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February
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Camp Expo
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RESIDENTIAL CAMPS
A Guide to Area Private Schools
Happy Parents, Happy Kids FEBRUARY 2019 • FREE JUNE 2017 • FREE
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Just Between Us…
volume 20 issue 2 PUBLISHERS
february 2019 Robin Johnson Bethke Jennifer Bryerton
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Robin Johnson Bethke
Dear Friends,
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jennifer Bryerton TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Peter D. Bethke
I’ve recently discovered a podcast on NPR called the “Science of Happiness,” and it is fascinating! Each episode, someone interesting like an author, a parent,
SENIOR EDITOR Sarah Pastorek ONLINE EDITOR Madison Stanley GRAPHIC DESIGN
a professional athlete, a college student or a comedian implements a research-
based practice for happiness, resilience, kindness and connection. The episodes
SENIOR MARKETING CONSULTANT
are short, just 15–20 minutes, and always a mood-lifter. Yesterday, I was hooked
in by the tantalizingly title “These Words Cause Happiness,” so I listened to the episode about the effect of a compliment. Science shows a compliment activates the ventral striatum part of the brain—the same place the sense of
Barbara A. Tompkins Susan Powell
MARKETING CONSULTANTS Carter Schotta, Kimberly Shaw,
Jenny Stoltz CALENDAR EDITOR Abigail Sewell
rewards is processed, such as when you win a contest, eat chocolate or receive
FAMILY HEALTH EDITOR Katharine Paljug
a wonderful gift. And, we know, too, that we not only trigger the reward system
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS
of their brain but also boost our own happiness when we give a compliment. So simple! “Did you know that you are beautiful? This is wonderful! I can see how hard you worked! I’m proud of you! You’re an amazing kid! I’m so glad you’re my friend!” The episode also mentioned a study on how compliments can change the quality of relationships. It cracked me up that one of the women took responsibility for her own validation and sat her husband down regularly to share all the wonderful things she’d done with their children that week and asked that he thank her. And he did, genuinely, and they were much happier for it. It’s really kind of brilliant and so much better than feeling under-appreciated. I intend to do this, and I’ll be looking for thoughtful compliments I can throw his way, too! So in honor of that podcast, I want to thank you this Valentine season from the bottom of my heart for being an engaged parent and community member. On days that I know are busy, I really appreciate that you are taking this time to connect with what is going on in local schools, finding ideas for being an even better parent and making plans for an activity to do with your kids. Good for you! You are amazing! And, keep it up!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Cathy Ashby, Jennifer Carroll, Rick Epstein,
Ellen French, Olivia Jackson, Sylvia &
Patrick Kibler, Angeline Lillard, Whitney
Woollerton Morrill, Katharine Paljug,
Holly Robinson, Krissy Vick
BOOKKEEPER Theresa Klopp OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
Christine DeLellis-Wheatley
INTERN Olivia Jackson DISTRIBUTION Ray Whitson CharlottesvilleFamily™ Bloom Magazine and CharlottesvilleFamily. com™ are published jointly by Ivy Publications, LLC. CharlottesvilleFamily.com™ is published weekly online at www. CharlottesvilleFamily.com, the weekly Newsletter is distributed via email, and the Magazine is published in print format 12 times per year along with a CharlottesvilleFamily.com™ Directory. The views and opinions expressed by the writers and advertisers do not necessarily represent those of CharlottesvilleFamily magazine, its officers, staff or contributors. The information presented here is for informational purposes only and although every effort has been made to present accurate information, we do not in any way accept responsibility for the accuracy of or consequences from the use of this information or for the businesses and organizations presented herein. We urge all parents to confirm any information given herein and consult with your doctor or an appropriate professional concerning any information of question. All images not credited are property of and provided by Thinkstock by Gettyimages. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in part or in whole without the express written consent of the publisher. Copyright ©2019. All rights reserved.
We welcome reader comments, submissions and the support of advertisers! Please direct all correspondence to Ivy Publications, LLC 4282 Ivy Road, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903 voice 434.984.4713 www.CharlottesvilleFamily.com editor@IvyPublications.com We reserve the right to refuse or edit any materials submitted to us that we deem inappropriate for our audience. Include a SASE with any submission to be returned. We do not accept responsibility for unsolicited materials.
2004 Community Award Winner
8
February 2019
Contents TABLE OF
42
OUR TOWN
News 10
The Buzz Around Town 12 Do you bribe your children to get them to behave?
Snapshot 14
Devon Sproule, Teacher, Songwriter & Performer
Our Schools 16 Supporting the Whole Child: Social-Emotional Learning
Out & About Calendar 18
February Festivals & Events for Families
Valentine Fun 34 DIY Bumble Bee Valentine Craft & Festive Books
LIVING WELL New Mom 24 Doctors, Doulas & Midwives
INSPIRATION
Happy Parents, Happy Kids 36
Healthy Family 26 Body Image
Camping Buddies 42
Editor’s Pick! February’s issue brings families many resources, from sleepaway camps (pg 44) and area private schools (pg 53) to tips on growing a happy family (pg 36) and discussing body image (pg 26).
Camp Friends are Friends for Life
The Science Behind the Curriculum UVA Professor Angeline Lillard, PhD, Shares Her Expertise on Montessori
RESOURCES
Guide to Residential Camps 44
Tips & Trends 28 Fabulous Finds and Fun
Nurturing Your Marriage So You Can Nurture Your Family
What You Need to Find the Best Camp for Your Child
2019 Guide to Private Schools The Inside Info on Area Schools
Home & Garden 30 The Perfect Guest Room
53
Food & Family 32 Better Dining Out Experiences
UNTIL NEXT TIME Dad’s Phone-Pix Campaign 62 A Dad’s Humorous Tales
30 So Love This! “I am really looking forward to trying out some of the daytrip ideas and events in February, and making the adorable Valentine’s Day craft.” — Olivia, editorial intern
50 CharlottesvilleFamily.com
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50
{our town community}
News
local buzz
Ivy Publications proudly sponsors: Kid*Vention Key Recreation Center February 9
CharlottesvilleFamily’s Fun Fair & Camp Expo The DoubleTree Hotel February 10
Paramount at the Movies Presents: Disney’s The Rocketeer
Be sure to watch our CharlottesvilleFamily Facebook page for an upcoming Harlem Globetrotters giveaway!
The Paramount Theater February 17
New Calm Space at CHS Charlottesville High School designated a “calm space” for students to relax and unwind throughout the school day. The room is filled with sensory materials such as stress balls, bean bag chairs, water painting, coloring and aromatherapy to help students rest and take their minds off exams and school work. Keeping with the relaxing mindset, students are not allowed to have phones on or out while in the room and are instead encouraged to do purposeful and intentional activities that will positively impact and calm themselves.
Sentara MJH Supports Community Health In 2018, Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital donated a total of $83,750 to several area nonprofits. The Charlottesville Free Clinic, which serves over 2,500 patients a year, many of whom suffer from chronic illnesses, received a generous $15,000 donation. Additionally, Bay Aging received $18,750, the City Schoolyard Garden received $25,000 and Region 10 Community Services Board received $25,000. The donations aim to help these nonprofits better serve the community, whether it be with necessary medications or by providing assistance to those who live independently.
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February 2019
UVA Children’s Hospital Ranks Nationally Six specialties ranked nationally for the University of Virginia (UVA) Children’s Hospital in the 2018–2019 “Best Children’s Hospitals” guide from U.S. News & World Report. Coming in 43rd was the Heart Center’s Pediatric Cardiology & Heart Surgery specialty. As the only hospital in Virginia that performs pediatric heart transplants, the hospital also wrapped up 2018 having performed 13 pediatric heart transplants. Thomas L’Ecuyer, director of Heart Failure and Transplant in Pediatrics at UVA, claimed that 80 percent get one in time. Most children fully recover after surgery, however, there is still room for improvement when it comes to ensuring every child who needs a transplant receives one, because the most important thing is giving children the opportunity to live a long and happy life.
IRC & Tandem Friends Students Collaborate This holiday season, teachers at Tandem Friends School asked their eighth graders to raise money to give back and help others. The students were tasked with raising the money by performing chores around their homes. The students then used what they had raised to shop at Food Lion for groceries for the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Charlottesville, with each student having a budget of $50 and a list of what to purchase. Afterwards, the students traveled to the IRC to deliver the goods and share in the gift of giving.
AHS Knitting Club Donates Their Talents Albemarle High School’s Knitting Club students used their talents for a good cause this winter. The club’s 75 students banned together to create handmade items such as hats, mittens and booties to donate to Charlottesville’s Ronald McDonald House. The students were happy to turn their hobby into something meaningful, by creating personal items with love and care to serve their community. The club also donated several animal blankets to the Louisa County Animal Shelter. The students plan on donating more items in the spring and ask for donations of knitting supplies. If you would like to contribute, contact Albemarle High School at 434-975-9300.
CharlottesvilleFamily.com
11
{our town community} The
Buzz
BIZ BITS
AROUND
OPENINGS
TOWN
Drayer Physical Therapy, 2331 Seminole Lane
Do you bribe your children to get them to behave? 59% say “yes” 41% say “no” “If I’m in public and having a hard time getting them to behave, YES, I will bribe them. At home, I can give instant consequences, punishments and rewards as needed.” – Heather, Mom of two boys
“Before we leave the house or car, I remind my kids of the expected behavior and any consequence(s) for not following them. Sometimes, [I give] a chance or two to behave as instructed, but no bribing.” – Charlottesville Mom
“I do not have children of my own yet. But, I am a teacher, and some days I need that incentive to get through the day. Love all of my kids.” – Tiffani
“A parent should not have to bribe their child for them to behave, as rules and respect should be established at a young age. If you are bribing, nip it now, it’s only going to get worse!” – Kents Store Mom of one boy
“An occasional bribe has been used to get my otherwise very active boys to, on occasion, hold it together. It’s usually a candy treat that I planned to share, but that they could totally go without. It’s not a frequent go-to because I don’t feel it’s a realistic way to get them to go along with what we are asked to do in life.” – Mother of two boys
“I think that without a reason to behave, no one would. For children, especially young children, they have to have a reason that directly benefits themselves until they learn/want to behave for society norms and for the betterment of themselves. Even as adults, we get our own ‘treats’, which could be a shopping spree, special restaurant night out, a promotion, etc., for ‘behaving.’” – Liz B.
“We don’t offer bribes, but if she wants to play something else, she has to clean up first.” – Kimberley R., Stanardsville, Mother of one girl
“My mom didn’t do that with me, and I plan not to bribe my kids either. I think it can impact their character and they will only do things for bribes.” – M, Charlottesville mom
Visit CharlottesvilleFamily.com to answer next month’s question:
Should parents allow their high schooler to get tattoos? 12
February 2019
Twice is Nice 2, 918 Preston Avenue
CLOSINGS Brown’s Cleaners, all locations Kumon Math and Reading Center of Charlottesville, 225 Connor Drive Levy’s, 2120 Barracks Road Lindt Chocolate, 1039A Emmet Street Sweethaus, 929 2nd Street SE & 2248 Ivy Road
ANNOUNCEMENTS Charlottesville ranked #1 in metropolitan areas with the most Peace Corps volunteers per capita in 2018. Charlottesville Opera hired David O’Dell as its new General Director. The Spanish immersion program in Albemarle County middle schools expanded from just Paul H. Cale Elementary School to Leslie H. Walton Middle School and Jackson P. Burley Middle School in the 20182019 school year. Mount Vernon’s renovations in the first-floor front parlor will reopen on February 16. PVCC will receive $1.35 million from Dorothy Batten over the next three years to use for the college’s Network2Work program. The U.S. Green Building Council awarded UVA’s Clark Hall its “LEED V4 Existing Buildings, Operations + Maintenance Silver” certification, the first such project recognized in Virginia.
Submit Biz Bits to: editor@IvyPublications.com
UVA® CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL & KOHL’S CARES. WORKING TO MAKE OUR CHILDREN HEALTHY Nationally close to 32% of school aged children are overweight or obese. The Kohl’s Hoo’s Fit Program is a UVA® Children’s Fitness Clinic initiative whose mission is to promote healthy eating and active living among area children. It includes innovative nutrition education and fitness programs provided in schools and community centers. Here are some tips to help set your child on a healthy path. Plan a family physical activity each week and make sure kids get one hour of exercise daily. Make meals at home and eat around the table. It’s never too soon for healthier lifestyle choices.
Kohl’s Hoo’s Fit • UVA Children’s Fitness Clinic® 434.982.1607 • uvahealth.com/kohlshealthykids
CharlottesvilleFamily Favorite Award Winner
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CharlottesvilleFamily.com
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{our town interview}
SNAPshot words and photos by Sylvia & Patrick Kibler
Devon Sproule Teacher, Songwriter & Performer
Devon Sproule released her first album, Devon, in 1999 when she was just a teenager. After nearly two decades of experience and success, the bluesy, indie folk singer encourages young, aspiring musicians to focus not only on music but also on their other talents and interests, because “it can help keep your music fresh and real, and your music career less overwhelming.” Today, Sproule continues to write, record and perform music in addition to teaching guitar and songwriting. When did your interest in music begin? Where I grew up, Twin Oaks Community, we had a big industrial kitchen where people took turns making meals. Since the dining hall is separate from the residences, people can really blast music while they cook or clean. In the summer, when the windows are open, you can often hear the music from far away. I like to picture running by those windows as a little kid, hearing all kinds of music filtering out. I sang a lot with my parents and friends—harmonies and rounds, Christmas songs and Solstice songs. We loved that songbook Rise Up Singing. What are the best and most challenging parts about your job? Well, before I had a kid, maybe the best part was sleeping in. Hardest parts would be the uncertainty of income, and driving more, later and longer than is safe. I like being able to change what I’m working on or how much I’m working based on what’s going on in my life. So, it’s been satisfying to shift to more teaching. How do you balance all the different needs of your community? Since I’ve been home more, I’m starting to learn about what makes our Charlottesville community work and what keeps it from working. I work with two local organizations, MIMA and The Front Porch, trying to bring music education to people in town
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February 2019
who have less access to it. Aside from music, I hope to help make Charlottesville a less racially and economically segregated place. I bring up these issues in conversations, listen to what people say, and put my money and time where my mouth is. What helps you keep on top of life and work obligations? Aside from having a helpful husband, our “bathroom calendar,” a hard copy calendar that hangs in our bathroom, helps remind us about all our commitments, personally and professionally. What advice do you have for parents and their young who are aspiring to help others through their careers? Advice for aspiring musicians: try to establish a few small streams of income, verses relying on just one to support yourself. These could be teaching, performing, a service-oriented job, working in a coffee shop, working with elders (in music or care), graphic design, video work, visual art, or even something in health or mental health services. There is no shame in having varied areas of work. If anything, it can help keep your music fresh and real, and your music career less overwhelming. For parents, consider encouraging your child to have the identity of a person, verses the identity of a musician. If our whole identity is wrapped up in the idea of “being a musician,” we can feel totally lost if we aren’t able to do that. What is one thing your parents did well that you try to incorporate into your parenting? Encouraging me to hang out with and be influenced by other adults. Sylvia and Patrick, parents of five rambunctious children, are a husband and wife team in the Charlottesville area who focus on lifestyle photography, weddings and portraiture. See their work at sylviakiblerphotography.com.
