From the Principal The school year is in full swing and, we are loving it! Our clubs and activities have begun, all 45 of them! Please remember, if you have an early dismissal on a Friday afternoon, be sure to ask your child which club he/she is in. We also enjoyed another fabulous Fall Pa- rade with more categories and participants than ever before. November brings some very important events. We end our first nine week grading period on October 29. Report cards will be distributed on November 10 th . Our party for those students who participated in the fundraiser and the date to pick up fundraiser materials is Novem- ber 11. This year we will have a five day holiday for Thanksgiving, due to the furlough days. Enjoy it with friends and family. On November 4, your child will be bringing home the annual Federal Pupil-Parent Survey. Loudoun can recoup federal funds if either parent is on active duty in the military, or if either parent works on a federally owned property in Virginia. Please fill it out completely and return it to school on Friday. November 15-19 is American Education Week. The counselors will be hosting a coffee on November 17 at 10 a.m. in the library. The topic is “Cyber-bullying.” We invite you to come and join us during this special time. Fall is also the time for colds and flu. Here is our make-up policy: if your child is too sick to come to school, we urge you to let him (or her) rest and recover. When the student returns to school, he or she needs to ask the teachers for missed as- signments. We assure you that there will be sufficient time when he returns to make up the work. Also, please remember that teachers are available during resource for extra help with missed lessons . November also means a change in the weather and the amount of daylight, and we wanted to remind you of a few things. First, be sure that you have a bad weather plan with your children. Talk to them about where to go if school is closed or if we have an early dismissal. Remember that if we have a two-hour delay, school will be open at 10 a.m. and classes will begin at 10:35. Please make sure ALL of your child’s coats and sweaters have his or her name clearly printed on them. Each year we send hundreds of items of clothing to the Goodwill. Our teams are planning many educational field trips for our students. All sixth graders will be visiting a college in the spring. In addition, we are sending students to the American History museum, Harper’s Ferry, the Appalachian Trail and the Holocaust Museum. Please come and visit. Your child (and his friends) will enjoy eating lunch with you! Administration Deans Counselors Principal: Roberta Griffith House A/8th Grade: Judith McKay Penny Cohen Assistant Principal: Matt Bolen House B/6th Grade: Doulas Dillon Maureen Sullivan Assistant Principal: Marlene Jefferson House C/7th Grade: Pamela Hutchison Todd Peterson Nurse: Kelly A. Thomas, R.N. November 2010 Volume 3 Blue Ridge Banner 551 East A Street, Purcellville, VA 20132 Phone 540-751-2520 FAX 540-338-6823 Absentee Line 540-751-2522 www.lcps.org/brms School Hours: 8:35 a.m. to 3:23 p.m. Election News Please be aware that when you vote – on November 2 nd that the Bond Issue to fund the new ele- mentary school in Leesburg IS ON THE BACK OF THE BALLOT. Please be sure to cast your vote.
Transcript
From the Principal
The school year is in full swing and, we are loving it! Our clubs and activities have begun, all 45 of them! Please remember, if you have an early dismissal on a Friday afternoon, be sure to ask your child which club he/she is in. We also enjoyed another fabulous Fall Pa-rade with more categories and participants than ever before.
November brings some very important events. We end our first nine week grading period on October 29. Report cards will be distributed on November 10th. Our party for those students who participated in the fundraiser and the date to pick up fundraiser materials is Novem-
ber 11. This year we will have a five day holiday for Thanksgiving, due to the furlough days. Enjoy it with friends and family.
On November 4, your child will be bringing home the annual Federal Pupil-Parent Survey. Loudoun can recoup federal funds if either parent is on active duty in the military, or if either parent works on a federally owned property in Virginia. Please fill it out completely and return it to school on Friday.
November 15-19 is American Education Week. The counselors will be hosting a coffee on November 17 at 10 a.m. in the library. The topic is “Cyber-bullying.” We invite you to come and join us during this special time.
