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
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