see you in 2022...

langley eNews

December 9, 2021

from the principal

Season’s Greetings,

Wow! What a year it has been. It’s so hard to believe this time last year the building was still closed. When I consider the many challenges we have overcome over the past twelve months, I am truly amazed. We have returned to in-person learning. Our students continue to achieve at high levels both in and out of the classroom. Our teachers remain dedicated to our students. Parents and guardians remain committed to partnering with our school to ensure success for all students. These are all true gifts for which I am grateful.

During the hustle and bustle of the current holiday season, I have found myself reflecting. Last year, we were in our bubbles and not spending time with those outside of our homes. The additional time spent with family was an unexpected gift. As we have returned to a new normal, may we continue to cherish time with loved ones. The largest lesson the pandemic has taught is time is precious. We must cherish every moment we are given for each is a blessing.

May the holidays provide each of you time to relax and reconnect with family and friends. May you have time to engage in activities that bring you joy. May each of you be surrounded by love and your homes filled with laughter and joy.

Wishing you a healthy and prosperous 2022,

~ Kim Greer, Langley HS Principal

last chance for tax deductions

Did you know that donations to the Langley PTSA are tax deductible? If you haven’t had a chance to join or donate this fall, there’s still time to do so before the year ends.

join: The race to our PTSA membership goal of 600 parent members is underway. The 9th grade class remains in first place with the other classes following closely. Join here today and help your student’s class cross the finish line! Parent memberships are only $25.

donate: Click here to support PTSA programs benefiting all Langley HS students and staff: technology, staff appreciation, classroom teaching tools, fine arts and much more! You can also donate used tech devices or used vehicles through CauseNetwork to support Langley HS—click on the links for more info. You will receive a tax deduction for your contribution, and your donation will benefit all Langley HS students and staff.

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, Jan 9, from 2-4 pm, Langley HS will host an Open House. Eighth-grade students and their families are invited to attend the information session presented by administrators, tour the building with student ambassadors, and chat with experienced parents and faculty at the reception following the tours.

Interested families should RSVP to AP Jim Robertson at jrobertson@fcps.edu by Jan 6. Families should park in the main lot and enter through Door 14. The presentation will be in the Auditorium.

sweet start to the day

The PTSA treated teachers and staff to coffee and doughnuts before school this morning. Thank you to the PTSA for supplying the goodies and to all of the PTSA members who make supporting our teachers and staff possible!.

kudos

Congratulations Saxons! Four of Langley’s entries for the PTSA Reflections contest received special recognition at the regional level this year. (To clarify, the Award of Excellence is 2nd place and the Merit Award is 3rd Place). Well done!

Keely Wen, Film Production, Award of Excellence

Katie Dzwonczyk, Music Composition, Award of Excellence

Zayd Damirji, Photography, Award of Excellence

Zara Adams, Visual Arts, Merit Award

All the top entries in the FCCPTA region Reflections program are now posted here.

buy a directory ad

If you own a business, please consider sponsoring the directory by placing an ad. Questions? Contact Michele Delgadillo from AtoZ Connect at michele@atozconnect.com or phone 301-523-0574.

furry friends return

Looking for a furry way to reduce stress? Stop by the Amphitheater on Mon, Jan 3 during A & B lunches to pet a visiting therapy dog!

Therapy dogs will visit Langley once a month this school year through May 2022. Their next visit is Feb 7. Click here for the flyer and all the upcoming dates!

angp/wreaths across america

Would you like to lay veteran wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery this Sat, Dec 18? Pre-register here. You’ll need to show your email confirmation and photo id to enter the cemetery. Click here for more info.

