The Langley School Experience - Summer 2021

SUMMER

2021

experience

Reflecting on the Legacy of Dr. Elinor Scully Langley Says Farewell to Head of School

In this issue 1 2

experience

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Head of School’s Message Feature Story: Reflecting on the Legacy of Dr. Elinor Scully Campus Happenings Feature Story: Getting to Know Michele Claeys Congratulations, Class of 2021!

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Langley Welcomes New Administrators

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Next Generation Campaign Moves to Next Phase

Head of School Dr. Elinor Scully

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The Layson-Briceño Family’s Enduring Impact

Editor & Designer Sharon Vipperman, Director of Marketing & Communications

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Class Notes

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Alumni Profile: Hudson Merrick ’13

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The Last Word: The Gift of SEL in Times of Challenge

is published twice a year for alumni, families, and friends of The Langley School

Where vital academics meet a deep respect for childhood Preschool through grade 8 in Northern Virginia

1411 Balls Hill Road, McLean, Virginia 22101 (703) 356-1920 www.langleyschool.org

ON THE COVER: Langley families offered a fond farewell to Head of School Elinor Scully during a carpool parade complete with balloons, confetti, signs, and a firetruck.

Head of School’s Message

Dear Langley friends...

This is a hard moment as I write my final letter to the community in the Experience magazine. After eight rewarding years at Langley, I will be ending my headship as I transition to lead the National Cathedral School. I have absolutely loved my time at Langley and feel honored and grateful for the experiences I’ve had. I’ve met teachers and staff who inspire me each and every day, students who tug at my heart in unique and special ways, and parents who have believed in me and pushed me to be a better leader.

Over the last eight years, we have made notable strides in refining our academic program and in building and shaping our REACH program. We have enrolled so many talented, passionate students, and welcomed gifted teachers to our ranks. We have overcome challenges such as the COVID-19 global pandemic and tragic losses of beloved community members. We have learned to trust each other even when we don’t see eye to eye. We have learned to open our hearts to each other in good times and hard times. And, for all of this, I am incredibly grateful.

As I depart, I wanted to share a few parting thoughts. First and foremost, you are in good hands with Michele Claeys.

She is an incredible leader who has conveyed her passion for our mission and values from her first interview. It has been such a privilege to get to know her and to pass the baton to her this summer. Langley will continue to grow and thrive under Michele’s leadership. I can’t wait to see how our curriculum expands and how our REACH program grows more robust in Primary and Lower School. I also know we will continue to expand our work on diversity, equity, and inclusion, such that we are providing students with the necessary skills to be empathic, thoughtful, and supportive community members.

I want to thank Zac Merriman, chair of the Board of Trustees, for his service to Langley over the last two complex years. His calm and steadfast thinking gave me confidence in this time of many unknowns. It has been such a privilege

to work alongside Zac, as well as former board chairs, Cathy Bernasek and Jamie Baker. It is impossible to convey how much I have learned from these dynamic leaders. Our Board of Trustees has volunteered thousands upon thouElinor with Head of Development Ricki sands of hours to support Marion at the faculty/staff appreciation lunch hosted this spring by PALS. and guide Langley. They have made our school stronger in every regard. And finally, to my administrative team who has worked with me during my tenure – you are remarkable colleagues that any head of school would be lucky to work alongside. I have learned so much from you and have never once felt lonely in this work.

Langley is a place with heart. It has changed my heart and I will carry the school with me wherever I go. I will excitedly track the school’s progress, including the opening of the exciting new Crossroads Building and the growth of Langley’s endowment (see page 16). But most of all, I look forward to hearing about our Langley students, and how they grow and develop into mature and wise teenagers and adults. I wish you all the very best in health and happiness. It has been an honor to lead this magical school.

Thank you for that privilege.

With gratitude,

Dr. Elinor Scully Head of School

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FEATURE STORY:

Reflecting on the Legacy of Dr. Elinor Scully Langley Says Farewell to Our Head of School A visionary, intentional, and passionate leader, Dr. Elinor Scully took The Langley School to new heights during her eight-year tenure as head of school. When she departs this summer to become head of school at National Cathedral School in Washington, DC, she will leave behind a remarkable legacy that positions Langley as a leading innovator in preschool to eighth grade education. Building upon Langley’s deeply rooted commitment to early childhood education, Elinor focused on impacting three key areas of school life – people, program, and place – as she brought her vision for Langley to life.

PEOPLE

Elinor’s ability to surround herself with a strong team of administrators, faculty, staff, and parent leaders was critical in moving Langley forward. Whether hiring a key member of the leadership team or a teacher, she encouraged the school to refine its hiring processes to attract and identify experts who are committed to Langley’s mission and growth mindset. Elinor also thoughtfully developed

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important new roles such as the director of social and emotional learning and the refined role of director of curriculum and instruction, and hired leading experts in those areas to help her achieve strategic goals. And the launch of an employee survey – along with research and benchmarking – provided valuable feedback to understand faculty/ staff needs and motivations, helping us continuously improve upon our internal culture.

From the Board of Trustees and the PALS Executive Committee to the Campaign Cabinet and the COVID-19 task forces, Elinor was instrumental in building strong, trusted parent volunteer groups with a strategic focus. Her ability to honestly and clearly articulate her vision and connect with parents strengthened the school-parent partnership and bolstered enthusiasm among our community of parent volunteers and donors. Her efforts to connect with Langley’s past, through events such as our 75th anniversary leadership dinner, strengthened bonds with alumni families and built a broader sense of community across generations.

Through the student advisory to the head program, Elinor connected deeply with current students as she shared her goals and listened carefully to their perspectives and advice.

Under her leadership, Langley was also able to grow enrollment and clearly define our value proposition, enabling the school to attract new students and families who align with our vision and view Langley as their first-choice school.

PROGRAM

Possibly Elinor’s most significant accomplishment during her tenure is the role she played in differentiating Langley’s program in a highly competitive school marketplace. By developing, articulating, and executing a clear vision for Langley through a three-pillar strategic plan, she has positioned the school as a respected leader in equipping young learners with the wide variety of skills they will need to navigate the world.

Recognizing the tremendous impact children’s social-emotional well-being has on their academic achievement, Elinor led the effort to develop a signature social-emotional learning program, called REACH (Raising Emotional Acuity, Cultural Responsiveness, and Healthy Behaviors), that works in tandem with our academic program. She was also instrumental in articulating the school’s Arc of Development which defines the cognitive, emotional, and social milestones that occur at each grade level, as well as our inquiry-based essential practices which create a common language for classroom instruction.

In addition, Elinor made it a priority to strengthen Langley’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)

Final Thoughts from Elinor What accomplishments are you most proud of?

I think I’m most proud of how we defined and built out our commitment to early childhood education by balancing robust academics with a unique social-emotional learning program. And we couldn’t have succeeded without the right people doing the work. I’m so proud of the dynamic group of administrators, faculty, and staff we have brought to Langley and of the culture they have helped us create.

