langley eNews
November 3, 2022
from the ptsa president
Welcome to the start of the Second Quarter! I hope everyone had time to rest and rejuvenate over the long weekend.

Now that our students have settled into a routine, it's nice to take a moment to reflect on the first quarter, then look forward to the rest of the academic year. There are excellent postings on the Langley High School website that guide parents and students through each school year. The website includes tips on what to expect and the school resources available in person and online.

To learn more about academic development for each school year click on the following links.

Freshmen Guide to High School includes information about the Langley Honor Code, Time Management, Attendance, Service Learning and Peer Tutoring among other topics.

Information About Sophomore Year introduces Naviance through Family Connection so that students can begin to track interests and explore career pathways.

Information for a Junior includes Family Connection and a link to “A Guide for the Junior.” This is a robust section of the website which even includes a step-by-step timeline with information for the college and career exploration process.

Information about Senior Year focuses on Family Connection/Naviance as a tool for college fit and career exploration as well as counselor communication.

Finally, please take a few minutes to check out the website links and bring your questions to the next PTSA General Membership Meeting on Wed, Nov 16 in the Lecture Hall. The meeting will begin with a Counselor Q&A at 9 am followed by a business meeting and presentations by the Langley Psychologist, the Social Worker and the Substance Abuse and Prevention Specialist. I hope to see you there!

~ Jamie H. Loving, PTSA President
governor's summer school
Attention 10th and 11th graders, the Virginia Governor’s School is opening the application process for its four-week summer 2023 programs. These selective programs are aimed at those looking for a challenging and rewarding summer experience in visual/performing arts, humanities, agriculture, engineering, math/science/tech or health/medicine.

The selection process is competitive, as most attendees are above the 90th percentile in their class rank and their scores on standardized tests.

Interested in applying? You must complete a short interest form no later than Nov 11. Late interest forms are not accepted and applications cannot move forward without an interest form.

Click here for the interest form for academic programs. Click here for the interest form for visual and performing arts programs. Click here for more info about the Governor’s School programs and application timelines.
eighth grade open house
Eighth-grade students and their families are invited to attend Langley’s Open House this Sun, Nov 6 from 2-4 pm beginning in the Auditorium. Families will listen to a general info session, tour the building with student ambassadors and chat with experienced parents. Interested families should RSVP to Assistant Principal Jim Robertson using this link.

Attendees should park in the main lot and enter through door 14.
fundraisers
candy donations: The Nice Cream Club is collecting unopened candy donations for the Ronald McDonald House through tomorrow Nov 4. Drop off donations in room 1216 (Srta. Stocks' room). View the flyer here.
santini's mclean: Who wants pizza?! Order in or eat out at Santini’s of McLean on Tues, Nov 15 from 3–9 pm. Mention “Langley High School ANGP” when placing your order or if ordering online, add “LHS ANGP” in Notes. ANGP receives a percentage of all sales! View the flyer here.
turkey trot: Need an excuse to get out after Thanksgiving? Register for the Langley HS Crew Team's inaugural Turkey Trot 5K on Sat, Nov 26, 9 am at Langley HS. Registration is $50 per person through race day and includes a race shirt!

View the flyer here and register here. Get your race shoes out and join the crew team for a run or walk around the school and neighborhood!
wreaths across america: Please join the Class of 2023 ANGP and Wreaths Across America to honor a veteran or first responder during the holidays. For $15, you can sponsor a wreath to be placed at Arlington National Cemetery or one of three other locations supported by Langley during National Wreaths Across America Day on Dec 17.

Every wreath purchased through the LHS ANGP sponsorship site raises money and honors veterans. Click here to order online by Nov 29. Wreaths are placed at Arlington National Cemetery or other cemetery of your choice on Dec 17, National Wreaths Across America Day!
renaissance feaste
Save the date! Langley Choir's annual Renaissance Feaste will be held Fri, Dec 2 and Sat, Dec 3 at 7 pm in Langley Hall. Join us for a festive evening that transports the audience back to Merrie Olde England for medieval-style dining and musical entertainment. Space is limited, reservations required. Tickets go on sale to the general public Mon, Nov 14!
staff raffle
Did you know the PTSA supports a weekly staff raffle? The PTSA faculty representative, Tricia Poythress, coordinates raffle donations from Langley families of items such as Capitals tickets, concert tickets and gift cards. The excitement builds for our teachers and staff each time we hold a raffle and it is a fun way to let them know how much we appreciate their work on behalf of our students. Ms. Hamilton, Ms. Crocker, Ms. Millman and Mr. Cukierman have all been winners this year!

