LBSS Weekly News - 03/27/2020

Message from Dr. Smith

I am sure you have seen by now that Governor Northam announced schools will remain closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. In addition, Dr. Brabrand sent a message stating that FCPS will work VDOE to gain a better of understanding of what this means moving forward.  Lake Braddock Secondary School is a vibrant and dynamic place to come to every day, and I am deeply saddened by this news.  Our staff have come together virtually since this news and they have shared the same sentiment.

At LBSS we will continue to meet virtually as a staff, as departments and in collaborative teams to ensure students receive the best instruction possible.  I express to staff the importance of relationships, compassion and flexibility as we start to embrace this new way of school. 

Hopefully you have had an opportunity to see the letter from Dr. Brabrand that was sent to families on Thursday, March 26th.  If you have not, please use this link to access that document: https://www.fcps.edu/news-features-and-events/news/coronavirus-update/coronavirus-update-superintendents-messages-1.  Staff will spend next week reconnecting with each other and students.  They will continue to set up their virtual classroom that students will be invited to weekly. 

As I have said before, this community continues to show up for each other in times of celebration and challenge.  This was not the outcome we wanted for this year and we will need to lean on the strength of the Lake Braddock family as we maneuver these challenges together.  If you or someone you know is struggling during this time, we encourage you to utilize the resources below. 

Below are some helpful resources that have been shared previously.  We encourage you to also check the Lake Braddock Twitter page (@FCPSLBSS) to see additional resources and stay connected with our staff.   Take this time to connect with loved ones, your classmates and your teachers.  Together we will get through this!


Information for ALL

FCPS Fields are Closed
Based on the latest Fairfax County Health Department recommendations related to COVID-19, all FCPS fields are closed at this time. Please refrain from entering any FCPS fields, including ones at Lake Braddock. Thank your for your cooperation.

 

Emergency Grab and Go Breakfasts and Lunches
Fairfax County Public Schools is providing emergency breakfast and lunch at more sites and has added deliveries by school bus. Updates to locations can be found on the Food Resources page  (https://www.fcps.edu/news/coronavirus-update-food-resources).

Meals will be provided to all students without charge and are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service. Meals will be provided on a first come, first served basis, at the sites and times as follows:

All meals are available at no cost to children 18 years and under.  Adult lunches are available for purchase for $2.  More information on this is available here: https://www.fcps.edu/news/coronavirus-update-food-resources.

 

Families Needing Internet
Comcast is offering 2 months free to new Internet Essentials customers in response to recent and anticipated emergency measures associated with the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Please use this website for more information: https://www.internetessentials.com/

Connect2Compete supplies broadband internet access to low-income, unconnected families who live in Fairfax County, enabling children to have internet access at home for homework help, online educational materials, and job searches. Qualifying families—those who are eligible for free and reduced-price meals and who meet other qualifications—will be offered Internet service for $9.95 per month, a free modem rental, free installation, and a price guarantee for two years.

https://www.cox.com/residential/internet/connect2compete.html

 

Learning Activities

FCPS will promote digital and online resources to FCPS students that will provide continuity of learning during this break. Our goal is for students to continue to engage in learning activities.  Resources for  Continuity of Learning can be found by logging on to FCPS 24-7 Blackboard and on this website: https://www.fcps.edu/news/coronavirus-update-academics-distance.

 

Additionally, FCPS cable channels with learning activities are now available. New instructional videos are currently being developed and recorded and will be added to the programming shortly. Channel 25 includes middle school programming, and Channel 99 includes high school programming. This content will also be available online at www.fcps.edu.

 

Counselor and Clinical Team Support
During this difficult time our Student Services teams continue to be here to help support our staff, students, and families.  Please see the attached contact information for counselors and the clinical team. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have students who you are concerned about.  If you have sensitive information that you do not want to send in an email you can simply say you have a student concern you would like to address and include an phone number where a counselor or clinical team member can reach you.  Additional information will be coming about having dedicated office hours.

 

CANCELED: ACT for Saturday, April 4
The ACT scheduled for any FCPS location on Saturday, April 4 will also be cancelled. Any student who was registered to test will receive information direction from ACT. Due to the high volume of closures, communication from ACT regarding this cancellation will likely be delayed.

 

FCPS Cable Channels
FCPS cable channels with learning activities are now available. New instructional videos are currently being developed and recorded and will be added to the programming shortly. Channel 21 includes elementary school programming, Channel 25 includes middle school programming, and Channel 99 includes high school programming.

Channel Lineup

Audible: Free Collection
Audible is offering for free a collection of audiobook playbacks while schools are closed during this COVID-19 crisis. The collection has been handpicked by their editors and is a mix of stories to entertain, inform and engage young people ages 0 to 18. 

To access the free titles, visit stories.audible.com from any web browser.

 

Special Education Resources
Am FCPS parent from the Special Ed PTA has created a video to help parents find Special Education resources online, as well as the Accommodations Toolkit that were referenced by Dr. Braband in his recent communication.

Click on this link to watch the video: https://youtu.be/RlHKjSWIgr8

 


Mental Health Resources

FCPS has created a website for Mental Health Resources that is accessible on the main page of the FCPS website.  They are also providing information for emergency mental health services that may be helpful to share with students or include in your email signature. 

Mental Health Resources

LBSS In the News

2020 NOVA District PTA and VA PTA Citizenship Essay Winners
Congratulations to Charles Nguyen and Maya Gilbert for their award winning essays in the 2020 NOVA District PTA and VA PTA Citizenship Essay Contest. The topic of this year's essay was "What Does It Take to Be a Good Citizen?". Charles placed 1st in Special Writer category and Maya placed Honorable Mention in Grades 6-8 category. Way to go!

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MS Information

Middle School Students Needing a Laptop

If you are a middle school student and do not have access to a technology device or internet, please fill out this google form: http://bit.ly/LBMSLaptopSurvey

 


HS Information

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High School Yearbook Senior Ads
The high school yearbook still has senior ad space available. Visit www.yearbookordercenter.com and use school code 5061 to purchase your senior congratulations ad.

The high school yearbook is now available for purchase via MySchoolBucks. Not sure if you’ve already pre-ordered your student’s 2020 book? Email tbpoquis@fcps.edu.

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