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Dear Lancers:
Happy Thanksgiving from our school family to yours! Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because it is all about family, friends, good food, and gratitude. I am thankful for being part of this amazing school community and the warm welcome I have received from you all. I hope however you spend this week, it involves quality time with family and friends and maybe a good slice of pie. We will see you all again in December…time flies when you’re having fun!
This week we will have bingo to celebrate our students’ successes from the first quarter. We had bingo for all 8th grade students today and tomorrow will be for all 7th grade students. As a reminder, due to the shortened week and Thanksgiving holidays, there are no after school activities this week.
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 24 & 25: No After School Activities
November 26-28: Holiday-Thanksgiving Break
December 9: Winter Orchestra Concert @ McLean HS
7pm
December 10: Winter Band Concert @ McLean HS
7pm
December 22-
January 2: Winter Break - Office will be closed
Schedule for the next two weeks
Food Service Community Thanksgiving Dinners
FCPS Office of Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) is excited to host special Community Thanksgiving Dinners for our students and families, in partnership with Educate Fairfax.
If you were unable to attend your student's Thanksgiving lunch at school, FNS invites you to attend one of our Community Thanksgiving Dinners. These dinners are a great way to enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving-inspired meal and celebrate the season with your school community.
• When:
o Monday, November 24, 6–7 p.m. at Herndon High School and Justice High School.
o Tuesday, November 25, 6–7 p.m. at Annandale High School and Mount Vernon High School.
• Cost: Meals are FREE for both children and adults thanks to the FNS afterschool program and a generous partnership with Educate Fairfax.
• Details: No registration is required. Meals will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Families can look forward to enjoying a delicious Thanksgiving-inspired meal, featuring a main dish, side items, fresh fruits and vegetables, and dessert. Meals must be eaten on-site.
The FCPS FNS team is excited to welcome all families, celebrate the season together, and continue building meaningful connections across our school communities.
We hope you will join us!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
1st Quarter Report Cards
1st quarter report cards are now available in ParentVue under “documents” in addition to the “Report Card” tab. As a reminder, you can check your student's progress throughout the quarter by looking at the “Grade Book” tab in Parent Vue.
Rising 7th Grade Curriculum Night - January 14, 2026
Longfellow Middle School will be hosting a Curriculum Night for rising 7th grade families (current 6th grade students) at Longfellow MS on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This evening session aims to provide parents with information that will help their incoming 7th grade student with the transition to middle school. Families will have the opportunity to explore elective course offerings and hear from a variety of Longfellow staff about the courses and programs offered to 7th grade students. Students and staff will also be available to answer questions.
If inclement weather occurs, the event will be rescheduled for Wednesday, January 21, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
We look forward to welcoming you to Longfellow!
McLean High School Rising 9th Grade Curriculum Night-January 13, 2026
McLean High School will be holding a Curriculum Night for parents of the class of 2030 (current 8th grade students) at McLean HS on Tuesday, January 13 at 6:00pm in the auditorium. The evening session aims to provide parents with information that will help their incoming 9th grade student with the transition to high school. Topics include getting involved with extracurricular activities, graduation requirements, and the registration process for 9th grade courses. We will also have a panel of core teachers sharing information on their content areas. Following the presentation, teachers from various departments will be available to answer questions about 9th grade classes until 7:30pm. Students are welcome to attend; 8th grade students currently enrolled at Longfellow Middle School will receive similar information from McLean High School counselors during the school day on Monday, January 12.
Snow date: January 20th at 6:00pm, McLean High School Auditorium
✅ Please Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey
FCPS is asking all families to complete a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available in SIS ParentVUE under Online Packets, which is in the upper right corner of the screen after logging in. Please complete the survey as soon as possible.
Paper forms were sent home with your students on Monday, November 17th. For more information, please visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page or watch this video about why Impact Aid matters.
Health and Physical Education Update
On December 1st, students will be required to remove all aerosol and spray items from their PE lockers. This includes aerosol deodorant, perfume, body spray, cologne, and spray-on sunscreen. This guideline is being implemented with the health and safety of all students in mind. Please remind your student to keep these items at home. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your child's Health and Physical Education teacher.
