CRITICAL ACTION NEEDED!

Newsletter Highlights:

1. ACTION needed to keep after school funding

2. Longfellow Heritage Night 2025- March 26th

3. Call for 2025-2026 PTA board members

4. UPDATED: Next Principal Coffee/PTA meeting-March 20th 9:30 AM Library

5. LMS Movie Night - March 21st

6. Volunteers needed for the 8th grade party

7. Volunteers needed for Chesterbrook Fun Fair

URGENT!!

Dear FCPS Families and Friends,
As you may have heard, Fairfax County is considering a proposed budget reduction for FY2026
that would eliminate the Middle School After-School (MSAS) program in all 27 Fairfax County
middle schools. This cut would directly impact our middle school families and rising middle
schoolers, but it would also have an impact on our surrounding communities. Losing it would
leave many families without essential after-school care.
The MSAS program, funded by the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and
Community Services (NCS) and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) and administered by
FCPS, offers invaluable support to students. Running five days a week, with late bus
transportation provided four days a week, MSAS provides a safe, structured, and enriching
alternative to unsupervised time. Studies consistently demonstrate that students who participate
in after-school programs like the MSAS experience numerous benefits, including:

● Improved Academic Performance: After-school programs include academic support
such as homework help, tutoring, and test retakes, leading to better grades and test
scores.
● Increased School Attendance: Students involved in after-school activities are more
likely to attend school regularly.
● Better Behavior: Structured after-school programs contribute to improved behavior and
fewer disciplinary issues by encouraging self-confidence and teamwork.
● Enhanced Social Skills: Students build positive relationships with teachers and peers
who share interests in a nurturing environment. This is often where students find “their
people.”
● Exposure to a Variety of Activities: Students can choose to participate in academic
clubs, performing arts rehearsals, sports, and more.

Time is of the essence. Decisions about the FY2026 budget are being made NOW. Your voice
matters. Please act today to ensure that our children continue to have access to the valuable
support and opportunities provided by the MSAS program.
Thank you for your support!
How You Can Help:

Contact your district supervisor and also email FY26Budget@publicinput.com
✍Sign a pre-written email: https://v-post.org/take-action/
Complete the Fairfax County FY26 Budget Survey (select ‘Education’): https://engage.fairfaxcounty.gov/fy26budget
Attend your FY 2026 Budget Town Hall meeting
Attend and/or provide testimony at a FY26 Budget Public Hearing on April 22 @ 4 p.m. or April 23 or 24 @ 3 p.m.

Join us for a feast from around the world on Wednesday, March 26th from 6:00 p.m. until 8p.m at Heritage Night, Longfellow's largest community event of the year!

Show off your cooking skills and represent your home country or simply cook a favorite dish to share with our LMS families. Please bring enough for 12-15 people.

Students who make a dish from scratch or volunteer to help can receive one service hour for their time.

Please be sure to include the name of your dish and ingredients when bringing your delicious contribution to Heritage Night.

Food Drop off: Drop off at cafeteria or students will be available at kiss and ride for food collection from 5:00-6:00 p.m.

Questions? Contact Weina @wfdorsky@gmail.com 6173650831 if you have any questions.

Date: Wednesday, March 26th 2025

Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Location: LMS Cafeteria & Gym

Sign up here to help and enjoy together!

CALL FOR 2025-2026 PTA BOARD MEMBERS:

The PTA would like to thank everyone for their support thus far and we look forward to continued collaboration. For those parents of rising 8th graders, the PTA board will have several vacant positions and your support in filling them is greatly appreciated. We ask that you please consider volunteering yourself, or reaching out to your network of parents who have rising 7th graders and ask them to help. The Longfellow PTA board is not as heavy of a lift as elementary school and the school does rely on the PTA support to keep Longfellow a great place to learn and work. Please consider volunteering for one of these positions:

President

Treasurer

Communications

Fundraising

Hospitality

Please contact Beth Coyne at president.ptalms@gmail.com to volunteer.
You can learn about these positions on the Longfellow PTA website, PTA Position Descriptions

Mark Your Calendars for LMS Movie Night on March 21st at 7 PM

This event is for LMS students only.
You must fill out the google form on Schoology if you are planning to attend.

Snacks will be available for purchase.

8th GRADE PARTY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

8th grade parents, it's time to start planning the 8th grade party!

Please reach out to Beth Coyne, president.ptalms@gmail.com if you are interested in volunteering to help with this event. In order for the 8th graders to have a class party, we need parent participation. Please volunteer!

Chesterbrook Elementary is looking for many teen volunteers to help run our annual fun fair happening Friday, May 2nd, 5-8pm.

Volunteering at Fun Fair is a great way to support Chesterbrook and earn this last few volunteer hours.

Chesterbrook Fun Fair Sign Up

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LMS Heritage Night 2025 - Food Fair