What has been your favorite aspect of your time at Langley?

First, I want to say that my time at Langley has been the most rewarding of my professional life to date. Coming from previous experiences working at high schools, it has been an incredible opportunity for me to experience the joy of leading a preschool to grade 8 school with such a deep and abiding commitment to early education. Watching our expert faculty teach across the Arc of Development, using their rich toolkits of expertise to teach a variety of grade levels and subjects, has also been a favorite part of my time at Langley.

How have you grown personally during your years at Langley?

The biggest area of personal growth for me, in my first role as a head of school, has been discovering how to lead a team to deliver on our mission across the whole institution. I’ve learned to lead at a very high altitude, ensuring we have the right people in the right jobs and elevating the work of the entire team to meet the overall needs of the school. That’s a key skill I will take with me and draw upon again and again.

What skills and strengths do you think Michele Claeys will bring to Langley?

Michele brings the gift of an incredibly deep knowledge of and passion for preschool to grade 8 education. She’s extremely intelligent, thoughtful, and warm, and she loves kids and loves being part of a vibrant school community.

Her expert understanding of our early childhood model – along with the fresh, new perspective she brings – will benefit Langley tremendously.

What most excites you about Langley's future?

During the time that I have been at Langley, I have thought carefully about how to continue strengthening the core of what Langley has been about since its founding. That was passed on to me by former head of school, Doris Cottam, and now I am passing that legacy on to Michele Claeys.

Langley’s roots have always been strong and I know new generations will continue to build upon that foundation as they have always done. It will be exciting for me to watch as Langley gets even better at delivering its mission and preparing young children to be courageous, thoughtful people who will make the world better.

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which included appointing a DEI coordinator, dedicating additional faculty/staff professional development time to DEI work, introducing DEI-focused programming for parents, and incorporating a DEI mindset across all grade levels. Her strong belief that a diverse, inclusive community enriches the learning environment also fueled efforts to attract and retain faculty, staff, and students of color, as well as increase student financial aid from just over $1 million in 2013 to nearly $2.1 million this year.

Under Elinor’s leadership, Langley also introduced a full rebranding that identified our signature strengths; a sevenday rotating academic schedule; a new math curriculum for grades K-5 based on Singapore Math; the Marshall Method, a teacher feedback and coaching model; scheduled curricular reviews by subject area; a robust guest (or substitute) teacher program; the eighth-grade trip to New Mexico; an expanded professional development program that provides teachers with meaningful time to improve their craft; a new girls’ volleyball team; the annual Day of Giving community-wide service day; a school-wide art show; and increased focus on STEAM, including the annual STEAM Fair and intensive experiences to immerse students in STEAM activities.

When the COVID-19 pandemic began in spring 2020, Elinor’s bold, thoughtful, and decisive leadership enabled the school to continue delivering high-quality, attentive instruction in innovative ways. Recognizing how much children need the continuity, connection, and stability that school provides, she led the effort to reopen the school for in-person learning in fall 2020, collaborating with a team of task forces to privilege the health and safety of our com-

munity and develop a flexible hybrid instructional model to serve learners both on campus and at home.

PLACE

Since learning is best supported when physical spaces reflect the caliber of the program, Elinor worked to ensure Langley’s facilities continued to meet the changing needs of our students and teachers. She oversaw the opening of the Doris Cottam Middle School building in fall 2014 which provides a dedicated, age-appropriate space for students in grades 6-8 to learn and grow.

In accordance with Langley’s master plan, she led the launch of The Next Generation Campaign in 2017 to construct a new building to house our Primary School, fifth grade, library, and a multipurpose space, and double the school’s endowment from $5 million to $10 million. With a total goal of $20 million, the campaign is the largest in Langley’s history and will expand our programs and learning environment for the students of today and tomorrow.

When the pandemic postponed the project, Elinor galvanized community support to move forward with construction this summer and set a fall 2022 opening date for the new Crossroads Building.

So as Langley says farewell to Elinor this summer, we thank her for her unwavering dedication to the school and to the students, faculty, staff, and families she faithfully served over the past eight years. Perhaps former Board Chair Cathy Bernasek sums up Elinor’s legacy best: “Elinor didn’t focus on what was easy, but instead always focused on what was best and most impactful for Langley.”

Dr. Elinor Scully Scholars Fund

Aligned with Elinor’s deep belief that there should be clear pathways to a high-quality education, an endowed fund has been established in her honor – The Dr. Elinor Scully Scholars Fund. This fund provides tuition assistance and supports strategic investments to ensure a Langley education is accessible to students throughout our community.

“I am so grateful to the Board for creating this scholarship fund that is at the heart of my strong belief that every child deserves the gift of a Langley education and that different perspectives enrich the experience for all of us,” says Elinor.

To make a donation to this endowed fund, scan the QR code or visit

langleyschool.org/support-langley/endowment.

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In Their Own Words

Faculty, Staff, & Parents Reflect on Elinor’s Legacy “Through her collaborative leadership, Elinor brought clarity and precision to the heartbeat of the Langley community, putting onto paper and into strategy the values that bound our school for decades prior. What a tremendous gift to leave a school community: a sense of connection, purpose, and meaning behind the work we do with students each day.”

-Sarah Beck, Head of Lower School/Director of Curriculum & Instruction

“Elinor has been a passionate advocate of the benefits of a preschool-8 education. She understands the importance of social and emotional development of children during these academic years. As such, she supported the creation of the REACH program, expanding the student learning experience beyond academics.”

-Noelle Mendez-Villamil, PALS Chair and Langley Parent

“Elinor has modeled a commitment to excellence that is evident in our talented faculty and staff. We are inspired to pursue ongoing professional development, keep up-to-date with current research, and implement best-practice pedagogy in our classrooms every day. I will miss Elinor's thoughtful communication style, her dedication to ongoing improvements, and especially her keen sense of humor and quick wit.”

-Megan Rounsaville, Reading Specialist

“The way that Elinor carefully led the school through the COVID-19 pandemic put safety and the well-being of students and families at the forefront. During a time when many schools were not offering in-person learning, Elinor and her team found a way to balance the immediate need for caution with the long-term well-being of our students. Her approach set the bar for area schools and made me a proud parent and teacher.”

-Ryan McKinney, Science Teacher

“Elinor is one of the most gifted leaders that I have ever had the opportunity to work with in my career.

She has the unique ability to identify and celebrate the strengths of a school's culture while working to address the areas of opportunity. Elinor's clarity around her vision for Langley has established the school as one of the pre-eminent schools in the country.”

“Elinor’s leadership, mentorship, and friendship will forever have an impact on me. I have always been told that leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence. I can truly say that Elinor has made Langley a better place and has truly set the stage for me and so many others to continue to embrace her legacy.”

