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The Ridgefield Press

The Wilton Bulletin

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Students in a classroom setting at Successful Study Skills 4 Students (S4).

Signs a

Tutor
may be necessary

School is not always easy, and some


students struggle as they transition
from grade to grade. As students get
older, some who may have experienced
smooth sailing as youngsters may find
they need some extra help grasping the
material as coursework becomes more
complicated.
Those who need some extra clarification and reinforcement may first
turn to their parents. But parents may
not be familiar with certain subjects or
capable of explaining certain concepts
in terms kids can understand. In such
situations, tutors can prove to be valuable resources to get kids back on the
right academic track.
One-on-one attention from a tutor

can benefit all types of learners.


Students who discover newfound
success under the guidance of a tutor
may have more self-confidence in the
classroom. Parents wondering if a tutor
can help their children may want to
consider the following indicators that
students may need tutors.
Consistently falling grades: Tutors
may be necessary for students whose
grades are gradually on the decline.
First speak with your childs teachers,
who may recommend tutors who specialize in certain subjects.
Confusion in and out of the class-

Tutors can help restore confidence by


creating small victories that slowly
build up to larger successes.

See Tutor on page 10

www.ridgeeldacademy.org/STEM
LANDMARK PRESCHOOL Ages 1 - 5

Where does your


child want to go?

Education Hersam Acorn Newspapers 

July 30, 2015

What to know about kids and sports medicine


by Dr. Joshua B. Frank
Over the years we have
learned a tremendous
amount about sports, physiology, biomechanics, and
technique. This advancement
in knowledge has allowed
youthful athletes to become
faster, stronger, quicker and
more efficient.
Another area that has
advanced is that of sports
medicine. In particular, the
study of young athletes.
Whenever we talk about
sports injuries, it is probably
best to divide injuries into
acute injuries and sub-acute
or chronic injuries.
Acute injuries are often
obvious and can cause
immediate onset of pain.
In some circumstances the
initial injury is not quite as
dramatic and may not cause
play to stop. It is important

to recognize and address


these injuries in a timely
manner, as they can go on
to cause permanent disability. We have learned that
children can sustain similar
injuries as adults.
The diagnosis of pediatric
anterior cruciate ligament
(ACL) and meniscal injuries
is on the rise. This may be
related to increased awareness and better diagnosis of
these injuries. If left untreated, it is possible that these
injuries can lead to further
damage to the knee and even
the onset of early arthritis.
Acute knee injuries should
be evaluated by a medical
professional and may require
x-rays or even and MRI.
Sub-acute or chronic injuries can also sideline a young
athlete. Over the past years,
there has been an increased
focus on sports. While sports
are great and teach children
excellent life skills as well
as improve physical condition, there is a point where
it can get to be too much.
That point may be different

amongst athletes and may


change as a child grows.
In an effort to improve
athletic ability, children and
adolescents are often specializing in one sport and
participating in that sport
year-round. Whether it be
on a team, in camp, or even
in the backyard, year-round
sports can lead to fatigue
and injury.
Overuse injuries can occur
all over the body. There are
even names to associate injuries with certain sports. For
example, a chronic over-use
injury to the growth plate
of the proximal humerus
(shoulder) is known as
Little Leaguers shoulder.
Obviously, these types
of injuries are not limited
to baseball. We do not yet
know how much time is too
much time in gymnastics
practice, or running or even
playing basketball outside.
We do believe that performing multiple sports over the
course of a year allows for
different muscles to be used
and rested. Also, period of

rest and time without any


major sports participation is
also beneficial.
Another important recommendation is to prepare
for the upcoming season
well in advance. A period of
limited activity followed by
a sudden onset of intense
training can easily lead to
aggravation of growth plates,
tendons and apophyses. In
general, a graduated schedule of increased activity with
appropriate stretching may
help prevent these conditions. Even though training
camp begins in August,
young athletes should be
preparing on their own well
in advance of these intense
training periods.
Sports are great. With
the increased prevalence
of childhood obesity it has
become even more evident
that many children are not
nearly active enough. With
appropriate training, rest and
conditioning we hope to prevent many injuries and keep
our young athletes safer.

Coastal Orthopaedics surgeons provide complete orthopedic treatments for children and young athletes from head to toe in four offices: Norwalk, Westport, Darien and New Canaan. A new walk-in urgent
care facility, Coastal Ortho Express, is now opened extended hours Monday-Saturday for sprains,
injuries and pain at 761 Main Avenue in Norwalk where patients can be treated without an appointment.
Statewide doctors voted Coastal Orthopaedic surgeons Top Docs Orthopedic Surgery in Connecticut
Magazine since 2009. For more information, call 203-845-2200 or visit coastalorthopaedics.com.

