Important This Week
Grading Update from Dr. Smith
Please read the attached letter containing important updates regarding grading.
April 24th Grading Letter
Distance Learning Resources
Please take some time to review the various resources we have prepared to help our families during this transition to distance learning:
• Lake Braddock Secondary School Distance Learning playlist: two videos for students: one from me about Lake Braddock's Distance Learning Plan and one that is titled "Online Learning 101." These videos contain valuable information for you and your students to get ready for the start of Distance Learning on April 14.
• Continuation of Instruction Student Support: instructional schedule; office hours for teachers; office hours and contact information for counselors, other support staff, and technology support; and contact information for administrators.
• LBSS Tips for Working and Learning from Home: a compilation of resources for you and your students sharing ways to make the best of this time together.
• LBSS Digital Planner: If you would like a planner to help you structure your day, this link will have you make a copy of a digital planner that you can personalize for your needs.
• How to access the NEW Virtual Classroom in Blackboard
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Assistance with Technology
Parents needing technical assistance with logging into an FCPS account can submit a request through this website.
Students who need technical assistance can contact a teacher who can put in a ticket for you. Our Technology staff will reach out to assist and, if necessary, schedule an appointment. Please provide the following information to your teacher:
• Student first and last name and ID
• Student G-Suite email address or personal email (if gmail isn't working) • Parent's contact cell and/or email
• Description of problem
• Barcode of student computer
Lake Braddock Virtual Parent Coffee
Our Virtual Parent Coffee was held Thursday night. Thank you for the approximately 150 families who attended this event. The recording of the meeting, including the slides presented and the Q/A session, can be found here. Our next parent coffee will be on Thursday, May 7th at 6:30 pm.
Field Trip Refund Request Process
FCPS understands this is a difficult time financially for many of our families. The Department of Financial Services has received various inquiries from schools and parents about the refund process for canceled field trips due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent school closures. Any field trip related reimbursements to FCPS are subject to contracts terms with travel brokers/vendors and non-refundable fees. These factors must be evaluated to determine potential balances available for refunds to students and parents.
LBSS will settle each field trip with the travel broker/vendor to determine the amount (if any) available for field trip refunds. Once we have determined the amount of available for field trip refunds, your refund will be processed according to your method of payment. Those field trip fees we are able to recover that were paid through MySchoolBucks will be credited to you through the MySchoolBucks platform. Those field trip fees we are able to recover that were paid with cash or check will be refunded, by LBSS, in the form of a check mailed to the enrolling parent unless we are instructed otherwise.
Day of the Military Child
“Purple Up! For Military Kids” is a day in April set aside for everyone around the Nation to show their support for military connected students. VDOE encouraged the entire school community – teachers, principals, school counselors, students, parents, bus drivers, etc. – to wear purple on Wednesday April 22, 2020 to show support for our military students and appreciation for their strength and sacrifices. Purple represents the blending of the colors of the five branches of our armed forces. Here in Virginia, we are proud to be home to Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, National Guard and Reserve families.
MS Counselor Kristin Girardin
MS Counselor Josh Miles
MS Psychologist Walena Haider
State Science Fair Winners!
Congratulations to the following LBSS students who received awards at the state science fair!
Overall awards:
3rd place, Chemistry - Nicholas Todorov: Inexpensive, Functional Spectrophotometer for Future Use in Public School
2nd place, Engineering and Robotics - Karen Shrieves: The Alteration of Wing and Winglet Designs on Commercial Aircrafts for the Reduction of CO2 Emissions and the Increase of Aerodynamic Efficiency
1st Place - Connor Arnold: Manta Ray: A Hydrokinetic and Solar Generator for the Desalination and Purification of Freshwater and Saltwater for Disaster Relief
Special Awards:
Kevin and Quinn Duffy: Quantifying the Impact of Roofing Materials on the Urban Heat Island Effect - 2nd place, American Meteorological Society and Pulse of the Planet Award from NOAA
Connor Arnold: 1st place and $500 from Virginia Section of American Water Works Association
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Information for All
School Counselors Available
Any FCPS parent may schedule a 30-minute phone consultation with a school psychologist or school social worker, for either themselves or their middle or high school student.
