Nothing Short of Extraordinary

By Noelle Mendez-Villamil, Langley Parent and Chair of the Parent Association of The Langley School (PALS)

As we approached the beginning of this academic year at The Langley School, parents, students, staff, and faculty felt a wide range of emotions. We were excited about the possibility of reopening the school or having access to a robust distance learning program. We were anxious about our children’s ability to keep a mask on during the entire school day. We were happy about the flexibility that Langley offered us to choose what would be the best learning medium for our family. And more importantly, we made a commitment to everyone in our community to do our very best to keep each other safe. Some of us thought the school reopening would last just a couple of weeks. I think all of us hoped that our kids would be able to stay in school at least through the Thanksgiving break. Well, thanks to all of you, we have made it to Thanksgiving! Continue reading

What Even Goes On in Preschool?

By AnnMarie Rudd, Preschool Teacher at The Langley School

“What even goes on in preschool?” It’s a question I often get, not only from prospective families, but also from my closest friends and family members. It’s a question I’ve heard too many times within the past eight years of teaching preschool. And no matter how many times I hear this particular question, it always makes me stop and think, “Well, what doesn’t happen in preschool each day?” Believe it or not, our days are filled with endless possibilities as our students lead their learning in experimenting and discovering new wonders during their first year at The Langley School.

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Staying Active During These Unusual Times

By Patty Dokken & Karina Bond, Physical Education Teachers at The Langley School

Children need a balance of structured and unstructured physical activity time in order to sustain habits which lead to lifetime fitness. And since our physical health and our mental health are closely connected, it’s especially important to keep kids active during this time of COVID-19 restrictions and isolation. Continue reading

A Graduate’s Reflections for the Class of 2020

by Claire Coker ’19

While it is unfortunate we’ve had to make adjustments due to the present pandemic that include online school and modified end-of-year celebrations, I cannot express enough empathy for The Langley School’s graduating class of 2020. Continue reading

A Day in the Life of Three Langley Teachers During Distance Learning

A Special Thank You During Teacher Appreciation Week

During this time of distance learning, The Langley School’s students, parents, and teachers are balancing new ways of working, learning, and interacting as they partner to bring the Langley experience to life from home. In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, we salute our amazing faculty for their flexibility, creativity, and dedication as they adjust to this new method of teaching while providing our students with meaningful, engaging lessons. Continue reading

The Intentional Planning That Goes Into Play at Langley

By Anna Shiroma, Early Childhood Curricular & Instructional Specialist

“Play is the highest form of research.” -Albert Einstein

As you prepare for the winter break and some unstructured time with your kids, I wanted to share a few examples of how play comes alive in The Langley School’s Primary School classrooms. This might give you ideas not only for your children, but for you as well. The research on play is clear: when children (and adults) engage in play, it strengthens our neural pathways!

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Truly Thankful for the Langley Community

By Ayesha Flaherty, Head of Enrollment and Communication at The Langley School and Langley Parent

Picture this. A fifth-grader greets you with, “Good morning. I hope you’re having a good day,” as you enter the auditorium for an 8:05 a.m. assembly. A fellow parent texts you knowing that you have a busy week and offers to pick up your child from after-school chorus. A colleague puts a note in your mailbox expressing their appreciation for your working relationship. A newly admitted parent stops by your office to thank you for the positive experiences his children are having at Langley. And, it’s only 9:00 a.m.!

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Seeing Through the Eyes of a Child: Confidence Isn’t Given. It’s Attained Through Accomplishment

By Peggy Laurent, Head of The Langley School’s Lower School

When you take the time to look, you see amazing things! In my experience, when you are lucky enough to view something through the eyes of a child, you get to see it with “fresh eyes” as we like to say at The Langley School.

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Reading: How It Shapes All of Us

By Jessica Robinson, Grade 3 Teacher and Language Arts Co-Department Chair at The Langley School, and Parent of Three Langley Students

“All that I hope to say in books, all that I ever hope to say, is that I love the world.” -E.B. White

Reading is not a chore, an obligation, or an assignment; it is a window into our understanding of the world.

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