Let it snow! This first week of February has been eventful, with the first noteworthy winter storm in what seems like an eon in our area. The weather isn’t the only excitement happening in our community. This is National School Counseling Week. At Langley, we are blessed with incredible professionals who are dedicated to your child’s success in school achievement and career planning. If you haven’t already, please take a moment to thank your student’s school counselor.

This week has brought a plethora of sports events, including basketball, gymnastics, indoor track and swim and dive. Tryouts are in the works for the upcoming “fall season” as well. For all the most up-to-date information on sports and activities, go to Langley Athletics on the LHS website or open This Week in Athletics in your email in-box.

PTSA-sponsored programming is going strong, too. Read below for information on our new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, the 28 Days of Equity Awareness project and a book talk on Feb 16. See more below about the three-part virtual series for parents on teen substance abuse prevention education, presented by Langley's Substance Abuse Specialist Kelly Rankin. With upcoming class forums for sophomores on Feb 10 and juniors on Feb 11, and there’s a lot in the mix!

It’s not too early to think about next year. The PTSA nominating committee has begun its search to fill open officer and committee chair positions for 2021-22. Contact nominating committee chairs Kristen Simko at kristen.simko@gmail.com and Annette Bellino at annette.bellino@verizon.net if you’re interested in joining the PTSA Executive Board.

Are you the parent of a rising 9th grader and looking to get more involved at Langley? Class parents work closely with class officers, parents and school administrators to help support and plan activities for the class through their four high school years. If you're interested in learning more about becoming a class parent, or know someone who is, please contact Clare Bradshaw at crbradshaw@verizon.net.

The PTSA's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee is commemorating Black History Month with the 28 Days of Equity Awareness project. We invite everyone to check out our 28 short readings, videos and podcasts, and complete as many as possible! Click here for a printable list or view it on our webpage. Our goal is to begin a conversation in which we investigate perspectives from marginalized voices. We hope you'll join us!

Throughout February, on each Friday at noon we'll hold lunch discussions, providing a safe space for reflection on the material. To attend, RSVP via this form.

Save the date! On Tues, Feb 16 at 7:30 pm, join in on a pyramid-wide book club discussion on the first 7 chapters of Blindspot, by Mahzarin Banaji and Anthony Greenwald. Those chapters are among the selections on our 28-day list. Click here to RSVP for the discussion.

A three-part parent education series on substance abuse prevention will be presented this spring by LHS Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist Kelly Rankin. In the 20-minute sessions, Ms. Rankin will discuss the development of the teenage brain, the impact of drugs on brain development and current drug trends.

Each session is offered twice -- choose the time that works for you! Click here to join a 12 pm or 7 pm session on the following dates:

The series will help build awareness and arm parents with knowledge and tools to identify early signs of substance use, as well as discuss parents’ role in prevention and how to have effective conversations with teens about addiction. Ms. Rankin is a great resource for our students and parents. Questions? Contact her at Krankin@fcps.edu or 703-287-2744.

Are you interested in publishing your writing or art? Check out Kaleidoscope, the student-run website of Langley’s literary magazine club. Students can submit writings or art year-round, and Kaleidoscope publishes students' works every month. Anyone can send in submissions and all works are welcome! Join in on the fun!

Submissions of any theme can be published at any time. If you have questions or a piece to share, email langleykaleidoscope@gmail.com. Other questions? Contact the club sponsor, Ms. Mitro, at camitro@fcps.edu.

The FCPS School Board will meet to vote on the boundary adjustment tonight, Feb 4 at 7 pm. To view the options under consideration and comments to date, click here. Please send your comments or ideas to mcleanboundary@fcps.edu.

track and field: Congratulations to all the seniors on Langley’s track and field team! At a home meet that the Saxons hosted last month, seniors and their parents were honored for their years and efforts in track.

Pictured left to right are: Coach Diller and seniors Arielle Moore, Cole Withers, Samuel Issac, Erika Chung, Nikki Razavi, Suzanne Leaptrot, Lina Al-Atrash, Anne O-Hara, Lilly Fowler and Ethan Jones. Not pictured are seniors Jackson Ellinger, Khalif Farah and Fay Shuai. Congratulations, and good luck at Districts this month!

ice hockey: Langley's varsity ice hockey squad beat Loudoun Valley HS/Woodgrove HS 4-2 in a fast-paced game on Jan 29. Forward Callie Cahill scored the first Saxon goal halfway through the first period, with Noah Scheinerman and senior Max Veretenov expanded Langley’s lead with a goal each in the second period. Scoring again in the final period, senior Daniel Veretenov sealed the Saxons' win with an open net goal in the final minutes of the game. The Saxons are inching their way towards securing a spot in the post-season play offs! The varsity team goes up against Paul VI HS on Feb 5, then faces off against rival McLean HS on Feb 12. Good luck, Saxons!

