What's New News Summary

April 21: Community Service Day INFO

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 14:44:00 GMT

ELEMENTARY INFORMATION

Dear PK-5 Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers,

April 21st is World Creativity Day and Innovation Day. At LCPS, we pride ourselves on our emphasis on the 5 Cs - Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, Critical Thinking, and Citizenship. With Tuesday, April 21, serving as Community Service Day at LCPS (due to the special election), our students have the unique opportunity to participate in a community service project to work together and give back.

We are excited to announce that our upcoming service project will be creating LCPS Kindness Rocks, which will take place at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School on April 21st from 12 PM-2 PM. This initiative aims to spread kindness and positivity in our community by connecting our students with a creative outlet that brings joy to Louisa County.

To participate in the LCPS Kindness Rocks project, complete the brainstorming and rough draft rock sheet that is attached to this letter. Next, you and your student will bring your rough draft to Thomas Jefferson Elementary School on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 12 PM to bring it to life on a real rock with paint. If you are not able to join us for the rock painting event at TJES from 12 PM to 2 PM, don’t worry! You can turn your rock into your elementary school’s front office on Wednesday, April 22, when you return to school, to be shared with Louisa County residents.

The hope is that when others find these rocks, the positive messages will brighten their day and spread joy throughout Louisa County. Thank you for participating in the 2026 Kindness Rocks community service project. Your support in these initiatives is vital as it provides a meaningful experience for our students, fostering empathy and a sense of community spirit.

Please RSVP at https://forms.gle/2E8WRJwSLGf9yGUx9 or scan the QR code. We appreciate your support in making our first annual LCPS Kindness Rocks community service project

a success!

Sincerely,

Heather L. Spaid

Louisa County Public Schools

MIDDLE SCHOOL INFORMATION

On Tuesday, April 21st, LCMS students and staff will participate in a campus-wide cleanup of our combined middle and high school grounds. This service project is a great way for students to give back and make a positive impact on our school community.

Students who are participating in this activity will need to be dropped off at the top of the LCMS bus loop by 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 21st. We will review the directions and expectations for the cleanup project, and then we will divide into staff-led groups around campus. Students will enjoy a complimentary lunch (pizza) in appreciation of their efforts, and should be picked up at 11:45 a.m.

Students should wear long pants with boots or old shoes. Sunscreen and a hat are also recommended.

Please complete, sign, and return this permission slip to the LCMS Main Office no later than Friday, April 17th.

HIGH SCHOOL INFORMATION

LCHS students and staff will be participating in a community service activity on Tuesday, April 21st as a way to give back to our community. For this community service project, we will be cleaning up trash on Louisa’s roadways. This is an excellent opportunity for students to be involved in a service project that benefits our community.

Students should arrive at the stadium parking lot by 8 AM, pick up their materials, and get the safety debriefing. The plan will be for them to load buses by 8:30 AM and start picking up trash by 8:45 AM. The LCHS students also need to have a ride home by 11:45 AM. It is important to pay attention to the weather forecast and dress accordingly! We will be providing pizza and water for lunch when everyone arrives back at the stadium.

Please complete, sign and return this permission slip to the LCHS main office no later than Friday, April 17th.

LCPS Names MVPs/Educators of the Year!

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 15:23:00 GMT

FOR A VIDEO UPDATE FROM SUPERINTENDENT STRALEY, CLICK HERE!

Through a division-wide vote and a nomination process that involved students, LCPS staff, parents, and community members, Louisa County Public Schools recognized six certified employees and seven classified employees as their school-level Educators and #TeamLCPS MVPs of the Year on Friday, April 3. The annual announcement highlights 13 employees each year for their excellence during the school year.

The process to select each school’s Educator of the Year and #TeamLCPS MVP of the Year began in August with the launch of the weekly #TeamLCPS MVP Awards program. Each week, staff, students, parents, and community members are able to submit nominations for members of #TeamLCPS who are going the extra mile to positively impact others. In total, more than 6,500 nominations were received over an eight-month period during the 2025–2026 school year. From there, each school’s entire staff participated in two rounds of voting to narrow the field down to the 13 finalists.