12th Graders Help Build Homes As part of its Winter Intensive Program, St. Anne’s-Belfield School provides its seniors with the unique opportunity to study a subject of their choice for three weeks in between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Every year, a good number of students choose to work with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville, and this year marked its largest group yet. Students helped with all of the steps to building homes, such as installing drywall and painting. The program teaches students vital skills such as construction, leadership and the power of giving back.
Area Students Help Students in California Students at Nathanael Greene Elementary School (NGES) in Stanardsville want to help both students who’s homes were destroyed by the wildfires in Paradise, California, as well as Paradise Elementary School. Greene students hope to raise $1,100 for the Paradise students who have had to travel 23 miles to attend school in another town. Many of the families affected have been left without transportation, and require funds for classroom supplies, groceries and gas. NGES students feel for the families and students that lost so much in the fires and are accepting donations from those who wish to contribute. All proceeds will be sent to Paradise Elementary School.
CharlottesvilleFamily.com
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{our town community}
Ouorols
Sch
ick ssy V
i by Kr
2nd Annual Supporting the Whole Child: Social-Emotional Learning “Play for Preemies” Charlottesville City Schools has earned state and national recognition for its commitment to supporting the whole child, which includes mental wellness, social-emotional learning and an atmosphere that supports students who have experienced trauma. Part of this is a commitment to teaching children specific behaviors, including the ability to recognize and regulate their emotions. By teaching behavioral and emotional skills, and by creating routines that support emotional wellness, we believe our students will see personal and academic gains. At Venable Elementary, Principal Dr. Erin Kershner is seeing the fruits of these programs first-hand. Q: Why is social-emotional learning important at school? Kershner: We are finding that students are becoming more self-aware and better able to self-regulate as teachers and adults give them language and tools to do so. We are also finding that when adults are more traumaresponsive, it helps to strengthen the relationships and trust between adults and children. With trust, most problems can be resolved in the classroom so that learning can continue. We are excited
about the journey that we’re on to learn more about how we can better respond to the needs of our students in a way that promotes the health of our entire community. Q: What’s a classroom Safe Zone? Kershner: Safe Zones are classroom areas where a student who is feeling out of sorts can go to re-regulate and then re-engage with class activities when he or she is ready. Different from a time out, Safe Zone acknowledges that students always want to do their best and demonstrate expected behaviors. If students aren’t behaving their best, then something is interfering with their ability to regulate their emotions or behaviors, and they need some time, space and resources to re-regulate. We, as the adults, need to provide extra care and support in these times for students; they need to know that we will keep them safe and help them get back to showing their best. Q: What are some of the resources students are using to help them reregulate? Kershner: In each Safe Zone, teachers have placed one or two resources such as deep breathing prompts, mandalas
to color or low-intensity exercises that students can do. We also use a curriculum called Zones of Regulation (zonesofregulation.com) in the Safe Zones, which helps students identify what zone they’re in—green (feeling good), yellow (nervous or annoyed), red (angry) or blue (sad, tired, etc.). The curriculum gives children strategies for working their way back to green. This curriculum is being explicitly taught in kindergarten this year, and it will grow with the students as they move up. School counselors and administrators are also successfully using this same system when speaking with students and making a plan to resolve any disciplinary issues that arise. Q: Would these strategies work at home? Kershner: Yes, teachers at schools throughout Charlottesville tell stories of their students who have taught their whole family how to “check in” with each other about what zone they are in. If parents want to learn more about the home applications of these tools, they can ask their child’s teacher or visit charlottesvilleschools.org/social-emotionallearning to find resources.
Krissy is the Community Relations Liaison for Charlottesville City Schools. She can be reached at goodnews@charlottesvilleschools.org.
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February 2019
SPORTS ZONE Wahoos Compete for a Cause The UVA football team may have been intensely preparing for the Belk Bowl game against the University of South Carolina, but that did not stop the team from having others on their mind. The players visited the Second Harvest food bank in Charlotte, North Carolina, where they filled backpacks with food and canned goods to donate to families in the area. The UVA players filled a total of 1,500 bags, combined with another 1,500 the South Carolina football team filled, to reach a total of 3,000 backpacks that will feed 3,000 families. The Wahoos were happy to give back and make a difference for families who may not have the opportunity to eat every day. Although it was a day of giving, the football players could not help but incorporate some fun competition into the process by having the offense compete against the defense to see who could fill the backpacks the fastest. The defensive players may have come out on top but winning was not the players’ priority. What mattered most was coming together as a team to benefit others and make a difference in the community.
Biking for a Cause Tammy Johnston has proved she will do anything for a noble cause. In 2016, Johnston was on her way to bike 2,000 miles to raise money for the Arc of Augusta, a nonprofit in Waynesboro that serves those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Unfortunately, her journey came to a halt when a car hit her halfway to her destination. A year and a half later, and with her fractured back fully recovered, Johnston completed her goal of biking from El Paso to San Diego for the Arc of Augusta. The grueling half-country bike ride took 13 days but was well worth it for the cause she passionately supports. She wants to keep raising awareness for the nonprofit and plans to hike the entire Appalachian Trail next.
CharlottesvilleFamily.com
17
{our town calendar}
&
Out
About
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
FEBRUARY 2019
Check out our online calendar for more local family events and fun!
Maymont Mansion’s View From the Backstairs
February 2 & 3, 12–5pm at Maymont Mansion, Richmond See the mansion through the eyes of African American employees of 1893 and experience Richmond’s Gilded Age showplace from the perspective of those who worked there. 804-358-7166, maymont.org
Drumcall & Friends Workshop
February 7, 4–5pm at Gordon Avenue Library Drum in Black History Month and groove to the beat of African drumming with drummer Whit Whitten. Learn how to celebrate with rhythm and sound. Ages 8–12. Registration recommended. 434-296-5544, jmrl.org
Kid’s Club Foxy Valentine
February 2, 10am–12pm at Michaels Drop in for Kids Club, where your little makers will make a Valentine’s craft. 434-971-1072, michaels.com
Hemings Family Tour at Monticello
Daily in February, 1:45pm at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello A small interactive tour exploring both the Main House and Mulberry Row through the stories of seven members of the largest enslaved family at Monticello. 434-984-9800, monticello.org
VALENTINE’S DAY
Let’s Go Explore the Past Through Archaeology
February 9, 10am–12pm at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello In honor of Black History Month, join Monticello archaeologists to discover how the enslaved community lived at Monticello. Kids and their favorite grown-ups will learn about what happens after excavation. For children ages 7–11. 434-984-9800, monticello.org
Ezibu Muntu
February 16, 7:30pm at Piedmont Virginia Community College Celebrate Black History Month with highenergy drumming and dancing. A spectacular display of African tradition and artistic custom. pvcc.edu
Bet You Can’t Eat Just One
February 21, 4–4:45pm at Northside Library Join the library for a savory Black History Month program. Learn about the invention of the potato chip and crunch on some samples. Ages 5–11. Registration required. 434-973-7893, jmrl.org
Father/Daughter Valentine’s Dance
February 2 & 3, 1pm or 4:30pm Saturday & 2pm Sunday at Charlottesville Ballet Studios The afternoon includes a mini-performance, refreshments, treat decorating, Valentine decorating, dancing and special activities led by Charlottesville Ballet. Moms, dads, sons and daughters are welcome to attend. 434-227-7592, charlottesvilleballet.org
Valentine’s Crafternoon
February 5, 4:30–5:30pm at Crozet Library Drop in to make a fun handcrafted token for a special someone. Registration required. 434-823-4050, jmrl.org
Father/Daughter Dance
February 8 & 9, 6–8pm at Carver Recreation Center Dads (Uncles and Grandpas, too), take your little Valentine out for a fun night of dancing. DJ and light refreshments provided. For daughters ages 12 and under. 434-970-3260, charlottesville.org
Valentine’s Day Beading
February 9, 10am–4pm at Lewis & Clark Exploratory Center Get ready for Valentine’s Day. Beads and gift boxes will be available to decorate, as well as cards to practice calligraphy. 434-996-7282, lewisandclarkvirginia.org
MAKEbreak: Slime Your Heart Out
February 9, 1–3pm at Michaels Fill slime with glittery mix-ins for a little valenslime fun. Supplies provided. 434-971-1072, michaels.com
Date Night Drop-Off: Party Hearty
CHARLOTTESVILLEFAMILY FUN FAIR & CAMP EXPO
February 10, 10am–3pm at The DoubleTree Hotel Charlottesville. See page 19.
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February 2019
February 15, 5:30–8:30pm at Virginia Discovery Museum Parents, enjoy a Friday night out to yourselves and let the Virginia Discovery Museum watch the kids. Kids will enjoy a pizza dinner, playtime in the Museum, Valentine-themed STEAM challenges and more. 434-977-1025, vadm.org
YOU CAN HELP!
Valentine’s Surprise Square Dance
February 15, 7:30–10pm at Rockfish River Elementary School Live square dance caller and refreshments. All proceeds given back to selected community organization. All welcome. 434-361-2470, sites. google.com/site/grandsqsofnelson
COVETED UNIVERSITY LOCATION
WALK TO DOWNTOWN
1888 WESTVIEW ROAD • $1,565,000 Character-rich, light-drenched home at the end of a quiet, dead-end street in the Venable school district. Screened porch, covered front porch and private, rear bluestone patio provide abundant outdoor living space. Gourmet chef ’s kitchen with commercial 6-burner range. Reidar Stiernstrand (434) 284-3005.
726 CARGIL LANE • $569,000 Classic brick home located Downtown off of Park Street is situated on a spectacular lot with rock walls and an attractive creek. Hardwood floors and architectural details throughout the home. Walk Downtown or utilize quick access to the Route 250 By-Pass. Tommy Brannock (434) 981-1486. MLS# 584549
FESTIVALS & FAIRS Kid*Vention 2019
February 9, 10am–3pm at Key Recreation Center Explore a wide variety of scientific fields through hands-on experiments, demonstrations, games and more, as the museum welcomes local exhibitors with expertise in areas like biology, chemistry, physics and zoology. CharlottesvilleFamily is a proud sponsor! 434-977-1025, vadm.org
CHARACTER-RICH AND TURN-KEY IN NORTH DOWNTOWN
CharlottesvilleFamily Fun Fair & Camp Expo
February 10, 10am–3pm at The Doubletree Hotel Charlottesville The annual CharlottesvilleFamily Fun Fair & Camp Expo helps parents get a jump on camp shopping. Meet over 80 exhibitors from camps offering horseback riding, sailing, sports training, travel, robotics and much more! During the expo, families can also enjoy Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, a bounce house (weather permitting), great giveaways and special kids’ activities! 434-984-4713, charlottesvillefamily.com
MARKETS & BAZAARS Winter Farmers Market
616 PARK STREET • $2,500,000
Historic charm meets modern living in this circa 1884 Victorian home, arguably located on one of the best lots in North Downtown. The extraordinary home boasts both formal and informal entertaining spaces, high ceilings, original heart-pine floors and a huge light-filled kitchen in the rear of the home. Only a quick walk to the Downtown Mall, this stately home sits on an acre of land and offers 5 bedrooms, 5 full baths and almost 5,000 square feet on 3 levels. The quality and timeless details of this home will not disappoint! Harmony Thurston (434) 996-0006
36 ACRES ON THE MECHUMS RIVER
CLASSIC COUNTRY PROPERTY
6008 MIDWAY ROAD • $1,190,000 Classic 1800’s farm house in the heart of Crozet, minutes from Charlottesville. Modern additions blend seamlessly with the original home. Over 3000 fin. sq ft including 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 3 fireplaces, country kitchen, parlor, dining room & family room. Punkie Feil (434) 962-5222 or Elizabeth Feil Matthews (434) 284-2105
2330 JORDAN RUN LANE • $895,000 Set privately in the Farms of Turkey Run, this Greek revival residence boasts a 1st floor master, kitchen open to family room with fireplace, finished basement & custom built wine cellar. 21+ acre parcel provides 2 fenced horse pastures, creek, & gated security. Genevieve Verlaak (434) 996-6683. MLS# 584459
Now–March 23, Saturdays, 9am–1pm at IX Art Park 434-207-2355, facebook.com/events/1964807213828992/
YOU CAN HELP!
