Principal's Message
We are excited to kick off Black History Month-which is truly American History as well-with a celebration of our students who are recognized for being “On a Roll.” Second Quarter. At the ceremony we will celebrate Langston Hughes’ birthday (February 1st). Students will read poems and reflect on their meanings. It will be a wonderful way to connect to a piece of our national and school history and recognize how we fit into a future where all Americans are equal, supported, and whole. The Langston Hughes Middle School Community truly reflects the world and our work together to see all students succeed not only academically, but also socially in community, is a testament to what is possible in the greater community and country. What a privilege to serve in Reston, such a unique and beautiful place.
Aimee Monticchio
Langston Hughes
James Mercer Langston Hughes (February 1, 1901 – May 22, 1967) was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist from Joplin, Missouri. One of the earliest innovators of the then-new literary art form called jazz poetry, Hughes is best known as a leader of the Harlem Renaissance. He famously wrote about the period that "the Negro was in vogue", which was later paraphrased as "when Harlem was in vogue."
Growing up in a series of Midwestern towns, Hughes became a prolific writer at an early age. He moved to New York City as a young man, where he made his career. He graduated from high school in Cleveland, Ohio and soon began studies at Columbia University in New York City. Although he dropped out, he gained notice from New York publishers, first in The Crisis magazine, and then from book publishers and became known in the creative community in Harlem. He eventually graduated from Lincoln University. In addition to poetry, Hughes wrote plays, and short stories. He also published several non-fictions works. From 1942 to 1962, as the civil rights movement was gaining traction, he wrote an in-depth weekly column in a leading black newspaper, The Chicago Defender. (Information obtain from Google)
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2nd Quarter Report Cards and SIS ParentVUE
The Grade Book and Report Card modules will be closed for Middle and High School students through Saturday, January 30th at 6 a.m.
If parents have signed up to “go paperless,” report cards will not be mailed. For all others, report cards will be mailed the week of January 25th. Parents can view second quarter report card grades in SIS ParentVUE on Saturday, January 30th.
As we have a rolling gradebook at Langston Hughes, the report card grade is a snapshot of progress at this point in time. Grades will be carried over to the next quarter and final grades in a course are determined by a combination of all assignments & assessments throughout the year, regardless of the quarter the work was completed, and is not an average of quarter marks. Rolling Gradebook, A Guide for Students and Parents
If you do not already have a ParentVUE SIS account, it is very important for you to activate this feature to support your child’s academic success. Through ParentVUE, you are able to monitor your student’s attendance, grades, and assignments at any time. Once you have activated a ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. In addition, all students in the same family can be accessed through the same ParentVUE account. SIS/ParentVUE can be accessed using an app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device. Do you need help creating a SIS ParentVue account? This video walks you through the steps on how to do so. Watch this video to learn how to set up your account
Requests for Changes of Intent for In-Person or Online Instruction
We are preparing for a return to in-person instruction for our students who have selected that intent for this school year. .Please keep in mind that we developed our students’ schedules with an in-person or virtual team of core teachers based on the intent. If your circumstances have changed and you would like to change your student’s intent for in-person or online instruction, please contact our Director of Student Services, Michele Beard, at mbeard@fcps.edu as soon as possible. We will do our best to work with you to accommodate the change. Please note that a change in intent may mean a change in the student’s schedule
You’re on a Roll – Second Quarter Awards
Teachers will recognize our students who have stood out this quarter for displaying our POWER characteristics - punctual, ownership, welcoming, engaged, and respectful. We will be honoring these students virtually for a second quarter celebration during 3rd period Connections classes on Tuesday, February 2nd at 9:10. The recording will be available for parents/guardians.
Congratulations to this group of 20 students for being our second quarter POWER Raffle Winners! They will be receiving a gift card for winning! There were over 180 students who were entered into the raffle for receiving 5 or more POWER cards during the second quarter. Congratulations to all of you for working so hard! As this third quarter starts, keep up the POWERful work so you can be entered into our third quarter raffle!
2nd semester electives supply distribution
Distribution of course materials for FACS, art, and engineering & design is tentatively scheduled for Monday, Feb. 8. Please check Google classroom and Blackboard 24-7 for announcements from your teacher about specific times and pick up procedures.
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Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST): This is a reminder that applications for TJHSST will be open next Monday, February 1st at 8:00 AM for interested 8th grade students. The application is available at the new admissions website https://www.fcps.edu/tjadmissionswhich also has details of the new admission process. There have been many changes, so please take time to read the Application Process and Application Components sections of the website. Changes to the application process are summarized here:
- Students must be taking Algebra 1 Honors by 8th Grade (current 8th grade students may be in Algebra 1)
- Students must be enrolled in both math and science honors class. Students must also have one additional honors course or be identified as a Young Scholar
- Students now need a 3.5 GPA instead of a 3.0 GPA
- There is no application fee
- There is no longer any Quant Q and ACT Aspire testing
- There is no semifinalist selection
- Teacher recommendations are no longer required
- The top 1.5% of evaluated students meeting minimum requirements at each public school, will be admitted
- Private schools included
- Student Portrait Sheet and Problem-Solving Essay will now be part of the application process (administered virtually on March 15th)
More information and reminders will be posted as they become available. If you have any questions please email Karen Bach, TJHSST Liaison, at kabach@fcps.edu
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The College Partnership Program Application is NOW OPEN!
