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experience The Next Chapter of the Next Generation Campaign Preparing for the Crossroads Building
2020-2021 Annual Report Inside
In this issue 1 2 6 10
experience is published twice a year for alumni, families, and friends of The Langley School Head of School Michele Claeys Editor & Designer Sharon Vipperman, Director of Publications Director of Marketing & Communications Brittany Westbrook 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
Head of School’s Message Feature Story: The Life After Langley Experience Campus Happenings Feature Story: The Next Chapter for Langley’s Next Generation Campaign
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Class Notes
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Remembering Maria Restrepo
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Alumni Profile: Robinson Cook ’12
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The Last Word: Langley’s DEI Journey
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2020-2021 Annual Report
ON THE COVER: In December, all students, faculty, and staff had the opportunity to become part of Langley’s new Crossroads Building. To commemorate the steel phase of construction – and the community effort involved in this project – students and adults signed their names on two steel beams which will be forever embedded in the building.
Head of School’s Message
Dear Langley friends... While I was leading a recent tour with prospective families, the student ambassador who accompanied us described the warm welcome she received as a new student in sixth grade last year. She said her classmates and teachers went out of their way to introduce, help, and include her, and that she feels like she’s been here since kindergarten. In that moment on the tour, it clicked for me that I have had the same experience as a newcomer to our school community. Even though I joined Langley just seven months ago, I feel like I have been here for years. Students, faculty, staff, current families, and alumni and their families have welcomed me with open arms and provided seemingly limitless support and information, showing me how to “Live Langley” while also expressing excitement for the experiences and ideas I bring to our work together. So far, the work has been exceptionally gratifying. We made a strong start this year despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. All our faculty, staff, and students are teaching and learning on campus and enjoying a return to activities like electives, concerts, athletic competitions, and field trips. Parents have been at school for a whole host of events and are preparing for Leopardy Quiz Night and the auction, while PALS pulled off a brilliant Fall Family Fun Day and has generously treated faculty and staff to morning goodies on a number of occasions. Instructional coaching, curriculum review, and professional development programs are in full swing, including important ongoing training in diversity, equity, and inclusion. The months ahead promise much excitement at Langley. As you will read in these pages, we are launching the public phase of our Next Generation Campaign while watching the new Crossroads Building transform our campus. Together with our innovative academic and social-emotional programs, the new building and our growing endowment will ensure that Langley remains an exemplar for preschool through eighth grade education. I am so grateful to our Board of Trustees for their bold vision, the Campaign Cabinet (especially Co-Chairs Alistair Miller and Lara Ramsey ’87) for their dedication, and the many individuals who have already participated in the campaign for their generosity.
We are also gearing up for Langley’s 80th anniversary this fall when we will celebrate eight decades of excellence and express our gratitude for all the famiHead of School Michele Claeys (right) lies who have shaped and and Director of Student Support and supported Langley through Social-Emotional Learning Dr. Sarah the years. While looking Sumwalt welcome faculty back to back, we will also look ahead, campus this fall. embarking on a self-study as part of our 10-year Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS) accreditation and beginning a new strategic plan. The self-study and strategic planning processes will be interconnected and will include all school constituencies through surveys, focus groups, and committees. We will begin in the spring, with the bulk of the work taking place in the 2022-2023 academic year. The result of this robust “deep dive” into our mission, values, operations, and aspirations will be a roadmap to help us identify and commit to key pillars for ensuring Langley’s success long into the future. Langley is an exceptional school and an exceptional community. While I already feel very much at home, I do not take for granted the privilege I have of working and learning here alongside our wonderful students and outstanding faculty and staff every day. I regularly treat myself to classroom visits and always come away inspired and smiling. I’ve met with students in every grade and love hearing their ideas and reflections. Like me, they recognize that Langley is a special place, and they feel a sense of pride and responsibility. I am thankful to them and to all of you for your confidence, trust, and support. Yours truly,
Michele Claeys Head of School
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FEATURE STORY:
The Life After Langley Experience A Look Inside the High School Placement Process by Michela Lakkala, Admission Liaison & High School Placement Counselor
From the Classroom to the Admission Office As the eighth-grade language arts teacher at Langley for five years, I have countless memories of writing letters of recommendation for all my students as they applied to high schools each fall. I remember enjoying that opportunity to tell schools how proud I was of each student’s journey, as both a learner and a person. The privilege to share about my students’ strengths and moments of growth was a gift. Now, six years later, I am grateful to still be part of this exciting experience, just from a different perspective. I have traded giving feedback on To Kill a Mockingbird essays for feedback on high school application essays, and swapped keeping track of vocabulary quizzes to keeping track of interviews, open houses, and application deadlines. This year has brought me the opportunity to guide our students and families through this process in an even more deliberate and focused manner.
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My role as admission liaison and high school placement counselor is a new position at Langley, and one that was crafted with great intentionality. As a former teacher and a current parent in the Langley community, I have always valued our purposeful preschool to eighth grade model. Now working in this unique position and providing support for our oldest students, my appreciation for the valuable Langley experience which culminates in eighth grade has grown even more. The eighth-grade year at Langley is a reflective and transformational one; it is a time in which our students become their own strongest advocates. The high school application process comes at a crucial moment in their personal development, and students truly mature into the best versions of themselves throughout this year. My job allows me the opportunity to have the time and space to fully support and encourage our eighth-graders and their families through this pivotal experience.
Navigating the High School Application Process Our Langley outplacement team is driven by a shared commitment to our community. We want to help ensure that the significant journey of preparing for and applying to high schools, although rigorous, is one filled with guidance, perspective, and of course, lots of joy along the way. While Langley has always had a strong process in place, it’s been exciting to work alongside Head of School Michele Claeys, who brings 10 years of local high school placement expertise, and Head of Middle School Emily Dutton to refine and strengthen the support we offer our students and families. Whether our students matriculate at public high schools, private independent schools, parochial schools, coed, single-sex, boarding, or day schools, our entire team is here to support the process and enable families to find schools that are the right fit for their students. In our Langley Middle School, preparation for high school admissions starts before the eighth-grade year. In the spring of seventh grade, the outplacement team meets with rising eighth-grade families for an introduction to the high school application process. We work with students in a weekly study hall to begin thinking about their next steps and help them reflect on their strengths and areas for growth – all great material for future applications! Our aim is to have this be an exciting step for our almost-eighth-graders, not one fraught with anxiety; it is a chance to begin thinking about what life after Langley looks like.
PARENT VOICES
The summer months before eighth grade offer the chance to browse various high school options and have family conversations about right fit. Once our eighth-grade leaders begin school in the fall, we provide the time and space for this process to unfold within our school schedule.
2021-2022 By the Numbers • This fall, Langley hosted virtual visits with 37 high schools, including 24 coed schools, 13 single-sex schools, and 11 boarding schools. •
240 applications (5 per student on average) were sent to 33 different independent, parochial, and magnet schools.
• Approximately 160 recommendation letters were written by our Middle School teachers. • Eighth-graders participated in more than 60 mock interviews. •
5 students applied to boarding schools.
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3 students applied to Thomas Jefferson
High School for Science and Technology. • The top 5 most applied-to coed schools among the Class of 2022 are: Potomac, Flint Hill, Georgetown Day, Bullis, and Maret. Most applied-to single-sex schools include Madeira, National Cathedral, Holton-Arms, Gonzaga, Landon, and St. Albans. • The 5 public schools our students most frequently attend include Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Langley, McLean, Marshall IB Program, and Washington-Liberty IB Program.
