langley eNews
September 6, 2018
ptsa president's notes
Welcome Saxon Families! The first week of school has gone by quickly, with students and teachers alike settling into the new routines and into our beautiful new facilities. I hope you can make time to visit the school to see it all!   

A great opportunity to visit the school is next Wed, Sept 12, for our first PTSA General Membership Meeting and Principal Coffee. Join us at 9:30 am in the Lecture Hall to hear from Principal Greer on her vision for our school. Park behind the building in the bus loop area for easy access through Door #9. We’ll talk about PTSA plans for the year and spending priorities with the presentation of the budget.

Supporting our Langley PTSA benefits every child and teacher in the building, so please join our ranks by becoming a member. Dues are $25, and we ask for a donation as well to help further the work we do at the school. From classroom equipment and technology to renovation upgrades (like the beautiful furniture in the common areas), from student programs to staff professional development and hospitality, the PTSA provides the extras that make our great school even better. Log onto the PTSA website and join today! 
 Volunteer opportunities are listed on our website as well. We rely on the time and commitment of our parents to help run the programs we implement at the school. There are many ways to get involved, such as baking for a teacher appreciation event, chaperoning a school dance (Homecoming is Oct 27) or staffing our school clinic. And you can get a glimpse of your kids in the wild!

I ’m proud to serve as your PTSA President this year and look forward to working with all of you to make this another successful school year!

~ Patty Burgess, PTSA President

PS: We all know the horror that Georgetown Pike can be. Please share your voice through a PTSA-sponsored traffic survey, with details below. 
new date for back to school!
Back to School Night has been rescheduled from September to Mon, Oct 1, 7-9 pm. BTSN provides an opportunity to meet your student’s teachers and be informed about the curriculum. The event is for all 4 grades, so please arrive early for parking and/or consider carpooling to the event!
georgetown pike congestion
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is working with elected officials on McLean Regional Traffic Mitigation to address concerns regarding afternoon congestion and cut-through traffic caused by the lack of sufficient capacity on the American Legion Bridge and the Beltway.  VDOT would like to hear from the LHS community. We would appreciate  parents and  teachers taking a few moments to give your feedback. Results will be published in a future  eNews  edition and/or other PTSA communications.

In addition, VDOT and FFC will hold the second of two community meetings on potential congestion solutions for Georgetown Pike and surrounding neighborhoods on Thurs, Sept 13, 7 pm at McLean HS. VDOT and the County seek input on some of the longer-term proposals, including a potential pilot project to evaluate limiting access to the ramp from Georgetown Pike to northbound I-495 during weekday afternoon and evenings. More details, as well as materials from the prior meeting, can be found here:  


Can’t attend?  Send comments to  meetingcomments@vdot.virginia.gov , and include “McLean Area Traffic Analysis” in the subject line.
nhs and nehs apps due soon
Applications for National Honor Society are now available, and due back by Fri, Sept 28. Juniors and seniors with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher are eligible to apply. To access the application, students should enroll in the NHS Google Classroom page using the code  rtfxgn . Students will need to log into their school Google account to complete and submit the application. Send any questions to Ms Conner at  mbconner@fcps.edu  or Ms Stankiewicz at  kastankiewicz@fcps.edu .
The National English Honor Society (NEHS) recognizes students who have distinguished themselves in  English language and literature and who seek to serve the community by sharing their talents. We encourage juniors and seniors who have earned a 3.5 GPA in honors or AP English classes and at least a 3.25 overall to apply for admission to NEHS with this application , due Sept 27. Induction is in early October. Last year's NEHS members maintain their membership but need to complete the same application to update their service requirement.
Members have a range of service activities to satisfy the service requirement for the National Chapter of NEHS. Our members tutor Langley students and participate in activities such as Book Drives, Poetry Slams, our Shakespeare Birthday Bash, Twain's Tweets, and Langley's popular "Adopt a Grandparent" program. One of our members last year earned a scholarship award of $5,000 for an NEHS writing competition!
news by class
Remember to submit your Junior Class Dues , Spirit Week t-shirt size, and more, using  MySchoolBucks  by Fri, Sept 14. Purchase the PTSA score report while you're there. If you prefer paper forms with checks, everything can be found on the Junior Class Webpage. Our first Junior Parent Forum will be held Oct 10, 9:30-11 am, at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Virtual access will be provided via  Blackboard Collaborate . We are pleased to have Principal Kim Greer join us!
We’ll hear about junior year college planning timelines from Hannah Wolff, Langley’s terrific College and Career Specialist. Ms Wolff will explain the format for the Student Services Junior College Admissions Program, held in conjunction with our Class Dinner on Feb 13.  We’ll also be joined by Counselor Tim Ready, who can explain counselor support during junior year.  Ms Wolff asks that juniors refrain from trying to schedule 1-on-1 time with her during the first semester, because she must focus on the seniors at this time. Our parent forums and Class Dinner will be great opportunities to have your questions answered.
Freshman class dues ($35) are due  Fri, Sept 14.  Dues are used to fund activities such as  Back-to-School packets, Parent Coffees, and Student Treat Days.  Class dues include your freshman's Homecoming t-shirt!    Dues & t-shirt order can be paid online at  MySchoolBucks .  To see a tutorial, visit our class webpage on the PTSA website.
The  Class Dinner   will be held  Wed, Sept 26, 6:30-8 pm  in the Langley Cafeteria. Class of 2022 students and their families are invited to meet key staff and other freshman families at this fundraiser dinner. Tickets are $20 per person and can be purchased on  MySchoolBucks . If you're not receiving Class of 2022 emails, visit our  Class Webpage and click to sign up.  Email will be our primary means of communicating all class events and information for the next four years.
this year's reflections
It's time again for students to explore their creativity through the National PTA Reflections program. This contest encourages kids to explore the arts and express themselves by giving recognition for their artistic efforts. Using this year's theme,  Heroes around Me , students can choose one of these categories:  Dance, Film Production, Literature, Music, Composition, Photography and Visual Arts.

