Leopard Tales: October 6th

Good afternoon Lowes Island Leopards!

I hope that you are enjoying your long weekend! It was amazing to see some sunshine!

Our students enjoyed music at lunch last week for reaching the goal of $10,000 raised during Laps for Lowes. We are currently at $19,500 and can still reach our goal of $30,000 in order to be able to pie your adiminstrators in the face! You can still submit donations online and send them to school as well.

Enjoy the remainder of your weekend, and we look foward to seeing our Leopards tomorrow!

Your PROUD Principal,

Dr. Puschak kate.puschak@lcps.org

**Always BE KIND**

**Every Leopard Every Day**

Score reports and assessment results for the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Reading and/or Math tests are now available in ParentVUE.

The Test History tab will show your student’s national percentile rank, which is the percentage of students across the United States, in the same grade, that had a MAP score less than or equal to your student's score. For example, a third-grade student with a national percentile rank of 49 has a MAP Growth score that is equal to or higher than 49% of all third graders nationally who took MAP within the same time period.

The Documents tab will show your student’s Student Progress Report, which breaks down their instructional readiness score into skill subgroup scores and shows their growth across the current school year.

If you have questions regarding MAP test(s), please contact your student’s teacher and/or visit the LCPS MAP website at: https://www.lcps.org/o/lcps/page/measures-of-academic-progress-map

If it is determined your child is in need of an intervention plan as a result of these screenings and other data, the school will notify you and provide you with a copy of the intervention plan.

Lowes Island will be administering the Virginia Language and Literacy Screening (VALLSS) to students in Kindergarten October 7th -November 1st.

VALLSS is an updated screening tool that will replace the formerly administered PALS (Phonological Awareness Literacy Screener). VALLSS is more comprehensive and assesses students on a wider range of early literacy skills. Results are used to determine individual children’s learning goals, plan classroom instruction, and raise awareness of children who need additional support or instruction in early reading and literacy. Focusing on early detection and early intervention of reading difficulties is a required state-wide policy (Early Intervention Reading Initiative).

Please reach out to your classroom teacher with any questions.

Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) performs regular inspections of school buildings and facilities in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), which was signed into law in 1986. As required by the Commonwealth of Virginia and the EPA, this notification is to inform you that there are no known asbestos-containing materials (ACM) in Lowes Island Elementary School.

This building was constructed after the passage of AHERA and has been certified by the architect or general contractor to have not been built with asbestos-containing materials. A copy of this certification is maintained in the school’s Asbestos Management Plan.

Members of the community can review a copy of any school or facility’s Asbestos Management Plan, which is kept in the school or facility’s administrative office. In addition, copies of all Management Plans are maintained in the Loudoun County Public Schools Facilities Services Environmental Division offices, located at 741 Miller Drive, Leesburg, Virginia. For all inquiries regarding the asbestos management plan and asbestos-related issues in our facilities, please contact the LCPS-designated asbestos program manager, Cristina Windover, at ehs@lcps.org or 571-420-0513.

LCPS is committed to providing safe schools for all students and employees in our division. It is LCPS’ intention to comply with all federal and state regulations regarding asbestos and to take whatever steps necessary to ensure students and employees have a healthy and safe environment in which to learn and work. Thank you for your attention to this important issue.

🍎 Apple Bar for staff on 10/17 - The Candy Apple Bar was a huge hit last year so we're bringing it back! We need parent donations to make it happen. See details and sign up to donate food items or make monetary donations here.

🍂 Fall Bingo Night Registration is open! - This is a popular sell-out event, and space is limited, so be sure to register early and secure your spot here!

🍕🕹️ Join Us for Spirit Night at Chuck E. Cheese! - Join us on October 11th from 3 PM to close for a fun-filled evening of games and good food at Chuck E. Cheese! Bring your friends and support the PTO while having a blast!

🍂 Fall Spirit Wear is here! - Our new Fall line has launched! Be sure to check out the PTO website to see all the exciting items we have on offer. Don’t miss out on showing your school spirit in style! Orders are due by October 14th.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 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.

🍂 Fall Family Bingo - We’re thrilled to bring bingo back, but we need plenty of volunteers to make this big event a success! If you’re interested in helping out, check out the details and join the fun. Information can be found here.

🎂 Birthday Sign Fundraiser* - We are super excited to be bringing back the birthday sign shoutout fundraiser this school year! You can get details here. *The Birthday Sign fundraiser is only open to PTO members. You have to pay your membership dues before you can buy a week on the sign.

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