Got questions? Ask them! Dranesville School Board Representative Elaine Tholen will be the guest speaker at our Mar 9 General Membership Meeting, and she is eager to answer your questions. Want to know more about the current search for a new superintendent? Curious about the proposed budget for fiscal year 2022-2023? Interested in learning more about the Capital Improvement Program? Have other inquiries? Click here to submit your questions for Elaine Tholen by Sun, Mar 6.
Does your student have questions? Encourage your student to ask them! FCPS Superintendent Scott Brabrand will answer students’ general education policy questions at an event hosted by the McLean Citizens Association Education Committee. This unique opportunity to meet, in person, with superintendent Brabrand will take place at the McLean Community Center on Mar 9 at 7 pm. No registration is required, and all inquisitive students are encouraged to attend!
~Clare Bradshaw, PTSA President
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equity awareness events tonight |
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28 days project: Please join the DEI committee via Zoom tonight, Thurs, Feb 24, at 7 pm for our final speaker in the 28 Days of Equity series. Dani Butler of Equality VA will be talking about her own life story and experiences with the hope of starting meaningful conversations and fostering deeper understanding of the LGBTQ + landscape. We welcome Langley parents and students to this event. Fill out this form to receive the meeting link. We will send out the link closer to the presentation.
Don’t forget to check out our themed list of short readings, videos, and podcasts from the 28 Days of Equity Awareness project and info on all DEI events on the PTSA website.
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art exhibit: Don’t miss the DIVERSEartLANGLEY exhibit tonight in Langley Hall from 6-7:30 pm, sponsored by the Langley DEI committee. Prizes will be awarded to the top three submissions. Questions? See the PTSA website.
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Saxon Stage presents performances in both the main theatre and the black box tonight and tomorrow night Feb 24-25. In the black box is the After-Hours club student-written play, Your Carving Footprint. The one-act play, 26 Pebbles, which was our Saxon Stage VHSL competition piece, will be performed in the main theatre.
your carving footprint synopsis: Your Carving Footprint is an immersive one-act conservationist comedy about acting against the inevitable. Teenage couple, Bobbi and Simon, have one hour left at their spot until Bobbi's parents’ construction company tears down Zone B of the South Valley Parkland Forest. Before sunrise dawns, Bobbi and Simon must discover if it's best to sit and wait for fate to take over or try and control the uncontrollable. This interactive play of petition signing, tree stabbing, and paper airplane projectiles brings a natural disaster to the Saxon Stage!
26 pebbles synopsis: On December 14, 2012, a gunman walked into Sandy Hook Elementary School and killed 26 innocent souls before taking his own life. These 26 innocent deaths, like pebbles thrown into a pond, created ripples and vibrations that were felt far beyond the initial rings. This is the story of those vibrations. Similar in style to The Laramie Project, 26 Pebbles is a heartbreaking and riveting docudrama. Playwright Eric Ulloa conducted interviews with members of the community in Newtown and crafted them into an exploration of gun violence and a small town shaken by a horrific event.
Your Carving Footprint will be in the black box at 7 pm and 26 Pebbles in the main theatre at 7:45 pm both days. Purchase tickets at the door: Your Carving Footprint ($5 for students, $10 for adults) and 26 Pebbles (pay what you can).
Come to both or go to one, that's up to you!
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Congratulations to Langley Band Winter Guard on their 2nd place finish in their class of 11 guard groups at the Sat, Feb 19 competition at Woodgrove HS. Their show is called "Time After Wonderland." We are so proud of them!
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Congratulations to the students who participated in the District XII Honors Orchestra event Fri-Sat, Feb 18-19 at Washington-Liberty HS in Arlington, postponed from its original date in January.
Concertmaster: Audrey Goodner
Violin: Kevin Sun, Sumrath Pahwa, Jasmine Alcorn, Victoria Wang, Nicole Leonidov, Elizabeth Fox
Viola: Stella Mategrano, Mateo Albolote, Finn Fitzgerald, Anna Chen, Emily Jao
Cello: Kevin Farnsworth, Shinjini Ray, Amiliya Smith
Bass: Griffin Krupp
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winter luncheon: The PTSA Hospitality Committee treated the Langley teachers, staff and administrators to a delicious Mediterranean luncheon catered by Simply Fresh. The tranquil blues and greens of the ocean-inspired decorations encouraged the attendees to relax and enjoy themselves during their mid-day break.
