Learning 2017

free!

Every Child Resource Fair Oct. 19 SEE PAGE 39

GUIDE INSIDE

Learn how classrooms are going digital 21

YOU DON’T KNOW HOME SCHOOL Busting myths about this option 17

PRESCHOOL’S NEXT ACT ARRIVES New legislation expands outdoor possibilities 14

parentmap.com/learning • 2017 I Taught My Kids About College 30 COLLEGE GUIDE: Talking About Student Debt 27 • 10 Things

2017

DOES ONLINE LEARNING WORK?

parentmap.com/learning

learning

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4 • ParentMap Learning 2017

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contents

25

17

14

7 DEAR READER

The Best Gift My Parents Ever Gave Me

8

learning

NLINE ONLY O Navigate Great Stuff Daily at ParentMap.com

11 HOW 3 LOCAL SCHOOLS

ARE USING MINDFULNESS Educators weigh in on if it’s working COLLEGE

14 T HE PRESCHOOL

WITHOUT A CEILING A new state program means big things for this popular option

17 Y OU DON’T KNOW

HOME SCHOOLING Seattle families redefine what it means to home-school

21 HOW EFFECTIVE IS

ONLINE LEARNING? Making sure your student doesn’t crash

33 LEARNING RESOURCES ParentMap LEARNING 2017 PUBLISHER/EDITOR

Alayne Sulkin EDITORIAL

MANAGING EDITOR Jody Allard ASSOCIATE EDITOR Elisabeth Kramer ASSISTANT EDITOR — OUT + ABOUT

guide

27

HAT’S DEBT, MOM? W Talking to your student about loan debt in a way they’ll understand

30 10 THINGS I TAUGHT MY

KIDS IN KINDERGARTEN THAT PREPARED THEM FOR COLLEGE Teaching the word ‘no,’ reading together and other small steps that add up MARKETING/EVENTS EVENT OPERATIONS Tara Buchan

Lindsey Carter

PUBLISHING ASSISTANT

Nicole Persun

ADVERTISING SALES + PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER, ADVERTISING SALES AND PARTNERSHIPS

OUT + ABOUT ASSISTANT

AD OPERATIONS MANAGER

CONTRIBUTORS

Nancy Schatz Alton, Jennifer Haupt, Malia Jacobson, Joanna Nesbit, Tami Rogers

parentmap.com/learning

GUIDE TO PARTICIPATING NWAIS SCHOOLS

PARENTMAP.COM

Dani Carbary, Kristyn Wagoner Ida Wicklund

PROOFREADER Sunny Parsons

< inside

DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER

Nancy Chaney Jessica Plesko

ADVERTISING SECTIONS 10–19 S chools + Preschools 20–26 NWAIS Schools 34–39 Arts + Activities

Elisa Taylor

ADVERTISING CLIENT SERVICES SPECIALIST

EVENT + MARKETING COORDINATOR

Mallory Dehbod

EVENTS ASSISTANT Zoe Bloom

ART + PRODUCTION DESIGN + PRODUCTION, PRINT MAGAZINE

Emily Johnson

PRODUCTION DESIGN

Amy Chinn

ADMINISTRATION BUSINESS MANAGER Sonja Hanson

Jessica Collet

OPERATIONS MANAGER Carolyn Brendel

ADVERTISING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR Amanda Brown

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT + DISTRIBUTION

Angela Goodwin

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS editor@parentmap.com DISTRIBUTION distribution@parentmap.com Learning is published annually ParentMap is published monthly PMB #190, 7683 SE 27th St. Mercer Island, WA 98040 All rights reserved; reproduction of this publication in whole or part without permission prohibited ©ParentMap 2017 Printed in Oregon

ParentMap Learning 2017 • 5

Challenging K-12 students

Challenging K-12 students

in an intellectual community through early entrance, and

in an intellectual community

outreach learning programs.

through early entrance, and

ton Seattle campus: aturday Enrichment l Development

outreach learning programs.

Online Courses

We offer on the UniversityChallenging of Washington Seattle campus: K-12 students in an intellectual community • Transition School • UW Academy •andSaturday Enrichment through early entrance, outreach learning programs.

• Summer Programs • Professional Development

edu

We offer on the University of Washington Seattle campus:

We offer on the University of Washington Seattle campus: • Transition School • UW Academy • Saturday Enrichment Programs • Professional Development Transition School • UW Academy••Summer Saturday Enrichment For more information, Summer Programs • Professional Development visit our website: For more information, visit our website: Challenging K-12 students in an intellectual community www.RobinsonCenter.uw.edu www.RobinsonCenter.uw.edu Phone: 206-543-4160 through early entrance, and outreach learning programs.

Phone: 206-543-4160 Email: rcys@uw.edu

Accepting Online and Saturday Program applications now!

Email: rcys@uw.edu

www.RobinsonCenter.uw.edu Phone: 206-543-4160 Email: rcys@uw.edu

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dear reader

The Best Gift My Parents Ever Gave Me

G

rowing up, I always knew I’d go to college. My parents made it clear that they’d make it happen for me

and my sister no matter what. I didn’t really get how lucky this made me until my mom graduated from college at the age of 52.

I was a sophomore in college when

my mom went back to school. After decades of waiting, she finally had the chance to do it her way: Go back, fulltime. Sit in the classrooms. Do the work.

Get the degree.

She wanted an education more than I’d ever wanted mine because, I realized, I’d taken mine for granted. Sure, I tested well, got good grades and, eventually, a scholarship to college but I’d never really thought about what I was doing it all for. Going to school was just something

I did. It was what I, an upper middleclass white girl living in the suburbs, was supposed to do.

But seeing how my mom threw herself into her work, just as she’d thrown herself into raising my sister and me, made me realize what a gift my education is. I saw her ask questions. I saw her demand answers. I saw her learn.

And learning, as this issue proves, is what it’s all about. From outdoor preschools to online classes, college debt to homeschool co-ops, this year’s Learning offers a master class in educating your little ones and yourself. We hope you enjoy it and maybe even learn a thing or two.

Happy reading, — Elisabeth Kramer Assistant Editor

Elisabeth and Mom at Mom’s graduation

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ParentMap Learning •7 9/1/172017 11:19 AM

navigate great stuff daily!

Book Lists for Your Budding Bookworm Reading doesn’t have to be

homework. Check out these top book lists for ideas on how to get your young reader hooked on books, no matter their age. parentmap.com/booklists

Mom Has Homework, Too?

More and more parents are going back to college while raising kids.

Should you? parentmap.com/adulteducation

Think Outside the Lunch Box

When packing school lunch gets old (so, like, now?), get creative with these bento-inspired ideas.

They’re easier than they look! parentmap.com/bento

Sleep Struggles Solved

Still struggling with sleep? This author (and local parent!) offers sound advice to get that night of shut-eye we all need. parentmap. com/winks

Finally Get a Good Answer to ‘How Was School Today?’

With these eight questions, you’re bound to get more than “fine” when you ask that classic after-school question. Our personal favorite: “If you could send a robot to school instead of you for part of the day, which class would you skip?” parentmap.com/questions

8 • ParentMap Learning 2017

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mindfulness

How 3 Local Schools Are Using Mindfulness You’ve heard the word, but is it working? Educators weigh in

By Nancy Schatz Alton

P

arents at Seattle’s Evergreen School couldn’t believe it.

Their kids were, on their own, asking for “a mindful moment in my room” when things got tense at home.

It was an unexpected benefit of the school’s new mindfulness program, says Pamela Atteberry, a licensed social worker and the coordinator of student services at The Evergreen School.

“Kids were asking for Tibetan singing bowls [a traditional meditation tool] from Santa Claus,” she says. “They navigated to these ideas pretty darn quickly.”

