The Bruin Beat
June 11, 2020
Message from Dr. Smith
Thank you to all of our teachers, counselors and other staff who came out to help us celebrate and recognize for our seniors during the drive-through pick up. Many parents and students have shared that they felt honored and loved!
On Monday and Tuesday of this week, we will have the Individual Graduate Photo Opportunity. Each graduate will have the opportunity to have their name called and picture taken on a stage. Feel free to come out and cheer on our seniors!
On July 2, we will release our Virtual Graduation and Celebration Video. The event will air on channel 21 at 2 p.m. and will offer a blend of traditional graduation elements and other videos and recognition.
Led by Teri Hampton (senior class administrator), our administrative team, administrative assistants and senior class sponsors have moved mountains to help close out the 2019-20 school year and celebrate the Class of 2020. They have created processes from scratch and adapted to many unpredictable and unknown situations. I, along with our entire LBSS community, is incredibly grateful and fortunate to have these exceptional individuals and team who have made this all possible. Thank you so much to each and every person that has helped to close out the 2019-20 school year!
Daniel
END OF YEAR CELEBRATION
Please join us (use this link ) Friday June 12th at 1:30 pm for an End of Year Celebration and Faculty Meeting. We are looking forward to all of us being together one last time before summer vacation and celebrating your amazing accomplishments this year! #BruinsCARE
ALL FACULTY & STAFF
Help Needed with Final Locker Bag Pickup
2020 Healthy Kids Grants
Dear educators:
While there are many unknowns about the 2020-2021 school year, the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia is still accepting applications for its Healthy Kids Grants program. We welcome applications with your reimagined plan(s) in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Grants up to $2,000 each are available to individual public schools in Northern Virginia that implement a program or strategy to encourage better nutrition or more activity among their student body during the school year. The grants are awarded in a competitive grant process.
Examples of school-based initiatives the grants could help support include, but are not limited to:
• Starting an after-school activity club that promotes physical fitness.
• Starting a walking club for students and teachers.
• Developing a school health advisory council.
• Developing and sharing calorie counts and nutritional information.
• Healthy cooking classes.
The deadline to submit grant applications is July 2, 2020.
For more information contact Jennifer Cochran, Manager of Grants and Scholarships at (703) 879-7639; jennifer.cochran@cfnova.org
To learn more about the Healthy Kids Grants Program visit: Healthy Kids Grants
2020 Summer Equity Symposium
The Office of Professional Learning and Family Engagement is excited to announce a virtual 2020 Summer Equity Symposium, designed as a forum for participants to share lessons learned in the midst of COVID-19 and engage in conversations that encourage self-reflection and a renewed commitment to ensuring equity for all students. The symposium will feature a guest speaker, panel discussion, and choice breakout sessions. Administrators, Equity Leads, and other interested staff members are encouraged to attend. Information regarding school team participation and registration is forthcoming.
Call for Presenters
Virtual Summer Equity Symposium
July 22 & 23, 2020
Proposals are now being accepted for our breakout session presentations.
This symposium is an opportunity for FCPS personnel to share their professional expertise in areas that support a caring culture, access, opportunity, equitable practices, family engagement, and/or culturally responsive professional learning communities. The session proposal form can be found here. The deadline to submit proposals is Friday, June 5.
Questions concerning the symposium or proposal can be directed to Alicia Hunter at ashunter@fcps.edu or Neicy Harvey at dyharvey@fcps.edu.
American University Conference
American University is offering the Summer Institute on Education Equity and Justice - Virtual Conference on June 22-24, 2020.
Resources for Addressing Hate, Racism and Inequity
We understand and recognize that each of us is experiencing the most recent events of racism, hate, and inequity differently. Together we create brave and safe spaces for listening and collaboration. Safety and comfort are not always synonymous when collaborating. Comfort with other people’s discomfort is an important aspect to consider when entering conversations that are complex and challenging.
Earlier this week, Dr. Smith shared several tools and resources that can assist you in this important dialogue as you process thoughts and feelings with adults around you. Please continue to reference and utilize these materials as we work with students, colleagues and our community.
Please know that we are here to support you. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Dr. Smith, Lindsey Kearns, our administrators and/or any of our Equity Leads: Tracey Butler-Johnson, Veeda Ranjber, and Emily Owens.
Amazon Future Engineer Program
Congratulations to the Computer Science CT of Eva Anderson, Jessica Gilroy and Brian Katkin! Thanks to their ongoing commitment to the growth and development of our computer science program, Lake Braddock has been accepted into the Amazon Future Engineer program in partnership with Edhesive. Not only does this program's curriculum support the current computer science courses at Lake Braddock, but it will provide students with additional opportunities meant to inspire and promote the study of computer science and other STEM related fields.
Lake Braddock Student Starts a Coffee Business
Chili Pepper Thank Yous
Chili Pepper 7th grade students have been busy folding paper cranes to thank health care workers. This effort was based on the legend of Sadako and the Thousand Cranes which says that if you fold 1000 cranes, your wish would be granted. We didn’t quite reach our goal, but made a valiant attempt coming in at 457! Our sincere thanks to all health care workers during this health crisis.
