August 28, 2026
PANTHERS, WHAT A WEEK! HAPPY FRIDAY!
What a fantastic first week at Langston Hughes Middle School! We did it!
As I reflect on our first week of the 2026–2027 school year, I could not be prouder of our students, staff, and families. Our 7th graders have transitioned beautifully into middle school—getting to class on time, reconnecting with old friends, making new ones, and showing us that they are ready to be Empowered by Excellence!
To our students: You have set the tone for an incredible year. Keep making wise decisions, showing up on time, treating others with respect, and giving your very best. Remember, every day is another opportunity to grow, learn, lead, and shine!
PARENTS—WE NEED YOU!
Our PTA meeting is Monday, August 31, and we need our Panther families to show up and be a part of building something great!
Our immediate goal is to organize and establish our PTA for this school year, and we are in dire need of a President, Secretary, and Treasurer. These leadership positions are essential to ensuring our PTA can function and continue supporting our students and staff throughout the year.
Our PTA does SO MUCH for Langston Hughes Middle School—supporting students, recognizing staff, helping with events, and strengthening the connection between our school and our families.
If you have not joined the PTA, now is the perfect time! Your membership, your voice, your ideas, and your involvement matter. You don't have to do everything; just be willing to do something. 😊 Together, we can make an incredible difference for our Panthers!
A FEW IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
Late buses and after-school activities will begin Monday, September 14, 2026. Please plan accordingly until then.
Also, there will be NO SCHOOL on:
- Friday, September 4
- Monday, September 7
Students will return to school on Tuesday, September 8, 2026; it will be a "gray" day.
Enjoy the long weekend, Panthers! Rest, recharge, spend time with family, and come back ready to make Week 2 even better than Week 1!
Let’s keep the momentum going! Take good care!
Principal Mizell
IMPORTANT DATES
Friday, September 4 & Monday, September 7, 2026: Labor Day/No School
Wednesday, September 9, 2026: School-Wide iReady Reading Screener
Thursday, September 10, 2026: School-Wide MAP Math Screener
Thursday, September 17, 2026: Back-to-School Night from 6pm-8pm
Monday, September 21, 2026: Yom Kippur/No School
Wednesday, October 28 & Thursday, October 29, 2026: Picture Day
STUDENT SERVICES
Locker Requests
If your child needs a locker, please complete this Locker Request Form. Please be mindful that students are encouraged to carry all necessary materials in their backpacks. Going to a locker should not prevent students from arriving to class on time. Locker requests take one week to process. The locker number and combination will be available in Student Vue and Parent Vue, under the Student Info tab. Please contact your student’s counselor or Marissa Brooks with questions or concerns.
Back-to-School Night
We are excited to welcome parents/guardians to BTSN on Thursday, September 17 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. We will begin promptly at 6:00 p.m., as attendees will follow their student’s schedule. You will have an opportunity to meet teachers and learn about course curriculum and classroom expectations. If you are in need of interpreting, please complete this LHMS Interpreter Request form. The following “Early Bird” sessions are also being offered:
- 5:00-5:25- Standardized Testing in Middle School (Lecture Hall)
- 5:30-5:55- Mental Wellness Overview, Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener, Signs of Suicide (SOS) Lesson Preview(Lecture Hall)
- 5:00-5:45- Sign up for ParentVue and complete Digital Consent (Cafeteria)
- 5:15-5:45- Family Life Education (FLE) Preview (room 155)
I-Ready and MAP Screeners
All students taking the Spring SOLs will participate in the iReady Reading and Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Math screeners on the following dates:
We will follow our school-wide testing bell schedule on these days, with all students testing at 7:30 a.m. While these screeners do not count as a grade, the data helps us determine additional supports your child may need. Thank you for partnering with us to encourage students to always do their best. Contact your child’s LHMS school counselor if you have any questions.
Student Services Updates
Counselors enjoyed getting to know their students this week! Counselor introduction lessons are underway in English classes and will continue into next week. Along with these classroom visits, each counselor is meeting individually with their students for brief meet‑and‑greets. These early connections help build trust, establish communication, and set the foundation for a supportive and successful school year.
Counselors provide a wide range of support throughout the year, including academic planning, social‑emotional support, and conflict resolution. Counselors are also available to help students build organization systems, practice self‑advocacy, and navigate the transition into middle school. We encourage you to reach out to your child’s LHMS school counselor with any questions or concerns.
Course Change Requests
The elective change window is August 31 to September 4. Changes are only available as space permits and may result in multiple classes and teachers being changed. Please complete this LHMS course request change form by September 4. After the window closes, schedules will be set for the year.
Prayer Space Request
In accordance with Regulation 1502, we want to ensure all students and staff have reasonable accommodation and access to meditation and silent reflection spaces within the school division, inclusive of their religious or non-religious beliefs. Parents/guardians may request a prayer space for their student by completing this form. Please contact your child’s counselor with questions. Please review the FCPS Religious Accommodations site for more details.
Family Liaison Introduction
We are pleased to introduce our Family Liaisons for the 2026–27 school year, Ms. Janessa Valentine and Ms. Maya Skaff. They are committed to welcoming and supporting all families, strengthening school–home connections, and celebrating the cultural diversity of our community. Our Family Liaisons assist families with access to school and community resources, navigating ParentVUE, and submitting Free and Reduced‑Price Meal Applications.
A reminder that a new Free and Reduced‑Price Meal Application must be submitted each school year, even if your student qualified previously. Families who qualified last year have until the end of September to submit an application to avoid any interruption in benefits. New applicants may apply at any time during the school year.
Contact Information:
Janessa Valentine
E-mail: jrvalentine@fcps.edu
Phone: 703-715-3643
Maya Skaff
E-mail: mbskaff@fcps.edu
Phone:703-715-3603 or 571-587-1435
Languages spoken: Arabic and French
LANGSTON HUGHES MIDDLE SCHOOL - PTA
PTA Meetings for the 2026-2027 school year!
Mark your calendars now: Aug. 31, Sept. 14, Oct. 5, Nov. 9, Dec. 7, Jan. 11, Feb. 8, Mar. 8, April 5, May 3, June 7
All meetings are at 7:00 p.m. in our LHMS Library unless otherwise indicated.
AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM
Dear Hughes Families,
Langston Hughes offers free after-school activities every Monday through Friday until 5:00 PM all school year long.
Whether your student wants to join sports, get help with homework, create and compete in STEM clubs, play video games, or attend special events—there is something for everyone!
Key Highlights:
• Free Programs: Running Monday–Friday until 5:00 PM.
• Bus Transportation: Available 4 days a week. Monday - Thursday.
• Full Schedule & Details: View specific program information on our website, https://hughesms.fcps.edu/activities/after-school-program , starting Sept 7th.
Action Needed: Complete Registration Today!
Even if your student isn't sure they want to participate right away, we strongly encourage every family to complete the registration form now.
• No obligation: Registering does not require your child to attend.
• Be prepared: Completing this form ensures your student is cleared to join in on any activity, any time during the school year!
👉 Click Here to Complete the Registration Form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScu3xxfhipCQVi6rpXeSVHYOK8utpFMlMDkC_AYex1YriJZtA/viewform
Thank you for helping us prepare for a fantastic school year!
 Attention, 8th parents/guardians!
We are thrilled to announce that award-winning author Steve Sheinkin will be coming to Langston Hughes MS on September 2nd to promote his brand new book, Mind vs Machine, a nonfiction graphic novel about the legendary chess match that changed the world between Garry Kasparvo and IBM Supercomputer Deep Blue. To pre-order a personalized signed copy of the book for your student, please scan here to order.
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