FCPS

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Important Upcoming Events

• December 23-January 3- Holidays/Winter Break - No School- Offices Closed
• January 6 - School returns on an "A" Day schedule
• January 9- Rising 8 Middle School Presentation, Panther Time
• January 9- Rising 9 High School Presentation, Panther Time 
• January 16 - Rising 7th Grade Curriculum Night, No After-School Activities (all students depart at 2:15 PM)
• January 20 - Holiday 
• January 28 - End of 2nd Quarter
• January 29 - Student Holiday/Teacher Workday

Second Semester Schedules

Second semester begins Thursday, January 30th. Students will be able to see their schedules in SIS StudentVUE on Wednesday, January 29th at 4:00 pm. Students will also be given a printed copy of their new schedule.  If students are taking semester classes, their new classes will begin on January 30th. For some students taking semester classes, their PE class period may change in order to accommodate their second semester elective. Student schedules are set, and we do not make schedule changes during the school year other than for academic reasons.

Student and Family Resources

Fairfax County Public Schools has compiled a list of resources for students and families in case they need assistance while schools are closed for winter break. Please visit FCPS’ winter resources webpage for information on academic support, mental health support, and county resources related to food, clothing, housing, and other needs. 

RCMS Course Selection Events 2025-26 School Year

It is time to think about the 25-26 school year and January will begin our course selection season! 

Please check our Academic Advising & Course Selection website for more detailed information about dates, deadlines, course descriptions, and more! 

Both 7th and 8th graders will enter the 25-26 classes they want into SIS during school. Counselors will also meet individually with all students in January or February to answer questions. Parents can see the classes students selected in Student or ParentVue. Parents who do not have a ParentVue SIS account should request one here so that in March they can verify the classes their student has selected. We are looking forward to helping your child select classes for the upcoming school year !

School-life balance is an important consideration as students strive for academic and personal success. Families are welcome to contact their student’s school counselor with questions. More information will be shared soon.

Academy Open Houses

🗓️ Save the Date: Academy Open Houses Begin in January!

FCPS high school academies will hold open houses for interested students beginning in January.

A high school academy is a center within a high school that offers advanced technical and specialized courses to prepare students for postsecondary education and/or career fields. Students enrolling in academy elective courses will be provided with opportunities to participate in a variety of career experiences including shadowing, mentoring, or internships with local businesses.

Learn more and view the calendar of Academy Open Houses. families are encouraged to visit the RCMS Website for more information.

Testing Updates

Fall Student Testing Results - Available in SIS ParentVUE

Each fall, FCPS students take part in screening assessments for reading and mathematics to identify strengths and areas for support. Score reports for families are posted in ParentVUE in the “Documents” section, generally about one month after testing has been completed.

• iReady reports in grades 1-8 are available in ParentVUE now.
• Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Growth reports for grades 6-12 will be available by Friday, December 13, following an extension to the fall testing window.

Visit FCPS’ website for additional information about student tests at each grade level, including what each test is for and when each test takes place. Caregivers may follow up with their children’s teachers for more information about how they use test results to support student success.

 

Who to Contact

If you have a question or concern, please visit our website for a full listing of  Who to Contact.  This listing includes all of our administrators, our counselors, and who to speak to regarding a specific content area or class. Contact information for all staff members is listed on our website - just click on the name of the person you wish to contact  to be redirected to their email address: RCMS Staff Directory.

13618 McLearen Rd. Herndon, VA 20171 |  Main Phone: 703.925.3600
Attendance: 703.925.3636 or [email protected] 
Web | Twitter

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

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Important Upcoming Events

• December 23-January 3- Holidays/Winter Break - No School- Offices Closed
• January 6 - School returns on an "A" Day schedule

A Message From The Principal

It’s hard to believe that we are in our final week before winter break! Whether you’re staying close to home, taking a trip, or visiting family, we hope it’s a safe and joyful time. This will be our last bulletin until the new year, but we'll be in touch if anything important arises. Enjoy this special time with your family, and we look forward to welcoming our students and staff back on Monday, January 6th!

Sincerely,

Tony Washington

Principal

Dear Carson Families and Community Members,

It’s that time of year we provide opportunities for students to explore careers. On Thursday April 10, 2025 from 1:00-2:00 PM, Student Services will hold our annual Career Day. This year's event will be in person.

 If you enjoy your occupation, have a story to tell about your career journey, and can relate well to middle schoolers in a classroom setting, please join us to speak with our 8th grade students.

We are hoping to have speakers of various careers and education levels volunteer their time, sharing their experiences. 

If you are interested or would like more information, please click on the Google Form by February 1, 2025.

Thank you for supporting our students! 

________________________________________________________________________

Family Workshop Recording

We recorded December’s Family Workshop featuring guest speaker, Rachel Bailey, focused on helping students manage anxiety.  Caregivers learned how to respond effectively to their child in the moment when they are feeling overwhelmed or anxious. They also learned how to foster children's resilience so that they don't experience as much anxiety and stress to begin with.  To view the recording of the workshop, please click here.  A copy of the slides shared during the presentation is  located here. Enjoy

Tutoring Resources for Families

Is your family looking for resources to help support your child’s academic success? FCPS’ Family Resource Center (FRC) maintains a list of district employees who hold a valid Virginia teaching credential and who are available to be hired as a tutor by parents. FRC maintains this list, but families are responsible for contacting and working directly with tutors. This list is not “approved” by FCPS and is only meant as a resource.

FCPS also partners with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors' services at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests.

Winter Weather
❄️ Preparing for Winter Weather

Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather-related closing decisions are made.

FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.
Be sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange for childcare if needed.

Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities

We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories which may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. See the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.

If you need assistance supplying your child with cold-weather clothing, please call Fairfax County's Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health care.

Private School Request

If your student is planning on applying to any private schools for the 2025-2026 school year, please complete the "Private School Request Form" and the "Parent Consent Form: SS-SE79" and submit them to the Student Service’s Office or to your counselor.  Counselors will be emailing all records to the requested schools via an admissions email OR the school's portal.  Please note these requests are due at least 2 weeks prior to the due date.

Please visit our website for more information regarding required forms and teacher recommendations – Rachel Carson Middle School Private School Requests

Webinar on Overcoming School Resistance

Does your child resist going to school or refuse to go? If so, join the Family Resource Center’s School Resistance webinar on Friday, January 10, 10-11:30 a.m. The webinar will explore how to take care of yourself in the heat of the moment and set supportive boundaries at home. Register in advance.

✨ Student attendance is one measure of Strategic Plan Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered.

The office will be closed from Monday, December 23, through Friday, January 3, 2025.

We will See  you on Monday, January 6, 2025!

Going Green at Carson

Get2Green leads, Ms. Bickford and Ms. Walsh, are thrilled to announce that Carson MS is starting a food sharing and food scrap collection program to reduce food waste in our cafeteria and to help families with food insecurities in our community. When you are helping students pack their lunches, encourage them to only pack what they need and will eat. If your child buys lunch, encourage them to take part in the food sharing and food scrap collecting process when appropriate. Students who bring their lunch may participate too. The food sharing table and food scrap collection containers are on the right side of the stage. A big “thank you” goes to the PTA who is paying for Composting Crew to pick up our collected food scraps each week. We also want to acknowledge the Going Green Club members who are gathering donated food each lunch and putting it in the fridge each lunch period. Lastly, thanks to Ms. Clark for creating a Sign-Up Genius to organize families to pick up the donated food each Friday and bring it to the Cornerstone food collection warehouse in Sterling each week. A student can earn an hour of service for participating in this food transportation with their parents. Any family in the Carson community can sign up. Detailed directions are on the Sign-Up Genius. Together WE can make a difference. 

TJ Information

The TJ Investigative Science Outreach, a student-led organization at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology will be hosting their 12th annual invitational science fair on April 5th, 2025 and welcome 5th-8th grade students to participate. Admission to the science fair is completely free. 

Participants will complete a research project of their choice and present at the fair in-person on April 5th, 2025. We help students prepare for this fair by holding multiple sessions to teach them important skills in STEM like brainstorming, collecting data, presenting, writing an experiment summary, using statistics, creating an experimental diagram, etc.

Our first interest/brainstorming session is October 11th, 2024 at 6:00 pm. We will be holding this session both in-person at TJHSST and virtually through zoom. During this session we will go over the goals and guidelines of this fair and introduce students to a multitude of project ideas. All interested students should sign up using the form at the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0Y0oodU11TzBUfWFnU5lsxoWaqixuX50fxVNv5A5DxcmRvw/viewform?usp=sf_link 

Feel free to also check out our website at tjsciencefair.wordpress.com or email us at [email protected]

Sincerely,

TJ Investigative Science Outreach

Attention 8th Grade Parents - Civics Field Trips

Rachel Carson Middle School 8th graders will attend Finance Park in person this year.  We would love to have you come along with us!  We are in need of 25 parent volunteers for each of our six teams. This is a 4.5 hour commitment, and includes an hour of training at the Finance Park facility next to Frost MS before our students arrive. You will help guide students through different phases of the day, which simulate real-world budgeting decisions, spending research, and bill payment. Then you’ll share your own life experiences and help them walk a day in your shoes. You bring the program to life!

Carson MS 8th grade teams are going to Finance Park on the following dates (any snow days will be rescheduled at a later time) –

Monday, December 16th - Dolphins

Tuesday, December 17th - Discovery

Wednesday, December 18th – Explorers

Thursday, December 19th - Voyagers 

Friday, December 20th - Wolves 

If you are able to volunteer with Carson’s Finance Park field trip, please view this link to create a JA account and then sign up for your child’s date to volunteer. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RWoYRLCor3U0XkEsLfIW88RX-2e8mly_/view 

Thank you for donating your time and experience to our students.  If you have any questions, please contact your child’s civics teacher.

Other Schools Are Sharing

South Lakes High School

Oakton H.S.

Attention Rising 9th grade Oakton High School bound for the 25-26 school year!

Click HERE for information about curriculum night.

Parents and caregivers can report up to two consecutive full-day absences using ParentVUE. For absences longer than two days, please contact [email protected]

All Day Absences: The Attendance feature in ParentVUE is the FCPS secure web solution for reporting all day absences.

Partial Absence: To report late arrivals, or to update already submitted attendance, please contact [email protected]

Early Dismissal Procedure

Please do not request early dismissals online or by phone. 

To request an early dismissal please send a note with your child, or complete and print an Early Dismissal Request Form for your child. Your child should bring the note or form to the main office upon arrival to school in order to receive an early dismissal pass for that day. If you forget to send a note, students should still come to the front office to get an early dismissal pass.

All early dismissals must be before 2:00pm.

• Learn more about attendance reporting through ParentVue

Phones Down, Engagement Up: FCPS Cell Phone Policy and Storage Pilot

Keeping cell phones off during the school day helps students focus and learn. It also boosts positive social behavior. Review FCPS’ cell phone expectations by grade level with your child and help keep our classrooms free of distractions! If you need to reach your child during the school day for emergencies only, please call Rachel Carson Middle School main office - 703-925-3600.

Greetings Panther families!

Click the link for the  Q2 After School Schedule. Each activity is hyperlinked with a description and information about each club. In order for students to participate in our after school program, parents must fill out the After School Registration Form (This form gives your child permission to participate in after school activities, it does not sign them up for specific activities) 

Late bus numbers are different than regular bus numbers. Please check SIS to find your child’s late bus number, it will say RCLR (Rachel Carson Late Run).

If you have questions about our after-school program, please contact  Riley Barrows, [email protected]. 

After School Program Specialist

Who to Contact

If you have a question or concern, please visit our website for a full listing of  Who to Contact.  This listing includes all of our administrators, our counselors, and who to speak to regarding a specific content area or class. Contact information for all staff members is listed on our website - just click on the name of the person you wish to contact  to be redirected to their email address: RCMS Staff Directory.

13618 McLearen Rd. Herndon, VA 20171 |  Main Phone: 703.925.3600
Attendance: 703.925.3636 or [email protected] 
Web | Twitter

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

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Important Upcoming Events

• December 23-January 3- Holidays/Winter Break - No School- Offices Closed
• January 6 - School returns on an "A" Day schedule

Tutoring Resources for Families

Is your family looking for resources to help support your child’s academic success? FCPS’ Family Resource Center (FRC) maintains a list of district employees who hold a valid Virginia teaching credential and who are available to be hired as a tutor by parents. FRC maintains this list, but families are responsible for contacting and working directly with tutors. This list is not “approved” by FCPS and is only meant as a resource.

FCPS also partners with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors' services at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests.

Winter Weather
❄️ Preparing for Winter Weather

Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather-related closing decisions are made.

FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.
Be sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange for childcare if needed.

Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities

We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories which may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. See the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.

If you need assistance supplying your child with cold-weather clothing, please call Fairfax County's Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health care.

Private School Request

If your student is planning on applying to any private schools for the 2025-2026 school year, please complete the "Private School Request Form" and the "Parent Consent Form: SS-SE79" and submit them to the Student Service’s Office or to your counselor.  Counselors will be emailing all records to the requested schools via an admissions email OR the school's portal.  Please note these requests are due at least 2 weeks prior to the due date.

Please visit our website for more information regarding required forms and teacher recommendations – Rachel Carson Middle School Private School Requests

Webinar on Overcoming School Resistance

Does your child resist going to school or refuse to go? If so, join the Family Resource Center’s School Resistance webinar on Friday, January 10, 10-11:30 a.m. The webinar will explore how to take care of yourself in the heat of the moment and set supportive boundaries at home. Register in advance.

✨ Student attendance is one measure of Strategic Plan Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered.

The office will be closed from Monday, December 23, through Friday, January 3, 2025.

We will See  you on Monday, January 6, 2025!

Federal Impact Aid Survey 

Tuesday, December 17, is our deadline for paper copies to be turned in.

Please complete this survey online in ParentVUE. Click HERE to log into ParentVue to complete the survey or to create and set up a ParentVUE account. Please remember, only the enrolling parent may complete and submit the survey. Please complete the online survey by December 16, 2024.

If you are having technical difficulties with the online survey,  call the Parent Technology Help Desk 8T33-921-3277

www.fcps.edu/impact

Federal Impact Aid Survey Impact Aid programs and grants are designed to assist local school districts that enroll federally connected students. www.fcps.edu.

 

Student Services Family Workshops

Student Services will offer Family Workshops throughout the school year to support our families using feedback from our Advisory Council meeting.  Our first is a prerecorded presentation called Middle School Mastery led by our amazing RCMS Strategies for Success teacher, Kelli McCoy-Williams. You can view the recording and access the workshop materials in the Student Services Quarterly Newsletter.  Please click here to access the Student Services Quarterly Newsletter. 

We are excited to announce that Rachel Bailey, former ADHD coach, intensive in-home mentor, and psychotherapist for children, adolescents, and adults, will be presenting our next workshop virtually to Rachel Carson families on Friday, December 13th from 9:00-10:00 AM via Zoom.  Please join us to learn more about “Helping Students Manage Anxiety.”  To register for the Zoom link, please click here.  We hope to see you virtually! 

Going Green at Carson

Get2Green leads, Ms. Bickford and Ms. Walsh, are thrilled to announce that Carson MS is starting a food sharing and food scrap collection program to reduce food waste in our cafeteria and to help families with food insecurities in our community. When you are helping students pack their lunches, encourage them to only pack what they need and will eat. If your child buys lunch, encourage them to take part in the food sharing and food scrap collecting process when appropriate. Students who bring their lunch may participate too. The food sharing table and food scrap collection containers are on the right side of the stage. A big “thank you” goes to the PTA who is paying for Composting Crew to pick up our collected food scraps each week. We also want to acknowledge the Going Green Club members who are gathering donated food each lunch and putting it in the fridge each lunch period. Lastly, thanks to Ms. Clark for creating a Sign-Up Genius to organize families to pick up the donated food each Friday and bring it to the Cornerstone food collection warehouse in Sterling each week. A student can earn an hour of service for participating in this food transportation with their parents. Any family in the Carson community can sign up. Detailed directions are on the Sign-Up Genius. Together WE can make a difference. 

TJ Information

The TJ Investigative Science Outreach, a student-led organization at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology will be hosting their 12th annual invitational science fair on April 5th, 2025 and welcome 5th-8th grade students to participate. Admission to the science fair is completely free. 

Participants will complete a research project of their choice and present at the fair in-person on April 5th, 2025. We help students prepare for this fair by holding multiple sessions to teach them important skills in STEM like brainstorming, collecting data, presenting, writing an experiment summary, using statistics, creating an experimental diagram, etc.

Our first interest/brainstorming session is October 11th, 2024 at 6:00 pm. We will be holding this session both in-person at TJHSST and virtually through zoom. During this session we will go over the goals and guidelines of this fair and introduce students to a multitude of project ideas. All interested students should sign up using the form at the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0Y0oodU11TzBUfWFnU5lsxoWaqixuX50fxVNv5A5DxcmRvw/viewform?usp=sf_link 

Feel free to also check out our website at tjsciencefair.wordpress.com or email us at [email protected]

Sincerely,

TJ Investigative Science Outreach

Attention 8th Grade Parents - Civics Field Trips

Rachel Carson Middle School 8th graders will attend Finance Park in person this year.  We would love to have you come along with us!  We are in need of 25 parent volunteers for each of our six teams. This is a 4.5 hour commitment, and includes an hour of training at the Finance Park facility next to Frost MS before our students arrive. You will help guide students through different phases of the day, which simulate real-world budgeting decisions, spending research, and bill payment. Then you’ll share your own life experiences and help them walk a day in your shoes. You bring the program to life!

Carson MS 8th grade teams are going to Finance Park on the following dates (any snow days will be rescheduled at a later time) –

Monday, December 16th - Dolphins

Tuesday, December 17th - Discovery

Wednesday, December 18th – Explorers

Thursday, December 19th - Voyagers 

Friday, December 20th - Wolves 

If you are able to volunteer with Carson’s Finance Park field trip, please view this link to create a JA account and then sign up for your child’s date to volunteer. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RWoYRLCor3U0XkEsLfIW88RX-2e8mly_/view 

Thank you for donating your time and experience to our students.  If you have any questions, please contact your child’s civics teacher.

Other Schools Are Sharing

South Lakes High School

Parents and caregivers can report up to two consecutive full-day absences using ParentVUE. For absences longer than two days, please contact [email protected]

All Day Absences: The Attendance feature in ParentVUE is the FCPS secure web solution for reporting all day absences.

Partial Absence: To report late arrivals, or to update already submitted attendance, please contact [email protected]

Early Dismissal Procedure

Please do not request early dismissals online or by phone. 

To request an early dismissal please send a note with your child, or complete and print an Early Dismissal Request Form for your child. Your child should bring the note or form to the main office upon arrival to school in order to receive an early dismissal pass for that day. If you forget to send a note, students should still come to the front office to get an early dismissal pass.

All early dismissals must be before 2:00pm.

• Learn more about attendance reporting through ParentVue

Phones Down, Engagement Up: FCPS Cell Phone Policy and Storage Pilot

Keeping cell phones off during the school day helps students focus and learn. It also boosts positive social behavior. Review FCPS’ cell phone expectations by grade level with your child and help keep our classrooms free of distractions! If you need to reach your child during the school day for emergencies only, please call Rachel Carson Middle School main office - 703-925-3600.

Greetings Panther families!

Click the link for the  Q2 After School Schedule. Each activity is hyperlinked with a description and information about each club. In order for students to participate in our after school program, parents must fill out the After School Registration Form (This form gives your child permission to participate in after school activities, it does not sign them up for specific activities) 

Late bus numbers are different than regular bus numbers. Please check SIS to find your child’s late bus number, it will say RCLR (Rachel Carson Late Run).

If you have questions about our after-school program, please contact  Riley Barrows, [email protected]. 

After School Program Specialist

Who to Contact

If you have a question or concern, please visit our website for a full listing of  Who to Contact.  This listing includes all of our administrators, our counselors, and who to speak to regarding a specific content area or class. Contact information for all staff members is listed on our website - just click on the name of the person you wish to contact  to be redirected to their email address: RCMS Staff Directory.

13618 McLearen Rd. Herndon, VA 20171 |  Main Phone: 703.925.3600
Attendance: 703.925.3636 or [email protected] 
Web | Twitter

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

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Important Upcoming Events

• December 2 - Carson Book fair begins
• December 23-January 6- Holidays/Winter Break - No School- Offices Closed
• January 6 - School returns on an "A" Day schedule

 

A Message From The Principal

We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving break and are ready to dive back into learning. We're excited to announce that our Book Fair is happening this week in the library. We encourage all students to visit and find something they're interested in, whether it's their favorite genre or something new. We hope to see all of our students there!

Tony Washington

Principal

Tutoring Resources for Families

Is your family looking for resources to help support your child’s academic success? FCPS’ Family Resource Center (FRC) maintains a list of district employees who hold a valid Virginia teaching credential and who are available to be hired as a tutor by parents. FRC maintains this list, but families are responsible for contacting and working directly with tutors. This list is not “approved” by FCPS and is only meant as a resource.

FCPS also partners with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors' services at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests.

Winter Weather
❄️ Preparing for Winter Weather

Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather-related closing decisions are made.

FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.
Be sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange for childcare if needed.

Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities

We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories which may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. See the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.

If you need assistance supplying your child with cold-weather clothing, please call Fairfax County's Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health care.

Federal Impact Aid Survey 

The Federal Impact Aid Survey is now available in electronic format via ParentVUE. All families should complete the survey whether you are military affiliated or not.

Please complete this survey online in ParentVUE. Click HERE to log into ParentVue to complete the survey or to create and set up a ParentVUE account. Please remember, only the enrolling parent may complete and submit the survey. Please complete the online survey by December 16, 2024.

Paper copies will go home on December 2 and should be completed and returned asap.

If you are having technical difficulties with the online survey,  call the Parent Technology Help Desk 8T33-921-3277

www.fcps.edu/impact

Federal Impact Aid Survey Impact Aid programs and grants are designed to assist local school districts that enroll federally connected students. www.fcps.edu.

 

Student Services Family Workshops

Student Services will offer Family Workshops throughout the school year to support our families using feedback from our Advisory Council meeting.  Our first is a prerecorded presentation called Middle School Mastery led by our amazing RCMS Strategies for Success teacher, Kelli McCoy-Williams. You can view the recording and access the workshop materials in the Student Services Quarterly Newsletter.  Please click here to access the Student Services Quarterly Newsletter. 

