washingtonFAMILY.com JULY 2020 2 0 2 0 PAGES 21-33 , o l l He mmer Su STANDING AGAINST RACISM ONENESS-FAMILY SCHOOL STUDENT-CENTERED LEARNING CONTENTS JULY 2020 Yes, you can support the fight for racial justice without attending a protest.  Pg. 13 DEPARTMENTS 13 6 THE FATE OF FALL Students and parents wonder what school will look like in September 21 BEST FOR FAMILIES The survey results are in! Discover who made the list for this year’s family favorites 38 PEOPLE FIRST, WORDS SECOND The way we talk about disabilities is changing 40 A PHONE CALL AWAY Telemedicine is a COVID-19 success story 42 THE MORNING RUSH What it looks like to parent a neurotypical child and two children with disabilities 8 10 EDITOR’S PICKS This month’s must-haves and must-know-abouts FAMILY FUN A patriotic ice pop recipe DIY Make a whimsical DIY beach fairy garden 11 VOICES 34 VOICES Why one mom is choosing to homeschool her kindergartener this fall 45 BOOKMARKED A new kids’ book about diversity written by a Maryland mom, plus books that celebrate America. 48 READERS’ RESPONSES 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  JULY 2020 Having a “wild” daughter changed this mom’s perception of femininity MOM LIFE Meet LaJoy Johnson-Law, a parent support specialist and mom to a daughter with multple disabilities DIRECTORIES 36 MONTESSORI SCHOOLS ONENESS AND PROTEST PHOTO BY DAVID STUCK 18 YOUR Oneness Family School FEATURES NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE Taking a stand against racism at home and in the streets WE WANT ON THE COVER 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 VOTED “BEST MONTESSORI SCHOOL IN THE DC-AREA” — 2016, 2017, 2017, 2018, 2018, 2019, 2019 2020 — 2016, — — WashingtonFAMILY.com 3 3 WashingtonFAMILY.com  COMING IN AUGUST Back-to-Schoo l! OUR TEAM JULY 2020 WashingtonFAMILY.com • 301-230-2222 Craig Burke, Publisher Open House Dates Medical Guide Aftercare Guide ADVERTISING Account Executives Kim Coates, Tamara Morris, Mary Ramsdale, Stacie Shapero, Sylvia Witaschek BUSINESS  Print readership 147,000 Kris Ries, Accounting Coordinator • 443-471-5355 • kries@midatlanticmedia.com  Website page views 34,776 EDITORIAL  E-news subscribers 22,657 Jessica Gregg, Lifestyle Editor • 410-902-2319 • jgregg@midatlanticmedia.com PJ Feinstein, Managing Editor • 301-230-6696 • pfeinstein@midatlanticmedia.com  Social media followers 15,330 Call to advertise: 301-230-2222, Ext. 4 or email advertising@washingtonfamily.com Contributors April Flores, Megan Gregoire, Lauren Harris, Lindsay Ponta, Jacqueline Renfrow, Jennifer Rothschild, Joy Saha, Margarette Snow, Krystina Wales CREATIVE Dynamic sales professional needed to join our growing media company! Mid-Atlantic Media (MAM), publisher of Baltimore Jewish Times, Baltimore’s Child, Baltimore Style 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 Washington Jewish Week, Frederick’s Child, Montgomery Magazine, Washington Family 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  JULY 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 A Historic Moment 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 hen lockdown started back in March, I spent night after night tuned into cable news coverage of the COVID-19 pan- demic. At the time, it was hard to focus on anything else. But after several weeks of sitting in front of the TV, watching in horror as the number of cases steadily increased, the bad news was almost too much to bear. I quit my late night TV habit cold turkey. I went nearly two months without indulging in cable news before bed. Then protests began popping up across the country in response to the police killing of George Floyd, and I found myself glued to the television yet again. The more news coverage I consumed, the guiltier I felt about not being there in person, holding up a protest sign and marching down 16th Street in D.C., where Mayor Muriel Bowser had “Black Lives Matter” painted in yellow. But COVID-19 was still spreading. Cable news might’ve cut down its reporting on the pandemic, but I still didn’t feel comfortable attending mass gatherings. In this month’s digial issue, we have a special section on race and diversity. Joy Saha, a University 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 Please call 301-770-4370 to learn more! of Maryland student who’s interning with us this summer, interviewed Karsonya Wise Whitehead about the ways families can get involved in the fight for racial justice without attending a protest. Something she told Joy has helped to alleviate my guilt: “Activism has more than one lane.” I hope you’ll find her advice helpful, too. Also in this issue, we speak to parents and students about their expectations for the fall, and we explore new language around disabilities. Jacqueline Renfrow reminisces about the chaotic mornings of her pre-coronavirus life, while Lindsay Ponta teaches us how to make a beach-themed fairy garden. And for your July 4th celebrations, we have a recipe for homemade red, white and blue ice pops and a list of children’s books about America and its people—people of all races, ages and genders. Have fun, and stay safe!  ■ Join us for a FREE virtual summer program series that allows you to explore the world of natural history science in a fun and interactive way! All levels are welcome, but the series is recommended for students entering Grades 3-7 in the fall. SESSIONS • July 13–17: Deep Sea Animal Adaptations • July 27–31: Paleo Art – Edge of Extinction • August 3–7: Coming Soon LEARN MORE & SIGN UP Preschool-8th Grade www.feynmanschool.org https://s.si.edu/nmnh-summer WashingtonFAMILY.com  5 EDITOR’S PICKS HERE’S WHAT WE’RE LOVING FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY THIS MONTH By PJ Feinstein Is your stash of art supplies starting to feel stale? With their magical color-changing tips, Switch-Eroo markers make doodling and drawing exciting again. $10; ooly.com With flavors like Birthday Cake, Key Lime Pie and new Strawberry Shortcake, Safe + Fair’s Drizzled Popcorn is a treat for the taste buds. Plus, all of the flavors are non-GMO, vegan and free of gluten, tree nuts, peanuts and other common allergens. We love snacking options that everyone can eat! $5, safeandfair.com 6  Washington FAMILY  JULY 2020 Courtesy Photos; Illustration: grivina/iStock / Getty Images Meet Asterix! Sixty years after he first appeared in French comics, the underdog hero of ancient Gaul is making his American debut. Comic book fans can start catching up on Asterix’s adventures this month; two omnibus volumes with three stories each and a stand-alone edition of the most recent title, “Asterix and the Chieftain’s Daughter,” are being published with brand new translations. Recommended for kids ages 9-14. $10-$23; out July 14 Shopping for adaptive and inclusive clothing and accessories has never been easier. You can find everything from feeding tube backpacks and shoulder-snap T-shirts to cranial band decals and hearing aid charms at PattiandRicky.com, an online shop featuring more than 90 brands. “Crabby but cute”—maybe your little one’s just jealous that they don’t get to dine on blue crabs, too! Made from bamboo fiber, this five-piece dinnerware set is sustainable, biodegradable and dishwasher safe. $30; bamboozlehome.com What do you get when you cross a fanny pack with a diaper bag? The answer is Kibou, a hybrid fashion accessory featuring a built-in detachable diaper pad, a waterproof pocket and a hook for keys or a pacifier. $89; maisonette.com Take your backyard BBQ to the next level with the new Molly Hatch x Coterie paper partyware collection. Inspired by 18th century European fina china and porcelain, Hatch’s designs put a modern spin on old- world elegance. Paper plates never looked so pretty! $46 for Always Paper Party Set (10 guests); mollyhatch.com This set of 100 conversation starters by Hello!Lucky will inspire some interesting dinnertime discussions. Find them at Boon Supply, where 40 percent of the purchase price goes to the fundraiser of your choice. $26; boonsupply.com WashingtonFAMILY.com  7 FAMILY FUN Red, White and Berry Celebrate the 4th of July with patriotic ice pops By PJ Feinstein he best thing about ice pops—aside from how refreshing they are on a hot, sticky summer day—is how easy they are to make at home. “Popsicles are such a fun vehicle for creativity. They’re bright in color, they’re delicious in flavor [and] you can do different textures with them,” says Becca Katz. She likes theming them to a holiday or occasion, like summer. “You can do a popsicle that’s watermelon flavored but also looks like a watermelon,” she says. Katz is the co-founder of COOK KITZ (cookkitz.com), a new service delivering weekly kid-friendly cooking projects throughout the summer. A gra- duate of the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City, Katz cooked up the idea (pun intended) for COOK KITZ with her sister, Valerie Zweig of Prescription Chicken in D.C., when Katz moved back to Maryland at the start of the pandemic. At first Katz thought she could be a culinary “camp counselor” over the summer and teach people how to cook in their own homes. After brainstorming a bit, the sisters decided they could give families everything they need to master easy-but-delicious recipes on their own. From mid-June through mid-July, COOK KITZ is offering eight weekly kits with free delivery across the DMV. Inside each kit, which costs $54.99, is a base recipe plus instructions for three variations of the recipe and pre-measured ingredients for four servings. There’s also an education packet with suggestions for parents on how to assist kids of different ages in the kitchen and access to online “how-to” videos. “While we want to teach really great skills, we don’t want to make the recipes really difficult so that people can’t figure out how to do them. We want them to be fun and educational and a really great way to pass the time when you’re looking for something to do,” says Katz. As a special treat for Washington FAMILY readers, Katz and Zweig are sharing the July 4th-themed ice pop recipe featured in the COOK KITZ “Popsicle Party” kit. These 8  Washington FAMILY  JULY 2020 patriotic ice pops are a festive and tasty upgrade from the homemade pops you’ve been making by freezing store-bought fruit juice in a plastic mold. Red, White and Berry: A COOK KITZ July 4th Popsicle Yields about 6 ice pops Ingredients: 1 1 / 2 cups strawberries, hulled 2 bananas, thinly sliced and frozen (about 1 1/2 cups total) 1 cup vanilla Greek yogurt 1 1 / 2 cups blueberries and/or blackberries Steps: 1. Blend strawberries and 1 / 2 cup frozen bananas until smooth. 2. Pour strawberry-banana mixture 1 / 3 of the way up the popsicle mold. Tap molds to evenly distribute and freeze for 15 minutes. 3. Rinse out blender, add yogurt and 1 / 2 cup frozen bananas and blend until smooth. 4. Remove popsicle mold from freezer and pour yogurt mixture an additional 1 / 3 of the way up the mold. 5. Place back in the freezer for another 15 minutes. 6. Rinse out blender again and puree blueberries (and/or blackberries) with the remaining 1 / 2 cup frozen bananas until smooth. 7. After the second layer hardens slightly, fill mold to the top with berry mix. 8. Carefully place popsicle stick in mold and return to freezer. Freeze popsicles until completely frozen, at least 4 hours. 9. Enjoy! Note: If using frozen fruit, you may need to add a bit of liquid (water or milk) to help with blending. Use caution, as you want the mix to be pourable but thick. Additionally, you can add honey or agave for a sweeter ice pop.  