Principal's Message

October 16, 2026

Happy Friday, Panthers!

Time flies when you’re having fun, and next week will be a busy one!  Our Book Fair will be open all week in the library, so be sure to stop by and support it.  In recognition of Unity Day, wear orange on Wednesday, October 21. We also hope you’ll join us that evening for our Fall Festival from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Food and drinks will be free. Come out and join the fun!

Thank you to the parents who have volunteered to support our eighth graders at Junior Achievement Finance Park® this upcoming week. Students will take part in a hands-on budgeting simulation, making financial decisions and managing a budget based on real-life scenarios.  Volunteers will guide small groups through the experience. If you’d like to help, please contact your child’s social studies teacher.

Finally, please continue to monitor your child’s grades and attendance through ParentVUE, as the first marking period ends Friday, October 30^th.

Thank you for your continued support.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Principal Mizell

IMPORTANT DATES

Monday, October 19: Federal Impact Aid Survey available on ParentVUE

Monday, October 19 to Friday, October 23: Book Fair in the LHMS Library

Wednesday, October 21: Fall Festival 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Wednesday, October 21: Unity Day - Wear Orange!

Wednesday, October 28 & Thursday, October 29: Picture Day

Friday, October 30: Last Day of the 1st Quarter (two-hour early release for students)

Monday, November 2 & Tuesday, November 3: No school for students

Langston Hughes Middle School Outstanding Employee Awards 26-27

Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Employee Awards! To submit a nomination for a Hughes Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through this Google form link:

Hughes Outstanding Employee Awards 26-27

You may nominate one employee at our school or multiple employees (one individual may only nominate one employee per category).  All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in one more of the criteria for that award category. The google form link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards. The eligibility categories are as follows:  Outstanding Teacher, Outstanding New Teacher, Outstanding Principal, Outstanding Professional Staff Leader, Outstanding Educational Services Employee, and Outstanding Operational Employee.

The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, November 6, 2026. 

If you have any questions, please contact Sharon Duncan-Hudspeth at sdduncanhuds@fcps.edu. 

STUDENT SERVICES

October Events

The month of October is full of ways to bring our student body together and remind students about the importance of healthy habits. On October 21, we celebrate Unity Day, and ask all students and staff to wear orange as a visual reminder that when Panthers unite, we all shine bright!  Students will also participate in a unity activity during lunch on that day. October 26-30 is Red Ribbon Week.  This year’s theme is, Make a Difference, Be a Hero. Stay Drug Free. We will kick-off the week with ‘chalking the walk’, and end the week with wearing red. Please encourage your students to participate in these activities and use them as ways to open conversations at home about these important topics.

Federal Impact Aid Survey

The Federal Impact Aid Survey will be Available to Complete Online via ParentVUE beginning Monday, October 19, 2026

If you have multiple children in Fairfax County Public Schools, please fill out a form for each child. You will know you have completed all of the forms when you get to the final page, and see a green check next to each of their names.

Fairfax County Public Schools Youth Survey

FCPS Youth Survey 

We will administer the Fairfax County Youth Survey to 8th grade students through their Civics classes on Monday, November 16 and Tuesday, November 17.  The Fairfax County Youth Survey is a comprehensive, anonymous, and voluntary survey given each year to students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12.  The survey examines behaviors, experiences, and other factors that influence the health and well-being of Fairfax County’s youth.  You can read more about the survey and the available opt-out process by visiting the FCPS Youth Survey website. 

IMMUNIZATION EVETS 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 available. 

TJHSST APPLICATIONS OPEN OCTOBER 5

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) Information 

Applications  for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology open Monday, October 5. 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. Please contact Karen Bach, TJHSST Liaison Counselor, with questions. 

Annual Special Education Family Conference

We Need You!

Register now to attend FCPS’ annual Special Education Family Conference, Connected Communities, Thriving Students, on Saturday, November 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hayfield Secondary School. 

Educators, families, and community members are invited to this in-person event at no cost. Participants can connect, learn, and explore available special education services, supports, and resources. Lunch will be provided for all participants. Register to attend the conference. 

Volunteers Are Needed to Make This Event a Success! 

Adult Volunteers: Sign up through Volunteer FCPS. 

Student Volunteers: Sign up through the Student Volunteer Interest Form. Students will receive service hours for their time. 

Student Showcase Opportunities: Students can complete the Student Participation Form to lead a performance or share information about a club or research project. Service hours will be awarded to students serving in these roles.

Visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information. Email questions to SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu. 

THE BOOK FAIR IS COMING SOON!

The LHMS Book Fair is back! The fair runs October 19 to October 23 from 7:30am to 3:00pm in the LHMS library.  Hours will be extended until 7:00pm on October 21, during our Fall Fest. You will find a wide variety of middle grade and YA books, perfect for readers in grades 6-9. Please come enjoy and shop!

School Picture Day is Coming!

