Message from Dr. Smith
Hello Bruin Families,
October marks the 20th anniversary of National Disabilities Awareness Employment Month and LGBTQ History Month. We wanted to honor the individuals who are a part of these communities and celebrate how they bring added richness to our Lake Braddock Community. FCPS has provided some resources on the LGBTQIA+ community that can be found here: https://www.fcps.edu/lgbtqia. The US Department of Labor has resources regarding National Disabilities Employment Month on their website: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/initiatives/ndeam.
Next week there are several Performing Arts events occurring and it is wonderful to have our students bringing these wonderful performances to our community. Detailed information is included below and we hope that you are able to join us to appreciate and enjoy the hard work and talent of our students.
The end of October is quickly approaching, which means that Homecoming Activities are around the corner. There's more detailed information about the various way your family can join us in these festivities throughout the entire week.
Additionally, the end of October is the end of the 1st Quarter and there is a 2-hour early release on Friday, October 29th. Lake Braddock uses a Rolling Gradebook, which means that the 1st Quarter grade will be snapshot in time of your students overall grade for the year. I encourage families to check ParentVue to understand where student currently stand in each of their classes and reach out to teachers directly with any questions you may have.
Counselors and Subschool Principals are available to answer additional questions you may have about the Rolling Gradebook or anything related to Lake Braddock. We appreciate the partnership with you as we work to end the 1st Quarter on a successful note for all of our students.
United as Bruins,
Daniel W. Smith, Ed.D.
This past week, Seniors with Parking Passes were able to paint their own spot. If you have a chance, stop by and look at all the beautiful work they created!
In this Issue
NEW Information
October is Disability Employment Awareness Month
Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid
LB to Administer the Fairfax Youth Survey to 8th, 10th, and 12th Graders
Middle School SOS Wellness Screener
School Photos Distribution
Interested in Joining the National Honor Society?
Fall MS Chorus Concert October 21
Dessert on Broadway October 22
LBSS Teachers Selected to Perform with Fairfax Wind Symphony
White House Ornaments Available for Purchase
Stay Informed with Lake Braddock Athletics!
LBSS Golf Team State Runner-Up!
DEA National Drug Take Back Day
High School Information
Homecoming Announcements
Inova Blood Drive
News from HS Student Services
High School Yearbooks are on Sale!
Class of 2022 Information
Class of 2022 Graduation Day Set
Graduation Announcements and More from Herff Jones
Last Opportunity for Senior Portraits at Lake Braddock
Senior Panoramic Picture October 22
Second Date to Paint a Parking Spot
Senior Ads for Yearbook
Class of 2022 Schoology Group
Middle School Information
News from MS Student Services
Middle School Yearbooks are on Sale!
Call for Pictures for the MS Yearbook!
Important Reminders
Schoology Parent Account Help Sessions
LBSS Peer Tutoring
Digital Consent for Students
SR&R Reminder
PTSA Information
PTA Reflection Contest
Fall SAT Prep Sessions
FCPS Information
New Process for Returning to the Classroom After Illness
Quarantine Data Added to COVID-19 Metrics
FCPS is Hiring Substitutes
Community Vaccination Clinic Now Open
Social and Emotional Learning Supports Students
Community Participation at School Board Meetings
Important LBSS and FCPS Resources
How to Stay In Touch
LBSS Attendance Lines
Procedures for Picking Up a Student Early
Late Bus Information
Purchase Tickets to Lake Braddock Athletic Events thru ETIX
Schoology
FCPS Technology Support for Families
FCPS Cares
FCPS Medical Resources for Families
FCPS Mental Health Resources
New Information
October is Disability Employment Awareness Month
Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month highlights the ways an inclusive staff is an amazing staff, thank you Lake Braddock employees!
|
|
 |
Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid
Impact Aid forms will be distributed Monday, October 18th, in Advisory classes. FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid.
