Message from Dr. Smith
Hello Bruin Families,
As we complete our fourth week of school, I want to send a very heartfelt thank you to our teachers, our students and to you for the hard work and dedicated partnership that this last month has required. At our parent coffee on Thursday night we stressed the importance of showing grace to our teachers and also an understanding of the grace that our students deserve as well as we navigate this new way of engaging with instruction.
We have heard from teachers and students about the amount of work that virtual learning is requiring of them. The balance and self care that is needed during this time is incredibly important. We are continuing to work with our teachers on the ways they can balance the work load for themselves as well as students, and we continue to reiterate the county expectations on asynchronous work.
As we embark on the month of October, we hope that you all find time to enjoy the cooler weather and take a break from the computer screen. As concerns arise, please reach out to your child's teachers, counselors and subschool staff for support.
United as Bruins,
Daniel W. Smith, Ed.D.
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In this Issue
Important Information for All
1. Supply Distribution on Monday, October 5th
2. Parent Academy
3. Technology Support
4. Lake Braddock Athletic Boosters News
5. Student Photos
6. Grab and Go Meals
High School Information
7. PSAT
8. Freshman Parent/Student Night on October 9th
9. Advanced Placement Information
10. Substance Use Prevention Group for 9th Graders
11. Senior Portraits
Middle School Information
12. TDAP Vaccine Reminder
13. MS Lunch Bunch
Important Information for All
1. Supply Distribution
On Monday, October 5th from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm students have a chance to pick-up classroom supplies and return textbooks, uniforms and other LBSS materials, all at one time, in a drive-through fashion. Students will arrive in their car and stay in their car for the entire process. There was a detailed email sent to parents on Friday, October 2nd, with additional information. If you did not receive that communication, please email Ms. Kearns (lmkearns@fcps.edu) and she can send it to you.
2. Parent Academy
Here are the materials for this week's events:
Upcoming Events
Self-care: Good for You and Your Family
- Hosted By: LBSS Clinical Team
- October 13th from 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Learn the G.R.A.P.E.S. structure and increase awareness around your own personal tools of self-care. The presentation will provide parents tools and resources to manage stress and maintain self-care. Middle School and High School families are welcome! Registration link coming soon!
3. Technology Support
If you find your student in need of tech support for their school-issued laptop, please to go FCPS Technology Support. There are a number of tips, suggestions, and links for assistance. If you are not able to solve the problem, please submit an IT request online. This request will be routed to Lake Braddock's IT team, who will get in contact with you and/or your student to solve the issue. Please do not submit multiple requests or call the school office directly.
Please keep a close eye on your email. This is how our IT department will communicate with you and your student. The email will come from FCPS and will have a subject line beginning with INC followed by a number. Please also give one to two school days for a response.
4. Lake Braddock Athletic Boosters News
The LB Athletic Booster Club (LBABC) will be holding their first meeting of the 20-21 school year on October 5th at 7:00 pm. If you are interested in joining please click on the link below to register and receive the meeting link.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1blJPS2MAf5LkQtcyCGjOq_hgEk-fB8R5x6cRGZ6BBv8/edit
The LBABC is partnering with Potomac River Running to sponsor the 1st annual 2020 Bruin Nation Fall 5K Virtual Challenge. This event will take place from October 30- Nov 1.
With the pandemic impacting our sports seasons, this event will be one of our primary fundraisers for the 20-21SY. In order for us to continue to support all of our student athletes, coaches, athletic trainers, and sports teams, your support is needed. We look forward to you joining us and participating in the Virtual 5k Challenge. Every participate will receive a T-Shirt and Bib.
To register use the link below.
https://potomac.enmotive.com/events/register/2020-bruin-nation-fall-5k-virtual-challenge
5. Student Photos
If you were unable to schedule a time for your student's school photo, we are working with Victor O'Neill Studios to add more details. Please stay tuned.
6. Grab and Go Meals
FCPS Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) continues to update times and locations for grab and go meals posted on the website. Grab and go meals are available to ALL students. In addition, FNS will offer breakfast and lunch meals for Saturday during distribution on Fridays. Food distribution locations and times are posted and updated frequently on the website: https://www.fcps.edu/return-school/food
High School Specific Information
7. PSAT
On Thursday, October 29th, all juniors have the opportunity to take the PSAT at Lake Braddock. All high school classes across the county, including Academy classes, will be asynchronous on this test day. The county will cover the registration fee.
Interested juniors must register by Friday, October 9, using the Lake Braddock HS: PSAT/NMSQT Intent to Participate Form. Students must use their school @fcpsschools ID and log-in to access the form, making sure to log off all personal Gmail accounts prior to accessing the form. An error message will appear if you are not a student using an FCPS student account to access the registration link.
More information can be found at the LBSS Student Testing website.
