Hughes News February 23, 2024

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Dear Langston Hughes Community:

I hope this message finds you well. I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of our recent I See Me in Reston event. It was an evening filled with fashion, food, and fun, and it wouldn't have been possible without the dedication and hard work of Ms. Boger, Mr. Kyle, and our Langston Leadership Council (LLC). Their efforts truly made it a rocking success.

I also want to extend a huge thank you to all the parents for your generous donations and contributions. Your support is invaluable and greatly appreciated.

This week, we've taken steps to ensure that every student has a planner. It's essential that we emphasize to our children the importance of using their planners to keep track of homework, due dates, major projects, student holidays, and more. If your child is in need of a planner, please don't hesitate to reach out to his/her Connection's teacher. Additionally, you should have received your child’s attendance report card. Regular attendance plays a significant role in a student’s success, so please take a moment to review it. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the attendance report card, please feel free to contact our dean, Mr. “G” Abu Ghannam, at saabughannam@fcps.edu. Our goal is to ensure that every child achieves success this semester, and it truly requires a team effort.

Lastly, I want to address a concerning trend we've noticed regarding cell-phone confiscations.  We understand that requiring a parent to pick up a cell phone can potentially be an inconvenience for parents, so help us reiterate FCPS' Away-for-the-Day Policy to your child. Cell phones can cause testing irregularities and other disruptions, so your cooperation in reinforcing this policy is greatly appreciated.

Thank you all for your continued support, understanding, and cooperation. Together, we can continue to make a positive impact on our students' educational journey.

Warm regards,

Principal Mizell


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INFORMATION FROM YOUR ADMINISTRATION TEAM


Tdap and MenACWY  for Rising 7th and 12th Graders

As required by the Code of VA, all students entering 7th grade and 12th grade are required to receive specific immunizations prior to the beginning of school. 

All students entering 7th grade are required to receive one dose of each of the following immunizations: Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis booster (Tdap) given at age 7 or older, and Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) given at age 10 or older.               

All students entering 12th grade are required to receive one dose of Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) administered at age 16 or older. 


High School Curricular Transfer Requests Opened February 1st!

Students who are in the Herndon High School boundary but would like to continue the International Baccalaureate program at South Lakes High School may complete a transfer application and choose the IB program as the reason for transfer. Placement is not guaranteed, but the application must be completed to make the transfer request. Please note that transportation is not provided for high school curricular transfers. This website provides more information and directions for the transfer application: FCPS Student Transfer Information.  The transfer process began on February 1st for curricular programs.

Summer Learning Online Campus Information 

Registration for the FCPS Summer Online Campus has opened. Middle and high school students who meet the course prerequisites can take one online course. Students who have completed a high school math course in person may take an online campus math class. Middle school students who plan to expunge a high school math or Spanish course or those wanting to recover a course credit may take the course again. For more information about summer learning, see https://www.fcps.edu/academics/summer-learning/online-programs  or contact your child's school counselor. 

Academic Advising for the 2024-2025 School Year

Parents/Guardians of current 8th Graders/Rising 9th Graders:

Our current 8th grade/Rising 9th grade South Lakes students completed course selections with their South Lakes counselors this week. Parents/guardians can review course selections in SIS by selecting “Course Request” in SIS ParentVUE. You should see that students have selected the following:

·         A math course (i.e., Algebra, Geometry, or Algebra 2)

·         World History and Geography 2 OR World History and Geography 2 Honors

·         Environmental Science OR Biology 1 OR Biology 1 Honors

·         English 9 or English 9 Honors

·         Health and Physical Education 9

·         A world language OR an elective

·         An elective

This Course Request will also indicate alternate elective requests.

If students would like to make changes to their South Lakes course requests, they must make changes using the Rising 9 Course Selection Changes SY24-25. This form will be locked at the end of the school day on Friday, March 8th!

If your student has an IEP, be on the lookout for an invitation to a high school transition meeting. If your student is slated for Herndon High School, students met with Herndon counselors on January 11th and brought home a course selection sheet. Students not attending South Lakes or students who were absent and unable to meet with their counselor are meeting with a LHMS counselor for 1:1 course selection. If they are planning to request a transfer to South Lakes, the high school curricular transfer request form opened on February 1, 2024. Find information here: https://www.fcps.edu/registration/student-transfer-information  

Parents/Guardians of current 7th Graders:

Langston Hughes counselors met with 7th grade students this week for academic advising. Students brought home a course selection sheet. Parents/guardians will complete the course selection sheets with students and sign and return. Students should return the completed and signed course selection sheets to their history teachers no later than Friday, March 1, 2024. We will enter course selections in SIS and notify you when you can view course requests in SIS ParentVUE and SIS StudentVUE under the “Course Request” tab.

