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To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.
Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.
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Message from Ms. Kearns
Hello Bruin Families!
We are looking forward to seeing all of you tonight for our Pyramid Event Carnival and our home football game versus Woodson. Please join us for the fun as we continue to celebrate 50 years of our wonderful Lake Braddock community.
Go Bruins!
Lindsey Kearns
In this Issue
New Information
Share Your Summer Photos
Walk and Roll To School Day
Bite of Braddock and Homecoming Parade
Homecoming Dance Volunteers Needed
Middle School Bruin News
MS Yearbook Information
7th Grade Signs of Suicide Presentation
October 11 – School In Session
High School Bruin News
Yearbook Information
School Pictures Now Online
Message for 10th and 11th Grade Parents
Class of 2024 News
Important Dates
Senior Ads
Reminders
Health Room News
Family Liaison News Corner
FCPS News
Quick Links
New Information
Bite of Braddock and Homecoming Parade
Homecoming Dance Coming - Volunteers Needed
SGA needs volunteers for the homecoming dance on 10/14! If you are interested please sign up for a shift at the link here. If you have any questions please email jibritton@fcps.edu.
Middle School Bruin News
 Upload Images to the Middle School Yearbook
Order a Middle School Yearbook
When ordering a Middle School Yearbook, use the code 13596.
7th Grade Signs of Suicide Presentation
All 7th grade students will be participating in the Signs of Suicide presentation to learn the Acknowledge-Care-Tell model through Advisory on October 23rd and 25th. Students will also be completing a screening to identify and help students who may be experiencing depression. Additional information and opt out details will be sent via eNotify.
October 11 – School In Session
Middle school students will have school on PSAT day on October 11, with a 2-hour early release. Stay tuned for more details.
High School Bruin News
High Pictures Are Now Online
Any student who has not had a chance to order, it’s not too late!
Please visit: vosphoto.com/uc and use your student ID when prompted for the online code.
For questions regarding school pictures please email: underclass@vosphoto.com
Message for 10th and 11th Grade Parents
The PSAT is digital this year. On October 11, students must bring their school issued device, fully charged, with their charger. Students who do not bring their issued device or charger will be dismissed from testing with no option to make up, as there are no loaners for the PSAT.
Class of 2024 News
We are excited for the start of the school year and are looking forward to celebrating the success of our Class of 2024 Seniors all year.
While the year may have just started, we are already looking forward to our End of Year celebrations for our senior class. Below are important dates for you to have and some upcoming meetings to help keep everyone up to date with important information for our graduating class.
October 2nd, 2023 - Senior Students Meeting during Advisory
- Students will come to the Little Theatre during advisory to meet class sponsors and hear about important events for the year
October 6th, 2023 - Jostens on campus during all high school lunches
- Class rings and senior graduation apparel samples will be displayed for purchase
October 23rd, 2023 - Senior Class Panoramic Picture
- Seniors will take their class panoramic picture in the stadium during Advisory
March 7th, 2024 - 100 Days Meeting @ 6:30
- Little Theatre
- Informational session for parents leading up to graduation, prom, and All Night Grad Party
May 17th, 2024 - Prom - Falls Church Marriott Fairview Park
June 4th, 2024 - Graduation - Eagle Bank Arena @ 2:00 pm
June 5th, 2024 - All Night Grad Party @ Saint James 11:00 pm
Reminders
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 today, 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.
Health Room News
Volunteers Needed
Parent Volunteers are needed to help make Lake Braddock’s annual hearing and vision screenings administered to 10th grade students happen on Thursday, October 5. Many volunteers are still needed to help with one or both shifts: 7:45am - 11:15am and 11:15am - 2:45 pm.
Please use this link to signup to help: https://www.signupgenius.com/.../10C0F48ADAF23A4FBC16...
Please email Public Health Nurse Stephani Keen at skeen@fcps.edu or call 703-426-1012 if you have questions. No experience necessary! If we don’t have enough volunteers, we may need to cancel the screening and reschedule for another time.
