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Dear Lancer Families:
A reminder that the last day for late buses was last week on Thursday, May 21st. At this point in the year, students are welcome to stay for extra help from a teacher if they prearrange this with their teacher AND have a ride to get home. This week, we have a short week. Monday, May 25th schools were closed for the Memorial Day holiday. Today, Tuesday, May 26th, is a teacher work day. Wednesday, May 27th schools are closed for Eid Al-Adha. We look forward to seeing our students again on Thursday as we gear up for the last few weeks of the school year.
This upcoming weekend some of our track and field athletes will be competing at the county championship meet on Saturday morning at Robinson Secondary School. I hope all of our athletes who are competing get to end their season with a personal best! We also will be having SOL retakes this week and next. We also have our final performing arts’ performances and our music field trip next week. Finally, our last PTA meeting of the year will take place on Wednesday, June 3rd at 6:30. This will take place in our outdoor courtyard/rain garden to highlight some recent PTA projects.
As always, I appreciate your ongoing partnership and encourage you to stay connected through our website and weekly newsletter. I hope you and your family had a wonderful long weekend.
Chris Butzer
Principal
Longfellow MS
UPCOMING EVENTS
May
27 Holiday-Eid Al-Adha
29 Spring Orchestra Concert @ McLean HS 7:00pm
30 Track Championship @ Robinson
June
2 Spring Choral Concert 7:00pm
3 PTA Meeting 6:30pm
4 Career Day
5 Music Department Field Trip
11 Spring Band Concert 7:00pm @ McLean HS
12 8th Grade Party 6:00-8:00pm
16 End Of Year Awards
17 Last Day of School-Early Release
Bell Schedule
DETAILS ON UPCOMING EVENTS
Final PTA Meeting - June 3rd, 6:30 PM
Please come join Principal Butzer, Dr. Yannos, and the PTA as we wrap up another school year with the final PTA meeting of the year. This meeting will be held in the rain garden. Dr. Yannos will educate us on the plants in the rain garden and how the school uses the space.
The 2026-2027 PTA board will be elected into office during this meeting as well.
Incoming President - Aisha Williams
Treasurer - Matt Loughran
Communications - Andrea Hager
Programs - Weina Dorsky
Hospitality - Katie Broom, Melissa Vyars, Sarah Brogers
Secretary - Vacant
A Message from McLean High School
We look forward to seeing our incoming 9th grade parents/guardians at the following events!
Join us for our Rising 9th Grade Parent Night on Monday, June 1 at 6:00pm to learn about crucial aspects of high school success. Learn how to best support your teen during their transition to high school through open communication, explore the many opportunities to get involved in school activities, and discover strategies for creating balanced schedules to ensure time for both learning and rest. Please add any you may have in advance of the program to this form.
Additionally, on Thursday, August 20 at 6:00pm, we look forward to reconnecting with the parents/guardians of our incoming new families coming to McLean. That morning, we will hold an orientation for our 9th grade students. Our evening event will provide additional insight for parents/guardians to support their student with a strong start to high school.
Yearbook Sales
A limited number of yearbooks will be available for sale in the cafeteria during all lunches on Friday, June 12th and Monday, June 15th. If you did not order a yearbook, this will be your opportunity to get one. They will be sold on a first come first serve basis. The cost is $40.00 Cash only. Email kdvanhall@fcps.edu with any questions.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Middle School Transition
Join the Franklin Sherman PTA for a fun and informative virtual event on Tuesday, June 2 at 12 p.m.! Upper elementary families are invited to hear directly from two MHS students about what life at Longfellow Middle School is really like, including classes, teachers, schedules, friendships, and tips for a smooth transition. Don’t miss this chance to ask questions and get honest advice from students who’ve been there. Register and submit questions in advance click here!
NJHS Application
Today, eligible 7th grade students were sent an invitation to join the Longfellow chapter of the National Junior Honor Society. This organization is deeply ingrained in our school and community and focuses on scholarship, leadership, and community service. Students with a cumulative 7th grade G.P.A. of 3.75 and above are invited to join. If students did not receive an application today and they’ve met all the requirements, please have them email us at the contact information below to review eligibility.
Students can stop by our rooms during the school day to ask questions or email us. Parents of eligible students are invited to attend a Q&A session June 1 at 6:00 P.M. in the school library.
Thank you,
Amanda Collins (ADCollins@fcps.edu)
Brette Lawrence (BRLawrence@fcps.edu)
NJHS Co-Sponsors
Please Check Your Student’s Lunch Balance
It’s a busy time of year, and we know many priorities are on your plate. As we approach the end of the school year, it is important to check your student’s MySchoolBucks account and pay any remaining school meal balance.
Free and Reduced-Price Meals
Families who earn less than 185% of the poverty level qualify for free and reduced-price meals (FRM). However, an application must be completed and submitted each school year to receive that benefit. The application for the 2026-27 school year will be available this summer.
If you have a current balance and think you may be eligible for free and reduced-price meals, please fill out the FRM application for the 2025-26 school year.
Your Child's Mental Wellness Matters: Access Comprehensive Services
Reach out to the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) for specialized youth mental health services designed to help your child succeed. The CSB has individual and family counseling, psychiatric diagnostic evaluations, medication management, parenting groups, peer support, crisis response, recovery supports that include medication-assisted treatment (MAT), intensive services, and other services.
