langley eNews

January 25, 2024

from the ptsa president

As the second quarter comes to an end, the PTSA said Thank You to teachers and staff with a hearty breakfast yesterday. We appreciate everything they do for our students! 


February is coming soon and the PTSA will host three programs for students:


The annual PTSA sponsored art exhibition DIVERSEartLANGLEY will be held on Mon, Feb 12. All students are encouraged to participate, and all forms of art are welcomed (photography, painting/drawing, sculpture, music, dance and writing). This year’s driving question is: What does freedom mean to you? Submissions will be collected on Feb 8 and Feb 9 from 7:45-8:15 am in Langley Hall. Prizes will be awarded to the top three submissions. For more details click here or contact Heather Murphy Capps at heathermcxx@gmail.com or Stefanie Stayin at stefaniestayin@earthlink.net.


On Wed, Feb 14 from 3-4:30pm the PTSA will host Langley Trivia in the Cafeteria. Encourage your student to get together a team of friends to compete against other Langley groups for a chance to win prizes and eat free Chick-fil-a and pizza. This event is free but students must register to participate using this link. The link can also be found in Schoology.


On Sat, Feb 27, the PTSA will host Career Connections, an event exclusively for sophomores, where they will have the opportunity to hear from professionals in various fields and learn more about their career interests. Be on the lookout for more details.


Finally, a reminder that there is no school tomorrow, Jan 26. Enjoy the long weekend!


~ Joy Hohenthaner, PTSA President

 enews tips

clipped emails: We have learned that some parents are having issues with eNews emails being cut off on their phones. This is most likely the email provider and not the phone. Some email providers truncate or “clip” the messages, but there should be a link in the email to view the entire email on the web. This can also happen in some desktop versions. Gmail is one provider that does this. See this example from the eNews Gmail account.

bulk email authentication: Google and Yahoo! are implementing new guidelines for bulk email senders Feb 1, 2024 to protect against spam and improve deliverability. These changes will affect anyone who is sending bulk or marketing emails, such as eNews. Constant Contact will authenticate each message for us, but if you have any issues receiving next week’s eNews edition on Feb 1, check your spam folder and then email the eNews inbox at enewslangley@gmail.com so we can notify Constant Contact. We appreciate your help as we navigate this change!

 kudos

Congratulations to Langley freshman Zayan Durrani on winning an international photography award, Young Travel Photographer of The Year (14 yrs & under)! You can check out his winning images of Litli-Hrutur volcano, Iceland here.


His work has been featured in CNN and BBC articles as well.

teacher of the year

Congratulations to English teacher Gifford Krivak, the Langley Pyramid Outstanding Secondary Teacher of the Year!


Mr. Krivak started teaching at Langley in the fall of 2008. In addition to teaching English 10 and a Forensics class, he’s also coached the boys and girls cross country teams for 15 years and served as the forensics coach. Both cross country teams won districts this past fall 2023 and the forensics team just completed the Northern Region tournament and were runners-up!


Mr. Krivak will now compete at the Regional Level of the Outstanding Employees competition and he needs your support! Assistant Principal Wayne Biernesser is collecting letters of support, thoughtful moments and insightful recognitions that demonstrate Mr. Krivak’s awesomeness! Share your letters with Mr. Biernesser at wcbiernesser@fcps.edu.


Click here to learn more about Mr. Krivek and all of Langley’s Outstanding Employees for 2023-34!

 diverseARTlangley

The LHS PTSA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee is excited to announce the third annual DIVERSEartLANGLEY art exhibition!


The exhibition is on Mon, Feb 12 in the Main Hall:

Exhibition Viewing 6-7:30 pm

Moderated Discussion 7:30-8:30 pm


Calling all Langley students to submit your original work of art! Submissions should answer the following driving question: What does freedom mean to you?


Submissions are accepted in these categories: photography, painting/drawing, sculpture, written word, music and dance. Be sure to record any audio or visual submissions (music, dance) on a flash drive. Duplicate submissions to Langley Pyramid Art shows are welcome. Prizes will be awarded to the top three submissions.


Submission hours are Thurs, Feb 8 and Fri, Feb 9 between 7:45-8:15 am in Langley Hall.


Students, you can receive one hour community service if you attend the exhibition and present your art to attendees.


Questions? Contact Heather Murphy Capps at heathermcxx@gmail.com or Stefanie Stayin at stefaniestayin@earthlink.net.

 trivia contest

Do you have what it takes to be the ultimate Saxon trivia champion or do you simply want to have fun? Then come join in for Langley Trivia – a free, fun competition after school on Wed, Feb 14 from 3-4:30 pm in the Cafeteria. There will be music, prizes, free Chick-fil-a and pizza. See the flyer here. Students must register to participate using this link.

saxon stage

Everyone get ready! The Talent Show is tomorrow Fri, Jan 26 at 6:30 pm! We have so many amazing acts and yes, you the audience get to vote on who will win the second annual Saxon's Got Talent event!


