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Dear Lancer Families:
This week we are continuing with our spring SOL testing schedule. The science SOL (8th grade students only) will be on Wednesday, May 13th. After Wednesday, we will be scheduling our retakes. More information will be shared with families of students that qualify for a retake.
This Thursday, May 14th we will be hosting a dance during our after-school program. The dance is free to all students. Concessions will be available for sale during the dance. If your student would like to purchase some concessions, please have them bring some cash to do so. All other after-school activities are canceled for that day. The last day for late buses will be Thursday, May 21st. After that date, students are welcome to stay for extra help from a teacher if they prearrange this with their teacher AND have a ride to get home.
Finally, for your long term planning, we have a short week coming up. Monday, May 25th schools are closed for the Memorial Day holiday. Tuesday, May 26th is a teacher work day. Wednesday, May 27th schools are closed for Eid Al-Adha. The final day of the school year on Wednesday, June 17th will be a two hour early dismissal. Please plan ahead for an early dismissal for that day.
As always, I appreciate your ongoing partnership and encourage you to stay connected through our website and weekly newsletter. I hope you and your family have a good week.
Chris Butzer
Principal
Longfellow MS
UPCOMING EVENTS
May
3 SOL - Science
14 After School Dance 2:30-4:30pm
16 Track Meet @ Oakton HS
21 Last Day for After School Activities
25 Holiday-Memorial Day
26 Student Holiday-Teacher Workday
27 Holiday-Eid Al-Adha
29 Spring Orchestra Concert @ McLean HS 7:00pm
30 Track Championship @ Robinson
June
2 Spring Choral Concert 7:00pm
3 PTA Meeting 6:30pm
4 Career Day
5 Music Department Field Trip
11 Spring Band Concert 7:00pm @ McLean HS
12 8th Grade Party 6:00-8:00pm
16 End of Year Awards
17 Last Day of School-Early Release
Bell Schedule
DETAILS ON UPCOMING EVENTS
Yearbook Sales
A limited number of yearbooks will be available for sale in the cafeteria during all lunches on Friday June 12th and Monday June 15th. If you did not order a yearbook, this will be your opportunity to get one. They will be sold on a first come first serve basis. The cost is $40.00 Cash only. Email kdvanhall@fcps.edu with any questions.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
FCPS Caters to Food Allergies
May is Food Allergy Awareness Month. The FCPS Office of Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) works to ensure every student has access to safe and nutritious school meals. Since 1 in 13 children in the U.S. has a food allergy, FNS works closely with families to provide reasonable meal accommodations for students whose medical needs affect what they can eat at school.
To support students appropriately and safely, families are asked to submit medical documentation to FNS from a U.S. licensed health care provider so we can tailor meals to each child’s needs.
Learn more about the documentation required and the steps to develop a safe menu for students.
NJHS Application
Today, eligible 7th grade students were sent an invitation to join the Longfellow chapter of the National Junior Honor Society. This organization is deeply ingrained in our school and community and focuses on scholarship, leadership, and community service. Students with a cumulative 7th grade G.P.A. of 3.75 and above are invited to join. If students did not receive an application today and they’ve met all the requirements, please have them email us at the contact information below to review eligibility.
Students can stop by our rooms during the school day to ask questions or email us. Parents of eligible students are invited to attend a Q&A session, June 1 at 6:00 P.M. in the school library.
Thank you,
Amanda Collins (ADCollins@fcps.edu)
Brette Lawrence (BRLawrence@fcps.edu)
NJHS Co-Sponsors
Rising 8th Grade – AVID Elective
Our 8th grade AVID elective class still has a few select spots available for next year. Students still need to complete the application and go through the selection process. If you and your student are interested in this opportunity, please complete the application link by May 22nd, 2026.
- AVID application
- Information about the AVID program
Updates to 2026-27 School Year Calendar
The School Board voted to direct the superintendent to designate Veterans Day as a standard instructional day for the 2026-27 school year. Because this day was added, the 2026-27 school year will now end for students on Wednesday, June 16, 2027. Find additional information on BoardDocs. View the updated complete school year calendar on FCPS’ website.
The last day of school for the current school year — Wednesday, June 17, 2026 — has not changed.
Immunization Events for FCPS Students
FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will provide school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students at no out-of-pocket cost. Multiple events will take place at designated FCPS locations.
Dates will be made available throughout the school year. Parents or guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary. Additional immunization resources are also available.
