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Dear Lancers:
I again enjoyed attending our cross country meet on Saturday morning, this time at Herndon Middle School. Our boys’ team won their race with our top boys finishing 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th in the race! Our girls were also impressive by finishing 3rd overall among all the schools competing. Congratulations to all of our Longfellow athletes on their races and good luck next week at our meet at Key Middle School!
Additionally, this weekend our Quiz Bowl team competed in the Georgetown Day School tournament with great success. The A Team—Ellen Peng, Zafyr Rahman, Amelie Tang, and Andrew Tao—took first place overall, while the B Team—Mario Fernandez Granda, Wesley Holland, Eric Yuan, and Zelman Zhang—placed seventh. Both teams have qualified for the National Tournament! Special congratulations to Zafyr Rahman for earning first place individually, and to Zelman Zhang for also medaling in individual competition.
As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns. I appreciate your ongoing support and partnership.
Chris Butzer
Principal
Longfellow MS
UPCOMING EVENTS
November 6: Symphonic Band Fall Concert at McLean HS
@ 7:00pm
November 6: Retakes & Makeup Picture Day
November 7: McLean Pyramid Choral Concert at McLean HS
@ 7:00pm
November 11: Veteran’s Day-Holiday
November 17-21: Youth Survey Administered
November 18: Fall Choral Concert
@ 7:00pm
November 20-22: Fall Play Performance-School Daze
November 26-28: Holiday-Thanksgiving Break
Schedule for the next two weeks
DETAILS ON UPCOMING EVENTS
Retake and makeup photo day is on Thursday, November 6, 2025
We would like to be sure we photograph any student who would like a retake, while we prioritize new students and students who were not able to make the original session.
www.vosphoto.com/retakes
Students who have not previously ordered can still place a preorder for retake day using the link below:
https://shop.imagequix.com/g1001273770
Coming Soon: Youth Survey
The Fairfax County Youth Survey, a collaboration between the Fairfax County School Board and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, is a comprehensive, anonymous, and voluntary survey given each year to students in grades 6, 8, 10 and 12. The survey examines behaviors, experiences, and other factors that influence the health and well-being of Fairfax County's youth. The results, published each year at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/youthsurvey, identify trends and areas of need, providing a snapshot of the county's youth and serving as a barometer of the community's effectiveness in fostering healthy choices in young people.
Longfellow MS will be administering the Youth Survey the week of November 17-November 21.
While it is our hope that as many students as possible will participate, if you do not wish for your child to take part in the Youth Survey, please complete the linked form and return it to your child's school counselor or using the Parental Digital Consent Portal no later than November 6, 2025. If you have already opted your child out of this survey using the Parental Digital Consent Portal, you do not need to complete the attached form. If you are opting your child out of the Youth Survey please feel free to email Aidan Vigil at aavigil@fcps.edu.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
⚠️Student Impact: Important Information About Virginia SOL Changes and Accountability
It is important that families are aware of the startling impact that new SOL cut scores (what number indicates proficiency in a subject) will have on our students. When looking at FCPS pass rates, 26% of our students who passed their math SOL in the spring of 2025 would no longer be considered passing if they took the same test with these new cut scores. For reading, it’s 28% fewer students.
During the October 23 School Board meeting, Dr. Reid shared some of the impacts that the Virginia Board of Education’s proposed changes will have on our students. For our students in younger grades, these changes signal that their achievement now falls short, which can harm their beliefs about themselves as learners and future school success.
These changes aren’t about raising expectations for our children, they simply move the finish line for students. Raising expectations means we change the learning experience for our students, something FCPS is deeply committed to as is evidenced by our focus on increasing access to high school mathematics courses in elementary and middle school and ensuring all students have access to rigorous high school courses that prepare them for the future.
