Education Edition Summer/Fall 2017

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

2017 SUMME R-FALL EDITION PR E K-12

A CAPITAL COMMUNITY NEWS PUBLICATION capitalcommunitynews.com

s p e c i a l 04

How To Pick a Public Charter School

by E.V. Downey

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Digital Citizenship • by Heather Schoell

14

Finding a School that Better Supports Your Student

by Lee Palmer

20

Your Kid Needs Help, But Who You Gonna Call?

by Paul Rivas We plan to scale our strong model and outcomes to serve more students

Stokes School to Open a Second Campus In 2018-19 we will open a second school with 140 Pre-K and K students Check our website or call the school for updates

24

Kids & Family Notebook • by Kathleen Donner

29

Ad Index & Resources

Look for the Winter/Spring Education Special – January 2018 Accepting Applications for the 2018-2019 School Year Grades PS/PK-5th

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DC’S CHARTER SCHOOLS: LEADING EDUCATION REFORM IN THE NATION’S CAPITAL! WARD 1

AppleTree Early Learning Center PCS - Columbia Heights • Carlos Rosario International PCS • Cesar Chavez PCS for Public Policy - Chavez Prep • E.L. Haynes PCS - Middle School District of Columbia International School • Howard University Middle School of Mathematics and Science PCS • LAYC Career Academy PCS • Meridian PCS The Next Step/El Proximo Paso PCS • YouthBuild PCS

WARD 2

BASIS DC PCS • Goodwill Excel Center PCS

WARD 4

Capital City PCS - High School • Capital City PCS - Middle School • Capital City PCS - Lower School • E.L. Haynes PCS - High School • E.L. Haynes PCS - Elementary School Friendship PCS - Online • Hope Community PCS - Lamond • Ideal Academy PCS • Latin American Montessori Bilingual PCS • Paul PCS - International High School Paul PCS - Middle School • Roots PCS • Washington Latin PCS - Upper School • Washington Latin PCS - Middle School • Center City PCS - Brightwood Center City PCS - Petworth • Sela PCS • Breakthrough Montessori PCS

WARD 5

Bridges PCS • Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom PCS • Harmony DC PCS - School of Excellence • DC Bilingual PCS • DC Prep PCS - Edgewood Middle School DC Prep PCS - Edgewood Elementary School • Briya PCS • Friendship PCS - Armstrong • Friendship PCS - Woodridge Middle School • Friendship PCS - Woodridge Elementary School Hope Community PCS - Tolson • Perry Street Preparatory PCS • KIPP DC - Connect Academy PCS • KIPP DC - College Preparatory Academy PCS • KIPP DC - Northeast Academy PCS KIPP DC - Spring Academy PCS • Mary McLeod Bethune Day Academy PCS • Two Rivers PCS - Young • Washington Mathematics Science Technology PCHS • City Arts & Prep PCS Center City PCS - Trinidad • Washington Yu Ying PCS • Inspired Teaching Demonstration PCS • Shining Stars Montessori Academy PCS • Creative Minds International PCS Mundo Verde Bilingual PCS • Lee Montessori PCS • Academy of Hope Adult PCS • The Children's Guild DC PCS • Washington Leadership Academy PCS

WARD 6

AppleTree Early Learning Center PCS - Southwest • Cesar Chavez PCS for Public Policy - Capitol Hill • Eagle Academy PCS - Capitol Riverfront Friendship PCS - Chamberlain Middle School • Friendship PCS - Chamberlain Elementary School • KIPP DC - Grow Academy PCS • KIPP DC - WILL Academy PCS KIPP DC - Lead Academy PCS • Two Rivers PCS - 4th Street • Center City PCS - Capitol Hill • Center City PCS - Shaw • Richard Wright PCS for Journalism and Media Arts Monument Academy PCS • Washington Global PCS • Kingsman Academy PCS • AppleTree Early Learning Center PCS - Lincoln Park

WARD 7

AppleTree Early Learning Center PCS - Oklahoma Avenue • Cesar Chavez PCS for Public Policy - Parkside High School • Cesar Chavez PCS for Public Policy - Parkside Middle School DC Prep PCS - Benning Middle School • DC Prep PCS - Benning Elementary School • Friendship PCS - Collegiate Academy • Friendship PCS - Blow Pierce Middle School Friendship PCS - Blow Pierce Elementary School • IDEA PCS • KIPP DC - LEAP Academy PCS • KIPP DC - Arts and Technology Academy PCS • KIPP DC - KEY Academy PCS KIPP DC - Valor Academy PCS • KIPP DC - Promise Academy PCS • KIPP DC - Quest Academy PCS • Maya Angelou PCS - Young Adult Learning Center Maya Angelou PCS - High School • SEED PCS of Washington DC • St. Coletta Special Education PCS • DC Scholars PCS

WARD 8

Achievement Preparatory Academy PCS - Wahler Place Elementary School • Achievement Preparatory Academy PCS - Wahler Place Middle School AppleTree Early Learning Center PCS - Southeast • Cedar Tree Academy PCS • DC Prep PCS - Anacostia Elementary School • Early Childhood Academy PCS Friendship PCS - Southeast Academy • Friendship PCS - Technology Preparatory Middle School • Friendship PCS - Technology Preparatory High School • KIPP DC - AIM Academy PCS KIPP DC - Discover Academy PCS • KIPP DC - Heights Academy PCS • Thurgood Marshall Academy PCS • Eagle Academy PCS - Congress Heights • Center City PCS - Congress Heights Excel Academy PCS • National Collegiate Preparatory PCHS • Ingenuity Prep PCS • Somerset Preparatory Academy PCS • Community College Preparatory Academy PCS Democracy Prep Congress Heights PCS • Rocketship DC PCS

Visit Our Website: www.dcacps.org or email us: redelin@dcpcsa.org

EDUCAT ION 2017 • 3

How To Pick a Public Charter School

W

by E.V. Downey

ations for families navigating the public ith all the school opcharter school lottery system. tions our city offers, how should parents determine what will 1. Location, location, location! work best for their This should be a top factor when children? In addition to private looking for a charter school. Traveling schools, the District of Columbia long distances to and from school, offers two types of free public schools especially with young children, can get to its citizens. District of Columbia old very quickly. PCSs (and DCPS) Public Schools (DCPS) is the default do not generally provide busing to option for students in Kindergarten students. Older students can take through 12th grade. Each street adadvantage of free public transit, but dress has assigned to it an elementary, younger kids need to be escorted. Even middle, and high school in which if you hire someone to transport your students can enroll at any time of the child, your child is still spending many school year. minutes, if not hours, per day in a The other public school option car. Choosing a school that is close to is Public Charter Schools (PCS). The home or work can make a huge differcharter school system, run by the ence in quality of life. If a school is in Public Charter School Board (PCSB), a temporary location, it may move to a celebrated its 20th anniversary of new location that is not as convenient, providing education to city students in another consideration to think about.

2016. In the system’s inaugural year, 160 students attended charter schools.

2. Educational Models During the 2016-17 school year, over Bilingual, Montessori, 41,000 students were enrolled in a Expeditionary, Oh My! public charter school, representing A main feature of charter schools is over 40% of the total number of stuthat they provide an alternate educadents in public schools in the city. tional model to regular public schools.

PCSs operate in much the same way I divide Washington’s PCS’s into three as DCPS schools do, offering a free eduCapital City PCS Fifth-grader Bruktawit Tesfaye and First Lady Michelle categories: academically rigorous, servObama at the PHA 2017 Summit, ‘Building a Healthier Future.’ cation to DC residents, but admission ing a special population, and innovative is based solely on application via the lotWhile the lottery certainly does involve an educational models. tery. Most charter schools use the same element of chance, families should still make The first category includes such schools Common Lottery system, run by MySchoolDC, their school selections carefully.

