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Dear Lancers:
I hope that everyone had a great weekend; It is certainly starting to feel like fall! I wanted to highlight that our fall production of Once Upon a Pine: The Adventures of Pinocchio will take place this week starting on Thursday and running through Saturday. I hope you’re able to make it out to see our students showcase their talent both on the stage and behind the scenes with all of their technical work.
Also, next Friday (11/3) brings the end of the 1st quarter. It is hard to believe we are already this far into the school year! This is a good reminder to check schoology and parentvue regarding your child’s progress. Feel free to reach out to your child’s teacher or counselor if you have questions; however, I always recommend first talking with your child to help them develop their sense of independence, and accountability, as well as their self-advocacy skills.
I hope everyone has a great week. As always, feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns.
Jim
Jim Patrick
Principal
Longfellow Middle School
CALENDAR EVENTS
Kudos to our Parents/Parent Volunteers
I want to share a message of gratitude from the Civics Team to all of the parents and guardians that signed up to be parent volunteers at Finance Park this last couple of weeks. It’s because of you that our students were able to have such a wonderful learning experience there. Thank you for stepping up (or offering to, for those who signed up for the waitlists) and taking time out of all your busy lives to come and support your students while they learn and practice smart personal finance. We appreciate everything all of you do.
A note from the Library
Friday, October 20th was the last day for the In-school BookFair. However, if you are looking for more books or if your student forgot to use their eWallet, you can still order on our BookFair website until Friday, October 27 and our school will receive 25% of the profits!
We are so grateful to our parent volunteers for the time and support in making this endeavor a successful one for Longfellow MS. Thank you once again for supporting the Longfellow Library program.
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Federal Impact Aid Survey: Now Online
FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. To make it easier, the form is now available online in SIS ParentVUE.
Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important because information from this survey results in an additional $3 million in grants each year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.
Once logged in to SIS ParentVUE, click “Online Packets” in the top right corner. Then, select “Federal Impact Aid Survey.” Get more information.
Calendar Update for March 5 Presidential Primary
The Fairfax Board of Elections has requested that schools be closed on Tuesday, March 5, to accommodate the administration of the 2024 presidential primary election. March 5 will be a school holiday for students and a virtual School Planning Day. Central offices and school offices will remain open. SACC will remain open, as it does on other professional work days.
Dyslexia Open House
FCPS will host a Dyslexia Open House on Thursday, October 26, 4-6 p.m., at 8270 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive, Fairfax, Virginia. This event is open to families and staff members who would like to learn more about dyslexia and how FCPS supports students with dyslexia.
For the first hour, participants will have the opportunity to visit tables set up with information from a variety of FCPS offices including the Office of the Ombuds, Office of School Psychology, and the Office of Special Education Instruction. During the second hour, speakers will address the importance of dyslexia awareness and how you can support your student with dyslexia. Please register in advance.
Private School/Program Application Process and Records Requests
We have a process in place to support students who are applying to private schools or programs. Following this process ensures that your student receives required forms and recommendations in a timely manner. Click here to read about the procedure and download the required forms.
Please complete the forms and email them to Dania Paz, teachers, and counselors 2 weeks before the application date. Students should give any staff members they are requesting a recommendation from two weeks advance notice.
If you need a copy of your student’s school records, email our registrar, Dania Paz, at dlpaz@fcps.edu Please contact your student’s counselor if you have any questions.
AFTER SCHOOL CORNER
The Longfellow Rangers Club is led by Kate Carey, a Virginia Master Naturalist. Our outdoor classroom is the property surrounding the school. Using naturalists’ tools we build hands-on skills from animal tracking to tree, wildflower and bird identification. We also study rocks, lichen, and insects. Stop by anytime this year to check us out.
Rangers meet on Wednesdays during 1st Block!
After School Flag Football Tournament - November 2nd- 2:25p.m.
Join us for our end of quarter Flag Football Tournament!
Sign up HERE
PARENT INFORMATION
A message from our PTA:
We are getting so close to reaching our fundraising goal for the Support Excellence Campaign! Thank all the parents who have joined, and all the volunteers who have given their time to the Longfellow PTA. Your support is why we have a tradition of Excellence here at Longfellow.