Education
JULY 2015
JULY 30, 2015

Robin Walluck, editor


Bryan Haeffele, designer

Thomas B. Nash, publisher

For advertising information,


call 203-926-2080
Copyright 2015, Hersam Acorn Newspapers, LLC

Box 1019, Ridgefield, CT 06877


203-438-6544

July 30, 2015

Education Hersam Acorn Newspapers 

Educating kids

The Ridgeeld
Montessori School

for life-long dental health

by Susan Chaves

See Teeth on page 9

Toddlers through Six Years


Toddler and Early Education Programs
Full-Day Pre-K and Kindergarten Programs
Reading with Phonics Excellent Math Curriculum
Foreign Languages Art Music
Extended-Hours Program Summer Programs
After School Enrichment Programs
Montessori Certified Staff
Free a childs potential, and you will transform him into the world.
Maria Montessori

96 Danbury Road, Ridgefield


Catherine Tango-Dykes, Director
ridgefieldmontessori.com
American Montessori Society Member

PRESENT

There are few things in life that instill fear


in children and adults alike. The short list
includes needles, getting sent to the principals/
boss office and going to the dentist.
The majority of us experience some level of
dental anxiety, as much as 80%, in fact, said
Dr. Maria Pouliezos-Karayiannis of My Smile
Orthodontics in Shelton. Despite dentists best
efforts, there is something that feels inherently
vulnerable about lying back in a chair while we
examine your mouth.
She suggests easing some of that nervousness with communication between dentist and
patient.
However, its hard to know exactly how or
what to communicate sometimes, PouliezosKarayiannis said. Simply understanding and
thoroughly explaining every little step can make
a huge difference.
For the wee ones, she said parents should
set their childrens dental appointments early,
allowing them to sit in their parents laps
during the visit. She said it makes the visits
easier and less frightening when older.
Dr. Sara Ysaac-Garcia of Childrens Dentistry
of Trumbull keeps her office stocked with
kid-friendly attractions such televisions, toys
and an iPad. She also offers nitrous oxide sedation, or laughing gas, to help relax some children during dental exams.
Sometimes some children are too young
or too nervous in the dental chair that they
may need a deeper sedation for dental treatment, she said. I have privileges at Bridgeport

Hospital and can deliver dental treatment safely


to these patients.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that children visit the dentist by age
one, or when their first tooth appears, and
twice a year after that.
The studies have shown that the earlier the
child visits the dentist the less dental treatment
the child needs, Ysaac-Garcia said.
However, many children end up in the dentists chair more often than they or their parents
would like. Both dentists said cavities, also
known as tooth decay, is the most common
problem among their young patients.
Tooth decay is the No. 1 chronic disease
in children, Pouliezos-Karayiannis said. Its
estimated that 40% of children have some for
of tooth decay before they even reach kindergarten. Alarming, but so much of the problem
is preventable through routine hygiene appointments.
It is often during these appointments when
problems are discovered and may be addressed
before serious damage is done and before
any discomfort arises.
Tooth pain doesnt usually exist until decay
reaches the tooths pulp, Pouliezos-Karayiannis
said. At that point its probably advanced and
may require more extensive treatment. Good
preventative treatment happens before theres
pain.
Preventative treatment begins at home.

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Education Hersam Acorn Newspapers 

July 30, 2015

Proper training important for young athletes


by Susan Chaves
September once meant the official end of
summer, a return to the classroom and the
start of fall sports. The first two still hold
true, for the most part. School really kicks
off at the end of August. However, there
seems to be no summers off when it comes
to sports.
While kids participating in sports year
round is nothing new, playing the same sport
12 months out of the year is a more recent
development.
Sports have become more specialized
so children are playing the same sport year
round instead of multiple sports, said Ken
OToole, who co-owns O Zone Fitness
Training Center in Fairfield with his wife,
Deb. if they dont commit to a sport at 13...
theyre not going to be good enough to play
on a high school team when they get there.
While OToole believes that kids should
play sports, he does not think becoming so
focused on a single sport at a young age is
the best approach. The repetitive movement
of one sport often causes injuries to still-developing bodies.
Playing various sports throughout the
year allows these athletes the opportunity
to grow and get stronger through multiple
movement patterns, OToole said.
Dr. Joshua B. Frank of Coastal
Orthopaedics made a similar observation.
We do believe that performing multiple
sports over the course of a year allows for
different muscles to be used and rested,
Frank wrote in his piece in this section.
Also, periods of rest and time without any
major sports participation is also beneficial.
Coastal Orthopaedics has locations in
Darien, New Canaan, Norwalk and Westport.
If athletes do experience some downtime,
Frank suggested that athletes give themselves
plenty of time to preparing for the season.
A period of limited activity followed by
a sudden onset of training can easily lead to

OW
er N 015
t
s
i
Reg FALL 2
for

aggravation of growth plates, tendons and


apophyses, he wrote. In general, a graduated schedule of increased activity with appropriate stretching may help prevent these
conditions.
The OTooles and their trainers work with
athletes on strength training and conditioning, focusing on full-body functioning, which
includes the core and lower and upper body.
They also provide individualized programs,
the proper foundation and education.
People dont realize the major impact
repetitive movement of one sport has on the
body and its mechanics, OToole said. Here,
people start to understand why they need

