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Braddock News Crew!
Our upper-grade Eagles take the lead in bringing daily news, important announcements, and school updates to our Braddock Eagles! Thank you to our student news crew for keeping our school community informed, connected, and ready to start each day
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Learning goes beyond the classroom walls! Every corner of our building is filled with opportunities for students to explore, discover, connect, and grow. At Braddock, every space is a place for learning! |
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At Braddock, learning never stops—not just for our students, but for our staff, too! Our educators continue to strengthen their practices, collaborate, and grow professionally to ensure we provide the very best learning experiences for our students.
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Dear Braddock Families,
Can you believe we are just one week away from wrapping up the first quarter of the school year? Time certainly flies when our Eagles are busy learning and growing!
As we approach the end of the first quarter, I want to take a moment to thank our families for your continued partnership and trust in us. Every day, our teachers and staff show up with a shared commitment to helping our students learn, grow, and succeed. We know that every minute we have with our students matters, and we are committed to making the most of every opportunity to set them up for success.
A couple of reminders as we head into next week:
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Friday, October 30 – Two-Hour Early Release & Book Character Day! We encourage our Eagles to dress up as their favorite book characters and celebrate their love of reading! Please remember that masks and violent costumes are not permitted.
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Monday, November 2 and Tuesday, November 3 – School Planning Day and Teacher Work Day. There will be no school for those days for students.
Thank you for being an important part of our Braddock community. Let's continue working together to make this a wonderful year of learning and growth for every Eagle!
Wishing you and your family a wonderful weekend!
Principals
Laena Lee, Christopher Kamar, Julie Kubiak, and Natasha Findley
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We are excited to share that our very own Ms. Judith Swoboda was recognized by a Braddock parent and featured on the FCPS Cares website today!
Ms. Swoboda is our dedicated Reading Specialist, now in her 13th year at Braddock! Her passion for literacy and commitment to supporting our students and families have made a lasting impact on our school community.
Please see the special recognition below!
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Judith Swoboda deserves our heartfelt thanks for her extraordinary dedication to our students, school, and community. She gives countless hours to ensuring students have what they need and families feel supported, yet she is always the first to thank others for their contributions. Judith is an essential part of our PTA, helping in every way she can—from coordinating and communicating with faculty and staff to making copies and attending meetings that stretch her already long days even further. Her selflessness, kindness, and commitment make a meaningful difference every day. Judith, you spend so much time recognizing others; please know how deeply we appreciate you and everything you do for our school community.
Submitted by:
Tanya Swart
This information is posted on the FCPS CARES webpage, accessible at https://www.fcps.edu/news/fcps-cares-october-2026
A Reminder About Kindness and Respect
We have recently noticed an increase in the use of racial slurs and hurtful language among students. We ask for your partnership in talking with your children about the power of words and the importance of treating everyone with kindness and respect.
At Braddock, we continue to promote positive behaviors through our "Caught Being Kind" initiative. Together, we can ensure that every student feels safe, welcomed, and valued in our school community.
Thank you for your continued support!
Book Character Day! (10/30)
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Book Character Day is coming up! We can’t wait to see our students dressed as their favorite book characters! As a reminder, please no masks, no face painting, weapons or weapon-like accessories, or costumes that are scary or violent in nature. Thank you for helping us keep this a fun and safe celebration for everyone!
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Family Literacy Night (11/05)
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Braddock Families, please join us for a fun and cozy evening of literacy learning on Thursday, November 5! Come learn more about our literacy program and how you can support your child's reading at home. Don't forget to wear your comfy pajamas! We can't wait to see you there!
Plus, you'll have a chance to win a raffle basket! We can't wait to see you there!
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AAP Family Night Information
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our AAP Family Information Night! We appreciate you taking the time to learn more about the Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) and the identification process.
For those who were unable to attend, we are sharing some additional resources for your review. We hope these materials will help answer some of your questions and provide helpful information about AAP.
Videos are available on the FCPS AAP website under Program Overview → Presentations: Learn About Advanced Academic Programs and Services.
Direct Video Links:
If you have any additional questions about the AAP at Braddock, please reach out to AP Findley at Nafindley@fcps.edu
Parent-Teacher Conferences Are Underway!
Parent-teacher conferences are currently taking place! Please be on the lookout for communication from your child(ren)'s teacher to schedule a conference if you haven't already done so.
