September 6, 2024
Announcements
SCPS CALENDAR SURVEY-
Spotsylvania County Public Schools (SCPS) is developing the 2025-26 and 2026-27 School Year Calendars. We are using a clearly defined process, which we believe will result in a calendar that is inclusive and equitable.
The development of the School Year Calendar will be guided by:
State and federal law, which require us to provide 180 days or 990 hours of instruction.
Our focus on high-quality instruction.
Potential impacts to school operations, including high student and staff absenteeism.
Community input via an Instructional Calendar Committee as well as a survey.
Your survey responses will be anonymous. Responses will help SCPS understand how the current School Year Calendar is working for you, help us understand how to make the calendar better for next year, and what you are willing to adjust to make those improvements.
In addition to survey results, and the factors outlined above, SCPS will consider other operational information when developing the calendar. The Spotsylvania County School Board will have final approval of the 2025-26 and 2026-27 School Year Calendars.
Thank you for your feedback.
Click the following link to begin the survey: https://forms.gle/woVxJ58JWMVmYWnQ9.
UPCOMING ELL RESOURCE FAIR-
SCPS is holding an English Language Learner Resource Fair on September 19th at Courtland High School.. You may access the informational fliers here: ELL Resource Fair English & Spanish
PTO NEEDS VOLUNTEERS-
Our PTO wants to share a signup link for volunteering this year. Please click on this link to sign up for ways to help our school. Volunteers are so important to our school and we would love your help!
ATTENDANCE MATTERS-
Remember that consistent and regular school attendance is essential to student success in school. Regular nightly routines help with preparing for smooth transitions in the mornings. Pack book bags the night before school, set out clothes and shoes, and have all materials ready to go for the morning. Students thrive when routines are structured and predictable.
*Upcoming Important Dates for LHES:
**Each Friday is LHES Spirit Day to wear school colors of blue and white. Special House Day Fridays are noted once a month for House Colors.
September 1st- October 1st- Attractions Fundraiser for PTO, information coming home soon.
September 10th- PTO Meeting at Ledo’s 6:00 pm. A virtual link will be available on the PTO Facebook page that night.
September 11th- Red, White, and Blue Spirit Day
September 17th- Fall Picture Day, info will be sent home. Constitution Day!
*Special Spirit Week to Get Ready for Career Day and 4E Opportunities:
Sept. 23 - Hats off to 4E opportunities! Hat Day.
Sept. 24 - Dress to Impress Day!
Sept. 25 - College Gear Day
Sept. 26 - Future Me Day - Dress like your future career!
Sept. 27 - Lions have a Bright Future - LHES Spirit Day
September 27th- Career Day!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR LHES SCHOOL OPERATIONS & PROCEDURES 2024-2025-
**NEW BUS LOOP/PARKING PROCEDURES:
In preparation for our upcoming office renovation and construction, the front bus loop will be reserved for buses only on all of the days school is in session.
This means no vehicles will be allowed to park and/or drop-off students between
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Visitor parking spaces and Quick-Stop Spaces (10 minutes or less) will be designated in the larger parking lot adjacent to our building. There are plenty of additional parking spots available within the larger lots.
Parking may be altered for special school-wide events pending construction updates.
Reminder: ADA/Handicap spaces are only for vehicles with proper identification.
The school day begins at 8:45am and ends at 3:30pm
We know how valuable each moment of the school day is and attendance for our students is critical. Late arrivals or early dismissals should only occur in cases of emergency. Please ensure students are able to attend school for the entire day. Students are considered tardy if they are not in the classroom by 8:45 A.M.
Parent Drop Off will begin at 8:25 each day. Students will not be able to enter the building prior to that time.
Please only allow your student to exit the car in the designated area with a staff member present.
Dismissal: Transportation changes are only accepted in written form
Student safety is our top priority, and for safety reasons we can only accept changes in writing.
Please send in a written note or email to leehillesattendance@spotsylvania.k12.va.us, if your student has a change in afternoon transportation or is being picked up early. Students will be released only to parents, guardians, or persons officially designated in writing by the parent or guardian.
Notification for changes in dismissal should be done by 2:00 p.m.
After 3:10, students will not be dismissed from the office. Please go to Parent Pick-up/Curbside line if you are picking up after this time.
Clinic Reminders:
All medicine, to include herbal and over the counter medicine (cough drops, allergy medication, eye drops etc) must be delivered to the school nurse or principal in the original unopened container by the parent/guardian. All medicine must have a written doctor's order and must be administered in the school clinic.
When a child is sick and/or reports he/she will not be able to participate
comfortably in classroom activities or could potentially spread a contagious disease, he/she should be kept home. If you are unsure if your child may come to school, please contact the school nurse prior to sending to school.
Outside Food Deliveries:
Outside deliveries, including food vendor deliveries, cannot be accepted for students. Parent visitors during lunchtime may only provide outside food for their own child. As part of our safety plan, outside food may not be distributed to any other student.
Cell Phones:
Students may not access cell phones during the school day while on school property including buses.
Electronic devices should remain at home. If a student has a cell phone, it must remain off and in their backpack. Please refrain from any cell phone and smartwatch communication use in the building or on the bus. Taking pictures or video in the school setting or on the school bus is not permitted.
CURBSIDE REMINDERS FOR OUR PARENT LOOP-
We want to take time to remind all parents using the parent loop about our curbside safety rules. New numbers are issued each year for students using curbside for dismissal. Families can sign up for curbside numbers during our Open House on August 8th. Please remember that curbside drop off times are from 8:25-8:45 am each morning. We ask parents to remain in their vehicles to keep the line moving. Students should be ready to exit with their backpacks ready when vehicles reach the cone zone. Parents should not get out of their vehicles during morning drop off or afternoon pickup times. It is important to follow the directions of our staff working in the curbside loop and keep the line moving. Thank you for your cooperation! We want to make sure our lions are safe during arrivals and departures in the parent loop!
Curbside Expectations for Students-
Use the restroom before leaving your classroom to go to curbside at dismissal time.
Report directly to the cafeteria.
Sit in the row that corresponds to your number. Sit with your siblings or other riders in your car.
Remain in your seat, listen carefully for your number, and be ready to leave. This means talk at a Level 1 and keep all your belongings in your bookbag.
Once your number is called go directly to the door to leave.
Stay on the sidewalk and walk to your car.
LION NATION DIRECTORY-
Our schools do not distribute birthday invitations, but if you would like to share your information with others, we have a student directory that is optional. We are making a LHES School Directory. This is OPTIONAL. If you would like make your information available to other LHES parents, please fill out the information below. A directory will be created and shared with only those parents/guardians listed within the directory. Adherence to technology use/conduct guidelines within our SCPS Parent/Student Handbook are to be upheld.
Here is the link:
https://forms.gle/jU1vyZ6M91fpLAbB8
DRILLS-
Our school practices safety drills each year in order to train students and staff on emergency procedures. We will be practicing fire drills, severe weather drills, and lockdown/intruder drills several times within the first 20 days of school and then continuously throughout the year. We will also practice bus drills in September and throughout the year.
HERE COMES THE BUS APP-
SCPS has an app that you can download to track your child’s bus. Please visit the Transportation section of the SCPS website, sign up, and find support there, including the two school codes.
https://www.spotsylvania.k12.va.us/page/transportation