Message from Dr. Smith
Hello Bruin Families,
This past week we started after school activities, with late buses, and students were able to see a teacher during WIN time, 4th period, to receive intervention and support. All students are able to stay after with an adult for activities, clubs and intervention on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday each week. Students who would like3 to see a teacher during win time will need to prearrange with that teacher to receive a pass. All students in the building after 3 pm must be with a supervising staff member.
Looking forward to October 13th, LBSS will host both the PSAT/NMSQT for all 10th and 11th grade students, and the SAT for 12th grade student. Further information about testing on that day can be found in the High School announcements section below. Students in the 7th, 8th, 9th & 12th grade will not come to school that day and students will engage in asynchronous lessons from their teachers.
In the coming weeks, we will welcome our families for Back to School Night. Middle School families will come on September 22nd and high school families on September 29th. All families will start in their child’s advisory class, 4th period. After 4th period, they will follow their student’s purple and gold day periods.
We look forward to seeing our middle school families here for Back to School Night next week.
United as Bruins,
Daniel W. Smith, Ed.D.
In this Issue
NEW Information
Mask Reminder
New Health Department Process to Expedite Communications for Students Awaiting COVID
Back to School Night Information
School Lunch Update
County Math and Reading Inventory Assessments Coming Soon
World Language Credit Exam Information
Stay Updated on Lake Braddock Athletics and Activities!
Lake Braddock Garden Tour Videos
High School Information
PSAT/NMSQT for all 10th and 11th Graders Wednesday, October 13th
College Planning Parent Night Follow-Up
Winter Athletics Tryout Information
Electronic VHSL Submission
Green Day Activities
Middle School Information
ACT/SOS Presentation for 7th Grade Students
Middle School After-School Registration NOW OPEN
Middle School Yearbooks are Now on Sale!
Important Reminders
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener
Late Bus Information
School Planning Council
Digital Consent
SR&R Reminder
Family Life Education (FLE) Opt Out
PTSA Information
Join the PTSA!
PTSA Teams with The Princeton Review for Online Practice Exams!
FCPS Information
Superintendent Shares Data Reflecting Our Strong Return
FCPS Students to Participate in International Walk to School Day October 6
Register for Upcoming Free Webinars from the FCPS Parent Resource Center
FCPS Special Education Handbook is Available to Families
Important LBSS and FCPS Resources
How to Stay In Touch
LBSS Attendance Lines
Procedures for Picking Up a Student Early
Purchase Tickets to Lake Braddock Athletic Events thru ETIX
Schoology
FCPS Technology Support for Families
FCPS Mental Health Resources
New Information
Mask Reminder
To ensure a safe school year, masks are required for everyone, regardless of vaccination status, inside FCPS buildings. We have limited supply of masks to provide for students. We ask that you please remember to send a mask in with your student.
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New Health Department Process to Expedite Communications for Students Awaiting COVID-19 Contact Interviews
Families,
The Fairfax County Health Department announced a change in their communication process for students waiting for COVID-19 contact interviews. You may read about these changes on the FCHD website. You may also wish you review the FCHD FAQs for parents of school-aged children. We appreciate the continued partnership between FCPS and FCHD.
Back to School Night Information
Our Middle School BTSN is on Wednesday, September 22 at 6:30 p.m.
Our High School BTSN is on Wednesday, September 29 at 6:30 p.m.
An optional Parent Presentation will be held prior to BTSN in the Little Theatre beginning at 5:45 p.m. The presentation will include information on how to support your student and how to help them develop a growth mindset.
Students will bring home a copy of their schedule along with a map of the school. You can also access their schedule in SIS ParentVUE, and copies will be available in the Career Center during BTSN.
Bruin Ambassadors (LBSS students wearing lanyards) will be stationed throughout the building to help locate classrooms and answer questions.
Both events will follow the same schedule. Please start in your student’s 4th period Advisory classroom. We will start with a brief video message, followed by the presentation from the Advisory teacher.
