Principal's Message

February 13, 2026

Happy Friday, Panthers!

What an incredible day at LHMS!

Today, we celebrated well over 600 Panthers who earned Honor Roll — and many have now earned it every quarter thus far. That is not luck. That is focus. That is discipline. That is excellence becoming a habit.

To our parents who showed up to celebrate with us — thank you!  Your presence made the moment even more powerful. The behaviors we want repeated — like strong grades, perseverance, and academic commitment — must be praised. And let’s be honest… everybody loves a little praise!

A few important reminders:There is no school for students on Monday, February 16 in observance of Presidents' Day, and Tuesday, February 17, 2026 is a Teacher Workday. Enjoy the extended weekend and make it count!  When students return on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, it will be a “gray” day — bells 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8.

On Thursday, February 19, we’re inviting everyone—staff and students—to participate in our countywide Tropical Day! Break out the summer gear as we speak spring into existence. Let’s brighten the building with positive energy and vibrant colors!

I hope to see you Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. for our Choral Concert right here at LHMS in the Lecture Hall. Come out and support our talented Panthers! 

Take good care. Stay warm.  And again, Happy Valentine's Day! 

With Panthers in mind,
Principal Mizell

IMPORTANT DATES President's Day/Student Holiday: Monday, February 16, 2026 Teacher Workday/No School: Tuesday, February 17, 2026 Chorus Concert: Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 7:00 p.m in LHMS Lecture Hall

STUDENT SERVICES

Social-Emotional Learning

This week in Flex, students participated in a career exploration activity.  They learned about careers that matched their interests and completed a survey to help us connect them with Career Day speakers that match their interests. 

26-27 Course Selection Process

Planning for the 26-27 school year is underway! Parents are encouraged to review our LHMS Academic Advising website to review course offerings and important dates. 

Rising 9th grade: All rising 9th graders have started to select their courses. Students who are zoned for South Lakes will meet with their SLHS counselor on February 19-24 to finalize their course selections. Please review the Herndon High School and South Lakes High School websites for additional details.  Information about the high school transfer process can be found here: FCPS Transfer Process.

Rising 8th grade: All 8th graders will meet with their LHMS counselor to review their course selections.  Students inputted course selections into a  Google form in Schoology.  This form is only accessible to students via their FCPSSchools.net account. Parents are encouraged to ask their child to see their form.  Students may edit the form through February 27, 2026.  All course selections are due on February 27, 2026.  Please reach out to your child’s counselor with questions.

Planning for Life in and After High School for Students with IEPs

Families, caregivers, and educators of elementary and middle school students receiving special education services are invited to join Career and Transition Services (CTS) to learn about planning for life in and after high school. The transition fair will take place on Wednesday, March 4, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Luther Jackson Middle School. This event also includes a presentation with a brief overview of transition services and a student/parent panel sharing firsthand experiences. Register in advance. 

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.

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

Join the LHMS SCA on Wednesday March 25^th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for I See Me In Reston! The Panther community will come together to celebrate the many wonderful cultures that make Reston our home. Join us for a celebration featuring food, art, music and more!

Sign up to add a dish to our Community Potluck Table!

See you there!

LANGSTON HUGHES MIDDLE SCHOOL - PTA

AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM

This is for students only:

A South Lakes High School Football Interest Meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 18th at 3:30 with Coach Hescock in the Hughes Gym. Please click the link to sign up! https://forms.gle/p6JViHZBcgyQgKVu9

Registration for the Carcassonne Tournament- https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSegjo540M_HrLEE6HSetVu4FDaWFAYzHkdQO0NqT_YkILzajg/viewform?usp=header

It’s not too late to join a club!  Join the fun after school. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fkDtOVASo9Dvoamwm4h56r84B5gWzoR6dX6iawunMiU/edit?tab=t.0

🗓️ Weekly Schedule of Clubs & Activities

Mondays

• 💎 King Beads with Ms. King
• When: Mondays & Thursdays (First Session)
• Have fun making jewelry, hanging out with friends, and socializing while creating unique bead designs.
• 💪 Mr. Chris – BEAST Challenges
• When: Mondays & Thursdays (Second Session)
• Take on fun physical challenges, team competitions, and obstacle-style games that test strength, speed, and teamwork.
• 🎙️ Let’s Talk Podcasters with Coach K
• When: Mondays & Thursdays (Both Sessions)
• Learn how to interview, find the “real story,” and create binge-worthy podcast content that informs and entertains.
• 🎲 Appian Strategic Board Game Team with Ms. Benedict
• When: Mondays (First Session)
• Practice strategy and teamwork while preparing for upcoming board game tournaments.

