S S ART LS IDE THE HOO GU ON | RI SC ATI SO UC ES ED ONT M washingtonFAMILY.com SEPTEMBER 2019 Teachers OF THE YEAR MEET ALL 5 Game On! THE JOURNEY SCHOOL A MONTESSORI SCHOOL SERVING GRADES 1-8 SEE PAGE 5 Sports-Friendly Travel 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 schedule a tour! Aldie 24328 Marrwood Aldie, VA 20105 (703) 542-5522 Broadlands 42945 Waxpool Road Ashburn, VA 20148 (703) 723-3364 Chantilly 4550 Walney Road Chantilly, VA 20151 (571) 321-0364 Fairfax 3909 Oak Street Fairfax, VA 22030 (703) 934-0920 Herndon 13251 Woodland Park Road Herndon, VA 20171 (571) 203-8686 Reston 11579 Cedar Chase Road Herndon, VA 20170 (703) 404-9733 Infant • Toddler • Preschool Kindergarten • Elementary GP081219 Fall Festival and Open House at Reston Saturday, September 21, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. guidepostmontessori.com/northern-virginia Spanish and Mandarin Immersion programs available at selected campuses CONTENTS SEPTEMBER 2019 ON THE COVER Washington FAMILY’s 2019 Teachers of the Year Page 22 FEATURES DEPARTMENTS 22 8 38 CLASSROOM STARS Meet our fi ve Teachers of the Year winners and see what makes them the area’s best. GREEN BAY More than just a football town, Green Bay, Wisconsin off ers tons of family-friendly adventure. PARENT COACHING Some local parents are turning to coaching for work-life-balance support. GUIDES 12 EDUCATION 27 THE ARTS 30 MONTESSORI SCHOOLS READERS’ RESPONSES YOUR FEEDBACK We welcome your feedback — on specific articles, overall themes and anything else related to editorial content. Enter your comments on the Feedback tab of our website: info@washingtonfamily.com. Please note we reserve the right to edit or refrain from publishing comments we deem inappropriate. 4 Washington FAMILY SEPTEMBER 2019 10 28 36 40 42 44 46 FAMILY CALENDAR DMV FUN September fall festivals SCHOOL NOTES Getting organized for academic success HEALTHY FAMILY Practicing mindfulness as a family MOMS SPEAK New school year advice for parents WF BLOG A teacher’s thoughts on back-to-school BOOKMARKED New arts-inspired books for kids LAST WORD Helping children deal with their fears ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS/VIROJT 32 WE WANT The Journey School Photo by David Stuck DISCOVER HOW the JOURNEY SCHOOL is Navigating Growth and Learning OFFERING Quality, Engaging Education Serving Grades 1-8 Located in a picturesque country setting, we off er a curriculum built on the Montessori Method of Education for both middle and elementary school-aged children focusing on:  A strong academic environment that exceeds local and state standards  Fostering independence, confi dence, and critical and analytical thinking  Respectful, welcoming, multi-age classroom and school environment  Hands-on, interdisciplinary learning  Daily connection to the outdoors Contact us today for a tour and more information: 240.324.6160 • cthomas@thejourneyschool.net • www.thejourneyschool.net 2430 Spencerville Road, Spencerville, MD 20868 The Journey School OUR TEAM SEPTEMBER 2019 WashingtonFAMILY.com • 301-230-2222 Craig Burke, Publisher ADVERTISING Rob Leinson, Director of Sales 301-230-0819 • rleinson@midatlanticmedia.com Account Executives Kim Coates, Tamara Morris, Mary Ramsdale, Stacie Shapero, Julie Turco, Sylvia Witaschek BUSINESS Pattie-Ann Lamp, Accounting Coordinator • 410-902-2311 • plamp@midatlanticmedia.com EDITORIAL Jessica Gregg, Lifestyle Editor • 410-902-2319 • jgregg@midatlanticmedia.com Britni Petersen, Managing Editor • 301-230-6696 • bpetersen@midatlanticmedia.com Adranisha Stephens, Staff Writer • 410-902-2328 • astephens@midatlanticmedia.com Contributors Michelle Blanchard Ardillo, Ann Dolin, Courtney McGee, Kathryn Streeter CREATIVE Lonna Koblick, Art Director Sherley Taliaferro, Graphic Designer Frank Wagner, Graphic Designer James Meskunas, Digital Media Manager David Stuck, Staff Photographer Opening Night Tickets $15! MID-ATLANTIC MEDIA Craig Burke, CEO/Publisher • cburke@midatlanticmedia.com Liz Spikol, Editorial Director • lspikol@midatlanticmedia.com Jennifer Perkins-Frantz, Director of Production• jperkinsfrantz@midatlanticmedia.com Bill Sims, Director of Circulation & Audience Development • bsims@midatlanticmedia.com Jeni Mann, Director of Marketing & Custom Media • jmann@midatlanticmedia.com Restrictions, exclusions and additional charges may apply. Subject to availability. Excludes premium seats. Tickets at market pricing. Purchase tickets at venue box office or ticketmaster.com. EAGLEBANK ARENA Table of Contents Single Page Design Calendar of Events OCT 2 – 6 DisneyOnIce.com © 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 6 Washington FAMILY SEPTEMBER 2019 FIRST WORD Sliding into School P Britni Petersen Managing Editor bpetersen@midatlanticmedia.com Facebook facebook.com/WashingtonFamilyMagazine Follow us on Pinterest @familymagazine and Instagram @washingtonfamilymag Email us Let us know what’s on your mind. info@thefamilymagazine.com Story Ideas Have a story idea? We want to hear it. Email us at editor@thefamilymagazine.com encils out, pool noodles put away. The new school year is here once again! Now that summer is in our rearview mirrors, it’s time to settle into a new busy schedule and an exciting new season — fall! Are you ready? This issue, we’re kicking off back to school with a ton of enriching content that will help families slide seamlessly into the new school year ahead. To get kids prepared and on track for A+ school success, one local writer and tutor, Ann Dolin, dis- cusses the best practices for studying and staying organized (page 28). She offers a list of great study techniques like using timers, color-coding tasks, creating designated study spaces and more. While, of course, it’s important to get kids back into the routine of school obligations, it’s also important for parents to get themselves back into the swing of things as well. We asked local parents how they are getting ready for the new school year and they revealed some helpful tips from planning essentials to self-care practices (page 40). Along with our annual “Education Guide” on page 12, which provides detailed information on local private schools including school open house dates, we are also excited to feature our third annual Teachers of the Year winners! We all know that teachers are an integral part of our children’s lives. And we at Washington FAM- ILY believe they should continue to be recognized for what they do to help our children grow and learn. So, after asking our readers to nominate their favorite and inspirational local teachers, five amazing educators were chosen. Check them out on page 22. Lastly, as we eagerly slide into fall this month, we couldn’t leave out some autumn-inspired fun. Check out our list of entertaining fall festivals hap- pening in the DMV this month on page 10. These events are the perfect way to kick off the new season. We hope this new school year brings families tons of positive growth and success. As always, check out washingtonfamily.com for all kinds of resources from even more school-related tips and parenting advice from local experts to a consistently-updated calendar of fun things to do with the family. Happy reading!  ■ WashingtonFAMILY.com 7 CALENDAR { september } SUNDAY 1 annual Labor Day Art Show. Glen Echo Park, Glen Echo, Md., 1 p.m. glenechopark.org WEDNESDAY 4 FREE Labor Day Concert 2019 FREE Night Flight: Amelia Listen to live music while lounging on Earhart Crosses the Atlantic the West Lawn of the U.S. Capital. The by Robert Burleigh national Symphony Orchestra often performs patriotic songs in honor of Labor Day. West Lawn U.S. Capital, Washington, D.C., 8 p.m. tripsavvy.com MONDAY 2 FREE Thomas Jefferson’s Library Take a self-guided tour through Jefferson’s recreated library and see how books inspired one of the greatest thinkers. His 6,487 volumes helped found the Library of Congress. Library of Congress, Washington, DC., 8:30 a.m. loc.gov TUESDAY 3 FREE Irish Music and Dance Showcase Enjoy the stories of flight from famous aviators to creatures with wings at the Pioneers of Flight Gallery on the first Wednesday through Saturday of the month. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Washington, D.C., 11 a.m. airandspace.si.edu THURSDAY 5 Jennifer Hudson: National Symphony Orchestra See Grammy and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson perform with the National Symphony Orchestra. Filene Center, Vienna, Va., 6:30 p.m. $45. wolftrap.org FRIDAY 6 Come see the area’s finest performers and try to keep the beat along with them. The event is part of the 48th Disney’s Aladdin Experience the Broadway hit musical and discover a whole new world. The Kennedy Center, Washington, D.C., 1:30 or 7:30 p.m. $39- $179. culturecapital.com SATURDAY 7 Gelato Festival This traveling festival has gone from Europe to Asia and will be in D.C. from the 7th to the 8th. Come try all you can eat gelato deserts and see if you can decide which is the world’s best gelato. City Market at O, Washington, D.C., 11. a.m. $25. eventbrite.com SUNDAY 8 FREE Mad Science of DC Be a part of hands-on science experiments with the leading provider of science enrichment for preschool through sixth grade students. Lubber Run Amphitheater, Arlington, Va., 11 a.m. culturecapital.com MONDAY 9 FREE Q?rius Q?rius (pronounced curious) is a way for kids and their families to connect their everyday lives to science. This learning lab is open every day of the week with varying hours. The space brings the assets of the Smithsonian FAMILY DAY: ROBOTICS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 | NOON | FREE National Museum of Natural History to the public. Smithsonian National Museum of History, Washington, D.C., 2 p.m. naturalhistory.si.edu TUESDAY 10 Glow Yoga on the Mall All yogis are welcome to take part in the hour-long Vinyasa Flow class and all you have to do is bring your own mat - glowsticks and paint will be provided! National Mall, Facing the Capitol between 3rd St. N.W. and 4th St. N.W., Washington, D.C., 8 p.m. $25. dcfray.com WEDNESDAY 11 FREE Georgetown University Farmers’ Market Come buy fresh produce to promote the benefits of local and sustainable agriculture every Wednesday. Georgetown, 11 a.m. local.aarp.org THURSDAY 12 Zoo Uncorked Enjoy unlimited wine tasting, live music and the Zoo’s Think Tank and Great Cat exhibits. Toast your drinks to saving species! Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, D.C., 6 p.m. Tickets available online. nationalzoo.si.edu FRIDAY 13 Pups in the Park Come watch the Washington Nationals play the Atlanta Braves with your beloved pooch and other dog enthusiasts. All proceeds from dog tickets will go to the Humane Rescue Alliance. Nationals Park, Washington, D.C., 7:05 p.m.. $33 (dog tickets $10). mlb.com Live Out Loud End Hunger Obstacle Trail Run Families are invited to learn about how the Marine Corp uses robotics. Kids have the opportunity to get involved in hands-on robotics activities. National Museum Of The Marine Corps, Triangle, Va. usmcmuseum.com 8 Washington FAMILY SEPTEMBER 2019 If you think you can make it through the mud and obstacles, you should run in your age group’s forty-five- minute race. There are both timed and family-friendly races so everyone is encouraged to try the course. Chesapeake Church, Huntingtown, Md., 7:30 a.m. $35. active.com ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS/STOCKROCKET SATURDAY 14 CALENDAR FOSSIL SEARCH AT DINOSAUR PARK SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 | NOON| FREE WEDNESDAY 25 FREE Silver Spring Outdoors Salsa Party For new dancers there are salsa lessons, but everyone is welcomed to partake in social dancing and watch the demonstrations. Veterans’ Plaza, Silver Spring, Md., 7 p.m. latindanceevents.com FRIDAY 27 FREE Live Tarantula Feedings Visitors may touch and hold creatures in the Insect Zoo and watch volunteers feed the tarantulas. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., 10:30 a.m. naturalhistory.si.edu SATURDAY 28 FREE Northwest River Park Family Fun Day Grab the kids and head out to Dinosaur Park to meet paleontologists, learn about Maryland prehistory and search a real fossil quarry for 110 million-year-old remains of dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals. Dinosaur Park, Laurel, Md. pgparks.com SUNDAY 15 WEDNESDAY 18 SUNDAY 22 FREE KID Museum’s FutureFest FREE Afternoon Highlights Broadway Princess Party Kids and adults alike can partake in hands-on STEAM activities, interactive exhibits and live performances to learn about our community and inspire the next generation. Silver Springs Civic Center, Silver Spring, Md., Noon. events.visitmontgomery.com MONDAY 16 Meet Your Park Archeologist See what a day in the life of National Park Service Archaeologist is like and learn about the archeology of Harpers Ferry. Harpers Ferry National Historic Park, Harpers Ferry, W. Va., 2 p.m. No additional fees to park entry. nps.gov TUESDAY 17 PHOTO PROVIDED FREE Preschool Play Date: Baby Bots Preschool students can come and have story time, sing-a-longs and crafts all about robotics. National Museum Of The Marine Corps, Triangle Va., 10 a.m. usmcmuseum.com Every day of the week art lovers can enjoy a 45 to 60-minute tour of the museum with a gallery guide and see pieces from famous artists around the world. Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. Washington, D.C., 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. hirshhorn.si.edu THURSDAY 19 Put on your tiara and sing along to your favorite princess songs. McLean Community Center, McLean, Va., 3 p.m. $35-$85. mcleancenter.org MONDAY 23 Women’s Bike Chains and Derailleurs Workshop Grinding gears and squeaky chains mean your bike is ready for a tune Listen to traditional Tuareg music and up. Learn how to tune derailleurs see Fatou Seidi Ghali, the lead vocalist and fix common chain issues so you and guitarist, who is one of the only can get back on the road or trail. REI, Tuareg female guitarists in Niger. Washington, D.C., 6:30 p.m. $60. Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., rei.com Noon. loc.gov FREE Les Filles Del Illighdad FRIDAY 20 New York Avenue Sculpture Project Come to the last day of Sculpture Project and see Betsebeé Romero’s work as she brings together carved and painted tires to form a sculpture about migration and the natural environment. National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, D.C. See website for time and price. nmwa.org TUESDAY 24 In addition to the park’s regular paddle boat, bike and canoe rentals, relax on a float or enjoy a pony ride during family fun day. Become a putt- putt master or catch a fish while the rest of the family enjoys the food vendors in the park. Northwest River Park, Chesapeake, Va., 10 a.m. cityofchesapeake.net SUNDAY 29 FREE Fall Plant Sale and Picnic Rain or shine bring your own picnic and enjoy the beautiful garden views. The plant sale has heirloom plants grown by the Peter family and sales support the education and conservation at Tudor Place. Tudor Place Historic House and Garden, Washington, D.C., 12 p.m. tudorplace.org ■ FIND US ON INSTAGRAM FREE Landmark Lecture: Unhappy Separations Learn about the lives of people like Sall Twine, who was assigned to the Peter’s family with her four children while her husband was emancipated. Tudor Place Historic House and Garden, Washington, D.C., 6:30 p.m. tudorplace.org @washington familymag WashingtonFAMILY.com 9 DMV FUN AUTUMN ADVENTURES 11 CAN’T-MISS LOCAL FESTIVALS BY WF STAFF Th ere is almost nothing more perfect than fall weather. Between the colors and the cool weather, attending outdoor festivals and activities is a must this season. Below, we’ve rounded up our favorite upcoming fall festivals. Enjoy! Bring your pet to the 10th annual DC State Fair and walk in the pet parade or simply enjoy the celebration of agriculture and art in the area. Gateway DC, Washington, D.C., 11 a.m. Free. dcstatefair.org/about-dc-state-fair ADAMS MORGAN DAY FESTIVAL: SEPT. 8 Come to the longest running D.C. neighborhood festival and enjoy live music, art and games for the whole family. Adams Morgan, 18th St. N.W., between Florida Ave. and Columbia Rd., Washington, D.C., All day. Free. admoday.com IN THE STREET FESTIVAL: SEPT. 14 Explore historic downtown Frederick, sample diverse food and enjoy art and entertainment. This long-standing Frederick tradition is the perfect day to explore Frederick and much of what it has to off er! Carroll Creek to 7th on Market Street, Fredrick, Md., 11 a.m. Free. celebratefrederick.com/ events/in-the-street TASTE OF GEORGETOWN: SEPT. 22 Bring your family to try the creative tastes of more than 30 restaurants and celebrate the 25th year of supporting the homeless through the Georgetown Ministry Center. K Street N.W., Washington, D.C., 11 a.m. 2 tickets for $11. tasteofgeorgetown.com PUMPKIN VILLAGE FALL FESTIVAL: SEPT. 21-NOV. 5 Pumpkin Village Fall Festival at Leesburg Animal Park is a must this fall season. With tons of great performers, games, animals and pumpkins – who wouldn’t have fun? There is so much to do and to see at this fall-filled event. 19270 James Monroe Hwy., Leesburg, Va., times vary. $12.95-$18.95. pumpkinfestleesburg.com 17TH ANNUAL ALEXANDRIA KING STREET ART FESTIVAL: SEPT. 21-22 Looking for a fun-filled day? The most beloved fall celebration is here. Complete with giant slides, hayrides, petting zoo and the famous Cox Farms apple cider. Don’t forget to check out the Fields of Fear for a spooky night! 15621 Braddock Rd., Centreville, Va., 11 a.m. $11-$15. coxfarms.com Watch as the historic scene of the Potomac waterfront turns into an outdoor art gallery as 200 artists present their work on nearly six blocks of Alexandria. Over $15 million worth of art ranging from paintings, sculptures, jewelry, photography and more will be presented. 