“Langley’s high school placement team has provided us with amazing support and guidance through every step of the process. At the end of seventh grade, they set up numerous info sessions to help us get to know the schools better. This enabled us to make a much more informed decision on where to apply. Additionally, through the application process, they held our hand and provided us ongoing feedback to make sure we hit our deadlines. The support also included essay review and interview prep. At times when we felt overwhelmed by the process or concerned if our school list was the right one, we could pick up the phone and there was always someone who eased our anxiety.” -Vaishali Udupa (parent of Khalin Patel ’22)
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STUDENT VOICES
“At The Langley School, I feel as if there is always support for me and always someone there to help out. The high school placement team at Langley made me more prepared and confident in my communication skills. This experience has also allowed me to explore myself and what makes me, me. I feel prepared for what college applications will throw at me!” -Hedy Hao ’22 “[This process] is a big step in life, but it is one of the most interesting things to do. Learning about different schools, and then seeing them in person, and having interviews – there was something fun about it that I really enjoyed.” -Joshua Salomone ’22
First and foremost, throughout the fall and winter season, Head of Middle School Emily Dutton and I meet with eighth-grade families several times to help navigate the world of high school admissions. The Langley approach to high school placement is a personalized one, because each student’s and family’s needs and priorities are different. What is your ideal educational philosophy? Do you want a larger high school? How important are sport teams in your search? Are you looking for a faith-based experience? Is transportation a key factor for your family? Are you seeking a school with a strong learning support center? That “right fit” school is different for each and every graduate and family. So often we hear talk of “reach schools” or “safety schools” in the admissions process, but this experience is so much more than that – it really is about fit. Just like our current families once chose Langley because it was the right fit for their child, we encourage eighth-grade families to think in the same way. The search is not for the top school; it is for the right school, the one where both a family and a school align in mission, philosophy, and community. In many instances, the schools that are on families’ lists initially often shift based on this very organic and personal experience. After these meetings with our outplacement team, students participate in a half-day retreat in September. During this time, we talk about everything from the emotions of this application experience to the logistics and the nuts and bolts. What kind of schools are out there? How do I know what school is the right fit? How do I start an application? What is a good question to ask in an interview? What do I use for a writing sample?
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Throughout the fall, students dive deep into exploring and researching schools. We set up meetings with various high school admissions directors at this time, during which students are able to learn more about school communities and curriculums, and have the chance to ask pointed questions. These visits enable students to narrow their search and determine which schools seem to be aligned with their priorities. Due to the challenges of COVID-19, much of the high school application process has gone virtual in the last two years. Yet even from afar, the opportunity to connect with schools is available. This year, Langley hosted virtual visits with 37 different high schools, most within the DMV, but also several schools up and down the East Coast. With their laptops charged and Google Meet queued up, students engaged with admissions teams and asked superb questions on topics ranging from schedules to school community, from diversity to course offerings, and more. Our eighth-graders were amazingly prepared, and for many, these visits helped to clarify if certain schools were a good match. In addition to the opportunity to attend virtual visits, eighth-grade students also participate in a high school workshop during their elective block. In this weekly workshop, we review everything from how to prepare for a high school interview, to how to request recommendation letters and transcripts, to how to navigate an application portal or apply for scholarships and financial aid. Students are also supported on a daily basis by the entire eighthgrade faculty team, who go above and beyond to write recommendation letters or work with students when they need to miss class for a high school visit.
A Life After Langley (LAL) resource page within the MyLangley portal has become instrumental in helping families navigate information about the application process. To help with their searches, we have a map of area schools that can be filtered by size, location, and program. Furthermore, students and families can find up-to-date information on high school visits, guidance about registering for standardized testing, and advice on how to craft a strong parent statement. Another popular feature on this page is our LAL parent directory, a tool for current eighth-grade parents to connect with former Langley families who are eager to share their experiences about the high schools their graduates attend – yet another example of the entire Langley community working together to help support each other through these significant experiences.
The Journey, Not the Destination When the applications are finally in, and the cold quiet of January and February unfolds, members of the outplacement team, including Head of School Michele Claeys, meet with administrators from every single school where our students have applied. We value the strong partnerships we have cultivated with so many high schools and look forward to the chance to advocate for our eighth-graders. Regardless of their school lists, whether they seek an environment that is similar to Langley or want to challenge themselves with a different experience, whether they apply to private schools or know from the start they will enroll in one of our excellent public schools, the credit in this process goes to our eighth-graders. A constant throughout this entire high school placement journey is the intrinsic motivation and tenacity with which our students work. Each and every student rises to the challenge of finding their next school home that is the best environment for them. And while the thought of sending off our students is bittersweet, the adaptability, resilience, and self-awareness with which our eighth-graders have handled this application process makes each and every one of us incredibly proud. They are on the threshold of great endeavors. And we know that, without a doubt, who they have yet to become is the biggest, most exciting journey of all. L
PARENT VOICES “After going through the high school admissions process for two children, I can attest to the thorough support offered by Langley’s outplacement team and the benefits of their ‘Life After Langley’ program. They have set up an organized framework to provide expertise for every aspect of the process. “Because they really know each child, they are able to help families navigate the process in a really personalized way. Our family has so appreciated the one-on-one conversations with teachers and staff helping us identify the optimal schools for our children. While the process is stressful at times, the lasting benefits of the kids getting to know themselves, appreciating their strengths and uniqueness, and confidently transitioning to high school makes it all worth it in the end.” -Andrea Ridl (parent of Shea ’20 and Nate ’22)
MEET THE Outplacement Team
While they all have slightly different roles in the outplacement process, this dedicated team works together to ensure eighth-graders and their families have the best possible experience as they find their best-fit high schools.
• Michele Claeys, Head of School • Emily Dutton, Head of Middle School • Michela Lakkala, Admission Liaison and High School Placement Counselor
• Meghan Meyer, Assistant Head of Middle School • Brad Lands, Director of Technology and Innovation • Vance Nguyen, Middle School Administrative Assistant
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Building Community & School Spirit 1. Students and teachers enjoyed Langley’s traditional Halloween celebration with class parties and parades to show off their creative costumes. 2. Competitive athletics returned this fall with Langley athletes taking part in soccer, volleyball, and cross country. Congratulations to our undefeated boys’ varsity soccer team who won the Capital Athletic Conference tournament, and to all of our athletes on successful seasons.
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3. The Langley community gathered for food, games, and music at Fall Family Fun Day in October. Held outdoors at The Perch in Tysons, the event offered the entire community a chance to come together for the first time since the pandemic began. 4. Students and teachers took part in our traditional holiday sing-along in December, spreading holiday cheer by singing and dancing to several festive tunes of the season outdoors on the turf field.
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Campus Happenings
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Expressing Creativity 5. Our Middle School musicians returned to the stage in December for a wonderful winter concert which featured the talents of our band, chorus, and strings groups. 6. Students in grades 7 and 8 presented their fall production of “Game of Myths” in November. With just 12 actors playing 27 parts without ever leaving the stage, this whirlwind one-act play featured six Greek myths told with a modern, comedic twist.
7. In a collaboration between STEAM and music classes, first-graders made their own guitars and tested ways to change the pitch. They had great fun using their guitars to play along with Mozart’s “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik.” 8. As part of their unit on indigenous people, secondgraders gave a performance which celebrated indigenous cultures, stories, and traditions. In addition to musical numbers, each class presented a play highlighting stories from various Native American tribes.
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Campus Happenings
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Developing Empathy & Respect 1. Families, students, and teachers shared the ways they celebrate peace and light during an assembly that included a video highlighting various cultural traditions, music performed by our students, and special student artwork depicting light. 2. Focusing on the core value of kindness, Lower School students reflected on what kindness means to them, shared ways they are inspiring kindness at Langley, and designed their own kindness rocks to share in their communities and around campus.
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3. Middle School students marked the 20th anniversary of September 11 during a special assembly and shared a moment of silence on the turf field to honor those who lost their lives on that fateful day. 4. The Student Council led a school-wide service drive to collect items for winter care kits which were donated to PathForward, an organization that helps local homeless individuals. Students of all ages also wrote kind and encouraging messages to include in the kits.
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Learning Outside the Classroom 5. Middle Schoolers were thrilled to once again enjoy offcampus experiences for several days this fall, including a team-building challenge at The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring for our sixth grade.
7. The traditional fifth-grade trip to Camp Highroad continued this fall as students took part in a team challenge course, soared down an 800-foot zipline, bonded with classmates, and worked together to solve problems.
6. Students in grades 1-5 were treated to a series of virtual presentations by Dr. Manumaua Luafata Simanu-Klutz (known as Dr. Fata), a Samoan historian, storyteller, orator, poet, and playwright. Dr. Fata introduced students to Samoan culture and shared how oral storytelling serves as an important form of history.
8. During a field trip to the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum, third-graders enhanced their study of the Jamestown and Roanoke colonies with a glimpse into Colonial life as they played Colonial children’s games, spun sheep’s wool, preserved apples, and visited a blacksmith shop.
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Scheduled to open in fall 2022, the new 40,000-square-foot building will house our Primary School, fifth grade, Library and Innovation Center, and multipurpose space that will serve the entire Langley community. Pictured clockwise from top left: Crossroads Building exterior, kindergarten classroom, multipurpose space with Primary School stage, and fifth-grade classroom.
