Message from Dr. Smith
Hello Bruin Families,
This week has been an eventful Spirit Week for our staff and students for Stress Less Week! Thank you to all of our LBSS community who participated and got into the fun of stressing less this week as we lead into our end of year assessments for AP exams and SOLs. Our students enrolled in Teachers for Tomorrow also had an opportunity this week to shadow a leader at Lake Braddock. This unique experience allowed students to see what leadership looks like in a school setting. We enjoyed incorporating students into the various meetings and observations we had this week; they had a lot of great advice and questions to help make our school better!
At Lake Braddock, we are so very fortunate to have exceptional School Resource Officers that work with our students, staff and community. During this week of National School Police Week, we wanted to take a moment to thank our SROs who are an integral part of our Lake Braddock family and they serve as an incredible resource for our daily work. We are thankful for the positive impact that they make on our school each and every day.
Ramadan began on Monday evening, April 12th this year, and continued through the evening of Tuesday, May 11th, ending with the celebration of Eid-al-Fitr that began on May 12th. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and the most sacred and is marked by Muslims around the world as a month of fasting from sunrise to sunset each day. I want to acknowledge, honor and recognize Ramadan with many of our families who are fasting together. Wishing a fabulous Eid Mubarak to all!
We wanted to remind families that the week of May 24th through May 28th will be a virtual week for all students. Classes will be taught synchronously and students are expected to follow their schedule, unless they are schedule to come in the building for an SOL assessment.
As always, we appreciate your partnership to help make this year a success. Please do not hesitate to reach out to your child's teachers, counselor or Subschool Administrator with questions you may have.
United as Bruins,
Daniel W. Smith, Ed.D.
In this Issue
NEW Information LB Theatre Performance LB Chorus Online Auction The Great Library Book Round Up LBSS Native Plant Garden Tour May Observances Military & Family Life Counselor New Meal Distribution Bus Routes
Important Testing Information AP Exam Information SOL Calendar, Refusals and Make-Ups Exam Prep Strategy Parent Volunteers Needed
From Our Activities Department Commitment Ceremony - Class of 2021 VHSL Physical Form
Important Reminders Year End Events Calendar 4th Quarter Catch Up Days SAPS Quarterly Newsletter Monday Check-in Reminder Early Releases
High School Information Class of 2023 T-Shirts High School Yearbook
Middle School Information VIP Summer Camp Middle School Yearbook Middle School After-School Program
Class of 2021 News Senior Awards Class of 2021 Formal Event: Starry Night Baccalaureate Celebration Graduation Photographs
Parent Academy See Website for Information
FCPS Information Anti-Racism/Anti-Bias Resources Fall 2021 In-Person and Virtual Resources Important Immunization Requirements Registration Opens for E-IFTA and IFTA FCPS Tech Support FCPS Mental Health Resources
Important LBSS Contact Information Attendance Procedures How to Stay In Touch
New Information
LB Theatre Performance
Join the LB Theatre in their final performance of the year, Lunch, by Shawn Northrip. This hilarious and heartwarming musical play revolves around lunch period and through the use of rock/grunge music, reminds us just what middle school is all about. . Performances will be held: 5/13 at 7:30 pm; 5/14 at 8:00 pm; and 5/15 at 8:00 pm.. Please visit http://lbtheatre.com/ to purchase your tickets.
LB Chorus Online Auction
Bidding goes LIVE on Monday, May 17th!
Lake Braddock Chorus is finishing the year strong with a one-week online auction (in conjunction with a Spring virtual concert on May 20th) and our biggest fundraiser of the year! Check out the awesome items listed here! https://www.32auctions.com/LBVMBSpringAuction2021
Once the auction is "live", please share with local friends and family to help support the Lake Braddock Choral Department!
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The Great Library Book Round Up of 2021
It's time to return your LBSS library books.
- No fines, no fees, no financial obligations
Last day to check out books was May 10. The library is no longer circulating books.
Two ways to return books:
- Red book return cart inside Door #1 Main Entrance
- Return bin inside the library
Check your fcpsschools.net email account for books still checked out. Please enjoy this VIDEO about Library Book Round Up.
