Welcome to Mary D. Lang Kindergarten Center. We hope you enjoy this virtual tour. We are very excited to see you  in person as soon as it is possible. Welcome Class of 2034! 

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Due to Covid-19 testing taking place at the Kennett Food Cupboard adjacent to our school, we must postpone our Farewell Parade scheduled for this afternoon until Monday afternoon from 3:00-4:00. We apologize for the late notice and thank you for your understanding.

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June 5, 2020

Dear Mary D. Lang families,

Since arriving at Mary D. Lang in early January, I never dreamed June 5^th would arrive so quickly or with so much excitement in between. Clearly this has been a historic time for all of us with the Covid pandemic and the racial unrest across our country. The lives of so many people have been disrupted and harmed. It has been our goal at Mary D. Lang to keep a sense of normalcy for your children, giving them time to greet friends and be part of their classroom Zoom meetings and seeing their teacher’s reassuring face each day.

My heartfelt gratitude to all of you parents who have supported and encouraged your child. We know that without your assistance they could not have accessed Zoom or Schoology to complete their school work. I also want to express my deep appreciation to the teachers at Mary D. Lang who have gone above and beyond to connect with their students, loving and encouraging them just as they did at school. Your children were blessed to have such a wonderful kindergarten experience with our teachers.

A special thanks to Mrs. Reynolds who entrusted her school community to me, putting everything in order for the transition. As I leave this interim position, it’s my pleasure to return the school to Mrs. Reynolds who is eager and ready to return. I have loved my time with all of you, and count it an honor to have gotten to know your children and the faculty and staff at Mary D. Lang. Now, it’s back to retirement again for me!

We’re having a farewell parade this afternoon (Friday) from 2:00-3:00, so please drive by the school to wave goodbye to all the faculty and staff!

On Thursday, June 11^th from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., we will be at school to return your child’s materials that were left behind in March. Detailed information was emailed yesterday, so please drive by the Mulberry Street entrance (staying in your cars, please) to return any library books/classroom materials and pick up items left behind by your child. We have books to give your child to read over the summer, so please stop by!

Finally, special congratulations to Mrs. Lisa Murphy who is retiring this year after 40 years of teaching—all of them at Mary D. Lang. We wish her all the best as she begins this new chapter of her life. You will be missed, Mrs. Murphy!

To you and your children—have a wonderful summer. We’re crossing our fingers for a normal return to school next year. Please give your child a hug from Mrs. Reynolds and me! We have loved being your principal(s) this year!

With love and gratitude,

Gail L. Ryan, Interim Principal

May 26, 2020

I can’t believe we are in our next-to-the-last week of school! Your little kindergarteners are almost first graders. This four-day week will follow the weeks of the past with a Zoom class today and on Thursday and Friday. Please be sure to have your child check the Schoology assignment (each day but Wednesday) as well as the choice board and specialists’ lessons available on the website.

I want to thank you again for your support. We know that kindergarteners depend on an adult to help them get online and to do their assignments. It’s truly been a partnership these past few months, and the teachers and I are so grateful for your ongoing assistance.

As always, don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher by e-mail or during office hours at 1:30 most days, if you have any questions or concerns.

Have a great week ahead! Continue to stay safe.

Mrs. Gail Ryan, Interim Principal

May 5, 2020

A tribute to MDLKC teachers

Dear friends and colleagues,

As I sit and write to you on the eve of National Teacher Day, I know firsthand the unique situation we all find ourselves in this year. It’s been an extraordinarily difficult year for this school community, ending with all of us becoming “remote learning” teachers, something we never dreamed of doing! Yet you have all risen to the challenge and continued to be the teachers you were called to be.

I have watched with amazement at the way you have all rolled up your sleeves and tackled this new assignment with determination, collaboration, and lots of laughter along the way. I have seen teachers going above-and-beyond for their children, delivering computers to their home, touching base regularly with families in need, making countless phone calls, and genuinely loving your kids and their families. It’s clear to me every day just how much you love teaching and how deeply you care about the children in your classroom.

It’s been my honor to have worked side-by-side and computer-to-computer with you, seeing each of you give yourselves completely for our children and their families. It’s with a grateful heart that I say “thank you” for all you do, at school, at home in the evenings, and on the weekends. If only the public knew what teachers do—oh wait, I think they have a much better idea after these past six weeks! J

Since your teacher gifts of appreciation are at school (and will likely be saved for next year), I have decided to make a $100 donation in your honor to the Kennett Area Community Service organization that sponsors the local food cupboard. It’s one small way of recognizing the difference you make in the lives of so many of our children. And be sure to watch the Teacher Appreciation video on our school webpage and on our Google shared drive. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0ACv-HCHqxWC4Uk9PVA My apologies to several of the special teachers whose pictures I didn’t have. Please know you are equally appreciated!

On this National Teacher Day, know that you made the right choice when you decided to be a teacher. The work you do each day is important work. You create responsive learning environments (even online!), you invite children to be readers and proble-solvers, and you understand that teaching is an ambiguous and messy business with small, almost-unnoticeable victories unfolding over the year. Stay the course and find joy in the small moments. Thank you for your strong commitment to this incredible profession. Know that your legacies will live on in the lives of these 285 children who call Mary D. Lang Kindergarten Center home.

With gratitude and affection,

Gail

May 4, 2020

Good Monday morning, Mary D. Lang Kindergarten Center families. This is Mrs. Ryan wishing each of you a good week ahead. Don’t forget to check into your class Zoom meetings and do your reading, math, handwriting and phonemic awareness lessons. There are always great daily lessons from your special area teachers as well as a new choice board available on our website each week.

