Play - is it really that important?

A recent opinion in The New York Times addressed the importance of play in prekindergarten. 

As you look ahead into the elementary years, will play be incorporated into your child's learning? 

In an earlier blog post, I shared an article about the role of school recess in a child's school day. Our students have at least thirty minutes per day of recess and they are learning wonderful life skills during that time. They are communicating, creating, compromising, sharing, collaborating, imagining, and growing. Serious learning takes place!

As you gather information about your child's future school community, I would be sure to ask about play and recess. 

Have a great week!

Sincerely,

Katherine 

Let's look at some numbers

When researching schools you are likely asking, how many students are in the classrooms? What is the teacher to student ratio? How many "specials" (Science, Art, Music, Foreign Language, P.E., etc.) will they have per week? How many minutes of recess do they have per day? These questions are important and will help illustrate what a typical day would be like for your child. 

Independent schools are incredibly fortunate to be able to schedule several "specials" per week for students. "Specials" teachers are experts in their field and their passion for their subject shines through day after day. Students benefit greatly from the teachers and the frequency of their visits to the classrooms. 

I would be remiss if I didn't mention our visitors this week who also value numbers! The International Singapore Math conference was held in Washington, D.C. On Thursday we hosted delegates from the conference, which included presenters from the conference, math coordinators and teachers from schools around the country, and ministers of education from several countries. They were able to visit our fifth grade classes and see their program being used by our teachers. It was an exhilarating day!

Enjoy this beautiful weather!

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 Admission Journey begins!

While our first campus tour was winding down this Wednesday a parent asked me a great question, "What now?" Whether you have a rising Kindergartner or you are a few years away from starting Kindergarten, thinking about a school choice for your child can be overwhelming. Please know you are not going it alone!

Visiting a school is your first step, but 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, speaker events for parents (author visits, curriculum nights)? 

Events will not only give you insight into the school, they will show you what's around the corner as a member of the community. 

Our Association of Parent and Teachers (APT), will host MaryAnn McKibben Dana, author of Sabbath in the Suburbs: A Family's Experiment with Holy Time, on Tuesday, October 14 at our Middle School. Click here for more details. 

Our APT will also highlight summer professional development programs and adventures (from the Arctic to California!) from seven members of our faculty on Tuesday, October 21 at 7:00 p.m. "An Evening with the Teachers" will be held in our Upper School Dining Hall.  

Wishing you all a wonderful long 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.