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Dear Lancer Families,
To our Jewish families who recently observed the High Holidays, we wish you a meaningful and peaceful season of reflection, renewal, and time with loved ones. Shanah Tovah to all who are celebrating. It is hard to believe that we are already about halfway through the first quarter! As students continue to settle into their classes and expectations increase, this is a great time to check in on academic progress. Teachers should be sending progress reports every other week to help families stay informed about student performance. If you have not yet received a progress report from one of your child’s teachers by Friday, September 25th, please reach out directly to that teacher. Families can also regularly check ParentVUE to monitor grades, assignments, and overall progress. We encourage parents and guardians to review this information with their students and help ensure they are staying on top of work completion, missing assignments, and test retakes or reassessments as needed. Developing these habits of responsibility and self-advocacy is an important part of the middle school experience.
We also have school pictures this Thursday and Friday, with students taking their pictures during their PE classes. Next Monday we have our first PTA meeting of the year at 5:30 pm in our lecture hall. Please come out to learn more about the focus of the PTA for the year and hear about some upcoming events for our school community.
Thank you for your continued partnership as we work together to support our students academically, socially, and emotionally. We are proud of the strong start our Lancers have made and look forward to continuing that momentum through the remainder of the first quarter! I hope you and your family have a wonderful week.
Chris Butzer
Principal, Longfellow MS
CALENDAR EVENTS
September
22-26 MWEE Field Trip for 7th Graders
24-25 Fall Pictures through PE Class
28 PTA Meeting 5:30-6:15pm
October
12 Student Holiday-No School
19-23 Book Fair
30 End of Quarter-2 Hour Early Release
DETAILS ON UPCOMING EVENTS
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.
School Picture Day is This Week!
📅 Date: Thursday September 24th & Friday September 25th
📸 Pictures Available: Approximately two weeks after photo day
🛒 Pre-order Online: https://shop.imagequix.com/g1001416974
📧 Questions about Ordering? Email us at underclass@vosphoto.com
Registration for the World Languages Credit by Exam
This year's World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at each FCPS middle, high, and secondary school.
The World Languages Credit by Exam is an optional test for students in grades 7-12 who can speak and write (type) proficiently in a language other than English. Based on the results of the exam, they can earn 1, 2, and/or 3 passing world language credits. If that language is one of the languages listed below, consider registering your student for the World Languages Credit by Exam!
The World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at Longfellow Middle School on November 11th and November 12th. The makeup date will be November 18th. Students will be notified about what day they will be testing closer to the test dates. Students will test starting in the morning in the Lecture Hall.
Registration opens on September 8th, at 8 a.m., and closes on October 16th, at 4 p.m.
Late registrations will not be accepted.
More information, including the list of languages offered on the exam, and how to register is available online.
Please contact your student’s school counselor to register for the exam.
AMC Opportunity at McLean High School
The AMC 10 and AMC 12 are both 25-question, 75-minute, multiple-choice mathematics competitions in high school mathematics designed to promote the development and enhancement of problem-solving. Longfellow students interested in taking one or both may do so at McLean High School. If your child would like to take the AMC 10 or 12 tests, please register in MySchoolBucks. Two versions of each are given. Version A will be given on 11/5 and Version B will be given on 11/13. Both days start at 3:15 PM at McLean High School and families must provide their own transportation. The cost is $8 and registers you for both versions. Make sure to select the correct test when paying. The deadline to register in MySchoolBucks is September 25th. If you have any questions, please contact Chloe Hennon at crhennon@fcps.edu.
PTA This Week: Join Us Next Monday!
Thank you to everyone who joined us for Lancers After Hours on Friday!
PTA General Body Meeting — Monday, September 28
5:30–6:15 PM | Longfellow Lecture Hall
We hope you’ll join us in person! The Lecture Hall is located at the front right side of the school, near the field.
This is our first PTA meeting of the year. Principal Butzer will join us as we share a brief financial and membership update, preview upcoming programs and priorities, and talk about ways families can get involved.
Support Longfellow
Thank you to our 133 PTA members! If you haven’t joined or donated yet, there are two easy ways to support Longfellow:
1. Join the PTA — $25 per member
2. Make a Support Excellence donation
Our Support Excellence goal is $30,000, helping fund student incentives, teacher appreciation, and teacher and classroom needs throughout the year. You do not need to be a PTA member to donate.
