A Message from Dr. Patrick-
Dear Lancers:
What an exciting time at Longfellow Middle School. We have started with concurrent learning over the last two weeks. This is where teachers work with groups of students in the building and in a virtual setting simultaneously. Walking the halls of Longfellow I can feel the enthusiasm and engagement amongst our students both online and in person. It has been another “new” experience for all of us this year; I want to thank our staff, students, and community for all of their effort and understanding as we enter this new chapter of the school year.
It was great to welcome back so many of our students over the last two weeks. The students did a great job navigating the halls, finding their classes, and adhering to our health and safety guidelines. Special thanks to our 8th grade students who were excellent role models and guides in the hallways.
As always, thank you for all of your support.
-Jim
Calendar Events
March
17 PTA Meeting & Guest Speaker
26 End of 3rd Quarter – 2-Hour Early Release
29 – April 2 Spring Break
April
1-2 Spring Break
5 Teacher Workday-Student Holiday
2021 STEM Essay Contest Results
Congratulations to Zoe Robell (7th grade) and Michelle Liu (7th grade) for winning 1st and 2nd place in the McLean Area Branch of the American Association of University Women STEM Essay Contest. They have been invited, along with their parents, to the virtual branch event on March 16th. Zoe Robell, first place winner, will be reading her essay at the event.
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Art Kit Pick Up Day
Art Foundations & 3D Art Explorations Classes 2nd Semester 2021
Monday, March 15 from 10:15-1:00pm - Door 12
Online & In Person Students
(Curbside Pick Up)
Mask Up
Art Fees $20.00
Payable at MySChoolBucks
https://www.myschoolbucks.com/
Your FCPS Laptop- Don’t leave home without it!
Please remind your students to charge their laptop at night and to bring it to school each day. Students should also bring their charger and corded headphones.
Reporting Absences
It is essential that parents report both in-person and online absences.
Full day absences can be reported using this electronic form. Partial day absences must be reported by phone: (703) 533-2626. Click here to view our full attendance procedures.
Monday Attendance- Please remind your students to complete this
All students are now required to complete their Monday attendance using this school-wide Google form: Longfellow Middle Monday Attendance Check-In (must be logged into FCPS account). Your student should bookmark this form and complete it every Monday by 3:00pm.
Transportation
Bus information is available by logging into ParentVUE and selecting ‘Student Info’. Scroll down to find your student’s bus route information. Please remember if you live within 1.5 miles of Longfellow, you are not eligible for bus transportation. Contact Kathy Holstrom at klholstrom@fcps.edu with questions about transportation.
Here Comes the Bus!
Here Comes the Bus® app is a school bus tracking app that can simplify morning and afternoon routines for parents and students by giving them real-time bus location and text or email notification alerts, helping them get to the bus stop on time. Here Comes the Bus® utilizes our GPS data and an easy to use customizable map that works on one or multiple devices, such as a tablet or smartphone. For more information visit the Here Comes the Bus Mobile App Page.
Bell Schedule
Don’t forget that our bell schedule now includes 4 lunch periods. Click here to download a printable copy of the bell schedule. If you are not sure which lunch period you have, please ask your 5th and 6th period teachers.
Questions about ‘Return to School’?
Please visit our Return to School webpage for important information and announcements regarding the return to school.
Portrait Makeups Information!
Portraits will be by appointment only and be taken here at Longfellow on March 22nd.
Time slots are limited so please sign up as soon as possible.
Here is the signup link to schedule your appointment: pickatime.com/vos/longfellowmsmu
Appointments are available from 8am to 2:30 PM on March 22nd.
We will utilize our kiss and ride loop for portraits with students entering through door 4, so please drive around to the side of the building and drop your child off at door 4.
Students wishing to purchase a picture package will have the opportunity to do so online after they sign up for a time and after picture day. Paper picture orders will not be accepted at the camera. All picture packages will be delivered via USPS shipping to a home address.
In order to maintain social distancing, the number of cameras provided will be sufficient to accommodate our school enrollment. Due to Covid-19 guidelines, walk-ins will not be accepted at this time.
Instant IDs will be given to students on-site upon exiting the photography station.
SCHEDULE/COMMUNICATION REQUIREMENTS
• All individuals including school staff, VOS photography staff, students and family members will be expected to wear facial coverings and adhere to physical distancing guidelines.
• Students wishing to purchase a picture package will have the opportunity to do so online both before and after picture day. Paper picture orders will not be accepted at the camera.
• All picture packages will be delivered via USPS shipping to a home address.
• Instant IDs will be given to students on-site upon exiting the photography location.
