Message from Dr. Smith
Hello Bruin Families,
We hope that this newsletter finds you and your family doing well. We have had a week of focus on National Digital Citizenship Week. Throughout this week there were resources posted to our Twitter and Facebook and our School Based Technology Specialist, Sarah Olson led a Parent Academy event where we discussed the importance of well being and balancing social media. Digital Citizenship is a very important conversation to have with our students and we continue to find opportunities engage in this important conversation.
We were pleased to learn that Lake Braddock Secondary School was recognized by GreatSchools.org as one of 2,158 public high schools in the nation to earn the 2020 College Success Award. We're excited to celebrate our successful track record of preparing students to enroll in college and succeed once they get there. This website will give you more information about GreatSchools.org: http://bit.ly/2UXtOCX.
Ms. Kearns and I will be hosting a Parent Academy event on Thursday, October 29th at 6:00 pm. We are looking forward to connecting with you with updates and to answer questions. Please this form to register for the event and let us know what questions you have. You'll receive an individual invitation for this event on Thursday morning.
Finally, it's hard to believe that next week is the last week of the 1st Quarter. Please access ParentVue to see the latest updates on your student's grades as we close out this Quarter. If you have questions regarding their grades, please reach out to the teacher. We are on a rolling gradebook this school year and if you'd like to learn more details about a rolling gradebook, including how it will look in SIS Student/ParentVUE, please take time to review the following video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4MBITdvNzs&feature=youtu.be
We look forward to connecting with you on Thursday at our Parent Academy event. Please reach out to your student's teachers, counselor or subschool administrator if you need anything.
United as Bruins,
Daniel W. Smith, Ed.D.
In this Issue
Important Information for All
1. Parent Academy
2. Digital Citizenship Week
3. Instruction Update for October 29th
4. 2 Hour Early Release Schedule on October 30th
5. October Spirit Week
6. Important Attendance Updates
7. SIS ParentVue Reminder
8. Veteran's Day Wall of Honor
9. Bruins in Action: Socktober
10. Class of 2022 Fundraiser
11. Operation Medicine Cabinet Cleanout
High School Information
12. High School Yearbooks
13. Senior Portraits
14. 2021 Virginia Summer Governor's School
Middle School Information
15. TDAP Vaccine Reminder
16. MS Lunch Bunch
FCPS Information
17. Technology Support
18. Free or Reduced-Price Meals Information
19. Fairfax County Public Library Checkout Now Available to All Students
20. Grab and Go Meals
21. Video: Virtual Learning Tech Tips
Important Information for All
1. Parent Academy
Please see our website for previous Parent Academy event materials.
Upcoming Events
October 28 -- 7:00 pm -- Spanish Parent Coffee
- By Stella Zoccoli Perez and our LBSS staff
- To register for this event, please email szoccolipere@fcps.edu
October 29 -- 6:00 pm -- Parent Coffee
2. Digital Citizenship Week
Over the past week, we have sent out various resources about digital citizenship. These resources were meant to help you begin to have these conversations and help your students develop healthy relationships with technology. Below is a list of the resources that were posted on social media throughout the week. Please reach out to the school if you have more questions or want to learn more about digital citizenship and supporting your student in this environment.
Video - What is digital citizenship? https://www.commonsense.org/education/videos/what-is-digital-citizenship-with-asl-interpretations
Video - Teen Voices: oversharing and your digital footprint
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ottnH427Fr8
Newsfeed Defender - learn how to evaluate the reliability of your news sources - https://www.icivics.org/games/newsfeed-defenders
Interland - game based program to learn more about different https://beinternetawesome.withgoogle.com/en_us/interland
Is the Internet making you meaner? https://www.commonsense.org/education/videos/is-the-internet-making-you-meaner
Virtual boundaries and friendships:
https://www.commonsense.org/education/videos/teen-voices-friendships-and-boundaries
Managing Screen Time - https://thesmarttalk.org/#/
Take the pledge! Make a commitment to be a digital citizen that C.A.R.E.s.
MS: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/sites/default/files/uploads/pdfs/digcitpledge_edmodo_24x36.pdf
HS: https://net-ref.com/social-digital-citizenship-pledge/
3. Instruction Update for Thursday, October 29
Due to the PSAT being given to Juniors on Thursday, October 29th, all High School instruction on that day will be asynchronous. Middle School instruction will follow the Purple day bell schedule.
4. 2-Hour Early Release on October 30
Friday, October 30 marks the end of the first quarter and students will be released two hours early.
