The LCPS Letter
The Annual Family Survey closes tomorrow, Friday, March 21, and we want to hear from YOU. Your input helps shape our schools, improve learning experiences and support student success.
Check your email for a message from Superintendent Aaron Spence with your unique survey link.
One survey per school—if you have children in multiple schools, you’ll receive a survey for each one.
Didn’t receive the survey? No problem! Contact research@lcps.org for help.
Time is almost up—don’t miss your chance to make a difference! Visit the Stakeholder Surveys 2025 Information webpage for details. Thank you for helping us create the best learning environment for all LCPS students!
Starting this month through the end of the school year, School Nutrition Services is expanding its Grab and Go breakfast service to all LCPS middle and high schools to complement the traditional cafeteria option. Busy weekday mornings can make it challenging for many students to find time for breakfast. Grab and Go allows students to conveniently pick up breakfast meals from a central location as they arrive at school and eat in their classroom.
We want all our students to feel their best so they can learn and thrive! But deciding when a student should stay home is sometimes difficult. To assist parents/guardians in determining when to keep a student home from school, please refer to the LCPS webpage When Should I Keep My Child Home? The information on this page is designed as a guide and does not replace medical or healthcare guidance. If unsure, it’s always best to check with a child’s doctor or healthcare provider.
In addition, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) recommends the following to stay healthy:
Staying up to date with vaccinations
Handwashing and practicing good hygiene
Cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces
Improving air quality by increasing airflow or cleaning the air
Keeping your student home if they are sick with a respiratory virus
See VDH’s website for more guidance on how to prevent respiratory viruses in schools.
The LCPS Student Maker Showcase, Loudoun’s biggest “Show and Tell” exhibition, is happening on March 26, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Academies of Loudoun (42075 Loudoun Academy Drive, Leesburg). This community event highlights the hands-on learning and ingenuity of LCPS students in grades K-12. Exhibit applications are still being accepted. See the Maker Showcase website for more details, including a video of a previous year's event.
Is your high school student looking for a part-time or summer job? Rock Ridge High School (43460 Loudoun Reserve Dr., Ashburn) is hosting a part-time and summer job fair on Monday, April 7, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. All LCPS high school students are invited to attend. Some businesses will be holding on-the-spot job interviews. Companies attending the job fair include Meadows Farms, Shirley Construction, Loudoun Fire and Rescue, YMCA, Loudoun County Parks, Recreation and Community Service and more. See the Part-time and Summer Job Fair website for details, including the full list of companies attending and job fair best practice advice. Students are encouraged to sign up in SchooLinks.
The North Star School is hosting open houses for students and families interested in learning more about the school and visiting the campus. The open houses will be held at 6 p.m. on April 2 and May 7. Registration is encouraged but not required. The North Star School is designed for current high school students who are under-credited and/or experiencing social anxiety related to the traditional school setting. The North Star School offers the Non-Traditional Education Program and the Individual Student Alternative Education Plan Program. Learn more about The North Star School admissions process and the programs available.
In this week's LCPS podcast, Dr. Aaron Spence speaks with Chief Communications and Community Engagement Officer Natalie Allen and Director of Family and Community Engagement Renee Dawson about LCPS' efforts to engage with families. They also discuss how the community can stay connected to the school division. The LCPS podcast can be found on many popular podcast platforms. See the LCPS Podcast website for more details. Episodes of the LCPS podcast feature news and conversations with leaders from around the division. Tune in every Thursday for a new and exciting take on what’s happening in LCPS.
Get ready to cheer on some of the best spellers in Loudoun County! After months of practice and school-wide competitions, the top 30 students have earned a spot in the 43rd Annual Loudoun County Regional Spelling Bee on Wednesday, March 26 at Lightridge High School. Students from LCPS elementary and middle schools and participants from private and parochial schools put their spelling and vocabulary skills to the test in an online assessment. Now, the top 30 finalists are set to compete for the championship title. These word wizards have worked hard to get here, and their dedication is nothing short of spellbinding. Wishing all competitors the best of luck as they take on the challenge! For a list of finalists and more information, visit www.lcps.org/spellingbee.
Are you ready to March into life readiness? This month, we are reflecting on the essential skills needed to succeed in school, work and life. These skills—sometimes called soft skills in business—are vital for day-to-day interactions, relationships and career paths.
Essential skills include teamwork, communication, problem-solving, time management and adaptability. According to a study by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, 91% of employers value these skills as much as technical knowledge (source). These abilities help students build strong relationships, stay organized and tackle challenges with confidence.
Through hands-on activities, collaborative projects and classroom discussions, students are practicing these future-ready skills to prepare for success in the workforce.
Families can support this learning by highlighting the importance of essential skills at home. Visit the Family SEL Website and listen to LCPS Business Partners as they share how these essential skills support their career success. Then, share examples of how you use these skills in your daily life to help reinforce their value.
Reflect and Connect:
As a family, discuss which essential skill you use the most in your daily life and how it has helped you move forward, succeed or overcome hurdles.
It is time to register kindergarten students for the 2025/26 school year! Registering a student for kindergarten can be completed in just five steps:
Determine eligibility
Identify your home school
Gather documents
Complete online pre-registration
Schedule an in-person appointment
If parents/guardians have any questions, they can contact their student’s home school or LCPS RegistrationServices@lcps.org. See more information about Student Registration on the LCPS website.
Don't wait until August to schedule your student's required vaccinations. Schedule vaccination appointments today and prepare your student to be able to start school on time next school year. Seventh and twelfth-grade students must have their required immunizations before starting school. Once your student has been immunized, provide proof of vaccination to the student's school nurse any time before the first day of school. Students without the appropriate documentation will not be able to start school on the first day of school. See Immunization Requirements for more details.
