Atoosa Reaser

Enjoyed the Potomac Falls High School and River Bend Middle School_Official guitarists at our first October meeting. This week’s meeting features resident and Teacher of the Year, Jordan Markwood. The rest of your Weekly Work-Up follows:

🗓️ Tues 10/25
4P FY24 Operating Budget Work Session
5P School Board Meeting
6P Douglass High School Commemorative Committee

🗓️ Wed 10/26
5P Discipline Committee

🗓️ Thurs 10/20
8A Loudoun Education Foundation (LEF)
5:30P Curriculum and Instruction Committee
5:30P Human Resources & Talent Development
6:30P LCPS Community Information Meeting to Review a Proposed Public Utility Service Center

🗒️ Available agendas and instructions to register for public comment on the LCPS web page.

Tuesday!

Please see an update on the Secondary School Attendance Zone Change Process, together with the rest of the Weekly Work-Up of School Board meetings, including our next boundary meeting.

⭐️ Proposed Plan: the staff plan was presented to the School Board; you may find all the materials presented at the meeting here: http://go.boarddocs.com/vsba/loudoun/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=CK6QNJ69F192

⭐️ The proposed plan includes these changes to the eastern Loudoun secondary school attendance zones:

1) Removes Kincora Village from Park View HS/Sterling MS and assigns to Riverside HS/Belmont Ridge MS.

2) Removes the developments around the Dulles Town Center from Potomac Falls HS/River Bend MS and assigns them to Riverside HS/Belmont Ridge MS.

⭐️NOTE: I wrote to staff to ask for an explanation regarding the recommendation to send these student to Riverside HS rather than Broad Run HS (based on both a closer distance and more space), as did another member during the discussion.

⭐️ To check your student(s) assignment for the 2023-2024 School Year visit: LCPS Attendance Boundary E-Listing at https://webinter.lcps.org/Lcps_Locate/

There will be several meetings in October and November to further discuss the Attendance Zone Change Process before the plan is decided by a majority vote of the School Board Members. If you would like to provide feedback, the public hearings are the best place to share your thoughts with the entire Board before the official vote.

📆 Here is your Weekly Work-Up:

🗓️ Mon 10/17
5:30P Loudoun Education Alliance of Families (LEAF) Committee

🗓️ Tues 10/18
4P School Health Advisory Board
5P Finance and Operations Committee
6P Specialized Programs and Centers
6:30P Secondary School Attendance Zone Briefing & Public Hearing

🗓️ Wed 10/19
8:30A Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee (CTEAC)
6P Middle School (MS-14) Naming Committee at Brambleton Middle School
7P Minority Student Achievement Advisory Committee (MSAAC) Virtual

🗓️ Thurs 10/20
5P Student Services Committee

🗒️ Available agendas and instructions to register for public comment on the LCPS web page.

Attendance Zone Boundaries

As a parent of a teenager, I relate to the stress and worry families may be feeling with the idea that their child may have to change schools. I hope I can alleviate some of the concern by communicating the process and explaining how you can give your input and feedback on proposals.

At this time NO PLANS have been presented. The staff will present an overview this Thursday (you can attend in person or watch from home on the LCPS web page - see the webpage for TV channel listings) and proposals later this month (see schedule below) with opportunities for public input before a final vote.

The areas being considered are eastern Loudoun, Ashburn, and Leesburg. It’s possible that there will be changes related to all of these areas, some of these areas, or none of these areas. Any proposals may be modified by board members, and they will be voted upon only after the opportunity for public hearings.

If you have thoughts on the proposals, you can come to speak to the Board at regular board meetings, or at the public hearings related to just the boundaries. You can also email the full board or set up a time to talk with your district representative or the at-large representative who is responsible for representing all of Loudoun.

Please follow this link for more information and to see all questions asked and answered :
https://www.lcps.org/Page/246406.

Secretary of the Commonwealth - State Recognized Tribes

Celebrating Indigenous People’s Day…there are 11 recognized tribes in Virginia; learn more here:

(H/t to Delegate Suhas Subramanyam for sharing!)

Secretary of the Commonwealth - State Recognized Tribes Kay Coles James, Commonwealth, Secretary of the Commonwealth, Glenn Youngkin, governor, virginia, VA

On Tuesday, the Board will be discussing calender options for next school year. There are three staff-proposed options, shown before. Please feel free to give public comment if you have feedback, or send us your thoughts via email. Here is the rest of your Weekly Work-Up:

🗓️ Tues 10/11
4P School Board Meeting
6P Douglass High School Commemorative Committee

🗓️ Wed 10/12
6P Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)

🗓️ Thurs 10/13
6:30P Secondary School Attendance Zone Overview

🗒️ Available agendas and instructions to register for public comment on the LCPS web page.

