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November 7, 2025
Happy Friday, Panthers!
The first quarter is officially in the books, and I couldn’t be prouder of our students’ hard work and growth. This quarter, report cards will be mailed to each student’s home. Families of students who earned Honor Roll distinction will soon receive an RSVP email (sent to the enrolling parent’s address) for our upcoming celebration on Friday, November 21st; stay tuned!
A special shout-out to our students who qualified for the 1st Quarter Panther Party. It was a huge success! Students had a great time celebrating their achievements. Participation is earned by demonstrating our POWER traits—Punctual, Ownership, Welcoming, Engaged, and Respectful, especially for consistently arriving to class on time and maintaining a positive discipline record. That’s what it means to be a model Panther – or show significant growth.
This week, our School Counselors led important lessons on bullying prevention, which were very well received by students. At Langston Hughes, we encourage both students and parents to notify administration immediately if they suspect bullying. We can only address concerns when we’re aware of them.
Finally, please note that a crossing guard is stationed at the intersection of Ridge Heights Road and Seahawks Drive. Due to the stop-and-go traffic in the Kiss and Ride area, we ask parents to remind students to use the crosswalk at this intersection. This ensures students can cross safely with the help of the crossing guard. Thank you for helping us keep our Panthers safe! I look forward to seeing you at our PTA meeting on Monday, November 10th. Have a wonderful weekend!
With Panther Pride,
Principal Mizell
Langston Hughes Middle School Outstanding Employee Awards 25-26
Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Employee Awards! To submit a nomination for an Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through this Google form link:
Hughes Outstanding Employee Awards 25-26
You may nominate one employee at our school or multiple employees (one individual may only nominate one employee per category). All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in one more of the criteria for that award category. The google-form link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards. The eligibility categories are as follows: Outstanding Teacher, Outstanding New Teacher, Outstanding Principal, Outstanding School-Based Leader, Outstanding School-Based Professional Employee, and Outstanding School-Based Operational Employee.
The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, November 7, 2025.
If you have any questions, please contact Sharon Duncan-Hudspeth at sdduncanhuds@fcps.edu.
 IMPORTANT DATES
PTA Meeting: Monday, November 10, 2025 at 7 p.m.
No School/ Holiday (Veteran's Day): Tuesday, November 11, 2025
1st Quarter Honor Roll Celebration: Friday, November 21, 2025
First Quarter Report Cards
Your student’s 1st quarter report card will be available in ParentVUE on November 10. Our 1st quarter Honor Roll is November 21. Families will receive an electronic invitation with event details next week. Paper report cards will also be sent home in the mail, unless you have selected the “paperless” option in ParentVUE. Both parents living in the same household must select “paperless”, otherwise the report card will be sent by mail.
Paperless Report Cards
We’re excited to offer you a more environmentally friendly and expedient option for receiving your child’s report cards: Go Paperless!
By choosing to go paperless, you'll be able to:
- Access report cards directly in ParentVUE with just a few clicks.
- Reduce wait time in seeing your child’s report card.
Here's how you can opt-in:
- Log into ParentVUE, click on "My Account," and select “Go Paperless.”
- All parents/guardians living with the student at the same address must have an active SIS ParentVUE account to opt-in.
- Once selected, the “Go Paperless” option will apply to all associated students, no matter their grade level.
- If you’ve already opted for paperless for your secondary students, it will automatically apply to any younger siblings at the elementary level too!
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Application
Eighth graders who have an aptitude and passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are encouraged to apply for admission to the Class of 2030 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST). The application portal will open Monday, October 20, at 4 p.m. Deadline to start an application is 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 12, with a final submission deadline of 4 p.m. Friday, November 14. For more information on the application process including eligibility requirements, important dates and the application please utilize this link: TJHSST Freshman Admission Process
If you have any further questions please email our TJHSST Liaison, Karen Bach at kabach@fcps.edu
Bullying Prevention Activities: November 6-14
We are excited to kick off Bullying Prevention Week with the inspiring theme: Power of Good. Throughout the week, we’ll be encouraging students to stand up for kindness, inclusion, and respect.
📚 November 6 and 7: Our counseling team conducted bullying-prevention lessons during all US History and Civics classes this week. Students reviewed the definition, types, and impacts of bullying. They discussed ways that all students contribute to a safe and supportive environment by spreading kindness and being an upstander.
🎉 Monday, November 10- Band Together Against Bullying: Students will create a school-wide unity chain during lunch and receive a wristband.
🎉 Wednesday, November 12 – Pajama Day: “Be Comfortable Being an Upstander” Students can wear their coziest pajamas to show that standing up for others should always feel right.
🎉 Thursday, November 13: Public Service Announcement about the ‘Power of Good’.
🎉 Friday, November 14 – Superhero Day- Students are invited to wear their favorite superhero shirt to celebrate everyday heroes who choose kindness and courage.
Thank you for supporting our efforts to create a safe and welcoming environment for all students. Together, we can empower our Panthers to be the good they want to see in the world.
Apply Anytime for Free and Reduced-Price Meals
Families are encouraged to apply for free and reduced-price meals at any time during the school year.
If your income changes — for example, due to a furlough, layoff, or job loss — you may become newly eligible. Once approved, your benefits stay active for the rest of the school year and for the first 30 days of the next school year.