Tuesdays

• 🏸 Court Crushers Badminton League with Ms. B
• When: Tuesdays (Both Sessions)
• Bring your best game to the court! Learn new skills, compete in friendly matches, and have fun competing with friends.
• 🎶 Korean Music Club with Jaelyn Gilmore
• When: Tuesdays (Both Sessions)
• Dive into the world of Korean music and culture! Learn about the history of K-pop, explore current dance trends, create South Korean-inspired arts and crafts, and join group discussions about music, culture, and creativity.
• ⚽ Hughes Futsal Premier League with Coach Jhonny
• When: 7th Grade – Tuesdays (First Session)
  8th Grade – Thursdays (First Session)
• 🚀 QZ Young Men with Mr. Kyle
• When: Tuesdays & Wednesdays (First Session)
• Formerly Elevate Boys Group. Build leadership skills, teamwork, and confidence through fun activities, group discussions, and Elevate-inspired challenges that promote growth and positive connections.
• 🎮 FIFA Video Games
• When: Tuesdays & Thursdays (Second Session)
• Compete in FIFA matches and show off gaming skills in friendly competition.
• 🏀 Hughes Ballers Basketball Tournament with Coach K & Coach Kennedy
• When: Tuesdays & Wednesdays (Second Session)
• 🧢 Swag Lab with Mr. AJ
• When: Tuesdays (Both Sessions)
• Design, create, and customize your own swag. Bring your ideas to life with style and flair!

Wednesdays

• 🎨 Art with Ms. Gillis
• When: Wednesdays (First Session Only)
• Explore new art projects, experiment with materials, and express creativity in fun, hands-on ways.
• 🚀 QZ Young Men with Mr. Kyle
• When: Tuesdays & Wednesdays (First Session)
• Continue building leadership skills, teamwork, and confidence through Elevate-inspired activities and discussions.
• 💜 Purple Star Club with Mr. Blocker & Ms. Kelly
• When: Wednesdays (First Session)
• A supportive space for students from military families to connect with peers who share similar experiences. The club helps students build friendships, share stories, and get plugged into the Hughes school community.
• 🏀 Hughes Ballers Basketball Tournament with Coach K & Coach Kennedy
• When: Tuesdays & Wednesdays (Second Session)

Thursdays

• 💎 King Beads with Ms. King
• When: Mondays & Thursdays (First Session)
• Have fun making jewelry, hanging out with friends, and socializing while creating unique bead designs.
• ⚽ Hughes Futsal Premier League with Coach Jhonny
• When: 8th Grade – Thursdays (First Session)
• 💪 Mr. Chris – BEAST Challenges
• When: Mondays & Thursdays (Second Session)
• Take on fun physical challenges, team competitions, and obstacle-style games that test strength, speed, and teamwork.
• 🎙️ Let’s Talk Podcasters with Coach K
• When: Mondays & Thursdays (Both Sessions)
• Learn how to interview, find the “real story,” and create binge-worthy podcast content that informs and entertains.
• 🎮 FIFA Video Games
• When: Tuesdays & Thursdays (Second Session)
• Compete in FIFA matches and show off gaming skills in friendly competition.
• 🦅 Panther Cadets Leadership Academy with South Lakes High School ROTC
• When: Thursdays (Second Session)
• Develop leadership, discipline, and teamwork through engaging activities and challenges led by South Lakes High School ROTC.

Fridays

• 🍪 Kitchen Lab with Mr. Kyle
• When: Fridays (Both Sessions)
• Break down baking and experiment with ingredients while making cookies, pizza, pretzels, and more. Fun, food, and flavor guaranteed!

🗓️ Special Events & Tournaments.

Stay tuned for –

• Spring Track! Information coming soon.
• VIP Summer Camp for rising 7^th and 8^th graders.

• 🃏 Kings in the Corner Tournament: TBA
• 🎴 UNO Tournament: February 5
  • Prizes for winners and plenty of fun for all participants!

💥 Don’t Miss Out!

Whether it’s art, sports, gaming, or leadership, Hughes After School has something for everyone this season. Let’s make 2026 the most fun and creative year yet!

LHMS Support for Students During Ramadan

We want to ensure that all students who are observing Ramadan are supported.  Parents/guardians are invited to review this form to request support for their student during Ramadan.

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. 

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