Meet the Loudoun County Public Schools new Auditor General and Ombuds!

Mr. Ahmad Woods has been selected to serve as LCPS’ Auditor General. Mr. Woods is an experienced auditor who has served in various roles in several large organizations. Most recently, he served as the senior auditor for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. Mr. Woods brings a clear understanding of the role of the auditor and has access to a wealth of local and international resources that will assist him in developing this office to achieve success.

Carey Williams, will serve as LCPS’ inaugural Ombuds. The Ombuds – also called an ombudsman – is a confidential, independent, impartial and informal resource for LCPS students, families, and employees. The Ombuds assists members of the LCPS community to explore options to help resolve concerns, conflicts, and issues arising within LCPS. The Ombuds assists members of the LCPS community with their own advocacy and supports timely, equitable and fair resolution. The Ombuds also acts as an early warning system by identifying escalating trends and systemic concerns to division leadership. To learn more about the Ombuds and how to contact her, please visit www.lcps.org/ombuds.

Knowing Arjun since he was only half as tall as me, I thoroughly enjoyed his (and all of the students’) active participation in our board meeting. He represented Potomac Falls High School. Here’s what the board is up to this week:

Your Weekly Work-Up

🗓️ Tues 10/4
5P Finance and Operations Committee

🗓️ Thurs 10/6
5:30P Equity Committee

🗒️ Available agendas and instructions to register for public comment on the LCPS web page.

Congratulations to the educators, staff and administrators of Loudoun County Public Schools for getting an A and ranking 1st for school divisions of its size and 5th overall in the entire Commonwealth !
www.niche.com/k12/d/loudoun-county-public-schools-va/

Virginia Regulatory Town Hall List Comments

The public comment period on the Youngkin administration's new guidance on the treatment of transgender children is open. You may leave a comment letting the administration know where you stand, and consider mentioning if you are a parent.

I believe the recently published guidance will lead to forcibly outing and endangering transgender children, leaving them vulnerable to harm. I also believe there may be conflict with existing law that led to our board enacting current protections - previously, the Commonwealth developed those policies with input from a work group consisting of parents, students, teachers, and members of the public.

Parents have always had a voice on this issue, and specifically in our school division. Our board is the first to take direct input on policies as they are developing, from advisory groups and the public through an online portal, in addition to traditional public comment. I look forward to continuing the dialogue I have with my constituents through these avenues and the many in-person opportunities we share. And, I will continue to advocate for the best interest of the children.

Virginia Regulatory Town Hall List Comments Virginia Regulatory Town Hall List Comments

Highlighting the Loudoun County Public Schools Teacher Cadet Program, here in the District. Josseline is a cadet from Potomac Falls High School now a teacher at LCPS, and Ena is an THS cadet now teaching at Potowmack
Elementary! Here is your Weekly Work-Up of our meetings:

 🗓️ Mon 9/26
5P Discipline Committee
6P Douglass High School Commemorative Committee

🗓️ Tues 9/27
4:30P Select Committee of the School Board for Hearing Appeals
5P School Board Meeting

🗓️ Thurs 9/29
3P Legislative and Policy Committee
5P Special School Board Meeting for Personnel Closed Session

🗒️ Available agendas and instructions to register for public comment on the LCPS web page.

Engaging with parents, students, staff, and business leaders at community events this month…and here is your next Weekly Work-Up:

🗓️ Mon 9/19
5:30P Loudoun Education Alliance of Families (LEAF) Committee

🗓️ Tues 9/20
5P Finance and Operations Committee
6P Specialized Programs and Centers Committee

🗓️ Wed 9/21
8:30A Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee (CTEAC)
7P Minority Student Achievement Advisory Committee (MSAAC)

🗓️ Thurs 9/22
5:30P Human Resources and Talent Development (HRTD) Committee
5:30P Curriculum and Instruction Committee

🗒️ Available agendas and instructions to register for public comment on the LCPS web page.

All children in our school division, and beyond, should feel accepted, celebrated, and empowered regardless of how they look, where they were born, the language they speak, their gender/gender identity, their sexuality, their socioeconomic status, their name…taking away their protections doesn’t make anybody else safer.

