Algonkian Updates

Please note that the views contained herein reflect the views of the individual School Board member who is the publisher of this newsletter and may not reflect the views of the Loudoun County School Board and/or Loudoun County Public Schools.

It's hard to believe that we are at the start of a brand new school year already! The first day of school is one of my favorite days of the entire year because it marks so many beginnings—new teachers, new friends, new opportunities, and new things to learn. I hope this past week has gone smoothly for families and staff alike, and that your students are enjoying getting settled in their classes, reconnecting with friends, and getting into the swing of the school year.

My husband and I are entering our thirteenth year as LCPS parents, and this milestone is bittersweet as we consider all the "lasts" we will experience this year, too. I am grateful for all of the educators in LCPS who have supported our Senior and helped her find her interests (and those who have helped her little sister do the same). Whether you are in your first year of teaching or your second decade, whether you taking your very first "first day of school" picture or choosing a senior portrait package, I hope that this school year is your best yet and that you make lots of memories along the way.

Warm wishes,

April

This fall, an attendance zone change process is slated to begin for Eastern Loudoun elementary schools. This process was proposed earlier this year and voted on by the School Board at the August 13 Board meeting. The goal of this process is to ensure we are using our school buildings efficiently. It also allows us to address overcrowding, underutilized school facilities, and to better allocate our resources.

An attendance zone change process was initiated out of concern for use disparities between Potowmack and Horizon Elementary Schools. Potowmack is projected to be overenrolled due to a new development anticipated within the current attendance zone. Potowmack's neighboring elementary school, Horizon, is currently underutilized. After examining enrollment and instructional program space needs, staff has recommended including a boundary review for Algonkian, Countryside, and Lowes Island Elementary Schools as well.

Every step of this review process will take place during public meetings and work sessions that will also be live-streamed. As a fellow parent and community member, I want to be sure that everyone who may be impacted by any proposed change is fully aware and informed every step of the way. I will be posting information, meeting recaps, and links on my social media pages in addition to monthly newsletter updates. I encourage you to share your thoughts, ideas, and concerns with me at april.chandler@lcps.org or through Let's Talk: April Chandler / April Chandler Contact Page (lcps.org).

Including a school in an attendance zone change process means that an attendance zone adjustment may be reviewed, discussed, proposed and/or adopted for the school. Per School Board Policy and Regulation 6530, Changing School Attendance Zones, a series of public hearings, meetings, and work sessions will begin this October and continue through December 10, with a School Board vote on any proposed attendance zone changes. Additional abbreviated attendance zone processes may be initiated as needed, and any such process would also be open to the public and guided by Policy 6530 and Regulation 6530-REG.

Please note the schedule of meetings for the Eastern Loudoun Attendance Zone Change Process below. All public meetings will be held at the LCPS Administration Building (21000 Education Court, Ashburn).

Tues 10/22 6:30 pm: Information Item - Abbreviated School Attendance Zone Change Process (as identified)

Weds 10/23 6:30 pm: Eastern Loudoun Elementary School Attendance Zones Overview

Mon 10/28 6:30 pm: Eastern Loudoun ES Attendance Zones Public Hearing & Work Session

Mon 11/11 6:30 pm: Eastern Loudoun ES Attendance Zones Public Hearing & Work Session

Tues 11/12 6:30 pm: Public Hearing & Action Item/Vote - Abbreviated School Attendance Zone Change Process (as identified)

Tues, 11/26 6:30 pm: Information Item - Eastern Loudoun ES Attendance Zones

Tues, 12/3 6:30 pm: Eastern Loudoun ES Attendance Zones Briefing/Public Hearing

Tues, 12/10 6:30 pm: Action Item/Vote - Eastern Loudoun ES Attendance Zones

At the August 13 School Board meeting, the Board adopted the proposed Collective Bargaining Resolution recommended by the Legislative, Audit & Policy Committee, with six votes in support and three votes against. I have been transparent about my support for collective bargaining from the moment I first decided to run for office, as data shows that bargaining results in better student outcomes, increases teacher retention rates, and improves working conditions and salaries for educators. In other school districts that have used collective bargaining, students have benefited from smaller class sizes, districts have hired more specialized instructional support personnel, and curriculum, resources, and facilities have undergone needed updates. Bargaining has also been shown to improve school climate and morale, increase teacher pay, and mitigate other factors that have contributed to the nationwide teacher shortage.

Every student deserves an excellent education, one that is provided in a safe and supportive school environment. I believe that every teacher deserves a workplace that is fair, responsive, provides competitive pay, and creates a culture where students can thrive. I am proud of my work with the members of the Board to-date and look forward to continuing to help shape this new collaboration

among the school board, teachers, staff, and administration to make it the best school division in the Commonwealth.

The Collective Bargaining Resolution is an important step. This document sets the procedures for the process, beginning with an election. Then, LCPS employees will utilize a democratic process to determine the next steps of the collective bargaining process.

The School Board adopted Policy 8655, Student Personal Device Use, at our June 25 Board meeting to help foster a productive academic environment and boost student engagement while nurturing responsible digital citizenship among our students.

The policy states:

• Elementary school students are not permitted to use personal technology during the school day.

• Middle school students must keep their devices silent and not visible, stored in their locker during the school day. Personal devices may be used before or after the school day.

