TIGER NEWS

Message from Mrs. Perez

Capturing Kids Heart Newsletter (CKH)

Calendar of events

Counselors Corner

Notes from our Nurse

Teacher & Student of the Month

Student News

Science Fair

8th Grade Field Trip

PTO Meeting

Track Schedule

Social Media

Hi BRMS Families,

The arrival of the spring semester heralds a busy period for testing. Interim assessments are scheduled for early March, followed by STAAR testing immediately after the conclusion of Spring break. The dates of all tests are below. As we approach the upcoming STAAR testing dates, I want to take a moment to remind you of the importance of ensuring that your child gets proper rest and nutrition during this critical time.

Research has shown that adequate sleep and nutrition play a significant role in students' cognitive function and performance on standardized tests like the STAAR. With that in mind, I encourage you to prioritize the following in the days leading up to and during the testing period:

1. **Adequate Sleep**: Please ensure that your child gets enough sleep each night, aiming for 8-10 hours of restful sleep. Establishing a consistent bedtime routine can help promote better sleep quality and ensure that your child is well-rested and alert during testing.

2. **Healthy Nutrition**: Provide your child with nutritious meals and snacks that are rich in protein, complex carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables. Avoid sugary or processed foods, as they can lead to energy crashes and decreased concentration. Encourage your child to eat a balanced breakfast on the mornings of the test to fuel their brain for optimal performance.

3. **Hydration**: Remind your child to drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated. Proper hydration is essential for cognitive function and can help prevent fatigue and headaches during testing.

4. **Stress Management**: Help your child manage test-related stress and anxiety by offering words of encouragement, practicing relaxation techniques, and maintaining a positive attitude about the testing process.

By prioritizing rest, nutrition, and overall well-being, you can help ensure that your child is in the best possible state to perform their best on the STAAR tests. Thank you for your partnership in supporting your child's academic success.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to me or your child's teacher. Also, please make sure you pay close attention to the calendar of events happening on campus. Have a safe and fun Spring Break!

Respectfully,

Mrs. Perez

angel.perez@brisd.net

March 4: MS Track @ Wolfe City

March 8: Staff & Student Basketball (8th grade)

March 8: End of 9 weeks

Spring Break 11-18

March 18: Professional Learning/Student Holiday

March 19: MS Track @ Farmersville

March 20: Trust Card Incentive

March 18-22: Cheer Clinic

March 23: Cheer Tryouts

March 26: MS District Track

March 29: Holiday

May 22: 8th grade promotion 6:00-7:30 SAVE THE DATE

Interim & STAAR TESTING DATES

6-8 ELAR Interim: 02/28

8th Science Interim: 03/07

6-8 Math and Algebra Interim: 03/06

6-8 Reading STAAR: 4/16

8th Social Studies STAAR: 4/17

8th Science STAAR: 4/23

Math STAAR & Algebra 1: 5/1

I hope everyone enjoys their spring break the week of March 11-18. It will be a well deserved break. I can’t believe we will be entering the last nine weeks of the school year when we return from break. Remember to give support and affirmations to your student(s), this will help and support them through the last quarter of the school year. Encourage them to do their best. In our CKH families we will be learning about the word Courage and I believe this time of year is great for that word. We have finished 3 nine weeks of school. We are in the final stretch and have STAAR coming up.

This month’s word is Courage. Courage helps us when we face things that are difficult or challenging. Think of it as having perseverance and working through things that we find to be difficult. Courage helps us to keep trying. We will be focussing on the following when we have a CKH Lessons this month.

• Courage encourages engagement. Courage helps students raise their hand, participate, try new things, and voice their opinions.

• Courage builds self-confidence. Courage is the choice to act. By doing something, students increase their belief in themselves and their ability to do difficult or challenging things.

• Courage can help reframe a negative. When something does not go as planned or a student gets upset about a mistake or failure, courage can help reframe the event in a positive light.

Source: Capturing Kids Hearts Character Lessons

Chronic sleep deprivation can have dramatic effects on a teenager’s life, including affecting their mental wellbeing and reducing their academic performance. Research suggests that a teenager needs between 8-10 hours of sleep every night, yet most only get 6.5-7.5 hours of sleep or less.

Regularly not getting enough sleep leads to increased risk of depression, anxiety, low self-esteem and a myriad of health issues (lowered immunity, elevated blood pressure, increased risk of diabetes and obesity). Insufficient sleep in teens can lead to increased risk of accidents or injury. Sleep deprivation can reduce reaction times with effects similar to significant alcohol consumption. So whether your teen is behind the wheel, on a bicycle or walking their reaction times can be slowed putting their safety at risk.

Ways to promote a good sleep schedule:

· Keep same schedule both during the week and weekend

· Set a firm bedtime and stick to it

· Avoid caffeine and energy drinks, especially in the afternoon

· Put away electronics at least a 0.5-1 hours prior to bed and keep them on silent to avoid disturbed sleep

· Keep room cool, dark and quiet

· Create a pre-bed routine of relaxation or winding down

As parents or caregivers, encourage your teen to gradually modify their sleep hygiene habits. Work with your teen to help them avoid overscheduling commitments that can contribute to stress and sleep deprivation. For a more in depth look at teens and sleep https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/teenagers-and-sleep

~Nurse Melissa~

Mrs. Mackey’s Science classes had four outstanding projects competing at the Dallas Regionals last week. Our talented students who represented Blue Ridge were Eveleigh Oquinn, Madlyn Elder, Brogan Allen, Will Graham, Olivia Wells, and Victoria York.

Each and every one of our students performed exceptionally well, showcasing the strong academic spirit of Blue Ridge. We are proud to say that Brogan Allen received an Honorable Mention ribbon for his remarkable effort.

The Dallas Regionals was a highly competitive event, with over 900 projects from various schools including Plano, Frisco, and STEM schools. We want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to all our students on their outstanding performance. Well done to each and every one of them!

Any 8th grader interested in going on the San Antonio trip will need to attend the parent/student meeting on March 7 at 6:00pm in the Middle School cafeteria. We will discuss the itinerary, cost and fundraising ideas. Hope to see you all there.

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