Register for ParentVUE
Learn how to activate your SIS ParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey and have access to other helpful information about your child’s education at FCPS.
Action Required! Update Your Permission for Google Tools
Google recently made changes to how educational applications are managed and accessed on the Chrome web browser and Chromebooks. Many applications are moving from the Chrome Web Store to the Google Play Store.
To ensure your child can continue accessing all approved instructional tools, FCPS has updated its digital consent platform to include both the Chrome Web Store and the Google Play Store.
Please review and provide your consent through our easy-to-use Parent Digital Consent system for these two new options:
• Additional Google Services – Chrome Web Store
• Additional Google Services – Google Play Store
Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting safe and effective digital learning experiences for all students. For questions or support, please visit FCPS’ Family Technology Resources page or open a ticket with our Technical Support desk.
Private School or Program Application Process
Longfellow Middle School requires important documents in order to effectively accommodate your requests in a timely manner. Please provide the documents below two weeks in advance of the private school application deadline.
1. Complete FCPS Request for Consent of Release of Educational Records form OR release form provided by the private establishment and email it to your child's Counselor.
2. Complete LMS Private School Application Form and email it to your child's counselor.
3. Complete LMS Student Information form and email it to any staff members that you are requesting a recommendation from (this may include your school counselor, teacher(s), administrator, etc.).
Please contact your child’s school counselor or our Student Services Assistant Isu Revelo (irevelo@fcps.edu) with questions.
📓 Help Us Write Longfellow’s Next Chapter: Fiscal Year 2027 Budget
There’s a story behind the success of every FCPS student — a story about what’s possible with the appropriate funding for world-class teachers, rigorous academics, and future-ready learning experiences. At FCPS, student success starts with a strong budget!
FCPS is currently developing the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget, which is for the 2026-27 school year. In January, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will present a proposed budget to the School Board.
During this process, we’ll be sharing FCPS’ budget story with you. The different chapters will explain the impact of chronic underfunding, why strong funding benefits all of Fairfax County, what’s at stake when Longfellow and other FCPS schools don’t get the support we need, and more.
We invite you to follow along and learn how you can help write our next chapter!
❄️ Prepare for Winter Weather
Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather closing decisions are made at FCPS.
FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible, including email, text, social media, the new FCPS mobile app, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.
Be sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange emergency child care if needed.
⛄ Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities
We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories that may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. View the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.
If you need assistance getting cold-weather clothing for your family, please call Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health.
AFTER SCHOOL CORNER
We’re excited to host our first school dance of the year on Thursday, December 11th, from 6:00–8:00 PM in the Lecture Hall.
• Tickets will be available on MySchoolBucks starting December 1st.
• Concessions will be sold during the dance.
All proceeds will benefit the Longfellow Quiz Bowl team, as both teams have qualified for the National Championship in Chicago—congratulations to our students!
A big shout-out to all of our cross-country team members for an outstanding season! Practices have now concluded, and we look forward to starting track in the spring. The Ping Pong Club will begin on Wednesday, December 3rd, from 3:30–4:30 PM. Students are welcome to join and give it a try!
PARENT INFORMATION
Longfellow MS Family Liaison
We wanted to make sure you knew we have recently hired a parent liaison, Adriana Rota. If you and your family need any support with any resources (food, transportation, clothing, housing, etc.), please reach out to her or our social worker, Sarah Gortenburg. Please call the school 703-533-2600 and ask to speak with either of them.
Longfellow Love
At Longfellow Middle School we have many students who live at, or below the poverty level. Their families welcome our help with expenses such as school supplies and holiday meals. Longfellow Love is a student assistance program that supports Longfellow students in need through donations from families like you, as well as contributions from local businesses. The contributions and gift cards are then distributed directly to the families in need through the counseling system. This year, our fellow student families need our help more than ever! With the rising cost of food, we would like to provide families with gift cards to help with holiday meals. Click HERE to sign up to donate gift cards from Target or Walmart to Longfellow families who need our help during the upcoming season!