FEATURE STORY:
The Next Chapter for Langley’s Next Generation Campaign
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In the fall of 2022, Langley will celebrate our 80th anniversary and will deliver our new Crossroads Building, a critical component of the campus master plan.
Committing to an Ambitious Campaign
Over the past two decades, the Langley campus has changed dramatically with the completion of three new buildings: the Betty Brown Lower School, the Solomon Athletic Center, and the Jeffrey J. Sherman Arts Center. The Crossroads Building will further Langley’s bold and ambitious facilities plan, which was thoughtfully designed to support student learning, promote an inviting campus community, and position Langley as a national leader in preschool through eighth grade education.
The Next Generation Campaign, which began in 2019, was launched to realize the Crossroads Building and to grow the school’s endowment from $5 million to $10 million — making it a $20 million campaign in total. “This is the most ambitious campaign in Langley’s history, and it would not be possible for us to be in this position without the many dedicated and visionary families who invested in Langley over the past 80 years,” says Head of School Michele Claeys. “They built a strong foundation on which the school could grow and inspired us to embark on this
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important endeavor which will transform our campus and the learning experience we provide students for years to come.” With nearly 100 current and alumni families already committing $12 million to the campaign and the endowment reaching $7.5 million and growing, the strong support from early campaign contributors allowed the school to break ground on the new Crossroads Building in 2021. Langley is now launching the public phase of the campaign with the goal of raising an additional $3 million in 2022. Chief Financial Officer Greg Bokman added, “The timing was critical. As we navigated the uncertainties around the COVID-19 pandemic, the decision to move forward was complicated and not without risk. I was impressed with the Board of Trustees’ careful consideration of finances, construction, and fundraising potential that led us to ultimately move forward.” The decision to break ground in 2021 allowed Langley to secure a 2.64 percent interest rate on our building loan, lock in the project cost, and move forward with our preferred project team at Coakley-Williams while continuing our fundraising work. “Each additional million that is raised reduces our annual debt service by $50,000,” says Lara Ramsey ’87, trustee and campaign co-chair. “We are committed to reaching the $15 million mark by the end of 2022, which will allow us to make manageable payments on the construction debt, continue to invest in our programs, and keep tuition affordable.”
Creating New Space for Primary School, Fifth Grade, and the Library Many of Langley’s faculty and staff members worked closely with the building designers to create an ideal space for teaching and learning. The new 40,000-square-foot building will house our Primary School, fifth grade, Library and Innovation Center, and multipurpose space that will serve the entire Langley community. The new Primary School will include floor-to-ceiling windows in seven spacious classrooms that open into outdoor space. Designed to support the developmental needs of our youngest learners as they embark on Langley’s inquiry-based curriculum, these safe, inspiring spaces will enable dramatic play, hands-on discovery and creativity, and collaborative and individual study – sometimes all at once. And a large multipurpose area will not only provide a place for community gatherings, but also include an age-appropriate stage for Primary School performances and a designated Primary School music classroom to give our youngest learners a place for their musical talents to shine. Anna Shiroma, interim head of Primary School, shared, “I am so excited to bring our preschoolers, junior kindergartners, and kindergartners together in the Crossroads Building and to see the kind of collaborative community we can build with all of our youngest learners together.”
A Collaborative Partnership with Coakley-Williams and cox graae + spack Since May 2021, Coakley-Williams (our general contractor) and cox graae + spack (our architects) have been terrific partners in making the Crossroads project accessible and relatable for the Langley community. Whether offering tours of the construction site or working with our students to explain how a building is designed and built, they have brought students, teachers, and donors into the process with enthusiasm. Here are just a few of the events in which they have taken part:
• Library Demolition Signing Event for • • • • •
Students (May 2021) Groundbreaking Ceremony (June 2021) Time-Lapse Videos (ongoing) Beam Signing Event for Students (November 2021) Hard Hat Tours (ongoing) Classroom Presentations for Grades 5 and 7 (fall 2021 and ongoing)
We are also looking forward to a schoolwide time capsule project in June 2022 and the ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the building on September 6, 2022.
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The new, intentionally designed fifth-grade space will help fully prepare our Lower School leaders socially, emotionally, and intellectually for the transition to Middle School. With breakout areas, flexible collaborative spaces, and plenty of natural light, this new learning environment will encourage fifth-graders to bond with each other and their teachers while supporting the departmentalized schedule and leadership experiences that pave the way to Middle School. “Fifth grade has always been an important, culminating experience for our Lower School,” adds Head of Lower School Sarah Beck. “Having a dedicated space that is in the center of campus will be a physical reminder of the community and transition these students experience.” From immersing themselves in tales of adventure to discovering information for a research paper, Langley students rely on the school library for an impressive range of learning activities. Langley will expand this welcoming place into a hub for the entire campus, facilitating a continuous flow of students, teachers, and parents throughout the day and creating a flexible space for community gatherings. In the new library space, Primary School students will have easy access to the books that will build their early literacy skills so that they are ready to read. Our fifth-graders will be in close proximity to the 16,000 volumes in Langley’s collection, helping build their information and research literacy skills. And with technology and the library going hand in hand, Middle School students using the makerspace will be able to choose the books that will help them do their best in the Technology and Innovation Lab.
Growing Our Technology and STEAM Programs The Crossroads Building will also allow Langley to grow our STEAM and technology and innovation programs, both through the new building and through the current Primary School building, which will be reimagined. The Technology and Innovation Lab, located inside the Crossroads Building, will be a shared space where Lower and Middle School students will learn technology and innovation concepts and skills. The layout, furniture, tools, and materials inside will reflect a modern workplace environment to help foster student creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving. “I am excited for students to use this new space for design thinking, where they will be able to focus on computer
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programming, physical computing, fabrication, and digital storytelling,” says Director of Technology and Innovation Brad Lands. By moving our Primary School students into the new building, Langley opened up room in the existing Primary School building for an exciting new space – called Pirro Studios – which will include three art classrooms and a fabrication lab. “I’m looking forward to having a designated space for my STEAM classes that is set up for hands-on experiments and building projects,” says Emily O’Grady, STEAM teacher. Art Teacher Paige Dunn adds, “The Visual Arts Department is thrilled to have all of our classrooms together in Pirro Studios! We are also looking forward to having easy access to the outdoor gazebo and woods for students to practice creating art outdoors, as well as observational drawing.”
Creating a Healthier Endowment Langley’s current endowment is approximately $7.5 million, well below that of our peer schools locally and nationally. Growth of these funds will ensure the long-term stability and affordability of the institution. A healthier endowment will help reduce our dependence on tuition and allow us to increase financial aid, making Langley accessible to a wider array of talented children and enhancing the educational experience for everyone. It will also allow us to continue to recruit and retain the best faculty and to provide them with the types of professional development that foster a lifetime of growth, ensuring they apply the best and latest educational practices for our students. At the heart of the Next Generation Campaign is our commitment to delivering the highest quality educational experience for our students. We invite you to join the nearly 100 current and alumni families who have invested in Langley’s present and future. Together, we can complete the Next Generation Campaign as we deliver the Crossroads Building, grow our endowment, and ensure that Langley remains a leader in preschool through eighth grade education. L
Learn more about the Next Generation
Campaign and how you can get involved at langleyschool.org/next-generation-campaign or contact Head of Development Ricki Marion at (703) 356-1920, ext. 885 or rmarion@langleyschool.org.
Campaign Supporters Thank you to the following donors whose early participation in the Next Generation Campaign allowed us to move forward with this exciting project. We appreciate your support!
