Weekly Update
February 17, 2023
CAPSTONE 2023
Our Capstone program was introduced to our students during our PSAT day in October and is now live for students. Students are also receiving information regarding Capstone in their 12th grade English classes. Please review the Capstone One-pager, which is a great resource to help you understand this program.
LCPS Pre-IB Program at Loudoun Valley High School
Information for current 8th grade students at BRMS and 9th grade students at LVHS
If you have not already done so, we ask all students/ families of students currently in 8th grade at Blue Ridge Middle School or 9th grade at Loudoun Valley High School to please complete the following LCPS Pre-International Baccalaureate Student Interest Survey.
Hello,
This message is for students currently in 8th grade at Blue Ridge Middle School and 9th grade at Loudoun Valley High School interested in the LCPS Pre IB Program. We invite students and families to an optional drop-in work session on Thursday, January 26th from 5:30pm to 6:30pm in the Loudoun Valley High School Library where Michael Skvarch (IB Coordinator) and Paul Hall (Counseling Director) will be available to answer questions and assist students/families with questions they might have pertaining to student course request in preparation for next year.
We are excited to be one of the first schools in Loudoun County to be undergoing the process of becoming an IB World school. Once we are authorized as an IB school, students starting with the classes of 2026 (current 9th grade students) and 2027 (current 8th grade students) will have access to unique International Baccalaureate (IB) classes starting their junior and senior years and will have the ability to pursue a full IB Diploma. For more information visit our website at https://www.lcps.org/IB or visit the official website of the IB: ibo.org.
Students who would attend Loudoun Valley as their home high school will automatically have access to the Loudoun Valley High School International Baccalaureate program. The official start of the program would begin a student’s 11th grade year, however we have specific course request recommendations for students who want to pursue the IB Diploma.
For those students and families interested in the full IB Diploma, we will have an LCPS Pre-IB Student Schedule Work Session on Thursday, January 26th from 5:30pm to 6:30pm in the Loudoun Valley High School Library. This is a drop-in event where Michael Skvarch (IB Coordinator) and Paul Hall (Counseling Director) will be available to answer questions and assist students/families with questions they might have pertaining to student course requests in preparation for next year.
Please bring a device that will allow you to access StudentVue.
We look forward to connecting with you!
Sincerely,
Michael Skvarch(IB Coordinator) and Paul Hall (Counseling Director)
**Heritage and Loudoun Valley High Schools are candidate schools* for the Diploma Programme. These schools are pursuing authorization as an IB World School. IB World Schools share a common philosophy- a commitment to high-quality, challenging, international education- that we believe is important for our students.*Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer the Diploma Programme (DP). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted.For further information about the IB and its programmes, visit http://www.ibo.org.
WINTER APPLICATION CYCLE
The winter application cycle for the Academies of Loudoun opened December 5, 2022 and will close on February 21, 2023.
The Academies of Loudoun Admissions Office will be at LVHS on January 17 and 18. Admissions staff will present to all students during study hall. This is a great opportunity for students to meet admissions staff, better understand how the admissions process works, and ask specific questions.
Please view the links below for additional information:
Information on programs and how to apply: https://vimeo.com/463288237
Self-guided virtual tour website: https://blogs.lcps.org/acltours/
If you have admissions questions along the way, please reach out to AcademiesAdmissions@lcps.org.
Ms. Stecura is Loudoun Valley’s School Testing Coordinator. Her office is located in the main office. The best way to contact Ms. Stecura is through email at melissa.stecura@lcps.org.
The LVHS Testing Website has more information about testing.
AP Testing information and schedule.
ATTENTION JUNIORS!
The Writing SOL will be administered on March 6th and 7th. Makeups for absences Academies of Loudoun students will be March 8th and 9th. Ms. Stecura will send out testing locations via LCPS email in mid-February.
Check out the Spring 2023 AP and SOL testing dates on our website.
AP FEES
AP Exam fees will be collected via SchoolCash Online. Any required fees will be posted to your student’s account beginning November 15, 2022. Payment should be made as soon as possible, but no later than March 15, 2023. If payment is not received by March 15, 2023, LCPS may cancel your student’s exam(s).
If you have already registered for SchoolCash Online, you can sign in after November 15, 2022, and pay any applicable AP Exam fees.
