falling for fall ...

langley eNews

October 21, 2021

from the ptsa president

This week started off with some warm fuzzies all around as four furry therapy dogs visited the Langley amphitheater during lunchtime on Monday. Students were able to enjoy the warm weather and some canine companionship as a way to relax and reduce stress mid-day.

Another opportunity to decompress in the middle of the school day is coming in two weeks, on November 4. Students will be able to participate in Saxon Service during their Langley Links class period. During Saxon Service, students earn an hour of service time while working for someone else’s benefit. Projects include crafting origami cranes for hospitalized patients, making dog and cat toys for animals in shelters, coloring/writing cards to active-duty military and creating polar fleece blankets for the homeless. These enjoyable, hands-on activities facilitate stress-reduction as the students focus their energies to help others.

October is National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month. It is also Health Literacy Month, ADHD Awareness Month and Bullying Prevention Month, so it serves as a reminder that our students sometimes face serious struggles during their high school years.

Anna Davis, our School Psychologist, is available to help (703-287-2886). She recommends that any student who is in crisis, or knows someone who is, takes action by reaching out to a trusted adult (parent, counselor, teacher, coach, etc.). Students and parents can also text NEEDHELP to 85511 for the Crisis Link Hotline or call them at 703-527-4077 for more information. Anna Davis, Social Worker Catherine Kennedy and Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist Kelly Rankin, will be the featured speakers at our next PTSA General Membership Meeting which will be held on Wed, Nov 17. Please plan to attend to hear more about emotional and mental health issues and available support, and to learn how the new marijuana laws could potentially impact our students.

I hope you to see you there.

~Clare Bradshaw, PTSA President

national principal appreciation month

Thank you, Principal Greer, for your unwavering dedication to making Langley a safe, nurturing and inspiring environment for all who are there to learn, work and volunteer. We appreciate your enthusiasm and the support you give our Langley students in the classrooms, on the fields and in the auditorium. Thank you for your leadership and your commitment to excellence in education.

fall ptsa luncheon

Teachers, staff and administrators were treated a beautiful and delicious outdoor fall luncheon last Friday. The Asian-inspired menu, catered by The Union, as well as the imaginative decorations delighted everyone. Thank you to Hospitality Committee Chairs Ritika Fedewa and Hilary Proctor, and committee members Elina Dimitropoulos, Beth Kuby, Sonaal Luthra, Catherine Macleod, Allison Varacalli and Jessica Xie, and PTSA president-elect Jamie Loving, for hosting this enjoyable event.

reflections winners!

Congratulations to all the PTSA Reflections Contest winners! These winners will represent Langley and move forward to the Northern Virginia district contest.

Film Production

Keely Wen (9), “Future of Business”

Literature

First Place - Rebecca Lacy (12), “What Is Your Name?”

Honorable Mentions - Peter Thoreson (10), “Hidden” and Ashley Headrick (10), “Power of Words”

Music Composition

First Place - Katie Dzwonczyk (11), “Touch”

Photography

First Place - Zayd Damirji (10), “Protecting the Unprotected”

Honorable Mention - Sarah J. Irwin (9), “Adapting to Engineering a More Green Future”

Visual Arts

First Place - Zara Adams (12), “Eyes”

Honorable Mention - Zachary Ulman (9), “Empathy”

First Place, Visual Arts

"Eyes"

Zara Adams

First Place, Photography

"Protecting the Unprotected"

Zayd Damirji

dog therapy

Students in C and D lunches enjoyed visiting with four-legged friends on Monday. Save the date! The next canine companion visit is Nov 15 for A and B lunches.

fundraisers

theatre: Come join the Saxon Stage as they celebrate Halloween! On Sat, Oct 30 from 3 - 5:30 pm in the front parking lot of the school, there will be candy, costumes, pumpkins to decorate, balloon animals and more! Admission is $10 and you will be helping the Thespians go to their state Theatre Festival!

angp/wreaths across america: Please help Wreaths Across America and the Langley Class of 2022 ANGP (All Night Grad Party) by sponsoring wreaths to be placed on graves at Arlington National Cemetery on Dec 18, National Wreaths Across America Day. Every wreath purchased through the LHS ANGP sponsorship site raises money and honors a fallen Veteran. Wreaths cost $15.

Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. The deadline for online orders is Nov 29. Questions? Email Annette Bellino at annette.bellino@verizon.net

lacrosse: Check poinsettias off your holiday list! The Girls Lacrosse Fall Poinsettia Fundraiser is under way. Purchase your Red, White or Pink poinsettia from your favorite Lax player today! Order now thru Nov 3 - Your order will arrive the first week of December and will be delivered straight to your home. Please see our flyer to order. Questions? Email Christina Daly (christinadaly6@gmail.com) or Liz Talbot (Lizrtalbot@yahoo.com). Go Saxons!!!

sports notes

crew: Come to our interest and membership meeting next Tues, Oct 26, 7 - 9 pm in the cafeteria. It will include a presentation about the regular season, the registration process and any new rules from covid.

vax info: All athletes 16 years or older who plan on participating in a winter sport, spring sport, or out-of-season workout will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to participate beginning Nov 8. Click here for details.

Students or parents can now scan and email the student's vaccination card to langleyathletics@fcps.edu.

Unless there is a religious or medical exemption, those who are unvaccinated cannot submit negative results in order to participate.

For athletes who have not been vaccinated, more details will be communicated in the coming weeks concerning how a negative test will be submitted. They will be required weekly.

saxons, did you know ...

… Drop off unused or expired medications at locations around Fairfax County this Sat, Oct 23 from 10 am – 2 pm for Drug Take Back Day. Langley’s substance abuse prevention specialist Kelly Rankin will assist with collection at the Mclean District Police Department. A limited supply of medication lock boxes will be available.

class notes

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

last chance for yearbook ads: Express congratulations to your senior by placing an ad in this year’s yearbook. Log onto the yearbook order site here and use Langley’s order number 4159. Click the link to Buy a Yearbook Ad. Submit your ad by tomorrow, Oct 22 to guarantee that it appears in the yearbook. Questions? Email the yearbook adviser at KJMulligan@fcps.edu.

grad announcements and rings: caps and gowns will be measured at school, but graduation announcements and class rings can be purchased here. Orders are due by Fri, Oct 29.

photos for senior slideshow: Did you take some great Hoco photos? 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.

senior yearbook portraits: Parents, look for an email about scheduling senior yearbook portraits. Prestige Portraits will be at Langley Nov 11, 12, 15 and 16 from 2:30-9 pm. This is the last opportunity to take senior yearbook photos at Langley.

Mark your calendar! Our Junior Class Parent Forum will be held Wed, Nov 3 at 9:30 am in the LHS Lecture Hall.

Sophomore parents, stay tuned: our Sophomore Class Parent Forum will be rescheduled (TBD).

Save the date! Our Freshman Class Parent Forum is Tues, Oct 26 at 9:30 am.

student opps

juniors: The Fairfax County Youth Leadership Program is designed to educate and motivate high school juniors to become engaged citizens and leaders in the community. Please visit this website for more information or see this brochure about the 2020-21 program. If you are interested, apply by Nov 5 using this link. Questions? Email Martha Reed at martha.reed@fairfaxcounty.gov.

fcps college webinars

fcps college week: Virtual College Week is Oct 18-21. Attend one or all of several live virtual sessions! Students and parents, learn about the current college admissions process and how to better prepare for the next chapter of your educational journey. Click here to see more info.

Advance registration is required. You will receive a unique access link 24 hours before the event(s) that you register to attend. Register here.

financial aid: Get your questions answered to complete the Free Application For Student Aid (FAFSA). Click here for the session on Nov 9 at 7 pm.

scholarships: Learn what kind of scholarships are offered, where to locate scholarship opportunities, and how to best complete scholarship applications. Click here on Nov 17 at 7 pm or here on Dec 11 at 10 am.

Questions? For questions regarding the financial aid process, email info@collegeaccessfairfax.org. Email appointments@collegeaccessfairfax.org to request one-on-one assistance completing the financial aid forms.

fairfax county youth survey

FCPS is administering its annual Fairfax County Youth Survey to sophomores and seniors between Nov 15-30. It is an on-line anonymous survey asking questions about topics ranging from sleep and nutritional habits, to substance abuse behaviors, to symptoms of depression and suicidal thoughts. Click here to see the survey questions. To opt out, return this form to your student’s counselor by Nov 15.