FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER

🌟 Hello, February! We ❤️ Learning🌟

February is here, bringing new opportunities to learn, create, connect, and spread a little extra kindness in our online community.

As we move through this month, we are excited to share meaningful challenges, fun activities, and highlights that celebrate the wonderful things our learners are doing every day.

Inside this month’s newsletter, you will find:

💖 February Acts of Kindness Challenge

Spread positivity with small, thoughtful actions that can make a big difference.

🔐 Crack the Secret February Message

Put your problem‑solving skills to the test with a special coded message waiting to be unlocked!

🎨 Creative Corner Spotlight

Check out the amazing artwork, writing, and creativity from our talented LLVS learners.

📸 LLVS Learner Engagement Recent Events

Take a look back at the exciting experiences our learners participated in this past month.

📅 LLVS Learner Engagement Upcoming Events

Mark your calendars — new opportunities to connect and explore are right around the corner!

We hope this newsletter brings a smile to your day and inspires you to stay curious, stay kind, and stay engaged.

Let’s make February a fantastic month of learning together! 🌟

💖 February Acts of Kindness Challenge

February is the perfect month to sprinkle kindness everywhere you go!

Try completing as many of these challenges as you can.

Check them off as you go — every act of kindness makes the world a little brighter! ✨

🌟 Kindness Challenge Checklist

⬜ Give someone a genuine compliment

Tell a friend, family member, or teacher something you appreciate about them.

⬜ Help at home without being asked

Pick up toys, tidy your room, or help with a small chore.

⬜ Write a thank‑you note

This could be for a parent, teacher, bus driver, coach, or anyone who helps you.

⬜ Share a smile with someone

A simple smile can totally make someone’s day!

⬜ Say something kind in an online class

Post an encouraging chat message or celebrate someone’s effort.

⬜ Hold the door for someone

A small gesture that shows big kindness.

⬜ Make a card for a friend or family member

Spread Valentine cheer with a thoughtful note or drawing.

⬜ Include someone who seems left out

Invite them to play, talk, or work with you.

⬜ Do something kind for yourself

Take a break, read a favorite book, or do something that makes you feel happy.

⬜ Thank a teacher or classmate.

Be detailed — it means even more!

Crack the Secret

February Message!

🔐 Secret Message Decoder

Get ready to put your detective skills to work—it’s time to solve a secret code!

Hidden below is a special February message about online learning… but it’s written entirely in numbers. Each number stands for a letter of the alphabet, and your job is to decode it!

Use the Decoder Key to match each number with its letter.

Write the letters above the numbers as you solve — and watch the mystery message appear!

Decoder Key

A=1 B=2 C=3 D=4 E=5 F=6 G=7 H=8 I=9 J=10 K=11 L=12

M=13 N=14 O=15 P=16 Q=17 R=18 S=19 T=20 U=21 V=22

W=23 X=24 Y=25 Z=26

💻❤️ Crack the Secret Message!

11 – 5 – 5 – 16


12 – 5 – 1 – 18 – 14 – 9 – 14 – 7


6 – 21 – 14


9 – 14


6 – 5 – 2 – 18 – 21 – 1 – 18 – 25

🎨 The Creative Corner Spotlight

Our Creative Corner spotlight student this month is Riley from Conestoga Valley High School, a young performer and leader whose passion for the arts shines brightly in everything she does. Riley’s love for theatre began early — she remembers gathering classmates on the playground in elementary school to direct little shows, an early sign of the creative drive that would continue to grow with her. That spark ultimately led her to create The Spotlight Project, a dream she carried for years and was finally able to bring to life through the Miss America Opportunity Program.

The mission of The Spotlight Project is deeply meaningful to Riley: to provide free, accessible theatre education to children across Lancaster County. She believes you never truly know what a child may be facing, and that a welcoming, creative space could make a life‑changing difference. Her project also emphasizes childhood trauma awareness, something Riley connects with on a personal level. Through her own experiences, she has seen how powerful the arts can be in offering healing, confidence, and hope. “The arts led me out of the darkest parts of my life,” she shares. “I want to be a spotlight to help lead out others.”

Riley is also a seasoned performer with an impressive background — she has appeared in 52 musicals across various Lancaster theaters since the age of six. She considers the Ephrata Performing Arts Center (EPAC) her second home and is currently performing as Persephone in Hadestown Teen Edition (February 13–22).

One of her favorite memories Of (EPAC) was last year’s production of SIX, where she played Catherine Parr. With only six girls in the cast, they formed a tight bond and created countless silly, unforgettable moments together.



Despite her busy schedule filled with Miss Lancaster County’s Teen events, community service, and theatre commitments, Riley manages it all with the help of online learning. She says the flexibility allows her to structure her days intentionally, stay on top of her coursework, and continue pursuing the work she loves — both on stage and in her community. Her dedication, creativity, and compassion make her an outstanding student to celebrate in this month’s Creative Corner.

Learner Engagement Recent Events

Our learners recently had a rare opportunity to step into the world of live entertainment innovation with an exclusive behind‑the‑scenes tour of Tait headquarters—a place where creativity meets cutting‑edge technology.

This wasn’t just a tour; it was an inside look at how some of the world’s most spectacular shows come to life. Students were welcomed by industry experts who were excited to share their passion and gave us a glimpse into the artistry and engineering behind unforgettable live experiences.