-Phil Petru, Assistant Head of School/Head of Primary School

-LaToya Needham, Director of Extended Day & Enrichment/ Diversity Coordinator

“Leading with determination, motivation, and heart, Elinor has fostered an environment where teachers not only advance in their work, but also feel like part of a family. I personally became a stronger and more passionate preschool teacher because of her work in creating a strong foundation of learning within the Primary School. I am thankful to have worked under a leader like Elinor and will forever feel inspired.”

“During our years (12 and counting) at Langley, we know we made the right choice for our two girls and Elinor was a big part of defining and shaping the Langley experience for them and so many other students.

Thank you, Elinor, for your leadership and your tireless efforts to strengthen and elevate Langley to the next level.”

-AnnMarie Rudd, Preschool Teacher

-I-Min Chao, Board Member and Langley Parent

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Expressing Creativity Through the Arts

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1. Nearly 40 students in grades 6-8 presented Langley’s first-ever virtual Middle School spring play, “Pandemic Pancake,” which focused on young people navigating the COVID-19 pandemic through a variety of comedic and dramatic stories.

3. In honor of Black History Month, preschoolers learned about African-American artist Maya Freelon who uses tissue paper to create collaborative works of art. Students made their own canvas, then took turns adding tissue paper to their peers’ creations.

2. During a STEAM project, fourth-graders combined engineering and art to make electrifying creations. After creating a cityscape, students then built a circuit to add a point of light to their buildings.

4. Langley musicians found creative, virtual ways to rehearse and perform this year, with grades 5-8 showcasing their musical talents during a virtual spring concert which featured chorus, band, and strings ensembles, as well as student soloists.

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Campus Happenings

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Deepening Learning & Inquiry 5. During the junior kindergarten’s Dinosaur Dig Day, students became paleontologists as they excavated fossils, created geology art, and identified life-sized dinosaur tracks around Langley.

7. In a cross-curricular language arts/social studies activity, eighth-graders participated in a mock trial of two legal cases based upon the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, serving as attorneys, parties to the suits, witnesses, and jury members.

6. As part of their study of Lewis and Clark, third-graders created replicas of Fort Mandan, the winter quarters for the Corps of Discovery, and emulated Captain Meriwether Lewis as they found specimens from nature and described them in a detailed scientific way.

8. As they investigated communities and discussed what services a community needs to be safe and fun, first-graders collaborated to build a community out of recycled materials in each classroom. Students then studied maps and used these skills to create a map of their community.

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Campus Happenings

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Keeping Traditions Alive

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1. Langley celebrated reading during the library’s annual Book Fest. Students and teachers demonstrated their love of literature by coming to school dressed as a beloved character from a favorite book.

3. Students in grades 1-8 were thrilled to take part in the cherished Langley tradition of Field Day as they rotated through a series of fun activity stations with their cohorts and enjoyed a popsicle treat.

2. This spring marked the 22nd year that Langley fifthgraders have taken part in the annual tradition of the Oxford-Cambridge cricket match which expands students’ understanding of the world and teaches them the importance of honesty, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

4. Second-grade students practiced their gardening skills while beautifying Langley’s campus during their annual spring planting in honor of Earth Day. Each cohort helped plant flowers outside the Primary School building.

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Growing Through Service 5. Our community raised more than $5,000 and collected more than 2,000 nonperishable food items for Langley’s school-wide food drive, “Give S.O.M.E. Love,” which supported the nonprofit organization, So Others Might Eat. 6. Fifth-graders on the Lower School Leadership Council organized a Kindness Campaign in which students in grades 1-5 wrote down their acts of kindness on a paper chain link to form “Kindness Chains.” This student initiative was a wonderful example of Langley’s enduring spirit of leadership, community, and kindness.

7. In March, Middle School advisory groups took part in a week of service, with each group choosing a different project to benefit the community such as donating toys to St. Jude’s. The entire Middle School also made more than 1,500 sandwiches for Martha’s Table.

8. As part of Langley’s efforts to cultivate environmental stewardship, sixth-graders shared their Earth Day projects during a virtual assembly. Students researched environmental issues and designed a prototype to help improve the negative impacts on the environment.

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FEATURE STORY:

Getting to Know Michele Claeys This summer, Langley is excited to welcome Michele Claeys as she begins her tenure as our next head of school starting July 1. She brings a wealth of leadership skills from a variety of educational settings, including most recently at the Norwood School in Bethesda, where she served as associate head of school and head of middle school. We hope this brief Q&A helps you get to know a little bit about Michele as she joins our community.

Why did you decide to enter the field of education?

My parents were both teachers, and when I was growing up, in my mind, that was always what they did, not what I would do. After college, though, I had a chance to start an arts program in a school in Managua, Nicaragua, and I was hooked. Working side-by-side with students and teachers brings me joy and fulfillment like nothing else. When I returned to the United States a few years later, I went to graduate school to study museum education and elementary education. I’ve been teaching and leading in museums and schools ever since.

What’s your proudest professional moment?

About 25 years ago, I was hired as one of the founding faculty members at a small, innovative, globally focused school in New York. Nine years later, our first graduating class headed off to college just as we completed our first accreditation process and earned the first International Credential granted to a school in the United States. I remember feeling a strong sense of collective accomplishment that fall. After nine years of hard work in “start-up” mode, we had achieved three important milestones all at once, and I had played a leadership role in all of them.

While I’ve had a number of proud moments since then and look forward to many more, that was the first big one – and a very special one – for our whole school and for me as a school leader.

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What attracted you to Langley?

The people! From the moment I stepped on campus, I have been impressed by how welcoming everybody is and especially by the sense of pride and stewardship everyone – including students – feels toward The Langley School and the wider world. I was also drawn to the powerful combination of inquiry-based learning and social-emotional learning and captivated by the evidence of these practices I saw in every classroom. Finally, Langley’s child-centered mission, focused on each child’s potential as an individual and as a member of the community, is a perfect fit with my own philosophy as an educator.

What are you most looking forward to in your new role as head of school?

Again, it’s the people! I can’t wait to get to know everybody at Langley. I love working with students and the people who help them learn and grow, including their families. I’m also eager to experience Langley’s special traditions. Leopardy?

Buddies? Fall Fair? Day of Giving? Cricket? Bring it! I am excited to support and celebrate everything that makes Langley special. Of course, I’m also looking forward to serving the whole school every day, from supporting the wonderful faculty and staff, to helping with curriculum and assessment, to exploring and guiding the connections between diversity, equity, and inclusion and social-emotional learning, to leading the completion of The Next Generation Campaign and the Crossroads Building project. I am joining The Langley School at a special moment in its history, and I am ready to get to work.

What’s your favorite vacation spot?

