2024 Winter Education & Camp Issue – A Resource for District Parents by Capital Community News

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E DU CA T I ON 2024 WINTER EDUCATION & CAMP ISSUE / PRE K-12

A Resource for the Education and Enrichment of Students in Washington, DC

table of contents EDUCATION 2024 WINTER EDUCATION & CAMP ISSUE / PRE K-12

4 Creating Calm

Yoga in District Schools by Elizabeth O’Gorek

10 How to Know

When Your Child Needs Help by E.V. Downey

14 The Transition to High School

Starting With A Plan Can Put Your Child on the Right Path by E.V. Downey

18 How to Choose a Summer Camp by Elizabeth O’Gorek

24 NOTEBOOK

by Kathleen Donner

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EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Melissa Ashabranner • melissaashabranner@hillrag.com PUBLISHER: Jean-Keith Fagon • fagon@hillrag.com Copyright © 2024 by Capital Community News. All Rights Reserved. MIDCITY YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

2024 WINTER EDUCATION SPECIAL 03

CREATING

c a l m

Yoga in District Schools

W by Elizabeth O’Gorek

hen LaShone Wilson was a child, her mother suffered from heroin addiction. “What made her feel better was her reaching outward to take that drug, and it wreaked havoc on our family,” Wilson said. “So I would ask myself, even as a little girl: “What can I do to feel better without me reaching out to anything external? Is there anything that I have internal?”

Decades later, she said, she found it within her when she took up the practice of yoga. Now, Wilson has made it her life’s work to give District children that gift. For the past 15 years she’s been teaching yoga and mindfulness in DC Public Schools (DCPS). She has 200 hours of training in children’s yoga on top of her Vikram yoga training for adults. “Having the ability to self-regulate and then being able to share it with children fulfills me more than I could ever explain,” Wilson said. “I wish I had been able to do that when I was younger.” One of the goals of yoga is to create a better connection between mind and body, helping people to feel greater control of each. This connection improves physical and social health, helping practitioners to be happy with themselves and to make others happy. Some District schools have added yoga to after-school programming. Others have made it a class in itself, a central tenet of wellness practices.

Cultivating Calm

Academic research from the University of Kansas has demonstrated that yoga can benefit children in multiple ways. In addition to physical fitness and mind-body awareness, studies have shown that yoga improves attention and memory, and helps children cope with stress, a key to academic success. It also helps children self-regulate, helping with anxiety and behavioral health, concerns experienced by many children in the District and exacerbated by the pandemic. In 2015, DC Public Schools Arts created a program to help teachers create calm through the arts, including through yoga. Mary Lambert is Director of the DCPS Arts Program (www.artsdcps.com), which creates programming and professional development around the arts in District schools. DCPS Arts offers teachers the Cultivating Compassion in Classrooms fellowship, run by art therapist Lindsey Vance. C.J. Hunter teaches a Yoga SEL class at Kimball Elementary School. Courtesy: DCPS

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2024 WINTER EDUCATION SPECIAL 05

he had deescalated,” Hunter said. “He brought himself right back down. He self-regulated, and he went on to have a successful day.”

Empowering Students

The eight-session program provides training around trauma-informed education and self-regulation skills for students and teachers, including the merits of using yoga in the classroom. Lambert said she has seen teachers use those skills. Pre-K students rarely sit still, so early childhood educators need a lot of different ways to teach one theme. For instance, teachers use the two-person “seesaw” pose to teach about friendship and cooperation. One teacher made a wall of pockets on one wall of the “calm down” corner of her classroom, a space with carpets and comfortable seating. Each pocket was labelled with a desired outcome and contained a card with instructions for a yoga pose. If a student feels tired and sluggish, they can pick a card marked “energizing” and do the yoga pose that is diagramed on the card. Conversely, if students feel too energized and jittery, they can pick a pose marked “calming.” The teacher told Lambert that the yoga poses “empower the students to self-identify what they need and then create it for themselves.”

Self-Regulation

Some schools have embraced yoga as part of their central tenant of wellness, teaching it as a specials class alongside art and music. The River School (4880 Georgia Ave. NW) incorporates yoga as part of the Mind and Body pillar of their educational approach. Experts say the principles of yoga are the same for children and adults, with slight variations in posture. “Our students learn to feel their breathing, pay attention to how

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they’re feeling, self-regulate, and be mindful of others,“ The River School says on their website. Three years ago, Carolyn “C.J.” Hunter was a trained yoga instructor as well as the English language teacher at Kimball Elementary School (3375 Minnesota Ave. NE) when Principal Eric Dabney asked her if she could create a social emotional learning program based in yoga. He knew Hunter had traveled to India about five years prior to be certified as a yoga teacher. Today, Hunter is the yoga and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) teacher at Kimball. Kimball students in pre-K3 through grade 5 spend about an hour a week with Hunter, practicing yoga and learning how to calm their minds and bodies. “I always wanted to combine my life’s work with my passion,” Hunter said. Yoga is not just about flexibility. Hunter says it is very important for children, especially young children, to start identifying and managing their emotions. “There are so many other mental and physical benefits that come along with yoga that I could get into, but for me teaching in a school in Ward 7, I think that it’s super beneficial for students who may not have access and exposure to something like yoga outside of the space. Identifying and managing emotions is really big.“ She calls her classroom the “Zen Den.” One of the first things Hunter teaches is breathing exercises. She recalls one morning, when there was a hallway altercation between two fourthgrade students. Hunter happened to be standing nearby. She began guiding one of the students in breathing exercises. The student quickly took over on his own, she said. “Within a few minutes,

While not every school offers yoga as a standalone class, many have found ways to provide instruction during after-school hours. Often, programs will work with area yoga studios to tailor yoga classes to schools’ needs. For instance, the yoga studio Breathing Space (breathingspace.com) offers in-school yoga classes and creates after-school sessions to meet the needs of a particular school. In addition to the ability to be calm and de-escalate, the studio says, yoga helps children to feel empowered. “Truly – kids spend a lot of time feeling disempowered,” Breathing Space writes on their blog. Sometimes, what we think of as a child having a tantrum or misbehaving is really their attempt to control their circumstances, they say. “Yoga is such a great tool for children is because it provides them with tools for empowerment that will carry over into the rest of their world.” Young children are extremely active; however, many of their physical activities are competitive. When they do yoga, kids interact with peers in a social but non-competitive environment. “This can enhance their social skills and build a sense of community,” the studio says. Instructors teach yoga through stories and music. In her DCPS classes, Hot Yoga Capitol Hill instructor LaShone Wilson dresses up as characters to act out feelings and help children deal with them. She will name muscles as children stretch them, helping them to get more familiar with their bodies. Wilson came to her DC school through a chance meeting about 12 years ago with Polite Piggys’ founder, Vanessa Duckett. Duckett employed Wilson to teach yoga through Polite Piggys (politepiggys.com), an after-school and camps program based in DCPS elementary schools; she still does so today. Since then, Wilson has taught yoga and mindfulness to kids in schools from Amidon Bowen Elementary to Friendship PCS, Miner Elementary and Wilson High School. That’s in addition to her work as manager and primary

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Like Hunter, Wilson emphasizes breathing exercises. For her, the key is for children to feel safe and like they are not being judged. “The first set of safety is on the inside of you,” she says she tells them, “And Ms. LaShone wants to help you to feel safe.” Wilson frames the ability to identify and control emotions as using their new “superpower.” “Once they realize that this works for them, they integrate it —without even knowing it—into their personalities. But it’s not something that you tell them to do. You just keep working with them on how they feel. And when a person feels better, they keep reaching for that same thing to help them feel better,” said Wilson. Once they have a balanced relationship with themselves, she says, they can extend that to relationships with others. Wilson has also used yoga to directly assist with teaching, creating the “Reading is Yogamental” program. Students just at the tipping point of learning to read, or who reached that point during COVID, meet weekly. “We do yoga, sometimes we color —but there’s always a book,” she said. Titles are focused on social emotional themes, like kindness or feelings. Together, they read the book, with Wilson beginning and then inviting others to read aloud. Initially, only a few will volunteer; as the weeks pass, however, the rest of the class increasingly raises their hands, Wilson said. “The more they trust that this isn’t a right or wrong environment, they start reading. It’s beautiful to watch.” Pairing yoga with academic challenges makes sense, Kimba Hunter said, because yoga also helps children learn resilience and confidence through a growth mindset. “We always say, I can’t do this ‘yet’,” she said. Students sometimes find yoga poses

hard to do at the outset. But with weekly practice, they get there —they see that they can reach goals. That confidence translates from studio to classroom, Hunter said. “They realize, “Hey, if I struggled with a yoga pose and I got it, I’ll be able to understand this math or this reading,” she observed.

