|
English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو
1. Important Dates
September 3 - Back to School Night, 6-8pm
September 4 - No School
September 7 - No School
September 9 - Cross Country Interest Meeting for Parents/Guardians, 6:30 PM, Zoom
September 14 - After-School Program & Late Buses Begin
September 18 - No After-School Activities - all students depart at 2:15
September 21 - No School
2. A Note from the Principal
Dear Rocky Run Families,
CONGRATULATIONS on finishing the second week of school! The students have been positive, polite, and full of great energy. It has been a pleasure visiting classrooms and interacting with students in the halls. Be sure to ask your students about the best part of their week!
I continue to be proud of our students' efforts to RAISE the Ram by being Respectful, Accountable, Inclusive, Safe, and Engaged. I sign off on the morning announcements each day reminding the students to make a positive impact on the school community. It truly seems that the students are taking this message to heart and it was definitely visible at our Team Pep Rallies on Wednesday!
As a reward to all Rams (students, staff and families) for their hard work over these first weeks, let’s have a four day weekend in honor of Labor Day! Hopefully all Rams will take advantage of the beautiful weather, re-charge their batteries, and celebrate the successful start to the school year. When classes resume on Tuesday, September 8, we will run a Gold Day bell schedule (periods 2, 4, 6, 8).
The RRMS staff is looking forward to connecting with families during our Back To School Night presentation on Thursday, September 3. It is always energizing to welcome the community into our school to highlight all the amazing things going on at Rocky Run. I am not being hyperbolic when I say that we have the BEST teachers in FCPS. If you are unable to attend, please take a few minutes review our Back to School Night website which also includes introduction videos from our admin and student services teams.
Establishing and maintaining a positive two-way communication structure is one of our school priorities, and it doesn't end after Back to School Night. Be on the lookout for upcoming parent/guardian involvement opportunities along with team newsletters throughout the year.
Thank you for your continued support and please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Peter Kownacki
Principal
Rocky Run Middle School
3. Action Items for Families
Update: Student ID Cards
We are in the process of distributing student ID cards to all Rocky Run students who ride the school bus. Bus riders will also receive lanyards so that they can wear the ID cards on the school bus each day. Please develop a system at home to make sure your child wears their student ID to school and does not misplace it.
Students who have student ID cards should begin tapping as they board and exit the bus. At this time, we will provide student ID cards only to students who use FCPS transportation services.
Click here to learn more about changes to bus navigation and student ID cards and please call the main office with any questions.
SIS ParentVue and Digital Resources
- Please make sure the enrolling parent in your family has a SIS ParentVUE account. If you do not have access to ParentVUE, please contact our Student Services Assistant, Kelly Brown at klbrown4@fcps.edu.
- Complete the digital consent forms for your child. You will use your ParentVUE username and password to login to the Parent Digital Consent. Here you will provide consent for your child to use many of our digital resources and give your permission for retakes of state assessments. In addition, you have the option to opt your child out of various things such as Family Life Education and SEL Screener participation.
Thank you for your help in getting these done!
Career Day Volunteers Needed!
Rocky Run's Career Day will take place on Friday October 30, 2026. We need your help to make it a success! Please volunteer to speak with our students on Career Day!
Use this form to sign-up to share your career or job with Rocky Run students: https://forms.gle/22umhSzdmnHtcdxe9
The event will run from about 8:00am-12:00pm, but volunteers do not need to commit for the entire time frame. Presentations will be to small groups and in a career fair setting. At this time please let us know if you are willing and available to present and save the date on your calendar!
Please reach out to Halissa Jacobson at hdjacobson@fcps.edu or Anna Slevin agslevin@fcps.edu if you have questions or would like more information. Thank you!
Hearing & Vision Screening Volunteers Needed
Our School Health Room will be conducting hearing and vision screenings for our 7th graders and new 8th graders on Thursday, September 10, and Friday, September 11, through PE classes. We are still looking for volunteers to assist from 7:20 - 10:30 AM on 9/10. If you have some time available, we would greatly appreciate your help! Details are included on this sign-up.
PTA Spirit Wear Store
The PTA Spirit Wear store is now open- extended until September 12! Browse some of our most popular designs in many colors and sizes at the Spirit Wear store. Items can ship to school or your home. Hurry! The store closes on September 12. All proceeds benefit the Rocky Run PTA, who supports many programs and events at Rocky Run.
4. Student Celebrations
RAISE the Ram Card Winners
At Rocky Run, students can earn RAISE the Ram cards for exhibiting our RAISE attributes: Rams are Respectful, Accountable, Inclusive, Safe, and Engaged. At the end of each week, we randomly select one winner from each team.
Congratulations to this week's RAISE the Ram card winners:
Meteors: Kaden Davenport (Respectful and Engaged)
Platinum: Sam Howard (Engaged)
Emerald: Naomi Yuan (Respectful, Accountable, Inclusive, Safe, and Engaged)
Kryptonite: Charlotte Begley (Accountable and Engaged)
Tiger's Eye: Max Guevara (Accountable)
Sapphire: Nathan Gojer (Engaged)
Great job Raising The Ram this week!
5. Student Services Updates
Social-Emotional Learning Screener
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) believes in supporting social and emotional learning (SEL) for all students. In FCPS, students use a tool called the SEL Screener to think about their own SEL skills and experiences at school. Rocky Run Middle School students in grades 7 and 8 will be participating in the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener in the Fall and Spring. Rocky Run’s Fall 2026 administration date is October 14, 2026, during our advisory period.
