Carson MS Weekly Updates -Updates - week of August 26

Important Upcoming Events August 30 - No School Holiday September 2 - No School - Labor Day Holiday September 4 - TJ Interest Meeting @ Carson MS   4pm September 5 - 8th Grade Back to School Night 6pm September 19 & 20 - School Picture Days

Message from the Principal

Hello Panthers,

We’ve had an amazing start to the school year, and I’m thrilled to see the enthusiasm from our students and staff.

Our students filled the classrooms with great energy as they made new connections with teachers and classmates and reunited with friends.  This week we are diving into our course content and engaging in new learning opportunities. I’m excited to see how we can build on the positive momentum we’ve created.

Thank you to our 7th-grade families who joined us for Back-to-School Night last Thursday.  We hope you found the experience to be welcoming and informative.  8th-grade families are invited to RCMS for their Back to School Night on Thursday, September 5.  

Thank you for being an essential part of our school community. Let’s keep up the great work and continue supporting our students in achieving their best. Here’s to another fantastic week at Carson Middle

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance. 

Thank you and have a safe Labor Day holiday.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Miley

Acting Principal

TJ Admissions Presentation is coming to Carson

Parents/Students interested in participating in the application process for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology are invited to attend to hear from the admissions team at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.

Important information on the admissions process and timeline will be shared at this presentation. Interested students and parents are highly encouraged to attend this information session on Wednesday, September 4th at 4pm in the RCMS gym.

Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy and Related Rights

Fairfax County Public Schools wants all parents and caregivers to understand its policies regarding surveys, records, curriculum, privacy, and related rights.

In its Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms (Annual Notice), FCPS provides explanations of the rights listed above as well as forms that may be used to exercise opt-out choices. Two versions of the Annual Notice are available: a grades K-8 version and a grades 9-12 version. Parents/caregivers with children at different grade levels should read each applicable version of the Annual Notice, because the notices and opt-out rights vary depending on the student’s grade level.

Get more information and view the 2024-25 Opt-Out Booklets.

Student Consent Forms 

Starting August 1, 2024, student consent forms that were on ParentVUE have moved to the Parent Digital Consent System (PDC).

Families can log in to the PDC using their ParentVUE credentials to complete consent forms assigned to their child. School staff will have access to view consent status and edit consent with permission from the family.

Forms available in the PDC starting in the 2024-2025 school year include:     

• School Counseling Opt-Out     

• Digital Resources Consent     

• SEL Screener Opt-Out     

• Consent for Release of Student Records in Support of Postsecondary Applications     

• Denial of Access to Military Recruiters     

• Family Life Education Opt-Out     

• SOL Retest Permission     

• Hazel Health     

• BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) Opt-Out     

• SOS Screener Opt-Out     

• Objection to Release of Information to Outside Organizations     

• Objection to Release of Directory Information to the Public

Update Your Students’ Information Online: FCPS is excited to announce that parents can now update student information online using the Online Verification Update Packet. Parents can conveniently update phone numbers, emergency contacts, health conditions, and immunization dates for students in grades K-12. Accessible through SIS ParentVUE, the online update feature streamlines registration for parents and staff.

Transportation Information

Please check the Here Comes the Bus app or FCPS School Bus Delays website for potential delays. Students are expected to be at their bus stop at least five minutes before the scheduled pickup time. A double back route assignment may require your bus schedule to be adjusted earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon. 

Please note that the provided times are estimates and that buses may be delayed due to weather, traffic conditions, and a national and regional driver shortage.

Immunization Updates:

In Virginia, it's required by law for students to have certain immunizations to attend school. This is supported by guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Virginia Department of Health, and FCPS Regulation 2101.

Starting Monday, September 30, students who have not provided proof of immunization will not be allowed to attend school.

You can check your child’s immunization compliance by accessing ParentVUE. 

Families of students with incomplete immunization records need to provide acceptable proof of immunization to their child's school as soon as possible. You can find the list of required immunizations on the General Registration Immunizations webpage.

If your child’s immunizations are incomplete, here's what you need to do:

1. Get your child’s immunization record from one of these places:

• Request immunization records for free through the Virginia Immunization Information System (VIIS).
• If your child was immunized outside Virginia, get records from those states’ systems.
• Request records from your healthcare provider. Some may charge for copies.

·  Submit your child’s immunization record to your child’s school.

Families should submit their child’s completed immunization records before September 30. 

Picture Day is Coming to Carson!

