Message from Dr. Smith
Hello Bruin Families,
This week has been busy with Winter Sports postseason events and the PTSA Parent Coffee meeting, where information was shared on returning to in-person learning. It has been wonderful to connect with our families and support our student athletes. Good luck to our athletes were are still competing in postseason events!
We are working hard to ensure our students, staff and building are prepared to shift to in-person instruction, beginning as early as next week. There are some adjustments that will impact all of our students, including the new bell schedule starting on Tuesday, February 16th. As many of our families start to shift to in-person instruction, FCPS has put together some additional resources to help provide information about returning to school and reducing the spread of the Coronavirus.
We have a special opportunity for students new to Lake Braddock to get familiar with the building prior to the first day students return. Please see the announcement below for more information.
Mrs. Kearns and I will have another parent coffee at 6 pm on Thursday, February 25th to provide the latest return to school information and answer questions. Mark your calendars!
United as Bruins,
Daniel W. Smith, Ed.D.
In this Issue
Return to School Information
FCPS Return to School Resources
Return to School Schedule
Return to School Orientation
New Bell Schedules
Virtual or In-Person?
Parent Health Commitment Form (deadline of February 19)
Transportation
NEW Information
LB DECA Recognized for Outstanding School-Based Enterprise
Congratulations Savannah Traine!
Visitors to Lake Braddock
Library Curbside Pick-up
NEW Middle School Information
MS Orchestra Concert
Class of 2021 News
Come Connect Over Cocoa
Class of 2021 Caps and Gowns
Continuing News
Black History Month
Kindness Notes
PSAT for 10th Graders
TDAP Vaccine Reminder
TJHSST Application Process
Middle School After-School Program
LBSS Online Book Store
Parent Academy
LBSS PTSA News
PTSA Auction
FCPS Information
FCPS Tech Support
FCPS Mental Health Resources
Important LBSS Contact Information
Attendance Procedures
How to Stay In Touch
FCPS Return to School Resources
FCPS has provided a number of resources for students and families to help prepare for the return to in-school instruction.
Stop the Spread Information
Stop the Spread Video
FCPS Ready to Return Video
FCPS Return to School Guide
Return to School Schedule
Grades 8, 9 and 12 will return in person on March 2. Grades 7, 10 and 11 will return on March 9. When students return to school, they will be assigned two in-person days:
- Last Name A-K -- Tuesdays and Wednesdays
- Last Name L-Z -- Thursdays and Fridays
The other days will be virtual instruction.
School hours are 8:20 am - 2:50 pm. The doors will open for student entrance at 7:45 am. Please do not send your student to school prior to 7:45 am.
Return to School Orientation
All students will be receiving information on procedures for returning to in-person instruction during Advisory on Wednesday, February 24th. This lesson will provide students with information on procedures for entering the building, hallways, cafeteria, bathrooms, water fountains, social distancing and new health and safety routines. In addition, an optional opportunity will be sent to newly registered students who have selected in-person instruction to come tour the building on March 1st. An eNotify message will be sent to these identified families on Tuesday, February 16th with a signup genius to select a time. Tours will be provided by our high school SGA and Bruin Ambassadors.
New Bell Schedules
As we stated last week, a new bell schedule will go into effect on Tuesday, February 16 through March 1. Starting March 2, we will implement a new, final bell schedule which allows for five lunch periods for those students attending in person. Both bell schedules can be found on our web site.
Virtual or In-Person?
In order to determine whether your student is slated to return to school for in-person instruction, please login to your ParentVue account and follow these instructions:
- Once logged in, you will see a menu on the left side of the screen.
- Click on Student Info.
- Scroll to the bottom of the page to see what you selected for your student.
- If you requested in-person instruction, you will see “Intend to Attend School In-Person.”
- If you requested virtual instruction, you will see “Intend to Attend School Online.”
If you have a questions about your student’s placement, please contact the Director of Student Services for your student.
Kristin Girardin
Acting MS DSS
kegirardin@fcps.edu
Anne Polino
Acting HS DSS
acpolino@fcps.edu
Parent Health Commitment Form -- New Details
Whether your student is returning in person or remaining virtual, FCPS requests all parents/guardians complete a Parent Health Commitment Form. While the form is required for in-person students, it is helpful for virtual students in the event they participate in athletics or co-curricular activities.
