School

The results are in, and the message is a troubling one for parents of students in Loudoun. No parent wants to hear that their child's school is anything but perfect, and the fact that 17 Loudoun Schools–a jump from just three last year–failed to meet the requirements of "No Child Left Behind" is certain to raise concerns and complicate relations between teachers and parents as schools prepare to re-open.

Fifth grader Samantha Schuler has two photos to bring in for show-and-tell at her Pinebrook Elementary School classroom--photos of what appears to be a young black bear standing and running in the fields near the school on Thursday, June 11. Pinewood Elementary is located in the Kirkpatrick Farms subdivision in Aldie. 

The Loudoun County School Board’s annual “Evaluation of the Superintendent” is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 11. School board members annually review and evaluate the performance of the school system’s chief operating office in closed session. While matters addressed in the evaluation discussions are not made public, the terms of the superintendent’s contract are public record. By its action to extend and/or renew the superintendent’s contract–and the terms of the contract, salary and benefits–a majority of the School Board signals its appraisal of the superintendent’s performance.

The Loudoun Sheriff's Office has reported that a school resource monitor has been arrested for being drunk at school.

The Sheriff's Office was contacted by personnel at River Bend Middle School at approximately 9:15 a.m. on Friday, June 5, reporting that Michelle T. Kassner, 43, of Sterling, appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.

Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) top substitute teachers were honored at the May 26 School Board meeting. LCPS Director of Recruiting and Staffing Larry Hopson presented the Substitute Recognition Awards.

“Without funds to purchase the land in Wheatland for public school purposes, staff recommends that the School Board terminate the contracts with Mr. Cangiano and Mr. Burgess.” Such was the lone agenda item on the special meeting of the Loudoun County School Board held on June 1. It passed 9-0.

There is a general consensus among law enforcement when it comes to naming names—don’t. The theory behind it is simple—naming the gangs and giving them credit for their crimes glorifies the gangs. The problem with this simple theory is clear—it strips the community of the one weapon it has to fight with–knowledge.

Assistant-Principal Ting-Yi Oei returns to the very school he left, one year ago, after allegations of Possession of Child Pornography forced Oei into a year long high-profile legal battle to clear his name. After a full dismissal last month by the courts, Oei will return to Freedom High on Monday.