📅 Date: Wednesday October 28th & Thursday October 29th 2026

📸 Pictures Available: Approximately two weeks after photo day

🛒 Pre-order Online: https://shop.imagequix.com/g1001416968

📧 Questions about Ordering? www.vosphoto.com/contact-us

AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM

Lights On After School Celebration

All middle school students—as well as students who will be attending middle school—are invited to join us for an evening of fun, creativity, and celebration!

Students from Hughes, Herndon, Carson, Cooper, and Longfellow Middle Schools are welcome to attend. Come celebrate our out-of-school programs, including VIP Camp and Teens in Motion. Many of our summer camp and after-school staff will be there to make the evening extra special!

Enjoy:

📍 Carson Middle School
📅 Tuesday, October 27
⏰ 6:00–8:00 p.m.

Bring your energy and get ready for an amazing night!

It’s going to be a blast—don’t miss it!

LANGSTON HUGHES MIDDLE SCHOOL - PTA

The Reflections Contest is open for submissions! Get more information and submit your entry here.

STUDENT COUNCIL ASSOCIATION (SCA)

Our annual Fall Festival is coming soon!

Wednesday October 21^st from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Join us for 'Trunk or Treat', food, games, and a costume contest.

Host a trunk with your family and friends! Please fill out the Trunk or Treat Sign Up!

Donate to our Langston Hughes SCA Wishlist to help make our Fall Festival possible.

AVID

Support Our AVID Fundraiser!

The AVID program is selling official White House Ornaments for $25. Funds directly support AVID students by paying for field trips and Scholar Awards. You can purchase in MySchoolBucks (link to be emailed after you complete the form) or send your student with cash/check to Mrs. Burke in Room 135. The ornaments will be delivered to students. Get yours today- there are only 40 left! White House Ornament Pre-Order Form

Langston Hughes MS Spirit Squad is selling Domino's Slice the Price cards to raise money towards new uniforms! For $20 you get buy-one-get-one-FREE large pizzas all year at Domino's. Every card helps us reach our goal — grab yours and share with friends! The sale runs through October 27th. https://dominos.cards/58371?src=social_share

FCPS NEWS

Calendar Change: Eid al-Fitr

FCPS will mark the beginning of Eid al-Fitr with an evening-only observance day on Monday, March 8. There will be school on this day, but major school-sponsored events and activities (such as auditions or tryouts) will not take place. 

Tuesday, March 9, will be a holiday for students and staff. 

Wednesday, March 10, will be an observance day. There will be school on this day, but certain activities that cannot be made up (major tests, field trips, or mandatory events) will not take place. 

A new school year calendar has been published, which includes this change. Please note that holidays and observances on the calendar may shift due to anticipated lunar sightings. 

Safe Routes to School Parent and Caregiver Survey

As part of the Fairfax County School Board’s Annual School-Based Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Assessment, the FCPS Office of Safety and Security and Safe Routes to School program are inviting parents and caregivers to share their experiences traveling to and from school.

The Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Survey asks about walking and biking routes, traffic near schools, kiss and ride experiences, accessibility, and other safety concerns. 

Your feedback will help FCPS identify common issues. Your responses will be kept confidential and shared with school administrators and the Office of Safety and Security. The five-minute survey is open through Thursday, October 15. 

Be sure to identify the school related to your feedback and include specific locations where you have observed a safety issue. If you have students at different schools in FCPS, please complete a different survey for each school. 

If you have any questions about the survey, please contact SafeRoutestoSchool@fcps.edu. 

Learn About Applied Behavior Analysis and Teaching New Skills at Home

All family members and caregivers are invited to attend monthly Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Family Training to learn how to support and teach students with autism and related disorders. No registration is needed.  

Virtual sessions will take place at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Join a session. Visit the ABA webpage for a full list of classes. Need an interpreter? Contact Stephanie Watkins two weeks before the training at 571-423-4110 or sawatkins@fcps.edu.

Superintendent Community Conversations

Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for a Community Conversation. Students, families, staff, and community members are invited to ask questions, share concerns, and discuss what matters most to them. Everyone is welcome! Click on the date to register for any of the following events:

• 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
• Tuesday, December 1, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School

FCPS Seeks Community Input on Middle School AAP Centers

FCPS is exploring a plan to offer Full-Time Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services at every middle school. Under the proposal, students who qualify could attend their neighborhood middle school and take advanced classes with other AAP students. The School Board has approved community engagement at Franklin, Hayfield, Holmes, Key, and Whitman middle schools, where programs could open for the 2027-28 school year. The proposal is still under consideration, and the School Board is expected to make a decision in December.

Each community meeting offers in-person and virtual participation. Upcoming meetings are scheduled for:

• Franklin Middle: Monday, October 5, at 6 p.m.
• Holmes Middle: Thursday, October 15, at 6 p.m.
• Whitman Middle: Thursday, October 22, at 6 p.m.

Current middle school students will remain at their assigned AAP centers through middle school. Learn more and find meeting sign-up forms on the Middle School AAP Centers page.

They’re your memories! It’s your book! Don’t forget to get your LHMS yearbook. https://yearbookordercenter.com?school=13926

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