Private School Guide December 2009 by mytidewatermoms.com

PUBLISHER

Diane Tyler diane.tyler@pilotonline.com

Contents

EDITOR

Jennifer O’Donnell 222-3902 jenny.odonnell@portfolioweekly.com ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Tammy Lindquist 222-3905 tammy.lindquist@pilotonline.com ART DIRECTOR Sherri Holland 222-3957 sherri.holland@pilotonline.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Laura Barbour 222-3944 laura.barbour@pilotonline.com Katie Goenner 222-3950 katie.goenner@pilotonline.com BUSINESS MANAGER Michelle Norman 222-5380 michelle.norman@pilotonline.com ADVERTISING DESIGNERS Mary Ellen Carrier, Sherri Holland

Private School Guide is published annually. Circulation: 20,000. Distribution of this newspaper does not constitute an endorsement of information, products, or services. Tidewater Parent as-

Private School Myths Debunked.................................................4 By Alison Johnson Do you think you know all about private school education? Think again. Field Trip Ideas for Teachers, Schools and Parents......................8 By Vincent Schilling Hampton Roads offers plenty of rich learning experiences. Managing School Paperwork...................................................14 By Denise Yearian It’s hard to keep up with all the quizzes, tests, classroom updates, and student artwork. Here’s how to know what to keep and what to throw. High Energy Foods for Busy Students.......................................18 Students need nourishment to keep them going. These recipes are packed with energy and make yummy snacks for hungry learners. Getting Through the College Application Process......................20 By Kristen Kirk It’s not too late to get those applications in. Here’s what you need to focus on to make an impression. Preschool Teaching Methods....................................................24 By Jennifer O’Donnell Not all preschool philosophies are alike. Here’s how to tell what’s right for your child.

sumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. Those not accompanied by an SASE with sufficient postage will not be returned. TIDEWATER PARENT 150 W. Brambleton Ave. | Norfolk, VA 23510 (757) 222-3900 | fax (757) 446-2576 www.mytidewtermoms.com

Easing School Anxiety..............................................................26 By Alison Johnson School anxiety can take place at any point in the year. Here’s what you can do to help. Finding a Private School That’s Right for You............................30 By Gina Roberts-Grey How do you know if a school will be a good fit for your student? We offer up tips on finding the best school for your child.

Find the Interactive Online version of the 2009-2010 Private School Hampton Roads Guide online at www.mytidewatermoms.com

Private Education 2009-2010

The Virginia Opera offers a number of programs for schools and

organizations

to help student and teachers learn about the world of Opera.

tion Circle, the Web of Life Tree house, Dirt Factory and Plant Safari. For more info www.norfolkbotanica lgarden.org

TAKE FLIGHT

the NBG, we may all just have to agree that the beauty of these gardens rarely if ever fail to take our collective breath away. That being said the NBG is a mustsee for school field trips. To add to the dimension and beauty of the NBG,

Private Education 2009-2010

they also provide to teachers and students a World of Wonders study guide/childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s adventure garden worksheet to enhance the learning experience. Additionally, student and teachers can enjoy such exhibits as the Imagina-

Military Aviation Museum Although the Virginia Air and Space Center is an amazing attraction in Hampton certainly worth visiting, not many people know about another aviation friendly museum in Pungo. Certainly more intimate than the VASC, this museum is a hidden treasure just off Princess Anne Road. With a wide array of planes and other related wares, this place comes highly recommended. 1341 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach - http://www.militaryaviationm useum.org

or a quick snack during the day.” Besides giving your student an all-natural burst of energy, Dulan has other school and sports nutrition tips: • Avoid high calorie drinks: Use calorie-free water, organic low-fat milk, or 100 percent fruit juices. • Pack healthy ingredients: Try making sandwiches on 100 percent whole wheat bread rather than white and use fun combinations: natural peanut butter and honey/banana, or natural deli meat loaded with veggies. Leftovers from a home-cooked meal also make excellent lunch options. • Add color: Skip highly processed snacks. Opt for fresh fruits and vegetables and complement them with allnatural honey, hummus or whole wheat crackers. Air-popped popcorn, Greek yogurt and unsweetened applesauce provide extra variety. The following recipes, courtesy of the National Honey Board, focus on all-natural ways to fuel busy schedules. For more recipes featuring honey, visit honey.com