Returning this form is important because information from this survey results in an additional $3 million in grants each year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.
For each school-aged child in your household, please complete, sign, date, and return the survey to your child's 4th period (Advisory) teacher. If sections 1 and 2 of the survey do not apply to you, just check the boxes in Section 3. All forms must be signed, dated, and returned by November 5. All results are confidential.
More information is available online.
LB to Administer the Fairfax Youth Survey to 8th, 10th, and 12th Graders
In mid-November, Lake Braddock will be administering the Fairfax Youth Survey to all 8th, 10th, and 12th graders. It provides a wealth of information about a variety of topics related to our youth that influence their physical and mental well-being, from sleep and nutritional habits to substance abuse behaviors to symptoms of depression and suicidal thoughts. The survey is anonymous and no individual information is reported.
More information about the survey can be found here.
If you do NOT want your child to participate in the survey, please print and complete the Opt Out Form. Please have your child return the form to their Sub-School.
Translated versions of the opt out form can be found here.
The results of this survey are published each year here and are used by school officials, youth leadership classes, youth-serving county agencies, and local non-profits to determine the effectiveness of prevention and intervention programs offered in schools and communities. It is also used to identify changing trends and areas of need.
Middle School SOS Wellness Screener
All 7th grade students will be participating in the Signs of Suicide Wellness Screener next week through their Advisory classes on Monday or Wednesday. This lesson will be presented in conjunction with the middle and high school counselors and clinical team members. Students will learn to Acknowledge, Care & Tell (ACT) if they recognize a friend in need and will then take a brief self-assessment. Following the lesson, individual student follow-up will be taking place by the counseling and clinical staff as needed. Parents will be contacted regarding any individual student follow-up that was needed. Please contact Kristin Girardin, MS Director of Student Services, with any questions you may have at kegirardin@fcps.edu.
School Photos Distribution
School photos will be distributed during the week of October 18. Retakes and make-up photos will be on October 28, 2021. If you have questions, please contact Dr. Harris.
|
|
 |
Interested in Joining the National Honor Society?
The online New Member Application form will open on Friday October 15 at 5:00PM and the link can be found on the LBSS website. To apply students must have a 3.5 GPA and be a sophomore, junior, or senior (Freshmen are not eligible to become members). No invitation is needed to apply.
The Application link will close on Sunday, November 21 at 5:00PM.
The National Honor Society promotes academic scholarship, community involvement, leadership opportunities, character, and active participation in school and extracurricular activities.
If you have any questions, please email the Faculty Advisor, Mr. R.L. Andrews or come by C-234.
|
 |
We hope you can spare an hour to hear the first live choral singing in the Little Theater in over a year and a half! The middle school choruses are excited to share with you some of their favorite traditional choral pieces. The LB Elementary Area Chorus and two high school ensembles will be featured in this concert as well. The concert is free and open to the public- no ticket required. We hope to see you there!
Dessert on Broadway October 22
The Lake Braddock Chorus is holding its annual Dessert on Broadway concert on Friday, October 22 at 7 p.m. at Lake Braddock Secondary School. This wonderful outdoor concert under the stars is great for the whole family and will feature beautiful singing and sweet treats. Tickets are $12 per person and go toward keeping the choral arts thriving at Lake Braddock. Buy tickets online at lbchorus.org/dob.
|
|
 |
LBSS Teachers to Perform with Fairfax Wind Symphony
Lake Braddock is excited to share that Mr. Gilbert, Ms. Pezold, and Mr. Isaac are all part of an adult community band called the Fairfax Wind Symphony. They have been selected to perform at the Virginia Music Educators Association Conference (VMEA) and the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic this year! They will be performing a "Preview" concert next Thursday, October 21st at Woodson HS at 7:30PM. We hope you can join them as they showcase their hard work!
|
White House Ornaments Available for Purchase
The Lake Braddock Band Boosters are selling the 2021 White House Ornaments for $22. If you are interested in purchasing one, contact Mike Luley or Marie Sullivan.
|
|
 |
Stay Informed with Lake Braddock Athletics!
