Valentine’s Day is just a few days away! While I don't love most of what the pandemic has brought, I love that I'm able to see and spend time virtually with many teachers, administrators, parents and volunteers in the Langley community.

I also love that the FCPS School Board approved a return to school plan, which will have many students returning to Langley two days per week. For students who chose the in-person option, freshmen and seniors return on Mar 2; sophomores and juniors return on Mar 9. Stay tuned for info on Langley town halls that Principal Greer will hold regarding the changes. See "parent resources" below for free webinars, including one hosted by the NOVA District PTA and Fairfax County Council PTA on what students of all ages can expect when they return to the classroom and how parents can support them.

Do you love planning for the future? Class of 2022 students and parents, remember to attend Langley's College Planning Night for juniors tonight at 7 pm. No registration is needed. Student Services sent the link yesterday to juniors and their parents.

While you’re showing affection to family and friends for Valentine’s Day, don’t forget to share the love with our Langley staff! Has it been a while since your student sent a note to a teacher, coach or counselor about how they're making a difference in their year? Click here for the form, and encourage your student to send a Super Saxon Shoutout to show their appreciation!

With Valentine’s Day and President’s Day, I hope you and your family enjoy the long weekend!

Beginning Tues, Feb 16, Langley's school day will run from 8:20 am-2:50 pm. The bell schedule change applies to both in-person and full-time virtual learners, and adjusts each class period and lunch. Click here to view or print Langley's full bell schedule.

Bell schedules are adjusted in order to accommodate buses and the return to school. The two days/week return to school option was recently approved by FCPS. For students who chose the option, Langley is excited to welcome freshmen and seniors on Mar 2 and sophomores and juniors on Mar 9. Late requests to move to full-time virtual learning can be made here. (Requests to switch to in-person go on a waitlist.) View this FCPS webpage for more return to school info.

The LHS/McLean HS boundary adjustment option B was recently approved by FCPS. Under option B, Langley will welcome new students from three areas: the Colvin Run ES split feeder area, about 10 percent of the Spring Hill ES split feeder area and a portion of Westbriar ES area.

The adjustment begins next year, but will occur slowly due to substantial phasing and grandfathering options. By the end of the phase-in, an estimated 190 additional students will join the Saxon community. For more details, see our Dranesville District FCPS Representative Elaine Tholen's message here.

Did you sign up for the mock SAT or ACT in early January? If you haven't taken the practice test, it's not too late! The registration originally allowed for a 6-week window to take the mock tests, but that deadline has been extended through April.

To take the tests, use the Princeton Review account info you received via email after registering. Your Princeton Review account also provides access to free study tips and webinars on how to improve test scores and enhance college applications. Questions? Contact Nacy Veach at nacy.veach@review.com.

Are you interested in STEM? As part of 2021 National Engineers Week, George Mason University (GMU) and Northrup Grumman each are hosting a week of free, hour-long virtual events aimed at students interested in STEM.

GMU sessions, aimed at high schoolers, are led by current GMU engineering students. Go here for more info on each session and to register for:

Northrop Grumman sessions include films and presentations. Go here for more info on each session and to register for:

Read more about 2021 National Engineers Week here.

Have you taken photographs, made any videos, drawn, painted or written an interesting piece? Submit them to Kaleidoscope, Langley’s literary magazine! Kaleidoscope publishes students' works every month. Anyone can send in submissions and all works are welcome! Join in on the fun!

Questions? Have a piece to share? Email langleykaleidoscope@gmail.com or contact Ms. Mitro, the club's sponsor, at camitro@fcps.edu.

Falls sports yard signs are back! Support your fall-season athlete and Langley Athletic Boosters — these colorful signs are durable and look great both indoors and out. Don't leave your athlete out!

Click here to order. Don't wait too long — the deadline is Mon, Feb 22.