Here’s what made the day so special:

Meet the Experts

Learners connected with the brilliant minds who design, engineer, and build jaw‑dropping stage productions for concerts, theater, and global events.

Explore Projects in Progress

We saw exciting designs and builds in action and learned how ideas move from concept to reality.

Discover the Magic

Learners experienced how technology and creativity work hand‑in‑hand to create moments that wow audiences worldwide.



From massive stage structures to intricate moving parts, every detail at Tait reflected innovation and teamwork. This experience gave our learners a firsthand look at the problem‑solving and imagination behind live entertainment—and inspired them to dream big about future careers in engineering, design, and technology.

A huge thank-you to Tait for opening your doors and giving our learners this incredible opportunity!

🧁 A Sweet Adventure Awaits! 🧁

LLVS online learners had a delightful hands-on experience on February 11 during a special cupcake‑decorating workshop at Lancaster Cupcake. They welcomed students with trays of cupcakes, an assortment of frosting choices, and toppings that sparked plenty of creativity.

The Lancaster Cupcake team guided students through each step of the decorating process, offering group instruction as well as individual support as they moved around the room. Their helpful, encouraging approach made the activity accessible for learners of all ages. To make the afternoon even sweeter, everyone was treated to refreshing strawberry lemonade as they worked.

By the end of the session, each student had decorated six cupcakes to take home—beautifully finished and uniquely their own. With Valentine’s Day approaching, the event offered a cheerful way to connect, be creative, and enjoy time together as a learning community.

Learner Engagement Upcoming Events

If you are curious about the creatures that share our local woodlands, this upcoming Learner Engagement Event at Acorn Acres is the perfect chance to explore. 

Here is what you can look forward to:

• A Fun Wildlife Show: About 40 minutes of cool animal facts, stories, and pictures that make you feel like you’re right in the forest.

• Ask Anything Q&A: Got a question about squirrels, groundhogs, or how animals survive in the wild? This is your chance to ask the experts.

• Meet Real Animals: The best part. Students will get to see some of Acorn Acres’ furry friends up close — a memorable experience for animal lovers of all ages.

This event will be a great way for you to connect, explore, and discover the amazing wildlife in our own backyard. A wild adventure is waiting — we hope you will join in!

This event has been rescheduled from a previous date. New date is March 3, 2026.

Join us for an uplifting, hands‑on experience with our furry friends!

We are excited to invite LLVS learners to a special event featuring certified therapy dogs. Students will have the chance to interact with these gentle, well‑trained companions and learn how they provide comfort, encouragement, and support to individuals in need.

🐶 Pet & Play With Therapy Dogs

Spend time with friendly therapy dogs and see how their calming presence makes a positive impact in schools, hospitals, and communities.

🍪 Create Treats for Pets

Make delicious pet treats to take home for your own animals—or choose to donate them to a local animal shelter. Your kindness will help brighten the day of pets waiting for their forever homes.

🛏️ Group Tie-Blanket Project

Work together with fellow students to create a large, cozy tie blanket. This handmade blanket will be donated to support animals in need of warmth and comfort.

We are excited to invite our LLVS Online Learners to an on‑campus visit at Millersville University—an opportunity to experience college life firsthand and gain valuable insight into the admissions process.

🏫 Student‑Led Campus Tour

Join us for a guided tour led by Millersville students as you explore the university’s scenic campus. You will get an inside look at academic spaces, student resources, and daily life at MU.

📝 Admissions Information Session

Our visit also includes a session with the Millersville Admissions Office. Learn about the application process, admissions expectations, and what it’s really like to be a Millersville student.



This experience is a great way for learners to begin thinking about future goals while discovering what Millersville University has to offer.

Explore the Incredible World of Ancient Earth!

LLVS Online Learners are invited to an exciting hands‑on event hosted by the Lancaster County Fossil and Mineral Club. This interactive experience is perfect for students in grades K–12 who are curious about Earth’s ancient history.

🔍 What Students Will Experience

• Discover Ancient History: Learn from knowledgeable club experts and ask questions about the Earth’s past.

• Hands‑On Exploration: Examine real fossils and minerals up close, from prehistoric sea creatures to sparkling minerals formed deep underground.

• Take Home a Treasure: Students may even get to take home a special fossil to add to their own collection!

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to explore ancient treasures, spark scientific curiosity, and deepen your appreciation for the natural world.

This event has been rescheduled from a previous date. New date is March 19, 2026.

LLVS learners are invited to take part in the Zoom and Inflate STEM Challenge, a hands‑on activity that blends creativity, engineering, and friendly competition!

🔧 Design & Experiment

Students will explore different car designs to see how shape, materials, and structure affect speed and distance. Along the way, they will discover key science concepts like forces, motion, and energy transfer in an engaging, interactive way.

🧠 Test & Refine

Using problem‑solving and critical‑thinking skills, participants will test their balloon cars, observe what works, and make adjustments to boost performance.

🏁 Race to Victory

The challenge wraps up with exciting races to see whose balloon car travels the farthest!

This STEM event is the perfect mix of creativity, engineering, and fun—sure to spark curiosity and inspire young innovators.

Connect with us on Social Media

Just a reminder: We are excited to expand our social media presence, and we want YOU to be part of it! Following us on Facebook and Instagram is a great way to stay updated on the latest news and events! You will see real-time updates on important announcements, deadlines, and events.

Click on the links below to follow us!

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Don't miss out on the chance to be more involved and informed.