washingtonFAMILY.com AUGUST 2020 3 New S’mores Recipes 2 0 2 0 PAGES 27-40 CONTENTS AUGUST 2020 Local teachers wonder what the upcoming school year will look like.  Pg. 22 FEATURES DEPARTMENTS 12 KIDPRENEUR 6 The creatives ways kids are making cash this summer 14 22 TEACHING VALUES THROUGH GREEN LIVING The connection between sustainability and kindness, plus books for young environmentalists PREPPING FOR ANYTHING How teachers are preparing for an uncertain fall 27 BEST FOR FAMILIES Discover who made this year’s list of family favorites 44 MY PANDEMIC HAIRCUT After more than a year, Gina Gallucci-White finally cuts her hair 8 EDITOR’S PICKS This month’s must-haves and must-know-abouts DIY Make a chalkboard hall pass 9 RECIPES 10 42 Gourmet s’mores recipes FAMILY FUN Family-friendly places to pick fruit HEALTHY FAMILY Staying safe in the sun 46 BOOKMARKED Books to get kids excited about school again 49 VOICES 52 Self-care shouldn’t be stressful DAD LIFE DIRECTORIES READERS’ RESPONSES WE WANT YOUR FEEDBACK We welcome your feedback—on specific articles, overall themes and anything else related to editorial content. Email your comments to info@washingtonfamily.com. Please note we reserve the right to edit or refrain from publishing comments we deem inappropriate. 2  Washington FAMILY  AUGUST 2020 17 BACK TO SCHOOL 41 MONTESSORI IZUSEK / 1224902548 / E+; OLGA NIKIFOROVA / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS Meet Dr. Brian Stipelman, father of two girls WashingtonFAMILY.com  3 OUR TEAM 2 019 W IN N ER Washington FAMILY The Area’s Leader in STEM Education Winner for Best STEM Program for the 2nd consecutive year AUGUST 2020 WashingtonFAMILY.com • 301-230-2222 Craig Burke, Publisher ADVERTISING Account Executives Kim Coates Schofield, Tamara Morris, Mary Ramsdale, Stacie Shapero, Sylvia Witaschek BUSINESS Kris Ries, Accounting Coordinator • 443-471-5355 • kries@midatlanticmedia.com Please call 301-770-4370 to learn more! Preschool-8th Grade www.feynmanschool.org EDITORIAL Jessica Gregg, Lifestyle Editor • 410-902-2319 • jgregg@midatlanticmedia.com PJ Feinstein, Managing Editor • 301-230-6696 • pfeinstein@midatlanticmedia.com Contributors Jason Fontelieu, Megan Gregoire, Courtney McGee, Lindsay Ponta, Jennifer Rothschild, Joy Saha, Krystina Wales, Gina Gallucci-White CREATIVE Dynamic sales professional needed to join our growing media company! Mid-Atlantic Media (MAM), publisher of Washington Family, Washington Jewish Week, Montgomery Magazine and Consumer’s Eye among others, is seeking a new business development advertising sales professional to join our team of revenue hunters. Jay Sevidal, Graphic Deisgner James Meskunas, Digital Media Manager David Stuck, Staff Photographer MID-ATLANTIC MEDIA Craig Burke, CEO/Publisher • cburke@midatlanticmedia.com Jennifer Perkins-Frantz, Director of Production • jperkinsfrantz@midatlanticmedia.com Bill Sims, Director of Circulation & Audience Development • bsims@midatlanticmedia.com Jeni Mann Tough, Director of Marketing & Custom Media • jmann@midatlanticmedia.com Responsibilities and Duties Primary objective will be to acquire new advertising customers for our publication’s print and digital platforms. Secondarily, the advertising sales professional will be expected to manage an active book of advertising customers to reach established budgets. The advertising sales professional will have the opportunity to cross sell into MAM’s other publishing titles, including Baltimore Jewish Times, Frederick’s Child, Baltimore Style, Baltimore’s Child and Home Services Magazine. Qualifications and Skills • Motivated to make money • Competitive • Excellent communication • High energy • Works well under pressure • Technical competencies including typing and familiarity with Outlook, Excel and CRM’s • Minimum two (2) years business-to-business outside sales • Strong understanding of digital media • Familiar with building customer relationships and cross selling techniques Please send cover letter and resume to hr@midatlanticmedia.com. No phone calls. 4  Washington FAMILY  AUGUST 2020 2020 Special Series 2020 Calendar of Events 2020 Family Matters Family Fun 2020 Table of Contents 2020 Single Page Design Interior Illustration © Washington Family. Washington Family is published 12 times a year by Mid-Atlantic Media, and is distributed free of charge throughout Maryland, Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. Correspondence and editorial submissions from our readers are welcomed. We reserve the right to edit, reject or comment on all editorial and advertising material submitted. We are not responsible for the return of any unsolicited materials. The acceptance of advertising by Washington Family does not constitute an endorsement of the products, services or information. All rights reserved. Any reproduction of this publication, in whole or in part, is strictly forbidden without expressed written permission. 11900 Parklawn Drive, Suite 300 | Rockville, MD 20852 | 301-230-2222 or 703-318-1385 | washingtonfamily.com FIRST WORD Into the Unknown W PJ Feinstein Managing Editor pfeinstein@midatlanticmedia.com Facebook @WashingtonFamilyMagazine​ Twitter @FAMILYMagDC Pinterest @familymagazine Instagram @washingtonfamilymag Email us Let us know what’s on your mind. info@washingtonFAMILY.com COMING IN SEPTEMBER hen my children’s school district announced last week that their first semester would be held entirely online, I felt relieved. Since there are so many unanswered questions about kids and coronavirus, in-person learning—even if it was only two days a week—seemed risky. But then I began to panic. It was hard enough to help my elementary school-aged boys with online learning this spring when they each only had one class on Zoom. How will my husband and I juggle our full-time jobs while helping our kids with (potentially) several hours of schoolwork? I know that we’re not alone in our anxiety. My Facebook feed is abuzz with posts about pods, tutors and babysitters. Actually, I had to delete the app from my phone recently because reading about other people’s potential plans was becoming overwhelming But parents aren’t the only ones worried about school. In this issue, Megan Gregoire talked to teachers about their expectations for the fall and discovered that the uncertainty is stressing them out, too. Before I deleted Facebook, I also saw many posts about families considering private school. If you’re thinking about making the switch, you’ll want to read Joy Saha’s story about the changes to admissions events during a pandemic. Also in this issue: creative ways kids have been making money now that traditional summer jobs are unavailable and expert advice on raising an eco-conscious family. Plus, we’re sharing books to get your kids excited about school, our favorite places to pick fruit and three s’mores recipes to try at your next cookout. After reading our digital issue, check out our website. Did you know that we accept contributions from readers? If you have something you’d like to share, such as a review or a personal essay, please email me; I’d love to hear from you! Deep breaths, everyone. We’ll get through this. (I hope!)  ■ Education & The Arts! EXPLORE • WONDER • GROW Open House Dates Spotlight on Preschool  Print readership 147,000  Website page views 34,776  E-news subscribers 22,657  Social media followers 15,330 Call to advertise: 301-230-2222, Ext. 4 or email advertising@washingtonfamily.com Now Enrolling Ages 2 to 6 Toddler Program • Before & After Care NEW Outdoor Education Classroom Montessori Kindergarten & Preschool Advanced Academic Curriculum McLean, VA • 703-356-5437 • www.brooksfieldschool.org WashingtonFAMILY.com  5 EDITOR’S PICKS HERE’S WHAT WE’RE LOVING FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY THIS MONTH By PJ Feinstein “Baby Yoda” is coming to breakfast! A new cereal inspired by the Disney+ series, “The Mandalorian,” features sweetened corn puffs mixed with green marshmallow pieces shaped like the Child. But hurry: we have a feeling cereal boxes will be flying off shelves faster than Mando’s speeder bike. $6 for two bags; Sam’s Club Apple-picking season is almost upon us, and these comfy slip-ons, a collaboration between TOMS and Once Upon A Farm, are a stylish way to celebrate everyone’s favorite fall fruit. They’re available in kid sizes, too, so you can coordinate with your little ones when you hit the orchard. $25-$60; toms.com Yes, these colorful mismatched socks— Strawberry & Banana, Dragon & Unicorn, Zombie & Werewolf and more—are totally adorable. But what we really love is their positive message about diversity and inclusion: Life’s more fun when we’re all different! Ages 6 months to adult. $10-$13; palssocks.com 6  Washington FAMILY  AUGUST 2020 Many hand sanitizers have a not-so-pleasant antiseptic smell to them—but not Everyone Hand Sanitizer Spray. In fact, they offer four fragrance combinations that smell downright delish. Pop one in your purse or your child’s backpack for easy on-the-go cleansing. $18 for six; eoproducts.com Sure, you can keep sand in jars as a way to remember your family’s beach vacation— or you create a wearable time capsule of your travels. Send samples you’ve collected to Dune Jewelry or explore their extensive Sandbank to find sand and natural elements from over 4,000 locations around the world, including Ocean City and Virginia Beach. Prices vary; dunejewelry.com There’s a lot to remember to pack when you’re heading outdoors these days. Make life easier by leaving a container of Wondercide’s Insect Repellant Wipes in your car. The DEET-free wipes, available in four fresh scents, repel 98-100 percent of mosquitos, and they’re biodegradable to boot. $10 for 30 wipes; wondercide.com Girls Can! Crate is a novel way to introduce your daughters (and sons!) to the women who’ve made the world a better place. Delivered monthly, each box includes a variety of activities that highlight the work of female role models like Clara Barton, Madam CJ Walker, Ida B. Wells and others. For each box purchased, the company donates crates to families in need and nonprofits working to empower girls. $19-$28; girlscancrate.com Just when you thought you finally escaped the doo doo doos, Baby Shark is back to help your preschooler practice proper brushing techniques. BriteBrush’s new smart toothbrush plays the Pinkfong hit and features a treasure hunt game to make brushing something your kids actually look forward to doing. We apologize in advance for the ear worm. $20; target.com WashingtonFAMILY.com  7 DIY By Lindsay Ponta Chalkboard Hall Pass Your child’s teacher will appreciate this handmade hall pass when they’re back in their classroom again. We all know that back-to-school season is going to look different this year. Maybe your kids will be in the classroom on an adjusted schedule. Or maybe they’ll be home for distance learning or home schooling. Either way, I’m a big fan of anything we can do to make things feel as familiar as possible for our kids and their teachers. This DIY chalkboard hall pass is a thoughtful yet practical back-to-school gift for whenever in-person learning begins again. And in the meantime, you can let your little students use it when they need to step away from Zoom! 1 2 3 4 INSTRUCTIONS 1 Lightly smooth both sides and the edges of your door hanger with sandpaper to make it easier to paint. Wipe off any dust with a clean, dry cloth. 2 Cover one side of the door hanger with a few coats of chalkboard acrylic or spray paint, and set it aside to dry. Don’t worry if a printed design on the door hanger shows through a little bit. It will be less obvious once there’s writing on it. 3 When the chalkboard paint dries, make a straight line with a piece of washi or painter’s tape and write “I’m on my way to the:” above it using white acrylic paint and a thin paintbrush. Tip: Practice on scrap paper to get the size and spacing correct. 4 Tape off 1” stripes on the other side of the hanger, and paint them in a rainbow 5 6 pattern using a couple coats of acrylic paint. 5 Using tape as a guide, spell your teacher’s name by gluing wooden letters over the rainbow stripes. Tip: Make sure the paint is very dry before you tape over it or it can peel off. 6 Wrap tape around the middle of two differently sized wooden beads. Paint half of each bead in one of the colors from the rainbow side of the door hanger. 7 Wrap black yarn or twine around the handle a few times, then thread the beads. (Tip: Wrap a bit of tape around the ends of the twine to thread it through the beads.) Tie a double knot near the end to keep the beads from falling off. You can tie a tassel at the end for some extra fullness and flair. T 8  Washington FAMILY  AUGUST 2020 SUPPLIES Everything you need to make this project should be readily available at your nearest craft store or online. I had good luck recently with curbside pickup from Michaels. • Wooden door hanger • Sandpaper • Cloth • Chalkboard acrylic or spray paint • Washi or painter’s tape • Acrylic paint in white and an assortment of rainbow colors • Paint brushes • 3/4” wood block letters • Glue • Yarn or twine • Wooden beads in two sizes Lindsay Ponta created the DIY and lifestyle website Shrimp Salad Circus in 2009 to inspire busy women to live perfectly- imperfect creative lives. She lives in Silver Spring, MD. Find easy DIYs and recipes at shrimpsaladcircus.com. Gooey & Good RECIPES 3 New Ways to Make S’mores t’s hard to beat s’mores for the tactile sweet pleasure they bring to a summer meal. A picnic just isn’t a picnic without that melt-in-your-mouth, sticky, chocolate treat. Summer nights + s’mores are right up there with baseball + hot dogs, beach + snow cone, wave + boogie board. It’s a tradition, for sure, but not one that can’t be reimagined. We’ve got three fresh takes on this classic that come to us courtesy of Nourish Culinary in Washington, D.C. Many thanks to owner Dara Lyubinsky for sharing these recipes with our readers. You can find out more about Nourish Culinary at nourishculinary.com or on Instagram at @nourishculinary. Now, get that fire pit ready! By Jessica Gregg Serves 8 Ingredients 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 cups milk chocolate chips 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips ¼ cup Nutella or similar hazelnut spread (optional) 1-2 bags large jet-puffed marshmallows Original graham crackers, for serving (We like Nabisco) Directions 1. Preheat the oven to 425. 2. Over medium heat on the stove, melt the butter in a 12-inch cast iron skillet. Tilt the pan so that the melted butter coats the bottom. 3. Remove the pan from the heat and add both kinds of chocolate chips. 4. Drizzle with Nutella if using. 5. Top with marshmallows, making sure to leave no space between them. 6. Bake for 10 minutes until the tops of the marshmallows are golden brown. If they don’t brown, carefully heat them under the broiler until they get a touch of color. 