Making memories

We had our Lessons and Carols program this morning and it was wonderful. Our children sang in front of hundreds of parents and loved ones. I witnessed instrumental solos, teared up at Silent Night, and shimmied to a fun Jingle Bell Boogie song. I feel very lucky to be a part of a community that can talk about faith, wonder about faith and celebrate faith. 

As you gather with friends and family this holiday season your child will be making beautiful memories. What are some fun ways to help your little one journal their experiences?

Our youngest learners use a program called Writer's Workshop. Students are taught that we are all writers and writers edit. All you need are some markers and paper. Stories have a beginning, a middle, and an end. To journal a fun holiday experience you could start with one picture. Ask your child, what happened next and have them draw it. I once read a story about a child who lost a tooth in the backseat of a car - it was so wonderfully suspenseful as I turned the pages! 

Once your child has command of some letters they can add a letter beneath their picture, then perhaps the full words. Your child's fine motor will strengthen as they draw the pictures and write those letters. Why don't we use pencils? We feel that if they are truly writers they will edit a document - not erase their work. We love how our students take more risks with the knowledge that they are merely creating a draft on their way to making a final product. 

Hopefully you will also have some time to read some new books with your child over the holiday! Our Lower School Librarian will be speaking on January 14 at 10 a.m. about raising a book lover. All community parents are welcome. She will discuss the benefits of read alouds in developing vocabulary, suggest new authors and books to build fluency, and share how to best weave technology into literacy. I hope to see you there - we will be meeting in Lloyd House on the Lower School campus. 

Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year!

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 & St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Virginia.  She may be reached at kcarbo@sssas.org.

Supporting Documents & a few tips

I hope you all were able to enjoy our first snow of the season!

Part of the application process includes requesting a teacher recommendation and a release of records form from your child's current school. If you are applying for the 14/15 school year it is time to make that request. Why do we do this?

We want to hear from your child's teacher. Their input is so valuable because they are able to give us a window into your child's current setting. What skills have they mastered? What tasks are challenging for them? Are they supportive of their peers? Do they respect classroom routines? Can they be a friend? Are they curious? 

Please be sure you sign your teacher recommendation form before turning it over to their teacher. It certainly does not hurt to give your teacher a stamped envelope addressed to the school you would like the form sent.

Recommendations are confidential as we want teachers to feel comfortable sharing their thoughts with us. Most independent schools guarantee the confidentiality of teacher recommendations and therefore do not make these accessible to parents. An admission decision at SSSAS has never been made solely because of a teacher recommendation, so please do not worry. It provides a helpful glimpse into their daily school life. 

For example, if a child is nervous on their visit day and their teacher recommendation shows they are comfortable doing certain tasks in their daily setting, we have more insight. 

A record release form gives us access to checklists or grade reports. Very few preschools have a transcript per se. Checklists of your child's developmental milestones are sometimes mailed to us - which helps give us more information about your child. If no forms are available, your preschool director will sign the form and return it to us. 

A tip or two:

If you have not scheduled your child's WPPSI-IV and you are applying for the 14/15 year, I would call a tester next week. The weather can turn quickly and you might need to reschedule. A bad cold could also lead to a reschedule, so it is best to have time on your side. 

If you have questions or concerns, do not hesitate to reach out to your admission director! 

Happy Weekend!

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 & St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Virginia.  She may be reached at kcarbo@sssas.org.

The school visit? The playday? What does this mean?!!

We have just finished decorating our campuses for Christmas! Everything looks so festive!

You might have received an invitation for your child to come for a "school visit" or "playday". You might have one tomorrow. Here are some tips.

Get your child to bed a little early
A good night's rest is so important. Even though the visit may fall on the weekend, treat Friday night as you would a night before preschool. 

Make sure your child gets a good breakfast
I know this goes without saying, but we all want your little one to be ready to go. A good snack or breakfast before helps a great deal. 

Have a quick chat with your child before hand
We ask that parents tell their child the following: 

 You and other children have been invited to visit a School.  You will work with some teachers and play with children just like you do at school.

