Belmont Ridge Middle School
“EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION”
19045 Upper Belmont Place, Leesburg, VA 20176
www.loudoun.k12.va.us/bmrms T: 571-252-2220
Dear Belmont Ridge Families,
As I was watching the hockey playoffs, the television station I was
watching called themselves “the home of the championship season.” With
playoffs upon us in sports such as hockey, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer,
and lacrosse, May is a time when champions are crowned and goals from the
start of the season are achieved.
The month of May marks the final stretch of the school year as well. It is
the time of year when the hard work and dedication of our students throughout
the entire year is visible. During the next six weeks, our students will be engaged
and empowered in several events and activities. In addition to end-of-year SOL
testing which will begin on Monday, May 6, our students are also preparing to
demonstrate what they have learned and the progress they have made by
performing in a variety of music concerts. Student art work will be displayed
during our 4th annual Rivercon Event on Saturday, May 4. There are also
several end-of-year activities planned such as the 8th grade dance, 8th grade field
day, and STEAM Day. Assessing, learning, performing, and revising occur
every day and we look forward to our students achieving the goals they created
for themselves at the start of the school year.
We are also proud of the many students who are or will be competing at
national and international events during the month of May. We have an 8th
grade student representing Virginia at the National Geography Bee, at which he
placed 5th in the nation two years ago. We have a 6th grade student representing
Loudoun County at the International Young Entrepreneurs Academy
Competition in Rochester, New York. Her creation, Limitless Limb, uses 3D
printers to make affordable prosthetics for kids. Team Awesome Sauce will be
competing at the World Odyssey of the Mind Competition at Michigan State
University after placing first in the commonwealth. I also just received word that
the Belmont Ridge LEGOnauts received the 1st place Robot Strategy and
Innovation Award at the First Lego League World Competition this past
weekend in Michigan. The LEGOnauts were the only team from the U.S.A. to
win the robot award! By following their strengths, interests, and passions, our
students continue to amaze and display characteristics and traits necessary to
make meaningful contributions to the world. We truly have the best students and
I appreciate the encouragement and support provided to them by their parents,
teachers, and community. If you are interested in supporting our students or
teams during their upcoming competitions, please let me know. Thank you for
sharing your tremendously talented students with us and thank you for taking the
time to read our May newsletter.
Sincerely,
Dr. Ryan Hitchman
May 2019
Administrative Team
Dr. Ryan Hitchman Principal
Mr. David McKenzie
Assistant Principal
Mr. Michael Surma
Assistant Principal
8th Grade
Mr. Ryan Mikulsky Dean
Ms. Kelly Murphy Counselor
(A-K)
Mrs. Zamarit Simpkins Counselor
(L-Z)
Mrs. Kiana Cuebas Secretary
571-252-2228
7th Grade
Mr. F. Michael Skinner Dean
Ms. Joy Jackson Counselor
Secretary
571-252-2227
6th Grade
Dr. Felecia Lewis
Dean
Ms. Lauren Panek
Counselor
Mrs. Marlo Newman
Secretary
571-252-2226
Lead Counselor
Mr. Damien White (SPED, ELL, 504's)
School Information
Office Hours 8:00-4:00
Phone: 571-252-2220 Fax: 703-669-1455
Absentee Line
571-252-2222
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
ORDER
STARTING MAY 1st
1 Iterim Progress
Reports
Guitar 6 Concert
7:00pm
BEM BOOK FAIR
2 7th & 8th Grade Honor
Roll Assembly 7:30am
BEM BOOK FAIR
3 6th Grade Honor Roll
Assembly 7:30am
BEM BOOK FAIR
Principal Coffee
Talk 9:00 a.m. café
4
BEM BOOK
FAIR
5
6
7 8
9 10 11
12 13 14
Chorus 6 Concert
7:00pm
15
Chorus 7 & 8
Concert 7:00pm
16
Silver Bands 6 & 8
Jazz Concert 7:00pm
17 18
19 20 21
Relay for Life
Kiss-n-Go Bucket Day!
