RiverHawk Updates
Week of February 10th through February 14th
Updates from the Admin Team
Happy Sunday RiverHawks! I hope you are having a great weekend!
- Within the next few weeks, we will begin course recommendations/selection for the 2020 - 2021 school year. If you have any questions about the process, please contact your child's grade level counselor. Specific dates for course selections will be listed in the calendar section.
- As the year has gone on, we have seen an increase in students arriving tardy to both school and class, especially in the eighth grade. Please remind students of the importance of being on time to both school and class.
February Recognition Days
Black History Month:
National African American History Month in February celebrates the contributions that African Americans have made to American history in their struggles for freedom and equality and deepens our understanding of our Nation's history. The year 2020 marks the centennial of the Nineteenth Amendment and the culmination of the women’s suffrage movement. The year 2020 also marks the sesquicentennial of the Fifteenth Amendment (1870) and the right of black men to the ballot after the Civil War. Students will have the opportunity to view and discuss artwork created by a local African-American artist, Gert Evans, sharing her experiences in Loudoun County from the 1960s through the present day. Other students will engage in a Spoken Word poetry experience with acclaimed author and slam poet, Jay Ward as well as other in-class activities. We encourage students to take time to reflect upon the display in our front lobby. Thank you, Dr. Lewis and Mrs. Newman for helping organize these events.
Friendship Month:
Friendship month is a great excuse to reach out to make new friends. Look out for our kindness challenge coming up in the next few weeks.
National Youth Leadership Month:
This celebration aims to encourage young leaders to get involved in their community.
February 20 - World of Social Justice Day --> World Day of Social Justice is an international day recognizing the need to promote social justice, which includes efforts to tackle issues such as poverty, exclusion, gender equality, unemployment, human rights, and social protections.
At Belmont Ridge, we value Academic Excellence, a Culture of Equity, and a Safe, Supportive, and Positive Learning Environment. Thank you for all you do to support us as a school!
** Our Newsletter's email address, noreply.belmontridge@lcps.org is not monitored. Please use our website to locate the email addresses of any staff members you need to contact. Thank you. **
Black History Month Display
BEMS Team Leaders Engaging in Fierce Conversation Training
Rising 6th Grade Parent Night
BEMS Teacher Book Study- Taming the Team
BEMS Important Dates
February 2020
February 10 – Rising 9th Grade Course Selections during resource
February 11 – Rising 9th Grade Course Selections during resource
February 12 - 6th Grade Honor Roll Assembly at 2:45 pm
February 13 - 7th Grade Honor Roll Assembly at 2:45 pm
February 14 - 8th Grade Honor Roll Assembly at 2:45 pm
February 17 - National Random Acts of Kindness Day
February 17 - President's Day (no school)
February 19 - Rising 7th and 8th Grade Parent Night at 6:00 pm (BEMS Auditorium- current 6th and 7th-grade parents)
February 20 – Rising 7th Grade Course Selections during Resource
February 21 – Rising 8th Grade Course selections during Resource
February 21 - PTO meeting at 8:45 am (cafeteria)
February 28 – Student Deadline for making their own elective course selection updates.
March and April 2020
March 4, 5, 6 and 9 - 8th Grade Writing SOL
March 31 - Spring MAP Assessment - Math
April 1 - Spring MAP Assessment - Reading
April 2 - RIsing 9th Grade Visit to Riverside HS
Rising 7th and 8th Grade Parent Night
Wednesday, Feb 19, 2020, 06:00 PM
Belmont Ridge Middle School, Upper Belmont Place, Leesburg, VA, USA
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
French Exchange Program.
The French program at Belmont Ridge will be hosting students from Marquis, France. Madame Karam, the French teacher is looking for families interested in hosting French students from April 12-20, 2020. Being a host family is a unique, rewarding, fun and educational experience for all members of the family and an opportunity to create long-lasting relationships. Your student will experience a true cultural exchange and represent our community internationally. If you are interested to learn more about this opportunity, please see the link below or email Madame Karam at jeanine.karam@lcps.org
BEMS Scheduling Updates
Current 6th Graders and 7th Graders:
The course selection process for the 2020 - 2021 school year will take place in Resource classes on Thursday, February 20th for rising 7th-graders and Friday, February 21st for rising 8th-graders. Parents and students will be able to make changes to course requests through StudentVue from February 20th to February 28th. Please reach out to your child's counselor with any questions.
