Thunderblast Weekly
May 1, 2022
April Showers Bring May Flowers
Speaking of Flowers...
Choolah's Indian BBQ
Burton's Bar and Grill
Abbott's Frozen Custard
Qwench DRK Bar
Urbano Modern Italian
Events outside of school are wonderful, AND make no mistake, we have cool things going on inside of school. We had a 6:30 mile in PE (not a Seneca record, but pretty excellent). In my walkabouts this week, I was checking out our hydroponics table in horticulture, Dominion club fair for 8th graders, cupcake wars in FACS, books clubs in history, biomes in 7th grade life science, and guest scientists from Udvar-Hazy Air and Space museum working with our 6th and 7th grade students on the structural integrity of a space station. I love this school!
Seneca's Mission
We also know that the success of our mission depends upon equity. As we attempt to serve each student, each staff member, each family, each day, we are always looking to know our community better. Each of us brings something special to the table based on so many characteristics: family, gender, ethnicity, religion, etc. Our cultural backgrounds are what make us unique and getting to know each individual is our ethic. If you are seeing a student or staff member promoting equity for each student, please consider nominating them for an MSAAC (Minority Student Achievement Advisory Committee).
We Want to Hear From You:
Calling on the community to nominate individuals who are, "Advancing Equity Through Action," within LCPS. Nominations are now open for this year's MSAAC Equity Awards. There will be eight award recipients, including students in elementary, middle and high school, MSAAC delegates and equity leads, as well as one teacher/staff member, principal, and administrator. We are excited and look forward to this year's nominations. Applications and additional information can be found http://www.lcps.org/MSAAC
Deadline is May 11th!
Health Office (formerly known as the clinic)
First, the name has changed because there is a misconception that we are an urgent care, which we are not. We need your help. There were multiple days this week where we had over 80 visits to the clinic. These numbers are unsustainable, and I worry that the clinic is being used as an opportunity to avoid class. Here's how you can help:
- If a child has an injury or illness prior to school, please do not send them without seeing a doctor. We have many students coming to the health office in the first block of the day from injuries the night before.
- We cannot write PE notes for students. You must see a doctor.
- If you have over the counter medications at school for headaches or allergies, they should be taken at home. We had a line on Tuesday by 9:00 am with kids wanting to take Tylenol, etc for symptoms that started at home and parents were aware. We must call every single parent and do a full note on each child. These students are missing class time and taking time away from the kids with more serious medical needs.
Please help us make Seneca safer by taking care of prior incidents before coming to school.
Unified Mental Health Team (UMHT)
Looking for after school care? Registration is now open for CASA/YAS.
Click here for more details.
For information from the UMHT, please click here.
Course Selection: The deadline to make changes to your student’s course selection is May 1st. Please take a moment to review your student’s courses for the 2022-2023 school year in ParentVue.
Is your student interested in learning about environmental justice, understanding challenges to human environments, and advocacy with experts from around the world? If yes, the Career Girls Environmental Science (Virtual) Camp is happening on April 28th, 29th, and 30th. Please click here/aqui for registration information.
Summer Camp Opportunity
What: Loudoun-Fauquier 4-H Junior Camp
When: July 3-7th
Who: for students interested in exploring new (emerging) interests, further developing skills, and meeting new friends outside of Loudoun County.
Please click here for more information.
PBIS- Joe's Pizzeria Students of the Week
6th: Aaron Aviles-Ortiz
7th: Farhaan Jadran
8th: Anna Yao
We would also like to recognize Fernando Funes, Kari Lopez Guardado, Yusra Naveed, and Daniel Hicks for continuing to strengthen their CORE!
And thank you to Joe's Pizzeria for providing the pizza!
Staff of the Week
PTO Corner
Staff Appreciation Week (May 2 - May 6th)
Please join us in celebrating the amazing teachers and staff at Seneca Ridge MS for Staff Appreciation Week, the week of May 2nd through May 6th! Our teachers and staff have knocked it out of the park again this year, never dropping the ball! We are planning an ALL-STAR-themed week and will be having lots of food and gift card giveaways, but NEED YOUR HELP to make this celebration complete!!! Please see the signup for more details and ways you can help: TAW Week Sign-up
Donations Needed!
Clean out your bookshelves and donate your used books! May 9th - May20th.
Help the PTO support summer reading for all of our students! We are collecting gently used young adult and children's books for our students to keep students reading over the summer. Donations will be accepted May 9th-May 20th. Please look for the Donation Bin marked Book Collection in the school lobby during school hours. Thanks!
PTO Meeting - May 18 - 6PM in the Library w/ a Virtual Option
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: 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
At this meeting, our nominating committee will nominate our new board members. Nominations can also be taken from the floor on that day.
Bolt a Friend!!
Our Bolt Fundraiser is live! Bolt a friend or bolt your own child. Support our school with this great show of spirit! Sign-up here.
Interested in getting involved with the PTO?
We are currently looking for volunteers to fill the following vacant positions for the 2022-2023 school year. Please reach out to Kim Blough if you are interested vicepresident@srmspto.org
Board Positions:
President
Vice President
Recording Secretary
Committee Chairs:
Volunteer Coordinator
Tailgate Chair
Battle of Route 7 Chair
8th Grade Graduation Chair
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