Langley High School

Langley PTSA's Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

In response to spiking hate crimes against Asian Americans and recent allegations of racial slurs made by FCPS athletes, Langley High School PTSA affirms that we are an organization which recognizes diversity and respects ideas, perspectives, lived experiences, talents, values and worldviews from people of different backgrounds and identities. We stand in solidarity with our communities of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) and Black and Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC). We are united in our opposition to all forms of racism.  

The Langley PTSA values differences and similarities among people through its actions and accountability. Our goal of advancing equity and inclusion for students, staff and families of all races, ethnicities, religions, gender identities, sexual orientation, and neurological and physical differences is of paramount importance in promoting a safe and welcoming environment that fosters respect for individuality and an appreciation of diversity. Together, we work to lift up our community by promoting diversity, equity and inclusion for all at Langley High School. 

 (Our National PTA defines diversity as the following: Diversity is representation of, and respect for, people from different backgrounds and identities—including but not limited to race, culture, religion, socio-economic status, age, geographic area, sexual orientation and gender identification, language, learning style and physical appearance. It also involves bringing different ideas, perspectives, lived experiences, talents, values and worldviews to the table to represent the broad variety of children, caregivers, educators and communities within the PTA family.)

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee Meeting

Monday, April 12

7:30pm

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Please join the LHS PTSA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee for a virtual meeting on Monday, April 12, 2021 at 7:30 pm. We’ll be setting goals for the end of this year and moving into 2021-22, and we’re eager to include all voices in this conversation. Please RSVP by filling out this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfL1NiA8XGcnvbOD_loN69Na6kb4H5I4rGwH6IS8g8j4ESlGQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

A meeting link will be sent on the afternoon of the 12th.

Help Improve Schoology— Student Focus Group April 19

Student Focus Group Session:  Monday, April 19 @ 3pm

Thank you to those who gave their input to help improve Schoology! Your comments were shared (anonymously) with the FCPS technology implementation team who are working to  prepare for the system-wide rollout in the next school year.
 

Please ask your student(s) to help in this effort too, by attending a confidential 20-30 minute focus group session at 3pm on April 19th. Parents: please fill out this form in advance to participate. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdDVdrS8NA_oEz5c-t6CUp4KfXPaOassf7xCFqucT7JSqJeOQ/viewform

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PTSA General Membership Mtg 3/10

Link to meeting recording

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The PTSA held its General Membership Meeting on March 10th. The slate of PTSA officer nominees for 2021-22 was announced (see below) and our Dranesville School Board Representative, Elaine Tholen, updated all on the LHS/McLean HS boundary adjustment, the 2021-22 FCPS budget, school calendar options & more. To listen to the meeting recording, click here

2021-2022 PTSA Officer Slate

We are excited to announce the slate of nominees for LHS 2021-22 PTSA Officers:

• President-Elect:  Jamie Loving

• Treasurer: Julianna DeLong  

• 1st VP Membership:  Kristen Simko  

• 2nd VP Fundraising:  Melissa Schwartz

• 4th VP Appropriations:  Ally Weingast

• Recording Secretary:  Jackie Grayer

• Corresponding Secretary:  Annette Bellino

The slate was presented at the 3/10 PTSA General Membership Meeting and will be voted on at our next meeting on May 5th at 9:30 am.

Current Executive Committee Members whose terms automatically carryover to 2021-22 include:

• President:  Clare Bradshaw (succeeds from role as PE)

• 3rd VP Professional Development Fund:  Heather Murphy Capps

Spring Food Drive

Monday, March 22

10:30am-2:30pm

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SPRING INTO ACTION - donate food items for Share of McLean’s spring food drive in the LHS parking lot on Mon, March 22 , 10:30 am-2:30 pm. Let’s help Share and help our neighbors. Share is currently supporting over 300 local families with food supplies.

When dropping off items at LHS, look for your grade’s drop-off station in the parking lot (and wear a mask). The grade with the most participants and/or donated food items will be recognized!

Take a selfie in front of the Share banner and submit it on x2vol for an hour of service learning. Want to help? Parent and student volunteers are needed! Click here to volunteer.

