DECEMBER 2010

private education guidewhat’s inside

04 Five signs of a great private schoolBY JENNIFER O’DONNELLHow to tell if a school lives

up to its hype.

06 Back to school for moms, too BY ALISON JOHNSONIf you’re thinking about finishing

that degree, make sure you have

your ducks in a row.

10 Religious programs BY KRISTEN DE DEYN KIRKPrivate schools can offer a lot, including a faith-based curriculum.

13 Help with homeworkBY JENNIFER O’DONNELLHow to manage all that homework.

16 Organize the school year BY KRISTEN DE DEYN KIRKGetting off on solid footing means staying organized.

22 Middle school madness BY KRISTEN DE DEYN KIRKIf your child is headed to middle school, there’s help to be found.

25 The private school checklist BY JENNIFER O’DONNELLWhat to ask before you commit.

28 Lunch with a twist BY PATRICK EVANS-HYLTONBeyond PB & J.

PUBLISHERDIANE TYLERdiane.tyler@pilotonline.com

EDITORJENNIFER O’DONNELL 222-3902jenny.odonnell@pilotonline.com

ADVERTISING DIRECTORTAMMY LINDQUIST 222-3905tammy.lindquist@pilotonline.com

ART DIRECTORSHERRI HOLLANDsherri.holland@pilotonline.com

DESIGNERBARBIE DeSOTObarbie.desoto@pilotonline.com

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERHARRY GERWIEN

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSALISON JOHNSON, MARY ELLEN CARRIER, RICK EPSTEIN, SHARON ZOUMBARIS, SUSAN SMIGIEISKI ACKER, BONITA BILLINGSLEY, PATRICK EVANS-HYLTON, KRISTEN KIRK

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVESAMERICA WILSON 222-3944america.wilson@pilotonline.com

BUSINESS MANAGERMICHELLE NORMAN 222-5380michelle.norman@pilotonline.com

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BY JENNIFER C. O’DONNELL

FIVE SIGNS OF A GREAT PRIVATE SCHOOL

If you’re thinking about private schooling for your child, there’s plenty you’ll need to know before you write your first tuition check.

Private school offers numerous benefits to children, but only if you choose the school that’s right for your stu-dent, and that matches your goals. Take the time to get to know each school you’re considering. The tips below should help you in your search.

You receive a warm welcomeWhen you visit a school, you should take note of how you’re

treated by staff. Do you feel welcomed? Are you offered a tour? Can you sit in on classes? The school’s administration should also ask specific questions about your child’s learn-ing style, personality, and challenges as well as your per-sonal goals for your student.

The staff is qualified

Don’t hesitate to ask questions about the qualifications of the staff and headmaster or headmistress. It’s not rude – it’s necessary. Ask about their educational background, the staff turnover rate, and previous teaching experiences. Other questions you need answered:

How does the staff help new students adjust? What programs are available for students who are

struggling or are ahead of their peers? How does the school manage bullying and discipline

problems?

The school’s philosophy matches yours

Not all private schools adhere to the same educational philosophy or curriculum. Some of the many philoso-phies or curriculums include Classical, Montessori, Wal-dorf, Preparatory, Military Preparatory and others. Spend time deciding on the program that best meets your child’s needs before you begin your search for a school.

You have recommendations

Sometimes the best way to learn about a school is through others. Recommendations from friends, family, neighbors and others should always be considered. Also, don’t hesi-tate to ask the school for a list of people you may call about their experiences with the school. Questions to ask others might be:

Describe a typical day for a student? How has the school helped your child? Has the school fulfilled your expectations? What are the school’s challenges? Would you recommend the school to others?

The School Offers Flexibility

Make sure any school you consider is willing to work with you, whether you need financial aid, additional tutoring for your child, or assistance with physical disabilities or other health issues. Possible questions might include:

Do you offer tuition discounts for more than one child?

How do you manage students with ADD/ADHD or learning disabilities.

Are before or after school programs available for working parents?

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“I felt completely prepared for higher education and

thrived in college.”

“Norfolk Christian Schools are largely responsible

for the person I am today. I received a good

education, a spiritual foundation, and formed

lifelong relationships. Now, I’m a stay-at-home

wife and mother. It’s important that I did receive

a good education because I teach my children

every day.”

Kristen StappAlumni/Mother

Call for Information about our Head, Hands, & Heart tours.

Some days, Joyce Hartman wakes up at 4 a.m. to do research. Some

nights, she’s up until midnight or later writing papers. The 39-year-

old mother of two has been known to do a bit of heavy reading -

think Einstein’s theory of relativity - at the beach. She has learned

to say no to certain requests for her time and has become a master at organiza-

tion, from keeping a large family calendar on her refrigerator to shopping for a

month’s worth of birthday gifts on one outing.

Mom going back to school? It’s a team effort.Here’s what you should do first to succeed.

BY ALISON JOHNSON

All the juggling has paid off: Hart-

man, who went back to school in

2008 after a 16-year absence, recent-

ly earned an associate’s degree in

business administration from Tide-

water Community College and now is

pursuing a bachelor’s degree in inter-

disciplinary studies, with a business

concentration, through a University

of Virginia program. The degree will

help support her family’s small con-

struction company and her career as

a student loan advisor. And despite the

long days, she is happy that daughters

Madeline, 8, and Kate, 6, have been

part of her journey.

“The girls understand that maybe

they don’t get to play soccer year-round

or go to the beach whenever they ask,

but they see how important college is

to me and to our family,” says Hart-

man, a Chesapeake resident who also

has a part-time job. “They understand

that what I’m doing is for the better of

all of us. I hope they are learning that

the sky’s the limit on what you can do

if you’re willing to work hard.”

Returning to the classroom as a par-

ent may not be easy, college admin-

istrators say, but many students with

children not only survive but thrive.