Throughout the first week of April, LCPS Superintendent Doug Straley personally delivered the good news to each of the 13 winners. Each honoree also received a framed certificate and an honorary gift box.

Reflecting on the process, Straley commended the entire LCPS community for its role in the #TeamLCPS MVP Awards program.

“Our Educator and MVP of the Year awards process is a community-wide effort, and it’s encouraging to see it culminate in the naming of our school-level educators and MVPs of the year,” Straley said. “Our nominations this year have come from people with diverse backgrounds from all across this county, and what connects them is that they’re thankful for what members of #TeamLCPS are doing for this community.”

LCPS officially announced the results through a congratulatory video on Friday, April 3. In the video, Straley highlighted his pride in the quality of educators working throughout the school division.

“I always say that to have a great team, you need great people, and we have some of the most amazing educators right here in Louisa County,” Straley said. “As we went around the school division and announced our winners, there was so much support and enthusiasm from our students and staff. It was an amazing team atmosphere, and I think that makes us pretty unique here in Louisa County. We are a community that cheers each other on.”

Straley also praised each of the 13 winners for their dedication to the school division’s non-negotiables: support, high expectations, accountability, consistency, positivity, and grit.

“This has been an amazing school year, and all 13 of our winners certainly went above and beyond to support our students and their fellow staff members every step of the way,” Straley said. “Together with their colleagues, they have made dreams become reality for our students.”

Over the next several weeks, a panel comprised of representatives from schools throughout the county will collaborate to select the 2026 William G. Thomas Educator of the Year and the 2026 Wallace L. Tingler MVP of the Year, the school division’s two most prestigious honors. The two division-level winners will be announced during a ceremony in early May.

The #TeamLCPS MVP Awards process and end-of-year ceremony are both made possible thanks to the sponsorship of The William A. Cooke Foundation and Old Dominion Insurance and Investments. Louisa County Public Schools would like to thank everyone who submitted a #TeamLCPS MVP nomination during the 2025–2026 school year.

#TeamLCPS MVPs of the Year:

Jouett Elementary School: secretary Jackie Grubbs
Moss-Nuckols Elementary School: custodian Keith Nixon.
Thomas Jefferson Elementary School: secretary Jessica Ellis.
Trevilians Elementary School: instructional assistant Jennifer Sparks.
Louisa County Middle School: bookkeeper Brittany Williams.
Louisa County High School: nurse Mazie Rowe.
Central Office and Operations: technology systems administrator Randy Fisher.

LCPS Educators of the Year:

Jouett Elementary School: fifth-grade teacher Breanna Freidhoff.
Moss-Nuckols Elementary School: kindergarten teacher Jennifer Colsey.
Thomas Jefferson Elementary School: fifth-grade teacher Erika Halle.
Trevilians Elementary School: fourth-grade teacher Megan Barrett.
Louisa County Middle School: special education teacher Jessica Bagby.
Louisa County High School: science teacher Rebecca Kazio.

Upcoming Substitute Teacher Workshop

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 19:40:00 GMT

Louisa County Public Schools will be hosting a Substitute Teacher Workshop on Tuesday, April 28th from 9:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The workshop will take place at:
LCPS Central Office (953 Davis Highway, Mineral)

To RSVP, please call 540-894-5115 or email LCPS HR Specialist Amber Gibson at gibsonad@lcps.k12.va.us.

NOTES:
- This workshop is mandatory to become a substitute teacher for Louisa County Public Schools.
- Attendees must be at least 18-years-old.
- Attendees must hold a high school diploma or GED.

School Board Meeting: March 31

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 12:11:00 GMT

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE LIVE STREAM OF THIS MEETING

Tentative Agenda

Louisa County School Board

Regular Meeting

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

School Board Meeting Room

Louisa County Public Schools

Central Office Administration Building

953 Davis Hwy., Mineral, VA

Closed Session - 5:00 P.M.

Regular Session - 7:00 P.M.

