The LCPS Letter

Join LCPS Superintendent Aaron Spence for the next Student Success Talk at Eagle Ridge Middle School (42901 Waxpool Rd, Ashburn) on Wednesday, Jan. 22, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The Student Success Talks are being held across all eight election districts between November 2024 and May 2025. These unique opportunities provide families and community members the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations about supporting student success. Each Student Success Talk provides practical tips on supporting students’ academic, social and emotional success. Topics include ParentVUE and other digital tools, assessments and testing, college and career readiness, mental health and well-being and family involvement. For more information and to learn when the Student Success Talks will be held in your area, visit the Student Success Talks webpage.

The Division of Family and Community Engagement is excited to launch the LCPS Family Academy, a new initiative designed to empower families and support student success. From January to May, the division will host free virtual workshops covering key topics to help families actively engage in their child’s education. Topics include:

• January 23: Mapping Success – Understanding Programs, Pathways and Schedules
  Learn about LCPS academic programs, including advanced classes and career and technical education options.

• February 27: Promoting a Growth Mindset at Home
  Explore strategies to foster resilience and positivity in children.

• March 14: From Tests to Success – Demystifying K-12 Assessments
  Understand assessments and testing processes to better support students during key academic periods.

• April 23: Connecting the Dots – Navigating School and Division Communication
  Learn how to use LCPS communication tools to stay informed and connected.

• May 28: Avoiding the Summer Melt – Supporting Academic Growth
  Gain strategies to keep students engaged and prepared during the summer break.

The workshops are open to all LCPS families with students in grades K-12. For more details and updates, visit the Family Academy webpage at lcps.org/familyacademy. The Division of Family and Community Engagement looks forward to partnering with families to spark success for all students.

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, LCPS’ 7th annual mental health and wellness event, on Saturday, Jan. 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Watson Mountain Middle School. This event reflects LCPS’ focus on supporting all areas of student health. The conference will feature more than 40 school mental health professionals and community partners as they share tips and strategies for promoting mental health and wellness. It will also feature a resource fair with local businesses and nonprofits offering services and guidance to support your family. See the full schedule of speakers and register to attend sessions. There will also be food trucks, music and so much more! See the United for Wellness webpage for more details. We look forward to seeing you at the United for Wellness Conference and Resource Fair.

LCPS has simplified the course planning experience for families and students. Starting this month, students in grades 5 through 11 will use Course Planner, an interactive course selection and academic planning tool. This platform helps students and families chart the student’s path to graduation and will assist LCPS staff, students, and families with the academic planning and course selection process. Course Planner is part of the SchooLinks, the college and career readiness platform.

To learn more about Course Planner, parents/guardians of 5th through 11th-grade students are invited to attend the Course Planner Learning Session for Parents/Guardians Webinar on Wednesday, Jan. 15. The links and times for the webinars are below.

• Webinar link for 5th and 6th-grade families, starting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 15

• Webinar link for 7th through 11th-grade families, starting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 15

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 opened on Monday, Jan. 6. 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.

LCPS Head Start and Starting Towards Excellence in Preschool (STEP) programs are now accepting applications for the 2025-26 school year. These FREE full-day preschool programs are open to children who turn 4 years old by September 30, 2025, and meet eligibility criteria.

Both Head Start and STEP offer enriching, high-quality instruction designed to build strong foundations in early learning. Each classroom is staffed with a certified teacher and a teacher assistant, providing a nurturing environment for young learners. Classes are located throughout Loudoun County, running six hours a day, Monday through Friday, during the school year.

Parents and guardians residing in Loudoun County can apply online by visiting the LCPS Preschool Application Page. To determine eligibility, parents are asked to upload required documents, including income verification, proof of residency, the child’s birth certificate and parent photo identification.

For more information on eligibility, locations, and how to apply, please visit the Head Start and STEP webpage at lcps.org/headstart or call 571-252-2110. Don’t miss this opportunity to set your child on the path to success!

The countywide lottery for the Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program opened Jan. 6 and runs through March 21. Families who register after March 21 will be placed on a waitlist and offered a seat if space becomes available.

Who Can Apply?