A Life Skill

Those who teach yoga to kids say the ability to feel and regulate mind and body leads to student success, both in the classroom, and in the rest of their lives. Wilson says that teaching yoga and mindfulness to children is one of the most important things she’s ever done and she can see the difference it makes. She said she can see the change in mindfulness in the children from the start to the end of sessions. “And that’s the biggest reward I could ever get,” she said. “These kids are the decision makers of tomorrow, and when they make those decisions for you and me, it would really be best if they start from a place of mindfulness, she said, so, it is an investment.” Hunter agrees. While everybody’s journey looks different, she thinks everyone can benefit from the practice. “I think it is really important for these kids to have access and exposure,” Hunter said. “Our school model is “Excellence, every child, every day.” And teaching, she said, is not necessarily just about academics for every child. It’s about mind and body, and so much more. “It’s for the whole child.”

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? HOW To ! KNOW When Your Child Needs Help by E.V. Downey

s an independent educational consultant, I speak with hundreds of parents every year. Most of them have typically developing children and simply want assistance exploring area schools. Sometimes, however, parents have questions about their children’s development and specifically want to know when it’s just normal differences in how kids grow and when to seek help. Parents can’t help but compare their own children to those at the playground, preschool, and social events and sometimes worry that their kid is falling behind. Different rates of development, even within a single child, are normal. Some kids are speaking in full sentences before they’re walking confidently, while others are running across fields but still using single words to communicate their needs. Similarly, some preschoolers march off into the classroom with barely a look behind them, while others cry as if they’re being left at the orphanage. Other kids seem fine earlier on but can start to manifest issues later as they start more formal schooling or approach higher levels of education. So when is it just normal child development and when should you seek professional assistance? For guidance on this issue, I turned to the experts.

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Speak With The Teachers

All of the experts I consulted urge parents to speak to the child’s teachers, whether in daycare, preschool, elementary, middle, or high. These people have seen hundreds, even thousands of kids your child’s age and can usually parse out what is typical and what might be a problem. Schedule a meeting with the teacher to discuss your concerns. The teacher may suggest formal testing, but even if this isn’t yet necessary, you have raised your concerns and the teacher can watch your child more carefully with these thoughts in mind.

But Don’t Necessarily Take Their Word For It

Sometimes teachers don’t pick up on the problems, though. As one DCPS special educator laments, “The simple answer should be: ask your child’s teacher. But that is so hard because, for example, some parents have said that they have had concerns for a few years and asked teachers and were told things were fine. And they were not fine.” So even if the teacher dismisses your concerns, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t move forward with an evaluation. One mother, who is also an Occupational Therapist in DCPS, went ahead and did private

testing for two of her elementary-age children even though they were on grade level and the teachers weren’t concerned with their performance. “Yes, they were always on grade level, but they also had attention issues and hyperactivity. I didn’t want to wait until they were falling behind in school to get help.” They were both diagnosed with ADHD and with therapy, and medication, have been making even greater strides both academically and socially.

Test or Wait and See?

Teachers and experts often disagree on whether you should pursue testing as soon as you detect a lag in development or take a wait-and-see approach. Dr. Cheryl Shapiro, a psychologist who conducts educational testing, says she considers a variety of factors when making such recommendations. “Some of it depends on age,” she says. “With kids who are in kindergarten, I always talk about how there’s a push/pull. In the past we didn’t expect kids to read in kindergarten so there’s something to be said for giving development some time. However, if there’s a history of a speech delay and/or the teachers are concerned, it may make sense to test sooner because we know that early intervention is important. For older kids,” she continues, “I always want to hear teacher feedback and any patterns.

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If the child has been struggling for a year or two, then it may make sense to test, especially if the child is falling further behind rather than gaining ground and closing gaps.” Maintaining a positive attitude about school is also important. As Dr. Shapiro notes, “We want kids to enjoy school and be excited about learning, especially in elementary school. If I hear that a child is starting to develop a negative attitude toward school or is feeling down about themselves, then it’s time to consider testing to see about getting them extra support. Even if there’s no diagnosis, the family gets a lot of information about their child’s strengths and weaknesses and there are recommendations for how to support them.” Private occupational therapist Kristen Masci recommends testing right away rather than waiting. “If a parent identifies their child as beginning to experience challenges, it is best to obtain comprehensive testing early on,” she says. “Determining the underlying skill deficits can provide a specific roadmap for educators to follow when selecting alternative teaching methods and allow appropriate compensatory strategies to be put in place. This prevents repeated trial-and-error methods from being used that can waste time and lead to the student experiencing ongoing frustration, emotional, or even behavior issues.” Even before formal evaluations, if the school agrees to begin some interventions, it can be useful to observe a student’s response to such assistance. “You develop a better understanding of them as a learner, which can inform an evaluation beyond the standard cognitive and educational assessments,” explains one DCPS special education teacher. “When you go into an evaluation with questions or theories deeper than ‘why is reading hard for them right now?,’ you can get more out of an evaluation because the provider has questions to probe.”

What Do You Do If You Think There Is A Problem?

Once you have flagged problems you have a few different routes to follow for testing. Free, public evaluations are available to all residents of the District. If your child is under the age of three, the city will evaluate under a program 12 CAPITAL COMMUNITY NEWS, INC.

...speak to the child’s teachers... these people have seen hundreds, even thousands of kids your child’s age and can usually parse out what is typical and what might be a problem.

called Strong Start. Starting at age three, Early Stages takes over. If your child is in kindergarten or above, regardless of what type of school they attend (or even if they’re home-schooled), your in-bounds public school has the responsibility for conducting such evaluations. Please note that that does not mean that they will do a full battery of testing. They will start with a review, to determine if such testing is warranted. Sometimes, even when there does turn out to be a diagnosis, the public system does not get to the point of that diagnosis, either because they never do the full testing or because the full testing produces a negative result. In these cases, and/or to speed along getting answers for your struggling child, parents might want to seek out private testing. If you have insurance it will probably cover at least some of the costs, but often the fees must be paid up front and then you get reimbursement from your insurance company. In most cases there are minimal to substantial copays involved. Pro tip: some offices have pro bono slots that you can apply for. You can also ask for a discount if your insurance isn’t going to pay for the evaluations.

What Happens If You Get A Diagnosis?

A lot of people think a diagnosis automatically means intervention – an individualized educational plan and/or accommodations at school,

therapies, medications – and this does often happen. However, just because your child’s issues might be causing them to struggle, if it’s not impacting their actual school performance, the school might not implement any assistance. Many families have to seek private therapies in order to support their children. You may want to pursue such therapies in addition to what the school offers, since more is often needed. Parents may also want to explore medication to help their children’s functioning.

