English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Important Upcoming Events April 10- Career Day - RCMS 1-2pm April 14-18 - Spring Break

Principal's Message

April 7 - 11 is Assistant Principals Week

Thank you Mr. Powell, Mrs. Cosgrove, Mrs. Ehivue and Mrs. Miley, Director of Student Services.  We see you, we love you and we appreciate your hard work at Carson Middle!

2024-2025 Yearbooks are available for purchase. Reserve your copy today by purchasing through MySchoolBucks! Link to Purchase: Yearbook Sales - MySchoolbucks  We have a limited number of surplus, once we reach our sales limit yearbooks will be sold out. Sales are on a first come first serve basis.

April 14-18 is spring break. Schools and school offices will be closed. We wish our students and teachers a happy and restful Spring Break! See the complete school year calendar.

 Coming Soon: School Start Times Survey

Last year, FCPS held community forums and surveyed middle school families regarding middle school start times. Now, we would like to hear from all staff and families on the possibility of adjusting school start times across the division. The goal remains to begin middle school at 8 a.m. or later at the start of the 2026-27 school year.

On April 1, a survey link will be sent by email to staff, parents/caregivers, and students in grades 5-12. The confidential survey will be open for two weeks and will be available in multiple languages.

Month of the Military Child

National Arab American Heritage Month

From the Carson Civics Department

May Webinars

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 04/03/2025 01:23 PM EDT

Building Self-Esteem and Stopping Bullying - Arabic Webinar 

بناء تقدير الذات و وقف التنمر

May 9, 10-11:30 am

تستعرض هذة الندوة عبرالانترنت تأثيرالتنمرعلى تقدير الذات وتقدم استراتيجيات لمواجهة ووقف التنمر، دعم المتضررين وتعزيز ثقافة الاحترام والمرونة. انضموا إلينا للمساعدة في خلق بيئة أكثر أمانًا وشمولية لكل طفل.

Register here

Part 3-Using Strength-based Approach When Communicating with Twice-
Exceptional Students

May 20, 10-11:30 am

Supporting families in recognizing common communication challenges for twice-exceptional students and understanding the principles of a strength-based approach and how it differs from a deficit-based perspective. As well as, applying practical strategies to communicate effectively with your 2e child by emphasizing strengths and fostering empowerment, using active listening and emotional coaching techniques to support your child’s confidence and emotional regulation and implementing strength-based communication strategies in real-life scenarios to enhance your child’s engagement and resilience.

Register here

The Effects of Bullying on the Child’s Self-Esteem - Spanish Webinar

May 30, 10-11:30 am.  

El propósito del taller es ayudar a las familias a definir y reconocer los diferentes tipos de acoso escolar (bullying). El taller ayudara a informar a los padres y cuidadores de posibles señales que indican que su hijo/a pueda estar experimentando el acoso escolar, y el impacto que tiene en su bienestar. Adicionalmente, proveeremos estrategias para apoyar a sus hijos si experimentan acoso escolar.  

Register here

Please review your child's course request in SIS ParentVue. 

We have lots of exciting information to share with you as your child transitions to new grade level. At this time, please review your child’s course selection for the upcoming school year.

• Once you log into your SIS ParentVue, select “Course Request” in the left side bar. The screen has 2 parts: Selected Course Requests and Alternate Elective Requests. Click the blue arrow to the left of the Course Title to see the course description. 
• Parents will need to have a SIS ParentVUE Account to view the Online Course Requests for their child. To create an account, the parent must contact their child’s elementary school to receive an activation code.  
• Please note that this list is NOT a schedule, but a confirmation of the courses entered into the Student Information System.
• To make any changes to the courses and/or electives entered, please contact  ajtawil@fcps.edu 
• Please note that SY25-26 staffing is based on student's' course selections and that your child's selection represents a firm commitment. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

• Algebra 1HN - If your child is in Advanced Math in 6th grade, they will have Mathematics 7 Honors in their course request. This will not change until a later date in the Spring .
• Music Courses - Students who have signed up for the music courses (Band, Orchestra and Chorus) will initially be placed in the Beginning level until auditions and placements have been completed. Please know that music directors will work with counselors to make the appropriate updates. 

