The Langley School Experience Summer 2015

experience the langley school

Summer 2015

The Future of Langley: A Preview of Our New Strategic Plan

the langley school

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

Head of School Dr. Elinor Scully

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

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Contents

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Head of School’s Message

2

Langley in Depth: The Future of Langley

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Faculty Notes: Langley Says Goodbye to Kathy Pascal

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Class of 2015 Graduation

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Campus Happenings

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Development Update

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Alumni News

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Alumni Profile: Jason Samenow ’89

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Class Notes

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

head of school’s Message Dear Langley Friends,

W

e had a terrific year at Langley in 2014-2015! Our students grew enormously intellectually and as artists, athletes, and leaders. They also learned valuable lessons that helped shape them into kind young people who care for their friends, their school, their community, and the wider world.

As you’ll see on the pages that follow, our eighth-graders are headed to terrific high schools. They maximized the outplacement process to discern the right next step for their academic career and represented themselves and our school magnificently. At a moving graduation ceremony in June, they spoke eloquently of all that they had learned at Langley, offering specific praise for the talented faculty and staff who nurtured their development along the way. Full of confidence, poise, and self-awareness, they exemplify the strength of our unique preschool through eighth grade model, and we are so proud of the young adults they have become.

Parent education was another focus this year, as we partnered with PALS to bring numerous speakers to campus to work with our families on key parenting issues. A series of curriculum coffees and a new parent education section on our website also helped strengthen the school’s partnership with parents as we strive to raise emotionally balanced and academically prepared students together. The strength of the parent-school partnership is one of Langley’s most distinguishing characteristics.

Another exciting project this year was the conceptualization of our next strategic plan. We began the process by conducting a self-study with the help of CRANE, a national

strategic marketing firm. We then used CRANE’s findings to develop the three strategic pillars that will chart the course for Langley’s future. I’d like to thank the many members of the Langley community – both past and present – who participated in this process. Your insights about where we’ve been and where we’re headed were invaluable as we shaped our goals and priorities. Read more about our upcoming strategic plan on page 2.

I look forward to the year ahead as we begin implementing our strategic pillars. Together, we will build a wonderful future for Langley. My best wishes for a relaxing remainder of the summer!

Warm regards,

Dr. Elinor Scully Head of School

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langley In Depth The Future of Langley by Dr. Elinor Scully, Head of School

S

ince our founding in 1942,The Langley School has always been a forward-thinking institution. Whether purchasing our current land in the 1950s to allow for expansion or implementing an iPad program several years ago to offer new ways to learn, Langley continually looks to grow and improve to ensure we are meeting the ever-changing needs of our students and remain an educational leader.

As we prepare to embark on a brand new strategic plan this fall, I’m proud to say that spirit of growth is alive and well at Langley. The first step toward informing our future, however, is to

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take stock of where we are today and of our strengths and challenges. So we spent the past year delving into the essence of who we are through discussions with our Board of Trustees and faculty/staff, feedback from student advisors, an online parent survey, and extensive focus groups involving current parents, alumni, and past parents.

To aid us in this exciting process, we hired CRANE, a national leader in brand work and strategic marketing.

Their in-depth study of our school culture – along with our conversations with a variety of constituencies – crystallized four signature strengths (see the sidebar on the following page) for

us to leverage and build upon over the next few years.

What we found during our self-study is that the case for Langley’s preschool through eighth grade model is a powerful one. We are poised to be the regional leader in this unique educational model that celebrates the foundational years and gives children the critical academic and emotional base on which to build.

If you view a student’s development and achievement along an arc – with preschool at the bottom and 12th grade at the top – you see that the

langley steepest, most significant, and indeed most transformational amount of growth occurs between the preschool and eighth-grade years. The steep part of that arc is Langley’s bread and butter; it’s what we know, what we do best, and where we devote our resources. And this distinguishes us from schools with a high school whose main focus is typically on the upper grades.

Our expertise in these crucial years, combined with our admission standards which attract a smaller, select group of students, allow us to offer a unique, enriched experience that other schools can’t because we drill into specific sections of that preschool to eighth grade arc. Although no child’s path along this arc follows the exact same rate of growth, Langley’s expert faculty is prepared

In Depth

The case for Langley’s preschool through eighth grade model is a powerful one. We are poised to be the regional leader in this unique educational model. to scaffold our students’ learning, both growth spurts and possible setbacks, always meeting the intellectual and social needs of children all along the developmental arc.

The final outcome of this model?

Our eighth-grade graduates. These confident, poised, and self-aware adolescents are the culmination of Langley’s efforts to skillfully guide every child through cognitive and emotional milestones from preschool

to eighth grade. Our model positions students to imagine their futures, take risks, and participate actively in the process of choosing a high school that best meets their needs. It offers them a fresh start in high school, with an important social reset and a new environment in which to grow. Our graduates are thriving in the nation’s top high schools thanks to the foundation they received at Langley.

Langley’s Signature Strengths With help from the strategic marketing firm, CRANE, Langley was able to clarify and articulate what makes us so special through the following key strengths: 1.