“I think so many mothers put every-

one ahead of themselves, or they are

just overwhelmed at the idea of being

in school again,” says Joann Bautti-

Roche, assistant director of the Wom-

en’s Center at Old Dominion Universi-

ty, who also earned a master’s degree

in public administration while parent-

ing three young boys. “I would tell them

not to sell themselves short and think

they can’t do it. They can do it.”

Organization, not surprisingly, is

huge. So is being realistic about the

time required to be a student. For ev-

ery hour in class, a student should plan

on two or three hours of homework, re-

view and other preparation, says Amy

Beldon, counselor with the Women’s

Center at Tidewater Community Col-

lege’s Virginia Beach campus.

Successful students learn to commu-

nicate closely with their spouses, line

up reliable childcare, delegate respon-

sibilities and use their free time effi-

ciently. Some tackle assignments dur-

ing a child’s naptime or while waiting

for appointments; those with school-

Successful students learn to communicate closely with their spouses, line up reliable childcare, delegate responsibilities and use their free time efficiently.

age children might schedule nightly

family homework time. Explaining

the challenges and rewards of going

back to school also can help kids ad-

just, especially if they’re old enough to

pitch in with chores and become more

self-sufficient.

“If you have kids who may be used to

getting attention whenever they want,

they will need to learn to wait,” Bel-

don says. “Maybe you set a timer for

30 minutes and tell them not to ask for

anything unless there’s an emergency.

Or if Dad is around, you tell them to

go to him while you’re working. It of-

ten takes some time for things to settle

down - a few weeks or even a semester.

But don’t give up.” Many parents, she

adds, find their children value their

own education more because of the

experience.

Beldon recommends easing back

into school life if possible: not sched-

uling too many classes in one semes-

ter or too many activities on a single

day. “It does take a while to get back

into the groove as a student,” she says.

“By the second semester, you will be

much more efficient.”

For parents worried about cost, fi-

nancial aid and grants often can help;

start by filling out a federal financial

aid form at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Joyce

Hartman graduated from TCC with no

debt, and grants will cover her first two

semesters at Virginia. “There really is

money out there for working moms like

me to go back to school,” she says. “It

takes a lot of the burden off.”

Lining up emotional support is im-

portant too, Bautti-Roche says. Stu-

dents need people who encourage them

through rough patches, both at home

and at school. “I really encourage peo-

ple to get involved in campus organi-

zations, and also to find connections

with professors,” she says.

The hardest part, of course, can be

taking that first step back. “Just al-

ways remember why you’re doing it,”

Hartman says. “Don’t be afraid to take

the leap.”

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The ten commandments of shopping for a school

Don’t assume sport, art, or music programs are available. Need help? See our checklist on Page 25.

My friend had thought of sending her children to

a private school for a while. She wasn’t happy

with the way her son’s public school teacher would

ignore her son’s questions during class or the way her daughter’s

teacher laid a guilt trip on her for taking days off for a family

vacation.

More important: her son needed extra attention and couldn’t get

it in a big class, and her daughter needed more challenging work,

but the teacher only had time to provide one lesson, one set of class

work and one set of homework. Individualizing the curriculum was

not possible in either case.

So, finally, my friend made the switch to a private Christian

school. And she did see her children get more attention, but she still

wasn’t completely happy.

What did she do wrong? She failed to realize that not all Christian

schools are the same. Bruce Devers, administrator of Portsmouth

Christian School and past director of the Hampton Roads Associa-

tion of Christian Schools, notes that every school is going to be dif-

ferent. The parent must choose one that meshes with her — and her

children’s - personalities. My friend heard about one school, trusted

the person she talked to, went for a tour and signed up. Instead, she

might have found a better match if she visited several schools and

kept this list in mind:

BY KRISTEN DE DEYN KIRK

Not every religious school will necessarily be a good fit

1Find out how much

religious instruc-

tion is offered. All

Christian schools

are guided by Christian be-

liefs, says Devers: “We em-

phasize curriculum and

how you’re going to live.”

But how often and exact-

ly what the children study

will vary from school to

school and grade to grade.

Find out the subjects that

are covered, when they’re

covered and how they’re

covered.

2Ask about class

size. In most cas-

es, Devers be-

lieves classes will

be smaller in a Christian

school when compared to

a public school. Howev-

er, you can’t be sure. Based

on the information De-

vers has, most local Chris-

tian schools have classes

ranging between 20 and

24 students. You probably

will find some with smaller

classes, though. The point

is: You have to ask instead

of assuming.

3Confirm the cost.

Friends have ruled

out Christian

schools in the past

because they thought it was

too expensive. That might

not be the case, especial-

ly if you’ve first gotten used

to paying for full-time day

care. Devers reports that

local schools range in price

from $4,500 to $8,000.

The high schools are gen-

erally more expensive due

to having to provide higher

salaries for subject-specific

teachers.

4Volunteering is just

that. I once heard

that private schools

required that par-

ents volunteer. That’s tough

if both parents work. De-

vers says that isn’t the case,

and that parents are mere-

ly encouraged to volunteer

as much as possible.

5Sit in on classes. In

general, Devers be-

lieves students en-

counter fewer dis-

tractions in a Christian

school classroom because

there are fewer behavior

problems. He jokes that

he can’t guarantee that,

though. Again, you have to

look inside each school for

yourself. Get a feel for the

students’ characters. “We

encourage students to fol-

low those teachings in the

Bible,” Devers says, “so I

also hope that the students

show more concern for

each other.” With any luck,

this might mean less bully-

ing in Christian schools.

6Get the numbers.

Christian schools

don’t have to ad-

minister the Stan-

dards of Learning tests.

