'Tis the season for Admission Playdates!

I want to start by saying our Saturday School Visit may just be the best day of my year. Something magical happens the day your children visit our school.

As a parent you might be opening the email invitation with apprehension, You could be thinking: will they separate without crying, will they participate, will they listen?!!!

This is what we are thinking on the other end: I wonder what they will love to explore in the classroom, I wonder how many smiles we will see and exclamations of joy we will hear when we start the hula hoop game, I wonder what friendships will be made?!!!

At SSSAS prospective students will work one on one, in a small group, and in a large group. Sharing with peers, listening to directions from an adult and following directions are important parts of their visit. Preparing them for this will help. 

Arrive at your designated time
We stagger our visits to ensure our groups are small which means we have multiple groups in a given visit day. Trust me when I say every minute is valuable and fun time spent with your children. If you come too early your child may have to wait for their visit to begin. 

Note what type of clothing your child should wear
We recommend children wear play clothes and comfortable shoes. On our visit they will have an opportunity to run around, transition to different rooms and play. Children who are able to be mobile tend to be more comfortable.  

Resist the urge to ask an adult how they did when you are reunited
Various educators will be working with your child. We are looking at different skills and recognize that your child is going to have wonderful strengths and areas where they need a little support. Your child will love a warm hug when you reunite. All of the information we gather will be helpful in determining your child's readiness for our program. We all want what is best for your child!

If your child is ill or if they get sick during the visit
If your child is not feeling well the morning of the visit we ask that parents call and let us know that their child is ill. We will reschedule for a different day. Please do not worry. If a child is not feeling well during their visit we will reunite them immediately with their parent. 

Take a deep breath
We will do all that we can to ensure they feel safe and secure. The teachers working with your child work with little ones each and every day. They will put them right at ease. If you have any specific concerns prior to your child's visit please do let the Admission Director know. We have lots of years of practice and lots of tricks up our sleeve to help your child feel comfortable. 

Wishing you a wonderful start to this festive season!

Kindergarten Readiness

As parents, it seems we are always preparing for what’s coming up next. We have a hospital bag ready before the baby comes, we rig the house for when our babies start to crawl, we have a diaper bag ready for a wardrobe malfunction, and we have enough snacks in our cars to feed an army. You name it - we prepare for it.

Fast forward a few years and your child is four years old. A question is looming - How do we prepare them for Kindergarten?

What should you do if you have a child with a summer or early fall birthday? Do you send them to Kindergarten? How do you know if they are ready for this next step? Some of you be heading to Kindergarten. How do you help prepare them when the time comes?

I have read articles in the New York Times, The Washington Post, studied Malcolm Gladwell’s book “Outliers,” perused the National Association for Education for Young Children, and watched a piece on “60 Minutes.”

There is no single factor that can determine readiness for Kindergarten. It is rather a combination of factors – and we need to look at them all carefully.

There is research out there as to why some parents wait to send their child to Kindergarten.

Parents hold them back because they do not feel their child is ready for the academic, social and emotional demands of a kindergarten class.

In the admission process I meet with parents who have to make an important decision for their child. They can either enroll them another year in PK, continue their path to Kindergarten or find another transitional grade, i.e. Junior Kindergarten. I have met many parents who graduated from high school at 17. They would never want to delay their child’s growth by keeping them from moving onto the next grade with their PK classmates.

I have met with other parents who really want to give their child the gift of time. They like the idea of having a more mature child handle the complexities of school.

If you question your child's readiness talk to someone about it.

Talk to their preschool teacher or a trusted friend. Talk to your pediatrician.

Talk to parents who have waited and those who have moved their child ahead despite their late birthday.

Talk to me! I have met lots of children who fall into this category - we can talk through the pros and cons together. When children go through the admission process we look at lots of different factors and once we put together the puzzle pieces is a very strong case for one grade over the other. At SSSAS we are looking at the long-term journey which is why we have a Junior Kindergarten. There is no rush to the finish line.

Every child is different.

Take a deep breath and enjoy this special time. We do not have a crystal ball - be patient with your child and yourself. Sometimes time helps answer your questions.

Play

"Rain rain go away...." is a frequent song my toddler sings these days. On these rainy days a wonderful activity is dramatic play. 

Sometimes things can go a bit awry and you might have encountered some stumbling blocks when hosting a friend for a play day. 

Here is a wonderful article about the benefits to this treasured tradition - with some tips to help guide your children through their play and get it back on track. After all the whole purpose is for children to build resiliency by practicing sharing, taking turns, and listening to their friends. 

Warmly,

Katherine

Originally from Grosse Pointe, Michigan, where she attended an independent school from preK-12th grade, Katherine Carbo earned a bachelor’s degree in business and a law degree before returning right back to the independent school world. With experience at four different schools from coast to coast, she writes insights and observations from the front line of independent school admissions.  Mrs. Carbo is the Director of Lower School Admission at St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Virginia.  She may be reached at kcarbo@sssas.org.

Back to School Tips

I know what you are thinking. How is it already that time of year?