You’ll Never Regret Finding Out That Nothing Is Wrong

Regardless of what interventions end up being put in place, it is always helpful to understand your child better and support their strengths and weaknesses. And remember, you will never regret finding out that there’s nothing wrong and that your kid is just experiencing normal leaps and lags in childhood development. E.V. Downey is an educational consultant based on Capitol Hill. In addition to helping families navigate the school system, she is co-director of Busy Bees Camps. She also teaches flute at Music on the Hill and tutors elementary and middle school students. u

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The Transition to High School by E.V. Downey

Starting With A Plan Can Put Your Child on the Right Path

was sitting in my office at the school where I taught, when my 3 P.M. appointment arrived for a parentteacher conference. I’ll admit I was puzzled to see them on my schedule as, while I had taught their son for the previous three years in middle school, he was now in ninth grade. As I greeted the parents, they immediately explained why they were there. “We know you know C.J. well, having taught him for three years, and we thought you might have some insight into what’s wrong with him now,”

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they began. “He was always such a strong student and now he’s completely falling apart. Help!” All lives have transitions, but for a child, starting high school can be one of the biggest of them all. The increased academic and social expectations, coupled with the hormone surges and sometimes painful growth spurts, can really knock an otherwise balanced kid off his game. To add to the difficulty, this is also a time when our children are

naturally pulling away from us, so it makes it harder to help. They want less time with us, more privacy and less parental guidance. Their friends, rather than their parents, are their primary social influences. But even these friendships can be fraught with complications – unrequited crushes, “mean girls,” bullies, changing friendships. So how can we, as parents, support our teenagers during this crucial transition to high school?

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“Let the new 9th grader try to manage their work and time on their own at first” Learn About Your New School

Take advantage of any opportunities to learn about the new school in advance. Attend tours and open houses, have the child do a shadow day, and go to orientation. Alex Mirkowski, a middle school teacher at the Walworth Barbour American International School in Israel, encourages even her students continuing into high school at the same school to take advantage of such sessions. “High school is just different,” she says, “even if you’re in the same building. We don’t want to make our students nervous, but from day one of ninth grade, the grades count for college applications, so preparation is key.” Ms. Mirkowski also recommends that students review the student handbook and go over the class schedule, with their parents if necessary, to discuss strategies for getting from class to class and handling their days. Depending on how their middle school was structured, some students at this age still need to think through matters such as how to effectively use a locker and what books and materials to carry at what times of the day.

Make a Plan

Before school starts, make a plan for how the school day is going to go. This includes both getting to/from school and also the evening time. Alex Morse, Head of the Upper School at St. Anselm’s Abbey School, recommends that families and students plan ahead for the likely increase in homework time that will be needed, with at least one work block scheduled before dinner or, even better, before the student leaves school. Your teen may need help planning longer term projects and papers. Depending on how rigorous their middle school was, this may be a new skill for many high schoolers. Their brains are not equipped to naturally break larger tasks down into smaller increments. Their teachers should be working on this with them as well, but backing it up at home, especially when they’re actually doing the work, can be very helpful.

Make Sure the Plan Includes Some Fun

Recent high school graduate Brian Duran encourages students to make sure they don’t just 16 CAPITAL COMMUNITY NEWS, INC.

concentrate on getting good grades and working hard, but also have fun. “These are some of the best years of your life. It’s your time to make friends, some of whom you may well have for the rest of your life.” He recommends that students use the yearbook and school website as resources to find extracurricular activities that might be of interest. Many of these activities start over the summer which can be a great way to get to know the school and make new friends. Angie Rivas, also a recent high school graduate, agrees. “I would recommend that students get involved in extracurricular activities, not just to help with getting into a good college, but also to expand their social networks.”

Make Use of the Summer

A summer job or volunteer position can help maintain structure in their schedule over the summer. Other options would be working as a camp junior counselor, pet and plant care, yardwork, or babysitting. A summer class through the new school can also be a great way to structure time while getting to know the school. Study skills and/or math classes would be good preparation for the rigors of high school. Many schools have summer assignments that are due as school starts. Make a plan with your teen to get these done in a relaxed and sensible way. At this age kids still have trouble making long term plans for such assignments. Help your student figure out a schedule that incorporates the school work, jobs or volunteer work, exercise, and free time so that there is not a last minute crisis right before school starts.

Encourage Self-Advocacy

High school is practice for college, when the problems can be bigger and you’re not right there to help. Students should be accountable for their classes, schedule, homework, but you can guide them and help them learn from any mistakes they make early on so that there aren’t as many later when the stakes are higher. Alex Morse at St. Anselm’s suggests that parents take a step back for the first quarter in terms of how often they check homework and the school’s online assign-

ments and gradebook. “Let the new 9th grader try to manage their work and time on their own at first,” he advises. “If it turns out that they need more assistance, there’s still plenty of time to help them but the student might have a greater appreciation (and tolerance) for parental support after they encounter the challenges of managing school on their own for a bit.”

Plan for the Future, A Little Bit

Many students, and parents, view high school as little more than a way to get into a good college. While high school academics and activities should be considered carefully with college goals in mind, the freshman year can be approached with a little less pressure. Independent college counselor, Becky Claster, sees ninth grade as laying the foundation for a successful high school experience. Don’t cause your teen undue worry, but do talk to them about their longer term goals. Emphasize the importance of doing well in high school to achieve those goals. Talk about what they’re good at and what kinds of college and career choices could work well with those skills.

What If There’s a Problem?

Even as late as high school, some students manifest signs of learning challenges that might have gone unnoticed earlier. If you sense that something more is going on than just typical teen struggles and/or if a teacher raises an alarm, you should absolutely request evaluation from your child’s school. This period can be a time when previously undiagnosed learning difficulties cease to be conquered simply by hard work and intellect. Kids with attention issues can fall apart with the added challenges of high school. If your child attends a non-public institution, you can request such assistance from the public school system. In sum, high school is a time for your child to make the final steps to becoming the independent learner and person they will need to be before they leave for college. It is a vital and exciting time and with planning and your support hopefully it will all go well. E.V. Downey is an educational consultant based on Capitol Hill. In addition to helping families navigate the school system, she is also a private tutor specializing in students with dyslexia and ADHD. E.V. is also co-director of Busy Bees Camps and teaches flute at Music on the Hill. ◆

DeMatha Catholic High School

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2024 WINTER EDUCATION SPECIAL 17

How to Choose a Summer Camp

by Elizabeth O’Gorek

they recommended. iz Lyons She also attended the has been JO Wilson Elementasigning ry DC Summer Camp her kids Fair (dccampfair.com). up for “I got lots of great summer camp for nine ideas there,” she said. years now. She did it Both Lyons and because of her own Karen Pezos, who is positive experiences helping organize this with camps when she year‘s camp fair, say grew up in California, January is the time to she said. But she is start thinking about also up front about the summer camps. The pragmatic reasons. “As DC Summer Camp soon as your children Fair offers one-stop get out of daycare, you shopping for possible have to start looking camp experiences, as at summer camps,” well as a chance to she said. “You have a meet camp represenwhole summer that tatives and ask quesyou need to fill.” tions. More than 400 But how do you parents attended the choose the best camp free event last year to for your child? There check out 30 different are so many options Summer camp can improve a child’s well-being, says April Nelson, founder of Adventures on the Hill. camps. This year, the available in the DisCourtesy: Adventures on the Hill. Camp Fair takes place trict and surrounding Saturday, Jan. 20 from area, from day camps 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at that offer a plethora But how do you know what camps are J.O. Wilson Elementary (660 K St. NE) of activities to specialty camps focused on evavailable in the area? Lyons asked neighborhood erything from science to Shakespeare. And then parents who had sent older children to camps there are overnight camps, which themselves Parental Expectations and Limitations offer a full range of activities. As a parent, you will have hopes for your So how do you decide what they should child. Do you want them to spend time do, and if they’re ready to do it overnight on outdoors? To have free time each day? Do DC SUMMER CAMP FAIR their own? you hope they will learn to swim or to build The DC Summer Camp Fair offers one-stop robots? You will want to measure camps shopping for possible camp experiences, as Basics against these types of expectations. well as a chance to meet more than 30 camp Drawing on her nearly decade of experience There are also two parental costs associrepresentatives and ask questions. This year, selecting camps for her own children, Lyons ated with camp: time and money. Cost is an the Camp Fair takes place Saturday, Jan. says there are really three key factors to conimportant consideration when choosing a 20 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at J.O. Wilson sider: Know your child, both their interests camp. Camps in the District and area range Elementary (660 K St. NE) and capabilities; Know your own summer from Department of Parks and Recreation camp expectations; and set your limits, like (DPR) day camps at $5-$150 per week to travel distance and cost. thousands of dollars per session for over-

