PRINCIPAL MESSAGE
Dear Lancer Families,
What a wonderful start to the school year! It was exciting to welcome our students back today and see our hallways and classrooms filled with energy, enthusiasm, and plenty of smiles. Thanks to the preparation of our staff, the support of our families, and the positive spirit of our students, our first day was a smooth and successful one. We are proud of the way our students navigated new schedules, connected with teachers and classmates, and began settling into their routines. We look forward to building on this strong start in the days and weeks ahead.
Please continue to remind your students to prepare for walking through the OpenGate system each morning by removing binders, umbrellas, metal water bottles, and eye glass cases from backpacks before walking through. We will continue to decrease the amount of time it takes for students to go through the system and get to class throughout the next week as they get used to this procedure.
We hope you will join us for Back to School Night on Tuesday, September 1, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. This evening is an important opportunity to meet your child’s teachers, learn more about their classes and expectations, and get a glimpse into their daily experience at school. Strong partnerships between home and school are essential to student success, and we are grateful for your continued support as we begin this year together. We look forward to seeing you next Tuesday evening!
Thank you for your ongoing 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. Please reach out to us if you have any questions.
Chris Butzer
Principal, Longfellow MS
UPCOMING EVENTS
August
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
14 After School Starts
25-26 Fall Pictures through PE Class
DETAILS ON UPCOMING EVENTS
Back to School Information
Our Back to School Night is Tuesday, September 1st from 6-8 pm. This event is an opportunity for parents/guardians to walk through their child’s class schedule and meet their teachers. You can view their class schedule online through ParentVUE. We recommend taking a screenshot of their schedule before arriving in case ParentVUE is slow or not opening at school that night. If you need help with ParentVUE, please come to room 127 during Back to School Night and meet with Ms. Pelletier.
Parents/guardians walk through their child’s class schedule for an Anchor Day (1,2,3,5,6,7,8). If you arrive after 6:00pm, please report to the class period that is in session when you arrive. The schedule and more information will be sent out to families later this week. Parking is limited so consider carpooling or walking if possible. Please DO NOT park in a private neighborhood, as you may be towed.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
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.
Help Your Child Navigate the Lunch Line
Check out some tips to help your child get through the lunch line quickly and have more time to eat:
• Teach your child their student ID number to receive meals at school.
• Sign up for and add money to MySchoolBucks to purchase meals at school.
• Apply for free and reduced-price meals. Students who were approved for free and reduced-price meals last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should submit a new application as soon as possible, so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost.
If your child has any food allergies, learn how to submit accommodations for dietary restrictions and allergens.
Access menus for breakfast, lunch, and other school meals, as well as allergen and nutrition information.
You Can Manage Student Web Access at Home
At Longfellow, we acknowledge that parents are our students' first and most important teachers. Parents now have greater control over their child’s FCPS-issued device outside of school hours through Lightspeed Parent Portal.
In addition to monitoring weekly internet activity, parents can now also customize web access at home on FCPS devices through Lightspeed using Schedules and Web Rules.
With Schedules, you can set tailored times to automatically pause or restrict internet access. This makes it easier to enforce rules around homework time, family dinners, weekends, or bedtime.
In Web Rules, you can create Custom Block Lists to block specific, individual websites they do not want your child accessing at home. This allows parents greater control over what is happening online, under their own roof.
These new custom controls take effect at home, outside of school hours, and when the device is off the FCPS network. They will not override standard district filtering policies during the instructional day.
Customize Your Lightspeed Settings
All parents should be receiving weekly Lightspeed Online Student Activity Report emails. To set up these new features, click the “Log in or Register” button at the bottom of your weekly Lightspeed Online Student Activity Report email.
Visit the FCPS Lightspeed Parent Portal Guide for more information. If you have additional questions, submit a Parent Technology Support Ticket.
Parents are encouraged to discuss internet boundaries with their children so that they can understand the reasoning behind any limits and the differences between access at home and at school. Get tips on talking to your children about technology safety.
💻 Catch Up on Your Child’s Classwork in Schoology
Teachers use Schoology to post their classroom materials online; to provide a secure forum for students to discuss their ideas and collaborate on projects; and to assign and collect homework electronically. It helps students stay organized, and it keeps the class connected.
A Schoology Parent Account gives you access to:
• Your child’s classes.
• Your child’s upcoming assignments.
• School, class, and group announcements.
To access Schoology, parents will need to have an active SIS/ParentVUE account. Get more information on how to login and use Schoology.
SEL Screener Parent/Guardian Notification
The Fall Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener will be administered to students in grades 3 through 12 in October. Students use the SEL Screener twice a year to share their perspectives on how well their school and community help them develop skills they need to succeed. The screener works by asking questions or presenting statements that students can think about and respond to. This gives students a way to share how well their school community makes them feel valued, included, and supported.
After each screening, results are available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families without a ParentVUE account. For more information, including SEL Screener questions and opt-out information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.
Family Information Line Available in Nine Languages
Parents/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, English, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.
Follow FCPS on WhatsApp
Is WhatsApp one of the ways you stay connected with family, friends, and your community? Now you can use it to stay connected with FCPS, too.
Follow the new FCPS WhatsApp Channel for helpful information and reminders throughout the school year, including important announcements, upcoming dates, tips for families, and more.
Update Your Child’s Immunizations and Records
Please check with your healthcare provider as soon as possible to make sure your child is up-to-date on the immunizations required by the state of Virginia. Prior to the start of school on Monday, August 24, please submit your child’s immunization documentation. If your child has an appointment to receive their required immunizations after August 24, please submit an Immunization Action Plan to confirm the appointment.
You can check your child’s immunization compliance and submit their immunization record in SIS ParentVUE. Records may also be delivered to a school’s front office. If needed, families may also provide other immunization documentation including a healthcare provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption or a notarized Religious Exemption Form. Please visit the FCPS How to Submit Immunization Documentation webpage for step-by-step instructions on how to submit each of these items.
Immunization Events for FCPS Students
FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will be providing school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students, ages 18 and under, with no out-of-pocket costs. Multiple events will take place at designated FCPS locations. Additional 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.
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 (after labor day weekend)!
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
🎭 TheatreMania 2026 is coming!
Middle school students are invited to join us at Kilmer Middle School on Saturday, November 7 for a day of hands-on theatre workshops led by theatre professionals. Students will participate in four workshops covering areas such as acting, dance, vocal performance, improv, technical theatre, design, directing, and more.
Students of all experience levels are welcome!
Cost: $25
Location: Kilmer Middle School
Date: November 7, 2026
Students register themselves through the TheatreMania Google Form:
Registration: https://forms.gle/QbvT43xzmfaJEfav8
Registration deadline: October 24th
We hope to see your student there!
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!
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.
|
|