"fall" sports tryouts: Saxon parents, if your student is planning on participating in a fall sport you must register him or her. Click here for athlete registration and fall season info and click here for registration instructions.

After growing up on a dirt road in Loudoun County, Ellie Burnett earned her bachelor’s degree in English and her master’s degree in teaching from James Madison University. Ms. Burnett knew she wanted to be a teacher since high school. “It really was because I had amazing teachers, English teachers especially, who invited me to this literary world. From there I recognized the importance of literature and how it connects us and I wanted to build those connections for students too.”

After teaching at Justice HS for 4 years, Ms. Burnett joined LHS teaching English 9 Honors and English 10, as well as Forensics and Debate. “I was on the forensics and debate team in high school and Mr. Krivak is usually the teacher of the class, but due to COVID scheduling and master schedules and things like that, it came to me.”

Although this year is quite different with distance learning, Ms. Burnett was eager to join the Langley family. “I do really like [Langley], and whenever I have interactions with the kids online, and even though it is online, I can still get the vibes of the kids and a vibe of the culture and of the school. I am constantly shocked by how awesome these kids are,” Ms. Burnett said. “Everyone has been so welcoming and just genuine with inviting me to the community, and I’ve been really excited and hopeful to interact with everybody, and I’m looking forward to finally seeing some people face to face eventually.”

When she's not in the virtual classroom, Ms. Burnett enjoys hobbies such as cooking, baking and gardening. “My sister and I grow garlic and we have a garlic company that sells online, so that’s what we do in the summer,” Ms. Burnett said. “I also like to go camping and play tennis,” she added.

Ms. Burnett is excited to mentor her students and make learning fun for everybody. “The most fulfilling part is definitely the student interaction and getting to see the kids grow as not only students but also as a person in this world and this society, and how I can foster that growth is really why I’m here.”

… have you wondered about how to talk to your teen about alcohol, drugs and impaired driving?

The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's program Talk. They Hear You can help you get the conversation started. Click here for a list of resources for parents, including a family agreement form.

Read below for class news. Click the green class buttons to go to each class's webpage.

Each year, the Virginia PTA honors seniors who have demonstrated a commitment to community service and academic achievement. The winner is awarded $1,000! Click here for the application. Applications must be postmarked by Mon, Mar 1 (no electronic submissions).

Students must be PTSA members to enter the contests. Click here to join. Student membership is $5.

LHS Student Services is hosting a virtual College Planning Night for junors on Thurs, Feb 11 at 7 pm. The program includes a panel of college admissions professionals that will provide information to help families navigate the college admissions process, including creating the college list, determining what colleges really consider in the admissions process, and how to navigate college admissions in the midst of a pandemic.

Submit questions ahead of the event through this form. No registration is required and a link to attend will be provided closer to the event.

Join us for our virtual Sophomore College Case Studies Night on Wed, Feb 10 at 7 pm. Parents and students will participate in small group sessions to analyze college applications with admissions counselors representing more than 40 universities from across the country.

Families will meet with the admissions reps that read for Langley to understand the myths and realities of college admissions. Register here. After you register, you will receive updates that include materials for the evening and the virtual program link.

Mark your calendars for our second Freshman Forum to be held Thurs, Feb 11 at 9:30 am. Braden Peterson, Director of Student Services, will speak to parents about academic advising and course selection for sophomore year. Please join the forum using this link.

Are you interested in mental health? The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board is offering grants up to $1,000 for youth-led projects to reduce stigma around mental illness and promote help-seeking behaviors among their peers. Proposals are due Feb 8. Find more information here.

mcc call for youth candidates: Earn valuable community service and outreach experience as a member of our governing board! We’re looking for high school students who wish to serve their community by playing a leading role in helping to carry out McLean Community Center’s goals.

The board includes two youth seats, one each from LHS and McLean HS, and youth members serve a one-year term. Completed petition packets are due to MCC by Fri, Mar 12 at 5 pm. Requirements and info are on the MCC website.

stuff the bus: Help fill the shelves of food pantries to support our neighbors who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Stuff the Bus is collecting nonperishable food donations on Sat, Feb 6 from 10 am to 3 pm. Collection locations are listed here.

food pantry:  SHARE of McLean needs the following items for its food pantry: liquid laundry detergent (32-50 load sizes), cooking oil (48 oz) and canned fruit (standard size). Due to the weight of larger bottles and cans, and the number of families served by SHARE, the sizes above are most useful.

Bring your donations to the McLean Baptist Church (1367 Chain Bridge Road) on Wed and Sat, 8:30 am–12 pm, or place in the outdoor donation sheds at the church anytime.

upcoming events

Feb 16: Blindspot book discussion, 7:30 pm

Join the LHS PTSA! Click Here.