Blue Ridge MS
April 9, 2021
Hi Bulldog Families! We hope you all had a safe and restful Spring Break. It was wonderful to see all of our distance and hybrid learners back in classes this week. Today marks the end of marking period three and student report cards will be viewable in PVUE on April 19 by 4 PM.
Asynchronous day April 16- We are excited for the return of hybrid students to 4 days a week of in-person learning starting April 20. In preparation for April 20, the School Board has provided schools with an asynchronous instructional day on April 16. There will be no direct instruction from teachers on April 16, students will work on asynchronous assignments.
Cafeteria seating plan- Students seated in the cafeteria will be less than 6 feet apart, but at least 3 feet apart. At these distances, due to contact tracing, students will have assigned seating in all classrooms and in the cafeteria. These distances are within School Board parameters and due to Blue Ridge's high rate of hybrid return. Our cafeteria seating plan starting 4/20 is to allow student-selected seating for all grades with a minimum of three feet of physical distancing. Once students have selected a seat, we’ll record each student’s location for contact tracing, if that is needed. Students will maintain that selected seat for the duration of quarter four.
Kiss-N-go drop off reminder- When dropping off students in the morning, please use the kiss-N-go entrance and pull around behind the school. Continue to follow the kiss-N-go lane along the building to drop off your student on the sidewalk near the loading dock or main entrance.
What's Happening in April?
April 9- Last day of Quarter 3
April 12- Student Holiday (Teacher planning/workday)
April 14- PTO Meeting (details below)
April 16- Asynchronous Day (no direct teacher instruction)
April 19- MAP Math Test at 9:00 AM (details below)
April 19- Report Cards posted in PVUE by 4:00 PM
April 20- 4 days a week of in-person learning begins for Hybrid students
April 26- No office hours, BR teachers in professional development
April 29- Spirit Night at Papa Johns (details below)
April PTO Meeting
Wednesday, Apr 14, 2021, 07:00 PM
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Spring MAP Testing - Monday, April 19
Blue Ridge will be administering the Math MAP growth assessment to students through semester 1 Advisory class on Monday, April 19 - 9:00 AM.
Prior to testing, students will complete several important pre-test steps 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.
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.
Spring SOL Information
Blue Ridge will administer the Spring SOL tests May 3-June 7. All grade 6 & 7 students will take the Reading and Math SOL and all grade 8 students will take the Reading, Math, and Science SOLs, as well as a local performance assessment in Civics.
Distance Learning students will test in school on Mondays while Hybrid students will test on regular school days. Here is the Spring SOL schedule:
Distance Learning Students
May 3 DL Reading 8, DL Reading 7 (A-I)
May 10 DL Reading 6, DL Reading 7 (J-Z)
May 17 DL Science 8
May 24 DL Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, Geometry
June 7 DL Math 6, Foundations of Algebra
Distance Learning Students should arrive at Blue Ridge on there scheduled testing days between 8:30 – 8:50 AM, testing will begin promptly at 9:00 AM.
Hybrid Students (testing will begin at 9 AM each day)
May 4 Reading 6
May 5 Reading 8
May 6 Reading 7
May 12 Science 8
May 18 Geometry
May 19 Algebra I
May 20 Pre Algebra
May 25 Foundations of Algebra (6th graders)
May 26 Foundations of Algebra (7th graders)
May 27 Math 6
If you do NOT want your student to participate in one or more Spring SOL tests, please complete the following form: Parent Refusal Form for Spring SOLs. The form allows you to select which SOL(s) you do not want your child to take. All non-responders will be scheduled for SOL testing in May.
**Grade 8 parents who previously refused their student’s participation on the Writing SOL should complete this form again indicating you do not want your student to participate in one or more Spring SOLs.
Academies of Loudoun Application Information
Attention Rising 8th Grade Students!
The application process for the Academy of Science and the Academy of Engineering & Technology begins during the fall of 8th grade. A video presentation has been put together by the ACL Admissions office that Mrs. Racino will present to all 7th grade students during resource and spectrum Thursday, April 22nd.
On Monday, April 26th at 9am the Academies will host a Q & A virtual session. A link will be sent to all 7th grade students and families through a separate email.
Spirit Night at Papa Johns - April 29
Important PTO Information
All Bucks for Bulldogs donations have been processed! We are so grateful for your support. Please pop into the Front Lobby and collect your goodies (stickers, masks, sweatshirts). All items are bundled and labeled. Carefully sort through items to find yours.
PTO Newsletter
Learn how to sign up for the PTO newsletter, Bulldog Bytes, by clicking HERE.
Business Partnerships
If you are interested in learning more about BRMS Business Partnerships, click HERE.
Community Meal Distribution - Updates
Return to Hybrid Instruction - Videos
Informational and return to school orientation videos and documents:
Watch! Hybrid return to school informational video
Watch! Helpful information for returning hybrid students
Watch! PE instructional plan for hybrid return
Read! LCPS Mitigation Plans
What Items Should Hybrid Students Bring to School?
Return to School Information from the Nurse
As Hybrid students return to school there is a need to update medical information, immunizations ( T dap for 7th graders), care plans and medications needed for school. Care plans and medication forms require annual renewal.
Medications
Prescription and Over-The-Counter Medication must be brought to school BY AN ADULT in its original container and cannot be expired. When requested, most pharmacies will provide an extra bottle with the proper amount of medication needed while the student is at school. The health office cannot accept more than a 2 month school day supply of medicine.
In order for medication(s) to be administered at school, a MEDICATION AUTHORIZATION FORM must be completed. A parent/guardian may fill out the form if it is an over-the-counter medication; however, prescription medication MUST have the form filled out and signed by a physician or healthcare provider. Acetaminophen is no longer stocked in the school health office. If you would like to keep over-the-counter medication for pain in the school (Tylenol, Advil, Aleve, etc), the parent must bring the medication to school and fill out a medication authorization form.
Students may carry emergency medical supplies (i.e. epi-pen, diabetic supplies, inhaler) with physician's written permission and as indicated in the student’s care plan on file in the clinic. Please use an Asthma Action Plan or Allergy Action Plan for physician's medication orders.
If you have a care plan or medication that is needed at school. Please contact me to schedule an appointment to review documentation and drop off medications. I can be reached by email at Maryann.stetter@lcps.org or call 540-751-2520. I am available most weekdays days between the hours of 8:30AM and 3:30PM.
Sign Up for Remind
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).
BRMS PTO
Officers
President: Danielle Kabban: president@brmspto.org
First VP: Christine Bartlett: firstvp@brmspto.org
Second VP: Kelly Schober: secondvp@brmspto.org
Secretary: Kathi Reich: secretary@brmspto.org
Treasurer: Nicole Halsey: 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
Bulldogs Give Back Coordinator: Erin Schroeder: givesback@brmspto.org
Unified Mental Health Team Updates
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.