After each screening, results are available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families without a ParentVUE account. For more information about the SEL Screener, please visit the FCPS Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. If you would like your student to opt out of taking the SEL Screener, please log into the FCPS Digital Consent System. If you have any questions, please reach out to your child’s counselor:
Lorraine Marshall, ljmarshall@fcps.edu (Student Last Names A-G)
Esther Bae, eybae@fcps.edu (Student Last Names H-N)
Halissa Jacobson, hdjacobson@fcps.edu (Student Last Names O-Z)
World Language Credit By Exam
Students who are proficient in a language other than English can assess language proficiency and earn up to 3 high school world language high school credits by taking the World Language Credit by Exam assessment. To learn more about the exam and how earned credits work, please visit the FCPS World Languages Credit by Exam website.
If you and your student would like to register for the exam, please fill out this Google Form and your child’s counselor will submit the registration. Expect to receive a registration confirmation email within 1-2 school days of submitting the form. Parents / students must complete the google form by 8 AM Friday October 16, no late registrations will be accepted.
- Please make sure you and your child visit the Avant website to make sure you and your student know what to expect from this test, including sample tests and keyboard, computer, and headphone requirements.
Please contact your child’s school counselor if you have any questions:
Lorraine Marshall (Last Names A-G) – ljmarshall@fcps.edu
Esther Bae (Last Names H-N) – eybae@fcps.edu
Halissa Jacobson (Last Names O-Z) – hdjacobson@fcps.edu
TJHSST Admissions Information Session
Representatives from the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology will be coming to Rocky Run Middle School to present information about the 2026-27 admissions process on Thursday, October 1st at 2:30pm. Parents/guardians and students of current 8th graders who meet the course requirements (see eligibility requirements) are highly encouraged to attend. In addition, families of current 7th graders who are curious about the process may attend as well. Please fill out the google form to notify us of your attendance by 9/25 so that we may plan our space accordingly.
Information is posted on the TJ Admissions website and families are advised to view this prior to attending the presentation meeting. In addition, don’t forget to click on the Freshman Application Process link to find admissions calendars and other pertinent information regarding this year’s freshman round.
If you have questions specific to the admissions process, please reach out to the TJ Admissions Office. Or if you have questions about an individual student’s courses, please contact your child’s counselor.
6. Instructional Updates
Fall Full-Time AAP Referral Window for Students New to FCPS Closes on October 15
The fall referral window is only for students in Grades 3-8 who are new to FCPS since January 1, 2026. Parents and guardians who would like their student to be considered for Full-Time Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services must submit the Full-Time AAP Referral Form to Anna Slevin, Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, at agslevin@fcps.edu by October 15, 2026. Late referrals will not be accepted.
7. After School Program Information
Action Needed Prior to 9/14: Click Here to Complete the Registration Form - we are missing forms for about 400 of our students
Rocky Run MS offers after-school activities every Monday through Friday until 5:00 PM all school year long.
Whether your student wants to join sports, get help with homework, create and compete in STEM clubs, play video games, or attend special events—there is something for everyone!
Key Highlights:
-
Programs Start on 9/14: Running Monday–Friday until 5:00 PM.
-
Bus Transportation: Available 4 days a week (Mondays - Thursdays).
-
Full Schedule & Details: View specific program information on our After-School Schoology Course (coming soon!) and the Rocky Run website by September 11.
Even if your student isn't sure they want to participate right away, we strongly encourage every family to complete the registration form now.
-
No obligation: Registering does not require your child to attend.
-
Be prepared: Completing this form ensures your student is cleared to join in on any activity, any time during the school year!
MS Sports - Cross Country in the Fall
In addition to the After-School Program, all middle schools in Fairfax County have interscholastic sports activities. Currently we have Cross Country in the Fall, Volleyball in the Winter, our annual Basketball game against Franklin MS (date/season TBD), and Track & Field in the Spring. These require an additional registration and a sports physical.
Next Steps:
- Review the Cross Country Interest Meeting Slides
- Attend the Cross Country Parent/Guardian Interest Meeting on Zoom on 9/9 at 6:30 PM
- Submit the 3 required forms:
- Final Forms Resources - check for the email which was sent on 9/2 to all parent emails that are in ParentVue:
For more information on FCPS Middle School Sports, go to the Student Athlete page of the FCPS website. or contact Shannon Campbell, our After-School Program Specialist, at SLCampbell@fcps.edu, or Katy Speir, our Athletic Coordinator, at KRSpeir@fcps.edu.
8. Community Corner
Join Us for Our First PTA Meeting!
Please join us on September 10 for the Rocky Run Middle School PTA’s first meeting of the year, held in the RRMS Library and on Zoom.
Learn more about the PTA, hear what we’re planning for students, families, and staff this year, and share your input and ideas. We’ll also have a special meet and greet with the principal, snacks, and an opportunity to connect with other Rocky Run parents.
There’s no commitment to volunteer, just come say hello! We hope to see you there.
Thank You Rocky Run Families!
We are more than halfway to our membership goal of 108 families for this school year! Join now and help us support support RRMS programs and events, including teacher appreciation, Career Day, the 8th grade celebration, and more. This year we are fundraising to bring back an author visit for our students! All members are entered to win gift cards from local businesses as a thank you for supporting our RRMS Community!
We'd also appreciate your feedback on fundraising & events for the school year, take our quick survey here to help us plan how we can all best support the RRMS community!
Annual Asha-Jyothi 5K
Looking for a fun way to support Rocky Run?
The annual Asha-Jyothi 5K and One Mile Fun Run will be held on Sunday, September 20 at Fairfax Corner. The one mile fun run begins at 8 am, and the 5K begins at 8:30 am. Registration includes a T-shirt, kids' medals, food, and Bollywood music!
Register here or by clicking the image below, and use coupon code AJ4SCHOOLS for a direct school donation to Rocky Run! 100% of registration fees are donated back! The Asha-Jyothi Foundation has been a generous supporter of Rocky Run for many years, including funding our amazing Innovation Studio makerspace!
|
