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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 9 - After-School Program & Late Buses Begin
September 12- Sweet Frog Fundraiser for Day of Service (all day!)
October 3 - No School (Holiday)
October 4 - No School (Teacher Workday)
2. A Note from the Principal
Dear Rocky Run Families-
The RRMS staff thoroughly enjoyed connecting with families during our Back To School Night presentation this past Thursday. It is always energizing to welcome the community into our school to highlight all the amazing things going on at Rocky Run. I am not being hyperbolic when I say that we have the BEST teachers in FCPS. Hopefully, you got a glimpse of it this past Thursday. If you were unable to attend, please take a few minutes to watch our introductory video to meet members of the leadership team. Additional resources from the event can be found on our website.
Establishing and maintaining a positive two-way communication structure is one of our school priorities, and it doesn't end after Back to School Night. Be on the lookout for upcoming parent coffees and team newsletters throughout the year.
Lastly, I want to share expectations moving forward regarding student attendance at Chantilly High School sporting events. Spectators are not permitted to bring backpacks or water bottles to any sporting events at CHS. Middle schoolers are welcomed at any CHS games, as long as they are accompanied by an adult. We are all part of the larger Charger community. Please help us maintain order and provide a supportive environment for all fans by following this expectation.
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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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!
- The library is looking for puzzle donations! If you have any that are 300-750 pieces that you are no longer using, please contact Mrs. Grover (ragrover@fcps.edu). Thank you!
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The Spirit Wear store is open! Visit the spirit wear website before sales end on Saturday, September 14. The next time the store will be open is mid-November for holiday purchases. All proceeds benefit the Rocky Run PTA. |
4. Student Celebrations
RAISE the Ram Card Winners
Congratulations to this week's Ram card winners:
June Pichtel (Engaged)
Baxter Blevins (Engaged)
Daniel Padilla Mejia (Engaged)
Roy Kachale Banda (Accountable)
Molly Smith (Engaged)
Luke Perriello (Engaged)
Great job Raising the Ram!
5. Student Services Updates
World Languages Credit by Exam Registration:
Reminders & Updates
Students who are proficient in a language other than English can assess language proficiency and earn up to 3 high school world language high school credits by taking the World Language Credit by Exam assessment. To learn more about the exam and how earned credits work, please visit the FCPS World Languages Credit by Exam website.
If you and your student would like to register for the exam, please fill out this Google Form and your child’s counselor will submit the registration.
- Counselors are beginning to register students. You will get an email and a paper confirmation; note that the test date of 11/06/24 is when the test window opens; we will share exact testing dates later. Assessments will take place at Rocky Run Middle School during a school day in November.
- Please make sure you and your child visit the Avant website to make sure you and your student know what to expect from this test, including sample tests and keyboard, computer, and headphone requirements.
Please contact your child’s school counselor if you have any questions:
Esther Bae (Meteors & Tiger’s Eye) – eybae@fcps.edu
Halissa Jacobson (Platinum & Kryptonite) – hdjacobson@fcps.edu
Lorraine Marshall (Emerald & Sapphire) – ljmarshall@fcps.edu
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener
All students in grades 3-12 have the opportunity to participate in the screener twice a year, in the fall and spring. The SEL Screener elevates the voices of our students by making sure their perspectives are considered in decision-making. Screener data is used to plan programming for the division, schools, and individual students. Division and school level results, which do not include individual student information, may be used by staff to improve SEL and mental wellness practices and to inform strategic plans. For more information about the SEL Screener, including the Screener questions, please visit the FCPS Website.
Rocky Run Middle School will give the Fall 2024 SEL Screener on October 10, 2024. Please complete this Google Form ONLY if you DO NOT want your child to participate in the Screener: Rocky Run SEL Screener OPT-OUT Form
Advanced Academic Program Referrals
Parents or guardians of seventh and eighth-grade students NEW to FCPS as of January 2024 who were not screened in Spring 2024 may initiate screening for full-time AAP services by submitting an Advanced Academic Programs Level IV Referral Form (multiple languages are available at this link) to Rocky Run’s Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART), Anna Slevin (agslevin@fcps.edu), by Tuesday, October 15, 2024. Please view AAP Testing and Identification Timelines for more information.