That means no “teaching to

the test,” which many par-

ents and students appreci-

ate. But there is still a way

to get a feel for how well

the students are doing at

each school. Ask for over-

all Iowa Achievement Test

and Stanford Achievement

Test scores. Knowing these

scores can give you a feel

for how successful the stu-

dents are and if your child

will be on a similar level.

7Learn if the school

is conservative

or liberal. I’m not

talking politics

here. I’m talking about

rules. Not every school for-

bids music, but some do,

and “dress code” is differ-

ent everywhere. You have

to go in the school and

see for yourself where the

school falls on the tough-

to-carefree scale.

8Decide if you can

you pay the price -

or do the time. This

commandment is

related to number 7. What

happens when rules aren’t

followed? Smoke in or

outside of school and get

caught, and some schools

will kick you out. Others

give you a warning - one

warning. Misbehave and

you might have to stay after

school - or Mom and Dad

might have to pay $25 and

bring to Saturday deten-

tion. Are you, Mom, ready

for that?

9Think about extra-

curricular activi-

ties before signing

up for the curric-

ulum. Most parents are

pleased to learn that Chris-

tian schools offer a vari-

ety of sports. But that’s not

the case with what Devers

calls the “fine art” extra-

curriculars. You might not

find the drama program or

chess club or debate team

that you’re used to at a pub-

lic school.

10Ensure

that the ad-

vanced class-

es your child

could use for college cred-

it are available. Christian

schools offer a range of ad-

vanced placement classes

and some even participate

in dual-credit courses with

local community colleges -

but exactly what is offered

depends on the school.

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Homework is here to stay - at

least until the next revolu-

tion in education sweeps

into public classrooms. //

In the meantime, parents who think

their children bring home too much

homework might be tempted to let

the assignments go unfinished. That

will, however, only hurt the child in

the long run.

Planning for good habits will make all the difference

BY JENNIFER C. O’DONNELL

GETTING THE HOMEWORK DONE

But parents can take steps to help

their children, in fact the entire fam-

ily, through stressful homework-filled

evenings. Here’s what the experts rec-

ommend in order to help your child

complete assignments in a timely

manner.

Analyze the Assignments: One of

the biggest gripes parents have has to

do with the type of assignments their

children bring home. For starters,

children should never be given new

material as a homework assignment,

say educators. Assignments must be

realistic. Teachers can’t expect chil-

dren to learn a new concept at home.

That means that homework assign-

ments should repeat what’s already

been covered in class. And even then,

limits should exist. Take the subject of

math, for example. Academics say it’s

perfectly fine for teachers to ask stu-

dents to complete a few math problems

based on the day’s lesson. But when a

teacher sends a child home with page

after page of the same type of problem,

that may be too much.

Establish a Routine: If your child’s

homework responsibilities seem exces-

sive and your student is having trouble

completing the work, try to establish

a routine that both you and your child

can follow everyday.

Some parents follow a reward system

in order to encourage students to tack-

le homework right away. For example,

you could say, “Life begins after your

homework is done. After that, you can

go skateboarding or watch television or

flip through comic books. All is yours

for the asking once you’re finished.”

Create a Good Study Environment:

Parents should try to minimize poten-

tial distractions during homework time.

Set up a well lit work area with easy ac-

cess to you, in case there are questions.

Some parents might be tempted to turn

off the television and radio during home-

work time, but some kids actually desire

background noise and in fact, may even

need it. Find what works best for your

child and stick to it.

Control Your Frustration: It’s

hard not to get red in the face when

a homework assignment that’s sup-

posed to take 15 minutes ends up tak-

ing two hours, especially if your child

whines and moans through the whole

two hours. But parents can help their

children keep their focus by maintain-

ing their own tempers.

Find out what you’re doing during

the homework that’s causing it to be

stretched out. Possible reactions in-

clude anger, negative comments, pres-

sure tactics, and frustration. Maintain

minimal reaction to all negative behav-

ior on a student’s part. Be neutral, and

when the student finally picks up her

pencil, praise her.

Become and Advocate: If you really

believe your child is overburdened with

homework, or that the assignments are

frivolous and unnecessarily time con-

suming, speak up.

Experts say some school systems have

initiated changes in regards to home-

work after parents brought their con-

cerns to the school staff and principal.

Some parents might be tempted to turn off the television and radio during homework time, but some kids actually desire background noise and in fact, may even need it. Find what works best for your child and stick to it.

Establishing a routine will help keep stress at bay and grades up

BY ALISON JOHNSON

Alena’s before-school checklist

includes brushing her teeth, eating

breakfast and checking that she has

all her homework and her lunch in her

backpack. After school, the fifth grader

has a healthy snack, picks out clothes

for the next day, pulls her homework

out of her bag and lays the papers on

the table where she works. After she

finishes her assignments, she knows

to put her work straight into her bag so

her 2-year-old brother won’t draw on it

or try to stuff it into one of his toys.

“You don’t want to make her feel in-

adequate or that you are Drill Sergeant,

so I’ll simply say something like, ‘Ale-

na, let’s check off your list together,’”

said Webster, who lives in Chesapeake.

“And I’m proud to say that through this

technique, Alena is confident that she

can go to school without concern of

getting in trouble for forgetting home-

work, and I know that she’s prepared

for the day.”

For students of all ages, organization

often isn’t a strong point. Some com-

mon clues: backpacks stuffed with old

crinkled papers, forgotten tests and as-

signments, prolonged homework ses-

sions and lost school supplies. Parents,

meanwhile, struggle to decide what to

throw away and what to save; some

may miss signing needed paperwork

or going to important school events.

Poor organizational skills can not

only hurt a student’s grades but make

school and home life much more stress-

ful, said Amy Scott, Director of the

Sylvan Learning Center of Hampton,

where tutoring programs include ses-

sions on study skills. Checklists like

the ones Webster uses can make a

huge difference to both kids and par-

ents, Scott said.

