If we could control the weather—we wouldn’t change a thing! What a beautiful week to begin a new parent connection initiative: Saxon Parents Walk & Talk. I really enjoyed getting outside for some exercise and chatting with fellow Saxon parents (not on Zoom)! It was rejuvenating to breathe fresh air, burn a few calories and discuss all that’s happening with our kids and in our community.
Some walks are designated for freshman/sophomore parents and others for junior/senior parents, but feel free to attend any and all walks regardless of your student’s grade. Just grab your walking shoes and a mask, and join us on select Tuesdays from 1:30-2:30 in October, November and December. For more information, visit the PTSA website’s home page, or read below.
Thank you to our Family Network committee for organizing this effort, and so many others throughout the year!
~ Kitty Gonzalez, PTSA President
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saxon parents walk & talk |
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Langley's PTSA Family Network Committee invites parents to stroll around the LHS track and connect with others in the Langley parent community. Masks are required! Our next Saxon Parents Walk & Talk is Tues, Oct 27, 1:30-2:30 pm. Park in the rear of the Langley parking lot and we'll meet up on the track.
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Parents Walk & Talk (11-12 Gr): Tues 10/27, 11/17, 12/8 at 1:30-2:30pm
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Parents Walk & Talk (9-10 Gr): Tues 11/10, 12/1 at 1:30-2:30pm
Feel free to attend any and all walks regardless of the grade of your student. Also, check the PTSA Twitter feed for any weather-related cancellations @LangleyHS_PTSA.
Here are photos from our inaugural Saxon Parents Walk & Talk this past Tuesday.
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verify your directory info
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Did you receive an email from the Langley HS Directory yesterday with your verification notice from AtoZ Connect? If not, please contact langleydirectory@gmail.com, as this will ensure that we have your accurate contact information.
New families: add your address and phone numbers and verify that all other info is correct.
Returning families: login to AtoZ Connect here to verify your data for Langley HS. On your Households page, click on the orange Please Verify button for each parent, student, and home address. Please take a moment to make sure your family’s contact information is up to date.
Note that this year our directory will be online only. We appreciate your help!
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The winner of this week's teacher/staff raffle is School Counselor, Natalie Malone. Congratulations!
Parents, please consider donating gift cards to support the Langley teacher/staff raffle! The PTSA holds raffles throughout the year for teachers and staff who are PTSA members, and donations from Langley families are key to the raffles’ success.
In the past, teachers/staff have greatly appreciated gift cards to stores such as Amazon, Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts as well as local businesses. All gift cards are greatly appreciated, but a larger number of gift cards in small dollar amounts helps us hold more raffles. To donate gift cards, contact Kristen Simko at kristen.simko@gmail.com.
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Students and parents, do you know a Langley teacher or staff member who is going above and beyond in our virtual learning environment?
Use this form to write a note saying thank you! Then, the PTSA will transfer your note onto a larger, eye-catching Super Saxon Shoutout template and will deliver it to the recipient within a week to 10 days after your submission. There's no deadline. Send as many as you like!
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Students, mark your calendars! Langley is holding Virtual Club Day on Tues, Oct 27. Click here for a list of clubs. To join a club, students need to go to the club list in the Student Activities folder on Schoology, where club sponsors and access codes are listed.
Clubs will meet during the Langley Links period (Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:25-11:05 am.) Want to start your own club? Click here for info.
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Attention 10th and 11th graders, the Virginia Governor’s School is opening the application process for its four-week summer 2021 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 this short interest form no later than Nov 9. 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.
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parenting during the pandemic |
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Over 70 percent of kids nationwide have reported struggling with mental health during the pandemic. The Langley PTSA is hosting a virtual presentation to help parents help their kids on Thurs, Nov 12 at 12-1 pm.
Featured will be McLean-based psychotherapist Jennifer Weaver, who will provide insight into the range of heightened challenges, including depression, loneliness, lack of motivation, anxiety or lack of impulse control that teens are facing during this pandemic. She'll explain why teens are mostly keeping these feelings to themselves, and how parents can best support them during this difficult time.