The private school, which has classes for preschool through eighth-grade students, already offered a social emotional learning (SEL) program. Adding a mindfulness program would, administrators hoped, cement the skills developed by SEL. “Our aim was to help integrate and enhance the social and emotional skills that we were already teaching,” says Atteberry.

The Evergreen School isn’t alone. There is currently no systems-wide number available for how many local schools are adding mindfulness programs to their SEL programs, but many are giving it a shot. To name a few: Lake Washington Girls Middle School, TOPS K–8 School and Thurgood Marshall Elementary School have all added mindfulness programs to their curricula within the past four years.

But do these programs work? That’s the question behind a new study led by University of Washington researcher Kevin King, Ph.D., for which initial findings will be posted this fall.

In the meantime, local schools are already reporting on-theground shifts. Here are three of them.

parentmap.com/learning

The Evergreen School The Evergreen School began teaching mindfulness in 2013. First, teachers and other school faculty learned mindfulness using Cultivating Awareness and Resilience in Education, or CARE for Teachers, a mindfulness training program for teachers designed by the Garrison Institute.

“Teachers learned different aspects of showing compassion for themselves and becoming attuned to the present moment throughout the school day,” says Atteberry.

We’re looking An example of one exercise: During a coffee break, walk and move while focusing on to teach the breathing and paying attention to your students how to surroundings.

Two years after Evergreen faculty began pause between practicing mindfulness, students and parents the stimulus and joined in. Evergreen uses a broad definition of mindfulness as developed by well-known the response. mindfulness expert Jon Kabat-Zinn: present moment awareness without judgment.

Rather than focusing on meditation, for example, the school’s mindfulness program promotes specific mindfulness skills. This might be a one-minute “mindful moment” that increases to five minutes. Or perhaps it’s meditating while walking, eating, writing or drawing.

“If your body is more in tune with itself thanks to practicing mindfulness tools on a regular basis, you can use those tools when you’re flooded [with] emotions before you cognitively solve the problem,” says Atteberry.

“We’re looking to teach the students how to pause between the stimulus and the response.” >>

“

”

ParentMap Learning 2017 • 11

mindfulness How 3 Local Schools Are Using Mindfulness continued from page 11

Roosevelt High School After two students committed suicide within two years, Roosevelt High School administrators knew something had to change. In 2016, the northeast Seattle school implemented a 20-minute weekly, schoolwide mindfulness program.

Every Thursday, teachers present themed lessons in class that include a mindfulness practice and a three- to five-minute guided sitting meditation.

The goal: Teach students how to check in with We’re going to themselves, particularly during teach ourselves moments of stress, how to be kind worry and even boredom. to ourselves . . .

“As the program Think about continues this school year, we’ll it: How many also ask students times a day do to notice where their attention is you criticize right now. Are they yourself? focused on worry, creating drama, joy or gratitude? If students are stuck on worry, can they shift to gratitude, breathing or staying with the sensation of worry without adding a big story and see if worry will pass?” says Ann Hollar, facilitator and program creator. Hollar is a certified Mindful Schools instructor from the University of Washington’s Center for Child and Family WellBeing (CCFW).

The students seem to like it, too. They most liked the informal breathing practices and short guided sitting meditations, according to a survey filled out by 95 students. They also reported using these practices before exams, when they felt overwhelmed or mentally stuck and when they experienced tough emotional situations.

“We’re going to teach ourselves how to be kind to ourselves,” one senior explained in a video produced by students while taking the program. “That might sound simple, but it’s deeper than that . . . think about it: How many times a day do you criticize yourself?”

“

”

12 • ParentMap Learning 2017

Quil Ceda Tulalip Elementary School For 45 minutes every week last spring, the teachers at Quil Ceda Tulalip Elementary School in Marysville took time out for themselves. They were part of a six-week mindfulness program created with the help of the CCFW. The goal of the program was to reduce the stress of teachers and, in doing so, improve their ability to teach.

The teachers shared what they’d learned with students, including adding guided breathing techniques to the weekly all-school assembly and bringing the skills to class.

During tense “During tense classroom classroom moments, teachers articulated moments, teachers how they were calming articulated how themselves,” says Robyn Long, the program they were calming administrator and themselves.

CCFW staff member.

“They’d say, ‘I’m a little frustrated because the classroom is chaotic, so I’m going to step back and take a few deep breaths.’”

Students noticed. “They began to behave this way, too,” says Long. “They started taking breathing breaks and identifying their emotions in their bodies when they were feeling tense.”

Long and her team asked teachers to answer a written questionnaire before and after the program.

“We found statistically significant improvements in self-kindness, common humanity, mindfulness and overall self-compassion,” says Long.

Teachers also reported that increased selfcompassion made them feel more relaxed and more compassionate toward colleagues and students. They saw it in their students, too.

“My students are only 6 and 7,” one teacher wrote. “Once I gave them the reminder [to ‘use your strategies’], they were able to stop and breathe. It has turned a long period of breathing with them into one sentence to get them to turn around.” n

“

”

Nancy Schatz Alton is the co-author of two holistic health care guides. She lives in Ballard with her husband, a teen, a tween and two Havanese dogs.

top apps for kids SETTLE YOUR GLITTER (ages 4 and older; free) Young children use a glitter ball to settle their emotions, helping them to identify what they’re feeling and how to deal with it. (momentousinstitute. org/apps) STOP, BREATHE AND THINK (ages 5–10; free) As part of this app, kids name their emotions with emojis and go on “mindful missions.” (stopbreathethink. com/kids) MIND YETI (ages 5–12; 15 “forever-free” guided audio sessions available) Developed by the Committee for Children, this app covers a wide range of topics, including sleep, empathy and homework. (mindyeti.com) HEADSPACE (ages 5–12; free trial) Calm, focus, kindness, sleep and waking form the core themes of this popular app. (headspace.com/kids) SMILING MIND (ages 7–18; free) This guided mindfulness option offers specific goals for set age ranges with topics including how to make new friends and how to transition to high school. (smilingmind. com.au) INSIGHT TIMER (all ages; free) With more than 6,000 guided meditations, Insight Timer includes a large selection of meditations for children and teens with a wide range of times. (insighttimer.com)

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preschool

The Preschool Without a Ceiling A new state program means big things for this popular option

By Nancy Schatz Alton

T

eddy McGlynn-Wright looked at a lot of preschools for his daughter Charlie, and he noticed something: The kids sat at desks.

“Charlie has 15 years of desk-sitting ahead of her,” he says. She deserved something different. The answer, he found, was outdoor preschool.

Charlie, now 4, attends Tiny Trees preschool. McGlynn-Wright says the family picked the school because it reflects something they deeply value: nature.

“We know that the vast majority of people who visit our national parks system are white people. Our children [Charlie and Theo, 2] are not white people. We wanted to make sure they knew nature belonged to them and was for them,” he says.

Attending Tiny Trees has made Charlie more comfortable in her body and with taking risks, McGlynn-Wright adds. One day, after arriving to pick Charlie up, he found her higher up in a tree than he’d ever seen. It was scary but exciting.

“I loved seeing her confidence,” he says. “I know she benefits greatly from learning how to manage her own risk-taking.”

Soon, a lot more Washington state kids will get the chance to stretch their legs at outdoor preschools. This past spring Senate Bill 5357 became law in Washington state; it requires the Department of Early Learning (DEL) to create a pilot program for licensing outdoor early learning and child-care programs. Doing so allows such programs to run up to eight hours a day (currently, they’re limited to four hours). It also requires them to meet certain health and safety regulations.

The pilot program, which began on July 23, will roll out over the course of four years.

If the program is successful, it will make Washington the first state to license outdoor preschools.

