Important Dates
March 15 -
- 8th Grade Activity Fair at Chantilly High School (9:30 - 11:30 AM)
- No After-School Activities (all students depart at 2:15)
- Annual Rocky Run vs Franklin Basketball Games at Chantilly HS (4:30-8 PM) - tickets now available on MySchoolBucks "school store"
March 22 - No After-School Activities (all students depart at 2:15)
March 25 - 29 - No School (Spring Break)
April 1 - 2 - No School (Teacher Workdays)
April 10 - No School (Holiday - Eid al Fitr)
 RAISE the Ram Card Winners
Congratulations to this week's Ram card winners:
Henry Fricke (Respectful and Accountable)
Megan Ji (Respectful)
Catalina Guitierrez-DelVillar (Respectful and Accountable)
Ellie Mueller (Accountable and Engaged)
Arnav Katragadda (Engaged)
Riley Lorjuste (Accountable)
Great job Raising the Ram!
A Note from the Principal
Dear Rocky Run Community-
We had another great week of learning at Rocky Run Middle School. This week, I particularly loved going to 7th grade history classes to learn more about America's involvement in World War I. As a former history teacher, I always love refreshing my memory on one of my favorite historical topics.
Did you know that March is designated as Equity in Education Month? This is a division-wide opportunity to deepen our commitment to creating a climate and curriculum where all students receive the resources they need to reach their fullest potential. As such, I want to highlight some important holidays, events and recognitions occurring throughout the first half of the month.
First, the month of March is designated Women’s History Month by presidential proclamation. The month is set aside to honor women’s contributions in American history. I encourage you to take a few minutes to learn about Women’s History Month using this article from National Geographic Kids.
Next, March 3-9 is National School Social Work Week. Social workers in FCPS help to prevent social, emotional, and behavioral factors from affecting a student's ability to perform at their best. Their primary goal is to remove barriers that prevent a student from fulfilling their academic potential. Social workers are assigned to every school and center in the school system. We are grateful for the support that Mary Wescott provides to the Rocky Run community.
Finally, the first full day of Ramadan is Monday, March 11. In Islam, Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year. During this month Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn to sunset each day while striving to increase their spirituality, through prayers, charity and good deeds. Read more about Ramadan in National Geographic Kids. March 11 is an O day. The school calendar recognizes many religious and cultural observances (O days) during the school year. We still have school on O Days, however tests, quizzes, field trips, graduation, homecoming, or FCPS-scheduled athletic events will not be held on these days. If you have any questions about regarding accommodations that we have set up for students at Rocky Run Middle School (lunch, prayer/meditation and silent reflection spaces, and instruction) please feel free to reach out to me.
As always, thank you for your continued partnership and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions. I look forward to seeing you at RRMS soon.
Sincerely,
Peter Kownacki
Principal
Rocky Run Middle School
@pakownacki
 FCPS Family Engagement Survey 2023-2024
When schools build strong partnerships with families, respond to their concerns, and honor their contributions, students can experience a range of benefits including improved school readiness, higher student achievement, better social skills and behavior, and increased likelihood of high school graduation.
Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to building authentic relationships with families. Parents and caregivers can help by participating in the 2023-24 Family Engagement Survey! The survey opens on Sunday, March 3, in the afternoon.
There are three ways you can complete the survey:
- Check your email on March 3, for an invitation with a survey link from K12Insight, with the subject line: FCPS Family Engagement Survey.
- Ask the front office staff of your child's school for a paper survey. You can complete it at the school or take it home and return it by March 22.
- Use one of the school computers. Front office staff would be happy to show you an available computer for you to complete the survey electronically.
The survey is offered in English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Amharic, Farsi, Urdu, Pashto, and Vietnamese. All responses are confidential. For more information, please contact Rachel Sweeney, RRMS Dean of Students, at rwsweeney@fcps.edu.
Summer Camps and Learning Programs
Have you made summer plans for your child yet? Are you looking for a camp for your child with special needs?
The Family Resource Center has compiled information on summer camps including local options, camps for students with special needs (sorted by need), and camps for students experiencing grief or who have parents in the military.
FCPS Summer Camp Offerings
Registration is now open for many summer camps and learning opportunities offered by FCPS for all students.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts (IFTA) camps will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Visit these sites for more information:
Find session dates and registration links and deadlines on the FCPS summer programs webpage.
Student Course Selections for SY24-25
Over the past few weeks, all students had a chance to meet with their school counselors individually to select their courses for next year. Students and parents can view their course selections in their SIS account under the Course Request.
Please note the following items:
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This list is NOT a schedule, but a confirmation of the courses entered into the Student Information System.
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Music Courses - Students who have signed up for the music courses (Band, Orchestra and Chorus) will initially be placed in the beginner level until auditions and placements have been completed. Please know that music directors will work with counselors to make the appropriate updates between March and April.
