Big Book of Schools Spring 2023

PUBLISHER

Stewart Day stewart@daycommedia.com

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Susan Swindell Day susan@daycommedia.com

EDITOR

Amanda Hayward amandahayward@daycommedia.com

PRODUCTION

Tim Henard timhenard@daycommedia.com

ACCOUNT MANAGERS

Amanda Ciani amandaciani@daycommedia.com

Theresa Cicchinelli theresa@daycommedia.com

Get What You Want for Your Kids

If we parents learned anything from the pandemic lockdowns, it’s that our kids’ education matters even more than we thought. And that we absolutely are a key factor in our children’s learning. Taking education into your own hands is not only possible, it is essential, and a combination of involvement at school and at home.

Taking your child’s education into your hands is easier than ever today. We are living in the information age and there is no one-style-fits-all model anymore. Education is all around us in physical and audio books, YouTube and online sites and yes, brick-andmortar schools where we place an exorbitant amount of importance, even as we stay up late with our kids helping them work out their homework.

Welcome to our Winter Big Book of Schools. We have terrific articles and resources here for you that places your child’s education front and center in your mind — where it should be. The days may be long and slow but the years ARE fast and before you know it, your child will be graduating.

Dig in now if you are seeking a school for your child. Realize your place in your child’s learning and make informed choices. That’s where this magazine comes in. We’re in it for you and your kids! — the editors

BIG BOOK OF SCHOOLS is published by DAYCOM MEDIA, INC. Although every precaution has been taken to ensure accuracy of published material, DAYCOM MEDIA cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors. Editorial and business offices are located at 10945 Reed Hartman Hwy., Ste. 323, Cincinnati, OH, 45242. The phone number is 513-322-5052. BIG BOOK OF SCHOOLS is copyright 2022 by DAYCOM MEDIA, INC., a member of the Family Magazine Syndicate. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.

© 2023 DAY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

From Kindergarten to College MANAGING SCHOOL TRANSITIONS

School transitions are tough on kids and parents. Here’s what you need to know to help your child successfully navigate school milestones —- and what to watch for each step of the way.

KINDERGARTEN

This year, your child will begin to develop a sense of independence and self-confidence. To ensure long-term academic success, foster resilience and a growth mindset. “Allow them to make mistakes, to keep trying and reward the effort

not the action,” says Tara Walrod, a school counselor. For example, instead of telling your child how smart they are, you might say: “You worked so hard and did it by yourself!”

Tips for success:

• Practice buckling and unbuckling their seatbelt

• Learn to independently take jacket on and off

• Practice removing a backpack & unzipping it, too

• Help them recognize their name in writing

• Continue reading daily with your child

• Attend school orientation events like kindergarten round-up and sneak-a-peeks

• Foster fair play, winning and losing grace fully, and flexibility (like using colors that aren’t their first choice)

• By the second week of school, let your child to walk into the building on their own

• Encourage eating school lunch the first week to help them learn the ropes

• Each evening: Ask your child questions about his day, like: “What did you talk about during sharing time today?””Who did you eat lunch with?”

• If you sense your child seems unhappy, check in with the teacher.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Middle school can be challenging as kids adjust to multiple teachers, a larger school environment ... and hormonal changes, too.

For the most part, Dr. Jim McMullen — an assistant superintendent and former middle school principal — says kids often manage the transition better than their parents expect, especially when they take advantage of orientations to reduce apprehension.

“Be there to support them and process with them at night and give advice. Kids pretty quickly become acclimated with the school and do really well,” McMullen says.

Tips for success:

• Go over a map of the school

• Practice unlocking locker combinations prior to school starting

• If your child will ride the bus, go over the schedule, rules and expectations

• Encourage involvement in clubs and activities from arts to sports

• Prioritize reading and academics

• Check in daily with questions like: “Who is your favorite teacher?” “What are you working on in math?” “ What are the top three things you enjoyed at school today?”

•“What was one thing you didn’t enjoy?”

• What to watch for: Tune into your child’s social media use.

“Parents have to know what their child is looking at and posting — and not gaining self-esteem from ‘Likes,’ but instead from moments at school,” Walrod says.

