Five Moments That Made Me Proud This Year

As we wrap up another incredible school year, I've been reflecting on the many accomplishments that demonstrate the strength of our LCPS community. While there is never a shortage of things to celebrate, here are five highlights from the 2025/26 school year that stand out as examples of our commitment to students, families and the future we are building together. In no particular order:

1. Celebrating 10 Years of Welcoming Families

This spring, we celebrated the 10-year anniversary of our Welcome Center program and opened Welcome Center East in Sterling. Together, our two Welcome Centers help families connect with schools, access resources, and feel supported from the moment they join LCPS. The expansion reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring every family feels welcomed and valued.

Ribbon tying ceremony at the launch of RISE Academy

2. Launching the R.I.S.E. Academy

This year, LCPS launched the Recovery, Inspiration, Strength, and Empowerment (R.I.S.E.) Academy, a specialized program supporting high school students recovering from substance use disorders. Located at North Star School, the program provides students with a pathway to continue their education while receiving the support they need to succeed.

3. Connecting Students to Future Careers

More than 315 business leaders, educators and students came together for our second annual Workforce Summit. Through meaningful conversations and real-world perspectives, the event focused on fostering genuine connections between education and industry to prepare students for success in an evolving workforce.

Two community have a discussion at the Interfaith Luncheon

4. Strengthening Community Partnerships

On World Kindness Day, LCPS hosted its first-ever Interfaith Luncheon, bringing together faith leaders, school staff and community partners from across Loudoun County. The event highlighted the important role community partnerships play in supporting students, families and schools.

5. Earning National Recognition for Middle School Excellence

Gum Spring, J. Michael Lunsford and Seneca Ridge middle schools were named 2025 Schools of Distinction by the Association for Middle Level Education. They were the only Virginia schools to receive this honor, reflecting the outstanding work happening in our middle schools every day.

As I look back on these accomplishments, there is a common thread of creating opportunities, strengthening connections and helping every student thrive. Thank you to our students, staff, families and community partners for making these successes possible. I am grateful for all we have accomplished together and excited for what lies ahead.

All the best,

Aaron Spence, Ed.D

Loudoun County School Board Provides Superintendent Contract Extension

As LCPS continues to post gains in academic achievement, student engagement and school climate, the Loudoun County School Board voted to extend Superintendent Dr. Aaron Spence’s contract through June 30, 2030.

Per Dr. Spence’s contract, provided he receives at least a “proficient” performance rating by the Board for the preceding fiscal year, he is entitled to an annual salary increase equal to the average annual cost-of-living adjustment and the average step increase provided to all employees. The School Board also approved an increase in the deferred compensation Dr. Spence is entitled to under his contract to $38,500 for the 2025-26 school year.

“The Board engaged in a collaborative and productive conversation about the progress of the school division, the challenges we continue to navigate, and the opportunities that lie ahead. Those discussions reinforced our confidence in Dr. Spence’s leadership of the school division,” Board Chair April Chandler said. “I appreciate the stability Dr. Spence has brought to the division and the clear, strategic direction he has established to support student success, strengthen our workforce and position LCPS for the future."

The extension comes during a period of measurable progress across the division, including improvements in student achievement, expanded access to advanced coursework, reductions in chronic absenteeism and increased feelings of belonging and trust among students, staff and families. Read the full story about the Contract Extension.

CAMPUS Celebrates 186 Seniors

Student in graduation cap and gown walking across stage at CAMPUS Senior celebration

Group of CAMPUS seniors pose for a photo

The LCPS CAMPUS program – or College Achievement and Multicultural Program for Unique Students – celebrated 186 seniors at its annual end-of-year celebration. CAMPUS is an academic and college-preparatory program designed to remove barriers to higher education for students who will be the first in their families to attend college. More than 90% of this year’s CAMPUS 2026 graduates will be attending a 2-year or 4-year college next fall, reflecting the program’s strong focus on college readiness and student success. Learn more about the CAMPUS program.

