Thunderblast 2023
Being CONFIDENT & Taking Academic Risks- Aug 27, 2023
Tell Me Something Good (TMSG)
Everyday for the last 7 years, I wake up and think about how fortunate I am to be at Seneca Ridge. Not only did I land at the best middle school east of the Mississippi, but our entire community seems to be Philly fans, which has made me feel right at home. This year, the Philly Phanatic came to speak at our leadership meeting and he sniffed me out in a crowd of 600 plus LCPS leaders. He asked me to do something simple- "Tell me something good." Needless to say, I choked. I couldn't give an answer, then I just dropped some gobbledygook... and I literally feel like everything that comes at me is a good thing.
It's so easy for us to think about negative things and share them. When given an open-ended question, that's typically where our minds go. We have to train ourselves to look at the good in everything. This week, when students come home, instead of asking them how their day went, try the TMSG prompt. It might steer the conversation in a positive direction.
I can't wait to hear what is going well with EACH of you as this year begins!
Although this is part of PTO Corner at the end of the newsletter, I thought it was fitting to add this after important dates and right before clubs and activities. One of our strongest traditions since before I came here has been the PTO Tailgate, which helps students feel connected to Seneca right off the bat. Although we go to the football game after, students can come to just the tailgate if that isn't their thing. I encourage everyone to come out to this fun event. Once we get students into Dominion's football stadium, our administrative team is there to support, but middle school students have the freedom to attend without specific oversight.
Tickets can be purchased at the PTO website here!
Clubs and Activities
We are continuing to update the clubs we offer so we can start the Tuesday after Labor Day- September 5. Typical clubs will meet immediately after school on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 3:25 - 4:25. Last year's clubs with details are listed on our website and we are advertising changes this week. Students do not need official permission forms to stay after for clubs, but we encourage constant communication. Late buses leave Seneca at approximately 4:55 PM, so there will be some delays in getting home.
The rule with clubs is simple- If there is enough student interest and an excited sponsor, we have a club. Parents are welcome to sponsor clubs and we already have interest in a Math Club that will participate in various county and state competitions. We will need multiple parents to support Science Olympiad too. If you have an interest that you would want to share with our students, please email me. You do not have to go it alone.
Intramural Sports Pilot Program
Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) will pilot its first middle school intramural sports program for the 2023-24 school year at Harper Park, River Bend, Seneca Ridge and Smart’s Mill Middle School. Intramural sports are an extension of the school day and reinforce leadership qualities, teamwork, respect, integrity and accomplishment within fun competitions. The middle school intramural sports program is open to girls and boys at all skill levels; no prior participation is required in sports.
What sports are included?
The team may be any mix of students including different grades and genders. . Details below.
- First Quarter (Season One): 7 on 7 Flag Football (details coming very soon)
- Second Quarter (Season Two): 6 on 6 Volleyball
- Third Quarter (Season Three): 3 on 3 Basketball
- Fourth Quarter (Season Four): 7 on 7 Soccer
At each season's conclusion, LCPS will host a championship tournament between the top two teams from the four participating middle schools at an LCPS high school.
How do students participate?
Students interested in participating are encouraged to find a group of peers or friends at their school to register. Teams or individuals may pick up a registration form in the main office. Registration forms should be submitted to the school’s middle school intramural sports coordinator. Each student must submit an emergency card, parent consent and acknowledgment of risk form, and their student activities rules and regulations acknowledgment form. Registration has not opened yet.
Each participant must provide their mouthpiece, t-shirt, shorts, necessary protective equipment if required by the participant and athletic shoes. Seneca has resources to support students in need. Please let your counselor know.
Youth After School (YAS)
Typically, I am unable to promote Parks and Rec information through our newsletter. Because YAS fills a very affordable childcare need that many parents are looking for within our building, I felt this was an appropriate time to share. Some highlights below.
- YAS is supported by county tax dollars paid by the residents of Loudoun County
- YAS services the same students/parents of Seneca Ridge MS
- YAS provides supervision to students that would otherwise go home to alone and to an empty house
- YAS offers extended learning opportunities to students that include the "Destination Imagination" component through recreation activities. "Destination Imagination" is an initiative project that includes STEM activities, teamwork, communication, critical thinking and confidence building
- YAS fosters a safe, recreational environment and encourages respect, responsibility and accountability
- YAS is available to all students regardless of socioeconomic status and promotes inclusivity among the diverse needs of the community
- YAS promotes a sense of belonging through various community service projects including, YAS School Clean Up Day
Seneca Loves to Read!
