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Dear Lancer Families:
I hope you and your family stay safe with the weather forecast for today. For your long-term planning, there is no school on March 20th as it marks the end of Ramadan and is also Persian New Year. The end of the 3rd quarter will be Friday, March 27th, which will be a 2-hour early dismissal. There will be no after-school activities that day so please make a plan for your student to leave school 2 hours early that day. March 30th-April 6th is spring break. 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.
As always, we appreciate your partnership and encourage you to stay connected through our website and weekly newsletter. Together, we will ensure a strong and successful remainder of the school year for every student. I appreciate your ongoing support and partnership.
Chris Butzer
Principal
Longfellow MS
2026 STEM Essay Contest
Congratulations to the following students who won prizes in the STEM essay contest sponsored by the AAUW McLean Branch. The students will attend a recognition dinner on March 24th.
Aleksandra Bidenko - Valentina Prokof’eva - 1st Place
Bowen Wu - Huang-Wu Lu - Honorable Mention
Mario Fernandez Granda - Hinton, Jane - Honorable Mention
Zafyr Rahman - Janaki Ammal - Honorable Mention
UPCOMING EVENTS
March
20 Holiday - Eid al-Fitr/Nowruz
25 Rising 9th Grade Activities Fair @ Langley HS
27 End of Quarter-2 Hour Early Release
30-April 6 Spring Break
Schedule for the next two weeks
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION
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
March Madness Basketball Tournament Reminder
Due to the early closing, our championship game for the March Madness basketball tournament will be held on Wednesday, March 18th during the 1st block. The girls’ and boys’ teams will both play in gym 2 and students are welcome to attend the game to cheer on the teams.
The winning teams will represent Longfellow in the Longfellow/Cooper basketball game on April 14th. Details regarding the game will be sent out soon.
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.
Parent and Student Book Club
We have rescheduled our Parent/Student Book Club meeting for Thursday, March 26th at 6:00PM. If you did not get the chance to sign up earlier here is your opportunity. Please complete the following form if interested.
Families may choose one of two books to read together: New Kid by Jerry Craft or When Stars Are Scattered by Omar Mohamed and Victoria Jamieson. Parents and students will read the same book and then come together to share thoughts and participate in a group discussion at our book club meeting.
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.
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.
LONGFELLOW PTA
Lake Fairfax Park Volunteer Opportunity
EarthEcho Water Challenge is looking for volunteers to help clean up at Lake Fairfax Park on March 22 from 2 PM to 4 PM. If you would like to volunteer, please go to this link.
Chesterbrook Elementary Fun Fair, Friday, April 10th
Chesterbrook Elementary is looking for many teen volunteers to help run our annual Fun Fair happening Friday, April 10th. There is no school for students on this teacher workday. Set-up shifts are available 2-4pm, Activity Station shifts run 4-5:30, and 5:30-7pm, clean up shifts run 7-8:30pm.
Volunteering at Fun Fair is a great way to support Chesterbrook, have a great afternoon spending time with young McLean students and earn those volunteer hours. Thank you for your support!
Please sign up here.
PTA Reminder:
The Longfellow PTA continues to seek additional support to sustain programs like Lancer Bucks, teacher stipends, and staff hospitality. Families who are able can join the PTA or make a donation through Givebacks at any time. Every contribution helps Support Excellence at Longfellow.
PARENT INFORMATION
Community Conversations: Share Your Thoughts With Dr. Reid
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. (unless otherwise noted) on:
• Tuesday, March 17, from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m., at Glen Forest Elementary School.
• Monday, March 23, at Ravensworth Elementary School.
• Monday, April 13, at Belle View Elementary School.
• 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.
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.
Career and Technical Education and Institute for the Arts Camps
Career and Technical Education camps and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Robinson Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Tuition assistance is available to FCPS families eligible for free or reduced meals.
CTE Summer Academy (CSA) is a week-long enrichment program that allows students in grades 6-11 to dive deeper into CTE program areas, develop skills, and begin career exploration. Watch this video about CTE camps. Registration is open for these programs through Friday, June 5.
Institute for the Arts (IFTA) is a two-week camp for students currently in grades 6-11. Students select from nearly 60 classes in art, dance, music, and theater. Rising freshmen have the option to take Health and PE 9 through IFTA as well!
Production Camp is a four-week summer theatre intensive for students in grades 6-11. Students in performance or technical theatre tracks rehearse, design, and build a musical in a collaborative atmosphere. The show is presented to the public at the end of camp.
New this year: Students in the above camps can also register for aftercare, which is available from 2 to 5 p.m.
Encore Stage & Studio Presents: Sherlock in Wonderland
March 20-29, Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre
Crossing Guards Needed!
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