Weekly Update
October 20, 2023
LOUDOUN VALLEY PILLARS
LOUDOUN VALLEY MISSION, VISION, COLLECTIVE COMMITMENTS
STUDENTS PARKING IN THE BAND PRACTICE LOT
MARDI GRAS HOMECOMING DANCE
The Loudoun Valley Student Council is proud to present Mardi Gras Homecoming Dance on October 21st from 7-10 pm in the Main and Aux Gyms. Tickets are $20 and will be on sale October 10th- October 18th in the Viking Head Foyer during lunch. Students who are bringing out of school guests, the Out of School Guest Form is due October 13th and is also available on the LVHS website.
Mardi Gras Spirit Week is from October 16th to the 20th. The Spirit Days are:
AP TESTING INFORMATION
We are pleased that your student has chosen to take an Advanced Placement (AP) course this year and want to assist you in planning for the AP exam, which will be administered in person, at school, May 6-17, 2024. Students must register for an AP test by Friday, November 3 at 5:00PM. This can be done on the College Board’s website at AP Students | College Board. Requests received after that date may result in a $40 late fee, per test. Students who register for a test but do not take it may be charged a $40 unused test fee.
The AP exam administration schedule is included below. If your student attends the Academies of Loudoun and plans to register for an AP exam, please refer to the Academies of Loudoun AP Exam Registration Guidance Document.
This year, College Board is offering an in-school digital AP Exam option in the following subjects:
AP Computer Science Principles
AP English Language and Composition
AP English Literature and Composition
AP United States History
AP World History: Modern
The digital exams are full length, proctored exams, administered on the same day/time as corresponding paper exams. Students will have the option to decide which format they would like to take and will need to let their AP teacher know by Friday, November 3. Students who do not make a decision will automatically be registered for a digital exam. More information about the in-school digital exams can be found on the College Board’s website.
Students must provide their own transportation to school on the day of testing. Morning exams begin at 7:30 AM and afternoon exams begin at 12:00 PM, with exams lasting about 4 hours. Students may not be dismissed from an exam until all students have finished testing, per College Board regulations. Please make every effort to schedule vacations, appointments, or other activities on dates that do not conflict with the test administration dates, as make-up testing is permitted for verified emergencies only.
Loudoun County Public Schools will pay for up to four AP tests, per enrolled student, for the duration of their high school tenure. After those four, students, parents, and/or guardians are responsible for all financial obligations, the exception being students who are eligible for free or reduced lunch. Each exam is $89.00, with the exception of AP Seminar and AP Research, which are $137.00. Students are encouraged to contact their post-secondary institutions of interest to determine whether they accept AP scores for credit or course promotion.
Additional information for parents and students can be accessed through the College Board’s site and the LCPS website. If you have further questions about AP exams, please contact LVHS student’s Testing Coordinator, Melissa Stecura at melissa.stecura@lcps.org.
April 30, 2024 (11:59 p.m. ET) is the deadline for:
AP Computer Science Principles students to submit their Create performance task as final.
Occasionally, circumstances make it necessary for students to test late. To preserve the security of AP Exams, alternate forms are used for late testing. All students who are approved to participate in late testing at a given school must take these alternate exams on the scheduled late-testing dates at the scheduled times. See the Late Testing Information for additional details and schedule.
TESTING COORDINATOR
Ms. Stecura is Loudoun Valley’s School Testing Coordinator. Her office is located in the main office. The best way to contact Ms. Stecura is through email at melissa.stecura@lcps.org.
The LVHS Testing Website has more information about testing.
LCPS Pre-IB: A new opportunity at Loudoun Valley to challenge students to think deeply about the world around them, both from a local and international perspective.
Loudoun Valley High School is continuing its journey towards become an International Baccalaureate World School offering the Diploma Program and our first step in this process is our current offering of the LCPS Pre-International Baccalaureate program (LCPS Pre-IB) which has started this school year.
We are excited to be offering this program and want to connect you with resources to give you a sense of where we are in our process of becoming an IB World School and what it means for you and for Loudoun Valley High School. Please visit our websites for more information.