Thank you to Hospitality co-chairs Ritika Fedewa and Hilary Proctor for organizing the luncheon, and to all of the committee members and volunteers for helping to make this event happen: Amy Adams, Elina Fragiskopoulou, Kitty Gonzalez, Chrissie Lavin, Catherine Macleod, Amanda Clark, Kim Elkas, Allison Varacalli and Jesica Xie.
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bus driver appreciation: This week, the PTSA Staff Appreciation committee of Sara Koenig and Misty Jordan thanked the Langley bus drivers with treat-filled gift bags for their commitment to safely transporting our students. From all of us at Langley, thank you, bus drivers!
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drop everything and read event |
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On Thurs, Mar 10, Langley HS will participate in “Drop Everything And Read” (also known as DEAR) during our Advisory period. The Langley HS community (adults and students) will turn off our screens and read for 25 minutes. Talk to your student about what they plan to read, and remind them to bring anything to read on Mar 10 – a magazine, newspaper, novel, graphic novel, even books for school – as long as it’s not on a screen.
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to join us on Mar 10 at 9:55 am…and Drop Everything And Read!
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March is Youth Art Month! Mark your calendars for Mar 2-14 (Langley Pyramid) and Mar 17-28 (McLean Pyramid) as McLean Project for the Arts celebrates youth art in McLean with our annual Youth Art Shows. Join us as we recognize the work of Fairfax County Public School elementary, middle and high school students. MPA’s exhibition galleries and art studio are located in the McLean Community Center. Click here for more information and gallery hours.
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Give a Kid a Book, started by a LHS junior, collects gently used children's books and donates them to local organizations serving kids in need, including Latin American Youth Center and Community Family Life Services in DC and Second Story in Fairfax County.
To donate, drop your books in the box in the LHS library or the Dolley Madison Library, or click here to schedule a home pickup. Questions? Email alexpomper1@gmail.com.
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Parents, Langley students want to hear your career story! The LHS Career Connections committee is looking for parent volunteers to present during its virtual Career Connections on Wed, Apr 13 and Tues, Apr 19 from 10:30-11:10 am.
Share your experience and offer guidance to Langley students who are interested in learning about careers in your field. To sign up or get more info, email LHSCareerConnections@gmail.com by Thur, Mar 3.
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Students, is there something you’d like to ask FCPS Superintendent Scott Brabrand? Mark your calendars for Mar 9 at 7 pm, when the McLean Citizens Association Education Committee will host a night to meet with Dr. Brabrand. This event is currently scheduled to be in-person at the McLean Community Center and registration is not required. This is a unique opportunity to ask questions of education policy. Come with your questions!
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There’s still time to join our Langley PTSA team for the 2022-23 school year! Click here to read more about the various chair positions for our committees and/or to receive more information from the PTSA Nominating Committee. Questions? Contact Kristen Simko at Kristen.simko@gmail.com.
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Registration is open for a summer session of the required FCPS Economics and Personal Finance course. Sessions run Apr 18-June 17 or June 27-July 29. Many Langley students take this self-directed, pass/fail, online format in order to free up an elective period at LHS. The course is accessed through Schoology and includes 14 interactive modules, 140 exit tickets and a final exam. Click here for more info and to register.
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Help the Class of 2022 All-Night Grad Party (ANGP)! Rent a space and become a vendor at the Langley Spring Community Yard Sale & Craft Fair on Sun, Mar 27 from 8 am-2 pm at LHS. Local businesses, community artists, and those with yard sale items can display and sell their items. Langley clubs, organizations, and teams can use this community event to fundraise for themselves. Vendor fees and individual donations go towards the Langley Class of 2022 ANGP, while participating vendors keep all profits they earn.
Reserve a standard selling space (2 parking spaces) for $30. Larger spaces are available. Vendors must provide their own tables, display racks, and tents/covering. Pre-register online here!
Info is coming soon on how you can volunteer, and earn service hours, on the day of the event.
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join langley's book talk! |
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Looking for your next great read? In anticipation of best-selling author Julie Lythcott-Haims' visit to McLean in April to present the talk Throw out the Checklisted Childhood: Tips and Strategies for Raising Successful Kids, Langley's School Psychologist Anna Davis and School Social Worker Catherine Kennedy will host a Langley parent book club on Julie's most-acclaimed book, How to Raise an Adult, on Mar 23, 11 am, in the Lecture Hall. They'll share their thoughts on the aspects of the book that are especially relevant to Langley families. Click here to purchase the book from Amazon.