220 King St., Alexandria, Va., 11 a.m. Free. artfestival.com/festivals/alexandria-king- street-art-festival MOUNT VERNON COLONIAL MARKET & FAIR: SEPT. 14-15 MERRIFIELD FALL FESTIVAL: SEPT. 28 COX FARMS FALL FESTIVAL: SEPT. 14-15 Explore Mount Vernon’s 12-acre market and see colonial artisans sell traditional clothing and food including chocolate from an authentic colonial recipe. George Washington’s Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon, Va., 9 a.m. $12-$20. mountvernon.org/plan-your-visit/calendar/ events/colonial-market-fair CLAUDE MOORE PARK FALL FESTIVAL: SEPT. 21 Enjoy a fun day at Claude Moore Park with fun fall family activities, games, craft and food vendors, pumpkin painting, petting zoo and more. Admission is free; there is a charge for some activities. Claude Moore Park, Sterling, Va., 10 a.m. Free. 10 Washington FAMILY SEPTEMBER 2019 Merrifield Fall Festival is back! Enjoy a farmer’s market and a beer garden from Caboose Brewing in Strawberry Park. In addition to a curated craft fair, there will be live music, kids’ activities and more throughout the day. Mosaic District, Fairfax, Va., 11 a.m. Free. eventbrite.com FALL FEST: SEPT. 28 Celebrate all things fun with your family at the third annual Fall Fest. Listen to live music, compete in the costume contest, decorate a pumpkin and watch the aerialist and magician shows. Parkridge Center, Manassas Va., 11 a.m. Free. shopatparkridge.com/events ■ GETTY IMAGES/E+/DUCKYCARDS; CARAMEL: ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS/ZAKHAROVA_NATALIA DC STATE FAIR: SEPT. 8 y t i v i t c a r o l o o h c s w t e a n h r t o e f n O . . . ? n e Looking dr l i h c r u o y r o f s option m? e h t s t i y f reall hools . c s e t priva r the DMV e e s air to om all ove f 9 1 0 the 2 ctivities fr o t e Com hment a ric n e ent d m n n i a a t • DJ er Ent y l i m a alore • F G s y a aw • Give 00 1 $ a ily n m a Wi F on t g n i h Was ! p i h s r a Schol NTBR 19.EVE 0 NFAIR2 t event to win. O I T A C ck-in a WFEDU ust che ITE.CO M M Fair Oaks Mall Saturday, Oct. 5 • 11 am to 4 pm To reserve a table for your school or activity program, email advertising@washingtonfamily.com or call 301-230-2222, ext. 4 EDUCATION GUIDE 12 WashingtonFAMILY SEPTEMBER 2019 AFTER SCHOOL & ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES BARRIE SCHOOL barrie.org; admission@barrie.org 301-576-2800; 13500 Layhill Road Silver Spring, Md. Barrie School inspires intellectual curiosity, emotional resiliency, and social engagement for students age 18 months to Grade 12. Students from 18-month old Toddlers through Grade 5 Upper Elementary are taught using the Montessori Method, a child-centered educational approach. Students in Grades 6-12 engage in Project Based Learning, a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an authentic, engaging and complex question, problem, or challenge. All students enjoy small class sizes and make use of our 45- acre wooded campus on a daily basis. Barrie is located in Silver Spring, Maryland, minutes from the ICC and Glenmont Metro. Our close proximity to downtown Washington, D.C. enables students to take full advantage of the cultural and educational resources available in the area. ACTING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE afyp.org 4260 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, Va. 703-554-4931 Celebrating 20 + years of fun, challenging classes for ages 5 to adult taught by theater professionals. After-school, student showcases, summer acting camps, and school tours. BARRIE SCHOOL barrie.org; admission@barrie.org 301-576-2800 13500 Layhill Road, Silver Spring, Md. Barrie School inspires intellectual curiosity, emotional resiliency, and social engagement for students age 18 months to Grade 12. Students from 18-month old Toddlers through Grade 5 Upper Elementary are taught using the Montessori Method, a child-centered educational approach. Students in Grades 6-12 engage in Project Based Learning, a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an authentic, engaging and complex question, problem, or challenge. All students enjoy small class sizes and make use of our 45- acre wooded campus on a daily basis. Barrie is located in Silver Spring, Maryland, minutes from the ICC and Glenmont Metro. Our close proximity to downtown Washington, D.C. enables students to take full advantage of the cultural and educational resources available in the area. GLEN ECHO PARK AQUARIUM gepaquarium.org info@gepaquarium.org 301-955-6256; 7300 Macarthur Blvd. Glen Echo, Md. Celebrate with the fishes! The Glen Echo Park Aquarium, a Chesapeake Bay Discovery Center, offers a unique party experience. Follow the flow of water from local streams, to rivers, the Bay and the ocean. Tour the BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA, NATIONAL exhibit hall, touch live sea creatures, craft and CAPITAL AREA COUNCIL celebrate in a party room. NCACBSA.org; info@ncacbsa.org 301-530-9360 RESTON MONTESSORI SCHOOL 9190 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Md. restonmontessori.com Hours: Mon-Fri: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. office@restonmontessori.com 703-481-2922; 1928 Isaac Newton Square Scouts make the most of right now. With fun and discovery at every turn, they build West, Reston, Va. a foundation they can stand on to embrace Hours: 7 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. opportunity, overcome obstacles & make new Established in 1986, Reston Montessori discoveries. Make Scouting the foundation of School is a private, coeducational school your future; build an adventure today! Now for children from 3 months through 3rd for boys AND girls ages 5-11! grade. RMS provides academic school day, enrichment programs and before/after THE CENTER FOR BALLET ARTS school activities. thecenterforballetarts.com ctrbalarts@aol.com SUNSET HILLS MONTESSORI 703-273-5344 sunsethillsmontessori.com 3955 Pender Drive, Ste. 103, Fairfax, Va. 703-476-7477 Ages: 3-Adult 11180 Ridge Heights Road, Reston, Va. The Center for Ballet Arts provides a Hours: 7:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. well-rounded curriculum and pleasant At SHMS we are committed to recognizing encouraging environment for dance training and cultivating the uniqueness of each in many different disciplines. Classes are individual child. We have a community of educators, and wonderful families, that have designed to promote flexibility, strength, chosen SHMS because of a shared vision for artistry, coordination and technique. early childhood and elementary education. COOKOLOGY CULINARY SCHOOL cookologyonline.com 703-433-1909 4238 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Va. Our award-winning kids’ cooking program has taught thousands of children since 2009. We have created a safe, nurturing environment for kids to learn how to cook. In our kids’ hands-on cooking classes at GETTY IMAGES / E+ / KALI9 2019 EDUCATION GUIDE ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT & FIELD TRIPS OFFERING the best in MONTESSORI EDUCATION for 30 years LOWER CAMPUS 6701 Wisconsin Ave. Chevy Chase, MD 20815 HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS 9411 Connecticut Ave. Chevy Chase, MD 20895 301-652-7751 admissions@onenessfamily.org VOTED “BEST MONTESSORI SCHOOL IN THE DC-AREA” — 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 — EDUCATION GUIDE Ballston Quarter and Dulles Town Center, children as young as three learn to measure, mix, and roll, while tweens and teens learn to reference recipes, ingredient identification, and proper measuring techniques. In every class they’ll work with our professional chef to learn true culinary techniques: knife skills, sautéing, grilling, boiling, braising, baking and more, all while exploring new world cuisines, healthy menus, and seasonal dishes, vegetable cookery, pasta making and even gluten-free baking as they make sophisticated, delicious dishes! ENCORE STAGE & STUDIO encorestage.org; info@encorestage.org 703-548-1154 4000 Lorcom Lane, Arlington, Va. Encore offers learning opportunities for students in K-12. Our after-school programs and year-round classes help students develop creativity and self-confidence. They are targeted to all levels of experience, from introductory to advanced. Course offerings for grades 8-12 include topics in acting, movement, music and playwriting for bilingual/ESOL students. Encore can also work with you to customize a class based on your school’s needs or help direct or produce your school’s play or musical. HARMONIA SCHOOL OF MUSIC AND ART harmoniaschool.org harmonia@harmoniaschool.org 703-938-7301 204-F Mill St. N.E, Vienna, Va. Hours: 12-8:30 p.m. (Monday-Friday) 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (Saturday) Harmonia provides music lessons in all instruments and voice, as well as musical theater instruction and productions. Our quality programs and experienced teachers make our school the best choice for performing arts education, all under one roof. INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF MUSIC ismw.org; info@ismw.org 301-365-5888 10450 Auto Park Ave. Bethesda, Md. 4701 Sangamore Road,. #LL-03 Bethesda, Md. Hours: Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Voted best in music instruction, the International School of Music offer music lessons in all instruments and voice to students of all levels and ages. Preschool music classes and adult music instructions is also available in addition to the optional performances and certificate programs. Book your trial lessons today. KIDS FIRST SWIM SCHOOLS kidsfirstswimschools.com contact@kidsfirstswimschools.com Check website for list of all locations. The Kids First Swim Schools are America’s largest provider of year round warm water swimming instruction, operating 20 locations across 5 states, teaching over 100,000 students annually. 14 SUNSET HILLS MONTESSORI sunsethillsmontessori.com 703-476-7477 11180 Ridge Heights Road, Reston, Va. Hours: 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m. At SHMS we are committed to recognizing and cultivating the uniqueness of each individual child. We have a community of educators, and wonderful families, that have chosen SHMS because of a shared vision for early childhood and elementary education. INDOOR SWIMMING KIDS FIRST SWIM SCHOOLS kidsfirstswimschools.com contact@kidsfirstswimschools.com Check website for list of all locations. The Kids First Swim Schools are America’s largest provider of year round warm water swimming instruction, operating 20 locations across 5 states, teaching over 100,000 students annually. MUSIC, ART & PERFORMING ARTS CHANSON MUSIC STUDIOS Chansonmusic.com Inquiry@chansonmusic.com Chanson Music Studios offers quality in-home privates lessons in piano and violin. By sending our teachers to student homes, we hope to build a bridge between music lovers and professional musicians.  Lessons are offered in English, Russian and Mandarin. COMMOTION DANCE STUDIO 13097 Wisteria Drive, L1 Germantown, Md. commotiondance.com info@commotiondance.com 301-515-8908 Be encouraged, engaged, excellent! CoMMotion is more than a dance studio, it’s a place where you learn life-long lessons, of integrity, patience, leadership and achievement. Intro classes, Free Uniform, Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Poms. HARMONIA SCHOOL OF MUSIC AND ART harmoniaschool.org harmonia@harmoniaschool.org 703-938-7301 204-F Mill St. N.E., Vienna, Va. Hours: Monday-Friday 12-8:30 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Harmonia provides music lessons in all instruments and voice, as well as musical theater instruction and productions. Our quality programs and experienced teachers make our school the best choice for performing arts education, all under one roof. INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF MUSIC ismw.org; info@ismw.org 301-365-5888 10450 Auto Park Ave., Bethesda, Md. 4701 Sangamore Road, #LL-03 Bethesda, Md. Hours: Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Voted best in music instruction, the International School of Music offer music WashingtonFAMILY SEPTEMBER 2019 lessons in all instruments and voice to students of all levels and ages. Preschool music classes and adult music instructions is also available in addition to the optional performances and certificate programs. Book your trial lessons today. PERFECT POINTE DANCE STUDIO perfectpointe.com/arlington arlington@perfectpointe.com 703-533-8830 2499 N. Harrison St., Ste. 1-LL, Arlington, Va. Offering classes in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, modern, musical theater, dance and acrobatics for ages 18 months through adult! Qualified and caring staff, family-friendly atmosphere, fun performance opportunities. PERFECT POINTE MUSIC & DANCE STUDIO perfectpointe.com/springfield springfield@perfectpointe.com 703-440-9000 8060 Rolling Road, Springfield, Va. Offering classes in ballet, tap, jazz, hiphop, modern, acrobatics, contemporary & musical theater dance styles. Private music lessons include guitar, ukulele, violin/viola, drums, voice and more! Highly qualified staff, family- friendly atmosphere and fun performance opportunities. WESTMINSTER SCHOOL westminsterschool.com admissions@westminsterschool.com 703-256-3620 K-8 3819 Gallows Road, Annandale, Va. Preschool (3 and 4-year-olds): 6800 Columbia Pike, Annandale, Va. Hours 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Westminster School provides a unique Preschool-Middle School education based on a classical curriculum; accelerated academics enhanced by the arts; and an emphasis on personal responsibility and good character. Students enjoy small classes taught by teachers who specialize in their field. PRIVATE SCHOOLS & PRESCHOOLS AIDAN MONTESSORI SCHOOL aidanschool.org 202-387-2700 2700 27th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. Aidan Montessori School is a co-ed independent school located in Woodley Park. Aidan has served children’s natural development, innate curiosity, and pursuit of independence since its founding as one of the nation’s first Montessori schools in 1961. THE AUBURN SCHOOL theauburnschool.org admissions@theauburnschool.org 703-793-9353, 301-588-8048 3800 Concorde Pkwy., Ste. 500 Chantilly, Va. 9115 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, Md. 7401 Park Heights Ave., Baltimore, Md. Open House: Call to schedule a tour. The Auburn School is an independent day- school with a specialized program which offers a stimulating educational program for intellectually engaged students with challenges in the areas of communication, socialization, language, and organization. Auburn’s program simultaneously supports the development of academic skills, social competency and pragmatic language in an engaging educational environment. Our program is appropriate for students who can learn successfully and appropriately in a small classroom setting. BARRIE SCHOOL barrie.org; admission@barrie.org 301-576-2800 13500 Layhill Road, Silver Spring, Md. Barrie School inspires intellectual curiosity, emotional resiliency, and social engagement for students age 18 months to Grade 12. Students from 18-month old Toddlers through Grade 5 Upper Elementary are taught using the Montessori Method, a child-centered educational approach. Students in Grades 6-12 engage in Project Based Learning, a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an authentic, engaging and complex question, problem, or challenge. All students enjoy small class sizes and make use of our 45- acre wooded campus on a daily basis. Barrie is located in Silver Spring, Maryland, minutes from the ICC and Glenmont Metro. Our close proximity to downtown Washington, D.C. enables students to take full advantage of the cultural and educational resources available in the area. BEANTREE ASHBURN CAMPUS beantreelearning.com; 571-223-3110 43629 Greenway Corporate Drive Ashburn, Va. Open House: Call to schedule a tour. BeanTree Learning in Ashburn provides unparalleled care and nurturing for infants through PreK. Led by a team of experienced and caring educators, BeanTree provides children with a safe and stimulating environment for academic success and provides parents with peace of mind. Year-round enrollment available for fully- accredited academic and specialty programs. BEANTREE WESTFIELDS CAMPUS beantreelearning.com 703-961-8222 5003 Westfields Blvd., Chantilly, Va. Open House: Call to schedule a tour. Fully accredited, discover the BeanTree difference at our Westfields/ Chantilly Campus! Offering unprecedented educational offerings for your child in every stage of academic development, BeanTree offers infant care through full-day private kindergarten, before/after school and summer camp. Year-round enrollment for full and part-time academic and specialty programs. BEAUVOIR, THE NATIONAL CATHEDRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL beauvoirschool.org 202-537-6493 3500 Woodley Road, N.W. Washington, D.C. Open House: Thursday, Oct. 18th 9:15-11 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 11th, 1-3 p.m. Investing in the early years of learning. Building a foundation for their future. EXPLORERS WANTED. Advanced, Research-Based Curriculum for: Passionate Learners Creative Problem-Solvers Collaborators Engaged Citizens ATTEND AN OPEN HOUSE Tuesday, October 29 at 9AM Schedule a Tour: 703-533-1064 Preschool - Grade 8 Co-ed, Independent School in Falls Church • Contact us about our Infant and Toddler Program Autism is treatable. Early intervention is critical. www.littleleaves.org 202-420-8359 info@littleleaves.org en Op ! w ay N c o tod i in nfo C s l e i or u B d e r m  Li l ll fo Ca WashingtonFAMILY.com 15 EDUCATION GUIDE Beauvoir provides an educational environment fostering a lifetime of enthusiasm for learning and growth while nurturing the spiritual, ethical, intellectual, emotional, physical and social development of every child. 