We are so grateful for the strong partnership between the school and the Longfellow PTA. Funding provided by the PTA goes directly to students and teachers. This support benefits educational initiatives and provides improvements to our classrooms. PTA funding provides:
• Grants and stipends for teachers
• Technology enhancements which positively impact every classroom
• Classroom supplies
• Student recognition and incentive program
• Heritage Night sponsorship
• Teacher and staff development programs
With additional PTA support, we are hoping to upgrade our classroom technology. Our big push this year is to complete the multi-year phase in of modern projectors for every classroom.
Due to LMS PTA support, we are able to have events that bring us together as a community to celebrate our staff, our students, and our diverse community. The PTA also provides speakers to inform on issues that impact our community.
If you have not yet had a chance to become a PTA member, or to donate to the Support Excellence campaign we encourage you to do so. Your donation to the Support Excellence campaign helps to support the tradition of Excellence at LMS and directly impacts every student. To join the Longfellow Middle School PTA email list and receive notices of upcoming PTA events, please sign up for their News You Choose newsletter.
National Drug Take Back Day
DYK-National Drug Take Back Day is October 28th 2023. Visit our Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist Kelly Rankin at Tysons Emergency from 10:00 to 2:00.
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No Place for Hate
Longfellow Middle School believes that having a school community where your child feels safe and respected is an important foundation to their academic success. That is why Longfellow Middle School will once again be participating in No Place for Hate®, a national program supporting schools in their commitment to celebrating diversity, promoting respect for differences, and challenging bias and bullying at all levels. Our school successfully achieved No Place for Hate® designation in the 2022-2023 school year and we are pleased to have renewed this initiative in the 2023-2024 school year.
Developed by the ADL (Anti-Defamation League) – a leading civil rights organization that has worked for over a century to “secure justice and fair treatment to all” – No Place for Hate® will help us incorporate new anti-bias and bullying prevention resources into our existing programs to have one consistent message of inclusivity.
No Place for Hate® resources for families: https://www.adl.org/education-and-resources/resources-for-educators-parents-families.
To learn more or to get involved with No Place for Hate® at Longfellow Middle School, please contact Thaisa York thyork@fcps.edu.
With your help, we will make our school community a safe and welcoming space for all.
Applications Open Today, October 23, for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Middle school students who have an aptitude and passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are encouraged to apply for admission to the Class of 2028 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST).
The application will be available on the TJHSST Admissions Office webpage starting Monday, October 23, at 4 p.m. Applications must be started by 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 15, with a deadline to submit the application by Friday, November 17, at 4 p.m. Visit TJHSST’s webpage for more information.
Upcoming Childhood Immunization Clinics
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Our Schools, Our Future: Community Conversations Kick Off
Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for Our Schools, Our Future: A Community Conversation. Share your thoughts about FCPS and bring your questions to:
• Madison High School on Tuesday, October 24, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
• Liberty Middle School on Wednesday, October 25, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Pre-registration for a Community Conversation is not required but will help us plan. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided for all events based on staff availability.
Events are open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid. Your voice matters!
SERVICE LEARNING - PUMPKIN RELOADING VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Ever wonder what we do with our leftover pumpkins? They are donated to Rikki’s Refuge, a non-kill large animal sanctuary in Orange, VA and are fed to the animals throughout the winter!
Saturday, November 4th 9:45AM – Noon (reloading 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
2.5 hours of Community Service
More information and REGISTER at Pumpkin Reload 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.
🥗New School Lunch Menu Options
FCPS' Food and Nutrition Services team will be rolling out improvements to the menu that better reflect the diversity of our student body and focus on fresh, healthy food. Learn about FCPS’ new menu options.
⚠️Know Our Security Terms
FCPS uses specific terminology to specify the actions school staff and students should take to ensure safety in a variety of situations. It is important for staff, families, and students to understand what the different terms mean and how they impact school operations.
Watch this video to learn more about the definitions of the security terms: lockdown; secure the building; and stay put, stay tuned.
If students, staff, or community members have a safety concern at school (that is not an immediate emergency), they should submit a tip to the FCPS Safety Tipline. In an emergency, please call 9-1-1.
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