A Deep Respect for Childhood: Langley conveys a palpable sense

2.

A Developmental Expertise During the Foundational Years:

3.

A Special Focus on Early Adolescence: Because Langley’s model

4.

A Supportive Community That Shares Common Values: The

that the years from early childhood to early adolescence are a vital and unique time that’s honored and respected.

Langley’s faculty are experts in the cognitive and emotional development of young people.

culminates in eighth grade, we provide young adolescents with unique opportunities to explore, grow, and lead. Our eighthgraders possess special maturity and perspective.

partnership between parents and the school fosters shared values in an environment that attracts and sustains parents in the collaborative enterprise of raising children together.

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langley

In Depth

The Pillars of Our Next Strategic Plan With the goal of becoming the regional leader in preschool to eighth grade education, Langley must focus our next strategic plan on the people, programs, and resources that will allow us to effectively guide students through the steepest part of that developmental arc. With so many wonderful schools in the Washington, DC, area, we need to distinguish ourselves by offering a unique value proposition. Over the next several years, these three simple and strategic pillars will be our focus and the roadmap for Langley’s future.

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ENSURING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Education is a dynamic field, built on research and best practices. Our model must constantly evolve so it provides students with vital critical-thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity, and information technology skills. Ensuring academic excellence means constantly working to perfect the art of teaching so that students maximize their learning and growth.

Our faculty is the bedrock of this excellence and Langley is fortunate to have wonderfully skilled teachers. We want to push even further to become the employer of choice for teachers who are committed to preschool through eighth grade education and we want to keep top educators here by building a professional learning community where they are nourished and encouraged to grow.

Secondly, Langley’s pedagogy must focus on inquiry-based, constructivist learning that teaches children complex ways to process and evaluate information. Research shows that the brain is a dynamic organ that changes its shape and structure based on learning moments, so we must go beyond memorization to teach children to think and problem-solve in new ways that develop the sophisticated thinking skills they will need to thrive intellectually.

Our curriculum and programs must reflect the nuances of the developmental arc and our faculty needs to continue developing their expertise in identifying and navigating the milestones in each child’s educational journey along that arc. Our agility and our resources give us the edge in this work since we are not hampered by external constraints or standardized tests. We can deliver a first-rate education that maximizes the things we believe students need to succeed.

Next Steps to Academic Excellence...

Langley will begin enhancing our academic excellence over the next one to three years with several exciting changes which are already underway, including:

• Restructuring our assistant teacher program and Resource Department so we can hire experts in reading and math instruction to work collaboratively with lead teachers

• Reviewing our daily academic schedule to ensure time is being allocated effectively for students in each grade • Hiring a new director of teaching and learning to partner with our assistant head of school and the faculty to look at our instructional practices and lead curriculum innovation

• Further integrating technology as an educational tool in the classroom to enhance learning • Introducing intensive, week-long experiences that will immerse students in STEM and STEAM activities 4

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In Depth

ARTICULATING OUR SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL EXPERTISE

Compelling educational research tells us that both students and adults need equal measures of cognitive and emotional intelligence – they are interdependent and reinforcing. We know that intellectual development and academic achievement aren’t enough. Students won’t be able to navigate life, get along with others, or develop a strong moral compass if they cannot understand, interpret, regulate, and express their emotions.

At Langley, we value this balance of academics and social/emotional development. We are very good at raising thoughtful, respectful, and welladjusted children, but we can be better at teaching these skills. Our academic program must be built on the basic premise that academic success depends on social and emotional acuity. We do not have to sacrifice one for the other, but can nurture both in equal measure.

Beginning next year, we will look at our program to ensure this crucial balance. In addition to rigorous academics, we must encourage our students to develop cultural intelligence, multicultural understanding, empathy and moral goodness, health and human sexuality awareness, resilience and flexibility, and leadership and responsibility.

By revisiting our Life Skills curriculum, we will start building emotional capacities at a young age so our students have a strong foundation by the time they reach the Middle School years. We will do more to proactively guide children through the complex maze of early adolescence and arm them with skills to respond to social dynamics, peer pressure, social media, technology, and decision-making. We will ensure they have skills and information in the areas of health and human sexuality, so that they are ready for the more complex social environments of high school.

Thanks to Langley’s resources, scheduling flexibility, and solid partnership with parents who are committed to tackling the complicated issues of raising children, we are in a strong position to enhance and better articulate our social/emotional expertise and to become a leader in this area for preschool through eighth grade.

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INVESTING IN SUSTAINABILITY

This third pillar is crucial to ensuring we have the resources to grow and define ourselves as a regional leader in education. Running Langley is expensive and complicated, and we must think about how to best steward our resources for the future.

Our goal is to make Langley the best it can be while thinking deeply about the complexity of our financial model, making tough choices, and restructuring resources to allow us to introduce exciting new initiatives and programs.

Although we are in a strong financial position, we must continue to look at our culture of philanthropy and how we enroll the school. We cannot keep adding without subtracting – and that means we must choose the areas on which to focus and let others go.