Have you had a chance to join our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee's 28 Days of Equity Awareness project? We invite you to check out this list of 28 short readings, videos and podcasts, and complete as many as possible to help us start a conversation with perspectives from marginalized voices.

Join us each Friday in February at noon for a lunch discussion and a safe space for reflection on the material. RSVP here for the lunch discussion.

We also hope you'll join us on Tues, Feb 16 at 7:30 pm for a pyramid-wide book discussion on the first 7 chapters of Blindspot. Those chapters are among the selections on our 28-day list. RSVP here for the book discussion.

Congrats to the Langley winners in this year's FCPS Regional Scholastic Writing Awards! Fiona Dempsey won a Gold Key in the short story category; Zara Adams and Ashley Khang each received Honorable Mention in the critical essay category. Good job, Saxons!

Langley's varsity ice hockey team dominated the ice last Friday, crushing Paul VI HS 11-1. Kam Khazai’s goal in the first few minutes of play started the scoring run. Over the rest of the first period, Charlie Tourbaf scored two goals and Max Veretenov added one. Callie Cahill’s two goals and Mike Kuligowski’s one rounded out the scoring in the second period. In the home stretch, Daniel Veretenov scored twice, and Michael Alie and Max Starukhin each got the puck in the net, finalizing the score. The win allows the Saxons to move on post-season play.

In its final game of the regular season, the varsity team will face off against rival McLean HS this Friday. The winner of the match up will take first place in their division. Go Saxons!

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

Seniors, are you submitting a Virginia PTA service award/scholarship application? The application and supporting documents must be mailed/postmarked by Mon, Mar 1 (no electronic submissions). Click here for the application.

Don’t wait until the last minute on your application! Make sure to get your reference letter and signatures from the PTSA president or membership chair, and from Principal Greer or your counselor. Students must be PTSA members to enter. Click here to join. Student membership is $5.

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

Submit questions ahead of the event through this form. Registration is not required. Student Services emailed the link yesterday morning to juniors and their parents.

creative/graphic design: Are you creative? Interested in art or graphic design? The Virginia PTA is holding a t-shirt design contest to commemorate its 100-year anniversary. Contest rules are:

The winning design will be featured on t-shirts and will receive an award showcased and announced at the annual state PTA meeting on Mar 20. For more info about VA PTA, browse its website. Questions? Contact President-Elect Pam Croom at pres-elect@vapta.org.

leadership opportunity: Are you interested in leadership or civic activities? Join the McLean Community Center (MCC) Governing Board!

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

parent education series on substance abuse prevention: This three-part series will be provided by LHS Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist Kelly Rankin. Each 20-minute 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, explain how to identify early signs of substance use, discuss parents’ role in prevention, and show 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.

nova/ fairfax county council PTAs webinar: On Mon, Feb 22 at 7:30 pm, all are invited to a free webinar, What to Expect When You're Returning to School: How to Support Your Student, by Jenna White. Ms. White is the area PTA rep to the Fairfax County Trauma Informed Community Network.

The webinar will discuss what to expect when returning to the classroom and how students can prepare and respond to the challenges. The needs of all ages of students, and both in-person and full-time virtual learners, will be addressed. To attend, register here.

fcps webinars: The FCPS Parent Resource Center (PRC) offers these parent webinars in February:

Click here for more info and to register. Previous webinars are also available to view on the PRC YouTube channel.

food drive: The Optimist Club is holding a food drive at LHS outside of Door 14 on Sun, Feb 21 at 10 am-2 pm. Items most needed include: canned tuna, vegetables, fruit; peanut butter, pasta, rice, hot and cold cereal and healthy snacks. Thanks for dropping these items off at Langley!

food pantry: SHARE of McLean requests liquid laundry detergent (32-50 load size), cooking oil (48 oz), canned fruit (standard size) and pasta sauce (canned or plastic containers). Bring donations to 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 (Virtual), 7:30 pm

Join the LHS PTSA! Click Here.