The order in as KIPP DC, the Friendship PCSs, and DC as DCPS schools. For entry into any charter which you rank the schools on your lottery Prep. These schools focus primarily on strict school at any grade level families must use the submission form dictates which schools you academics and making sure that students Common Lottery system. There are a handful are given an option of getting into, taking any have the tools and support to succeed despite of charter schools that do not participate in the schools you ranked lower off your list altotheir economic backgrounds. In these schools lottery, either because they opt out or because gether. Making sure your list is well-crafted can school days and the school year are often they serve a population of students who have give you the best chance at a top choice. longer, teachers are available after hours for exceptional needs. For all the rest, families are So what should you consider when making homework help, and discipline is carefully dependent on the luck of the lottery. those choices? Here’s my list of top considermaintained to allow the greatest possible time 4 •

EDUCAT ION 2017 • 5

Latino, and 23% are African American (compared to roughly 75% of total PCS enrollees). Two Rivers Public Charter School, with an expeditionary learning model, has roughly 25% “at risk” students compared to 48% at PCSs overall.

4. Is it a good school and how do I decide that?

RWPCS students with Dr. Jerome Adams and USA Today Health Policy reporter Jayne O’Donnell, Founder of the Urban Health Media Project, at the Health Means Business National Summit.

for academic instruction without distractions.

The second category includes such schools as Kingsman Academy for foster children, St. Coletta’s for special education students, and Briya for adult learners. Like the schools in the first category, these schools provide services that go beyond those of a traditional school.

These services include mental health and medical support, speech, physical, and occupational therapy, and intensive English as a Second Language (ESL) interventions.

These first two categories of schools offer education to thousands of students across the city. However, most middle class families are looking for schools in the third category. These are schools that offer innovative educational models such as Montessori, expeditionary learning, and bilingual education. Families are drawn to the flexibility PCSs can have in offering a curriculum that differs significantly from DCPS. It is important to make sure the educational models parents choose are a good fit for their specific child. Innovative educational models that are of interest to one family may not be a good fit for another. Understanding what kinds of approaches would best suit each student will help narrow down choices. If a child best learns through play, perhaps a more strictly academically-focused school is not the best fit.. Bilingual education is incredible, but not all parents want their children to learn a language they cannot themselves speak.

3. What if we don’t want all of the other kids to look like ours?

Another attraction of these schools for middle class families is that many offer more economic and racial diversity than other charters and, in fact, than most DCPS schools.. For example, Mundo Verde, a bilingual English/Spanish program, is one of the most racially diverse schools in the city. Over 30% of their students are white, compared to under 6% for charter schools as a whole. Almost 40% are Hispanic/ 6 •

The Public Charter School Board (PCSB) evaluates its schools and assigns annual ratings to them. Schools are classified as Tiers I, II, and III. Some schools are untiered (for new schools or schools without testing) or evaluated using the Alternative Accountability Framework (for schools that serve high risk students). Tier ratings are developed using several different parameters. These include test score-based ratings like Student Progress (individual students’ academic improvement over time), Student Achievement (percentage of students scoring proficient or advanced), and Gateway Indicators (predicting future academic success). They also include measures such as School Environment (primarily attendance and re-enrollment), and MissionSpecific Performance (tailored specifically to each school to incorporate differences in their missions and methods).

While tier rankings can give an indication of schools that are performing well, they do not necessarily indicate which schools would be a good placement for each child. Only 42% of total PCS attendees attend a Tier I school. Another 42% attend Tier II schools.

Tier II schools can include newer schools with an innovative educational model that makes it more difficult to immediately achieve higher test scores. Tier I schools can include schools with a more strict academic model than might be appropriate for some students. Schools evaluated under the Alternative Accountability Framework could be an excellent choice for a special needs student or adult learner.

Aside from these caveats, tier ranking and general reviews can be useful tools for selecting a school. Drilling down into the reports generated by the PCSB can be even more useful. For example, the reports include scores generated by evaluating teacher interactions. Observers judge teachers on Emotional Support (of students), Classroom Organization, and Instructional Support (of teachers). The reports further drill down into categories such as Establishing a Culture for Learning and Managing Student Behavior. The reports also detail how schools deal with special populations such as special education and English Language Learners.

Specific examples are given so that parents can get a snapshot of the dayto-day classroom proceedings before themselves visiting the class.

5. One size does not fit all – school and class sizes Other factors that parents might consider in looking for a charter school are the total size of the school and of individual classes. A larger school can provide more amenities but be less personal whereas a smaller school can feel more like a family but lack extras such as full time special subject teachers. Most parents look for the smallest class sizes available for their children; charter schools vary somewhat in class sizes, but in general class sizes are similar to those in public schools.

6. Do we really need a school with a swimming pool?

Charter schools rarely have physical plants that rival those of even

EDUCAT ION 2017 • 7

Two Rivers middle school students dance their way through the Latin Dance.

public schools, let alone private schools, so that factor is not a huge one in choosing a school.

However, some schools have the benefit of being in facilities that have always been schools whereas others are in converted buildings that might be less conducive to educational life. Likewise, charters do not have swimming pools or fancy football fields, but some have significantly more outdoor space whereas others have to take students to nearby playgrounds for outdoor time. Depending on your priorities and your child, this may be a major factor in your decision-making.

7. That Certain Something you will know it when you see it Those who know me know that I put a lot of emphasis on going with your gut feelings when picking a school. After narrowing down choices based on the parameters above, parents must go to visit each school on their list to make the final determination of whether to add it to the lottery list 8 •

and if yes, where to place it. When visiting, parents should think about whether this is a place they would be pleased to send their child every day. Are the adults in the building pleased to speak with visitors? Do they seem to truly enjoy their roles with the kids? Do the kids look happy and engaged?

Is there an environment of calm and nurturing? Are the classrooms orderly and inviting? Is the school administration able to articulate a clear set of goals for the school and how they achieve those goals? Do they have reasonable answers to more challenging questions?

In choosing a school parents must remember that they know their children best.

E.V. Downey is the principal educational consultant at Downey School Consulting, where she consults on public, charter, private, and special needs school choices and issues. She started consulting after years of teaching kids of all ages and working in private school administration.

A graduate of DC Public Schools, E.V. lives on Capitol Hill with her husband and two children. �

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EDUCAT ION 2017 • 9

Digital Citizenship The Cost of the Internet

by Heather Schoell

W

e don’t just hand the car keys to a kid and expect that they will know the rules of the road and how to be safe behind the wheel.

Yet that’s what we seem to have done with the Internet. Sure, we have parental blocks of certain sites and screen time limits when they’re little, but those restrictions are pretty much gone by the time they are in their tweens. But the ramifications of handing over the keys too soon to free roaming the internet can be just as costly as handing over the keys to the car too soon.

What’cha looking at?

10 •

You Posted What?

I had an uncomfortable conversation with a parent. My kids follow her kid on Instagram, and me being that kind of parent, I thumbed through her account during a random check of my kid’s phone. She had video of herself drinking from a bottle of vodka with a straw, sexually explicit photos (from the internet, not of her) with captions such as, “[Boy’s Name] n me,” and a post of how she ran into her pastor while she was in an altered state. All well and good (not really) for a college girl of legal age, but she’s 13.

A friend’s family member is flunking out of private school because he opened an email address in his dad’s name and was excusing himself for all kinds of classes he missed. He didn’t do homework for most classes because he and his friends would use social media to post answers (and learn what drug was available for purchase that day and where). Clever kids with something to hide will show parents the dummy social media accounts, not the ones that can ruin their future.

There are a few things at work here with these and, I dare say, most kids: 1. Their developing brains don’t process the myriad of ways these posts can ruin their futures. 2. The pull for “likes” is stronger than the opportunity to make a responsible social media choice (go figure), even from a “good” kid from a “good” family. 3. They don’t think what they post matters. 4. Thank the gods that camera phones and the internet weren’t around when I was a teenager!