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better movement and strength to compete in


one sport.
Since launching the O Zone four years
ago, the center staff has worked with the
Fairfield Hurricanes, Fairfield Giants and
Fairfield Fury, as well as a few individuals
who have gone on to play college sports.
Weve produced a few pretty good athletes
here, OToole said. We see the value in it
being sports-specific, but unless you really
feel your child is going to be a phenom, its
also important for kids to be well-rounded,
well-versed in more than one sport.
OToole admits to training some kids as
young as 10, but said he has turned away

www.beldenhillmontessori.net

Montessori

others.
The age is getting younger and younger,
he said. I tell parents they dont need me
yet. Theyre 8. Let them play.
He takes them same approach with his
daughter, who is a dancer.
She doesnt go to the American Ballet
Theatre in New York City, she trains here in
Trumbull for seven months and takes a few
months off, OToole said. She does it for
enjoyment.
While participating in sports for enjoyment is important for OToole, Frank touts
its benefits on childrens health if approached
properly.
With the increased prevalence of childhood obesity, it has become even more evident that many children are not nearly active
enough, Frank wrote. With appropriate
training, rest and conditioning, we hope to
prevent many injuries and keep our young
athletes safer.
For more information about O Zone
Fitness Center, call 203-690-1470 or visit
ozonefitnesstrainingcenter.com.
For more information about Coastal
Orthopaedics, call 203-845-2200 or visit
coastalorthopaedics.com.

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LOCAL: (203) 955-1760
TOLL FREE: (866) ECRIT-CV

www.ecritacademy.com

Coaching that helps you benet from Philosophy & Science

Westover, a leading
college-preparatory school,
engages young women in a
powerful college-prep foundation.
From that rm foundation, students
build up and out, using our broad
and diverse curriculum as building
blocks. Students choose from
compelling interdisciplinary
electives and dive into Signature
Programs in music, science,
engineering, nance, global
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Maritime Rowing Club is one of the top rowing clubs in the nation
Est. 1996

High School Fall Program: 8/31/15-11/13/15


Middle School Fall Program: 8/31/15-10/24/15
Pre-Season Camp Week: 8/24/15-8/28/15
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Check the website for program descriptions
Many of our rowers have represented the US National Junior and Senior teams in
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TO REGISTER GO TO WWW.NEWCANAANCREW.COM AND SELECT FALL PROGRAM REGISTRATION
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Directions to the boathouse on the website.


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Beyond

January Term was an experiment. We had the entire 9th grade step out of the familiar
to work full-time in teams. They chose human rights challenges and were asked to
explore viable solutions. Teachers acted as mentors but students steered the ship. They
interviewed experts, they researched, they brainstormed and finally they presented
ideas. In a nutshellthey blew us away.
Liz Perry, Head of Upper School
Watch the J-Term video at: www.stlukesct.org/jterm

Visit St. Lukes


Open House October 25
info@stlukesct.org | 203.801.4833 | www.stlukesct.org/jterm
St. Lukes is a secular, college-preparatory day school for grades 5-12.

7/21/15 2:42 PM

July 30, 2015

Education Hersam Acorn Newspapers 

Kids build confidence the old-fashioned way


by Maud Purcell
As we move into a new school year, concerns about your childs self-confidence
may be top of mind. Daily, parents tell me
that they want to help their kids develop
self-confidence, a quest as old as time. At
the risk of raising some eyebrows let me
posit that many (but not all) parents have
lost track of how to get their kids confidence from here to there. Prior to the mid20th Century, parents seemed to understand
that self-confidence developed only from
standing on ones own two feet and personally learning to cope with challenge and
adversity.
Over the last half-century, however, the
ways in which parents have attempted to
engender self-confidence in their kids has
gradually changed, and not necessarily for
the better. Today were often more concerned about how our children are feeling
than about whether or not they are building
self-discipline, accountability or resilience,
all key ingredients in self-confidence. Here
are some of the things I see parents doing,
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with the best of intentions, that dont lead to


increased self-confidence in their kids:

Arranging which classroom teacher
their children have in order to shield them
from those who are overly strict, or lessthan-kind, or too demanding.
Picking their kids play dates and closely
monitoring them.
Helping their children with their homework (and sometimes doing it for them) to
protect their kids from the pain of receiving
a poor grade.
Intervening when their children arent
chosen for a sports team or an AP class.
Allowing them to drop activities because
they turn out to be too hard or to require
too much effort.
Praising their kids too effusively and not
always in response to a job-well done or,
frankly, to real talent.
Keeping their kids from suffering the
consequences for poor behavior or lack of
effort, believing that holding them accountable is too harsh and will make kids feel
badly about themselves.
Generally shielding their children from
4:07 PM

stress and failure.


