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March 28 - Last day of 3rd Quarter, No After-School Program (all students depart at 2:15 PM), Chantilly Pyramid Art Show
March 31 - No School (Eid-al-Fitr)
April 1 - Teacher Workday
April 9 - Author visit with Jennifer Nielsen and Family Book Club
April 10 - Rocky Run vs Franklin Basketball Games, 5 - 8 PM, Chantilly HS
April 11 - No After-School Program (all students depart at 2:15 PM)
April 14 - 18 - Spring Break
2. A Note from the Principal
Dear Rocky Run Community-
As we move through the vibrant and ever-changing month of March (especially weather-wise), I'm thrilled to share some of the exciting happenings at Rocky Run Middle School. Our students and staff continue to demonstrate remarkable dedication and enthusiasm, making our school a truly special place.
I've had the pleasure of visiting numerous classrooms this week, witnessing firsthand the engaging and innovative instruction our teachers provide. I particularly enjoyed popping into the library to see Mr. Williams's 8th grade science classes develop their Claim, Evidence, Reasoning (CER) skills as it applied to one of the many plants in the library. As always, Ms. Grover was there to support the students in their inquiry. It's inspiring to see the curiosity and critical thinking skills they are developing.
We recently celebrated Pi Day on Friday, March 14. This is absolutely my favorite "non-holiday" holiday. Pie is my favorite dessert! I had wedding pies instead of wedding cake, and my oldest child was born on 3/14 (sixteen years ago). And as we approach St. Patrick's Day on Monday, we're looking forward to a day filled with green spirit as we celebrate the beginning of Neurodiversity Spirit Week. We encourage everyone to wear their green and join in the celebration of community!
As we head into the final stretch of the third quarter, I encourage all students to stay focused on their academic goals. Please remember that our teachers and counselors are here to support you every step of the way.
As always, thank you for your continued partnership and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions. I look forward to seeing you at RRMS soon.
Sincerely,
Peter Kownacki
Principal
Rocky Run Middle School
@pakownacki
3. Action Items for Families
Get Your Yearbook Today!
Order your yearbook online before it’s too late! Get yours now before they sell out.
Buy online now at https://prod.yboc.varsity.com/
School Code: 5333
Author visit book presales end on Sunday!
Please use this Google Form to place your order. Learn more about our author visit below in instructional updates.
Family Book Club
Sign up here to attend our Rocky Run Family Book Club with our visiting author, Jennifer Nielsen! Spaces may need to be limited in each group. See Instructional Updates for more information about the Family Book Club.
Student Fasting Meal Kits for February 28 - March 28
Thanks to a new program from the Virginia Department of Education, students who are fasting during the school day between February 28 and March 28 can now take school meal kits home at the end of the day. Families will need to fill out a weekly Fasting Meals Request Form for their child or children to receive school meal kits. A separate form must be filled out for each week and each student. Visit the FNS webpage for more information, including weekly request forms and deadlines.
Neurodiversity Celebration Week
Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a worldwide initiative that challenges the stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences. It aims to change how neurodivergent individuals are perceived and supported at school. There will be a Rock Time lesson on Neurodiversity on March 10 and we will spread awareness by having a spirit week March 17-21.
4. Student Celebrations
RAISE the Ram Card Winners
Congratulations to this week's Ram card winners:
Langston Eagle (Inclusive and Engaged)
Priya Sanapuji (Respectful and Accountable)
Andrew Exley (Respectful and Accountable)
Andrew Hackney (Respectful and Accountable)
Ananya Rawat (Engaged)
Danica Simmons (Accountable and Engaged)
Great job Raising the Ram!
5. Student Services Updates
Please log into your SIS ParentVue, select “Course Request” in the left side bar. This list is NOT an actual schedule, but a confirmation of the courses entered into SIS. To make any changes to the courses and/or electives entered, please complete the Change Request Form or email the your child’s counselor. Please note that SY25-26 staffing is based on students' course selections and that your child's selection represents a firm commitment.
