Loudoun County Public Schools

Loudoun County Public Schools

Blue Ridge Middle School 2011-2012

Foothills to the Future

“A Climate for Success”

1

Who We Are…Blue Ridge Middle School:As of today, we total 905 students. Grade six is our

largest grade at 303. We are 13th of 14 middle school’s when compared by population. Blue Ridge has 108 total staff: 86 instructional, 22 support. All Loudoun Middle Schools have six total administrators, with a counselor and secretary at each grade.

Your grade level teams consist, grades 7 and 8, of a dean/counselor pairing: Doug Dillon and Maureen Sullivan-Burns; Katie Johnson and Todd Peterson.

How we do… We are a twice designated School To Watch (Social Equity, Developmental Responsiveness, Academic Rigor).

School Improvement Process

Grading and Assessment

Communication and Attendance

21st Century Skills: http://www.schooltube.com/user/NMSA

Blended classes: Equity, Rigor, Choices

Attendance• What do I do if I miss school? See your teachers to obtain missed

work and/or make up tests.• Call in line / written note Ask your parents to call our 24 hour

hotline 540-751-2522 ; written notes go to the house secretary. If you see a doctor or a dentist, bring a note from the physician’s or dental office.

• Tardy to School Policy- must sign in in the main office. (Again, if you had an appointment, please bring a note from the medical office when you return).

• UNEXCUSED TARDIES TO SCHOOL (missed bus, overslept, etc.) may result in consequences including lunch detention, afterschool detention, Friday School and ISR.

• Attendance is part of your permanent record.

BLUE RIDGE SOL 2007-2011

Grading and Assessment

Putting it into Practice Reporting through Clarity

Progression Scale

Focusing on the LearningNot on the Grade

Blended Classes

• Allows all students to achieve at their highest learning level.

• Has been successfully piloted at BRMS since 2007.

• Promotes equity.• Is currently a grade-eight program.• More questions, please ask you son/daughter’s

teacher or attend 09/22 5-6 informational meeting.

What is Bullying?

• An intentional act of aggression or series of acts that occur in a school setting

• Persistent or pervasive• Directed at another

student or students

What is Bullying?

• Creates an imbalance of power in the relationship

• May create fear• May interfere with

schooling• May be threatening• May disrupt the orderly

operation of the school

What to do if your Child is Being Bullied

1. First, focus on your child. Be supportive and gather factual information about the bullying.

2. Contact your child’s teacher, dean or principal and share the information.

3. Help your child become more resilient to bullying.

Cyber Bullying: Parental Awareness

40 % of teens report

their parents do not

impose

rules about Internet use

and are unaware

of what their

children do online.

And 25 % of teens say their parents would be

concerned if they were aware.

Source: Corinne David-Ferdon and Marci Feldman Hertz (2007). “Electronic Media, Violence, and Adolescents: An Emerging Public Health Problem.” Journal of Adolescent Health 41:S1–S5.

Tips for Parents to Stop Cyber Bullying:

• Impose guidelines for Internet use

• Monitor your child’s internet use

• Teach children never to respond to offensive or threatening e-mail

Tips for Students to Stop Cyber Bullies:

• Refuse to forward cyber-bullying messages

• Block communication with cyber bullies

• Report cyber-bullying incidents to a trusted adult

National Crime Prevention Council

What do we do at Blue Ridge to support student growth regarding bullying?

• S.S.A – Safe School Ambassadors program• Active and trained staff.• Conflict Mediation.• Character Education program.• Student training through resource.• Various assemblies.• Guidance programs: “mix it up day” • Team middle level: Staffing, Parents, Admin.

Additional Resources

Teachers and parents can find a lot of information to help maintain an open dialogue with teens about cyber safety on Web sites like these:– http://www.netsmartz.org– http://www.ikeepsafe.org– http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov

Additional Resources

• Loudoun County Public Schools Web Site– Administration

• Pupil Services– Bullying Prevention

LCPS Bullying Prevention

Thank you…Contact information

Brion Bell, Principal, Brion.Bell@lcps.orgMatt Bolen, Assistant Principal, Special Education Contact,

Matt.Bolen@lcps.orgMarlene Jefferson, Assistant Principal, Testing Coordinator,

Marlene.Jefferson@lcps.orgDoug Dillon, Dean of Grade Seven, Doug.Dillon@lcps.org

Maureen Sullivan-Burns, Grade Seven Counselor, Maureen.sullivan@lcps.orgKatie Johnson, Grade Eight Dean

Katie.johnson@lcps.orgTodd Peterson, Grade Eight Counselor

Todd.Peterson@lcps.org