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Message from Ms. Kearns
Hello Bruin Families!
We had a great Middle School Back To School Night and all of our seniors had an opportunity to participate in our Senior Unit events. It was wonderful seeing all of our seniors participating in the Senior Unit events. We also enjoyed meeting all of our Middle School families at the Back To School Night last night.
As we look at next week, we are looking forward to having successful photo dates for our middle school students. We also have some fun upcoming event dates to share with you as we as a community begin to celebrate Lake Braddock's 50th anniversary!
Go Bruins!
Lindsey Kearns
This morning, our students were welcomed into the building by our band and color guard to get school spirit going for our second home football game tonight. Fox Five came out to see, and report on, our Lake Braddock school spirit. We look forward to seeing everyone at the home game tonight!
 On Wednesday, August 30, the Lake Braddock Orchestra program hosted their second annual Elementary strings open house. The symphony orchestra performed numbers from Star Wars and Pirates of the Caribbean! This event was intended for elementary students in the Lake Braddock pyramid to come to LBSS and get excited about their elementary strings program. There were several music vendors present who brought and demonstrated string instruments. Students got to explore a variety of activities at this event: try out instruments, receive supply lists from their elementary strings teacher, watch a high school quartet, complete coloring activities, and participate in a scavenger hunt!
In this Issue
New Information
Digital Resources Consent Deadline
Pyramid Carnival Event
Reminders
Lockers
Student Photo Dates
Upcoming Back To School Date
Looking For Health Room Volunteers
Middle School Bruin News
MS Picture Dates
October 11 – School In Session
High School Bruin News
High School BTSN
FCPS News
National Day of Service
Important Forms Reminder
Immunization Reminder
COVID Guidance
Tutor.com
Steamology
Attendance/Absenteeism
SEL Screener
SIS ParentVUE
Strategic Plan
High School Rankings
Hazel Health
District News/In Case You Missed It
Quick Links
New Information
Permission to Use Digital Resources
Some FCPS-approved digital resources require parent/caregiver consent before they can be used by students. Find the list of resources which require consent on the Digital Resources - Parent Consent page. This page also includes directions on how to provide permission.
The due date for submitting the Digital Resource Consent Form is September 29. Parents can provide their consent in a variety of ways, through the Parent Digital Consent System, verbally to school staff, or through the printable form. Parental consent will expire at the end of each school year and can be revoked at any time by contacting the school.
Each digital resource used in FCPS has had an instructional and technical review. Information about the educational technology tools approved for use within FCPS can be found in the Digital Ecosystem Library. Learn more about FCPS-approved digital resources on the Digital Resources in FCPS webpage.
Pyramid Carnival Event
Save the date!
Lake Braddock Secondary School invites the community to begin celebrating its 50th anniversary –
Friday, September 29, 5:30-7:30 pm – right before Friday football at the school.
Enjoy free admission to the carnival with inflatables, runway games, food trucks, snacks, face painting. There will be fun for the whole family! Cash sales, please.
Volunteers are needed to help staff booths. Add your name to the sign-up sheet here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0A4AADAE22AAFF2-lake
Festivities continue into the football game!
More details to come – we look forward to welcoming you through the decades! Look for more 50th Anniversary events in the future.
Reminders
Lockers
Students who would like to request a locker for the 23-24 school year must complete the Student Locker Request Form. The student locker request form link is posted to Schoology and will close on Sunday, September 10. Locker inventory is limited. After the window closes, we will review the requests and assign lockers on a first come-first served basis.
Students who receive lockers will receive a notification to check their student SIS accounts the following week. Students who do not receive a locker will receive an email notification and be placed on a wait list.
Student Photo Dates
Student photos are scheduled on the following dates:
- Middle School – September 14 and 15
- Make-ups – October 26
Please see below for more information about MS Picture Dates.
Upcoming Back To School Night Date
- High School – September 21
Please see below for more information.
Looking For Health Room Volunteers
Do you have some medical experience and would like to assist our LBSS students when they are sick or injured? The LBSS Health Room is looking for volunteers to work in conjunction with our School Health Aides and Public Health Nurse. Duties may include signing students in/out of the Health Room, assisting with caring for students, assisting with Health Room flow, calling parents for student pick-up, escorting students to the Main Office, and filing student records. Available shifts are 9a – 11a or 11a – 1p. If you or someone you know is interested in helping out, please contact Stephani Keen, LBSS Public Health Nurse at 703-426-1012 or skeen@fcps.edu.
