STUDENT RAM BLAST
Providing students and parents with important updates and reports of events and happenings in the middle school.
Calendar Reminders
2023-2024 School Year Calendar
Fri, May 3rd - Orthodox Good Friday
No School for Students - Teacher Work Day
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Friday, May 3, is Orthodox Good Friday, and a teacher work day. Millions of Orthodox Christians commemorate Good Friday, also known as “Great Friday” to remember the events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion. There will be no school for students that day. |
Sun, May 5th - Orthodox Easter
A joyful Easter to our Orthodox Christian community! Many Orthodox Christians in the U.S. celebrate Easter according to the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, which differs from the Western date we are most familiar with. Easter is a time to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, whom Christians believe to be the Son of God. |
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Lean more about all of the FCPS 2023-24 Religious and Cultural Observances.
Congratulations to Ms. Peters!
2024 Virginia School Counseling Association School Counselor of the Year!!
Our very own Ms. Valerie Peters has been named the 2024 Virginia School Counseling Association School Counselor of the Year!! For Ms. Peters, school counselor isn't a title, it's a passion. This dedication to fostering student success is woven throughout her impressive career with Fairfax County Public Schools. From guiding elementary students through transitions to spearheading equity initiatives at the district level, Ms. Peters has consistently demonstrated a commitment to creating a safe, positive and enriching learning environment for all.
Building a Foundation for Success
Ms. Peter's journey began in the classroom, where she honed her teaching skills and developed a deep understanding of diverse learning styles. This experience proved invaluable as she transitioned into school counseling, allowing her to connect with students on a personal level and address their academic and social-emotional needs.
A Commitment to Equity
Throughout her career, Ms. Peters has championed equity in education. As a School Based Equity School Lead, she spearheaded professional development programs to cultivate culturally responsive practices among faculty and staff. This dedication to inclusivity extends beyond the classroom walls. Her work with the College Partnership Program empowers first-generation college students to navigate the application process and pursue higher education.
A Leader Who Inspires
Ms. Peter's leadership extends beyond individual initiatives. She actively seeks opportunities to share her expertise and empower others. Her involvement in the Vertical Leadership Team and the School Counseling Leadership Cohort exemplifies her commitment to collaboration and professional growth. Her willingness to mentor and guide colleagues further strengthens the school counseling network within Fairfax County.
A Force for Positive Change
Ms. Peter's dedication has been recognized at both the school and district levels. Being recognized as the Virginia School Counselor of the Year in 2024 is a testament to the impact she has made on countless students and educators. Ms. Peter’s is a true leader - one who inspires others to create a future where every student has the opportunity to thrive.
FREE Summer Learning Program for Middle School Students - Register by May 10th!
See FLYER below.
Register by May 10th using this LINK.
Questions? Email Vanessa Rutherford (vrutherford@fcps.edu)
SOL Test Dates
SOL testing season is fast approaching. There are three DAYS of April/May SOL testing:
- April 29 - Reading SOLs
- May 9 - Science SOLs
- May 14 - Math SOLs
The bell schedule for testing can be found here on the Robinson website. Please scroll down to “SOL bell schedule.”
Here are some updates regarding attendance and late arrivals:
Attendance:
School start and end times are the same. All students are expected to be in their assigned location by 8:00 a.m. If you plan to keep your student out of school for an appointment during the testing block, please DO NOT call the attendance lines for late arrivals. The subschool offices were overwhelmed by the number of calls last year.
- Please complete this Google Form at least 24 hours before your student’s late arrival.
- Only call the attendance line for full-day absences and early dismissals.
For Late arrivals:
- On May 9, 1st Period starts at 10:00 am. If your student arrives during the testing block they will be directed to the cafeteria or field house to wait until testing is over. If your student arrives in class after 10:00 am, they will be marked tardy.
- On April 29 & May 14, 2nd Period starts at 11:07 am. If your student arrives during the testing block they will be directed to the cafeteria or field house to wait until testing is over. If your student arrives in class after 11:07 am, they will be marked tardy.
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
 People with ancestral roots in Asia and the islands of the Pacific have been integral to the story of America. In 1992, May was designated Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month to celebrate their heritage and contributions.
May is Jewish American Heritage Month
 May is a national month of recognition of the history of Jewish contributions to American culture, acknowledging the diverse achievement of the Jewish community in the U.S.
Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
2024 Robinson International Show - May 2nd
After a 5-year hiatus, the Asian American Association (ASA) and the Latin American Student Association International (iLASA) are please to present the 2024 Robinson International Show on the evening of Thursday, May 2. This production is a cultural showcase of dance and song performed by Robinson students. The Student Equity Organization (SEO) is coordinating a tailgate prior to the show where Robinson clubs and organizations will offer activities and items for sale.
The evening’s events include:
Tailgate in Main Hallway – 5:00-6:30 pm
Doors to Russell Theater Open – 6:30 pm
Show Begins in Russell Theater – 7:00 pm
Tickets for the show are $5 each and available for advance purchase through E-Tix. https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/33450333/international-night-alexandria-robinson-secondary-school-athletics
If you have any questions or need to request accessible seating, please contact Mrs. Gagnon via email at CMGagnon@fcps.edu.
MS Clubs & Activities Program
 Late buses run on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Please click on the links below to learn more about the after-school program.
For questions regarding the After-School program, please email Courtney Molle.
Boys Basketball
Boys basketball meets Thursdays after-school. Students must sign up on the morning schoology post to attend. Spaces are limited!
