. This page also includes directions for providing permission.
Each digital resource used in FCPS has had an instructional and technical review. Information about the educational technology tools approved for use within FCPS can be found in the online Digital Ecosystem Library.
Parents can find more information about FCPS-approved digital resources on the Digital Resources in FCPS webpage.
Important Reminders- Recess
Please be aware that all students are at recess from 10:25-10:45am every day. Most days this means all students are outside in assigned locations. We utilize every aspect of outdoor space to allow students to be active during this time so we ask that parents/guardians that are picking up or dropping off are aware of how this may impact their access to the building.
If you do need to come during this window, please know that the entrance from Poplar Tree Road will be blocked as a safety measure for students utilizing spaces near those entrances. We ask that any cars coming in use the entrance from Stringfellow Road during the recess window. Thank you helping us make the safety of our students a priority!
Chantilly Football Game Reminders
As football season begins, we know that many of our students enjoy attending Chantilly football games! A few reminders for Rocky Run students:
- No backpacks are allowed.
- No water bottles are allowed.
- All middle school students MUST be accompanied by an adult.
Thank you!
 You are Invited: “Setting Kids Up for Healthy Friendships and Academic Success in Middle School and Beyond”
Parents, please join us on Thursday, September 21st from 6:00 to 7:30 when we will welcome author Phyllis Fagell to Rocky Run. Ms. Fagell is a nationally certified school counselor, a psychotherapist who works with children and teens in private practice, a journalist, and the author of both Middle School Matters: The 10 Key Skills Kids Need to Thrive in Middle School and Beyond--and How Parents Can Help and Middle School Superpowers: Raising Resilient Tweens in Turbulent Times. A frequent contributor to publications such as The Washington Post and CNN, her ideas have been shared in outlets including The New York Times, NPR, The Chicago Tribune, and The Atlantic. Ms. Fagell has three children and lives in Bethesda, MD.
The presentation will include topics such as:
- transitioning successfully to middle school
- friendship challenges
- boosting kids' resilience
While RSVPs are not required, for planning purposes we would appreciate it if you could let us know that you will be attending through this Google form. We look forward to learning together on September 21st!
TJHSST Admissions Information Session
Representatives from the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology will be coming to Rocky Run Middle School to present information about 2023-24 admissions process on Thursday, September 21st at 3pm.
Parents/guardians and students of current 8th graders who meet the course requirements (see eligibility requirements) are highly encouraged to attend. In addition, families of current 7th graders who are curious about the process may attend as well. Please fill out the google form to notify us of your attendance by 9/15 so that we may plan our space accordingly.
A YouTube video is posted on the TJ Admissions website and families are advised to view this prior to attending the presentation meeting. In addition, don’t forget to click on the Freshman Application Process link near the bottom of the webpage to find admissions calendars and other pertinent information regarding this year’s freshman round.
If you have questions specific to the admissions process, please reach out to the TJ Admissions Office. Or if you have questions about individual student’s courses, please contact your child’s counselor.
Middle School Sports - Cross Country!
Is your student interested in participating in our cross country program?! If so, please complete these steps -
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Physical forms must be completed and returned to the main office ASAP. These are required in order for students to be eligible to begin practices during the week of 9/11.
- All interested families must complete this registration form ASAP.
- Students who are interested in participating should attend an interest meeting during their lunch on Friday, September 8, in the lecture hall. They can eat lunch while we go through the presentation.
- This opportunity is open to all RRMS students, regardless of skill level. There will not be any tryouts.
Are you interested in possibly coaching our team?! Here's what that would look like -
- Two 45 minute practices a week during the after-school block.
- Practice time is TBD based on after-school schedule and coach
availability.
- Practices begin the week of 9/11 through late October.\
- Coaching responsibilities: -
- Complete FCPS hiring process and coaching education requirements
- Partner with Athletic Coordinator
- Develop and implement practice plans with guidance provided
- Attend Saturday meets
- Coaches will receive a coaching guide, so no prior coaching experience is required.
This position does come with a stipend.
Questions or interested in coaching? Please contact Shannon Campbell
(SLCampbell@fcps.edu) and Katy Speir (KRSpeir@fcps.edu)
as soon as possible
Rocky Run PTA 2023-24 Membership Drive
We invite you to join because you can count on us to support our children and school community. Membership is $25 annually for up to 2 parents/caregivers.
To pay for your 2023-24 membership, visit https://rockyrunms.memberhub.com/store/items/74804
All memberships purchased before 9/1 will be entered in a raffle to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card! Pay online and become a PTA member today!
Your support makes it possible to support the following things that fall outside of the school budget:
- Staff Appreciation Efforts
- Principal Treats/Rewards for Students
- Author Visit for Students
- Therapy Animals for Students
- 7th Grade Treats for Students
- 8th Grade Dance
- Staff Grants
PTA Meeting September 13th
Save the date! Please join us for our first Parent-Teacher Association Meeting in the school library on September 13th at 6:30 pm to meet our new Executive Board, hear about upcoming events, and share your ideas for the school year ahead. Before the PTA meeting, there will be a Principal Q&A session.
Questions? Contact us at rockyrunmspta@gmail.com
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RRMS Spirit Wear!
The Rocky Run PTA has launched the first spirit wear campaign of the year! Show off your Rocky Run pride with some new swag!
Orders are online only through the Bonfire website now through September 10 and will be shipped directly to your address in September. There are three new designs and some classic designs available, too!
View the Bonfire store and order today! There will be more opportunities to order spirit wear throughout the year, too.
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After-School Information
We are excited to get our after-school clubs and activities started during the week of 9/18. Here is some important information -
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Registration form is required for ALL RRMS students (regardless of intent to participate). Your student will not be able to stay after for any clubs, activities, or events if this form is not completed.
- Program updates, announcements, schedules, and late bus routes will be communicated through the After-School Schoology Course - all families have been added
- Check out our Program Preview
- We are in need of a Science Olympiad coach in order to have a team this year. Interested in being our coach?! Reach out to Shannon Campbell ASAP!
- Questions? Contact Shannon Campbell, After-School Program Specialist, at SLCampbell@fcps.edu
Quick Links
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