RVCC Winter Market and Pancake Breakfast
February 2, 8:30am–12pm at Rockfish Valley Community Center, Afton The market coincides with RVCC’s pancake breakfast served from 8:30–10:30am. 434-361-1725, rockfishvalleycommunitycenter. memberlodge.com
Winter Madison Farmers Markets February 9, 10am–12pm at Hoover Ridge Park, Madison madisonfarmersmarket.info
401 PARK STREET • CHARLOT TESVILLE, VA
434.977.4005 W W W . L O R I N G W O O D R I F F . C O M CharlottesvilleFamily.com
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{our town calendar} STAGE & SCREEN Huck & Tom and the Mighty Mississippi
FUNDR AISER Saturday, March 2 7-11pm Dress to Impress! Costumes encourage! Hors d’oeuvres + cash bar DJ and dancing! Raffle for great prize packages! $100 per ticket includes music, food, two raffle tickets and one drink. All net proceeds will benefit Wigs for Kids. The Reserve Charlottesville 104 5th Street, SE Charlottesville
Now–March 3 at The Children’s Theatre at Willow Lawn, Richmond This Virginia Rep original adaptation brings Mark Twain’s two classic American novels into one musical adventure down the Mississippi. Approximately 1 hour, no intermission. Suggested for ages 6–12. 804-282-2620, va-rep.org
Cat in the Hat
February 4, 9:30am & 12:30pm at The Wayne Theatre, Waynesboro The mission of this program is to present educational theater that engages children in meaningful ways, complements school curricula and cultivates appreciation of the performing arts. 540-943-9999, waynetheatre.org
Broadway Our Way: A Teen Musical Revue
February 8–17 at Four County Players Songs in the Cellar presents Broadway Our Way: A Teen Musical Revue, directed and choreographed by Geri Carlson Sauls. Music direction is by Erica Umback, and vocal direction is by Natalee Louise McReynolds. 540-832-5355, fourcp.org
BalletSchool Dance Group Winter Performance
February 9, 7–8pm at PVCC Dickinson Building The program will feature new works choreographed by BalletSchool faculty and students. balletschoolva.com
Paramount at the Movies Presents: Disney’s The Rocketeer [PG]
February 17, 2pm at The Paramount Theater A period adventure based on the comic books by Dave Stevens. CharlottesvilleFamily is a proud sponsor! 434-979-1333, theparamount.net
ARTS & CRAFTS Groundhog Day Activities & Watercoloring Workshops
February 2, 10–2 at Lewis & Clark Exploratory Center, Darden Towe Park Enjoy watercoloring workshops and a shadow art activity. Additionally, to celebrate the Lewis and Clark Expedition’s rodent, the Prairie Dog, visitors can make a prairie dog sculpture out of paint, dowels and add-ons. 434-996-7282, lewisandclarkvirginia.org
Party To purchase tickets, go to: w f kfundraisermardigras.eventbrite.com
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February 2019
Handcraft Group
February 7 & 14, 10am–12pm at Scottsville Library Swap ideas, learn new skills or just enjoy the conversations. Bring a project in progress, or the supplies you need to get started. 434-296-5544, jmrl.org
Kids Club: Lovely Frames
February 9, 10am–12pm at Michaels They craft, you shop. Parent or guardian must remain on premises during the event. 434-971-1072, michaels.com
Chinese New Year at Horton
February 9–10, 10am–5pm at Horton Vineyards, Gordonsville Celebrate the Chinese New Year with special complimentary gift offers to wine buyers and let the kids do some crafts while you’re there. Kids can make their own dragon masks, among other things. 540-832-7440, facebook.com/events/221573185255565
Plushie Factory
February 11, 6:30–7:30pm at Northside Library Use the provided materials and blueprints to lovingly immortalize your pet in fabric and stuffing, or go wild and build a nightmarish monster. 434-973-7893, jmrl.org
Family Art JAMs: Dancing Shapes 2D
February 16, 1pm & 3pm at UVA’s Fralin Museum of Art These popular programs combine ageappropriate tours with hands-on art activities that make the Museum’s exhibitions accessible to children. 434-243-2050, uvafralinartmuseum.virginia.edu
Creation Station
February 22, 3:30–4:30pm at Gordon Avenue Library Create with UVA Madison House volunteers. There will be a different project each week. STEAM ahead with hands on science, technology, engineering, art and math. For all ages. 434-296-5544, jmrl.org
GAMES, STORYTIMES & MORE Elmo’s Super-Duper Birthday
February 2, 11am at Charlottesville Barnes & Noble It’s Elmo’s birthday and we want to celebrate! There will be activities, stickers, crafts and fun. 434-984-6598, bn.com
Anime Club
February 4, 6:30–8pm at Northside Library Watch episodes of your favorite anime flicks with friends, all while enjoying snacks like Pocky. Show ratings range from TV-G to TV-14. 434-973-7893, jmrl.org
Tots and Dots: Human Figures
February 5, 9am, 10am & 11am at Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Museum This is a two-part early visual literacy program for children ages six months to four years. 434-244-0234, kluge-ruhe.org
Pictures & Pages with Glynis Welte
February 6, 10–11am at UVA’s Fralin Museum of Art Start with a book and then go look as you take a visit of the museum to share stories, music and movement. Ages 2–4. 434-243-2050, uvafralinartmuseum.virginia.edu
Northside Pathfinders Club
February 7 & 21, 6:30–8:30pm at Northside Library Love monsters, magic, swords and goblins? Head to the library. All you need is dice and your imagination. 434-973-7893, jmrl.org
Girls’ Geek Days
February 16 at St. Anne’s-Belfield School Girls learn new tech skills and connect to other STEM programs in the community. Open to all ages, girls in third grade or younger should plan to bring a guardian. Registration required. tech-girls.org
Presidents’ Day Weekend
February 16–18 at James Madison’s Montpelier Take specialty tours, hike the walking trails, peruse galleries and enjoy barbecue. On Sunday, Linda R. Monk, constitutional scholar, journalist and award-winning author, will discuss her books on the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. 540-672-2728, montpelier.org
Be the Book Club
February 20, 4–5pm at Central Library Learn acting exercises, expand your imagination and help bring some books to life. 434-979-7151, jmrl.org
Cuentos y Canciones Bilingual Storytime February 27, 4–4:30pm at Central Library Enjoy a special storytime in both English and Spanish featuring favorite stories, rhymes and songs in both languages. 434-979-7151, jmrl.org
LEGO Mania
February 28, 4–5pm at Central Library Meet up with other LEGO-minded people and construct your very own masterpieces. Ages 5+. 434-979-7151, jmrl.org
SPORTS, OUTDOORS & ACTIVE FUN
UVA Women’s Basketball Home Games
February 7, 10, 21 & 24 at John Paul Jones Arena Cheer on the ‘Hoos at home as they take on Boston College (Feb. 7), Duke (Feb. 10), Louisville (Feb. 21) and Georgia Tech (Feb. 24). 800-542-8821, virginiasports.com
Tri to Stay Warm – USATri60 Indoor Triathlon 2019
February 10, 7:30am at Brooks Family YMCA 10 minutes of swimming, 30 minutes of cycling and 20 minutes of running or walking. Perfect for beginners and experienced triathletes ages 15+. Awards will also be given to the top 3 with most “tropical” gym wear. app.racereach.com/event/tri-to-stay-warm/ register
Presidents Weekend at Wintergreen
February 15–18, 9am–10pm at Wintergreen Resort A long weekend to take advantage of great skiing, riding and tubing. Some of the best conditions are in February. 434-325-2200, wintergreenresort.com
UVA Men’s Basketball Home Games
February 2, 9, 16 & 22 at John Paul Jones Arena Cheer our ‘Hoos at home against Miami (Feb. 2), Duke (Feb. 9), Notre Dame (Feb. 16) and Georgia Tech (Feb. 22). 800-542-8821, virginiasports.com
Give your PBS KID the gift that gives all year.
Spring & Summer Camps for Children Ages 4-8 Spring Break
Maker Camp | April 1-5 9:00 am-1:00 pm Daily $220/Child (Member Discounts Apply)
vadm.org/spring-break-camp
Summer Break
Dates & Themes: Online 9:00 am-1:00 pm Daily $220/Child (Member Discounts Apply) Early Bird: Register by May 1, Get $10 Off
vadm.org/summer-camps
Learn more at ideastations.org/ideakids
CharlottesvilleFamily
vadm.org/programs#camps | (434) 977-1025 x104
2018
Thank You to CharlottesvilleFamily for Donating This Ad on Behalf of the Museum
Favorite Award Winner
CharlottesvilleFamily.com
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{our town calendar} ESPECIALLY FOR TEENS
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Teen Paint & Cola Nite
February 12, 6–7pm at Central Library Enjoy a hot cocoa bar while painting with friends. All materials will be provided for a fun evening. Grades 6–12. 434-979-7151, jmrl.org
Job Fair with Virginia Career Works
February 13, 2–5pm at Northside Library Sit down one-on-one with more than 15 representatives from local employers. Bringing a resume is encouraged but not required. Arrive an hour prior to the fair to attend a helpful workshop on job interviewing. Ages 16+. 434-973-7893, jmrl.org
Animanga Book Club
February 19, 4:30–5:30pm at Central Library Discuss and read manga, then watch the anime adaptation. Light snacks provided. Grades 7–12. Free copies of the book will be offered to the first 10 participants to sign up. 434-979-7151, jmrl.org
FRI • MAR 15• 7PM
ESPECIALLY FOR PARENTS 2018 Child Advocate of the Year Award Call for Nominations ALDERSGATE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH PRESENTS…
Children’s
Consign with us and receive 65% of your sales! Easiest tagging process around! Volunteer with us and shop first!
“CHOOSE YOUR CHARITY” Preview Event! Monday, March 11, 2019 • 10am-6pm • $5 Entry Fee SALE DATES: March 16-23 (Closed Sunday) (Restocking dates are March 12-14— sale closed.) Heroes’ Pre-sale! March 15, 10am-6pm for active duty military, first responders, and nurses. ID and/or pass req’d. See website for info. “...an extremely well-organized sale...the best run sale I know of!!” ~Helen S.
PICTURES & PAGES: Feb. 6, Mar. 6 Story time with Children’s Librarian Glynis Welte. BABIES IN ARTLAND: Mar. 12 Art conversation, with baby coos and cries encouraged. TODDLERS IN ARTLAND: Feb. 26, Mar. 26 Introduction to development theory. FUN FOR THE YOUNG: Feb. 20, Mar. 20 Explore artwork through observation, play and projects. FAMILY ART JAMs: Feb. 16, Mar. 16 Age-appropriate tours with hands-on art activities.
uvafralinartmuseum.virginia.edu
museumoutreach@virginia.edu or 434.243.2050 February 2019
1500 East Rio Rd. Charlottesville
For sale hours, volunteer and SPONSORSHIP opportunities:
(You are not required to consign in order to volunteer.)
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Gently Used Children’s Clothing, Toys, Baby Equipment and lots more!
v
Anni
Favorite Award Winner
Consignment Sale
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10ersary!
CharlottesvilleFamily
www.hereweegrowagain.com
Now–February 16 at ReadyKids ReadyKids is inviting nominations for the John L. Snook Child Advocate Award, to be presented at the 23rd Annual ReadyKids Community Breakfast on April 16. 434-296-4118, readykidscville.org
Grandparents Class
February 2, 10am–12pm at UVA Hospital, Room 8614 A class for expectant grandparents and family members. Prepare for the addition to your family by learning what’s new in labor and delivery and baby care, and learn how to help the new family in the first year. 434-924-9920, uvahealth.com
Respectful Parent-Child Classes
February 17, 3:30–5pm at Our Neighborhood Child Development Center Children will be invited to play as parents observe and learn through the facilitation of the Our Neighborhood team. 434-202-8639, ourneighborhood.community
OPEN HOUSES Free Union Country School Admissions Open House February 4, 9–11am at Free Union Country School 434-978-1700, freeunioncountryschool.org
CATEC Open House
February 5, 5–7pm at Charlottesville Albemarle Technical Education Center 434-973-4461, www2.k12albemarle.org
Peabody School Open House
February 12, 9am–1pm at Peabody School 434-296-6901, peabodyschool.org
North Branch School Open House
February 12, 9:30–11:30am & 5:30–7:30pm at North Branch School, Afton Inclement weather day is February 15. 540-456-8450, north-branch-school.org
Admissions Info Sessions at Tandem
February 25, 9am at Tandem Friends School 434-951-9314, tandemfriends.org
DATE NIGHT 12th Annual Main Event Gala Benefit YOU CAN HELP!
February 2 at Common House, Downtown Charlottesville The event will offer a sophisticated evening of silent auction, food and drinks, and dancing. Main Event 2019 proceeds will go toward cancer programs and research at UVA Children’s Hospital. 434-924-8643, healthfoundation.virginia.edu
Wine & Chocolate Pairing
FIX A LEAK WEEK IS MARCH 18TH—24TH! This year we want Charlottesville to search your home for leaks and crack down on water waste! Many common household leaks are quick to find and easy to fix. Follow these easy steps to start saving water and money now!
