The first-graders at Langley have got it good with an invigorating dinosaur-themed classroom makeover that includes some rrrrRrrradical furniture. The first-graders, AKA the Responsible Raptors, are test-driving non-traditional seating options this year - bouncy ones, wobbly ones and super soft and squishy ones too. 

The cozy nooks and cushy surfaces invite new readers to settle in with a good book. The chairs that move are great for kids with restless bodies and wandering minds since they increase secondary focus, relieving the student's need to fidget. 

These specially designed seats set the tone at each station of the classroom. They promote closer attention to detail and retention of lessons - oh yeah, and they're fun. 

In a piece called, "Good things are happening at Langley Elementary. You can help." Washington Post columnist John Kelly praised the school's social emotional program, Conscious Discipline, which Principal Drumm and team rolled out during the last couple of years. After describing some of Langley's healthy school family rituals the author wrote: "It can sound like so much high-concept touchy-feeliness, but the approach seems to be working. Since 2015, suspensions at Langley have fallen by 50 percent." 

Kelly invites readers to become a part of Langley's transformation by linking their Giant and Harris Teeter grocery cards to the school, which is an excellent way to contribute financially to Langley's PTSA. 

Read the full article here. 

Read about what Langley parents have had to say about Conscious Discipline here and here.  

Public schools such as Langley Elementary face many challenges. Donations of money and supplies are always welcome and go a long way to close gaps in school funding. If your family runs on a tight budget, or if you're the sort of person who likes to get your hands dirty, there are other ways to support the school - and many require only your time and energy. Learn more about how you can get involved at Langley. With a robust team of volunteers, we can accomplish anything!

PTSA
The Parent Teacher Student Association is a chance for parents (or other caregivers), educators, students and citizens to be active members of the school community. The meetings have historically been held on Tuesdays, less than once monthly, and usually last for an hour.  Elections for the officer positions of President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary are happening now and the chosen leadership will set the schedule for upcoming meetings. The PTSA's goals often center around fundraising efforts, community service, educational enrichment, community-building events and identifying opportunities for improvement. Members are invited to pay $10 in annual dues, though that is optional. Whether you'd like to just sit back and learn more about the school and its needs or you've got a list of awesome ideas ready to share, come to the next meeting. It's a perfect start to getting involved.

Contact: LangleyPTA101@gmail.com or stay tuned for the date and time of the next meeting

Pre-K Committee
This committee is concerned with issues and planning related specifically to our two early childhood education grades, pre-K 3 and pre-K 4. It is headed by Langley's Family Engagement Coordinator, LaToya Smith, as well as two elected co-chairs and a secretary, who have been selected for the 2018/19 school year. The group meets on the third Thursday of every month, from 8:30-9:30 AM, and its second meeting is planned for Thursday, Oct. 18th. The group tackles goals such as improving preschool attendance, supporting childhood development, planning preschool-focused events and ensuring Kindergarten readiness. The Pre-K Committee hosts a popular family dinner and support group series called Pre-K Parent Cafe, which is an excellent way to get to know other families, share experiences and learn about your growing kids.

Contact: LaToya Smith; LaToya.Smith@dc.gov

LSAT
The Local School Advisory Team (LSAT) is a group of elected and appointed members that exists for every District of Columbia Public School. The LSAT is a key lever to increasing transparency at DCPS and ensuring decisions affecting school communities are made collaboratively with the help of a diverse group of school stakeholders. The team, which has been elected for the 2018/19 school year, meets once monthly with teams from all other schools and reports back to Langley's principal and vice principal. Other community members are welcome to attend meetings as well. 

Contact: Principal Drumm; Vanessa.Drumm@dc.gov or AP Jennings; Shaunte.Daniel@dc.gov

Classroom or Special Subjects Volunteer
Volunteers who want to be really effective on a grassroots level should consider working in the classrooms. Extra hands are needed during events like field trips and field day. Classrooms with struggling readers could use help working one-on-one with students. To learn more about classrooms with these types of needs, contact the front office and you'll be connected with the right teacher. Please note: volunteers in the classrooms are required to get clearance through DCPS first.

Contact: Main Office;  (202) 724-4223

Feeling stressed, Langley parents? Let's try some deep belly breathing. 

Each day at school, our children are learning about their emotions - what those emotions are called, the negative responses they may trigger and effective tools for regulating them. 

As part of Conscious Discipline, Langley's socio-emotional learning program, the children are taught four calming breathing techniques - you may have noticed references to them in your child's classroom and in the school hallways.

Watch the videos below to learn the breathing techniques. The next time your child is struggling with self-regulation at home, just say, "Breathe with me."

Stop by the Bloomingdale Farmers' Market this Sunday, Sept. 16th from 9 AM - 1 PM for lemonade, baked treats and information about your neighborhood school, Langley Elementary. This is a great opportunity to familiarize yourself with the school and the process before the busy winter season begins. Principal Drumm-Canepa and parents of Langley students will be on hand to share their positive experiences. We look forward to telling you about Langley's exceptional social-emotional program over some home-baked brownies!

Langley parents, registration is now open for autumn's excellent selection of after school enrichment through Flex Academies! If you're dreaming of improving your child's sportsmanship, providing opportunities for artistic expression or introducing your child to the many benefits of meditative stretching, you're in luck: soccer, art and yoga are this sessions offerings. Classes begin the week of Sept. 24 and are open to all our students, not only those enrolled in aftercare. Please contact Ms. Wortham if you'd like your child to be considered for a scholarship. 

Check out the flyer below for pricing and more info, or click here to register. 

Some students chose a bear hug greeting, while others picked a fist bump. Some marched into school alone, confident and capable. Others came flanked by nervous parents, who wrung their hands in the hallways long after the first bell. Some of our students faced their first day bravely, despite not knowing a soul. Others finally experienced the long-awaited day when they got to walk into school hand-in-hand with a younger sibling. Some cried, some laughed, some ran and were quickly reminded of the rules. 

The start of the school year is a time packed with promise and potential. These moments matter and we memorialize them with photographs that we'll treasure forever. But the moments that matter most for our Tigers begin now; the breakthroughs, the revelations, the exceeded expectations. Conquered fears, field trip thrills, improved gross motor skills. Building friendships, strengthening community, letting our differences be our unity.