The Virginia Board of Education will be taking action on the plan to implement the changes to cut scores on November 13. Community members are able to provide feedback on these changes through November 6. The state will also host a listening session for families on November 5 from 5:30-6:30pm where you can share your thoughts. You can join the the listening session with this information:
Link to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 230 998 444 924 3
Passcode: ui9mv9Nz
There are also several legislative changes that will take effect in the 2026-27 school year including additional requirements for SOL testing and requiring SOL testing results to count as a portion of the students final grade in middle and high school. In addition to these cut score changes, the state is also changing how they measure schools. This means that many Virginia families will now see their schools marked as failing. Superintendent Reid explains more in this short video and greater detail can be found on the FCPS website. We will continue to keep our community informed about these state changes that will have an impact on our students and our schools.
You still have time to submit your survey!
Please help FCPS get the funding we are eligible for by completing the Impact Aid survey today.
The Federal Impact Aid program provides money to districts that enroll federally connected students. Help FCPS secure funding from the Impact Aid Program by helping us identify:
• Military families.
• Federally connected families.
• Families living on a military base.
Please complete one form for each child in your household. Remember that only the enrolling parent can fill out the Impact Aid Survey form.
For families without access to ParentVUE, a paper copy of the form will be sent home with your student starting November 12. Your information will be kept strictly confidential.
Your support will ensure that we receive the resources for which we are eligible.
Step 1: CLICK HERE to be taken to SIS ParentVUE. If you don’t have a SIS ParentVUE account, contact your child’s school for an activation letter.
Step 2: After you’ve logged into your ParentVue Account, look for the ‘Online Packets’ link at the top of the page. Click ‘Online Packets’.
Step 3: Next, click the ‘Federal Impact Aid Survey’ button on the bottom of the page. This will take you to the Impact Aid Survey for you to complete.
If you have multiple children in Fairfax County Public Schools, please fill out a form for each child. You will know you have completed all of the forms when you get to the final page, and see a green check next to each of their names.
Impact of Federal Shutdown on Local Community
Fairfax County is home to around 80,000 federal employees and thousands of federal contractors. Its Federal Workforce Resource Hub is intended to help navigate current and future issues for residents, government employees, active military/veterans, contractors, nonprofits and businesses who may be affected by actions, changes, or disruptions to federal services or employment.
Community Resources for Families in Need
Through partnerships with community-based organizations and other Fairfax County agencies, Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) provides information, referrals, and advocacy to help individuals connect with services, including: basic needs (food, shelter, clothing), financial assistance, health care services, and referrals to services and resources.
Visit the CSP website or call 703-222-0880 for assistance.
How to Access or Donate Food to Those in Need
View the Emergency Food Access Providers webpage to see where to access food or donate to your local food bank.
Transportation Information
If your student’s bus is delayed, you may access the Bus Delay Notification System or use the Here Comes the Bus mobile app to receive the delayed bus report. Email messages will be sent to announce significant bus delays. Please contact the Transportation Office at 703-249-7100 with any additional questions. If your student is at their bus stop and the bus is significantly delayed, they can call the school at 703-533-2600. For concerns after 5:30 p.m., contact the FCPS Office of Safety and Security at 571-423-2000.
AFTER SCHOOL CORNER
The first quarter has been a success for our after-school program! We’ve had an average of 230–300 students staying after school Monday through Thursday. Our new clubs—Art, Dungeons & Dragons, Magic, and Pokémon—have been a big hit!
Looking ahead to the second quarter, the after-school schedule will include a few updates and exciting new clubs—stay tuned for details coming soon. The new schedule will begin on Monday, November 10th.
Student Highlights
Our Cross-Country team had a strong showing this past weekend! The boys’ team finished with standout performances from Declan Nguyen (2nd), Brendan Ladislaw (3rd), Yash Shivani (4th), and Miles Dorsky (5th). The girls’ team placed 3rd overall, with Olivia Cho and Riya Alalsundaram finishing in the top 10. Way to go, runners!
