a year like no other ...

langley eNews

September 3, 2020

from the ptsa president

Welcome Saxon families! On behalf of Langley High School's Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA), I’m excited to welcome you to the 2020-2021 school year. Langley’s PTSA works closely with our school’s administration and faculty members to support the curriculum and provide programs that directly benefit our children. We could not do this without our Langley parents, who play a vital role in maintaining a tradition of excellence at our school.

While we find ourselves in the uncharted territory of a virtual school environment right now, I encourage each of you to find a meaningful way to connect and engage with the Langley community. There is a lot that we can do this year to keep Langley a vibrant and inviting community for all! To achieve this, I invite you to:

Attend PTSA meetings. Be a parent in the know! Plan to attend PTSA general meetings and hear the latest from Principal Kimberly Greer. These meetings are a great opportunity to stay informed, discuss important issues, meet Langley staff and have your questions answered. We are planning to meet virtually – PTSA General/ Principal’s Coffee meetings will be held on the Blackboard Collaborate platform. The schedule: Wednesdays at 9:30 am on Sept 23, Nov 18, Jan 13, Mar 10 and May 5. Look for meeting information and links on the PTSA home page (ptsalangley.org), on the calendar and in our weekly Langley eNews.

Stay informed. Our weekly PTSA newsletter, Langley eNews, is published on Thursday afternoons. It’s an essential source of information about upcoming LHS programs and events – this year more than ever in the virtual environment. If you’re receiving this email from us, you’re a subscriber! Check the PTSA website frequently for the latest updates, and an abundance of helpful links and materials. You can follow us on Twitter @LangleyHS_PTSA too.

Volunteer. We rely on the time and expertise of our parents. Your participation in our PTSA will enhance your child’s school experience, amplify your voice and help you stay connected. Make a pledge to volunteer at least once this year! Even in our current virtual environment there are many ways to get involved, including helping with student and parent programming initiatives and supporting teachers. You can register your interest in volunteering by clicking here, and we will contact you to match your interest with our ongoing and new programs.

Invest in our children. Your PTSA membership and donation dollars provide many items that the FCPS budget cannot furnish, from basic supplies such as anatomical skeleton models to software programs for virtual learning, performing arts equipment and common area furniture. Your donations also fund programs, such as substance abuse and distracted driving prevention, continuing education for teachers, staff appreciation efforts and much more. This past year, PTSA has enhanced our school's physical environment with the purchase of a new school marquee and courtyard landscaping. We are currently working on ways to help support programming and learning in the current virtual environment. Your generous contributions will assist us in these efforts to benefit our children, as well as future Langley students. Click here to donate and/or become a member of the PTSA. Please note that membership needs to be renewed annually, and that PTSA dues are separate from class dues.

Provide feedback. How can the PTSA better support you and your child? Are there changes you would like to see at Langley? Is there a program you'd like to see implemented? I welcome your questions, comments and suggestions. Send them to me at PTSALangley@gmail.com.

I look forward to working with you to navigate the challenges of the virtual school environment, be resourceful, and do all that’s possible to make this a successful school year for all!

~ Kitty Gonzalez, PTSA President

all those forms!

The Langley Return to School webpage is your one-stop site for info on required forms, optional forms, PTSA information, organizational flyers, Schoology, the bell schedule and more! Note that Emergency Care and Health Info forms are due Sept 11. Tip: print out the Green/Gold schedule for a handy reference throughout the year.

ptsa membership

Join the Langley PTSA! Even though the beginning of this school year is looking different than prior years, your PTSA is still dedicated to improving the LHS experience and facilities for our children and future generations.

Your PTSA membership and donation dollars provide many items that the FCPS budget cannot furnish, including substance abuse prevention programs, continuing education programs for teachers, staff appreciation events and much more. This year, your support will be put toward enhancing our children’s LHS experience in the virtual environment.

Click here to donate and/or become a member of the PTSA. Please don't forget that membership needs to be renewed annually, and that PTSA dues are separate from class dues.

new family virtual social tonight

The New Family Network invites all parents of transfer students to the New Family Virtual Social, tonight Thurs, Sept 3, 6-7 pm.

Is your family new to Langley? Did you relocate from another state, county, country or FCPS pyramid? Email LHSNewFamilyNetwork@gmail.com for details.

To help new families connect, the New Family Network hosts several events throughout the year. Click here to learn more and to sign up to receive our newsletters. Welcome to Langley High School!

ACT and SAT practice

Students, mark your calendars for Sat, Sept 12 (practice SAT), and Sat, Oct 3 (practice ACT). Langley Academic Boosters, in conjunction with NovaStar Prep, is providing students the opportunity to take these full-length practice tests in a simulated environment at home via computer, complete with a score report afterwards. Detailed information and registration for the two tests is available here.

Note that for the testing, students will need access to an internet-connected computer on which they can install Zoom. Practice tests are typically recommended for sophomores and juniors. Questions? Email langleyacademicboosters@gmail.com.

the courtyard has trees!

When students (eventually!) return to Langley, a greener courtyard awaits! Wheat's Landscape just completed Phase 1 of the main courtyard landscaping project, which includes an abundance of trees, shrubs, and plants. Many thanks to the hundreds of Langley families who donated a leaf to the Langley Legacy Tree to support the project.