HIGH SCHOOL

As your child enters high school, they’ll begin to face more pressures related to time management, academics, extracurriculars and their social life. An active school life and a healthy support system is critical to your high schooler’s well-being.

“Through high school, kids should love going to school, whether their connection is with their friends, teachers, athletic team, band or theater,” McMullen says. “Kids who are engaged do really well academically and socially.”

Tips for success:

• Attend tours, orientations and school events; engage with other parents

• Get involved at the school

• Prioritize reading and academics

• Encourage your teen to get involved by following their interests

• What to watch for: “We know that high school is a super stressful time for kids, so make sure they have strategies in place to calm anxieties and stress,” Walrod says.

• Begin researching higher education options between your child’s sophomore and junior year of high school

Continue nurturing your relationship with your teen through conversation. Model and encourage stress management skills like deep breathing exercises, quiet breaks, periodic disengagement from social media, physical exercise and time with friends and close family.

COLLEGE

Plan visits to colleges or technical schools either the summer before the junior year of high school or during the junior year.

“These visits are your first opportunity to get to know the school and see if it might be a good fit, and this will help narrow down the options,” says Alice Arredondo, Ed.D., director of admissions, University of Missouri Kansas City.

The transition into college life can take about a year, as your student learns to live independently while managing their time between school work, their social life and other interests.

Tips for success:

• During their senior year of high school, in exchange for responsible decision-making, remove their curfew

• Let them live independently at home

• Discuss how to manage money and the pros and cons of credit cards, which is one of the first ways college freshmen get into financial trouble

• Remind your child their family is available whenever they need support or feel overwhelmed

• Create expectations about how often you will touch base with each other

• Foster a sense of openness to all types of conversations, no matter how difficult

• Check in with your child every few days

• Text supportive messages

• Understand that they may not return your call right away

• What to watch for: “If you notice that your child isn’t responding to any messages, seems depressed or anxious when you call, experiences significant weight changes or seems overly stressed, you should take the time to see them inperson and better assess the situation,” Arredondo says. “A small dose of these things may be normal during the college transition but excessive deviations from who you know your child to be should be concerning.”

If your student hasn’t signed a Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) waiver, you won’t be able to access their grades, finances, personal well-being or any information outside of a public directory. You can ask academic advisers or campus health offices to check on your young adult, but they won’t be able to provide information back without a waiver.

“This is why it’s important to establish an open line of communication with your child before they leave for college,” Arredondo says.

Christa Melnyk Hines is a mom of two sons and a freelance writer.

Bethany School Where curious

learners thrive video

At Bethany School, our commitment to teaching children goes beyond the classroom. As a community, we help them build strong character and find their sense of purpose. We value respect and diversity and aim to create a joyful environment where play and discovery help cultivate a love for learning. Come see what makes Bethany School a truly special place to learn and grow.

We are always eager to welcome new families to the Bethany School community. We educate children from kindergarten through eighth grade in small classes that encourage creativity, curiosity, and achievement. We invite you to explore our step-by-step process or schedule a campus visit to get started.

by Sarah Lyons

While learning styles have been debated and debunked, there’s no doubt that all kids have individual strengths and weaknesses in the classroom. Knowing kids is a plus!

Know Your Child’s Learning Style

Does your child love reading and writing? Do they have a knack for music? When they tell a story do they tend to use their whole body to describe what happened? Are they drawn

to groups or do they prefer to work alone? These traits can give a clue about your child’s learning style: the method a person uses to learn.

It’s important for parents to understand their child’s learning style so that they can help them find study methods, environments,

and activities that help them learn best. In fact, while learning styles have been debunked by research, many educators continue to identify kids by the style they perceive they use for learning.

The following learning styles come from the 1960s theory of Multiple Intelligences (Howard Gardner) which states: “We are all able to know the world through language, logical-mathematical analysis, spatial representation, musical thinking, the use of the body to solve problems or to make things, an understanding of other individuals, and an understanding of ourselves.”

That may seem like “heady” stuff, but the truth is, many parents are homeschooling and many kids continue to take online classes. Whether your child is physically in school or learning at home, it is helpful to identify how they learn best for the least stressful experience.

