Thunderblast Weekly
January 30th, 2022
Get Involved!
Speaking of getting involved, I have some highlights to share. I know I tend to lean towards sports at times, but with the NFL season officially over a couple weeks ago, it's high time I start talking about other things. I have attached some pictures of our students getting involved. First, there are some shots of our brave spelling bee contestants in Round 1 all the way to our runner-up and last year's champ, Ayana Chowdhury, facing off against this year's champ, Varsha Shankar. Congratulations as the two of you went 28 rounds in this marathon test of skill and perseverance! I always speel perserverance wrong.
Beyond the spelling bee, our music department performed with Dominion's at the cluster concert on Wednesday to let our current 5th graders from Horizon, Sugarland, Lowes Island, and Meadowland know just how special these next 7 years will be.
Last, but not least, I added some spirit week pictures of students and staff celebrating Tropical Tuesday. I know there are pictures from all week, but I am currently cold and wanted to focus my energy on warm thoughts. Here's to an amazing second semester, Thunderbolts!
COVID Updates
Based on your reporting using our COVID Line Form, we had 8 students test positive since last Sunday (four 6th graders and four 8th graders). Thank you for filling in the form to help us with contact tracing if your child tests positive.
Numbers have subsided over the last couple weeks. It means so much that we are able to keep in-person schooling up and running. We are so proud of the partnership from all of our families as I know there are a variety of different perspectives. You know I try to remain apolitical in my role, so I hesitate to share, but I feel this is pertinent. I was reading an article in the New York Times that polled a couple thousand Republicans and Democrats about COVID. There were strong differences of opinion on many questions... except two:
- Both groups were equally worried about the effects (learning gaps) of COVID on our students.
- Both groups believe in-person learning is extremely important to the growth of our children.
I am always looking at ways to unify our community as we respect each other's differences. The key is that we are all working towards keeping our kids here at Seneca and approaching normalcy day in and day out as much as possible.
United Mental health Team (UMHT)
Attention 8th Grade Families: Chris Clarke, CAMPUS Program Manager for Loudoun County Public Schools would like to invite all current 8th grade students to attend a countywide CAMPUS parent/student in-person meeting on Thursday, February 10th from 6:00-7:30 pm at Riverside High School.
The following items will be discussed:
- “What is CAMPUS?”
- CAMPUS Student Ambassador Panel (CAMPUS Student Ambassadors will answer questions and share their experiences within the CAMPUS program)
- Review the CAMPUS Online Application Process
CAMPUS Event Flyer (English/Spanish)
*A LCPS Spanish Interpreter will be available
For more information from the UMHT, please click here.
PBIS- Students of the Week
6th Grade: Aaron Aviles
7th Grade: Colton Grant
8th Grade: Isahaq Mohamed
PBIS- Staff of the Week
PTO Corner
PTO Meeting - Wednesday, Feb 9 @ 6PM
Google Meet joining info for video: https://meet.google.com/awd-ziba-uge
Or dial: +1 405-389-1044 PIN: 558422595
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/awd-ziba-uge?pin=4023278823482
You've Been Bolted Fundraiser will be up and running in March. We will need several helpers to make this a success. Please contact graduation@srmspto.org if you are interested in volunteering for this fundraiser. The 8th grade class celebration information will be coming out to parents within the next week. Be on the lookout for an email/text alert from Mr. Cottone.
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