Consultations provide an opportunity for parents to receive guidance on how to support their child’s emotional well-being during their time away from school. Student consultations will provide support and strategies to students who may be experiencing difficulties with anxiety, mood, behavior, or peer or family interactions during this unprecedented and challenging time.
Note: Parent consultations are available for all grade levels. Student consultations are only available for middle and high school students. Schedule a phone consultation online.
Lake Braddock Counselors are available to support you as well so please email them if you need support.
Update from our Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
Kenneth Johnson is a Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist (SAPS) with the office of Student Safety and Wellness in Fairfax County Public Schools. As a SAPS, he meets with students either individually or in a group setting for tobacco, vaping, and other drug interventions. Additionally, he provides presentation to parents, school staff, students and the community on topics such as trends in substance use and abuse, stages of addiction, refusal skills, warning signs of substance use, and tools for parents. Mr. Johnson has been an employee of FCPS for over 15 years. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Administration of Justice and a master’s degree in Special Education from George Mason University. He is also a certified gang specialist with the Virginia Gang Investigators Association.
Hello Lake Braddock community! I hope all of you are staying healthy and well. I wanted to provide some information about vaping and drugs that is relevant to what we are experiencing right now with COVID-19. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently updated their website to include information about smoking/vaping and COVID-19. The WHO states that “smokers are likely to be more vulnerable to COVID-19.” The full statement can be found here. A recent article from CNN Health detailed how vapers may be at increased risk for more serious complications due to COVID-19. It also discusses the concern that use of other drugs, specifically opioids and methamphetamine, may increase users' risk of developing serious complications from COVID-19. The full article can be found here.
Unfortunately, substance use and addiction don’t stop for a pandemic. If you need support with your child please feel free to reach out to me at Kwjohnson@fcps.edu . Additionally, the Community Services Board (CSB) is still providing mental health and substance abuse services. Their information can be found here. If there are any parents trying to have conversations about addiction, drugs, and alcohol while your child is a captive audience and you need material, please let me know.
College Partnership Applications
College Partnership has reopened its application window through April 24. Applications are submitted here: https://tinyurl.com/CPPapp2020
Applications are open to students in eighth through eleventh grade who are first-generation and/or traditionally underrepresented in the college setting. Through school-based monthly meetings and county programs, members are supported in their high school experience, college search and college application process with the end goal being college success.
My SchoolBucks Meal Account Refunds
If you wish to request a refund from your child’s MySchoolBucks meal account, please click here.
LBSS Alum On the Red Carpet in Hollywood
Check out this article about LB 2009 graduate, Emily Peachey.
PTSA Updates
Raising Resilient Teens During Social Distancing (Rachel Bailey)
We were scheduled to host Rachel Bailey, Parenting Specialist, during the March PTSA meeting who was going to provide a workshop called “Raising Resilience: Teaching Kids to Handle Life's Inevitable Obstacles.” Due to the school closure, Rachel took parent questions on this topic and recorded a video for you. If you had planned to attend or were interested in the content, please watch this video: https://youtu.be/NuyAODE-SXg
Here are are some of the topics she covers:
- Should you model a positive attitude or share about your own personal feelings, even if they’re not so positive?
- How do you help a child who is already struggling with anxiety and depression and is resisting suggestions?
- Tips for helping teens who are experiencing increased anxiety due to the current situation.
- Best practices or advice for scheduling and focusing around distance learning.
- How to get kids on track for distance learning.
Rachel has invited you to ask any further questions at Rachel@Rachel-Bailey.com or you may reach out to your child’s school counselor for further support:
Middle School Student Services: https://lakebraddockss.fcps.edu/middle-school/student-services
High School Student Services: https://lakebraddockss.fcps.edu/high-school/student-services
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PTSA Scholarships for the Class of 2020 Due by Friday, May 1, 2020
The LBSS PTSA is pleased to offer the opportunity to apply for these scholarships to all LBSS students graduating in 2020:
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Six Senior Scholarships of $500 each for LBSS students continuing their education at a 2- or 4-year accredited college, vocational or technical school, or another accredited post-secondary program.
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Four Senior Scholarships of $250 each for LBSS students continuing their education at a 2- or 4-year accredited college, vocational or technical school, or another accredited post-secondary program.
