FCPS

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Where did October go? School was in full swing with students deeply engaged in learning, attending field trips, participating in school-wide activities, and taking state wide tests—and finishing out the 1st quarter of school. Just outside Bryant, we've been treated to some of the most beautiful morning skies.

Bryant HS is a proud Purple Star School supporting our military families.  A big thanks to our extraordinary educator, Iris Stubblefield, for making this happen.

Speaking of Ms. Stubblefield, she was recognized by FCPS Cares as the Outstanding Employee of the Summer Season! Ms. Stubblefield always goes the extra mile for our students—whether she’s helping them prepare for an SOL, earn volunteer hours, or get ready for Industry Certifications. She’s truly a rockstar!

In addition, Bryant proudly recognized the exceptional leadership of our Principal, Karen Hertel, during National Principal’s Month. Ms. Hertel is a dedicated advocate for our students and consistently takes the time to listen to the concerns of students, parents, and staff alike. She is not only a true leader but also our loudest and most enthusiastic cheerleader, always championing the Bryant community.  Students and staff recognized with a banner filled with heartfelt gratitude and a big blanket.

Our students also attended the ALCANZA College Fair at George Mason University, an outstanding opportunity for them to explore post-secondary options. The event was well-attended, offering students valuable insights as they engaged with informational booths and connected with college representatives. It was an inspiring day of planning for their futures!

Bryant also celebrated Virginia College Application Week (VCAW)! Throughout the week, we organized activities to introduce students to college life and support our seniors with their applications. A representative from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) visited to speak about campus life and academics, while our counselors, Ms. Veenstra and Ms. Lemus-Ortiz, provided tstudents with valuable information on financial aid and the application process. Staff showed their college spirit by wearing college gear and sharing their own college experiences with students throughout the week.

Our fantastic Literacy Specialist, Ms. Dobson, organized a Literacy Tuesday activity featuring a lesson on post-secondary planning. She provided valuable resources to encourage conversations with students about their opportunities and plans after high school graduation.

A group of seniors visited the Workforce Innovation Skills Hub (WISH) to gain hands-on experience in various trades and industries. Students proudly wore their "I Have a Plan" T-shirts, symbolizing that each of them will graduate from Bryant with a clear post-secondary plan and actionable steps in place. It was exciting to ask each student, "What's your actual plan?" and hear their individual goals!

At Bryant, we’re committed to closing opportunity gaps for our students, and we recognize that not having a driver’s license can be a significant barrier to employment, enlistment, and college. Our outstanding JVG Specialist, Ms. Davis Perrilliat, is addressing this need by offering driver’s education to a group of February and June graduates. Next semester, she’ll extend this incredible opportunity to our juniors, further empowering our students for success beyond high school.

 

Safe Space, a Young Women's Group, where our young students share their feelings and emotions in a safe space continues to be a source of support and encouragement.  This month, they enjoyed painting pumpkins and what they liked about the fall season. We are grateful for our caring teachers, Ms. Leonard and Ms. Lisenby, who lead this group with compassion and guidance.

AMAZING things are happening in our Career and Technical Education classes! Students are accomplishing incredible feats, from passing the OSHA exam and beginning their welding projects to building and painting their own benches. Our Cosmetology students even treated peers to professional hair designs on Activity Day. It’s truly inspiring to see them develop practical, hands-on skills that will open doors to livable-wage careers in the future. We couldn’t be prouder!

Bryant is incredibly fortunate to have outstanding partnerships with community organizations, but there are also individuals who make a remarkable difference on their own. One compassionate young student from Lake Braddock has been collecting toys for our parenting teens so they can give gifts to their children. Additionally, a neighboring couple recently rallied their community to "fill their driveway" with donations, providing our students with food bags packed to the brim. We are truly blessed by the kindness and generosity of others.

On the last day of the month—and the end of the quarter—we celebrated Character Day! Our wonderfully spirited principal dressed up as the Bryant Bear, handing out treats to the young children in our daycare center. It was a joyful moment, reminding us all of the importance of laughter!

We are always giving thanks and gratitude for our Bryant students and staff.  Wishing everyone a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving.  

2709 Popkins Lane Alexandria, VA 22306  | Main Office: 703-660-2000
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Noche de Planificación Post-Secundaria

Jueves, 17 de Octubre – 6:30pm - 8:00pm - Con representantes de habla Español de universidades de 2 y 4 años, militar, WISH Center, EduFuturo, etc. Este evento sera en la direction Hybla Valley Community Center (7950 Audubon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22306 – Estacionamiento adicional en la calle y Costco) Toda la familia de habla espanol. 

