|
English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو
1. Important Dates
May 13 - Math SOL
May 14 - PTA Meeting, 7 PM, Library
May 15 - Music Department Field Trip
May 18 - NJHS Pinning Ceremony, 3 PM
May 19 - Chorus Concert, 7 PM
May 20 - Band Concert, 7 PM
May 21 - Last day of After-School Program & Late Buses; Orchestra Concert, 7 PM
May 25 - No School (Memorial Day)
May 26 - No School (Teacher Workday)
May 27 - No School (Eid al-Adha)
June 5 - 8th Grade Party, 6 - 8 PM
2. A Note from the Principal
Dear Rocky Run Families-
We had a busy week at Rocky Run! Since 1984, National PTA has designated one week in May as Teacher Appreciation Week. National Teacher Day (May 6) began in 1953 when former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt proposed that Congress set aside a day to acknowledge the work of educators. Additionally, National School Nurse Day was Wednesday, May 6. It is a day to recognize the many contributions that school nurses make to student health and learning. FCPS appreciates the role of School Public Health Nurses (PHNs) for their contribution to the health and welfare of all our students.
This week, we showed our appreciation to ALL RRMS staff members by hosting daily events (in partnership with the PTA). We had a staff BBQ, dessert table, breakfast buffet, etc! Please consider joining our PTA to assist in planning these meaningful events for our school. The PTA is still looking for members to serve of the board. If you'd like more information about this opportunity, please email RockyRunMSPTA@gmail.com.
In addition to celebrating our amazing Ram staff, students took the Reading and Science 8 SOL exams on Tuesday and Thursday respectively. Looking ahead to next week, all students will take their Math SOL on Wednesday, May 13. Be sure to check your SIS ParentVUE accounts for score reporting. We will run make-up exams and expedited retakes for eligible students in the following weeks.
Finally, I'd like to wish a Happy Mother's Day to all Ram moms in the community on Sunday, May 10.
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
End of Year Family Letter- Please Submit!
As the end of the year approaches, we are getting excited to celebrate our students!
We are asking each family to write a letter to their child via a Google form submission. Each student will receive their letter at their team's end of year awards ceremony. Letters may include why you are proud of your child, how you have seen them grow this school year, what you hope for them in the future, etc. We are requesting only one letter per child, if multiple adults would like to contribute for one child, please coordinate so that it is only one submission. Please complete this End of Year Family Letter Form by Friday, May 22nd.
Award ceremonies are for celebrating the year as a team with students and teachers. Families of students receiving awards will be invited to the ceremony which will take place on either June 15 or 16. Invitations will be sent by team lead teachers to those families between May 26-June 1. The letters are a way for all students to receive something special to celebrate their year and should be a surprise – sshhhh!
Questions? Email Emily Texdahl at EWTexdahl@fcps.edu or Anna Slevin at agslevin@fcps.edu.
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: Grant Polakoff (Respectful and Engaged)
Platinum: Devyn Smith (Accountable and Engaged)
Emerald: Ava Phongsavan (Engaged)
Kryptonite: Emma Lee (Engaged)
Tiger's Eye: Cassidy McDonald (Accountable)
Sapphire: Zara Struna (Engaged)
Great job Raising The Ram this week!
8th Grade End of Year Party
We are looking forward to celebrating the end of middle school with our 8th graders on Friday, June 5th, from 6 - 8 PM. We will have a DJ, photobooth, snacks and refreshments. The theme is "A Night in the City of Lights". Suggested attire is semi-formal. It is important to remember that this event is not prom. Limousines are not permitted and there is no expectation for students to have a date for this celebration. This event is only for our current 8th graders (no former students, siblings, family members, etc.). Students will need to be a Ram in Good Standing to attend - students and families will be notified about the tracking dates and criteria. There is no fee for this event as we have raised funds through fundraising efforts and the PTA has generously provided funds for the party, as well.
Students should RSVP so we can plan accordingly.
Donation and parent/guardian volunteer requests are posted here.
More information about party logistics will be sent to our 8th grade families in the coming weeks!
5. Student Services Updates
SY26-27 Intention Form
If your student will be transferring to another school next year, please take a moment to complete the Student Intention Form and email it to Ms. Brown, our Registrar, at KLBrown4@fcps.edu.
If your child will be returning to our school or attending one of our feeder high schools as planned, there’s nothing you need to do—no form is required.
Expunge Form
Middle school offers the unique opportunity to expunge a high school credit course (HS math courses and World Language Courses). This means that there would be no record of this year’s grade on their high school transcript. Please review your child's third quarter grades and contact your child's school counselor for any questions. If you would like to start this process, here is the link to the Expunge Form.
Required Immunizations for Rising 7th Graders
The following immunizations are required for students entering 7th grade each school year.
All students entering seventh grade are required to receive one dose of each of the following immunizations prior to the beginning of school: Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis booster (Tdap), Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY), and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
- To meet the Tdap requirement, the vaccination must be administered at age 7 or older.
- To meet the MenACWY requirement, the vaccination must be administered at age 10 or older.