Contact CSB Entry and Referral to get started by calling 703-383-8500 or emailing csb@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Additional Mental Health Resources
FCPS has resources available to support your child’s mental health. During after-school hours, parents and students who need additional support can use the 988 Lifeline to get free, confidential guidance from trained crisis counselors on how to best help someone experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis. You can call or text the number.
Recent reports have shared an 11% drop in suicides among young people since the rollout of 988. Please note, the hotline is not only for those experiencing suicidal ideation (or thoughts), it is also available for any mental health or substance abuse-related crisis and those with a loved one experiencing those crises or suicidal thoughts.
And as always, if your concern is an emergency, you should call 911.
Finish the School Year With Strong Attendance!
As we enter the final weeks of the school year, Fairfax County Public Schools appreciates your continued partnership in supporting your child’s success. Regular attendance plays an important role in helping students stay engaged in learning, maintain connections with their teachers and peers, and finish the school year strong.
Attending school consistently also helps students build valuable habits such as responsibility, perseverance, and daily routines that support success both in and out of the classroom.
If your child needs to miss school, please remember to report the absence. Full-day absences can be reported in ParentVUE. Families may also report absences by calling the school attendance line or emailing the school-designated attendance address.
If your child is experiencing challenges that are affecting attendance, we are here to help. Please contact your child’s school so staff can partner with you to provide support and resources. Learn more about attendance resources.
New Cellphone Policy Starts July 1
On Thursday, May 7, the Fairfax County School Board approved changes to the FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R). The approved changes include updated guidance for cellphone possession and use, to align the FCPS cellphone policy with Senate Bill 108. This new Virginia law goes into effect on July 1 and states that all schools in the Commonwealth must follow a “bell-to-bell” phone-free policy.
This means that starting July 1, 2026, across all grade levels at FCPS, student cellphones, phone accessories, and all smart devices (including watches that serve a dual purpose, such as smart watches, as well as earbuds, headsets, smart glasses, and other other items connected to the internet) must be off and personally stored (i.e., put away in backpacks) for the duration of the school day — thus, no cellphones from bell to bell.
High school students will no longer be able to use cellphones and personal devices during lunchtime. More details are available on the FCPS Cellphone Policy webpage.
Other SR&R Changes for the 2026-27 School Year
Visit the FCPS website or the School Board agenda to learn about additional updates, including:
- Added guidance and procedures for in-school and out-of-school suspensions and discipline investigations, including supports for students with disabilities and multilingual learners.
- Expanded guidance and standardized disciplinary procedures (“Universal Grade Matrices”) related to harassment, hate speech, discriminatory behavior, and Title IX reporting requirements.
- Responses to incidents involving intimate images, fighting, physical aggression, object throwing, and drug policy violations.
AFTER SCHOOL CORNER
Learn to Row Fall 2026 with the McLean Crew Team!
Learn the fundamentals of rowing on the Potomac River. 7th and 8th graders row on T/Th and 9th-12th graders row on M/W/F in Sept-Oct. No rowing experience is necessary. A completed '26-'27 VHSL physical is needed by September 13, 2026 for a swim test.
Fill out the Rower Interest Form to connect with the team and get updates!
Longfellow Rocketry Team
In its very first year, the Longfellow Rocketry Team achieved a remarkable milestone by placing in the top 100 teams nationwide, advancing to the National Finals of The American Rocketry Challenge. Out of these 100 finalists, Longfellow is one of only five middle school teams to qualify. The team includes Zelman Zhang (captain/club founder), Youyi Cao, Nathan Liu, Oliver Lin, Adrian Qin, and Henry Yang.
This year’s competition was the most competitive in history, featuring a record-breaking 1,107 teams and more than 6,200 middle and high school students. For the 2026 challenge, teams were required to design, build, and launch a model rocket capable of safely carrying a raw egg to an altitude of 750 feet, maintaining an airborne duration of 36 to 39 seconds, and returning to the ground completely intact.
In addition to their outstanding flight performance, the Longfellow team was selected and represented Virginia on Capitol Hill, where they presented their work directly to Members of Congress, congressional staff, industry leaders, and the public.
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LONGFELLOW PTA
GLOW BEFORE WE GO 2026
Let’s celebrate 8th grade promotion! Friday, June 12th, 6:00-8:00pm
Buy your tickets today!! $25 Advanced Purchase; $30 at the door
This end of middle school bash is going to be epic! Think 360° photo and video moments, perfect for Insta and Tik Tok with your besties. Add in inflatable obstacle courses, sports competitions, and a DJ turning the whole place into a glow party. And of course, snacks, drinks, and candy galore to keep the celebration going and celebrate the huge milestone.
Swing Into Summer May 30- Longfellow Families
Looking for a fun way to kick off summer as a family? Join us on May 30th at Capital One Park in Tysons for Swing Into Summer, a high-energy community event benefiting youth sports organizations across the DMV.
Bring the whole family out for an exciting afternoon featuring a celebrity softball game and skills competition with world class athletes including Braden Holtby, Vernon Davis, and “Mr. National” himself, Ryan Zimmerman - plus plenty of activities for kids including face painting, a bounce house, games, and much more!
Swing Into Summer is all about bringing our local community together for a memorable afternoon while helping strengthen and support others through the work of The Alzner Foundation.
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