Message from Dr. Smith
Hello Bruin Families,
This week, our students and staff participated in Academic Catch Up Days on Thursday and Friday. These days provided time for students to work on missing work, retake assessments and get additional support from their teachers without new assignments or assessments. We received feedback from students that these past two days were helpful for them to get caught up and look ahead to upcoming assignments and assessments. We do not anticipate providing additional days such as these until possibly the 3rd or 4th quarter, if they are needed. We are hopeful that each and every student and staff found these days productive and helpful.
We kicked off our winter sports season this week with our basketball teams starting try outs. Next week we will proceed with the remainder of our winter sports. Students and staff have strict guidelines that we are monitoring to ensure everyone's safety. It has been great to have them back in the building and we are excited to have the rest of our sports starting back next week.
As we look to the Winter Break at the end of next week, we wanted to remind families of the homework expectations we have at Lake Braddock over extended breaks. Students should not be given assignments to work on that are due immediately after they return from break. Additionally, assessments should not happen immediately upon returning from the break. We want students to take this opportunity to truly take a break from the challenge pace of school and ensure they take time to rest and connect with family and friends.
We have one final week of school before winter break. If you have any questions or concerns, your student's teachers, counselor and Subschool administrator are here to support with anything you might need. Please be safe.
United as Bruins,
Daniel W. Smith, Ed.D.
In this Issue
Important Information for All
Parent Academy
LBSS Student Becomes A Published Author
LBSS Holiday Food Drive
Academic Advising
Substance Abuse Edition
Last Opportunity for Yearbook Photos
Classroom Monitors Needed
FCPS Winter Break Meal Service
LBSS Online Book Store
High School Information
Deadline for May AP Exam Accommodations Request
Athletics and Activities
Middle School Information
Middle School-After School Program
FCPS Information
FCPS Tech Support
FCPS Mental Health Resources
Important LBSS Contact Information
Attendance Procedures
How to Stay In Touch
Important Information for All
Parent Academy
See our Website for more information about Parent Academy events.
Upcoming Events:
Top 10 Tips To Help Your Student During Distance Learning
December 8, 2020 from 7-8 PM
Hosted by LBSS Middle School Student Services
See links for recording and presentation
Middle School Student Services has created a parent information session for distance learning. This presentation is designed to give you specific strategies that will help your student experience success in the virtual environment. Please reach out to your student’s school counselor if you need additional information or assistance.
Recording: Top 10 Tips To Help Your Student During Distanced Learning Presentation: Top 10 Tips To Help Your Student During Distanced Learning
Self-care: Good for You and Your Family
December 16, 2020, from 7-8 PM
Hosted By: LBSS Clinical Team
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 with tools and resources to manage stress and maintain self-care including additional resources and tips for the holiday season! Middle School and High School families are welcome!
Register before December 15th here: Self-Care Registration Link
Questions? Please contact Nicole White at NDWhite@fcps.edu
An Evening with Kandinsky – Virtual Paint Night
December 17, 2020, from 7-8 PM
Hosted by Ms. Teresa Rose and the LBSS Art Department
All students, staff, and families of all ages, please join us on Thursday, December 17 at 7:00 PM for a virtual guided group painting lesson. No skills required! Together, we will make a Kandinsky inspired tree adorned with symbolism and creative fun! You can make your own or work together with a family member. We will provide various options to customize the experience based on the materials you have at home. Possible materials you may use include paper, cardboard, canvas, canvas board, construction paper, various paints, markers, colored pencils, scissors, glue, magazines, or newspaper. We look forward to creating with you!
Register before December 15th here: An Evening with Kandinsky Registration
Questions? Please contact Teresa Rose at TRBoli@fcps.edu
Here Be Dragons Middle School Reading Club - January 13th 7:00 pm.
Have you ever noticed that every culture has some kind of dragon? Are you a fan of Wings of Fire or Eragon, or even Smaug? Join the Here Be Dragons Reading Club to explore why dragons fascinate people throughout time. Indulge your love of dragons! Come and explore this rich mythology and history with the LBSS Parent Academy and the Middle School Librarians. Students, parents, caregivers, teachers, and all dragon enthusiasts are welcome! Start with a dragon book of your choice to read over the holidays for the January 13th meeting.
