Get ready – spring is on the way! February has sped along, despite the iffy and icy winter weather that tends to make life move more slowly. As March approaches, it looks like we're turning the corner with warmer temps and a lot of activity.

Much is happening in the Langley community, and the excitement is building as LHS prepares to open its doors in the coming weeks to those students who are returning to classrooms two days per week. PTSA-sponsored events this week include the first in a 3-part series on teen substance abuse prevention tonight at 7 pm. Click here to join the session and visit the PTSA homepage more info on the series, presented by LHS Substance Abuse Specialist Kelly Rankin. 

The Langley, Cooper and Churchill Road PTSA/PTO Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committees have been commemorating Black History Month (February) with the 28 Days of Equity Awareness project. If you haven’t checked it out, it’s not too late — Langley’s DEI webpage with 28 short readings, videos and podcasts is waiting for you! While you can start your challenge any time, please still join the DEI Committee’s Reflections Series lunchtime discussion tomorrow at noon. To attend, RSVP here, and you’ll get a link before the discussion begins.

For our seniors, March 1 is the application deadline for the Virginia PTA Senior Scholarship. The scholarship is geared toward seniors who've demonstrated a commitment to community service and academic achievement. The winner will be awarded $1,000. Click here for the application and here to join the PTSA. Student membership is $5.

Saxons, do you use your FCPS-issued laptops? If you’re returning to school and have not been using your school laptop, please make sure to start up and use the FCPS-issued one, which is optimized for the school network and needs to be brought to school when in-person learning begins. If it needs updates, you can drive to any FCPS parking lot with the laptop, where it should connect to the FCPS network and download any updates. Any tech problems? Submit an IT request here.

Take a look at the Saxon Scope’s virtual issues! Our staff of over 50 people works hard daily to adjust to an online setting, as well as to get news out to our LHS community like we normally would through our printed magazine in school.

It hasn’t been easy re-inventing the wheel this year in the structure of our Journalism class, but I’m proud to say the editorial board and I have reached a great point in directing the students through our deadline process. We look forward to connecting with the Langley community with more issues to come this year. Follow these links to Issue 1 and Issue 2. Enjoy!

~ Maddie Koenig, Editor-in-Chief

Congrats to Langley senior Shreya Papneja, one of 24 FCPS recipients of the 2021 Student Peace Awards of Fairfax County! The annual awards recognize young people who work as peacemakers. Shreya established the nonprofit CHAPS – Children’s Health Awareness Program in Schools – to help school children make health-conscious decisions. CHAPS has provided information to students and parents about health, nutrition, and local resources and has held food drives. During the pandemic, CHAPS raised over $5,000 for the charity Real Food for Kids through outreach and a GoFundMe account. Shreya and other winners will be recognized at a virtual reception in March.

As the last of our 28 Days of Equity Awareness wind down, we hope you have enjoyed reading, watching and listening to the 28 short readings, videos and podcasts posted on our webpage. The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee will hold another Reflections Series lunchtime discussion tomorrow at noon. To attend, RSVP via this form, and you’ll get a link before the meeting begins. Our goal is to begin a conversation in which we investigate perspectives from marginalized voices. We hope you’ll join us.

The first of Langley’s three-part series on substance abuse prevention takes place tonight at 7 pm. The focus of Kelly Rankin’s talk is “Teenage Brain: Building Connections.” Click this link to join in!

Ms. Rankin is a great resource for our students and parents. Questions? Contact her at Krankin@fcps.edu or 703-287-2744.

ice hockey: Langley opened its ice hockey playoffs with an exciting 5-3 win over Independence HS last Friday. Callie Cahill scored the team's first goal in the opening period, with an assist from Lucas Abousleiman. Kam Khazai soon followed with Langley’s second goal, assisted by Daniel and Max Veretenov.

The game was tied 2-2 with a minute left to play in the second period when Max Veretenov scored, with an assist from Daniel Veretenov, giving Langley a slim lead. Daniel Veretenov got goal number four in the net at the beginning of the third period with an assist from Max Veretenov. Kam Khazai sealed the victory with an unassisted empty netter shot from within Langley’s own end during a penalty kill in the final two minutes of the game, when Independence went with six attackers versus Langley’s four-man penalty kill line. Great job, Saxons!