Why do we use that wording? If they think it is only a play day they may get confused why their friends aren't there. They also need to be prepared that they will do some fun activities with a teacher. 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.

Wishing you a wonderful start to this festive season!

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 & St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Virginia.  She may be reached at kcarbo@sssas.org.

A Lifer's Experience

We are so fortunate to have many wonderful public, independent and parochial school options in this area. This blessing does not come without challenges. You are left to wonder...

What is the right match for my child? 

What would it be like for my child to attend an independent school? 

When is the right time to apply? Should we wait until Middle School or Upper School? 

Here are some tips:

• Think about your child's current learning environment. What setting does your child thrive in? What is the class size in their current setting? Does your child have a passion for science, music and art? Does your child need challenge? How independent is your child? Answering these questions will get you closer to finding the right fit for your child. 

• Talk to your admission director. Ask questions about what school would look like for your child next year. How many children would be in their class? What would the range of ability be in their class? What would it be like if you were a parent in that setting? 

• Ask if the school adds students in the Lower School after Kindergarten? Do they add students in Middle School or Upper School? They will be able to give you an idea of what the volume of applications looks like after Kindergarten. 

I had the privilege of hearing a senior speak about her experience at St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School at our Lower School Curriculum Night. She joined the Saints community in Kindergarten. She is what we call a "lifer". Here are two of her reflections.  

 Expecting the exceptional.  It’s a central and frankly, very prevalent, theme at St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes. We are taught to think critically and to continually question, molding us into better members of the community and, as a result, opening the doors to endless possibilities. If you ever walk down the halls at St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes, you will notice there are no locks on lockers, there isn't any need for them.  We sometimes take for granted how lucky we are to go to school in such a safe environment.  An environment, that to most of us, feels like home.

When children feel safe they do their best work. They are able to take the beautiful academic, artistic, athletic and social risks. They will have the opportunity to grow. 

She also shared her thoughts about the faculty and staff. 

The teachers care about us as people, because we are more to them than just a name on a roster, we are an equal member of the community.  As a teenager in society, it is rare to feel so valued, and I feel valued every single day.   

 I, too, am a lifer. The happiest days of my life were spent at my independent school and I feel so fortunate to help families through the admission process so their children can have an amazing educational experience as well. 

I will close with a video. It is one of my favorites! 

The Value of Independent Schools 

Happy Thanksgiving 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 & St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Virginia.  She may be reached at kcarbo@sssas.org.

Putting it all together

Hopefully by now you have visited some schools and have upcoming events on your calendar! Do not hesitate to schedule a visit if you haven't already. 

If you are feeling a bit overwhelmed, you are not alone! You are putting pieces of a puzzle together and it takes time. Here are some factors to think about as you go through websites, materials and listen to representatives of the schools. 

The campus 

Are there multiple campuses, one campus or two? Is there movement during their day to different specials classes? Would your child be exposed to older children during their day? 

There is a great benefit in a child being able to be mentored and for a child to be a mentor. We have three campuses at SSSAS and if you are looking our way, I would absolutely request to see them even if you are looking at JK or K. 

Faith

Would your child go to chapel or mass during the week? Will they attend religious classes? Would they celebrate Christmas? Is the community religiously diverse? Could you come in and talk about your faith to the class? If you have any questions about what the faith component would mean for your family, ask your admission office for more information. 

The mission statement

The school's mission statement lays out the goals of the institution. Does the mission statement match your family values? 

Size

What are the average class sizes in the lower school? How many classes per grade? What is the student to teacher ratio? 

Diversity of the Student Body

What is the ethnic, racial, religious, cultural and socioeconomic diversity of the school? Read and listen to what diversity means to the school. 

Uniform

What would your little one wear? Think about if it would help make for an easier morning routine. 

Service Learning
What are the service objectives and learning objectives? Developing a sense of empathy is so critical to your child's future. Read and listen to what service means to the school. 