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Post Secondary Planning Night

On Thursday, October 17th from 6:30-8:00 p.m., families are invited to learn more about college, financial aid, and military options at the Postsecondary Planning Night event, which will be presented in Spanish. The event will be held at the Hybla Valley Community Center (7950 Audubon Ave. in Alexandria- additional parking available at Costco on Rt. 1).

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News from Bryant's College & Career Center Noche de Planificación Post-Secundaria

Jueves, 17 de Octubre – 6:30pm - 8:00pm - Con representantes de habla Español de universidades de 2 y 4 años, militar, WISH Center, EduFuturo, etc. Este evento sera en la direction Hybla Valley Community Center (7950 Audubon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22306 – Estacionamiento adicional en la calle y Costco) Toda la familia de habla espanol.

Families are invited to learn more about college, financial aid, and military options at this event, which will be presented completely in Spanish. The event will be held at the Hybla Valley Community Center (7950 Audubon Ave. in Alexandria- additional parking available at Costco on Rt. 1) on Thursday, October 17th from 6:30-8:00 PM.

Look to the Future – FCPS College Fair at GMU and Virtual Events

The 2024 College Fair will be held on Sunday, October 20th at George Mason University’s Eagle Bank Arena from 4:00-6:30 PM. Approximately 220 colleges and universities will be represented, including two and four-year colleges and US Service Academies. Following the fair, the Two-Night Postsecondary Virtual Event will be held on Monday, October 21st and Tuesday, October 22nd from 5:00 - 8:00 PM. FCPS high school students and families are encouraged to participate in these events. Event details and registration are available at https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/college-and-career-planning/college-fair-and-college-night. 

High School Career Forum

The Virginia Williams High School Career Association, Inc., is hosting the annual High School Career Forum on Saturday, October 26th, from 12 noon- 2PM, at the Lorton Community Center (9520 Richmond Hwy, Lorton, VA  22079). This event is for high school students to learn about different career opportunities available to them after graduation.  A panel will share their personal stories about the career decisions and choices they made, as well as what their careers entail including education and training. Register for free by Thursday, October 24th at www.vwhsca.org.

Alfred Street Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Festival

Alfred Street will host their 22nd HBCU Festival on November 8-9th at The St. James in Springfield, VA. This two-day college fair features virtual and in-person sessions, including on-site admission & scholarship opportunities, workshops, and more. Students can register at: https://hbcufest.alfredstreet.org/e/u/checkout/22nd-Annual-Alfred-Street-Baptist-Church-HBCU-Festival/tickets/order.

Fall Open Houses for Prospective Students – VA Public Schools

• Christopher Newport University
• George Mason University
• James Madison University
• Longwood University
• University of Mary Washington
• Norfolk State University
• Old Dominion University
• Radford University
• University of Virginia
• University of Virginia College at Wise
• Virginia Commonwealth University
• Virginia Military Institute
• Virginia State University
• Virginia Tech
• William & Mary

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School has been in session for over a month now, and our students are fully engaged in learning, participating in school-wide, community building activities, and preparing for upcoming tests. It's been a busy and productive start to the year, with everyone working hard to achieve their goals!

Attending school daily is essential for engagement and achievement, and we are proud to share that 39 of our students have maintained perfect attendance so far this school year. These students haven’t missed a single day, and we will be celebrating their dedication and responsibility this week.

Our Noodle Bar is back in action this school year, and our students loved snacking on delicious noodles! Each month, Bryant will be hosting the noodle bar to foster a sense of community and bring some fun to the school day. We are grateful to New Hope Church for generously supplying the noodles for our events.

In addition to our Noodle Bar, we kicked off Friday Activity Day, offering activities like dancing, gardening, basketball, pampering with manicures and pedicures, and art—just to name a few. For the afternoon, our students (and adults!) got to relax and just be kids. Building relationships, feeling valued, and finding a sense of belonging are so important for our youth today.  At Bryant, we work hard, but we also know how to have fun! 

Bryant has launched a PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention System) program under the leadership of our outstanding Assistant Principal, Mr. Lee. He and his team are actively rewarding positive behavior across the school. A student must be in good academic standing, and have good attendance to be eligible. This month, during our "Bring Your Own Beats" Challenge, one student won a pair of wireless headphones. This is thanks to one of our incredible partnerships with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, who generously donated these items.

Did you know that Bryant has a food, hygiene, and clothing pantry for our families? We partner with Food for Neighbors, an incredible organization that helps stock our pantry with monthly food donations. Recently, several students participated in a food drive at Walt Whitman, while others helped stock our shelves. It's wonderful to receive support and equally rewarding to give back to our community.