Mark your calendars for Hearing & Vision Screening
Please ensure that your student has their glasses or contacts with them for hearing and vision screening. 7th graders will be screened on October 2 & 3; 10th graders will be screened on October 4 & 5 during PE classes or during Advisory if PE has previously been completed.
What is hearing and vision screening?
Annual screening is conducted in coordination with the Department of Education pursuant to the Code of Virginia for all 7th and 10th graders at Lake Braddock Secondary School. Hearing screening is used to determine if a student might have hearing loss. Hearing screening is easy and not painful. All students who do not pass a hearing screening will be referred for a full hearing test (audiology evaluation). Vision screening is an evaluation used to identify whether students need additional eye care. Did you know that people with vision loss are more likely to have Type 2 Diabetes, depression, or hearing loss? If there are signs of a vision problem, a referral will be made for a comprehensive eye exam. Please contact our Public Health Nurse, Stephani Keen, with any questions. 703-426-1012 or skeen@fcps.edu.
Family Liaison News Corner
Upcoming Sessions
Building Family and School Partnership for Twice Exceptional (2e) Students K-12. When schools and families collaborate, all children succeed. Join Nonye Oladimeji, FCPS Educational Specialist for AAP Twice Exceptional (2e) children as she explores successful ways schools and families can collaborate. Friday October 6, 2023, from 10-11:30am. Register for Building Family and School Partnerships for Twice Exceptional (2e) Students K-12
IBSHOPS: An Exciting, In-person Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs! Monday October 9, 2023 9am-noon at Providence Community Center.Register for: SIBSHOPS: An Exciting, In-person Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs!
What Your 11th & 12th Graders Are Learning in School About Drugs and How You Can Talk with Them *presented in English, Friday, October 13, 2023 10-11:30AM. Students in grades 11 and 12 will receive drug lessons about substance misuse. Join Tiffany Jones, FCPS Senior Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist as she helps you understand the curriculum and how you might communicate with your child. Register forWhat Your 11th & 12th Graders Are Learning in School About Drugs and How You Can Talk with Them - presented in English
Coping Strategies for Anxiety, Depression, and Stress: A Two-Part Series- Join Dr. Erin Berman, a Clinical Psychologist at the National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, Maryland for these important sessions helping children cope with anxiety, depression, and stress. Part 1, October, 27, 2023, 10-11:30am. Register for Coping Strategies for Anxiety, Depression, and Stress: A Two-Part Series.
Resources
Additional Resources
Family and School Partnerships
Family Resource Center
Parenting Education Programs through Fairfax County
English Empowerment Center: USA Learns
English Empowerment Center: Free Conversation Class and Continued Learning Between Semesters
Community Events and Engagement
Burke Centre Library Events
Kings Park Library Events
1st Stage YES Pass for Fairfax County High School Students: Free subscription to theatre company’s award-winning productions for all high school students who live in Fairfax County or attend a Fairfax County High School. In addition, they will receive invitations to SLICE IT UP, a pre-show acting workshop led by theatre professional. https://r2.dotdigital-pages.com/p/731X-43M/thank-you?pfredir=3
FCPS News
Attendance Tip: Scheduling Family Trips or Events
Good attendance is an important life skill that will help students succeed in school and beyond.
When scheduling trips or family events, try to use weekends and school holidays, and refer to the FCPS Calendar when planning. Every day of learning is a day toward success. Keep in mind that absences add up quickly. Students who are absent 10% of the school year (or just two days per month) are considered chronically absent.
When possible, schedule appointments for your child outside of school hours. If your child needs to miss school because of an illness or another reason, you must report the absence to their school. Most schools have links to their attendance email or notification systems on their homepages. If you are unsure how to report an absence, please call your school’s front office.
Watch this video with tips on understanding our school calendar and visit our Attendance webpage for additional information. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!