Our financial choices must always reflect our mission and our unique value proposition, distinguishing us in ways that drive families here who want to be part of this dynamic, forward-thinking, and supportive school community.

Whether developing a strategic enrollment strategy or deciding on our next capital campaign, investing in Langley’s sustainability is key to our success.

We’re really excited and energized by the possibilities that lie ahead.

Our next strategic plan is about rolling up our sleeves, taking what we know about educating children, and making it more consistent, visible, and cohesively deployed throughout Langley. If we give our students the proper foundation in these critical developmental years, our graduates will leave us ready to face the challenges that await. They will not only be prepared to succeed in top high schools, but also be ready to distinguish themselves in these environments. the langley school experience

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faculty Notes

Current and former students, parents, and colleagues attended Kathy Pascal’s retirement celebration on May 21. At left, Mrs. Pascal is surrounded by the many alumni who came to acknowledge the impact she had on their lives. At right, she poses with two generations of her students – Neil Coakley ’15 and his father, Michael Coakley ’82. Michael was in Mrs. Pascal’s very first class in 1981-1982 and Neil was in her last class this year.

Langley Says Goodbye to a Legend: Kathy Pascal

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f you graduated from Langley in the past 34 years, chances are you’ve had the privilege of learning from one of the school’s legendary teachers – Kathy Pascal. In June, Mrs. Pascal retired, wrapping up a storied career that spanned several generations of students and left a lasting impression on our language arts program.

When she arrived at Langley in 1981, Mrs. Pascal found a truly cooperative community in which parents volunteered their time to take care of the buildings and grounds. There was only one eighth-grade homeroom, teachers and parents socialized outside of school, the old “Down Under” classrooms for grades 6-8 were only half built, and language arts was taught from a more rigid textbook approach.

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“What struck me most about Langley when I first set foot on the campus more than 30 years ago was that the kids were smiling,” Mrs. Pascal says. “It was obvious that they loved coming to school and so did the teachers, and that’s one thing that hasn’t changed.”

Although she eventually found her niche as the school’s eighth-grade language arts teacher, Mrs. Pascal served in a number of roles during her career here. Yes, she is most revered for teaching students in all three Middle School grades to love literature, but she also taught social studies, sex education, and study skills, served as an eighth-grade dean, advisor, and department chair, helped lead the school’s 10-year accreditation, and was the first head of the Upper School, a position she held for two years.

From a young age, Mrs. Pascal knew she wanted to be a teacher. Her passion for reading and the inspiration she received from several of her own teachers pointed her toward a career of expanding young minds through great literature. “I love what I teach, and I think that’s very obvious to the kids,” she says. “Everyone knows To Kill a Mockingbird is my all-time favorite novel. I read it with my students and I enjoy it with them – and I hope my passion has helped light a spark in them, too.”

An experienced teacher before coming to Langley, Mrs. Pascal taught a variety of subjects and grade levels in New Jersey, New Mexico, Massachusetts, and elsewhere in Virginia. But Langley is where she put down the strongest roots, and where she enrolled her

faculty own children (Matthew ’97 and Christopher ’01), in large part because of the school’s unique culture. “What I love most about Langley – and what really kept me here all these years – is that it provides kids with a safe place to go through the toughest years of their lives. We give them time to figure themselves out, take risks, and try new things, all while accepting them for who they are,” she adds.

With the help of many wonderful teachers with whom she partnered, Mrs. Pascal grew Langley’s language arts program, moving to a novel-based approach and introducing more cross-curricular units with other subjects. She credits Langley with giving her the freedom to explore new ideas and create her own unique world inside her classroom.

So what will Mrs. Pascal miss most in retirement? Her students, of course. “My students have kept me going all these years,” she says. “They make me smile when I’m having a bad day, they keep me young, they energize me, and they are at the core of my being as a teacher.”

Without the daily grind of teaching next year, Mrs. Pascal looks forward to not setting the alarm clock, enjoying morning exercise time, taking part in more volunteer work, and spending time in September at the shore. And if she needs a boost from Langley’s Middle Schoolers, substitute teaching is always an option!

“I have given Langley my all and have been the best teacher I could possibly be…and that’s a good feeling,” she says without regret.

Notes

Thank You, Mrs. Pascal!

“Mrs. Pascal went above and beyond for her students. She always had a way of ensuring each student felt heard and important.”

-Brigette Pierce Rose ’96 “Three of our four children had Mrs. Pascal as a teacher…and they were all in agreement that she was the very best.” -The DeMarco Family “Kathy has always been the quintessential teacher and mentor. She is always there for questions, for support, and to be someone that you can sit down with and laugh.”