7. Transfer the skillet to a trivet and cover the handle with a heat-proof cover or towel. Serve with graham crackers. S’MINTS Serves 8 Ingredients 8 rectangles chocolate graham crackers 1 bag large jet-puffed marshmallows 16 Andes mints Directions 1. Prepare your fire. These marshmallows are best when toasted over a wood-burning fireplace or in a fire pit, but you can also toast them over a grill or under a broiler. Be sure to take extra precaution to keep everyone safe around any kind of fire. 2. P lace three marshmallows on the end of a wooden or metal skewer and roast lightly until the marshmallows have turned to your preferred level of toasted. We like golden brown with a touch of char. 3. P lace two Andes mints on one square of chocolate graham cracker and use another square to help the marshmallows off of the skewer to make a sandwich. 4. Repeat with remaining ingredients. CAMPFIRE BANANAS FOSTER S’MORES Serves 8 Ingredients 4 medium-ripe bananas 4 tablespoons dark brown sugar 8 rectangles cinnamon sugar graham crackers 24 large jet-puffed marshmallows 4 square sheets of aluminum foil, approximately 12 inches by 12 inches Directions 1. Prepare your fire. A wood-burning fireplace, gas fireplace or a fire pit work best, but you can also use a grill or your oven’s broiler. 2. Slice bananas lengthwise, so just the tip of your knife cuts through the top peel and scores the flesh. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of brown sugar along slice of each banana. Wrap bananas securely in the foil and place them in an even-heat spot of your fire, on your grill or under a pre-heated broiler. Cook bananas for approximately seven minutes, or until they give when you squeeze them with tongs. 3. While you allow the bananas to cool slightly, roast three marshmallows on a skewer until they have reached your preferred level of toasted. We like golden brown with a slight char. Scoop melted banana onto one square of graham cracker and use another square to help the marshmallows off of the skewer to make a sandwich. 4. Repeat with remaining ingredients. n WashingtonFAMILY.com  9 SMORES TRAYVICTORIYA89 / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS; PAMELA_D_MCADAMS / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS CAST IRON S’MORES FOR A CROWD FAMILY FUN Get outside, they tell us. The safest activities to do during this pandemic summer are the ones in the open air, under sunny skies or starry nights. When your family has exhausted the trails and parks, drive-in theaters and sandy beaches, another fun outdoor activity awaits—fruit picking. Here are five local farms that offer pick- your-own opportunities in August and September. Pack a mask and consult websites to find out how each farm is complying with COVID- 19 safety protocols. Most will not let you bring your own containers this year; also, expect to make a reservation for a picking time. 10  Washington FAMILY  AUGUST 2020 BUTLER’S ORCHARD FAMILY- FRIENDLY PLACES TO PICK FRUIT VISITLOUDOUN.COM An Apple BUTLER’S ORCHARD Germantown, MD As in past years, the farm is open Tuesday through Sunday starting at 8:30 a.m. for families that keep the early rising hours of a farmer. Red raspberries, blackberries, apples and pumpkins are the treats ready to be plucked between now and October. New this year: pickers are not allowed to bring their own containers and must make a reservation on the website. Admission is $3 per person and fruit pricing starts at $5.50 a quart for blackberries. Reservation time is 1 ½ hours. butlersorchard.com GREAT COUNTRY FARMS Bluemont, VA Big bummer for berry fans earlier this year—a Mother’s Day frost did some serious damage to Great Country’s strawberry and black raspberry crops. The farm is closed for picking now, but apples will be ripe and ready at the end of August. End of September, of course, will bring pumpkins. Reservations will be required and pickers must use the farm’s containers. Socially distant shopping and curbside pickup are offered 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily at the farm market, which is known for its produce, local honey and cider doughnuts. Admission: $8 for kids ages 3 and up, $10 for adults. greatcountryfarms.com a Day … HOMESTEAD FARM Poolesville, MD Pick peaches and blackberries seven days a week. During other seasons, the farm grows apples, pumpkins and tart cherries. In their market you can purchase pre-picked fruits and summer veggies as well as preserves and local honey. Mask wearing is required in the market, according to Maryland law. Admission is $2 per person, then you’ll pay by the pound for what you pick. homestead-farm.net WEGMEYER FARMS WF STAFF HOMESTEAD FARMS by Washington Family Staff LARRILAND FARMS Woodbine, MD There is a wide variety of fruits to pick with little ones at this family farm in western Howard County, Maryland. Satisfy your sweet side with seedless grapes, Asian pears and more than a dozen varieties of both peaches and apples. Outside containers are not allowed, and social distancing is observed. Families who picked strawberries earlier this summer, for example, were assigned a row or location to pick. But expect plenty of room to spread out. Check website for hours and price ranges on all you-pick produce. pickyourown.com WEGMEYER FARMS Hamilton, VA Mark your calender for September when Wegmeyer Farms opens for pumpkin season. This farm offers more than 50 varieties of pumpkins, as a matter of fact. We had no idea there were that many different kinds of our favorite carve-able squash! The farm is open Thursday through Sunday, and pumpkin picking will begin September 28. Expect a reservation system and social distancing rules. No admission WashingtonFAMILY.com  11 Summer job cancellations encourage local students to create their own work By Joy Saha LONG GONE ARE the days of stressing over impending homework deadlines and grueling late-night study sessions. During the summer months, tweens and teens look forward to making some extra cash and working. But this year’s summer came with its own challenges. As health and safety risks related to the pandemic continued to prevail, many local businesses cancelled their job opportunities for the season. For a select group of local students, the current setbacks haven’t dampened their entrepreneurial spirits. Instead, they’re putting their creativity to work, launching their own individual startups to earn a few bucks and, for some, giving back to the community. Eleven-year old Orit Vainstein from Bethesda kick-started her babysitting business in early June with help from her friends and family. The rising sixth grader at North Bethesda Middle School is both the founder and a member of Virtual Kidsitters, an online kid sitting group helping parents efficiently work from home with minimal stress. “Virtual kid sitting is to help parents be able to work while the kids do fun and educational activities,” Vainstein says. “We know that parents during this quarantine need to work, but their kids always want attention.” Virtual Kidsitters currently includes nine babysitters, including Vainstein 12  Washington FAMILY  AUGUST 2020 and her friends from school, Hebrew school and camp. The group primarily works with children in kindergarten through second grade. The babysitters also offer classes and storytime sessions for younger children through their newly launched Pre-K program. Each kid sitting session features two babysitters who engage in interactive activities, including arts, crafts and games, with up to five children. These sessions are free and take place over Zoom, lasting for a maximum of 45 minutes. Although the group’s collective goal is to help working parents amidst the ongoing pandemic, Vainstein mentions that Virtual Kidsitters has a larger humanitarian goal—one that’s more universal than personal. The babysitters collect optional donations from their customers and donate proceeds to the Manna Food Bank, Anerican Red Cross and Feeding America. As of mid-July, Virtual Kidsitters has collected close to $200 in donations. “We’re actually not getting money for ourselves…we want to help people and our community in these rough times,” Vainstein says. In the same spirit as Vainstein, Noah Medved and Mac Patterson, two 15-year- old teens from Virginia, are also making money this summer by detailing and cleaning neighborhood cars. What started as a simple act of generosity soon flourished into a complete business idea for the pair. “I started, at first, cleaning my mom’s car…just because I was trying to be nice,” Medved says. “I soon realized that I could make money off of this.” Medved and Patterson’s car detailing business, which was launched in May, has garnered more than 40 local customers. The business’s services are advertised on Facebook, which allows for quick and efficient customer outreach. Although their work is quite rewarding—the pair make $85 to $95 per car—Medved and Patterson acknowledge that their jobs are both strenuous and difficult. They both work approximately six to eight hours per day and are oftentimes overbooked due to their high volumes of clients. “We get pretty tired and we get triple booked on cars,” says Patterson. “We put our hard sweat into these cars.” The pair are also saving their profits for college. But despite all the challenges, both Medved and Patterson agree that managing their car detailing business is a “learning experience.” Proper scheduling and organization are key for running their business smoothly and ensuring that each of their customers receive the best service possible. Unlike Vainstein, Medved and Patterson, 15-year-old Ryan Weiner from Potomac is using his personal passion— specifically, his passion for baseball—to BASEBALL: JSATT83 /ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS; DOG WALKER: TERA VECTOR / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS ; CARWASH: MEDESULDA / DIGITALVISION VECTORS; DELIVERY: BSD555 / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS make profit. The high school student is providing individual baseball lessons to local children in hopes of giving them the opportunity to improve their skills and appreciate the sport. “One thing that I’ve always noticed when I’ve taken lessons is that sometimes they are never geared towards the kids,” says Weiner. “I really want to gear my lessons to these [elementary school] kids who are [8 - 11 years old], where they can really grow and get so much better in a short amount of time.” Weiner uses personal connections, online listservs and social media platforms to help publicize his lessons and encourage kids to enroll. Each lesson is catered towards Weiner’s individual students, focusing on their technique, form, pitching and more. Baseball lessons also are anywhere from an hour to two hours long. The price for Weiner’s lessons all depends on the length of the practice and the number of students. For an hour-long lesson with one student, Weiner charges $30. Because his lessons are interactive, Wiener adds that he constantly has to be aware about his students’ safety as well as his own. He’s readily stocked with plenty of hand sanitizer, masks and disinfecting wipes. He’s also mindful of social distancing protocols and makes sure that he and his students maintain at least 6 feet in distance. “That’s really a setback when you’re in a pandemic, just in general,” he says. “If I were to do this when it’s not quarantine, I can basically meet up with my clients wherever.” And Wiener mentions that he does plan to continue his lessons even after quarantine passes. “This is something that can help a lot of kids,” Wiener says. “I want to be a role model to these kids and I think this is a great way to be [one].” Compared to the other young entrepreneurs, David Renbaum’s own business initiative doesn’t focus on a single service, but rather many. The college student’s Baltimore County- based task service, Clock In, completes routine errands for individuals within the COVID-19 high-risk demographic. Errands include grocery shopping, car washing, dog washing, moving furniture, restaurant pickups and delivery and dump runs. Like many students, Renbaum was set to work as a camp counselor at sleepaway camp for the summer. But his plans were cancelled due to the pandemic and his own autoimmune condition. Devoid of work and unable to find local jobs, Renbaum began creating his own jobs to make money over the summer. “I forecasted a pretty empty summer, and I was brainstorming ways on how to fix it and how to create work for myself,” he says. “So, the first thing that I came up with is an employment agency. ” After completing a few grocery runs for his grandparents, Renbaum and his friends developed their business idea and organized the task service startup. Clock In was officially launched on May 26 with a strong staff entirely made up of Renbaum’s friends, family and family friends. The startup currently has 10 independent employees. Clients first sign up for a specific service(s) on Clock In’s official website. Employees then coordinate amongst themselves to determine who will serve each client and what specific services they’re requested to provide. After errands are run, employees continue to keep in touch with their clients to ensure that any future requests or services can be completed immediately. “People don’t necessarily know what they need until they need it,” Renbaum says. Such tasks, like grocery shopping or food pickup, are both simple and routine in nature. And for those who are wary of stepping outside during this time, having these tasks completed for them is greatly beneficial. Staying true to the startup’s principal mission, Renbaum adds that 10 percent of Clock In’s profits in the month of June was donated to Johns Hopkins’ COVID-19 Response team. Another non- profit organization or local charity will be chosen for the month of July, says Renbaum. n WashingtonFAMILY.com  13 14  Washington FAMILY  AUGUST 2020 Teaching Values Through Green Living A new book by a Maryland mom and environmental activist helps parents understand the connection between sustainability and kindness By Jason Fontelieu SHANNON BRESCHER SHEA remembers her first act of environmental activism as a third grader. “I went to Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park in Florida with my parents, saw the manatees, absolutely fell in love with them and then found out they were endangered,” says Shea. Returning to school, the nature-loving kid convinced her class to adopt a manatee. Shea’s success as a first-time activist inspired a lifelong commitment to environmentalism. She went on to receive a Master’s degree in nature, society and environmental governance from the University of Oxford and currently writes for the Department of Energy’s Office of Science. But when she became a mom, Shea struggled to find time for her eco-friendly hobbies, including gardening, biking and composting, while juggling the “stresses of modern day parenting,” she says. Until one day she realized that green living and parenting didn’t have to be at odds. Involving her children in the environmental activities she loved was actually part of being an engaged parent because, Shea says, she could “teach them how to be better people and ultimately, hopefully, good adults in the world.” Gardening has become something the Rockville resident and her two boys, ages four and seven, enjoy doing together— when her younger son isn’t spraying his brother in the face with the hose. They take bike rides and walks and have participated in a stream cleanup in Rockville Park and a climate march. Besides just being fun things to do as family, these activities help her boys understand how they fit into larger environmental