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 langley eNews 
10/15 /2015 

sophomores
If your student hasn't picked up his/her class T-shirt yet, have them see Ms. Archibald in Room 113. These shirts are provided as part of your payment of the class dues.
 
juniors
Due to technical difficulties, junior class communications are transitioning to Google Groups. Please click on this link to add yourself to the Class of 2017 Google Group- - even if you have received email from us before. You will then need to respond to an email from Google. Sorry for the inconvenience!
 
If your child ordered a class t-shirt and did not pick it up yet, please have them pick it up from Mrs. Hamilton in room 218 before school or during Saxon time. 
 
We're collecting photos for our senior video. We know you've taken many already this year (Homecoming, powder puff, band, sports, etc.). So send them on!  Group shots are preferred, but only with Class of 2017 students. Please send photos to Stacy Smith at lhs2017photos@gmail.com.

seniors
Our first Senior Class Coffee will be Fri, Oct 16 at  Trinity United Methodist Church, 1205 Dolley Madison Blvd (use Main Office entrance, and go upstairs to Langley Hall). Please note this is a new location.
 
Speakers will include Principal Fred Amico, AP Jim Robertson, Carrie Schaefer (Interim Director of Student Services,) and Betsy Shomaker (Family Network). Topics will include: renovation update; senior year activities, including ANGP and the college application process; and Q&A.  Coffee will be served at 9:20 am, and the program begins at 9:30 am 

Please remember to pay your class dues. The form is available on our class page.

Remember to keep those photos coming! Kristin Kahn is collecting photos for our video/slide show. Send photos to saxon16pics@gmail.com.

Weekly communications via email go out every Monday. If you're not receiving these emails, contact Ali Ahmed at alisonjahmed@aol.com or Lia Grassi at lianjoe@aol.com.  Your Class Parents also post information to our class website
at and to our Facebook page @ LHS 2016 Parents
Extra clicks make a real difference! Thank you for taking the extra time to click through the  PTSA website before making your purchases on Amazon. When you shop through the link on the PTSA website, you send 6% of your total to Langley PTSA. We appreciate your support!  
Join Our Mailing List
quick links
  Langley PTSA
Communications Committee
 
Lezlie McBride 
Jane Riddle
  Anne Whipple
 
enewslangley@gmail.com
editor's note: Send submissions and photos by deadline. To keep  eNews concise, submissions will be edited for style and length, and links added to the appropriate webpage.
 
Submit items by Tuesdays noon for publication on Thursdays to
<enewslangley@gmail.com> 
 
The PTSA eNews is published by volunteers who try to present only news that pertains to FCPS, LHS & PTSA. Any opinions expressed therein are those of the submitter & not necessarily those of FCPS, LHS or PTSA.
alone together 
Has your child ever asked you a question while you're looking at your phone, and they know you have no idea what they just said? Or, has your child ever texted you from inside your home, while you were there? I've been guilty of both. Last year, the Langley-McLean community heard about "authentic success" from Dr. Madeline Levine. Some days I ponder the topic of "authentic human conversation" as I walk into a room full of teens "hanging out," but not being together, because they're all on their phones. On the flip side, when you were a kid, were your parents ever late to pick you up from school or practice, and you actually had to talk to people you didn't know well? Or if you rode the bus to school, maybe you had "bus friends" who were different than your "school friends?" This would never happen now because teens, and adults, would just pull out their phones. At Cooper MS's recent cyber-safety presentation, a speaker described teenagers' powerful attachment to their cell phones. Those phones quite often are a reflection of the kids, whether they be bedazzled, monogrammed, festooned with photos or their favorite sports team logos. 

And NPR had a story last week about how teens would rather text or email a teacher, friend or crush because it allows them to ask the "perfect questions and have the perfect answers." So how do we and our kids really get to know someone if the relationship is built on "transactional texts"? "Don't forget soccer practice at 5, dinner is on the counter, did you finish your homework?" I don't want to have only transactional conversations with my kids and friends, but there are days that happens. No answers here, but this all has me thinking of starting an interesting dinner table conversation!
 
~ Terri Markwart, PTSA President 
staff spotlight
Spanish has always been a passion for Jennifer Stocks, one that took hold when living in Spain as young person. She studied the language at the University of Mary Washington, and she now teaches regular and AP Spanish classes. As an AP teacher, Ms. Stocks has the difficult task of preparing students for the AP exam that's taken at the end of the school year.

Ms. Stocks has a different style of teaching compared to other Spanish teachers. She keeps the class very involved and attentive throughout the period. She also has an unorthodox way of keeping track of participation by giving students dinero (that is, Monopoly money) whenever they participate effectively in class. As a teacher, she really likes to be active with her students, and to get to know their parents.

Ms. Stocks is also sponsor for the award-winning LHS Model United Nations Club, which has been recognized statewide for its achievements. Besides this, Ms. Stocks likes to going to the gym and cooking. "I like to spend time with family," Ms. Stocks added.