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Keyboards click and pencils scribble as Pamela Konde teaches her 5th period freshman class about the relations and comparisons of Sparta and Athens. In her first year at Langley, Ms. Konde has already instilled healthy study habits for her world history freshman class and AP government classes.
Ms. Konde attended the University of Pennsylvania where she double majored in Psychology and Environmental Studies and earned a law degree from George Washington University. She has been doing policy and education-related activities for many years.
She thoroughly understands the U.S. government and how to teach such complex ideas in a way that is both engaging and interesting. “I was a lawyer for many years and a lobbyist and education consultant… and so AP [government] is all the stuff I’ve done… from professional experiences and I love it.”
In Ms. Konde’s AP class, participation is key and inclusive activities pertaining to everyone are important in learning and understanding the material. “[In AP government], We’ve done socratic seminars where the [students] have to engage by pairs and small groups, we’ve [had] a presidential debate, and currently we are doing civil liberties.”
“I have been teaching in a variety of different ways. [I] taught law school level, taught creative writing, and I just wanted to go in and [teach] full time.” “I tell people it’s the hardest job I’ve ever had because I want to do everything right by the kids, but it is also the best job I have ever had.”
Ms. Konde also deeply connects to students who struggle at the beginning of the year and thrive later on, because she feels that has impacted their life in such a positive way. “It’s going to sound cliche, but [I teach for] the students.” She loves her students and she appreciates when students figure out how to solve problems and not give up. “It is the best feeling to know the student feels good and builds that confidence and then also as a teacher to see that change.” She loves building relationships with her students.
Her advice when it comes to teaching is to love the students because at the end of the day, it is about them and their academic life. “Patience, it’s good for extroverts. Love kids and be willing to know that [students] are just as imperfect as we are.”
Though this is Ms. Konde’s first year at Langley, she is already loved by her students and can't wait to teach more.
~ Eesha Somasundar, Saxon Scope Reporter
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softball: Want to be part of a team? The Langley Softball team is looking for additional freshman, sophomore and juniors for the 2022 season. No experience necessary as coaching will be provided. Tryouts end today, but private tryouts are available for anyone interested. Contact Coach Sharkey at gfsharks@gmail.com for more info.
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hockey: Langley hockey had a busy holiday weekend as the NVSHL post-season playoff games began. In the first round on Friday, Langley scored a big win, beating Flint Hill 9-0. Dominating the puck for most of the game, Langley had 42 shots on goal to Flint Hill’s 10. Mike Kuligowski led the scoring with a hat trick, while Noah Scheinerman and Alex Oehmeach scored twice, and Ethan Zhou and Aidan Jacques scored one apiece. Goalies Harrison Smith and Leo Song split the game and shared the shutout.
In the quarter-final game on Monday, Langley won 7-3 against Stone Bridge. Starting the third period tied at 2, Langley went up one before Stone Bridge tied it up a minute later. Taking advantage of Stone Bridge’s short bench and apparent fatigue, Langley scored 4 more goals within a 3-minute timespan. Mike Kuligowski and Alex Oehm scored two goals apiece. Kam Khazai scored one goal and had 4 assists. Noah Scheinerman scored one goal and had 2 assists, and Pete Kuligowski scored one goal.
In what is being called “Upset Monday,” the four top-ranked teams going into the finals (Riverside, Yorktown, Battlefield, and Stone Bridge) all lost Monday night. Langley beat Broad Run 3-2 Wed night and will play Briar Woods tomorrow, Feb 25, at 8:20 pm in the NVSHL State Championship game at Ashburn Ice House. Entry to the game is free. Come support your Saxons!
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spring sport yard signs: Yard signs for spring sports are available now! Please support Langley Athletic boosters and your spring athlete and purchase a limited time yard sign for only $40 each. Prices increase Mar 8, so don't delay! Click here to order today.
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covid protocols for student athletes: FCPS highly encourages all student athletes to be vaccinated for the spring athletic season, where all sports are held outside. During the spring athletic season, unvaccinated student athletes will not be required to participate in weekly surveillance testing but will be required to follow all CDC protocols pertaining to isolation and quarantine for COVID positive persons and close contacts.