Review and Sign the SR&R by September 30
The FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) booklet explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. This year’s SR&R includes new Universal Grade Matrices, which are at-a-glance charts that make it easier for families to see behavior expectations and school responses for grades K-3, 4-8, and 9-12.
Families, please review the SR&R and discuss these expectations with your child. Be sure to sign the SR&R acknowledgement form by Wednesday, September 30, either by logging into SIS ParentVUE or signing and returning the Signature Sheet to your child’s school.
Learn more by watching a short video about the SR&R (available in English and Spanish) or visiting the SR&R webpage.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Advanced Academic Programs- Fall Full-Time AAP Screening
The fall referral window is only for students in Grades 3-8 who are new to FCPS since January 1, 2026. Parents and guardians who would like their student to be considered for Full-Time Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services must submit the Full-Time AAP Referral Form to Elaina Bafaro, Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, at erbafaro@fcps.edu by October 15, 2026. Late referrals will not be accepted.
For students who are not new to FCPS and have been enrolled, the spring Full-Time AAP identification window is open to students in Grades 2-7. Families interested in referring their student for consideration during the spring window must submit a referral by December 15, 2026.
Lexia Core5 & PowerUp: How It’s Used, the Benefits, & Addressing Concerns around Device Usage and AI
Join Lexia Learning to see how FCPS classrooms are using Lexia this year to support your student’s literacy growth.
Want to learn more about Lexia® Core5 and Lexia® PowerUp? This virtual session walks families through how FCPS is using both programs in classrooms across the district this school year to support students’ literacy growth — and gives you a chance to ask questions.
What we’ll cover:
• Program basics. What Core5 and PowerUp are, and how they meet your student’s individual learning needs.
• In the classroom. How Lexia supports teacher planning and instruction.
• Data & goals. How educators use Lexia data for progress monitoring and goal setting.
• Device usage & AI concerns. Understand how students interact with the online program and how much time they are using the programs in schools.Choose a session:
Date Time
Wednesday, September 23, 2026 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Wednesday, October 7, 2026 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Wednesday, October 21, 2026 5:00 – 6:00 PM
Wednesday, October 21, 2026 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Wednesday, November 4, 2026 6:30 – 7:30 PM
*Every session covers the same content — join whichever date and time works best for your family.
Join us on Zoom:
All sessions are virtual. Scan the code or use the link below to join from any device. bit.ly/2627FamilyZoom
School Supplies Available
Longfellow Middle School has a limited number of school supply kits to share with our families. If your family needs assistance accessing school supplies, please contact our Family Liaison, Josue Escobar at jaescobar@fcps.edu.
Superintendent Community Conversations
Join us for a series of Community Conversations that will be held across the school division. Share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Click on the date to register for any of the following events:
• Monday, September 28, at 6:30 p.m., at Riverside Elementary School
• Monday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m., at Spring Hill Elementary School
• Monday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m., at Beech Tree Elementary School
• Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m., at North Springfield Elementary School
• Friday, November 13, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School
Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.
Twice Exceptional Students
Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction. Twice-Exceptional (2e) learners are students who are gifted and have learning challenges or disabilities.
Families can learn more about 2e learners, how to support them, and how to partner with schools on the 2e webpage, which also includes a link to the Special Education Handbook. For more information, please contact our Advanced Academics Resource Teacher, Elaina Bafaro.
Schools Build Belonging so Students Can Thrive
What does belonging look like in our school? At Longfellow, we are creating inclusive, supportive environments where every student feels known, valued, and connected — the second goal of the Strategic Plan. From mentoring to cross-grade collaboration, when students feel safe and supported, they can truly thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. See how Goal 2 is being put into practice at FCPS.
Importance of Strong Attendance Habits
September is Attendance Awareness Month. Some of the ways parents can help their children create healthy routines and a habit of getting to school on time every day include:
• Setting a regular bedtime and morning routine. (Need help? Download this checklist in English or Spanish.)
• Laying out clothes and packing backpacks the night before.
• Talking to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make your child feel comfortable and excited about learning, if they seem anxious about going to school.
• Developing back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
• Avoiding medical appointments or extended trips when school is in session.
If you or your family need any kind of support, please reach out to our front office. We are here for you! Visit FCPS’ Attendance webpage for tips and strategies.
