FCPS

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Important Dates

May 15 - Math SOL

May 17 - Science SOL

May 22 - NJHS Pinning Ceremony

May 27 - Holiday (No School)

May 30 - Last Day of After-School Activities & Late Buses

May 31 - 8th Grade End of Year Celebration, 6 - 8 PM

RAISE the Ram Card Winners

Congratulations to this week's Ram card winners:

William Hyun (Engaged)

Makaela Soriano (Engaged)

Ana Munoz Chavarria (Engaged)

Saaya Patel (Engaged)

Joel Viera Hernandez (Engaged)

Eva Godoy (Respectful, Accountable, and Engaged)

Great job Raising the Ram!

A Note from the Principal

Dear Rocky Run Community-

This past week we celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week. This week on the calendar is always one of the best weeks to be in schools.  I always enjoy modeling service leadership by flipping burgers, dishing out ice cream, covering classes, etc. However, I realize that no amount of small tokens and gestures can truly show our staff how much we are grateful for all they do for our students and community. Every day they show their passion, resiliency, and commitment to students. The teachers make Rocky Run special.

The timing of the weeklong celebration was a great way to get our staff energized for end of year testing. We have two SOL tests next week. All students will take math on Wednesday and 8th graders will take Science on Friday. Be sure to have your students bring a fully changed laptop each day. 

The month of May also recognizes two groups that we celebrate in our community; Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Jewish American Heritage Month.  

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

• Explore exhibits, collections, and videos.
• Check out this cool PBS video for more information about Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
• Take a virtual tour to explore parks, memorials, and historic sites

Jewish American Heritage Month

• The 31 days of May are designated as Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) when we pay tribute to the achievements and contributions made by American Jews throughout our nation’s history. 
• The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of Jewish Americans who have helped form the fabric of American history, culture, and society. More information is available online. 
• Additional Resources about the contributions of Jewish Americans can be found at the National Archives and Library of Congress.

As always, thank you for your continued partnership and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions. I look forward to seeing you at RRMS soon.

Sincerely,

Peter Kownacki
Principal
Rocky Run Middle School
@pakownacki

SY24-25 Intention Form

If your student is transferring to another school next year, please complete the  Student Intention Form and send it to Ms. White, our Registrar via email at  [email protected]. No need to submit the form if your child is going to attend our school or one of our feeder high schools as planned. 

Spring Standards of Learning (SOL)

State assessments measure the extent to which students have learned the content and skills reflected in state standards and may also be used to measure growth in learning state standards. The format and timing of state assessments vary by grade level and content area, as noted in the table below. These include:

• Spring Standards of Learning (SOL) standardized tests in reading, mathematics, and science. For certain grade levels, the reading SOL tests includes an integrated reading/writing (IRW) component. More information is available on the SOL assessments webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/node/35021); 

• The Grade Level Tests webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/student-assessment/grade-level-tests) provides information by grade level about the general assessment schedule and reporting method for each required assessment type in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS).

Test dates for Rocky Run Middle School are scheduled as follows:

• May 15 – Math SOL (7th and 8th)
• May 17 – Science SOL (8th grade only)

If you have questions about state assessments, contact your student’s counselor or Ashleigh Kim ([email protected]), the school test coordinator.

Expunging High School Credits

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). VA State and FCPS regulations permit parents/guardians to make a request to have that course expunged from the student’s record.  

Please contact your child's school counselor if you have any questions or to submit the completed Request to Expunge High School Courses Taken in Middle School Form.

PTA Updates

Please join the PTA at our final two meetings of the year.  On Wednesday, May 22, at 6:30pm in the library, we will review all the activities sponsored by the PTA for the second half of the year, give a budget update, and share information for those interested in serving on the 2024-2025 PTA Board.  On June 5, at 6:30pm in the library, we will hold an election to fill the open PTA Board positions.  For more information, email [email protected].

Attention 8th Grade Families!

8th Grade Families are invited to come out May 30th as we cover Rocky Run’s grounds with messages of cheer and encouragement for our rising 9th graders!  Drop by anytime between 4-7pm, grab some chalk, and chalk the walk with us.  We are so very proud of our 8th graders RAISING the RAM all year long, and we want to send them off with a bang!  Hope to see you there.

8th Grade Spring Slideshow

We would love to collect pictures of each of our current 8th graders (one picture as a baby/young child and one current picture).  We will put these into a slideshow to present to the students during their 8th grade end of year school-day celebration on Monday, June 10.  Please submit your pictures using this form by Friday, May 31. If you do not want your student to be included in this slideshow, please opt out on the form. Questions?  Email Emily Texdahl at [email protected] or Shannon Campbell at [email protected].

Congratulations to TSA!

Twenty-seven students attended the Technology Student Association (TSA) State competition this past weekend.  They received 16 top 10 finishes and 7 top three trophies for their science, engineering and technology entries.  Additionally, Meghana N. was selected the 9th overall middle school student and Rocky Run was the 4th place most outstanding middle school.  

Sports Physicals

Athletic physicals are required for all middle and high school student-athletes.  Beginning May 1, 2024, FCPS high schools will offer athletic pre-participation physical exams for students interested in sports during the 2024-25 school year.   This is for rising 7th and rising 8th graders who are interested in participating in our Cross Country and/or Track & Field teams next year OR rising 9th graders who will be participating in a high school sport next year.  These events serve as the primary fundraiser for our high school athletic training programs and each exam costs $50.  Rising middle school students are eligible to receive a physical at no cost although donations to the HS athletic training program are welcomed. 

Pre-registration is highly encouraged; walk-in appointments may not be available.  You can register here: Student registration.  Once your registration is received, the school’s athletic trainer will contact you to confirm your appointment time.  Athletic physical exams must be completed on this form:

Form for Rising 7th and Rising 8th Grade Students to participate in Cross Country and/or Track & Field next school year.  Please note:  A physical is NOT required for general participation in the Middle School After-School Program - this is only for Cross Country and/or Track & Field participants:  FCPS Middle School Sports Athletic Participation/Parental Consent/Physical Examination Form (PPE)

Form for Rising 9th Grade Students to participate in any high school sport next year:  https://www.fcps.edu/activities/student-athletics

If you are a medical professional (MD, DO, NP, PA, ATC, PT, EMT, etc.) interested in volunteering your time in support of these events, please register to help out: Volunteer registration.

Questions about middle school forms?  Contact Shannon Campbell at [email protected].  Questions about high school forms?  Contact your high school's athletics office.

Summer Camps and Learning Programs

Have you made summer plans for your child yet? Are you looking for a camp for your child with special needs?

The Family Resource Center has compiled information on summer camps including local options, camps for students with special needs (sorted by need), and camps for students experiencing grief or who have parents in the military.

FCPS Summer Camp Offerings

Registration is now open for many summer camps and learning opportunities offered by FCPS for all students.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts (IFTA) camps will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Visit these sites for more information:

• Tech Adventures (elementary) 
• CTE Summer Academy (middle and high school)
• E-IFTA (elementary)
• IFTA (middle and high school)
• Economics and Personal Finance course (high school)
• Online Campus Program (middle and high school)
• Credit Recovery Academy (middle and high school)
• English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) (middle and high school)

Find session dates and registration links and deadlines on the FCPS summer programs webpage.

Save the Date for our Annual 8th Grade End of Year Party!  Suggested attire is semi-formal  RSVP Here Sign up here to donate items and/or volunteer After-School Program Information

Schedule for the week of 5/13

Important Program Information:

• Chantilly HS Color Guard will host interest sessions on Monday, 5/13, and Thursday, 5/16.  Information can be found on this sign-up form.
• Mark your calendar - there will be no after-school activities and no late buses on 5/24.  The last day of late buses and activities for the school year will be Thursday, 5/30.  
• Program updates, announcements, schedules, and late bus routes will be communicated through the After-School Schoology Course - all families have been added
• Registration form is required for ALL RRMS students (regardless of intent to participate).  Your student will not be able to stay after for any clubs, activities, or events if this form is not completed.  
• Check out our Program Preview

Questions?  Contact Shannon Campbell, After-School Program Specialist, at [email protected]

Quick Links

• Family Resource Center

• Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms

• Mental Health Resources and Emergency Services Information
• SIS ParentVUE
• Standard School Year Calendar

4400 Stringfellow Rd, Chantilly, VA 20151 | Main Office: 703-802-7700
Attendance: 703-802-7782 or [email protected] 
Web | Twitter

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Important Dates

May 9 - Reading SOL

May 10 - Music Department Trip

May 15 - Math SOL

May 17 - Science SOL; Talent Show, 7 PM

May 22 - NJHS Pinning Ceremony

May 27 - Holiday (No School)

May 30 - Last Day of After-School Activities & Late Buses

May 31 - 8th Grade End of Year Celebration, 6 - 8 PM

A Note from the Principal

Dear Rocky Run Community-

What a busy week at Rocky Run, even though there were only 4 days of schools. I've said it before, but I'll say it again, sometimes it feels like we cram 5 days of learning and activities into 4 day weeks. This week epitomized that idea.

On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday all of our 7th grade students had the opportunity to head into Washington DC to tour the National Mall and visit the monuments for the people and events that they've been studying all year. As a product of FCPS schools and a lifelong resident of Northern Virginia, I think that I often take our proximity to DC for granted. What a cool field trip and experience for our students. I attended the trip on Wednesday (as a school employee and dad) and the weather was amazing! We were lucky to have great weather and happened to be at the World War 2 memorial during an Honor Flight ceremony. I definitely achieved my daily 10,000 steps goal. 

Not to forget about our 8th grade students, on Thursday we hosted our annual 8th Grade Family Night. We welcomed the PTA's of our feeder high schools, hosted student panels from recent RRMS alumni to talk about the transition to high school and led panels by our math teachers on what to expect in high school. By far, the highlight of the night was the green screen where students could take pictures with their high school mascots! Thanks to all the RRMS staff and community members that made the event so meaningful.

As always, thank you for your continued partnership and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions. I look forward to seeing you at RRMS soon.

Sincerely,

Peter Kownacki
Principal
Rocky Run Middle School
@pakownacki

Thank a Staff Member!

Rocky Run will be celebrating Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week the week of May 6-May 10. We would like to give your community the opportunity to thank a staff member or share what makes them special! If you'd like to participate, please fill out this form today!

Thank you!

SY24-25 Intention Form

If your student is transferring to another school next year, please complete the  Student Intention Form and send it to Ms. White, our Registrar via email at  [email protected]. No need to submit the form if your child is going to attend our school or one of our feeder high schools as planned. 

Spring Standards of Learning (SOL)

State assessments measure the extent to which students have learned the content and skills reflected in state standards and may also be used to measure growth in learning state standards. The format and timing of state assessments vary by grade level and content area, as noted in the table below. These include:

• Spring Standards of Learning (SOL) standardized tests in reading, mathematics, and science. For certain grade levels, the reading SOL tests includes an integrated reading/writing (IRW) component. More information is available on the SOL assessments webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/node/35021); 

• The Grade Level Tests webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/student-assessment/grade-level-tests) provides information by grade level about the general assessment schedule and reporting method for each required assessment type in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS).

Test dates for Rocky Run Middle School are scheduled as follows:

• May 9 – Reading SOL (7th and 8th)
• May 15 – Math SOL (7th and 8th)
• May 17 – Science SOL (8th grade only)

If you have questions about state assessments, contact your student’s counselor or Ashleigh Kim ([email protected]), the school test coordinator.

Eco Club Earth Day Cleanup

On Tuesday, forty 7th and 8th grade students picked up litter on the grounds of Rocky run. They snacked on banans and learned about composting the peels to reduce their carbon footprint!

A huge thanks to all of the students who came out to help keep our school grounds looking beautiful, and to our amazing Eco Club sponsor, Ms. Renee Martin!

Chantilly Charge Ahead Program for Rising 9th Graders

Please see the flyer for information about the Charge Ahead program for rising 9th graders at Chantilly!

Registration link: https://forms.gle/9eL8UB9ydgg3uyuGA Payment via students www.myschoolbucks.com

Sports Physicals

Athletic physicals are required for all middle and high school student-athletes.  Beginning May 1, 2024, FCPS high schools will offer athletic pre-participation physical exams for students interested in sports during the 2024-25 school year.   This is for rising 7th and rising 8th graders who are interested in participating in our Cross Country and/or Track & Field teams next year OR rising 9th graders who will be participating in a high school sport next year.  These events serve as the primary fundraiser for our high school athletic training programs and each exam costs $50.  Rising middle school students are eligible to receive a physical at no cost although donations to the HS athletic training program are welcomed. 

Pre-registration is highly encouraged; walk-in appointments may not be available.  You can register here: Student registration.  Once your registration is received, the school’s athletic trainer will contact you to confirm your appointment time.  Athletic physical exams must be completed on this form:

Form for Rising 7th and Rising 8th Grade Students to participate in Cross Country and/or Track & Field next school year.  Please note:  A physical is NOT required for general participation in the Middle School After-School Program - this is only for Cross Country and/or Track & Field participants:  FCPS Middle School Sports Athletic Participation/Parental Consent/Physical Examination Form (PPE)

Form for Rising 9th Grade Students to participate in any high school sport next year:  https://www.fcps.edu/activities/student-athletics

If you are a medical professional (MD, DO, NP, PA, ATC, PT, EMT, etc.) interested in volunteering your time in support of these events, please register to help out: Volunteer registration.

Questions about middle school forms?  Contact Shannon Campbell at [email protected].  Questions about high school forms?  Contact your high school's athletics office.

Library Updates

School Library Month was a fantastic success! There were some great discussions and contests on Schoology, a wonderful author visit and evening Family Book Club with Stuart Gibbs, a successful Poetry Palooza with English 8, enlightening AI professional development for staff, students making buttons and magnets, and more! All of the student and staff participation in School Library Month activities makes clear that our school community values and enjoys our library in many ways.

April brought some professional growth for me, including the spring professional development hosted by FCPS Library Services. We discussed many topics including the ethics and impact of AI in education and Universal Design for Learning. I also co-led sessions on creating a safe, welcoming library for all. Finally, I was honored to be recognized by the FCPS School Board for recently achieving National Board Certification in Library Media. This certification is hailed as the gold standard for excellence in teaching, learning, assessing student work, and impact of the school library on students’ personal and academic growth. I am proud to be a librarian leader, both in FCPS and on the national level.

May Updates: The school year is quickly coming to a close! All library books need to be returned by May 29. I will be visiting with students soon in their English class to remind them of any books they have checked out. If your student can’t find their library book, please contact me to arrange replacement. ([email protected]) More coming soon!

Summer Camps and Learning Programs

Have you made summer plans for your child yet? Are you looking for a camp for your child with special needs?

The Family Resource Center has compiled information on summer camps including local options, camps for students with special needs (sorted by need), and camps for students experiencing grief or who have parents in the military.

FCPS Summer Camp Offerings

Registration is now open for many summer camps and learning opportunities offered by FCPS for all students.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts (IFTA) camps will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Visit these sites for more information:

• Tech Adventures (elementary) 
• CTE Summer Academy (middle and high school)
• E-IFTA (elementary)
• IFTA (middle and high school)
• Economics and Personal Finance course (high school)
• Online Campus Program (middle and high school)
• Credit Recovery Academy (middle and high school)
• English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) (middle and high school)

Find session dates and registration links and deadlines on the FCPS summer programs webpage.