Click on this link below for more information and the application
2020 LBSS PTSA Scholarship Announcement
2020 LBSS PTSA Scholarship Application
All PTSA information can be found on the PTSA web site: https://lbssptsa.org/
MS Information
FCPS Learning Packets and Going Paperless
Our wonderful Lake Braddock teachers have spent the past several weeks preparing rich distance learning activities for your children. FCPS has also sent home paper learning packets to your home address in SIS. Electronic copies of the learning packets can be downloaded from Blackboard by clicking here. If you would like to opt-out of receiving the paper packets at home, please click here to complete the form.
HS Information
Senior Fees
Dear Senior Parents,
We are in the process of planning a meaningful graduation experience for the Class of 2020 to the greatest extent possible given the current situation with COVID-19. We are considering many options to celebrate this momentous occasion. There are many costs associated with this graduation, such as the various platforms we are considering to hold or showcase the ceremony, caps and gowns, diplomas, printing and a senior gift.
We would like to remind you that, if you have not already done so, please pay your senior fees as soon as possible. The cost is currently $85 and we will not increase the fees as originally scheduled. The preferred method of payment is MySchoolBucks.com. Instructions for online payment can be found on here.
We look forward to celebrating the Class of 2020!
FCPS Senior Surveys
All FCPS 12th grade students are asked to complete a brief senior survey at the end of their 12th grade year. Postsecondary plan information gathered in the Senior Survey provides valuable information for our school division as we work to support each student’s academic and career plan, and information from the survey is annually reported to the Virginia Department of Education and the School Board. This survey is mandatory.
There is also a survey for LBSS to gather information on scholarships awarded to students.
The Senior Surveys opened on Monday, April 20 and must be completed by May 22, 2020. The Surveys can be accessed through Naviance. For specific instructions, click here.
Parking Pass Reimbursements
Parking passes will be refunded at a prorated amount. A check will be issued by FCPS to the name and address of the enrolling parent. No additional steps will need to be taken by you.
LB Athletic Booster Club Scholarships
$500 Student Athlete Scholarship Application
$1500 Scholar Athlete Leadership Scholarship Application
High School Yearbook
The high school yearbook is now available for purchase via MySchoolBucks and the online site:(www.yearbookordercenter.com with school code 5061). Not sure if you’ve already pre-ordered your student’s 2020 book? Email tbpoquis@fcps.edu
Do you have a spring sports athlete or theatre student in your home? You can help us finish the spring supplement by submitting photos. We’d love any pictures you have that were taken in March and after. Submit to the online eShare site at www.yearbookordercenter.com using school code 5061.
When we have more information about the book arrival, we will communicate the distribution plan.
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Information from the Career Center
NOVA Summer Online Classes: Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) is using institutional dollars from the Federal stimulus to launch a new summer schedule of tuition-free online classes for approximately 70,000 qualified Northern Virginia high school students. This is an opportunity for rising seniors through graduating seniors to JumpStart their summers and earn college credit by attending up to two online courses that will run from June 1 to July 15. Click this link for more information.
Community Service: This is an article I found with some ways to do community service virtually. I am still approving hours in x2Vol but please remember I will only ‘approve’ what has been ‘verified’ by the supervisor of the activity. https://www.distinctivecollegeconsulting.com/blog/volunteer-from-home?fbclid=IwAR1I9lwBmPvJUJo-auagQa04py1M7Pf1_xMjvM0GRumekLvYSXKOAyTO9yE
Click here to view past newsletters from the Career Center.
FCPS Resources
Counselor and Clinical Team Support
During this difficult time, our Student Services teams continue to be available to help support our staff, students, and families. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have student concerns. 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 a phone number where a counselor or clinical team member can reach you. See Continuation of Instruction - Faculty and Staff Support for contact information and office hours of our Student Services staff.
Other Mental Health Resource Links
FCPS website for Mental Health Resources and information for emergency mental health services:
Fairfax County Family Services Resources
The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board is still operating but with continually evolving changes. Please check their web site for updated support options.
The Fairfax County Department of Family Services has created a resource for how to access their services from a distance.
How to Stay In-Touch
Please stay in touch with us throughout the year by:
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