LBSS Weekly News -March 17, 2023

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Message from Ms. Kearns

Dear Lake Braddock Families,

We have made it to mid-March!  

Bruin Nation was fortunate to celebrate our very own Mr. Richard Hoppock, High School History and Social Studies teacher, as he was acknowledged by FCPS as one of thirty-six FCPS teachers to achieve or renew their certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS).  We are so proud to have Mr. Hoppock as a teacher and mentor in this community!  You can read more about this story on the FCPS Feature

As we continue through March, we continue to celebrate arts and music in our schools.  The Lake Braddock band celebrated 40 years of consecutive Virginia Honor Band! What an amazing accomplishment, and we couldn't be more proud!  There is also still time to check out the High School Theatre's production of 12 Angry Jurors in the Black Box theater tonight and tomorrow.  Look for future tickets sales for the LBT Unplugged and the High School production of Dracula at the end of April.  We look forward to our Art Show in April as well--stay tuned for more details to come.

We hope you are able to have a relaxing weekend--two more weeks until break, so hang in there!

Go Bruins!

Lindsey Kearns


ProWo

Lake Braddock held the Professional Women's Conference today at school! The conference is curated for female leaders in high school with a day full of education, encouragement, and inspiration!  The event was sponsored by the G.I.R.L.s club



Important Dates

March 21-Braddock and Springfield District Town Hall, 7pm, Little Theater
March 24-
Fanquest-Robinson Secondary School
April 3
-April 7-Spring Break
April 13-End of 3rd Quarter-2 Hour Early Release (see schedule here)
April 14-Teacher Workday/Student Holiday/Orthodox Good Friday
April 21-Eid al Fitr/Student/Teacher Holiday-Schools closed
May 10-West Springfield High School Rising Freshman Parent Night
May 17-LBSS Rising 9th Grade Parent Night
May 29-Holiday/Memorial Day-Schools closed
June 5-Graduation-Early Release at 10:30am for 7th-11th Grades
June 16-Last Day of School (Early Release)


In this Issue

New Information

Required Substance Abuse Prevention Lesson for Grades 7-12
SGA International Night March 29
Calendar Reminder: Ramadan
FCPS Community Meeting on the Dangers of Fentanyl


High School Information

Order a HS Yearbook!

Class of 2023 Information

Senior Panoramic Photo Available for Purchase!
All Night Grad Party/Yard Signs/Mulch Sale at PTSA Website
Graduation Ceremony Sign Language Request
Senior Fees Announcement

Middle School Information

Bruins in Action Days 8th Graders-March 29 and 31
Order a MS Yearbook!

News From the Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist

Check out the LB Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist page on our website for all the latest news.
Drug & Alcohol Facts Week



Important Reminders

Calendar Update: Graduation Day Early Release
Braddock and Springfield District Town Hall March 21 at LBSS Little Theater
Fanquest March 24

 

PTSA/Community Information

Check out the LB PTSA website for all the latest news and happenings!
PTA Reflections Awards
SRTS-Bike Light Giveaway


FCPS Information

No-Cost Mental Health Teletherapy for Students
High School Assessment and Grading Survey
Community Meeting on the Dangers of Fentanyl
Proposed Updates to Student Rights and Responsibilities


Quick Links



New Information



Required Substance Abuse Prevention Lesson for Grades 7-12

To support student wellness and increase knowledge about substance misuse, specifically opioid abuse, all middle and high schools will deliver the Substance Abuse Prevention lesson for students in grades 7-12. LBSS will share this lesson with students through Advisory classes on Tuesday, March 21st. The lesson is structured with reflection questions and a guided video. We have shared these resources on our school webpage as well, so that you may access them should you need information for more resources or if you would like to review the materials with your child. The resources for this lesson can be found on our school website here: https://lakebraddockss.fcps.edu/student-services/substance-abuse-prevention

If you have questions or would like more resources about Substance Abuse Prevention, please reach out to your student’s counselor or our Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist, Jessica Giffin.


International show

SGA International Night March 29

Join us as the SGA hosts a Showcase Of The Cultures At Lake Braddock!

Part 1: Fashion – The fashion show is an opportunity to highlight wardrobes from our participant’s culture set to the music of each group’s choice.

*Intermission* Opportunity to learn about cultural clubs at Lake Braddock.

Part 2: Performance – Students perform some incredible pieces to proudly represent their heritage, identity & culture.