The Commonwealth developed policies related to our most vulnerable students in 2020 with input from a work group including parents, students, teachers, and members of the public. I will continue to support our staff and educators who have worked collaboratively with students and families to ensure they have their basic needs met so they can learn and flourish.

Supt will recommend replacing Parkview HS! Discussion will include an update of other eastern Loudoun projects.

Highlighting Potowmack’s student teacher from JMU, where I earned my minor in education! And here is your Weekly Work-Up:

🗓️ Mon 9/12
5P Communications and Outreach Committee
5P Joint Loudoun County School Board and Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Committee

🗓️ Tues 9/13
4P School Board Meeting

🗓️ Wed 9/14
5P Special School Board Meeting for Personnel Closed Session

🗓️ Thurs 9/15
5P Student Services Committee
6P Technology Steering Committee
7P Gifted Education Advisory Committee

🗒️ Available agendas and instructions to register for public comment on the LCPS web page.

Photo credit: Miss Chrisman

I remember the clear blue sky above me while I listened to the attacks on the radio, as I drove into work. I recall stopping at an intersection near the Pentagon and seeing minivans with their doors open drive by with victims in the back, as I tried to drive home. Honoring the lives lost 21 years ago and the heroic first responders.

Enjoyed welcoming the volunteers from Sterling/Algonkian who attended the Loudoun Education Alliance of Families meeting. LEAF is a parent advisory group intended to elevate educational concerns and provide feedback on current or proposed policies or issues facing the School Board.

Dr. Daniel Smith, Chief of Staff for Loudoun County Public Schools, provided a presentation on our Policy Review Process. LCPS is one of the only school districts nationwide to seek public input on every policy. The district is likely to review up to 107 policies this year.

Elissa Moritz, Library Media Services Supervisor, presented the School Libraries Selection and Review Process. LCPS' library team reiterated that the books in each library should reflect the demographics and needs of each school community. Before adding a new book to a library, the school librarians conduct research to determine appropriateness then LCPS Library Services administrators provide two additional reviews. School community input is valued, and parental choice is supported. Parents interested in seeing what their students have checked out may access Follett Destiny, located under the Library Services tab in LCPS Go on your child's device.

Potomac Falls High School
Dominion High School
Seneca Ridge Middle SRMS_Official
River Bend Middle School_Official
Algonkian Elementary School
Horizon Elementary
Meadowland
Elementary
Sugarland
Elementary
Potowmack
Elementary
Countryside Elementary
Lowes Island Elementary

The Loudoun Education Alliance of Families meets this week! I am grateful to our board and staff for giving families opportunities to collaborate in this live format, as well as through our online policy input form, giving families voice on every policy being considered. Here is the whole Weekly Work-Up:

🗓️ Tues 9/6
4:30P Finance and Operations Committee
5:30P Loudoun Education Alliance of Families Committee (LEAF)

🗓️ Wed 9/7
6P Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)

🗓️ Thurs 9/8
5:30P Select Committee for Hearing Appeals Closed Session

🗒️ Available agendas and instructions to register for public comment on the LCPS web page.

Thanks to everyone who attended my NoVA Business Roundtable this past week! As we prepare for the upcoming session, the inputs on employment issues, workforce development, transportation funding, broadband expansion, and economic development will help guide my legislation and decision making.

Apartment and Office Building Association of Metropolitan Washington NVAR - Northern Virginia Association of Realtors®VIADA Washington Gas Dominion Energy Atoosa Reaser Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association Visit Loudoun Foundation HCA Virginia Manufacturers Association

New Series to Premiere in Loudoun Classrooms - Loudoun Now

Tom Sweitzer, Kim Tapper, Judy Card Hanley and the entire team at A Place To Be are a gift to our community!

New Series to Premiere in Loudoun Classrooms - Loudoun Now Team Kentron, a new original Sci-Fi children’s series premiers in Loudoun County Public Schools this week. The series was created

A huge congratulations! And a fun fact: Mr. Markwood is from the Algonkian district! 

Welcome back - first full week of the 22-23 school year! Here is your Weekly Work-Up:

🗓️ Mon 8/29
6P LCPS Community Information Session with a Spotlight on Western Loudoun Community

🗓️ Wed 8/31
4P Legislative and Policy Committee

🗓️ Thurs 9/1
5:30P Equity Committee

🗒️ Available agendas and instructions to register for public comment on the LCPS web page.

Welcome back to school! As a mom, I am “not allowed” first day photos anymore, but I am grateful to get to send off with my favorite student!