Outdoor preschools have long been popular in our region. The first in Seattle —

14 • ParentMap Learning 2017

“

the University of Washington a day. That’s less than the hour Botanic Gardens’ Fiddleheads of play recommended by the Forest School — opened four Centers for Disease Control and The biggest years ago. Now, there are more Prevention and much less than than a dozen nature-based other research that suggests two thing [about preschools within Seattle city or more hours of activity is best. outdoor limits and more than 40 such Outdoor preschool can help preschool] is programs in the state. kids get active, says Andrew Outdoor-focused preschools Jay, cofounder and CEO of Tiny that kids are have varied philosophies and Trees, which has seven outdoor moving all day. curricula, but all focus on preschool locations in the Puget getting young children into Sound area. nature for long periods of time.

“The biggest thing [about That’s no small feat these days. outdoor preschool] is that kids Modern kids spend less than half as much are moving all day,” he says. “At an outdoor time outdoors as kids of previous decades did. preschool, they’re moving all the time [and] Even when kids are indoors, they’re less engaging with other worlds.” physically active; one study of 10 indoor Of course, outdoor preschool isn’t a viable Seattle-area child-care centers found that option for every family. Historically, one of 3- to 5-year-olds moved for only 48 minutes the biggest drawbacks has been that four-

”

SCHOOLS + PRESCHOOLS

St. Joseph School

hour cap. However, as part of the Issaquah & Snoqualmie new pilot program, certain local For students who like to think big. establishments will be able to offer Parent tours now available. www.sjsissaquah.org full-day service as soon as July 2018. The DEL keeps a running list of the participating programs at del.

LM17_shoreline_christian_OH.indd 1 8/24/17 LM17_st_joseph_school_issaquah_1-16.indd 11:43 AM 1 8/30/17 wa.gov/outdoor-preschool.

The pilot program may also help address the question of cost.

Outdoor preschool advocates hope that the creation of state licensing regulations will pave the way for families to use state child-care subsidies at licensed outdoor Daily Support Card preschools.

COMMUNITY SCHOOL 901 Lenora Street, Seattle Jay saw something similar OPEN HOUSE SAT. 11/4 12:30-2:30PM happen when Seattle launched INDEPENDENT MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL pscs.org a universal pre-K program in September 2015. Because of that initiative, half of the children who Asia Pacific Language School 0615_morningside_academy_1-8h.indd 1 4/20/15 Accredited by OSPI attend Tiny Tree’s full-week classes Every child has the potential to learn and master now have their tuition paid by the two or more languages and achieve academic success City of Seattle, he says. Jay hopes with multilingual skills for future opportunities to see a similar system take hold in a globalized society. for outdoor preschools as they gain OPEN ADMISSION FOR acceptance by the state.

Chinese & Japanese Preschool (Ages 2½ - 5) Chinese & Japanese Kindergarten & 1st Grade (Ages 5 - 6) Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-Orcas Chinese & Japanese afterschool classes Chinese & Japanese high school credits & A/P preparation Island, is already a fan. Ranker Summer Language Camps visited Orcas Island Forest School • Family Events before he introduced Senate Bill www.apls.org • Swim Lessons 5357. While there, he learned a 425-641-1703 thing or two, including where • Before & After caterpillars live. A preschooler School Care taught him.

0917_asia_pacific_language_school_1-16.indd 1 Call 8/14/17 3:01 PM now for • Preschool “He said, ‘My older brother a tour! learned about caterpillars from a • Birthday Pool book. Do you want to know how I Parties learned about caterpillars?’” Ranker livingmontessori.com says. “He lifted a rock and said, • Fitness Center ‘Right there!’” n ENROLL TODAY

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home schooling

You Don’t Know Home Schooling Seattle families redefine what it means to home-school

By Malia Jacobson

T

ara Brouwer of Issaquah never planned on home schooling.

She’d heard good things about local public schools and so, when the time came, she enrolled her son in kindergarten.

Because he had been diagnosed with autism, she met with the school’s psychologist, provided information about his learning style and did her best to ease his transition into school.

Despite her son’s “quirks” — he preferred wearing pajamas to street clothes and carried a stuffed tiger wherever he went — she was optimistic.

But her son, who is now 8, didn’t get the support he needed to make progress, says Brouwer; she was told that he wouldn’t be eligible for special services until he fell two grade levels behind.

“He’d have to be a 7-year-old in kindergarten before he got any special help,” she says. After growing increasingly frustrated with the district’s policies, she pulled him from school. In doing so, she joined millions of other parents turned educators by switching to home schooling.

Brouwer knew little about home schooling, except that, as its name suggests, it involves teaching and learning primarily at home. But the image of mother and son cranking out schoolwork together at a lonely kitchen table faded quickly when Brouwer attended an informational meeting of the Eastside Homeschool PTSA. There, she tapped into a vibrant network of options for those who wish to school outside the home. Today’s home-schoolers, she says, are increasingly connected via thriving communities both online and offline, and they’re learning in, yes, classrooms, at nontraditional schools.

parentmap.com/learning

“

Minorities represent the fastest-growing group of homeschoolers. About a third of those students have mental or physical disabilities.

”

Homeward bound Per the U.S. Department of Education National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the number of home-schooled students has more than doubled in the past eight years, from 850,000 in 1999 to about 1.8 million today. That’s about 3 percent of U.S. children, or approximately 35,000 of Washington’s schoolage (defined by the department as kids ages 5–17) population.

The ranks of the home-schooled grow each year: Although home schooling’s popularity varies from state to state, the Salem, Oregon-based National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) reports a 7 percent increase nationwide between 2007 and 2010.

So, who are the parents opting for home schooling? Most are white (68 percent), educated (68 percent of parents have at least some college education) and living in homes above the poverty threshold (80 percent), says the NHERI. They also live primarily in cities or suburbs (62 percent.) >> ParentMap Learning 2017 • 17

home schooling You Don’t Know Home Schooling continued from page 17 other organization. Public or private school But this mostly white, mostly educated education resources are used by 13 percent bunch isn’t as homogeneous as it seems. As and 17 percent respectively, and 77 percent home schooling’s popularity swells, so does its take part in online schooling. diversity. NHERI reports that about one-third The Seattle Homeschool Group’s 2017 of home schooling families are nonwhite, resource directory lists 36 and minorities represent home-school “enrichment the fastest-growing group programs” offering classes of home-schoolers. About or alternative schooling to a third of those students home-schoolers in King, have mental or physical 9 out of 10 Pierce and Snohomish disabilities that make parents reported counties. Four are online traditional school a poor fit. “virtual” schools, such They’re also not terribly choosing home as Columbia Virtual religious, as stereotypes schooling because Academy. The rest might suggest. In fact, are programs offering parents are more likely to of dissatisfaction live classes, many in a home-school for academic with the safety or classroom. reasons than for religious The Eastside ones. Although many (77 environment at Homeschool PTSA percent) cite a desire to their local schools. attended by Brouwer’s provide their children with son is one such group. moral instruction, just On Mondays and Fridays, 17 percent cite religion the Eastside Homeschool as the most important PTSA typically offers 35 factor in their decision to in-person classes at the Jubilee REACH Center home-school. Instead, 9 out of 10 parents in Bellevue. Many students take four courses reported choosing home schooling because of each day with a lunch break in the middle. dissatisfaction with the safety or environment Eighty-five percent of the courses are led at their local schools. by parents, with outside instructors filling Nearly three-quarters are dissatisfied with out the teaching roster, says Amber Sterland, the quality of academic instruction available parent of three Eastside Homeschool PTSA elsewhere, and their inkling that home students. A former midwife, she will teach schooling could give their child an academic chemistry, anatomy and physiology during edge might be well founded: The College the upcoming school year. Other classes Board reports that the average SAT scores of offered include drama, physical education, “independent” students (those taught outside math and robotics; Brouwer will teach of public or religious schools) are higher than history and compositional writing. Families the national average in all three sections of the chip in $100 in annual dues in addition to test (critical reading, math and writing). $6–$11 for each enrolled class.

