DECEMBER

1-9 - HOSA Toy Drive

2-5 - Candygrams fundraiser by PEER

5 - Partners in Safe Teen Driving 7:00pm in the Lightridge Auditorium. Students must be with at least one parent or guardian and bring their school-issued Chromebook. Please note that if you arrive late, you will need to attend another LCPS school offering this presentation or wait until next fall. Failure to attend will result in your child not completing the driver’s education course (not getting a DEC-8 card), receiving an "N" on their report card, and delaying their ability to get a driver's license until they turn 18 and can go to the DMV directly. There will not be another PSTD program at Lightridge during the 24-25 schoolyear.

6 - Governor’s School application materials due by the end of the school day to Mrs. Perinis. All materials should be submitted via email to jennifer.perinis@lcps.org

6 - Unlocking Scholarship Opportunities presentation by Mrs. Zawistowski and Mr. Rauguth during FLEX

7 - SAT at Lightridge for registered students, arrive no later than 7:30am

8 - LHS DECA Craft Fair, 12:00-3:00pm

9-10 - Fall Non-Writing SOL Test days

9-13 - Girl Up Jewelry Sale

9 - ACL information session during Flex 1 and 2

10 - ACL information session during Flex 1 and 2

11 - Multicultural Fair during FLEX

11 - FAFSA Information Night at Freedom High School 7pm

12 - Multicultural Celebration and Parade of Nations, we will be on a modified pep rally bell schedule

13 - Career Exploration Session (Real Estate and Hospitality)

16-20 - PCC Toy Drive

16-17 - 10th Grade Signs of Suicide presentations during study hall

16-17 - Fall Non-Writing SOL Test make-up days

17 - College Admissions 101, 7:00pm in the Lightridge auditorium for 9th-11th grade families

17-18 - Final Senior Portraits (see Class of 2025) section

23 - First Day of Winter Break

• Welcome to LCPS EL Family Workshop for New Families

Thursday, Dec. 5, 6:30 - 8 p.m.; Historic Douglass High School, 407 East Market St., Leesburg
The Welcome to LCPS EL Family Workshop for new international families provides a brief orientation about LCPS and the U.S. school system. Sessions are available in English, Spanish, Arabic and Farsi/Dari. For further information, contact ELFACE@lcps.org. The Welcome to LCPS workshops are held on the first Thursday of each month. The same information is presented at each workshop; participants only need to attend one workshop.

• Suicide Prevention: What You Need to Know

Thursday, Dec. 5, 6:30-8 p.m. Independence High School (3115 Learning Cir, Ashburn)

When schools, families and communities take an active role in suicide prevention, lives can be saved. The goal of this workshop is to learn about potential suicide risk factors and warning signs as understanding these factors and warning signs is a key part of prevention. Information will be presented by Dr. Christy Esposito-Smythers, Youth Suicide Expert, Researcher, and Professor of Psychology at George Mason University, and Dr. Heather Applegate, LCPS Supervisor of Psychological Services. Registration required.

• Building Your Child’s Self-Confidence

Wednesday, Dec. 11, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Virtual

Children are continuously trying to understand their place in the world and how they fit in with their family, their friends and other relationships. Parents can play a big role in helping their children understand who they are. This session will teach parents strategies they can use to help their children develop a confident and healthy identity. This workshop is hosted by ParentGuidance.org and is part of its Mental Health Series. Register for the Zoom link: 7 p.m. workshop; 9 p.m. workshop.

• English Learners in Gifted Education

Tuesday, Dec. 17, 6 p.m. Spanish and English, 7 p.m., Arabic and English, Virtual

During this virtual session, participants will explore the LCPS Gifted Education Program, including its mission, program options, evaluation process and available family support. See the FACE website for more details.

The best way to spread holiday cheer is singing loud for all to hear. Or at least that's what Buddy the Elf says! Good news - we won't ask you to sing but we are asking for you to help us spread some holiday cheer to the staff at Lightridge.

We are planning to celebrate our staff every Friday in December, with a little help from our Culinary department.

• Friday December 6 - dessert treats
• Friday December 13 - appetizer overload
• Friday December 20 - mediterranean bowls prepared by our Project Management students

How can you help? We could use some contributions from the community to make these events a success.

There's no need to travel through the seven levels of the Candy Cane forest, past the sea of twirly-swirly gum drops, and walk through the Lincoln Tunnel with Buddy, instead just go to Costco or WalMart or feel free to bake. Don't be a cotton-headed ninny muggin, create some smiles at Lightridge - because smiling is our favorite.

Lightridge will be hosting our FINAL "Partners for Teen Safe Driving" 90-minute presentations on December 5th at 7 p.m. It is required for both the 10th grade student driver and a parent/guardian to attend one of our two sessions.