703-759-5100 22870 Pacific Blvd., Dulles, Va. Ages: K-12th Grade Fairfax Christian School is an independent, university-preparatory school. Call today for your private tour and educational consultation. BROOKSFIELD SCHOOL brooksfieldschool.org sarah@brooksfieldschool.org 703-356-5437 1830 Kirby Road, McLean, Va. Ages Served: 3-10 Open House: Call to schedule a tour. Mindfulness, nutrition, Spanish, dance, music & art, outdoor adventure program, extracurricular activities and summer camp. FEYNMAN SCHOOL feynmanschool.org admissions@feynmanschool.org 301-770-4211 11810 Falls Road, Potomac, Md. Grades: Preschool-Grade 5 Open House: Call to schedule a tour. The area’s leader in educating academically- gifted children, Feynman School features extraordinary programs in science, math, language arts, theater and music designed to maximize your child’s potential. CONGRESSIONAL SCHOOL congressionalschool.org gherbst@congressionalschool.org 703-533-1064 3229 Sleepy Hollow Road, Falls Church, Va. A co-ed independent day school for infants to eighth graders in Falls Church, Va.. Congressional School prepares young learners for future success, inspiring them to question, collaborate, create, and lead. FAIRFAX CHRISTIAN SCHOOL fairfaxchristianschool.com admissions@studyfcs.com 16 WashingtonFAMILY GLENBROOK COOPERATIVE NURSERY SCHOOL glenbrookschool.org membership@glenbrookschool.org 301-365-3190; 10010 Fernwood Road Bethesda, Md. Hours: 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. At Glenbrook, we nurture our children in the early, formative years so they can define themselves as individuals. We strive for this through spontaneous play in a controlled and time structured environment. We believe that children can feel secure only when they SEPTEMBER 2019 understand and trust a set of limits. Their imagination, curiosity, and interests need time to wander, expand, and develop within these limits. Cooperative nursery schools are administered and maintained by the parents, allowing everyone to grow and learn together. The special nature of Glenbrook is the close working relationship between parents and teachers. Our approach builds a sense of community and togetherness for parents and children. GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI guidepostmontessori.com/ northern-virginia 866-202-8593 24328 Marrwood Drive, Aldie, Va.. 42945 Waxpool Road, Ashburn, Va.. 4550 Walney Road, Chantilly, Va. 13251 Woodland Park Road, Herndon, Va. Ages: Infant to elementary Guidepost Montessori in Loudoun and Fairfax counties is among a growing, worldwide network of schools that offer language immersion for ages infant through elementary. MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF CEDAR LANE preschoolmontessori.com info@cedarlanemontessori.com 703-560-4379 3035 Cedar Lane, Fairfax, Va. Open House: Call to schedule a tour. Montessori School of Cedar Lane has been providing over 40 years of Montessori tradition to Northern Virginia. We offer a complete educational and social environment and utilize the discoveries and methods of Dr. Montessori to help the child develop more fully the potential within him. MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF MCLEAN mcleanmontessori.org 703-790-1049 1711 Kirby Road, McLean, Va. Ages: 2 ½-12 Open House: Call to schedule a tour. Preschool and elementary classes. Spanish, French, science, drama, music, P.E., computer, art, summer school, transportation available. NYSMITH SCHOOL FOR THE GIFTED nysmith.com; ebalberde@nysmith.com 703-713-3332 13625 EDS Drive, Herndon, Va. Ages Served: 3 yrs.-8th Grade Hours: 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Open House: Call to schedule a tour. The award winning Nysmith School for the Gifted is committed to making school fun. We nurture your student’s love of learning and help your child learn to their potential. Our 1:9 ratio allows us to differentiate the academic program up to 4 grade levels above grade. MUSIC LESSONS Suzuki Programs for Violin & Cello THE ADVENTURE STARTS HERE! Our year-round programming helps your swimmer build on the skills they developed during the summer. Enroll for fall lessons and try us out for FREE! SwimLabs Swim School – Montgomery County 353 Muddy Branch Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20878 (240) 449-4900 | swimlabs.com All Ages & Levels All Instruments & Voice REGISTERING NOW for 2019-20! MUSICAL THEATER Musical Theater & Acting Classes ages 5-7 & 8-14 RISING STARS! 101 Dalmatians ages 8-12 FALL MAIN STAGE BRING IT ON! Register now & get the audition time ages 10+ www.harmoniaschool.org 703-938-7301 Vienna, VA A Progressive Independent School & Learning Community School Admission Events LOWER SCHOOL 2 019 W IN N Discover Montessori 12 months - Grade 5 ER Saturday, Oct. 19 at 10 am j MIDDLE & UPPER SCHOOL The Power of Project-Based Learning Grades 6-12 Sunday, Oct. 27 at 1 pm RSVP Today! admission@barrie.org 301-576-2800 barrie.org 13500 Layhill Road • Silver Spring, MD Minutes from the ICC & Glenmont Metro Bus Transportation & Extended Day Available Washington FAMILY The Area’s Leader in STEM Education Thank you for voting Feynman School as a Best for Families Winner for Best STEM Program for the 2nd consecutive year. Email us for a private tour. admissions@feynmanschool.org 301.770.4370 Preschool-8th Grade www.feynmanschool.org WashingtonFAMILY.com 17 Classes • Birthday Parties • Open Gym • Competitive Team • Camps It’s Not Just Gymnastics, It’s Gymtastic! REGISTER NOW! NO SCHOOL! DAY CAMP • CLASSES FOR ALL AGES ONLINE AT WWW.GOSILVERSTARS.COM *FREE Little Stars trial for new students *weekdays only Two Great Locations! 2701 Pittman Drive Silver Spring, MD 301-589-0938 14201 Woodcliff Court Bowie, MD 301-352-5777 9100 Gaither Rd. Gaithersburg, MD 240-224-7766 ag.com www.castlelasert Arca Rope de & s at Ga Course ithers Locati burg on! Check out our other location! 14201 Woodcliff Ct, Bowie, MD 301-352-8413 PINECREST SCHOOL pinecrestschool.org admissions@pinecrestschool.org 703-354-3446 Ages: 3-12 7209 Quiet Cove, Alexandria, Va. Hours: 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Open House: November 11, 9:30-11:30 a.m. January 12, 1-3 p.m. February 9, 1-3 p.m. April 19, 1-3 p.m. Pinecrest School is a fully accredited progressive school offering small class sizes, hands on curriculum, individualized approach, and a focus on a balance of academics and social and emotional well being. Offers preschool-6th, summer camp and before/ after care. WESTMINSTER SCHOOL westminsterschool.com admissions@westminsterschool.com 703-256-3620 Grades: K-8 3819 Gallows Road, Annandale, Va. Preschool (3 and 4-year-olds): 6800 Columbia Pike, Annandale, Va. Hours 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Open House Dates: Oct. 17th 6-7:30 p.m. Nov. 12th & Jan. 15th 9-10:30 a.m. Westminster School provides a unique Preschool-Middle School education based on a classical curriculum; accelerated academics enhanced by the arts; and an emphasis on personal responsibility and good character. Students enjoy small classes taught by teachers who specialize in their field. RESTON MONTESSORI SCHOOL restonmontessori.com office@restonmontessori.com 703-481-2922 1928 Isaac Newton Sq. West, Reston, Va. Hours: 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Open House: Call to schedule a tour. Established in 1986, Reston Montessori School is a private, coeducational school for children from 3 months through 6th grade. RMS provides academic school day, enrichment programs and before/ after school activities. SPORTS & FITNESS THE JOURNEY SCHOOL P.O. Box 424 2430 Spencerville Road Spencerville, MD thejourneyschool.net cthomas@thejourneyschool.net 240-324-6160 Ages: 6-14 Open House Dates: Call for a tour today! THE SIENA SCHOOL thesienaschool.org info@thesiennaschool.org 301-244-3600 1300 Forest Glen Road, Silver Spring, Md. Open House: Call to schedule a tour. The Siena School provides highly individualized, research-based, multisensory instruction and curriculum-related field trips. Our students develop critical thinking skills and acquire the tools and strategies needed to become successful and independent learners, prepared for college. KIDS FIRST SWIM SCHOOLS kidsfirstswimschools.com contact@kidsfirstswimschools.com Check website for list of all locations. The Kids First Swim Schools are America’s largest provider of year round warm water swimming instruction, operating 20 locations across 5 states, teaching over 100,000 students annually. SKATEQUEST skatequest.com; info@skatequest.com 703-709-1010 1800 Michael Faraday Ct., Reston, Va. Hours: 8 a.m.-9 p.m. SkateQuest is a twin sheet indoor ice skating center in Reston, with full service pro shop, café, and party rooms. Open year round, SkateQuest has been home to recreational skaters, figure skaters, and hockey players since 1993. TUTORING, THERAPY & SPECIAL NEEDS LITTLE LEAVES BEHAVIORAL SERVICES littleleaves.org; info@littleleaves.org 202-420-8359 9727 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, Md. 11480 Sunset Hills Road, Ste. 220W Reston, Va. Little Leaves is dedicated to helping people with social, communication, and behavioral challenges grow and succeed so that they can participate as fully as possible SPRING BILINGUAL MONTESSORI ACADEMY in their families and communities. Using evidenced-based practices based on the spring-bilingual.org • 301-962-7262 principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), 3514 Plyers Mill Road, Kensington, Md. our professionals partner with each family Ages: 2-6; Hours: 7:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. to develop and implement an individualized Montessori preschool with Foreign therapeutic plan. We also help families Language programs. coordinate the logistics of therapy so that SUNSET HILLS MONTESSORI they can focus their time on what really sunsethillsmontessori.com matters – caring for their children. Our team 703-476-7477 is staff by professionals who are passionate 11180 Ridge Heights Road, Reston, Va. about working with children. Our program Hours: 7 am - 6:30 pm is supervised by master’s and doctoral level At SHMS we are committed to recognizing Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and cultivating the uniqueness of each and delivered by highly-trained therapists. individual child. We have a community of We believe that our children’s families and educators, and wonderful families, that have caregivers are integral members of the chosen SHMS because of a shared vision for treatment team and we treat them that way. early childhood and elementary education. We serve the DC-NoVa- Baltimore area. ■ 18 WashingtonFAMILY SEPTEMBER 2019 THE THE WORLD’S WORLD’S LARGEST LARGEST PROVIDER PROVIDER OF OF EDUCATION GUIDE CHILDREN’S C CHILDREN H H I I L L D D R R E E N N S S SWIMMING S SWI W W I I M M M MING I I N N G G INSTRUCTION I I INSTRUCTION NS CHILDREN’S SWIMMING C CHILDREN S SWI M MING NS S S T T R R U U C C T T ION ION N N GIVE GIVE THE THE GIFT GIFT THAT THAT WILL WILL LAST A LIFETIME! LAST A LIFETIME! Teach Teach a a child child to to swim swim at at KID’S FIRST KID’S FIRST Swim Swim Schools! Schools! Celebrate HAPPINESS// CHALLENGE// Unique Minds Encourage CURIOSITY// Pleas Imme e diate Return Proof by Fax to 703-318-5509 l y or Email to Production@theFAMILYmagazine.com $10 OFF V V is is it o f f a a c c e it b o o o u u r r p p a g e e b o o k k a a li li s a t g o e f f f o o r r s lo lo c c a t t o io f n o o u u r r atio n s s Now Enrolling! Campuses in Fairfax VA, Silver Spring MD and Baltimore MD ▪ www.theauburnschool.org ▪ A school for academic and social success! We We Offer: Offer: • • Group Group or or Private Private instruction instruction • • Mommy & Mommy & Me Me Classes Classes • • Developmental Developmental Swim Swim Team Team • • Homeschoolers Programs Homeschoolers Programs • • Birthday Birthday Parties Parties Register Now for Spring Session Classes! Summer Camps and Classes coming soon! Check One: ❏ Okay As Is Approved by: NEW NEW CUSTOMERS CUSTOMERS ONLY ONLY TO RECEIVE TO RECEIVE DISCOUNT DISCOUNT PRESENT PRESENT COUPON COUPON AT AT REGISTRATION. REGISTRATION. formerly HeartBeats Music & Dance _________________ M Bowie: 443-755-0111 301-262-SWIM Columbia: Columbia: 443-755-0111 A Columbia: 443-755-0111 Rockville: 301-217-5910 R Rockville: 301-217-5910 Germantown: 301-540-SWIM Germantown: 301-540-SWIM Y Germantown: 301-540-SWIM 301-725-SWIM Chantilly, 703-488-9800 L Laurel: VA: Chantilly, VA: 703-488-9800 301-984-SWIM A North Bethesda: Waldorf: 301-638-SWIM Waldorf: 301-638-SWIM N Rockville: 301-217-5910 ❏ Needs Changes (Mark changes on ad) Falls Church: 703-534-SWIM Falls D Waldorf: Church: 301-638-SWIM 703-534-SWIM Date Sent: V Chantilly: 703-488-9800 Bowie: 301-262-SWIM 301-262-SWIM I Bowie: Falls Church: 703-534-SWIM VA: 703-444-9673 R Sterling, Sterling, VA: 703-444-9673 Manassas: 703-392-SWIM Manassas: G Manassas: 703-392-SWIM 703-392-SWIM Midlothian: 804-744-6513 MD: 301-725-SWIM I Laurel, Laurel, MD: 703-321-SWIM 301-725-SWIM Springfield: N North North Bethesda: Bethesda: 301-984-SWIM 301-984-SWIM I Sterling: 703-444-9673 A ________________ Company: Pinecrest To: School Inja Stanic International School of Music N U R T U R I N G C U R I O S I T Y, CO N F I D E N C E, A N D A L O V E O F L E A R N I N G S I N C E 1957 Fax/Email: • Preschool Age 3 - Grade 6 info@ismw.org • Before-Care & After-Care • Summer, Phone: Winter & Spring Camps • Diff erentiated Instruction 240-418-9063 • Small Classes • Challenging Academics Section: • Positive Social & Emotional Enrichment Development Annandale, Virginia AE: 703.354.3446 • pinecrestschool.org House D A N C E. L E A R N. S H I N E. BALLET, HIP-HOP, JAZZ/TAP & MORE! If proof is not returned Professional Instruction by this deadline Free Leotard with advertisement will Registration run as shown. Children & Adult Classes 301-515-8908 Washington FAMILY info@commotiondance.com Magazine is not commotiondance.com responsible for errors or changes not CLEARLY REGISTER NOW! marked or ads not returned by this deadline. If changes are submitted more than three times, Infants to Pre-Kindergarten EST. 1989 FAMILIES SCHOOL GROUPS SCOUTS BIRTHDAYS 7300 MacArthur Blvd Glen Echo, MD 20812 301-955-6256 www.friendshipchildren.org For Enrollment Information Call 202-244-5115 F RIENDSHIP C HILDREN’S C ENTER OPEN: Saturdays 9-5 Sundays 12-5 is Mention th t a ad and ge ! FREE GIFT (Weekdays by request) glenechopark.org/aquarium WashingtonFAMILY.com 19 The Center for Ballet Arts Register Now For Fall Ballet . Pointe . Modern . Jazz Tap . Pilates . Kinderballet Ages 3 thru Adults 3955 Pender Drive, Suite 105 Fairfax, VA 22030 • 703.273.5344 • thecenterballetarts.com Register Now for Spring Session, Summer Camps, and Summer Classes - Don't Miss Out! Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center Celebrating Over 20 Years! SEEC Family Workshops Preschool & Kindergarten 10% OFF IN-HOME PIANO & VIOLIN LESSONS Enroll NOW to receive discount. Visit chansonmusic.com 20 ALL THE RIGHT RESOURCES … AT YOUR FINGERTIPS! Student Showcases After School Programs Teacher Workdays Summer & Spring Break Camps Birthday Parties SEECstories.com WashingtonFamily.com/guides/ Back-to-School • Education Theater & Arts •Party Extravaganza Private Schools •Special Kids Welcome to Washington Baby & Maternity •Camps Dentist & Orthodontist •Entertainment Indoor Play •Preschool & Child Care Private School Open House Spring Break Camps/Holiday Camps Tutoring, Therapy & Special Needs Virtual Camp Fair A parent’s resource for Education, Special Needs, Party Planning, Arts, Music and Sports Programs … and more! Family Workshops www.AFYP.org www.MasonAcademy.org WashingtonFAMILY SEPTEMBER 2019 SEEC_WashParent_EighthPage_Ad_F2 — ADVERTORIAL — The Joy of Learning Music INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF MUSIC A place where playing an instrument and fun go hand-in-hand PHOTO COURTESY OF INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF MUSIC As kids, we often dream of becoming rock stars, playing the air guitar or drumming on any hard surface we can find. And let’s be honest, many of us do this into adulthood. If you’re interested in living out your musical fantasies, The International School of Music can take you from air guitar to guitar hero! Celebrating its 15th year in business, the International School of Music is one of the largest private music schools in the D.C. area, with two locations in Bethesda and Potomac, and a student body of more than 1,600 students. Its robust, professionally trained fac- ulty is revered not just for their extensive teaching and performing experience, but also for their ability to connect with stu- dents and make lessons engaging and fun. ISM’s gifted faculty fosters a positive and successful learning environment through custom-tailored instruction designed to meet each student’s individual learning needs and musical goals. “Our teachers focus on songs that stu- dents like and enjoy, so students can learn note reading and technique through fun,” says Inja Stanic, the school’s CEO and Founder. “Parents are always excited to see the progress their kids make and how much fun the kids are having at our school.” The school’s instructors and admin- istration work hard to create a holistic, well-rounded musical experience for all students. Lessons are not just fun and engaging, but are also structured to help students improve their musicianship through the Musical Ladder System ® . With this exciting and educational cur- riculum tool, students develop effective practice habits and achieve important milestones. Students can earn rewards like colored wristbands, trophies and certificates based on their progression. As one ISM mom says, “In addition to the individualized approach and commu- nication aspect, I love the accountability of the Musical Ladder System ® . As moms, we International School of Music Fiddle Band often feel like a broken record, saying, ‘You need to practice!’ and ‘Have you worked on your scales?’ among other things. Sadly, kids can get into a rut with wanting to prac- tice if they feel like it’s not fun or there’s no carrot at the end of the stick. But the Musi- cal Ladder System ® is so much more than a carrot at the end of the stick. It’s a tan- gible goal and reward for hard work. What 3rd-grader doesn’t love a cool wristband, trophy and a certificate?” ISM students, ranging in age from four years to adults, come from every stage of life and musical experience. The school offers a wide array of instrument lesson choices, including piano, guitar, voice, viola, violin, drums, bass, cello, flute, saxophone, guitar, trumpet, trombone, horn, ukulele and more. Students can decide what genres they are interested in exploring, be it rock, pop, jazz, country, blues or classical. ISM’s Early Childhood Music Program includes special classes for toddlers and preschool- ers that introduce them to music through play, song, dance and games. Additionally, students may participate in ensembles such as fiddle band, flute choir, guitar ensemble, piano trio, string quartet and more, which allow students to learn how to collaborate with other musicians. There are many exciting performance opportunities throughout the year that reinforce goal-minded practice and provide students with valuable skills necessary to perform. From school recit- als where students can perform for their friends and family, to prestigious perfor- mances at Carnegie Hall, Strathmore Hall and the Kennedy Center, ISM’s recitals allow students to grow and shine! For stu- dents who seek even more performance opportunities, ISM’s Student Ambassa- dor Program extends learning beyond the school’s walls for students to share music with the community. “One of my overriding beliefs has always been that everybody can bene- fit from music lessons,” Ms. Stanic says. “Music can make such a big difference in your life. It can enrich your life, even if you are not a virtuoso. I love seeing stu- dents come in and accomplish things and build their self-confidence to the point where they’re able to jam with their friends. Studying music teaches students the life skills that they need: perseverance, teamwork, communication skills, respect, sensitivity, listening to others, hard work and much more.” ■ Interested in starting your musical journey? If so, the International School of Music has a class for you. The award winning music school, with two locations serves over 1,600 students of all ages in Montgomery County. To learn more about the International School of Music, visit ismw.org, email us at info@ismw.org or call 301-365-5888 to schedule a tour. WashingtonFAMILY.com 21 Classroom Stars WA S H I N G T O N FA M I LY R E C O G N I Z E S 5 TEACHERS OF THE YEAR BY ADRANISHA STEPHENS IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR again to celebrate teachers, our everyday heroes. It is not an exaggeration to say that a great teacher can empower and change a student’s life, in and out of the classroom. That’s why Washington Family is honoring DMV-area teachers with our third annual Teachers of the Year issue. We asked our community readers to nominate an exemplary and influential local teacher to be recognized for this honor. After a handful of nominations, we identified five notable teachers to be featured in this issue. With an array of backgrounds and specialties, each of our winners embodies the compassion, selflessness and dedication that make for a great educator. We are excited to share their journeys with you. Meet our Teachers of the Year. the role of assistant headmaster in 2016. In this role, she is not only able to continue teaching, but also to educate the faculty at Immanuel through on-going pedagogy sessions for all teachers throughout the year. Her love for teaching and learning is demonstrated in the classroom and her work, guiding and mentoring other teachers as they grow in their roles as well.” Katherine Katherine Kramer ASS I TA N T H E A D M AST E R A N D 8 T H - G R A D E T E AC H E R AT IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL IN ALEX ANDRIA , VA “She inspires and challenges students to not only explore but genuinely grow in their love for the true, good and beautiful in the world, and her door is always open.” “Delightful. Witty. An incredible story- teller. Compassionate. Caring. Dedicated. Nurturing. Engaged. These are just a few of the adjectives that spring to mind when thinking about how best to describe Ms. Katherine Kramer.” What originally got you interested in teaching? Both of my parents are very capa- ble and inspiring teachers, so I’ve been blessed with outstanding lifelong mod- els. While neither teaches in a K-12 classroom, they educated my brother and me, and still are continually educat- ing and mentoring others. As a literature major in college, my pedagogy professor’s excitement, curiosity and deep com- passion ignited my desire to teach and ultimately led me to switch majors and prepare for the fi eld of education. “She has taught at ILS for nine years, first teaching 2nd grade, and later moving into a position in the Upper School before assuming Why do you think teachers are essential? Well, fi rst of all, I’d say that we’re not nearly as infl uential as parents are in a 9-year teaching veteran Nominated by Whitney Work: 22 Washington FAMILY SEPTEMBER 2019 child’s life. Parents are the fi rst teach- ers of their children, but teachers are important precisely because we help parents nurture, train and educate their children. It’s a role that requires both authority and humility. I look at my col- leagues every day and am amazed at the constant little vignettes of their aff ec- tion and guidance that shape a child’s outlook, community, discipline, sense of belonging, knowledge and virtues. What is the single best piece of advice you can give parents? Ask for forgiveness when you should and freely give it when they need to be forgiven. Also, please limit their use of phones, video games and social media. How can parents and teachers work together to empower and engage children? By communicating. By spending time together. By being in a relationship together. It’s simple but challenging and rewarding. If I weren’t teaching, I’d be … That’s impossible to say because this is my dream job. There is no other job I’d fi nd more appealing, although I wouldn’t mind a sabbatical year to try writing children’s fi ction. Bridgette Simpson to think and problem solve. I feel like I was born to be a teacher. 5 T H - G R A D E T E AC H E R AT K E E N E M I L L E L E M E N TA RY S C H O O L I N SPRINGFIELD, VA Why do you think teachers are essential? Teachers have the opportunity to make a diff erence in individual students, but also to a society in general. We can help our students develop the knowledge, critical thinking skills and love of learning that are so crucial to the advancement of an innovative and successful society. A sin- gle teacher can make a diff erence in the lives of their students that is carried on for years. It’s a huge responsibility, but one that all teachers can be proud of. Nominated by Alan Simpson: “She is a teacher who has taken advantage of modern class seating and structure. Firm but fair. She has consistent upward trending testing and also grades that show massive improvement from day one to the end of the year. She keeps kids engaged and uses their interests to guide them in a Blue Ribbon school. She is my wife, but a long- time veteran of school systems who knows how to bring the learning. She has awesome relations with fellow teachers and parents, all while raising a family.” What initially got you interested in teaching? I come from a family of teachers. My grandfather was a teacher and principal, my father was a teacher and college pro- fessor, and I have numerous aunts, uncles and cousins who are also teachers. So, valuing education is something that has been instilled in me from a very young age. I love sharing knowledge and helping others develop their creativity and ability What is the single best piece of advice you can give parents? Let your kids be kids. Support them and encourage them to be good students, but remember that physical, social and emotional development is just as import- ant. Children need to be allowed to develop into well-rounded, confi dent, kind, creative citizens. Also, teaching is a team eff ort that relies on positive par- ent-teacher connections. When we work together, we are so much more use- ful than if we are working against one another. Healthy parent-teacher rela- tionships are a crucial part of developing successful students. Bridgette “I come from a family of teachers. So, valuing education is something that has been instilled in me from a very young age.” BRIDGETTE SIMPSON TOP: ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS/VIROJT WashingtonFAMILY.com 23 Danielle What’s your funniest teaching moment? I had the unusual opportunity to teach my own daughter’s math class in 4th grade. She’s a great student but had struggled to always complete her work on time. It never made sense to me knowing what I knew about her at home. One day when I was giving notes to the class, I looked over and saw that she was writing each word in a diff erent color, making a rainbow page of notes. The diffi culty in completing assign- ments suddenly made sense. I laughed about it, then quickly helped her make a change to her notetaking skills. How can parents and teachers work together to empower and engage children? First, teachers and parents both need to assume good intentions. We may have diff erent ideas about how to work with students, but ultimately, we all have the same goal- successful, happy, well- rounded kids. Teachers should invite parents into the classroom to volunteer and spend time with their kids, and par- ents can help by off ering support and encouraging their children at home. I send home a monthly newsletter letting parents know what we will be working on in each subject area and help parents to fi nd real-world experiences that rein- force what we are learning at school. “I believe it is in our human nature to be explorers. We have a natural desire to want to see how the world works, but sometimes we need someone or something to spark that interest.” DA N I E L L E T R OT TA Danielle Trotta 6TH THROUGH 8TH-GRADE S C I E N C E T E A C H E R AT H O LY R E D E E M E R C AT H O L I C S C H O O L IN KENSINGTON, MD 12-year teaching veteran Nominated by Kathleen Neary: “As a science teacher, Ms. Trotta keeps students engaged through hands-on assignments and brings an element of fun to the school day. But, she goes beyond that role to have an impact on so many other aspects of our community. For the arts festival at our school — two days of full immersion in the arts — she comes up with creative and engaging projects for the students, such as mandala painting on rocks, painting an aurora scene on canvas, making glitter glass jars with an LED inside and teaching hand lettering. As the leader of the astronomy club, she arranged for students to launch model rockets at the Goddard Space Center.” “This year, Ms. Trotta also began an academic competitions team. She had all of her students take a test for the National Science Bee and several of them qualified for the regional event. Ms. Trotta met students at the event (on a Saturday) and supported them as they competed. What originally got you interested in teaching? When I was in middle school, my teacher always told me that I would be a math and science teacher. I always shrugged it off , but little did I know that Mrs. Tag- garse would be right! While in college, I changed my major several times. I was planning on doing everything from volcanology to medicine. In the end, I decided to teach. It’s not the path I thought I would take, but I am so glad I did because I could not imagine doing anything else. Why do you think teachers are important? I believe it is in our human nature to be explorers. We have a natural desire to want to see how the world works, but 24 Washington FAMILY SEPTEMBER 2019 sometimes we need someone or some- thing to spark that interest. Teachers are important because they can ignite that spark and love of learning. It is my hope to be able to spark some sort of inter- est in my students that will lead them on a path to their future. Aside from that, teachers don’t just teach their students academics, we help students to become contributing members of society. We teach patience, tolerance, respect, per- severance and, above all, kindness. Our jobs are important because we have the future of the world in our classrooms. What is the single best piece of advice you can give parents? Let your children go! Middle school is a time where students aren’t just fi guring themselves out, but they are fi guring out what academic strategies work best for them! Parents defi nitely should monitor their children and help them when nec- essary, but they should let them try to fi gure out what studying, organizational and other academic strategies work for them. Students need to see that they can do it on their own! What’s your funniest teaching moment? It is so hard to pick just one moment, but one of my favorites was during my fi rst year of teaching. My 6th-grade class was fi nally all quietly working on what I had asked them to do. I looked up at them and noticed that one student had drawn a mustache on the side of his fi n- ger and was holding it up to his nose as if he had a mustache. I had to take a deep breath because I was about to burst out laughing, but not wanting to get the class off track, I simply said, “take it off .” Well, little did I know, that he had made a paper razor (he even wrote Gillette on it) and proceeded to pretend shav- ing his mustache off . I completely lost it…and lost the rest of that class period for the day! How can parents and teachers work together to empower and engage children? Parents and teachers are a team that share a common goal! We should always work together to help students achieve their goals. Trust and communica- tion are critical in order to maximize student success. If I weren’t teaching, I’d be … If I weren’t teaching, I would be out of a job! Honestly, I have no idea, I can’t picture myself doing anything else! Corey Corey Spinosi 5 T H - G R A D E T E AC H E R AT OA K V I E W E L E M E N TA RY I N FA I R FA X , VA 8-year teaching veteran Nominated by Sheila Bartley: “Mr. Spinosi is beloved by both students and parents. He is positive, kind, creative and effective. I have watched my son grow into an engaged learner within the last few months, thanks in no small part to the efforts of Mr. Spinosi. His students come to school excited to learn and listen every day.” “I just recently discovered that Mr. Spinosi was a key supporter of our school’s “Eagle’s Nest” program. In an effort to build our school community across all grades, we have breakout sessions where kids from every grade level meet up and discuss an issue or topic, led by classroom teachers and counselors. I love that Mr. Spinosi looks at the entire school community and helps facilitate change and improvement well beyond his own classroom door. He is a wonderful example to our students and a great advocate for our school community.” What originally got you interested in teaching? My passion for teaching began when I was a child. You would often fi nd me playing school with the younger kids on my street and I was the teacher. In ele- mentary school, I always volunteered to help my teachers doing whatever they asked of me. I feel my elementary school teachers were all responsible in inspiring me to become a teacher. The little things they would do in class would excite me, such as moving our desks around giving us the opportunity to become friends with everyone, passing out stickers after a spelling test, and using their special chalk to write on the chalkboard. I knew very early on that one day I would want to have my own classroom and do those little things to excite and inspire my own students the way my teachers did for me. As I progressed to high school, I was determined to become an educator later receiving my degree in elementary education and a minor in in special edu- cation from Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania. Why do you think teachers are important? Teachers have an extremely import- ant job to do. We are responsible for preparing our students for the future. Teachers do not just teach differ- ent subjects and assess them on their academic success, we are also responsi- ble for our student’s well-being, mental health, and making sure our students are kind and respectful global citizens. Teachers share many of the responsi- bilities that our parents have. We must know how to have control over 25 plus students’ behaviors at one time whilst making sure each student is feeling pos- itive about their school day and ready to learn. It can certainly be exhausting, but teachers have a special inner voice that reminds us every day that our responsibility is to effectively prepare our students for their future. successful. I demonstrate patience each day even when it gets diffi cult. It can cer- tainly be a challenge to show patience all day long, but I do my best and it pays off . I not only teach but model kindness in my classroom, as well. I