Principal Message
Dear Lancer Families,
We have had a wonderful first week of school! It has been exciting to see our students reconnect with friends, build relationships with teachers, learn new routines, and settle into their classes. We are incredibly proud of how smoothly our students have transitioned into the new year and grateful to our staff for creating welcoming, supportive learning environments from day one. Thank you as well to our families for your partnership and support in helping us begin the year on such a positive note.
We look forward to welcoming you to Back to School Night on Tuesday, September 1, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. This is a great opportunity to follow your child’s schedule, meet their teachers, learn more about their classes, and hear about the learning and experiences ahead this year. Please take a screen shot of your student’s schedule from ParentVue before arriving on Tuesday evening so you can follow their schedule throughout the night. We hope you will join us as we continue strengthening the partnership between home and school and building a community where every student can experience excellence, support, and belonging. We look forward to seeing you 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
September
1 Student Laptop Distribution
1 Back to School Night 6-8:00pm
4 Labor Day Break-Holiday
7 Labor Day Break-Holiday
10 Celebrate McLean 3:30-6pm
14 After School Starts
24-25 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. Please take 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. Parking is limited so consider carpooling or walking if possible. Please DO NOT park in a private neighborhood, as you may be towed.
BTSN Schedule:
Period 1 - 6:00-6:30
Period 2 - 6:35-6:45
Period 3 - 6:50-7:00
Period 5 - 7:05-7:15
Period 6 - 7:20-7:30
Period 7- 7:35-7:45
Period 8- 7:50-8:00
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) Information Session – September 23rd @ 2:45
On Wednesday 9/23/26 at 2:45 pm, Longfellow will hold a Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) Admissions Presentation for parents and students in the Lecture Hall. TJHSST is a selective secondary high school, and students must submit an application, complete the admissions exam, and be offered a seat to attend. To learn more about the TJHSST admissions process, visit TJHSST Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Admissions | Fairfax County Public Schools (fcps.edu).
Please RSVP for the Longfellow session by completing this Google Form.
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!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Student ID Cards for Longfellow MS Bus Riders
We will begin distributing student ID cards to all our students who ride the school bus or use FCPS transportation services. These will be handed out this week during our 7th period classes to our bus riders.
ID cards should be worn or attached to your child’s backpack and brought to the bus each day. Students who have student ID cards should begin tapping as they board and exit the bus. Only students who use FCPS transportation services will be provided with a student ID card at this time.
We ask for your patience! Bus drivers are checking in students and may need some extra time at each bus stop while they do this. The transportation team is working hard to minimize any potential delays. Learn more about the bus navigation and student ID cards.
Remember to Complete Permission Forms for School Resources
Families can now easily grant consent for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. This online tool can be accessed using your SIS ParentVUE account login. Parents can easily opt their child in or out of a variety of resources, including online educational tools, school counseling services, and more.
Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. Watch this video to see how to use the tool.
Important Forms and Information:
• Opt-outs (https://www.fcps.edu/about-fcps/leadership/district-performance-transparency/policies-regulations-notices/annual-notice)
• SR&R (https://www.fcps.edu/about-fcps/leadership/district-performance-transparency/policies-regulations-notices/student-rights)
• Private school application process https://longfellowms.fcps.edu/student-services/record-request-and-private-school-application-process
Everything You Need to Do in SIS ParentVUE
Are you working your way through back-to-school forms and checklists? Make sure you have a SIS ParentVUE account for your family and log in to find important forms and updates.
• Be among the first to know about weather closings, bus delays, and other critical communications from your school and FCPS by providing your cell phone number and email in ParentVUE. To update your contact information in ParentVUE, click the “Online Packets” tab in the upper right of the screen, then click the “Online Verification/Update” icon.
• Submit daylong absences by clicking “Report Absence.”
• Check your child’s immunization records and submit updates. Please visit the How to Submit Immunization Documentation webpage for step-by-step instructions.
