Important Upcoming Events
- September 16 - After School Activities Begin, Late buses start
- September 19 & 20 - School Picture Days
- October 3 - Religious/Cultural Observance - No School
- October 4 - Teacher Workday- No School for students
- October 14 - Staff Development Day- No School
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A Message From The Principal
Panther Families.
As we continue to enjoy this beautiful fall weather, I’ve been delighted to see so many of our students out and about, especially at our high school football games. It’s nice to witness our community coming together to support our student-athletes.
I look forward to getting the chance to see and meet more of our students and families out at local sporting and community events.
Go Panthers!
Tony Washington
Principal
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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.
Fall Level IV AAP Screening
If you are interested in referring students for the fall level IV screening a teacher or parent must submit a level IV referral form to the school’s Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART), Carrie Guild, by October 15, 2024. Fall 2024 screening is only available to students newly enrolled in FCPS after January 1, 2024, who were not screened in Spring 2024.
Please email me know if you have any questions at cjguild@fcps.edu.
Carrie Guild
Rachel Carson Middle School
Advanced Academic Resource Teacher
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 4th and closes on Friday, October 4th. 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
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) believes in supporting social and emotional learning (SEL) for all students. In FCPS, students use a tool called the SEL Screener to think about their own SEL skills and experiences at school. All Carson Middle School students will be participating in the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener in the Fall and Spring. Students will take the Fall SEL Screener on October 9th during 8th period.
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Get information on the 2024-25 opt-out choices related to surveys, records, curriculum, privacy, and related rights.
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Federal Impact Aid Survey is coming
The Federal Government owns property in Fairfax County, and those properties are removed from the local tax base. FCPS is eligible to apply for Federal Impact Aid funds as reimbursement for the lost tax revenue. Federally connected students are children of active-duty uniformed services personnel, children who live on federal property or in subsidized federal housing, and children whose parents are employed on eligible federal properties.
Starting on October 21, families will have access to the Federal Impact Aid Survey in electronic format via ParentVUE. It is important to complete this survey in ParentVUE. Click HERE to create and set up a ParentVUE account.
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, or to update already submitted attendance, please contact CarsonMiddle.Attendance@fcps.edu
Early Dismissal Procedure
Please do not request early dismissals online or by phone.
To request an early dismissal please send a note with your child, or complete and print an Early Dismissal Request Form for your child. Your child should bring the note or form to the main office upon arrival to school in order to receive an early dismissal pass for that day. If you forget to send a note, students should still come to the front office to get an early dismissal pass.
All early dismissals must be before 2:00pm.
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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?
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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.
Greetings Panther families!
All after school clubs will begin the week of September 16th. Please see the Q1 After School Schedule. Each activity is hyperlinked with a description and information about each club. 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)
Late bus numbers are different than regular bus numbers. Please check SIS to find your child’s late bus number, it will say RCLR (Rachel Carson Late Run).
If you have questions about our after-school program, please contact Riley Barrows, rtbarrows1@fcps.edu.
Riley Barrows
After School Program Specialist
We are very excited to offer inter-scholastic Fall Cross Country and Spring Track & Field competition for our middle-school students.
Students and parents will need to complete several steps prior to participating in middle school sports, including:
Even if a student participated last year, all new forms are required for the 2024-2025 season.
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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
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Other Schools are Sharing
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!!!
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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
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.
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