Table of Contents
1. Important Dates
2. A Note from the Principal
3. Action Items for Families
4. Student Recognition
5. Student Services Updates
6. Instructional Updates
7. After School Updates
8. Community Corner
1. Important Dates
August 13- Community Visits- Shenandoah Crossing and Brookfield ES
August 15- Student schedules and locker information available in SIS
August 15- Rams Rally, 3-4:30pm- All families welcome!
August 16- Student Orientation, 8:30-11:00- Students only!
Monday, August 19- First Day of School!
September 5- Back to School Night, 6-8pm
2. A Note from the Principal
Dear Rocky Run Families,
I hope that you have enjoyed your summer vacation and are looking forward to the new school year. Staff and teachers have been busy planning for your return and working hard to make sure the school year is filled with exciting and engaging learning opportunities.
We are excited to welcome all of our students and parents to Rocky Run Middle School! I encourage you to visit the school website at https://rockyrunms.fcps.edu, where you can find helpful information including the bell schedule, calendar, blue/gold calendar, and orientation event details including the following:
- Rams Rally open house for families - Thursday, August 15 from 3:00pm - 4:30pm
- 7th Grade and New Student Orientation (students only) - Friday, August 16 from 8:30am-11:00am
- Back to School Night - Thursday, September 5 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm
This year, we will welcome nearly 900 students to RRMS. The vibrant culture of the school will be evident as we return our amazing students to learning and school activities. We will emphasize building relationships and cultivating a sense of belonging. We will continue implementing a sound instructional program, including an emphasis on student engagement in the classroom. We will have a focus on ensuring regular school attendance and positive approaches to student behavior and school climate. We strive to ensure a positive school culture where students thrive and enjoy learning at RRMS, and we will work hard to make sure all students are successful.
The first day of school is Monday, August 19, and will be a Blue Day. Students will rotate through periods 1, 3, 5, and 7. School hours for students are 7:30am – 2:15pm. Students may enter the building starting at 7:10am. Student schedules will be available at Rams Rally or on SIS on Aug 15. Students can carry backpacks throughout the day, and laptops will be distributed during the first week of school. Additional details for the first week of school are posted on the school website.
Back to School Night will take place on Thursday, September 5, beginning at 6:00pm. I highly encourage all parents to attend Back to School Night as this is a great opportunity for us to build community in the school and for you to connect with teachers and other parents.
I look forward to meeting members of the community, so please do not hesitate to say hello when you see me at school events. A strong connection between the school and family is critical to student success, and we are committed to that connection. If you have questions, please contact your student’s counselor, teachers, or administrative staff throughout the year. Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! It is going to be a great year!
Sincerely,
Peter Kownacki
Principal
Rocky Run Middle School
@pakownacki
3. Action Items for Families
4. Student Celebrations
Thanks to all of the students who attended Rising Rams! We can't wait to see ALL our Rams back in the building for Rams Rally, Student Orientation, and the first day of school!
5. Student Services Updates
Rocky Run Welcome Events
We are excited to welcome our Rams back to the building. There are several upcoming events so mark your calendars!
- August 15: Student schedule and locker info will be available in SIS ParentVUE and SIS StudentVUE
-
Rams Rally
- Thursday August 15, 3-4:30 PM
- All students and families are welcome
- Open house format
-
Student Orientation
- Friday, August 16, 8:30-11 AM
- Students only
- Students can walk their schedule and meet teachers
- Bus transportation will be provided
- Bull Run: 8:00 am departure time
- London Towne 8:10 am departure time
- Willow Springs 8:00 am departure time
- Colin Powell 8:10 am departure time
- GBE 8:25 am departure time
- Brookfield 8:25 am departure time
- Poplar Tree 8:25 am departure time
-
Back to School Night
- Thursday, September 5, 6-8 PM
- Parents can walk through their student's schedule, meet teachers, and learn about curriculum
- Opportunity to meet and greet administrators, counselors, and other school staff
Rocky Run Community Visits
Please join us for our community visits on Tuesday, August 13th. Please join us at:
Shenandoah Crossing: 4:15-4:45pm
Brookfield Elementary School: 5:00-5:30pm
Please join us! You can meet school staff, get any questions answered, and pick up school supplies for the year. We hope to see you there!
6. Instructional Updates
Student Schedules
Beginning on Thursday, August 15, students and families will be able to view student schedule information and locker information in SIS.
Parents who need assistance activating their SIS account can get help with this at Rams Rally. Students log in to SIS using their FCPS ID and network password. For students and parents who cannot access this information, we will have schedules available at Rams Rally and Student Orientation for students.
Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Parents/caregivers should receive an activation code when they register their child. Contact our school registrar, Cleo White, at cbwhite@fcps.edu if you need a code.
Once you have activated a SIS ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same SIS ParentVUE account. Access SIS ParentVUE using an app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android devices.
Need help creating an account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.
Parental Consent to Use Digital Resources
Parents, we need your help! Some digital resources require parental review and consent to use at school. You can learn more about the process and give consent here. Please reach out to Emily Texdahl with any questions at ewtexdahl@fcps.edu.
Laptop Distribution
Student laptops will be distributed during the first week of school during PE classes.
7. After-School Program Information
Important Program Information:
-
Mark your calendar - late buses and after-school activities will begin during the week of 9/9. The first week schedule and preliminary club information will be posted on Schoology by 9/6.
-
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.
- Program updates, announcements, schedules, and late bus routes will be communicated through the After-School Schoology Course - all families will be added in the upcoming weeks
- Check out our Program Preview
Cross Country Information:
- To begin practices, these forms must be completed NO LATER THAN 9/16 at 3 PM. No exceptions!
- Students cannot practice or compete until the 3 linked items below are fully completed.
- Students must participate in 4 practices before being eligible to participate in a meet. No exceptions!
- Requirement #1: After-School Registration Form
- Requirement #2: Cross Country (and/or Track) Google Registration Form
- Requirement #3: Physical Packet (must be fully complete with all information, signatures and page 3 must be completed by a physician) - do not delay in completing this step as it will take time to get this packet completed. Packets will not be accepted after 9/16 at 3 PM.
- Practices will start during the week of 9/9
- A student interest meeting will be held during lunches by late August - date TBD
- More information on the team and meet logistics will be communicated later in August.
- Meet dates: 9/21, 9/28, 10/5, 10/19
- Cross Country Questions? Check out the MS Athletics page or contact our Athletic Coordinator, Katy Speir, at KRSpeir@fcps.edu.
After-School Program Questions? Contact Shannon Campbell, After-School Program Specialist, at SLCampbell@fcps.edu
8. Community Corner
No updates this week!
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