Burgundy Bands 6th &
7th Concert 7:00pm
22
Relay for Life
Kiss-n-Go Bucket Day!
Spanish Club
3:30-4:30
23 24
8th Grade Music Depts.
to Hershey Park
Competition
25
26 27
No School
28 29
Strings 6th, 7th, 8th
Concert 7:00pm
30 Guitar 7 & 8 Concert
7:00pm
31
8th Grade Dance
6:30pm – 9:30pm
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Belmont Ridge Middle School TESTING WINDOWS
2018 - 2019 SCHOOL YEAR
The SOL testing schedule is below. Students will be informed by their teachers when and where their tests will be administered. Announcements will also be made each morning to ensure students know where to go. Make-up testing will occur throughout the window and, as necessary, up to May 31st.
SOL Testing (Grades 6 – 8) Lunch Shift
Order
May 6, 7 Reading 8 Normal
May 8, 9 Reading 7 Normal
May 10, 13 Reading 6 Normal
May 14 Geometry Normal
May 15, 16 Algebra 1 Normal
May 17 Math 8 Normal
May 20 Science 8 Math 6 (6th graders enrolled in Math 6)
TBD
May 21 Science 8 Math 7 (7th graders enrolled in Math 7 and 6th graders enrolled in Accelerated Math 6/7)
TBD
May 22 Civics and Economics 8 Math 7 (7th graders enrolled in Math 7 and 6th graders enrolled in Accelerated Math 6/7)
TBD
May 23 Civics and Economics 8 TBD
For more information and resources on the SOL assessments, you may go to the following websites:
• Virginia Department of Education: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/standards_docs/index.shtml
• Loudoun County Public Schools: www.lcps.org o Go to: Services>Assessment Services
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Summer 2019 Math Camp registration is now OPEN. https://fs4.formsite.com/bemsptso/form28/index.html
Math Camp will review necessary skills from the previous school year, make connections to new material and key vocabulary, and preview topics covered in the first quarter.
Course for Fall of 2019 Camp Any student enrolling in 6th grades in the Fall of 2019… Math 6
Any student enrolling in math 7 or math 8 in the Fall of 2019… Math 7 & 8
Any student enrolling in Algebra 1 in the Fall of 2019… Algebra 1
Any student enrolling in Geometry in the Fall of 2019... Geometry
Any student enrolling in Alg 2 or Alg2/Trig in the Fall of 2019... Algebra 2/trig
Session 1: July 29-Aug 2 Session 2: August 5-9
Math 6 Algebra 1 8:30-10:30 Math 6 Geometry
Math 6 Algebra 1 11:00-1:00 Math 6 Algebra 1
Math 7 & 8 Geometry 1:30-3:30 Math 6 Algebra 1
Algebra 2/trig 4:00-6:00 Algebra 2/trig
No refunds or changes after June 30, 2019 Camp is $200 for 10 hours of instruction
Questions: Contact Christine Spinosa at [email protected]
Congratulations to eighth grader Kayla Bond for earning second place in
the Western Loudoun Writing Contest! She placed second in the memoir category for her
personal narrative about reconciling with her sister after being injured.
Interested in helping raise money and awareness to find
a cure for cancer? We are too, and we need your help!!
Join Belmont Ridge's Relay for Life team after school Monday, May 6
and Monday, May 20 from 3:30-4:30 in Room B-17.
Can't make it to the meetings but want to participate? The Loudoun
County Relay for Life Event is on Saturday, June 1 from 12-10pm at the Village of Leesburg.
Our tent will be Harry Potter themed--you won't want to miss it!
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On Saturday, May 4th – RiverCon comes to Belmont Ridge!
RiverCon is Northern Virginia’s first convention experience aimed at younger fans in
celebration of art, gaming, movies, and comic book loving culture! For its fourth year, the
Force is with RiverCon this May the 4th as guests of all ages can participate interactive
experiences, tutorials, contests, and so much more:
• Shop in our vendor room filled with local entrepreneurs and artists. Visit
bemsrivercon.weebly.com for our growing list of vendors!