You will then walk your student’s schedule as follows:
Purple Day
1st Period
3rd Period
5th Period
7th Period
Gold Day
2nd Period
6th Period
8th Period
Each teacher will have 10 minutes to speak to the families in each period. Teachers will focus on the information about the course, major assignments, grading and assessment, and communication. Questions or concerns about COVID protocols and layered prevention strategies are consistent across FCPS and LBSS and should be addressed with an administrator. If you have specific questions or wish to discuss a specific issue with your child’s teachers, please email the teacher to arrange another time.
If you are unable to attend BTSN, teachers will post informational videos about them and their course(s) to their Schoology page by the end of this month.
In order to assist with social distancing and COVID protocols, we ask that only one parent or guardian attend BTSN and that students remain at home, if possible.
Staff will be available in the Career Center to assist with SIS ParentVUE and Schoology accounts.
We look forward to seeing you at our Back to School Nights and at the many Lake Braddock events throughout the year. Go Bruins!
School Lunch Update
We apologize for the confusion with the purchasing of ala carte lunches. Food Services is continuing to work on a solution, and we hope to have ala carte purchases open soon. We will keep you updated.
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County Math and Reading Inventory Assessments Coming Soon
During the weeks of September 6-October 8, all middle school students will take the county Math Inventory and Reading Inventory. All students, including high school, who are enrolled in Algebra I or Algebra I Part I, will also take the Math Inventory. These assessments will help measure student’s baseline of math learning, which will be reassessed in January and May as well. Students will complete the inventories in their classrooms and can be completed during a class period. For more information, visit the county webpage.
World Language Credit Exam Information
Registration is now open for the World Language Credit Exam! The World Language Credit Exam assesses language proficiency. Students who take the exam may earn up to three pass-or-fail credits (levels one, two and three) in the language. Credits are typically added to the student transcript in January. Exam credits may also fulfill the World Languages requirements for the Advanced Studies Diploma and the Virginia Department of Education’s Seal of Biliteracy. A student may participate in the exam two times per language between grades 7 through 12. In other words, students have two chances per language to earn credits by taking the exam.
Click HERE for additional information on this opportunity!
Please note that students must connect with their counselor to register for this exam.
Stay Updated on Lake Braddock Athletics and Activities!
Follow this link to sign up for the Athletics and Activities News You Choose to receive the most up-to-date information on our athletics, clubs, activities, and more! Be sure to select Lake Braddock Secondary School Activities.
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Lake Braddock Garden Tour Videos
We hope you will enjoy these videos of a brief garden tour of Lake Braddock Secondary School’s native plants garden. 90% of the plants are species that would have grown in Northern Virginia before European colonists came here.
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High School Information
PSAT/NMSQT for all 10th and 11th Graders Wednesday, October 13th
On Wednesday, October 13th LBSS will host both the PSAT/NMSQT for all 10th and 11th graders. Students are automatically registered and no further action by families is needed. All 10th and 11th grade students who report to school on Wednesday, October 13th will take the PSAT/NMSQT at no cost to families. All FCPS students have access to Khan Academy’s free online test preparation, whether they are taking the PSAT for the first time or preparing for eleventh grade National Merit Scholarship qualification. The Khan Academy online curriculum is customized for students based on any previous PSAT or SAT scores, and their website also offers general test preparation tips for students. Students will receive their testing locations in early October.
SAT Day for 12th Grade: Wednesday, October 13, 2021
12th grade only
Students MUST register by September 8. We cannot accept walk-up registrations.
- SAT Day Registration
- Fees covered by FCPS
- Essay and subject tests are not available during SAT School Day
- Students who arrive late, after 8:30 will not be permitted to test.
College Planning Parent Night Follow Up
12th Grade Parents,
Thanks to those of you who joined us for our virtual college planning parent night! Whether or not you were able to attend, we are interested to know how best to bring you this important postsecondary planning information, so please take time to provide us feedback by answering a few questions: College Planning Workshop Survey
Here are some important links as a follow-up so that you have all of the information you need to help your child if they're applying to a 4-year college:
If you have any questions, please click on the counselor contact information listed above and send an email to your child's counselor.