Tickets are on sale now! Scan the QR code on the poster or click here to purchase. Student and senior tickets are $5; adults are $10 each.


Contact Mr. Kaufman with any questions at bkaufman@fcps.edu.

Saxon Stage's Spring Musical is Guys & Dolls! There are many ways to participate in this amazing show! Students can audition to play in the musical pit, audition as a performer or apply and interview for a tech crew position. If you have any questions, stop by Mr. Kaufman's room 1136 (the black box) for more details! 


Auditions will be held next Tues, Jan 30. Click on the links below to sign up!


 join the ptsa board

The Langley PTSA Nominating Committee is working to fill PTSA executive board and committee chair positions for the 2024-2025 school year. Whether you can share several hours of your time or only an hour each month, there is a role that is just right for you.


There are also several opportunities that can be done remotely. The Nominating Committee would love to assist you in finding the right spot for you. Please contact Susan Connery at susanGconnery@gmail.com or Erin Lobato at erin_lobato@hotmail.com for more info.

 join the enews team

Want to be (nearly) the first to know what's going on at Langley High School? Looking for a way to contribute that's flexible, fun and (not usually) fast-paced?


Consider joining the eNews team! We are four happy editors who enjoy putting together this e-newsletter each week, and we’re looking to welcome two more helpers for next year when our senior parents graduate in June. To learn more, contact Helen Miller at cerbycat2000@yahoo.com.

 new spirit wear

Keep yourself toasty warm with the new ladies anti-pill fleece vest with zippered pockets in black. Available online at Langley Boosters.


And go to Shop / Spirit Wearable Accessories to check out the new hand warmers and neck gaiters as well as other cold weather gear!

 rise against hunger

Rise Against Hunger – Langley Pyramid

Colvin Run ES

1400 Trap Road

Vienna, VA 22182

Sat, Feb 3, 8:30 am-3:30 pm


The Langley Pyramid Rise Against Hunger event is only a week away and we are still in great need of donations! Our Pyramid goal is to prepare 75,000 meal packages for schools and orphanages around the world. We can only pack meals that are pre-purchased and are at only 14% of our goal. See the website for more info and to donate. 


Thank you to all who have volunteered to pack meals! All volunteer and waitlist spots are full. 

 fight drug misuse

FCPS is working to raise awareness about the opioid epidemic within our community. If you’ve not had a chance, watch this powerful six-minute video about one family’s heartbreaking experience.


This family’s message to parents includes:


  • You need to be afraid of this stuff. Seven out of ten drugs the DEA seizes have a lethal amount of fentanyl in them.
  • This isn’t a mistake that you learn from, this is a mistake that buries you.


Help your child learn to stand up to peer pressure and learn skills and strategies for avoiding drinking and drug use. Talk with your child about what they would do if faced with a decision about alcohol and drugs, such as texting a code word to a family member or practicing how they will say, “No thanks.”


Other recommendations include:


  • Show you disapprove of underage drinking and other drug misuse. More than 80% of young people ages 10-18 say their parents are the leading influence on their decision whether to drink. 
  • Show you care about your child’s health, wellness, and success. 
  • Show you are a good source of information about alcohol and other drugs. The FCPS Opioid Awareness webpage has many resources for parents.
  • Pay attention to your child and discourage risky behaviors. 

gap year fair

Attend the 2024 Gap Year Fair to learn about the growing array of gap year opportunities. The fair will provide students with broad exposure to gap year programs that emphasize experiential education and personal growth through travel, language immersion, directed study, outdoor adventure, community service and internships.


The fair is scheduled for next Tues, Jan 30, 6-8:30 pm at Marshall HS (7731 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church). The evening begins with “Gap Fair 101” from 6-7 pm and then the Gap Year Fair is 7-8:30 pm.


View the flyer here and follow this link for more info. Click here to register.

sports notes

Athlete Registration begins soon! First day of tryouts is Mon, Feb 19. Visit the Langley Athletics website for more information about registration and tryout dates for each sport. 


  • Registration must be done each year. If you registered for the 2022-2023 school year, you need to re-register for the 2023-2024 school year. Register your child here.
  • To participate in Langley sports, students must complete a physical after May 1, 2023. The physical must be done on the official VHSL form that can be found here. Send completed VHSL forms to langleyathletics@fcps.edu.

saxons, did you know...

use for the Saxons did you know blurb. stays small on the mobile view.

