Congratulations to Langley’s Class of 2020

Congratulations to members of the Class of 2020 who graduated from Langley on June 5 during the school’s first-ever virtual commencement ceremony. To honor our eighth-graders during this unusual year, the school also delivered diplomas, yard signs, and special boxes filled with celebratory items to eighth-grade families. In addition, Langley arranged an opportunity for students to take individual graduation photos on campus.

We are so proud of our graduates for the growth and maturity they displayed as they adjusted to the changes COVID-19 brought to their last few months as Langley students. We wish them a fond farewell as they move on to high school in the fall. Below is a list of the high schools to which the Class of 2020 was accepted (asterisks indicate the schools our students will attend). See page 17 for a parent’s perspective on the high school placement process.

Bishop O’Connell High School* Bullis School* Connelly School of the Holy Child Edmund Burke School Episcopal High School* The Field School Flint Hill School* George C. Marshall High School* Georgetown Day School* Georgetown Preparatory School Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School* Gonzaga College High School* Holton-Arms School* Landon School* Langley High School* The Madeira School* Maret School* Mayfield Senior School, California McLean High School* National Cathedral School* Paul VI Catholic High School Phillips Academy Andover* The Potomac School* Sidwell Friends School* St. Albans School* St. Andrew’s Episcopal School* St. Anselm’s Abbey School St. Paul’s School* St. John’s College High School* St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School* Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart Washington-Liberty High School* Whittle School & Studio, D.C.

*indicates schools Langley graduates will attend

FACULTY NOTES:

L to R: Jan Silvano; Mary Klinedinst (left) with preschool teacher Lynna Young; and Peggy Laurent.

Farewell to Long-time Faculty & Staff

Jan Silvano, Head Librarian Among Langley’s current faculty members, Head Librarian Jan Silvano has served the school the longest with a tenure of 28 years – and she may also hold the record for having served in the largest number of different roles at Langley. This spring, we said a fond farewell to Ms. Silvano as she transitioned to a new role: retirement.

The Silvano family first arrived at Langley in 1988 when Jan’s husband, Louis, began teaching social studies in the Upper School. Soon Ms. Silvano found herself helping out around campus by typing up reports, assisting with the summer program, and purchasing items for the after-school program. In 1993, she became a part-time assistant band teacher and a part-time French teacher for grades K-1, roles she held for the next five years. She then worked as a Primary and Lower School administrative assistant until 2002 when she joined Langley’s library staff.

“I have come to Langley’s campus nearly every day since 1988 in one capacity or another,” says Ms. Silvano, whose children, Carl and Lucie, attended the school as students. “I am grateful to the heads of school I worked for – Betty Brown, Doris Cottam, and Elinor Scully – for giving me the opportunity to try so many different things. Their leadership and support kept me here all these years.”

With a lifelong love of literature, Ms. Silvano found her niche in Langley’s Pat Bush Library, helping hundreds of students discover the joy of reading and creating a vital, inviting space for our entire community during her 18 years as librarian. Under her leadership, the library began hosting Book Fest, a child-centered celebration of reading in which students dress as their favorite book character; Langley transitioned from required summer reading to a choicebased model; the library offered increased access by opening its doors before and after school; the visiting authors program expanded to include hands-on writing workshops for students of all ages; and the library forged strong partnerships with parents through volunteer opportunities.

“Jan was always my ‘go-to’ person for literature,” says Debi Gustin, language arts teacher. “I knew I could send any student to Jan and she would be able to find something that the student could, and would, want to read. A number of my reluctant readers this year alone blossomed because of her.”

While Ms. Silvano will miss interacting with students and colleagues and the excitement of unpacking a new delivery of library books, she is optimistic about the future of Langley’s library program. “I see the value of stories and reading and the search for reliable, evidence-based information as more important than ever,” she adds. “I’m pleased that Langley is committed to maintaining the library as a physical place of discovery.”

In her much-deserved retirement, Ms. Silvano hopes to spend her time teaching and practicing Yoga, volunteering at her church, walking, swimming, visiting with family and friends, volunteering with literacy initiatives, and of course, reading!