Remote home schooling Although these programs are designed That parents are seeking better instruction to support, not replace, home-based and a safer environment for their kids may not instruction, they can lend confidence to be shocking. What’s more surprising is how parents who feel isolated or overwhelmed by much home schooling either takes place or home schooling alone. They also make home originates outside of the home. According to schooling possible for parents who need to balance home schooling and work, says Lyn the NCES, nearly half of home-schoolers take Tapia of Tacoma. classes offered by a home-schooling co-op or

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18 • ParentMap Learning 2017

Tapia, who works full-time in a medical office, has two elementary-age children in the free hConnect home-school program at Olympia Regional Learning Academy (ORLA). Her children attend classes in Olympia three days per week; friends and family members provide carpooling and stay on campus with the kids during school (an hConnect requirement).

The hConnect program provides “a wonderful middle ground” between home-school and traditional school, says Tapia. Before ORLA, she schooled both children at home and attended various local home-school meet-ups. The unpredictable schedule made it hard to gel with a group of peers, she said.

“Our old schedule provided so many opportunities for socializing, but it wasn’t predictable. The kids had a hard time not knowing who would be coming to certain events. At ORLA, they know who they’ll see in class each day.” The result, she says, is a well-rounded peer group with kids of various ages.

Enrichment programs can also provide enough flexibility for families that travel often, like Amber Sterland’s family. With their frequent visits to family overseas, traditional school wouldn’t work, Sterland says. “This offers us that flexibility to stay on track for grade level, and provides enriching experiences.”

At the Eastside Homeschool PTSA and in other such communities, kids and parents know one another; the vibe is supportive and accepting, says Brouwer. She, like many homeschooling parents, is eager to retire the myth of the lonely, unsocialized home-schooled kid.

“It’s the one thing we hear most often,” she says. “When we’re out on a weekday, people will say to my son, ‘You must be so lonely at home all day.’ I always want to say, ‘We’re not at home right now!’” n Malia Jacobson is a freelance journalist in Tacoma. parentmap.com/learning

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online learning

How Effective Is Online Learning?

Making sure your student doesn’t crash

By Jennifer Haupt

L

ike many children, 16-year-old Peter* had a difficult time transitioning from elementary to middle school. “The traditional classroom was no longer working for him, and he went from getting high grades to getting Cs and Ds,” says his mother, Linda*, who enrolled him in the Explorer Academy in Port Orchard in seventh grade.

This alternative school in the South Kitsap School District is one of a growing number of K–12 schools using “blended learning” programs where independent learning with an online curriculum supplements teacher-led learning. The goal is to give students a variety of experiences so that they thrive in a personalized learning environment. But does that mean online learning is right for your child?

It’s worked for Peter. “He likes the flexibility of online learning, because he has some social anxiety and has trouble focusing in the classroom,” Linda says. “He can log into his coursework anytime — in class, at night, weekends — and takes breaks when he needs to . . . Online learning lets him go back and review as he needs to, and complete lessons at his own pace.”

He’s not alone. More than 23,000 Washington students are currently enrolled in more than 73,000 K–12 online courses. Our state is also a nationwide leader in offering one of the broadest ranges of online options for students, according to the latest report released by the International Association for K–12 Online Learning (iNACOL). As they move online, here’s what local families are finding.

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Online learning allows students to go through lessons at their own rate.

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Learning in the digital world

As any parent will tell you, most children old enough to point and click go online on a regular basis. They use social networks, play games, create and contribute to websites, and research topics they’re interested in. Online learning, at its best, allows students to use technology they’re already familiar with to better engage with learning. Easy data collection enables assessment of a student’s strengths and weaknesses, which can be used to create an individualized learning plan.

Unfortunately, not all online learning programs are created equal — and not all children transfer their love of apps, web surfing and multimedia multitasking to the classroom. At its worst, online learning is a cookiecutter panacea for teachers dealing with overcrowded classrooms. Younger children, in particular, may have trouble with the accountability and selfmotivation required.

“There’s been some trial and error for our school in trying to figure out the balance of teacher-led classroom activities and independent online learning,” says Stephanie Combs, who teaches high school at Explorer Academy.

The school introduced online learning eight years ago. Staff members found that some classes work well online and others don’t. For example, English classes are 70 percent online. Students complete reading assignments online, at their own pace, and fill out an interactive notebook, which has questions and visual prompts about the material. They also participate in group activities and discussions of literature in the classroom. >> parentmap.com/learning

*Name has been changed.

ParentMap Learning 2017 • 21

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online learning How Effective Is Online Learning? continued from page 21 Ninety percent of students, on the other hand, learn math in the traditional classroom setting.

“We found that students needed that direct instruction piece they weren’t getting through reading the material on their own,” Combs says.

“As tech-savvy as kids are these days, they won’t click on the prompt ‘Ask a teacher for help,’ which takes them to a chatroom. They’re more likely to ask for help in person.”

No clear-cut answers

But still, is online learning right for your child?

The truth is, there are no clear-cut answers.

Despite the poor online learning rate of students in Explorer Academy math classes, other schools are having great success with digital curricula in the same subject.

“Online learning allows students to go through lessons at their own rate,” says Elizabeth Wilbert, a kindergarten teacher at Somerset Elementary

School in Bellevue. “I have one student who was extremely frustrated with math and I’ve seen her attitude change as her confidence has grown.

Other students who excel in math also have the opportunity to go through the material faster and advance to more challenging lessons.”

The bottom line: Whether kids attend classes online or not, parents have to stay involved in their children’s educational development. “You have to be an advocate for your children,” says Linda, whose son, Peter, is now thriving in the 11th grade at Explorer Academy. “Talk with their teachers and your kids about what’s working. The choices are there — that’s the good news.” n Jennifer Haupt is a freelance writer based in Bellevue, Washington. Her articles have been published in O, The Oprah Magazine; Parenting; Psychology Today; and other publications.

questions to ask If you’re interested in digital learning for your student, ask questions. Here are a few to get you started when learning about a digital program: •W hat is the student-to-teacher ratio?

•H ow often do students interact with each other in small groups and as a class?

•W hat supports are in place for children and parents?

•H ow is student performance assessed?

•C an students opt out of using a digital curriculum if it’s not working for them?

pros and cons of online learning Not all online learning curricula are created equal. Here are some pros and cons to keep in mind when assessing whether online learning is right for your child:

PROS

• Offers learn-at-your-ownrate flexibility. Students have access to learning anytime and anywhere.

• Provides quick and easy data collection. Teachers have access to real-time assessment of student progress and

parentmap.com/learning

can tailor programs to individualized learning needs.

• Facilitates life skills through independent learning.

Students learn self-reliance and confidence for a lifetime of learning.

• Allows personalized learning at multiple levels.

Students move through subjects at their own pace, and can sometimes customize learning with different modes of media.

• Frees up teacher time.

Teachers may work with students one on one or in small groups while the rest of the class is involved in independent online learning.

CONS • Discourages student engagement. Cookie-cutter approach to learning in some digital curricula leads to boredom.

• I nhibits student motivation.

Students struggling in a particular subject may need teacher direction.

•R equires extensive parent commitment. For younger students, parent involvement at home is critical.

•S tunts development of social-emotional skills.

Interaction with classmates in discussions and hands-on projects is critical, especially for younger children.

ParentMap Learning 2017 • 23

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What’s Debt, Mom?

Talking to your student about loan debt in a way they’ll understand

By Joanna Nesbit

W

hen Jenna Udlock started college, her mom took care of the loan process, and she didn’t pay attention to the details. Now that she’s graduated and paying off loans, she wishes she’d understood the terms at the beginning, including what each semester cost, the difference between subsidized and unsubsidized loans, and how and when interest accrues. Udlock wouldn’t change her decision about her college choice — and she’s not buried in unmanageable debt — but she now realizes she didn’t understand the loan process at all.

