October 2, 2026
Happy Friday, Panthers!
A huge thank you to our Langston Hughes families! Your generosity made Custodians’ Appreciation Week a tremendous success! Our custodians go above and beyond every day to keep LHMS sparkling, and they truly deserve this recognition. Again, THANK YOU!
Kudos to our Family Liaison and PTA President, Janessa Valentines, for helping make Wednesday’s breakfast for our military-connected families such a special event. We are grateful to have these families as part of our community!
Next week, all Panthers will take part in Bully-Prevention lessons. We are committed to maintaining a safe, welcoming school where bullying is not tolerated. If your child shares a concern about bullying, please reach out to administration or school counseling team.
Join us Tuesday, October 6, for Family Night, from 5 – 7 p.m., in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Come enjoy dinner and learn about the many resources available to support our Panthers! If you plan to attend, please RSVP here.
We hope you’ll also join us for our Fall Festival on Wednesday, October 21, from 5–7 p.m. It’s sure to be a treat! Families are invited to participate in our costume and Trunk or Treat contest. All food and drinks will be free.
Finally, I hope to see you at Monday’s PTA meeting at 7 p.m. in the school library. Have a terrific weekend!
Principal Mizell
IMPORTANT DATES
Monday, October 5: PTA Meeting at 7:00pm
Tuesday, October 6: Multilingual Learner Family Night
Monday, October 12: Indigenous Peoples’ Day (student holiday)
Monday, October 19 to Friday, October 23: Book Fair in the LHMS Library
Wednesday, October 21: Fall Festival 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Wednesday, October 28 & Thursday, October 29: Picture Day
Friday, October 30: Last Day of the 1st Quarter (two-hour early release for students)
Monday, November 2 & Tuesday, November 3: No school for students
STUDENT SERVICES
October is National Bullying Prevention Month
Our LHMS school counselors will conduct bullying prevention lessons next week through Social Studies classes. We will recognize Unity Day on October 21 and encourage all students and staff to wear orange on that day to represent unity and safety.
Growing Together: Talking About Social-Emotional Learning at Home
Social-emotional learning (SEL) helps children develop confidence, resilience, self-awareness, and other important skills that support their success in school and throughout life. Join a workshop for parents and caregivers to learn practical ways to talk with your child about their social and emotional well-being and support their continued growth at home. Events will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, at Skyview High School and Wednesday, October 21, at Kingstowne Regional Library. View additional dates on the FCPS Family Academy webpage.
Childcare will be available. Interpretation services are available upon request. For more information, contact the Family and School Partnerships office at 703-204-4300 or FamilyEngagement@fcps.edu.
Focus on Attendance: Understanding the FCPS Calendar
Help your child prepare for future success by encouraging them to develop positive attendance habits. Regular attendance supports learning and helps students stay on track for college, careers, and other opportunities after graduation.
Take a look at the FCPS calendar. Try your best to schedule any vacations or planned family events on weekends and school holidays. If the appointment needs to be during the school day, when possible, schedule it for the beginning or end of the day to minimize time missed. Visit the FCPS Attendance webpage for tips and strategies.
TJHSST APPLICATIONS OPEN OCTOBER 5
 Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) Information
Applications for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology open Monday, October 5. Eighth graders who have an aptitude and passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are encouraged to apply for admission to the Class of 2031 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST). The application will be available Monday, October 5, at 4 p.m. Applications must be started by 4 p.m. Wednesday, October 28, with a submission deadline of 4 p.m. Friday, October 30. Visit the TJHSST registration page for more information, including a schedule of upcoming information sessions at middle schools. Please contact Karen Bach, TJHSST Liaison Counselor, with questions.
THE BOOK FAIR IS COMING SOON!
The LHMS Book Fair is back! The fair runs October 19 to October 23 from 7:30am to 3:00pm in the LHMS library. Hours will be extended until 7:00pm on October 21, during our Fall Fest. You will find a wide variety of middle grade and YA books, perfect for readers in grades 6-9. Please come enjoy and shop!
ADVANCED ACADEMIC PROGRAM REFERRALS
Fall Full-Time AAP Referral Window for Students New to FCPS Closes on October 15
The fall referral window is only for students in Grades 3-8 who are new to FCPS since January 1, 2026. Parents and guardians who would like their student to be considered for Full-Time Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services must submit the Full-Time AAP Referral Form to Liz Glynn, Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, at eglynn@fcps.edu by October 15, 2026. Late referrals will not be accepted.
For students who are not new to FCPS and have been enrolled, the spring Full-Time AAP identification window is open to students in Grades 2-7. Families interested in referring their student for consideration during the spring window must submit a referral by December 15, 2026.
Once a referral is received, our school will compile information related to the student. Then, a committee of trained professionals from across the county will review materials to determine eligibility for Full-Time AAP services.
AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM
HUGHES MIDDLE SCHOOL AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS: QUICK CHEAT SHEET
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