Monday, September 19, 2022
CALENDAR EVENTS
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Second Step Program
On September 9th, we began the Second Step® Middle School program, a research-based social-emotional learning program designed to improve students’ social-emotional skills, such as emotion management, impulse control, problem solving, and empathy. Second Step skills and concepts are designed to help students both in and out of school. Each week during Lancer Time students will receive a lesson.
During the First Quarter, we will cover topics such as Mindsets and Goals. Students will learn how to develop a growth mindset and apply research-based goal-setting strategies to their social and academic lives.
September 23rd - Unit 1 Lesson 3
In this week’s 7th grade lesson, Learning from Mistakes and Failure, your student will learn how to learn from mistakes. When your child does difficult things, they may initially make mistakes and fail, but these mistakes can be chances to learn and grow.
Question - Tell your student about a mistake you made in the past and what you learned from it. Ask your child to tell you about a mistake they made and what they learned from it.
In this week’s 8th grade lesson, My Interests and Strengths, your student will reflect on how they have used their personal strengths to develop an interest, skill, or ability.
Question - Tell your student about a skill, interest, or ability you have and how you developed it. Discuss the skills, attitudes, or people who helped you along the way.
Stay tuned for weekly updates about the Second Step topics and talking points you can use with your student at home.
Raising Student Voice
We’re excited to announce we will be renewing the “Raising Student Voices” program at Longfellow MS. This is a program in which we will select approximately 30 students as representatives of our entire school population to share their voice and perspective on life at LMS. We will look to them to help us work together for solutions to ensure that Longfellow MS is the best place to learn, grow, and make a difference!
This program has been advertised through the news show, but we’re also asking for your help as well. Please consider speaking with your student about this exciting opportunity and encouraging them to apply. Oftentimes students do not always see their potential until it is encouraged by an adult who can see the gifts, talents, and unique views that they bring to their community.
Applications are due by September 30, 2022.The Electronic Application (also available on the student Schoology course) can be accessed here.
Paper applications are also available in the main office. Paper applications can be turned in at the same locations by the September 30th deadline.
Please contact assistant principal, Amy Smith, at aesmith2@fcps.edu if you’d like more information about the program.
Promoting a College & Career Readiness Culture
As we prepare our Longfellow students for a bright future full of possibilities, we are focusing on college and career readiness throughout the building. We invite you to contribute a representative college pennant to help decorate the halls of Longfellow Middle School. Please send them in with your student or drop them off in the main office to the attention of Mrs. Hill.
World Language Credit Exam
The 2022 World Languages Credit Exam will be administered on November 3, 9 and 10, at Centreville HS, West Springfield HS, and Edison HS. Thirty languages will be included. Please visit the website below for a list of the languages offered.
What is the World Language Credit Exam??
The exam assesses language proficiency. Students must be able to read and comprehend exam instructions and writing prompts in the exam language. The Credit Exam requires students to write multiple well-developed essays about personal experiences using complete sentences and at least three cohesive paragraphs. Students earn credit based on the level of proficiency demonstrated by their writing. Students who take the exam may earn up to three pass-or-fail credits (levels one, two and three) in the language.
How and when can I register?
All students must register for the exam through their school counselor. Registration is now open and closes on Thursday, October 6, 2022, at 4 p.m.
Late registrations will not be accepted.
Where can I find more information?
Check out the World Languages Credit Exam website
SR&R Information
We are extremely happy to have your child in our school with us this year!
FCPS’ updated Student Rights & Responsibility booklet is now available online and in the ParentVue section of the Student Information System (SIS). The SR&R booklet explains expectations for student behavior, and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment.
Each year, we ask parents to review, sign, and return the SR&R to their child’s school. In ParentVue, you may now download and digitally sign the SR&R. Every parent/guardian with a ParentVUE account will see the SR&R upon login to ParentVUE until the SR&R acknowledgement has been completed.
Once you log on, you will see the following message:
 Your name in the digital signature box must match the parent/guardian’s first and last name in SIS exactly before the signature will be accepted.
Please take a moment to log into ParentVue in your child’s SIS account to access the SR&R. Signatures are due by September 30, 2022.
Please contact us if you are having difficulty accessing the booklet.
Tutor.com
FCPS students continue to have unlimited access to live, 24/7, 1-to-1, online tutoring services through Tutor.com at no cost to families during the 22-23 SY. Student participation is optional, and parents/guardians can opt their student(s) out of accessing the services. Detailed information and FAQs are available on the Tutor.com Online Tutoring Services website.
