I find that Thanksgiving is the perfect time to rest and reflect on my blessings, especially when I am too stuffed to move after splurging on all of my holiday favorites.
This year, I do not need to slow down to appreciate all that the Langley HS community offers my family and me. I feel fortunate that my son attends a school where he is surrounded by motivated students, dedicated teachers, engaged staff and enthusiastic coaches.
I am also grateful to our PTSA members who, with their dues, donations and volunteer hours, enable the Langley PTSA to be the positive force that it is. Thank you, parents, for creating, supporting and funding programs that enrich the education of our children and the strength of our community.
Wishing you all a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving,
~ Clare Bradshaw, PTSA President
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Join Langley PTSA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee tonight, Nov 18 at 7 pm, where we
will be taking a closer look at some common words and phrases that may seem harmless to some but painful to others in our community. This will be a virtual meeting.
We invite you to visit our webpage, where we’ve posted a variety of reflections to read/watch/listen to. Fill out this form if you’d like to attend, and we’ll send out a meeting link. We look forward to seeing you!
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Join us for Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express! Famous detective Hercule Poirot is called back to London from Istanbul on urgent business, and he manages to secure a spot in the first-class cabin on the Orient Express. While aboard, Poirot meets a host of peculiar characters, including the angry businessman, Samuel Ratchett, who corners Poirot and demands Poirot investigate a series of ominous letters that have been sent to Ratchett, threatening his life.
As a snowdrift halts the Orient Express in its tracks, Ratchett is found stabbed multiple times in his locked train compartment. Poirot is tasked to solve the murder, as the killer could still be in their midst. As Poirot investigates, conflicting clues and convoluted alibis lead him to dead ends. Over the course of 48 hours, will Poirot be able to solve the case of the Murder on the Orient Express?
This classic Agatha Christie mystery will keep you guessing! Performances run tonight Thurs, Nov 18 – Sat, Nov 20 at 7 pm, and Sun, Nov 21 at 2:30 pm in the Langley Auditorium. Purchase tickets here (Adults $15, Students $10).
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toiletry drive ends monday! |
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Just two days left! The LHS Langley Cares committee toiletry drive for SHARE of McLean, a local food pantry that supports families in the Langley community, ends Nov 22. View the flyer for suggested donations. Donation bins are outside the main office and in the student activities office. Drop off items tomorrow or Monday.
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The Langley HS Choral Department is excited to announce the return of the Renaissance Feaste at 7 pm on Fri and Sat, Dec 3-4. Join us as we journey back to Merrie Olde England for a festive Holiday Feaste and Serenade featuring the Magnificent Madrigals accompanied by the charming Chamber Choir and jesters and minstrels from the Concert, Treble, and Treble Select choirs, all in their liveliest period garb.
We will provide glorious food, entertainment, and traditional madrigal songs in our richly decorated banquet room known as Langley Halle. Because of the dastardly Covid pestilence, we will make accommodations at our great performance. We plan to have fewer guests to enjoy more space and food plated and sealed individually to be safe. Our minstrels will wear special masks when performing and our guests too will don masks when not eating. Limited seating is available. Tickets are $40 for Lords and Ladies, and $25 for those of fewer years and those who toil at this place of learning.
Click here for more information. Buy tickets or donate to the Renaissance Feaste here.
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Congratulations to Langley’s representatives to the District XII Honors Orchestra, who auditioned amongst hundreds of orchestra students:
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Violin:
Kevin Sun, Sumrath Pahwa, Jasmine Alcorn, Victoria Wang
Viola:
Stella Mategrano, Mateo Albolote, Emily Jao, Anna Chen
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Cello:
Kevin Farnsworth, Shinjini Ray, Amiliya Smith
Bass:
Griffin Krupp
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These and other District Honors Orchestra students will participate in the District Orchestra Event and Concert on Fri, Jan 14 and Sat, Jan 15 at Washington-Liberty HS.
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The LHS New Family Network is organizing a social dinner for new-to-Langley parents at The Italian Oven in McLean on Fri, Dec 3 at 7 pm. If you are new to the area and interested in socializing with other new parents over a delicious Italian meal (no host), please RSVP to lhsnewfamilynetwork@gmail.com by Wed, Nov 24.
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harris teeter vic card: Thanks to all of our families that have registered their Harris Teeter VIC cards for LHS this year. You have already earned over $200 to support LHS students and staff! You can still register your VIC card for Harris Teeter’s Together in Education program and earn FREE money for LHS as you shop for Thanksgiving! Click here to register your card — or let us handle it for you by clicking here.