systems and how their behaviors affect other people, says Shea. WashingtonFAMILY.com  15 And now, the environmental activist hopes to inspire other parents to live a greener lifestyle as a way to instill moral values in their own kids with her new book, “Growing Sustainable Together: Practical Resources for Raising Kind, Engaged, Resilient Children” (North Atlantic Books, 2020, $16.95). “Parents can teach most of these skills without a hint of environmental concern. But many action that are environmentally sustainable also fulfill children’s psychological needs or teach them the skills and values needed to be a moral person,” Shea writes in Chapter 1. Subsequent chapters introduce different ways of being environmentally sustainable, such as the rejection of materialism, engaging in environmental activism and energy efficiency. Each ends with family activities, recommended children’s books and a compilation of resources to learn more on the topic. “Growing Sustainable Together” is for parents and caregivers of toddlers through young teens. According to Shea, there are two reasons why it’s important to begin to introduce the complexity of the environment at a young age. First, it helps kids “see their inter- connectivity to the greater world” and breaks them out of the “it’s all about me” mentality, which can be as simple as explaining that somebody grew the food on their plate. The second reason is that “kids are B.S. detectors,” says Shea. “Even young kids are going to hear about climate change…and they’re going to ask about it.” Avoiding the subject or telling them they’re too young to hear about it could make the situation seem scarier now—and lead to cynicism as they get older. Instead, Shea recommends tackling a difficult topic like climate change by “presenting it to them in a very age appropriate fashion with a little bit over time.” Attending protests, watching the news, even bringing reusable bags to the grocery store are all learning opportunities. “Just pointing it out as you go along, kids pick up on these things,” she says. “They see we have values that we care about other people, we care about the Earth, we care about the environment and our family is living out those values every day.” n 16  Washington FAMILY  AUGUST 2020 Earthly Inspiration 5 More Green Titles These five books bring the natural world into your home with their pictorial insights and prose. They tackle climate change, fracking and native leadership in the environmental movement as well as the water cycle and gardening. Kids can dig into these lesson- filled books—recommended by Hannah Fester, special projects manager at the Ivy Bookshop—all the while enjoying a good story. “We Are Water Protectors,” by Carole Lindstrom, illustrated by Michaela Goade, 40 pages, ages 3-6, $17.99 I love how “We Are Water Protectors” introduces Indigenous-led environmental movements across North America through the lens of a child. And this book is as educational as it is gorgeous. The young person who rallies her community to protect the Earth’s most sacred resource becomes a symbol for the urgency of environmental movements more broadly and their inextricable connections to legacy, family and community. “The Rhythm of the Rain,” written and illustrated by Grahame Baker-Smith, 40 pages, ages 4-8, $17.99 I find this portrayal of the water cycle so breathtaking, totally antithetical to other more rigid, textbook ways I learned about this process as a child. “The Rhythm of the Rain” follows young Isaac as he empties out his jar of water and follows it all across the earth. It’s total magic, because you get to tour the world and its diverse landscapes and— spoiler alert—you’ll start to notice that the water always, always plays an essential role. “Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt,” by Kate Messner, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal, 56 pages, ages 5-8, $7.99 There’s nothing like some catchy repetition to charm your way into new knowledge. I recommend this book (part of a three-book series) for its repeating refrains of “up in the garden” and “down in the dirt,” which help display the parallel, interrelated worlds above and below ground in a garden. As you read about a child and grandmother working in the garden together, it’s fun to encounter regular reminders of the curiosities happening beneath their feet. It ends with an “About the Animals” glossary, and it’s lovely to flip back through and see if you can spot all the animals. “The End of the Wild,” by Nicole Helget, 288 pages, ages 5-8, $7.99 A poignant coming-of-age story centered around one 11-year-old’s resistance to fracking in her small town. With characters who support the economic boost of this development, “The End of the Wild” takes an elegant and nuanced approach to demonstrating the complexities of advocating for environmental protection. It’s perfect for middle grade readers with all kinds of interests, as it is a story not only about the environment, but also life on the poverty line, friendship and family—and, most of all, finding your place in the world. “Parable of the Sower: A Graphic Novel Adaptation,” by Octavia E. Butler, adapted by Damian Duffy, illustrated by John Jennings, 272 pages, ages 13 and older, $24.99 A new, faithful graphic novel adaptation of the 1993 classic from Octavia Butler, absolutely striking in visual form. Set in the U.S. in the midst of global climate change, economic crisis and social chaos in the early 2020s, there is no denying the eerie resonance of this tale today. Fifteen-year-old Lauren Olamina, guided by hyperempathy, translates her fight for survival into a new vision for a way forward. She embodies the critical role of youth leadership at the intersection of environmental, economic and social movements; her story contains encouragement and validation for young adult readers. BACK TO SCHOOL DIRECTORY BACK-TO-SCHOOL, AFTERCARE AND OPEN HOUSE DIRECTORY GETTY IMAGES / GPOINTSTUDIO fter a summer of fun, are your kids ready to try something new this fall or eager to restart something they love? Our Back-to-School Directory is filled with listings of academic enrichment, musical instruction and after-school activities. You’ll also find helpful aftercare programs and information on local private schools. WashingtonFAMILY.com  17 BACK TO SCHOOL DIRECTORY AFTER SCHOOL & ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES THE CENTER FOR BALLET ARTS thecenterforballetarts.com ctrbalarts@aol.com 703-273-5344 3955 Pender Drive, Ste. 103, Fairfax, Va. Ages: 3-Adult The Center for Ballet Arts provides a well-rounded curriculum and pleasant encouraging environment for dance training in many different disciplines. Classes are designed to promote flexibility, strength, artistry, coordination and technique. COOKOLOGY CULINARY SCHOOL cookologyonline.com 703-433-1909 4238 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Va. Our award-winning kids’ cooking program has taught thousands of children since 2009. We have created a safe, nurturing environment for kids to learn how to cook. In our kids’ hands-on cooking classes at Ballston Quarter and Dulles Town Center, children as young as three learn to measure, mix, and roll, while tweens and teens learn to reference recipes, ingredient identification, and proper measuring techniques. In every class they’ll work with our professional chef to learn true culinary techniques: knife skills, sautéing, grilling, boiling, braising, baking and more, all while exploring new world cuisines, healthy menus, and seasonal dishes, vegetable cookery, pasta making and even gluten-free baking as they make sophisticated, delicious dishes! ENCORE STAGE & STUDIO encorestage.org info@encorestage.org 703-548-1154 4000 Lorcom Lane, Arlington, Va. Encore offers a variety of virtual theatre arts programs. Students will build their skills in acting, storytelling, and creative thinking through this unique theatrical experience. INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF MUSIC ismw.org; info@ismw.org 301-365-5888 11325 Seven Locks Road, #255 Potomac, MD 20854 4701 Sangamore Road, #LL-03 Bethesda, Md. Hours: Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Voted best in music instruction, the International School of Music offer music lessons in all instruments and voices to students of all levels and ages. Preschool music classes and adult music instructions are also available in addition to the optional performances and certificate programs. Book your trial lessons today. INDOOR SWIMMING MUSIC, ART & PERFORMING ARTS ENCORE STAGE & STUDIO encorestage.org info@encorestage.org 703-548-1154 4000 Lorcom Lane, Arlington, Va. Encore offers a variety of virtual theatre arts programs. Students will build their skills in acting, storytelling, and creative thinking through this unique theatrical experience. 703-256-3620 Preschool (3 and 4-year-olds) - Grade 8 3819 Gallows Road, Annandale, Va. Westminster School provides a unique Preschool-Middle School education based on a classical curriculum; accelerated academics enhanced by the arts; and an emphasis on personal responsibility and good character. Students enjoy small classes taught by teachers who specialize in their field. INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF MUSIC ismw.org; info@ismw.org 301-365-5888 11325 Seven Locks Road, #255 Potomac, MD 20854 4701 Sangamore Road, #LL-03 Bethesda, Md. Hours: Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Voted best in music instruction, the International School of Music offers music lessons in all instruments and voices to students of all levels and ages. Preschool music classes and adult music instructions are also available in addition to the optional performances and certificate programs. Book your trial lessons today. PRIVATE SCHOOLS & PRESCHOOLS AIDAN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Nicole Goodman 2700 27th Street, NW Washington, DC 20008 (202) 387-2700 aidanschool.org admissions@aidanschool.org 8:00 AM-4:00 PM After School & Enrichment Activities Open House Dates: October 2, November 6, December 4, and January 8 - all 9:15-11:00 AM Aidan Montessori School is a co-ed, independent private school for children ages 18 months through grade 6 located in Woodley Park, DC. Founded in 1961, Aidan prepares children to learn confidently, think independently, and succeed wherever they go. ​ WESTMINSTER SCHOOL westminsterschool.com admissions@westminsterschool.com The perfect balance of learning and play ® • • • • Safe, nurturing environment Enthusiastic and caring teachers Links to Learning curriculum Ongoing parent communication CONTACT US TO SCHEDULE A VIRTUAL INFO SESSION TODAY! With 20 convenient Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area locations ChesterbrookAcademy.com 18  CBA_WashingtonFamily_Aug20_7x4.72.indd WashingtonFAMILY  AUGUST 1 2020 833-413-0323 7/14/20 11:03 AM BACK TO SCHOOL DIRECTORY MONKEYBUSINESSIMAGES / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS BROOKSFIELD SCHOOL brooksfieldschool.org sarah@brooksfieldschool.org 703-356-5437 1830 Kirby Road, McLean, Va. Ages Served: 3-10 Open House: Call to schedule a tour. Mindfulness, nutrition, Spanish, dance, music & art, outdoor adventure program, extracurricular activities and summer camp. BURGUNDY FARM COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL burgundyfarm.org info@burgundyfarm.org 703-960-3431 3700 Burgundy Road, Alexandria, Va. Grades: JK-8th • Year Founded: 1946 • Coed • Enrollment: 286 • % of Minorities: 35% • Average Class Size: 15 • Student- Teacher Ratio: 7:1 • Entrance Exam • Foreign Languages: French, Spanish beginning in JK • Tuition Range: $23,592- $26,998 • Number of Computers: 150 • Internet Access Enrichment Activities • Sports • Transportation • Extended Day • Summer Program Burgundy provides an inclusive, creative, nurturing environment that engages the whole child. Our innovative, hands-on approach cultivates independent thinking, promotes academic excellence, instills respect for diversity, and teaches responsibility. CHESTERBROOK ACADEMY chesterbrookacademy.com 866-267-5685 26 locations throughout the DMV Chesterbrook Academy preschools combine learning experiences and structured play in a fun, safe and nurturing environment - offering far more than just child care. Preschool is the first introduction to a lifetime of learning, a journey that should start off on the right foot. We help children discover, explore and learn to their fullest potential. Montessori School of McLean Exceptional Montessori Education for Toddlers through Upper Elementary: Ages 2-12 CONGRESSIONAL SCHOOL congressionalschool.org gherbst@congressionalschool.org 703-533-1064 3229 Sleepy Hollow Road, Falls Church, Va. A co-ed independent day school for infants to eighth graders in Falls Church, Va.. Congressional School prepares young learners for future success, inspiring them to question, collaborate, create, and lead. FEYNMAN SCHOOL feynmanschool.org admissions@feynmanschool.org 301-770-4211 11810 Falls Road, Potomac, Md. Grades: Preschool-Grade 8 Open House: Call to schedule a tour. The area’s leader in educating academically- gifted children, Feynman School features extraordinary programs in science, math, language arts, theater and music designed to maximize your child’s potential. OPEN HOUSES OCTOBER 2 | NOVEMBER 6 | DECEMBER 4 Cultivating each child’s unique ability to flourish in mind, body and spirit ENRICHMENTS • Science • Technology • Spanish • Outdoor Classroom • Library • Music • Drama • Art • Physical Education Aftercare • Transportation • Summer Camp 1711 Kirby Road McLean, VA 22101 703-790-1049 www.mcleanmontessori.org Accredited by AGE 18 MONTHS TO GRADE 6 Preparing children to learn confidently, think independently, and succeed wherever they go. SCHEDULE YOUR VISIT AT AIDANSCHOOL .ORG | 202.387.2700 | 2700 27TH STREET NW, WASHINGTON, DC WashingtonFAMILY.com  19 BACK TO SCHOOL DIRECTORY GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI guidepostmontessori.com/ northern-virginia 866-202-8593 24328 Marrwood Drive, Aldie, Va.. 42945 Waxpool Road, Ashburn, Va. 4550 Walney Road, Chantilly, Va. 13251 Woodland Park Road, Herndon, Va. 3551 Waterway Drive, Montclair, Va. Ages: Infant to elementary Guidepost Montessori in Loudoun, Prince William and Fairfax counties is among a growing, worldwide network of schools that offer language immersion for ages infant through elementary. HUNTER MILL MONTESSORI SCHOOL preschoolmontessori.com info@huntermillmontessori.com 703-938-7755 2709 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton, VA 22124 Tours available by appointment Hunter Mill Montessori School provides an intimate and nurturing environment for 2.9 – 6 year olds to develop their independence through the Montessori experience. We offer a complete educational and social environment and utilize the discoveries and methods of Dr. Montessori to help the child develop more fully the potential within him. The school provides a program specially suited to the needs of the child and offers individual attention to his whole development. HOLLY BROOK MONTESSORI SCHOOL preschoolmontessori.com info@hollybrookmontessori.com 703 573-7800 2455 Gallows Road, Dunn Loring, VA 22027 Tours available by appointment Children learn in an intimate and unpretentious