Winter Athletics Tryout Information
1. VHSL Physical Form must be dated on or after May 1, 2021; must be the revised January 2021 version of the VHSL form; and submit electronically via email, turn into the Activities Office/Athletic Trainers, or hand in during Tryout Card distribution.
2. Register online. Create one account per family and register all students in the same family in that one account. A new form must be completed by a parent/guardian for this school year (cannot edit last year's form).
3. Tryout cards will be distributed Nov. 3-5 during all high school lunches in the cafeteria or after school in the Athletic Training room (G101). These cards must be given to the coach on the first day the student attends tryouts.
Questions? Contact the Student Activities Office via email or call 703-426-1001.
Green Day Activities
Green Days are opportunities for out of season coaches to work with potential student athletes on skill building and conditioning. They are NOT mandatory to try out for a team. There are VHSL rules about when they can hold green days like how many a coach can run, how close to actual try-outs, etc. Students who want to attend must submit the 4-page VHSL athletics participation packet of forms.
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Middle School Information
ACT/SOS Presentation for 7th Grade Students
On Friday, September 17th all seventh-grade students were given a memo to bring home regarding the ACT/SOS Presentation. This county-wide initiative is designed to identify and help students who are struggling with depression and possible thoughts of suicide. The ACT/SOS Presentation is scheduled for 7th grade students during the week of October 18th at Lake Braddock. All 7th grade students will participate in a presentation and survey about signs of depression during their Advisory class.
The Signs of Suicide (SOS) program consists of an informational video that describes the Acknowledge-Care-Tell (ACT) message, a brief paper survey, and follow-up discussion with LBSS teachers, counselors, and clinical staff (psychologists and social workers). Counselors and clinical staff will also meet individually with any students who score at risk for depression or suicide and notify those students’ parents.
Why is there a county-wide push for depression and suicide screening? According to the November 2019 Fairfax County Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 30 percent of students in grades 8, 10, and 12 experienced symptoms of depression in the past year. The rate of students considering suicide was 14.3 percent while 6 percent reported they attempted suicide in the past year. In addition to events in recent years that have directly impacted communities within Fairfax County, we want to do our best to keep LBSS students from becoming part of these statistics.
The SOS video and survey have already been used by other FCPS middle and high schools and have been used at Lake Braddock for several years. Parents are invited to review the materials by accessing the SOS Parent Portal at https://sossignsofsuicide.org/parent. This portal is designed to provide parents with information about suicide prevention efforts, view the SOS videos, and access educational materials which are helpful tools for supporting your child’s mental health wellness.
If you do NOT wish for your student to participate in the 7th grade presentation, please complete this Opt-Out google form by October 4, 2021. Please contact Ms. Haider at 703-426-1004 or Ms. White at 703-426-1039 if you have any questions.
Middle School After-School Registration is NOW OPEN
- Open to all 7th and 8th grade Lake Braddock students
- Program is scheduled to begin September 20, 2021 (Updated Clubs & Activities Calendar – COMING SOON!)
- FREE for middle students (please note – some clubs may have a small fee for competitions or material costs)
- REGISTER HERE.
Middle School Yearbooks are Now on Sale!
You can order your book (including personalization) at YearbookOrderCenter.com!
Books are currently on DISCOUNT!
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Important Reminders
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener
This year, all FCPS schools are administering an SEL Screener throughout the year. At Lake Braddock, students will complete this 18 question screener on October 14th, 2021 during Advisory. Please click here for more information.
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Late Bus Information
Late buses have officially started. Late bus days are Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. Buses will pick up students in the front of the building with a departure time of approximately 4:45 pm. Please check StudentVue and ParentVue for your student's late bus number and stop. If you have any questions, please contact your student's appropriate subschool.
