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Dear Lancer Families,
I am incredibly proud to share that Longfellow Middle School has been recognized as a Distinguished School by the Virginia Department of Education! This prestigious recognition means that our school has exceeded statewide expectations in the areas of mastery, growth, and readiness. We are also proud to remain the highest-ranked middle school in FCPS and the fourth-highest-ranked middle school in the Commonwealth of Virginia. These accomplishments reflect the dedication and hard work of our outstanding teachers and staff, the diligence of our students, and the continued support and partnership of our families. We know that excellence is not achieved by chance, and we are grateful for the collective commitment of our entire Longfellow community to helping every Lancer learn, grow, and succeed.
We also want to extend another huge congratulations to our cross country teams for their outstanding performance at this past weekend's meet! Both our boys' and girls' teams earned first place among the schools competing that day! It was wonderful to see our students competing with such determination and representing Longfellow so well. I also enjoyed meeting several of our cross country families at the meet and appreciate those who came over to introduce themselves and say hello. Thank you to our coaches, student-athletes, and families for your continued support. There is so much to celebrate at Longfellow, and I am grateful to be part of such an exceptional school community!
As a reminder, Friday, October 30th is a two hour early release for the end of the quarter. Please make a plan for your student to arrive home early that day. Additionally, there is no school for students November 2nd and 3rd so we will welcome everyone back for a strong start to the second quarter on Wednesday, November 4th. Thank you for everything you do to support our students, staff, and school! I hope you and your family have a wonderful week and get outside to enjoy this amazing fall weather.
Chris Butzer
Principal, Longfellow MS
UPCOMING EVENTS
October
19-23 Book Fair
24 Cross Country Meet @ Poe MS 10:00 a.m.
29 Orchestra Fall Concert @ McLean HS 7 p.m.
30 End of Quarter-2 Hour Early Release
November
2 & 3 Student Holiday-Teacher Workday
5 Fall Band Concert @ McLean HS 7 p.m.
7 Cross Country Championship @ Liberty MS
9 Fall Choral Concert 7 p.m.
10 School Picture Make-ups
10 PTA Meeting and Parent Info Session 5:30 p.m. Lecture Hall
12 Parent Student Book Club 6 pm
19-21 Fall Play Performance
25-27 Holidays-Thanksgiving Break
30 Winter Orchestra Concert @ McLean HS 7 p.m.
DETAILS ON UPCOMING EVENTS
Notes from the Library: Fall 2025 Book Fair is this week!
The Longfellow Library is hosting a Book Fair October 19-23rd during the school day. 7th Grade students will visit the fair through their English classes. All students can visit the Book Fair before school, during Lunches, after school until 2:30, and during class with teacher permission. Students can use Cash, eWallet, credit card, debit card, Google Pay or Apple Pay. The eWallet allows parents to set a spending limit for their student, but only the exact amount of the sale is charged. Set Up Your eWallet Here.
We are looking for adult volunteers to help with the fair, please see our Signup Genius here.
If you can only spare 30 minutes, we have space for you to volunteer! Thank you for your support of the Longfellow Library program!
Parent-Student Book Club!
Longfellow is happy to announce the return of the Parent - Student Book Club!
Parents and students have a choice of 2 historical fiction novels and will meet in the FACs Room on November 12 at 6pm to discuss books and enjoy appetizers. If you are interested in joining the Parent - Student Book Club, please fill out the linked form by October 26.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
We all Belong
Each one of us is unique. And every student matters and belongs in school. If a student is having a difficult time attending class, please tell a trusted adult at school. There are solutions.
If you or your family need any kind of support, please reach out to our front office. We are here for you! Visit the FCPS Attendance webpage for tips and strategies.
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.
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.
Survey Extended! Share Your Feedback on Traveling to and From School
he FCPS Office of Safety and Security and Safe Routes to School program are asking families to share their experiences traveling to and from their child’s school. The feedback will help inform the Fairfax County School Board’s annual assessment of traffic and pedestrian safety near schools.
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 survey takes about five minutes to complete and will be open through Tuesday, October 20.
Please note that parents may now submit more than one response to provide feedback regarding different schools. 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.
AFTER SCHOOL CORNER
🏃 Cross Country Team Highlights
Congratulations to our boys’ and girls’ Cross Country teams who competed this past weekend at Stone Middle School! Despite the incredibly wet and muddy conditions, both teams finished in 1st place overall! We are so proud of our runners for their hard work, determination, and outstanding performances. Way to go, Lancers!
View the meet results:
- Boys’ Cross Country ResultsGirls’ Cross Country Results
- Girls’ Cross Country Results
🌎 Model UN Team Recognition
Our Longfellow Model UN team had an excellent showing at their first conference of the year at McLean High School this past weekend! Special congratulations to Leah Yu, who earned an Honorable Mention, and Alessandra Vasquez Lemus, who received a Verbal Commendation. Congratulations to the entire team on a great start to the season!