Please note that if you arrive late, you will be need to attend another LCPS school offering this presentation or wait until next fall. Failure to attend will result in your child not completing the driver’s education course (not getting a DEC-8 card), receiving an "N" on their report card, and delaying their ability to get a driver's license until they turn 18 and can go to the DMV directly.

Please make sure your child brings their school issued Chromebook and charger, as they will need it to complete the affirmation of attendance form.

QUARTER ONE ALL "A" HONOR ROLL

QUARTER ONE "A-B' HONOR ROLL

PBIS SPARK AWARD WINNERS

Umber Ahmad

LCPS schools use ParentVUE as our primary tool for families to communicate student absences, tardies, and early dismissals to our school. You will find the Report Attendance option in both the mobile app and web version for all your children. Note that this function only reports attendance to the front office - teachers will not see the notes submitted through this process.

Additionally, parents can opt-in or out of push notifications and emails for attendance.

• Push Notifications: enable using the ParentVUE app on your mobile device. You will receive notifications for both period and daily attendance.

• Emails: enable using either the ParentVUE web portal or with the ParentVUE app. You will receive emails for period attendance only.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Class Sponsors: Amanda Boss and Kayla LeRouge

1: Cap and Gown Orders Due

• $65 Custom Cap and Gown/Stole

• Herff Jones Brochure and Payment Link - click on “Grad Gear/Apparel” and scroll all the way to the bottom for the Cap/Gown/Stole only package.

1: Required Class of 2025 Fees $75 - Senior Dues Payment Link

• (Senior dues include but not limited to: senior sunrise breakfast, senior sunset dinner, graduation fees (program printing, ticket printing, decorations, etc.), senior scholarship, PSAT breakfast, Senior Class gift, spirit day supplies, graduation rehearsal lunch, senior celebration day supplies, Senior t-shirt) Due December 1.

7: SAT at Lightridge (for registered students only)

9: Transcript/Recommendation Letter request date for January 1 applications

11: Financial Aid Information Night at Freedom High School, 7:00pm

17-18: Final Senior Make-Up Portraits by appointment only.

• The required attire for the school’s yearbook pose is either black, or the traditional tuxedos and drapes provided by the photographer. In addition to the free yearbook session, there are sessions that include casual/personality portraits and cap and gown portraits. Seniors also have the option to visit the Victor O'Neill Studios in Chantilly to do their portraits at their offices. There may be an additional cost involved, but at least students and families can schedule it when it is convenient. The deadline to take all senior portraits is December 20. If you have any questions, please email our senior portraits team at seniors@vosphoto.com, and kindly include your student’s first and last name and “Lightridge Class of 2025” when emailing for faster assistance.

20: Transcript/Recommendation Letter request date for January 15 applications

21: Winter Break Begins

Senior Make-Up Portraits are Dec 17 and 18 in the auditorium, by appointment only. Please follow this link to choose your session type and appointment time: www.vosphoto.com/lightridge.

The required attire for the school’s yearbook pose is either black, or the traditional tuxedos and drapes provided by the photographer. In addition to the free yearbook session, there are sessions that include casual/personality portraits and cap and gown portraits. Seniors also have the option to visit the Victor O'Neill Studios in Chantilly to do their portraits at their offices. There may be an additional cost involved, but at least students and families can schedule it when it is convenient. The deadline to take all senior portraits is December 20. If you have any questions, please email our senior portraits team at seniors@vosphoto.com, and kindly include your student’s first and last name and “Lightridge Class of 2025” when emailing for faster assistance.

Mrs. Campbell, Director of School Counseling

Ms. Schrader, last names A-Bar

Mr. Rauguth, last names Bas-Ct

Mrs. Zawistowski, last names Cu-Gh

Mrs. Kenworthy, last names Gi-J

Mr. Choi, last names K-L

Ms. Calderone, last names M-Ng

Mrs. Garcia-Selvaraj, last names Nh-Ri

Mrs. Perinis, last names Ro-S

Mr. Olcott, last names T-Z

Mrs. Pascale, Career Center Assistant

Mrs. Koplets, Registrar

Mrs. Patel, Counseling Admin Asst

December 16-17 we will be meeting with all 10th graders during study hall for the Signs of Suicide Booster Sessions. More information will be coming via email with an opt-out form if needed.

Booster session goals are straightforward and aligned with the goals of the original SOS Signs of Suicide program:

• Decrease suicide and suicide attempts by increasing knowledge and adaptive attitudes about depression and mental health;
• Teach our students to recognize the signs and symptoms of depression, self-injurious behavior, and potential suicidality in themselves and others;
• Educate students about various potential personal sources of strength (e.g., friends, family, health activities) and encourage students to identify supportive people and activities that support mental health and wellness;
• Encourage help-seeking by teaching teens to respond to the signs of suicide as a mental health emergency and to take specific action steps to help prevent a tragedy.