Facebook blew up with the June 5 Harvard Crimson article by Hannah Natanson about how Harvard rescinded their admissions offers to ten students because of their social media posts of memes (shared photos with text) that were racist, sexist, or generally in poor taste (i.e. dead baby jokes). Those are ten young people counting on that Harvard legacy who, because of their lack of judgement in posting dumb and hurtful content, are going to need to explain to the state school admissions their sudden interest.

The overarching term for all of this online social media posting is digital citizenship, and it’s begging for cultivation and parameters.

It seems our current plan is to wing it, case by case.

When pressed, a highranking DC Public Schools official admitted that this is something they haven’t approached, and said “we’ve done jack - less than

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EDUCAT ION 2017 • 11

jack” about it. With access to all information (and idiotic memes) comes awesome responsibility, and we’re not talking about it, or at least not enough. Yes, I’ve told my kids that what they post will be out there in the world forever.

FOREVER. Even if it’s a post to Snapchat, which theoretically is supposed to evaporate, but not if someone screenshots it, makes it into a meme, and shares it with the world! Yes, I’ve told them, but you know how many times you have to tell your kids to pick up the stuff they’ve left on the floor before it actually gets picked up?

It’s that many times we have to tell them to not post stuff that could be construed as something they wouldn’t want their grandmother to see (if their potential boss or future admissions clerk is too abstract a concept).

Shaky Foundations Have you ever considered the effect of “likes” on children, when their self-worth is determined by how many likes their posts to Instagram have gotten? It’s hard to watch, when they post something and keep checking to see how many people like their post -- the elation when the post is popular and the disappointment, bewilderment, and hurt feelings when it isn’t. This is all uncharted territory, for the most part, as we don’t have anything comparable in previous generations, but I think we can surmise know how it’ll work out. Shaky foundations, instability, fragile egos that seek external sources to prop them up.

No bueno.

There’s pressure to fit in, like the 13 year old who, according to her mom, turned out to not be doing everything that she purported.

She felt pressure to act like she was having sex and getting lit and posting about it in order to fit in with 12 •

her friends who hopefully aren’t really doing all that stuff either.

Because my daughter was spending far too much time on her phone and not enough on reading, studying, and cleaning her room, my husband and I took her phone.

(This is actually how I came to know about the aforementioned girl.) My kid was so much happier without it! Not at first, of course, but without the pressure of having to constantly respond to others’ posts, she was free. Suddenly there was time to draw and sculpt, and catch up on Cosmos (the science show, not the magazine, thank you). It was liberating for her. It’s hard for adults to effectively manage their time, let alone a kid with their still-developing brain.

Dr. Diane Smith, principal of Washington Latin, tried to tackle a chunk of this by paying students $100 out of her own pocket if they go phone-free every Tuesday during the summer. I guess if bribery is what it takes to kick the screen habit, then that’s what it shall be.

I wouldn’t do it as a parent, but I applaud the intent!

Equality Unfortunately, I think we now have another avenue of inequality among us. We know that all kids have cell phones, pretty much regardless of race, color, creed, and socioeconomic status. So what happens when kids from different backgrounds get in trouble because of what they posted?

A friend recently had a situation in which her child posted something inappropriate to social media. It was screen-grabbed, memed and shared, and the student was expelled after a hearing that the family was not informed of. The parents fought the expulsion -- they lawyered up, demanded a new hearing and they won, eventually. The punishment was

reduced to suspension. It was hell for the family as they fought for the future of their child who maintains an A grade point average, and is not a troublemaker in any way.

But her suspension will be on her permanent record, and all for one split-second decision to post for a laugh, for a lack of judgement in digital citizenship.

While that’s great for them that they won, what about when that happens in a family that can’t afford a lawyer, or a family in which the parents don’t speak English? What if the student has no one to advocate for her when the school system attempts to make an example of her? And further, where do school systems post their policies about inappropriate posts, and the consequences for violating them? My kids are in DCPS schools. For the life of me, I couldn’t find any policy about online misbehavior and the consequences for violating them (whatever they are). I found some guidance for staff, but none for students. They must exist, right?

So again, the most doggedly involved parents will pursue justice for their students, while a family with limited ability to navigate the system is probably going to be stuck with whatever consequence is handed to them. [Note: I ended up tracking down the written policies for digital citizenship through DCPS’ Office of the General Council so that I may add it to Eliot-Hine’s student handbook. It wasn’t hard to get -- it took two phone calls and an email, but I would think it should be readily searchable on their website.]

This inequality is another reason why we need to have Internet boundaries for kids -- for all kids.

We can’t allow one mistake that a kid makes -- one bad decision -- to alter their course. But how do we go about this? I would suggest that

there be a standard curriculum introduced to kids in every school, starting when they’re young. Even though you’re not supposed to have social media accounts until age 13, that isn’t followed. So let’s start in 1st or 2nd grade with the simple message: what you put on the Internet matters, and keep saying it every so often. Broaden the scope of the message as they mature. Content should reflect the times, so let’s make sure there are stories in English Language Arts that will support the message. That way, no matter what the advocacy level at home, all children will have access to the information that may save them (and others) from Internet backlash.

One Kid at a Time Maybe working together as parents and educators, we can cultivate good digital citizens and avoid the social media posts metaphorically wrapping the car around a tree.

Open the line of communication, and let your kids know you’re present. There are several online resource guides for talking to your kid about responsible social media behaviors. Here are a few to start with. https://www.consumer.ftc. gov/articles/0006-talk-your-kids https://www.aap.org/en-us/ about-the-aap/aap-press-room/ news-features-and-safety-tips/ Pages/Talking-to-kids-and-Teensabout-social-media-and-sexting. aspx http://www.safesearchkids. com/parents-guide-to-protectingteens-on-social-media/#.WUYHq4grLnA Heather Schoell is a Capitol Hill parent of two teenagers, and is not afraid of being the bad guy if it means that Harvard isn’t off the table. Advocating for the life success of all students is her thing. ✏

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www.seeforever.org EDUCAT ION 2017 • 13

Finding a School that Better Supports Your Student

I

by Lee Palmer

have spent over 30 years as an educator and administrator in traditional private schools, serving diverse communities of students and families. With dedicated faculty and extensive resources, these and many other schools do their best to help each and every student find and pursue their unique vision for success.

Amid legislation, standardized tests, faculty needs, board initiatives, capital campaigns, and facilities management, it’s easy to lose sight of how best to support individual student learning. And because so much of education – public and private – has become about the Blyth-Templeton Academy student and Capitol Hill senior playing Mahjong.

14 •

child adapting to school, schools often struggle to adapt to meet individual student needs.

As a result, some students are unsuccessful, either dropping out of school, struggling with mental health issues, or just not being challenged enough to meet their full potential. This happens not because these students aren’t capable, but because it’s becoming harder and harder to give them the support they need to succeed.

Fortunately, there’s been a collective awakening in recent years that there may be a better way. Savvy educators are taking aim at the status

EDUCAT ION 2017 • 15

Woodson STEM’s Academy works with Brent Elementary students at Math and Science Day.

quo by restructuring the school day, redesigning the physical spaces where students learn, changing the way students and teachers interact, and using practices that are learner-focused and learner-driven.

Though I had always thought about and worked toward changing the status quo in education, two years ago, I became Head of School at a new micro school that would allow me to build this approach from the ground-up.

The goal is still the same – to nourish and cultivate a generation of citizens and leaders – but disrupters are turning traditional education on its head, focusing on better supporting students and abandoning a highly-structured model that asks students to fit a pre-existing mold.