Mark your calendars and click here to join the presentation on Nov 12!
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The Langley orchestra partnered with Beanetics Coffee Roasters (Annandale, VA) to provide four unique flavors of freshly roasted coffee available in 1 pound bags. The coffee is $14/bag and can be purchased as whole beans or ground to your preference. Click here for a flyer with details about the flavors.
Click here to order! The deadline is Fri, Oct 30 and pickup/delivery is slated for socially-distanced time-slots on Mon, Nov 16 from 12-6 pm. Order now for the holidays, and stay tuned for more order opportunities during the year. Questions? Contact Linda Somogyi at linda.somogyi2@verizon.net.
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Results are in for the Langley Reflections art contest! This year the judges were especially impressed by the true character shown in the artwork. Four first place finishers will move on to the District level competing with high school students from all over Fairfax County.
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Literature
First Place - Natalie Hutchinson (10),
"I Matter Because"
Honorable Mentions - Jennifer Wu (12), Adelaide Loving (11), Mei Torrey (9), Ashley Varacalli (9)
Music Composition
First Place - Katie Dzwonczyk (10), “Perspective”
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Photography
First Place - Charlotte Loving (9),
"Six Feet Apart but Together”
Visual Arts
First Place - Nathalie Hoffman (11),
“My Mark”
Honorable Mention - Katherine Davis (9), “Pencil Wands”
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First Place, Visual Arts
“My Mark”
Nathalie Hoffman
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First Place, Photography
"Six Feet Apart but Together”
Charlotte Loving
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Underclass photos will be taken on Nov 9 and Nov 16! Click here to sign up for an appointment. During Picture Day, there will be enhanced safety protocols:
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Students will be instructed to enter the photography location through one set of doors and then asked to exit through a separate location to maintain social distancing.
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All individuals, school staff and Lifetouch photography staff will be expected to wear facial coverings and adhere to social distancing guidelines, per the CDC. More info on Lifetouch safety protocols for underclass photography can be found in a short video here.
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This will be a “paperless” photography program. Camera cards or picture tickets are no longer required. Additionally, any student wishing to purchase a picture package will have the opportunity to do so online both before and after picture day. Picture orders will not be accepted at the camera.
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All finished picture packages will be sent directly to students’ homes.
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Instant ID’s will be given to students on-site upon exiting the photography location.
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interest meeting: Want to swim or dive for Langley? The LHS Swim & Dive team will hold an interest meeting on Wed, Oct 28 at 6:30 pm. Parents and students both should attend to hear important information about the upcoming season. Click here to join the session. Questions? Contact Coach Ben at bwhilt89@gmail.com.
fundraiser: LHS Swim & Dive Team is holding a fundraiser on Wed, Nov 4, from 4-8 pm at the Chipotle, 6707 Old Dominion Road in McLean. You can support the team by placing an in-person or online order (for pickup only). Click here for the flyer. Help us raise funds to support Langley's Swim & Dive Team!
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This opera major from Milton, PA turned into an English and journalism teacher! Christina Mitro attended Catholic University and studied vocal performance (longhand for opera). “I realized by my senior year that I didn't want to pursue that lifestyle of never knowing where my paycheck came from. I always liked English, and I wanted to work with people more, so I thought that teaching would be a good way to do that."
She went on to earn her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on secondary English at George Mason University. She began working at Langley in January 2013. Mrs. Mitro's favorite part of teaching is the students. "There are so many different personalities. I like the conversations you can get in with high schoolers. I originally thought about teaching elementary school, but I'm happy I can talk to my students about meaningful things. It's inspiring, and I never leave here thinking that I want to do something else."
Ms. Mitro has a daughter named Lucy, who is in first grade and she has a son, Kal, who is three. Lucy and Kal are learning three different languages: English, sign language, and Bengali (her husband's family is Eastern Indian and his family's native language is Bengali)! Her daycare hasn’t reopened since March and isn’t planning to, so her students in class know her kids by now. “They know that Kal only wants to eat candy and that Lucy recently had her first visit from the Tooth Fairy,” she said. “But I’m grateful for the extra time I get with them. It’s definitely difficult, but it’s also amazing to be with them to see them growing up.”