Save the Date for our Annual 8th Grade End of Year Party!  Suggested attire is semi-formal  RSVP Here Sign up here to donate items and/or volunteer After-School Program Information

Schedule for the week of 5/6

Important Program Information:

• Mark your calendar - there will be no after-school activities and no late buses on 5/24.  The last day of late buses and activities for the school year will be Thursday, 5/30.  
• Program updates, announcements, schedules, and late bus routes will be communicated through the After-School Schoology Course - all families have been added
• Registration form is required for ALL RRMS students (regardless of intent to participate).  Your student will not be able to stay after for any clubs, activities, or events if this form is not completed.  
• Check out our Program Preview

Questions?  Contact Shannon Campbell, After-School Program Specialist, at [email protected]

Quick Links

• Family Resource Center

• Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms

• Mental Health Resources and Emergency Services Information
• SIS ParentVUE
• Standard School Year Calendar

4400 Stringfellow Rd, Chantilly, VA 20151 | Main Office: 703-802-7700
Attendance: 703-802-7782 or [email protected] 
Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Important Dates

April 29 - History 7 Field Trip (Emerald Team)

April 30 - History 7 Field Trip (Meteors Team)

May 1 - History 7 Field Trip (Platinum Team) 

May 2 - 8th Grade Family Night, 6 - 7:30 PM

May 3 - No School (Teacher Workday)

May 9 - Reading SOL

May 10 - Music Department Trip

May 15 - Math SOL

May 17 - Science SOL; Talent Show, 7 PM

RAISE the Ram Card Winners

Congratulations to this week's Ram card winners:

Miles Denny (Engaged)

Chhay Eur Heng (Accountable and Engaged)

Essam Mikhail (Inclusive and Engaged)

Emily Chung (Engaged)

Aaliyah Humphrey (Respectful, Accountable, Safe, and Engaged)

Sebastian Freite (Engaged)

Great job Raising the Ram!

A Note from the Principal

Dear Rocky Run Community-

This week, I spent a lot of time with our students in 7th and 8th grade English classrooms. Each grade level was studying poetry. Our 7th grade students attended class in a "poetry cafe" and shared original pieces. Students (and guests) had the opportunity to read other works and provide feedback. The 7th grade teachers put up cool decorations to transform the space. For a brief second I thought I was in an urban literary coffee house! Our 8th grade students learned about creative ways to write poetry as they visited our library. Teachers had five different workshops set up to allow students to create poems through blackout technique, word tiles, paint chip samples, etc. I encourage you to talk to your students this weekend about their poetry experiences. 

Looking forward to the coming weeks, students will have a four-day week next week, as we observe Orthodox Good Friday on May 3. Millions of Orthodox Christians commemorate Good Friday, also known as “Great Friday” to remember the events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion. There will be no school for students that day. See the complete school year calendar.

When students come back, we will begin our SOL testing window. 7th and 8th graders will take the reading SOL on Thursday, May 9. All students will take their math SOL on Wednesday, May 15. 8th graders will take their science SOL on Friday, May 17. Please be sure to make note of these dates and try to avoid pulling students out of school. On testing days, we begin the assessment at 7:30. We request that families are mindful of tardiness in order to provide enough time for students to complete the assessment. 

As always, thank you for your continued partnership and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions. I look forward to seeing you at RRMS soon.

Sincerely,

Peter Kownacki
Principal
Rocky Run Middle School
@pakownacki

March Rams on a Roll

Congratulations to the following students who were selected by their teams as Rams on a Roll for March. Great work! Way to Raise the Ram!

Emerald: Calvert Klarevas and Vanessa Wang

Meteors: Camila Anaya Rivera and Kayley Burns

Platinum: Christine Bruening and Austin Nguyen

Kryptonite: Ellen Kim and Nadide Turhan

Sapphire: Pinar Demirtas and Joey Kim

Tiger's Eye: Mariya Dar and Ashyr McDonald

Thank a Staff Member!

Rocky Run will be celebrating Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week the week of May 6-May 10. We would like to give your community the opportunity to thank a staff member or share what makes them special! If you'd like to participate,please fill out this form by next Friday, May 3.

Thank you!

Chantilly Pyramid Night

All pyramid students are welcome! Students wearing spirit gear get in free with a paying adult!

Spring Family Night for 8th Grade Families

Save the date! We are excited to announce that our second annual Spring Family Night for 8th Grade Families will be held on Thursday, May 2nd from 6:00-7:30 pm.  This event is being planned to answer your questions about the upcoming transition to high school. The evening will include:

• Resource fair with representatives from our three main high schools and community organizations (including some HS spirit wear sales!)
• Student panel of Rocky Run alumni/current high school students for questions and answers
• Counselor presentation on how to help your student get and stay organized for success in high school
• Q&A on how to decipher the FCPS high school math sequence
• Green screen photo booth with your choice of a Chantilly, Centreville, or Westfield background
• Sessions in Korean and in Spanish on what to expect next year

While RSVPs are not required, for our planning purposes, we would appreciate it if you could let us know that you are planning to join us by completing this Google form. If you have any questions, please contact Lorraine Marshall at [email protected] or Rachel Sweeney at [email protected].

We look forward to welcoming you to Rocky Run on May 2nd!

Spring Standards of Learning (SOL)

State assessments measure the extent to which students have learned the content and skills reflected in state standards and may also be used to measure growth in learning state standards. The format and timing of state assessments vary by grade level and content area, as noted in the table below. These include:

• Spring Standards of Learning (SOL) standardized tests in reading, mathematics, and science. For certain grade levels, the reading SOL tests includes an integrated reading/writing (IRW) component. More information is available on the SOL assessments webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/node/35021); 

• The Grade Level Tests webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/student-assessment/grade-level-tests) provides information by grade level about the general assessment schedule and reporting method for each required assessment type in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS).

Test dates for Rocky Run Middle School are scheduled as follows:

• May 9 – Reading SOL (7th and 8th)
• May 15 – Math SOL (7th and 8th)
• May 17 – Science SOL (8th grade only)

If you have questions about state assessments, contact your student’s counselor or Ashleigh Kim ([email protected]), the school test coordinator.

Last chance to order a Yearbook!!

 The yearbook order center will close for orders tomorrow, Saturday, April 27. This is your last chance to pre-order and secure a book for your student. 

To Order: Visit : www.yearbookordercenter.com and use school code 5333

Sports Physicals

Athletic physicals are required for all middle and high school student-athletes.  Beginning May 1, 2024, FCPS high schools will offer athletic pre-participation physical exams for students interested in sports during the 2024-25 school year.   This is for rising 7th and rising 8th graders who are interested in participating in our Cross Country and/or Track & Field teams next year OR rising 9th graders who will be participating in a high school sport next year.  These events serve as the primary fundraiser for our high school athletic training programs and each exam costs $50.  Rising middle school students are eligible to receive a physical at no cost although donations to the HS athletic training program are welcomed. 

Pre-registration is highly encouraged; walk-in appointments may not be available.  You can register here: Student registration.  Once your registration is received, the school’s athletic trainer will contact you to confirm your appointment time.  Athletic physical exams must be completed on this form:

Form for Rising 7th and Rising 8th Grade Students to participate in Cross Country and/or Track & Field next school year.  Please note:  A physical is NOT required for general participation in the Middle School After-School Program - this is only for Cross Country and/or Track & Field participants:  FCPS Middle School Sports Athletic Participation/Parental Consent/Physical Examination Form (PPE)

Form for Rising 9th Grade Students to participate in any high school sport next year:  https://www.fcps.edu/activities/student-athletics

If you are a medical professional (MD, DO, NP, PA, ATC, PT, EMT, etc.) interested in volunteering your time in support of these events, please register to help out: Volunteer registration.

Questions about middle school forms?  Contact Shannon Campbell at [email protected].  Questions about high school forms?  Contact your high school's athletics office.

Westfield High School Theatre Presents Freaky Friday, A New Musical

May 2, 3, 4 at 7pm and May 4 at 2pm (Mother--Daughter Matinee)

Musical is appropriate for all ages.

When an overworked mother and her teenage daughter magically swap bodies, they have just one day to put things right again. Freaky Friday, a new musical based on the celebrated novel by Mary Rodgers and the hit Disney films, is a heartfelt, comedic, and unexpectedly emotional update on an American classic. By spending a day in each other's shoes, Katherine and Ellie come to appreciate one another's struggles, learn self-acceptance, and realize the immeasurable love and mutual respect that bond a mother and daughter.

Our matinee performance will feature various mother-daughter themed events including a dress like your mother, dress like your daughter fashion show, pre-show & intermission shout-outs to your mom or daughter, and a photo booth!

We are also hosting a FREE theatre workshop for 4th-8th graders on the next teacher workday - May 3rd from 2-4pm at Westfield.

All info found at www.westfieldtheatre.com

Summer Camps and Learning Programs

Have you made summer plans for your child yet? Are you looking for a camp for your child with special needs?

The Family Resource Center has compiled information on summer camps including local options, camps for students with special needs (sorted by need), and camps for students experiencing grief or who have parents in the military.

FCPS Summer Camp Offerings

Registration is now open for many summer camps and learning opportunities offered by FCPS for all students.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts (IFTA) camps will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Visit these sites for more information:

• Tech Adventures (elementary) 
• CTE Summer Academy (middle and high school)
• E-IFTA (elementary)
• IFTA (middle and high school)
• Economics and Personal Finance course (high school)
• Online Campus Program (middle and high school)
• Credit Recovery Academy (middle and high school)
• English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) (middle and high school)

Find session dates and registration links and deadlines on the FCPS summer programs webpage.

Save the Date for our Annual 8th Grade End of Year Party!  Suggested attire is semi-formal.   More information coming soon!   After-School Program Information

Schedule for the week of 4/29

Important Program Information:

• Mark your calendar - there will be no after-school activities and no late buses on 5/24.  The last day of late buses and activities for the school year will be Thursday, 5/31.  
• We are proud of our volleyball teams on great games at Katherine Johnson MS last Friday night.  They showed great teamwork and sportsmanship, and had a lot of fun on the court.  Go Rams!
• Program updates, announcements, schedules, and late bus routes will be communicated through the After-School Schoology Course - all families have been added
• Registration form is required for ALL RRMS students (regardless of intent to participate).  Your student will not be able to stay after for any clubs, activities, or events if this form is not completed.  
• Check out our Program Preview

Questions?  Contact Shannon Campbell, After-School Program Specialist, at [email protected]

Quick Links

• Family Resource Center

• Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms

• Mental Health Resources and Emergency Services Information
• SIS ParentVUE
• Standard School Year Calendar

4400 Stringfellow Rd, Chantilly, VA 20151 | Main Office: 703-802-7700
Attendance: 703-802-7782 or [email protected] 
Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Important Dates

April 29 - May 1 - History 7 Field Trips (by team)

May 2 - 8th Grade Family Night, 6 - 7:30 PM

May 3 - No School (Teacher Workday)

May 9 - Reading SOL

May 10 - Music Department Trip

May 15 - Math SOL

May 17 - Science SOL

RAISE the Ram Card Winners

Congratulations to this week's Ram card winners:

Angel Castro (Safe)

Tegan Burns (Accountable and Engaged)

Samuel Feldshteyn (Respectful and Engaged)

Patrick Fisher (Respectful and Engaged)

Ruby Bang (Engaged)

Riley Lorjuste (Engaged)

Great job Raising the Ram!

A Note from the Principal

Dear Rocky Run Community-

We wrapped up one of my favorite weeks of the year at Rocky Run! We had the pleasure of welcoming best-selling author Stuart Gibbs to school on Wednesday. Kids (and staff) were in awe of the literary celebrity walking our halls. Mr. Gibbs had lunch with students, signed autographs and talked about the writing process. One cool piece of information that I learned was he came up with the idea for his series, "Spy School" while he was a middle school student. I think his presentations really energized the students to flex their creative muscles! 

We wrapped up the week by celebrating the "Month of the Military Child" with a breakfast on Friday to celebrate our military connected students. These students rock! I am envious of their strength and flexibility as they navigate growing up within the military system. The motto, "bloom where you are planted" is evident with our Rocky Run Rams.

Next week, April 22-April 26 celebrates Administrative Professional Appreciation Week. Please join me in giving a HUGE thank you to our amazing office staff. Rocky Run would not be the school that it is without the hard work and community focus from AJ Ries, Carol Cutler, Will Martin, Carol Chrzanowski, and Cleo White. 

As always, thank you for your continued partnership and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions. I look forward to seeing you at RRMS soon.

Sincerely,

Peter Kownacki
Principal
Rocky Run Middle School
@pakownacki

Next week is Stress Less week at Rocky Run. 

Join in spirit wear as we celebrate ways we can take care of ourselves

when things can feel overwhelming. 

Remember, we (your school counselors) are always here to help you, too! 

Mrs. Bae, Dr. Jacobson, & Mrs. Marshall

Spring Family Night for 8th Grade Families

Save the date! We are excited to announce that our second annual Spring Family Night for 8th Grade Families will be held on Thursday, May 2nd from 6:00-7:30 pm.  This event is being planned to answer your questions about the upcoming transition to high school. The evening will include:

• Resource fair with representatives from our three main high schools and community organizations (including some HS spirit wear sales!)
• Student panel of Rocky Run alumni/current high school students for questions and answers
• Counselor presentation on how to help your student get and stay organized for success in high school
• Q&A on how to decipher the FCPS high school math sequence
• Green screen photo booth with your choice of a Chantilly, Centreville, or Westfield background
• Sessions in Korean and in Spanish on what to expect next year

While RSVPs are not required, for our planning purposes, we would appreciate it if you could let us know that you are planning to join us by completing this Google form. If you have any questions, please contact Lorraine Marshall at [email protected] or Rachel Sweeney at [email protected].

We look forward to welcoming you to Rocky Run on May 2nd!

Spring Standards of Learning (SOL)

State assessments measure the extent to which students have learned the content and skills reflected in state standards and may also be used to measure growth in learning state standards. The format and timing of state assessments vary by grade level and content area, as noted in the table below. These include:

• Spring Standards of Learning (SOL) standardized tests in reading, mathematics, and science. For certain grade levels, the reading SOL tests includes an integrated reading/writing (IRW) component. More information is available on the SOL assessments webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/node/35021); 

• The Grade Level Tests webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/student-assessment/grade-level-tests) provides information by grade level about the general assessment schedule and reporting method for each required assessment type in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS).

Test dates for Rocky Run Middle School are scheduled as follows:

• May 9 – Reading SOL (7th and 8th)
• May 15 – Math SOL (7th and 8th)
• May 17 – Science SOL (8th grade only)

If you have questions about state assessments, contact your student’s counselor or Ashleigh Kim ([email protected]), the school test coordinator.

Final week to order a Yearbook!!

 The yearbook order center will close for orders next Saturday, April 27. This is your last chance to pre-order and secure a book for your student. 

To Order: Visit : www.yearbookordercenter.com and use school code 5333

Lost and Found

Our lost and found is overflowing and items will soon be donated or discarded.  If your student is missing items (sweatshirts, jackets, water bottles, etc.), please have them check the lost and found in the cafeteria by Friday, 4/26.

Sports Physicals

Athletic physicals are required for all middle and high school student-athletes.  Beginning May 1, 2024, FCPS high schools will offer athletic pre-participation physical exams for students interested in sports during the 2024-25 school year.   This is for rising 7th and rising 8th graders who are interested in participating in our Cross Country and/or Track & Field teams next year OR rising 9th graders who will be participating in a high school sport next year.  These events serve as the primary fundraiser for our high school athletic training programs and each exam costs $50.  Rising middle school students are eligible to receive a physical at no cost although donations to the HS athletic training program are welcomed. 

