|
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 2- PM Observance: Rosh Hashanah (regular school day for students)
October 3 - No School (Holiday- Rosh Hashanah)
October 4 - No School (Teacher Workday)
October 11- PM Observance: Yom Kippur (regular school day for students)
October 14 - No School- Indigenous Peoples' Day (Staff Development)
October 15-17 - 7th Grade Science MWEE Field Trip
October 21-22 - Fall Pictures (students attend during their PE class)
October 31 - End of 1st Quarter, 2 Hour Early Release
November 1 - No School (Holiday- Diwali)
2. A Note from the Principal
Dear Rocky Run Families-
We had another great week at Rocky Run Middle School, even though the rain kept us mostly inside for recess. I spent the majority of my week in history and civics classes learning about the impact of westward expansion and political party platforms. Another highlight of the week was the Blue Star Welcome Breakfast that we hosted on Thursday. Blue Star Welcome Week was recognized nationally from September 21-September 29. It was a great opportunity to allow our 20+ connected miliary students to get to know each other and build community with Rocky Run. I am extremely grateful to Lorraine Marshall (counselor) and Katelyn Hagen (Dean of Students) for spearheading this initiative. To learn more about Blue Star Welcome Week, check out this website.
This week also marked the end of 3 consecutive 5-day school weeks. Be sure to check the upcoming school calendars for closures and observances. The first observance, Rosh Hashanah, which means “head of the year,” is one of Judaism’s holiest days and marks the beginning of the Days of Awe, a 10-day period of introspection. Students will not report to school on October 3 and October 4. The Days of Awe end at sundown on October 11 with the start of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, which is the holiest day on the Jewish calendar. We wish all members of our Jewish community a Shanah Tovah, or Happy New Year!
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
-
BUY YOUR YEARBOOK- Don’t Miss a Memory!
Prices go up December 1st – Buy yours now for the best price! Get yours at https://yearbookordercenter.com/ School Code: 5333
Available while supplies last.
-
Support Rocky Run’s Day of Service. Make a donation here or here. Eat at Chipotle by Wegmans this Sunday from 4-8pm. A $10 or 1 item donation from each family at Rocky Run will help to reach our goal of each student earning 5 hours of service and experiencing the value of giving back to their community!
-
Scoliosis Fact Sheet
To meet the Code of Virginia 22.1-273.1 and FCPS Regulation 2103 for the provision of parent educational information on scoliosis, all FCPS schools must provide a scoliosis fact sheet to parents or guardians of students in grades 5 through 10 within 60 business days of the school start date.
The Scoliosis Fact Sheet and translations are available on the Scoliosis Fact Sheet page.
4. Student Celebrations
Blue Star Welcome Week
Thank you to the students and staff who joined us this week for our Blue Star Welcome Week event. Military-connected students and staff came together to meet, form friendships, and share their experiences.
RAISE the Ram Card Winners
Congratulations to this week's Ram card winners:
Luke Schmidt (Engaged)
Lima Sultani (Inclusive and Engaged)
Nathan O'Neill (Respectful and Engaged)
Bilal Usmani (Respectful, Accountable, and Engaged)
Farid Mahammadli (Engaged)
Grant Nuckols (Respectful and Safe)
Great job Raising the Ram!
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 credits by taking the World Language Credit by Exam. 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 by Friday, October 4th at 9 a.m.
Assessments will take place at Rocky Run Middle School during a school day in November. We will share exact testing dates later.
Please make sure you and your child visit the Avant website to learn about 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. For more information about the SEL Screener, including the Screener questions, please visit the FCPS Website.
Rocky Run Middle School will give the Fall SEL Screener on October 10. 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 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 Updates
This week, Mrs. DeRusso’s classes began a research project on famous Hispanic Americans to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Students are working in small groups on reading “briefings” with information from multiple sources about their person. This activity is a meaningful way for students to collaborate, interact with informational text, and prioritize information – all while learning about someone who has made a difference for the Hispanic community. Next week, they are going to create a visual with what they have learned to share with the other groups in their class.
7. After-School Program Information
- Schedule for the week of 9/30
- NEW Clubs are starting soon (JAVA Coding, CyberPatriots, Science Olympiad Selection Test) - sign-up forms will be posted on the After-School Schoology Course this Friday at 3:30 PM. Students must be logged into their fcpsschools account to access these sign-up forms.
- 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.
After-School Program Questions? Contact Shannon Campbell, After-School Program Specialist, at SLCampbell@fcps.edu
8. Community Corner
Chantilly High School Haunted House Event – Saturday, 10/26
Mark your calendar for one of our local area’s favorite fall events - the Chantilly High School Haunted House! Along with the Haunted House, there will be games, face painting, and refreshments for sale. Proceeds benefit the Chargers Field Hockey, Girls Soccer & Girls Lacrosse programs. Tickets are $10 in advance ($15 at the door). To order your tickets, use the QR code or log on to www.CHSHauntedHouse.com
Quick Links
|