5. October Spirit Week
6. Important Attendance Updates
We are streamlining our attendance procedures, and important changes are included below. If you have any questions about the revised processes, please reach out to your child’s subschool, advisory teacher, or our SOSAs/Dean: Mrs. Bradley (lpbradley@fcps.edu), Mr. Tucker (tgtucker@fcps.edu), and Mrs. Soos (amsoos@fcps.edu).
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Monday attendance form: Effective Monday, October 19, 2020 we will be using a school-wide attendance form on Mondays instead of individual advisory teacher Monday check-in forms. Students need to complete the form around 8:00 am but no later than 10:00 am each Monday to be counted as present. Students need to be signed in to their FCPS Google accounts to complete the form. Your child’s 4th period Advisory teachers will remind them and post the same link every week. Please encourage and remind your child to complete the form EVERY Monday morning.
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Class participation: To ensure that we are providing students with the appropriate supports for academic success, we will be adding a new attendance code to distinguish between a student that is absent versus logged in but not participating in any capacity. A student that is absent will be marked UNV. A student that is logged in but not participating in any capacity will be marked as CUT. As always, a student that is logged in and participating is marked present.
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Reporting absences, late arrivals, and early dismissals: Effective Monday, October 19, 2020, parents will have 2 options to report their student’s absence, late arrival, or early dismissal. They may choose to use the new on-line absence reporting system, or they may call their child’s subschool attendance line (current method).
7. SIS ParentVUE Reminder
This year more than ever, SIS ParentVUE (PVUE) is an essential tool for parents/guardians to keep up with your student’s attendance, grade book assignments and grades, report cards, and more. At the end of last school year, we reached a high of 80% of FCPS students with at least one parent/guardian with a PVUE account. We want to keep those account numbers and the usage going up so that we can rely on it as a communication tool with parents/guardians.
Please take some time to access PVUE periodically to check in on your student(s) throughout the school year to keep informed of their progress. If you do not yet have a PVUE account, please go to the following web site for details on what can be found in PVUE and how to activate a new PVUE account using your activation code: Student Information System - SIS Parent Account Overview.
8. Veteran's Day Wall of Honor
The LBSS Military Ambassadors Club is hosting a virtual meeting dedicated to Veteran's Day on November 11th, 2020 after school. During this meeting, three speakers who are military affiliated will be discussing what Veteran's Day means to them. Captain Guardo and SFC Wiles from Lake Braddock's JROTC program are two of our guest speakers. This event is open to the entire school and we would like to include as many students and Veterans as possible!
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9. Bruins in Action: Socktober
Did you know that socks are the least donated items to most homeless shelters? Every night in the United States, an estimated 600,000 people live on the streets. This October, we want to prove that even a small act of love, such as donating a pair of socks, can make a big difference in the lives of our Northern Virginia neighbors who are poor or homeless.
Starting Monday, October 19th through Friday October 30th, PLEASE:
- Bring NEW pairs of socks in ALL sizes to Lake Braddock, and
- Place them in the Socktober Box inside of Door 1.
All collected socks will be donated to:
- Katherine Hanley Family Shelter in Fairfax, VA, click here
- New Hope Housing in Alexandria, VA, click here
Middle School Students should talk to their Social Studies teachers about the service hours they can earn by generously donating socks!
PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY, AND REMEMBER:
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The Athletic Leadership program at Lake Braddock is leading a pyramid-wide sock collection drive during the month of October. Socks are the most requested item at homeless shelters and, with each pair donated, a person is reminded they matter. We are donating our collected socks to New Hope Housing and the Katherine Hanley Family Shelter. This is the 3rd year we have collected socks as a community. There are multiple places to drop off donations: Door 1 of Lake Braddock Secondary School, Glory Days Grill in Burke, and 9714 Rolling Ridge Drive, Fairfax Station, VA 22039. We hope to build on the success of over 1,800 pairs donated last year. Our #Socktober effort has been expanded to include working with Robinson Secondary School!
@GloryDaysGrill in Burke will be a collection spot for sock donations starting this weekend!
@FCPSLBSS and @RobinsonRams are fortunate to have @GloryDaysGrill supporting our communities!
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11. Operation Medicine Cabinet Cleanout
High School Information
12. High School Yearbook
The 2021 high school yearbook is currently available for purchase. Go to www.yearbookordercenter.com and use school code 5061. The discounted price of $65 is only available until the end of 2020, so don’t wait! Yearbooks make good gifts!
