River Bend Middle

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Follow River Bend Middle School on Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter), and our school website for more of what's happening at “The Bend!”

• Instagram: rbms.lcps
• Facebook: River Bend Middle School_Official
• X (Twitter): @RBMS_Official
• Website: www.lcps.org/o/rbm

This Weekly Newsletter includes:

1. 2026 News & Upcoming Events
2. Community & Family Resources
3. Food Service
4. Intramurals & Extracurricular Clubs
5. Resources & Contacts
6. Testing

Early Dismissals

If your child needs to leave school early, a parent or guardian must sign them out through ParentVUE. If you are unable to use ParentVUE, you will need to come to the main office to complete the sign out process. Please remember that early dismissals are not permitted after 3:00 pm because our main office staff is working with transportation to prepare for afternoon dismissal. Thank you for your understanding.

Upcoming Events (LCPS Calendars)

• Monday, October 19-Friday, October 23 = Common Sense Media's Digital Citizenship Week
• Wednesday, October 21 = Unity Day (Wear Orange)
• Thursday, October 22 = 6th Grade Field Trip to Washington DC
• Thursday, October 22 = 8th Grade Orchestra Concert at 6:00 pm (FREE Event)
• Saturday, October 24 = LCPS Intramural Flag Football & Cross Country Championship at Woodgrove HS
• Monday, October 26 = Microsoft Introduce a Girl to Engineering Event at River Bend MS
• Wednesday, October 28 = Last Day of Quarter 1
• Wednesday, October 28 = International Night at 6:00 pm (FREE Event)
• Thursday, October 29-Friday, October 30 = No School for Students (Teacher Workdays)
• Monday, November 2-Tuesday, November 3 = No School for Students (School-Based Professional Development Day)
• Wednesday, November 4 = Start of Quarter 2
• Thursday, November 5 = PBIS Raven of the Week Breakfast for Quarter 1 at 8:00-8:30 am (Library)
• Friday, November 6 = Coffee at the Bend at 8:00-8:30 am (Library) - Supporting Your Child with Organization & Executive Functioning (Lauren Lette, Educational Diagnostician & Tara Daugherty, Dean)
• Monday, November 9 = No School (Student & Staff Holiday)
• Wednesday, November 11 = Veterans Day
• Wednesday, November 11 = Fall Donut Day (Sponsored by the PTA) at 8:00-8:30 am (Cafeteria)
• Thursday, November 12 = Future Ready Lesson & ACL Testing (Adjusted Schedule)
• Thursday, November 12 = Make-Up Pictures & READ Pictures
• Thursday, November 12 = Orchestra 7 Concert at 6:00 pm (FREE Event)
• Tuesday, November 17 = RBM Spelling Bee at 3:45 pm (Library)
• Tuesday, November 17 = Q2 Activity Buses Start
• Thursday, November 19 = LCPS AP Institute hosted at RBM (Library)
• Thursday, November 19 = PTA Meeting Online at 6:30 pm (Online Link Coming Soon)
• Tuesday, November 24 = No After-School Activities
• Wednesday, November 25-Friday, November 27 = No School (Thanksgiving Break)
• Friday, December 4 = Coffee at the Bend at 8:00 am (Library)
• Monday, December 7-Friday, December 11 = Book Fair (Library)
• Wednesday, December 9 = Hour of Code (Level Up)
• Wednesday, December 9 = Jazz Band at the Dulles Town Center
• Wednesday, December 9 = Guitar 8 Concert with PFH (at Potomac Falls HS) at 7:00 pm (FREE Event)
• Thursday, December 10 = Book Fair Extended Hours at 5:00-8:00 pm (Library)
• Thursday, December 10 = Musical: School of Rock (Show 1 of 4) at 6:00 pm (Ticket Link)
• Friday, December 11 = Musical: School of Rock (Show 2 of 4) at 7:00 pm (Ticket Link)
• Saturday, December 12 = Musical: School of Rock (Show 3 of 4) at 1:00 pm (Ticket Link)
• Saturday, December 12 = Musical: School of Rock (Show 4 of 4) at 7:00 pm (Ticket Link)
• Tuesday, December 15 = Chorus 7 & 8 Concert at 6:00 pm (FREE Event)
• Wednesday, December 16 = PTA Staff Luncheon
• Wednesday, December 16 = Band 7 Concert at 6:00 pm (FREE Event)
• Wednesday, December 16 = Band 8 Concert at 7:00 pm (FREE Event)
• Thursday, December 17 = Jingle Jam Concert at 6:00 pm at Potomac Falls HS (FREE Event)
• Monday, December 21-Friday, January 1 = No School (Winter Break)

Ordering School Pictures

📸 Pictures Available: Online in approximately two weeks

🛒 Pre-order Online: https://shop.imagequix.com/g1001416987

📧 Questions about Ordering? www.vosphoto.com/contact-us

📅 Make-Up Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2026

Special Programs (8th Graders)

The LCPS Division of Academic Programs recently visited the 8th grade class at River Bend Middle School to share information about the various special programs and academies available to rising 9th grade students. The presentation covered the following special programs and academies.