The Saxons' ice hockey season ended Monday with a loss in the quarter-final game against a hard-charging Briar Woods team. It has been a tough season and Langley is proud of all the Saxons have accomplished. Congrats to all the varsity and JV players!

Photo: The Langley ice hockey team celebrates the season, after playing their last game of the year.

spring ice hockey:  Each year, Langley Ice Hockey participates in a developmental Spring high school hockey league at SkateQuest sponsored by the Reston Raiders. The Spring league is open to those currently in grades 8-11 (current-year seniors may not participate). The season begins in mid-March and consist of ten games and several practices. Cost will depend on the number of participating players. Due to the high turn-out of eligible Langley players, those in the spring league may not be rostered for every game. The spring league gives coaches a chance to reevaluate their programs following the graduation of their seniors. 

Interested? Sign up by Fri, Mar 5 using this form on the Langley hockey webpage. The High School Spring program is a checking league. In order to prepare players for the competitive nature of high school-level hockey, two free, on-ice checking clinics will be conducted for players who are new to full body contact hockey or for players who want to improve their body contact skills. Clinic dates TBD. For more information, click here.

… much of what happens on screen provides “impoverished” stimulation of the developing brain compared to reality … Children need a diverse menu of online and offline experiences, including the chance to let their minds wander. From “Screen Time and the Brain,” published on the Harvard Medical School website. Read the article here.

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

class of 2021 parent forum: Senior parents are invited to a virtual forum on Fri, Mar 12 at 11 am where Principal Greer will provide updates for our graduating seniors. Stay tuned for more details!

va pta scholarship: Final days! Are you submitting a VA PTA senior scholarship application? It must be mailed/postmarked by Mon, Mar 1. Don’t wait 'til the last minute -- you need a 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.

betty greer scholarship: The Greater McLean Republican Women’s Club (GMRWC) awards a $1,000 scholarship annually to a graduating high school senior who resides in the Dranesville District. The award is based on the student’s involvement in Republican activities as well as academic and other achievements. Betty Greer was a life member and past president of the GMRWC. Click here for more info. The deadline is May 1.

art/design: The White House Historical Association invites students from across the nation to enter its 60th Anniversary National Student Art Competition. First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy founded the association in 1961 as a private, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and providing public access to the White House – the "People's House."

This year's theme is “The White House: An American Story.” The association seeks submissions that depict and reflect the White House, its collections and its diverse history. Submissions are due May 7 and will be judged in three grade level categories: grades K-3, grades 4-8 and grades 9-12, with prizes for each category. Click here for more info.

instrumental/vocal musicians: The Great Falls Rotary Club invites Langley musicians to enter its 2020-21 Music Contest! The top three winners receive monetary awards ($300 for first place) and the first place winner moves on to district level competition. Contest rules include:

Click here for the flyer and more details.

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 winner will receive an award showcased and announced at the annual Va 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.

Draft calendars for the 2021-22 FCPS school year are available for review. The School Board will vote on the calendars on Thurs, Mar 4. View the draft calendars and presentation here. At-Large School Board member Ms. Sizemore Heizer is compiling comments on the three proposed calendar options. Submit comments through this form.

history/social science curriculum: The Virginia Department of Education currently is undertaking a periodic review and revision of the state’s History and Social Science Standards of Learning (SOL), and is asking for public comment by Mon, Mar 1.

Click here to view the state’s history and social science curriculum by grade and subject area and here for the public comment forms. Read the FCPS email regarding the review process here.

va mathematics pathways initiative: The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is holding a series of info sessions open to all on the Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiative (VMPI). VMPI is a joint project between VDOE, the Virginia Council of Higher Education and the Virginia Community College System. It seeks to equitably redefine mathematics course options for students in the Commonwealth to ensure that the options are relevant to students' postsecondary aspirations.

The following sessions are on Tuesdays at 6:30 pm:

Sessions will be live streamed on the VDOE YouTube channel and recorded and shared on the VMPI website. VMPI info is on this infographic and the VMPI website. Submit questions or feedback here. Email feedback to vdoe.mathematics@doe.virginia.gov. 

food pantry: The pandemic has created exceptional need, and this time of year your donations to SHARE of McLean make an even bigger impact and are truly appreciated. Most requested items include 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 Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8:30 am–12 pm, or place in the outdoor donation sheds at the church anytime.

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.

upcoming events

Join the LHS PTSA! Click Here.