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Dear Lancer Families:
I wanted to remind families on behalf of our neighboring communities to be mindful of parking regulations, especially during arrival and dismissal each day. I was notified that cars have been utilizing our neighboring communities for student drop off and pick up. Those home owners associations are responsible for safety in their communities and have let me know they will begin enforcing No Parking zones with tickets or towing. I wanted to make you aware so we can be better neighbors to our surrounding homeowners. Please be sure to utilize the Kiss and Ride line or buses for pick up and drop off each 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
Spelling Bee Winner
The 2026 Longfellow Middle School Spelling Bee Champion is 7th grader Swara Vadlamani. Swara will represent Longfellow Middle School at the Fairfax County Spelling Bee on March 22, 2026, at Lake Braddock Secondary School. Her alternate, should she not be able to compete, is 7th grader Riyanshi Kukreja, who earned 2nd place.
19 students competed in the School Spelling Bee, and Swara (#6) won in the 22nd round, spelling the word suburbia. Congratulations to all the spellers who made it into the Spelling Bee!
(Spelling Champion Swara is pictured on the left, the alternate Riyanshi is on the right)
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UPCOMING EVENTS
March
3 McLean-Longfellow Pre-Assessment Choral Concert
7:00 PM @ McLean HS
5 Pre-Assessment Band Concert 7:00 PM @ McLean HS
10 Orchestra Concert 7:00 PM @ McLean HS
11 Integrated Reading and Writing SOL (8th grade only)
20 Holiday - Eid al-Fitr
25 Rising 9th Grade Activities Fair @ Langley HS
27 End of Quarter-2 Hour Early Release
30-April 3 Spring Break
Schedule for the next two weeks
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
New Visitor Management System
All FCPS schools are now using the new Raptor Visitor Management System (VMS). This new system is part of FCPS’ ongoing commitment to layered school safety and streamlining the process for visitors at our schools. The VMS ensures that no school visitor is on the sex offender registry.
The user experience will generally remain the same. Visitors will check in at the front office and scan their ID.
Visitors who choose to download the RaptorSafe App and create a Raptor Passport can pre-verify their information before they get to school. The app will give you a QR code you can use to check in.
Submit questions online to the FCPS Chief of Safety and Security Office.
AFTER SCHOOL CORNER
March Madness Tournament
We’re excited to host our annual March Madness Basketball Tournament at Longfellow! Students may register their teams this week by completing the Google Form available on Schoology. Teams may include up to eight players.
Tournament games will be held on March 11 and 12 during both after-school blocks. The Championship Game will take place on Monday, March 16 at 2:30 PM.
The winning team will earn the opportunity to represent Longfellow in the Longfellow–Cooper game on Tuesday, April 14.
Parent and Student Book Club
Longfellow is excited to launch a new Parent and Student Book Club! Join us on Thursday, March 12, at 6:00 PM in the Lecture Hall for our first meeting.
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.
If you and your child are interested in participating, please complete the interest form. We look forward to reading with you!
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.
McLean Math League
On behalf of the McLean High School Highlander Math League, we are excited to share that we will be hosting the McLean Math Tournament (McMT) for local elementary and middle school students in Grades 5–8 in early March.
McMT is designed to be a fun and engaging math competition for students with a wide range of backgrounds. The problems will span from beginner to advanced levels, making the contest welcoming to all students who are interested in math. In addition to the competition, students will have the opportunity to meet peers with similar interests, participate in fun activities, and enjoy snacks. The contest is completely free, and awards and prizes will be given to participants.
Students who are interested can sign up using the interest form: https://forms.gle/Nc3LvS1uHzpG1cHv6.
LONGFELLOW PTA
COMMUNITY & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteer Opportunity – Haycock Elementary Heritage Night
Longfellow Middle School students are invited to volunteer to participate in the Heritage night on March 11th from 6:00pm – 8:00pm at Haycock Elementary. Students are encouraged to participate in the following ways:
1. Volunteer support for activity stations and event logistics (service hours available).
2. World Language students reading culturally relevant stories to elementary students.
3. Cultural presentations, performances, or interactive activities.
4. Student leadership involvement to help foster cross-school community building
Please sign up using the following link to indicate how you can help.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040B49ACA629A2FE3-61947280-heritage#/
For any questions, please contact the Social Event Vice President at Haycock Elementary School Ms. Lauren Wang (laurenwang28@gmail.com)
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.
Haycock Heritage Night, Wednesday, March 11th
Haycock Heritage Night is a wonderful opportunity for our school community to learn from one another and celebrate the many cultures represented in our area. Families are welcome to participate in ways big or small, by sharing a tradition, food, story, art, or activity, or by helping support the event. No professional presentations are required, and all cultures, languages, and family traditions are warmly welcomed. Student volunteer hours may be approved by Weina Dorsky at wfdorsky@gmail.com.
Sign up here.
Spring Hill Elementary Fun Fair, Saturday, March 14th
Are you a student who needs volunteer hours? Do you remember all of the FUN of going to a Fun Fair in elementary school? We’d love for you to volunteer your time to support the Fun Fair at Spring Hill Elementary School! We will provide all the verification you need to earn your service hours. Spots fill up fast, so volunteer early!
Click here to volunteer and earn service hours.
Questions? Contact springhillptostudentvolunteers@gmail.com
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. Setup 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
2026 Youth Art Show
Featuring work by FCPS McLean Pyramid students from elementary through high school.
McLean Pyramid - March 5-15 Reception - Thursday, March 5th 4:30-6:00pm 1234 Ingleside Avenue McLean, VA 22101
Gallery Hours: Mondays through Saturdays 10am-4pm Sundays—Extra Hours for this Show! 703-790-1953 www.mpaart.org
Community Conversations: Share Your Thoughts With Dr. Reid
As a listening leader, connecting with community members across our school division is critical to Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid. Dr. Reid’s 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 3, at Waples Mill Elementary School
• 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, Westgate Elementary School
• Wednesday, April 22, at Crestwood Elementary School
Child care and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Visit the superintendent’s engagement page for the most up-to-date information.
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.
Become Unskippable: Share the Facts About Fentanyl With Teens
Talking with teens about the facts of fentanyl is a conversation you can’t skip. Learning about fentanyl gives teens a better understanding of the risks and effects of the drug, and what they can do to keep themselves and their communities safe.
Share these important facts with your child:
• Even half a fentanyl-laced pill can be fatal. Just a few salt-sized grains of fentanyl are enough to cause an overdose.
• More than half of local street pills contain a deadly dose of fentanyl. As of 2023, seven in 10 counterfeit pills in the U.S. contain enough fentanyl to cause a fatal overdose.
• Fentanyl is usually taken accidentally. Many people have no idea they’ve taken it until they overdose because you can’t see, smell, or taste it in pills and powders.
• Overdose can happen in an instant. In as little as four minutes, the lack of oxygen can lead to brain damage and even death.
Learn more about how to have conversations with your child in a way that will make you Become Unskippable.
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.
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