Important Dates
September 18 - After-School Activities Begin
September 21 - TJHSST Information Session, 3:00 PM, Gym
Phyllis Fagel Presentation, 6:00 PM, Lecture Hall
September 25 - No School (Yom Kippur)
A Note from the Principal
Dear Rocky Run Families-
We had a busy week at Rocky Run Middle School! Fall is definitely in the air and outdoor recess was gorgeous. I loved playing tips, spikeball, kickball, whiffle ball and volleyball with the students.
On Friday, we kicked off a month-long celebration for Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15). It was made an official observation in the United States in 1968. The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua; with Mexico and Chile celebrating their independence days on September 16 and September 18. This month is a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions by Latinos/Hispanics in popular culture through music, food, and dance, as well as in science, art, economics, politics and other fields.
Next week at Rocky Run will be busy too! Our After School Program officially starts on Monday, September 18. Students will have the opportunity to get extra help from teachers or participate in one of our many clubs and activities Monday through Thursday. We will also be hosting Phyllis Fagell, author of Middle School Matters and Middle School Superpowers on Thursday, September 21 at 6PM. Ms. Fagell's books focus on setting kids up for healthy friendships and academic success in middle school and beyond. All families that attend will receive a copy of her book. Please let us know if you plan to attend by filling out this LINK.
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
 RAISE the Ram Card Winners
Congratulations to this week's Ram card winners:
Ian Thacker (Respectful)
Dante Frazier (Engaged)
Michael Zhang (Accountable)
Chase Schaub (Engaged)
Dante Winslow (Engaged)
William Tarry (Engaged)
Great job Raising the Ram!
 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!
 On November 3 Rocky Run Students will participate in a Day of Service. Students will participate in a meaningful service opportunity and learn about other ways they can make a positive impact on their community. The 8th grade class will be packing meals for Rise Against Hunger. Thank you to the families who have donated to help make this possible. So far we have raised $190.55. This is a great start, but we have a long way to go! Please share this with friends, family, and local businesses who might support our students in this service opportunity.
Donate using the QR code or at this link: https://rah.my.salesforce-sites.com/events/homepage?id=7018c000001FL0sAAG
Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) Fall & Spring Screening
Parents or guardians of seventh-grade students NEW to FCPS as of January 2023 who were not screened in Spring 2023 may initiate screening for full-time AAP Level IV services by submitting an Advanced Academic Programs Level IV Referral Form (multiple languages are available at this link) to Anna Slevin, Rocky Run’s Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART), by Friday, October 13, 2023. Please view AAP Testing and Identification Timelines for more information.
Spring 2024 AAP Level IV referrals can be completed for any seventh-grade student who has been enrolled previous to January 2023. Spring referrals are due to Anna Slevin by Friday, December 15, 2023.
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 a parent or guardian feels that the ability test on file does not reflect the student’s current abilities, they may request a one-time retest. Requests for retest must be made to the school testing coordinator, Ashleigh Kim (askim@fcps.edu), by September 20. It is important that families know that tests are not weighted in AAP screening and no test is required for Honors courses.
If you have any questions about this process, please reach out to AART, Anna Slevin at agslevin@fcps.edu.
RRMS 2024 Yearbooks on sale NOW!
Order now and take advantage of the early bird $25 price!
To order visit:
https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/index.cfm/job/5333
World Language Credit Exam
Registration for this fall's World Language Credit Exam has begun.
The World Language Credit Exam assesses reading and writing language proficiency in languages other than English. Students who take the exam may earn up to three World Languages credits for levels one, two, and three for the language of the exam. The credits may fulfill the World Languages requirements for the Advanced Studies Diploma. For details about the exam and test languages, please read the World Language Credit Exam Website.
Once you have reviewed the information, and would like to sign up for the exam, click this link and fill out the required information: Link to register for World Language Credit Exam. Please contact your school counselor with any questions.
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.
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.
Library Updates
Did you know? You can learn more about the library on the Rocky Run website. Just click on Library at the top! Explore book recommendations, the library catalog, library procedures, and more! Students also have access to a Library course on Schoology with lots of great resources and information. Email Mrs. Grover, RRMS Librarian, with questions or feedback (ragrover@fcps.edu).
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
After-School Program Information
After-School Schedule for the Week of 9/18
We are excited to get our after-school clubs and activities started next week! Almost everything on our schedule for next week is open enrollment - so students should plan on attending if they see something that they are interested in. First meetings are important as the club sponsors will go over club details and discuss if there is any sort of selection process for the club.
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. This is not the same form as the one required for Cross Country.
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CROSS COUNTRY - We have had overwhelming interest in our 1st season of FCPS Middle School Cross Country! We are really excited to get our season started, but we are in desperate need of two more "coaches". No coaching experience is required - we have a coaching guide, but truly what we need are people to help supervise the students during Monday and Wednesday practices (2:30-3:15) and at the Saturday meets (9/30, 10/14, 10/21, 10/28). If you are interested in helping, please contact Shannon Campbell (SLCampbell@fcps.edu) and Katy Speir (KRSpeir@fcps.edu) ASAP!
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SCIENCE OLYMPIAD - 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!
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Pentathlon Club - Virtual Interest Meeting on Monday, 9/18 at 7PM - sign up here to receive the meeting link
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Math Olympiad - Virtual Interest Meeting on Wednesday, 9/20 at 7PM - sign up here to receive the meeting link
- 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
- Questions? Contact Shannon Campbell, After-School Program Specialist, at SLCampbell@fcps.edu
Quick Links
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