The LCPS Letter
Students from Belmont Ridge, Blue Ridge, Eagle Ridge, Stone Hill and Trailside middle schools rolled up their sleeves, grabbed their piping bags and let their creativity take center stage at the second annual LCPS Cake Wars. Hosted at Trailside Middle School on April 26, this year’s theme — Candy Shop — inspired some truly show-stopping creations that wowed friends, families and a panel of community judges. Cake Wars is about much more than frosting and fondant. In addition to being fun, Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) students build essential real-world skills, including teamwork, communication, creativity, problem-solving and financial literacy. Read more about the second annual Cake Wars.
Keep learning alive during summer break! Attend the next Family Academy workshop to discover simple and creative strategies to help your child stay engaged, sharpen their skills and prepare for the next school year.
- Avoiding the Summer Slide, Family Academy Workshop
Wednesday, May 28, Noon & 6 p.m., Virtual
Visit the Family Academy webpage for more details, updates or to register. These workshops are open to all LCPS families with students in grades K-12.
In this week's LCPS podcast -- School Talk -- Superintendent Aaron Spence speaks with three LCPS Student Equity Ambassadors. These students and other Student Equity Ambassadors help LCPS think deeply about access and equity in our schools and how we can continue to improve from the student perspective. The LCPS podcast can be found on 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.
All students entering 7th and 12th grade are required to have certain immunizations before they can start school next school year. Don’t wait, schedule required immunizations today!
Students entering 7th grade must show proof of the following immunizations:
- One dose of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis) vaccine given at age 7 or older.
- One dose of meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY, Menactra, or Menveo) given at age 10 or older.
Students entering the 7th grade are also encouraged to receive the following vaccination:
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that the first dose be administered at the age of 11 or 12. While this vaccine is at the discretion of the parents/guardians, it is recommended. LCPS does not require opt-out documentation for the HPV vaccine.
Students entering the 12th grade must show proof of receiving the following immunization:
- One dose of meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY, Menactra, or Menveo) given at age 16 or older.
It is very important that all students have the appropriate documentation for these immunizations by the first day of school. Students without the appropriate documentation will not be able to start school on time. Don’t wait until August! Immunize your student early and provide your student’s school with the appropriate proof of immunization prior to the first day. See the Immunization Requirements webpage for more details.
Dominion High School alum Meggie Meidlinger, Class of 2006, was recently named USA Baseball’s Sportswoman of the Year, accepting the honor during a ceremony at Dominion on Monday, May 12.
Meidlinger helped lead Team USA to a silver medal at last summer’s Women’s Baseball World Cup Finals, making three key relief appearances without allowing a single run.
A trailblazer from the start, Meidlinger made history at Dominion as the first female to earn a win and pitch a perfect game in a men’s varsity baseball game in Virginia. Now an eight-time national team alum, she continues to grow the game by coaching at MLB development events and traveling annually to Uganda with Baseball at Heart to teach girls the fundamentals of baseball.
Every fall and spring, the Loudoun Education Foundation awards Innovation in Education Grants to support the work of LCPS teachers. This week, the LEF selection committee will narrow down 63 applications to the top contenders. Thanks to support from generous donors like Amazon, Microsoft, and Claude Moore Charitable Foundation, LEF has a record $90,000 to give away this year. LEF's grants have funded hands-on projects such as a podcast studio for a school library, bike lights and locks for a bike donation program, and Ozobot magnet tiles for STEM activities. School-based staff, remember to apply for the next grant cycle this fall at LoudounEducationFoundation.org.