Picture Day Dates: Thursday, September 19 - Friday, September 20

Picture Day ID: EVT8HR7QV

Attendance

Attendance:  Help your student stay engaged.  Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic success. Even as children grow older and more independent, families play a key role in making sure students get to school every day and understand why attendance is so important for success in school and on the job.

Starting August 19, parents and caregivers can report up to two consecutive full-day absences using ParentVUE. For absences longer than two days, please contact CarsonMiddle.Attendance@fcps.edu

All Day Absences: The Attendance feature in ParentVUE is the FCPS secure web solution for reporting all day absences.

Partial Absence: To report late arrivals, early dismissals, or to update already submitted attendance, please contact CarsonMiddle.Attendance@fcps.edu

• Learn more about attendance reporting through ParentVue

Regular attendance is crucial for the academic success of all students. Studies have repeatedly proven that students with better attendance records perform better in school and are more likely to graduate high school on time.

Did you know?

• All Absences, excused AND unexcused count towards a student's and Caron’s Chronic absenteeism rate.
• Missing just 10% of school — just two days a month — negatively affects a student’s academic performance.
• By sixth grade, chronic absenteeism becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school.

We understand that there may be obstacles preventing students from attending school regularly, such as illness or personal circumstances. That’s why it is so important for our school team to work together with our students and families to remove any barriers. We all belong here!

Digitial Tools Consent

FCPS has approved the use of many digital tools that enhance our student’s learning.  Some of these tools require parental consent.  Students WILL NOT be able to access these tools until FCPS receives your consent.  You can find more directions on this process here. 

SR&R Information

RCMS students will participate in a lesson focused on Students’ Rights and Responsibilities on Wednesday, August 28th. These lessons aim to empower students by teaching them about their rights within the school environment, as well as the responsibilities that come with being a part of our school community.

Through these lessons, students will develop a strong understanding of respect, fairness, and responsible decision-making. We believe that this knowledge will contribute to a positive and inclusive school climate for everyone.

We encourage you to discuss these topics with your child at home to reinforce the importance of these values. Please click the hyperlink to access a digital copy of the SR&R, for your reference.

Thank you for your continued support.

Phones Down, Engagement Up: FCPS Cell Phone Policy and Storage Pilot

Keeping cell phones off during the school day helps students focus and learn. It also boosts positive social behavior. Review FCPS’ cell phone expectations by grade level with your child and help keep our classrooms free of distractions! If you need to reach your child during the school day, please call Rachel Carson Middle School main office - 703-925-3600.

Please regularly check our school website for 2024-2025 updates

Click here for school supply lists

Click here for 24-25 Bell schedule and AB Calendars

Click here for our school website

Happy back-to-school from the Rachel Carson Library!

Carson librarians, Ms. Donovan and Ms. Bickford, are super excited to welcome the students back into the library and to see the joy on their faces as they find books they are excited to read. This year the Carson Librarians are hoping to create a dedicated pool of parent library volunteers. Library volunteering is flexible, varied, and rewarding. Please be aware that in order to be a regular school volunteer, one must go through the FCPS onboarding process to ensure the safety and security of students and staff. If you are looking for a way to get involved in your child’s school and/or give back to your community, consider filling out this Library Parent Volunteer Form. Librarians will be in touch about volunteering training opportunities as well as the FCPS onboarding process within a few weeks. Thank you. 

Thanks😊

Elizabeth Donovan

Librarian

Rachel Carson Middle School

Join the Carson MS PTA

We highly encourage you to join the Carson PTA by visiting their website. Click here and learn more about this incredibly supportive organization.

You may also go to: https://rcmspta.givebacks.com/store?limit=21&live=true&category=Memberships

WE NEED YOU!!!

Below are our current Board vacancies for PTA, which must be filled immediately:

• (Elected Officer) President – Oversees and coordinates the Board to effectively run the PTA. Presides at PTA board and association meetings. Serves as the official contact, communicator, and representative of the PTA.
• (Elected Officer) Treasurer – Has custody of all funds and finances of our local PTA chapter. Keeps a full and accurate account of receipts and expenditures and makes disbursements as authorized in accordance with the adopted budget. Prepares monthly written financial statements and other important financial documents as required by PTA bylaws.

Are you ready to give back to our RCMS community and to join this amazing team of PTA volunteers? Have questions?  Please contact us rcmspta@gmail.com

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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.

13618 McLearen Rd. Herndon, VA 20171 |  Main Phone: 703.925.3600
Attendance: 703.925.3636 or CarsonMS.Attendance@fcps.edu 
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Join the RCMS PTA today!  

Click here