Summer 2025 Online Campus Courses
Registration for the Summer 2025 Online Campus courses started Friday, February 14 and ends Friday, June 6. Courses are open to middle and high school students who meet prerequisites.
Courses may be cancelled if they are under-enrolled. If a course is cancelled, students will be notified using the registration contact information and a full refund will be given.
Please note that Chantilly HS students wishing to enroll in a summer course must enroll and notify their counselor by today, March 7, 2025 in order to ensure a seat in the desired course for 25-26 school year.
6. Instructional Updates
Library Updates
This week, Mr. Williams’s Science 8 classes visited the library to practice their Claim-Evidence-Reasoning writing skills. They learned a new type of Evidence, observation, and its importance in the larger scientific community. Then, Mr. Williams reviewed a 7th grade topic, plants and photosynthesis, to refresh their understanding in preparation for observing one of the library’s plants. Next, students refreshed their annotation skills and read about their plant’s typical characteristics before observing their plant for the quality of its leaves, color, etc. Finally, they had to create a claim about whether their plant was an appropriate choice for our library, provide evidence from their observation, and give reasoning from their knowledge of the photosynthesis review. Students were actively engaged and produced thoughtful Claim-Evidence-Reasoning written responses at the end. Students worked in table groups on this activity and demonstrated impressive collaboration, resilience, and critical thinking throughout the lesson.
 Students observe Squiggles, the library’s Snake Plant, during the CER lesson this week.
Family Book Club - April 9
Rocky Run’s Family Book Club is an opportunity for parents (or grandparent, aunt, uncle, older sibling) and students to read together and to discuss books. This is a great opportunity to communicate with your teenager as they move forward in shaping an identity and in making good choices for the future. Please accept this invitation to support your child as a lifelong reader! To learn more about Family Book Club, click here for answers to Frequently Asked Questions. All are welcome!
Jennifer Nielsen will be the guest author at our April 9 Family Book Club. We are offering three of her titles for the book club; The False Prince, A Night Divided, and Words on Fire. Students will receive two copies of their selected book to borrow and take home for reading prior to the evening discussions on April 9. Families can also choose to purchase their own books to have signed.
Sign up here to attend. Spaces may need to be limited in each group.
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Slevin – agslevin@fcps.edu. Hope to see you soon!
Author Visit Update
We are so excited to have New York Times Bestselling Author, Jennifer Nielsen, coming to visit Rocky Run in April! Preorders are now open for her two newest titles, Uprising and One Wrong Step (releasing next week!).
- Place your order using this Google Form or visit tinyurl.com/2025AuthorVisit
- Use MySchoolBucks, exact cash, or a check made out to Rocky Run Middle School.
- All orders will arrive to Rocky Run just before her visit.
- There will also be a special signing time when Ms. Nielsen is here.
- Proceeds will benefit the RRMS Library.
- Hurry! Preorders close on Friday, March 14.
- Questions? Email Mrs. Grover, RRMS Librarian (ragrover@fcps.edu)
7. After-School Program Information
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After-School Schedule: Week of 3/10
- A new button has been added on the After-School Schoology Course for High School Sports. As I receive information, I will be posting there and sharing in a schoology update.
- Mark your calendars: there will be no after-school programs on these upcoming dates - 3/28, 4/11, 5/23
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Spring Track and Field: Click here to review the interest meeting slides. All required forms are linked in those slides. Forms are due by 3 PM on 3/28 for students to begin practicing on 4/2.
- 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.
After-School Program Questions? Contact Shannon Campbell, After-School Program Specialist, at SLCampbell@fcps.edu
At this time, we are not currently accepting registrations for the VIP Summer Camps as this program may not be available or may be restructured. The current Fairfax County budget proposal includes eliminating funding for the Middle School After-School Program Specialists who design and run the VIP summer camps.
8. Community Corner
 CyberGirls Link
Imagination Link
Quick Links
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