LHMS Weekly News and Updates

s

MESSAGE FROM YOUR PRINCIPAL


Dear Parents and Caregivers,

We have much to celebrate this week.  We came together as a community for some great events.  On Thursday the Hughes talent was on full display at the Poetry Slam in honor of Black History Month.  Thanks to Mrs. Echols and Ms. Turner who coordinated and MCed the event!  In the afternoon, the Langston Leadership Council threw a celebration dance in the cafeteria.  Students got to show off their talents on the dance floor and enjoy the company of friends.  Today, the Reston Community Center sponsored a concert by award-winning jazz singer Rochelle Rice and pianist Janelle Gill.  Students either watched live or from the Connections class.  We are grateful for the partnership with the RCC to afford our students this unique opportunity.

Next week the Black History Month door decorating contest will take place.  Stay tuned for winners and pictures.  I know you’ll be impressed!

Aimee Monticchio


op

bb

pa

The 7 Best Parental Control Apps of 2023 (verywellfamily.com)

Apple Family Sharing & Screen Time 

Apple Family Sharing is where you restrict what your child's phone can do. 

How to: First you add your kid's device under Family Sharing which gives you (the parent) the ability to control and set limits on various aspects of phone usage. Once the device is added under Family Sharing, select the device and select Screen Time.  It is here that you can limit screen time for phone usage as well as for specific apps, limit what hours the phone can be used, set content and privacy restrictions, and communication safety settings. Under the "ask to buy" setting, you can require parental approval for any downloads or purchases. Whether you have a monitoring plan or tracking apps, these settings are important to get right. 

Phone Monitoring Plans

MMGuardian - Monthly subscription (around $4/mo) and you can monitor their text messages, phone numbers called, and websites visited. You log in through the MMGuardian portal so the updates are not automatic, but you can view all of this info included any deleted texts. I also use the Web Filtering feature to set what websites are "ok" - you can set this as strict as you want including only allowing websites you have approved. 

Bark is a common one especially for students on social media.  Bark monitors for you based on words/phrases that may indicate issues such as bullying, suicide, drug use, etc. With MMGuardian, you can read the texts and gauge what is going on for yourself, and rely on a company's algorithms and keywords to pick up issues. 

More considerations: 

Privacy on social media - Suggestion, require your child to "friend" you so you are a part of what's going on. Social media is not a space for privacy and is incredibly public which can impact their future.

FCPS Digital Citizenship Resources: https://www.fcps.edu/resources/technology/technology-literacy/digital-citizenship


ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AND DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SERVICES INFORMATION


Academic Advising and our 2023-2024 SY Hughes MS Registration Site!

For more information about course selection for the upcoming school year, you can access out 2023-2024 SY Hughes MS Registration Site from the menu on the Langston Hughes Middle School website or with this direct link: https://hughesms.fcps.edu/2023-2024-sy-hughes-ms-registration On the site, you will find course selection materials, presentation materials, information and videos about electives and other course offerings, and so much more. Please visit the site and email our Director of Student Services, Michele Beard, at mbeard@fcps.edu if you have any questions.

Important Academic Advising Dates:

Rising 8th Grade

Signed course selection sheets must be returned to your history teacher on Monday, February 27th!

Rising 7th Grade

Our counselors will visit feeder elementary schools in the month of February to support course selection. Rising 7th grade students will receive a folder with information about course selection and the course selection sheet. Students will return signed course selection sheets to their elementary schools by the school’s designated date. Rising 7th grade course selection sheets are due to LHMS from the elementary school by March 6th, 2023.


c

am

      If you would like to know more about the program you can find at

https://www.fcps.edu/academics/academic-overview/college-success-program/college-partnership-program-cpp  or contact Ms. Brooks at mlbrooks@fcps.edu or Mr. Blocker at mfblocker@fcps.edu

   Application link for students:   http://tinyurl.com/CPPAPP2023  

   Application window closes on March 10, 2023

 


i

13
2

Healing Trauma

It is February and a time when the recognition and promotion of the resilience and contributions of African Americans is celebrated. Historical trauma is critical to understanding black mental health. African Americans have always thrived through the connection of family. There is an intersection between trauma, coping, and substance misuse. Studies show that about 61% of adults have had at least one adverse childhood experience (ACE) according to the CDC. Childhood trauma manifests in many ways and when carried into adulthood, it can create a cycle of adverse experiences that affect future generations.

Trauma prevention and intervention strategies are more important than ever in post-COVID. During the height of the pandemic there were heightened feelings of unsafety, struggles with increased time spent in stressful family environments. Earlier ACEs studies highlighted traumatic events in the household as primary factors leading to future substance abuse, misuse, and lack of feeling safe and secure. Current ACEs studies have expanded the categories of traumatic events to include experiences such as exposure to racism, discrimination, and historical trauma. Effective coping skills or a brilliant strategy increases levels of resilience and feelings of wellbeing.

Coping strategies include:

  1. Developing healthy relationships (internal and external support)
  2. Teaching self-regulation skills
  3. Encouragement
  4. Increasing self-esteem
  5. Promoting independence and strength
  6. Modeling healthy behavior when dealing with difficult situations
  7. Early intervention and mental health care

 

Resources:

Why Historical Trauma is Critical to Understanding Black Mental Health

Addressing Childhood Trauma Starts with Family Support

Violence Prevention

ACEs and Minorities

 

For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: (571) 423-4270.

 

For further Information & support:

Monica Rogers, CSAC, QMHP-A/C

Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist

mrrogers@fcps.edu


p

k

Are You Interested in Tutoring?

FCPS is now actively recruiting qualified tutors to provide academic support in-person to small groups of students. These new FCPS tutors will be paid an hourly rate of $47.17. The position is flexible, and the number of hours worked and location will be based on the tutor’s availability and qualifications, as well as the needs presented throughout FCPS. Apply now! Contact tutor@fcps.edu for more information. 

Note: Current FCPS staff can only apply to tutor outside of their contracted hours.

Tutor.com Is Still Available and Free for All FCPS Students

Online tutoring through Tutor.com is available to all FCPS students as a resource for support and enrichment. As of January 2023, approximately 8,000 students have participated in approximately 34,000 tutoring sessions. Tutor.com remains available to all FCPS students at no cost. Find out more about Tutor.com.


a

March 2 - 2-hour Early Dismissal

March 3 - Student Holiday

March 10 - Hughes vs Carson @ South Lakes HS Doors open at 5PM

April 3 - 7 - Spring Break