Traditional schools sometimes struggle with this due to larger class sizes and shorter periods so when you are considering a new school, ask how they make learning hands-on. Do the students spend time out of the classroom and off campus? Do they use project-based learning that encourages student creativity and ownership?

How can we know the difference between these schools and those that remain rooted in less flexible models? Here’s what to look for:

Student-Teacher Relationships. Great relationships between teachers and their students support deeper learning. When students come from a place of trust, they are more likely to ask questions which facilitate meaningful learning and open up valuable mentoring opportunities. Relationships between peers are also important as we know that learning in isolation is not as effective.

To find a school with a community like this, look for smaller class sizes where all students are expected to engage and interact with one another. Find out if learning is driven by merely receiving knowledge or by cultivating curiosity.

Learning by Doing. It’s true that some people learn through listening and others through reading, but everybody can learn by doing. Schools that use best practices in education ask their students to “do” rather than just receive content. In addition to research backing up this concept, it’s also very intuitive. You wouldn’t expect someone to become a plumber, a surgeon, or a musician by just reading or hearing about how to perform the necessary skills. This is why experiential models are gaining traction.

The Learning Zone. We all have a comfort zone, a learning zone, and a panic zone. In the panic zone, kids feel like they’re drowning and this emotional mindset hinders learning. On the contrary, the comfort zone doesn’t push them enough. Students learn best when we help them stay in the learning zone.

Successful schools keep kids in the learning zone by making sure their physical needs like nutrition and safety are met, but also by giving their teachers time to get to know and understand each student.

What To Look For

16 •

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Sixth grade social studies students at Friends Community School learned about the Mesopotamian Agricultural Revolution through creating help-wanted ads.

By doing this, they learn what will lift students up, push them down, or pull them forward. Ask prospective schools how they manage this delicate balance.

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18 •

Deeper Learning. Far too many of today’s schools structure their days around 45 minute periods dictated by an assembly-line bell. This limited schedule crams six or more classes into a day and doesn’t allow students the time and space required for deeper learning on a daily basis.

Schools that encourage deeper learning will arrange classes in block schedules and their teachers will use approaches like the Socratic method or project-based learning to help students get more out of their lessons.

Some schools also are committed to getting out of the classroom to bring lessons to life, something that can more easily be done with longer class periods and more time for reflection.

As families across the metro area consider schools for this year and think about the kind of education they envision for their children, I hope they will keep these types of questions in mind. We know that one size does not fit all in education and we’re fortunate that more and more options are becoming available.

Lee Palmer is the Head of School at Blyth-Templeton Academy, an experiential micro school located on Capitol Hill. She has worked in education for over 30 years at schools such as Sidwell Friends, Trinity NYC, and Bryn Mawr.

She can be reached at leepalmer@blythtempleton.org. /

EDUCAT ION 2017 • 19

Your Kid Needs Help, But Who You Gonna Call?

by Paul Rivas

T

here is a lot of help available for kids today who are facing social or academic issues. Some of it is good, even life-changing; but some of it is ineffective, or worse.

Parents want the best for their children, but don’t want to overreact. When should a parent seek help for their child, where can they get it, and how should they choose?

20 •

Capitol Hill learning specialist Colleen Buchanan, who has helped hundreds of children overcome academic obstacles, urges parents to not be afraid to take action.

“If the child’s level of confidence in her capacity to meet her learning challenges wavers, that’s a red flag,” warns Buchanan. “I often find that one parent has had a nagging suspicion [there was a problem] from early on and was

shot down and minimized, with the outcome being the loss of critical time to build foundational skills.”

“Any time a teacher, another parent or even your spouse says, ‘Oh, it’s just…’, remind yourself that whatever follows the word “just” is a wholly unsubstantiated diagnosis by an unqualified practitioner. It’s better to know for sure by getting a thorough assessment by an experienced, impartial professional, so that you can chart a timely – and thus maximally effective – course of action.”

Consider the case of Eric (not his real name), a StuartHobson middle school graduate, as shared anonymously by his parents: “When our son was in first grade, he’d gotten into about his 12th or 15th disciplinary situation. Almost all of these situations centered on impulse control. We were walking out of the school, and I was deliberately trying not to pile on, trying to keep things calm, and he turned to me out of the blue and said: ‘Why can’t I be like other kids?’

Now you could read that as absorbing the judgment of the outside world. I felt like I was hearing his own unvarnished self, and I felt like he was asking for help. And I thought: Okay.

Let’s find this kid some help.

And we did. And seven years later, we’re still finding help because he needs it.”

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Financial Cost of Help Local educational consultant EV Downey, who is also a mom of a child with special needs, notes that testing doesn’t have to be expensive.

“You can call Child Find, you can talk to your school, you can request evaluations and testing, insurance covers a lot of that. There’s a lot of resources for families; there doesn’t necessarily have to be money involved,” Downey says. The DC Early Intervention Program (DC EIP) – Strong Start Child Find Program is a system to locate, identify and refer children birth through two years of age, who may have a disability or developmental delay in one or more of the following areas: speech, language, fine and/or gross motor skills, social/ emotional skills, vision and hearing.

“Good testing will always give you recommendations for things you can think about or do, and that doesn’t necessarily mean therapy or interventions,” explained Downey. “It could be that you up the protein because your child is falling apart at 3 p.m. It could just be very simple things that you just might not think of.”

Quoting advice that she once received and now frequently passes on to her clients, Downey added, “You will never regret finding out that nothing’s wrong.”

Here’s Downey’s personal account of how parents can know when to seek help for their children, based on her experience raising her son, Charlie, 15, who now attends Kennedy Krieger School in Baltimore, paid for by DCPS: “If parents feel like there’s something going on that’s more than what they’re seeing their peers go through, they’re usually right, especially if the problem is keeping your child and your family from being able to be happy and conduct your daily life.

If a 3-year-old throws himself at the ground at the playground and screams and cries, it’s disruptive, but you put them in the stroller and walk them home, and everybody gives you a sympathetic look.

When your autistic 12-year-old throws himself on the ground, and you’re lying next him, giving him deep pressure, talking him down, telling him it’s OK, and gradually helping him to get out of the situation, no one looks at you sympathetically.

22 •

A friend of mine called him a “more” child. He’s more intelligent, more intense, more good-looking. Everything is more. He’s just a holy handful, God bless him.”

Capitol Hill psychologist Samantha Sweeney encourages parents to seek peace of mind when their students are struggling with emotional issues.

“If your gut is telling you that something is wrong, you need to consult with somebody. If your fears are confirmed, you’re being proactive and getting your child some help before they’re drowning halfway through the school year.”

Is Your Child Ready For Help The struggles that Angie (not her real name), an 8th grader at a private school in Virginia, was having in school were ruining her life and that of her parents. She had ADHD and mild dyslexia, and was morbidly depressed. She was in therapy and on medication, but none of the school’s many academic interventions had worked. In March, the family’s school placement consultant recommended a local academic coach. By the end of the school year, this is what Angie’s mother had to say: “The academic coach was a tremendous influence in our daughter’s academic and emotional world during the last 11 weeks of her 8th grade year. Our only wish is that he had been a part of our team earlier in the year.

He has the gift of getting a student motivated with his ability to connect with them, to gently guide them into realizing that they can and will succeed in their own unique way. We are grateful that our paths crossed and that he had such a strong impact!”

My guess is that Angie probably wasn’t ready to hear it until March. Everybody I know who’s in the helping business agrees: you can only help people who want to be helped.

Not everyone needs help, either, but that’s no reason to not seek an expert opinion.

“Even if a professional tells you that you don’t need to worry right now, then at least you’ve started a relationship with somebody that you feel comfortable talking to, who will give you good information going forward,” says Sweeney.