• Cosplayers under the age of 16 can participate in our costume contest - costumes
voted within the top three will win a prize!
• Participate in interactive tutorials, demonstrations, and more led by industry
professionals - full schedule of events at bemsrivercon.weebly.com
Who are RiverCon 2019’s special guests?
• Mr. John Morton – Mr. Morton will be speaking at a panel & signing autographs
for a limited time at RiverCon.
When is RiverCon 2019? Saturday, May 4, 2019 from 11am to 5pm
Where is RiverCon 2019? Belmont Ridge Middle School
How can I get my RiverCon 2019 tickets?
Tickets to RiverCon are available now online at bit.ly/rivercon2019tickets. Tickets will
also be available at the door – but we’d recommend that you purchase your tickets now
via our Tickets Page, as RiverCon may sell out quickly. Buy your tickets in advance to
save some money as presale tickets will be sold at a lower price than tickets at the door.
We do need volunteers and some items for RiverCon, including baked goods
for the concessions table and gift cards to be used as giveaways! Volunteers
receive free admission to the event, so if you have a little time to help us out
we would love for you to stay and enjoy the day at RiverCon. Please visit the
signup: www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0848afaf2aa1fc1-rivercon
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End of Year Library Newsletter
April was School Library Month…You Belong!
You’re invited to the Bookworm Central Book Fair! • April 29th -May 4th 8:30-3:30 P.M.
• May 4th (during Rivercon) 12:30-3:00 P.M.
• Visit before school, during L.A. class, Resource, and lunch (with a pass)
• Payments: cash, check (payable to Belmont Ridge Middle School), credit
card. No tax on purchases
• All sales are FINAL. All proceeds benefit our library program and activities
• Thank you to the Language Arts department for honoring us with cards and gifts
for Library Workers Day! Thank you to our awesome Library Helpers for
volunteering to shelve and display books (and more) throughout the year! Thank
you to Ms. Ellsworth, our delightful Book Nurse! One more shout out to our
wonderful Book Fair Volunteers!
Author Billie Pavicic visited with some students, read her story Parker
Plum and the Rotten Egg Thoughts, and shared its positive messages on
April 25th. We planted flowers with the students for Earth Day, too.
Thank you to Ms. Jackson and Ms. Pavicic for this opportunity.
Also, thank you to families who donated books for the Book Swap!
Students in Ms. Donehoo’s S.S. classes enthusiastically participated in a
Jury Duty lesson with the library team! Students role-played and taught
aspects of the First Amendment and famous court cases.
Students designed a Keva Plank tower while
visiting the S.T.E.A.M. Hub. We’re adding
more activities next school year! Thank you
to Dr. Hitchman, Ms. Plunkett, and our P.T.O.
for their support!
Featured book of the month: Braced, by Alyson Gerber, is a
fantastic story about a girl, Rachel, who plays defense on her soccer
team and suddenly has to deal with adjusting to wearing a brace for
scoliosis treatment.
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Summer Reading and Fun Events at the LCPL!
• Summer Book Sale June 8th, 10:00-5:00 Ashburn Library
• Book & Arts Festival June 8th, 10:00-5:00 Brambleton Library
• The Giant Used Book Sale June 22nd-24th held at Smart’s Mill M.S. (sponsored by the Loudoun Library Foundation)
• The LCPL Summer Reading Program begins June 10th Register at your local LCPL branch. Teens may sign up for training to volunteer, too. Great books, raffle prizes, and more!
• Mini Con at Rust Library on June 15th LCPL offers great programs, makerspaces, volunteering opportunities, teen centers, books, gaming, movies, music, and more!
Check library.loudoun.gov for more information.
Friendly reminder: The final due date for library books
and materials is May 31st. Library services will continue
through the end of the school year.
