prepping for the return to school

langley eNews

February 18, 2021

from the president

Langley is fortunate to have many volunteers who work together to coordinate the numerous events and activities benefitting our students and staff. Every year, though, many parents “graduate” out with their seniors and new families arrive. Thus each spring, the PTSA begins planning for next year's programs and reaches out to interested parents to volunteer for the upcoming year.

Whether your passion is baking or spreadsheet making, there’s a wide range of volunteer activities available to suit different interests and time commitments. Do you have just an hour every few months, or maybe an hour a month or an hour a week? Whatever your availability, we can assist you in finding an area that fits your time, interests and talent! Click here to review some of the PTSA’s activities, and contact Annette Bellino (annette.bellino@verizon.net) or Kristen Simko (kristen.simko@gmail.com) to learn more about volunteering at Langley.

I also want to encourage you to submit news, events and highlights regarding your student(s) to the Langley eNews! Springtime especially brings notice of awards and accomplishments, particularly regarding seniors, and we want to recognize our Langley students’ hard work! Send submissions to eNews at enewslangely@gmail.com.

Thank you for considering Langley PTSA’s volunteer opportunities. You won’t regret becoming involved with PTSA!

~ Kitty Gonzalez, PTSA President

return to school

lhs town hall: Principal Greer will hold a virtual town hall on Mon, Feb 22 at 7 pm to discuss the protocols and practices for in-person learning, which starts March 2 for freshmen and seniors who selected the option and March 9 for sophomores and juniors. If you don't have it, click here to print the new bell schedule that started this week.

freshman and new student orientation: on Mon, Feb 22 Langley is holding 30-minute orientation tours of LHS in small groups for freshmen and other new students. Come find your classrooms and other important spaces and have your questions answered! Select a time and school entrance to start the tour:

New students (grades 10-12): 12-2 pm. Sign up here.
Freshmen: 2-6 pm. Sign up here.

Tours are only for students. Parents, drop off your student at their selected entrance and pick up at Entrance 1. Facemasks and social distancing required. Questions? Email AP Jim Robertson at jrobertson@fcps.edu. We look forward to welcoming our new students!

fcps laptops: 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.

watch the band concert!

The LHS bands debuted their first all-virtual concert of 2021 last week, featuring a selection performed by each of the three bands — the Symphonic Band, the Wind Ensemble and the Wind Symphony — and a performance by the Percussion Ensemble.

Click the image to hear a few words of introduction from Director of Bands Doug Martin and to view the performances. Enjoy!

national engineers week

Are you interested in STEM? As part of 2021 National Engineers Week, George Mason University (GMU) and Northrup Grumman each are hosting a week of free, hour-long virtual events aimed at students interested in STEM.

GMU sessions, aimed at high schoolers, are led by current GMU engineering students. Click here for more info on each session and to register for:

Sat, Feb 20 — NG-15 "ThinSat" Launch Party
Mon, Feb 22 — So You Think You Want to be an Engineer: Advice from Current Engineering Students
Tues, Feb 23 — Women in Engineering Panel; Diversity and Equal Opportunity in the Tech Industry; CoStar Day in the Life of a Security Engineer; Cleared Careers in Technology and Engineering
Wed, Feb 24 — Introduction to Peace Engineering; Cyber in Industry Panel
Thurs, Feb 25 — Managing for Uncertainty: A Peace Engineering Approach; Splunk4Rookies
Fri, Feb 26 — Engineers Week Cup

Northrop Grumman sessions include films and presentations. Click here for more info on each session and to register for:

Mon, Feb 22 — Engineers Week Kickoff
Tue, Feb 23 — Northrop Grumman's Wildlife Challenge: Operation PolarEye
Wed, Feb 24 — Chesapeake Bay Oyster Challenge
Thurs, Feb 25 — Virtual Tour of Northrop Grumman's Center for Innovative Solutions
Fri, Feb 26 — How We're Going to the Moon: Engineering for the Artemis Mission

Read more about 2021 National Engineers Week here.

yard signs

Falls sports yard signs are back! Support your fall-season athlete and Langley Athletic Boosters — these colorful signs are durable and look great both indoors and out. Don't leave your athlete out!

Click here to order. Don't wait too long — the deadline is Mon, Feb 22.