Chris and AJ Andreas John Asadoorian and Tina Schwartz Parm and Pooja Atwal Jack and Debbie Ballinghoff Brian and Cathy Bernasek Michael and Chrystin Blyumin Erik and Karen Briceno Jim Burkhardt and Karen Miller Tate Cantrell and Sylvia Leimone Michael and Narie Choi Brian and Ellie Christiansen Terri Cook Doris Cottam Elizabeth Crocker and Brian Greenberg Rob and Barbara Denton Frank and Ariana DiMeo Tammy and Craig Donnelly Moiz and Alifia Doriwala Habib Enayetullah and Tania Rahmatullah David and Ayesha Flaherty Tom Flaherty and Beth Lalik Tom and Karen Frana Russ Frey and I-Min Chao Craig and Karen Gibian John and Amy Gilliland Peter and Lisa Glassman Todd and Jennifer Graham David Halwig Jeff and Mary Heath
Donald and Makiko Harrison Mohammad Iqbal and Shireen Zaman Aleix and Libby Jarvis Mark and Lindsey Keatley Michael Kostrov and Mahvesh Qureshi Joe and Andrea Kresse Andy Leblanc and Kara McCabe Erik and Katie Linn Scott and Denise Lisman Muir Macpherson and Wendy Moe PG and Sara Magner Paul Martorana Devon McFadden and Ronya Corey Michael Melton Brett and Ally Meringoff Zac and Laura Merriman Alistair and Allie Miller Conor and Susan Miller Preston and Morgan Miller Jackson and Nicole Morrill RJ and Heidi Narang Brett and Andie Nelson John and Judy Niepold Hugh and Patricia O'Kane Mike and Cindy O'Kane Nirav and Alexis Patel Rob and Kate Pinkerton Charles and Jeri Queenan Kristin and Lara Ramsey
Jane Ramsey Thomas and Sonya Ricketts David and Selwa Rutchik Barry Sabin and Leslie McClendon Gerry Salemme and Rachel Welch The Sampson Foundation George and Patricia Sampson Frank Sands, Jr. Matt and Anne Schuyler Elinor Scully Leah Fried Sedwick Fred and Elizabeth Singer Chad Slater Dane and Sarah Smith Dick and Katie Snowdon Eric and Amy Stallmer Steve Thomas and Sofia Barretto Thomas Dave and Catherine Thompson Miguel Toledo and Maria Anzola Barbara Toohill Torque Foundation Carrie Towbes John and Kathleen Tregoning Shahab and Katherine Vagefi Paul Van Hook and Peggy Henderson John Whalen and Linda Rabbitt Ryan and Stephanie Whitaker Perry and Tina Williams *Donors listed as of February 10, 2022
The Langley Fund 2021-2022: Gifts of EVERY Size Matter – EVERY Student Benefits You Can: • Support Langley’s mission • Empower students and teachers • Provide critical resources • Enhance educational offerings • Impact tuition assistance • Show appreciation and pride
Your gift here
Tuition
Donor Benefits of Giving Include: • Book club discussion • Dinner with head of school • 1942 Circle cocktail party • Pop-up event for exceeding participation goal For benefit details, email Peggy Evans at pevans@langleyschool.org
Now What? Give online at langleyschool.org/support-langley, scan the QR code, or give by mail with the enclosed envelope. Thank you for your support of the 2021-2022 Langley Fund!
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Class Notes Connect with former classmates and families by updating your news and contact information at langleyschool.org/alumni-family-portal.
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Peyton Marshall is one of 35 writers to receive a $25,000 Creative Writing Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. These fellowships are highly competitive, with more than 2,000 applications received. Peyton’s first novel, Goodhouse, was published in 2014. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, Tin House, A Public Space, Blackbird, Etiqueta Negra, and Best New American Voices.
Sasha Wexler is an actress, director, and mom who lives in Los Angeles with her husband.
1989 Jason Samenow is The Washington Post’s weather editor and chief meteorologist for its Capital Weather Gang. In December, he paid a virtual visit to Langley’s fourth-grade class where he discussed extreme weather events and the field of meteorology. Jason holds an undergraduate degree in environmental science and a master’s degree in atmospheric science, and previously worked for the Environmental Protection Agency as a climate change science analyst.
1992 Samantha Koches is the founder of Nourish All, a nonprofit organization that enables fresh food security for vulnerable populations around the world by empowering people to grow their own food. With a diverse background in permaculture, agribusiness, and nonprofit strategy, her goal is to improve the world through nature and food.
2005 Mandy Coston is in her penultimate year of a Ph.D. program in machine learning and public policy at Carnegie Mellon University. This winter, she is proposing her thesis, titled “Principled Machine Learning for High-Stakes Decisions.”
2020 Shannon O'Kane is in her sophomore year at Flint Hill School and served as a judge for Langley’s sixth-grade science fair this winter. She loves anything in the field of science and spends her free time pursuing initiatives to protect the environment. Ivy Wydler, a sophomore at Georgetown Visitation School, served as a judge for Langley’s sixth-grade science fair this winter. She enjoys exploring the mysteries of the world around her, especially through critical thinking and experimenting.
Visit Our Alumni Family Portal Search the alumni directory, view photo galleries and magazine archives, share class notes, and more! Connect today at:
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langleyschool.org/alumni-family-portal
WNBA’s Jasmine Thomas ’03 Gives Back Jasmine Thomas ’03, a guard for the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun, received the WNBA Cares Community Assist Award for her ongoing efforts to positively impact the lives of youth and shine a light on health disparities in underserved black and brown communities. Jasmine collaborated with Sharing Shoes, a teen-inspired charity, to collect new and gently worn basketball shoes for underserved athletes. She coordinated a shoe drive for every Sun home game, and in just two games, more than 100 pairs of shoes were collected for communities in Connecticut. Additionally, as her mother is a breast cancer survivor, Jasmine uses her personal connection with the Kay Yow Cancer Fund to raise awareness of the prevention, detection, and treatment of cancer in black and brown communities. “I’m passionate about giving back and being involved in the community,” she says. “The most important part of the legacy I want to leave as a professional athlete is that I used my platform and resources to make other people’s lives better.”
IN MEMORIAM:
Remembering Modern Language Teacher Maria Restrepo The Langley School lost a beloved member of our community when former Spanish and French teacher Maria Restrepo passed away in September 2021 at the age of 88. Over the course of her 24-year career at Langley – during which time she taught Spanish and some French to every grade level except kindergarten – Mrs. Restrepo worked to build a comprehensive, integrated modern language curriculum that helped students of all ages not only learn a new language, but also develop an appreciation for other cultures. When Mrs. Restrepo first arrived at Langley in 1972 as a part-time Spanish teacher, the school’s modern language program consisted of limited French and Spanish offerings twice a week for grades 6-8 with few resources. As the school grew, so did the Modern Language Department with additional teachers, dedicated classroom space, and increased instructional time. The introduction of Spanish in the kindergarten classroom was met with such enthusiasm from parents that Langley soon expanded Spanish and French instruction across all grade levels from kindergarten through eighth grade. “We didn’t have enough language teachers to teach the younger grades at first, so I had to be creative at times,” remembered Mrs. Restrepo during an earlier interview. “At one point, I was teaching the same subject in French to one half of the room and in Spanish to the other half! Langley was truly a pioneer in beginning a foreign language at such a young age, as very few schools at the time offered that option.” While serving as foreign language coordinator from 1983 to 1996, Mrs. Restrepo developed the ambitious goal of preparing Langley’s language students to place in level 2 French or Spanish in high school – a goal she and her colleagues achieved. In her classroom, Mrs. Restrepo brought Spanish language and culture to life by introducing Spanish art, music, literature, and history along with basic grammar and pronunciation skills. Her students sang Spanish songs, explored Spanish art at the National Gallery, presented programs in Spanish on Grandparents Day, ate at Spanish restaurants, and wrote research papers about Spanishspeaking regions. “While my students had to learn the basics of a language in order to speak it and write it, I believed it was very important to tie their study of Spanish or French into other aspects of their lives outside the classroom,” Mrs. Restrepo once said. “I wanted them to develop a true interest in other cultures which would spark their desire to learn to communicate.” continued on page 17
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ALUMNI PROFILE:
Robinson Cook ’12 From Inventor to Entrepreneur From a young age, Robinson Cook ’12 loved the excitement of creating something new. “I thought I wanted to be an inventor when I was a kid,” he says, “but I later discovered that really meant I wanted to be an engineer.” His passion for technology and his spirit of independence prompted him to start his own software development company in 2019 while he was still a junior at the University of Wisconsin pursuing a double major in electrical engineering and computer science. Now with his degree in hand, Robinson and his business partner are devoting themselves full-time to their young company, Birdwell Solutions, building custom apps and websites for small businesses and startups around the country. With five employees and six to eight clients at any one time, Birdwell Solutions offers a personalized,
“The most important part of my time at Langley was the amazing teachers I had who took an interest in me, cared about me, and let me be who I needed to be.” hands-on, full-service approach to every project – whether leading a start-up process, designing and building a new application, building a low-code website, or connecting clients with the right teammates to get the job done. While his business partner handles the marketing and relationship-building, Robinson’s role is that of a typical chief technology officer, working on projects and overseeing architecture and design with his team. Although his workday can last up to 14 hours, Robinson feels lucky to earn a living doing something he truly enjoys. And his accomplishments have not gone unnoticed in the tech community. He was named one of five rising tech leaders under age 25 by Wisconsin Inno and the Milwaukee Business Journal last year. “I feel like I’ve always known I would start my own business,” he says, noting his biggest challenge is believing in himself