The AMAZING news is - the school year is an incredible opportunity for a fresh start for children. New teachers, new friendships, new knowledge - it's all wonderful. It can bring on some nerves too so here are my top five tips to navigate the start to the year.

1. Get on a schedule...now. This means waking up a little earlier and going to bed a bit sooner. It will help them with the early mornings. 

2. Have a large enough backpack for your child. We want to encourage students to be independent. If your child is cramming all their wonderful art projects, library books and lunch box into a teeny tiny backpack - they don't feel independent...they feel frustrated. 

3. Encourage empathy, kindness and the importance of following directions. Instead of, "who did you play with or what did you learn", ask "how were you kind today."

4. Don't over schedule the first few weeks. Let them decompress at the end of the school day. Your child will be tired. Picture that work event where you are making small talk with dozens of people. That's what your child is doing everyday - all day. 

5. Take lots of pictures and try to jot down some of the wonderful stories they share. It's a magical time. 

Happy New School Year to you and your family!

Sincerely,

Katherine

Originally from Grosse Pointe, Michigan, where she attended an independent school from preK-12th grade, Katherine Carbo earned a bachelor’s degree in business and a law degree before returning right back to the independent school world. With experience at four different schools from coast to coast, she writes insights and observations from the front line of independent school admissions.  Mrs. Carbo is the Director of Lower School Admission at St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Virginia.  She may be reached at kcarbo@sssas.org.

Why would I test my four year old?

I am often asked the following questions when I meet with parents for the first time. Why do you require three and four year olds to take a test? What could we possibly gain from it?

The Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI-IV) is a test your child will take if they are applying to SSSAS and most other local independent elementary schools.

Why do we require this?

As Admission Directors we hope to get a sense of how your son or daughter solves problems. Your child's development in the areas of verbal reasoning, visual-spatial problem solving, fluid reasoning, memory and visual-motor speed of processing are measured and compared with the development of same-aged peers.

What is a good score?
There is no such thing as a good or bad score. Independent schools all have ranges of scores that they serve. Our goal is to make sure your child will be in a setting that is right for them.

Do you ever not accept a child if they have a certain score?
The WPPSI is one piece of the puzzle. We look at teacher notes, playday notes and checklists from their current school as well. My admission committee has never denied a student based solely on their score.

When should I schedule this?

If you are hoping for your child to start school in the fall of 2018 you can schedule your child’s assessment today! Most schools in the area would like the results by mid to late January. Our deadline is January 12, 2018. Look carefully at your calendar and try to avoid days that might be hard for your child to focus (ex. the day of your child's birthday party)!

Where can I get a list of testers in the D.C. area?

Please click here, and then select Individual Testing for a list of testers.

How many times can my child take the WPPSI-IV?

Your child can take the test once per year.

If my child takes the WPPSI-IV and we decide to wait a year to apply will they have to take it again?

Not necessarily. Be sure you ask the admission office what you should do in this case.

The WPPSI-IV sounds interesting - is there a test my older child could take?

Yes! For the most part students after the age of 6 will take the WISC-V.

What do I do to prepare?

No preparation is needed or allowed. Just make sure he/she has breakfast and a good night's sleep. If your child wakes up the morning of the test and they are feeling under the weather - just reschedule!

Have a great week and Happy Halloween!!

Summer Plans

The summer has not yet begun, but I have a sinking suspicion your summer is already planned...and it's probably pretty busy. With summer camp registrations beginning earlier and earlier it is hard not to look ahead. I completely understand.

I do want to share some articles that help remind me that balance is key. Children need down time. 

The downside of no downtime for kids article highlights the wonderful benefits of unplanned family time. 

The Washington Post tackled the issue in their Don't overschedule kids in the summer article. I appreciated the reminder to keep a schedule for our children. This is something that we might overlook.

Finally, The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is an incredible resource to learn about the benefits of play. Click here to read more. 

Enjoy your weekend!

Sincerely,
Katherine

Kindergarten Philosophy

Hello! It's nice to be writing again - I missed blogging, but had a good excuse for my absence. I became a mom! My daughter is now five months old and keeping my husband and I very busy. It is now even more important to me to keep you in the loop as you navigate the admission process! 

When I returned to the office after maternity leave I was happy to see a new natural playground/classroom on our St. Stephen's & St. Agnes Lower School campus. I was also delighted to see our Kindergarten philosophy in our Kindergarten classrooms. I wanted to share it because I feel it is important to understand what a school believes in - especially in these early years. 

Kindergarten is a magical year in a child’s educational journey.  It bridges the knowledge and experiences of their younger years to the beginning stages of elementary school.  At St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School, we value every child and believe each child to be a capable and competent learner. Because we cherish the joy and wonder of this age, we provide opportunities for self-discovery through play and inquiry. Moreover, young children will learn how to intentionally bring themselves into their learning. We scaffold and intertwine cognitive, physical, and socio-emotional attributes into a developmentally appropriate and rigorous program. Our curriculum fosters their natural optimism, flexibility, persistence, resilience, and empathy. At St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School, we treasure all children and the unique gifts they bring to our community.

Next week I will review the admission deadlines, discuss our admission committee and provide some tips about what to do now.

Sincerely,
Katherine