1. Call to Order - Closed Session

1.01 Call to Order

2.2. Enter into Closed Session

2.01 Enter into Closed Session for the purpose of:

Discussing personnel matters of employment assignments, appointments, performance, resignation, or retirements in accordance with Section 2.2-3711(a)(1) of the Code of Virginia.
Discussing student discipline in accordance with Section 2.2-3711(a)(2) of the Code of Virginia.
Legal matters in accordance with Section 2.2-3711(a)(7) of the Code of Virginia for the purpose of consulting with legal counsel.
discussing contractual matters in accordance with Section 2.2-3711(a)(29) of the Code of Virginia involving the expenditure of public funds, and discussion of the terms or scope of such contract.

2.02 Return to Regular Session

2.03 Certification of Closed Session

3. Closed Session Information

4. Motions Out of Closed Session

5. Opening Items - Regular Session

5.01 Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance

5.02 Approval of Agenda

6. Recognitions

6.01 One Good Thing

6.02 2026 LCPS Spelling Bee Winners

7. Presentations

7.01 School Construction Updates

8. Consent Agenda

8.01 Approval of Minutes - March 3, 2026

8.02 Approval Purchase Orders over $7,500

8.03 Acceptance of Bills - March

8.04 Approval Superintendent's Report on Personnel

9. Action Items

9.01 Approval of Resolution for Budget Supplemental to Louisa County Public Schools for Multiple Capital Projects

10. Information Items

10.01 First Reading- Revised VSBA School Board Policies

10.02 LCPS Special Education Inclusive Practices Action Plan Update

10.03 Journey to Greatness - Update #9

10.04 School Safety Task Force Update

11. Public Comment

11.01 Public Speaker Number One

11.02 Public Speaker Number Two

12. Reports

12.01 Attendance (March)

12.02 Facilities (March)

12.03 Financial Summary

12.04 Fuel and Electricity (March)

12.05 Discipline Report

13. Upcoming Meetings

13.01 Regular School Board Meeting - May 5, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the Louisa County Public Schools Central Office Building, 953 Davis Hwy. Mineral, VA

13.02 2026 VSBA Policy Workshop For School Board Members, Tuesday, April 28, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the VSBA Office, 200 Hansen Road, Charlottesville, VA 22911, or Virtual

13.03 Educator of the Year Ceremony- Wednesday, May 6, 2026, Tavern on the Green, Zion Crossroads, VA 5:30-7:30 p.m.

13.04 LCPS Retiree Dinner- Wednesday, May 20, 2026, Tavern on the Green, Zion Crossroads, VA 5:30-7:30 p.m.

13.05 2026 VSBA School Law Conference, Friday, June 5, 202,6 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., location TBD

14. Adjourn

By Order Of:

Gregory V. Strickland, Chairman

Louisa County School Board

Preschool and Kindergarten Details!

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 15:08:00 GMT

For details on how to apply for preschool, please click here.

For details on how to register for kindergarten, please click here.

Black History Month Contest Results!

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 03:41:00 GMT

If you’re looking for someone well-versed in African American history, you don’t have to look any further than the students at Louisa County Public Schools!

Louisa County Public Schools hosted its annual Black History Month Trivia Contest on Tuesday, February 24 at Louisa County Middle School. This year’s contest marked the eighth installment of the yearly tradition. Sixteen students from the division’s four elementary schools competed in the contest, with Moss-Nuckols Elementary School fifth-grader Alexander Jordan taking home the championship trophy!

Jordan’s victory came after an impressive – and highly competitive – performance by all 16 of the students. In total, they competed for nearly an hour, and during that time, they correctly answered 86 questions!

The LCPS Black History Month Trivia Contest debuted in 2019 thanks to the initiative and sponsorship of Kerry Wynn, a 2009 graduate of Louisa County High School and former NFL defensive lineman. The contest is an extension of his “Why Not Me? Foundation,” which provides cash prizes of $100, $75, and $50 each year for the school division’s top three finalists.

