Charlotte Smarty Pants
Charlotte Smarty Pants – Daily Scoop for Savvy Charlotte Moms
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Smarty Podcast: Technology and Early Education
Welcome back to the Charlotte Smarty Pants podcast series, which is powered by Charlotte Star Room, Charlotte’s premier boutique music development and corporate video production studio + the best Pop Star birthday parties in the QC, AND professional voice lessons in a studio.
Today we’re talking to educator Mary Yorke Oates, Admissions Director at Charlotte Latin School, about early education and technology. Mary Yorke has great insights into the positive and negatives roles technology can play in lives of young children. You’ll love her candor and enthusiasm for children!
You can join in on the conversation and meet educators from all over our city at our Smarty Town Hall on Social Media Parenting 2.0. Click here to register for this FREE event. We hope to see you at Charlotte Latin School on October 29!
Want more Smarty podcasts? Click here and share, share, share!
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From the Smarty Education Corner and CJDS: Why CJDS?
By Smarty Guest Blogger, Mariashi Groner, Director, Charlotte Jewish Day School
What skills do students need to navigate the 21st century, and how can the elementary school years best prepare them for success? The dual secular and Judaic curriculum at Charlotte Jewish Day School is the perfect formula for success in this ever-changing world. Rote memorization of facts, neat handwriting and mastering the Dewy Decimal System will not be indicators of success for our kids, when they now have ready information at their fingertips!
So what are the skills every 21st century student should possess?
1. A strong moral compass. Doing the right thing. Being a mensch (an overall good person.)
2. Believing in themselves. Having a strong identity.
3. Critical thinking skills. The ability to apply reasoning and logic to unfamiliar ideas and situations.
4. Multilingual skills. Children who speak more than one language have better problem-solving skills and think more creatively. Read More →
From the Smarty Education Corner: PES Equestrian Program receives top distinction
PES student Caroline Breslin
Our Smarty friends over at Palisades Episcopal School (PES) just announced that its Equestrian Program has been added to the United States Hunter Jumper Association’s (USHJA) Recognized Riding Academy list.
For those who aren’t as familiar with the equestrian world, the USHJA’s Recognized Riding Academy program “promotes a safe, beginner-rider introduction for individuals seeking entry into the hunter/jumper disciplines. These academies demonstrate the value of equine education, promote safety of horse and rider, and offer hunter/jumper riding lessons taught by qualified instructors.” Programs approved for the Recognized Riding Academy list must demonstrate competency in operations and safety, as well as meet facility requirements.
What an honor for PES and all over their riders. Such an amazing opportunity to be a part of. A big Smarty hoof high five! Read More →
Smarty Alert: This Week’s School Open Houses
Don’t miss this week’s School Open Houses we’ve listed below. This is NOT the full Open House listing for each school or school system – it’s just this week’s. For our full listing of open houses, please see our 2017 Smarty School Open House Guide.
Charlotte Christian School
Charlotte Christian 2017 Fall Open Houses
JK-K
Tuesday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 18 at 9:30 a.m.
Please click here to register for an open house.
Early Education Enrichment Opportunities
Prospective students ages 4-6 and their parents are invited to be our guests and experience the Charlotte Christian Early Education program through 45-minute, discovery-based learning/play events.
– Music and Movement – Oct. 17 at 3:15 p.m. – Led by our lower school music and physical education enrichment teachers, activities will promote gross motor development, imagination, and intellectual curiosity through music and play.
Please contact the admissions team to tour the campus, reserve your space at an upcoming open house or enrichment activity by calling (704) 366-5657, e-mailing admissions@charchrist.com or visiting www.charlottechristian.com/admissionsregistration.
Charlotte Christian School
7301 Sardis Road
Charlotte, NC 28270
(704) 366-5657
website
Facebook
Twitter: @charchristiannc
Instagram: @charlottechristianschool Read More →
From the Smarty Education Corner: Students Take Ownership of Learning at Charlotte Prep
By Smarty Guest Blogger Catherine Astin, the dean of students and Middle School math teacher at Charlotte Preparatory School
Throughout a student’s experience at Charlotte Prep, activities, lessons and programs are designed with vital components of the school’s Mission in mind. As part of this “exemplary educational experience,” students in the Middle School are invited to have a voice and a choice in their learning. Each semester, 5th-8th graders are empowered to select an elective course that meets weekly and broadens their experience. The options cover a vast scope, from ultimate frisbee to Bollywood dancing to Spanish film study. During this block, students can stretch their understanding of learning, see themselves, their peers and their teachers from another perspective and develop passions outside of the core academic program.
Students are prepared to make this choice as a result of purposeful decision-making throughout their time at Charlotte Prep. With a strong Montessori foundation, children as young as three years old have developed awareness of their preferences, ownership over their role in their learning and a sense of pride for demonstrating their skills and knowledge to others. In the Lower School, this foundation strengthens as students participate in the BUDEE program (Be Understanding, Dedicated, Empathetic and Engaged), where they engage monthly in activities created, led and organized by Middle School students. They see their future selves in leadership roles and are inspired and excited about having this chance for themselves in just a few years. Read More →
Smarty Podcast: Social Media Parenting – Delaying Technology and Social Media Presence
Welcome back to the Charlotte Smarty Pants podcast series, which is powered by Charlotte Star Room, Charlotte’s premier boutique music development and corporate video production studio + the best Pop Star birthday parties in the QC, AND professional voice lessons in a studio.