• Academic Support Courses - Elective courses can be adjusted based on students' academic needs. Contact your child's current teacher(s) if you have a question regarding the support course recommendation. 

School Bus Safety Program Update

Cameras have been installed on the stop arms of 50 of our school buses, to identify drivers who pass stopped school buses while children are entering and exiting the bus (called a “stop arm violation”). Warnings for drivers will begin on Wednesday, April 9. After a 30-day warning period, citations will begin to be issued on Thursday, May 8.

We appreciate our law enforcement partners for working with us to improve road safety and reduce accidents. More information about the stop arm cameras and all of the ways that we work with our county partners to keep students safe on their way to and from school can be found on this webpage.

I encourage you to share this information with your families, friends, and neighbors so that we can all work as a community to keep our students safe. Together all things are possible!

Save the Date for the FCPS Summer Extravaganza

Hidden in Plain Sight (HIPS) Presentation - New Date

HIPS is a community awareness program designed to enlighten parents through a unique learning experience encompassing insights into trends and indicators of potentially risky behavior.  This allows parents the opportunity to interact with police officers and various props.  

The presentation will be run by Fairfax County Police Department and our Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist for the Oakton and Madison Pyramids, Mr. Michael McNulty.   

Please join us on Wednesday, May 21 at Oakton High School at 6:30-8:30pm. Please register below to attend.

HIPS Link:

Here is the RSVP link: https://bit.ly/hipsohs052125

We hope you can join us.

8th Grade Panthers: It’s Time to Celebrate! 

Parents of all 8th Graders: Your 8th Grader is invited to celebrate the end of the year and their time at RCMS! The students voted overwhelmingly for "Hollywood Red Carpet - Dress to impress!" for the theme!

Registration is required by May 7th. Registration is available to the 8th graders via the 8th Grade Students 2024-25 Group on Schoology. The party is at RCMS on June 6th, from 5:30–7:30pm. Entrance is FREE but students MUST be registered to attend and to win fun prizes! There will be food, a DJ, dancing, photo booths, karaoke, and games! Please encourage your student to come join the fun!

On June 7th, your 8th grader can be dropped off at the main entrance at 5:15, doors will open at 5:30. Pick up is promptly at 7:30 pm. Students will not be permitted to leave the building until 7:30. 

Parents, we NEED your help to make this a great party for our kiddos! If you are willing to donate goodies or volunteer your time, please sign up here! We also have an amazon wishlist for some items that can be found and purchased here.

Please reach out to sjones167@gmail.com with any questions.

Summer 2025 Online Campus Courses

Registration for the Summer 2025 Online Campus courses starts Friday, February 14, 2025, and ends Friday, June 6, 2025. 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.

We encourage students wishing to enroll in a summer course to enroll as soon as possible.

The dates for Carson's Spring SOL testing are as follows:

Testing will take place first thing in the morning.  It is critical that students be in attendance and on-time for their designated test days.  If at all possible, please avoid or reschedule absences/appointments for the morning of your child’s test dates.  Also make sure that your child brings a fully-charged laptop on test days. 

Contact Jessica Arrowood, school test coordinator, with any questions (jkarrowood@fcps.edu).

The dates for High School credit Final Exams are as follows:

Dear Carson Families and Community Members,

It’s that time of year we provide opportunities for students to explore careers. On Thursday April 10, 2025 from 1:00-2:00 PM, Student Services will hold our annual Career Day. This year's event will be in person.

 If you enjoy your occupation, have a story to tell about your career journey, and can relate well to middle schoolers in a classroom setting, please join us to speak with our 8th grade students.

We are hoping to have speakers of various careers and education levels volunteer their time, sharing their experiences. 