There are two ways you can purchase gift cards:
1. Go to Target or Walmart and purchase gift cards in person. Drop them off at the front office in an envelope addressed to Adriana Rota.
2. Go online to Target eGift Card, or Walmart eGift Card, choose your amount, purchase an ecard, and email it to Michele Core at michelecore@yahoo.com.
Donated gift cards can be mailed to:
Adriana Rota
Longfellow Middle School
2000 Westmoreland Street
Falls Church, VA 22043
Gift cards are needed by Wednesday, December 17th! Let's show our Lancer family some LOVE this holiday season! Thank you for your support!
Questions? Contact Longfellow Love chair, Michele Core, at michelecore@yahoo.com
Manage Your Child’s Screen Time on FCPS Devices
FCPS offers the Lightspeed Parent Portal to help you manage screen time on your child's FCPS device at home. With a Parent Portal account, you can control your child’s access to YouTube and pause website browsing during after-school hours.
Please note that parent controls are active only during after-school hours, defined as Monday through Friday from 3:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. (including student holidays) and all-day Saturday and Sunday.
If you haven't signed up for the portal yet, use the link at the bottom of your weekly Lightspeed Online Student Activity Report email. To learn more, please visit the Lightspeed Parent Portal page on the FCPS website.
Social and Emotional Learning Screener: Parent Reports
Students in grades 3-12 took the SEL Screener last month, providing information on skills like achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships, and making responsible decisions. The screener also asks students how well their school community makes them feel valued, included, and supported.
Individual student SEL Screener results will be available to families in the Documents section of SIS ParentVUE the week of November 17. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be shared by our school.
For support in understanding your individual student’s results or for ideas on how to support them at home, please review the Family Guide or reach out to school staff.
Monitoring Support for Your Child in ParentVUE
All FCPS schools use an approach called Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) to make sure every student gets the help they need to learn.
MTSS helps school teams deliver high-quality instruction for all students and provide extra time, support, and interventions as needed. Families are partners in this process. We will share information about your child’s individual learning, needs, and progress.
You may view your child's intervention plans and progress in SIS ParentVUE. Expect progress to be updated quarterly, with report card due dates.
Boy scout Troop McLean Recruiting
Scout Troop 1916 is Recruiting!
Are you between the ages of 10-17 and ready to make new friends, learn new skills, help people and have fun? Come to a meeting and see what Scouting America is all about!
When: Every Tuesday at 7:00 PM
Where: The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 1545 Chain Bridge Road, McLean, VA 22101
Questions? Contact Stacia Harrje, Recruitment Coordinator sharrje@gmail.com
FCPS Science Fair Judges needed!
CPS Science Instructional Services Department Science ISD is actively seeking judges for both the Fairfax Regional Science and Engineering Fair (March 2026) and high school science fairs. Here is the direct link to the interest form https://bit.ly/2026ScienceFair.
Volunteer FCPS Helps Community Members Connect With Schools
The new volunteer management system, Volunteer FCPS, allows individuals to search and register for volunteer opportunities at our school or across the school district.
Volunteer FCPS is how FCPS provides a safe, consistent, and welcoming environment at all of our schools. Anyone interested in volunteering with FCPS must:
• Create a profile in Volunteer FCPS.
• Register for opportunities through Volunteer FCPS.
• Sign in and out of schools using the visitor kiosk on EVERY visit – no exceptions.
Recent Updates to Volunteer Opportunity Levels
Due to the overwhelming response, FCPS is temporarily pausing fingerprint requirements for most Level 3 volunteers. Those who have already been fingerprinted will be processed to be eligible for all Level 3 opportunities.
Field trip chaperone opportunities will now be classified as Level 2 (not requiring a comprehensive background check that includes fingerprinting).
To ensure continuous safety, all new volunteers are required to sign a Volunteer Certification Statement. This statement is a legal confirmation that you have no history of violent felonies, physical or sexual crimes against children, or crimes of moral turpitude (dishonesty, fraud, things that are immoral by society’s standards).
Visit the Volunteer FCPS website to complete a volunteer orientation. View Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about the volunteer levels.
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