Dulles Schools Newsletter Fall 2014 Edition of the Dulles Schools Newsletter

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discuss the November Schools Bond Referendum which includes the Academies of Loudoun To be added to the electronic distribution list, please contact me via email: Jeff.Morse@lcps.

Schools. We start with the new leadership at our new schools: John Duellman, former Principal at Mercer, is preparing to open the doors at Rock Ridge High School this month.

1 Dulles Schools Newsletter Fall 2014 Edition of the Dulles Schools Newsletter Welcome to the seventh edition of the Dulles Schools Newsletter. In this edition I will welcome new leaders at our Dulles District Schools, highlight our two newest Dulles District Schools and two expansion efforts, Pass Back to School Night Schedules, and discuss the November Schools Bond Referendum which includes the Academies of Loudoun To be added to the electronic distribution list, please contact me via Jeff.Morse@lcps.org New leadership Arrives in the Dulles District and LCPS This summer has seen extensive changes not only in the School Division s leadership, but also the leadership at many Dulles District Schools. We start with the new leadership at our new schools: John Duellman, former Principal at Mercer, is preparing to open the doors at Rock Ridge High School this month. He brings Assistant Principals Dawn Dickerson from Freedom and Mike Fitzgerald from Broad Run plus a superb staff to help open Loudoun s newest high school. Heather Ichimura, John Duellman, Patrick McNanley, Dawn Dickerson, and Mike Fitzgerald Welcome new Employees as LCPS Orientation 1

Anderson has recruited Molly Tinsman, previously the Administrative Intern at Buffalo Trail, to be Cardinal Ridge s first Assistant Principal, and together they are applying the finishing details on

Ricardy Anderson and Molly Tinsman preparing Cardinal Ridge for the Redwings arrival In addition, we will be holding a ribbon cutting for the new Mercer Middle School Academic wing this week.

2 Similarly, Dr. Ricardy Anderson, former Principal at Waterford Elementary School, is preparing to open Cardinal Ridge Elementary School next week. Dr. Anderson has recruited Molly Tinsman, previously the Administrative Intern at Buffalo Trail, to be Cardinal Ridge s first Assistant Principal, and together they are applying the finishing details on Loudoun s newest elementary school. Dr. Ricardy Anderson and Molly Tinsman preparing Cardinal Ridge for the Redwings arrival In addition, we will be holding a ribbon cutting for the new Mercer Middle School Academic wing this week.pictures will be forthcoming in my next Dulles Schools Newsletter Many other leadership changes have occurred across the District: Arcola welcomes new Assistant Principal Andrew Stevens, who Dr. Bowers borrowed from a Richmond school division Freedom welcomes new Assistant Principals Joseph Gabalski former AP at Stone Bridge, and Neelum Chaudhry, previously testing coordinator at Freedom J Michael Lunsford welcomes new Assistant Principal Kathryn Garvey, who previously served as Dominion High School s AP John Champe welcomes new Assistant Principal Sara Genetin-Pilawa, who joins us from Jacksonville, Illinois Moorefield Station welcomes Colleen Flaherty as its newest Assistant Principal. In addition to our new Superintendent Dr. Eric Williams, we also welcome a new Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Dr. Terri Breeden, formerly of Fairfax County, to our senior staff. Welcome to all, and we look forward to your assistance in educating our children! Eric Williams, Ed. D Terri Breeden, Ed. D 2

Superintendent Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Jennifer Brooks and Neil Slevin Roar for their new teachers Heidi Smith, Nellie Adams and Carlene Lydic show Husky Pride Back to School Nights

While Back to School Night is traditionally for the parents (sans children) to meet their child s instructors, the student orientation is for the students (with or without parents) to meet their

