Important Dates
November 13 - 7th Grade Wellness Screening
November 15- UK Student Exchange Interest Meeting, 6:30PM, Library
November 16 - Family Book Club, 7PM, Library
November 20-21 - No After-School Program (all students depart at 2:15 PM), Lost and Found items to be donated
November 22-24 - Thanksgiving Break
November 30 - Fall Picture Retakes
RAISE the Ram Card Winners
Congratulations to this week's Ram card winners:
Ehaan Miran (Respectful, Accountable, Safe)
Arsema Tafari (Respectful, Engaged)
Kate Slevin (Respectful)
Rooster Polakoff (Engaged)
Jake Bustamante (Engaged)
Riley Lorjuste (Engaged)
Great job Raising the Ram!
A Note from the Principal
Dear Rocky Run Families-
We had a VERY exciting week at Rocky Run Middle School (even though it was only 3 days of school)! The second quarter of the school year kicked off with many exciting events in the halls of RRMS.
On Thursday, we marveled at the talented cast and crew at the opening performance of The Mystery of Manor Oak Mansion: A Live Radio Play. The play was definitely worth seeing! If you missed the performance, be sure to check it out on Friday night (seating is limited). Thank you to our dedicated theater arts teacher Meghan Pafumi for all her hard work on the show and congrats to cast and crew.
On Friday, we hosted a community breakfast for all military connected Rams, with a great turnout. We take pride in supporting the military community as a Purple Star designated school, and strive to make the transition of military connected students as smooth as possible. Please set aside a few minutes this weekend to reflect on, and appreciate the service that all veterans have given.
Also on Friday, we opened our classrooms up to the community for learning walks. I love showcasing the amazing instructional programming at Rocky Run which focuses on student inquiry, student choice, 21st Century Portrait of a Graduate skills, and academic rigor for all students. Be on the look out for Interdisciplinary Team Newsletters coming soon and invitations to Team-hosted parent coffees.
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
 Thanks to all of our veterans, active-duty military, and families who attended our Veterans' Day Breakfast! It was an honor to host you.
 Thank you to our Rocky Run staff members who are military veterans: Robyn Jones, Doug Mooney, Charlie Fonz, and Jackie Torres. We are grateful for your service!
Rams on a Roll- October
Congratulations to the following students who were chosen by their teams as Rams on a Roll for the month of October! Each team selected two students who best exemplified our RAISE traits throughout the month- these students were Respectful, Accountable, Inclusive, Safe, and Engaged. Amazing job!
Team Platinum: Isabella Barker and Dante Frazier
Team Emerald: Bella Le and Mason Munsch
Team Kryptonite: Eliana Mueller and Tanish Kapadia
Team Tiger's Eye: Raena Kilsby and Katelyn Killelea
Team Sapphire: Elliot Romasanta and Om Khadka
Team Meteors: Isaiah Jackson and Oykum Sezgin
TJHSST Applications Due Friday, November 17
The application must be started by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, November 15, with a deadline to submit the application by Friday, November 17, at 4 p.m. Please check out the eligibility requirements if your student is interested. Visit the TJHSST registration website for more information and contact your child's school counselor or our School Test Coordinator, Ms. Kim ASKim@fcps.edu for any questions.
Progress Reports and End of First Quarter SIS Updates
The Grade Book and Report Card modules in SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE will be closed until Monday November 13 while first quarter grading is processed and report cards are created. Marks will be viewable in SIS on Tuesday, November 14. We will also send paper copies of first quarter report card to all our students via mail on that day. Feel free to reach out to your child's teachers and counselor for any questions.
UK Exchange Opportunity for Current 7th Graders
Does your child love to travel and make new friends? Do they want to spend a week with a friend in the UK, then host them here and introduce them to American culture? Then consider applying for the Rocky Run/Warriner Student Exchange Program for the 2024-25 school year!
Here is where you can get Information:
- Attend the information meeting on Wednesday, November 15 at 6:30 PM in the Rocky Run Library
Free Resources from Tutor.com
FCPS students continue to have unlimited access to live, 24/7, one-on-one online tutoring services through Tutor.com at no cost to families. Student participation is optional. Detailed information and FAQs are available on the Tutor.com Online Tutoring Services webpage.
Students can access Tutor.com via a link in Schoology. Additional information about how to log in and access a tutor is provided to families via the following: Elementary - How It Works and Middle & High - How It Works. Questions not answered in the posted resources may be sent to OnlineTutoring@fcps.edu.
Day of Service Reflections
Thank you to all of our community partners, sponsors, and volunteers who helped to make our first annual Day of Service a huge success! To read more about the event, check out this feature on our website!
Reminder: Window for Full-time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15, 2023
Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for full-time advanced academic programs may submit the AAP Full-Time (Level IV) Referral Form to Anna Slevin, agslevin@fcps.edu, no later than December 15, 2023.
