This past fall, nearly twenty teachers asked for and received cutting-edge technology and resources that they are using in their classrooms today thanks to your donations. An added benefit from your generosity: The administration and FCPS have provided additional new technology after seeing the fall donations from Langley families.

The new PTSA appropriations process is a success, and more teachers are hoping to benefit from it. The last round of appropriations is NOW, and these next few weeks mark our FINAL plea for contributions for 2012-13. We have received these requests from staff:

• Athletics: 2 iPads
• World Languages: 2 SmartBoards, curriculum enhancement
• Humanities: 1 SmartBoard, Epson LCD projector
• Art: 5 Ipads, 4 Epson Artisan Inkjet Printers with ink cartridges
• Physics: LabQuest 2 data collection and analysis devices
• Science: SmartBoard
• Performing Arts: funding assistance for the Spring Show

The requests total almost $40,000. To date, we are approximately $15,000 short of being able to say "yes" to everything. Contact Ally Weingast, Appropriations Chair, or Betsy Shomaker, PTSA President at <ptsalangley@gmail.com> to donate today! 

langley science fair: This year's fair is Thu, Jan 24. For more info or to volunteer, email Betsy Jones at <sejones3@fcps.edu>. Volunteers options are:

• Judge (around 1:30-6 pm, starting with an orientation)
• Provide refreshments (cases of soda/water, finger foods, or desserts)

The science categories are listed on the ISEF website, http://www.societyforscience.org/isef/project_categories#AS. Visit and rank your top three choices. Thank you for supporting the students at Langley High School with your time and expertise. ~ LHS Science Dept.   

out-of-course ap reg: Any student wishing to take an AP exam in a course they are not enrolled in must complete the AP registration form by Feb 1. The form is located on the Langley website under Testing and must be returned to Ms. Baldesare by Feb 1. The fee is $100, payable to Langley High School, for each exam. (If you're enrolled in an AP course, you don't need to complete this form.)

national school counseling week 2013: "School Counseling: Liberty & Learning for All" will be celebrated Feb 4-8, to focus public attention on the unique contribution of professional school counselors within U.S. school systems. Our appreciation goes out to Georgia McKain, Kathy Parrott, Susan Murphy, Julie McGreevy, Jennifer Baldesare, Jessica Omasta and Tim Ready. 

Every year, the Langley Fashion Department spends months laboring over their biggest project: the fashion show. This year, second-year fashion students have begun promoting tryouts, planning the various scenes, and making necessary preparations for their upcoming show. While each student is assigned a specific job, the class as a whole votes on important decisions such as the theme and name, which for this year is Masquerade the Runway. On Feb 2 at 7 pm, after weeks of practice, models, wearing their own or student-designed outfits, will strut down the runway while the fashion class observes the culmination of their hard work and proud parents watch from the audience. Tickets are available in advance for $10 at all lunches starting Jan 23 or contact Tricia Poythress at <tmpoythress@fcps.edu>. Tickets are also available at the door for $15. 

The PTSA nominating committee is now being formed. Three to five members will be responsible for preparing the slate for the 2013-14 calendar year. This is a great way to get involved and have an influence on who will lead the PTSA next year. The committee must be approved at the Wed, Feb 6 PTSA meeting.  

Contact Jackie Cho <jcho@mcenearney.com> or SueAnn Morabito <rs4mor@verizon.net> if you are interested.

girls basketball: All three teams will be on the road Fri, Jan 11 to play at Marshall HS. Freshmen 4pm, JV 5:45pm, Varsity 7:30pm. The Varsity Saxons will finish the first round of district play on the road at McLean HS Jan 15 in a double header with the boys (girls' tip-off is 5:45pm).  Come out and support these hard working ladies!  

orchestra: Congratulations to the students who participated in District Orchestra at Langley this past weekend. The concert was wonderful! Many thanks to the parents, faculty, staff, and students who made this event a success. With 165 students from 25 middle and high schools, good organization was essential. The orchestra directors especially appreciated all that the hospitality team provided, led by Julie Hohl. ◆ Parents of students going on the Rome trip should bring any prescription and over-the-counter medicines, along with the signed forms, to the clinic by Jan 15. 

http://www.langleyptsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/What-is-Family-Connections.pdf   

And this link provides detailed instructions for use of the site:  http://www.fcps.edu/LangleyHS/assets/2011-2012/NAVIANCE_FAMILY_CONNECTION_USER_INSTRUCTIONS_(2).pdf   

superintendent search: In Dec 2012, the Fairfax County School Board asked for input from the community on the important characteristics of a superintendent, via a series of meetings with the consultants from Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA) and through an online survey on the FCPS website. HYA presented a report to the Board at its meeting Dec 20, and based on the input received, the Board has crafted a draft of the desired characteristics: http://www.fcps.edu/news/supt-desired-chars.shtml 

The Board would like to offer stakeholders a second opportunity to share thoughts and feedback on the draft characteristics. The HYA consultants will be holding four additional community forums to gather input. If you would like to share your thoughts on the draft criteria, please plan to attend one of the following forums:

Jan 14, 4pm, Centreville HS library

Jan 14, 7pm, Hayfield SS (in middle school cafeteria 1535)

Jan 15, 10am, Gatehouse Administration Center, Room 1600

Jan 15, 7pm, South Lakes HS cafeteria

Additionally, the online survey will remain open until Jan 23. Please go to the FCPS website at www.fcps.edu and take the survey if you have not already done so. The Board will review the input gathered at these meetings and finalize the characteristics that we seek in the next superintendent at the Jan 30 work session. 

