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Tuesday, January 31st - Report Cards go live in StudentVue and ParentVue

Tuesday, January 31st - VGAs
Wednesday, February 1st - VGAs

Wednesday, February 1st - BEMS Family Book Club at 6pm

Thursday, February 2nd - BEMS Family Book Club at 8am

Tuesday, February 7th - Spelling Bee

Wednesday, February 8th - Course information for rising 7th and 8th grade families sent out

Here are some important updates:

• Expectations Reminders - BEMS Student Handbook
• Upcoming Events
• BEMS Family Book Club
• Advisory Lessons
  
• Parent Liaison Update
  
• LCPS Makers Showcase
• Rising 9th Grade Information
  
• PTO Updates
• Elks Essay
• Chess Club
• A Place to Be
• Orblynx Stem Academy
• Ashburn Bandits Lacrosse

All the best,

Mrs. Johnson

The BEMS Family Book Club will meet next week in the library on Wednesday, February 1st at 6:00 PM and on Thursday, February 2nd at 8:00 AM. The winter book club theme is "Walk In Someone Else's Shoes".

The Million Word Challenge is nearing completion. The deadline to log your books in StudentReading.net is April 30th! So far, we have 60 students who have achieved a million words! Keep reading and logging!

THANK YOU to all who contributed to our food drive for the Loudoun Homeless Shelter! The response was nothing short of magical. The director and staff at the shelter are so very appreciative of all of you! These donations give them the foundation they needed.

Next up in terms of Community Service, we encourage all of our River Hawks to create Valentine's cards for local senior citizens. If you have other children - younger OR older - they are welcome to participate, as well! The cards should be cheerful and colorful, with a simple message and large, easy-to-read print. All cards are due back at the school by February 9. There are collection bins in each House office. Any questions, please ask! Susan.Ferguson@lcps.org.

6th : Trying New Strategies: In this week’s lesson, your child will brainstorm different strategies they can try when they’re having trouble learning something new.

7th : Learning From Mistakes and Failure: In this week's lesson, your child will learn how to learn from mistakes. When your child does difficult things, they may initially make mistakes and fail, but these mistakes can be chances to learn and grow.

8th : My Interests and Strengths: In this week’s lesson, your child will reflect on how they have used their personal strengths to develop an interest, skill, or ability.

The Maker Showcase is Loudoun’s biggest "Show and Tell". It is a public showcase of all forms of student making. Student exhibits feature the products of hands-on learning and are targeted to a general community audience. Students in grades K-12 from across Loudoun county are invited to showcase their creativity.

All ages and content are welcome. Last year there was a fantastic German art display - so don't think only coding/robots; all makers are welcome.

Please submit an application to exhibit at lcps.org/makershowcase.

Applications are due by Friday, February 17, 2023.

8th Grade Parents and Athletes,

The Riverside athletic department will hold a Rising Freshmen Parent and Athlete information night on Wednesday, March 22 at 7pm at Riverside. This meeting will present important athletic dates, paperwork requirements, and will also provide the opportunity to meet with each sport’s head coach. Please plan to attend to learn about Riverside athletics.

We would like to nominate Aaron Carter, our School Safety Officer, for this award. Please share any thoughts, feedback, or anecdotes with me so I can include them in the recommendation. Please send any thoughts to katie.johnson@lcps.org.

Please ask your kids as well. Thanks in advance,

Katie

Registration for the Spring BASAP (Before and After School Program) classes is open now through Thursday, February 2.

Visit bemspto.org/activities/BASAP for class details and registration information.

Are you interested in serving as the BASAP Coordinator? We’re seeking a volunteer to manage our Before and After School program. You'll work with BEMS teachers and staff to design an 8-week class schedule, then coordinate the logistics of registration and enrollment with our PTO Treasurer and VP/Technology. Most of the work for this can be done remotely. You can shadow our current BASAP Coordinator.