🏆 Policy Debate Recognition
Congratulations to our Longfellow Policy Debate students on their outstanding accomplishments! Avery Wen earned 1st Place Top Speaker in the Novice Policy Debate division at the Yorktown High School tournament on October 17.
Earlier this month, Alexandra Falcone and Alexandra Neelbauer placed 6th in the Novice Policy Debate division at the Georgetown Day Invitational, a national tournament. Way to represent Longfellow, Lancers!
💡 VIP Camp Reunion & Lights On After-School Celebration
Tuesday, October 27 | 6:00–8:00 p.m. | Rachel Carson Middle School
You're invited to our VIP Camp Reunion and Lights On After-School Celebration! Join us for an evening of fun featuring cookie decorating, STEAM activities, improv with our theatre crew, basketball, futsal, information about middle school sports, and more!
Come out, reconnect, play, and celebrate the importance of after-school programs with us!
Questions? Contact your After-School Specialist. Sofia Mora smora@fcps.edu
📅 Important After-School Schedule Reminders
Please remember that there is no After-School Program on early release days. Families should plan accordingly for the following upcoming dates when after-school activities will not be held:
- Friday, October 30 — No After-School Program
- Monday, November 2 — No After-School Program
- Tuesday, November 3 — No After-School Program
📚 Quarter 2 begins Wednesday, November 4, 2026!
We look forward to another exciting quarter of after-school activities and opportunities for our Lancers!
Way to go, Lancers! We are proud of all our students for their achievements, teamwork, and dedication!
Longfellow PTA Updates — October 19
Thank you and welcome to Christy Larson, who is joining Lauren Wang as Fundraising Co-Chair and also leading Longfellow's participation in the National PTA Reflections program!
Fundraising
Hello! Christy and Lauren here! We are excited to lead the Longfellow fundraising efforts this year. For starters we have a line-up of local eatery collaborations in the works, to be announced soon. Have a favorite place or a fundraising idea you want to share? Let us know! Email vpfundraising.ptalms@gmail.com
Reflections
Reflections is in motion with our givebacks webpage open for submissions, and a box in the front office for in-person submissions/usb’s. This program moves quickly - the submission deadline is November 15. By then, students may submit up to one work of art per accepted category. Each submission must include an artist statement describing how their art reflects the theme “What my culture means to me.” The statement form and digital Dropbox are located on our school givebacks page: https://lmsptacommvp.givebacks.com/w/reflections
Students and parents are highly encouraged to read program details, rubric and tips on the national PTA website: https://www.pta.org/home/programs/reflections. Longfellow will celebrate all participants with an awards event, date TBD. Art is an excellent opportunity to explore meaning, narrative and values. We encourage all students to participate in this self-reflective activity!
Reflection service hours opportunity- this Wednesday 3:30-4:30
Students interested in marketing and videography can earn service hours supporting Reflections. Join this week in room 148 to participate in editing a script and producing a small marketing video, or working on flyers. *To appear in the student film, please email a parental permission/ image release statement to reflections.ptalms@gmail.com
Sparks Creative Writing Workshop
In collaboration with Reflections, Sparks Creative Writing Workshop coaching is dedicating a writing session on October 27 at Dolley Madison Library. Students can drop by from 4:30-5:30pm and explore the prompt “What my culture means to me” with free guidance from Summer Hsu. Summer is a high school junior at the National Cathedral School. She has extensive experience in youth writing and publishing, including working as an editor for Writopia Lab's youth literary magazine and as a junior editor for the international high school literary magazine Polyphony Lit. Outside of editing, her own writing has been recognized by the New York Times and the Scholastic Writing Awards.
Hospitality — Fall Treat for Staff This Friday!
Let's show our Longfellow teachers and staff some appreciation as we head into fall!
Friday, October 23 | Drop-off 7–9 a.m. | Longfellow Front Office
Hospitality is organizing a Fall Treat for staff. Families can contribute homemade goodies or make a monetary contribution. Students can receive one service hour for homemade goods. Sign up to contribute
Monetary contributions: Venmo @katherine-broom (last four digits: 4692).
Questions? Contact Melissa Vayra at 646-467-3506.
Student Committee — Meeting This Wednesday!
Wednesday, October 21 | 3:30 p.m. | Room 148
The PTA Student Committee meets this Wednesday! All students will receive final follow up emails about their subcommittee and team lead roles today. Pizza will be served, and all 7th and 8th graders are welcome, including those who missed the first meeting. Student PTA membership is free. Register through Givebacks under 2026–2027 PTA Student Membership, using the student's name and a parent's email address. Students can earn documented volunteer service hours through committee meetings and project work.
Watch the October 7 interest meeting recording (passcode: 5@r?6kjp).
