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Dear Lancer Families:
Thank you for your ongoing flexibility as we continue to navigate the cold weather, closures, and delays. This week we are having our Finance Park field trip for 8th grade students. They will get to explore how to create a budget and make some decisions about how they want to spend their money based on their assigned job/salary. This field trip is part of the required 8th grade curriculum around financial literacy and was originally scheduled for last week. Additionally, this week is our next SCA sponsored spirit week. Monday is pajama day, Tuesday is wear your favorite color day, Wednesday is crocs and socks day, Thursday is Lancer love/gear day, and Friday is wear white, pink, and red day. Please encourage your student to show their Lancer spirit by participating in as many spirit days as possible.
For your long-term planning, next weekend is a long weekend. Monday is Presidents’ Day and Tuesday is a teacher work day so there is no school on either day for students. Hopefully, you and your family get to enjoy some extra time together on this long weekend.
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
All District Band
Last week, 21 band students from Longfellow participated in the VBODA District 12 Middle School Honor Band. These students completed a rigorous audition to be selected as a part of this prestigious group. They rehearsed for three days with a guest clinician (Mr. Corey Graves from Themer MS in Texas) and then performed a concert on Saturday afternoon.
These students represented Longfellow well and we are so proud of their achievement!
Student Volunteer Spotlight
Longfellow Middle School students volunteered with Bright Beats, a youth-led nonprofit providing inclusive music programs for children with diverse learning and communication needs. At Franklin Sherman Elementary School’s Enhanced Autism Classrooms, student volunteers supported sing-alongs, rhythm activities, and instrument play. Their presence sparked excitement and connection - elementary students eagerly asked each week when the volunteers would return. Through this experience, Longfellow students developed leadership, empathy, and hands-on community engagement skills.
This spring, Bright Beats will continue our program at Franklin Sherman Elementary School and expand to Dolley Madison Library, supporting more families and children in need. If possible, we would like to include a short volunteer announcement in a future LMS newsletter so more Longfellow students can get involved.
Bright Beats – Calling for Volunteers!
Bright Beats is a nonprofit bringing free and inclusive music experiences to children. Upcoming sessions run bi-weekly at Franklin Sherman Elementary School and monthly at Dolley Madison Library. LMS students can volunteer to help lead music activities, earn service hours, and grow leadership and communication skills. No prior music or instrument experience is needed - training will be provided.
Sign up: www.brightbeats.org/news-and-events
UPCOMING EVENTS
February
11-13 Spring Musical Auditions
16 Holiday-President’s Day
17 Student Holiday-Teacher Work Day
21 LMS Family Climbing Night 6-10pm @ Sportrock Alexandria
26 Spelling Bee
26 Pre-Assessment Band Concert-Symphonic Band
7:00 PM @ McLean HS
Schedule for the next two weeks
DETAILS ON UPCOMING EVENTS
Family Life Education (FLE) Date Changes
Due to inclement weather, the start date for Family Life Education (FLE) has been revised. Below are the new dates as well as a link to the overview of these units and opt out forms.
Emotional Social Health: February 9th – April 3rd (students will cycle through the unit at different times in this window)
https://www.fcps.edu/academics/middle-school-academics-7-8/family-life-education-fle
For questions or concerns, please contact your child’s Health and Physical Education teacher.
Gwyneth’s Gift CPR Training!
Tuesday March 3rd and Wednesday March 4th, we will be hosting an all-day AED and hands-only CPR training for our entire student body. This amazing opportunity is all thanks to our ongoing partnership with the Gwyneth’s Gift Foundation. If you would like to donate your time to help us manage students during the event, please email Amanda Creeden at amcreeden@fcps.edu to let us know the day and time you would like to assist. Below are the time slots we would welcome assistance:
Tuesday 3/3:
Period 1: 7:30-8:55
Period 3: 9:00-9:45
Period 5: 10:45-12:15
Period 7: 12:50-2:15
Wednesday 3/4:
Period 2: 7:30-8:55
Period 3: 9:00-9:45
Period 6: 10:45-12:15
Period 8: 12:50-2:15
Thank you!
