

Heritage Weekly Update, June 14
The news you need from the Home of the PRIDE!
Traduccion en Espanol
-Para ver el boletin en Espanol haga click en el cuadrado negro ubicado en la parte derecha donde dice "Translate Newsletter"
-Cuando llegue aqui haga clic en la flecha que apunta hacia abajo y escoja el idioma "Spanish"
Principal's Message and Updates
Senior Sunset on the 13th
ROAR PRIDE! Congrats, Class of 2024!
Thanks to Ms. Boyce for the picture!
Good afternoon, Heritage PRIDE!
I hope this update finds you and those you care about safe and well. Not much else to say here at the End of the 2023-24 School Year except "Thank you for a great year!" It truly is an honor to serve this community. There are some important updates for next year, including our new bell schedule and a short introduction to the newest member of our Leadership Team, Ms. Kim Vaughn, who will be taking over as Assistant Principal for Kim Turner, who has been serving the students and staff at Hertitage for the past 21 years!
#wearethepride
- As you can see you can see above, 356 new Graduates received their diplomas on Friday Night! 278 of those were advacned studies diplomas, and 12 of our students graduated with a Seal of Biliteracy, indicating strong fluency in 2 or more languages! Congratulations to the Class of 2024! ROAR PRIDE!
- Heritage staff and Faculty Members Bud Humphries, Jim Hurrell, Cindy Juzbasich, Dave Larson, Laura Noselli, Ken Schiffer, and Assistant Principal Kim Turner are all retiring this year. They have a combined 68 years of service to the Heritage PRIDE Community and a combined 158 years of service to public education overall. We have been so fortunate that they shared their gifts with us for so long!
Walk 4 Rock Sunset Walk on July 13
A Sunset walk in honor of 2023 Heritage Graduate Rocky Elardo will be happening on Saturday, July 13th! Money raised will help those affected by Ewings Sarcoma and cancer. Here is the link with all of the details, including how to register: https://www.wizathon.com/walk4rock-sas/?id=6727
Vaughn named as new Assistant Principal
Kim Vaughn, a proud Georgia native, is thrilled to join the Heritage family. With a rich educational background, Kim holds an educational specialist in educational leadership from Old Dominion University, a master's degree in sports administration, and a bachelor’s degree in mass communications from Grambling State University.
Previously, Vaughn served as Assistant Principal of the College & Career Academy at Rome High School in Rome City Schools, GA. Before this role, she held various positions within Fairfax County Public Schools, Atlanta Public Schools, and Cobb County School District. Kim's diverse experience includes roles such as assessment coach/school testing coordinator, health and physical education teacher, dance instructor, department co-chair, curriculum developer, veteran observation teacher, and coach for multiple athletic teams.
New Bell Schedule for 2023-24
Over the course of the Spring, staff and students at Heritage have been studying our bell schedule to find ways to increase flexibilty for students to get academic assistance, to include time for clubs and other activities that enhance the school experience, and to establish a consistent daily schedule. Here is the final draft of the schedule that we will be using. Students and staff have had a chance to give their feedback, and we are taking all feedback from staff and students into consideration as we hammer out the details over the summer. The most recent survey indicated a large majority of support from both staff and students on the move towards this new schedule, and I am looking forward to unlocking the possibilities that this offers us.
Summer Substance Abuse Resource
Our Student Assistance Specialist, Sherry Hoover has provided this excellent resource about summer substance abuse.
From the PTSO
Thank You PTSO Members, Donors, and Volunteers
Together, our efforts enhanced the Heritage High School experience for our students and staff. This year the PTSO:
- Awarded four senior scholarships
- Provided teacher grants for a health/PE outdoor classroom, online education subscriptions, learning environment enhancements, and teaching supplies
- Represented the needs of HHS students and families with representatives on the LCPS committees for Loudoun Education Alliance of Families (LEAF), Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC), and Minority Student Achievement Advisory Committee (MSAAC)
- Supported the Homecoming and Snowcoming Dances with snacks and parent volunteers for coat check, refreshments, and chaperones
- Celebrated school spirit with yard signs for staff’s first day, homecoming, Teacher Appreciation Week, and graduation
- Hosted several staff appreciation events including a back-to-school lunch, fall sip-and-chip, sweets smorgasbord, valentine’s treats, teacher appreciation week lunch, and end-of-year staff lunch donation
- Donated snacks and prizes for Decision Day
- Supported the All Night Graduation Party for the Class of 2024
For those returning to Heritage next year, please renew your membership this August and continue to support the PTSO in the 2024-25 school year. Have a great summer!
