Attention! Students interested in playing a sport in fall 2026 should review this important information about LCPS athletics tryouts and registration: https://lcps.pub/43sGOkE
Congrats to Trailside Middle School for being recognized as a Model Professional Learning Community at Work® (PLC) by Solution Tree for its success in raising student achievement. Read more: https://lcps.pub/4a6meKw
Two Rock Ridge High School publications earned major national honors this year, highlighting their exceptional commitment to student journalism. The Rock Ridge yearbook – Genesis – received a Gold Crown Award from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and a prestigious Pacemaker Award from the National Scholastic Press Association, making it one of only seven schools in the nation to earn both top awards in 2026. The Blaze, Rock Ridge’s student-run newspaper, was recognized as a School Newspapers Online Distinguished Site after earning all six digital badges for excellence. More: https://lcps.pub/4x28SsH
LCPS, through participation in the USDA Summer Food Service Program, will be providing free meals this summer for all students ages 18 and younger throughout Loudoun County. For important information about the summer meals program for this year, go to: https://lcps.pub/4viz6W3
Gretchen Swierczynski, a reading teacher at the North Star School, is this month’s SHINE award winner. Ms. Swierczynski was nominated by a fellow North Star teacher, Deborah Jackson, who shared that Ms. Swierczynski works tirelessly with North Star students who face the highest stakes, those who feel that graduation is out of reach. “Mrs. S doesn’t just teach reading. She restores the confidence students need to cross the finish line and earn their diplomas. She is a mentor, a leader, a teammate and a life-changer for the students who need her most,” wrote Ms. Jackson in her nomination.
As a SHINE award recipient, Ms. Swierczynski received a gift coordinated by the Loudoun Education Foundation and sponsored by Apple Federal Credit Union. SHINE, or Spotlighting Heroes in Education, is a joint LEF and LCPS initiative celebrating staff who go above and beyond for students and the community. Learn more at www.lcps.org/SHINE.
As a SHINE award recipient, Ms. Swierczynski received a gift coordinated by the Loudoun Education Foundation and sponsored by Apple Federal Credit Union. SHINE, or Spotlighting Heroes in Education, is a joint LEF and LCPS initiative celebrating staff who go above and beyond for students and the community. Learn more at www.lcps.org/SHINE.
Reminder: LCPS seeks feedback on School Calendar Options for 2028-2029. Families and staff, please look for a link in your email to the survey and complete it by May 21. Thank you in advance for your input! More details: https://lcps.pub/42VjrQk
Congratulations to Mr. Skubal, a teacher at Cool Spring Elementary School, for being recognized as the Region IV Outstanding Teacher of the Gifted for 2025-2026! Awarded by the Virginia Association for the Gifted, Mr. Skubal earned the highest evaluation by the selection committee for his dedication to providing academic enrichment opportunities and support for the gifted students of Cool Spring. Read more: https://lcps.pub/4uS60g4
Riverside High School Computer Science Teacher Kathryn Cossa was recently recognized as a Virginia 2026 Computer Science Champion for Grades 9-12, specifically for her work with the CS Buddies program. This program pairs high school students with elementary students to support computer science lessons in the classroom.
Ms. Cossa is dedicated to supporting all students in building their confidence and facilitating early exposure to computer science. She is a role model for elementary and high school students alike!
Ms. Cossa is dedicated to supporting all students in building their confidence and facilitating early exposure to computer science. She is a role model for elementary and high school students alike!
Summer plans are starting. Have you applied for preschool yet?
LCPS offers free, full-day preschool for eligible 4-year-olds, with caring teachers and a play-based learning environment that prepares children for kindergarten.
Spots are filling, and now is a great time to apply before summer gets busy.
Learn more: lcps.org/preschool
Questions? 571-252-2110 | HeadStart@lcps.org
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Los planes de verano ya están comenzando. ¿ya solicitó preescolar?
LCPS ofrece preescolar gratuito de día completo para niños elegibles de 4 años, con maestros atentos y un ambiente de aprendizaje basado en el juego que prepara a los niños para el kínder.
Ahora es un buen momento para inscribirse antes de que el verano se llene de actividades.
Más información: lcps.org/preschool
¿Preguntas? 571-252-2110 | HeadStart@lcps.org
LCPS offers free, full-day preschool for eligible 4-year-olds, with caring teachers and a play-based learning environment that prepares children for kindergarten.
Spots are filling, and now is a great time to apply before summer gets busy.
Learn more: lcps.org/preschool
Questions? 571-252-2110 | HeadStart@lcps.org
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Los planes de verano ya están comenzando. ¿ya solicitó preescolar?
LCPS ofrece preescolar gratuito de día completo para niños elegibles de 4 años, con maestros atentos y un ambiente de aprendizaje basado en el juego que prepara a los niños para el kínder.
Ahora es un buen momento para inscribirse antes de que el verano se llene de actividades.