"My biggest accomplishment was finishing my master's degree while I was teaching during my first year," she said. Ms. Stocks is a dedicated and hardworking teacher who gives students an achievable opportunity to succeed.

Her advice to students is, "Don't be afraid to advocate for yourself."
 
~ Benjamin Johnson, Saxon Scope reporter
#savefcps  
FCPS parents are invited to join other parents at a #SaveFCPS Rally this Sun, Oct 18, 1 pm at the McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Ave). FCPS families are asked to be there in red and with signs to make our voices heard with the media and candidates who will be participating in a candidate's debate beginning at 2:30 pm. FCPS is preparing for a $75 million budget shortfall for the 2016-17 school year.  It's imperative that elected officials understand how proposed budget cuts will directly affect our schools. (This rally is not intended to support or oppose any political candidate.)

The following candidates have agreed to participate in the debate (incumbent shown by (I)):
State Senate (District 31) - Barbara A. Favola (I) v. George Forakis
House of Del (District 34) - Kathleen J. Murphy (I) v. Craig Parisot
Dranesville Supervisor - Jennifer Chronis v. John Foust (I)
Dranesville School Board Representative - Pete Kurzenhauser v. Jane K. "Janie" Strauss (I)
never too old for candy! 
Halloween CandyGrams are a fun way to send a treat to your favorite student(s) or faculty members, at only $5 each! Proceeds support the 2016 All-Night Graduation Party (ANGP), an all-night, fun-filled event designed to celebrate this milestone with a safe, alcohol-free, drug-free graduation night party for the Class of 2016.  Click here for full details and an order form, or download it from your class page on the PTSA website. Orders must be received by Oct 26. Make someone your sweetie with your support of ANGP!
we're all in it together 
Thank you to the 739 families who have joined the PTSA -- that's 45%! We appreciate your generosity. The first round of appropriation requests were submitted, and your annual PTSA memberships and donations have already supported many exciting programs at Langley from broadcast journalism to science to the arts. Please consider joining and making a donation today by either submitting a form or going online to  ptsalangley.org. Don't forget company match programs. 
dinner theatre
Saxon Stage Dinner Theatre! Well, sort of . . . eat at the downtown McLean Chipotle on Tues, Oct 20 from 4-8:30 pm, and Saxon Stage will receive 50% of the proceeds! At this dinner theatre, you're the performer -- you need to either bring in this flyer, show it on your smartphone, or tell the cashier that you support Langley High School's Saxon Stage. We applaud your performance, and hope to see you at our fall show, Almost Maine, Nov 19-21 and our spring musical, Chicago, April 14-17! 
sports
field hockey:
The field hockey team honored their seniors Ellie Cross, Clare DaBaldo, Halle Duenkel, Morgan Kuligowski, Brittany Lund, Mackenzie Regen, Sammy Russell and Kaylea von Seggern last week in a laughter- and tears-filled ceremony in Saxon Stadium. The Saxons (9-5 on the season) reclaimed the Rotary Club trophy from McLean HS on Oct 13 in a stunning overtime victory! The game's only goal was scored just moments into a sudden death overtime period on a beautiful shot by sophomore forward Carly Britt from a precision pass from von Seggern.

crew: Come to the fall orientation meeting on Wed, Oct 21, at 7 pm in the Langley cafeteria, and you'll have a chance to hear more about what makes Langley Crew a great varsity sport to consider. Our coaches, top athletes, and experienced parents will talk about equipment, practice schedule, the great regattas, and all t he advantages of being a Saxon rower. View calendar, photos, results, and more at langleycrew.com.
special offer from Brix 
Brix American Bistro in Great Falls has generously offered to host a Langley Family Night the 3rd Wednesday of every month all school year! October's event is next week (10/21). Brix will contribute 10% of sales generated by LHS families that come to dine any time that day!  Just mention you are from Langley High School. Brix is located at 1025 Seneca Rd in Great Falls.
shopping = money for lhs! 
All the info and links you need are outlined below to help LHS while you shop. We have several programs in place; each one has its own rules and sign-up process. Contact Elizabeth Trumbull at elizabeth.trumbull@gmail.com with questions or concerns.

introducing amazon smile for ptsa: Regular Amazon shoppers can link your Amazon account to the Langley PTSA Amazon Smile account. We'll receive 0.5% on all qualifying purchases if you purchase via   smile.amazon.com. It's easy to use and doesn't have the restrictive limitations on qualifying purchases associated with our Amazon affiliate program. To link your Amazon account, click here and follow the prompts.

new process for giant fundraising: Giant no longer allows third parties to link their cards to schools. So, we're counting on you to link your cards! Please click here and enter the first three letters of your last name and your Giant card number. If you don't know it, call the Giant hotline at 1-877-366-2668, option 2. Langley's school ID is 01995. Every purchase you make at Giant earns money for Langley. Last year, we earned over $13K with only 430 cards registered. This year, our goal is $15K with 500 cards registered. Take five minutes to register your card today! Please ask your family, friends and neighbors to link their cards to Langley as well.  