We are excited to announce that Rachel Bailey, former ADHD coach, intensive in-home mentor, and psychotherapist for children, adolescents, and adults, will be presenting our next workshop virtually to Rachel Carson families on Friday, December 13th from 9:00-10:00 AM via Zoom.  Please join us to learn more about “Helping Students Manage Anxiety.”  To register for the Zoom link, please click here.  We hope to see you virtually! 

The Book Fair is Coming! 

We are excited to partner with a local business, Bookworm Central, for the 2024 book fair.  All students will come through with their English classes sometime during the week of December 2-6.  

Rather than sending your child to school with cash, consider using Bookworm Central’s eWallet option. eWallet allows you to create a cashless/cardless payment option for your child to use at Carson’s Book Fair, Dec. 2-6. While you set a maximum amount a student may spend, your card will only be charged for the actual amount spent. Your funds will not be rolled over into book fair credits, and you will not lose unspent funds! Click HERE to learn more and to set up your account. Many Carson families used it last year and were really happy with it!

Thank you!!

Ellen Bickford

Librarian @ Carson MS

Fairfax County Public Schools

Book Fair Hours:

Monday, December 2:        7:10AM- 2:30PM

Tuesday, December 3:       7:10AM- 2:30PM

Wednesday, December 4:  7:10AM- 2:30PM

Thursday, December 5:      7:10AM- 2:30PM AND  6:00PM-8:00PM *Family Shopping*

Friday, December 6:           7:10AM-12:45PM

 The library is looking for parents to volunteer to help run the book-fair during the school day. The energy and excitement is contagious!

Please review this Sign-Up Genius to see if you can help Book Fair Volunteer Sign-Up

Going Green at Carson

Get2Green leads, Ms. Bickford and Ms. Walsh, are thrilled to announce that Carson MS is starting a food sharing and food scrap collection program to reduce food waste in our cafeteria and to help families with food insecurities in our community. When you are helping students pack their lunches, encourage them to only pack what they need and will eat. If your child buys lunch, encourage them to take part in the food sharing and food scrap collecting process when appropriate. Students who bring their lunch may participate too. The food sharing table and food scrap collection containers are on the right side of the stage. A big “thank you” goes to the PTA who is paying for Composting Crew to pick up our collected food scraps each week. We also want to acknowledge the Going Green Club members who are gathering donated food each lunch and putting it in the fridge each lunch period. Lastly, thanks to Ms. Clark for creating a Sign-Up Genius to organize families to pick up the donated food each Friday and bring it to the Cornerstone food collection warehouse in Sterling each week. A student can earn an hour of service for participating in this food transportation with their parents. Any family in the Carson community can sign up. Detailed directions are on the Sign-Up Genius. Together WE can make a difference. 

TJ Information

The TJ Investigative Science Outreach, a student-led organization at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology will be hosting their 12th annual invitational science fair on April 5th, 2025 and welcome 5th-8th grade students to participate. Admission to the science fair is completely free. 

Participants will complete a research project of their choice and present at the fair in-person on April 5th, 2025. We help students prepare for this fair by holding multiple sessions to teach them important skills in STEM like brainstorming, collecting data, presenting, writing an experiment summary, using statistics, creating an experimental diagram, etc.

Our first interest/brainstorming session is October 11th, 2024 at 6:00 pm. We will be holding this session both in-person at TJHSST and virtually through zoom. During this session we will go over the goals and guidelines of this fair and introduce students to a multitude of project ideas. All interested students should sign up using the form at the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0Y0oodU11TzBUfWFnU5lsxoWaqixuX50fxVNv5A5DxcmRvw/viewform?usp=sf_link 

Feel free to also check out our website at tjsciencefair.wordpress.com or email us at [email protected]

Sincerely,

TJ Investigative Science Outreach

Attention 8th Grade Parents - Civics Field Trips

Rachel Carson Middle School 8th graders will attend Finance Park in person this year.  We would love to have you come along with us!  We are in need of 25 parent volunteers for each of our six teams. This is a 4.5 hour commitment, and includes an hour of training at the Finance Park facility next to Frost MS before our students arrive. You will help guide students through different phases of the day, which simulate real-world budgeting decisions, spending research, and bill payment. Then you’ll share your own life experiences and help them walk a day in your shoes. You bring the program to life!

Carson MS 8th grade teams are going to Finance Park on the following dates (any snow days will be rescheduled at a later time) –

Monday, December 16th - Dolphins

Tuesday, December 17th - Discovery

Wednesday, December 18th – Explorers

Thursday, December 19th - Voyagers 

Friday, December 20th - Wolves 

If you are able to volunteer with Carson’s Finance Park field trip, please view this link to create a JA account and then sign up for your child’s date to volunteer. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RWoYRLCor3U0XkEsLfIW88RX-2e8mly_/view 

Thank you for donating your time and experience to our students.  If you have any questions, please contact your child’s civics teacher.

Parents and caregivers can report up to two consecutive full-day absences using ParentVUE. For absences longer than two days, please contact [email protected]

All Day Absences: The Attendance feature in ParentVUE is the FCPS secure web solution for reporting all day absences.

Partial Absence: To report late arrivals, or to update already submitted attendance, please contact [email protected]

Early Dismissal Procedure

Please do not request early dismissals online or by phone. 

To request an early dismissal please send a note with your child, or complete and print an Early Dismissal Request Form for your child. Your child should bring the note or form to the main office upon arrival to school in order to receive an early dismissal pass for that day. If you forget to send a note, students should still come to the front office to get an early dismissal pass.

All early dismissals must be before 2:00pm.

• Learn more about attendance reporting through ParentVue

Phones Down, Engagement Up: FCPS Cell Phone Policy and Storage Pilot

Keeping cell phones off during the school day helps students focus and learn. It also boosts positive social behavior. Review FCPS’ cell phone expectations by grade level with your child and help keep our classrooms free of distractions! If you need to reach your child during the school day for emergencies only, please call Rachel Carson Middle School main office - 703-925-3600.

Greetings Panther families!

Click the link for the  Q2 After School Schedule. Each activity is hyperlinked with a description and information about each club. In order for students to participate in our after school program, parents must fill out the After School Registration Form (This form gives your child permission to participate in after school activities, it does not sign them up for specific activities) 

Late bus numbers are different than regular bus numbers. Please check SIS to find your child’s late bus number, it will say RCLR (Rachel Carson Late Run).

If you have questions about our after-school program, please contact  Riley Barrows, [email protected]. 

After School Program Specialist

Who to Contact

If you have a question or concern, please visit our website for a full listing of  Who to Contact.  This listing includes all of our administrators, our counselors, and who to speak to regarding a specific content area or class. Contact information for all staff members is listed on our website - just click on the name of the person you wish to contact  to be redirected to their email address: RCMS Staff Directory.

13618 McLearen Rd. Herndon, VA 20171 |  Main Phone: 703.925.3600
Attendance: 703.925.3636 or [email protected] 
Web | Twitter

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

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Important Upcoming Events

• November 27-29 Holiday - No School
• December 2 - Carson Book fair begins
• December 23-January 6- Holidays/Winter Break - No School- Offices Closed
• January 6 - School returns on an "A" Day schedule

 

A Message From The Principal

As Thanksgiving break approaches, our students and staff are excited to spend time with family, friends, and loved ones. We are incredibly grateful for the support of our parents, families, and community. Your partnership is invaluable, and we look forward to welcoming our students back after the break.

Tony Washington

Principal

The Administrative Team serve Bundt cake for staff to show gratitude.

Left to right - Jennifer Miley, Raffinee Archible-Ehivue, Tony Washington and Monique Berkeley

November Student Recognition

Each month teachers from different departments recognize students for their hard work, perseverance, and commitment to making a positive impact at Carson through our SWAG Student Recognition Program. SWAG stands for “Students with Awesome Growth”. Mr. Washington shared why each student was nominated during our November celebration. Congratulations to the following students for having Carson SWAG: Sophia, Nandhana, Isha, Mebea, Olivia, Hazin, Atticus, Lire, Luna, Madilyn, Joseph, Mateo, Elliot, Riya, Jana.  A picture of these students is proudly displayed outside of the cafeteria for all to see. Congratulations, Panthers!

Federal Impact Aid Survey 

The Federal Impact Aid Survey is now available in electronic format via ParentVUE. All families should complete the survey whether you are military affiliated or not.

Please complete this survey online in ParentVUE. Click HERE to log into ParentVue to complete the survey or to create and set up a ParentVUE account. Please remember, only the enrolling parent may complete and submit the survey. Please complete the online survey by December 16, 2024.

Paper copies will go home on December 2 and should be completed and returned asap.

If you are having technical difficulties with the online survey,  call the Parent Technology Help Desk 8T33-921-3277

www.fcps.edu/impact

Federal Impact Aid Survey Impact Aid programs and grants are designed to assist local school districts that enroll federally connected students. www.fcps.edu.

 

Student Services Family Workshops

Student Services will offer Family Workshops throughout the school year to support our families using feedback from our Advisory Council meeting.  Our first is a prerecorded presentation called Middle School Mastery led by our amazing RCMS Strategies for Success teacher, Kelli McCoy-Williams. You can view the recording and access the workshop materials in the Student Services Quarterly Newsletter.  Please click here to access the Student Services Quarterly Newsletter. 

We are excited to announce that Rachel Bailey, former ADHD coach, intensive in-home mentor, and psychotherapist for children, adolescents, and adults, will be presenting our next workshop virtually to Rachel Carson families on Friday, December 13th from 9:00-10:00 AM via Zoom.  Please join us to learn more about “Helping Students Manage Anxiety.”  To register for the Zoom link, please click here.  We hope to see you virtually! 

The Book Fair is Coming! 

We are excited to partner with a local business, Bookworm Central, for the 2024 book fair.  All students will come through with their English classes sometime during the week of December 2-6.  

Rather than sending your child to school with cash, consider using Bookworm Central’s eWallet option. eWallet allows you to create a cashless/cardless payment option for your child to use at Carson’s Book Fair, Dec. 2-6. While you set a maximum amount a student may spend, your card will only be charged for the actual amount spent. Your funds will not be rolled over into book fair credits, and you will not lose unspent funds! Click HERE to learn more and to set up your account. Many Carson families used it last year and were really happy with it!

Thank you!!

Ellen Bickford

Librarian @ Carson MS

Fairfax County Public Schools

Book Fair Hours:

Monday, December 2:        7:10AM- 2:30PM

Tuesday, December 3:       7:10AM- 2:30PM

Wednesday, December 4:  7:10AM- 2:30PM

Thursday, December 5:      7:10AM- 2:30PM AND  6:00PM-8:00PM *Family Shopping*

Friday, December 6:           7:10AM-12:45PM

 The library is looking for parents to volunteer to help run the book-fair during the school day. The energy and excitement is contagious!

Please review this Sign-Up Genius to see if you can help Book Fair Volunteer Sign-Up

Going Green at Carson

Get2Green leads, Ms. Bickford and Ms. Walsh, are thrilled to announce that Carson MS is starting a food sharing and food scrap collection program to reduce food waste in our cafeteria and to help families with food insecurities in our community. When you are helping students pack their lunches, encourage them to only pack what they need and will eat. If your child buys lunch, encourage them to take part in the food sharing and food scrap collecting process when appropriate. Students who bring their lunch may participate too. The food sharing table and food scrap collection containers are on the right side of the stage. A big “thank you” goes to the PTA who is paying for Composting Crew to pick up our collected food scraps each week. We also want to acknowledge the Going Green Club members who are gathering donated food each lunch and putting it in the fridge each lunch period. Lastly, thanks to Ms. Clark for creating a Sign-Up Genius to organize families to pick up the donated food each Friday and bring it to the Cornerstone food collection warehouse in Sterling each week. A student can earn an hour of service for participating in this food transportation with their parents. Any family in the Carson community can sign up. Detailed directions are on the Sign-Up Genius. Together WE can make a difference. 

TJ Information

The TJ Investigative Science Outreach, a student-led organization at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology will be hosting their 12th annual invitational science fair on April 5th, 2025 and welcome 5th-8th grade students to participate. Admission to the science fair is completely free. 

Participants will complete a research project of their choice and present at the fair in-person on April 5th, 2025. We help students prepare for this fair by holding multiple sessions to teach them important skills in STEM like brainstorming, collecting data, presenting, writing an experiment summary, using statistics, creating an experimental diagram, etc.

Our first interest/brainstorming session is October 11th, 2024 at 6:00 pm. We will be holding this session both in-person at TJHSST and virtually through zoom. During this session we will go over the goals and guidelines of this fair and introduce students to a multitude of project ideas. All interested students should sign up using the form at the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0Y0oodU11TzBUfWFnU5lsxoWaqixuX50fxVNv5A5DxcmRvw/viewform?usp=sf_link 

Feel free to also check out our website at tjsciencefair.wordpress.com or email us at [email protected]

Sincerely,

TJ Investigative Science Outreach

Attention 8th Grade Parents - Civics Field Trips

Rachel Carson Middle School 8th graders will attend Finance Park in person this year.  We would love to have you come along with us!  We are in need of 25 parent volunteers for each of our six teams. This is a 4.5 hour commitment, and includes an hour of training at the Finance Park facility next to Frost MS before our students arrive. You will help guide students through different phases of the day, which simulate real-world budgeting decisions, spending research, and bill payment. Then you’ll share your own life experiences and help them walk a day in your shoes. You bring the program to life!

Carson MS 8th grade teams are going to Finance Park on the following dates (any snow days will be rescheduled at a later time) –

Monday, December 16th - Dolphins

Tuesday, December 17th - Discovery

Wednesday, December 18th – Explorers

Thursday, December 19th - Voyagers 

Friday, December 20th - Wolves 

If you are able to volunteer with Carson’s Finance Park field trip, please view this link to create a JA account and then sign up for your child’s date to volunteer. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RWoYRLCor3U0XkEsLfIW88RX-2e8mly_/view 

Thank you for donating your time and experience to our students.  If you have any questions, please contact your child’s civics teacher.

Parents and caregivers can report up to two consecutive full-day absences using ParentVUE. For absences longer than two days, please contact [email protected]

All Day Absences: The Attendance feature in ParentVUE is the FCPS secure web solution for reporting all day absences.

Partial Absence: To report late arrivals, or to update already submitted attendance, please contact [email protected]

Early Dismissal Procedure

Please do not request early dismissals online or by phone. 

To request an early dismissal please send a note with your child, or complete and print an Early Dismissal Request Form for your child. Your child should bring the note or form to the main office upon arrival to school in order to receive an early dismissal pass for that day. If you forget to send a note, students should still come to the front office to get an early dismissal pass.

All early dismissals must be before 2:00pm.

• Learn more about attendance reporting through ParentVue

Phones Down, Engagement Up: FCPS Cell Phone Policy and Storage Pilot

Keeping cell phones off during the school day helps students focus and learn. It also boosts positive social behavior. Review FCPS’ cell phone expectations by grade level with your child and help keep our classrooms free of distractions! If you need to reach your child during the school day for emergencies only, please call Rachel Carson Middle School main office - 703-925-3600.

No After School Activities this week!

Greetings Panther families!

Click the link for the  Q2 After School Schedule. Each activity is hyperlinked with a description and information about each club. In order for students to participate in our after school program, parents must fill out the After School Registration Form (This form gives your child permission to participate in after school activities, it does not sign them up for specific activities) 

Late bus numbers are different than regular bus numbers. Please check SIS to find your child’s late bus number, it will say RCLR (Rachel Carson Late Run).

If you have questions about our after-school program, please contact  Riley Barrows, [email protected]. 

After School Program Specialist

Who to Contact

If you have a question or concern, please visit our website for a full listing of  Who to Contact.  This listing includes all of our administrators, our counselors, and who to speak to regarding a specific content area or class. Contact information for all staff members is listed on our website - just click on the name of the person you wish to contact  to be redirected to their email address: RCMS Staff Directory.

13618 McLearen Rd. Herndon, VA 20171 |  Main Phone: 703.925.3600
Attendance: 703.925.3636 or [email protected] 
Web | Twitter

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

The Carson After School Corner

Greeting Panther families!

 There will be no after school activities on Monday November 25th or Tuesday November 26th. We hope everyone has a great holiday break.

13618 McLearen Rd. Herndon, VA 20171 |  Main Phone: 703.925.3600
Attendance: 703.925.3636 or [email protected] 
Web | Twitter

Join the RCMS PTA today!  

Click here

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

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Important Upcoming Events

• November 22 -Substitute Teacher Appreciation Day
• November 27-29 Holiday - No School

 

A Message From The Principal

It's November and we're in the middle of our first full week of school this month. The second quarter always seems to fly by, but we're staying focused on prioritizing learning for all our students here at Carson. Last Thursday's Parent/Teen Book Club was a huge success. Thanks to all of the parents, students, and staff members who participated!

Tony Washington

Principal

Friday, November 22 What would we do without our Substitute Teachers? Carson Middle is grateful for our wonderful sub teachers. Happy Substitute Teacher Day!. Federal Impact Aid Survey is due now in ParentVue!

The Federal Impact Aid Survey is now available in electronic format via ParentVUE. All families should complete the survey whether you are military affiliated or not.

Please complete this survey online in ParentVUE. Click HERE to log into ParentVue to complete the survey or to create and set up a ParentVUE account. Please remember, only the enrolling parent may complete and submit the survey. Please complete the online survey by November 21, 2024.

If you are having technical difficulties with the online survey,  call the Parent Technology Help Desk 833-921-3277

www.fcps.edu/impact

Federal Impact Aid Survey Impact Aid programs and grants are designed to assist local school districts that enroll federally connected students. www.fcps.edu.

 

Parent Resources

Starting The Conversation About Drugs: A Webinar for Families

Drugs and drug prevention have become increasingly important topics in recent years.

Are you unsure about how to approach the topic of drugs with your child? Join us to learn how to navigate this importance discussion with confidence and ease!

Webinar Highlights

• Tips to start the conversation about drugs, as early as 4 years old
• Practical advice and real-world examples
• Strategies to prevent drug abuse

Presented by Beth Mohaupt, FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist

November 22, 2024 10-11:30 a.m.

RCMS Counselor Connection Newsletter is Here!

Welcome to the Fall edition of our Quarterly Newsletter!

As we continue the second quarter, we're excited to share our latest achievements, upcoming events, and support from our team.

Thanks for your partnership in the first quarter as students transitioned seamlessly into a new school year. We look forward to connecting with you in the coming months as the course selection process for the upcoming school year begins.

Click HERE for the RCMS Counselor Connection Newsletter

The Book Fair is Coming! 

We are excited to partner with a local business, Bookworm Central, for the 2024 book fair.  All students will come through with their English classes sometime during the week of December 2-6.  

Rather than sending your child to school with cash, consider using Bookworm Central’s eWallet option. eWallet allows you to create a cashless/cardless payment option for your child to use at Carson’s Book Fair, Dec. 2-6. While you set a maximum amount a student may spend, your card will only be charged for the actual amount spent. Your funds will not be rolled over into book fair credits, and you will not lose unspent funds! Click HERE to learn more and to set up your account. Many Carson families used it last year and were really happy with it!

Thank you!!

Ellen Bickford

Librarian @ Carson MS

Fairfax County Public Schools

Book Fair Hours:

Monday, December 2:        7:10AM- 2:30PM

Tuesday, December 3:       7:10AM- 2:30PM

Wednesday, December 4:  7:10AM- 2:30PM

Thursday, December 5:      7:10AM- 2:30PM AND  6:00PM-8:00PM *Family Shopping*

Friday, December 6:           7:10AM-12:45PM

 The library is looking for parents to volunteer to help run the book-fair during the school day. The energy and excitement is contagious!

Please review this Sign-Up Genius to see if you can help Book Fair Volunteer Sign-Up

RCMS Family Liaison

If you have questions about navigating the school, learning about FCPS resources, or getting your student setup for success, our Family Liaison can help.  If you need to contact our parent liaison, Drina Teran, please call 703-925-3603 and leave a message with your name, your student's name, and phone number. You may also contact her via email, Drina Teran at [email protected]

TJ Information

The TJ Investigative Science Outreach, a student-led organization at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology will be hosting their 12th annual invitational science fair on April 5th, 2025 and welcome 5th-8th grade students to participate. Admission to the science fair is completely free. 

Participants will complete a research project of their choice and present at the fair in-person on April 5th, 2025. We help students prepare for this fair by holding multiple sessions to teach them important skills in STEM like brainstorming, collecting data, presenting, writing an experiment summary, using statistics, creating an experimental diagram, etc.

Our first interest/brainstorming session is October 11th, 2024 at 6:00 pm. We will be holding this session both in-person at TJHSST and virtually through zoom. During this session we will go over the goals and guidelines of this fair and introduce students to a multitude of project ideas. All interested students should sign up using the form at the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0Y0oodU11TzBUfWFnU5lsxoWaqixuX50fxVNv5A5DxcmRvw/viewform?usp=sf_link 

Feel free to also check out our website at tjsciencefair.wordpress.com or email us at [email protected]

Sincerely,

TJ Investigative Science Outreach

Attention 8th Grade Parents - Civics Field Trips

Rachel Carson Middle School 8th graders will attend Finance Park in person this year.  We would love to have you come along with us!  We are in need of 25 parent volunteers for each of our six teams. This is a 4.5 hour commitment, and includes an hour of training at the Finance Park facility next to Frost MS before our students arrive. You will help guide students through different phases of the day, which simulate real-world budgeting decisions, spending research, and bill payment. Then you’ll share your own life experiences and help them walk a day in your shoes. You bring the program to life!

Carson MS 8th grade teams are going to Finance Park on the following dates (any snow days will be rescheduled at a later time) –

Monday, December 16th - Dolphins

Tuesday, December 17th - Discovery

Wednesday, December 18th – Explorers

Thursday, December 19th - Voyagers 

Friday, December 20th - Wolves 

If you are able to volunteer with Carson’s Finance Park field trip, please view this link to create a JA account and then sign up for your child’s date to volunteer. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RWoYRLCor3U0XkEsLfIW88RX-2e8mly_/view 

Thank you for donating your time and experience to our students.  If you have any questions, please contact your child’s civics teacher.