1. Check Your Utility Bill: Look for spikes in your bill. 2. Read Your Water Meter: Find your water meter (usually outside in a lid marked “water”) and take readings during when no water is being used. 3. Take the Toilet Test: Put a leak detection dye tablet into the top tank of the toilet, sit for 10 minutes, and if you see color in the bowl, you have a leak. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TO FIND & FIX LEAKS GO TO: WWW.CHARLOTTESVILLE.ORG/WATERCONSERVATION
February 9, 11:30am & 3:30pm at Horton Vineyards There will be two seatings. Tickets include 6 tastings paired with a uniquely hand-crafted chocolate made by Jennifer Mowad of Cocoa & Spice. 540-832-7440, facebook.com/events/261928954672578
San Valentine Salsa Night Party
February 9, 5–11pm at CrossKeys Vineyards, Mount Crawford An elegant night of social dancing. Instructional classes will be taught by Edgar Ornelas. Advanced tickets required. 540-234-0505, facebook.com/events/534625383686705
Kathleen Madigan: LYAO Comedy Showcase
February 15, 8:30pm at the Jefferson Theater For 28 years, comedian Kathleen Madigan has been touring and squeezing in hour-long filmed specials and performances on every late night show. See her perform live. 800-594-8499, jeffersontheater.com
Open Mic Night – Andrew Neil
February 23, 8–10pm at The Front Porch Enjoy some of Central Virginia’s songwriters in an intimate setting. Wine and Champion Brewing beer will be available for purchase. 434-806-7062, frontporchcville.org
CharlottesvilleFamily.com
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{living well new mom}
Pregnancy Help The Differences Between Doctors, Doulas & Midwives
New Mom
When I was pregnant, a friend with grown children offered me some advice. “Everyone’s an expert when it comes to pregnancy and parenting,” she said. “Your job is to tune it out and decide who you are as a person and a mother.” As it turns out, an expectant mom’s decisions start early—including choices for pre-natal care and childbirth. Having options allows us moms-to-be to seek healthcare partners and birthing experiences that align with our priorities and beliefs. Let’s break down the main categories of childbirth professionals who support mom during childbirth and beyond: doulas, midwives and doctors. Mothers-to-be may choose one or more to assist them in the process. Doctors. Trained doctors who have attended medical school/residencies, passed licensing exams and met certification requirements have expertise and by Whitney Woollerton Morrill experience in all-around obstetrics and gynecology. Ob/gyns meet regularly with pregnant patients to monitor maternal and fetal health. They may conduct ultrasounds, order diagnostic/genetic testing, prescribe medications and deliver babies (typically in hospitals). Cesarean sections are also within their qualifications. Though individual doctors may vary, ob/gyns specialize in the progression of pregnancy, as well as labor and delivery. There are also doctors with even further specialized training for exceptional circumstances. Doulas. A doula is a childbirth professional who stays alongside a momto-be throughout her labor and childbirth, and often for a short period after the baby is born. Doulas are trained and certified to provide comfort, support and information during the birthing process. Serving as a birthing coach, a doula doesn’t deliver the baby, but rather focuses on mom-to-be’s birth experience and can assist with relaxation, breathing, massage, and other physical and emotional support modalities. In addition, there are For more doulas, midwives postpartum doulas who specialize in helping new moms and doctors in the area, adjust to motherhood in the days and weeks after delivery. check the “Shop” tab on A number of different organizations train and certify doulas. CharlottesvilleFamily.com. Midwives. A midwife’s relationship to her patient is medical in nature, emphasizes woman-to-woman care, and extends throughout pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum phases. Practitioners may become Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) through the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) either through an apprenticeship process or by attending accredited programs and passing examinations. According to NARM’s website (narm.org), midwives seek to empower women to select the location of their labor and delivery, as well as those who attend. This means that midwives are qualified to deliver babies in their patients’ homes, in hospitals or at birthing centers. Midwives support a holistic, natural approach to childbirth, with limited technological interventions during delivery. They’re also trained to identify complications and to engage other medical professionals when needed.
AREA PROFESSIONALS
Whitney is an architect who designs and writes for families. Her blog is theCoconutgirl.com.
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February 2019
Baby and Me Full service dentistry for children with Medicaid
Parent-Infant Class
Translation in multiple languages available
Experience a nurturing and supportive circle of parents and caregivers.
Open to adults and babies ages 6-weeks to crawling.
Win a free
Regal movie ticket when you come 3 visits in a row with no cavities!
Emergency services for adults over 21 with Medicaid
Call now to schedule an appointment 434.293.9300 259 Hydraulic Ridge Rd. Suite 101. Charlottesville
Located across from Albemarle High School
cdcva.org
Fridays, 12:30 – 2:00 pm Winter Session (8 weeks, $175): begins 1/11 Spring I Session (8 weeks, $175): begins 3/8 Spring II Session (6 weeks, $135): begins 5/17
Learn More:
cwaldorf.org/pc 434-973-4946x102 enrollment@cwaldorf.org
Comprehensive care from infancy to young adulthood
Pediatric Associates of Charlottesville PLC
CharlottesvilleFamily
Office Hours By Appointment Evening & Weekends until 9pm Urgent Care Available One of Our Physicians On Call After Hours Onsite Lactation Consultant
Downtown Office & | 296-9161
Favorite Award Winner 2018
Open 365 Days A Year until 9pm
Adolescent Center | 971-9611 1011 E. Jefferson St
West Office
2411 Ivy Rd | 296-8300
North Office
29N at Hollymead (1522 Insurance Lane, A) | 974-9600
Zion Crossroads Office
71 Jefferson Court | 540-406-4100
CharlottesvillePeds.com CharlottesvilleFamily.com
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{living well healthy family}
Body Image
Healthy Family
Teaching Your Child to Love Their Body According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, body image issues start early on. Three-year-olds want to be prettier, 9-year-olds go on diets and over 80 percent of 10-year-olds are worried about being fat. “I’ve seen kids as early as age 8 saying they’re worried about being overweight,” says Dr. Katherine Smyth, a pediatrician at Sentara Palmyra Medical Associates. “Parents should start being aware [of body image] from birth and promote that every body is normal.” Focus on health. “Even if you think your kid is mildly overweight, never talk about their weight,” says Smyth. “Always talk about health and nutrition.” Encourage kids to play outside or exercise because it’s fun and makes them strong. Offer healthy food and occasional treats, but don’t enforce “clean plate” rules or argue with children about food. This makes meals stressful and can lead to emotional eating. “With younger kids, don’t force them to eat,” Smyth says. by Katharine Paljug “They’ll learn to eat when they’re hungry, then stop. Give them control and make healthy food available so they can keep making good choices.” Watch your words. “Parents shouldn’t comment on people’s bodies except positively,” Smyth advises. “If you mention how [your kids] look, it should be positive. Reinforce the value of the body.” Use phrases like “you’re so strong,” or “you look nice in that outfit”—things kids can control and be proud of. Smyth also recommends that parents should pay close attention to how they talk about themselves. “You should never talk about your own weight, or have conversations in the house about other people’s weight or body,” she says. And if you hear other people making comments about weight or appearance, use that as a teaching moment. “You can talk to them about what other people say with comments like, ‘That’s too bad someone would say something unkind about another person’s body.’” Be aware of media. As children get older and consume more media, their perception about what is a normal, healthy body can be dangerously skewed. Parents should take an active role in helping kids think about what they see. “Kids who follow celebrities can see a lot of abnormal bodies,” says Smyth. “Look at it with them. Have conversations with them, and do To learn more about body it without judgment. Listen to what they think about what image, visit The American they’re seeing, and share your own thoughts.” Academy of Pediatrics at Know the warning signs. Severe body image issues can heathykids.org. cause stress, anxiety or even eating disorders. To keep your kids healthy and safe, watch for warning signs, such as unexplained weight loss; eating then spending a lot of time in the bathroom; excessive exercise; limiting what they eat; negative talk about their own body; and negative talk about others’ bodies. Your child may also express concern about their weight or appearance to you directly. If that happens, listen and respond positively and compassionately. Tell them you find their body beautiful and healthy, and if needed, offer them a chance to talk to their doctor. If you are worried about your child’s body image or are afraid they are developing an eating disorder, seek help from their pediatrician sooner rather than later. And remember, says Smyth, your child faces a lot of outside pressure you can’t control. “If you have a kid who unfortunately has body issues, don’t blame yourself.” Instead, focus on being a source of love, safety and encouragement while your child recovers.
MORE INFO
Katharine is a freelance writer, Bloom’s Family Health Editor and mother to one busy toddler. You can see more of her work at katharine-writes.com.
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February 2019
Picture Perfect Pet Contest! Capture Your adorable pet & Win prizes! Share your favorite pet photos with us this month for a chance to appear in the March issue! The winning photos will be published in CharlottesvilleFamily’s Bloom, and winners will receive great prizes. You can submit from February 1–12, and the winning submission will be drawn at random. See CharlottesvilleFamily.com for guidelines and rules. TM
Albemarle Center
for
Family Medicine
new families welcome!
Serving families in Central Virginia for over 20 years! Dr. Annika M. Abrahamson Dr. H August Sanusi Alison R. Baumann, FNP Katie E. Hood, FNP Jeff K. Robbins, FNP
Our comprehensive approach to family medicine includes the following services: • Pediatrics • Adolescent Health • Women’s Health •
• Preventative Care • Acute Illnesses • On-going Medical Management
• Minor Surgery • Sports Medicine • Dermatology
Same Day Appointments Available
On-call provider services from 5pm until 8am daily. 434.973.4040 | www.albemarlecenter.com 535 Westfield Rd., Suite 200, Charlottesville We are honored to be VOTED your Family Favorite! Thank you for allowing us the joy of caring for you and your family.
CharlottesvilleFamily Sponsored by
Favorite Award Winner 2018
CharlottesvilleFamily.com
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{living well tips & trends} Love and Ruin
by Paula McLain
Paula McLain’s new book, which focuses on Ernest Hemingway’s intense marriage to Martha Gellhorn, explores the dynamics between a couple when one partner becomes wildly successful while the other continues to strive for her own career aspirations. Available for $25.20 at Barnes & Noble.
&
Tips
TRENDS by Ellen French
Give Yourself Some Self-Love February (unsurprisingly) has us thinking about love. This month should remind us how important it is to focus on self-love and self-care. 1. Take Care of Your Body. A simple but effective addition to your exercise routine is foam rolling. Rolling out your legs and hips post-workout or before bed is said to improve flexibility, the appearance of cellulite and energy levels. 2. Speak Kindly to Yourself. It’s easy to get in the habit of critical self-talk. Try to reframe your thoughts and speak kindly to yourself instead. A good rule to live by is to speak
to yourself as you would a dear friend—be gentle. 3. Regularly Do Something You Love. We’re all always pressed for time, but squeeze in some time for yourself to do an activity you enjoy. Set aside a few minutes for a run, enjoy a wine tasting with friends, read a juicy novel or bake your favorite good. “You can’t pour from an empty cup.”
Voted Charlottesville’s Favorite Chiropractor 2009 - 2018 Dr. Michelle Heppner 2 0 1 4
Charlottesville W
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Favorite Award Winner 2018
Thank you for voting for us!
Thank you for voting for us!
Maternity Care • Pediatric Services Low Back/Neck Pain Massage Therapy Sports Injury, Prevention & Treatment
CharlottesvilleFamily Favorite Award Winner 2018
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Children’s Dentistry with a Mother’s Touch® Laughing gas, conscious sedation, and general anesthesia Kathryn A. Cook,D.D.S. Jacqueline Carney,D.D.S.
Board Certified Pediatric Specialist
Board Certified Pediatric Specialist, Dental Anesthesiologist
Gail Kim, D.M.D.
Pediatric Specialist
Participating providers with United Concordia, Delta Dental, Anthem, Aetna, and Cigna. Language Assistance Services Available
895-B Rio East Court (434) 817-KIDS (5437) 28
February 2019
• www.heppnerfamilychiropractic.com • 3450 Seminole Trail Forest Lakes •
974-7955
Q A
Pamper Yourself What are simple ways to pamper yourself at home? “Create a spa-like experience at home,” says Nikki Fayolle, owner of Glo-Out Glamour Bar. “Whenever we need to decompress after a long day, we like to bring the spa right to our own home. Light some candles, turn off the lights and take a hot shower. Pour yourself a glass of wine or tea, play some relaxing music and take a long bubble bath. It’s the perfect way to spoil yourself with things you probably already have lying around your house.”
“Spread love wherever you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.”
MODERN LOVE PODCAST Modern Love features essays from everyday people and their experiences surrounding love. They range from happy and sad to poignant and funny. You might recognize the voices of some of the readers— some are read by celebrities. Available for free download.
Ellen is a former high school teacher and a current graduate student at UVA. When not reading and writing, she is spending time with her husband and cat, hiking in the Shenandoah Mountains and dreaming of places to travel.
–– Mother Teresa
Smith & Cult Nailed Lacquer The major draw of Smith & Cult’s nail polish is that it’s “8-free,” meaning it’s free of the harmful chemicals found in most nail polishes. They have a beautiful variety of colors, and they wear really well. Treat yourself to a new bottle of polish and an at-home manicure. Available for $18 at Blue Mercury.
Look & Feel Your Best
Charlottesville’s Premier Wig Salon Beautiful Human Hair | Exquisite European Hair Sensational Synthetics Expert Stylist trained in New York and Beverly Hills
Because there’s more to wearing hair than simply putting on a wig.
services include: • Haircuts & Styling • Organic Hair Products • Fair Trade Organic Hair Color • Hair Loss Solutions • Specialty Hair Treatments • Make Up by Appointment • Color
Fashion, salon experience, and talent combine to form our philosophy of excellence and extraordinary personal attention.
964-0865 | 716 West Rio Road Terrace level private entrance CharlottesvilleFamily.com
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{living well home & garden}
The Guest Bedroom “Be faithful to your own taste, because nothing you really like is ever out of style.” – Billy Baldwin
words by Olivia Jackson
Hosting guests doesn’t have to be stressful, especially when you have a beautiful guest room to make them feel welcome. The perfect guest room is clean, quiet and provides guests with a space to unwind. One of the first things your guest is bound to do after traveling is finding a place to set their luggage. Provide a bench or luggage rack to help them get settled in, and clear out the closet or dresser to allow room for their belongings. The guest room should be more than a place to sleep. Guests need to feel free to use the space however they want and whenever they choose. There should be some form of entertainment, whether a television (with a list of channels), a radio alarm clock or a pile of news and entertainment magazines for visitors to engage with. In addition to entertainment, every guest room requires a place to relax. If you have the space, include a comfy armchair draped with a blanket for a late afternoon nap or place a reading lamp beside it with a pile of books within reach. A space for sitting will also come in handy when putting on/taking off shoes. The way you choose to decorate the guest room does not have to follow the same rules for the other bedrooms in your house. Have fun picking out bedding and use it to find the
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February 2019
perfect bedroom color to pair with it. If you have trouble deciding what your guests might like, try thinking about what you would like if you were staying over at someone else’s house. Use color to make the room appear large and bright, such as by having an accent wall or using different shades of the same color to make the space feel open and cohesive. A throw rug or two will also help the space feel cozy and welcoming, and different options for lighting the space, such as a ceiling light as well as lamps, will allow for guests to safely move around the space in the darker hours. When it comes to the decorations, take advantage of the opportunity to be fun and bold or simple and sleek. Make sure to have extra pillows and blankets available in the room, so your guests don’t have to ask. To help your guests feel like they are staying at a four-star hotel, use high quality linens on the bed and even place a card with the Wi-Fi information in the room to prevent the inevitable inquiry about the password. Plush accent pillows and curtains will make it feel homey and warm. If you want to add a personal touch, find a picture of you and your guest to place on the dresser—it will certainly put a smile on their face.