teach my students to treat everyone with kindness even when you are upset with them. Lastly, showing a bit of humor in my classroom is one of the most eff ective tools in my toolbox. I want my students to laugh while learning. Humor gets children to be more attentive and actively be part of their learning. If I weren’t teaching, I’d be … Finding some way to work with children. Who wants to work with boring adults, right? Children are funny, enthusiastic, carefree, and prevent the many stressful migraines people may have in an offi ce full of adult workers. Camp counselor, sports coach, full-time caretaker…one of those might work for me! James What’s your funniest teaching moment? Funny teaching moments occur every day! I am not perfect and can easily stum- ble on my words, misspell a word on the board, call a student by the wrong name, and even fall out of my own chair. My class and I learn how to laugh at ourselves very early on in the school year. Heading into this new school year, what are you most excited for? Each school year has been completely diff erent from the previous ones. These diff erences are because of the students. I am most excited to meet my new class! My students are the ones who create the classroom each year. They design how the classroom will look, create the rules the room should follow, and allow their tiny personalities begin to grow bigger and bigger each day. The school year isn’t about data collection, collaboration meet- ings, or checking the constant emails that come through. The school year is about building connections and relationships with our students to ensure their school year is successful. I am excited to meet my future class! What are three things you use in your classroom every day and could never live without? I could never live without patience, kindness, and humor in my classroom. External objects and routines are great, but without these internal charac- ter traits, my classroom would not be James Brent 1 S T- G R A D E T E A C H E R AT T U C K A H O E E L E M E N TA RY I N A R L I N GTO N , VA 9-year teaching veteran Nominated by Cici Schultz: “Mr. Brent uses humor and wit to keep their attention. He will put on different personas, say whole sentences using only his hands, gives every child the benefit of the doubt and highly praises the ‘quiet’ kids.” What originally got you interested in teaching? When professional sports or being a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle didn’t work out, I went with the next logical occupation. I’ve always enjoyed helping young people whether it was as a volun- teer camp counselor for Arlington Parks & Rec or simply doting over my younger cousins. I was also fortunate to have many wonderful teachers while growing up in Arlington who helped for my pos- itive relationship with school. I try to WashingtonFAMILY.com 25 emulate those teachers and foster a wel- coming environment, particularly for those students who may have a negative attitude toward school. Why do you think teachers are important? Teachers are important for the lower grades because our students see us as the “keeper of knowledge”. For some students, we are the adult they see the most in their lives during the school year. We do not just educate but rather we inspire, advise, and simply listen to our students as individuals and respond to each one diff erently. What is the single best piece of advice you can give parents? Let your child be a child! They just learned to walk and talk, let them do it! What’s your funniest teaching moment? I received what I thought was a rolled-up note from a student. Upon unrolling, I quickly discovered it was a used baby wipe from her baby sister. Apparently, she had no other paper to write on at the time but thought her message needed to be shared that day. Immediately regretting her deci- sion, through tears told me “I just wanted to tell you I want to be a fi re girl!” She is now 15 and uses regular paper. How can parents and teachers work together to empower and engage children? Communicate and collaborate. It is important to understand that we both want your child to succeed and reach their full potential! Heading into this new school year, what are you most excited for? The new personalities of my students and how they dynamic will work, as well as a brand new team of fi rst-grade teachers! If I weren’t teaching, I’d be … A carpenter. ■ What are three things you use in your classroom every day and could never live without? Books – Students read every day and my library is a constant hot spot. It is awe- some in fi rst grade where many kids are learning to read and by the end of the year, many are reading to learn. “Teachers are important for the lower grades because our students see us as the ‘keeper of knowledge.’ ” Colleagues (they come in my room!) – I am constantly asking my colleagues for advice or using tricks they use to be suc- cessful. Even though I am usually the only adult in my classroom, I could not do this job alone. Sense of humor – while it is not a noun, I could not get through the day without trying to be funny. Kids really respond to someone who doesn’t take themselves too seriously. JAMES BRENT DELIGHT EVERY MEMBER OF THE FAMILY WITH TICKETS TO THESE EXCITING SHOWS LARD DOG AND THE BAND OF SHY MARIO THE MAKER MAGICIAN “BROADWAY PRINCESS PARTY” THE POP UPS HIPLET BALLERINAS “JEDI ACADEMY” “EMIL AND THE DETECTIVES” “FROSTY” 2019-2020 SEASON THE ALDEN TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW! Ticket and Information available at: www.aldentheatre.org or by calling 703-790-9223. Free Parking, Aff ordable Prices, Close to Home WWW.ALDENTHEATRE.ORG | 703-790-9223 | 1234 INGLESIDE AVE. McLEAN, VA 22101 26 Washington FAMILY SEPTEMBER 2019 THE ARTS GUIDE ACTING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE afyp.org; mary@afyp.org 703-554-4931; Fairfax, Va. Celebrating over 20 years of fun, challenging classes for ages 5 - adult taught by theater professionals. Our after-school programs, weekend & school holiday classes, summer acting camps, and more, teach skills that can be used on stage and off! THE CENTER FOR BALLET ARTS centerforballetarts.com ctrbalarts@aol.com 703-273-5344 3955 Pender Drive, Ste. 105, Fairfax, Va. The Center, now in it’s 27th year, provides quality dance training for ages 3 thru Adults. Classes are offered in Ballet, Pointe, Modern, Jazz, Tap, Pilates and Body Conditioning. Home of The Ballet Arts Ensemble of Fairfax providing performing opportunities and a fully Intensive program for Teens. CHANSON MUSIC STUDIOS chansonmusic.com inquiry@chansonmusic.com Chanson Music Studios offers quality in-home privates lessons in piano and violin. By sending our teachers to student homes, we hope to build a bridge between music lovers and professional musicians. Lessons are offered in English, Russian and Mandarin. COMMOTION DANCE STUDIO 13097 Wisteria Drive, L1 Germantown, Md. Commotiondance.com info@commotiondance.com 301-515-8908 Open House: August 17th, 9:30-12:00 Be encouraged, engaged, excellent! CoMMotion is more than a dance studio, it’s a place where you learn life-long lessons, of integrity, patience, leadership and achievement. Intro classes, Free Uniform, Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Poms. DISNEY ON ICE disneyonice.com ticketmaster.com (for tickets) EagleBank Arena, formerly Patriot Center at George Mason University Show Dates: Oct. 2-Oct. 6 ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS/CHALUK ENCORE STAGE & STUDIO encorestage.org; info@encorestage.org 703-548-1154 4000 Lorcom Ln., Arlington, Va. Ages: 0-5 Hours: 10:30-11:30 a.m. Activities: Drama Classes Join us for a morning of fun! Discover theatre at our Fall Open House for ages 0-5. See our classroom, meet our teaching artists and make new friends! HARMONIA SCHOOL OF MUSIC & ART harmoniaschool.org harmonia@harmoniaschool.org 703-938-7301; 204 F Mill St., N.E. Vienna, Va. Harmonia School offers outstanding performing arts programs. It includes instrumental and Voice lessons and early childhood classes. Our Theater department offers one of the finest Musical Theater and Acting programs that culminate in productions. The classes are offered to all ages & all levels. Taught by highly educated and experienced teachers. INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF MUSIC ismw.org; info@ismw.org 301-365-5888 11325 Seven Locks Road, Ste. 255 Potomac, Md. Ages: 4+; Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Music lessons in all instruments and voice offered to students of all ages and abilities. Optional performances and recitals available. LEVINE MUSIC levinemusic.org • Ages: All Love music? Learn to play! Our diverse and comprehensive instruction offerings are tailored to create the richest and most fulfilling experience for both students and families. All ages, levels of experience and interests! Offering early childhood music classes, individual lessons, group classes and music therapy. PERFECT POINTE DANCE STUDIO perfectpointe.com staff@perfectpointe.com 703-533-8830 2499 N. Harrison St., Ste. 1-LL, Arlington, Va. Offering classes in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, modern, musical theater, dance and acrobatics for ages 18 months through adult! Qualified and caring staff, family-friendly atmosphere, fun performance opportunities. PERFECT POINTE (FORMERLY HEARTBEATS) MUSIC & DANCE STUDIO hbeats.com; staff@hbeats.com 703-440-9000 8060 Rolling Rd., Springfield, Va. Offering classes in ballet, tap, jazz, hiphop, modern, acrobatics, contemporary & musical theater dance styles. Private music lessons include guitar, ukulele, violin/viola, drums, voice and more! Highly qualified staff, family-friendly atmosphere and fun performance opportunities. POTOMAC ARTS ACADEMY potomacacademy.org potomac@gmu.edu 703-993-9889 4260 Chain Bridge Road,, Fairfax, Va. Ages: 3 - Adult Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Tuesday & Wednesday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Fridays, 9 a.m.- 7 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Offering enrichment in the arts to community members ages 3-10! Classes, private lessons, showcases and summer programs. SCHOOL OF ROCK schoolofrock.com Vienna: vienna@schoolofrock.com 703-242-2184 LITTLE HANDS 111 Center St., South, Vienna, Va. littlehands.com; info@littlehands.com Silver Spring: 703-631-2046 silverspring@schoolofrock.com P.O. Box 3, Centreville, Va. 301-589-7625 Little Hands has been making 8634 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring, Md. music with children and their Ashburn: ashburn@schoolofrock.com families in the Washington, D.C. 703-858-0820 area since 1993. We have served 20660 Ashburn Rd., Ashburn, Va. thousands of families with music School of Rock is Music School and movement classes in private studio settings, preschools and day reimagined. Our music programs care centers. From 2000-2010 Little are designed to encourage learning in a supportive Hands was awarded “Maestro” status by Kindermusik International environment where students of all skill levels are comfortable as one of the top studio programs in the country. Check out our blog and engaged. We take the music school concept to the next level for called Music Notes for the latest information on our programs, child kids, teens and adults. There’s no place like School of Rock. development, and more. LIVE NATION livenation.com As the world’s leading live entertainment company, we are privileged to work with artists to bring their creativity to life on stages around the world. 2019 GUIDE TO THE ARTS STUDIO OF BALLET ARTS studioofballetarts.com studio@studioofballetarts.com 301-260-2626 The Studio of Ballet Arts Ltd., established in 2003, is dedicated to creating the love of dance for all ages in a caring atmosphere. Our staff encourages the development of self-confidence, poise, and a sense of purpose in each student. ■ WashingtonFAMILY.com 27 SCHOOL NOTES A+ School Year 12 Planning Tips for Student Success BY ANN DOLIN here’s that famous quote that holds true in almost every area in life: “Eighty percent of success is showing up.” For school purposes though, let’s amend it slightly: Eighty percent of school success is showing up and staying organized. It’s organization that usually makes or breaks students’ level of success in school because it’s one of those “cornerstone” hab- its that impacts almost every other area in their academic lives. Whether your child is in elementary school and just starting to get the school routine down, in middle school and figuring out how to manage an increased class work- load or in high school and getting prepared for upper-level courses and SAT’s, these 12 organizing tips below will help students of all ages start off the year strong. Before you jump in, spend a little time to think and determine what level of involvement you’re going to have with homework, grades and other aspects of their academics. 1. Set up a regular school “check-in” time First up is a common cliché in parenting: Get involved. Unfortunately, just “getting involved” in your child’s schoolwork isn’t quite the right approach, because more is not always better, and sometimes you can create an even bigger issue than you started with in the first place by being nitpicky or overbearing. So before you jump in, spend a little time to think and determine what level of involve- ment you’re going to have with homework, grades and other aspects of their academ- ics. This way you have a good idea of what you need to discuss with them before you start. Then, set up a regular meeting time with your son or daughter to talk each week about assignments, what’s going on in class, upcoming tests and any other concerns they might have. 2. Don’t nag Now that you’ve established a line of com- munication with your child, it’s extremely important to then give them the space they need to get organized and figure out how to manage their schoolwork in a way that works for them. Kids may not immediately see the benefits of staying organized, but constant reminders 28 Washington FAMILY SEPTEMBER 2019 are the last thing they want to hear. When you are helping them get organized this year, make it clear that you don’t want to nag, you just want to set them up for success. Then, because you have a regular meeting time set up to discuss school together, use that time to suggest changes, voice your concerns and make sure that they’re staying on track. 3. Set up a homework routine Making the best use of time after school can be a big struggle, especially for busy fami- lies. Your kids just finished sitting in class all day, and the last thing that they want to be thinking about is studying and homework. That’s why this is one of those times that can benefit tremendously from setting up a routine that you hold to, especially for elementary and middle school students. First, set a regular start time to help avoid the “I’ll do it later” syndrome. This could be right after school, after a 30-minute break, before dinner or right before bedtime. And consider scheduling in some downtime after school or other activities to give younger students a break. For high schoolers, it’s hard to tell them exactly when they have to start, but using one of those “blocks” as a general rule can help curb the late-night stress of realizing it’s time for bed and their homework isn’t done. 4. Keep homework contained (but mobile) Another problem that crops up during home- work time is the seeming explosion of papers and books and binders all across the house. Some studies are now showing that kids are more productive when they vary where they do their homework. But that being said, it can be hard to stay organized when they’re constantly shifting spots. So first off, make sure you’ve designated at least three spots that homework can be completed and try to stick to them. This will help eliminate some of the clutter if you have a space cleared off already. Then, for younger students, you can try putting together a mobile organizer for all their school supplies that they can take with them from spot to spot. For older students, ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS/KERKEZ T SCHOOL NOTES you can try helping set up their backpack so that it permanently holds all of the supplies they’ll need to do their homework regularly at any point during their day. 5. Get everything ready the night before A lot of energy during the school week is spent during the mornings, making sure that everybody is ready to go and out the door on time. But a truly productive morning starts the night before. A great way to stay organized is to do things like making lunches or packing back- packs the night before, making sure that all assignments are in there and ready to go. You can even put it all together into a basket or in a specific spot next to the door each time. Additionally, you can have your kids set aside outfits for the next day. Say hello to less stressful school mornings. ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS/STUDIO LIGHT AND SHADE 6. Improve the sleep schedule A big part of staying organized is having enough focus during the day to remember assignments and have the ability to sit down without distraction and study or do home- work on time. And probably the number one contributing factor to that is getting enough sleep at night. Making sure your child is getting to bed at the same time consistently will help improve their level of focus throughout the day. A great way to do this is to set an electronics curfew and enforce an hour of quiet time before bed for winding down. This may not be a popular decision, especially if you have kids who are older and in high school, but they’ll thank you when they’re not dragging when they get out of bed the next morning. 