“Creating systems that work for an

individual child really helps with home

life sanity,” she said. “The quicker you

can get into a daily routine, the better.

I have seen whole grades change based

simply on the way a student does night-

ly homework.”

Luckily, families can fight disorgani-

zation with a variety of approaches, ac-

cording to Scott and other experts:

Getting homework done. The

first step, Scott said, is to pick a specific

spot in the house where each child will

study. Then keep that area stocked with

A few days before school starts, Trudi Webster and her 11-year-old

daughter, Alena, sit down together and write a to-do list of her

school responsibilities. One section covers the morning and an-

other the afternoon, and both hang on her bedroom door.

a bin of the same school supplies they

have in their desks at school. Ideally,

the study spot should be close enough to

parents that they can monitor progress

but not so close that the child is tempt-

ed to ask for help constantly. While a

desk or table is best for some students,

others like to sit on a couch or even lie

on the floor.

“If sprawling on the floor is what

works, go with it,” Scott said. “The

important thing is that they’re not in

a different place every day. You want

them to think, ‘I’m in my homework

space, and I’m not leaving it until I’m

done.’ Their minds will make the rep-

resentation that this is a place to learn

and study.”

If possible, families should set a time

period each afternoon or evening when

everyone - not just the kids - sits down

and works on something, said Mary Jo

Bracken, a guidance counselor at Toano

Middle School in James City County.

As students do their homework, par-

ents might read, get on the computer

or catch up on bills. That “quiet time”

can change on different days of the week

based on schedules.

“It creates an expectation for kids:

this is what our family does,” Bracken

said. “Kids really respond to consisten-

cy. I also think parents get overloaded

just like kids, and slowing down helps

everyone focus on what they need to

get done.”

Students, particularly those with at-

tention problems, also tend to do best

when they tackle one assignment at a

time, said Mary Frances Ballard, a re-

tired middle school teacher who now

owns Orderly Places, a Peninsula-based

organization business. Rather than un-

packing all their books and papers at

once, Ballard suggests students take out

one thing at a time. When that assign-

ment is done, they can return it to the

bag and take out the next.

“That’s a great strategy for kids to

learn as they mature: focus on one

piece of work, concentrate on it until

it’s completely done, and done well, and

then move on,” Ballard said. “A big pile

just tends to be a big distraction.”

Parents can help kids learn to prior-

itize tasks as well, Scott said. Under-

standably, most students want to do

the easiest subject first; if they hate

English, they’ll want to do their gram-

mar worksheet last. Sometimes that’s

fine, Scott said, but kids should think

more about what is most important. If

tests count for 50 percent of a grade

and homework 10 percent, studying for

a science test is a better use of prime

homework time than finishing every

last math problem.

Finally, if a student regularly strug-

gles to complete homework in the time

suggested by a teacher, schedule a con-

ference, Bracken advised. Also watch

for signs a child may be too loaded up

with non-school activities, including ex-

haustion, poor eating habits and fall-

ing grades.

Long-term planning. The ability

to look ahead doesn’t come naturally to

many kids. They will finish homework

assignments due the very next day but

not get an early start on projects, study

for future tests or take the time to orga-

nize their notes and supplies. To avoid

last-minute scrambles, students need

to begin considering those tasks as dai-

ly homework too, Bracken said.

“Especially as a child gets older, there’s

no such thing as ‘no homework,’” she said.

“So instead of asking, ‘do you have any

homework?’ - which gives them the

chance to say no - say, ‘Please show me

your planner.’ If there’s nothing written

in there for two or three days, contact

that teacher. More than likely, the stu-

dent isn’t writing things down for some

reason, and you need to nip that in the

bud.” Parents also can track future spe-

cial assignments and tests on many teach-

ers’ Web sites.

Scott suggests posting a large fam-

ily calendar in a central location such

as the kitchen, with a different color

pen assigned to each child. That cal-

endar would display weekly extracur-

ricular and family activities and impor-

tant school assignments and events. So

if a test falls on Wednesday and there’s

soccer practice Tuesday night, a student

should plan to do some studying on Mon-

day night. Parents could even schedule

weekly “family meetings” to spot busy

stretches ahead of time.

“It helps kids get out of the, ‘Oh no, it’s

the night before and I haven’t done any-

thing!’ situation,” Scott said.

Breaking long-term assignments into

smaller steps also heads off panic mode.

If a child has a written book report due in

a month, for example, the parent might

help develop a plan: select and check out

the book by the end of the first week, read

a certain amount the second week, finish

it the third week and get the writing done

during the last (or speed the schedule up

if the child would rather finish earlier).

For tests, students could plan to skim

a certain number of pages each night,

saying facts and sentences that need

memorizing out loud (a minimum of

15 times is most effective, according to

Bracken). In the days just before a test,

students could ask a parent to quiz them

and then focus on problem areas.

Fighting clutter. Cleaning out

school backpacks and folders daily or

at least weekly is a crucial part of stay-

ing organized, experts say. But no mat-

ter what grade a child is in, school stuff

can quickly take over a house - and just

as quickly get lost.

With young children, the challenge

is all the art and daily class work that

come home. Bethany Lay, a Senior

Consultant with Creative Memories,

suggests asking three basic questions

when deciding what to save: is it time-

less (early handwriting samples, small

handprints), does it tell a story (report

cards, special projects) and is it some-

thing you wish your parents had saved?

Kids also should have the chance to de-

cide what’s most special to them, which

parents might not be able to predict.