The good news is that when I explain to
moms and dads the following guidelines
for developing self-confidence in their kids,
they are often relieved (because it is makes
good sense):

From a young age introduce your
children to new experiences and activities.
Doing so will help them readily adapt to
change.
Expose your kids to new people and to
a variety of children their age. This will help
them develop social skills and learn to form
new relationships.
In an age-appropriate way allow your
kids to experience the difficult classroom
teacher, coach or social interaction. Rather
than jumping in to fix the situation, talk
with your child about how they might handle it. If they are able to do so without your
intervention it will give their belief in themselves a big boost!
Be realistic and balanced in praising
your kids and their accomplishments. If
you overstate their achievements or talents
theyll be unprepared for the feedback they

get from the rest of the world, leaving them


confused and crestfallen.
Be available to help your kids with
homework, projects and other activities but
avoid jumping in to do or fix it for them.
Instead, encourage them to think the situation through themselves by asking questions
such as: what are you missing, or how
could you approach this differently?

Finally, gradually allow them to
experience adversity. Facing difficult situations (which are age-appropriate) can help
your children begin to develop tools that
will get through the tough times for the rest
of their lives.
Truth be told, previous generations understood and practiced these principles. Even
in an age when we constantly embrace
whats new, sometimes the old-fashioned
way still works best!
Maud Purcell is a psychotherapist, corporate
consultant and executive director of The Life
Solution Center of Darien. Write her at mpurcell@thelifesolutioncenter.net.

Page 1

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Education Hersam Acorn Newspapers 

July 30, 2015

Finding a special place for all ages, stages of life


While the term special needs is an umbrella under which many different diagnoses fall,
the objective of St. Vincents Special Needs
Services (SVSNS) provides assistance for persons with special needs through all ages and
stages of life.
Continuum of care thats what St.
Vincents Special Needs Services is all about,
said Raymond Baldwin, Jr., SVSNS president/
CEO. We offer those with special needs
comprehensive care at virtually every age
and stage of life. Knowing that care wont
end, and that there is an organization that
will provide lifelong care they can trust, gives
those with special needs and their families
peace of mind and a true sense of belonging.
The journey begins
In some circumstances, disabilities can be
diagnosed at birth. SVSNSs Birth to Three
Early Intervention Services provides families
new to special needs with valuable resources
and support.
Early intervention specialists provide evaluations and develop individualized treatment
plans, with services being performed in the
home, where the child and family members
can benefit in the very setting where they
will spend the most time living, learning and
playing.
Special care for children
As all children grow, their world grows,
too. The Feroleto Childrens Development
Center, in Trumbull, nurtures that growth
from childhood into young adulthood. The
Special Needs Services School Program educates students, ages 3 to 21, whose developmental and/or medical needs require a high
level of individualized instruction, therapy
and medical care.
SVSNS is continually growing.
The Trumbull facility recently added a

has had a comprehensive team of caregivers


that can provide personal insight into their
abilities, preferences and interests.
These caregivers offer support and guidance to families as they make important
decisions about the choices available to these
young adults. Many choose to transition into
the Changing Images Adult program offered
at SVSNS. The adult day program offers
opportunities for recreational activities, group
supported employment or even employment
in the community where adults challenged
by developmental disabilities can do productive and meaningful work and be paid for
it.
With 11 group homes in seven Fairfield
County communities, both children and
adults with special needs are given the
opportunity to contribute and thrive in a
loving family environment. Homes are in
Bridgeport, Monroe, Shelton, Stamford,
Stratford, Newtown and Trumbull.

A student receiving aquatic therapy in


St. Vincents pool.
state-of-the-art therapeutic pool and expanded its school program to include children
with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
Were excited about the new comprehensive autism program here at St. Vincents,
said Dr. Jennifer Robin Lee, child and adolescent psychiatrist and medical director
of St. Vincents Autism and Developmental
Services. There were limited year-round
options locally for children with ASD, a

A child in in the autism program at St.


Vincents Special Needs Services.
growing population, and SVSNS has
answered that call.
Transitioning to adulthood
The transition into adulthood for those
with special needs and their families can be
both exciting and challenging. This is
yet another stage in life where the continuum of care offered at SVSNS is so valuable.
Throughout the school years, each student

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A special mission
The SVSNS Mission is to create opportunities for persons of differing abilities to live,
learn, work and play. From birth through
the senior years, SVSNS and its staff nurses,
educators and caregivers provide care to help
improve the quality of life of the individuals
they serve.
As part of St. Vincents Health Services, St.
Vincents Special Needs Services is dedicated
to spiritually centered, holistic care, which
sustains and improves the health of individuals and communities.
Our mission is an important one, said
Baldwin. We provide people with special
needs, and their families, with hope, support,
love and care for life.
For information, visit stvincentsspecialneeds.org.

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Temple Shearith Israel & Jewish Family Congregation


PARTNERSHIP COMMITMENT COMMUNITY
Religious School for Grades K-12
Flexible programming to meet the needs of all families
Project-based inclusive learning
One day a week for for K-6 + enrichment option (no fee)
Teen Youth GroupsNIFTY/NAR & BBYO
Classes available Sundays, Wednesdays & Thursdays
Music & Services every day school meets!