All students who attend Loudoun Valley High School and are currently in 9th or 10th grade have access to the LCPS Pre-IB Program! If a student or parent is interested in more information, visit our website below.
Loudoun Valley High School Website: Www.lcps.org/lvhib
County Website - LCPS Pre-IB: Www.lcps.org/ib
If a student who is currently enrolled in Loudoun Valley High School is interested in being a part of the LCPS Pre-IB program they need only email Michael.skvarch@lcps.org with their interest.
All questions regarding the LCPS Pre-IB program or the International Baccalaureate Program should be sent to Michael.skvarch@lcps.org
At Loudoun Valley High School, we value teaching and learning and we reflect often on ways to improve and grow as a school community. Our Valley teachers, staff, and students have indicated a common theme that must be addressed as we prepare for this upcoming school year: student cell phone and earbud use in class. This year teachers have expressed concerns with students’ use of cell phones and the impacts it has had on engagement in instruction, opportunities to build collaborative relationships with peers, and building and utilizing critical thinking skills.
For the 23-24 school year, our school wide expectation is that students place their cell phones and earbuds in the designated space in each classroom. Phones will not be accessible during instructional time or Viking Time. Students may use their phones and earbuds during class changes, study hall, and lunch.
Students are not permitted to bring cell phones to the bathroom. Students should use all LCPS provided apps on their LCPS provided Chromebooks such as e-hallpass and Remind.
If students need to communicate with parents, coaches, employers, etc., they should do so during passing periods or lunch. If it is an immediate concern, students may go to the main office. Likewise, if you need to reach your student for an emergency, please contact the main office.
We ask that you begin having this conversation with your students now so they can start to understand these new changes in our Valley practices at the beginning of the 2023-24 school year.
For additional information and resources to support your student in this transition, please see below from the LVHS United Mental Health Team. This is a rich resource with helpful information and we invite you to take a moment to look through it.
https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/priorities/youth-mental-health/social-media/index.html
This initiative for the 23-24 school year is a collective and collaborative effort with the LVHS leadership team, teachers, students, administrators, and counselors. Together, we can work to strengthen learning engagement for students and improve their opportunities to go deeper in developing important life and learning skills.
FOLLOW OUR COUNSELING DEPARTMENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Instagram: @valleyschoolcounseling
STUDY SKILLS & ACADEMIC MOTIVATION PRESENTATIONS
LCPS MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS
This website offers comprehensive mental health services, support and resources provided by our Unified Mental Health Teams (counselors, psychologists, social workers, school nurses, and student assistance specialists) who can assist and direct families to the right level of services or interventions.
Available information includes:
- How to contact your school’s Unified Mental Health Team
- Resources for parents
- Suicide prevention resources
- LCPS mental and behavioral health services
- Substance use prevention and intervention services
- Resources for families of LGBTQ+ students and families
- Community resources
To access the mental health website created by the Department of Student Services, please visit: www.lcps.org/MentalHealthServices
MEET YOUR UNIFIED MENTAL HEALTH TEAM
MEET YOUR UNIFIED MENTAL HEALTH TEAM
As we approach Mental Health Awareness Month, Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) and the Unified Mental Health Team (UMHT) at Loudoun Valley want to remind you of the opportunities and resources available to students and families. The Loudoun Valley Unified Mental Health Team supports the mental health of all Loudoun Valley students.
ATTEND WORKSHOP ON SUICIDE PREVENTION: WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW
Talking about suicide and suicide prevention can help save lives. Join us for this very important workshop, Suicide Prevention: What Parents Need to Know, on Wednesday, Oct. 25 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the LCPS Administration Building (21000 Education Ct., Ashburn.) In this session, Dr. Heather Applegate, LCPS Supervisor of Psychological Services, and Dr. Christy Esposito-Smythers, Youth Suicide Expert and Researcher and Professor of Psychology at George Mason University, will share research-based principles of suicide prevention, including specific guidance for parents and an overview of LCPS’ suicide prevention strategies and procedures. Registration is required. This workshop is presented by the LCPS Office of Student Mental Health Services.