At that point, parents can decide what

to scan into a computer and what to

store in a protective box, said Lay, who

uses that approach with her 7-year-old

daughter. “Scan the things that main-

Quality Education with a Christian EmphasisAffordable Rates • Degreed & Qualifi ed Staff

(757) 596-5808 765 J. Clyde Morris Blvd., Newport News,VA

(Oyster Point, Next to Casey Honda)

visit us at www.RLCNN.org/school@rlcnn.org

We Offer:• Preschool for ages 2½ - 4

(8:30 am - 12:30 pm)• 5 yr old Kindergarten (Full Day)

• Summer Camp • Hot Meals• Before & After School Programs

(6 am dropoff, 6 pm pickup)

Curriculum:• “Open Court” Reading

• “Saxon” Phonics & Math• “Abeka” Science & Social Studies

• Friday “Chapel”

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• Weekly Classes• Birthday Parties• Team Building• SOL Field Trips

• After School Enrichment Programs

tain their value even when scanned,”

she said. “So if there is a project where

they have used a handprint, you would

want to keep it because if scanned, you

lose the original size. But if they wrote

a story, scanning will still preserve the

words and the handwriting.” Another

alternative is to take pictures of the

child holding crafts and keep those in

photo albums or computer files, Bal-

lard added.

As kids get older, frequently-used

items such as lunch menus, field trip

information and details on long-term

projects can go on the refrigerator or

a bulletin board, or into a file box in

an easy-to-find location. To store pa-

pers and worksheets a child will need

to review later in the year, keep a “study

materials” bin in the student’s home-

work area, advised Jamika Woodburn,

a mother of two and owner of Organize

Station, a home and business organiza-

tion company based in Yorktown.

Woodburn recommends bins be-

cause they hold more than folders and

tend to get less messy. Students also can

use a color-coded system: red folders

and notebooks for all their math ma-

terials, for example, and blue for histo-

ry. “They can pull whatever they need

right out,” Woodburn said. “They won’t

be digging through their backpack to

see if by some miracle it’s wadded up

at the bottom.”

As for backpacks, shoes and other

needed school supplies, parents can set

a place for kids to leave them each af-

ternoon and evening, Ballard said. “Peg

racks, hooks or milk-crate type boxes -

one for each child - work well,” she said.

“The closer to the door, the better, and

as much as you can keep off the floor,

the better. You don’t want things mi-

grating all over the house.”

That goes for adults’ stuff, too, Brack-

en added. A house doesn’t have to be

perfectly organized, but parents can

be good role models by tackling one

or two problem spots at a time. “May-

be you sort through the recipes or the

magazines, or rearrange the linen clos-

et,” Bracken said. “You can involve the

kid. You can tell them, ‘Today I’ve de-

cided to organize this.’ More than like-

ly, they’ll act like they don’t hear a word

you’re saying. But really, they are lis-

tening.”

And, hopefully, getting more orga-

nized themselves.

Ideally, the study spot should be close enough to parents that they can monitor progress but not so close that the child is tempted to ask for help constantly.

•• NAEYC Accredited•• Hands-on Learning Experience•• Enhance Your Child’s Social Skills•• Strengthen Emotional, Physical and Intellectual Growth

NOW ENROLLING!NOW ENROLLING!

www.sunnybrookdayschool.org

Founded 1960

3380 Edinburgh DriveVirginia Beach, VA 23452

757.340.2266757.340.2266

50 Years Of Excellence!50 Years Of Excellence!

Ages 2 1/2 thru KindergartenCall to schedule a tour

An Affordable, Independent, Private School Celebrating our 60th year

583-RYAN (7926)844 Jerome Avenue • Norfolk, VA 23518

www.ryanacademy.org

Serving Students in Grades 1 - 12

Academic Excellence

Differentiated Instruction

Small Class Sizes

Athletics, Art and Music

Transportation Services

Before & After Care

OPEN HOUSE DATESWednesday, March 30 at 6:30 pm

Saturday, May 21 at 1:00 pm757-499-6064 for a tour of the school or visit the website:

A Higher Education on the

Elementary School Level

A HIGHER EDUCATION SHOULD BEGIN IN THE EARLY YEARS!

www.ivyleagueacademy.net

If your tween is in her last year of elementary school, it’s not too early to prepare for the

challenges of middle school. A good book can help your child adjust, and answer any

questions that might pop up over the next year. These books aren’t anything like the text-

books the students use in school and most definitely are not written for parents (although

they will help you remember some of that growing-up angst.) Each features simple wording,

large print and lots of illustrations, making it easy to read in one or two sittings:

Getting ready for

middle school? These

titles might help the

transition.

BY KRISTEN DE DEYN KIRK

Buy the book

The Worst-case Scenario Survival Handbook: Middle school by David Borgenicht, Ben H. Winters and Robin Epstein Chronicle Books, $10.99

This book has the best table of contents with fi ve chapters and “how-to” subheads. Your tween could read it all before school starts or just refer to it as he or she faces a new concern. Some of the advice includes “how to rescue a sinking grade” (hold a strategy session with the teacher; ask a friend for help; play “20 questions”); “how to survive the locker-room change” (keep everyone talking; take off one item of clothing at a time and replace it with the similar gym uniform piece; wear a thin t-shirt under your school clothes, keep it on, and place your gym shirt on top of it); and “how to cope when a clique shuts you out” (force yourself to smile; fi nd a hobby you can share; focus on one-on-one friendships). The illustrations tend to include more girls but most of the advice is relevant for boys and girls, and each will appreciate the “girls only” and the “boys only” chapters.