If you have not yet registered for SchoolCash Online, directions on how to register can be found here. Once you have registered and attached your student to your account, you will be able to pay any applicable AP Exam fees.
Online payments can be made by Mastercard, Visa, or eCheck. Online payments are preferred.
If payment needs to be made by cash or check, you can submit payment at your student’s home school. Exact change is required for cash payments. Checks should be addressed to “Loudoun County Public Schools”.
Please contact your school’s Testing Coordinator with questions about this process.
TEACHER CADET INTEREST FORM FOR THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR
What is Teacher Cadet?
The Teacher Cadet program is a “grow our own” initiative that consists of two dual-enrollment (DE) courses offered to high school students in Grade 11 and Grade 12 who may be interested in pursuing a career in education.
Interested students who are eligible to participate are enrolled in the following courses:
Grade 11 – Teacher Cadet I DE
Grade 12 – Teacher Cadet II DE
The Teacher Cadet program is designed to attract high school students to the field of education as a potential career “through exposure to a world-class curriculum and hands-on experience that focuses on teaching,” (Virginia Department of Education, n.d.).
Program Benefits
Teacher Cadet students earn dual-enrollment (DE) credit through Shenandoah University.
Teacher Cadet I DE = EDUC 210 (3 credits)
Teacher Cadet II DE = EDUC 310 (3 credits)
Teacher Cadet students are also immersed in real-world, project-based learning experiences. Students complete an internship with LCPS teachers and interact with LCPS students at the elementary and middle school levels during observations.
Teacher Cadet students who successfully complete the program receive a letter of intent (LOI) from the LCPS Department of Human Resources and Talent Development (HRTD).
Submitting an Interest Form
The online interest form is available to all LCPS students currently enrolled in Grade 10 with a minimum 2.7 GPA or its equivalent. Eligible students should express their interest in the Student Opportunities portal (LCPS Go) between September 14, 2022 and January 27, 2023.
The student interest form requires a student-created response (i.e., presentation, essay, drawing, video, etc.) and two recommendations. Students will need to provide names and email addresses for two recommenders.
The interest form must be completed and submitted by 11:59 PM on January 27, 2023. Student directions are viewable here.
Tentative Timeline
September 14, 2022
The interest form becomes available in the Student Opportunities portal (LCPS Go).
January 27, 2023
The deadline for current Grade 10 students to submit an interest form via LCPS Go.
February 10, 2023
All letters of recommendations are due (responsibility of the student to follow up).
February 13, 2023 - March 10, 2023
The committee convenes to review interest forms.
March 27, 2023
The committee communicates accepted and deferred students to stakeholders (students, families, counselors, principals, teachers, etc.).
After April 1, 2023
School Counseling may schedule accepted students in the Teacher Cadet I DE course to begin in the 2023 – 2024 school year as Grade 11 students.
FOLLOW OUR COUNSELING DEPARTMENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Instagram: @valleyschoolcounseling
STUDY SKILLS & ACADEMIC MOTIVATION PRESENTATIONS
LCPS MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS
This website offers comprehensive mental health services, support and resources provided by our Unified Mental Health Teams (counselors, psychologists, social workers, school nurses, and student assistance specialists) who can assist and direct families to the right level of services or interventions.
Available information includes:
- How to contact your school’s Unified Mental Health Team
- Resources for parents
- Suicide prevention resources
- LCPS mental and behavioral health services
- Substance use prevention and intervention services
- Resources for families of LGBTQ+ students and families
- Community resources
To access the mental health website created by the Department of Student Services, please visit: www.lcps.org/MentalHealthServices
MEET YOUR UNIFIED MENTAL HEALTH TEAM
MEET YOUR UNIFIED MENTAL HEALTH TEAM
As we approach Mental Health Awareness Month, Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) and the Unified Mental Health Team (UMHT) at Loudoun Valley want to remind you of the opportunities and resources available to students and families. The Loudoun Valley Unified Mental Health Team supports the mental health of all Loudoun Valley students.