If you do not have a ParentVUE account, contact your child’s school for an activation code and follow the directions on the SIS ParentVUE Account webpage.
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.
Transportation Patience and Safety
Thank you for your patience as we all get used to new routines this school year. We appreciate our families following Kiss and Ride procedures and being patient while waiting for your child’s bus.
If your child’s bus is delayed, you may access the Bus Delay Notification System or use the Here Comes the Bus mobile app to receive the delayed bus report. Email messages will be sent to announce significant bus delays. Please contact the Transportation Office at 703-249-7100 with any additional questions. For concerns after 5:30 p.m., contact the FCPS Office of Safety and Security at 571-423-2000.
Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE to make sure you receive email messages about bus delays.
Have Children in Multiple FCPS Schools? 🏫
The FCPS mobile app lets you follow updates from all your children's schools in one place! Simply open the app, tap the teal pull-down menu, then tap the gear icon and select every school you want to follow. See thisvideo of how to follow your school.
Find out about more features of the app. Download the app from theApple App Store or Google Play Store.
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.
AFTER SCHOOL CORNER
After-School Program Begins September 14!
We are excited to welcome our Lancers back for another great year of after-school clubs, activities, enrichment, and competitive programs at Longfellow Middle School!
The first day of the Quarter 1 After-School Program is Monday, September 14, 2026 with some clubs and Late bus service Monday through Thursday (routes will be published on the After School Website and Schoology as soon as they become available.
It is important to note that All After School clubs will launch on the week of 9/21/26
The schedule for the 1st quarter will be released on 9/11/26.
How Will Families Receive the Club Schedule?
After-school schedules, club information, and important updates will be shared through:
• Schoology
• Longfellow's weekly newsletters
• Longfellow MS After-School Program Website
Families are encouraged to visit the website to learn more about the After-School Program and get a sense of the types of clubs and activities that have been offered in previous years.
How Does Club Registration Work?
For most after-school clubs, students register on a daily basis. However, some programs have different enrollment requirements, including:
Competitive Clubs & Tryout-Based Programs — These may require an application, tryout, entrance exam, or selection process before students can participate.
Quarterly or Yearlong Clubs — Some clubs have enrollment caps and require students to register for the full quarter or school year.
Club Offerings Change Each Quarter
Our after-school program continues to evolve throughout the year! Club offerings vary each quarter based on student interest, sponsor availability, space, and programming opportunities.
We encourage families and students to check Schoology, the weekly newsletter, and the After-School Program website regularly for schedules, registration information, new opportunities, and program updates.
We look forward to a fun and engaging 2026–2027 After-School Program at Longfellow!
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.
• Offered Monday through Friday, with all activities ending by 4:30 p.m.
• The program begins Monday, September 14. (Important note: Not all clubs will start this day).
• 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.
• 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 teacher work days, student holidays, the day prior to a holiday, early release days, school closures, or emergency dismissals.
Parents: Help Lead a Longfellow STEM Club!
We are still looking for enthusiastic parent/community volunteers to serve as Sponsors & Head Coaches for two of our competitive clubs at Longfellow Middle School:
🌎 Model United Nations (Model UN)
➗ MATHCOUNTS
This is a wonderful opportunity to mentor students, share your knowledge and interests, and help our Lancers build confidence, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving skills through meaningful after-school experiences.
You do not need to be a current FCPS employee to express interest. If you have experience or enthusiasm for math, debate, government, international relations, public speaking, STEM, education, coaching, or working with young people, we would love to hear from you!
Interested in becoming a Sponsor/Head Coach or learning more?
Please contact Sofia Mora, After-School Specialist, at smora@fcps.edu.
Help us keep these valuable opportunities available for our students!
Important Selection/Try out Dates for Science Olympiad and Debate Club
Exciting competitive club opportunities are getting underway at Longfellow! Families interested in Science Olympiad or Debate Team should review the important dates and selection information below.