Pre-registration is highly encouraged; walk-in appointments may not be available.  You can register here: Student registration.  Once your registration is received, the school’s athletic trainer will contact you to confirm your appointment time.  Athletic physical exams must be completed on this form:

Form for Rising 7th and Rising 8th Grade Students to participate in Cross Country and/or Track & Field next school year.  Please note:  A physical is NOT required for general participation in the Middle School After-School Program - this is only for Cross Country and/or Track & Field participants:  FCPS Middle School Sports Athletic Participation/Parental Consent/Physical Examination Form (PPE)

Form for Rising 9th Grade Students to participate in any high school sport next year:  https://www.fcps.edu/activities/student-athletics

If you are a medical professional (MD, DO, NP, PA, ATC, PT, EMT, etc.) interested in volunteering your time in support of these events, please register to help out: Volunteer registration.

Questions about middle school forms?  Contact Shannon Campbell at [email protected].  Questions about high school forms?  Contact your high school's athletics office.

Library Updates

This has been an amazing week of fun, poetry, and reading! Thanks to the Rocky Run PTA, we had an absolutely fabulous author visit with Stuart Gibbs on Wednesday. All students attended one of his presentations and learned more about how some of his stories were inspired, including his work as a field scientist learning about different animals. He graciously signed more than 50 books during his visit! To prepare for his visit, our Student Library Advisory Team created a Scavenger Hunt for students to complete during Rock Time. Also thanks to the PTA, 30 students were randomly selected from completing the Scavenger Hunt to win a copy of his new book, Evil Spy School, the graphic novel, and 10 teachers were randomly selected, too!

Also this week, Mrs. Magwire’s English 8 classes visited the library to participate in Poetry Palooza, an annual activity for students to complete 5 stations exploring different aspects of poetry. Some of the stations include blackout poetry and book spine poetry, which will be part of their poetry portfolio for the quarter. It is amazing to watch students work together to flex their poetic and figurative language skills in various ways! Next week, Mrs. Williams/Ms. Morning’s classes will have Poetry Palooza!

The end of the school year will be here before we know it! All library books will be due on or before Wednesday, May 29. This date applies to all FCPS schools. In a few weeks, I will start to visit English classrooms to let students know about what books they still have checked out. It is my goal to have 100% clear accounts by June 12! If your student cannot find a book they have checked out, please contact me to make arrangements for replacement ([email protected])

Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) School Health Services Survey

The Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) employs school health aides and public health nurses who provide school health services to the students in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). To determine the quality of these services, a survey has been developed by the FCHD. Please complete the sruvey during the upcoming survey window, April 15 - April 26, 2024. Survey link: www.redcap.link/FCHDSchoolHealthSurvey.

Survey results will provide a basis for quality improvement of School Health services. The data-driven process is in alignment with the FCPS Strategic planning process, and the survey results will contribute positively to the FCPS Strategic Plan that reflects a shared consensus among stakeholders.

Summer Camps and Learning Programs

Have you made summer plans for your child yet? Are you looking for a camp for your child with special needs?

The Family Resource Center has compiled information on summer camps including local options, camps for students with special needs (sorted by need), and camps for students experiencing grief or who have parents in the military.

FCPS Summer Camp Offerings

Registration is now open for many summer camps and learning opportunities offered by FCPS for all students.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts (IFTA) camps will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Visit these sites for more information:

• Tech Adventures (elementary) 
• CTE Summer Academy (middle and high school)
• E-IFTA (elementary)
• IFTA (middle and high school)
• Economics and Personal Finance course (high school)
• Online Campus Program (middle and high school)
• Credit Recovery Academy (middle and high school)
• English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) (middle and high school)

Find session dates and registration links and deadlines on the FCPS summer programs webpage.

Save the Date for our Annual 8th Grade End of Year Party!  Suggested attire is semi-formal.   More information coming soon!   After-School Program Information

Schedule for the week of 4/22

Important Program Information:

• Mark your calendar - there will be no after-school activities and no late buses on 5/24.  The last day of late buses and activities for the school year will be Thursday, 5/31.  
• We are proud of our track & field team for their performance and sportsmanship at their first meet last week.  We are looking forward to cheering them on this weekend at Edison High School.  Go Rams!
• Program updates, announcements, schedules, and late bus routes will be communicated through the After-School Schoology Course - all families have been added
• Registration form is required for ALL RRMS students (regardless of intent to participate).  Your student will not be able to stay after for any clubs, activities, or events if this form is not completed.  
• Check out our Program Preview

Questions?  Contact Shannon Campbell, After-School Program Specialist, at [email protected]

Quick Links

• Family Resource Center

• Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms

• Mental Health Resources and Emergency Services Information
• SIS ParentVUE
• Standard School Year Calendar

4400 Stringfellow Rd, Chantilly, VA 20151 | Main Office: 703-802-7700
Attendance: 703-802-7782 or [email protected] 
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Important Dates

April 12-14 - Spring Theater Performance "A Wrinkle in Time"

April 15 - 3rd quarter grades will be viewable in SIS ParentVue and report cards will be distributed

April 17 - PTA Meeting, 6:30 PM; Family Book Club, 7 PM

April 19 - Month of the Military Child Family Breakfast, 8 AM

April 29 - May 1 - History 7 Field Trips (by team)

May 2 - 8th Grade Family Night, 6 - 7:30 PM

May 3 - Teacher Workday

RAISE the Ram Card Winners

Congratulations to this week's Ram card winners:

Roy Kachale-Banda (Accountable, Inclusive)

Bella Barker (Accountable, Engaged)

Vanessa Wang (Respectful and Accountable)

Jeslyn Dondapati (Engaged)

EJ Ross (Accountable)

Meghana Nannapaneni (Engaged)

Great job Raising the Ram!

A Note from the Principal

Dear Rocky Run Community-

We should make 4-day school weeks permanent! I hope that all Rams enjoyed the holiday this past Wednesday, in observance of Eid al Fitr. Even though students were only in class 4 days this past week, there were many cool learning activities to highlight. In particular, I loved seeing our 7th grade history students working on writing, editing and filming silent films to study the changes of the 1920's. What a cool project! Some of the films might even have "celebrity" chamoes. Also, the solar eclipse on Monday provided amazing curricular connection for all of our science students.

The solar eclipse emphasized that learning opportunities are all around us. At Rocky Run, the literal "heart" of the building is the library (because of it's central location). April is School Library Month and it's a great time to celebrate the essential role that school librarians play in the lives of students. School librarians ensure students have access to a wide variety of high-quality books and resources that connect them to the world and build a culture of literacy. Librarians develop lessons that are meaningful to students and help them develop critical thinking, inquiry, and information literacy skills. They support learning across all subject areas by teaching students the skills to be independent problem-solvers and creative thinkers. By creating a safe environment for all students to be engaged and curious learners, FCPS libraries are places where everyone belongs. We are thrilled to have Ms. Grover on staff and appreciate all the ways that she supports learning. 

Finally, I hope that all Rams wear purple on Wednesday, April 17. To show our support for all our military-connected families, we are inviting all Fairfax County students, families, school employees, and community members to “Purple Up!”. Why purple? Purple symbolizes all branches of the military as a combination of Army green, Marine Corps red, and Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force and Space Force blue. 

As always, thank you for your continued partnership and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions. I look forward to seeing you at RRMS soon.

Sincerely,

Peter Kownacki
Principal
Rocky Run Middle School
@pakownacki

Theatre at the Rock Presents A Wrinkle in Time

Theatre at the Rock presents A Wrinkle in Time, based on the classic book by Madeleine L’Engle!  Performances are April 12 at 7 pm, April 13 at 2 pm and 7 pm, and April 14 at 2 pm.  General Admission Tickets are $10 and are available now at https://etix.com/ticket/v/15634/rocky-run-middle-school-theatre?performance_id=88602155&country=US&language=en.  Buy your tickets early and be ready to follow Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin on an intergalactic adventure!

Month of the Miliary Child Recognitions

April is the Month of the Military Child. In FCPS there are approximately 14,000 military-connected youth. During April, we recognize that children from military families also serve and we recognize their contributions and sacrifices. At Rocky Run there will be a Rock Time lesson on April 9 about the contributions of children from military families. On April 17 students and staff will wear purple to show our support for military-connected youth and on Friday April 19, we will have a breakfast celebration to honor our students from military families. If you are a military family and would like to join us for breakfast, please complete this google form.

https://forms.gle/x27gVTp5w41EkFoU9

Spring Family Night for 8th Grade Families

Save the date! We are excited to announce that our second annual Spring Family Night for 8th Grade Families will be held on Thursday, May 2nd from 6:00-7:30 pm.  This event is being planned to answer your questions about the upcoming transition to high school. The evening will include:

• Resource fair with representatives from our three main high schools and community organizations (including some HS spirit wear sales!)
• Student panel of Rocky Run alumni/current high school students for questions and answers
• Counselor presentation on how to help your student get and stay organized for success in high school
• Q&A on how to decipher the FCPS high school math sequence
• Green screen photo booth with your choice of a Chantilly, Centreville, or Westfield background
• Sessions in Korean and in Spanish on what to expect next year

While RSVPs are not required, for our planning purposes, we would appreciate it if you could let us know that you are planning to join us by completing this Google form. If you have any questions, please contact Lorraine Marshall at [email protected] or Rachel Sweeney at [email protected].

We look forward to welcoming you to Rocky Run on May 2nd!

Spring Standards of Learning (SOL)

State assessments measure the extent to which students have learned the content and skills reflected in state standards and may also be used to measure growth in learning state standards. The format and timing of state assessments vary by grade level and content area, as noted in the table below. These include:

• Spring Standards of Learning (SOL) standardized tests in reading, mathematics, and science. For certain grade levels, the reading SOL tests includes an integrated reading/writing (IRW) component. More information is available on the SOL assessments webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/node/35021); 

• The Grade Level Tests webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/student-assessment/grade-level-tests) provides information by grade level about the general assessment schedule and reporting method for each required assessment type in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS).

Test dates for Rocky Run Middle School are scheduled as follows:

• April 16 – IRW (8th grade only)
• May 9 – Reading SOL (7th and 8th)
• May 15 – Math SOL (7th and 8th)
• May 17 – Science SOL (8th grade only)

If you have questions about state assessments, contact your student’s counselor or Ashleigh Kim ([email protected]), the school test coordinator.

Time is running out to order a Rocky Run yearbook!

The Rocky Run yearbook is a fun way for students to remember this great school year.  Guarantee a book for your student and ordering by April 27th. Books are just $30 and sell out every year.  Order online at:  https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/index.cfm/job/5333

Order now for free shipping on school pictures!

Free shipping on orders over $20 through April 18th.  Promo code: APRIL2024. To view and order photos online : vosphoto.com/underclass use your student’s Student ID to locate the pictures.  Photos will be archived at the end of the school year.

Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) School Health Services Survey

The Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) employs school health aides and public health nurses who provide school health services to the students in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). To determine the quality of these services, a survey has been developed by the FCHD. Please complete the sruvey during the upcoming survey window, April 15 - April 26, 2024. Survey link: www.redcap.link/FCHDSchoolHealthSurvey.

Survey results will provide a basis for quality improvement of School Health services. The data-driven process is in alignment with the FCPS Strategic planning process, and the survey results will contribute positively to the FCPS Strategic Plan that reflects a shared consensus among stakeholders.

Library Updates

Welcome! Mrs. Christine Haye is the new part-time library assistant! She helps in the library in the mornings until recess and she is already a wonderful addition to our library program!

This Week: The library has been full of learning this week! Ms. Speir’s & Ms. Castle’s Civics classes visited the library for a mini lesson and created protypes of their inventions in the Inspiration Studio as part of their economics unit. Students’ creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking were in full force as they put their projects together and learned about real-world economics, too. It was a pleasure to support students in developing these critical skills in the library and Inspiration Studio!

Author Visit: Next Wednesday April 17, author Stuart Gibbs will be visiting Rocky Run in the afternoon! All students will attend one of his presentations in the gym. Also: Stuart Gibbs will be doing book signings during C lunch in the library. Students who have a Stuart Gibbs book at home can bring it with them to school on Wednesday and have him sign it. There are no books available for purchase. Thanks to the Rocky Run PTA for sponsoring his visit!

School Library Month! This week, students celebrated School Library Month on the Library Schoology course by guessing the Masked Reader and creating inventive captions for funny animal photos. In the library, students participated in “Rams on the Loose!”, looking for pictures of rams around the library as a scavenger hunt. Today, staff came to the library during their lunch period and learned more about the Text to Image feature of AI and created AI “alter egos” of themselves. It was great fun had by all, and there was lots of great conversation around AI and education. There will be different activities for both students and staff next week, in addition to the author visit!

Science Olympiad

Congratulations to our Science Olympiad Team for their participation in the state tournament in Charlottesville last weekend!  We are proud of how they represented Rocky Run and the creativity and innovation that they showed.  

Team celebrations:

2nd place in Agricultural Science: Sarah A. and Shritha A.

6th place in Disease Detectives: Dylan F. and Aavyan T.

We also represented Rocky Run with a fantastic VASO state sticker and t-shirt design created by Amber B.  

Thank you to all of the families who supported our students both during the season and at the competitions and a HUGE thank you to Mrs. Davis for leading our team this year! 

Summer Camps and Learning Programs

Have you made summer plans for your child yet? Are you looking for a camp for your child with special needs?

The Family Resource Center has compiled information on summer camps including local options, camps for students with special needs (sorted by need), and camps for students experiencing grief or who have parents in the military.

FCPS Summer Camp Offerings

Registration is now open for many summer camps and learning opportunities offered by FCPS for all students.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts (IFTA) camps will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Visit these sites for more information:

• Tech Adventures (elementary) 
• CTE Summer Academy (middle and high school)
• E-IFTA (elementary)
• IFTA (middle and high school)
• Economics and Personal Finance course (high school)
• Online Campus Program (middle and high school)
• Credit Recovery Academy (middle and high school)
• English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) (middle and high school)

Find session dates and registration links and deadlines on the FCPS summer programs webpage.

Save the Date for our Annual 8th Grade End of Year Party!  Suggested attire is semi-formal.   More information coming soon!   After-School Program Information

Schedule for the week of 4/15

Important Program Information:

• Mark your calendar - there will be no after-school activities and no late buses on 5/24.  The last day of late buses and activities for the school year will be Thursday, 5/31.  
• Program updates, announcements, schedules, and late bus routes will be communicated through the After-School Schoology Course - all families have been added
• Registration form is required for ALL RRMS students (regardless of intent to participate).  Your student will not be able to stay after for any clubs, activities, or events if this form is not completed.  
• Check out our Program Preview

Questions?  Contact Shannon Campbell, After-School Program Specialist, at [email protected]

Quick Links

• Family Resource Center

• Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms

• Mental Health Resources and Emergency Services Information
• SIS ParentVUE
• Standard School Year Calendar

4400 Stringfellow Rd, Chantilly, VA 20151 | Main Office: 703-802-7700
Attendance: 703-802-7782 or [email protected] 
Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Final Rocky Run Yearbook Orders!

The Rocky Run yearbook is a fun way for students to remember this amazing school year! This year’s book will tell the story of the year in both text and pictures. It is more than just student portraits, and includes topics such as friends, classes, field trips, club group photos, and more. Shown here is a picture of the music and PE class pages from last year’s book.