One of Mrs. Mitro’s journalism class assignments is interviewing teachers and staff and writing new bios. Look for them in eNews in coming weeks. They’ll be featured occasionally throughout the rest of the year!
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… The Fairfax County 2019-2020 youth survey results are now available. According to the results, Vaping is down, but Marijuana use is up. The results are available here.
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Read this section for class news and click the green class buttons to go to each class page for more details.
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yearbook ads: Congratulate your graduating student by creating a senior ad for the yearbook! Designing an ad has never been easier – see this flyer for tips. Click here to create an ad and pay online, as well as to order a yearbook. The deadline for ads is Sat, Oct 24. Use school code 4159.
senior yard signs: Yard signs will be available for pick up on Mon, Oct 26 from 12-3 pm at Door 9 of Langley HS (the back bus loop). To stagger the traffic flow, we kindly ask that you pick up your sign during your designated time window.
Last Names Beginning with the Letters:
- A-I pick up time 12-1pm
- J-Q pick up time 1-2pm
- R-Z pick up time 2-3pm
graduation date: Mark your calendars for Wed, Jun 2, 2021! The Class of 2021 has a graduation date! Please stay tuned as more details become available.
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Freshman students and parents, join us on Tues, Oct 27 at 7 pm as Assistant Principal and Class Administrator, Jim Robertson, class sponsors and a panel of upperclassmen share insights on how to make the best of freshman year. Find out what advice they would give to their freshman selves, and in the context of this "new normal." This talk will also touch upon ways to get involved in the Langley community through clubs and activities. The meeting link will be provided on the day of the event. Hope to see you there!
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rise against hunger 5k: In countries served by Rise Against Hunger, children often walk three miles to get to school, where they also receive nutritious meals. Join the McLean area Rise Against Hunger Race to School Challenge. Register here and complete your own 5k or 10k between Nov 5-10. Students can earn community service credit — send your bib number and a screen shot of your race times to riseagainstagainhungermclean@gmail.com.
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service learning: Langley students can engage in service learning even during virtual learning. It can be as simple as shopping for food and delivering it to a food pantry or helping neighbors by walking the dog, raking leaves or mowing the lawn (activities have to be completed by students without payment). Did you help an organization? It can verify the hours. Did you help a neighbor? Your parent or neighbor can verify the hours. Students, log in to your x2Vol account to verify hours and visit Langley’s service learning webpage for ideas. Questions? Email Betsy Shomaker at enshomaker@fcps.edu.
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Oct 27: Club Day
Oct 27: Saxon Parents Walk & Talk (11-12 Gr), 1:30 pm (LHS track)
Oct 27: Freshman Parent and Student Virtual Forum, 7 pm
Oct 28: LHS Swim & Dive interest meeting, 6:30 pm
Oct 29: PSAT for Juniors (others follow asynchronous schedule)
Oct 30: First Quarter Ends (2 Hour Early Release)
Nov 2-3: Student Holiday
Nov 4: LHS Swim & Dive Chipotle fundraiser, 4-8 pm
Nov 9: Underclass Yearbook Photos
Nov 9: Governor's School interest form deadline
Nov 10: Sophomore Parent Forum, 9:30 am
Nov 10: Saxon Parents Walk & Talk (9-10 Gr), 1:30 pm (LHS track)
Nov 11: Veteran’s Day (2 Hour Early Release)
Nov 12: Parenting During the Pandemic presentation, 12 pm
Nov 16: Underclass Yearbook Photos
Nov 17: Saxon Parents Walk & Talk (11-12 Gr), 1:30 pm (LHS track)
Nov 18: PTSA General Membership meeting/Principal’s Coffee, 9:30 am
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Langley PTSA eNews Editors
Michelle Francis, Stephanie Maxwell, Helen Miller and Amy Prewett
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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