Click HERE to register and enter the raffle to win a book of your own choice. The Zoom meeting link will be sent to each member.
High School Book Chat
January 21, 2021 from 7-8 PM
Hosted by the LBSS High School Librarians
Families and HS students, please join us on January 21 from 7-8 PM for a dynamic discussion of your book of choice! How do you participate? All you need to do is select a book of your choice and be prepared to share your review of and thoughts on your book! Need help finding a book? The LBSS High School librarians have created Fiction and Non-Fiction book collections for you to browse. We will email you a link to those collections once you have registered to your provided contact information. Questions?
Register before January 13 here: LBSS Book Chat Registration Form
Please contact Laura Christadore at LAChristador@fcps.edu
The Teenage Brain, Drug Trends, and Parent Tips Series
Hosted by the Jessica Giffin, Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist (SAPS) & Office of Student Safety and Wellness
Have you ever wanted to learn more about your teenager's brain and how it relates to substance use? Register today for a three-part series about the teenage brain, adolescence, and the effects of drug and alcohol on the teenage brain. This three-part series is packed with valuable information for parents/guardians to understand what their children are experiencing, things to look for, parenting tips, and how to communicate with your children around these topics. In addition, the third session will walk parents/guardians through virtual rooms to show parents what to look for in terms of new trends, paraphernalia and how youth can utilize household items for substance use. You may participate in one, two, or three of the sessions!
Session 1: The Teenage Brain: Building Connections – January 12, 2021 @ 7 PM
Session 2: Drugs & The Teenage Brain – January 21, 2021 @ 7 PM
Session 3: Drug Trends in Teens: Identifying Common Household Substances and Drug Culture – January 26, 2021 @ 7 PM
Register here today – Registration Link
Questions? Contact Jessica Giffin at jlgiffin@fcps.edu
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LBSS Student Becomes a Published Author
LB Senior Luca Byrnes has become a published author! Luca created a children’s book in his 10th grade English class with Ms. Rockefeller. Little did she know that he would continue working on the book and have it published. Car Mates is available now through Google Books. Congratulations Luca!
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LBSS Holiday Food Drive
We are so excited to have Laurie Suson working closely with Jacquie Naughton to head up our LBSS Food Pantry and Holiday Food Drive to help our Bruin students and their families.
This year, the Lake Braddock PTSA is partnering with the Burke School PTSA and are asking for community support to help the most in-need families with items to prepare a holiday meal and also so the students have food for breakfast and lunch during the break. Families are identified by school counselors and social workers and held in strict confidence.
We really need your help to make this a success. The most important items we need will be those easy to heat and eat or prepare
Click here to sign up and to see what is needed and share what you will provide!
How to give:
Drop boxes are located just inside Door 1 at LBSS. Donations can be dropped off during regular school hours. You may also drop items off at 9714 Rolling Ridge Dr., Fairfax Station (box on monitored porch 24/7).
If you are able to help but would like a volunteer to pick up donations from your front porch, please send an email to foodpantry@lbsssptsa.org and we will reach out to arrange pickup.
The food drive runs through December 14. Any bit of help is appreciated.
If you or someone you know may benefit from this support that may not already be on our list of families to support, please contact your child's counselor to provide the student's name (first and last) and the number of members in the family.
If you have questions, please reach out to Laurie at foodpantry@lbssptsa.org
Academic Advising
It is hard to believe that it is already time to begin to select courses for the 2021-2022 school year! This year, our staff has been hard at work to develop a Curriculum Fair Google Site that will house information on the courses that we offer here at Lake Braddock. This site, in addition to our Online Course Catalog and counselor lead programs, will be used to help students and families identify courses for the upcoming school year. This site will not only hold information on course offerings but will also allow for families to ask questions and see responses from staff!
Please review the LBSS Academic Advising Timeline and mark your calendars for these important events related to Academic Advising/Course Registration as the process will begin as soon as we return from winter break!
Please note that students will be selecting their courses in StudentVue. Course selection sheets are for reference only and will not be turned in. Parents will be able to see the courses students have selected through their ParentVue account. CLICK HERE if you need help accessing your ParentVue account.
