Important Upcoming Events
- January 9 – Academic Advisement, Panther Time
- January 11- Rising 7th Grade Curriculum Night
- January 15 - Holiday
- January 25 - End of 2nd Quarter, 2 Hour Early Release (dismissal at 12:15 PM)
- January 26 - Student Holiday/Teacher Workday
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- Message from Mr. Stokes
- Family Workshop
- Save the date
- Online Tutoring
- Federal Impact Aid Survey
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A Message From Principal Stokes
Happy New Year Panthers!
We hope that your entire family had an excellent winter break. Upon our return to school, it’s great to hit the ground running and resume our work for the year. We have nearly four weeks left in this grading quarter. This provides plenty of time for students to work diligently in all of their classes and speak to their teachers to secure extra help when the situation arises. Beyond academic work, the foundation of our school success remains – building a school where students are ready, responsible, and respectful. We will continue to ask students to take stock of what these 3 Rs really mean and how each idea applies to our school day.
Please take note of upcoming topics for the month of January. Next week we begin the academic advising process where students make decisions about their courses for next school year. Please engage in conversations about the importance of selecting courses that provide challenge and speak to student interests. Further, we encourage all families to attend our Parent Workshops on Mon. Jan. 22. Staff members will share impactful strategies focused upon organization and study skills. We hope to see everyone there.
Thank you as always for your attention and support of our school.
Sincerely,
Gordon Stokes
Principal
Save the date! A Family Workshop coming! RCMS is excited to bring you an interactive learning experience designed to support you as you support your student’s success. Join us on Monday, January 22nd to learn strategies, tips, and techniques to aid your student in improving executive functioning skills such as organization, time management, studying and conquering middle school! Hope to see you there!
Save the Date: Academy Open Houses
FCPS high school academies will hold open houses for interested students beginning in mid-January.
A high school academy is a center within a high school that offers advanced technical and specialized courses to prepare students for postsecondary education and/or career fields. Students enrolling in academy elective courses will be provided with opportunities to participate in a variety of career experiences including shadowing, mentoring, or internships with local businesses.
Learn more and view the calendar of Academy Open Houses.
SIS: Automated Weekly Progress Reports
Parents, you can control how often progress reports are sent to you. These automated progress reports only show the overall grade and not specific assignments. You can log into your ParentVUE account through the mobile app or on the website https://sisparent.fcps.edu/ to view detailed assignment information. Here is how you can view those settings:
- Log into ParentVUE
- Click on My Account at the top right corner (web version).
- Scroll down to the Auto Notify area and choose your options
- Scroll to the bottom of the screen and select Update Account.
The latest grade information can always be viewed directly on ParentVUE because teachers are constantly updating grades. For more information on SIS Weekly Progress Report Emails, visit https://www.fcps.edu/resources/technology/student-information-system-sis/sis-parentvue/sis-parent-weekly-progress-report.
Please complete the Federal Impact Aid Survey
Federal Impact Aid Survey for SY 23-24- (Our school is currently missing 666 Impact Aid online or paper form submissions.
Families that have not completed the survey online will receive a paper copy this week from their child's 4th period teacher.
Please complete this important form THIS WEEK.
Families that have already submitted the survey online or requested a paper copy which has been returned already, thank you for taking the time to take care of this.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact Monique Berkeley at mtberkeley@fcps.edu
Private School Request
If your student is planning on applying to any private schools for the 2024-2025 school year, please complete the "Private School Request Form" and the "Parent Consent Form: SS-SE79" and submit them to the Student Service’s Office or to your counselor. Counselors will be emailing all records to the requested schools via an admissions email OR the school's portal. Please note these requests are due at least 2 weeks prior to the due date.
Please visit our website for more information regarding required forms and teacher recommendations – Rachel Carson Middle School Private School Requests
Online Tutoring
This is a reminder that all students in FCPS have access to Tutor.com. This a free service where students have 24/7 access to an on-line tutor. Students can connect with someone about nearly any school subject. We encourage all families to take a few minutes to review the basics of Tutor.com and log-in to try out this great resources. You can go directly to tutor.com or review the FCPS overview page at: https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/tutoring-options-fcps/tutorcom-online-tutoring-services
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We are excited to share a great opportunity that is available to all FCPS students! Your child now has unlimited access to 24/7, on-demand, online tutoring support services through Tutor.com.
www.fcps.edu
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Student Services Newsletter
Check out Student Services second quarter newsletter to learn more about our recent events such as our counseling lessons. Take a look at our upcoming events including the Family Coffee and Mastery Workshop. Also, meet our new Family Liaison Lourdes Vaca.