The yearbook sells out every year, so guarantee a book for your student by pre-ordering. Yearbooks are just $30 and the last day to order is April 27th. Order online at: https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/index.cfm/job/5333

Not sure if you ordered yet this year? Use link above and scroll down to the “Already placed on order” section to check using your email address.

Questions? E-mail [email protected]

4400 Stringfellow Rd, Chantilly, VA 20151 | Main Office: 703-802-7700
Attendance: 703-802-7782 or [email protected] 
Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Important Dates

April 10 - Holiday (Eid al Fitr: begins sundown 4/9 - sundown 4/10)

April 12-14 - Spring Theater Performance "A Wrinkle in Time"

April 15 - 3rd quarter grades will be viewable in SIS ParentVue and report cards will be distributed

April 17 - PTA Meeting, 6:30 PM; Family Book Club, 7 PM

RAISE the Ram Card Winners

Congratulations to this week's Ram card winners:

Clara Flores Lopez (Engaged)

Joshika Mohan (Engaged)

Niaz Wali (Respectful and Engaged)

Keerthi Nair (Engaged)

Aaron Segal (Accountable)

Elisha Kim (Engaged)

Great job Raising the Ram!

A Note from the Principal

Dear Rocky Run Community-

We are up and running in the 4th quarter. I hope that you enjoyed a relaxing spring break. These last few weeks will fly by as we end the 2023-2024 year with many unique and celebratory events.

A total solar eclipse will occur on Monday, April 8, and will be viewable, depending on weather, in Fairfax County. The eclipse will begin in our area around 2:04 p.m. and end around 4:32 p.m., with the maximum eclipse occurring around 3:20 p.m.  Because the timing overlaps with dismissal and after school programming, it is crucial that students understand the importance of safe viewing practices. We encourage families to review these Solar Eclipse Resources, especially the eye safety information. We hope everyone takes the opportunity to learn more about this extraordinary natural phenomenon while prioritizing safe solar viewing.

Also, while speaking about events next week, please remember that Wednesday, April 10 is Eid al Fitr. This celebration, also known as small Eid, marks the end of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting, and is celebrated during the first three days of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims congregate that morning for Eid prayers. It is a time of official receptions and private visits, when friends greet one another, presents are given, new clothes are worn, and the graves of relatives are visited. The most common way to wish someone a Happy Eid al-Fitr is Eid Mubarak, which means “blessed feast” (or festival). RRMS will be closed on April 10. 

The calendar transitioned to April over spring break, and I want to highlight that April is the Month of the Military Child!  Every year we take the opportunity to recognize military-connected youth for their service and contribution to our community. Fairfax County Public Schools is proud to have more than 14,000 military-connected youth as a part of our student body. We appreciate the varied life experiences they bring to our school community, and recognize their strength and resilience.  Learn more about Month of the Military Child and FCPS’ resources for military families. Sign up for the Military Families newsletter.

FCPS is also proud to celebrate National Arab American Heritage Month in April. This special month provides an opportunity to recognize the history and valuable contributions of Arab Americans. Arab Americans have ancestry in one of the world’s 22 Arab nations, which are located from northern Africa through western Asia. The people of these nations are ethnically, politically, and religiously diverse but share a common cultural and linguistic heritage.

Finally, one of the major reasons that Rocky Run is such an amazing place for students, staff and families and is able to create an academically rigorous and inclusive culture is because of its awesome assistant principals. This week (April 1-April 5) was designated as National Assistant Principal Appreciation Week. I want to acknowledge how appreciative I am to have Young Hong, Tom DeRusso and Johnelle Sweet on staff to support the students and instructional programming at Rocky Run. The school would not run smoothly without these amazing administrators, and I am truly grateful for their leadership.

As always, thank you for your continued partnership and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions. I look forward to seeing you at RRMS soon.

Sincerely,

Peter Kownacki
Principal
Rocky Run Middle School
@pakownacki

Spring Family Night for 8th Grade Families

Save the date! We are excited to announce that our second annual Spring Family Night for 8th Grade Families will be held on Thursday, May 2nd from 6:00-7:30 pm.  This event is being planned to answer your questions about the upcoming transition to high school. The evening will include:

• Resource fair with representatives from our three main high schools and community organizations (including some HS spirit wear sales!)
• Student panel of Rocky Run alumni/current high school students for questions and answers
• Counselor presentation on how to help your student get and stay organized for success in high school
• Q&A on how to decipher the FCPS high school math sequence
• Green screen photo booth with your choice of a Chantilly, Centreville, or Westfield background
• Sessions in Korean and in Spanish on what to expect next year

While RSVPs are not required, for our planning purposes, we would appreciate it if you could let us know that you are planning to join us by completing this Google form. If you have any questions, please contact Lorraine Marshall at [email protected] or Rachel Sweeney at [email protected].

We look forward to welcoming you to Rocky Run on May 2nd!

Theatre at the Rock Presents A Wrinkle in Time

Theatre at the Rock presents A Wrinkle in Time, based on the classic book by Madeleine L’Engle!  Performances are April 12 at 7 pm, April 13 at 2 pm and 7 pm, and April 14 at 2 pm.  General Admission Tickets are $10 and are available now at https://etix.com/ticket/v/15634/rocky-run-middle-school-theatre?performance_id=88602155&country=US&language=en.  Buy your tickets early and be ready to follow Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin on an intergalactic adventure!

Spring Standards of Learning (SOL)

State assessments measure the extent to which students have learned the content and skills reflected in state standards and may also be used to measure growth in learning state standards. The format and timing of state assessments vary by grade level and content area, as noted in the table below. These include:

• Spring Standards of Learning (SOL) standardized tests in reading, mathematics, and science. For certain grade levels, the reading SOL tests includes an integrated reading/writing (IRW) component. More information is available on the SOL assessments webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/node/35021); 

• The Grade Level Tests webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/student-assessment/grade-level-tests) provides information by grade level about the general assessment schedule and reporting method for each required assessment type in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS).

Test dates for Rocky Run Middle School are scheduled as follows:

• April 16 – IRW (8th grade only)
• May 9 – Reading SOL (7th and 8th)
• May 15 – Math SOL (7th and 8th)
• May 17 – Science SOL (8th grade only)

If you have questions about state assessments, contact your student’s counselor or Ashleigh Kim ([email protected]), the school test coordinator.

Time is running out to order a Rocky Run yearbook!

The Rocky Run yearbook is a fun way for students to remember this great school year.  Guarantee a book for your student and ordering by April 27th. Books are just $30 and sell out every year.  Order online at:  https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/index.cfm/job/5333

Library Updates

April is School Library Month! This is an annual, national observance for the school community to celebrate the value and impact of school libraries on personal and academic learning. Students and staff will be treated to some fun events, contests, and even prizes! The highlight of the month will be our much-anticipated author visit from Stuart Gibbs. Students should stay tuned to the Library Schoology course, which will post updates on that week’s events on Mondays. We have already started Masked Reader, a weekly contest for students to guess the Rocky Run staff member who is reading a poem, just by hearing their voice!

THANK YOU to everyone who looked for overdue library books over Spring Break! There have been more than 200 book returns in just 3 days and it is wonderful to see so many books returned that were long past due. As a reminder, there are no fines for overdue library books. If your student can’t find a library book, please contact me ([email protected]) and we can discuss arrangements to replace it.

Finally, we received 3 new boxes of books over Spring Break, to include fiction, nonfiction, and graphic novels! They will be ready for students next week. Be sure to have your student stop by to see what’s new! This is the last arrival of new books before the end of the school year.

Summer Camps and Learning Programs

Have you made summer plans for your child yet? Are you looking for a camp for your child with special needs?

The Family Resource Center has compiled information on summer camps including local options, camps for students with special needs (sorted by need), and camps for students experiencing grief or who have parents in the military.

FCPS Summer Camp Offerings

Registration is now open for many summer camps and learning opportunities offered by FCPS for all students.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts (IFTA) camps will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Visit these sites for more information:

• Tech Adventures (elementary) 
• CTE Summer Academy (middle and high school)
• E-IFTA (elementary)
• IFTA (middle and high school)
• Economics and Personal Finance course (high school)
• Online Campus Program (middle and high school)
• Credit Recovery Academy (middle and high school)
• English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) (middle and high school)

Find session dates and registration links and deadlines on the FCPS summer programs webpage.

Family Book Club

Family Book Club is coming up on Wednesday, April 17 at 7pm. Stuart Gibbs will be our featured author for the evening and he will be present to speak with families about his books. We are excited to share this evening with the Franklin Middle School community, too! This evening will take place on the same day that Mr. Gibbs will give presentations at both schools.

How Does Family Book Club Work? Both the student and an adult in your family (parent, grandparent, aunt, etc) sign up to read the same book and come to Rocky Run on April 17 to discuss the book with other readers. You have the option of borrowing books from Rocky Run or purchasing your own books if you would like the author to sign them that evening. It is a wonderful evening that has become a long-standing tradition at Rocky Run. To attend Family Book Club, click here to sign up!

Save the Date for our Annual 8th Grade End of Year Party!  Suggested attire is semi-formal.   More information coming soon!   After-School Program Information

Schedule for the week of 4/8

 

Important Program Information:

• Mark your calendar - there will be no after-school activities and no late buses on the following dates: 3/22, 5/24.   
• Spring Track and Field -  Practices started this week.  Make sure your student is checking their email.
• Program updates, announcements, schedules, and late bus routes will be communicated through the After-School Schoology Course - all families have been added
• Registration form is required for ALL RRMS students (regardless of intent to participate).  Your student will not be able to stay after for any clubs, activities, or events if this form is not completed.  
• Check out our Program Preview
• Questions?  Contact Shannon Campbell, After-School Program Specialist, at [email protected]

Quick Links

• Family Resource Center

• Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms

• Mental Health Resources and Emergency Services Information
• SIS ParentVUE
• Standard School Year Calendar

4400 Stringfellow Rd, Chantilly, VA 20151 | Main Office: 703-802-7700
Attendance: 703-802-7782 or [email protected] 
Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Important Dates

March 22 - 3rd Quarter Ends

March 25 - 29 - Holidays (Spring Break)

March 29 - Good Friday

March 31 - Easter

April 1 - 2 - Student Holidays (Teacher Workdays)

April 10 - Holiday (Eid al Fitr: begins sundown 4/9 - sundown 4/10)

April 12-14 - Spring Theater Performance "A Wrinkle in Time"

April 15 - 3rd quarter grades will be viewable in SIS ParentVue and report cards will be distributed

April 17 - PTA Meeting, 6:30 PM; Family Book Club, 7 PM

RAISE the Ram Card Winners

Congratulations to this week's Ram card winners:

Miles Johnson (Safe)

Ryan Kownacki (Engaged)

Prateek Nelluri (Engaged)

Pragya Modi (Respectful and Accountable)

Derrick Colandria (Respectful and Engaged)

Amal Basharat (Respectful and Accountable)

Great job Raising the Ram!

A Note from the Principal

Dear Rocky Run Community-

We have officially completed three quarters of the 2023-2024 school year, and it has flown by! I know that I speak for the entire faculty and staff when I say that we are looking forward to Spring Break. I encourage all Rams to take this time to relax and recharge. We only have a few weeks to go in the year and it will be jam packed with SOLs, award ceremonies, and other celebrations. Take a breath next week, so that we can hit the ground running for an amazing end to the year.

As always, thank you for your continued partnership and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions. I look forward to seeing you at RRMS soon.

Sincerely,

Peter Kownacki
Principal
Rocky Run Middle School
@pakownacki

Rocky Run Office Closed During Spring Break

The office will be closed during spring break, March 25-March 29. 

Spring Family Night for 8th Grade Families

Save the date! We are excited to announce that our second annual Spring Family Night for 8th Grade Families will be held on Thursday, May 2nd from 6:00-7:30 pm.  This event is being planned to answer your questions about the upcoming transition to high school. The evening will include:

• Resource fair with representatives from our three main high schools and community organizations (including some HS spirit wear sales!)
• Student panel of Rocky Run alumni/current high school students for questions and answers
• Counselor presentation on how to help your student get and stay organized for success in high school
• Q&A on how to decipher the FCPS high school math sequence
• Green screen photo booth with your choice of a Chantilly, Centreville, or Westfield background
• Sessions in Korean and in Spanish on what to expect next year

While RSVPs are not required, for our planning purposes, we would appreciate it if you could let us know that you are planning to join us by completing this Google form. If you have any questions, please contact Lorraine Marshall at [email protected] or Rachel Sweeney at [email protected].

We look forward to welcoming you to Rocky Run on May 2nd!

RAMtastic Theatre Company Presents A Wrinkle in Time

RAMtastic Theatre Company presents A Wrinkle in Time, based on the classic book by Madeleine L’Engle!  Performances are April 12 at 7 pm, April 13 at 2 pm and 7 pm, and April 14 at 2 pm.  General Admission Tickets are $10 and are available now at https://etix.com/ticket/v/15634/rocky-run-middle-school-theatre?performance_id=88602155&country=US&language=en.  Buy your tickets early and be ready to follow Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin on an intergalactic adventure!

Spring Standards of Learning (SOL)

State assessments measure the extent to which students have learned the content and skills reflected in state standards and may also be used to measure growth in learning state standards. The format and timing of state assessments vary by grade level and content area, as noted in the table below. These include:

• Spring Standards of Learning (SOL) standardized tests in reading, mathematics, and science. For certain grade levels, the reading SOL tests includes an integrated reading/writing (IRW) component. More information is available on the SOL assessments webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/node/35021); 

• The Grade Level Tests webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/student-assessment/grade-level-tests) provides information by grade level about the general assessment schedule and reporting method for each required assessment type in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS).

Test dates for Rocky Run Middle School are scheduled as follows:

• April 16 – IRW (8th grade only)
• May 9 – Reading SOL (7th and 8th)
• May 15 – Math SOL (7th and 8th)
• May 17 – Science SOL (8th grade only)

If you have questions about state assessments, contact your student’s counselor or Ashleigh Kim ([email protected]), the school test coordinator.

Summer Camps and Learning Programs

Have you made summer plans for your child yet? Are you looking for a camp for your child with special needs?

The Family Resource Center has compiled information on summer camps including local options, camps for students with special needs (sorted by need), and camps for students experiencing grief or who have parents in the military.

FCPS Summer Camp Offerings

Registration is now open for many summer camps and learning opportunities offered by FCPS for all students.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts (IFTA) camps will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Visit these sites for more information:

• Tech Adventures (elementary) 
• CTE Summer Academy (middle and high school)
• E-IFTA (elementary)
• IFTA (middle and high school)
• Economics and Personal Finance course (high school)
• Online Campus Program (middle and high school)
• Credit Recovery Academy (middle and high school)
• English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) (middle and high school)

Find session dates and registration links and deadlines on the FCPS summer programs webpage.

Chantilly Charge Ahead Program for Rising 9th Graders

Please see the flyer for information about the Charge Ahead program for rising 9th graders at Chantilly!

Registration link:
https://forms.gle/9eL8UB9ydgg3uyuGA
Payment via students
www.myschoolbucks.com

Library Updates

This Week: At the beginning of the week, the Computers in Art class visited the library for a lesson on how to find free images online to use in their assignments. We also discussed intellectual property, copyright, and ways that artists license their work. Students engaged in the lesson and we had some great discussions! For the rest of the week, all seventh graders visited the library to get books to read over Spring Break. It was wonderful to see students browse the collection, recommend books to each other, and easily use the self-checkout stations! Ask your seventh grade student about their visit!

