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1. Important Dates
November 8 - Cross Country Meet, 10 AM, Carson MS
November 10 - First quarter grades available in SIS ParentVue and report cards will be mailed home
November 11 - Veteran's Day - School & Office Closed
November 12 - Veteran's Day Breakfast, 8 AM
November 13 - PTA Meeting, 7 PM, Library
November 15 - Cross Country Championship Meet, 8:30 AM, Liberty MS
November 18 - Wellness Screening (7th); Youth Survey (8th)
November 21-23 - Fall Theater Production
November 24-25 - No After-School Program (all students depart at 2:15 PM)
November 26-28 - Thanksgiving Holiday - School & Office Closed
2. A Note from the Principal
Dear Rocky Run Families-
We had a VERY exciting week at Rocky Run Middle School (even though it was only 3 days of school)! The second quarter of the school year kicked off with many exciting events in the halls of RRMS that strengthened our ties to various stakeholder groups within the community. It continues to be a priority of Rocky Run Middle School to sponsor outreach events and partner with our community.
On Wednesday, we started our roll out of the Open Gate Weapons detection system. Students did an amazing job learning the new protocols for morning arrival. Even though the gates were not turned on this week, it was a good experience for students to practice the procedure. Ask your students about "Kangaroo Backpacks"! The gates will "go live" on Wednesday, November 12, and our Rams are ready!
Also on Wednesday, we hosted our annual family night event. The breakout sessions were a hit! The conversation about technology use, academic advising, and math sequencing were well attended! Be on the lookout for additional community engagement events throughout the year.
As a reminder, Tuesday, November 11 is a student holiday in observance of Veteran's Day. Please set aside a few minutes this weekend to reflect on, and appreciate the service that all veterans have given. We will host our annual Military Appreciation breakfast on November 12.
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
Apply Anytime for Free and Reduced-Price Meals
Families are encouraged to apply for free and reduced-price meals at any time during the school year.
If your income changes — for example, due to a furlough, layoff, or job loss — you may become newly eligible. Once approved, your benefits stay active for the rest of the school year and for the first 30 days of the next school year.
Students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals or attend a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school receive free breakfast and lunch every school day. It’s a great way to make your food budget go further and save time from packing meals. Learn more about FCPS Food and Nutrition.
Impact of Federal Shutdown on Local Community
Fairfax County is home to around 80,000 federal employees and thousands of federal contractors. Its Federal Workforce Resource Hub is intended to help navigate current and future issues for residents, government employees, active military/veterans, contractors, nonprofits, and businesses who may be affected by actions, changes, or disruptions to federal services or employment.
Find more community resources available to families.
Every Day Is a Stepping Stone to Success
Attendance is an important life skill that will help your child later in life. It’s a good habit to build now that will help them graduate on time and help them with time management. Parents and families can play a big role in helping kick-start good attendance habits.
Please take a look at the FCPS Calendar. Try to schedule any trips or family events on weekends and school holidays. Keep in mind that absences add up quickly. Students who are absent 10% of the school year (or just two days per month) are considered “chronically absent.”
When possible, schedule appointments for your child outside of school hours. If your child needs to miss school because of an illness or appointment, you must report the absence to our school. Visit our Attendance webpage for more information.
4. Student Celebrations
RAISE the Ram Card Winners
At Rocky Run, students can earn RAISE the Ram cards for exhibiting our RAISE attributes: Rams are Respectful, Accountable, Inclusive, Safe, and Engaged. At the end of each week, we randomly select one winner from each team.
Congratulations to this week's RAISE the Ram card winners:
Meteors: Keegan Durso (Inclusive and Engaged)
Platinum: Ari Epley (Engaged)
Emerald: Darsh Murarka (Engaged)
Kryptonite: Charlee Crispino (Engaged)
Tiger's Eye: Lyka Skistimas (Inclusive and Engaged)
Sapphire: Abigail Zhang (Accountable and Engaged)
Great job Raising The Ram this week!
Punctual on Purpose (PoP) Student Winners
Each week, we randomy select one student from each team who had zero tardies during the previous week! This week's PoP winners were:
Meteors: Carter Lewis
Platinum: Priya Mandava
Emerald: Chimwemwe Mvula
Kryptonite: Juan Ortiz Tabares
Tiger's Eye: Sahajas Singh
Sapphire: Zoe Murdoch
5. Student Services Updates
RRMS Celebrates our Veterans!
Family members of RRMS students who have served or are currently serving in the military are invited to an honorary breakfast on Wednesday, November 12th from 8:00-8:30am in the lecture hall. If you would like to join us, please complete this form by Saturday, November 8th. Email Lorraine Marshall (ljmarshall@fcps.edu) with questions.
Wear Red to Support Veterans and Military Service Members
This coming Wednesday, November 12, join us in wearing Red to support our Veterans and Military-Connected families. RED stands for Remember Everyone Deployed.