My favorite vacation spot is anywhere outdoors with my family. Some of our most memorable vacations have been snorkeling with green sea turtles in Akumal, Mexico; a long road trip hiking through National Parks in Colorado and Utah; hiking and birdwatching in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Guatemala; and camping in Botswana and Zimbabwe.

I would happily return to any of those spots, but also love seeing new places – all recommendations appreciated!

What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend?

A perfect weekend starts with a long run Saturday morning. After that, I love to plan and prepare a delicious meal and have people over to enjoy it. For the last decade, weekends have included watching my children at various sports matches, and I already know I’m going to miss that after next year. If I get a few uninterrupted hours to read the paper on Sunday, that’s extra special. In the months ahead, I’m looking forward to returning to movies, live theater, and professional sports on the weekends, too.

Heather McGee; Deacon King Kong by James McBride; American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins; Caste by Isabel Wilkerson; and The Art of Coaching Teams by Elena Aguilar.

What do you like most about living in the DC area?

There’s so much to like! The whole National Mall is wonderful; I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of visiting, even just to walk with my dog. My favorite museums are the National Gallery, the Museum of Natural History, the Hirshhorn, and all the sculpture gardens. My favorite memorial is the Lincoln Memorial, especially at night. (Fun fact: My great grandfather, a congressman from Wisconsin, was chair of the Committee on Expenditures on Public Buildings when Congress voted to fund its construction.) Mostly, though, I enjoy living and working with people from all over the United States and all over the world.

What is your family like?

My husband, Hugh, and I met on the Ultimate Frisbee team at the University of Michigan just over 30 years ago.

He is a science teacher (and Ultimate coach) at Maret and a volunteer curator in entomology at the Museum of Natural History. We have a hound dog, Holly, and two children: Jackson (19) is a sophomore at Northeastern University studying economics and environmental science and Linnaea (17) is a senior at Maret. We all love playing and watching sports, making and listening to music, hiking, traveling, and everything related to growing, cooking, and eating delicious food.

What’s something you’d like us to know about you?

Michele Claeys with husband, Hugh, and children, Jackson and Linnaea.

What hobbies do you enjoy?

I enjoy hobbies that stretch me physically and mentally, especially running, yoga, reading, gardening, cooking, and making art.

What books are on your nightstand right now?

My nightstand is usually overflowing with a mix of fiction and nonfiction plus a biography or two, and I tend to read a few books at once. Currently the stack includes The Great Bridge by David McCullough; The Sum of Us by

First, I want everybody to know that I welcome their questions, ideas, and input. Langley is a strong school community because of the care and commitment of many people over many years, and I want that sense of connection and belonging to continue. After that, it’s probably important to know that while I take my work as your head of school very seriously, I don’t take myself too seriously. I love to laugh and play! Lastly, you will often notice me “out and about” around school. When you see me at carpool, recess, or popping into a class, please introduce yourself and tell me what you’re doing and what you’re learning. You are my guides this year. Thank you in advance for helping me learn how to Live Langley!

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GRADUATION:

Congratulations, Class of 2021!

Langley said farewell to the 60 members of the Class of 2021 at a graduation ceremony on June 11. Although this year did not include some of the typical eighth-grade traditions due to the pandemic, it was wonderful to celebrate this final milestone with the class and their families.

We congratulate our graduates on the impressive list of high school acceptances on the following page and applaud their maturity throughout the application and selection process, especially given the unusual virtual nature of this year’s process.

We wish them well as they embark on exciting new journeys next fall!

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Class of 2021 High School Acceptances Bishop O'Connell High School Bullis School* Connelly School of the Holy Child Edmund Burke School The Field School Flint Hill School* Georgetown Day School* Georgetown Preparatory School* Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School* Gonzaga College High School* Holton-Arms School*

Landon School* Langley High School* Loomis Chaffee School The Madeira School* Maret School* McLean High School* Mercersburg Academy* National Cathedral School* Northfield Mount Hermon School The Potomac School* Sandy Spring Friends School Sidwell Friends School*

Voices from the Class of 2021: What

St. Albans School* St. Andrew's Episcopal School* St. John's College High School St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School* Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart* Tabor Academy Washington-Liberty High School* The Williston Northampton School *Asterisks indicate the schools our students will attend in the fall

I Learned at Langley

“At Langley, I learned that you don't always get what you want the first time and you should not give up on your goals.” -Aakash Hill

“Langley has prepared me by teaching me how to successfully plan out my work so that I am not overwhelmed and get everything done on time.” -Caitlin Jarvis

“Langley has taught me some really valuable skills that help me advocate for myself and take control of my own learning. The things I've learned academically are countless, and I know that they will help me in my future.”

-Katie Whitaker

“Langley has prepared me for the future by showing me how I can do my work best and most efficiently.”

-Drew Leblanc

“Langley has taught me to advocate for myself and strive for the best even if it is outside of your reach at the start.”

-Ian Ledford “Langley has prepared me by giving me a solid foundation in all my classes which will be useful in high school. Langley also reinforced many valuable lessons such as empathy, kindness, and a good work ethic.” -Charlene Harris “Langley has made me a more confident person. At the start of my Langley experience, I was very shy and a poor public speaker. Throughout my years at Langley, the teachers have taught me a lot about how to express myself, as well as how to be more confident.” -Lucas Flaherty

“Langley has prepared me for high school because it has taught me to always complete my work and strive to do my best. I have learned the important life lesson to always care about and be kind to others.” -Asher Sedwick “Langley has taught me to be myself and love who I truly am, as well as how to responsibly manage my time.”

-Meaghan Heath “Langley has prepared me for the future by teaching me useful information and skills, like in math. I have also learned life skills, like the basics of income and spending.

In addition, I learned how to play the cello at Langley, and really enjoy it. Langley has taught me so much.”

-Ben Kosich

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FACULTY/STAFF NEWS:

Langley Welcomes New Administrators In addition to our new head of school, Michele Claeys, Langley is welcoming three new members of the administrative team this summer. We look forward to getting to know them and benefiting from their expertise and new perspectives.

Emily Dutton, Head of Middle School Emily comes to Langley with nearly 15 years of both teaching and leadership experience at independent schools in New York and California, most recently serving as dean of students and as a member of the strategic leadership team at San Francisco's Drew School, where she was responsible for the academic and social-emotional experience of nearly 300 high school students.

Emily started her career at Horace Mann School in New York, where she focused on the middle school years. During her nine years there, she served as a student activities coordinator, history teacher, advisor, and grade-level team leader. She also developed an inclusive student leadership model and helped create the department's scope and sequence. Emily is excited to return to her middle school roots, and with her multifaceted work experience in high schools, she has gained a deeper understanding of what skills are needed and expected in high school and college. She earned a B.A. from Hamilton College and an M.A. and M.Ed. from Columbia University's Teacher's College.