The Importance of the Flu Vaccine
As we look ahead to the upcoming school year, the health and well-being of our students continues to be one of our priorities. Staying up to date with your child's flu vaccination helps:
• Reduce School Absences: Keeping students healthy means more time spent learning and engaging with peers.
• Protect the Community: Vaccination helps shield vulnerable family members and neighbors from seasonal illness.
• Support Overall Wellness: Routine flu shots are a key component of a proactive student health plan.
Upcoming Flu Shot Events
FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will provide flu shots for all FCPS students, ages 18 and under, at no out-of-pocket cost. Multiple events will be taking 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.
Virtual Mental Health Services Now Available to Middle School Students
Since 2023, FCPS has partnered with Hazel Health to offer virtual mental health services to FCPS high school students. These services became available to students enrolled in all FCPS middle schools on July 1.
Parents are encouraged to contact Hazel Health directly if they are seeking mental health support for their child, have noticed changes in their child’s mood or behavior, or are having difficulty connecting with a therapist in the community.
To make it easier for families to access services, FCPS has partnered with Hazel Health to streamline the referral process. Parents can visit the Hazel Health in FCPS website to enroll their child in services or visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more information.
AFTER SCHOOL CORNER
📅 After-School Program Information & Calendar
Families, please be sure to visit the Longfellow MS After-School Program webpage for important information throughout the school year. The page includes the 2026–2027 After-School Calendar, First Quarter activities, club descriptions, registration information, transportation details, and other helpful resources.
The After-School Calendar is especially important for families to reference important dates, program dates, and days when the After-School Program will NOT be held.
Longfellow MS After-School Program
💻 Students: Check Schoology!
Students have access to the most detailed and up-to-date after-school information through Schoology, including:
• Club information and announcements
• Activity schedules and meeting information
• Required daily attendance/sign-in form
• Club-specific updates and reminders
• Important changes and announcements
Reminder: Students are responsible for completing their daily attendance/sign-in through Schoology every day they participate in an after-school activity.
🎤 Coming up: Debate Team —Tryouts
🗣️ Tryouts
• Thursday, September 24
• 3:30 p.m.
• Lecture Hall
Questions? Contact Ms. Oney in Room 151 or at nsoney@fcps.edu.
NEW: Model UN Club
📅 Model UN Information Meeting
• Monday, September 28, 2026
• 3:30–4:30 p.m.
• Longfellow Library
Students interested in Model UN are encouraged to attend the information meeting to learn more about the club, expectations, and participation.
🗓️ Regular Club Meetings
• Mondays & Thursdays
• 3:30–4:30 p.m.
• Longfellow Library
• Official Start Date: TBD
🌐 What Will Students Do?
Model UN provides opportunities for students to:
• 🌎 Explore international relations and current global issues
• 🗣️ Develop public-speaking and debate skills
• 🔎 Research countries, policies, and international topics
• 🤝 Practice diplomacy, negotiation, and collaboration
• ✍️ Develop and present thoughtful, evidence-based positions
• 💡 Strengthen critical-thinking and problem-solving skills
• 🏛️ Participate in Model UN simulations and prepare for competitive events
Interested? Start by attending the September 28 information meeting in the Library! Think globally. Speak confidently. Collaborate. Lead. 🌎
🏃♀️ Cross Country — Middle School Fall Sport
📅 Cross Country Begins
Thursday, September 17 | 2:30–3:30 p.m.
👟 Practices
Tuesdays & Thursdays | 2:30–3:30 p.m.
📝 Registration Requirements
Before participating, families must:
• Complete and submit the FCPS Middle School Athletics registration. Please reference the email sent from FinalForms to complete your login and registration through the new online digital registration platform.
• Complete AND upload the Middle School Athletics Physical Form (PPE) into the FinalForms Portal.
• Physical forms expire 14 months after they are signed.
• All PPEs completed after July 1, 2025 must use the new FCPS Middle School Athletics Physical Form.
• Be sure your physical does not expire before the Cross Country season ends.
⚠️ Students cannot participate in practices, conditioning, tryouts, or any other sports activities until the required physical has been uploaded and FinalForms registration is complete.
🏆 Meet Dates
• October 3: Key MS — 10:00 a.m.
• October 10: Herndon MS — 7:30 a.m.
• October 17: Stone MS — 7:30 a.m.
• October 24: Poe MS — 10:00 a.m.