atmosphere, where they respect themselves and others and care for the environment around them. We offer a complete educational and social environment and utilize the discoveries and methods of Dr. Montessori to help the child develop more fully the potential within him. The school provides a program specially suited to the needs of the child and offers individual attention to his whole development. Goose Creek offers a complete educational and social environment and utilizes the discoveries and methods of Dr. Montessori to help the child develop more fully the potential within him. THE MONTESSORI SCHOOL AT GOOSE CREEK PRESERVE goosecreekmontessori.com info@goosecreekmontessori.com 571 417-3999 42470 Rosalind Street, Ashburn, VA 20148 Tours available by appointment A brand new Montessori School in the Broadlands area of Ashburn. All of the classrooms are spacious with an abundance of natural lighting. The classrooms open to the playground with patios allowing children to freely work inside and outside. MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF CEDAR LANE preschoolmontessori.com info@cedarlanemontessori.com 703-560-4379 3035 Cedar Lane, Fairfax, Va. Open House: Call to schedule a tour. Montessori School of Cedar Lane has been providing over 40 years of Montessori tradition to Northern Virginia. We offer a complete educational and social environment and utilize the discoveries and methods of Dr. Montessori to help the child develop more fully the potential within him. Parenting isn’t easy, but there are strategies that can help. Parenting HelpLine: 800.243.7337 familytreemd.org/flip 20  WashingtonFAMILY  AUGUST 2020 FATCAMERA / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS GLENBROOK COOPERATIVE NURSERY SCHOOL glenbrookschool.org membership@glenbrookschool.org 301-365-3190; 10010 Fernwood Road Bethesda, Md. Hours: 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. At Glenbrook, we nurture our children in the early, formative years so they can define themselves as individuals. We strive for this through spontaneous play in a controlled and time structured environment. We believe that children can feel secure only when they understand and trust a set of limits. Their imagination, curiosity, and interests need time to wander, expand, and develop within these limits. Cooperative nursery schools are administered and maintained by the parents, allowing everyone to grow and learn together. The special nature of Glenbrook is the close working relationship between parents and teachers. Our approach builds a sense of community and togetherness for parents and children. MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF MCLEAN mcleanmontessori.org 703-790-1049 1711 Kirby Road, McLean, Va. Ages: 2 ½-12 Open House: Call to schedule a tour. Preschool and elementary classes. Spanish, French, science, drama, music, P.E., computer, art, summer school, transportation available. NYSMITH SCHOOL FOR THE GIFTED nysmith.com; ebalberde@nysmith.com 703-713-3332 13625 EDS Drive, Herndon, Va. Ages Served: 3 yrs.-8th Grade Hours: 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Open House: Call to schedule a tour. The award winning Nysmith School for the Gifted is committed to making school fun. We nurture your student’s love of learning and help your child learn to their potential. Our 1:9 ratio allows us to differentiate the academic program up to 4 grade levels above grade. ONENESS-FAMILY HIGH SCHOOL Andrew Kutt 9411 Connecticut Avenue Kensington, MD 20895 240-426-2614 onenessfamily.org/ admissions@onenessfamily.org 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM Serving students from 2 years through grade 12 Virtual Tours for Lower School on Tuesdays and Fridays at 9:30 AM, and for High School on Wednesdays at 11:00 AM For 30 years, Oneness-Family School’s award winning Montessori program has served families of students 2 years thru grade 12. OFS features highly trained, supportive teachers and a diverse, engaged parent community. We create a collaborative learning environment where everyone feels successful. We foster students who are prepared to lead and succeed in a changing, challenging world by balancing college prep academics with a focus on well- being and shared values such as empathy, inclusion and equity. This September, 2020, Oneness-Family School will launch its new high school Results Leadership and Global Studies program PINECREST SCHOOL pinecrestschool.org admissions@pinecrestschool.org 703-354-3446 Ages: 3-12 7209 Quiet Cove, Alexandria, Va. Hours: 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Please call to schedule a tour. Pinecrest School is a fully accredited progressive school offering small class sizes, hands on curriculum, individualized approach, and a focus on a balance of academics and social and emotional well being. Offers preschool-6th, summer camp and before/after care. SPRING BILINGUAL MONTESSORI ACADEMY spring-bilingual.org 301-962-7262 3514 Plyers Mill Road, Kensington, Md. Ages: 2-6; Hours: 7:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Montessori preschool with Foreign Language programs. WESTMINSTER SCHOOL westminsterschool.com admissions@westminsterschool.com 703-256-3620 Preschool (3 and 4-year-olds) - Grade 8 3819 Gallows Road, Annandale, Va. Westminster School provides a unique Preschool-Middle School education based on a classical curriculum; accelerated academics enhanced by the arts; and an emphasis on personal responsibility and good character. Students enjoy small classes taught by teachers who specialize in their field. SPORTS & FITNESS TUTORING, THERAPY & SPECIAL NEEDS NO ANXIETY PREP noanxietyprep.com info@noanxietyprep.com (301) 649-2128 Silver Spring, Md. Contact No Anxiety Prep for a free 15-minute SAT/ACT test analysis or free consult on school academics, college apps or grad school apps! ■ Pinecrest School N U R T U R I N G C U R I O S I T Y, CO N F I D E N C E, A N D A L O V E O F L E A R N I N G S I N C E 1957 • Preschool Age 3 - Grade 6 • Before-Care & After-Care • Summer, Winter & Spring Camps • Diff erentiated Instruction • Small Classes • Challenging Academics • Positive Social & Emotional Development Annandale, Virginia 703.354.3446 • pinecrestschool.org WashingtonFAMILY.com  21 22  WashingtonFAMILY  AUGUST 2020 PREPPING for ANYTHING BY MEGAN GREGOIRE Teachers ready for fall in a variety of ways This summer Baltimore middle school teacher Elisabeth Budd is developing a website with a very specific purpose, one that arose after online learning challenges in this year’s pandemic. MARTIN-DM/E+/GETTY IMAGES WashingtonFAMILY.com  23 24  WashingtonFAMILY  AUGUST 2020 as a cross-curricula unit,” she says. While school systems haven’t rolled out official plans, certain proposals have been discussed, such as an A/B day schedule, hybrid learning (a mix of online learning and in-person learning), and recorded class lessons for those who don’t feel comfortable going back. Bobson heard from friends in other states who have told him that their school districts will use hybrid learning in the fall. “I can only predict, but I see something similar happening in Maryland,” he says, adding there are a lot of complications. Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Karen Salmon laid out a blueprint for the fall return that included a number of suggestions. “But it left the ultimate decision on how learning was going to look next year to the specific school district,” he says. “So, all of the districts are kind of scrambling right now, trying to make sense of the document.” Without knowing what the fall semester could hold, Ardillo says that she has felt the need to over plan in case of any situation. “I feel like I am doubling up on what I would be doing already. I am worried that we will go back in the classroom and then have to close again due to a resurgence of the virus. The uncertainty is stressful, and the planning for both scenarios is time- consuming,” she says. As the start of the school year grows closer, many teachers, including Peter Ruhno, a special education teacher at Aberdeen Middle School in Harford County, feel that time is running out to make an official decision on the fate of the coming school year. Harford County officials announced that the fall semester will start online. Teachers and parents don’t know if there will be a transition to hybrid or in-person learning and when that might occur. Ruhno hopes that this past spring’s sudden switch from in-person learning to online learning will prepare students and teachers for fall’s online learning and a potential switch to some form of in-person learning. “If we were to stick full time with online learning, at least we had a trial period where we could see what didn’t work and what we’d want to tweak,” he says. n IZUSEK / E+ /GETTY IMAGES Budd will use the site to post the content that she teaches her students, so parents can see and help their child if they have any questions or issues at home. She, who is starting a job at Barclay Elementary/ Middle School, hopes it will help her students and their parents ease into the school year which will initially start online, with school officials updating their plan by mid-October. Both public and private schools are considering the best way to teach students this fall as the coronavirus pandemic continues and the world awaits a vaccine. Not knowing what the next school year will be like has left many teachers like Budd working around uncertainty as they prepare. “So for me, (I’ve been) troubleshooting and saying ‘How can I have better parent communication if we are completely virtual, or even hybrid,’” she says. Budd hopes to begin accumulating more resources to improve family communication as well as prevent such problems as students who don’t participat, or online classroom environments that don’t function well. Bobby Bobson, a special education teacher at North Bend Elementary/Middle School in Baltimore, has dedicated the summer to helping other teachers develop online lessons while also bettering his own understanding of technology. “I feel like I’m maximizing my time off in the summer to build systems that will support my own teaching, but also other teachers,” he says. “I’m planning on doing more Google certification this year as well. I’m going forward with the concept that virtual learning is going to continue to happen.” Other teachers, however, are using the summer to prepare content that pertains to events happening across the nation. Michelle Ardillo, a language arts teacher at St. Jude Regional Catholic School in Montgomery County, is writing lesson plans to include the Margot Lee Shetterly novel “Hidden Figures” in her class’s curriculum. “I think this book will work well with the current focus on diversity and racial equality. I am hoping to offer it to my colleagues who teach math, science and social studies, Puppet Shows For All Occasions (703) 444-9426 • Large and colorful marionettes and hand puppets • Lively music • Audience participation • Puppet-making workshops • Goody bags Susan Wall's www.carouselpuppets.com BY JOY SAHA ANDRESR / E+ /GETTY IMAGES Open Houses Go Virtual Many local private schools are hosting their annual open houses online to maintain social distancing protocols and observe the additional health measures associated with the ongoing pandemic. Like IRL open house events, virtual open houses allow families to meet school administrators, talk with faculty and safely tour classrooms— all from the comfort of a family’s own homes. Prior to the onset of the pandemic, a typical open house at Congressional School in Falls Church featured in-person welcome remarks from school administrators and guided tours led by current parents and students. Now, virtual open houses at the school will take place on GoogleMeet with specific sessions and unlimited participants, explains Alyce Penn, director of strategic marketing and communications. “The event will begin with an overview by the head of school and the division directors, then participants will break up into smaller groups based on grade level or division,” says Penn. Within these small groups, parents will be able to speak with teachers, current parents, students and administrators. At Friends School of Baltimore in Baltimore and Oneness-Family School in Bethesda, virtual open houses have already been taking place on Zoom. Amy Mortimer, director of admissions at Friends School, says that the school’s virtual open houses include most of the activities that took place during on-campus open houses, like talks with the head of school, faculty Q&A sessions and current student panels. The biggest difference is that parents and prospective students can no longer participate in guided tours and mock classroom sessions with teachers. “We actually did a virtual open house last spring, and now we [are running] it very similarly,” Mortimer says. Fall open houses may also feature some slight modifications, including the addition of short videos and recordings of classroom sessions for families to view. At Oneness-Family School, pictorial slideshows are shared during virtual open house sessions to compensate for the school’s inability to host parents and students on-campus. Slideshows feature detailed photos of school grounds, classrooms and the campus community. Following the virtual tour is an in-depth talk with parents and school faculty, where information about school programs and school schedules are shared. Afterwards, administrators and teachers have conversations with parents on school curricula and application procedures. “It’s a very inadequate replacement for in-person tours, but it’s the best that we can do under these circumstances,” says Andrew Kutt, Oneness-Family’s head of school. The other school administrators share Kutt’s sentiment and acknowledge that virtual open houses come with its own set of challenges. Hosting them online fails to effectively show families each schools’ vibrant atmosphere and campus community. But the administrators hope that these challenges can be overcome with in-depth parent Q&A sessions and open faculty conversations. n Child Cut $13 SHAMPOO INCLUDED WITH EVERY HAIRCUT Valid at Wintergreen Plaza only. One coupon per person. Not valid with any other offers. Valid 8/15/20-9/30/20. WF20-08KHC Adult Cut $18 SHAMPOO INCLUDED WITH EVERY HAIRCUT Valid at Wintergreen Plaza only. One coupon per person. Not valid with any other offers. Valid 8/15/20-9/30/20. WF20-08AHC Wintergreen Plaza 835H Rockville Pike, Rockville MD (301) 762-5554 Participating salons only. Valid 8/15/20-9/90/20 Most salons independently owned and operated. ©2018 Fantastic Sams Franchise Corporation. FantasticSams.com WashingtonFAMILY.com  25 ADVERTORIAL OUR FUTURE LEADERS WILL COME FROM MONTESSORI If the COVID-19 crisis has taught us anything, it is that we are part of an interdependent, fragile world. It has also taught us the vital importance of scientific thinking. Finally, it has taught us that problems of this magnitude and complexity require adaptive leaders who can work with others to create effective strategies around which all segments of society can coalesce. Fostering an interdependent mindset, scientific thinking and adaptive leadership skills has been foundational to the Montessori approach to education since Maria Montessori launched her first school in 1907. These outcomes are natural by-products of the way Montessori classrooms function: teachers introduce concepts in a big-picture perspective, allowing students to move about freely and work in small groups, experimenting and engaging in self-directed projects. This structure provides many opportunities for students to practice leading teams and working together to accomplish a goal. Sometimes parents ask, “How will my child be prepared for the real world?” Our answer is that Montessori principles are the very things our children need to learn to not only be successful in the world, but to improve the world. Montessori principles such as self-motivation, initiative, creative thinking, scientific theory, emotional intelligence, ethics, communication and leadership will be integral if we want to see a world that can better address the next global crisis. At Oneness-Family Montessori High School, the only Montessori high school in the Washington area, we are building a 21st Century Leadership program founded upon Maria Montessori’s vision. We’ve gathered a team of exceptional thought leaders to create a program that incorporates essential leadership skill sets and will have students joining together for a real-world capstone project in their community each year. The program will launch in September 2020. 