The Langley School Experience Fall 2014

experience the langley school

Fall 2014

Langley Dedicates State-of-the-Art Middle School

the langley school

experience The Langley School Experience is published twice a year for friends and families of The Langley School.

Head of School Dr. Elinor Scully

Editor & Designer Sharon Vipperman, Director of Publications & Marketing svipperman@langleyschool.org The Langley School 1411 Balls Hill Road McLean, Virginia 22101 Phone: (703) 356-1920 Fax: (703) 790-9712 www.langleyschool.org

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Contents

Head of School’s Message Langley in Depth: Langley Opens New Middle School Class of 2014 Graduation Arts in Action Campus Happenings Sports Spotlight Faculty/Staff Notes Development Update Alumni News Alumni Profile: Peyton Marshall ’87 Class Notes

Follow Langley on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and our blog!

The Langley School is comprised of students, teachers, parents, and staff who believe that a diverse school community promotes learning and growth, preparing students for responsible and compassionate citizenship in the global community. We administer all programs and policies without discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, or any other category to the extent protected by applicable laws.

head of school’s Message Dear Langley Friends,

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s you will see in this issue of the Experience, we dedicated the new Middle School building to former Head of School Doris Earl Cottam on September 27. Over 200 members of the community turned out to celebrate this remarkable new building and to honor the visionary leader who made it possible. I was struck by the decades of support for Langley represented by those in attendance.

We had parents who had just joined the community, current and past faculty/staff, and parents and trustees who spanned many generations of Langley’s rich history.

In his dedication, Board Chair Jamie Baker made the following observation about Doris: “Throughout the process, Doris ferociously focused on the pedagogical needs of the building, without losing sight of the practical and the possible. Nothing went out the door that would impact education or the experience of students. Doris’ approach reminded me of a Shaker aphorism: ‘Don’t make something unless it is both necessary and useful; but if it is both necessary and useful, don’t hesitate to make it beautiful.’ ” There is no question this new building is beautiful, but it also dramatically impacts what is possible in Langley’s ability to deliver superb instruction that reflects educational best practices. This building embodies the school’s commitment to innovation and adaptability and will be just one part of the lasting legacy Doris has given to Langley.

In addition to opening our Middle School, the first few months of fall have been quite busy on campus. We launched the first phase of our strategic planning process in mid September. Crane MetaMarketing Ltd., a national leader in school identity and strategy, visited campus for a week of focus group conversations, classroom observations, and interviews. CRANE is collecting data from a diverse range of constituents to help us leverage our signature strengths and identify our aspirations for the future.

Out of this process, we hope to create a focused strategic plan that builds on the strengths of the community, addresses our opportunities for growth, and reflects our desire to be a leader in the field of preschool through grade 8 education.

In the months ahead, there will be more opportunities for members of the community to contribute their voices and experiences to the process. Langley is extremely fortunate to enter the strategic planning process from a position of great strength. We will be able to build on the successes of past strategic plans as we imagine new possibilities for the future. Much like the dedication of the Middle School building, our strategic planning process will build a bridge between the past, present, and future. I look forward to updating you on the process in the months ahead.

Warm regards,

Dr. Elinor Scully Head of School

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langley In Depth Langley Opens New Middle School

By Ryan Jefferson, Head of Middle School

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ver the past year or so, I intently watched our new Middle School building take shape. Walls went up, windows were installed, coats of paint were put on, and furniture was put in place. But it wasn’t until the first day of school when our students and teachers walked through the doors that I saw the full impact this magnificent new facility would have on our teaching and learning.

While “Down Under” – the former home of our Middle School – had its charms, it could no longer adequately meet the needs of our robust and growing program for grades 6-8. With double the square footage and countless state-

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of-the-art features, the new building provides us with an amazing space that reflects and enhances the unique Middle School experience we offer our students.

When you walk into this 28,000-square-foot building, it’s clear it was created with the specific needs of early adolescents in mind. Bright colors, open gathering spaces, exposed ceiling piping and wiring, and beautiful wooded views make it feel less formal and easy to navigate. Energy-efficient features such as motion-censored lighting, a variable HVAC system, a green roof, and water-bottle refillers reduce our footprint and teach students about environmental responsibility.

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In Depth

“I am most looking forward to using the rooftop ‘classroom in the sky’ to learn in a different environment. The possibilities seem endless!”