T PHOTOS COURTESY OF BECCA KATZ T 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 301-530-0700 bethesdafamilysmiles.com info@bethesdafamilysmiles.com Change to Washington Family July Distribution Due to disruptions caused by Covid-19 the July 2020 issue of Washington Family will not be available on newsstands. Our digital magazine will be available on our website at http://digital.washingtonfamily.com/issues/July-2020/index.html. Additional content will be available on washingtonfamily.com. To advertise contact your sales representative or call 301-230-2222, ext. 4 or advertising@washingtonfamily.com. We’re all in this together. om JULY 2020 0 Please share your story ideas with editor PJ Feinstein at editor@washingtonfamily.com. wash ingto nFAM ILY.c 20 2 PAGES 21-33 H ello, Summer STANDING AGAINST RACISM ONENESS-FAM STUDENT-CEN ILY SCHOOL TERED LEARNING washingtonfamily.com WashingtonFAMILY.com  9 DIY By Lindsay Ponta Miniature fencing SUPPLIES: Air plants, artificial succulents or grasses Miniature beach props: shells, beach chairs, mini beach ball, etc. Sand Blue glass beads or granules White acrylic paint Foam brush, damp rag or paintbrush Plastic grocery bags or newspaper (optional) Aluminum foil (optional) Hot glue gun Glue stick DIY Beach Fairy Garden Shallow planter or saucer Make a whimsical summertime scene to cure your family’s not-going-to-the-beach blues Social distancing restrictions are easing at popular vacation destinations, but not everyone is comfortable traveling yet. If your kids are bummed about not spending time at the shore this summer, a DIY beach fairy garden is a cute way to bring the sand and the ocean to them. I used coastal accessories to decorate my beach fairy garden, but you could add LEGO minifigures, tiny dinosaurs or other unexpected elements to let little imaginations run wild. INSTRUCTIONS 1 If you’re using a terra cotta planter like I did, you can whitewash it for a more beachy look. Mix an equal amount of white acrylic paint and water into a dish, then paint the outside and inner lip of the planter using a foam brush, damp rag or paintbrush. Let it dry completely and paint a second coat, if necessary. 2 If your planter is deeper than one inch, you may want to fill the extra space with crumpled up plastic grocery bags or newspaper. This way, you won’t need to use as much sand and it won’t be as heavy. 3 Note: You can skip this step if you didn’t fill your planter with bags or newspaper. Cut a piece of aluminum foil about 1/4 inch larger in diameter than the opening of the planter. Tuck it over the crumpled bags or newspaper and use a hot glue gun to attach the edges all the way around the inside lip of the planter. Gluing the foil to the pot will prevent the sand from falling beneath it. 4 Fill the planter to the top with sand. Tip: You can find the fencing in the miniatures section of your local craft store. They might even have a specific section for fairy gardens! 8 Add your miniature props, and 6 Pour your glass granules or beads into the hollow spot. Don’t worry about making the shoreline too perfect. A real beach doesn’t have straight lines! be creative! I used a little lawn chair, a beach sign, some real seashells and a flamingo. Other ideas include mini sandcastles and buckets, tiny drink bottles, beach towels and pool floats. 9 Tuck your plants into the little dune behind your fencing. You can also use real plants, but you may need to alter the project a little bit to make sure they have the right growing conditions. T 5 Use a spoon to scoop out a hollow spot on one side. This is where we’re going to add the “water.” Make it a gradual incline, just like a real shoreline at the beach. 10  Washington FAMILY  JULY 2020 7 Cut a piece of miniature fence to fit across the back of the planter. Nestle it down really well into the sand, leaving room behind it to add plants later. 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. WF VOICES All Gas, No Brakes Raising a daughter challenges one mom’s idea of femininity BY KRYSTINA WALES STÍGUR MÁR KARLSSON /HEIMSMYNDIR/E+/GETTY IMAGES I t’s almost bedtime. I can tell not by the time on the clock, but by the behavior of my 2 1/2-year-old. She gets “loopy” when she’s tired. After demanding her daddy lay in our bed with her, while his defenses are down, she climbs on top of his head, giggling from deep in her belly as he tickles her and flops her down on the mattress, where she quickly scurries back up for more. They play-fight for five minutes—she dishes it out as well as she takes it. When I announce it’s time for pajamas, she half- allows me to wrestle her into them before promptly ignoring my request to sit down quietly for books, instead running into the office to drag Daddy into her room so they can shoot hoops before bed. He obliges, taking the bright orange plastic ball and pretending to go for a layup before she sticks a tiny hand out to smack it away. Blocking his shot, she squeals with glee and pride. She offers me the ball, quickly reconsiders and decides to go for her own dunk, after which she bends her knees and lets out a guttural tiger growl, flexing to expose her muscles. She is my wild girl. When I found out I was having a girl, I panicked. I don’t know how to apply make-up. The only thing I know about the Kardashians is that their dad was an Olympic track athlete. Heels frighten me. The idea of going shopping makes my heart palpitate. I have difficulty relating to common gripes women tend to commiserate around. But what didn’t cross my mind initially— and should have—was that I was prescribing my own societally-ingrained views of wom- anhood and femininity to a person I didn’t even know yet. The fact that I am a woman and have these feelings and affinities didn’t seem to factor into my notion that my daughter may, or may not, innately enjoy the things girls “traditionally” gravitate to. She was four months old when we discovered she loved cars. Having inherited an aversion to naps from her mother, she needed some coaxing to rest. By happen- stance, my stay-at-home husband played the movie “Cars 3,” hoping it would calm her down. To his surprise, she watched almost the entire thing. That was the catalyst that sparked purchasing a car-shaped Batgirl walker, “Cars 3” paraphernalia, toy cars she could push down on and send across our hardwood floors, a remote-control car and an activity toy for the stroller shaped like a dashboard. Every time we revved the engine, her face lit up. We watched Formula One daily, and my husband pulled out a steering wheel from one of his old video games so she could drive along, spinning the wheel and shifting gears without our instruction. I knew having a kid would change my life, but I didn’t account for how much having a daughter would change me. No one believed it until they saw it. My old-school grandmother assumed, because I was not drawn to traditionally feminine things, that I was pushing her into it. Which couldn’t have been further from the truth. The fact is, I have a wild girl. She loves going fast, taking chances, testing her limits and her boundaries. She loves to see how high she can jump, how long she can hold her balance, how fast she can run, how loud she can scream. My husband calls it “all gas, no brakes.” She is also incredibly meticulous and purposeful. She puts all her toys and books away before she goes to bed. She is the cleanest toddler I have ever seen eat. She gets upset with me when I pick out socks WashingtonFAMILY.com  11 that don’t match. And when she gets upset, she closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. I don’t call her my wild girl because she is unhinged or uncontrollable. I call her wild because she is fierce and untamed. She plays by her own rules. I remember what it was like to be a teen- age girl, being objectified by men. Having to work twice as hard to be taken seriously. I had no desire to figure out how to navigate the treacherous wilderness that is being a woman from the other side of the equation. I had barely survived myself, was barely surviving. My concept of being a strong woman was to be nothing like other women. I was fully ensconced in the misogynistic notion that the world was designed for white men, and in order to survive, I had to pene- trate stealthily. I couldn’t charge through like a bull, demanding my presence be represented and respected. I had to chameleon my way in, putting on a disguise that was more palatable. Not my girl. Physically and mentally, my wild girl is a bull, making her presence known and not being apologetic about it. Before my daughter was born, I only focused on the ways in which I assumed she would be different from me, on the ways in which we would clash. The inevitability of her rebellion was a fact, not a question for me. I alienated a female community. I saw other women as competition or weak. I aimed at perfectionism and “doing it all” because maybe you couldn’t, but I definite- ly could. I had spent so much time loving- ly crafting this person who didn’t take any shit, who had it all together. What I didn’t expect was to feel a close con- nection to her, an us-against-them, a powerful bond that gave me the confidence to change how I viewed femininity. I knew having a kid would change my life, but I didn’t account for how much having a daughter would change me. She is different from me, but in a way much different than I thought. She is different because she teaches me by example to own my version of being a woman, not to run away from it. After exhausting her basketball moves, she finally comes to sit on my lap. Her baby sister lies by my side. She insists on turning the pages of the Daniel Tiger book as I read. Halfway through, she gets up and walks over to her ball pit, chooses a yellow ball and hands it to her sister. The baby is fussy, and she wants her to have something to play with so I’m not distracted while reading. All the books are put away, her blanket fanned just how she likes atop her crib, like a tent, her two favorite stuffed ani- mals tucked safely underneath, waiting for her head to nestle into them softly. We do our ritual. First, Daddy’s Handshake: two high-fives, two fist bumps and two thumbs-up with thumbs touching. Next, Mommy’s Bedtime Goodnight: touching heads on the right side, then on the left, nose rubs and a kiss. I tell her I love her, I’ll see her in the morn- ing and have a good night’s sleep. She might say she doesn’t want to go to sleep yet, but within minutes of the door shutting she is under her “tent” and fast asleep. For now, my wild girl is tamed. Who knows what she will want to be when she wakes up?  T YOUR CUSTOMER IS A SHORT DRIVE AWAY! TARGET YOUR MESSAGE “The response has been the best response of any direct mail publication I have done.” – Areen Movsessian, Classic Bakery, Inc. 210,000 Households 9 Mailings Call today! We take the guess work out of advertising. 