Udlock isn’t alone. According to a 2017 survey by LendEDU, 80 percent of college students don’t know the current interest rates on undergraduate federal subsidized and unsubsidized student loans.

Seventy-four percent don’t know there is a federal student loan borrowing limit.

In a 2016 survey

by Citizens Bank, 57 percent of students wished they hadn’t taken on as much debt as they did. How do we help our kids understand what loans mean before signing on the dotted line? Here’s what financial experts recommend.

Begin financial literacy early.

Ideally, you’ve been teaching age-appropriate money concepts all along. According to Debbie Schwartz, founder of a college service called College Money Search (collegemoneysearch. com), explaining debt is part of a larger conversation about financial literacy that starts when kids are young. “Debt is part of our everyday lives,” Schwartz says. “We don’t need parentmap.com/learning

to wait for the student loan topic to explain it.”

Parents also need to take the lead on helping kids understand college costs — for all four years — because, unfortunately, no one else will, she says.

Do your own homework. The debt conversation also hinges on a larger conversation about what parents can pay for

“

Debt is part of our everyday lives. We don’t need to wait for the student loan topic to explain it.

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college, says Ron Lieber, New York Times “Your Money” columnist and author of The Opposite of Spoiled: Raising Kids Who Are Grounded, Generous, and Smart About Money. What parents pay will be contingent on colleges’ financial aid offers (or lack thereof). It’s a complicated process parents need to learn about. Most parents don’t understand it; don’t feel bad if you don’t. Take a look at Princeton Review’s Paying for College Without Going Broke for a good overview.

Assessing available money for college isn’t easy, Lieber says. Families cover costs with different sources, including parent savings, student savings, current parent income, student earnings in school and financial aid, including loans, from the college. Some streams will be difficult to predict.

However, it’s important to sketch out your own contribution and the amount, if any, you’re willing to borrow — both parents and student.

Beth Kobliner, author of Get a Financial Life: Personal Finance in Your Twenties and Thirties, believes families should figure out their contribution by ninth grade, so kids can do their part by earning good grades. Keep the conversation positive and reassure your student that you’ll figure this out together, Kobliner says. (Additionally, estimating finances early allows time to save aggressively, if you’re able.)

Explain debt with real-world examples. You could plunk your student in front of a loan calculator, but Lieber

>>

ParentMap Learning 2017 • 27

finances What’s Debt, Mom? continued from page 27 advises posing “what if ” scenarios to frame the outcomes of different college choices and associated costs. For example, ask, “Would you rather be forced to take the higher-paying job in a place you don’t want to live, or would you like to be able to take any job in any city and take three months off before that job to travel?” Or this: “Would you rather spend 10 years paying off debt, or would you prefer to get started on saving for your first house?”

The other possibility to consider is the likelihood of graduate school and necessary loans for that step.

Teens might not understand the implications of a loan calculator’s results, Lieber says, but showing them how compound interest works certainly can’t hurt (try FinAid’s online calculator). However, possible sacrifices in their early and mid-20s may be more persuasive.

Put debt into context. For most families, student loans are necessary and normal. More than two-thirds of graduates leave college with debt, Kobliner says. However, the key question is, how much debt is too much? According to Lieber, families should remember that if students “only borrow federal student loans — no private loans, no parent PLUS loans — they will not get into trouble with repayment as long as they apply for an income-driven repayment program.”

Teens might be intimidated by the idea of any debt, Kobliner says. Explain why borrowing can be a smart investment — a mortgage for a house, for example. For

Udlock, borrowing for her last two years of college was a necessity, and paying the monthly bill is just part of her reality.

Expect money talk to be stressful.

Money discussions get emotional, especially when high-priced dream schools become part of the conversation. “There will be times Learn about the different loan you will be made to feel guilty for what you types together. Families that understand will not or cannot do financially,” Lieber says. the loan landscape and their own financial “Don’t get caught up in that guilt, because it’s picture early will be less likely to make a too easy to give in when desperate financial decision in July before college begins. kids want to go to the Federal student loans, both more expensive school.

There will be times subsidized and unsubsidized, But think about the guilt with low, fixed interest rates 10 years on, when your you will be made are the best option, experts say. child is saddled with to feel guilty for The federal government limits more debt than they dependent student federal what you will needed to take on.” borrowing to $31,000 over four Many families don’t not or cannot do years (with some exceptions). begin to understand Second, parents can get PLUS financially. Don’t the college loan process loans, at a higher interest rate. until their students are get caught up in Third, and least attractive, are well into high school, private student loans, for which that guilt. but starting early allows an adult will need to cosign. you to set realistic That adult’s credit history will expectations for your be on the hook for several years, student according to your financial footprint.

Lieber says.

Even if your student doesn’t pay attention To receive federal student loans only, a to little things such as when interest starts teen might have to stick to an in-state public university; or two years of community college accruing, smart borrowing will keep everyone and transferring, as Udlock did, or attend out of financial trouble. n a private college known for good financial Joanna Nesbit is a freelance writer who aid, if a family qualifies. College net price lives in Bellingham with her husband and calculators help you cast early predictions two children. Learn more about her at of possible need-based aid and scholarships from specific colleges. joannanesbit.com.

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10 Things I Taught My Kids in Kindergarten Teaching the word ‘no,’ reading together and other small steps that add up

BY TAMI ROGERS A friend of mine with teenagers asked me one day: “What did you do when you raised your girls that not only gave them great college choices, but made them so successful once they got there?”

At first, I thought she was crazy. It’s not like I raised a couple of natural-born geniuses. I quickly pointed out other moms in the neighborhood whose kids attended Berkeley and Princeton.

She shook her head and said, “That’s not what I’m talking about.

Encourage curiosity and asking questions My oldest daughter was one of those kids who couldn’t stop asking “Why?” It drove me crazy at times, but as I look at her now, I understand it was a blessing.

She still loves searching for answers, which has made her an incredible student and an interesting human being. I am happy that back when she was in preschool, I had the presence of mind (most of the time) to thoughtfully answer her questions and encourage her to ask more.

Ask your children questions, too. If they say they like their new teacher at school, ask them why.

When you get more than a simple yes or no answer from them, you’ll learn a lot about their view of the world, and you’ll be encouraging curiosity.

Teach them the word “no” Teaching your child to hear the word “no” helps them cope early with the fact that not everything will always go their way. It’s also equally important to help them deal with the emotions of rejection. If they cry and scream when you tell them, “No, you can’t have that,” help them calm down and acknowledge that it’s hard not to get what you want.

Rather than giving in, you are doing them a favor by teaching them to deal with the realities of the world. This will foster confidence and independence, and help them be successful when they get to college and are living on their own for the first time.

30 • ParentMap Learning 2017

I realize there are naturally gifted kids who get into top schools without having to try very much. I’m talking about kids like yours, who are smart but work very hard for their accomplishments.”

It got me thinking. I certainly didn’t have a master plan when they were young. I was a single mother through part of their childhood. But both of my girls have work ethics and study habits that I never had at their age. And it paid off big time when college came around. As I thought about it some more, I came up with this list.

Use teaching tools early When your kids are young, use teaching tools for playtime, such as flashcards, educational toys and games. As my girls got older, I would have them do workbooks over the summer for the grade they were going into for the following school year.

We would work on them periodically, and if they both finished, my husband and I would offer a prize of some kind (a trip to the zoo or a special evening out).

As they got older, it turned into a small monetary reward. This kept up their skills over the summer, and we found they went into the new school year with more confidence.