Congratulations to LBSS Japan Bowl Team
Lake Braddock Japan Bowl Team participated in the 28th National Japan Bowl (Digital) on Friday, May 29, 2020. Over 170 students from 29 schools participated digitally this year from across the nation and beyond to compete their knowledge in Japanese language and culture.
LBSS Level II team placed 5th in the nation and Level III and Level IV teams placed 7th in the nation. http://www.japanbowl.org/digital-japan-bowl/ Congratulations, LBSS Japan Bowl Team! Over 6000 people watched the Championship Round livestream. More information and livestream recording is available at http://www.japanbowl.org/
2020 LBSS Japan Bowl Team
- Level II: Sungah Kong (team captain) , Amelia Chen, Siam Salam
- Level III: David Hong (team captain), Cathy Chau, Daphne Ziegenfelder
- Level IV: Stella Chiou(team captain), Samuel Ahn, Marisa Guerrero
These students made tremendous efforts throughout the school year to study and prepare for the competition including the distance learning period. They could bond and collaborate as a team. Their unwavering passion, commitment, and dedication are remarkable. I am strongly proud of them.
Yuki Melvin
Congratulations to the URSA Major "Quaran-Time" Creativity Contest
Lake Braddock Lead Innovators
We are excited to announce the first cohort of Lake Braddock LEAD INNOVATORS. The Lead Innovator program is designed to support instructional staff in implementing innovative practices and programs in their classrooms. Lead Innovators will reimagine the classroom experience and implement practices that will prepare our students with future ready skills.
Congratulations to this outstanding group of educators!
Eva Anderson, Josh Britton, Jen Cortesi, Susan Demsko, Yarmilay Diggs, Mary Donovan, Bryna Erickson, Mary-Elizabeth Ertel, Carin Frank, Jessica Gilroy, Amanda Gingue, Michelle Gotico, Kim Hammond, Jenna Harris, Gretchen Hill, Richard Hoppock, Jenny Iverson, Jennifer Laverdy, Tim Lucas, Dan Maxwell, Davis May, Emily McCloud, Stacey Mitchell, Krista Murphy, Maya Nardone, Kasey Reagan, Sarah Padilla, Sarah Pevner, Jen Stevulak, David Walrod, David Wickham, Joseph Wieland, Kat Young, Ashley Ytzen
Shared Vision Sub-Committee Members
BRANDING
Branding Ambassadors design, promote, and communicate the Shared Vision and the work of our fellow SV Committees with all our stakeholders in mind. We are part marketing and advertising, part media and public relations, and part promotion and production.
Dan Callahan, Mike Feeney, Amy Soos, Ana Cingel, Kristin Girardin, Katelyn Touhey, Scott Darwin, Laura Kayajanian, Lorie Ward, Liz Eby, Janice Pritchett
CARING COMMUNITY
We design and implement structures, so all members of the school community feel valued and supported in their social and emotional needs.
Ian Brodie, Kristin Girardin, Diane Rogers, Ana Cingel, Amy Haughton, Pui Sham, Tony Dibari, Carolyn Hilyard, Amy Soos, Ashley Elliott, Gary Holtzman, Dana Gorman, Jacquie Naughton
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING
The work of the Professional Learning Committee is to determine the best structures and strategies for staff to engage with as we move closer to our shared vision. The Professional Learning Committee will consult with the Instructional Excellence Committee to determine the content of PL.
Ana Cingel, Kim Hammond, Safia Moten, Laura Christadore, Niki Holmes, Sarah Pevner, Mary-Elizabeth Ertel, Lindsey Kearns, Alison Rockmann, Carin Frank, Courtney Klein, Amy Soos, Kristin Girardin, Emily McCloud, Kat Young
INSTRUCTIONAL EXCELLENCE
The Instructional Excellence Committee’s main goal is to explore what quality instruction looks and sounds like, as it applies to our Shared Vision. Our role is to develop Instructional Look-fors to provide clarity for staff so that we may have a common instructional vocabulary.
Jennifer Bury, Kristin Girardin, Emily Owens, Kat Young, Ana Cingel, Niki Holmes, Sarah Pevner, Laura Christadore, Courtney Klein, Meredith Rockefeller, Betsy Desouza-Wyatt, Emily McCloud, Amy Soos, Eric Eichelberger, Sarah Olson, David Walrod
Governor's Work Group for Returning to Schools
On May 18, 2020, Governor Ralph Northam established a work group for the process of returning to schools. This work group was established to ensure that all voices were heard, all stakeholders engaged, and that recommendations would be made with a goal of equity and safety for students and teachers. This work group is made up of 49 people, including several college presidents, representatives from groups dedicated to equity, school superintendents, and school board members. Also on the work group are three Virginia teachers, including our own teacher, David Walrod. If you have any feedback for this work group, you may provide it here. The more feedback this work group receives, the better we will be able to represent the needs of our students, teachers, and parents!