For more information, please


contact: Leslie Gottlieb at
914-763-3028
or 203-438-6589
lgottlieb@jewishfamilycongregation.org
or
email Jane Emmer at
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46 Peaceable Street Ridgefield, CT
tsiridgefield.org

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July 30, 2015

Sidelined
by

Education Hersam Acorn Newspapers 

Westover inspires young women to grow


The mission of Westover School in
Middlebury is to provide an environment that
inspires the intellectual, artist, athlete and
philosopher in each student. Westover challenges young women to think independently,
embrace diversity, and grow intellectually
and spiritually. Westover encourages integrity,
responsibility and commitment to community in every student.
A boarding and day school for girls in
grades 9-12, Westover is large enough to offer
a deep and broad academic program while
small enough to be certain every girls voice
is heard.
Westover offers a range of programs to
enhance the educational opportunities for its
students:
Manhattan School of Music Program in
New York City for talented musicians and
vocalists at one of the countrys leading music
schools
WISE (Women In Science and
Engineering), which offers courses in engineering, computer science, applied math and
science
Westover Poets Program in which students develop skills in the craft of poetry
through English electives, special writing

workshops, and individual work with visiting


poets (including Billy Collins, Katha Pollitt
and Eamon Grennan)
Global exchange programs through
unique two- or three-month academic
exchange programs in Australia, South Africa,
England, and Jordan, six-week language
immersion exchanges in France and Spain,
a two-week cultural exchange program in
China; or a two-week cultural immersion and
service experience in Rwanda;
Online School for Girls, as a founding
member of a national consortium of all-girls
schools, Westover offers online courses taught
by consortium faculty; Invest In
Girls, a four-year program offering financial
education workshops and one-on-one mentoring with financial professionals;
and Sonja Osborn Museum Studies
Internship with Hill-Stead Museum in
Farmington, CT, through which students gain
practical experience working with curators
and museum educators culminating in a final
project.
Admission contact is Dawn Curtis, associate director of admission, 203-577-4521,
admission@westoverschool.org.

Sports Injury?
Our Doctors

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When joint and muscle pain or injury affects

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Our orthopedic physicians have years of expe


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Norwalk Westport Darien New Canaan

www.CoastalOrthopaedics.com 203-845-2200

Small School Big Opportunities


Endless Possibilities.
260 Jay Street Katonah, NY 10536 914.232.3161
admissions@harveyschool.org www.harveyschool.org
A coeducational college preparatory school enrolling
students in grades 612 for day and in grades 912

Come to our Admissions Open House on Saturday, October 17 at 9 a.m.

Education Hersam Acorn Newspapers 

July 30, 2015

Life-long music education cornerstone for success


by John Cutrone
I have long been a believer in the necessity of formal education when it comes to
following ones dreams and becoming the
best you can be at whatever interests you.
Society seems to understand this and buys
in when it comes to ABCs and 123s
but for a period of time I was feeling as if
people were not placing the same value on
formal music education.
My personal learning experience began
as young as I could remember. I grew up
in a family of musicians, so it was always a
part of my life. When I expressed an interest in learning more my parents (to whom
I am forever grateful) signed up me for
lessons with a well-known drummer, Tony
Chirco he was the first of many teachers
who changed the course of my life.
After studying with Tony for 12 years,
I wanted to continue to improve and I
sought out teachers who could help me. To
name a few: Lou Stein, an incredible piano
player who I credit for teaching me time;
Joe Cusatis, who I trucked into NYC for
years to learn all he could teach me about
feel, rhythm and reading; and the great

drummer, Elvin Jones, with whom I spent


six months soaking in all he had to offer,
including the incredible experience of him
allowing me in the studio when he recorded the famous record Mr. Jones. My gratitude to these musicians is profound.
Recently, Ive seen the trend toward
using YouTube to learn everything from
how to fix a plumbing leak to how to learn
to play the guitar. While there is certainly a
place for technology in all aspects of learning (my students can tell you Im never far
from my MacBook Pro, which is an integral
part of my teaching) no one can convince
me that there is not merit in the tried and
true methods. Music is a language, and as
is the case with any language, you have to
learn to read to succeed. The misconception is that the process is not fun I can
speak from experience of teaching for more
than 40 years that when a student, no matter the age, gets it, joy is clear and present, in both my students and myself!
My faith and conviction were restored
this past spring when I had the honor of
attending two very special events: one the
senior recital at SUNY Purchase of a former student whom I taught from the age

of 8 to 18 and with whom I remain close


today, and the other was the graduation
ceremony of another former student who
was receiving a masters in jazz performance from the prestigious New England
Conservatory. Both those events were filled
to the brim with young people who did the
work required to succeed. Their lives were
clearly changed by the joy they find in
music. One of the commencement addresses concluded with the line ...now go out
and change the world, through music!
You cant get up to bat the first time
and hit a home run without showing up
at practice and working hard. You cant
build a house without learning about construction. You cant expect to sit down at
the piano for the first time and play like
Beethoven. But I truly believe you can find
the joy and peace that is found in music if
you put in the effort. As a good friend and
well-known musician said to me recently,
You can never stop learning.
John Cutrone teaches privately in his studios in
Norwalk and Ridgefield and during the summer
he runs music camps with Bob Riccio. For more
information go to johncutrone.com or call 203866-7568.