April is School Library Month! There are lots of fun activities planned for both students and staff to celebrate School Library Month coming up after Spring Break, including contests and discussion boards on Schoology, as well as activities in the library and during Rock Time! The highlight of School Library Month will be our author visit on April 17 from New York Times bestselling author, Stuart Gibbs, and Family Book Club in the evening.

PS: Did you know National School Librarian Day is April 4? This is a day to honor the work and dedication of school librarians to provide a safe, welcoming, engaging library for students to learn, collaborate, and be their authentic selves. I am proud to be an FCPS school librarian!

Book Returns: There are more than 900 books checked out right now, which is fantastic! However, almost 400 of them are overdue. If your student has overdue books, you should have received an email today asking you to check with your student about their overdue books. Spring Break is a great time to clean out backpacks and tidy up rooms! Feel free to return any library books over break to the mailbox outside the main Rocky Run door or students can return them on April 3 when school resumes.

Family Book Club

Family Book Club is coming up on Wednesday, April 17 at 7pm. Stuart Gibbs will be our featured author for the evening and he will be present to speak with families about his books. We are excited to share this evening with the Franklin Middle School community, too! This evening will take place on the same day that Mr. Gibbs will give presentations at both schools.

How Does Family Book Club Work? Both the student and an adult in your family (parent, grandparent, aunt, etc) sign up to read the same book and come to Rocky Run on April 17 to discuss the book with other readers. You have the option of borrowing books from Rocky Run or purchasing your own books if you would like the author to sign them that evening. It is a wonderful evening that has become a long-standing tradition at Rocky Run. To attend Family Book Club, click here to sign up!

It’s not too late to order school pictures!

To view and order photos online : vosphoto.com/underclass use your student’s Student ID to locate the pictures.

To order a replacement ID card:  www.vosphoto.com/idcard

Please let us know if you have any questions, we are here to help! [email protected]

Save the Date for our Annual 8th Grade End of Year Party!  Suggested attire is semi-formal.   More information coming soon!   After-School Program Information

Schedule for the week of 4/1

• No Activities on Friday, 3/22 - all students depart at 2:15
• Have a wonderful Spring Break - see you on April 3!

Important Program Information:

• Mark your calendar - there will be no after-school activities and no late buses on the following dates: 3/22, 5/24.   
• Spring Track and Field -  Students who have submitted all forms will begin practicing on Wednesday, 4/3.  Watch for announcements on the Track and Field Schoology Group.  If your track student is also in our spring theater performance, they will begin track practice on Monday, 4/15. 
• Program updates, announcements, schedules, and late bus routes will be communicated through the After-School Schoology Course - all families have been added
• Registration form is required for ALL RRMS students (regardless of intent to participate).  Your student will not be able to stay after for any clubs, activities, or events if this form is not completed.  
• Check out our Program Preview
• Questions?  Contact Shannon Campbell, After-School Program Specialist, at [email protected]

Quick Links

• Family Resource Center

• Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms

• Mental Health Resources and Emergency Services Information
• SIS ParentVUE
• Standard School Year Calendar

4400 Stringfellow Rd, Chantilly, VA 20151 | Main Office: 703-802-7700
Attendance: 703-802-7782 or [email protected] 
Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Important Dates

March 15 - Annual Rocky Run vs Franklin Basketball Games at Chantilly HS (4:30-8 PM) - tickets will be sold at the door ($5, cash only)

March 22 - End of Third Quarter; No After-School Activities (all students depart at 2:15)

March 25 - 29 - Holidays Spring Break

April 1 - 2 - Student Holidays (Teacher Workdays)

April 10 - Holiday Eid al Fitr (begins sundown 4/9 - sundown 4/10)

April 12-14 - Spring Theater Performance "A Wrinkle in Time"

RAISE the Ram Card Winners

Congratulations to this week's Ram card winners:

Dani Sardana (Engaged)

Avaneesh Kasturi (Inclusive and Engaged)

Ana Munoz-Chavarria (Engaged)

Vivienne Riggleman (Inclusive and Engaged)

Stephon Banks (Accountable)

Meghana Nannapaneni (Accountable, Inclusive, and Engaged)

Great job Raising the Ram!

A Note from the Principal

Dear Rocky Run Community-

It's finally here! Our students and staff are buzzing about the annual Franklin vs Rocky Run basketball game on March 15 at Chantilly High School. It was great to see banners and posters up in the halls and tshirts worn by staff and students that show Rocky Run school spirit in anticipation of the game. Even though we are separate schools, we are all members of the larger Chantilly community. As such, I want to remind the Rocky Run community to RAISE the Ram at the game. Be sure to be Respectful, Accountable, Inclusive, Safe and Engaged as you represent Rocky Run.

Switching gears, happy St. Patrick's Day this Sunday to all that celebrate! Hopefully, our RRMS basketball players will receive some of the "luck of the Irish" for the big basketball games. One of my fondest memories of my childhood was my mother dubbing herself "Candy O'Kownacki" on March 17 to allow her Irish heritage to shine through. I look forward to making corned-beef and cabbage and soda bread for my own family to continue the tradition.

Moving on, Friday, March 22 is the final day of the 3rd quarter. It's crazy to think that the school year is 75% complete. Please partner with your students to check SIS and make sure they are set for the end of the quarter. The following week is spring break and students will hit the ground running for the start of the 4th quarter.

Finally, I would appreciate it if all families spent a few minutes to complete the Family Engagement Survey- details included below. At Rocky Run, we reflect on the data to plan events for the upcoming year. Please make sure your voice is heard!

As always, thank you for your continued partnership and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions. I look forward to seeing you at RRMS soon.

Sincerely,

Peter Kownacki
Principal
Rocky Run Middle School
@pakownacki

February Rams on a Roll

Congratulations to the following students who were selected by their teams as Rams on a Roll for February. Great work! Way to Raise the Ram!

Emerald: Laila Fletcher & Essam Mikhail

Meteors: Juliet Nam & Sia Vadakkoot

Platinum: Alyssa Nguyen & Ghadeer Torabi

Kryptonite: Simone Feil & Brendan Lewis

Sapphire: Mia Cajanding & Cristhian Mejia Murcia

Tiger's Eye: Audrey Hamby, Haithum Khiar, & Daniel Mesfin

Rocky Run Office Closed During Spring Break

The office will be closed during spring break, March 25-March 29. 

Spring Standards of Learning (SOL)

State assessments measure the extent to which students have learned the content and skills reflected in state standards and may also be used to measure growth in learning state standards. The format and timing of state assessments vary by grade level and content area, as noted in the table below. These include:

• Spring Standards of Learning (SOL) standardized tests in reading, mathematics, and science. For certain grade levels, the reading SOL tests includes an integrated reading/writing (IRW) component. More information is available on the SOL assessments webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/node/35021); 

• The Grade Level Tests webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/student-assessment/grade-level-tests) provides information by grade level about the general assessment schedule and reporting method for each required assessment type in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS).

Test dates for Rocky Run Middle School are scheduled as follows:

• April 16 – IRW (8th grade only)
• May 9 – Reading SOL (7th and 8th)
• May 15 – Math SOL (7th and 8th)
• May 17 – Science SOL (8th grade only)

If you have questions about state assessments, contact your student’s counselor or Ashleigh Kim ([email protected]), the school test coordinator.

FCPS Family Engagement Survey 2023-2024

When schools build strong partnerships with families, respond to their concerns, and honor their contributions, students can experience a range of benefits including improved school readiness, higher student achievement, better social skills and behavior, and increased likelihood of high school graduation.

Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to building authentic relationships with families. Parents and caregivers can help by participating in the 2023-24 Family Engagement Survey! The survey opens on Sunday, March 3, in the afternoon.

There are three ways you can complete the survey:

1. Check your email on March 3, for an invitation with a survey link from K12Insight, with the subject line: FCPS Family Engagement Survey. You can also use this link to complete the survey.
2. Ask the front office staff of your child's school for a paper survey. You can complete it at the school or take it home and return it by March 22.
3. Use one of the school computers. Front office staff would be happy to show you an available computer for you to complete the survey electronically.

The survey is offered in English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Amharic, Farsi, Urdu, Pashto, and Vietnamese. All responses are confidential. For more information, please contact Rachel Sweeney, RRMS Dean of Students, at [email protected].

🎤 Join a Community Conversation on Fentanyl and Other Drugs

A community conversation addressing the opioid crisis within Northern Virginia and Fairfax County Public Schools will be held Monday, March 18, 6:30-8 p.m., in the auditorium at Lake Braddock Secondary School. Please enter through Door #14. 

All attendees will receive a free REVIVE! Narcan training during the event and learn about support services currently available within FCPS and Fairfax County.   

This discussion will provide families, staff, and students with valuable knowledge about the dangers of drugs and deadly fentanyl. The material discussed is suitable for students in grade 6 and higher. Together, as a community, we aim to explore collaborative strategies to minimize the impact of these harmful and sometimes fatal substances.

Language interpretation services are available as well as American Sign Language accommodation. Childcare and transportation will also be provided, as needed. Learn more about the event and register online.

Summer Camps and Learning Programs

Have you made summer plans for your child yet? Are you looking for a camp for your child with special needs?

The Family Resource Center has compiled information on summer camps including local options, camps for students with special needs (sorted by need), and camps for students experiencing grief or who have parents in the military.

FCPS Summer Camp Offerings

Registration is now open for many summer camps and learning opportunities offered by FCPS for all students.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts (IFTA) camps will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Visit these sites for more information:

• Tech Adventures (elementary) 
• CTE Summer Academy (middle and high school)
• E-IFTA (elementary)
• IFTA (middle and high school)
• Economics and Personal Finance course (high school)
• Online Campus Program (middle and high school)
• Credit Recovery Academy (middle and high school)
• English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) (middle and high school)

Find session dates and registration links and deadlines on the FCPS summer programs webpage.

Chantilly Charge Ahead Program for Rising 9th Graders

Please see the flyer for information about the Charge Ahead program for rising 9th graders at Chantilly!

Registration link:
https://forms.gle/9eL8UB9ydgg3uyuGA
Payment via students
www.myschoolbucks.com

Library Updates

This has been a busy week in the Rocky Run library with Mr. Sawatzky’s Civics classes using the library space and Inspiration Studio to work on their Political Process projects. I also welcomed Mrs. Ledbetter’s Art Foundations class to the library, teaching a lesson on examining the similarities between museums and libraries and focusing in particular on portraits from the National Portrait Gallery. Then, students recreated famous portraits using only torn construction paper and glue sticks! Their creations were absolutely fabulous. I am always so impressed by the creativity of students in the Art Foundations class!

Students were really excited to see three large boxes of new library books delivered this week – more than 70 new titles! Members of the Student Library Advisory Team got the chance to open the boxes, help with adding due date stickers, and suggest genres for each one. This activity not only got them excited about new titles but also helps the processing of new books go faster! These titles will be available starting next week on our New Books display.

Finally, I was so proud to represent Rocky Run at the Virginia Association of School Librarians regional conference, held on March 9 in Purcellville, Virginia. There, I networked with lots of other librarians from Northern Virginia and presented a well-attended session on Inclusive Programming, sharing specific ways I encourage and invite all students in our school community to participate in active, passive, digital, and instructional programming in our library. I am so grateful for the collaboration with all content area teachers at Rocky Run, as well as our FCPS Libraries’ focus on equity and inclusion, so all students and staff feel they belong in their library space.

Family Book Club

Family Book Club is coming up on Wednesday, April 17 at 7pm. Stuart Gibbs will be our featured author for the evening and he will be present to speak with families about his books. We are excited to share this evening with the Franklin Middle School community, too! This evening will take place on the same day that Mr. Gibbs will give presentations at both schools.

How Does Family Book Club Work? Both the student and an adult in your family (parent, grandparent, aunt, etc) sign up to read the same book and come to Rocky Run on April 17 to discuss the book with other readers. You have the option of borrowing books from Rocky Run or purchasing your own books if you would like the author to sign them that evening. It is a wonderful evening that has become a long-standing tradition at Rocky Run. To attend Family Book Club, click here to sign up!

Don’t miss out on a Rocky Run yearbook.

The Rocky Run yearbook will be full of fun memories for students, including friends, classes, clubs and events. Pre-orders will be ending soon after spring break.  Books are just $30.  Order online at:

https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/index.cfm/job/5333

After-School Program Information

Schedule for the week of 3/18

• No Activities on Friday, 3/22 - all students depart at 2:15
• Flag football will start in April on Tuesdays during 1st session!  If your student wants to sign up, they should use this form.  They must be signed into their fcpsschools account to access the form.  Sign-ups are due by Friday, 3/22.

Important Program Information:

• Mark your calendar - there will be no after-school activities and no late buses on the following dates: 3/15, 3/22, 5/24.   
• Spring Track and Field -  LESS 1 WEEK UNTIL THE FORM DEADLINE!  All forms must be fully completed and submitted no later than March 22.  Please review the interest meeting slides and interest form if your student would like to participate.    
• DONATION REQUEST - We have a new Crochet Club starting next week on Wednesdays during 1st session.  If you have any yarn or crochet hooks at home that you are willing to donate, please drop off in the main office.  We appreciate your support! 
• Program updates, announcements, schedules, and late bus routes will be communicated through the After-School Schoology Course - all families have been added
• Registration form is required for ALL RRMS students (regardless of intent to participate).  Your student will not be able to stay after for any clubs, activities, or events if this form is not completed.  
• Check out our Program Preview
• Questions?  Contact Shannon Campbell, After-School Program Specialist, at [email protected]

Rocky Run vs Franklin Basketball Game

When? Friday, March 15th - doors open at 4:30 PM, games start at 5 pm (staff, girls, varsity boys).  All students must be picked up no later than 8:00 PM

Where?  Chantilly High School

Cost?  Everyone who enters (except players) must pay the $5 admission.  If you purchased on MySchoolBucks, your name will be on the pre-paid roster.  Tickets will also be sold at the door for $5 each (cash only).  We will have concessions available for purchase (cash only).  

*Only current Rocky Run and Franklin students will be able to attend this event.*

We encourage family supervision for this event.  All students must be on their best behavior at the event and show good sportsmanship.  

Students must be RAMS IN GOOD STANDING to attend the game!  This means that from March 4 - March 15, students have zero tardies, no device violations, and no discipline infractions.

Questions? Email Shannon Campbell at [email protected].

Quick Links

• Family Resource Center

• Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms

• Mental Health Resources and Emergency Services Information
• SIS ParentVUE
• Standard School Year Calendar

4400 Stringfellow Rd, Chantilly, VA 20151 | Main Office: 703-802-7700
Attendance: 703-802-7782 or [email protected] 
Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Important Dates

March 15 -

• 8th Grade Activity Fair at Chantilly High School (9:30 - 11:30 AM)
• No After-School Activities (all students depart at 2:15)
• Annual Rocky Run vs Franklin Basketball Games at Chantilly HS (4:30-8 PM) - tickets now available on MySchoolBucks "school store"

March 22 - No After-School Activities (all students depart at 2:15)

March 25 - 29 - No School (Spring Break)

April 1 - 2 - No School (Teacher Workdays)

April 10 - No School (Holiday - Eid al Fitr)

RAISE the Ram Card Winners

Congratulations to this week's Ram card winners:

Henry Fricke (Respectful and Accountable)

Megan Ji (Respectful)

Catalina Guitierrez-DelVillar (Respectful and Accountable)

Ellie Mueller (Accountable and Engaged)

Arnav Katragadda (Engaged)

Riley Lorjuste (Accountable)

Great job Raising the Ram!

