Triple Threat

from Capital District Family Now - February 2021

A Patriot Remembers

parenting triplets in the Capital District

Triple Threat Unprecedented times

The Steuer family watches in horror as violence consumes the Capitol

Some things in life defy ris the next president and vice on video. Five years ago we saw It did not work. explanation, and some president of the United States. the way violence followed him, just smack you in the I watched as the tone of the and he explained it away. The Politicians and pundits on face with the obvious. ceremony changed when rioters slippery slope to an attempted both sides of the political aisle As my family and I watched breached the building. I saw coup began with the declara- have said Trump caused this the events unfold on Jan. 6, pictures of people huddling tion that it’s OK to beat on frenzied activity with his words we were dumbfounded. We in fear or running to a secure someone who doesn’t agree and have condemned him for wondered how the president location. As the mob advanced, with him. Voltaire is credited failing to take responsibility of the United State managed they cheered as they illegally with saying, “Those who can for the actions of the people to get thousands of other entered the offices of Speaker make you believe absurdities, he says he “loves” and “cares people to storm the nation’s of the House Nancy Pelosi and can make you commit atroci- about.” There number of arrests Capitol? Over the course of his other staffers. ties.” following the incident steadily presidency, we have watched climbed as the FBI and CIA how Donald J. Trump courts Our family could only watch On the afternoon of Jan. looked at the recordings made fringe groups that reinforce the events in disbelief. Things 6, Harlan called out that during the riot and identified his feelings of entitlement and like this do not hap- the Capitol was be- many of those involved. persecution. In the final weeks of his presidency, many words became common in my family’s daily conversations: treason, sedition, insurrection, morals, ethics, lipen in the United States of America, we thought. As my children watched the glass breaking and the rioters beating on by Jennifer Steuer ing stormed, and I laughed because the thought of people forcing their way into the iconic and impenetrable structure was just Benjamin, Rebecca and Olivia are drawn to the news because the actions of Trump and his followers affect their country. The level of violence that has been deemed acceptbel, slander, indictment, acquit- doors and windows beyond comprehen- able, and the marginalizing of ted v. innocent. This presidency storming into the sion. Then I watched the people living in this country has created vocabulary lessons Capitol building, they and cried. What was hap- or people seeking a better life for us all. Forget about being kept asking what was happen- pening? Our world was turned does not make this country smarter than a fifth-grader! ing and if we were safe. The upside down by a mob of men great. These hateful and hurtful I’m trying to define words that adults wondered if our govern- and women who desecrated actions only tarnish our counI learned in high school and ment was being overthrown. Is a symbol of our country’s try and create discord among college for Olivia, Benjamin this a coup? Harlan and I did strength and power. us. This is not the country I and Rebecca. Our dictionary everything we could to explain want for my children. has gotten quite a workout as we read the paper or watch the news. I have a list of words in a text message to myself so I can remember what to look up or what word needs further explanation to my 13-year-old kids. Some are concepts that 13-yearolds won’t understand. Some are the situation, but our voices got raspy and dry as time went on. Flash back to February 2016. As one of Trump’s rallies became violent, he declared “Knock the crap out of them, would you? Seriously. OK? Just knock the hell – I promise Five individuals died from the events that afternoon. One woman was shot by a police officer and three other rioters suffered lethal medical events. One member of the U.S. Capitol Police, Brian Sicknick, was killed by rioters. At least 50 police officers were injured. History has been made. This is a watershed moment in the lives of my kids and yours. In conversations they will have with their peers, this will be the question: Where were you when the Capitol was overrun by domestic terrorists? foreign to adults, as well. you, I will pay for the legal The death toll could have been Jennifer Steuer is an Alfees. I promise, I promise.” so much higher. A variety of bany mom whose busy household

On Jan. 6, Congress was at- When pressed by George pipe bombs, Molotov cocktails includes her husband, Harlan, tempting to certify the Electoral Stephanopoulos, Trump denied and IEDs were found in trucks and 13-year-old triplets Olivia, College’s decision that elected making this promise even when nearby – actions designed to Benjamin and Rebecca. Follow Joe Biden and Kamala Har- presented with his own words create mayhem and destruction. her on Instagram: jennifersteuer.

As my children watched the glass breaking and the rioters beating on doors and windows storming into the Capitol building, they kept asking what was happening and if we were safe.

n Learning Center continued from Page 4 Learning, that provide both online and in-person tutoring prep programs. These programs provide the structure that ensures that students prepare thoroughly and in a timely manner. The goal is to help the student improve their performance through diagnosis and on-going assessment and extensive practice with the kinds of questions they will see on test day.

3. Time for improvement.

By taking the test during junior year, students can acquire their scores and confirm whether they meet the expectations of their top choice schools. Many students take the SAT or ACT more than once, but scores rarely improve without significant prep. During these this pandemic, it is even more important to have a back-up plan, should your test be cancelled due to COVID-19 considerations. Taking a test before senior year also gives students ample time — including another summer break The Coronavirus pandemic has negatively impacted many students’ grades, and a good SAT/ACT score can benefit those students, just as it has previously for students whose grades don’t entirely reflect those students’ academic capability.

if needed — for additional test preparation.

4. College early deci-

sions. Many colleges have significantly accelerated their decision timelines, pushing students to submit applications earlier than ever before. If SAT or ACT is required, a student’s application is not complete until that score is submitted, and there is often a 3-4 week gap between test day and results being forwarded to colleges, making taking the SAT/ACT during your senior year an unworkable option for early admission applicants.

Waiting until fall of senior year does not provide any flexibility should your student become ill the day of the test, the test is cancelled (in 2020, some schools cancelled multiple test dates), or another event prevents them from taking the exam. By completing the test at least once by the end of junior year, your teen has something to work with for the admissions process. Taking at least a practice SAT or ACT before they sit for the exam will at least provide them with a sense of what their score will be without prep.

Sylvan Learning Centers of Albany and Clifton Park are providing readers of Capital District Family Now the opportunity to take a diagnostic SAT or ACT test in February. Call either center to schedule the test, as well as the subsequent meeting to discuss your student’s score and the respective strengths and weaknesses identified by the test. Mention this article, and the test and meeting will be free. Sylvan Learning of Clifton Park (518) 348-3556 and Sylvan Learning of Albany (518) 362-0074.

Patrick McNamara is the owner and executive director at Sylvan Learning of Albany and Clifton Park. For more information, visit SylvanLearning.com.