Thanks for your help! The LBSS Librarians
LBSS Native Plant Garden Tour
Please enjoy this video of the LBSS Native Plant Garden - Spring 2021.” https://youtu.be/ClOK1g0tMQc
May Observances
Asian American Heritage Month
Julie Wu founded the Asian Pacific American Club at West Potomac High School and is the president of the Asian Pacific American Club Coalition, which brings together all of the APACs across FCPS to educate other students about Asian American heritage and culture and provide a safe space for Asian Americans to share about their identities. https://bit.ly/3tJxaG1
Jewish American Heritage Month
From Ramadan, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, to Mother’s Day and Memorial Day, May marks a time of celebration and commemoration for many communities across the country. These 31 days are also designated as Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) when we pay tribute to the achievements and contributions made by American Jews throughout our nation’s history.
The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of Jewish Americans who have helped form the fabric of American history, culture, and society. More information is available online.
Additional Resources:
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Military & Family Life Counselor
I apologize for the incorrect link last week. The link is correct now.
Welcome Faith James, Lake Braddock's Military and Family Life Counselor. Please see this flyer for information about Faith and her role at Lake Braddock.
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New Meal Distribution Bus Routes Begin May 18
On Monday, May 18, many of the bus routes used for meals distribution will change. Please see the bus route schedule to check if yours has been affected.
Don't miss out! Most of the Grab & Go locations have switched to a Fairfax Meal Kits site. Fairfax Meal Kits contain seven days of breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, and supper items packed in bulk. The kits will be available for pick up every Monday from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. or until supplies run out. Please see the Return to School food webpage for locations.
Important Testing Information
AP Exam Information
If you are taking an AP exam this year (digital or in-person), please find updated information here regarding important policies and procedures during the AP Exam testing window: https://lakebraddockss.fcps.edu/advanced-placement.
Please contact the AP Testing Team with questions:
Lynn Carrera – LNCarrera@fcps.edu
Megan Cashman - MTCashman@fcps.edu
Jennifer Bury - JABury@fcps.edu
SOL Calendar, Refusals and Make-ups
The LBSS SOL testing schedule can be found HERE and a PDF calendar HERE. Students will receive an email to their Google account with their specific testing room assignment approximately one week before testing.
Please remember that all classes will be virtual the week of Tuesday, May 25 through Friday, May 28. Buses will run normally during the virtual school week so that students who require bus transportation for SOL testing Tuesday, May 25 through Friday, May 28 will be able to catch their regular bus at the normal time and bus stop. Only students who are taking an SOL test should come to school during the virtual school week. If a student is not testing, they should remain at home to learn virtually. Students will return home after completing testing and should rejoin their classes virtually. If students are waiting for a bus after testing, they will continue with their virtual classes in the Little Theatre until the busses take them home at the end of the school day.
Make-up testing will occur the week of Tuesday, June 1 (all Reading SOLs), Wednesday, June 2 (all Math SOLs) and Thursday, June 3 (all Science SOLs). Make-up testing will take place in the Lecture Hall at 8:15. Please note, if a student does not normally ride a bus on that make-up day, they will have to make alternate transportation arrangements. The testing office will handle attendance for students who show up for make-ups during that week. A student can decide to refuse rather than make-up a test and would follow the same 2 step procedures listed on our refusal website: https://lakebraddockss.fcps.edu/testing-refusal .
Please note, any student who has refused SOL testing after the April 30th deadline may receive a testing location assignment. If families refused after this date or intend to refuse, students can ignore the testing location assignment. After the day’s testing, the Testing Office will work to reconcile the list of students who did not show for testing (make-ups) and those that didn’t show because they refused testing after the deadline. Please be patient as we work through this lengthy process. The LBSS Testing Team is unable to handle individual inquiries for refusal status during testing.
Exam Prep Strategy
Prepping review sessions for SOL, AP, or final exams? Feeling like there’s no way one teacher can answer all your students’ questions? Try a collaborative study group (CSG). In CSGs, students prepare points of confusion ahead of time and then work together using critical thinking and Socratic dialogue to study, learn, and answer each other’s questions. Students do the heavy lifting, and teachers chime in when needed! Here’s a how-to guide for Collaborative Study Groups brought to you by AVID.
