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Dear Lancer Families:
This week we have our next SCA sponsored spirit week. Please encourage your children to join in by wearing pajamas on Monday, neon colors on Tuesday, polka dots on Wednesday, crazy hair on Thursday, and tropical vacation clothing on Friday. We have our end of the third quarter on Friday, March 27th which is a two hour early release day. This leads us into our weeklong spring break. The building will be closed that week so please come to the school this week if you need anything in person.
We will return to start the 4th quarter on Tuesday, April 7th. Finally, Tuesday, April 21st is now an election day so there is no school that day. We are all so proud of the achievements of our students so far this year and look forward to continuing this success as we wrap up our year with the 4th quarter.
As always, we appreciate your partnership and encourage you to stay connected through our website and weekly newsletter. I hope you and your family have a wonderful, relaxing, and safe spring break and enjoy time together with family and friends. I appreciate your ongoing support and partnership.
Chris Butzer
Principal
Longfellow MS
UPCOMING EVENTS
March
25 Rising 9th Grade Activities Fair @ Langley HS
27 End of Quarter-2 Hour Early Release
30-31 Spring Break - Office Closed
April
1-3 Spring Break - Office Closed
6 Teacher Workday-Student Holiday
10 School Planning Day - Student Holiday
23-25 Spring Musical
Schedule for the next two weeks
DETAILS ON UPCOMING EVENTS
March 30-April 3, Spring Break - Office Closed
Middle School Forum - 8th Grade Students Only
On Tuesday, March 24, all 8th-grade students will participate in Middle School Forum during Learning Seminar. During this time, Safe Community Coalition's Youth Advisory Council, which consists of high school students from McLean HS and Langley HS, will meet with students to answer questions with the goal of easing the transition from middle to high school. Learn more about Safe Community Coalition at http://mcleanscc.org/
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Parent Acknowledgment of Course Requests for Next School Year
As the academic advising and course selection period draws to a close, we want to ensure all families feel confident about their child's educational path. A new feature in SIS ParentVUE allows parents and guardians to easily review and acknowledge their student's course requests for the 2026-27 school year. Please contact Isu Revelo - irevelo@fcps.edu for support or assistance.
To access this feature:
1. Log in to your ParentVUE account.
2. Navigate to the Course Request module.
3. Review your student’s course request list for next school year.
4. To complete the acknowledgment, click Student Info in the left menu.
5. Click Edit Information.
6. In the Course Request Acknowledgment field, update the acknowledgment field to Yes.
7. Click Save Changes.
Families have until Friday, March 27, to review and acknowledge course requests via this new feature.
Visit the FCPS SIS ParentVUE account overview webpage for more instructions and screenshots of this process.
April Statewide Election: No School for Students
There will be no school for students on Tuesday, April 21, for the Virginia statewide election. Student activities, athletic practices, and events may proceed as scheduled.
Fairfax County Public Schools will still exceed the required number of instructional hours for students, as set by the Virginia Department of Education.
Phones Off, Learning On
FCPS’ cell phone policy helps students focus, learn, and engage. When students put their phones away, they have more face-to-face interactions with their peers and teachers and more opportunities to develop resilience and problem-solving skills.
Please remind your child that:
• Cell phones and personal devices (earbuds, headsets, other items connected to the internet) must be off and away for the entire school day (bell to bell).
• Smart watches that serve a dual purpose may be worn, but the phone features (texting, Internet viewing, and calls) are to be off when phone use is prohibited.
If you need to contact your child during the school day, please call our front office at 703-533-2600. Visit our cell phone policy webpage for more information and answers to frequently asked questions.
LMS Career Day 2026
Do you have a job you love? A unique career path? We want to hear from YOU!
We are looking for enthusiastic parents, family members, and community partners to speak at LMS Career Day on the morning of Thursday, June 4, 2026 (exact time TBD). No teaching experience is required – just a passion for what you do and a willingness to engage with our curious Lancers!
Interested? Please complete this Google Form.
AFTER SCHOOL CORNER
VIP Camp
It’s never too early to start planning for summer! If your student is interested in summer camp, VIP Camp will run from July 1–July 30 at Rachel Carson Middle School. Registration opens tomorrow, March 17 at 6:00 PM. Visit the VIP website for program details and registration information.
Track and Field Sign-Ups
Interested in joining Longfellow’s track and field team? Use the following link to register. To be eligible to participate students must have completed the following:
1. Use the link to complete the registration form.
2. Complete and turn in the Middle School Athletics Physical Form (PPE) to Mr. Stokes. If you completed this already for cross-country and it is dated after March 20, 2025, you don’t need to submit another form.
3. Complete and turn in the Emergency Care Card (ECC) to Mr. Stokes. This must be filled in for each sport season.
Additional information regarding practices and meets will be provided closer to the beginning of the season.