VISUAL

Visual learners prefer seeing pictures and images to learn new things. They usually have good spatial awareness skills. Kids with this learning style understand maps and have a good sense of direction. They usually love doodling and drawing. Study habits best for these learners are to write information down, underline or highlight as they read, use colorful diagrams, charts and pictures to enable them to visualize what they want to remember.

AUDITORY

Kids who are auditory learners are typically drawn to music. They may sing, play a musical instrument, or have the ability to pick individual musical instruments out of a piece of music. They may hum, sing, or tap their feet while they work. Using music and rhythm to remember information can be helpful for kids who have this learning style. It might also be helpful to record and playback things you want to remember, or read and recite information aloud.

VERBAL

Those who can easily express themselves in both speaking and written communication are verbal learners. Verbal learners have a strong understanding of the meaning of words and will consistently seek out new words to master which they will later use to communicate with others. Try using acronyms or reading information aloud while learning new things. Role playing can also be helpful for the verbal learning style.

PHYSICAL

Kids who prefer using their bodies, hands and sense of touch prefer the physical learning style. Many of these learners enjoy drama, dancing, woodworking or exercise. They would rather go for a run or walk when something is bothering them than sit at home and think it through. These kids use hand gestures and body language to communicate and are very aware of the world around them. Sitting and listening to a lecture can be a challenge for kids who prefer a physical learning style so they will often fidget and look forward to when they can move around. Try actually incorporating the physical objects they are learning about or allowing movement whenever possible. Writing, drawing and using flashcards can also be helpful for kids who have this learning style. Frequent breaks can help the physical leaner feel more prepared for study time. You can also try standing while reading, using a computer for studying or making review into a grossmotor style game.

LOGICAL

Kids with a logical learning style generally excel in math and critical thinking. They can recognize patterns and commonalities in seemingly unrelated content. They often understand and work complex calculations in their head. Problems are usually tackled in a systematic way and they enjoy creating lists, agendas, charts and procedures. Kids with this learning

style will retain information if they understand the logic behind it. They need not simply memorize information but truly understanding the concepts and reasons for the information to retain them long term.

SOCIAL

There are some kids who are drawn to the social learning style because they love working in groups or participating in classes. They enjoy sharing their ideas with others and listening to what others think. Kids with this learning style are good at both verbal and nonverbal communication and understand others as well. People typically like being around the social learner and seek their advice or input when faced with problems. They prefer to work through challenges in a group and will often be found staying after class to chat with friends. Kids with this learning style will enjoy role playing, studying in groups or sharing what they have learned with others.

SOLITARY

People with a solitary learning style often prefer working alone and enjoy thinking and reflecting on things. They tend to be independent, introspective and private. They are good at focusing on a task and have strong concentration skills. They may also enjoy keeping a journal to reflect on personal thoughts and feelings. Kids with this learning style prefer to study alone in quiet spaces.

Understanding your child’s learning style is important so you can help them get the most out of their education. Don’t be surprised if your child seems a combination of learning styles as this is very common. When caring adults understand a child’s strengths and weaknesses when it comes to learning, it can only improve their experience at school and their study habits at home.

Sarah Lyons is a mom of six and a freelance writer.

CCM Prep provides fun music, dance and theatre arts workshops where students of all abilities can learn from leading national artists and teachers — including CCM’s acclaimed collegiate faculty members. Students of all ages can explore their artistic interests in a welcoming environment, including experiences in musical theatre, ballet, jazz, stringed instruments and guitar.

Browse CCM Prep’s summer program offerings and find the perfect performing arts opportunity for you or for your family! Learn more at ccm.uc.edu/prep-family.

by Kimberly Blaker

Is a Faith-Based School the One for Your Child?

If you’re thinking about sending your child to a faithbased school, there are many factors to consider just like with shopping for any private school. Academics, enrichment opportunities, location and price are just a few of the things you’ll want to weigh out. With faithbased schools, however, there are additional considerations. The following guide will help you to make an informed decision in choosing the school that’s best for your family and your child’s education.

