Message from Dr. Smith
Hello Bruin Families,
Welcome Back! I hope you and your family were able to take some time to relax and recharge during Spring Break. We have made it to 4th quarter and it is full steam ahead as we move forward.
Earlier this week, we received communication from Dr. Brabrand regarding the move to 3 feet of social distancing for all secondary students. We are working hard to transition students back to in-person instruction for those who are interested. Please note that we can only return students based on capacity and staff and that we will not be able to honor all requests. Please read below for important information on Lake Braddock's move to four days of in-person instruction.
FCPS has also adopted a series of secondary grading policy changes to help our students achieve a strong finish to the school year. Please see the article below for detailed information.
We have several religious and cultural holidays occurring during the 4th quarter. Please note that our teachers have been asked to avoid new grade assignments, activities, tests and quizzes on the following dates:
- First Day of Ramadan -- April 13
- Theravada New Year -- April 27
- Orthodox Good Friday -- April 30
- Eid at Fitr -- May 13
I am excited to report that we have a final date for in-person graduation. We will celebrate our graduates in a ceremony at Jiffy Lube Live on Thursday, June 10 at 9:30 a.m. Please see the flyer below for information on senior and parent meetings scheduled on April 19.
I look forward to an exceptional 4th quarter at Lake Braddock and I appreciate your continued support of all things Lake Braddock.
United as Bruins,
Daniel W. Smith, Ed.D.
In this Issue
NEW Information
Four Day In-Person Instruction
Grading Updates
SOL and AP Testing
April 7 Town Hall Recap
New LBSS Water Bottles
Important Reminders
New Attendance Procedures
High School Information
High School Yearbook
Middle School Information
Middle School Yearbook
Middle School After-School Program
College Access Fairfax Virtual Presentations
Class of 2021 News
Graduation
LBSS PTSA Scholarship
Continuing Information
LBSS Online Book Store
Parent Academy
Cooking as a Family
FCPS Information
FCPS Tech Support
FCPS Mental Health Resources
Important LBSS Contact Information
Attendance Procedures
How to Stay In Touch
New Information
Four Day In-Person Instruction
Earlier this week, Dr. Brabrand shared the following information:
- FCPS welcomes the drop in community transmission rates for the seven-day period ending April 7, which allows us to move to a 3 feet social distance standard for in-person learning in middle and high schools.
- The April 7 release of weekly data shows that community transmission rates have dropped in our region from “high” to “substantial.”
- Middle and high schools are now able to join elementary schools in using 3 feet social distancing in classrooms where mask use is universal.
- The ability to decrease social distancing means that middle and high schools may be able to consider returning some students to four days of in-person instruction for the remainder of the school year, if space and staffing allow.
Lake Braddock will now join elementary schools in using 3 feet social distancing in classrooms where mask use is universal. In order to meet Division expectations for our in-person students to be at Lake Braddock four days a week, our virtual students will remain virtual for the remainder of the year.
If your student is currently accessing in-person instruction two days a week, please complete this Google Form so we can gauge interest and assess our capacity to bring students in the building for four days of in-person instruction. The Google Form should be completed no later than Tuesday, April 13th at 3 pm if you would like for your student to be considered. The change to four days of in-person instruction will start on Tuesday, April 27.
Please note that no additional changes will be permitted after April 27.
To review the additional information provided by FCPS on the changes to social distancing CLICK HERE.
Grading Updates
As shared in an email from the Superintendent’s Office, FCPS has adopted a series of secondary grading policy changes to help our students achieve a strong finish to the school year. FCPS is adjusting our grading policy for the 2020-21 school year to ensure students are not penalized by the challenges brought on by pandemic learning.
High School Grading Updates
Key policy changes for high school students are listed below:
- Final Exam flexibility that ensures an exam can only serve to improve a student’s grade for the year. Teachers will apply this in their grading practices for each class.
- Use of No Mark, “NM”, instead of “F” grades for all courses. This will be automatically applied for any course in which a student receives an “F.”
- Allowing high school students to select a mark of “P” for pass for up to two courses for which a passing grade is earned for the final mark. As referenced above, for the 2020-21 school year, final marks of “F” will automatically receive a No Mark, “NM.”
Third quarter report cards and the Pass - No Mark Request Form will be available in ParentVue and will be mailed home to all families who have not selected “go paperless” on April 14th. Students and families are encouraged to carefully consider the option for Pass - No Mark status. Additional information including considerations for postsecondary opportunities and frequently asked questions are available HERE.
Middle School Grading Updates
Key policy changes for middle school students are listed below:
- Students receiving a final mark of “D” or “D+” in any course will be assigned a mark of “P” (pass) as a final mark. This will be automatically applied for any course in which a student receives an “D” or “D+” as a final mark.
- Use of No Mark, “NM”, instead of “F” grades for final marks for all courses. This will be automatically applied for any course in which a student receives an “F” as a final mark.
- Allowing middle school students to select a mark of “P” (pass) for any courses for which a passing grade is earned for the final mark. As referenced above, for the 2020-21 school year, final marks of “F” will automatically receive a No Mark, “NM”, and final marks of “D” or “D+” will automatically receive a “P.”
Third quarter report cards and the Pass - No Mark Status Form will be available in ParentVue and mailed home to all families who have not selected “go paperless” on April 13. Students and families are encouraged to carefully consider the option for Pass. Additional information including considerations and frequently asked questions are available HERE.