Social and Emotional Learning Screener Results Coming Soon
One of the ways FCPS supports the mental wellness of all students is the SEL Screener.
Students in grades 3-12 took the SEL Screener during the month of October, providing information on their skills like achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions.
The SEL Screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to create the learning, experiences, and environments students need to be successful.
Beginning in early December, individual student SEL Screener results will be available to families in SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent via postal mail.
For more information about the screener please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. For support in understanding your individual student’s results or for ideas on how to support them at home, please review the Family Guide or contact your student’s school.
Yarn Club Donations Needed!
We have a very successful after school “Yarn Club” every Thursday. Weekly, we have approximately 50 students that enjoy crocheting, knitting, loom knitting, and finger knitting. We would love to receive donations of yarn that you may have accumulated but are not planning to use. Donations will be accepted in the front office in a “yarn bin”.
Thank you.
Elena James
ESOL
Yarn Club
Attendance Tip: Scheduling Family Trips or Events
Good attendance is an important life skill that will help students succeed in school and beyond.
When scheduling trips or family events, try to use weekends and school holidays, and refer to the FCPS Calendar when planning. Every day of learning is a day toward success. Keep in mind that absences add up quickly. Students who are absent 10% of the school year (or just two days per month) are considered chronically absent.
When possible, schedule appointments for your child outside of school hours. If your child needs to miss school because of an illness or another reason, you must report the absence to their school. Most schools have links to their attendance email or notification systems on their homepages. If you are unsure how to report an absence, please call your school’s front office.
Watch this video with tips on understanding our school calendar and visit our Attendance webpage for additional information. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!
Tips to expedite early dismissals
If your student will be picked up early for an appointment the following will help expedite the wait time to locate students and minimize class interruptions during instruction time:
- Please send students to the front office in the morning at arrival time with a note specifying dismissal time. Even without a note, students should come to the office to get a pass. The office staff will then provide a pass to excuse the student from class. This process allows for a smoother check out because your student will be in the office when you arrive
- Parents should come to entrance#1, to the main office with a photo ID to pick up their student for early dismissals. No early dismissals can occur after 2:00pm.
- In emergency cases, or unscheduled early dismissals, please be patient with our office staff as we locate your student and request they be sent to the office.
Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
Greetings Panther Families!
Mr. Barrows will communicate with students about activities through email and Schoology and will also be in lunches where a daily schedule will be shown on the projector. We try our best to communicate any changes such as cancellations immediately though email and Schoology. Late buses will be offered Monday-Thursday. Late buses are different than your regular bus number. Please make sure students know their late bus number prior to staying after school. You can find your late bus number in SIS and it will say RCLR (Rachel Carson Late Run).
here is the Q2 After School Schedule
Riley Barrows
After School Program Specialist
Building Use Coordinator
Other Schools Are Sharing
Rising 9th Grade Curriculum Night Information
Attention 8th grade parents! In January, families of rising 9th grade students will have opportunities to visit their high schools and learn more about the curriculum offerings for the 2024-25 school year. Please see the information below for Chantilly HS, Oakton HS, South Lakes HS, and Westfield HS. Please visit the school’s websites for additional information.
Herndon High School Curriculum Night 2024
Families of rising ninth graders are invited to join us on Thursday, January 4th, 6:30pm to learn more about the courses offered at Herndon High School. There will be tables set up throughout Main Street/Foyer where a teacher representing each department will be able to answer any specific questions that you have regarding a course. There will also be presentations given on Advanced Academics and Standards Based Learning beginning at 6:00pm in the auditorium. These presentations are optional for attendance. Please scan the QR code to learn about the classes that are offered at Herndon. Any questions, contact Kie Anderson (keanderson1@fcps.edu) or Kelly Ginieczki (kmginieczki@fcps.edu).