Capitol Hill therapist Laelia Gilborn summarized what’s most important when

choosing a specific practitioner to help your child, be it a psychologist, therapist, learning skills counselor, or academic coach: “Whether it’s for an academic or emotional challenge, you really just want a good rapport between the kid and the person.”

Where To Find Help Word of mouth and the MOTH listserv for Capitol Hill parents can be a great source for local recommendations. To marvel at the range of services offered in the DC area, start with WISER (wiserdc.org), the local organization for independent educational professionals serving students with learning differences.

You can find licensed psychologists, including ones who do comprehensive psychoeducational testing, and therapists, by searching the Psychology Today website (psychologytoday.com). Some of these folks are also in WISER. When it comes to testing, the range of tests and quality of the final report are crucial.

Reports should be comprehensive, but also give the school the information it needs in an easy-to-follow format. Ask people you trust which psychologists’ work they have evaluated and can recommend. The best reports I have seen have 20 honest hours of high-brainpower work behind them, not including testing time for a dozen or so tests.

For heavy-duty help with school placement or college planning, including for students with learning differences and emotional disorders, search the membership database of the Independent Education Consultants Association (iecaonline.com).

Finally, remember that the goal of most of this type of work is that it should end, whether due to the child learning new skills that will help her manage her situation, or simply outgrowing the challenging circumstances.

Paul Rivas is the director of Smith Rivas Study Skills & Academic Coaching (smithrivas.com) and can be reached at 202-615-7791 or paul@ smithrivas.com. His new monthly study skills enrichment group at Hill Center for 9th-11th graders, Capitol Hill ACES (Academic Coaching for Empowered Students), is almost full for 2017-18. /

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KIDS & FAMILY NOTEBOOK

by Kathleen Donner

Black Student Fund & Latino Student Fund Annual School Fair The Black Student Fund & Latino Student Fund Annual School Fair is on Sunday, Sept.

10, 2 to 5 p.m., at the Washington Convention Center, 801 Mt Vernon Pl. NW. The Black Student Fund’s commitment to bringing independent schools and black families together is one of the largest school fairs of its kind in the region. For forty years, the BSF/ LSF School Fair has provided a networking opportunity for thousands of families in the metropolitan area to meet with representatives from more than sixty independent schools.

Parents and prospective students get first-hand knowledge about each school’s programs,

community, admissions requirements and financial aid process. The fair features interactive seminars focused on the admissions process, the financial aid process and personal/ family financial management. Since 2009, the Latino Student Fund has collaborated with BSF on the event in an effort to increase Latino student enrollment at local independent schools. Read more and register at blackstudentfund.org.

American Youth Chorus Auditions Now Open

ages eight to 14 from DC, Maryland, and Virginia are encouraged to audition for the chorus, which consists of about 70 members.

No preparation or experience is necessary; a simple session with the Artistic Director will take about 15 minutes. The season runs from late August through early June. Rehearsals take place at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, 545 Seventh St., SE. To schedule an audition time, e-mail AYC Manager Susan Kennedy at AYCmanager@congressionalchorus.org or call 301-502-4952. Potential singers need not prepare a song in advance.

American Youth Chorus has rolling auditions throughout the year, as well as scheduled auditions in the summer and January. Children

Little Builders Storytime at the National Building Museum Come to the National Building Museum on the first Tuesday of each month, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., for an interactive readaloud, for three to five year olds, in the Building Zone’s book nook. After the story, participate in a corresponding hands on activity to continue the fun. The Aug. 1 book is The City Kid and the Suburb Kid

by Deb Pilutti. Little Builders Storytime does not require an RSVP. The National Building Museum is at 401 F St. NW. nbm.org.

Saturday Morning at The National

Race for Every Child 5k and Kids’ Dash The Race for Every Child 5k is one of the largest community events focused on children’s health in the Washington region and will raise critical funds to help kids grow up stronger. The race is on Saturday, Oct. 21, at Freedom Plaza. Registration, open through Oct. 21, is $40/$50. The Kids’ Dash, ages three to ten, is $15. RaceForEveryChild.org.

Young child receives medal after Kids Dash

24 •

You and your children are invited to the National Theatre on select Saturday mornings for free programs that engage and inspire the young mind. Saturday programming is best suited for children four to 10 years. Siblings and friends of other ages are always welcome. Performances take place Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. in the Helen Hayes Gallery. The National Theatre is at 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Tickets may be reserved one week prior to the performance. The reservation system closes at 10 a.m. on the Friday before the performance but walk-ins are welcome if

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eum waives admission for visitors 18 and younger. Up to four kids visit free with each paid adult or senior admission. Summer Newseum admission prices are adults (19 to 64), $24.95 plus tax; seniors (65+), $19.95 plus tax; kids through 18, free. newseum.org.

Kids On Ice at Fort Dupont Ice Arena

Photo: Courtesy of Frontlines CPR, LLC

Infant & Child CPR at Hill Center It takes two hours to learn the skills that could save your child’s life. During this class you will be taught by a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Registered Nurse. You will learn Infant and Child CPR, AED and what to do if your child or infant is choking.

The class applies to infants up to age 12. These are skills everyone caring for an infant or child should have. It is the perfect class for parents, nannies, babysitters, or family members who might be caring for your child. Remaining classes this year are Sundays, 1 to 3 p.m., Aug. 20, Sept. 17, Oct. 15, Nov. 19 and Dec. 17. For more information, email lpunaro@frontlinescpr. com or visit frontlinescpr.com to register. Space is limited and classes generally sell out weeks in advance. Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital is at 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. there is room. Performances start up again in early fall. Register and get more information at thenationaldc.org.

National Building Museum Family Days Drop by the National Building Museum’s free, long-running Family Days to celebrate the built environment, learn from professionals, and try out fun, hands-on activities that the whole family can enjoy. The Big Build is on Saturday, Oct. 14. It is an interactive, fun-for-all-ages celebration of our built environment. Learn from construction and building arts professionals 26 •

while hammering nails, sawing logs, applying join compound, hopping aboard real trucks, and more. Discover Engineering Family Day is on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018. Kick off National Engineers Week with a fun-filled day at the National Building Museum. Drop in to meet real engineers and to test out your ideas with over 20 hands-on engineering activities. You can launch rockets, meet an astronaut, make slime, pop popcorn, and more. nbm.org.

Kids On Ice programs provide free and/or subsidized skating lessons to children six days a week, serving approximately 1,500 children each year. KOI programs encourage children to achieve a more fitnessoriented lifestyle while learning a new healthy activity.

Kids On Ice programming includes (1) Learn to Skate: Free or subsidized group skating classes on Saturdays, ages five to 18. (2) Schools and Camps Skate for Fitness: Friends of Fort Dupont Ice Arena partners with local schools and summer camp programs to provide skating lessons to school age children as a component of the approved physical education curriculum, or summer camp activities. (3) KOI PLUS: Advanced ice sports instruction for ages seven to 18 in synchronized skating, figure skating, ice hockey, and speed skating. Skaters meet weekly for one hour of intensive skating instruction from September through March; skaters participate in public performances, competitions, and tournaments.

(4) Study Buddies: A weekly drop-in tutoring program for neighborhood children in grades K to fifth, providing them with 90 minutes of homework support and off-the-ice activities. fdia.org.

Newseum Summer Fun Deal

Boeing Learning Center ReSource Room at the National Archives

Through Labor Day, the News-

Drop in during a National

Archives visit to participate in hands-on activities and programs based on documents, images, maps, posters and more from the inestimable holdings of the National Archives. The ReSource Room is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and reservations are not required. archives.gov.

Marine Corps Marathon Kids Run The Marine Corps Marathon Kids Run on Oct. 21, 2017, the day prior to the MCM, is a onemile just-for-fun running challenge for kids ages five to twelve.