-Ellie, Grade 8

This new facility is transforming the learning experiences we offer not only Middle Schoolers, but also younger students who spend time in the building. Larger, more spacious classrooms provide the physical space to introduce new projects and ways of learning, and to group students for greater instructional differentiation.

In state-of-the-art science labs – which are used by grades 3-8 – students have the space, tools, and equipment to participate in sophisticated experiments. Designed based on standards and guidance from the National Science Teachers Association, the spacious labs allow for instruction at the front of the room and collaboration and experimentation at the back.

Prep rooms between each lab provide dedicated space for teachers to prepare and store materials, creating an uncluttered and focused learning environment for the students. Look up at the ceiling in one of the labs, and you’ll see an amazingly realistic image of an astronaut working on the space station.

With writable walls, a 3-D printer, and movable furniture, the building’s Innovation Lab encourages students to dream, ponder, create, and think in new ways. For example, our newspaper staff will use the writable wall to map upcoming layouts for the paper, while eighth-grade French students recently brainstormed ideas for a story on the wall.

One of the most unique features of the new building is its “classroom in the sky.” This outdoor rooftop learning space is equipped with chalkboards and benches, providing students of all ages with an opportunity to learn outside the walls of a traditional classroom. On a nice day, you’ll find student artists working on landscapes, young musicians practicing their string instruments, or budding scientists studying the sun from this amazing outdoor area.

Since teachers and students can simply walk across the hallway to another classroom – rather than across campus – the building also offers more opportunities for collaboration and cross-curricular projects between subject areas. This emphasis on interdisciplinary connections makes

Key Features of the Middle School • State-of-the-art science labs and prep areas • Rooftop “classroom in the sky” • Innovation lab • Energy-efficient features • 28,000 square feet of dedicated space • Student commons area • Ample gathering spaces

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In Depth continued from previous page it easier to tie science, technology, engineering, art, and math into our Odyssey of the Mind programming elective or to combine science and language arts for the seventh-grade Energy Day Summit later this year, for example.

Our new Middle School is transforming our academic program to be sure, but it is also impacting the social and emotional development of our students as well. As I walk through the wide, locker-lined hallways, I’m struck by the many positive interactions I witness. By having our Middle School housed under one roof, we have created a greater sense of community, a stronger identity for the Middle School, and more organic opportunities for student and teacher interactions.

The many gathering spaces – including the beautiful student commons which is furnished with comfortable chairs and sofas – provide places for students to collaborate on projects, receive small-group instruction, or just relax and socialize. Ample project rooms allow for social studies and language arts classes to divide into breakout groups for peer reviews. And the building offers dedicated space for students to participate in ongoing mentorship programs between grade levels, such as our Big Buddy program between eighth-graders and kindergartners which develops valuable leadership skills.

WATCH the Middle School building come to life at http://vimeo.com/102692962.

Because the Middle School building was designed with flexibility in mind, allowing it to grow and adapt as best teaching practices in the 21st century change, it will dramatically impact the lives of Langley Middle Schoolers for generations to come. We are thrilled with our new home!

“When I walked into the science lab for the first time and saw the astronaut image on the ceiling, I thought it was really inspiring because it gave me perspective on how science can help in the real world.” -Reilly, Grade 8 4

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In Depth

“All of the gathering spaces provide places to concentrate on what you are doing without major distractions. The student commons area allows us to bond and develop friendships.”

-Chanz, Grade 6

Langley Receives $1 Million Middle School Gift from Past Parent Beano Solomon Langley is pleased to announce that past parent and past Board of Trustees member Elizabeth “Beano” Solomon donated $1 million to the Middle School campaign this fall. Beano’s generous and unexpected gift rounds out Langley’s most successful campaign ever and reflects her deep appreciation for our Middle School program.

“Langley was a wonderful, wonderful school for my daughter,” says Beano, whose daughter, Virginia, graduated from the school in 1995.

“She was given a great foundation.

Virginia got nothing but caring attention from Langley teachers – they all walked the extra mile for her.”

Beano joined the Langley community in 1985 when she enrolled Virginia in junior kindergarten.

During her 10 years as a Langley parent, she volunteered in a number of different capacities which included serving on the Board of Trustees and co-chairing two auction fundraisers, including the school’s 50th anniversary Gold Ball in 1992. She also made the largest gift in school history at the time to Langley’s new athletic center which opened in 2001 and now bears her name.

