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RiverHawk Updates
Week of March 9th through March 13th
Updates from the Admin Team
Happy Sunday RiverHawks! I hope you are having a great weekend!
- The Writing 8 SOL will continue through Monday, March 9th.
- Quarter 3 ends March 26th (less than three weeks).
- As the year has gone on, we have seen an increase in students arriving tardy to both school and class, especially in the eighth grade. Please remind students of the importance of being on time to both school and class.
March Recognitions
Women's History Month
National Women's History Month was established by presidential proclamation in order to draw attention to and improve the focus on women in historical studies. It began in New York City on March 8, 1857, when female textile workers marched in protest of unfair working conditions and unequal rights for women. It was one of the first organized strikes by working women, during which they called for a shorter workday and decent wages. Also on March 8, in 1908, women workers in the needle trades marched through New York City's Lower East Side to protest child labor, sweatshop working conditions, and demand women’s suffrage. Beginning in 1910, March 8 became annually observed as International Women's Day. Women’s History Week was instituted in 1978 in an effort to begin adding women’s history into educational curricula. In 1987, the National Women's History Project successfully petitioned Congress to include all of March as a celebration of the economic, political and social contributions of women.
The 2020 Women’s History Month theme is “Valiant Women of the Vote.” The theme honors "the brave women who fought to win suffrage rights for women, and for the women who continue to fight for the voting rights of others."
Youth in Art Month
Youth Art Month is an annual observance each March to emphasize the value of art and art education for all children and to encourage support for quality school art programs.
Equity In Education Month
In an effort to encourage equity in education, the VSBA Board of Directors has designated the month of March as VSBA Equity in Education Month.
March 8: International Women’s Day. First observed in 1911 in Germany, it has now become a major global celebration honoring women’s economic, political and social achievements.
March 13-April 15: Deaf History Month. This observance celebrates key events in deaf history, including the founding of Gallaudet University and the American School for the Deaf.
At Belmont Ridge, we value Academic Excellence, a Culture of Equity, and a Safe, Supportive, and Positive Learning Environment. Thank you for all you do to support us as a school!
** Any messages sent from BEMS through our Blackboard account (noreply.belmontridge@lcps.org) come from an account that is not monitored. Please use our website to locate the email addresses of any staff members you need to contact. Thank you. **
BEMS Important Dates
March and April 2020
March 4, 5, 6 and 9 - 8th Grade Writing SOL
March 11 - Riverside Athletics Night for Rising 9th Graders at 7:00 pm (BEMS Auditorium)
March 13 - LCPS Business Partner Breakfast
March 16 - National Junior Honor Society Ceremony
March 19 - Battle of the Books at 3:30 pm
March 20 - PTO Meeting at 8:45 am (cafeteria)
March 20 - 7th Grade iFly Trip
March 23 - Author Kristine Levine Visits
March 26 - Last Day of Quarter 3
March 26 - 7th Grade iFly Trip
March 26 - Nerd Night
March 27- Teacher Workday (no school for students)
March 31 - Spring MAP Assessment - Math
April 1 - Spring MAP Assessment - Reading
April 2 - Rising 9th Grade Visit to Riverside HS
April 4 - 12 - Spring Break
Student Created Newsletter
Riverside HS Rising Freshmen Parent/Athlete Info Night
Come hear from the Riverside Athletic Department about important dates, eligibility requirements, and FAQs. This event will take place at Riverside HS.
Also, get a chance to meet coaches from all sports offered at Riverside (Fall, Winter, and Spring).
Wednesday, Mar 11, 2020, 07:00 PM
Riverside High School, Upper Belmont Place, Leesburg, VA, USA
Lunch with the Principal
PTO Updates
The Belmont Ridge PTO thanks all who came out to support our spirit night at Habit Burger last Tuesday! Stay tuned for more spirit night events this spring.
This is the final week for our MADD/Gotsneakers Used Sneaker drive! Please bring or send in your unwanted sneakers, wearable or not so much, tied together in fairly clean condition. Gotsneakers sends sneakers that still have some life left in them to impoverished nations, and those that are not wearable anymore are ground up and made into sport courts, playgrounds, etc. Friday, March 13 is the final day for sneaker donations. Thanks to all who have sent theirs in already - we've topped the 100-pair mark!
BEMS Library Updates
French Exchange Program.
The French program at Belmont Ridge will be hosting students from Marquis, France. Madame Karam, the French teacher is looking for families interested in hosting French students from April 12-20, 2020. Being a host family is a unique, rewarding, fun and educational experience for all members of the family and an opportunity to create long-lasting relationships. Your student will experience a true cultural exchange and represent our community internationally. If you are interested to learn more about this opportunity, please see the link below or email Madame Karam at jeanine.karam@lcps.org
Young Entrepreneur Academy
The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) is a groundbreaking, 7-month program that transforms middle and high school students into real-life entrepreneurs and business owners. This program is presented by the Loudoun Chamber Foundation. Students will develop business ideas, write business plans, conduct market research, pitch plans to a panel of investors, have the opportunity to launch their own legal, fully formed companies and social movements, and be mentored by local businessmen and businesswomen.
Complete with guest speakers from the local business community and behind-the-scenes trips to local companies, the projects-based YEA! approach empowers students to take charge of their futures in a profound way. Applications will close June 12, 2020.
Questions? Contact Program Coordinator Faith Shoup, fshoup@loudounchamber.org.
Superintendent’s Equity Statement
Loudoun County Public Schools is committed to providing an inclusive, safe, caring, and challenging learning environment, which serves as the foundation for student growth. In response to a systemic equity assessment that LCPS commissioned in 2019, Superintendent Eric Williams issued the following statement on August 19, 2019, to clearly outline the LCPS stance on creating an inclusive, safe, caring, and challenging learning environment viewed through an equity lens.
LCPS is committed to providing a safe, empathetic, respectful and supportive learning environment in order to empower every student to make meaningful contributions to the world. When students and staff experience racial insults, slurs, and/or other hate speech, we lack the positive culture and climate that supports students’ growth.
LCPS calls for all students, staff, families, and other members of our community to engage in the disruption and dismantling of white supremacy, systemic racism, and hateful language and actions based on race, religion, country of origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, and/or ability. LCPS rejects racist and other hateful behavior and language, recognizing that it encourages discrimination, hatred, oppression, and violence.
Every individual is valued in Loudoun County Public Schools. Let’s celebrate the diversity that helps define us as a school division.
Eric Williams, Ed.D.
Division Superintendent
The Positivity Project
This week's topic -> Social Intelligence
Belmont Ridge will again partner with the Positivity Project to foster character building and social-emotional learning.
The Positivity Project is thinking big. We know that powerful aspects of the civilizing process, like empathy, are in retreat. Yet, we believe that armed with a deeper understanding of character and an #OtherPeopleMatter Mindset, together, we will create citizens and leaders who will enhance our communities and country.
Parent Resource Center Opportunities
Belmont Ridge Middle School
Email: katie.johnson@lcps.org
Website: https://www.lcps.org/Page/124256
Location: 19045 Upper Belmont Place, Lansdowne, VA, USA
Phone: 571-252-2200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BEMRiverHawks/
Twitter: @BelmontRidge