~ Fairfax County School Board

http://www.langleyptsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/What-is-Family-Connections.pdf   

And this link provides detailed instructions for use of the site:  http://www.fcps.edu/LangleyHS/assets/2011-2012/NAVIANCE_FAMILY_CONNECTION_USER_INSTRUCTIONS_(2).pdf   

superintendent search: In Dec 2012, the Fairfax County School Board asked for input from the community on the important characteristics of a superintendent, via a series of meetings with the consultants from Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA) and through an online survey on the FCPS website. HYA presented a report to the Board at its meeting Dec 20, and based on the input received, the Board has crafted a draft of the desired characteristics: http://www.fcps.edu/news/supt-desired-chars.shtml 

The Board would like to offer stakeholders a second opportunity to share thoughts and feedback on the draft characteristics. The HYA consultants will be holding four additional community forums to gather input. If you would like to share your thoughts on the draft criteria, please plan to attend one of the following forums:

Jan 14, 4pm, Centreville HS library

Jan 14, 7pm, Hayfield SS (in middle school cafeteria 1535)

Jan 15, 10am, Gatehouse Administration Center, Room 1600

Jan 15, 7pm, South Lakes HS cafeteria

Additionally, the online survey will remain open until Jan 23. Please go to the FCPS website at www.fcps.edu and take the survey if you have not already done so. The Board will review the input gathered at these meetings and finalize the characteristics that we seek in the next superintendent at the Jan 30 work session. 

~ Fairfax County School Board

http://www.langleyptsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/What-is-Family-Connections.pdf   

And this link provides detailed instructions for use of the site: http://www.fcps.edu/LangleyHS/assets/2011-2012/NAVIANCE_FAMILY_CONNECTION_USER_INSTRUCTIONS_(2).pdf   

superintendent search: In Dec 2012, the Fairfax County School Board asked for input from the community on the important characteristics of a superintendent, via a series of meetings with the consultants from Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA) and through an online survey on the FCPS website. HYA presented a report to the Board at its meeting Dec 20, and based on the input received, the Board has crafted a draft of the desired characteristics: http://www.fcps.edu/news/supt-desired-chars.shtml 

The Board would like to offer stakeholders a second opportunity to share thoughts and feedback on the draft characteristics. The HYA consultants will be holding four additional community forums to gather input. If you would like to share your thoughts on the draft criteria, please plan to attend one of the following forums:

Jan 14, 4pm, Centreville HS library

Jan 14, 7pm, Hayfield SS (in middle school cafeteria 1535)

Jan 15, 10am, Gatehouse Administration Center, Room 1600

Jan 15, 7pm, South Lakes HS cafeteria

Additionally, the online survey will remain open until Jan 23. Please go to the FCPS website at www.fcps.edu and take the survey if you have not already done so. The Board will review the input gathered at these meetings and finalize the characteristics that we seek in the next superintendent at the Jan 30 work session. 

~ Fairfax County School Board

stop hunger now: Did you know?

Over 1 billion people do not have enough to eat.

10.9 million children under age 5 die each year.

A child dies every 6 seconds from a hunger-related cause.

The elementary, middle and high schools of the Langley Pyramid are joining together to help children in need. Our community schools will host "The Langley Pyramid Stop Hunger Now Event" on Sat, Feb 9 at Colvin Run ES to prepare 100,000 meals for schools and orphanages around the world. Each meal costs only 25 cents to make. To reach the goal of 100,000 meals, we need to raise $25,000. To make a donation or to register to volunteer to help at this event, please visit http://events.stophungernow.org/LangleyPyramid and help us Stop Hunger Now.

binge drinking: The Perils of College Drinking program will be shown at McLean HS Jan 17 at 7 pm. A few years ago Langley PTSA presented this program, which offers a very powerful message about the dangers of binge drinking. The film contains graphic imagery, but is a must-see for all parents, their college-bound teens, and anyone who is concerned about the dangers of underage and high-risk drinking.

odyssey volunteer opp: Odyssey of the Mind teams are forming at Spring Hill ES, and we are looking for high school students to assist the adult coach in leading each team. Teams of 5 to 7 kids work on creating solutions to long-term problems and then participate in a competition in which they are scored for meeting the requirements of the problem and for creativity. Coaching includes helping the children to develop creativity and critical thinking skills. Commitment requires 1 or 2 hours per week until the competition in March. This is a wonderful opportunity for service credit and looks great on those college applications! Please contact the Spring Hill coordinator Joe Montie at <jmontie167@aol.com> for more information or to express your interest.

arts competition: Each year, the McLean Community Center recognizes the hard work and talent of young performing and visual artists through the James C. Macdonald Arts Scholarship Competition. Following a preliminary audition and a final round of competition, prizes (1st-$1200, 2nd-$800, and 3rd-$400) are awarded in each of five categories: Dance, Instrumental Music, Vocal Music, Theatre and Visual Arts. High school students who reside or attend school in the McLean tax district (Small District 1A-Dranesville) are eligible to apply. Last year, seven of the twelve finalists were from Langley High School!

• Application Forms and Information are available online or at the Center's reception desk.
• Students may enter more than one category.
• A nonrefundable $15 fee is required for each application form submitted.
• Early Bird Special: Pay only $5 (nonrefundable) if your application is received before Feb 1.
• For information, contact Kathy Herr, <kathleen.herr@fairfaxcounty.gov>.
• Application Deadline:  April 1.
• Preliminary Auditions:  April 22-29.  See Preliminary round information for specific dates.
• Final Competition:  May 23.

For more information, go to the McLean Community Center website and type in "scholarship" in their search field. Additional information can be found in Frequently Asked Questions, Application Guidelines on this website. Applications are available at:

http://www.mcleancenter.org/images/Application%20Form%20-%202013.pdf