Fall is also the time for colds and flu. Here is our make-up policy: if your child is too sick to come to school, we urge you to let him (or her) rest and recover. When the student returns to school, he or she needs to ask the teachers for missed as-signments. We assure you that there will be sufficient time when he returns to make up the work. Also, please remember that teachers are available during resource for extra help with missed lessons .
November also means a change in the weather and the amount of daylight, and we wanted to remind you of a few things. First, be sure that you have a bad weather plan with your children. Talk to them about where to go if school is
closed or if we have an early dismissal. Remember that if we have a two-hour delay, school will be open at 10 a.m. and classes will begin at 10:35. Please make sure ALL of your child’s coats and sweaters have his or her name clearly printed on them. Each year we send hundreds of items of clothing to the Goodwill.
Our teams are planning many educational field trips for our students. All sixth graders will be visiting a college in the spring. In addition, we are sending students to the American History museum, Harper’s Ferry, the Appalachian Trail and the Holocaust Museum.
Please come and visit. Your child (and his friends) will enjoy eating lunch with you!
Administration Deans Counselors Principal: Roberta Griffith House A/8th Grade: Judith McKay Penny Cohen Assistant Principal: Matt Bolen House B/6th Grade: Doulas Dillon Maureen Sullivan Assistant Principal: Marlene Jefferson House C/7th Grade: Pamela Hutchison Todd Peterson Nurse: Kelly A. Thomas, R.N.
November 2010 Volume 3
Blue Ridge Banner
551 East A Street, Purcellville, VA 20132
Phone 540-751-2520 FAX 540-338-6823
Absentee Line 540-751-2522 www.lcps.org/brms
School Hours: 8:35 a.m. to 3:23 p.m.
Election News
Please be aware that when you vote – on November 2nd that the Bond Issue to fund the new ele-mentary school in Leesburg IS ON THE BACK OF THE BALLOT. Please be sure to cast your vote.
Counselor’s Corner
American Education Week: PARENT COFFEE - On Wednesday, November 17th from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., the counseling staff of Blue Ridge will host a parent coffee discussing topics regarding digital safety such as cyber-bullying and texting. Counselors will also be available to answer any general questions you may have about middle school. Please come and join us in the BRMS Library.
Classroom Visits - During the months of October and November, the counselors visited the seventh grade classrooms for a lesson on what behaviors constitute harassment and how to respond to harassment. Counselors also visited sixth grade classrooms in October to teach/discuss tolerance and respect. Sixth grad-ers were introduced to the Conflict Mediation Program which promotes problem solving and peaceful resolu-tion to conflict.
Parents, please feel free to call a counselor at Blue Ridge if you are aware of a conflict or harassment situation between students.
Career Corners - Career Corners is a new program for eighth grade students. The program provides an opportunity for students to learn more about possible future career options. Community volunteers (mostly BRMS parents) will visit during eighth grade Resource classes to talk about their career or special interest.
Lucky Lockers - To encourage students to keep their lockers neat, the sixth and seventh counselors will be running a monthly contest for organized lockers. This will be done through Resource/Spectrum at random times with different classes each month. Winners will be awarded a certificate and treat.
Monroe Tech Middle School Mixer Where: Monroe Technology Center, 715 Childrens Center Rd Leesburg, VA When: Wednesday, November 3th, 2010 6-8:30 p.m. Who: 6th, 7th, and 8th graders What: Explore different career pathways by viewing mini demonstrations of each program. Tour of the labs and programs offered at Monroe Technology Center Contact: Ms Michelle Trudel (571- 252-2080)
Character Education - Every month the counselors and team teachers highlight a character pillar to be celebrated for character education. Teams select student winners to be recognized for their good character. Winners will be posted in the house areas and will receive a free ice cream pass for use in the cafeteria.