301-230-2222 • advertising@consumerseyemagazine.com • consumerseyemagazine.com 12  Washington FAMILY  JULY 2020 YOU CAN STILL SUPPORT BLACK LIVES MATTER BY JOY SAHA WITHOUT ATTENDING A PROTEST Attending local protests may not be feasible for all families right now, especially in the midst of an ongoing pandemic. Health and safety risks are still present and so are social-distancing protocols. Although rallies and marches against racism and police brutality have garnered a substantial amount of media coverage over the past month, there are still ways for parents and children to get involved in the Black Lives Matter movement without protesting. “Activism has more than one lane,” says Karsonya (Kaye) Wise Whitehead, associate professor at Loyola University Maryland. She’s also the author of “RaceBrave: New and Selected Works,” a book about her experience raising two black sons in “post-racial America.” Here, Whitehead shares some easy but meaningful ways that families can take a stand against racism from home. WashingtonFAMILY.com  13 Here’s how families can take a stand against racism at home MAKE PROTEST SIGNS One way that kids can demonstrate their support for the movement is by making protest signs. Not only does the activity allow them to tap into their creativity, but it also serves as a conversation starter for parents who want to explain the greater purpose and importance of the current news and the Black Lives Matter Movement, says Whitehead. Using art supplies you have at home, such as poster board, paint and markers, kids can create posters that say “Black Lives Matter” or “Justice for George Floyd.” They can also come up with their own messages of support. Hang their protest signs in a window or display them outside on your front door or in the yard. STAGE AN AT-HOME PROTEST Instead of just displaying their signs, kids can stand outside and physically hold them up, as if they were actually marching in a protest. “There are some parents who don’t want to take their child out to be around other people,” says Whitehead. An individual protest, “gives them that feeling of being actively involved,” she says. DONATE TO THE CAUSE If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the countless organizations and bail funds accepting donations, Whitehead advises families to first brainstorm and organize a small list of causes—ideally two or three— that they would like to support. These causes can be national and focus on the larger Black Lives Matter movement or on the victims of racially charged police brutality incidents. Or they can be local and provide support for community-based services, programs and initiatives. Focusing on a set list of organizations helps children understand where their money is going and encourages them to choose causes they’d like to continue learning about, says Whitehead. STAY INFORMED One of the best things that parents can do right now, according to Whitehead, is to help their children actively inform themselves about the current movement and the recent news. Non-Black parents should make sure their kids and teens have “as much information possible to understand what is happening in this moment,” she says. Whitehead recommends using the Black Lives Matter at School (blacklivesmatteratschool.com) teaching materials, which covers the 13 principles of the movement for all grade levels. Another resource is the National Museum of African American History and Culture’s “Talking About Race” web portal. Its videos, role-playing exercises and targeted questions were designed to help inform and guide discussions. “We want the next-generation police officers, politicians and teachers to not practice anti-Blackness,” says Whitehead. n 14  Washington FAMILY  JULY 2020 “I didn’t want my children to miss this historic moment” Why one Maryland mom decided to bring her kids to a Black Lives Matter protest By Lauren Harris TALKING about racism is not new in my family. Colorism and self-hatred were prominent in my family growing up, and I always wanted my children to be proud of being Black. Ever since their births, I’ve told my son (9) and my daughter (6) that they are smart, handsome, beautiful and blessed and could accomplish anything with determination and hard work. I purchase children’s books with Black protagonists and that center around Black experiences. I make sure to teach them the contributions of Black people to the U.S. and to the world. As a minister and Sunday school teacher, I make sure to point out the African presence in the Bible so my children and students know that they, too, are made in God’s image. But I also tell my son, who is a highly functioning autistic, that if he doesn’t learn to control his behavior in school, the teachers at his elementary school could call the police on him. I show him the stories of Black children in schools who’ve been violently manhandled, handcuffed and abused by police. He knows being a Black boy means he’ll be treated differently by society. The first opportunity I received to protest with my ministe- rial colleagues, I turned it down. I thought about the excessive violence police used against the protestors and the risk of COVID-19. I saw the graphic images of rubber bullets embedded in protestors’ heads. The sister of one of my ministerial col- leagues was maimed by a rubber bullet during a peaceful protest in D.C. I didn’t want to put myself in harm’s way. However, I have not shielded my children from the protests happening all over the world against police brutality and racism. Without inciting too much fear, I have explained to them that Black people still have to fight for equality and justice, especially when it comes to how we are treated by the police. I let them know that the March on Washington and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. did not end racism and injustice despite what the public school system teaches. So when I learned that Mayor Muriel Bowser had “Black Lives Matter” painted on 16th Street in D.C., I knew I had to take my children to see it for themselves. We went as a family to protest in Washington on Saturday, June 6. We wore our masks and walked towards the White House. I showed my children the National Guard blocking off several streets, and I showed them the men I presumed to be snipers on top of the White House. They didn’t get to see it in totality, but they saw the yellow letters of the “Black Lives Matter” street art. I also showed them all of the people standing in solidarity with Black people. I pointed out every encouraging sign and T-shirt. I was pleasantly surprised to see that other parents brought their babies and children to the overall peaceful protest. DAVID STUCK WashingtonFAMILY.com  15 TWELVE The police killing of George Floyd and the resulting protests have inspired a much- needed national dialogue about race and diversity. But if you’re not sure how to initiate conversations about anti-Black racism, police violence and the right to peaceful protest with your kids, books are a great way to break the ice. These children’s books about race, selected by Jennifer Rothschild of Arlington Public Library, offer a jumping-off point for families to discuss current events. PRESCHOOL BOOKS DAVID STUCK ‘BLACK IS A RAINBOW COLOR’ by Angela Joy, illustrated by Ekua Holmes In this joyous celebration of all the ways black is beautiful, a young Black child explores the world around her as well as the history and culture of her people. It encouraged me to know that we weren’t the only parents who wanted our chil- dren to witness so many people from all walks of life standing in solidarity against racism. We stayed for just 30 minutes because I didn’t want to prolong our possible expo- sure to COVID-19. During that time, I only feared for our safety once. I felt there were some people walking too close to my children, so as my husband led us, I stood closely behind to prevent anyone from touching them. Overall, the protest was a good experience, and I’m glad that I brought my children. When they’re adults and people talk about the protests of 2020, I want them to be able to say that they participated, too. I also wanted to show them that despite racism and the evil in the world, there are 16  Washington FAMILY  JULY 2020 still more people for them than against them. My hope as they grow and mature is that the experience helps them to be politically aware and involved so they can stand against injustice. n Rev. Lauren Harris (Twitter: @revlaurelj) is an itinerant elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She serves at New Life Laurel, a church plant of Reid Temple A.M.E. Church in Laurel, MD. She works for the Baltimore- Washington Conference of The United Methodist Church. She is the proud mother of two children, one on the autism spectrum. She blogs about her life as wife, mother and minister at throwupandtheology.com and has been published in Sojourners magazine, Gospel Today magazine, The A.M.E. Church’s Christian Recorder, and Modern Loss. ‘HANDS UP’ by Breanna J. McDaniel, illustrated by Shane Evans A Black girl shows all the ways she raises her hands—to reach a book, to worship, to answer a question in class and to join in a protest march. ‘DON’T TOUCH MY HAIR’ by Sharee Miller Aria loves her soft and bouncy hair, but so does everyone else. People are constantly reaching out to touch it, even though she doesn’t want them to. How can she get them to stop? CHILDREN’S BOOKS ABOUT RACE AND DIVERSITY EARLY ELEMENTARY BOOKS ‘SOMETHING HAPPENED IN OUR TOWN: A CHILD’S STORY ABOUT RACIAL INJUSTICE’ by Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins and Ann Hazzard, illustrated by Jennifer Zivoin A white family and a Black family answer their child’s questions after a Black man is shot by police in their town. Written by child psychologists, this book includes a note to parents and caregivers about discussing racism and traumatic events with children. ‘NOT MY IDEA: A BOOK ABOUT WHITENESS’ by Anastasia Higginbotham A white child is confused after being told by their parents that they “don’t see color.” After doing library research, the child asks more questions of their parents, thoughtfully exploring the ways white people can confront and dismantle racism. ‘CAN I TOUCH YOUR HAIR?: POEMS OF RACE, MISTAKES, AND FRIENDSHIP’ by Irene Latham and Charles Waters, illustrated by Sean Qualls and Selina Alko After being partnered together on a poetry project, a white girl and a Black boy write paired poems each offering their own take on similar experiences. MIDDLE GRADE BOOKS Have a book about race that you want to recommend to other parents or young readers? Send your picks to editor@washingtonfamily.com. ‘BLENDED’ by Sharon Draper Biracial Isabella struggles to find her place as she switches every week between her divorced parents’ houses. Her questions about identity and belonging are thrown into sharper relief after a racist incident at school and a dangerous encounter with the police. YOUNG ADULT BOOKS ‘NEW KID’ by Jerry Craft Jordan wanted to go to art school, but instead is starting at prestigious Riverdale, where most of the students are white. It’s a very different world from his diverse neighborhood, and Jordan tries to fit in in this award-winning graphic novel. ‘THIS BOOK IS ANTI-RACIST: 20 LESSONS ON HOW TO WAKE UP, TAKE ACTION, AND THE DO THE WORK’ by Tiffany Jewell, illustrated by Aurélia Durand This introduction to racism gives teens and tweens the knowledge and language to discuss and confront the injustice they experience or witness. Featuring a strong visual design, calls to action and journal prompts, this book helps explain and relate racism’s complexities. ‘GHOST BOYS’ by Jewell Parker Rhodes After being murdered by police who thought his toy gun was real, 12-year-old Jerome’s ghost bears witness to the resulting grief and outrage. He also meets the ghosts of other Black boy victims, including historical figures such as Emmett Till. ‘HOW IT WENT DOWN’ by Kekla Magoon After a white man shoots a Black teenager, no one can agree on what happened. Told from multiple perspectives and voices, Magoon explores the competing narratives and lets readers draw their own conclusions. ‘ALL AMERICAN BOYS’ by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Keily When white teenager Quinn witnesses his mentor, a policeman, brutally beat Rashad, a Black classmate, he can’t believe it. After security footage is released, the event becomes national news and divides the school and community, something both boys grapple with in this award-winning dual. n WashingtonFAMILY.com  17 The fate of FALL Many students wonder about the next school year by Megan Gregoire 18  Washington FAMILY  JULY 2020 More than 120 schools comprise the Association of Independent Maryland and D.C. Schools (AIMS), and right now they are “engaged in