Cheer Club
Middle School Cheer Club will be on Mondays after school! Come join us to work with current varsity cheerleaders on the Fight Song, Cheers, Jumps, and more! Students will need to sign up each morning on Schoology to attend.
For questions about Cheer Club, please reach out to Coach Anderson.
Field Hockey
Field Hockey meets Thursdays after-school. Students must sign up on the morning schoology post to attend.
Girls Basketball
Girls Basketball is on Mondays with Coach Dade. Students will need to sign up each morning on Schoology the day they plan to attend.
Volleyball
Volleyball meets on Wednesdays after-school. Students will need to sign-up each morning on Schoology on the days they would like to attend.
Technology Youth Empowerment
If your child is interested in programming, robotics, engineering, physics or math, they should join TYE! Click here to sign up! TYE will meet every other Monday in room A211 from 3:00 - 4:00 PM. The next meeting will be on Monday, May 6th.
Football Conditioning
Football conditioning meets on Mondays and Thursdays.
Students must turn in a permission slip to attend.
Homework Club
Would your child like a quiet space to work on your homework? Come to Homework Club on Mondays after school with Ms. O'Brien. Meet in room A-120 for a snack, then bring all of your homework to the Media Center for a quiet place to work. This club runs after-school on Mondays from 3:00-4:30.
Middle School Quiz Bowl
Does your child like to recall facts and compete against others in a high paced setting? Then Quiz Bowl is for them! Quiz Bowl is a competition of questions and answers where players buzz in to answer and earn points for their team. It’s not general trivia, but academic facts from subjects like science, geography, literature, fine arts and history. Quiz Bowl meets Mondays after school in Room A203 to learn some facts and compete against each other. There are several opportunities to compete against other schools too! No experience is necessary and new players are welcome year round. Come check out the Robinson Middle School Quiz Bowl Team!
Mock Trial Club
Would you like your child to learn how to craft a winning argument? Are they interested in learning about the legal profession? Do they like storytelling or public speaking? They should join Mock Trial Club on Thursdays after-school.
Disclaimer for all afterschool activities:
Fairfax County Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to all clubs and activities.
Opportunities offered by organizations other than Fairfax County Public Schools are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Fairfax County School Board, the Superintendent, or a specific school. These opportunities may utilize technology tools that have not been assessed by the Fairfax County Public Schools Department of Information Technology. Students should gain permission from their parent or guardian before engaging in any non-FCPS enrichment opportunity and families should review the Terms of Service, User Agreements, and Privacy Policy for any technology platform that the enrichment opportunity may use before participating.
Library Spotlight
 Hello, Students and Families,
The flowers are blooming, and it’s testing season at Robinson. Beginning Monday, April 29 and throughout the month of May, the library will be used for testing. Please see the full schedule below.
For your planning purposes, please note:
** The library is closed when students are testing in the library. Students will not be able to access the library, the printer, or the prayer room during these times. For students seeking a space for prayer, please visit SS10 when the library is closed.
** If our front doors are shut with a “Closed for Testing” sign on the door, students should return another time.
** Please ask your student(s) to plan accordingly for book returns, checkouts, printing, hanging out with friends, etc.
The library will open each day after students complete their SOL tests. Good luck on your exams, students!
The Robinson Librarians
Social Work Spotlight
Kristen Licciardo, LCSW (MS)
HealthWorks for Northern Virginia
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HealthWorks for Northern Virginia is a Non-Profit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) offering Medical, Dental, and Behavioral healthcare to all patients from newborns to seniors.
Find out more information from the flyers linked below.
English Flyer
Spanish Flyer
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Summer Opportunity
Does your child love the arts? FCPS offers a wonderful summer program for two or three weeks!
Learn more and register HERE
National Fentanyl Awareness Day - May 7th
FREE virtual Fairfax County Narcan training on May 7, 2024 6:00pm for National Fentanyl Awareness Day.
Learn more HERE
REGISTER using this LINK
Electronic Copy of below FLYER
Important Dates
May 3 - Teacher Workday (No School for Students)
May 27 - Memorial Day (School Closed)
Counselor Corner
Important updates and resources from the student services department.
The Student Services staff is here to help you in any way we can. Please note that students cannot leave class or lunch to see their counselor without an appointment and a pass. If they need assistance, we encourage them to email our Student Services staff to request an appointment. If there is an emergency, their teacher will call the subschool office for assistance.
7th grade counselors by student last name:
A-La – Mr. Herendeen neherendeen@fcps.edu
Le-Z – Ms. Lyons jalyons@fcps.edu
8th grade counselors by student last name:
A-LA – Ms. Peters vcpeters@fcps.edu
Le-Z – Ms. Hall sshall@fcps.edu
School Psychologist – Erika King (elking@fcps.edu)
School Social Worker – Kristen Licciardo (kflicciardo@fcps.edu)
Registrar and Student Information Assistant – Melanie Knowlton (maknowlton@fcps.edu)
Family Liaison - Ruth Azimi- (rmazimi@fcps.edu)
Director of Student Services – Katy Frank (kmfrank@fcps.edu)
Please reach out to any of us if you have any questions.
Quick Links & Phone Numbers
Helpful Resources
RMS Administration
Malicia Braxton: 7th Grade Principal | MYBraxton@fcps.edu
Carly Zook: 8th Grade Principal | cjzook@fcps.edu
Katy Frank: Director, Student Services | kmfrank@fcps.edu
Courtney Molle: After-School Program Specialist | cemolle@fcps.edu
Bryan Hazard: Systems of Support Advisor | bthazard@fcps.edu
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