Monday, February 28, 2022 Lancer Times

Monday, February 28, 2022

Dear Lancer Families:

We are entering a new phase of the pandemic. This week it will be your families decision whether or not your child will elect to wear a mask at school. Please make sure you talk to your student prior to March 1 as to your expectations. As a school staff we will ensure that our students feel safe and validated regardless of their masking choice. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about the masking guidelines or you can find more information here on the FCPS website. 

I am looking forward to the combined middle and high school orchestra concert tonight at McLean High School at 7:00pm. I hope to see many of you there. It is always fun to see our students perform and show their talents outside of our school building. 

On Tuesday, March 1, I will also be attending “Hidden in Plain Sight” at McLean High School from 7:00pm to 8:30pm. The program will outline alcohol use, marijuana, prescription drugs, over the counter drugs, illicit drugs, mental disorders, sexual behavior, and other risky business.This program is open to adult audiences only. The program is designed to educate parents on recent trends and to assist their child in finding the proper help if a risky behavior is detected. The program is presented by the Fairfax County Police Department’s Crime Prevention Unit. For more information see the blurb below.

It truly takes a village to raise our children and I am honored to be part of this community and partner with you and your families.

Please reach out if you have any questions. Have a wonderful week.

Hope you have a wonderful week and please reach out if you have any questions. 

Jim Patrick

Principal

IMPORTANT DATES

February

28 Orchestra Concert McLean HS 7:00PM

March

3 Two Hour Early Release, No After School Program

4 Staff Development Day (No School for Students), No After School Program

31 Two Hour Early Release; End of 3rd Quarter

April

1 - Teacher Workday (No School for Students)

4-8 - Spring Break 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

After School Program Cancelled

March 3 & 4

Due to the early release and teacher work day on March 3 and March 4, the after school program will be cancelled on these dates.

Best Buddies Friendship Walk

Each month the Longfellow Best Buddies Club get together to do fun activities and foster friendships. Every year, Best Buddies has a Friendship Walk in DC. This year it is on April 30 at 10 am on the mall. The Longfellow MS Best Buddies club is joining forces with McLean HS to create a bridge between our BB program and theirs. We will be joining their Friendship Walk Team. We are going to invite all Longfellow students and families to join the McLean team and attend. For more information reach out to Lorraine Marshall, Erin Caswell and Stephanie Carter.  https://www.bestbuddies.org/.

Morning Drop Off/Kiss & Ride

As a school we are constantly looking for ways to get better and to work together to keep our students safe at school. Recently, I received some communication from families regarding kiss & ride procedures at LMS. Each day we have over 400 cars who pass through our Kiss N Ride lines and I know that it can feel slow at times. If you choose to drop off your child, you can drop them off as early as 6:55am. Please remember to be patient and only drop your child off in the designated zone near door #4. We have staff designated there to assist you and to help your child safely exit the car.  Please reassure your student, if you are running late on any given morning, that they can come to the office and get a pass and will then be welcomed into their classroom.

Family Life Education

Family Life Education (FLE) is starting soon. Below are the dates that each unit of FLE will begin as well as a link to the overview of these units and opt out forms.
Emotional Social Health: until March 17th (students will cycle through the unit at different times in this window)
https://www.fcps.edu/academics/middle-school-academics-7-8/family-life-education-fle
For questions or concerns, please contact Health and Physical Education department chair: Amanda Creeden: amcreeden@fcps.edu

Longfellow Environmental Stewards

The Eco-Action team needs student members interested in learning about our impact on the environment and how we can make positive changes in our community! Come learn how we can put the things you are learning about in Science class into practice. Help us brainstorm and implement school-wide changes, both inside and outside our school building. No experience is necessary—just an open mind. 7th and 8th graders are welcome. We meet on Thursdays after school. Please contact Dr. Yannos (ydmisitzis@fcpsschools.net) with interest or questions. 

Academic Advising

Rising 8th Grade Academic Advising

Counselors will continue meeting with 7^th grade students for individual academic advising through their English classes between Tuesday, February 22 through Wednesday, March 2^nd.

To prepare for individual advising sessions, students should enter their math, 2-4 electives, and 4 alternative elective choices in StudentVue prior to meeting with their counselor. Course selections are due March 4. Students will be making their course selections in StudentVue. Our website is the main hub of information. There you will find our course catalog, videos about each of our core departments and electives.

Here is the individual advising schedule:

Tues, 3/1 and Wed, 3/2 – Wu and St. Germain

Rising 7th Grade Academic Advising 

We are so excited to welcome your student to Longfellow next year. Below is important information about academic advising and the transition to middle school.  Academic advising is the time when your student chooses classes for the upcoming year, important information about academic advising can be found on our website. Course selections were due on February 25th. 

Rising 9th Graders - McLean High School Academic Advising

Our Rising 9th graders who are going to McLean have met with their counselors. You can view your students selections with them on StudentVue. If you have any questions, visit the McLean High School Academic Advising website for more information. 

Rising 9th Graders - Langley High School Academic Advising

Mr. Peterson, Director of Student Services, met with Longfellow Middle School students on Wednesday, February 9th to present information on academic advising at Langley High School. If your student missed this opportunity, here are some videos and supports as students transition to Langley.

Academic Advising Overview

Curriculum Presentation Videos

9th Grade Course Catalog – Langley HS

HEALTH & SAFETY INFORMATION

To Elect For Your Child Not to Wear a Mask in School

Starting March 1, parents and guardians may elect for their children not to wear a mask at school. There will be no formal process required for those who elect for their child not to wear a mask on school property, including at School Age Child Care (SACC).