Head of School Elinor Scully. “It’s clear that she cares deeply about Langley and to this day values the impact the school had on her daughter. She clearly understands the formative and transformational nature of preschool to eighth grade education. Beano’s generosity bridges the gap between our past and our future, and ensures that Langley will continue to thrive in the years to come.”

“We are so grateful to Beano for all that she has contributed to the school over the last 30 years,” says

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langley

In Depth

Dedicating The Doris Earl Cottam Middle School

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n September 27, The Langley School officially dedicated the Doris Earl Cottam Middle School building, named in honor of Langley’s for-

mer head of school whose vision and leadership helped make the building a reality. Hundreds of Langley community members, both past and present, attended the dedication to honor Doris and to celebrate the opening of this amazing new facility.

During her 13 years as head of school (2000-2013), Doris transformed The Langley School financially, strategically, programmatically, and culturally into a professional, sustainable model for the 21st century – all while embracing and maintaining the school’s community-based roots.

Under Doris’ leadership, Langley completed two strategic plans; developed the Community Contract; reached the largest enrollment in school history; secured solid financial footing; dramatically improved campus facilities by opening three new buildings and a turf field; and developed an innovative, global curriculum. But her true legacy is the inclusive, welcoming, and childcentered environment she fostered at Langley.

Our magnificent Middle School building bears Doris’ name in honor of her contributions to Langley and to the independent school world over the course of her 30-year career in education.

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In Depth

“This Middle School building is the

result of the hopes, dreams, and hard work of many people over a number of years. It took strategic planners, Board members, and past and present community members to make this building a reality. Most of the people involved will never have their own children as students in this building. They helped because of their belief in what Langley does for children, their pride in being part of the Langley community, and their hopes for the students of the future.�

-Doris Cottam

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graduation Class of 2014

“I believe Langley has given me the skills to put together the puzzle of my future. I’m so happy to have had the opportunities Langley has given me.” -Sarah Parks ’14

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graduation

Class of 2014

Class of 2014 High School Choices Members of the Class of 2014 were accepted at the following high schools. Asterisks indicate the schools our graduates are attending this fall.

The Academy of the Holy Cross Bishop Ireton High School Bishop O’Connell High School* Bullis School* Choate Rosemary Hall Connelly School of the Holy Child Dominion Christian School* Duke Ellington School of the Arts* Emma Willard School* Episcopal High School The Field School* Flint Hill School* Georgetown Day School*

Georgetown Preparatory School* Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School Gonzaga College High School* H-B Woodlawn Secondary Program* Holton-Arms School* Landon School* Langley High School* The Madeira School* Maret School* Mercersburg Academy* National Cathedral School* Oakcrest School

The Potomac School* St. Albans School St. Andrew’s Episcopal School* St. Anselm’s Abbey School* St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School* Sidwell Friends School Stone Ridge School The Taft School The Thacher School* Washington-Lee High School – IB Program Yorktown High School*

CLASS OF 2014

Outplacement # of high schools offering acceptances

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# of high schools our students are attending

24

# of students attending the following types of schools: Independent day Boarding Parochial Public

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graduation

Class of 2014 In Their Own Words “Langley has taught me how to be my own person and stay true to who I am.”

-Katie Warner ’14 “The best thing Langley has provided is its sense of community. Feeling like I’m a part of something has really built my self-confidence and social skills. Plus, Langley has allowed me to do and try so much.”

-Ethan Kallett ’14 “Langley will always be my second home.

I have always loved Langley because of the sense of community and the lifetime friendships that are built here.”

-Hannah Razavi ’14 “Langley challenged me to step out of my comfort zone. I learned that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible.”

-Rhett Rezendes ’14 “At Langley, I was welcomed into a community of wonderful friends and faculty.”

-Lily Zarafshar ’14

Langley Lifers: The Class of 2014 included 27 “lifers” (pictured above) who attended the school since their preschool or JK years.

2014 Class Gift As their class gift to the school, members of Langley’s Class of 2014 raised more than $600 to pay for the cost of refurbishing the gazebo behind the Middle School. As part of the project, the gazebo’s roof received new shingles, a new cupola was added, and most of the benches and inside supports were replaced.

Special thanks to the newly elected class representatives for the Class of 2014, Matthew Garcia and Dina Phipps, who led this effort.

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“My Langley experience has been so much more than just schooling. It has been my childhood – my first impression dealing with hard classes, making friends, and learning to be the best person I can be, both academically and as a person.”