Return to School Town Halls

On Monday, 2/22, Principal Greer held a town hall for Langley parents to share Return to School information. Click here to listen to a recording of the town hall.

A town hall for students will be held at 5:30pm on Wednesday, 2/24. A link for the town hall will be provided through Schoology.

New Bell Schedule - Beginning February 16

Effective Tuesday, 2/16, Langley HS will implement a new bell schedule. Details can be found on the Langley website and here.

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Virtual Parent Education Series on Substance Abuse Prevention

Save the Dates!

February 25,  March 25,  April 22 

With a goal of building awareness and arming parents with the knowledge and tools to identify early signs of substance use, this three-part Parent Education series, hosted by FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist, Kelly Rankin, will explore parents' role in prevention, including how to have an effective conversation with your child about addiction.

The series will provide three 20-minute sessions for parents about the development of the teenage brain, impact of drugs on its development, and current drug trends. Each session is offered twice; choose the time that works best for you! Click here to join.

• Part 1 - Teenage Brain: Building Connections on February 25, 2021 at noon and 7pm (click here to view the presentation)

• Part 2 - Drugs and the Teenage Brain on March 25, 2021 at noon and 7pm  (click here to view the presentation)

• Part 3 - Drug Trends: Identifying Common Household Items and Drug Culture on April 22, 2021 at noon and 7pm

Kelly Rankin serves as a resource for students and parents with questions or concerns about substance use or addiction. She can be reached at Krankin@fcps.edu or 703-287-2744.

Langley Book Discussion Group -- Who Gets In And Why? 

Recording of the discussion is available for a limited time (must register to view)

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On Monday, January 11, Langley's College and Career Specialist Hannah Wolff led a book discussion group for the Langley community on Who Gets In and Why: A Year Inside College Admissions by Jeff Selingo. Mr. Selingo's book, included on The New York Times 100 Notable Books of 2020, is filled with insights gleaned from a year in the trenches with college admissions directors. A recording of the discussion may be found here.

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If you missed Mr. Selingo's presentation to Langley on 12/8, the recording is available for a limited time by clicking here (you must register to view the presentation).

It's Not Too Late!

Have you joined Langley's PTSA? It's not too late. Your Langley PTSA membership and donation will support your student's experience this year with teaching tools and technology, student programs and guest speakers, staff support and professional development and student awards and scholarships.  

Click here to join the ’20-21 PTSA. Thank you for supporting your students, teachers and staff, and Langley!

A Leaf for the Langley Legacy Tree Makes a Great Gift!

The Legacy Tree, located in Langley's lobby, across from the main office, is a permanent and prominent record of generous courtyard contributors. Choose your engraved message — leaves make wonderful tributes to students, teachers, family and friends! Buy your leaf now and print out this flyer that you can present to the recipient. The actual leaf will be placed on the tree as soon as Covid restrictions allow. 

Giving levels are copper leaf ($50), silver leaf ($100), gold leaf ($200) and acorn or bird ($500).  Visit the Courtyard Legacy Tree page for more details.

Your leaf donation will help to fund the renovation of the third and final Langley courtyard to be renovated. Many thanks to the hundreds of Langley families who already have donated leaves to the Langley Legacy Tree to support the renovation of Langley's three courtyards. 

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Langley Cares

The PTSA’s Langley Cares Fund provides assistance to students and their families during times of acute financial need. Support is provided through gift cards for groceries and basic care items. The gift cards are distributed by the LHS Social Worker and the names of all recipients remain anonymous to the PTSA. We are currently accepting donations to augment the Langley Cares Fund during this time of economic uncertainty. Thank you for helping your fellow Langley High School students and families. All donations are tax-deductible. Please click here to donate to Langley Cares.

Parenting During the Pandemic

On Thursday, Nov. 12th, McLean-based psychotherapist Jennifer Weaver, shared with Langley parents her insights on Parenting During the Pandemic.

A recording of the presentation may be found here and click here for Ms. Weaver's handouts.

Gift Cards for Langley Teachers & Staff

Parents, please consider donating gift cards to support the Langley teacher/staff raffle! Throughout the year, the PTSA holds raffles for teachers and staff who've joined the PTSA, and donations from Langley families are key to the raffles’ success. 