YOUTH & FAMILY WORKSHOPS
10/25/23 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm Talking to Teens about Healthy Relationships
The workshop takes place at the Youth & Family Resource Center in Leesburg
SUBSTANCE USE RESOURCES FOR PARENTS
Trends Presentation: Current drug trends among adolescents
Summer Resources: Substance use Inpatient/Outpatient resources
FENTANYL AWARENESS
RECOVERY FROM VAPING
VAPING: WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW
Recorded parent presentation from 10/16/23:
Vaping and Other Substance Use Trends: What Parents Need to Know
If you have questions about the presentation or about anything related to substance use, please contact Amy Emery, LPC, Student Assistance Specialist at amy.emery@lcps.org or 540-751-2423.
RYAN BARTEL FOUNDATION SEPTEMBER PROGRAMS
Youth Programs
Upstream youth suicide prevention programs from the Ryan Bartel Foundation are for all young people to help them build resilience and coping skills to manage the challenges of adolescence.
FORTitude Teen Mental Wellness Series
6-week interactive workshop series that builds resilience in youth by focusing on peer connections, identity development, emotional awareness, healthy relationships, and communication skills.
Middle School Students Series
When: Wednesdays, September 27 - November 1, 6:30 - 8 PM
Where: at Fusion Academy Loudoun - 19300 Promenade Dr Suite 200, Leesburg 20176
Register Here
High School Students Series
When: Tuesdays, September 26 - October 31, 6 - 7:30 PM
Where: Crossroads United Methodist Church, 43454 Crossroads Dr, Ashburn 20147
Register Here
BLAST APPLICATIONS
VCSC
THE NORTH STAR SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE
The North Star School Open House for Prospective Families by Appointment
Please view The North Star School introduction video for more information!
October 31 (student holiday), 9:00am-3:00pm
Please fill out this form to make an appointment. You will receive a confirmation email.
Please contact Mr. Royhab if you have any questions, at David.Royhab@LCPS.org
La Casa Abierta de la Escuela North Star para Familias Potenciales con Cita Previa
Vea el video de introducción de The North Star School para obtener más información.
31 de octubre (vacaciones estudiantiles), 9:00am-3:00pm
Por favor llene este formulario para hacer una cita. Usted recibirá un email de confirmación.
Comuníquese con el Sr. Royhab si tiene alguna pregunta, en David.Royhab@LCPS.org
GIRLS WHO CODE CLUB
Clubs meet at Loudoun Valley Community Center Club
Middle School - Ages 11 - 14 - Tuesdays - 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
December 5th, 2023 - May 28, 2024 201315-01
High School - Ages 14 - 18 - Saturdays - 12:30 pm - 3:00 pm
December 9th, 2023 - May 25th, 2024 201315-02
NEW AG SCHOOL FALL DAY CAMPS
- Monday Oct 30- with Nicky Schauder (at her farm in Leesburg) will showcase the science of composting, while also talking about chickens and fall planting.
- Tuesday Oct 31 Camp Day will be at Springhouse Farm, with Cattle Rancher Andrew Crush and will showcase his soil science and how it helps him raise better beef in a very earth friendly way.
STEP UP LOUDOUN YOUTH COMPETITION
The Step Up Loudoun Youth Competition presents middle and high school students an opportunity to identify an issue in their communities and implement a solution as they contribute to the world around them.
Registration for the Step Up Loudoun Youth Competition is now open. You will find information about SULYC and the link for the application at: www.loudounyouth.org under Programs: Step Up Loudoun Youth Competition.
UPCOMING COLLEGE VISITS
Radford University
Monday, October 23, 10:25
Viking Conference Center
Marine Recruiter
Monday, October 23, 12:30
Career Center
Temple University
Wednesday, October 25, 12:30
Viking Conference Center
GA Tech
Thursday, October 26, 10:25
Viking Conference Center
Shepherd University
October 26, 12:30
Viking Conference Center
HUGH O'BRIEN YOUT LEADERSHIP SEMINAR FOR SOPHMORES
The HOBY Youth Leadership seminar brings students together across different backgrounds, cultures, and communities. The program assists students in discovering a newfound sense of awareness, confidence, connection, and purpose; and, is proven to cultivate personal growth and inspire action. Students leave HOBY with the knowledge and passion needed to make a positive impact on the world around them. Being a part of the HOBY community unlocks a world of opportunities and connections. The 2024 HOBY Virginia Seminar will be held May 31 - June 2, 2024, at James Madison University.