Parents and caregivers can report up to two consecutive full-day absences using ParentVUE. For absences longer than two days, please contact [email protected]

All Day Absences: The Attendance feature in ParentVUE is the FCPS secure web solution for reporting all day absences.

Partial Absence: To report late arrivals, or to update already submitted attendance, please contact [email protected]

Early Dismissal Procedure

Please do not request early dismissals online or by phone. 

To request an early dismissal please send a note with your child, or complete and print an Early Dismissal Request Form for your child. Your child should bring the note or form to the main office upon arrival to school in order to receive an early dismissal pass for that day. If you forget to send a note, students should still come to the front office to get an early dismissal pass.

All early dismissals must be before 2:00pm.

• Learn more about attendance reporting through ParentVue

Phones Down, Engagement Up: FCPS Cell Phone Policy and Storage Pilot

Keeping cell phones off during the school day helps students focus and learn. It also boosts positive social behavior. Review FCPS’ cell phone expectations by grade level with your child and help keep our classrooms free of distractions! If you need to reach your child during the school day for emergencies only, please call Rachel Carson Middle School main office - 703-925-3600.

Afterschool Staff Kickball game.

 

Greetings Panther families!

Click the link for the  Q2 After School Schedule. Each activity is hyperlinked with a description and information about each club. In order for students to participate in our after school program, parents must fill out the After School Registration Form (This form gives your child permission to participate in after school activities, it does not sign them up for specific activities) 

Late bus numbers are different than regular bus numbers. Please check SIS to find your child’s late bus number, it will say RCLR (Rachel Carson Late Run).

If you have questions about our after-school program, please contact  Riley Barrows, [email protected]. 

After School Program Specialist

Other Schools Are Sharing

The 2nd Annual Late Nite at the Byrd is Back!

 A welcoming event for the Boys and Girls basketball programs this year hosted by the South Lakes Athletic Leadership class. It is a free event but there will be a donation available. We invite members of the South Lakes community to join us to see:

· 3 Point Contest

· Dunk Contest

· Dance Team performance

· Raffle Prizes

· Contests for fans

This is a chance for people to meet with teams, get autographs and take photos with the players!  The event is on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 8pm at the Wendell G. Byrd Gymnasium, following the boys basketball scrimmage. Please enter at door 4.

Every middle school and elementary school child must be accompanied by an adult. Boosters will have concessions and gear store open in gym lobby!

Any questions please email Mr. Cincinnati at [email protected]

Who to Contact

If you have a question or concern, please visit our website for a full listing of  Who to Contact.  This listing includes all of our administrators, our counselors, and who to speak to regarding a specific content area or class. Contact information for all staff members is listed on our website - just click on the name of the person you wish to contact  to be redirected to their email address: RCMS Staff Directory.

13618 McLearen Rd. Herndon, VA 20171 |  Main Phone: 703.925.3600
Attendance: 703.925.3636 or [email protected] 
Web | Twitter

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

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Important Upcoming Events

• November 12- Report cards available in ParentVue and StudentVue
• November 13 - Grade 7 World Language Credit Exam - Carson Middle 7:30a.m.
• November 14 - Grade 8 World Language Credit Exam - Carson Middle 7:30a.m.
• November 27-29 Holiday - No School

 

A Message From The Principal

We would like to thank all of our Veterans for their service. Yesterday was Veterans Day, and we are celebrating our Veterans all week here at Carson MS.

We would also like to recognize our school psychologist, Ms. Diaz, as this week is National School Psychologist Week. We thank her and all of the school psychologists for their support of our students, staff, and school communities!

Sincerely,

Tony Washington

Principal

Report Card Information

November 12 - Report cards available in ParentVue and StudentVUE

Student gradebooks in SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE will be unavailable from Mon, Oct 28, 2024 @ 4:00 PM until Tue, Nov 12, 2024 @ 6:00 AM. At the end of this window, 1st quarter grades will be posted in SIS ParentVue and StudentVUE.

 

Federal Impact Aid Survey is due now in ParentVue!

The Federal Impact Aid Survey is now available in electronic format via ParentVUE. All families should complete the survey whether you are military affiliated or not.

Please complete this survey online in ParentVUE. Click HERE to create and set up a ParentVUE account. Please remember, only the enrolling parent may complete and submit the survey. Please complete the online survey by November 21, 2024.

Click Here for more information on Impact Aid and a visual tutorial on how to access and complete the survey in ParentVue online.

Parent Resources

Teen Series: Building Resilience: Helping Teens Develop Coping Skills and Emotional Intelligence

Join us for a series of insightful sessions focusing on the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social aspects of teen development. Learn strategies to support resilience, mental health, and healthy boundaries, fostering a nurturing environment for adolescents to thrive.

Webinar Highlights:

• Learn resilience-building techniques.
• Develop emotional intelligence.
• Strengthen support networks.

November 16, 2024, 10-11:30 a.m.

Register online

Starting The Conversation About Drugs: A Webinar for Families

Drugs and drug prevention have become increasingly important topics in recent years.

Are you unsure about how to approach the topic of drugs with your child? Join us to learn how to navigate this importance discussion with confidence and ease!

Webinar Highlights

• Tips to start the conversation about drugs, as early as 4 years old
• Practical advice and real-world examples
• Strategies to prevent drug abuse

Presented by Beth Mohaupt, FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist

November 22, 2024 10-11:30 a.m.

The Book Fair is Coming! 

We are excited to partner with a local business, Bookworm Central, for the 2024 book fair.  All students will come through with their English classes sometime during the week of December 2-6.  There is no pressure to buy anything, but students are welcome to purchase any time during shopping hours.  We will have one night for family shopping and will have a variety of books for the entire family, from babies, through grown-ups.  Books make wonderful gifts for family, friends, and teachers. 

Book Fair Hours:

Monday, December 2:        7:10AM- 2:30PM

Tuesday, December 3:       7:10AM- 2:30PM

Wednesday, December 4:  7:10AM- 2:30PM

Thursday, December 5:      7:10AM- 2:30PM AND  6:00PM-8:00PM *Family Shopping*

Friday, December 6:           7:10AM-12:45PM

 The library is looking for parents to volunteer to help run the book-fair during the school day. The energy and excitement is contagious!

Please review this Sign-Up Genius to see if you can help Book Fair Volunteer Sign-Up

RCMS Family Liaison

If you have questions about navigating the school, learning about FCPS resources, or getting your student setup for success, our Family Liaison can help.  If you need to contact our parent liaison, Drina Teran, please call 703-925-3603 and leave a message with your name, your student's name, and phone number. You may also contact her via email, Drina Teran at [email protected]

Hello Carson Community,    RCMS will celebrate Veteran's Day on November 14th and 15th. We would like to invite veteran's to come into the school building to share their experiences with students. If you are able to participate, please complete the form by clicking the link below. 

Click HERE

Parent Teen Book Club: You’re Invited!

Greetings Carson Families,

Are you looking for a way to connect with your teen? Would you like to get involved in the Carson community? Do you love to read? If you answered “YES” to any of the questions, please consider signing up to participate in Carson’s first Parent Teen Book Club! 

The Carson Library is thrilled to announce our first Parent Teen Book Club on November 14, 2024 from 7-8:30pm, and we would love to see you there! After choosing one of the five book options, you and your child will be loaned a copy of the book to read. Then, on November 14, we will come together to talk about the book selection and have some light refreshments. 

 This fall, the theme is Virginia Readers’ Choice Books, and all book choices are texts that are part of our state and school’s just-for-fun reading program.  CLICK HERE to learn more and to read about the book choices. Ready to sign up for a fun evening of literary conversations with your middle schooler, fill out the sign up form HERE!

Please reach out to librarians, Ellen Bickford ([email protected]) or Elizabeth Donovan ([email protected]) with any questions. 

Thank you!

Ellen Bickford

Librarian @ Carson MS.

TJ Information

The TJ Investigative Science Outreach, a student-led organization at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology will be hosting their 12th annual invitational science fair on April 5th, 2025 and welcome 5th-8th grade students to participate. Admission to the science fair is completely free. 

Participants will complete a research project of their choice and present at the fair in-person on April 5th, 2025. We help students prepare for this fair by holding multiple sessions to teach them important skills in STEM like brainstorming, collecting data, presenting, writing an experiment summary, using statistics, creating an experimental diagram, etc.

Our first interest/brainstorming session is October 11th, 2024 at 6:00 pm. We will be holding this session both in-person at TJHSST and virtually through zoom. During this session we will go over the goals and guidelines of this fair and introduce students to a multitude of project ideas. All interested students should sign up using the form at the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0Y0oodU11TzBUfWFnU5lsxoWaqixuX50fxVNv5A5DxcmRvw/viewform?usp=sf_link 

Feel free to also check out our website at tjsciencefair.wordpress.com or email us at [email protected]

Sincerely,

TJ Investigative Science Outreach

World Languages Credit By Exam (WLCBE)

This year's World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at each FCPS middle, high, and secondary school. 

The World Languages Credit by Exam is an optional test for students in grades 7-12 who can speak and write (type) proficiently in a language other than English. Based on the results of the exam, they can earn 1, 2, and/or 3 passing world language credits.

The 2024 World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at Rachel Carson Middle School on the following two days.

• Wednesday, November 13 at 7:30 AM for 7th grade 
• Thursday, November 14 at 7:30AM for 8th grade.

Attention 8th Grade Parents - Civics Field Trips

Rachel Carson Middle School 8th graders will attend Finance Park in person this year.  We would love to have you come along with us!  We are in need of 25 parent volunteers for each of our six teams. This is a 4.5 hour commitment, and includes an hour of training at the Finance Park facility next to Frost MS before our students arrive. You will help guide students through different phases of the day, which simulate real-world budgeting decisions, spending research, and bill payment. Then you’ll share your own life experiences and help them walk a day in your shoes. You bring the program to life!

Carson MS 8th grade teams are going to Finance Park on the following dates (any snow days will be rescheduled at a later time) –

Monday, December 16th - Dolphins

Tuesday, December 17th - Discovery

Wednesday, December 18th – Explorers

Thursday, December 19th - Voyagers 

Friday, December 20th - Wolves 

If you are able to volunteer with Carson’s Finance Park field trip, please view this link to create a JA account and then sign up for your child’s date to volunteer. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RWoYRLCor3U0XkEsLfIW88RX-2e8mly_/view 

Thank you for donating your time and experience to our students.  If you have any questions, please contact your child’s civics teacher.

Parents and caregivers can report up to two consecutive full-day absences using ParentVUE. For absences longer than two days, please contact [email protected]

All Day Absences: The Attendance feature in ParentVUE is the FCPS secure web solution for reporting all day absences.

Partial Absence: To report late arrivals, or to update already submitted attendance, please contact [email protected]

Early Dismissal Procedure

Please do not request early dismissals online or by phone. 

To request an early dismissal please send a note with your child, or complete and print an Early Dismissal Request Form for your child. Your child should bring the note or form to the main office upon arrival to school in order to receive an early dismissal pass for that day. If you forget to send a note, students should still come to the front office to get an early dismissal pass.

All early dismissals must be before 2:00pm.

• Learn more about attendance reporting through ParentVue

Recycling @ Rachel Carson MS

Rachel Carson MS is revitalizing our recycling program! 

Students are being encouraged to “think before they throw” to make sure every item they dispose of goes into the correct trash or recycling container. Last week all students engaged in a recycling lesson during Advisory and played a game to practice thinking before they throw. Did you know that recycling in FCPS is single-stream, meaning all recyclables can go in one bin? That means cardboard, mixed paper, plastics #1, #2, #5 and tin/aluminum cans can all go into the blue bins. Ask your child about Carson’s recycling procedures. Every Friday, each teacher sends a student with the class’s blue recycling bin to the foyer where custodians, Ms. Vasquez and Ms. DeDelacruz, and Get2Green leaders, Ms. Bickford and Ms. Walsh, collect the week’s recycling! It really is a school-wide effort. Share recycling successes as a family! Together WE can make a difference!

Ellen Bickford

Librarian @ Carson MS

Fairfax County Public Schools

Phones Down, Engagement Up: FCPS Cell Phone Policy and Storage Pilot

Keeping cell phones off during the school day helps students focus and learn. It also boosts positive social behavior. Review FCPS’ cell phone expectations by grade level with your child and help keep our classrooms free of distractions! If you need to reach your child during the school day for emergencies only, please call Rachel Carson Middle School main office - 703-925-3600.

 

Greetings Panther families!

Click the link for the  Q1 After School Schedule. Each activity is hyperlinked with a description and information about each club. In order for students to participate in our after school program, parents must fill out the After School Registration Form (This form gives your child permission to participate in after school activities, it does not sign them up for specific activities) 

Late bus numbers are different than regular bus numbers. Please check SIS to find your child’s late bus number, it will say RCLR (Rachel Carson Late Run).

If you have questions about our after-school program, please contact  Riley Barrows, [email protected]. 

After School Program Specialist

Who to Contact

If you have a question or concern, please visit our website for a full listing of  Who to Contact.  This listing includes all of our administrators, our counselors, and who to speak to regarding a specific content area or class. Contact information for all staff members is listed on our website - just click on the name of the person you wish to contact  to be redirected to their email address: RCMS Staff Directory.

13618 McLearen Rd. Herndon, VA 20171 |  Main Phone: 703.925.3600
Attendance: 703.925.3636 or [email protected] 
Web | Twitter

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

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

VETERANS DAY RECOGNITION!

Veterans Day (11/11) provides a great reason to pause, reflect, and recognize the extraordinary sacrifices our Veterans and their families have made on our behalf, and we thank them for their service. Learn more about the history of Veterans Day at va.gov.

13618 McLearen Rd. Herndon, VA 20171 |  Main Phone: 703.925.3600
Attendance: 703.925.3636 or [email protected] 
Web | Twitter

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

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Important Upcoming Events

• November 8 - Picture Day Retakes
• November 11- Holiday - Veterans Day- No School
• November 12- Report cards available in ParentVue and StudentVue
• November 13 - Grade 7 World Language Credit Exam - Carson Middle 7:30a.m.
• November 14 - Grade 8 World Language Credit Exam - Carson Middle 7:30a.m.
• November 27-29 Holiday - No School

 

A Message From The Principal

As we prepare for the second quarter, let's remember the importance of the 3 R's: being Ready, Respectful, and Responsible. These qualities create a positive learning environment where our teachers can effectively teach, and our students can thrive. We appreciate your partnership in helping your child embody these values at Rachel Carson.

Sincerely,

Tony Washington

Principal

Report Card Information

November 12 - Report cards available in ParentVue and StudentVUE

Student gradebooks in SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE will be unavailable from Mon, Oct 28, 2024 @ 4:00 PM until Tue, Nov 12, 2024 @ 6:00 AM. At the end of this window, 1st quarter grades will be posted in SIS ParentVue and StudentVUE.

 

Federal Impact Aid Survey is due now in ParentVue!

The Federal Impact Aid Survey is now available in electronic format via ParentVUE.

Please complete this survey online in ParentVUE. Click HERE to create and set up a ParentVUE account. Please remember, only the enrolling parent may complete and submit the survey. Please complete the online survey by November 21, 2024.

Click Here for more information on Impact Aid and a visual tutorial on how to access and complete the survey in ParentVue online.

Hello Carson!

Did you miss picture day? Would you like to retake your picture? 

 Picture day retakes are scheduled for Friday, November 8, 2024.

FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards

Nominations are now open for the FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards for the 24-25 school year!

Thinking about our excellent staff, there are so many people who go above and beyond to make a difference for students, families and colleagues.  This is a great opportunity to recognize someone for their great contributions! 

Please use this link to nominate a RCMS staff member for the FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards for the 24-25 school year.  Feel free to browse all of the awards categories and submit a nominee for consideration.  Nominations close on Tuesday, November 12th. 

Please contact our Awards Liaison with questions that you might have about this process.

Thanks for your time and thought!

RCMS Family Liaison

If you have questions about navigating the school, learning about FCPS resources, or getting your student setup for success, our Family Liaison can help.  If you need to contact our parent liaison, Drina Teran, please call 703-925-3603 and leave a message with your name, your student's name, and phone number. You may also contact her via email, Drina Teran at [email protected]

Hello Carson Community,    RCMS will celebrate Veteran's Day on November 14th and 15th. We would like to invite veteran's to come into the school building to share their experiences with students. If you are able to participate, please complete the form by clicking the link below. 

Click HERE

Parent Teen Book Club: You’re Invited!

Greetings Carson Families,

Are you looking for a way to connect with your teen? Would you like to get involved in the Carson community? Do you love to read? If you answered “YES” to any of the questions, please consider signing up to participate in Carson’s first Parent Teen Book Club! 

The Carson Library is thrilled to announce our first Parent Teen Book Club on November 14, 2024 from 7-8:30pm, and we would love to see you there! After choosing one of the five book options, you and your child will be loaned a copy of the book to read. Then, on November 14, we will come together to talk about the book selection and have some light refreshments. 

 This fall, the theme is Virginia Readers’ Choice Books, and all book choices are texts that are part of our state and school’s just-for-fun reading program.  CLICK HERE to learn more and to read about the book choices. Ready to sign up for a fun evening of literary conversations with your middle schooler, fill out the sign up form HERE!

Please reach out to librarians, Ellen Bickford ([email protected]) or Elizabeth Donovan ([email protected]) with any questions. 

Thank you!

Ellen Bickford

Librarian @ Carson MS.

TJ Information

The TJ Investigative Science Outreach, a student-led organization at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology will be hosting their 12th annual invitational science fair on April 5th, 2025 and welcome 5th-8th grade students to participate. Admission to the science fair is completely free. 

Participants will complete a research project of their choice and present at the fair in-person on April 5th, 2025. We help students prepare for this fair by holding multiple sessions to teach them important skills in STEM like brainstorming, collecting data, presenting, writing an experiment summary, using statistics, creating an experimental diagram, etc.

Our first interest/brainstorming session is October 11th, 2024 at 6:00 pm. We will be holding this session both in-person at TJHSST and virtually through zoom. During this session we will go over the goals and guidelines of this fair and introduce students to a multitude of project ideas. All interested students should sign up using the form at the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0Y0oodU11TzBUfWFnU5lsxoWaqixuX50fxVNv5A5DxcmRvw/viewform?usp=sf_link 

Feel free to also check out our website at tjsciencefair.wordpress.com or email us at [email protected]

Sincerely,

TJ Investigative Science Outreach

World Languages Credit By Exam (WLCBE)

This year's World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at each FCPS middle, high, and secondary school. 

The World Languages Credit by Exam is an optional test for students in grades 7-12 who can speak and write (type) proficiently in a language other than English. Based on the results of the exam, they can earn 1, 2, and/or 3 passing world language credits.

The 2024 World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at Rachel Carson Middle School on the following two days.

• Wednesday, November 13 at 7:30 AM for 7th grade 
• Thursday, November 14 at 7:30AM for 8th grade.

Hidden in Plain Sight

HIPS is a community awareness program designed to enlighten parents through a unique learning experience encompassing insights into trends and indicators of potentially risky behavior. The presentation is engaging and offering parents the opportunity to interact with police officers and various props. 

Click HERE

or go to https://bit.ly/hipsmadisonhs24

to sign up to join us on Thursday, November 7, 6:30-8:30pm at Madison High School.

Attention 8th Grade Parents - Civics Field Trips

Rachel Carson Middle School 8th graders will attend Finance Park in person this year.  We would love to have you come along with us!  We are in need of 25 parent volunteers for each of our six teams. This is a 4.5 hour commitment, and includes an hour of training at the Finance Park facility next to Frost MS before our students arrive. You will help guide students through different phases of the day, which simulate real-world budgeting decisions, spending research, and bill payment. Then you’ll share your own life experiences and help them walk a day in your shoes. You bring the program to life!

Carson MS 8th grade teams are going to Finance Park on the following dates (any snow days will be rescheduled at a later time) –

Monday, December 16th - Dolphins

Tuesday, December 17th - Discovery

Wednesday, December 18th – Explorers

Thursday, December 19th - Voyagers 

Friday, December 20th - Wolves 

If you are able to volunteer with Carson’s Finance Park field trip, please view this link to create a JA account and then sign up for your child’s date to volunteer. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RWoYRLCor3U0XkEsLfIW88RX-2e8mly_/view 

Thank you for donating your time and experience to our students.  If you have any questions, please contact your child’s civics teacher.

Parents and caregivers can report up to two consecutive full-day absences using ParentVUE. For absences longer than two days, please contact [email protected]

All Day Absences: The Attendance feature in ParentVUE is the FCPS secure web solution for reporting all day absences.

Partial Absence: To report late arrivals, or to update already submitted attendance, please contact [email protected]

Early Dismissal Procedure

Please do not request early dismissals online or by phone. 

To request an early dismissal please send a note with your child, or complete and print an Early Dismissal Request Form for your child. Your child should bring the note or form to the main office upon arrival to school in order to receive an early dismissal pass for that day. If you forget to send a note, students should still come to the front office to get an early dismissal pass.

All early dismissals must be before 2:00pm.

• Learn more about attendance reporting through ParentVue

Recycling @ Rachel Carson MS

Rachel Carson MS is revitalizing our recycling program! 

Students are being encouraged to “think before they throw” to make sure every item they dispose of goes into the correct trash or recycling container. Last week all students engaged in a recycling lesson during Advisory and played a game to practice thinking before they throw. Did you know that recycling in FCPS is single-stream, meaning all recyclables can go in one bin? That means cardboard, mixed paper, plastics #1, #2, #5 and tin/aluminum cans can all go into the blue bins. Ask your child about Carson’s recycling procedures. Every Friday, each teacher sends a student with the class’s blue recycling bin to the foyer where custodians, Ms. Vasquez and Ms. DeDelacruz, and Get2Green leaders, Ms. Bickford and Ms. Walsh, collect the week’s recycling! It really is a school-wide effort. Share recycling successes as a family! Together WE can make a difference!

Ellen Bickford

Librarian @ Carson MS

Fairfax County Public Schools

Digital Tools Consent

FCPS has approved the use of many digital tools that enhance our student’s learning.  Some of these tools require parental consent.  Students WILL NOT be able to access these tools until FCPS receives your consent.  You can find more directions on this process here. 

