In celebration of her selection as the SHINE monthly winner, Ms. Santos received a gift worth $500 coordinated by LEF and sponsored by Equinix. Rey Cheatham Banks, Equinix’ head of Public Policy and Government Affairs, shared that “Equinix remains committed to building educational pathways into our industry. Sponsoring the SHINE award is just one example of how we demonstrate that commitment to supporting meaningful opportunities for local students in an increasingly digital world."
SHINE – Spotlighting Heroes in Education – is a joint Loudoun Education Foundation and LCPS initiative that recognizes LCPS staff members who go above and beyond in support of LCPS students and the community. Members of the LCPS community – including other staff members, students, and parents – are invited to nominate LCPS staff who shine! Learn more about SHINE: www.lcps.org/SHINE
Check out the LCPS Family SEL page (https://lcps.pub/4pJeDYc) for connection activities, videos and resources for all ages! Winter 2025 activity pages are available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Farsi and Vietnamese, along with a menu of fun options, including the engaging “Snow Globe of Positivity” activity to enjoy with family or friends.
Shared activities can strengthen family bonds, improve communication and foster positive relationships across generations. These moments also create supportive opportunities to practice empathy, teamwork and problem-solving while having fun together.
Join us Dec. 10 at 12 or 6 p.m.
To learn more or register: lcps.org/familyacademy
Free for all LCPS families with students in grades K-12.
Loudoun County Public Schools campuses will be allowed to reopen today, December 5, beginning at 4:00 p.m. for scheduled activities. Today, all CASA and YAS programs will remain closed.
Please check your school’s website for updates on canceled or confirmed activities.
As with any inclement weather situation, please use your best judgment about the conditions in your area. Please check with your school to confirm whether a scheduled event can take place.
Please check your school’s website for updates on canceled or confirmed activities.
As with any inclement weather situation, please use your best judgment about the conditions in your area. Please check with your school to confirm whether a scheduled event can take place.
For specific program information, please check your email or your school’s website to see how the delay could affect you.
This Thanksgiving, Lightridge High School Family and Consumer Science students Cooked Up Hope by preparing full holiday meals for LCPS students and families who are experiencing homelessness. The Lightridge students applied their culinary skills to create a traditional feast while learning teamwork, problem-solving and service. The students prepared 72 meals, which were distributed by LCPS staff to 18 LCPS families currently living in hotels. In total, more than 1,000 LCPS students receive services through the LCPS McKinney-Vento program, which ensures educational rights and services for children and youth experiencing homelessness. Read more about this activity: https://lcps.pub/4ov799L
Course Selection: Helping Your Student Make Informed Choices
As winter approaches, it’s the perfect time to plan for next year. This session helps families navigate course selection and choose classes that match their student’s strengths and goals.
Join us Dec. 10 at 12 or 6 p.m.
To learn more or register: lcps.org/familyacademy Free for all LCPS families with students in grades K-12.
Job for a Day gave LCPS students in grades 10 and 11 a firsthand look at workplaces across Loudoun. Approximately 600 students explored careers in fields like healthcare, engineering, information technology, public safety and hospitality throughout the county.
Our thanks to the more than 70 participating businesses for helping students discover new interests, understand the skills needed in different fields and make informed choices about their post–high school plans. Find details about the program at https://lcps.org/jfd
Family Connection Tip: Ask your student what helps them feel most welcome at school, then share their answers with their teacher or principal. When we listen to and elevate student perspectives, we strengthen communities of belonging together.
More than 230 families and students joined LCPS educators, staff, and community partners to celebrate and strengthen support for English Learner students across the division at the LCPS Empowered! English Learner Family Conference on Saturday, Nov. 15. The Division of English Learners, Family and Community Engagement office hosted the conference featuring practical resources, interactive workshops, and opportunities for families to connect with LCPS staff and community organizations. The event underscored our commitment to ensuring every student and family has the tools and support needed to thrive. Read more: https://lcps.pub/48l3fLP
Having more than 80,000 students and 13,000 staff members places LCPS in the top 50 largest school systems in the nation! And, our commitment to students is just as big - with over 90% of our budget supporting employees based in schools around the county. LCPS invests an average cost per pupil of $21,793!
Jonathan Schiffler, Band Director at Freedom High School, is this month’s SHINE award winner! Mr. Schiffler was nominated by a Freedom parent for his extraordinary support of her student, helping him overcome challenges and shine on the field with the Spirit of Freedom Marching Band. The parent wrote in her nomination that Mr. Schiffler “made my son feel heard and understood. He turned what could have been a very upsetting situation into a successful one…My son has learned so many valuable lessons from Mr. Schiffler, and we are so grateful to him for bringing out the best in our son.”
In celebration of his selection as the SHINE monthly winner, Mr. Schiffler received a gift worth $500 coordinated by LEF and sponsored by Ace Handyman Services.
SHINE – Spotlighting Heroes in Education – is a joint Loudoun Education Foundation and LCPS initiative that recognizes LCPS staff members who go above and beyond in support of LCPS students and the community. Members of the LCPS community – including other staff members, students, and parents – are invited to nominate LCPS staff who shine!
Learn more about SHINE: www.lcps.org/SHINE
Cardinal Ridge Elementary School earned a Green Ribbon School Award for commitment to environmental sustainability and environmental education. For Principal, Dr. Adejumo, this recognition is an expansion of the school’s mission: SOAR with LOVE – or Self-control, Ownership, Appreciation of others, and Respect, along with Leadership Opportunities, Voice, and Empowerment. “The first ingredient in our Green Ribbon journey was love, for our staff and our scholars,” Dr. Adejumo said. “We’re creating opportunities for belonging and showing that we’re in this together.”
Read more: https://lcps.pub/49YwIMP
Twelve LCPS schools have been honored as Purple Star Schools for their exceptional support of military-connected students and families. This recognition highlights the compassion, dedication and inclusive spirit that define LCPS. In addition to this year’s honorees, 13 LCPS schools earned the Purple Star designation in previous years. Valid for three years, the designation reflects a school’s ongoing commitment to student support through targeted programs, staff training and community engagement. Read more: https://lcps.pub/3JNu2Hk
Plan to attend the Course Planner Learning Webinar for Parents/Guardians on Thursday, Nov. 20. An information session for parents/guardians of students in grades 5 and 6 will start at 6 p.m. A session for parents/guardians of students in grades 7 through 11 will start at 7 p.m. Course Planner is a new platform to help students, families and school staff chart the student’s path to graduation through the academic planning and course selection process. See the webinar links and more information on the LCPS School Counseling webpage: https://www.lcps.org/o/doss/page/schoolinks
LCPS students, represented in red, outdid themselves compared to Virginia in all five subject areas. In fact, our students showed continued overall improvement over scores in ‘24. Read the Innovation and Achievement report to learn more! lcps.org/annualreport2025
