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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.
이 소식지를 다른 언어로 읽으려면, 우리 웹사이트를 방문하시기 바랍니다.
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Message from Ms. Kearns
Hello Bruin Families!
This week, we celebrated National School Psychology Week. We are so grateful for our school psychologists, Carleen McKenzie (HS) and Walena Haider (MS). Their connections with both students and staff are critical to support individual growth and add to the well being of our school community.
As we begin the second quarter, we are also grateful for our students and families. We appreciate the opportunity to teach your children.
Thank you.
Go Bruins!
Lindsey Kearns
In this Issue
New Information and Important Reminders
Veterans Day
Diwali
PTSA Member Meeting and Town Hall
Memorial Celebration
Lost & Found
LBSS Outstanding Employee Nominations
Makeup Picture Day
Holiday Food Drive Help
News from SGA
Family Engagement Month
Middle School Bruin News
Reminder: Window for Full-time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15, 2023
MS Yearbook Information
High School Bruin News
9th Grade Signs of Suicide Program
Yearbook Information
Class of 2024 News
Important Dates
PTSA Mulch Sale and All Night Grad Party
IT FAQs
Family Liaison News
Reminders
FCPS News
Quick Links
New Information and Important Reminders
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Veterans Day
Veterans Day provides a great reason to pause, reflect, and recognize the extraordinary sacrifices our Veterans and their families have made on our behalf, and we thank them for their service. Learn more about the history of Veterans Day at va.gov.
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Diwali
Happy Diwali to all those who celebrate this day and the victory of light over darkness. This year's Diwali artwork was created by Chantilly High School student Rijuta D. as part of the FCPS Observance Design Challenge for Students.
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PTSA Member Meeting and Town Hall
The LBSS PTSA will hold its next member meeting and town hall on Monday, November 13th, 7p-8p in the LBSS Lecture Hall (B135). Enter through Door 1, turn left at the lockers, and turn right at the first hallway. The meeting is open to all regardless of PTSA membership.
The discussion will include the importance of attendance to learning, what is excused and not excused, expectations, how to notify the school of absences, and the increase of chronic absenteeism. The in-person meeting and town hall will have Korean and Spanish interpreters available.
Although in-person is better for discussion, you may also attend via Zoom. Register in advance for the virtual option:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYldu2hqjIsH90LPN1ubxp1D-VPtX8cCUib
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
We hope to see you there.
Memorial Celebration
On November 18 at 1:00 pm, a memorial celebration in honor of MS Social Studies teacher, Mr. Irv Katz, will be held at Lake Braddock in the Lecture Hall. Mr. Katz's siblings will be attending, along with several speakers. In addition, they will share a photo display and provide light refreshments. Please feel free to join Mr. Katz's family and friends.
Lost & Found
Has your student misplaced a jacket, water bottle, lunch bag or other personal item at school? If so, please ask your student to check the Lost & Found closet located in the corner of the cafeteria. Items that have been separated from their owners are placed in the Lost & Found on a daily basis. Please note - any unclaimed items will be donated at the Thanksgiving break.
LBSS Outstanding Employee Nominations
It's that time of year for LBSS Outstanding Employee awards. If you would like to nominate a staff member for one of the following categories, please use this form: https://forms.gle/D2BeB4wTskgPEwJZA. The deadline for submissions is Friday, November 17.
The categories include Teacher, New Teacher, New Principal, Leader, Professional, and Operational. If you have questions about where a particular staff member fits in, please email Julie Moore at jamoore3@fcps.edu.
Makeup Picture Day
Next Monday, November 13, is our final day for picture makeups and retakes for 7th through 11th grade. Those who have not yet had a photo taken will be given priority from 8:00-10:30 am. Emails were sent home to remind those students. Any student wanting a retake can go after 10:30 am.
Images will be available to view and purchase approximately two weeks following. Save time and Pre-order online here: https://vando.imagequix.com/g1001028210#login
For questions about ordering school pictures please email underclass@vosphoto.com.
For questions about retakes, please see Victor O'Neill's policies here: http://vosphoto.com/retakes
Holiday Food Drive Help
As we head into the holiday season, we want to offer a wonderful opportunity to help support some of our Bruin families in need! We are coordinating a holiday food drive at Lake Braddock to provide a little extra help for some of our Bruin families over the two-week winter break. If you are able to help, please click on the sign up genius link below to see what items we still need! We will be accepting donations at Door #1, during regular school hours, from November 9 - December 1.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0448A4AA28A7FB6-45834767-home
News from SGA
Family Engagement Month
 
This month reminds us that families are children's first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers. Strong family support is vital to student well-being and success.
FCPS has many resources designed to increase engagement and partnerships with families while fostering academic success and social-emotional growth.
Additionally, every school has a family liaison who will welcome and orient families, and help them understand the school's culture, policies, procedures, and practices. They can help connect families to resources in the community. Family liaisons might also assist a family in transitioning to a new school and encourage family-school partnerships to help ensure their student's success and healthy development.
If you have questions or would like more information, ask your school office to connect you with your family liaison or visit FCPS’ website for a list of region representatives.
Middle School Bruin News
Reminder: Window for Full-time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15, 2023
Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for full-time advanced academic programs may submit the AAP Full-Time (Level IV) Referral Form to <<fill in the name and email address of the AART or principal>> no later than December 15, 2023.
The window for families to submit a referral for full-time AAP services is the first day of school through December 15, annually. Forms for full-time and part-time referrals are available on the AAP Forms Page. No late referrals for Full-Time AAP services will be accepted.