Más información: lcps.org/preschool
¿Preguntas? 571-252-2110 | HeadStart@lcps.org
LCPS seeks feedback on School Calendar Options for 2028-2029. Families and staff, please look for a link in your email to the survey sent today, Thursday, May 7, and complete the survey by May 21. Thank you in advance for your input! More details: https://lcps.pub/4trTSBn
Meadowland Elementary’s 4th‑ and 5th‑grade students welcomed a special guest when NASA astronaut and retired U.S. Navy Captain Barry Wilmore visited their school and shared stories from his missions, including his unexpectedly long 286‑day stay aboard the International Space Station. Wilmore described the awe of space travel, what it’s like to complete a spacewalk, and even how water is recycled aboard the ISS. Wilmore encouraged students to “study, study, study and learn, learn, learn,” emphasizing that a strong foundation in math and science opens doors to incredible opportunities. Read more: https://lcps.pub/496mmJo
Attention, parents and guardians! Student report cards are now available in ParentVUE. Need help with ParentVUE? Go to: https://lcps.pub/3YDrmzo
It’s Earth Week, April 20-24! Recently at J.L. Simpson Middle School, students donned green aprons and gloves for a different kind of lunch duty. Throughout the school’s three lunch periods, members of the school’s Student Council collected, sorted and measured all the food and trash discarded by their classmates. Students at Watson Mountain Middle and Blue Ridge Middle conducted similar food‑waste audits. Backed by the data they collected, the students will develop communication plans to encourage their peers to reduce waste and make their schools greener. These audits are part of each school’s Green Team work, coordinated by the LCPS Office of Sustainability, and part of LCPS’ overall commitment to involving students in sustainable solutions for a greener tomorrow! Read more: https://lcps.pub/4cyYC1t
Cathy Stolze, a teaching assistant at Aldie Elementary, is this month’s SHINE award winner. Ms. Stolze was nominated by Aldie Elementary Principal Ashley Barkley.
Ms. Barkley shared that Ms. Stolze provided stability for students during the transition to a new teacher. “Cathy created and maintained a positive, welcoming and structured learning environment that helped students feel safe and supported during the change. She approached each day with optimism, warmth and a calm presence that reassured students and allowed them to remain focused and successful,” wrote Ms. Barkley in her nomination.
As a SHINE award recipient, Ms. Stolze received a gift coordinated by the Loudoun Education Foundation and sponsored by IMEG. SHINE, or Spotlighting Heroes in Education, is a joint LEF and LCPS initiative celebrating staff who go above and beyond for students and the community. Learn more at www.lcps.org/SHINE.
Ms. Barkley shared that Ms. Stolze provided stability for students during the transition to a new teacher. “Cathy created and maintained a positive, welcoming and structured learning environment that helped students feel safe and supported during the change. She approached each day with optimism, warmth and a calm presence that reassured students and allowed them to remain focused and successful,” wrote Ms. Barkley in her nomination.
As a SHINE award recipient, Ms. Stolze received a gift coordinated by the Loudoun Education Foundation and sponsored by IMEG. SHINE, or Spotlighting Heroes in Education, is a joint LEF and LCPS initiative celebrating staff who go above and beyond for students and the community. Learn more at www.lcps.org/SHINE.
Remember to Take a Survey About Your School Campus
We need your feedback! You are invited to take a quick survey to help LCPS gain insight into what’s working well and what needs improvement across our schools and school campuses.
Survey closes April 23! Please look for a link from the LCPS Capital Budget Team, including the email lcpssurveys@lcps.org. The survey should take no more than 5 minutes.
This survey is your chance to help us understand how to improve or maintain your school's physical environment, including the buildings and grounds. Please note that this feedback is strictly focused on the physical environment and does not include questions about staff, instruction, curriculum or school culture.
Don’t miss this chance to be heard!
Behind every LCPS preschool classroom is a team of caring educators who love helping young learners grow.
Our certified teachers and teaching assistants create welcoming classrooms where children feel safe, supported and excited to learn every day.
Learn more about LCPS preschool: lcps.org/preschool
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Detrás de cada salón de preescolar de LCPS hay un equipo de educadores atentos y comprometidos con el crecimiento de los niños.
Nuestros maestros certificados y asistentes crean aulas acogedoras donde los estudiantes se sienten seguros, apoyados y motivados a aprender cada día.
Obtenga más información sobre el preescolar de LCPS: lcps.org/preschool
Registration Open for LCPS Early Childhood Education Learning Lab Program
LCPS is now accepting applications for the 2026–27 Early Childhood Education (ECE) Learning Lab Program for children ages 3 to 4 (Birthdates between October 1, 2021 – September 30, 2023). The program offers hands-on learning in a caring environment while giving high school students real-world teaching experience.
Returning families: Submit the application by March 16, 2026, for a guaranteed seat in the current Learning Lab
New families: Submit the application starting February 2, 2026, and by March 16, 2026, to be considered for a lottery.
Families who apply after March 16, 2026 will be added to the waitlist on a first-come, first-served basis.
Applications received after March 16 will be added to the waitlist. Families will be notified based on their lottery number. If accepted, a nonrefundable payment of 50 percent of the annual fee is required to confirm placement.
Learn more and apply at the LCPS ECE Learning Lab webpage
Loudoun County Public Schools students will have a holiday on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, due to the special statewide election. Scheduled after-school activities will continue as planned. Check your school’s website for updated information.
The last day of school for students has also been changed to Friday, June 12, 2026. The LCPS student calendar will be updated as soon as possible.
Visit the Loudoun County website to learn more about the special election, including early voting information and polling locations.
As you head into spring break, whether you're enjoying a staycation, traveling, spending time with friends, family or a little of both, we’ve got you covered with activities for all ages.
These ideas are easy to adapt, not just for spring break but throughout the season, making it simple to keep the fun going.
Even better, these activities do more than fill the day. They help students set positive goals, build and maintain healthy relationships and make responsible decisions, skills that support both well-being and success in and out of the classroom.
Explore activities and get started: https://www.lcps.org/familySEL
Will your student collect them all? Once again, LCPS partnered with Virginia Economic Development Partnership to produce Farmer Trading Cards. Elementary school students can pick them up during breakfast and lunch meal service this week, March 23-27!
