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Important Upcoming
October 19th - Federal Impact Aid Survey Opens online in ParentVue.
October 30th - End of 1st Quarter, 2-hour early release
November 2 - School Planning Day, Student Holiday
November 3- Teacher Workday, Student Holiday (Election Day)
November 25-27 - Thanksgiving Break
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A Message From The Principal
Happy fall! The crisp seasonal weather has brought some wonderful weather to recess recently, giving our students a refreshing break during the school day. With the first grading quarter coming to a close on Friday, October 30th, please encourage your child to check in with their teachers now regarding any missing assignments or potential retakes. Waiting until the last minute is never a winning strategy, so having a quick proactive conversation today, will help them meet important deadlines with confidence.
Sincerely,
Principal Washington
Schedule Change - No School March 9 for Eid al-Fitr
FCPS will mark the beginning of Eid al-Fitr with an evening-only observance day on Monday, March 8. There will be school on this day, but major school-sponsored events and activities (such as auditions or tryouts) will not take place.
Tuesday, March 9, will be a holiday for students and staff.
Wednesday, March 10, will be an observance day. There will be school on this day, but certain activities that cannot be made up (major tests, field trips, or mandatory events) will not take place on this day.
For RCMS, Wednesday, March 10, will now be an A Day.
A new school year calendar has been published, which includes this change. Please note that holidays and observances on the calendar may shift due to anticipated lunar sightings. A new A/B Day calendar will be posted to the Carson Website.
Federal Impact Aid Survey Coming Soon!
The Impact Aid Program is a federal program designed to directly compensate local school districts that have been financially impacted by federal activities. The program’s mission is to reimburse local school districts for local revenues lost due to the presence of federally owned, and therefore tax exempt, property.
FCPS is pleased to announce that the Federal Impact Aid Survey will once again be available electronically through your ParentVUE account beginning Monday, October 19th. The enrolling parent is the only one who can complete and submit the online Impact Aid survey. If you have children at multiple FCPS Schools, a survey must be completed for each child for their individual school.
If you do not have a ParentVue account set up, click the link below and follow the step by step guidelines on set-up.
ParentVue-sis-accountsetup
Share Your Feedback on Traveling to and From School
The FCPS Office of Safety and Security and Safe Routes to School program are asking families to share their experiences traveling to and from their child’s school. The feedback will help inform the Fairfax County School Board’s annual assessment of traffic and pedestrian safety near schools.
The Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Survey asks about walking and biking routes, traffic near schools, kiss-and-ride experiences, accessibility, and other safety concerns.
Your feedback will help FCPS identify common issues. Your responses will be kept confidential and shared with school administrators and the Office of Safety and Security. The five-minute survey is open through Thursday, October 15th.
Be sure to identify the school related to your feedback and include specific locations where you have observed a safety issue. If you have students at different schools in FCPS, please complete a different survey for each school.
If you have any questions about the survey, please contact SafeRoutestoSchool@fcps.edu.
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Fall Picture Retakes!
Retakes Thursday, November 5.
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Study Help and Support in Schoology
Study Help and Support Available to Students in Schoology
A new Schoology Study and Support Hub is available for students in Schoology. This space was developed by the FCPS Educational Technology Team with input from students. It is designed to provide essential study tools and academic support resources directly to our learners.
Students can log in to Schoology and read their Schoology announcements or watch this video on the support hub for more information.
Clickhere to register for the Special Education conference
or go to:
https://www.fcps.edu/special-education-family-conference
Twice-Exceptional (2e) Program Info.
We’re excited to share information about Twice-Exceptional (2e) Programming available within our school system. Twice-exceptional students demonstrate advanced abilities while also experiencing learning, attention, or other challenges that may require additional support.
Please view the attached flyer to learn more about 2e programming, available resources, and opportunities to support the unique strengths and needs of twice-exceptional learners.
If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact
Caroline Guild at cjguild@fcps.edu.
Click here for more information
Click here to access the information on Supporting Twice-Exceptional (2e) Learners in FCPS or go to:
https://www.fcps.edu/academics/twice-exceptional-2e-learners
Fall Full-Time AAP Screening
Parents and teachers interested in referring students for the fall full-time AAP screening must submit a full-time AAP referral form to the school’s Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART) by October 16. 2026. Fall 2026 screening is only available to students newly enrolled in FCPS after January 1, 2026, who were not screened in Spring 2026.
For information pertaining to the Fall 2026 screening process, testing and identification timeline or identification and placement, please contact Carrie Guild at cjguild@fcps.edu.
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TJ Information - Link to materials presented below.
Please click here for the power point information and Admissions support shared at the TJ informational session at Carson.
