Longfellow Middle School Student Services Department

Phone: 703-533-2603

Fax: 703-533-2672

Jill Tucker, Director of Student Services

Mission:

The mission of the Longfellow  Student Services department is to provide resources and support to each student. Students are encouraged to achieve their highest potential through academic success, career exploration opportunities, and social and emotional growth.

Vision:

As a department we will provide a data driven program that includes individual, group, and classroom programming to promote student success.

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In this section:

School Counseling

Longfellow MS's Counseling and Student Services Program

Longfellow MS Counselors

An Even Dozen Steps To Improving Your Child's Academic Performance

A Few Great Links

Requesting Recommendations For Public Or Private Schools

Withdrawing Your Child From Longfellow MS

Study Skills

Note Taking

Homework Help

Summer Enrichment Opportunities

AB-IB Differences in HS

FCPS Advanced Academics Website

 

The Student Services Department consists of the Director of Student Services and five School Counselors. One counselor also serves as a lead counselor for the department. To become a school counselor, individuals must earn a Master's Degree in counseling with an endorsement in school counseling by the State of Virginia . There are 2.5 counselors at each grade level and each counselor is assigned to work with the students, parents, and teachers of two teams.

The middle school student services program provides support to students in transition from childhood to adolescence. School counselors help students to understand themselves, to make the best of their abilities, to know the educational and career opportunities available to them, and to help them make plans and decisions for their future. Counselors meet with students individually and in small and large groups. Counselors also meet with teachers and parents to discuss achievement or any issue related to the student's school experiences. Longfellow counselors provide the leadership for many school-wide programs including: standardized testing program, career guidance, tutoring, minority achievement, middle school transition, course selection, College Partnership Program, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Admissions, Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth Screening, and honor roll recognition. Parents are encouraged to contact their child's counselor if there are any questions or concerns regarding academic, social, or emotional development. 

School Counseling

To become a school counselor, individuals must earn a Masters Degree in counseling with an endorsement in school counseling by the State of Virginia . There are two counselors at each grade level and each counselor is assigned to work with the students, parents, and teachers of two teams.

The middle school counseling and guidance program provides support to students in transition from childhood to adolescence. School counselors help students to understand themselves, to make the best of their abilities, to know the educational and career opportunities available to them, and to help them make plans and decisions for their future. Counselors meet with students individually and in small and large groups. Counselors also meet with teachers and parents to discuss achievement or any issue related to the student's school experiences. Longfellow counselors provide the leadership for many school-wide programs including: career guidance, tutoring, minority achievement, middle school transition, course selection, College Partnership Program, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Admissions, Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth Screening, and honor roll recognition. Parents are encouraged to contact their child's counselor if there are any questions or concerns regarding academic, social, or emotional development. 

The Middle School Counseling and Student Services Program is designed to deliver a comprehensive range of services for all middle school students. The program is based on the developmental needs of students and addresses the intellectual, social, physical, and emotional aspects of pre-adolescence and adolescence. Emphasizing life skills, students learn more about themselves, the world around them, and the power of choices and consequences. In order to accomplish this goal, the program focuses on the following: Academic Achievement, Career Awareness and Exploration, and Personal and Social Development.

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT - Counselors assist students to become independent learners. Academic responsibility is taught, encouraged, and reinforced in a partnership between school and home. Aptitudes, interests, and learning styles that relate to academic achievement are strengthened through this collaborative effort.

CAREER AWARENESS AND EXPLORATION - Counselors help students choose courses and activities to explore career opportunities. These experiences are designed to reflect the diversity of student backgrounds and promote positive life choices. Career awareness and exploration activities are organized around four career clusters, which reflect the major career areas of the 21st century (International Studies and Business, Engineering and Scientific Technology, Health and Human Services, and Communication, Fine and Performing Arts).

PERSONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT - Counselors encourage individual growth and a broader understanding of relationships with others. Students develop skills and knowledge to be lifelong learners, establish personal goals, and become productive members of society.

The Student Services and Counseling Program promotes and supports student development. The program components are: Student Services activities, individual planning, counseling services, program management, and program accountability.

Student Services activities provide developmental experiences through classroom and group lessons. This gives all students the knowledge base needed for academic planning and assists them in acquiring and using life skills.

Individual planning consists of activities that help students become independent learners. This helps students make informed decisions about their academic program, career goals, and personal choices.

Counseling services respond to students' needs and concerns. These services may be initiated by parents, students, and school staff members. Students' needs may be addressed through consultation, counseling, crisis intervention, or referral to other resources.

Program management establishes, maintains, and enhances the total guidance and counseling program. Professional development, staff and community relations, consultation with staff members, and maintenance of student schedules and scholastic records are some program components.

Program accountability mandates that counselors maintain 60 percent of their time counseling students as required by the Commonwealth of Virginia . Counselors are evaluated in accordance with Fairfax County Public Schools regulations. The Guidance and Counseling Program is modified, as appropriate, to meet the needs of the students in each school.

For additional information about the FCPS Student Services program, visit:http://www.fcps.edu/ss/StudentServices/index.htm 

Longfellow MS Counselors

 

Samantha Kramer	Bruce Walker	Margaret Veenstra	Liane Paulson	Debbie Wright
703-533-2638	703-533-2627	703-533-4528	703-533-2639	703-533-2637
7th Grade	7th Grade	7th and 8th Grade	8th Grade	8th Grade
Team Polaris	Eagles	Team Intel (7th)	Pirates	Bears
Team Sirius	Explorers	Dragons (8th)	Yagottawannas	Spartans

 

An Even Dozen Steps To Improving Your Child's Academic Performance

Check your child's agenda every night
Schedule 1 to 2 hours a night for homework
Study with your child before tests and quizzes
Talk to your child often about his/her progress
Check to see that homework has been completed
Encourage your child to stay after school for additional help
Call your child's counselor and schedule a parent conference
Communicate with teachers via email, blackboard.com, or by phone
Provide incentives to your child when he/she completes assignments
Ensure your child has a quiet place to study and complete homework
Monitor your child's attendance to ensure he/she attends school every day
Provide logical consequences when your child does not complete assignments 

A Few Great Links

Curriculum Information: Link to http://www.fcps.edu/is/pos/ms.shtml

Registering New Students: Link to http://www.fcps.edu/parents/start/index.shtml

Released SOL Tests: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/released_tests/index.shtml

Requesting Transcripts and/or Recommendations For Public Or Private Schools 

1. For transcript requests, deliver request forms directly to the Student Services Department for fulfillment.
2. For recommendations, approach the teacher/counselor and ask if he/she would be able to complete a recommendation form. Be sure to provide the due date and allow three-weeks for the form to be completed.
3. Along with the recommendation, provide a stamped addressed envelope. Deliver this information in person and it will be very helpful if you can provide a “fact sheet” of your in-school and out-of-school activities.
4. Follow-up with a thank you note to the teacher/counselor.
5. Inform the teacher/counselor of the results when you have selected a school.
6. Every student is entitled to one complimentary copy of their transcript. Additional copies can be requested at a cost of $5.00 per transcript.

 

Withdrawing Your Child From Longfellow MS

Please notify the Department of Student Services, in writing, of your intention to withdraw your child from school. Notification should include name of student, last day of school, and location of the school the student will be attending. Withdrawing students must return all textbooks and library books prior to last day.