Open Table
This app will take the stress out of dining out. Discover restaurants in your area and look up menus and reviews to find the perfect place to grab a meal and make reservations at an available table.
&
Home
Garden
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Olivia is currently interning with Ivy Publications after graduating from UVA with a degree in Media Studies. She loves spending time outdoors with her three dogs, exploring Downtown Charlottesville and finding new recipes to try.
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{living well food & family} words and photos by Sylvia & Patrick Kibler
“If you don’t take care of your body, where are you going to live?” – Unknown
Rachel Pennington Rachel Pennington, Owner and Head Baker at The Pie Chest, opened her first shop on March 14, 2015 (Pi day) in downtown Charlottesville with the goal of making food that is fresh, seasonal and from scratch. Like so many of us, some of her first fond memories of food as a child began with her grandma. For Rachel, her MeeMaw’s strawberry patch and the simple and sweet taste of freshly cut berries dipped in sugar instilled in her just how powerful food at its root source can be. What are your favorite recipes to make? My favorite recipe to make is my Nanny’s Chicken & Dumplings. I asked her to teach it to me when I was 23. So, I’ve now made it for almost 17 years. Somehow it gets better each and every time because I continue to mature as a cook, learning new techniques and methods but not changing her tradition. Where do you love to eat out locally? Locally, my partner Tina and I love Tilman’s (the pickle plate, pimento cheese and bruschetta burrata are amazing). Also at Citizen Burger, it’s Mini Citizen with fries; at Rooftop in Crozet, goat cheese bucatini; at Monsoon Siam, vegetable fried rice and spring rolls; at MarieBette, the everything prezzant, croissant and baguettes; at Albemarle Baking Company, chocolate escargot, pain de campagne and chocolate praline dome cake; and, of course, Bodo’s. Why is it important to teach children about healthy eating? More than anything, my hope for young palates is to experience different kinds/sorts of food, as early as possible. It breaks my
32
February 2019
Baker & Co-Owner of The Pie Chest heart when I meet older children or adolescents who eat only a handful of things and have negative perspectives about certain types of food. We are all born with preferences, but I believe that many of our tastes are learned by exposure and access. Do you have any current projects? To continue to tighten and solidify The Pie Chest’s place within the food community and the city as a whole. On a macro level, what are the ways in which we can be a force of goodness in Charlottesville? I’m very proud of the charities, non-profits and individuals we have assisted, and am currently pondering even deeper avenues for the future. What is the best advice your parents have ever given you? The best advice my parents shared with me is not anything expressed verbally but the examples they set over the course of their lives. My mom modeled a studious nature and work ethic. My dad modeled a generous and kind way of thinking and being in his community. Taken together, they make up the essence of who I am and who I strive to be. Why is it important to give back to the community? Community investment is a no-brainer to me as a business owner. It’s never just about the pie, but pie as a means to more, whether it is donating goods to Charlottesville High School’s snack pantry for students to take home for holiday break, inviting Cville Pride and Building Experiences to host meetings and events in our space, or participating in CAYIP by allowing young people to come and serve as interns in our kitchen.
Feeding A Family: Simple & Healthy Weeknig ht Meals the Whole Family Will Love by Sarah Waldman, Photography by Elizabeth Cecil With 40 complete meals and 100 recipes, Sarah Waldman offers a nutritionally fulfilling menu the whole family will enjoy. Her tips include kids in mealtime prep and for extending ingredients for tomorrow’s meal. Available for $22.46 at barnesandnoble.com.
&
Food
KidsHealth.org
Family
Kidshealth.org offers resources and tips for kids, teens and parents, including recipes and cooking, illnesses and injuries, sports, school and family life, staying safe and how the body works. Visit kidshealth.org for more information.
Sylvia and Patrick, parents of five rambunctious children, are a husband and wife team in the Charlottesville area who focus on lifestyle photography, weddings and portraiture. See their work at sylviakiblerphotography.com.
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{living well crafts} words & photo by Jennifer Carroll
DIY
Bumble Bee VALENTINES
I have always loved the iconic symbol of Bumble Bees. I remember a quote by Mary Kay Ash that said, “Aerodynamically, the bumblebee shouldn’t be able to fly, but the bumblebee doesn’t know it so it goes on flying anyway.” This really resonates with me. There is so much we can achieve if we believe and don’t give up. This year, while my daughter and I were brainstorming Valentine card ideas for her to share with her fellow secondgraders, one idea we felt strongly about was a bee craft. Bees are the mascot for her school, so we knew this would be a popular idea. My preferred way to make these cards is by using my Cricut papercutting machine, however, the PDF I have created will allow for the kids to help. For the PDF, as well as for a video tutorial with step-by-step instructions, visit celebratingeverydaylife.com, so you can download, print and then cut out by hand.
34
February 2019
Materials Needed: • BumbleBee Valentines PDF available in my Free Resource Library (more about that below) • Adobe Acrobat Reader • Cardstock • Scissors • X-Acto Knife • Tootsie Roll Pops Directions: 1. Get the card file from my blog’s Free Resource Library. When you sign up to receive my email newsletter, you are automatically sent a password to access the library. 2. Once you’ve logged in, the file you need is called “BumbleBee Valentine PDF.” Click to download the PDF file. Make sure you don’t accidentally download the Print then Cut version for a Cricut
paper-cutting machine. 3. Open your downloaded file in Adobe Acrobat Reader, and press the print icon to print as many copies as you need. 4. Once printed, use scissors to cut out the bees. 5. You will also need to make 2 slits on the bee for the stick of the lollipop. Use an X-Acto knife for this step. 6. Once your bee is cut, along with your two slits in the body, slide the stick of the lollipop through these slits so that the pop is behind the bee’s head. Ta-da! You have a charming Bumblebee Valentine card that is affordable and easy to pull together, even if it’s last minute, and a card that will stand out for friends and teachers to love.
Jennifer, a Southern gal with an unquenchable thirst for all things creative, wears many hats—a photographer, blogger, designer and home entertainer. From cooking to decorating, no matter what she is doing, she is committed to celebrating everyday life. Visit celebratingeverydaylife.com.
• Fall In Love
with these Books from Penguin Young Readers
Love is in the air, and we’ve got something sweet for your special, little someone. Including themes of love and friendship, these beginner reader versions featuring classic characters are perfect Valentine’s Day gifts and for reminding someone how much they mean to you.
Peter Rabbit, I Love You
Love is Walking Hand in Hand
Llama Llama Be My Valentine
by Beatrix Potter Ages 3–5 Say, “I love you,” with this rhyming board book with a peek-a-boo mirror! This lovely book features classic Beatrix Potter characters, including Peter Rabbit, accompanied by sweet rhyming text. Celebrating all the lovable and adorable things little ones do, and ending with a mirror surprise, this book is perfect for reading with the little bunny you love the most. Available at barnesandnoble.com.
by Charles M. Schulz All ages A reissue of the classic gift book that defines love through the simple acts and moments of everyday life with Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts gang. This classic gift book was originally published in 1965 and is being reissued in its original format. Its timeless description of love and friendship is as important now as it was when the book was first published. Available at barnesandnoble.com.
by Anna Dewdney Ages 6–7 A Penguin Young Reader based on an episode of Llama Llama’s animated Netflix television series, perfect for celebrating Valentine’s Day. This leveled reader edition tells the story of Llama and his classmates learning to say “I love you!” on Valentine’s Day by creating unique gifts to give to the llamas (and goats, and zebras...) they care about most. Available at barnesandnoble.com.
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{inspiration parenting}
happy parents HAPPY KIDS
36
February 2019
Nurturing Your Marriage So You Can Nurture Your Family
We’re so accustomed to making our children the center of our world, but experts say that your marriage needs just as much nurturing.
Nurturing Your Marriage I’ll never forget the day I called my mother to share the weekend plans I’d made with my 5-year-old son, Aidan. “It’s going to be great!” I chirped. “The two of us are taking a hike, and then we’ll hit the science museum. There’s also a new restaurant we want to try.” A long silence followed.
by Holly Robinson
“What?” I prodded. “I was just wondering what your poor husband’s going to do while you’re off having fun,” Mom said. “How should I know?” I asked, irritated that she’d question my special plans with my son. She clearly didn’t realize how much times had changed. After all, when I was Aidan’s age, family life wasn’t focused on the kids. We used to play outside by ourselves all day and go to bed early. My parents would routinely trot off to cocktail parties, and my husband’s parents took weeklong, childfree golf vacations. The more I thought about it, though, I realized I couldn’t remember the last time Dan and I had gone out alone on a Saturday night (never mind escaping the domestic doldrums for a whole week), because Aidan would scream every time a babysitter arrived. Dan and I weren’t unhappy, but parenthood had more or less reduced us to a business partnership, complete with tax forms. We both worked, and we were like runners in a relay race, passing Aidan between us like a baton. We’d comforted ourselves with the fact that we were doing everything in our power to make our son’s life educational and fun. We figured we had to: Aidan was
a troubled sleeper and prone to acting out. We worried that if we didn’t devote what little free time we had to him, he’d be even more difficult. But, I think my mom was right—we were shortchanging our marriage, and even
encouraging
Aidan’s
attention-
getting misbehavior. “Making your kids the center of your life may seem child-friendly, but it can create long-term unhappiness for everyone in the family,” says David Code, an Episcopal minister and author CharlottesvilleFamily.com
37
{inspiration parenting} Communication challenges make learning more difficult.
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whose parents’ relationship has cooled are more likely to have behavioral or academic problems than kids of happy couples,” says Philip Cowan, PhD, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, who has studied families for decades with his wife, psychologist Carolyn Pape Cowan, PhD. Think of your relationship as the emotional environment in which your kids live. Just as you want them to breathe
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Schedule a Weekday Update You always find time to listen to your best friend when she needs to vent. But if your husband seems irritable when he comes home, you might just hand him the baby and rush out the door to do errands. In these days of tag-team parenting, those lazy hours spent talking about everything can feel like a distant memory. To stay close, Code suggests that you each share a highlight of your day (like when your son winked at you across the room) and a low point (that parking ticket). Discussing your worst moments may seem like a downer when you have limited time together, but when you understand what the other person is going through, you’ll be more of a team.
Don’t Coast No matter how great your marriage was before you had kids, you can’t just leave it on autopilot now. “A lot of family life is about putting out fires,” says Linda
38
February 2019
“Kids whose parents’ relationship has cooled are more likely to have behavioral or academic problems than kids of happy couples,” says Philip Cowan, PhD.
Waite, PhD, a sociologist at the University
look at him. But, I didn’t want us to fight,
have to stop a conversation with your
of Chicago. “With children, there are
so I stayed silent and got even madder.”
spouse anytime your kid wants you to
so many things you have to deal with
Fortunately,
Brandon,
watch her do a cartwheel. In fact, she’ll
immediately, so you don’t work on your
eventually sensed her frustration and
be more likely to learn patience and
own relationship.” However, you have to
got her to open up—and now that they
resilience if you ask her to wait. Sunday
invest time and energy in your marriage—
have three kids, the couple is closer than
breakfast is sacred in our family because
and address tense topics—if you want it
ever. “I don’t wait for him to guess my
we can all sit down together. Dan and I
to sustain you during tough times.
thoughts anymore,” says Bogeaus. “If I
like to read the paper and chat after we
need his help, I just ask him.”
finish eating, but Aidan would constantly
“In the year after my son Kevin was born, I thought my marriage was in jeopardy,” admits Caroline Bogeaus. “I felt like my husband left all of the work
her
husband,
Pay a Bit Less Attention to Your Kids
interrupt us. So we put a clock with a timer in the family room and told him he had to play on his own for at least a half
of parenting to me, and there were days
We all want our children to grow up
hour after breakfast. If he did, his reward
when I was so angry that I couldn’t even
feeling loved, but that doesn’t mean you
was that we’d do something special as a
CharlottesvilleFamily.com
39
{inspiration parenting} family later in the day. After a few weeks, he started looking forward to making plans
for
his “Sunday-morning-paper
time.”
Make Time to Be Alone Together Your child may push all your buttons when she begs, “Don’t go!” but adult-only time is crucial. “Couples need to work harder to find a good babysitter,” says Scott Stanley, PhD, co-director of the Center for Marital and Family Studies at the University of Denver. You’ll feel less guilty going out if you know your child is home having fun with that college student she likes. Couple Nicole and Craig Campbell
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One of the big differences between parenting smoothly and those who don’t is their ability to express the three A’s—
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affection, appreciation and admiration— says researcher John Gottman, PhD, author of And Baby Makes Three. As I discovered with Dan, it’s pretty easy. If he gets home late, instead of snapping at him, I try to be sympathetic. “You must have had a really
bad day” is all I need to say to ease his tension. Later, he’ll be more inclined to take over bath and bedtime duties. And when he tells me I’m sexy (in sweats and a flannel shirt, no less) I’m more likely to suggest going to bed early— for fun instead of sleeping. This kind of feel-good behavior makes you want do nice things for your spouse every day because there’s such gratifying payback.
Go Out on a Limb Routines are great for little kids, but they can make a marriage stale. “It’s important to find new ways to connect and keep your relationship fresh,” says Dr. Waite. In my own zeal to reconnect with Dan, I signed us up for a weeknight pottery class. I figured, how hard could it be to make a pot? Very hard, as it turned out. In our second class, I accidentally ran my potter’s wheel backward, flinging clay at the walls. Dan emerged looking as if he’d been swimming in a mud hole. But, a funny thing happened afterward. We went to a restaurant, and there was a pitcher on the table. The two of us began discussing its construction: Had the potter thrown it in two pieces or one? As we debated, I noticed another couple across the room. They ate silently, as if there were a vast ocean between their plates. I realized that it didn’t really matter if we mastered pottery. The key thing was to keep sidestepping the dark depths of domesticity. Dan and I were willing to risk our dignity and stumble a bit as we learned and tried new things together. We’re never short on conversation now, and our eyes still meet across a table and hold. And, Aidan and I have both learned that he can survive a babysitter.
