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The LCPS Letter
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Message from the Superintendent
This month, during Teacher Appreciation Week (May 6 to May 10) we celebrate our wonderful teachers. Our teacher’s commitment, creativity, innovation and leadership shape and guide the educational journey of our students. We thank our teachers for the impact they make and for making LCPS their educational home. Please make sure to reach out and thank a teacher next week and share your favorite teacher stories using #ThankATeacherLCPS!
We also honor our school nurses with National School Nurses Day on May 8. School nurses play a vital role in helping make sure students are safe, healthy and ready to learn. A big thank you to them for all they do!
All the best,
Aaron Spence, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Cake Wars Competition Layered with Creativity, Teamwork and Frosting
Cake was the answer at the first Cake Wars event held at Trailside Middle School on Saturday, April 13. Teams from Belmont Ridge, Blue Ridge, Eagle Ridge, Stone Hill and Trailside middle schools designed, baked and decorated their cakes in their Family and Consumer Sciences classes and presented their culinary delights to a panel of judges. Over 300 attendees voted on the creativity and talent of each reality-show-worthy cake creation. Read more about the first annual Cake Wars.
Blue Ribbon Panel Presents Security Recommendations, Invites Feedback
Superintendent Aaron Spence convened the Blue Ribbon Panel on School Safety from December 8, 2023, to May 1, 2024, to assess safety processes and protocols in LCPS. The Panel’s assessment of LCPS’ safety and security recognized LCPS as a state and national leader in the field of school security. After careful evaluation, the Panel identified 11 recommendations that could potentially enhance security in LCPS. The recommendations are now available for public review and feedback.
LCPS is requesting members of the LCPS community to share their feedback on the recommendations made by the Panel. Please visit the LCPS Thought Exchange website to view the recommendations and provide your feedback via the links; please note the code shown on the website and enter it in the appropriate area.
New Cell Phone Policy to Establish Clear Guidelines on Device Use in School
LCPS is drafting a new policy to address cell phone and personal device use in schools. The goal of the policy is to establish clear guidelines for when and how students can use their devices while also promoting responsible digital citizenship among students. A draft of this policy was presented at the Student Behavior and Accountability Committee on April 22. Community feedback on this policy is being accepted until May 7. The Student Behavior and Accountability Committee will review this policy at their next scheduled meeting if you wish to follow the policy’s progress.
Announcing New Classroom Management Software: Lightspeed Classroom
Based on feedback from staff, LCPS is offering a new tool for the 2024-25 school year called Lightspeed Classroom. This device management software will help teachers effectively manage classrooms. This new software provides a set of tools to keep students focused and engaged in their learning. With Lightspeed Classroom, teachers can push websites to student devices, view and blank student screens, send and receive messages and more. Currently, LCPS is piloting this solution with a small group of teachers, and we’ve heard great things. We look forward to sharing this optional tool with all teachers next school year. Please contact the Department of Digital Innovation with any questions.
Registration Open for Early Childhood Education School-Led Learning Program
Registration is open for LCPS' Early Childhood Education Learning Labs. Learning Labs are hands-on learning experiences designed for children ages 3 to 4. Learning Labs are hosted at eight LCPS high schools and are open from October 2024 through May 2025. Interested Loudoun County families can register online for the Learning Lab enrollment lottery process between May 1 and May 15. For more information about the Learning Labs, including locations, registration and enrollment timelines, visit the ECE Learning Lab webpage.
Google and Microsoft Account Access for Graduating Seniors
As we prepare for graduation, we want to remind graduating seniors about the following key dates for accessing their Google and Microsoft Accounts:
- Full access through June 30, 2024
- Download only access between July 1 and July 30, 2024
- No access beginning Aug. 1, 2024
- Data permanently deleted on Oct. 1, 2024
For information on how to export data, please download the Google Takeout Instructions. Please contact the Department of Digital Innovation with any questions.
Immunization Requirements for Rising 7th and 12th Grade Students
Don't forget to schedule required immunizations for your rising 7th and 12th graders. Students in grade 7 and grade 12 are required to receive the following vaccines prior to the start of school:
Required Vaccinations for All 7th-Grade Students:
- One dose of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis) given at age 7 or older
- One dose of Meningococcal Vaccine, MenACWY (MenQuadfi, Menveo), given at age 10 or older
Encouraged Vaccinations for All 7th-Grade Students:
- HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccine
Required Vaccinations for All 12th-Grade Students:
- One dose of Meningococcal Vaccine, MenACWY (MenQuadfi, Menveo), given at age 16 or older
Once your student is vaccinated, please provide their school with the appropriate documentation. For more information, please see LCPS' Immunization Requirements webpage. For more general information about back-to-school immunizations for students of all ages, see this Virginia Department of Health website.
Celebrate Bike & Roll to School Day on May 8
May is National Bike Month! Bike & Roll to School Day will take place on Wednesday, May 8. Bike & Roll to School Day invites participants to celebrate the joy of active commuting while building a sense of community and school spirit. Reach out to your student's school for more information on how to celebrate Bike & Roll to School Day. Our Safe Routes to School Coordinators Kelly Smit or Janice Jennings can also help answer questions.
Opioid Awareness Campaign Continues with "The New Drug Talk" Viewing
Loudoun County Public Schools is partnering with Song for Charlie to present The New Drug Talk – a 30-minute film that outlines the dangers of fentanyl and fake pills – on Wednesday, May 8, at 7 p.m. at Heritage High School (520 Evergreen Mills Road SE, Leesburg). An expert panel discussion -- including testimony from family members who have lost loved ones to overdoses -- will follow the presentation. REVIVE training, which provides instruction on how to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose emergency using naloxone, will be provided. Participants will also receive naloxone to take home with them.
Fentanyl Safety Event: Wednesday, May 8 at 7 p.m. at Heritage High School
Free Workshops to Help Families Support their Students
- English Learners in Gifted Education
Tuesday, May 21 6 p.m. in English and Spanish; 7 p.m. in English and Arabic, Virtual. See the FACE website for more details.
Calendar Reminders
Upcoming Holidays and Events
- Monday, May 27 is Memorial Day and a student and staff holiday.
- The last day of school is Friday, June 14.
- Please consult LCPS student calendars to help with your planning.
- 2024 graduation schedule.