36 Old Kings Highway South


Suite 210 Darien, CT

203.636.0080

problem identication
+ action plan
= solution
Services

A collaborative community
of professionals providing
multidisciplinary answers to
lifes problems.
Challenges are a normal part of
living. The LSCD is designed to
help you prevent the problems
you can and navigate the ones
you cant.

Psychotherapy Psychopharmacology Concierge Medicine Geriatric Care Management Health & Nutrition
Financial Management & Advising Legal & Mediation Servies Private Investigation
Educational Consulting Marketing & Communications Tutoring & SAT Prep Developmental Optometry &
Vision Perfomance Hair & Makeup Professional Organizing Wardrobe & Style Consultation
Futures Planning & Character Development for Young People

Drum Lessons
with John Cutrone
30 Years of Teaching Experience
Unique Method with Proven Results
CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION: 203 866 7568
Visit my website for student testimonials!
www.johncutrone.com

Free Introductory Lesson

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School Appointments

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DENTISTRY
FOR CHILDREN
Board Certified
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Greens Farms
Academy
PREK-12 CO-ED DAY SCHOOL
IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY

OPEN HOUSE
(PREK-12)
OCTOBER 25
1:00 - 3:00PM
OPEN HOUSE
(GRADES 5-12)
NOVEMBER 12
7:00 - 8:30PM
RSVP:
www.gfacademy.org
203.256.7514
35 BEACHSIDE AVENUE
GREENS FARMS, CT 06838

The Science of Bubbles


Grade 2

July 30, 2015

Education Hersam Acorn Newspapers 

Dental

Daughters continue in
mothers musical footsteps
The Silvermine School of Music,
founded by Juliet Shaw, has just celebrated its 75th anniversary season and
continues to bring excellence in the
pursuit of musical performance to the
community.
Shaws two daughters, Karen and
Sandra, continue the tradition started
by their mother in 1939.
Dr. Karen Shaw, professor of piano
at Indiana University Jacob School
of Music, founded and directs the
Silvermine Artists Series, which
is beginning its 33rd season. The
series will present Peter Klimo, Liszt
International Competition winner, for
the opening concert on Sunday, Oct.
11, 4 p.m.
Sandra Shaw Murphy directs the
SSOM and continues her mothers
duo piano work with adults in the
Silvermine Duo Pianists, as well as
working with young students in solo
and duo piano performance.
For information on Silvermine, visit
silverminesom.org.

Continued from page 3


Pouliezos-Karayiannis said parents have to take
an active role in their childrens oral health and
help them develop positive habits.
She and Ysaac-Garcia provided tips for
healthy mouths, including limiting sugar intake,
brushing for two full minutes twice a day (usually after breakfast and before bed) and flossing.
To get kids into the habit of brushing well,
Pouliezos-Karayiannis said parents can access
apps on their smartphones to set reminders to
brush or play music for the full two minutes
required.
There are apps for both children and adults,
she said. Sometimes we all need a little extra
motivation. These apps are effective and simple
to use.
Parents may also go old school and sing or
hum a tune or recognize good brushing habits
with a little reward. Whichever path is taken,
Pouliezos-Karayiannis said parents must be persistent and motivating.
Dont let fussy kids off the hook, she said.
Sometimes a sticker or a star can make any
activity fun.
A little bit of hassling now can save parents a
bigger headache down the road. If more extensive treatment is required, the world of dentistry
is armed with the latest technology, from digital
radiography and three-dimensional imaging to

Sandra Shaw

Preschool & Toddler Classes

Now Enrolling

Come see how much fun school can be!

lasers and cad-cam technology.


All have one thing in mind efficiency in
treatment, Pouliezos-Karayiannis said. Making
the treatment as easy, as comfortable and as aesthetic as possible for the patient is very important part of having a positive dental experience.
Digital X-rays, she said, cause 70 to 90%
less radiation exposure than traditional X-rays
and provide higher resolution images that are
instant. Many of the machines have automatic
dose control, which automatically adjusts exposure settings based on a patients bone density.
[This] reduces the height of the imaging area
and results in approximately a 32% exposure
reduction for pediatric patients, PouliezosKarayiannis said.
Digital impressions eliminates the need for
the long-used tray and putty technique, while
allowing orthodontists to get an accurate mold
of a patients teeth and jaw.
The iTero scanner is used in our office and
it ensures a more accurate impression from
the start, resulting in improved treatment
and a more comfortable patient experience,
Pouliezos-Karayiannis said. Digital impressions also give you the ability to see your teeth
instantly in 3D, improving communication
during the consultation and treatment process.
My Smile Orthodontics is located at 865
River Road, #307, Shelton; 203-538-5014.
Childrens Dentistry of Trumbull is located at
999 Silver Lane, #2D, Trumbull; 203-5901588.