AFTER SCHOOL CORNER
School Dance/Carnival
We are excited to host our "Carnival" themed school dance, this Thursday, May 14th! The event will feature games, prizes, competitions, and plenty of dancing.
• Time: 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
• Cost: Free for all students.
Concessions will be sold in the cafeteria, CASH only. All other afterschool clubs and activities are cancelled for this day so everyone can join the fun. Late buses will be available.
Last Day of After-School
The final day for the after-school program is Thursday, May 21st. All clubs and activities will end and no late buses will be available after that date. Students may still stay after school with teachers for academic support; however, they must arrange their own transportation home.
Quiz Bowl Results
Our Quiz Bowl teams took on the best in the country this past weekend at the National Quiz Bowl Tournament in Chicago—and they didn't disappoint! Out of 192 elite teams, both Longfellow squads qualified for the playoff rounds on Sunday.
Team Standings:
• Longfellow B Team: Finished an incredible 21st (Michael de Marcellus, Wesley Holland, Nathan Le, and Siddharth Thammineni).
• Longfellow A Team: Finished a strong 49th (Jared Buckholz, Zafyr Rahman, Amelie Tang, and Zelman Zhang).
Individual Honors:
Nathan Le earned 2nd place in overall scoring in the tournament and Zafyr Rahman placed 19th.
The Quiz Bowl teams had an amazing season this year with top 5 finishes in all our tournaments. Congratulations to all our members for your hard work and dedication.
Track Results – website links
This weekend the Longfellow track team competed at Marshall High School. The girls’ team tied for second place overall out of 14 teams. The boys’ team tied for 6th place out of 14 teams.
Congratulations to all our student athletes for their hard work. You can view the full meet results and individual times via the link below:
LMS Results
LONGFELLOW PTA
Order a yard sign
The 8th grade is doing yard signs for “Congratulations Class of 2026” Longfellow 8th graders. These are a fun and festive way to celebrate your graduating 8th graders.
To order a yard sign, please complete this form by Friday, May 22.
The yard sign form includes pricing ($25), payment information, name details for your order, and an option to indicate if your family needs financial assistance.
Pickup details for the week of May 25 will follow.
Proceeds from donations and yard sign sales will go toward the 8th grade party.
GLOW BEFORE WE GO 2026
Let’s celebrate 8th grade promotion! Friday, June 12th, 6:00-8:00pm
Buy your tickets today!! $25 Advanced Purchase; $30 at the door
This end of middle school bash is going to be epic! Think 360° photo and video moments, perfect for Insta and Tik Tok with your besties. Add in inflatable obstacle courses, sports competitions, and a DJ turning the whole place into a glow party. And of course, snacks, drinks, and candy galore to keep the celebration going and celebrate the huge milestone.
Swing Into Summer May 30- Longfellow Families
Looking for a fun way to kick off summer as a family? Join us on May 30th at Capital One Park in Tysons for Swing Into Summer, a high-energy community event benefiting youth sports organizations across the DMV.
Bring the whole family out for an exciting afternoon featuring a celebrity softball game and skills competition with world class athletes including Braden Holtby, Vernon Davis, and “Mr. National” himself, Ryan Zimmerman - plus plenty of activities for kids including face painting, a bounce house, games, and much more!
Swing Into Summer is all about bringing our local community together for a memorable afternoon while helping strengthen and support others through the work of The Alzner Foundation.
📍 Capital One Park – Tysons, VA
📅 May 30, 2026
⏰ Doors Open at 2 PM | Event Begins at 3 PM
🎟️ Tickets available at this link.
PARENT INFORMATION
Now Hiring: Substitute Instructional Assistants for the 2026–2027 School Year
Longfellow Middle School| Apply Now
Longfellow is seeking individuals who can provide continuity of instructional teaching as a substitute instructional assistant. Able to inspire, enable and empower students to meet high academic standards.
The position offers:
✔ Flexible schedule
✔ Make a difference in your local community
✔ Great for people with a passion for teaching/assisting students
Join our team and support student learning!
Apply today! For details, visit the FCPS Substitute Employment Website. When applying, search “Substitute” and select the McLean pyramid posting.
FCPS Family Cafe: Introduction to Career Pathways for Students
Join Family and School Partnerships to explore career pathways, academies, and the wide range of courses and certifications available in FCPS.