Read, read, read We all have heard about the importance of reading to a child. I truly believe reading with your children will help to set them up for success.

Read to them every day when they’re young.

As my girls got older, they read to me. I’ll never forget when my oldest read to me from the first Harry Potter book in sixth grade.

It was so much fun to listen to her read, and then we’d discuss the chapter together.

It made for a wonderful memory that we still talk about.

Make sure your kids see you with a book, magazine or tablet in hand as well. Modeling reading is powerful stuff. I know for certain my love of books came directly from my father, who was an avid reader until he died at 90.

Begin good study habits early As soon as your kids get their first homework assignment, get them into the habit of doing it right away (following a snack and 30 minutes or so of downtime). I began to implement this in kindergarten, and my daughters have always had great study skills. In fact, I often think this may be the single best habit I ever instilled in them. (It’s OK to resort to a little bribe here, too, like “When you’re done, we can bake cookies!”)

parentmap.com/learning

COLLEGE

guide

That Prepared Them for College

Google it together If you don’t know the answer to their question, why not find it together?

Learning together is a great teaching opportunity. It will also remind them that as an adult, you don’t always have all the answers. Plus you’ll be demonstrating how curiosity and learning can continue throughout life.

Use the computer with them We all have heard about the evils of too much computer time without supervision, and that danger cannot be overstated. But computers can be a great teaching tool when used with discretion and supervision. There are some wonderful educational programs out there to make learning fun that you can enjoy together. And if you explore those programs with your children while they’re young, it will give you an opportunity, as they get older, to talk about the potential dangers, pitfalls and proper uses of technology.

“ ”

Let them help out in the kitchen It can get messy, that’s for sure. But letting your children help out in the kitchen is a great gift to them. Not only are they learning measurements and math, but you will also be teaching them an important skill early in life, which in turn will foster confidence and independence. Not to mention the parental rewards: The smiles that my girls had the first time we made cookies together were priceless.

Getting a poor score on a test was a teaching opportunity for me as a parent.

Tami Rogers is a mom, award-winning writer, blogger and frequent contributor to parenting magazines and websites focused on the emotional well-being of teens. parentmap.com/learning

Find role models early Don’t let your kids turn to the media to find early role models. Young kids love nothing more than looking up to “big kids.”

Finding the right ones to spend time with your children will be invaluable.

I was fortunate to find babysitters and older children of friends who were smart, savvy and went far in high school and college. (It could also be a niece, nephew or other family member.)

We stayed in touch with one in particular, and now my daughter babysits for her! I remember one of my girls telling me years ago that she wanted to be “just like Sarah” when she grew up. At that time, Sarah had entered University of Washington and was on the dean’s list. Not too bad.

Let them fail There is a fine line between “helping” your kids with homework and doing it for them. This one was tough for me at times. But I realized (with the help of my husband) that they needed to accomplish it on their own. Part of that was letting them fail — not an easy thing to do. The truth is, as I look back, those were the times they learned the most.

Getting a poor score on a test was a teaching opportunity for me as a parent. They needed to learn how to ask for help and to understand there was no shame in asking.

My youngest daughter once called from college beaming about how she turned a terrible test score in accounting (after having studied for many hours) into an “A” on the midterm by showing up at her professor’s office hours weekly until she was certain she had a grasp on the material.

For a parent, it doesn’t get any better than that. n

ParentMap Learning 2017 • 31

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learning resources ( Education Expo Honor Roll

CAMPS, CLASSES + ACTIVITIES Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Visitor Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Free exhibits on global work to improve lives Seattle; 206-709-3100 ext. 7100 gatesvc.org Creative Dance Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Classes for infants, children, teens and adults Seattle; 206-363-7281 creativedance.org info@creativedance.org Cornish College of the Arts . . . . . . . . . . . 6 BFAs and BM in visual and performing arts Seattle; 800-726-ARTS cornish.edu admission@cornish.edu DigiPen Institute of Technology . . . . 37 Programming, game design, art, engineering; grades K–12 Seattle, Redmond 425-629-5007 projectfun.digipen.edu projectfun@digipen.edu Drawn2Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Drawing and painting instruction; ages 4 and up Redmond; 425-498-2425 drawn2artclasses.com drawn2artredmond@gmail.com

KidsQuest Children’s Museum . . . . . 39 Classes, summer camps, family workshops, special events Bellevue; 425-637-8100 kidsquestmuseum.org info@kidsquestmuseum

Roaring Mouse Creative Arts Studio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Preschool, art classes, camps, workshops Seattle; 206-522-1187 roaringmouse.org information@roaringmouse.org

Koei-Kan Martial Arts Academy . . . . 38 Classes, workshops and camps for children and adults Bellevue; 425-753-5084 koeikanwa.com

Rock Solid Science . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Geology and STEM camps, school programs and parties Seattle area; 206-715-2556 rocksolidscience.com

Museo Art Academy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Art classes, camps, parties, workshops, more; all ages Issaquah; 425-391-0244 museoart.com museoartacademy@live.com

Safe N Sound Swimming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 1-on-1 swim lessons, water and outdoor adventure camps Seattle; 206-285-9279 snsswim.com

Music Works Northwest . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Music lessons, camps and classes; all ages and levels Bellevue; 425-644-0988 musicworksnw.org registration@musicworksnw.org Northwest Boychoir and Vocalpoint! Seattle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Boys ages 6–9 welcome to audition Seattle; 206-524-3234 nwboychoir.org PRO Sports Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Sports camps, childcare, preschool, swim lessons, more Bellevue; 425-885-5566 proclub.com membership@proclub.com

Engineering for Kids — King County STEM classes, camps, workshops, more; ages 4–12 Bellevue; 425-679-9284 engineeringforkids.com/kingcounty kingcounty@engineeringforkids.net

Pump It Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Birthday parties, open jumps, camps and more Kirkland, Lynnwood 425-820-2297, 425-774-2297 pumpitupparty.com

Hibulb Cultural Center and Natural History Preserve . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Interactive exhibits showcasing the Tulalip Tribes Tulalip; 360-716-2600 hibulbculturalcenter.org

Rain City Fencing Center . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 After-school classes, summer camps; ages 8 and up Bellevue; 425-747-6300 raincityfencing.com info@raincityfencing.com

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Samena Swim and Recreation Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Preschool, before- and after-school care, swim lessons Bellevue; 425-746-1160 samena.com School of Acrobatics & New Circus Arts (SANCA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Circus classes for ages 2 and up, camps for ages 6–17 Seattle; 206-652-4433 sancaseattle.org office@sancaseattle.org Seattle Girls Choir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Progressive choral music education for girls; ages 6–18 Seattle; 206-526-1900 seattlegirlschoir.org info@seattlegirlschoir.org

PARENT RESOURCES

Allegro Pediatrics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Where healthier futures begin 8 Eastside locations; 425-827-4600 allegropediatrics.com Carpe Juvenis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Education, culture and health website for youth Online carpejuvenis.com >>

ParentMap Learning 2017 • 33

A R T S

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parentmap.com/learning

learning resources ( Education Expo Honor Roll PARENT RESOURCES continued from page 37 Child Care Aware of Washington Family Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Helping parents find child care across Washington Statewide; 206-329-1011 or 800-446-1114 childcarenet.org familycenter@childcare.org Eastside Pediatric Dental Group . . . . . . 9 Specialists in oral health for kids of all ages Issaquah; 425-392-4048 eastsidepediatricdentalgroup.com Family Psychological Services of Kirkland, P.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Assessment and services for struggling students Kirkland; 425-576-1817 fpskirkland.com Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Washington’s 529 plan helping families save for college Statewide; 800-955-2318 get.wa.gov; getinfo@wsac.wa.gov

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Immediate Clinic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Neighborhood urgent care open 7 days a week 14 Puget Sound locations immediateclinic.com KCTS 9 Public Television . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Inspiring a smarter world Greater Seattle area kcts9.org Lynnwood Kids Dentist . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Comprehensive pediatric dental care Lynnwood; 425-774-1285 kidsdentist.