September – Trust Winners Mountaineers : Christian Sierra, Kendra Wright Voyagers: Timothy Savage, Lauren Rose Trailblazers: Luke Rider, Melissa Maricle Trekkers: Shad Baird, Hanna Tadie Pathfinders: Erik Herrera, Natalie Retaleato Explorers: Tyler Stipancic, Carina Bucci
Mix It Up Day - On November 9th during lunch the students will be asked to sit at tables according to their birthday months. An activity to promote student conversation will be presented by Loudoun Valley PEER Helpers allowing each table to participate together as a team and the chance to win prizes. The purpose of “Mix It Up Day” is to encourage students to make new connections and friendships.
Conferences - Remember to call your child’s counselor if you would like to schedule a teacher confer-
ence, or if you have any other concerns. Counselors coordinate parent-teacher conferences and are available to talk with you about your concerns. If you wish to see your child’s counselor, please be sure to call first.
HAPPENINGS AROUND BLUE RIDGE
October – Respect Winners
Mountaineers: Rachel Snyder, David Arbogast Voyagers: Bernice Pull, Bryan Correa Trailblazers: Tre’von Thomas, Gretel Kreider Trekkers: Darius Frazer, Kaitlyn Demauro Pathfinders: Jonathan Bell, Carissa Gargiulo Explorers: Stephen De Blank, Suzy Janney
2010 - 2011 School Calendar
September 6 Holiday (Labor Day) September 7 First Day of School for Students October 11 Holiday (Columbus Day) October 29 End of the Grading Period November 1-2 Student Holiday (Planning/Records/Conference Days) November 22-23 Employee Furlough Days November 24-26 Holiday (Thanksgiving) December 23-24/27-31 Winter Break (Classes resume January 3) January 1 Holiday (New Year’s Day) January 17 Holiday (Martin Luther King Jr. Day) January 21 End of the Grading Period January 24 Moveable Student Holiday* (Plan./Records/Conferences) February 21 Holiday (Presidents’ Day) April 1 End of the Grading Period April 4 Student Holiday (Planning/Records/Conference Days) April 18-22 Student Holiday (Spring Break) May 30 Holiday (Memorial Day) June 16 Last Day of School /End of Grading Period
* Note: Parents with child-care or other weekday scheduling concerns—The dates of the Moveable Planning/
Records/Conference Day between the first and second semesters may change if the school calendar must be changed due to school closings for inclement weather or other emergencies.
School Board Unanimously Adopts Pre-Labor Day Calendar
The Loudoun County School Board unanimously adopted a calendar that will open school before Labor Day for the 2010-2011 school year at its Tuesday, October 12th meeting. The earlier start time will allow school to close on June 9, 2011, eight days earlier than this school year. Please go to wwwllcps.org to view the 2011—2012 calendar.
Dates to Remember
November 1 & 2 Student Holiday (Planning/Records/Conference Days) November 3 Monroe Tech Open House 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. November 9 Mix It Up Day November 10 Report cards sent home with students November 11 & 12 School Picture Make Up Day November 12 Field Trip for 6th grade All County Chorus November 12 Drama Performance in the Auditorium 7 p.m. November 17 Counselors’ Coffee in the Library 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. November 18 Field Trip for 7th grade to the American History Museum November 22 & 23 LCPS Employee Furlough Days - Student Holidays November 24-26 Thanksgiving Holiday
HAPPENINGS AROUND BLUE RIDGE , continued
HAPPENINGS AROUND BLUE RIDGE , continued
Free Flu Vaccinations
To improve coverage rates in our area, the Loudoun County Health Department is providing free influenza vaccine on the following dates and times:
November 1 - 2 9:00 am—4:00 pm
Loudoun County Health Dept.
102 Heritage Way, NE (Shenandoah
Building) Leesburg, VA
November 3 9:00 am—4:00 pm
November 4
9:00 am-11:00 am
Loudoun County Health Dept.
