Dear LCPS Family,
Like many of you, I have been deeply troubled by the many acts of violence that have taken place across our country this week. These events weigh heavily on all of us—and they are a stark reminder that violence is never the answer.
As educators, parents, and community members, we must also remember that our children are watching and listening. They absorb the images, the headlines, and, perhaps most importantly, our reactions. The impact of violence—especially violence connected to schools or involving young people—can leave lasting emotional scars. It can create anxiety, fear, and uncertainty in the very spaces where our children should feel safest and most supported.
We have a responsibility to them—and to one another—to denounce violence in all forms. It is not something to be condoned or excused. Our children need a better example. They deserve a world in which problems are solved not through aggression or division, but through dialogue, empathy, and collaboration.
Now more than ever, we must resist the pull of divisive rhetoric and come together around our shared values of safety, respect, and compassion. While the issues that face our communities and our nation are complex, the solutions begin with how we choose to treat one another and how we show up for our children.
Let us work together to create environments—both in and outside of our schools—where every student feels safe, supported, and loved. Let us lead with kindness, speak with care, and model the kind of behavior that nurtures resilience, hope, and unity in our next generation.
Thank you for continuing to partner with us in building a stronger, safer future for all students.
Sincerely,
Dr. Aaron Spence
Superintendent
Loudoun County Public Schools