STUDENT ASSISTANCE SERVICES NEWSLETTER
SUBSTANCE ABUSE TRENDS
RECOVERY FROM VAPING
RYAN BARTEL PARTNER NEWSLETTER
FORTITUDE TEEN WORKSHOPS
LOUDOUN YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL
ELEVATE LOUDOUN
ASVAB TESTING INFORMATION
2022-2023 ASVAB Test Registration
The ASVAB test is open to all LCPS students, grades 10-12. Please arrive 15-20 minutes prior to the start time of the test for check-in. If you have any questions, contact the Mrs. Krone, Career Center Assistant at LVHS.
The ASVAB Career Exploration Program can help young adults identify and explore potentially satisfying occupations and develop effective strategies to realize career goals.
The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) is one of the most widely used, multiple-aptitude tests in the world, developed and maintained by the Department of Defense. More than half of all high schools nationwide administer the ASVAB test to students in grades 10, 11 and 12 (sophomores cannot use their scores for enlistment eligibility).
The ASVAB consists of the following eight individual tests:
-General Science
-Arithmetic Reasoning
-Word Knowledge
-Paragraph Comprehension
-Mathematics Knowledge
-Electronics Information
-Auto and Shop Information
-Mechanical Comprehension
Students are provided with scores on each of these individual tests and three Career Exploration Score composites: Verbal Skills, Math Skills and Science and Technical Skills. The battery takes approximately three hours to complete, and test results are returned to schools in a few weeks.
The Military uses students’ ASVAB scores to identify the occupations that best suit their abilities. Junior, senior and post-secondary school students can use their ASVAB scores for enlistment for up to two years after taking the test.
Additional information (dates and testing sites) and registration is available at:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoLyX9CTLrPuEUzP03jenUsVhriYaYT2gBLfW8E40nmz4Aig/viewform
FREE RESIDENTIAL STEM PROGRAM
NASA’s Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC) is excited to share that the application window is now open for our FREE summer residential STEM program for current 8th and 9th grade students in Virginia!
Building Leaders for Advancing Science and Technology (BLAST) is ideal for students who have a passion for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and have not yet had either the confidence or the opportunity to participate in experiential STEM programs before now. We are asking for your help to ensure every qualified student in Virginia knows they can apply.
CLIMATE LEADERS FELLOWSHIP
GIRLS WHO CODE VIRTUAL SUMMER IMMERSION PROGRAM
Girls Who Code
Level up by becoming a coder this summer with Girls Who Code! Choose your own adventure through our two free virtual programs and get the skills, network, and lifelong college and career support you need to change the world. All high school girls and non-binary students are welcome to apply, including past participants!
- In our 2-week Summer Immersion Program for current 9th-11th graders, you’ll join live virtual classrooms hosted by industry-leading companies like MetLife, Bank of America, and Accenture. By the end of the program, you’ll learn the fundamentals of game design, UX, the iterative design process, and more, as you build out a suite of short games using p5.js, a JavaScript library for creative coding. You can even apply for laptop and hotspot access and grants of $300 for financial support!
- In our 6-week Self-Paced Program for current 9th-12th graders, you’ll learn to code through independent study and real-world projects. By the end of the program, you’ll earn beginner-level certificates of completion in HTML, CSS, or JavaScript for web development or intermediate-level certificates of completion in Python for cybersecurity or data science.
Don’t miss your chance to be a part of a sisterhood that supports you for life! Get started at girlswhocode.com/summerapply or attend a webinar. Make sure that you indicate that you are affiliated with Loudoun County Public Schools on the application!
PARENT POWER BULLYING PREVENTION COURSE
LOUDOUN YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
NEW AG SCHOOL THINK OUTSIDE PROGRAM SPRING BREAK 2023
NOVA CORE ENGINEERING
Incredible opportunity for students interested in studying engineering at NOVA. The NOVA CORE scholarship awards students a full-ride scholarship for an A.S. in Engineering at Northern Virginia Community College.
Engineering faculty will hold an information session on Tuesday, February 21st at 6:00 pm. Students may register using this link:
https://vccs.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMrdOGurTIpG9Dvc5KWFXdAqDCwvfV-qd0p.
NOVA SySTEMic PROGRAMS
IET CAREER DAYS – NOVA is excited to offer five career days this spring to introduce students to career pathways in Information and Engineering Technology. Career Days are free to attend, and NOVA IET will cover the cost of transportation to and from the high school as well as lunch for students and staff. Students will learn from industry professionals and alumni about NOVA IET degree programs and in-demand, high paying career pathways! Schools should register online at: http://iet.novastem.us/CareerDayHS.