The PTSA is looking for raffle donations. This is the perfect opportunity to find a home for some wonderful items or tickets you can’t use, or perhaps you can pick up a gift card the next time you’re shopping. Contact Melissa Schwartz at ptsalangleymembership@gmail.com with any donations (receipt can be provided on request) or bring your gift cards to our November PTSA general membership meeting on Nov 16.
one more courtyard to landscape
To help landscape the last of Langley's three courtyards, please donate a leaf for Langley's Legacy Tree!

By donating a leaf (copper $50, silver $100, gold $200) or bird or acorn ($500), you're helping to complete the courtyard renovation and "grow" the Legacy Tree – a beautiful wall sculpture across from the Main Office in Langley's Lobby. You choose the engraved message! The Legacy Tree is a permanent, prominent record of courtyard contributors and a lasting legacy for Langley and your family. Leaves also make great tributes to teachers, friends, pets, coaches, and grads!
Thanks to the 600 generous Langley families and local organizations who've already donated a leaf, bird, or acorn.

To order your leaf – or leaves! – visit the PTSA website and look for the article on the Legacy Tree. Email any questions to chrissielavin1@gmail.com.
fle feedback
The FCPS School Board is reviewing recommended changes to the Family Life Education (FLE) curriculum and invites public feedback as part of the review process. Click here to learn more about the recommended changes and provide feedback. The public feedback form is open through Dec 1.
early online college
Early Online College (EOC) allows current high school juniors or seniors the opportunity to take up to two tuition-free college courses at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA). EOC courses for the spring semester begin on Jan 31, 2023 and end on Apr 24. Courses are for college credit only. These courses meet the requirements for most of NOVA’s associate degrees and are also courses most likely to transfer and count as general education requirements for most colleges and universities. Learn more here and if interested, discuss this option with your Langley counselor.
saxon service
The next Saxon Service is on Thurs, Nov 10. Activities include: making dog and cat toys for area shelters, folding origami cranes for patients with cancer, making cards for hospitalized children or active military, making blankets for area shelters, ironing pillowcases for Case for Smiles, playing freerice.com to help world hunger, making felt plushies for refugees in Africa, crafting beads for a school in Haiti, making holiday bags for SHARE, and creating perler bead designs for the elderly.

Remind your students to log into x2vol to have this service hour verified for credit. Questions? See Julie Zimmerman Hohl in the College & Career Center or email her at jbzimmerman@fcps.edu.
staff spotlight
Langley HS has a number of new teachers this year! Among them is Caroline Player, the new Choir Director. Langley had long been on Mrs. Player’s radar concerning jobs and potential career choices. In her teenage years she learned about Langley through fellow peers, classmates, and friends and she always thought that Langley would be a potential place for her. 

Mrs. Player grew up in southern Virginia. She began her educational journey at James Madison University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with Honors in Music Education. She earned her masters degree in Choral Conducting from the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. Before moving to Florida, Mrs. Player served as the Choral Director at Warhill HS in Williamsburg for four years.

“From a young age I wanted to be a teacher,” she said. “[I love] helping people succeed and being involved in music.”

After graduate school, Mrs. Player was drawn back to Virginia through childhood and family connections. “Virginia is home for me,” said Mrs. Player. “I’ve never looked back.”

Given her desire to be in Virginia, Mrs. Player only applied for positions in the Commonwealth. When Langley’s long-time Choir Director, Doc Lambert, retired last year, Mrs. Player jumped at the opportunity and knew that Fairfax is a special place. 
Mrs. Player already feels well connected and integrated within the Langley community. She’s been pleasantly surprised with how kind and nice everyone has been. “Mrs. Greer has been wonderful,” she says, “And everyone has great energy. [I] feel like I’m in a good spot.”

From connections as a teen, to feeling well integrated within Langley, Mrs. Player knows that Langley is her home and where she wants to be.

~ Alvina Ahmed and Seanna Fishman, Saxon Scope Reporters; Photos by Cynthia Wu, Saxon Scope Photographer
sports notes
meet the coaches: Is your student interested in winter sports? Come meet the winter sports coaches on Mon, Nov 14 at 7 pm in the Auditorium.