The College Partnership Program (CPP) is designed to assist students who are traditionally underrepresented in college (i.e First Generation, African-American, Hispanic, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, English Learners, students with disabilities or economically disadvantaged) in exploring, applying and enrolling in college. In accordance with FCPS’ goal to eliminate gaps in opportunity, access and achievement for all students, CPP focuses on academic advising, college visits, parent engagement and preparation beyond high school. Rising 9th Graders who are interested in applying, email cvbatkins1@fcps.edu.
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Water for Sudan
My students and I are reading A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park and participating in the Iron Giraffe Challenge once again. Please see details below:
A Long Walk to Water is often read in middle school, usually in seventh grade, and students are so inspired by Salva’s story that they want to help. To harness the energy and excitement of students we created the Iron Giraffe Challenge– so named because that is how the villagers refer to the drilling rig in the book. Each academic year schools are challenged to raise $1,000. Schools completing the challenge are entered into a drawing to have Salva visit their school (Water for Sudan website).
We are calling on you to share our fundraising page with family and friends. Given the current state of our world, it is even more vital that we think about and look to help others.
Thank you for sharing. Feel free to donate if you are inspired to do so.
We appreciate you.
Best,
Mrs. Echols and my English 7 kiddos
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THERE ARE ONLY A FEW SPACES LEFT!
Wednesdays 2/10/21-4/28/21 from 2:30pm. – 4:00pm.
Technologists at Capital One introduce two coding languages used frequently in web development. Students learn about HTML, the skeleton of a web site. Students also learn about CSS, the code that makes a website look great. Each week, students are broken up into a small team to code, working together with Capital One mentors. During the last few weeks, students use the skills they learned about HTML and CSS to create their own website.
To reserve your spot, join our Google Classroom. Capital One Coders - Spring Session
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Dear parents and caregivers,
The AVID elective class at Langston Hughes is now accepting applications! AVID is a school-wide system that transforms the Instruction, Systems, Leadership, and Culture of a school, ensuring college readiness for all AVID Elective students and improved academic performance for all students based on increased opportunities.
The AVID Elective is the core of AVID Secondary. It targets students in the academic middle with the desire to go to college and the willingness to work hard. Often, AVID Elective students will be the first in their families to attend college and come from groups traditionally underrepresented in higher education.
There are no requirements to apply for AVID. It is an open opportunity. Students in the AVID elective will receive support on how to be a better student overall and succeed in more rigorous courses. They will work on organization, note-taking, reading, writing, and organization. They will research colleges to get an idea of what type of postsecondary opportunity is the best for them. Students will also build a family as we do team building games and activities throughout the year. This is a great leadership opportunity for students to grow. AVID students are typically students achieving in the middle, capable of completing a college preparatory path with support. These students often are not realizing their full potential academically. In the identification process a number of criteria are considered, including:
- 0+ GPA (mostly B’s and C’s with a few A’s)
- Positive behavior and leadership potential
- Passing State test scores
- Good attendance record
- Demonstrates desire and determination to achieve academically and prepare for college
- Strong possibility to be first in the family to attend college
- Member of group that is historically underrepresented in 4-year colleges/universities
- Economically-disadvantaged
- Other special circumstances
Students will be learning about AVID and the application process in Connections on February 9th and 11th. Students must complete an application (on their own) located in their grade level Google Classroom (Class of 2025 or Class of 2026) After completing the application they must arrange an interview. They can either record a FlipGrid or schedule a live interview. The links and directions for this are in the application. The application is due February 19th and the live interviews will be on February 22nd. The FlipGrid interview must be recorded by February 19th if they choose that option.
Parents can also view more about AVID on our website: https://sites.google.com/view/lhmsavid
Please contact Kristina Burke (AVID Coordinator and elective teacher) at ktburke@fcps.edu or your student’s counselor if you need assistance or have questions.
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Panthers After School
To join a club, visit the After School Google Site , and click on the club icon. Information about each club is updated in the club’s google classroom. We have several clubs to choose from.
The After School Site is only accessible while using a student google account.
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Parent Technology Help Desk
The Parent Technology Help Desk can be reached at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS) and will be answered by staff members between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., seven days a week. Please specify if you need an interpreter when you call.
You may also use the online portal by clicking the link below
https://itweb.fcps.edu/itsupport/
After-school Office Hours
Parents and students, teachers are available to support you in office hours. In addition to office hours on Monday mornings between 8:00 – 10:30 and after Connections ends on Tuesdays and Thursdays. In addition, teachers are available one day a week for “after school” office hours. Please find each teacher’s after school office hours day of the week listed here:
https://hughesms.fcps.edu/node/4467
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February 8 - PTA Meeting
February 15 - Holiday (President’s Day) - Schools and Offices Closed
March 15 - PTA Meeting
March 29 – April 2 - Spring Break – Student Holiday
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