• Current pre-K students for the kindergarten immersion program

• Current kindergarten students for the first-grade immersion program (2025-26 school year)

Program Locations:

• Spanish DLI at Potowmack Elementary and Sanders Corner Elementary

All LCPS families are invited to participate in the lottery for a chance to join the DLI program.

Interested families are encouraged to attend an informational meeting at various sites across the county. Meeting dates and details can be found on the Dual Language Immersion Program Registration Page. For more information, visit LCPS Dual Language Immersion webpage. Don’t miss this opportunity to give your child a bilingual educational experience!

Don’t forget! The Special Programs interest and/or application windows are open! Eighth-grade students and their families are invited to explore exciting educational opportunities tailored to support academic growth, individual interests and future aspirations. Programs available for application include:

• International Baccalaureate (IB) Program

• Health and Medical Sciences (HAMSci) Program

• Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) Program

Students can access the application through the Student Opportunities portal. The deadline to apply is Jan. 31, 2025, so don’t miss your chance to take advantage of these exceptional pathways. Visit LCPS Special Programs and Academies today to learn more and start your journey toward a brighter future!

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. A few changes were recently made to the Special Permission process. These changes were made to ensure schools can plan earlier and more accurately for staffing and class sizes. Below are some dates and requirements to be aware of:

• Special Permission opened for LCPS staff on the first business day in January (Jan. 9, 2025) at 10 a.m.
• Special Permission will open for LCPS families on the first business day in February (scheduled for Feb. 3, 2025) at 10 a.m.
• Parents/guardians of students currently attending a school through Special Permission may submit a request to continue attending the Special Permission school by 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.

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

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is offering a series of feedback sessions for parents/guardians, educators, and community members to share their thoughts on the Virginia Board of Education’s newly proposed School-Connected Overdose Response and Notification Guidelines to help local school divisions develop effective action plans for school-connected overdoses and timely parental notification. The draft Guidelines for school divisions are built on Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin’s Executive Order 28, which was issued to ensure parents were promptly notified by the school division within 24 hours of any school-connected overdoses.

Parents/guardians, educators, and interested community members from across the Commonwealth are invited to attend an online session to discuss their expectations and to comment on the Guidelines. Those interested in attending or speaking at a feedback session must register using the following Zoom links listed below. Public comment regarding the Guidelines may also be provided through this public comment form.

• Thursday, January 9, 2025 — 5:30-7 p.m. January 9 Zoom Link & Speaker Registration

• Monday, January 13, 2025 — 5:30-7 p.m. January 13 Zoom Link & Speaker Registration

• Tuesday, January 14, 2025 — 5:30-7 p.m. January 14 Zoom Link & Speaker Registration

Visit VDOE's Substance Use and Overdose webpage to learn more about the proposed Guidelines.

Curious about how LCPS makes weather-related school closure decisions? LCPS carefully considers every factor when deciding to delay or close schools. Watch Superintendent Spence share how the decisions are made and how you can stay updated on weather-related changes.

A good crossing guard can help start everyone’s day off right. Do you have a crossing guard who goes that extra mile, encourages lasting habits and makes walking to school and safe crossings fun? Are they full of cheer on even the most dreary day? If so, nominate them for recognition by the Virginia Department of Transportation for Crossing Guard Appreciation Day on Wednesday, Feb. 12.

Nominating your favorite crossing guard is easy: just fill out the online nomination form and be sure to send us a photo of your favorite crossing guard doing the work we can all be proud of.

High school students and their parents/guardians are invited to attend the Skilled Trades Fair on Thursday, Jan. 16, from 6-8 p.m. at the Academies of Loudoun (42075 Loudoun Academy Dr., Leesburg). More than 35 businesses in a variety of fields, including culinary arts, landscape and architecture, building construction, HVAC, auto services, electrical, collision repair, and welding, will be in attendance to share information about part-time and full-time jobs, internships, apprenticeships and more. Plus, students will be able to apply onsite for Academies of Loudoun admissions and discover more about the Skilled Trades pathways. Prior to the Fair, starting at 6 p.m., parents and students can attend a panel discussion with industry professionals, who will share details about career and educational opportunities. Students are encouraged to register.

