Loudoun students head back to school

Elaine E. Thompson Elementary School opened in Loudoun County on Aug. 25, 2022. (WTOP/Neal Augenstein)

It’s back to school for more than 80,000 kids in Loudoun County, Virginia, on Thursday.

Here are a few changes in the school system:

Face masks are not required this year in Loudoun County Public Schools, with the exception of preschool programs.

Also, a program that provided free meals during the COVID-19 emergency is over now, and families will resume paying for student meals at pre-pandemic prices.



Principal Tim Sparbanie of Elaine E. Thompson Elementary School in Sterling said he’s expecting nearly 900 students.

“We’re all excited about the very first day of school. So that’s the exciting part; opening a brand-new building, welcoming everybody inside. Its going to be great,” Sparbanie told WTOP.

School doors open to students at 7:10 a.m. on weekdays, with classes starting 20 minutes later. He said there are “about 110 total staff members” to begin the school year.

WTOP’ Scott Gelman and Neal Augenstein contributed to this story.

Teddy Gelman

Teddy Gelman became Morning Drive Producer in February 2020. Prior to that, he worked as a weekend producer and an assistant producer after joining WTOP in 2018.

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