Many parents of various faiths — and even of no faith — contemplate the idea of sending their kids to a faith-based school. For those considering a private school, religious schools are sometimes a more affordable alternative. But there are many other reasons families may consider a faith-based school as well. Parents are often looking for a school that provides their child with one or more of the following:

— a religious education that mirrors the family’s beliefs — teachings that instill faith and obedience to God — a better learning environment — a feeling of belonging in a community — better college preparation — a way around today’s public school curricula

If you’re considering sending your child to a faith-based school, you’ll want to consider several factors. Begin by making a list of all the reasons, or the pros, for sending your kids to a faith-based school. This may include any of the reasons mentioned above, among many others.

But in making a thoughtful decision, it’s also important to consider the cons. Keep in mind, every faith-based school is different.

HOW TO CHOOSE A FAITH-BASED SCHOOL THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOUR FAMILY

If you’ve weighed out the pros and cons and decided in favor of a faith-based education for your child, the next step is to determine which school is right for your family. You’ll want to ask many of the same questions you would for any private school, such as:

— How much is tuition?

— Is financial aid available?

— What is the student-teacher ratio?

— What are the teacher qualifications?

— Is help available if my child is struggling academically?

— Are uniforms required, or is there a dress code?

— What is the discipline policy?

— What extracurricular activities are available?

— What is the school’s culture like?

— What is the school’s system for accountability?

— What are the religious requirements of the school?

In regards to the last question, faith-based schools don’t have the same governmental regulations as public schools. So religious schools may not meet the same stringent requirements. A few areas that may differ include teacher certification, curriculum, textbooks, special education, length of the school year

Discontent with public school curricula on race and sex has translated to enrollment increases at Christian schools nationwide.

and health and safety requirements, among other aspects.

RELIGIOUS FACTORS TO CONSIDER

If your family is religious, you may want to look for a school within your faith. But many parents are open to sending their non-Catholic child to a parochial school if only for the values they hope the school will instill in their kids.

If your family isn’t religious or is considering a school of another denomination, find out how much of the curriculum and day is spent on faith-based activities. Also, keep in mind that beliefs and practices vary widely even within particular religions and among denominations. You want to make sure the values instilled by the school you’re considering are in line with yours. To help you make that determination, talk to other parents whose kids attend the school. Also, ask school staff the following:

— How much of the school’s faith is embedded in the curriculum? What are the school’s teachings in science regarding biology and evolution? What about history, such as when life on Earth began?

— How is religion taught in the classroom? Do students learn about other faiths as well? If so, are teachings about different beliefs positive and respectful? Or does the school discour-

age learning about other religions?

— What does the physical setting of the school and classrooms look like? Is it adorned with a lot of religious symbols and statements?

— If your family isn’t of the same faith as the school, what are your child’s options? Can your child opt out of religious classes, chapel time, prayer and faith activities, and use that time to meditate, quietly express their own spiritual beliefs or do homework?

Whether your family is of the particular faith of the school or not, make sure you’re comfortable with the answers. Also, ask for a tour of the school, which can provide additional insight into many of these questions.

Choosing the right school for your child requires leg-work and can be a tough decision. But by making an informed decision, you can alleviate significant stress for yourself and your child. It will also ease your child’s adjustment to the new school and reduce the likelihood of any regrets.

Kimberly Blaker is a freelance lifestyle and parenting writer. She’s also founder and director of KB Creative Digital Services, an internet marketing agency,

On a school trip, private school students visit a gallery in the Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, D.C.

There’s no stopping a kid who’s confident in math.

The Mathnasium Method™

“Children don’t hate math. They do hate being confused and intimidated by math. With understanding comes passion, and with passion comes growth – a treasure is unlocked.”

– Larry Martinek

For more than a decade, the Mathnasium Method™ has transformed the way kids understand and appreciate math. Larry Martinek, creator of the Mathnasium Method, has spent 40+ years designing, developing, and refining this approach based on his extensive experience teaching math to kids. We build math knowledge upon what they already know - this helps kids learn quickly and boosts their confidence right away.

Come into your local Mathnasium center for your complimentary assessment for your student!

mathnasium.com