The LCPS Letter

One LCPS Celebration Day!
Students and staff celebrated the 2nd Annual One LCPS Celebration Day today! Dr. Spence created the event to honor schools, their staff and students for everything they do for LCPS. Students and staff wore spirit wear and shared fun photos to be included in a division-wide contest. Winners of the photo contest will be announced at the beginning of November.
During Celebration Day, Dr. Spence and his team visited several schools to thank and congratulate staff and students for making LCPS shine! Be sure to check out the 2025 LCPS Innovation & Achievement report to learn about all the great accomplishments LCPS has to celebrate! From SOL scores to schools to watch, LCPS is a leader in not only Northern Virginia but across the U.S. as well. This could not happen without the hard work of LCPS' dedicated staff and amazing students. Thank you!
Waves of Spirit for One LCPS Celebration Day
In anticipation of One LCPS Celebration Day, 35 LCPS schools plus Administration Office staff joined forces for our largest-ever LCPS wave! This joyful video was shared on social media (@LCPSOfficial), but we couldn’t resist posting it here too! Check out the video and see if you can spot your school. This video highlights the unity and energy that makes LCPS shine.
Guide and Directory Helps Connect Community with Key LCPS Resources
The 2025–2026 LCPS Guide and Directory is now available! This comprehensive resource is designed to connect families, staff and community members with essential information about Loudoun County Public Schools. It features key contacts, program overviews and quick-reference tools to help users navigate services and supports across the division. Whether you're a parent, student, educator or community partner, the Guide and Directory is a great resource to help better understand and access the people and programs that shape learning in LCPS. The Guide and Directory is available on the Communications page on the LCPS website under the Online Resources section. A limited number of hard copies were delivered to each school last week with additional copies available through the Department of Communications and Community Engagement.
LCPS Podcast: Sterling Middle Students Discuss What Makes a Community
In the October episode of the School Spirit Podcast, Renée Dawson, Director of LCPS’ Division of Family and Community Engagement, sits down with students from Sterling Middle School for a conversation about community, their hopes for the future and how Advisory helps them pursue their goals. But the dialogue doesn’t stop there. The students turn the tables and ask Ms. Dawson what it’s like on the other side of the desk, offering listeners a glimpse into the life of a school administrator.
The LCPS Podcast brings you behind the scenes with school leaders, educators, students and community members to explore trends shaping K–12 education and incredible moments you won’t find anywhere else. New episodes drop every Thursday. Find the LCPS Podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music and iHeart Radio. Listen to this week's episode on the LCPS Podcast webpage.
Park View HS Security Officer Wins SHINE Award
Alphonso Nation, School Security Officer at Park View High School, is this month’s SHINE award winner! Mr. Nation was nominated by fellow school security officer Steven Frias Santana, who shared that Mr. Nation reconfigured the entry area at Park View High School to ensure a safer and more controlled entry process. Mr. Nation also designed and built a standing desk and outfitted it with school maps and a directory so that students, staff and visitors can quickly access essential information. “Mr. Nation’s initiative reflects not only his commitment to safety but also his care for ensuring that everyone in the building feels informed and supported,” wrote Mr. Santana in his nomination.
SHINE -- which stands for Spotlighting Heroes in Education -- is a joint Loudoun Education Foundation and LCPS initiative that recognizes LCPS staff members who go above and beyond. In celebration of his selection as the SHINE monthly winner, Mr. Nation received a gift worth $500 coordinated by LEF and sponsored by Apple Federal Credit Union. Members of the LCPS community – including other staff members, students, and parents – are invited to nominate LCPS staff who shine! Learn more about SHINE.
Support LCPS Students and Enter LEF's Annual Raffle
Support LCPS students and educators by entering to win one of three outstanding prizes, as part of the Loudoun Education Foundation's annual raffle. Purchasing a ticket for $100 enters you to win one of three outstanding prizes:
- 2 U.S. Open Trophy Club Weekly Ticket Packages, Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, NY, June 15-21, 2026 ($5,000 value)
- Future Play for 4 at Creighton Farms ($1,400 value)
- 3-Bedroom Beach House in the Outer Banks, with no blackout dates for all of 2026 ($2,500 value)
Winners will be announced on Monday, Oct. 27 during LEF's Annual Golf Classic Tournament. (Winners do not need to be present to accept prize.) Your participation equates to a donation to the Loudoun Education Foundation in support of helping LCPS students reach their full potential.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND WORKSHOPS
HBCU Fair Celebrates Legacy and Opportunities
Plan to attend the 11th Annual Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Fair, on Saturday, Nov. 1 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Tuscarora High School (801 N. King St., Leesburg). This event celebrates the legacy and opportunities offered by HBCUs. During the HBCU Fair, students and families will meet with college and university representatives, explore scholarship options, and connect with fraternities, sororities, community groups, and civic organizations. Don’t miss the HBCU alumni panel, step team performance and tour info session at noon! Students are encouraged to bring their transcripts and SAT/ACT scores. Select schools will be offering on-site admissions! Please contact Michael Newkirk or Michelle Vocke with any questions.