The Country Childrens Center is now offering


half or full day Preschool and Pre-K programs
at all our locations
Katonah, Bedford Hills and Yorktown
KINDERGARTEN READINESS
COOKING MUSIC NATURE
PLAY BASED LEARNING
INDIVIDUALIZED LEARNING

SILVERMINE SCHOOL OF MUSIC


76th Season Juliet Shaw, Founder Sandra Shaw Murphy, Director

A unique program for pianists


Children and Adults
PIANO DUO PIANO PERFORMANCE WORKSHOPS

Silvermine Artists Series Opening Concert


Oct. 11th, 2015 Liszt Intl Competition Winner
203.847.8106

www.silverminesom.org

silverminesom@gmail.com

For more informaon please call


Karen Marino at (914) 242-0520 ext 501
or visit our website
countrychildrenscenter.org

LAW OFFICE OF
PETER D. HOFFMAN, P.C.
200 Katonah Avenue Katonah, NY 10536

(914) 232-2242

Peter D. Hoffman, Esq. Nikki D. Woods, Esq. Hope H. Harris, Esq.

www.pdhoffmanlaw.com

Representing Children with Special Needs and their Families


All children with special needs have the right to a free and appropriate education. Unfortunately, receiving a free and appropriate education may be
a struggle. At the Katonah Law Office of Peter D. Hoffman, PC, we work with the laws concerning students, schools, and parents. This can be complex,
but we can help you navigate the labyrinth of special education law.

Our firm can assist in many matters, including but not limited to:

504 Committee Meetings


New York Committee on Special Education
(CSE) Meetings
Connecticut Planning and Placement Team
(PPT) Meetings
The cooperative drafting of Individual
Education Plans (IEPs)
Impartial Hearings (Due Process Hearings)
Litigation in State and Federal court

Appeals to the State and Federal Court


de novo Appeals in Federal Court
Disciplinary Matters
CPS Investigations
Bullying and other matters involving the
Dignity of all Students Act (DASA)
Guardianship and Planning
Tuition Reimbursement for Private Placements

PLEASE CONTACT US TO LEARN ABOUT YOUR AND YOUR CHILDS RIGHTS


Peter D. Hoffman, Esq. (Admitted, NY, NJ and DC)
Nikki D. Woods, Esq. (Admitted, NY and CT)
Hope H. Harris, Esq. (Admitted, CT)

pdh2@pdhoffmanlaw.com
nw@pdhoffmanlaw.com
hh@pdhoffmanlaw.com

Attorney Advertising. An Attorney Client relationship cannot be established without a signed professional services agreement.

10

Education Hersam Acorn Newspapers 

Tutor

July 30, 2015

New school year brings excitement, challenges and SATs

Continued from Front

A new school year brings energy,


excitement, challenges, and concerns.
Energy pours into polished corridors, bringing them alive again.
Excitement builds as friends
reconnect, plan events and compare teachers and schedules.
Challenges emerge in the form
of new disciplines, new teacher
expectations, and the demands of
balancing academics, sports and
perhaps SAT and/or ACT preparation
Concerns about getting off to
a good start are foremost in the
minds of parents and students.
What to do to ensure a good start
for the year?
Keep a journal that includes
questions to pose to teachers and
insights into teacher expectations.
Identifying what a teacher cares
about most in writing assignments
is important before the next essay
is due. No teacher with an average
class load of more than 100 students can comment on everything
in an essay. If your teacher cares
about transitions, make sure yours
are excellent. If your teacher is
allergic to the word got, remove it
from your vocabulary. Of course
you are seeking excellence in all
area, but you cant fix everything at
once any more than the teacher can
comment on it.
Go in for extra help early if you
need it. Teachers respect students
who care enough to seek clarity
and assistance. If you need a tutor,
get one early before you feel overwhelmed by weak grades.
Become a reader of material

room: Some kids struggle to


grasp certain concepts, and
such confusion can sometimes be remedied with the
kind of intense study available in tutoring sessions.
Low confidence: Some
kids confidence wanes when
their grades suffer. Kids
whose grades have been
on the decline may feel a
sense of defeat even before
they take a test or work on
an assignment. Tutors can
help restore confidence by
creating small victories that
slowly build up to larger successes.
Indifference to coursework: No student will be
captivated by every subject
he or she studies, but there
should be some subjects
that students find engaging.
Students battling indifference
toward their coursework may
benefit from a dynamic tutor
who can present subject matter in new ways and revive
students interest.
Students who are struggling in the classroom may
need some extra help outside
the classroom, and many
tutors are adept at reviving
interest in subjects kids are
studying at school. Some
teachers may recommend
certain tutors, while others
may do some tutoring work
themselves.