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when others may have doubted his ability to succeed on his own. “While many of my college classmates may be earning a lot more money at larger companies, I love the freedom we have to pick and choose our projects and, most importantly, to work on some of our own ideas.” It’s the flexibility to develop his own ideas that makes the risk and hard work of being a business owner worth it all. While contracting with clients helps pay the bills for now, Robinson’s true passion lies in building his own ideas and products to improve people’s lives, and he hopes to grow Birdwell Solutions into a larger company with that focus. One such idea he’s currently working on originated from a scam phone call his grandmother received from someone claiming to be Robinson who needed bail money wired to him in prison. “I’m too smart to let my grandma be scammed by hackers!” he laughs. So he began creating a new identity platform he calls Veri-Easy which allows users to build a profile which can be verified with a real-time notification to confirm their identity. Always looking to the future, Robinson regularly follows the latest technology news to keep abreast of trends that will need solutions in the years to come. For example, he hopes to explore the way blockchain technology – which is similar to a large, shared computer – can be revolutionized to verify someone’s identity. “Blockchain is a hot new technology with a lot of room for growth, so I hope I can delve more into that area,” he adds. While he didn’t officially begin doing computer programming until college, Robinson’s interest in computers was first sparked during the 11 years he spent at Langley. He fondly recalls his early experiences with coding using Scratch during Langley’s technology classes and the hours he spent building computers with eighth-grade friends. “I really hated math during some of my Langley years and that resistance could’ve caused me to fall through the
cracks at another school,” he says. “But at Langley, the environment was so nurturing and the teachers were so caring that I received an amazing foundation in both math and science that set me up for the career I now have.” From his current home in Madison, WI, Robinson talks fondly of his many Langley experiences outside the classroom, including playing the trumpet in band, doing lighting for Middle School plays, and playing on the lacrosse team. He remembers the fun he had on the eighth-grade trip to Costa Rica and the unique opportunity to flip the switch at the holiday tree lighting as Langley’s oldest student. It wasn’t until Robinson reached high school at Georgetown Day School, however, that he realized just how well Langley had prepared him – and he gives most of the credit to his teachers. “The most important part of my time at Langley was the amazing teachers I had who took an interest in me, cared about me, and let me be who I needed to be,” Robinson says. The sense of self he developed during those formative years gave him the confidence to dream big and take the risks he must continue to take as a true entrepreneur. L
Restrepo, continued from page 15 Mrs. Restrepo’s legacy also includes Langley’s Modern Language Tournament, a competition she organized and ran each spring for 13 years with the help of her fellow teachers. The tournament annually attracted around 300 students in grades 6-8 from area independent schools who were divided into groups by age and proficiency. Participants recited poetry or performed short plays in either Spanish or French and were judged on their delivery, pronunciation, and annunciation. “Señora Restrepo was a gentle but firm teacher who gave me an early understanding and appreciation of the Spanish language,” says Michelle Malek Olson ’82. “These language skills have served me well in life and provided opportunities that would not have been available without a working knowledge of Spanish.” “Mrs. Restrepo was such a trusted and loved teacher within the Langley community throughout my childhood. It was truly an honor and privilege to be one of her students,” adds Lauren Rabbitt Aiello ’92. Mrs. Restrepo’s legacy includes her five children, 22 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren – along with thousands of her students who have a deeper appreciation for other languages and cultures thanks to the vision and dedication of this remarkable educator. L
UPCOMING EVENTS Class of 2018 Reunion Wednesday, May 25 at 4:00 p.m.
High school seniors and their parents are invited to join us for a Class of 2018 reunion. Come catch up with friends and faculty members before heading off to college in the fall. Watch for more details from the Alumni Office this spring.
“Together We Thrive” Spring Auction Saturday, May 14 at 6:00 p.m.
TOGETHER WE
thrive The Langley School 2022 Spring Auction
Save the date for our "Together We Thrive" spring auction, Langley's most fantastic evening of the year! A favorite Langley tradition, the spring auction raises funds that support the school’s innovative programs and extraordinary teachers. Held at the stunning Conrad hotel in downtown DC, the event features cocktails, a silent auction, a seated dinner, a live auction and "Raise the Paddle" for faculty excellence, music, and dancing. Don't miss out on a fun, fabulous fundraising evening with your Langley community! For more, visit langleyschool.org/support-langley/spring-auction.
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The Last Word: Langley’s DEI Journey By Chuck Schmidt, Band Director/Instrumental Music Teacher In my 29 years at Langley, I’ve seen a lot of change, from facilities and leadership to curriculum and technology. We’ve looked deeply at how and what we teach, the physical spaces where we teach, and how social-emotional acuity impacts a child’s ability to learn – all with the goal of preparing the current generation of students to be confident, responsible, empathetic citizens who will thrive in an increasingly global world. One key ingredient to our students’ success now and in the future is their ability to respect and value differing viewpoints and backgrounds. As the parent of two special needs children and an LGBTQ child, this is an area about which I’m extremely passionate. I have always felt that it is my duty to help all people feel heard, both through my teaching and through daily life. So when Langley strengthened its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and formed a new DEI Committee last year, I immediately volunteered to join. From an early age, my jazz musician father instilled in me an appreciation and respect for the African-Americans who furthered this art form despite racism and segregation. As a young teacher at Langley nearly three decades ago, I began exposing my eighth-graders to the history of jazz, blues, and other genres that were advanced by African-Americans and worked with one of the school’s early diversity coordinators to develop a music history curriculum around musicians of color. Through the years, Langley has worked to keep DEI awareness present, but we still have more to do to make these thoughts and processes more visible, automatic, and permanent parts of our school culture. Our faculty has always been good at weaving diverse perspectives into the curriculum, but being purposeful and intentional about it has not always been the norm. With the addition of LaToya Needham as our DEI coordinator last year, and the full support and encouragement of the administration, Langley is well on its way to fully embedding DEI awareness into who we are collectively – and I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of that effort.
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“DEI work can be a difficult, challenging, and awkward road at times, but it’s a road that is so important for Langley to travel down.”
During the first half of this school year, we’ve continued building a solid DEI foundation with faculty and staff through several professional development sessions; hosted DEI dialogues with parent groups to get a pulse on the community; identified areas of strength and improvement through school-wide DEI surveys; tracked our growth and audited our DEI practices; and continued to grow our DEI Committee and provide forums for discussion. And I’m noticing that our work is paying off in the classroom. I’ve seen our older students more comfortably, freely, and respectfully discussing complex issues like race, gender, and sexual orientation, and I’ve seen our faculty become more comfortable facilitating these conversations. DEI work can be a difficult, challenging, and awkward road at times, but it’s a road that is so important for Langley to travel down. L
2020-2021
ANNUAL REPORT
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Head’s Message & Financial Report 2020-2021 Dear Friends, The past year at Langley was one of transition and resilience. While I officially began my tenure as head of school on July 1, 2021, I had the good fortune to start my transition into the role throughout the 2020-2021 academic year. Langley established a very thoughtful and thorough search process, followed by a best-in-class transition plan to ensure I was oriented to the programs and connected to the community on day one. What I came to realize is that the approach Langley took with the hiring and onboarding process was indicative of the school’s approach in general. Whether it’s our inquiry-based learning curriculum, signature REACH program, commitment to DEI, or COVID-19 safety protocols – Langley brings together a variety of voices, focuses on the needs of the community, and makes carefully considered decisions to advance the goals of the school. Langley's thoughtful approach is bolstered by the generosity and vision of our entire community. The commitment to The Langley Fund, Next Generation Campaign, auction and “Raise the Paddle,” planned gifts, and in-kind contributions have maintained Langley's strong financial position and allowed us to navigate one of the most challenging moments in education in over a century.