Woodbridge March 23 – Annandale March 30 – Alexandria March 31 – Manassas April 14 – Loudoun April 28.
SUMMER BRIDGE PROGRAMS – FREE 2-week summer bridge programs for current juniors and seniors who have little or no experience with Information Technology, Computer Science, or Engineering Technology career pathways. Students will be introduced to NOVA’s IET programs, tour regional employers, and meet NOVA faculty, students, and staff. Bridge students also have the opportunity to receive college credit. Program available at Manassas/Loudoun and Annandale/Woodbridge campuses. More information and application available at: https://www.nvcc.edu/systemic/bridge.html.
SUMMER STEM INTERNSHIPS – SySTEMic Internships return for Summer 2023. 10-day internships support summer STEM camps and are available for students with experience in coding, cybersecurity, fabrication, programming, robotics, or rocketry. Interns can receive up to a $1000 stipend upon program completion. Internships open to college and high school students age 16 and older. Applications due March 15th. Apply online at: http://intern.novastem.us/apply.
FINANCIAL AID 101 - FALL 2022 PRESENTATION
NOVA EARLY COLLEGE SPRING 2023
PEER
PEER (Positive Experiences in Educational Relationships) is a specialized class in LCPS, for student leaders, that is designed to develop students’ peer mentoring skills and help teach them how to assist their peers emotionally, socially, and academically. Peer groups focus on areas such as bullying, healthy relationships, substance use, mental health, suicide, special needs populations, violence prevention, and community outreach efforts.
As positive role models, peer helpers develop and implement educational and awareness programs which address issues facing today’s students. Through prevention and intervention approaches, the peer program functions as a supplemental resource for increasing overall effectiveness of student services within the school setting.
Campaigns and activities include - Blue Ridge Middle School Mentoring, Sources of Strength Training, Sources of Strength Assembly & Walk, Hey Day, New Student & Staff Luncheon, Gratitude Grams, Healthy Relationships Campaign, EL Students Luncheon, Clothing & Hygiene Product Drive, Club and Community Collaborations with We're ALL Human, LVSI, SCA, and Loudoun Abused Women's Shelter.
MUSIC FAMILIES NEWSLETTER - JANUARY
VALLEY STUDENT MEDIA
SENIOR YEARBOOK ADS
OVERDUE LIBRARY BOOKS
PTO APPRECIATION LUNCH SIGNUP
Please help the Loudoun Valley PTO show our appreciation to the Loudoun Valley staff and sign up to cook for our crockpot luncheon next Thursday, February 23rd. Details are in the sign up genius.
CAFETERIA ACCOUNT
If you have money to put on your account, you can bring it to the cafeteria in the mornings.
EDITING SPENDING LIMITS
SPRING TRYOUTS
We are excited to welcome students to the upcoming spring athletics season at Loudoun Valley High School. Below is information to help students and families regarding the spring season.
Tryouts for spring sports will start on February 20, 2023.
As you view the website, you will see an individual page for each sport. Each page contains specific tryout information from the coaches for each sport:
If you have any questions, please email one of the following members of the athletics team:
Athletic director, Kris Kelican:
Assistant athletic director, Damian Krisko:
Athletics Secretary, Brenda Daeschner
Here is a list of the sports we offer for the spring, along with the contact information for each coach:
Boys Soccer – Nick Nunes – Nicholas.Nunes@lcps.org
Girls Soccer – Kerry Davidson – kerry.davidson@lcps.org
Boys Tennis – Christopher Wilson – christopher.wilson@lcps.org
Girls Tennis – Cara Orenzuk – caraorenzuk@gmail.com
Boys Lacrosse – Alex Inman – steven.inman@lcps.org
Girls Lacrosse – Austin Clark – austin.clark@lcps.org
Baseball – Wayne Todd – wayne.todd@lcps.org
Softball – Michael Elias – michael.elias@lcps.org
Track & Field – Kevin Shirk – kevin.shirk@lcps.org
We will send several reminder messages by email. We look forward to welcoming our students and families to an exciting season of spring sports.