Want the latest information on anything Lake Braddock athletic events or announcements? Check out our Lake Braddock Athletic Information webpage! Here you can find ticket information, team schedules, scores, forms needed and more! The most up-to-date Athletics and Activities News You Choose for Lake Braddock can be found in the top banner as well.
 |
|
LBSS Golf Team State Runner Ups!
Congrats to our Golf Team, who earned the title of State Runner Up this past week! We are so proud of you!
|
DEA National Drug Take Back Day
Do you have unused or expired medications that you don’t know what to do with? Come see Jessica Giffin, Lake Braddock's Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist, next Saturday, Oct. 23rd from 10am-2pm at the West Springfield District Police Station (Rolling Road) to safely drop off any unused and expired medications. Let’s help keep our community safe! Contact Ms. Giffin at jlgiffin@fcps.edu if you have any questions.
|
|
 |
High School Information
Homecoming Ticket Information
Presale Tickets for Homecoming will go on sale for $15 in MSB starting October 18th. Students will then need to show their MSB receipt in order to pick up their actual physical ticket for the dance. These tickets can be picked up during HS lunches the week of Homecoming.
Students can also purchase tickets during those week of Homecoming HS Lunches for $20.
|
Inova Blood Drive
SGA’s annual blood drive is returning during the week of Homecoming! Students 16+ can sign up to donate and MUST bring a signed parent permission form to donate on Tuesday, October 26th in the Gym. Permission forms can be found at all subschools, main office, H210, H212!
|
|
 |
News from HS Student Services
The high school student services fall newsletter is now available! Please make sure to review these items for information on upcoming programs and supports for students and parents!
High School Student Services Fall Newsletter
 |
|
High School Yearbooks are on Sale!
High School yearbooks are now on sale for $65. Price with nameplate is $70. Please scan the QR code above or head here to order! Our school code is 5061. Senior parents, you can place a senior ad starting at $50!
|
Class of 2022 Information
Class of 2022 Graduation Day Set
Graduation for our Class of 2022 will take place on Monday, June 6th at 9:30am at Eagle Bank Arena! Please stay tuned for upcoming announcements for the Senior Class.
|
|
 |
Graduation Announcements and More from Herff Jones
Please see the information from Herff Jones in the flyer below and on our website. Note that appointments are available next week for in-person ordering at LBSS.
Last Opportunity for Senior Portraits at Lake Braddock
Victor O'Neill Studios will be at Lake Braddock on November 4, 5, and 8 for the last opportunity for senior portraits at the school. Please sign up for your session time here.
If you wish to use the photographer provided tuxedos, drapes
or cap and gown, please note this will be shared clothing and students must bring this signed waiver with them to the shoot.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to seniors@vosphoto.com
Senior Panoramic Picture October 22
The Senior panoramic picture will take place Friday, October 22.
 |
|
Second Date to Paint Parking Spot
Seniors with parking passes, did you miss the date to paint a parking spot? It's not too late! A second date to paint has been added November 1, 9am. The cost is $25, payable in MSB (Senior Parking Spot Painting fee). You will be able to choose any unreserved and unpainted spot in the student lot. You must provide your own supplies to paint!
|
Senior Ads for Yearbook
 |
|
Class of 2022 Schoology Group
Have your senior join the class of 2022 Schoology group for all of the most up to date information! The group code is: WWFX-8766-FHNJ6
|
Middle School Information
News from MS Student Services
The middle student services fall newsletter is now available! Please make sure to review these items for information on upcoming programs and supports for students and parents!
Middle School Student Services Fall Newsletter
Middle School Yearbooks are on Sale!