American Girl’s A Smart Guide to Starting Middle School by Julie Williams American Girl Publishing, Inc., $9.95

This narrow, colorful book draws you in with its easy-to-hold size and a variety of formats, from bulleted lists and questions and answers to paragraphs packed with information and questions to ask yourself. New middle schoolers will especially appreciate the illustrated guide on how to work a combination lock. They can also take a color-coded quiz to see what activities might be best for them to join. At fi rst, your tweener might not be as interested in the “teacher” section, but if he or she faces a concern with one, you might try turning to page 32, where different teacher “types” are broken down. The author offers pros and cons and do and don’t advice that will help your tween cope (and might make it easier for you if you go in for a parent-teacher conference.)

Amelia’s Middle School Survival Guide by Marissa Moss Simon & Schuster, $14.99

This book continues the mix of being light on words and heavy on illustrations, but it’s defi nitely different from the other two books in that there’s a story being told. It’s written like an illustrated diary (sort of like Diary of a Wimpy Kid, but with more illustrations and side notes) and has two sections, Amelia’s Most Unforgettable Embarrassing Moments and Amelia’s Guide to Gossip. Advice is packed inside this book - but it’s not as easy to fi nd. This might be the one that your tween reads last in this mix of three books, or maybe when she’s already been in middle school for a while (or is even graduating onto high school) and she wants to laugh at all that’s happened - the good, the bad, and the can-only-happen-in-middle-school-thank-God! stuff.

Preschool Classes - Ones - Pre-K9am-12pm

Music & Outside Play

Kindergarten9am-2pm

Spanish, P.E., Music

Infant - All Day Car8am - 6pm

We offer fl exiblebefore and after care for

$5.50 per hour

Summer campsSummer Stay & PlayJune 6th - August 16th

First Presbyterian Church

820 Colonial Ave.Norfolk, VA 23507

635-0667www.fpcnorfolk.org

FirstPresbyterian

Preschool

Experience theLove of Christ

ALLIANCE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLSEach day making a difference … one child at a time!

5809 Portsmouth Blvd, Portsmouth 757.488.5552 alliancechristianschools.org

• Challenging academics, Pre-K3 to 12th grades• Excellent teacher-student ratio• Honors and dual-credit college classes • Extremely affordable Christian worldview education• Full competitive sports program, Metro Conference• Conveniently located off I-664 at Portsmouth Blvd• Currently enrolling all grades

Celebrating 40 years of Christian Education in 2011

Open Houses for summer and fall enrollment begin in January. Visit the websites for dates and times.

HRACS is an organization of biblically based, evangelical schools committed to

promoting Christian education and to fostering cooperation among Christian schools.

Hampton RoadsAssociation of

Christian Schools

For detailed information visit www.hracs.org

Alliance Christian School..........................www.alliancechristianschool.orgAtlantic Shores Christian Schools............www.shoreschristian.orgCalvary Christian School System.............www.calvarycss.orgCalvary Classical School...........................www.calvaryclassical.orgCornerstone Christian School ..................www.cornerstonechristianschool.us.Denbigh Baptist Christian School ............www.dbcs4christ.comFirst Baptist Christian School...................www.fi rstbaptistchristian.orgGreenbrier Christian Academy.................www.gcagators.orgHampton Christian Schools......................www.hamptonchristianschools.comIvy League Academy.................................www.ivyleagueacad.comMt. Pleasant Christian School ..................www.mtpleasantchristian.org Norfolk Christian Schools.........................www.norfolkchristian.orgOaktree Academy......................................www.oaktreeacademy.orgPortsmouth Christian Schools..................www.portsmouthchristian.org Stonebridge School ..................................www.stonebridgeschool.comSummit Christian Academy......................www.summitchristianacademy.orgTabernacle of Prayer Christian School ....757-625-1875Warwick River Christian School...............www.warwickriver.orgWilliamsburg Christian Academy.............www.williamsburgchristian.org

If you’re thinking about placing your child in a private school, it’s your turn to do a little

homework. Private schools aren’t all the same and finding the one that’s right for your

child isn’t always easy. // Here’s how to begin your search, and compare the schools

you’re interested in. Be sure to take notes when you visit, either virtually or in person.

Once you have all your data, it’s time to sit down with your family to discuss the pros and cons

of each school. // Good luck in your search.

What you should know before you commit

BY JENNIFER C. O’DONNELL

The private school search1. What is the school’s academic

philosophy? (Classical, Montessori, Waldorf, etc.)

2. Is the school religiously affi liated?

3. How is technology incorporated into the curriculum?

4. Are AP or IB programs available?

5. What is the student/teacher ratio?

6. How diverse is the student body?

7. How long has the headmaster been with the school?

8. What are the headmaster’s credentials?

9. What is the staff turnover rate?

10. What is the school’s overall appearance?

11. Are sport, art, or music programs available?

12. Does the school appear to be safe and secure?

13. Is the school’s location convenient for you?

14. Is the staff helpful?

15. How would you rate your school visit?

16. Is fi nancial aid available to you?

17. What is your child’s impression of the school?

18. How does the school manage discipline problems?

19. Is tutoring available to students?

20. Are clubs and other organizations available to the student body?

21. Do you agree with the school’s

policies and procedures?

22. Is it possible to sit-in on classes before you commit?

23. How large is the school’s endowment?

24. How many faculty members have advanced degrees?

25. How large is the student body?

26. What are the tuition fees?

27. Is transportation to and from school available and at what cost?

28. Are parents permitted (or required) to volunteer at the school?

29. Is the school co-ed or single sex?

30. Is the school ranked academically and if so, what is the school’s ranking?

31. Is the school accredited and by what organization?

32. How does the school help new students adjust?

Need help choosing a religious school? See our guide on Page 10.