The Longfellow Quiz Bowl team also had an incredible weekend at the Georgetown Day School tournament. The A Team—Ellen Peng, Zafyr Rahman, Amelie Tang, and Andrew Tao—took first place overall, while the B Team—Mario Fernandez Granda, Wesley Holland, Eric Yuan, and Zelman Zhang—placed seventh. Both teams have qualified for the National Tournament!
Special congratulations to Zafyr Rahman for earning first place individually, and to Zelman Zhang for also medaling in individual competition.
Longfellow PTA – Support Excellence!
💻 Website Project
We have four interested student volunteers—amazing! Now we need one Parent Lead to help stand up a clean, easy-to-use PTA website. Web savvy is helpful but not required—you can learn alongside the kids!
Interested? Email Andrea at andrea.havens@gmail.com
⭐ Membership
We’re at 102 members—halfway to our goal!
If you haven’t joined yet, please do—your membership directly supports our students and staff.
Join via Givebacks today!
💛 Support Excellence Campaign
We’ve raised $2,500 and counting—thank you! Your gifts will support:
• Restoring the Rain Garden & courtyard for classroom use
• Recess activities (balls, board games, and more)
• Classroom supplies for teachers
• Coffee & snacks in teacher workrooms
Donate via Givebacks - every dollar helps.
🙋 Parent Volunteers Needed
We are seeking co-chairs for:
• Teacher Appreciation Week (May)
• 8th Grade Class Party (June)
To volunteer, please contact Weina Dorsky, VP of Programs:
wfdorsky@gmail.com
McLean High School Band Fruit Sale 🍊🎺
Support our award-winning McLean High School Bands! Great gifts for yourself and for others!
This year’s Fruit Sale includes:
• Navel Oranges
• Mandarin Oranges
• Grapefruit
• Fruit Samplers
Order now through November 25.
Pick-up is December 12, 9:00 AM–1:00 PM at McLean High School.
(No shipping available.)
Order Online: https://www.floridafruitstore.com/McLeanHSBand
PARENT INFORMATION
McLean Pyramid Family Food Giveaway
McLean High School will be partnering with Wegmans Tysons Food Rescue to host a Family Food Giveaway on Sunday, November 9th from 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM. Food packs containing microwavable dinners, fresh meat, fruits, vegetables, and dry cereals will be available for pickup at the McLean High School Cafeteria (1633 Davidson Rd. McLean, VA 22101 Door #9).
For more information, please contact Ericka Senegar: esenegar@fcps.edu.
FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards Program Nominations
Each year, FCPS looks to honor several staff members for outstanding excellence in their roles. Nominate here!
- Outstanding Teacher (has at least 3 years of experience)
- Outstanding New Teacher (within their first three years)
- Outstanding New Principal (are within their first three years as a building Principal)
- Outstanding School Leader (has completed at least 1 year as an Assistant Principal, Director of Student Activities, or Director of Student Services)
- Outstanding Professional Employee (Counselor, Psychologist, Social Worker, College & Career Center Specialist, Systems of Support Advisor (SoSA), School Based Technology Specialist (SBTS), Technology Support Specialist (TSSpec), Instructional Coach, Assessment Coach, Special Education Department Chair, Assistant Director of Student Activities (ADSA), Athletic Trainer, Safety & Security Specialist)
- Outstanding Operational Employee (Administrative and Office Assistants, Finance Technician, Student Services Registrar, Custodial Staff, Operating Engineer, Food Service Staff, Instructional Assistant, Family Liaison, Safety & Security Assistant)
We believe that our staff is truly exceptional and that the work we do for our students deserves celebration beyond our school. Nominate through this link.
Our Longfellow winners will be submitted for consideration at the pyramid, region, and division levels.
You do not have to nominate for all categories.
You are asked to write a short paragraph explaining how your nominee meets or exceeds the criteria for the award.
Thank you for celebrating the wonderful work done at Longfellow MS by highlighting some of our amazing staff members!
The deadline to submit a nomination has been extended to Monday, November 10, 2025.
If you have any questions, please contact Tara Fortune at tdfortune@fcps.edu.
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