Blue Ridge MS
MAP Testing and Updates - Sept. 23, 2020
MAP Testing
LCPS is invested in helping students access rigorous instruction during the 2020-2021 school year; therefore, identifying students’ instructional readiness levels as early as possible is an essential requirement. Blue Ridge will be administering NWEA’s MAP Reading and Math Growth assessments to students through Advisory class on the following dates:
Monday, October 5 - Reading MAP - 9:00am
Monday, October 19 - Math MAP - 9:00am
On October 1 and 2, students will complete several important pre-test steps during Advisory so they are ready to test on MAP day. Linked here is a helpful document called A Parent's Guide to Remote MAP Test Support.
The MAP Reading and Math growth test are designed to find your child’s instructional readiness level. This level is reached when a student answers approximately 50% of the answers incorrectly and 50% correctly. Since MAP growth tests can extend above the student’s current grade level, some students may test for more than 50 minutes per test while other students may finish their test a bit earlier. Additionally, your student will likely indicate that many of the questions were “hard” and/or may feel frustrated at the level of difficulty required to select an answer. Some students may wish to quit rather than continue and/or may ask for help answering the questions. It’s important that you encourage your student to do their best and finish the test. Please do not help them as this will result in a much higher score, leading the teacher to assign work that may be above your student’s readiness level. There is no benefit to a high score on these tests. For example, due to the challenges inherent in a remote test administration, LCPS will not be using the MAP data obtained during the 2020-2021 school year for math placement.
While we will do everything we can to ensure a smooth test administration, there will likely be one or more interruptions during testing. The MAP test requires a large amount of bandwidth and is susceptible to freezing or shutting down. If your student experiences multiple interruptions/technical issues during testing and is unable to meaningfully continue with the test, please use the Google Meet chat to communicate immediately with their Teacher/Proctor.
If you do NOT wish for your child to participate in one or both of the assessments, please email Assistant Principal Matt Bolen at matt.bolen@lcps.org your decision no later than September 30.
BRMS Distance Learning Survey
We appreciate your thoughts through answering this survey. We strive to serve our students at the highest level. Your feedback helps us improve. Staff have worked extremely hard to make our unique opening accessible by all students. We are Bulldog Strong! Thank you in advance for all your support during our academic year.
A Message from the PBIS Team
PBIS Team Update
During the 2020-2021 school year, Blue Ridge has partnered with the Positivity Project to deliver social emotional lessons to students during morning Advisory time. You can learn more about the Positivity Project here. We encourage you to have great conversations at home around the positive character strengths and how to model the Other People Matter mindset.
Keep an eye out for more information on specific character strengths as we highlight them each week during Advisory.
Blue Ridge Library News
We are happy to announce that students can now get physical copies of library books! Watch this video to see how!
Here’s a video on how to use our online catalog, Destiny Discover, to search for books and gather the information needed to place an order for a book. (We cannot use the online hold feature in Destiny Discover at this time.)
For Book Bus pickup, orders must be placed by noon on Wednesday. For Curbside pickup, orders must be placed by 3:30 on Friday, giving students some extra time to make their choices. Students will then pick up their books the following Monday (unless it’s a holiday).
Students can find the link to the order form on LCPS GO. The tab looks like the picture to the right:
We look forward to seeing our students!
Reading gives us some place to go when we have to stay where we are.
-Mason Cooley
Important PTO Information
PTO Welcome Letter
Please click the link to read our PTO cover letter. This letter contains important information about upcoming PTO meetings, opportunities to connect, and ways to support the PTO and Blue Ridge MS.PTO Newsletter
Learn how to sign up for the PTO newsletter, Bulldog Bytes, by clicking HERE.
School Fundraiser
Please click the link to learn about our school fundraiser. To make a donation, click the following link: Bucks for Bulldogs
Business Partnerships
If you are interested in learning more about BRMS Business Partnerships, click HERE.
Bucks for Bulldogs Flyer
Fundraiser Donation Levels
Yearbook Information
Parent Schoology Experience
Distance Learning Schedule
Want to Order Spirit Wear?
Order some awesome Bulldog spirit wear here! Check out our NEW shirt designs below!!
