Team Langston Hughes:
Our school year is off to a GREAT start! Our Back-to-School Night was well attended and a rocking success. THANK YOU! Next Thursday, September 14th, we will kick off our schoolwide fundraiser, the World’s Finest Chocolate. Please support our students! Stay tuned for more information.
Finally, we have been practicing safety drills, and students have been doing a fantastic job overall. The purpose of safety drills is to ensure students know how to respond in the event of a real situation. Please continue to stress to your child the importance in following safety-drill expectations.
Thank you for your continued support and cooperation! It’s a GREAT time to be a LHMS Panther!
Principal Mizell
INFORMATION FROM YOUR ADMINISTRATION TEAM
Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
SEL Screener: Students in FCPS take the SEL screener twice a year. This allows students to share their perspectives on how well their school and community help them develop skills they need to succeed. It will be administered at Hughes on October 11 during Connections (4th period). More information, including a short video, the screener questions, and the opt-out form, can be found on the SEL Screener webpage. Please contact your student's school counselor with any questions.
SOS – Signs of Suicide: On October 24th and 25th our clinical support team will be introducing a county-approved wellness screening curriculum to our 7th grade students during health and PE classes The goals of this program are to educate students on the signs and symptoms of depression, to let students know what to do if they have concerns about themselves or a peer, and to connect students who may need support with resources inside and outside of our school. During the program, students will watch a video which will help students to identify signs of depression and distress in themselves and others, as well as what to do if they, or someone they know, are experiencing these symptoms. Students will watch age-appropriate video clips and participate in a guided discussion about depression, suicide, and what to do if they are concerned about a friend. Following the video, students will complete a response slip which asks whether they would like to talk to an adult about any concerns. See the next New You Choose for more information.
World Language Credit Exam
The world language credit exam assesses reading and writing language proficiency in languages other than English. Students who take the exam may earn up to three World Languages credits for levels one, two, and three for the language of the exam. The credits may fulfill the World Languages requirements for the Advanced Studies Diploma. The FCPS World Languages Credit Exam is also an approved assessment for awarding the Virginia Department of Education’s Seal of Biliteracy. The exam is offered one time per school year. A student may participate in the exam two times per language, once per year, between grades 7 through 12. In other words, students have two chances per language to earn credits by taking the exam.
All students must register for the exam through their school counselor. Registration opens Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at 8 a.m. and closes on Thursday, October 5, 2023, at 4 p.m. Late registrations will not be accepted.
Counselors –
7th Grade Last Names A-K – Marissa Brooks mlbrooks@fcps.edu
7th Grade Last Names L-Z – Mark Blocker mfblocker@fcps.edu
8th Grade Last Names A-K – Karen Bach kabach@fcps.edu
8th Grade Last Names L-Z – Phyllis Degraffenried pjdegraffenr@fcps.edu
Locker Distribution
Students who requested lockers will begin receiving them the week of September 11th. Students and parents/guardians should remember that lockers are property of the school. Please keep in mind that the combination may not be shared, and the locker may only be used by the student assigned. Lockers are intended for the storage of books and clothing. Students should not leave valuables in their school or gym locker. Writing on the lockers is considered an act of vandalism. Lockers may be searched when there is reason to believe that the contents threaten the safety, health, or welfare of students.
Dress Code
Parents: Hughes Administration will be enforcing the dress code expectations of FCPS.
The FCPS student dress code has been updated and can be found here in Regulation 2613.12. It can also be found on pages 15 and 16 of the SR&R. We ask that parents review the dress code expectations with their students and help to ensure compliance. Things to consider when choosing what to wear to school are as follows:
- Avoid clothing including any inappropriate language, images, symbols, or references to weapons, alcohol, drugs, or illegal activity.
- Avoid any clothing that exposes undergarments, underwear, or private parts.
- Clothing for certain classes, such as physical education, may have additional expectations.
 |
Parents,
We’re excited to welcome you and your student to another year of POWERFUL after-school programs.
Here are a few updates:
- There will be a lesson about after-school during your student’s connection class.
- Club offerings will be posted on Schoology Sept 5th.
- Club signups will begin Sept 7th through Sept 15th
- Late buses start Sept 11th for prearranged teacher help and students who have turned in their Cross County physical.
- Clubs will begin Sept 18th
- The After-School Program takes place daily until 4:30 pm.
- Late bus days are Monday-Thursday. Friday's program rely on parent pick up.
- The program is divided into two sessions.
- Students must be registered to participate in after-school activities. The registration form needs to be filled out only once, and your student does not have to attend daily only on days that are offering clubs they are members in.
Registration Consent Form link:
https://forms.gle/xHxQVhYpoQajjgvK8
If you’re interested in sponsoring a club/activity, please contact Mr. Kyle at Fmkyle1@fcps.edu. We would love for you to join us!
More information will be provided in next week’s News You Choose.
- Intramural sports fall under the Middle School After-School Program.
Middle School Sports- Cross Country
Cross Country will begin the week of Sept 11. Students MUST have a completed physical to participate. Please refer to the Middle School Athletics site for updated information.
https://www.fcps.edu/activities-enrichment/middle-school-athletics
Physical for Middle School Cross Country/ Track
https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/FCPS%20MS%20Sports%20Physical%20Form.pdf
|
 |
Caregiver Checklist: Have You Completed These Important Forms?
During the first weeks of the year, schools mail and email caregivers many forms to complete. Several of the most important ones are below:
-
Digital Resources Consent: Some FCPS-approved digital resources require parent/caregiver consent before they can be used by students. Find the list of resources which require consent on the Digital Resources - Parent Consent page. This page also includes directions on how to provide permission so your child(ren) can access all resources provided by their teachers.
-
Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R): This document explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses. Parents using SIS ParentVUE will be prompted to sign the document when they log in to that platform. A printable version of the document with a signature sheet is available on the SR&R webpage. This form should be signed and returned by Friday, September 29.
-
Opt-Outs: The Opt-Out booklet is online or available from your child’s school. It contains information on:
- Parents’ rights to inspect and consent or opt out before their child participates in certain surveys.
- Parents’ rights to inspect instructional materials.
- Rules regarding student records and disclosure of student information (including photo/video of students) and the right to opt out.
- Parents’ rights to opt out of the Social Emotional Learning Screener, physical exams not required by state law, career or social emotional counseling, Library Equity Access Pass Project, and/or Tutor.com.
- The process by which complaints may be filed if parents or students believe their rights have been violated.
Paper forms can be signed and returned to your child’s school.
🩹 The Importance of Up-to-Date Immunizations
Immunizations are required by the code of Virginia § 22.1-271.2 for public school entry and help keep students protected from serious diseases. Check with your students’ healthcare providers now to make sure they are up to date on their immunizations. Immunization records can now be updated online in SIS ParentVUE through the Online Verification Update form. To access that form, click Online Packets in the top right of the screen after logging in. Caregivers can obtain an activation key letter to activate their SIS ParentVUE account by contacting their child’s school.
Statewide Outbreak of Meningococcal Disease
One of the required immunizations for students entering 7th and 12th grade is the meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY). The Virginia Department of Health is currently tracking a statewide outbreak of meningococcal disease. The vaccine can provide protection against the bacteria responsible for this outbreak.
Visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of immunization clinics or contact your family’s healthcare provider. Appointments are required for most clinics.
Remember that you need to provide documentation to your school. Get more information on immunization requirements and the necessary documentation for schools.
Sept. 25 - Holiday - Schools and offices will be closed
October 5 & 6 - School Picture Day - more information to follow
|