There are two ways to provide the form:
Responding Electronically in ParentVUE:
- All parents who have indicated their child will attend in-school instruction will have access to this information in ParentVUE. Parents/guardians may access the document in their preferred language and will receive reminders in ParentVUE until the form has been submitted.
Responding on a Paper Form:
- If you do not have a ParentVUE account, you may provide your commitment on a hardcopy form. You will find the commitment form and all translated versions at Parent Health Commitment Form.
The deadline for submission of this form is Friday, February 19, 2021.
Transportation
If your student will be riding a bus, the Transportation Department will load that information into SIS Student and ParentVue under Student Info > Transportation. The specific bus routes and times will be available at least one week prior to your student's return date and is only available on the website and not the app.
If you have specific questions regarding your student's bus information, please call Transportation directly at (703) 446-2050. Please do not call the school directly.
Lake Braddock DECA Recognized for Outstanding School-Based Enterprise (SBE)
Under the management of seniors Maddie Cahill and Brian Ager, DECA’s Spirit Box, the school-based enterprise at Lake Braddock, was awarded Gold Level Re-Certification for the 2020-2021 school year and will be recognized during DECA’s Virtual International Career Development Conference this April 19-23, 2021.
Run through the Entrepreneurship classes, Spirit Box sells products through its vending machine at school. With the building closed, the students worked hard to adjust to new channels of distribution selling laptop skins through My School Bucks. SBEs are managed and operated by students as hands-on learning laboratories that integrate National Curriculum Standards in marketing, finance, hospitality and management.
SBEs can be certified at three levels: bronze, silver or gold. In order to apply for the certification, SBEs must submit extensive documentation that explains how the SBE demonstrates the practice of various marketing and retail standards. A national review committee evaluates the documentation to determine which level of certification has been achieved.
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Congratulations Savannah Traine!
Savannah Traine (11 grade) won 1st place at the 2021 Year of the OX New Year’s Greeting Card (Nengajo) Contest. This is a national contest, and her amazing card was chosen as the 1st place in the HS Comical card category from about 500 entries. A certificate and prize was presented to Savannah by the American Association of Teachers of Japanese. Happy Lunar New Year (2/12/2021)!
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Visitors to Lake Braddock
In an effort to reduce the amount of visitors to Lake Braddock, all visitors must have an appointment prior to coming to the school. If you do have an appointment, please complete the Covid-19 Health Questionnaire and follow the instructions on the form at least one day prior to coming in.
If you need information or have a question, please either check our web site or call the main office (703-426-1000) first. Chances are your question can be answered in that way. Thank you for your cooperation.
Library Curbside Pick-up
Due to the Presidents Day School Holiday, there will be no Library Curbside Pickup this Monday, February 15, 2021. Weekly library Curbside Pickup/drop off will resume Monday, February 22 (11:00 am – 2:00 pm), outside Door #1. Lake Braddock Library books can be returned any school day during school hours by placing them on the library return book cart in the school’s main entrance lobby, inside Door #1.
NEW Middle School Information
MS Orchestra Concert
Next Wednesday, February 17, our Middle School Orchestras will present a virtual concert. You must register in advance using the following link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwudeGvrjssHtA1sx_pxR2nTE-SOH8-wDUq
Class of 2021 News
Come Connect over Cocoa
On Feb. 22 from 3:15 - 4:15 pm, Lake Braddock will host an event for the Class of 2021: Come Connect over Cocoa. This event will provide Seniors an opportunity to connect with friends and with Lake Braddock as they begin their countdown to Graduation.
Click this link: https://lakebraddockss.fcps.edu/senior_class for more information and to sign up for the event.
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Class of 2021 Caps and Gowns
We are in the process of planning a meaningful graduation experience for the Class of 2021 to the greatest extent possible given the current situation with COVID-19. We are considering many options to celebrate this momentous occasion.
We are ordering our caps and gowns and we need your help and gentle encouragement. We need each senior to complete the cap and gown survey to ensure we have the appropriate cap and gown size for everyone. Please ask your graduate if they have completed the survey. If they have not, please ask them to click on the following link to give us their student id, height and weight. Students can access this link by signing in with their fcpsschools.net account.
https://forms.gle/6UDWVtj844aqQyZc9
Thank you for your attention to this matter and we look forward to recognizing and celebrating the Class of 2021.
Black History Month
As we continue through Black History Month, we'd like to share a number of resources that support our school's instructional focus:
The National Museum of African American History and Culture is the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture Established by Act of Congress in 2003, following decades of efforts to promote and highlight the contributions of African Americans.