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Applications Open October 5 for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Attention parents/guardians and students,
Current 8th grade students who have an aptitude and passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are encouraged to apply for admission to the Class of 2031 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) beginning on Monday, October 5th at 4:00pm (Freshman Round Calendar) through Wednesday, October 28th at 4:00pm. The application portal, course prerequisites, GPA requirements, and deadlines can be found here: TJHSST Application Information. Some important points about the application process are included below, but it is essential that you review the TJHSST Freshman Application Process if you wish to apply.
If you have any questions about the TJHSST admissions process, make sure you review the TJ Admissions website thoroughly and review the presentation slide deck and Admissions Assessment Information that were shared during the admissions information session that was held at Carson MS on September 29th. If you were unable to attend the admissions information session held at Carson MS, please refer to the TJ Admissions website for the complete list of dates and locations for TJ Admissions Fall Presentation Sessions which are open to the public and being held throughout the county.
TJHSST Eligibility Requirements:
- Students must be enrolled in the following courses in grade 8:
- Algebra 1 Honors or higher-level math
- Honors Science
- One additional honors course in Social Studies or English, or student is identified as a Young Scholar
- Minimum GPA is 3.5. This GPA is for final unweighted marks in 7th grade for math, science, English, social studies, and World Language (if for high school credit) as well as 1st quarter 8th grade for the same subjects. At the completion of 7th grade, should have an unweighted GPA of 3.5 or higher to be eligible to apply. It is highly unlikely that 1st quarter 8th grade marks will elevate a GPA lower than 3.5 at the end of 7th grade to a qualifying GPA. Click here to learn about GPA calculation.
News You Choose
Carson 8th graders will be attending the Finance Park field trip in November and we would love to have you come along with us! We need 25 parent volunteers for each day. This is a 4.5 hour commitment (from 8:35am-1:10pm), which includes an hour of training at the Finance Park facility next to Frost MS before our students arrive. You will help guide students through different phases of the day, which simulate real-world budgeting decisions, spending research, and bill payment. You will also share your own life experiences and help them walk a day in your shoes. You bring the program to life!
Finance Park trips are on the following dates (snow days will be rescheduled at a later time) –
- Ms. Masood Monday, November 16, 2026
- Ms. Khadka: Thursday, November 17, 2026
- Ms. Maldonado: Friday, November 18, 2026
- Ms. Goldstein: Monday, November 19,2026
- Ms. LaRue: Tuesday, November 20, 2026
If you are able to volunteer with Carson’s Finance Park field trip, please view this link to create a JA account and then sign up as a caregiver for your child’s date to volunteer.
https://jagw.volunteerhub.com/vv2/lp/jafpfc
Thank you for donating your time and experience to our students. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s civics teacher.
Register for the World Languages Credit by Exam - Deadline October 16th
This year's World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at each FCPS middle, high, and secondary school.
The World Languages Credit by Exam is an optional test for students in grades 7-12 who can speak and write (type) proficiently in a language other than English. Based on the results of the exam, they can earn 1, 2, and/or 3 passing world language credits. If that language is one of the languages listed below, consider registering your student for the World Languages Credit by Exam!
The World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at Carson Middle School during the week of November 9th.
Registration is now open and closes on October 16th at 4 p.m. To register, please complete a registration form available here: https://www.fcps.edu/form/world-language-credit-exam-wlcbe-notification-and-registration-form and give the completed form to your student's school counselor in person by Friday, October 16th at 2 p.m. Late registrations will not be accepted.
World Language Credit by Exam Information
Click the link below for more information.
26-27 WLCBE School Flyer.pdf
News from the Library: Parent Teen Book Club - You’re Invited!
Are you looking for a way to connect with your teen? Would you like to get involved in the Carson community? Do you love to read? If you answered “YES” to any of the questions, please consider signing up to participate in Carson’s Parent Teen Book Club - Fall Edition.
The Carson Library is to announce our fall Parent Teen Book Club on November 18, 2026 from 7-8:30pm, and we would love to see you there! After choosing one of the five book options, you and your child will be loaned a copy of the book to read. Then, on November 18, we will come together to talk about the book selection and have some light refreshments.
CLICK HERE to learn more and to read about the book choices. Ready to sign up for a fun evening of literary conversations with your middle schooler, fill out the sign up form HERE! Spaces are limited, so don’t delay! Sign-up today!
Please reach out to librarians, Ellen Bickford (elbickford@fcps.edu) or Elizabeth Donovan (emdonovan1@fcps.edu) with any questions. Please note that this is not a family event but rather an event for one adult and one Carson student. Thank you for helping us keep the event appropriately sized for a cozy, meaningful book club.
