Thunderblast Weekly
February 28, 2021
Game Time!
There's no more practices left. All details have been shared. At this point, we're ready to get on the court, steal the ball from Karl Malone in the final seconds, possibly push off Byron Russell, but who could call an offensive foul there, then celebrate our accomplishments. Game on!
Next week's theme- Reflection.
Virtual Black History Event
I don't know why it always surprises me to hear from our students. I know what they are capable of, but to observe their depth of knowledge, keen insights, and confidence in presenting, was truly inspirational. Please enjoy the evening's presentation for a little inspiration. My favorite part was reading the chat during presentations. The comments were so positive and kind. We are a heart first community for sure!
8th Grader: Aleena Naveed
6th Grade: Iryne Jackson
8th Grader: Tara Orojeni
Action Required! SOL Testing Information
For the May SOL tests (Reading, Math, and Science,) we are still waiting to hear back from most of our 6th and 7th grade families. Please take a moment to let us know if you want your child to participate in SOL testing by filling out the SOL Participation survey. As a reminder, choosing the parent refusal option will not affect their grade or how much their teachers love them. 🙂 If you need more information, please consult the SOL FAQ document or email Mr. Seipt - mitchell.seipt@lcps.org.
We will be administering the 8th grade Writing SOL on Monday, March 1 and Monday, March 8 from 8:30-12:30. If you are choosing to have your child participate, they should arrive around 8:15 and should bring a mask, charged Chromebook, Chromebook charger, and a water bottle. If your child is riding the bus to come in for testing, please check this Testing Bus Routes document (the stops and times for testing buses are different from what you see in ParentVUE.) When students are finished their test, they may walk home, call for a ride, or wait for the bus until 12:30.
Concurrent Learning
New Schedule on Wednesday, March 3: First Day for Concurrent Learning; New Bell Schedule Begins. This is posted on our website now. You can click on this Concurrent Learning Bell Schedule to make a copy and personalize it to your classes.
Bus Information: Found in ParentVUE under student information. The list we sent last week was for SOLs only. My apologies for the confusion.
Q & A form from Thursday: There were only 3 questions here and 2 were related to SOLs. Please consider reaching out to house administrative assistants rather than emailing or continuing to use this form. I can tell you I will not be at my computer during the day for a good part of this week to ensure we are refining our health mitigation protocols.
Interims and a Plug for Reading
My kids are spent when it comes to screentime and online schooling during the week. We have made it a priority to review Parent/StudentVUE together on Saturday and use that to take small chunks of the weekend to catch up. This keeps us from being overwhelmed as a family.
After reviewing winter MAP data for the division and Seneca, the worry about students falling behind with distant learning was alleviated a bit. Students are performing well in general. That being said, if we have one place to grow as a school, it is reading. Please consider adding reading into part of the nighttime and weekend routine. It will pay dividends in the future.
Unified Mental Health Team (UMHT)
Interested in winning a grand prize valued at $200?- Enter the Youth Virtual Talent Competition! Check out the information below!
Translating Our Newsletter
Photos
Photo makeups on March 5 and March 9 from 8-10 AM. Families will drop students at the front of the building and wait for them to come back out. At that point, we will have our blue cones and parking lot serpentine back up for arrival and dismissal. Because pictures are during student arrival, we are asking that families follow the serpentine, drop students at the door, then park in our lot adjacent to the softball fields while waiting for students to get their photos done.
Yearbook
Calling on Parents, Students, and Staff to help make the 20-21 yearbook a success! Please share using the attachment to this email.
yearbook picture if you didn't come in for photos
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)
a one paragraph reflection on what you feel you will have learned from your Covid experience
Thank you so much for helping our editorial staff create a book that students will always remember!
PBIS Highlights
6th Gr: Farheen Malik
7th Gr: Brayden Bradley-Balcazar
7th Gr: Sola Ayubi
8th Gr: Kinverly Carillo
PTO Corner
Something to Ponder: Just Play. Have Fun. Enjoy the Game. --Michael Jordan
8th Grade Meeting on Tuesday! Want to help plan this year's 8th Grade End of the Year Class Celebration? Please join us on Tuesday, March 2, at 6:30 pm at meet.google.com/aac-ewzg-qeq. By phone at ‪+1 515-890-5249‬ with PIN: ‪437 923 362#‬ If you can't make it, but still want to be involved, please email cosecretary@srmspto.org.
Seneca Garden Work Day: Help Mr. Peck clean up Seneca's 1/6th acre enclosed garden on March 20, 9AM to 1PM. Reclaiming the garden will enable placement of a hoped-for hoop house for plants, giving every student in 7th Grade Life Science the opportunity to grow a plant from seed and take said plant home. Please visit the Sign Up for more information.
PRS & SEAC: SEAC's March presentation on Transition Planning for College Bound Students will be live streamed HERE on March 3 at 6 pm. To sign up for PRS' newsletter on current resources and events visit their website. For more information on SEAC please visit their website, or email our SEAC Representative, Jill Pope.
Next PTO Meeting: March 17 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#
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 - ADVISORY CANCELED (back on the schedule next Monday)
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 571-434-4427
8th Grade- Mimi.Chung@lcps.org or 571-434-4428
Check out our new auxiliary gym floor! Looks sharp!
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