Fostering Friendships Across Grade Levels
Celebrating 40 Years of the Buddy Program
Dear Langley friends...
After a cold and snowy winter, it’s wonderful to see the trees and flowers coming to life again on our campus this spring. No matter the weather, our classrooms are full of life all year long and it’s thrilling to witness the joyful learning happening every day. We’ve had a busy fall and winter at Langley, filled with cherished community events like the 70th annual fair and Grandparents & Special Friends Day, along with countless student field trips, concerts, plays, assemblies, guest speakers, and athletic events.
Across every subject, Langley’s dynamic, inquiry-based curriculum teaches our students how to question, analyze, think critically, collaborate, and solve problems. Nowhere are these skills more evident than in our science curriculum. In this issue, we highlight our outstanding science program which prepares students to think like scientists and use their knowledge to positively impact the world. See page 2 for an in-depth look at how our expert science teachers are helping students in grades 3-8 build key skills that will serve them well in any discipline.
This year also marks a special milestone for our muchloved buddy program. In 1984, Langley began pairing kindergarten students with an eighth-grade buddy in order to bridge connections across grade levels. Forty years later, the buddy program is going strong and continues to provide memorable opportunities for leadership and friendship. Learn more about how we celebrated this anniversary on page 8.
As part of our strategic priority to serve our world, Langley continues to weave opportunities for service learning into our curriculum. As you’ll see on page 10, we’ve expanded the program this year, with each grade level joining with a community partner to address a need such as food insecurity or natural disaster relief. It’s been wonderful to see students of all ages taking ownership of their grade-level service projects while building their understanding and compassion.
I’m also pleased to share that we installed an upgraded turf field this winter (see page 14) which features an organic infill, as well as a branded logo. Students are already seeing
the benefits of improved consistency and performance as they enjoy the field daily for recess, P.E., and spring sports. Special thanks to our Turf Team families who helped fund this important campus resource.
Past and current students, parents, and faculty alike will enjoy reading the moving piece on page 19 written by Brooke Lecky Supple from Langley’s Class of 1984. After celebrating her class’ 40th reunion this fall, she shares her memories of her childhood days at Langley and what it was like to reconnect with her classmates. The bond these alumni share after four decades apart reflects the unique impact Langley has had on generations of students.
Finally, I want to acknowledge the passing of Betty Brown, our former head of school who played a vital role in shaping Langley into who we are today. During her three decades at Langley, she worked tirelessly to ensure students received the best learning experience possible. Her impact was profound, and I am honored to have had the opportunity to know her. For more on Betty’s legacy, see page 12.
My best wishes for a wonderful spring, and I hope to see you on campus soon!
Warmly,
Michele Claeys Head of School
Michele Claeys with former head of school, Betty Brown, at a Langley event in 2022. Betty passed away in February at age 96.
Thinking Like a Scientist
How Langley’s Science Program Prepares Students for a World
in Need of Solutions
Whether developing a vaccine, harnessing renewable sources of energy, preserving food, or forecasting the weather, science is everywhere and impacts nearly every facet of our lives. Now more than ever, our world looks to science for the discoveries, innovations, and solutions needed to sustain our planet and improve our quality of life.
Because the children of today will become the leaders of tomorrow who are tasked with addressing the issues facing our world, Langley’s Science Department strives to provide every student with the tools they need to become scientifically literate, responsible citizens who can think critically and solve problems. In science class, in the lab, or in the field, our students learn so much more than memorized scientific formulas or isolated facts – they discover how to observe, explore, analyze, and learn from the world around them.
While early science and STEAM instruction, such as developing investigative skills and basic scientific concepts, occurs in preschool through second grade, dedicated time in Langley’s science labs with our expert science teachers begins in third grade. Developed using the Next Generation Science Standards as a framework, our science curriculum for grades 3-8 focuses on helping students under-
stand and apply the scientific process while inspiring them to make a difference in the world through science.
Grades 3-5
In grades 3 and 4, students spend two 50-minute periods per week in science class with Aixa Snell, who emphasizes introductory science skills such as observation, inference, collection and organization of data, and lab safety. Students move from forensic science, forces in motion, and plants in third grade to weather, sound and light, and rocketry in fourth grade. By fifth grade, they have science class three times per week with a focus on chemistry, the study of matter, and human body systems. Whether studying surface tension and evaporation by blowing giant bubbles or using magnetic slime to learn about forces and motion, Lower School scientists are constantly engaged in hands-on experiments that ignite their curiosity, foster a love of science, and prepare them for more advanced concepts in Middle School.