3 Superintendent Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Jennifer Brooks and Neil Slevin Roar for their new teachers Heidi Smith, Nellie Adams and Carlene Lydic show Husky Pride Back to School Nights and Student Orientation Schedule Updated Starting this week, Dulles District Schools are hosting Back to School Night and student orientation. While Back to School Night is traditionally for the parents (sans children) to meet their child s instructors, the student orientation is for the students (with or without parents) to meet their teachers. The schedule is included below (check your school s website for confirmation): School Day Date Time Grades/Notes Academy of Science Wednesday 9/10/2014 6:30 p.m. Grades 9 & 10 Academy of Science Wednesday 9/10/2014 7:30 p.m. Grades 11 & 12 Arcola ES Tuesday 9/9/2014 6:30-8:00 p.m. AM & PM K; Grades 1-2 Arcola ES Thursday 9/11/2014 6:30-8:00 p.m. Grades 3-5 Briar Woods HS Tuesday 8/26/2014 7:00 p.m. New Parent Orientation Briar Woods HS Thursday 8/28/ :00 a.m. -12:00 pm New Student Orientation Briar Woods HS Monday 9/8/2014 7:00 p.m. Grades 9-10 Briar Woods HS Monday 9/15/2014 7:00 p.m. Grades Buffalo Trail ES Tuesday 9/9/2014 6:45 p.m. AM & PM K; Grades 1-2 Buffalo Trail ES Thursday 9/11/2014 6:45 p.m. Grades 3-5 Cardinal Ridge ES Thursday 8/28/ :00 a.m. - 12:30 pm PM K Orientation Cardinal Ridge ES Thursday 8/28/2014 9:00-10:30 a.m. AM K Orientation Cardinal Ridge ES Thursday 8/28/2014 1:00 p.m. Grades 1 & 3 Cardinal Ridge ES Thursday 8/28/2014 1:30 p.m. Grades 2 & 4 Cardinal Ridge ES Thursday 8/28/2014 2:00 p.m. Grades 5 & Special Programs Cardinal Ridge ES Thursday 9/11/2014 6:00 8:00 p.m. AM & PM K; Grades 1-5 Eagle Ridge MS Wednesday 9/10/2014 6:00-8:30 p.m. Grade 6 3

4 Eagle Ridge MS Wednesday 9/17/2014 6:00-8:30 p.m. Grades 7-8 Freedom HS Thursday 9/4/2014 7:00 p.m. All Grades Freedom HS Thursday 9/18/2014 3:15 p.m. Freedom 10 Kickoff Hutchison Farm ES Thursday 8/28/2014 6:00-6:45 p.m. AM K; Grades 3-5 (Parents Only) Hutchison Farm ES Thursday 8/28/2014 7:15-8:00 p.m. PM K; Grades 1-2 (Parents Only) Hutchison Farm ES Friday 8/29/2014 9:00-10:00 a.m. Grades 1-5; Open House Hutchison Farm ES Friday 8/29/2014 9:00-9:30 a.m. AM K; Open House Hutchison Farm ES Friday 8/29/2014 9:30-10:00 a.m. PM K; Open House John Champe HS Monday 9/15/2014 6:00 p.m. Freshman Parent's Night John Champe HS Monday 9/15/2014 7:00 p.m. All Grades Liberty ES Thursday 8/28/2014 6:00 p.m. AM K; Grades 1-2 (Parents Only) Liberty ES Thursday 8/28/2014 7:15 p.m. PM K; Grades 3-5 (Parents Only) Liberty ES Friday 8/29/2014 9:00-10:00 a.m. Grades 1-5; Open House Liberty ES Friday 8/29/2014 9:00-9:30 a.m. AM K; Open House Liberty ES Friday 8/29/2014 9:30-10:00 a.m. PM K; Open House Little River ES Thursday 8/28/2014 6:00-6:45 p.m. AM K; Grades 3-5; ECSE Little River ES Thursday 8/28/2014 7:15-8:00 p.m. PM K; Grades 1-2 Little River ES Friday 8/29/2014 8:00-8:30 a.m. ECSE & Resource Little River ES Friday 8/29/2014 9:00-10:00 a.m. Grades 1-5; Open House Little River ES Friday 8/29/2014 9:00-9:30 a.m. AM K Open House Little River ES Friday 8/29/2014 9:30-10:00 a.m. PM K; Open House Mercer MS Wednesday 9/10/2014 6:30 p.m. Grade 6 Mercer MS Wednesday 9/17/2014 6:30 p.m. Grades 7-8 Moorefield Station Thursday 8/28/2014 6:00-6:45 p.m. Pre-K, AM K; Grades 1-2 (Parents Only) Moorefield Station Thursday 8/28/2014 7:15-8:00 p.m. PM K; Grades 3-5 (Parents Only) Moorefield Station Friday 8/29/ :00-11:00 a.m. PM K; Grades 3-5 Open House Moorefield Station Friday 8/29/2014 8:30-9:30 a.m. Pre-K, AM K; Grades 1-2 Open House Pinebrook ES Thursday 9/18/2014 6:00 p.m. AM & PM K; Grades 1-2 Pinebrook ES Thursday 9/18/2014 7:00 p.m. Grades 3-5 Rock Ridge HS Monday 10/6/2014 7:00-9:00 p.m. Grades 9-11 Rosa Lee Carter ES Tuesday 8/26/2014 6:00-8:00 p.m. AM & PM K; Grades 1-2 Rosa Lee Carter ES Thursday 8/28/2014 6:00-8:00 p.m. Grades 3-5 Rosa Lee Carter ES Friday 8/29/ :00-11:00 a.m. All Grades; Open House Rosa Lee Carter ES Friday 8/29/2014 8:00-9:00 a.m. AM K Orientation Rosa Lee Carter ES Friday 8/29/2014 9:00-10:00 a.m. PM K; Orientation Stone Hill MS Wednesday 9/10/2014 6:30-8:30 p.m. Grade 6 Stone Hill MS Wednesday 9/17/2014 6:30-8:30 p.m. Grade 7 & 8 Back to School Night and Student Orientation Schedule 4