Current 8th Graders:
Monday, February 10th and Tuesday, February 11th, the school counselors from Riverside will be coming into all advisories to present on course selections for their 9th-grade year. They will share course descriptions, graduation requirements and more. They will also have the students input their elective choices, however, these will not be finalized until later in the year so they will have time to come home and discuss their choices with you.
If a student wishes to change their core class recommendation (English, math, science and social studies), they will need to talk to their counselor directly.
Equity at Belmont Ridge
As we continuously strive to create the most supportive, respectful, and safe learning spaces for all students, unfortunately, we have had some incidents of hurtful language used by students. We adamantly denounce any language and behavior that is racist, hurtful, and disrespectful. As a school, some of our next steps will include a presentation on equity for all students led by the administration and our mental health team: counselors, psychologists, social workers, as well as the option of a restorative circle as a response to any incident.
Below you will find both the Superintendent's Statement on Equity as well as the presentation we shared with students in resource this last week. We (the Belmont Ridge Administrative Team and the Belmont Ridge Unified Mental Health Team) discussed the terms of equality and equity and how they differ, shared with students data from our student climate survey, and worked collaboratively to discuss the next steps in ensuring equitable experiences for all Belmont Ridge students.
Superintendent’s Equity Statement
Loudoun County Public Schools is committed to providing an inclusive, safe, caring, and challenging learning environment, which serves as the foundation for student growth. In response to a systemic equity assessment that LCPS commissioned in 2019, Superintendent Eric Williams issued the following statement on August 19, 2019, to clearly outline the LCPS stance on creating an inclusive, safe, caring, and challenging learning environment viewed through an equity lens.
LCPS is committed to providing a safe, empathetic, respectful and supportive learning environment in order to empower every student to make meaningful contributions to the world. When students and staff experience racial insults, slurs, and/or other hate speech, we lack the positive culture and climate that supports students’ growth.
LCPS calls for all students, staff, families, and other members of our community to engage in the disruption and dismantling of white supremacy, systemic racism, and hateful language and actions based on race, religion, country of origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, and/or ability. LCPS rejects racist and other hateful behavior and language, recognizing that it encourages discrimination, hatred, oppression, and violence.
Every individual is valued in Loudoun County Public Schools. Let’s celebrate the diversity that helps define us as a school division.
Eric Williams, Ed.D.
Division Superintendent
Sneaker Drive Continues
Our MADD/Gotsneakers used sneaker drive continues! We've collected almost 40 pairs of sneakers already! Bring your used sneakers, tied together, by the school during school hours. There is a collection box in the lobby. Thank you
Updates from the PTO
BASAP Spring registration is now open! Classes for the spring include Video Production, Legos, Riverhawk Cross Country, Comic Book Club, Math, Writing, Digital Art, and Advanced Acrylic Painting. Don't delay! Registration closes at 11:00pm on February 17.
https://fs4.formsite.com/bemsptso/form14/index.html?1581086390190
Signup genius for gift cards: our PBIS Committee and Library Staff have some programs planned in February that include gift card prizes as incentives. Please visit the signup and consider donating a gift card or two! All gift cards are either $5 or $10 in value. Thank you!
Riverside HS Rising Freshmen Parent/Athlete Info Night
Come hear from the Riverside Athletic Department about important dates, eligibility requirements, and FAQs.
Also, get a chance to meet coaches from all sports offered at Riverside (Fall, Winter, and Spring).
Wednesday, Mar 11, 2020, 07:00 PM
Belmont Ridge Middle School, Upper Belmont Place, Leesburg, VA, USA
The Positivity Project
This week's topic -> Forgiveness
Belmont Ridge will again partner with the Positivity Project to foster character building and social-emotional learning.
The Positivity Project is thinking big. We know that powerful aspects of the civilizing process, like empathy, are in retreat. Yet, we believe that armed with a deeper understanding of character and an #OtherPeopleMatter Mindset, together, we will create citizens and leaders who will enhance our communities and country.
Upcoming Events from the Parent Resorce Center
Belmont Ridge Middle School
Email: katie.johnson@lcps.org
Website: https://www.lcps.org/Page/124256
Location: 19045 Upper Belmont Place, Lansdowne, VA, USA
Phone: 571-252-2200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BEMRiverHawks/
Twitter: @BelmontRidge