The LCPS Letter

In this month's Think Fast, Dr. Aaron Spence is joined by School Board Chair Melinda Mansfield. Dr. Spence and Mrs. Mansfield share why it is important for families, students and community members to make their voices heard and how to do so.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the first Family Academy workshop! Keep building your knowledge by attending the next session in this free virtual series. We look forward to seeing everyone on February 27 for Promoting a Growth Mindset at Home. Learn how to nurture resilience and positivity in your child. LCPS staff will share practical strategies to foster a growth mindset, empowering students to embrace challenges and thrive academically and emotionally. Visit lcps.org/familyacademy for more details and updates or to register. These workshops are open to all LCPS families with students in grades K-12.

Substance use can have far-reaching impacts on students and their families. With these impacts in mind, LCPS has taken an inclusive approach to substance use prevention and intervention efforts. This approach includes classroom instruction, one-on-one learning opportunities, community presentations and additional collaborations and connections with community partners. In the past several years, overdose cases in Loudoun County have decreased, giving LCPS hope about efforts leading to continued decreases among LCPS students. Below are some details about the efforts LCPS has taken so far.

LCPS has hosted regular information sessions to inform parents and community members about the dangers of opioids and other drugs in Loudoun County. Annually, LCPS provides mental health and wellness strategies to support their families, including sessions raising awareness about substance use and prevention, at its Mental Health and Wellness Conference. In 2024, LCPS joined community partners in hosting the first annual Shatterproof 5K at Morven Park to raise awareness about substance use prevention and to share information about recovery-focused resources.

As a reminder, starting in elementary school, students begin to learn about the dangers of substance use during health and wellness instruction. Every middle and high school is assigned a Student Assistance Specialist, mental health specialists with expertise in substance use prevention. These specialists provide a variety of supports to middle and high school students including providing classroom instruction about the dangers of substance use during student’s Health and Physical Education classes, individual and group support to students who may have substance use concerns of their own or may be concerned about someone else’s use, and one-on-one substance use education classes with students who have a substance use violation. The Student Assistance Specialists also provide ongoing support to students and families and can connect them with community resources and treatment options.

To learn more about Student Assistance Specialists and supports available to LCPS families please see the LCPS Student Mental Health Services webpage.

The LCPS Annual Family Survey launches on February 24! Your input is essential in helping LCPS enhance the learning experience for all students. Check your inbox for an email from Superintendent Aaron Spence with your unique survey link. Families with children in multiple schools (elementary, middle, high, or program) will receive a survey for each school. The survey is quick and easy—just a few minutes of your time can make a lasting impact on our schools. For more information, visit the Stakeholder Surveys 2025 Information webpage. If you don’t receive an email by February 25, contact research@lcps.org. Thank you for helping us create the best learning environment for every student!

This year, middle and high school students observing Ramadan can request a "to-go" meal from the lunch cashier during their regular meal period. Or, parents/guardians can request a to-go meal on behalf of their student by contacting the school cafeteria manager before the lunch service. (If parents/guardians choose this option, they must ensure they receive an acknowledgment of the request.) At the end of the school day, students who requested to-go meals can pick them up in the school cafeteria from School Nutrition Services (SNS) staff.

New for this spring, the Virginia Department of Education received USDA approval for a special waiver, enabling schools to offer meals in more flexible ways during Ramadan 2025. This waiver allows LCPS to serve meals outside regular times, in non-group settings, and without certain usual requirements, to better support children observing Ramadan. SNS will provide this option to middle and high school students observing Ramadan from February 28 to March 28, 2025, allowing them to take their meals to go instead of eating at school. LCPS is participating in this program to help ensure that all students have access to nutritious meals while respecting their religious fasting practices.

Get ready to start smart! While the 2025/26 school year is several months away, prepare your student to be able to start school on time by scheduling their immunization appointments now. Seventh and twelfth-grade students must have their required immunizations before they can start school. Once your student has been immunized, provide proof of vaccination to the student's school anytime before the first day of school. Students without the appropriate documentation will not be able to start school on the first day of school. See Immunization Requirements for more details.

Special Permission is the process by which families request that their student attend a school other than the assigned school. The Special Permission application window for LCPS families opened on Monday, Feb. 3, and will close on Wednesday, April 30, at 11:59 p.m. Once the Special Permission period closes, requests for Special Permission will not be accepted. Please note the schools projected to be over-enrolled are posted on the Special Permission website. (This list is subject to change.) Special Permission requests submitted to over-enrolled schools will be voided within 30 days of application. See the Special Permission webpage for more information and to apply.