careful, deliber- ative planning for the new school year,” says AIMS executive director Peter Baily. That includes making sure local and state regu- lations are followed, along with best practices for public health. “Most schools are preparing for three possible scenarios: full opening with on-site learning; a hybrid model that would involve a combination of on-site and distance learning; and full distance learning, such as we have had this past spring,” Baily says. Some colleges, too, are holding out until they have more information. “I’m still waiting for Johns Hopkins to declare whether next semester is going to be online, in per- son, or hybrid,” says Smitha Mahesh, a rising senior at Johns Hopkins University. “It’s a decision that I really want them to make as soon as possible, because it’s tricky to be signing on to a lease for the fall semester. It’s a huge financial situation.” Towson University’s (TU) administrators decided that students will return to campus a week earlier than their planned fall opening—and that leaves rising senior Kazuri Polee with a decision to make. Polee would have preferred online classes, so she’s taking some time to consider whether to stay home and take a gap year, or go back to school. “Honestly, I don’t feel comfortable with going back to school, and their plan for the process of returning to TU is honestly very backwards,” she says. “What sense does it make when there have been no changes, but increases in the number of cases of coronavirus? Yes, people are recovering, but so many people have already died from it.” WashingtonFAMILY.com  19 BULAT SILVIA / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS or many students in our region and across the country, the fate of their fall semester remains up in the air, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly every local school system has a team in place to evaluate options for fall instruction, but many administrators agree that it’s too early to know yet whether learning will be in person or not. Options to consider “Happy. That’s just how I roll.” Parenting isn’t easy, but there are strategies Parenting isn’t that can help. easy, but there –JOSH Parenting HelpLine: are strategies 800.243.7337 that can help. familytreemd.org/flip Child Cut $13 SHAMPOO INCLUDED WITH EVERY HAIRCUT Valid at Wintergreen Plaza only. One coupon per person. Not valid with any other offers. Expires August 3, 2020. WF20-04KHC Parenting HelpLine: 800.243.7337 familytreemd.org/flip Adult Cut $18 SHAMPOO INCLUDED WITH EVERY HAIRCUT Valid at Wintergreen Plaza only. One coupon per person. Not valid with any other offers. Expires August 3, 2020. WF20-04AHC Wintergreen Plaza 835H Rockville Pike, Rockville MD (301) 762-5554 Participating salons only. Expires August 3, 2020 Most salons independently owned and operated. ©2018 Fantastic Sams Franchise Corporation. FantasticSams.com As college students grapple with the decision to go back, local parents with younger students must decide whether to send their elementary to middle school-aged children back to school. “So, my first option is to send them back to school. My second option is to do an online program. And my third option is to just homeschool them,” says Kari Harris, a mother of two who lives in Northern Virginia. Harris’s son has asthma, placing him in the high-risk category for contracting COVID-19. With this on her mind, the decision to send her children back has been a difficult one. “I’m concerned about keeping the kids safe and making sure he doesn’t get sick, which there’s really no way to completely take that risk away. So, that has me hesitant about sending him back. At least when he’s at home, I can control the risk as much as possible,” she says. Falls Church resident Heather Pressler Barnett says that for her child, who is also in a high-risk category, the school district’s deci- sion to have low-risk children attend school while high-risk children participate in “tele-education” is exclusionary. “The kids that aren’t healthy enough to be at school, they have to stay at home or they should stay home. And so therefore, they aren’t allowed to be at school,” she says. “And I get the pressure from my son ... ‘Well, all my friends are going back to school and everyone’s at school, I want to be there.’ Well, no, your medical condition is going to hold you back, and we’re going to have to have you at home instead,” she says. The trouble with online learning CUPPETT PERFORMING ARTS CENTER SUMMER CAMPS PRINCESS CAMP Five weekly camps July 6 to Aug. 8, 2020 CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS CAMP Variety of camps for all ages July 6 to Aug. 8, 2020 INTENSIVE BALLET PROGRAM AND DAILY CLASSES IN BALLET Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Acro and Musical Theatre All levels of dance, ages 3-93! July 6 to Aug. 8, 2020 REGISTRATION STARTS MARCH 18, 2020 OFF your registration fee! * Present this ad to receive $ 15 *NEW FAMILIES ONLY 135 Park St., S.E., Vienna, VA 22180 | (703) 938-9019 CuppettPAC.com 20  Washington FAMILY  JULY 2020 For other parents, the struggles of schooling came when online edu- cation was introduced. Parents assumed the role of educator or co-educator in their child’s schooling, a role they had to juggle with work, parenting and other responsibilities. For Potomac resident Marisa Tvardek Safa, online learning also took away her daughter’s excitement and enjoyment towards school. “And as a kindergartener, I think that asking them to sit in front of a computer on a Zoom call is probably not the best way to deal with such little children trying to learn,” she says. “So, she had a lot of anxiety. She didn’t want to attend. She started to not like learning.” For Barnett, there were disconnects in her son’s online learning. “We discovered, with like only two weeks left to the school year, that there’s a whole section of material that we were not aware of was on [the school’s website]. And so he had to try to do six weeks of material in two weeks, and that was a little stressful. It’s like no one gave us a tutorial on it, the kids were kind of left to do it themselves.” she says.  T With reporting from Adora Brown, PJ Feinstein and Joy Saha FIND US ON FACEBOOK: @WashingtonFamilyMagazine​ TWITTER: @FAMILYMagDC PINTEREST: @familymagazine INSTAGRAM: @washingtonfamilymag 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  21 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 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. 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. Tiny Chefs, Tyson’s Corner BEST CHILDREN’S THEATRE OR DRAMA INSTRUCTION Moonlit Wings Productions Jean-philippe WALLET/iStock / Getty Images Plus Rochambeau French International School, Bethesda BEST GYMNASTICS CENTER Hills Gymnastics RUNNER UP The Little Gym Imagination Stage BEST MARTIAL ARTS INSTRUCTION Kaizen Karate BEST CHILDREN’S YOGA CLASSES Shining Kids Yoga, Rockville RUNNER UP RUNNER UP RUNNER UP Circle Yoga BEST DANCE OR BALLET STUDIO Tiny Dancers RUNNER UP Bella Ballet, Gaithersburg 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 Family Magazine reader’s poll since 2014, and RUNNER UP RUNNER UP RUNNER UP Robin’s Nest Child Care 3819 Gallows Rd Annandale, Virginia 22003 westminsterschool.com BEST DAY CAMP Tiny Dancers RUNNER UP Camp Griffin, Westminster School BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION Westminster School, Annandale Kicks Karate 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. WashingtonFAMILY.com  23 RUNNER UP Guidepost Montessori BEST MUSIC INSTRUCTION The International School of Music, Bethesda ismw.org 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. RUNNER UP YMCA Camp Letts BEST PRESCHOOL PROGRAM Seneca Academy, Darnestown education and a distinguished Air Force Junior ROTC leadership program. The mis- sion 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. BEST SPECIAL NEEDS SCHOOL The Siena School 1300 Forest Glen Road Silver Spring, MD 301-244-3600 info@thesienaschool.org thesienaschool.org RUNNER UP BEST STEM PROGRAM Westminster School, Annandale 3819 Gallows Rd Annandale, Virginia 22003 westminsterschool.com Flint Hill School, Oakton 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 academ- ically inspiring and developmentally appropriate preschool and elemen- tary program that is uniquely positioned to provide as much in-person learning as possible under public health guide- lines. Experienced and warm faculty, intentionally small class sizes, ample out- door 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 RUNNER UP BEST PRIVATE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Seneca Academy, Darnestown BEST SAT/ACT PREP No Anxiety Prep Silver Spring, MD 301-649-2128 info@noanxietyprep.com noanxietyprep.com Redeemer Christian School RUNNER UP McLean School 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 sur- vival and learn-to-swim lessons for ages 3 months to adult. Our mission is to ensure that every person, regardless of age or abil- ity, has the opportunity to become a safe and happy swimmer in the water. Our spe- cially 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 SwimKids Swim School RUNNER UP Redeemer Christian School BEST TUTORING PROGRAM Educational Connections Tutoring and Test Prep RUNNER UP Kumon 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 24  Washington FAMILY  JULY 2020 RUNNER UP Kaplan BEST SPECIAL NEEDS CAMP Celebrate Ability BEST YOGA/PILATES STUDIO Opus Yoga RUNNER UP Sun and Moon Yoga, Fairfax RUNNER UP Fitness for Health 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 an event or book a virtual tour. guidepostmontessori.com/northern-virginia Open House at All Campuses • Saturday, July 18 Time varies by campus. Aldie 24328 Marrwood Drive Aldie, VA 20105 (703) 542-5522 Broadlands 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 GP062520 Fairfax 3909 Oak Street Fairfax, VA 22030 (703) 934-0920 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 and Mandarin Immersion programs available at selected campuses Winner of Best for Families! Infant • Toddler Preschool • Kindergarten Elementary BEST YOUTH SPORTS LEAGUE Arlington Little League BEST FOOD TRUCK District Taco BEST LOCAL BAKERY Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe, Arlington RUNNER UP RUNNER UP RUNNER UP Fairfax Police Youth Club Captain Cookie and the Milkman Fresh Baguette, Bethesda FOOD BEST GROCERY STORE Wegmans BEST LOCAL CHEAP EATS RESTAURANT District Taco BEST CATERER Occasions Caterers RUNNER UP Trader Joe’s RUNNER UP RUNNER UP Athens Grill, Gaithersburg BEST FAMILY-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT Ledo Pizza Crisp & Juicy BEST HEALTH FOOD STORE MOM’s Organic Market BEST LOCAL CUPCAKE SHOP Georgetown Cupcake, Bethesda RUNNER UP Trader Joe’s RUNNER UP Lily Magilly’s RUNNER UP Guapo’s BEST FARMER’S MARKET Bethesda Central Farm Market RUNNER UP Mosaic BEST ICE CREAM/FROZEN YOGURT SHOP Cold Stone Creamery BEST LOCAL CUP OF COFFEE Caffé Amouri, Vienna RUNNER UP RUNNER UP Tie – Carmen’s Italian Ice, Rockville Brusters, Gaithersburg Northside Social, Arlington Westminster School 2 0 2 0 P reschool - 8 th Grade | Est. 1962 Presenting Challenge - Building Character - Instilling Confidence Art | Music | Drama Phonics-Based Reading Writing | Penmanship Critical Thinking | Public Speaking Great Books | French | Latin Daily PE | Field Trips Enrolling Now for Fall, 2020 Preparing for a Fall Opening with Safety Measures in Place admissions@westminsterschool.com 703-256-3620 www.WestminsterSchool.com 26  Washington FAMILY  JULY 2020 FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK: @WashingtonFamilyMagazine TWITTER: @FAMILYMagDC PINTEREST: @familymagazine INSTAGRAM: @washingtonfamilymag BEST LOCAL OUTDOOR/ PATIO DINING Uncle Julio’s