Phones Down, Engagement Up: FCPS Cell Phone Policy and Storage Pilot

Keeping cell phones off during the school day helps students focus and learn. It also boosts positive social behavior. Review FCPS’ cell phone expectations by grade level with your child and help keep our classrooms free of distractions! If you need to reach your child during the school day for emergencies only, please call Rachel Carson Middle School main office - 703-925-3600.

 

Greetings Panther families!

Click the link for the  Q1 After School Schedule. Each activity is hyperlinked with a description and information about each club. In order for students to participate in our after school program, parents must fill out the After School Registration Form (This form gives your child permission to participate in after school activities, it does not sign them up for specific activities) 

Late bus numbers are different than regular bus numbers. Please check SIS to find your child’s late bus number, it will say RCLR (Rachel Carson Late Run).

If you have questions about our after-school program, please contact  Riley Barrows, [email protected]. 

After School Program Specialist

Other Schools are Sharing

Westfield High School Theater Presents, A Mid Summer Nights Dream

November 7, 8, 9 At 7PM. $10 with your Student ID

Tickets: $15 adult, $10 student. All seats reserved. All info found at www.westfieldtheatre.com Who to Contact

If you have a question or concern, please visit our website for a full listing of  Who to Contact.  This listing includes all of our administrators, our counselors, and who to speak to regarding a specific content area or class. Contact information for all staff members is listed on our website - just click on the name of the person you wish to contact  to be redirected to their email address: RCMS Staff Directory.

13618 McLearen Rd. Herndon, VA 20171 |  Main Phone: 703.925.3600
Attendance: 703.925.3636 or [email protected] 
Web | Twitter

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

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Important Upcoming Events

• November 8 - Picture Day Retakes
• November 11- Holiday - Veterans Day- No School
• November 12- Report cards available in ParentVue and StudentVue
• November 13 - Grade 7 World Language Credit Exam - Carson Middle 7:30a.m.
• November 14 - Grade 8 World Language Credit Exam - Carson Middle 7:30a.m.
• November 27-29 Holiday - No School

 

A Message From The Principal

As we prepare for the second quarter, let's remember the importance of the 3 R's: being Ready, Respectful, and Responsible. These qualities create a positive learning environment where our teachers can effectively teach, and our students can thrive. We appreciate your partnership in helping your child embody these values at Rachel Carson.

Sincerely,

Tony Washington

Principal

Report Card Information

November 12 - Report cards available in ParentVue and StudentVUE

Student gradebooks in SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE will be unavailable from Mon, Oct 28, 2024 @ 4:00 PM until Tue, Nov 12, 2024 @ 6:00 AM. At the end of this window, 1st quarter grades will be posted in SIS ParentVue and StudentVUE.

 

Federal Impact Aid Survey is due now in ParentVue!

The Federal Government owns property in Fairfax County, and those properties are removed from the local tax base. FCPS is eligible to apply for Federal Impact Aid funds as reimbursement for the lost tax revenue. Federally connected students are children of active-duty uniformed services personnel, children who live on federal property or in subsidized federal housing, and children whose parents are employed on eligible federal properties.   

The Federal Impact Aid Survey is now available in electronic format via ParentVUE.

Please complete this survey online in ParentVUE. Click HERE to create and set up a ParentVUE account. Please remember, only the enrolling parent may complete and submit the survey. Please complete the online survey by November 21, 2024.

Click Here for more information on Impact Aid and a visual tutorial on how to access and complete the survey in ParentVue online.

 

Hello Carson! Did you miss picture day? Would you like to retake your picture? 

Retakes are right around the corner. Picture day retakes are scheduled for Friday, November 8, 2024.

FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards

Nominations are now open for the FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards for the 24-25 school year!

Thinking about our excellent staff, there are so many people who go above and beyond to make a difference for students, families and colleagues.  This is a great opportunity to recognize someone for their great contributions! 

Please use this link to nominate a RCMS staff member for the FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards for the 24-25 school year.  Feel free to browse all of the awards categories and submit a nominee for consideration.  Nominations close on Tuesday, November 12th. 

Please contact our Awards Liaison with questions that you might have about this process.

Thanks for your time and thought!

RCMS Family Liaison

If you have questions about navigating the school, learning about FCPS resources, or getting your student setup for success, our Family Liaison can help.  If you need to contact our parent liaison, Drina Teran, please call 703-925-3603 and leave a message with your name, your student's name, and phone number. You may also contact her via email, Drina Teran at [email protected]

Hello Carson Community,    RCMS will celebrate Veteran's Day on November 14th and 15th. We would like to invite veteran's to come into the school building to share their experiences with students. If you are able to participate, please complete the form by clicking the link below. 

Click HERE

Parent Teen Book Club: You’re Invited!

Greetings Carson Families,

Are you looking for a way to connect with your teen? Would you like to get involved in the Carson community? Do you love to read? If you answered “YES” to any of the questions, please consider signing up to participate in Carson’s first Parent Teen Book Club! 

The Carson Library is thrilled to announce our first Parent Teen Book Club on November 14, 2024 from 7-8:30pm, and we would love to see you there! After choosing one of the five book options, you and your child will be loaned a copy of the book to read. Then, on November 14, we will come together to talk about the book selection and have some light refreshments. 

 This fall, the theme is Virginia Readers’ Choice Books, and all book choices are texts that are part of our state and school’s just-for-fun reading program.  CLICK HERE to learn more and to read about the book choices. Ready to sign up for a fun evening of literary conversations with your middle schooler, fill out the sign up form HERE!

Please reach out to librarians, Ellen Bickford ([email protected]) or Elizabeth Donovan ([email protected]) with any questions. 

 

Thank you!

Ellen Bickford

Librarian @ Carson MS.

TJ Information

The TJ Investigative Science Outreach, a student-led organization at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology will be hosting their 12th annual invitational science fair on April 5th, 2025 and welcome 5th-8th grade students to participate. Admission to the science fair is completely free. 

Participants will complete a research project of their choice and present at the fair in-person on April 5th, 2025. We help students prepare for this fair by holding multiple sessions to teach them important skills in STEM like brainstorming, collecting data, presenting, writing an experiment summary, using statistics, creating an experimental diagram, etc.

Our first interest/brainstorming session is October 11th, 2024 at 6:00 pm. We will be holding this session both in-person at TJHSST and virtually through zoom. During this session we will go over the goals and guidelines of this fair and introduce students to a multitude of project ideas. All interested students should sign up using the form at the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0Y0oodU11TzBUfWFnU5lsxoWaqixuX50fxVNv5A5DxcmRvw/viewform?usp=sf_link 

Feel free to also check out our website at tjsciencefair.wordpress.com or email us at [email protected]

Sincerely,

TJ Investigative Science Outreach

World Languages Credit By Exam (WLCBE)

This year's World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at each FCPS middle, high, and secondary school. 

The World Languages Credit by Exam is an optional test for students in grades 7-12 who can speak and write (type) proficiently in a language other than English. Based on the results of the exam, they can earn 1, 2, and/or 3 passing world language credits.

The 2024 World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at Rachel Carson Middle School on the following two days.

• Wednesday, November 13 at 7:30 AM for 7th grade 
• Thursday, November 14 at 7:30AM for 8th grade.

Hidden in Plain Sight

HIPS is a community awareness program designed to enlighten parents through a unique learning experience encompassing insights into trends and indicators of potentially risky behavior. The presentation is engaging and offering parents the opportunity to interact with police officers and various props. 

Click HERE

or go to https://bit.ly/hipsmadisonhs24

to sign up to join us on Thursday, November 7, 6:30-8:30pm at Madison High School.

Attention 8th Grade Parents - Civics Field Trips

Rachel Carson Middle School 8th graders will attend Finance Park in person this year.  We would love to have you come along with us!  We are in need of 25 parent volunteers for each of our six teams. This is a 4.5 hour commitment, and includes an hour of training at the Finance Park facility next to Frost MS before our students arrive. You will help guide students through different phases of the day, which simulate real-world budgeting decisions, spending research, and bill payment. Then you’ll share your own life experiences and help them walk a day in your shoes. You bring the program to life!

Carson MS 8th grade teams are going to Finance Park on the following dates (any snow days will be rescheduled at a later time) –

Monday, December 16th - Dolphins

Tuesday, December 17th - Discovery

Wednesday, December 18th – Explorers

Thursday, December 19th - Voyagers 

Friday, December 20th - Wolves 

If you are able to volunteer with Carson’s Finance Park field trip, please view this link to create a JA account and then sign up for your child’s date to volunteer. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RWoYRLCor3U0XkEsLfIW88RX-2e8mly_/view 

Thank you for donating your time and experience to our students.  If you have any questions, please contact your child’s civics teacher.

Recycling @ Rachel Carson MS

Rachel Carson MS is revitalizing our recycling program! 

Students are being encouraged to “think before they throw” to make sure every item they dispose of goes into the correct trash or recycling container. Last week all students engaged in a recycling lesson during Advisory and played a game to practice thinking before they throw. Did you know that recycling in FCPS is single-stream, meaning all recyclables can go in one bin? That means cardboard, mixed paper, plastics #1, #2, #5 and tin/aluminum cans can all go into the blue bins. Ask your child about Carson’s recycling procedures. Every Friday, each teacher sends a student with the class’s blue recycling bin to the foyer where custodians, Ms. Vasquez and Ms. DeDelacruz, and Get2Green leaders, Ms. Bickford and Ms. Walsh, collect the week’s recycling! It really is a school-wide effort. Share recycling successes as a family! Together WE can make a difference!

 

Ellen Bickford

Librarian @ Carson MS

Fairfax County Public Schools

 

Attendance

Attendance:  Help your student stay engaged.  Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic success. Even as children grow older and more independent, families play a key role in making sure students get to school every day and understand why attendance is so important for success in school and on the job.

Parents and caregivers can report up to two consecutive full-day absences using ParentVUE. For absences longer than two days, please contact [email protected]

All Day Absences: The Attendance feature in ParentVUE is the FCPS secure web solution for reporting all day absences.

Partial Absence: To report late arrivals, or to update already submitted attendance, please contact [email protected]

Early Dismissal Procedure

Please do not request early dismissals online or by phone. 

To request an early dismissal please send a note with your child, or complete and print an Early Dismissal Request Form for your child. Your child should bring the note or form to the main office upon arrival to school in order to receive an early dismissal pass for that day. If you forget to send a note, students should still come to the front office to get an early dismissal pass.

All early dismissals must be before 2:00pm.

• Learn more about attendance reporting through ParentVue

Regular attendance is crucial for the academic success of all students. Studies have repeatedly proven that students with better attendance records perform better in school and are more likely to graduate high school on time.

Did you know?

• All Absences, excused AND unexcused count towards a student's and Caron’s Chronic absenteeism rate.
• Missing just 10% of school — just two days a month — negatively affects a student’s academic performance.
• By sixth grade, chronic absenteeism becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school.

We understand that there may be obstacles preventing students from attending school regularly, such as illness or personal circumstances. That’s why it is so important for our school team to work together with our students and families to remove any barriers. We all belong here!

Digital Tools Consent

FCPS has approved the use of many digital tools that enhance our student’s learning.  Some of these tools require parental consent.  Students WILL NOT be able to access these tools until FCPS receives your consent.  You can find more directions on this process here. 

Phones Down, Engagement Up: FCPS Cell Phone Policy and Storage Pilot

Keeping cell phones off during the school day helps students focus and learn. It also boosts positive social behavior. Review FCPS’ cell phone expectations by grade level with your child and help keep our classrooms free of distractions! If you need to reach your child during the school day for emergencies only, please call Rachel Carson Middle School main office - 703-925-3600.

 

Greetings Panther families!

Click the link for the  Q1 After School Schedule. Each activity is hyperlinked with a description and information about each club. In order for students to participate in our after school program, parents must fill out the After School Registration Form (This form gives your child permission to participate in after school activities, it does not sign them up for specific activities) 

Late bus numbers are different than regular bus numbers. Please check SIS to find your child’s late bus number, it will say RCLR (Rachel Carson Late Run).

If you have questions about our after-school program, please contact  Riley Barrows, [email protected]. 

 

Riley Barrows

After School Program Specialist

Donations Needed!

We have a vibrant “Creative Yarn” after school club in need of donations.  We are especially in need of yarn and crochet hooks.  If you are cleaning out your craft corners – please consider sending crochet and knitting supplies our way.  Items can be left in the front office.  Many thanks.

Elena James

Carson Middle School

 

 

Other Schools are Sharing

Westfield High School Theater Presents, A Mid Summer Nights Dream

November 7, 8, 9 At 7PM. $10 with your Student ID

Tickets: $15 adult, $10 student. All seats reserved. All info found at www.westfieldtheatre.com Join the Carson MS PTA

We highly encourage you to join the Carson PTA by visiting their website. Click here and learn more about this incredibly supportive organization.

You may also go to: https://rcmspta.givebacks.com/store?limit=21&live=true&category=Memberships

WE NEED YOU!!!

• Are you ready to give back to our RCMS community and to join this amazing team of PTA volunteers? Have questions?  Please contact us [email protected]

Who to Contact

If you have a question or concern, please visit our website for a full listing of  Who to Contact.  This listing includes all of our administrators, our counselors, and who to speak to regarding a specific content area or class. Contact information for all staff members is listed on our website - just click on the name of the person you wish to contact  to be redirected to their email address: RCMS Staff Directory.

 

13618 McLearen Rd. Herndon, VA 20171 |  Main Phone: 703.925.3600
Attendance: 703.925.3636 or [email protected] 
Web | Twitter

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

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Important Upcoming Events

• October 21 - Federal Impact Aid online survey opens in ParentVue
• October 31 - Last day of 1st Quarter- 2 - hour early release
• November 1 -Holiday-Religious or Cultural Observance - No School
• November 3 - Daylight Savings end
• November 4 & 5 - Teacher workdays-No School
• November 8 - Picture Day Retakes
• November 11- Holiday - Veterans Day- No School
• November 12- Report cards available in ParentVue and StudentVue
• November 13 - Grade 7 World Language Credit Exam - Carson Middle 7:30a.m.
• November 14 - Grade 8 World Language Credit Exam - Carson Middle 7:30a.m.
• November 27-29 Holiday - No School

 

A Message From The Principal

 

As the first grading quarter comes to a close, we're proud of our students' hard work and dedication to learning. Our teachers have been equally committed, tailoring instruction to meet the unique needs of each student. We eagerly anticipate the second quarter and the continued growth and progress of our students.

Sincerely,

Tony Washington

Principal

 

First “SWAG” Student Recognition of the 2024-2025 School Year

We are excited to announce the return of our SWAG Student Recognition Program.  SWAG stands for “Students with Awesome Growth.”  Each month teachers from different departments recognize students for their hard work, perseverance, and commitment to making a positive impact at Carson.  

Mr. Washington had the pleasure of celebrating the first nominees of the school year this past week.  Each student was brought up to the podium to learn why they were nominated by a teacher and received a certificate and SWAG bag.  Congratulations to these students for having Carson SWAG: Congratulations to Luis, Ian, Jonathan, Juvel, Sergio, Rimas, Alexander, Henry, Liam, Hojin, Ayan, Huzaifa, David, Lucas, Gavin, Lucas, Omer!  A picture of these students is proudly displayed outside of the cafeteria for all to see. 

Congratulations, Panthers!

  End of First Quarter - Two-Hour Early Release 

October 31, 2024 - Last day of 1st Quarter

Students will dismiss at 12:15pm. No afterschool activities, no late buses.

On Thursday, October 31st we will be celebrating our last day of our Spirit Week by having students and staff wear orange and black. Parents, please remember that if your child is deciding to dress up, they need to do so while following school rules. Students should not wear any outfit that is inappropriate or does not meet the guidelines of FCPS dress code policy. Additionally, students should not wear any costume masks or face paint, to include hats or head gear that cover their face. We appreciate your support with this in helping to make sure that our students have fun, while still adhering to school and FCPS guidelines.  

 

November 12 - Report cards available in ParentVue and StudentVUE

Student gradebooks in SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE will be unavailable from Mon, Oct 28, 2024 @ 4:00 PM until Tue, Nov 12, 2024 @ 6:00 AM. At the end of this window, 1st quarter grades will be posted in SIS ParentVue and StudentVUE.

 

Federal Impact Aid Survey is Available now in ParentVue!

The Federal Government owns property in Fairfax County, and those properties are removed from the local tax base. FCPS is eligible to apply for Federal Impact Aid funds as reimbursement for the lost tax revenue. Federally connected students are children of active-duty uniformed services personnel, children who live on federal property or in subsidized federal housing, and children whose parents are employed on eligible federal properties.   

The Federal Impact Aid Survey is now available in electronic format via ParentVUE. It is important to complete this survey in ParentVUE. Click HERE to create and set up a ParentVUE account. Please remember, only the enrolling parent may complete and submit the survey. Please complete the online survey by November 21, 2024.

Click Here for more information on Impact Aid and a visual tutorial on how to access and complete the survey in ParentVue online.

 

Hello Carson! Did you miss picture day? Would you like to retake your picture? 

Retakes are right around the corner. Picture day retakes are scheduled for Friday, November 8, 2024.

FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards

Nominations are now open for the FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards for the 24-25 school year!

Thinking about our excellent staff, there are so many people who go above and beyond to make a difference for students, families and colleagues.  This is a great opportunity to recognize someone for their great contributions! 

Please use this link to nominate a RCMS staff member for the FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards for the 24-25 school year.  Feel free to browse all of the awards categories and submit a nominee for consideration.  Nominations close on Tuesday, November 12th. 

Please contact our Awards Liaison with questions that you might have about this process.

Thanks for your time and thought!

RCMS Family Liaison

If you have questions about navigating the school, learning about FCPS resources, or getting your student setup for success, our Family Liaison can help.  If you need to contact our parent liaison, Drina Teran, please call 703-925-3603 and leave a message with your name, your student's name, and phone number. You may also contact her via email, Drina Teran at [email protected]

Hello Carson Community,    RCMS will celebrate Veteran's Day on November 14th and 15th. We would like to invite veteran's to come into the school building to share their experiences with students. If you are able to participate, please complete the form by clicking the link below. 

Click HERE

Parent Teen Book Club: You’re Invited!

Greetings Carson Families,

Are you looking for a way to connect with your teen? Would you like to get involved in the Carson community? Do you love to read? If you answered “YES” to any of the questions, please consider signing up to participate in Carson’s first Parent Teen Book Club! 

The Carson Library is thrilled to announce our first Parent Teen Book Club on November 14, 2024 from 7-8:30pm, and we would love to see you there! After choosing one of the five book options, you and your child will be loaned a copy of the book to read. Then, on November 14, we will come together to talk about the book selection and have some light refreshments. 

 This fall, the theme is Virginia Readers’ Choice Books, and all book choices are texts that are part of our state and school’s just-for-fun reading program.  CLICK HERE to learn more and to read about the book choices. Ready to sign up for a fun evening of literary conversations with your middle schooler, fill out the sign up form HERE!

Please reach out to librarians, Ellen Bickford ([email protected]) or Elizabeth Donovan ([email protected]) with any questions. 

 

Thank you!

Ellen Bickford

Librarian @ Carson MS.

TJ Information

The TJ Investigative Science Outreach, a student-led organization at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology will be hosting their 12th annual invitational science fair on April 5th, 2025 and welcome 5th-8th grade students to participate. Admission to the science fair is completely free. 

Participants will complete a research project of their choice and present at the fair in-person on April 5th, 2025. We help students prepare for this fair by holding multiple sessions to teach them important skills in STEM like brainstorming, collecting data, presenting, writing an experiment summary, using statistics, creating an experimental diagram, etc.

Our first interest/brainstorming session is October 11th, 2024 at 6:00 pm. We will be holding this session both in-person at TJHSST and virtually through zoom. During this session we will go over the goals and guidelines of this fair and introduce students to a multitude of project ideas. All interested students should sign up using the form at the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0Y0oodU11TzBUfWFnU5lsxoWaqixuX50fxVNv5A5DxcmRvw/viewform?usp=sf_link 

Feel free to also check out our website at tjsciencefair.wordpress.com or email us at [email protected]

Sincerely,

TJ Investigative Science Outreach

World Languages Credit By Exam (WLCBE)

This year's World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at each FCPS middle, high, and secondary school. 

The World Languages Credit by Exam is an optional test for students in grades 7-12 who can speak and write (type) proficiently in a language other than English. Based on the results of the exam, they can earn 1, 2, and/or 3 passing world language credits.

The 2024 World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at Rachel Carson Middle School on the following two days.

• Wednesday, November 13 at 7:30 AM for 7th grade 
• Thursday, November 14 at 7:30AM for 8th grade.

Eating Disorders

In 2013, Virginia passed a law requiring every school system to provide information to parents annually about eating disorders with parents/guardians of students in the fifth through twelfth grades. 

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 about eating disorders.  To find out more, please visit the FCPS Eating Disorders website.

In addition to the information on the FCPS website, the National Eating Disorders Association has a toll free, confidential Helpline, 1-800-931-2237.”

Click HERE

or go to https://bit.ly/hipsmadisonhs24

to sign up to join us on Thursday, November 7, 6:30-8:30pm at Madison High School.

Recycling @ Rachel Carson MS

Rachel Carson MS is revitalizing our recycling program! 

Students are being encouraged to “think before they throw” to make sure every item they dispose of goes into the correct trash or recycling container. Last week all students engaged in a recycling lesson during Advisory and played a game to practice thinking before they throw. Did you know that recycling in FCPS is single-stream, meaning all recyclables can go in one bin? That means cardboard, mixed paper, plastics #1, #2, #5 and tin/aluminum cans can all go into the blue bins. Ask your child about Carson’s recycling procedures. Every Friday, each teacher sends a student with the class’s blue recycling bin to the foyer where custodians, Ms. Vasquez and Ms. DeDelacruz, and Get2Green leaders, Ms. Bickford and Ms. Walsh, collect the week’s recycling! It really is a school-wide effort. Share recycling successes as a family! Together WE can make a difference!

 

Ellen Bickford

Librarian @ Carson MS

Fairfax County Public Schools

Attention 8th Grade Parents - Civics Field Trips

Rachel Carson Middle School 8th graders will attend Finance Park in person this year.  We would love to have you come along with us!  We are in need of 25 parent volunteers for each of our six teams. This is a 4.5 hour commitment, and includes an hour of training at the Finance Park facility next to Frost MS before our students arrive. You will help guide students through different phases of the day, which simulate real-world budgeting decisions, spending research, and bill payment. Then you’ll share your own life experiences and help them walk a day in your shoes. You bring the program to life!

