By Peggy Evans ’85

I have been asked more than once, “What is the same about Langley now from when you were a student here nearly 30 years ago?” Athletic Director Jim Gleason (totally not fair!), the Field Day and Fall Fair traditions, and the Primary School and administration buildings are all the same. Most importantly, the sense of community has stood the test of time.

One example that stands out was my first Langley tradition where the whole school went ice skating. Just before my kindergarten year, I had lost my mom to cancer. My dad could not make it to skating day for some reason, but I insisted on going anyway. Even though my parents weren’t there, I did not go around the rink once without one. Parents, whether they had a child in my grade or not, took turns holding my hand and ensuring I was included and not forgotten. Event after event, parties and playdates, I was looked after and cared for by the teachers and parents at Langley.

Fast forward 30 years…my son, Mark, entered Langley in 2011 as a kindergartner and my daughter was born the same week. She was a DISASTER! She screamed all the time with colic, allergies, and general overall nastiness. For Mark’s first year of Langley, I was pretty much absent – no field trips, parties, or playdates. Mark didn’t skip a beat. The community knew that Mark was new to the school and needed to be included and not overlooked. When I finally resurfaced, Mark was settled in a new school with good friends. This was the same sense of community my dad and I experienced 30 odd years ago.

Langley has new buildings, teachers, and strategic plans since I was a student, but thankfully some things haven’t changed. The wonderful community here is just one reason Langley is imprinted on my heart. The whole community and “every child” have been a constant since my enrollment – something I am so proud I can share with my son, and hopefully soon, my daughter.