rolling through winter...

langley eNews

January 13, 2022

from the president

I was hoping that as we ushered in this new year, we would simultaneously be ushering out all cases of COVID-19. Clearly, that hasn’t happened.

As tired of restrictions as we all might be, we must keep striving to do what is best for our communities and ourselves. In addition to being vaccinated and boostered when not contraindicated, we must wear our masks properly, practice effective hand washing, avoid large indoor gatherings and stay home when not feeling well. These mitigation strategies are not new to anyone, and I thank everyone who has been diligently adhering to these practices for the better part of the past two years.

Last Sunday, all FCPS families and staff received an email detailing the most recent updates to the quarantine/isolation guidelines. This information can also be found here and on the Langley HS website homepage.

If your teen, is sick or has tested positive for or been exposed to Covid-19, here's what you should do:

Sick: please keep him/her home and call the attendance office at 703-287-2727, or email Ms. Schultz at nschultz@fcps.edu, to explain the reason and describe the symptoms or illness.

Tested positive: report the absence to the attendance office and articulate that s/he is positive for Covid-19. You will be provided with helpful follow-up information.

Known exposure outside of school: report it to Langley through the attendance office and follow CDC guidance. FCPS testing information is found here. Again, families should review the health messages located on the FCPS website for further instruction related to COVID-19 protocols.

If we all continue to do what we can to keep ourselves and each other healthy, I am confident we will get through this together.

~ Clare Bradshaw, PTSA President

virginia principals appreciation week

Governor Northam designated Jan 8-14 as Virginia School Principals Appreciation Week to acknowledge the tireless efforts of school principals across the Commonwealth. Governor Northam proclaimed, “Virginia School Principals Appreciation Week is an opportunity to recognize the hard work of Virginia school principals and to recognize the importance of principals in ensuring that every child has access to a quality education.” Read the full proclamation here.

Thank you, Principal Greer, for all you do for Langley!

fcps superintendent search

FCPS wants your input as it searches for a new superintendent. Details about the process and a link to the survey for parents can be found here. Note that Langley is in Region 1.

In addition to the survey, there is a virtual town hall tonight at 7:30 pm where you can provide feedback on the characteristics and personality traits you would like to see in the new superintendent.

saxon stage

Langley’s Theatre program is one of two schools in Virginia selected to perform their fall production at the State Thespian Festival on Jan 14-16. The festival is a collection of all types of theatre workshops for the students and teachers and is run by professionals and colleges from around the country. The Saxon Stage will perform their production of Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express on Fri, Jan 14, to kick off a fun theatre weekend! Congratulations Saxon Stage!

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open house for 8th-graders

Know any eighth-graders trying to decide which high school to attend next year? Forward this issue of eNews to let them know about Langley's upcoming Open House!

On Sun, Feb 13, from 2-4 pm, Langley will host an Open House. Eighth-grade students and their families are invited to attend an information session presented by administrators, tour the building with student ambassadors, and chat with experienced parents and faculty at a reception following the tours.

Families should park in the main lot and enter through Door 14. The presentation will be in the Auditorium.

mock sat/act

Register here by Tues, Jan 25 for the Sat, Jan 29 virtual SAT or ACT practice test offered by Princeton Review. The exam costs $25 and will benefit the Langley PTSA.

You’ll be emailed a Zoom link and other info by Friday before the exam. Afterwards, you'll receive a comprehensive score report detailing your strengths and weaknesses.

college admissions discussion

Don't miss author Jeff Selingo's return to Langley to discuss his book Who Gets In and Why on Jan 31 at 7 pm. This bestseller is filled with insights gleaned from Jeff’s year in the trenches with college admissions directors and includes research done at Langley! Join us for a discussion on topics such as the test-optional choice, applying early decision and creating a balanced list for college apps.

This is currently planned as an in-person event. All LHS families and staff are welcome.

class notes

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

Our next Senior Class Forum will be Feb 8, 2022 at 9:30 am. College and career specialist, Hannah Wolff, will talk about what comes next once college applications are submitted. AP Wayne Biernesser will also update us on Class of 2022 happenings. FCPS regulations currently require that this program be virtual, and we will provide a link here and on our FB page close to the event. If FCPS policy changes allowing us to meet in person, we will do so. Watch this space and our FB page for updates.

senior slideshow photos: What did you do over break? 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.

The Junior Class Dinner fundraiser will take place on Feb 10 at 6:30 pm. Please support your class by ordering your boxed dinner at MySchoolBucks. This is our only fundraiser for the year! Hannah Wolff has invited several college representatives to talk to us about their entrance processes.

We should have a new date for our Sophomore Class Parent Forum soon! Access all sophomore info on our class webpage.

Freshman parents, don’t miss another class email! Our class webpage now includes links to past class emails as a handy reference. For timely info, subscribe to our class email distro group here.

student opps

nova classes: The application deadline is tomorrow, Jan 14 for early online college courses at NOVA Community College. NOVA is offering select college courses at no cost to Fairfax County high school juniors and seniors, including: CST 110; ECO 202; ITE 115; MUS 121; PSY 200; SDV 101; SOC 200. Courses will begin Feb 1 and run for twelve weeks.

Early online college offers students many benefits, including lowering the overall cost of college and gaining access to campus resources and participating in college events and activities. Questions? Check out NOVA’s website or email NOVA’s Office of Dual Enrollment at dualenrollment@nvcc.edu.

leadership fairfax: Juniors and seniors, do you know what your leadership style is? Interested in meeting teens in Fairfax County from other high schools? Do you have a resume that represents YOU? Curious about how interview coaching works?

Learn about your leadership style and improve your communication skills through Leadership Fairfax’s Real Talk: Teen Leadership Workshop on Jan 22-23. The participation fee is $100. Click here for information and details.

covid-19 info

health and safety guidance: With so much new and updated information available for schools and families due to the current COVID-19 surge and recent CDC changes, the FCPS Health and Safety Guidance Document is your source for the most up-to-date information.

vaccines: Fairfax County teens ages 12-17 years old are eligible to get a Pfizer-BioNTech booster shot. Click here for updated vaccination options for teens.

To make an appointment, click here or call 877-VAX-IN-VA. Walk-ins may also be available depending on the site.

testing: Drive-through COVID-19 diagnostic testing is now available for all FCPS students and staff who are experiencing symptoms or have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19. Testing is also a step in the return to school process following illness or exposure. Click here for locations and schedules. Appointments are not required, but families must register here before testing. Click here for more info.