Education

Supervisors seek public input on new high school location

John Geddie — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 19:08:15 +0000

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Alex Withrow

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Crystal Owens

Thursday, 9 December 2010

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In what is sure to generate a robust response from residents, the Board of Supervisors is looking for public comment regarding the construction of a new high school on property owned by the National Conference Center in Lansdowne.

After emerging from an almost three-hour executive session at their Dec. 7 meeting, the Board unanimously agreed to hold a community meeting to gauge public interest.

“There comes a point where running behind closed doors is no longer serving a purpose,” said Supervisor Stevens Miller (D-Dulles), who said in the last three years he’s heard numerous complaints from residents about the lack of community input when location of schools is on the agenda.

More women, minorities make the grade as Loudoun schools' new hires

John Geddie — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 20:44:21 +0000

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Alex Withrow

Wednesday, 1 December 2010

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Loudoun County Public Schools hired a slew of new teachers this year, the majority of whom are experienced, white, licensed female educators who did not graduate from Loudoun's public school system, according to newly released data.

A report conducted by LCPS Department of Personnel Services and released in late October states that LCPS hired 436 new licensed teachers for the 2010-2011 school year, 73 percent of whom are female.

Of the total new hires, 68 were minorities, or 15.6 percent, up from the 14 percent of minority hires in 2009-2010.

Loudoun Teachers Work the Rule, Suspend Picketing

John Geddie — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 16:49:54 +0000

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Alex Withrow

Wednesday, 24 November 2010

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Last April, soon after the School Board voted to amend the adopted 2010-2011 school year calendar to show Nov. 22 and 23 as furlough days for all Loudoun County Public School employees, members of the Loudoun Education Association came up with two ways for its 3,300 members to highlight what they call the inadequacy of recent years’ transfers to the school system.

One demonstration, which has since been canceled, was for hundreds of LEA members to picket the furlough days on heavily-trafficked intersections throughout the county.

The other was to have teachers work the rule.

The basic concept behind school staff members working the rule is that they get to school when school starts, and they leave when school ends.

A majority of the staff at Liberty Elementary School in South Riding were a few of the participants who recently chose to work the rule.

Supervisors Approve Allocation of $9.4 million in Federal Funds to Schools

John Geddie — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 16:07:37 +0000

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Crystal Owens

Wednesday, 17 November 2010

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Loudoun County Public Schools now have an additional $9.4 million in federal funds to compensate employees forced to take two furlough days next week as a result of budget constraints.

The Loudoun Board of Supervisors on Nov. 16 voted 5-3-1 to appropriate the money – granted by the Federal Education Jobs Fund – to the schools system.

“We’re not adding or giving more money to the teachers, we’re simply making them whole,” said Vice-Chairman Susan Klimek Buckley (D-Sugarland Run.)Supervisor Kelly Burk (D-Leesburg), a county school teacher, recused herself from discussions.

Citizens Target School Land Purchases

John Geddie — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 16:11:46 +0000

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Alex Withrow

Wednesday, 10 November 2010

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Sarah Stinger has a bone to pick with officials at Loudoun County Public Schools.

A longtime activist who relishes "pointing out LCPS discrepancies," Stinger has raised several concerns about School Board and school system decisions.

The latest project receiving her scrutiny? The school system site-acquisition process.

Local Rankings: How Does LCPS Compare?

John Geddie — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 16:09:39 +0000

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By:

Alex Withrow

Wednesday, 10 November 2010

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In the recently released Washington Area Boards of Education Guide, which weighs local school jurisdictions in different fields, Loudoun County Public Schools stays close to average in most fields, but tops all other areas in a number of categories.

Of the eight jurisdictions researched, including Alexandria City, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Falls Church City, Loudoun, Manassas City, Prince George's County, Md., and Prince William County, Loudoun falls in the middle of most of the weighed measures, balancing out the high levels of student enrollment and members of staff in Fairfax and Prince George's County, Md., against the lower enrollments of Falls Church and Manassas City.

Managing College Application Stress

John Geddie — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 16:34:38 +0000

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Alex Withrow

Wednesday, 3 November 2010

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According to experts, during the college application process, it's as important for students to focus on themselves as much as their applications.

"Applying to colleges should be a family undertaking but, remember, it's the student's application," said Jayne Fonash, the guidance director of the Academy of Science.

Experts: Start College Application Process Early

John Geddie — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 15:44:11 +0000

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Alex Withrow

Wednesday, 27 October 2010

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The time to apply to college is now, say parents, and most teachers, guidance counselors and high school graduates.

"November is the time," said Kevin Terry, guidance director at Dominion High School.

"That isn't to say that November is the time only for those applying for early decision. November is when students should be seriously thinking about getting their applications out."

Tuscarora High School Dedication

John Geddie — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 18:34:12 +0000

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By:

Jana Wagoner

Wednesday, 20 October 2010

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The new Tuscarora High School in Leesburg recently had its dedication ceremony. In attendance were several Loudoun officials including Superintendent Ed Hatrick and School Board Chairman John Stevens (Potomac).

Photo by Jana Wagoner

Pamela Paul-Jacobs, Tuscarora High School (THS) principal, addresses students and special guests at the Leesburg school's dedication ceremony Oct. 19. Pictured in the background are Loudoun County Public School Board Chairman John Stevens (Potomac), Superintendent Dr. Edgar Hatrick and the THS chorus.

School Board Adopts pre-Labor Day Calendar

John Geddie — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 16:10:58 +0000

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Alex Withrow

Wednesday, 13 October 2010

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Loudoun students can expect to start school in August next year.

On Oct. 12, the School Board voted to adopt a calendar that will start Loudoun County Public Schools the week before Labor Day for the 2011-2012 school year.

Last month, LCPS Superintendent Dr. Ed Hatrick told the School Board that it was his intention to open schools before Labor Day for the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 school years.