Middle School Bruin News
Middle School Picture Dates
School Picture Day is coming Thursday September 14th & Friday September 15th 2023. Images will be available to view and purchase approximately two weeks following our school's picture day. Save time and Pre-order online here: https://vando.imagequix.com/g1001028514#login
For questions about ordering school pictures please email underclass@vosphoto.com
October 11 – School In Session
Middle school students will have school on PSAT day on October 11. There will be a 2 hour early release on this day.
High School Bruin News
High School Back-to-School Night
Back-To-School Night is being held Thursday, September 21 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. At Back-To-School Night you will have the opportunity to meet with each of your child’s teachers. A Counselor Meet & Greet will be held prior to Back-To-School-Night in the Lecture Hall beginning at 5:45 pm. We would love to see you there!
Students will come home with a flyer with their schedule printed on the back on Friday, September 15, from their Advisory class. Schedules are also available on ParentVUE and in the Career Center on BTSN.
FCPS News
Calendar Reminder
September 11 National Day of Service
With the upcoming 22nd anniversary of September 11, FCPS acknowledges the loss of life, the heroism of our first responders, and the resilience of our country. The September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, also called Patriot Day, is a chance to reflect and act in service to others to honor those who were injured or killed in the terrorist attacks.
All FCPS students are encouraged to participate in service learning as it supports Portrait of a Graduate (POG) attributes and social and emotional learning (SEL) skills. Middle and high school students can learn more about service learning by logging into their Naviance account to access x2VOL.
Get started this fall with two great opportunities: Public Lands Day (September 23) and Volunteer Fairfax’s VolunteerFest (October 21). Information on service projects can be found on the Volunteer Fairfax website.
Important Forms
Caregiver Checklist: Have You Completed These Important Forms?
During the first weeks of the year, caregivers receive many forms to complete. Several of the most important ones are below:
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Digital Resources Consent: Some FCPS-approved digital resources require parent/caregiver consent before they can be used by students. Find the list of resources which require consent on the Digital Resources - Parent Consent page. This page also includes directions on how to provide permission.
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Student Rights and Responsibilities: This document explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses. Parents using SIS ParentVUE will be prompted to sign the document when they log in to that platform. A printable version of the document with a signature sheet is available on the SR&R webpage.
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Opt-Outs: The Opt-Out Booklet is online or available from your child’s school. It contains information on:
- Parents’ rights to inspect and consent or opt out before their child participates in certain surveys.
- Parents’ rights to inspect instructional materials.
- Rules regarding student records and disclosure of student information (including photo/video of students) and the right to opt out.
- Parents’ rights to opt out of the Social Emotional Learning Screener, physical exams not required by state law, career or social emotional counseling, Library Equity Access Pass Project, and/or Tutor.com.
- The process by which complaints may be filed if parents or students believe their rights have been violated.
Paper forms can be signed and returned to school.
Immunizations
The Importance of Up-to-Date Immunizations
Immunizations are required for public school entry and help keep students protected from serious diseases. While COVID-19 vaccinations are not required, many other immunizations are. Check with your students’ healthcare providers now to make sure they are up to date on their immunizations. Immunization records can now be updated online in SIS ParentVUE through the Online Verification Update form. To access that form, click Online Packets in the top right of the screen after logging in to SIS ParentVUE. Caregivers can obtain an activation key letter to activate their SIS ParentVUE account by contacting [the main office].
Statewide Outbreak of Meningococcal
One of the required immunizations for students entering 7th and 12th grade is the meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY). The Virginia Department of Health is currently tracking a statewide outbreak of meningococcal disease. MenACWY can provide protection against the bacteria responsible for this outbreak.
Visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of immunization clinics or contact your family’s healthcare provider. Appointments are required for most clinics.
Remember to request documentation of your child’s immunizations to provide to their school. Get more information on immunization requirements and the necessary documentation.
COVID Guidance
2023-24 Health and Safety Guidance for Schools
Although the COVID-19 hospital transmission level (previously the COVID-19 Community Transmission level) for Fairfax County is currently low, COVID-19 cases have risen in Virginia during the last few weeks, and flu season will soon be upon us. Be sure to review FCPS Health and Safety Guidance for the best ways to prevent the spread of disease and to find out when students should stay home from school.
Tutor.com
How to Access Free Resources from Tutor.com
All FCPS students continue to have unlimited access to live, 24/7, one-on-one online tutoring services through Tutor.com at no cost to families. Student participation is optional and parents/caregivers can opt their student(s) out of accessing the services. Get more information on the Tutor.com Online Tutoring Services webpage.