LONGFELLOW PTA
🍲 Show Our Staff Some LOVE: Soup Lunch – THIS FRIDAY, February 13
It's cold outside! Please help us show our LMS staff LOVE this Friday, February 13th with a warm lunch. We are requesting food contributions and donations. Check out the sign-up genius to see how you can help. Contact Melissa Vayra, 646-467-3506, with questions.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F4FA8AE2EABFA7-61796450-soups
PTA Update: Thank You & Supporting Our Staff
Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far to the Support Excellence fund that makes programs like Lancer Bucks, teacher stipends, and staff hospitality possible. The PTA remains significantly behind its fundraising goal, and continued support is still very much needed. If you haven’t yet, families can still join the PTA and/or make a donation through Givebacks.
🧗♀️ Climb, hang out, and have fun with friends!
Come to Longfellow Family Climbing Night on Saturday, Feb 21, 6–10 PM at Sportrock Alexandria (5308 Eisenhower Ave, Alexandria, VA)!
No experience needed — just bring your energy! Warm up and stay active on a cold winter night while enjoying great climbs with friends. Pizza and drinks will be available for purchase, and proceeds support our PTA and school programs. Grab your friends and join us for an awesome night off the ground! 🎉
Registration link: https://portal.sportrock.com/l?t=DWzeBVgZWa54xVBg
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Meal Kits for Fasting Students
From February 18 to March 19, students who are fasting during the day can take school meals home. These kits include one breakfast and one lunch to be eaten after the school day ends.
Families must fill out a request form each week for every student who wants a kit. The first deadline is Wednesday, February 11, for the week of February 16. Please note other important details below:
• Cost: Meals are charged just like a normal school day.
• Pickup: Students must grab their kits at the end of the school day.
• Menu: Kits include school meals that are easy to heat at home.
Visit the Food and Nutrition webpage for forms, deadlines, and other information. Please contact the Office of Food and Nutrition Services with any questions at FCPSFNS@fcps.edu or 703-813-4800.
Help Keep Longfellow Phone-Free!
Please remind your student that cell phones and personal devices (AirPods, earbuds, headsets, other items connected to the internet) must be off and away for the entire school day (bell to bell). Cell phones are also not permitted to be used as an instructional tool.
FCPS’ cell phone policy helps students stay focused, safe, and engaged at school. Visit FCPS’ cell phone policy webpage for more information and answers to frequently asked questions, including consequences for cell phone policy violations and exceptions for students with medical conditions or IEP/504 plans.
If you need to contact your student during the school day, please call our front office at 703-533-2600.
FCPS Ombuds Office Provides Confidential Guidance
The Office of the Ombuds engages with families, students, and staff to offer resources and improve the experience of each and every member of the FCPS community. They work as an independent confidential resource to help answer questions, offer options to resolve concerns, and hear complaints regarding FCPS matters.
Anyone seeking assistance from the Office of the Ombuds may call 571-423-4014, text 571-496-8284, email ombuds@fcps.edu, or visit the ombuds webpage, where you may submit a question. Ombuds staff do not change or make decisions, policies, or regulations; take sides; or provide legal advice.
AFTER SCHOOL CORNER
We are introducing a new club, the Military Youth Mentorship Program. The Military Youth Mentorship Program is meant to establish community and connection for incoming military connected McLean/Longfellow students, create a social support system for military youth new to the area, educate military youth about resiliency, academic support, and scholarship and job opportunities. YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE MILITARY CONNECTED TO ATTEND MEETINGS!! All are welcome to learn new skills, gain support, and get connected to the McLean High School Community. The first meeting will be on Thursday, February 12th at 3:30-4:30pm. Meeting location will be provided on the day of the meeting. Please complete the Google form if you are interested.
Please note that there are NO after school activities this Friday, February 13th due to the Monday holiday. All students must exit the building at the end of the school day on Friday. After school activities will resume our normal schedule next week on Wednesday, February 18th.
Kids Lit Quiz Results
Congratulations to our Kids Lit Quiz team for coming in 2nd at the KLQ Regionals! Ava Afzal, Cara Dillaman, Ellen Peng and Mila Xu did a fantastic job representing Longfellow. Great job everyone.
Science Olympiad Results
The Science Olympiad team finished in 1st place at the Centreville regional on February 7th. Amazingly, the team earned 1st place medals in 16 of the 17 events that were run at the regional and secured a spot at the State Tournament at the University of Virginia on March 21st.
