Carson MS Weekly Updates -Updates - week of September 2

Important Upcoming Events September 4 - TJ Interest Meeting @ Carson MS   4pm September 5 - 8th Grade Back to School Night 6pm September 19 & 20 - School Picture Days

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.

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.

Student Services Updates

We have finalized our master schedule for the school year. Our staffing decisions and the number of courses offered are based on the classes students selected during the registration period last Spring.

When the school year began, we allowed some schedule changes based on student preference. Students may have realized an elective wasn’t quite what they thought, or a core class level was too easy or too challenging. As of September 3rd, we will not be making any additional schedule changes. The classes have begun to build culture and community with teachers and students, and teachers have begun entering grades. Students (and parents) can connect with their teachers and counselor if they need enrichment or support in a class.

World Languages Credit By Exam (WLCBE)

The World Languages Credit By Exam is an optional test for students in grades 7-12 who can speak and write (type) proficiently in a language other than English.  Based on the results of the exam, students can earn 1, 2, and/or 3 passing world language credits.  New this year, Carson students will take the World Languages Credit By Exam during the school day at Carson in November.  Registration begins on Wednesday, September 4^th and closes on Friday, October 4^th.  Your child’s school counselor will register them after you complete and turn in the WLCBE Notification of Registration Opportunity Form linked here.  There are hard copies of the form located in the RCMS Student Services Office.  Please stay tuned for more detailed information about the testing date at RCMS in November and visit the FCPS website linked here for more specific information.

SEL Screener Information

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.

RCMS After School Corner

We are so excited for after school acRtivities to begin in September. Rachel Carson Middle School offers a robust afterschool program, offering a diverse range of activities and intramural sports for our students. You can learn more about our After School program on the RCMS Website. In order for students to participate in our after school program, parents must fill out the After School Registration Form. This form gives your child permission to participate in after school activities, it does not sign them up for specific activities. Students staying after school are expected to follow the FCPS SR&R Code of Conduct. 

INTEREST MEETINGS

Only clubs that require tryouts, applications, or testing will meet during the week of September 9^th- September 12^th (See schedule below). These meetings will be INTEREST MEETINGS where club sponsors and Mr. Barrows will explain the tryout or application process, and students can ask any questions they have. All other clubs offered are drop-in, meaning students can simply show up on any given day and participate. These clubs will begin Monday September 16^th and the final schedule will be available the first week of September. Late buses will be provided for students staying after school for interest meetings the week of Sept 9^th-12^th except on Friday September 13th. There are no late buses on Fridays. Late buses arrive at 4:30, however students can be picked up anytime by a parent.

INTEREST MEETING SCHEDULE FOR CLUBS THAT REQUIRE APPLICATIONS, TRYOUTS, OR TESTING

NOTE:

Students not attending the interest meeting for first block will go to the Cafeteria until their interest meeting begins.  Additionally, if students only attend the first block interest meeting they can go to the Cafeteria afterwards until buses arrive or parent pickup.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS:

If you have questions about our after-school program, please contact our After School Program Specialist, Riley Barrows, rtbarrows1@fcps.edu. 

Riley Barrows

After School Program Specialist

Donations Needed! We have a vibrant “Creative Yarn” after school club in need of donations.  We are especially in need of yarn and crochet hooks.  If you are cleaning out your craft corners – please consider sending crochet and knitting supplies our way.  Items can be left in the front office.  Many thanks. Elena James Carson Middle School

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.
• 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

Other Schools are Sharing

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!  

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