The Fall conference window closes on November 3, so we encourage all families to connect with their child's teacher before then.
These conferences are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate your child's progress, discuss areas for growth, and strengthen our home-school partnership.
Thank you for partnering with us to support your child's success!
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Meet Ms. Bender, Our School Psychologist!
Ms. Bender supports the social, emotional, and academic well-being of our students. Fun fact: She was part of a dance company for 10 years! She also has a passion for interior design and even designed an entire small office building!
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Meet Ms. Larios, Our School Social Worker!
Ms. Larios supports our students and families by helping them navigate challenges and connecting them with resources. Fun fact: She's a thrill seeker who loves roller coasters and has even gone skydiving and ziplining! Talk about adventurous!
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Bingoween Is Tonight!
Join us tonight, Friday, October 23, at 5:30 PM in the Braddock Elementary cafeteria for an evening of bingo, prizes, raffles, and fun with our school community!
Come dressed in your favorite Halloween costume (costumes are welcome!) and enjoy a little friendly competition. We'll also have an ice cream truck joining us for an extra sweet treat! 🍦
🎟️ Games, Raffles & Treats
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Bingo: $1 per card — win fun prizes!
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50/50 Raffle: $1 per ticket or a strip for $5
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Gift Basket Raffle: Enter to win a basket valued at $80! Tickets are $3 each or 2 for $5.
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Snacks & Drinks: $1 each
Whether you're playing bingo, trying your luck in the raffles, or simply enjoying time with fellow Braddock families, there's something for everyone!
We can't wait to see you tonight for a spooktacular evening! 👻
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🦃 Save the Date: Braddock's Annual Turkey Trot!
Friday, November 13
Our annual Braddock Turkey Trot is just around the corner! We're excited to bring our students and school community together for this fun Braddock tradition.
A huge thank you to Mr. W and Mr. Jackson for their support in helping coordinate this year's event!
More details will be shared soon, so stay tuned!
More details will be shared soon, but in the meantime, we encourage our families to support our amazing PTA in making this event a success! Your involvement and support help create memorable experiences for our students and strengthen our Braddock community. The link can be found HERE.
Thank you for your continued partnership! We can't wait to celebrate together
📸 We're Now on Instagram!
Exciting news! The Braddock Elementary PTA has a brand-new Instagram page!
Follow us @braddockpta to stay up to date on upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, fundraisers, and all the wonderful things happening in our school community.
Help us spread the word! Follow our page, share it with other Braddock families, and tag us in your favorite school community moments. Let's grow our Braddock community together!
🍩 Election Day Treats: Krispy Kreme Donuts & Coffee!
Tuesday, November 3
The Braddock PTA will be selling Krispy Kreme donuts and coffee on Election Day to support our PTA fundraising initiatives!
Stop by, grab a delicious donut and a cup of coffee, and help us raise funds for programs, activities, and opportunities that benefit our Braddock students and school community.
Every purchase helps support our school. Thank you for your continued support!
 👕 Last Chance to Order Braddock Spirit Wear!
Reminder: Our Braddock Spirit Wear store closes next Saturday, October 31!
Don't miss your chance to show off your Braddock pride! If you've been meaning to order spirit wear for yourself or your family, now is the time.
Be sure to place your order before the store closes on October 31! Every purchase also helps support our PTA fundraising efforts.
Braddock
💙 Stay Connected with Braddock PTA!
There are so many ways to get involved and support our school!
Thank you for being part of our Braddock community. Together, we can make a difference for our students, teachers, and families!
10/27 5th Grade Field trip- Ms. Rodriguez, Ms. Wilder-Bushey, Ms. Ramos' classes
10/28 4th Grade Field trip
10/28 5th Grade Field trip- Mr. Cook, Ms. Long, Ms. Holland-Senter and Ms. Mahmoud's classes
10/30 End of 1st Quarter- 2-Hour Early Release
10/30 Book Character Day!