Students can access Tutor.com via a link in Schoology. Additional information about how to log in and access a tutor is provided to families via the following: Middle & High - How It Works. Questions not answered in the posted resources may be sent to onlinetutoring@fcps.edu.
Student Laptops
Please remind students to fully charge their laptops each evening and take them to each class daily. Student laptops are an important “school supply” and should be readily available for use in class when needed.
AFTER SCHOOL CORNER
After School Activities
Club & Activity descriptions along with the 1st Quarter After School Schedule are now posted on our LMS Website.
https://longfellowms.fcps.edu/activities/after-school-program
You can also register for After School Programs online using the link below. If you would like a paper registration, please email hmartinez@fcps.edu to request one. They will also be available in the front office.
After School Registration Form
PARENT INFORMATION
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) Application Process for Eligible 8th Grade Students:
Longfellow Middle School welcomes you to our in-person TJHSST presentation for all interested students and parents on Thursday, September 29 from 2:45-3:45pm. Please be aware that the applicants to the freshman class at TJHSST must be enrolled in a full-year of Honors Algebra 1 for high school credit or a higher level math course in grade 8 to apply. In addition, at the completion of 7th grade, should have an unweighted GPA of 3.5 or higher in order to be eligible to apply (GPA is verified by TJ admissions after applying).
Please watch the TJ Admission YouTube video, https://youtu.be/3JyLgzAoaqg prior to attending the in-person presentation. The video is a little over 30 minutes long and will provide detailed information about the process. Which will allow more time for Q/A at the meeting. If you are unable to attend our in-person presentation, you are welcome to attend an evening presentation at one of the other FCPS schools. Click here to see the locations, dates, and times.
Lastly, the application window will open on Monday, October 24th at 4:00pm and close on Friday, November 18th at 4:00pm. Detailed information is posted on the TJ Admissions Office website. Please contact the TJ Admissions Office by email (tjadmissions@fcps.edu) or phone (571-423-3770) or the Longfellow TJ Liaison, Counselor Vaughnetta Caldwell (vdcaldwell@fcps.edu) with questions.
Parent Notification - SOS & SEL Screener Notification & Opt-Outs
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) commits to supporting all students’ mental wellness and social and emotional learning (SEL). In the Month of October, we will conduct the following optional screeners to students:
• SOS Signs of Suicide:
o The SOS Screener is offered to help assess whether or not students may have symptoms consistent with depression. Students who participate in the screening will watch a short educational video on depression awareness and suicide prevention; different versions will be shown to high school versus middle school students. Following the video, students will complete a brief questionnaire. Further follow up with a school mental health clinician will be available if needed, and parents will be notified in the event that follow up is warranted. It will be administered on October 11-12 for 7th graders during H/PE
o SOS Opt-Out Form - Complete by October 6th, should you wish to opt-out your child.
• SEL Screener - The SEL Screener provides information regarding students’ experiences and how staff can support their needs. It will be administered on October 25th for 7th & 8th graders during Lancer Time.
o SEL Opt-Out Form - Complete the opt-out in SIS ParentVUE or return the form back to Student Services by October 17th.
Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month is observed annually from September 15th to October 15th. It is a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the American Latino community.
Paperless Opt-Outs Available
As part of our ongoing effort to streamline paper processes and transition to electronic forms, we are excited to announce that the following opt-outs will be available in SIS ParentVUE beginning Friday, July 15:
· Tutor.com Access
· SEL Screener Participation
· Counseling Opt Out
· Transportation Intent
· Accept FCPS Device
· Home Internet Access
Once you have signed into your ParentVUE account, simply select the “Student Info” tab and click on “Edit Information.” You will find opt-outs listed there. Parents that do not yet have a SIS ParentVUE account will still be able to use paper forms for notification. If you need to set up your ParentVUE account, you can create one online via the FCPS ParentVUE Registration page.
OPPORTUNITIES
Service Learning - Pumpkin Unloading Volunteers Needed!
Come and learn how great things can be achieved when people work together!
Help unload pumpkins for our Pumpkin Patch! It’s easy and fun!
ALL proceeds from our Patch are donated to charities in our community to house the homeless, feed the hungry and help the needy.
Saturday, October 8th 9:45AM – 12:30 (unloading begins at 10AM). Rain or shine.
Masks are optional and welcome indoors. Masks are not required outdoors.
St. Thomas Episcopal Church
8991 Brook Road, McLean, 22102
3 hours of Community Service
More information and REGISTER at Pumpkin Unload Registration or on the X2-vol site. Or visit our website PUMPKIN PATCH
For more information contact pumpkins@stthomasmcleanva.org, call the Parish Administrator on 703-442-0330 or check our Facebook page.
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