LCPS is seeking judges and award sponsors to help recognize high school students as they showcase their research and innovation at the 43rd Annual Loudoun County Regional Science & Engineering Fair on Wednesday, March 19, at John Champe High School.

Whether you have expertise in science, engineering, technology or math, your participation can make a meaningful impact. Judges will evaluate projects in a variety of STEM categories, and sponsors can support students by funding awards or providing special recognitions.

To register as a judge or sponsor, visit www.lcps.org/rsef. For questions, email rsef@lcps.org or call the LCPS Science Office at 571-252-1360.

Get ready for an exciting opportunity for rising sixth through 10th-grade students to explore their creativity this summer! Loudoun County Public Schools’ Summer in the Arts program is just around the corner, offering engaging classes in instrumental and vocal music, theater, visual arts, dance, creative writing and robotics.

Save the Dates: June 24 to July 3, 2025
Location: Briar Woods High School

The 2025 Summer in the Arts catalog is now available with details about class offerings, schedules, fees and registration. Stay tuned for updates and be ready to secure your spot in this dynamic summer program.

Don’t miss the chance to spark creativity and discover new talents! Keep an eye on the Summer in the Arts website for more information.

The Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) is currently accepting nominations for its annual Recognition for Excellence in Supporting Special Education Awards. This awards program honors educators, students, programs, parents and community members who have gone above and beyond to foster meaningful inclusion that promotes adaptability, creativity, disability awareness, acceptance, and peer-to-peer interactions for students with disabilities. To submit a nomination, fill out the 2025 Nomination Form. Nominations must be received by midnight on Friday, March 21 to be considered. Winners will be notified by SEAC in May 2025. The SEAC Awards Ceremony will be on June 4 at Loudoun County High School.

Families in Loudoun County are invited to register their children for the LCPS Early Childhood Education (ECE) Learning Lab program, designed for children ages 3 to 4. Registration for the enrollment lottery is open. Returning parents must complete their application by March 3. Applications after this date will be added to the waitlist. New families can complete their application between February 3 through June 30.

The LCPS ECE Learning Labs provide hands-on learning opportunities in a nurturing school environment. These labs, hosted at high schools across the county, are staffed by LCPS employees and high school students enrolled in Early Childhood Education courses.

Program Details

• When: October 2025 through May 2026

• Where: John Champe, Lightridge, Broad Run, Stone Bridge, Riverside, Potomac Falls and Park View high schools

• Who: Children ages 3 to 4 who are fully bathroom and toilet-independent (potty-trained)

Key Information

• Registration is conducted via an enrollment lottery. Families can visit the ECE Learning Lab webpage for details on registration, locations and deadlines.

• Returning children will remain in their current Learning Lab unless families request a change, which will require lottery participation.

• Families accepted into the program will be notified based on their lottery number. Results will not be shared by phone or email.

• Children not selected will be placed on a waitlist.

• A non-refundable payment of 50% of the annual fee is required during registration to confirm placement.

• Continuous attendance is mandatory for participation in the program.

Please note that the Learning Lab is not a state-licensed childcare facility or accredited preschool program. It offers a unique, enriching experience for children while providing high school students with valuable, real-world training in Early Childhood Education.

Do you know an exceptional LCPS staff member? Nominate them for the LCPS Annual Awards! Awards are given in two categories: instructional awards (teacher, principal, student support specialist, substitute and more) operational awards (bus driver, bus attendant, custodial services, school nutrition services, safety and security and more). Please see this complete list of eligible positions. Nominations can be submitted by staff, parents, students and/or community members for an outstanding employee based on their exemplary performance. To nominate an outstanding employee, submit a completed nomination form by Friday, March 7 at 5 p.m.

In this week's LCPS podcast, Dr. Aaron Spence talks about workforce development and school/business partnerships with Dr. Michael Grubbs, Director of Teaching & Learning. The LCPS podcast can be found on many popular podcast platforms. See the LCPS Podcast website for more details. Episodes of the LCPS podcast feature news and conversations with leaders around the division. Tune in every Thursday for a new and exciting take on what’s happening in LCPS.

LCPS recently hosted an appreciation event to thank the businesses and organizations that participated in this year’s Job for a Day program. The February 11, 2025 event celebrated the invaluable support of community partners who welcomed more than 600 high school juniors and seniors to experience a Job for a Day on November 11, 2024, providing students with hands-on, real-world career exploration experiences. Job for a Day helps open doors to future internships or employment opportunities by fostering connections with local industries and professionals. The School Business Partnership Executive Council and the Division of Career, Technical, and Adult Education have already started to plan for next year’s Job for a Day, which will be on Nov. 19, 2025. Read more about the Job for a Day appreciation event.