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orchestra coffee: Who wants freshly roasted coffee for the holidays? Support the Langley orchestra by ordering whole bean or ground coffee in one of four different custom roasts for $14 per bag from Beanetics in Annandale. See the order form for more details. Orders with payment are due Mon, Nov 29 with delivery Tues, Dec 7.
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angp/wreaths across america: Time is running out to help the Class of 2022 ANGP sponsor wreaths through Wreaths Across America to be placed on graves at Arlington National Cemetery or one of the other 2,500 locations worldwide during National Wreaths Across America Day on Dec 18. Every $15 wreath purchased through the LHS ANGP sponsorship site raises money and honors veterans. Order online by Nov 29.
Do you have specific veterans and first responders, living or in memoriam, whom you would like to honor? Go to the LHS ANGP sponsorship site to:
- Sponsor a wreath in honor of a living veteran, spouse, or first responder
- Have wreaths placed on specific graves
- Sponsor wreaths at one of the locations in which Wreaths Across America holds wreath-laying ceremonies
- Post a message on WAA’s Remembrance Page
- Send wreaths as a gift
- Volunteer to place wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery or at one of the other participating locations as a service to the community
You can also print the LHS ANGP sponsorship form and turn in the form and check made out to Wreaths Across America to Langley’s front office c/o the ANGP. Checks and sponsorship forms are due by Wed, Nov 24. Please forward this to family and friends who might be interested via email or social media. Questions? Email Annette Bellino at annette.bellino@verizon.net.
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Jennifer Baldesare has been a counselor in the Student Services department at Langley for the last 17 years. “We advise on academics, plan for college and career readiness, and help students who may be in crisis,” she says. “We help with testing, schedules, graduation requirements, facilitate meetings between parents and teachers.”
Growing up in Pennsylvania, she attended Wilkes University for her undergraduate degree and Marymount University for her master’s degree. Her first experience in the field was an internship at a high school in Pennsylvania, where she immediately fell in love with the job due to her love of listening to others and psychology.
She loves the giving and compassionate Langley community, including the students, staff and parents. “My favorite part of my job first and foremost is working with students!” she says, and adds that “Everyone from the faculty – students, parents, PTSA, administrators – everyone is always asking what they can do for others and that is great!”
Ms. Baldesare also enjoys the variety of her work and thrives knowing that not every day is going to be the same. “I like to think on my feet and like to be challenged, and this job demands that on any given day.”
When not at Langley, Ms. Baldesare is busy with her husband of 17 years and two sons, ages 12 and 8, and sports. “We are a sports family and if we are not playing it or watching it, we are usually coaching it. Both my husband and I were 3-sport athletes and our kids are quickly following suit. You can find me at the basketball court year-round, on the football field in the fall and spring, and everyday in the yard throwing tennis balls to (yellow lab) Jasper. We love spending time outside, we bleed blue (Kentucky Wildcats), and love to take trips.” In addition, “whatever free time I have you will find me with a book in hand.”
Ms. Baldesare added that students often keep in touch with Langley counselors. “I have seen some remarkable students come and go throughout the years, many of which are now starting their own careers and are extremely successful,” she shares. “I have seen others struggle through the high school years and still keep in touch with how they are doing and how they have changed. Langley has taught me that dreams can happen if you point yourself in their direction.”
~ Jennifer Saxenian, Saxon Scope reporter
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Fall is an especially busy time for school counselors, so thank your hard-working counselor the next time you see him or her! Here is the list by student last name:
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A-Chang: Michael Johnson
Chap-Gan: Alex Mantel
Gao-Kaz: Natalie Malone
Kea-Matu: Timothy Ready
Matz-Q: Jennifer Baldesare
R-Sul: Karen Siddiqui
Suma-Z: Kashima Morrison
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yard signs: Yard signs for winter sports are $40 and available now! Do not wait, prices go up 11/23. Click here to order and support your winter-season athlete and Langley Athletic Boosters.
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hockey: Cheer on your Langley Varsity hockey team as it takes on Oakton on Fri, Nov 19 at SkateQuest. The puck drops at 9:40pm. Click here to see your Saxons in action.
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… “Much of what happens on screen provides “impoverished” stimulation of the developing brain compared to reality," according to Harvard Medical Schools' Screen Time and the Brain. "Children need a diverse menu of online and offline experiences, including the chance to let their minds wander.” Here is the full article.
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Read below for class news. Click the green class buttons to go to each class's webpage.
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photos needed for senior slideshow: Please submit photos of your senior or groups of seniors here or email them to langley2022.photos@gmail.com. Photos are requested from this year as well as freshman, sophomore and junior years. Group photos should include only Langley seniors (but we are flexible). Questions? Contact Melissa Schwartz at mcschwartz@hotmail.com.