Northwest University . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Christian college with local and online degree programs Kirkland; 800-669-3781 northwest.edu info@northwestu.edu Pediatric Speech and Language Therapy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Communication assessment and intervention for children Seattle, Bellevue; 206-547-2500 pediatricspeechtherapy.org info@pediatricspeechtherapy.org

parentmap.com/learning

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Puget Sound Independent Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . back cover Admissions collaborative connecting families and schools Greater Puget Sound area

The Bear Creek School . . . . . . . . . . 26 Christian liberal arts education; preschool–grade 12 Redmond; 425-898-1720 tbcs.org; chazeltine@tbcs.org

The Samis Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Supporting Jewish education for Jewish children Seattle; 206-957-8751 samisfoundation.org

Bellevue Montessori School . . . . 10 Inspiring life-long learners; ages 3–12; AMS accredited Bellevue; 425-455-7439 bellmontessori.com

Shoreline Community College . . . . . . 19 7 co-op preschools with parenting education Shoreline; 206-546-4593 shoreline.edu/parenting-education/

Billings Middle School Dynamic academic community, excellent faculty Seattle; 206-547-4614 billingsmiddleschool.org

UW Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Social Sciences . . . . . . . 32 Finish your bachelor’s degree online at the UW Online; 800-506-1325 socialsciencesonline.uw.edu

Cedar Crest Academy . . . . . . . . . . . 10 An academically enriching program; preschool–grade 5 Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond 425-454-1234 cedarcrestacademy.org

SCHOOLS + PRESCHOOLS

Charles Wright Academy . . . . . . . .20 Private, independent, co-ed day school; pre-K–grade 12 Tacoma; 253-620-8373 charleswright.org admissions@charleswright.org

Academy for Precision Learning An independent, inclusive school for grades K–12 Seattle; 206-427-0115 aplschool.org info@aplschool.org

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Academy Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Small enough to make a big difference; pre-K–grade 12 Tukwila; 206-588-0860 academyschools.org administration@academyschools.org Asia Pacific Language School . . . . . . . 15 Chinese and Japanese preschool, kindergarten, after-care Bellevue 425-747-4172, 425-641-1703 apls.org; apls@apls.org Assumption — St. Bridget School Comprehensive, Catholic education; pre-K–grade 8 Seattle; 206-524-7452 asbschool.org admissions@asbschool.org

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Chestnut Montessori School . . . . . . . 19 Science-enriched curriculum; ages 2½–9 Bellevue; 425-822-6001 chestnutmontessori.com info@chestnutmontessori.com Christ the King School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Catholic, individualized learning; preschool–grade 8 Seattle; 206-364-6890 ckseattle.org schooloffice@ckseattle.org

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Eastside Catholic School . . . . . 20, 22 Faith-based learning; grades 6–12 Sammamish; 425-295-3014 eastsidecatholic.org admissions@eastsidecatholic.org

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Eastside Christian School . . . . . . . 16 Strong academics, Christian worldview; preschool–grade 8 Bellevue; 425-641-5570 ecswa.org; info@ecswa.org

>>

ParentMap Learning 2017 • 35

learning resources ( Education Expo Honor Roll SCHOOLS + PRESCHOOLS continued from page 35 Eastside Preparatory School

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Inspiring grades 5–12 to think, act, lead, innovate Kirkland; 425-822-5668 eastsideprep.org admissions@eastsideprep.org

Hope Lutheran School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Rigorous academics, Christian faith; preschool–grade 8 West Seattle; 206-935-8500 hls.hopeseattle.org admissions@hopeseattle.org

Epiphany School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Independent elementary school; pre-K–grade 5 Seattle; 206-323-9011 epiphanyschool.org gjones@epiphanyschool.org

Jennifer Rosen Meade Preschool at Temple de Hirsch Sinai . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Full- or part-time experiential preschool Bellevue; 425-559-2571 jmpreschool.org ssolomon@tdhs-nw.org

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The Evergreen School . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Serving highly capable learners; preschool–grade 8 Shoreline/N. Seattle; 206-364-0801 evergreenschool.org

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Explorer West Middle School . . . 22 Award-winning academic programs, STEM, arts, outdoor ed West Seattle; 206-935-0495 explorer-west.org katiea@explorer-west.org

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Forest Ridge School . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Catholic, all-girls school for grades 5–12 Bellevue; 425-641-0700 forestridge.org admissions@forestridge.org French American School of Puget Sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Excellence today, the world tomorrow; ages 3–14 Mercer Island; 206-275-3533 fasps.org; info@fasps.org

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French Immersion School of Washington Bilingual preschool and elementary; age 2½–grade 5 South Bellevue; 425-653-3970 fisw.org; admissions@fisw.org

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Garden Ridge Preschool Morning preschool program fostering a love of learning Bellevue; 425-653-3459 gardenridgepreschool.com gardenridgeprek@gmail.com

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Heritage Christian Academy Preschool through middle school Bothell; 425-485-2585 hcabothell.org nfo@hcabothell.org

36 • ParentMap Learning 2017

JDS: The Jewish Day School . . . . . . . . . 25 of Metropolitan Seattle Jewish community school; early childhood– grade 8 Bellevue; 425-460-0200 jds.org; admissions@jds.org

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King’s Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Supportive Christian education for preschool–grade 12 Seattle; 206-289-7783 kingsschools.org Lake Washington Girls Middle School Girls strong in mind, body and voice; grades 6–8 Seattle; 206-709-3800 lwgms.org; info@lwgms.org

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The Little School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Experiential, child-centered learning; ages 3–11 Bellevue; 425-827-8708 thelittleschool.org info@thelittleschool.org Living Montessori Education Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Education and enrichment; infants–elementary Bellevue; 425-373-5437 livingmontessori.com info@livingmontessori.com Living Wisdom School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Joyful, mindful, holistic; preschool–grade 8 Lynnwood; 425-772-9862 livingwisdomschoolwa.org Madison Park Cooperative Preschool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Supportive community school for ages 1–4 Seattle; 206-324-7846 madisonparkcoop.com

The Meridian School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Inclusive community balancing work and play Seattle; 206-632-7154 meridianschool.edu Montessori Children’s House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 AMS-accredited Montessori school; infants–grade 6 Redmond; 425-868-7805 mchkids.com office@mchkids.com Montessori Plus School/ Teacher Preparation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Education for ages 2½–6, Montessori teacher training Kent; 253-859-2262 montessoriplus.org mtp@montessoriplus.org

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Morningside Academy . . . . . . . . . . 15 Rigorous full-year and summer; grades 1–9 Seattle; 206-709-9500 morningsideacademy.org info@morningsideacademy.org North Seattle College Parent Cooperative Preschools . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Birth-to-five classes, co-op preschool, parent education Seattle; 206-934-6029 northseattlecoops.org

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Open Window School For gifted kids who love to learn; grades K–8 Bellevue; 425-747-2911 openwindowschool.org admissions@ows.org The Overlake School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Creativity, collaboration and challenge; grades 5–12 Redmond; 425-868-1000 overlake.org questions@overlake.org Puget Sound Community School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Turning passion into achievement; grades 6–12 Seattle; 206-324-4350 pscs.org; pscs@pscs.org

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parentmap.com/learning

A R T S

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Pump It Up has launched the Jump Into Reading program to support and promote reading in elementary and middle schools. The goal is to motivate children to read both inside and outside the classroom. For more information contact us at: manager@pumpitupwa.com

Pump It Up of Kirkland and Lynnwood pumpitupparty.com

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>>

REGISTER FOR A PROJECTFUN SCHOOL YEAR PROGRAM! Give your K-12 student the opportunity to explore and create by enrolling them in DigiPen’s ProjectFUN School Year Programs: Homeschool, Afterschool, and Weekend Workshops.