7th Grade Wellness Screening
All middle and high schools in FCPS teach students about mental health and how to seek help if they are worried about themselves or a friend. All schools use an evidence-based program called Signs of Suicide (SOS).
At Rocky Run Middle School, the SOS lesson and accompanying screening will occur on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 during Rock Time. We recognize that you may have opted your child out of this screener through the Parent Digital Consent tool. If you did not complete opt out using the parent portal and would still like to do so you can OPT OUT (meaning your child will not participate in the screener) by completing the SOS Opt Out Form.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your child’s school counselor.
8th Grade Fairfax County Youth Survey
Rocky Run Middle School will be administering the Fairfax County Youth Survey to all 8th graders on Tuesday, 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 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 no later than November 7, 2025.
Applications for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Eligible eighth graders who have an aptitude and passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are encouraged to apply for admission to the Class of 2030 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST).
The application portal is now open. Deadline to start an application is 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 12, with a final submission deadline of 4 p.m. Friday, November 14. Math levels are being verified daily so you do not need to contact anyone to request that. Visit the TJHSST registration page for more information.
6. Instructional Updates
Tutoring Resources for Families
Some families may be looking for additional resources to help support their child’s academic success. The FCPS Family Resource Center (FRC) maintains a list of FCPS employees who hold a valid Virginia teaching credential and who are available to hire as tutors. This list is a resource offered by the FRC, but families are responsible for contacting and working directly with the tutors. This list is not approved by FCPS and is only meant to be a resource to families.
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, and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests.
7. After School Program Information
After-School Schedule for the week of 11/10
Current after-school club offerings
- Several new clubs are starting soon: ChitChat and Checkmates (board games), Creativity Club, Encouragement Express, Friendship Bracelets, Futsal, Smash Bros. Details for viewable by clicking the "current after-school club offerings" link above.
- More clubs will be added throughout the year so check back frequently.
- Student Club Proposal form is live on Schoology for students to submit ideas for new clubs.
Review the late bus routes that are posted on the After-School Schoology Course
For now, here are some steps to complete:
- Review this general After-School Information.
- ALL families must complete the After-School Consent Form (via the Parent Digital Consent System). Students cannot stay after until this is submitted. Almost all of our Rocky Run students will stay after at some point this year, so please make sure the form is completed ASAP so your student has the flexibility to participate.
- If your student is interested in any of the following sports activities this year, they will need to submit an Athletic Physical Packet. A portion of this must be completed by a health care professional so do not delay working on this! More details on interest meetings, practice dates, game dates, etc. will be provided in advance of a sign-up or tryout.
- Fall Cross Country (registration is now closed)
- Spring Track & Field
Questions? Contact Shannon Campbell, After-School Program Specialist, at SLCampbell@fcps.edu.
8. Community Corner
Shark Tank Technology Challenge – Applications Now Being Accepted
Fairfax County’s Department of Neighborhood and Community Services is now accepting entries in the Fairfax Area High School Student Shark Tank Technology Challenge. Initial proposals are due Dec. 19, 2025. Open to all students in Fairfax County, Fairfax City and the City of Falls Church, the 2025-26 challenge invites youth to develop an innovative device or app that will have a positive impact in the lives of older adults, adults with disabilities, caregivers or wounded warriors. The winning students will be recognized with cash awards provided by sponsor IntegrityOne Partners. Winners will also be recognized by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors at a spring 2026 reception. Please visit the Shark Tank Technology Challenge website for more details, including a detailed application packet. For additional assistance, email NCSTechChallenge@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Business for the Youth Workshop
Business For the Youth (BFTY) is a student-led organization to help empower leadership and entrepreneurial skills to the youth. BFTY believes that teaching and engaging the youth in business through service will not only prepare them for the real world but also make them leaders in their communities. Through our global events, fundraising, volunteerism, and chapter, BFTY advocates for youth business engagement through service.
We are hosting a workshop on November 22 and we will be focusing on fundamentals of business, taking inspiration from the popular show Shark Tank! For our workshop, we will bring fun with education, allowing students to participate in hands-on activities and simulations to teach business fundamentals. In this workshop we’ll teach students how to:
- Create a successful product or service that will help the community
- Learn the process of developing a successful product or service
- Collaboration and leadership skills amongst groups
- Pitch their product or service to an audience with confidence
- Understanding how real-world markets works
Click here to access the sign-up form, which also includes links with more information.
This is not a Rocky Run sponsored event.
Centreville High School Renovation Update
November 18 - PTSA Meeting with Dr. Reid - CVHS Renovation Update, 7:00PM: The Centreville High School (CVHS) PTSA is hosting Superintendent Dr. Reid at their November 18th meeting, which will be held at 7:00pm in the Centreville High School auditorium. We invite all families in the Centreville Pyramid to attend. Dr. Reid will provide updates to our community regarding the CVHS renovation. Since the renovation timeline affects both current and future Wildcats, this is a critical opportunity to learn more about the plans. We hope to see you there!
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