Chicken Sesame Nuggets with Honey Apricot Dipping Sauce Makes six servings Ingredients: • 1/3 plus 1/2 cups honey, divided • 1/3 cup soy sauce • 3/4 cup rice vinegar, divided • 1 tablespoon ginger, freshly grated • 1 teaspoon onion powder • 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into nuggets • 3/4 cup dried apricots, finely diced • Salt and pepper, to taste • 2/3 cup sesame seeds

Directions: In a medium bowl, combine 1/3 cup honey, soy sauce, 1/4 cup vinegar, ginger and onion powder. Add chicken; cover and refrigerate to marinate 30 minutes. To make dipping sauce, in a small saucepan over medium high heat, bring remaining 1/2 cup honey and 1/2 cup rice vinegar to a boil. Add apricots and return to a boil. Simmer two to three minutes. Remove from heat; cool slightly, then puree to desired consistency in a blender or food processor. Season with salt and pepper; set aside. Preheat oven to 375 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place sesame seeds in a shallow dish. Coat nuggets with sesame seeds and place on prepared baking sheet. Bake 15 to 20 minutes, or until fully cooked. Serve warm nuggets with Honey Apricot Dipping Sauce.

Super Spread Sandwich Stars Makes 10 sandwiches Ingredients: 1 apple, peeled, cored and coarsely chopped 1 cup roasted peanuts 1/3 cup honey 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon Sliced sandwich bread Directions: To make Super Spread: place apple pieces, peanuts, honey, lemon juice and cinnamon in food processor fitted with chopping blade or blender. Pulse the food processor several times until

ingredients start to blend, occasionally scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to help mix. Process for one to two minutes until mixture is smooth and spreadable. To make a Sandwich Star: spread about one tablespoon of the Super Spread on each of two slices of bread. Stack them together, spread side up. Top with a third piece of bread. Place star-shaped cookie cutter on top of the sandwich and press down firmly and evenly. Leaving the cookie cutter in place, remove the excess trimmings with your fingers or butter knife. Remove the cookie cutter. Make more Sandwich Stars as desired.

Mixed Berry Roller-ups Makes four servings Ingredients: 1 cup diced strawberries 1 cup blueberries 1 cup raspberries 1/3 cup honey 1 tablespoon grated orange peel 4 10-inch flour tortillas 1/4 cup light cream cheese Directions: In medium mixing bowl place berries; gently stir in honey and orange peel. Arrange torillas on work surface. Spread one tablespoon cream cheese evenly over one side of each tortilla. Spoon about 3/4 cup honey fruit mixture down center of each tortilla. Fold in ends, and then roll, starting at one side, to form a burrito-like roll. Serve at once. Courtesy of ARAcontent

Private Education 2009-2010

College Planning Timeline College Search Consultant Deborah Shames recommends that students utilize the following timeline to maximize their success in the college process. Freshman Year • Get involved with extracurricular activities to see what sparks your interest and explore opportunities. • Start building a resume/activities list. • Get to know your guidance counselor; he/she will be an important part of your high school career, particularly in helping you make plans for the next four years and beyond. • Become familiar with NCAA requirements if you may want to play sports in college. • Study hard and work to get the best grades you can to build a strong transcript. Sophomore Year • Register for and take PSAT for practice (if appropriate by math placement) and/or PLAN test. • Continue to explore and participate in extracurricular activities inside and/or outside of school. • Continue to build resume, keeping track of hours of involvement and memorable experiences in activities. • Start visiting colleges to get a sense of “turn-ons” and “turn-offs” (process of elimination is important) • May choose to take SAT II in June (ONLY if qualified and teacher recommends it) • Start thinking about career options and necessary education for these goals. • Consider taking a summer course or participating in a summer program in an area of interest or enrichment. Junior Year • Sept./Oct.: Register for and take PSAT • Nov.-June: Begin thinking more formally about post-secondary plans. • Continue to visit colleges and begin to formulate a list of potential colleges/vocational/technical schools • Feb-April: Be aware of registration deadlines for SAT I, SAT II, ACT, TOEFL. (LD/504 Students make special arrangements for alternate testing situation). • Spring: Select a challenging course load for senior year. • Spring: Attend college fairs to talk to college representatives and gather information about potential schools. • Spring: Meet with guidance counselor and/or private counselor to discuss post-secondary plans.

