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1. Important Dates
October 21-22 - Fall Pictures (students attend during their PE class)
October 26 - Cross Country Championship Meet, Liberty MS
October 29-30 - Hearing and Vision Screenings (7th Grade, PE Classes)
October 31 - End of 1st Quarter, 2 Hour Early Release
November 1 - No School (Holiday- Diwali)
November 4-5 - No School
November 7 - Fall Family Night, 5 - 6:30 PM & PTA Event with Dr. Reid, 6:30 PM
November 8 - Veteran's Day Breakfast, 8 AM
November 11 - No School
2. A Note from the Principal
Dear Rocky Run Families-
As we reflect on the first quarter of the school year, please consider taking a few minutes to recognize one or more Rocky Run Middle School employees that have made a positive impact in your student’s life. The FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards allow students and their families to nominate staff members in the Outstanding Teacher, Outstanding New Teacher, Outstanding Principal, Outstanding Leader, Outstanding Professional, and Outstanding Operational Employee categories. Nominations are due by Wednesday, November 6, 2024. We hope that the commitment and innovation of our employees will be well-represented!
All that is required for a preliminary nomination are a few sentences about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. The google form link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards and the eligibility requirements are below.
Outstanding Teacher
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Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category
Outstanding New Teacher
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Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category
Outstanding Principal
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Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a building principal (in any school/school district).
Outstanding Leader
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Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current position as a School-Based Administrator (that is not the building principal). Common positions in this category: Assistant and Associate Principals, Director of Student Activities, Director of Student Services
Outstanding Professional Employee
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Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position as a non-instructional employee in a school that supports school leadership. Common positions in this category: School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Assessment Coach, Career Center Specialist, Instructional Coach, Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor, Safety and Security Specialist, Resource Teachers that serve in an administrative role in a school
Outstanding Operational Employee
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Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as a Classroom Instructional Support employee. Common positions in this category: Administrative and Office Staff, Safety and Security Assistant, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, All Parent Liaisons (regardless of how they are paid)
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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Share what makes Rocky Run special! We are creating a "Top 10" list for our website- please share your favorite thing about Rocky Run here. This could be an event, a club, or anything else that makes Rocky Run stand out!
- Make a direct donation to the 8th grade event with Rise Against Hunger and/or sign-up to donate other items needed for the Day of Service and be entered to win a $50 gift card to Bonefish Grill. Drawing will be October 18 - donate now!
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Hearing and Vision Screening volunteers needed for October 29 and 30. Sign up here.
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School Picture Day is Coming This Week!
📅 Date: Monday October 21st & Tuesday October 22nd, 2024
Photos happening during PE classes:
October 21st – Blue Day PE Classes
October 22nd – Gold Day PE Classes
🛒 Pre-order Online: https://vando.imagequix.com/g1001132798#login📸 Images Available: Approximately two-three weeks after picture day📧 Questions about Ordering? Email us at underclass@vosphoto.com
4. Student Celebrations
RAISE the Ram Card Winners
Congratulations to this week's Ram card winners:
Luke Schmidt (Accountable)
Luke Carnow (Accountable)
Bissan Abuoun (Respectful and Safe)
Rylan Woo (Engaged)
Mnase Haile (Engaged)
Liam Tomchik (Respectful, Accountable, Inclusive, Safe, and Engaged)
Great job Raising the Ram!
 Punctual on Purpose Student Winners
We recently began our Punctual on Purpose (POP!) drawing to recognize students who are on-time to all classes during the prior week. Each week, students have a fresh chance to be entered into the POP drawing. POP winners are announced every Monday, and students can select from a variety of rewards. Please encourage your child to be on time to all classes, including 1st and 2nd period. This week's POP winners are Eli Condit, Katherine McKenna, Rodolfo Romero-Gonzalez, Alexandra Dagdelen Quiroga, Lucian Kim, and Haleema Fraz. Congratulations and thank you for Raising the Ram by getting to class on time!
5. Student Services Updates
Advanced Academic Program Referrals
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.
Fairfax County Youth Survey
Rocky Run Middle School will be administering the Fairfax County Youth Survey to all 8th graders on Monday, November 18th during Rock Time classes. The Fairfax County Youth Survey, a collaboration between the Fairfax County School Board and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, is a comprehensive, anonymous, and voluntary survey given each year to students in grades 6, 8, 10 and 12. The survey examines behaviors, experiences, and other factors that influence the health and well-being of Fairfax County's youth. The results, published each year at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/youthsurvey, identify trends and areas of need, providing a snapshot of the county's youth and serving as a barometer of the community's effectiveness in fostering healthy choices in young people.
If you do not wish for your child to take part in the Youth Survey, please complete the form linked here and return it to your child's school counselor no later than November 8, 2024. If you have already opted your child out of this survey using the Parental Digital Consent Portal you do not need to provide additional information to the school counselor.
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
Any donations made before October 18 will be entered in a drawing for a $50 gift card to Bonefish Grill!
Outstanding Employee Awards
Let someone at Rocky Run know how outstanding they are!
Anyone can nominate a Rocky Run teacher or staff member for an FCPS Outstanding Employee award. Nominations are now open! You may nominate one employee at our school or multiple employees (one individual may only nominate one employee per category). All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a few sentences about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. Check out our website for more information and links to nominate staff members!
Library Updates
This week was really busy in the Rocky Run Library! Mrs. Bartling’s English classes used the library space earlier in the week for book club discussions. Students communicated and collaborated with each other to talk about characters, plot, and more. It’s always wonderful to hear students share meaningful experiences with reading!
Towards the end of the week, Mrs. Cho’s Civics classes visited the library and Inspiration Studio as part of their election simulation project, designing merchandise and filming ads for their campaign. Students collaborated, negotiated, clarified learning, and created original work! There is so much for these classes to be proud of during their time in the library.
7. After-School Program Information
- Schedule for the week of 10/21
- Mark your calendars: there will be no after-school programs on these upcoming dates - 10/31, 11/8, 11/25, 11/26, 12/20
- 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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Late Bus Runs were updated on 10/2 - the updated route sheet is pinned on Schoology with the impacted buses highlighted in yellow
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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.
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
 Westfield Theatre Halloween Festival
Our Halloween Festival is Saturday, October 19th at Westfield High School!
The carnival in the auditorium from 4-8pm will feature games and princess and pirate meet and greets! Costumes encouraged. Come anytime!
The escape room (for ages 12 and up) in the Blackbox classroom will run from 4-8pm. Sign up for the escape room with the QR code on the flyer or by this LINK.
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