Mary Klinedinst, Preschool Assistant Teacher “I feel like I grew up at Langley,” says Mary Klinedinst, a beloved preschool assistant teacher who retired this spring after 17 years of employment in various roles. “So much of my adult life has been spent there, both as a parent and a teacher. From day one, I’ve loved Langley and believed deeply in its philosophy.”

Ms. Klinedinst and her family first came to Langley 23 years ago when she enrolled her daughter, Catherine, in the JK class. Her second daughter, Caroline, soon followed as a preschooler. With roots as a special education teacher, Ms. Klinedinst found she missed being in the classroom and soon began substituting in every division at Langley one or two days a week, along with several long-term substitute roles in the Primary School.

She joined Langley’s staff full-time in 2013 as part of our Leopard Cubs program where she nurtured the children of faculty and staff. In 2015, “Ms. K,” as she was known by her students, transitioned to Langley’s Primary School, teaming with Lynna Young to lead the preschool lions class – a role that truly brought out her energy, creativity, and passion for early childhood education. Whether dressing up for a class celebration or captivating a room full of three-yearolds with a story, Ms. K’s enthusiasm was infectious. The class’ mantra – “Lions Forever” – rang true as former students and families frequently offered her hugs at carpool.

“Ms. K’s love for nature and the outdoors allowed our preschoolers to see so many unique and amazing creatures over the years,” adds Ms. Young. “She brought such joy to our classroom each and every day.”

Ms. K is most proud of the relationships she’s built with Langley families and colleagues through the years. “I looked forward to coming to work every day,” she says. “I have been privileged to work with amazing colleagues who have a real passion for what they do and with curious, joyful preschoolers who made me want to learn and grow right along with them.”

Although she will miss the laughter of her students, Ms. K is excited about the next chapter of her life which will include gardening, reading, spending time with family and friends, and possibly becoming involved in the Special Olympics and Habitat for Humanity. When it is safe to do so, she looks forward to traveling the globe with her husband, including a much-anticipated cruise to Alaska. Peggy Laurent, Head of Lower School Since arriving at Langley in 2007, Head of Lower School Peggy Laurent has enriched our inquiry-based pedagogy, enlivened our commitment to social-emotional learning, and hired remarkable teachers to bring Langley’s Lower School to life. Her empathy, warmth, and expert knowledge of curriculum and child development have powerfully impacted hundreds of students, parents, and faculty as she capably led our largest division for the past 13 years.

Although she deeply treasures her Langley family, Ms. Laurent is ready to begin a new chapter of her life on the West Coast as head of Lower School at the Town School for Boys in San Francisco this summer. The move will allow her to be closer to her two sons, who both live in California, following the passing of her husband in 2018.

“Langley has meant the world to me,” says Ms. Laurent. “Not only did the school give me the opportunity to keep learning and growing as a professional, but the people here have supported me and taken care of me in my greatest hour of need when I lost my husband. I will truly miss this special community.”

Langley’s Lower School is in a place of great strength thanks to Ms. Laurent’s vision, leadership, and dedication. During her tenure, the division has adopted the Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop and Math in Focus programs; faculty have deepened their use of assessments to inform instruction and better meet students’ needs; teachers have built stronger partnerships with families and each other as they reimagined new ways to work together; our fifth-grade program has blossomed into a Lower School capstone that elevates fifth-graders into leadership roles; and the Lower School has become an increasingly welcoming, safe, and inclusive place to learn.

“Peggy’s passion, ability to really listen, professionalism, thoughtfulness, and leadership were a constant presence in the lives of both teachers and students,” says Jessica Robinson, third-grade teacher. “It has been a privilege to work with Peggy and witness her dedication to the teachers and families at Langley.”

While her accomplishments are many, Ms. Laurent is most proud of how the Lower School culture has grown, how teachers have found new ways to collaborate, and how the faculty have increasingly empowered students to take ownership of their own learning. As to how she would like to be remembered by the Langley community, Ms. Laurent notes, “I hope people know how much I cared and that I always tried to keep the children at the center of every decision.”

“We have watched Peggy lead our Lower School with such passion, commitment, and skill,” adds Head of School Elinor Scully. “We have watched her triumph in the face of loss and transition. Her move to California is the embodiment of her brave, optimistic, and evolving commitment to learning and growth, and we wish her all the best.”