Belmont Ridge Middle School “EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION” 2016.pdfreinforce content covered in the...
Transcript of Belmont Ridge Middle School “EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION” 2016.pdfreinforce content covered in the...
Belmont Ridge Middle School
“EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION”
19045 Upper Belmont Place, Leesburg, VA 20176
www.loudoun.k12.va.us/bmrms
Dear Belmont Ridge families,
It has been said that the month of March enters like a lion but
leaves like a lamb. While the reference focuses on the weather, our
students experience a similar transition as they move from indoor
recreational and competitive activities to outdoor practices and events.
When the warm weather first arrives, students rush outside to take
advantage of it before settling into a pattern. In a few weeks we will set
our clocks ahead and daylight will last longer into the evening leading to
students being outside a little later. March welcomes spring.
There are a total of 17 school days during the month of March.
As middle school students become more active, there is a transition in
expectations which occurs during the month. Previous data shows March
as a time when student expectations may need to be reinforced. We are
fortunate to have a supportive community which has high expectations
for academics, behavior, and community service. March is also a good
time to re-establish those communication lines between home and school
before the push of the fourth quarter and thoughts of end-of-the school
year activities. March is the transitional month from winter to spring.
Middle school students change a lot during the winter months.
The students I saw in the fall, look a little taller and walk a little taller
too. During the winter, middle school students become more comfortable
in their surroundings. During spring, the thought of next school year
begins to enter their mind as students and parents complete course
requests. The warmer weather leads to a pattern change for our students.
Sometimes it is a brief shift but for other the adjustment may last the
entire month. On March 2nd, 68 days of instruction will remain in the
current school year. March provides the opportunity to get back on track
if the winter months slightly derailed us from our goals. I would like to
welcome everyone to spring and thank you for taking the time to read our
newsletter.
Sincerely,
Dr. Ryan P. Hitchman
March 2016
Administrative Team
Dr. Ryan Hitchman Principal
Mr. David McKenzie
Assistant Principal
Mr. Michael Surma
Assistant Principal
8th Grade
Mrs. Veronica Zimmerman
Dean
Mrs. Terry Mawyer
Counselor
Mrs. Mary Moorehead Secretary
7th Grade
Mr. F. Michael Skinner Dean
Mrs. Amy Scott
Counselor
Mrs. Marlo Newman Secretary
6th Grade
Mrs. Jasmine Carpenter Dean
Mr. Damien White
Counselor
Mrs. Tina Kamis Secretary
School Information
Office Hours
8:00-4:30
Phone: 571-252-2220 Fax: 703-669-1455
Absentee Line 571-252-2222
House A – 8th 571-252-2228
House B – 7th 571-252-2227
House C – 6th 571-252-2226
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
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Presidential Primary Election
LCPS will be closed
2 B-DAY
Spring Pictures
During P.E. classes
B.O.B. Club meeting
3
Spring Pictures
During P.E. classes
B.O.B. Club Semi-Final Competition
4 8th Grade End of
Year Celebration
Form & Money
Due to House
Secretary
5
6 7
8
8th Grade Writing
Multiple Choice
SOL
9 8th Grade Writing
Multiple Choice
SOL
B.O.B. Club meeting
10
8th Grade Writing
Short Paper
SOL
11
8th Grade Writing
Short Paper
SOL
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13 14
PBIS Celebration
15
16
B.O.B. Club meeting
17 St. Patrick’s Day
B.O.B. Club Final Competition – Trailside MS
Hoops for Hearts during P.E.
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Hoops for Hearts during P.E.
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20 21
Spring Break
No School
22
Spring Break
No School
23
Spring Break
No School
24
Spring Break
No School
25
Spring Break
No School
26
27
28 29 30 31
2016
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Help Fight Cancer… Join Belmont’s Relay for Life Team!!!!
Belmont Ridge Middle School
TESTING WINDOWS 2015 – 2016 SCHOOL YEAR
TEST START OF WINDOW END OF WINDOW
ACCESS for ELLs (ELL students) January 11 March 18
SOL English: Online, P/P - Writing March 7 March 18
SOL End-of-Course (Alg 1, Geometry) May 13 May 18
SOL Non-Writing (All grades) May 13 June 10
SOL Non-Writing (All Grades) – Make-ups June 8 June 10
For more information and resources on the SOL assessments, you may go to the following websites:
Virginia Department of Education: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/standards_docs/index.shtml
Loudoun County Public Schools: www.loudoun.k12.va.us Go to: Academics>Testing
The opportunity for students and staff to FIGHT BACK AGAINST CANCER is here. Relay for
Life is an annual event held all over the country, where local teams raise money for the
American Cancer Society, remember and honor cancer patients, and celebrate life. Belmont's
Relay for Life team has been raising funds and awareness for the past eight years. Last year we
raised more than $16,000!
Students can join us every Monday (or when they are able) as we come up with fundraising
ideas and get ready for Loudoun County's Relay on Sat., May 21.
If students were unable to attend the first meeting, they can see Mrs. Muller and Ms. Page in 6th
grade; Ms. DiMario, Mrs. Newman and Ms. Hodges in 7th grade; or Mrs. Branch and Mrs.