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School Planning Council
We are excited to announce that LBSS will continue our School Planning Council (SPC) as we enter the 2021-2022 school year! The purpose of the SPC is to bring together various stakeholders to provide input and guidance on the direction of Lake Braddock. Providing an excellent and equitable education for all our students is our primary goal and we recognize the important role our community plays in shaping the direction of our school. Last year’s SPC focused on putting Equity at the center of our work. During the 2021-2022 school year, the SPC will focus on our school’s theme, Every Bruin Has A Story. We will be exploring how we support the individual needs of our students and celebrate the individuality of all Bruins. The council will meet in person four times during the school year (10/13, 12/15, 2/16, 5/18) from 6:00PM-7:30PM with dinner provided during the first 30 minutes. We ask that members be able to commit to attending all sessions. If you are interested in participating, please complete this form by September 24th. Returning SPC members should still complete the form to continue their service on the committee.
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Digital Consent for Students
Attention Bruin Families! Don't forget to submit your Digital Consent Form!
Parental Consent for HS Digital Resources
Parental Consent for MS Digital Resources
SR&R Reminder
FCPS’ updated Student Rights & Responsibility booklet is now available online and in the ParentVue section of the Student Information System (SIS). The SR&R booklet explains expectations for student behavior, and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment.
Each year, we ask parents to review, sign, and return the SR&R to their child’s school. There are two ways for parents to acknowledge that you have received the document:
1. In ParentVue, you may now download and digitally sign the SR&R. Every parent/guardian with a ParentVUE account will see the SR&R upon login to ParentVUE until the SR&R acknowledgement has been completed. E-signing for one child will suffice for all siblings within the household. Your name in the digital signature box must match the parent/guardian’s first and last name in SIS exactly before the signature will be accepted.
2. Download and sign the Parent Signature Sheet and please return the signed signature sheet to your child's subschool.
Signatures are due by October 29, 2021.
Family Life Education (FLE) Opt Out
Parents/guardians may choose to opt their child out of all or part of the Family Life Education program. Students who are opted out are provided with alternative health instruction, and every effort is made to foster respect for family choices. If you wish to opt your child out of all or part of FLE for this school year, please complete the form that accompanies this letter or access the opt out forms online. The detailed grade-level program descriptions and opt-out forms are available on the FCPS website at
Please fill in the opt-out form and return it to your child’s school prior to Family Life Education instruction.
For more information or questions regarding the FLE program, please contact Instructional Services at 571-423-4550 or email Carrie Reynolds.
PTSA
Join the PTSA!
Join the LBSS PTSA today. Your membership will include our bi-weekly newsletter delivered directly to your inbox, free access to the student A to Z directory, discounts with PTSA partnerships, eligibility for student scholarships, voting rights at our membership meetings, and more. The PTSA has membership options for students, faculty, adults, and families (includes 2 adults and unlimited students).
Visit the PTSA website to join.
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 The PTSA Teams with the Princeton Review for Online Practice Exams
The LBSS PTSA is partnering with The Princeton Review to offer online, virtual practice exams for the PSAT, SAT, and ACT. The exam will be proctored virtually via a weblink that The Princeton Review will provide via email a day before the practice exam. The various practice exams will take place on the following dates:
PSAT
- Saturday, September 25 from 9am-12:30pm (registration deadline: Wednesday, September 22)
SAT/ACT
- Saturday, October 16 from 9am-12:30pm (registration deadline: Wednesday, October 13)
- Saturday, November 13 from 9am-12:30pm (registration deadline: Wednesday, November 10)
COST:
PTSA Members
- One practice exam: $5
- Two practice exams: $8
- Three practice exams: $12
Non-PTSA Members
- One practice exam: $15
- Two practice exams: $25
- Three practice exams: $30
Additional information and registration can be found here. Questions can be sent to Fundraising@lbssptsa.org. Our website has lots of great information and opportunities to volunteer, please visit the PTA website to keep up to date on all things PTSA!
FCPS Information
Superintendent Shares Data Reflecting Our Strong Return
At the September 9 Fairfax County School Board meeting, Superintendent Scott S. Brabrand provided an update on Return to School, COVID, and Health Updates. This included the latest health metrics, and a plan under consideration to support students who are home due to a COVID-related pause, quarantine, or isolation.