11/2-School Planning Day- No School for Students
11/3-Teacher Workday-No School for Students
11/5 -Family Literacy Night at 5:30
11/9-PTA Board Meeting
11/13-Turkey Trot
11/13-11/20-Scholastic Book Fair
11/17-5th Grade AVID Trip to George Mason University
11/18- 3-Hour Early Release
11/18- ML Family Night ( 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm)
11/25 - 11/27-No School - Thanksgiving Break
 Superintendent Community Conversations
Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for a Community Conversation. Students, families, staff, and community members are invited to ask questions, share concerns, and discuss what matters most to them. Everyone is welcome! Click on the date to register for any of the following events:
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Monday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m., at Spring Hill Elementary School
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Monday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m., at Beech Tree Elementary School
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Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m., at North Springfield Elementary School
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Tuesday, December 1, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School (note date change)
Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.
Immunization Events
Newsletters:
- Immunization Events for FCPS Students
FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will be providing school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students, ages 18 and under, with no out-of-pocket costs. Multiple events will take place at designated FCPS locations.
Additional dates will be made available throughout the school year. Parents or guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary. Additional immunization resources are available.
Virginia Quality Birth to Five Guidelines
FCPS Is Participating in Virginia Quality Birth to Five (VQB5)
Virginia Quality Birth to Five is Virginia’s system for measuring and supporting quality in early childhood programs so children enter kindergarten ready to learn. VQB5 builds on health and safety standards by measuring the quality of teacher-child interactions and the use of the curriculum. Visit the Virginia Quality Birth to Five website for more information.
Spanish:
FCPS participa en Virginia Quality Birth to Five (VQB5)
Virginia Quality Birth to 5 es el sistema de Virginia para medir y apoyar la calidad de los programas de educación para la primera infancia, con el objetivo de que los niños lleguen al kindergarten preparados para aprender. VQB5 se basa en los estándares de salud y seguridad y también mide la calidad de las interacciones entre maestros y estudiantes, así como el uso del currículo. Para obtener más información, consulte el folleto VQB5 para Familias en inglés o español.
Annual Special Education Family Conference: We Need You!
Register now to attend FCPS’ annual Special Education Family Conference, Connected Communities, Thriving Students, on Saturday, November 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hayfield Secondary School.
Educators, families, and community members are invited to this in-person event at no cost. Participants can connect, learn, and explore available special education services, supports, and resources. Lunch will be provided for all participants. Register to attend the conference.
Volunteers Are Needed to Make This Event a Success!
Find out how to volunteer:
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Adult Volunteers: Sign up through Volunteer FCPS.
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Student Volunteers: Sign up through the Student Volunteer Interest Form. Students will receive service hours for their time.
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Student Showcase Opportunities: Students can complete the Student Participation Form to lead a performance or share information about a club or research project. Service hours will be awarded to students serving in these roles.
Visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information. Email questions to SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu.
Help Your Child Become a Stronger Reader: Upcoming Family Learning Opportunities
Want to better understand how your child learns to read and how you can support them at home? FCPS is offering several free virtual sessions to help families learn about reading instruction, literacy resources, and strategies to build strong reading skills. Explore the opportunities below and register for the sessions that interest you.Lexia Family Information Sessions
Want to learn more about Lexia® Core5 and Lexia® PowerUp? These virtual sessions share how FCPS is using both programs in classrooms across the division this school year to support students’ literacy growth and give families a chance to ask questions.
Every one-hour session covers the same content. Choose the option that works best for your family:
- Wednesday, October 21, at 5 and 6 p.m.
- Wednesday, November 4, at 6:30 p.m.
Join a Lexia Family Information Night Session.Literacy Webinar SeriesJoin us for a series of family-friendly webinars designed to help you understand reading assessments, reading plans, and ways to support your child at home. Learn what assessment results mean, how reading plans guide instruction, and practical strategies to strengthen decoding, language, comprehension, and literacy skills, including support for multilingual learners.
- October 20, 2026: Understanding Reading Assessments and Your Child
- December 15, 2026: What Is a Reading Plan?
- February 19, 2027: How Do I Support My Child With a Reading Plan at Home?
- May 14, 2027: Continuing Reading Success Through the Summer
Register for the Literacy Webinar Series.
Introduction to Dyslexia Webinar – What Is It and What Does It Mean for My Student?Participants will look at the definition of dyslexia and its impact on students including the different types of dyslexia and what support students with dyslexia require. Participants will also leave with activities and tips to support their students at home.Join us on Friday, October 23, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Register for the Introduction to Dyslexia webinar.
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