If you haven't yet donated, now's your chance! We still have an empty Science Courtyard that needs landscaping. Donate a leaf to the Langley Legacy Tree, the beautiful wall sculpture that is "growing" in Langley’s lobby (across from the main office). The Legacy Tree is a permanent and prominent record of generous courtyard contributors. Choose your engraved message — leaves make wonderful tributes to students, teachers, family and friends!

Giving levels are copper leaf ($50), silver leaf ($100), gold leaf ($200) and acorn or bird ($500). Click on ptsalangley.org and look for the Legacy Tree article on the home page to donate your tree leaves/acorns/birds. Questions? Email chrissielavin1@gmail.com.

reflections contest

Langley students! In spite of all the chaos, here's a chance for you to express yourself and be creative. The annual PTSA Reflections contest is on and all digital. This year's theme is, "I Matter Because..."

Please consider sharing your artistic side with this contest. Entries are due Oct 7, so the last few days of summer are a perfect time to create something. Categories are: Dance, Film Production, Music Composition, Literature, Photography, and Visual Arts.

Click here for guidelines, category rules, and to see some winners from last year. Students, you must be a PTSA member in order to submit an entry. Click here to join (only $5 for students).

Sending in your art has never been easier! We will do everything via DropBox and email. Interested? Any questions? Email Sara Koenig at langleyreflections@gmail.com.

staff spotlight

Directing the bands at Langley is Fairfax County’s own Doug Martin. Born and raised in Vienna, Mr. Martin arrived at Langley HS nine years ago after 14 years teaching at other schools in FCPS.

Mr. Martin is excited about the growth and development of the band program at Langley under his baton. Continuing the trend, the incoming Class of 2024 is Langley's largest band class yet!

Mr. Martin enjoys all genres and styles of music and loves to share them with his students. His own instrument is the trumpet, which he played at Florida State University where he earned his BA in Music. He later earned an MA in Music Education with a concentration in Instrumental Conducting from George Mason University. Music is in Mr. Martin's family too -- he met his wife, Jackie, when they were in high school band where she played the French horn. They have a 10-year old daughter, Josie.

Some of Mr. Martin’s best memories at Langley include the band’s incredible performance at Carnegie Hall in 2019, and in the same year the Marching Saxons and all three concert ensembles earned Superior ratings at assessments. This year presents many challenges, but Mr. Martin is looking forward to re-connecting with students and finding new ways to make music together.

The month of August normally means band camp for Langley's Marching Saxons and Color Guard, but once fall sports and marching band competitions were cancelled, Mr. Martin pivoted and planned a virtual band camp for all band students, marchers and non-marchers alike, and those interested in color guard.

Over the last two-and-a half weeks, Langley students participated in virtual sectionals, full ensemble sessions, marching technique sessions, dance sessions, and color guard drills among many others. One end product is a virtual recording of the Langley Fight Song by the band. The band is excited to share it with everyone soon!

class news

Read this section for class news and click the green class buttons to go to each class page for more details.

senior night 2021: The Langley Student Services Department invites the Class of 2021 and their parents to Senior Night on Sept 9 at 7 pm. We will cover important information about applying to college and the role the counselor will play in that process. Parents and students will attend separate sessions. Guest links to the BlackBoard Collaborate sessions will be released prior to the event via email. Parents: Learn how to help your students navigate the college process with Student Services Director Braden Peterson and College and Career Specialist Hannah Wolff. Students: Meet with your counselors to hear about applying, setting up individual appointments, submitting the college packet, etc. Note: Students must check their FCPS email accounts for important links and updates.

senior class portraits: Sept 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 from 3:30-9 pm in Langley Hall. Lifetouch/Prestige Portraits sent mailers to senior families with registration and important safety information for the portrait sessions. Due to safety precautions, all appointments must be scheduled and confirmed online at least 48 hours prior to your session. No walk-ins can be accommodated. Questions? Email answers@lifetouch.com.

Check out all our Welcome Back information on our class webpage.

Save the date! Our AP Wayne Biernesser will join us for a junior class Back to School Q&A Discussion on Fri, Sept 25 at 9:30 am. Stay current! Join our LHS Class of 2022 Parents Facebook page here as well as our email distribution list found on our class webpage. Updates and information are posted regularly on these sites.

Welcome back, sophomores! Join us online during the school year for our Sophomore Parent Forums, 9:30–11 am on these dates: Thurs, Oct 15; Tues, Nov 10; Thurs, Feb 18; and Tues, Apr 20. Check out our Class of 2023 webpage for more sophomore info!

Welcome to Langley! Freshman parents, make sure you’re connected to the Class of 2024 via our webpage and subscribe to our class email distro group. Stay tuned for the announcement of our first class forum, coming soon!

we welcome your news!

The Langley eNews is your source for news, upcoming events and activities at LHS. Please forward this back-to-school edition to those who you think may be interested in signing up to receive the eNews.

We welcome your news submissions! Send articles or announcements (up to about 150 words) along with any photos or links by noon on Tuesdays to enewslangley@gmail.com for publication on Thursdays.

PTSA volunteers edit submissions for style and length. All news should pertain to LHS, FCPS or PTSA. No business advertisements. Detailed guidelines are here.

fcps tech support

FCPS recently launched a Parent Technology Help Desk to support parents as they help their kids with tech issues during distance learning. The number is 1-833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS). It will be answered by staff 7 am to 11 pm, seven days a week. FCPS has also set up an online portal so that older students (and parents) can request technology help directly. Get more info about the Parent Technology Help Desk.