Carson MS 8th grade teams are going to Finance Park on the following dates (any snow days will be rescheduled at a later time) –

Monday, December 16th - Dolphins

Tuesday, December 17th - Discovery

Wednesday, December 18th – Explorers

Thursday, December 19th - Voyagers 

Friday, December 20th - Wolves 

If you are able to volunteer with Carson’s Finance Park field trip, please view this link to create a JA account and then sign up for your child’s date to volunteer. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RWoYRLCor3U0XkEsLfIW88RX-2e8mly_/view 

Thank you for donating your time and experience to our students.  If you have any questions, please contact your child’s civics teacher.

 

Attendance

Attendance:  Help your student stay engaged.  Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic success. Even as children grow older and more independent, families play a key role in making sure students get to school every day and understand why attendance is so important for success in school and on the job.

Parents and caregivers can report up to two consecutive full-day absences using ParentVUE. For absences longer than two days, please contact [email protected]

All Day Absences: The Attendance feature in ParentVUE is the FCPS secure web solution for reporting all day absences.

Partial Absence: To report late arrivals, or to update already submitted attendance, please contact [email protected]

Early Dismissal Procedure

Please do not request early dismissals online or by phone. 

To request an early dismissal please send a note with your child, or complete and print an Early Dismissal Request Form for your child. Your child should bring the note or form to the main office upon arrival to school in order to receive an early dismissal pass for that day. If you forget to send a note, students should still come to the front office to get an early dismissal pass.

All early dismissals must be before 2:00pm.

• Learn more about attendance reporting through ParentVue

Regular attendance is crucial for the academic success of all students. Studies have repeatedly proven that students with better attendance records perform better in school and are more likely to graduate high school on time.

Did you know?

• All Absences, excused AND unexcused count towards a student's and Caron’s Chronic absenteeism rate.
• Missing just 10% of school — just two days a month — negatively affects a student’s academic performance.
• By sixth grade, chronic absenteeism becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school.

We understand that there may be obstacles preventing students from attending school regularly, such as illness or personal circumstances. That’s why it is so important for our school team to work together with our students and families to remove any barriers. We all belong here!

Digital Tools Consent

FCPS has approved the use of many digital tools that enhance our student’s learning.  Some of these tools require parental consent.  Students WILL NOT be able to access these tools until FCPS receives your consent.  You can find more directions on this process here. 

Phones Down, Engagement Up: FCPS Cell Phone Policy and Storage Pilot

Keeping cell phones off during the school day helps students focus and learn. It also boosts positive social behavior. Review FCPS’ cell phone expectations by grade level with your child and help keep our classrooms free of distractions! If you need to reach your child during the school day for emergencies only, please call Rachel Carson Middle School main office - 703-925-3600.

 

Greetings Panther families!

Click the link for the  Q1 After School Schedule. Each activity is hyperlinked with a description and information about each club. In order for students to participate in our after school program, parents must fill out the After School Registration Form (This form gives your child permission to participate in after school activities, it does not sign them up for specific activities) 

Late bus numbers are different than regular bus numbers. Please check SIS to find your child’s late bus number, it will say RCLR (Rachel Carson Late Run).

If you have questions about our after-school program, please contact  Riley Barrows, [email protected]. 

 

Riley Barrows

After School Program Specialist

Donations Needed!

We have a vibrant “Creative Yarn” after school club in need of donations.  We are especially in need of yarn and crochet hooks.  If you are cleaning out your craft corners – please consider sending crochet and knitting supplies our way.  Items can be left in the front office.  Many thanks.

Elena James

Carson Middle School

 

 

Other Schools are Sharing

Westfield High School

Westfield Theatre is offering a FREE workshop on Friday, November 1st at Westfield HS from 10am-12pm! Students in 4th-8th grades can join us for fun theatre games, snacks and a backstage tour. Space is limited - click here to register! Tickets: $15 adult, $10 student. All seats reserved. All info found at www.westfieldtheatre.com

Fairfax High School

Join the Carson MS PTA

We highly encourage you to join the Carson PTA by visiting their website. Click here and learn more about this incredibly supportive organization.

You may also go to: https://rcmspta.givebacks.com/store?limit=21&live=true&category=Memberships

WE NEED YOU!!!

• Are you ready to give back to our RCMS community and to join this amazing team of PTA volunteers? Have questions?  Please contact us [email protected]

Who to Contact

If you have a question or concern, please visit our website for a full listing of  Who to Contact.  This listing includes all of our administrators, our counselors, and who to speak to regarding a specific content area or class. Contact information for all staff members is listed on our website - just click on the name of the person you wish to contact  to be redirected to their email address: RCMS Staff Directory.

 

13618 McLearen Rd. Herndon, VA 20171 |  Main Phone: 703.925.3600
Attendance: 703.925.3636 or [email protected] 
Web | Twitter

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

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Important Upcoming Events

• October 21 - Federal Impact Aid online survey opens in ParentVue
• October 31 - Last day of 1st Quarter- 2 - hour early release
• November 1 -Holiday-Religious or Cultural Observance - No School
• November 3 - Daylight Savings end
• November 4 & 5 - Teacher workdays-No School
• November 11- Holiday - Veterans Day- No School
• November 12- Report cards available in ParentVue and StudentVue
• November 13 - Grade 7 World Language Credit Exam - Carson Middle 7:30a.m.
• November 14 - Grade 8 World Language Credit Exam - Carson Middle 7:30a.m.
• November 27-29 Holiday - No School

 

A Message From The Principal

 

As the first grading quarter comes to a close, we're proud of our students' hard work and dedication to learning. Our teachers have been equally committed, tailoring instruction to meet the unique needs of each student. We eagerly anticipate the second quarter and the continued growth and progress of our students.

Sincerely,

Tony Washington

Principal

 

First “SWAG” Student Recognition of the 2024-2025 School Year

We are excited to announce the return of our SWAG Student Recognition Program.  SWAG stands for “Students with Awesome Growth.”  Each month teachers from different departments recognize students for their hard work, perseverance, and commitment to making a positive impact at Carson.  

Mr. Washington had the pleasure of celebrating the first nominees of the school year this past week.  Each student was brought up to the podium to learn why they were nominated by a teacher and received a certificate and SWAG bag.  Congratulations to these students for having Carson SWAG: Congratulations to Luis, Ian, Jonathan, Juvel, Sergio, Rimas, Alexander, Henry, Liam, Hojin, Ayan, Huzaifa, David, Lucas, Gavin, Lucas, Omer!  A picture of these students is proudly displayed outside of the cafeteria for all to see. 

Congratulations, Panthers!

  End of First Quarter - Two-Hour Early Release 

October 31, 2024 - Last day of 1st Quarter

Students will dismiss at 12:15pm. No afterschool activities, no late buses.

On Thursday, October 31st we will be celebrating our last day of our Spirit Week by having students and staff wear orange and black. Parents, please remember that if your child is deciding to dress up, they need to do so while following school rules. Students should not wear any outfit that is inappropriate or does not meet the guidelines of FCPS dress code policy. Additionally, students should not wear any costume masks or face paint, to include hats or head gear that cover their face. We appreciate your support with this in helping to make sure that our students have fun, while still adhering to school and FCPS guidelines.  

 

November 12 - Report cards available in ParentVue and StudentVUE

Student gradebooks in SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE will be unavailable from Mon, Oct 28, 2024 @ 4:00 PM until Tue, Nov 12, 2024 @ 6:00 AM. At the end of this window, 1st quarter grades will be posted in SIS ParentVue and StudentVUE.

 

Federal Impact Aid Survey is Available now in ParentVue!

The Federal Government owns property in Fairfax County, and those properties are removed from the local tax base. FCPS is eligible to apply for Federal Impact Aid funds as reimbursement for the lost tax revenue. Federally connected students are children of active-duty uniformed services personnel, children who live on federal property or in subsidized federal housing, and children whose parents are employed on eligible federal properties.   

The Federal Impact Aid Survey is now available in electronic format via ParentVUE. It is important to complete this survey in ParentVUE. Click HERE to create and set up a ParentVUE account. Please remember, only the enrolling parent may complete and submit the survey. Please complete the online survey by November 21, 2024.

Click Here for more information on Impact Aid and a visual tutorial on how to access and complete the survey in ParentVue online.

 

Hello Carson! Did you miss picture day? Would you like to retake your picture? 

Retakes are right around the corner. Picture day retakes are scheduled for Friday, November 8, 2024.

FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards

Nominations are now open for the FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards for the 24-25 school year!

Thinking about our excellent staff, there are so many people who go above and beyond to make a difference for students, families and colleagues.  This is a great opportunity to recognize someone for their great contributions! 

Please use this link to nominate a RCMS staff member for the FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards for the 24-25 school year.  Feel free to browse all of the awards categories and submit a nominee for consideration.  Nominations close on Tuesday, November 12th. 

Please contact our Awards Liaison with questions that you might have about this process.

Thanks for your time and thought!

RCMS Family Liaison

If you have questions about navigating the school, learning about FCPS resources, or getting your student setup for success, our Family Liaison can help.  If you need to contact our parent liaison, Drina Teran, please call 703-925-3603 and leave a message with your name, your student's name, and phone number. You may also contact her via email, Drina Teran at [email protected]

Hello Carson Community,    RCMS will celebrate Veteran's Day on November 14th and 15th. We would like to invite veteran's to come into the school building to share their experiences with students. If you are able to participate, please complete the form by clicking the link below. 

Click HERE

Parent Teen Book Club: You’re Invited!

Greetings Carson Families,

Are you looking for a way to connect with your teen? Would you like to get involved in the Carson community? Do you love to read? If you answered “YES” to any of the questions, please consider signing up to participate in Carson’s first Parent Teen Book Club! 

The Carson Library is thrilled to announce our first Parent Teen Book Club on November 14, 2024 from 7-8:30pm, and we would love to see you there! After choosing one of the five book options, you and your child will be loaned a copy of the book to read. Then, on November 14, we will come together to talk about the book selection and have some light refreshments. 

 This fall, the theme is Virginia Readers’ Choice Books, and all book choices are texts that are part of our state and school’s just-for-fun reading program.  CLICK HERE to learn more and to read about the book choices. Ready to sign up for a fun evening of literary conversations with your middle schooler, fill out the sign up form HERE!

Please reach out to librarians, Ellen Bickford ([email protected]) or Elizabeth Donovan ([email protected]) with any questions. 

 

Thank you!

Ellen Bickford

Librarian @ Carson MS.

TJ Information

The TJ Investigative Science Outreach, a student-led organization at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology will be hosting their 12th annual invitational science fair on April 5th, 2025 and welcome 5th-8th grade students to participate. Admission to the science fair is completely free. 

Participants will complete a research project of their choice and present at the fair in-person on April 5th, 2025. We help students prepare for this fair by holding multiple sessions to teach them important skills in STEM like brainstorming, collecting data, presenting, writing an experiment summary, using statistics, creating an experimental diagram, etc.

Our first interest/brainstorming session is October 11th, 2024 at 6:00 pm. We will be holding this session both in-person at TJHSST and virtually through zoom. During this session we will go over the goals and guidelines of this fair and introduce students to a multitude of project ideas. All interested students should sign up using the form at the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0Y0oodU11TzBUfWFnU5lsxoWaqixuX50fxVNv5A5DxcmRvw/viewform?usp=sf_link 

Feel free to also check out our website at tjsciencefair.wordpress.com or email us at [email protected]

Sincerely,

TJ Investigative Science Outreach

World Languages Credit By Exam (WLCBE)

This year's World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at each FCPS middle, high, and secondary school. 

The World Languages Credit by Exam is an optional test for students in grades 7-12 who can speak and write (type) proficiently in a language other than English. Based on the results of the exam, they can earn 1, 2, and/or 3 passing world language credits.

The 2024 World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at Rachel Carson Middle School on the following two days.

• Wednesday, November 13 at 7:30 AM for 7th grade 
• Thursday, November 14 at 7:30AM for 8th grade.

Eating Disorders

In 2013, Virginia passed a law requiring every school system to provide information to parents annually about eating disorders with parents/guardians of students in the fifth through twelfth grades. 

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 about eating disorders.  To find out more, please visit the FCPS Eating Disorders website.

In addition to the information on the FCPS website, the National Eating Disorders Association has a toll free, confidential Helpline, 1-800-931-2237.”

Click HERE

or go to https://bit.ly/hipsmadisonhs24

to sign up to join us on Thursday, November 7, 6:30-8:30pm at Madison High School.

Recycling @ Rachel Carson MS

Rachel Carson MS is revitalizing our recycling program! 

Students are being encouraged to “think before they throw” to make sure every item they dispose of goes into the correct trash or recycling container. Last week all students engaged in a recycling lesson during Advisory and played a game to practice thinking before they throw. Did you know that recycling in FCPS is single-stream, meaning all recyclables can go in one bin? That means cardboard, mixed paper, plastics #1, #2, #5 and tin/aluminum cans can all go into the blue bins. Ask your child about Carson’s recycling procedures. Every Friday, each teacher sends a student with the class’s blue recycling bin to the foyer where custodians, Ms. Vasquez and Ms. DeDelacruz, and Get2Green leaders, Ms. Bickford and Ms. Walsh, collect the week’s recycling! It really is a school-wide effort. Share recycling successes as a family! Together WE can make a difference!

 

Ellen Bickford

Librarian @ Carson MS

Fairfax County Public Schools

Attention 8th Grade Parents - Civics Field Trips

Rachel Carson Middle School 8th graders will attend Finance Park in person this year.  We would love to have you come along with us!  We are in need of 25 parent volunteers for each of our six teams. This is a 4.5 hour commitment, and includes an hour of training at the Finance Park facility next to Frost MS before our students arrive. You will help guide students through different phases of the day, which simulate real-world budgeting decisions, spending research, and bill payment. Then you’ll share your own life experiences and help them walk a day in your shoes. You bring the program to life!

Carson MS 8th grade teams are going to Finance Park on the following dates (any snow days will be rescheduled at a later time) –

Monday, December 16th - Dolphins

Tuesday, December 17th - Discovery

Wednesday, December 18th – Explorers

Thursday, December 19th - Voyagers 

Friday, December 20th - Wolves 

If you are able to volunteer with Carson’s Finance Park field trip, please view this link to create a JA account and then sign up for your child’s date to volunteer. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RWoYRLCor3U0XkEsLfIW88RX-2e8mly_/view 

Thank you for donating your time and experience to our students.  If you have any questions, please contact your child’s civics teacher.

 

Attendance

Attendance:  Help your student stay engaged.  Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic success. Even as children grow older and more independent, families play a key role in making sure students get to school every day and understand why attendance is so important for success in school and on the job.

Parents and caregivers can report up to two consecutive full-day absences using ParentVUE. For absences longer than two days, please contact [email protected]

All Day Absences: The Attendance feature in ParentVUE is the FCPS secure web solution for reporting all day absences.

Partial Absence: To report late arrivals, or to update already submitted attendance, please contact [email protected]

Early Dismissal Procedure

Please do not request early dismissals online or by phone. 

To request an early dismissal please send a note with your child, or complete and print an Early Dismissal Request Form for your child. Your child should bring the note or form to the main office upon arrival to school in order to receive an early dismissal pass for that day. If you forget to send a note, students should still come to the front office to get an early dismissal pass.

All early dismissals must be before 2:00pm.

• Learn more about attendance reporting through ParentVue

Regular attendance is crucial for the academic success of all students. Studies have repeatedly proven that students with better attendance records perform better in school and are more likely to graduate high school on time.

Did you know?

• All Absences, excused AND unexcused count towards a student's and Caron’s Chronic absenteeism rate.
• Missing just 10% of school — just two days a month — negatively affects a student’s academic performance.
• By sixth grade, chronic absenteeism becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school.

We understand that there may be obstacles preventing students from attending school regularly, such as illness or personal circumstances. That’s why it is so important for our school team to work together with our students and families to remove any barriers. We all belong here!

Digital Tools Consent

FCPS has approved the use of many digital tools that enhance our student’s learning.  Some of these tools require parental consent.  Students WILL NOT be able to access these tools until FCPS receives your consent.  You can find more directions on this process here. 

Phones Down, Engagement Up: FCPS Cell Phone Policy and Storage Pilot

Keeping cell phones off during the school day helps students focus and learn. It also boosts positive social behavior. Review FCPS’ cell phone expectations by grade level with your child and help keep our classrooms free of distractions! If you need to reach your child during the school day for emergencies only, please call Rachel Carson Middle School main office - 703-925-3600.

 

Greetings Panther families!

Click the link for the  Q1 After School Schedule. Each activity is hyperlinked with a description and information about each club. In order for students to participate in our after school program, parents must fill out the After School Registration Form (This form gives your child permission to participate in after school activities, it does not sign them up for specific activities) 

Late bus numbers are different than regular bus numbers. Please check SIS to find your child’s late bus number, it will say RCLR (Rachel Carson Late Run).

If you have questions about our after-school program, please contact  Riley Barrows, [email protected]. 

 

Riley Barrows

After School Program Specialist

Donations Needed!

We have a vibrant “Creative Yarn” after school club in need of donations.  We are especially in need of yarn and crochet hooks.  If you are cleaning out your craft corners – please consider sending crochet and knitting supplies our way.  Items can be left in the front office.  Many thanks.

Elena James

Carson Middle School

 

 

Other Schools are Sharing

Westfield High School

Westfield Theatre is offering a FREE workshop on Friday, November 1st at Westfield HS from 10am-12pm! Students in 4th-8th grades can join us for fun theatre games, snacks and a backstage tour. Space is limited - click here to register! Tickets: $15 adult, $10 student. All seats reserved. All info found at www.westfieldtheatre.com

Fairfax High School

Join the Carson MS PTA

We highly encourage you to join the Carson PTA by visiting their website. Click here and learn more about this incredibly supportive organization.

You may also go to: https://rcmspta.givebacks.com/store?limit=21&live=true&category=Memberships

WE NEED YOU!!!

• Are you ready to give back to our RCMS community and to join this amazing team of PTA volunteers? Have questions?  Please contact us [email protected]

Who to Contact

If you have a question or concern, please visit our website for a full listing of  Who to Contact.  This listing includes all of our administrators, our counselors, and who to speak to regarding a specific content area or class. Contact information for all staff members is listed on our website - just click on the name of the person you wish to contact  to be redirected to their email address: RCMS Staff Directory.

 

13618 McLearen Rd. Herndon, VA 20171 |  Main Phone: 703.925.3600
Attendance: 703.925.3636 or [email protected] 
Web | Twitter

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

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Important Upcoming Events

• October 21 - Federal Impact Aid online survey opens in ParentVue
• October 25 & 28 -Hearing & Vision screenings- (Date change from the 24th)
• October 31 - 2 - hour early release
• November 1 -Holiday-Religious or Cultural Observance - No School
• November 4 & 5 - Teacher workdays-No School
• November 11- Holiday - Veterans Day- No School
• November 13 - Grade 7 World Language Credit Exam - Carson Middle 7:30a.m.
• November 14 - Grade 8 World Language Credit Exam - Carson Middle 7:30a.m.
• November 27-29 Holiday - No School

 

A Message From The Principal

Fall is in full swing, and we can certainly feel the crisp change in the air, save the last few days. Our 7th graders are embracing the season with a hands-on learning experience at Lake Fairfax in Reston. As part of their watershed field trip, they're delving into local environmental issues and discovering ways to make a positive impact through informed decision-making. Be sure to ask your child about their field trip and what they learned about protecting our natural resources!

Sincerely,

Tony Washington

Principal

 

First “SWAG” Student Recognition of the 2024-2025 School Year

We are excited to announce the return of our SWAG Student Recognition Program.  SWAG stands for “Students with Awesome Growth.”  Each month teachers from different departments recognize students for their hard work, perseverance, and commitment to making a positive impact at Carson.  

Mr. Washington had the pleasure of celebrating the first nominees of the school year this past week.  Each student was brought up to the podium to learn why they were nominated by a teacher and received a certificate and SWAG bag.  Congratulations to these students for having Carson SWAG: Congratulations to Luis, Ian, Jonathan, Juvel, Sergio, Rimas, Alexander, Henry, Liam, Hojin, Ayan, Huzaifa, David, Lucas, Gavin, Lucas, Omer!  A picture of these students is proudly displayed outside of the cafeteria for all to see. 

Congratulations, Panthers!

  End of First Quarter - Two-Hour Early Release    October 31, 2024 - Students will dismiss at 12:15pm. No                             afterschool activities, no late buses.

 

Hello Carson! Did you miss picture day? Would you like to retake your picture? 

Retakes are right around the corner. Picture day retakes are scheduled for Friday, November 8, 2024.

RCMS Family Liaison

If you have questions about navigating the school, learning about FCPS resources, or getting your student setup for success, our Family Liaison can help.  If you need to contact our parent liaison, Drina Teran, please call 703-925-3603 and leave a message with your name, your student's name, and phone number. You may also contact her via email, Drina Teran at [email protected]

Volunteers Needed!

Carson Middle will conduct the annual Hearing & Vision screenings for students on Thursday, October 25, and Friday, October 28. Please note the date change from the 24th to the 28th!

If you can sign up as a volunteer, please click the link below. 

Hearing and Vision Health Room Volunteers

 

Hello Carson Community,    RCMS will celebrate Veteran's Day on November 14th and 15th. We would like to invite veteran's to come into the school building to share their experiences with students. If you are able to participate, please complete the form by clicking the link below. 

Click HERE

Parent Teen Book Club: You’re Invited!

Greetings Carson Families,

Are you looking for a way to connect with your teen? Would you like to get involved in the Carson community? Do you love to read? If you answered “YES” to any of the questions, please consider signing up to participate in Carson’s first Parent Teen Book Club! 

The Carson Library is thrilled to announce our first Parent Teen Book Club on November 14, 2024 from 7-8:30pm, and we would love to see you there! After choosing one of the five book options, you and your child will be loaned a copy of the book to read. Then, on November 14, we will come together to talk about the book selection and have some light refreshments. 