It's particularly remarkable that during such a complex year, Langley not only kept the campus open to students and faculty, but also expanded our work in REACH and our inquiry-based curriculum, continued to provide professional development for faculty and staff, and offered parent education programs. My sincere thanks to everyone who dedicated their time, talents, and financial resources to Langley during the 20202021 academic year. Your generosity made an incredibly difficult year possible to navigate. Now, as we move forward through the current year, I believe we have gained newfound levels of resilience and a deeper appreciation for community connections and togetherness. I look forward to all that we will continue to accomplish together! Warm regards,
Michele Claeys Head of School
Revenues
Expenses
Tuition & Fees (net of financial aid) (88%).........$15,861,000 Annual Giving (3%)..................................................$568,000 Extended Day & Summer Programs (2%).............$288,000 Auxiliary Services (2%)............................................$348,000 Spring Auction (net) (3%)........................................$502,000 (includes $149,000 raised for teacher excellence) Other Revenue (2%)................................................$375,000 TOTAL...........................................................$17,942,000
Salaries & Benefits (76%)....................................$13,077,000 Instructional Expenses & Prof. Development (2%)....$465,000 Operations & Facilities (13%)...............................$2,197,000 Marketing & Communication (2%)........................$329,000 General & Administrative (6%)...........................$1,050,000 Auxiliary Services (1%).............................................$109,000 TOTAL..........................................................$17,227,000
2% 3% 2% 2% 3%
1% 6% 2% 13%
88% 2% 76%
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ANNUAL REPORT 20-21
The Langley Fund Donors 2020-2021 The Langley School thanks everyone who made a gift to The Langley Fund in 20202021. Thanks to the generous support of many parents, alumni, grandparents, faculty, staff, and friends, we raised more than $568,000 for our students and teachers. Membership in The 1942 Society, named for the school’s founding year, is extended to those who contribute $2,500 or more to The Langley Fund in a given academic year. This special group exemplifies the leadership, commitment, and dedication of those who built The Langley School into the extraordinary educational institution it is today and those who want to preserve and continue its mission for tomorrow.
Founder’s Society Gifts Gifts of $25,000 or more
Chris and AJ Andreas Donald and Makiko Harrison David Rutchik and Selwa Masri Rutchik
Head of School Society Gifts of $10,000 to $24,999
Brian and Cathy Bernasek Wes Callender and Pat Davis Russ Frey and I-Min Chao Rob and Kendall Jesmer Andy Leblanc and Kara McCabe Zac and Laura Merriman RJ and Heidi Narang John and Judy Niepold Mike and Cindy O'Kane Kristin and Lara '87 Ramsey Thomas and Sonya Ricketts The Sampson Foundation Frank Sands Sr.+
Langley Leader’s Society Gifts of $5,000 to $9,999
Erik '89 and Karen Briceno Chuck and Rachael Brown Michael and Narie Choi Craig and Karen Gibian Greg and Maya Gramenopoulos Jeff and Mary Heath Eric and Jill Lyttle Devon McFadden and Ronya Corey Alistair and Allie Miller Brett and Andie Nelson Chris and Michelle (Malek) '82 Olson Bob and Suzy Pence Greg and Courtney Portner Jason and Amy Ruggiero Gerry Salemme and Rachel Welch Dane and Sarah Smith Dick and Katie Snowdon Philip Stephenson Foundation John and Kathleen Tregoning
1942 Society
Gifts of $2,500 to $4,999 Paul Ades Keith and Stephanie Anderson John Asadoorian and Tina Schwartz Jack and Debbie Ballinghoff
Mike Batt and Hanh Haley Kevin and Amy Bell Aaron and Karen Benway Hong Chen and Jing Song Leo and Cindy Choi Steve and Amy Coles Rob and Barbara Denton Frank and Ariana Dimeo Alan and Shalla Eisenberg Tom and Karen Frana Ed and Niki Friedman Ian and Andrea Harper Jeff and Carla Harris Patrick Ho and Yichen Sun Michael and Nora Homeyer Joseph and Alysa Hutnik David and Ameeta Jordan Kanter Family Foundation Joseph Keyes and Cathleen Trail Joseph Kresse and Andrea Weinstein Erik Linn Jennifer London PG and Sara Magner Brett and Ally Meringoff Hank and Debbie Miller Preston '92 and Morgan Miller Casey and Caroline Nolan Utpal and Vaishali Patel Geoff and Stacy Pence Rob and Kate Pinkerton Mark and Kerry Price Nikki Reeves William and Kristy Rodriguez Barry Sabin and Leslie McClendon Matt and Kendra Schlueter Elinor Scully Vince Sedwick Mike and Erin Tollini Shahab and Katherine Vagefi Ryan and Stephanie Whitaker Kevin and Brittany Yam Adrian and Jinny Yeoh
Langley Pride Society Gifts of $1,000 to $2,499
Ali and Wendy Al-Eyd Corry and Kim Bliss Joann Cardon-Glass Vikas Chawla and Noelle Mendez-Villamil George Chuzi and Toni Ianniello Walter and Leyla Coker Sharon Connaughton Lloyd and Gene Dahmen Dean Dakolias ‘80 and Monique Cusson
Barbara Daman Lane and Sarah Davis Will and Kelly Dobson/ Cole Birches Foundation Moiz and Alifia Doriwala Roger Duncan and Barbara Toohill John and Courtney English Steve and Peggy (Reizes) ‘85 Evans Hisham Faour and Zeina Habal Dave and Ayesha Flaherty Aaron and Leah Fuchs Warren and Catherine Gorrell Nick and Tori Gregorios Shayeri and Jamal Haque Martin Hardy and Rim Mghir David and Liz Hayes Tarek and Sarah Helou Zafar Iqbal and Shireen Zaman Tim and Nikki Kraus Carol Langelier Michael and Natascha Ledford Mark Mulvanny Betty Nolan Raj and Allison Pai Chang and Diana Paik Gonzalo Palacio and Aly Brokenshire Randy and Sandra (Neto) ‘90 Panizo Steven Payson and Rong Zhou Joe Poellnitz and Katherine Schroder Kevin Price and Kathryn Devito Lola Reinch/Reinsch Pierce Family Foundation Scott and Sasha Richmond Sean and Andrea Ridl Chris Roberts and Josephine Gambardella Mo and Debbie Rosen Mike and Susan Ross Iyad and Hania Saidi Matt and Anne Schuyler Matt and Allison Shay Greg Sher and Truc Trinh Brian and Michele Simkin Jordan and Carine Stoick Stephen and Rachel Strasburg Sanjay and Anita Tolani Greg and Sarah Trimmer Mark Vander Ploeg
Blue and White Society Gifts of $500 to $999
Erwin and Cherie Andres Malcolm and Prue Armstrong Parm and Pooja Atwal +deceased
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The Langley Fund Donors 2020-2021 Jamie Baker John and Melanie Bielski Vincent Cantrell and Yashika Cantrell Jae and Soojun Chung John and Bonnie Clarke Dan and Ritu Cuttica Willem and Carmody Daman Mahesh and Niti Dhillon Leslie Dixon Craig and Tammy Donnelly Jan and Glenn English Jeffrey and Helen Friedman John and Amy Gilliland Peter and Lisa Glassman Brian Greenberg and Liz Crocker ‘89 Russ Guzdar and Julie Witsken Darin and Denise Haselhorst Robert and Amy Hill Wil and Amy Hsu Raj and Girja Jalla Gezu Kalaye and Simret Gebre Ken Klein and Carol Doran Klein Steve and Laura Kolias Karl Lhaggazi and Samia Mejdoubi Paul and Joan Loizeaux Peter and Christina Luedeke Anne Magruder Karl and Rosemary Mistry Jackson Morrill Terry and Jean Pool Bob and Cary Prince Greg Salomone and Lisa Yadao Josh and Ashleigh (Rabbitt) ‘90 Sekoski Jennifer Short Mike and Michelle Smith Susan Snowdon Eric and Amy Stallmer Greg and Shana Treger Jeff and Laura (Magruder) ‘88 Trent
