Thunderblast Weekly
October 24, 2021
Building Back Trust
With that line of thinking, open communication is a great way for us to find common ground and share ideas. We will have a Parent Coffee and Student Cocoa on November 1, 2021 from 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM using this GOOGLE MEET LINK. Please post your questions on this Q & A Document so we can generate responses ahead of time.
COVID Updates
We did not have any positive cases reported this week. With 5 total cases in the building in 8 total weeks, and zero transmissions, our system is working. Thank you for your diligence in these efforts.
You can continue to help by checking on the health of your kids prior to attending each day and signing up to support us at lunch. Lunch Volunteer Sign-Up. We have also noticed many are in open communication with the clinic about staying home when having even light symptoms. You have been proactive in sharing negative tests. Your partnership is the reason our numbers are so good. Thank you!!!
Spirit Days
- In honor of October as Breast Cancer Awareness month, SGA is asking for all students and staff to wear pink to support so many we know and love.
Thursday, October 28: Halloween Costumes
- Let's close the quarter with a little fun. Appropriate costumes that don't include full masks, weapons, or alcohol/ drug references are welcome. Students, my family agreed that Hocus Pocus was our favorite Halloween movie. Let me know in the hallways which is yours so I can build a list.
November 3rd and 5th Calendar Changes
Thursday, October 28 - Regular School Day- End of Quarter 1
Friday, October 29 - STUDENT HOLIDAY (County-wide Staff Development)
Monday, November 1 - STUDENT HOLIDAY (Planning/Records/Conference Days)
Tuesday, November 2 - STUDENT/STAFF HOLIDAY
UPDATE: Wednesday, November 3 - Teacher Planning Day / Student Asynchronous Learning Day
Thursday, November 4 - STUDENT/STAFF HOLIDAY
UPDATE: Friday, November 5 - Teacher Planning Day / Student Asynchronous Learning Day
This will look very similar to asynchronous days last year. Teachers will communicate the work ahead of time and everything will be posted as early as possible, with the absolute latest being 8:00 AM on the mornings of November 3rd and 5th. Assignments should take approximately 45 minutes per class. We will not have summative work these days. Our building will be open for lunch pick-up, but many of us will be working from home as we will focus on deep cleaning.
Tik Tok Challange
The monthly challenge with students demonstrating poor behavior choices has not been a thing at Seneca. Still, when it comes to respect other people’s personal space and property, it is not a joking matter. Families, please have the discussion about the possible topics each month so we can keep rolling by celebrating the positive behaviors and not addressing the negative.
October: Smack a staff member on the backside.
November: Kiss your friend’s girlfriend at school.
December: Deck the halls and show your b****.
January: Jab a breast.
February: Mess up school signs.
March: Make a mess in the courtyard or cafeteria.
April: Grab some “eggs” (another theft challenge).
May: Ditch Day.
June: Flip off the front office.
Staffing
Aside from continuing to interview, what are the next steps? Advertising. Many positions we have opened do not require a teaching license and allow for community members to contribute according to their schedules. It is false to assume that all positions require full time work every day. There are places for substitutes to do part-time. We have been flexible with schedules. Now, there is a posting for clinic assistants to support our nurse. If you are ever interested in these options, email me directly and I will help you get started.
Screenagers
It was great to see a few families from Dominion and Seneca. Much of the film was anecdotal, with touchpoints on various studies. Below are a few take homes I jotted down during the viewing:
A student w/ anxiety and depression may use screen time as an opportunity to disengage further.
When it comes to video games, your typical teenage boys will spend 11.3 hours/ week.
Grand Theft Auto- which included violent adult themes, had approximately 40% of 9 year-olds playing it.
40% of teenagers have no afterschool activities at all.
Multitasking- you are doing worse and worse at everything you are doing due to a lack of focus, but you feel like you are doing better and better. Overstimulation tires the brain.
Unified Mental Health Team (UMHT)
Loudoun County Public Schools is offering a Signs of Suicide Training for parents on Wednesday, November 10 from 7-8:30 pm at the Academies of Loudoun.
Attention 8th grade Families: The deadline to apply for the Academies of Loudoun is Monday, October 25th at 11:00 pm.
For more news from Seneca’s UMHT, please click here.
PBIS- Students of the Week
Thanks for continuing to earn Bolt Bucks and Strengthen your CORE!!!
7th Grade: Genesis Sorto
6th Grade: Zachary Portillo
PBIS-- Staff of the Week
PTO Corner
Choolah Restaurant Night - Monday, November 8th 11AM - 8PM
Save the Date for Family Paint Night – Friday, November 12th
Add a pop of color at Seneca Ridge Middle School by painting a ceiling tile that will adorn our cafeteria for years to come! Join us for Family Paint Night on November 12th and share your creativity! We supply the paint and you supply the creativity! More details and registration information are coming soon. We will be needing parent volunteers for this event. Please sign up if you can help. Paint Night Volunteer Sign-Up
November 10 at 4PM - Next PTO Meeting (SRMS Library - in person)
If you haven’t already, please follow us on:
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/senecaridgemiddleschool
Twitter https://twitter.com/@SRMS_PTO
Check us out!
Email: nick.cottone@lcps.org
Website: https://www.lcps.org/Page/30563
Location: 98 Seneca Ridge Drive, Sterling, VA, USA
Phone: 571-434-4420
Twitter: @SRMS_Official