Technology

How is it blended into the curriculum? We need to prepare them for a complex and changing world.  

Specials

What additional classes would a student experience and how often? Some examples are: Art, Music, Library, Language, Technology, Religion, Physical Education and Science. 

Before and after care
What time can you drop off and pick up your child? Are there enrichment activities after school as well? 

Curriculum

How does the school incorporate teaching 21st Century Skills into their daily schedule?

Our job is to prepare our students for a future that is unknown. Pat Bassett, the former President of the National Association of Independent Schools, shares some insights in this short video. 

Knowing vs. Doing

Our Lower School Curriculum Night is Wednesday, November 20 at 7 p.m. Hope to see you there!

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 & St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Virginia.  She may be reached at kcarbo@sssas.org.

The WPPSI-IV

   

Most independent schools require that your child take an aptitude test. If your child is younger than six years old they will take the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence for Children - Fourth Edition. You will hear it referred to as the WPPSI-IV or (whip-see-four). No preparation is needed or allowed for this assessment. A qualified examiner works one on one with your child and measures different abilities. The assessment takes about 45 minutes to an hour. 

The goal for us is 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 will be measured and compared with the development of same-aged peers. 

Typically a week or so after the assessment you will receive a write up from the examiner. A Verbal Comprehension Index Score, a Fluid Reasoning Score, a General Abilities Index and a Full Scale IQ Score will be computed. 

Here is a comment I overheard from a child who just finished their WPPSI-IV:

"Can I come back tomorrow and play some more?"

How great is that?

Here are some tips: 

You will be able to find a list of testers on the school's admission website. You will likely see a variety of testing locations and fees. 

When you make your appointment with the examiner, please be sure to ask them questions and share any concerns. Your comfort with the tester is extremely important as children can read if you are a bit anxious or nervous. 

If your child sometimes has difficulty separating, discuss this with the tester beforehand. Having a plan in place will help ease your worries. 

Be sure to let your examiner know if you would like the results sent to a school's admission office. 

What can you do to help your child? 

Make sure your child gets a good night's sleep.  

If your child is sick the morning of the assessment, reschedule for another day. 

Provide a healthy breakfast or snack before the test to ensure they will be ready to go! 

Psychologists I work with encourage parents to tell their child they will be working with a grown-up and you will be waiting nearby. Telling a child they will get to play with blocks should help!

Don't forget:

The WPPSI-IV was designed for little ones. Children have a lot of fun doing the tasks! 

This is one part of the admission process. Understanding how your little one tackles problems can aid in how we teach them. 

All independent schools have a range of scores that predict success in their particular program. We want children to thrive in our environment and this assessment can be useful in determining a child's readiness for a particular program. 

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

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 & St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Virginia.  She may be reached at kcarbo@sssas.org.

Factors to Consider

Should your family celebrate Halloween I wish you all a safe and fun-filled holiday! 

Last week I stated that there is no single factor that determines readiness. What are the factors that DO determine readiness? 

• Your child's language development 

Are they able to express themselves? Are they able to comprehend what is being asked of them? Do they know their letter names, letter sounds and numbers?  Can your child follow a two or three step direction?

Ex. "Please go to your level book box, select a book and join us on the rug." 

Can they communicate their thoughts, needs and opinions? Can your child speak in complete sentences? Can they tell you a story? 

• Your child's fine motor ability

Using a pencil, pen, markers and scissors will be part of their day in Kindergarten. Can they write their name? Our JK and K students have writer's workshop everyday. A good grip can really help decrease frustration. 

• Your child's social and emotional readiness

Do they comply with adults? Are they able to make transitions smoothly? Do they share and get along with their peers? How do they handle conflict? Do they show respect and concern for others? Are they self-motivated? Are they curious and enthusiastic about learning? 

We are fortunate in the admission season to partner with parents to determine if a child is ready or not. We all want what is best for your little one. 

Next week I will be sharing information about the WPPSI-IV evaluation which truly helps us identify how your child learns. 