“Being able to teach in an actual science lab instead of a regular classroom makes a huge difference,” says Ms. Snell. “My students come into the lab and feel like they are real scientists. The physical space – and Langley’s preschool to grade 8 structure – allow us to do much more advanced science in these early grades.”
Science in Action (Grades 6-8)
GRADE 6: Science Share
For the past 15 years, Langley’s sixth-grade scientists have proudly researched and presented science projects. Although the format has changed through the years, the basic goal has remained the same. Today, sixth-graders spend three months in the late fall and early winter developing Science Share projects which they present to the entire Langley community at our STEAM Fair. After choosing a question to explore such as “Is a dog’s mouth cleaner than a human’s?” or “Does plant type affect water pollution?” students design their own procedures, collect and analyze data, develop conclusions, write abstracts, and prepare their final presentations. This in-depth, student-driven process not only teaches students how to ask and solve important questions, but also builds confidence in their ability to think like a scientist.
GRADE 7: Vegetable Car Derby
Each spring for the past 13 years, our seventh-grade scientists have used their knowledge of physics principles to design and build cars consisting entirely of fruits, vegetables, and bamboo skewers. Students consider mass, density, and shape when selecting which produce to use, and friction and sturdiness when putting their cars together. The fun begins when students test out their creations at the vegetable car derby, rolling their cars down a ramp with the goal of traveling the furthest distance. They apply design principles and engineering skills as they test and adjust their cars to achieve greater distance, perhaps swapping out a potato wheel for a lemon one. In addition to being a lot of fun, this muchanticipated project helps students practice articulating the rationale behind their design choices while problem solving.
GRADE 8: The Mystery Box
For the past decade, our eighth-grade science students have kicked off the year with a favorite project: the Mystery Box. Their task? To figure out what’s inside a wooden box with two funnels at the top and two plastic tubes at the sides which drain into two beakers. Students use the scientific method to manipulate the box to discern its contents, pouring varying amounts of water, sand, stones, oil, and other items into the beakers and observing the results. The goal is for them to present valid guesses supported by their observations as to the box’s contents. And although Ms. Kinder never reveals what’s inside, students learn the valuable lesson that science often has no clear answers. They discover how to use the scientific method to understand how something works and the importance of using careful observation and data collection to develop conclusions.
Grade 7, continued from page 3
In the winter, seventh-graders have the opportunity to pursue an area of interest through their independent science projects. Students choose whether to shadow a science professional, create a traditional science fair project, or engineer a product. Whether spending the day with a veterinarian, testing how throwing distance affects arm fatigue, or building a water wheel, these projects allow students to explore real-world applications of science while improving their investigative and presentation abilities. “At Langley, we have the flexibility and the resources to give our students opportunities to go deeper and explore their own scientific passions,” Mr. Musgrove says. “And that has a direct impact on their level of enthusiasm and excitement for science during the middle school years when students (especially girls) often begin losing interest and confidence in the subject.”
Grade 8
By the time they reach their final year at Langley, eighth-graders are given greater freedom and responsibility in the science lab. With a focus on life science, the course serves as an introduction and foundation for high school biology. Led by Deb Kinder, students study areas including toxicology, natural selection, principles of heredity and genetics, and DNA replication. “Langley gives us the freedom to adapt the curriculum so it’s fluid and relevant. I try to relate almost every unit to a current issue to demonstrate the impact science has on the real world,” says Ms. Kinder, who gives the example of tying the Flint water crisis to her toxicology unit.
Eighth-graders also take part in two interdisciplinary projects that give them opportunities to identify and solve real problems. The World Peace Game in the fall is a week-long geo-political simulation in which students explore the connectedness of the global community through the lens of economic, social, and environmental crises. In the spring, they choose a topic that
addresses global sustainability, identify the needs of those affected, develop solutions, and design a product to represent their solution which could include making sustainable clothing or biodegradable plastic bottles.
Building Skills for Life
At all grade levels, Langley’s goal is to teach our students to love and appreciate science, to understand how it affects their lives each day, to think like a scientist by constantly investigating and asking questions, and to use their knowledge for the greater good.
While we excel in teaching students the fundamentals of each scientific discipline (and our alumni tell us they feel exceptionally well prepared for their high school courses and confident in their ability to succeed in science), Langley’s science curriculum is about so much more than just the content. The lessons and skills students learn during their science classes – how to research, observe, analyze data, make evidence-based conclusions, communicate effectively, think critically and creatively, collaborate, solve problems, pay attention to detail, and persevere – will stay with
them for life and help them succeed no matter what profession they choose.
“Whether they pursue a career in the sciences or not, all students need to be scientifically literate and have a fundamental understanding of how our world works in order to become responsible citizens,” says Ms. Kinder. “My hope is that the skills our students learn through science, and the confidence they gain in their own abilities in the process, will drive them to positively impact the world.”