Portsmouth CatholicRegional School

2301 OREGON AVENUE • PORTSMOUTH VA • 757.488.6744 • WWW.PORTSMOUTHCATHOLIC.NET

CALL NOW: 488-6744

❖ Established 1876

❖ Christian Value-Based Education

❖ Pre-K3 and Pre-K4 through 8th Grade

❖ Art ❖ Drama ❖ Music

❖ Dedicated Science Lab

❖ Computer

❖ Technology

❖ Spanish Instruction

❖ Physical Education

❖ SMART Boards in all Classes

❖ Tidewater Catholic Basketball League

❖ Before and After School Care

Full Accreditation SACS/VCEA

OPEN HOUSE January 30th 2011 1-3pm

Tours Daily At Your ConveniencePortsmouth Catholic Regional School

• Christian Environment

• Small class size

• Well-trained, educated teaching staff

• Competitive Rates

• Enrichment Programs

Year-Round Program16mos. - Pre K

Full time/Part time

Emmanuel Lutheran Church and School

3900 Virginia Beach Blvd.Virginia Beach 23452

884 Bells Mill Road Chesapeake, Virginia 23322 phone: 757-547-9550 web: www.themountleads.org

THEVIRGINIAN-PILOTREADER'SCHOICEAWARDPILOTMEDIAREADER'SCHOICEAWARD

Mount Lebanon Christian Academy

We offer Before & After Care

Ages 2 1/2 (fully potty-trained), thru 3rd grade.

We utilize the ABEKA Curriculum:Spanish, Music, & ComputerFull Day Program, Academic Program

Now Enrolling:Now Enrolling:

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and“Train up a child in the way he should go, andwhen he is old, he will not depart from it.” ~ Proverbs 22:16when he is old, he will not depart from it.” ~ Proverbs 22:16

50% OFFTuition For

Student Referrals

Being a kid can be serious busi-

ness; with all that reading,

writing and arithmetic - not

to mention recess - the student

body can become a hungry body by the

time lunchtime rolls around.

But for mom or dad, thinking about

a tasty, sensible lunch for the starving

student can pose plenty of challenges.

The first is finding something that ap-

peals to their child, the second is find-

ing something that can be eaten in the

short time allotted for lunch. Food not

only needs to be delish, but ready-to-

eat, or at least have a very minimal

fuss factor.

If you don’t pack a lunch, your child

most likely won’t go hungry but they

may be eating things you aren’t that

thrilled with; prepared school lunch-

es are often highly caloric, fat-lad-

en, sodium-packed and full of other

icky things.

Although the term “brown bag-

ging” sounds homey, pack away nos-

talgia and pack lunches in soft-sided,

insulated, closable and easy-to-clean

lunch boxes. Children’s names can

easily be written on the outside of

these containers with a permanent

marker. Using a lunch box like this

not only cuts down on the waste of

disposing of a paper bag daily, but

also gives some protection to the

contents inside.

Likewise, a washable, durable, in-

sulated beverage container is good for

bringing water or fruit juices and keep-

ing them cool until lunchtime with a

few ice cubes added to the contents be-

fore sealing.

BIG MAC PASTA SALADFun elbow macaroni noodles combine with veggies and low fat Italian dressing for a delicious (and interactive!) lunch salad. Use frozen peas and corn; they will be ready to eat by lunch time.

Ingredients1 or 2 cups elbow macaroni, cooked and cooled2 tablespoons low fat Italian dressing or olive oilHandful grape tomatoes1/4 cup frozen peas1/4 cup frozen cornHandful of hard cheese cubes, like cheddar

MethodPlace pasta in a medium-sized plastic container with lid. Keep dressing or oil in a separate ziptop bag or plastic container until ready to use. In a third ziptop or plastic container combine tomatoes, peas and corn. In a fourth ziptop or plastic container, place cheese. When ready to prepare, pour dressing or oil on top of pasta,

replace lid, and shake to coat. Remove lid and add tomatoes, peas, corn and cheese.

PUFFY PIZZA POCKETFlaky biscuit dough combines with classic pizza fl avors for a delicious lunch entree. Turkey pepperoni keeps the pizza lower fat; substitute with chopped vegetables like broccoli and eggplant if you wish.

Ingredients1 can refrigerated biscuit dough1/4 cup tomato sauce1/4 cup mozzarella cheese1/4 cup turkey pepperoni1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning blend

MethodPreheat oven to 350F. Press each biscuit fl at approximately into a fi ve-inch round. Spread on a little tomato sauce, sprinkle on some cheese, place on top some pepperoni and add a couple of dashes of spices. Be careful not to overfi ll the pockets or contents will leak out. Fold the biscuits over into a half-moon shape, crimp closed and place, evenly spaced, on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet. Bake until golden, about 20 and 25 minutes, remove and cool.

Yields six pockets.

Let’s do lunch!

BY PATRICK EVANS-HYLTON

Taste and nutrition coexist happily in these easy brown bag recipes

HUM(MUS)-DINGER OF A SANDWICHProtein rich hummus and fun veggies combine to make a quick-and-healthy sandwich

Ingredients1 whole wheat tortilla2-3 tablespoons prepared hummusShredded broccoliShredded carrotsSugar snap peas

MethodKeep tortilla in a ziptop food storage bag until ready to use. Keep hummus in a separate ziptop bag or plastic container until ready to use. In a third ziptop or plastic container combine shredded broccoli, shredded carrots and sugar snap peas. You can buy shredded broccoli as “broccoli slaw mix” or make your own. Carrots can also be purchased pre-shredded. When ready to prepare, lay out tortilla and spread on hummus. Top with mixed vegetables and roll up. (If you’d like a recipe for an easy and delicious homemade hummus, email me: patrickevanshylton@gmail.com)

TURKEY “SUSHI” ROLLSDelish lavash bread stuffed with turkey and trimmings is rolled and sliced like sushi. Complete the illusion with gummy Swedish fi sh as a sweet treat, and pack chopsticks to complete for a bento-esque box lunch.

