Leesburg District Newsletter

As my term as Leesburg District School Board Member comes to a close, I want to thank all of you: students, families, teachers, staff, administration, my fellow School Board Members…our entire community. Loudoun is such a special place; my family and I chose this county as our home because of its excellent schools, diverse population, overall safety, and abundance of resources.

I am excited to welcome the new School Board, and I am confident in the good work that they’ll do. I am still a parent of a child in Loudoun County Public Schools, so I remain invested in the actions of the Board and the outcomes in our schools. I encourage all of you to remain engaged as well. Please continue to email your district and At-Large School Board Members. Provide feedback on policies under review. Attend Dr. Spence’s Superintendent Community Listening Sessions. Offer Public Comment at School Board Meetings that is constructive, informative, and thoughtful.

Our schools should be welcoming, inclusive, and safe places for our children to learn, grow, and thrive. It will take all of us to maintain the high standards that LCPS is known for and that set up our students for their best and brightest futures.

While I am proud of what we accomplished and my collaborative work on the Board, I am most appreciative of the people I’ve met and found community with over the past year.

We have an incredible school system, talented and passionate teachers and staff, and over 80,000 students coming to school every day to learn. Everything we do, every decision that is made needs to keep students at the center.

Have a wonderful holiday season, and thank you so much for your support during my term on your School Board!

Erika Ogedegbe

School Board Member, Leesburg District

You’ve likely seen email updates about revisions to Policy 8140, Student Attendance Requirements and Procedures. These changes and clarifications are part of the ALL in VA Plan in LCPS.

Medical conditions, stress, and anxiety can interrupt the school attendance routine. Teachers, guidance counselors, and school psychologists may be able to help you and your child sort through these issues, along with your family's physician.

Of course, not all absences can be avoided, and you should contact your child's school via Absentee Email or Absentee Phone Number when needed.

You can find support right now for regular attendance:

The 2024 Winter Admissions Cycle is now open for 9th, 10th, and 11th graders applying for enrollment to the Academies of Loudoun for the 2024-2025 school year!

Visit the Academies of Loudoun website for all the details you need, including upcoming informational sessions, testing and other requirements, and admission cycle timeline.

Academies of Loudoun Admissions webpage screenshot

Current 8th-grade students who are interested in the LCPS International Baccalaureate (IB) program, who are not zoned to attend Heritage or Loudoun Valley High Schools, will be able to show interest in Student Opportunities, located in LCPS GO. The window to submit an Interest Form is open through January 31.

Those who submit an Interest Form will be placed in a lottery. Selection notifications will be sent in March 2024.

General information is available at https://www.lcps.org/Page/247003. Scroll to “How to Submit Interest” for more details about the Interest Form.

Note: students who are zoned for Heritage HS or Loudoun Valley HS will NOT need to show interest through the Student Opportunities System.

The Health and Medical Sciences (HAMSci) Academy offers specialized curriculum paired with industry credentials and work-based learning experiences to prepare students for in-demand highly skilled healthcare workforce careers. Programs are offered at Tuscarora High School and Briar Woods High School.

Current 8th-grade students who are interested in the HAMSci Academy will be able to show interest in Student Opportunities, located in LCPS GO. The window to submit an Interest Form is open through January 31.

Those who submit an Interest Form will be placed in a lottery. Selection notifications will be sent in March 2024.

General information is available at https://www.lcps.org/Page/251899. Scroll to “How to Submit Interest” for more details about the Interest Form.

At the December 12 School Board Meeting, the collective bargaining resolution was referred back to committee with the new Board with the recommendation that they form a joint committee including School Board members, staff, and employee stakeholders. There are a number of items that need to be reviewed, and the majority of the current Board agreed that having stakeholders at the table would be important. This decision, while it introduces a delay, allows for substantive collaboration to finalize a resolution and start the process in a more amicable way.

Thursday, December 21 through Monday, January 1: Student Holidays (Winter Break)

Saturday, January 27: Mental Health & Wellness Conference, Riverside High School, Leesburg

Community Listening Sessions with Superintendent Aaron Spence continue throughout the school year. The next Leesburg District session will take place at Loudoun County High School on January 17. The Heritage High School session will be held on March 20.

For timing, as well as further locations, please visit https://www.lcps.org/suptcls