• Spring: Begin requesting recommendation letters for the following fall. • May: AP exams for junior AP courses • Summer: Start writing practice college essays (stream of consciousness) • Summer: Begin requesting college applications from colleges • Summer: Continue to do more college visitations. Senior Year • Sept.: Attend regional college fair for additional information about schools on your list • Sept.: Finalize school selections and meet with counselor to discuss. • Sept.: Request recommendation letters from teachers, coaches, etc. • Sept.: Finalize activities resume. • Sept./Oct.: Begin to file applications for schools with rolling admissions. • Sept./Oct.: Register for SAT I, SAT II, ACT, TOEFL for final time (if desired). Make sure to have all scores sent directly to colleges to which you are applying! (November is the latest recommended testing date for Early Decision/ Early Action applicants). • Fall: File CSS Financial Aid Profile if required by your list of schools. • Nov./Dec.: Be aware of ED/EA and all other deadlines. • Dec./Jan.: Submit remaining applications. • January 2nd: Submit FAFSA for eligibility for federal financial aid. • Jan.: Submit mid-year grades to colleges. • Jan./Feb.: If you were deferred, submit extra materials to support application. • Spring: Try to avoid senioritis! Colleges have been known to revoke acceptance if there is a major downturn of grades. • May: AP exams for senior AP courses. • Keep copies of everything! Occasionally things do get lost. Keep copies of college applications, financial aid applications, essays…everything! See www.collegecoachdeb.com for more information.

Private Education 2009-2010

Some

preschools

place a great deal of importance on the academics of early Below are a few of the more common preschool teaching philosophies you might encounter in your search. Acquaint yourself with the methods before you attend and open house or informational meeting. THE LEARN THROUGH PLAY METHOD: Learn through play preschools operate under the belief that young children learn best in an unhurried environment in which they learn through play, games, stories, art, puppetry and social interaction. “Ageappropriate” are the buzz words you’ll hear with this method. A large block of time is set aside for children to choose their own activities and recess is a prominent part of the daily program. Learn-Through-Play preschools (also known as child-centered classrooms) encourage children to develop at their own pace by encouraging them to follow their own interests and goals. These schools also adopt a problem-solving approach to social or disciplinary problems. THE MONTESSORI METHOD: The beliefs of Dr. Maria Montessori, an early childhood educator in Europe at the turn of the twentieth century, are the founding principles of the Montessori method. Montessori believed that children teach each other best, rather than being lectured by an adult. In a Montessori preschool it’s not uncommon to find younger students mingling in the classroom with students two, three or four years older. In a Montessori preschool, students progress at their own pace and are free to move around the classroom to explore and learn. They may work alone, in pairs, or in groups and most

learning – preparing children intellectually for Kindergarten and the early elementary

years.

Others place more of

importance

on play and social interaction.

Montessori preschools encourage children to choose their own projects. Snack time is determined by the student and clean-up is his responsibility. THE WALDORF METHOD: Founded by Dr. Rudolph Steiner in the early part of the 20th century, the Waldorf method is probably the least known of the preschool curriculums. Steiner believed that education should engage the minds of children as well as their bodies and spirits. The Waldorf preschool places a great deal of emphasis on teaching through the arts and on hands-on learning. In a Waldorf school, students stay with the same teacher from preschool through grade 8. Waldorf schools stock their toy chests and bookshelves with all-natural toys made from wood and natural fibers. Plastic toys and Crayolas are generally not permitted. Instead, students use beeswax and other natural products.