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Ricki Marion, Head of Development

Brittany Westbrook

A nonprofit professional with more than 16 years of development and special events experience, Ricki has served as a development consultant for Langley since 2019. Previously, she was director of development for The Washington Ballet, director of development and community relations for the Workhouse Arts Center, executive director of Bowen McCauley Dance, and assistant director of special events at the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts. Ricki is a graduate of Leadership Arlington and LEAD Virginia, and serves as a board officer and Development Committee chair for Tephra ICA, a board officer with Metropolitan School of the Arts, and a member of the Alumni Council for LEAD Virginia. She has a B.F.A. and an M.S. from Shenandoah University and became a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) in 2020.

Brittany brings more than 20 years of experience in storytelling, media relations, brand messaging, public speaking, community relations, and partnership-building. As director of marketing and communications at the Columbus School for Girls in Ohio for the past five years, she directed and implemented the school’s internal and external marketing efforts, increased its brand recognition and thought leadership, and was deeply involved in developing its DEI programming. Previously, Brittany served as assistant director of public affairs/marketing and communications strategist at the Central Ohio Workforce Investment Corporation and as a reporter at several television stations in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. She has a B.S. from Northwestern University and an M.S. from Franklin University.

SUMMER 2021

Director of Strategic Marketing & Communications

20 years

Margaret Dwight

Andres Moreno

What makes the Langley community so special?

What do you like most about working at Langley?

Colleagues, parents, and, of course, our students (and the magic they bring wherever they go) make Langley what it is – a unique community that fosters learning, growth, and tremendous support for one another.

I like so many things about working at Langley. I especially like the people I work with and how well the school treats the employees. It’s very motivating to work here each day.

Director of Human Resources

Sheila Malcolm Music Teacher

Assistant Facilities Manager

15 years

What lesson do you most enjoy teaching?

For me, any lesson where I see the children excited and fully engaged is what makes me happy and reinforces why I teach music. If it helps them feel successful, sparks their imagination, or simply spreads joy within the classroom, then I know I have succeeded.

Ivan Mandic, Physical Education Teacher What’s the most important skill you hope your students learn?

As they grow, I hope my students will develop independence and the ability to make good decisions on their own, skills that will serve them well as they become young adults. I also want them to learn the value of leadership as they participate in sports teams and other activities at Langley.

Jamie Rodriguez, Art Teacher What’s your favorite Langley memory?

My favorite memories at Langley have happened when I assisted with Middle School play productions and athletic teams. I've always enjoyed watching the students explore their talents and interests outside the classroom.

Happy Anniversary!

These faculty and staff members celebrated 10-, 15-, and 20-year anniversaries this year.

We salute these talented employees and thank them for their dedication to Langley!

Lauren Hook

Primary & Lower School Counselor

10 years

What’s your favorite Langley tradition?

Attending the fifth-grade trip to Camp Highroad in Middleburg, VA, each year. It is a fun opportunity to watch the students bond and come together through an overnight trip full of games and teamwork challenges.

Nicole Musgrove, Math Teacher What life lessons do you hope your students learn through math?

Middle School math covers so many important concepts that I sincerely believe will help my students in their real lives. Not only do they learn how to deal with important mathematical topics, but they practice perseverance and critical thinking. I want my students to leave my class enjoying math and feeling confident that they are capable of these skills.

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DEVELOPMENT UPDATE:

L to R: Langley breaks ground on the new Crossroads Building; students say farewell to the Pat Bush Library and its Castle Room prior to demolition.

Next Generation Campaign Moves to Next Phase When Langley’s Pat Bush Library opened in 1992, it boasted two-and-a-half times the capacity of the former library and was named in honor of Pat Bush, the school’s long-time librarian. Over nearly 30 years, the library has been a center of learning for more than 1,000 Langley students – and many cultivated their love of reading in our beloved Castle Room.

On May 20, students participated in library farewell tours ahead of the building’s demolition in June. They wrote goodbye messages on the walls and drew themselves into the castle mural scene. For most students, this was also their first chance to see the artistic renderings of the new Crossroads Building and to watch the animated fly-thru video. One fifth-grader exclaimed, “This is going to be our school?! It’s so cool!”

The Pat Bush Library served the Langley community for three decades, and we feel confident that the families involved with that project would be proud of how much the school has grown.

On June 18, we celebrated the groundbreaking of the Crossroads Building with a champagne breakfast for Next Generation Campaign leadership donors and other key project partners. The day also marked the launch of our “Crossroads Cam,” which streams on our campaign web page so the community can monitor the building’s progress.

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The school was able to advance the project with a combination of secured philanthropic gifts and a building loan.

We are now working diligently to raise the additional funds needed to pay off the loan. “The $20 million Next Generation Campaign represents the most ambitious fundraising initiative in Langley's history,” says Chief Financial Officer Greg Bokman. “The $10.4 million in pledges received to date already signifies a high-water mark of fundraising for a building project or comprehensive campaign at Langley.”

Additionally, we are well on our way to bringing our endowment to $10 million, which is the other component of the Next Generation Campaign. We have $2.5 million still to raise, and many current and alumni families have made an endowment gift to the Dr. Elinor Scully Scholars Fund as a way to help us reach this goal and also honor Dr. Scully for her eight years of service to the school.

We are so appreciative of the generosity of Langley families who continue to support the needs of the school and help us to realize our future aspirations. The campaign work happening now will benefit thousands of students and further Langley’s reputation as a national leader in preschool to eighth grade education.

Visit langleyschool.org/next-generation-campaign to view a fly-thru video of the Crossroads Building, watch construction in real-time, and learn more about the campaign.

DONOR SPOTLIGHT:

The Layson-Briceño Family’s Enduring Impact Bill Layson brought his daughter, Hana ’86, to Langley 35 years ago.

With a deep commitment to education, he was attracted to the small class sizes, attentive teachers, and high caliber of teaching. It wasn’t long before his children Erik Briceño ’89, Jason Briceño ’91, and later, Jackie ’98 were attending Langley as well.

Hana recalls, “My science teachers in particular made an impact on me.

Experiences like our camping trip to West Virginia and Assateague Island

tremendous. In the late 1980s, Bill was among the first to support the campaign for the Pat Bush Library. In the 1990s, he was a leadership donor for the Solomon Athletic Center and in the 2000s, he provided critical funding for the Sherman Arts Center.

“In my long tenure as head of Langley, I worked with many leaders and supporters, but none more dedicated than Bill Layson,” says former head of school, Betty Brown. “He leaves quite a legacy. The world would truly

“Bill Layson embodied what it means to offer service to an institution you love and admire.” -Dr. Elinor Scully

same reasons I did: the kindness of the community, the fantastic education, the great relationships with teachers, and a wide variety of specials and after-school sports,” says Erik.