Florida 2021 Spring Break Trip Information
Technical Support for Students
If a Chromebook fails in some way, which impedes access, please use another device to access Google and/or try one of the following troubleshooting tips: 1) In Settings, click on About Chrome and check for updates, 2) Clear Cache from All Time, 3) Turn off your Chromebook, then turn it back on.
Students may receive technical support through one of the following methods:
Call the Technology Support Center at (571) 252-2112
The Technology Support Center will be staffed from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., M-F (excluding holidays).
A Message from our School Nurse
Welcome to the 2020-21 School Year at Blue Ridge Middle School!
I hope this message finds you healthy and excited to begin the new school year.
With the majority of our students starting the school year with distance learning, I would still like to keep your child’s health info up to date. If your child has a health concern, I still want to know so that teachers can be aware in the event there is an emergency while online. I also want to be ready for when schools do reopen. While you may not be bringing medications to school at this time, you can begin sending in action plans and doctor’s orders when you have them. If your child has a new health concern, I want to know about that as well.
Loudoun County Public Schools requires a new provider/physician orders each school year for the medication or specialized care which your child receives at school. If your child will continue to need medication or specialized health care at school, you and your child’s physician must complete and sign the proper form(s). The required forms are available online at www.lcps.org. Click on the “Families” tab and the forms will be found under Medication at School. The forms should be returned to me via email (MaryAnn.stetter@lcps.org) or fax (540-338-6823). Below is a list of health conditions with information about the required medical form:
· Medical Condition
· Severe Allergy and Epinephrine auto-injector
· Seizures
· Asthma with Inhaler and/or Nebulizer
· Diabetes
· Current Medical Procedures, i.e. tube feeding, catheterizations
· New Health Concerns or Medical Procedures
· Authorization for Medication Administration
Please contact me if I can be of any further assistance to you. I hope to see you and your child back at school soon.
MaryAnn Stetter RN
540-751-2520
Breakfast and Lunch Service
Academies of Loudoun
AET & AOS Admissions open September 1st and close October 23rd @ noon. Visit this website for more information.
TJHSST - Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
BRMS PTO
Officers
President: Danielle Kabban: president@brmspto.org
First VP: Christine Bartlett: firstvp@brmspto.org
Second VP: Hibah Salah: secondvp@brmspto.org
Secretary: Kathi Reich: secretary@brmspto.org
Treasurer: Karyna Tarbox: treasurer@brmspto.org
Coordinators
Theater: Jennifer Zisk and Kelly Schober: drama@brmspto.org
Volunteer & Events: Amelia Hertzberg: volunteer@brmspto.org
Hospitality: Megan Nugent: hospitality@brmspto.org
MSAAC Volunteer: Susan Swayzem: saac@brmspto.org
BRMS Spirit Nights
Join us for our Spirit Nights. This is a fun and easy way to meet other Blue Ridge families while fundraising for our school. All you have to do is what you normally do…EAT DINNER! You can eat in or take out, as long as you mention Blue Ridge MS PTO when you are ordering your food!
DON’T FORGET TO BRING YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY, THE NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR, and EVERYONE ELSE YOU CAN THINK OF!
Calendar of our Spirit Nights
September 29: Papa Johns (all day) (must mention BRMS)
October 6: Manhattan Pizza in Purcellville 4-9pm (must mention BRMS)
-BRMS PTO
Support Blue Ridge at AmazonSmile
BRMS Statement on Equity
The Unified Mental Health Team at Blue Ridge wants to acknowledge the many incidents involving race and social injustices that have occurred nationally over the past several weeks.
These incidents are not only unjust but they can have a traumatic impact on students and staff during these challenging times.
Blue Ridge Middle School rejects racism and all forms of hateful behavior and language in our school community. We pledge to provide a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all our students and families. This will continue to be important work as we move into next school year, and we are committed to continuing this conversation with staff, students and families.
We are pleased to announce our Blue Ridge Equity Team Co-leads: 8th grade counselor Ms. Savastano and Civics teacher - Mrs. Benalayat.
We hope that the below resources will be helpful in talking with your children and families about these issues.