HEALTH BEST ALLERGY OR ASTHMA DOCTOR & PRACTICE Dr. Rachel Schreiber, Schreiber Allergy RUNNER UP Founding Farmers, Potomac BEST LOCAL RESTAURANT WITH A KIDS’ NIGHT/SPECIAL Silver Diner RUNNER UP Drs. Kim and Butt, Allergy & Asthma Center of Fairfax/Lorton BEST CHILDREN’S DENTISTRY VK Pediatric Dentistry, Arlington RUNNER UP Mamma Lucia RUNNER UP BEST LOCAL ROMANTIC RESTAURANT The Inn at Little Washington RUNNER UP L’Auberge Chez Francois BEST LOCAL SPORTS BAR Glory Days Grill Kids Teeth, LLC, Rockville BEST CHILDREN’S THERAPIST/ PSYCHIATRIST & PRACTICE Robin Foreman, Abrams & Associates LLC RUNNER UP Andrea Zawatsky LCSW-C, Potomac Therapy Group RUNNER UP Yard House 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 den- tal practice that strives for excellence in patient care by providing compassion- ate, gentle, and comprehensive dentistry for your entire family. Dr. Khanna, a grad- uate 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 personal- ized care and prioritizing their safety and wellness, especially during these unprec- edented 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 in-house insurance 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 WashingtonFAMILY.com  27 RUNNER UP Tie – Anne Shrout, Capital Women’s Care, Silver Spring Dr. Ampey, Advantia OB/GYN Women’s Health Specialists, Rockville RUNNER UP Dominion Fertility RUNNER UP Dr. Fritz, LLC, Rockville BEST GYM OR HEALTH CLUB Life Time Fitness BEST DERMATOLOGIST DermAssociates, Rockville RUNNER UP RUNNER UP Fitness for Health OrthoBethesda McLean Dermatology & Skincare Center BEST OPTOMETRIST & PRACTICE Dr. Kevin Chan, Treehouse Eyes 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 BEST HOSPITAL INOVA Fairfax Hospital, Fairfax BEST FERTILITY CLINIC Shady Grove Fertility 28  Washington FAMILY  JULY 2020 BEST PEDIATRIC OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST & PRACTICE Fitness for Health RUNNER UP RUNNER UP Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center Exceptional Children’s Center, Springfield 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) RUNNER UP Potomac Therapy Group RUNNER UP 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 URGENT CARE Tie – INOVA Urgent Care Patient First RUNNER UP PM Pediatrics gajic/E+/Getty Images options. We would love to be your friendly neighborhood dentist! 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. BEST WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM OR DOCTOR BodyTech Weight Loss Center, Rockville RUNNER UP RUNNER UP BEST GENERAL REPAIRS/ HANDYMAN CASE Architects & Remodelers, Bethesda BEST INTERIOR DECORATOR Billet Collins, Darnestown Tie – Belfort Furniture Pottery Barn RUNNER UP 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 RUNNER UP Tie – Sanchez Remodeling LLC Taylor Construction, Fairfax Station RUNNER UP BEST HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING COMPANY GAC Services BEST MARBLE AND GRANITE COMPANY Architectural Ceramics, Rockville RUNNER UP RUNNER UP James & Son Flintstone Marble and Granite BEST HOME BUILDER Toll Brothers BEST PAINTING COMPANY Billet Collins, Darnestown RUNNER UP RUNNER UP Sandy Spring Builders Sonny-N-Son’s Painting The Silver Lining Interiors LLC, Gainesville Electrical Connections BEST FLOORING COMPANY Classic Floor Designs RUNNER UP Floor & Decor BEST FURNITURE STORE IKEA preschool through fifth grade 6.5 acres of outdoor learning space small classes and more in-person learning www.SenecaAcademy.org WashingtonFAMILY.com  29 BEST PLUMBER Booze Plumbing, Vienna SwimKids Swim School BEST KIDS’ PARTY ENTERTAINER The Great Zucchini RUNNER UP RUNNER UP M.E. Flow, Inc. Trish Huheey, Alexandria Face Painting, Alexandria BEST REMODELING COMPANY The Silver Lining Interiors LLC, Gainesville BEST PLACE FOR A TEAM PARTY SwimKids Swim School RUNNER UP RUNNER UP Bethesda Carpentry Contractor, LLC Ledo Pizza BEST HOME CLEANING SERVICE Season Maids Cleaning Service, Rockville BEST PARTY SUPPLIES Party City RUNNER UP Target RUNNER UP Maid Brigade of Bethesda PEOPLE PARTY BEST COSMETIC SURGEON Cosmetic Surgery Associates BEST KIDS’ BIRTHDAY PARTY VENUE Tiny Dancers RUNNER UP Austin-Weston, Reston RUNNER UP 20 2 0 THANK YOU FOR VOTING US BEST FOR FAMILIES AGAIN! Virtual tours available. The Center for Ballet Arts WINNER Offering LIVE Classes! SUMMER SESSION: June 29th - August 10th Ballet . Pointe . Modern . Jazz Tap . Pilates . Kinderballet Ages 3 thru Adults 20 18 3955 Pender Drive, Suite 105 Fairfax, VA 22030•703.273.5344•thecenterforballetarts.com 2 0 17 Best FOR FAMILIES Thank you for making us the "Best Of" 2020! 2 0 2 0 Winner 2016 Only for Washington Family readers! 30  Washington FAMILY  JULY 2020 BEST FAMILY BLOGGER Adventure Moms DC RUNNER UP Alexandria BEST LOCAL NEWS PERSONALITY Doreen Gentzler, News 4 Capitol Momma RUNNER UP BEST FINANCIAL PLANNER Edelman Financial Engines, Fairfax RUNNER UP Tie – Financial Advantage Associates, Inc., Rockville Keen & Pocock, Fairfax BEST LOCAL AUTHOR Jaime Paredes Doug Kammerer BEST LOCAL PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals RUNNER UP Ryan Zimmerman, Washington Nationals RUNNER UP BEST MECHANIC Cho’s Auto Service, Gaithersburg Hope MacDonald, “Bella Goes to Ballet” RUNNER UP G & C Tire & Auto Service, Chantilly BEST FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER Funkhouse Photography RUNNER UP BEST MORTGAGE LOAN OFFICER Larry Finkelberg, Apex Home Loans Cynthia Sambro-Rier Photography, WashingtonFAMILY.com  31 BEST ICE SKATING RINK Cabin John Ice Rink, Bethesda RUNNER UP RUNNER UP Karen McGee, Rockville Country Club Kennels, Catlett BEST NANNY SERVICE/ BABYSITTER ASAP Sitters BEST PET STORE PetSmart RUNNER UP RUNNER UP BEST INDOOR ACTIVITY Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum RUNNER UP Tie – Let Mommy Sleep Tender Hearts Loving Hands BEST PERSONAL ORGANIZER The Rest Petco BEST PET TRAINER Sit Means Sit Earth Treks, Rockville Pack Place K9, Germantown BEST REALTOR Jen Vo, Keller Williams Capital Properties Bethesda-Chevy Chase 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 instruc- tors. 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 RUNNER UP RUNNER UP DeClutter DC, Washington DC Fairfax Ice Arena, Fairfax BEST VETERINARIAN Dr. Christina Stotz, Maple Springs Veterinary Hospital, Gaithersburg BEST INDOOR PLAY FACILITY Badlands, Rockville RUNNER UP Busy Bees Kentlands Veterinary Hospital, Gaithersburg BEST INDOOR SWIMMING POOL/ REC CENTER SwimKids Swim School PLACES RUNNER UP RUNNER UP BEST AMUSEMENT PARK Busch Gardens & Water Country USA Germantown Indoor Swim Center BEST LOCAL BREWERY Flying Dog RUNNER UP Hersheypark RUNNER UP 2 Silos Brewing Co., Manassas BEST ART GALLERY National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC BEST LOCAL GETAWAY/RESORT Rehoboth Beach RUNNER UP RUNNER UP Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden Great Wolf Lodge, Williamsburg BEST CONCERT VENUE Wolf Trap, Vienna BEST LOCAL SHOPPING CENTER OR MALL Westfield Montgomery Mall, Bethesda RUNNER UP RUNNER UP The Anthem, Washington DC Tysons Corner Center BEST CHURCH/PLACE OF WORSHIP Seneca Creek Community Church BEST LOCAL WINERY Rocklands Farm Winery, Poolesville RUNNER UP Katelyn Humphrey SwimKids Swim School PETS RUNNER UP BEST PET GROOMER PetSmart RUNNER UP RUNNER UP BEST FAMILY DAY TRIP Smithsonian’s National Zoo Bark ‘N Bubbles Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard St. Rose of Lima, Gaithersburg BEST MOVIE THEATRE Cinema Arts Theatre, Fairfax RUNNER UP BEST PET SITTING/BOARDING DogiZone 32  Washington FAMILY  JULY 2020 RUNNER UP Harpers Ferry, West Virginia ArcLight Cinemas, Bethesda BEST MUSEUM Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Washington DC RUNNER UP Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Washington DC BEST PETTING ZOO Roer’s Zoofari RUNNER UP Leesburg Animal Park, Leesburg RUNNER UP RUNNER UP Ashby Mae Kindle & Boom, Rockville BEST LOCAL CHILDREN’S FURNITURE STORE Go To Your Room, Rockville BEST JEWELRY STORE Tie – Tiffany & Co. 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Bank BEST SHOE STORE DSW RUNNER UP BEST PLACE TO BUY OUTDOOR PLAY EQUIPMENT Costco RUNNER UP Nordstrom BEST UPSCALE CONSIGNMENT Tie – Twice is Nice Finders Keepers, LLC, Arlington Play N’ Learn, Columbia and Chantilly RUNNER UP Lemon Lane, Falls Church BEST HAIR SALON FOR CHILDREN Cartoon Cuts STYLE BEST ACCESSORIES STORE Lou Lou Boutique RUNNER UP grace & griffin BEST WOMEN’S CLOTHING STORE Target RUNNER UP RUNNER UP Occasions, Kentlands The Yellow Balloon, Gaithersburg BEST LOCAL CAR DEALER Fitzgerald Auto Mall LOFT BEST DAY SPA The Woodhouse Day Spa RUNNER UP RUNNER UP BEST LOCAL WOMEN’S CLOTHING STORE South Moon Under, Bethesda Red Door Spa Ourisman Honda BEST LOCAL CHILDREN’S CLOTHING STORE Little Birdies Boutique RUNNER UP RUNNER UP BEST HAIR SALON/COLORIST O’HAIR Salon Tie - Altar’d State, Leesburg Chico’s, Woodbridge WashingtonFAMILY.com  33 Find Your Light Or Why I Decided to Homeschool My Kindergartner This Fall BY APRIL FLORES 34  Washington FAMILY  JULY 2020 O n Tuesday, March 11, I picked up my son, Danny, from pre- school. Without discussing it with my wife, Jen, I decided he would not be returning due to the possible exposure to COVID-19. Hours later, I emailed his teachers to inform them of my decision, even mention- ing possible withdrawal for the remainder of the school year. I also told one of his teachers that I could not volunteer the following day for the same reason. The next day I let close family friends know that I could not continue watching their kids as I’d been doing the past two years. I was scheduled to watch them for a good portion of the remainder of the week since one parent was out of town and the other was working. When Jen returned home from work, I let her know about all of my decisions. They weren’t easy ones, and I knew the impact and inconvenience they’d have on several people that I love. I felt selfish and like I had suddenly and rashly put my foot down. Jen, however, supported me. I wasn’t sure how long Danny would be out of school or how long it would be before I could help watch my friends’ kids again. All I knew was that I wanted to keep our family safe, and that’s still my goal, especially since Jen’s mom and I are considered high-risk individuals. I was born with a congenital heart disease, ventricular septal defect, and Jen’s mom is in her upper 70s. We’ve lived with her for almost two years, so 40 percent of our household is high risk. Jen knows first- hand what can happen if her mother or I contract COVID-19. She was an adult ICU nurse at Johns Hopkins for 12 years and is now a nurse manager. As COVID-19 cases increased, so did Jen’s workload. Not only does she report to the hospital almost daily, but she also does all of our grocery shopping and errands now, too. This is a significant change in our home since I’m a stay-at-home parent. I have not been in any other building besides our home since March 12, and no one has entered our home since then either. FLY VIEW PRODUCTIONS/E+/GETTY IMAGES WF VOICES Thankfully, I’ve been able to enjoy the outdoors; we often go for bike rides, walks or hikes. If we don’t make it past our neigh- borhood, we at least get outside for some sunshine and fresh air. Those two things have kept me stable and hopeful. Being outdoors also provides some sense of normalcy for our kids, even though we’re all in masks, including our almost two- year-old wild child, Leah. The only time we don’t wear masks outside is if we’re the only people out. Our new normal looks like this: slowly wake up, eat breakfast, do “Cosmic Kids Yoga,” complete some “schoolwork,” play or go on an outdoor adventure, return for The one thing we can all agree on is that COVID-19 has disrupted our