Time to head down to our Lower School Halloween parade! 

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 & St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Virginia.  She may be reached at kcarbo@sssas.org.

Are they ready for K?

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. 

What should you do if you have a child with a summer, fall or winter birthday?

Here are some tips: 

Research 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. 

Some parents call it "Red-shirting" based on the college strategy of benching athletes to lengthen their eligibility and give them more time to grow and improve their skills and endurance. 

Perhaps this could help a child with their athletic performance later on, but the more likely reason has to do with a child's emotional and social readiness and ability to keep up with a less play oriented more academic environment. 

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. 

At SSSAS we are looking at the long-term journey. 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. 

Next week I will share the different factors we look at to determine readiness. 

Wishing you a wonderful week!

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 & St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Virginia.  She may be reached at kcarbo@sssas.org.

Coming Back Home and Getting Online

In a few short hours we will have the pleasure of welcoming the alumni and alumna back to campus! It is a time to celebrate memories and create new ones. 

I hope you have had the opportunity to schedule a few visits to schools by now. A great deal of your research about school communities will be online as well. 

Here are some tips:

Check the news feed. 
Most schools will update for their internal and external audiences new events that have just taken place on campus.

Read about the campus life.
This give a sense of the day to day feel of a school. Check the online calendar for upcoming events that could bring you back to campus. 

Discover what other parts of the community are highlighted.
Arts, athletics, diversity, sustainability, clubs and service learning are all wonderful aspects of independent schools. 

What are graduates doing now? 
Most schools have either college counseling information or a list of schools their graduates attend. How would your child be counseled as they enter the next stage of their education?

Taking the time to research a school online is so important because this will be their new home away from home. 

Wising you all a wonderful week!

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 & St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Virginia.  She may be reached at kcarbo@sssas.org.

Touring Season is here!

The leaves are changing! This is my first true sign that our admission season has begun.

I just finished my annual parent tour guide meeting last week. My parent tour guides are a real gift. If you are lucky enough to be toured by a parent, be sure to ask them what the community is like for their family.

Over the next several months I will be sending insights and hints to have a smooth admission journey. Touring is step one!

Start early. Call or email the admission office to request a tour.

Experiencing the thrill of a school hallway, an art studio or a library can truly bring you back to when you were a child. When should you get started? That really depends on what program you are seeking out. Most admission seasons begin in October and parents will tour in the fall/winter - a year before they hope their child will start school.

Some schools have a Prekindergarten or Junior Kindergarten so it is important to ask when the school formally begins. Their entry will likely depend on what month and year your child was born. Most schools have cut off dates. Be sure to ask when your child would be eligible to attend.

There has been a trend over the last 20 years that older children are going into Kindergarten. You might have heard it referred to as “redshirting”. I will tackle this topic in a future post.

Visit Several Schools. Most of the information you collect through reading and conversations will be reliable. The right match for your child may be vastly different than your neighbor’s child or co-worker’s child. This is why touring different schools is important.

During this visit consider:

• How comfortable do I feel in this environment?
• Do the faculty appear passionate and enthusiastic about teaching? 
• Are the students focused and engaged?
• What is the overall philosophy of the school? Is the approach traditional or progressive?
• Keep your eyes peeled for the number of children in the classroom and try to get a feel for their daily schedule. Do the students transition to different classrooms during their day?
• Could you imagine your child working and playing with the students and teachers you see?

Visiting a school provides you as parents with one snapshot of the community. Learning more about that community takes time. 

See if these schools have other events where you can get back on campus. Are there fall festivals, Homecoming events or plays? Our Upper School will be putting on Alice in Wonderland by Madge Miller this coming November and our Homecoming/Lower School Festival is October 19. I know some of my lower school families might want to attend to get a feel for the SSSAS community. All are great ways to learn more.

Trust your gut. Each school has their own distinct feel. It is up to you to visit and see what seems to be a good fit for your family.

Wishing you all a wonderful week!

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 & St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Virginia.  She may be reached at kcarbo@sssas.org.