The window for families to submit a referral for full-time AAP services is the first day of school through December 15, annually. Forms for full-time referrals are available on the AAP Forms Page. No late referrals for Full-Time AAP services will be accepted.
Submitting a referral form for full-time AAP will initiate a process that begins at the local school and is then completed at the central office level. Our school will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data which are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of six trained professionals from various schools and roles will review the portfolio materials to determine eligibility for full-time placement. Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of the portfolio that was submitted after they have been turned in for central selection by emailing Anna Slevin at agslevin@fcps.edu.
For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs website.
Wellness Screening for 7th Grade Students
Rocky Run MS will conduct an ACT Wellness Screening on Monday, November 13, during 3rd Period Rock Time as part of the Signs of Suicide (SOS)® Prevention Program for all 7th grade students in FCPS. The program has proven to be successful at increasing help-seeking behaviors by students concerned about themselves or a friend.
We encourage parents/guardians to visit www.sossignsofsuicide.org/parent for information on warning signs for depression, suicide, useful resources, and some of the key messages students will learn. Additionally, this parent information video and this Suicide Prevention: A School and Family Partnership provides key information about the SOS program itself.
 Have 5-10 minutes to tell someone at Rocky Run how outstanding they are?
Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Employee Awards! To submit a nomination for a Rocky Run Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through the Google form linked in each title. You may nominate one employee at our school or multiple employees (one individual may only nominate one employee per category.)
All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. The google form link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards and the eligibility requirements are below.
Outstanding Teacher
Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category
Outstanding New Teacher
Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category
Outstanding Principal
Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a building principal (in any school/school district)
Outstanding Leader
Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current position as a Schedule-C or School-Based Administrator scale employee (that is not the building principal):
Common positions in this category: Assistant and Associate Principals, Director of Student Activities, Director of Student Services
Outstanding Professional Employee
Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position as a Schedule-B employee or other non-instructional employee in a school that supports school leadership
Common positions in this category: School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Assessment Coach, Career Center Specialist, Instructional Coach, Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor, Safety and Security Specialist, Resource Teachers that serve in an administrative role in a school
Outstanding Operational Employee
Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee
Common positions in this category: Administrative and Office Staff, Safety and Security Assistant, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, All Parent Liaisons (regardless of how they are paid)
The deadline to submit a nomination is Monday November 13, 2023.
If you have any questions, please contact Anna Slevin at agslevin@fcps.edu
Library Updates
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Dinovember is Here! Students have really enjoyed Dinovember, our November event in the library so far! We have a whiteboard to draw your best dinosaur, a dino puzzle, daily dinosaur eggs to be found around the library, jokes and facts in the window, and even dinosaur Questions of the Week in Schoology! Talk with your student about what they have enjoyed so far.
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Donations Needed! Our makerspace, the Inspiration Studio, could really use lightweight cardboard (like cereal boxes) and cardboard tubes. Please send them in with your student or drop them off at the main office. Thank you!
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New Book Alert! This week, we received more than 75 new books, in all genres and nonfiction, too! There are more on the way. Our Student Library Advisory Team participated in the unboxing on Wednesday. They are being processed and will be available for all students next week!
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Seventh Grade Checkout: All English 7 classes will visit the library next week to check out new books to read! To prepare, please remind your student to return their overdue books.
Forget to Order School Pictures?
Any student who has not had a chance to order, it’s not too late! Please visit: https://vando.imagequix.com/Y98FA93 and use your student ID when prompted for the online code.
For questions regarding school pictures please email: underclass@vosphoto.com
NOTE: Picture make-up day will be November 30th.
Experience Rocky Run Spirit with a Rocky Run Yearbook!
Relive our recent spirit week and our first every day of service! Order now and take advantage of the early bird $25 price: https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/index.cfm/job/5333
Share your picture of spirit days, field trips, or time with friends to share with the yearbook staff: https://www.hjeshare.com/eShare/?code=rockyrun.
Lost and Found
Our lost and found is overflowing with coa, sweatshirts, water bottles, etc. All items will be donated by Thanksgiving break. As the weather is getting colder, we are sure your family would appreciate having these items back at home. Please have your student check the lost and found in the cafeteria if there is even a chance that some of their items may be in there!
After-School Program Information
After-School Schedule for the Week of 11/13
Make sure your student is checking Schoology frequently for program updates, announcements, and schedules.
Important Program Information:
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Mark your calendar - there will be no after-school activities and no late buses on the following dates: 11/20, 11/21, 12/15, 1/12, 1/18.
- Interested in leading our Spelling Bee this year? We have a plan ready to roll, we just need a sponsor. Contact Shannon Campbell if you are interested in helping out.
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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.
- 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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