Parents or guardians of seventh-grade students who are NOT NEW to FCPS may initiate screening for full-time AAP services by submitting an Advanced Academic Programs Level IV Referral Form (multiple languages are available at this link) to Rocky Run’s Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART), Anna Slevin (agslevin@fcps.edu), by Sunday, December 15, 2024. Please view AAP Testing and Identification Timelines for more information.
 Make Every Day Count! The Importance of Attendance
Did you know that September is Attendance Awareness Month? As you plan upcoming trips and other family events, please remember the importance of sending your child to school every day. Review the FCPS School Year Calendar and try to plan any time away during breaks from school.
Children who show up for school regularly develop fundamental reading and math skills while building a habit of good attendance that will carry them into college and careers. Research shows that children who were chronically absent (missing 18 days or more) in kindergarten and first grade were far less likely to read proficiently at the end of third grade.
Learn how families can help form good attendance habits.
6. Instructional Updates
Day of Service
Learn about Rocky Run’s Day of Service here. This year’s Day of Service will take place on October 31, 2024.
Families can support Rocky Run’s Day of Service in multiple ways:
(This link is only for donations, our 8th grade students are our volunteers and they will all participate throughout the morning. If you would like to help us by volunteering on our Day of Service please use this Google Form)
- Sign up to donate supplies needed for service projects during the Day of Service here
- Sign up to help us on the Day of Service here
- If you are connected to an organization or have an idea of how our students can give back to the community on October 31, please reach out to Anna Slevin at agslevin@fcps.edu
Support our fundraisers for this event! All of the funds raised go towards the packing event with Rise Against Hunger:
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Thursday September 12th all day at Sweetfrog in Greenrbiar - mention Rocky Run when you pay and 25% of your purchase will go to the Day of Service!
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Sunday September 29th 4-8pm at the Chipotle on Newbrook Dr. (by Wegmans) - tell the cashier you are there for Rocky Run and we get 25% back! (Online order code is 62V7AXB)
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Monday October 7th – Virtual Fundraiser with Panda Express – order online for delivery or pick-up using the code 925833 and 28% of sales are donated! Share with friends and family nationwide!
Library Happenings
- The library has had a busy start to the school year! Students are visiting the space before school and with their English classes for library orientation. They are learning how to navigate the library, how to do self-checkout, and the many ways they can make our library a great place to be. Be sure to ask your student about their experience in the library.
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Did You Know? There is lots of information about our library on the Rocky Run website for families, including Frequently Asked Questions and links to helpful resources. Check out the library page today to learn more about how the library supports your student’s academic and personal growth at Rocky Run.
7. After-School Program Information
Important Program Information:
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Schedule for the week of 9/9
- Not all clubs will start this week - check the preliminary club list on Schoology for all of the clubs that we currently have scheduled for this year. That list is updated frequently!
- Late buses will depart Monday - Thursday between 4:45 - 5:00 PM. Routes differ from regular AM/PM buses as there are fewer late buses and fewer stops. Routes are posted on the After-School Schoology Course. Please make sure your student knows their late bus number prior to staying after!
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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, and schedules are posted on the After-School Schoology Course - all families have been added.
- Check out our Program Preview for information on program times, pick-up, etc.
Club Sign-Up Forms:
- Most clubs are open enrollment, but some will require a sign-up.
- Retro Video Gaming - sign up will open on Friday, 9/6, at 3:30 PM. Students must be logged into their fcpsschools account to access the form.
- Math Olympiad Family Interest Meeting will be held VIRTUALLY on 9/11 at 7 PM. Sign up here for the interest meeting so we can send you the meeting link.
Cross Country Information:
- Practice begins on Monday! Students cannot practice if they have not submitted all completed forms.
- The hard deadline for form submission is Monday, 9/16, at 3 PM. No exceptions! At that time, our roster will be closed for the fall season.
- Cross Country Information can be reviewed in this slide deck.
- 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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