Thunderblast 2023
Being CONFIDENT & Taking Academic Risks- Oct 22, 2023
Friday Night Lights
The Battle of Rt 7 is about so much more than soccer. In addition to approximately 20 players from each grade and 8 staff players plus 2 former staffers- one in work boots and jeans and the other in flippy floppies- it takes a village. Without naming specific people, because it could take all day, check out the support we received:
- Planning and support from multiple staff members and admin to orchestrate the entire event.
- Collaboration with Dominion Staff well prior to the event including Student Coaches.
- PTO PM Hype Cart with treats delivered to each staff member after lunch.
- PTO Volunteers & leaders crushing it in the concession stand raising almost $2K for our students!
- 8th Grade Chorus kicking everything off with the National Anthem.
- Thunderbolt Dance Team bringing the energy at half time,
- Staff and students Volunteering to sell tickets at lunch and the game, help with jerseys, manage the team, clean up trash late in the evening, and so much more.
- LCPS Safety and Security with LCSO being vigilant to keep EACH of us safe.
The list goes on! I want to take this second to thank EACH of you for showing up and showing out! It means the world to our students to be a part of something special like this. Great energy from the Sterling Middle community as well. I can't wait until next year!
Down Syndrome Awareness
October has long been a month used to spread awareness. It is not only a month to spread awareness of breast cancer, it is also a month to spread knowledge and celebrate people with Down Syndrome. These individuals are capable of great things when given the opportunity. We remind you that in the end, they are people … first. On Friday, October 20, for the second time, in coordination with this celebration we invited some honorary captains to the field for the coin toss during the Dominion/Tuscarora football game
Representing Dominion High School and Seneca Ridge Middle School:
- Ben Andrade
- Daniel Pope
- Ethan Than
Representing Tuscarora Huskies:
- Lorelei Wakefield (also represented Seneca Ridge Middle School)
- Spencer Halveland
We want to thank Dominion High School for allowing us to spread awareness and look forward to doing it again next year.
Adios, Quarter 1... Bienvenidos Q2!
I recommend checking in ParentVUE NOW if you are reading this on Sunday evening. It helps to have more than 1 week to take care of loose ends, but 1 week prior is much, much, much better than 1 week late. I recommend EACH student check-in with their teachers this week if there is a class that they feel they need support in.
With all this energy and good will, we need to end the quarter with a spirit week. Since we deserve a rest, SGA was smart to start us off with pajama day!
Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) Department of Teaching & Learning visited the eighth-grade class at this week to share information about the various special programs and academies available to rising 9th-grade students. The presentation included information about the Academies of Loudoun, the Health and Medical Sciences Academy (HAMSci) which will be new in 2024-2025, the LCPS Pre-International Baccalaureate (Pre-IB), Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp (JROTC), and Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.
Students interested in HAMSci, LCPS Pre-IB, and Navy JROTC can show interest in these programs starting on December 1, 2023 in Student Opportunities located in LCPSGo.
For additional information about the various LCPS Special Programs and Academies, visit https://www.lcps.org/specprog.
LCPS HIGH SCHOOLS EARN SPOT ON AP HONOR ROLL
Fourteen Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) high schools are included on the AP Honor Roll.
Overseen by the College Board, the AP Honor Roll recognizes schools based on three criteria involving their last graduating class:
- College Culture: 40 percent or more of the graduating class took at least one AP Exam during high school.
- College Credit: 25 percent or more of the graduating class scored a 3 or higher on at least one AP Exam during high school.
- College Optimization: 2 percent or more of the graduating class took five or more AP Exams during high school. At least one of those exams was taken in 9th or 10th grade, so that students spread their AP experience across grades rather than feeling disproportionate pressure in any single year.
The AP School Honor Roll offers four levels of distinction: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum (there were no LCPS Platinum Schools). Schools do not have to apply for this honor. Following are the LCPS high schools that were recognized at Gold Standard:
Gold Schools
- Briar Woods
- John Champe
- Dominion- It has been our goal in collaboration with Dominion for EACH student to take at least one advanced class at Seneca and ultimately leading to increased opportunities at Dominion. None of the other schools on the "gold" list can boast the diversity seen in the Dominion Cluster. What does this mean? It means our students come to us with very different life stories and we have created a culture of risk-taking, high expectations, and support. Great work!
- Freedom
- Independence
- Riverside
- Rock Ridge
AI in LCPS
LCPS has developed an infographic for staff to help them learn more about Artificial Intelligence in education. This infographic is a first step in building awareness around the potential benefits and challenges associated with Artificial Intelligence. The infographic will be included amongst other resources as we continue to tackle some of the issues families raised in the parent coffee.
Bounty Of Books
Unified Mental Health Team (UMHT)
Seneca’s UMHT: One of our goals is to provide families with information on community resources, access to basic needs, mental health/crisis counseling, reducing stress/anxiety, substance abuse resources, and resources to support learning. Please feel free to access the resources below as needed.
PBIS - Students of the Week
Congrats to this week's PBIS and Attendance winners this week!
Marvin Amoani 6
Sam Thacker 7
Maddie Caulker 8
Kennedy Roberts 6
Alec Arole 7
Markos Alemu 8
Daniel Barreto Guillen 6
Kaitlyn Selby 7
Genesis Torrez Rivas 8
Kurt Wagner 6
Fernando Roldan 7
Chloe Le Pettigrew 8
PBIS - Staff Of The Week
Ms. Martorana has spent 12 years as a Thunderbolt and I have never once seen her without a smile. Her kindness and caring for students is next level and she is revamping the FACS 7 program. Students in 7th grade are doing things that were typically only available to 8th graders in the elective time and the feedback, as well as the aroma in the hallways, has been spectacular! Thank you so much, Ms. Martorana!
PTO Corner
SPONSORS ARE WELCOME! Learn more about becoming a sponsor.
Next PTO Meeting - We've heard your feedback about the need for more flexible PTO meeting times, and we're committed to making it happen. Please select your preferred time for Nov 8th PTO meeting on the link below. Your input matters.
https://srms.ptboard.com/formvw?store=4306&form=6&item=0
Spirit Wear- Order new items online, delivery is in November - this order form is open until November 30th. Check out our in-stock inventory here and order year-round!
Reminders for Families and Students to Get Connected
- American Mathematics Competition info and sign-up.
- Science Olympiad and Math Counts info and STEM Interest Form
Bring Your Parents to School Day- Nov 16-17 Please use this Google Form to RSVP.
Volleyball sign ups are NOW OPEN until Nov 3rd. Required docs below
Welcome back, trophy! We missed you!
📨 Email: nick.cottone@lcps.org
💻 Website: Seneca Ridge Middle School
🏫 Location: 98 Seneca Ridge Drive, Sterling, VA 20164
☎️ Phone: 571-434-4420