- To meet the HPV requirement, the vaccination should be given between the ages of 11 to 12, or as early as 9 years old.
- As a parent/guardian, you may decide that your child will not receive the HPV vaccination. The school does not require documentation if a parent/guardian elects for their student to not receive the HPV vaccination.
Please consider getting your child’s immunizations early so that they can attend school in the fall. Parents and guardians are encouraged to plan ahead by scheduling an appointment with your child’s health care provider now to avoid the typical summer vaccination rush. Summer is a busy time for families and health care providers. As long as your child meets the age requirements listed above, they can be immunized at any time.
Immunization Events for FCPS Students
FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will provide school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students at no out-of-pocket cost. Multiple events will take place at designated FCPS locations.
Dates will be made available throughout the school year. Parents and guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary. View additional immunization resources.
6. Instructional Updates
Library Happenings
This week has been super busy in the library! Mrs. DeRusso’s Spanish 2 classes spent Monday, Wednesday, and Friday finishing their picture book project. It has been an incredible way for students to demonstrate their knowledge of Spanish while also learning about the nuances of how illustrations and text work together to create a meaningful experience for the reader. Students showcased their knowledge of preterite and imperfect verbs, in addition to commands and other vocabulary while also creating their own original characters, storyline, and illustrations using Canva. It has been an authentic way for students to culminate all of their learning this year.
Finally, also on Wednesday and Friday, Mrs. Schopp’s Civics classes used the supplies in the Inspiration Studio to create prototypes for an original invention. They are learning marketing skills, supply and demand, and practicing their critical thinking skills when figuring out which materials are best for their product!
RRMS Spirit Wear Sale!
Get your student excited about coming to Rocky Run in the fall with new spirit wear! With lots of color options and styles, there is something for everyone, including family members! Visit bit.ly/RRSpiritWear to view the store. All purchases will be sent directly to your address during the first week of June. Hurry! The spirit wear store closes on May 24.
7. After School Program Information
After-School Schedule for the week of 5/11
- Mark your calendars - the last day for after-school programs and late buses will be Thursday, May 21
High School Sports Interest Meetings
- Interest meetings will be scheduled through the After-School Program as Mrs. Campbell hears from the high school coaches. Watch for updates!
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:
- 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.
Questions? Contact Shannon Campbell, After-School Program Specialist, at SLCampbell@fcps.edu.
Middle School Sports Physicals for 2026-2027
Registration for FCPS athletic preparticipation exams (physicals) is now open: APPOINTMENT REGISTRATION
- All middle and high school students interested in participating in school athletic programs MUST have a valid athletic physical on file with their school prior to participating.
- All rising 7th and 8th graders for next school year (2026-2027) who are interested in participating in the middle school sports program are eligible to receive a FREE athletic physical exam through these events.
- Rising 8th graders - if you submitted a sports physical this school year, that packet is good for 14 months. Email Shannon Campbell at SLCampbell@fcps.edu if you want to check the expiration date.
- Middle School Sports Physical Packet
- Rising 9th graders - the physical exam is $50 and you can sign up using the link above.
- If you submitted a sports physical packet this year, it is good for 14 months, but you will need to complete a new page 1-2 that is specific to high school. If you want the document back that you had signed by the doctor, please email Shannon Campbell at SLCampbell@fcps.edu to arrange for pick-up.
- High School Sports Physical Packet
- Athletic physicals are coordinated by the certified athletic trainers at our FCPS high schools and are only available at the dates and times indicated. Students must register in advance and additional information is available through the link above.
Questions? Reach out to Shannon Campbell.
8. Community Corner
Chantilly HS Math Competition
Check out chantillymath.com for event details and registration. This is open to students in grades 3 - 8 and will be held on May 18th from 4:30 - 8:30 PM.
BANDEMONIUM!
Please join the Centreville High School Wildcat Band at the 5th annual BANDEMONIUM! – an outdoor music festival under the stars – on Friday, May 15th at 6:30PM in the school’s bus loop. The Centreville High School Indoor Drumline, Winterguard, Jazz Workshop, JazzCats, Percussion Ensemble, Chamber Ensembles, Concert Band, Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble will dazzle audiences with a variety of great music! Food for purchase from trucks La Buena Empanada, KBBQ Box, Two Smooth Dudes, Kona Ice and Adam's Delights Ice Cream will be onsite for guests to purchase food to enjoy while the musicians entertain the crowd. From young to old, there will be something for everyone! Audience members will have the opportunity to get their faces painted, get Centreville Wildcat pawprint tattoos and even dance along to some swingin’ jazz tunes!
This year’s Bandemonium theme is “OFF ROAD” - each band is performing a piece featuring a Fast Car! 500 folding chairs will be available for guests to sit in but guests are also encouraged to bring picnic blankets and camping chairs. In case of rain, the concert will be moved indoors into the cafeteria.
This is a FREE, family-friendly event that we hope will bring in many guests from the Centreville community. Come celebrate a tremendous year of music making along with the Centreville High School Wildcat Band family. We hope to see everyone there!
|