Awards Ceremony Celebrates Excellence in Supporting Special Education

Award Winners from the Celebrating Excellence in Special Education Award Ceremony

Elementary student award winner from the Celebrating Excellence in Special Education Award Ceremony

LCPS staff Award Winners from the Celebrating Excellence in Special Education Award Ceremony

The LCPS Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) held its annual Recognition of Excellence in Supporting Special Education Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, June 3, at Lightridge High School. The event honored educators, students, programs and community members who demonstrated exceptional dedication to our special education community. These individuals and groups were recognized for creating meaningfully inclusive and exceptional learning environments supportive of all learners. Visit the SEAC list of this year's Recognition of Excellence winners.

Support for Students and Families During Summer Break

If you have concerns about your child during the summer months that you would like to discuss with an LCPS Student Mental Health Services team member, please contact us at SMHSLeadershipTeam@lcps.org. Please provide your preferred contact number, and someone from the Student Mental Health Services team will contact you within two business days. For mental health emergencies, visit Crisis Mental Health Resources to find local and national resources.

Below are additional resources to support you and your student.

Care Solace: 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: 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.
Wellness Loudoun: Wellness Loudoun provides a diverse range of resources and supportive programs to all community members.
Ryan Bartel Foundation: 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.

Preparing for 2026/27 School Year

Before we wrap up this school year, we encourage families to mark their calendars with these important dates to ensure a seamless transition into next year.

On Monday, Aug. 3, families will be advised to update or confirm student information in ParentVUE. This step is required to access important school information.
Once families have updated student information, on Wednesday, Aug. 12, families can check their student's bus and school schedules. Access will be staggered to prevent system overload.
Calendars for next school year are posted on the LCPS website. Be sure to check the school calendar for student holidays before scheduling vacations or appointments.

Additional updates will be shared in August, so stay tuned! Until then, enjoy your summer, and we look forward to welcoming students back on Monday, Aug. 17 for the first day of school!

Middle School Intramural Sports Registration Information

LCPS will continue to offer the following intramural sports at all middle schools for the 2026/27 school year.

Flag Football (offered during the 1st academic quarter)
Volleyball (offered during the 2nd academic quarter)
Basketball (offered during the 3rd academic quarter)
Soccer (offered during the 4th academic quarter)
Cross Country (details about when this sport will be offered are still being determined)

To participate, a student must have a valid physical examination on file with the school building intramural coordinator (valid for 14 months from the date of the examination) and must complete the registration process. Please be sure to scroll down the page and click on the correct program link for your school before registering. For the 2026/27 intramural sports schedule and FAQs, please visit the LCPS Athletics and Activities website.

High School Tryout Dates and Registration Information for Fall Sports

Families with high school students interested in trying out for a fall sport are encouraged to mark the following dates on their calendars and review the important fall athletics information below.

Fall high school sports include cheerleading, cross country, football, girls' field hockey, girls' volleyball and golf.
New for the 2026/27 school year, LCPS is adding boys' volleyball and girls' flag football to the fall high school sports line-up.
Fall sports tryouts (except for golf) begin on August 3; golf tryouts start on July 27. Families may need to adjust their summer schedules to allow their student to participate in tryouts and practices.
Students trying out for fall sports should plan to attend all three days of tryouts. Consult your high school's calendar for the schedule at your school.
See the LCPS Athletics and Activities website or visit your school’s athletic website for times and more information.
Registration for fall sports opens on Monday, June 15. Families are asked to be sure to register for fall sports in advance of tryouts.
Families will need to access a new athletics registration platform – A Better Way – to register.
Virginia law and the Virginia High School League (VHSL) require that all participants in high school sports receive a current sports physical examination before participating. The physical examination is valid for 14 months from the date it is signed. The VHSL Physical Evaluation Form (in both English and Spanish) can be found on the LCPS Athletics and Activities website.