In addition, the ANGP would like to personalize Langley’s sponsorship page, so please take pictures while volunteering and email them Annette Bellino at annette.bellino@verizon.net.

easy cash for lhs

holiday shopping: Support Langley students and staff with your gift giving, party prep and all-out holiday spirit when you shop through CauseNetwork or AmazonSmile. Click here for instructions on how to shop through CauseNetwork where up to 10% of purchases go to support LHS. We receive a 0.5% donation on all eligible purchases through AmazonSmile. Simply visit smile.amazon.com, sign into your account, and choose Langley High PTSA as your charitable organization. Happy shopping and thank you for supporting Langley PTSA.

harris teeter vic card: You can still register your VIC card for Harris Teeter’s Together in Education program and earn free money for LHS as you shop during the holidays! Click here to register your card — or let us handle it for you by clicking here.

mock sat/act

Attention all spring test takers! Are you wondering which college entrance exam is best for you to take? Langley PTSA is partnering again with Princeton Review to host a virtual SAT or ACT practice test for students planning to test this spring.

The test date will be Sat, Jan 29. The exam costs $25 and will benefit the Langley PTSA. Click here to register by Tues, Jan 25, and 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

Save the date! Author Jeff Selingo will be at 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.

hockey news

Langley Varsity hockey came out strong Friday with a 9-3 win against Fauquier-Highlands Varsity. Pete Kuligowski, Max Moser, Noah Scheinerman, and Max Starukhin lit the lamp with 2 goals each, while Eric Bellino scored one from the blue line.

Come out and cheer this Fri, Dec 17 at 9:40 pm as Langley Varsity takes on Herndon-South Lakes Varsity at Skatequest. Then, start the New Year by cheering on the JV division leader Langley JV when it takes on Ashburn JV on Jan 3 at 6:40 pm at the Ashburn Ice House.

Save the date! Langley hockey Senior Night is Jan 7 against Yorktown at Skatequest. The puck drops at 9:40 pm!

Langley hockey thanks our core group of fans for attending our games and especially for travelling to Haymarket to cheer the team on to victory!

saxons, did you know ...

…The Surgeon General issued a public health advisory on the mental health challenges our youth are facing. The advisory states, “Our obligation to act is not just medical—it’s moral. I believe that, coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have an unprecedented opportunity as a country to rebuild in a way that refocuses our identity and common values, puts people first, and strengthens our connections to each other.” Here is the full 53-page advisory.

class notes

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

Save the date! 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.

photos needed for senior slideshow: Doing something memorable 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.

Our second Junior Class Parent Forum will be Jan 13 at 9:30 am in the Lecture Hall. Alex Mantel, LHS Counselor, will discuss course selection for senior year and present a refresher demonstration of Naviance.

The Junior Class Dinner fundraiser will take place Feb 10 at 6:30 pm. Hannah Wolff has invited several college representatives to talk about their entrance processes. Dinner info will be coming soon!

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

alden theatre auditions: the Unruly Theatre Project (UTP) is Alden’s professional, teen improv group that specializes in bringing free comedic performances to the community as well as young artist professional development. We are holding auditions in early January to join the company.

UTP performs throughout the year at various venues and festivals, and is the only teen group participating in Improvicon.

Auditions will take place Tues, Jan 11 from 6-8 pm. This pre-registration form is required and must be submitted at least one hour before auditions begin. Click here for more information.

nova classes: Jumpstart your college education while you’re still in high school! NOVA Community College is offering select college courses at no cost to Fairfax County high school juniors and seniors. Courses will begin Feb 1 and run for twelve weeks. Completed applications are due by Jan 14.

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. This year’s course options include: CST 110; ECO 202; ITE 115; MUS 121; PSY 200; SDV 101; SOC 200.

Questions? Check out NOVA’s website or email NOVA’s Office of Dual Enrollment at dualenrollment@nvcc.edu.

covid-19 vaccines and testing

vaccines: The former Lord & Taylor store at Tysons Corner Center has become a large-scale COVID-19 vaccination clinic offering booster shots and the COVID-19 vaccine for children 5-11 years old, in addition to initial vaccinations for all eligible groups. As of last week, teens ages 16-17 years old are eligible to get a booster shot. Read more about the clinic here. To make an appointment click here or call 877-VAX-IN-VA. Walk-ins are also available.

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.