Participants may select from six specific starting waves. Shuttles from Metro, post-event hospitality, activities, entertainment, games and mascots make this an unforgettable event. Registration is $8. All participants receive a shirt, access to the Camp Miles Family Fitness Festival and a medal at the finish line. marinemarathon.com.

Arena Stage Family Fun Pack Arena Stage’s Family Fun Pack offers four seats for only $125.

Orders must include a minimum of two patrons between ages five and 17 per Family Fun Pack and cannot be combined with any other offer or applied to previously purchased tickets. There is a limit of two Family Fun Packs per household. All standard fees apply. Family Fun Packs must be purchased by phone or in person. Other restrictions may apply. Family Fun Packs are available for Native Gardens, Sept. 15 to Oct. 22; The Pajama Game, Oct. 27 to Dec. 24; and Snow Child, April 13 to May 20, 2018. arenastage.org.

DC CELTIC A comprehensive soccer program featuring DC Player Development Academy (DCPDA) and legendary Celtic Football Club (Glasgow)

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• Year-round programming: outdoor and indoor (futsal).

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Time, Patience, Excellence, Effort, Loyalty, Education, Humility, Exposure, Pathways, Community, Diversity EDUCAT ION 2017 • 27

Anacostia Community Museum 50th Anniversary Community Block Party On Saturday, Oct. 7 (rain or shine), 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., stop by and help the museum celebrate 50 years of being the premier cultural institution east-of-the-river. Live performances, food, kids activities, art workshops, guest DJ and more. Fun for the entire family!

Activities will take place outside the museum with live entertainment on their outdoor stage. Inside the museum there’s continuous art activities and other surprises. This special event is open to everyone and it’s free.

Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl. SE. anacostia.si.edu.

characters and old friends. Here’s the lineup: The Smartest Girl in the World, Oct. 7 to 29; Charlotte’s Web, Nov. 18 to Jan. 7; The Princess & The Pauper--A Bollywood Tale, Feb. 10 to March 18; Robin Hood, April 14 to May 20; You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, June 23 to Aug. 12. Subscriptions

ing the Box Office at 301-280-1660. Single tickets, priced $10 and up, go on sale Aug. 14. imaginationstage.org.

Family Dances at Glen Echo On Sundays, Sept. 3, Oct. 8, and Nov. 12, 3 to 5 p.m., the Folklore Society of Greater Washington hosts an afternoon dancing with your children to live music and called dances. Bring your entire family, neighbors, a birthday party, and girl or boy scout troop.

All ages are welcome.

Admission is $5 for ages 4 and older. Glen Echo Park is at 7300 MacArthur Blvd,, Glen Echo, MD. 301-634-2222. glenechopark.org.

Circus at Glen Echo

The First Tee The First Tee is an international youth development organization introducing the game of golf and its inherent values to young people.

Through after school and in school programs, they help shape the lives of young people from all walks of life by reinforcing values like integrity, respect and perseverance through the game of golf.

The First Tee programs in DC are at Langston, East Potomac and Rock Creek golf courses. Read more at thefirstteedc.org or call 202- 479-2588.

GALita’s Bilingual “Blancaflor” In this charming Spanish fairy tale with music and puppets, a prince promises to complete a series of impossible tasks in order to return to his kingdom, but he can only succeed with help from the brave maiden Blancaflor.

Blancaflor is at GALA Theatre, 3333 14th St. NW, Oct. 7 to 21. Tickets are on sale now; $12, adult and $10, child.

GALita is a special program dedicated to producing children’s theater in both Spanish and English that inspires a sense of joy, discovery, pride and self-identity in the community’s youngest children. GALita’s presentations are bilingual and accessible across language barriers, thus nurturing children’s curiosity and tolerance for cultures other than their own. For more information, contact education@galatheatre.org.

Imagination Stage Announces 2017-2018 Season “Tell a Story” In the 2017-2018 season, Imagination Stage brings to the theatre familiar stories and new ones, introducing audiences to both fresh 28 •

“Blancaflor” is a bilingual fairy tale about a brave magic maiden.

Illustration: Tesa González, tesagonzalez.com

to the 2017-2018 season are now on sale.

Priced at $60, subscribers will be able to attend all five productions. Flex Packs are also now available, which can be purchased for seven or more tickets. Subscribe by call-

In grand circus tradition, Circus features a collection of clowns, deathdefying acrobats, and an amazing menagerie of fauna from the farthest reaches of the globe.

Many of the acts were built more than 50 years ago by Christopher’s parents for “Len Piper’s International Marionette Circus.” On stage at Glen Echo, through Aug. 27. This show is recommended for ages pre-k to sixth grade. Running time is 36 minutes. Tickets are $12. thepuppetco. org. /

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES DC Association of Chartered Public Schools / dcacps.org The mission of the DC Association of Chartered Public Schools is to increase opportunities and outcomes for students by supporting the development, growth, and sustainability of quality charter schools in Washington, DC. The association was created by and for DC public charter school leaders to serve as their collective voice.

Connect.DC / connect.dc.gov Created by the Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO), Connect.DC works to make technology more accessible and affordable to District residents.

That’s why we are partnering with EveryoneOn to give District residents information about discounted internet service and low-cost computer offers.

EdFEST 2017- My School DC / myschooldc.org Check out EdFEST 2017 and explore the city’s many public school options (PK312) for your child! Representatives from DC Public Schools (DCPS) and DC public charter schools will be there to discuss their schools and showcase the academic and enrichment opportunities they offer. The event will occur on December 9, 2017 from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm at the DC Armory (2001 East Capitol St SE) and is completely free to the public! Visit MySchoolDC.org or call (202) 888-6336 for additional information.

First Annual Inclusion Conference – National Children’s Early learning Center / nccinclusionconference.eventbrite.com Office of the Ombudsman / educationombudsman.dc.gov Do you have a problem with your child’s school? Is your child failing, getting suspended, or in need of more supports?

Do you need additional help in communicating with the school? You can contact the Office of the Ombudsman for Public Education, where our staff will help you resolve your problem. We address any problem affecting a child’s ability to succeed, such as problems with special education implementation, repeated discipline problems, enrollment problems, and more. We can be reached at 202-741-0886 and ombudsman@ dc.gov. The Office of the Ombudsman aims to ensure access to equitable public education for all students, regardless of race, class, income, disability status or ward of residence. We consider ourselves an “activist” ombudsman office. We believe it is our responsibility to speak out against the systemic inequities that hurt our city’s children. We address issues that are brought to our attention by providing direct intervention; we also address these same issues on the systemic level through our engagement with local, state, and na-

tional education leaders. Our office is a venue for parents, students, and families to have a real voice in addressing systemic inequities that are causing our children, particularly children of color and students with disabilities, to fail. We believe that by highlighting the systemic inequities in our schools, we aspire to a barrierfree system in which education equity extends beyond formal equality and students have the opportunity to access their full potential through learning.

Office of the Student Advocate / studentadvocate.dc.gov The mission of the Office of the Student Advocate is to support and empower DC residents to achieve equal access to public education through advocacy, outreach, and information services. In our work, we provide step-by-step assistance for students, parents, families, and community members to be informed, be connected, and be empowered. Our work supports families through: Stakeholder & Community Engagement - We partner with stakeholders to address systemic issues Request for Assistance - Provides direct insight into the needs of students and families. Our hotline is (202) 741-4692.

Resources for DC Families - Information obtained through RFAs and stakeholder engagement is used to develop relevant trainings, resources, presentations, and workshops to support the needs of District families. Our 311 system for public education provides relevant resources, information and appropriate agency or organization referrals to meet the specific needs of the caller. In addition to resources and referrals, the RFA line allows our office to provide one-on-one coaching to families on a variety of public education issues. If you have a problem or question and don’t know where to go, or if you’d like to help parents harness their own power, contact us atstudent.advocate@ dc.gov or 202-741-4692.

