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Important Upcoming Events May 5-9 - Teachers Appreciation Week May 7 - SOL's Begin- See Save the Dates! May 7 - National School Nurse Day May 26 - Memorial Day - Holiday - No School May 29- Last day of late buses

A Message From The Principal

Good afternoon, Carson families!

This week, we are thrilled to celebrate our incredible teachers and staff during Teachers Appreciation Week. We extend our deepest gratitude to each and every one of our teachers for their unwavering dedication and the countless ways they support our students, one another, and the entire Carson community every single day.

We also want to give a big thank you to our PTA and staff for making the Panther Prowl a wonderful community event a couple of weeks ago, and we eagerly anticipate continuing this tradition in the years to come.

Sincerely,

Tony Washington

Carson Middle Principal

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.

Save the Dates: Spring Testing

Spring SOL Testing dates have been identified.

• Wednesday, May 7, 2025: Reading SOL (All Students)
• Tuesday, May 13, 2025: Math SOLs (All Students)
• Wednesday, May 21, 2025: Science 8 SOL (8^th Grade Only)

Please avoid any scheduled absences like appointments and trips on the dates identified to ensure students are ready and able to test on the given dates.

Retakes: The Virginia Board of Education allows elementary and middle school students who fail their spring Standards of Learning (SOL) tests by a narrow margin to retake the test before the end of the school year. Retesting is available when a student fails their first SOL attempt with a score of 375-399. (A score of 400 is considered passing for SOL tests.) Note that retests are not offered for the integrated reading/writing (IRW) component of the grade 8 SOL reading tests. A decision not to allow retesting will not impact your student’s course grade or academic record.

Parent/guardian permission is required for the school to retest any student in grades 3-8. If you believe that your student would benefit from a second opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills on the spring SOL test, submit your decision using the Parent Digital Consent application (https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/technology/digital-resources/consent).

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

May 5 - 9 Teachers Appreciation Week

National School Nurse Day is May 7, 2025 National School Nurse Day is Wednesday, May 7, 2025. It is a day to recognize the many contributions that school nurses make to student health and learning.  Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) appreciates the role of School Public Health Nurses (PHNs) for their contribution to the health and welfare of all our students.   Professional school nurses support the needs of students through their delivery of healthcare, contributions to local school communities, and the promotion of safety, prevention, and wellness throughout the year. They are advocates who bridge healthcare and education by supporting student health and readiness to learn.  School nurses are essential to our community and work tirelessly to make a positive impact in the lives of their students.    Please join us in thanking the PHNs for their hard work and dedication to FCPS students.  Resources for celebrating National School Nurse Day may be found at: National School Nurse Association.

April Student Recognition

Each month teachers from different departments recognize students for their hard work, perseverance, and commitment to making a positive impact at Carson through our SWAG Student Recognition Program. SWAG stands for “Students with Awesome Growth”. Mrs. Ryder shared why each student was nominated during our April celebration. Congratulations to the following students for having Carson SWAG: Ethan, Tylin, Nicole, Samuel, Lucas, Allison, Amy, Krithika, Anderson, Luis, Youssef and Genesis!

 Congratulations,

Panthers!

NJHS Important Updates!

Student Services Updates

HS Credit Course Expunge Process

High school credit courses taken in grades 7 and 8 become part of the student’s high school transcript and are included in the calculation of the high school Grade Point Average (GPA) and weighted as such. Virginia state and FCPS regulations permit parents/guardians of a middle school student who has completed a high school credit course to have that course expunged from the student’s record.  

The request to remove a course from the transcript must be made in writing to the middle or high school that the student will attend the following year and prior to the end of the first nine weeks of the school year.

See Request to Expunge High School Courses Taken in Middle School Form. If you have questions or concerns regarding this, please contact your child’s middle school counselor no later than June 11.

Once deleted, the course and grade awarded cannot be reinstated.

Courses taken in the summer session following student promotion from the eighth grade are ineligible for removal from the high school transcript.

Student Intention Forms 

We are preparing for the 2025-2026 school year.  If you are moving over the summer and your child is not returning to RCMS next school year, please notify us by completing the Intention Form and emailing Ms. Novelo at enovelo@fcps.edu  at your earliest convenience. This information will enable us to prepare transcript information so that it is available when requested by your child’s school.

Here is a link to out 4th Quarter Counselor Corner Newsletter. Click here

Charge Ahead for Rising 9th Grade Students

It's time to register for Charge Ahead for Rising 9^th Grade students.  Charge Ahead is an optional jump start program held before students return to school to give our upcoming 9^th grade students an early opportunity to learn more about Chantilly.  Click here to register and here for more information.

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

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 6th, 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.

ESOL Online Summer Registration

Registration is now open for our ESOL Online Summer School. This program is offered to current middle and high school MLs (multilingual learners),  levels 1 – 4. The Language and Literacy Connections Program is a 3-week program that is offered either at 10:30 – 11:30am or 7:00 – 8:00pm. Families can register online or by phone. Registration closes May 30^th.

ESOL Online Summer School Registration Forms

ESOL Online Summer School Program Flyers

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.

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

Oakton High School Theater

South Lakes High School

Rummage Sale May 17th! On May 17th, South Lakes High School Marching Band will be hosting a rummage sale in the parking lot at the school. This event is going to raise money for the Pearl Harbor Parade Trip! This is a great event to clean out the attic or basement, get rid of old stuff and support the band’s trip to Hawaii! If you or someone you know would like a space to sell your items, be the first to sign up! Please share as much as possible.  https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/rummage-sale-fundraiser

Oakton HS Dance Team Spring Prep Clinic

If you love to dance and are interested in trying out for the Oakton High School Dance team for the 2025-26 school year or the year after, the Dance Team is holding a Tryouts Prep Clinic May 19, 21, 27, and 29 from 4-6pm at Oakton HS, open to students in grades 7-11!  The clinic will teach a variety of skills and choreography that will be helpful for preparing for tryouts.  If you are interested in participating in the Dance Team Prep Clinic, complete the Spring Tryouts Prep Clinic Interest Formhttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSerWprVvo3HKE4afSrI7Z3W1M5u1GcWX2XYrEl6_FZJFRSEvg/viewform to receive the registration form and information.  If you have questions, please reach out to Coach Rowley at kmrowley@fcps.edu.

Oakton HS Dance Team 2025-26 Tryouts

If you love to dance and want to be involved in your school, come try out for the Oakton High School Dance Team!  Tryouts will be held June 9, 10, and 11 for the 2025-26 team selection.  Not sure if you have all of the skills for dance team??  Fill out the form and come to tryouts anyway!  You will have the opportunity to learn skills there, and dancers are often selected based on potential ability to pick up the needed skills!  Sign up to get more information about tryouts with this Tryout Interest Form link.  Filling out this link will also get you information about various Dance Team events occurring in the Spring to prepare for tryouts.  Contact Coach Rowley at kmrowley@fcps.edu with questions.

Check out the attached flyer with QR codes and links to our various dance opportunities related to tryouts and preparing for tryouts this spring!

Oakton HS Dance Team Junior Summer Dance Camp for 1^st-8^th graders!

All rising 1st-8th graders who love to dance are invited to attend camp this summer on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, June 24-26th from 8:30 am - 12:30 pm at Oakton High School.  Participants will learn choreography and technique with OHS Dance Team dancers and coaches. The campers will have the opportunity to perform a routine at the end of the week. Each day there will be a craft, snack time, and team building activities. For more information and to register go to bit.ly/ohsjuniordancecamp2025.

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.***

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 
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