langley eNews

November 15, 2018

from the ptsa president

Enjoy and be thankful! The Thanksgiving holiday is upon us, so as we gather with friends and family to celebrate next week, let’s be thankful for all the Langley community offers to our children and families.  We're blessed to have dedicated teachers and staff, inspiring leadership and beautiful facilities.   Check out these PTSA appreciation events that acknowledged the fantastic Langley team! ~ Patty Burgess, PTSA President

In a role reversal, the LHS food services staff were treated to a delicious brunch last month by the PTSA. Appreciations Weeks Chairs Andrea Favro and Lorraine Bettios prepared a lovely spread for the staff as a thank you for their devoted service at LHS.

The PTSA also delivered goody bags of snacks and gift certificates to the bus drivers, who were very happy and appreciated the attention. The bus drivers deserve a huge shout out for their safe and reliable daily transport of our children.

reflections winners 2018

Congratulations to all students who submitted entries for this year’s Reflections theme Heroes Around Me!   These three students will move on to the next level, representing LHS in the Fairfax County Council PTA 2018-19 Reflections contest: Kacy Lee (9), Visual Arts; Adelaide Loving (10), Literature; Hayley Blankingship (10), Photography. Adelaide writes about her entry, Valiant, in her artist’s statement: "The  Oxford Dictionary ...definition insinuates that heroes must be recognized. What about the heroes that aren't recognized -- the ones you see every day? Sometimes heroism means lending a helping hand, or giving a word of thanks or encouragement. Heroism means kindness, and kindness is a superpower that you don't need a mask or cape to wield. That's why I decided to focus on the idea that  everyone has the potential to be a hero , because, with a little help, that potential could change the world."

Kacy Lee, Visual Arts Winner

Haley Blankingship, Photography Winner

marching saxons make history!

Your LHS Marching Saxons and Color Guard gave a historic 2018 season-ending performance at the VBODA State Marching Festival! It was the strongest performance any Langley marching band has ever given, earning the Superior (highest) rating from all seven judges. This means that, for the first time in school history, the Marching Saxons received an overall rating of superior. Langley’s 2018 Marching Saxons counted 140 members (seniors are pictured above) -- the largest marching group in LHS history.   The 2018 show,  Birds of a Feather , celebrated all that can only be accomplished by everyone working together.   To say I am proud of the students' accomplishment is a massive understatement. They have earned this distinction through weeks, months, and even years of hard work and heart. They have been led by an extraordinary staff of dedicated instructors . They have been assisted invaluably all season long by some incredible parent volunteers. And they have stood on the shoulders of the previous Langley marching bands that worked so hard to get us to this point. But mostly, the students did this, through their own caring and commitment.  This whole season, capped by this extraordinary performance, was a reflection of the theme of the show: We are strong when we unite to a common purpose, and dedicate ourselves to a common goal. ~ Doug Martin, Director of Bands

lhs soph 2nd in nation in racing

LHS students have many and varied talents, but did you know we are home to a nationally ranked race car driver ? Sophomore  Daniel Silvestri has been racing since he was 6½ years old. His parents never expected that what started as a Go Kart racing hobby would lead to traveling around tracks in Virginia and the US, racing in  Legends in the INEX Young Lion Series . After a successful 2017 rookie season, winning Rookie of the Year at Shenandoah Speedway and clenching the State Championship, he set his sights on the 2018 season.

Daniel finished the 2018 season with a near-trifecta: Track Champion at Southside Speedway, VA State Champion and 2nd place in the Nation in the Young Lion Division.  Daniel, now fifteen years old, aspires to be a NASCAR driver. His next step will be move up to race with the Pro drivers while looking to transition to a full-size late model car in 2019. You can keep up with Daniel through Daniel Silvestri Racing on Facebook or in  The Weekly Racer .  Read more about his recent National Championship Race on Oct 27 in Las Vegas  here .

we have a winner! The PTSA member drawing has its first winner! The prize was a a beautiful (and very useful) Saxon rain poncho. Don’t despair that it wasn’t you — we have two more prizes to give away. If you’re a PTSA member by 11:59 pm on Thu, Nov 15, YOU could win prize #2, a Saxon fleece blanket. The winner will be notified by email. Good luck! Haven't joined the PTSA yet? We need you with us! Membership is a click away. In a minute or less, you can support all the programs of the Langley PTSA: technology, teacher appreciation, classroom teaching tools, fine arts and much more. Not sure if you're a member? Click  here for the list. If you're not there, join today using this  link . On behalf of our students and teachers, thanks for your support!

jack's brain, jill's brain

This free FCPS workshop tomorrow night will highlight the rapidly emerging research on how the brains of females and males are developmentally, structurally and functionally different. Learn how the practical application of this research can provide behavioral and emotional help for students. Gain knowledge about the many brain-based resources available for parents in the community and online. The workshop will be held at the Dunn Loring Center for Parent Services, 2334 Gallows Road, on Fri, Nov 16, 10 am-12 pm. Click here to register.

nominate a great teacher

Each year, FCPS honors staff members for excellence in the following categories: Outstanding Teacher, Outstanding New Teacher, Outstanding School Leader, and Outstanding Operational and Hourly Employees. As a community, we choose Langley winners in each category to submit for consideration at the pyramid, region and division levels. LHS staff are truly exceptional, and the work they do for our students deserves celebration beyond our school.  Help recognize the wonderful work done by our amazing staff members! Click  here to nominate an LHS staff member. To learn more about the overall FCPS awards process, click  here . All nominations must be submitted by 8 am on Mon, Dec 3. Eligibility and award criteria are listed on each page of the nomination form. Questions? Contact Wayne Biernesser at  wcbiernesser@fpcs.edu .

parents can join the action

Winter sports are almost here!   Join Langley Athletic Boosters and don’t miss the action on our courts, gyms, and in pools this season. Membership at the Green & Gold level and above includes  passes to every regular season home game at Langley – every season, every sport! Click  here to join.  Langley Athletic Boosters is a 501c3 organization that helps provide uniforms and equipment; field maintenance; training; Varsity letters, pins & certificates; and other fees/expenses that FCPS doesn't cover for all athletic teams. FCPS only pays for officials, coaches' stipends and some buses, and Langley Athletic Boosters fills the gap to support all student athletes throughout the year. Join the action and support the Saxons!

news by class

Seniors who didn't pick up swag or t-shirts can get them from Ms Hamilton in Room 2425.