 For more information about academic advising and course selection for the 2024-2025 school year, please visit our Langston Hughes website: https://hughesms.fcps.edu/index.php/registration and contact our Director of Student Services, Michele Beard, at mbeard@fcps.edu or your student’s counselor with questions.

 


Understanding High School Mathematics Course Offerings

How can students participate in mathematics throughout high school in a way that is relevant to and supportive of post-secondary and career interests?

During this session we will discuss mathematics graduation requirements and how to support students in navigating the various course offerings currently available in FCPS.

Students and their families may start thinking about what course pathways are available beginning in middle school. Join us to learn more.

Presented by Jennifer Allard FCPS High School Math Specialist and Erin Sylves FCPS Math Specialist.

March 8, 2024, 10-11:30 a.m. Add to Your Calendar

Register for Understanding High School Mathematics Course Offerings


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For Rising 9th Graders:

College Partnership Program Application Season is now open! Closes March 15,2024

The College Partnership Program is designed to systematically mitigate the impact of barriers to access, opportunity, and attainment and supports students who are from populations that are historically underrepresented on college campuses including:

  • Students who are the first in family to attend college in the U.S
  • Students with disabilities
  • English language learners
  • Economically disadvantaged students

The application deadline is March 15, 2024.

Here is the link to the online application: tinyurl.com/CPPAPP2024. Students will need to log in to their G Suite account to complete the online application.

Students will not need to submit their transcripts, or do not need to request a letter of recommendation.

Reminders:

  1. Students will apply online.
  2. Online Applications:
  • Students are required to complete the application and the two (2) writing samples.
  • Students’ progress will be saved if they log in with their student id.
  • Students can only fill out the form once.
  • Student will receive a copy of their submission which will allow them to edit their responses.
  • Students can make edits up until March 14, 2024.

 Instructions for Writing Samples: Please write a passage no longer than 150 words for each question below.

·         If we were to ask your closest friend(s) what your outstanding personal qualities are, what would they say and why? (150 words).

·         What are your short and/or long-term college and career goals? How or why do you need the College Partnership Program to support your high school journey?

Instructions (150 Words).

If you have any questions about this College Partnership process or need assistance, please speak with your child’s school counselor.


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7th Grade Science Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE)

March 18-21, 2024

The Langston Hughes Science 7 Team invites you to join your student and their classmates as you chaperone a small group of students for our annual Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) -- an exciting scientific investigation of the stream valley next to the school in support of our Environmental Science curriculum.

Every year, 7th grade students dive into the details of water quality indicators and the health of their watershed as they explore the many factors that affect our local stream (which flows to the source of our area's drinking water!).

Volunteering Details

We are seeking many volunteers each day to function as chaperones to small groups of students for this (roughly) half-day field experience. Your group will visit a rotation of six educational stations located in and around the stream valley near school, and they will collect data to investigate water chemistry, biodiversity, pollution, land use, and more! The volunteer duties will involve walking on paved paths and will be all-outdoors event. We would love it if you could stay and help all day, but feel free to volunteer for part of the day, if that is what your schedule will allow.

More information about specific volunteer duties will be published here later, so check back often. It is guaranteed to be a fun and memorable day of outdoor scientific investigation.

Please review. available slots below and click on the button to sign up.

Sign Up Genius for MWEE

Please note:  The greatest need is for chaperones on March 18, 19 and 21.  March 21 is just set aside as a rain date if one of the other MWEE days is rained out. 

Contact Kim Schauer at kdschauer@fcps.edu with questions.

Thank you!


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Order your Langston Hughes Yearbook for 2023-2024! We sold out last year so get yours before they are gone!

The cost is $30.00 and may be pre-ordered online through May 4th.

Where to order: www.yearbookordercenter.com, enter our school code  (13926)

Questions? Please email Ms. Kerze – jmkerze@fcps.edu


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We are excited to announce that Panther Preview will take place August 5th - 6th from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.  Panther Preview is a great way to start the journey of becoming a Langston Hughes Middle School Panther. 

As we welcome students to the Langston Hughes family, students will participate in activities designed to acclimate them to the middle school, build confidence, motivate academic excellence, and form community. We hope to see you there!  It’s a GREAT time to be a Panther!   Should you have questions/concerns, contact our after-school specialist, Mr. Kyle Franklin at FMKyle1@fcps.edu.