SOL and AP Testing
Preparations are underway for SOL and AP testing. Be on the lookout for additional information to be shared in an eNotify message on Monday, April 12. Mark your calendars for a virtual Testing Question & Answer Session taking place April 21 at 6:30 pm. The registration link will be included in next week’s News You Choose.
April 7 Town Hall Recap
Did you miss the Superintendent’s Town Hall? Dr. Brabrand, along with Dr. Michael Martin, from the American Academy of Pediatrics, and Dr. Michelle Boyd, assistant superintendent for Special Services, answered questions from the community regarding the CDC’s guidance allowing schools to transition from 6 feet to 3 feet social distancing in some circumstances, and within certain community transmission rates. They also discussed the social-emotional impact the pandemic has had on children and the importance of returning all students to in-person learning. Watch the video.
Early Releases
If you need to pick up your in-person student early, please send him or her in with a note first thing in the morning. He/She needs to take that note to the Subschool to receive a pass and then sign out of the Subschool before leaving.
If you have not sent in a note, we will not be able to pull students for early release after 2:00 pm.
We appreciate your assistance and cooperation in this process.
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New LBSS Water Bottles For Sale
Lake Braddock is holding a water bottle fundraiser! They are black with the words 'Lake Braddock' and a bear paw in gold! Water bottles are available to purchase at door 1, April 13-16 before and after school. They will also available during middle school lunches, April 13-16. Interested? Water bottles are $15, and you may pay with cash, check (made out to LBSS), or pay on MySchoolsBucks (and available pick up the next day at any of the times/dates listed). Proceeds will benefit the Class of 2022. We hope to see you rocking this new swag!
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Important Reminders
New Attendance Procedures
If your child is scheduled to attend class in-person but is unable to do so, please contact your child’s subschool. If a student does not participate in person as expected, parents will receive an automatic absence notification.
High School Information
High School Yearbook
High school yearbooks are on sale via the online platform (www.yearbookordercenter.com code 5061) and via My School Bucks for $70.
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Middle School Information
Middle School Yearbook
Yearbooks are on sale for $35 at YearbookOrderCenter.com using school code 13596 or by searching for Lake Braddock Middle School. You can also order them through MySchoolBucks for the same price.
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UPDATED: Middle School After-School Program
Visit here for an up-to-date list of afterschool offerings at Lake Braddock: https://lakebraddockss.fcps.edu/student-life-activities/club-activity-descriptions
After-School Activities (starting in April 2021):
- Hip-Hop Dance (started 4/7/2021)
- Prep Leaders / Peer Academic Tutoring (TBA)
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
College Access Fairfax Virtual Presentations for Middle School Families (MS)
College Access Fairfax (CAF) is partnering with FCPS School Counseling Services by offering two Paying for College virtual presentations specifically for middle school families. These two presentations will be offered on April 20 and April 22 at 7:00 PM. A recording of these sessions will be made available for families unable to register and attend by visiting CAF’s website after April 22. A flyer with additional details about these two virtual presentations can be accessed here. Students should access the flyer using their school login.
Class of 2021 News
Graduation
We are so excited to announce that we are able to hold an in-person graduation this year at Jiffy Lube Live. Graduation will be on Thursday, June 10 at 9:30 am. We are working on the specific details of the ceremony and will have most of that available at our Senior and Parent meetings on April 19.
LBSS PTSA Scholarship
The LBSS PTSA Scholarship is awarded to graduating seniors who have demonstrated responsibility, character and leadership during their high school career.
- TWO - $1,000 Scholarships
- NINE - $500 Scholarships
- SIX - $250 Scholarships
Applicant Qualifications:
- Applicant must be a Senior at Lake Braddock Secondary School
- Applicant must have a current PTSA Membership at the time of application - Student membership is $5.00 and you can join at lbssptsa.org prior to applying for this scholarship.
- Applicant must plan to continue their education at a 2- or 4-year accredited college, vocational or technical school, or other accredited post-secondary program for the school year beginning in Fall 2021.
- Application available on the LBSS PTSA Website: http://www.lbssptsa.org/
Submit ALL documentation by 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, May 7, 2021:
Questions? Please email Aubrey Maher at scholarship@lbssptsa.org. You may also contact PTSA President, Bob Gaylord at president@lbssptsa.org.
Continuing Information
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
Cooking as a Family Makes a Difference with FCCLA - Parent Academy Family Engagement Series Event
- Thursday, April 15th from 6:00-7:30 PM
- Hosted by Ms. Ragland, Mr. Prassa, Ms. Moyer, and the LBSS FCCLA
The Recipe of Success = 1 LBSS family, 2 cups of time, 3 Tablespoons of fun
Come join the fun live with LBSS Advisors and students as we demonstrate these awesome recipes for dinner. No Bake Cookie Pudding and Tofu Lasagna Rollups with Red Lobster Biscuits on the side. What a fun way for families to spend time together!
Recipes and ingredients can be found here: https://rb.gy/0nbmrb (requires fcpsschools login)
Register by April 13th here - Registration Form
Guest links will be sent to participants after registration closes.
Questions? Please contact Ms. Ragland at tragland@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
How to Stay In Touch
Please stay in touch with us throughout the year by:
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:
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