6701 Wisconsin Ave. / Chevy Chase, MD 20815 / 301.652.7751 onenessfamily.org / admissions@onenessfamily.org OFFERING the best in MONTESSORI EDUCATION for 30 years Join Us for a Virtual Tour 301-652-7751 admissions@onenessfamily.org admissions@onenessfamily.org 26  Washington FAMILY  AUGUST 2020 VOTED “BEST MONTESSORI SCHOOL IN THE DC-AREA” — 2016, 2017, 2017, 2018, 2018, 2019, 2019 2020 — 2016, — — WashingtonFAMILY.com 3 WE ASKED , YOU VOTED! For more than 25 years, Washington FAMILY has been running our annual Best for FAMILIES survey. Each year, we ask our readers to vote for their favorite people, places and things to do in the DMV. And now, after tallying the votes, this year’s survey results are here! From the best childcare center to the best place for a birthday party, read on to discover all of your FAMILY favorites in the D.C. area. WashingtonFAMILY.com  27 Our Mission Is to ensure that every person, regardless of age or ability, has the opportunity to become a safe and happy swimmer. Special Congratulations Ms. Sarah 2020 WINNER BEST FOR FAMILIES “Best Swim Instructor” 833-486-3250 britishswimschool.com/dmv British Swim School is independently owned and operated. Franchise opportunities are available. For more information: Franchise.BritishSwimSchool.com EDUCATION & ACTIVITIES BEST ARTS PROGRAM Moonlit Wings Productions RUNNER UP Tiny Dancers BEST BALLET OR DANCE STUDIO Tiny Dancers RUNNER UP Bella Ballet, Gaithersburg BEST BASEBALL CAMP Washington Nationals Baseball & Softball Camps RUNNER UP Jean-philippe WALLET/iStock / Getty Images Plus Montgomery County Recreation BEST CHILD CARE/ DAYCARE CENTER Guidepost Montessori Multiple locations, Virginia 866-202-8593 inquiry@guidepostmontessori.com guidepostmontessori.com/ northern-virginia Guidepost Montessori is a growing network of schools that serves over 3,000 families worldwide. Our schools in Northern Virginia serve children infant to 12 years old. Each of our schools has a beautifully prepared environment with authentic Montessori materials, designed to inspire your child. At Guidepost Montessori, we believe that children thrive when given freedom and responsibility under the thoughtful guidance of dedicated teachers. Mandarin and Spanish Immersion programs are available at selected locations. Family Magazine reader’s poll since 2014, and we won again in 2020! We take important steps to keep your children safe while they have fun learning to cook. Birthdays for ages 5-17, Cooking Camps, Mommy/Daddy & Me, Girl Scout Badges, Corporate Events, and now virtual classes for kids and adults. BEST DANCE OR BALLET STUDIO Tiny Dancers RUNNER UP RUNNER UP Tiny Chefs, Tyson’s Corner Camp Griffin, Westminster School BEST CHILDREN’S THEATRE OR DRAMA INSTRUCTION Moonlit Wings Productions RUNNER UP RUNNER UP Robin’s Nest Child Care Imagination Stage BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION Westminster School, Annandale 3819 Gallows Rd Annandale, Virginia 22003 westminsterschool.com BEST CHILDREN’S COOKING CLASSES Cookology Culinary School Dulles Town Center, Sterling, VA Ballston Quarter, Arlington, VA 703-433-1909 cookologyonline.com Our Kid’s Cooking program has been voted Best for Families by a Washington BEST CHILDREN’S YOGA CLASSES Shining Kids Yoga, Rockville RUNNER UP RUNNER UP BEST GYMNASTICS CENTER Hills Gymnastics Circle Yoga RUNNER UP Bella Ballet, Gaithersburg BEST DAY CAMP Tiny Dancers Rochambeau French International School, Bethesda RUNNER UP The Little Gym WashingtonFAMILY.com  29 BEST MARTIAL ARTS INSTRUCTION Kaizen Karate RUNNER UP BEST MUSIC INSTRUCTION The International School of Music, Bethesda ismw.org Kicks Karate RUNNER UP BEST MONTESSORI SCHOOL Oneness-Family Montessori School onenessfamily.org 6701 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, Md. admissions@onenessfamily.org For 30 years, Oneness-Family School’s award winning Montessori program has served families of students 2 years through grade 12. OFS features highly trained, supportive teachers and a diverse, engaged parent community. We create a collaborative learning environment where everyone feels successful. We foster students who are prepared to lead and succeed in a changing, challenging world by balancing college prep academics with a focus on well-being and shared values such as empathy, inclusion and equity. RUNNER UP Westminster School, Annandale BEST OVERNIGHT CAMP Randolph-Macon Academy RMA.edu admission@rma.edu. 540-636-5484 200 Academy Dr, Front Royal, VA 22630 Randolph-Macon Academy’s award- winning summer camp has been lauded by parents as a program that inspires their children to rediscover a love of learning. Through interactive, dynamic classes that are high on activity and low on pressure, students connect with their natural curiosity. Courses are held in the morning, with plenty of engaging activities planned the rest of the day and weekends, from sports and swimming to hiking and theme park trips. Guidepost Montessori RUNNER UP YMCA Camp Letts BEST PRESCHOOL PROGRAM Seneca Academy, Darnestown senecaacademy.org office@senecaacademy.org 301-869-3728 15601 Germantown Rd Darnestown, MD 20874 Seneca Academy offers an academically inspiring and developmentally appropriate preschool and elementary program that is uniquely positioned to provide as much in-person learning as possible under public health guidelines. Experienced and warm faculty, intentionally small class sizes, ample outdoor space, and the highest standards for well-being comprise an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program like no other. We invite you to learn more about how we help preserve the wonder of childhood! RUNNER UP The Griffin Academy at Westminster School From our family to yours, thank you. OrthoVirginia is proud to be recognized as “Best Orthopedist & Practice” by Washington Family Magazine. 2 0 2 0 WINNER O R T H O V I RG I N I A .C O M | 70 3 . 277. B O N E (2 6 6 3) Alexandria | Arlington | Burke | Fair Oaks | Fairfax | Herndon McLean | Reston | Springfield | Stone Springs | Tysons Corner 30  Washington FAMILY  AUGUST 2020 Winner of TWO 2020 “Best for Families” Awards Best Private High School and Best Overnight Summer Camp Randolph-Macon Academy Class of 2020: 65 Graduates 211 Acceptances to 130 Different Universities $8.4M in University Scholarship Awards R-MA is a co-ed university prep school with a distinguished Air Force Junior ROTC program, offering both day and boarding programs. Limited openings available for this Fall in grades 6-12. Scholarships and Financial Aid available. Apply today at www.RMA.edu/FAMILY, scan the QR code on the right, or call 540-636-5484. BEST PRIVATE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Seneca Academy, Darnestown RUNNER UP RUNNER UP BEST PRIVATE SCHOOL (OVERALL) Seneca Academy, Darnestown senecaacademy.org office@senecaacademy.org 301-869-3728 15601 Germantown Rd Darnestown, MD 20874 Seneca Academy offers an academically inspiring and developmentally appropriate preschool and elementary program that is uniquely positioned to provide as much in-person learning as possible under public health guidelines. Experienced and warm faculty, intentionally small class sizes, ample outdoor space, and the highest standards for well-being comprise an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program like no other. We invite you to learn more about how we help preserve the wonder of childhood! Redeemer Christian School BEST PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOL Randolph-Macon Academy, Front Royal 200 Academy Dr, Front Royal, VA 22630 540-636-5484 RMA.edu admission@rma.edu. Randolph-Macon Academy (R-MA) provides students with a superior university-prep education and a distinguished Air Force Junior ROTC leadership program. The mission of R-MA is “To Inspire the RISE Within.” The Academy is a co-ed boarding and day school where students develop critical and analytical thinking skills and cultivate their creativity and curiosity. The Class of 2020’s 56 seniors and eight Falcon Scholars earned 211 acceptances to 130 universities and received over $8.4 million in scholarships. 32  Washington FAMILY  AUGUST 2020 Flint Hill School, Oakton BEST SAT/ACT PREP No Anxiety Prep Silver Spring, MD 301-649-2128 info@noanxietyprep.com noanxietyprep.com RUNNER UP Kaplan BEST SPECIAL NEEDS CAMP Celebrate Ability RUNNER UP Fitness for Health BEST SPECIAL NEEDS SCHOOL The Siena School 1300 Forest Glen Road Silver Spring, MD 301-244-3600 info@thesienaschool.org thesienaschool.org RUNNER UP RUNNER UP Redeemer Christian School McLean School Discover your capable, confident Montessori child. From infancy through elementary school, children learn best when they’re working with activities they love. At Guidepost, your child will enter the wonderful world of Montessori lessons and learning materials, designed to captivate and inspire. Now Enrolling! Visit us online today to RSVP for a virtual event. guidepostmontessori.com/northern-virginia Aldie 24328 Marrwood Drive Aldie, VA 20105 (703) 542-5522 Broadlands Fairfax 3909 Oak Street Fairfax, VA 22030 (703) 934-0920 Herndon 42945 Waxpool Road Ashburn, VA 20148 (703) 723-3364 13251 Woodland Park Road Herndon, VA 20171 (571) 203-8686 Chantilly West Alex 4550 Walney Road Chantilly, VA 20151 (571) 321-0364 NEW CAMPUS! 3475 N. Beauregard Street Suite 301 Alexandria, VA 22311 (571) 206-1687 Reston 11579 Cedar Chase Road Herndon, VA 20170 (703) 404-9733 Montclair NEW CAMPUS! 3551 Waterway Drive Montclair, VA 22025 (571) 402-1888 Spanish Immersion program available at selected campuses. GP071220 Winner of Best for Families! Infant • Toddler Preschool • Kindergarten Elementary BEST STEM PROGRAM Westminster School, Annandale 3819 Gallows Rd Annandale, Virginia 22003 westminsterschool.com RUNNER UP RUNNER UP SwimKids Swim School Athens Grill, Gaithersburg BEST TUTORING PROGRAM Educational Connections Tutoring and Test Prep BEST FAMILY-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT Ledo Pizza RUNNER UP RUNNER UP Kumon Guapo’s BEST YOGA/PILATES STUDIO Opus Yoga BEST FARMER’S MARKET Bethesda Central Farm Market RUNNER UP Feynman School, Potomac BEST SWIM SCHOOL British Swim School 841-F Quince Orchard Blvd Gaithersburg, MD 833-486-3250 kristinaw@bssmoco.com brit-ishswimschool.com British Swim School provides water survival and learn-to-swim lessons for ages 3 months to adult. Our mission is to ensure that every person, regardless of age or ability, has the opportunity to become a safe and happy swimmer in the water. Our specially trained Instructors use our 38+ year proven curriculum in indoor, heated pools, year-round Come see what makes us the BEST FOR FAMILIES! RUNNER UP Sun and Moon Yoga, Fairfax RUNNER UP Mosaic BEST YOUTH SPORTS LEAGUE Arlington Little League BEST FOOD TRUCK District Taco RUNNER UP RUNNER UP Fairfax Police Youth Club Captain Cookie and the Milkman FOOD BEST CATERER Occasions Caterers BEST GROCERY STORE Wegmans Thank you for voting Bethesda Family Smiles as a Best for Families Winner! 2 0 2 0 Meet Dr. Khanna & her team! We are a General Dental practice offering services from cleanings, implants/crowns, whitening and everything in between. We pride ourselves in improving our patient’s oral care and providing personalized, comprehensive dental care needs for the whole family. We continue to strive for excellence in caring for our patients. Come check us out and let us take care of your family. Wildwood Medical Building 10401 Old Georgetown Rd. #310 Bethesda, MD 20814 FAMILY SMILES 34  Washington FAMILY  AUGUST 2020 301-530-0700 bethesdafamilysmiles.com info@bethesdafamilysmiles.com BEST LOCAL ROMANTIC RESTAURANT The Inn at Little Washington in-house insurance options. We would love to be your friendly neighborhood dentist! RUNNER UP RUNNER UP L’Auberge Chez Francois Dr. Fritz, LLC, Rockville BEST LOCAL SPORTS BAR Glory Days Grill BEST DERMATOLOGIST DermAssociates, Rockville BEST ICE CREAM/ FROZEN YOGURT SHOP Cold Stone Creamery RUNNER UP RUNNER UP Yard House RUNNER UP HEALTH McLean Dermatology & Skincare Center RUNNER UP Trader Joe’s BEST HEALTH FOOD STORE MOM’s Organic Market RUNNER UP Trader Joe’s Tie – Carmen’s Italian Ice, Rockville Brusters, Gaithersburg BEST LOCAL BAKERY Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe, Arlington BEST ALLERGY OR ASTHMA DOCTOR & PRACTICE Dr. Rachel Schreiber, Schreiber Allergy RUNNER UP Drs. Kim and Butt, Allergy & Asthma Center of Fairfax/Lorton RUNNER UP Fresh Baguette, Bethesda BEST LOCAL CHEAP EATS RESTAURANT District Taco RUNNER UP Crisp & Juicy BEST LOCAL CUPCAKE SHOP Georgetown Cupcake, Bethesda RUNNER UP Lily Magilly’s BEST LOCAL CUP OF COFFEE Caffé Amouri, Vienna RUNNER UP Northside Social, Arlington BEST LOCAL OUTDOOR/ PATIO DINING Uncle Julio’s RUNNER UP Founding Farmers, Potomac BEST LOCAL RESTAURANT WITH A KIDS’ NIGHT/SPECIAL Silver Diner RUNNER UP Mamma Lucia BEST OPTOMETRIST & PRACTICE Dr. Kevin Chan, Treehouse Eyes BEST CHILDREN’S DENTISTRY VK Pediatric Dentistry, Arlington RUNNER UP Kids Teeth, LLC, Rockville BEST DENTIST OR ORTHODONTIST & PRACTICE Dr. Khanna, Bethesda Family Smiles Wildwood Medical Building 10401 Old Georgetown Rd. #310 Bethesda, MD 20814 301-530-0700 bethesdafamilysmiles.com info@bethesdafamilysmiles.com Bethesda Family Smiles is a general dental practice that strives for excellence in patient care by providing compassionate, gentle, and comprehensive dentistry for your entire family. Dr. Khanna, a graduate from University of Maryland Dental School, has been practicing in Maryland for over 10 years. At our office, our goal is to create a lifetime of happy and healthy smiles. Our patients love our personalized care and prioritizing their safety and wellness, especially during these unprecedented times in the wake of Covid-19. We accept most major dental insurances and are dedicated to providing dentistry at affordable costs, even if you have no insurance. Enjoy our RUNNER UP Dr. Ellis, Northern Virginia Ophthalmology Associates, P.C. BEST FAMILY DOCTOR & PRACTICE