lives, but it doesn’t have to destroy them. lunch, do more schoolwork while Leah naps, play outside, eat dinner, get ready for bed. Danny watches a lot more television than he used to, so much that I recently scaled his screen time back to one hour a day as opposed to morning and afternoon time. Prior to the lockdown, he was only allowed screens on the weekends. Another drastic part of our new normal is that I have not kissed my wife for 72 days— 72 days! We’re really not taking any chances. When she returns home from the hospi- tal, she showers in the basement (where most of her belongings are now) before join- ing us for dinner, and we no longer share food or drinks. All of this might seem extreme, but it’s what we think is best for our family. Despite all of the insane changes, I feel like we’re doing OK. Probably because we have each other and our daily dose of fresh air and sunshine. Actually, it’s definitely because we have each other, and we want to keep it that way. As society is daring to re-enter the world of the living, shops, parks and restaurants are opening with many restrictions in place. People have to decide whether or not to venture out. I likely won’t be in a public setting until January 2021, but I’m not going to lie: I want to try something. I want to play pickleball, even if it’s just with the same four people over and over again. In my heart, the one I’m protecting, I know I can’t though. I can’t take that risk. Which is probably why a couple of weeks ago, Jen told me she thinks I should home- school Danny for kindergarten next year. I have no problem doing this, but it makes me ache for our kids, parents and the world. Parents are overwhelmed and kids are doing the exact opposite of what they’ve been taught their entire lives—stay away from others, don’t share, don’t touch anyone. We’re just trying to survive another day. None of this is easy, but like everyone else, I’m just trying to make it work s omehow. If that means I have to homes- chool Danny next year, I’ll do it. It won’t be perfect. I’m not an early childhood educator. I’ve been at home and have cared for infants, toddlers and little kids the past five years, but that doesn’t make me an expert. I just pretend to know what I’m doing and proceed confidently, which is what I’ll do in the fall. Let’s be honest though, chances are likely that schools won’t even open in September. I said it. I put it out there. I know that’s not what people want to hear. Let’s think about though. These are things we don’t want to imagine, prepare for or do, but we’re all doing our best to make things work for our families. The one thing we can all agree on is that COVID-19 has disrupted our lives, but it doesn’t have to destroy them. We can and will get through this pandemic one slow day at a time. Find your light and take it in daily. Then recharge and do it all over again. And again and again. This is what helps me. What I have learned is that if I feel like my light is about to extinguish, I remind myself that I am not alone. You are not alone either. We are doing things we never thought we’d have to do as parents. But we can provide light to one another even while COVID looms. Don’t be afraid to shine during this time of darkness. T Stay Connected! Montgomery Magazine is FREE to residents of Montgomery County JUNE/JULY 2020 | $4.95 CATCHING UP WITH JOHNNY HOLLIDAY PLUS: The Ultimate Cookout Adapting to COVID-19 APRIL/MAY 2020 | $4.95 NORTH STAR GAMES PLUS: Foster Parents 100 Years of Women’s Suffrage in MoCo SUBSCRIBE AT MONTGOMERYMAG.COM/ 3-YEAR-FREE-SUBSCRIPTION OR CALL 301-230-2222, EXT. 1 montgomerymag.com WashingtonFAMILY.com  35 MONTESSORI DIRECTORY Montessori School Directory MARYLAND 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 COMMUNITY MONTESSORI SCHOOL cmsreston.com bonnieredcms@gmail.com Ages: Infants-6 years 1700 Reston Parkway Reston, VA 703-478-3656 36  Washington FAMILY  JULY 2020 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 ■ MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF CEDAR LANE preschoolmontessori.com info@cedarlanemontessori.com Ages: 3-6 3035 Cedar Lane Fairfax, VA 703-560-4379 C OMMUNITY M ONTESSORI S CHOOL 6 years CELEBRATING 25 YEARS! ➾ ♦ STEM ♦ Music ♦ Spanish ♦ PE & Yoga ♦ Infants to ENROLLING NOW 7:30am to 6:30pm 1700 Reston Parkway, Suite 1, Reston, VA 20194 703-478-3656 ♦ cmsreston.com Email bonnieredcms@gmail.com to schedule a tour. FIND US ON FACEBOOK: @WashingtonFamilyMagazine TWITTER: @FAMILYMagDC PINTEREST: @familymagazine INSTAGRAM: @washingtonfamilymag Montessori School of McLean FRENCH • • • SPANISH Exceptional Montessori Education for Toddlers through Upper Elementary: Ages 2-12 Spring Bilingual Montessori Academy Established in 1967 “We plant seeds that spring to life!” Accepting applications for the 2020-21 school year 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 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 Accredited by www.mcleanmontessori.org WashingtonFAMILY.com  37 People First, Words Second How we talk about disability evolves with culture by Megan Gregoire e live in a constantly evolving world. Our society is one that feeds off the blending of cultures, the changing of rules and people stepping up and dictating new ways of life. Language has become a big part of this change, giving smaller and larger communities a way to articulate their opinions and voice how they want to be identified and seen. In communities of people with disabilities, this shift in language continues to happen, advancing to better suit the people within the community. According to Ande Kolp, executive director of The Arc Maryland, the phrase “special needs” creates a feeling of generalization, making a person feel lumped into a group, and, in effect, not allowing the person to promote their individuality. It’s also a euphanism. “Like when you say, ‘I didn’t fire my employee, I let them go,’ that is softening what you did,” Kolp says. “So, people think, ‘Oh, if we call it special needs, then people will think that it is a good thing.’ But, it amounts to a pat on the head. People with disabilities don’t want that.” Now it is a term the community is looking to move away from, paving a new form of language and way of being identified. Person-First Language Laws such as Rosa’s Law, enacted by former President Barack Obama in 2010, are pushing offensive terminology into the past. Named after Maryland resident Rosa Marcellino, Rosa’s Law removed outdated words such as “retarded” from health and education code. According to Kolp, this has allowed people with disabilities to find their voice and demand a change in disability etiquette. 38  Washington FAMILY  JULY 2020 “(Language) is evolving because people with disabilities are being heard and are showing people a different way,” Kolp says. With this evolution comes person-first language, a form of speaking that puts a person before their diagnosis or disability. “A person with autism” is an example of person-first language. “I always tell people to air on the side of caution, and person-first language is the way to do it. You aren’t putting the disability first, you are putting the personhood first, because we are peo- ple. We are defined by more than our disability, so putting it out front, I think focuses too much on the disability and not enough on the person,” says Ian Watlington, a senior disability advocacy specialist for the National Disability Rights Network. As a person with a disability, one of Watlington’s main focuses throughout his years at NDRN has been awareness training and language-based training in the D.C. community. He says that shifts in language can help with normalization within the community and help people with disabilities to become more visible in mainstream society. “Now people [with disabilities] are your colleagues, or your community members or your neighbors,” he says. “I think as our visibility is increased, our ability to shape the language has increased. But I also think the language has increased our visibility.” Identity-First Language “(Terminology) is highly individualized, and we go back to the person and how they like to refer to themselves,” says Kolp. With identity-first language—for example, “autistic person”— the comfort level of being able to choose your labels and take pride in what makes you who you are is added. That differs from the concept of person-first language, in which the speaker makes the decision. But the conversation around language isn’t over yet.Watlington, a long-serving outspoken advocate in the community, says he experiences discrimination when it comes to his disability. “I still deal with condescension and people treating me like a child, or not treating me as equal, and I can tell by their language and by their voice. There is still a lot of that to get beyond,” he says. However, Watlington recognizes the strides the community has made in shaping their language and hopes they continue the progress in years to come. T Editor’s Note: For years, we called our monthly column about families living with disability “Your Special Child” because that was the most accepted language at the time that column started. But we know that language has evolved beyond that title, and we are considering new names. If you have a suggestion, please email us at editor@washingtonfamily.com. However, while person-first language has formed into the stan- dard, both Watlington and Kolp say that there is a new wave of language forming: identity-first language. The technology solution for families who value CONNECTION. During times of uncertainty, keeping your family connected is key, especially when it comes to the needs of your children. The Maryland Accessible Telecommunications (MAT) program can ensure your student has access to telecommunications equipment—such as amplified phones, Captioned Telephones, and tablets—making distance learning possible and accessible for your child. We invite you to apply now to see if your child qualifies for free assistive equipment through the MAT program. *The MAT program benefits Maryland residents ages three and older who are Deaf, hard of hearing, DeafBlind, or are living with limited speech, mobility, or cognitive abilities. Apply today for free equipment: 800-552-7724 | 410-767-6960 (Voice/TTY) 443-453-5970 (Video Phone) mat.program1@maryland.gov | mdrelay.org Department Of INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY WashingtonFAMILY.com  39 A Phone Call Away Telemedicine becomes a pandemic success story by Jessica Gregg A nother way that the coronavirus has changed our world ? Telemedicine. Prior to this year, most of us had never been on a video call with our physicians. But with stay-at-home orders and limited patient hours at many physician practices this spring, parents experienced Zoom or Skype appointments with obstetricians, pediatricians and other doctors. At Baltimore’s Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital, psy- chologists found telemedicine to be a valuable tool. It’s one they had long hoped to use for counseling sessions, says Dr. Kenneth Gelfand, the hospital’s psychology manager. The hospital sees young patients from all over the state with a variety of medical issues, including feeding disorders, autism and long-term medical conditions. Its counseling staff con- ducts about 25,000 patient visits each year. For families with transportation issues or children who are immunocompromised, for example, the hospital’s practitioners had long hoped to serve patients through telep- sychology. It was something for which his team had advocated 40  Washington FAMILY  JULY 2020 for years, Gelfand says. When staff had to shift gears in mid- March because of the pandemic, the chance to try telemedicine reinforced the ways