18 CAPITAL COMMUNITY NEWS, INC.

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Horseback riding is one specialty residential camp available at Camp Horizons. Courtesy: Camp Horizons

night specialty camps. The other consideration is time spent traveling. Lyons estimates that her children have attended every camp within a 40 minute radius from the Hill. That’s because that is the limit of how far she is willing to travel . She’s willing to travel further for week-long sleepaway camps, she said, and often will carpool with friends.

Choosing Activities

One good place to start when choosing a camp is to determine what your child is interested in. You can ask your older child, but for younger children, watch what environments and activities capture their interest. Many day and overnight camps offer themed weeks, allowing your child to take a deep dive into something that will keep them engaged, while potentially helping them build skills and experience. A wide variety of specialty day camps are available in the District. Kids can make scientific discoveries in subjects ranging from chemistry and space exploration to robotics in the themed 20 CAPITAL COMMUNITY NEWS, INC.

sessions at Mad Science (dc.madscience.org) or try out different dance styles from ballet and jazz to sessions for the little pop star at Joy of Motion (joyofmotion.org). At Kids Set Sail (https://dcsail.org/ youth-kss), which operates out of the Piers at Diamond Teague Park (99 Potomac Ave. SE), campers learn basic safety and sailing skills while intermediate students learn race techniques and navigational skills. Lyons’ youngest daughter is interested in the dramatic arts. DC has a wide variety of theaterbased specialty camps, including Arena Stage’s Camp Arena Stage (www.arenastage.corg) and The Theatre Lab (thetheatrelab.org). Lyons sent her eight-year-old to Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Camp Shakespeare (shakespearetheatre. org) last summer and it got rave reviews. “Who thought eight-year-olds could do Shakespeare?” she asks rhetorically. “But they made it happen. They made my kid love Shakespeare, which I find both inspiring and surprising.” It is important to look for a balance between structured and unstructured activities. Perhaps

your child’s interests are too disparate for them to be occupied with one topic for an entire week, let alone an entire summer. Many day camps offer children a wide variety of activities, often inviting campers to have some semblance of choice throughout the day. For instance, every week has a different theme at Adventures on the Hill (summercampdc.com). “The theme is more to expose children to different things,” said Founder April Nelson, noting that it guides field trips and special guests for the week. Campers have some latitude; at a morning meeting they choose as a group which activities they will do and in what order. Choice is a priority at Steve and Kate’s Camp, which has three locations in the DMV, including one at Van Ness Elementary. The goal is to create an environment where campers aged 4 to 13 can exercise choice, self-control and curiosity. Steve and Kate’s Camp DC Director Preshia Washington said campers practice self-directed learning. Campers are provided with a wide range of activities to choose from, including sewing, baking, water play, playgrounds or just some quiet time, reading.

Overnight or not?

As children get older, most yearn for greater independence. Sleepaway summer camp, either co-ed or single gender, is one way for children to achieve that sense of independence at the same time as they are safely supervised doing activities they love. But is your child ready for sleepaway camp? The ACA says it is advisable, though not necessary, for a camper to have participated in a day camp before committing to overnight camp for a session of a week or longer. Although every child is different, an ACA spokesperson suggests that a camper can be prepared for the separation

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of overnight camp by sending them for sleepovers at grandma’s house, or with a trusted friend. “Positive overnight experiences away from home prepare a child for the joys of overnight camp,” he said. If your kid is ready to get away for a while, there are several overnight options available close to home. Adventures on the Hill is offering an overnight camp for middleschoolers aged 10-13. Founder Nelson said the idea originated as her own daughter, now 12, looked for more independence. “I feel a little more comfortable with her going to an overnight camp that’s in the city and not far from us,” she said, “so we decided to contact a couple of universities in the area.” The new camp will operate on the Catholic University Campus. Each week at Adventures will have a theme; the overnight campers will spend the night in dormitories with the Camp Director and Counselors. Because it is new, registration will open later than other camps. You can learn more and get on the waiting list at SleepAwayCampDC.com. For other teenagers, distance and independence might be what they are looking for. “Teenagers especially like to feel like they can just go hang out with their friends,” said Camp Hidden Meadows (camphiddenmeadows.com) representative Corinne Bryant. Camp Hidden Meadows is an overnight camp for boys and girls aged 6 to 16 located in the Allegheny Highlands of West Virginia. The camp offers more than 50 activities, including horseback riding, gardening and white-water rafting. Campers are given the option to choose activities they want to participate in. Bryant said the options give kids both the freedom to choose how to enjoy their summer safely under supervision. Independence is key to a success-

ful overnight camp experience, Mark Rainey says; it is both something they should have and something they will build at camp. Rainey is Associate Director of Camp Horizons (camphorizonsva.com), a sleepaway camp for kids aged 6 to 16 located in Harrisonburg, VA. The camp offers different programs, including an equestrian camp for kids aged 9-16 centered on horses. Campers spend up to three hours a day riding, and other activities are tailored to help them learn about topics like stable management and care, grooming and preparation for horse shows.

A Unique Community

Camp is a big jump –especially overnight camp, Rainey acknowledges. But it’s a fun place to be. The reason most camps are successful, Rainey said, is because it is a place to get unique experiences and build new relationships. Summer camp is a whole new culture, he said. “Do you want your camper to become part of a community you can’t get anywhere else?” He asked. Kids make new friends from many different areas in a community they build themselves. Camps encourage parents to reach out to them, ask any questions they have and raise concerns. “We want to do everything that we possibly can do on our end to make it right for their child,” Rainey said. “In all honesty, it’s really exciting to get to work with these kids on the front end of their development,” said Rainey. “It’s why we do it, one hundred percent.” Learn more about camp and get camp tips at www.acacamps.org With any camp you choose, verify that they’re certified with the American Campus Association (ACA). ACA’s accreditation process is an independent safety audit evaluating up to 300 standards for camp management and programming. ◆

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NOTEBOOK by Kathleen Donner

Building Stories at the National Building Museum

Opening on Sunday, Jan. 21, Building Stories brings kids and adults alike on an immersive exploration of the world of architecture, engineering, construction, and design found in the pages of children’s books. Geared toward an intergenerational audience, with special attention paid to children in grades Kindergarten to third and their parents and caregivers. Curated by the nation’s leading expert on children’s literature Leonard Marcus, Building Stories will be the first national exhibition to call attention to the built environment’s role as an important, and often overlooked, character in children’s literature. By activating these stories and their built worlds, and the early foundations for how we begin to understand our surroundings, Building Stories allows visitors to investigate the role the built environment plays in our own lives and communities—and how we can be agents of change for its more sustainable, equitable future. The exhibition will encourage visitors to interact with familiar classics and new favorites through hands-on activities, media installations, sketching, reading, and building stories of their own. The museum is open Thursdays through Mondays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults; $7 for kids and seniors. The National Building Museum is at 401 F St. NW. nbm.org.