Please talk with your child before March 1 so they will be aware of your family’s preference for mask wearing at school.

We know changes are welcomed by some and an anxiety stressor to others. As a school, we are committed to ensuring that all students are healthy, safe, and feel valued in our community. We will continue to focus our attention and energy on providing high quality instruction, collaboration and building strong relationships for our students.

Exceptions

Universal mask wearing continues to apply in the following scenarios

• During off-campus activities where masks are required by the venue (ex: field trip)

• When attending school on days 6-10 of a quarantine. (Families who do not want their student to wear a mask on these days will need to complete the full 10-day quarantine at home.)

Respecting Student Choice and Need

Teachers and school staff will not treat students differently based on their choice. This includes seating arrangements in classrooms, cafeterias, or other gathering spaces. Families of special needs children who may need additional consideration for health reasons should work with their IEP or 504 teams.

lnstructional Supports During COVID-19 Related Absence

All students will continue to access asynchronous assignments from their classroom teachers each day through our Learning Management System (i.e. Schoology). Students should check the folder titled “extended absence” in their classes’ Schoology page to access the instruction and assignments that have been missed. Though your student’s teacher will be notified of the pause, your student is encouraged to utilize the online resources already available to them in class and to proactively reach out to their teachers.No later than the third day of extended COVID-related absences, students will also be able to access the following:

• Livestream or a recording of the direct instruction portion of the lesson. Teachers have informed students how to access it. NOTE: Livestreaming is NOT concurrent or hybrid learning. During the livestream, the remote student’s camera and audio will be off, but they will be able to watch and listen.
• Individual and/or small group check-ins with teacher(s) every other school day for academic support. An assigned staff member will also reach out during the week for an additional social-emotional check in.
• Students are encouraged to contact their teacher and/or counselor directly if they have questions about the assignments.

OPPORTUNITIES

Tips for Talking to Your Kids: Getting Past the Silent Treatment

Monday, February 28 from 7 to 8 p.m. via Zoom 

We all want to keep current with our kids' lives, and it can be challenging to get kids to open up.  Whether it's little things like knowing how their day was or big things like raising concerns for their wellbeing, it can be hard to get the conversation flowing.  

Join local mental health professionals Mimi Weisberg and Heather Tedesco for a one-hour virtual program dedicated to family communication.  We'll use this article from the Washington Post as a jumping off point to share concrete tips and strategies for connecting with your kids through conversation. (https://www.washingtonpost.com/parenting/2022/01/17/how-parents-can-provide-stability-teens-grapple-with-stress-uncertainty/). 

Please see the Safe Community Coalition website at http://mcleanscc.org/ for the Zoom link.

Hidden in Plain Sight

Tuesday, March 1 from 7:00pm - 8:30pm

Is a community awareness program to educate parents through a hands-on learning experience that covers current trends and signs of risky business. The program will outline alcohol use, marijuana, prescription drugs, over the counter drugs, illicit drugs, mental disorders, sexual behavior, and other risky business.This program is open to adult audiences only. The program is designed to educate parents on recent trends and to assist their child in finding the proper help if a risky behavior is detected. The program is presented by the Fairfax County Police Department’s Crime Prevention Unit.
The presentation will be held at McLean High School in the cafeteria starting at 7:00pm and ending at 8:30pm on March 1, 2022. Masks will be required to be worn while in the building. Here is the link to the Eventbrite RSVP Site - https://bit.ly/mhships0301.

Dr. Scott Brabrand with the Kids

Wednesday, March 9 from 6:30pm – 9pm

An opportunity for students to meet Division Superintendent, Dr. Scott Brabrand and engaged with him on questions/concerns that are relevant to students in our area. This event will take place at:

McLean Community Center
1234 Ingleside Ave.
McLean, VA 22101

For more information, please contact Mr. Jim Beggs directly at: jimbeggs@icloud.com

SCC Book Talk on How to Raise an Adult

Friday, March 18 at 12:00pm. via Zoom 

In anticipation of best-selling author Julie Lythcott-Haims’ April visit to McLean to present the talk, “Throw out the Checklisted Childhood: Tips and Strategies for Raising Successful Kids,” McLean psychologists Heather Tedesco, PhD, and Melissa Sporn, PhD, will host a virtual parent book club on Julie’s most-acclaimed book, How to Raise an Adult on Friday, March 18, at noon. Dr. Tedesco and Dr. Sporn will share their thoughts on the aspects of the book that are especially relevant to families in our area. Click here to purchase the book from bookshop.org, which can connect you with a local bookstore anywhere in the country. Find the Zoom link on our website just prior to the event.

Jump Start - Longfellow Middle School Transition Program

SAVE THE DATES: August 2 & 3 and August 4 & 5

The Jump Start program is a nonacademic program that focuses on helping rising 7th graders get to know Longfellow Middle School and the expectations of middle school. Jump Start helps to ensure a smoother transition to middle school by introducing students to staff, peers, school layout, and basic policies before the school year begins. Students will participate in sessions covering topics such as study skills, test taking strategies, time management techniques, schedule reading, learning how to use combination locks and many more. Scavenger hunts, locker relay races, and daily physical education activities will also take place during the sessions.

More information will be available on April 1 and registrations will begin being collected on May 1. 

If you have any questions, please contact Riley Barrows: rtbarrows1@fcps.edu

Join the PTA & Support our School!

Join the PTA  -  When you join the Longfellow PTA you will join a proud community of dedicated parents. Membership is $25 for one adult family member and $35 for two adult family members. All members receive access to our online directory through Memberhub.