For more details, see this information about athletics tryouts and registration or check your student’s school athletics website.

LCPS Providing Free Summer Meals

LCPS will be providing free meals this summer for students ages 18 and younger* at several locations throughout Loudoun County. LCPS provides this free service to our families through participation in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Summer Food Service Program. The Summer Food Service Program provides funding for free meals to children during the summer months, when schools are closed, to ensure children retain access to nutritious meals when school is not in session.

Like all federally funded programs, there are certain requirements LCPS must follow, including:

All meals must be consumed at the school or site location.
Food cannot be taken off-site.
Meals cannot be picked up by a parent or guardian to bring home.

Please see the list of dates and locations for the Summer Meal distribution.

*Along with children ages 18 years and younger, Summer Food Service Program regulations, 7 CFR 225.2, also define children as persons over 18 years of age who are determined by the state or local educational agency or a local public education agency as having a mental or physical disability and who participate during the school year in a public-school program established for the mentally or physically disabled.

Virginia SUN Bucks Helps Eligible Families with the Cost of Groceries

Virginia SUN Bucks helps eligible families with the cost of groceries during summer break when most schools are not in session. The SUN Bucks benefit can be used to purchase groceries like fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains, dairy and meat at grocery stores, farmers’ markets and other places that accept SNAP EBT benefits. Each school-aged child who meets the program requirements will get a one-time payment of $120. Your child is automatically enrolled in Virginia SUN Bucks if they receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits or participate in income-based Medicaid or if they received free or reduced-price meals at school during the 2025-2026 school year through the National School Lunch Program. The Virginia Department of Social Services will begin issuing benefits on a rolling basis starting in June 2026. See Virginia SUN Bucks for more information.

LCPS Podcast: Exploring Leadership that Matters Most

In a moment when public education faces intense scrutiny and rapid change, what kind of leadership matters most? In the latest episode of the LCPS Podcast, Superintendent Aaron Spence sits down with Shelley Berman, co-author of The Call to Courage, to explore the courage, integrity and relationship-centered leadership required to serve students and communities today. Tune in to this week's LCPS Podcast for an insightful conversation on leading with purpose in challenging times.

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 during the school year. Find the LCPS Podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music and iHeart Radio. Listen to this week's episode on the LCPS Podcast webpage.

With Your Support, LEF’s Fueled Program Met Rising Need

Group photo of participants in LEF's Fueled packing event

Fueled, the Loudoun Education Foundation’s food security program, hosted its last pack of the school year this week. This school year the Fueled team packed 54,190 meal bags, a 14% increase over last year. Fueled’s reach has expanded to 2,000 students and 57 schools, meeting rising need in Loudoun County. LEF’s goal has always been to ensure that every LCPS student has access to basic hygiene items and food, but this would not be possible without the generous donors who support Fueled, the dedicated volunteers who show up to pack nights, and the many individuals and schools who host snack and hygiene drives. LEF extends its thanks to the LCPS community for partnering to meet the needs of our neighbors. Learn more about the support LEF has provided LCPS schools and students.

Reminder: Rooms by Apptegy: New Communications Tool Coming 2026/27 School Year

As part of our ongoing efforts to improve communication with our families, we are launching a new two-way communication tool, Rooms by Apptegy, for the 2026/27 school year. Families will be able to easily access Rooms in the LCPS app to message teachers, get school updates and more, streamlining school communications – just what staff, students and families want.

If you haven’t downloaded the LCPS app yet, it’s a great way to find the latest information about your school, lunch menus and division news.

Download the LCPS app by searching for “Loudoun County Public Schools” in your phone’s app store (Google Play or App Store).
Select “Allow Notifications” when prompted on initial download to ensure you receive notifications.
Select which school(s) you want to see in your feed, by clicking on “Feed” at the top of the app. Please note: Your feed will also always open to the last school you viewed.
You will notice a section/tab at the bottom labeled “Rooms/Messaging.” You do not need to do anything with that until next school year unless you are part of the pilot schools.