Bill passed away peacefully in December 2020. He led an extraordinary life that began in Kentucky working tobacco farms, but his passion for science took him to MIT and ultimately to opening the DC office of SAIC. While Bill was passionate about the arts and education and traveled extensively, he always said his family was his greatest joy.

be a better place if there were more Bills in it.”

Following Bill’s passing, his family decided to contribute to Langley by establishing a trust and donating items from his extensive collection of art and artifacts to the school. This collection will be on display in the library inside Langley’s new Crossroads Building.

It turns out Langley had secondgeneration appeal for the Layson family. Bill’s daughter, Felicia Evans, sent her children (Mollie ’08 and Thomas ’11) to Langley. And Erik’s children, Bay ’22 and Banks ’24, are currently students at the school. “My kids love Langley for many of the

“Bill Layson embodied what it means to offer service to an institution you love and admire,” adds Head of School Dr. Elinor Scully. “His legacy of leadership, service, and generosity should inspire all of us to give back to Langley in ways that will outlast our time in this special community.”

Bill Layson (pictured at center) with his family.

changed my life and cultivated a lifelong appreciation for the natural sciences.” Hana noted that she was a Langley student during a Brood X cicada cycle and fondly remembers Mr. Rinker, one of her science teachers, generating a sense of fun and wonder around the event!

For nearly four decades, the impact made by the Layson family has been

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DEVELOPMENT UPDATE:

The Langley Fund Meets the Moment The Langley Fund is the cornerstone of philanthropy at Langley that creates flexibility in the school's budget. These funds allow us to provide exceptional programs and experiences for our families, faculty, and staff. Community-wide contributions to this vital resource allow us to go beyond the academic curriculum and activities and create moments that are uniquely Langley.

In a typical year, The Langley Fund supports a host of school priorities, including strengthening employment benefits, upgrading technology, reinforcing tuition assistance, maintaining the PALS budget to provide events such as guest speakers and faculty/staff appreciation events, and continuing support for programs and events such as overnight field trips, musical instruments, athletic and playground equipment, and guest speakers.

Determined to deliver our mission, the school invested nearly $1 million in order to reopen our campus in the fall while providing simultaneous at-home learning. This included adding almost a dozen flex personnel to support smaller cohorts of students, a second nurse, mid-day and deep-cleaning services, and monitors for our faculty children's satellite school.

Langley also upgraded classroom technology, trained faculty to teach academic content in two models, and purchased advanced health and safety equipment.

It was the strength of the entire Langley community that made this unique year a success, and we relied not only on current parents, but also on grandparents, alumni families, and current and former faculty and staff who supported The Langley Fund this year in record numbers.

The strength and compassion of our community distinguishes us from other schools. This year, the generous spirit of Langley shined brightly and was a keystone in our ability to navigate a particularly challenging time in the school’s history. Thank you for your contributions!

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Langley REACHes for the Stars The "REACH for the Stars" online auction and virtual event on Saturday, April 17 were great successes thanks to our amazing community of parents, faculty, and staff. We greatly appreciate the leadership of Co-Chairs Heidi Narang and Kristy Rodriguez and the dedication and creativity of the Auction Committee which made for an inspiring night.

In total, the event grossed over $360,000, with more than $150,000 raised during the “Raise the Paddle” for Faculty Excellence. The auction attracted 356 enthusiastic bidders, and 192 households tuned in to the virtual event.

The focus of the auction is faculty excellence. Our ability to attract and retain a talented team of educators and administrators benefits the entire Langley community. These funds supported training in classroom technology as we began the year and provided wide-ranging continuing education, including leadership training and in-depth subject-specific studies.

Class Notes Connect with former classmates and families by updating your news and contact information at langleyschool.org/alumni-family-portal.

1973 Kent Arnold earned degrees in physics and business from Dartmouth College following his time at Langley. An avid amateur sports photographer, he has worked for Hughes Aircraft, Avco, and MITRE as an engineer.

1983 Caryn Hoadley earned a degree in sociology and women’s studies at Randolph Macon College and then had a first career in environmental conservation at the international nonprofit, The Nature Conservancy. Her second career was as an environmental educator after receiving a master’s in teaching from the University of San Francisco.

2001 Koosha Adham works as a nurse practitioner and teaches at Marymount University. He graduated from George Mason University with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing, and is currently finishing his doctoral degree.

Brittany Gleason is working as the preschool director at Calvary Christian School in Pacific Palisades, CA.

2003 Greg Dutcher, a Langley lifer, went on to earn a B.S. from the University of Notre Dame, where he studied biology animal science in preparation to go to veterinary school.

However, after college he decided to switch to a career in computer science. Greg briefly worked as an artist-in-residence for ThoughtWorks, an enterprise software consultancy, and loves making dance music in his spare time.

2008 Stephanie Pecaro graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a degree in chemistry, has worked as a biomedical research technician exploring how genes relate to type 2 diabetes, and is preparing to pursue a graduate degree in genetics.

2011 Kira Becker works as a management consultant at Bain & Company, advising clients on how to solve business problems in the healthcare and private equity space. She graduated from Amherst College with degrees in neuroscience and mathematics after attending Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.

Niki Lockwood is currently a graduate student at James Madison University, where she also teaches Introductory Biology labs. Her master’s thesis involves the relationships between toxic freshwater algae and the bacteria that live among them. Her experience in the field includes travel to Lake Tai, in China, to sample active algal blooms.

Maggie O’Connell was inspired to pursue a job in product development to formulate nutritional supplements after studying food science and nutrition through her animal science classes at Virginia Tech.

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2012

In Memoriam

Emily Caplan graduated Magna Cum Laude from Northeastern University School of Health Science. She’s headed to the Pace University-Lenox Hill Hospital physician assistant program in New York City in July.

Lauren Gaffney Atkins, Class of 1990 Alumna

2013 Mary Pelson graduated from the College of William & Mary this spring with degrees in economics and government, and she’s excited to move back to the DC area for her job next year.

Spencer Watt completed her third year at Syracuse University, where she is pursuing a B.S. in both forensic science and psychology.

She also works for Syracuse’s Social Psychology Department studying interpersonal relationships, such as the creation of platonic and romantic connections.

2014 Dina Phipps is currently studying English and Hispanic studies at the College of William & Mary and has applied to the Master’s in Education program. Dina has taken several psychology, geology, and health science courses throughout her time at William & Mary in order to prepare for her future career as an elementary school teacher – a career decision that was inspired by the wonderful teachers she had at Langley.

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Lauren Gaffney Atkins passed away unexpectedly in January 2021 at the age of 44. She was a Langley lifer who attended the school from preschool to eighth grade.

Sharyn Byer, Band Director Sharyn Byer, who founded Langley’s band program in the 1970s and directed the band for a number of years, passed away in January 2021 at the age of 72.

Her children, Lauren Byer Burke ’89 and David Byer ’92, attended Langley.

Sharon was a virtuoso flutist, conductor, and educator who also served as principal flutist in the McLean Symphony and played in many other ensembles.

