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

Summer camp!

It is hard to write this while I am wearing a wool sweater, but summer is coming! Online registration for our summer camp is now open!

We have over 130 different sessions of camp. There are day camps, sports camps, summer studies, specialty camps and more! Did I mention we have a New Camper Discount? We do!

One of the best ways to prepare your child for the new school year is to enroll them in a setting where they will get to meet new children. Our day camps can be just what a little one needs before kindergarten begins. They will grow a great deal and feel empowered to start a new adventure in September!

Have a great weekend!

Sincerely,
Katherine

The digital age

I feel very fortunate that at St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School we are very thoughtful and purposeful with how we use technology. Click here to learn more about our approach. That being said the internet can be a little overwhelming and sometimes it helps to hear from an expert how to navigate this landscape as a parent. I have just the parent program for you! The St. Stephen's & St. Agnes Association of Parents & Teachers (APT) is pleased to present Dr. Carlotta Miles who will discuss Meeting the Challenges of Parenting in the Age of the Internet.

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

7:00 pm – Coffee, cookies & informal conversation

7:30 pm – Presentation by Dr. Miles

St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes Upper School

Chapel & Performing Arts Center

1000 St. Stephen’s Road, Alexandria, VA 22304

Free and open to the public.

R.S.V.P. by clicking here.

Here is a little more information: Carlotta G. Miles, M.D., Child Psychiatrist, is a nationally known speaker and writer on subjects related to the psychological development of school-age children and adolescents. Please join us for a presentation by Dr. Miles on meeting the challenges and leveraging the benefits of technology to promote the healthy development of children. The last decade has turned many American family and school traditions upside down. The growth of the internet has tested parents’ ability to maintain healthy control of their children’s psychological growth and development. We find that children have more trouble with deductive reasoning, postponement of gratification, and problem solving due to the expectations created by their experiences with rapid results on the internet. What are the new rules for social media usage? In fact, are there any? How can we best prepare and protect our children as they navigate their way through this maze? What do we need to do to properly socialize them for future success in life and in the workplace? We welcome all members of the community who want to learn how to protect and promote the healthy development of children in this ever-changing digital age.

Have a great week!

Sincerely,

Katherine

What happens now?

I have always been a fan of learning what happens behind the scenes. I think it's neat to know how a production comes together! You might be wondering what is happening in our offices right now. I am happy to share!

Our lower school admission office is preparing for our next two visiting days for our prospective students. We have a JK-1 school visit day on Saturday and a grade 2-5 achievement test/makeup JK-1 school visit later this January. As we are a JK- Grade 12 school our office is receiving materials for our JK- Grade 11 applicants and processing it daily. Our Lower School office will begin to audit all the files later this month. We email parents letting them know if the file is a. complete or b. incomplete and we will list what it is missing. We do this early enough for parents to follow up with their school if need be. 

We recognize how much work the application process is for you and we are so excited to be on this journey with your family! I will begin meeting with my admission committee later this month and we will continue to meet throughout February. My admission committee is made up of administrators and faculty members. On March 1 we will mail out our letters.

You might ask what can you be doing at this time ~ I have some thoughts! Think back to your visits to campus. Are there any questions that have come up since your tour? Make sure to make a note of them and ask the admission director. See if there are activities to get back on campus. Our Upper School is putting on the musical Beauty in the Beast! There are evening performances on March 4, 11 and 12 AND there is a matinee on March 5 at 2:00 p.m. It would be a fun opportunity to see our performing arts department first hand!

Happy Near Year!

Sincerely,
Katherine

The letter

Just recently I heard a story from a Saints parent that I had to share with you all. The parent’s oldest daughter is a sophomore in college and every year - on her birthday -  she receives a card from her St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes Junior Kindergarten assistant teacher. For 16 years she has done this! The teacher included a birthday card in her envelope and asked if the mother could send the card to her college dorm - here is a part of the letter the teacher sent to the mother. (I did cover the child's name...)

She wrote earlier in the letter, “I debated sending a card this year. By now, she might think that it is totally silly to still be receiving a birthday card from her JK assistant teacher. I just believe that kids need to know that someone cares about them outside the family.” 

It's countless stories like this one that make St. Stephen's & St. Agnes such a wonderful community.

Have a great week!

Sincerely,

Katherine