LBSS Weekly News - April 26, 2024
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Message from Ms. KearnsHello Bruin Families,
Next week starts our testing season, with the first day of SOL testing on Monday. We will have a different bell schedule for each day of SOL testing and the schedule, along with other important testing information, can be found here.
As a way to get ready for testing season, the SGA has organized stress-less week. It's always fun to see what they come up with, including a visit from some alpacas. Please see the flyer below for each day's event.
Next Friday, May 3, is a teacher workday, meaning no school for students. We will send the News You Choose on Thursday afternoon.
Lindsey Kearns
In this Issue New Information and Important RemindersEnd-of-Year Schedule Changes
Morning Attendance Notifications During Testing
Romeo and Juliet
MS Yearbooks
Volunteer Proctors for AP Exams
Spring Testing
ASL Interpretation for Graduation
How to Get
Important Dates
Episode 2: Navigating the Filtered World
Family Liaison News Athletics and Activities NewsMedical Professionals Needed
Sports Physical Night
Adult Volunteers needed for All Night Grad Party
FCPS News Quick Links New Information and Important RemindersEnd-of-Year Schedule Changes
May 23 -- Final Exams begin for Seniors
May 29 -- 2nd and 8th periods flipped due to Senior Class Final Exams
June 4 -- Graduation Day (10:30 am release)
June 6 -- Final Exams begin for 7th-11th grade -- half-days begin
June 12 -- Last day of School (10:00 am release)
MS Yearbooks -- 3 days left to order
You have 3 days to order a yearbook for your child directly from the publisher. The price is now $37. Beginning Monday, April 29, the cost will increase. Yearbooks will be available for distribution mid-May. There is a limited number of books, so scan the code to order your book today
Spring Testing
As the Spring SOL testing window quickly approaches, we want to remind families that schools do NOT have extra chargers and students are responsible for coming to school with fully charged Chromebooks as well as their chargers. State standardized testing cannot take place on personal devices therefore students MUST bring their school issued Chromebook and charger on testing days to be properly prepared. It is imperative that all students arrive to school and their testing/holding locations on time.
https://lakebraddockss.fcps.edu/about/sol-schedule
Morning Attendance Notifications Delayed During Spring Assessments
Morning attendance calls, texts, and e-mail notifications will not be suspended this spring during the AP, IB, and SOL testing windows for middle and high schools.
The purpose of this change is to ensure student safety and timely notification of families regarding student absences. Schools need to follow standard attendance procedures and record student attendance throughout the testing windows. Morning attendance notifications will be delayed by one hour during the AP, IB, and SOL testing windows for middle and high schools to allow additional time to take attendance. Evening attendance notification will continue as normally scheduled.
Morning notifications will be delayed by one hour from April 22 through May 24, 2024.
Class of 2024 NewsASL Interpretation at Graduation
If you or any guests will need ASL interpretation at our graduation, please email Julie Moore. Thank you.
How to Get Help Filling Out the FAFSA
According to recent news reports, as many as 30% fewer graduating seniors have completed and submitted a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Many schools rely upon this form to grant students financial aid award letters.
Families who have questions or persistent issues filling out the FAFSA might consider scheduling a free appointment with our partners at College Access Fairfax. Email [email protected]. All FAFSA help provided by our school or College Access Fairfax is free.
Important Dates
May 17, 2024 - Prom - Falls Church Marriott Fairview Park
June 4, 2024 - Graduation - Eagle Bank Arena @ 2:00 pm
June 5, 2024 - All Night Grad Party @ Saint James 11:00 pm
LBSS Artificial Intelligence (AI) Series for CaregiversIn our ever-evolving world, artificial intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly important role. To equip you and your student(s) for the future, we're excited to announce the launch of the Lake Braddock AI Series for Caregivers. Over the next few weeks, the New You Choose will provide you with accessible information about AI, its applications, and its potential activities. We hope through theses snippets you will gain some knowledge to navigate this exciting new frontier alongside your child.
AI Series: Episode 3
Hot Topics - Bias, Plagiarism, and Cheating
Many popular AI tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini generate text and images, which kids might want to use for schoolwork. Using AI tools verbatim without the expressed consent of the teacher and/or without proper citation, may result in serious academic offense. In addition, students who rely on AI to complete their academic assignments may find that it hinders their ability to apply these skills on their own without the use of AI.
Key Concepts:
Bias - Algorithms learn from data, and data can be biased. This can lead to unfairness in areas like grading, personalized learning, or even resource allocation.