Science Olympiad — 2026–2027 Team Selection
Science Olympiad Team Information
Is your student interested in science, engineering, problem-solving, building, and competition? Longfellow Middle School is excited to begin the selection process for our 2026–2027 Science Olympiad Team!
Please fill out the following 2026-27 Science Olympiad Interest Form
Parent Orientation — Longfellow Library: Thursday, September 10 | 6:00–7:30 p.m. Parents/guardians are invited to learn about Science Olympiad, team expectations, competitions, and the two-stage selection process.
Stage 1:
Monday, September 14 | 2:30–4:30 p.m.
Student Entrance Examination — Cafeteria
All students interested in being considered for the team must complete the entrance examination. We anticipate finishing earlier than 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, September 15 | 2:30–4:30 p.m.
Stage 1: Entrance Examination Makeup Day
This session is for students who are unable to attend the September 14 examination.
Stage 2:
Saturday, September 19 | 9:00 a.m.–12:00 noon
Build Event Evaluation:
The Build Event Evaluation is the second stage of the selection process and is only for students 50-60 students who successfully pass the initial entrance examination. Students who advance will receive additional information about their assigned or selected evaluation time.
Science Olympiad offers students an exciting opportunity to develop STEM knowledge, teamwork, critical thinking, engineering, laboratory, and problem-solving skills while preparing for competitive events.
Questions? Contact Mr. Goldwyn Rodrigues at grodrigues@fcpsschools.net
LMS Debate Team — Information Meeting & Tryouts
Interested in debate, public speaking, argumentation, and competition? Come learn about the LMS Debate Team and what to expect this year!
Thursday, September 17 | 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Information Meeting — Lecture Hall
During the meeting, students will learn about the Debate Team, the tryout process, and the competition schedule for the year.
Debate Team Tryouts:
Thursday, September 24
Questions? Contact Ms. Oney in Room 151 or at nsoney@fcps.edu.
We look forward to seeing our Lancers explore their interests, challenge themselves, and represent Longfellow through after-school competitive programs!
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LONGFELLOW PTA
Middle School PTA Is Different!
At Longfellow, we keep it simple: no individual classroom fees, no “room parent” collections, and no series of fundraising drives planned throughout the year.
Instead, the PTA raises funds once to support the school throughout the year. Last year, the PTA spent $27,000 on programs and extras not covered by the school budget- including Lancer Bucks and student incentives, teacher appreciation, and teacher and classroom support.
This year, our Support Excellence goal is $30,000. We’re asking Longfellow families to:
1. Join the PTA — $25 per member
Membership connects you to and gives you a voice in the Longfellow PTA. Very few meetings and no big volunteer commitment!
2. Make a Support Excellence donation if you can.
You do not have to be a PTA member to donate. Donations of $100 or more receive a free Longfellow magnet! Email wfdorsky@gmail.com to receive yours.
So far, we have 32 parent memberships and 9 teacher/staff memberships and have raised $300 toward our $30,000 Support Excellence goal.
Help us fund the year now so we can keep middle-school fundraising simple.
Use Givebacks to add a membership, donation, or both to your cart and check out once.
Join. Donate. Or do both. Every family can support Longfellow in the way that works for them.
PARENT INFORMATION
Middle School Learn to Row with McLean HS Crew!
Looking for an exciting way to try something new this fall? McLean High School Crew Club is offering a Learn to Row program for middle school students! Students will have the opportunity to get out on the Potomac River, learn the fundamentals of rowing, and experience this exciting team sport.
Tuesdays & Thursdays, September 15–October 22
5:00–6:30 p.m.
No previous rowing experience is needed!
Registration is now open! Visit the link below, scroll to the bottom of the page, and complete the 5 registration steps for Middle School Learn to Row.
REGISTER FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL LEARN TO ROW
Don't miss this opportunity to get on the water, learn a new sport, and experience crew!
🎭 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!
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