Save the Date — Next PTA Meeting
Monday, November 10 | 5:30 p.m. | Longfellow Lecture Hall
ur next PTA meeting will be followed by a parent information session from 6–6:45 p.m. on Stress, Anxiety, Executive Functioning and Organization.
Community Announcements
Franklin Sherman Elementary — Student Volunteers Needed
Franklin Sherman is seeking middle and high school volunteers for its PTA Meeting & Academic Showcase. Thursday, October 22 | 5:15–7:30 p.m. Help with setup, event activities and cleanup. A great opportunity to earn service hours! Sign up to volunteer
McLean & Langley Crew Turkey Trot 5K
Support McLean and Langley Crew at their annual Thanksgiving weekend Turkey Trot! The two programs split the event proceeds equally. Register before November 1 for discounted pricing. Register for the Turkey Trot 5K Runners and walkers are welcome. Arrive at 8 a.m. to enjoy the coffee truck and bake sale. Saturday, November 28 | 9 a.m. | Langley High School
PARENT INFORMATION
✨DO YOU KNOW AN AMAZING EMPLOYEE? ✨
We are now accepting nominations to recognize our outstanding employees at Longfellow for the 2026 - 2027 school year! If you have worked with an outstanding employee at Longfellow, FCPS wants your help recognizing them. Lancer colleagues and families are invited to nominate:
🏆 NOMINATIONS FOR...
- Outstanding Teacher
- Outstanding New Teacher
- Outstanding Principal or New Principal
- Outstanding Professional Staff Leader
- Outstanding Educational Services Employee
- Outstanding Operational Services Employee
🗓️DEADLINE: The deadline to submit a nomination is Tuesday, November 10, 2026.
📝SUBMISSIONS: Submissions can be made by completing the form linked here.
🤺Thank you for supporting our outstanding Lancer Staff!
McLean High School Kids Cheer Clinic
Come cheer with the McLean cheerleaders for an afternoon, learn stunts, cheers, dance and then perform at halftime of the game!
When: October 23, 2026, 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Where: McLean High School
Ages: 6-13
Cost: $50 (includes pizza)
Questions? Email magaines@fcps.edu or agkelley@fcps.edu
Sign-up here.
Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest
VFW Post 8241 invites Longfellow students in grades 6-8 to enter Patriot’s Pen: a 300-400 word essay on “What a Veteran Taught Me About America.” Entries are due October 31, 2026. Email the completed official entry form and essay to vfw8241@gmail.com; no audio is required. Official rules/forms:
https://www.vfw.org/community/youth-and-education/youth-scholarships.
Get Recognized by the EU Ambassador
Every Longfellow student who enters Alliances That Sustain America, a new essay contest, will receive a certificate signed by EU Ambassador Jovita Neliupšienė, and award recipients will be honored at the EU Delegation in Washington, D.C.
Last year, three Longfellow students were recognized by the Ambassador of Spain in the Langley World Affairs Club’s Bernardo de Gálvez Essay Contest. Longfellow eighth grader Sofia Brashear won first place in the middle school division.
This year, the club has partnered with the Delegation of the European Union to the United States to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, and Longfellow is going for the gold again.
Write up to 650 words on how the relationship between Europe and the United States has shaped the American story, on any topic that interests you, from diplomacy and science to food, travel, art, and music.
Essays are due Tuesday, December 1, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Visit the contest webpage for the prompt, guidelines, and submission form.
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 (note date change)
Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.
Annual Special Education Family Conference: We Need You!
Register now to attend the 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 e
vent 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!
Find out how to volunteer:
- 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.
Applications Open 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 is now available. 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.
MAMTS: Team Battle 2026
Join us on November 14 for a team-based, puzzle / gameshow style math tournament featuring a variety of fun and engaging challenges! Put your mathematical literacy skills to test through pattern recognition, number sense, deductive reasoning, and problem solving.
This is a new and unique type of math tournament - an exciting experience for all math enthusiasts and number lovers!
Date & Time
November 14, 2026 (Sat) @ 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Location
Watson Mountain Middle School
41480 Steeplechase Lp Dr, Leesburg, VA 20175
Divisions
Division E (Grades 5 and below)
Division M (Grades 8 and below)
Components
6 rounds (3 Main Rounds / 1 Prize Round / 2 Playoff Rounds)
100+ trophies/medals
Pizza lunch and snacks
Scholarship ($1000) and prizes
Contacts
Tournament Info: www.mamts.org/tournaments/team-battle
Registration: www.mamts.org/register
Inquiries / Assistance: info@mamts.org
Patriots Pen
VFW Post 8241 invites Longfellow students in grades 6-8 to enter Patriot’s Pen: a 300-400 word essay on “What a Veteran Taught Me About America.” Entries are due October 31, 2026. Would you share this through student announcements, English/social studies teachers, and your family newsletter? Families may email the completed official entry form and essay to vfw8241@gmail.com; no audio is required. Official rules/forms:
https://www.vfw.org/community/youth-and-education/youth-scholarships.
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