-Debi Gustin, Language Arts Teacher “When you think of the qualities of an exceptional teacher, Kathy has them all! Not only is she a very knowledgeable teacher and so qualified, but she has a way about her that is warm, caring, and helpful.” -The Roberts Family “Mrs. Pascal had such a big influence on my literary preferences, especially To Kill a Mockingbird. That book remains my favorite six years later. What she taught in class has really stuck with me.” -Jordan Weisberg ’09 “Kathy’s understanding of an eighth-grader’s psyche is second-to-none. Her wisdom, experience, insight, wry humor, and above all, deep caring and compassion for each student will be sorely missed.” -The Silvano Family “Mrs. Pascal was a nurturing but firm mother figure who played a pivotal role in making Langley feel like home. She cared for me and treated me with respect.” -Ross Feehan ’03

Former Head of School Betty Brown (who hired Kathy Pascal in 1981) with Mrs. Pascal and current Head of School Elinor Scully at Mrs. Pascal’s retirement celebration in May.

“Feeling completely exhausted and confused with how to parent a seventh-grader, I asked Kathy how she managed to enjoy what I considered a very challenging developmental age group. She casually replied, ‘We turn them into eighth-graders as quickly as possible!’ Thank you, Kathy, for all the wonderful years in the classroom and for caring about the parents as much as you did the kids!”

-Lynn Hall, Past Parent

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graduation Class of 2015

Class of 2015 Attends Wide Variety of Top High Schools Members of the Class of 2015 were accepted at the following high schools. Asterisks indicate the schools our graduates are attending this fall.

Bishop O’Connell High School The Bullis School The Cate School* Connelly School of the Holy Child Edmund Burke School* Episcopal Academy Episcopal High School The Field School* Flint Hill School* GEMS American Academy, UAE George C. Marshall High School – IB Program*

George Mason High School Georgetown Day School* Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School* Gonzaga College High School* The Heights School* Holton-Arms School* Landon School* Langley High School* The Madeira School* McLean High School* Mercersburg Academy

National Cathedral School* The Potomac School* St. Albans School* St. Andrew’s Episcopal School St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School* Sidwell Friends School Woodberry Forest* Yorktown High School*

READ Head of School Elinor Scully’s remarks at the 2015 graduation ceremony at www.langleyschool.org.

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graduation

Class of 2015

Lessons from Our Graduates “My Langley experience has done far more than teach me how to write a paper and multiply. It has taught me life lessons I will carry with me forever.” -Ellie Cook ’15 “I not only met amazing teachers and friends at Langley, but I have never felt more prepared academically for high school. Langley taught me that if I work hard, good things will come.” -Thea Bitar ’15 “Langley is an incredible school. I learned both academic lessons and life lessons. Langley not only made me a smarter person, but also a better person. As I leave Langley, I am confident in my academic

skills and am proud of the person I have become during my years here.”

-Lucas Rozendaal ’15

teaching me valuable lessons about core values and by giving me special friends.” -Finleigh Fitton ’15

“Langley has helped me develop a work ethic and has armed me with the tools to succeed in high school.”

“Langley has challenged me in many ways, both academically and socially, and I think those challenges have prepared me for the future.

I’ll use the lessons I learned here – time management, responsibility, and how to be a good citizen – for the rest of my life.”

-Koby Hargrove ’15

-Emma Mykityshyn ’15

“I learned my ABCs and 123s, but most importantly I learned how to be a classmate, citizen, and friend.

Langley has prepared me for high school and the rest of my future by

“Langley has helped me learn more about myself. Now I know what kind of person I want to be.”

“Langley transformed my shy, firstgrade self into a confident young lady ready to take on any challenge presented to me.” -Amy Chivavibul ’15

-Luke Safly ’15

CLASS OF 2015

Outplacement # of high schools offering acceptances

26

# of high schools our students are attending

20

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

31 8 3 2

LANGLEY LIFERS: These members of the Class of 2015 grew up at Langley, attending the school since their preschool or junior kindergarten years.

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campus Happenings OVERNIGHT TRIPS Students in grades 5-8 developed leadership and teamwork skills, challenged themselves, and bonded with classmates during grade-level overnight trips throughout the year, including a trip to Camp Highroad for grade 5, Calleva for grade 6, Spruce Knob Mountain Center for grade 7 (pictured here), and Costa Rica for grade 8.

SERVICE LEARNING

This year, Langley adopted the Jane Goodall Institute’s youth-led community action program, Roots & Shoots.

The student-driven aspect of this global program allows our students to take the lead on identifying and creating their own community projects, helping them develop valuable leadership skills and a true love of service. Each student took part in at least one project during the year, ranging from making bat houses on campus, clearing a path at a local park, and cleaning area rivers to taking part in an on-campus green day and recycling juice pouches.

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PARENT EDUCATION

The Parent Association of The Langley School (PALS) hosted several parent education events during the year, featuring the following guest speakers and topics: “How Schools & Parents Can Promote a Healthy & Respectful School Culture” Head of School Elinor Scully “Building Resilient Children” Psychologist Heather Tedesco “How to Become Your Child’s Go-To Person About Sex” Sexuality Education Expert Deborah Roffman “Laying the Foundation for Teenage Years: Communication, Connections, & Trust” National Presenter Michelle Kriebel

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Happenings

FACULTY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Langley’s faculty participated in several on-campus workshops with top experts this year to explore a variety of cuttingedge education topics.