IngredientsLavash bread or whole wheat tortillaBaby carrots1 tablespoon-plus all-fruit apricot jam/spread3 slices deli turkey breast1 tablespoon cream cheeseRomaine lettuceBaby spinach leaves

MethodLay lavash bread on a cutting board. Toss a handful of baby carrots in a food processor with the apricot jam and pulse until combined; add more jam if needed. Spread the jam mixture on the lavash bread, lay turkey slices on top, and spread on cream cheese. Tear lettuce and spinach in small pieces and lay atop cream cheese. Roll up the lavash bread and cut into pieces to resemble sushi rolls.

CHOCOHINI MUFFINSFresh zucchini is disguised in these delicious muffi ns, made extra special with miniature chocolate chips .

Ingredients1 1/3 cup sugar2 eggs, beaten2 teaspoons vanilla3 cups fi nely grated zucchini1 cup vegetable oil2 teaspoons baking sodaDash salt3 cups all-purpose fl our2 teaspoons cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon allspice1 cup miniature chocolate chipsCooking spray

MethodPreheat oven to 350F. In a large bowl, combine sugar, eggs and vanilla. Add zucchini and oil and combine. Stir in baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, combine fl our, cinnamon, allspice and chocolate chips. Add to zucchini mixture and stir to incorporate. Coat muffi n tin cups with cooking spray and spoon in zucchini mixture to fi ll cups about three-fourths full. Bake on oven’s middle rack until tops of muffi ns are golden, about 25 to 30 minutes. A toothpick inserted in the center of a muffi n should come out clean. Set on wire rack fi ve minutes; remove from tin and cool for 20 minutes. Yields one dozen muffi ns.

SUPER SIDESHere are some ideas for super side dishes to toss in the lunch box:

Toasted whole-wheat raisin bread cut into “fi ngers”Small tangerines, apples, bananas and other fruitMelon cubesBaby carrots or carrot sticksSugar snap peasCucumber coinsA few cubes of a hard cheese, like cheddarBox of raisinsIndividual applesauce containerWhole grain chips and salsaCereal barPeanut butter and crackersAir-popped pop corn

Christopher AcademyPreschool - 5th Grade

ENROLLMENT

OPEN HOUSEJanuary 21, 2011 6:15 P.M.

· Short formal presentation · Classroom tours · Admission Packets

www.christopher-academy.org3300 Cedar Lane, Portsmouth, VA 23703

757-484-6776Fostering a love of learning since 1970 ~ Member of the VAIS.

MONTESSORI MONTESSORI ACADEMY OF VAACADEMY OF VA

Montessori is a scientifi c method of education utilizing hands on materials to teach small group and individual students. Montessori classrooms are characterized by multi age grouping, student chosen individualized work, (which is guided and directed by a teacher) and student mentors in a collaborative, peaceful environment. Scientifi c

studies indicate that Montessori education leads to students with better academic and social skills. The Montessori Academy absolutely makes this innovative philosophy possible in our community,

with their well trained certifi ed faculty and administration.

Experience the Montessori Difference

757-497-18824774 Alicia Dr. • Virginia Beach, VA 23462

WWW.MONTESSORIVA.COMWWW.MONTESSORIVA.COM

757-436-39951468 Kempsville Rd. • Chesapeake, VA 23320

Now Enrolling

For2011-2012

Creative Learning in a Country Like Atmosphere

“Serving the community since 1979”

Ages 2 - 8State LicensedQualifi ed Teachers3 acre CampusSpanishBefore/After Care

Summer Camps June 1 - August 19Now Enrolling for Summer

Preschool, Pre-K, Kindergarten6:30am - 6:30pm • Monday - Friday

4249 Taylor Rd. Chesapeake 23321(at Silverwood West)

(757) 484-8783www.CCDS4KIDS.com

Trinity Lutheran School offers admission to academicallyqualifi ed students without regard to gender, race, religion,

ethnic background or national origin.

Serving local children since 1960 • Preschool through Grade 8Academic Excellence • Spiritual Environment

A candidate school for International Baccalaureate PYP

VAIS Accreditation since 1976 • Scholarship AssistanceExtended Care • Bus Transportation

OPEN HOUSEJanuary 9, 2011 • 2 - 4 pm

Conveniently located minutes from the James River Bridge and Monitor Merrimac Tunnel

Experience Trinity, call for an appointmentSheila Moore

smoore@trinitynn.com • 757.245.25766812 River Road, Newport NewsCall 622-8174

610 Mowbray ArchNorfolk, VA 23507

Accredited by the International Montessori Council

Programs for children 2 yrs. through 8th grade

Now Accepting Fall 2011-2012 Applications

Mission Statement: To provide a prepared Montessori environment which is nurturing, consistant and safe, and to aspire to serve the total development of the child, including academic, emotional and social needs.

GHENTGHENTMONTESSORIMONTESSORI SCHOOLSCHOOL

V i s i t u s o n l i n e a t w w w . a p p l e t r e e k i d s . o r g

Starting JANUARY 1st New Hours 6 A.M. - 6 P.M.Specialized curriculum that

is developmentally age appropriate for your child.

Programs include:• Full Time Infant and Toddler Child Care• Full Day and Part-Time Preschool Program For Ages 2 and Up• Private School for Kindergarten - 5th Grade• Before and After School Program • Full Day Summer Camp Program

Preschool, Before & AfterSchool Care & Summer Camp601 W. Washington St.Suffolk, VA 23434(757) 539-9000

Apple Tree Academy501 W. Washington St.Suffolk, VA 23434(757) 539-9000

Preschool, Private School K-1st, Before & After School Care & Summer Camp601 Volvo ParkwayChesapeake, VA 23320(757) 547-9530

Openings at all four locations

Infant - Toddler410 N. Broad StreetSuffolk, VA 23434(757) 539-9267