“Annie” at the National

Holding onto hope when times are tough can take an awful lot of determination, and sometimes, an awful lot of determination comes in a surprisingly small package. Little Orphan Annie has reminded generations of theatergoers that sunshine is always right around the corner, and now one of the best-loved musicals of all time is set to return in a new production—just as you remember it. This celebration of family, optimism and the American spirit remains the ultimate cure for all the hard knocks life throws your way. Tickets are $59 to $139. Annie is at the National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, from Jan. 23 to 28. thenationaldc.com.

Nellie Mouse (Kyosin Kang) and Amelia Mouse (Mary Myers) drive their car in Mouse on the Move at Imagination Stage. Photo: Jeremy A. Jackson

In the “Building Readers” gallery, visitors explore the intersections between the alphabets and simple shapes that form the basis of storytelling and design. Rendering: Courtesy Plus & Greater Than/National Building Museum

Mouse on the Move at Imagination Stage

From Jan. 13 to Feb. 11, two adventurous mice are ready to explore the world beyond their tiny mouse-hole. They decide to go to the moon, since it is cat-free and made entirely of delicious cheese, or so they’ve heard. In this multi-sensory experience, children receive a small suitcase of props with which they help the actors tell the story. Tickets start at $19.50 (all fees included). Best for ages one to four. Imagination Stage is at 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda, MD. imaginationstage.org. 24 CAPITAL COMMUNITY NEWS, INC.

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Discovery Theater’s “Lions of Industry, Mothers of Invention” Beauty magnate Madame C.J. Walker, agricultural chemist and “peanut man” George Washington Carver, education pioneer Booker T. Washington, and even cranky chef George Crum, who accidentally created the potato chip, all take center stage in this vibrant living-history production. This original, interactive play, written by Jacqueline E. Lawton, honors the creativity and genius of African American entrepreneurs and inventors—and inspires the achiever in all of us. Come and join a science fair of Carver’s inventions using the peanut, hear Washington’s

great oratory, and be inspired by the story of the world’s first female, selfmade millionaire! “Lions of Industry, Mothers of Invention” is at Discovery Theater on Feb. 1, 2, 27, 28 and 29, at 10:15 and 11:30 a.m., each day. $8 for adults; $7 for kids; $3 for kids under two. It is recommended for ages seven to eleven. Discovery Theater’s Ripley Center is at 1100 Jefferson Dr. SW (on the National Mall). discoverytheater.org/hero.

One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure

On Thursdays and Sundays at 10:30 a.m., at the Air and Space Planetarium, join Big Bird and Elmo as they

Photo: Smithsonian American Art Museum. Norwood Photography.

National Children’s Museum: Access for Families with Economic Barriers

The National Children’s Museum, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, has joined Museums for All, which was created to encourage people of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum-going habits. A signature access program of the Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the Association of Children’s Museums, it allows families receiving food assistance benefits to visit National Children’s Museum for a fee of $3 per person, for up to four people, with the presentation of a SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer card. Museums for All is part of National Children’s Museum’s broad commitment to welcome all families and ensure that all young learners have access to high-quality science, technology, engineering, arts, and math experiences and programs that will spark their imagination. More than 850 institutions participate in the program, including art museums, children’s museums, science centers, botanical gardens, zoos, history museums, and morein all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and US Virgin Islands. The National Children’s Museum is open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every day except Tuesdays. nationalchildrensmuseum.org/access.

explore the night sky with Hu Hu Zhu, a Muppet from “Zhima Jie,” the Chinese co-production of Sesame Street. Together they take an imaginary trip from Sesame Street to the moon, where they discover how different it is from Earth. They also journey to Zhima Jie to learn about the similarities in our view of the sky. Free tickets are only available in person at the planetarium box office. airandspace.si.edu.

Become a Reading Partner

Lunar New Year Celebration at SAAM

On Saturday, Feb. 10, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., celebrate the Year of the Dragon with SAAM. Join them for their annual celebration showcasing the ways different Asian cultures ring in the Lunar New Year. Attendees will enjoy dance and music performances, crafts, traditional Chinese and Korean art demonstrations, photo booths, face painting (for children 12 and under, while supplies last), family-friendly activities, and the showstopping lion dance. The Courtyard Café will also offer special holiday treats to celebrate the occasion. This program is presented in partnership with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United States of America and with the Korean Cultural Center, Washington, DC. Free but registration is encouraged. The Smithsonian American Art Museum is an Eighth and G streets NW. americanart.si.edu. 26 CAPITAL COMMUNITY NEWS, INC.

Can you share one hour each week with a student who is struggling to read? By becoming a reading partner and volunteering as little as one hour a week, you can help a child learn to read. Reading Partners DC provides an easy-to-use curriculum and on-site staff support to enable volunteers to be effective tutors. They are currently accepting online or in-person volunteers in Washington, DC. No experience required. All tutoring materials, lessons, and training will be provided by Reading Partners. readingpartners.org/ volunteer-washington-dc.

The Girl Who Became Legend at the KC

The town of Dustbin is known for two things: rules and dust. But one day, Raina spies a cloud in the sky—and adventure ensues with Calamity Jane, Johnny Appleseed… and a thunderstorm! Coming to the Kennedy Center from ZACH Theatre in Austin, TX, this charming new folktale takes the stage, packed with spirited tunes. The Girl Who Became Legend is at the Kennedy Center from Feb. 2 to 11. It is most enjoyed by age seven, and up. Tickets are $20. kennedy-center.org.

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NSO Family Concert: Music of Duke Ellington

On Sunday, March 17, at 2 p.m., in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall, take the A-Train to a special afternoon of music paying tribute to the beloved jazz composer and bandleader. Conducted by Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, the National Symphony Orchestra performs this swinging session as part of the Kennedy Center’s season-wide Ellington 125 celebration. Most enjoyed by ages five and older. Tickets are $18 to $20. Prior to the performance, the NSO Volunteer Council’s Musical PLAYspace gives children the opportunity to try out the instruments they’ll see played on the stage. Following the performance, young audience members can ask questions and hear stories from the show’s artists and creative team. kennedy-center.org. Duke Ellington didn’t call it jazz. He called his music “American Music,” and liked to describe those who impressed him as “beyond category.” But no one deserves that description more than The Duke.

Not Just Another Day Off: A Poetic Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

On Monday, Jan. 15, at 11 a.m., the Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 East Capitol St. SE, celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday with this annual free and familyfriendly event featuring contemporary poets and actors reading historic speeches from King, Frederick Douglass, Fannie Lou Hamer, and others. Free but registration requested. folger.edu.

Chris Chiozza. Photo: All Pro Reels

Story Times at La Cosecha

These 30-minute story times every Tuesday, 10:30 to 11 a.m., are packed full of books and songs designed to be enjoyed by children up to age five with their caregivers. Meet Northeast Library staff at La Cosecha, 1280 Fourth St. NE, on the second floor Balcón space for story time fun. Promoting language and literacy skills, these story times are a great way to further your child’s lifelong love of reading and learning. Children and their grownups are encouraged to actively engage and participate in the stories and activities during the program. A free, three-hour parking garage is available behind La Cosecha in the block between Morse Street and Neal Street. dclibrary.org.