Substance Abuse Edition: December 2020
Happy Holidays Bruin Family! As winter approaches and we prepare for the holidays and winter break from school, it is important to be mindful of the increased risks of substance abuse, anxiety, and depression. During a normal fall or winter, children and adults may feel lost, sad, or isolated. Most times, a parent or another caring adult or friend can help a child or teen manage their stress. Your child's stress this holiday season may depend on your family's hardships. Covid-19 brings a new kind of stress this holiday season and further increases the risks of substance abuse, anxiety, and depression.
Tips for Managing Stress:
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Be open to change. Talk with your kids about your traditions — which ones they love and which you might evolve to make them more fun or memorable for everyone.
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Be realistic. Factoring in kids’ limitations when you make plans will reduce stress on everyone. Children who tend to be impulsive need structure to minimize disruptive behavior. Not overestimating your kids’ patience and ability to focus will help you enjoy yourself more, too.
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Prep kids for changes in routine. Routines may look different while dealing with Covid-19. Preparing them for changes in their routines — what to expect and what you expect of them – will help your children adjust.
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Give yourself a break. Don’t stretch yourself too thin trying to create the “perfect” holiday season. Decide what is important, prioritize, and say “no” to what you can’t handle.
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Be sure to laugh. Kids pick up their parents’ stress and tension, so they’re more likely to be irritable if you are. Have a sense of humor, enjoy your kids for who they are, and keep in mind that what you’ll all remember when it’s over is likely to be the unexpected moment when everybody was relaxed, not the brilliantly choreographed party, dinner, or outing.
Don’t forget: This is Quitting offers text messages for teens and young adults that provide support throughout the quit process. This is Quitting is easy to use, free and anonymous.
Here's how This is Quitting can help:
- Set a quit date and receive up to 12 weeks of tailored daily text messages.
- Get 24/7 on-demand support for cravings, stress, relapse, or requests for more messages.
Sign up now: Text VapeFreeFFX to 88709 (Staff/Parents – please use “TIQTest” to 88709 to keep your participation separate from students if you’d like to test it out).
Jessica Giffin, LMSW
Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
If you need support for a student or have concerns you’d like to discuss, please feel free to reach out to me via email at jlgiffin@fcps.edu.
For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: (571) 423-4270 or visit our website here.
Last Opportunity for Yearbook Photos
The LAST opportunity to get a middle school or underclassmen studio yearbook photo and a school ID will be on January 11. Photos will be taken between 9:00 and 1:00 on this day. Use the following links to schedule your session.
High School - pickatime.com/vos/lakebraddockhsmu
Middle School -pickatime.com/vos/lakebraddockmsmu
Email tbpoquis@fcps.edu with questions.
Classroom Monitors Needed
LBSS is looking to hire classroom monitors to provide in-person classroom assistance for students when a teacher remains virtual. The position will start mid-January and end June 11. The pay rate is $15.42 per hour, for 7.5 hours per day, Tuesday through Friday.
Description: Provides in-person classroom assistance to a school or center assisting a virtual teacher with conducting classroom activities; works with individual and small groups of students; operates technology to include cameras, learning platforms, and learning tools; helps maintain order and discipline and assists in managing the behavior of students; provides supervision throughout the school day including in the classroom, halls, and lunch; performs administrative and non-instructional duties, such as keeping daily attendance; and ensures all CDC/safety protocols and procedures (e.g., fire drills) are implemented and followed.
Qualifications: Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from high school. Must be comfortable with basic technology equipment/tools; knowledge of and ability to ensure all CDC/safety protocols and procedures are implemented and followed; and ability to interact effectively with the assigned student population.
If you are interested in applying for this job, please contact Ms. Jennifer Harris.
FCPS Winter Break Meal Service
Winter Beak meal service plans are now available on the FCPS food resource webpage and an e-Notify message will be sent to households.
Below is an overview of the Winter Break meal service plans:
- Friday, 12/18 -- Bus routes will offer 4 days of breakfast and lunch Grab & Go locations will offer 4 days of breakfast and lunch
- Monday, 12/21 -- Bus routes will offer 4 days of breakfast and lunch Grab & Go locations will not distribute any meals
- Tuesday, 12/22 -- Bus routes will offer 4 days of breakfast and lunch Grab & Go locations will offer 14-day meal kits Meal Kits sites will offer 14-day meal kits
- Wednesday, 12/23 through Friday, 1/1/21 -- No food service
- Monday, 1/4/2021 -- Bus routes delivering breakfast and lunch will resume daily service
- Tuesday, 1/5/2021 -- Grab & Go locations resume daily meal distribution
Wednesday, 1/6/2021 -- Sites that distribute 7-day meal kits resume
LBSS Online Book Store
The LBSS Library is hosting an online bookstore through Bookworm Central that will continue throughout the entire year. Students and teachers can purchase books and have them delivered to their house. Purchases over $30 will be delivered for free. Stock up for the holidays and support the library.