Students who are unvaccinated and exposed to the virus as close contacts or become positive will miss both their sporting activities and valuable learning time in the classroom as they will need to follow the protocols for quarantine and isolation as outlined by the CDC.
Questions? Contact the FCPS Office of Student Activities and Athletics at FCPSSAAP@fcps.edu.
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Read below for class news. Click the green class buttons to go to each class's webpage.
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mandatory grad fee: The mandatory graduation fee of $50 has been set by the school and is payable in MySchoolBucks as “Class of 2022 Senior Dues.” If this fee is not paid, it will be listed as an obligation towards the end of the year. Students will not receive their cap, gown, or graduation tickets until it is paid.
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donations wanted: Donate to the Junior Class, via the Class Donation icon on MySchoolBucks, to help us meet our fundraising goals. These funds are used for Treat Days to offset Senior Year expenses and ANGP. Due to Covid restrictions, our class has not met its fundraising goals.
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college case studies: Save the date! College Case Studies Night will be held Thurs, Apr 14 at 7 pm. Our hope is to host this in-person!
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tips for talking to your kids: We all want to keep current with our kids' lives, and it can be challenging to get kids to open up. Whether it's little things like knowing how their day was or big things like raising concerns for their well-being, it can be hard to get the conversation flowing.
On Mon, Feb 28 from 7-8 pm, the Safe Community Coalition (SCC) will host a one-hour virtual program dedicated to family communication with local mental health professionals Mimi Weisberg and Heather Tedesco. They’ll use this article from The Washington Post as a jumping off point to share concrete tips and strategies for connecting with your kids through conversation.
This free program is open to all, and the link is on the SCC website.
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raising successful kids: SCC is helping to bring best-selling author Julie Lythcott-Haims to town to present the talk Throw out the Checklisted Childhood: Tips and Strategies for Raising Successful Kids on Apr 26, 7 pm at Temple Rodef Shalom in McLean. Ms. Lythcott-Haims is a renowned speaker, former corporate lawyer and Stanford Dean, and author of the best-seller How to Raise an Adult.
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mcc call for youth candidates: Want to be a leader? Want to earn valuable community service and outreach experience? Run for a seat on the McLean Community Center governing board! MCC is looking for high school students who wish to serve the community by playing a leading role in helping to carry out MCC's goals.
The board includes two youth seats, one each from LHS and McLean HS, and youth members serve a one-year term. Completed petition packets are due to MCC by Fri, Mar 11 at 5 pm. Requirements and info are on the MCC website.
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paying for college virtual workshops: Parents of 9th, 10th and 11th- graders, tonight at 7 pm is the final workshop about the cost of attendance, financial aid, financial need and more. Click here for information. Questions? Contact questions@collegeaccessfairfax.org.
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cte summer academy: Are you interested in coding, marketing, robotics or animal care? FCPS has an opportunity for students to explore these areas and many more through the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Summer Academy. Students in grades 7-11 can dive deeper into CTE program areas, develop new skills and explore future careers.
Space is limited! Registration is on a first-come basis until seats are filled. Click here for more info and to register.
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Feb 24: DIVERSEartLANGLEY Exhibit, 6 pm, Langley Hall
Feb 24: DEI Virtual Pyramid-wide Event, LGBTQ+ community speaker, 7 pm
Feb 24-25: Saxon Studio, 7 pm
Feb 28: SCC webinar “Tips for Talking to Your Kids,” 7 pm
Mar 3: Pre-Assessment Wind Symphony Concert, 7 pm, Auditorium
Mar 3: Two-Hour Early Release
Mar 4: Student Holiday
Mar 9: PTSA General Membership Meeting & Principal Coffee Q&A, 9 am
Mar 10: Pre-Assessment Band Concert, 7 pm, Auditorium
Mar 15: Pre-Assessment Choral Concert, 7 pm, Auditorium
Mar 21: College Admissions Discussion with Jeff Selingo, 7 pm
Mar 23: Family Network Book Club, 11 am
Mar 27: ANGP Yard Sale & Craft Fair, 8 am - 2 pm
Mar 31: End of Third Quarter – Two Hour Early Release
Apr 26: SCC Discussion with Julie Lythcott-Haims, 7 pm, Temple Rodef Shalom
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Join the LHS PTSA! Click Here.
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LHS PTSA eNews Editors
Gary Coetzee, Ghida Damirji, Michelle Francis, Helen Miller and Amy Prewett
Stephanie Maxwell (Technical Advisor)
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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