At Bryant, we're serious about helping our students cross the finish line and earn their high school diplomas. But we’re also focused on the equally important question: "What are you doing after high school, and what steps are you taking to get there?" In September, our amazing school counselors dedicated time to Naviance lessons, helping students identify their interests and strengths to prepare for their future paths.

Following this, students took a field trip to WISH, a unique workforce development program on Richmond Highway, where they explored various post-high school pathways—college, military, training, and entrepreneurship. We're committed to ensuring that all of our graduates have a solid plan before leaving Bryant. "Life Ready, Life Better" is our guiding mantra.

September is Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month and supporting students' well-being is an ongoing effort!

We've attached our #CallTextLive information sheet, packed with tips, resources, and ideas that can be used anytime to talk about and promote mental wellness

Also available are printable copies of our 988 wallet cards as a tangible way to support students and provide a ready resource.

• 988 cards - English: https://hopelinkbh.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/HopeLink-Wallet-Card-English-R2.pdf
• 988 cards - Spanish: https://hopelinkbh.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/HopeLink-WalletCard-3-Spanish-R2.pdf

988 cards provide crucial crisis support information for students, their families, and staff.

In addition, FCPS has partnered with Hazel Health to help eliminate barriers to quality mental health care services for all high school students, at no cost to families. Therapy sessions with Hazel Health are a safe space and are private and confidential. For more information, please contact your school counselor and visit this website. https://www.fcps.edu/teletherapy

Bryant held its first Parent Café of the school year, and we plan to host more throughout the year. Hearing the voices of our students and families is critically important, so we can better understand and address their needs. While the first session was held in the morning, we plan to offer future sessions in the evening to accommodate more families. Please reach out to our Fantastic Family Liaison, Zeury Santana Carrasco at [email protected] for additional ways to connect and partner with you.  

 

In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, Ms. Stubblefield' students created artistic self-portraits that reflected their own cultural backgrounds. Inside their images, they included key information about their heritage, highlighting the richness and diversity of their cultural roots. This project allowed students to express pride in their identities while fostering a deeper connection to their heritage and the broader Hispanic community.

       Students to Be Surveyed on Social-Emotional Learning

FCPS is committed to supporting the mental wellness of all students. The Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener helps our students share their perspectives on how their schools and communities support them and help them develop the skills they need to succeed.

The screener is offered to all students in grades 3 through 12 in the fall and spring. It addresses skills such as achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. Students also share how successful their school and community are at making them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to plan programming for the division, schools, and individual students. 

After each screening, results will be available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families who don’t have a ParentVUE account. For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.

Families who wish to opt their child out may do so by completing the opt-out form in the Annual Notice packet or SIS ParentVUE. For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage or contact our front office. 

Please note that the SEL Screener is not the same as the anonymous Fairfax County Youth Survey, which will take place later this fall.

Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health

Children go through a lot of changes, and it can be hard to tell if their behavior is developmentally appropriate or if they could benefit from mental health support. It’s important to talk to your child and pay attention to their actions, especially these warning signs:

• Increased irritability, hyperactivity, energy, and/or aggressive behavior.
• Excessive sadness, hopelessness, or worries.
• Loss of appetite, or significant weight gain or loss.
• Lack of sleep or too much sleep.
• A decline in grades, school avoidance, or attendance concerns.
• Alcohol or drug use.
• Withdrawal from activities and/or friends and family. 
• Thoughts of harming themselves or others.

If you notice any of these warning signs or feel your child may be experiencing a mental health challenge, help is available. Find additional ways to support your child’s wellness. 

If you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health crisis such as thoughts of harming themselves or others, please take action right away. Call 988, go to the nearest emergency room, or contact the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health Emergency Services at 703-573-5679.

Bryant is proud to have four outstanding students participating in FCPS's Student Advisory Council. These dedicated students collaborate with peers from across FCPS schools to discuss important topics that impact our student body. Their commitment, hard work, and strong character truly represent Bryant, and we couldn't be more proud of them.

Please plan to attend the Post-Secondary Planning Night hosted by FCPS Regions 3 and 6 at the Hybla Valley Community Center on Thursday, October 17th. This event will be conducted in Spanish and is an essential opportunity for families to explore critical post-secondary options. Topics will include  2- and 4-year college pathways, financial aid resources, employment opportunities, and military enlistment. Understanding these options is key to making informed decisions about the future, and this event provides invaluable information tailored to the needs of our community. We strongly encourage all families to attend and take advantage of this important resource.

We hope to see you there!

 

We hope everyone enjoys the beauty of fall and look forward to sharing all the exciting things happening at Bryant High School. We’ll leave you with this final picture that perfectly captures the joy of our community!

2709 Popkins Lane Alexandria, VA 22306  | Main Office: 703-660-2000
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