Paul Pack and Diane Insari Keeping an Eagle Eye on Fledgling Liberty Teachers Colleen Flaherty and Karen Roche Circling the Waters in search of new Sharks Dulles District well represented at Governor

This is an intensive four-week educational experience for gifted students that takes place during July on college and university campuses throughout Virginia.

5 Paul Pack and Diane Insari Keeping an Eagle Eye on Fledgling Liberty Teachers Colleen Flaherty and Karen Roche Circling the Waters in search of new Sharks Dulles District well represented at Governor s School programs Sixty-three Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) students attended the 2014 Governor's School program. This is an intensive four-week educational experience for gifted students that takes place during July on college and university campuses throughout Virginia. Dulles District students who attended this summer are: Agriculture Haniya Ahmad, John Champe High School Kamran Rana, Briar Woods High School Mohit Tammireddi, Briar Woods High School Humanities Rahul Ravindra, John Champe High School Math, Science & Technology Rohan Dani, Briar Woods High School Shreyas Gatuku, Briar Woods High School Arun Kanumuru, Briar Woods High School Shwetha Kochi, Briar Woods High School Amy Wang, John Champe High School Rachel Yi, Briar Woods High School Visual & Performing Arts Hannah Park, Freedom High School Muli Yu, Briar Woods High School 5

Doug Fulton looking for the right one with Joseph Gabalski, Neelum Chaudhry, & Fred LeMasters

Languages Teacher of the Year Sofia Pollock, Spanish Teacher and World Languages Department Head at

6 Doug Fulton looking for the right one with Joseph Gabalski, Neelum Chaudhry, & Fred LeMasters Andrew Stevens and Clark Bowers Firing up their new Dragons Sofia Pollock Selected as World Languages Teacher of the Year Sofia Pollock, Spanish Teacher and World Languages Department Head at John Champe High School, was selected as LCPS 2014 World Studies Teacher of the Year. Congratulations Sofia! Sofia Pollock, joined by Jeff Morse and World Studies Department Chair Suzette Wyhs, President, Virginia Foreign Language Supervisors Association and Supervisor of World Languages and Cultures for LCPS 6

Dulles District well represented at Governor s School programs Thirty-eight Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) students were invited to the 2014 Governor's Foreign Language Academies in Latin,

The Summer Residential Foreign Language Academies will include full-immersion academies in French, German, and Spanish; a partial-immersion Japanese Academy; and a Latin Academy.

7 Dulles District well represented at Governor s School programs Thirty-eight Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) students were invited to the 2014 Governor's Foreign Language Academies in Latin, German, French, Spanish and Japanese. The Summer Residential Foreign Language Academies will include full-immersion academies in French, German, and Spanish; a partial-immersion Japanese Academy; and a Latin Academy. Over one quarter of those selected from LCPS came from the Dulles District. Selectees included: French Chanel Lee, John Champe High School German Austin Gilley, Freedom High School Madeline Yaskowski, John Champe High School Japanese Katherine Yap, Briar Woods High School Latin Grace Chu, Freedom High School Allison Lee, Briar Woods High School Alaric Stone, Briar Woods High School Spanish Morganne Cieslak, Briar Woods High School Katherine Hood, Freedom High School Rachel Malinowski, John Champe High School Ayman Mobin, Briar Woods High School Congratulations to all of our scholars on achieving such an academic milestone! John Gabriel, Sara Genetin & Jennifer Traina Showcasing John Champe to the rest of LCPS Carrie Simms, Nick Cottone, Danylle Kavanagh & Bob Phillips Lion around waiting for some new Mercer teachers 7

Lunsford s Jai Kumar and Shreya Kurdukar Winners in Young Scientist Challenge Discovery Education and 3M have named Jai Kumar, a sixth grader at J.

