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
September 5 - TJHSST Admissions Info Session, 5-6pm
September 5 - Back to School Night, 6-8pm
September 9 - After-School Program Begins
2. A Note from the Principal
Dear Rocky Run Families-
CONGRATULATIONS on finishing the second week of school! The students have been positive, polite, and full of great energy. It has been a pleasure visiting classrooms and interacting with students in the halls. Be sure to ask what the best part of your students' week was!
I continue to be proud of our students' efforts to RAISE the Ram by being Respectful, Accountable, Inclusive, Safe, and Engaged. I sign off on the morning announcements each day reminding the students to make a positive impact on the school community. It truly seems that the students are taking this message to heart.
As a reward to all Rams (students, staff and families) for their hard work over these first weeks, let’s have a four day weekend in honor of Labor Day! Hopefully all Rams will take advantage of the beautiful weather, re-charge their batteries, and celebrate the successful start to the school year. We look forward to connecting with parents/guardians at Back to School Night on Thursday, September 5.
Thank you for your continued support and please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Peter Kownacki
Principal
Rocky Run Middle School
@pakownacki
3. Action Items for Families
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Review attendance procedures: Please review the procedures for reporting absences, late arrivals, and early checkout on our website.
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Digital resource consent: Please go here to give your student consent to use digital resources at Rocky Run.
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After School Registration: The After School Registration form is required for ALL students, regardless of intent to participate!
4. Student Celebrations
RAISE the Ram Card Winners
Congratulations to this week's Ram card winners:
Silas Abbott (Respectful)
Cooper Aiken (Respectful and Engaged)
Nicholas Cabero (Respectful and Engaged)
Cat Gutierrez (Engaged)
Josh Taggert (Respectful and Accountable)
Eve Sokolinski (Respectful, Accountable, Inclusive, and Engaged)
Great job Raising the Ram!
5. Student Services Updates
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
 TJHSST Admissions Information Session
Representatives from the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology will be coming to RRMS to present information about 2024-25 admissions process on Thursday, September 5 at 5-6 PM (before our BTSN). Parents/guardians and students of current 8th graders who meet the course requirements (see eligibility requirements) are encouraged to attend. In addition, families of current 7th graders who are curious about the process may attend as well. Please fill out the google form to notify us of your attendance by 8/30 so that we may plan our space accordingly.
A YouTube video is posted on the TJ Admissions website and families are advised to view this prior to attending the presentation meeting. Admissions calendars and application process can be found here.
If you have questions specific to the admissions process, please reach out to the TJ Admissions Office. If you have questions about an individual student’s courses, please contact your child’s counselor.
Everything You Can Do Through SIS ParentVUE
Want to easily access back-to-school forms and checklists? Log in to your SIS ParentVUE account to find forms and make updates.
Update Contact Information
Be among the first to know about weather closings, bus delays, and other critical communications from your school and FCPS by providing your cell phone number and email in SIS ParentVUE. To update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, click the “Online Packets” tab in the upper right of the screen, then click the “Online Verification/Update” icon.
Parents/caregivers who do not have a SIS ParentVUE account should print and complete the Emergency Care Information Form (PDF) and submit it to their child’s school.
Submit Absences
Parents can submit daylong absences through SIS ParentVUE. Log in and click “Report Absence.” Note: Partial day absences and changes of transportation should still be reported directly to the school front office.
Don’t Have a SIS ParentVUE Account Yet?Contact your school for an activation code and follow the directions on the SIS ParentVUE Account webpage.
6. Instructional Updates
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.
Testing Information
Dear Parents and Guardians:
As a reminder, the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) require schools to provide reading and mathematics screening tests for all students in grades 6-8. These assessments also fulfill a requirement for reading and mathematics growth assessments under the Virginia Assessment Program (VAP). Test results help families and teachers know how to support each student’s learning and development.
All students who are scheduled to take the spring Reading SOL at Rocky Run will be participating in the iReady Reading Diagnostic Screener three times this year. For this fall, students will be taking this assessment in their English classes on Sept 4th and 5th. Please try to schedule absences around these dates if possible. In addition, please remind your students that they will need simple headphones or earbuds for this assessment and their fully charged laptops.
The Academic Screening, Growth, and Diagnostic Tests webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/academic-screening-growth-and-diagnostic-tests) can provide more information on these tests. If you have questions, please contact your student’s English teacher or the school's test coordinator, Ashleigh Kim (askim@fcps.edu).
7. After-School Program Information
Important Program Information:
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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.
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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.
- 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 3 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 on 9/9 and will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:30-3:30 PM (exception - 10/14 is a holiday so practices that week will be on 10/16 and 10/17)
- Students who have all forms submitted will be added to the Cross Country Group on Schoology.
- Meet dates: 9/21, 9/28, 10/5, 10/19
- Students will be provided with a jersey for the meets. They will need to provide their own running shorts, shoes, etc.
- 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
Asha Jyothi Annual 5K and 1K
Asha Jyothi has generously provided support for Rocky Run and other schools in our community, including sponsoring our amazing Inspiration Studio! Pleaes consider participating in their annual 5K fundraiser on Sunday, September 15th. The fun run will begin at 8am and the 5K will begin at 8:30am. To learn more and register, visit their site or click the image below.
Quick Links
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