Head of School’s Message
Dear Langley friends... This magazine marks an unprecedented time in our history both as a school and as a global community as we face the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the pandemic paused life as we know it at Langley starting this past March, it also allowed our community to shine in some remarkable ways. As we quickly pivoted to a distance learning model following spring break, our faculty creatively embraced a whole new way to teach remotely, our students adapted to new technologies and learning methods, and our parents supported their children in their new at-home classrooms. #LangleyStrong authentically emerged as our community rallied to a new way of living Langley at home, while preserving the key tenants of our program and mission. See page 2 for a look at how our community adapted to distance learning. Through it all, students, parents, and faculty found ways to connect and collaborate with each other, maintaining our relationships virtually and our commitment to social-emotional well-being. As you’ll see in the Campus Happenings section on page 6, we worked to keep Langley traditions and connections alive by reimagining events like Field Day, BookFest, the art show, the spring auction, and graduation into virtual formats. I am so proud of and inspired by the resilience, creativity, and genuine care for one another that the Langley community has demonstrated over the past few months. As we look to the upcoming school year and the complexities it will bring, each decision will be guided by our mission and philosophy, fact-based research, and the ongoing input of our community. The safety of our students, teachers, and families is our top priority as we work to reopen our campus and prepare for the year ahead. Whether we are learning on campus or at home, Langley is committed to
offering the high level of quality instruction for which we are known. In addition to health and safety, our focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion will be another important priority for the upcoming year. The events that have unfolded this summer surrounding issues of race and equality make this work even more essential as we prepare our students to be tomorrow’s leaders. As you’ll see on page 8, the Board of Trustees selected Michele Claeys as Langley’s next head of school, finishing the final round of interviews virtually after the pandemic hit. I thank the Board and the Head of School Search Committee for their hard work, and I am pleased they selected someone who so closely aligns with our mission. I will spend much of my final year at Langley helping to prepare the school for this leadership transition next summer. While the last few months have been challenging, I feel extremely lucky to lead an institution that is supported by such an incredibly strong community of past and present members. It is our foundation of trust, support, and shared values that will allow us to remain #LangleyStrong throughout the coming year and beyond. I hope you stay safe and are able to enjoy moments of renewal and rest this summer. Warmly,
Dr. Elinor Scully Head of School
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