SCHOOLS Public Charter Schools Bridges PCS / bridgespcs.org Bridges Public Charter School is an expanding elementary school growing to serve students in grades Pre-K through 5th by the 2017/2018 school year.

The school’s developmentally appropriate, student - and family centered educational approach includes small classroom sizes, a well-trained staff, individual planning for each student, and hands-on and project-based learning.

The school is now located at their new campus at 100 Gallatin St. NE. BASIS, Washington D.C.™ / basisdc.org BASIS DC High School is the District’s top-performing charter school, according to the most recent annual D.C. Public Charter School Board rankings! Through BASIS.ed’s revolu-

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tionary liberal arts program, BASIS DC students are inspired to love learning, ensuring they are prepared for success in every aspect of their future lives.

District of Columbia International PCS / dcinternationalschool.org DC International Public Charter School inspires inquiring, engaged, knowledgeable, and caring secondary students who are multilingual, culturally competent, and committed to proactively creating a socially just and sustainable world. Applications are open for grades 6-9. DCI is an authorized IB MYP World School offering Spanish, Chinese, and French.

Eagle Academy PCS / eagleacademypcs.org Eagle Academy Public 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 a myriad of programs including STEM, arts, music, foreign language, and adventure activities that encourage student curiosity, which is the key to successful learning. The school has two conveniently located campuses at 1017 New Jersey Ave. SE and 3400 Wheeler Rd. SE. Elsie Whitlow Stokes PCS / ewstokes.org The Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School prepares 350 culturally diverse elementary school students in DC to be leaders, scholars, and responsible citizens who are committed to social justice with a French and Spanish immersion program and dual focus on academic excellence and community service.Stokes School plans to open a second campus in Fall 2018 with 140 Pre-K and K students. Check their website or call the school for updates.

Excel Academy PCS / EXCELPCS.org Washington’s first all-girls public charter school, serving scholars in Pre-K3 to 8th grade. The founding members of Excel Academy firmly believed that all girls can achieve great academic success! We are committed to providing a strong educational alternative to girls in Washington, DC with the highest quality single-sex education possible.

IDEA Public Charter School / ideapcs.org IDEA Public Charter School prepares scholars for college and career success with committed, experienced teachers and small class sizes, a positive culture emphasizing leadership and achievement, and our Academy of Construction and Design, which teaches practical skills including construction, architecture, electrical, carpentry, sustainable design, plumbing, HVAC, and more.

Maya Angelou Public Charter Schools / seeforever.org Maya Angelou Public Charter Schools create learning communities where all students, particularly those who have not succeeded in traditional schools, can reach their potential and prepare for college, career, and a lifetime of success. Maya’s students see the school as their first choice for a second chance, where they develop the academic, social, and employment skills they need. This is achieved through a demanding academic program, socio-emotional learning support, a blended learning model, and tiered interventions that focus on the whole child.

Perry Street Prep Public Charter School / pspdc.org Perry Street Prep Public Charter School serves students PreK - 8th grade and is focused on enabling our students to learn and achieve at the highest levels. We engage parents and families as partners in this process.

Students enjoy Art, Spanish, Music, and PE, in addition enrichment clubs.

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National Collegiate Preparatory PCHS / nationalprepdc.org Be a part of a wonderful academic community! National Prep is a college prep high school located in Washington, DC. It features small class sizes, rigorous Stem curriculum, competitive and title earning sports programs and an international curriculum which includes a service learning trip abroad to Panama. Space is available for ninth and 10th graders. 100% college acceptance for all Seniors and distinguished as the first school in Southeast DC to offer International Baccalaureate diploma.

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 the fields of Journalism, Broadcast Journalism, Film, Graphic Design, Visual Art, and Music Production.

The school innovative curriculum elevates literacy levels for all its students.

Somerset Preparatory Academy / somersetdc.com The mission of Somerset Prep is to provide an individualized, academically rigorous, and engaging curriculum that focuses on the ever-changing needs of our learners.

Our educational process encompasses the partnership between school, family, and community, in order to develop a life-long love of learning. At Somerset Prep DC Public Charter School we strive to develop students who are self-assured, well-rounded, and prepared for future success.

Two Rivers Public Charter School / tworiverspcs.org Founded 12 years ago by a group of Capitol Hill parents, Two Rivers serves preschool - 8th grade students across two campuses in Northeast D.C. A high performing network, its mission is to nurture a diverse group of students to become lifelong, active participants in their own education, develop a sense of self and community, and become responsible and compassionate members of society.

Washington Yu Ying PCS / washingtonyuying.org Washington Yu Ying Public Charter School combines Chinese language immersion with the inquiry-based curricula of the International Baccalaureate Organization. It serves pre-k and third to fifth graders. Washington Yu Ying accepts applications through second grade.

The school has a structured aftercare program. Apply online and attend an information session to learn more.

PRIVATE Serving our Children / servingourchildrendc.org Serving Our Children (SOC) administers the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP) and is dedicated to the concept that all students, regardless of income or socioeconomic status, should have access to a quality education. K-12 private schools scholarships are available to qualifying District of Columbia residents who have children entering kindergarten through 12th grade in the 2018-2019 school year. SOC will open its online application on September 15, 2017.

Families can learn more by visiting our website or calling 1-888-DC-YOUTH (329-6884).

The Auburn School / theauburnschool.org The Auburn School, an integrated program built for student success, weaving together our social skills program and challenging academic curriculum. Our schools serve intellectually curious students with chal-

lenges in socialization, communication, and organization. Auburn integrates art, music, social learning, occupational therapy, study skills, and organizational techniques into core academic subjects. We have campuses in Virginia, DC and Maryland.

Archbishop Carroll High School / achsdc.org Archbishop Carroll High School is a Catholic, college preparatory, coeducational school that welcomes young people and empowers them in an academically rigorous, diverse, and supportive learning environment. The school prepares young men and women to make meaningful and positive contributions to their communities and to continue their journey as lifelong learners.

Burgundy Farm Country Day School / burgundyfarm.org Burgundy Farm County Day School provides an inclusive, creative, and nurturing learning environment on a 26-acre “hidden gem” campus. The school features a brand new Outdoor Classroom and Discovery Playground. Its innovative, hands-on approach to education cultivates excellence, instills respect for diversity, and teaches responsibility for self, for others, and for the natural world.

Blyth-Templeton Academy – Hill Center blythtempleton.org Blyth-Templeton Academy is a college-preparatory, private, non-sectarian, co-educational high school serving grades 9-12. A micro school that averages eight students per class and provides an academicallyrigorous experiential education where students learn outside of the classroom as well as within it. The school is located at the Hill Center. Join us at an information session or schedule an individual meeting and tour to learn more.

Capitol Hill Day School / chds.org Capitol Hill Day School is one of the DC area’s leading schools, offering a distinctive and progressive approach to learning that engages students in the classroom and with the world around them. Capitol Hill Day School serves 220 students, prekindergarten through eighth grade. Since 1968, passionate and professional educators have offered a progressive education that sparks joy in learning, encouraging curiosity, exploration, creativity, and play. We connect the classroom to the larger world with over 300 field education experiences annually. Rich and varied after school and summer camp programs are available, as well as needbased financial aid.

DeMatha High School / dematha.org DeMatha High School offers a college preparatory curriculum serving the talents and interests of students from diverse economic, cultural, and religious backgrounds. DeMatha’s outstanding academic program includes extensive AP and honors courses, opportunities for Christian service, an acclaimed music program, co-curricular activities, and a nationally recognized athletic program.

Elizabeth Seton High School / setonhs.org Elizabeth Seton HS is leading the way in preparing young women to succeed in college, career, and life.

Seton cultivates a learning culture where interaction with diverse people and ideas, a challenging curriculum, and pre-career programs prepare graduates for leadership and success.