BEMS families, this second half of the school year promises to be nothing short of EPIC!! Not only are rehearsals underway for the much awaited Musical, but you can also look forward to another Paint-A-Tile event. Undoubtedly, we were all amazed by the exceptional creativity displayed by our students and teachers who participated in the event last year. As they say - the proof is in the Ceiling! Just look up the next time you walk the hallways of our school. Bragging rights are well deserved!

Well, your PTO has AGAIN paved the way for students to feel connected to their school by making their MARK for years to come. Here comes PAINT-A-TILE!

Calling all rising 6th, 6th, 7th, and ESPECIALLY 8th graders — purchase a tile or two, create your own signature artwork, and have it displayed in the ceiling for everyone to see as they walk the school hallways. DON’T miss this AMAZING opportunity to not only support your school but also come together during this creative extravaganza!!

BEMS, we are a family first and foremost, so feel free to pay it forward by purchasing additional tiles for other families who may not be in a position to make purchases at this time!

Families, if you would like to participate in this event and need additional financial assistance, please contact our school Liaison, Susan Ferguson, at Susan.Ferguson@lcps.org

LET’S PAINT!!

Purchase a Tile here

Mardi Gras Bingo is Friday, February 24!

Are you ready to BINGO!!! The Belmont Ridge PTO invites you to bring your game faces to the SECOND of its kind - MARDI GRAS BINGO NIGHT! It will be a fun-packed night with mardi gras themed decorations, complimentary beads and masks, and so much more. Don't forget to order your beignets and pizzas early! We plan to feast before the festivities begin. Please see the flyer and visit us at www.bemspto.org for further details. SIGN UP EARLY - SPACE IS LIMITED!!!

$10 Tickets include Bingo card book and dauber (3 cards/game for 10 games).

Register/Preorder Here

PTO seeking in-kind donations for Bingo Night

Hello BEMS Families, we need your HELP!!!

We want Bingo Night to be a fantastic experience for our students and their families and are in need of PRIZES to make the night memorable and fun.

So we’re asking you to request in-kind donations from businesses you are associated with that you think might be willing to donate. Yes, you can donate prizes too! Donations can range from small to great and include items such as individual items, gift baskets, experiences, dinner for a family, sporting activity, movie tickets, bowling package, golfing, gift certificates, etc.!

We’ve made the process really simple. Just present this letter to the sponsor as well as the donation form to complete. We’re asking to be in receipt of the donations by February 19th, to allow us sufficient preparation time for the event.

Thank you so much for your help!! BEMS families ROCK!!! #BelmontStrong!

Warmest regards,

BEMS PTO Board

We are currently seeking volunteers for several open volunteer positions. If you are interested in getting involved and helping to support the BEMS school community, we encourage you to consider volunteering for one of these roles. No experience is necessary, only a willingness to help out and make a difference. Please contact Carrie Wright at volunteer@bemspto.org with interest and questions. Thank you for your consideration!

SEAC Representative Position

BEMS has a current opening for the SEAC Representative position. The Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) Representative represents Belmont Ridge at LCPS SEAC meetings and provides updates to the PTO board. This individual (this role can be shared by two people) shares information on SEAC programs and initiatives, and encourages participation from BEMS parents and staff members. Please submit your interest to Principal Katie Johnson.

Scholarship Committee Member

Work in coordination with a three-member committee to facilitate and review applications from former Belmont Ridge students attending high school to receive a scholarship toward higher education.

Is your student interested in Chess? The Magnus Chess Academy will offer a weekly class after school here at Belmont Ridge on Tuesdays, beginning February 7. Time is running out to register! The registration deadline is Friday, February 3. Visit www.chessacademy.com for details and registration information.

As always, please don't hesitate to reach out to our administrative team- Katie.Johnson@lcps.org, David.McKenzie@lcps.org, or Michael.Surma@lcps.org or your grade level dean if you have further questions.

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!

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and our school website for important updates. Don't forget to download the LCPS App!

Website: https://www.lcps.org/Page/124256
Location: 19045 Upper Belmont Place, Lansdowne, VA, USA
Phone: 571-252-2220
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BEMRiverHawks/
Twitter: @BelmontRidge