Thunderblast Weekly
August 21, 2022
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Mindset
The passage above exemplifies what we are looking to accomplish this year. There are so many encounters each day that when viewed with a certain lens can be frustrating and awful, or amazing and uplifting. If we continue to communicate, share ideas, and assume positive intentions, this will truly be our best year yet... and we have had some good ones. Here's to an awesome first week and a great year!
Thunder Day
- Get your paper schedule in block A1-2;
- Walk your schedule and meet your teachers;
- Set up your lockers;
- and get all of your questions answered.
Those interested in supplies, please head to the cafeteria. Those who want to learn about ParentVUE and Schoology, please go to the computer lab in C17.
Parking- because of the number of cars parking, we will remove cones for our normal kiss and ride and direct traffic. Once our lot fills, we will put a sign up at the 4-way stop signs and direct cars to Dominion HS.
Kiss & Ride
- Students should walk or bus whenever possible.
- Add 5-10 minutes during inclement weather.
- Drop students anywhere on the green area (see below) and continue to move as far up as possible so we can stage the maximum number of cars at one time.
- AM: Doors open at 8:00. The Kiss and Ride doesn't slow down substantially until 8:20. Class begins at 8:30.
- PM: Dismissal bell is at 3:18. If you arrive at 3:40, which is perfectly acceptable, you will not have to wait at all.
- New This Year! You can drop-off and pick-up students in Dominion's Kiss and Ride too. This will help you avoid some of the traffic in our bottle neck.
- Trying to improvise on campus or in the walk zone can be a safety hazard for our children and is unacceptable.
Every year, I receive multiple correspondences about how to make this more efficient. Trust me when I tell you, we have been working on this for years, problem solving with parents, safety and security, and Loudoun County Sheriff's Office. This is the most efficient and safe way to handle pick-up and drop-off. Remember to assume positive intentions. Thank you for your patience!
First Day Information
Please sign into ParentVUE to complete the Online Verification process as part of Loudoun County Public Schools’ First Day of School Information initiative. This process is required for all families to review and update important information about their students as we begin the 2022-23 school year, and must be completed no later than Friday, September 23. Once completed, you will be able to view student schedules in ParentVUE.
If you do not have a ParentVUE account, please contact the main office to request an Activation Letter.
COVID Protocols for 2022-2023
COVID-19 information has been updated on the website. Students and visitors are not required to wear a mask in schools or on LCPS property. We encourage all families to talk to their students about their mask decisions.
I was not prepared to go into details regarding COVID at the parent coffee since COVID did not play a significant part in our community after January 2022. Still, it is important to know the plan. I copied highlights from the Mitigation Plan above.
Reporting a COVID-19 Case
Please let Nurse Hansen know if your student has been diagnosed with or tested positive for COVID-19. VDH guidance states that persons who test positive (regardless of vaccination status) should isolate themselves at home for at least 5 days. If they are asymptomatic or symptoms are resolving and they have been fever-free for 24 hours, they may return to programming after Day 5, provided that either:
- If the individual is able to mask, they should do so through Day 10.
- If the individual is unable or unwilling to mask during this time (including children under age 2), VDH recommends a negative test on or after Day 6 in order to return to programming
- OR the person should remain home through day 10.
We will recommend, but not require, that students follow these recommendations. Check VDH guidance.
If a student is exposed to someone who tests positive, and they are asymptomatic, they DO NOT need to quarantine at home.
Unified Mental Health Team (UMHT)
Did you know Seneca has a Unified Mental Health Team? Often referred to as UMHT. Please click here to see the members and a message from the team!
We look forward to seeing you on Thunder Day. For those interested, school supplies will be available in the cafeteria. Members of our UMHT will also be holding informational sessions in room C-17 regarding ParentVue and Schoology. We look forward to seeing you there!
Parent Coffee
Clubs & Activities
Registration will come out next week. Please email me nick.cottone@lcps.org if you are a parent and are interested in sponsoring/ supporting Gardening Club, Math Counts, Science Olympiad, Odyssey of the Mind, or any new ideas. We love partnering with you!
Seneca Gardening Club
Back To School Night Substitution
Check out this BTSN Video by the division and our school board members. This 5 minute video touches upon safety expectations and the vision of Ms. Reaser and Ms. Sheridan.
New Online Payment Tool - SchoolCash
The division is very excited to announce the launch of SchoolCash Online, a new online payment system that allows parents to pay for school-related fees, including everything from field trips to yearbooks.
How does it work?
SchoolCash Online is the industry leader in the safe and secure management of school fees. Schools post their items and activities and assign the relevant fees to your student, so you can then make purchases online using your credit card. This allows you to keep track of the school fees that require your attention.
You are encouraged to register, using the flyers below.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to our Business and Finance Team at: lcpssaf@lcps.org.On Thunder Day, you can purchase PE Uniforms in-person, or you can do it now online and pick them up. We are encouraging families to sign-up soon as we will use this platform for all SRMS purchases. Online PE Uniforms.
Next Year's Suggested Supply List
PTO Corner
Welcome Back Breakfast
I'm hijacking PTO corner for a second to thank all of those parents who donated time and treats for breakfast for our entire staff on our first day with everyone back. We always feel supported and special at Seneca because of your hard work and generosity!
JOIN SRMS PTO!!
Please support our school and join the PTO. It’s a great way to get involved with the happenings here at Seneca Ridge. JOIN HERE
1st PTO Meeting:
Our 1st PTO meeting will be held on Sept 14th. We hope to see as many of you as possible, so please plan to join us for this informational meeting. More details to follow.
Spirit Night/Restaurant Night at Choolaah! (see flyer below)
Our first restaurant night is coming up. It will be held on Sept 12th from 11am - 8pm. Stop by Choolaah at any time during that window and mention SRMS. For each sale, 30% of the proceeds will go directly to Seneca Ridge PTO. What a delicious way to support our school. See you there!
Technology Support
How do I Report Absences?
In Parent VUE- Reporting an Absence in ParentVUE (preferred option)
Please submit before 8:30am - Friendly reminder, after 8:30am the system automatically denies the request because attendance has been taken by a teacher and you will be notified that your child is not attending.
Call Attendance Line- 571-434-4422 (least preferred option)
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