Blue Ridge MS
December 11, 2020
BRMS Message
Hi Bulldog Families,
As we head into our last full week of school in 2020, we wanted to thank students for their continued hard work. We are so proud of you and encourage you to end 2020 BULLDOG STRONG!
We are busy planning for a return to the school building of our hybrid students beginning January 21, 2021 (as health conditions allow). All Blue Ridge families can anticipate a special smore in early January detailing many new structures and procedures supporting the return of in-person learning. Stay tuned!
Due to bus routing requirements, one change happening on January 21, 2021 will be a new bell schedule. We will revert back to our start and end times from last year. The new bell schedule affects ALL students. This means advisory/block 1 or 5 begins at 8:50 AM and school is dismissed at 3:38 PM. Additionally, for hybrid in-person students, parents please be aware that if your student is a walker or parent drop-off, the school building will not be open until 8:30 AM each day.
Finally, as we prepare for the return of hybrid students and move toward the concurrent teaching model, we wanted you to be aware of some changes to Monday office hours. Specific Mondays in December and January will be teacher professional development and planning days. During the weeks that office hours will not be available, students and teachers should check in during learning lab time. Below are the dates office hours will not be held due to staff training and planning:
Monday, December 21, 2020
Monday, January 4, 2021
Hybrid Student Orientations
Grades 7 and 8: We will offer individual time slots (by appointment) for 7th and 8th grade hybrid students on Thursday, January 14 and Friday, January 15. These students may come to school to walk their schedule. We will share a schedule sign-up document with these students during the week of January 4.
IMPORTANT CONDITION: These events are contingent on current health metrics as determined by LCPS and the state of Virginia. We may need to reschedule and/or revise the format of these events should conditions not allow for the safe return of students.
SCA Spirit Week and Food Drive Announcement
Unified Mental Health Team Updates
Coming Soon! Parent Coffee - Jan 8 at 9am & Feb 4 at 7pm
We are excited to announce that we will be hosting a Parent Coffee on “Managing Stress During Hybrid & Distance Learning”. We will be offering a morning and evening session, January 8 at 9am and February 4 at 7pm. Our guest speaker for the Parent Coffee will be Andrea (Lee) Israel, PhD. She is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in child and adolescent development.
During the Parent Coffee, she will reflect on common sources of academic stress for middle school students and identify other stressors which may arise for families and their students in a time of uncertainty. The discussion will include strategies for managing parent and student stress to optimize the learning experience.
Please complete the survey below if you are thinking about attending. This survey will allow us to anticipate the number of parents interested in attending and will also allow Andrea (Lee) Israel to focus on specific concerns parents are having regarding their child’s stress levels and/or ability to manage their stress in general.
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.
Upcoming Events:
1/5: Spirit Night at Chipotle in Purcellville from 4pm to 8pm, see flyer below.
1/13: PTO Meeting virtually at 7pm, Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/xdv-vthm-zxw
2/9: Spirit Night at Chick-fil-A Spirit
2/16: PTO Meeting virtually at 7pm
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.
Deadline for Student Yearbook Portraits is Friday, December 18th!
ATTENTION STUDENTS AND PARENTS!! If you did not get a Student Portrait taken at school and you have not submitted a picture of your own, PLEASE make sure to email a school appropriate picture to Mrs. Hite (Sandra.hite@lcps.org) by Friday, December 18th!
More Yearbook Photos Needed
MORE PHOTOS NEEDED!
HEY BRMS STUDENTS: The Yearbook Staff is looking for pictures! We have seen some of your pets during your Google Meets. We need pictures of students with your pet(s). Please upload school appropriate pictures using the Community Upload or the Yearbook Snap. Thanks!
You can share school appropriate photos via a “Community Upload” from your computer or you can download the free “Yearbook Snap” app from the Apps Store. Please note that pictures submitted are not guaranteed a spot in the yearbook.
Follow these directions to upload your photos from your computer:
Go to yearbookforever.com
OR
Go to the BRMS website and click on the down arrow in the middle of the page
Click on “Order Yearbook Now”
Click on “ORDER NOW!”
When the screen appears, type in Blue Ridge Middle School - Purcellville, VA
Click “Shop the Store”
At the top of the page, you will see Community Upload
Click on “Community Upload”
Enter the access code BRMSBulldogStrong
Upload your picture(s) and pick a category
Type in your first and last name and your email address
Click the box to certify that says “I have the right to distribute these photos and that they do not violate the Terms of Use” and then click “Submit Photos”.
Click close once you are finished submitting photos
You can share school appropriate photos via an app on your phone. Please note that pictures submitted are not guaranteed a spot in the yearbook.
Follow these directions to upload your photos from your phone:
Go to the Apps Store and download the free “Yearbook Snap”
Open the “Yearbook Snap” app
Find School - type in “Blue Ridge Middle School” and select Purcellville, VA
Enter the access code BRMSBulldogStrong
Click on “Blue Ridge Middle School Select Photos”
Select a “Category”
Allow “Yearbook Snap” to have access to your photos
Select photos you want to upload (maximum of 5 per upload)
Select your picture(s) and pick a category
Click “Upload”
Type in your first and last name and your email address
Click the box to certify that says “By submitting, I certify that I have the right to distribute these photos and that they do not violate the Terms of Use” and click “Submit photos”
Click close once you are finished submitting photos
Please remember that any photos submitted are NOT guaranteed to be included in the school yearbook. If you have any questions, please contact Sandra Hite via email at Sandra.Hite@lcps.org.