Meet Our Science Faculty
Langley’s highly credentialed team of expert science teachers works closely together to ensure students experience an aligned curriculum that builds upon skills learned each year. Each teacher has their own area of expertise – comprising a well-balanced team across the scientific disciplines – and is given the freedom to pursue their scientific passions within their curriculum.
Deb Kinder, Grade 8 Science
Now in her 10th year at Langley and her 39th year of teaching, Deb Kinder has taught science to both grades 3 and 8 since arriving on campus in 2015. Previously, she taught environmental science, environmental chemistry, and environmental policy in the Upper School at Friends School of Baltimore for nearly a decade and has also taught with the canoe program of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (where she first developed her love of teaching), at the Science Museum of Virginia, and at several other public and private schools.
Bill Musgrove, Grade 7 Science
Bill Musgrove joined Langley’s faculty in 2010, and has taught both first- and seventh-grade science during his 15 years here. He came to Langley following more than a decade of independent school teaching in Kensington, MD, where he taught science to students ranging from grades 1-6. Prior to teaching, Mr. Musgrove worked extensively in environmental education and outdoor adventure camp programs for grades 3-12 – experiences that first sparked his interest in teaching science.
Aixa Snell, Grades 3-5 Science
The newest member of Langley’s Science Department, Aixa Snell came to Langley in fall 2024. She brings 35 years of teaching experience, most recently working at Flint Hill School for 14 years as a teacher (ranging from grades preK-6) and department chair for both science and social studies. She has also taught at the American School of Milan (Italy) and the International School Bangkok (Thailand), and served as the associate head of the Upper Elementary School at the International School of Beijing (China). With a lifelong love of science, Ms. Snell planned to attend medical school before realizing she wanted to share her passion for learning as a teacher.
Derek Tenney, Grade 6 Science
Derek Tenney has been a member of Langley’s science faculty for the past 15 years. Since arriving at Langley in 2010, he has taught science to a wide range of age groups, including grade 1 and grades 3-6. Previously, he worked in the outdoor education field for nearly a decade, directing elementary and high school science education programs for the University of Rhode Island and the Pali Institute in Southern California. As a lab researcher in college, Mr. Tenney first discovered his passion for teaching during his summer job leading environmental studies programs for kids in North Carolina.
Campus Happenings
1. On November 26, more than 400 grandparents and special friends from around the globe came to campus for our annual Grandparents & Special Friends Day. Guests enjoyed taking part in various activities in our classrooms, such as craft projects, science experiments, or reading together.
2. During Grandparents & Special Friends Day, students of all ages presented wonderful musical performances for their guests, including an adorable turkey song by our preschoolers.
3. In the fall, students in grades 5-8 enjoyed multi-day grade-level trips off campus. Whether whitewater rafting, participating in a ropes course, testing water quality in the Potomac River, or zip-lining, these trips promoted team-building and leadership.
4. Middle Schoolers presented the classic tale, “Charlotte’s Web,” for their annual fall play in November. Forty students in grades 6-8 took part in all aspects of the production, which included a student-designed projection of Charlotte’s magical spider web.
5. Langley’s athletic teams enjoyed success in the fall and winter seasons, winning six conference championships overall. Congratulations to all of our student-athletes in soccer, volleyball, cross country, and basketball for their commitment, effort, and skill development.
6. Students and teachers displayed their creative costumes and fostered community spirit during the much-loved school-wide Halloween parade, spooky sing-along, and class parties.
7. Students in grades 3-8 showcased their musical accomplishments and ensemble skills during the Lower and Middle School winter concerts, which featured vocal, band, and strings groups.
8. On October 26, we celebrated Langley’s 70th annual fair. Originally held in the spring in the 1950s when it began, this year’s Fall Fair drew nearly 1,200 attendees for an afternoon of games, rides, raffle baskets, food, and fun.
In Their Own Words
“My buddy is really nice to me and I like to play blocks with him.”
-Hank B., Kindergartner
“As a big buddy, I have learned the responsibility of being a good role model. My little buddy is quick to pick up on whatever I do and follow suit.” -Lucy B., Eighth-Grader
“My buddy is helpful and we make crafts together.”
-Ava N., Kindergartner
“Being a big buddy has taught me to appreciate the smaller things in life such as the joy in building with blocks alongside friends.”
-Felipe G., Eighth-Grader
“My buddy is a friend and we like to build.” -Harrison P., Kindergartner
“Being a big buddy has taught me resilience and patience and how to navigate different situations as the leader.” -Ava R., Eighth-Grader
In addition to their weekly time together, buddies enjoyed these special activities this year:
1. Halloween Celebration: In addition to walking together during Langley’s Halloween parade, buddy pairs joined with their families for a special Halloween celebration with fun crafts and treats in October.
