RiverHawk Reminders

Happy weekend! Here are some important updates:

1. MAP Scores

2. Advisory Topics

3. Unified Mental Health Team Presentations

4. . Reading Initiative at BEMS - ACTION ITEM Student Reading.net

5. Family Book Club

6 . Family Liaison Updates

7. Academies Admissions Information

8. PTO Updates

9. Fall STEM Program

Important Dates

October 4th - Spirit Night at MOD Pizza in Belmont Chase

October 9th - School Holiday

Saturday/Sunday October 14-15: Fall Family Photo Shoots. The PTO is bringing back this popular fundraiser for the 3rd year! This event is an easy way to get beautiful family photos in time for holiday cards. Stay tuned for details!

October 20th - RVHS Homecoming Parade

October 27th - Last Day of MP 1

All the best,

Mrs. Johnson

Score reports and assessment results for the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Reading and/or Math tests are now available in ParentVUE.

The Test History tab will show your student’s national percentile rank, which is the percentage of students across the United States, in the same grade, that had a MAP score less than or equal to your student's score. For example, a third-grade student with a national percentile rank of 49 has a MAP Growth score that is equal to or higher than 49% of all third graders nationally who took MAP within the same time period.

The Documents tab will show your student’s Student Progress Report, which breaks down their instructional readiness score into skill subgroup scores and shows their growth across the current school year.

If you have questions regarding MAP test(s), please visit the LCPS MAP website at: https://www.lcps.org/Page/217792

If it is determined your child is in need of an intervention plan as a result of these screenings and other data, the school will notify you and provide you with a copy of the intervention plan.

6th and 7th - Common Types of Bullying: In this week’s lesson, your child will discuss different types of bullying, and increase their awareness that bullying can look and feel different in each situation.

8th - Understanding Bullying: This week’s lesson will help your child examine common beliefs about bullying and harassment. They will begin to gain a perspective on how their opinions compare to those of others.

7TH & 8TH GRADE ONLY

Our unified mental health team will be presenting in resource classes on the topic of healthy vs unhealthy relationships.

7th grade: October 16th

8th grade: October 25th & 26th

For more information about the presentation, visit https://www.joinonelove.org/act/couplets/. Any questions/concerns should be directed to your child's school counselor or other unified mental health team member.

If you DO NOT want your child to participate in the presentation, please fill out the opt-out form below.

https://permission.click/l8G3Q/int

Thank you!

THE MILLION WORD CHALLENGE

• We are challenging students to read 1 million words by the spring deadline

• Students track reading on studentreading.net

• Students who achieve this get to go on a mystery field trip

My Winter Coat Drive is happening now through October 13! I'm currently accepting donations of new and gently used winter coats, jackets, hats, and gloves in all men's, women's, and kids' sizes. I will also accept donations of fall and winter clothing in all those sizes, as well, so if you are doing a fall closet clean-out, please keep this in mind! All donations should be clean and free of rips, tears, broken zippers, etc. There is a collection box in our BEMS entryway, and you are welcome to use this for your donations during school hours. If you are not able to drop off during school hours, please contact me and we can make alternate arrangements for pickup or drop-off. If you have questions about this, please contact me at Susan.Ferguson@lcps.org. Thank you!

Food for Neighbors:

Belmont Ridge is partnering with Food for Neighbors to help curb hunger in our schools. If you'd like to get involved with this amazing locally based program, please visit their website and consider signing up to fill a Red Bag. There are volunteer opportunities for students and families that go with this program, too. You can get all the information here: https://www.foodforneighbors.org/get-involved/

NJHS:

Our NJHS students hosted a Canned Food Drive at the PTO's River Hawk Family Night on Friday. If you missed the opportunity to contribute canned goods, the collection box will be available in the BEMS lobby thru the end of the school day on Wednesday, October 3. All canned items will be donated to Loudoun Hunger Relief.

BEMS PTO is thrilled to bring back Fall Mini Photo Shoots with returning photographer Shannon Pillera of shannonjeannephotos.com.

Dates: Saturday October 14th & Sunday October 15th (rain date Saturday November 4th)

Location: Red Rocks Wilderness Overlook Regional Park in Leesburg

Cost: $90 for 20 minute session with 7 guaranteed digital images

REGISTER HERE

Support the PTO and enjoy delicious pizza from MOD!

BEMS PTO will receive 20% of fundraiser sales during this fundraiser. Participate on Oct 4, 2023 (all day) by ordering online or with the MOD app using the code MODGIVES20 or by visiting this MOD location and showing this fundraiser flyer or mentioning the fundraiser at checkout.

All school fundraisers booked from September 4th - November 19th will be entered to win an additional $1,000 donation towards their organization. The top three school fundraisers hosted in the back-to-school season will also win an additional $1,000 donation!

MOD Pizza

19855 Belmont Chase Dr, Suite 125

Ashburn, VA 20147

Decorating your home with poinsettia for the winter holidays is a tradition going back hundreds of years. Their vibrant colors offer cheer in the cold winter months here in Northern VA. So, we are combining our December "spirit night" fundraiser with this winter tradition to offer you a way to support the BEMS PTO and decorate with these beautiful, traditional plants.

Order deadline is Nov 1, 2023.

Pick up at BEMS will be Dec 7 and 8th. Additional information will be sent closer to the pick up time.

Order Plants Here (orders open on October 1)

Connect your Harris Teeter VIC card to our BEMS PTO Together in Education account to help the PTO earn. It’s an easy, passive way to support the school throughout the year. You must re-link your card each year to the school. Once linked, your Harris Teeter brand purchases will earn the school money when you shop!

• Join the PTO for the 2023-24 school year. On the membership form, you can link your Harris Teeter VIC card to BEMS PTO. PTO Members receive 10% off BASAP course registrations and spirit wear purchases for the school year!

• Register on the BEMS PTO website! Create an account to receive notifications about events and volunteer opportunities, order spiritwear, and learn more about upcoming events.

• Follow the PTO on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

Interested in Volunteering this year? Please submit the Volunteer Interest Form.

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!

** Any messages sent from BEMS through our Blackboard account (noreply.belmontridge@lcps.org) come from an account that is not monitored. Please use our website to locate the email addresses of any staff members you need to contact. Thank you. **

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