45201 Research Pl. Suite 120
Ashburn, VA
November 4 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
November 5
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Loudoun County Government Center (Lovettsville Room,
1st
Floor) 1 Harrison Street SE,
Leesburg, VA
• Mist and injectable formulations of the flu vaccine will be provided, both of which are
preservative free
• Mist is approved for ages 2-49 years; available injectable vaccine is approved for those
Well, we are off and running! Your children are rapidly getting back into the different routines of middle school – locker combinations, changing classes, A day and B day – the list goes on. The children have great attitudes and are facing the new and exciting challenges with open minds. All students were issued an agenda, or planner, the first day of school. It is an essen-tial organizational tool. Your child is expected to write down all assignments every day. Please check for homework assignments or notes. This is a great place for com-munication between teachers and parents! Pathfinders Team and Staff: Mr. Peterson Counselor Mrs. Mueller History Mrs. Hutchison Dean Mrs. McDole Math Mrs. Ford Secretary Ms. Blythe Science Mrs. Gage Learning Specialist Ms. Ballinger Learning Specialist Mrs. Wade Learning Specialist
Ms. Haggerty Language Arts /Accelerating Literacy Mrs. Smith Language Arts / Communications Mrs. McCray Assistant Teacher
Explorers - Grade 7
The Explorers Team has settled into the new year. In Science, students have been looking at slides of animal, plant, and bacteria cells, identifying organelles and looking at similarities and differences. We have also em-barked on a web quest focusing on the organelles of cells. In Explorer Math, all classes studied well-known and not-so-well known Mathematicians through our “Be Friends with a Mathematician” poster project. Students are creating a song and dance skit to help them re-member the various properties of numbers. The students will perform their skits for the class. In Explorer Social Studies, students have been studying westward expansion. The students each wrote six articles detailing this era and typed them into a newspaper format called “The Explorer Gazette”. In Explorer Language Arts, students have crafted personal poems which were shared with family and friends at a poetry reading and celebration. Students have been immersed in reading novels of their choice and meet-ing in book clubs for discussion. Mr. Peterson Counselor Mrs. Hutchison Dean Mrs. Ford Secretary Mrs. Nelson Learning Specialist Mrs. Walker Language Arts Mrs. Taylor Assistant Teacher Mrs. Denbow History Mrs. Zebley Math Mrs. Holcomb Science
HAPPENINGS AROUND BLUE RIDGE , continued
BRMS DRAMA NEWS
DRAMA NIGHT! Where: Auditorium
When: Friday, Nov. 12 at 7:00pm
Admission: Suggested donation of $5 (more is okay too! All proceeds go towards support of the spring musical, SEUSSICAL) Come one, come all to see what this talented group of actors have learned over the course of their 8-week after-school class. You’ll see it all: Improv, Acting, Auditions and more!
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AUDITIONS FOR SEUSSICAL, THE MUSICAL Who: Any BRMS student who is interested! (It is not necessary to have taken the fall acting class)
When: Monday, Nov. 15 or Tuesday, Nov. 16 3:45 – 5:45 (come either day, not both)
Where: Stage/Auditorium
Call-Backs: Wednesday, Nov. 17, 3:45 – 5:45 (you MUST attend call-backs if invited to do so, in order to be cast!)
Rehearsals: Dec. 1 - 17 (working around guitar, band and choral events) Jan. 3 – March 31 (anywhere from 3-5x a week, depending on schedule, which will be pub lished in advance)
Performances: April 1, 2*, 3, 2011 (*2 shows)
Visit the DRAMA WEBPAGE for more information on both of these events.
LVHS Dance Team Camp
for Young Dancers
Tuesday, November 2 (This is a student Holiday!) 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
$45 per Dancer K through 8th Grade Contact Lisa Larison at LVHSdance [email protected]
or call 571-233-7093
HAPPENINGS AROUND BLUE RIDGE , continued
German Department News Blitz German Club and Class Events
Busch Gardens: Over 50 German students from Blue Ridge and Harmony attended the annual meeting of the Virginia Organization of German Students at Busch Gardens on Saturday, October 23, 2010. The students rode rides, ate German food and participated in various activities including a German song contest. If you were not able to attend, join us next year! This event is annual.