Important: We heard parents loud and clear when they told us they had way too many apps across schools and their students’ activities. Rooms will be the exclusive source of quick information from your LCPS teacher or activity leader. Your student will still find all learning activities, assignments and resources in Schoology. And, parents will still find important student progress, grade and personal information in ParentVue.

To support a successful implementation of Rooms next year, six schools (across all grade levels) participated in a Rooms by Apptegy pilot program. A big thank you to the staff, families and students of those schools for their feedback and support.

New ParentVUE App Offers Improved Design

Do you use ParentVUE on your phone or mobile device? If so, there is a new ParentVUE app that offers an easier-to-read, easier-to-navigate design. All LCPS families are encouraged to download the new ParentVUE app. Next school year, all families who use the ParentVUE app will be required to download the new app. Get a head start by downloading the new app today!

Through ParentVUE, families can monitor their student’s classes and assignments, access bus information, report absences, view report cards and test results, connect to Schoology and Schoolinks and more. The new ParentVUE app offers all these features, but with a cleaner, easier-to-read and navigate design. Download the app from the Google Play Store (Android) or App Store (iPhone). Follow these step-by-step instructions on how to download the new app. The instructions also offer guidance if you are installing ParentVUE for the first time.

ParentVUE helps families stay connected to their student’s education from registration to graduation! If you have questions about the new ParentVUE app, including how to access ParentVUE, please contact your student’s school.

Students who use the StudentVUE app can download the updated StudentVUE app. Students always have access to StudentVUE on their Chromebooks and are not required to download the app on their personal devices. We know many of our students choose to use the StudentVUE mobile app outside of school.

Don't Wait Until August! Make Sure Your Student Has Their Required Immunizations

All rising 7th‑ and 12th‑grade students must show proof of required immunizations before starting school next year. Don’t wait until August! Plan now to ensure your student has the necessary vaccines. Students without proper documentation will not be permitted to attend on the first day of school.

Required Immunizations for 7th‑Grade Students

Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis) vaccine given at age 7 or older
Meningococcal vaccine given at age 10 or older

Encouraged for 7th‑grade students:

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine

Required Immunization for 12th‑Grade Students

Meningococcal vaccine given at age 16 or older

Learn more about Loudoun County and regional resources that provide the required immunizations for school enrollment and admittance.

Start Your Child's Big Kindergarten Adventure: Register for Kindergarten Today!

Register your child who will be 5 by Sept. 30, 2026 for kindergarten today and secure their chance to join a welcoming school community where they can grow, learn and thrive. There are just five easy steps to kindergarten registration:

Determine eligibility: Two factors determine a child’s eligibility to enroll in kindergarten in Loudoun County Public Schools: age and residency. They must be 5 years of age or older by Sept. 30, 2026 and living with a parent or legal guardian who resides in Loudoun County.
Use the LCPS Attendance Boundary E-Listing to locate your student’s home school.
Gather the required documents.
Complete online registration: Current LCPS families registering a new student can access the registration portal from their existing ParentVUE account.
Schedule an appointment with the school: During the appointment, the registrar will review all registration documents and answer any questions you may have.

Register your rising kindergartner today! We can’t wait to welcome our newest learners. Visit Kindergarten Registration to learn more and to register!

Big Wheels, Big Smiles and Big Adventures Ahead

LCPS is Truckin’ Into Summer with Dulles Town Center! Truckin’ Into Summer, to be held Saturday, June 20, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Dulles Town Center parking lot outside the Cheesecake Factory, is a family-friendly event that invites kids to climb aboard, explore and meet the vehicles that keep our community moving. An LCPS school bus will be available for students to explore, helping soon‑to‑be kindergartners get comfortable with their first big ride. Families can also gather information about kindergarten registration for the 2026/27 school year. Visit the Dulles Town Center website for more details.

