Principal's Message
Parents and Guardians,
The school is busy getting ready for our Return to Face to Face School. If you have chosen your student to return, we will be giving transportation your child’s information to put together bus lists. Approximately one week before your return you will receive the bus information. For more details, please listen to the Return to School presentation that I made at the PTA meeting this week by accessing this link:
https://us.bbcollab.com/recording/cd65dacb75cf476a8dc4c2cf90a32825
Beginning the week of February 16th, we will follow a new bell schedule for all students, those returning for In-Person and those remaining virtual. Our school day will still begin at 7:30 and will now end at 2:00 pm. The class schedule is as follows. Teachers have posted this for students to get used to as we transition to our new routine.
We are here to support you and your student whether or not you are returning to the building. Together we are Langston Hughes Middle School and we will continue to value every member of the community no matter where they are learning.
Aimee Monticchio
Principal
Return to In-Person Instruction Information
Students scheduled for In-person instruction will be attending school two days a week. Students with the last names A-K will attend on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and students with the last names L-Z will be attending on Thursdays and Fridays.
- 8th grade Last Names A-K return Tuesday, March 2nd
- 8th grade Las Names L-Z return Thursday, March 4th
- 7th grade Last Names A-K return Tuesday, March 9th
- 7th grade Last Names L-Z return Thursday, March 11th
For all students retuning to in-person instruction, parents should complete the Health Commitment form. The Health Commitment form can be submitted electronically through in ParentVUE (PVUE) or via hard copy. Please contact our registrar, Ms. Cristina Hannon, at 703-715-3602 during business hours (7:30- 3:00) to have a hard copy sent to you. The daily health screening tool and Parent/Guardian Commitment are available at https://www.fcps.edu/return-school/student-health-and-safety-guidance-document
We have emailed you to confirm your intention for in-person or online. You can also check this in Student Vue by clicking on Student Information and scrolling ALL the way down and then scroll to the right. You must log in through a web browser and not the app to access this information. If your student is scheduled to return to school, and you wish to change the intent to online, please contact Michele Beard at mbeard@fcps.edu. At this time, we can no longer accommodate changes from online to in-person as we have planned for social distancing in our classes, cafeteria, and for transportation.
World Languages Credit Exam
The 2021 Credit Exam for World Languages will take place in March of 2021. Students who take the credit exam have the opportunity to earn up to three (3) credits, based on demonstrated proficiency.
Thirty (30) languages will be assessed via the FCPS Credit Exam. In order to offer the test in all languages while maintaining a safe testing environment, some languages will be tested online and some will be tested in person.
- These languages will be tested online between March 2, 2021 and March 10, 2021: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.
- These languages will be tested in person on March 13, 2021 and March 20, 2021 (Saturdays): Amharic, ASL, Bengali, Farsi, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Nepali, Pashto, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Somali, Tagalog, Tamil, Telugu, Tigrinya, Turkish, Twi, Urdu and Vietnamese.
Registration opens Monday, February 8, 2021, at 8:00 a.m. and closes at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 26, 2021. All students must register for the exam through their school counselor by February 26, 2021. Late registrations will not be accepted.
Congratulations to this group of 31 POWERFUL students! These students started second semester POWERful by receiving three or more POWER cards in two weeks. Check your school email for your virtual POWER cards and keep up the great work!
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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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Strategies to Support Social Emotional Learning at Home:
A Webinar for Families
February 17, 2021 6:30 - 8 p.m. or February 19, 2021 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Social and emotional learning starts at home. Parents and families are critical partners in helping their children develop social and emotional know-how. They can model the kinds of skills, attitudes, and behaviors we want all students to master.
This webinar will highlight:
- What is social-emotional learning?
- Strategies to use our children’s behavior and emotion as forms of communication.
- Strategies to create emotional safety.
- Strategies to recognizing and supporting personal and family strengths.
Join FCPS Social Worker, Jeanne Veraska & FCPS School Psychologist, Lisa Phifer for this important webinar.
Register for Strategies to Support Social Emotional Learning at Home: A Webinar for Families
Hot Topics Virtual Program – A Series for Students
Every Thursday at 6:00PM
Fairfax County for Neighborhood and Community Services’ invites teens and young adults ages 13-22 to participate in their Hot Topics virtual program! Hot Topics is a safe, virtual space for teens and young adults to have conversations about the most recent world, community, music, social and personal subjects. They have an interactive ice breaker, the hottest trendy topics, and then an intriguing discussion…all packed into one hour! Some sessions they occasionally offer giveaways! While the NCS staff on the call are artists, entrepreneurs, authors, and creators outside of their everyday jobs, they feature special guests from the community and subject matter experts to help guide the teens/young adults in conversation.
Register for Hot Topics Virtual Program – A Series for Students
Speak to Empower (STEP)
Speak to Empower (STEP) is a great opportunity for students to learn lifelong skills of leadership and public speaking in a fun and interesting way. We hope to make middle schoolers confident enough to speak up for themselves and take initiative on topics they are passionate about. Learn lifelong skills, all while winning prizes, making friends, and connecting with high school mentors every Thursday from 3:30-4:30 PM! Each session is run by students, for students. We always welcome new attendees, and we are eager to meet you all! If you have any questions, please email: speaktoempowerorg@gmail.com . To register for the program, please visit our Google Classroom. Class Code jisjtu7.
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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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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:
- 2.0+ 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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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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FCPS to Host Virtual Job Fair for Classroom Monitors on Friday, February 12
Fairfax County Public Schools is searching for individuals to serve as classroom monitors. School administrators will conduct virtual interviews with candidates at a virtual job fair for classroom monitors on Friday, February 12.
Individuals interested in becoming a part of a dynamic and diverse community are encouraged to register to attend one or both events. The Middle and High School Event is scheduled for 9 to 11 a.m. and the Elementary School Event is scheduled for 1 to 3 p.m.
February 15 - Holiday (President’s Day) - Schools and Offices Closed
March 5 - 2-hour Early Release
March 8 - Student Holiday
March 15 - PTA Meeting
March 26 - End of 3rd Quarter – 2-hour early release
March 29 – April 2 - Spring Break – Student Holiday
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