The LCPS Letter

Superintendent Aaron Spence talks with Alexis Duffin, Supervisor of Head Start and Starting Towards Excellence in Preschool (STEP) preschool programs. These high-quality, early literacy programs help lay the foundation for future student success. LCPS offers Head Start and STEP programs in 26 locations with space for 400 students total. Watch the video to learn more or visit the LCPS' Head Start and STEP webpage.

The 2025 LCPS graduation season kicked off with the Academies of Loudoun's celebration of its seniors on Tuesday at Eagle Bank Arena. See the full list of upcoming graduations.

As part of our efforts to provide an engaging learning experience, LCPS uses a range of digital tools and services to support instruction and enhance student learning. Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, LCPS will be required by Google to ask parents to consent, or “opt in,” for their students to be able to access third-party applications not designed explicitly for K-12 use, which are commonly used in instruction, like YouTube, Google Maps, and Google Translate.

LCPS already limits access to applications that are not required or recommended for learning to the greatest extent possible on LCPS-issued devices and student permissions vary according to their elementary, middle or high school level.

There is no action needed now; however, in August, when parents/guardians complete the Online Verification process for their student, they will see a box to opt their student in or out for these third-party applications for their use in learning. We are writing to you now so you have time to research and review the process to the degree you wish prior to the Online Verification process in August.

Teachers will be planning alternative resources to offer students; however, if these third-party resources are needed, parents/guardians can easily update their preferences for their student's access. Simply return to your ParentVue account at any time and update the choice. The LCPS technology department is working on implementing an efficient process so that students can use these services the day after consent is received.

If you have questions, please read the posted Frequently Asked Questions or visit the list of LCPS-approved software.

The McKinney-Vento program supports students experiencing homelessness or living in temporary housing by providing educational stability. If your student lacks a fixed, adequate or regular nighttime residence, they may qualify for McKinney-Vento services. The application window for the 2025-26 school year opened on May 19, 2025, and applications are accepted throughout the year. Determination for acceptance into the program begins on July 1, 2025. Applications must be completed online and are available in your preferred language via computer or smartphone. To learn more about how a student may qualify for McKinney-Vento or to understand your child’s rights under the McKinney-Vento Act, please visit LCPS’ McKinney-Vento webpage.

Congratulations to the 13 LCPS students recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) as National Merit $2,500 Scholarship or Corporate-sponsored National Merit Scholarship winners. These scholarship announcements are the first award announcements as part of NMSC’s 70th annual awards presentation. NMSC will name the winners of college-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards on June 4 and July 14. Read more about these scholarship winners.

LCPS recently celebrated its first-ever Week of Play—a division-wide initiative bringing students, staff, and community partners together through movement. Held during National Physical Fitness & Sports Month, the week focused on making physical activity fun, inclusive and accessible to all ages and ability levels.

From daily challenges to K-12 school-based events and collaborative efforts with local organizations, the Week of Play highlighted how movement can build connection, resilience and wellness beyond the gym or field. Fitness isn’t just about competition—it’s about creating healthy habits that last. Our hope? That this “movement” continues year-round, with families making time to move, play and prioritize well-being together—every day.

Check out the video recap to see the energy, smiles and impact from across the county!

If you have concerns about your child during the summer months, or any time, that you would like to discuss with an LCPS Student Mental Health Services (SMHS) team member, contact SMHSLeadershipTeam@lcps.org. Please provide the best contact number, and someone from the Student Mental Health Services team will contact you within two business days. For mental health emergencies, please see our Crisis Mental Health Resources webpage for local and national resources.

Below are additional resources to support you and your student:

• Care Solace, a care coordination service, 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 match possible.

• ParentGuidance.org hosts a library of videos and courses that support parents/guardians in finding answers and compassionate help to mental health, emotional or developmental challenges. ParentGuidance.org also offers free parent coaching, which pairs parents/guardians with a parenting coach and therapist-created content.

• The Williams Center for Wellness and Recovery's programs are designed to help individuals recover from mental health and substance use disorders. This summer, The Williams Center offers a Summer Empowerment Program for high school students navigating emotional, social, and mental health challenges.

• Wellness Loudoun offers a diverse range of resources and supportive programs to all community members.

• The Ryan Bartel Foundation provides space for teens to connect, make friends and participate in fun, experiential workshops and activities that help them deal with everyday stresses.

• See Community Resources on the LCPS website for additional resources.

All students entering 7th and 12th grade are required to have certain immunizations before they can start school next school year. Don’t wait, schedule required immunizations today!

Students entering 7th grade must show proof of the following immunizations:

• One dose of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis) vaccine given at age 7 or older.
• One dose of meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY, Menactra, or Menveo) given at age 10 or older.

Students entering the 7th grade are also encouraged to receive the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.

