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1. Important Dates
May 25 - No School (Memorial Day)
May 26 - No School (Teacher Workday)
May 27 - No School (Eid al-Adha)
June 5 - 8th Grade Party, 6 - 8 PM
June 10-11 - Student Chromebooks collected
June 11 - Yearbooks Distributed
June 15 - Morning - 7th Grade Team Awards, Afternoon - 8th Grade Team Parties
June 16 - Morning - 8th Grade Team Awards, Afternoon - 7th Grade Team Parties
June 17 - Last Day of School (12:15 PM dismissal)
2. A Note from the Principal
Dear Rocky Run Families-
We are in the home stretch of the 2025-2026 school year. When students return after the long weekend, we will only have 15 school days left!
This Monday, I had the pleasure of inducting 210 8th grade students into the Rocky Run chapter of the National Junior Honor Society. Students that earned induction maintained a 3.50 GPA and performed 30 hours of community service. A special shoutout to Dr. Sweeney, Dr. Jacobson, and Ms. Davis for organizing the ceremony. It was very special.
On Friday, I also had the opportunity to serve as a "shark" in Mr. Sawatzky's 8th Grade Civics class Shark Tank. The students are wrapping up their financial literacy learning and pitching creative ideas for investment. We have some amazing entrepreneurs at Rocky Run.
Looking ahead, schools will be closed May 26, May 27 and May 28. May 26 is Memorial Day (Learn about the history of Memorial Day), May 27 is a Teacher Workday and May 28 is Eid-Al-Adha. Hopefully the weather cooperates for the opening of neighborhood pools! Classes will resume on Thursday, May 29 and we will run a Gold Day schedule.
Eid Mubarak to all who observe! Eid al-Adha, or the “Feast of Sacrifice,” is the second of two main holidays celebrated in Islam. Muslims believe that Eid al-Adha signifies the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim, known as Abraham in Christianity and Judaism, to sacrifice his son, Ismail, as ordered by Allah. It focuses on sacrifice, the pilgrimage to Mecca and giving to those less fortunate.
As always, thank you for your continued partnership and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions. I look forward to seeing you at RRMS soon.
Sincerely,
Peter Kownacki
Principal
Rocky Run Middle School
@pakownacki
3. Action Items for Families
End of Year Family Letter- Please Submit!
As the end of the year approaches, we are getting excited to celebrate our students!
We are asking each family to write a letter to their child via a Google form submission. Each student will receive their letter at their team's end of year awards ceremony. Letters may include why you are proud of your child, how you have seen them grow this school year, what you hope for them in the future, etc. We are requesting only one letter per child, if multiple adults would like to contribute for one child, please coordinate so that it is only one submission. Please complete this End of Year Family Letter Form by Friday, May 22nd.
Award ceremonies are for celebrating the year as a team with students and teachers. Families of students receiving awards will be invited to the ceremony which will take place on either June 15 or 16. Invitations will be sent by team lead teachers to those families between May 26-June 1. The letters are a way for all students to receive something special to celebrate their year and should be a surprise – sshhhh!
Questions? Email Emily Texdahl at EWTexdahl@fcps.edu or Anna Slevin at agslevin@fcps.edu.
Medication Pickup
- ALL medications need to be picked up No Later Than 12:15pm on June 17th
- Medications left in the Health Room after 12:15pm on June 17th cannot be saved and will be discarded according to FCPS and FCHD policy.
- Pickup of medications during health room hours: M-F, 7:00am-2:30pm is encouraged prior to the last day of school.
- Pick up of medication is restricted to PARENTS ONLY
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Exception: students authorized to carry their medication (e.g., inhalers, epinephrine, insulin, etc.) can carry these medications kept in the health room home during the last week of school.
4. Student Celebrations
RAISE the Ram Card Winners
At Rocky Run, students can earn RAISE the Ram cards for exhibiting our RAISE attributes: Rams are Respectful, Accountable, Inclusive, Safe, and Engaged. At the end of each week, we randomly select one winner from each team.
Congratulations to this week's RAISE the Ram card winners:
Meteors: Evan Choi (Respectful and Engaged)
Platinum: Arya Deniz Gunay (Accountable and Engaged)
Emerald: Ariana Smeresky (Engaged)
Kryptonite: Aarav Sandineni (Accountable and Engaged)
Tiger's Eye: Eleanor Leonard (Engaged)
Sapphire: Dara Anyalebechi (Accountable and Engaged)
Great job Raising The Ram this week!