THE ACADEMIC METHOD: Also called content-centered schools, the academic method devotes less time to free play and more time to whole-class activities in which there are specific instructional goals. In an academic preschool, students are prepared for Kindergarten and the early years of elementary school by learning to read by sounding out letters and by participating in early writing activities. Early math is also emphasized in a content-centered school and discipline may be less flexible than in a learn-throughplay curriculum or other teaching method. In a content centered school, homework may be assigned. THE CO-OP METHOD: Parents and children working together is the fundamental principle of a co-op preschool. In co-ops, parents contribute time, energy, talent and ideas to the school. Parents are likely to help develop the class curriculum, teach on a regular basis and develop the school’s rules, guidelines, and disciplinary action. In a co-op setting parents may even be responsible for finding a location for the school, paying the bills, hiring the teachers, director, etc. Co-ops require parents to work in the classroom under the guidance of the teacher or director. Just how much time parents must contribute varies – some co-ops require parents to help out weekly, others say once or twice a month is sufficient. Because of the parental support, child/adult ratios are typically very low in a co-op setting. Jennifer O’Donnell is the editor of Tidewater Parent magazine in Norfolk, Virginia

Private Education 2009-2010

education a consideration? Should the school be single sex or co-educational? How far is your child willing to commute to attend school? Assess the Basics Curriculum and academic opportunities are often the basis for choosing a school. When considering a school, review the average class size, teacher:student ration, and faculty turn-over which all lend stability and continuity to the educational process. Determine the expected study habits and disciplinary action for missing assignments. Review the enrichment opportunities such as artistic, music, drama and foreign language programs. Are the libraries and facilities usually equipped and staffed with specialist teachers and do they offer any specific resources you child may need? Private schools can range in size from less than one hundred students to over one thousand. Assess your child’s social skills very carefully. “Our son and daughter are very different students and individuals. One is a social butterfly and makes friends easily while the other is quiet and reserved and more comfortable in a small, family like atmosphere. Because of their differences, we chose two different private schools that each met both of their personalities and academic needs,” says Carly Winters of Ames, Iowa. The chance to participate in organized sports at school is also another noteworthy factor that might appeal to your child’s muscles as well as his mind. “We put some facilities on the list of potential schools when we learned they offered intramural sports clubs as well as organized school sponsored teams,” adds Winters. Specialty Schools Many parents and educators feel that children benefit from the minimal distractions offered by a single sex school setting. Others feel just as strongly that a co-educational school offers young people a valuable social laboratory in

which to practice the skills so necessary in today’s politically correct world. “Attending a co-educational school is a very personal decision and one that needs to be assessed individually,” says McCarthy noting that “single sex and co-educational schools both offer unique and beneficial learning environments.” Personal religious requirements or beliefs should be considered when contemplating faith based schools. It is important to understand that children may attend religious services and regular religious classes, or be expected to practice the faith embraced by that school. Most denominational schools require students to attend religious services, while nondenominational schools usually do not make adhere to one particular faith, but are often Christian based. There are also private schools who tailor their curriculum toward specific areas of interest. Although still maintaining a concentration on core subjects such as math and science, some schools offer a more concentrated focus on subjects such as art or music. Pay a visit Once you’ve made a list of three to five schools that you and your child think could fit, arrange a tour of the schools. Guide your child to formulate a list of his or her questions to ask the administrator or tour guide, in addition to compiling your own list of questions. “It is usually a good idea to bring a copy of a child’s most recent report card and standardized test results if applicable,” says guidance counselor, Tom Westervelt of San Jose, California, “I once met with a family that brought a few of the books the children were currently using to compare them to the books in our school.” Ask to visit while classes are in session to see the dynamics of children in the gymnasium, hallways and cafeteria. Sample the food served for lunch and peruse the library and computer lab. “I always suggest families visit more than once to see the school in many lights,” notes Westervelt.

Affording a Private School • Contact the admissions or business office to learn about available financing options, scholarships and grants. • Private student loans can prevent dipping into savings or using high-interest credit cards. These loans are usually credit-based and spread out tuition payments making the tuition more manageable. • Working and/or volunteering at a private school may make you eligible for reduced tuition. Ask if opportunities exist in the office, cafeteria, library or as a playground supervisor to offset some of the costs. • If you have more than one child, ask about a quantity discount on your tuition. • Participate in a uniform exchange to defray some of the costs of clothing.

Remember that regardless of whether you choose a private school, or another form of educational style, is it vital that your child feel comfortable and secure in his learning environment. Solicit input from your child on his impression of the school, uniforms, distance from home and the facilities. “Reviewing all aspects and options will help to make an educated decision that will benefit everyone,” says Westervelt. For information on private school ratings please visit www.privateschoolrevie w.com Private Education 2009-2010