Leopard Spot Society Gifts of up to $499
Andrew and Amanda Agetstein Joaquin and Blanca Agudelo Ali Ahmed and Maliha Shehab Christian and Lauren (Rabbitt) ‘92 Aiello Stacy Albanese Greg and Jean Allen Andrew and Natalie Alonso AmazonSmile Courtney (Gorrell) ‘00 Anderson Don and Jen Bainbridge Ibolya Balint
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ANNUAL REPORT 20-21
T.J. Barnett Nicolas and Sarah Beck Will Beck Dave and TG Belay Len Berman and Julia Rogers Janet Biggs Ernest Blaine Claire Blancher Brad Blank and Tori Steely Greg Bokman Karina Bond Shari Bozorgzad Olivia Bray Leslie Bray Paige Brennan James and Clara Brooks Betty Brown Tyler Brown Kurt Buechle and Caroline Cook Carter and Alison Burwell Troy Byrne Lynetta Chao ‘20 Valnita Chavis-Brown Ed and Ann (Maxted) ‘82 Chen Iain and Stephanie Christie Michele Claeys Billie Close Meg Clute Lamecca Coates Maddy Cohen Barbara Collier Bill and Lee Cook Peter Cook Doris Cottam Kevin and Stacy Cunningham George Daily Becky D’Amato Keely Daugherty Amanda Davis Amanda D. Davis Tunc and Ceren Dayioglu John Decker John Dedrick ‘78 and Kimberly Downing Glenda De Hoyos Dan Diller and Kathy Lester Frank and Ariana DiMeo Fran DiMeo Laura Dixon Patty Dokken Graham and Paige Dunn Sally Dunn Karen Duvall Josef and Vera Dvorak Margaret Dwight Emily Dzubak Shannon Eagan Maurice and Margie Edwards-Haygood Clifton and Fannye Edwards
Sami Eghtesadi Ray and Debbie Ellis Entergy Services Inc. Ron and Jennifer Eugene Asma Faisal Jim and Debbie Fanok Blair Fitzgerald Jane Frierson Pat and Jeanne Gallagher Edwin Garcia Gary and Michele Garofalo Mohammed and Radia Gemmeda Emily Geraghty Richard Gould Dwayne Green Cresencia Grooms Debi Gustin Joseph Hall and Shina Majeed Joy Hall David Halwig Alan and Laura Hanson Kathy Hansen Clinton Harris and Joanna Edie Kate Harris Matt Harsha-Strong and Natalie Flor Heart Sing Foundation/ Robb Family Harish and Julie Hemmige Art Hepler and Jennifer James Jaime Hernandez Mark and Catherine Heslep Elisa Hesles Daisy and Ronald Heumann Lindsey Hickey Rebecca Hinton Ghetta Hirsch Lauren Hook Jeremy Hushon and Jen Biggs Claudia Izac Shan and Ruchi Jalla Lauren Janish Kathleen Jennings ‘00 Han Jin Amy Jones Allen and Asyeh Kabiri Armin Kabiri ‘11 Morgan Kanarek ‘03 Brian Kane and Olivia (Wills) ‘81 Kane Andrew and Lauren Meth Kerr Ellen Kiely Dr. and Dr. Joe Kiernan Deb Kinder Alexandra Kingsley Peter and Carol Kirby Akiva Kirkland Kurt Klunder Ajay and Rami Kodali John and Linda Kosich
David Kreger Will and Cathy Kunz Brad Lands Flora Lattari Ned and Elizabeth Lauber Peggy Laurent Ivan Lewyckyj Mike Li and Winona Hao Barbara Lisman Scott and Denise Lisman Andrew and Dana Litke Jesse and Grace Liu Mark Loach Susan Logozzo Dennis and Pam Lucey Annie Lyon Matt Mahon and Megan Braley Anne Mailey Sheila Malcolm Ivan Mandic Yulisa Manzo Maureen Marra Jack and Sheila Marshall Leo and Pat McCabe Bill and Jane McDonald James McDowell Devon McEnroe Ryan and Jessica McKinney Rhett and Ann (Freeland) ‘54 McMahon Hib and Rebecca McNeilly Tina (FitzGerald) ‘85 McPherson Matthew Meenan and Emily Duncan ‘96 Elena Meschieri Meghan Meyer Conor and Susan Miller Susan Millonig Slobodan and Sarah Mitrovic Andres Moreno Nicole Morrill Bill and Nicole Musgrove Takahiro Nakamura ‘06 Gina Nealy Oana Nedelescu Liviu Nedelescu LaToya Needham Vance Nguyen Kyle and Emily O’Grady Barry ‘81 and Cheryl Ohlson Edna Oppong Ann Orton Caitlin O’Sullivan Dimitri Owen ‘18 Carl and Chris Park Jamie Parrott and Hally Brewster Phil and Kelly Petru Edward ‘50 and Vivian Portner Daryl Quan and Rosemary Ma
The Langley Fund Donors 2020-2021 Chuck and Jo Ann Queenan Gary Ratner and Ellen Krieger-Ratner Eliot Reid and Melissa Yost Taylor Renaud Renaissance Charitable Fund Rhett Rezendes ‘14 Melissa Rich Marc Rivers and Thida Lim Dan and Jessica Robinson Joseph Robinson and Carol Lewis Nick and Jamie Rodriguez Michele Rose Jeff and Kathy Rosen Christopher and MKay Roth Quinn and Megan Rounsaville Noah and Valerie Rozman Gary and Lissa Rubman Jeff and Carol Rubman AnnMarie Rudd Walter Saravia Chuck Schmidt Mark and Lisa Schneider Gary Serota and Sandra Garcia-Serota
Arjun Shah Karun and Rebekka Sharma Anna Shiroma Tina Shuler Lance Smith and Jami Hill-Smith Wael Soliman and Passent Saad Danielle Stewart Philip and Anne Stone Sarah Sumwalt Matt and Brooke (Lecky) ’84 Supple David and Julia Sutula Tyler Swain ‘16 Megan Szarnicki Yue Tang and Jin Wu Robin Tatu Mona Tauber Jeff and Sarah Taylor Doug and Deb Tees Derek Tenney Alexis Terry Jennifer Tibus Miguel Toledo and Maria Anzola Brad and Fraser Traverse Joel and Gayle (Schafer) ‘85 Trotter
Shahab and Kate Vagefi Clara Viana Sharon Vipperman Bill Wallace and Anne Evans Will and Suzanne Walters Emily Warren Dawn Washkewicz Wali Wazir and Tsolmon Battsengel Mary Weddle Peter and Samara Weilenmann Drew Welter and Jamie Wisz Will Weng and Dara Okamoto Max and Amber Westland Ray and Marie Wright Tianhui Xu Alex and Nilda Yadao Brittany and Kevin Yam Scott and Beth Yancey Tolga and Idil Yaveroglu Soo You Jaime Zike
Memorial & Honor Gifts
Matching & In-Kind Gifts
We thank our donors for giving Langley Fund gifts in honor/memory of the following people.
We are grateful to the companies that matched gifts from their employees and to the donors who supported the school through gifts of goods and/or services.
2020-2021
Wazir & Tsolmon Battsengel Sara Beck Karina Bond Beatrice Burwell Jose Cabero and Family Stephen C. Close ‘76 Barbara Collier Doris Cottam Rebecca D’Amato Chip FitzGerald '79 Max and Henry Friedman Dwyane Green Debi Gustin Chris Hepler '89 Lindsey Hickey Lauren Hook Amy Jones David and Ameeta Jordan Gezu Kalaye Aneesh and Rohan Kodali Langley Faculty and Staff
Flora (Berrafas) Lattari Dana Litke Grace Liu Mark Loach Missy McClelland Karen Michalowicz Carden, Aiden, and Hudson Nolan Jessica Robinson Jamie Rodriguez Salam Saidi Chuck Schmidt Elinor Scully Dana Snyder Danielle Stewart Sophie Stoick Allison Stone Isabella Tang Derek Tenney Jennifer Tibus Talia Treger Soo You
2020-2021
Matching Gifts
Alta Gas Amgen BAE Systems Bank of America Entergy Gartner Group Charity Fund Hewlett Packard Mass Mutual Merck Microsoft Netflix Oracle Paul Weiss
In-Kind Gifts
Briceno Layson Foundation Joel and Ricki Kanter Andy Leblanc and Kara McCabe James McDowell McLean Landscapes
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Lifetime Giving Honor Roll 2020-2021 The Langley School proudly recognizes the following group of extraordinary donors who have given consistently to sustain and support the school. Membership in lifetime giving circles is based on cumulative gifts to The Langley Fund, capital projects, endowment funds, or other special projects.