The Office of School Counseling would like to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to the theatre department. During their performance of Antigone they asked school counseling to speak briefly on youth mental health as they aimed to raise money for The Ryan Bartel Foundation. Their efforts raised $1,222!!!

In addition to an amazing performance, they gave to a cause near and dear to our hearts. This is what it means to be a BOLT!

2025 Summer Residential Governor's Schools guides and applications will be available on October 11. Summer Residential Governor’s Schools provide high school juniors and seniors with intensive educational experiences in visual and performing arts; humanities; mathematics, science, and technology; or through mentorships in marine science, or engineering.

Each Summer Residential Governor’s School focuses on one special area of interest. Students live on a college or university campus for up to four weeks each summer. During this time, students are involved in classroom and laboratory work, field studies, research, individual and group projects and performances, and seminars with noted scholars, visiting artists, and other professionals. In the three mentorships, students are selected to work side-by-side with research scientists, physicians, and a variety of other professionals. A director and a student-life staff provide supervision of students 24 hours a day, throughout the program.

Please visit 2025 SRGS General Information.docx for more information and join the Summer Residential Governor's School (SRGS) Schoology group with code VRJQ-MSTW-6CKJW.

Applications are due to Mrs. Perinis in the counseling office by Friday, December 6, 2024, at the end of the school day.

Lightridge High School is an official testing site for the December 7 and March 8 SAT. Seats are limited but feel free to early!

Kara Pascale

Although many Lightridge students have an idea for a future career, it is still important to participate in Lightridge’s career exploration sessions. So far we have hosted panelists from these career clusters: Health/Medical Services, Computer Science, Programming & IT, Architecture, Engineering, and Trades.

Creating opportunities for students to explore careers through FLEX Friday Career Exploration sessions, will allow them to gain insight into their passions and set the course for a fulfilling professional path beyond high school. Information gathered could help shape the general direction of their futures by providing students with an opportunity to learn more about a career or a organization without leaving Lightridge High School.

For example, did you know that:

• The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is the agency of the state government responsible for transportation in the state of Virginia in the United States. The Virginia Department of Transportation has dozens of divisions to handle a wide variety of duties. See how the divisions are structured within VDOT and check this link for career clusters (Environmental Science, Accounting or Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, Engineering, Chemistry or Geology, Information Technology and Communications).
• The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), formerly the Federal Aviation Agency, was established by the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 (72 Stat. 731). The agency became a component of the Department of Transportation in 1967 pursuant to the Department of Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. 106). Learn more about FAA and their structure. Whether you're interested in air traffic control, engineering, safety and security, acquisition, contracts or IT, or medical careers, an opportunity awaits you at FAA.

December’s FLEX Friday Career Exploration session will focus on Real Estate and Hospitality.

Now that many Seniors have submitted or are finalizing college applications, the Class of 2025 should shift their focus on how to pay for college. One area to explore is scholarships.

Scholarships are gifts. They don't need to be repaid. There are thousands of them, offered by schools, employers, individuals, private companies, nonprofits, communities, religious groups, and professional and social organizations.

Students should attend the December 6th FLEX Friday presentation on Unlocking Scholarship Opportunists hosted by Mrs. Zawistowski and Mr. Rauguth, Counselors at Lightridge High School, during FLEX 1. Sign up using either SchooLinks or FLEX scheduling.

Check the scholarship section of the website.

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Avoid These Scholarship Scams

• Any website or organization that requires your social security number. There's absolutely NO NEED for any organization to know this information!

• Any website or organization that requires you to PAY for access to their list of scholarships, or to apply for any scholarships.

• Any website or organization that GUARANTEES your acceptance for any scholarships.

The 2025 Winter Admissions Cycle is for eligible 9th, 10th, and 11th graders applying for enrollment to the Academies of Loudoun for the 2025-2026 school year.

Questions? AcademiesAdmissions@lcps.org or phone 571-252-1992.

• Application Window Opens | November 25, 2024

• Application Window Closes | February 10, 2025 at 12:00 PM (NOON)

• Winter Admissions Testing Session | Saturday, February 15, 2025 (For Advanced AET applicants only)

• March 2025 - Offers will be posted in Student Opportunities App within LCPS-GO

• March-August 2025 - Applicant must accept or decline all admissions offers. Waitlisted applicants will be notified as seats become available

Admission Criteria

Advanced AET Admission Criteria (Apply in 10th grade)

• Currently enrolled in or have successfully completed Math Analysis or AP Precalculus or AP Calculus AB NOTE: Students who are currently enrolled in or who have already completed AP Calculus BC are not eligible for this program.