Parents of Middle School Students! The yearbook is currently ON DISCOUNT! Don’t hesitate! Last year, dozens of disappointed students were unable to get a copy of the book, because they waited until books sold out. WE DO NOT ORDER ENOUGH BOOKS FOR ALL STUDENTS TO GET ONE, SO GET YOURS TODAY!
Middle School yearbooks can be PERSONALIZED and purchased here!
|
|
 |
Call for Pictures for the MS Yearbook!
Parents! Did you get a great photo of your middle school student this summer? Are they involved in an extracurricular activity? Does your student deserve to be highlighted in this year’s middle school yearbook?
WE WANT YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS! Please send any and all pictures in to the Yearbook Staff through eShare!
Go to HJESHARE.COM or download the free ESHARE APP at either the App Store or Google Play. Then, use school code 13596 to send us your photo!
Important Reminders
Schoology Parent Account Help Sessions
Lake Braddock Secondary School will be offering sessions to help with your Schoology Parent Account. (Sesiones de Schoology para padres:)
-
In-Person Session on Tuesday, November 2 11:00 AM - 1:00PM in the Lecture Hall. (No registration required.)
-
En persona: Martes Nov. 2 de 11:00 AM-1:00 PM. Colegio Lake Braddock Lecture Hall Entrada No.1.
-
Virtual Session (English) on Monday, November 1 7:30 - 8:30 PM. To register for the Zoom link, please complete this form.
-
Zoom (Español) on Lunes November 8 de 7:30 - 8:30PM. Regístrese para la sesión ZOOM: form.
If you would you like more information about setting up and navigating your Schoology parent account please check out the FCPS Parents and Guardians Schoology page which includes guides and tips for the following topics:
- Logging into your Parent Account
- Switching between your Parent Account and your Student’s Account
- View Student Activity
- View Student Courses
- View Recent Grades, Overdue, and Upcoming Assignments
|
 |
LBSS Peer Tutoring
The Peer Tutoring Center is open! Peer Tutoring offers help for classes and organizational skills. We’re open during WIN time and high school lunches. To get more info on Peer Tutoring or to sign up for a tutoring session click the link or scan the QR code.
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.
PTSA
PTA Reflection Contest
Explore the Arts and Express Yourself! Student submissions wanted for the annual PTA Reflections contest. This year's theme is: I Will Change the World By... Students should submit their completed works of art digitally in one (or more) arts categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Visual Arts, Photography, Music Composition, and Literature. Students participate in the appropriate division: Middle School (grades 7-8), High School (grades 9-12), and Special Artist (students in any grade who identify as having a disability).
The deadline for entries is October 18th, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. No entries will be accepted after the deadline. If you have any questions, please contact Laura Key, Reflections@lbssptsa.org.
|
FCPS Information
 |
|
New Process for Returning to the Classroom After Illness
With the cold and flu season upon us, your child may be sent home if they have COVID-like symptoms. We want them back in the classroom as soon as they are well, so we’ve created new options to help families complete the return to school process. Learn more online.
|
Quarantine Data Added to COVID-19 Metrics
To provide additional transparency about the impact of COVID-19 on students and staff, quarantine data has been added to the division’s COVID-19 Health Metrics Dashboard. Daily quarantined cases are reported for students and staff for the entire division and by each school or building site.
FCPS is Hiring Substitute Teachers
FCPS is looking for kind and caring substitute teachers to ensure our students continue to thrive when teachers need to be out of the building. Substitute teaching is a great opportunity for stay-at-home parents, retirees, college students, and anyone who wants a flexible work schedule. Subs save the day- apply here today!
|
|
 |
Community Vaccination Clinic Now Open
Vaccination is our best strategy for keeping schools safe and ending the pandemic. Are you not yet vaccinated? Are you eligible for a booster shot? If so, a new, convenient opportunity is now open. The Fairfax Community Vaccination Center (Fairfax CVC) is located at the former Lord & Taylor store at Tysons Corner Center and is open Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The center offers:
- First and second doses of both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
- Booster doses of the Pfizer vaccine to individuals eligible for the vaccine booster.