Save the date for our next parent forum on Wed, Dec 5, 9:30-11 am at St. John’s Episcopal Church (6715 Georgetown Pike), with remote access via Blackboard Collaborate. In addition to junior-specific updates, Jan Dabroski, Assessment Coach, will demystify SAT/ACT/AP testing and answer questions. We will also demonstrate and answer your questions with the new Naviance . Please submit photos from Spirit Week, Homecoming, fall sports and activities for the senior slide show. Include only pictures of the class of 2020 at only LHS events and email them to lhs2020photos@gmail.com with the event name/date in the subject line. Send us your best shot! For more recommendations, check our Class Page .

Due to today’s weather school cancellation, our Sophomore Class dinner is cancelled for tonight.  Stay tuned, as the Class Dinner team will find a new date for this wonderful family event and class fundraiser. Thanks to everyone for your support of our Class!

Did your student forget to pick up their Homecoming T-shirt? They can swing by Mr Thorsen's classroom (1403) to pick it up.

saxons, did you know...

… approximately 1 in 5 high school seniors nationally report misusing prescription drugs at least once.

why see the capitol steps?

The Class of 2019 is raising FUNds for its Jun 3 All Night Grad Party! Here are five great reasons why you should plan to see The Capitol Steps on Sun, Feb 10 at 7pm in the LHS Auditorium: 5. It’s your way to Pay It Forward! This is Langley’s 30th annual ANGP; support the 2019 seniors and be sure that it will come back to your senior when the time comes! 4. The show is in February…what else will you have to do? 3. The mid-terms are over and it’s time for a little bi-partisan comic relief! 2. The holidays are coming! Tickets to this entertaining show make great gifts for family, friends AND teachers! Or buy tickets for the PTSA Teacher Raffle! 1. It’s a great show, and it’s for a great cause! The ANGP is a fun and safe way for our seniors to celebrate their accomplishment and their friendships. Tickets are $35 – you can find the flyer with all details and ordering info here. Encourage your friends to join you for this fun way to support the Class of 2019. Contact Liz Holzapfel with questions at woodapple1@verizon.net.

focus on youth anxiety

In their yearlong focus on youth anxiety, the Safe Community Coalition, in conjunction with the McLean HS PTSA, is hosting a free showing of the IndieFlix documentary film Angst: Raising Awareness Around Anxiety on Thu, Dec 6 at 7 pm in the McLean HS Auditorium. This eye-opening documentary features students affected by anxiety, mental health professionals, and Olympic athlete and mental health advocate Michael Phelps. It aims to open up conversation and provide hope around a topic many find difficult to discuss. Following the movie, a panel of mental health professionals from McLean HS and the community will lead a panel discussion and Q&A session to provide further info. This event is free and recommended for 6th grade and up.

help in a crisis

CrisisText is a messaging tool for students and parents who need help with mental health, depression, or thoughts of suicide. It is a confidential, safe, and non-judgmental resource when you need someone to talk to. Trained crisis counselors who respond can also provide info about emergency resources in the community. CrisisText is available on the FCPS Mobile App or by sending a text message to: 85511 and entering the keyword NEEDHELP . CrisisText is a 24-hour resource that has been very successful in providing support and resources to those who used it last year. For more information about this important resource, click here.

Clarification: Last week, x2vol sent a message to students indicating that the x2vol Official Service Transcript is no longer available to FCPS students.  The service referenced in the message is separate from the x2vol system that Langley students use. Langley students’ ability to search opportunities and log and track hours is unaffected, and all the student service hours are safe.  If you have any concerns, please contact Betsy Shomaker at enshomaker@fcps.edu .

upcoming events

Nov 15: Sophomore Class Dinner, 6 pm - CANCELLED Nov 21-23: Thanksgiving Holiday Nov 29-Dec 2: Biloxi Blues, 7 pm Dec 5: Junior Parent Forum, 9:30-11 am Dec 7-8: Madrigal Feaste, 7 pm Dec 11: Orchestra Concert, 7 pm Dec 12: Senior Parent Coffee, 9:30 am Dec 13: Band Concert, 7 pm Dec 14: 3-Hour Early Release Dec 24-Jan 4: Winter Break Jan 16: Principal Coffee/PTSA General Membership Meeting, 9:30 am Feb 10: The Capitol Steps, 7 pm

Full calendar LHS website PTSA website PTSA resources eNews info

Langley PTSA Communications Committee: Stephanie Maxwell, Helen Miller, Jane Riddle, Anne Whipple S ubmit items by Tuesdays noon for publication on Thursdays to <enewslangley@gmail.com>      The PTSA eNews is published by volunteers who present only news that pertains to FCPS, LHS and PTSA. Any opinions expressed therein are those of the submitter and not necessarily those of FCPS, LHS or PTSA.