• Successful completion of 2 science credits by the end of 10th grade (Research Earth Science and/or Research Biology and/or Research Chemistry are recommended) NOTE: Students who are currently enrolled in or who have already completed Physics are not eligible for this program.

• Final grade of C or above in each course in grade 9 and grade of C or above in each course for Semester I of grade 10

• PSAT (NMSQT) score*

• Writing Assessment score

*Applicants without a PSAT score report may submit an SAT or an ACT score report as a substitute. Results must be submitted to the Admissions Office prior to February 10, 2025

MATA Admission Criteria (Apply in 9th, 10th, or 11th grade)

• Enrollment in Algebra I or above at the time of application

• Review of Academic Record (minimum GPA of 2.0; GPA of 3.0 in select Dual Enrollment courses when required by Northern Virginia Community College or PSAT)

• On-time Graduation Verification

  
  

**All MATA seats filled through the use of a random lottery

(MATA Criteria Updated 10/24/24)

Marsha Brinkley

• December SOL Testing will be December 9 & 10
• December SOL Expedited Retakes 16 & 17

• AP Exam fees will be collected via SchoolCash Online. Any required fees will be posted to your student’s account by November 20, 2024. Payment should be made as soon as possible, but no later than March 15, 2025. If payment is not received by March 15, 2025, LCPS may cancel your student’s exam(s). Online payments can be made by Mastercard, Visa, or eCheck. Online payments are preferred. If payment needs to be made by cash or check, you can submit payment at your student’s home school. Exact change is required for cash payments. Checks should be addressed to “Loudoun County Public Schools”.

  If you have already registered for SchoolCash Online you can sign in after November 20, 2024, and pay any applicable AP Exam fees. SchoolCash Online - Welcome

  If you have not yet registered for SchoolCash Online, directions on how to register can be found here. Once you have registered and attached your student to your account, you will be able to pay any applicable AP Exam fees.

While volunteer service is not a requirement for graduation, Lightridge students are encouraged to volunteer their time by giving back to the community. Students who do volunteer are required to keep track of their own volunteer service hours throughout high school. All students who serve should log their hours into their School Links account this year. LCPS is requiring all volunteer hours to be verified by a volunteer supervisor. Please see directions below on what information can be uploaded for verification.

Graduating seniors who record over 100 volunteer service hours during their time in high school will receive a white service cord to wear for graduation. If you have any questions regarding volunteer service hours, please reach out to jake.johnson@lcps.org.

Interested in giving back to the community and earning volunteer hours? Now is a great time to get involved! Stay up to date with the latest opportunities by visiting our Lightning Service Page. As a reminder, students should now enter their service hours into their School Links account. Students who record 100 service hours or more during their time in high school are eligible to receive the Lightridge Service Cord upon graduation.

Jake Johnson

What is happening where? How do I...?

It's all here!

Get involved with a club during our Flex time! Clubs can meet during the flex block on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Students are encouraged to sign up to attend a club each week during Monday and Tuesday advisories. Check out the full club schedule here.

Jason Treon & Brian Schmidt

• Boltathletics.org is the primary website/source of athletics information (schedules, department updates, team news and calendars, etc.)
• Follow us on twitter at @Lightridge_LCPS
• Follow us on Instagram at @Lightridge_LCPS

Registration closes January 15, 2025. We know there are some students who want to participate but are struggling with finding a topic, so we are continuing our virtual “Brainstorming Workshop”. It will take place on November 14th and December 12th at 7pm. Students do not need to be registered for the competition to attend, and only need to attend once. Both sessions will be the same. At this workshop we will be giving students brainstorming activities, strategies and tools to help develop an idea into a project.

Interested students can simply email their name, grade and school name to: StepUp@LoudounYouth.Org to receive the Zoom link for the workshop.

Some of the most effective projects we’ve seen have simply been a deeper dive into things students are already doing in school as part of Project Based Learning and Personalized Learning methods. These provide the perfect place for students to make their project work by explaining, displaying and presenting it to people beyond the classroom. This year, students will create a team video due March 5, 2025, and then the top 20 teams will present live to judges on March 26, 2025.

You can find more information about SULYC and the link for the application at: www.loudounyouth.org, under Programs: Step Up Loudoun Youth Competition.

We are here for you. Please feel free to reach out and let us know how we can support.

Email: christi.campbell@lcps.org
Website: https://www.lcps.org/lightridge
Location: 41025 Collaboration Drive Aldie, VA 20105
Phone: (571)367-4100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LightridgeHighSchool/
Twitter: @LightridgeLCPS