100% of FCPS schools opened for 5 days of in-person learning and 100% remain open for in-person learning today. With 99.5% of students back for in-person learning, we are continually working to prioritize health and safety. Watch his full presentation. Some highlights include:
Current Quarantine Rate
Quarantine data provided by the health department indicates that 393 students and staff members were directed to quarantine in relation to closed COVID-19 cases from August 13 through September 8. This represents 0.19% of students and 0.19% of staff. We are developing a database to capture the number of students who are paused and/or quarantined and give a better understanding of how COVID-19 exposures are impacting students.
Student-Athlete Vaccination Requirement
FCPS requires student-athletes 16 and older to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination by November 8 to participate in winter and spring sports. All students are encouraged to be vaccinated as soon as they are eligible.
Lunch, Breakfast, and Snack Time Safety
We know that lunch and snack time remains an area of concern for our families, especially for those with children who are not yet eligible for the vaccine. Schools are making use of outdoor spaces as much as possible. To date, 136 tents have been installed to support additional outdoor learning and eating spaces for students and an additional 57 tent installations are planned. These tents provide year-round outdoor spaces for students to spread out. Schools are also making use of alternative indoor spaces, alternating seats, and staggering schedules.
Supporting Students in Pause, Quarantine, or Isolation
FCPS is exploring options to provide instructional support to students who are unable to attend school in person due to a COVID-19 infection or possible exposure. We will share more on this shortly.
FCPS Students to Participate in International Walk to School Day October 6
Fairfax County Public Schools will participate in International Walk to School Day on Wednesday, October 6, in an effort to promote physical activity and reduce traffic congestion and pollution near schools.
Students and employees are encouraged to bike or walk to school and work where safe to do so on October 6. Parents are encouraged to accompany their children to school, and to work with their school and PTA or PTO to assemble bike trains or walking groups for the event. Schools are encouraged to register online with Walk and Bike to School.
Get more information about Walk to School Day
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FCPS Special Education Handbook Is Available to Families
The Special Education Handbook for Parents includes details of the special education process. This process occurs sequentially, over a period of time, with each step building upon the previous step(s).
It is important for families to understand how the special education process works, so they can effectively participate and collaborate with school staff members in making appropriate decisions regarding their child’s educational needs. Families are an integral part of the decision-making team.
Contact the Parent Resource Center (PRC) at 703-204-3941 or prc@fcps.edu with any questions including access to this document.
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Important LBSS and FCPS Resources
How to Stay In Touch
Please stay in touch with us throughout the year by:
Attendance Lines
MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS:
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS:
Procedures for Picking Up a Student Early
Prior to 8:00 am, the student must present a note from the parent to their subschool office. Notes must include time of dismissal, reason for leaving, and a contact number. Parents of middle school students must also include the name of the person picking the student up. Please note that this person must be listed as an emergency contact. If you use the online attendance form for an early dismissal, please tell your student to stop by their subschool office to pick up the dismissal pass.
At the time of early check-out, middle school parents must come in Entrance 1 and meet their student at the security desk. Anyone picking up a middle school student must bring a photo ID with them. High school parents may pick up students outside Entrance 1.
Without advance notice provided by a note, there may be a wait until our staff is able to locate the student, particularly if the student is at lunch or in a physical education class. We further regret that without advance notice, we are unable to accommodate requests for early dismissal after 2:15 pm.
Read our full Attendance procedures at our website.
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Purchase Tickets to Lake Braddock Athletic Events Thru ETIX
Are you planning to attend a Lake Braddock home game to support the Bruins? Purchases may be made well in advance, before you leave the house on game day, or at the gate with your cell phone using posted QR Codes! All home game admission tickets must be purchased through ETIX.
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Schoology
Students, families, and staff throughout FCPS and in our school community will use Schoology (pronounced /SKOO-luh-jee/) as our learning management system.
Here is what you need to know now:
FCPS Technology Support for Families
The Parent Technology Help Desk is available to support parents and students through this new school year. Parents and students can visit the Parent and Student IT Support Portal to find self-help resources or submit a tech support request ticket.
Telephone Parent Information Line Available in Eight Languages
Parents who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese can call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS and to receive support if they are having difficulty communicating with their children's schools due to a language barrier.
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.
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