Family Concert: Harlem’s Little Blackbird

Education Days with Capital City Go-Go

On Thursday, Feb. 8 and Tuesday, March 5, 11:30 a.m. (both days), in partnership with Teach the Beat (thebeatisgogo.com), Go-Go Education Days fuses basketball with the distinctive sound of go-go music at the Entertainment & Sports Arena, 1100 Oak Dr. SE. Students will have an interactive experience to help them learn about the rich history related to go-go music and its role in DC culture. This is the perfect field trip opportunity for local students K to 12. Tickets start at $10. capitalcity.gleague.nba.com. 28 CAPITAL COMMUNITY NEWS, INC.

In this special program for the young and young at heart on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., at St. Mark’s on Capitol Hill, Chiarina presents the DC premiere of Harlem’s Little Blackbird, the story of Jazz-age performer Florence Mills—set to the music of Scott Joplin and his contemporaries. The program also features American composers Duke Ellington, Leonard Bernstein, and more, which adults will also enjoy. This concert is best enjoyed by children ages five and up and lasts 50 minutes. Adult tickets are $15; kids 18 and under are (always) free. St. Mark’s is at 301 A St. SE. St. chiarina.org.

“Elena Moon Park and Friends” at the KC

On Saturday, Jan. 20, at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., take an “unhurried journey” around

the globe through song! Elena Moon Park and Friends performs folk and children’s music from East and Southeast Asia, reimagined to celebrate various musical traditions, languages, styles, and stories. Tickets are $20. kennedy-center.org.

Wegmans Wonderplace at American History

Wegmans Wonderplace is the first exhibition on the National Mall designed for children ages six and under. This 1,700-square-foot interactive space provides the youngest historians with age-appropriate activities and experiences. It is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission to Wonderplace is on a first come, first-served basis. At busy times, they may use free, timed tickets to minimize wait time if needed. Tickets are available for 30-minute visits on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are required for the first session from 10 to 10:30 a.m. americanhistory.si.edu.

National Zoo Webcams

See elephants, cheetah cubs, lions and naked mole-rats on animal cams streaming live, 24/7 from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute at nationalzoo.si.edu/webcams. You can also download Animal Cam Bingo Cards at nationalzoo.si.edu/webcams. These activities are designed to engage learners of all ages in looking closely and thinking deeply about animal behavior and habitats. Welcome to the wild side of learning!

Sleepover at the National Archives On Saturday, Feb. 3, 6:30 p.m. to Sunday,

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2024 WINTER EDUCATION SPECIAL 29

Story Time at Air & Space: Moonbear’s Shadow and 8 Little Planets

On Thursdays in January at 11 a.m., join them for this classic tale of a bear who wants to get away from his shadow. Then make shadow puppets and play with light and shadow. On Thursdays in February, at 11 a.m., learn about all the planets in our solar system. Which one is the best planet? After the story you can make some planet art. Free but timed-entry passes are required. airandspac.si.edu.

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Feb. 4, 9 a.m., a night of adventure awaits at the National Archives. Join them for a special sleepover at the National Archives Museum, 700 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, and spend the night next to America’s most precious treasures: the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Campers will also get to meet the Archivist of the United States, Dr. Colleen Shogan. The evening will be packed with fun and engaging activities for the entire family. Dive into their nation’s treasured records and learn about how sports and athletes have changed the course of American history. You will also have a chance to get your picture taken with Bright Star Theatre’s Jackie Robinson, who will be on hand to tell his inspiring story. The program will end on Sunday morning with a pancake breakfast served by the Archivist of the United States. This event is recommended for children eight to twelve years old; chaperones must be 21+ (adults must be accompanied by a child). $140 per attendee. This event fills up quickly, so be sure to register early to secure your space. If the event does reach capacity, send an email to info@ archivesfoundation.org to be added to the waitlist. archivesfoundation.org/ sleepover-2

A Day of Action at the National Portrait Gallery

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On Sunday, Jan. 28, 1 to 4 p.m., get inspired and find your voice. Art is activism and portraiture is powerful. Honor the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. and his commitment to community action by joining the National Portrait Gallery and their partners for A Day of Action. Geared toward mobilizing teens and young adults but open to all, this event featuring local social justice partner organizations and community groups will empower visitors. Learn

In February, learn about all the planets in our solar system.

from change-makers who are doing the work and be inspired by the activists highlighted in the Portrait Gallery’s exhibitions “The Struggle for Justice” and “Forces of Nature: Voices that Shaped Environmentalism.” Free but registration is encouraged. The National Portrait Gallery is at Eighth and G streets NW. npg.si.edu.

Old Town’s George Washington Birthday Parade

On Monday, Feb. 19, 1 to 3 p.m., Alexandria residents and visitors will line the streets of Old Town Alexandria to cheer on the oldest and largest George Washington Birthday parade in the country. The parade features drum corps, color guards, bands, community and fraternal organizations, youth groups, local merchants, city dignitaries and, of course, General Washington and Martha Washington. This year, the theme is “George Washington: Alexandria’s Original Living Legend.” Visit washingtonbirthday. com/20234-parade-route-copy for this year’s parade route. washingtonbirthday. com. ◆

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Advertiser Resources THERAPY & SUPPORT Capitol Kids Therapy LLC capitolkidstherapy.com Founded in 2000 on Capitol Hill, Capitol Kids Therapy provides pediatric speech and language therapy to children up to 12 years of age. Located at 2nd and D St. NE, Capitol Kids Therapy offers office, home, school and daycare-based therapy. Their therapists address a variety of speech and language areas, including (but not limited to) speech therapy, language therapy, feeding therapy, oral motor, and articulation therapy. Capitol Kids Therapy offers screenings, parent consultation, parent/teacher workshops, evaluations, and treatment. They look forward to helping your child achieve their potential! Early Stages earlystagesdc.org Early Stages is an evaluation center for children aged 2 years 8 months to 5 years 10 months. They identify developmental delays and disabilities in children. Early Stages provides evaluations for DC children who are not in school or who are homeschooled. They evaluate children living outside of DC if they attend a private school or child care center in DC. Early Stages is a program of DC Public Schools (DCPS). All Early Stages services are FREE.

ENRICHMENT & TUTORING SERVICES Downey School Consulting DowneySchoolConsulting@gmail.com We offer tutoring & educational consulting. We support you in navigating the D.C. Public and Charter School Common Lottery process, including explaining how it works and putting together a list to maximize your chances of getting a spot. We also help with unusual situations such as relocation, moving in the middle of the year, holding a child back, and dealing with problems in the current school. Downey School Consulting also helps families with children with special needs ranging from undiagnosed issues that need extra consideration in choosing a school to IEPs and 504 Plans. We can help determine the best public school options for your needs and can help determine if the services offered are sufficient for your child. 32 CAPITAL COMMUNITY NEWS, INC.

DC Camp Fair dccampfair.com Hosted by the J.O. Wilson Elementary School PTA on Saturday, January 20, 2024, from 10 A.M to 1 P.M., the D.C. Camp Fair will bring together more than 30 of the finest camps in the area, ranging from traditional camps to academic, arts, music, and special interest camps. Parents and caregivers can meet camp representatives and learn about the diverse options awaiting their children this coming summer. At J.O. Wilson Elementary School (660 K St NE). The Art League theartleague.org The Art League offers hundreds of studio art classes, gallery exhibits, and cultural events in Alexandria, VA. The League meets its mission to nurture artists and enrich our community through its gallery, fine art school, art supply store, and outreach programs. Find out more, sign up, or join at www. theartleague.org. Total Tutor mytotaltutor.com Total Tutor employs techniques backed by cognitive science and neuroscience research to help students become critical thinkers, self-reliant, and successful. We tutor students of all ages, learning styles, and abilities through one-on-one tutoring and small-group courses. Total Tutor offers K-12 Subject Help, Test Prep, and College Admissions Guidance. Work with experienced tutors one-on-one or in small groups to achieve your learning goals.