2. Food Insecurity Service Projects: Buddies partnered to combat food insecurity as part of their year-long service learning focus. They kicked off the initiative in November with big buddies reading picture books to their little buddies centered around food insecurity. In December, buddy pairs made around 450 sandwiches and 450 bags of trail mix for the local nonprofit, Martha’s Table. Buddies also collected canned goods and other non-perishable food items for their Soup-er Bowl drive in February which supported a local food pantry.
3. Phillips Collection Art Project: Langley artists in kindergarten and eighth grade (along with fourth-graders) worked with visiting educators from The Phillips Collection to create nature prints which were combined to make a largescale work of art that is currently on display at The Phillips. In February, buddy pairs enjoyed a joint field trip to the museum to see their work on display.
“My buddy is kind to me and we like to do art together.”
-Alice B., Kindergartner
“I have learned that being a big buddy is actually a really fun experience. I wasn’t sure how it was going to be going into it, but I love my little buddy!” -Hank A., Eighth-Grader
SERVICE LEARNING:
Building a Community of Service
As part of Langley’s strategic priority to serve our world, we are building meaningful service learning opportunities into the curriculum at every grade level. Whether organizing a fundraising drive to support those affected by wildfires or restoring the banks of an on-campus stream with native plants, our mission-aligned service learning program inspires students of all ages to deepen their understanding, connection, and agency within and beyond the Langley community.
After piloting the program last year with several grades, this fall every grade level chose a community issue –such as food insecurity or protecting pollinator habitats – then joined with a community partner with whom students work throughout the year.
“Service learning is integrated into the fabric of our curriculum and fosters key skills such as curiosity, empathy, self-awareness, and collaboration,” says Head of School Michele Claeys. “We actively engage students in personally relevant service activities while connecting with our neighbors, promoting respect and understanding, and giving students an age-appropriate voice throughout the process.”
Following are a few examples of just some of the service learning activities in which our students are participating this year.
Grade 6: Restoring the Dead Run Watershed
Tying into their science unit exploring water, sixth-graders are partnering with Fairfax County Water to restore the stream banks of Dead Run which flows through part of Langley’s campus. Students first worked with Fairfax County Water to test the quality of the water both in Dead Run and in taps on campus, and continued to run tests to see changes in water quality over time. Next, they began the process of “renaturing” the banks of Dead Run with two native species –Golden Ragwort and Blue Flag Iris. Students cold-stratified the seeds of these plants over the winter, and will plant them along the stream bank once they grow large enough, helping naturally aid the greater Chesapeake Bay watershed. In language arts, sixth-graders also learned about the water crisis in Mumbai, India, through their reading of the text, Thirst, by Varsha Bajaj and created digital stories to share their research on the water crisis.
Preschool: Taking Care of Our Community
Our preschool classes are joining with the McLean Police Department as they learn what it means to take care of our community. Officer Goldman of the FCPD stopped by to explain the many ways the police serve our community. After a field trip and scavenger hunt through McLean to identify community helpers, preschoolers visited a local police station. Before winter break, students worked with parent volunteers to collect 150 toys for the FCPD Santa’s Ride Toy Drive which donates toys to children in local hospitals who are unable to be home for the holidays. To thank our preschoolers for their toy donations, members of the FCPD drove through campus with motorcycles, Mrs. Claus, and other winter friends. This spring, preschoolers made and delivered a special card to thank the FCPD for all they do to keep us safe.
Grade 3: Dogs and Cats in Shelters
With a service learning focus on shelter animals, third-graders are partnering with the Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation. Students learned about stray animals by reading several books on the topic. In January, they explored the mission of the Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation, as well as how its volunteers help animals find homes, when the foundation’s executive director, Dawn Wallace, visited campus and brought along several puppies for our students to meet. Langley Math Teacher Susanna Sullivan, who volunteers at the foundation, also talked with the class and answered their questions about her work as a volunteer. This spring, third-graders are assisting the foundation and recognizing its volunteers through a variety of projects. They made thank you cards for the volunteers in art class and also made snack bags which will be delivered to volunteers along with the cards. In addition, they hope to fill Kong pet toys with treats for the foundation’s animals who are waiting for homes.