Chantilly High School: 1/4/2024
We are all looking forward to our upcoming winter break and hopefully some peaceful and restful late December days. We are also looking forward to meeting our newest Chargers who will begin academic advising when we return from winter break. Students will have multiple opportunities and ways to learn about courses at Chantilly HS. After March 8, 2024, we will be unable to make any additional class changes as we make staffing and course offering decisions in mid-March based upon student course selections. Students may access advising information by going to the CHS Advising Site. Additionally, course catalogs, electives fair videos, and other advising information will be posted on the CHS webpage. Please see below for detailed dates and information. We hope you will join us for our annual Curriculum night on January 4, 2024.
January 4, 2024- Curriculum Night at Chantilly HS
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5:00-5:45 PM: Introduction to Chantilly HS and Tips for Supporting Student Success- This program will be presented in the Library and will be offered in English, Spanish, Arabic, and Korean; it is geared towards parents of rising 9th graders and parents whose home language is not English. A light dinner will be provided so please RSVP here.
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6:00-6:45 PM: Welcome to Chantilly HS. This program will be presented in the Auditorium and is geared specifically towards parents of rising 9th graders and will include staff introductions, academic rigor and course trajectory recommendations, and a student panel.
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7:00-8:00 PM- Curriculum Fair. Rising 9th-12th graders and parents are invited to learn more about the courses offered at Chantilly HS. Located in the Lecture Hall, Library, and Cafeteria.
Oakton High School: 1/3/2024
Please save the date for Curriculum Night on Wednesday, January 3, 2024 (Snow date: January 18th) from 4:30-6:30PM
South Lakes High School: 1/11/2024
Please save the date for Curriculum Night on Thursday, January 11, 2024 at 6:30PM. In addition, South Lakes High School PTSA has invited families to attend a virtual meeting this Wednesday, December 6th focused on Academic Advising and course selection led by the Director of Student Services, Heather Thomas from 6:30-8PM. You will receive the Zoom link when you click here to register. If you have any difficulty registering, please contact South Lakes PTSA member Erin Gibbons at ErinGibbensPTSA@gmail.com.
Westfield High School: 1/3/2024
Westfield High School will be hosting our Curriculum Night on Wednesday, January 3, 2024 from 6:30-8:00pm (snow date: January 17). All Rising 9th grade students, parents and guardians are invited to attend.
🚍 Transportation Patience and Safety
Thank you for your patience as we all get used to new routines this school year. We appreciate our families following kiss-and-ride procedures and being patient while waiting for your children’s buses.
If a student’s bus is delayed, parents/caregivers may access the
Bus Delay Notification or use the Here Comes The Bus Application to receive the delayed bus report. Email messages will be sent to announce significant bus delays. Visit the Transportation Services Contact Webpage to see who to contact with specific questions.
To make sure you receive email messages about bus delays, update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE.
Oakton High School
The Oakton High School Marching Cougars, a prestigious 25-year Virginia Honor Band, have been chosen as a FINALIST in Metallica's inaugural marching band competition, "For Whom the Band Tolls." Metallica has brought their legendary presence to the world of marching bands by inviting high schools and colleges from across the nation to showcase their musical prowess in this unique online competition. The Marching Cougars are competing against four other bands for $15,000 in prizing in the category for high school bands with less than 75 members. You can view the Marching Cougar’s online submission of “Parade to Black” here. Oakton High School encourages the school and local community to proudly vote in support of the Marching Cougars as “Fan Favorite” on this national stage. Vote for the Oakton Marching Cougars by texting #HSOAKTON to (833) 609-0330. Go Cougars!
Link to Purchase: Yearbook Sales - MySchoolbucks
2023-2024 Yearbooks are available for purchase. Reserve your copy today by purchasing through MySchoolBucks!
We have a limited number of surplus, once we reach our sales limit yearbooks will be sold out. Sales are on a first come first serve basis.
Who to Contact
If you have a question or concern, please visit our website for a full listing of Who to Contact. This listing includes all of our administrators, our counselors, and who to speak to regarding a specific content area or class. Contact information for all staff members is listed on our website - just click on the name of the person you wish to contact to be redirected to their email address: RCMS Staff Directory.
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