Students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals or attend a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school receive free breakfast and lunch every school day. It’s a great way to make your food budget go further and save time from packing meals. Learn more about FCPS Food and Nutrition.
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.
Find more community resources for families.
Spanish:Solicite en Cualquier Momento para Comidas Gratuitas o a Precio Reducido
Animamos a las familias a solicitar comidas gratuitas o a precio reducido en cualquier momento durante el año escolar.
Si sus ingresos cambian, por ejemplo, por causa de un permiso no remunerado, separación del trabajo o pérdida del empleo, usted podría convertirse en elegible para recibir el beneficio. Una vez aprobados, estos beneficios permanecerán activos por el resto del año escolar y por los primeros 30 días del siguiente.
Los estudiantes que califiquen para recibir comidas gratis o a precio reducido, o que assistant a una Escuela con Elegibilidad para Provisión Comunitaria (CEP, por sus siglas en inglés) reciben desayunos y almuerzos gratis todos los días escolares. Esta es una buena forma de estirar su presupuesto de comidas y de ahorrar tiempo preparando loncheras. Aprenda más sobre Alimentación y Nutrición en FCPS. .
El Impacto del Cierre del Gobierno Federal en la Comunidad Local
El Condado de Fairfax es el hogar para alrededor de 80,000 trabajadores y miles de contratistas federales. Su Centro de Recursos para la Fuerza Laboral Federal tiene como objetivo ayudar a abordar cuestiones actuales y futuras a los residentes, empleados públicos, militares en activo/veteranos, contratistas, organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro y empresas que puedan verse afectados por medidas, cambios o interrupciones en los servicios o el empleo federales.
Conozca más sobre los recursos comunitarios disponibles para las familias.
November Is National Family Engagement Month
Family Engagement Month is a time to remember that parents and caregivers are children’s first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers.
The FCPS Family Academy supports the continued success and well-being of each and every student within the FCPS community. The Academy offers a variety of positive and engaging learning opportunities and meaningful connections to transform the FCPS experience into a welcoming environment for all families.
FCPS Family Café Series: Support Your Child’s Growth and LearningThe FCPS Family Academy announces the launch of a monthly series called the FCPS Family Café. These fun and helpful sessions are designed to keep families informed and involved in their child’s education. At Family Café, parents are key partners in helping children succeed. Click on a topic below to register to attend.
✨ FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Pillar B: Vibrant Home, School, and Community Partnerships, reminds us to empower families through trusting partnerships that sustain a safe, inclusive culture for learning.
Spanish:
Noviembre es el Mes Nacional de la Participación Familiar
Noviembre es el Mes Nacional de la Participación Familiar, es el tiempo para recordar que las familias son los primeros y más importantes maestros, defensores y protectores de los niños.
La Academia Familiar de FCPS apoya el éxito sostenido y el bienestar de todos y cada uno de los estudiantes dentro de la comunidad de FCPS. La Academia ofrece una variedad de oportunidades de aprendizaje que son positivas y participativas, y que brindan importantes conexiones que transforman la experiencia de la educación en FCPS en un ambiente acogedor para todas las familias.
☕ La Serie de Eventos de FCPS Café Familiar: Apoye el Crecimiento y Aprendizaje de su Niño
La Academia Familiar de FCPS anunció el lanzamiento de una serie de eventos mensuales llamados el Café Familiar de FCPS. Estas divertidas y útiles sesiones están diseñadas para mantener a las familias informadas e involucradas en la educación de sus niños. En el Café Familiar los padres se convierten en aliados clave para soportar el éxito de los niños. Haga clic sobre el tema que le interese para que se registre para asistir.
✨ Plan Estratégico de FCPS’ 2023-30 Pilar B: Las Alianzas Vibrantes entre los Hogares, las Escuelas y la Comunidad, nos impulsan a empoderar a las familias a través de alianzas basadas en la confianza, para sostener una cultura segura e inclusiva para el aprendizaje.
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 FCPS 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.
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.
Join RoPAWtics
Looking for a hands-on, high-tech after-school activity? Join RoPAWtics, Langston Hughes Middle School's VEX Robotics club, hosted by STEAM Labs Robotics. Students work in teams to design, build, and program robots for the VEX V5 competition, developing critical thinking, teamwork, and engineering skills along the way. No prior experience is needed—just curiosity and a willingness to learn. Our season is just beginning, and we’re looking for new members to join the excitement. If your student is ready to explore the world of robotics, fill out the attached form VEX ROBOTICS INTEREST FORM or contact Leighton Redditt (Coach Red) for more information by Friday, November, 7 2025: ltredditt@fcps.edu
Thank you for supporting your student’s participation in our after-school programs! If you have any questions, please contact our after-school specialist, Mr. Kyle, at FMKyle@fcps.edu.
After-School Clubs Schedule: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fkDtOVASo9Dvoamwm4h56r84B5gWzoR6dX6iawunMiU/edit?usp=sharing
PTA Meetings for the 2025-26 school year!
Mark your calendars now: Nov 10, Dec 8, Jan 12, Feb 2, Mar 2, Apr 13, May 4, June 1.
All meetings are at 7:00 p.m. in our LHMS Library unless otherwise indicated.
 If you would like to purchase, please email Kristina Burke at ktburke@fcps.edu
 Pre-Order Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe_-3m4hZYzDJ-fYnbuviC9RBuWQgN_6DK8xuvmvE4LbcCthQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=107935403404087634581
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