What's Cooking at LCPS? Find Out at the 2nd Annual Food Show!
Students, staff, families and community members: get ready to dig in and make a difference! Join us for School Nutrition Services' Food Show: Flavor Forward: Powered by Students. Driven by Nutrition, on Monday, Nov. 3, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Riverside High School (19019 Upper Belmont Pl, Leesburg).
Your voice matters. Your taste counts. The Food Show is your chance to shape what’s served in our schools! Sample 30+ recipe ideas, from breakfast favorites to bold new lunch entrees, including dishes created by LCPS students themselves. Meet LCPS’ own Chef Erik, try a special chef-inspired recipe made just for you, and share your feedback to help build better menus for everyone.
Learn Strategies to Foster Resiliency
Join us on Thursday, Nov. 6, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the LCPS Administration Building (21000 Education Ct., Ashburn) for an engaging workshop titled Building Resiliency in Kids: How Our Best Intentions Can Interfere with Development and Increase Anxiety. Parents are constantly navigating a flood of advice—but even well-meaning strategies can unintentionally hinder a child’s ability to build resilience, sometimes fueling anxiety instead. Led by Insight Into Action Therapy, this session will offer practical tools to help families foster emotional strength and break the cycle of stress. Registration is required. This event is supported by the Office of Student Mental Health Services.
Attend the Special Education Resource Fair
Explore the many ways LCPS supports students with disabilities at the Special Education Resource Fair on Wednesday, Nov. 12, from 6 to 7 p.m. Meet representatives from LCPS programs and services and learn about resources that empower students, foster a sense of belonging and ensure access to consistent, deeply engaging instruction. This event also reflects LCPS’ commitment to building strong foundations in literacy and numeracy while helping families recognize and pursue meaningful pathways to future goals. Whether you're looking for information, inspiration or new connections, the Special Education Resource Fair is designed to help you navigate the educational journey with confidence.
The November Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) business meeting will follow the Resource Fair. The Special Education Resource Fair is coordinated by SEAC with support from the LCPS Office of Special Education.
Empowered! English Learner Conference Promises Learning and Fun
Mark your calendar for Saturday, Nov. 15, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., to attend Empowered! English Learner Family Conference, a dynamic event where learning meets fun for the whole family.
What to expect:
Interactive sessions led by LCPS staff and community partners will offer practical tips for supporting learning at home, boosting reading and math skills, college readiness, positive behavior and more.
Connect with resources to help your student thrive. Our community partners will guide you through services available to support your family’s journey.
Fuel Up! Food trucks will be on-site with delicious meals and snacks for purchase. The first 50 families in attendance will receive a $10 food truck voucher.
Worry-Free Fun: Child care for children ages 4 and older (potty-trained only) will be provided so parents and family members can focus on the sessions.
Interpreters from multiple languages will be available.
Don't miss this chance to learn and grow together. Mark your calendar and bring the whole family. We can’t wait to welcome you! Learn more. This event is hosted by the Division of English Learners, Family and Community Engagement Office. No registration required.
More Events to Support Your Student
- Suicide Prevention: What You Need to Know
Thursday, Oct. 16 -- tonight! -- 6:30 p.m to 8:30 p.m., LCPS Administration Building. Register. Pathways to Innovation: Discover the Advanced Academy of Engineering & Technology and Monroe Advanced Technical Academy
Wednesday, Oct. 29, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., English Learners, Family and Community Engagement Virtual Workshop. Learn more.
Navigating Special Education with Confidence and Clarity
Thursday, Oct. 30, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., LCPS Administration Building. Register.
See the LCPS Events and Meetings Calendar for more events and workshops.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
Upcoming LCPS Holidays and Calendar Reminders
- Monday, Oct. 20 is Diwali and a student and staff holiday.
- The first quarter ends on Thursday, Oct. 30.
- Friday, Oct. 31, Monday, Nov. 3 and Tuesday, Nov. 4 are student holidays.
- 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 2026 LCPS graduation schedule is posted on the LCPS website.
SCHOOL BOARD NEWS
School Board Summary and Meeting Schedule
Read a summary of the Loudoun County School Board's Oct. 14 meeting. The next School Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 28. 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. 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.