Special Programs & Admissions Timeline

• Academies of Loudoun (AET & AOS) Aug. 24 to Oct. 15 at Noon
• Health and Medical Science Academy (HAMSci) Dec. 1 to Jan. 15 at Noon
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Dec. 1 to Jan. 15 at Noon
• Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) Dec. 1 to Jan. 15 at Noon
• ACCESS Academy Dec. 1 to Jan. 15 at Noon
• Academy for Global and Linguistic Studies (AGLS) Dec. 1 to Jan. 15 at Noon
• Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AJROTC) Dec. 1 to Jan. 15 at Noon

Learn more: Visit www.lcps.org/specprog for detailed program descriptions and next steps.

Have questions? Reach out directly at www.lcps.org/askteachingandlearning.

Support Our School Community

An easy way to support your child’s school and our community is by joining the PTA. Membership is just $12 for the entire school year, and your membership helps provide support and resources for our students, staff, and school community.

https://riverbendmiddleschool.givebacks.com/shop?category=25439

2026-2027 Executive Board (voted in on May 21, 2026)

• Co-Presidents: Adrienne Silverman & Jenn Connell
• Vice President: Mehdi Kohanbani
• Treasurer: Ashley Chenot
• Secretary: Tiffany Adamson
• Hospitality: Zehra Bukhari & Atafa Bakhtiari
• Membership: Open
• LEAF Parent Rep: Samantha Corzo
• MSAAC Parent Rep: TBD (Interested? Contact president@rbmspta.org & copresident@rbmspta.org)
• SEAC Parent Rep: TBD (Interested? Contact president@rbmspta.org & copresident@rbmspta.org)

Free Meals

The Free & Reduced Meal program helps ensure your child receives healthy breakfasts and lunches at school at no or low cost. This program is designed to support student success by providing the nutritious meals they need to learn and thrive. An eligible family can save over $950 per child during the school year! To see if your family qualifies visit www.lcps.org/o/lcps/page/free-reduced. Please note that families must apply every year. Even if your child received free meals last year, you must apply again this year.

River Bend will continue to offer the following intramural sports for the 2026/27 school year. Intramural sports occur after-school from 3:45-4:45 pm during designated club days. Intramural sports are FREE to students.

• Flag Football (Quarter 1) - on Tuesdays (DONE)
• Cross County (Quarter 1) - on Thursdays (DONE)
• Volleyball (Quarter 2) - on Tuesdays & Thursdays
• Basketball (Quarter 3) - on Tuesdays & Thursdays
• Soccer (Quarter 4) - on Tuesdays & Thursdays

To participate, a student must have a valid physical examination on file with the school building intramural coordinator (valid for 14 months from the date of the examination) and must complete the registration process. Please be sure to scroll down the page and click on the correct program link for your school before registering. For the 2026/27 intramural sports schedule and FAQs, please visit the LCPS Athletics and Activities website or contact the RBM Intramural Coordinator at Lee.Koudela@lcps.org.

2026-2027 Resources for Students & Families

• LCPS School Calendar
• A & B Day Schedule
• Bell Schedule
• School Supply List
• Student Handbook
• ParentVUE App (New)

2026-2027 School Contacts & Support Guide

• 6th Grade Support (House C) = Melissa.Dober@lcps.org (Grade-Level Dean), Savannah.Boeing@lcps.org (Counselor), Amy.Raye@lcps.org (Registrar & Administrative Assistant), & Christiana.McCormick@lcps.org (Assistant Principal)
• 7th Grade Support (House B) = Brian.Taylor@lcps.org (Grade-Level Dean), Courtney.Bredow@lcps.org (Counselor - Last Names A-P), Katharine.Smorodin@lcps.org (Counselor - Last Names Q-Z), Jacqueline.Rivas@lcps.org (Administrative Assistant), & Eric.Fritz@lcps.org (Assistant Principal)