 This fall, the theme is Virginia Readers’ Choice Books, and all book choices are texts that are part of our state and school’s just-for-fun reading program.  CLICK HERE to learn more and to read about the book choices. Ready to sign up for a fun evening of literary conversations with your middle schooler, fill out the sign up form HERE!

Please reach out to librarians, Ellen Bickford ([email protected]) or Elizabeth Donovan ([email protected]) with any questions. 

 

Thank you!

Ellen Bickford

Librarian @ Carson MS.

Student Services Updates

It is hard to believe but we are already at the halfway mark of the first nine weeks of school.  Please continue to monitor your child’s attendance and academic success at Rachel Carson.

Please sign up for Weekly Progress Reports via SIS ParentVUE. All parents/guardians of MS and HS students who have registered for a SIS ParentVUE Account and have a primary email address recorded in SIS ParentVUE can receive Weekly Progress Reports via email. This report provides a summary of your student(s) grades for the current quarter.

 To activate the Weekly Progress Reports via email, login to your SIS ParentVUE Account and first verify that you have a primary email address within the system. It is listed under the “My Account” tab. If it is blank, enter the email address where you would like to receive the progress reports and click on update account. Once confirmed, parents/guardians can activate and select their preferences for receiving these reports within the SIS ParentVUE “My Account” tab. 

 

Transportation Information

Please check the Here Comes the Bus app or FCPS School Bus Delays website for potential delays. Students are expected to be at their bus stop at least five minutes before the scheduled pickup time. A double back route assignment may require your bus schedule to be adjusted earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon. 

Please note that the provided times are estimates and that buses may be delayed due to weather, traffic conditions, and a national and regional driver shortage.

 

TJ Information

The TJ Investigative Science Outreach, a student-led organization at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology will be hosting their 12th annual invitational science fair on April 5th, 2025 and welcome 5th-8th grade students to participate. Admission to the science fair is completely free. 

Participants will complete a research project of their choice and present at the fair in-person on April 5th, 2025. We help students prepare for this fair by holding multiple sessions to teach them important skills in STEM like brainstorming, collecting data, presenting, writing an experiment summary, using statistics, creating an experimental diagram, etc.

Our first interest/brainstorming session is October 11th, 2024 at 6:00 pm. We will be holding this session both in-person at TJHSST and virtually through zoom. During this session we will go over the goals and guidelines of this fair and introduce students to a multitude of project ideas. All interested students should sign up using the form at the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0Y0oodU11TzBUfWFnU5lsxoWaqixuX50fxVNv5A5DxcmRvw/viewform?usp=sf_link 

Feel free to also check out our website at tjsciencefair.wordpress.com or email us at [email protected]

Sincerely,

TJ Investigative Science Outreach

World Languages Credit By Exam (WLCBE)

This year's World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at each FCPS middle, high, and secondary school. 

The World Languages Credit by Exam is an optional test for students in grades 7-12 who can speak and write (type) proficiently in a language other than English. Based on the results of the exam, they can earn 1, 2, and/or 3 passing world language credits.

The 2024 World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at Rachel Carson Middle School on the following two days.

• Wednesday, November 13 at 7:30 AM for 7th grade 
• Thursday, November 14 at 7:30AM for 8th grade.

Eating Disorders

In 2013, Virginia passed a law requiring every school system to provide information to parents annually about eating disorders with parents/guardians of students in the fifth through twelfth grades. 

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 about eating disorders.  To find out more, please visit the FCPS Eating Disorders website.

In addition to the information on the FCPS website, the National Eating Disorders Association has a toll free, confidential Helpline, 1-800-931-2237.”

Click HERE

or go to https://bit.ly/hipsmadisonhs24

to sign up to join us on Thursday, November 7, 6:30-8:30pm at Madison High School.

Federal Impact Aid Survey is Available now in ParentVue!

The Federal Government owns property in Fairfax County, and those properties are removed from the local tax base. FCPS is eligible to apply for Federal Impact Aid funds as reimbursement for the lost tax revenue. Federally connected students are children of active-duty uniformed services personnel, children who live on federal property or in subsidized federal housing, and children whose parents are employed on eligible federal properties.   

The Federal Impact Aid Survey is now available in electronic format via ParentVUE. It is important to complete this survey in ParentVUE. Click HERE to create and set up a ParentVUE account. Please remember, only the enrolling parent may complete and submit the survey. Please complete the online survey by November 21, 2024.

Click Here for more information on Impact Aid and a visual tutorial on how to access and complete the survey in ParentVue online.

Recycling @ Rachel Carson MS

Rachel Carson MS is revitalizing our recycling program! 

Students are being encouraged to “think before they throw” to make sure every item they dispose of goes into the correct trash or recycling container. Last week all students engaged in a recycling lesson during Advisory and played a game to practice thinking before they throw. Did you know that recycling in FCPS is single-stream, meaning all recyclables can go in one bin? That means cardboard, mixed paper, plastics #1, #2, #5 and tin/aluminum cans can all go into the blue bins. Ask your child about Carson’s recycling procedures. Every Friday, each teacher sends a student with the class’s blue recycling bin to the foyer where custodians, Ms. Vasquez and Ms. DeDelacruz, and Get2Green leaders, Ms. Bickford and Ms. Walsh, collect the week’s recycling! It really is a school-wide effort. Share recycling successes as a family! Together WE can make a difference!

 

Ellen Bickford

Librarian @ Carson MS

Fairfax County Public Schools

Attention 8th Grade Parents - Civics Field Trips

Rachel Carson Middle School 8th graders will attend Finance Park in person this year.  We would love to have you come along with us!  We are in need of 25 parent volunteers for each of our six teams. This is a 4.5 hour commitment, and includes an hour of training at the Finance Park facility next to Frost MS before our students arrive. You will help guide students through different phases of the day, which simulate real-world budgeting decisions, spending research, and bill payment. Then you’ll share your own life experiences and help them walk a day in your shoes. You bring the program to life!

Carson MS 8th grade teams are going to Finance Park on the following dates (any snow days will be rescheduled at a later time) –

Monday, December 16th - Dolphins

Tuesday, December 17th - Discovery

Wednesday, December 18th – Explorers

Thursday, December 19th - Voyagers 

Friday, December 20th - Wolves 

If you are able to volunteer with Carson’s Finance Park field trip, please view this link to create a JA account and then sign up for your child’s date to volunteer. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RWoYRLCor3U0XkEsLfIW88RX-2e8mly_/view 

Thank you for donating your time and experience to our students.  If you have any questions, please contact your child’s civics teacher.

 

Attendance

Attendance:  Help your student stay engaged.  Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic success. Even as children grow older and more independent, families play a key role in making sure students get to school every day and understand why attendance is so important for success in school and on the job.

Parents and caregivers can report up to two consecutive full-day absences using ParentVUE. For absences longer than two days, please contact [email protected]

All Day Absences: The Attendance feature in ParentVUE is the FCPS secure web solution for reporting all day absences.

Partial Absence: To report late arrivals, or to update already submitted attendance, please contact [email protected]

Early Dismissal Procedure

Please do not request early dismissals online or by phone. 

To request an early dismissal please send a note with your child, or complete and print an Early Dismissal Request Form for your child. Your child should bring the note or form to the main office upon arrival to school in order to receive an early dismissal pass for that day. If you forget to send a note, students should still come to the front office to get an early dismissal pass.

All early dismissals must be before 2:00pm.

• Learn more about attendance reporting through ParentVue

Regular attendance is crucial for the academic success of all students. Studies have repeatedly proven that students with better attendance records perform better in school and are more likely to graduate high school on time.

Did you know?

• All Absences, excused AND unexcused count towards a student's and Caron’s Chronic absenteeism rate.
• Missing just 10% of school — just two days a month — negatively affects a student’s academic performance.
• By sixth grade, chronic absenteeism becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school.

We understand that there may be obstacles preventing students from attending school regularly, such as illness or personal circumstances. That’s why it is so important for our school team to work together with our students and families to remove any barriers. We all belong here!

Digital Tools Consent

FCPS has approved the use of many digital tools that enhance our student’s learning.  Some of these tools require parental consent.  Students WILL NOT be able to access these tools until FCPS receives your consent.  You can find more directions on this process here. 

Phones Down, Engagement Up: FCPS Cell Phone Policy and Storage Pilot

Keeping cell phones off during the school day helps students focus and learn. It also boosts positive social behavior. Review FCPS’ cell phone expectations by grade level with your child and help keep our classrooms free of distractions! If you need to reach your child during the school day for emergencies only, please call Rachel Carson Middle School main office - 703-925-3600.

 

Greetings Panther families!

Click the link for the  Q1 After School Schedule. Each activity is hyperlinked with a description and information about each club. In order for students to participate in our after school program, parents must fill out the After School Registration Form (This form gives your child permission to participate in after school activities, it does not sign them up for specific activities) 

Late bus numbers are different than regular bus numbers. Please check SIS to find your child’s late bus number, it will say RCLR (Rachel Carson Late Run).

If you have questions about our after-school program, please contact  Riley Barrows, [email protected]. 

 

Riley Barrows

After School Program Specialist

Donations Needed!

We have a vibrant “Creative Yarn” after school club in need of donations.  We are especially in need of yarn and crochet hooks.  If you are cleaning out your craft corners – please consider sending crochet and knitting supplies our way.  Items can be left in the front office.  Many thanks.

Elena James

Carson Middle School

 

 

Other Schools are Sharing

Westfield High School

Westfield Theatre is offering a FREE workshop on Friday, November 1st at Westfield HS from 10am-12pm! Students in 4th-8th grades can join us for fun theatre games, snacks and a backstage tour. Space is limited - click here to register!

Fairfax High School

Join the Carson MS PTA

We highly encourage you to join the Carson PTA by visiting their website. Click here and learn more about this incredibly supportive organization.

You may also go to: https://rcmspta.givebacks.com/store?limit=21&live=true&category=Memberships

WE NEED YOU!!!

• Are you ready to give back to our RCMS community and to join this amazing team of PTA volunteers? Have questions?  Please contact us [email protected]

Who to Contact

If you have a question or concern, please visit our website for a full listing of  Who to Contact.  This listing includes all of our administrators, our counselors, and who to speak to regarding a specific content area or class. Contact information for all staff members is listed on our website - just click on the name of the person you wish to contact  to be redirected to their email address: RCMS Staff Directory.

 

13618 McLearen Rd. Herndon, VA 20171 |  Main Phone: 703.925.3600
Attendance: 703.925.3636 or [email protected] 
Web | Twitter

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

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Important Upcoming Events

• October 21 - Federal Impact Aid online survey opens in ParentVue
• October 25 & 28 -Hearing & Vision screenings- (Date change from the 24th)
• November 1 -Holiday-Religious or Cultural Observance - No School
• November 5 - Teacher workday-No School
• November 11- Holiday - Veterans Day- No School
• November 13 - World Language Credit Exam - Carson Middle 7:30a.m.
• November 27-29 Holiday - No School

 

A Message From The Principal

Thanks for all of you who came out to the Principal Coffee on the morning of Wednesday, October 9th and to the PTA and Principal Meet n Greet on the evening of Thursday, October 10th. It was nice to meet everyone who came out and I look forward to future opportunities to connect.

I am excited that we will be having our first Parent/Teen Book Club on November 14th from 7-8:30pm here in the library at Rachel Carson. This will be a great time for you and your teen to connect and a way to get involved in the Carson community.

Please see the information below about our Parent/Teen Book Club for more details.

 

Sincerely,

Tony Washington

Principal

RCMS Family Liaison

If you have questions about navigating the school, learning about FCPS resources, or getting your student setup for success, our Family Liaison can help.  If you need to contact our parent liaison, Drina Teran, please call 703-925-3603 and leave a message with your name, your student's name, and phone number. You may also contact her via email, Drina Teran at [email protected]

Volunteers Needed!

Carson Middle will conduct the annual Hearing & Vision screenings for students on Thursday, October 25, and Friday, October 28. Please note the date change from the 24th to the 28th!

If you can sign up as a volunteer, please click the link below. 

Hearing and Vision Health Room Volunteers

 

Hello Carson Community,    RCMS will celebrate Veteran's Day on November 14th and 15th. We would like to invite veteran's to come into the school building to share their experiences with students. If you are able to participate, please complete the form by clicking the link below. 

Click HERE

Parent Teen Book Club: You’re Invited!

Greetings Carson Families,

Are you looking for a way to connect with your teen? Would you like to get involved in the Carson community? Do you love to read? If you answered “YES” to any of the questions, please consider signing up to participate in Carson’s first Parent Teen Book Club! 

The Carson Library is thrilled to announce our first Parent Teen Book Club on November 14, 2024 from 7-8:30pm, and we would love to see you there! After choosing one of the five book options, you and your child will be loaned a copy of the book to read. Then, on November 14, we will come together to talk about the book selection and have some light refreshments. 

 This fall, the theme is Virginia Readers’ Choice Books, and all book choices are texts that are part of our state and school’s just-for-fun reading program.  CLICK HERE to learn more and to read about the book choices. Ready to sign up for a fun evening of literary conversations with your middle schooler, fill out the sign up form HERE!

Please reach out to librarians, Ellen Bickford ([email protected]) or Elizabeth Donovan ([email protected]) with any questions. 

 

Thank you!

Ellen Bickford

Librarian @ Carson MS.

Student Services Updates

It is hard to believe but we are already at the halfway mark of the first nine weeks of school.  Please continue to monitor your child’s attendance and academic success at Rachel Carson.

Please sign up for Weekly Progress Reports via SIS ParentVUE. All parents/guardians of MS and HS students who have registered for a SIS ParentVUE Account and have a primary email address recorded in SIS ParentVUE can receive Weekly Progress Reports via email. This report provides a summary of your student(s) grades for the current quarter.

 To activate the Weekly Progress Reports via email, login to your SIS ParentVUE Account and first verify that you have a primary email address within the system. It is listed under the “My Account” tab. If it is blank, enter the email address where you would like to receive the progress reports and click on update account. Once confirmed, parents/guardians can activate and select their preferences for receiving these reports within the SIS ParentVUE “My Account” tab. 

 

Transportation Information

Please check the Here Comes the Bus app or FCPS School Bus Delays website for potential delays. Students are expected to be at their bus stop at least five minutes before the scheduled pickup time. A double back route assignment may require your bus schedule to be adjusted earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon. 

Please note that the provided times are estimates and that buses may be delayed due to weather, traffic conditions, and a national and regional driver shortage.

 

TJ Information

The TJ Investigative Science Outreach, a student-led organization at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology will be hosting their 12th annual invitational science fair on April 5th, 2025 and welcome 5th-8th grade students to participate. Admission to the science fair is completely free. 

Participants will complete a research project of their choice and present at the fair in-person on April 5th, 2025. We help students prepare for this fair by holding multiple sessions to teach them important skills in STEM like brainstorming, collecting data, presenting, writing an experiment summary, using statistics, creating an experimental diagram, etc.

Our first interest/brainstorming session is October 11th, 2024 at 6:00 pm. We will be holding this session both in-person at TJHSST and virtually through zoom. During this session we will go over the goals and guidelines of this fair and introduce students to a multitude of project ideas. All interested students should sign up using the form at the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0Y0oodU11TzBUfWFnU5lsxoWaqixuX50fxVNv5A5DxcmRvw/viewform?usp=sf_link 

Feel free to also check out our website at tjsciencefair.wordpress.com or email us at [email protected]

Sincerely,

TJ Investigative Science Outreach

Fall Level IV AAP Screening

 

If you are interested in referring students for the fall level IV screening  a teacher or parent must submit a level IV referral form to the school’s Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART), Carrie Guild, by October 15, 2024. Fall 2024 screening is only available to students newly enrolled in FCPS after January 1, 2024, who were not screened in Spring 2024.

 

Please email me know if you have any questions at [email protected].

Carrie Guild

Rachel Carson Middle School

Advanced Academic Resource Teacher

World Languages Credit By Exam (WLCBE)

This year's World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at each FCPS middle, high, and secondary school. 

The World Languages Credit by Exam is an optional test for students in grades 7-12 who can speak and write (type) proficiently in a language other than English. Based on the results of the exam, they can earn 1, 2, and/or 3 passing world language credits.

The 2024 World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at Rachel Carson Middle School on Wednesday, November 13th at 7:30 AM.

Click HERE

or go to https://bit.ly/hipsmadisonhs24

to sign up to join us on Thursday, November 7, 6:30-8:30pm at Madison High School.

Federal Impact Aid Survey is coming

The Federal Government owns property in Fairfax County, and those properties are removed from the local tax base. FCPS is eligible to apply for Federal Impact Aid funds as reimbursement for the lost tax revenue. Federally connected students are children of active-duty uniformed services personnel, children who live on federal property or in subsidized federal housing, and children whose parents are employed on eligible federal properties.   

Starting on October 21, families will have access to the Federal Impact Aid Survey in electronic format via ParentVUE. It is important to complete this survey in ParentVUE. Click HERE to create and set up a ParentVUE account. Please remember, only the enrolling parent may complete and submit the survey. Please complete the online survey by November 21, 2024

Click Here for more information on Impact Aid and a visual tutorial on how to access and complete the survey in ParentVue online.

Attention 8th Grade Parents - Civics Field Trips

Rachel Carson Middle School 8th graders will attend Finance Park in person this year.  We would love to have you come along with us!  We are in need of 25 parent volunteers for each of our six teams. This is a 4.5 hour commitment, and includes an hour of training at the Finance Park facility next to Frost MS before our students arrive. You will help guide students through different phases of the day, which simulate real-world budgeting decisions, spending research, and bill payment. Then you’ll share your own life experiences and help them walk a day in your shoes. You bring the program to life!

Carson MS 8th grade teams are going to Finance Park on the following dates (any snow days will be rescheduled at a later time) –

Monday, December 16th - Dolphins

Tuesday, December 17th - Discovery

Wednesday, December 18th – Explorers

Thursday, December 19th - Voyagers 

Friday, December 20th - Wolves 

If you are able to volunteer with Carson’s Finance Park field trip, please view this link to create a JA account and then sign up for your child’s date to volunteer. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RWoYRLCor3U0XkEsLfIW88RX-2e8mly_/view 

Thank you for donating your time and experience to our students.  If you have any questions, please contact your child’s civics teacher.

 

Attendance

Attendance:  Help your student stay engaged.  Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic success. Even as children grow older and more independent, families play a key role in making sure students get to school every day and understand why attendance is so important for success in school and on the job.

Parents and caregivers can report up to two consecutive full-day absences using ParentVUE. For absences longer than two days, please contact [email protected]

All Day Absences: The Attendance feature in ParentVUE is the FCPS secure web solution for reporting all day absences.

Partial Absence: To report late arrivals, or to update already submitted attendance, please contact [email protected]

Early Dismissal Procedure

Please do not request early dismissals online or by phone. 

To request an early dismissal please send a note with your child, or complete and print an Early Dismissal Request Form for your child. Your child should bring the note or form to the main office upon arrival to school in order to receive an early dismissal pass for that day. If you forget to send a note, students should still come to the front office to get an early dismissal pass.

All early dismissals must be before 2:00pm.

• Learn more about attendance reporting through ParentVue

Regular attendance is crucial for the academic success of all students. Studies have repeatedly proven that students with better attendance records perform better in school and are more likely to graduate high school on time.

Did you know?

• All Absences, excused AND unexcused count towards a student's and Caron’s Chronic absenteeism rate.
• Missing just 10% of school — just two days a month — negatively affects a student’s academic performance.
• By sixth grade, chronic absenteeism becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school.

We understand that there may be obstacles preventing students from attending school regularly, such as illness or personal circumstances. That’s why it is so important for our school team to work together with our students and families to remove any barriers. We all belong here!

Digital Tools Consent

FCPS has approved the use of many digital tools that enhance our student’s learning.  Some of these tools require parental consent.  Students WILL NOT be able to access these tools until FCPS receives your consent.  You can find more directions on this process here. 

Phones Down, Engagement Up: FCPS Cell Phone Policy and Storage Pilot

Keeping cell phones off during the school day helps students focus and learn. It also boosts positive social behavior. Review FCPS’ cell phone expectations by grade level with your child and help keep our classrooms free of distractions! If you need to reach your child during the school day for emergencies only, please call Rachel Carson Middle School main office - 703-925-3600.

 

Greetings Panther families!

Click the link for the  Q1 After School Schedule. Each activity is hyperlinked with a description and information about each club. In order for students to participate in our after school program, parents must fill out the After School Registration Form (This form gives your child permission to participate in after school activities, it does not sign them up for specific activities) 

Late bus numbers are different than regular bus numbers. Please check SIS to find your child’s late bus number, it will say RCLR (Rachel Carson Late Run).

If you have questions about our after-school program, please contact  Riley Barrows, [email protected]. 

 

Riley Barrows

After School Program Specialist

Donations Needed!

We have a vibrant “Creative Yarn” after school club in need of donations.  We are especially in need of yarn and crochet hooks.  If you are cleaning out your craft corners – please consider sending crochet and knitting supplies our way.  Items can be left in the front office.  Many thanks.

Elena James

Carson Middle School

 

 

Other Schools are Sharing

Fairfax High School

Join the Carson MS PTA

We highly encourage you to join the Carson PTA by visiting their website. Click here and learn more about this incredibly supportive organization.

You may also go to: https://rcmspta.givebacks.com/store?limit=21&live=true&category=Memberships

WE NEED YOU!!!

• Are you ready to give back to our RCMS community and to join this amazing team of PTA volunteers? Have questions?  Please contact us [email protected]

Who to Contact

If you have a question or concern, please visit our website for a full listing of  Who to Contact.  This listing includes all of our administrators, our counselors, and who to speak to regarding a specific content area or class. Contact information for all staff members is listed on our website - just click on the name of the person you wish to contact  to be redirected to their email address: RCMS Staff Directory.

 

13618 McLearen Rd. Herndon, VA 20171 |  Main Phone: 703.925.3600
Attendance: 703.925.3636 or [email protected] 
Web | Twitter

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

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Important Upcoming Events

• October 9 - Principal Coffees
• October 10- PTA General Meeting
• October 14 - Indigenous Peoples' Day/Staff Development Day- No School

 

A Message From The Principal

I'm excited to kick off the school year with our first Principal’s Coffee. I look forward to meeting many of you there on Wednesday, October 9th at 8am in the cafeteria. Additionally, please mark your calendars for the PTA meeting on Thursday, October 10th at 6 PM in the cafeteria. The PTA will discuss important topics and we will have a Principal Meet & Greet as well. See you there!