Go Vikings!
TICKET SPICKET
LCPS will be using Ticket Spicket digital tickets for all high school athletic regular season events. Tickets can be purchased using the Ticket Spicket website or app.
Please Note: Tickets can not be redeemed prior to the event. Tickets must be presented to the event staff before being redeemed.
2022-23 Ticket and Annual Pass Prices
- Tickets for regular-season events: $7 per ticket
- All LCPS Access Pass: $500 provides access to home and away regular season athletic competitions held at any LCPS high school (each member in the immediate household will receive a pass with purchase of this package)
- Family Pass: $250 provides entrance to all regular season home games for the selected school (each member in the immediate household will receive a pass with purchase of this package)
- Individual Adult Pass: $125
- LCPS Student Pass: $100
Additional information along with helpful resources about Ticket Spicket can be found at LCPS.org.
Parents We want to see your athletes in action! Please send pictures and updates to pr@lvboosters.org
Spring Sports Checklist
2/20 All paperwork must be turned in - physical form and online registration
3/2 Athletic Fees are due. The portal will open on 2/27 $75
3/1 Parent Meeting with Spring Coaches at 7pm auditorium
3/2 Picture Day - starting at 4pm. Coaches will send out email about this.
We are selling personalized Spring sport yard signs through March 3rd.
https://www.loudounlawnexpressions.com/products/valley-boosters-fundraiser
Congratulations to Loudoun Valley Gymnast Kayla Crowson who placed 4th in floor and is now advancing to states
Congratulations to Valley Varsity Girls and Boys Basketball team for advancing to district semi- finals !!!
Track Regional Results - Teams are advancing to States
GIRLS:
1000 METER RUN, Sam Bolen, 4th
1600 METER RUN, Ella Peterson, 1st
55 METER HURDLES, Morgan Greene, 2nd
4X200 METER RELAY, Team 5th
4X800 METER RELAY, Team 3rd
HIGH JUMP, Clarice Hartman, 2nd and Amber Glass, 3rd
LONG JUMP, Ashley Levine, 8th
TRIPLE JUMP, Ashley Levine, 11th
SHOT PUT, Sammi Gaylord , 7th
BOYS:
55 METER DASH John Lyth, 2nd and Jadon Taylor, 5th
300 METER DASH, John Lyth, 5th
500 METER DASH, Jackson Nicodemus, 5th
1600 METER RUN, Ty Blair, 3rd and Jake Rimmel, 4th
3200 METER RUN, Gabe Cates, 6th
55 METER HURDLES, Jack McClelland, 11th
4X200 METER RELAY, Relay Team, 9th
4X400 METER RELAY, Relay Team, 5th
HIGH JUMP, Jackson Nicodemus, 2nd
LONG JUMP, Sam Hummer, 6th
THANK YOU TO FARR CONSTRUCTION GROUP
SPONSORS
WHAT TO DO IF LCPS GO IS DOWN
Direct Links for Students to Instructional Tools
TOOL: Google
LINK: https://drive.google.com
HOW TO SIGN IN: Google: student email address IDnumber@lcps.org, i.e. 000000@lcps.org
TOOL: Schoology
LINK: https://learn.lcps.org
HOW TO SIGN IN: Google
TOOL: Google Meet
LINK: https://meet.google.com/ OR the link you created for your class
HOW TO SIGN IN: Google
TOOL: Clever (for app integrations)
LINK: https://clever.com/
HOW TO SIGN IN: Student ID and Password
TOOL: StudentVue
LINK: https://portal.lcps.org/
HOW TO SIGN IN: Student ID and Password
FAQs
I've used the links and received sign-in errors. Is my password wrong?
Sometimes an LCPS Go outage is limited to LCPS Go, and other times it may be a network problem affecting multiple sites. In this instance, a password or other sign-in error may or may not reflect the actual problem. Wait and try later, refresh your browser window, and clear the cache if needed.
HIGH SCHOOL TOOLKIT
STUDENT SOFTWARE CATALOG
Contact Information
Website: https://www.lcps.org/lvhs
Location: 340 North Maple Avenue, Purcellville, VA, USA
Phone: (540) 751-2400
Twitter: @LVHS_official
2023 All Rights Reserved – Loudoun County Public Schools