Rachel Carson Student Services
Quarterly Newsletter: Quarter 3
Hello Carson Parents and Students!
Happy New Year!
Congratulations, you have made it halfway through the school year! We are officially in the second semester, which is the start of our 3rd quarter.
This is the time for students to start thinking about setting both personal and academic goals. The rest of the school year will go quickly, and we are now thinking forward to plans for next school year. Students should continue to put the best effort in to continue strong and finish the school year strong!
There are many resources for support: students can discuss concerns with parents/guardians; parents/guardians can reach out to teachers with questions or concerns; students can use Panther Time to complete work, study and meet with teachers when needed; students can communicate in person and/or email with teachers for help, support, or questions. Take advantage of any and all resources available when needed.
Please read on for our 3rd quarter updates.
ACADEMIC ADVISING
In January, current 7th graders received Academic Advising information and have been provided their 8th Grade Course Selection Sheet to complete at home with parents/guardians. Our rising 9th grade high school students had a visit with their base high school counselors to learn about all of the new courses, clubs, athletics, that awaits them next year. Our current 8th graders also had academic advising lessons and individual meetings with their counselors to select their courses for next school year. Students will need to select at least 3-4 alternate electives beyond their first and second choice; classes fill up quickly and backup options may be needed.
Counselors will continue academic advising during the month of February with our 7th grade students and will help them input their courses in their Studentvue account. All the academic advising materials (such as course selection sheets, information on electives, and high school websites) have been posted on the Carson Student Central site found in Schoology, and on the Student Services site in Schoology. Students’ completed Course Selection Sheet is to be returned to the Student Services office by no later than January 25th.
We take academic advising and course selection seriously and encourage students to seek input from current teachers, school counselor, and their parents/guardians as they make course selections.
Students and parents/guardians with questions or concerns regarding courses for next year may contact counselors directly. Students are welcome to come to Student Services to meet with their counselor; parents/guardians can reach counselors by phone or email.
SECOND SEMESTER SCHEDULES
Our second semester begins on Monday, January 29th.
Second Semester schedules are not available for student/parent view in SIS.
Students have received their updated schedules for the second semester, as well as information how to find their updated schedule electronically through SIS or StudentVue. Primarily, the only change in courses would be a change in elective or Health & PE as first semester electives end, and second semester electives begin.
At the beginning of second semester, schedule changes will take place only for any student who has an error on their schedule (i.e.: missing a class, has a duplicate class, etc.). Otherwise we will not be making any schedule changes to core and elective classes.
Summer Learning Programs
Registration for summer online learning courses has officially begun. Students can only take one class during the summer due to the intensity and demands of summer school. Summer school courses move through curriculum content quickly. Students who sign up for a summer course should be prepared for the time needed for work involved. Please note: there is a fee for summer online courses. Once students sign up for their selected course, counselors receive notification and will approve the course enrollment. The link for all summer information and registration is: https://www.fcps.edu/academics/academic-overview/online-campus.
Tech Adventure Camp
Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a week-long exploratory camp designed to give current K-6 students an opportunity to explore STEAM, culinary, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. Visit the TAC webpage to register.
CTE Summer Academy (CSA) is a week-long enrichment program that allows students in grades 7-11 to dive deeper into CTE program areas, develop skills, and begin career exploration. Visit the CSA webpage to register.
Institute for the Arts Camps
IFTA is a two- or four-week summer enrichment program for students currently in grades 6-11. Students select from nearly 90 classes in art, dance, health and physical education 9, music, self-directed economics and personal finance, and theater. Visit the IFTA webpage to register.
E-IFTA is a weekly arts camp for students in grades 2-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students take part in four classes every day related to dance, music, theater, and visual art. They work with FCPS fine arts teachers who create classes that are fun and engaging. Visit the E-IFTA webpage to register.
FCPS Online Summer Learning
The FCPS Online Campus summer course registration is now open for eligible middle school students who meet prerequisites and technical requirements. Students may take one online course for the first time or repeat credit. Middle school students may not take a mathematics course during the summer as their first high school-level mathematics course. Courses are rigorous; therefore, students should consult their counselor prior to registering.
Student Services Highlights
LOOKING AHEAD
March 14th, we will host another Parent/Guardian Coffee event; stay tuned for more details.
March 18-22 will be our RCMS Wellness Week. We will have several planned activities and events for our students to engage in centered around health and wellness of mind and body.
Spring Break is March 25 – 29; there is no school during this week.
April brings our Counselors’ focus on Career exploration. We will host a Career Day for students to explore lots of options for life beyond high school and /or college. If you would like to volunteer to be one of our featured guests for Career Day, please contact Karla Chustz at: kmchustz@fcps.edu.
