Message from Dr. Smith
Hello Bruin Families,
We had a great first week of virtual learning for our students and teachers. Our administrative team and myself observed classes this week and saw exciting activities where students were getting to know and interacting with their peers and teachers were using different technology strategies to teach their curriculum. Throughout this year, we are committed to being in classes to support our teachers and celebrate the exciting learning that will take place. We are very appreciative of the hard work our teachers and staff put in to make this first week successful for our students and we look forward to the valuable learning opportunities that will take place this year.
Today is our asynchronous Back to School update. Please visit our website for updated videos from Dr. Brabrand, our FCPS School Board Members and Mrs. Kearns and me. This website also has more helpful information about our school year, including parent resources for online learning.
One exciting opportunity for families that I wanted to highlight was the second year of our School Planning Council. This is the second year for a group of parents, students and staff to come together to discuss this mission of Lake Braddock and provide feedback on how things are going. Please see the announcement below to submit your interest to be a part of this group this year.
Our technology team has been working through requests you have submitted through the technology helpline and parent tech help website. We appreciate your patience as they are working through those tickets. One helpful reminder I always tell students is to restart your computer every day to ensure they have the latest updates from FCPS on their laptop. You do not need to be on the school wifi for most items to update on your student's laptop.
As we continue the second week of online learning, we are excited to continue seeing the innovative and engaging activities our teachers have planned. As you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child's teachers, counselor or subschool.
United as Bruins,
Daniel W. Smith, Ed.D.
Important for Next Week
FCPS Technology Support
FCPS has a number of resources for students and families to access tech support. Please use this link to find information for your tech issue.
School Planning Council
We are excited to announce that LBSS will continue our School Planning Council (SPC) as we enter the 2020-2021 school year! The purpose of the SPC is to bring together various stakeholders to provide input and guidance on the direction of our school. Providing an excellent and equitable education for all our students is our primary goal and we recognize the important role our community plays in shaping the direction of our school. Last year’s SPC focused on providing input and feedback on our new school vision. During the 2020-2021 school year, the SPC will focus on equity with the lens of raising student achievement and eliminating gaps in access, opportunity and achievement for all students. The council will meet virtually four times during the school year (10/6, 12/15, 2/23, 5/4) from 6:00PM-7:30PM and we ask that members be able to commit to full attendance. If you are interested in participating, please complete the intention form (https://forms.gle/4ptxPWigq7Locw8j7) by September 22. Returning SPC members should still complete the form to continue their service on the committee.
School-Issued Laptop pick-up
If your child still does not have a school-issued laptop, please email Ms. Cathy McCormick to schedule a date and time for pick up.
If you are choosing not to have a school laptop for your child, please go to this link to complete the Opt Out Form. Please note that you must have a meeting with your child's administrator to finalize the opt out process.
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Important Information for All
Schedules
Purple and Gold Calendar: use this link for a printable purple and gold calendar
LBSS Bell Schedule: use this link for a printable bell schedule
School Supply/Item Pickup
A handful of courses are giving out various supplies on Monday, September 21. ONLY certain subjects are giving out items (such as textbooks, calculators, and art supplies). Teachers will communicate with students that need to come to school to pick up items.
Last Name A-K 9:00-12:00
Last Name L-Z 2:00-5:00
Additional details will be sent home next week.
Back to School Forms
Please remember that there are certain forms that are required for your student.
Important information to know about the Health Information Form: you must download and save the form prior to emailing it. Otherwise, a blank form is attached.
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Emergency Care Form: All students must have accurate emergency care information. Parents can update this information through WeCare@School via their SIS ParentVue account. Please note, in order to log into Parent View it is necessary to have an active SIS Parent Account.
- To update your Emergency Care form, please complete the following steps:
- Log into your SIS ParentVUE account
- Go to FCPS Links located in the left-hand menu
- Go to FCPS 24/7 and Log in using the same username and password as your SIS ParentVUE account
- Go to WeCare @ School on the top right of your screen.
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Health Information Form. This form is to be printed, signed and emailed to the appropriate subschool office shown below. Please note that you must download and save the form prior to emailing.
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Parental Consent Form for Digital Resources. This form is required. Please review the list of digital resources your child may use this year and complete the form listed on the site.
Optional forms can be found on our web site at https://lakebraddockss.fcps.edu/forms.
After you have completed the necessary forms, please email them to the appropriate subschool office:
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School Photos
It’s time for Underclassmen Picture Day! Victor O’Neill Studios will be at Lake Braddock on Saturdays and Mondays, starting September 12, to take your child’s school photo. You must sign up online for a time slot for your child’s session. Walk-ins will not be accepted.
For Middle School Students, click here.
For High School Students, click here.
Victor O’Neill Studios will send a confirmation email that will include a link to preorder your photos.
Please note the following changes to entering the building: When you arrive at Lake Braddock, please drive around to the back of the building. Middle School students should enter at Door 7 (by the cafeteria) and will exit at Door 6. High School students should enter at Door 8 and will exit the building through Door 9.