7. Use color-coding A great way to make organization fun, espe- cially for younger kids, is to use color-coding. Now that’s not to say it can’t be helpful for older students as well, because some research does show that it can help with visual mem- ory. But, figuring out how to get your kids engaged in the organizing process can be difficult, and this is one way to let them have some say over how they want to do it. You can have them organize their note- books and binders by color (e.g. math is green, science is red, etc.) or even go as far as using specific colored pens and pencils for either different types of assignments or different subjects. And let’s face it, who doesn’t love going to Target or Walmart to pick out some new stuff? 8. Label and organize binders and notebooks Once you have some initial color coding in place, you can further organize all of your notebooks and binders by adding in some labeling. Not only can you have a binder for a specific subject or subjects but you can also designate certain sections within them for notes, homework assignments, study materials for tests, etc. You can also create labels for things like papers that need to be signed and returned to the teacher, returned assignments that are already graded and any longer-term homework or projects that aren’t due right away. Again, this is a great way to get your child engaged in the process by allowing them to figure out what organization method works best and to run with it. So put out the sug- gestion, and then let them determine how to get it implemented. Encourage your child to fill it out with what homework is due, what tests are coming up, projects or after-school activities and any- thing else that’s important to remember each day. Once it’s down on paper, it’s going to be easier for your son or daughter to figure out how to schedule time to complete their assignments based on when they’re due and their importance. 12. Create a calendar for extracurricular activities Finally, creating a calendar for extracurricu- lar activities is a great way to get the entire family on the same page. Getting everyone’s after-school schedules on a calendar that the whole family can see will help everyone stay informed. You can even take a step further and give every person a different color to stay even more organized! Although these are just a few organization techniques that you can apply to your kids’ 9. Schedule a weekly schoolwork and other activities, they can have “Clean Sweep” Even the most organized among us tend to a huge impact if used regularly. Use it as a build up clutter over time, no matter how hard starting point, then experiment and customize we try. A great way to combat this is to sched- for what makes sense for your family. ■ ule a 20-minute pre-arranged session each week where everyone in the house drops what Ann Dolin is a former Fairfax County teacher and current founder and presi- they’re doing to clean and get organized. Not only will this help your kids stay on dent of Educational Connections Tutoring, track with their school organization efforts, serving the D.C. area. but it will also help foster a sense of family involvement so that it’s not just that your child is being singled out. 10. Archive old assignments Your kids are also going to have a buildup of old papers and assignments that aren’t necessarily relevant to what they’re doing in school right now. Archiving and properly treating (i.e. not throwing them out too soon) all assignments should be a regular part of your organization routine. A great rule of thumb is to make sure that you’re keeping old tests and quizzes and then tossing everything else. That way, if there are any cumulative tests throughout the year, your child will be able to reference back to previous questions to study and will know which areas they need to work on where they may have gotten marked off previously. 11. Use an agenda book It’s incredible the impact just getting some- thing down on paper can have. For students in middle and high school, an agenda book (or something like it) should be the offi- cial holding place of all things important. A great way to make organization fun, especially for younger kids, is to use color-coding. WashingtonFAMILY.com 29 MONTESSORI GUIDE Discovering Montessori DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA THE CHILDREN’S HOUSE OF WASHINGTON thechildrenshouseofwashington.com chowdirector@gmail.com 3133 Dumbarton St., N.W. Washington, D.C. Toddler: Nearly 2-3 Primary: 3-6 202-342-2551 Montessori School Guide MARYLAND THE BETHESDA MONTESSORI SCHOOL bethesdamontessori.com admissions@bethesdamontessori.com 7611 Clarendon Road, Bethesda, Md. Ages: 3-6 301-986-1260 BUTLER SCHOOL butlerschool.org amy@butlerschool.org 15951 Germantown Road Darnestown, Md. Ages: 18 months-14 301-977-6600 CHILDREN’S HOUSE AT HOLLY HILL MONTESSORI hollyhillmontessori.com hollyhillmontessori@gmail.com 19137 Mateny Hill Road Germantown, Md. Ages: 2-5 202-246-0547 VIRGINIA BROOKSFIELD SCHOOL brooksfieldschool.org brksfield@aol.com 1830 Kirby Road, McLean, Va. Ages: 2-6 703-356-KIDS CARDINAL MONTESSORI cardinalmontessori.com cardinalmontessori@gmail.com 1424 G St., Woodbridge, Va. Ages: 3-12 703-491-3810 CHILDREN’S HOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL montessoriofarlington.com off ice@chms-arlington.com 2425-A North Glebe Road, Arlington, Va. Ages: 2-6 703-276-1360 COMMUNITY MONTESSORI SCHOOL cmsreston.com bonnieredcms@gmail.com 1700 Reston Pkwy., Reston, Va. Ages: Infants-6 years 703-478-3656 OPEN HOUSES AGE 18 MONTHS TO GRADE 6 Preparing children to learn confidently, think independently, and succeed wherever they go. SCHEDULE YOUR VISIT AT AIDANSCHOOL .ORG | 202.387.2700 | 2700 27TH STREET NW, WASHINGTON, DC 30 Washington FAMILY SEPTEMBER 2019 ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS / FATCAMERA OCTOBER 4 | NOVEMBER 6 | DECEMBER 6 HOLLY BROOK MONTESSORI SCHOOL preschoolmontessori.com info@hollybrookmontessori.com 2455 Gallows Road, Dunn Loring, Va. Ages: 3-5 703-573-7800 HUNTER MILL MONTESSORI SCHOOL preschoolmontessori.com info@huntermillmontessori.com 2709 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton, Va. Ages: 2 years 9 months-5 703-938-7755 MONARCH CHRISTIAN MONTESSORI kidslovemonarch.com kidslovemonarch@gmail.com 15120 Enterprise Ct., Ste. 100 Chantilly, Va. Ages: 18 months-6 703-961-8281 MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF CEDAR LANE preschoolmontessori.com info@cedarlanemontessori.com 3035 Cedar Lane, Fairfax, Va. Ages: 3-6 703-560-4379 ONENESS-FAMILY SCHOOL onenessfamily.org admissions@onenessfamily.org 6701 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, Md. High School: 9411 Connecticut Ave., Kensington, Md. Ages: 2-High School 301-652-7751 RESTON MONTESSORI SCHOOL restonmontessori.com off ice@restonmontessori.com 1928 Isaac Newton Sq., Reston, Va. Ages: 3 months-Grade 6 703-481-2922 SUNSET HILLS MONTESSORI sunsethillsmontessori.com off ice@sunsethillsmontessori.com 11180 Ridge Heights Road, Reston, Va. 703-476-7477 ■ Open House: December 6th from 6:30pm-7:30pm. C OMMUNITY M ONTESSORI S CHOOL ♦ STEM ♦ Music ♦ Spanish ♦ PE & Yoga ♦ Infants to CELEBRATING 25 YEARS! 6 years 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. THE BETHESDA MONTESSORI SCHOOL FIND US ON FACEBOOK 20 RUNNER-UP RUNNER-UP 1 8 For 37 years, teaching ages 3-6 ENROLLING NOW facebook.com/ WashingtonFamilyMagazine Extended Day 8am – 6pm 7611 Clarendon Rd. Bethesda, MD 20814 301-986-1260 September 2019 admissions still available, email admissions@bethesdamontessori.com today for a personal tour. www.bethesdamontessori.com F i n D FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE DMV WashingtonFAMILY WEEKEND GUIDES @ washingtonfamily.com/fun_things_to_do/ WashingtonFAMILY.com 31 Game On! Sports-Friendly Green Bay Has Lots to Do I Don’t knock ‘nice’ until you try it. STORY AND PHOTOS BY JESSICA GREGG t’s football, of course, that lures people to the northern Wisconsin city of Green Bay, where the community owns its NFL team, the Packers. The team celebrates its 100th anniversary this month, and folks get so excited about the sport they volunteer to shovel out the stadium on snowy game days. For sure, this is a football town. But summer visitors shouldn’t leave Green Bay without seeing Flash, the bat dog. Flash has to be the cutest thing baseball has going on right now. Part of the brand new Green Bay Booyah, a summer team of collegiate players, Flash retrieves the bats of every Booyah player who makes it on base. It’s the ultimate game of fetch for this pooch, and he wags his tail the whole time. This working pup is just one example of the kid-friendly fun that can be found in Green Bay. For cross-country road trippers, 50-state-bucket- list visitors and others who fi nd themselves in the Upper Midwest, there is plenty here to keep kids busy and happy. Here are a few suggestions. LET’S TALK LAMBEAU Lambeau Field, the Packers’ stadium, is a massive and updated complex with lots to explore inside, including an array of exhib- its and team artifacts as part of its Hall of Fame. At the “Size Me Up” exhibit, kids can step into the footprints of former Packer defensive linemen Gilbert Brown and Julius Peppers and compare their hand span and wingspan to those of a typical NFL player. They also can see the evolution of the sport’s equipment, from the fi rst soft leather helmets to today’s protective gear. And there are loads of old photos and interviews and other 20th-century trea- sures for young and old historians. For example, there is a whole exhibit on the Ice Bowl — the Packers’ 1967 NFL Cham- pionship victory over the Dallas Cowboys, where the temperature at kickoff was a numbing 13 degrees below zero. Visitors can even take their photos next to statues of fans exhaling lifelike frost. The stadium tour is worthwhile — the best part for kids is entering the arena itself. Tour-goers walk in on the same ramp as the Packers to an audio of fans cheering, which replicates the player experience on game day. There is a combo package that off ers tickets for both the Hall of Fame and stadium tours. Prices are $27 for adults and $17 for kids, with free admission for children under 5. True fans will appreciate the 21,500- square-foot pro shop that sells every- thing from Packers toothbrushes to home decor. Parents will appreciate the community connection of the team and its feel-good history. A ‘NICE’ PLACE TO VISIT MIDWESTERNERS HAVE A REPUTATION for being nice — and sometimes we Easterners mock this aff ability. But when traveling with kids, the collective even temperament of Green Bay can be seen as a good thing. Kids can practice their manners and know they will be appreciated. They can feel free to ask questions, too. And a city that champions its sports teams in the way that Green Bay does can spark conversations with teenagers about community spirit and responsibility. In other words, don’t knock nice until you try it. BY THE NUMBERS … NO SPORTS STORY IS COMPLETE WITHOUT STATS. No story about a sports town should be complete without them either. Here are some numbers: 5 The Green Bay Packers employ five seamstresses to mend the team’s uniforms. 10 /HOUR $ For bragging rights alone, it’s got to be one of the best snow-shoveling jobs a teenager can get: On snowy game days, the Packers organization pays community members $10 an hour to help them shovel out Lambeau Field. 20 That’s the number of peacocks that roam the grounds at the NEW Zoo & Adventure Park. All have names that begin with “p,” including Pickles, a peacock that likes to hang out by the zoo’s visitor center. 100 More than 100 classic cars are housed at The Automobile Gallery, and more than 100 weddings take place each year at the Green Bay Botanical Garden. 125 $ That’s how much Curly Lambeau, widely seen as the father of the Packers, was paid for each game he played in the team’s inaugural season, back in 1919. Lambeau Field visitors can see the telegram that confirmed his salary. 500 At any given time, 500 butterflies live at the Green Bay Botanical Garden’s butterfly house. In one summer season, it will be home to 4,500 butterflies. L A M B E AU F I E L D COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES WashingtonFAMILY.com 33 Booyah Soup BOOYAH! Booyah is a dining tradition in Green Bay — it’s a tomato-based vegetable soup with chicken — and also the name of its baseball team. The world’s largest silver booyah kettle sits at the stadium entrance and shoots out steam at the start of each game. Hula hoop contests, a manual score- board and a chicken for a mascot are some of the corny, and yet classically minor league, moments that await fans. The stadium has only six rows of seats, so all plays are truly close. The season runs from June to August, and tickets start at $8 with free admission for kids under 5. So, it’s something to look forward to when visiting in the summer months. One recent promotion was a princess party, which treated participants to a parade, a tea party and a free tiara for $12 a ticket. WILD RIDES The Zippin Pippin roller coaster at Bay Beach Amusement Park is an up-and- down, one-minute wonder of a ride and a wooden coaster that was Elvis Presley’s favorite Memphis amusement. The city of Green Bay bought it for Bay Beach in 2010 and spent more than $3 million to Zippin Pippin Roller Coaster remodel the coaster before it opened in 2011. Bay Beach is known for its aff ord- ability — ride tickets are just 25 cents, and this popular ride takes only four tickets, costing $1. The roller coaster’s massive wooden structure is a sight to behold, and park goers will have time to check it out as they wait for their turn. But on a recent sunny Saturday, most seemed to agree the adrenaline rush of this ride was worth the time spent in line. Downtown Green Bay also is home to The Automobile Gallery, a museum of classic cars that have great back stories. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for kids. Botanical Garden AND WILD ANIMALS Next to the amusement park, the fee-free Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary is more than 600 acres of refuge and home to wolves, predatory birds and other rescue animals. There are hiking and skiing trails along with plenty of spots for animal viewing. The NEW Zoo & Adventure Park is a small zoo compared with The Maryland Zoo, but off ers some fun animal adven- tures regardless. For $25 a person, which includes zoo admission, visitors can go behind-the-scenes and learn about the life and habitat of Tutti, a 40-year-old Aldabra tortoise, who loves to have her neck scratched. For less money ($1), kids can feed Zuri and Hodari, two leaf-loving giraff es who will lick the snacks right out of your hands. Zoo admission is $6 for kids and $9 for adults. GO GREEN The downtown Saturday Farmers Market has been going on for 102 years. Its empha- sis is the locally grown — try to resist the stunning bouquets of colorful fl owers for sale — but there are plenty of snacking options from corn-on-a-stick to spring rolls and bubble tea to cheese Danishes. SilverWear by Misty is a great stall for sou- venirs — the well-priced jewelry is made from recycled spoons and forks. Likewise for Queen Bee soaps, whose wares fi t eas- ily into travel bags and smell terrifi c. Finally, check out the Green Bay Botan- ical Garden, which has a “wetting zoo” of topiaries that children can water and includes a butterfl y house, a summer con- cert series and a children’s garden with a slide, maze and tree house. Kids are $5 and adults $10. ■ 34 Washington FAMILY Farmers Market SEPTEMBER 2019 Booyah! It’s not just soup. GOOD EATS Power-Packed Lunchbox Ideas P Chinese Mandarin Pasta Salad Bento Box Turkey Taco Salad Bento Box acking and prepping wholesome lunches doesn’t have to be a chore. You can kick health into high gear this school year with new ideas to make creative, nutrient-rich meals. Fit to satisfy various dietary restrictions, the Power Your Lunchbox program offers kid- friendly options and allergy-sensitive selections. The program, which is dedicated to helping families make healthier lunches during the school year, features more than 80 registered dietitian-approved, family-tested meal ideas with produce as a focal point. Consider skipping the typical sandwich, chips and apple. Instead, it only takes a few minutes to embark on a creative approach to lunch. Get the kids involved by having them use small cookie cutters to make fresh fruits and vegetables into fun shapes. Try complementing the produce with wraps or soups to add extra excitement to typical lunchbox fare. Regardless if your child is a picky eater or is on the more adventurous side, bento box lunches such as Chinese Mandarin Pasta Salad Bento Box and Turkey Taco Salad Bento Box can prove to be satisfying, power-packed meals. ■ Chinese Mandarin Pasta Salad Bento Box Prep time: 20 minutes, Servings: 1 16 6 3 3 2 ½ ½ ¼ 1 ½ ounces rotini pasta mini sweet peppers, sliced mandarin oranges, peeled and segmented green onions, sliced cups baby spinach, chopped cup matchstick carrots cup sesame ginger dressing cup chow mein noodles kiwi, peeled and sliced cup steamed edamame Get the kids involved by having them use small cookie cutters to make fresh fruits and vegetables into fun shapes. Turkey Taco Salad Bento Box Prep time: 10 minutes, Servings: 1 1 cup chopped romaine lettuce ¼ cup cooked turkey meat, seasoned with taco seasoning 2 tablespoons shredded cheese 4 cherry tomatoes, quartered 2 tablespoons guacamole 1 ounce tortilla chips Assemble taco salad with lettuce, taco meat, cheese and tomatoes. Place in the lunchbox with guacamole and chips. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cool water. In a large bowl, mix pasta, peppers, oranges, green onions, spinach, carrots and dressing. Toss to coat well. Top with chow mein noodles. Place in the lunchbox with kiwi and edamame. For more lunchbox inspiration, visit poweryourlunchbox.com. FOOD PHOTOS COURTESY OF FAMILYFEATURES.COM; ALL OTHERS COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES — Family Features WashingtonFAMILY.com 35 HEALTHY FAMILY Present, Not Tense Mindful practices help make back-to-school a bit less stressful BY COURTNEY MCGEE MINDFULNESS RESOURCES: Free web/mobile apps Stop, Breathe & Think: app for youth, with meditations for mindfulness and compassion Calm: app for guided meditation and relaxation exercises Insight Timer: app with virtual “bells” that help time and support meditations MindShift: app for teens to learn coping skills for anxiety Books ‘Fully Present’ by Susan Smalley & Diana Winston ‘10% Happier’ by Dan Harris ‘Full Catastrophe Living’ by Jon Kabat-Zinn ‘Sitting Still Like a Frog: Mindfulness Exercises for Kids’ by Eline Snel Websites mindfulschools.org stillquietplace.com stressedteens.com innerresourcesproject.com 36 Washington FAMILY Coping in a challenging world “Children and adults are experiencing stress at unprecedented levels,” Kane says. “Increasing stress may result in anger, anxi- ety, depression and externalizing behaviors as well as low self-esteem and self-confi- dence.” Offering mindfulness techniques to students, she says, “can not only increase their focus and attention in the classroom, but encourage them to become more aware of their actions and their impact on others, in particular the school community.” SEPTEMBER 2019 We all let our emotions get the best of us from time to time, and that can be over- whelming. However, mindfulness “addresses the core components of social-emotional learning,” Kane explains. “Children can become more skillful in navigating the chal- lenges of life — whether that’s not being chosen to be the line leader, not having a friend to play with on the playground, an upcoming test or the trials of puberty. Mind- fulness gives children of all ages an opportu- nity to slow down, so that they can see and think more clearly.” Choosing tune-in over time-out In some mindful classrooms, Kane says, the punitive “time-out” has evolved into a “tune-in”— a space where students who feel overwhelmed can listen to quiet music, use a fidget device, lie down or mindfully draw as a means of regaining composure and focus so they can better return to learning. “I have seen remarkable decreases in self-criticism, negativity and aggressive behaviors toward self and others” with these techniques, she says. “But also subtle changes — like the ability to not become anxious when it’s time to transition or a student taking three breaths when they start to get emotional.” Benefits in school and beyond Kane works with local researchers and has found in controlled trials that mindfulness in schools has produced “reduced anxiety, reduced rumination, an attenuated cortisol response and less anger reactivity.” Interestingly, they have also seen an increase in Maryland School Assessment (MSA) scores in middle school students. Kane believes so strongly in the importance of bringing mindfulness to schools that she collaborated with Johns Hopkins University to create a free web- site (destressmonday.org/teachers-pro- gram), which teachers can use to integrate mindfulness into their classrooms as well ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS/ANURAKPONG A s summer’s end yields school- time excitement, students and families can feel pressure and stress from the new routines and hectic pace. It’s hard to remember to slow down and be present, but what a tremendous gift it can be, just to be able to focus on what’s happening right now. Mindful practice can help make that happen. Mindfulness has become a buzzword in recent years, but it is rooted in traditional Buddhist practices and is far from a pass- ing fad. Now, more and more schools are employing mindful practices to provide children with a toolkit for self-regulation and awareness. My son’s first-grade teacher made simple, calming activities part of daily routines. For example, they would hold up a finger in front of their faces and pretend to “smell a flower” (slow deep inhale) then “blow out a candle” (slow complete exhale). Other mindful practices such as taking inventory of feelings or pausing before reacting in a stressful situation became embedded in the language and flow of the classroom. I am glad those simple coping mechanisms already feel natural to him. So, what about the rest of us? I asked mindfulness educator Tawanna Kane with the Maryland-based Inner Resources Project how all students (and parents) can benefit from mindfulness meditation and practices. HEALTHY FAMILY as to help combat job stress and burnout for themselves. (Non-teachers will find great tips there, too.) One important step anyone can take in creating positivity for the year ahead is to declare intent. “Intention setting is a pow- erful practice,” Kane says. An intention is a guiding principle that brings your heart and mind into alignment and evokes feeling and purpose (i.e., practice being nonjudgmen- tal of oneself and others or let go of fear). “It gives children an opportunity to create a sense of purpose in the school year,” Kane explains. When they commit and focus deeply on a specifi c intention, it helps turn that thought into reality. lish practice as habit. Older students may be more likely to recognize and appreciate the benefi ts of the strategies, which may motivate them to practice more often. “Certainly adolescents are a bit more skeptical,” Kane says. “Also, the social pressures of peers may influence their willingness to try. But I have worked with 2-year-olds through 18-year-olds and find that these practices can help all of them reduce anxiety, find greater ease in their development and, overall, just be happier individuals.” And it’s not just those who seem like they would need it the most who benefit from mindfulness. Creating a calmer, more positive classroom climate helps all students. short on time, the fi rst human attribute to go is kindness,” says Kane. “A simple prac- tice to cultivate kindness for oneself and others is the practice of peace wishes. This is a beautiful practice to share with your child that can be done upon rising, at the dinner table, at bedtime or anytime. Place your hands on your heart, say out loud to yourself: May I be peaceful. May I be happy. May I be safe. (Pause between the three statements, so the child can repeat them.) Next, tell your child “Let’s send our peace wishes to one another,” and say: May you be peaceful. May you be happy. May you be safe. Everyone can benefit Think of the whole world, everyone and Like with learning a new language, can Give it a try younger children pick up on mindfulness Here is one short practice you can try with everything, and say: May all beings be peaceful. May all beings practices more readily? Not so, it seems. your children to incorporate mindfulness be happy. May all beings be safe. Everyone can benefi t from being mindful, into your lives: Then, close your eyes for just a moment, if they’ll give it a chance. Formal, struc- and take a breath. You have wished the tured practice may work best with children, Kindness Wishes and consistency and repetition help estab- “Research shows that when humans feel whole world, including yourself, peace. ■ Healthy Smile... Healthy Child pediatric dental care John Han, DDS Pediatric Dentist Fernanda Fontes, DDS Pediatric Dentist Jenny Ha, DDS Pediatric Dentist Harold Fleming, DDS Orthodontist Dr. Han voted one of the Top Dentists in Northern VA Magazine & VA Living Magazine. + ICE CREAM TRUCK BOOK NOW FOR YOUR Summer Programs School Fairs Corporate Venues Birthdays 571-283-2408 ❤  • • • • • • • • • • • • Sedations Laughing Gas/Nitrous Oxide Emergency Care Digital X-ray & Technology Free Orthodontic Consultation Sealants White Fillings School Exams Kid PDC s C Fluoride Treatment Firs ome Early Orthodontics t Cleanings Check up exams * No Referrals Required Accepting all major insurances and Smiles for Children www.mypdcdentists.com Pediatric Dental Care Fairfax office: 9901 Fairfax Boulevard, Fairfax, VA 22030. Springfield office: 6120 Brandon Ave. Suite 114, Springfield, VA 22150 Treat your child to a magical sleepover party We create bespoke sleepover themes for boys and girls Select your date and package We deliver, set-up and style. next day we collect Book Your Child’s Party Today! 703-563-1567 www.confettiteepees.com WashingtonFAMILY.com 37 You Can Do It! Working parents turn to coaching for support BY JESSICA GREGG Work-life balance: It’s one of the most commonly used terms among today’s working parents, as in how exactly do we achieve that work-life balance? Janet Ladd, a Maryland-based profes- sional coach with Life Meets Work, a Talking Talent Company, doesn’t have much use for this on-trend catchphrase. “The term itself diminishes our ability to achieve it,” she says. “It implies there is a magic ratio, but in reality, one area of our lives bleeds into other areas of our lives.” In a world made more “frenzied” by technology and multiple responsibilities, many parents find themselves at work and thinking about home life, she says, or at home and working their mind through job problems. Instead, parents might want to try a different mindset: “I am a good parent. How does my work fit into that?” “There is an awful lot to figure out,” says Ladd, who works with women lead- ers, workers transitioning to and from maternity or paternity leave and other “high achievers.” She spent many years working as a consultant before a cancer diagnosis was her career “wake-up call.” She quit her job, enrolled in a program to become a professional coach and became accred- ited through the Kentucky-based International Coach Federation. Now she works with clients throughout the East Coast. Coaching differs from consulting as it allows her to work individually with cli- ents rather than a whole company and, in general, with clients who are open to change. Her job, as she sees it, is to “hold the space” for clients as they embark on that change. Working parents can work toward more “work-life fulfillment,” her preferred term, by starting with a sim- ple question: What does life look like on your best days? Parents then need to set realistic expectations for each week and prioritize, she says. One of her clients, an attorney, fol- lowed this practice and stopped work 30 minutes before she left for the day to allow for time to reflect on what had been accomplished and to plan for the next day. This preparation gave her the peace of mind she needed before she clocked out and readied her for the parenting that waited at home. Balance is indeed what today’s work- ing parents crave, says Marlene Thomas, an ICF-certified coach who works in the D.C. area. “Balance feels like that impos- sible dream,” she admits. “A lot of people are in these high-demand jobs that look perfect to the outside world, but they are not fulfilled.” Her clients have included an executive who had moved hours away from his GETTY IMAGES PLUS/E+/ FATCAMERA 38 WashingtonFAMILY SEPTEMBER 2019 “Balance feels like that impossible dream.” MARLENE THOMAS ICF-CERTIFIED COACH, WASHINGTON, D.C. family for a job and worried about staying connected with his family as his daughter looked for colleges. Another executive was raising a 4-year-old as her husband worked overseas for six months of the year. For large stretches, her life consisted of work- ing and overseeing their household. She too wanted balance. “It feels diffi cult when you’re trying to do it on your own,” Thomas says, add- ing that coaching is not therapy but an opportunity to get clients to focus on their values and priorities. Parents “can have it all,” she says, “[but] we sometimes don’t take the time to stop and think about what we want.” New trend Professional coaching is now an annual $2.35 billion industry globally with more than 50,000 coaches worldwide, accord- ing to the International Coach Federation. While baby boomers make up a large part of the clientele, women are showing a growing interest in using coaching as a more personalized way to seek career and life advice. Janet Branch, CEO of a Mary- land-based behavioral health fi rm and the mother of a grown child, sought the help of a professional coach more than a year ago so she could better organize all that she was juggling at her job. “This sounds kind of corny, but in certain positions, you really do feel alone,” she says. Her coach held her accountable in a way that her employees could not, which made for a “trusting place to make mistakes, and a great experience.” “One of the biggest things I learned is that I was human,” she says. Karol Kain Gray, senior vice president for fi nance and budget at Virginia Com- monwealth University, fi rst encountered coaching years ago while working at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Her perception then — and one that she believes many continue to hold — was that professional coaches were brought in when there was a problem at the work- place. But Kain Gray says coaching is really about professional development. In fact, it’s a perfect way for companies and workers to advance themselves. “I think the one-on-one of coaching is much more conducive for people to share the issues they have on the job,” she says. “It’s much more intimate.” Like Thomas, with whom she has worked, Kain Gray cautions that coaching is not therapy, “It’s a reset. It’s a redirec- tion,” she says. “In some cases, it could be an upgrade.” For example, one of her workers was “miserable on the job.” Kain Gray sent her to a coach who helped the employee focus on her skills and goals. The employee ultimately found a diff erent job, one in which he was more productive and happier. “I think everyone needs a coach,” she says. ■ GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCK/RAPIDEYE; STONES: E+/SWISSMEDIAVISION WashingtonFAMILY.com 39 MOMS SPEAK School Planning Tips for Parents W BY WF STAFF e asked our readers to share their tips on how they are preparing themselves for the new school year. Check out what they had to say for some back- to-school time inspiration! “This mom and teacher is starting to go to bed earlier and get up earlier. No more sleeping in and staying up late!” — LISA B. “I would say I’m working on time for self-care and self-love. If I am able to get the rest I need, then I can be prepared for the days to come and be able to get the kids ready and off to school on time.” —Evelyn L. “I homeschool one 10-year-old girl. We plan out our day schedule for school and mate- rials to be used. Personally, I have flexi- bility in my schedule to teach piano, take care of our home and work a part-time job if needed as long as I can take my daughter with me.” —Amanda Q. “I set up a calendar for the new school year with our family’s weekly schedules so that we stay on track.” —Stephanie M. “I am cutting back on some networking meet- ings for my business in order to get ready for back-to-school time.” —Julie B. “This mom and teacher is starting to go to bed earlier and get up earlier. No more sleeping in and staying up late!” —Lisa B. “This single working mom of three prepares everything the night before including setting out clothes and lunches. I also review my calendar and emails.” —Jennifer H. “This isn’t necessarily just for back to school, but some friends and I get together for a massive cooking day and make a whole bunch of freezer meals to get us through the back-to-school cra- ziness without having to resort to takeout too much. We’ll prep dinner, things like burritos to throw in lunch bags, and I’m hoping to do break- fasts this time around as well. We call it ‘Zebra Day.’ We compare ourselves to the lionesses banding together to bring down a zebra so that our cubs can eat!” —Helen W. ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS/ VERA_PETRUNINA 40 “I’m hoping to get back on a regular sleep schedule so that I’m energized for the week and able to take my kids to football practice, dance classes, etc.” —Katie S. Washington FAMILY SEPTEMBER 2019 An Expert’s Advice Child psychiatrist Vinay Saranga M.D. shares these five essential tips below for helping families transition into the new school year seamlessly. Ask your young kids how they are feeling: For children going to school for the first time or those starting at a new school, the transition can be difficult and filled with anxiety. Sometimes kids won’t express their emotions so as parents, you need to ask them what they are feeling. Help them feel reassured and know that having mixed emotions of happiness, fear and even confusion are all normal and that many of the other kids are feeling that way, too. Help your kids get (and stay) excited about school: Kids will model the behavior of their parents. When you talk about school, be upbeat and excited about it. Share some of the better memories you have from your school days or funny stories that portray school as a positive experience. Be real with your kids and let them know you were nervous in the beginning, but talk about all the good things like making new friends, learning to read and more. Find the right balance of goals for the new school year: Parents should work with their kids to set goals for the new school year. Make sure you help your kids set realistic goals that are on their learning level. Straight A’s, for example, is a great goal to have, but it might be unrealistic for some kids. If the goal is too far out of reach, your child will feel overwhelmed and defeated. If it’s too easy, he or she will become bored. Teach your kids age appropriate real- ities: As your children get a little older and further along in school, they’re going to have to learn some lessons about life. As parents, you can help make the transition easier for your children by sharing advice around some of these topics such as bullying and being teased, life not always being fair, the importance of sharing, saying no to drugs, learning from their failures, helping others, inclusion and equality, how to get along with difficult people, letting their voice be heard and more. Give your kids something to look forward to: Like adults, children need something to look forward to. It helps keep them motivated. Plan a trip or something fun for winter break, spring break or next summer. When they are feel- ing down, remind them that this next big great adventure is right around the corner. ■ Voted COMING IN OCTOBER BEST INTERIOR DECORATOR BEST FOR FAMILIES 2019 for the second year in a row! Private Schools! Th ank you. BAHIA AKERELE Decorator | Designer | Color Consultant bahia@onthepurplecouch.com | 240.292.9470 onthepurplecouch.com Parenting isn’t easy, but there are strategies that can help. Private Schools & Special Needs Guides Reserve Your Table Today! Education & Activities Fair Fair Oaks Mall • October 5 • 11am-4pm  Monthly readership 147,000 Find support and resources at familytreemd.org/flip or our 24-hour Parenting HelpLine at 800-243-7337.  