Rachel Carson Middle School
13618 McLearen Rd., Herndon, VA 20171 | 703-925-3600 | Fax: 703-925-3697

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Guidance & Student Services

Student Services Staff
Director of Student Services:
Cheryl Weaver
Registrar/Guidance Asst.
Lesa Lloyd 703-925-3614
Counselors:
Lead Counselor: Brenda Humphrey 703-925-3618
Teams: 7D, 8W
Jamie Mahoney 703-925-3620
Teams: 7B, 8X
Rebecca Little 703-925-3619
Teams: 7C, 8Y
Joni Fraundorfer 703-925-3616
Teams: 7A, 8Z
Parent Liaison
Maggie Cappell 703-925-3603
Clerical Assistant
Celeste Moore 703-925-3613

Counseling Services
Counselors are assigned to two teams of students. The counselor is part of the instructional support staff for the students on each team and will meet students in the classroom to present classroom guidance units, in small groups, or individually. Students may initiate contact with the counselor by filling out a referral form and/or parents may request counselors to talk to students when there may be a problem that is interfering with the academic progress of the student. Counselors may meet with a small group of students over a period of weeks to help the students to address common issues or concerns that middle school students may experience. Some examples of these might include: making friends, how to deal with anger, improving study skills, and coping with divorce of parents. At no time will a student be part of an on-going counseling group without the permission of a parent or guardian.
Counselors work with parents in a number of ways and they are available to set up and facilitate conferences with their team of teachers and/or administrators. When requested or indicated, counselors will assist parents in making referrals within the school system or to community agencies. In addition to helping parents with issues regarding their child, counselors will occasionally sponsor speakers and support groups for parents.

Parent Liaison
Ms. Maggie Cappell is our part time Parent Liaison here at Rachel Carson. Her position is shared with Lanier Middle School and Centreville HS and as a result, she is here one day a week. Ms. Cappell assists in transitioning new students and parents, arranging translation services for non-English speaking families and providing assistance in a variety of ways to our Carson students and parents. Ms. CappelI is fluent in Spanish. If you or someone you know could use this kind of aid, please call Ms. Cappell at 703-925-3603.

Report Cards & Interim Progress Reports
We encourage all students and parents to communicate regularly regarding their student’s academic progress in school. All students will be issued a Daily Assignment Book (DAB) with places for students to write their assignments on a daily basis. Please become familiar with this very helpful tool. One way teachers communicate with parents is through the Interim Progress Reports and the end of quarter Progress Reports (Report Cards). Please mark your calendar with these dates as the students will be bringing their reports home to you.

Frequently Asked Questions for Student Services

1. When will my child get his or her schedule? 8th grade students new to our school and all 7th graders will pick up their schedules during the Orientation on August 29. Those who didn’t attend on the 29th will get theirs on the first day of school. Up until that time, Counselors are busy trying to adjust schedules to meet individual needs and level of classes.

2. Will my child get the electives he or she requested, and if not, why? We tried very hard to give each child the electives that he or she requested - at least one of their top three choices. If for some reason that did not occur, most likely their schedule could not accommodate it (ie. not available when your child had a free period, etc). Please keep in mind that your child’s schedule only lists first semester electives. Often the second semester will have the other elective that your child selected. Full year electives are given priority. There will be no elective schedule changes for the first two weeks of school unless it is absolutely necessary (ie elective taken the prior year or placement in the wrong level).

3. Can my child bring a back pack the first day? We do not advise this as lockers are not available until parents have completed and returned the paperwork sent home the first day.

4. Can my child take Algebra in the 8th grade if he or she does not qualify for it in the 7th grade? Yes.

5. If my child did not qualify for honors classes in 7th grade, can he or she be screened for it in the 8th grade? Yes. In early May the screening committee will meet to screen rising 8th graders for honors courses. Referrals can be made by parents or teachers in late April for this screening process through your child’s Counselor.

6. Can I meet with my child’s teachers before school starts? Teachers come back shortly before school opens and they have in-services, meetings and other functions that they are required to attend. In addition, they have to set up their rooms. We do not encourage a meeting during this time due to the fact that their time is very limited and needs to be focused on preparing for the opening of school. In addition, until the first day of school, schedules are not entirely set, which could mean changes in teachers. Please wait until after the first day of school to schedule team meetings through your Counselors.

7. When will we get our SOL scores? We have been informed by the testing office that a contract has been given to an agency to mail out test scores to families toward the latter part of August. If you have not received your test scores by the start of school, you are welcome to contact your Counselor to see if the school has any test data that can be shared.

8. Can I drop by to see the Counselor? Please make an appointment to see the Counselor. They are extremely busy the first few weeks of school and cannot accommodate drop-in visits. Phone numbers are listed in the Courier.

Online Student Forms
http://www.fcps.edu/forms.htm

If you have children in Fairfax County Public Schools, it's almost a certainty that you have suffered writer's cramp from filling out the many forms that come home at the beginning of each school year.
For your convenience, the Department of Instructional Technology has created sets of forms, referred to online as "bundles", which you may download, complete and print on your home computer. The bundles allow data entered on one form to be reused on all other forms in the group, reducing the number of times you have to enter the same information. Forms for children who need to use inhalers or take medication at school are also included for use as needed. If you have more than one child in Fairfax County Public Schools, there is even a feature to reset the forms and change only the child's name.