CAMPUS, or College Achievement and Multicultural Program for Unique Students, is a high school college access program 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. See the CAMPUS webpage on the LCPS website for more details.

LCPS is hosting a Gap Year Fair on Thursday, Jan. 30 at Briar Woods High School (22525 Belmont Ridge Rd, Ashburn). Before the Gap Year Fair begins, attend Gap Year 101 from 6 to 6:45 p.m. for an overview of gap year opportunities and to have your questions about a gap year answered. The Gap Year Fair will begin at 6:45 p.m. and continue until 8:30 p.m. During this time students and their parents will have the opportunity to explore 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.

Throughout the school year, the Office of Special Education, the Office of Student Mental Health Services and the Division of English Learners’ Family and Community Engagement Office host workshops and information sessions to inform parents/guardians and community members about LCPS programs or to highlight key points of awareness. These events feature LCPS education professionals and often also include community partners. 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.

• Middle School Connection: Moving On from Elementary to Middle School with an IEP

Thursday, Jan. 16, 6:30-8 p.m., Virtual, Link will be sent to those who have registered.

This workshop will answer some important questions, including: How is middle school different from elementary school? What is the role of the case manager? What are the full continuum of service options? What is block scheduling? What are the participation requirements for statewide assessments in middle school? Plan to attend to learn how to support your student in their transition to middle school with an IEP. The workshop will be held virtually. Register for the meeting to receive instructions on how to attend the workshop.

• LCPS Math Course Selection Process for Grades 6-12: Guidance for EL Families

Tuesday, Jan. 21, 6 p.m. Spanish and English, 7 p.m., Arabic and English, Virtual

Join the EL FACE team for an informative session on the Secondary Math Course selection process. This session is designed to inform families about various math course options for students and the resources available to support decision-making. Families are encouraged to come with questions. See the EL FACE website for more details.

Please note: The Transition Services workshop, Next Steps: College, Careers and Beyond for Students with IEPs, planned for Saturday, Jan. 11 has been postponed. A new date has not been scheduled.

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, which will be 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.)

Loudoun Education Foundation is hosting its annual music festival, Old Ox Rocks for Teachers, on Saturday, Feb. 1, from 3 to 9 p.m. in Ashburn. The festival lineup includes student musicians, The Surfabilly Vibe, and headliner '80s cover band Berlin Calling. Proceeds fund the Loudoun Education Foundation's Innovation in Education grants, which provide for LCPS teachers and classrooms. This event is free for LCPS staff with an LCPS badge. See the Loudoun Education Foundation website for more details.

The Loudoun County School Board is holding an organization meeting tonight, Thursday, Jan. 9, to schedule meetings for the year. All LCPS School Board meetings are live-streamed. Meeting agendas are available on the LCPS School Board website (under Meetings) by approximately 5:30 p.m. on the Friday prior to the School Board meeting.

Policy Review

LCPS policies are reviewed every five years per the Code of Virginia. During this process, LCPS asks for input from advisory committees, stakeholder groups and the community at large. The following policies are under review:

• Policy 6340, Disposal of Surplus Personal Property
• Policy 6460, Buildings and Grounds Management and Maintenance

To provide feedback on any policies that are currently under review, please see the Policy Review webpage to access the Policy Feedback Form. Providing input via the Feedback Form does not guarantee that the feedback will be included in the final policy. All feedback will be reviewed by the School Board Committee as they develop policies for submission to the entire School Board. The authority for final approval of any policy lies solely with the Loudoun County School Board.

Upcoming Holidays and Events

• Monday, Jan. 20 is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and student and staff holiday.
• The second grading period ends on Friday, Jan. 24.
• Monday, Jan. 27, and Tuesday, Jan. 28 are student holidays and staff professional days.
• Wednesday, Jan. 29 is the Lunar New Year and a student and staff holiday.
• Check the calendars for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 school years before you schedule vacations or doctor's appointments.
  
• The 2025 graduation schedule is posted on the LCPS website.

• Ask the Superintendent

• One LCPS: Forward Together Post-Entry Plan
• LCPS Policy Review
• Office of the Ombuds
• Comment and Complaint Form
• 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

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