Monday, April 8, 2024 Lancer Times

Monday, April 8, 2024


Lancers-

I wanted to take this opportunity to share that our very own Ms. Kate Safian was named Outstanding New Secondary Teacher of the Year for Region 2. Ms. Safian is in her 2nd year with FCPS and Longfellow MS, and teaches in our Math Department. She has done an amazing job at Longfellow in creating engaging and innovative lessons. We are all so excited for Ms. Safian’s recognition. She is now in the running for Outstanding New Secondary Teacher of the Year for all of FCPS. Congratulations and good luck, Ms. Safian!

Thanks,

Jim

Jim Patrick
Principal
Longfellow Middle School

Region 2 new teacher secondary

Longfellow Science Olympiad Team Wins 18th State Tournament!

The Longfellow Science Olympiad team won its 18th Virginia State Tournament this past weekend at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. The team won decisively with gold medals in 12 events and 19 top-5 finishes in the 23 scored events!

The following students are members of the team: Tala A., Cleary C., Anna C., Ben C., Mohan E., Benjamin G., Molly H., Karrie H., Gavin K., Myra K., Chaemin K., Lauren K., Noah K., Alex L., Joshua L., Linda L., Yanling L., Knox M., Timothy O., Charlie P., Nikitha R., Juliet S., Neel S., Edward S., Andrew T., Grant X., Anne Z., Elaine Z., Emma Z., and Michael Z.

We are proud of you, Longfellow Science Olympiad!

Please wish the team GOOD LUCK as they prepare to compete in the National Tournament at Michigan State University next month!

Science Olympiad team

CALENDAR EVENTS

Calendar events
National library week

National Library Week

April is School Library Month and it's a great time to celebrate the essential role that school librarians play in the lives of students. School librarians ensure students have access to a wide variety of high-quality books and resources that connect them to the world and build a culture of literacy. Librarians develop lessons that are meaningful to students and help them develop critical thinking, inquiry, and information literacy skills. They support learning across all subject areas by teaching students the skills to be independent problem-solvers and creative thinkers. By creating a safe environment for all students to be engaged and curious learners, FCPS libraries are places where everyone belongs. We are fortunate and privileged to have two awesome librarians, Ms. Saladino & Ms.Hoyle! Thank you for all that you do for our school community!

Take a moment to learn more about FCPS Library Programs and share your appreciation for our awesome librarians, Ms. Saladino & Ms. Hoyle!

Purple Up! Day

Purple Up! Day (Month of the Military Child) - April 17, 2024

Longfellow Middle School is gearing up to honor and celebrate its military-connected youth in April, the Month of the Military Child and on Purple Up! Day!

This year, Virginia will celebrate Purple Up! Day on Wednesday, April 17. Purple Up! Day is a special day for communities to come together and wear purple as a visible gesture of support for our military-connected youth and their families. Purple symbolizes the combined colors of all branches of the military. All school faculty, staff, and students are welcome to join the celebration and wear PURPLE to school on Wednesday, April 17th.

Wearing the color PURPLE highlights our gratitude and appreciation for our 14,000 military-connected students and their families In Fairfax County Public Schools. #PurpleUpFCPS!

Autism acceptance month

Autism Acceptance Month

April is Autism Acceptance Month. One in 44 children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder in the United States, according to the CDC. Our schools and staff play a vital role in creating and ensuring inclusive environments that accommodate and affirm autistic students.


AFTER SCHOOL CORNER

Longfellow vs Cooper Basketball Game

Basketball Double Header - Longfellow Girls and Boys vs Cooper Girls and Boys
April 17th, 2024, at McLean High School 6p.m. Tickets can be purchased on myschoolbucks. Tickets will sell out for this event. Tickets will not be sold at the door.

Soccer Tournament

LMS students will participate in a soccer tournament against other local middle schools. This event will take place at Luther Jackson Middle School on Friday, April 26th at 5p.m. Students can sign up to participate using the google form on schoology.

Girls Basketball Camp

McLean Girls Basketball Camp will be held at Longfellow Middle this summer!

McLean girls basketball camp

4th Quarter After-School

We started our fourth quarter after school program today. You can find the schedule here.


IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Longfellow MS Meditation & Silent Reflection Space

FCPS has developed Regulation 1502 to ensure all students and staff have reasonable accommodation and access to meditation and silent reflection spaces within the school division. The regulation provides guidance for schools on how to manage requests for silent reflection during instructional and non-instructional time, and for students to leave school for religious activities.

These spaces are for individuals to engage in prayer, meditation, or silent reflection, inclusive of their religious or non-religious beliefs. Parents and/or caregivers must provide written permission for students requesting to miss instructional time on a regular basis. Please use this Google Form to give permission for their child to utilize the meditation and silent reflection space during instructional times.

View Regulation 1502. Visit FCPS' Religious Accommodations in Schools for Students webpage for more information.


PARENT INFORMATION

Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) School Health Services Internal Survey

The Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) employs school health aides and public health nurses who provide school health services to the students in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS).

To determine the quality of these services, a survey has been developed by the FCHD to be shared with all parents or guardians of FCPS students. Parents/guardians will be asked for feedback on the level of satisfaction with School Health services provided to the school community. The survey will be distributed electronically via FCPS This Week. The survey window is April 15 - April 26, 2024.

Survey link: www.redcap.link/FCHDSchoolHealthSurvey.

Survey results will provide a basis for quality improvement of School Health services. The data-driven process is in alignment with the FCPS Strategic planning process, and the survey results will contribute positively to the FCPS Strategic Plan that reflects a shared consensus among stakeholders.

Call For Career Day Speakers

We're excited to announce Longfellow's Career Day on Friday, May 17, 2024. This is a fantastic opportunity for our middle school students to explore different career paths and gain valuable insights from professionals like you. Please consider joining us to share your career experiences.

To volunteer, please complete this form by Friday, April 12, 2024.
Email any questions to Julie Ricker jmricker@fcps.edu. We appreciate your support and look forward to partnering with you to make Career Day a success!

P.S. Please share the link with any friends or family members who might be interested in volunteering. Thank you!

Athletic Physicals for Middle School Sports

Athletic physicals are required for middle and high school student-athletes. Beginning May 1, 2024, FCPS high schools will offer athletic pre-participation physical exams for students interested in middle school sports during the 2024-25 school year. These events serve as the primary fundraiser for our high school athletic training programs and each exam costs $50. Rising middle school students are eligible to receive a physical at no cost although donations to the HS athletic training program are welcomed.

Pre-registration is highly encouraged; walk-in appointments may not be available. You can register here: Student registration. Once your registration is received, the school’s athletic trainer will contact you to confirm your appointment time. Athletic physical exams must be completed on this form: FCPS Middle School Sports Athletic Participation/Parental Consent/Physical Examination Form (PPE).

If you are a medical professional (MD, DO, NP, PA, ATC, PT, EMT, etc.) interested in volunteering your time in support of these events, please register to help out: Volunteer registration.

Community Forums on Middle School Start Times

Fairfax County Public Schools is exploring options for adjusting middle school start times and invites the public to be part of the process. All forums will deliver the same presentation and provide the same feedback opportunities. Please attend the event that works best for your schedule:
Monday, April 29, 6-8 p.m., at Glasgow Middle School.
Monday, May 6, 6-8 p.m., at Whitman Middle School.
Monday, May 20, 6-8 p.m., at Hughes Middle School.
Wednesday, May 22, 6-8 p.m., at Frost Middle School.

Registration is not required but does help with planning. Click one of the dates above to register. Language interpretation and childcare will be provided. Learn more about the project exploring middle school start times.