Florida Preparatory Academy www.flprep Accepting boys & girls 6th - 12th Grade. Florida Preparatory Academy (FPA) stands apart from other

boarding and day school because they are not just a school but a lifestyle! Whether your child is struggling with school or is looking for an academic program that will challenge them, FPA’s individualized curriculum will promote success; 100% college acceptance and in the past three years, their seniors have earned more than $10 million dollars in scholarships.

Friends Community School / friendscommunityschool.org Experience the joy of an extraordinary education!

Friends Community School is a kindergarten-toeight Quaker School that nurtures lifelong learners, courageous risk-takers, and joyous peacemakers.

It welcomes students of all backgrounds and is just 15 minutes from the Hill. Its students love to learn, know how to learn, and succeed in leading high schools area-wide.

Our Lady of Victory School www.olvschooldc.org Our Lady of Victory School is a dynamic, diverse Catholic school in Washington, D.C. with 200 students in Nursery through Grade 8. Twice recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education, the teachers and staff of the school are committed to providing a learning environment that promotes scholarly excellence while fostering students’ moral and spiritual growth.

St. Peter School / stpeterschooldc.org St. Peter School, a National Blue Ribbon School celebrating 150 years, 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. Open house dates: Friday, Nov. 3rd, 9am10:30am & Friday, Dec. 1st, 9am-10:30am.

Waterfront Academy / WaterfrontAcademy.org Waterfront Academy is a dual immersion (Spanish and English) faith-based Montessori school with emphasis on charity and stewardship in the Catholic tradition. We serve children between 30 months to 8th grade through several of our programs. Now enrolling elementary and middle school.

PRESCHOOL The Early Learning Center (ELC) www.nccinc.org The National Children’s ELC is an early childhood education program for children ages 8 weeks to 4 years old who primarily reside in DC’s Wards 7 and 8. The ELC provides childcare for typically developing children and children with special needs.

Providers deliver a range of therapy services using an inclusive and routines/activities based model in the classroom setting. This model ensures that children are actively participating and included in their daily classroom routines. We would love to partner with you in the early education of your little one!

Northeast Stars Montessori Preschools (NES) nestars.net Northeast Stars Montessori Preschools are fully licensed preschools in Old Town Alexandria and Capitol Hill. 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 incorporation of music and arts. NES schools offers before care and extended day learning from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., space share and part-time spaces.

National Children’s Early Learning Center 3400 Martin Luther King Jr Ave, SE

AFTER SCHOOL DC Player Development Academy www.dcpda.com DC Celtic is a comprehensive soccer program run by professional staff featuring DC Player Development Academy (DCPDA) and legendary Celtic Football Club (Glasgow). We provide youth soccer training and competition for boys and girls of all abilities ages 4-18, and adult premier competition for men and women 19-23 years of age. We also offer parent education, coaching seminars and clinics, college planning and placement (U.S. and abroad), professional club placement (Europe and South America), scouting network (domestic and international) and international trips.

Hinkley Pottery / hinckleypottery.com Hinckley Pottery offers pottery classes for adults, teens and children at every skill level. Classes are small and informal. The studio provides basic and continuing instruction, materials and hands-on assistance. You can register for a one-time Try It class or plunge right in and enroll in a 10-week session. More info at info@hinckleypottery.com Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW) / chaw.org Diverse and dynamic classes in dance, theater, music, visual art, ceramics, and photography help students develop a unique artistic voice as they explore and create while working in community with their peers.

Tuition assistance, payment plans, and transportation options are available for all. A variety of CHAW Summer Camps offer the perfect balance of arts and recreation to keep the creativity flowing all year long.

Private music instruction is also available for all ages.

MUSIC American Youth Chorus (AYC) / congressionalchorus.org/JoinAYC American Youth Chorus is a weekly after-school music education program, hosted at Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, for students ages 8-14. AYC has a performance-based curriculum focusing on healthy vocal development, note-reading/music theory skills, ensemble development and artistic excellence in a fun and supportive environment! Past performance venues include: The White House, The Kennedy Center, Atlas Performing Arts Center and Nationals Ballpark.

To schedule an audition, email: AYCManager@CongressionalChorus.org, or call 301-502-4952.

Music on the Hill / musiconthehilldc.com We provide high quality student instruments for for sale or rent, with our staff making sure you walk away with the correct size. Our rentals start at $20 a month. All of Music on the Hill’s teaching faculty boasts at BA in their instrument (at minimum) and have years of experience teaching. We offer private lessons in piano, guitar, bass, violin, vocals, ukulele, woodwinds and more. Starting at age 3.5-adult, we believe that it is never too late, or to early to become a musician.

DANCE St. Mark’s Dance Studio / stmarksdancestudio.org Since 1963 the St. Mark’s Dance Studio has been training dancers of all ages in ballet and jazz, primarily. Classes are for toddlers (Parent/Me), preschoolers, children, teens, and adults; from beginner to advanced level. Exercise classes with weights on the floor and in a chair; along with Pilates are offered to adults. The studio is accessible by elevator and stairs.

Tippi Toes Dance® / TippiToesDC.com Tippi Toes DC provides high energy, engaging, FUN dance classes for boys and girls 18 months to 12 years.

Children learn positions, terminology and choreography while exercising their bodies, imagination and singing voices. Join us for Princess & Super Hero Camps during school holidays and summer vacation or hire us for your next birthday party!

The Washington School of Ballet / washingtonballet.org The Washington School of Ballet’s Southeast campus at the Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus, TWB@THEARC, provides dance classes for youth and adults. Ballet is offered for ages 4 – 19. Adult classes include Ballet, Barre, Modern, Pilates, Yoga and Zumba, with discounts for Ward 7 and 8 residents.

SERVICES AND SUPPORT Boy Scouts / NCACBSA.org/Join National Capital Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, is comprised of 23 districts serving 10 counties in northern Virginia, six counties in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and the US Virgin Islands. They serve over 55,000 youth in traditional Scouting, coed outdoor adventure, and career-education programs.

Join the action.

Capitol Kids Therapy LLC / capitolkidstherapy.com Capitol Kids Therapy LLC’s therapists offer therapies to address articulation, developmental delays, language delays, auditory processing, and pre-reading/phonemic awareness skills. They are PROMPT-trained and have experience implementing oral-motor and feeding therapy. Capitol Kids therapists work with children in a variety of settings including clinics, schools, daycares, in-home, and through the DC Strong Start program.

Ask about their social skills groups for a variety of ages and abilities.

College Tutors of DC / collegetutors.com/washingtondc Getting into college is no accident. It takes preparation and individual focus starting as early as 7th grade. At College Tutors, we personally match your child with the right Tutor for their learning style and individual needs. Then our tutors work with your child to sharpen study skills and improve test scores. And you - you get peace of mind knowing you have a true partner in your child’s success.

Skills on the Hill LLC / skillsonthehill.com Skills on the Hill offers pediatric occupational therapy to children from birth to teenage years. The practice has experience working with motor-skill delays (visual, fine, and gross motor), hypotonia, dyspraxia, sensory processing disorders, autism spectrum disorder, and trouble with social and play skills. It works closely with families using a team approach. There are two convenient locations in Arlington and Capitol Hill. /

K-12 PRIVATE SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE For the 2018/19 School Year

Beginning Sept. 15, 2017 www.servingourchildrendc.org

The D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP) provides low-income children K-12 with private school scholarships.

Serving Our Children (SOC) administers the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP) and is dedicated to the concept that all students, regardless of income or socioeconomic status, should have access to a quality education.

The Opportunity Scholarship Program is available to low-income District of Columbia residents who have children entering kindergarten through 12th grade in the 2018-2019 school year.

Learn More at www.servingourchildrendc.org Need Assistance? Call 1-888-DC-YOUTH (329-6884)