Thunderblast Weekly
January 24, 2021
Celebrations
I’m happy to take this mid-year break to celebrate some of the great things at Seneca. Starting with our parent coffee, we have had a number of great questions that focused on the end of the quarter. Since then, we have had a number of phone conversations and meetings where partnering up was integral throughout. There is no question distance learning has placed a new burden on every one of us. Our ability to problem solve together is our greatest and most necessary skill and all stakeholders have been ready to get to the table.
I sincerely, thank you for this. Perhaps more than anything else, this sense of community is what we want to celebrate most.... I always write the blast early, so maybe we are celebrating Tom Brady losing today :)
Next week’s theme: engagement. What can we do as we start this new semester to reinvigorate and re-engage?
Important Information
Photos
School Photo Schedule: Photo day is TOMORROW! The code has been added to the form (my apologies)- srms7441.
The picture below will guide you. Parents will enter Seneca’s parking lot, drive through our bus loop, and pull up around the main gym. Students enter the main gym at the yellow bolt and exit at the blue bolt (this works for walkers as well). Parents stay in the car while students come in and out (staff will be outside guiding you).
If you cannot make your scheduled time, you can come at the best time for your family.
Last Names
A - E _____ 8:00 - 9:00
F - J _____ 9:00 - 10:00
K - O _____ 11:00 - 12:00
P - T______ 1:00 - 2:00
U - Z______ 2:00 - 3:00
Yearbook
It is hard to believe but we are only 12 weeks away from sending our 2021 yearbook off to the publishers!!! This year, it is going to take everyone's support to help make the book possible. As you know, we are currently asking parents and students to share their pictures with us so we can put together a book. Here are some ideas of what we would love to see:
distance learning at home
sports/outdoor activities outside of school
music/cooking/building/creative activities outside of school
socially distant friend gatherings
student artwork and other projects created at home (send a picture of it)
and for all of our budding writers, a one paragraph reflection on what you feel you will have learned from this whole Covid experience...what did it teach you or what are your thoughts? Please include your name and your grade.
Feel free to email what you are willing to share to vbidegan@lcps.org. Thank you so much for helping our editorial staff create a book that students will always remember!
ELL Testing: ACCESS for ELLs testing will take place at Seneca Ridge on January 25 and February 22. These tests are required for ELL students that have scored level 1.0-4.3 on last year's test. Refer to Mr. Seipt's Wednesday email for more information. Parents - please let us know how your child is going to get to school so that we can plan for their arrival:
United Mental Health Team (UMHT): Last week Seneca's Counseling Team presented this year’s course selection timeline to students during Storm. For details, please listen to our Course Selection announcement. Below is the slide I discussed at the parent coffee. More in the upcoming weeks.
For more news from the Counseling Team & UMHT, please click here
PBIS Highlights
6th Grade Teacher/Staff shout outs to students
7th Grade Teacher/Staff shout outs to students
8th Grade Teacher/Staff shout outs to students
6th Grade shout outs to our Teachers/Staff
7th Grade shout outs to our Teachers/Staff
8th Grade shout outs to our Teachers/Staff
Staff of the Week
Ms. MacMillan
Mr. Bland
PTO Corner
Something to Ponder:
Life is a Celebration,
Celebrate it with Love…..
Life is a Dream,
Fulfill it with Hope…..
Life is a Struggle,
Face it Confidently….
Life is a Song,
Sing it Heartily….
----Archana Tripathy
Join us at our next meeting! This Wednesday, January 27 at 6:00 pm. Go to meet.google.com/uek-nfni-inx. Or join by phone at +1 617-675-4444 with PIN: 835 053 291 7550#
PRS & SEAC: The next SEAC meeting will be February 3, 2021 at 6 pm and feature a presentation on Hidden Disabilities and Executive Functioning. PRS is having several presentations this month including a Mental Health and Wellness Conference on January 30. To sign up for PRS' newsletter visit their website. For more information on SEAC please visit their website, or email our SEAC Representative, Jill Pope, directly.
Stay Tuned: Spirit Night at Chik Fil A coming in February!
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
- Purchase Seneca Gear to show your school spirit!
Attendance
How to 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.
Click here (don’t forget to put your child’s first and last name)
Call our Attendance line- 571-434-4422 (least preferred option)
Reminders
Monday’s Schedule:
Advisory: 9:00-9:15AM
Office Hours:
1:00-2:00PM Math, SS, World Languages, FACS, Tech Ed, Art
2:00-3:00PM English, Science, Health & PE, Music
Technology Support
As we transition support to in our building (when possible) or at Dominion High School, the best way to reach out for support is to contact your grade level administrative assistant.
6th Grade- Jennifer.Ramos@lcps.org or 571-434-4426
7th Grade- kelly.dales@lcps.org or 571-434-4427
8th Grade- Mimi.Chung@lcps.org or 571-434-4428
Fweeee... if you made it this far, I might as well offer more CELEBRATIONS...
New Displays
Lemons
Lemonade
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