P2 Preview - Love of Learning
Next week we will continue exploring the 24 P2 Character Strengths looking at the Character Strength of Love of Learning (click on the link to access a 1 page character card).
This week’s example is Dr. Barbara Oakley. Oakley is currently a professor at Oakland University and the author of numerous books. But, as she explains on her website, her love of learning goes beyond academics. “I love to bring fresh perspectives into my books by applying knowledge and experience from many different disciplines, as well as from ‘real world’ experiences. Although I’m now a professor of engineering, I’ve also worked in lots of different places and doing very different things: serving as a Russian translator on Soviet trawlers up in the Bering Sea, teaching in China, going from US Army private to Regular Army Captain, and working as a radio operator at the South Pole Station in the Antarctic.” Video
P2 Family Resources: We encourage you to visit the grade 6-8 “P2 for Families” Love of Learning site here. The password for accessing these family resources is: P2
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Student Services News
Lunch Time Fun!
School counselors have really enjoyed getting to know all of our students during lunch time, both in the cafeteria and during virtual Monday lunch bunches. In the cafeteria, we have been playing student-requested music, doing trivia, and getting feedback from students about what activities they would like to do. Counselors will continue to connect with our students through virtual Monday lunch bunches. We would like to encourage all students, both online and in-person students, to attend the Monday lunch bunches.
Virtual Career Expo
We will be hosting our second annual ‘Virtual Career Expo’ this May. Presenters will submit a pre-recorded video, so don’t worry about traffic or conflicts with dates! If you would like to present (and we hope you do!), please click here to complete the Longfellow Career Expo Presenter form. Participants will receive an email confirmation and detailed information about the Career Expo within one week of submitting the registration form. Registration ends on Monday, April 5, 2021. If you have any questions, please email Shannon Lopynski.
Records Request and Private School or Program Application Process
Longfellow Middle School requires important documents in order to effectively accommodate your private school/program recommendations and records requests in a timely manner. Click here to view the process and required forms. Please contact your student’s counselor if you have any questions.
2021-2022 Academic Advising and Registration Information
Click here to view the Longfellow Middle School Academic Advising webpage. This site contains our online course catalogs, content area videos, course selection forms, and many more valuable resources to help students and families plan for the 2021-22 school year. Please email your student’s counselor if you have any questions.
Mental Health and Wellness
Do you have concerns about your child’s mental health? Have a talk with your child to find out how they are doing. Give them your full attention. Listen carefully, repeat what you heard and ask if you got it right. When they feel heard and understood, they’re more likely to share with you. Notice what is going on with your child. You know your child best.
The Student Services staff at Longfellow, including counselors and our clinical team are here to support families. Please click here to locate the contact information for your student’s counselor.
For more Mental Health and Wellness Information, please visit the FCPS’s Healthy Minds Blog and the FCPS’s Parent Resource Center.
Next Week - PTA Meeting & Guest Speaker - March 17
The next PTA meeting is March 17th at 7:30 pm.
Join Dr. Patrick and the PTA for our upcoming meeting.
Schedule:
• 7:30 pm - Meeting will start
• 7:50 pm - Update from Dr. Patrick
• 8:05 pm - Guest Speaker - Erika Deem, MSW Parent Resource Center Liaison
Erika Deem, a Parent Resource Center Liaison, will present on what the Parent Resource Center can offer to support our transition back to school. This session will include tips on how to navigate new emotions, routines, and resources that may be helpful to strengthen skills or address challenges.
Event details:
This event will take place via WebEx.
Registration for this webinar is required. CLICK HERE to register.
Please note:
• After you register you will receive a calendar invite for the meeting from the Longfellow PTA Secretary
• The email will include a link to join the event on Wednesday evening
• Please login a few minutes prior to the meeting - you may need to download a browser extension for the program if you have never used WebEx before
We are looking forward to this meeting and hope you can join us.
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PTA Executive Board 2021/2022
We begin recruiting for the 2021/2022 PTA by advertising our open board positions.
Our open PTA board positions include:
• VP of Communications
• VP of Fundraising
• Secretary
• President-elect
The PTA has a long tradition of supporting Longfellow teachers, staff and students with diverse programming and community outreach.
Volunteering for the LMS PTA is a great way to meet other parents and give back to the LMS Community.
Please contact our Nominating Committee to discuss any of the above openings:
• Nadya Abhyankar nadyaj@gmail.com
• Kerrie Lineweaver kerrielineweaver@gmail.com
• Lavina Colaco luv115@yahoo.com
Not interested in the board? Be on the look out in March for all our open committee positions. There is a role for everyone.
Click HERE for Longfellow PTA positions descriptions.
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