School Picture Pick Up
All make-up and retake pictures/proofs are in! You may pick up school pictures or picture proofs in our main lobby area any school day from 8:30am – 4:00pm.
Holiday Giving Opportunity - The BULLDOG TREE!
It might not be snowing, but the Holiday season is upon us! Our lights are up and so is the tree. Hallmark movies are on non-stop. Too early you say? Not a chance! After all , BRMS is putting up their tree now too - the BULLDOG TREE! Only this year, like so many other things, its virtual.
What is the Bulldog Tree? Its a chance to spread Christmas cheer and help those in our community who are in need. Through the Bulldog Tree, BRMS provides holiday assistance to any family who has reached out asking for help. We do this by purchasing needs based gifts - coats, hats, shoes, etc - for all children in the family in need.
How can you help? Take a look at our Amazon wish list ...Once you order off of the list, gifts will be shipped directly to the school and distributed to families before Christmas break by our Parent Liaison, Rebecca Edwards.
Now, I know what you're thinking - you have plenty of time - right? Maybe not! Due to COVID, shipping times are longer than usual and items may go out of stock. Our goal is to have everything at BRMS and delivered to families by Dec 21.
Questions? Please reach out to our Parent Liaison, Rebecca Edwards at rebecca.edwards@lcps.org
Thank you for considering!
Q2 Distance Learning Schedule
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).
Blue Ridge Library News
Hello Blue Ridge Family!
We are very excited to announce that we have many new eBooks in our MackinVia portal! Go to the library webpage to watch book trailers or reviews of a few of these amazing books. To access, go to the Blue Ridge Middle School website, click on Academics, Library Media Center, and then the New eBooks at Blue Ridge tab in the navigation bar at the top of the library home page.
If you decide to check out any of these books or to browse all of the eBooks we have, log into LCPSGO, click on Library Resources, then MackinVia (BRM). You will be pleased with our growing collection!
UPDATE:
The Loudoun County book buses will no longer be available. Students can still order books for weekly pickup on Mondays at Blue Ridge. Remember, you can order books to pick up using the form on the LCPSGO main page. Orders for Monday should be placed no later than the end of the day the Friday before.
Are there books you are interested in, but our Blue Ridge library doesn’t have them?
Click on the link below to access a form to suggest a book you’d like our library to purchase! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdEmLlFaihSzUcZhn8cRqvaavtQ_lASACtkM0Nv2Sl5e2FPWQ/viewform
Attention! We need pictures!
We are creating a bulletin board, Blue Ridge Reads, in the library. We also plan to share these online. We want to highlight our students reading, in their favorite spots, in a silly spot - feel free to be creative!Take a picture of yourself reading, or you can take a picture of you with your family reading together. This is the time of year when traditions abound with Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and Omisoka, to name a few. Families often share holiday reading. My family reads Twas the Night Before Christmas every Christmas Eve. I’ll be sharing a photo of that later.This is a picture of me (Mrs. Duke), reading in my favorite spot, snuggled up with my soft blankie in my recliner. For me, there’s nothing like snuggling up with a good book!
Click the link below to submit your pictures. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe-3htHfjFbXxX2xfCUTgMfoiqGIURHy7v8gseJgvDRGgXHoQ/viewform
NJROTC Information
The NJROTC Admissions Application for the 2021 – 2022 school year will open at 8:00 AM EST on Monday, November 30, 2020.
The application is only open to current LCPS Grade 8 students. The application is completed through an online application portal and will be available on Monday, November 30, 2020 through Friday, January 22, 2021 (due by 11:59 PM EST).
Interested students may visit www.lcps.org/cte (Military Science Admissions for 2021 - 2022 School Year) on or after 8:00 AM EST on Monday, November 30, 2020 to complete the online application.
More information can be found in the link below:
2021 Step Up Loudoun Youth Competition
Is your child looking for a way to get involved and ready to make an impact? The 2021 Step Up Loudoun Youth Competition is now open. Last year alone, 263 Loudoun County teens participated in the competition. 4,890 hours were spent on projects, impacting 8,116 people with caring ideas and had an economic impact of $134,475 to Loudoun County.
To register, please visit us at Step Up Loudoun Youth Competition or email us at info@loudounyouth.org for additional information.
- Come up with your Project Plan and fill out the Project Registration Form.
- Once you complete the Project Registration Form, you will receive an email with the Team Member Registration Form.
- Each team member pays their registration fee here
Important Dates regarding the Step Up Youth Competition:
Registration Closes December 18
Video project submittal deadline: March 1
Competition Round 1 Judging: March 8 - 12
Top 10 Finals and Awards: March 25
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.
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: 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
Bulldogs Give Back Coordinator: Erin Schroeder: givesback@brmspto.org
Yearbook Information
Want to Order Spirit Wear?
Order some awesome Bulldog spirit wear here! Check out our NEW shirt designs below!!
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
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.