8. Freshman Parent/Student Night
Please mark your calendars for the Freshmen Parent/Student Night, scheduled for October 8 from 6:30-7:30 pm. The presentation includes information about being successful in high school and how to support your freshman students. Part of the presentation will also provide parents an opportunity to ask questions about transition to high school.
The live program will be conducted by sub-school, based on student last names:
Sub-School 3 (Student Last Names A-D)
Sub-School 4 (Student Last Names E-K)
Sub-School 5 (Student Last Names L-P)
Sub-School 6 (Student Last Names Q-Z)
The link for the program will be sent to parents via E-Notify and Naviance the morning of October 8.
9. Advanced Placement Information
Student Services will be updated information regarding AP courses and exams. Please check the website frequently.
In the meantime, the following information requires your attention this month:
FCPS encourages all students to take AP tests for courses in which they are enrolled. However, students will have the opportunity to opt-out of the test(s) by filling out an Opt-Out form, which will show a report with their previous tests and current AP course enrollment. The Opt-Out forms will be mailed home the week of October 5th and will be DUE by October 23rd. Families may complete the opt-out form process in one of two ways this year: return the opt-out form to the school via postage mail or complete an opt-out form online. If your student intends to take ALL of his/her scheduled AP exams in May, there is no need to complete an opt-out form.
We will be communicating throughout the year to remind you of due dates. If you have questions about the AP format, processes, or fees please email our AP Testing Team:
Jennifer Bury - JABury@fcps.edu
Lynn Carrera – LNCarrera@fcps.edu
Megan Cashman - MTCashman@fcps.edu
10. Substance Use Prevention Group for 9th Graders
From Your LB School Psychologists:
FCPS offers activities and learning experiences which focus on the many ways marijuana, alcohol, tobacco/vaping, and other drug use can negatively impact student lives. Here at Lake Braddock, our students’ lives matter to us and as a proactive approach, we want to provide students with the most accurate and up-to-date information on the dangers of substance use and addiction, as well as treatment options. Since we know that experimentation is very common within the adolescent population, we are currently seeking 9th grade students who would be willing to participate in a substance use prevention program that we are implementing this school year thanks to a very generous grant from LBSS PTSA. The Too Good for Drugs group is a 10-lesson program focusing on goal setting, decision making, identifying and managing emotions, effective communication, bonding and relationships, effects of alcohol use, nicotine, marijuana, prescription, OTC and street drugs, as well as healthy alternatives to substance use. This program aligns with the increase in Social Emotional Learning (SEL) support that is a top priority in our students’ education. It focuses on all 5 of the CASEL Competencies to include Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Responsible Decision Making, Social Awareness and Relationship Skills.
Each week, there will be parent information forms sent home to facilitate your understanding and enhance your child’s learning. The group will be held virtually, once a week at a day/time to be determined. (Options may include: 3:00 to 4:00 pm; or during the 2nd half of 4th period – WIN time.) For more information about this program please visit: https://toogoodprograms.org/pages/what-is-too-good
This group will be facilitated by both high school school psychologists at Lake Braddock. Our Too Good for Drugs group requires your written permission for your son or daughter to participate. If you would like your son or daughter to join this group, or if you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of us.
Carleen McKenzie Mary Olsen
School Psychologist School Psychologist
crmckenzie@fcps.edu molsen@fcps.edu
Please see the example below of one of the parent information forms that will be provided to parents of students who participate in this group.
11. Senior Portraits
Senior Portraits will be held on October 13-16 and October 20-21. Please sign up for your session date and time here:
pickatime.com/vosphoto/LakeBraddockss
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to seniors@vosphoto.com.
Middle School Information
12. TDAP Vaccine Reminder
The Code of Virginia requires that all students entering seventh grade receive a booster dose of Tdap vaccine prior to the beginning of school.
During this public health crisis, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) recognizes that it may be difficult for families to obtain access to timely healthcare for physicals and required immunizations. FCPS strongly encourages all families to contact their primary care physician or the Fairfax County Health Department immediately to schedule an appointment to meet these requirements.
As SY 2020-2021 will begin virtually for all students, FCPS will allow additional time for families to obtain and to submit to FCPS the necessary documentation for the required immunizations, tuberculosis screenings, physicals and Tdap. These requirements are outlined in Section 22.1-271.2 and Section 32.1-46 of the Code of Virginia.
Students will not be permitted to access face-to-face instruction without meeting all compliance requirements and providing their school with documentation of immunizations, tuberculosis screenings and physicals and Tdap. All requirements must be met by October 8, 2020.
Students may not participate in “in school” instruction and activities until meeting this requirement.
For questions about school entry requirements for immunizations for your child, or to forward your child’s proof of their Tdap vaccine, please contact Angela Santizo at 703-426-1030 or assantizo@fcps.edu.
13. MS Lunch Bunch
Join your friends and fellow bruins during your lunch period. Register by scanning the QR code below.
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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