Founder’s Circle
Gifts of $1 million or more Bill+ and Karin Banks Brian and Cathy Bernasek Lammot du Pont/ Torque Foundation and Olivia du Pont ‘12 Russ Frey and I-Min Chao Joel and Ricki Kanter/ Kanter Family Foundation Fred+ and Marlene Malek Zac and Laura Merriman Chris and Michelle ’82 Olson Frank Sands Jr. Frank Sr.+ and Marjorie+ Sands Beano Solomon Tony and Bea Welters/ Vincent Wilkinson Foundation, Inc. Glenn and Suzanne Youngkin
Platinum Circle
Gifts of $500,000 to $999,999 Chris and AJ Andreas Steve and Jean Case/ The Stephen Case Foundation Tom and Karen Frana Donald and Makiko Harrison Mike and Cindy O’Kane Bob and Suzy Pence Geoff and Stacy Pence
Gold Circle
Gifts of $250,000 to $499,999 Joanne Barker/The Jake Foundation, Inc. Jim Burkhardt and Karen Miller Michael ’82 and Beth Coakley/ The Cornelius J. Coakley Family Foundation/ C.J. Coakley Co., Inc. Rob and Barbara Denton Peter and Peg DiGiammarino Willis and Miren du Pont/ Marmot Foundation Steve and Annie Dussek Bob Fifer and Nancy Catron Warren and Catherine Gorrell Tom and Soozi Hunt Aleix and Libby Jarvis Ken Klein and Carol Doran Klein Bill and Lexie+ Layson Andy Leblanc and Kara McCabe Ted and Lynn Leonsis David and Caitlin Levanson Eric and Katie Linn
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ANNUAL REPORT 20-21
Tom and Deborah Macon Phillip and Caren Merrick/ The 118 Foundation Roger and Kyle Mody Nayan Patel Neha Patel Al Pierce and Lola Reinsch Thomas and Sonya Ricketts Gerry Salemme and Rachel Welch Mark and Lisa Schneider Leah Sedwick Chad Slater Dick and Katie Snowdon Mike and Anne Towbes/ The Towbes Foundation Perry and Tina Williams
Silver Circle
Gifts of $100,000 to $249,999 John Asadoorian and Tina Schwartz Jack and Debbie Ballinghoff Farhad and Nada Barzani Kevin and Amy Bell John and Liz Breyer Ted and Gloria Chambers John and Bonnie Clarke Liam and Caroline Coakley/ The Cornelius J. Coakley Family Foundation/ C.J. Coakley & Co., Inc. Alan and Ashley Dabbiere Dave and Tara Della Rocca Frank and Ariana DiMeo Moiz and Alifia Doriwala Michael Duffy Habib Enayetullah and Tania Rahmatullah Rich and Chris Fairbank Jeff Franzen Lisa Franzen John and Amy Gilliland George Green and Barbara Klein Green Andrew Heller Alex and Jacquie Henry/ The Henry Foundation James+ and Irene+ Hunter John and Tracie Jacquemin/ The Jacquemin Family Foundation, Inc. Hubin and Fanyang Jiang/ Guilian Foundation Mark and Lindsey Keatley Jim and Debbie Kissire Robin and Terry Lineberger PG and Sara Magner
Scott and Vicky Manoogian Virginia Mars John and Adrienne Mars/ Mars Incorporated Frank ’76 and Sally Marvin Devon McFadden and Ronya Corey Frank and Donna McPartland Mike and Stacy Mendler Jon Merril and Rita Roy Conor and Susan Miller Kevin Morin and Cindy Hutchings RJ and Heidi Narang Dan and Megan Nelson Dan and Wea Nichols Phil and Pat Norton Greg and Christine Parseghian Brian ’91 and Leigh Pence Tom and Randall Phillips Terry and Jean Pool Charlie and Jeri Queenan Chuck and Jo Ann Queenan Kristin and Lara ’87 Ramsey Dennis Ratner/ Ratner Family Foundation Gary Ratner and Ellen Krieger-Ratner/ Ratner Family Foundation Dolores Reinsch+ Jude and Lori Reyes David Rutchik and Selwa Masri Rutchik Ron and Leslie Sarasin Jim and Erin Seale Vince Sedwick Robert and Pat Silverman Fred and Beth Singer/ The Frederick and Elizabeth Singer Foundation Dane and Sarah Smith Dave and Cindy Thompson Paul Van Hook and Peggy Henderson James and Beth Watt John Whalen and Linda Rabbitt
Bronze Circle
Gifts of $50,000 to $99,999 Daniel and Karin+ Akerson Jean Baderschneider and Pat MacArevey Scott and Vanessa Barbee Mike Batt and Hanh Haley Paul and Trissi Bennett Tony and Janet Black Sean Breslin Shelly Breslin
Lifetime Giving Honor Roll 2020-2021 Todd Buchwald and Karen Riedy Tate Cantrell and Sylvia Leimone Jeff and Tracey Carlton Michael and Narie Choi George Chuzi and Toni Ianniello Bill and Lee Cook Rob and Debbie Copito Chip ’73 and Susie Coston John and Sara Darvishi Jeff and Christa Davidson Aki and Kim Debayo-Doherty Donald deLaski Greg and Susan DeMarco Richard and Susan DeSanti
Moiz and Alifia Doriwala Roger Duncan and Barbara Toohill Steve and Peggy ’85 Evans Tim and Jackie Finn Michelle Fontaine Chuck Gabriel Harry and Nicole Geller Joel Gemmell and Carol Resch Ezra and Jessica Glass Bob Guberman Peter and Diane Halpin Henry and Joyce Harris David and Liz Hayes
Bruce Hiler and Elaine Cacheris Paul and Becky Hudecek Bryan and Ellie Judd Joel and Heidi Kallett Michael and Elizabeth Keeler Satish Kini and Jennifer Choi Richard and Mollie Maresco Jerry Masoudi and Lisa Hamako Bill+ and Claire+ Maxted Bill and Jane McDonald David Miller and Marcia Nirenstein Jackson and Nicole Morrill John and Judy Niepold
Tim and Sue Pecaro Rob and Kate Pinkerton Jeff and Kathy Rosen Margery Schneider+ Randal and Tamara Seal Dean Silverman and Beth Akers Edward Snowdon+ Jim Stewart and Joan Guilfoyle Spencer and Kit Stouffer Tom Tribone and Michele Mrozek Andy Viola Chuck Work and Roni Haggart +deceased
Legacy & Endowment Gifts 2020-2021 The Legacy Society recognizes donors who have provided for the school’s future through gifts such as bequests, trusts, or other estate gifts. These contributions will sustain the school’s tradition of excellence for years to come. Endowment gifts and named funds help secure the school’s long-term future and generate an important part of Langley’s operating revenue. Thank you to the following donors who made legacy and endowment gifts between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021.
The Legacy Society
Anonymous (4) Jack and Debbie Ballinghoff Bob+ and Betty Brown Carey and Suzanne Child Peter and Peg DiGiammarino Robert Fifer and Nancy Catron Warren and Cathy Gorrell Andrew Heller Kip ’50 and Kara Laughlin Fred+ and Marline Malek The Maxted Family Tim and Sue Pecaro Susan Snowdon Elizabeth Solomon Joel and Gayle (Shafer) ’85 Trotter +deceased
Endowment Gifts
Akerson Family Foundation Brian and Cathy Bernasek Briceno Layson Foundation Bill and Lee Cook Doris Cottam Roger Duncan and Barbara Toohill Russ Frey and I-Min Chao Harrison Family Foundation Jen Biggs, Jeremy, Devon, and Colin Hushon Zafar Iqbal and Shireen Zaman Kanter Family Foundation Erik Linn Narang Family Foundation Randy and Sandra (Neto) ’90 Panizo Kristin and Lara ’87 Ramsey
For a list of named endowment funds or to learn more about legacy and endowment gifts, visit langleyschool. org/support-langley/endowment, scan the QR code, or contact Head of Development Ricki Marion at rmarion@langleyschool.org.
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Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage
Where vital academics meet a deep respect for childhood Preschool through grade 8 in Northern Virginia
PAID
Merrifield, VA Permit No. 48
1411 Balls Hill Road, McLean, Virginia 22101-3415 www.langleyschool.org (703) 356-1920
Summer Studio Is Back! The Langley School’s Summer Studio program returns this summer for six weeks from June 20 – July 29, 2022, featuring these popular offerings for preschool, junior kindergarten, and kindergarten students: • • • • •
Afternoon Adventures Beginning Adventures Hop Into Kindergarten Jump Into Junior Kindergarten Step Into Preschool
In addition, we are partnering with Camp Galileo to provide a traditional full-day camp experience for grades 1-6. All classes will take place on Langley’s campus. Register at
langleyschool.org/summer-studio.