-Will Soobert ’14 “Langley has prepared me for high school and so much more. I am confident enough to ask questions and I know how to support my answers.” -Allison Franke ’14 “My Langley experience was great. I learned, made friendships, and grew as a person. I have a great education under my belt that I will use in the future.”

-Jamie Keeler ’14 “Langley has challenged me to explore myself and the world around me. It has inspired me to grow both as a student and as a person.” -Suzan Michalski ’14

arts in Action Grade 1-2 Musical Explores Cultures

On May 29, more than 100 students in first and second grade presented their annual musical, “Our Wonderful World,” which included songs and dances from nine countries around the world.

Langley Hosts First Art Show For five days in May, Langley’s Art Department transformed the Solomon Athletic Center Lower Gym into a beautiful art gallery. Langley’s first-ever school-wide art show featured artwork from every student from preschool to eighth grade. Titled “How We Got Here! A Journey Through the Creative Process,” the art show highlighted not only the beautiful artwork, but also the process in which it was created.

Middle School Students Compete in Music Festival Nearly 80 Langley Middle School musicians traveled to Philadelphia, PA, to compete in the Music in the Parks Festival last May. Our students earned the festival’s prestigious Esprit de Corps Award which is given to the school that displays the most courtesy, politeness, teamwork, and good behavior.

Langley also won this coveted award in 2012.

Kindergarten Presents “Timid Little Tigers” On May 9, kindergarten students presented their performance of “The Timid Little Tigers,” a musical tale featuring 15 songs and choreographed dances.

In the competition, Langley’s Symphonic Band received a rating of “Excellent,” while our grade 7 and 8 chorus won first place in their category with a rating of “Good.” For the first time, our Middle School strings players participated in the competition, earning first place and a “Good” rating. the langley school experience

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campus Happenings Langley Shines in National Science Competition Last spring, Langley sixth-graders Jillian Johnson, Narayan Kini, and Ginger Myers placed third, fourth, and fifth, respectively, in the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Virtual Science Fair. Their projects were chosen as winning entries out of more than 400 projects submitted from Middle School students nationwide and in American schools around the world.

All of Langley’s sixth-graders competed in the mid-Atlantic competition of the Virtual Science Fair, with five of them advancing to the national level.

The average score of the projects at this year’s mid-Atlantic competition was 71 percent; as a whole, Langley student projects earned a 73 percent average.

This is an annual competition intended to help students develop science, technology, engineering, and math skills. Projects are assessed for scientific rigor, depth of knowledge and research, creativity, and presentation quality.

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Argentinean Cultural Exchange A group of more than 30 middle school boys from Rosario, Argentina, visited campus on April 14 for cultural exchange activities with the eighth grade and a friendly soccer game against our boys’ varsity team.

Langley played hard, but fell 4-1 to the talented team from Argentina.

Henry Cole Returns to Langley Henry Cole – author, illustrator, and former Langley science teacher – returned to campus on April 4 for a series of assemblies for students in grades K-8. During his presentations, Mr. Cole told the students how his love for drawing and nature motivated him to become a science teacher and an illustrator. He also worked with the fifth grade language arts classes on the picture-book stories they created.

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Happenings

Langley Welcomes Guest Author Jane Kurtz Author Jane Kurtz visited Langley in late April to share her experiences as a writer and to conduct writing workshops with students in grades 3-5 which emphasized the importance of memory, observation, and research when writing fiction.

Third Grade Brings American History to Life

On April 17, Langley third-graders presented “Snapshots of American History,” a performance focusing on America’s history beginning with Jamestown and ending with the American Revolution. Together, the students read about and researched early-American Colonies, causes of the American Revolution, and the war itself.

Students Excel in National Language Awards

Sixth Grade Leads e-Waste Project Throughout the spring, Langley sixth-graders educated the school community about the negative impacts of throwing away or improperly recycling electronic waste (e-waste). This science, technology, and service project culminated with an e-waste recycling drive during which students collected more than 130 items to be taken to an e-steward recycling center where useful elements can be safely recycled.

Students in grades 6-8 who participated in the national French contest, “Le Grand Concours,” last spring made Langley proud, earning six bronze national medals. Seven French students earned a top-five ranking in their local chapter. Langley’s Spanish students in grades 7 and 8 who took the National Spanish Exam online also performed very well, with two gold, 13 silver, and 11 bronze medals.