 If you are interested or would like more information, please click on the Google Form 

Thank you for supporting our students! 

Tutoring Resources for Families

Is your family looking for resources to help support your child’s academic success? FCPS’ Family Resource Center (FRC) maintains a list of district employees who hold a valid Virginia teaching credential and who are available to be hired as a tutor by parents. FRC maintains this list, but families are responsible for contacting and working directly with tutors. This list is not “approved” by FCPS and is only meant as a resource.

FCPS also partners with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors' services at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests.

Summer CTE Academy and Camp

The Career and Technical Education (CTE) office is once again planning engaging summer enrichment programs for students! For our current kindergarten to 5th grade students, we have Tech Adventure Camp. For our current 6th to 11th grade students, we have CTE Summer Academy.

You can also find the translated versions in these Google Folders: Tech Adventure Camp and CTE Summer Academy.

Other Schools Are Sharing

South Lakes High School

South Lakes Theater Presents, "Once Upon A Mattress"

We will have a community preview of the play on Wednesday, April 30th that is geared towards younger audiences. The show will begin 30 minutes earlier than the other night shows, there will be Once Upon a Mattress themed coloring with the ladies and nights before the show at 6pm, a meet-and-greet with the characters on stage after the show (complete with special autograph sheets), and the tickets are $5 dollars cheaper.

This opportunity is excellent for younger children and is geared towards elementary aged children (or anyone interested!)

Click HERE for more information about the play

Registration open for Oakton Dance Team's Junior Dance Camp!

The Oakton High School Dance Team’s annual Junior Dance Camp will be held June 24-26 (Tu-Th) from 8:30-12:30 at Oakton High School. Camp is open to rising 1st-8th graders from any school. Participants will learn choreography and technique with Dance Team members and will have the opportunity to perform at the end of camp on June 26! Campers will also do a craft and team building activities each day. Register by June 12th to get a camp t-shirt included with your registration. Questions? Contact: kmrowley@fcps.edu For more information and to register: bit.ly/ohsjuniordancecamp2025

Oakton High School Dance Team hosts Junior Dance Camp!

Who: Rising 1st-8th graders
When: T-Th June 24-26, 8:30am-12:30 pm
Where: Oakton High School
What: dance, perform, craft, and have fun!
Questions:  kmrowley@fcps.edu
Registration: bit.ly/ohsjuniordancecamp2025

Rising 9th Grade Chantilly Chargers

Hello!  We are starting to gear up for the summer!  Chantilly High School is offering 3 sessions of Charge Ahead for our rising 9^th graders.  The program is led by our upper classmen, leadership students and Chantilly staff.  The dates are August 5^th, 6^th, or 7^th from 9:00am-1:00pm.  Each session is a half-day, parents must arrange transportation to and from the school. This is not a mandatory activity for incoming freshman. This program is beneficial for students to understand how the day-to-day experience looks as a Charger! 

We want to find out if there is any interest for a Wednesday afternoon session from 1pm - 5pm for our rising 9^th graders!  Click on this link for your feedback.

Thank you for your time!

Go Chargers!

Westfield High School

Girls Summer Basketball Camp

click HERE for more information.

Rising 9^th Grade:

Please subscribe to your child’s base high school News You Choose messages for the most up-to-date information about 9^th grade transition. You can enroll here. Unsure what school your child will attend in 9^th grade? Click here to access the FCPS boundary locator.***

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.

• Learn more about attendance reporting through ParentVue

Registration is now open for Spring Track!  Please register before April 11th in order to participate in the required practices before the first meet. Registration will CLOSE on May 7th at 2:30pm. All requirements for competing in middle school sports must be completed before students may participate in Track & Field practices or meets.

Greetings Panther families!

Click the link for the  Q4 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. 

After School Program Specialist

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.

13618 McLearen Rd. Herndon, VA 20171 |  Main Phone: 703.925.3600
Attendance: 703.925.3636 or CarsonMS.Attendance@fcps.edu 
Web | Twitter