it could be useful. “For a lot of families, this really has created an equivalent level of care,” Gelfand says. Many of the hospital’s teenaged patients had an “increased interest” in their appointments, because they didn’t have to take the time from busy schedules to come in for appoint- ments, he says. For patients with anxiety, counselors were often able to talk with them as the anxiety was happening and give them in-home strategies for coping and alleviating it. Visits were conducted by Zoom, and with small children, staff did have to be “creative,” Gelfand says. Psychologists engaged kids with online games and activities, multimedia and the help of fam- ily. Many patients provided tours of their homes or introduced their pets, so practitioners got to learn firsthand about that child’s daily life. For kids with feeding disorders, psychologists could see them eating in their kitchens and offer valu- able feedback and hints. There were adjustments, of course. Implementing this new tool with patients with autism was initially challenging, Gelfand admits. Many children with autism found the changes in daily life during the pandemic to be stressful. But telepsych visits eventually provided structure for home and family, he says. After the pandemic, hospital staff hopes that 10 to 20 percent of its counseling visits will continue to be conducted remotely. Face-to-face sessions remain important, of course, but telep- sych can continue to be a tool for patients with transportation and other barriers, Gelfand says. “In whatever a post-COVID world brings, telepsychology remains a tool for practitioners to use,” he says. LUNAR_CAT / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS Helping military families Before the pandemic, behavioral psychol- ogists at Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore used telehealth with military families at Fort Meade, Fort Detrick and Aberdeen Proving Ground through a pro- gram the hospital started in 2016, says Dr. Jennifer Crockett, director of training with the department of behavioral psy- chology. The program later expanded to include families at Naval Air Station Patuxent River. “Telehealth has such great appli- cability to military families, because it’s portable,” Crockett says. And because Kennedy Krieger had success with this program, they were able to scale it up for other departments when COVID-19 hit. In fact, Crockett co-chaired a task force to make sure this happened. Practitioners in every department, even physi- cal and occupational therapies, have been able to work with their patients via telehealth. This also includes inpatient services, Crockett says, adding that a practitioner at a child’s bedside can use technology to connect with a speech therapist, a physical therapist and a parent to talk through that child’s care needs. “We find children take to it well,” she says. But so do parents. Crockett often works with children as young as 2. In those instances, a telehealth call centers on coaching the parent in behavioral strategies rather than engaging a child who might not be interested in Zoom. “One of the benefits that we suspected we would see, and we have seen, is that parents are saying, ‘I’m getting this quicker now because I’m doing it,’” Crockett says. “They are not watching us do something. They’re doing it, and they’re doing it in their own homes.” Telehealth also has been a good way for practitioners to connect with children feeling anxious because of the extreme disruptions in their life. “We’ve seen an increase in COVID stressors, so some of things we are doing are specific to what is happening in the world right now,” Crockett says. In addition to its inpatient and outpatient services, Kennedy Krieger also has a school program that provided distance learning to its students this spring. “Oftentimes people think that kids with special needs can’t use technology,” says Lisa Nickerson, assistant vice president of marketing, public relations and communica- tions. But that would not be true, she adds. With the help of their parents and teachers, students com- pleted many lessons through tele-education. Like other schools, the big- gest issue was accessibility; not all students had computers. That’s something the hospital works hard to overcome with its patient families. Crockett says she looks for grants that allow the hospital to purchase laptops that can be loaned to patient families as well as other ways to improve access to care. She adds that families should not be deterred from seeking help for their child because of technology. And after COVID-19? Crockett hopes that telehealth remains a care option for Kennedy Krieger patients. “There’s still so much that is unknown,” she says. We’re still working every day to con- tinue to ramp up the process. COVID gave us the opportunity to jump into telehealth. I hope people see the value in it.”  T  GREAT STYLES  GREAT FINDS  GREAT DEALS  GREAT CAUSE URBAN Thrift Open Every Day 11 am to 6 pm 10730 Connecticut Avenue in Kensington Follow us on social media! Our profit supports The Arc Montgomery County. Sign-up for our e-letter! washington family.com/ signup WashingtonFAMILY.com  41 The Morning RUSH By Jacqueline Renfrow Two-and-a-half hours of parenting one neurotypical child and two children with disabilities Two months into virtual school, Jacqueline Renfrow began to realize just how much she appreciated the slower mornings of quarantine. Getting three kids logged into Zoom at the same time could be chaotic, but it didn’t compare to chaos of getting them out the door every morning when school still took place in classrooms. Here, the Maryland mom of a neurotypical child, an autistic child and a 2E child reflects on the hectic pace of her family’s pre-coronavirus mornings. 42  Washington FAMILY  JULY 2020 6:30 a.m. My nine-year-old son, Max, who is twice-exceptional, walks into my room, looking for me to get him breakfast. I shake my head yes and slowly try to slip out from under my seven-year-old son, Joey, who is sleeping on top of me. Oh, so gently, I rise from the bed, but he’s onto me. As I creep into the bathroom I hear, “Mommy, where are you going?” Joey, who is autistic, has a sense for always knowing where I am— day or night. Bathroom, exercise bike, kitchen sink, bed, he’s right there next to me. 6:45 a.m. I head downstairs, and my seven-year-old daughter, Amelie, follows. She’s awake, no doubt due to the fact that her twin brother is screaming from my bed for me to come sit with him. She’s hungry, too. For the next 15 to 20 minutes, she will tell me she doesn’t know what to eat, and I will list the options repeatedly while trying to make three lunches. After the whining and debating, she will inevitably land on Cheerios and milk. 7:00 a.m. I am proud that I now have two children eating breakfast. Well, until one gets distracted and asks the other to go downstairs and play. “Only for a few minutes. You have to get dressed for school,” I yell, but they are already gone. While they are away, I return to my bedroom to try and drag Joey out of bed. “Sit with me, Mommy, please,” he whines and whines. Eventually I relent and sit for two minutes. I pretend I am happy to be cuddling, but my mind is actually thinking about what else needs to get done in the next hour. 7:15 a.m. Joey is asking for pizza, again. I’m annoyed and tell him, “No, you can have pizza later.” This immediately sets him off. As he’s screaming, throwing things on the ground and calling me names, I’m biting my tongue so that I don’t make the situation worse. I’ve learned that the Left: Max, Amelie and Joey in Annapolis on New Year’s Day. Below: The author and her daughter dressed up for a wedding. best response to my son, if he’s not hurting anyone, is to ignore him until he’s calmed himself. Only then can I give him a hug and talk to him in a fairly reasonable tone. But this could take close to 30 minutes, and I worry I’ve now slowed down the morning process even more. Getting him dressed and fed will have to wait. 7:30 a.m. I hurry back down to finish the lunches. I quickly wash the water bottles and put them into the backpacks with Joey still next to me, crying. I scan the notes on the fridge to see what specials or extracurricular activities each child has today. One must remember to wear sneakers for PE, another needs a snack for afterschool drawing and a third has to bring money for a field trip. 7:45 a.m. “Come up from the basement now, we’re going to be late. Pleeaassee go get dressed!” Max and Amelie finally emerge from the basement, and someone says, “But I didn’t finish my breakfast!” At this point they can finish in the car. “Go upstairs and get dressed. And don’t forget to brush your teeth while you’re up there.” 7:55 a.m. I run upstairs to check progress. One is playing LEGO and another is dressing her dolls. I chase Amelie around the room with a hairbrush, and she ducks and screams with every stroke. Apparently, I’m evil for trying to get the knots out. I send her to the bathroom to brush her teeth and run into the next room. Yes, Max is ready! Well, minus socks and shoes, but that won’t take long, right? WashingtonFAMILY.com  43 8:00 a.m. “We have to be out the door in 10 minutes. Everyone finish up and go downstairs!” Two kids head down the stairs—in bare feet. I throw socks down after them, then deal with my seemingly calm autistic child. I get Joey dressed, and he tells me he still has not eaten. I sheepishly heat up some pizza. 8:05 a.m. I’m putting the pizza in a to-go container, and the kids are talking. No one has on a jacket yet and only one is wearing shoes. I hear myself like a broken record: “Put on your shoes and jackets!” Someone asks for a snack, and I grab some protein bars for the car. Then I realize I’m not dressed. I run up the stairs, and my absence creates a fight. It’s the daily battle of the wits between my autistic son and my 2E son, who currently attends a school for the gifted. Both have a knowledge of geography and history well beyond their years—and neither can EVER be wrong. I need to get back downstairs. I hurry on some shoes and manage to brush my teeth. I can brush my hair later. 8:15 a.m. Crap, coffee. I need to make some to take with me in the car. I yell out a one last “get your shoes on” as I head for the coffee machine. My travel mug is MIA. Coffee will have to wait. I grab my keys and get to the door where the boys are arguing 44  Washington FAMILY  JULY 2020 Left: Joey and Amelie on a hike through Great Seneca National Park. Right: Amelie and Max wading in a creek near their home. Bottom: The brothers playing video games in the basement. with the song on the radio. Ah, the true irony of autism: Everything is too loud for him, yet he is the loudest person I know. in each other’s faces and my daughter is walking around the yard and humming to herself. I grab the jackets (still on no one’s body) and head for the minivan. 8:22 a.m. We are on the road to school No. 1. Max is playing multiple choice: “The longest river in the world is A: The Amazon River, B…” I hope my daughter can guess correctly so that she is not chastised by the perfectionist. 