Thunderblast Weekly
January 23rd, 2022
Cobra Kai
I'm asking... imploring you to work with us as this is debated possibly soon in the courts. We have worn masks since March of 2020 and although it is not perfect, our COVID numbers have been extremely low. As we all try to find common ground between the governor's executive order and the school board's decision/ CDC recommendations, please reach out to me before making a decision not to wear a mask in the building. We all have the same goal: in-person education for our most precious commodities.
If you adamantly believe your child should not wear a mask tomorrow, please email me (nick.cottone@lcps.org). I am happy to call tonight or tomorrow morning. I have cleared my schedule. The one thing I know is that we have not let this pandemic divide our community thus far by respecting the ideas and rights of all individuals. We will not abandon our belief in your partnership even when faced with tough decisions. Thanks for listening.
COVID Updates
I have attached the following link to free home COVID tests-
Thank you for filling in the form to help us with contact tracing if your child tests positive.
See the slide below for updated isolation and quarantine data in Seneca over the last week. Our numbers have basically halved from the two weeks prior. As of Tuesday, Loudoun County has a seven-day rolling average of 146.9 cases per day per 100,000 people, according to data from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), which is down from the record 216.7 cases last week. The percent positivity is 26.9%
LCPS has 220 students and 16 staff members in quarantine, as of Monday’s LCPS data report, and 199 students and 25 staff members have active COVID cases. LCPS has more than 82,000 students and about 13,000 staff members.
Science Olympiad
Black Heritage Celebration
Social Media and the Walkzone
If your family is in the walk zone, know that we are here to support you and we need your help. I am happy to answer most questions specifically if you would like me to shed more light on the situation.
MAP Testing
We are wrapping up the winter administration of MAP testing. The testing window has been extended until February 4 and score results should populate in Parent/StudentVUE shortly thereafter.
Some of you may receive a communication later this week titled LCPS Middle School Intervention Letter. These communications are generated by the LCPS Assessment Office and are based on the score results from the Fall MAP and/or iReady tests and offer suggestions for possible interventions for students that scored below grade-level on one of these assessments. If you have any questions about the interventions in place for your child, please reach out directly to your child's math or English teacher.
Course Selection Reminders
English, Math, Science, and Social Studies teachers make recommendations for honors or academics (math courses are a little more complicated).
7th Graders get two electives: 45 minute music or art and a 90 minute course.
8th Graders get two full 90 minute electives.
7th and 8th graders can choose to take a World Language (Spanish, French, German, or Latin), which is a high school level course.
May 1, 2022 is the final day a family can change elective choices. We base our schedule and staffing on these numbers, so we must hold tight to this deadline. Every year in August, we have repeated requests for changes that we cannot fulfill. Please be proactive with us and asking questions according to the timeline below.
United Mental health Team (UMHT)
Grade 8 students who are interested in the Naval Junior ROTC program at Loudoun County High School (that starts in the 2022-2023 school year) must express their interest at https://webinter.lcps.org/njrotc by Friday, January 28, 2022. Please visit the website below for more information! https://bit.ly/LCPSNJROTCAdmissions.
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Aldas or Mrs. Bot.
Attention 8th Grade Families:
- The Academies of Loudoun is opening its doors to ALL LCPS STUDENTS interested in possibly pursuing HVAC, Welding, Building Construction, Culinary Arts, Graphic Communication, Environmental Plant Science, Auto Servicing, Auto Collision, and Masonry! The Skilled Trades Fair will be held on Wednesday, January 26th from 6:30-8:30 pm. Please click here (aqui) for more details/registration information and here to view an engaging video. There are currently 32 businesses attending!
- Titan Parent Information Night for all rising 9th graders at Dominion High School TOMORROW, January 24 at 7:00 PM. Parents AND Students should attend.
For more information from the UMHT, please click here.
PBIS- Students of the Week
6th Grade: Benjamin Andrade
7th Grade: Lexi Smith
8th Grade: Angie Giron
And our 8th Grade winner from last week: Jostin Santay
PBIS- Staff of the Week
PTO Corner
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.
January 24 - Restaurant Night: Souvlaki Bar
Please dine at Souvlaki Bar on January 24 from 11AM - 8PM to help support SRMS PTO. When you dine there that day, 20% of our sales will go to support our school. Be sure to mention SRMS when you check out.
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