Parent Volunteers Needed
Your help is needed to proctor in-person AP exams. No experience is necessary and you’ll be paired with an experienced staff member for support. Plus, you can get your steps in too! Choose as many time slots as you are able to assist with monitoring during student AP exams. Please note that you may not proctor an exam your student is taking but you don’t have to be the parent of an AP student to volunteer. Parents can sign up using this link to the parent volunteer signup: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0944a8ad2ca1fb6-lake3
From Our Activities Department
Commitment Ceremony – Class of 2021
Senior student-athletes: have you committed to compete at the next level? Good news! The Activities Office will be host a ceremony to recognize you on May 17, 2021 at 2:30 pm. Please complete the form below if you have committed to competing in college.
https://forms.gle/v9MKDBAhi5SAdr1z8
VHSL Physical Form *NEW VERSION* for 2021-2022
Please mark your calendars for our annual physical night, which will be hosted at West Springfield on Monday, July 19.
The VHSL has released their latest version of the VHSL Physical Form, which was revised in January 2021. This new model includes some additional medical history questions, combines previous medical history questions that collectively asked for the same information, provides more detailed descriptions of what the physician should be checking for in the exam portion of the physical, and even includes some changes to the format of each page, drawing attention and focus to required responses and signatures!
Due to the extensive amount of changes to this document, FCPS (Lake Braddock) will ONLY accept this new version of the VHSL physical form for athletic participation in 2021-2022. Any VHSL physical exam submitted for next school year must be dated on or after May 1, 2021 and be completed on the Revised January 2021 version. You can find the new form here VHSL PHYSICAL FORM 2021.
Important Reminders
Year End Events Calendar
The 2020-21 Year End Events Calendar has updated information regarding the last two weeks of school. This calendar includes Senior event information, final exam schedule and laptop collection.
All students will be asked to turn in their school issued laptop at then end of this year. This will allow the laptops to receive important updates and maintenance. Seniors will turn them in on June 4th, and 7th grade through 11 grade students will turn in their laptops on June 11th.
Students who will be attending academic summer programs for FCPS will have the ability to receive a laptop back before those programs begin.
4th Quarter Catch Up Days
In an effort to support students in this unprecedented year, Lake Braddock will have school wide Catch Up days on May 26 and 27. Catch Up days are synchronous. No new work will be assigned, however all students are expected to login to their classes at their regular times where teachers will take attendance. Students participating in the SOL on May 26 or 27 will have their attendance adjusted accordingly.
SAPS Quarterly Newsletter
The Substance Abuse Prevention Specialists (SAPS) program is pleased to announce a SAPS quarterly newsletter for the FCPS community. Our first newsletter features information about our program, parenting tips, a student submitted article, community events, and a variety of resources.
Our newsletter can be found here: https://www.smore.com/5q4xe
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.
Sign up now: Text VapeFreeFFX to 88709
For questions or support for your student, please reach out to Jessica Giffin, Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist (SAPS) at jlgiffin@fcps.edu
Monday Check-in Reminder
Parents, please continue to remind your students to complete the Monday check-in form every Monday. Students should complete the form to be marked present for the day. The links to the Monday Check-In are provided below.
High School Monday Check-In
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScXSZ4K4nvQOhvKWnf_ji7ErGPH3BXBak0TQLG3XbYFNO3rzg/viewform?usp=sf_link
Middle School Monday Check-In
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfWHBCm-hBVSGNiGQn62wz8AHgD_JEl-gjEoR0ryQJ1tApQuQ/viewform?usp=sf_link
Early Releases
If you need to pick up your in-person student early, please send them in with a note first thing in the morning. Students can bring a note to the Subschool to receive a pass. The students will also sign out of the Subschool before leaving.
Unfortunately, if you have not sent in a note, we will not be able to pull students for early release after 2:00 pm to ensure our staff are focused on the safe dismissal for all our students.
We appreciate your assistance and cooperation in this process.
High School Information
Class of 2023 T-Shirts
Class of 2023 shirts are here!! These shirts were designed by our own students: Eleni Orphanos and Siobhan Thiede Our first round of ordering is now available. Shirts are $17 each. There are TWO parts in ordering:
- Pay on MySchoolBucks
- Fill in this form for quantity and sizing: https://forms.gle/jvYmgryMJXjaaZjr6
Ordering for this year only will end on June 29th, so please make sure to order before then!