“This contest means a lot to me because it’s important for us to continuously highlight African American history in schools,” Wynn said. “To see these students display how much they’ve been taught in school and to see how much research they’ve done to gain that knowledge, it’s inspiring. I’m really proud of the work Louisa County Public Schools is doing to bring out the best in our students.”

The process of whittling the division competition down to the 16 finalists began in early February when all fifth-graders at LCPS were given a study guide and the option to take a 25-question online quiz. The top four scorers from each school were invited to the finale on Tuesday.

For the first 60 questions of Tuesday’s competition, students fielded multiple-choice questions, having to choose the correct answer out of three options. In the second phase of the competition, students were required to fill in the blank after receiving their question. The contest featured questions concerning a variety of topics, such as business, historical figures, entertainment, sports, education, military, science, and more! To win, Jordan correctly fielded questions for 9 consecutive rounds.

“Alexander’s performance was outstanding,” LCPS Superintendent Doug Straley said at the event’s conclusion. “You can tell that he studied hard and worked to earn the trophy! All of our students did a great job, and I’m really proud of them.”

Straley also praised Wynn for his initiative and work to help organize the contest.

“We talk about citizenship a lot here at Louisa County Public Schools, and Kerry embodies that quality,” Straley said. “He’s a fantastic role model for our students, and he is someone I know our entire community takes a lot of pride in. He continues to donate his time and effort to make this world a better place, and we’re really thankful to have him as a member of our team.”

Through his victory, Jordan became the third champion to hail from Moss-Nuckols Elementary School, following in the footsteps of 2025 champion Lyric Owens and 2023 champion Driggs Johnson. Owens and Johnson were in attendance for Tuesday’s contest, along with 2024 champion Paloma Ortiz.

As a result of Jordan’s victory, Moss-Nuckols Elementary School will lay claim to the event’s official championship trophy for another year, as the trophy rotates from school to school based on that year’s champion.

For this year’s competition, LCPS Director of Elementary Education Heather Spaid served as the official announcer. Complete photos from the competition can be found at the school division’s website, which is lcps.k12.va.us.

1st Place - Alexander Jordan (Moss-Nuckols Elementary School)

2nd Place (tie) - Kathryn McHugh (Jouett Elementary School)

2nd Place (tie) - Isaiah Robinson (Moss-Nuckols Elementary School)

2nd Place (tie) - Evangeline Jones (Moss-Nuckols Elementary School)

Other competitors:

Levi Williamson (TJES)
Elizabeth Beason (TES)
Brian Enekwechi (TES)
Gracie Goolsby (JES)
Natalie Myer (TJES)
Cruz Amick (TES)
Levi Stanley (JES)
Callie McGhee (MNES)
Levi Kelly (TJES)
Barbara Kelley (TES)
Ben Friel (TJES)
Judah Denny (JES)

PHOTOS: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18SjDoqo3e/

LCPS Calendar Update: February 2026

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 21:39:00 GMT

**This message was originally sent to LCPS families on February 17, 2026**

February 16, 2026

Greetings TeamLCPS Family!

As we move through the second semester, I want to take a moment to commend our students, staff, and families for continuing to make the magic happen across Louisa County Public Schools. Each time I visit our schools, I am inspired by the hard work, positive attitudes, and commitment to excellence I see in our classrooms and hallways. There are more incredible accomplishments still ahead of us, and I am grateful to be on this Journey to GREATNESS with each of you!

I am writing today to inform you of an important update that will impact school divisions across Virginia. A statewide special election has been called to be held on Tuesday, April 21st. This date is particularly significant for our division, as four of our schools serve as voting precincts for Louisa County.

Although we received confirmation of the special election date from the Virginia Department of Elections only within the past few days, our team has worked quickly to develop a plan as we move forward. Accordingly, Tuesday, April 21st will now be a Staff Workday and Remote Learning Day for Louisa County Public Schools. Additional details and specific instructions will be shared with families in the days leading up to April 21st.