Submitting a referral form for full-time AAP will initiate a process that begins at the local school and is then completed at the central office level. Our school will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data which are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of six trained professionals from various schools and roles will review the portfolio materials to determine eligibility for full-time placement. Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of the portfolio that was submitted after they have been turned in for central selection by emailing <<fill in the name and email address of the AART>>.
Referrals for subject-specific and part-time AAP are screened at the local school. If you miss this deadline, your student can still be screened for subject-specific AAP or part-time AAP for the remainder of the year and submit a referral for full-time AAP next fall.
For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs website.
High School Bruin News
9th Grade Signs of Suicide Program
This school year, school staff are working to teach students about mental health and how to seek help if they are worried about themselves or a friend. We are using a program called Signs of Suicide (SOS). The program teaches students about this difficult topic and encourages them to seek help.
Through the program, students learn:
- that depression is treatable, so they are encouraged to seek help
- how to identify depression and potential suicide risk in themselves or a friend
- to ACT (Acknowledge, Care and Tell a trusted adult) if concerned about themselves or a friend
- who they can turn to at school for help
The week of November 27-December 1, through Advisory/WIN time, 9th grade students will watch age-appropriate video clips and participate in a guided discussion about depression, suicide, and what to do if they are concerned about a friend. Following the video, students will complete a brief depression screening tool. This tool cannot provide a diagnosis of depression but does indicate whether a young person should be referred for evaluation by a mental health professional.
To review the full letter with further information about the program and links to resources, click here
To opt your child out of participation in the program click here
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.
March 7th, 2024 - 100 Days Meeting @ 6:30 pm in the Cafeteria - 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
PTSA Mulch Sale and All Night Grad Party
Please see two important save the dates below. Please know that we are currently actively searching for adult volunteers to LEAD some events at the Mulch Sale as well as the ANGP. If you are interested in being a part of the magic that happens at Lake Braddock, please fill in the attached google form. Again, we are searching for adult volunteers across ALL grades to help us out!
SAVE THE DATE:
The Mulch Sale
Lake Braddock's Senior Class LARGEST fundraiser for the All Night Grad Party
March 15-17, 2024
Mulch will go on sale after Jan 1, 2024.
All Night Grad Party
Wednesday June 5, 2024
11pm-5am
Any questions please direct them to patterson_eileen@yahoo.com.
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IT FAQs
Throughout the school year, we often hear the same questions asked regarding technical assistance. We hope to help everyone by sharing various information. Today's tip is regarding joining the school WiFi.
TALKINGPOINTS:
Q: What is TalkingPoints?
A: TalkingPoints is an easy and safe way families can communicate in their home languages with their child’s teachers for free. We will be using this platform to communicate with you about your child’s education and progress.
Here are two ways families can use TalkingPoints:
- School and teacher messages will come directly to the phone number that is registered in our system as a SMS text or through the TalkingPoints Parent App.
- You can reply by text or through the app.
Families will receive messages in the language they have listed as their correspondence language. Families can reply in any language and the message will be translated into English for the school.
If families prefer to not receive text messages from TalkingPoints, they can reply with "GOODBYE" at any time.
Q: How might I access the TalkingPoints App?
A: The FAMILIES | TalkingPoints app is free. You can go to your Google Play Store or Apple Store and search for FAMILIES | TalkingPoints. Once you’ve downloaded the app, you can follow this Getting Started Guide for Families to login for the first time.
Q: Who can I contact in the Talking Points App?
A: Families are able to respond to teachers and staff members via TalkingPoints, however messages sent to Lake Braddock Secondary School administration will not be monitored. If you’d like to contact Lake Braddock administrators, please send them an email directly using the email address in this directory.
Family Liaison News
Please stay up-to-date with our Family Liaisons on our web site:
https://lakebraddockss.fcps.edu/student-services/information-our-family-liaisons
There you will find our weekly newsletters full of important information for our families.
Reminders
 
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
FCPS News
Observance Graphics Created by Students in Design Challenge
In May, the FCPS Office of Communications called for entries for new graphics to help acknowledge the religious and cultural observances identified on the 2023-24 School Year Calendar. Eleven winning designs will be featured on FCPS and school social media platforms, and in newsletters leading up to the holidays starting with Diwali, which falls on Sunday, November 12. See the full list of winners.
SAT/PSAT School Day Scores Are Available
Students who participated in the School Day SAT on Wednesday, October 11, can access scores via their College Board accounts. Students who participated in the SAT on Thursday, October 26, will have access to scores on Thursday, November 16.
A video tutorial for accessing and understanding SAT scores is available on the College Board website. Families can reach out to the Lake Braddock Testing Office if they have questions regarding SAT School Day score reporting.
Digital PSAT Scores and National Merit Scholarship Information
Students who participated in the Digital PSAT on Wednesday, October 11, are now able to access scores via the College Board BigFuture School App or their College Board accounts. A video tutorial for accessing and understanding Digital PSAT scores is available on the College Board website.
Eleventh grade students who participate in the PSAT may qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program and can find additional information on the National Merit Scholarship Corporation website. Families may reach out to Lake Braddock's Testing Office if they have questions regarding digital PSAT score reporting or the National Merit Scholarship Program.
The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Saves Lives
Information was recently posted to the Healthy Minds Blog on the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and other resources for suicide prevention.
The Healthy Minds Blog shares information related to youth mental health and wellness. Articles include tips and strategies for increasing wellness and resiliency, as well as fostering success at home, at school, and in the community.
The Healthy Minds Blog is a collaborative project between Fairfax County Public Schools and the Prevention Unit of the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services. Subscribe to Healthy Minds and receive a quarterly digest of articles.
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.
Quick Links
Never miss out and stay up-to-date with all things High School Athletics by subscribing to the LBSS Student Activities Weekly Newsletter!
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