WANTED: Clothing Rack Donations for Lost & Found
Rising senior, Jaimie McCracken, is working towards earning her Girl Scout Gold Award. To receive this prestigious award, she is responsible for coming up with a project that leaves a lasting change in her community. The community she chose is Lake Braddock. With your help and donation, she wants to create and implement a system to help students easily find their lost items. As you can see, we have already started the prep work for the Lost & Found. Our goal is to keep lost items organized and categorized for easier location. If you are able to donate a clothing rack, please contact Jaimie’s advisor, Alex Bryan (ambryan@fcps.edu).
Teacher Responses to Student Threats of Harm to Self During Distance Learning
Please see this link for the most up-to-date information regarding teachers responding to threats of harm to self during distance learning. The development of this document was a collaborative effort between School Counseling Services, School Psychology Services, and School Social Work Services. Upon review of our practices regarding responses to the suicide risk assessments, you will notice a difference. This is a result of School Counseling, School Psychology, and School Social Work following the guidance from their respective national organizations. This resource is intended to be used as a guiding document for your collaboration with school clinical colleagues. Thank you for your continued support of students!
Facemasks Required in FCPS Buildings
In addition to maintaining 6-feet social distancing, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Fairfax County Health Department advise the use of cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus. This added level of protection is due to evidence that individuals with novel COVID-19 can transmit the virus to others without developing symptoms themselves.
Effective immediately, all FCPS employees are required to wear cloth face coverings when in spaces where social distancing is difficult to maintain within FCPS buildings. For staff members working in offices, cloth face coverings must be worn at all times outside of the office space. For employees who work in open spaces or cubicles, cloth face coverings must be worn at all times. Also, maintain awareness of your own proximity to others and physically distance yourselves (6 feet), particularly in places like hallways, bathrooms and kitchens.
We recently received our very own LBSS masks. If you would like one, please contact Julie Moore. We are not mailing masks but will hold them for you at LB.
Postcards for Students
FCPS Mental Health Resources
Confidential Counseling and Other Resources
The rich resources available through FCPS' Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Guidance Resources, can help keep you informed about COVID-19, and offer guidance on how to remain healthy and manage the emotional impact. Guidance Resources provides confidential counseling, access to legal and financial advice, and work/life specialists. Employees and their household members can call 1-855-355-9097, 24 hours a day/seven days a week for support. Please consider taking advantage of this free employee benefit.
Wellness Goes Virtual
Every Wednesday, employees will have the opportunity to tune into an online wellness seminar and learn more about topics such as making healthy meals and getting restful sleep. On Fridays, live fitness classes will be available, including Mat Pilates, Bootcamp, and Yoga. All classes will be held at 7:00 am, 11:00 am, and 4:00 pm Registration is limited and on a first come, first served basis. Class recordings as well as other on-demand wellness resources are available on the Employee Wellness website on the intranet. See class descriptions. Register now.
Follow Employee Wellness on Social Media
Did you know that Employee Wellness has a presence on Twitter and Instagram? Start following them today!
See the COVID Employee Wellness document below for more information.
BRUINS STAYING CONNECTED
FCPS Cares
Submit your story about a colleague who goes above and beyond. Share the good work that goes on here at Lake Braddock by submitting an FCPS Cares.
Laura Christadore, Lake Braddock SS
Laura took over the web curator duties in November and has worked tirelessly to create a dynamic and up-to-date website. Having an up-to-date website during the school closures has been incredibly important to ensure that our community is aware of any changes that might be taking place. Her work on the website is second to none and the amount of time she's put into it is a testament to her dedication to the school and its community. Having done the job previously, I know the amount of work required of it and am in awe of her end product. – Carin Frank, Lake Braddock SS
Laura Christadore, Lake Braddock SS
Laura Christadore is a dedicated high school librarian who has also volunteered for the last year as our school's web curator. Both of these positions require significant work and they are both busier than ever in this time of distance learning. Somehow, Laura has been able to balance the demands of both positions, ensuring that virtual high school library services are beautifully managed and maintaining a well-updated, huge website. We're so lucky to have her at LBSS. – Sarah Pevner, Lake Braddock SS
PREVIOUS ISSUES NEWS & REMINDERS
Licensure
FSAC
The FSAC Committee will shift how concerns are addressed in this new virtual setting. The number of meetings required by the regulation has already been met this year, but the Committee will continue to provide an avenue in which concerns can be heard and addressed.
FSAC concerns may be submitted:
1. Using a Google form
2. Send an email to Susi Underhill or any member of FSAC
3. Dr. Smith also invites staff to bring concerns to him directly
Update Your Contact Info
All staff should verify their emergency contact information and update if necessary. You can do this by clicking on the “LBSS Staff Shortcuts” link on your desktop. Then, select “Personal Information”. Then click "Open" for the Microsoft Access Security Notice. Enter your username (do not include the @fcps.edu).Update your personal information (if necessary) and click the orange Save button at the top.
The below Google Doc has pictures to reference where to click.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KlTpYItel8cPXW5uSgf28aguJa4N2qmuXV0pKbdJ-48/edit?usp=sharing
About The Bruin Beat
Deadline to submit news items: 2:00 PM on Wednesday.
Items submitted after the deadline will be published the next week.
Past issues of this weekly newsletter are found in LBSS Staff Shortcuts under "Bruin Beat Archive".