• High school students must place personal technology devices in a classroom storage location, not on their person or immediately accessible, and must ensure the devices are silenced during instructional time.

In July, after LCPS implemented the policy, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin signed Executive Order 33, directing multiple state agencies to address student cell phone use in schools, including charging the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) with providing school divisions with guidance regarding student use of cell phones while at school. School divisions must have a policy in place by January 1, 2025.

Currently, there are differences between the LCPS policy and VDOE's guidance. The LCPS policy may be changed to comply with the final VDOE policy for cell phone-free education. LCPS encourages students, staff and families to review the LCPS policy and VDOE guidance and share thoughts or suggestions with VDOE through their Feedback Form. The deadline to submit feedback is Sunday, September 15. While LCPS reviews the VDOE guidance on cell phone use in schools, the LCPS policy will remain in effect.

I know this may be a challenging policy to implement, but so far, feedback from school-based staff has been overwhelmingly positive. I ask everyone, including principals, teachers, and parents, to work together as a community to help us support our students through this transition. It might not be easy, but I believe the results will be worth the effort. I look forward to hearing your feedback on the implementation process this semester.

On August 15, I attended a White Coat Ceremony to mark the official launch of the Health and Medical Sciences (HAMSci) Academy, jointly located at Briar Woods and Tuscarora High Schools. The event, held at Briar Woods, marked the beginning of a significant journey for students entering the four-year HAMSci program, which is designed to provide health science literacy, develop critical thinking skills, and offer opportunities for students to be well-prepared for healthcare careers, with the possibility of earning industry credentials.

The presentation of white coats serves as a visual symbol of students' readiness to meet the rigorous requirements of the program. It also signifies their commitment to demonstrating proficiency in health literacy—understanding and using information and services to make informed health-related decisions for themselves and others. Over 750 students expressed interest in the program, with the inaugural class consisting of 148 students. It was really exciting to witness the launch of this program, which came together after over a year of planning and was made possible in part by funding partners including the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation, the Loudoun Education Foundation, Inova Health System, and Google. Best wishes to these scholars as they take their first steps toward careers in the health and medical science fields!

LCPS has expanded its Middle School Intramural Sports Program to all 18 middle schools for the 2024-25 school year. With no prior sports experience required, the program is inclusive and open to students of all skill levels. Throughout the school year, students will have a choice of a variety of different sports, including 7-on-7 flag football, 6-on-6 volleyball, 3-on-3 basketball, and 7-on-7 soccer. Interested students can register online through the Middle School Intramural Sports Activity Registration Website. To learn more about the program, visit the LCPS Intramurals Page, or contact your home middle school to get started.

LCPS transitioned to GoFan, a new online ticketing platform, on August 26. This platform will replace the Hometown Fan App for all high school athletic events. Fans can purchase tickets online via each school’s dedicated LCPS GoFan page or use mobile payment options at the gate, which accepts major credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. To ensure a smooth transition, fans are encouraged to purchase tickets online in advance and familiarize themselves with the GoFan platform, which requires a smartphone. Clear signage will be posted at venues to assist with online purchases, and the GoFan How-to guide and Frequently Asked Questions are available for additional support.

GoFan is a trusted digital ticketing and event management system used by school districts nationwide, including for Virginia High School League (VHSL) events. LCPS anticipates a seamless transition and will provide assistance through the Athletic Department. For any questions about events and tickets, contact your school’s athletic department directly.

The Academies of Loudoun Fall Admission Cycle is now open and will run until Wednesday, October 16. This cycle is for eighth-grade students enrolled in Algebra I or higher who wish to apply for ninth-grade entry into the Academy of Engineering & Technology or the Academy of Science for the 2025-2026 school year.

Four fall admissions information sessions will be held for eighth-grade students and their parents or guardians. These sessions will cover details about the Academies' programs and the application process. The sessions are scheduled for:

• August 28 from 6:30-7:30 pm at Tuscarora High School
• September 14 from 10:00-11:00 am at Independence High School
• September 18 from 6:30-7:30 pm at Harmony Middle School
• October 1 from 6:30-7:30 pm at River Bend Middle School

For more information, visit the Academies of Loudoun Admissions website or contact the admissions office.

The Prevention Alliance of Loudoun, in partnership with LCPS Office of Student Mental Health Services, The Williams Center for Wellness and Recovery, Insight Into Action Therapy, and Serenity House, will be hosting the first ever "Shatter the Stigma 5k: Loudoun Strong" to raise awareness and decrease the stigma surrounding substance use disorders. The event will take place on Saturday, September 14 at 9:00 am at Morven Park, 17195 Southern Planter Lane, in Leesburg. Students, families, and staff are invited to participate to help raise awareness and hope in the fight against substance use disorders. Register now!

On Saturday, September 21, I will be holding office hours for constituents at the Cascades Library in Meeting Room D from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm. Please sign up for a meeting time if you'd like to meet in person to discuss an issue or concern. I look forward to speaking with you!

Monday, 9/2: Holiday (Labor Day)

Tuesday, 9/10, 4:30 pm: Second Tuesday School Board Meeting

Tuesday, 9/24, 4:30 pm: Fourth Tuesday School Board Meeting

Wednesday, 9/25, 7:00 pm: Fentanyl Awareness and Information Session at Lightridge High School

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