The LCPS Letter

Check out our new video series: Think Fast with Superintendent Spence! Each month, Dr. Aaron Spence will answer a few rapid-fire questions from students and staff. Some months he will be joined by a member of the LCPS team. This month, Dr. Spence is joined by Dr. Latisha Ellis-Williams, Assistant Superintendent of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility. We invite you to submit questions for the Superintendent – be sure to indicate these questions are for the Think Fast video series.

Congrats to Kathryn Schroeck, a 4th-grade teacher at Round Hill Elementary, for being selected as the February SHINE winner. Ms. Schroeck was nominated by a student who wrote that Ms. Schroeck “brings out the best in each of us…She has given me the tools to be the best I can be!”

SHINE is a joint LCPS and Loudoun Education Foundation initiative to recognize LCPS staff members who go above and beyond in support of LCPS students and the community. Members of the LCPS community – including other staff members, students, parents and community members – are invited to nominate LCPS staff who shine! SHINE award recipients receive a gift worth $500 coordinated by LEF; Apple Federal Credit Union sponsored this month's prize. See the SHINE website for details on how to nominate.

A group of 7th-grade students at Farmwell Station Middle School had a real-life lesson in public policy. They testified virtually to the House of Delegates Subcommittee on K-12 Education to change the Code of Virginia to have career and technical education clubs at middle and high schools, regardless of whether the schools offer career and technical education courses. Read more about the student's testimony.

Earlier this week, LCPS parents/guardians and staff received an email from Lisa Boland, chief human resources officer, requesting input on a calendar change. In 2023, the Loudoun County School Board, with guidance from LCPS, approved student calendars for the next two school years (2024/25 and 2025/26). However, the Commonwealth of Virginia recently passed legislation changing the Virginia June primary election date from the second Tuesday in June to the third Tuesday in June. For both 2025 and 2026, this election day falls on the last day of school. LCPS parents/guardians and staff are being asked for their input on how to adjust the calendar to accommodate this election day. As many LCPS schools are used as polling places, schools will be closed on this day. Please provide your input by Wednesday, April 3, when the survey closes.

Starting Monday, April 1, at 10 a.m., LCPS parents/guardians may request special permission for their student to attend a school outside their attendance zone. Special permission is governed by Loudoun County Public Schools Policy 8155 – School Assignment. The special permission application period closes on June 30 at 11:59 p.m. Special permission may be approved if there is capacity at the requested school. Please visit the LCPS Special Permission website for more information.

Tryouts for LCPS high school fall sports for the 2024-25 school year will begin on Monday, August 5. Starting Friday, June 14, students who meet the requirements below may register for one high school fall sport by visiting their school’s website.

Requirements:

• Parents/guardians or students must complete the online registration and submit a completed VHSL physical examination form on or after May 1 to their school’s athletic department before participating in tryouts, practices, weight training or conditioning.
• Students must be enrolled in at least five subjects and pass five subjects offered for credit and graduation requirements to be eligible.
• All first-time ninth graders are eligible to participate in VHSL athletics and activities, and eighth graders may participate in a high school sport at the sub-varsity level if they turn 14 on or before August 5 of the current school year (2024-25 school year). Eighth graders who do not meet this age requirement on or before August 1 may not participate in any high school athletic program, regardless of the season.

If you have questions, please contact your student's high school athletic director.

LCPS has partnered with Care Solace, a care coordination service, to help students, staff and families find mental health and substance use treatment matched to their needs. Care Solace navigates the mental health care system on your behalf to find community-based providers and secure appointments as quickly as possible with the best care possible. Care Solace will also ensure that the providers accept your medical insurance, including Medicaid and Medicare, or offer sliding scale payment options for those without insurance. This coordination service is provided at no cost to the users and is always available. Learn more about Care Solace and the services provided.

National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week, March 18-24, is an annual observance through the National Institutes of Health that connects youth and their families with resources about drugs, alcohol and related health topics. Discussion starters and activities for parents and students can be found on the National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week page. Visit the LCPS Student Assistance Services webpage for more information and resources on preventing and addressing teen substance use.

World Down Syndrome Day -- March 21 -- is a global awareness day that has been officially observed since 2012. The date for World Down Syndrome Day is significant – the 21st day of the 3rd month – as it references the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome, which causes Down Syndrome. The theme of World Down Syndrome Day 2024 is End the Stereotypes.