St. Martinstag: The German Society of Lovettsville will hold its third annual Saint Martinstag Parade on Sat-urday, November 13. Students from Blue Ridge Middle School are invited to attend. Students will prepare for this cultural activity by making lanterns and learning German songs about St. Martin. They will carry their homemade lanterns and sing as they parade with police escort through Lovettsville. Andy’s Restaurant in Lovettsville will provide the students with hot cocoa and cider at the end of the parade. Students and parents can socialize by lantern light as they eat their homemade Weckmänner cookies on the terrace after the parade.
American Education Week: German students will be inviting parents, relatives and friends to visit our class during American Education Week (November 15-19). Some of these guests will share experiences of living or traveling to Germany, while others might show off their German language skills. Parents are invited to just pop in to see what our classroom is all about, and students will teach visitors simple phrases to them. Call or e-mail Frau Lenz if you are interested in taking part of American Education Week!
Holiday Calendars: The German Club at Harmony is selling Advent Calendars and Blue Ridge students are able to purchase them. The cost per calendar is $3. These calendars are a German tradition and offer sweet, little chocolate surprises behind each of the 24 doors. Prizes will be awarded to the top sellers. Proceeds from these sales are used in a variety of ways. Some monies are donated to Harmony Outreach Fund which assists families in need while other funds are used to support the club trip to the German Convention in Newport News in February. Any leftover money is used to support the German classes’ various activities and prizes.
Tutoring: Frau Lenz is available before or after school on any A day.
German Class: German students participate in an “Auktion” at the end of the year with their hard earned Eu-ros. Donations are always welcome!
Fundraiser Info can be found on the BRMS website. If you have questions you may email Elise Kovich at
More information about PTO activities can be found on the website at www.lcps.org/brms.
The P.E. Department The P.E. Department is in need of an exercise bike, a stepper and an elliptical machine. If you have one and you would like to donate it to BRMS please contact Mr. Armstrong.
HAPPENINGS AROUND BLUE RIDGE , continued
Band News Things are going great in the band world! Students are busy in class, working on their music for the first concert of the year. This year, all bands will perform on December 14, 2010 at 7pm, in a pyramid concert. The purpose of this is to afford the students a chance to see what the older kids are working on. We will send home more complete details of the concert schedule in the next few weeks. Honor Band auditions will be on December 6th this year, and are open to all 6th , 7th, and 8th graders. If this audition date doesn’t work for your child, please just let me know and we will make other arrangements for their audition. If your student makes Honor Band, rehears-als will start December 20th, and run from 3:30-5:00pm on Mondays. This is a wonderful opportunity for the students to gain valuable experience playing with others. The 6th grade band field trip to Broad Run High School to see the United States Navy Band went very well! What an amazing group of musicians! The 8th grade band field trip to Loudoun Valley High School to perform with the Marching Vikings was a blast! Many thanks to all those parents who helped make this event happen! If your child is interested in private lessons on their instrument, please check out our band website for a list of private teachers or just ask Mrs. Newman! We are getting more and more interest in this and we are very ex-cited about it! Our winter events are coming up! Here are important dates to get on your calendar! Important Dates *December 6 Honor Band Tryouts after school in bandroom *December 9 Band 7 on stage after-school rehearsal 3:30-5:00pm
*December 11 Blue Ridge Middle School Bands in Purcellville Xmas Parade! *December 13 Band 6 on stage after-school rehearsal 3:30-5:00pm *December 14 Blue Ridge Middle School Pyramid Band Concert 7pm Students arrive at: 7th & 8th Grade: 6:15pm / 6th Grade: 6:30pm
*December 20 First Honor Band Rehearsal!
*January 8, 2011 District Band Auditions at Seneca Ridge Middle School
Guitar News
Guitar is off to a great start this year! Students are working hard and doing well. Please continue to remind them to turn in their practice charts as required. Our win-ter concert is coming up. Here are important dates to put on the calendar: *December 7, 2010 After-school rehearsal (stage) 3:30-5:00pm *December 9, 2010 Blue Ridge Winter Guitar Concert! 7pm
More information about the Music Department activities may be found on the Music De-partment webpage.
