Rachel Carson Student Services
Quarterly Newsletter: Quarter 2
Hello Panthers! Happy Fall!
We are officially in the second quarter of the school year! You made it through the first quarter with perseverance and optimism as you navigated being back in the school building and learned a new online program (Schoology). We are proud of your resiliency, and we have enjoyed meeting you through our monthly counseling lessons.
This new quarter is a fresh start for all of you to put forth your best effort all around--with your academics, friendships, and personal goals. Please continue to work hard in all of your classes and focus on the subjects/areas where you need to improve. As a reminder, please check your SIS account regularly so that you are aware of your progress. Parents can also help their child by checking their ParentVUE and helping your child to develop good study habits.
Tips to help you improve in your classes
Below are some tips to help students improve in your classes this quarter:
*Adopt a positive attitude
*Ask questions in class
*Talk to your teachers
*Check your Schoology calendar
*Check SIS/Student Vue
*Utilize Panther Time for extra help
*Keep your materials organized.
Student Services Highlights
LOOKING AHEAD
November:
- Counselors will be conducting lessons on Stress Management, with a focus on academic stress and stress from interpersonal conflicts. We will discuss healthy ways that students can manage their overall stress and problem-solve.
- In collaboration with our school social worker and school psychologist, the counselors will also be conducting depression screening lessons for all of our 7th graders on November 29th and 30th. See Detailed Information Below
- Lunch Bunches will be available to any student and will start this month. This is an opportunity for students to have lunch with their counselor and a few other peers in a small setting as a way to socialize, connect with their counselor, and develop some new friendships.
December:
- Counselors will conduct online lessons on Career Awareness to help students start thinking about their future careers.
- The Student Services department will be hosting its second parent coffee virtually on December 9th. Topic: Transition to High School Tips
- Counselors will be visiting with the feeder elementary schools virtually to introduce themselves and discuss course selections with the rising 7th graders.
January:
- Academic Advisement Begins: Rachel Carson will be hosting the feeder high school counselors from Oakton, Herndon, Chantilly, South Lakes, and Westfield. RCMS Counselor will be extra busy meeting with both the 7th and 8th graders to discuss their course selection for next school year.
ACT/SOS Screening
Student reports of self-harm, anxiety and depression have been an ongoing issue county-wide. In an effort to proactively address the social-emotional needs of RCMS students, on Monday, November 29th, and Tuesday, November 30th, our Rachel Carson clinical support team will be introducing a county-approved curriculum to our 7th-grade students during their Health and PE classes.
The goals of this optional program are to educate students on the signs and symptoms of depression, to let students know what to do if they have concerns about themselves or a peer, and to connect students who may need support with resources inside and outside of our school. Fairfax County’s counselors, social workers, and psychologists continue to work in collaboration to address the mental health needs of students so they can better access their educational curriculum and achieve in their academic pursuits.
We encourage you to visit www.sossignsofsuicide.org/parent for information on warning signs for youth suicide, useful resources, and some of the key messages students will learn. You can also view the SOS Parent Video HERE
DID YOU KNOW?
FCPS ROLLING GRADEBOOK
A rolling gradebook (formerly known as yearlong or cumulative gradebooks) is a cumulative document. Final grades are determined by a combination of all assignments and assessments. It is not an average of quarter marks. The grade posted at the end of each traditional quarter is a snapshot of a student’s current progress in the course.
Parent Resources
Free Parent Webinars
Buying A New Electronic Device for your Child? What Every Parent Needs to Know
Have you been thinking about a new phone, laptop, or gaming system purchase this holiday season?
This session will help parents:
- Understand developmental factors to consider
- How to proactively prepare and establish boundaries with your child
- How to respond to challenges when they arise
Presented by Tammi Sisk, FCPS Instructional Technology Specialist, and Bethany Deemers, FCPS Mental Health Specialist.
Friday December 10, 2021 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Register for Buying A New Electronic Device for your Child? What Every Parent Needs to Know
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.