Tickets will be on sale starting March 20 for $5 on etix.


ramadan

Calendar Reminder: Ramadan

 This year, the first day of Ramadan is Wednesday, March 22. Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year, a time for spiritual discipline for Muslims, who believe it was during this month that God revealed the first verses of the Quran to Mohammed. Read more about Ramadan in National Geographic Kids. Ramadan begins with a half “O Day” on March 22, followed by an O Day on March 23. The school calendar recognizes many religious and cultural observances (O days) during the school year. There is school on these days, however, the School Board has directed that tests, quizzes, field trips, graduation, homecoming, or FCPS-scheduled athletic events will not be held on these observance days. Half-O days are full school days, but important events will not be held after school on those days. See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.


fentanyl talks

FCPS Community Meeting on the Dangers of Fentanyl

Monday, March 13, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid and Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis hosted nearly 400 families, staff, and community members for a conversation on the dangers of fentanyl. During this impactful event, audience members heard testimonials from individuals affected by the opioid epidemic and learned facts from medical experts and law enforcement representatives.  The conversation will continue on Monday, April 24, with our next community meeting on the critical topic of fentanyl danger and opioid awareness. More information is coming soon. Visit our Opioid Awareness webpage for updates as they become available. Visit the Fairfax County Government webpage on opioids for information on how you can take action and how to get help for yourself or loved ones. 



HS Information



HS Yearbook

Order a HS Yearbook!

Don't wait!  Order your copy of a HS yearbook here today!  The Lake Braddock High School code is 5061. 

See our LB website yearbook page for more information!



Class of 2023 Information



For the most up to date information on our Class of 2023, please check with our LB Senior Page and the Class of 2022 Schoology page.  For yard signs, ANGP info, or the mulch sale, please see the PTSA senior page.


Senior Panoramic Photo Available for Purchase!

The Senior Class panoramic photo (10 x 20) is now available for purchase for $18 through the Victor O'Neill website.  If you would like to order yours, please head on over to their site!


All Night Grad Party/Yard Signs at PTSA Website

All Night Grad Party tickets are now on sale on the PTSA Senior page!  The party is June 5 at the St. James following graduation.  Festivities include the adult climbing gym, ninja warrior course, casino games, ice skating, swimming, inflatables, music, climbing walls, and a whole lot more!  Tickets are $75.  Purchase your ticket before May 1 when ticket prices go up to $80.

Class of 2023 yard sign sales are live on the PTSA website!  They are available for $23.00 via PayPal or check.  Pick-up and delivery options available to select at time of purchase!  Order yours today here!

yard

Graduation Ceremony Sign Language Request

Do you need a sign language interpreter for the Graduation Ceremony?  Please complete this Sign Language request form as soon as possible. 


msb

Senior Fees Announcement

The Senior Fees for the Class of 2023 is $80.00. We encourage you to pay early. The deadline for senior fees is Wednesday, May 31st to be able to process all obligations and receive your cap and gown after graduation practice. 

If there are concerns about being able to pay the fee and your student is on a free or reduced waiver, please come see Alison Reeves in Subschool 4.

For more information on Senior fees and how to pay, please see our Senior Class Information page on our LB website.



MS Information



bruins-in-action

Bruins in Action Days 8th Graders-March 29 and 31

To support our Bruins in Action 8th graders, we are offering TWO action days in March.  On these days, students can work in service of LBSS and earn service hours. See the flyer or our event calendar on our website for all the information!

Students can sign up here

Additional Action Days will also be available in April and May!


Order a MS Yearbook!

Don't wait!  Order your MS Yearbook here today! The code for the Lake Braddock Middle School is 13596. 

First come, first served! Limited supply! Order now!

See our LB website yearbook page for more information! 

 

yearbook


News From the Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist



Please check out the Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist page on our website for more information regarding topics covered here and contact information for our SAPS Jessica Giffin.


Drug & Alcohol Facts Week

National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week is March 20-26, 2023.

-Opioids are the number one cause of unnatural death in Fairfax County. Young adults aged 25-34 are the most common demographic seen in the emergency room for fatal opioid overdoses.

-Nationwide there were over 100,00 overdose deaths from April 2020- April 2021.

-Using opioids after a period of abstinence, mixing drugs, IV use, and serious medical problems all contribute to an increased risk of opioid overdose.

-90% of substance users began using prior to 21-years-old.

-Alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine are usually the most common substances used by adolescents.

Please see the News from Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist page on our website for the complete article.



Important Reminders



june 5

Calendar Update: Graduation Day Early Release

Lake Braddock's graduation is at 7:30 pm on Monday, June 5. FCPS recently released guidance that June 5 will now be an early release day for all Lake Braddock 7th-11th graders. Students will be released at 10:30 am. The bell schedule will be shared in the near future.


District-town-hall

Braddock and Springfield District Town Hall March 21 at LBSS Little Theater

Join Springfield District Representative Laura Jane Cohen, Braddock District Representative Megan McLaughlin, FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid, and Student Representative to the School Board, Michele Togbe for a town hall. All Braddock and Springfield District parents/guardians, staff, students, and community members are welcome. We hope to see you there!

When: Tuesday, March 21, 2023, from 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Where: Lake Braddock Secondary School (Little Theater), 9200 Burke Lake Road, Burke, VA


fanquest

Fanquest March 24

Join Lake Braddock, Robinson, and Woodson at Robinson Secondary School for Fanquest, March 24, 6pm!

