Important Dates
October 17-18 - Hearing and Vision Screening (students will be screened through their PE class period)
October 18 - SEL Screener
October 23-24 - Fall Pictures (students will be photographed during their PE class period)
October 26 - 7th Grade Family Night
November 3 - Day of Service, End of 1st Quarter, 12:15 PM dismissal
November 6-7 - Student Holidays
RAISE the Ram Card Winners
Congratulations to this week's Ram card winners:
Eli Lopez (Respectful)
Alana Noble (Accountable)
Navya Rawat (Respectful and Accountable)
Olivia Pietras (Engaged)
Nikita Karnik (Respectful and Engaged)
Giuliany Sanchez (Engaged)
Great job Raising the Ram!
A Note from the Principal
Dear Rocky Run Families-
Last Friday, I had an absolute blast riding in the Chantilly HS Homecoming parade with the other principals from the pyramid. It was energizing to see so many students and families lining the parade route, in celebration of the Chantilly pyramid. This is truly a special place to learn, work and raise a family. Also- sorry for the sugar-high that many students experienced due to the amount of candy I threw from the parade!
Speaking of building community, at Rocky Run Middle School our goal is to ensure all students feel safe and welcomed at school. In light of the recent events in Israel, I want to reassure our community that we do not tolerate any form of violence or hate speech at our school. Our expectation is for all students to be able to trust that schools are safe learning spaces for everyone. Faculty and staff implore students to be mindful of their words and actions at all times. I sign off the morning announcements each day by reminding everyone (students and staff) to RAISE the Ram and create positive impact. This concept is based on the acknowledgement of the inherent dignity that each Ram possesses.
Even though we are halfway through the month, I do want to mention that October is recognized as Bullying Awareness Month. To help develop a common understanding of bullying, FCPS defines bullying as “any aggressive and unwanted behavior that is intended to harm, intimidate, or humiliate the victim; involves a real or perceived power imbalance between the aggressor(s) and victim; and is repeated over time or causes severe emotional trauma. “Bullying” includes cyberbullying. “Bullying” does not include ordinary teasing, horseplay, argument, or peer conflict. We will be spending time this month framing student social interactions through our RAISE concepts of being Respectful, Accountable, Inclusive, Safe, and Engaged. If you have questions and/or concerns about something that is going on at school, please contact any member of the administrative or counselling teams so that we can support you and your student.
Finally, later this month (October 18), all Rocky Run Middle School students will be able to participate in the SEL screener. School teams and families use the information from the survey to develop positive school cultures and create programming to support students academically and personally. Parents are able to opt their child out of taking the SEL screener.
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
 Did you know all middle school students in FCPS are encouraged to earn 15 hours of service? On November 3 all Rocky Run students will participate in a meaningful service opportunities and learn about ways they can make a positive impact on their community. There will be opportunities for all students, including native tree planting with Fairfax Releaf, school beatification projects, letter writing for various national and local organizations, learning about environmental volunteerism, guest speakers from Travis Manion, and representatives from the Virginia Bluebell Chapter of the National Charity League and their philanthropies.
In addition, the 8th grade class will be packing meals for Rise Against Hunger. In order to make this a reality for all of our 8th grade students we need donations. So far we have raised $4,256.20 of the $12,000 needed. 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. Students do not need to register to volunteer, the 8th grade students are our built-in volunteers!
We are looking for a mulch donation for our tree planting and school beautification projects. Please let Anna Slevin know if you can make this donation or have a truck and are willing to help us by picking up and delivering free leaf mulch from Fairfax County at the I-66 Transfer Station.
Thank you to the Ed Lang Team at Re/Max and Joe Dettor at Gotta Go with Joe Realty for supporting us with donations! Wegmans is also donating water and a snack for each student. We appreciate everyone who has already donated. If every family who can donate makes a donation of at least $25, we will reach our goal in no time!
Donate using the QR code or at this link: https://rah.my.salesforce-sites.com/events/homepage?id=7018c000001FL0sAAG
Ignore the Register button and press the Donate button!