- An additional dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccines for individuals who are immunocompromised.
Appointments are encouraged but walk-ins are welcome. Individuals seeking a booster of the Pfizer vaccine or an additional dose of either vaccine are asked to bring their vaccination card showing the dates of previous doses.
Read more about the Fairfax CVC online. To find an appointment visit vaccinate.virginia.gov or call 877-VAX-IN-VA.
|
Social and Emotional Learning Supports Students
Research tells us that students with strong Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) skills are more successful in school, work, and relationships. To help students return strong this fall, FCPS will be ensuring all students get the social and emotional learning supports they need.
To help families understand what SEL is and is not, we’re beginning a series of snippets to explain SEL, how it works in the classroom, and the impact it has on student success.
Today, we’re sharing a brief overview of SEL. SEL helps children and adults learn to understand and manage emotions, set goals, show empathy, establish positive relationships and make responsible decisions by developing:
- Self-awareness.
- Self-management.
- Social awareness.
- Relationship skills.
- Responsible decision-making.
Research shows that SEL provides numerous benefits to students including:
- An increase in academic achievement by an average of 11 percentile points.
- An increase in prosocial behaviors including kindness, sharing, and empathy.
- An improvement of attitudes toward self, others, and school.
- A reduction in mental health problems including depression and high levels of stress.
- A decrease in dropout rates, behavior issues, drug use, and teen pregnancy.
Research also shows that for every dollar invested in SEL programming, there is a savings of $11 dollars that would have been spent on costly interventions.
Learn more in our Healthy Minds Blog.
|
Community Participation at School Board Meetings
Participants at Fairfax County School Board meetings are asked to model appropriate behavior by observing proper decorum in their statements, avoiding profanity, inappropriate gestures, and shouting. School Board meetings are working meetings, and those who come only to disrupt their proceedings are asked not to attend. More information is available in the FCPS Strategic Governance manual.
In addition, our School Board meetings take place in an FCPS building where mask requirements apply. Please remember that, per the Governor’s order, masks must be worn inside all school buildings, including during this public meeting. Speakers may remove their mask to address the board and are asked to put it back on before returning to their seat. Often, we invite young children to attend the meeting to perform, receive recognition, or participate and many are not yet eligible to be vaccinated. Wearing a mask helps protect them, and other members of the audience who are not protected by vaccination.
Fairfax County and city residents, FCPS staff, FCPS students, FCPS guardians who are non-Fairfax County residents, and FCPS business partners who want to address the Board may register to speak by submitting a request online at 6 a.m. starting on the fourth business day before the next regular business meeting.
|
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 a.m., 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. 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.
- Notes are strongly preferred for early check-out, but if a parent is unable to send a note with the student, the parent should call the subschool office as early as possible. All calls will be confirmed by callback to a phone number on the emergency care card. Regrettably, if the parent did not send a note with the student, the parent will be required to park, come into the school to furnish a note, and pick up the student. 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.
- In either case, students must check out at the subschool office when leaving school and check in with the security desk upon return. Students who leave school without checking out properly will be marked unexcused and may face disciplinary action (if returning to school, students are also subject to search). Students must contact all teachers of any class to be missed.
Read our full Attendance procedures at our website.
Late Bus Information
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.
|
|
 |
 |
|
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.
|
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 Cares
We invite you to share and submit your story about a Lake Braddock staff member who has gone above and beyond for your child this year. Share the positivity, dedication and commitment that occurs here each and every day. Click this link.
|
|
 |
FCPS Medical Care Resources for Families
Whether your family needs medical care for a COVID-related issue, seasonal cold or allergies, injuries, routine exams, or mental health and wellness, our community has a number of resources for you. Visit the Mental and Physical Health and Community Resources webpage for a full list of organizations that can provide support and care.
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.
|