28 days of equity awareness

Have you had a chance to browse the 28 Days of Equity Awareness list? The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee invites you to read, watch and listen to the 28 short readings, videos and podcasts posted on our webpage. Help us start a conversation with perspectives from marginalized voices.

This week, our “Friday Reflections” is tonight! Join us Thurs, Feb 17 at 7:30 pm for a discussion and a safe space for reflection on the material. RSVP here. We hope the evening time is convenient for those who can’t meet in the afternoon!

substance abuse prevention presentation

Mark your calendars — next Thurs, Feb 25 is the first of Langley’s three-part series on substance abuse prevention. The focus of Kelly Rankin’s talk is “Teenage Brain: Building Connections.” She is presenting the material at both 12 pm and 7 pm. Click this link next Thursday at the session time of your choice 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.

sports news

ice hockey: In a tightly matched heartbreaker, the varsity ice hockey team tied 2-2 last Friday against McLean HS, in the Saxons’ last game of the regular season. Charlie Tourbaf scored the first goal mid-way through the opening period, assisted by Max Starukhin. Zach Cash followed suit in the second period, assisted by Mike Kuligowski and Pete Kuligowski. Despite a strong Saxon attack, that third goal remained elusive.

The varsity team faces off against Independence HS tomorrow, in the first round of the Northern Virginia State Hockey League playoffs. Good luck, Saxons!

photo: Lucas Abousleiman (#13) drives the puck down the ice with Callie Cahill (#7) and team captain Charlie Tourbaf (#41) flanking him in the game against McLean last Friday.

saxons in the news: The Washington Post recently ran a feature about Langley ice hockey’s search for a goalie this season. It’s a great story about the efforts of seasoned swimmer turned rookie goalie Leo Song and of the entire Langley team. Click here for the read!

photo: Goalie Leo Song holds McLean to two goals in last week’s game.

saxons, did you know …

... the John Hopkins University provides tips for managing anxiety for return for school. “Keep in mind that anxiety is contagious, and we need to keep ourselves calm and have a strategy for speaking with our children and preparing for this school year. “ Here are some strategies for all age groups.

class notes

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

senior social: Seniors, come to the outdoor Langley Senior Social! Plan on stopping by the LHS parking lot next Wed, Feb 24 at 3:30-4:30 pm (rescheduled due to snow). Teachers will be there, too! Hang out in your cars, walk around or lounge in the socially-distanced chairs to catch up with friends and teachers in person. We hope to see you there! Remember, masks required. Questions? Contact Mr. O’Rourke at jdorourke2@fcps.edu.

va pta scholarship: 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.

Students, sign up for a Freshman Orientation tour on Mon, Feb 22 between 2-6 pm! Come learn where your classrooms will be and see the front office, health room, cafeteria, library and gym, among others. Tours are 30 minutes and will be in small groups. Masks and social distancing required.

Sign up here for a time and school entrance. Tours are for students -- parents, drop your students off at their selected entrance and pick up at Entrance 1. Questions? Email AP Jim Robertson at jrobertson@fcps.edu.

award opps

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:

Entries due Mar 12
Email your private YouTube video performance link and this form to Dr. Lambert at mllambert@fcps.edu
Performances must be solo and not exceed 5 minutes

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:

Designs should be original, executed well and reflect the PTA brand.
Entries due Feb 28 — email to pres-elect@vapta.org as a jpg, jpeg, png or pdf file with this registration form.
Entrants must be PTSA members. Membership is $5. Click here to join.

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.

civic leadership: 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.

parent resources

nova/ fairfax county council PTAs webinar: On Mon, Feb 22 at 7:30 pm, all are invited to a free webinar, What to Expect When You're Returning to School: How to Support Your Student, by Jenna White. Ms. White is the area PTA rep to the Fairfax County Trauma Informed Community Network.

The webinar will discuss what to expect when returning to the classroom and how students can prepare and respond to the challenges. The needs of all ages of students, and both in-person and full-time virtual learners, will be addressed. To attend, register here.

community opps

food drive: The Optimist Club is holding a food drive at LHS outside of Door 14 on Sun, Feb 21 at 10 am-2 pm. Items most needed include: canned tuna, vegetables, fruit; peanut butter, pasta, rice, hot and cold cereal and healthy snacks. Thanks for dropping these items off at Langley!