Please make note of this important calendar update. The revised calendar is uploaded on our division website (lcps.k12.va.us) and TeamLCPS mobile app. We also encourage you to download and print the most current version of the 2025–2026 LCPS Calendar using the link below:

LINK: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MxZyllWuzeZvbL23SO1GCbOyiT9UnBTG/view?usp=sharing

As always, THANK YOU for your continued support. If you have any questions concerning this revision, please click here to send us a question via our Community Questions Form, and we’ll get back to you with a response as soon as possible.

Together, we are TeamLCPS!

J. Douglas Straley II

Division Superintendent

Louisa County Public Schools

2026 LCPS Spelling Bee

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 18:37:00 GMT

Just a couple of months ago, Moss-Nuckols Elementary School fifth-grader Aiden West was one of about 1,700 students vying for the title of Spelling Bee Champion for Louisa County Public Schools.

And on Wednesday, February 5th, during the final moments of the 2026 LCPS Spelling Bee, only one word stood between him and the title: Medusa.

West was up to the challenge, confidently and correctly spelling the word to earn the title as this year’s top speller at LCPS.

West was one of 30 spellers who qualified for and competed in the 2026 LCPS Spelling Bee on Wednesday night. Each speller earned their right to compete by succeeding in their respective school’s spelling bee. Beginning in early November and continuing through early January, all four elementary schools in the division, as well as Louisa County Middle School, hosted their own school-level bees for third through eighth-grade students. Students who finished as the first or second-place speller in their grade level qualified for the division Bee. Those who finished in third place in their grade levels served as alternates for the division competition.

West earned his spot in the division Bee by finishing second amongst all fifth-graders at M-NES. This year’s runner-up, Dylan Earley, qualified for the bee thanks to a second-place finish at the fifth-grade level for Thomas Jefferson Elementary School.

During the division Bee, the students battled nerves and pressure inside the Alan Jackson Theatre at Louisa County High School to conquer a handful of extremely challenging words, successfully rolling through words like “cilantro,” "maladaptive," and "irrevocable." The students also handled the pressure that comes with a live audience, as seats in the auditorium were filled with proud parents, siblings, and friends.

West’s triumph came after 8 rounds of competition that lasted approximately 74 minutes. During the competition, he successfully handled words such as “perceptible,” “acoustic,” and “complex.”

With the win, West became the first elementary-age student to win the title in five years. Coincidentally, the last elementary student to finish in first place was also a Moss-Nuckols Elementary School student, Anni Blair, back in 2021.

Afterward, LCPS superintendent Doug Straley commended all of the competitors for their performance.

“Every one of the students that participated here tonight was a champion,” Straley said. “They earned their right to be here. I’m so proud of all of them for the hard work and long hours of studying they put in, and it showed because they did a fantastic job.”

As the winner of the 2026 LCPS Spelling Bee, LaFontaine will now move on to compete in the 52nd annual Richmond Raceway Regional Spelling Bee on March 24th. By virtue of finishing as the runner-up, Earley will serve as the alternate.

Judges for this year’s Spelling Bee were LCPS Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Dr. Justin Grigg, LCPS Director of Assessment and Accountability Tom Smith, and Thomas Jefferson Elementary School teacher Sarah Martin. Louisa County High School teacher Helen Weddle served as the pronouncer.

Louisa County Public Schools would like to extend a heartfelt congratulations to all of the competitors and sincere thanks to all of the family members, friends, and teachers who supported this year’s spellers!

School Winners/Alternates

Jouett Elementary School

3rd Grade: Michael Miller, Reid Atkinson, Serenity Yates (Alternate)

4th Grade: Thalia Lucas, Eva Garnett, Sage Reed (Alternate)

5th Grade: Cheyenne Sprouse, Charlie Brooks, Emma Johnson (Alternate)

Moss-Nuckols Elementary School

3rd Grade: Parker Appler, Lucy Lucckese, Johnathan Riddick (Alternate)

4th Grade: Asher Quinn, Spencer Ferraro, William Weaver (Alternate)

5th Grade: Audrey Marr, Aiden West, Lilly Martin (Alternate)

Thomas Jefferson Elementary School

3rd Grade: William Besley, Elizabeth Ferguson, Destiny Joyner (Alternate)

