LA Independent Schools Spring Kindergarten Faire-Wed. May 12

Los Angeles Area Independent Elementary School

Spring Kindergarten Faire

This exciting, informative evening will introduce families to more than 45 different independent schools in and around Los Angeles.

The forum will be held on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 6:30- 8:30PM at Westside Neighborhood School 5401 Beethoven Street Los Angeles, CA 90066 310-574-8650

The following schools are expected to participate:

Abraham Joshua Heschel Day School ~ Adat Ari El ~ Berkeley Hall School Beth Hillel Day School ~ Brawerman Elementary School of Wilshire Blvd. Temple Brentwood School ~ The Buckley School ~ Calvary Christian School Campbell Hall School ~ Carlthorp School ~ The Center for Early Education Chatsworth Hills Academy ~ Children’s Community School ~ The Country School Crossroads School for Arts &Sciences ~ Curtis School ~ Echo Horizon School Foundations Community School ~ Heschel West ~ Hollywood Schoolhouse John Thomas Dye School ~ Kadima Hebrew Academy ~ Laurence School Los Encinos School ~ Mirman School for Gifted Children New Roads Elementary School ~ The Oaks School ~ Oakwood School Pilgrim School ~ PS#1 Elementary School ~ Rabbi Jacob Pressman Academy of Temple Beth Am ~ Seven Arrows Elementary School ~ Sierra Canyon Sinai Akiba Academy ~ St. James’ Episcopal School ~ St. Matthew’s Parish School Stephen S. Wise Temple Elementary School ~ Temple Emanuel Academy School Temple Israel of Hollywood ~ Turning Point School ~ Valley Beth Shalom School Viewpoint School ~ Village School ~ The Wesley School ~ Westland School Westside NeighborhoodSchool ~ Westside Waldorf School ~ Wildwood School The Willows Community School

and The Independent School Alliance for Minority Affairs

Year End Is Almost Here and Summer Is Near


I can’t believe it’s almost summer vacation. Since my kids started school at The Willows School, time has moved really fast.

When my kids were in preschool, everything seemed very s-l-o-w. Now, I can barely keep up!


My daughter, who is in third grade, will take the ERB test soon (this is the standardized test required for all private/independent school students in third or fourth grade). It’s sort of like a mini SAT with math and reading comprehension sections. The kids are tested over several days and results are sent to each family. As you may know, it’s a BIG DEAL.


A few nights ago, my husband took the kids to The Willows School’s “Family Science Night”. The kids had a chance to see hands-on science learning in action with activities presented by teachers across the grade levels. Highlights included an activity featuring some of the Rube Goldberg-style machine constructions from the year, which illustrate the principles of force and motion; a demonstration of student-designed, mousetrap-powered cars; activities with digital microscopes and the hand-held ProScopes; and a mysterious DNA decoding activity!

In first grade, the kids are learning about careers, jobs, professions. Parents have been coming to class to talk to the kids about their jobs. My son’s favorite was when the dad who owns a hair salon came to class to cut and style one of the teacher’s hair! My son was thrilled when he got to sweep up the hair just like in a real salon.

Next week, my daughter will head to El Capitan for two-day field trip with the Willows School’s 3rd Grade. I admit, I’m a bit nervous since she’s never been on a two-night trip without me (I didn’t sign up to chaperone the trip…I’m not much of a camper). But, last year the second grade went on an overnight field trip to Sea World and she had a blast.

Fast forward to summer, which will be filled with camp, camp and more camp. UCLA Basketball Camp and Iverbe Sports Camp & Iverbe Soccer Camp for my son. My daughter and several of her friends will attend Marlborough School’s summer program then my daughter will do a three week tennis camp. FYI: Iverbe Summer Camp (the amazing summer camp at The Willows School ) just announced a junior camp for 3-4 year olds. www.iverbesportscamp.com

That’s all for now…I’m getting ready to take my daughter shopping at Target for her camping trip.

Admissions Notes

Now that the admissions process is over (unless you’re on a wait-list), we wanted to share some of the feedback we’ve received from parents who went through the process for Fall 2010. Here’s what we heard:

 
What went right:
  • Several families applied to lots of schools i.e. 5 or more and were accepted at several schools
  • Several families told the school what they loved about the school (being very specific)
  • Several families asked their contacts/friends for letters of recommendation
  • Families spent the time to write each application tailored to the specific school rather than cutting & pasting the same generic answers for each school
  • Two kids got accepted from wait-lists already
What went wrong:
  • Several families applied to 3 or fewer schools and were not accepted at any of them
  • One parent challenged the school’s educational philosophy during the parent interview and didn’t get into the school
  • A family whose child attended a very traditional preschool (parochial) but applied to developmental/progressive elementary schools without explaining the reason was wait-listed
  • A few parents who didn’t complete their financial aid forms in time but cannot afford tuition were wait-listed or declined admission
We’ll post more admissions notes if you’d like to share them with us…csimon2007@gmail.com or leave a comment (you can remain anonymous).