The Online Library Book Store opened December 7. Please enjoy this promotional video HERE.
Contact the LBSSLibrary@fcps.edu with any questions.
Thank you, Lake Braddock SS Librarians
High School Information
Deadline for May AP Exam Accommodations Requests
Because the Advanced Placement (AP) exams are operated by the College Board, testing accommodations must be approved by College Board. If your student has an IEP or 504 plan, you may apply to the College Board for accommodations to be administered for future AP exams. Please contact Mr. Chuck Lord, Lake Braddock’s Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Coordinator, by email at CVLord@fcps.edu no later than Monday January 11th to begin the accommodations request process. If your student has already been approved by College Board to receive accommodations, you do not need to apply again unless there is a need to add additional accommodations.
Athletics and Activities
Welcome back to sports! Our goal is to continue providing athletic opportunities for our students in the safest possible manner. To that end, we ask for your help in a couple of critically important areas.
Please, do not send your child to practice or workouts if:
- He/she complains of not feeling well and/or has any of the following:
- Feeling feverish and/or having chills (if documented temperature/fever of 100.4F or greater)
- A new cough not due to another health condition
- Fatigue (more tired than usual)
- Nasal congestion or runny nose
- Headache
- A new sore throat not due to another health condition
- New chills not due to another health condition
- New muscle pain not due to another health condition or that may have been caused by a specific activity such as physical exercise
- New loss of taste or smell, new onset of poor appetite or poor feeding, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting
- He/she has been exposed to an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 or displays signs or symptoms associated with COVID-19
- He/she has been tested for COVID-19 and is awaiting results OR another family residing in the same house has been tested and is awaiting results
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) recently recommended the following: “During times of substantial COVID-19 activity VDH strongly advises athletes to wear masks at all times during group training, competition, and on the sidelines.”
Beginning Friday, December 11, students participating in FCPS athletic programs, to include in-season practices and competitions as well as out-of-season workouts, are required to wear masks during all aspects of athletic participation in all sports with the exception of wrestling, gymnastics and swim and dive.
Middle School Information
Middle School After-School Program: Bruins Stay Virtual
There have been a number of new clubs and activities updates added to our after-school program at Lake Braddock including:
- MS Lunch Bunch
- Come and hangout with other students and staff during lunch – talk with friends, listen to music, play games and have some fun during your mid-day meal!
- Register here: https://forms.gle/NDJMT9Drqu4sHKKE7
- New AS Programs as of 12/1
- LB Cyber Security Club (T 3:10p)
- Game Club (T & Th 3:30p)
- AS Programs “Coming Soon”
- Jr Bruin Minds Matter
- LB Dungeons & Dragons
- OBS Club
- Photography Club
- New Asynchronous Activities on the Bruins Stay Virtual After-School site
- Sports Locker Room
- Meditation Room
- Mindfulness Room
- Fitness Room
- STEM Room
- Art Room
- Plus Arts & Crafts workshops
Here is our most updated LBMS After-School Activities Calendar
If students are interested in participating:
- Complete the student interest form: https://forms.gle/7FL8qVvW3oSfVTxU8
- Parents/guardians should complete the parent permission form: https://forms.gle/Z5CZnfmkoNAfR1Ea8
Questions to After-School Specialist, Jamaal Hines, jlhines@fcps.edu
FCPS Information
FCPS Tech 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.
FCPS Mental Health Resources
Important LBSS Contact Information
Attendance Procedures
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Monday attendance form: Students must complete the required attendance form between 8:00 and 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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Reporting absences, late arrivals, and early dismissals: Use the following form to report absences, late arrivals and early dismissal: https://lakebraddockss.fcps.edu/about/attendance. You can also call the subschool attendance phone numbers shown below:
How to Stay In Touch
Please stay in touch with us throughout the year by:
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