Interested sophomores should submit their resume and a 1-2 page short essay answering the following questions: How do you best represent Loudoun Valley High School? How do you hope this opportunity will help you grow as both a leader and an individual?
The resume and short essay are due by November 1st to Mrs. Krone in School Counseling.
Please note that if you are selected to represent Loudoun Valley, there is a $275.00 fee to be paid by Dec. 8th directly to HOBY. The fee changes to a $325.00 fee if paid between Dec. 9th - April 12th.
JOB FOR THE DAY
Who: 11th and 12th grade students (WILL BE RECEIVING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DURING VIKING TIME)
What: Job For A Day Career Shadowing
- Business Hosts offering students 9am to 12pm or 9am to 3pm experiences. Time frame dependent on each host.
- Read through different experiences, select an employer host, go to the workplace and experience modeling of different career fields and industries with working professionals.
- Career fields represented: construction, soil and water analyst, non-profit/philanthropy, information technology, veterinarian, satellite technology, medical, preschool education and more!
Where: Varied locations throughout Loudoun and surrounding area.
Attendance: excused for the timing of your shadowing experience.
Required: Must register, provide own transportation and have Guardian sign Permission Click.
When: November 6, 2023. Inova Loudoun 11/6 and 11/8 (date dependent on specific job availability).
Registration: Student registration: October 16 - 27, 2023
Student registration for Inova Loudoun Hospital Job For a Day:
October 23-October 27
Guardian permission click deadline: October 27, 2023
MEET & EAT CAREER LUNCHEON WITH STONEMASONS
COMING SOON! MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
November 1st, 2023
1:00 P.M. – Lunch will be provided
Come and learn the art of being a stonemason
APPLICATION FEE FREE WEEKS
The following colleges are offering application fee free weeks:
East Tennessee State University will host a free application week for Virginia! Students can use the code listed below to waive the application fee during the designated free app week for their state.
State: VIRGINIA
Dates: 10/23-10/27
Code: VAFreeApp24
SPECIALTY VIRTUAL COLLEGE FAIRS
Each student is unique: help them find their individual pathway.
Specialty virtual fairs offer a convenient way to explore post-secondary options. Encourage your students to join recruiters at one or all of these upcoming events:
Live fair hours are 12:00pm - 2:00pm and 6:30pm - 9:30pm (ET) each date for the following fairs:
- First-Generation Virtual College Fair - Wednesday, October 25, 2023
Learn more here or Register now at: https://gotocollegefairs.swoogo.com/fall2023/begin !
COAST GUARD ACADEMY GENESIS INVITATIONAL
Genesis Invitational at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT
The Genesis Invitational is an overnight program for students of color and first generation senior high school students. The program offers a comprehensive look at the cadet experience with special focus on making a seamless transition to college life. Participants are asked to meet a few criteria before registering. If they meet the criteria listed below, please follow up right away and register. Space is limited!
- Cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Taking pre-calculus or calculus in high school
- Plan to enroll in college next fall
- Height proportionate to weight and in good health.
Learn more and register for an upcoming session today!
CREDIT THROUGH TESTING
SAFE NIGHT HALLOWEEN
5:45 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.
NHS TUTORING
NHS chapter is continuing its peer tutoring program, with goals of increasing the usage and awareness of the program. Our goal is to support you and our fellow students by providing NHS tutors to supplement a student’s learning process.
NHS members have indicated the subject areas in which they feel comfortable tutoring, ranging from World History to Calculus BC! Students will have the opportunity to directly fill out a Google Form to request a peer tutor and will then be connected to someone who fits their needs.
