Belmont Ridge Middle SchoolHome of the River Hawks

Rising 7th Grade Parent Information Night

We Are Glad to Have You Here!

■ The presentation from this evening will be posted to our website tomorrow morning.

■ We will have an opportunity for Question/Response at the end of the presentation

Mission of LCPS

The mission of Loudoun County Public Schools is empowering ALL students to make meaningful contributions to the world

This mission is accomplished by cultivating a high-performing team of professionals who deliver effective and efficient support for student success

Safe & Supportive

Learning Environment

Data to Support Student Success

Powerful Planning

Technology Enabled

Blended/Personalized Learning

Performance Assessments

Assessment & Internal

Accountability

PBLStudent Agency

Professional Learning

Deeper Learning

LCPS Five Cs

Belmont Ridge Middle School ensures the future success of our students, by providing an equitable, engaging environment of educational success.

Develop knowledgeable critical thinkers, communicators, collaborators, creators, and contributors.

Mission of Belmont Ridge MS

“To treat all children the same is to

favor some and penalize others.”

Personalized Learning

■ Dynamically tailoring student learning experiences to their strengths, needs, and interests

■ Occurs through a blending of face-to-face and digital learning

■ Allows teachers to meet with students and discuss their progress and needs

■ Allows students to work at their own pace and reflect on how and what they are learning

Belmont Ridge Team

Dr. Hitchman Principal

Mr. McKenzie Assistant Principal

Mr. Surma Assistant Principal

Dr. Lewis Dean

Ms. Panek School Counselor

Mr. White School Counselor

Ms. Newman House Secretary

7th Grade Teachers

Parent Teacher Organization

Support Our School…

Join the PTO!

■ Stay connected!

■ Like our FB page!

■ Find the PTO tab on the school homepage!

■ Every contribution is meaningful; thank you!

■ PTO President:■ Mrs. Patricia Flynn

■ Parent Liaison: ■ Mrs. Susan Ferguson

Academics

▪ Provide an enriching and challenging academic program.

▪ 5 C’s for the 21st Century

▪ Communication

▪ Collaboration

▪ Critical Thinking

▪ Creativity

▪ Contributing

▪ Choose courses carefully to create a well-balanced schedule that meets the needs of your child.

7th GRADE COURSES

All 7th graders take the following courses:

■ Language Arts

■ Math

■ Life Science

■ U.S. History

■ Health & P.E.

■ Tech Ed & FACS

■ Resource & Fine Arts Elective

Sample Student Schedule

A Day B Day

1-2 Language Arts 1-2 Math

3-4 Tech Ed/FACS 3-4 Resource/Art/Music

5 U.S. History 5 Science 7

Lunch Lunch

6 U.S. History 6 Science 7

7-8 PE/Health 7-8 WorldLanguage/ CAMS/Exploratory Dramatics

Homework in 7th Grade

■ Homework is a practice of student learning

■ Students should not rely on resource to complete homework

■ Teachers will have homework and assignments posted in ParentVue/StudentVue

■ Some of our teachers are also using Google Classroom and other digital content

Course Selection Process

■ Students will meet with Ms. Panek in mid-February.

■ Your child’s teachers will make recommendations to assist you and your child with course selections for next year.

■ Parents will be able to review course selections in April.

LCPS Student Device Initiative

■ Students will be issued a chromebook and charger at the start of the school year

■ Students are expected to bring their charged device with them to school every day

■ We have a limited number of devices available in case a student forgets to bring their device

■ A list of expectations and user agreement form will be distributed at the start of the school year

■ The Chromebooks are distributed by LCPS and are subject to LCPS filters and security settings

Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS)

■ Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS) is a research and evidence based practice.

■ It creates a common vision of behavioral expectations through consistent language and practices.

■ PBIS is a framework of tiered approaches to address ALL the needs of our students.

English/Language Arts

Content includes:

■ Writing

■ Research

■ Literature

■ Oral Language

■ Vocabulary

Exploratory Dramatics

● Goal of the course is an Introduction to

Fundamental Concepts of Theatre Arts

● Students will engage in the critical study of

performance, theatre history, dramatic literature,

and theatrical production

● Skills such as script writing, acting, improvisation,

speech, and play analysis will be incorporated

into the class

● A 7th or 8th grade Year-long English Elective

Math 7

■ Math 7 is the on-grade level math course

■ Places students on a path to take Math 8 or Algebra in 8th grade

■ Placement decisions will be based on grades, results from MAP testing, and teacher recommendation

Math 8

■ Intended to prepare students for Algebra by reviewing key concepts

■ Usually taken by 7th grade students who took Accelerated Math 6/7 but may not be quite ready for Algebra in 7th grade

■ Placement decisions will be based on grades, results from MAP testing, teacher recommendation, and SOL scores

Algebra

■ This is an above grade level class in which students will earn a high school credit

■ Usually taken by students in Accelerated Math 6/7 who earned A’s or B’s during each marking period

■ Placement decision will be based on grades, results from MAP testing, and teacher recommendation