Wilhelmina “Billie” Holladay, Board Chair Wilhelmina “Billie” Holladay, chair of Langley’s Board of Trustees in 1957-1958 and parent of Wallace “Hap” Holladay ’56, passed away in March 2021 at age 98. In 1954, Billie led the fundraising effort for Langley’s very first building campaign to construct a facility on Balls Hill Road. A respected leader in arts and education, she founded the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, DC, to help address the underrepresentation of women artists in museums and galleries worldwide.

Marcia McBride, Board Member Marcia McBride, a member of Langley’s Board of Trustees from 1992-1995 and parent of Adam McBride ’96, passed away in January 2021 at the age of 76.

She demonstrated her commitment to social justice throughout her professional life as a career social worker in Baltimore, Washington, and at Inova Fairfax Hospital.

Doris Vance, Nursery and JK Teacher Doris Vance, whose married name was Doris Pawson, passed away in January 2021 at age 83. She taught Langley’s nursery and JK students for 24 years, from 1979-2003, and was known for the entertaining plays and musicals she wrote, directed, and costumed for the children. “All of my kids had Doris and adored her,” says former parent Joel Kanter. “The experiences they had in her class helped create their magical love of school and of Langley.” A talented educator and artist, Doris (pictured at left in her Langley classroom) also served as a part-time contractor at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History and a dedicated Smithsonian volunteer.

Alex Raposo just finished her junior year studying mathematics and data science at the College of William & Mary.

She is currently working with a small research group to develop artificial intelligence that identifies plant species and determines soil moisture from satellite images.

2015 Isaac Feldman, who completed his sophomore year at Dartmouth College, published and presented a scientific research paper, “Neural Machine Translation Models with Back-Translation for the Extremely Low-Resource Indigenous Language Bribri,” at the 28th International Conference on Computational Linguistics.

2016 Tabor Roderiques is a rising sophomore at Johns Hopkins University, pursuing a major in molecular and cellular biology.

Jackson Sands is currently a student at the University of Southern California studying biology and pursuing independent studies around agriculture.

2018 Kylie Fischer, a rising senior at The Potomac School, continues to pursue her interest in STEM through her course work, as well as by serving on an all-girls robotics team, as captain of the math team, and as leader of multiple organizations to promote girls’ interest in STEM. Her favorite program is Girls Make Math, an organization she created as an eighth-grader at Langley, which works with local private and public elementary schools to encourage STEM with third-grade girls.

2019 Franco Bitar, a rising junior at Gonzaga College High School, participated in a virtual Langley admission event this spring where he talked with newly accepted families about how Langley prepared him for high school.

Class of 2017 Off to College On May 26, members of the Class of 2017 and their parents returned to campus for their four-year reunion. We wish them well as these high school grads begin a new chapter next year. Listed here are some of the colleges and universities the Class of 2017 will attend in the fall.

Allegheny College Boston College Bucknell University Christopher Newport University Cornell University Duke University Florida State University Georgetown University Hamilton College James Madison University Lehigh University Loyola University of Maryland Santa Clara University Southern Methodist University Spelman College University of Alabama University of California, Los Angeles University of California, Santa Barbara University of Denver University of Miami University of Michigan Villanova University Virginia Tech Wake Forest University Washington and Lee University

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ALUMNI PROFILE:

Hudson Merrick ’13: Flying High One of Hudson Merrick’s earliest memories is staring out a plane window during take-off on a family trip to Australia.

Only about 5 years old at the time, he was mesmerized by the massive wing of the 747 and has loved aviation ever since. “I flew a plane before I drove a car,” jokes Hudson, who earned a private pilot’s license at age 18 and has logged 230 hours of flight time to date.

His passion for flying drew him to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL, where he earned a B.S. in aviation business administration with a minor in flight this past May. Although he began his college career with plans to become an aerospace engineer, he soon realized his real passion was for the business side of flight.

And it was that combination of business and aviation that opened up an “out-of-this-world” opportunity for Hudson.

In the spring of 2020, he was asked to join Embry-Riddle’s EagleCam project in which a team of 24 students and three faculty members is making history. Working with Intuitive Machines, the company building the Nova-C lunar lander, the EagleCam team was given the opportunity to design and build a camera system that could detach from the lunar lander to photograph its descent and touchdown on the Moon – and in the process, capture the first-ever third-person “selfie” of a spacecraft making an extraterrestrial landing.

As the Nova-C lander descends on the Moon in early 2022, the student-designed EagleCam CubeSat Camera System will freefall 100 feet to the surface. Using dust-cleaning technology, debris will be electrically shocked off the EagleCam’s five wide-angle camera lenses so they are ready to photograph the landing. In other history-making firsts, the EagleCam will use WiFi on the Moon for the very first

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time to send the images back to the lander and the project is the first university student project ever to land on the Moon.

Hudson, the only non-engineer working on the EagleCam team, serves as the project’s budget manager. In addition to managing the roughly $350,000 budget, he also orders parts and components, assists with fundraising, and helps secure sponsorships from corporate donors since the project is entirely self-funded through donations and grants.

“This has been an incredible experience,” says Hudson, who spends about 10-15 hours a week working on the project and plans to remain involved until next year’s launch.

“It’s allowed me to use what I’ve learned in business school and translate it into an industry that I’m passionate about.

I also love photography, so working with our team toward the goal of capturing such an amazing photo is unbelievably exciting.”

While he doesn’t plan to fly to the Moon himself, Hudson will continue soaring through Earth’s atmosphere. This fall, he will begin pursuing an M.B.A. in aviation management at Embry-Riddle, a year-and-a-half program that he hopes will prepare him to one day own his own charter flight company.

With charter companies in high demand among both corporate and leisure travelers – and the COVID-19 pandemic making some travelers uneasy about large commercial

flights – Hudson sees a bright future in the charter industry and the flexibility it provides. He plans to continue his flight training and earn additional certifications while flying for a charter company before delving into the management and operations side of the business.

“One of the many things I love about flying is that it allows me to constantly grow and improve,” he says, noting that there is always something new to learn. “When I’m in the cockpit, I love having total control of the plane and the feeling of freedom it gives me.”

While Langley didn’t offer flying lessons as part of its preschool to eighth grade curriculum, the 11 years Hudson spent at the school did help nurture his lifelong interest in aviation. “Whether it was drawing a plane during an art project or doing an aviation-based science experiment, Langley nurtured my interest in aviation and gave me the freedom to express and explore it,” he adds.

Hudson also learned a thing or two about how to cultivate his passion for aviation at a young age from his Langley teachers. In particular, he remembers science classes with Ryan McKinney, whose infectious enthusiasm for science helped him understand what it meant to be passionate about an interest. He also credits his fifth-grade teacher, Debi Gustin, with instilling the time management and work ethic skills that continue to serve him well as he enters grad school.