Entries will be due to Langley PTSA in November, so now is a great time to get started! 
Judges will score 50% on interpretation of the theme, 50% on creativity and technique. 

Visit the  Virginia PTA website for all the info you need; contact Sara Koenig at  saranapkoenig@gmail.com if you have further questions.
saxons, did you know ...
The “juice” used for vaping has the addictive stimulant nicotine; it can range from 0-72 milligrams per milliliter of liquid.  A traditional cigarette only has 10-15 milligrams.
Have you joined the PTSA yet?
Your annual PTSA membership and donation supports innovative teaching development, cutting-edge technology, special programs and extra materials that enhance your child's education.  Thanks to the generosity of Langley parents, these are some of the items that the PTSA was able to purchase over the past three years:

  • Vocabulary enrichment and Algebra software
  • Science classroom supplies and instructional materials
  • Broadcast journalism studio equipment
  • Licensing rights for spring musical
  • Bus transportation for enrichment activities
  • Common Area and Instructional Area Furniture

Support the Langley community!  Membership includes a printed directory.
activities notes
Clubs

On the LHS website, you can find Information about all Langley Clubs and Service Opportunities. There's something for everyone!
At the field

To volunteer in concessions for home football games, send an email to the Varsity Football team. E veryone in the Saxon community is welcome!
Girls' lacrosse

Any girls thinking of playing lacrosse , come to the interest meeting on Wed, Sept 12, in Room 1516 at 3 pm.
That new form

A new form, the FCPS Participation Policy 2018-19, is n ow available online. All students should turn this form in along with other required forms due now. 
student directory notes
The PTSA works with AtoZ Connect to create our school's database for the online and print student directory. All student data will be verified online, and there will be no paper forms to return to school. All registered students in grades 9-12 will be automatically included in the Directory.

You'll soon receive an email with a link to access your account  for the new school year. After logging in, you can verify and update your contact information or opt out of the directory.
 
Please note, all students will be included in the Directory. To verify your info, make changes or opt out, you must log in using the link sent to you. All student information not verified will print as is. If you have questions, contact  langleydirectory@gmail.com .
There’s still time to advertise in this year’s Student Directory . Ad space is available throughout the printed directory and in the mobile directory app. To place your ad or for more info, contact  Monica Christensen,   monica@atozconnect.com . Click  here for pricing. For other questions, contact  langleydirectory@gmail.com .
telephone info available in 8 languages
Parents who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese  can call a specific telephone number for general information about FCPS and to receive support if they're having difficulty communicating with their children's schools due to a language barrier. You'll find all the phone numbers here .
parent guides needed!
Throughout the year, new families move into the area who would like to tour the school and get a feel for our community. LHS parent volunteers lead tours as needed. If you'd like to be added to the list of parents available to do tours, contact Mary Welch at maryswelch@verizon.net . All parents welcome -- we'll provide you with all the information you need. 
Upcoming events
Sept 12: Principal Coffee/PTSA Meeting
Sept 19: 3-Hour Early Release
Sept 20: Saxon Service during Saxon Time
Sept 21: Club Day, Saxon Time, Cafeteria
Sept 24: Driver's Ed Program
Sept 26: Late Busses Begin
Sept 26: Freshman Class Dinner
Oct 1 : Back-to-School Night, All Grades -- new date!