Panther Preview Registration Link:  https://forms.gle/YiW8j1p8bDfAs3AT9


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We are very excited to announce Spring Track & Field interscholastic competition at the middle school level!  This program will start in March, but students and parents will need to complete several steps prior to participating in middle school sports, including:

 The anticipated Competition Schedule:

When?

4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/4, (5/11)

7:30 (arrival) - 1:30 (depart)

Where?

Meets will be on HS campuses.

1 meet per site (8-10 schools per meet)

 

Please submit all forms to the main office in care of Mr. G or Mr. Kyle.

We look forward to an exciting season!


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South Lakes High School is presenting an IB information session for rising 9th graders on Wednesday, March 13, from 3:15pm to 4:15 pm. Students will learn about the IB Middle Years, Diploma, and Career-related programs from the people who really know the ins and outs of the IB program at South Lakes High School – our fabulous IB students.  Interested 8th grade students should sign up herehttps://forms.gle/xf3sKCsL2jxiUoRm8.  We look forward to meeting our future Seahawks!


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SOUTH LAKES CHEERLEADING

Calling all rising 9th graders! Interested in trying out for the South Lakes Cheerleading program? If so, please fill out the following online interest form to be added to our email list:  https://forms.gle/dfVJ6YCK37sDqGjNA  Those on our email distribution list will receive information throughout the spring/summer regarding the upcoming season.

A little bit about our program: South Lakes Cheerleading is both a sideline and competitive program. When we are not on the track cheering on the SLHS Football team on game nights, we are practicing for our own District, Region, and State competitions! We have two teams: JV and Varsity that both begin on Aug. 5th and runs through early/mid November. 

We welcome all levels of experience and hope to meet you soon!

If you have any questions at all feel free to email Coach Slaight at:  raslaight@fcps.edu

SOUTH LAKES DANCE TEAM

The South Lakes Dance Team is excited to be holding our 23-24 tryouts from June 20-22! If you are interested in trying out, please fill out this interest form and we will add you to our email list: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScxxjrr0_SHgwYhj5QdDB0lJHrJ-Kac1pBxZUpWs8VrisgGaQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

We will be sending out communication about our interest meeting, tryouts, and eligibility requirements through the email list.

The South Lakes Dance Team performs at Football games, Basketball games, pep rallies, and various other school events. We also compete regionally and sometimes even nationally! We love cheering on the Seahawks and promoting school spirit in the community. South Lakes currently has only a Varsity level Dance Team, but we encourage dancers of all skill levels to tryout! We will also be holding a pre-tryout skills clinic on April 13th.

Please email Coach McDermott at chmcdermott@fcps.edu with any questions.

SLHS Seahawk CO-ED Golf Meeting For Rising Freshmen

Is your student-athlete interested in playing for the Seahawk Co-ed Golf Team? Tryouts are projected to begin July 31 and the regular season runs through mid-September. Email Coach Anderson at kanderson3@fcps.edu for more information.

SOUTH LAKES FOOTBALL

Calling all rising 9th graders!  Are you:

-Bigger than most people?  -Faster than your friends?  -Tougher than most others?

If you answered yes to one or more of those questions then we are interested in you trying out for the South Lakes Football Program! No prior experience required!

Hurry and fill out the following online interest form to be added to our contact list: 

https://forms.gle/k42fdTRaDiEYhpkdA

Those on our email distribution list will receive information throughout the spring/summer regarding the upcoming season. 

A little bit about our program: 

South Lakes Football has three levels in our program; Freshmen, Junior Varsity, and Varsity.  Our season officially begins on July 29th, but the JV and Varsity teams are already preparing for our next season and so should you too! 

We welcome all levels of experience and hope to meet you soon!

If you have any questions at all feel free to email Coach Hescock at:  jrhescock@fcps.edu

 SOUTH LAKES GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

Calling all rising 9th graders! Interested in trying out for the South Lakes Girls Volleyball program?

For additional questions please email DSA Andrew Duggan at amduggan@fcps.edu

SOUTH LAKES FIELD HOCKEY

Calling all rising 9th graders! Interested in trying out for the South Lakes Field Hockey program.   For additional questions please email Coach Mueller at: almueller@fcps.edu


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February 19 - President's Day - Schools and Offices Closed

March 5 - Student Holiday - School Planning Day

March 25 - 29 - Spring Break