In the past, teachers/staff have greatly appreciated gift cards to stores such as Amazon, Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts as well as local businesses. All gift cards are greatly appreciated, but a larger number of gift cards in small dollar amounts helps us hold more raffles. To donate gift cards, contact Kristen Simko at kristen.simko@gmail.com

Saxon Shoutouts

Students and parents, do you know a Langley teacher or staff member who is going above and beyond in our virtual learning environment?

Use this form to write a note saying thank you! Then, the PTSA will transfer your note onto a larger, eye-catching Super Saxon Shoutout template and will deliver it to the recipient within a week to 10 days after your submission. There's no deadline, and send as many as you like!

LHS Library Curbside Pickup

Mondays from 1-3pm

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Students will be able to check out books from the Langley library’s online catalog and pick them up curbside at LHS on Mondays from 1-3 pm, beginning Sept 28. View this flyer for details.

Questions? Email Mr. Clark at paclark@fcps.edu or Ms. Ortiz at klortiz@fcps.edu.

PTSA General Meeting 1/13

On Wednesday, January 13, Langley's PTSA held its General Membership Mtg. Principal Greer and Dr. Lindsey Fisher presented Langley's Statement of Acceptance and Heather Murphy Capps reviewed the mission of the PTSA's newly formed Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee.

Additionally, Julie Assaad, Heather Murphy Capps, Monica Gibson, Amina Khan and Katie Maguire were elected to serve on this year's  Nominating Committee.

A recording of the meeting can be found here. And mark your calendars for our next meeting on Wednesday, March 10 at 9:30am.

Back to School Night Videos

Langley's 2020-21 Back-to-School Night was held on September 21st. Important information and updates were shared by FCPS Superintendent, Dr. Brabrand and School Board members; Principal Kimberly Greer and other LHS administrators; PTSA President Kitty Gonzalez and your student's classroom teachers. All sessions were recorded and can be viewed here.

Virtual Learning Technology Tips and Videos

Langley Schoology resources: https://langleyhs.fcps.edu/announcements/schoology-resources

• Schoology login

• Parents will log in using their ParentVUE credentials

• Students will log in using their student ID and password

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Student and Parent IT Support:  https://itweb.fcps.edu/itsuport

Visit "Self-Help Hub" or submit a ticked for help

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Videos and other support for families:

New videos have been posted on the virtual learning playlist. They include tips on signing in, locating assignments, and submitting assignments in Google Classroom, as well as how to use Blackboard Collaborate Ultra (BBCU). 

Go to the video learning playlist

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Access videos and resources to help your student in the virtual learning environment on the Technology Support for Families webpage. 

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FCPS New Parent Technology Help Desk and Other Support

To support families who are working with their children during distance learning, Fairfax County Public Schools is launching a new Parent Technology Help Desk, effective Monday, August 24. The number is 1-833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS). It will be answered by staff 7 a.m.to 11 p.m., seven days a week. If the help desk is unable to solve the issue on the phone with the parent or guardian, they will enter a ticket on the parent’s behalf and the request for help will be transferred to the appropriate FCPS team. 

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Parents or guardians who need help in a language other than English should let help desk staff know, and a interpreter will join them on the line. (FCPS also has existing parent information phone lines, available in eight different languages, that can assist with general questions about FCPS.)

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FCPS has also set up an online portal to allow older students and parents and guardians to request technology help directly. 

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Get more information about the new Parent Technology Help Desk. 

2020-21Freshman & New Family Virtual Orientation Sessions

Wednesday, September 2

Freshmen Students and Parents 9am

10th, 11th, 12th Grade Students and Parents 11am

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Virtual orientation sessions for both Freshmen Students and Parents was held on Wednesday, September 2 at 9 am. These were separate orientation sessions. Click here to view a recording of the Parent session.

Parents and Students in grades 10, 11 and 12 who are new to Langley, were encouraged to attend a virtual Orientation Session together specifically for New Families, which was also on Wednesday, September 2 at 11am. Click here to view a recording of this New Family Orientation Session.

A copy of last year's New Family Presentation can be found here and additional resources are available on the Langley High School website under Student Services -> New Family/Student Guide.