Check the Flyerboard for Event Information and Opportunities!

LCPS uses an online platform called Peachjar to share electronic flyers from LCPS departments, schools, community partners and local organizations. Flyers are emailed every Tuesday and Friday. Families can also view all flyers from the past month on the Peachjar Flyerboard. These flyers include important information about upcoming school and community events, programs and opportunities. Be sure to take a look!

SCHOOL BOARD NEWS

School Board Summary and Meeting Schedule

Read a summary of the School Board's June 9 meeting. A recording of the School Board meeting and more information can be found in Board Docs. The next, and the last planned, School Board meeting of the 2025/26 school year will be held on Tuesday, June 23, starting at 4:30 p.m. The agenda will be posted to the School Board website (under Meetings) by 5 p.m. the Friday before the meeting. All School Board meetings are live-streamed.

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. Visit the Policy Review webpage for more details 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.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

Friday, June 12 is the last day of school for the 2025/26 school year.
The first day of school for the 2026/27 school year is Monday, Aug. 17.
Consult the calendars for the 2026/27 and 2027/28 school years before scheduling vacations or other student absences.
The 2026 LCPS graduation schedule is posted on the LCPS website.

QUICK LINKS

Loudoun County Public Schools

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

www.lcps.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LCPSofficial

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lcpsofficial/
X: @lcpsofficial

Five Moments That Made Me Proud This Year Five Moments That Made Me Proud This Year

1. Celebrating 10 Years of Welcoming Families

2. Launching the R.I.S.E. Academy

3. Connecting Students to Future Careers

4. Strengthening Community Partnerships

5. Earning National Recognition for Middle School Excellence

Loudoun County School Board Provides Superintendent Contract Extension Loudoun County School Board Provides Superintendent Contract Extension

CAMPUS Celebrates 186 Seniors CAMPUS Celebrates 186 Seniors

Awards Ceremony Celebrates Excellence in Supporting Special Education Awards Ceremony Celebrates Excellence in Supporting Special Education

Support for Students and Families During Summer Break Support for Students and Families During Summer Break

Preparing for 2026/27 School Year Preparing for 2026/27 School Year

Middle School Intramural Sports Registration Information Middle School Intramural Sports Registration Information

High School Tryout Dates and Registration Information for Fall Sports High School Tryout Dates and Registration Information for Fall Sports

Families with high school students interested in trying out for a fall sport are encouraged to mark the following dates on their calendars and review the important fall athletics information below.

LCPS Providing Free Summer Meals LCPS Providing Free Summer Meals

Virginia SUN Bucks Helps Eligible Families with the Cost of Groceries Virginia SUN Bucks Helps Eligible Families with the Cost of Groceries

LCPS Podcast: Exploring Leadership that Matters Most LCPS Podcast: Exploring Leadership that Matters Most

With Your Support, LEF’s Fueled Program Met Rising Need With Your Support, LEF’s Fueled Program Met Rising Need

Reminder: Rooms by Apptegy: New Communications Tool Coming 2026/27 School Year Reminder: Rooms by Apptegy: New Communications Tool Coming 2026/27 School Year

New ParentVUE App Offers Improved Design New ParentVUE App Offers Improved Design

Don't Wait Until August! Make Sure Your Student Has Their Required Immunizations Don't Wait Until August! Make Sure Your Student Has Their Required Immunizations

Start Your Child's Big Kindergarten Adventure: Register for Kindergarten Today! Start Your Child's Big Kindergarten Adventure: Register for Kindergarten Today!

Big Wheels, Big Smiles and Big Adventures Ahead Big Wheels, Big Smiles and Big Adventures Ahead

Check the Flyerboard for Event Information and Opportunities! Check the Flyerboard for Event Information and Opportunities!

SCHOOL BOARD NEWS SCHOOL BOARD NEWS

CALENDAR REMINDERS CALENDAR REMINDERS

QUICK LINKS QUICK LINKS