Building a Healthy School Climate: In

AWARD WINNERS: Congratulations to sixth-grader Chris Stewart, who won

Langley’s 2015 National Geographic Bee in January (pictured here), and to our Middle Schoolers who participated in the National French and Spanish Exams. French students earned four gold, five silver, and two bronze medals, while Spanish students earned three gold, seven silver, and three bronze medals. We applaud seventh-grade Spanish student Elizabeth Buchwald, who earned the highest score in Virginia.

In May, Langley’s Middle School musicians competed in the Music in the Parks Festival where they earned the prestigious Esprit de Corps Award which is given to the school that displays the most courtesy, politeness, teamwork, and good behavior. In the competition, Langley’s Symphonic Band, Middle School Chorus, and Middle School Strings all won first place in their categories.

October, Langley’s faculty took part in a workshop with Dr. Elizabeth Englander, director and founder of the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center.

Dr. Englander shared her research and offered insights and strategies to help teachers work toward maintaining a healthy school climate and culture, particularly in the digital age.

Object-Based Learning: Langley welcomed Dr. Sharon Shaffer in February for a workshop with our faculty on strategies for teaching with objects with an emphasis on inquiry. Dr. Shaffer, the founding director of the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center, explored the concept of using object-based activities in the classroom to engage young children through questioning which encourages critical thinking.

Social/Emotional Connection: In April, Dr. JoAnn Deak – a nationally recognized speaker and psychologist – led a day-long workshop entitled “Combining Character Development and Intellectual Development: A Startling Conclusion of the Recent Brain Research.” Faculty explored how the extensive literature spanning character and moral development and the development of sympathy and empathy is now being connected with the extensive research about cognitive, intellectual, and learning development in children.

GRADE-LEVEL INTEGRATED UNITS

Primary and Lower School students culminated academic units with a number of grade-level performances, including the Primary School spiral unit on the environment (pictured here), first-grade Polar Regions show, second-grade Native American play, third-grade Colonial play, and fourth-grade Arts Share presentations.

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Happenings

ON THE STAGE Middle Schoolers presented two main-stage dramatic productions this year, “The Canterville Ghost” in the fall and the musical, “Honk!

Jr.,” in the spring (pictured here). Other musical performances included the fifth-grade production of “Seussical Jr.,” “Magical Moments from Musical Movies” presented by grades 1-2, and the kindergarten musical, “Rainbow Fish Learns to Share.”

ACADEMIC SPOTLIGHT Science Eggstravaganza: Whether determining which sur-

face creates the highest tennis ball bounce or the amount of drag produced by different bicycle helmets, our Middle Schoolers developed innovative science projects which they presented to the Langley community during the Science Eggstravaganza in April.

Family Math Night: Langley’s campus was filled with mathematicians of all ages

on April 22 as hundreds of parents and students attended the school’s first-ever Family Math Night. Attendees immersed themselves in innovative math activities around campus as they filled their “math passport” with stamps at each of the 12 stations.

WeatherBug: This spring, Langley installed a new WeatherBug weather station

on campus, allowing teachers and students to access real-time weather data and materials for STEM skills development.

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campus

Happenings

FAVORITE LANGLEY TRADITIONS Grandparents & Special Friends Day

On November 25, close to 375 grandparents and special friends came from around the country and the globe to participate in a memorable morning of student performances and classroom activities during this cherished annual event.

Fall Fair: More than 1,200 people enjoyed a spectacular afternoon of fun at Langley’s

60th annual Fall Fair on November 14. Games, rides, inflatables, a climbing wall, raffles, and lots of food highlighted this wonderful day.

ON THE FIELD Cricket: In May, fifth-graders took part in the 17th annual Lan-

gley cricket match, a day-long tradition which expands students’ perspective of the world and teaches them valuable lessons in sportsmanship.

Team Sports: Students in grades 5-8 competed in soccer, cross country, volleyball, basketball, softball, baseball, lacrosse, track & field, and tennis this year, learning the value of teamwork and sportsmanship along the way. Visit the athletic section at www.langleyschool.org for a full sports recap. the langley school experience

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development Update

Auction Co-Chair Sarah Foster, Head of School Elinor Scully, and Auction Co-Chair Erin Seale.

Spring Auction Raises Record Levels Langley’s 2015 spring auction, “Raise the Stakes,” netted nearly $300,000 through the online auction and live auction event, making it the most successful auction in the school’s history.

On Saturday, April 25, more than 300 parents, faculty, staff, and friends gathered at the brand new Hyatt Regency Tysons Corner Center for the “Raise the Stakes” event. Comprised of a silent and live auction and “strolling supper,” the event brought our community together to enjoy one another’s company and raise funds to ensure that our people and programs remain among the best in the metro area.

The silent auction brought in close to $50,000, while the live auction brought in a record-breaking $212,000 for Langley. Of that, $140,000 was from “Raise the Paddle” which supports faculty professional development. Thanks to the generosity of our parent and business donors, the online auction featured over 200 donated items and raised more than $60,000 for the school.