Grade 2: Protecting Pollinator Habitats
The second-grade service project focuses on collaborating with Fairfax Parks to promote planting native plants that attract and sustain pollinators. In addition to visiting a local park where they learned about native plants, students met with representatives from the Master Gardeners of Fairfax County who came to campus to share how specific native plant species and other gardening practices can help pollinators and bird populations. Second-graders then sowed seeds of native Virginia plants in milk jugs, and will monitor the seeds as they grow, transfer them into pots they decorated, and sell the plants to the Langley community. Proceeds from their plant sales – as well as from their annual Langley Flea Market in which they sold used toys, games, books, and native plant seeds – will benefit Fairfax Parks and the local efforts of the World Wildlife Fund to support pollinators. Second-graders also did their part to beautify Langley’s campus this spring during their annual planting day.
Grade 4: Helping People Affected by Natural Disasters
Fourth-graders joined with the American Red Cross to help raise nearly $2,500 for several natural disasters this year, including Hurricanes Helene and Milton and the wildfires in California. To help them learn more about extreme weather and its impacts, students used texts and online resources to research different types of extreme weather, read survival stories, and created digital books. Langley parent and trustee Ariana DiMeo also talked with students about FEMA’s emergency response and the way the agency monitors various types of disasters. Students spearheaded a coin drive in the fall which raised more than $500 to support Red Cross hurricane relief efforts in Florida and the Carolinas. Their “Lollipops for L.A.” fundraiser – in which they gave anyone who donated more than $1 a lollipop – raised more than $1,400 for those affected by the California wildfires. Fourth-graders also wrote notes of support to children impacted by the fires on cards they designed in art class. After learning about 3-D printing in technology class, they helped design a keychain that was 3-D printed and sold at Langley’s STEAM Fair, raising $485 for California wildfire relief.
Pictured clockwise from top left: Betty with her kindergarten class in 1977; enjoying time with students during her tenure as head of school; connecting Langley’s past and present at a 2008 event with Lucy Daoust and Doris Cottam, heads of school who preceded and succeeded her; posing for one of her many Langley yearbook photos.
LANGLEY VOICES: Betty Brown’s Lasting Impact
“I had the good fortune of welcoming Betty back to campus several times in recent years. Her dedication to young learners and our school community and her insight and quick wit remained steadfast, and she will be sorely missed.”
-Michele Claeys, Head of School
“A heart of gold and true ‘people person,’ Betty had a way of connecting with students, parents, faculty, staff, and alumni. Absolutely beloved by all.”
-Ashleigh Rabbitt ’90 Sekoski
“Betty hired me 32 years ago, and I am proud to be one of her few hires still left at Langley. Thank you, Betty, for believing in me and giving me my start in a very long career here!”
-Chuck Schmidt, Current Langley Band Director
“Betty was an extraordinary woman; she embodied kindness and wisdom. She modeled a love of learning for all ages and invited us to work and learn with joy.” -Maria Koropecky, Former Langley Librarian
“I was incredibly blessed to know Mrs. Brown as a child and an adult. She was my kindergarten teacher and made a huge impression on my life. As an adult, she was my neighbor, and her wisdom, kindness, and spark never diminished.”
-Peggy Reizes ’85 Evans
“Betty's dedication to incorporating fine arts into the curriculum was essential to the well-rounded education at Langley. She provided me the support and freedom to develop an extensive visual arts program for
the Lower School that focused on exploration, creativity, and art skills. Betty inspired all teachers at Langley to reach for the stars!” -Cathy Stube, Former Langley Art Teacher
“Louis and I both have many positive memories of the ways Betty helped, mentored, trusted, and humored us. She was a savvy business person; she cared about the families of her students, employees, and Board members; she could network with sensitivity; and she was a reader!”
-Jan Silvano, Former Langley Librarian
“Betty was such an amazing woman. We are all richer for having had the opportunity to share our lives with her. Her impact lives on.”
-Ann Potter, Former Langley Instructional Technologist
“The improved turf enhances safety, consistency, and performance for our student-athletes, while also boosting school spirit and pride.”
-T.J. Barnett, Athletic Director
DEVELOPMENT UPDATE:
Langley Upgrades Turf Field
In 2009, a group of Langley parents recognized the need for a turf athletic field to be used for interscholastic athletics, physical education, recess, and other outdoor activities. They formed the “Turf Team” and began fundraising in earnest to bring this critical resource to Langley. The field was dedicated to long-time athletic director Jim Gleason in honor of his 37 years of service to the school.
Over the past 15 years, Gleason Field has been well used, serving more than 1,000 students in a variety of ways. Enjoyed daily by Langley’s physical education classes and seasonally by our soccer, lacrosse, softball, and cross country teams, this multipurpose facility also hosts local youth sports on weekends.
