Blue Ridge MS
Semester Two Learning January 15, 2021
Semester Two Learning Update
The previously announced return to hybrid in-person instruction for our students on January 21 has been postponed indefinitely. All students will continue to receive instruction remotely until community conditions improve, and LCPS will communicate the decision to return to in-person learning directly to parents when that determination is made. At this time, all students continue to receive instruction in the 100% Distance Learning model. The CDC-recommended Core Indicators that LCPS uses to determine whether hybrid in-person learning should occur remain above the levels that would allow in-person instruction to take place. No date has been identified for when in-person instruction can resume; a date will be announced once community conditions improve.
New bell schedule for semester two. Beginning January 21, we will follow a new bell schedule with an 8:50 start time. Advisory will take place during block one or five. The new bell schedule will allow for daily time consistency regardless of learning model (100% distance learning or hybrid learning). The only difference between bell schedules is lunch. The 100% distance learning schedule has 1 lunch shift for all students while the hybrid bell schedule has 3 lunch shifts by grade level. The new bell schedule is pictured below and linked here.
Bell Schedule - 100% Distance Learning - Begins January 21
Transportation information. Transportation information will be available in ParentVue when LCPS determines that students will return to in-person learning.
Learning lab instructional change. To provide more flexibility, the division has adjusted class learning lab length and use for independent and collaborative learning practice. Parents should anticipate a similar use for independent practice time in a more flexible setting.
Semester 2 class changes for grade 6 and grade 7 students. Starting January 21, students in 6th and 7th grade will start their semester 2 class. For grade 6, students will change to either art or computer applications. In 7th grade, students will move to either technology education or family and consumer science. These new class tiles will show in students' Schoology by January 19.
Informational and return to school orientation videos and documents:
Watch! Hybrid return to school informational video
Watch! Helpful information for returning hybrid students
Watch! PE instructional plan for hybrid return
Read! LCPS Mitigation Plans
Materials Pick Up Day - January 19
Reminder to those 2nd Semester students in Art and FACS that received an email from their teacher, there will be a materials pick-up on Tuesday, January 19 from 12:30 - 3:30. Please enter campus through the kiss and go and proceed to the back of the building where a staff member will assist you.
Coming Soon! Parent Coffee - Feb 4 at 7pm
We are excited to announce that we will be hosting a Parent Coffee on “Managing Stress During Hybrid & Distance Learning” on February 4 at 7pm. Our guest speaker for the Parent Coffee will be Andrea (Lee) Israel, PhD. She is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in child and adolescent development.
During the Parent Coffee, she will reflect on common sources of academic stress for middle school students and identify other stressors which may arise for families and their students in a time of uncertainty. The discussion will include strategies for managing parent and student stress to optimize the learning experience.
Please complete the survey below if you are thinking about attending. This survey will allow us to anticipate the number of parents interested in attending and will also allow Andrea (Lee) Israel to focus on specific concerns parents are having regarding their child’s stress levels and/or ability to manage their stress in general.
Black History Month Recognition
The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) was founded in 1915 by Dr. Carter G Woodson. Its mission is to promote, research, preserve, interpret and disseminate information about Black life, history and culture to the global community. Each year, a theme is provided to focus the public’s attention.
Student’s at Blue Ridge Middle School will honor this year’s Black History Month theme, “The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity,” during the month of February through their Social Science classes. Student’s will highlight defining events, such as the American Revolution and the Man on the Moon, while honoring African American representation. The culminating activity will be to create a U.S. Commemorative Stamp which will be shared amongst the grade level.
Winter MAP Testing
Blue Ridge will be administering MAP Reading and Math Growth assessments to students through Advisory class on the following dates:
Monday, January 25 - Reading MAP - 9:00am
Monday, February 1 - Math MAP - 9:00am
Prior to testing, students will complete several important pre-test steps so they are ready to test on MAP day. Linked here is a helpful document called A Parent's Guide to Remote MAP Test Support.
While we will do everything we can to ensure a smooth test administration, there will likely be one or more interruptions during testing. The MAP test requires a large amount of bandwidth and is susceptible to freezing or shutting down. If your student experiences multiple interruptions/technical issues during testing and is unable to meaningfully continue with the test, please use the Google Meet chat to communicate immediately with their Teacher/Proctor.
Grade 8 Writing SOL Information
The 8th grade Writing SOL test is scheduled for March 8-15. The VDOE requires that students in any instructional model (100% distance or hybrid) must attend school in person to participate in SOL testing. We understand that some families may have concerns about the in-person testing requirement. Parents who do NOT wish for their student to participate in the Writing 8 SOL test in March may indicate their refusal by completing this Parent Refusal form by February 1, 2021.