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Freshman parents, just a reminder to make sure you’re connected to the Class of 2025 via our webpage. Subscribe to our class email distro group here.
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justice art contest: High school students are invited to submit visual artwork on the theme “What Does a Truly Just Fairfax Look Like.” The winner's artwork will be displayed in the reception area of the Commonwealth Attorney's office. All other submissions will be placed around the office to inspire attorneys and staff.
Questions? Contact Pia Miller at Pia.Miller@fairfaxcounty.gov, to receive a submission form that must be included with the artwork. Submissions are due Dec 13 and can be sent to Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Pia J. Miller, 4110 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 114, Fairfax, Virginia 22030. Winners will be announced on Dec 17.
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shark tank tech challenge: Calling all high school students! The Fairfax Area 50+ Technology Committee has announced this year’s Shark Tank Technology Challenge, with a focus on new or improved existing technology that will have a positive impact in the lives of older adults, adults with disabilities, wounded warriors, or caregivers. Students are encouraged to consider projects that offer assistance in the following areas:
- Active free time activities
- Participation in the arts
- Caregiving
Students can submit a project as an individual or a team. The deadline to submit the initial proposal is Mon, Dec 6. Final proposals are due Feb 22, 2022. The Shark Tank event will be held in April 2022 and the winning projects will receive a cash prize.
More details are available by visiting the Fairfax Area Student “Shark Tank” Technology Challenge webpage.
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nominate our staff: Each year, FCPS honors teachers and staff with awards of excellence for outstanding performance. Our Langley faculty and staff are truly exceptional and they deserve recognition beyond our walls. Please take a moment to nominate Langley members. School-level winners go on to the pyramid, region and division levels.
There are five award categories: teacher or librarian, new teacher or librarian, school leader, professional employee (e.g., counselor, psychologist, tech specialist) and operational employee (e.g., administrative assistants, custodial and food service staff, instructional assistants).
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Click here for the nomination form, and here for more about the awards process. Nomination deadline is Tues, Nov 30 at 8 am. Questions? Contact Wayne Biernesser at wcbiernesser@fpcs.edu.
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military-connected family webinars: Click here for a flyer about a webinar hosted by the Parent Resource Center (PRC) titled “Preparing for the Unexpected: Challenges of the Military Family” on Dec 3 from 10-11:30 am. This is the second in a series of webinars focused on supporting military-connected students and family transition.
Another new resource for these families is the Military, Veterans and Family Initiative through George Mason University. Click here for more information.
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scholarship webinar: Learn what kind of college scholarships are offered, where to locate scholarship opportunities, and how to best complete scholarship applications. Click here on Sat, Dec 11 at 10 am.
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inova fairfax: High school students can get an "inside look" at a medical campus while learning about support functions in patient care and retail operations. The high school student volunteer program selects student volunteers by lottery. Registration opened Nov 15 at 10 am and closes Nov 21 at 11:45 pm. Click here for more information and click here for registration.
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community service club: Old, outgrown, ugly t-shirts needed! Langley's Community Service Club is collecting t-shirts, which will be used to make dog chew toys for area pet shelters. T-shirts can be dropped off in the bins in the College and Career Center.
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The large-scale COVID-19 vaccination clinic has reopened at the former Lord & Taylor store at Tysons Corner Center and now offers booster shots and the COVID-19 vaccine for children 5-11 years old, in addition to initial vaccinations for all eligible groups. Read more about the clinic here. To make an appointment click here or call 877-VAX-IN-VA. Walk-ins are also available.
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Nov 18-20: Fall Play, 7 pm, Auditorium
Nov 21: Fall Play, 2:30 pm, Auditorium
Nov 24-26: Thanksgiving holidays
Dec 2: Band Concert – Jazz Band, 7 pm, Auditorium
Dec 3-4: Renaissance Feaste, 7 pm, Auditorium
Dec 7: Orchestra Winter Concert, 7 pm, Auditorium
Dec 9: Band Winter Concert, 7 pm, Auditorium
Dec 14: Choral Concert, 7 pm, Auditorium
Dec 20-31: Winter Break – Holiday
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Join the LHS PTSA! Click Here.
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LHS PTSA eNews Editors
Gary Coetzee, Ghida Damirji, Michelle Francis, Helen Miller and Amy Prewett
Stephanie Maxwell (Technical Advisor)
Amy P
The Langley eNews is published by PTSA volunteers and includes news that pertains to LHS, PTSA and FCPS.
Any opinions expressed herein are those of the submitter and not necessarily those of LHS, PTSA or FCPS.
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