Catoctin Elementary School

I served as a Site-Based Substitute at EMES for 60+ days before abruptly receiving an email on a Sunday evening from the LCPS Sub Coordinator, telling me that I was not to report there anymore because a "report had been filed" and to call them "sometime on Monday afternoon to discuss further". I couldn't get ahold of anybody on Monday, but did so on Tuesday. The LCPS Sub Coordinator began the call by asking me as the LCPS Employee whether or not I knew about the so-called "report" (i.e. what was going on). LCPS HR Talent Development cited a violation of a "General Use" policy but never provided the documentation or even report with PII removed to justify their dismissal of me. I received free counsel from the Alliance Defending Freedom in crafting a Rebuttal Letter to be added to my file. LCPS HRTD never confirmed this was done. There are many wonderful, professional, dedicated people that work at Evergreen Mill Elementary School. Teachers; TA's; Lunch ladies, janitors, front office. However, they use too much "leadership by email" vs making their rounds in that tiny footprint to see teachers in-person. Admin needs work on fielding qualified (vs unfounded) complaints from teachers/reading specialists, etc about Substitutes, so that they can effectively address specific concerns. Tattling on a Substitute who has immediately made any sort of correction lacks intestinal fortitude, breeds mistrust, and risk aversion. The Music Department introduces the K-5th graders to numerous Veterans Day songs months in advance; the Veterans Day Concert is always a big "hit" with more than 60 Veterans in attendance, seated up on the stage as the guests of honor. The wall between the gym and the music room is covered with photographs of Veterans, and the Principal intentionally honors Veterans!1 teacher still had not filed paperwork to initiate an IEP for her student w/ severe issues as of DecAn immigrant student with behavioral problems routinely dumps out entire contents of bins and runs around his classroom with sharpies, marking up 1st grade classmates and walls. 3 female teachers and a male Dean attempt to corral h while the Substitute attempts to "triage" the rest of the kids up against the cinderblock wall in the hallway with chromebooks and Canva!The Principal does not enforce the Staff Dress Code Policy effectively or efficiently. Some teachers look professional; others literally come in wearing sweatpants! This does not foster self-respect or discipline.

This is a great school with great leadership

2 kids down and a few more to go. Heritage is a good public school to send your kids.

FHR is great. The teachers, administration and PTA involvement are all terrific! My kids love the school and always want to be involved with any and all activities.

I have two children currently at Tuscarora. One in 12th grade and one in 10th, doing track, cross-country, and volleyball. They are both excellent guitar players at this point - the school wins first place in all the guitar competitions. Tuscarora also really pushes students to take honors, dual enrollment, and AP courses. There are a lot of electives to choose from too, but Study Hall is required for all grades, which really only gives them one elective a year. Lots of Seniors only go half day, because they took so many high school classes in middle school. If they go half day, they don't have to do study hall. Study Hall also isn't required if they go to the Academies of Loudoun. The sports programs are well run, and the teams for track/cross country are excellent and produce many Division 1 runners for college scholarships. The volleyball program does not produce the same talent, but my daughter loves doing it because it's fun. The school has won a lot of awards for their music and drama departments, and overall, I am glad my kids go there. Lots of kids from there go to schools like Virginia Tech. My friend's daughter graduated last year and got into Princeton, so academics at Tuscarora are rigorous enough. The forced Study Hall is something I HATE about the school, but the councilors have said it is county policy. I do wish there was more space in the schedule for electives like Art, but I think that is county policy rather than a school issue.

We are finishing our first year at FDES. This is a wonderful hidden gem school. The staff and admin are wonderful, they truly care about all the students. The PTA is very active and they do great things for the school. I highly recommend this school.