Mawyer in 8th grade. We look forward to an awesome team this year!
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SOL Grade 8 Writing – Online Spring 2016
MULTIPLE CHOICE – March 8 (B) – 9 (A)
DATE BLOCK Computer
Lab 1 Computer Lab
2 Computer Lab
3 Library Library
Tuesday, March 8
1 Branch Pitts
2 Branch Stokes
3 Branch Pitts Stokes
4 Pitts Stokes
Wednesday, March 9
5 Branch Pitts Stokes
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7 Branch Pitts Stokes
8 Branch Pitts Stokes
SHORT PAPER – March 10 (B) - 11 (A)
DATE TIME Computer
Lab 1 Computer
Lab 2 Computer
Lab 3 Library Library Library
Thursday, March 10
8:40 Branch –
1,2
Pitts – 1,2 Stokes – 3,4
Branch – 3,4
12:30 Branch –
5,6 Pitts – 7,8
Pitts – 5,6 Stokes – 5,6
Stokes – 7,8
Friday, March 11
8:40 Branch –
1,2
Pitts – 1,2 Stokes – 1,2
12:30 Pitts – 5,6 Branch –
5,6 Branch –
7,8 Pitts – 7,8 Stokes –
5,6 Stokes –
7,8
Students taking Art class second semester may purchase their art supplies from
the school store. One sketch book, a plastic eraser, and two pens is $10. The
school store is open every day before school. You may come to the main office
to purchase these items if the store is closed.
2nd Semester Art Class…
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8th Grade Science SOL Review Sessions!!!
To: Parents/Guardians of 8th grade students From: Belmont Ridge Middle School Science Department Date: Starting Tuesday, April 5th Re: Science SOL Review Sessions
Tuesday & Thursday mornings, 7:45-8:20am, in the Library (Review Sessions on the 12th, 14th, and 19th will be held in the auditorium) All 8th graders are invited to attend the Science SOL Review Sessions for this year’s Science SOL Test. The Science SOL assessment is based on all the middle school Science Standards and has questions from 6th, 7th, and 8th grade science Standards of Learning’s. The science teachers at Belmont Ridge offer Science Review Sessions before school on Tuesdays and Thursday morning to help students refresh their minds from years gone by!
The purpose of these review sessions is to provide an overall review of the SOL reporting categories. We understand that Tuesday and Thursday morning sessions are not convenient for all students. Therefore, students will be given the opportunity to pick up the information that was passed out at the review- student should check with their Science teacher. There are multiple websites available for review practices as well. Please find these on the Science Department page of the Belmont Ridge website. Please contact your science teacher with any questions.
Date Review Topic Teacher
Tuesday, April 5th Water & Weather Bagnall
Thursday, April 7th Space Drow
Tuesday, April 12th
(auditorium) Resources & Watersheds Raburn
Thursday, April 14th
(auditorium) Classification & Cells Kelly
Tuesday, April 19st
(auditorium) Genetics & DNA Deimendes
Thursday, April 21rd Evolution and Adaptation Sherwood
Tuesday, April 26th Describing Matter Stoneback
Thursday, April 28th Energy & Heat Gundersen
Tuesday, May 3rd Chemical Bonding Lyle/Saenz
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Library Happenings!
March Madness-Read Across America Day, a.k.a. Dr. Seuss Day, is Wednesday, March 2nd! Take time to celebrate by picking up a book and read!!!
We are looking forward to housing the Eighth Grade World War II Museum Exhibit in the library. The
eighth grade students have been hard at work preparing for their displays!
Our Battle of the Books Club is gearing up for the Semi-Final competition on March 3rd at Trailside
Middle School! They have been preparing for this competition since October and we know they are going
to shine. The B.O.B. Club, led by Ms. Gwinn-Casey and Ms. Kessler, and our 22 well-read, prepared, and
fierce battlers wish to thank Mrs. Branch for serving as judge and Mrs. Cox for serving as emcee for the
Semi-Final Competition. Family members, friends, and faculty members are invited to be members of the
audience. We are proud of the students, and know that through literature, knowledge, communication
skills, and teamwork they are ready for The Battle! The final battle will be held on March 17th at Trailside
Middle School as well. Good Luck!
The SOL writing test for 8th grade will run March 8th through March 11th. There will be testing in the
library.
Loudoun County Schools will be out for Spring Break March 22nd through March 26th. We wish students
and their families a very relaxing Spring Break!
The library was hopping in February! We enjoyed seeing the books that students and staff shared for
“Love a Book” Month. Students had a blast with our Teen Tech Week Makerspace Reveal, including
Cubelets Robotics, 3-D Goggles, Legos, Duct Tape, Snap Circuits, Magnets, Musical Keyboard, and
more! We would like to thank those of you that donated items for our stations!
We celebrated Black History Month by placing a variety of books on display throughout the library. Our
library helpers did a fantastic job of creating “Who Am I” segments to be read on the morning
announcements.
Come visit the Book Fair during RiverCon! More to follow…
Scholastic Book Fair April 8th – 16th Belmont Ridge Library
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Math Academy!