SCHOOLS: PRESCHOOL AppleTree Schools appletreeschools.org An exclusive Tier 1, FREE education for three- and four-year-old children to explore the uniqueness of a pre-K experience. Safe, convenient learning spaces near your home or job. The schools use Every Child Ready, their early learning instructional approach focusing on social-emotional learning, mathematics, language, literacy, and STEM.

Capitol Hill Cooperative Nursery School chcns.us Ms. Frances has nurtured the 2.5-4-year-olds of the Hill for over 30 years. She creates a childdirected environment by promoting play and exploration while offering the appropriate structure and boundaries that all young children need. Hours are 8:30-1:30, 3, 4, or 5 days a week. Capitol Hill Learning Group (CHLG) capitolhilllearninggroup.com CHLG’s Preschool program, located at 9th & Maryland Avenue, NE, is a Christ-centered, teacher-directed preschool program for children aged 2.5 - 5 years of age. Established in 2006, we are licensed by D.C. as a morning-only parent/teacher cooperative with parents serving as the assistant in the classroom on a rotating basis. CHLG boasts small classes of no more than ten students and a tight-knit learning community. Northeast Stars Montessori Preschools (NES) nestars.net Northeast Stars Montessori Preschools are fully licensed preschools in Old Town Alexandria and Capitol Hill, DC. They provide individualized, personal, educational opportunities for the whole child. Their teachers deliver “Montessori and More!” through mixed-age (two to five years) classrooms, carefully planned lessons, and the incorporation of music and arts. NES schools offer before-care and extended day learning from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., space share, and part-time spaces. ToTH Montessori tothmontessori.org ToTH Montessori is an independent Montessori school for children ages 17 months to 6 years. ToTH is committed to offering our community high-quality early childhood programs that best meet children’s unique developmental needs. Our trained teachers provide kind and caring guidance that nurtures children’s cognitive, physical, social, and emotional growth. University for Kids universityforkids.com Our primary focus is on providing exceptional care for infants through school-age children. Our unique programs are designed to incorporate real-life experiences while embracing language development, values, dietary preferences, and lifestyles that are shared among the diverse fami-

lies of Washington DC. Visit our website to learn more and check out many convenient locations!

PRIVATE/PAROCHIAL Capitol Hill Learning Group (CHLG) capitolhilllearninggroup.com CHLG’s K-8 University-Model® program is located at 9th & Maryland Ave. NE. Established in 2006, CHLG is a Christ-centered micro-school that boasts professional teachers, small class sizes, a tight-knit learning community, and a reduced in-school schedule. Bringing the Christian worldview to bear in all learning is the hallmark of what we do, and our students grow to be responsible, independent, and self-driven learners. DeMatha Catholic High School dematha.org DeMatha Catholic High School provides a rigorous college preparatory curriculum to young men in the Washington area, including 87 Advanced Placement and Honors courses, 22 college dualenrollment courses, and individualized academic support. Students are committed to service while participating in numerous co-curricular activities, including nationally recognized athletic and music programs. Elizabeth Seton High School setonhs.org Rooted in Catholic values and the charism of the Daughters of Charity, Elizabeth Seton High School’s mission is to cultivate confidence in young women to excel in college, careers, and life through an innovative and rigorous academic experience. Friends Community School friendscommunityschool.org FCS is a purposeful and joyful school that engages and inspires young children through adolescence. Located just 15 minutes from Capitol Hill on 17 acres in College Park, MD, FCS offers a diverse and inclusive community, a commitment to educating the whole child, and a curriculum emphasizing child-centered and hands-on learning. FCS students are lifelong learners, courageous risktakers, and joyous peacemakers who matriculate to rigorous independent, parochial, and public magnet schools in the greater Washington DC area. See our website for updates and details regarding our open houses and application process.

St. Anselm’s Abbey School saintanselms.org An independent Catholic, Benedictine school for boys in grades 6 - 12. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, fine and performing arts, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities. Bright and motivated boys are both nurtured and challenged as they grow to become exceptional men. St. Peter School stpeterschooldc.org St. Peter School, a 2019 National Blue Ribbon School, is a family of learners serving the Capitol Hill parishes and community. The children are provided with an education that is founded on love of God and service to others, characterized by Catholic values and academic excellence, and dedicated to addressing each child’s unique talents and abilities. Washington School for Girls washingtonschoolforgirls.org The Washington School for Girls (WSG) ignites the joyful pursuit of learning and inspires lives of faith-filled purpose, leadership, and service. WSG is an all-scholarship, independent, Catholic day school educating girls in grades 3-8. Located in Ward 8 and serving the surrounding communities, the school provides an excellent academic program in a supportive environment that engages families and the community in the social, emotional, and spiritual growth of its students and graduates. WSG offers full scholarships to all admitted students.

PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS BASIS, Washington, D.C. ™ BASISdc.org BASIS Washington, D.C. is the District’s topperforming charter school, scoring an impressive 97.7% in the high school framework on the 2019 DC PCSB School Quality Report. In 2023, U.S. News & World Report ranked BASIS Washington, D.C., the best open-enrollment public high school within the District of Columbia. Through the acclaimed BASIS Charter School Curriculum, students master complex and challenging material across all disciplines. They have the opportunity to demonstrate this mastery through Advanced

Placement® Exams. BASIS Washington, D.C., has a 100% AP participation rate. Bridges PCS bridgespcs.org Bridges Public Charter School opened in 2005 and serves a culturally and linguistically diverse student population in Pre-K3 through 5th. The school’s developmentally appropriate, studentand family-centered approach includes small classroom sizes, well-trained staff, and individual student planning. Bridges PCS incorporates hands-on learning into classroom instruction across grades. The school has both general education classrooms and high-level special education classrooms. The school’s specials are Spanish, art, music, physical education, and gardening. In Fall 2022, Bridges PCS was honored by EmpowerK12 with the Bold School’s Award for academic growth and student educational outcomes. Capital Village PCS capitalvillageschools.org Each middle school student is different. All students can benefit from a learning environment that is customized for them. With less than 175 students, Capital Village PCS is an intentionally small middle school where the learning experience is co-designed with the student and family. Starting from an Individual Learning Plan, each student works with their mentor to set short and long-term goals, check on their progress weekly, and grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Cesar Chavez PCS for Public Policy chavezschools.org Cesar Chavez Public Charter School for Public Policy provides a rigorous college preparatory curriculum, a unique public policy program, and a safe and supportive learning environment with comprehensive support services. We are now recruiting for grades 6-11th for the 24-25 School Year. DC Prep PCS dcprep.org D.C. Prep is a network of public charter schools serving over 2,100 preschoolers through 8th-grade students across six campuses in Wards 5, 7, and 8. The school prepares every child for an academically and socially prosperous future by ensuring more class time, targeted interventions, standards-based instruction, and frequent assessments. 2024 WINTER EDUCATION SPECIAL 33

DC Wildflower Public Charter School www.dcwildflowerpcs.org At DC Wildflower, we believe intentionally small, community embedded, teacher-led Montessori learning environments will accelerate the journey for students of the global majority to be and feel safe, seen and heard. Learn more at our enrolling campuses The Riverseed School (linktr.ee/theriverseedschool) and Blue Montessori (linktr.ee/ bluemontessoridc)! Eagle Academy PCS eagleacademypcs.org Eagle Academy Public Charter School, DC’s first early childhood charter school, employs a variety of educational, technological, physical, and sociological tools to transform its students into active learners. Offering pre-K to third-grade instruction, the school has myriad programs, including STEM, arts, music, foreign language, and adventure activities that encourage student curiosity, which is the key to successful learning. Elsie Whitlow Stokes PCS ewstokes.org. The Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School prepares culturally diverse preschool and elementary school students in D.C. to be leaders, scholars, and responsible global citizens committed to social justice. Stokes teaches children to think, speak, read, write, and learn in two languages: English and French or English and Spanish. We have campuses in the Brookland and Capitol View neighborhoods of Northeast Washington. Hope Community Public Charter School PhalenAcademies.org/Hope At Hope Community PCS, we work to create the leaders of tomorrow by providing a world-class education in an empowering and joyous learning environment. Our scholars engage in STEAMfocused learning with customized and rigorous curriculum to develop skills that are essential for school, work, and life success. Lee Montessori Public Charter Schools leemontessori.org Lee Montessori exists to create a more just, liberated world. Our diverse and interconnected community of PK3s through 6th graders redefines high-quality education by pairing Montessori with Anti-Bias/Anti-Racist practices. We create a 34 CAPITAL COMMUNITY NEWS, INC.

joyful learning environment where children and families flourish and can show up authentically as their true selves.

globally competitive students ready for college and careers.