Teaching and Learning / Family Life Education (FLE)

For the 2022-2023 school year, the Family Life Education (FLE) materials are now accessible for preview through ParentVUE (PVUE). Once in ParentVue, parents/guardians can view the instructional tools posted in the “Resources & Opportunities” tab and then clicking the Family Life Education link.

If parents/guardians have further questions after viewing the materials in ParentVUE or would like to view the materials in-person, FLE specialists will be available by appointment only from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. in Room 100-C at the LCPS Administrative Offices located at 21000 Education Court, Ashburn.

The in-person “Family Life Education Parent Preview Dates” are:

Monday, August 29, 2022
Tuesday, August 30, 2022
Wednesday, August 31, 2022
You must register your attendance for this event. To register for an in-person appointment, please visit the website:

Teaching and Learning / Family Life Education (FLE) Search all LCPS sites OR focus search using the radio buttons below. Click the Search Tips link for how to enhance search experience.Search Tips

Welcome back! Here is your Weekly Work-Up:

🗓️ Mon 8/22
5P Discipline Committee
6P Douglass High School Commemorative Committee
6:30P Discipline Committee "Closed" Session

🗓️ Wed 8/24
6P LCPS Community Information Meeting with a Spotlight on Ashburn Community

🗓️ Thurs 8/25
First Day of School for Students
8A Loudoun Education Foundation (LEF)

🗒️ Available agendas and instructions to register for public comment on the LCPS web page.

LCPS School Nutrition has been busy all week at Back to School training.

We're looking forward to a great year! 🥳

Grateful to the staff who took care of kids over the summer, whether it was through meals or summer programs. Looking forward to continuing work on making sure kids who need food are taken care of regardless of where they fall with respect to programmatic lines. Here is the rest the Weekly Work-Up:

🗓️ Tues 8/16
6P Specialized Programs and ​Centers Committee

🗓️ Thurs 8/18
4P Human Resources and Talent Development Committee
5P Student Services Committee
5:30P Curriculum and Instruction Committee
6P Technology Steering Committee

🗒️ Available agendas and instructions to register for public comment on the LCPS web page.

Here is your Weekly Work-Up:
🗓️ Mon 8/8
6P Douglass High School Commemorative Committee

🗓️ Tues 8/9
4P School Board Meeting

🗒️ Available agendas and instructions to register for public comment here:

http://go.boarddocs.com/vsba/loudoun/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=CFUJZM4F4AB0

Very excited to deliver results to the community on fine arts and other stipends - pictured is what staff identified and presented in Curriculum and Instruction Committee tonight. These rates are for 2023.

For more information on FY 2024 and additional steps, please visit:
http://go.boarddocs.com/vsba/loudoun/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=CGFGAW4250FF

It was great to reconnect with Dr. Mahalik, this summer, in his new role. I look forward to more opportunities in the year ahead!

Dr. Mihalik looks forward to beginning the 2022-23 school year as the principal of Sugarland Elementary. He knows his school plays a crucial role in the community. Learn more about Principal Mihalik: https://lcps.pub/3PUe9wx

Student Registration / Kindergarten Registration

The School Board recess is over and your Weekly Work-Up follows. Also, if you have a soon-to-be kindergartener or are new to LCPS, registration details are at the link below.

🗓️ Mon 8/1
5P Communications and Outreach Committee

🗓️ Tues 8/2
8A ALT 2022 at Lightridge HS
5P Finance and Operations Committee

🗓️ Weds 8/3
8A ALT 2022 (Virtual)
5:30P Curriculum and Instruction Committee

🗓️ Thurs 8/4
5:30P Equity Committee

🗒️ Available agendas and instructions to register for public comment on the LCPS web page.

Student Registration / Kindergarten Registration Kindergarten student registration for Loudoun County Public Schools.

Our CFO prepared this data in reply to my request for a comprehensive summary spanning FY20-FY23. While financial compensation is important, so is excellent professional development, time to plan and reflect on teaching, a voice in decisions before they are made, adequate supply stipends, and quality of life. I am grateful we were able to provide more in some of these areas - especially the paid parental leave - and look forward to working with my colleagues to continue working to make Loudoun County Public Schools the best place to work and learn.

2023 Loudoun County Public Schools Graduation Dates

What an absolute joy to elbow bump with the kids at Sugarland
Elementary today, followed by a nice visit with Dr. Brewer, Mr. Cottone, Mr. Mahilik, staff, parents and kids on the . Even though it was a lunch break, we even managed to talk a little shop. Bonus: getting to see Deputy Rivera again! 

Dominion High School
Seneca Ridge Middle SRMS_Official