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1. Important Dates
January 19 - No School (Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday)
January 24 - TJ Essay Writing Administration
January 28 - End of 2nd Quarter, 2 Hour Early Release (all students dismissed at 12:15 PM), No After-School Program
January 29-30 - No School for Students (Staff Development & Teacher Workday)
February 12 - PTA Meeting, 7 PM, Library
February 13 - No After-School Program (all students depart at 2:15 dismissal)
February 16 - No School (Washington's Birthday and Presidents' Day)
2. A Note from the Principal
Dear Rocky Run Families-
We had quite a busy week at RRMS! Even though the calendar just turned over to 2026, we are deep into the planning process for the 26-27 school year. We hosted our Rising 7th grade Curriculum Night on January 13 and welcomed approximately 500 rising 7th graders from each of our feeder schools to Rocky Run for tours on January 14. The band, orchestra, chorus, and theatre programs each highlighted their talents for our future rams. We wrapped up the rising 7th grade events by hosting an electives fair on the evening of January 15. This was a great opportunity for rising rams and their families to check out elective spaces and talk with our amazing staff members.
All students (current 7th and 8th graders) will be meeting individually with their counselors in February for course selection. Our goal is to make sure that each student works with their counselor and family to choose the courses that best support their academic journey.
Additionally on Friday, I met with the Principal's Advisory Council (PAC). The PAC is made up of 7th and 8th grade students who opted to join the group. This meeting focused on building trust and community and identifying ways that RRMS can make students feel safe and welcomed.
Finally, on Monday, January 19 the entire Ram community will honor and celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his dedication to equality and serving others. I encourage all Rams do engage in service to each other and community over the weekend to honor Dr. King
Thank you for your continued support and please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Peter Kownacki
Principal
Rocky Run Middle School
@pakownacki
3. Action Items for Families
End of Semester Student Celebration- Donations Needed!
All Rocky Run teams will be celebrating the end of the first semester with parties on Wednesday, 1/28. Please consider supporting your student's team by donating snacks for their party. This Sign Up Genius details the snacks that are needed: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090D45ADAE2BA6FF2-54490077-snack
Snacks can be sent in with your student or dropped off in the main office by 1/27.
Thank you for your consideration!
Kiss and Ride Reminders
As our new Open Gate procedures are now fully established, we've noticed some delays in our Kiss and Ride system. When dropping off your student, please be sure to pull all the way around the loop before releasing your student! When cars stop partway through the loop to drop off students, it slows down the process for everyone. Please follow the instructions of staff as you drop off. Thank you for helping us get everyone into the building smoothly and efficiently!
Career Day Speakers Needed
Rocky Run's Career Day will take place on Friday March 27, 2026. We need your help to make it a success!
Please use this form to sign-up to share your career or job with Rocky Run students. The event will run from 8:00am-12:00pm, but volunteers do not need to commit for the entire time frame. We will be in touch closer to the date to confirm your available times. Presentations may be to small groups, large groups, on a panel, or in a career cluster fair. At this time please let us know if you are willing and available to present and save the date on your calendar!
Please reach out to Halissa Jacobson at hdjacobson@fcps.edu or Anna Slevin agslevin@fcps.edu if you have questions or would like more information. Thank you!
https://forms.gle/PFk33CVm5xUYK46k7
4. Student Celebrations
RRMS Student Builds Success at VA+DC FIRST LEGO League Regional Competition
Congratulations to Kunsh Khanna and his team for earning top honors at the First LEGO League Competition in December! Kunsh led the engineering design of the team’s Innovation Project. Using Blender (a free and open-source 3D creation software), Kunsh designed a 3D-printed prototype and contributed to clean builds and test-driven improvements that strengthened the team’s robot performance. Read more about Kunsh and his team here! Way to Raise the Ram, Kunsh!
Punctual on Purpose (PoP) Student Winners
Each week, we randomy select one student from each team who had zero tardies during the previous week! This week's PoP winners were:
Meteors: Aayam Sapkota
Platinum: Sean Rim
Emerald: Jordan Benitez Aguilera
Kryptonite: Aiden Cho
Tiger's Eye: Vihaan Manthripragada
Sapphire: Cameron Lehman
 RAISE the Ram Card Winners
At Rocky Run, students can earn RAISE the Ram cards for exhibiting our RAISE attributes: Rams are Respectful, Accountable, Inclusive, Safe, and Engaged. At the end of each week, we randomly select one winner from each team.
Congratulations to this week's RAISE the Ram card winners:
Meteors: Angel Sorto Chavez (Inclusive and Engaged)
Platinum: Jefersson Stevens Puerto (Respectful and Engaged)
Emerald: Sree Kesiraju (Respectful and Engaged)
Kryptonite: Spoorthi Raghavendra (Respectful and Engaged)
Tiger's Eye: Eli Condit (Engaged)
Sapphire: Jayden James (Engaged)
Great job Raising The Ram this week!
5. Student Services Updates
Academic Advising for Current 8th Grade (Rising 9th Grade) Families
This week, counselors gave a presentation in every Civics class and showed students how to find their HS Academic Advising resources, make selections and enter course requests in SIS. You can find additional resources and updates on our Academic Advising website.
Virtual Parent Coffee - Recording
On Thursday, January 15, 9:30-10:30 AM Rocky Run Student Services hosted a virtual meeting to present information and answer any questions from parents/caregivers about choosing courses and electives for their child's high school. Here is the Zoom Link Recording.
Individual Academic Advising - January 20 - February 6
Next week, Rocky Run Counselors will start meet one-on-one with all 8th graders to go over courses, electives and make sure all classes have been entered correctly in SIS.