Happy birthday this week to Kendra in U6 (today!), Avery in M6, Will in U5, Ella in U4 and Ryder in P3. Mr. Livergood, our librarian, has a birthday next Sunday! Here is your birthday song, it doesn’t last that long! Hey!!

A special shout out to all the Mary D. Lang teachers this week as we celebrate National Teacher Week. Not only am I grateful for all you do for our children, but I know I speak for all the families when I say THANK YOU!! You love our children, you teach them well, and you have shown just how amazing you are as you’ve transitioned from in-school teachers to remote learning teachers. My guess is that after these past seven weeks, our community appreciates your work now more than ever!

Parents, please let your child’s classroom teacher know if you need assistance of any kind. We will work to get you connected to community resources or tech support as quickly as possible. Here’s to a great week ahead!

May 1, 2020

Due to power outages, u-4 (Mrs. Lanzetti) will not be doing their zoom morning meeting today. U-5 (Mrs. Murphy) will zoom with Miss. Haefner. (Mrs. Murphy’s student teacher)

April 22, 2020

Dear Elementary Parents

High Importance Content by Grade Level

Contentido de alta importancia por grado

April 17, 2020

Dear Mary D. Lang Kindergarten Center family,

We have just finished our first week of new instruction online, and I want to thank all of our parents for your support and assistance in helping your child access the Zoom meetings and Schoology lessons. It’s certainly a new way of teaching and learning for all of us.

If you have had difficulty accessing the Schoology lessons or Zoom meetings, please contact your child’s teacher. If you know of any student without technology access in their home, please let me know immediately at gryan@kcsd.org. We want all our children ready and equipped to learn from home.

As I’ve said many times, the faculty and staff at Mary D. Lang miss seeing your child’s happy face every day and are doing the best we can to meet his/her educational needs during this challenging time. Our hearts and prayers are with all of our families. Stay safe; stay healthy.

In partnership with you,

Gail Ryan

Interim Principal

April 8, 2020

We hope you and your family are safe and well.

In anticipation of starting distance learning with elementary students on Tuesday, April 14, we have posted guidelines for families on our website. Teachers will be in touch to provide additional information. Please be patient with us as we navigate these new uncharted waters.

Esperamos que usted y su familia estén sanos y salvos.

En anticipación al comienzo del aprendizaje de distancia con los estudiantes de la primaria el martes 14 de abril hemos puesto guías para las familias en nuestra pagina de internet. Las maestras se pondrán en contacto para dar les información adicional. Por favor ténganos paciencia mientras navegamos estas aguas desconocidas.

Leaving with a fabulous new purse is how most people see themselves a winner at a Designer Bag Bingo event. For one Mary D. Lang Kindergarten Center family, their prize came with a lot of responsibility – an entire school.

Abigail Elia, in Mrs. Lawson’s Kindergarten class, would become the Principal for the Morning. Thanks to her mother placing tickets in the raffle bag and a little March luck, Abigail had a morning to remember. She started off her day reading the morning announcements, then gave a tour of our school to an incoming family, she led our April spirit assembly, performed walk-throughs with Mrs. Reynolds in different classrooms, and ended the day by doing the goodbye announcements for the students.

It was a busy yet memorable day for Abigail who may one day lead her own school teaching students to love learning.

On Thursday September 21, 2018, families gathered at the Mary D. Lang Kindergarten Center to learn about the wonderful reading activities happening at the school.

After being greeted in the front lobby, parents were given a bag of resources for use during the evening, as well as at home. Each workshop gave parents a brief introduction to the reading instruction that their students receive dailly. With approximately 81 families in attendance, the buzz of literacy filled the air!

Parents, students, and siblings alike were able to use Reading Eggs and Mathseeds, sing the alphabet song including the signs the students learn, and write using the Handwriting Without Tears method.

It was a fantastic night of learning and fostering the love of learning between the school and the homes of our youngest learners.

Parents and students learn what sight word and alphabet knowledge instruction looks like at MDLKC.

Parents hear about Writing and Handwriting strategies during Family Reading Night at MDLKC.

Parents are taught how to log on to Reading Eggs and Mathseeds during Family Reading Night at MDLKC.

Guidance Counselor, Mrs. Kourtney Phillips, introduced mindfulness to the students at Mary D. Lang Kindergarten Center in an exciting new way for the 2017-2018 school year! The program is called Mindful Movement and is the newest favorite at the school.

In the second year of mindful instruction, Mrs. Phillips is teaching classrooms of students how to calm their minds as well as their bodies and to be “in the here and now”in order to have the best experience throughout the day. Mindful Movement is a variation of yoga that initiates thoughtful movements while the instructor gives the directions. It incorporates listening, movement, and relaxation into one activity. The movements themselves require students to be on yoga mats while their minds are taking in refreshing instruction.

In addition to Mindful Movement, Mrs. Phillips also uses morning announcements on Mondays to motivate teachers and students to use mindfulness in their morning routines. Mindfulness Mondays also give teachers a resource to use in their morning meeting such as a greeting, an activity, or a moment to reflect. These activities illicit feelings of togetherness, community, belonging, and, most of all, caring. Each classroom received a singing bowl this year to assist teachers in facilitating relaxing conversations, breathing techniques, and activities to focus the student’s energy.

Mindful Movement is another way that teachers at Mary D. Lang Kindergarten Center are meeting the needs of all learners. By incorporating the students’ emotional growth into their educational experiences an amazing learning environment is created.

Mrs. Phillips shows students how to calm their mind through mindful movement.

Mrs. Phillips shows students how to calm their mind through mindful movement.