Students can access Tutor.com via a link in Schoology. Additional information about how to log in and access a tutor is provided to families via the following: Elementary - How It Works and Middle & High - How It Works. Questions not answered in the posted resources may be sent to onlinetutoring@fcps.edu.
Steamology
STEAMOLOGY STEM Fest Offers Hands-On Activities for Students
Students are invited to participate in STEM FEST on Saturday, October 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at South County High School. Students in kindergarten through eighth grade can participate in robotics demonstrations, coding experiments, and more. High school students are invited to volunteer. Visit the STEAMOLOGY website for more information.
Attendance/Absenteeism
Students Are Learning Every Day
As you plan upcoming trips and other family events, please remember the importance of sending your child to school every day. Review the FCPS School Year Calendar and try to plan any time away during long breaks from school.
Children who show up for school regularly develop fundamental reading and math skills while building a habit of good attendance that will carry them into college and careers. Research shows that children who were chronically absent (missing 18 days or more) in kindergarten and first grade were far less likely to read proficiently at the end of third grade.
Read more about how families can help form good attendance habits.
SEL Screener
SEL Screener Parent Notification and Updates
FCPS is committed to supporting the mental wellness of all students. The Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener helps our students share their perspectives on how their schools and communities support them and help them develop the skills they need to succeed.
The screener is offered to all students in grades 3 through 12 in the fall and spring. It addresses skills like achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. Students also share how successful their school and community are at making them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to plan programming for the division, schools, and individual students.
Key updates to the screener this year include:
- Different versions for students in grades 3-5 and 6-12.
- Fewer topics with more questions to provide schools and families with more data to support planning.
- Additional questions aligned with FCPS’ commitment to educational equity.
Results are mailed home to families after each screening. Families who wish to opt their child out may do so by completing the opt-out form in the Aor SIS ParentVue.
For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage or contact us at [XXXXX].
Please note that the SEL Screener differs from the anonymous Fairfax County Youth Survey. For more information about the Youth Survey, see the Fairfax County Youth Survey site.
Support Your Child’s Success
Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Caregivers should receive an activation code when they register their child.
Once you have activated a ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same ParentVUE account. Access SIS ParentVUE by using an app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android devices.
Need help creating a SIS ParentVUE account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.
2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered
The 2023-30 strategic plan sets five main goals to create positive change in FCPS. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts. Our equity commitment and a set of measures in each goal will measure our success.
Goal 2 states that every student will be part of a school community that cares for their health, well-being, and opinions. We will listen to students and use their input to guide our decisions. We will respect their individuality, identity, and experiences. We will make sure they feel safe and supported at school.
Visit the Strategic Plan webpage to learn more about how we will measure the success of goal 2.
2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence
FCPS’ 2023-30 strategic plan sets five main goals to create positive change in our schools. These five goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts. Our equity commitment and a set of measures in each goal will measure our success.
Under Goal 3, every student will learn to use critical and creative thinking. They will meet or exceed academic goals. Students will reach their full potential.
Visit the Strategic Plan webpage for more information. Watch this video to learn more about the many voices that came together to create the plan.
Six FCPS High Schools Rank Among Best in the State
In U.S. News & World Report’s annual state and nationwide assessments of public high schools, six Fairfax County public high schools ranked in Virginia’s top 10. View the list on FCPS’ website.
A Great School Year Starts With Mental Wellness
All FCPS high school students can access virtual therapy sessions with licensed counselors from Hazel Health at no cost.
Hazel’s therapists — who specialize in working with teens — can help students address mood/behavior changes, motivation, grief/loss, anxiety, peer and family relationships, and academic stress.
For high schoolers to participate in teletherapy services, caregivers must:
Students must be referred to therapy by a caregiver or designated school staff member.
Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more information.
Projects Supported by the 2023 Bond Referendum
The 2023 $435 million Bond Referendum — which will be on the ballot this Election Day, Tuesday, November 7 — is expected to fund projects at Franklin Middle School and Armstrong, Bren Mar Park, Brookfield, Centre Ridge, Cub Run, Dranesville, Herndon, Lees Corner, Poplar Tree, Sangster, Saratoga, Union Mill, Virginia Run, Waples Mill, and Willow Springs elementary schools.
The building and renovation of our schools are not funded through the division’s operating budget. Voter-approved bonds allow payment for these projects over time. Read more about the 2023 Bond Referendum. Learn about registering to vote.
Vote on Tuesday, November 7.
District News/In Case You Missed It
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Important Forms for Caregivers to Complete
- Immunization Reminder
- Free Tutoring Resources
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, sign up today.
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