Masks are required at all times, with the exception of the actual photo time.
If you have questions, please contact Victor O’Neill at underclass@vosphoto.com.
Senior Portraits
The second round of senior portraits will happen on September 28 and 29. We will provide the link to sign up for a time slot as soon as we receive it from Victor O'Neill.
Upcoming Parent Academy Events
Technology Night – Get tech help, access to ParentVue, Mifi’s and more
- By: LBSS Technology Staff
- September 22nd from 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Library Services and Resources in a Virtual World
- By: LBSS Librarians
- September 29th from 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Digital Student Planner Link
Students who have not been able to access the digital student planner can access it through this link. Students must be logged into their @fcpsschools.net email account to access it the planner. This document link requires a forced copy, which means the students must click the blue “make a copy” button to access it. Students can also re-watch the video shown during Advisory to learn how to access their BBCU links and add them to the student planner.
In addition, some teachers have sent out multiple links to their class. Please use the most recently emailed link for your planner. In order to complete your digital planner, check your schedule in SIS so that you can place your links correctly.
New Visitor Guidelines
Per the School Board and Superintendent, our implemented safety protocols will continue to require that we limit the number of individuals who move in and out of our facilities. To promote social distancing during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, we will be adhering to the following guidelines:
- Facility visitors will be limited and should occur by scheduled appointment only.
- No walk-in visitors are permitted.
- As much as possible, appointments to meet with teachers and other staff members should be accommodated via telephone, video conference, or other suitable technology.
- When a face-to-face appointment must occur, the following guidelines must be maintained:
Appointments
- Visitors must have an appointment and, prior to the appointment, must:
- complete the Covid-19 Health Questionnaire listed on the Announcement page of our web site (must be completed by every person coming in);
- call the Main Office (703-426-1000) upon arrival at LBSS.
Past Parent Academy Events
The recordings and slides for our recent Parent Academy events are listed below:
September 9: Surviving Virtual Learning Part 2 - Middle School
Technology Information and Tips
Online Learning Success Page
A webpage has been published to support students with distance learning. The Tips for Online Learning Success page has suggestions for students; technology tips for families; troubleshooting guides; and links to the parent and student tech support sites. Please consider linking it in your Google Classroom or Blackboard courses to help your students navigate our digital world. As a bonus, it’s also a great resource for staff members!
Blackboard Collaborate Ultra Tech Tips
Please see the infographic below with technology tips for troubleshooting Blackboard Collaborate Ultra. Additionally, if you do not see the links for all of your teachers, we encourage you to try the following steps:
- Search the teacher's name in the search bar of your fcpsschools.net account
- Look in the folder on the left of your inbox that is titled BBCU Links
- Look in the starred folder of your inbox
- Contact your teacher to have the link resent to you
 
HS Information
Freshman Orientation Unit
Freshman students have a mandatory meeting with their school counselor during WIN time on Wednesday, September 16. Links for the meeting will be sent by the counselor to the student's school email account.
Senior Parent Night
Please mark your calendars for the Senior Parent/Student Night, scheduled for September 17 (6:30 – 7:30 PM). The presentation includes information about post-secondary options, college applications, and the transcript request process.
The live program will be conducted by sub-school, based on student last names:
Sub-School 3 (Student Last Names A-D) (Parents will receive the link via E-Notify and Naviance the morning of September 17)
Sub-School 4 (Student Last Names E-K) (Parents will receive the link via E-Notify and Naviance the morning of September 17)
Sub-School 5 (Student Last Names L-P) (Parents will receive the link via E-Notify and Naviance the morning of September 17)
Sub-School 6 (Student Last Names Q-Z) (Parents will receive the link via E-Notify and Naviance the morning of September 17)
You may submit questions in advance using the following link:
https://forms.gle/AfxRBzdikN6bPuom6
We hope you and your student will be able to join us on September 17 (6:30 PM – 7:30 PM), for our Senior Parent/Student Night!
SAT School Day Test for 12th Graders
On Wednesday, September 23, 2020, Lake Braddock Secondary School 12th graders will have the opportunity to take the SAT School Day test. FCPS will cover the cost for any 12th-grade student to take the SAT. The optional essay component and subject tests will not be offered on this date.
General information about the SAT test format is available on the College Board webpage. September 23 has been designated for asynchronous learning, so students who choose to take the SAT will not miss synchronous learning time with their teachers.
We will share more details about test day schedules, bus transportation, and specific safety protocols in the coming weeks. Final confirmation of SAT School Day testing will be based on health department guidance in September.
If you have questions about the SAT School Day administration on Wednesday, September 23, please contact Lake Braddock Secondary School Assessment Coach, Jennifer Bury, at JABury@fcps.edu .
FCPS Resources
FCPS website for Mental Health Resources and information for emergency mental health services:
How to Stay In-Touch
Please stay in touch with us throughout the year by:
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