Students entering the 12th grade must show proof of receiving the following immunization:

• One dose of meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY, Menactra, or Menveo) given at age 16 or older.

It is very important that all students have the appropriate documentation for these immunizations by the first day of school. Students without the appropriate documentation will not be able to start school on time. Don’t wait until August! Immunize your student early and provide your student’s school with the appropriate proof of immunization prior to the first day. See the Immunization Requirements webpage for more details.

LCPS families are invited to dive into the magic of storytelling at the Rally for Reading on Saturday, June 7, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Frederick Douglass Community Center (407 E. Market St., Leesburg). Lucky Diaz, the author of Paletero Man and Fix-it Familia, and Vanessa Brantley-Newton, the author of Becoming Vanessa and the illustrator of The King of Kindergarten!, will share stories and sign books. To help support families, free transportation will be provided from Sugarland Elementary School and Sterling Middle School. Buses will depart the schools at 9:15 a.m. and return by 1:30 p.m. This free event is sponsored by the Claude Moore Foundation and Shenandoah University.

Through its Fueled program, the Loudoun Education Foundation supports more than 40 schools across LCPS. This need does not disappear when students are out of school during the summer months. Please consider hosting a snack or hygiene drive this summer with your office, neighborhood, or organization. See LEF's Fueled webpage to learn how to host your own drive and download a flyer.

Loudoun County Public Libraries (LCPL) invites readers to embark on a legendary quest this summer, complete with free family programs and enchanting prizes. All ages and reading levels are invited to join the fun, including pre-readers, kids, teens and adults.

Pre-registration for LCPL Summer Reading Program -- Realm of Stories -- is open. All who pre-register are invited to kick off summer with free admission to a Purcellville Cannons baseball game Saturday, June 14 at 7 p.m. Also, on Saturday, June 14, begin your summer adventure full of magical books, literary challenges and fantastical events. More details at the LCPL Summer Reading Program website.

SUN Bucks, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service, provides $120 in grocery benefits per eligible school-age child when school is out for summer. SUN Bucks can be used to purchase food from authorized retailers. School-aged children whose families receive SNAP, TANF, FDPIR, or certain other income-based benefits will be automatically enrolled to receive SUN Bucks. Additionally, children who attend a school that offers the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program and whose household income makes them eligible for free or reduced-price school meals may also be automatically enrolled in SUN Bucks. See USDA's Sun Bucks website for more details.

As National Physical Fitness and Sports Month comes to a close, let’s remember—fitness is more than competitive sports and isn’t about a finish line. It’s about creating habits that support the whole child every day of the year. And those habits start with more than jumping jacks and jogs—they start with connection, resilience and joy.

Physical movement is a powerful tool for building social emotional learning (SEL) skills in students and adults of all ages. Whether it’s learning how to take turns in a game, practicing perseverance during a workout or celebrating progress with peers, movement experiences offer natural opportunities to grow socially and emotionally.

Here’s how movement supports the whole community in meaningful ways:

• Self-awareness – Movement helps tune us into how our body feels, what we enjoy and how movement affects our mood and energy.
• Self-management – From pacing ourselves during an activity to calming our breath after exercise, movement helps us learn how to manage stress and regulate emotions.
• Social awareness – Partner games and team challenges help develop empathy, practice encouragement and learn to celebrate others’ successes.
• Relationship skills – Fitness activities often require communication, cooperation and collaboration—skills that translate to stronger friendships and better teamwork in and out of the classroom, the office or out in the general public.
• Responsible decision-making – When students and families set personal goals, make choices about how to move or try something new, they’re building confidence and independence.

Whether it’s walking during lunch, dancing in the kitchen or stretching before bedtime, movement matters. It fuels the body, calms the mind and builds the kind of skills that last far beyond May.

Let’s keep the momentum going. Encourage your students—and yourself—to move a little more each day. Because when we move with intention, we grow stronger in every way. Fitness isn't a moment. It's a mindset. Let's keep moving, together.

Reflect and Connect: When do you find yourself focusing more on your challenges than your strengths? What might help you reframe those moments and recognize your growth?

Read a summary of the Loudoun County School Board's most recent meeting held on Tuesday, May 20. The next Loudoun County School Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 10. All School Board meetings are live-streamed. The full meeting agenda will be available on the Loudoun County 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 policy is under review:

• Policy 8120, Compulsory Attendance

Please see the Policy Review webpage for more details about policies currently under review and feedback submission deadlines. Providing input 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

• The last day of school is Friday, June 13.
• Thursday, June 19 is Juneteenth and a staff holiday.
• Calendars for the 2025/26 and 2026/27 school years are posted on the LCPS website. Please check the school calendars before scheduling vacations or other student absences.
• 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
• LCPS Family and Community Engagement
• Join the LCPS Team

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