Help Make Our Class of 2025 HHS All Night Graduation Party Unforgettable!
Parents – The All Night Graduation Party (ANGP), an event dedicated to celebrating our graduates in a fun, safe, and memorable way. To make the 2025 event a success, we need your help!
Why Volunteer?
- Celebrate Together: Join us in creating a special night for our graduates. It's a wonderful opportunity to share in their joy and achievements.
- Make a Difference: Your involvement ensures a safe and enjoyable experience for all students.
- Meet Other Parents: Volunteering is a great way to connect with other parents and become more involved in our school community. You don’t need to have a senior to participate!
- We have various roles available to fit different schedules and interests, from setting up decorations to hosting activities. Whether you can contribute a few hours or take on a larger role, your help is invaluable.
- Not sure what’s involved? We will provide clear instructions and support for all volunteer tasks.
Interested? Please click here to sign up and let us know what interests you. If you have questions or need more information, contact heritagehsallnightgradparty@gmail.com
Thank you for your consideration and support. Together, we can make the Class of 2025 All Night Graduation Party an unforgettable event for our graduates!
MSAAC & SEAC Reps Needed for 2024-25
Two volunteers are needed for the representation on LCPS committees for the 2024-25 school year. The time commitment is 2-3 hours per month with evening meetings held at the LCPS offices in Ashburn. This is a great way to get involved with programs that directly impact our students. If interested, please email PTSO President Shirley McLellan at skmclellan@verizon.net by June 15.
Minority Student Achievement Advisory Committee (MSAAC): Advises LCPS on issues relating to achievement of historically minoritized, marginalized, or otherwise systemically disadvantaged student groups, secures for all students in LCPS the highest advantages in academic, vocational, physical, cultural, and social education, provides a forum for educational concerns, and serves as a network for interaction among local parent groups.
Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC): Advises LCPS of needs in the education of children with disabilities, reviews related policies and procedures, and participates in development of priorities and strategies for meeting the needs of students with disabilities.
Senior Tech Information-Attention Seniors!
We want to remind all graduating LCPS students who are not attending summer school that they will have the following access to their Google and Microsoft Accounts through the following dates:
Full Access
- Through June 30, 2024
Download Only Access
- July 1-31, 2024
No Access
- Beginning August 1, 2024
- October 1, 2024
Seniors need to export any data from these accounts by August 1, 2024.
- For information on how to export the data, please download the Google Takeout Instructions.
- For questions, please contact the Department of Digital Innovation at DDI-TechnologySupportCenter@lcps.org or via phone at 571- 252-2112
Course Request Changes for 2024-2025
Course requests can be viewed in the Documents tab of ParentVUE/StudentVUE. Please review and complete your request for any changes with this change request form by the deadline of Friday, June 21st.
Requests must be made by parent/guardian email and those made after this deadline will not be honored.
Important Dates, 2024-25 School Year
July 13: Walk 4 Rock event, 7:30 PM
July 18, 19: Senior Portraits (information sent home prior to dates)
August 5: First Day of Fall Athletic Tryouts
August 20: New Student Orientation and Back to School Celebration (date change)
August 22: First Day of School
August 28, 29: School Picture Day (grades 9-11)
October 1: Fall Conference Night (date change)
October 9 - PSAT
October 21-26: Homecoming Week 2025
November 1 - Students must be registered for AP exam
Here are our weekly College and Career newsletters:
Thank you for your continued trust and support of our Mission at Heritage High School.
ROAR PRIDE!
Jeff Adam
Principal
Heritage High School
#wearethepride
Two Important Graphics from the Assembly
Resources from our Student Assistance Specialist
New trend alert: Zyn and Oral Nicotine Pouches
Please take a look at the link below. This is a big trend on Tik Tok right now and they even have Zyn influencers. Any student caught using these products at school would face consequences outlined in the Student Rights and Responsibilities.
This is not a tobacco product, but is a nicotine product which means it can be addictive and you must be 21 years old to purchase. The pouches are sometimes referred to as a "lip pillow" or "upper decky." The pouches do not always dissolve., it can increase depression and anxiety in teens, and can cause rapid heartrate.