Mundo Verde PCS mundoverdepcs.org Mundo Verde is an EL Education School dedicated to education for sustainability and biliteracy. We believe that education for the 21st century should prepare children to reach their full potential and take on personal responsibility for our world’s sustainability. School culture emphasizes character, mutual respect, global stewardship, and health and wellness, focusing on developing rich cultural awareness, critical problem-solving, and fostering active members of a caring community. Mundo Verde is free and open to all Washington, DC students.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Richard Wright PCS richardwrightpcs.org Richard Wright Public Charter School for Journalism and Media Arts provides a strong, academically enriching, and rigorous program while providing hands-on learning of fundamental concepts and skills essential in Journalism, Broadcast Journalism, Film, Graphic Design, Visual Art, and Music Production. In addition, the school’s innovative curriculum elevates the literacy levels of all its students.

Anacostia High School Anacostia New Tech High School anacostiahs.org Anacostia High School equips and empowers all students with the social, emotional, and cognitive skills to dismantle oppressive systems and thrive in their local and global communities. The school prepares students to dismantle systems of inequity through nurturing, challenging, relevant, and joyful learning experiences. Our aim is to empower students to be self-aware, critical thinkers that are stewards of the community who positively influence the world.

Sela Public Charter School SelaPCS.org Sela PCS is DC’s only Hebrew Language immersion school. Rated a Tier 1 School by the DC Public Charter School Board and awarded a Blue Ribbon by the US Department of Education, Sela has a diverse student body and staff that reflects the multicultural and vibrant dynamics of the nation’s capital. The school offers an academically rigorous curriculum, including daily Modern Hebrew studies, that leads to a high level of language proficiency. Washington Global PCS Washingtonglobal.org Washington Global Public Charter School has been named a 2023 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. Our middle school program includes project-based learning, small learning communities, technology instruction, arts, and foreign language classes in Spanish and Korean. Our curriculum is designed to create

Ballou High School balloudc.org Ballou High School empowers students and families in an intensive academic curriculum, while in an environment that nurtures and supports students’ emotional development and growth. Our staff is committed to providing culturally responsive learning & teaching practices that intentionally connect students to real-world opportunities and experiences. Ballou High School graduates are BOLD, COURAGEOUS, & OUTSTANDING as they enter the world of college and career.

Phelps Architecture Construction Engineering High School phelpshsdc.org Welcome to Phelps Architecture Construction Engineering High School, where innovation meets education. Our school is dedicated to fostering a dynamic learning environment that prepares students for success in architecture, construction, and engineering. With state-of-the-art facilities, experienced faculty, and a curriculum designed for hands-on learning, we empower students to explore their passion, develop critical skills, and embark on a journey of creativity and excellence. At Phelps, we shape the builders and designers of tomorrow. Join us in inspiring the architects and engineers of the future!

H.D. Woodson hdwoodson.org A premiere and trusted institution of secondary learning that promotes access and opportunity for scholars to not only be successful in the world, but to be change agents and architects of the world they live in. With an intentional focus on college and career programming, Woodson prepares scholars to be competitive in their post-secondary pursuits while providing a learning environment where scholars feel loved, challenged, and prepared.

SUMMER CAMPS, DANCE AND MUSIC Busy Bees Music & Art Playgroups BusyBeesDC.com Busy Bees Music & Art Playgroups provide a drop-off preschool environment for kids ages 2040 months old. For the younger kids, choose from 1-5 mornings/week with optional aftercare until 3 p.m. Older kids attend from 3-5 mornings/week with optional aftercare until 3 p.m. or 6 p.m. The program includes structured free play, music, art, and fun! Ask about our Spring Break and Summer Camp. Burgundy Farm Country Day School Day Camp & Sleep Away Camp burgundyfarm.org The Burgundy camp experience, both in Alexandria and West Virginia, spurs children’s social and intellectual development and encourages personal growth and confidence. Our day camp in Alexandria partners with local groups like Excite Soccer, Alexandria Children’s Theatre, NOVA Fencing Club, and STARZ Gymnastics to provide quality and fun programming. Camp Arena Stage arenastage.org/camp A place to explore, discover, and create! Camp Arena Stage is a multi-arts full-day summer camp, for young people ages 8-15, hosted on the beautiful grounds of Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School. With the encouragement and guidance of professional artists and educators, campers learn by doing — expanding their creativity in theater, dance, music, visual art, filmmaking, and writing.

Camp Shakespeare ShakespeareTheatre.org/Camp-Shakespeare Dive into the world of one of the greatest playwrights in history: William Shakespeare. Working with theatre professionals, campers unlock Shakespeare’s plays with text analysis; transform into characters through voice and movement; wage battles with stage combat; and develop acting skills. Sessions culminate in a performance at Shakespeare Theatre Company. Music on the Hill musiconthehilldc.com Whether you are 3.5 years old or 103.5, we at Music on the Hill believe that music is for everyone! We take the guesswork out of Music Education by providing everything you need right in our Capitol Hill store. With our quality instrument sales and rentals (some starting as low as $25), we can outfit your specific needs as well as pair you with one of our excellent faculty members (each boasts secondary degrees in music paired with years of experience) in guitar, piano, bass, violin, viola, cello, drums, woodwinds, brass and more. We also offer introductory Group Classes in guitar, banjo and ukulele. All of our private lessons are available in person or over Zoom. Northeast Stars Montessori Preschools (NES) Summer Camp nestars.net Weekly enrollment, ages 2–6, 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Unleash your child’s creativity while they build lifelong skills! Week-Long themed activities. Explore 14-week-long STEM-based themes, including science experiments, outdoor exploration, and play, which complement their STEM-heavy curriculum in our classrooms and outside. Polite Piggy’s Day Camp politepiggys.com Whether you are looking for the morning, full-day, or six weeks, we have you covered with top-notch programming. Your child will find joy, friendships, and caring team members daily. We prepare an engaging calendar of trips, performances, cultural experiences, and high-quality play. In addition, we offer unique classes like art, music, sciences, STEMovate, chess, fitness, sports, cooking, Legos, and a hiking club with Aunt Lizzie. Small ratios for all campers. Breakfast, snack (maybe lunch), classes, and trips included. The camp will be located at Maury ES (Pending DCPS Approval).

St. Anselm’s Abbey School saintanselms.org Summer at the Abbey! Explore either full or half day sessions in sports, academics, or extracurriculars. All camps are led by experienced Abbey teachers and coaches. Aftercare and a free metro shuttle are offered. The camps are highly affordable. Sign up now! The Washington Urban Debate League (WUDL) urbandebatewashingtondc.org WUDL offers year-round programming, including summer camp programs, to cultivate debate skills among students. With a focus on fostering critical thinking and effective communication, the organization provides educational opportunities that empower participants to excel in debate and contribute meaningfully to civic discourse.