A Note from the Principal

Dear Rocky Run Community-

We had another great week of learning at Rocky Run Middle School. This week, I particularly loved going to 7th grade history classes to learn more about America's involvement in World War I. As a former history teacher, I always love refreshing my memory on one of my favorite historical topics.

Did you know that March is designated as Equity in Education Month? This is  a division-wide opportunity to deepen our commitment to creating a climate and curriculum where all students receive the resources they need to reach their fullest potential. As such, I want to highlight some important holidays, events and recognitions occurring throughout the first half of the month.

First, the month of March is designated Women’s History Month by presidential proclamation. The month is set aside to honor women’s contributions in American history. I encourage you to take a few minutes to learn about Women’s History Month using this article from  National Geographic Kids.

Next, March 3-9 is National School Social Work Week. Social workers in FCPS help to prevent social, emotional, and behavioral factors from affecting a student's ability to perform at their best. Their primary goal is to remove barriers that prevent a student from fulfilling their academic potential. Social workers are assigned to every school and center in the school system. We are grateful for the support that Mary Wescott provides to the Rocky Run community.

Finally, the first full day of Ramadan is Monday, March 11. 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. Read more about Ramadan in National Geographic Kids. March 11 is an O day. The school calendar recognizes many religious and cultural observances (O days) during the school year. We still have school on O Days, however tests, quizzes, field trips, graduation, homecoming, or FCPS-scheduled athletic events will not be held on these days. If you have any questions about 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.

As always, thank you for your continued partnership and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions. I look forward to seeing you at RRMS soon.

Sincerely,

Peter Kownacki
Principal
Rocky Run Middle School
@pakownacki

FCPS Family Engagement Survey 2023-2024

When schools build strong partnerships with families, respond to their concerns, and honor their contributions, students can experience a range of benefits including improved school readiness, higher student achievement, better social skills and behavior, and increased likelihood of high school graduation.

Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to building authentic relationships with families. Parents and caregivers can help by participating in the 2023-24 Family Engagement Survey! The survey opens on Sunday, March 3, in the afternoon.

There are three ways you can complete the survey:

1. Check your email on March 3, for an invitation with a survey link from K12Insight, with the subject line: FCPS Family Engagement Survey.
2. Ask the front office staff of your child's school for a paper survey. You can complete it at the school or take it home and return it by March 22.
3. Use one of the school computers. Front office staff would be happy to show you an available computer for you to complete the survey electronically.

The survey is offered in English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Amharic, Farsi, Urdu, Pashto, and Vietnamese. All responses are confidential. For more information, please contact Rachel Sweeney, RRMS Dean of Students, at [email protected].

Summer Camps and Learning Programs

Have you made summer plans for your child yet? Are you looking for a camp for your child with special needs?

The Family Resource Center has compiled information on summer camps including local options, camps for students with special needs (sorted by need), and camps for students experiencing grief or who have parents in the military.

FCPS Summer Camp Offerings

Registration is now open for many summer camps and learning opportunities offered by FCPS for all students.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts (IFTA) camps will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Visit these sites for more information:

• Tech Adventures (elementary) 
• CTE Summer Academy (middle and high school)
• E-IFTA (elementary)
• IFTA (middle and high school)
• Economics and Personal Finance course (high school)
• Online Campus Program (middle and high school)
• Credit Recovery Academy (middle and high school)
• English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) (middle and high school)

Find session dates and registration links and deadlines on the FCPS summer programs webpage.

Student Course Selections for SY24-25

Over the past few weeks, all students had a chance to meet with their school counselors individually to select their courses for next year. Students and parents can view their course selections in their SIS account under the Course Request. 

Please note the following items:

• This list is NOT a schedule, but a confirmation of the courses entered into the Student Information System. 
• Music Courses - Students who have signed up for the music courses (Band, Orchestra and Chorus) will initially be placed in the beginner level until auditions and placements have been completed. Please know that music directors will work with counselors to make the appropriate updates between March and April. 

Visit our Academic Advising website or contact your child's counselor with any questions. 

Chantilly Charge Ahead Program for Rising 9th Graders

Please see the flyer for information about the Charge Ahead program for rising 9th graders at Chantilly!

Registration link:
https://forms.gle/9eL8UB9ydgg3uyuGA
Payment via students
www.myschoolbucks.com

Library Updates

This week, many classes visited the library for a variety of reasons! Mrs. Cho’s Civics classes worked on their Political Process project using our makerspaces (The Inspiration Studio and Tech Den) as well as our teaching space. Half the class had a mini lesson with Mrs. Cho, while the other half used the makerspaces to work on campaign merchandise and advertisements for their election simulation – and then the groups switched! Mrs. Schopp’s Strategies for Success class visited The Inspiration Studio to work on their flexible thinking skills and Mrs. Mertell’s English class also visited the Inspiration Studio to use makerspace materials to create visual versions of the vocabulary words they have been studying. Finally, it has been a pleasure to host Dr. Endara’s English classes in the library as they continue to work on their research papers. Through all these classes, students are working on several Portrait of a Graduate skills, including collaboration, creative and critical thinking, and being goal directed and resilient!

During Rock Time, lots of students have enjoyed the library to play games, including chess, checkers, cards, and Scrabble! Students have also come for a quiet place to keep reading their book or study for an upcoming test. The library is a great place to work on collaboration and social skills with friends, but also pursue their own interests and needs.

Finally, I am working on our upcoming author visit with New York Times bestselling author, Stuart Gibbs. A lot of planning happens when an author to comes to our school, and I am so grateful to our PTA for sponsoring his visit to speak with all students! We also invite you to join Family Book Club, coming up on April 17. See below for more information!

Family Book Club

Family Book Club is coming up on Wednesday, April 17 at 7pm. Stuart Gibbs will be our featured author for the evening and he will be present to speak with families about his books. We are excited to share this evening with the Franklin Middle School community, too! This evening will take place on the same day that Mr. Gibbs will give presentations at both schools.

How Does Family Book Club Work? Both the student and an adult in your family (parent, grandparent, aunt, etc) sign up to read the same book and come to Rocky Run on April 17 to discuss the book with other readers. You have the option of borrowing books from Rocky Run or purchasing your own books if you would like the author to sign them that evening. It is a wonderful evening that has become a long-standing tradition at Rocky Run. To attend Family Book Club, click here to sign up!

Don’t miss out on a Rocky Run yearbook.

The Rocky Run yearbook will be full of fun memories for students, including friends, classes, clubs and events. Pre-order now to guarantee your student a book.  Order online for $30 at: https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/index.cfm/job/5333

Click here to access the registration form on March 12 at 6 PM. After-School Program Information

Schedule for the week of 3/11

Important Program Information:

• Mark your calendar - there will be no after-school activities and no late buses on the following dates: 3/15, 3/22, 5/24.   
• Spring Track and Field -  LESS THAN14 DAYS REMAINING TO SUBMIT FORMS!  All forms must be fully completed and submitted no later than March 22.  Please review the interest meeting slides and interest form if your student would like to participate.    
• DONATION REQUEST - We have a new Crochet Club starting next week on Wednesdays during 1st session.  If you have any yarn or crochet hooks at home that you are willing to donate, please drop off in the main office.  We appreciate your support! 
• Program updates, announcements, schedules, and late bus routes will be communicated through the After-School Schoology Course - all families have been added
• Registration form is required for ALL RRMS students (regardless of intent to participate).  Your student will not be able to stay after for any clubs, activities, or events if this form is not completed.  
• Check out our Program Preview
• Questions?  Contact Shannon Campbell, After-School Program Specialist, at [email protected]

Rocky Run vs Franklin Basketball Game

When? Friday, March 15th - doors open at 4:30 PM, games start at 5 pm (staff, girls, varsity boys).  All students must be picked up no later than 8:00 PM

Where?  Chantilly High School

Cost?  Everyone who enters (except players) must pay the $5 admission.  You can purchase tickets on MySchoolBucks in the "school store" as of Monday, March 4th.  Online ticket sales end on Wednesday, March 13th.  There may be tickets available at the door (cash only), but the event is subject to selling out!  We will have concessions available for purchase (cash only).  

*Only current Rocky Run and Franklin students will be able to attend this event.*

We will have a roster of all online ticket sales at the door for students and families to check-in.  We encourage family supervision for this event.  All students must be on their best behavior at the event and show good sportsmanship.  

Students must be RAMS IN GOOD STANDING to attend the game!  This means that from March 4 - March 15, students have zero tardies, no device violations, and no discipline infractions.

Questions? Email Shannon Campbell at [email protected].

Go Rams T-Shirts! 

A limited number of t-shirts will be available for students to purchase DURING LUNCH on Tuesday, 3/12 only!  The supply will be divided up so each lunch has the opportunity to purchase.  Buy a shirt to wear to the Rocky Run vs Franklin game on Friday, 3/15.  T-shirts are $10 - cash only!  Only one t-shirt per student as supplies are limited. 

Quick Links

• Family Resource Center

• Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms

• Mental Health Resources and Emergency Services Information
• SIS ParentVUE
• Standard School Year Calendar

4400 Stringfellow Rd, Chantilly, VA 20151 | Main Office: 703-802-7700
Attendance: 703-802-7782 or [email protected] 
Web | Twitter

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Important Dates

March 4 - Ticket sales open on MySchoolBucks for Rocky Run vs Franklin basketball game (games take place on 3/15)

March 5 - No School (Teacher Workday)

March 6- Anchor Day- All classes meet

March 13 - PTA Meeting, 6:30 PM, Library

March 15 - 8th Grade Activity Fair at Chantilly High School (9:30 - 11:30 AM), Annual Rocky Run vs Franklin Basketball Games at Chantilly HS (4:30-8 PM)

March 22 - No After-School Activities (all students depart at 2:15)

March 25 - 29 - No School (Spring Break)

April 1 - 2 - No School (Teacher Workdays)

RAISE the Ram Card Winners

Congratulations to this week's Ram card winners:

Anjana Atre

Tyler Regan

Ryan McDonough

Jacob Crochetiere

Ibraheem Lane

Amelia Mai

Great job Raising the Ram!

A Note from the Principal

Dear Rocky Run Community-

March seems to be coming in like a lamb (in contrast to the popular elementary school rhyme). The weather has been gorgeous and students and staff have loved going outside for recess and PE. Let's hope the beautiful weather continues! This week our 8th graders also attended the annual Finance Park fieldtrip which is an interactive, experiential simulation to teach them about budgeting, bills, salaries, etc. One of the most eye-opening realizations that our students make is how expensive it is to have children. Don't be surprised if you get a few extra hugs or "thank yous" this week, out of the blue. Kudos to our amazing Civics team for organizing the meaningful event.

Switching gears, I wanted to let you know that FCPS is partnering with independent research firm K12 Insight to administer a Family Engagement Survey, which will be open from Sunday, March 3, to Friday, March 22. Your feedback is critical in helping FCPS to better recognize, understand, respect, and address family strengths and needs throughout the district. Survey topics include:

• Welcoming environment
• Communication
• Student success
• Advocacy
• Family and school partnerships
• Community partnerships

The survey will be available in English, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Pashto, Spanish, Urdu, and Vietnamese. 

Parents/caregivers will receive the survey link via email from K12 Insight. A public link will also be posted on FCPS’ website. Paper surveys will be available in our front office. Please stay tuned for more information.

As always, thank you for your continued partnership and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions. I look forward to seeing you at RRMS soon.

Sincerely,

Peter Kownacki
Principal
Rocky Run Middle School
@pakownacki

March 6 Bell Schedule

Wednesday, March 6 will be an anchor day for students, so they will visit all of their Blue and Gold Day classes. The bell schedule for the day will be provided in the student Schoology course. Please remind your students to bring all materials for all classes that day!

Student Course Selections for SY24-25

Over the past few weeks, all students had a chance to meet with their school counselors individually to select their courses for next year. Students and parents can view their course selections in their SIS account under the Course Request. 

Please note the following items:

• This list is NOT a schedule, but a confirmation of the courses entered into the Student Information System. 
• Music Courses - Students who have signed up for the music courses (Band, Orchestra and Chorus) will initially be placed in the beginner level until auditions and placements have been completed. Please know that music directors will work with counselors to make the appropriate updates between March and April. 

Visit our Academic Advising website or contact your child's counselor with any questions. 

Understanding HS Mathematics Course Offerings Webinar

How can students participate in mathematics throughout high school in a way that is relevant to and supportive of post-secondary and career interests? FCPS Math Specialists are offering a webinar for parents/guardians on March 8th from 10 to 11:30 AM. 

During this session, the presenters will discuss mathematics graduation requirements and how to support students in navigating the various course offerings currently available in FCPS. Students and their families may start thinking about what course pathways are available beginning in middle school. 

Presented by Jennifer Allard FCPS High School Math Specialist and Erin Sylves FCPS Math Specialist.

March 8, 2024, 10-11:30 AM.  Add to Your Calendar

Register for Understanding High School Mathematics Course Offerings

You can access more information on this website. 

Chantilly Charge Ahead Program for Rising 9th Graders

Please see the flyer for information about the Charge Ahead program for rising 9th graders at Chantilly!

Registration link:
https://forms.gle/9eL8UB9ydgg3uyuGA
Payment via students
www.myschoolbucks.com

Library Updates

Happy March! Did you know? At the beginning of each month, all of the library’s special book displays are changed. March’s book displays include Celebrating Women’s Voices (for Women’s History Month), Spies in Fiction and Nonfiction, Spring into a New Series, and March 14 is International Day of Mathematics! Students enjoy browsing these displays and checking out books that they may not have noticed otherwise. Special thanks to volunteer Lori for helping to put up this month’s displays!

Thank You! Many students are returning long overdue books from before winter break. Please check with your student to see if they have any library books they are done with and can be returned to the library.

Class Updates: This week brought English 8 classes at the beginning of the week to work on their research papers in the library using FCPS databases and NoodleTools and Civics classes at the end of the week to work on their Political Process project using our makerspaces, the Inspiration Studio and Tech Den! It has been a wonderful time for students to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways and with different classes. Civics class visits will continue into next week, too.

Did You Know? In February alone, there were more than 3700 student visits and 25 class visits. It has been busy, busy! Our most popular time of day is before school, when almost 150 students visit daily!

Rocky Run Yearbook Pre-orders Ending Soon!

