Category: Beyond The Brochure

Betsy Brown Braun, Educational Consultant and Parent Educator, Has A Must-Read New Book!

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On Saturday afternoon, I attended a book signing for Betsy Brown Braun’s new book, You’re Not The Boss of Me: Brat-Proofing Your 4-12 Year Old Child, at my friend (and Willows School mom) Eve Newhart’s beautiful home. After signing books, Betsy was gracious enough to spend more than an hour answering our parenting questions.

 

I just finished reading Betsy’s new book. What a resource! The book offers parents practical advice and techniques to raise happy, confident, respectful and non-bratty children every step of the way. My kids are 6 and 9, so this book comes at exactly the right time for me. At the moment, I’m dealing with “mean girl” issues with my daughter and the constant changing of her friends.

 

I absolutely love Betsy’s practical, you-can-do-it approach. You will be able to read a section of the book, put it down and go apply her advice to whatever parenting challenging you’re having that day.

 

You’re Not The Boss Of Me includes chapters such as “I’m Bored” and “Is This The Only Present I Get? I especially love the list of 100 things you can say instead of the over-used phrase, “good job”.

 

Betsy writes with a magical blend of humor and authority. Reading the book, I felt as if I was getting parenting advice from a trusted friend who wasn’t afraid to be honest. This book will help guide me through the next few years and perhaps beyond. Both my kids have a strong perfectionist streak and the chapter, “Perfectionism” gives me insight into why they are like this (genes…my husband get the “credit” here) and “tips and scripts” to handle this characteristic.

 

In addition to being the mom of triplets (yes, that correct!), Betsy is also a renowned child development and behavior specialist, parent educator and preschool and elementary school educational consultant. She is the founder of Parenting Pathways, Inc.

 

To purchase a copy of You’re Not The Boss Of Me and to learn more about Betsy’s private consulting, parent seminars, blog and events, visit, www.betsybrownbraun.com

 

Ideas For Getting Acquainted With Your New School Over Summer

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Now that you’ve selected the private elementary school for your child (or they selected you), you’re probably shifting into the “what’s next” mode. Summer is a great time to meet new families before school begins. Most private schools some offer some or all of the following events to help families get acquainted before school starts:

 

Host Family “meet and greet”. Many schools ask a current family to host a new family for a lunch or other get together. You may be invited to join your “host family” for an event. This family has been asked by the school to host several new families who have kids who will be in the same class and are most likely the same gender. Note: we’ve heard all kinds of “host family” stories. Most of the families are really nice and welcoming. Our host family at The Willows organized a brunch at her house with homemade cinnamon rolls. A few host families never even bother to call the new family. Sometimes, they will call, but are “too busy” to get together. Others can be arrogant and aloof and unwelcoming. If anything like this happens to you, let the school know. The reason this happens is because new parents are too intimidated to tell the school so it continues year after year.

 

Picnics. Many schools have summer picnics for the entire school, including new families.

 

Social events. You may be invited to a variety of social events to welcome you to the school. Parties and other events are the school’s way of welcoming it’s new families.

 

Visit the classroom. Your new school may invite you and your child to visit the classroom and meet the teachers before school starts.

 

Playdates. Schools will send out a roster before the start of school. It’s a great idea to have a few playdates with other families before school starts. It will help your child recognize a friendly face the first day of school and it’s nice for you to meet other parents, especially if you don’t already know any incoming families. However, don’t feel insulted if some parents don’t respond. They may be out of town or have older siblings already at the school so they may not feel like a playdate is needed for their child.

 

Host your own event. Sometimes new families will host a pool party or other event for incoming families. If you do this, just make sure to invite everyone in your child’s class!

 

Plan your own event. Schedule a moms only get together like a hike or a lunch date. Dads can do the same thing. Again, just remember to invite all the moms or dads in your child’s class! And don’t be upset if some of the parents don’t respond.

 

We discuss what to expect your during your child’s first year at private elementary school in Beyond The Brochure if you want to know more about this topic.

More Admissions Notes

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  • Correction: We stated that Wildwood planned to discontinue the K-2 pods. We were incorrect. Here’s the correct information from Jennifer Rowland (see comments).Wildwood School has not discontinued the Pods, but has restructured them so that they combine kindergartners and 1st graders. Second grade will now be a stand-alone grade. 