Who: Any BEMS Math 6 Student
What: Extra support in mastering Math 6 concepts though peer tutoring
from 8th grade students
When: Wednesday mornings from 7:40-8:15 a.m.
Beginning Wednesday, February 10!!
Where: Mrs. Raffensperger’s Room-C10
Why: Because math is:
- Fundamental
- Functional
- Fun!
How: Every Wednesday, students can arrive after 7:30 am to receive extra
support from 8th grade peer tutors on concepts of their choice. We will
reinforce content covered in the LCPS Curriculum Framework and Virginia
State Standards of Learning (SOL).
Questions? Contact Mrs. Raffensperger ([email protected]) or
Mrs. Nord ([email protected])
Belmont Ridge Middle School Presents Disney’s The Little Mermaid
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Summer 2016 Math Boot Camp Summer Math Boot Camp registration will is OPEN.
https://fs4.formsite.com/bemsptso/form28/index.html
Math Boot Camp will review necessary skills from the previous school
year, make connections to new material and key vocabulary, and
preview topics covered in the first quarter.
Current Class Boot Camp
All current 5th
graders………………………………..
Middle School Math I
All current Math 6
students………………………
Middle School Math II
All current Math 6/7 or Math 7
students…..
Algebra 1
All current Algebra 1
students……………………
Geometry
All current Geometry
students………………….
Algebra 2
No refunds or changes after June 30, 2016
Session 1: August 1-5
Session 2: August 8-12
MS Math I Algebra 1 8:30-10:30 MS Math II Geometry
MS Math I Algebra 2/trig 11:00-1:00
MS Math II
Algebra 1
MS Math II Geometry
1:30-3:30 MS Math I Algebra 1
MS Math I 4:00-6:00 Algebra 2/trig
Questions: Contact Christine Spinosa at [email protected]
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Free Children’s Dental Clinic Day For Very Young Children and
Children with Special Health Care Needs
When? Saturday, March 19, 2016
Where? HealthWorks for Northern Virginia
Dental Clinic, Suite 160
163 Fort Evans Road NE
Leesburg, VA 20176
Who qualifies for this free clinic?
Children three years old or under
or
Children with special health care needs under 21 years old
How do I make an appointment?
Call (703) 443-2000 and ask for the dental clinic
What about my income?
There are no income restrictions for this program.
Who can bring my child?
A legal guardian must be present to sign the consent for dental
treatment and remain at the clinic during the child’s care.
Co-sponsored by the Virginia Department of Health and Virginia Dental Association Foundation
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Hoops for Heart 2016
The Belmont Ridge P.E. Department will kick off its Annual Hoops for Heart Fundraiser
to support the American Heart Association on March 2nd and 3rd.
There are 3 ways to get involved this year:
1. Collect donations though the Donations packet. Donation Packets go home on March 2nd
and 3rd though your P.E. classes.
2. Create a team and participate in the 3 on 3 Basketball tournament. You will register through
your PE class. To create a team it is $10 per person, up to 5 players and you will play during
your P.E. class on March 17th and 18th.
SHOWCASE TEAM: The teams that sign up to play in the tournament will be challenged to raise additional donations. The two top raising teams each block will be rewarded with the opportunity to play against a team of teachers, counselors, administrators, etc. for the last 10-15 minutes. Tournament spectator and raffle ticket donations will be accepted beginning March 4th-March 18th. Students can purchase as many raffle tickets as they wish. Each ticket is a $2 donation. There will be multiple raffles each block for exciting prizes. The more tickets you buy the better your chances of winning!
3. Create an online account through American Heart Association to collect donations.
SPIRIT DAYS: March 17th wear RED; March 18th wear WHITE to support Hoops for Heart.
Thank you in advance for your continued support of Hoops for Heart and the American Heart
Association.
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Counselor’s Corner… 8th Grade News: The decision letters for the Academy of Science will be sent in March. The CAMPUS application deadline is Friday, April 1, 2016. Summer News: Monroe Tech’s Career Camp is being held this summer from June 20-24 from 9:30 am – 1 pm. Register by April 27, 2016. Workshops are held in the fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and practical arts. Please see attached flyer. Applications can be found on the MTC website, www.lcps.org/mtc
Riverhawk Productions needs your help!
As we build and create many of the props needed for the BEMS musical, The Little
Mermaid, we could use some help! The following link will send you to a list of prop items
needed. Please allow us to borrow these items until April 11th. Items are needed ASAP.
Thank you!
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0b4dadaf22a75-riverhawk
Lost & Found
Our Lost & Found tables are over flowing again! Please ask your
child/children to check the Lost & Found tables in each of the House areas for
jackets, sweatshirts, umbrellas, books, pencil pouches, agendas, lunch boxes,
water bottles, folders, and binders. Lost lunch boxes can also be found in the
café. Please check with the House Secretaries and front office as well for any
lost items that can’t be located on the tables, such as eye glasses, cell phones,
jewelry, flash drives, and iPods. Any items not picked up before March 17th
will be thrown away or donated. Thank you for your help!
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