Category: Beyond The Brochure

The Genius Of The Willows School’s Language Arts Program

admin 2 Comments
My Girl

It’s hard to really know what your child’s interests will be when you pick a school for them, usually starting in kindergarten. When we chose The Willows School, it was partly because we thought it would inspire our daughter’s love of learning. We were right. The school’s language-arts program is spectacular! As the school’s website says “The Willows Language Arts curriculum develops thoughtful, critical readers and articulate writers.” I agree. 

Here’s a 5th grade homework assignment. My daughter had to write a story about Halloween, using vocabulary words which she underlined. It took about 30 minutes. Of course, I love reading my daughter’s writing. But, I’m also posting her story to give you an idea of what a truly creative writing/reading program can inspire in a child. The teachers asked my daughter to read the story to the class. Another important part of the language arts program is the role of The Willows’ librarian, Cathy. She has mentored my daughter since K, helping her select books, suggesting books that will challenge my daughter and capture her interest. Cathy knows that all good writers are also engaged readers!

Witch Story
There once was a witch named Wyona Washington-White. She was the worst witch you could ever imagine. Wyona was so extraordinary and also quite grotesque. She has greenish-yellow colored skin with three moles on her face. So does her sister, Wilma Washington-White. Wilma and Wyona are identical twins. On Halloween, the twins usually dress up as normal people and give out candy. This year, they wanted a change. The twins wanted an adventure. They got out their brooms, silently questioning if they still worked. Wilma and Wyona decided not to waste too much time fixing the brooms. Everything was ready to go. They got their coats and headed off. They went to all the little children’s houses to see if there was anything to make a potion with. Not every house had the things they were looking for. Some things they wanted were:
  • Locks of hair (pre-chopped off)
  • Old gummy bears,
  • Flower petals
  • Pieces of metal
  • Etc. 
After 4 hours of looking, they found all the right things. Their potion was supposed to make people tired and easy to hypnotize. Instead, it made people, especially kids under the age of 4, more hyper and made them feel disquieted.

Wilma and Wyona would try again, but they go on vacation for every day that’s not Halloween. 

Better luck next year (for them)

The End. 
# # #

For more about The Willows School’s Language Arts Program, click HERE.

Don’t Miss School Events, Photos, Guest Posts and More! Like Us On Facebook!

Top 10 Best Things About L.A. Private Elementary Schools

admin Leave a comment

These are obviously generalizations, but it gives you an idea of what you might be paying for if you send your kid to private elementary school in Los Angeles.

1.    L.A. private elementary schools offer something for every type of parent and child: uber-traditional to super-progressive and everything in between

2.    They are clean and well-staffed

3.    The curriculum is typically cutting edge, based on the latest research and best practices

4.    The teachers are motivated, well-educated, caring, creative and smart

5.    They usually have character and values programs in place

6.    Teachers can be hired or fired as needed

7.    Technology is an integral part of the curriculum

8.    School gardens are beautiful and inspiring (even edible)

9.    You might see a manny (male nanny)

10. After the first year, you will no longer be impressed by 20,000 sq ft. mansions (unless you live in one!)

Guest Blogger Jenny: Does Your Potential L.A Private Elementary School Have An Anti-Bullying Policy?

admin 5 Comments
When you’re first applying to private schools, your child is usually around five. They’re small, innocent, and seem closer to toddler than child in some ways. Most likely, the last thing on your mind is that, in just a few short years, your child might be the kid bullied and teased mercilessly by classmates (or, possibly even worse, be the bully).
Asking about a school’s anti-bullying policy is sound policy for you. Sure, bullying seems like a problem best dealt with internally, on an individual basis. But, schools that do this and don’t have a solid program in place often end up with big problems, and your kid might pay the price. Kids who bully often never learn alternatives to aggression, kids who are bullied often suffer from depression and psychosomatic illness, and the bystanders feel a sense of pervasive helplessness. And bullying runs the gamut from teasing to physical endangerment to true gendered harassment.
I recently heard about a very well-respected L.A. private school that has ended up in precisely this position. After repeatedly placating complaining parents and kids regarding bullying incidents, either not dealing with the problem or dealing with it inconsistently and inadequately, the school is in turmoil. There are a bunch of angry parents and a defensive school administration, trying to sort out a problem that should have been firm policy long ago.
When asked, an admissions director should be able to coherently and concisely map out exactly what happens regarding a bullying incident, from individual talks to involving the parents to eventual suspension/dismissal. Many schools have an honor code that encompasses anti-bullying values; my daughter’s school, Mirman, touts the “Character Counts” program.  Any policy regarding bullying should also cover the cyber aspects. Again, at my daughter’s school, which has a laptop program, all students are required to sign a use agreement that covers these issues. An infraction involves the loss of a laptop.
One stumbling block in these policies that no admissions director would ever admit to is this: what happens when the bully happens to be the child of a board member, or a major donor? Yeah, that’s a pretty big conflict of interest. That’s why schools should have a program in place to raise awareness and prevention through student behavior before any bullying takes place. Because, let’s face it: all kids are capable of either acting like Lord of the Flies, or of acting like good citizens. It’s up to the school and the parents to help kids develop character and good behavior. The kids certainly aren’t going to learn it on their own.
Are any of these policies and programs foolproof? Of course not. There’s probably always going to be some form of pecking order in a school; it may just be human nature. But, a school should be observant enough of its students and responsive enough to its parents to stop the bullying behavior in its tracks, before it creates a truly toxic environment for all the students. By all means, ask about a school’s policy, and if the admissions director can’t succinctly describe it, approach with caution.Jenny Heitz has worked as a staff writer for Coast Weekly in Carmel, freelanced in the South Bay, and then switched to advertising copywriting. Her daughter started 4th grade at Mirman School this year. She previously attended 3rd St. Elementary School. Jenny has been published recently in the Daily News and on Mamapedia, The Well Mom, Sane Moms, Hybrid Mom, The Culture Mom and A Child Grows In Brooklyn. She now writes about gift ideas and products on her blog, Find A Toad.

Don’t Miss School Events, Photos, Guest Posts and More! Like Us On Facebook!

The Willows Community School Book Fair: Sunday, Nov. 13th, 11-4

admin Leave a comment
Join Willows Dad (Weird) Al Yankovic As He Reads From His New Children’s Book

What: The Willows School Book Fair

When: Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011, 11 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Where: The Willows School, 8509 Higuera St. Culver City, CA
www.thewillows.org

Open to the community, this is my family’s favorite Willows event! This year, (Weird) Al Yankovic, a Willows dad and author of the new children’s book, When I Grow Up will read from his book at 1:00!



Don’t Miss School Events, Photos, Guest Posts and More! Like Us On Facebook!