During the month, we will also work with students to focus on completing their FCPS Student Learning Plan in Naviance. Our goal is to help students continue their thoughts and planning on what comes next for them as they move through and beyond middle school.
As always, should you have any questions or need support, please feel free to reach out to us. We are always happy to help.
Parent Resources
Does Your Child Refuse to Go to School?
Each year, nearly 5% of youth experience school refusal. This refers to a child refusing to go to school on a regular basis or remain in school throughout the day due to significant emotional distress. School refusal includes kindergarten students with relatively mild separation anxiety and more severe cases where a student misses weeks or months of school because of debilitating anxiety or depression. Read how to get your child back to school in the Healthy Minds Blog or learn more about attendance policies.
Free Parent Webinars
FCPS’ Parent Resource Center (PRC) is dedicated to helping adults support the success of all students. The PRC will present the following webinars in February. Click on the title to register:
Meet the Author Series: Mind in The Making with Ellen Galinsky
Looking for research-based advice for families on how to raise their children to be well-rounded and achieve their full potential, helping them learn to take on life's challenges, communicate well with others, and remain committed to learning? These are the "essential life skills" that Ellen Galinsky has spent her career pursuing.
The good news is that there are simple everyday things that all families can do to build these skills in their children for today and for the future. They don't cost money, and it's never too late to begin.
February 2, 2024, 10-11 a.m.
Register for Meet the Author Series: Mind in The Making with Ellen Galinsky
Youth Mental Health First Aid (in-person course)
Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among children and adolescents ages 12-18.
The course will teach you how to apply the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE):
• Assess for risk of suicide or harm.
• Listen nonjudgmentally.
• Give reassurance and information.
• Encourage appropriate professional help.
• Encourage self-help and other support strategies.
February 9, 2024, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Family Resource Center
2334 Gallows Road
Dunn Loring, VA 22027
Register for Youth Mental Health First Aid (in-person course) 30 spaces available
Behavior Solution Series for Elementary and Secondary Families
Join FCPS Behavior Intervention Services Department staff to help families encourage positive communication and behavior at home.
Secondary Webinars
4/19 Proactive Strategies for Effective Communication
- We will equip you with strategies for navigating the teen years. Uncover the secrets to fostering open communication, building trust, and transforming challenges into opportunities for growth.
5/31 Taming the Teenaged Brain
- Navigate the rollercoaster of teenage emotions with our training on behavior strategies, tailored to support you at home during those challenging adolescent years. We will provide practical insights and proven techniques to foster understanding and communication with your teenager.
Register for all or part of the Behavior Solution Series for Families
How to Handle Disappointing Grades: Ways to Uncover the Reasons Behind Your Child’s School Performance and How to Help
Disappointing grades are not always a fair indication of how hard your child is trying, how much they’re learning, or what their potential for success is later on in life (especially for those with ADHD and other learning differences).
On the surface, disappointing grades represent a failure at school. But there’s usually a lot more to it and many emotions for parents and students at stake!
Webinar Highlights:
- What to do if your child comes home with bad grades (and how to prevent over-reacting)
- How to talk to your child about their school performance, including some easy conversation starters
- Ways to investigate why it’s happening and the two most common reasons for poor grades
- What to do about it moving forward, including strategies to help your child study more effectively and stay organized
- Whether you should set consequences for your child’s bad grades (or reward them for good grades)
Join Ann Dolin, educator, author, and Educational Connections Founder for new strategies to tackle these sticky situations while preserving your relationship with your child.
February 23, 2024, 10-11:30 a.m.
FBA/BIP Essentials for Families
Does your child have concerning behaviors at school? Did you know that there is a process to identify and support your child at school?
Join us to learn about the FBA and BIP process and how it is used in FCPS to support any student who experiences behavioral challenges.
- Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) is a process to determine the underlying cause or functions of a student’s behavior that impedes social, emotional, and academic learning.
- Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) is a plan that utilizes positive behavioral interventions and supports to address behaviors that interfere with learning.
Staff from the Office of Special Education Instruction, Office of Intervention and Prevention Services, and Office of Special Education Procedural Support will be presenting and sharing information.
February 29, 2024 - 6:30-7:30 p.m.
or (only need to register for one as they will be the same)
March 1, 2024 - 10-11 a.m.
STEM CLUBS AND CLASSES for KIDS
Online STEM Classes
Not just for grown up anymore!
Registration: aceclasses.fcps.edu
Phone: 703-658-1201
Email: k12enrichment@fcps.edu for more information.
If you have any questions or concerns throughout the school year, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Email is the best way to reach contact us, but if you would like to schedule a meeting with us, please let us know and we will try our best to accommodate your needs during school office hours (7am-2:30pm). Please allow 24 hours for a response to your email or phone message.