The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) publishes several scholarly works and established Negro History Week, the precursor to Black History Month.
The Virginia’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Commission website includes the following resources:
o Emancipation Proclamation Sesquicentennial
o RESOURCES from the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Commission
o RESOURCES from the Abraham Lincoln Subcommittee
o RESOURCES from the 50th Anniversary of Public School Closings in Virginia.
Kindness Notes
The LB Middle School Bruins in Action and the LB Philanthropy Club are inviting you to participate in Lake Braddock’s first ever Valentine’s Day Kindness Cards Shower! The event will run from Mon. Feb. 1 to Fri. Feb. 26.
How To Participate: Develop uniquely written and designed cards or letters with heartfelt Valentine’s Day messages to senior citizens who are currently residing in one of our Burke community area nursing facilities -- Burke Health and Rehabilitation Center or Heatherwood Retirement Community. The cards or notes should be handwritten and addressed to either of these facilities.
Why Participate? Because of COVID, visitors are severely restricted or prevented from visiting nursing facilities. Therefore, a long-distance hug with a heartfelt letter or card to seniors will let them know that you’re thinking of them. In fact, develop as many cards or letters as you can!
Where To Bring Your Cards: Drop your cards or notes off inside Door 1 at LB from 8:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. There will be two seperate boxes for the two nursing facilities - try to spread your work out evenly and share the love!
What should you know before you write your letters or cards?
- Write it by hand if you can. • Make it neat. • Make it personal. • Don’t write the date. • Start with “Dear Friend.”
- Let your reader know that you are a Lake Braddock student and why you’re writing. • Avoid religion and personal views
- Sign your first name. While it’s important that this letter or card come from you, don’t share more personal information (like your last name, home address, or phone number)—if the reader knows your first name and that you’re a Lake Braddock student, that’s more than enough.
For Information about receiving service hours credit: HS students contact Mrs. Williams at lhwilliams@fcps.edu and MS students contact your Social Studies Teacher!
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PSAT for 10th Graders
On Monday, April 19, LBSS will host PSAT 10 for sophomores only. Testing specifics and the link for registration will be posted on March 1. However, the deadline to apply for College Board accommodations for the PSAT 10 is February 12. For more information, please visit the LBSS PSAT Parent Notification link.
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.
TJHSST Application Process
For those who are interested, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (commonly referred to as "TJ") just released updated information about the application process. The application window will begin on February 1 at 8:00 am and close on February 26 at 4:00 pm. There are two parts to begin the application: (1) Students must login and enter some basic information including parent email, and (2) Parent must login to their own account to submit the application after your student's counselor has verified that they meet the prerequisite course requirements.
Here are important links that you will need:
- Eligibility Requirements: https://www.fcps.edu/registration/thomas-jefferson-admissions/eligibility-requirements
- TJ Freshman Application Process: https://www.fcps.edu/registration/thomas-jefferson-high-school-science-and-technology-admissions/freshman-winter
There is still information that is yet to be released, but this should help you to get started with the application.
Middle School After-School Program: Bruins Stay Virtual
Visit here for an up-to-date list of afterschool offerings at Lake Braddock: https://lakebraddockss.fcps.edu/student-life-activities/club-activity-descriptions
If students are interested in participating in the middle school after-school program:
- 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
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
Parent Academy
See our Website for more information about Parent Academy events.
LBSS Virtual Art Night – Spring is in the Air with Cherry Blossoms!
- February 22, 2020, at 6:30 PM
- Hosted by Ms. Stokes and Ms. Brobst & the LBSS Art Department
Students, staff, and families of all ages, please join us on Monday, February 22nd at 6:30 PM for a virtual guided group art lesson. No skills required! Together, we will create our own "Spring is in the Air with Cherry Blossoms" watercolor painting! You can make your own or work together with a family member. We look forward to creating with you!
Needed materials: basic set of watercolors, watercolor paper, paintbrush(s), and a smile.
Register by February 21st at http://bit.ly/SpringArtatLBSS
Questions? Please contact Ms. Brobst at kebrobst@fcps.edu or Ms. Stokes at jastokes@fcps.edu
LBSS PTSA NEWS
LBSS PTSA Auction
The LBSS PTSA will be hosting a virtual auction during the first three weeks of March! We have a wide array of products, services, gift cards, and experiences already confirmed and the list keeps growing every day! Do you have something you would like to donate? Contact communications@lbssptsa.org for more details!
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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