Fourth Grade Tours the World After each researching a particular country and creating a unique topographic model, fourthgraders celebrated cultures around the world during their “Tour of the World” event and international banquet on May 6.

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Happenings

Science Teacher Ryan McKinney Named State-Level Finalist for National Teaching Award Langley science teacher Ryan McKinney was chosen as one of three state-level finalists in the 2014 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching Program based on outstanding performance in the classroom and his contribution to science education.

Mr. McKinney, who also serves as Langley’s Science Department head, was nominated for the award by a colleague and a student last winter. As part of the application process, he prepared and submitted sample units, lessons, and videos of his classes, including a unit on global climate change in which his students designed their own experiments demonstrating the greenhouse effect. He will be recognized during an awards ceremony at the annual conference of the Virginia Association of Science Teachers in November in Roanoke, VA.

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spring 2015. Awardees will receive $10,000 from the National Science Foundation along with the opportunity to spend a week in Washington, DC, with the 49 other winners from each state for meetings with leaders in government and education, sessions to share ideas and teaching experiences, and receptions and banquets to honor recipients.

As a state-level finalist, Mr. McKinney will now compete for the prestigious national Presidential Award which is given to one science teacher from each state.

A National Science Foundation selection committee will review the applications and announce winners in

“When I was a sophomore at The College of William & Mary, my mineralogy professor shared Mahatma Ghandi’s ‘Be the change you want to see in the world’ quote with me,” says Mr. McKinney. “As I accumulated more knowledge about our planet, I began to feel that science was an objective process and tool that could help humans understand and love the Earth.

To this day, my mission as a teacher, and as a member of society, is to put my passion, talents, and gifts into teaching science with purpose, so that students are motivated to make positive changes in our world.

This award helps me feel confident that I am hitting the mark and doing what I set out to do when I chose teaching as a career.”

Field Day Promotes Teamwork

16th Annual Langley Cricket Match

On May 23, students in grades 1-8 joined together in teams for a favorite end-of-year tradition – Field Day. Kindergartners also enjoyed a morning dedicated to teamwork and fitness during their Field Day in early May.

On May 13, fifthgraders took part in a springtime tradition – the OxfordCambridge cricket challenge. The event not only teaches students the finer points of the game of cricket, but also provides them with valuable life lessons in sportsmanship, honesty, and respect for other cultures.

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sports Spotlight Winter/Spring 2014 Sports Recap Girls’ Varsity Basketball The girls had an incredible season, relying on a strong de-

fense to lead them to a three seed in the CAC tournament. Matched against undefeated Westminster in the championship, Langley surrendered two baskets in the final 30 seconds to finish second place.

Boys’ Varsity Basketball Langley finished the season with a 6-6 record, earning

second place in the west division after some solid wins, including an exciting victory over Norwood.

The boys entered the CAC tournament as the second seed, but fell to Green Acres in the quarterfinals.

Girls’ JV Basketball Langley’s JV girls had a fantastic season and went 9-1 overall, with an undefeated regular season and only one tough loss to Woods Academy in the CAC tournament finals.

Boys’ JV Basketball The boys’ JV team enjoyed a great season, finishing with a 5-5 overall record. In the tournament, Langley lost a close game in the semifinals, but topped Norwood in the consolation game to finish in third place.

Girls’ Varsity Softball

Girls’ Lacrosse

Girls’ JV Softball

Track & Field

Langley finished the season undefeated, and made it into the championship game of the tournament where they topped Woods Academy 7-6 in nine innings.

The JV softball team went undefeated this year, finishing 4-0 in the regular season and 2-0 in the tournament.

Boys’ Lacrosse

Langley finished the season with a 2-2-1 record. The season opened with a memorable tie game against Loudoun Country Day in which Langley fought back from a five-point deficit in the final minutes.

With a 5-1 record, Langley’s only loss took place in a very close game in which their competitors snuck in the winning goal in the final 30 seconds.

Langley hosted three track & field meets, including the CAC meet on April 28 in which Langley placed first overall to earn the school’s ninth title in the last 11 years.

Tennis

Langley’s coed tennis team played a total of three matches, with an exciting draw against Potomac and tough losses to Loudoun Country Day and St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes.

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faculty/staff Notes Langley Remembers Pat Bush On April 16, more than 80 people gathered in the library to honor the life and legacy of Pat Bush, Langley’s beloved former librarian who passed away in fall 2013. Betty Brown and Doris Cottam, former heads of school, were on hand for this special event which drew parents and faculty from throughout Langley’s past. Pat’s daughter, Karen Bush ’73, was also in attendance.