This season, the team also placed 1st at the Rustin Invitational, Lake Braddock - West Springfield Invitational, and University of Virginia Invitational, 3rd at the Dodgen Invitational and 5th at the Dulles Invitational. It's been a lot of work and a ton of fun!!!
The following students are members of the team: Vaanya B., Joyce D., Esher D., Tom D., Delina G., Mattias G., Jayden H., Ava J., Chloe K., Silvia K., Riyanshi K., Jonathan L., David M., Yoni N., Jolyn N., Ted O., James P., August P., Calix R., Evan R., Ari S., EK S., Will S., Kayla V., Alex W., Edward W., Hector W., Richard W., Andrew Z., and Ethan Z.
Parent and Student Book Club
Longfellow is excited to launch a new Parent and Student Book Club! Join us on Thursday, March 12, at 6:00 PM in the Lecture Hall for our first meeting.
Families may choose one of two books to read together: New Kid by Jerry Craft or When Stars Are Scattered by Omar Mohamed and Victoria Jamieson. Parents and students will read the same book and then come together to share thoughts and participate in a group discussion at our book club meeting.
If you and your child are interested in participating, please complete the interest form. We look forward to reading with you!
Track and Field Sign-Ups
Interested in joining Longfellow’s track and field team? Use the following link to register. To be eligible to participate students must have completed the following:
1. Use the link to complete the registration form.
2. Complete and turn in the Middle School Athletics Physical Form (PPE) to Mr. Stokes. If you completed this already for cross-country and it is dated after March 20, 2025, you don’t need to submit another form.
3. Complete and turn in the Emergency Care Card (ECC) to Mr. Stokes. This must be filled in for each sport season.
Additional information regarding practices and meets will be provided closer to the beginning of the season.
McLean Math Tournament for Grades 5-8
On behalf of the McLean High School Highlander Math League, we are excited to share that we will be hosting the McLean Math Tournament (McMT) for local elementary and middle school students in Grades 5–8 in early March.
McMT is designed to be a fun and engaging math competition for students with a wide range of backgrounds. The problems will span from beginner to advanced levels, making the contest welcoming to all students who are interested in math. In addition to the competition, students will have the opportunity to meet peers with similar interests, participate in fun activities, and enjoy snacks. The contest is completely free, and awards and prizes will be given to participants.
Students who are interested can sign up using the interest form: https://forms.gle/Nc3LvS1uHzpG1cHv6.
Mott Million Dollar Challenge
Young people across the country are full of powerful ideas, and the Mott Million Dollar Challenge is giving them the stage to share them.
This national pitch competition invites K-12 students to submit a short, 30-90 second video showcasing an idea that would make a positive impact in their school, home, or community. Students may enter individually or in teams of up to three, and a total of $1 million in prizes will be awarded. Submissions are due February 27, 2026.
Let's put Virginia on the national stage for kids and teens with game-changing ideas, featuring their awesome concepts that solve problems at school or in their afterschool programs
PARENT INFORMATION
Safe Community Coalition Event – February 12, 2026
The Safe Community Coalition is hosting a discussion led by sports psychologists entitled “Game On, Calm On: Helping your Child Conquer Sports Anxiety” at the McLean Community Center on February 12, 2026. For more information and to register, please see this link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/xt5zbsm/lp/68ce84b6-2170-4350-8ec8-bd20dc6f979d
Attention McLean Area Schools - Screenagers
Warm Up FCPS – Divisionwide Spirit Day
Tired of all the cold weather? Let’s warm up with a little school spirit across the division!
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid is encouraging all FCPS students, teachers, and staff to shake the wrinkles out of their brightest outfits and tropical wear to help brighten everyone’s moods on Thursday, February 19.
Summer Trip for Students to Belize
We’re thrilled to share that we’re heading to Belize: Conservation from Ridge to Reef in Summer 2027, and your student is invited! This life-changing experience will help students build confidence, independence, and global perspective.
We’re holding a one-time informational meeting to share everything you need to know and spots on this trip are limited.
👉 Find meeting info and RSVP here: https://bit.ly/3O7uOk5
Why attend?
• Learn how to save $200 with early enrollment
• Get first access to limited spots
• Learn about what we’ll see and do, academic opportunities, trip cost, and more
In the meantime, please visit EF’s website to get answers to common parent questions. EF Tours is our trusted travel partner, and they have 60 years of experience helping students explore the world safely and affordably.
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