At the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year, Head of School Michele Claeys, Assistant Head for Finance and Operations Greg Bokman, and the Facilities Committee of the Board determined it was time to refurbish Gleason Field. They formed a team that researched the latest advancements in turf fields while thoroughly reviewing every aspect of safety, quality, environmental impact, and performance. The team selected the vendor GTR Turf, who installed a new shock pad and the new turf over winter break.
In January, students began using our new state-of-the-art field which features 100 percent ecological and organic infill, replacing the crumb rubber and reducing the temperature of the synthetic surface by nearly 20 degrees
Celsius. In just the first few months, the impact of the upgraded field is evident. “The new surface of Gleason Field – which includes permanent lines and our school logo –is a strong enhancement to our athletic program,” says Athletic Director T.J. Barnett. “The improved turf enhances safety, consistency, and performance for our studentathletes, while also boosting school spirit and pride.”
“I appreciate what an incredibly thorough job the Langley administrative team did throughout the turf field replacement process,” adds Nicole Morrill, Langley trustee and Facilities Committee Chair. “The team established a subcommittee, consulted with a subject matter expert, conducted site visits at turf fields around the region, met with athletic directors, issued a competitive RFP to five different contractors, conducted interviews, and negotiated to receive the best quality service and product – all while staying under the Board-approved budget. Most importantly, the team prioritized the safety, health, and well-being of our students.”
The new turf, a $400,000 enhancement, was funded through a combination of facility reserve funds and contributions from individual families. Donors to the project will be recognized as members of the 2025 Turf Team, and will be invited to celebrate the enhanced outdoor space this spring with the inaugural 2009 Turf Team members. Two plaques will be displayed in the Solomon Athletic Center to recognize these generous Langley families.
L
Langley’s Planned Giving Program Honors Founders
In 1941, founding parents Persis Lane and Judith Glaser sketched a plan for what seemed at that time like a radical idea: a school to educate children ages three through six. One year later, joined by a group of similarly enthusiastic, dedicated parents, they opened one of the nation’s first nursery schools.
Persis Lane and Judith Glaser were visionaries, and for more than 80 years, that vision has been sustained by the generosity of thousands of families who continue to invest in Langley’s future.
“In honor of our founders, we are renaming our Legacy Society to the Lane-Glaser Society,” says Head of School Michele Claeys. “Centering their bold vision and deep commitment reminds us to always strive for the extraordinary. We are forever grateful to them and the many others who have made a lasting impact on Langley.”
LANE-GLASER SOCIETY MEMBERS
Jack and Debbie Ballinghoff
Bob+ and Betty+ Brown
Carey and Suzanne Child
Peter and Peg DiGiammarino
Robert Fifer and Nancy Catron
Warren and Cathy Gorrell
Andrew Heller
Kip ’50 and Dara Laughlin
Fred+ and Marlene Malek
Virginia Mars+
The Maxted Family
Tim and Sue Pecaro
Susan Snowdon
Elizabeth Solomon
Joel and Gayle Shafer ’85 Trotter
+deceased
Legacy Gift from Virginia Mars Continues Commitment to Faculty and Staff
This year, Langley received an extraordinary gift from the estate of past parent Virginia (Ginnie) Mars in honor of her daughter, Valerie Mars. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Valerie and her cousins, Frank and Michael, attended The Langley School. Ginnie, who passed away in September 2024, remained a steadfast supporter and generous advisor throughout the years.
Betty Brown’s Langley Legacy Continues with Betty J. Brown Endowment for Faculty Development
Betty Brown had a profound impact on Langley during her 32-year career which included serving as head of school from 1981 to 1999. Upon her retirement, the Langley community established an endowment fund for faculty development that has continued to enrich the teaching experience at Langley for more than 25 years.
Betty passed away peacefully in February and her children requested that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Betty J. Brown Endowment for Faculty Development. As members of the Lane-Glaser Society, Betty and her husband, Bob, included Langley in their estate plans which will further support her named endowed fund. To read more about Betty’s contributions to Langley, see page 12.
Anyone can become a member of the Lane-Glaser Society by confirming their bequest plans. Discover how you can build your legacy by reaching out to the Development Office at (703) 356-1920 or development@langleyschool.org. Learn more by visiting www.langleyschool.org/giving/planned-giving.
Langley students in the 1940s around the time of the school’s founding.
Langley’s Endowment Grows to $24 Million
Since 1942, The Langley School has developed students who thrive at every stage of learning and life. Our exemplary program engages students as critical thinkers, problem solvers, leaders, and culturally responsive community members.
Head of School Michele Claeys and the Board of Trustees determined that Langley’s endowment would need to grow to meaningfully support our operating budget. To change the trajectory of Langley’s endowment and ensure future stability for the school, the Board made the strategic decision to move the funds from our Board-designated reserve to the endowment, bringing this vital resource to $24 million.
