RiverHawk Updates
Week of February 24th- 28th
Updates from the Admin Team
Happy Sunday RiverHawks! I hope you are having a great weekend!
- Please remember to complete the LCPS Climate Survey. Your input is important to us!
- The presentations from the Rising 7th and Rising 8th Grade Nights can be found below.
- As the year has gone on, we have seen an increase in students arriving tardy to both school and class, especially in the eighth grade. Please remind students of the importance of being on time to both school and class.
- Starting March 2nd, at 8:30 am we will close the kiss and go doors. At that time, we will ask students to enter through the front doors and sign-in in the main office.
- We are fortunate to have a student-centered, dedicated, and hard-working staff. Please view our "State of the Ridge" slide presentation below to see our engagement in the four tenants that make Belmont Ridge a National School to Watch. These tenants include: Organizational Structures, Academic Excellence, Social Equity, and Developmental Responsiveness.
February Recognition Days
Black History Month:
National African American History Month in February celebrates the contributions that African Americans have made to American history in their struggles for freedom and equality and deepens our understanding of our Nation's history. The year 2020 marks the centennial of the Nineteenth Amendment and the culmination of the women’s suffrage movement. The year 2020 also marks the sesquicentennial of the Fifteenth Amendment (1870) and the right of black men to the ballot after the Civil War. Students will have the opportunity to view and discuss artwork created by a local African-American artist, Gert Evans, sharing her experiences in Loudoun County from the 1960s through the present day. Other students will engage in a Spoken Word poetry experience with acclaimed author and slam poet, Jay Ward as well as other in-class activities. We encourage students to take time to reflect upon the display in our front lobby. Thank you, Dr. Lewis and Mrs. Newman for helping organize these events.
Friendship Month:
Friendship month is a great excuse to reach out to make new friends. Look out for our kindness challenge coming up in the next few weeks.
National Youth Leadership Month:
This celebration aims to encourage young leaders to get involved in their community.
February 20 - World of Social Justice Day --> World Day of Social Justice is an international day recognizing the need to promote social justice, which includes efforts to tackle issues such as poverty, exclusion, gender equality, unemployment, human rights, and social protections.
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. **
Black History Month Display
BEMS Important Dates
February 2020
February 28 – Student Deadline for making their own elective course selection updates.
March and April 2020
March 3 - Professional Learning Day for Teachers (no school for students)
March 3- Habit Burger Spirit Night
March 4, 5, 6 and 9 - 8th Grade Writing SOL
March 11 - Riverside Athletics Night for Rising 9th Graders at 7:00 pm (BEMS Auditorium)
March 26 - Nerd Night
March 31 - Spring MAP Assessment - Math
April 1 - Spring MAP Assessment - Reading
April 2 - Rising 9th Grade Visit to Riverside HS
Lunch with the Principal
Attention 8th Graders - the CAMPUS Application Deadline is February 28th!
CAMPUS PROGRAM
The College Achievement & Multicultural Program for Unique Students (CAMPUS) is an academic and college preparation initiative that began in the spring 2002 that currently serves over 300 students in grades 9-12. CAMPUS is a high school college access program designed to removed barriers and/or meet the specific needs of first-generation college-bound students attending Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS).
CAMPUS seeks to provide support and encouragement to students who demonstrate the ability to achieve academic success and college admission. Admission to and graduation from college are among the goals of the CAMPUS program. Students must commit to attending mandatory CAMPUS meetings and/or classes during the school day and CAMPUS activities throughout the year. Parents are also an integral part of CAMPUS and its success and are encouraged to participate in program initiatives throughout the school year.
Students may apply to the program in the spring of their 8th grade year, or if space is available, during the school year of grades 9 - 11. An online application can be obtained through the LCPS website. Students must submit a completed online application and one recommendation to be considered for the program.
CAMPUS supports students through:
- Academic enrichment and support
- Self-advocacy skills
- College and univerisity visits
- College and scholarship preparation
- Careful course selection
- Community service projects and activities
CAMPUS Selection Process:
- Priority will be given to student who would be the first in their family to attend and/or graduate from a college or university
- Strong consideration will be given to families that may be considered socioeconomically disadvantaged
- Consideration is given to students who come from a historically underrepresented population
PTO Updates
Mark your calendar for Riverhawk Spirit Night at Habit Burger on Tuesday, March 3 from 4:00 to 9:00pm! March 3 is a teacher workday - and student holiday - so hope you'll be able to join us at Habit Burger on your day off. Mention Belmont Ridge OR show the flyer and Habit Burger will give us a portion of the evening's sales! See you there!