Pat was a truly significant part of the Langley community for 45 years, serving as a parent volunteer in the library in the 1960s and then as the school’s first paid head librarian for 16 years. She continued to work in the library in various capacities until her retirement in 2008 at age 85. In 1992, Langley paid permanent tribute to Pat’s contributions by naming the school’s library in her honor.

Meet Langley’s New Director of Enrollment Management This summer, Langley welcomed Ayesha Flaherty to the administrative team as the school’s new director of enrollment management.

In this role, Ayesha oversees all aspects of Langley’s recruitment, retention, and marketing efforts.

Most recently, Ayesha spent 12 years at CEB (Corporate Executive Board) in a variety of account management and marketing roles focused on client relations, building strong marketing programs, and establishing CEB’s brand identity.

She also spent three years as a communications and change management consultant at a major HR management consulting firm. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree from Northwestern University.

Pictured from left: Valerie Mars ’73, Karen Bush ’73 (Pat’s daughter), and Virginia Mars (former Langley parent) at the memorial event on April 16.

Francie Wharen Retires

On May 22, The Langley School hosted a retirement celebration for Francie Wharen who retired in June after a 14-year teaching career at Langley. From 2000-2014, Francie served as an art assistant teacher and then as a junior kindergarten teacher in the Primary School. She touched the lives of countless students with her creativity, kindness, and joy for teaching. Thank you, Francie!

Ayesha is excited to combine her communications and branding skills with her passion for education. Born in England and with family spread across the globe, she loves to travel. In addition, Ayesha enjoys spending time with her two young boys, one of whom is currently a junior kindergarten student at Langley.

Pictured from left: Head of Primary School Leslie Hettinger, Francie Wharen, and Head of School Elinor Scully.

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development Update 100% of Faculty/Staff Donate to The Langley Fund The Langley Fund is off to a great start once again for the 2014-2015 school year! The faculty and staff reached 100 percent participation in just one week. This includes all 130 members, from bus drivers and the facilities crew to teachers and administrators. In addition, our faculty and staff set the bar high by contributing 20 percent more than they did last year! It truly is incredible to see how dedicated they are to our children and the school.

The Langley Fund – our annual fund that bridges the gap between tuition and the cost of a Langley education – touches every student, every teacher, every family, every day. We need your support to meet Langley’s goals!

OUR GOAL

Dollars: $665,000

Ways to Give • ONLINE Give online on your computer or smartphone with a credit card or Paypal. Log on to www.langleyschool.org and click “Donate Now.”

• MAIL Send a check or credit card information using the enclosed envelope.

• PHONE Call Nora Saunders in the Development Office at (703) 356-1920, ext. 871 to make a donation by phone.

Parent Participation: 93%

2014 Sponsors Decorations and Centerpiece Sponsor Wydler Brothers

Wine Sponsors Lisa Fischer K&S Management and Supply, Inc. Kevin and Karen O’Shea

Langley Friend Sponsors Fairfax Food Service & Caterers Tom and Karen Frana

Faculty Friend Sponsors Brian and Cathy Bernasek Brian Christensen and Martina Schowitz Tim and Fizzah Gocke Jim Hermens and Cindy Finks Michael and Elizabeth Keeler Satish Kini and Jennifer Choi Ross Leckow and Margaux Polanski Ed Meehan and Michelle Fontaine Jon Merril and Rita Roy Barbara Potter

Spring Fundraiser Raises Over $200,000 On Saturday, May 3, 250 parents, faculty, staff, and friends were greeted by African drummers as they arrived on campus and were then transported to far-away Africa (a.k.a. the Sherman Arts Center) for the school’s annual spring fundraiser, “Safari Under the Stars.”

The dinner and live auction event was spectacular, raising more than $200,000. Parents, faculty, and staff raised their paddles high during the “Raise the Paddle” portion of the live auction, with an extraordinary $100,000 raised for Langley’s faculty professional development.

Led by Co-Chairs Shelly Breslin and Erin Seale, the “Safari Under the Stars” volunteer committee worked tirelessly to make this event a huge success.

We thank these dedicated parents and the entire Langley community for your generous support.

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alumni News

Class of 2010 Reunion: On May 27, members of Langley’s Class of 2010 gathered on campus for their four-year reunion.