Today we’re talking to local mom, Anne Willette. Anne talks to Smarties Jen and Cheryl about the community she and fellow parents from her kids’ school are creating to help navigate the tricky world of social media parenting. Their “Wait til 8th” strategy is something you’ll definitely want to hear about if you’ve got kids in elementary or middle school.
You can join Anne and educators from all over our city at our Smarty Town Hall on Social Media Parenting 2.0. Click here to register. We hope to see you at Charlotte Latin School on October 29 – join the conversation!
Want more Smarty podcasts? Click here and share, share, share!
From the Smarty Education Corner: Learn how to bring CEO success to students at the Oct. 26 Fletcher Forum!
You’re invited to attend (free of charge) The Fletcher Community Forum on October 26 to hear an engaging presentation from award winning CEO in the public and private sector, Neil Peterson!
Throughout his career, Neil learned the value of an Executive Coach in helping him achieve success. In 2005, he created the Edge Foundation with the goal of providing the same benefits to students that CEOs have been relying on for decades. He reasoned that students, especially those who have learning, attention and executive functioning challenges could excel with the support of an Executive Coach, just as businessmen do.
Since its inception, Edge has expanded to provide Edge Coaching in public, charter and private schools in the District of Columbia, California, New York, and Washington states. Specially trained Edge Coaches have helped students achieve outstanding results. For example, coaching has led to rising GPAs and has helped students learn the skills needed to survive in school and to excel in life. Neil will discuss how Edge Coaching works and the many ways that learning differences can be strengths for students, parents, entrepreneurs and others.
Date: Thursday, October 26, 2017
Time: 7:00-8:30pm
Location: The Fletcher School Gymnasium, 8500 Sardis Road, Charlotte, NC 28270
Cost: Free of charge
ABOUT NEIL PETERSON
After a successful career as the Seattle, Oakland, and Los Angeles METRO transportation leader and founder of the award
winning car-sharing company, Flexcar, Neil Peterson retired and embarked on a new career. Taking lessons learned from his years as a CEO and as the father of two bright children with ADHD, Neil created the Edge Foundation to bring executive coaching to students. He believed that personal coaching, delivered by professionals trained to work with ADHD, could help students develop fully and gain an increased sense of purpose, happiness, and self-esteem. Neil Peterson and The Edge Foundation provide students and families with a crucial edge in their struggles with the challenges of ADHD.
This workshop is free and open to the public. Registration is required. Read More →
Smarty Alert: This Week’s School Open Houses
Don’t miss this week’s School Open Houses we’ve listed below. This is NOT the full Open House listing for each school or school system – it’s just this week’s. For our full listing of open houses, please see our 2017 Smarty School Open House Guide.
Charlotte Country Day School
October 12 (JK-K)
Charlotte Country Day School
1440 Carmel Road
Charlotte, NC 28226
704-943-4500
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Vimeo Read More →
Register now for the Smarty Pants Town Hall on Social Media Parenting 2.0
Do you feel like keeping up with your kids’ social media is a full-time job? You’re not alone. Parents today have it hard. We’re all playing catch up with the social media world and often feel overwhelmed by how to parent through it. Our first Town Hall on Social Media Parenting was a huge success, and now we’re back excited to host our second Town Hall on Social Media Parenting (we call it 2.0) where parents and experts in our community can come together to discuss kids and social media. This time around you’ll have plenty of time for small group discussion that will be relevant to your family’s needs – whether you’re holding off on social media and devices or all-in. We’ve got local experts for everyone.
Charlotte Smarty Pants is partnering with Charlotte Latin School on October 29th at Charlotte Latin School for this event. All parents from preschool to high school and from any school are welcome to join in on the conversation. Our goal is to bring knowledge, relief, and empowerment to navigate the iGeneration. And guest what? It’s FREE.
We hope you join us because let’s face it: what happens in my kid’s school affects what happens in yours thanks to social media. Meet the panelists here.
Event Details:
When:
Sunday, October 29 from 2-4pm
Where:
Charlotte Latin School
Thies Auditorium
9502 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
What to expect:
We’ll start out as one big group then (2) 30-minute breakout session blocks, (4) breakout panels. Panels will repeat for the 2nd session block. When you register, you’ll be prompted to tell us what (2) breakout session topics you plan to attend.
Register here now. Hope to see you there! Read More →
From the Smarty Education Corner and Palisades Episcopal School: Why PES
By Smarty Guest Blogger and Palisades Episcopal School parent Sashle Eslaquit
We enrolled our daughter as a kindergartner at Palisades Episcopal School because we believe in PES and its mission: a school honoring Christ and committed to providing a classical education challenging the mind, body and spirit. Halymah, who is now in second grade, is the happiest she could be and we are always captivated to hear about her day and what she learned (from classical composers to Mesopotamia to coniferous and deciduous trees). There is nothing more gratifying than watching your children love and enjoy learning.
In her two years at PES, Halymah has blossomed from a little caterpillar into a confident butterfly! PES has not just become her home away from home, but has become an extended family to our family. Halymah feels safe in her environment and is confident to ask questions, speak in front of others and share her opinions. This gives us peace of mind knowing that our child’s mind is being enriched with immense knowledge, but she is also being taken care of when away from home.
Happy children learn best and that was an important piece we wanted for our daughter. PES students are encouraged to find the joy in learning. Classroom lessons are active and interactive and PES’ unhurried and creative learning environment focuses on mastery of skills as the goal, rather than just memorization of facts. Students are provided time to think, discuss, process and apply their knowledge which in turn promotes intellectual curiosity and creates lifelong learners. Read More →