Dulles Schools Newsletter Update: Late Fall 2014 Edition of the Dulles Schools Newsletter Welcome to the eighth edition of the Dulles Schools Newsletter. In this edition I will identify upcoming District events, reflect on recent events, update information on the bond referendum and identify some of the “Best of the Best” in the District To be added to the electronic distribution list, please contact me via email: [email protected] Important Dates: th October 7 Dulles District Town Hall with Matt Letourneau & Jeff Morse-Lunsford th October 9 9:00 am Cardinal Ridge Elementary School Dedication Ceremony th October 10 10:00am Rock Ridge High School Dedication Ceremony th October 18 Stone Ridge 5k race for education – Stone Ridge rd TBD – 3 Annual Dulles District Math Forum Dulles District Supervisor & School Board Representative to hold Joint Town Hall Supervisor Matt Letourneau and I will be co-hosting a Dulles District Town Hall, where we will update you on the latest happenings and plans for the Dulles District. The Town Hall will be at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, October 7th at J. Michael Lunsford Middle School, 26020 Ticonderoga Rd, South Riding VA 20152. Topics will include transportation issues, new commercial development, and school issues. After the presentation, a question and answer period will be held. Corrected Information on Bond Referendum Question Many of you received a copy of the Bond Referendum information that was outdated. Attached is the official language as it appears on the November 4th ballot: QUESTION: Shall the County of Loudoun, Virginia contract a debt and issue its general obligation and capital improvement bonds in the maximum amount of $162,900,000 to finance in whole or in part, the costs to design, construct and equip ES-27, Dulles North Elementary School; the costs to design, construct and equip MS-9, Dulles North Middle School; the cost to design, construct and equip the Advanced Technology Academy and other public school facilities throughout the County? An updated fact sheet will be mailed out before the November 4th election to allay confusion. 1 Mercer Middle School Expansion Complete On August 27th, a ribbon cutting was held to mark the opening of a brand new wing to Mercer Middle School. Mercer, the Dulles South ‘workhorse’ for the last 10 years, has succeeded in spite of the challenges faced due to our fast growing population. You may recall that the delay in opening J. Michael Lunsford resulted in an overcrowding situation at Mercer that has rarely been equaled in Loudoun, moving some children from Mercer to Stone Hill. Mercer also became the Freedom High School “Annex”: one wing of Mercer was dedicated to handle core freshman classes for Freedom. With the opening of John Champe and the closing of the annex, Mercer was returned to its Middle School population, and has continued to grow ever since. The expansion of Mercer will allow a direct feed into John Champe High School for the next few years. Congratulations Principal Phillips on the new addition! Principal Bob Phillips, Joined by Supervisor Matt Letourneau and School Board Member Jeff Morse, Cut the Ribbon to the new Mercer Middle School Wing Lunsford Teacher Wins State Recognition Ashley Harper, J. Michael Lunsford Middle School’s lead school counselor, was recognized by the Virginia Middle School Association (VMSA) as their Middle School Educator of the Year for 2014. She will be honored at this year’s VMSA conference at James Madison University. The purpose of the award is to recognize educators who serve in roles other than classroom teachers who have demonstrated a devotion to working with young adolescents and have demonstrated a commitment to best middle level practices. Ashley Harper 2014 Middle School Educator of the Year Dedication Ceremonies for Cardinal Ridge Elementary School and Rock Ridge High School On Thursday October 9th at 9:00 am, the Loudoun Community will celebrate the Dedication of Cardinal Ridge Elementary School, led by Principal Dr. Ricardy Anderson and her tremendous staff. Cardinal Ridge is located at 26155 Bull Run Post Office Rd. Centreville, VA 20120, but most of you know it as the new school visible from Braddock Rd, just east of J. Michael Lunsford Middle School. Cardinal Ridge opened this year with almost 900 children! As Cardinal Ridge is already at capacity, and the entire student body will be attending, “standing room only” at this event is likely. A video of the ceremony will be available on the LCPS website. 2 On Friday, October 10th at 10:00 am, you are also invited to attend the Dedication of Rock Ridge High School. Rock Ridge opens with over 800 students, under the leadership of Mr. John Duellman, Principal. Rock Ridge is located at 43460 Loudoun Reserve Drive Ashburn, VA 20148 and is adjacent to Rosa Lee Carter Elementary School. Freedom Holds its Ten Year Anniversary Celebration On Thursday September 18th, Freedom held its ten year anniversary kickoff event, with hundreds of community members participating in the games, raffles, and sporting events. Fun was had by all, and donations totaling $4,200 were collected for Student activities and school improvement projects. Principal Doug Fulton, Races Across the Inflatable Moon Bounce Finish Line Lunsford English Teacher is a Champion for Change Keith Hample, English Teacher at J. Michael Lunsford Middle School, was named a Champion For Change by the Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) Wellness Works! Initiative. A Champion For Change is selected based on his/her positive impact on fitness, nutrition, positive outlook, healthy behavior–or all of the above. Keith Hample serves as the school’s Wellness Ambassador and has been instrumental in changing the habits of Lunsford’s staff. He has established an after-school exercise program and provides healthy eating ideas for a balanced diet. Keith Hample joins other Loudoun Champions for Change Academies of Loudoun- A Vision is Emerging The topic of “The State of Innovation in Education” was the theme at the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce Breakfast held this month. Chairman Hornberger used the occasion to provide our vision of the integration of technology in to our curriculum. Click on the hyperlink, or type it into your browser, and forward to time 44:30 in the video to see Chairman Hornberger’s technology remarks, or forward to 54:00 minutes to see the specific AoL content: http://vimeo.com/106490718. The Academies will also be discussed at the Town Hall on October 7th. 3 Welcome to our Dulles District 2014-2015 Student School Board Members Congratulations to Caroline C. Blosser, Briar Woods High School; Michael S. Lidwin, John Champe High School, and Madeline B. Helmstadter, Freedom High who were selected as this year’s School Board Student Representatives. I look forward to sharing the Dais with them, and having them participate in School Board discussions at our regularly scheduled meetings. Caroline Blosser, Michael Lidwin, and Madeline Helmstadter welcomed by School Board Members Jeff Morse, Jill Turgeon, Tom Reed, and Kevin Kuesters Champe Band Takes First Place at Oakton Classic and Regional Competion At the 29th annual Oakton Classic band competition, the John Champe Marching Knights took 1st place in AAA category. The band earned first place music, color guard, general effect, and percussion. The band then took 1st place at the US Bands Northern Virginia Regional at Herndon High School, winning best in their class in music, color guard, and general effect. The Marching Knights will perform at the Champe homecoming football game October 17 (post game), October 31 (halftime in costume), and November 7(with a special salute to our veterans). The Marching Knights, an Honor Band, Directed by Jonathan Phillip Stone Ridge 5k Race for Education October 18th – Sign Up Today! The 9th annual Stone Ridge 5k race for education is here! To participate in the Saturday, October 18th run, sign up at: http://www.stoneridgeva5k.org. All proceeds are dispersed to local schools based on race participation. Sincerely, Jeff Morse Jeff Morse Loudoun County School Board Dulles District Representative [email protected] 4 .