Thunderblast Weekly
April 11, 2021
Proactive vs. Reactive
Regarding Seneca, I am so proud of the proactive measures we have taken to develop an inclusive concurrent learning setup. Our health mitigation protocols are working and we are ready for all hybrid students to come back April 20. Parents have been communicating about illnesses and students have been staying home with the sniffles until they are absolutely sure they are well enough to be in school.
A second area to be proactive is concerning our performance in classes throughout the quarter. We need to start this new quarter on Tuesday fresh with the mindset that if we want to improve our final performance for the year, April 13 is so much more effective than June 11. Being attentive in classes and attending office hours and resource will be integral as we look to close the year out on a high note. I am hoping we don't get caught off guard and find ourselves down 3 touchdowns at halftime.
Next week's theme: the more, the merrier.
Important Reminder
Concurrent Learning
As we prepare to go back to 4 days/ week for hybrid students on April 20, please see some important notes below:
- Wait List Form: Please fill this out if your family would like to switch options from distance to hybrid or vice versa. We are currently accommodating groups on a two-week cycle.
- Outdoor Cafe: We are getting all students out of the lunch room as soon as they have finished eating to make sure we can do a thorough clean between lunch shifts and because we believe the fresh air is good for our students. Please continue to monitor the weather and be prepared as we will all be going outside regularly this spring.
- Indoor Cafe: This is the one area where we will be crowded at 4 days/ week and will be looking to spread students in different areas of the building as creatively as possible. Outside eating will be a huge benefit as we progress.
Special Permisison
This spring, for the 2021-2022 school year, we currently have 14, 10, and 14 students signing up from 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. Please, please, please, if you are thinking of special permission to the GREATEST MIDDLE SCHOOL east of the Mississippi, it will really help us to get those applications done immediately. We cannot schedule your child until they are officially in the system and we hire staff based on course enrollment. Looking forward to more students riding this good wave we have going on.
Virtual Battle of Route 7
Unified Mental Health Team (UMHT)
PBIS Highlights
Staff of the Week
Ms. Oakes
Mr. Peck
8th Grade
7th Grade
7th Grade:
Celebrating Our Amazing Students!
Clubs
Book Club: The next meeting for 6th and 7th book club is Wednesday April 21 from 4:30-5:30 PM using this meet link. The Schoology group code is M2RC-RC6Z-VWWMH.
Soccer Club: Join Ms. Terry and the crew on the field on Tuesdays including April 13 from 3:30-4:30 PM. All are welcome!
PTO Corner
Something to Ponder: The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities. -- Stephen Covey
Spirit Night TOMORROW at Burger21! Join us tomorrow, Monday, April 12, for some great food from Burger 21 at 21305 Windmill Parc Dr Suite 160 in Sterling. Mention Seneca and the school will receive 20% of purchases between 5 and 8 pm.
You've Been Bolted! Orders Now Closed: Thank you so much for your OVERWHELMING support! We've had such a huge response to the You've Been Bolted campaign that we've had to close orders. Be on the lookout through your neighborhoods over the next couple months to see where the bolts will show up next! If you weren't able to bolt your friend this year, stay tuned, we'll be back next year!
Papa Johns Virtual Discount Cards are now available! For just $15 you receive a free pizza for every regular menu priced pizza purchased at papajohns.com! You can use the card code 50 times by April 2022 on both delivery and carryout orders. Valid at 150 locations throughout VA, DC and MD. Contact Jamie Egbert at jdmegbert@gmail.com or Jill Pope at jillrpope@gmail.com to purchase your virtual card today!
8th Grade Families:
· Celebration Date Change: The 8th Grade Class Celebration has been moved to Friday, June 11, outside on the Seneca basketball courts. Sign up to help with celebration HERE. If you have a business that would be interested in sponsoring this event, please contact Monika Deaton at monikadeaton@yahoo.com or Jamie Egbert at jdmegbert@gmail.com.
· Congratulatory Yard Signs: SRMS Yard Signs congratulating your 8th Grader on completing middle school are now available! Signs cost $25 and will be personalized with your student’s name. Click HERE to order.
SRMS Shorts & Masks Available: Check out our new gear today! Order online by each Thursday and pick up in the main office that Friday.
PRS & SEAC: To sign up for PRS' newsletter on current resources and events at their website. For more information on SEAC please visit their website, or email our SEAC Representative, Jill Pope.
Next PTO Meeting: Our next meeting is April 21 at 6:00 pm and our Board Representative, Atoosa Reaser, plans to attend. Go to meet.google.com/uek-nfni-inx. Or join by phone at +1 617-675-4444 with PIN: 835 053 291 7550#
Other ways to get involved:
- Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
- Make a donation to the SRMS PTO and get your company to match it
- Download the Boxtops for Education app and scan your grocery receipts
- Link your Amazon account to Seneca and earn free money for the school
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