Girls Leadership Committee
The Girls Leadership Committee at McLean High School is hosting their Menstrual Product Drive at grocery stores and local businesses around McLean, lasting all of March. There will be a box available in the main office for donations. The products raised will be donated to several community shelters in the Northern Virginia area, helping impoverished women struggle monthly to obtain the items which they need. Each box donated will receive a Lancer card. Bring your items to the front office.
March Madness Results
Our first place girls’ team for the March Madness basketball tournament was The Pickles. Team members include - Charlotte Crowe, Colleen Bogacki, Camryn Cully, Ana Cantero, Maria Cantero, Ellie Broom, Nora Erlanger, Harper Easley, Stella Gharakhanian, and Caroline Francis.
Team 1 won the boys’ championship basketball game. Team members include - Colin Bell, Awni Jarrar, Andrew Brandely, Connor Green, Charlie Sweeny, Miles Rosell, Adam Pienta, Liam Ayers, and Zac Jeannot.
Science Olympiad Results
This past weekend in Charlottesville, the Science Olympiad team captured the State Championship, earning 1st place in 11 events—an incredible achievement! Congratulations to the entire team, and best of luck as they prepare for the National Tournament in May!
Chess League Results
Longfellow tied with two other schools for first place in the Potomac Youth Chess League! Throughout the season, our team competed on Saturday afternoons against schools from across the Washington Metropolitan area, demonstrating impressive skill, focus, and sportsmanship.
We congratulate our outstanding team members: Neal Bommakanti, Henry Brockelman, Troy Freeman, James Hoffman, Michael Kennedy, Max Khiu, Nikhil Krishnan, Zac Lee, Zoe Lee, Giancarlo Loboguerrero, Austin Ren, Evan Rodrigues, Julian Seidel, and Seungmin Song.
PARENT INFORMATION
Community Conversations: Share Your Thoughts With Dr. Reid
As a listening leader, connecting with community members across our school division is critical to FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid. Her Community Conversations are opportunities for you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Events will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on:
• Monday, April 13, at Belle View Elementary School.
• Thursday, April 16, at Ravensworth Elementary School (note date change).
• Monday, April 20, at Westgate Elementary School.
• Wednesday, April 22, at Crestwood Elementary School.
Click on a date to register to attend that event. Registration is not required, but helps with planning, especially for child care and interpretation services. Events are open to all. Visit the superintendent’s engagement page for the most up-to-date information.
2026 Special Education Family Conference
The 2026 Special Education Family Conference, Stronger Together: Connecting Families and Schools, will take place on Saturday, April 18, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Marshall High School.
Dr. Shelley Moore will deliver the keynote address on The Evolution of Inclusion. It will look at how the goals of inclusion have continued to shift and evolve, as we learn more about diversity and identity. Participants will be invited to reflect on their own contexts and consider next steps for advocacy and action.
Visit the FCPS 2026 Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information, including breakout session offerings and a list of vendors that will be on site. Confirm your attendance for this year’s conference.
County Seeking Budget Input
About 70% of the FCPS budget comes from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. They are currently reviewing the county’s 2027 Fiscal Year Advertised Budget and are considering possible adjustments before the final county budget is adopted in May.
Provide the county with feedback on how you would like your tax dollars spent by completing this survey.
Celebrating the Power of School Breakfast
Multiple studies show that school breakfasts are important in supporting overall student health by improving students’ diets and combating food insecurity. Students who eat school breakfast consume more fruit and fiber than their peers.
This National School Breakfast Week, FCPS Food and Nutrition Services reminds families that they are dedicated to providing flavorful, healthy, sustainable, and student-focused meals. New menu items have been launched this year based on student feedback.
Would you like to know what’s for breakfast? Nutrition Services has printable menus available.
Family Academy Offers Support to Parents and Guardians
The Family Academy offers resources and in-person and virtual classes, workshops, webinars, and programs for families. The following webinars and workshops will take place in March:
• Co-Parenting: Two Parents, Two Homes (in Spanish)
• The Connected Family: Navigating the Digital World Together
• Introduction to Career Pathways for Students
• Getting to Know Fairfax County Public Schools: A Family Orientation (for military families)
• Mind in the Making: Making Connection and Critical Thinking
There will also be Family Resource Center webinars on topics including reducing parent stress and anxiety, parenting neurodivergent kids, why smart kids struggle, and a countdown to kindergarten.
Visit the Family Academy Catalog to explore these and other resources.
Fairfax County Health Department Measles Update
Measles is a highly contagious virus that infects 9 out of 10 people who are exposed, if unvaccinated or not immune. It has been in the news lately due to cases in Northern Virginia and among people who have traveled through local airports.
If your spring break or summer plans include traveling abroad or to an area in the United States with high measles activity, the Fairfax County Health Department encourages you to ensure your family is protected. Children 12 months and older should have 1 or 2 doses before traveling. Depending on your specific travel plans, your health care provider may also advise you to vaccinate infants 6 to 11 months old. Read more about these recommendations.
Prepare for Summer Learning and Fun for Students
Registration is open or will be available soon for summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.
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