The theme of Fan Quest for our athletes is "See the ABLE, not the LABEL".

There will be a tailgating event at Robinson beginning at 5:00pm--check out our Fanquest Event page on our website for the night's breakdown!

This is a joint event between Lake Braddock, Woodson, and Robinson.  The first game between Robinson and Woodson will begin at 6:00. Lake Braddock is scheduled to play in the second game of the evening, beginning at 7:00.

We will be encouraging our fans to wear their vintage Fan Quest t-shirts (ones that were purchased in years past).  For those individuals who don't have a vintage Fan Quest t-shirt, we will be selling overstock shirts for $5 during lunches the week of March 20 through March 24 in the Bruin Cave.   Check out all the information on our Fanquest Event page!



PTSA/Community Information



Check out the LB PTSA website for all the latest news and happenings!


reflections

PTA Reflections Awards

Congratulations to the following Lake Braddock Secondary School students who were awarded Outstanding Interpretation Awards at the Reflections Virginia PTA state level:

  • Stephanie Groves, Literature, Special Artist Division
  • Juliet Auten, Music Composition, High School Division

Students who have placed Outstanding Interpretation have advanced to the National PTA level. A Virginia PTA student awards reception in Richmond, VA will be held to recognize these amazing students. Good luck to Stephanie and Juliet!


bike light

SRTS-Bike Light Giveaway

The Safe Routes to School Committee invites your family to try actively commuting to school during February and March!  We are giving away 30 sets of rechargeable bike lights to LBSS families who try walking or rolling to school and then complete this survey by March 31.

SRTS Bike Light Giveaway Form

We suggest you do this activity with your student, and discuss pedestrian and biking safety as you choose a route and travel to school. You can try the alternate method of commuting to LBSS at any time, such as on a weekend or on a school day. We hope the result will be more students who enjoy the mental health, academic and social benefits of active commuting to school.

If you live more than a few miles from the school, you can participate by driving part of the way to school, such as to a library or park near Lake Braddock, and then walking or biking the rest of the way.



FCPS Information



hazel

No-Cost Mental Health Teletherapy for Students

FCPS has partnered with Hazel Health to begin offering virtual mental health services to high school students via live video sessions. Starting Monday, April 10, parents/caregivers who have been struggling to find a therapist for their child or who notice changes in their child’s behavior will be able to connect them virtually with a licensed therapist. 

Teletherapy services for students are short-term, evidence-based, and culturally-responsive. Teletherapy is available on any device, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Therapists will be locally-licensed clinicians; 50% of whom identify as Black, Indigenous, or people of color (BIPOC); and 40% of whom are bilingual. More than 15 languages are available.

Hazel Health’s licensed therapists can help students who are experiencing:

  • Mood/behavior changes, lack of motivation, grief/loss.
  • Anxiety, worry, fears.
  • Bullying, sexual identity challenges, challenging peer and family relationships.
  • Academic stress.

The first step for parents is to provide information through an opt-in form. Visit FCPS’ Teletherapy webpage for details.


High School Assessment and Grading Survey

Instructional Services is conducting a survey to gather perceptions and preferences around assessments and grading elements. High school students, their families, and high school-based staff will be surveyed. Students and their families will be asked about their current classes and how they feel about assessment, grading, and grading practices and policies.

The survey results will be used along with information from student focus groups, research, best practices, and benchmarking to propose recommendations to the School Board later this spring. Surveys will be sent Monday, March 20, and individuals will have until Friday, March 31, to respond. For more information, contact Michael Gillespie in Instructional Services.


fentanyl talks

Community Meeting on the Dangers of Fentanyl

Monday evening, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid and Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis hosted nearly 400 families, staff, and community members for a conversation on the dangers of fentanyl. During this impactful event, audience members heard testimonials from individuals affected by the opioid epidemic and learned facts from medical experts and law enforcement representatives.  

The conversation will continue on Monday, April 24, with our next community meeting on the critical topic of fentanyl danger and opioid awareness. More information is coming soon. Visit our Opioid Awareness webpage for updates as they become available. 

Visit the Fairfax County Government webpage on opioids for information on how you can take action and how to get help for yourself or loved ones.


Proposed Updates to Student Rights and Responsibilities

The Department of Special Services will be hosting two virtual meetings for the FCPS community regarding proposed updates to the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) Regulation. Please join one of the meetings below via Zoom (click the date to register):

Participants will have an opportunity to learn about the suggested updates and ask questions via Zoom Chat. Language interpretation will be available in Spanish. A certified deaf interpreter will be available as well. 

Beginning Monday, March 20, families and staff will also be able to provide feedback on proposed updates to the SR&R via a short survey. Please stay tuned for details. Visit FCPS’ website for more information



Quick Links