FEATURE STORY:
Reopening Langley During the Pandemic How We Planned for a Safe Return to Campus While a typical day at Langley may look different this year on the surface – students sit at desks six feet apart, wear face coverings while on campus, or may even choose to learn from home – the COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t impacted our ability to deliver quality and attentive instruction, get to know each child for who they are, or find ways to build community. Recognizing how much children need the continuity, connection, and stability that school provides, Langley was committed to safely reopening our campus for instruction five days a week for all grades this fall, while offering families the flexibility to select in-person or distance learning. After extensive planning, research, and input throughout the summer months, we used a staggered approach to bring back approximately 100 students to campus per week, beginning
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with our youngest learners on September 2, until all grades had returned by October 16. Five opening-of-school task forces – made up of parent experts, trustees, senior leadership, faculty, and staff – worked tirelessly during the summer to formulate plans, policies, and procedures that would allow us to safely and responsibly open school. The work of these dedicated individuals resulted in Langley’s 2020-2021 Return-to-School Plan and COVID-19 Handbook Addendum, comprehensive documents by which each member of our community was asked to abide. Due to the changeable nature of the pandemic, Langley planned a phased approach to reopening that allows us to move nimbly across phases in response to evolving health conditions. While our established plans provide an important