Co-Chairs Sarah Foster and Erin Seale, together with their committee, secured a record number and caliber of items and experiences for the online, live, and silent portions of the auction. Our many volunteers dedicated countless hours to planning and executing a creative, sophisticated, and fun event that raised more money than ever.

Thank you to the members of our community who supported this fabulous event!

We hope you will join us on Saturday, April 30, 2016, for next year’s auction.

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Thank You to Our Event Sponsors High Roller Sponsor Porzio, Bromberg & Newman, P.C. Seven Eleven Sponsor C.J. Coakley Co., Inc. All-In Sponsors K&S Management Whitener & Jackson, Inc. Double Down Sponsors Friend of Langley Lisa Joy, Realtor McEnearney Associates Luposello & Marzban Orthodontics Sahouri Insurance and Financial Roulette Wheel of Fortune Sponsor Dr. Michael T. Gocke Money Wheel Sponsor Karen A. Miller and Jim Burkhardt Champagne Bar Sponsors Friend of Langley Kevin and Karen O’Shea

development

Update

What’s Your Story?

Name: Dwayne Green Occupation: I’ve been the direc-

tor of transportation & security at The Langley School since January 22, 2007. However, my actual start got moved to January 23 because of a snow day – funny! I am responsible for the day-to-day security on campus as well as our four carpools each day. I also oversee our morning, midday, and afternoon bus service and transportation for all field trips and off-campus sporting events.

Along with our head of school, I also make the call on weather-related delays and closings.

Interests: Running, bike

riding, bowling, and cooking (and, of course, serving as Langley’s very own weatherman when winter weather is upon us!). Nothing is more relaxing after a long day at work than getting in the kitchen and cooking a great meal while listening to some wonderful music.

Why I Give: As a staff

member, I believe that it is important to give to The Langley Fund because Langley supports the faculty and staff in so many ways! Seeing the smiling faces of the students each day at carpool or when they get off the buses is always a joy for me. It is hard to have a bad day when so many little faces are smiling in your direction! Giving is a no-brainer.

Thanks to Dwayne and hundreds of Langley Fund donors throughout our community, our students and teachers have the tools they need to be at their best each day. Every gift – no matter the size – has the power to transform the Langley experience and prepare our students for a life of intellectual engagement and responsible citizenship. Please consider joining Dwayne and making Langley one of your philanthropic priorities this year. Visit www.langleyschool.org or call (703) 848-2785 to make your gift.

Meet Our Director of Development

Through Your Support of The Langley Fund...

In January, Jinene Christian joined Langley’s administration as our new director of development. She brings nearly 20 years of fundraising experience to our Development Office, having worked in schools, as well as in the visual and performing arts, throughout her career.

...Our preschool students explored the works of Jackson Pollock to learn about the element of line and created their own abstract art.

Most recently, Jinene worked at The Potomac School, where she served as associate director of development for six years. In addition to serving as director of annual giving and deputy director of development at Potomac, Jinene worked at The Holton-Arms School and in fundraising positions at The Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, National Gallery of Art, and National Health Museum.

Jinene holds a B.A. from Gettysburg College and an M.A. in museum studies from The George Washington University.

...Our Lower School students combined technology, video, instrumentals, song, and dance into a performance that emphasized the uniqueness of each of the 13 Colonies and how they came together for the American Revolution. ...Our Middle School students researched, designed, and created science projects and experiments that they proudly shared with our community during the Science “Eggstravaganza.”

Your gift transforms the lives of every student in every division. As we kick off the 2015-2016 Langley Fund, we invite you to make the school one of your philanthropic priorities and see what happens. The Langley Fund begins on July 1 and ends on June 30 each year.

To make a gift, please visit www.langleyschool.org or contact Director of Development Jinene Christian at jchristian@langleyschool.org or (703) 848-2785.

Thank you for your support! the langley school experience

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alumni News Class of 2011 Reunion: On May 26, members of Langley’s Class of 2011 gathered on campus for their four-year reunion.

Alumni, along with parents and teachers, met in the Doris Cottam Middle School to catch up and reconnect before heading off to college this fall.

Class of 2011 Colleges

Members of Langley’s Class of 2011 are attending a wide variety of colleges and universities this fall, including the following:

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the langley school experience

Amherst College

Penn State University

Boston University

Princeton University

Case Western Reserve University

Southern Methodist University

College of William & Mary

Syracuse University

Cornell University

University of California-Berkeley

Denison University

University of Colorado-Boulder

Dickinson College

University of Mary Washington

Fordham University

University of Pennsylvania

Georgetown University

University of South Carolina

Miami University (Ohio)

University of Virginia

New York University

Villanova University

Northwestern University

Virginia Tech

alumni

alumni profile

Jason Samenow ’89 M ost kids love the snow and the school closings, sledding, and snowman-building it brings.

But for a young Jason Samenow ’89 – the founder of the DC area’s popular Capital Weather Gang blog – snow meant more than a day of fun. It was a passion that led him to pursue a career analyzing and forecasting the weather.

dium for communicating the weather because it allowed for a two-way conversation between users and forecasters,” he adds.