Sincerely,

Tony Washington

Principal

Indigenous Peoples' Day

Indigenous Peoples' Day honors the histories, cultures, and contributions of Native peoples, past and present. Monday, October 14, is a student holiday and staff development day. See the complete school year calendar.

 

Principal Coffees!

We are excited to kick off our Principal Coffee season for the 2024-2025 school year!  Principal Washington will host a series of coffees to share information about Carson programs, to provide information on designated topics, and to allow caregivers to ask questions and to provide feedback. Coffees will be held during the school day both in person at Carson and/or virtually once a quarter.  Presentation slides will be posted on our website and shared in our Carson Weekly News for caregivers who are unable to attend. 

Join us to learn more about the Virginia Literacy Act from our Reading Specialist, Allison Crutcher and hear more about FCPS Strategic Plan for Algebra 1, during the first Principal’s Coffee on October 9th from 8-9AM in our cafeteria. If you have ideas for future topics that you would like to learn more about, please complete this form. 

Principal Washington looks forward to connecting with families throughout the year during the coffees.  Also, please join him for a Meet and Greet on October 10th at 6PM at the October PTA General Membership Meeting. 

RCMS Family Liaison

If you have questions about navigating the school, learning about FCPS resources, or getting your student setup for success, our Family Liaison can help.  If you need to contact our parent liaison, Drina Teran, please call 703-925-3603 and leave a message with your name, your student's name, and phone number. You may also contact her via email, Drina Teran at [email protected]

Volunteers Needed!

Carson Middle will conduct the annual Hearing & Vision screenings for students on Thursday, October 24, and Friday, October 25. 

If you can sign up as a volunteer, please click the link below. 

Hearing and Vision Health Room Volunteers

 

Parent Teen Book Club: You’re Invited!

Greetings Carson Families,

Are you looking for a way to connect with your teen? Would you like to get involved in the Carson community? Do you love to read? If you answered “YES” to any of the questions, please consider signing up to participate in Carson’s first Parent Teen Book Club! 

The Carson Library is thrilled to announce our first Parent Teen Book Club on November 14, 2024 from 7-8:30pm, and we would love to see you there! After choosing one of the five book options, you and your child will be loaned a copy of the book to read. Then, on November 14, we will come together to talk about the book selection and have some light refreshments. 

 This fall, the theme is Virginia Readers’ Choice Books, and all book choices are texts that are part of our state and school’s just-for-fun reading program.  CLICK HERE to learn more and to read about the book choices. Ready to sign up for a fun evening of literary conversations with your middle schooler, fill out the sign up form HERE!

Please reach out to librarians, Ellen Bickford ([email protected]) or Elizabeth Donovan ([email protected]) with any questions. 

 

Thank you!

Ellen Bickford

Librarian @ Carson MS.

Student Services Updates

It is hard to believe but we are already at the halfway mark of the first nine weeks of school.  Please continue to monitor your child’s attendance and academic success at Rachel Carson.

Please sign up for Weekly Progress Reports via SIS ParentVUE. All parents/guardians of MS and HS students who have registered for a SIS ParentVUE Account and have a primary email address recorded in SIS ParentVUE can receive Weekly Progress Reports via email. This report provides a summary of your student(s) grades for the current quarter.

 To activate the Weekly Progress Reports via email, login to your SIS ParentVUE Account and first verify that you have a primary email address within the system. It is listed under the “My Account” tab. If it is blank, enter the email address where you would like to receive the progress reports and click on update account. Once confirmed, parents/guardians can activate and select their preferences for receiving these reports within the SIS ParentVUE “My Account” tab. 

 

Transportation Information

Please check the Here Comes the Bus app or FCPS School Bus Delays website for potential delays. Students are expected to be at their bus stop at least five minutes before the scheduled pickup time. A double back route assignment may require your bus schedule to be adjusted earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon. 

Please note that the provided times are estimates and that buses may be delayed due to weather, traffic conditions, and a national and regional driver shortage.

 

TJ Information

The TJ Investigative Science Outreach, a student-led organization at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology will be hosting their 12th annual invitational science fair on April 5th, 2025 and welcome 5th-8th grade students to participate. Admission to the science fair is completely free. 

Participants will complete a research project of their choice and present at the fair in-person on April 5th, 2025. We help students prepare for this fair by holding multiple sessions to teach them important skills in STEM like brainstorming, collecting data, presenting, writing an experiment summary, using statistics, creating an experimental diagram, etc.

Our first interest/brainstorming session is October 11th, 2024 at 6:00 pm. We will be holding this session both in-person at TJHSST and virtually through zoom. During this session we will go over the goals and guidelines of this fair and introduce students to a multitude of project ideas. All interested students should sign up using the form at the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0Y0oodU11TzBUfWFnU5lsxoWaqixuX50fxVNv5A5DxcmRvw/viewform?usp=sf_link 

Feel free to also check out our website at tjsciencefair.wordpress.com or email us at [email protected]

Sincerely,

TJ Investigative Science Outreach

Fall Level IV AAP Screening

 

If you are interested in referring students for the fall level IV screening  a teacher or parent must submit a level IV referral form to the school’s Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART), Carrie Guild, by October 15, 2024. Fall 2024 screening is only available to students newly enrolled in FCPS after January 1, 2024, who were not screened in Spring 2024.

 

Please email me know if you have any questions at [email protected].

Carrie Guild

Rachel Carson Middle School

Advanced Academic Resource Teacher

World Languages Credit By Exam (WLCBE)

 

The World Languages Credit By Exam is an optional test for students in grades 7-12 who can speak and write (type) proficiently in a language other than English.  Based on the results of the exam, students can earn 1, 2, and/or 3 passing world language credits.  New this year, Carson students will take the World Languages Credit By Exam during the school day at Carson in November.  Registration begins on Wednesday, September 4th and closes on Friday, October 4th. 

Register for the World Languages Credit by Exam – Wednesday, November 13th

This year's World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at each FCPS middle, high, and secondary school. 

The World Languages Credit by Exam is an optional test for students in grades 7-12 who can speak and write (type) proficiently in a language other than English. Based on the results of the exam, they can earn 1, 2, and/or 3 passing world language credits. If that language is one of the languages listed below, consider registering your student for the World Languages Credit by Exam! The 2024 World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at Rachel Carson Middle School on Wednesday, November 13th at 7:30 AM.

Registration opens on Wednesday, September 4, at 8 a.m., and closes on Friday, October 4, at 4 p.m. Late registrations will not be accepted.

Your child’s school counselor will register them after you complete and turn in the WLCBE Notification of Registration Opportunity Form linked here.  There are hard copies of the form located in the RCMS Student Services Office.  Please stay tuned for more detailed information about the testing date at RCMS in November and visit the FCPS website linked here for more specific information.

SEL Screener Information 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.  All Carson Middle School students will be participating in the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener in the Fall and Spring. Students will take the Fall SEL Screener on October 9th during 8th 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 including information on opting out please review the Parent Notification information. You can also learn more on the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.   Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms Get information on the 2024-25 opt-out choices related to surveys, records, curriculum, privacy, and related rights. www.fcps.edu

Click HERE

or go to https://bit.ly/hipsmadisonhs24

to sign up to join us on Thursday, November 7, 6:30-8:30pm at Madison High School.

Federal Impact Aid Survey is coming

The Federal Government owns property in Fairfax County, and those properties are removed from the local tax base. FCPS is eligible to apply for Federal Impact Aid funds as reimbursement for the lost tax revenue. Federally connected students are children of active-duty uniformed services personnel, children who live on federal property or in subsidized federal housing, and children whose parents are employed on eligible federal properties.   

Starting on October 21, families will have access to the Federal Impact Aid Survey in electronic format via ParentVUE. It is important to complete this survey in ParentVUE. Click HERE to create and set up a ParentVUE account.

 

 

Attendance

Attendance:  Help your student stay engaged.  Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic success. Even as children grow older and more independent, families play a key role in making sure students get to school every day and understand why attendance is so important for success in school and on the job.

Parents and caregivers can report up to two consecutive full-day absences using ParentVUE. For absences longer than two days, please contact [email protected]

All Day Absences: The Attendance feature in ParentVUE is the FCPS secure web solution for reporting all day absences.

Partial Absence: To report late arrivals, or to update already submitted attendance, please contact [email protected]

Early Dismissal Procedure

Please do not request early dismissals online or by phone. 

To request an early dismissal please send a note with your child, or complete and print an Early Dismissal Request Form for your child. Your child should bring the note or form to the main office upon arrival to school in order to receive an early dismissal pass for that day. If you forget to send a note, students should still come to the front office to get an early dismissal pass.

All early dismissals must be before 2:00pm.

• Learn more about attendance reporting through ParentVue

Regular attendance is crucial for the academic success of all students. Studies have repeatedly proven that students with better attendance records perform better in school and are more likely to graduate high school on time.

Did you know?

• All Absences, excused AND unexcused count towards a student's and Caron’s Chronic absenteeism rate.
• Missing just 10% of school — just two days a month — negatively affects a student’s academic performance.
• By sixth grade, chronic absenteeism becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school.

We understand that there may be obstacles preventing students from attending school regularly, such as illness or personal circumstances. That’s why it is so important for our school team to work together with our students and families to remove any barriers. We all belong here!

Digital Tools Consent

FCPS has approved the use of many digital tools that enhance our student’s learning.  Some of these tools require parental consent.  Students WILL NOT be able to access these tools until FCPS receives your consent.  You can find more directions on this process here. 

Phones Down, Engagement Up: FCPS Cell Phone Policy and Storage Pilot

Keeping cell phones off during the school day helps students focus and learn. It also boosts positive social behavior. Review FCPS’ cell phone expectations by grade level with your child and help keep our classrooms free of distractions! If you need to reach your child during the school day for emergencies only, please call Rachel Carson Middle School main office - 703-925-3600.

 

Greetings Panther families!

Click the link for the  Q1 After School Schedule. Each activity is hyperlinked with a description and information about each club. In order for students to participate in our after school program, parents must fill out the After School Registration Form (This form gives your child permission to participate in after school activities, it does not sign them up for specific activities) 

Late bus numbers are different than regular bus numbers. Please check SIS to find your child’s late bus number, it will say RCLR (Rachel Carson Late Run).

If you have questions about our after-school program, please contact  Riley Barrows, [email protected]. 

 

Riley Barrows

After School Program Specialist

Donations Needed!

We have a vibrant “Creative Yarn” after school club in need of donations.  We are especially in need of yarn and crochet hooks.  If you are cleaning out your craft corners – please consider sending crochet and knitting supplies our way.  Items can be left in the front office.  Many thanks.

Elena James

Carson Middle School

 

 

Other Schools are Sharing Join the Carson MS PTA

We highly encourage you to join the Carson PTA by visiting their website. Click here and learn more about this incredibly supportive organization.

You may also go to: https://rcmspta.givebacks.com/store?limit=21&live=true&category=Memberships

WE NEED YOU!!!

• Are you ready to give back to our RCMS community and to join this amazing team of PTA volunteers? Have questions?  Please contact us [email protected]

Who to Contact

If you have a question or concern, please visit our website for a full listing of  Who to Contact.  This listing includes all of our administrators, our counselors, and who to speak to regarding a specific content area or class. Contact information for all staff members is listed on our website - just click on the name of the person you wish to contact  to be redirected to their email address: RCMS Staff Directory.

 

13618 McLearen Rd. Herndon, VA 20171 |  Main Phone: 703.925.3600
Attendance: 703.925.3636 or [email protected] 
Web | Twitter

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

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Important Upcoming Events

• October 2- National custodians Day
• October 3 - Religious/Cultural Observance - No School
• October 4 - Teacher Workday- No School for students
• October 9 - Principal Coffees
• October 10- PTA General Meeting
• October 14 - Indigenous Peoples' Day/Staff Development Day- No School

 

A Message From The Principal

 

I hope this message finds you well. Despite the continuous rain, learning is thriving throughout our building! Our 7th-grade science students are delving into the fascinating world of watersheds. The recent downpours have provided a unique opportunity for them to learn more about the impact of rain on our environment. They are exploring concepts like runoff and erosion and learning how smaller creeks, streams and rivers play a role into depositing precipitation into larger bodies of water.

Tony Washington

Principal  We love our custodians!

Pictured left to right - Juan Lopez-Martinez, Huy Pham, Carlos Cazanga, Ana Sibrian, Jose Cruz and Carmen De La-Cruz. 

.Rosh Hashanah - 10/2-10/4

Rosh Hashanah is one of Judaism’s holiest days and marks the beginning of the Days of Awe, a 10-day period of introspection that ends with Yom Kippur. Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Wednesday, October 2. That day is an evening-only Observation day, and important events will not be held after school. 

Thursday, October 3, is a holiday for all FCPS staff. Schools and offices will be closed. 

Friday, October 4, is a teacher workday and there will be no school for students. 

Indigenous Peoples' Day

Indigenous Peoples' Day honors the histories, cultures, and contributions of Native peoples, past and present. Monday, October 14, is a student holiday and staff development day. See the complete school year calendar.

 

Principal Coffees!

We are excited to kick off our Principal Coffee season for the 2024-2025 school year!  Principal Washington will host a series of coffees to share information about Carson programs, to provide information on designated topics, and to allow caregivers to ask questions and to provide feedback. Coffees will be held during the school day both in person at Carson and/or virtually once a quarter.  Presentation slides will be posted on our website and shared in our Carson Weekly News for caregivers who are unable to attend. 

Join us to learn more about the Virginia Literacy Act from our Reading Specialist, Allison Crutcher and hear more about FCPS Strategic Plan for Algebra 1, during the first Principal’s Coffee on October 9th from 8-9AM in our cafeteria. If you have ideas for future topics that you would like to learn more about, please complete this form. 

Principal Washington looks forward to connecting with families throughout the year during the coffees.  Also, please join him for a Meet and Greet on October 10th at 6PM at the October PTA General Membership Meeting. 

Parent Teen Book Club: You’re Invited!

Greetings Carson Families,

Are you looking for a way to connect with your teen? Would you like to get involved in the Carson community? Do you love to read? If you answered “YES” to any of the questions, please consider signing up to participate in Carson’s first Parent Teen Book Club! 

The Carson Library is thrilled to announce our first Parent Teen Book Club on November 14, 2024 from 7-8:30pm, and we would love to see you there! After choosing one of the five book options, you and your child will be loaned a copy of the book to read. Then, on November 14, we will come together to talk about the book selection and have some light refreshments. 

 This fall, the theme is Virginia Readers’ Choice Books, and all book choices are texts that are part of our state and school’s just-for-fun reading program.  CLICK HERE to learn more and to read about the book choices. Ready to sign up for a fun evening of literary conversations with your middle schooler, fill out the sign up form HERE!

Please reach out to librarians, Ellen Bickford ([email protected]) or Elizabeth Donovan ([email protected]) with any questions. 

 

Thank you!

Ellen Bickford

Librarian @ Carson MS.

Student Services Updates

It is hard to believe but we are already at the halfway mark of the first nine weeks of school.  Please continue to monitor your child’s attendance and academic success at Rachel Carson.

Please sign up for Weekly Progress Reports via SIS ParentVUE. All parents/guardians of MS and HS students who have registered for a SIS ParentVUE Account and have a primary email address recorded in SIS ParentVUE can receive Weekly Progress Reports via email. This report provides a summary of your student(s) grades for the current quarter.

 To activate the Weekly Progress Reports via email, login to your SIS ParentVUE Account and first verify that you have a primary email address within the system. It is listed under the “My Account” tab. If it is blank, enter the email address where you would like to receive the progress reports and click on update account. Once confirmed, parents/guardians can activate and select their preferences for receiving these reports within the SIS ParentVUE “My Account” tab. 

 

Transportation Information

Please check the Here Comes the Bus app or FCPS School Bus Delays website for potential delays. Students are expected to be at their bus stop at least five minutes before the scheduled pickup time. A double back route assignment may require your bus schedule to be adjusted earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon. 

Please note that the provided times are estimates and that buses may be delayed due to weather, traffic conditions, and a national and regional driver shortage.

 

TJ Information

The TJ Investigative Science Outreach, a student-led organization at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology will be hosting their 12th annual invitational science fair on April 5th, 2025 and welcome 5th-8th grade students to participate. Admission to the science fair is completely free. 

Participants will complete a research project of their choice and present at the fair in-person on April 5th, 2025. We help students prepare for this fair by holding multiple sessions to teach them important skills in STEM like brainstorming, collecting data, presenting, writing an experiment summary, using statistics, creating an experimental diagram, etc.

Our first interest/brainstorming session is October 11th, 2024 at 6:00 pm. We will be holding this session both in-person at TJHSST and virtually through zoom. During this session we will go over the goals and guidelines of this fair and introduce students to a multitude of project ideas. All interested students should sign up using the form at the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0Y0oodU11TzBUfWFnU5lsxoWaqixuX50fxVNv5A5DxcmRvw/viewform?usp=sf_link 

Feel free to also check out our website at tjsciencefair.wordpress.com or email us at [email protected]

Sincerely,

TJ Investigative Science Outreach

Fall Level IV AAP Screening

 

If you are interested in referring students for the fall level IV screening  a teacher or parent must submit a level IV referral form to the school’s Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART), Carrie Guild, by October 15, 2024. Fall 2024 screening is only available to students newly enrolled in FCPS after January 1, 2024, who were not screened in Spring 2024.

 

Please email me know if you have any questions at [email protected].

Carrie Guild

Rachel Carson Middle School

Advanced Academic Resource Teacher

World Languages Credit By Exam (WLCBE)

 

The World Languages Credit By Exam is an optional test for students in grades 7-12 who can speak and write (type) proficiently in a language other than English.  Based on the results of the exam, students can earn 1, 2, and/or 3 passing world language credits.  New this year, Carson students will take the World Languages Credit By Exam during the school day at Carson in November.  Registration begins on Wednesday, September 4th and closes on Friday, October 4th. 

Register for the World Languages Credit by Exam – Wednesday, November 13th

This year's World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at each FCPS middle, high, and secondary school. 

The World Languages Credit by Exam is an optional test for students in grades 7-12 who can speak and write (type) proficiently in a language other than English. Based on the results of the exam, they can earn 1, 2, and/or 3 passing world language credits. If that language is one of the languages listed below, consider registering your student for the World Languages Credit by Exam! The 2024 World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at Rachel Carson Middle School on Wednesday, November 13th at 7:30 AM.

Registration opens on Wednesday, September 4, at 8 a.m., and closes on Friday, October 4, at 4 p.m. Late registrations will not be accepted.

Your child’s school counselor will register them after you complete and turn in the WLCBE Notification of Registration Opportunity Form linked here.  There are hard copies of the form located in the RCMS Student Services Office.  Please stay tuned for more detailed information about the testing date at RCMS in November and visit the FCPS website linked here for more specific information.

SEL Screener Information 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.  All Carson Middle School students will be participating in the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener in the Fall and Spring. Students will take the Fall SEL Screener on October 9th during 8th 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 including information on opting out please review the Parent Notification information. You can also learn more on the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.   Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms Get information on the 2024-25 opt-out choices related to surveys, records, curriculum, privacy, and related rights. www.fcps.edu

Click HERE

or go to https://bit.ly/hipsmadisonhs24

to sign up to join us on Thursday, November 7, 6:30-8:30pm at Madison High School.

Federal Impact Aid Survey is coming

The Federal Government owns property in Fairfax County, and those properties are removed from the local tax base. FCPS is eligible to apply for Federal Impact Aid funds as reimbursement for the lost tax revenue. Federally connected students are children of active-duty uniformed services personnel, children who live on federal property or in subsidized federal housing, and children whose parents are employed on eligible federal properties.   

Starting on October 21, families will have access to the Federal Impact Aid Survey in electronic format via ParentVUE. It is important to complete this survey in ParentVUE. Click HERE to create and set up a ParentVUE account.

 

 

Attendance

Attendance:  Help your student stay engaged.  Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic success. Even as children grow older and more independent, families play a key role in making sure students get to school every day and understand why attendance is so important for success in school and on the job.

Parents and caregivers can report up to two consecutive full-day absences using ParentVUE. For absences longer than two days, please contact [email protected]

All Day Absences: The Attendance feature in ParentVUE is the FCPS secure web solution for reporting all day absences.

Partial Absence: To report late arrivals, or to update already submitted attendance, please contact [email protected]

Early Dismissal Procedure

Please do not request early dismissals online or by phone. 

To request an early dismissal please send a note with your child, or complete and print an Early Dismissal Request Form for your child. Your child should bring the note or form to the main office upon arrival to school in order to receive an early dismissal pass for that day. If you forget to send a note, students should still come to the front office to get an early dismissal pass.

All early dismissals must be before 2:00pm.

• Learn more about attendance reporting through ParentVue

Regular attendance is crucial for the academic success of all students. Studies have repeatedly proven that students with better attendance records perform better in school and are more likely to graduate high school on time.

Did you know?

• All Absences, excused AND unexcused count towards a student's and Caron’s Chronic absenteeism rate.
• Missing just 10% of school — just two days a month — negatively affects a student’s academic performance.
• By sixth grade, chronic absenteeism becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school.

We understand that there may be obstacles preventing students from attending school regularly, such as illness or personal circumstances. That’s why it is so important for our school team to work together with our students and families to remove any barriers. We all belong here!

Digital Tools Consent

FCPS has approved the use of many digital tools that enhance our student’s learning.  Some of these tools require parental consent.  Students WILL NOT be able to access these tools until FCPS receives your consent.  You can find more directions on this process here. 

Phones Down, Engagement Up: FCPS Cell Phone Policy and Storage Pilot

Keeping cell phones off during the school day helps students focus and learn. It also boosts positive social behavior. Review FCPS’ cell phone expectations by grade level with your child and help keep our classrooms free of distractions! If you need to reach your child during the school day for emergencies only, please call Rachel Carson Middle School main office - 703-925-3600.

 

Greetings Panther families!

Click the link for the  Q1 After School Schedule. Each activity is hyperlinked with a description and information about each club. In order for students to participate in our after school program, parents must fill out the After School Registration Form (This form gives your child permission to participate in after school activities, it does not sign them up for specific activities) 

Late bus numbers are different than regular bus numbers. Please check SIS to find your child’s late bus number, it will say RCLR (Rachel Carson Late Run).