“The Board recognized our investment in Langley’s endowment today, which will serve the school in perpetuity. This is an act that will have a positive impact long into the future,” says Trustee Dane Smith.
The Langley endowment is managed by a local team at Brown Advisory, a global private and independent investment management firm with 30 years of experience providing investment solutions to nonprofits. Brown Advisory manages $14 billion for nonprofit organizations and oversees $157 billion in total assets.
WHAT DOES LANGLEY’S ENDOWMENT SUPPORT?
Our $24 million endowment funds four key areas, contributing to Langley’s annual operating budget to directly impact our students’ experience.
FACULTY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Funds professional development, summer grants, and the Nancy Banks Faculty Chair grant.
PEOPLE AND PROGRAMS:
Funds competitive faculty salaries and supports our signature academic program and our newly launched service learning initiative.
Annual
Endowment
Draw
SPECIAL PROJECTS:
Funds guest performances for students and special topic speakers.
STUDENT FINANCIAL AID: Supports scholarships for families with financial need.
To learn more about Langley’s endowment and how you can secure the future of Langley, please visit www.langleyschool.org/giving/endowment or contact Head of Development Ricki Marion at rmarion@langleyschool.org.
2016
Nikki Debayo-Doherty graduated from Yale University last May with a B.A. in political science, earning distinction in her major. She was also a member of the Yale women’s soccer team. Nikki currently lives in New York – next door to her older brother, Alex ’14 – where she works as an associate in the consulting division at the market research firm, AlphaSights.
Tyler Swain graduated from Virginia Tech and is working as a government IT program manager at ALKU.
2017
Allie Boyce completed an internship with PricewaterhouseCoopers, and will return as an external audit associate in the New York office following her graduation from Bucknell University in May.
Grace Kellermann interned for Fox Sports in the Production and Talent Development Department while attending the University of Michigan.
2020
Annamaria Toth Konya Tannon is assisting with a thirdgrade English class at Lavagnini Elementary School in Florence, Italy. She’s enjoying helping young students build their language skills for the future, and is also improving her Italian along the way.
2021
Three Langley alumni are continuing to hone the musical skills they developed at Langley as part of the Washington Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, one of the region’s premiere youth orchestras. At their WMYO concert in February, Mark Hardy ’21 served as second-chair violin, Ben Kosich ’21 served as second-chair cello, and Carter Kunz ’22 served as first-chair cello.
Sending Love to Our Alumni Worldwide
In January, past parents and teachers gathered to assemble 100 Valentine-themed care packages for our alumni. Filled with sweet treats, Langleybranded socks, hand warmers, and more, these special gifts were sent to high school and college-aged alumni from McLean to Scotland in time for Valentine’s Day.
Alumni Discuss Their Use of AI with Langley Eighth-Graders
As part of our strategic priority to harness generative AI as a tool for all Langley constituencies, Chief Technology Officer Brad Lands is working with eighth-graders on how to safely and effectively use this technology. Following a training session, eighth-graders participated in a virtual meeting in November with several college-aged Langley alumni – Thor Burkhardt ’17 from Brown University, Claire Coker ’19 from Lafayette College, and Will Jarvis ’19 from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill – to learn more about how generative AI is currently being used for educational purposes. We thank these alumni for sharing their wisdom with our eighth-graders!
Join The Langley School’s Alumni Instagram (@TheLangleySchoolAlumni) and Alumni LinkedIn groups for the latest alumni news and events!
ALUMNI NEWS:
Remembering Our Childhood Class of 1984 Celebrates 40th Reunion
By Brooke Lecky ’84 Supple
Somewhere on Langley’s campus, there is a time capsule buried over 40 years ago by the Class of 1984. Filled with Langley memories, some future excavators will likely find a yearbook, a Langley Swallows t-shirt, a couple of cassette tapes from the Go-Go’s or the J. Geils Band, some legwarmers, a kickball, and other “priceless” keepsakes from the early 1980s. Fast forward to October 2024, and it felt like the Class of 1984 stepped right out of that time capsule. With a few more gray hairs, and some laugh lines, we traveled back 40 years like no time had passed.
Conceived over a reunion Zoom call during the 2020 Covid shutdown, Kirsten Banks, Karen Belevetz, and I dreamed up the idea of a 40th reunion for our Langley classmates. A few Zoom calls and Facebook posts later – with the help and support of Langley’s director of alumni relations, Peggy Evans – we created a 40th reunion celebration worthy of a place in our time capsule.