There are only two Community Listening Sessions remaining. Have you been able to attend? Community Listening Sessions are an excellent opportunity to share your hopes and concerns about LCPS with Superintendent Aaron Spence. Plan to attend one of these sessions:

• Thursday, April 4, at Briar Woods High School
  
• Thursday, April 18, at Loudoun County High School

The staff portion of the listening session is from 5-6 p.m., and the community session is from 7-8 p.m.; a 30-minute meet-and-greet follows each session.

We hope you will join us at one of these upcoming workshops and learn important information from LCPS staff and community partners that will help you support your student's academic, social and emotional development. Additional information about workshops offered can be found on the Parent Resource Services and the Division of English Learners’ Office of Family and Community Engagement (FACE) websites.

• Welcome to LCPS for New International Families
  Thursday, April 4, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Historic Douglas High School, 407 East Market St., Leesburg. Learn more.
• No More Birds and Bees: Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention
  Thursday, April 11, 6:30 to 8 p.m.; LCPS Administration Building, 21000 Education Ct., Ashburn. Registration requested.

• Preschool Child Find Chat: Screen Sense for Young Children
  Tuesday, April 16, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Historic Douglass High School, 407 East Market St., Leesburg. Registration requested.

• Inclusive Practices and Team Teaching

  Thursday, April 18, 6:30 to 8 p.m., LCPS Administration Building, 21000 Education Ct., Ashburn. Registration requested.

The LCPS Career and Apprenticeship Fair, which will be held on Wednesday, April 3, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Academies of Loudoun (42075 Loudoun Academy Drive, Leesburg), encourages high school students to explore career and apprenticeship opportunities. This event will connect students with leading employers in sought-after fields and help them discover career paths, education options and available training opportunities. Students are encouraged to bring a copy of their resumes to receive constructive feedback, suggestions and tips from industry and LCPS professionals; resume review is available from 6 to 7 p.m. Registration requested.

Attend a fentanyl awareness session on Sunday, April 7, from 1 to 2 p.m. at Crossroads United Methodist Church (43454 Crossroads Dr., Ashburn) to learn more about opioids and fentanyl and what you can do to protect your family and community. The presentation will include information about naloxone, the opioid overdose-reversing medication, as well as other resources. Representatives from the Loudoun County Department of Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Developmental Services, to include the Prevention Alliance of Loudoun, Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office and the Williams Center for Wellness and Recovery will also be in attendance. Information will be provided in English and Spanish.

LCPS students are invited to participate in the fifth annual Loudoun Student Environmental Action Showcase, which will be held on Wednesday, April 24, from 5-8 p.m. at the Academies of Loudoun. The Loudoun Student Environmental Action Showcase amplifies youth voices by showcasing how students have meaningfully contributed to environmental stewardship in Loudoun County. LCPS and the Academies of Loudoun, the Loudoun Environmental Education Alliance and the Northwest Virginia Regional GREENetwork are co-hosting this event. Loudoun Environmental Education Alliance will award first, second and third-place prizes in elementary, middle and high school categories. Students interested in participating in the showcase must register by Wednesday, April 10; participation is free.

The Minority Student Achievement Advisory Committee's (MSAAC) annual EquiTEA and Awards Ceremony will occur on Saturday, April 27, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the History Douglass High School (407 E. Market St., Leesburg). This event recognizes and celebrates individuals, schools and community members dedicated to promoting educational equity and fostering the academic success of LCPS minority students. Learn more about MSAAC.

Upcoming Holidays and Events

• Spring Break is from Monday, March 25 to Friday, March 29. We look forward to seeing students back in school on Monday, April 1.
  
• The 3rd Quarter Grading Period ends on Thursday, April 4.
• Friday, April 5 is a student holiday.
• Wednesday, April 10 is a student and staff holiday for Eid al Fitr.
• Please consult LCPS student calendars to help with your planning. Calendars for this school year and the next two school years have been finalized and posted.
• 2024 graduation schedule.

If you have any comments or questions about your experience with LCPS, please fill out LCPS' Comment and Complaint Form. This form offers parents, students and Loudoun County residents the opportunity to provide input, comments, suggestions and complaints to school officials. Once the form is submitted, it will be routed to the appropriate office, department or school principal.

• Ask the Superintendent

• One LCPS: Forward Together Entry Plan
• LCPS Policy Review
• Office of the Ombuds
• LCPS News Stories
  
• Mental Health and Community Resources for Families
• Student Assistance Services
• Attendance Resources
• Fentanyl and Opioid Awareness
• Free On-Demand Tutoring
• Join the LCPS Team

Ask the Department of Communications and Community Engagement
21000 Education Court, Ashburn, VA, USA
571-252-1040

www.lcps.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LCPSofficial
Twitter: @lcpsofficial