High School Resources
*Check HS websites for most updated info and sign up to receive the HS News You Choose
Current 6th Grade Families (Rising 7th Grade) Curriculum Presentation and Electives Fair Resources
We enjoyed meeting our rising 7th grade students and families this week during Rocky Run’s Virtual Curriculum Presentation and In-Person Curriculum Night & Electives Fair. If you were not able to join us, we have lots of resources available to review!
Academic Advising for Current 7th Grade (Rising 8th Grade) Students
Our Rocky Run counselors will kick off the academic advising process for rising 8th grade students in February.
Between February 3-7, counselors will be visiting every US History 7 class to present important course selection information to 7th graders. We will also go over how to correctly enter course selections in SIS.
Students and parents should then review course selections, enter courses in SIS and prepare questions ahead of individual academic advising sessions.
Starting February 10th and though the 21st, counselors and students will start meeting 1:1 to discuss course selections and confirm all courses are entered correctly in SIS.
6. Instructional Updates
Performing Arts Performance at Rising 7th Grade Visit
This was an exciting week at Rocky Run as we welcomed our rising 7th grade students. Thanks to our amazing performing arts department teachers and students for sharing their talents with our soon-to-be Rams!
 Performing arts students getting ready to perform for rising 7th grade students.
 Our rising Rams visiting Rocky Run!
7. After School Program Information
After-School Schedule for the week of 1/19
Current after-school club offerings - More clubs will be added throughout the year so check back frequently.
Review the late bus routes that are posted on the After-School Schoology Course
For now, here are some steps to complete:
- Review this general After-School Information.
- ALL families must complete the After-School Consent Form (via the Parent Digital Consent System). Students cannot stay after until this is submitted. Almost all of our Rocky Run students will stay after at some point this year, so please make sure the form is completed ASAP so your student has the flexibility to participate.
Questions? Contact Shannon Campbell, After-School Program Specialist, at SLCampbell@fcps.edu.
Spring Track & Field
- A student interest meeting will be held in the upcoming weeks (date TBD), but for now, you can get started on the paperwork if your student will be interested in participating. Meeting slides and important dates will be shared with families soon.
- Track & Field Registration Google Form
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Middle School Sports Physical- one page requires a doctor's signature, so do not delay! If your student submitted a sports physical packet for Cross Country or Basketball, that same packet will work for Track & Field. Not sure if you submitted one this year? Email Shannon Campbell to check your student's status.
Rocky Run vs Franklin Annual Basketball Game
 Mark your calendar! Rocky Run will take on Franklin MS in our annual basketball games on Friday, February 27th. The event will take place at Chantilly High School. Doors open at 4:30 PM, staff play at 5:00 PM, girls play at 6:00 PM, and boys play at 7:00 PM. All students must be picked up no later than 8:00 PM. All spectators will be required to purchase a ticket ($5 cash at the door or on MySchoolBucks starting on February 6th). Players will get in for free. Concessions will be available for purchase (cash only). Students must be Rams in Good Standing to attend. More information on that will be sent to students and families soon. We hope to see you there!
Rocky Run Spelling Bee: Coming in January!
If your student is a good speller, encourage them to sign up for this year’s Rocky Run Spelling Bee! Students must attend one practice in January to qualify for the Spelling Bee. Word lists and practice date information is now available in the library, so students can study over the winter break! Questions? Email Mrs. Grover, Spelling Bee Coordinator (ragrover@fcps.edu).
January 23: Written round during Rock Time (1/27 snow date)
February 5: Speaking round- top 15 scores only (2/12 snow date)
Practice dates- Students MUST attend one practice:
1/7: 1st session (2:30)
1/12: 1st session (2:30)
1/14: Rock Time (1:25)
8. Community Corner
PTA Teacher Support
Please see the following request from the RRMS PTA:
We are half-way through the school year! Help us thank and support our teachers by providing individually bagged snacks and drinks as they close out the quarter. Items should be dropped off at the school office by Friday, January 23rd. Sign up using the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4BA8AB2CA2FB6-60154969-rocky
Westfield High School Dance Team Clinic
Rocky Run Middle School students are invited to join the Westfield HS Varsity Dance Team for our winter dance clinic on Sunday, January 25th from 8 AM - 1 PM -- PLUS an opportunity to perform at the Westfield Varsity Boys Basketball halftime performance on January 29th!
Click here for details and registration! Email ecspikes@fcps.edu for more information.
Truth In Voice, Truth in Service Special Event
We invite 7th-12th graders on Saturday, January 24 from 10am to 2pm at Jim Scott Community Center (3001 Vaden Drive, Fairfax VA) in honor of National Day of Racial Healing. We will promote unity through youth engagement and community service activities. You must register to be able to attend. Snacks, door prizes, live music and activities will be available. For registration and request transportation, contact Lyndzey.Elliott@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-865-0520. Learn more about this event!
Evento especial - Verdad en la voz, verdad en el servicio
Invitamos a los alumnos de 7.º a 12.º grado el sábado 24 de enero, de 10:00 a 14:00, al Jim Scott Community Center (3001 Vaden Drive, Fairfax, Virginia) en honor al Día Nacional de la Reconciliación Racial. Promoveremos la unidad a través de la participación de los jóvenes y actividades de servicio comunitario. Es necesario inscribirse para poder asistir. Habrá aperitivos, premios, música en directo y actividades. Para registrase y pedir transportación, contacte Lyndzey.Elliott@fairfaxcounty.gov o llama a 703-865-0520.
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