Important Dates
May 22 - NJHS Pinning Ceremony, 3:15 PM, Gym
PTA Meeting, 6:30 PM, Library
May 27 - Holiday (No School)
May 30 - Last Day of After-School Activities & Late Buses
May 31 - 8th Grade End of Year Celebration, 6 - 8 PM
June 12 - Last Day of School, 2-Hour Early Dismissal
RAISE the Ram Card Winners
Congratulations to this week's Ram card winners:
Chelsea Koo (Engaged)
Charles Selchert (Inclusive and Engaged)
Ada Tan (Engaged)
Luca Frias (Respectful and Engaged)
Jayce Gaffney (Engaged)
Marsaad Khan (Accountable and Engaged)
Great job Raising the Ram!
A Note from the Principal
Dear Rocky Run Community-
We had a great week of learning at Rocky Run Middle School. If my career as a middle school principal doesn't pan out, I hope to hit it big as a capitalist entrepreneur! This week I had the pleasure of being a "Shark" in our 8th grade Civics classes Shark Tank presentations. I was blown away by the ingenuity and inventiveness of our students. They definitely applied their learning of complex financial concepts to create and advertise a product for investors. Be on the lookout for the Cold Pillow (hopefully) coming to a store near you soon. I happen to be a 49% owner of the company.
Beyond soliciting investors in the Shark Tank presentations, all students took their math SOLs on Wednesday and 8th grade students took their science SOL on Friday. These can be long and tiring testing blocks for students, and they did great. We were sure to go outside for some much-needed fresh air after each test. Even though the weather wasn't great, we still prioritized going outside and allowing students to decompress and focus on Social and Emotional well-being. SOL scores will be shared with students as an un-graded assignment in SIS starting at the end of the day on Friday, May 17. Next week, we will administer make-up exams and expedited re-takes (for eligible students) the following week.
With the conclusion of SOL testing, we will transition into end of year events. We will induct students into NJHS on May 22 and celebrate our 8th grade party on May 31. In early June, we will have team parties, awards celebrations and field day. The last day of school will be hear before we know it. Let's make the last few weeks meaningful.
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
 April Rams on a Roll
Congratulations to the following students who were selected by their teams as Rams on a Roll for April. Great work! Way to Raise the Ram!
Emerald: Kylie Calmbacher and Javier Velazco
Meteors: Dylan Gibson and Ian Thacker
Platinum: Cora Haye and Frankie Slevin
Kryptonite: Faith Hartman and Ivan Lao
Sapphire: Jace Byrd and Riley Lorjuste
Tiger's Eye: Outia Alim, Muhammad Nawaz, and Austin Riddle
SY24-25 Intention Form
If your student is transferring to another school next year, please complete the Student Intention Form and send it to Ms. White, our Registrar via email at CBWhite@fcps.edu. No need to submit the form if your child is going to attend our school or one of our feeder high schools as planned.
Expunging High School Credits
High school credit courses taken in grades 7 and 8 become part of the student’s high school transcript and are included in the calculation of the high school Grade Point Average (GPA). VA State and FCPS regulations permit parents/guardians to make a request to have that course expunged from the student’s record.
Please contact your child's school counselor if you have any questions or to submit the completed Request to Expunge High School Courses Taken in Middle School Form.
PTA Updates
Please join the PTA at our final two meetings of the year. On Wednesday, May 22, at 6:30pm in the library, we will review all the activities sponsored by the PTA for the second half of the year, give a budget update, and share information for those interested in serving on the 2024-2025 PTA Board. On June 5, at 6:30pm in the library, we will hold an election to fill the open PTA Board positions. For more information, email rockyrunmspta@gmail.com.
Attention 8th Grade Families!
8th Grade Families are invited to come out May 30th as we cover Rocky Run’s grounds with messages of cheer and encouragement for our rising 9th graders! Drop by anytime between 4-7pm, grab some chalk, and chalk the walk with us. We are so very proud of our 8th graders RAISING the RAM all year long, and we want to send them off with a bang! Hope to see you there.