Does your child have a public library card? If not, now is the time to sign up! Seneca offers a number of library resources, but you can get even more by signing up for a free public library card.
Click on the link below to approve your child getting a public library card, then tell them to come by Seneca's library to fill out an application. Mrs. Abrahamsen will bring the applications to the public library, and they will deliver the library cards back to the school for her to distribute. It's that easy!
https://permission.click/JLEaw/int
Any questions, email Mrs. Abrahamsen @ toby.abrahamsen@lcps.org
Highlighter Vapes
I want to be proactive this year and continue to share as much information as possible so we can work together to help our middle schoolers with this new challenge. Dominion is a pilot school for the division regarding vape detectors in bathrooms in the county. At Seneca, we will continue to monitor numbers and let you know if there is anything new, like this we can be on the lookout for.
Tech Updates
Parents will also have the ability to temporarily suspend Internet access for these devices when they are not connected to the LCPS network. Parents will not be able to disable Internet access when the device is in school, however, will have the ability to do so when the device is off-campus (home, bus, etc.).
To sign up for Lightspeed Parent Portal, go to ParentVUE. From there:
- Click on: “Student Information.”
- From “Student Information,” opt-in for Lightspeed Parent Portal under “Student Notifications and Permissions.” (Be sure to click the “Edit” button at the top of the screen.)
- Choose “YES” from the drop-down menu “I am opting into receiving weekly emails regarding my student’s internet usage.”
For additional information and questions about Lightspeed, go to the Lightspeed Parent Portal website.
Reminders from Last Week
How do I Report Absences?
Reporting an Absence in ParentVUE (preferred option)
Please submit before 8:30 AM. After 8:30, the system automatically denies the request because attendance has been taken by a teacher and you will be notified.
Click here (don’t forget to put your student's first and last name)
Call Attendance Line- 571-434-4422 (least preferred option)
*Chronic absenteeism is a goal for our entire cluster this year. Even if we have to miss part of the day, it is imperative that we try to come regularly to stay connected.
Contacting and Visiting Seneca
If calling by phone, the most efficient way to communicate is calling directly to the grade level house administrative assistant. You can use the numbers below so you can find out information specific to your student.
Jennifer Ramos- 6th Grade
571 434 4426
Kelly Dales- 7th Grade
Amanda.Helbig@lcps.org, Kelly.Dales@lcps.org
571 434 4427
Vivian Quach- 8th Grade
571 434 4428
Bell Schedules
Bell Schedule- various bell schedules we use during the year are in this link. Our normal schedule is below.
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of this week, we will be using the 1-hour advisory schedule to go over town hall meetings with each grade level. As our deans set expectations, we will continue to share the behaviors our students need to exhibit to be successful in Middle School.
PBIS - Staff Of The Week
Ms. Martinez is a long-time community member and parent who has supported us in EVERY way imaginable over the last few years. She has been a substitute since my third year and during COVID, she was in the building everyday with a handful of teachers and administrators making sure we could run a successful hybrid schedule for as many students in-person as possible.
This year, we were without our financial technician starting in the summer. Running the budget for a middle school is no easy task. She came in during her summer break to set us up for success and get the new year off on the right foot. The dedication and commitment she has demonstrated to our entire community has been a gift, and we will be eternally grateful for the sacrifices she continues to make.
PTO Corner
A HUGE THANK YOU to Tisha and Bill at Urbano Modern Italian for their breakfast pancake donation and delicious pasta lunch catering, and to all our parents who donated to welcome our Seneca teachers and staff welcomed back to school on Aug 23rd!!!
If you would like to sponsor any of our school events this year, please write to us at staffappreciation@srmspto.org. You can view the list of our planned events and how to get involved here: https://srmspto.membershiptoolkit.com/teacher_staff_appreciation
Next PTO Meeting
Please join us on August 30th at 9 am in the SRMS library.
Get Involved
We are seeking volunteers for the following available PTO positions
Fundraising Chair
Battle of Route 7 Chair
Bolt Sign Chair
Minority Student Achievement Advisory Committee Chair (MSAAC)
Special Education Advisory Committee Chair (SEAC)
Our PTO has a new website, do check it out...
ORDER YOUR SPIRITWEAR HERE!
Thanks for a great opening week!
📨 Email: nick.cottone@lcps.org
💻 Website: Seneca Ridge Middle School
🏫 Location: 98 Seneca Ridge Drive, Sterling, VA 20164
☎️ Phone: 571-434-4420