Dr. Deva, Medstar Medical Group, Gaithersburg RUNNER UP Potomac Pediatrics, Rockville BEST FAMILY THERAPIST/ PSYCHIATRIST & PRACTICE Vicky Nogales, Expressive Therapy Center RUNNER UP Potomac Therapy Group BEST FERTILITY CLINIC Shady Grove Fertility RUNNER UP Dominion Fertility BEST GYM OR HEALTH CLUB Life Time Fitness RUNNER UP Fitness for Health BEST HOSPITAL INOVA Fairfax Hospital, Fairfax RUNNER UP Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center WashingtonFAMILY.com  35 BEST MIDWIFE Midwifery Care Associates, Rockville BEST PEDIATRICIAN & PRACTICE Potomac Pediatrics, Rockville RUNNER UP RUNNER UP Birthcare & Women’s Health of Alexandria Dr. Alan Gober BEST NUTRITIONIST/DIETICIAN Tie – Wendy Johnson, Inova Loudoun Hospital Dr. Daisy & Co., Rockville RUNNER UP Jennifer Anderson (@kids.eat.in.color on Instagram) BEST OB/GYN & PRACTICE Capital Women’s Care BEST PHYSICAL THERAPIST & PRACTICE Fitness for Health RUNNER UP Washington Wellness Physical Therapy & SportsCare, Washington DC BEST GENERAL REPAIRS/ HANDYMAN CASE Architects & Remodelers, Bethesda RUNNER UP Tie – S anchez Remodeling LLC Taylor Construction, Fairfax Station BEST HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING COMPANY GAC Services RUNNER UP BEST URGENT CARE Tie – INOVA Urgent Care Patient First James & Son BEST HOME BUILDER Toll Brothers RUNNER UP RUNNER UP PM Pediatrics Tie – Anne Shrout, Capital Women’s Care, Silver Spring Dr. Ampey, Advantia OB/GYN Women’s Health Specialists, Rockville BEST WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM OR DOCTOR BodyTech Weight Loss Center, Rockville RUNNER UP Sandy Spring Builders BEST INTERIOR DECORATOR Billet Collins, Darnestown RUNNER UP BEST ORTHOPEDIST & PRACTICE OrthoVirginia 10 locations across Northern Virginia Fairfax, Virginia 703-277-2663 ovnfeedback@orthovirginia.com orthovirginia.com As Northern Virginia’s largest orthopedic practice, we offer a wide range of specialties, advanced treatments and convenient in-house therapy, imaging and out-patient surgery services. With 10 offices, two orthopedic urgent care locations and an out-patient surgery center, we’re available when and where you need us. RUNNER UP RUNNER UP RUNNER UP OrthoBethesda Floor & Decor BEST PEDIATRIC OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST & PRACTICE Fitness for Health BEST FURNITURE STORE IKEA Weight Watchers, Fairfax HOME IMPROVEMENT BEST DECK/PORCH BUILDER Manny Alvarez The Silver Lining Interiors LLC, Gainesville BEST KITCHEN DESIGNER Billet Collins, Darnestown RUNNER UP RUNNER UP Knoble Inc. BEST ELECTRICIAN havePOWER The Silver Lining Interiors LLC, Gainesville BEST MARBLE AND GRANITE COMPANY Architectural Ceramics, Rockville RUNNER UP Electrical Connections BEST FLOORING COMPANY Classic Floor Designs RUNNER UP Flintstone Marble and Granite BEST PAINTING COMPANY Billet Collins, Darnestown RUNNER UP RUNNER UP Exceptional Children’s Center, Springfield 36  Washington FAMILY  AUGUST 2020 Sonny-N-Son’s Painting RUNNER UP BEST PLUMBER Booze Plumbing, Vienna Tie – Belfort Furniture Pottery Barn RUNNER UP M.E. Flow, Inc. BEST REMODELING COMPANY The Silver Lining Interiors LLC, Gainesville RUNNER UP RUNNER UP Trish Huheey, Alexandria Face Painting, Alexandria Capitol Momma RUNNER UP BEST PLACE FOR A TEAM PARTY SwimKids Swim School Bethesda Carpentry Contractor, LLC BEST HOME CLEANING SERVICE Season Maids Cleaning Service, Rockville RUNNER UP RUNNER UP RUNNER UP Ledo Pizza BEST PARTY SUPPLIES Party City Maid Brigade of Bethesda PARTY BEST KIDS’ BIRTHDAY PARTY VENUE Tiny Dancers BEST LOCAL AUTHOR Jaime Paredes Target RUNNER UP PEOPLE Hope MacDonald, “Bella Goes to Ballet” BEST COSMETIC SURGEON Cosmetic Surgery Associates BEST FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER Funkhouse Photography RUNNER UP Austin-Weston, Reston BEST KIDS’ PARTY ENTERTAINER The Great Zucchini Tie – F inancial Advantage Associates, Inc., Rockville Keen & Pocock, Fairfax RUNNER UP RUNNER UP SwimKids Swim School BEST FINANCIAL PLANNER Edelman Financial Engines, Fairfax BEST FAMILY BLOGGER Adventure Moms DC RUNNER UP Cynthia Sambro-Rier Photography, Alexandria WashingtonFAMILY.com  37 RUNNER UP Bark ‘N Bubbles BEST PET SITTING/BOARDING DogiZone RUNNER UP Country Club Kennels, Catlett BEST PET STORE PetSmart RUNNER UP Petco BEST PET TRAINER Sit Means Sit RUNNER UP BEST LOCAL NEWS PERSONALITY Doreen Gentzler, News 4 RUNNER UP Doug Kammerer RUNNER UP Pack Place K9, Germantown DeClutter DC, Washington DC BEST REALTOR Jen Vo, Keller Williams Capital Properties Bethesda-Chevy Chase BEST VETERINARIAN Dr. Christina Stotz, Maple Springs Veterinary Hospital, Gaithersburg RUNNER UP RUNNER UP Ryan Zimmerman, Washington Nationals BEST MECHANIC Cho’s Auto Service, Gaithersburg RUNNER UP G & C Tire & Auto Service, Chantilly BEST MORTGAGE LOAN OFFICER Larry Finkelberg, Apex Home Loans RUNNER UP Karen McGee, Rockville BEST NANNY SERVICE/ BABYSITTER ASAP Sitters RUNNER UP Ellie Hitt, RE/MAX Realty Group BEST SWIM INSTRUCTOR Sarah Reed, British Swim School 841-F Quince Orchard Blvd Gaithersburg, MD (833) 486-3250 kristinaw@bssmoco.com brit-ishswimschool.com We cannot say enough how proud we are of Miss Sarah! Miss Sarah has been with British Swim School for almost three years and she is one of our most beloved instructors. She teaches all ages from babies up to swim team. Miss Sarah also swam for the Northwest High School swim team and Coaches the Diamond Farms Swim Team. Congratulations on a well- deserved honor, Miss Sarah! RUNNER UP Tie – Let Mommy Sleep Tender Hearts Loving Hands PETS 38  Washington FAMILY  AUGUST 2020 PLACES BEST AMUSEMENT PARK Busch Gardens & Water Country USA RUNNER UP Hersheypark BEST ART GALLERY National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC RUNNER UP Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden BEST CONCERT VENUE Wolf Trap, Vienna RUNNER UP RUNNER UP Katelyn Humphrey, SwimKids Swim School BEST PERSONAL ORGANIZER The Rest Kentlands Veterinary Hospital, Gaithersburg BEST PET GROOMER PetSmart The Anthem, Washington DC BEST CHURCH/PLACE OF WORSHIP Seneca Creek Community Church RUNNER UP St. Rose of Lima, Gaithersburg 1188690247 / iStock / Getty Images Plus BEST LOCAL PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals 2 0 2 0 BEST FAMILY DAY TRIP Smithsonian’s National Zoo RUNNER UP RUNNER UP Harpers Ferry, West Virginia BEST LOCAL WINERY Rocklands Farm Winery, Poolesville BEST ICE SKATING RINK Cabin John Ice Rink, Bethesda RUNNER UP RUNNER UP Fairfax Ice Arena, Fairfax BEST INDOOR ACTIVITY Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Tysons Corner Center Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard BEST MOVIE THEATRE Cinema Arts Theatre, Fairfax Thank you for making us the "Best Of" 2020! RUNNER UP ArcLight Cinemas, Bethesda RUNNER UP Earth Treks, Rockville BEST INDOOR PLAY FACILITY Badlands, Rockville BEST MUSEUM Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Washington DC 2 0 2 0 Only for Washington Family readers! RUNNER UP Busy Bees Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Washington DC BEST INDOOR SWIMMING POOL/REC CENTER SwimKids Swim School BEST PETTING ZOO Roer’s Zoofari RUNNER UP RUNNER UP RUNNER UP Germantown Indoor Swim Center Leesburg Animal Park, Leesburg BEST LOCAL BREWERY Flying Dog BEST ROLLER RINK Skate N’ Fun Zone, Manassas RUNNER UP RUNNER UP 2 Silos Brewing Co., Manassas Laurel Roller Skating Center, Laurel BEST LOCAL GETAWAY/RESORT Rehoboth Beach BEST STADIUM Nationals Park, DC RUNNER UP RUNNER UP Great Wolf Lodge, Williamsburg BEST LOCAL SHOPPING CENTER OR MALL Westfield Montgomery Mall, Bethesda Oriole Park at Camden Yards BEST WATER PARK Water Country USA, Williamsburg RUNNER UP The Activity Center at Bohrer Park, Gaithersburg Westminster School P reschool - 8 th Grade | Est. 1962 Presenting Challenge - Building Character - Instilling Confidence Enrolling Now for In-Person Learning with Safety Measures in Place Art | Music | Drama Phonics-Based Reading Writing | Penmanship Critical Thinking | Public Speaking Great Books | French | Latin Daily PE | Field Trips admissions@westminsterschool.com 703-256-3620 www.WestminsterSchool.com WashingtonFAMILY.com  39 RETAIL BEST CHILDREN’S CONSIGNMENT OR RESALE STORE Kid to Kid, Rockville RUNNER UP Lemon Lane, Falls Church BEST HAIR SALON FOR CHILDREN Cartoon Cuts RUNNER UP RUNNER UP Foxes Music Company, Falls Church BEST LOCAL CAR DEALER Fitzgerald Auto Mall RUNNER UP BEST PLACE TO BUY OUTDOOR PLAY EQUIPMENT Costco Ourisman Honda RUNNER UP BEST LOCAL CHILDREN’S CLOTHING STORE Little Birdies Boutique Play N’ Learn, Columbia and Chantilly RUNNER UP BEST ACCESSORIES STORE Lou Lou Boutique Ashby Mae BEST LOCAL CHILDREN’S FURNITURE STORE Go To Your Room, Rockville RUNNER UP STYLE Occasions, Kentlands RUNNER UP JoS. A. Bank BEST SHOE STORE DSW RUNNER UP BEST UPSCALE CONSIGNMENT Tie – T wice is Nice Finders Keepers, LLC, Arlington RUNNER UP BEST HAIR SALON/COLORIST O’HAIR Salon RUNNER UP Kindle & Boom, Rockville BEST JEWELRY STORE Tie – Tiffany & Co. Tiny Jewel Box, Washington DC RUNNER UP RUNNER UP BEST MEN’S CLOTHING STORE Nordstrom Red Door Spa RUNNER UP BEST LOCAL TOY STORE Tie – Toy Castle, Potomac C hild’s Play Toys & Books, Arlington Cute Tips Nail Salon Nordstrom BEST DAY SPA The Woodhouse Day Spa RUNNER UP Child’s Play Toys & Books, Arlington RUNNER UP RUNNER UP Belfort Furniture BEST LOCAL SELECTION OF CHILDREN’S BOOKS Barnes & Noble, Tysons Corner BEST MANI/PEDI Bella Salon + Spa, Germantown Kettermans Jewelers, Leesburg grace & griffin BEST WOMEN’S CLOTHING STORE Target RUNNER UP LOFT BEST LOCAL WOMEN’S CLOTHING STORE South Moon Under, Bethesda Barstons Child’s Play BEST PLACE TO BUY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Music & Arts BEST MAKEUP STORE Sephora RUNNER UP Ulta 40  Washington FAMILY  AUGUST 2020 RUNNER UP Tie - A ltar’d State, Leesburg Chico’s, Woodbridge Nastasic / E+ / iStock / Getty Images Plus The Yellow Balloon, Gaithersburg MONTESSORI DIRECTORY MARYLAND AIDAN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Ages:18 months to 6th grade www.aidanschool.org/ admissions@aidanschool.org 2700 27th Street, NW Washington, District of Columbia Aidan Montessori School is a co-ed independent school located in Woodley Park. Aidan has served children’s natural development, innate curiosity, and pursuit of independence since its founding as one of the nation’s first Montessori schools in 1961. ONENESS-FAMILY SCHOOL Ages:age 2 through high school www.onenessfamily.org admissions@onenessfamily.org 6701 Wisconsin Avenue Chevy Chase, Maryland For over 30 years, Oneness- Family School has served THE BETHESDA MONTESSORI SCHOOL 20 RUNNER-UP RUNNER-UP 1 8 For 38 years, families that value student- centered learning. We promote personal growth with rigorous curriculum and excellence in the Montessori tradition from early childhood through high school. SPRING BILINGUAL MONTESSORI ACADEMY spring-bilingual.org Ages: 2-6 3514 Plyers Mill Road Kensington, MD 301-962-7262 Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. VIRGINIA BROOKSFIELD SCHOOL brooksfieldschool.org brksfield@aol.com Ages: 2-6 1830 Kirby Road, McLean, VA 703-356-KIDS Sign-up for our e-letter! teaching ages 3-6 HOLLY BROOK MONTESSORI SCHOOL preschoolmontessori.com info@hollybrookmontessori.com Ages: 3-5 2455 Gallows Road Dunn Loring, VA 703-573-7800 MONTESSORI SCHOOL AT GOOSE CREEK PRESERVE goosecreekmontessori.com Ages: 16 months-6 years 42470 Rosalind St. Ashburn, VA 571-417-3999 HUNTER MILL MONTESSORI SCHOOL preschoolmontessori.com info@huntermillmontessori.com Ages: 2 years, 9 months-5 years 2709 Hunter Mill Road Oakton, VA 703-938-7755 RESTON MONTESSORI SCHOOL restonmontessori.com office@restonmontessori.com Ages: 3 months-Grade 6 1928 Isaac Newton Square Reston, VA 703-481-2922 ■ FRENCH • • • SPANISH Montessori Academy Established in 1967 “We plant seeds that spring to life!” 301-986-1260 www.bethesdamontessori.com MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF CEDAR LANE preschoolmontessori.com info@cedarlanemontessori.com Ages: 3-6 3035 Cedar Lane Fairfax, VA 703-560-4379 Spring Bilingual ENROLLING NOW Extended Day 8am – 6pm 7611 Clarendon Rd. Bethesda, MD 20814 Limited Fall 2020 admissions available COVID-19 preparations in progress Email us at admissions@bethesdamontessori.com COMMUNITY MONTESSORI SCHOOL cmsreston.com bonnieredcms@gmail.com Ages: Infants-6 years 1700 Reston Parkway Reston, VA 703-478-3656 washingtonfamily.com/ enewsletter/ Accepting applications for the 2020-21 school year The Center for Ballet Arts Offering LIVE Classes! FALL REGISTRATION Classes begin: September 8th Ballet . Pointe . Modern . Jazz Tap . Pilates . Kinderballet Ages 3 thru Adults 3955 Pender Drive, Suite 105 Fairfax, VA 22030•703.273.5344•thecenterforballetarts.com What makes Spring unique among Montessori schools? Bilingual Montessori environments with immersion classes for ages 2-6 HALF DAY • FULL DAY BEFORE CARE • AFTER CARE 3514 Plyers Mill Rd., Kensington, MD www.spring-bilingual.org 301-962-7262 admissions@spring-bilingual.org WashingtonFAMILY.com  41 HEALTHY FAMILY Protecting Summer Skin Stay sun-safe and healthy outdoors Is BY COURTNEY MCGEE   it weird that I am 100 percent a ered the strongest sun hours, but Dr. Kahn • Use a mineral sunblock with SPF 30 or higher. • Remember the hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. are the riskiest for sun exposure. • Out in woods or fields? Check or ticks as soon as you come inside. •  Clean and cover scrapes. • Moisturize skin within three minutes of bathing. 42  WashingtonFAMILY  AUGUST 2020 Limiting sun exposure is key says she’d extend the risk to 4 p.m. Chemical vs. mineral There is a huge retail market for sun protection lotions and sprays. How do we choose? Which ones are safest? Studies have shown that chemical sunscreens can be potentially dangerous. Yes, they do a good job, but can they get into the bloodstream? In Hawaii, they don’t even want you to get in the water wearing chemical sunscreens because they can harm the coral reefs. Mineral sunblocks are a preferred choice, and they are far more refined than earlier versions from years ago. Think back to clunky white Nosecoat (although I did love my hot pink Zinka in the ’80s). Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide offer exceptional UVA and UVB protection, with SPF 30+, and have been made “much more aesthetically elegant” these days, with applications that aren’t as visible, Dr. Kahn says. Brands Dr. Kahn loves include: Blue Lizard, Babyganics, EltaMD UV Clear, Vanicream Sunscreen (for ultra sensitive skin), Neutrogena Pure & Free, Aveeno Ultra-Calming and CeraVe. “Anything that says it’s made for babies or women is usually smaller and more expensive,” Dr. Kahn says. “Just going with something for ‘sensitive skin’ should be fine.” Seek a broad-spectrum product that offers UVA and UVB protection with an SPF of 30 or more. Apply the protection every morning before you leave the house, and again if going out before 4 p.m. You should reapply every hour if staying outside, especially if you’ll be in or around water. Dr. Kahn cautions, “The ones that say one application lasts for hours/ all day? They lie.” The first point Dr. Kahn wanted to reinforce is the critical importance of sun protection. There are various ways to stay safe. One popular ad campaign slogan, “Slip! Slop! Slap! Seek! & Slide!” promotes slipping into sun protective clothing; slopping on SPF 30 or higher sunscreen; slapping on a broad-brimmed hat; seeking shade; and sliding on sunglasses to have fun without getting “fried.” It’s a great message, because it emphasizes how to make sun protection part of your daily routine. Feeling the burn? The hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. are consid- Did you know that sunburn can take six TRAVNIKOVSTUDIO / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS Quick Tips: better person when I can feel the sun? On a sunny day, anything seems possible, and a sunny day just makes me happy—bonus points if there’s water involved. However, summertime fun often means more skin exposed and vulnerable. What do we need to do to keep our children’s skin safe and healthy, and ensure that we put our own best skin forward? Dr. Teri A. Kahn is a pediatric dermatologist at Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital and the University of Maryland Children’s Hospital, and clinical associate professor of both dermatology and pediatrics at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Dr. Kahn spoke with me about some key concerns for summer skin health and safety. Whenever possible, I asked Dr. Kahn to recommend specific brands or products. As a busy mom myself, I sincerely appreciate when I can get help picking out good items for my family—particularly when there is such an overwhelming number of items to choose from. Here is some of the great advice she shared with me. She does not have any professional relationship with these products. HEALTHY FAMILY to 12 hours to peak? Anticipate that a little pinkness now may develop into something much worse later. First-degree sunburn brings red, sore skin. Second-degree sunburn pe- netrates the skin’s layers, bringing blistering and swelling. The Skin Cancer Foundation warns that, on average, risk for melanoma doubles with five or more sunburns, but just one blistering sunburn in childhood more than doubles melanoma risk later in life. If you do get sunburn, Dr. Kahn suggests the following: Apply cool compresses, take a cool shower, drink lots of water, take Advil/ Aleve if very painful, use aloe-vera or a general moisturizer (such as CeraVe). If you have blisters, don’t pop them. Keep the affected skin moist and intact. Bug off, little creeps Another skin issue in summer: Bugs. Annoying insects such as mosquitos, ticks, chiggers, gnats, no-see-ums, biting flies and sand fleas can ruin an otherwise lovely time outdoors. We’ve tried lots of different repellant strategies, so I was excited to hear about Dr. Kahn’s favorite, picaridin. I’m hoping this is a game-changer, because I am a mosquito magnet. “Look for 20 percent picaridin, in spray or lotion. Generic is as good as brand-name, but if you want a brand to look for, Sawyer’s is great,” Dr. Kahn says. “It’s safe for babies and pregnant women, and lasts 8 to 12 hours.” Apply at edges of clothing and on exposed areas. Because Lyme disease is common in ticks around here, it is important to do tick checks after you’ve been outdoors. Getting ticks off within the first 24 hours is important to prevent a full blood meal and avoid transmission of disease. Picaridin will help repel ticks, but not as well as DEET, so it is a good idea to add something with DEET for more protection if you’re hiking. Be sure to wash it off as soon as you come inside to limit exposure. Remember, too, that asthma and eczema are often triggered by seasonal allergies—another good reason to change clothes and wash up as soon as you come in from outdoors in summer. also brings along skinned knees and scraped elbows, which can put a damper on outdoor playtime. Skin injuries such as scrapes, scratches and cuts require a few simple care routines, according to Dr. Kahn—cleanse, moisten and cover. First, clean the injury with a gentle cleanser, such as Dove soap, and pat the area dry. Next, apply a clean ointment base— could be just be plain Aquaphor or Vaseline petroleum jelly, or if you feel the need for antibiotic ointment, you can use Bacitracin or Polysporin. While Neosporin has been a first-aid kit staple for many years, but it really should be avoided at best, or used very rarely and sparingly at minimum. Not only are three antibiotics unnecessary, but the neomycin in it can cause allergic reactions that may eliminate the potential to use certain other antibiotics in the future. Dr. Kahn adds that covering the skin injury is a key step in promoting healing. “Sorry, but Grandma’s advice about air-drying a wound was wrong. Open to air delays healing,” she says. “Keeping skin injuries clean, moist and covered creates an environment where skin cells can reproduce and fill the wound, and also cause less scarring.” dry (be careful about bottoms of feet so you don’t slip). Some brands Dr. Kahn suggests are Curel, Eucerin, Nivea and Jergens. Don’t forget to also reapply sunscreen if you’ll be heading back out. Fight chemical dry skin Check for damage regularly Swimming, splashing, or soaking in the pool is one of the best parts of summer. The chlorine that keeps the water clear and safe is actually a great cleanser. Dr. Kahn notes that some of her patients with eczema see improvements in their skin when they swim. That said, pool chemicals can be irritants, and it is important to rinse, cleanse and moisturize skin after swimming. Pre- coating skin before swimming can also help reduce irritation. When it comes to monitoring skin for dangerous changes, one mantra Dr. Kahn shared is “have your birthday suit checked on your birthday,” a reminder to schedule annual screenings from adolescence on. In her pediatric dermatology practice, as she sees lots of children with eczema and teens with acne, and she finds opportunities to discuss skin concerns in the midst of other treatments. But at any age, if anything suspicious comes up, get it checked ASAP. In the U.S., more than two people die every hour from skin cancer. Protect yourself and your family by getting skin checks and being vigilant about protection. We live and learn, and when we know better, we do better. Even Dr. Kahn used to do some sun worshipping in her youth. But she says “you should see me now on the beach,” as she has made skin protection an absolute priority. Luckily, kids today have the benefit of our knowing so much more about importance of protecting skin and so many options for doing so.  T A good habit to start There is a “three-minute rule” for moisturizing, according to Dr. Kahn. The idea is to apply moisturizer within three minutes after bathing, while the skin is patted off but still slightly damp, to lock in moisture. “The key is to keep good stuff in and bad stuff out,” she says. Alternately, you don’t even have to dry off at all before using some newer products. Skin injury care Called wet moisturizers, water-activated or With active young kids, shorts weather in-shower moisturizers, these are great for brings out lots of fun. Often, however, it using just after washing and before toweling Haircare counts, too “Hair is specialized skin,” Dr. Kahn reminds us. “There is sunscreen for hair, too.” Before a beach trip, Dr. Kahn researched hair products and discovered Reflect H20 Pre-Swim and Sun Protecting Gel at sporting goods store. She found it a welcome addition to her sun protection routines. She also tipped me off to Trader Joe’s Nourish Spa shampoo and conditioner as gentle hair care favorites. Dress to protect There are fabulous catalogs of specialized, sun-protective fashion such as Coolibar, Solumbra, UV Skinz and Wallaroo hats. You can also find general rash guards and sun-safe clothing online and in local stores that will do the job just as well, for less money. Don’t think that wearing more clothing necessarily means you’ll feel hotter. In fact, rash guards can actually help you stay cooler, as they wick away sweat and shield skin from the sun. WashingtonFAMILY.com  43 My Pandemic Thanks to COVID-19, s of late June, I had not been to a hair stylist since April 2019. * Insert horror scream here * I know. I know. That is bad. Don’t @ me. I have some friends that religiously go every six weeks. I say, good for them. That’s awesome. For me, it is just harder. I tend to always put everyone else above myself. Kids. Husband. Dog. Cat. Friends. Neighbor. Extended family. You get the idea. This winter alone, my son was involved in four sport activities while my daughter was taking three dance classes. But I made a promise to myself. Before the early April start of my son’s spring baseball season, I would go get my hair cut because I needed multiple inches taken off. And then COVID-19 shut down the country. In the months that followed, we quarantined like everyone else. Only going out to get groceries 44  WashingtonFAMILY  AUGUST 2020 every two weeks. Washing our hands after getting the mail. Trying to teach our kids through distance learning. Throughout this time, my hair continued to grow (although I probably lost a fair amount to pulling it out during distance learning—insert another scream here). I figured when salons started opening up, I’d get about 6 inches cut off. However, I had no plans to run there the moment they opened back up in May. They were going to be super busy. In mid-May, I saw a picture of actress Jamie Lynn Sigler in a magazine holding up a long braid of her own hair that she had decided to donate to a nonprofit. I’ve been a fan of Sigler since her days on “The Sopranos.” I thought it was really amazing that she donated her hair, and I couldn’t stop thinking about the picture. Then it hit me. If I was already planning on a sizable haircut, why not just add a few more inches to the total and donate my hair like Sigler? I began researching the best places to donate hair. I am a cancer survivor, so I wanted to give to an organization that supports young children facing the disease. I very vividly remember the prospect Haircut BY GINA GALLUCCI-WHITE I donated my hair JASMINA81 / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS of losing my hair to chemotherapy and I wanted to help others in the same position. Some nonprofits wanted a minimum of 12 inches. Others can’t take hair that has been colored. In my research, I also found that some nonprofits charge families to make child wigs or sell some of the donated hair to private companies which I was completely against. In the end, I decided to donate to Children With Hair Loss, a Michigan-based nonprofit that supplies wigs to children and young adults facing medically-related hair loss. They only required a minimum of 8 inches of hair for a donation and provide wigs to recipients for free. As temperatures started to climb into the 90s in June and our regular pool remained closed, I decided to make my appointment at my Frederick salon. Although I was very sure of my decision, I couldn’t help but be nervous the morning of my appointment. Throughout my life, the largest haircut I had ever had was probably 3 inches. Now I would be going from having hair that reached to around my belly button to hair that was shoulder length. When I told my stylist about wanting to donate my hair, she divided my hair into four different sections, measured out 8 inches by marking the distance with a rubber band and chopped the hair off with a few quick cuts. My mouth flew open as she cut off the first ponytail, but she couldn’t see because I was wearing a mask. My initial feeling was shock but I shortly, thereafter, felt a lightness and not just because a huge chunk of my thick hair was now gone. I was finally taking care of myself. I was finally out of the house by myself after months of quarantine, and I could picture a child putting on a wig with my hair, excitedly looking in the mirror. For those of you that have not made it to the hair salons yet due to pandemic shut downs, perhaps consider delaying the appointment a little longer and donate your hair to a worthy nonprofit. You will feel great afterward.  T Gina Gallucci-White is a Frederick County mom, writer and reporter for several local and national news outlets. WashingtonFAMILY.com  45 BOOK MARKED Back-to-School Books The first day of school is always ripe with possibility for what the year will bring, even in a pandemic BY JENNIFER ROTHSCHILD, COLLECTION ENGAGEMENT LIBRARIAN, ARLINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD BOOKS them out, eating your classmates isn’t the best way to make friends. When the hungry class fish Written and illustrated by Marion Cocklico shows Penelope what it feels like to be a snack, Ben’s nervous about his first day of school, but she’s able to make amends. he finds his cubby, joins circle time, makes new friends and enjoys himself in this comforting read ‘The King of Kindergarten’ designed to prepare children for their own first Written by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by days. Young readers will enjoy the bright illustra- Vanessa Brantley-Newton tions full of flaps to lift and other manipulative After his mother tells him he’ll be the King of features. Parents will appreciate the tips on each Kindergarten, a young boy can’t wait to start page to help their children transition to preschool. school. On the first day he puts a royal spin on everything (instead of the school bus taking him ‘Have You Seen my Lunch Box?’ to school, the yellow carriage takes him to his Written and illustrated by Steve Light towering fortress). The result is a fantastic first Many parents will recognize the scene that day. Readers will see many routine classroom plays out in this seek-and-find board book. It’s experiences filled with a positive energy to get time to catch the bus, but first the young protag- kids excited for their own first day. onist must find his school things amid a jumble of other household items. Careful use of color ‘The Proudest Blue: A Story of against the black-and-white illustrations make Hijab and Family’ items easy to spot for young readers. Written by Ibtihaj Muhammed and S. K. ‘I’m Going to Preschool’ ‘Pete the Kitty’s First Day of Preschool’ Written and illustrated by Kimberly and James Dean Ali, illustrated by Hatem Aly. Faizah’s ready for the first day of school with her new backpack and light-up shoes, but she’s even more excited because her older sister, Asiya, has started to wear her hijab. Mama wanted her to pick a nice pink, but instead she chose a bright, proud blue. But when Asiya is teased on the playground, Faizah has to find a way to be strong. Luckily, Asiya shows her how to handle the bullies in this powerful and uplifting story about the bonds of sisterhood. Crowd-favorite Pete the Cat stars in a line of board books about his younger days. On his first day of preschool, when asked if he’s nervous, he says “No, I’m cool.” He has his cool new backpack and art supplies and is ready to go. While at school, he does many typical preschool activities like singing and painting. At the end of the day, he doesn’t want to leave! Older readers may want to opt for “Pete EARLY READERS the Cat: Rocking in my School Shoes.” ‘The Best Seat in Kindergarten’ PICTURE BOOKS ‘We Don’t Eat Our Classmates’ Written and illustrated by Ryan T. Higgins Penelope is excited to start school and can’t wait to meet her