Principal Message
Dear Lancer Families,
Welcome back! I hope your summer provided you opportunities to relax, recharge, and enjoy time with family and friends. As we begin a new school year, our staff is excited to welcome our students back into the building and begin another year of learning, growth, and connection. There is always something special about the energy of a new school year, and we look forward to all that our students will accomplish together.
Middle school is an important time of growth and discovery. Our goal is to create a school community where every student feels known, supported, challenged, and connected. Along with strong academics, we will continue to emphasize positive relationships, student responsibility, kindness, and a sense of belonging. We want our students to feel comfortable taking on challenges, learning from mistakes, and discovering new interests and strengths as they grow into inspiring young adults.
Our partnership with families is an essential part of our students’ success. We encourage you to stay connected, ask questions, celebrate your child’s progress, and reach out when support is needed. Open communication between home and school helps us provide the best possible experience for every student.
Thank you for your continued support and for trusting us with your children each day. We are grateful to have you as part of our school community and look forward to a positive, engaging, and successful year ahead. Welcome back—we can’t wait to get started!
Chris Butzer
Principal, Longfellow MS
UPCOMING EVENTS
August
19 Open House 7th & 8th Grade 3:30-5:30pm
20 Orientation 8:30-10:30am
24 First Day of School
31 Student Laptop Distribution
September
1 Student Laptop Distribution
1 Back to School Night 6-8:00pm
4 Labor Day Break-Holiday
7 Labor Day Break-Holiday
DETAILS ON UPCOMING EVENTS
Open House: Wednesday, August 19, 2026, 3:30-5:30PM
This event is for all students and families. Students receive their class schedule and locker assignment. Students and families may take a self-guided tour of the building, locate their classrooms, and set up and practice opening their lockers. Parents/guardians may also drop off medication in the clinic. Our PTA will have a table where they will be renting locker shelves and connecting with families about joining the PTA and participating in upcoming meetings/events. Principal Butzer will be hosting an information session for parents about the transition to middle school and Longfellow more specifically. Parking is limited. Spaces are available in the front lot and on the back blacktop. If you are unable to attend Open House, you can get your student’s schedule on ParentVue/StudentVue starting on August 20th.
Orientation: Thursday, August 20, 2026, 8:30-10:30AM
Orientation is a student-only experience. This is an optional opportunity for 7th and 8th students to experience a mini-school-day by walking through their first day of school schedule. They will meet their teachers and some classmates. When students arrive at the building, they will go to their first period class and will transition to each of their classes through a shortened bell schedule.
If students have a schedule from Open House, they should bring it with them. If they do not have a schedule, Longfellow staff will help guide students to their 1st period class where all students will get a new copy of their schedule.
First Day of School: August 24, 2026
When students arrive, they will go through our OpenGate system before walking to class. They will remove any large metal items from their backpacks such as large 3 ring binders, umbrellas, and metal water bottles, hand those metal items to an adult next to the gate while keeping their backpacks on, walk through the gate one at a time, then place their items back in their bags before heading to class. Keys, wallets, and cell phones do not set off the gates so they should be left in backpacks. The process is quick, and most students do not need to stop. This is similar to the process of going through security at a sporting event or concert (they have these same gates at Audi Field for example).
Students will receive a supply list for each of their classes on the first day of school. Due to an update in Virginia state law (SB 108), student cell phones must be off and away throughout the school day meaning they should be off and, in their backpacks or lockers (not in class or in pockets). Please talk with your students about ensuring they follow this new law as the FCPS consequences for having a cell phone on their person are higher this year as well. More information about the FCPS cell phone policy can be found here.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Open House Support
The PTA is looking for volunteers to help with Open House on August 19th. Rising 8th graders looking for volunteer hours are welcome. You may email president.ptalms@gmail.com with questions. Please sign up at this link.
Superintendent’s Family Vision Group Representative Needed
The Superintendent's Family Vision Group serves as an important forum for elevating family voice, strengthening partnerships, and fostering meaningful engagement between families and FCPS leadership. Because representatives are expected to attend meetings consistently and substitutions are not permitted, having at least two designated representatives helps ensure continuity and sustained engagement throughout the year. Longfellow is looking for 1-2 more representatives. If you are interested in being a representative for Longfellow Middle School, please email Tara Fortune by 8/28.
We’re Eager to Welcome You Back to School!
As summer winds down, we are looking forward to welcoming students back to our classrooms. Use the following list to help make sure your child is ready!
☑️ Sign Up for SIS ParentVUE
Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Contact our registrar, Isu Revelo, at irevelo@fcps.edu if you need an activation code. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE. Also, download the new ParentVUE mobile app so you can access your child’s records easily from anywhere!
☑️ Update Your Contact Information
Be sure you receive important information! Update your phone number(s) and/or email address(es) by clicking “My Account” and reviewing the “Online Verification/Update.” On that form, you can also update immunization records, health information, and emergency contacts.
