Belmont Ridge Middle School Home of the River Hawks

Motivated…. Dedicated… Educated!

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

Belmont Ridge Team Mr. FlynnPrincipal Mr. McKenzieAssistant Principal Mr. SurmaAssistant Principal Ms. LoweryDean Mr. WhiteCounselor Mrs. PiperSecretary Teachers!

Block Schedule 90 Minute Blocks 90 Minute Blocks Classes meet every other day: A Day and B Day Classes meet every other day: A Day and B Day 4 Classes Per Day 4 Classes Per Day Resource/Spectrum/Workshops Resource/Spectrum/Workshops Music/Art/Teen Living/ Reading/Foreign Language/Manufacturing Music/Art/Teen Living/ Reading/Foreign Language/Manufacturing

Sample Student Schedule A DAYB Day 1 Language Arts5 Math 2 Art6 Resource 3 History 7 Science Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch 4 PE/Health8 Foreign Language

Academics  Provide an enriching and challenging academic program.  Choose courses carefully to meet the needs of your child.

Course Selection Process Students will begin course selections with Mr. White, February 17 th and February 18 th. They will be bringing home a copy of their course selections, for you to verify and return. Students will begin course selections with Mr. White, February 17 th and February 18 th. They will be bringing home a copy of their course selections, for you to verify and return. Your child’s teachers will make recommendations to assist you and your child with course selections for next year. Your child’s teachers will make recommendations to assist you and your child with course selections for next year.

Middle School Program of Studies The Program of Studies can be found on the LCPS website.  Registering for classes – Page 1  High school credit courses in Middle School (Foreign Language and Math) – Page 4  Special Programs (Spectrum, Academy of Science, Thomas Jefferson High) – Page 6  Math Progression Chart – Page 8  Course descriptions – Page 16 – 19

Course Selection Form

COURSE SELECTIONS All 8 th graders take the following courses: Language Arts Language Arts History History Science Science Math Math PE/Health PE/Health Resource Resource Electives: Manufacturing, Teen Living, Music, Art, Foreign Language, and Reading Electives: Manufacturing, Teen Living, Music, Art, Foreign Language, and Reading

Schedule Options - 8 th Grade Math (Math 8, Algebra I or Geometry) Math (Math 8, Algebra I or Geometry) Fine Arts Elective: Music FY( Band, Chorus, Strings, Guitar ), Art, Manufacturing, or Teen Living (FY or Semester) Fine Arts Elective: Music FY( Band, Chorus, Strings, Guitar ), Art, Manufacturing, or Teen Living (FY or Semester) Reading Reading Foreign Language: French, Latin, German, or Spanish Foreign Language: French, Latin, German, or Spanish Honors v. Academic Honors v. Academic Spectrum/Resource Spectrum/Resource

Honors Classes Same curriculum and SOL requirements. Academic content is embedded in the honors curriculum. Same curriculum and SOL requirements. Academic content is embedded in the honors curriculum. Assessments may require more essay writing and critical thinking skills. Assessments may require more essay writing and critical thinking skills. Make choices that will keep your child well balanced and not stressed. Make choices that will keep your child well balanced and not stressed. Goal ~ All BEMS students will take at least one honors class before leaving middle school Goal ~ All BEMS students will take at least one honors class before leaving middle school

Math Selection Process This is a scaled down version of the chart in the Program of Studies. A copy of that chart is on the back of the map Grade 6Grade 7Grade 8 Math 6 Math 6 SOL Test Math 7 Math 7 SOL Test Algebra I SOL Test High School Credit Accelerated Math 6/7 Math 7 SOL Test Algebra I SOL Test High School Credit Geometry SOL Test High School Credit *Math 8 By invitation only Math 8 SOL Test

Language Arts Class meets every other day Class meets every other day Writing Writing Research Research Literature Literature Oral Language Oral Language Vocabulary Vocabulary Syllabus Syllabus

Civics Content Covered Content Covered The Role of a Citizen in the US The Role of a Citizen in the US “Of the People, By the People, For the People” “Of the People, By the People, For the People” The Structure and Function of Constitutional Institutions The Structure and Function of Constitutional Institutions Economics: Who Gets What? When and How? Economics: Who Gets What? When and How? Syllabus Syllabus

Science Content Covered Content Covered Matter Matter Atomic Structure Atomic Structure Energy Energy Temp/Heat Transfer Temp/Heat Transfer Sound & Light Sound & Light Work/Force/Motion Work/Force/Motion Electricity Electricity Syllabus

Homework in 8 th Grade Homework is a practice of the student learning Homework is a practice of the student learning Students should not rely on resource to complete missing homework. Students should not rely on resource to complete missing homework. Teachers will have homework posted on the Belmont Ridge Middle School web page, listed under teacher Teachers will have homework posted on the Belmont Ridge Middle School web page, listed under teacher

Spectrum Offered during 45 minute of the resource class. Offered during 45 minute of the resource class. Student participation is optional. Student participation is optional. Participation option may be exercised from year to year. Participation option may be exercised from year to year. Selection criteria is used to identify students who will be participating in Spectrum Selection criteria is used to identify students who will be participating in Spectrum

LCPS Academy of Science (AOS) Program is located at Dominion High School for students in grades Program is located at Dominion High School for students in grades Application/selection process begins in the 8 th grade. Application/selection process begins in the 8 th grade. Must have the PSAT (Administered in the Fall of 8 th Grade). Must have the PSAT (Administered in the Fall of 8 th Grade). Must complete Algebra I with a grade of B or better by the end of the 8 th Grade Must complete Algebra I with a grade of B or better by the end of the 8 th Grade AOS website: AOS website:

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Program is located in Fairfax, Virginia Program is located in Fairfax, Virginia Application/selection process begins in the 8 th grade and includes an admission examination. Application/selection process begins in the 8 th grade and includes an admission examination. Must complete Algebra I by the time of enrollment Must complete Algebra I by the time of enrollment TJHS website: TJHS website:

Naval JROTC Located at Loudoun County High School Located at Loudoun County High School The mission of the NJROTC program is to instill in students the ideals of Leadership, Character, Honor, and Service as the foundation for success in life. The mission of the NJROTC program is to instill in students the ideals of Leadership, Character, Honor, and Service as the foundation for success in life. The program's focus on order, precision, self-discipline, respect for authority, ethical behavior, patriotism, service, and citizenship is designed to prepare students for success in life, regardless of their future plans. The program's focus on order, precision, self-discipline, respect for authority, ethical behavior, patriotism, service, and citizenship is designed to prepare students for success in life, regardless of their future plans.

The Middle School Journey Denial- “This Can’t be happening”. Denial- “This Can’t be happening”. Anger- “Why me? It’s not fair!” Anger- “Why me? It’s not fair!” Bargaining – “If you do your homework, than we will get you a new phone.” Bargaining – “If you do your homework, than we will get you a new phone.” Depression- “What’s the point?” Depression- “What’s the point?” Acceptance- “I can’t fight it, I may as well prepare for it.” Acceptance- “I can’t fight it, I may as well prepare for it.”

Belmont Ridge Middle School 2011 Governor’s School of Excellence 2011 Governor’s School of Excellence 2010 Governor’s School of Excellence 2010 Governor’s School of Excellence 2009 Governor’s School of Excellence 2009 Governor’s School of Excellence 2008 Governor’s School of Excellence 2008 Governor’s School of Excellence National School To Watch National School To Watch 2009 School/Business Partner Award Winner 2009 School/Business Partner Award Winner

Motivated… Dedicated… Educated…