Our MADD/GotSneakers used sneaker drive continues! Bring your old, not-used-anymore sneakers to Belmont Ridge and put them in the box that's in the lobby. GotSneakers does the rest by donating wearable sneakers to impoverished countries, and maybe-not-so-wearable-anymore sneakers are recycled into other materials such as playground turf. THANK YOU to all the families who have already donated their sneakers! More than 85 pairs of sneakers have been donated so far!
French Exchange Program.
The French program at Belmont Ridge will be hosting students from Marquis, France. Madame Karam, the French teacher is looking for families interested in hosting French students from April 12-20, 2020. Being a host family is a unique, rewarding, fun and educational experience for all members of the family and an opportunity to create long-lasting relationships. Your student will experience a true cultural exchange and represent our community internationally. If you are interested to learn more about this opportunity, please see the link below or email Madame Karam at jeanine.karam@lcps.org
RVHS Black History Month
On Monday, February 24, RVHS will host its third annual Black History Month celebration. The event is scheduled from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm and will have three distinct components.
- Dinner, courtesy of RVHS’ PTSO, will be provided to all.
- National Council for Teachers of English (NCTE) African American Read-in.
- A panel of local officials and community members leading a discussion of Black History Month and current topics of relevance.
LCPS Parent/Family Survey
We need to hear from you!
Every year, LCPS families, teachers, and students in grades 3-12 take the LCPS Annual Stakeholder Surveys to share feedback about their schools. We use the results to assess the learning climate in our buildings and make plans for the following year. The Annual Parent and Family Survey is now open. We want to hear from everyone so that we can make the best decisions for ALL our students!
The parent/family survey will only take a few minutes of your time. To respond, go to https://www.lcps.org/Page/226918 You will be asked to fill out a survey for each grade level in which you have a child enrolled (elementary, middle, high, or program).
Thank you for sharing your opinion with us!
LCPS Annual Student Survey
Equity at Belmont Ridge
As we continuously strive to create the most supportive, respectful, and safe learning spaces for all students, unfortunately, we have had some incidents of hurtful language used by students. We adamantly denounce any language and behavior that is racist, hurtful, and disrespectful. As a school, some of our next steps will include a presentation on equity for all students led by the administration and our mental health team: counselors, psychologists, social workers, as well as the option of a restorative circle as a response to any incident.
Below you will find both the Superintendent's Statement on Equity as well as the presentation we shared with students in resource this last week. We (the Belmont Ridge Administrative Team and the Belmont Ridge Unified Mental Health Team) discussed the terms of equality and equity and how they differ, shared with students data from our student climate survey, and worked collaboratively to discuss the next steps in ensuring equitable experiences for all Belmont Ridge students.
Superintendent’s Equity Statement
Loudoun County Public Schools is committed to providing an inclusive, safe, caring, and challenging learning environment, which serves as the foundation for student growth. In response to a systemic equity assessment that LCPS commissioned in 2019, Superintendent Eric Williams issued the following statement on August 19, 2019, to clearly outline the LCPS stance on creating an inclusive, safe, caring, and challenging learning environment viewed through an equity lens.
LCPS is committed to providing a safe, empathetic, respectful and supportive learning environment in order to empower every student to make meaningful contributions to the world. When students and staff experience racial insults, slurs, and/or other hate speech, we lack the positive culture and climate that supports students’ growth.
LCPS calls for all students, staff, families, and other members of our community to engage in the disruption and dismantling of white supremacy, systemic racism, and hateful language and actions based on race, religion, country of origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, and/or ability. LCPS rejects racist and other hateful behavior and language, recognizing that it encourages discrimination, hatred, oppression, and violence.
Every individual is valued in Loudoun County Public Schools. Let’s celebrate the diversity that helps define us as a school division.
Eric Williams, Ed.D.
Division Superintendent
Student Created Newsletter
Riverside HS Rising Freshmen Parent/Athlete Info Night
Come hear from the Riverside Athletic Department about important dates, eligibility requirements, and FAQs.
Also, get a chance to meet coaches from all sports offered at Riverside (Fall, Winter, and Spring).
Wednesday, Mar 11, 2020, 07:00 PM
Belmont Ridge Middle School, Upper Belmont Place, Leesburg, VA, USA
The Positivity Project
This week's topic -> This week is a catch up week.
Belmont Ridge will again partner with the Positivity Project to foster character building and social-emotional learning.
The Positivity Project is thinking big. We know that powerful aspects of the civilizing process, like empathy, are in retreat. Yet, we believe that armed with a deeper understanding of character and an #OtherPeopleMatter Mindset, together, we will create citizens and leaders who will enhance our communities and country.
Belmont Ridge Middle School
Email: katie.johnson@lcps.org
Website: https://www.lcps.org/Page/124256
Location: 19045 Upper Belmont Place, Lansdowne, VA, USA
Phone: 571-252-2200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BEMRiverHawks/
Twitter: @BelmontRidge