In addition, Shreya Kurdukar, an eighth-grader also from J. Michael Lunsford, was selected as the state of Virginia Merit Winner. Congratulations Jai and Shreya!

Lunsford s Elena Tshiteyawas honored as Substititute of the Year Each Year LCPS recognizes those that excel in their passion, commitment and performance as substitute teachers. J.

8 Lunsford s Jai Kumar and Shreya Kurdukar Winners in Young Scientist Challenge Discovery Education and 3M have named Jai Kumar, a sixth grader at J. Michael Lunsford as one of ten finalists in the 2014 Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge, the nation s premier science competition for students in grades 5-8. In addition, Shreya Kurdukar, an eighth-grader also from J. Michael Lunsford, was selected as the state of Virginia Merit Winner. Congratulations Jai and Shreya! Jai Kumar National Finalist Discovery Education/3M Young Scientist Challenge Shreya Kurdukar State Merit Winner Discovery Education/3M Young Scientist Challenge J Michael Lunsford s Elena Tshiteyawas honored as Substititute of the Year Each Year LCPS recognizes those that excel in their passion, commitment and performance as substitute teachers. J. Michael Lunsford s Elena Tshiteyawas was selected from all of the middle school substitutes across the division. Congratulations Elena! Congratulations to Elena Tshiteyawas, Pictured here with Ellen Frey, Anne Peterson, and Amy Reeley 8

9 New Capital Projects on the November Ballot We start this school year with some great news about Loudoun s cornerstone program the Academies of Loudoun. Referred to as the Advanced Technology Academy on the November LCPS bond question, the Academies is so much more than a new high school: the facility will house the new Academy of Science, doubling its capacity; it will house the new Monroe Advanced Technology Academy, doubling its capacity; and it will add an Academy of Engineering and Technology. Some of the planning concepts that will make the Academies of Loudoun unique: It will focus on STEM courses and symposia: from theory to practical application; It will expand remote delivery to all high schools and students, not just those labeled as gifted ; It will provide adult education opportunities to the Loudoun Community; It will open early and remain open later in the day to accommodate non-traditional learning models; It will offer programs on weekends and over the summer; and It will extend learning opportunities to middle school and elementary school students. A referendum question on the November General Election Ballot requests $83 Million in General Obligation Bonds to Fund the Academies. Other Bond Referendum Projects In addition to the Academies of Loudoun above (referred to as the Advanced Technology Academy on the ballot), LCPS is requesting the following: $48 Million for a new Middle School in Dulles North to alleviate overcrowding at Stone Hill and Eagle Ridge Middle Schools; and $31 Million for a new Elementary School in Dulles North to relieve overcrowding at Legacy, Creighton s Corner, and Moorefield Station Elementary Schools. Just as the Dulles District experienced explosive growth over the last 10 years (and received 7 new schools), the schools at the northern side of the Dulles District are bursting at the seams. Rock Ridge High School was accelerated to open this year in order to accommodate the students packed into Briar Woods (built for 1850 plus the portable classrooms used extensively there). Thanks to the fiscal health of Loudoun County, our bond rating is AAA, the highest possible, by the nation s three largest bond rating agencies. However, if the bond referendum is not approved by the voters, alternative (and likely higher rate) financing will be required. I strongly request your support for this year s LCPS bond referendum question. 9

10 Summer Ends. And the School Year Begins My summer started with graduation celebrations for Freedom, at John Champe and for Briar Woods, and ended last week when I took my oldest to his first day of college. I know he is well prepared, completing 12 years of school here in Loudoun. The AP fees about which we all complain replaced thousands of dollars in tuition quite a bargain. Not like the prices of textbooks, which provide a new level of sticker shock to college bill payer Stay tuned for details on the annual Dulles District Math Forum and the Town Hall that I will cohost with Matt Letourneau, our Dulles District Supervisor. Enjoy the new school year, and contact me if you have any questions/issues/concerns. Sincerely, Jeff Morse Jeff Morse Loudoun County School Board Dulles District Representative Jeff.Morse@lcps.org 10

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