Our Schools, Our Future: Community Conversations Kick Off
Join Superintendent Reid for Our Schools, Our Future – A Community Conversation at Glasgow Middle School on Tuesday, October 3, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Kilmer Middle School on Thursday, October 5, 6:30-7:30 p.m, or at Madison High School on Tuesday, October 24, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Share your thoughts about FCPS and bring your questions.
These events are part of a series of Community Conversations this fall and spring in each region. Days and times for the additional region events will be shared soon. Visit FCPS’ webpage to find out when and where you can engage with Dr. Reid.
Register to attend. Pre-registration is not required. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided for all events based on staff availability.
Social and Emotional Learning Screener Offered in October
One of the ways FCPS supports the mental wellness of all students is the SEL Screener.
The screener is offered to all students in grades 3-12 in October and again in February or March. It addresses skills like achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions.
The SEL Screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to create the learning, experiences, and environments students need to be successful. 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.
SEL Screener results are sent to families via postal mail. Families who wish to opt their child out should complete the opt-out form in the Annual Notice packet or in SIS ParentVUE.
For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage or contact your child’s school.
Please note that the SEL Screener differs from the anonymous Fairfax County Youth Survey.
Supporting Your Child's Mental Health
Children go through a lot of changes, and it can be hard to tell if their behavior is developmentally appropriate or if they could benefit from mental health support. It’s important to talk to your child and pay attention to their actions, especially these warning signs:
- Increased irritability, hyperactivity, energy, and/or aggressive behavior.
- Excessive sadness, hopelessness, or worries.
- Loss of appetite, or significant weight gain or loss.
- Lack of sleep or too much sleep.
- A decline in grades, school avoidance, or attendance concerns.
- Alcohol or drug use.
- Withdrawal from activities and/or friends and family.
- Thoughts of harming themselves or others.
If you notice any of these warning signs or feel your child may be experiencing a mental health challenge, help is available. All Fairfax County public schools have at least one school counselor, school psychologist, and school social worker.
Please reach out to one of these staff members to discuss your concerns and identify resources. Call your school or visit their website for staff members’ contact information. Find additional information to support your child’s wellness.
If you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health crisis such as thoughts of harming themselves or others, please take action right away. Call 988, go to the nearest emergency room, or contact the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health Emergency Services at 703-573-5679.
No Cost Therapy for High Schoolers
High school students can access virtual mental health services at no cost through an FCPS program with Hazel Health. Hazel Health therapists are licensed and also trained in teen-specific challenges.
Students can be referred by a guardian or designated staff member and participate in weekly video therapy sessions. The therapists will work with students until they achieve their therapy goals, or they can help connect the family with long-term mental health services in the community if needed.
Learn how to opt your students into this service.
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.
Free COVID-19 Tests
Every U.S. household can place an order to receive four more free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered directly to their home.
Review health and safety guidance for schools to stay up to date on the best ways to prevent the spread of disease, and for information on when students should stay home from school.
Projects Funded by Recent School Bonds
Thanks to the support of Fairfax County citizens who approved the 2019 and 2021 bond referendums, projects have been funded at Armstrong, Bonnie Brae, Braddock, Bren Mar Park, Brookfield, Crossfield, Dranesville, Fox Mill, Herndon, Hybla Valley, Lees Corner, Louise Archer, Mosaic, Oak Hill, Wakefield Forest, Washington Mill, and Willow Springs, elementary schools; Cooper and Frost middle schools; and Centreville, Falls Church, Justice, Madison, and West Potomac high schools.
Not only do our facilities wear out over time, but they also become outdated, from both a technological and instructional standpoint. FCPS renovates its schools to ensure that students across the division have high quality, effective learning environments.
Watch some of the ribbon-cutting celebrations. Follow the status of FCPS capital projects for updates on renovation projects.
The 2023 Bond Referendum will be on the ballot in November. Vote on Tuesday, November 7. Learn about registering to vote.
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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