Website page views 15,300  E-news subscribers 24,000  Facebook Followers 6,022 Call to advertise: 301-230-2222, Ext. 4 or email advertising@washingtonfamily.com WashingtonFAMILY.com 41 WF BLOG Finding Joy Every Fall: A Teacher’s Perspective BY MICHELLE BLANCHARD ARDILLO 42 Washington FAMILY SEPTEMBER 2019 taken a huge cut in pay. I joke that I’ve traded arguing with lawyers for arguing with 8th-grade boys, but the truth is I love teach- ing. I make a difference in how they view literature, their relationships with others and the world around them. I love hear- ing success stories from my students who have graduated from college. I see the high schoolers by going to their plays, concerts and games. I get emails requesting recom- mendations for scholarships. They tell me how I inspired them, how well prepared they were for higher education and how they loved my classes. I sometimes still get knots, but they are aches from a hard day’s work, a job well done, rather than anxiety and tension from I joke that I’ve traded arguing with lawyers for arguing with 8th-grade boys, but the truth is I love teaching. arguing all day. Even on tough days, I’m happy. Every fall as I set up my classroom with new novels and fresh bulletin boards, I am revitalized and inspired to spread my passion for reading and writing. I find my joy every fall. ■ M ichelle Blanchard Ardillo is a freelance writer and middle school language arts teacher at St. Jude Regional Catholic School in Rockville, Md. Follow her at michelleardillo.com. GETTY IMAGES/DIGITALVISION VECTORS/DDDB F ollow your bliss. Find your joy. Find something you love and you’ll never work a day in your life. Follow your passion, not a paycheck. These are things you hear in commencement speeches, but are they true? For 20 years I worked in the legal field, and for most of that, for a major real estate developer. I represented the landlord in lease negotiations with tenants moving into shopping centers. While my job involved writing legal contracts, the bulk of my day was spent arguing — often in a very con- tentious environment — with lawyers representing national and regional tenants. I became very good at arguing. I also made a very good living doing it. It didn’t take much for me to kick into negotiator mode. I could take down a cus- tomer service representative for a cell phone service provider without breaking a sweat. Served something I didn’t order or prepared incorrectly? No problem, it’s on the house. My “specialty” was getting extra mileage or points for poor service from airlines and hotels. Yes, I was good, but eventually it began to wear on me, in the form of knots of tension in my shoulders and back. In 2002, my family moved to Belgium for my husband’s work. Quitting my job caused me great anxiety. As thrilled as I was for the travel opportunities and life experiences, I had never not worked, even through two c-sections and back surgery. So, after get- ting our house in order and our daughters settled, I reported to the school’s library to volunteer, which led to helping high school students with research, substitute teach- ing and being a part-time teacher’s aid. When we returned to Maryland in 2004, I knew exactly what I wanted to do: become a teacher, which required graduate courses and teaching certification. Teaching middle school language arts is challenging. Tweens and teens have unique personalities, and not everyone loves read- ing and writing as I do. I grade papers every night and do lesson plans on Sunday. I’ve JOIN US THIS FALL FOR FUN EVENTS & PUMPKIN PATCH AMAZING FARM FUN SEPTEMBER 21 – NOVEMBER 3 $1.00 OFF EACH OR Hayrides, Jumping Pillows, ADMISSION, Pedal Kart Track, $35.00 OFF A GROUP RESERVATION Hillside Slides, Farm Animals, of 25 Mining + paid Sluice, admission* (FREE Teepees, UNDER Tetherball 2 YEARS) Poles, and Tetherball Poles, a pie sized pumpkin included with each admission YOUR CUSTOMER IS A SHORT DRIVE AWAY! 26469 Ticonderoga Road Chantilly, VA Road (703) Chantilly, 327-4424 26469 Ticonderoga VA (703) 327-4424 AMAZING FARM FUN AMAZING FARM AT FUN TICONDEROGA AT TICONDEROGA amazingfarmfun.com amazingfarmfun.com DELIGHT EVERY MEMBER OF THE FAMILY REGISTER NOW! WITH EXCITING SHOWS For a Cool, TICKETS New Harvest of TO Fall THESE Classes at the McLean Community Center HALF-DAY AND SINGLE SESSION WORKSHOPS LARD DOG AND SENIOR MOMENTS THE BAND 50+ PROGRAM OF SHY CPR, BABYSITTING AND SAFETY CULINARY ARTS “The response has been the best response of any direct mail publication I have done.” – Areen Movsessian, Classic Bakery, Inc. MARIO THE MAKER MAGICIAN “BROADWAY PRINCESS PARTY” SCIENCE THE POP UPS & TECHNOLOGY HIPLET BALLERINAS DANCE & FITNESS PROFESSIONAL ONLINE CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS TARGET YOUR MESSAGE | 210,000 Households | 9 Mailings Call today! We take the guess work out of advertising. “JEDI ACADEMY” “EMIL AND THE WRITING, THEATER DETECTIVES” & MORE! 2019-2020 SEASON THE ALDEN TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW! 301-230-2222 , ext. 4 advertising@consumerseyemagazine.com • consumerseyemagazine.com “FROSTY” We offer a large variety of enriching classes for children and adults. Visit www.mcleancenter.org for more information and to register. Ingleside Ave. Ticket 1234 and Information available at: www.aldentheatre.org VA 22101 or by McLean, calling 703-790-9223. Free 703-790-0123, Parking, Aff ordable TTY: Prices, 711 Close to Home www.mcleancenter.org WWW.ALDENTHEATRE.ORG | 703-790-9223 | 1234 INGLESIDE AVE. McLEAN, VA 22101 WashingtonFAMILY.com 43 BOOK MARKED Artspiration 12 New Arts-Focused Books for Kids BY WF STAFF Whether your child likes to sing, dance, cook or draw, these arts-related books will inspire any young reader to follow his or her creative passion. ‘Artsy Cats Board Book’ by Mudpuppy A “purrfect” tour through modern art history! Introduce modern art with this book of adorable cat portraits, each inspired by an iconic style of art. The ‘Artsy Cats Board Book’ from Mudpuppy features clever kitty-inspired artist names and painting credits, from Clawed Monet to Paw Klee. Ages 3-5. Earth, he began to paint what he saw. Alan’s paintings allowed humanity to experience what it truly felt like to walk on the moon. Ages 4-8. ‘Everybody Can Dance!’ by Kara Navolio This colorful picture book uses rhyme and rhythm to celebrate the joy of dancing, teaching ‘How Do You Dance?’ by Thyra Heder kids that no matter your culture, physical ability There are so many ways to dance! You can jiggle or style, everybody can dance! Ages 4-8. or wiggle or stomp. You can bop or bounce or go completely nuts. You can dance at the market or ‘Music for Mister Moon’ the bus stop, with your fingers or your face. This by Philip C. Stead book explores dance in all of its creativity, humor A girl named Harriet longs to play her cello and — most of all — joy, in a picture-book celebra- alone in her room. But when a noisy owl dis- tion of personal expression that will inspire young rupts her solitude, Harriet throws her teacup ones to get up and get moving. Ages 3-5. out the window and accidentally knocks the moon out of the sky in frustration. Over the ‘Horse & Buggy Paint It Out!’ course of an evening, Harriet and the moon by Ethan Long become fast friends. Worried that he’ll catch a Geisel medalist Ethan Long’s comical duo, chill, Harriet buys the moon a soft woolen hat, Horse and his friend Buggy, get creative in a then takes him on a boat ride across a glisten- funny story about working together. Horse is all ing lake, something he’s only dreamed of. But set to paint a mural his way, oblivious to Bug- can she work up the courage to play her music gy’s suggestions that a bit of planning might be for the moon? Ages 4-8. a good idea. But as the Horse knocks over paint cans and sends brushes flying, he relents and ‘Nixie Ness: Cooking Star’ accepts some help from Buggy. Ages 4-8. by Claudia Mills Best friends Nixie and Grace spend every after- ‘The Astronaut Who Painted noon together until Nixie’s mom gets a new the Moon: The True Story job and Nixie must attend the after-school pro- of Alan Bean’ by Dean Robbins gram without Grace. Nixie begrudgingly starts As a young navy pilot, Alan wished he could the after-school program, joining the cooking paint the view from the cockpit. So he took an camp. And it turns out that the other cooking art class to learn patterns and forms. But no campers are nice, and the recipes they make are class could prepare him for the beauty of the delicious. But Nixie can’t really enjoy being an lunar surface some 240,000 miles from Earth. after-school superstar until she finds a way to In 1969, Alan became the fourth man and overcome her jealousy about Grace and Elyse’s first artist on the moon. When he returned to budding friendship. Ages 6-9. 44 Washington FAMILY SEPTEMBER 2019 Happy BOOK Birthday, MARKED Roald Dahl! ‘Sonny’s Bridge: Jazz Legend Sonny Rollins Finds His Groove’ by Barry Wittenstein This groovy picture book biography chron- icles the legendary jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins’ search for inspiration on the Williams- burg Bridge after quitting the jazz scene in 1959. Written in rhythmic prose with a “bebop” edge, this picture book biography of Sonny Rollins’ journey to get his groove back will delight young and old fans alike. Ages 6-9. ‘Violette Around the World, Vol. 2: A New World Symphony!’ by Teresa Radice Join in the adventures of 12-year-old Violette as she travels the world as part of a circus, learn- ing to appreciate the joys of being diff erent. This little girl with a big heart meets two peo- ple when she arrives in America – Hiawatha, a young Native American girl and the famous composer Antonin Dvoràk. These two new friends will help her achieve a long-held dream in this second volume of Violette’s adventures around the world! Ages: 8-12. ‘Where Is Broadway?’ by Douglas Yacka, Francesco Sedita and Who HQ In a lively and engaging style, authors Douglas Yacka and Francesco Sedita cover the develop- ment of the fi rst theaters and the birth of the American musical, as well as the shows and stars that have become Broadway legends. Read- ers will get the inside story on their favorite shows and may even discover some new ones. Ages 8-12. ‘What Paul Made’ by Valerie Downs A story inspired by artist Paul Klee’s quote, “A line is a dot that went for a walk.” What Paul Made is about friendship, creativity and the innocence of a child’s imagination. Fol- low young Paul on a visual journey turning a simple stroll into an adventure full of color, nature, curiosity and joy. Together with his dot, Paul returns home to discover his imagination created something wonderful. Ages: 8-12. ‘The Cat, the Fiddle and Me: A Magical Songbook Journey’ by Larry L Keen This charming and enchanting story set to a lyrical song brings alive The Cat, The Fiddle and Me. Arranged to a sweetly poetic song, these three unlikely friends visit mystical lands and meet mythical characters includ- ing a musical walrus and a gentle giant’s “friendly pet lion who loves macaroni and cheese.” Ages 8-12. ■ Each month, we celebrate a birthday of literary signifi cance. “Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it,” Roald Dahl wrote. Readers of his books know that he found it. The author, who is widely recognized as one of the 20th century’s greatest storytellers for children, wrote “Matilda,” “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “James and the Giant Peach” and “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” among others. Born on Sept. 13, 1916 in Wales, he attended boarding school as a teenager in England, according to Scholastic. One of his teachers complained in Dahl’s report card that he “persistently” used words that meant the opposite of what was intended. Dahl later captured this trait in his book, “The BFG,” starring a Big Friendly Giant who uses words like “exuncly,” “fizzwiggler” and “gollup.” His first children’s story was “The Gremlins,” published in 1943, about sneaky little folklore creatures that Dahl learned about when he served in the Royal Air Force. He published “James and the Giant Peach” in 1961, and what followed was a period of great creativity that lasted into the 1970s. Film enthusiasts will know that “James and the Giant Peach,” “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “Fantastic Mr. Fox” and “The BFG” all have been made into movies, increasing the reach of this magical writer. WashingtonFAMILY.com 45 LAST WORD Helping our kids stand tall and face their fears BY KATHRYN STREETER W Sports offer many life lessons. Parents should seek ways to encourage perseverance because their child will be a better person on the other side of the struggle. ith the new school year here, kids may feel varying degrees of uneas- iness. The change of environment could bring heightened emotion and perhaps, a temptation to run and hide. For kids to suc- cessfully handle the big things in life down the road, they need the tools and encouragement to stand tall and face their fears. The learning needs to start early just as it should happen gradually so that children can eventually come to hold themselves with self-reliance and confidence. Knowing that their children could face hard, scary situations can be upsetting to parents because they won’t be there, to buffer chal- lenges, hardship and disappointment. Middle school coach Amy Gillespie tells parents that if their athlete suffers a slump this year and isn’t playing well, to expect a good coach to bench them. “This time in your kid’s life will be incredibly instructive,” Gillespie predicts, who coaches girls volleyball and softball. She advises parents to challenge their athlete not to buckle with defeat but instead, to hustle. Be the first at practice, the last to leave. Show the coach it doesn’t matter if you’re a starter or coming off the bench, that you love the game and that you’ll do anything for the team. Sports, Gillespie believes, offer many life les- sons. Parents should seek ways to encourage perseverance because their child will be a better person on the other side of the struggle. Gayle Kamen-Weinstein, who conducts a peer mediation program at various schools, urges par- ents to teach kids responses to hard situations. “One of the key points to dealing with conflicts is to become an active bystander. That means not passively standing by, perhaps using a cell GETTY IMAGES/E+/FATCAMERA; 46 Washington FAMILY SEPTEMBER 2019 phone to record, but to be brave to step in to help problem-solve or seek help from an adult. This strategy empowers kids and gives them skills they can use on a daily basis.” She offered an example, telling how she once sat wait- ing after school for her daughter. When finally arrived, breathless and apologetic, she explained there was a fight in the hallway and she had run for help. Kamen-Weinstein says, “That is what we can do for children. Learn to stand up for themselves and others around them.” A new learning environment can be more stressful for parents than for children, acknowledges Matt Evers, founder of Prim- rose School. Evers tells parents new to their community, which offers daycare, preschool, before/after-care, Pre-K and Kindergarten classes that leaving their child behind will be harder on them than the child. While mom and dad may worry all day, the child will dry their tears and start playing with new friends. “From an early age, when a child faces a challenging situation, they are able to begin learning how to cope, adapt and overcome,” Evers says. One way to reduce tension and build a com- forting environment for families is to prioritize a consistent rhythm to each school day. “Our daily routines help to calm fears because the kids know what to expect,” Evers says. Overall, the schools’ small, kid-friendly scale serves to allevi- ate a child’s angst. “Just as a child crawls before walking, there’s benefit for a child to ease into the school environment by first experiencing it on a smaller scale,” Evers explains. ■ Kathryn Streeter is a D.C.-based mom and blogger. WHERE Y U YO HAPPEN THE EDCJCC IS NOW OPEN FILM THEATER MUSIC FITNESS EARLY CHILDHOOD, YOUTH, AND FAMILY COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERING AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND MORE E D C J C C .O RG # W H E R E YO U H A P P E N LOC ATED AT 16TH AND Q STRE E TS , NW | 202-5 1 8-94 0 0