Hudson’s experiences playing soccer and basketball, serving on the stage crew in dramatic productions, playing trumpet in the band, and taking memorable trips like the eighth-grade adventure to Costa Rica provided him with ample opportunities to explore and grow while making wonderful friends with whom he stays in touch today.

With the strong foundation he developed at Langley, his lifelong passion for aviation, and his desire to continue learning and growing, Hudson is indeed flying high.

Class of 2020 Returns Members of the Class of 2020 and their parents gathered on campus for a reunion and to paint the class rock on May 22. Since the pandemic caused an abrupt ending to last school year, the reunion offered a great way for the class to celebrate their time at Langley.

Langley Hosts Inaugural Legends of Leopardy Alumni and past families showed how Langley connections last beyond graduation by teaming up for the inaugural Legends of Leopardy online trivia night on May 8. Seven teams took part in four rounds of trivia, including the final round of questions designed and read by Langley teachers. Past parents Kit Stouffer and Erin Seale hosted this fun evening.

Alumni Serve as Science Fair Judges Langley boasts a strong and engaged alumni community that enjoys giving back to the school where they grew up, whether sharing their expertise with current students, taking part in a campus service project, or making a financial gift. This winter, 15 scientifically inclined alumni volunteered to serve as judges in Langley’s sixth-grade virtual science fair.

From the comfort of their homes, these Langley grads reviewed student electronic logbooks, trifold posters, and pre-recorded video presentations to evaluate a wide variety of student projects and provide feedback. They not only made the science fair more meaningful for our students, but also provided a powerful example of the importance of volunteer service. We thank our alumni judges – and the many other past parents, past faculty, and science experts who volunteered as judges – for their contributions to our 2021 science fair.

Koosha Adham ’01 Kent Arnold ’73 Kira Becker ’11 Greg Dutcher ’03 Kylie Fischer ’18 Caryn Hoadley ’83 Niki Lockwood ’11 Maggie O’Connell ’11

Stephanie Pecaro ’08 Mary Pelson ’13 Dina Phipps ’14 Alex Raposo ’14 Tabor Roderiques ’16 Jackson Sands ’16 Spencer Watt ’13

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The Last Word: The Gift of SEL in Times of Challenge

By Dr. Sarah Sumwalt, Director of Social & Emotional Learning

Langley has always believed deeply in the critical importance of social and emotional learning (SEL). Our mission, centered around supporting the whole child, places equal emphasis on academic rigor and the emotional and social well-being of our students. We believe at a fundamental level that helping our children understand themselves and others, appreciate differences, make healthy decisions, and persevere through challenges are necessary skills for their future. Perhaps more than anything, we believe that providing children with the tools and space to express their emotions is necessary for them to be available for learning.

Over the past 14 months, the need for SEL became more important than ever. We have lived, and are still living, through one of the most challenging times in our lives, which has been fraught with fear, loss, and uncertainty. And, our need to stay focused on how children are coping and navigating the complexity of our world has been essential.

As I look back on the experiences of our students, I have been especially grateful for our SEL curriculum, which has provided our teachers and students with the skills to talk about the challenges of our world. Here are a few examples of strategies and skills that were already woven into our SEL curriculum, and that have been particularly beneficial.

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1. Emotional check-ins Dedicated time and space to check in with how students are feeling, with opportunities for expression and reflection.

2. Emotional vocabulary Helping students to expand their emotional vocabulary in order to accurately express how they are feeling and to talk about the experiences, situations, or thoughts that are eliciting the feeling.

3. Identifying strategies to help shift emotions Purposeful time set aside to brainstorm strategies for managing different emotions, as well as time to practice those strategies both at home and at school.

4. Cognitive restructuring Helping students to identify their thoughts and assess whether their thinking is accurate and based on facts. By identifying unhelpful thinking patterns (i.e., jumping to conclusions, mind reading), we can help students reframe their thoughts to be more balanced and accurate.

5. Accepting uncertainty Acknowledging what is in our control and what is out of our control and practicing acceptance with uncertainty and the need, at times, to sit with discomfort while also making sure that students are taking care of themselves.

6. Self-care The need for daily self-care, including getting a good night’s sleep, healthy eating, and exercise.

7. Fostering community and connection Finding moments of community and connection, even when we are apart.

8. Growth mindset Fostering a growth mindset, focused on our ability to grow and improve with practice and patience.

Throughout the year, Langley nurtured the social-emotional well-being of our students by providing opportunities for emotional check-ins with the Mood Meter, moments for community connection such as during Field Day, and ways to expand and express their emotional vocabulary.

Staying focused on the emotional lives of our students has been necessary in order to allow them to engage and ultimately excel in the academic environment, especially as we have navigated distance, and then hybrid, learning. As challenging as the past few months have been, they have also taught us so much about what our students need to thrive. Below are some of the lessons learned that we will take with us as we progress toward normalcy.

The critical need for in-person human connection We all agree, perhaps more than ever, that there is no replacement for in-person human connection. As we continue to navigate a technological-centered world, we should continue to ensure that our children have many opportunities to talk, play, and engage with one another in the same physical space.

The resiliency of our children Our children are incredibly resilient. Their ability to adapt and change, even when it isn’t easy, is a critical skill that will set them up for success in the future. If you haven’t already, find moments to reflect with your child about his or her resiliency this past year.

The importance of space and time to express emotions We should also prioritize moments of emotional expression, even if it’s a 30-second check-in. There is such power in the release and validation of emotions.

The importance of mental health awareness Even before the pandemic, the rates of anxiety and depression in our youth were increasing rapidly. Now, more so than ever, it is important to talk to older children and teens about mental health and how to seek support for themselves or their peers.

As we transition to summer, I am filled with hope about what the future holds. I’m energized by the small moments of seeing our students connect with one another outside and finding time together as a community, as we begin to feel the return of some normalcy. We know that there will be so many more of these moments next year. And, as we get farther away from the challenges of 2020, we look forward to continuing to expand and deepen our SEL program – called REACH (Raising Emotional Acuity, Cultural Responsiveness, and Healthy Behaviors) – perhaps with an even greater appreciation of the gifts that it provides our community.

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Where vital academics meet a deep respect for childhood Preschool through grade 8 in Northern Virginia

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1411 Balls Hill Road, McLean, Virginia 22101-3415 www.langleyschool.org (703) 356-1920

Introducing Langley’s Alumni Family Portal…

Langley is excited to share our new alumni family portal, an online home for our graduates and past families to stay connected to the school and each other! The interactive portal features: • Searchable alumni directory (update your contact info!)

• Photo galleries • Experience magazine archives • Alumni profiles • Calendar of alumni events • Easy ways to share class notes and memories • Yearbooks (coming soon)

Connect today by scanning the QR code or visiting

langleyschool.org/alumni-family-portal