Holly is a novelist, journalist and ghostwriter whose newest novel is Folly Cove. Visit her at authorhollyrobinson.com and on Twitter @hollyrob1. *Article originally published in the June 2009 issue of Parents magazine.
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CharlottesvilleFamily.com
41
{resources camp guide} by Cathy Ashby
CAMPING BUDDIES Camp Friends are Friends for Life
There’s something very special about the friendships formed at summer camp. Maybe it’s the compressed timeframe or the shared bathrooms, the late-night talks or the collective pangs of homesickness. Whatever the reason, there are few other environments in which such strong bonds are formed in so short a time frame. Nicole Carosella, a former camper services director, sums it up simply: “Camp friendships are for a lifetime,” she says. But what makes camper relationships so special?
According to the American Camping
friends quickly. Camp staff members
kids enjoy the same things they do. An
Association (ACA), making friends at
know that the kids need to work and play
aspiring young poet may have one friend
camp is easier than at other places
together, contribute and cooperate with
at home who shares his passion, but at
because camp provides an environment
each other. They also know that making
a writing program, he’ll find dozens of
in which children can learn how to make
friends is a lot easier when the campers
comrades in creativity.
a friend and how to be a friend as part
have a trained facilitator looking out for
of a safe, supportive community. To that
them.
end, most camp counselors are trained
42
shared
thousands of friendships develop and
to make sure that campers start making
experiences also play key roles in camper
thrive at camp, and she knows how
friends as soon as they arrive. They
friendships,
specialized
quickly common interests can bond a
introduce campers to one another. They
programs like sports camps or academic
group of children. “New campers rapidly
plan get-to-know-you games. And, they
camps, where even shy kids find comfort
find a buddy who likes to do and talk
watch out for kids who aren’t making
and confidence in knowing that the other
about their favorite things. And, believe
February 2019
Common
Bunny Brown, co-owner and director of Skyland Camp for Girls has seen
interests especially
and at
“There is something exciting about making friends from other parts of the country and/or the world.”
me—a 60-year-old who met friends at
Camp Handbook, explain the deep bonds
director. “Camp tends to expose us as
camp at age 8!—those friends are friends
of camper friendship in this way: “When
we really are—warts and all—and when
for life.”
kids live with a group of their peers under
we come across a person who can say, ‘I
On the other hand, argues R. David
the supervision of positive adult role
know the good and the bad about you,
Bruce, executive director of a boys camp,
models, their care and concern for others
and I still choose you as a friend,’ it tends
camper
some
increases. This sense of kinship solidifies
to make a rather enduring bond.”
appeal. “There is something exciting
lessons about sportsmanship, sharing
Even if you’re a shy camper, there’s
about making friends from other parts of
and responsibility. Most importantly, the
ways to make friends. The first day
the country and/or the world.”
experience forges bonds of friendship
of
that last a lifetime.”
experience. The combination of new
differences
also
hold
Regardless of their similarities or differences,
camper
friendships
summer
camp
can
be
a
scary
run
“Many adults will tell you that the
faces, different scenery and unfamiliar
deep. Christopher Thurber, PhD and Jon
best friends they have were met at camp,”
food is intimidating; especially to young
Malinowski, PhD, authors of The Summer
says Dean Barley, a founder and camp
campers who know they’ll be sleeping in CharlottesvilleFamily.com
43
{resources camp guide} 2019 Guide to Residential Camps See what the area’s residential camps have to say about themselves. Camp Alleghany for Girls Lewisburg, WV “Steeped in tradition, girls ages 7–16 enjoy the same customs established 98 summers ago. Archery, arts and crafts, canoeing, dance, drama, rifle, ropes, singing, sports and more with emphasis on sportsmanship, citizenship, cooperation, consideration for others and the Honor System. ACA accredited.” 304-645-1316, campalleghanyforgirls.com See ad page 46
115 YMCA CF 1-3ad Mar19_Layout 1 1/9/19 7:20 AM Page 1
YMCA Summer Camp ★ Brooks Family YMCA | McIntire Park ★ Crozet YMCA | Claudius Crozet Park
Best. Summer. Ever.
434.974.9622 PiedmontYMCA.org 44
February 2019
Camp Friendship Palmyra, VA “Camp Friendship sets the benchmark for an exceptional summer experience. Founded in 1966, we are a family-owned, ACA-accredited camp for ages 7–16. Campers are empowered to choose their own adventures from 35+ activities, including archery, horseback riding, kayaking, wilderness survival, high ropes and more.” 434-589-8950, campfriendship.com See ad page 49 Camp Hidden Meadows Bartow, WV “Camp Hidden Meadows offers one-, two-, three- and four-week sessions for boys and girls ages 6–16. Activities include horseback riding, dance, woodworking, painting, white-water rafting, organic farming, mountain boarding, canoeing, mountain biking, fishing, swimming, a 1,000-foot zip line and more. ACA accredited.” 800-600-4752, camphiddenmeadows.com See ad page 48 Camp Holiday Trails Charlottesville, VA “Camp Holiday Trails is a year-round nonprofit committed to empowering, encouraging and educating campers with chronic illnesses and autism, ages 7–17. Children with special medical needs and chronic illnesses and their families can enjoy 1- and 2-week residential summer camp sessions and family weekends. ACA accredited.” 434-977-3781, campholidaytrails.org See ad page 63
a strange bed at the end of the day. The best defense against first-day jitters for kids of all ages is a pal, a buddy, a comrade or, at the very least, someone to sit with at dinnertime. Some kids don’t have any trouble making friends. With enviable confidence, they attract crowds and entertain them with ease. But the majority of youngsters worry that they won’t fit in, that the other kids won’t like them and that they’ll be lonely at camp. The good news is that there’s plenty you can do to help boost your child’s friend-making powers before he packs for summer camp. “Parents
should
encourage
their
children to sleep over at a relative’s or friend’s house for the weekend,” recommends
Aimee
Jones,
a
former
assistant director. “Campers who have experience being away from home tend to have an easier time adjusting to camp.” Parents can also prepare children by telling them what to expect. “Campers tend to be less anxious if they are familiar with the situation,” says Jones. “Set up expectations before arriving at camp by explaining what will happen when
the
camper
is
dropped
off,”
suggests Riggins. “Introduce the camper to responsible staff and let the staff person take over. Tell the camper that you will write. And follow through with encouraging notes.” Adam Boyd, a camp director, urges parents to “let their campers know that they will not be pressured to act like someone they are not. It is when campers feel safe that they are comfortable speaking up,” he says. Staff members at most camps are trained to spot shy campers and draw them out of their shells. cont’d pg 49
CharlottesvilleFamily.com
45
{resources camp guide} Camp Horizons Harrisonburg, VA “Camp Horizons is a premier co-ed, sleep-away camp for ages 6–16 in the Shenandoah Valley. We provide a safe, supportive community where campers feel comfortable embarking on new adventures and developing friendships that will last a lifetime. ACA accredited since our founding in 1983.” 540-896-7600, camphorizonsva.com See ad page 44 Camp Strawderman Edinburg, VA “Camp Strawderman has been offering summer camp experiences since 1929. Activities include tennis, horseback riding, swimming, archery, hiking, crafts, dance, nature study, drama, yoga, choir, role playing games starting at the times of Indians in the 1950s and more for girls in the Alleghany foothills. Ages 6–17.” 301-868-1905, campstrawderman.com See ad page 40 Camp Yogaville Buckingham, VA “Camp Yogaville is a two-week long yoga summer camp for kids ages 7–14. Kids will enjoy 700+ acres for activities like swimming, hiking and crafting, learning yogic ideals, practice Hatha
Yoga every morning, learn Sanskrit and more.” 800-858-9642, yogaville.org/camp See ad page 38 Fork Union Military Academy Fork Union, VA “Fork Union offers an all sports camp, football and basketball camps for ages 7–17, with both day and overnight options and a summer school, which includes a non-military program combining academics, leadership development, athletics and fun.” 434-842-4281, forkunion.com See ad back cover iD Tech Camps Multiple Locations “Our flagship program blends worldclass instruction with fun camp activities. In each weeklong session, you’ll explore a top campus, create an impressive project and build lifelong skills. iD Tech Camp courses are segmented by age for campers ages 7–19 and for all skill levels.” 1-888-709-8324, idtechcamps.com See ad page 39 Nike Sports Camps at UVA Charlottesville, VA “Summer camps provide young players with the opportunity to improve their
STEAM
skills and have tons of fun. Camps offer both overnight and day camp options geared towards kids ages 9–18 of all ability levels.” 800-645-3226, ussportscamps.com See ad page 38 Oakland School Summer Program Troy, VA “With both day and boarding options, Oakland’s five-week summer program offers a healthy mix of academic support and traditional camp fun on a 450-acre property. Campers ages 6–13 enjoy small class sizes and 1:1 instruction along with activities like horseback riding, swimming, archery, arts, nature study and more.” 434-293-9059, oaklandschool.net See ad page 54 Science Camp Watonka Hawley, PA “A small, privately owned boys’ sleepaway camp in the Poconos with 130 campers (ages 8–16) and approx. 50 staff, offering a hands-on program with physics, chemistry, biology, electronics, robotics, earth science, video, photography and more. An elective program includes crafts, waterfront and sports, dirt bikes, trips and a ropes course. ACA accredited.” 570-226-4779, watonka.com See ad page 38
The Oldest Girls’ Camp in the Virginias since 1922
Discovery Academy
Join us this summer at STEAM Discovery Academy and let us cultivate your student’s passion for all aspects of STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. Students learn to think on their feet, evaluate challenges, and experiment their way to solutions.
February 2019
Join us for our 98th Summer!
Visit our website at
Lewisburg, WV 304-645-1316
to view our course catalog and apply!
info@campalleghany.com campalleghanyforgirls.com
STEAMDiscoveryAcademy.com 46
InspIrIng growth through honor, loyalty, and frIendshIp.
SOCA Charlottesville, VA “For over 30 years, SOCA has been coaching players in soccer. The Blue Ridge Residential Soccer Academy provides U9–U16 boys and girls an allinclusive, weeklong soccer experience, with multiple daily training sessions. The camp has access to dormitories, a food service, over six acres of fields, a pool, classrooms and more. Team registration also available.” 434-975-5025, socaspot.org See ad page 48
Triple C Camp Charlottesville, VA “Triple C Camp serves rising K–11 graders with horseback riding, ropes course, daily swimming (daily lessons for K–3), nature, sports, hiking, canoeing and more. Bus transportation available, lunch and snacks included. Licensed VA childcare. Members of the ACA.” 434-293-2529, tripleccamp.com See ad page 45
Woodberry Forest Summer Camps Woodberry Forest, VA “For more than 50 years, our sports STEAM Discovery Academy camps have been getting boys ages 9–16 Charlottesville, VA outside to develop their athletic skills. “STEAM Discovery Academy is offering Also offered this year is Woodberry new STEAM and sports camps for Compass, a program that helps middle students in grades K–12. There is the school boys get out of their comfort opportunity to explore all aspects zone in two areas of their choosing. All of STEAM: Science, Technology, camps are located on 1,200 acres.” Engineering, Art and Math, challenging 540-672-6044, woodberry.org/camps them to think on their feet, evaluate See ad page 4 challenges and experiment their way to solutions.” 434-987-3918, steamdiscoveryacademy.com See ad page 46
Day Camp Options ACAC See ad page 11 Alter, Lee Watercolor Painting See ad page 40 Blue Ridge School See ad page 55 Boar’s Head Inn See ad page 41 Charlottesville Waldorf School See ad page 59 The Covenant School See ad page 53 First Presbyterian Church Preschool See ad page 52 Free Union Country School See ad page 27 Frost Montessori School See ad page 56
CharlottesvilleFamily.com
47
{resources camp guide} amily CharlottesvillAeFward Favoriteinner W 2018
Thanks for voting for us!
Soccer!
Thank you for choosing SOCA! Generations Montessori School See ad page 52
• Leagues for All Youth & Adult Players! • In-Season Clinics, Top Quality Instruction • Visit Us on the Web or Call...
KidsCollege@PVCC See ad page 48 The Little Gym Summer Camps See ad page 35
SOCA 975-5025 www.SOCAspot.org
Live Arts See ad page 47 Living Earth School See ad page 58
p Hidden Cam dows
Mountaintop Montessori’s Seed Summer Camp See ad page 54
mea
Olivet Preschool See ad page 58 Paramount Theater, The See ad page 23
1 - 4 Week Sessions Boys & Girls • Ages 6-16 Horseback Riding • White-Water Rafting • Sailing • Sports Mountain Boarding • Canoeing • Backpacking • Swimming Only 2 hours west of Arts & Crafts • Organic Farm • Mountain Biking Charlottesville! Rock Climbing • 1,000 Ft. Zip Line • Performing Arts & more!
1-800-600-4752
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camphiddenmeadows.com
2019 KIDSCollege@PVCC SUMMER ACADEMIES Over 100 STEM & Arts Summer Academies
EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT April 1 deadline
KidsCollege@PVCC: June 11–Aug. 10 | Rising 3rd-9th Graders KidsCollege@Fluvanna: June 4-15 | Rising 1st-9th Graders KidsCollege@CATEC: June 18-29 | Rising 7th-10th Graders Online registration available Jan. 21 www.pvcc.edu/kidscollege |434.961.5354
Peabody School See ad page 60 Pony Academy, The See ad page 40 Regents School of Charlottesville See ad page 56 Tandem Friends Spectrum Camp See ad page 49, 61 University Montessori School See ad page 56 Village School Camp See ad page 60 Virginia Discovery Museum See ad page 21
KIDSCollege@PVCC Learn today...Lead tomorrow
YMCA See ad page 44
Experience something special! Voted one of Charlottesville’s Favorite Camps ! Day & Overnight Nature Camps for boys & girls, ages 5-17
Check out our other
adult & family programs! 48
February 2019
CharlottesvilleFamily Favorite Award Winner 2017
www.LivingEarthVa.com 540.456.7339
* This exclusive guide of terrific summer camps includes only the camps advertising here.