 

  • At the Determined To Succeed Middle School Panel Discussion, one of the admissions directors said that applications that are received early in the process tend to be read more carefully. The reason, she said, is that applications which arrive close to the application deadline are sometimes read during the admissions committee meetings (not before). These meetings can be very long with a lot happening. Schools are much more rushed and busy once application deadlines close. This same information is true for elementary schools. So, if possible, get your applications in early!
  • You’ve selected the school your child will attend in the fall. Now what? In the next few days, we’ll be posting some ideas to help your you and your child transition to your new school.
  • We are hearing from friends, readers and admissions directors about families who have a child at a very progressive preschool and apply to traditional elementary schools, without explaining the shift. They end up wait-listed or declined admission. It can be a red flag for schools and they may think the child won’t be prepared for their school and/or the parents won’t be happy there. If you have an obvious change in educational philosophy, explain it in your parent interview and your written application. Schools want families who will understand and agree with their educational approach. But, they also understand that a preschool philosophy you selected for your 3 year old may not be want you want for your elementary school. Let them know this information.
  • If you go into the parent interview with a list of “tough questions” for the admissions director (yes, it happens), all we can say is “good luck”. Challenging the admissions director about the school won’t win you any points. In fact, we know it could quickly land your application in the “no” pile. Ask questions, by all means. Just make sure they are questions that will help your child’s application, not hurt it. Think about instances when you’ve interviewed candidates for a job. The same rules apply here.

You Can Tell A Lot About A Private School By…

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…the school’s events.

 

 

When I was looking at private elementary schools for my daughter, one of the clues that helped me decide whether my family would be a good fit for a school were the type of annual events the school held. All private elementary schools hold special events throughout the year. These events reflect the culture of the school and its families. I was interested in schools that were progressive/developmental and modern. Anything old fashioned didn’t interest me. If the campus, the teachers or the curriculum had an old fashioned vibe, we didn’t apply. I felt that my family would be happiest at a school where kids didn’t wear traditional uniforms and one that was in an urban area. My husband, a college math major, didn’t want any schools with “fuzzy math” as he put it. I wanted diversity and the dynamic energy that comes with an urban school.

 

As soon as I walked into The Willows School, it had me from “hello” as they say. That being said, there was one school that I wasn’t expecting to love, but I came away from the tour in awe of the school. Unfortunately, this school, Brentwood School, was way too far from our house for elementary school. Still, I have it in mind for high school.

 

Here are some typical private elementary school events that will give you clues as to the type of school it is:

 

  • Ice cream social – fairly traditional
  • Golf extravaganza-traditional. If it’s at an exclusive, pricey country club, very traditional
  • Eco-clean up -progressive/developmental
  • Book Fair– fits into any category
  • Annual tennis tournament–traditional
  • Annual, mandatory camping trip-progressive/developmental
  • Large percentage of students involved in Girl Scouts/Boy Scouts– traditional
  • Any school event at a private country club–fairly traditional
  • Event with a “star spangled banner” theme- traditional
  • Annual event to honor diverse cultures from around the world-progressive/developmental/traditional
  • Salute to the flag-traditional
  • Charitable events like feeding the homeless- Fit into any category
  • Events that are green, global, organic – progressive

 

 

 

Learn the Secrets of K-6 Admissions Process on May 25th

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Determined To Succeed Presents:

Admissions into PRIVATE Elementary Schools:

What You Need to Know

Tuesday, MAY 25th, 2010

7:30 – 9:00 P.M.

Presented by:

An Esteemed Panel of Admissions Directors

Get insight and advice directly from Admissions Directors to help you calmly navigate your way through the process.

Admissions Directors:

The Willows School-Kim Feldman (Moderator)

Brentwood School-Mary Beth Barry

The Center For Early Education-Deedie Hudnut

Laurence School-Laurie Wolke

Temple Israel of Hollywood-Glenda Saul

The Buckley School-Carinne Barker


 SOME TOPICS TO BE DISCUSSED:

Preparing for the Process (i.e., how to find out what a school is really about, the need to tutor or not, whether there is a “feeder” or “right” preschool, the best way to prepare for the interview, whether or not to hold back a child);

During the Process (i.e., the extent of follow up, whether to state a first choice, whether board member assistance or letters of recommendation are essential, whether it is acceptable to apply to both traditional and developmental schools); and

After Letters Are Sent (i.e., how a wait list works, what to do or not if on one, process of learning about a decision, what options remain if not accepted).

Luxe Hotel, Brentwood
(Located at 11461 Sunset Blvd, near 405 freeway)

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED – Please reserve early; space is limited.
$40 per person person; $75 per couple

To reserve a spot, register online at: www.dtsla.org

Lecture Chair/Founder: Stacy Marks; Lecture Vice-Chair: Melody Smolkin; Committee Chairs: Carla Liber and Andrea Guth
Determined to Succeed Founders: Sara Hahn and Hank Azaria, Board Member: Mary Beth Barry

All Proceeds Donated To: Determined To Succeed
Determined to Succeed is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing an exceptional group of lower socio-economic children with comprehensive year-round support. Students are guided from the critical middle school years through high school and the college acceptance process. The program tutors and mentors these students, empowering them with more confidence, stronger self-esteem, and a better education. http://www.dtsla.org/

I attended the DTS Middle Schools event last Thursday evening. It was incredibly informative and if you’re planning to apply to private elementary schools, don’t miss this event!