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1. Important Dates

February 27 - Rocky Run vs Franklin Basketball Game at Chantilly HS, 5-8 PM

March 12 - PTA Meeting, 7 PM, Library

March 20 - No School (Holiday - Eid al-Fitr)

March 27 - End of 3rd Quarter, 2 Hour Early Release, No After-School Program

March 30 - April 3 - Spring Break

April 6 - No School (Teacher Workday)

April 10 - No School (School Planning Day)

2. A Note from the Principal

Dear Rocky Run Families-

Even though February is the shortest month of the year, it is jam packed with celebrations and holidays. On Tuesday, February 17, we celebrated Lunar New Year. On this holiday, people across Asia (and beyond) ushered in the Year of the Horse. Lunar New Year is typically marked by family gatherings, eating traditional foods, time spent honoring ancestors, and the exchange of small gifts, including money given in traditional red envelopes. Each Asian culture has its own traditions, which may also include a thorough cleaning of the house, lighting firecrackers, performing dances, and wearing traditional clothing. Chúc mừng Năm Mới! Wishing good fortune to those in our community who celebrate Lunar New Year!

Also, Ramadan began at sundown on Tuesday, February 17. In Islam, Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year. During this month Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn to sunset each day while striving to increase their spirituality, through prayers, charity and good deeds. Muslims believe it was during this month that God revealed the first verses of the Holy Quran to Prophet Muhammad. If you have any questions regarding accommodations that we have set up for students at Rocky Run Middle School (lunch, prayer/meditation and silent reflection spaces, and instruction) please feel free to reach out to me.

Finally, on Wednesday, February 18, we recognize those in our community observing Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is observed as a holy day of prayer and fasting in many Western Christian denominations. It marks the beginning of Lent, a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving leading up to Easter. Many Christians attend special Ash Wednesday church services, at which churchgoers receive ashes on their foreheads as a sign of penance.

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

FCPS CARES Nominations Want a quick way to recognize an employee or team? Share an FCPS CARES! Families, colleagues, and students are all invited to submit. The FCPS CARES is automatically sent to the recipient(s) and their supervisor, and is posted on fcps.edu. Additionally, each month one school in our region wins a staff celebration from HR. Encourage your community to show our staff that their hard work is appreciated!

🏃‍♀️ Parents, Let’s Sprint into Fun! 🏃‍♂️

Rocky Run Middle School is getting ready to sprint into an exciting Spring 2026 Track and Field season, and we need energetic parents to join us in the action as Assistant Coaches. Practices will be on Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:30 to 3:30 beginning April 7, with Saturday meets starting April 25, times TBD. It is a great way to cheer on our student athletes, enjoy some fresh air, and be part of the fun, fast-paced spirit of track season. If you are ready to help our Rams run, jump, and throw their way to success, please contact Katy Speir, Athletic Coordinator (krspeir@fcps.edu), for more information.

Ramadan Meal Kits

From February 18 to March 19, 2026, students fasting during the school day may request take-home meal kits through a Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) waiver. These kits include a complete school breakfast and lunch, which are intended to be eaten after the school day ends.

Important Meal Kit Information:

• Kits are charged based on the student’s meal status (Free, Reduced, or Paid).
• Students may claim one breakfast kit and one lunch kit per day.
• Students are not eligible for a take-home kit on the same day if they eat a meal at school during the day.
• Kits are distributed at the end of the school day. Students must personally pick up their own kits; adults are not permitted to collect them.

Weekly Request Deadlines:

Parents or guardians must submit a weekly request form via the FCPS FNS website by the following deadlines to receive meal kits for the corresponding week. Forms must be submitted on time.

Please access the form on the FCPS FNS website.

Fasting Rooms and Prayer Rooms

Please remember that if you wish for your child to be able to use the fasting room and prayer room during Ramadan you must complete this form so that we can make passes for them to utilize the spaces during the school day.

PTA No Fuss Fundraiser

Last week in Rock Time, students learned about the PTA’s No Fuss Fundraiser. Slides explaining the fundraiser and how to register can be found in the All Student Schoology course. If you are willing to participate, please follow the steps in the slides to register. Students will need to be logged in to their FCPS Google accounts to view the slides. Thank you for supporting our awesome PTA!

Career Day Speakers Needed

Rocky Run's Career Day will take place on Friday March 27, 2026. We need your help to make it a success!

Please use this form to sign-up to share your career or job with Rocky Run students. The event will run from 8:00am-12:00pm, but volunteers do not need to commit for the entire time frame. We will be in touch closer to the date to confirm your available times. Presentations may be to small groups, large groups, on a panel, or in a career cluster fair. At this time please let us know if you are willing and available to present and save the date on your calendar!  