• November 7: Championship — Liberty MS
NEW: 🎲 Dungeons & Dragons Club — Imagine. Create. Adventure!
Calling all adventurers! Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) Club is a fun and collaborative space where students can explore fantasy worlds, create unique characters, solve challenges, and experience exciting adventures together.
📅 Club Meetings
• Starts Monday, September 28
• Meets every Monday
• 2:30–3:30 p.m.
🐉 What Will Students Do?
Students will have opportunities to:
• 🎭 Create and develop unique characters
• 🗺️ Explore imaginative worlds and group adventures
• 🎲 Learn and play Dungeons & Dragons
• 🧩 Solve puzzles and overcome challenges as a team
• 📖 Practice storytelling and creative thinking
• 🤝 Develop teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills
• 😊 Connect with students who enjoy fantasy, role-playing, and tabletop games
⭐ New & Experienced Players Welcome!
Whether you're an experienced player or completely new to D&D, all experience levels are welcome.
First meeting: Monday, September 28 from 2:30–3:30 p.m.
Roll the dice. Build your character. Start your adventure! 🎲🐉
NEW: 🎤 Policy Debate Team — Research. Argue. Make an Impact!
Are you interested in public speaking, research, current issues, and making a strong argument? Join the Longfellow Middle School Policy Debate Team!
Policy Debate helps students learn how to research an issue, analyze information, build persuasive arguments, and confidently present their ideas to different audiences. The team will prepare students to participate in national-level competition during the school year.
📅 Information Session
• Wednesday, September 23
• 4:30–5:30 p.m.
• LMS Library
🗓️ Weekly Team Meetings
• Mondays
• 2:30–4:30 p.m.
🗣️ Team Auditions
Students interested in joining the competitive team should be prepared for:
• A 2–3 minute audition
• A brief 15-minute presentation and Q&A
⭐ What Will Students Develop?
Policy Debate provides opportunities to strengthen:
• 🔎 Research and analysis
• 🗣️ Public speaking and presentation
• 💡 Critical thinking
• ✍️ Evidence-based argumentation
• 🤝 Communication and teamwork
• 🎯 Persuasion and confidence
Build skills. Expand your world. Research. Argue. Make an impact with Longfellow Policy Debate!
📝 NEW! After-School Testing Center
Need to make up a test or complete an assessment after school? Longfellow is adding a new After-School Testing Center beginning September 30!
Testing Center Details:
• 📅 Wednesdays
• 🕝 2:30–3:30 p.m.
• 📍 Room 206
• 🚀 Starts Wednesday, September 30
Students using the Testing Center should follow their teacher’s instructions regarding assessments that need to be completed.
Remember: All students staying after school should first report to the Cafeteria for after-school check-in and attendance before heading to their activity.
PARENT INFORMATION
Pink Out the Gym: McLean vs. Yorktown Volleyball Dig Pink Game – September 24
The McLean Girls Volleyball team is calling on our community to help "PINK OUT THE GYM" on Thursday, September 24 and raise awareness for breast cancer! This event is more than just a game—it's an opportunity for our community to come together, learn about a serious health risk, and support our student athletes. Bring your family and friends, wear your pink, and enjoy Freshman, JV, and Varsity girls volleyball along with fun and "fun"draising activities throughout the evening, including a bake sale. Let's fill the stands and show our support! Games start at 4:45 pm, 5:45 pm, and 7 pm.
Applications Open Monday, October 5, for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Eighth graders who have an aptitude and passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are encouraged to apply for admission to the Class of 2031 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST).
The application will be available Monday, October 5, at 4 p.m. Applications must be started by 4 p.m. Wednesday, October 28, with a submission deadline of 4 p.m. Friday, October 30. Visit the TJHSST registration page for more information, including a schedule of upcoming information sessions at middle schools.
Special Education Family Conference: Connected Communities, Thriving Students
Hayfield Secondary School for the annual Special Education Family Conference: Connected Communities, Thriving Students. The free conference will take place on Saturday, November 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hayfield Secondary School.
Hosted by FCPS in collaboration with community partners, the conference highlights the power of partnerships in supporting student success. Families, educators, and community members are invited to connect, learn, and explore available special education services, supports, and resources.
The conference will feature an inspiring opening session, engaging breakout sessions, an exhibitor hall with local resources, and lunch for all participants.
Register for the conference and visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information. Email SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu with any questions.
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