Lisa Sheinhouse M.A. from Psychology Today writes, “Getting back into a routine is challenging for any child, especially one who is neurodivergent.”


Here are some tips to keep your child on a balanced schedule.

class notes

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

Calling all senior parents! Planning for the Class of 2024 All Night Grad Party (ANGP) kicks off this month! Join our virtual planning launch call on Mon, Jan 29 at 7:30 pm. Click here to join the Zoom meeting.


Questions? Contact Kristi Grgeta at kristi@grgeta.com.


Save the date! Our Junior College Forum Night and Class Dinner Fundraiser are Tues, Feb 6. Junior students and their parents/guardians are invited to join us for dinner and an informative panel discussion led by college admission professionals. This is both the biggest class event and the only fundraiser of the year!


Dinner begins at 5:45 pm in the Cafeteria and will be catered by Cafe Rio. Tickets are $25 per person and are non-refundable. Please purchase your tickets on MySchoolBucks by Fri, Feb 2. Dinner will be followed by the College Forum at 7 pm in the Auditorium.


If you are available to help with the class dinner, sign up here.

Sophomore parents and students, join us for the Sophomore College Case Studies Night and Sophomore Class Dinner on Wed, Feb 28. Dinner will be in the Cafeteria starting at 5:30 pm, catered by Cafe Rio. Tickets are $25 per person. A link to purchase tickets will be posted soon. The class dinner will raise funds to support Class of 2026 activities but is optional and not required for attendance at the LHS Student Services presentation.


Following dinner, Case Studies Night will begin at 7 pm. Sophomores and their parents/guardians are invited to work in small groups alongside college admissions representatives as part of a mock admissions team. Groups will review and analyze college applications. College admissions reps will lead discussion groups to help participants better understand the myths and realities of college admissions. You will gain a better understanding of the college admission process to plan for the rest of your high school experience.


Parents/guardians and students are all invited to attend. Only one registration per family is necessary. Click here to register. Registration will close on Mon, Feb 26.


If you were unable to attend the Class of 2026 Parent Coffee on Jan 17, the rising Junior curriculum presentation is available here on our class homepage. There is a link to the recorded Zoom as well as links to other resources mentioned by Dr. Peterson in his presentation.

student opps

4-H camp counselor: Deadline is tomorrow!  Fairfax Arlington Alexandria (FAA) 4-H will host their annual 4-H Summer camp June 23-27 and are looking for camp counselors. The camp is a residential summer camp for youth ages 9-13, where teens ages 14-19 serve as camp counselors. Students can earn 100+ service hours for helping during the week. The deadline to apply to has been extended to Fri, Jan 26


View the flyer here and the FAA 4-H summer camp website for more info.

performing arts scholarship: The deadline to enter the Macdonald Performing Arts Scholarship Competition is tomorrow Fri, Jan 26! This opportunity is only for high school students who live or go to school in the McLean Community Center’s tax district. We want to be sure eligible students won’t miss out on the opportunity.

 

There are four categories: Theatre, Dance, Vocal Music and Instrumental Music. Three prizes are awarded in each category, from $400-$1200. Application fee is $20 per entry and students are allowed to enter as many categories as they like.

 

The preliminary competition is the week of Feb 5. Click here for more info.

 

Send this opportunity to anyone you think may be interested!



Questions? Contact Alden Performing Arts Associate Elizabeth Katz at Elizabeth.Katz@fairfaxcounty.gov.

upcoming events

Jan 25: End of 2nd Quarter – 2hr early release

Jan 26: Holiday - No School

Jan 26: Talent Show, 6:30 pm, Auditorium

Jan 30: Gap Year Fair, 6-8:30 pm, Marshall HS

Feb 3: Rise Against Hunger, 8:30 am-3:30 pm, Colvin Run ES

Feb 6: Junior Class Night (Dinner, 5:45 pm, Cafeteria; College Forum, 7 pm, Auditorium)

Feb 7: Partners for Safe Teen Driving, 6:30 pm, Auditorium. Doors close promptly!

Feb 14: Principal Q & A | PTSA General Membership Meeting, 9 am, Cafeteria

Feb 14: PTSA Langley Trivia Contest, 3-4:30 pm, Cafeteria

Feb 16: Saxon Service

Feb 28: Sophomore Class Night (Dinner, 5:30 pm, Cafeteria; College Case Studies, 7 pm)

Join the LHS PTSA! Click Here.
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LHS PTSA eNews Editors

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Submit items by Tuesday noon for publication on Thursdays to enewslangley@gmail.com  

 

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.