8th Grade End of Year Party
We are looking forward to celebrating the end of middle school with our 8th graders on Friday, June 5th, from 6 - 8 PM. We will have a DJ, photobooth, snacks and refreshments. The theme is "A Night in the City of Lights". Suggested attire is semi-formal. It is important to remember that this event is not prom. Limousines are not permitted and there is no expectation for students to have a date for this celebration. This event is only for our current 8th graders (no former students, siblings, family members, etc.). Students will need to be a Ram in Good Standing to attend - students and families will be notified about the tracking dates and criteria. There is no fee for this event as we have raised funds through fundraising efforts and the PTA has generously provided funds for the party, as well.
Students should RSVP so we can plan accordingly. All students who RSVP will be entered into our gift card raffle.
Donation and parent/guardian volunteer requests are posted here.
More information about party logistics will be sent to our 8th grade families in the coming weeks!
Spelling Bee National Championship
Next week, two champion spellers will be representing our area, Fairfax County and Alexandria City, as well as Fairfax County Council PTA at the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee!
Laasya M (Floris ES) and Aadhya V (Rocky Run MS) have received their official speller numbers , and their Scripps National Spelling Bee experience will begin on Tuesday, May 26, onstage at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, DC.
You can follow our spellers' journeys at the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee by:
- Visiting www.spellingbee.com for real-time updates (May 26-28).
- Checking our program's Facebook page HERE for on-the-scene photos!
- Watching the Bee on TV!
5. Student Services Updates
SY26-27 Schedule Request Review
As students complete their SOLs and reflect on their growth and progress this year, we encourage families to review their child’s course requests in SISParentVue under Schedule Request before the school year ends. Please take time to review the following math resources, and let us know if you have any questions. Any course change requests should be submitted as soon as possible and no later than June 5 by competing this Change Request Form.
Helpful Links
SY26-27 Transition Event: RAMS RALLY
Save the Date! Join us for our Open House event, Rams Rally, on Thursday, August 20, from 3 to 5 PM. Students and families are invited to walk their schedules, check out lockers, and meet teachers and staff before the school year begins.
6. Instructional Updates
Library Happenings
This week, Mrs. Grover visited all English classes to remind students to return all library books by June 3. This is the FCPS date for all library book returns! Please connect with your student to ask if they still have library books out and make a plan for returning them soon. As a reminder, there is a blue and yellow mailbox outside the main entrance of Rocky Run, so books can be returned anytime, any day. If your student can’t find a library book or it is damaged, please contact Mrs. Grover (ragrover@fcps.edu) to arrange for replacement.
RRMS Spirit Wear Sale!
Get your student excited about coming to Rocky Run in the fall with new spirit wear! With lots of color options and styles, there is something for everyone, including family members! Visit bit.ly/RRSpiritWear to view the store. All purchases will be sent directly to your address during the first week of June. Hurry! The spirit wear store closes on May 24.
7. After School Program Information
All after-school activities and late buses have ended for the year. As of May 22, all students should depart at the 2:15 dismissal.
- Exception - Track & Field Championship Meet runners will be practicing on May 28, but will need a ride home after practice or live within walking/biking distance.
Thank you to all of our students for making this year's After-School Program such a success through your engagement, positive attitudes, and commitment to following expectations while having fun. With over 87% of our students participating this year, you helped create a welcoming, exciting community where everyone could learn, connect, and enjoy new experiences. 8th graders - stay involved in high school! 7th graders - we look forward to working with you again next year!
Questions? Contact Shannon Campbell, After-School Program Specialist, at SLCampbell@fcps.edu.
Middle School Sports Physicals for 2026-2027
Registration for FCPS athletic preparticipation exams (physicals) is now open: APPOINTMENT REGISTRATION
- All middle and high school students interested in participating in school athletic programs MUST have a valid athletic physical on file with their school prior to participating.
- All rising 7th and 8th graders for next school year (2026-2027) who are interested in participating in the middle school sports program are eligible to receive a FREE athletic physical exam through these events.
- Rising 8th graders - if you submitted a sports physical this school year, that packet is good for 14 months. Email Shannon Campbell at SLCampbell@fcps.edu if you want to check the expiration date.
- Middle School Sports Physical Packet
- Rising 9th graders - the physical exam is $50 and you can sign up using the link above.
- If you submitted a sports physical packet this year, it is good for 14 months, but you will need to complete a new page 1-2 that is specific to high school. If you want the document back that you had signed by the doctor, please email Shannon Campbell at SLCampbell@fcps.edu to arrange for pick-up.
- High School Sports Physical Packet
- Athletic physicals are coordinated by the certified athletic trainers at our FCPS high schools and are only available at the dates and times indicated. Students must register in advance and additional information is available through the link above.
Questions? Reach out to Shannon Campbell.
8. Community Corner
No updates this week!
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