Lake Braddock Secondary School
Middle School Student Services
May 17, 2017
Volume 2, Issue 3
LBSS Middle School
Student Services Spring
Newsletter
Dear Parents/Guardians,
May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Please take a
few minutes to review the information included. Parents
of 8th grade students, please pay close attention to the Student Learning Plan information as it requires you to verify
that you have reviewed your student’s plan in Family Connection.
MS Student Services Team
THOMAS JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: INFORMATION SESSION
If you have a 7th grade student who is interested in learning
about Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, there will be a presentation for your child to attend
this Friday, May 19th, in the Little Theatre during Bruin
Block. This presentation will help them learn about the
school, its academics, and what it takes to be prepared to
apply during the 2017-18 school year. They may request a
special flex pass for this event in the middle school counseling office all week or in the cafeteria during A & B lunches
on Thursday, May 18th. Students will check in with their
Bruin Block teacher for attendance and leave after the announcements.
The audience for this presentation is exclusively for 7th
grade students. Parents will be invited to a detailed information session in September of the 2017-18 school year. If
you have any questions, please email Mr. Brodie at [email protected] or call at 703-426-1035.
IN THIS ISSUE:
 TJHSST Info Session
 Mental Health
Awareness Month
 13 Reasons Why
 Student Learning
Plan Review—
Action Required
 Student Recognition
 Stress Less, Laugh
More
 SOL Testing
13 REASONS WHY
We are hearing from some parents that they are concerned about a new Netflix series released on March 31, 2017, that is attracting the attention of many young
people. The series is called 13 Reasons Why, and focuses on the suicide of a teenage girl.
Each episode is based on one of 13 tapes the girl recorded before she died. Each
tape reveals how someone mistreated her. The series includes topics which may
be upsetting to many middle and high school students, as well as graphic content
involving sexual assault and the suicide. There are no messages before or after
each episode about how to find help, which we believe is critical to any responsible
media depiction of suicide. A number of articles have been written (pro and con)
about the series.
The decision to watch this series, and whether to allow your teen to watch, will be
a personal one for your family. However, as this has become very popular with
youth and may negatively impact some individuals, we wanted to make you aware
of the series.
Information about the series: https://700childrens.nationwidechildrens.org/13reasons-parents-concerned-netflix-series/
Some ideas to guide your discussion with your child: https://www.save.org/wpcontent/uploads/2017/03/13RW-Talking-Points-Final_v5.pdf.
Please also share with your child that he or she can reach confidential help 24
hours a day, if needed, by texting NEEDHELP to 85511, or calling the Crisis Hotline at 703-527-4077.
NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS
MONTH
2
May is National Mental Health Awareness Month. Many students struggle with
emotional and behavioral issues that can affect their learning and overall wellness.
Schools are often the place where these kinds of issues as well as other mental
health needs are discovered and where school-based supports can be provided.
FCPS wants all parents and guardians to know that your school psychologist,
school social worker, and school counselor are available for consultation and support on concerns such as anxiety, peer relationships, depression or other social
and emotional issues. They can also provide a list of mental health resources.
Please contact your child’s school to connect with one of the mental health providers. Please click on the following links to learn about resources and ways to foster
resilience in your child. Mental Health and Resiliency, and Student Wellness: Tips
and Strategies
STUDENT LEARNING PLAN REVIEW FOR
PARENTS OF EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS
This year, your child has been continuing to develop a Student Learning Plan (SLP) that supports their current work as well as helps them
plan for the future. Your child has worked with their teachers and
school counselor to discover their personal strengths and interests,
create goals to help them achieve success, plan for courses that meet
high school graduation requirements, and prepare for life after high
school. The development of the SLP starts in middle school and is
updated regularly through high school as each student’s academic,
personal, and career goals change.
This plan is part of the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) strategic plan, supports Portrait of a Graduate attributes, and is also required by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE).
VDOE requires that the student’s parent or guardian review this plan.
When reviewing the plan with your child, you can coach him or her
to make decisions about college and careers that match his or her
personal strengths, interests, and goals, recognizing there are multiple pathways to success.
Please have your child log into his or her SLP in Family Connection
and, with your child, review the following information:

results of the strengths and career surveys

goals

Resume Builder

draft course plans for high school
If you have a Blackboard Parent View account you can log into your
account, and together you and your child can view his or her plan.
Once in your child’s account, click the “about me” tab and scroll
down to “portfolio.” Once you click on the portfolio, you can view all
of the work that has been completed by your child.
Once you have reviewed your child’s plan, use this Google form allowing you to complete the verification form. The completion of this
form will serve as your signature. This must be completed by
Wednesday, July 12, 2017. Please note that Blackboard will be unavailable from 6 p.m. on June 22, 2017 until 11 p.m. on June 28, 2017.
STUDENT
RECOGNITION
The middle school faculty would
like to recognize the outstanding
achievement, citizenship and
character of our students at the
following events:
8th Grade Awards
Ceremony:
Monday, June 12th at 3:15 in
the Little Theatre
All students receiving recognition with be notified by the
nominating teacher and will
receive a mailed invitation for
family members.
7th Grade Team
Recognition Events:
Red Chili Peppers – June 12th
from 1:30-2:30 in the cafeteria
Neon Roadrunners – June
13th from 8:00-9:30 in the
courtyard
Purple Piranhas – June 14th
from 1:30-2:30 in the cafeteria and courtyard
Blue Dolphins – June 14th
from 1:45-2:45 in the cafeteria
(large side)
Golden Knights – June 15th
from 8:00-9:30 in the courtyard
For more information about your child’s SLP, visit the SLP website.
3
STRESS LESS, LAUGH MORE WEEK
Lake Braddock Secondary School joined with the elementary
schools that feed into it to focus on mental health and wellness
for the 2016-17 school year. Students in K-12 received developmentally appropriate lessons and activities to foster the health
and well-being of all students. At Lake Braddock Secondary
School, this included a prevention lesson on stress to the 8th
graders in September, a wellness screening in October, group
counseling, and “Stress Less, Laugh More” week April 24th
through the 28th. The high school SGA organized the week of
activities to help their peers manage the stress that tends to build up toward the end
of a school year. The activities included having therapy dogs for students to pet in
the courtyard during lunch, ice cream given out as a treat, a day to wear comfortable
clothes, and yoga. If you believe that your child could benefit from more stress prevention, please contact their counselor to discuss the options.
SPRING SOL TESTING
Spring SOL testing begins next week. In preparation for test taking, please be
sure your child gets plenty of sleep and eats a good breakfast on test days. The
Middle School SOL schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, May 24
11:40 am
Civics & Economics
Thursday, May 25
8:40am
Geometry and Algebra I
(Mrs. Kraft’s students only)
Friday, May 26
8:00am
English 8 Reading
(ALL 8th grade students)
Wednesday, May 31
8:00am
English 7 Reading
(ALL 7th grade students)
Thursday, June 1
11:40am
Science 8
(ALL 8th grade students)
Friday, June 2
8:40am
Math 8
(Students enrolled in Math 8
AND Math 7 Honors)
Monday, June 5
8:40am
Algebra I AND Math 7
Please make every effort to ensure that your child is present and on time to
school on days that they are scheduled to take a test.
4
WE BELIEVE...
A successful education will lead
students to be positive influences
in the community and to attain
fulfilling careers.
Students thrive when their individuality is recognized and encouraged in the school setting.
Students learn about their personal value and potential to
contribute to society through
various programs and opportunities at school.
Students of various abilities and
strengths can mutually benefit in
a diverse classroom environment.
Learning is relevant to students
when they apply their experiences in school to a variety of other
settings.
Educators have a crucial role and
provide a foundation for the
adult outcomes of our students.
The achievement gap is an academic disparity between groups
of students that can be completely eliminated.
All students shall have access to a
school counselor who advocates for
their academic, career, and personal/social needs.
MS STUDENT SERVICES VISION AND MISSION
Vision Statement
All students at Lake Braddock Middle School are empowered to use their unique
personalities, abilities, and values to achieve their fullest academic potential as
they navigate toward a fulfilling and productive future. Students are supported by
a comprehensive school counseling program that inspires and encourages continued growth and progress in each child, regardless of his or her background.
School counselors help students access learning by identifying and removing barriers to their success, which promotes a school environment that is nurturing,
safe, and equitable for all. A collaborative partnership between families, the
school, and the community fosters a high quality education that offers students a
broad range of opportunities and is free of achievement gaps. As a result, students
leave Lake Braddock as self-sufficient, goal-oriented individuals who are prepared
to make a positive impact on society.
Mission Statement
The mission of Lake Braddock Middle School Counseling is to empower students
to achieve high academic standards, lead ethical lives, and to be responsible and
innovative members of a diverse global society. As part of a comprehensive school
counseling program, counselors analyze data and work collaboratively with the
school community to meet the unique academic, career, and personal-social needs
of all students. Achievement gaps are identified and reduced so every student has
access to and experiences success in high quality instructional programs. Lake
Braddock’s diverse student body is presented with a variety of counseling methods that help them discover talents, increase competence, develop imagination,
and expand their academic and personal horizons.
Middle School Student Services Contact Information
Lake Braddock Secondary School
9200 Burke Lake Road
Burke, VA 22015
Phone: 703-426-1030
Fax: 703-426-1193
Anne C. Polino
Director of Student Services
Angela Santizo
Student Services Assistant
Patricia Fausser
Registrar
Tracey Butler-Johnson
Golden Knights, 7th
Purple Pride, 8th
Sylvia Coleman
Red Hot Chili Peppers, 7th
Green Dragons, 8th
Ian Brodie
Purple Piranhas, 7th
Gold Magic, 8th
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
703-426-1030
Room N-128
703-426-1030
Room N-134
703-426-1030
Room N-136
703-426-1037
Room N-140
[email protected]
703-426-1049
Room N-133
[email protected]
703-426-1035
Room N-130
Kristin Girardin
Blue Dolphins, 7th
Blue Sharks, 8th
[email protected]
703-426-1036
Room N-135
Joshua Miles
Neon Roadrunners, 7th
Red Eagles, 8th
[email protected]
703-426-1034
Room N-131
Megan Adair Casteel
Social Worker
Andy Durocher
Psychologist
[email protected]
703-426-1039
Room N-148
703-426-6428
Room N-150
[email protected]