Winter sports include: boys and girls basketball, gymnastics, swim and dive, winter track and wrestling. Tryouts for winter sports begin Mon, Nov 7. Check the Langley Sports website for tryout info.
Winter 2022 sports tryouts begin on Nov 7. If your child is interested in participating in winter sports, the following must be completed prior to trying out for a team:

  • Register your athlete on the FCPS Athlete Registration website. Registration must be done each year. Click here to register your child. 
  • Complete a physical after May 1, 2022. The physical must be done on the official VHSL form that can be found here. Send completed VHSL forms to langleyathletics@fcps.edu. 
  • Check each respective team's site on the Langley Sports website for tryout info.
saxons, did you know ...
use for the Saxons did you know blurb. stays small on the mobile view.
… The Virginia Cannabis Control Authority recently released a report on safe driving and perceptions of cannabis among Virginians. The report showed that of those who use marijuana, many do not plan for safe travel nor do they plan for having a sober ride. Here is the full report.
class notes
Read below for class news. Click the green class buttons to go to each class's webpage.
last call for senior portraits: Legacy Studios will return to LHS one last time next week for senior portraits on Thurs, Nov 10 and Fri, Nov 11, 3-8:30 pm in the Lecture Hall. Note: Nov 11 is Veterans Day and a student holiday but Door 9 will be open.

Students can register for an appointment here. Seniors who miss this final opportunity will be listed as “not pictured” in the yearbook.

class spirit t-shirts and senior swag: If your student has not picked up their Class Spirit T-shirt, which was included with the payment of your class fees, or Senior Swag, which was ordered during the first few weeks of school, they should contact Langley math teacher Mr. Young.

senior parent forum: Save the Date! Our next parent forum is scheduled for Thurs, Dec 1 in the Lecture Hall from 9:30–11:00 am
Join us for the Class of 2025 Parent Forum tomorrow Fri, Nov 4 from 9:30-10:30 am in the Lecture Hall to learn about the executive functioning and mental health resources available at Langley, presented by the Director of Student Services Dr. Braden Peterson. College and Career Specialist Karen Burke will also share how your student can use Naviance to explore interests and career paths. Light refreshments will be served.
scc event
The Safe Community Coalition (SCC) is excited to kick off fall and the new school year with a free program for parents and caregivers of children of all ages. Washington Post parenting columnist, Meghan Leahy, will share her latest talk on Connections next Wed, Nov 9 at 7 pm at the McLean Community Center. Focusing on connections, Meghan addresses how children connect to their caregivers and ways caregivers can facilitate communication, cooperation and joy by understanding these connections. See the flyer for more info. This event is free, but registration is required.
loving your teen
The FCPS Parent Resource Center hosts a Meet the Author Series with Dr. Gary Chapman on Fri, Dec 2, 10–11 am on his book The 5 Love Languages of Teenagers: The Secret to Loving Teens Effectively. 

Socially, mentally, and spiritually, teenagers face a variety of pressures and stressors each day. Despite these pressures, it is still families who can influence teens the most, and The 5 Love Languages of Teenagers equips parents to make the most of that opportunity.

Join Dr. Chapman as he shares his insights and thoughts about loving our teens. Click here for more info and here to register.
community opp
The Rise Against Hunger McLean event is at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer (1545 Chain Bridge Rd, McLean) this Sat, Nov 5. Registration is open for the next meal packaging event. The goal is 200,000 meals, which will bring us close to 3 ¼ million meals since 2010!

Come see how good it feels to help this cause! There will be three 2 ½ hour meal packaging shifts beginning at 8 am, 11 am and 2 pm. We’ll need many, many student and parent volunteers to reach our goal.

Visit this webpage to register. View also our one-page impact flyer. Volunteer hours verification will be available by emailing riseagainsthungermclean@gmail.com.
eNews is off next week! Look for the next issue on Nov 17.
upcoming events
Nov 4: Class of 2025 Parent Forum, 9:30 am, Lecture Hall
Nov 8: Student and Staff Holiday - Election Day
Nov 10: Saxon Service 
Nov 10: Senior Portraits, Lecture Hall
Nov 11: Student Holiday- Veterans Day
Nov 11: Senior Portraits, Lecture Hall
Nov 14: Meet the Coach Night for Winter Sports, 7 pm, Auditorium
Nov 15: Driver's Ed Meeting, 6:30 pm, Auditorium. Doors close promptly!
Nov 16: PTSA General Membership Meeting, 9 am, Lecture Hall
Nov 23-25: Thanksgiving Holiday
Dec 2-3: Renaissance Feaste, 7 pm, Langley Hall
Join the LHS PTSA! Click Here.
LHS PTSA eNews Editors
Gary Coetzee, Julianne Kass, Niki Mallick, Helen Miller and
Stephanie Maxwell (Technical Advisor)

Submit items by Tuesday noon for publication on Thursdays to enewslangley@gmail.com  
 
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.