This virtual workshop will be held on Wednesday, May 13, at 6:30 p.m. and will highlight the various career and technical education courses available to middle and high school students in FCPS. Currently, there are more than 160 Career and Technical Education (CTE) course options available to students. Many CTE programs include industry credentials, work-based learning, and career and technical student organizations, allowing students to develop the skills needed to be successful in future education, training, and careers.
Register in advance for Career Pathways to receive the Zoom link. Email FamilyEngagement@fcps.edu for more information or call 703-204-4300.
Nominations Open for the Bussey Memorial Equity Award
Nominations are now open for the 2026 Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award. This award recognizes an employee, student, or community member who has demonstrated significant and impactful efforts to improve the educational experiences and outcomes of students from groups who are marginalized or underserved.
Any staff, student, or community member can nominate an individual for the award. All nomination materials must be submitted by Monday, May 18.
The Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee (MSAOC) sponsors this award to honor the legacy of Dr. Bussey, a founding member of the MSAOC and a longtime advocate for students and families.
Full details and the nomination information form can be found at the Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award webpage.
Required Immunizations for Rising 7th and Rising 12th Graders
The following immunizations are required for students entering 7th and 12th grade each school year.
All students entering 7th grade are required to receive one dose of each of the following immunizations prior to the beginning of school: Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis booster (Tdap), Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY), and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
• To meet the Tdap requirement, the vaccination must be administered at age 7 or older.
• To meet the MenACWY requirement, the vaccination must be administered at age 10 or older.
• To meet the HPV requirement, the vaccination should be given between the ages of 11 to 12 or as early as 9 years old.
As a parent/guardian, you may decide that your child will not receive the HPV vaccination. The school does not require documentation if a parent/guardian elects for their student not to receive the HPV vaccination.
All students entering 12th grade are to receive two doses of the Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) prior to the beginning of school. To meet the MenACWY 12th grade requirement, one dose must be administered at age 16 or older.
Parents/guardians are encouraged to plan ahead by scheduling an appointment with your child’s health care provider now to avoid the rush this summer. Please consider getting your child’s immunizations early so that they can attend school in the fall. Summer is a busy time for families and health care providers. As long as your child meets the age requirements listed above, they can be immunized at any time.
Immunization Events for FCPS Students
FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will provide school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students at no out-of-pocket cost. Multiple events will take place at designated FCPS locations.
Dates will be made available throughout the school year. Parents/guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary. Additional immunization resources are also available.
📱 Stay up to Date With the FCPS Mobile App!
The FCPS mobile app offers a customized platform to help keep families connected and informed, directly from their smartphones. You can download the Fairfax County Public Schools mobile app by going to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and searching for “FCPS.”
With the app, you can:
• Stay up to date: Get the latest news from FCPS.
• View school calendars: See events, activities, holidays, and early dismissals.
• Check school menus: See what’s for lunch and breakfast today, tomorrow, or next week.
• Tap to contact: Quickly call attendance lines or email school staff.
• Access key links: Jump to ParentVUE, Schoology, and the FCPS website in one tap.
Users can access updates and content without having to sign in, making it easy for everyone to stay informed.
Learn more about the new mobile app, including feedback from parents.
MOJO Elite Summer Volleyball
As the school year winds down and students look forward to summer, we’re excited to offer a fun, active opportunity to keep them engaged right here in the McLean community.
MOJO Elite Volleyball Club is hosting our Summer League this June, designed for athletes of all experience levels. Whether students are brand new to the sport or already have some experience, this league provides a welcoming environment to learn, grow, and compete.
Participants will meet two evenings per week throughout June, giving them the chance to:
· Build fundamental volleyball skills through structured practice
· Apply those skills in a fun and competitive game setting
· Stay active and connected with peers at the start of summer break
The league will be led by MOJO Elite Director Maddy Kogler, along with our experienced coaching staff, all of whom are passionate about creating a positive and encouraging environment for young athletes.
This program is a great way for students to:
· Try a new sport in a low-pressure setting
· Develop confidence and teamwork skills
· Stay physically active after the school year ends
*Link to website here.
Join McLean Color Guard
• No experience required
• No team cuts
• State Champs!
• Everyone Welcome!
Clinic dates:
• May 12
• May 14
• 3:30-5:30 @ McLean High School
Meet in band room (Immediate left from front entrance)
Contact Us - mcleanguard@gmail.com
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