Here is the link to the form which students may use to request a tutor: https://forms.gle/hBt5dh76EvWF2kVB6
Tutors will facilitate the learning process with a strong emphasis on academic integrity.
FINAL SENIOR PICTURE DAYS
SENIORS receive their ID cards when they have their senior portraits taken. Senior yearbook portraits are free! Seniors who have not yet had a photo taken will receive an appointment card and email notification from Prestige/Lifetouch. Prestige will be at Valley Nov. 2 and 6 for the final opportunity for senior portraits and retakes. Use the online scheduling program via www.schedule.prestigeportraits.com to reserve an appointment. If you don’t have your 8-digit code, you can search by city and state. Be sure to use Purcellville, Virginia (not Loudoun Valley) when you search. If you have any questions or need help scheduling, please call Prestige Scheduling at 1-800-736-4753. Chat help is also available online at the above site.
Seniors who previously had a photo taken will not be in the fall scheduling system. If a senior needs a retake, they should reach out to Mrs. Adwers ASAP for help: sadwers@lcps.org.
EXPECTATIONS FOR THOSE IN ATTENDANCE AT LOUDOUN VALLEY VIKING HOME ATHLETIC EVENTS
- The TicketSpicket App is to be used for ticket purchase. Ticket cost is $7.00 per person.
- No outside drinks of any kind are allowed into the stadium or gym areas.
- No backpacks or equipment bags will be allowed in the stadium or the gym areas.
- No balls, footballs, sticks, skate boards, frisbees, etc are allowed inside the stadium or the gym areas.
- No throwing and/or playing any games on campus – including inside the stadium or gym areas during the games.
- If you come to the games you are expected to sit in the stands, watch the games and support the Valley Viking teams; walking around in groups is not allowed - parents will be called for pickup if this occurs.
Thank you for your contributions to a safe and pleasant experience for all Viking fans and players.
~Loudoun Valley High School Admin Team
ONLINE STORE
Our Spirit Wear Online Store is NOW OPEN! Show your school spirit and grab your Valley Swag before it's all gone!! There's tank tops, visors, tee shirts, sweat shirts, bucket hats and much much more!
Shop Today! https://loom.ly/yc9jxB0
SPIRIT NIGHT!
Please join the Loudoun Valley Athletic Boosters on Tuesday, October 24th at one of our sponsors, The Purcellville Pub.
Dine all day and be sure to mention the Loudoun Valley Athletic Boosters! Good for dine-in and carry out.
Once again Thank you so much for your support!
CONGRATULATIONS!
Congratulations to freshman Ethan LaFollette for being nominated the best freshman player in Virginia! Vote for Ethan here
READ COLE KEILHORN WRITE UP IN THE WASHINGTON POST
VALLEY RESTAURANT DISCOUNT CARDS
2023 - 2024 Sponsors
WHAT TO DO IF LCPS GO IS DOWN
Direct Links for Students to Instructional Tools
TOOL: Google
LINK: https://drive.google.com
HOW TO SIGN IN: Google: student email address IDnumber@lcps.org, i.e. 000000@lcps.org
TOOL: Schoology
LINK: https://learn.lcps.org
HOW TO SIGN IN: Google
TOOL: Google Meet
LINK: https://meet.google.com/ OR the link you created for your class
HOW TO SIGN IN: Google
TOOL: Clever (for app integrations)
LINK: https://clever.com/
HOW TO SIGN IN: Student ID and Password
TOOL: StudentVue
LINK: https://portal.lcps.org/
HOW TO SIGN IN: Student ID and Password
FAQs
I've used the links and received sign-in errors. Is my password wrong?
Sometimes an LCPS Go outage is limited to LCPS Go, and other times it may be a network problem affecting multiple sites. In this instance, a password or other sign-in error may or may not reflect the actual problem. Wait and try later, refresh your browser window, and clear the cache if needed.
HIGH SCHOOL TOOLKIT
Contact Information
Website: https://www.lcps.org/lvhs
Location: 340 North Maple Avenue, Purcellville, VA, USA
Phone: (540) 751-2400
Twitter: @LVHS_official
2023 All Rights Reserved – Loudoun County Public Schools