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High School Yearbook
High school yearbooks are on sale through My School Bucks for $70.
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Middle School Information
VIP SUMMER CAMP – REGISTER NOW!
Our annual Values in Prevention (VIP) Camp Program is back in-person for Summer 2021.
Middle School Yearbook
Yearbooks are on sale for $35 at MySchoolBucks.
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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
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
Class of 2021 News
Senior Awards
Monday June 7, 2021, 9:00am in the gym
Any student that would like recognized for a scholarship they are using or future military service (including ROTC) must complete the LBSS Scholarship/Military Survey. The form must be filled out by the student on the school network by the close of business on May 20.
Class of 2021 Formal Event: Starry Night
Sign ups for the Starry Night formal event will start Monday, May 10 from 9 - 2 at Door 1. Please make sure you have all necessary items below ready to turn in to be able to sign up for a time slot.
- Completed and signed Formal Contract (all attendees must complete this form)
- Completed and signed Guest Application (only if guest is a non LBSS student)
Each person attending must come to sign up with their own documents. The only exception is for non LBSS students. Their LBSS date can sign them up as long as they have the necessary completed forms.
Time Slots available: 8:00-9:00 pm or 9:30-10:30 pm
Other sign up dates: HS Lunches May 11-20 and Monday May 17 9-2 at Door 1
If you have any questions please reach out to Mrs. Diggs ymdiggs@fcps.edu or Mrs. Ytzen alytzen@fcps.edu.
Baccalaureate Celebration
On Sunday, May 23 at 7:00 pm, the LBSS PTSA proudly honors the Class of 2021 with a Baccalaureate Celebration called "GRAD-itude." A link for this YouTube Premiere event will be provided on the Friday before the event on the PTSA Facebook site and in an email from the PTSA sent to PTSA members. The seniors will receive an email from the school with a link on Friday, May 21. The PTSA-sponsored Baccalaureate is an opportunity for our seniors and their families to pause and reflect on the blessings and good times at Lake Braddock Secondary School.
Graduation Photographs
Victor O'Neill Studios is proud to partner with Lake Braddock in providing photography coverage for Graduation.
Parent Academy
See our Website for more information about Parent Academy events.
FCPS Information
Anti-Racism/Anti-Bias Survey
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is committed to realizing a vision of educational equity in which every FCPS student thrives academically, socially, and emotionally. FCPS is currently revising the existing Controversial Issues Policy and developing a new Anti-Racism, Anti-Bias Education Curriculum Policy. Find out more about equity and cultural responsiveness in FCPS here. All families and staff are invited to participate in a survey that will help inform FCPS’ new Anti-Racism, Anti-Bias Education Curriculum Policy. The survey closes on May 16. Take the survey
Fall 2021 In-Person and Virtual Resources
Important Immunization Requirement: Do You Have a Student Entering Seventh Grade or Twelfth Grade This Fall?
While the COVID-19 vaccination is NOT required by schools for the 2021-22 school year, many other vaccinations are.
Seventh-grade students need:
- One dose of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis) given at age 7 or older.
- One dose of Meningococcal Vaccine (MenACWY, Menactra, or Menveo) given at age 10 or older.
Twelfth-grade students need:
- One dose of Meningococcal Vaccine (MenACWY, Menactra, or Menveo) given at age 16 or older.
More information on new immunization requirements is available online.
Registration Opens April 19 for Summer E-IFTA and IFTA Enrichment Programs
Registration begins April 19, at 8 a.m. for the Elementary Institute for the Arts (E-IFTA) and Institute for the Arts (IFTA) Summer enrichment programs. All students are eligible for these opportunities.
Elementary Institute for the Arts (for rising 3rd through 6th graders) and Institute for the Arts (for rising 7th through 12th graders) will both be held July 6-30 at Robinson Secondary from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Students take part in classes every day related to dance, music, theater, and visual art. Both programs have fees, with waivers for students eligible for free and reduced meals. For more information or to register, visit the Summer Learning webpage.
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
- If you are depressed, in crisis, or just want to talk, please text NEEDHELP to 85511 or call 1-800-273-TALK. Someone will be there to listen.
- If you're going through a tough time, don't go it alone. Reach out to a parent, friend, or trusted adult. You can also text NEEDHELP to 85511 at any time–day or night.
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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