Set Screen Time Limits and Monitor Online Activity With Lightspeed
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Set Screen Time Limits and Monitor Online Activity With LightspeedThe free Lightspeed Parent Portal makes it easy for you to see and manage how your child uses their FCPS-issued device outside of school hours. New Lightspeed Parent Portal features for this school year include:
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Schedules: Pause or restrict internet access during specific times, such as during homework time, family dinners, weekends, or bedtime.
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Web Rules: Block specific websites you don’t want your child accessing at home.
Be sure to check your email (subject line: “Filter Portal Weekly Report”) each Sunday for the Lightspeed Student Online Activity Report, a weekly summary of the websites your child has visited. Learn more about Lightspeed Parent Reports
Family Resource Center
The Family Resource Center (PRC)offers free workshops (webinars), consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities.
Quarter End, Early Release, Student Holidays:
Friday, October 30, is the last day of the first quarter, and a two-hour early release for students. Schools are closed for students on Monday, November 2, for a school planning day, and Tuesday, November 3, for a teacher workday. See the complete school year calendar.
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FCPS Cares
Do you want to celebrate a Rachel Carson employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way, or goes beyond what is expected? If so, then click here to share with everyone.
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Learn About School Meals
Families need to provide their children with money to purchase meals at school or send them with a packed lunch. Alternatively, families may apply to receive free and reduced-price meal benefits, pending approval.
Lost or Misplaced Bus Passes
Has your student misplaced their bus pass? Before requesting a replacement, please have them check their backpack and other belongings, home, the Carson Middle School main office and with their bus driver.
Please allow at least one week for your student to look for the original pass. If it has not been found, a parent may submit a request using the Bus Pass Request Form. Students may not submit requests themselves.
Requests are processed once a week. Each student may receive one replacement bus pass per school year.
Thank you for helping your student look for the original pass before requesting a replacement.
Learn more about the new transportation system and student ID cards.
Other Schools are Sharing
Westfield High School
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Westfield High School Theatre is offering a FREE workshop for students in 4th to 8th grade on October 12 from 10am to noon. Students will play theatre games, take a backstage tour, and enjoy an immersive theatre experience!
Registration Required. Space is limited. Sign up hereSign up here
Performance Details:
Westfield High School Theatre Presents
Romeo & Juliet
A story of young love, family rivalry, and the enduring power of hope. October 15th & 16th at 7 PM October 17th at 2 PM & 7 PM.
Note: October 16th at 7pm is our American Sign Language interpreted performance.
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The Chantilly High School Drama Department would greatly appreciate your help sharing the information below in an upcoming News You Choose newsletter and/or on your school’s social media channels.
Our fall production, CLUE, is a fun, family-friendly show that we hope will bring audiences from across the Chantilly pyramid together for a great night of theatre!
Thank you so much for your consideration and for supporting the arts and our Chantilly High School students!
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Skyview HS
Dear Students and Families,
We are excited to invite you to Skyview High School’s Water Safety Festival on Tuesday, October 13, from 5:00–7:30 p.m.
This event will kick off Water S.A.F.E. FCPS at Skyview provides students and families with an opportunity to experience the pool in a safe, welcoming environment while learning how to stay safer in, near, and around the water.
Participants will enjoy hands-on activities led by water-safety instructors, FCPS Water Safety Ambassadors, and two special guests—Olympic medalists Maritza Correia McClendon and Cullen Jones. Together, they will help promote water-safety awareness and share the importance of building skills and confidence around water.
Activities will include:
● Reach or Throw—Don’t Go
● Life Jacket and Boating Safety
● Hands-Only CPR
● Water and Pool Rules
● Underwater Robotics and Scuba
The festival will be held at:
Skyview High School 2949 Education Dr. Herndon, VA 20171
Please complete the registration form link provided below if you plan to participate. We are so excited to welcome you and share this special experience with our Skyview community.
Please reach out to Dr. Miriam Lynch (mslynch@fcps.edu) if you have any questions. Registration Link
We look forward to seeing you there!
Best,
Skyview Aquatics Team
Oakton HS
As part of our annual recruiting efforts, we invite 6th-8th graders to join our marching band for an evening to experience life as a Marching Cougar.
This year, the event will take place on October 9 at our game against South Lakes High School. Click the link to our signup page to our signup page if you are interested.
Looking for Adventure & Fun? Join Scouts!
Scout Troop 1530 welcomes youths who are interested in outdoor adventures, camping, leadership, community service, and building friendships. Scouts have opportunities to learn new skills, take on challenges, serve their community, and grow in confidence and independence. Whether you're new to Scouting or looking for a troop to join, we'd love to meet you! Learn more about Troop 1530, upcoming activities, and how to get involved at this site: https://www.bsatroop1530.org/.
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.
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