“The idea was to create a site that was interactive and mutually beneficial, where users could learn about changing weather conditions and interact with weather experts.”

As a fifth-grader in the 1980s, Jason witnessed a crippling snowstorm that shut down schools for seven straight days in Fairfax County,VA, and he became fascinated by the forecasting and tracking of winter storms.

His obsession with snow quickly sparked an interest in thunderstorms, hurricanes, and other weather-related phenomena.

After completing an internship with NBC4 Chief Meteorologist Bob Ryan while in high school at The Potomac School, Jason went on to earn an environmental science degree from the University of Virginia and a master’s in atmospheric science from the University of Wisconsin.

This groundbreaking, more personal approach to weather forecasting didn’t go unnoticed. Soon the blog’s audience began growing through word of mouth and a distinction as one of DC’s top blogs by Washingtonian magazine.

By 2007, The Washington Post took notice and offered to move the blog onto their platform.

He launched his career at the Environmental Protection Agency, where he monitored, analyzed, and communicated the science of climate change for 10 years. “I was fascinated by climate change and loved my work at the EPA, but my first love was weather forecasting and I wanted to make an impact there,” says Jason, who launched CapitalWeather.com in 2004, the first professional weather blog on the Internet.

“Blogs were just starting to take off around that time, and I thought it would be a great me-

So in 2008, Jason merged the blog with the Post, changing the site’s name to the Capital Weather Gang and dramatically increasing its online exposure. The Washington area’s 2010 “snowmageddon” storms spiked the new site’s traffic and propelled the Capital Weather Gang to one of Google’s top search queries as readers looked for platforms to share their experiences and interact with local meteorologists.

Today, Jason serves as the Post’s first full-time weather editor and leads a staff of about 20 local forecasters and writers who engage readers with in-depth forecasting for area events, explanations of the science behind the weather, historical weather events, striking photos, commentary on climate change, and weather-related contests – all with a sense of humor and in language weather-challenged users can understand.

“What makes us unique is the opportunity for reader engagement,”

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Jason says, noting the Capital Weather Gang also has an active social media presence on Facebook and Twitter.

“We receive hundreds of comments daily from users and our team helps them make good weather-related decisions. I’m proud to have been an early pioneer in this interactive approach to weather reporting.”

With today’s changing digital landscape, the Capital Weather Gang’s challenge is to stay ahead of the curve with the many platforms people use to communicate. Jason hopes to expand the blog to include more compelling graphics and videos and more coverage of national and international weather events, while exploring new avenues to reach audiences outside the Washington area.

As Jason looks to grow the Capital Weather Gang’s geographic reach, perhaps he will call upon the early geography foundation he received while a student at The Langley School.

Although he only attended Langley for three years, he fondly recalls learning a song about the 50 states in kindergarten. “I got a great head start in geography and could name all the states alphabetically when I was just five years old!” he laughs, remembering the comfortable and warm environment at Langley and the fun times he had during those early years.

“While the 24/7 nature of weather forecasting in today’s information age can be a grind at times, I love being able to share my passion for weather,” he says. “There’s no better feeling than helping people plan their lives by nailing a high-impact forecast.”

Follow the Capital Weather Gang blog at www.capitalweathergang.com.

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alumni

News

Class Notes To submit your notes and photos for publication, log on to the alumni section of www.langleyschool.org.

1976

1987

Judith Brown Shapiro and her husband of more than 25 years live in northeast Ohio where they enjoy playing tennis and golf. Their oldest son graduated from Columbia College of Chicago in 2014 with a B.F.A. in product design, while their younger son is a sophomore at the University of Pittsburgh. Judith notes, “Having raised two children who went to a private boys’ school, I really value the strong education one can get from such fine institutions. Who would have thought some four decades after graduating from Langley, I would still hold such fond memories of my education and time spent there?”

Peyton Marshall (pictured with Head of School Elinor Scully) returned to Langley in October to speak to students in grades 6 and 8 about her first novel, Goodhouse, which was released last fall to rave reviews. Peyton, who now lives in Oregon, was in town as part of a national book tour. She spoke to our students about the process of writing a novel, her experiences as a Langley student in the 1980s, and the sixth-grade writing project that sparked her interest in becoming a writer. For more about Peyton, visit her website at www.peytonmarshall.com.

1982 Michelle Malek Olson attended her Duke University reunion this spring where she was joined by three of her Langley classmates who also attended Duke. Michelle shared the statistic that almost 20 percent of her Langley classmates are Duke alumni. Pictured here are Michael Mars, Michelle, and Andrew Snowdon (alumnus Steve Lanter didn’t make it into this photo).

1990 Ashley Snowdon Blanchard recently returned to New York City after living in Seattle for three years. She, her husband, and their two children (ages 4 and 6) are happy to be back to the hustle and bustle of life in New York, though they do miss Seattle’s mountains (but not the rain!).

1994 Elizabeth Oosterhuis Delasobera works in emergency medicine and sports medicine at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital where she is the program director of the sports medicine fellowship. She and her husband have two young children.