Visit our Academic Advising website or contact your child's counselor with any questions.
Chantilly Charge Ahead Program for Rising 9th Graders
Please see the flyer for information about the Charge Ahead program for rising 9th graders at Chantilly!
Registration link:
https://forms.gle/9eL8UB9ydgg3uyuGA
Payment via students
www.myschoolbucks.com
Library Updates
This week, many classes visited the library for a variety of reasons! Mrs. Cho’s Civics classes worked on their Political Process project using our makerspaces (The Inspiration Studio and Tech Den) as well as our teaching space. Half the class had a mini lesson with Mrs. Cho, while the other half used the makerspaces to work on campaign merchandise and advertisements for their election simulation – and then the groups switched! Mrs. Schopp’s Strategies for Success class visited The Inspiration Studio to work on their flexible thinking skills and Mrs. Mertell’s English class also visited the Inspiration Studio to use makerspace materials to create visual versions of the vocabulary words they have been studying. Finally, it has been a pleasure to host Dr. Endara’s English classes in the library as they continue to work on their research papers. Through all these classes, students are working on several Portrait of a Graduate skills, including collaboration, creative and critical thinking, and being goal directed and resilient!
During Rock Time, lots of students have enjoyed the library to play games, including chess, checkers, cards, and Scrabble! Students have also come for a quiet place to keep reading their book or study for an upcoming test. The library is a great place to work on collaboration and social skills with friends, but also pursue their own interests and needs.
Finally, I am working on our upcoming author visit with New York Times bestselling author, Stuart Gibbs. A lot of planning happens when an author to comes to our school, and I am so grateful to our PTA for sponsoring his visit to speak with all students! We also invite you to join Family Book Club, coming up on April 17. See below for more information!
Family Book Club
Family Book Club is coming up on Wednesday, April 17 at 7pm. Stuart Gibbs will be our featured author for the evening and he will be present to speak with families about his books. We are excited to share this evening with the Franklin Middle School community, too! This evening will take place on the same day that Mr. Gibbs will give presentations at both schools.
How Does Family Book Club Work? Both the student and an adult in your family (parent, grandparent, aunt, etc) sign up to read the same book and come to Rocky Run on April 17 to discuss the book with other readers. You have the option of borrowing books from Rocky Run or purchasing your own books if you would like the author to sign them that evening. It is a wonderful evening that has become a long-standing tradition at Rocky Run. To attend Family Book Club, click here to sign up!
Don’t miss out on a Rocky Run yearbook.
The Rocky Run yearbook will be full of fun memories for students, including friends, classes, clubs and events. Pre-order now to guarantee your student a book. Order online for $30 at: https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/index.cfm/job/5333
Click here to access the registration form on March 12 at 6 PM.
After-School Program Information
Schedule for the week of 3/11
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: 3/15, 3/22, 5/24.
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Spring Track and Field - LESS THAN14 DAYS REMAINING TO SUBMIT FORMS! All forms must be fully completed and submitted no later than March 22. Please review the interest meeting slides and interest form if your student would like to participate.
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DONATION REQUEST - We have a new Crochet Club starting next week on Wednesdays during 1st session. If you have any yarn or crochet hooks at home that you are willing to donate, please drop off in the main office. We appreciate your support!
- Program updates, announcements, schedules, and late bus routes will be communicated through the After-School Schoology Course - all families have been added
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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.
- Check out our Program Preview
- Questions? Contact Shannon Campbell, After-School Program Specialist, at SLCampbell@fcps.edu
Rocky Run vs Franklin Basketball Game
When? Friday, March 15th - doors open at 4:30 PM, games start at 5 pm (staff, girls, varsity boys). All students must be picked up no later than 8:00 PM
Where? Chantilly High School
Cost? Everyone who enters (except players) must pay the $5 admission. You can purchase tickets on MySchoolBucks in the "school store" as of Monday, March 4th. Online ticket sales end on Wednesday, March 13th. There may be tickets available at the door (cash only), but the event is subject to selling out! We will have concessions available for purchase (cash only).
*Only current Rocky Run and Franklin students will be able to attend this event.*
We will have a roster of all online ticket sales at the door for students and families to check-in. We encourage family supervision for this event. All students must be on their best behavior at the event and show good sportsmanship.
Students must be RAMS IN GOOD STANDING to attend the game! This means that from March 4 - March 15, students have zero tardies, no device violations, and no discipline infractions.
Questions? Email Shannon Campbell at SLCampbell@fcps.edu.
Go Rams T-Shirts!
A limited number of t-shirts will be available for students to purchase DURING LUNCH on Tuesday, 3/12 only! The supply will be divided up so each lunch has the opportunity to purchase. Buy a shirt to wear to the Rocky Run vs Franklin game on Friday, 3/15. T-shirts are $10 - cash only! Only one t-shirt per student as supplies are limited.
 
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