Resources on Substance Use and Overdose Response Guidance (more information below):
· A variety of resources for parents are available from the DEA’s website on Fentanyl Awareness
· Prevention Alliance of Loudoun created this Opioids: What you need to know in English & Spanish, Naloxone for Opioid Overdose Response: REVIVE Site and Information.
· Song for Charlie has a variety of English & Spanish resources available on their website,
· ‘Awkward Conversations’ Podcast - Podcast designed to educate parents about teen substance use
School Counseling Corner
CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS OF 2024!
Check out this awesome CLASS OF 2024 VIDEO TRIBUTE as well as the Class of 2024 Senior Excellence Awards & Decision Day Celebration, made by Ms. Fekel with love and best wishes from your Pride Family.
Congrats to our Seniors and a BIG ‘Thank You!’ to Ms. Carlina Fekel, our amazing Career Center Specialist, who planned and organized our warm and celebratory Decision Day gathering on Wednesday, May 22nd. We celebrated the paths our seniors have chosen and are so proud of how intentional our students are with their choices. Represented were:
- many 4-year colleges (big, small, in-state and out-of-state)
- a large team of future Nighthawks attending NOVA in the fall
- a group of committed students already set on a path toward skilled tradesmanship and immediate career growth through Beckstrom Electric and other employers
- students who have opted for a gap year to explore the world abroad or explore interests at home
- students who have honorably committed to serving our country through military service
We are proud of all of you and it has been a joy to watch you grow into your own choices as you continue your success. ROAR Class of 2024!
Course Request Changes for 2024-2025
Course requests can be viewed in the Documents tab of ParentVUE/StudentVUE. Please review and complete your request for any changes with this change request form by the deadline of Friday, June 21st.
Requests must be made by parent/guardian email and those made after this deadline will not be honored.
Have a safe and restful summer!
Fall Athletic Tryout 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 our Athletic Director, James Totaro.
Student Assistance Information
In partnership with our Student Assistance Specialist, I will use this section to keep families updated on current Substance Use trends in our community. I just want to reiterate that I believe, realistically speaking, substance abuse is not a problem of just one school or institution or one area of the county or nation. Rather, it is a community issue that requires us all working together to keep each other informed to help do everything we can to keep our students safe.
Superintendent's Message
LCPS Superintendent, Dr. Aaron Spence, sent a message home on November 1st. That message and the resources it contains can be found here.
Our Efforts
The staff at Heritage work collaboratively to keep our students safe. Some of the efforts we make include routine bathroom checks, sharing of information with our community, cooperation and communication with Leesburg Police and the Loudoun Sherriff's Department, substance abuse presentations in Health classes, opioid resuscitation training for staff, morning announcement presentation on fentanyl (next week), and keeping Narcan stocked and available.
LCPS Drug Awareness Page
LCPS has a webpage diedicated to providing information about sustance abuse.
Opioid Overdose Training
Revive: Opioid Overdose Reversal Training | Loudoun County, VA - Official Website
Parent Resources and Events
Need to Report a Safety Concern?
Emergency?
Call 911.
During School or a School Concern?
Email or call our Administrators, Counselors or Safety and Security Offices (all are listed on our Main Webpage) or use the Safe2Talk app:
Safe2Talk App
Safe2Talk is a free, downloadable app that allows students, parents, teachers, and residents the ability to anonymously report safety concerns in our schools, including suspicious or threatening social media activity.
- All reports through the app are monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week by dispatchers in the Loudoun Sheriff’s Office Emergency Communications Center.
- In cases of imminent threats, LCSO Patrol Deputies and School Resource Officers are immediately notified.
- Download the App
- The app is available through the app store. To report a suspicious incident anonymously, please click the link. https://www.p3campus.com/TipForm.aspx?ID=5060
Reminder: Security Protocols
Occassionally, I will send reminders about our entrance security protocols. When visiting Heritage during school hours, please be prepared to show ID and answer simple questions about the purpose of your visit. We appreciate everyone's cooperation and partnership in helping keep our students and staff safe. Additionally, please remember we will not accept food deliveries for students during school hours. If there is a unique situation, please contact the Main Office.
We Welcome Your Feedback!
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.