The Rocky Run yearbook will be full of fun memories for students, including friends, classes, clubs and events. Pre-orders will be ending soon.  Books are $30 and are delivered at the end of the school year.  Order online at: https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/index.cfm/job/5333

After-School Program Information

Schedule for the week of 3/4

Important Program Information:

• Mark your calendar - there will be no after-school activities and no late buses on the following dates: 2/16, 3/15, 3/22, 5/24.   
• Spring Track and Field -  All forms must be fully completed and submitted no later than March 22.  Please review the interest meeting slides and interest form if your student would like to participate.   
• Centreville High School Football Interest Meeting will be held on Thursday, March 7, during 1st session of after-school (2:30-3:15) at Rocky Run.  Interested students should sign up here.  More high school interest meetings will be posted as scheduled through the Spring.
• Westfield High School Football Program - The football program is beginning their preseason activities this coming Monday (2/26) @ Westfield HS weight room.  Please contact the coach at [email protected] if interested in joining their football team this fall.  
• Program updates, announcements, schedules, and late bus routes will be communicated through the After-School Schoology Course - all families have been added
• Registration form is required for ALL RRMS students (regardless of intent to participate).  Your student will not be able to stay after for any clubs, activities, or events if this form is not completed.  
• Check out our Program Preview
• Questions?  Contact Shannon Campbell, After-School Program Specialist, at [email protected]

Rocky Run vs Franklin Basketball Game

When? Friday, March 15th - doors open at 4:30 PM, games start at 5 pm (staff, girls, varsity boys).  All students must be picked up no later than 8:00 PM

Where?  Chantilly High School

Cost?  Everyone who enters (except players) must pay the $5 admission.  You can purchase tickets on MySchoolBucks in the "school store" as of Monday, March 4th.  Online ticket sales end on Wednesday, March 13th.  There may be tickets available at the door (cash only), but the event is subject to selling out!  We will have concessions available for purchase (cash only).  

We will have a roster of all online ticket sales at the door for students and families to check-in.  We encourage family supervision for this event.  All students must be on their best behavior at the event and show good sportsmanship.  

Questions? Email Shannon Campbell at [email protected].

Quick Links

• Family Resource Center

• Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms

• Mental Health Resources and Emergency Services Information
• SIS ParentVUE
• Standard School Year Calendar

4400 Stringfellow Rd, Chantilly, VA 20151 | Main Office: 703-802-7700
Attendance: 703-802-7782 or [email protected] 
Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Important Dates

February 26-29 - Civics Field Trips to Finance Park

March 5 - No School (Teacher Workday)

March 15 - Annual Rocky Run vs Franklin Basketball Games at Chantilly HS, 5 - 9 PM 

RAISE the Ram Card Winners

Congratulations to this week's Ram card winners:

Miles Johnson (Engaged)

Dominic Contreras (Accountable and Engaged)

Aubrey Brooks (Respectful)

Susanna Chang (Engaged)

Ruby Bang (Respectful and Engaged)

Henry Rottman (Accountable and Safe)

Great job Raising the Ram!

A Note from the Principal

Dear Rocky Run Community-

I hope everyone enjoyed a great three day weekend in recognition of President's Day. As a father of VERY active kids, I spent most of the weekend at soccer fields, pool decks and basketball courts. In a way, I really appreciated coming back to work on Tuesday as a break from my busy weekend!

Sometimes it seems like we pack five days of activities into four day work weeks. We were busy at Rocky Run this week with band and orchestra concerts. Congratulations to all the student performers for the amazing shows. Also, good luck to our Rocky Run basketball teams this weekend as they take on the teams from Katherine Johnson Middle School. Remember to RAISE the Ram!

As always, thank you for your continued partnership and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions. I look forward to seeing you at RRMS soon.

Sincerely,

Peter Kownacki
Principal
Rocky Run Middle School
@pakownacki

Finance Park

8th grade students will participate in the Finance Park field trips next week.  Students need to bring a bagged lunch and beverage of their own.  If they need a school provided lunch, they need to speak to or email their Civics teacher by the end of this week.  There is NO COST for the trip.

Students will depart Rocky Run around 9:15 AM and will return around 1:30 PM. 

February 26 – Sawatzky/Bolton (Tiger’s Eye)

February 27 – Speir/Castle (Kryptonite)

February 28 – Cho/Sayers (Sapphire)

Understanding HS Mathematics Course Offerings Webinar

How can students participate in mathematics throughout high school in a way that is relevant to and supportive of post-secondary and career interests? FCPS Math Specialists are offering a webinar for parents/guardians on March 8th from 10 to 11:30 AM. 

During this session, the presenters will discuss mathematics graduation requirements and how to support students in navigating the various course offerings currently available in FCPS. Students and their families may start thinking about what course pathways are available beginning in middle school. 

Presented by Jennifer Allard FCPS High School Math Specialist and Erin Sylves FCPS Math Specialist.

March 8, 2024, 10-11:30 AM.  Add to Your Calendar

Register for Understanding High School Mathematics Course Offerings

You can access more information on this website. 

Sully District Budget Town Hall

 

Please join Sully District School Board member Seema Dixit and Supervisor Kathy Smith for a joint town hall as they present the proposed FY 2025 Budgets and take your comments. Details of the Fairfax County budget can be found here. If you would like to ask a question regarding the FY25 Budget, please send an email to [email protected] with "Budget Town Hall" in the subject. Detailed information about the FCPS FY25 Budget can be found on our website and also detailed below.

 

When: Thursday, February 29, 2024 

Time: 7 - 9 pm EST

Where: Rocky Run Middle School Lecture Hall

Address: 4400 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly, VA 20151 

 

*If American Sign Language or language interpretation is needed, please submit your request by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 27, 2024.

Library Updates

This week has been super busy with supporting English 8 students working on their research papers each period. Students are researching topics of interest to them and using library database resources to find the evidence to prove their arguments. I am always proud to see students navigate these resources with ease and how well they advocate for themselves when they aren’t sure what to do next. English 8 research papers continue next week, too!

Last week and this week, I also completed a full inventory of the books on the library shelves. This is an important annual library task in order to account for any missing library books. More than 13,000 books were scanned over two days! I am pleased to see from the missing books data that students are very knowledgeable of the correct self-checkout procedures. Very few books were missing, and using my FCPS library budget, I will order new copies of those titles.

Yearbook Information- Group Picture Order

Rocky Run has many fun groups featured in the yearbook.

Students recently took after-school club and music group pictures.  See them with their friends in the Rocky Run yearbook!  Order for just $30 at: https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/index.cfm/job/5333

The Math Olympiad Club at Rocky Run continues to achieve remarkable success, with twelve successful contests out of the eighteen scheduled for this academic year. With over 60 students actively engaged in our weekly meetings, our club serves as a platform for students to immerse themselves in various mathematical tournaments and explore diverse methods and approaches.

Amidst National and International competitions, our students have excelled in regional math tournaments hosted by Perennial Math, showcasing exceptional talent and dedication. In Onsite Tournaments, 30 students demonstrated their prowess, with our 7th-grade teams securing all 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places, while our 8th-grade teams achieved 1st and 2nd place honors, thereby earning the opportunity to advance to the National Tournaments in May. Individual recognition was also earned by Siddharth S. (1st place), Prajeet M. (2nd place), Pranav K. (3rd place), Sarvesh N. (2nd place), and Ani N. (3rd place) who were distinguished as Individual Round winners and received invitations to participate in the National Championship.

In December, our Mathletes participated in the Perennial Math Team Virtual Tournaments, achieving outstanding results. Our 7th-grade team emerged as champions, while the 8th-grade teams secured 2nd and 3rd places, bringing honor and recognition to our institution, and securing invitations to the National Championship in May.

Looking ahead, the Math Olympiad Club is preparing for another Regional Tournament scheduled for March 6th, and 6 more online contests and we are confident that our students will continue to uphold the standard of excellence. The culmination of our club's activities will be marked by an award ceremony in May, where all winners and participants will be duly acknowledged and celebrated for their dedication and achievements in the field of mathematics.

Kudos to all of the students who have been participating and a big thank you to Mrs. Nishanian, a Rocky Run parent, who has been coordinating this program for our school.  

After-School Program Information

Schedule for the week of 2/26

Important Program Information:

• Mark your calendar - there will be no after-school activities and no late buses on the following dates: 2/16, 3/15, 3/22, 5/24.   
• Spring Track and Field - we are less than one month out from our form deadline.  Please review the interest meeting slides and interest form if your student would like to participate. All forms must be fully completed and submitted no later than March 22.  
• Centreville High School Football Interest Meeting will be held on Thursday, March 7, during 1st session of after-school (2:30-3:15) at Rocky Run.  Interested students should sign up here.  More high school interest meetings will be posted as scheduled through the Spring.
• Westfield High School Football Program - The football program is beginning their preseason activities this coming Monday (2/26) @ Westfield HS weight room.  Please contact the coach at [email protected] if interested in joining their football team this fall.  
• Program updates, announcements, schedules, and late bus routes will be communicated through the After-School Schoology Course - all families have been added
• Registration form is required for ALL RRMS students (regardless of intent to participate).  Your student will not be able to stay after for any clubs, activities, or events if this form is not completed.  
• Check out our Program Preview
• Questions?  Contact Shannon Campbell, After-School Program Specialist, at [email protected]

Quick Links

• Family Resource Center

• Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms

• Mental Health Resources and Emergency Services Information
• SIS ParentVUE
• Standard School Year Calendar

4400 Stringfellow Rd, Chantilly, VA 20151 | Main Office: 703-802-7700
Attendance: 703-802-7782 or [email protected] 
Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Important Dates

February 19 - No School (Presidents' Day) 

February 26-29 - Civics Field Trips to Finance Park

March 5 - No School (Teacher Workday)

March 15 - Annual Rocky Run vs Franklin Basketball Games at Chantilly HS, 5 - 9 PM 

RAISE the Ram Card Winners

Congratulations to this week's Ram card winners:

Sia Vadakoot (Engaged)

Christine Bruening (Safe)

Chase Gordon (Accountable)

Simone Feil (Accountable)

Aaliyah Humphrey (Engaged)

Lesly Hernandez Garcia (Respectful)

Great job Raising the Ram!

A Note from the Principal

Dear Rocky Run Community-

Middle school hallways are always an interesting place to be on Valentine's Day, and this year was no exception! Candies, balloons, flowers, etc. all made appearances at Rocky Run this week. In addition to Valentine’s Day, we recently celebrated Lunar New Year on February 10. On this holiday, people across Asia (and beyond) ushered in the Year of the Dragon. 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. We wish all RRMS families who celebrate Lunar New Year happiness and fortune.

Speaking of happiness and fortune, I'm thrilled to announce that many of our Rocky Run teachers were recently recognized for their contributions to our school. Congratulations to Desi Hatzakos for being named the Outstanding New Teacher for the Chantilly Pyramid, Young Hong for being named the Outstanding Leader for the Chantilly Pyramid and Rose Cho for being named the Outstanding Teacher in the Chantilly Pyramid. Each of these three amazing educators will move on in the process to hopefully become the Region 5 representative in their category. We recently received the good news that Rachel Sweeney was named the Region 5 recipient of the Outstanding Professional category. Dr. Sweeney will compete against the other region winners for the overall FCPS award. Each of these individuals is extremely deserving and I am proud that they represent Rocky Run Middle School.

Enjoy the upcoming three day weekend in celebration of President's Day. As always, thank you for your continued partnership and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions. I look forward to seeing you at RRMS soon.

Sincerely,

Peter Kownacki
Principal
Rocky Run Middle School
@pakownacki

Understanding HS Mathematics Course Offerings Webinar

How can students participate in mathematics throughout high school in a way that is relevant to and supportive of post-secondary and career interests? FCPS Math Specialists are offering a webinar for parents/guardians on March 8th from 10 to 11:30 AM. 

During this session, the presenters will discuss mathematics graduation requirements and how to support students in navigating the various course offerings currently available in FCPS. Students and their families may start thinking about what course pathways are available beginning in middle school. 

Presented by Jennifer Allard FCPS High School Math Specialist and Erin Sylves FCPS Math Specialist.

March 8, 2024, 10-11:30 AM.  Add to Your Calendar

Register for Understanding High School Mathematics Course Offerings

You can access more information on this website. 

Library Updates

The library has been super busy lately! In fact, we logged our most popular day of the school year on February 9, with 257 students visiting the library just on that day! That’s almost 25% of the student population! Students have enjoyed our games, puzzles, and new Sticker Mosaic, in addition to the books on our shelves and using the library space to study and work on projects. It is my mission as a librarian to support students personal and academic interests, and that’s what’s happening right now!

Bookmark Contest Update: This week, we received the printed copies of the winning student-designed bookmarks from the recent bookmark contest! See below for the winners in both the hand drawn and digital categories. Winners got to pick from the library prize box and received the first copies of their printed bookmarks. There were some amazing entries this year and both students and staff continue to enjoy this annual tradition at Rocky Run.

Classes Update: In the next 2-3 weeks, all English 8 classes will visit the library to get research support on their persuasive essay and Civics will be using the library’s makerspaces, The Inspiration Studio and Tech Den, to work on their Political Process project. It will be wonderful to support our 8th grade students’ learning in multiple ways!

Overdues Update: As of Friday, there are 551 books that are overdue. Students received an email to their fcpsschools account on Thursday with the books they have that are past their due date. Please check with your student if they have overdue books and make a plan for how to return them. There is a mailbox at the front of the school if you would like to drop them off over the weekend! Students who have books from first quarter (before October 31) will receive a bill in the mail next week to cover the cost of replacement. Please email me ([email protected]) if you have any questions or need to pay for a lost book.

Eating Disorder Parent Information

The Code of Virginia, 22.1-273.2 requires Virginia Public Schools to provide, on an annual basis, parent educational information regarding eating disorders for students in grades five through twelve.

According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA 2023),

Eating disorders are serious but treatable mental and physical illnesses that can affect people of all genders, ages, races, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, body shapes, and weights. In the United States, 28.8 million Americans will suffer from an eating disorder at some point in their lives.

There is no single cause of an eating disorder. Rather, it is a complex combination of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors that converge and set off an individual’s predisposed genetic vulnerability.

In collaboration with the Fairfax County Health Department, FCPS has developed a web page with detailed information and resources to be provided to parents and guardians of Fairfax County Public Schools. This information may be found at Eating Disorders. 

Yearbook Information- Group Picture Order

Rocky Run has many fun groups featured in the yearbook.

Students recently took after-school club and music group pictures.  See them with their friends in the Rocky Run yearbook!  Order for just $30 at: https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/index.cfm/job/5333

After-School Program Information

Schedule for the week of 2/19

Important Program Information:

• Mark your calendar - there will be no after-school activities and no late buses on the following dates: 2/16, 3/15, 3/22, 5/24.   
• Spring Track and Field - we are just 6 weeks out from our form deadline.  Please review the interest meeting slides and interest form if your student would like to participate. All forms must be fully completed and submitted no later than March 22.  
• Westfield High School Football Interest Meeting will be held on Wednesday, 2/21, during 1st session of after-school (2:30-3:15) at Rocky Run.  Interested students should sign up here.  More high school interest meetings will be posted as scheduled through the Spring.
• Program updates, announcements, schedules, and late bus routes will be communicated through the After-School Schoology Course - all families have been added
• Registration form is required for ALL RRMS students (regardless of intent to participate).  Your student will not be able to stay after for any clubs, activities, or events if this form is not completed.  
• Check out our Program Preview
• Questions?  Contact Shannon Campbell, After-School Program Specialist, at [email protected]

Quick Links

• Family Resource Center

• Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms

• Mental Health Resources and Emergency Services Information
• SIS ParentVUE
• Standard School Year Calendar

4400 Stringfellow Rd, Chantilly, VA 20151 | Main Office: 703-802-7700
Attendance: 703-802-7782 or [email protected] 
Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Important Dates

February 16 - No After-School Activities, all students depart at 2:15 PM

February 19 - No School (Presidents' Day) 

February 26-29 - Civics Field Trips to Finance Park

March 5 - No School (Teacher Workday)

RAISE the Ram Card Winners

Congratulations to this week's Ram card winners:

Camila Anaya-Guevara (Respectful)

Jacob Thacker (Respectful and Accountable)

Elizabeth Yoo (Engaged)

Keegan Settle-Barron (Safe)

Josh Lopez (Engaged)

Agape Kim (Respectful and Engaged)

Great job Raising the Ram!

