Leopard Tales: January 5

Good afternoon, Lowes Island Leopards!

Happy New Year! I truly hope that you had an enjoyable winter break! I had an incredible time celebrating with my family and enjoying some down time.

We are exctied to get started with 2025!! I hope to see you tomorrow! Check out the video below from Dr. Spence about winter weather updates!

Looking forward to getting to work in 2025 with our Leopards!

Your PROUD Principal,

Dr. Puschak-Ridgeway

kate.puschak@lcps.org

**Always BE KIND**

**Every Leopard Every Day**

Did you miss our Winter Break Family Fun Activities?

Click here to access the full list of winter-themed activities to do as a family!

The Kids Heart Challenge is a service-learning fundraising program that provides lessons, tools, and activities to support both mental and physical well-being to students, families, and staff. You and your family can learn the steps of hands-only CPR and raise funds to help kids with special hearts. We will have a kick off assembly when we return to school!

Use this QR code to learn more and to sign up for this life saving program.

Our cluster multicultural night will be on Thursday, January 16th at Seneca Ridge Middle School. We are asking families to sign their student up to walk the runway in their cultural attire! You can sign up here to join us!

A student registered in Loudoun County Public Schools is expected to attend the school assigned to the student’s home address. However, an enrolling parent/guardian may request permission for their student to attend a different school. This process is called Special Permission. The Loudoun County School Board recently approved changes to the Special Permission process in Policy 8155, School Assignment. The key changes to the Special Permission process are:

· Special Permission will open for LCPS staff on Jan. 6, 2025 at 10 a.m.

· Special Permission will open for LCPS families on Feb. 3, 2025 at 10 a.m.

· Parents of elementary students currently attending a school through Special Permission may submit a request to continue attending the Special Permission school on or before March 1.

· Parents of middle or high school students may submit a request to renew Special Permission to attend the current school of attendance on or before March 1.

· If a school’s projected enrollment is at 90% of the school’s capacity, this school is classified as over-enrolled. School principals have the discretion to allow employees' children to enroll, regardless of school capacity determinations. A list of schools projected to be over-enrolled is posted on the Special Permission webpage. Please be aware that this list is subject to change.

· The Special Permission window will close for both staff and families on April 30, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.

· Special Permission applications will not be accepted after the April 30 deadline.

The following details of the Special Permission process continue to be true:

· To apply for Special Permission, parents/legal guardians must have a current LCPS address on file.

· Students must be registered at their zoned school of attendance within 30 days of applying for Special Permission.

· Parents/guardians will be responsible for providing transportation if the request is approved.

For additional information, please visit the LCPS Special Permission Webpage.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Volunteers Needed - Please email Volunteer@LowesIslandPTO.com for more information or to sign up!

👐 Helping Hands Volunteers - We need assistance with tasks like laminating, cutting, bookbinding, and more. Your help will save our teachers valuable time and allow them to focus on what they do best—teaching! You can sign up to help here.

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