harris teeter: VIC cards must be re-linked each year. If you didn't provide your VIC card number as part of the AtoZ Directory process, link your card today! If you know your VIC card number you can re-link the card here. Langley's school ID is 5420. If you don't know your VIC card number, email the last name and phone number associated with your card to lhs.ptsa.fundraising@gmail.com and we'll link it for you. If you prefer, you may call Harris Teeter at 1-800-432-6111, option 2. Earnings have started for Harris Teeter, so please link your card today! Last year we earned $1800 with 170 cards linked. Our goal for this year is $2500 with 250 cards linked.

safeway: Unfortunately, Safeway has discontinued their school rewards program. If possible, please shop at Giant with your card linked to Langley so we can continue to earn money from the dollars you spend on groceries!

target red card: If you have a Target Red Card, please click here to link your card to Langley. Our school ID is 103662. This program will only continue through May 2016, but we appreciate every dollar contributed between now and then. Langley earns 1% of all purchases made using your linked Red Card.
new sat/act practice tests at mhs
The McLean HS PTSA is offering students the opportunity to take a practice version of the new SAT or the ACT on Sat, Nov 14 from 9 am-1 pm at McLean HS cafeteria. This is a great opportunity for students to familiarize themselves with the SAT and ACT before taking the real test. One week after taking the practice test, participants will receive a detailed score report that highlights their personal strengths and weaknesses.
 
The registration fee is $20 and benefits the PTSA. Bring a check or cash on test day. Please register in advance here. Scores are not reported to the school or any reporting agency. Results are solely for the student's personal use. Students with IEPs can request the accommodation of a longer testing period.
standardized test accommodations 
Does your student have a 504 plan or an IEP? Does he or she regularly receive accommodations when taking a test? Your student may be eligible for accommodations on College Board or ACT tests. Come learn about requirements for accommodations as well as the process on Thurs, Nov 12, at 7 pm in the Langley library. RSVP by Nov. 9 to mdsimon1@fcps.edu if you plan to attend, so that handouts can be provided.  

~ Meryl Simon, Special Ed Dept Chair 
hc pep rally memories 
Last week the LHS leadership team led the school in the annual homecoming pep rally. The teachers dazzled the crowd with their dancing skills, including "the whip" and "the nae nae" (ask your kids).  Mr. Amico and Mr. Noto even got into the spirit with the Saxon version of Jimmy Fallon's "Egg Roulette." Visit the PTSA website to see a video of the
faculty flashmob. 

  
service learning opportunities 
Eddie's Club needs student volunteers to work with special needs students on the first Sunday of the month through March. Please contact Mr. Whitehead at rwhitehead@fcps.edu for more information or visit the Eddie's Club website.
 
Sat, Oct 31: Stop Hunger Now at Lutheran Redeemer Church in McLean. Slots fill up fast s o s ign up n ow.  It will be Halloween! Langley students, dress up in fun and appropriate costumes or  sport Langley swag to show school spirit!
future quest  
Future Quest 2015 is a free college and career event for middle and high school students with disabilities, their families, and adult professionals who work with them. It features 70+ sessions and exhibits related to successful life after high school such as: Options After High School, Self-Advocacy, College Support, Assistive Technology, and many others. Future Quest 2015 will be held Sat, Nov 14, 8 am-3 pm in the Johnson Center on the Fairfax campus of George Mason University. For more information and to register, please click Future Quest.
fcps news
CrisisText is a messaging tool for students and parents who need help with mental health, depression, or thoughts of suicide. Introduced by FCPS last year, it is a confidential, safe, and non-judgmental resource when you need someone to talk to. CrisisText is a 24-hour resource. Trained crisis counselors respond, and can also provide information about emergency resources in the community.
 
To reach CrisisText, text 85511 and enter the keyword NEEDHELP. It is also available on FCPS' mobile app.
 
Moving On To Life in the Community is a resource fair that will be held Tues, Oct 27 from 6:30-9 pm at Lake Braddock Secondary School. Join us for this free event for students with disabilities and their parents. All individuals requiring ongoing employment and community support services after graduation are encouraged to attend. Valuable information will be provided on vocational, residential, leisure, recreational, independent living and advocacy options. For more information and registration, click here.
calendar
Oct 16
Senior parent coffee, 9:30 am
Oct 18 FCPS College Night, Fair Oaks mall, 7:30-9:30 pm
Oct 19 FCPS College Night, Hayfield school, 7-9 pm
Oct 22 Choral Concert, Providence Baptist Church
Oct 26 NCAA informational meeting, McLean HS, 7:30 pm
Oct 28
Principal's coffee and PTSA meeting, 9 am at Cooper MS
Oct 30
Two-hour early dismissal
Nov 2-3
Student holidays (teacher workdays)