• 8th Grade Support (House A) = Jennifer.Kassander@lcps.org (Grade-Level Dean), Kathryn.Plys@lcps.org (Counselor - Last Names A-L), Katharine.Smorodin@lcps.org (Counselor - Last Names M-Z), Guendolen.Wajsgras@lcps.org (Administrative Assistant), & Nicholas.Fisher@lcps.org (Assistant Principal)

• Administration = Nicholas.Fisher@lcps.org (Assistant Principal), Eric.Fritz@lcps.org (Assistant Principal), Christiana.McCormick@lcps.org (Assistant Principal), David.Shaffer@lcps.org (Principal)
• Attendance = Amy.Raye@lcps.org or Eric.Fritz@lcps.org (Admin. POC/AP)
• Facility Use = Eric.Fritz@lcps.org
• Family Liaison = Cintia.Lutz@lcps.org
• Financial Matters = Missy.Hooper@lcps.org
• Food Services = Farzana.Chowdhury@lcps.org
• Gifted & Talented Program (Spectrum) = Amy.Fields@lcps.org
• Health Services/Medication/Immunizations = Joy.Jones@lcps.org (Nurse) & Kaitlyn.Bowman@lcps.org (SNA)
• Intramural Sports = Lee.Koudela@lcps.org (Intramural Coordinator)
• Main Office = Gwendolyn.Pride@lcps.org & Diana.S.Lopez@lcps.org
• ParentVUE = Missy.Hooper@lcps.org or Courtney.Bredow@lcps.org
• PTA = president@rbmspta.org & copresident@rbmspta.org
• Registration/Enrollment = Amy.Raye@lcps.org
• Safety & Security = Devin.Mickens@loudoun.gov (SRO), Preston.Timbers@lcps.org (SSO), & Samantha.Rogers@lcps.org (SSO)
• Special Education = Nicholas.Fisher@lcps.org (Special Education Contact/AP), Kevin.Lancor@lcps.org (Department Chair/SALT), Tara.Daugherty@lcps.org (Dean)
• Student Services = Harveen.Pantleay@lcps.org (Social Worker), Nicole.Manzo@lcps.org (School Psychologist), & Imani.Hagans@lcps.org (Students Assistance Specialist)
• Technology Support = Niles.Elhafdi@lcps.org or call (571) 252-2112
• Testing = Christiana.McCormick@lcps.org
• Transportation = Call (571) 252-1700 or visit https://www.lcps.org/Transportation

Changes to Reading and Mathematics SOL Pass/Proficient Cut Scores

Beginning with the 2026-27 school year, the Virginia Board of Education is raising the Pass/Proficient cut scores for Reading and Mathematics Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments. The changes will be phased in over four years and apply only to Reading and Mathematics SOL assessments.

Why are the proficiency cut scores changing?

Virginia is updating proficiency cut scores for reading and math SOL’s to align with more rigorous academic standards and national benchmarks. A proficiency cut score is the minimum score a student must achieve to reach a performance level on an assessment.

What could this mean for my student's SOL scores?

Previously, a score of 400 on a Virginia SOL assessment meant a student passed the assessment and was considered proficient.

As the increased proficiency cut scores are implemented, a new performance level called Pass/Approaching has been added to bridge the gap between a failing score and the new proficiency score. The score range for the Pass/Approaching performance level will gradually narrow over the next four years as Virginia phases in the new proficiency expectations.

SOL test scores will fall into one of five performance levels: Fail/Below Basic, Fail/Basic, Pass/Approaching, Pass/Proficient or Pass/Advanced. During the transition period, scores in the Pass/Approaching, Pass/Proficient and Pass/Advanced performance levels will count as passing scores on the SOL assessment.

Students taking a high school-level SOL assessment will be held to the Pass/Approaching and/or Pass/Proficient cut score that was in effect when they completed the associated course. Families can review the VDOE score ranges by assessment and school year for additional information.

What about science, writing and social science?

The increased proficiency cut scores apply only to Reading and Mathematics SOL assessments. Science, writing and social science assessments are not currently impacted by these changes.

How is LCPS supporting students?

Our staff will continue supporting teaching and learning aligned with Virginia's Standards of Learning to help students meet Virginia's academic expectations. As additional guidance becomes available from the Virginia Department of Education, LCPS will continue sharing information and resources with families.

Where can I learn more?

Visit the LCPS Office of Assessment Services webpage for additional information, frequently asked questions and resources related to the new Pass/Proficient cut scores.

Families may also visit the Virginia Department of Education website for additional information about the state's implementation of the new Pass/Proficient cut scores.

CPS will continue updating the Office of Assessment Services webpage as additional information becomes available from the Virginia Department of Education.

For questions, please contact the Office of Assessment Services at 540-751-2590.