“Great camps have a place for all types of personalities,” says Boyd. “Very shy children, very outgoing children, very athletic, very loud—they’re all looking for where they fit in the group. A great
Premier overnight overnight summer summer camp camp your backyard. in yourinbackyard.
counselor will help a camper find that place without trying to make them like every other camper.” “Our counselors are trained to engage all campers in games and activities that will break the ice and involve all campers,” says Jones. “Especially shy campers who do not want to participate will spend some time talking with their counselor and figuring out games or situations that will help them become more comfortable.” Often, says Jo Anna Riggins, a former program director, camp staff members recruit help from experienced campers. The peer interaction helps the shy camper feel included and the returning camper feel helpful. It’s a win-win situation. Brown encourages campers to offer friendship in order to receive friendship. “To have a friend, you must first be a friend,” she says. She offers examples of friendly overtures: “You can ask a camper
www.campfriendship.com
to join you in a social endeavor. Or complement them in something. Engage them in friendly conversation. Take their side in an argument. Make them smile or laugh. Share something you have and they don’t. Never make another feel inferior. Don’t laugh at or criticize them. Overlook the weaknesses you may see. Look for the good in each. Practicing these
TANDEM FRIENDS SCHOOL OF CHARLOTTESVILLE
SPECTRUM 2019 SUMMER PROGRAMS
techniques at camp gives you habits for a good lifetime.” Brown expects her staff to master these techniques, so they can attend to shy campers, to campers who aren’t getting along and to those who aren’t fitting in well. It’s not easy for children to leave the comfort and security of home, friends and family behind when they go to camp. Armed with a positive attitude, a smile
A SAFE HAVEN FOR CREATIVE SELF-EXPRESSION
and a good sense of humor, however,
art | crafts | box city | cooking | theatre | fishing programs drumming | fencing | yoga | animation | sewing
they’ll find friends in abundance.
Session 1: June 10-21 • Session 2: June 24-July 5 • Session 3: July 8-19 Rising 1st grade through 7th grade • Extended day option Cathy is an award-winning writer and editor and a former camp counselor and camp director at the Duke Young Writers’ Camp.
Contact Director, Fran Smith | 434-760-3097 | fsmith@tandemfs.org Workshops and applications available on online 2/04/19 at tandemfs.org
CharlottesvilleFamily.com
49
{resources education}
THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE
CURRICULUM UVA Professor Angeline Lillard, PhD, Shares Her Expertise on Montessori
Most locals are familiar with the idea of Montessori since we are fortunate enough to have six local schools embracing the philosophy—Albemarle Montessori Children’s Community, Frost Montessori School, Generations Montessori School, Montessori School of Charlottesville, Mountaintop Montessori School and University Montessori School. Some of us may even be familiar with Maria Montessori, one of the first women physicians in Italy best known for her work with young children 100 years ago. What we may not know is that one of the preeminent Montessori scholars of our time Dr. Angeline Lillard is a UVA professor and her work does more than scientifically validate Montessori’s methods. She presents studies in best practices, demonstrating how children learn best in any setting. Lillard has graciously written a story based on her bestselling book, “Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius” (Oxford University Press, totally revised 3rd edition 2017) specifically for our CharlottesvilleFamily readers. 50
February 2019
by Angeline Lillard
As a practicing physician, Montessori
school in Rome, Montessori developed a
took a special interest in neurological
different method of schooling that is
problems.
method
actually much more in line with how
of working with children with mental
modern research shows all children
disabilities
learn and develop than the traditional
She
developed
that
successful, so
a
was
much
these
method. She observed children in an
children were able to pass Italy’s early
environment where they were free to
1900s version of State Exams for school
work with a complex and interwoven set
children
without
so
extremely that
While
of self-teaching materials that she and
people marveled that this genius had
disabilities.
her collaborators designed and improved
such good results with neurologically
over a period of 45 years, with children
impaired children, Montessori wondered
from birth to 12 years of age from all
what was happening in Italy’s schools
social classes and on three continents to
such that typically developing children
captivate children’s interest and convey
were not performing better than children
increasingly
with neurological disabilities.
observations led to many insights about
She went back to school to study
complex
concepts.
Her
how children learn and develop.
education and anthropology, and she
First, let me briefly describe a typical
began with an experimental class of over
traditional Montessori classroom. Do
50 2- to 7-year-olds in a housing project
note that Montessori schools may vary:
in a very poor area of Rome. Some think
Montessori is not a trademarked term,
Montessori schools are only for children
and sometimes schools can vary a good
from wealthier homes, but they were
deal from the practices Dr. Montessori
actually first developed with children
described using in her classrooms. What
from
I illustrate is a program that adheres
low-income
households. Today,
most of our 500+ public Montessori schools serve children in low-income
closely to her descriptions. Montessori
classrooms
combine
school districts. In addition, over half the
children from 3–6, 6–9 or 9–12 years
children in public Montessori schools in
old. There is one trained Montessori
the United States are children of color.
teacher, and sometimes an assistant, in
Based on her observations in that first
the classroom. The classrooms are very
CharlottesvilleFamily.com
51
{resources education} neat and organized, and are aesthetically
Children work their way, over the three
in myriad areas of development from
pleasing. Most of the materials are of wood
years they are in a classroom, through
social to spatial understandings, and
or other natural materials, and the walls
the sequences of materials in that room
even adults learn better when moving in
are uncluttered, having a few museum
before they graduate to the next level.
ways that simulate what we are learning.
reproduction posters or other art. The
Great videos of Montessori classrooms
For example, we memorize faces better
room contains sets of low shelves, and on
can be found at Montessori-guide.org.
to the extent that we mimic their
those shelves, arranged by topic area, are
By
observing
children
in
these
facial expressions while we memorize.
specially designed Montessori materials
environments, Montessori came up with
Montessori education is imbued with
that were developed over many years to
many interesting observations that have
movement that is aligned with cognition.
work together in particular sequences,
gradually been rediscovered by scientific
Letters are learned by tracing sandpaper
with repeated use of children learning
research. For example:
letters while uttering the sounds, rather
particular concepts from the materials.
than
merely
by
visual
recognition;
I. Movement & Cognition are Closely Aligned
mathematical
impossible to grasp at first glance; many
Montessori wrote at length about
show how the mathematical operations
Montessori teachers spent a full school
the close connection between hand and
work; geography is learned by making
year learning to use them all and to
mind, action and thought. “One of the
maps oneself. There is good research
appreciate their depth and complexity.
greatest mistakes of our day is to think
support for all these techniques.
The depth of thought and time that went into developing these materials is
concepts
are
always
introduced with materials that clearly
A Montessori classroom tends to be
of movement by itself, as something
a hub of quiet activity, as children go
apart from the higher functions… Mental
about working in either small groups
development must be connected with
or on their own with materials the
movement and be dependent on it. It is
teacher has shown them how to use. The
vital that educational theory and practice
among
classroom belongs to the children, and
should become informed by this idea.” A
the degrees of choice and control it
they are responsible for caring for the
wealth of research in psychology today
gives children. Children are not free
environment. The teacher oversees all,
supports this idea. For example, the onset
to misbehave or avoid parts of the
and checks nonconstructive behaviors.
of crawling is associated with advances
curriculum, but each day, they arrive in
II. Choice & Control Assist Learning & Well-Being Montessori
education
educational
is
unique
programs
in
First Presbyterian Church Preschool
GENERATIONS Montessori School Ages 2 months–6 years old
Based on the teachings of Maria Montessori, GMS is a small, family-run school aiming to provide a quality education for children from infancy through kindergarten to help them grow into confident, curious, motivated, and creative lifelong learners.
434-422-8161 generationsmontessoricville.org 52
February 2019
CharlottesvilleFamily
A Play-Based Christian Preschool
Favorite Award Winner 2018
9AM to Noon Serving ages 20 months to 5 years old
See our website for additional information! firstprescharlottesville.org/preschool
434.296.1447
Ar
rea
Area Private School GUIDE Albemarle Montessori Children’s Community
540-671-9894, albemarlemcc.com Ages 2–12 Offers a Montessori Method education at pre-primary, primary and elementary levels that strives to develop students’ critical-thinking skills, self-confidence, selfinitiative and emotional strength. See ad page 52
Charlottesville Waldorf School
434-973-4946, cwaldorf.org Parent-child and Pre-K–Grade 8 Bringing age-appropriate curriculum for children 18 months–8th grade through academic, artistic and physical education based on the ideals of imagination, intellectual curiosity, social responsibility and diversity in a safe and nurturing environment since 1982. See ad page 25, 59
First Presbyterian Church Preschool 434-296-1447, firstprescharlottesville.org/preschool Ages 20 months–5 At First Presbyterian Church Preschool, their program is designed to help children learn and develop independence and confidence through imaginative play and exploration. See ad page 52
Fork Union Military Academy
Blue Ridge School
434-985-2811, blueridgeschool.com Grades 9–12 This all-boys boarding school is committed to helping boys reach their potential through a character-based culture and personalized, structured, innovative learning practices in a college-preparatory, all-boarding community. See ad page 55
The Covenant School
434-220-7309 (Birdwood Campus) 434-220-7329 (Hickory Campus) covenantschool.org Pre-K–Grade 12 A PK–12 non-denominational, coeducational day school, providing a Christian Liberal Arts and Sciences education within a vibrant school community. Students develop morally, intellectually and physically in a nurturing environment. See ad page 53
434-842-3212, forkunion.com Grades 7–12 Founded in 1898, this college-preparatory military school for boys is structured around discipline, leadership development and Christian values with a goal of building “solid citizens” who embody values of integrity, honor, duty, selfdiscipline and service to others. See ad back cover
NOW ENROLLING Check out our distinct Middle School program, now Grades 6-8!
www.covenantschool.org admissions@covenantschool.org 434.220.7330 CharlottesvilleFamily.com
53
{resources education} the morning and choose what to work on, with whom to work on it and how long to work on it. Montessori is the only major school system with this degree of individual choice; others are primarily teacher-led
and
employ
whole-class
learning. Psychology research strongly confirms Montessori’s insight that a sense of choice is beneficial to people. Among other benefits, choice enhances creativity,
well-being,
and
problem
solving speed and ability.
III. Interest Improves Learning Research has shown that learner interest significantly impacts the quality of one’s learning. In one study, children were given a list of topics and asked to indicate which were of most and least interest to them (Estes & Vaughan, 1973). Each child was then given two difficult passages to read, one on the topic the
Rolling Admissions for Parent & Infant Classes, Preschool, Elementary, & Middle School
MountaintopMontessori.org
child had ranked of most interest, and the other on the topic the child had ranked of least interest. These were followed by a comprehension test. Scores on the comprehension tests for passages of high interest were significantly higher than those for passages of low interest, showing children learned best about what they were most interested in. Other studies have shown the effects of learner interest extending over a range of school subjects, from math to history to biology to vocabulary and to outcomes ranging from learning, to grades, to self esteem, to perception of one’s own skill, to intrinsic motivation. Furthermore, the effects of interest extend over at least several years. Rathunde and Csikszentmihalyi
(1993)
examined
particularly talented students’ degree of engagement in their talent areas, such as math and music. Three years later, progress in one’s talent area was predicted by the degree to which one had
• • • •
previously reported feeling interested and excited when engaged in the activity. Although interest researchers lament that their findings could never impact education, Montessori education begins with learner interest and is structured to allow individuals to pursue their personal interests. Montessori designed specific materials and scripted lessons
54
February 2019
Free Union Country School
434-978-1700, freeunioncountryschool.org Preschool–Grade 5 An inspiring environment with small classes, where teachers who know each child, encourage critical thinking, nurture social skills and awareness, and provide a strong foundation in math, science, reading, writing and outdoor exploration. Parent involvement welcome. See ad page 27
Frost Montessori School
434-979-5223, frostmontessori.com Ages 24 months–6 years An enriching child-centered Montessori curriculum that promotes development of the whole child (academic, social, emotional and physical components of each child are emphasized regularly). Excited learners emerge. See ad page 56
Generations Montessori School
434-422-8161, generationsmontessoricville.org Ages 2 months–6 years old Based on the teachings of Maria Montessori, Generations Montessori is a small, family-run school aiming to provide a quality education for children from infancy through kindergarten to help them grow into confident, curious, motivated and creative lifelong learners. See ad page 52
Grymes Memorial School
540-672-1010, grymesschool.org Pre-K–Grade 8 A private, co-educational school on 42 acres in Orange with a curriculum emphasizing joyful learning. Class plays, public speaking, STEM, hands-on activities, small classes, sports, art, music, Spanish and computers. Developing wellrounded, confident students. Bus service provided. See ad page 61
Montessori School of Charlottesville
434-295-9055 (Cutler Lane) 434-295-0029 (Gordon Avenue) montessoriofcville.org Ages 21 months–K A Montessori preschool established in 1976 with the mission to support independence and social responsibility in children. The mixed-age classrooms are places of peace where children from all backgrounds learn new skills while developing social graces necessary to be a part of an inclusive, diverse world. See ad page 58
Mountaintop Montessori
434-979-8886, mountaintopmontessori. org Toddler–Grade 8 Accredited and progressive programs grounded in the Montessori philosophy serving developmental needs. A curriculum and outdoor experiences on the 9-acre campus foster both a zest for learning and skills like concentration, planning and collaboration. See ad page 54
WHERE BOYS LEARN BEST At Blue Ridge School, we are the experts in how boys learn best. The result is a college prep program that guides boys to reach their full potential. Individual success is achieved through a tailored learning environment and an accepting culture that fosters the best in each of our students. ALL BOYS. ALL BOARDING. ALL COLLEGE BOUND. WWW.BLUERIDGESCHOOL.COM
CharlottesvilleFamily.com
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{resources education} North Branch School
540-456-8450, north-branch-school.org Preschool–Grade 8 Committed to fostering respect, environmental responsibility and community involvement with an emphasis on hands-on learning and cooperation through a challenging foundation in academics, the arts and life skills. Small class sizes and outdoors time daily. See ad page 58
Oakland School
434-293-9059, oaklandschool.net Ages 6–13 at admission A small co-educational day and boarding school that enables children with learning or attention differences to reach their academic and personal potential through small class sizes, a multi-sensory learning approach and individualized student programs. See ad page 54
Olivet Preschool
434-295-1367 (church office), olivetpreschool.org Ages 2.5–5 year Provides a Christian preschool opportunity to ready children for Kindergarten, academically, socially and spiritually. Olivet Preschool also offers full-day childcare during the week as well. See ad page 58
Peabody School
434-296-6901, peabodyschool.org Pre-K–Grade 8 Offers in-depth programs to serve gifted and academically advanced students. Learn alongside highly skilled faculty. A rich curriculum offers weekly experiences in world language, visual and performing arts, technology, athletics and service learning. See ad page 60
Regents School of Charlottesville
434-293-0633, regents-school.org K–Grade 12 Independent, private school based on the classical Christian model. Challenging academics, small class sizes, fine arts and a thriving athletic program. Raising up leaders who can discern truth, think logically and speak winsomely for the benefit of man and the glory of God. See ad page 56
Renaissance School
434-984-1952, renaissanceschool.org Grades 9–12 Renaissance School is a college preparatory high school for high ability students in the arts, sciences and/or humanities that embraces the whole student through differentiated and experiential learning and emphasizes creativity, critical thinking and collaboration. See ad page 60
University Montessori School is a diverse family-centered school community committed to Montessori education, allowing for our student’s academic, emotional, physical and social development.