Please reach out to Halissa Jacobson at hdjacobson@fcps.edu or Anna Slevin agslevin@fcps.edu if you have questions or would like more information.  Thank you!

https://forms.gle/PFk33CVm5xUYK46k7

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: Noah Burt-Lynn (Engaged)

Platinum: Sophie Tsuchida (Inclusive and Engaged)

Emerald: Ben Lam (Respectful, Accountable, and Engaged)

Kryptonite: Hila Khan (Respectful, Accountable, and Safe)

Tiger's Eye: Taha Gurbuz (Engaged)

Sapphire: Adrian Polanco Chavarria (Respectful, Inclusive, and Engaged)

Great job Raising The Ram this week!

5. Student Services Updates

Learn More About How Your Child Feels at School

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) believes in supporting social and emotional learning (SEL) for all students. In FCPS, students use a tool called the SEL Screener to think about their own SEL skills and experiences at school.  The SEL Screener is given in the Fall and Spring to all students.  Rocky Run Middle School students will again be participating in this screener this Spring during the week of March 9^th.

After each screening, results are available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE. Opt-out information was previously sent with the parent notifications and can be updated in the Parent Digital Consent application or by filling out the form that was included with the notifications.  You can also learn more on the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.

Summer 2026 Online Campus Courses

Registration for the Summer 2026 Online Campus courses is available until Friday, June 5. Courses are open to middle and high school students who meet prerequisites. The Online Campus provides an opportunity for students to take one high school level course for new or repeat credit over the summer.

Students need to have a computer and make sure their computer is ready for the online course.

Course and assessment dates cannot be adjusted for vacations, travel, etc. Students must complete course work and assessments as they are scheduled.

Online Campus courses and classes may be cancelled if they are under enrolled. If a course or class is cancelled, students will be notified using the registration contact information, and a full refund will be given.

Students will not be able to take online courses using tablets and smartphones.

Please note that students wishing to enroll in a summer course must notify their counselor in order to ensure a seat in the desired course for 26-27 school year. 

Rising 8th Grade Academic Advising 

This week, counselors began to meet individually with our 7th grade students to assist them in selecting courses for next year and entering their choices into SIS. Parents/guardians, please review your child’s course selections in SIS to ensure all courses have been entered accurately.

Please support your child by encouraging them to come prepared with any questions they may have prior to their individual academic advising session.

Rocky Run MS Academic Advising Site

6. After School Program Information

After-School Schedule for the week of 2/23

• NEW Clubs *COMING SOON*
  
  • Cursive Club - starts on 2/25 during 2nd session - no sign-up required
  • Aerospace Engineering - interest meeting on 2/24 during 2nd session - no sign-up required 

Current after-school club offerings - More clubs will be added throughout the year so check back frequently.

Review the late bus routes that are posted on the After-School Schoology Course

For now, here are some steps to complete:

1. Review this general After-School Information.
2. 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.

Questions?  Contact Shannon Campbell, After-School Program Specialist, at SLCampbell@fcps.edu. 

Spring Track & Field

• A student interest meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 4, during all lunches. Meeting slides and important dates will be shared with families after the interest meeting.
• Track & Field Registration Google Form 
• Middle School Sports Physical- one page requires a doctor's signature, so do not delay!  If your student submitted a sports physical packet for Cross Country or Basketball, that same packet will work for Track & Field.  Not sure if you submitted one this year?  Email Shannon Campbell to check your student's status.

Rocky Run vs Franklin Annual Basketball Game - TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE ON MYSCHOOLBUCKS! 

Mark your calendar! Rocky Run will take on Franklin MS in our annual basketball games on Friday, February 27th.  The event will take place at Chantilly High School.  Doors open at 4:30 PM, staff play at 5:00 PM, girls play at 6:00 PM, and boys play at 7:00 PM.  All students must be picked up no later than 8:00 PM.  All spectators will be required to purchase a ticket ($5 cash at the door or on MySchoolBucks starting on February 6th).  Players will get in for free.  Concessions will be available for purchase (cash only).  Students must be Rams in Good Standing to attend.  More information on that will be sent to students and families soon.  We hope to see you there! 

7. Community Corner

Fairfax County History Conference Student and Teacher Opportunities

The Fairfax County History Commission presents: Revolutionary Ideas: Fairfax County’s American Revolution. What defines a revolution? Join them for #Fairfax250, a community conference exploring Fairfax County’s unique legacy in the American Revolution.

• Discover how our local landscape shaped the fight for independence.
• Uncover stories of famous figures and everyday heroes.
• Reflect on the lasting impact of the ideas that changed history.
• Explore hands-on artifacts and an interactive archeology challenge
• Participate in the “It’s Revolutionary!” trivia show
• Use AI and digital tools for history research
• Find your roots in an interactive genealogy session
• Learn about the African American cemeteries in Fairfax
• View the past and present historic sites
• Engage in interactive research and local history
• Connect with local history nonprofits
• Reflect on student research and poster exhibits

Students, are you a history enthusiast? Sign up to showcase a display tied to your school or community! Please note that middle school students are not eligible to participate in the trivia show.

The conference will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center.

4400 Stringfellow Rd, Chantilly, VA 20151 | Main Office: 703-802-7700
Attendance: 703-802-7782 or rockyrunmiddle.attendance@fcps.edu 
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