Attention Students and Parents! At the end of the school year, student Chromebooks and chargers will be collected and kept at school over the summer. Rising 9 graders will be expected to remove any stickers or decorations they have added to their Chromebooks before turning it in. If a Chromebook or charger is lost, the student is responsible for the replacement value. Please contact Mrs. Tyrrell in our technology department (Room H4) with any questions. Thank You!
8
May is Mental Health Awareness Month! • Take some time to check in with yourself and practice self-care. One saying is “you
can’t pour from an empty cup”, meaning that it is important to take care of yourself first and recharge in order to be successful in whatever you choose to do.
o Some wellness tips include journaling, going on walks, connecting with others, talking about your feelings, finding ways to de-stress, using positive language and self-talk, taking 5 minutes each day to relax, and getting at least 8 hours of sleep.
Upcoming Events
• Wellness Wednesdays o Students are invited to learn mindfulness and stress reduction strategies
through the Calm App every Wednesday morning throughout the month of May. 8am-8:20am in the Aux gym. Dates: May 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th
• SOL testing- May 6th through May 23rd Resources
• “For Parents and Caregivers”- Mentalhealth.gov o https://www.mentalhealth.gov/talk/parents-caregivers
• “Supporting Children’s Mental Health: Tips for Parents and Educators” by Katherine C. Cowan
o https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources/mental-health/prevention-and-wellness-promotion/supporting-childrens-mental-health-tips-for-parents-and-educators-x38466
News from the PTO…
There are several board member and committee openings on next year’s PTO board! These
include President, Ways & Means/Fundraising, Special Events, and 8th Grade Celebration Chair.
If you are interested in one of these positions or need more information, please send an email to
[email protected] or Parent Liaison Susan Ferguson at [email protected].
Teacher Appreciation Week is coming up next week, May 6 -10 and we are getting ready to
give our hard-working BEMS teachers and staff a week filled with treats, giveaways, and much
more! Please visit the signup and consider contributing:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0549ADAE2AA13-teacher. Thanks!
Our final PTO meeting of the year will be on Friday, May 31 at 8:45am. We hope that you
can join us!
9
Students have received Spring Pictures from their
P.E. teacher…
You may keep the pictures you want and pay online or send in the payment to school, OR if you do not want the pictures, please have your child return the entire packet to their house secretary as soon as possible.
Thank you! If you have any questions, please contact
Lifetouch Customer Service @ 800-736-4753.
10
The Lost and Found tables are VERY FULL! We have many lost items
such as: agendas, lunch boxes, water bottles, headphones, clothing, eye glasses and
jewelry. Please have your child check the tables in each grade, cafeteria, and front office
for any lost items! Any items not claimed by the end of the school year will be
thrown away or donated.
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Belmont Ridge HPE Leader Board Winners!
Congrats to all who competed in each of the leader board championships. The following
students received the highest score in each of the Fitness Gram Tests. CONGRATS!
8th Grade 7th Grade
6th Grade
PACER
Female Adrienne Dasilva
Male Brendon Maynard
BACK SAVER S&R Left
Female Eloise Hale
Male Bobby Cisneros
BACK SAVER S&R Right
Female Lillian Gartland
Male Bobby Cisneros
CURL UP
Female Chanel Harris
Male Max Lu & Owen Blatt
PUSH UP
Female Sage Duggal
Male Neil Zaragoza
PACER
Female Ashleigh Vizek
Male Greg Spiller
BACK SAVER S&R Left
Female Laura Williams
Male Sayed Shah
BACK SAVER S&R Right
Female Laura Williams
Male Sayed Shah
CURL UP
Female Sydney von Berg
Male Drew Mazzocco
PUSH UP
Female Julia Martinez
Male Greg Spiller
PACER
Female Alicia Meincke
Male Caden Merritt
BACK SAVER S&R Left
Female Parwin Jamal
Male Cayman Weissman
BACK SAVER S&R Right
Female Isabella Singh
Male Cayman Weissman
CURL UP
Female Gigi Cisneros
Male Cayman Weissman
PUSH UP
Female Kenzie Walker
Male Cayman Weissman
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