The three-day event, held in McLean in October 2024, attracted more than 25 Langley classmates from across the country and connected us, after decades, to many others
who were unable to join. People traveled from Austin, Boston, Atlanta, Durham, Philadelphia, and beyond to revisit our old stomping grounds and reminisce about field trips and the Langley Fair, ice skating, and ballroom dance classes.
Festivities started Friday night with a happy hour at the Archer Hotel where we laughed and celebrated late into the night, sharing stories and memories about teachers (Mrs. Layman, Mrs. Pascal, and Ms. Sherrick were favorites), class parties, first crushes, broken bones, and field trips to the U.S. Capitol, Lancaster County, and Wallops Island.
Saturday night, our friend and classmate, Julie Bloom Gerstel, of Windows Catering catered a delicious dinner at the beautiful McLean home of Robin Baker Crawford where the catching up and storytelling continued over wine and laughter. We talked about our own kids (many of whom are older than we were then), aging parents, family stories, and lifelong memories. We reminisced late into the night again – and many of us 54-year-olds had not seen that late of a night in years, never mind two in a row!
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During their 40th reunion weekend in October, the Class of 1984 gathered at Robin Baker Crawford’s home for dinner (pictured at left) and the Archer Hotel for a happy hour (pictured at right), in addition to enjoying a tour of campus.
The Last Word: Expanding Parent Partnership
By Anna Shiroma, Head of Primary School and Current Langley Parent
Parent partnership has been a hallmark of Langley from our founding as a co-op school more than 80 years ago. Although the role parents play has changed through the years – in the early days, parents painted buildings, weeded gardens, and even stoked furnaces! – what hasn’t changed is the powerful impact a strong partnership between parents and teachers has on children’s learning during these critical early years. When parents feel included and are given greater visibility into their child’s learning process, it helps promote a palpable sense of belonging and trust throughout the community.
With this in mind, one of Langley’s strategic priorities last year was to expand parent exposure to student learning, providing our families with more insight into our mission and what happens in our classrooms. I’m proud to say we doubled the number of meaningful opportunities our parents have to engage with our curriculum in action across grade levels through events including parent education workshops, coffees with school leaders, classroom walk-throughs, and student showcases and performances. By stacking short, intentional curriculum insights with these events, we provided families with a window into their children’s learning process, not just the polished final product.
perspectives: as school leaders and as parents. We have each facilitated events and attended them to see our own children’s learning in action.
The interest and engagement in our presentation was overwhelming. Titled “Pulling Back the Curtain: Inviting Strong Parent Partnership in School Communities,” the session attracted a standingroom-only crowd of more than 100 independent school leaders from around the country, all of them eager to learn about the tools and strategies we’re using at Langley to give parents greater visibility into their child’s learning process and grow our culture of belonging. Attendees appreciated our transparency about our challenges and our commitment to continuous improvement. It wasn’t a presentation of perfect solutions, but rather of honest, collaborative exploration.
The experience at the NAIS conference was a meaningful one for me, since much of what we shared in our presentation highlighted the wonderful community we have at Langley. Many things make Langley stand out, but the community and sense of belonging are key pieces that first drew my family and me to this special place in 2019.
Given the positive response from parents and teachers alike, several of my colleagues and I decided to share our parent partnership model with other school leaders at the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) annual conference held in Nashville this past February. Head of Middle School Emily Dutton, Head of Lower School Jessica Robinson, Director of SEL and Student Support Sarah Sumwalt, and I were excited to highlight how our efforts over the past few years have strengthened Langley’s relationship with families. Since all four of us are also current Langley parents, we offered our insights from two unique
Reflecting on our NAIS presentation, I’m filled with hope and excitement. We’re not just sharing a methodology; we’re part of a broader conversation about reimagining education and the ways we build school communities. Our journey continues, and this presentation was just one chapter. The real work happens every day in our classrooms, in our collaborative planning sessions, and in our ongoing commitment to creating learning environments that truly serve our students. The enthusiasm we encountered at NAIS reinforced something I’ve long believed: when educators come together with genuine curiosity and shared purpose, remarkable transformations become possible. L
Pictured L to R: Anna Shiroma, Jessica Robinson, Emily Dutton, and Sarah Sumwalt at the NAIS annual conference.
Where vital academics meet a deep respect for childhood Preschool through grade 8 in Northern Virginia
1411 Balls Hill Road, McLean, Virginia 22101-3415
www.langleyschool.org (703) 356-1920
Langley Reads!
Living this year’s theme, “Langley Reads,” Langley students of all ages have turned thousands of pages, explored countless stories, and embraced the joy of reading. We’re proud to see our students dive in with enthusiasm. So far this year, our students have checked out more than 16,000 books from Langley’s library! How many books do you think we’ll read by the end of the school year?