A Note from the Principal

Dear Rocky Run Community-

We had another amazing week at Rocky Run! I enjoyed popping into many classes and exploring concepts with students. Some highlights include "busting myths" with 7th grade English classes as part of their research projects. I can't wait to see how this research translates into their big writing assignment later in the year. I also enjoyed spending time in the Innovation Lab with our 7th grade science classes building 3-D models of cells. Lastly, it's always fun to play volleyball in PE classes! 

Classroom visits are always fun, but the best part of my week was spending time with the Principal's Advisory Council. This week the PAC met to offer ideas on our incentive and reward system. Engaging the student voice in school issues is important and this group does an awesome job representing their peers. 

As always, thank you for your continued partnership and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions. I look forward to seeing you at RRMS soon.

Sincerely,

Peter Kownacki
Principal
Rocky Run Middle School
@pakownacki

January ROAR Winners- 8th Grade

Congratulations to our 8th Grade ROAR winners for January! 

Team Kryptonite: Rooster Polakoff & Chase Schaub

Team Sapphire: Kutay Baygin & Kenni Orozco Arreaga

Team Tigers Eye: Arushi Dasgupta & Craig Ryder

Great job!!

Understanding HS Mathematics Course Offerings Webinar

How can students participate in mathematics throughout high school in a way that is relevant to and supportive of post-secondary and career interests? FCPS Math Specialists are offering a webinar for parents/guardians on March 8th from 10 to 11:30 AM. 

During this session, the presenters will discuss mathematics graduation requirements and how to support students in navigating the various course offerings currently available in FCPS. Students and their families may start thinking about what course pathways are available beginning in middle school. 

Presented by Jennifer Allard FCPS High School Math Specialist and Erin Sylves FCPS Math Specialist.

March 8, 2024, 10-11:30 AM.  Add to Your Calendar

Register for Understanding High School Mathematics Course Offerings

You can access more information on this website. 

Rising 8th Grade Academic Advising 

Current 7th grade students are receiving information about 8th grade course options and they are starting to meet with their counselor individually to select the courses. We encourage parents to visit our Academic Advising website and support their child to select the courses for next year. See our process guide and resources below, and contact your child's subject teachers and/or counselor for any questions. 

• Course Catalog
• Electives Videos
• FCPS Middle School Mathematics 
• RRMS Academic Advising Website

Anti-Vaping Campaign and Guest Speaker

The National PTA, and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids are committed to educating youth, parents, school boards and local officials about the dangers of e-cigarettes and other tobacco products. The Chantilly PTSA is running its own campaign beginning this February!

*At the next general meeting of the Chantilly PTSA on February 15th at 6:30 p.m. in the Chantilly school library, we will host a guest speaker on the topic of tobacco use and vaping among our youth. Stacey King is a licensed clinical social worker and the substance abuse prevention specialist for the Chantilly Pyramid.

You must be 18 or older to attend. Ms. King will discuss the harms of tobacco use and vaping and will provide information about the latest trends in tobacco/vape use in our community. She will also talk about ways parents can initiate productive conversations with their children. There will be time for a question-and-answer session, and literature will be available in both English and Spanish. Light refreshments and student-provided childcare will be provided.

To register for this free event, please sign up here:  https://forms.gle/pJ6cb7u1LW4Pj9TD6

Spelling Bee 

Our annual Spelling Bee was held after-school on Tuesday, 2/6.  We had 27 students participate.  Our spellers did an amazing job!   We went 28 rounds before finishing with the word "finnic". 

Congratulations to our 1st place winner, Nikita, and runner-up, Arnav.  Good luck to Nikita as she represents Rocky Run at the Fairfax County Bee.  

February Candygrams

Students will have the opportunity to purchase candygrams for $1 each during lunch on 2/13 and 2/15.  Cash only (exact change, please!).  Candygrams will be distributed during Rock Time on 2/22.  All proceeds will benefit this year's 8th grade end of year party.  Questions?  Email Shannon Campbell at [email protected].

After-School Program Information

Schedule for the week of 2/12

Important Program Information:

• Mark your calendar - there will be no after-school activities and no late buses on the following dates: 2/16, 3/15, 3/22, 5/24.   
• Spring Track and Field - we are just 6 weeks out from our form deadline.  Please review the interest meeting slides and interest form if your student would like to participate. All forms must be fully completed and submitted no later than March 22.  

• Our Battle of the Books team members held their own among many strong teams at our Regional Open Competition in Manassas on Saturday, February 3rd. The only school from FCPS at the competition, our readers read 20 books, conquered a multiple choice test, five rounds of “In what book…” questions, and a quotation round, and did it all with great sportsmanship and positivity. We are thankful for the commitment of our BoB readers and the support of their families! Next up: our Final Competition in March…

• Rocky Run’s MathCounts team attended the chapter competition at Chantilly High School on Saturday and our team took fourth place. Siddu S. and Sarvesh N. advanced to the countdown round, with Siddu making it to the quarterfinals. We also had four team members make it into the top 19 participants. Well done, Mathletes!

• Program updates, announcements, schedules, and late bus routes will be communicated through the After-School Schoology Course - all families have been added
• Registration form is required for ALL RRMS students (regardless of intent to participate).  Your student will not be able to stay after for any clubs, activities, or events if this form is not completed.  
• Check out our Program Preview
• Questions?  Contact Shannon Campbell, After-School Program Specialist, at [email protected]

Quick Links

• Family Resource Center

• Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms

• Mental Health Resources and Emergency Services Information
• SIS ParentVUE
• Standard School Year Calendar

4400 Stringfellow Rd, Chantilly, VA 20151 | Main Office: 703-802-7700
Attendance: 703-802-7782 or [email protected] 
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Important Dates

February 5 - Second quarter grades will be viewable in SIS ParentVue

February 6 - Spelling Bee, 2:30 PM, Lecture Hall

February 7 - PTA Meeting, 6:30 PM, Library

February 9 - Yearbook Club Pictures, All Day 

February 16 - No After-School Activities, all students depart at 2:15 PM

February 19 - No School (Presidents' Day) 

RAISE the Ram Card Winners

Congratulations to this week's Ram card winners:

Anjana Atre (Respectful)

Sophia Tibbs (Accountable)

Aidan Hennessey (Respectful, Accountable, and Engaged)

Pragya Modi (Accountable and Engaged)

Katie Han (Engaged)

Olivia Fairchild (Engaged)

Great job Raising the Ram!

A Note from the Principal

Dear Rocky Run Community-

We are off and running in the second semester of the school year at RRMS. It was a pleasure to welcome over 60 parents to RRMS this past Tuesday and Thursday for our team coffees. These events were part of our continued effort to increase family engagement. We believe that communication should be two-way, and not simply the school sending emails (yes- I understand the irony of that statement in a News You Choose email). We continue this endeavor to partner with families to provide tools and tips for you to help support our school from home. We also welcome dialogue from you to help us better serve your students while at school. Be sure to look for continued opportunities for engagement soon.

This past week, we kicked off Black History Month. At RRMS, we will take the opportunity to celebrate Black History Month by affirming African American accomplishments, milestones, and contributions to our nation’s history. Black History Month is an annual celebration that started in the US in 1926. The month of February was chosen to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln, the US President who issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, and Frederick Douglas, an African American orator, social reformer, writer and abolitionist. President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, calling upon the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” The theme of this year’s Black History Month has an art theme and will focus on the varied history and life of African American arts and artisans.

Lastly, next week, February 5-9, we join with other schools in celebrating National School Counselor Appreciation Week. Please join me in thanking Ms. Bae, Dr. Jacobson, Ms. Marshall, and the Director of Student Services, Ms. Hong for all they do to support our students. We are truly grateful to have such a dedicated and caring Student Services Department.

As always, thank you for your continued partnership and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions. I look forward to seeing you at RRMS soon.

Sincerely,

Peter Kownacki
Principal
Rocky Run Middle School
@pakownacki

January ROAR Winners- 7th Grade

Congratulations to our 7th Grade ROAR winners for January! 8th grade winners will be shared next week.

Team Emerald: Meadow DeMille & Kate Slevin

Team Meteors: Keira Ferragamo & Thanish Raja

Team Platinum: Suhas Devarakonda, Aarsi Khadka, & Farid Mahammadli

Great job!!

Family Coffee Information

Thank you to the 60+ families who joined us this week for our Family Coffees!

If you missed it or would like to review some of the information shared, you can check out the Family Coffee Presentations on our website!

Have questions or feedback? Please fill out our survey here!

Rising 8th Grade (Current 7th Grade) Academic Advising Information

Current 7th grade students will receive academic advising lessons starting next week. We encourage parents to visit our Academic Advising website and support their child to select the courses for next year. See our process guide and resources below, and contact your child's subject teachers and/or counselor for any questions. 

• Course Catalog
• Electives Videos
• FCPS Middle School Mathematics 
• RRMS Academic Advising Website

Anti-Vaping Campaign and Guest Speaker

The National PTA, and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids are committed to educating youth, parents, school boards and local officials about the dangers of e-cigarettes and other tobacco products. The Chantilly PTSA is running its own campaign beginning this February!

*At the next general meeting of the Chantilly PTSA on February 15th at 6:30 p.m. in the Chantilly school library, we will host a guest speaker on the topic of tobacco use and vaping among our youth. Stacey King is a licensed clinical social worker and the substance abuse prevention specialist for the Chantilly Pyramid.

You must be 18 or older to attend. Ms. King will discuss the harms of tobacco use and vaping and will provide information about the latest trends in tobacco/vape use in our community. She will also talk about ways parents can initiate productive conversations with their children. There will be time for a question-and-answer session, and literature will be available in both English and Spanish. Light refreshments and student-provided childcare will be provided.

To register for this free event, please sign up here:  https://forms.gle/pJ6cb7u1LW4Pj9TD6

After-School Program Information

Schedule for the week of 2/5

Important Program Information:

• Mark your calendar - there will be no after-school activities and no late buses on the following dates: 2/16, 3/22, 5/24.   
• Spring Track and Field flier is linked below - please review all information. All completed forms must be submitted no later than March 22.  
• Kudos to our futsal team for their performance on 1/25 in the semi-finals of a multi-school tournament.  We didn't make it to the championship but we are really proud of our students' performance and teamwork! 
• Program updates, announcements, schedules, and late bus routes will be communicated through the After-School Schoology Course - all families have been added
• Registration form is required for ALL RRMS students (regardless of intent to participate).  Your student will not be able to stay after for any clubs, activities, or events if this form is not completed.  
• Check out our Program Preview
• Questions?  Contact Shannon Campbell, After-School Program Specialist, at [email protected]

Quick Links

• Family Resource Center

• Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms

• Mental Health Resources and Emergency Services Information
• SIS ParentVUE
• Standard School Year Calendar

4400 Stringfellow Rd, Chantilly, VA 20151 | Main Office: 703-802-7700
Attendance: 703-802-7782 or [email protected] 
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Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Important Dates

January 30 - 7th Grade Team Coffees, Civics Court Tour

January 31 - Civics Court Tour

February 1 - 8th Grade Team Coffees

February 5 - Second quarter grades will be viewable in SIS ParentVue

February 6 - Spelling Bee, 2:30 PM, Lecture Hall

February 7 - PTA Meeting, 6:30 PM, Library

February 9 - Yearbook Club Pictures, All Day 

February 16 - No After-School Activities, all students depart at 2:15 PM

February 19 - No School (Presidents' Day) 

RAISE the Ram Card Winners

Congratulations to this week's Ram card winners:

Leo DelGrosso (Accountable)

Morgan Anderson (Engaged)

Vanessa Wang (Respectful and Accountable)

Keerthi Nai (Engaged)

Judy Ali (Engaged)

Lesly Hernandez Garcia (Respectful, Accountable, and Engaged)

Great job Raising the Ram!

A Note from the Principal

Dear Rocky Run Community-

One semester down, one to go. The 2023-2024 school year is officially half over. We celebrated the end of the semester with team parties on the early release day (January 25). It was fun to see students bond with each other to build a sense of community while playing Minute to Win It games, singing karaoke, etc. 

As we look forward to start of the second semester, I hope to see each of you at the team coffees on January 31 (7th grade teams) and February 1 (8th grade teams). These community events will be an amazing opportunity to learn about everything going on at Rocky Run. Teams are just one of the ways that we make a big school seem smaller! Additionally, since we pull in students from as many as eight feeder elementary schools, the coffees are a great way to meet other parents.. We believe that the team coffees will be a great way to kick off the new semester on a positive note.

As always, thank you for your continued partnership and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions. I look forward to seeing you at RRMS soon.

Sincerely,

Peter Kownacki
Principal
Rocky Run Middle School
@pakownacki

Second Semester Schedules

Monday, January 29th marks the start of the second semester of the 2023-2024 school year. This is an exiting time as many of our students will begin new electives for the second half of the school year! Students received a copy of their schedule during 8th period on Wednesday, Jan 24, and had a chance to review them with their 8th period teachers. Also, schedules will be available in StudentVue and ParentVue at 4 PM on Friday, January 26th. Please log in and note your child's second period class and room number as this is where they will report to on Monday morning. Rocky Run staff members will be available throughout the school to assist any students that need support identifying or locating their second period class. Please contact your child's school counselor for any questions regarding your child's schedule. 

Anti-Vaping Campaign and Guest Speaker

The National PTA, and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids are committed to educating youth, parents, school boards and local officials about the dangers of e-cigarettes and other tobacco products. The Chantilly PTSA is running its own campaign beginning this February!

*At the next general meeting of the Chantilly PTSA on February 15th at 6:30 p.m. in the Chantilly school library, we will host a guest speaker on the topic of tobacco use and vaping among our youth. Stacey King is a licensed clinical social worker and the substance abuse prevention specialist for the Chantilly Pyramid.

You must be 18 or older to attend. Ms. King will discuss the harms of tobacco use and vaping and will provide information about the latest trends in tobacco/vape use in our community. She will also talk about ways parents can initiate productive conversations with their children. There will be time for a question-and-answer session, and literature will be available in both English and Spanish. Light refreshments and student-provided childcare will be provided.

To register for this free event, please sign up here:  https://forms.gle/pJ6cb7u1LW4Pj9TD6

After-School Program Information

Schedule for the week of 1/29

Important Program Information:

• Mark your calendar - there will be no after-school activities and no late buses on the following dates: 2/16, 3/22, 5/24.   
• Spring Track and Field flier is linked below - please review all information. All completed forms must be submitted no later than March 22.  
• Program updates, announcements, schedules, and late bus routes will be communicated through the After-School Schoology Course - all families have been added
• Registration form is required for ALL RRMS students (regardless of intent to participate).  Your student will not be able to stay after for any clubs, activities, or events if this form is not completed.  
• Check out our Program Preview
• Questions?  Contact Shannon Campbell, After-School Program Specialist, at [email protected]

Quick Links

• Family Resource Center

• Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms

• Mental Health Resources and Emergency Services Information
• SIS ParentVUE
• Standard School Year Calendar

4400 Stringfellow Rd, Chantilly, VA 20151 | Main Office: 703-802-7700
Attendance: 703-802-7782 or [email protected] 
Web | Twitter