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alumni

1996 Emily Duncan lives in Washington, DC, with her husband, Matt, and son, Harrison. Emily is director of federal affairs at National Grid, an electric and gas utility company.

1999 Sarah Chuzi graduated summa cum laude from Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University this May. She will stay at Northwestern to do her residency in internal medicine.

Marissa Van Epp works as a consultant for the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED).

2000 Rajiv Shenoy is the founder and CEO of OrcaTV, a unique communication channel that allows universities to share flyers, videos, and social media on video screens around campus, helping to simplify communication and inform the

In Memoriam Former Langley parent Colin Greenly – the man behind Langley’s original swallow sculpture – passed away in October 2014. In 1964, he designed a sculpture featuring clusters of 27 birds in flight which was mounted on the outer wall of Langley’s main building.

Once the striking artwork was installed, the birds quickly became an important part of the Langley experience and, known to students as swallows, were incorporated into the school logo and Colin Greenly with his wife, motto and Laurie, at Langley in 2009.

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university community. Rajiv developed the idea nearly 10 years ago while an undergraduate student at Johns Hopkins University.

2004 Amanda Chuzi graduated magna cum laude from Tufts University in 2012. She served as Elizabeth Warren’s statewide youth coordinator for her Senatorial campaign and now works as a legislative aide to Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia.

2008 Brian DeMocker finished his junior year at the University of Colorado-Boulder where he is studying political science.

After working for the DC Public Defender Service last summer, Brian will work for the Colorado District Attorney’s Office this summer. He is currently the chief justice of the Interfraternity Council at the University of ColoradoBoulder. This past year, he traveled to Tanzania, Australia, and Mexico.

eventually served as the mascot.

Although the leopard has since become Langley’s mascot and the original sculpture was removed with the demolition of the early building, the swallows remained part of our school crest through the decades. So when Langley opened the Sherman Arts Center in 2008, we asked Mr. Greenly to create a new swallow sculpture.

Over the course of several months in late 2008 and early 2009, he designed the new sculpture, oversaw production of the aluminum birds, and supervised installation at Langley.

Mr. Greenly, whose daughter, Katy, attended Langley from 1962-1968, was a lifelong artist who taught art at The Potomac School, Landon School, Madeira School, and Colgate University.

He also exhibited his own work at galleries across the country, including the Corcoran Gallery of Art and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

the langley school experience

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alumni

News Langley alumna Jasmine Thomas ’03 (far left) – who currently plays professional basketball for the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun – presented awards to Langley’s athletes of the year and outstanding athletic contributors at the spring sports awards assembly in May. Prior to joining the Sun, Jasmine played for two seasons in Atlanta and two seasons in Washington, DC. Langley Athletic Director Jim Gleason is pictured on the far right.

2009

2014

Tucker Boyle is studying agricultural economics at the University of Kentucky where he also plays goalie on the club hockey team.

Will McLeish is enjoying life at The Potomac School. During his freshman year, he played JV soccer, JV basketball, and varsity lacrosse.

Nicole Johnson just finished her second year at the University of Virginia. She is pursuing a foreign affairs major and a history minor, and was elected to serve as the house chairman for Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. This summer, Nicole will intern for the Clare Boothe Luce Policy Institute.

Caris Weilenmann placed first out of more than 1,000 entries in the Behavioral Sciences category of the 2015 Northern Virginia Regional Science & Engineering Fair for her project, “The Effect of Perception on Visual Processing.” She was also sponsored by her local district to attend the Virginia State Science & Engineering Fair and was chosen as the alternate grand prize winner, meaning she would go to the Intel International Science Fair if one of the two grand prize winners was unable to go. Caris just completed her freshman year at Yorktown High School.

2012 Olivia du Pont, a rising senior at Georgetown Day School, recently received the school’s Walter Barnett Community Service Award. This award honors and recognizes a student who has exhibited the importance of community.

Stay in touch...follow Langley online!

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the langley school experience

Did You Know?

Langley’s FALL FAIR is our oldest tradition!

In November 2014, we celebrated the 60th anniversary of the very first fair which was held in the spring of 1954 as a fundraiser for the school’s new home on Balls Hill Road. That year, nearly 3,000 tickets were sold, netting a profit of $2,300. Today, the fair has evolved into a friend-raiser held in the fall, featuring many of the same games, rides, activities, and family fun as it did 60 years ago.

Langley’s fair in the 1950s (above) and today (below).

Mark your calendar for our 2015 Fall Fair on Saturday, October 24!

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

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID McLean, VA 22101 Permit No. 48

Coming This Fall...

As part of the rollout of Langley’s new strategic plan this fall, we are launching a refreshed brand for the school, including new admission materials and messaging, a redesigned website featuring a personalized parent portal, and an updated look for our Experience magazine.

We will continue showcasing what it means to “live Langley” as we strive to define ourselves as the regional leader in preschool through eighth grade education.

Be sure to check out Langley’s new website at www.langleyschool.org this fall and follow our Facebook page for updates!