classmates. Unfortunately, her classmates are all human and Penelope is a T Rex—so she eats them. Even though she spits 46  Washington FAMILY  AUGUST 2020 Written by Katherine Kenah, illustrated by Abby Carter Sam’s pretty nervous for his first day kindergar- ten. As a fun activity, his teacher takes the class on a nature walk and when they return to class, everyone gets to share something they found on the walk. A reassuring story about the big feelings that can accompany starting school. ‘Big Shark, Little Shark Go to School’ Written by Anna Membrino, illustrated by Tim Budgen Odd-couple Big Shark and Little Shark are off to school. Little Shark shows up extra early for the bus, but Big Shark is running so far behind, he doesn’t arrive until the bus has come and gone. Now how will the friends get to school? While the plot line won’t happen to many human students, young readers will enjoy these fun shark antics. ‘The Buddy Bench’ Written by Gwendolyn Hooks, illustrated by Shirley Ng-Benitez Padma loves school and playing with her friends. When she notices a boy sitting all by himself at recess, she works to create a Buddy Bench—a place for kids to sit to signal that they would like to be asked to play. This early reader is a great introduction to the Buddy Bench, which are becoming more common on school playgrounds. MIDDLE GRADE ‘Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus’ Written by Dusti Bowling Due to a rare genetic condition, Aven Green was born without arms, but she likes to tell peo- ple she lost them wrestling alligators. Moving across country so her parents can take over an old theme park is hard enough, but Aven also must deal with all the questions and comments about her body as she starts at a new school. After a rocky start she befriends a boy with a dis- ability of his own, and the two work together to solve a mystery about the history of theme park. ‘Real Friends’ Written by Shannon Hale, illustrated by LeUyen Pham Award-winning author Hale tells a poignant and familiar story of changing friendships in this graphic novel memoir. Shannon always felt like the odd-one out, but she found a great best friend in Adrienne. Over the years, Adrienne becomes one of the most popular girls in school, and Shannon suddenly feels like an outsider looking in. Hale is careful to show the sympathetic side to mean charac- ters as well as highlighting her own mistakes as she finds her own place and real friends. ‘New Kid’ Written by Jerry Craft Jordan loves art—especially drawing cartoons about his life. He wants to go to art school, but his parents send him to Riverdale Academy instead, a prestigious school known for its aca- demics. At his new school, Jordan is one of one a few non-white students, which brings many challenges, such as regularly being confused with the few other Black kids. Meanwhile, he also struggles to stay true to his friends from the neighborhood even though they are no lon- ger classmates. A moving graphic novel about staying true to yourself. YOUNG ADULT ‘Her Royal Highness’ Written by Rachel Hawkins In this fizzy companion to Prince Charming, heartbroken Millie decides to apply to board- ing schools far, far away from her Texas home. She lands at a prestigious school in Scotland, where her roommate is a literal princess. At first, Flora seems every bit the selfish entitled brat the tabloids make her out to be, but Millie soon gets to know the troubled and unhappy girl beneath the tiara and a wonderful friend- ship and possible romance bloom. But if start- ing a new school in a new country was hard, dating a royal is a whole new level of intensity that Millie doesn’t know if she’s prepared for. ‘Popular: A Memoir’ Written by Maya Van Wagenen At her Texas middle school, Maya is at the bottom of the popularity ladder. Figuring things couldn’t get any worse, she decides to live by the advice she finds in a 1950s popu- larity guide and document the results. While the pearls and girdle work against her, Maya gains a lot by widening her social circles and interactions. Maya’s voice shines as she docu- ments the harder parts of living on the Texas/ Mexico border during the drug war as well as her failures and ultimate successes with decades-old, but timeless, advice. ‘Middle School is Worse Than Meatloaf: A Year Told Through Stuff’ Written by Jennifer L. Holm, illustrated by Elicia Castaldi Full-color pages feature a collage of maga- zine articles, school assignments, notes, bank statements and ephemera to tell the story of Ginny’s first year in middle school. It’s a fun and revealing way to show the highs and lows of the school year. For example, drug store receipts for hair dye are followed by signifi- cantly higher salon bills for dye-reversal, while notes with her friends reveal changes in her house as she gets used to living with her new stepfather. It’s a fun and revealing way to show the highs and lows of the school year. n WashingtonFAMILY.com  47 One-Day Installation 1 One-Piece Seamless Wall Certified Technicians Lifetime Warranty 2 SAVE ON A NEW BATH OR SHOWER Get a spa-like bath or shower, installed by our health and safety conscious technician, in as little as a day-with no mess! 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It’d be like trying to stick to a restricted diet where I am banned from eating brownies, bagels, coffee and cheese. It is completely unrealistic to believe I could follow that. I wouldn’t enjoy eating anymore, which would make me miserable. My self-care equivalent to a diet of beets and dandelion greens is being touched for an hour and slicked up with so much product the neighborhood kids could play Slip-and-Slide on my cheeks. I am never going to get behind the idea of self-care if it’s restricted to a certain type. Science says I f one more person tells me I need to “fill my cup” in the interest of self-care, I’m going to hotbox them in a meat locker. With lots and lots of aged meats. Stop telling me to get a massage. I don’t want a facial or a pedicure. I might be able to stomach a manicure if I wasn’t forced to sit still for longer than 20 minutes. I have a 2-year-old and a 6-month-old. I work full-time as the breadwinner and am always running a side hustle or two at any given time. My husband stays home as the full-time caretaker, so I feel guilty any time he has to take care of them outside of, you know, every day. Even though I couldn’t have found a more supportive spouse had I conjured him up from the Ideal Husband Factory in Palo Alto (don’t lie, you just Googled it). My time with my daughters is precious. My time with my friends is insanely precious because it’s so rare. The idea of taking an hour or two to do something completely by myself sounds asinine. Calling it a ‘luxury’ Do it your way I practice self-care in four ways that are really important to me and work for me rather than against me. Boundary setting. Self-care to me means not straining my already overfilled mental and emotional load. Saying no to opportunities, WashingtonFAMILY.com  49 PIXELFIT/E+/GETTY IMAGES BY KRYSTINA WALES The importance of self-care has been scientifically proven. It’s a mental health regiment as much as a physical one, helping to reduce anxiety, elevate patience and resilience, foster creativity and open- mindedness as well as combating burnout and exhaustion. It’s also a buzzword that has gotten a lot of face time recently. And just like any good, old-fashioned game of telephone, the more it’s talked about, the more its original meaning and purpose falls away, replaced by the commercialization of the concept for an individual’s or company’s own benefit. Self-care is more than just actions taken. It says it right there in the name: it is the art of taking care of yourself. So for mothers who can’t fathom the space to spend hours doing something alone, who are overwhelmed and guilt-ridden by the idea of trying to practice self-care in the way it’s currently being marketed, it’s OK. You aren’t doing it wrong. WF VOICES no matter how awesome they seem or how much I want to help, is a tool it has taken me years to hone, but one that serves me well when it comes to my mental health. By stepping away from volunteer activities or extra projects, I give myself permission to prioritize what’s important to me at this time in my life, knowing I can go back to them later when I’m ready. Literally taking care of myself. Making sure I am drinking water, choosing the stairs, eating good foods that fuel my body, taking a shower—no need to wile away in a pile of bubbles, just being clean is enough. Doing simple daily activities to give me the energy and confidence to tackle the day feels like a win. Hanging out with friends. Those bitches are my life line! It doesn’t matter if I need to air out some grievances, bounce ideas off them or just check in to see what is going on in their lives, touching base with other women in my life truly energizes me and gives me the space to get out of my own head. The women I surround myself with are smart, driven and empathetic people. They listen, laugh and love with the best of them. I know stepping away for a coffee or a walk with them will give me a new perspective or just a break from the monotony of the day. And, honestly, a hot coffee and really good breakfast sets me up for a week’s worth of happiness. Writing. It gives me such joy to share my perspective and feelings with the world to help women feel less alone. But even if I am journaling for no one but myself, getting my thoughts down on paper helps me work through situations more effectively than anything. Alternatively, writing creatively gives my mind an outlet, a space to go where I can imagine any scenario and outcome I want. I can create new characters and timelines. The freedom to create and see my work on paper is a gift and a release all at the same time. Self-care doesn’t have to be a burden or one more proverbial item on the to-do list. The expectations for how self-care is supposed to go can sap the very mental energy it’s expected to bring. If you can make yourself a fancy meal for one that you can enjoy after bedtime instead of eating PB&J crusts and macerated vegetables, or steal away three minutes before walking in the door after work to meditate, or say no to the 10th birthday party this month, your mind, body and overfilled cup will thank you. n 50  Washington FAMILY  AUGUST 2020 THE EXPECTATIONS FOR HOW SELF- CARE IS SUPPOSED TO GO CAN SAP THE VERY MENTAL ENERGY IT’S EXPECTED TO BRING. VICTOR_TONGDEE / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS DAD LIFE Dr. Brian Stipelman BY WF STAFF TITLE: Associate Vice President/Dean of Liberal Arts at Frederick Community College LIVES: Frederick Wife, Hilary; daughters, Elayna, 9; and Mia, 6; and two cats, Socks and Lula FAMILY: Do Do you you know a local parent who who know a local parent juggles multiple priorities while juggles multiple priorities while managing to make a positive impact managing to make a positive impact in their community? Nominate them in their community? Nominate them as a subject of our Mom/Dad Life  as a subject of our Mom/Dad Life column by emailing us at column by emailing us at editor@washingtonfamily.com. editor@washingtonfamily.com. What are five things you can’t live without? My iPhone and nice headphones. I try to walk 5 miles every day, and they stop me from being bored while I do it. Plus, this way I can fit music and podcasts onto the list without taking up more spots. It’s like wishing for more wishes. Good books. My sleep habits are terrible and reading before bed (without a screen) really helps. My iPad. At the end of the day, I like to be able to watch movies with headphones on so the sound can be loud and I can be horizontal. This is before the reading. Mountain Dew. I am not much of a coffee drinker, so this gets me through the day. I started drinking diet Mountain Dew as a concession to my health. But diet soda tastes like sadness, so I’ve gone back to regular Mountain Dew. But in tiny cans. This list used to be much longer, but then I had kids. And it turns out that most things I thought were essential really weren’t. Ask me again when my girls turn 18. up anything too badly that will hurt them in the long run. What do you love about being a dad? The fact that I have two wonderful, loving, thoughtful, smart, crazy girls. Really just having something in your life you can care that deeply about. And as they get older, watching them interact with and learn from the world around them is a joy. I also love that they do not hesitate to call me out when they don’t like what I’m doing. Keeps me honest. What’s something that makes juggling parenthood and your career a little bit easier? Honestly, knowing that other people struggle as much as I do. Parenting is a challenge. A career is a challenge. Trying to have both and be halfway decent at them is even harder, especially if you also want your partner to be anything more than a co-parent/roommate (and my wife also works full time). I think it is helpful for all of us to be open about how hard this is to manage and that even the people you think of as the super parents who really have it down are (probably) experiencing the same angst and exhaustion that you are. They just hide it better. I have been especially lucky in that Frederick Community College has a number of family-friendly policies that have made this all much easier. Given the uncertainty facing all parents for the foreseeable future, I hope all employers are able to adopt policies that make life manageable for working parents. n What do you find challenging about raising kids? Just about everything. Turns out raising kids is way harder than I expected. Who knew? Ensuring that they are learning (especially now), making sure they eat right and stay healthy are all at the top of the list. Stressing about whether or not they spend too much time on screens. Worrying about modeling bad behavior (like spending too much time on screens). Basically, making sure I don’t screw What is something your family loves to do together? So much of our weekdays are spent ferrying kids to activities that our weekends had really been about decompression. One silver lining about COVID-19 is that has slowed down the pace of our life, and we are building more family activities into our routines. Right now, hikes in the woods have become a favorite. With a little luck, my girls will come out of quarantine with happy memories of the experience. What’s your favorite chore? I like doing the dishes. My wife generally trusts me not to screw it up (as opposed to say, laundry), and it is satisfying to take on a project that definitively ends. When I started, dishes were dirty. When I am done, dishes are clean. However, my family insists on eating every day, so these are small victories in a battle I cannot win. WashingtonFAMILY.com  51 Your best friend is waiting... Montgomery County Humane Society is a private, non-profit, no-kill cat and dog rescue that does not receive any operational funding from the government or from national humane societies. It relies on the support of the community to keep its doors open. Cats and dogs available for adoption today. Come meet your new best friend. ® 601 S. Stonestreet Ave. Rockville, MD 20850 240-252-2555 mchumane.org 52  Washington FAMILY  AUGUST 2020