4th Grade: Callum Bushey, Emmett Carroll, Korrin Huber (Alternate)

5th Grade: Piper McCavanagh, Dylan Earley, Brody Lowe (Alternate)

Trevilians Elementary School

3rd Grade: Teagan Norris, Logan Hembry, Matteo Tingler (Alternate)

4th Grade: Jasiah Long, Alice Jones, Miles Rudd (Alternate)

5th Grade: Carson Brown, Barbara Kelley, Emberly Bell (Alternate)

Louisa County Middle School

6th Grade: Grace Pearson, Melanie Powell, Alaina Fitzgerald (Alternate)

7th Grade: Tanner Daughtrey, Hampton Taylor, Paloma Ortiz (Alternate)

8th Grade: Lila Garnett, Tianna Jennings, Julianna Rooney (Alternate)

DETAILS: Black History Month Trivia Contest

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 17:35:00 GMT

Greetings #TeamLCPS 5th-Grade Families!

On behalf of Louisa County Public Schools, we are excited to announce that LCPS will be hosting its eighth annual Black History Month Trivia Contest during the month of February! This exciting contest is sponsored by LCHS graduate, Kerry Wynn (Class of 2009), and The Kerry Wynn “Why Not Me?” Foundation. Kerry is a former NFL defensive lineman and – most importantly – a perfect example of the qualities we value here at #TeamLCPS! This contest is very near and dear to Kerry, and we are honored to partner with him to host it!

The 2026 Black History Month Trivia Contest is specifically for all 5th-grade students at Louisa County Public Schools. We have provided all 5th-grade students with a comprehensive study guide. Between the dates of January 26 and February 6, each elementary school will be asking students to take a short, 25-question quiz. While taking the quiz, students will need to use their school-issued device, and they will not be allowed to use the internet for any other purpose than to take the quiz. Your child’s teacher will provide more details about when your child’s classroom-level quiz will be conducted.

The top four scorers at each of our four elementary schools will be invited to the division competition at Louisa County Middle School in late February. Should your child qualify for that competition, we will provide further details so that your student can join us for the event! We are excited to say that Kerry also plans to attend the event!

Here’s some more exciting news! The top three finishers in the division competition will each receive a cash prize:

1st Place - $100

2nd Place - $75

3rd Place - $50

The study guide included with this letter is to be used for both the classroom-level and division-level contests. We would love for all students to participate. However, this is not a mandatory competition. If you would prefer your child not to participate, please let your child’s teacher know that they will not be participating.

At #TeamLCPS, we cherish the impact that African Americans have made throughout history. This contest is a great way for your child to learn many incredible facts and tidbits about African American history, culture, and traditions!

If your child’s study guide gets lost or damaged, please email woolfoal@lcps.k12.va.us for a replacement copy. The study guide is also available online on your school’s website as well as our division website, lcps.k12.va.us.

Please contact me if you have any further questions!

Andrew Woolfolk

Public Information Specialist

Louisa County Public Schools

woolfoal@lcps.k12.va.us

CLICK HERE FOR THE OFFICIAL STUDY GUIDE!

School Supply Lists!

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 12:49:00 GMT

To access this year's elementary school supply lists, please click here.

At the secondary level (LCHS and LCMS), teachers will provide students with a list of recommended school supplies during Open House (Thursday, August 7) and the first week of school. For the start of the school year, students are asked to bring basic school supplies with them, such as looseleaf paper (college-ruled), spiral notebooks, and pencils.

And just like last year, we also want to provide all LCPS families with a few reminders that will help guide you as you make purchases in the near future. These reminders will help students avoid items that do not correlate with our school's weapons detectors.

- All three-ring binders should be 1.5 inches or less.

- When possible, please use plastic water bottles. If you do purchase metal water bottles, please opt for small/medium-sized bottles.

- Please avoid purchasing wheeled, rolling backpacks if possible.

- Please do not purchase adult-sized scissors. Instead, opt for blunt, small/medium-sized scissors.

Thanks so much for your cooperation! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time.