Monday, May 6, 2024 Lancer Times

Monday, May 6, 2024


Lancers-

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week! I would like to thank our dedicated staff for all of their hard work and dedication. We are very lucky here to have such a great group of teachers. Our teachers are a key ingredient in making Longfellow such a special place. I would also like to take a moment to thank the PTA for all of their efforts making our teachers feel truly special this week!

Jim

Jim Patrick
Principal
Longfellow Middle School


CALENDAR EVENTS

Calendar events

 

Bike, Walk & Roll to School Day

Wednesday, May 8th is the annual Bike, Walk & Roll to School Day. We are encouraging all our Lancers, who are able, to bike, walk and roll to school. There are many benefits to active transport such as developing healthier habits, contributing to a cleaner environment, promoting pedestrian safety, and building a stronger sense of community. If you would like to learn more, please check out the Walk, Bike & Roll to School website: https://www.walkbiketoschool.org/learn-more/why-walkbike/.

We hope to see you out there!


AFTER SCHOOL CORNER

Last day of after school activities and late buses is Thursday, May 30th.


IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Parent Permission to Retest, Spring Standards of Learning (SOL) Tests

The Virginia Board of Education allows certain elementary and middle school students who fail Standards of Learning (SOL) tests by a narrow margin to retake the test before the end of the school year. Retesting is available when a student fails their first attempt with a score of 375-399. (A score of 400 is considered passing for SOL tests).

Parent/guardian permission is required for the school to retest any student in grades 3-8. If you believe that your student would benefit from a second opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills on the spring SOL test, please complete this permission form and submit it to the school. A decision not to allow retesting will not impact your student's course grade or academic record.

See the notification of testing letter at https://www.fcps.edu/node/42716 for more information about the SOL tests given in grades 3-8.

Let's Finish the School Year Strong!

Student attendance at school is important all year long, up to the last day of school. Attendance has an effect on student performance and on school accreditation. See how to:

     • Check your child’s attendance record.
     • Help your student stay engaged at school.
     • Report future absences.
     • Understand the FCPS school calendar.

Learn more about attendance resources.

Required Immunizations for Rising 7th and 12th Graders

Immunizations are required for all students entering 7th and 12th grades this fall. Visit the FCPS immunization webpage to learn about the required vaccines.

Caregivers should ask their private healthcare provider or the health department to review their student's immunization record to ensure that their student has received these required immunizations.

It is important to schedule immunizations early in the summer, as seventh-grade students must submit documentation of the Tdap and Meningococcal vaccines before they begin school in August. Twelfth-grade students must submit documentation of the Meningococcal vaccine.

Get more information on all student immunization requirements.

Immunization Clinics

immunization clinics

PARENT INFORMATION

IMAGINE / Young Scholars Programs at Longfellow this Summer!!

This year Longfellow Middle School will host three middle schools: Glasgow Middle School, Kilmer Middle School and Longfellow Middle School.

The IMAGINE summer program will be located at Longfellow Middle School and is a FREE AND FUN summer experience which provides opportunities for students to enhance their math, literacy, and STEM skills through developing the FCPS Portrait of a Graduate attributes as an effective communicator, collaborator, critical and creative thinker, goal-directed, resilient and global & ethical citizen.

The Young Scholars summer program will be located at Longfellow Middle School. Young Scholars provides academic enrichment to students with high academic abilities from groups historically underserved in advanced academics. Students will engage in enrichment curriculum experiences designed to develop their critical and creative thinking and problem-solving skills. Students will work together to learn about a topic and create a product to present to an audience at the end. During the program, students will:

     • THINK and problem solve.
     • Be CREATIVE and INNOVATIVE
     • COLLABORATE
     • Build on TALENTS and STRENGTHS
     • MEET other Young Scholars

SPACE IS LIMITED. Registration is done on a first come, first serve basis. Use this registration link for all students interested!

Community Forums on Middle School Start Times

FCPS 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. Register for an in-person forum by clicking on one of the following dates:

     • 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.

A virtual forum will be held on Monday, May 13, 6:30-8 p.m. That registration link will be available soon.

While registration is not required, it does help with planning. Language interpretation and childcare will be provided. Learn more about the project exploring middle school start times.

MHS Boot Camp - 7/8-10 & 7/22-24

MHS Boot Camp for Rising 9th grade and 10th grade students taking advanced coursework for the 2024-2025 academic year
Boot Camp is an interactive leadership conference where students discuss and practice the qualities required for success in college and in the corporate world. This program is targeted for students who are taking their first AP class. This event will focus on developing five attributes: Teamwork, Communication, Organization, Reading, and Problem Solving (T-CORPS). These skills are those that are most desired by Fortune 500 firms. This hands-on program will actively engage students in the development and use of these skills, while demonstrating their importance.
To go with the military boot camp theme, students will divide into platoons and compete in tasks that will allow them to build and demonstrate these skills. After each task, students will reflect upon their performance and discuss how they can improve.

Boot Camp has four goals:
     1. Introduce students to the unique academic challenges of AP coursework.
     2. Guide students in skill development with focus on teamwork, communication, organization, reading, and problem solving.
     3. Discuss the practical application of these skills inside and outside the classroom.
     4. Provide opportunities for students to develop a support network with their peers.

Please note: Only students enrolled in the 9th and 10th grade at McLean High School for the 2024 - 2025 school year are eligible for the MHS AP Boot Camp Program. Please complete the electronic form below to reserve a spot. Please complete the Emergency Care Form and email it to mcleanhighschool@fcps.edu by July 5 to complete your registration; Emergency Care Forms are located HERE.

Session 1: Monday, July 8, 2024 - Wednesday, July 10, 2024
Session 2: Monday, July 22, 2024 - Wednesday, July 24, 2024 Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Location: McLean High School Registration Link If you have any questions, please email jbarham@fcps.edu.

Orchestra Camp

Exciting news! SoCo Summer Strings is returning this summer! The camp will be hosted at South County Middle School from July 8-19, 8:30am-12:30pm, weekdays only.

Camp is open to all rising 5th-9th grade students with at least one year of experience on the violin, viola, cello, or bass. Students will participate in two large ensemble rehearsals, an instrument-specific technique class, and a sectional each day.

You can find more information and registration for camp at www.schsorchestra.org/soco-summer-strings. Early registration is from March 1-June 9, so reserve your student’s spot soon!