Plagiarism - Text generators and translation tools are tempting, but remember, originality matters! Discuss with your student the importance of understanding concepts and creating their own work. Help them navigate tools responsibly and cite sources correctly.
Cheating - AI assistants might seem like shortcuts, but true learning comes from hard work and critical thinking. Explain the consequences of cheating, not just for grades, but for their learning and development. Open communication and trust are key.
🗣️Conversation starters for your family:
- Would you trust an AI to write your entire essay? Why or why not? What are some potential problems with that?
- Talking Point #1: Essays are a means to develop your critical thinking and writing skills. AI can't replace the process of forming your own arguments, analyzing evidence, and expressing your ideas clearly.
- Talking Point #2: AI citation generation is a relatively new technology, and it might not always be able to accurately distinguish between credible and non-credible sources. It could pull up irrelevant or outdated information, or even fabricate citations entirely.
- Talking Point #3: Sometimes, AI citations are completely fabricated. You will have to do your own due diligence and verify the legitimacy of the sources yourself.
- If you use a translation app for homework, could the translation ever be biased? Why or why not?
- Talking Point #1: Translation apps learn from massive amounts of existing translations. If this data contains biases, like always translating "doctor" to a masculine word, the app will inherit that bias. When translating from a gender-neutral language to a gendered one, the app might have to guess the gender, potentially reinforcing stereotypes (e.g., "policeman" instead of "police officer").
- Talking Point #2: Translation apps often struggle with cultural references or humor, which can lead to misunderstandings or biased translations.
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.
Additional ResourcesFamily 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
Learn more about our Student Activities Program!
LBSS News You Choose (Sign up and select Athletics & Activities)
LBSS PTSAFor up-to-date information, please visit lbssptsa.org.
We are in search of adult volunteers to make our 2024 All Night Grad Party a success! Please consider volunteering, especially if you have a senior but we are also in need of underclassmen volunteers as well. Feel free to recruit friends and neighbors too! The success of this event relies on our volunteer parents. We have two shifts available as well as non-overnight tasks. Sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4CABAB28AB9-47998145-allnight#/
FCPS NewsLittle Run ES 60th Anniversary Celebration
Calling all current and former Little Run Roadrunners, families, and friends! We are excited to celebrate our 60 Year Anniversary on Saturday, May 18 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Please join us for a day of fun, food, music, games, and memories. Here is a link to RSVP and/or volunteer for the Little Run. Also, we have custom 60th year anniversary t-shirts that can be purchase here.
Summer Arts Camp
Don’t miss out on this summer’s most exciting arts enrichment program! The Institute for the Arts camp is for students currently in grade 6-11. Students design their own schedules and select from art, music, theater, and dance classes. Learn more on the IFTA webpage. Email [email protected] with any questions.
No-Cost Mental Health Teletherapy for All High School Students
Is your high schooler experiencing anxiety, behavior changes, or challenges with peer and family relationships? If so, parents/caregivers can refer their children for weekly therapy with a licensed therapist through Hazel Health. Visit the Teletherapy webpage for information on how to opt your child into this service.
Our Schools, Our Future: Community Conversations Continue
Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for Our Schools, Our Future – A Community Conversation. Your voice matters! Share your thoughts about FCPS and bring your questions to a conversation on:
- Tuesday, April 16, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Graham Road Elementary School.
- Tuesday, April 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at South County Middle School.
- Thursday, May 2, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Terraset Elementary School.
- Wednesday, May 8, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Hybla Valley Elementary School.
- Thursday, May 16, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Poe Middle School.
- Tuesday, May 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Katherine Johnson Middle School.
Pre-registration for a Community Conversation is not required but will help FCPS plan. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided for all events based on staff availability. Events are open to all. Learn about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.
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:
- Spring Assessments
- Family Conference
- Community Forum on Middle School Start Times
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, sign up today.
Quick Links- School lunch/menu info
- Attendance Procedures
- LBSS Website
- Bruin Athletics
- Parent and Student IT Support Portal
- Telephone Parent Info Line (Available in multiple languages)
- FCPS Parent Resource Center
- 2023-24 Standard School Year Calendar
- FCPS Cares - share and submit your story about a Lake Braddock staff member who has gone above and beyond for your child this year.
- Mental Health Resources and Emergency Services Information
- FCPS Safety Tipline
9200 Burke Lake Rd.Burke, VA 22015 | Main Office: 703-426-1000
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