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Dear Lancers:
Welcome back to the normal routine of things and happy new year! I hope you and your family had a relaxing winter break. I got to visit my family up in snowy Western New York, which was a nice, yet chilly escape for a few days. There are only a few weeks left in the second quarter so please encourage your student(s) to complete missing work and do any retakes if needed. Students will also begin exploring and signing up for courses for next year throughout January. More information is shared below.
This month we are completing mid-year check-ins in math and reading to monitor student progress. This will occur in math class later this week where students will take the mid-year MAP assessment. It will occur in English class next week where students will take the mid-year iReady assessment. Results on each assessment will be available in Parentvue around the start of the third quarter.
I also wanted to share a reminder to our Kiss and Ride families that with the dark mornings, it is especially important to drive cautiously/safely and follow the directions of the staff who are controlling traffic flow. We had a staff member nearly get hit before winter break when a car sped up rather than stopping as requested. This is especially important at the crosswalk that crosses the kiss and ride lane. Please follow the directions of staff and stop to let kids cross in a safe manner.
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
January
14 Curriculum Night 6:00pm
15 iReady Testing
19 Holiday-Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday
22 An Evening of Chorus 6:00pm
22&23 Kids Lit Competition 4:30-7:30pm
28 End of Quarter-Two-Hour Early Release
29 Student Holiday
30 Student Holiday
Schedule for the next two weeks
DETAILS ON UPCOMING EVENTS
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
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!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
When Your Child Is Sick
It is also important to keep your child home when they are sick. The Can My Child Go to School? webpage provides helpful recommendations on when to keep your child home.
For instance, as long as they are feeling like they can participate in school activities, a child should attend school if they have cold symptoms. However, if they have severe, uncontrolled, or rapid coughing; wheezing; or difficulty breathing, definitely keep them home and contact your health care provider.
Reporting Student Absences
We are committed to partnering with families to promote positive attendance habits. Any day that your child is unable to attend school, parents should report the absence. By reporting absences, families are partnering with our staff so that everyone can make sure students are supported and have access to resources.
Full-day absences can be reported in SIS ParentVUE. Parents can also report absences by calling our school attendance line at 703-533-2626. School staff will call parents if students are absent, and our school has not been notified in advance.
Parents can monitor their child’s attendance records in SIS ParentVUE.
AFTER SCHOOL CORNER
All after-school activities will resume their regular schedule this week. The Quarter 2 activity schedule is available on Schoology under the Materials tab and on the Longfellow website.
Please remind your student to sign in when staying after school. This is an important safety measure that helps us account for all students.
Intramural Volleyball will begin in February and will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays during the first block in Gym 2. Please note that Longfellow will not be fielding a school volleyball team this year.
If you are interested in volunteering with the after-school program or sponsoring a club activity, please contact Bindhu Zachariah at bezachariah@fcps.edu.
There will be no after-school activities on Friday, January 16, and Wednesday, January 28. All students should exit the building at the end of the school day.
PARENT INFORMATION
Shape Your Story: Course Selection for Middle and High School Students
Beginning in January 2026, students will meet with their counselors to discuss course selection for next year. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to actively participate in this important process.
As students choose courses, it is important to remind them to consider the following:
• Current academic strengths and habits.
• Graduation requirements (high school students.
• Interests and career and postsecondary goals.
• Personal well-being.
• Extracurricular activities and other commitments that may impact students’ time and energy.
School-life balance is an important consideration as students strive for academic and personal success. Families are welcome to contact their student’s school counselor with questions.
Preparing for Tough Conversations With Teens
Discussing tough topics like fentanyl and other drugs can feel challenging, no matter how close you are with your child. Explain to your teen that it’s important to learn about fentanyl so they know what to do if a friend overdoses. Prepare in advance with the tips below:
• Set the stage. Choose a casual environment that’s free from distractions. Talk while driving the car, taking a walk, or doing chores together.
• Make it a two-way discussion. Ask open-ended questions.
• Stay patient, and reserve judgment.
• Check in with your child early and often.
Learn how to start an unskippable conversation, and find resources to share with your teen on how to spot an overdose and how to respond.
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