Senior Yearbook Ads
Help your senior remember the good times. Create a senior ad to be published in the 2021 yearbook! We’ve lowered the prices considerably this year, so take advantage of this offer! Ads will be available until December 1 (or until we have sold out), so don’t wait! Go to www.yearbookordercenter.com and use school code 5061 to get started. Email Mrs. Poquis at tbpoquis@fcps.edu if you have questions or need assistance.
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13. Senior Portraits
The final dates for Senior Portraits are November 10-12. 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
14. 2021 Virginia Summer Governor’s School
The Virginia Summer Governor’s School is a challenging and enriching program designed for highly motivated students who are looking for a challenging summer experience. Programs are offered in Visual and Performing Arts, Humanities, Math/Science/Tech, Agriculture, Life Science/Medicine, and Mentorships in Engineering and Life Sciences. These residential programs run from late June to late July and are four weeks in length. Only students who are available during that time frame and whose records match these criteria should apply. The deadline to declare your interest for the Academics & Mentorship OR Visual & Performing Arts Programs for the 2020 Summer Residential Governor’s School is November 9, 2020 - NO late submissions will be accepted.
To declare your interest, please complete the Google Interest Form at the appropriate link below:
Academics & Mentorship Programs: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1r33x6D7NTmbL57-w33OuFfkKHp02wZUdTQ3ILWxwsnw/viewform?edit_requested=true
Visual & Performing Arts: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScL0HhKQ9zPSH5n3gOd9V9aAlNEnZqD4XT3NuW9y_jftbY5CA/viewform
For general information, please visit the VDOE link:
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/governors_school_programs/summer_residential/
For the Application timeline for Virginia Summer Residential Governor’s Schools, please visit this link: https://www.fcps.edu/node/32439
If you have questions about the application process for the Virginia Summer Residential Governor’s Schools, please find contact information below:
Academics & Mentorship Programs: Mr. Ranallo - gwranallo@fcps.edu
Visual & Performing Arts: Mrs. Carrera – lncarrera@fcps.edu
Middle School Information
15. TDAP Vaccine Reminder
The Code of Virginia requirements for immunizations and physicals for school entry have not been waived for School Year (SY) 2020-2021.
Students will not be permitted to access face-to-face instruction without meeting all compliance requirements. For students who are conditionally enrolled and have not completed the necessary immunizations as required by the Code of Virginia, FCPS will provide provisional access to virtual learning only. Students may not participate in “in school” instruction and activities until meeting this requirement.
For questions about immunization requirements for your child, or to send proof of your child’s Tdap vaccination, please contact Angela Santizo at 703-426-1030 or assantizo@fcps.edu.
16. MS Lunch Bunch
Join your friends and fellow bruins during your lunch period. Register by scanning the QR code below or use this link: https://forms.gle/zbEPgw4RhMgMCMJV9.
FCPS Information
17. 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.
18. Free or Reduced-Price Meal Information
The application for Free or Reduced-Price Meals needs to be completed each school year for eligibility. If you applied last school year for your child(ren), please remember to submit a new application for this school year. The current eligibility status will expire on October 20, 2020.
Apply for free and reduced-price meals by visiting My School Apps . Eligibility may also provide your child(ren) other important benefits. Financial assistance with school related fees requires the completion of section four of the application – Consent to Share Information. Be sure your child(ren) are approved for the 20-21 school year.
The online application is available in the following languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, Tagalog, French, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Korean. Follow the link above to the website and then click on the Language drop down menu on the top bar. Paper applications are available to complete and submit in English upon request at FCPS food distribution sites.
19. Fairfax County Public Library Checkout Now Available to All Students
Effective October 1, all FCPS students (preK-12) are able to check out materials from the Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL), even if they don’t have a traditional library card or a card has been blocked due to fines.
Under the Library Equity Access Pass program (LEAP), a partnership with FCPS and FCPL, students need only their name, not a physical library card, to check out three items at a time for six weeks each (no renewals). LEAP accounts are never charged fines or fees.
A student can have a LEAP account in addition to a standard library account. Standard accounts allow users to place holds on materials and access FCPL’s digital resources, such as eBooks and databases.
Families can apply for a standard account online and in library branches.
20. 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
21. Video: Virtual Learning Tech Tips
If you would like to be able to use your home wifi printer with your student’s FCPS laptop, check out this video for instructions on how to do so. Watch the video.
Virtual Learning Playlist
The virtual learning playlist includes several videos about digital citizenship, technology tips, and how to keep your FCPS laptop and other features ready for student success. Go to the virtual learning playlist.
FCPS Mental Health 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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