If you have questions about our after-school program, please contact  Riley Barrows, [email protected]. 

 

Riley Barrows

After School Program Specialist

Donations Needed!

We have a vibrant “Creative Yarn” after school club in need of donations.  We are especially in need of yarn and crochet hooks.  If you are cleaning out your craft corners – please consider sending crochet and knitting supplies our way.  Items can be left in the front office.  Many thanks.

Elena James

Carson Middle School

 

 

Other Schools are Sharing Join the Carson MS PTA

We highly encourage you to join the Carson PTA by visiting their website. Click here and learn more about this incredibly supportive organization.

You may also go to: https://rcmspta.givebacks.com/store?limit=21&live=true&category=Memberships

WE NEED YOU!!!

• Are you ready to give back to our RCMS community and to join this amazing team of PTA volunteers? Have questions?  Please contact us [email protected]

Who to Contact

If you have a question or concern, please visit our website for a full listing of  Who to Contact.  This listing includes all of our administrators, our counselors, and who to speak to regarding a specific content area or class. Contact information for all staff members is listed on our website - just click on the name of the person you wish to contact  to be redirected to their email address: RCMS Staff Directory.

 

13618 McLearen Rd. Herndon, VA 20171 |  Main Phone: 703.925.3600
Attendance: 703.925.3636 or [email protected] 
Web | Twitter

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

The Carson After School Corner

This Saturday, October 5th, RCMS will host teams from across the county for a Cross Country Meet from 7:30AM-12:30PM ! This will be an exciting opportunity for our athletes to compete on their home turf in front of their home crowd! This is a big event, and we will need volunteers to help make this a successful event for all students participating. We especially need course volunteers from 10am-12:30pm.  All volunteer positions are very easy, and you don’t even have to run! If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4DA8AF2DABF94-44927320-cross#/ Additionally, The RCMS PTA will be selling breakfast burritos, donuts, coffee, and a variety of beverages to fuel the runners and spectators watching. The PTA will accept cash and credit card. We appreciate your help and support in making this an amazing day for students.

 

Riley Barrows

After School Program Specialist

Building Use Coordinator

Rachel Carson Middle School

 

13618 McLearen Rd. Herndon, VA 20171 |  Main Phone: 703.925.3600
Attendance: 703.925.3636 or [email protected] 
Web | Twitter

Join the RCMS PTA today!  

Click here

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

        Important Upcoming Events

• October 3 - Religious/Cultural Observance - No School
• October 4 - Teacher Workday- No School for students
• October 14 - Indigenous Peoples' Day/Staff Development Day- No School

 

A Message From The Principal

 

I hope this message finds you well.

Last week our students started staying late to take advantage of our after-school program. It is great to see our students thriving both in and out of the classroom. Through our various after-school programs and activities, our students have been exploring their interests and developing new skills. Shout out to Mr. Barrows and all our staff that contribute to the different clubs and allow our students to participate in these amazing programs!   

Tony Washington Principal 

.Rosh Hashanah - 10/2-10/4

Rosh Hashanah is one of Judaism’s holiest days and marks the beginning of the Days of Awe, a 10-day period of introspection that ends with Yom Kippur. Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Wednesday, October 2. That day is an evening-only Observation day, and important events will not be held after school. 

Thursday, October 3, is a holiday for all FCPS staff. Schools and offices will be closed. 

Friday, October 4, is a teacher workday and there will be no school for students. 

 

Indigenous Peoples' Day

Indigenous Peoples' Day honors the histories, cultures, and contributions of Native peoples, past and present. Monday, October 14, is a student holiday and staff development day. See the complete school year calendar.

Student Services Updates

It is hard to believe but we are already at the halfway mark of the first nine weeks of school.  Please continue to monitor your child’s attendance and academic success at Rachel Carson.

Please sign up for Weekly Progress Reports via SIS ParentVUE. All parents/guardians of MS and HS students who have registered for a SIS ParentVUE Account and have a primary email address recorded in SIS ParentVUE can receive Weekly Progress Reports via email. This report provides a summary of your student(s) grades for the current quarter.

 To activate the Weekly Progress Reports via email, login to your SIS ParentVUE Account and first verify that you have a primary email address within the system. It is listed under the “My Account” tab. If it is blank, enter the email address where you would like to receive the progress reports and click on update account. Once confirmed, parents/guardians can activate and select their preferences for receiving these reports within the SIS ParentVUE “My Account” tab. 

 

Transportation Information

Please check the Here Comes the Bus app or FCPS School Bus Delays website for potential delays. Students are expected to be at their bus stop at least five minutes before the scheduled pickup time. A double back route assignment may require your bus schedule to be adjusted earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon. 

Please note that the provided times are estimates and that buses may be delayed due to weather, traffic conditions, and a national and regional driver shortage.

 

TJ Information

The TJ Investigative Science Outreach, a student-led organization at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology will be hosting their 12th annual invitational science fair on April 5th, 2025 and welcome 5th-8th grade students to participate. Admission to the science fair is completely free. 

Participants will complete a research project of their choice and present at the fair in-person on April 5th, 2025. We help students prepare for this fair by holding multiple sessions to teach them important skills in STEM like brainstorming, collecting data, presenting, writing an experiment summary, using statistics, creating an experimental diagram, etc.

Our first interest/brainstorming session is October 11th, 2024 at 6:00 pm. We will be holding this session both in-person at TJHSST and virtually through zoom. During this session we will go over the goals and guidelines of this fair and introduce students to a multitude of project ideas. All interested students should sign up using the form at the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0Y0oodU11TzBUfWFnU5lsxoWaqixuX50fxVNv5A5DxcmRvw/viewform?usp=sf_link 

Feel free to also check out our website at tjsciencefair.wordpress.com or email us at [email protected]

Sincerely,

TJ Investigative Science Outreach

Fall Level IV AAP Screening

 

If you are interested in referring students for the fall level IV screening  a teacher or parent must submit a level IV referral form to the school’s Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART), Carrie Guild, by October 15, 2024. Fall 2024 screening is only available to students newly enrolled in FCPS after January 1, 2024, who were not screened in Spring 2024.

 

Please email me know if you have any questions at [email protected].

Carrie Guild

Rachel Carson Middle School

Advanced Academic Resource Teacher

World Languages Credit By Exam (WLCBE)

 

The World Languages Credit By Exam is an optional test for students in grades 7-12 who can speak and write (type) proficiently in a language other than English.  Based on the results of the exam, students can earn 1, 2, and/or 3 passing world language credits.  New this year, Carson students will take the World Languages Credit By Exam during the school day at Carson in November.  Registration begins on Wednesday, September 4th and closes on Friday, October 4th. 

Register for the World Languages Credit by Exam – Wednesday, November 13th

This year's World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at each FCPS middle, high, and secondary school. 

The World Languages Credit by Exam is an optional test for students in grades 7-12 who can speak and write (type) proficiently in a language other than English. Based on the results of the exam, they can earn 1, 2, and/or 3 passing world language credits. If that language is one of the languages listed below, consider registering your student for the World Languages Credit by Exam! The 2024 World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at Rachel Carson Middle School on Wednesday, November 13th at 7:30 AM.

Registration opens on Wednesday, September 4, at 8 a.m., and closes on Friday, October 4, at 4 p.m. Late registrations will not be accepted.

Your child’s school counselor will register them after you complete and turn in the WLCBE Notification of Registration Opportunity Form linked here.  There are hard copies of the form located in the RCMS Student Services Office.  Please stay tuned for more detailed information about the testing date at RCMS in November and visit the FCPS website linked here for more specific information.

SEL Screener Information 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.  All Carson Middle School students will be participating in the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener in the Fall and Spring. Students will take the Fall SEL Screener on October 9th during 8th 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 including information on opting out please review the Parent Notification information. You can also learn more on the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.   Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms Get information on the 2024-25 opt-out choices related to surveys, records, curriculum, privacy, and related rights. www.fcps.edu

 

Federal Impact Aid Survey is coming

The Federal Government owns property in Fairfax County, and those properties are removed from the local tax base. FCPS is eligible to apply for Federal Impact Aid funds as reimbursement for the lost tax revenue. Federally connected students are children of active-duty uniformed services personnel, children who live on federal property or in subsidized federal housing, and children whose parents are employed on eligible federal properties.   

Starting on October 21, families will have access to the Federal Impact Aid Survey in electronic format via ParentVUE. It is important to complete this survey in ParentVUE. Click HERE to create and set up a ParentVUE account.

 

Attendance

Attendance:  Help your student stay engaged.  Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic success. Even as children grow older and more independent, families play a key role in making sure students get to school every day and understand why attendance is so important for success in school and on the job.

Parents and caregivers can report up to two consecutive full-day absences using ParentVUE. For absences longer than two days, please contact [email protected]

All Day Absences: The Attendance feature in ParentVUE is the FCPS secure web solution for reporting all day absences.

Partial Absence: To report late arrivals, or to update already submitted attendance, please contact [email protected]

Early Dismissal Procedure

Please do not request early dismissals online or by phone. 

To request an early dismissal please send a note with your child, or complete and print an Early Dismissal Request Form for your child. Your child should bring the note or form to the main office upon arrival to school in order to receive an early dismissal pass for that day. If you forget to send a note, students should still come to the front office to get an early dismissal pass.

All early dismissals must be before 2:00pm.

• Learn more about attendance reporting through ParentVue

Regular attendance is crucial for the academic success of all students. Studies have repeatedly proven that students with better attendance records perform better in school and are more likely to graduate high school on time.

Did you know?

• All Absences, excused AND unexcused count towards a student's and Caron’s Chronic absenteeism rate.
• Missing just 10% of school — just two days a month — negatively affects a student’s academic performance.
• By sixth grade, chronic absenteeism becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school.

We understand that there may be obstacles preventing students from attending school regularly, such as illness or personal circumstances. That’s why it is so important for our school team to work together with our students and families to remove any barriers. We all belong here!

Digitial Tools Consent

FCPS has approved the use of many digital tools that enhance our student’s learning.  Some of these tools require parental consent.  Students WILL NOT be able to access these tools until FCPS receives your consent.  You can find more directions on this process here. 

SR&R Information

RCMS students will participate in a lesson focused on Students’ Rights and Responsibilities on Wednesday, August 28th. These lessons aim to empower students by teaching them about their rights within the school environment, as well as the responsibilities that come with being a part of our school community.

Through these lessons, students will develop a strong understanding of respect, fairness, and responsible decision-making. We believe that this knowledge will contribute to a positive and inclusive school climate for everyone.

We encourage you to discuss these topics with your child at home to reinforce the importance of these values. Please click the hyperlink to access a digital copy of the SR&R, for your reference.

Thank you for your continued support.

Phones Down, Engagement Up: FCPS Cell Phone Policy and Storage Pilot

Keeping cell phones off during the school day helps students focus and learn. It also boosts positive social behavior. Review FCPS’ cell phone expectations by grade level with your child and help keep our classrooms free of distractions! If you need to reach your child during the school day, please call Rachel Carson Middle School main office - 703-925-3600.

Greetings Panther families!

Click the link for the  Q1 After School Schedule. Each activity is hyperlinked with a description and information about each club. In order for students to participate in our after school program, parents must fill out the After School Registration Form (This form gives your child permission to participate in after school activities, it does not sign them up for specific activities) 

Late bus numbers are different than regular bus numbers. Please check SIS to find your child’s late bus number, it will say RCLR (Rachel Carson Late Run).

If you have questions about our after-school program, please contact  Riley Barrows, [email protected]. 

 

Riley Barrows

After School Program Specialist

 

We are very excited to offer inter-scholastic Fall Cross Country and Spring Track & Field competition for our middle-school students.

Students and parents will need to complete several steps prior to participating in middle school sports, including:

• A completed MS Sports Participant Registration form, which also requires parents and athletes to review the FCPS Student-Athlete Athletic Health Education Program. 
• A completed  FCPS Middle School Sports Athletic Participation/Parental Consent/Physical Examination Form (PPE). The exam must be completed by a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant. Please note that the medical exam and all forms must be dated on or after May 1, 2024 for the 2024-2025 school year.
• Student-athletes in FCPS are required to be covered by medical insurance.  If your student is not covered by another plan, here is an option to consider.
• Each student-athlete and a parent/guardian will complete a registration process that includes the state-mandated concussion education program and Emergency Care Card information before the student participates in middle school sports.   
• All of the above must be completed before athletes are eligible to practice or compete. 

Even if a student participated last year, all new forms are required for the 2024-2025 season.

 

Donations Needed!

We have a vibrant “Creative Yarn” after school club in need of donations.  We are especially in need of yarn and crochet hooks.  If you are cleaning out your craft corners – please consider sending crochet and knitting supplies our way.  Items can be left in the front office.  Many thanks.

Elena James

Carson Middle School

 

Other Schools are Sharing Join the Carson MS PTA

We highly encourage you to join the Carson PTA by visiting their website. Click here and learn more about this incredibly supportive organization.

You may also go to: https://rcmspta.givebacks.com/store?limit=21&live=true&category=Memberships

WE NEED YOU!!!

• Are you ready to give back to our RCMS community and to join this amazing team of PTA volunteers? Have questions?  Please contact us [email protected]

Who to Contact

If you have a question or concern, please visit our website for a full listing of  Who to Contact.  This listing includes all of our administrators, our counselors, and who to speak to regarding a specific content area or class. Contact information for all staff members is listed on our website - just click on the name of the person you wish to contact  to be redirected to their email address: RCMS Staff Directory.

13618 McLearen Rd. Herndon, VA 20171 |  Main Phone: 703.925.3600
Attendance: 703.925.3636 or [email protected] 
Web | Twitter

Join the RCMS PTA today!  

Click here

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

        Important Upcoming Events

• September 16 - After School Activities Begin, Late buses start
• September 19 & 20 - School Picture Days
• October 3 - Religious/Cultural Observance - No School
• October 4 - Teacher Workday- No School for students
• October 14 - Staff Development Day- No School

 

A Message From The Principal

Panther Families.

As we continue to enjoy this beautiful fall weather, I’ve been delighted to see so many of our students out and about, especially at our high school football games. It’s nice to witness our community coming together to support our student-athletes.

I look forward to getting the chance to see and meet more of our students and families out at local sporting and community events.

 

Go Panthers!

Tony Washington

Principal

 

Update Your Students’ Information Online: FCPS is excited to announce that parents can now update student information online using the Online Verification Update Packet. Parents can conveniently update phone numbers, emergency contacts, health conditions, and immunization dates for students in grades K-12. Accessible through SIS ParentVUE, the online update feature streamlines registration for parents and staff.

 

Transportation Information

Please check the Here Comes the Bus app or FCPS School Bus Delays website for potential delays. Students are expected to be at their bus stop at least five minutes before the scheduled pickup time. A double back route assignment may require your bus schedule to be adjusted earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon. 

Please note that the provided times are estimates and that buses may be delayed due to weather, traffic conditions, and a national and regional driver shortage.

 

Fall Level IV AAP Screening

 

If you are interested in referring students for the fall level IV screening  a teacher or parent must submit a level IV referral form to the school’s Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART), Carrie Guild, by October 15, 2024. Fall 2024 screening is only available to students newly enrolled in FCPS after January 1, 2024, who were not screened in Spring 2024.

 

Please email me know if you have any questions at [email protected].

Carrie Guild

Rachel Carson Middle School

Advanced Academic Resource Teacher

World Languages Credit By Exam (WLCBE)

 

The World Languages Credit By Exam is an optional test for students in grades 7-12 who can speak and write (type) proficiently in a language other than English.  Based on the results of the exam, students can earn 1, 2, and/or 3 passing world language credits.  New this year, Carson students will take the World Languages Credit By Exam during the school day at Carson in November.  Registration begins on Wednesday, September 4th and closes on Friday, October 4th.  Your child’s school counselor will register them after you complete and turn in the WLCBE Notification of Registration Opportunity Form linked here.  There are hard copies of the form located in the RCMS Student Services Office.  Please stay tuned for more detailed information about the testing date at RCMS in November and visit the FCPS website linked here for more specific information.

 

SEL Screener Information 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.  All Carson Middle School students will be participating in the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener in the Fall and Spring. Students will take the Fall SEL Screener on October 9th during 8th 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 including information on opting out please review the Parent Notification information. You can also learn more on the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.   Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms Get information on the 2024-25 opt-out choices related to surveys, records, curriculum, privacy, and related rights. www.fcps.edu

 

Federal Impact Aid Survey is coming

The Federal Government owns property in Fairfax County, and those properties are removed from the local tax base. FCPS is eligible to apply for Federal Impact Aid funds as reimbursement for the lost tax revenue. Federally connected students are children of active-duty uniformed services personnel, children who live on federal property or in subsidized federal housing, and children whose parents are employed on eligible federal properties.   

Starting on October 21, families will have access to the Federal Impact Aid Survey in electronic format via ParentVUE. It is important to complete this survey in ParentVUE. Click HERE to create and set up a ParentVUE account.

 

Attendance

Attendance:  Help your student stay engaged.  Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic success. Even as children grow older and more independent, families play a key role in making sure students get to school every day and understand why attendance is so important for success in school and on the job.

Starting August 19, parents and caregivers can report up to two consecutive full-day absences using ParentVUE. For absences longer than two days, please contact [email protected]

All Day Absences: The Attendance feature in ParentVUE is the FCPS secure web solution for reporting all day absences.

Partial Absence: To report late arrivals, or to update already submitted attendance, please contact [email protected]

Early Dismissal Procedure

Please do not request early dismissals online or by phone. 

To request an early dismissal please send a note with your child, or complete and print an Early Dismissal Request Form for your child. Your child should bring the note or form to the main office upon arrival to school in order to receive an early dismissal pass for that day. If you forget to send a note, students should still come to the front office to get an early dismissal pass.

All early dismissals must be before 2:00pm.

• Learn more about attendance reporting through ParentVue

Regular attendance is crucial for the academic success of all students. Studies have repeatedly proven that students with better attendance records perform better in school and are more likely to graduate high school on time.

Did you know?

• All Absences, excused AND unexcused count towards a student's and Caron’s Chronic absenteeism rate.
• Missing just 10% of school — just two days a month — negatively affects a student’s academic performance.
• By sixth grade, chronic absenteeism becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school.

We understand that there may be obstacles preventing students from attending school regularly, such as illness or personal circumstances. That’s why it is so important for our school team to work together with our students and families to remove any barriers. We all belong here!

Digitial Tools Consent

FCPS has approved the use of many digital tools that enhance our student’s learning.  Some of these tools require parental consent.  Students WILL NOT be able to access these tools until FCPS receives your consent.  You can find more directions on this process here. 

SR&R Information

RCMS students will participate in a lesson focused on Students’ Rights and Responsibilities on Wednesday, August 28th. These lessons aim to empower students by teaching them about their rights within the school environment, as well as the responsibilities that come with being a part of our school community.

Through these lessons, students will develop a strong understanding of respect, fairness, and responsible decision-making. We believe that this knowledge will contribute to a positive and inclusive school climate for everyone.

We encourage you to discuss these topics with your child at home to reinforce the importance of these values. Please click the hyperlink to access a digital copy of the SR&R, for your reference.

Thank you for your continued support.

Phones Down, Engagement Up: FCPS Cell Phone Policy and Storage Pilot

Keeping cell phones off during the school day helps students focus and learn. It also boosts positive social behavior. Review FCPS’ cell phone expectations by grade level with your child and help keep our classrooms free of distractions! If you need to reach your child during the school day, please call Rachel Carson Middle School main office - 703-925-3600.

Greetings Panther families!

All after school clubs will begin the week of September 16th. Please see the Q1 After School Schedule. Each activity is hyperlinked with a description and information about each club. In order for students to participate in our after school program, parents must fill out the After School Registration Form (This form gives your child permission to participate in after school activities, it does not sign them up for specific activities) 

Late bus numbers are different than regular bus numbers. Please check SIS to find your child’s late bus number, it will say RCLR (Rachel Carson Late Run).

If you have questions about our after-school program, please contact  Riley Barrows, [email protected]. 

 

Riley Barrows

After School Program Specialist

 

We are very excited to offer inter-scholastic Fall Cross Country and Spring Track & Field competition for our middle-school students.

Students and parents will need to complete several steps prior to participating in middle school sports, including:

• A completed MS Sports Participant Registration form, which also requires parents and athletes to review the FCPS Student-Athlete Athletic Health Education Program. 
• A completed  FCPS Middle School Sports Athletic Participation/Parental Consent/Physical Examination Form (PPE). The exam must be completed by a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant. Please note that the medical exam and all forms must be dated on or after May 1, 2024 for the 2024-2025 school year.
• Student-athletes in FCPS are required to be covered by medical insurance.  If your student is not covered by another plan, here is an option to consider.
• Each student-athlete and a parent/guardian will complete a registration process that includes the state-mandated concussion education program and Emergency Care Card information before the student participates in middle school sports.   
• All of the above must be completed before athletes are eligible to practice or compete. 

Even if a student participated last year, all new forms are required for the 2024-2025 season.

 

Donations Needed!

We have a vibrant “Creative Yarn” after school club in need of donations.  We are especially in need of yarn and crochet hooks.  If you are cleaning out your craft corners – please consider sending crochet and knitting supplies our way.  Items can be left in the front office.  Many thanks.

Elena James

Carson Middle School

 

Other Schools are Sharing Join the Carson MS PTA

We highly encourage you to join the Carson PTA by visiting their website. Click here and learn more about this incredibly supportive organization.

You may also go to: https://rcmspta.givebacks.com/store?limit=21&live=true&category=Memberships

WE NEED YOU!!!

• Are you ready to give back to our RCMS community and to join this amazing team of PTA volunteers? Have questions?  Please contact us [email protected]

Who to Contact

If you have a question or concern, please visit our website for a full listing of  Who to Contact.  This listing includes all of our administrators, our counselors, and who to speak to regarding a specific content area or class. Contact information for all staff members is listed on our website - just click on the name of the person you wish to contact  to be redirected to their email address: RCMS Staff Directory.

13618 McLearen Rd. Herndon, VA 20171 |  Main Phone: 703.925.3600
Attendance: 703.925.3636 or [email protected] 
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Join the RCMS PTA today!  

Click here