The LCPS Letter
In the latest episode of the LCPS podcast released today, Public Information Officer Dan Adams speaks with Student Mental Health Services Director Jennifer Evans about LCPS' efforts to alert students, families and community members about the dangers of substance use. 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 topics such as Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility, school spirit, LCPS news and conversations with leaders around the division. Tune in every Thursday for a new and exciting take on what’s happening around LCPS.
Learn strategies to support your student’s mental health, academic and social engagement and overall wellness at the United for Wellness Conference and Resource Fair this Saturday, Jan. 25, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Watson Mountain Middle School. More than 40 school mental health professionals and community partners will share tips and strategies for promoting mental health and wellness. Session topics include navigating ADHD, coping with anxiety, understanding executive function skills, learning about the factors that affect body image and more. In addition, over 90 local businesses, nonprofits and LCPS staff will provide information about services and opportunities to support your family. Dr. Michelle Peace, a professor at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Department of Forensic Science, will give the keynote address discussing her research into the dangers of electronic cigarettes. Food trucks will provide lunch and snack options. As an added incentive, educators will receive four hours of professional development credits for attending the event. This event is free and open to the LCPS community. See the full schedule and register for sessions. The United for Wellness webpage has additional details. We look forward to seeing you at the United for Wellness Conference and Resource Fair!
It is time to register your new LCPS student for the 2025/26 school year! The online pre-registration portal for kindergartners and students new to LCPS is open. Current LCPS students do not need to complete this process. The pre-registration process includes determining your student’s home school, gathering the documents required for registration and uploading them to the pre-registration portal. Once pre-registration is complete, your student’s school will contact you to schedule a registration appointment to be held after Monday, Feb. 3. Paper registration forms are also available at your student’s home school, or you may download them from the LCPS website. If you have questions, please contact your student’s home school or LCPS RegistrationServices@lcps.org. See more information about Student Registration on the LCPS website.
The CAMPUS college access program for high school students is designed to meet the specific needs of first-generation college-bound students. CAMPUS provides students with the resources, guidance, and support they need to successfully navigate the college admissions process and enroll in post-secondary education. Parents/guardians of students who will be the first in their families to attend college are invited to an information session to learn more about CAMPUS. The information sessions will be held on the following dates, all sessions are from 6:30-7:30 p.m.:
- Jan. 27: Virtual Presentation (Webinar link)
- Jan. 28: Heritage High School (520 Evergreen Mills Rd SE, Leesburg)
- Feb. 3: Dominion High School (21326 Augusta Dr., Sterling)
- Feb. 10: Independence High (23115 Learning Cir, Ashburn)
Interested students in grades 8, 9, 10 and 11 are encouraged to apply for CAMPUS by March 7; students apply in Student Opportunities through LCPS Go. Visit the CAMPUS webpage for details.
LCPS is hosting a Gap Year Fair on Thursday, Jan. 30 at Briar Woods High School (22525 Belmont Ridge Rd, Ashburn). Attend Gap Year 101 from 6 to 6:45 p.m. for an overview of gap year opportunities. From 6:45 to 8:30 p.m., students and their parents will learn about gap year options by speaking directly to gap year program representatives, counselors, and gap year alumni at the self-paced fair. Whether you're dreaming of Spanish language immersion in Costa Rica, rock climbing in the American Southwest or pursuing a virtual internship from the comfort of your living room, there are many gap year options to choose from! See the Go Overseas Gap Year website for more details and to register.
The 10th Annual Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Fair on Saturday, Feb. 1, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Tuscarora High School (801 N. King St., Leesburg) aims to educate students about these historic colleges and universities and the great options they offer. Information about NCAA student-athlete programs, college test preparation services, community scholarships and on-site application review with college admission counselors will also be available. Please contact Michael Newkirk or Michelle Vocke with any questions.
Get ready for the spring sports season with a virtual panel discussion, Concussions Uncovered: What Parents Need to Know From Diagnosis to Return to Play. The discussion, hosted by the LCPS Athletics Department and top local experts, will be held on Thursday, Feb. 13, 6-7 p.m. via Zoom. This engaging and informative webinar is designed for parents and student-athletes to learn how to recognize, manage and recover from concussions safely. Key topics include:
Recognizing concussion symptoms and when to seek professional help
Supporting student-athletes’ recovery in school and at home
Understanding return-to-play protocols and baseline testing
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from experts, ask questions and gain tools to help your student-athlete stay safe. Register today: https://bit.ly/SpringInova. (After registering, a Zoom email confirmation will be sent. Check spam/junk folders if not received.)
The application window is now open for four scholarships offered by the Loudoun Education Foundation. Are you an LCPS high school senior or an LCPS support staff member aspiring to become a teacher? How about an LCPS educator seeking an administrative degree or certificate in a critical shortage area, such as foreign language or special education? LEF has scholarships for you! Apply by March 25 on the LEF website.
The Loudoun County Environmental Commission is calling for nominations for the third annual Environmental Excellence Awards, honoring individuals, businesses, nonprofit organizations and educators in Loudoun County for their leadership on environmental issues. Please take this opportunity to inspire others by drawing attention to actions taken by you, your friends and community members! Past winners have included projects such as supporting community recycling services, engaging students as young naturalists, and volunteering in stream protection efforts. Learn more and submit your nominations at loudoun.gov/environmentalawards. The deadline to submit nominations is March 1.