Alumni, along with parents and teachers, met in the Sherman Cafe to catch up and reconnect before heading off to college this fall.

Class of 2010 Colleges Members of Langley’s Class of 2010 are attending a wide variety of colleges and universities this fall, including the following: Boston University Clemson University College of William & Mary Dalhousie University Davidson College Elon University George Washington University Hofstra University Indiana University Miami University (Ohio) New York University School of the Art Institute of Chicago Syracuse University University of Virginia Virginia Tech Washington University in St. Louis Wellesley College Yale University

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alumni

News

Peyton Marshall ’87 I magine a world in the nottoo-distant future when DNA testing reveals predispositions to crime and violence, a world in which young boys with these genetic markers are involuntarily placed in “goodhouses” and reprogrammed to eradicate their criminal thoughts and behaviors.

This is the dystopian setting of Peyton Marshall’s powerful first novel, Goodhouse, which was released this fall to rave reviews.

alumni profile

The many scientific advancements in DNA testing today sparked Peyton’s idea for this thought-provoking story which is written through the eyes of its 17-year-old narrator, James, a student at a goodhouse. “I believe in the science, but not always in the interpretation of it,” Peyton says. “I wanted to explore what would happen if society had all the answers. If we were labeled with genetic markers, how would we conceive of ourselves and identify ourselves?”

The process of writing Goodhouse took Peyton nearly eight years, as she built its characters and researched real-life reform schools to better understand how society has handled juvenile delinquents throughout history. Although it was intimidating to write a book from a young man’s perspective, she found James’ voice and drew inspiration from firsthand accounts and memoires from places such as the Preston School of Industry in California.

Even though Peyton has loved to write since her Langley days,

it wasn’t until she attended graduate school at the University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop – where she earned a master’s degree in fine arts in 2000 – that she seriously thought of writing a novel. “I had written a number of short stories and essays that were published, but no one can really teach you how to write a novel,” she says, noting that her first attempt took five years and resulted in a failed project.

“I had this idea for the Goodhouse storyline that wouldn’t leave me alone, so I just started writing.”

One of the biggest challenges for Peyton was finding the stamina to push through the long and often tedious process of writing a novel. While working on Goodhouse, she became a mother to a set of twins and continued her long-time hobby of remodeling Craftsman houses, finding chunks of time to write when she could.

With the help of a good agent and editor – and thanks to the unique and compelling story she created – Peyton had little trouble selling the book to a publisher.

After graduating from The Madeira School and earning her undergraduate degree in English from Reed College in Oregon, Peyton dabbled in screenwriting, ran a house-cleaning service, and played bass and guitar in an all-girl punk band before coming to the realization that writing could be her career. “My love for writing came out of my love for reading. As a child, the worlds I accessed through books often felt more real than the world I lived in,” she says. “I’ve always been a writer; I just couldn’t call it my full-time job until recently.”

Peyton Marshall’s 14-city book tour this fall brought her to Washington, DC, for a reading at Kramerbooks. During her stay in her hometown, she stopped by Langley for a visit with our Middle School students.

Peyton still remembers a defining moment in Ruth Glass’ sixth-grade class at Langley. During a creative writing unit, she was asked to write and illustrate a short story. “It was the first time I wrote something that completely consumed me, and it was transformational,” she says, adding that she still has the story in her possession.

“That assignment was the first spark that ignited my love of writing which is why Langley holds a special place in my heart.”

During Peyton’s seven formative years at Langley, she enjoyed everything from playing the recorder and going to library hour to attending the annual Langley fair and dissecting a squid in science class. Caring teachers, plentiful resources, one-on-one attention in the classroom, and good friends headlined her Langley experience. In fact, she accidently reconnected with classmate Eleanor Brown ’87, who is also an author, when Eleanor happened to be doing a book signing Peyton attended.

So will there be a second novel in the works? “I’ll always keep writing, no matter what, whether it’s a novel or something else,” Peyton says. But if early reviews of Goodhouse are any indication, publishers will be anxious to share another Peyton Marshall novel with the world soon.

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alumni

News

Class Notes To submit your notes and photos, log on to the alumni section of www.langleyschool.org or e-mail Nora Saunders at nmsaunders@langleyschool.org.

1997

2004

James Rohrbach, who graduated from Yale University, was married over Labor Day weekend in New Haven, CT.