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parentmap.com/learning

ParentMap Learning 2017 • 37

learning resources SCHOOLS + PRESCHOOLS continued from page 36

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Queen Margaret’s School Boarding school for girls, on-campus equestrian program Vancouver Island, BC 250-746-4185 qms.bc.ca; admissions@qms.bc.ca

Seattle Country Day School . . . . . 25 Inspiring gifted K–8 students through inquiry learning Seattle; 206-284-6220 seattlecountryday.org admissions@seattlecountryday.org

Root Academy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Montessori, Spanish and martial arts; preschool–grade 5 Seattle; 206-291-5526 rootacademyseattle.org info@rootacademyseattle.org

Seattle Jewish Community School (SJCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Nurturing curious and compassionate learners; grades K–5 Seattle; 206-522-5212 sjcs.net; admissions@sjcs.net

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Sammamish Montessori School Preschool, kindergarten, elementary, summer, daycare Redmond; 425-883-3271 sammamishmontessori.com info@sammamishmontessori.com

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Seattle Academy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 College prep curriculum for grades 6–12 Seattle; 206-324-7227 seattleacademy.org admissions@seattleacademy.org

A R T S Home of the BrainDance Nurturing Baby • Parent/Child Creative Dance • Creative Ballet Ballet • Modern • Hip Hop Tap • Yoga AND Multi-Arts Summer Camps!

Enroll Now!

www.creativedance.org • 206-363-7281

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Shoreline Christian School . . . . . . 15 Academic and spiritual excellence; preschool–grade 12 Shoreline; 206-364-7777 shorelinechristian.org

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Spruce Street School Personalized instruction for students ages 5–11 Seattle; 206-621-9211; sprucestreetschool.org info@sprucestreetschool.org

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St. John Catholic School . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Challenging academics for preschool–grade 8 Seattle; 206-783-0337; st-johnschool.org St. Joseph School — Issaquah and Snoqualmie . . . . . . . . . . 15 Academic and spiritual growth; preschool–grade 8 Issaquah, Snoqualmie 425-313-9129, 425-888-9130 sjsissaquah.org St. Monica Catholic School . . . . . . . . . . 16 Spiritual, STEM and arts education; pre-K–grade 8 Mercer Island; 206-232-5432 stmonicasea.org; info@stmonicasea.org St. Thomas School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Challenging, non-sectarian school; preschool–grade 8 Medina; 425-454-5880 stthomasschool.org info@stthomasschool.org

A C T I V I T I E S

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206.524.3234 | nwboychoir.org

Koei-Kan Martial Arts Academy NOW ENROLLING for 2017-18 School Year BELLEVUE CLASSES Pre-Karate Karate Jiu Jitsu

www.koeikanwa.com

We offer Award-winning Preschool Programs, Birthday Parties, Classes, Camps and Workshops

2012 + 2014

MINERALS • FOSSILS • ROCKS

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fun, hands-on, geology programs – the field trip comes to you!

Challenging circus fun for all ages & abilities- we have something for everyone!

www.sancaseattle.org 206-652-4433 5#0%# KU C E PQPRTQƒV 38 • ParentMap Learning 2017

BIRTHDAY PARTIES • SCHOOL PROGRAMS • STEM ENRICHMENT

206-715-2556 • rocksolidscience.com parentmap.com/learning

( Education Expo Honor Roll Sweet Pea Cottage Preschool of the Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Extracurricular preschool classes, summer camps 3 Seattle locations 206-217-9767 sweetpeacottage.org

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Villa Academy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Catholic, independent school serving preschool–grade 8 Seattle; 206-524-8885 thevilla.org admission@thevilla.org

UCDS — University Child Development School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Igniting a renaissance in education; pre-K–grade 5 Seattle; 206-547-8237 ucds.org; info@ucds.org

Whole Earth Montessori . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 School Montessori learning environment for ages 2½–14 Bothell; 425-486-3037 wemschool.org info@wemschool.org

UW Robinson Center for Young Scholars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Acceleration and enrichment for highly capable students Seattle; 206-543-4160 robinsoncenter.uw.edu rcys@uw.edu

Woodinville Montessori . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 School Accredited Montessori program for toddlers–high school Bothell, Woodinville; 425-482-3184 woodinvillemontessori.org info@woodinvillemontessori.org

A R T S

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TUTORING, TESTING + CONSULTING (

Best in Class Education Center English, math, tutoring, test prep, more; pre-K–grade 12 10 Puget Sound locations 888-683-8108; bestinclasseducation.com

Fusion Math . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Tutoring in math, science, SAT, ACT, SSAT and ISEE Seattle; 206-729-MATH; fusionmath.com Lehman Learning Solutions . . . . . . . . . . 4 Attention, executive function, processing and memory Seattle; 206-526-8560 lehmanlearning.com cindy@lehmanlearning.com Uplift Writing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Tutoring, test prep, classes and camps; pre-K–grade 12 Seattle; 360-621-9435; upliftwriting.com n pugetsoundindependentschools.org

A C T I V I T I E S Childhood Anxiety KidsQuest and

+

ADHD:

A Whole Family Approach

Children’s Museum

Early Childhood Classes

OCT 19 Every Child Resource Fair 5 – 7 p.m. FREE Come learn from experts who focus on the many categories of atypical learners .

Childhood Anxiety and ADHD

,cause parenting is a trip!

lecture with Dr. Chris McCurry

• Explore art, music, and dance

7 – 9 p.m.

• Get ready for school

Learn the science of anxiety and ADHD as well as tips and tools for creating a healthy parent-child relationship .

Drop off classes available!

parentmap.com/everychild parentmap.com/learning

• Use tinkering skills to tackle engineering challenges

KidsQuest

Children’s Museum

kidsquestmuseum.org | Now in downtown Bellevue!

ParentMap Learning 2017 • 39

Featuring 40+ member schools from Preschool to 12th Grade including: Bertschi School Billings Middle School Bright Water School Eastside Preparatory School Epiphany School Explorer West Middle School Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart French American School of Puget Sound French Immersion School of Washington Giddens School Hamlin Robinson School Harbor School KapKa Cooperative School Lake Washington Girls’ Middle School Lakeside School Leadership Preparatory Academy Open Window School Seattle Academy Seattle Country Day School Seattle Girls’ School Seattle Jewish Community School Seattle Waldorf School Soundview School Spruce Street School St. Thomas School The Bush School The Downtown School: A Lakeside School The Evergreen School The Jewish Day School of Metro. Seattle The Lake & Park School The Little School The Meridian School The Northwest School The Overlake School The Perkins School The Valley School University Child Development School University Cooperative School University Prep Villa Academy Westside School Woodinville Montessori School

Sound Education.

Find the best school for your child.

Puget Sound Independent Schools promotes the value of local independent school education, and works collaboratively to make the admission process more accessible for all prospective families.

Our website features 40+ independent school profiles, application information, and a complete calendar of school open houses. All member schools are accredited by the Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS).

ATTEND OUR 2017-2018 SCHOOL FAIRS | FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC OCTOBER 11, 2017

OCTOBER 15, 2017

OCTOBER 17, 2017

APRIL 29, 2018

Independent School Fair for People of Color

Eastside Independent School Fair

Seattle Independent School Fair

Independent School Spring Fair

Rainier Comm. Center 6-8 p.m.

Chinook M.S., Bellevue 2-4 p.m.

Northgate Comm. Center 6-8 p.m.

Garfield Comm. Center 2-4 p.m.

SCHOOL PROFILES, FAIR INFORMATION & MORE AT:

www.pugetsoundindependentschools.org