The LEF team was thankful to be recognized at the Job for a Day Appreciation Breakfast. We loved having five high school students for Job for a Day in November and -- even better — we have stayed in touch with most of the students to provide other work-based learning opportunities. LEF's work is better when we involve those who are the focus of our mission—students! Mark your calendar for the next Job for a Day on Nov.19, 2025, and consider hosting a student or five. You won't regret it!

Throughout the school year, the Department of Student Services hosts workshops and information sessions to inform parents/guardians and community members about LCPS programs or to highlight key points of awareness. These events feature LCPS education professionals and often also include community partners. For additional information, visit Parent Resource Services .

• High School Connection: Moving on from Middle School to High School with an IEP
  Thursday, Feb. 27, 6:30-8 p.m., Virtual; Registration required. (After registering, a virtual meeting link will be emailed to the registrants.)
• Summer Resource Fair for Families of Students with Disabilities
  Saturday, March 8, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., LCPS Administration Building, (21000 Education Ct., Ashburn) Registration required.
• Parenting the Anxious Child
  Thursday, March 13, 6:30-8 p.m., LCPS Administration Building, (21000 Education Ct., Ashburn); Registration required.
• Diploma Options and Graduation Requirements for Students with IEPs
  Thursday, March 27, 6:30-8 p.m., Virtual; Registration required. (After registering, a virtual meeting link will be emailed to the registrants.)

See the LCPS calendar for more details.

The Division of English Learners’ Office of Family and Community Engagement (EL FACE) provides workshops to support English Learner families. Below are workshops happening soon.

• From Classroom to Career! A Career and Technical Education Journey
  Tuesday, February 25, 6 p.m. Spanish and English, 7 p.m., Arabic and English, Virtual. See the EL FACE website for more details.

LCPS students in kindergarten through grade 12 are invited to participate in the Student Environmental Action Showcase to be held on Monday, March 25 at the Academies of Loudoun. This event, coordinated by the Loudoun Environmental Education Alliance, the GREENetwork and LCPS, invites students to share their work on sustainability-minded projects in their schools and communities. This showcase strives to amplify youth voices in environmental problem-solving by showcasing to a real-world audience how students have meaningfully contributed to environmental stewardship in Loudoun County. Cash prizes will be awarded for first, second and third places in elementary, middle and high school categories. See the Loudoun Environmental Education Alliance website for more details and to register.

February is a month of connection and kindness, making it the perfect time for students to deepen their understanding of emotion management. Students from kindergarten through grade 12 explore the differences between emotions and feelings -- at school, at home, and with the community.

What’s the difference between emotions and feelings?

Emotions are the body’s automatic physical reactions to a situation, like an increased heart rate when excited, clenched fists when angry, or butterflies in your stomach when nervous. These can be described as the “weather inside you.” On the other hand, feelings are how we interpret and describe those emotions. For example, you might say you feel “warm and sunny” when happy or “chilly and rainy” when sad.

By learning to recognize the signals their bodies send—like a racing heart or tense muscles—students are better equipped to manage their emotions and responses before they escalate.

To support this, practicing calming strategies such as taking deep breaths, counting to ten, and using positive self-talk helps connect emotions with feelings. It encourages a kinder, more understanding school community.

Reflect and Connect:
What signals does your body give you when you’re feeling upset, and which calming strategy works best for you?

Read a summary of the Loudoun County School Board's most recent meeting on Thursday, Feb. 13. The next Loudoun County School Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 25. All LCPS School Board meetings are live-streamed. The full meeting agenda will be available on the LCPS School Board website (under Meetings) by approximately 5:30 p.m. on the Friday prior to the School Board meeting.

This Black History Month, LCPS celebrates the incredible contributions of our staff, like Patricia Kebbie, a Career and Technical Education teacher at North Star School. Ms. Kebbie ensures that Black pioneers and leaders in the technology industry are highlighted in her classroom. Follow LCPS on social media (Facebook, X and Instagram).

Upcoming Holidays and Events

• Check the calendars for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 school years before you schedule vacations or doctor's appointments.
• 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

Ask the Department of Communications and Community Engagement
21000 Education Court, Ashburn, VA, USA
571-252-1040

www.lcps.org
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