Jeffrey Schneider completed a two-year term as a laboratory research assistant with Georgetown’s Lombardi Cancer Research Center. In July, he began his first year as an M.D./Ph.D. candidate at the New York University School of Medicine where he will join Langley classmate Brendan Zotter ’04.

2000 Kelly Halpin became the first woman to complete the Grand Teton Triathalon in July. The mission was to bike 21 miles from Jackson,WY, to Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park, swim 1.3 miles across the lake, summit the Grand Teton, descend, then swim back across the lake and bike back to Jackson using only human power.

2001 Andrew Rohrbach recently graduated from Harvard Law School and is working for the chief judge of the First Circuit Court of Appeals.

2002 Alexandra Burke, who lives in New York City, accepted a job as an associate designer for Ralph Lauren in their children’s wear division. Previously, she worked at Anne Klein.

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the langley school experience

2006 Luke Montoni works in corporate finance at MAXIMUS Inc. in Reston,VA. He has also worked at MFS Investments.

Allison Schneider graduated from Vassar College last spring with a degree in cognitive science and a correlate in education. She now moves on to a two-year fellowship in translational developmental neuroscience in the Yale Autism Program sponsored by the Child Development Center at Yale University.

2008 Delia Maresco currently attends Virginia Tech where she plays women’s soccer. She is proud of the fact that her team made it to the NCAA Division I College Cup (final four) for the first time in school history. Delia is currently in Switzerland for a study abroad program and is looking forward to weekend trips to Cinque Terra and Barcelona.

alumni

2010

News

Mary Sheers attends the University of Virginia as an Echols Scholar and Jefferson Scholar.

Nina Chadab has been volunteering at Saint Luke’s and Alexandria hospitals. She attends Hofstra University as a freshman.

Arianna Copito graduated from The Madeira School last spring and now attends Indiana University. She has worked as an intern for Senator John McCain, ABC News, and the Connection newspaper.

Sarah Ing played soccer, softball, and basketball during her four years at National Cathedral School, but made her biggest mark in softball where she was the D.C. Gatorade Player of the Year for two consecutive years. Her outstanding pitching produced 80 strikeouts in 45 innings pitched.

Sarah has also served as an intern for Congressman Peter Roskam and POLITICO. She is in her first year at Davidson College.

Maia Tobias is in her freshman year at the College of William & Mary. Her interests include Chinese history, the French language, playing flute and piano, and origami.

2011 Josh Copito is playing varsity football and varsity rugby during his senior year at Landon School.

Katharine Jiang, a senior at The Madeira School, founded a nonprofit organization called the CLIPUS Foundation which provides students with school supplies. She has partnered with Langley in a toner/printer cartridge donation program, collecting around 200 cartridges which help provide 20 elementary students with backpacks and school supplies.

Annelise Kollevoll graduated “cum laude” from The Baylor School in Chattanooga,TN, and began her first year at the University of Virginia this fall.

2013

Ilina Mitra served as vice president of the student government during her senior year at National Cathedral School and still enjoys playing tennis. She is now a freshman at Wellesley College in Massachusetts.

Gracie Leisenring is a sophomore at Episcopal High School where she continues to pursue her interest in the arts through ceramics classes and also serves as a member of the yearbook staff.

Moriah Ratner is studying photojournalism during her first year at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. She enjoys travel, spending six weeks in Israel and 10 days in Cambodia during the last few years.

Elliot Yim was accepted into the Global Perspective & Citizenship Progam at The Potomac School where he is a sophomore.

A Look Back:

60 Years Ago at Langley…

1954

Sixty years ago, in , Langley purchased a five-acre tract of land on Balls Hill Road (at the site of the current campus) to build its own facility which opened in 1955 and contained five classrooms for nursery through grade 3, a library, a teachers’ room, and two offices.

Prior to purchasing this land, the school held classes in the Laughlin House, a large Victorian home in the center of McLean.

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The Langley School 1411 Balls Hill Road McLean, VA 22101-3415 www.langleyschool.org (703) 356-1920

What’s Happening at Langley?

Don’t miss these upcoming events on campus this fall:

November 13-15: Middle School Fall Show,

“The Canterville Ghost”

November 14: Admission Information Session November 25: Grandparents & Special Friends Day December 9-10: Book Fair December 10: Admission Information Session December 11: Middle School Holiday Concert December 18: Lower School Holiday Concert For a complete schedule of Langley events, visit our online calendar at www.langleyschool.org.

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