HAPPENINGS AROUND BLUE RIDGE , continued
Annual Fall Parade October 29, 2010
The M & M Crew from the Front Office Notice that Mr. Kawalek, on the far left doesn’t quite measure up as an M & M. From left to right, Mr. Don Kawalek, Tech Ed Teacher, Mr. Matt Bolen, Assistant Principal, Mrs. Marlene Jefferson, Assistant Principal, Mrs. Roberta Griffith, Principal, Mrs. Margaret Jones, Secretary, Mrs. Monzella Mallory, Secre-tary, Mrs. Kelly Thomas, R.N.
This group of 8th grade boys won the “Most School Spirit Category”
The 6th Grade, House B Staff dressed up as “Rosie the Riveter”. Mr. Dillon, 6th grade Dean, appears as a World War II soldier at the far left.
HAPPENINGS AROUND BLUE RIDGE , continued
This is Mr. Hartley’s Proud Math Nerds Group. Mr. Hartley is at the far right wearing the bow tie.
The group of 6th grade crayons, pictured to the left carried the sign for their category in the parade. Ironically, it was a group of 8th grade “crayons” that won the “Best Group” Category.
The young ladies pictured above entered in the Historical category.
Pictured on the left are Teachers from House A dressed as characters from the “Twilight” series.
HAPPENINGS AROUND BLUE RIDGE , continued
Week of November 1st Week 3
Week of November 8th Week 1
Week of November 15th Week 2
Week of November 29th Week 3
Cafeteria News
The Loudoun County Public Schools new Secondary Lunch Menu is a three week repeating
menu. This menu may be viewed online at www.lcps.org by selecting lunch menus.
November Hot Meal Menu Schedule
Blue Ridge Middle School
We’re on the web:
www.lcps.org
Loudoun School Delays and Closing Information
Look here to find out if bad weather or other conditions require school closings, delayed opening, or early dismissal of students. Notifications of delayed opening or closed schools will be posted at approximately 6:00 a.m. and infor-mation about early dismissal of students will appear here as soon as the decision is made. Changes in the LCPS schedule are announced on local and regional radio and television stations including Adelphia cable (see list below). Please do not call the stations directly.
ONE HOUR DELAYED OPENING means that ALL
SCHOOLS start one hour later than scheduled and operate as usual. Afternoon programs will be held at the regular time.
TWO HOUR DELAYED OPENING means that school opening is delayed for two hours with specific changes to certain programs.
Radio
WMAL 630 AM WINC 92.5 FM
WAGE 1200 AM WASH 97.1 FM
WTOP 1500 AM WXVA 98.3 FM
WZYQ 103.9 FM WMZQ 98.7 FM
WMJR 107.7 FM WGMS 103.5 FM
American with Disabilities Act
The American with Disabilities Act requires that public entities “furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and services
where necessary to afford an individual with a disability
and equal opportunity to participate in, and enjoy the bene-
fits of, a service program, or activity conducted by a public
entity.”
If due to disability, you need assistance to enable you to participate meaningfully in the activities at Blue Ridge Mid-dle School please contact an administrator at 540-751-2520
at least five working days prior to the meeting or confer-
ence.
Please call the Department for Personnel Services at 571-252-1100 if you need assistance in locating sign language or inter-preters.
TV
Adelphia - with converter Ch 63
Adelphia - Direct Ch. 55
News Channel 8
WJLA TV 7
WRC TV 4
WTTG TV 5
WUSA TV 9
551 East A Street Purcellville, VA 20132
Phone: 540-751-2520 Fax: 540-338-6823
www.lcps.org
Mailing Address Line 1 Mailing Address Line 2 Mailing Address Line 3 Mailing Address Line 4 Mailing Address Line 5