A Classical Christian School Grades K-12 • Team Sports
Tours every Wednesday (434) 293-0633
www.regents-school.org 56
February 2019
UNIVERSITY MONTESSORI
SCHOOL
Call Heather Heisig, Director, at 434.977.0583 to learn more about UMS. universitymontessori.org
to provoke interest, and teachers learn
order to get a reward
and practice these during their training.
used
the
markers
half as much as did
IV. Intrinsic Rewards Inspire Sustained Interest & Learning Montessori said, “The prize and the punishment
are
incentives
towards
the other children. People also choose easier
tasks
they
expect
when to
evaluated
or
unnatural or forced effort… The system
be
of prizes may turn an individual aside
rewarded.
from [their true] vocation.” This has
sixth graders were
clear support in the literature: when one
told
expects to be rewarded for something
receive a grade for performance on a
science in high school (Dohrnmann
one already likes to do, after getting the
set of jumble-word puzzles (anagrams),
et al., 2007), and another showed they
reward one subsequently loses interest in
and others were told it was just a game
had better grades and mental health in
the activity. In one early study, researchers
(Harter, 1978). Children in the group
college (Shankland et al., 2010).
offered some preschool children a reward
receiving a grade chose less challenging
for drawing with markers; others were
anagrams, solved anagrams less well,
not given a reward, or were rewarded by
and also showed more anxiety and
surprise after drawing (Lepper, Greene,
less pleasure while solving anagrams.
well
& Nisbett, 1973). Children who expected
Montessori
social
and received a reward drew pictures that
intrinsic, and
judges rated as less creative than those
with
of the other children. Second, when the
correction
Some
they
would
education
they outperformed peers in math and
keeps
monitors
self-correcting
rewards
performance
Montessori aligned
education with
arrangements.
is
research
also in
its
Developmental
psychologists know that children are
peer
not particularly social with their peers
observation.
before elementary school. They engage
researchers went back to the classroom
There are no grades or tests. However,
in parallel play and are often quite
and observed the markers used several
Montessori children appear to adapt fine
interested in watching each other, but
weeks later, they found that children
to grades and tests when they transfer
they don’t engage all that intensively
who had been told they could draw in
to traditional schools; one study showed
or often with each other. By elementary
and
materials,
V. Learning with Peers is Effective
teacher
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57
{resources education} school, however, children become very
Focus! Aim High! Work Together!
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social.
Yet
in
traditional
preschool
NORTH BRANCH SCHOOL Activities-based learning for Preschool-8th grade Small class size • Outdoor time every day
programs, children often have a lot of
A North Branch education is affordable. Ask about our financial aid & scholarships.
with their teachers. But, elementary-age
interactive group time, and are then moved to separate desks in elementary school and asked to interact mainly children are often desperate for contact, so they write notes and time bathroom
CharlottesvilleFamily
breaks to allow for interaction. In contrast,
Favorite Award Winner
Montessori corresponds with children’s
2018
development: Children are given a choice,
540-456-8450 • north-branch-school.org
so before age 6, they tend to work alone,
North Branch School does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color or income & actively seeks minority students.
and after age 6 they almost always work
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collaboratively. Research originating with the famous Jigsaw Classrooms established by Eliot
Now taking applications for 2018 and 2019 school years!
Aronson in Texas in the 1960s has repeatedly demonstrated that children learn well in collaborative circumstances,
Serving children ages 21 months - 6 years
and learn to get along better, resulting in more positive classroom social climates. A second effective form of peer learning that Montessori education capitalizes on is peer tutoring. In one study, children who engaged in a peer tutoring program
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for spelling went on to average 87 percent correct on spelling tests, in contrast to 75 percent for those in traditional programs
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(Greenwood et al., 1989). In addition,
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peer tutoring programs in a few subjects
the difference extended over time and topic: Children who were previously in (including math) still excelled several years later, and even excelled on topics other than what was tutored (including science). Studies also show that tutoring benefits the social climate, and that it benefits the tutor just as much as the
TM
tutee: people learn well when preparing to teach (Benware & Deci, 1984).
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Olivet Preschool!
VI. Meaningful Contexts Assist Learning We access our knowledge best when we understand the meaning and application of that knowledge. For example, people who read a passage about washing
Providing a Christian preschool opportunity for families in our community.
clothes with its title present remember the passage much better later on than do people who read it without the title, who are often bamboozled by what the
Olivet Preschool at Olivet Presbyterian Church 2575 Garth Road, Charlottesville • 434.295.1367 olivetpreschool.org • olivetpresbyterian.org • rebecca@olivetpresbyterian.org
58
February 2019
passage describes, (“The procedure is actually quite simple. First, you arrange the items into different groups. Of course
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Tandem Friends School
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The Village School
434-984-4404, villageschool.us Grades 5–8 Instills an enthusiasm and love of learning through a challenging and stimulating curriculum and highly personalized instruction with small classes. An all-girl environment allows students to discover their strengths and grow in confidence. See ad page 60
Woodberry Forest School
540-672-3900, woodberry.org Grades 9–12 A boys boarding school community on a 1,200-acre campus, Woodberry Forest strives to develop students under Christian principles and a high sense of honor and moral integrity by promoting academic, artistic, physical and spiritual development. See ad page 4
University Montessori School
434-977-0583, universitymontessori.org Ages 3–6 A diverse family-centered school community with mixed-age groups that embodies a Montessori education— facilitating the academic, emotional, physical and social development of students. See ad page 56
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59
{resources education} Furthermore,
hands-on
materials
show children quite clearly what their learning applies to and why different procedures like mathematical formulae work.
The
Pythagorean
theorem
material, for example, is a right-angled isosceles triangle with multiple small squares emerging from the legs (32 and 42) and hypotenuse (52), which clearly shows how the formula actually works.
well-implemented
and
and rich stories of
intellectual,
ancient
Egyptians
development. The fact that the founders
and
need
of Google and Amazon all credited their
the
to
education
profoundly
to
positively
impact
children’s
social
education
and
is
personal
measure
property
Montessori
precisely,
and
to
(Barbara Walter’s 10 Most Fascinating
remeasure
suggestive
it
after
People of 2004 NBC, December, 2004;
the Nile flooded and
Business Week, 20 December 2004, p.
changed
18; wikipedia.com). Bezos recently backed
property the
this up with his pledge of $2 billion to
could levy property
support Montessori-inspired preschools
taxes
precisely.
for low-income children. More telling, a
Montessori children
recent study showed former Montessori
become
those
students performed better in science and
“rope stretchers,” measuring areas of
math than their tenth- to twelfth-grade
their classroom or the land outside by
classmates who matched them in gender,
forming triangles with knotted ropes.
ethnicity and income (most of them in
Children are told that “geometry” means
high schools for gifted students), even
measuring the earth: it had practical
when the control group was matched
origins. Montessori education is situated
at test rather than at Montessori school
in real contexts.
entry (Dohrmann, 2003). Another showed
A great deal of research suggests
that
children
in
Montessori
middle
Montessori education is well aligned
schools felt more motivated, energetic,
with how humans naturally learn and
interested and happier than children in
develop. Because of this alignment,
traditional middle schools while working
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Rcollege enaissance school preparatory high school now enRolling gRades call
9-12
(434) 984-1952
foR moRe infoRmation oR to aRRange a touR
www.Renaissanceschool.oRg February 2019
expect
alongside fascinating
Village School
60
would
King
one pile may be sufficient depending on Montessori’s
one
Montessori
lines, so
how much there is to do.” And, so on.).
this
material is presented
on school tasks but not on nonschool tasks (Rathunde & Csikszentmihalyi, 2005). I have shown in two studies that children in low-income city Montessori schools outperform controlled groups of children who had lost a random lottery for admission to those schools on both social and academic measures (Lillard & Else-Quest, 2006; Lillard et al., 2017). In the more recent study, we found that after three years in Montessori public preschool,
low-income
children
had
statistically caught up to their higherincome
peers
in
conventional
and
Montessori schools. Public Montessori thus offers promise for reducing the achievement gap. Similarly, a former UVA student who is now a professor at Furman University has found higher test scores among over 7,000 children in South Carolina’s public Montessori schools, and their teachers also reported higher job satisfaction than among teachers in the state at large. Different Montessori schools, and even teachers, might implement the method to different degrees. Parents should always visit classrooms, meet teachers and ask about what their child will be doing. In addition, some parents are only comfortable with more traditional settings that feel like those they had as children. Although authentic Montessori can cost less than conventional school to operate, some schools choose instead to
GRYMES M E M OR IA L SCH O OL
offer costly additional programs. Families must weigh many variables in deciding where
their
children
go
to
school.
Montessori is one alternative some will want to look into. Photos: Generations Montessori School (pg 50, at left), Montessori School of Charlottesville by Andrea Hubbell (pg 50, at right; pg 51, at left & center; pg 57; pg 60), Mountaintop Montessori by Austin Robey (pg 51, at right), University Montessori School (pg 50, center)
Angeline is a professor of psychology at UVA. A Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science and the American Psychological Association, she is a frequent Keynote Speaker at Montessori conferences worldwide. A DVD on Montessori, interview podcasts and chapter 1 of her book are available at montessoriscience.org. For references, contact earlydevelopmentlab@virginia.edu.
Joyful Learning
A Coeducational Independent School for Pre-K - Eighth Grades 13775 Spicer’s Mill Road Orange, Virginia 22960 540-672-1010 www.grymesschool.org CharlottesvilleFamily.com
61
{until next time humorous reflections}
Dad’s Phone-Pix Campaign
A Dad’s Humorous Tales by Rick Epstein
Offices used to be noisy with the ringing of telephones, the bellowing of insensitive bosses and the clattering of typewriters. But on a recent afternoon, you could hear only the white noise of computers, the subdued warbling of desk phones, and the grim mumbling of workers whose computers had just betrayed them. Suddenly the brooding quiet is cut by loud rap music: I like big butts and I can not lie. You other brothers can deny... It’s my phone! I fumble it out of my pocket as Sir Mixa-lot elaborates and a dozen co-workers stare. “Hello?” It’s my wife. It doesn’t take me long to figure out that our 15-year-old daughter Wendy had borrowed my phone, downloaded “Baby Got Back” as a ring tone and set it up to play whenever my wife calls. (For the record: My wife’s butt is only medium sized, and I’m not ...our 15-year-old just saying that because she might read this. Ask daughter Wendy had anyone.) borrowed my phone, Because Wendy downloaded “Baby Got generally doesn’t give us the time of day, I was Back” as a ring tone and touched that she went set it up to play whenever out of her way to play her my wife calls. e-prank on me. So I kept that ring tone in place (as if I knew how to undo it), and it makes me laugh every time. Even when my wife calls with grave news, the incongruous theme song has a cheering effect. But when I go into my boss’ office or meet with serious people, I try to remember to switch the phone to airplane mode. Among the serious people I deal with is Roger, our Director of Artificial Intelligence. I’m the liaison between him and the office computers. With some justification, he regards me as a dull-witted technophobe. When I appear in his doorway, write him a note or call him on the phone, he cannot conceal his contempt. Appearing in doorways was high-tech back when people were living in caves, writing a note may have been edgy in 2000 BCE, and the telephone hasn’t been new since the 1890s. But when contacted by email, Roger is
62
February 2019
more sympathetic when he explains that the technical trouble dwells in the hardware or the software, or the server or the stars … or whatever else he isn’t responsible for. This made me wonder if maybe Wendy and I could relate better if I communicate with her the way her friends do. They are forever sending texts or videos on their phones, and sending selfies to each other. When I talk to Wendy, it’s like speaking bad high school French to a Frenchman. There is little communication, and you get the feeling that the approach is inherently offensive. Did you ever attempt to mount a horse from its righthand side? Try it, and you’ll see what trying to chat with Wendy is like. She’ll shy away or give you a hoof to the head (figuratively). Maybe it’s the sound of my voice. Anyhow, one evening when Wendy was off at a sleepover, I used my phone to take a picture of a woman on TV sticking out her tongue and sent it to her. Not exactly a heart-to-heart dialogue on the meaning of life, but we could work up to that. The next morning, I was at a garage sale and found a big, red stuffed parrot that was actually a hat. It wasn’t the kind of thing you’d buy, but it was the kind of thing you’d put on your head, get a picture of and phone to your daughter (if you’re me at least). By noon, I’d sent a couple more silly pictures and even a few text message words. These efforts were coming more easily, and it was getting to be fun. I imagined her clicking open the pictures and making that sweet little “mmm” sound she makes that is not quite a laugh, but lets you know she’s delighted in a small way. Then my phone chirped and I received a text message: “IF U SEND ONE MORE PIX I WILL BREAK UR PHONE,” along with four different anger emojis. Not the response I was looking for. After my feelings have had a chance to reboot, I’ll give the spoken word another try. Unless new media has been invented by then.
Rick can be reached at rickepstein@yahoo.com.
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