Writing SOL Schedule
3/8 - Distance Learning students - Multiple Choice
3/9 - TW Hybrid students - Multiple Choice
3/10 - TW Hybrid students - Short Paper
3/11 - RF Hybrid students - Multiple Choice
3/12 - RF Hybrid students - Short Paper
3/15 - Distance Learning students - Short Paper
Content specific SOL questions may be addressed to your child’s teacher. Questions regarding assessment administration or requirements may be addressed to Matt.Bolen@lcps.org, Assistant Principal and School Test Coordinator for Blue Ridge MS at (540) 751-2520.
Sign Up for Remind
TJ Admissions Update - Application Window
Unified Mental Health Team Updates
Important PTO Information
All Bucks for Bulldogs donations have been processed! We are so grateful for your support. Please pop into the Front Lobby and collect your goodies (stickers, masks, sweatshirts). All items are bundled and labeled. Carefully sort through items to find yours.
Upcoming Events:
2/9: Spirit Night at Chick-fil-A Spirit
2/16: PTO Meeting virtually at 7pm
PTO Newsletter
Learn how to sign up for the PTO newsletter, Bulldog Bytes, by clicking HERE.
Business Partnerships
If you are interested in learning more about BRMS Business Partnerships, click HERE.
Technical Support for Students
If a Chromebook fails in some way, which impedes access, please use another device to access Google and/or try one of the following troubleshooting tips: 1) In Settings, click on About Chrome and check for updates, 2) Clear Cache from All Time, 3) Turn off your Chromebook, then turn it back on.
Students may receive technical support through one of the following methods:
Call the Technology Support Center at (571) 252-2112
The Technology Support Center will be staffed from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., M-F (excluding holidays).
NJROTC Information
The NJROTC Admissions Application for the 2021 – 2022 school year will open at 8:00 AM EST on Monday, November 30, 2020.
The application is only open to current LCPS Grade 8 students. The application is completed through an online application portal and will be available on Monday, November 30, 2020 through Friday, January 22, 2021 (due by 11:59 PM EST).
Interested students may visit www.lcps.org/cte (Military Science Admissions for 2021 - 2022 School Year) on or after 8:00 AM EST on Monday, November 30, 2020 to complete the online application.
More information can be found in the link below:
BRMS PTO
Officers
President: Danielle Kabban: president@brmspto.org
First VP: Christine Bartlett: firstvp@brmspto.org
Second VP: Kelly Schober: secondvp@brmspto.org
Secretary: Kathi Reich: secretary@brmspto.org
Treasurer: Karyna Tarbox: treasurer@brmspto.org
Coordinators
Theater: Jennifer Zisk and Kelly Schober: drama@brmspto.org
Volunteer & Events: Amelia Hertzberg: volunteer@brmspto.org
Hospitality: Megan Nugent: hospitality@brmspto.org
MSAAC Volunteer: Susan Swayzem: saac@brmspto.org
Bulldogs Give Back Coordinator: Erin Schroeder: givesback@brmspto.org
A Message from our School Nurse
Welcome to the 2020-21 School Year at Blue Ridge Middle School!
I hope this message finds you healthy and excited to begin the new school year.
With the majority of our students starting the school year with distance learning, I would still like to keep your child’s health info up to date. If your child has a health concern, I still want to know so that teachers can be aware in the event there is an emergency while online. I also want to be ready for when schools do reopen. While you may not be bringing medications to school at this time, you can begin sending in action plans and doctor’s orders when you have them. If your child has a new health concern, I want to know about that as well.
Loudoun County Public Schools requires a new provider/physician orders each school year for the medication or specialized care which your child receives at school. If your child will continue to need medication or specialized health care at school, you and your child’s physician must complete and sign the proper form(s). The required forms are available online at www.lcps.org. Click on the “Families” tab and the forms will be found under Medication at School. The forms should be returned to me via email (MaryAnn.stetter@lcps.org) or fax (540-338-6823). Below is a list of health conditions with information about the required medical form:
· Medical Condition
· Severe Allergy and Epinephrine auto-injector
· Seizures
· Asthma with Inhaler and/or Nebulizer
· Diabetes
· Current Medical Procedures, i.e. tube feeding, catheterizations
· New Health Concerns or Medical Procedures
· Authorization for Medication Administration
Please contact me if I can be of any further assistance to you. I hope to see you and your child back at school soon.
MaryAnn Stetter RN
540-751-2520
BRMS Statement on Equity
The Unified Mental Health Team at Blue Ridge wants to acknowledge the many incidents involving race and social injustices that have occurred nationally over the past several weeks.
These incidents are not only unjust but they can have a traumatic impact on students and staff during these challenging times.
Blue Ridge Middle School rejects racism and all forms of hateful behavior and language in our school community. We pledge to provide a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all our students and families. This will continue to be important work as we move into next school year, and we are committed to continuing this conversation with staff, students and families.
We are pleased to announce our Blue Ridge Equity Team Co-leads: 8th grade counselor Ms. Savastano and Civics teacher - Mrs. Benalayat.
We hope that the below resources will be helpful in talking with your children and families about these issues.