☑️ Update Immunizations and Records
Immunizations are required for all students to attend school in Virginia. This is an important part of protecting them from certain diseases and keeping them healthy. SIS ParentVUEFind more information on FCPS’ website
When your child is immunized, remember to request a copy of their immunization record and bring that to our front office or submit the record via SIS ParentVUE as soon as possible. Find more information on FCPS’ website.
☑️ Learn About School Meals
Families need to provide their children with money to purchase meals at school or send them with a packed lunch. Alternatively, families may apply to receive free and reduced-price meal benefits, pending approval.
☑️ Bookmark the School Year Calendar
Be sure to bookmark the FCPS school year calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances:
o Days marked blue with an “H” are student holidays. Schools are closed on these days.
o Days marked orange with an “O” are religious and cultural observance days (or evenings, if only half marked). There is school on these days, but certain events that cannot be made up may not be scheduled on these days.
o Days marked as TW, SD, and SP and in pink are holidays for students but working days for teachers and staff.
Please note that some holidays and observances, such as Eid al Fitr, may shift, and the calendar may be adjusted.
☑️ Get Ready for the New School Year With the FCPS App! 📱
Simplify your back-to-school prep! Download the FCPS mobile app to check school calendars, breakfast/lunch menus, and school contacts all in one place with no login required. Plus, get quick access to ParentVUE, Schoology, and the bus app. Download the FCPS mobile app in the Apple App Store or Google Play, and make sure to subscribe to our school in the app settings.
☑️ Explore School Meals in the New Menu Platform
Experience an easier way to view your child’s school menus using MealViewer:
• View what is being served each day.
• View the nutritional information for each meal.
• See if any specific allergens are being served.
• Get notified when your student’s favorite meal is being served.
Printable menus are always available on the Food and Nutrition Services webpage.
New Student ID Cards and Bus Navigation System
FCPS is launching a new bus navigation system, which includes student ID cards for students who ride the bus. Students will use the cards to tap on and off the bus, helping FCPS and families know exactly which students are riding which buses. Learn more about the new system and how it will improve route efficiency, safety, and transparency with families. Check out the frequently asked questions for families.
New Math Textbooks
Middle school students enrolled in Math 6 through Algebra 2 will be using new textbooks this school year. A committee composed of community members, administrators, and teachers reviewed materials and provided input on the selection.
AFTER SCHOOL CORNER
Register for the 2026–2027 After-School Program!
Looking for a fun, engaging, and enriching experience for your child after the school day ends? Registration for the 2026–2027 After-School Program is now open! Beginning Monday, September 14, the program offers a safe, supervised environment where students can receive academic support, explore new interests, participate in clubs and sports, make new friends, and stay connected to the Longfellow community. We encourage every student to get involved and take advantage of the many opportunities available throughout the school year.
Detailed schedule coming in September!
To sign up your child for our 2026–2027 After-School Program, please complete the digital registration at this link: After School Program Registration 26-27 Longfellow MS
After-School Program Highlights
• Free for all students—there is no cost to participate.
• The program begins Monday, September 14.
• Late buses are available Monday–Thursday beginning September 14. Friday is parent pick-up only, and students should be picked up by 4:30 p.m.
• Offered Monday through Friday, with all activities ending by 4:30 p.m.
• Registration is required for all students who plan to participate.
• Students are supervised throughout the program.
• A wide variety of clubs and activities are offered, including sports, academic teams, arts, STEM, service organizations, homework support, and more. New opportunities are added throughout the year based on student interest.
• Students should discuss their after-school plans with their families each morning to avoid confusion at dismissal.
• Students must follow all school expectations while participating. After-school activities are canceled on early release days, school closures, or emergency dismissals.
PARENT INFORMATION
Curious about Scouting?
Come see what it's all about. Join Troop 128 and Pack 665 for our Fall Open House on Monday, August 31, from 6:00–8:00 PM at St. John's Episcopal Church, 6715 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA. Families are invited to enjoy hot dogs, a campfire, and fun outdoor activities while learning about Scouting. Adult leaders and Scouts will be available to answer questions and help new families with the registration process. Troop 128 offers a Girls' Troop and a Boys' Troop for youth in grades 6–12 and meets every Monday from 7–8:15 PM at St. John's. Pack 665 welcomes boys and girls in grades K–5 and typically meets one Monday each month, also at St. John's. Perfect for the whole family! Learn more at www.troop128mclean.org and www.pack665mclean.org.
Celebrate McLean- 2026
Please save the date for September 10th for Celebrate McLean. It will run from 3:30pm-6:00pm at the practice football field, prior to our football home opener vs Falls Church. We will have games, food, DJ and tables from our clubs and sports. We look forward to another amazing day!
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