Math Selection Process

Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8

Math 6Math 6 SOL Test

Math 7Math 7 SOL Test

Algebra ISOL Test

High School Credit

Accelerated Math 6/7

Math 7 SOL Test

Algebra ISOL Test

High School Credit

GeometrySOL Test

High School Credit

Math 8Math 8 SOL Test

Algebra ISOL Test

High School Credit

River Hawk Math Boot Camp

Math Boot Camp▪ MS Math for all students

▪ Math 6 and 6/7

▪ Number sense

▪ Computations

▪ Functions & Algebra

▪ Session #1: July 29-Aug. 2

▪ Session #2: Aug. 5-9

▪ Information to sign up will be located on our website

▪ Proceeds support teacher instructors and the PTO

Coding at Middle School

■ A 7th or 8th Grade Year-long Mathematics

Elective

■ Goal of the course is an introduction to

computational thinking, coding, and computer

science

■ First semester students will be working in

Scratch, second semester Codesters

■ Codesters is the bridge between block coding and

learning to type in the coding language Python

Jessica.Jackson@lcps.org

Scot.Braun@lcps.org

Mark.Goff@lcps.org

United States History from 1865 - Present Day

Students in

the trenches

of WWI

CLICK HERE

FOR A BRIEF

VIDEO FROM

THE HISTORY

7 TEAM

Science

■ Content Covered

■ Characteristics of Life

■ Cells

■ Cell Processes

■ Genetics

■ Evolution

■ Classification of Organisms

■ Plants and Animals

■ Ecology

■ Huge emphasis on the Scientific Method throughout the year

Health & Physical Education

■ Students will have HPE every other day for 90

minutes

■ Students will spend approximately two weeks in

health every quarter

■ Students are required to dress out for PE &

uniforms can be purchased at beginning of year

■ Follow what is happening in HPE on Twitter!

● Life Skills needed for independent living and career readiness.

● Units include: ○ Cooking Basics (Sanitation, Techniques, Terms)○ Nutrition○ Etiquette○ Career Exploration○ Clothing Care○ Machine & Hand Sewing○ Money & Resource Management○ Marketing○ Business & Entrepreneurship○ Family and Peer Relationships○ Personality○ Self Esteem○ Communication

Family & Consumer Science

Technology Education

Content Covered

■ Workplace Expectations

■ Innovations and Inventions

■ The Design Process

■ The Production of a Prototype

Music■ Programs Offered

■ Band 7

■ Chorus 7

■ Guitar 7, Beginning & Accelerated

■ Strings 7

■ Expectations

■ Performing ensembles

■ Commitment to the ensemble

■ Practice at home required

.

Visual Art

■ Class meets every other day for half of a block (45 minutes).

■ Topics Covered

■ Art History

■ Drawing

■ Painting

■ Printmaking

■ Computer Graphics

■ Sculpture

■ Ceramics

World Languages

■ French I

■ German I

■ Latin I

■ Spanish I

These courses count towards high school credits.

Criteria for membership include:

● Earn and Maintain an all A honor roll

● Complete a minimum of 10 hours of community service

● Show leadership and positive behavior qualities in the classroom

as well as in the community

For more information, go to the National Junior Honor Society

home page under the activities tab or email Ms. Sharma

*This year we have about 180 applicants*Collectively students completed more than 1850 volunteer hours*Students made 899 cards for our military.

BEM - NJHS

Spectrum

■ Offered during 45 minutes of the resource class.

■ Student participation is optional.

■ Participation option may be exercised from year to year.

■ Students enrolled in Spectrum in 6th grade are placed in Spectrum in 7th grade.

Clubs & Organizations at BEMS

-- Anime Club

-- Book Club

-- Bright Life Buddies

-- Belmont Singers

-- Dance Team

-- French Club

-- Jazz Band

-- Math Counts

--Odyssey of the Mind

-- River Hawk Squawk

-- River Hawk Runners

-- Spanish Club

-- Student Council

-- VEX Robotics

-- Video Game Club

-- Yearbook Club

Spring Musical

■ This year’s spring musical is Freaky Friday

■ There are over 120 students involved in the cast, orchestra, and crew

■ Dates of the musical are March 29-March 31and April 4-6

Belmont Ridge Middle School

■ 2018-2021 National School to Watch■ 2017 Middle School Academic Decathlon Champions■ 2018 Odyssey of the Mind World Finals Qualifier■ 2017 Odyssey of the Mind World Finals Qualifier■ 2018 LEGO Robotics World Finals Qualifier

■ 2015-2018 Virginia Index of Performance (VIP) Board of Education Excellence Award

■ 2018 NYA Junior Division Best Overall Musical

■ 2018 NYA Junior Division Best Ensemble

■ 2016 School-Business Partnership Award

■ 2017 Geography Bee National Finalist

■ Blue Ribbon School of Music

Announcements/Events

■ Screenagers film on Tuesday, February 26 from

6:30-8:30 pm in the auditorium

■ Our February PTO Meeting will be held on Friday,

February 22 from 8:45-10:00 am

■ Principal for a Day Program...opportunity to

shadow Dr. Hitchman for a day

■ Students will be completing course requests in

Resource on Friday, February 15

Follow Us On ...

@BelmontRidge

Our Facebook Page:

facebook.com/BEMRiverHawks

Our Website: www.lcps.org/bmrms

Install the app: www.lcps.org/app

Thank you for joining us

this evening for our

Rising 7th Grade

Parent Information Night