|
English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو
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 29- Chipotle Fundraiser for Day of Service, 4-8pm
October 3 - No School (Holiday)
October 4 - No School (Teacher Workday)
2. A Note from the Principal
Dear Rocky Run Families-
We had a busy week at Rocky Run Middle School! Fall is definitely in the air and outdoor recess was gorgeous. I loved playing tips, four square, volleyball and basketball with the students. It is so cool to see middle school students being "kids" and engaging with each other away from technology.
Our After School Program officially kicked off this past Monday, September 9. Students will have the opportunity to get extra help from teachers or participate in one of our many clubs and activities Monday through Thursday. Our cross country team had their first practices this week. Over 175 Rams registered to be part of the team. I anticipate fast times from our runners at their first meet on September 21 at Robinson. Please consider coming by to root on our runners.
Looking ahead, on Sunday we will kick off a month-long celebration for Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15). It was made an official observation in the United States in 1968. The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua; with Mexico and Chile celebrating their independence days on September 16 and September 18. This month is a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions by Latinos/Hispanics in popular culture through music, food, and dance, as well as in science, art, economics, politics and other fields.
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
-
Digital resource consent: Please go here to give your student consent to use digital resources at Rocky Run.
-
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!
 |
|
The Spirit Wear store is open! Visit the spirit wear website before sales end tomorrow, 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:
Aarthi Sabapathy (Engaged)
Jenna Hill (Engaged)
Emery Venus (Engaged)
Madison Kraft (Engaged)
Grace Kim (Respectful, Accountable, Inclusive, Safe, and Engaged)
Iam Suarez Carrillo (Accountable)
Great job Raising the Ram!
 Congratulations to TSA Students!
Twelve students attended the TSA (Technology Student Association) National Competition over the summer. TSA (tsaweb.org) organizes competitions at the regional, state, and national level in STEM related events.
Rocky Run students competed in 18 events with students from around the country, in Orlando, FL, this past June. Students placed top 10 in four events: Children’s Stories 2nd, Cybersecurity 6th, Construction Challenge 8th, and Biotechnology 10th.
 
5. Student Services Updates
World Languages Credit by Exam
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.
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.
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:
-
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)
-
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
Almost every student has visited the library with their English class! There are only a few more classes next week. Ask your student what their favorite part of the library is.
Reminder: Many students still have books checked out from last year, including elementary school. Please ask your student if they have any books still from last year. Did you know? If the books are returned to Rocky Run, we can send them back to the elementary school.
7. After-School Program Information
Important Program Information:
- Schedule for the week of 9/16
- 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!
-
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.
- New club sign-up forms are posted on Schoology for: Paper Quilling & Creativity Club. Students must be logged into their fcpsschools account to access those forms.
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
|