8:30 a.m. We arrive at the school, and Max is still talking. I want to scream “just get out of the car,” but I manage a “have a great day, I’ll see you after school,” instead. We are back on the road and Joey yells at his twin sister for singing along 8:40 a.m. I arrive at school No. 2. There is a debate as to how far I should walk them. Do I take them all 500 steps to the front door of the school, as my daughter has requested, or stay behind and just wave to them as they look back, as my son would like? Eventually, one will run off and the other will take my hand and walk me to the front door. 8:55 a.m. I am home. I finally make my coffee, power on my computer and sigh a big breath of relief: It’s time to start the work day. n Would you like to share a morning, afternoon or day in your life? Send a snippet of your daily routine to editor@washingtonfamily. com for a chance to be featured on our website or in our magazine. BOOK MARKED Celebrating Differences and Embracing Diverse Friendships Cyana Riley, author of the new children’s book “Not So Different,” with her kids. Courtesy photo “Not So Different” was inspired by the author’s own interracial marriage and biracial children. By Joy Saha W eaving simple rhymes and a col- lection of curated illustrations into a captivating picture tale, the new children’s book “Not So Different” encourages readers to embrace their own differences and unapologetically celebrate the uniqueness of others. “I want this book to create a space where children can talk about their differences and they can point out differences with their friends, their peers and their fami- lies,” says first-time author Cyana Riley, who lives in Maryland with her family. A former preschool teacher, Riley developed her passion for writing at a young age. She enjoyed writing poetry and frequently con- tributed to her school’s newspaper. Now, as a mother of two, her primary literary goal is to include and uplift the voices of minority chil- dren within the world of books. “I definitely want them to feel proud and confident about being represented in a chil- dren’s book,” she says. “Not So Different” follows a young boy as he engages in conversations with his six friends about their diversity. Riley brain- stormed the plot for three years, starting when she was pregnant with her son. She took inspiration from the diversity within her own family, specifically from her inter- racial marriage and her biracial children, to craft the book’s larger theme. “I wanted to create something where my children could see their family structure in a book,” she says. The entire creative process for Riley’s book took place over several years but her actual writing process lasted for less than a month. For Riley, the writing process was both smooth and natural, especially because the story itself was deeply personal. “Not So Different” features illustrations by Anastasia Kanavaliuk, a college student who lives in Belarus. Riley describes Kanavaliuk’s illustrations as “whimsical, soft and inviting” and overall, a perfect fit for her book and story. As for the main takeaway message, Riley explains that it relates to her larger themes of acceptance and kindness. “I want children to walk away knowing and feeling like they are more comfortable being friends with people no matter what they look like and no matter the differ- ences,” she says. “And that’s the big theme of the book: celebrating your differences, celebrating diversity and it being OK.” T “Not So Different” can be purchased at notsodifferentbook.com. WashingtonFAMILY.com  45 BOOK MARKED America the Beautiful Books that celebrate our nation’s history and its people BY MARGARETTE SNOW, CHILDREN’S LIBRARIAN AT DC PUBLIC LIBRARY Continue celebrating America’s independence after the Fourth of July BBQs and fireworks have come to an end by sharing a book with your child about different American experi- ences and the individuals and events that have shaped the nation. This is a great way to spark family discussions about what America means to you and to keep up the habit of reading during summer break. And speaking of summer reading, sign up for the DC Public Library’s Summer Challenge at dclibrary.org/summerchallenge, open to all ages, to find literacy events and log your reading for the chance to win prizes. PICTURE BOOKS As an elderly woman, Lillian recalls how her great-great-grandparents were sold as slaves ‘Pink and Say’ in front of a courthouse where only rich Written and illustrated by white men were allowed to vote and the long Patricia Polacco fight that led to her right—and determina- Say Curtis describes his meeting with Pinkus tion—to cast her ballot when the Voting Aylee, a Black soldier, during the Civil War, Rights Act was passed. and their capture by Southern troops. Based on a true story about the author’s ‘She Persisted: 13 American great-great-grandfather. Women Who Changed the World’ ‘Ruth and the Green Book’ Written by Calvin A. Ramsey with Gwen Strauss, illustrated by Floyd Cooper Written by Chelsea Clinton, illustrated by Alexandra Boiger A nonfiction picture book compilation of the stories of 13 American women who per- When Ruth and her parents drive from sisted in overcoming obstacles and changing Chicago to Alabama in the early 1950s to the world, including Harriet Tubman, Ruby visit her grandma, they rely on a pamphlet Bridges, Sally Ride and Sonia Sotomayor. called “The Negro Motorist Green Book” to find places that will serve Black travelers MIDDLE GRADE like themselves. ‘Step Up to the Plate, Maria Singh’ ‘A Taste of Colored Water’ Written by Uma Krishnaswami Written and illustrated by Matt During World War II, nine-year-old Maria Faulkner Singh learns to play softball just like her LuLu and Jelly are very excited to see the heroes in the All-American Girls’ League at a “colored” water they heard about in the time when her parents are experiencing rac- city’s water fountain but are very sur- ism and trying to keep their California farm. prised to learn what “colored” water actu- ally means. ‘The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher’ EARLY READERS ‘Lillian’s Right to Vote: A Celebration of the Voting Rights Act of 1965’ Written by Jonah Winter illustrated by Shane W. Evans 46  Washington FAMILY  JULY 2020 Written by Dana Alison Levy Follow the adventures of a family with two fathers, four adopted boys and a variety of pets as they make their way through a school year, kindergarten through sixth grade, and deal with a grumpy new neighbor who com- plains about everything. BOOK MARKED ‘Save Me a Seat’ Written by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan Ravi has just moved to the United States from India and has always been at the top of his class; Joe has lived in the same town his whole life and has learning challenges. But when their lives intersect in the first week of fifth grade, they are brought together by a common enemy (the biggest bully in their class) and the need to take control of their lives. ‘The Detective’s Assistant’ Written by Kate Hannigan In 1859, 11-year-old Nell goes to live with her aunt, Kate Warne, the first female detective for Pinkerton’s National Detective Agency. Nell helps her aunt solve cases, including a mystery surrounding Abraham Lincoln and the mystery of what happened to Nell’s own father. YOUNG ADULT ‘The Lions of Little Rock’ Written by Kristin Levine In 1958 Little Rock, Arkansas, painfully shy 12-year- old Marlee sees her city and family divided over school integration, but her friendship with Liz, a new student, helps her find her voice and fight against racism. ‘March: Book One’ Written by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin, illustrated by Nate Powell The first in trilogy, this graphic novel chronicles Congressman John Lewis’s life and his involvement in the civil rights movement, from his childhood on an Alabama farm to lunch counter sit-ins in Nashville department stores. ‘Steal this Country: A Handbook for Resistance, Persistence, and Fixing Almost Everything’ Written by Alexandra Styron A guide for kid activists, “Steal this Country” features a collection of essays, profiles and interviews about what needs fixing in the world as well the practical tools for effecting change. Key issues include climate change, racial justice, women’s rights, LGBTQIA rights and immigration. n WashingtonFAMILY.com  47 MOM LIFE Meet LaJoy Johnson-Law BY PJ FEINSTEIN What do you love about the work you do? What’s something that makes juggling motherhood and your Advocates for Justice and Education (AJE) is the career a little bit easier? federally mandated parent training information center under Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). AJE helps empower families to advocate for their children. There is no greater advocate for a child than their parent or guardian, and I love how AJE helps parents navigate the D.C. education system and ensure that parents have the information and tools necessary to best advocate for their children. What do you love about being a mom? OCCUPATION: Parent support specialist at Advocates for Justice and Education LIVES AND WORKS: Washington, D.C. CHILD: Abria, 8 Do you know a local parent who juggles multiple priorities while managing to make a positive impact in their community? Nominate them as a subject of our Mom/Dad Life  column by emailing us at editor@washingtonfamily.com. 48  Washington FAMILY  JULY 2020 I love the fact that I am a mom, period. It is a miracle that I am a mom. My daughter was born at 23 weeks weighing 1 pound, 6 ounces. The doctors said that she wasn’t going to make it, but I knew she would. So watching her love, laugh and grow into the beautiful little girl that she is is the best gift I could have ever asked for. Even though there have been many health challenges, my daughter is here. I am so honored to be Abria’s mom. What do you find challenging about raising a child with disabilities? My daughter has chronic lung disease, epilepsy and a developmental delay due to her extreme prematurity. I think the biggest challenge is being financially stable. I have lost many jobs due to putting my daughter and her health first. Abria has many inpatient visits, outpatient doctor visits, therapy appointments, and she has often been too sick to go to school. It is a challenge balancing a work schedule and my child’s medical and therapeutic appointments. My motto is “Abria comes first in every- thing that I do,” and I pray to God for him to take care of the rest. Things were so bad at one point, I even got a writ of eviction, and my daughter and I were about to be homeless because I was not able to work due to taking care of her healthcare needs. It has definitely been a struggle, but we are here. My mom and godmother! Thank god for their support. They have been my rock and help me balance out the many things that need to be done. My daughter also has an amazing IEP team at her school, Rocketship Legacy Prep, and she has an amazing medical team at Children’s National Medical Center. All of this combined helps tremendously. How do you take care of your mental and physical health? I love going to the gym and taking Zumba classes and exercising. My gym has a child care center, so it is a blessing to be able to take Abria with me when I go workout. I love music, and I will often dance to music around my home to keep my happy spirit. I also love bubble baths; they are so relaxing and calming. I love lighting my candles, playing my calming music and taking a bubble bath. I also wake up each morning and say a little prayer, and before Abria and I go to bed we say our prayers. What are five things you always carry in your purse? My keys, wallet, makeup bag, phone and my daughter’s spacer and medicine. What advice would you give to other parents with children who have disabilities? My advice is to never stop fighting and advocating for your children. They need your voice. You are the best advocate for your child. Take it one day at a time and build a good support system around you. It is important that we all have someone we can reach out to if we need help or just a shoulder to cry on. Remember to take care of yourself so you can be whole for your child. T Read our extended interiew with LaJoy Johnson-Law at WashingtonFAMILY.com 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. 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