Kaylyn Jackson, 17, positively gushes when she talks about astrophysics. And multivariable calculus. And mathematics in general.

Loudoun County school officials are conducting a broad review of the district's math curriculum and soon will survey teachers, administrators and parents to get their feedback on how the subject is taught.

An article in the Aug. 24 Loudoun Extra about water quality problems in the Raspberry Falls subdivision incorrectly stated that high levels of a potentially harmful bacteria had also been discovered in wells in the Lenah Run subdivision. Loudoun Water officials were concerned that wells in Lenah Run...

The Loudoun County fire marshal's office has extended the countywide ban on open burning indefinitely, citing dry conditions and a long-term forecast that calls for little rainfall.

Tuesday is the day Leah Schumaker says she has been waiting for since she was a little girl. It's the day the 23-year-old will start the third grade, this time from the other side of the desk, as an elementary school teacher.

Living in LoCo is Erica Garman's blog devoted to all things interesting in Loudoun County. Highlights from the blog normally appear in Loudoun Extra on Sundays, but we're running this posting as part of today's back-to-school issue.

Meadowkirk , part of the National Capital Presbytery's Camp and Retreat Ministries, is hosting a Labor Day weekend of camping, hiking, singing, worship and games from 4 p.m. Friday to 11 a.m. Monday. Families are invited to bring a tent and come for as much or as little of the weekend as they...

Tim Craig is at the Democratic National Convention. The Virginia Notebook will return next Thursday.

The judge who presided over one of the Washington area sniper trials will now be making decisions that affect people throughout Northern Virginia.

PLAYERS: Eastern Loudoun Baseball is registering players for its 13 Prep, 14-15 and 16-19-year-old divisions. The eight-week season starts in September. http://www.elbr.org .

AA DULLES DISTRICT AAA LIBERTY AAA CEDAR RUN

Entering the preseason, tomorrow night's matchup between No. 5 Stone Bridge and No. 10 West Springfield was billed as two of the top quarterbacks in the area facing off as their fathers -- and coaches -- walked the sideline.

Three new Loudoun County public schools will open this fall, and the district's plans call for construction of 22 other facilities over the next eight years to keep pace with enrollment growth: 12 elementary schools, four middle schools, five high schools and an advanced technology academy.

Three Loudoun County principals are opening new schools next week: Kimberly Berkey at Creighton's Corner Elementary in Brambleton, Angela Gwynne-Atwater at Liberty Elementary in South Riding and Janet Radcliffe at Stueart W. Weller Elementary in Ashburn.

Administrative offices: 571-252-1000 Athletics: 571-252-1451

21000 Education Ct. Ashburn 20148 571-252-1020 schools@loudoun.k12.va.us

Sept. 2: First day of school Oct. 13: Columbus Day

Ball's Bluff Elementary: Melinda Carper, former principal at Rolling Ridge Elementary.

Aug. 25: First day of school Sept. 1: Labor Day Oct. 30: Half-day for all schools (exams)

English as a Second Language intake: 540-341-2733 Fauquier Outdoor Lab: 540-347-2788

320 Hospital Dr., Suite 40 Warrenton 20186 540-351-1000

Kettle Run High School: Major Warner, former assistant principal at Battlefield High School in Prince William County.

A LDIE MILL ART SHOW AND SALE -- Juried artwork by regional and national artists, demonstrations by participating artists. Benefits mill restoration, operations and education programs. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Monday, Sept. 5-7, Sept. 12-14, Sept. 19-21 and Sept. 26-28, Aldie Mill Historic Park, Route...

Tour a juried art show at Aldie Mill Historic Park, featuring regionally and nationally acclaimed artists. The works are for sale, and proceeds will benefit the restoration of the Aldie landmark, the only known mill in Virginia powered by tandem water wheels. The free show opens Sunday and continues...

BOOK 'N' STITCHERS , all ages, bring knitting and crochet projects and share tips and ideas. 10 a.m. Wednesdays, Bealeton Library, 10877 Willow Dr. Free. 540-439-9728.

You can search all of The Washington Post's community guides at http://washingtonpost.com/handbook .

REIKI SESSIONS, 6:45-8 p.m. fourth Thursdays, Radiation Oncology Center, 44035 Riverside Pkwy., Suite 100, Leesburg. A program for cancer patients to recharge and balance the body's energy. Free; registration required. 703-858-8857.

PLAYERS: The Dulles Diamond Dogs, a 13-and-under team, will have an open tryout today. 13u@dawgs.org ; http://www.ddawgs.org .

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles is trying to reduce the increasing number of traffic fatalities on the commonwealth's roadways, dishing out more than $13.5 million in federal grants to improve driver safety.

Story and Photos By Bill Snead When you look around Loudoun County, it's not hard to imagine that this was once considered some of the finest farmland in Virginia. It spreads in gentle slopes, and you can still see sweeping expanses of tillable dirt that aren't covered with concrete and steel.