8th Grade Spring Slideshow
We would love to collect pictures of each of our current 8th graders (one picture as a baby/young child and one current picture). We will put these into a slideshow to present to the students during their 8th grade end of year school-day celebration on Monday, June 10. Please submit your pictures using this form by Friday, May 31. If you do not want your student to be included in this slideshow, please opt out on the form. Questions? Email Emily Texdahl at EWTexdahl@fcps.edu or Shannon Campbell at SLCampbell@fcps.edu.
Attendance Reminder
Wondering if your child should come to school? Most of the time, headaches can be managed at school! Regular attendance is one of the strongest predictors of academic success, so we want to support you in helping your child be at school as often as possible.
*Over the counter medication can be kept in the clinic, and for the purpose of a headache treatment, no physician signature needed. A completed Medical Authorization Form gives the school the authorization to dispense medication to a student. A parent or guardian needs to bring in the completed form with a new/unopened bottle of medication. If you have any questions, please contact our Clinic. If your student’s headache is unable to be controlled in this manner, please consult your physician.
Don’t forget to drop off the form and headache medicine next year when your student returns to school!
Library Updates
We are getting close to the end of the year and it’s almost time to return all library books! The FCPS due date for all library books is May 29. This week, I reminded all students through their English classes of the library books they have checked out and how to access their checkouts through Destiny Discover. Please check with your student to see if they have any books to return and contact me (ragrover@fcps.edu) if your student can’t find one of their books. Did you know? There is a blue and yellow mailbox outside the main entrance of Rocky Run where you or your student can return library books at any time!
Last week was the final chance for students to sign up for the Inspiration Studio (our makerspace) during Rock Time. Students have created amazing things this year with materials including cardboard, hot glue, yarn, Legos, craft supplies, and more. It has been wonderful to watch them develop problem solving and communication skills, too! See the photo for students in action.
Finally, students are so close to finishing the last Sticker Mosaic of the year! It is hung in the library for anyone to add stickers based on a color chart. This is a much-loved activity at Rocky Run and provides opportunity for students to talk with each other and also contribute to a community art piece. We will hang the finished product in the library windows soon!
 
Sports Physicals
Athletic physicals are required for all middle and high school student-athletes. Beginning May 1, 2024, FCPS high schools will offer athletic pre-participation physical exams for students interested in sports during the 2024-25 school year. This is for rising 7th and rising 8th graders who are interested in participating in our Cross Country and/or Track & Field teams next year OR rising 9th graders who will be participating in a high school sport next year. These events serve as the primary fundraiser for our high school athletic training programs and each exam costs $50. Rising middle school students are eligible to receive a physical at no cost although donations to the HS athletic training program are welcomed.
Pre-registration is highly encouraged; walk-in appointments may not be available. You can register here: Student registration. Once your registration is received, the school’s athletic trainer will contact you to confirm your appointment time. Athletic physical exams must be completed on this form:
Form for Rising 7th and Rising 8th Grade Students to participate in Cross Country and/or Track & Field next school year. Please note: A physical is NOT required for general participation in the Middle School After-School Program - this is only for Cross Country and/or Track & Field participants: FCPS Middle School Sports Athletic Participation/Parental Consent/Physical Examination Form (PPE)
Form for Rising 9th Grade Students to participate in any high school sport next year: https://www.fcps.edu/activities/student-athletics
If you are a medical professional (MD, DO, NP, PA, ATC, PT, EMT, etc.) interested in volunteering your time in support of these events, please register to help out: Volunteer registration.
Questions about middle school forms? Contact Shannon Campbell at SLCampbell@fcps.edu. Questions about high school forms? Contact your high school's athletics office.
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.
Save the Date for our Annual 8th Grade End of Year Party! Suggested attire is semi-formal
Sign up here to donate items and/or volunteer
After-School Program Information
Schedule for the week of 5/20
- No activities on Friday, 5/24 - all students should depart at the 2:15 dismissal.
Important Program Information:
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Mark your calendar - there will be no after-school activities and no late buses on 5/24. The last day of late buses and activities for the school year will be Thursday, 5/30.
- Rising 9th Grade Families - A "High School Sports" button has been added to the top of the After-School Schoology Course. We will post various activity opportunities as the high schools share the information.
- 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
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