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener- October 18
FCPS is committed to supporting all students’ mental wellness and social and emotional learning. FCPS approved a Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener that students use to share their perspectives on how well their school and community help them develop skills they need to succeed. All students in grades 3-12 have the opportunity to participate in the screener twice a year, in the fall and spring. Rocky Run students will take this screener on October 18. Parents and guardians will receive an individualized report regarding their student’s screener results following each assessment window. School staff are available to discuss results with families.
You can opt out your child from participating in the SEL Screener in ParentVue or by completing this Opt-Out form. The opt out applies to the current school year and must be completed annually. More information about the SEL Screener
 Rocky Run students- join us for Chantilly Pyamid Night! Wear your school spirit gear and receive free entry with a paying adult!
Save the Date- Fall Family Night for 7th Grade Families
We are excited to announce that our second annual Fall Family Night for 7th grade families will be held on Thursday, October 26th from 6:00-7:30 pm. This event, called Middle School 101, is being planned to answer your questions about all things middle school. Topics will include:
- how to help your student get and stay organized
- how to understand the middle school grading system and maneuver through SIS/ParentVue like a pro
- how to decipher the FCPS math sequence for middle and high school
In addition to these sessions, you will have a chance to visit our library and our gym, see what your student is learning in the classroom, and meet with some of our community partners. Sessions will also be offered in Korean and in Spanish.
While RSVPs are not required, for our planning purposes, we would appreciate it if you could let us know that you are planning to join us by completing this Google form.
We look forward to welcoming you to Rocky Run on October 26th!
Family Book Club: You’re Invited!
Greetings Rocky Run Families,
Family Book Club is coming up on November 16, 2023 and we would love to see you there! This is a time-honored tradition at Rocky Run for family members and students to select a book to read and discuss together. Then, on November 16, we will come together to talk about the book selections and have some light refreshments.
This fall, the theme is Perspectives in Verse, and all book choices are verse novels, which read quickly like poetry! See the flier below for more information. Review the book choices and fill out the sign up form here!
Learn more about Rocky Run Family Book Club on the Rocky Run website.
Please reach out to Anna Slevin (agslevin@fcps.edu) with any questions.
Library Updates
The Rocky Run library currently has 378 overdue library books. Check with your students and around your home and help us get those books back in circulation!
Did you know? All students enrolled in FCPS schools have LEAP accounts at the Fairfax County Public Libraries. These accounts allow students to check out up to 3 items at a time for six weeks each. The students only need their names. No card is required! We are so grateful for the expanded library access this partnership gives our students! Click here to learn more about this amazing program.
PTA No-Fuss Fundraiser
PTA is conducting a "no fuss fundraiser", and we are encouraging all students to participate! We are currently at 30% of our goal and need your support to make it to 100%. Pleas help the PTA reach our goal of $15,000. Parents can view information about the fundraiser and sign up here.
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
Hearing and Vision Screening
Hearing and Vision Screening will be held on Tuesday, 10/17, and Wednesday, 10/18, through PE classes for all 7th graders, as well as all 8th graders who are new to Fairfax County. If your student wears glasses, please be sure they have them at school on screening day.
If you would like to assist as a volunteer with the screening process, please click here to view the signup link.
Fall Pictures
Students will take their fall pictures during their PE class period on Monday, October 23, or Tuesday, October 24.
Images will be available to view and purchase approximately two weeks following our school's picture day. Save time and Pre-order online here: https://vando.imagequix.com/g1001028962#login
For questions about ordering school pictures please email underclass@vosphoto.com
After-School Program Information
After-School Schedule for the Week of 10/16
Make sure your student is checking Schoology frequently for program updates, announcements, and schedules.
Here is some important information -
- Science Olympiad Interest Meeting slides can be found here. Students who are interested in taking the selection test should RSVP here by 10/17. Students must be logged into their fcpsschools account to access the form.
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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.
- Do you have an old (or maybe even broken) gaming system sitting around that you are looking to donate?! Our Retro Video Gaming Club would love to take it off of your hands. Anything from before the X-Box 360 would be welcome. We will also accept donations of broken consoles, too, as the club sponsor can sometimes repair them. Contact Luke Williams at LWilliams@fcps.edu.
- 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
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