Students are advised to get extra help early in the school year as challenges arise.

beyond that which is presented in


the classroom. I have the students
with whom I work on SAT and
ACT preparation read editorials in
the New York Times and explore
Arts and Letters Daily online. You
may not have the time for an addi-

tional novel on your own while


reading one assigned in class, but
short articles add to your cultural literacy and give you topical
information to contribute to class
discussion.

Anna Warm, a tutor specializing in


academic support in English classes
and SAT/ACT preparation, works primarily with high school students and
practices at the Life Solution Center
of Darien. For more information, visit
http://thelifesolutioncenter.net or call
203-628-4492.

D ont over w h elm your ch i l d.


G e t a Jump St ar t !

PROGRAMS WILL HELP!

Programs for K - 12th: Reading, Math, Writing, Algebra, Geometry,


SAT/ACT, Enrichment, Study skills, KG Readiness, more...
* Free Diagnostic Assessment * Guaranteed Results
* One to One instruction
* No Contracts
5 River Road, Wilton
www.prime-tutoring.com
* Individualized Programs

203-517-4998

OPEN HOUSE
Sunday, October 18 at 2 p.m. | RSVP 203.322.7693
Build your child's communication skills and self-confidence
in a nurturing and fun environment while fostering lifelong
skills, enjoyment and inclusion through the arts.
Learn how music, art, and dance/movement therapy can
help your child grow socially, emotionally, and academically.
Call Arts for Healing today for
a complimentary consultation.

Two-Year-Olds through Grade 5


Knowledge and Experience for Life
478 Erskine Road, Stamford, Connecticut
longridgeschool.org

24 Grove Street
New Canaan, CT 06840
203.972.2982
www.artsforhealing.org

The secret of education lies


in respecting the pupil.

118 Scoeldtown Road


Stamford, CT 06903
The Childrens School
serves children ages 3 to 8.
www.childrensschool.org

WORK HARD. BE KIND. SMILE.


Join us for an informational tour. We would love to see you.
(203) 438-7288 www.smsridgefield.org
Saint Mary School admits students of any race, color, creed or ethnic origin.

PreschoolGrade 8 National Blue Ribbon Winner

July 30, 2015

Education Hersam Acorn Newspapers 

College Application Boot Camp

Working with kids to


pass standardized tests
A quick visit to Prime Tutoring and you know
they are serious and passionate in what they do..
Learning is fun at the Wilton Center and kids there
say they look forward to their sessions.
Prime Tutorings instruction style improves confidence, helps with concentration and self-esteem
while strengthening the academic skills that he or
she needs to succeed in school!
For SAT / ACT and other standardized tests like
SSAT and ISEE for private school admissions, they
custom build a program to suit students knowledge, schedule and goal. With measured, progress
throughout the program the student and the parents are always in the know on how the program
is working.
Tutoring sessions are offered Monday through
Thursday afternoons from 3:30-7:30 and Fridays
from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Every student, irrespective of
the program, begins with a diagnostic assessment
to help pinpoint the strengths and weakness of the
child. An individualized program is then developed based on the test results and other metrics.
Students attend one hour sessions either two or
three times a week.
Prime says improvement can be seen after about
40 sessions of consistent attendance. With weekly
progress reports, and other communication they
keep parents posted on their childs activities at
the center. If the child does not improve they will
provide extra sessions at no charge. Further, they
make enrolling and withdrawing stress free as there
is no contracts. Tuitions are paid monthly with discounts for siblings.
They also offer Summer programs for 8 weeks,
which helps the students to be prepare for the next
school year.
Prime Tutoring opened earlier this year. They
offer programs for students in kindergarten
through 12th grade in reading, writing, math
(including algebra and geometry), as well as kindergarten readiness.
Additionally, they offer one-to-one PSAT / SAT / ACT
/SSAT / ISEE and other test preparation programs.
For more information, call 203-517-4997 or visit
prime-tutoring.com.

11

Davis Education & Career Consultants,


LLC (The DEC Network) will offer a College
Application Boot Camp for rising seniors in
the Class of 2016, from Monday, Aug. 3, to
Thursday, Aug. 6, 10 to 2.
Directed by Debbie Davis, president of
the DEC Network, students will spend
four days developing and fine-tuning their
application strategies. Participants in the
boot camp will start with Presenting Yourself
and the College Application, complete
Myers-Briggs personality assessments, finish their rsums, as well as complete the
common application and essay work with
individualized, one-on-one assistance from
experienced college consultants and writing
specialists.
Available space in the College Application
Boot Camp is limited. To register and learn
more, contact Debbie at 203-438-0624 or
davis@dec-network.com, or visit the website
at dec-network.com.
About the company
Davis Education & Career Consultants,
LLC, the DEC Network is an education and
career planning company headquartered
in Ridgefield. Founded by Debbie Davis,
the companys mission is to bring objective
insight and compassion to every relationship, while promoting the right fit.
Program participants
Debbie Davis, president of the DEC
Network, has consulted with individuals,
families, schools, communities and corporations in various professional capacities for
more than 30 years.
As president of the DEC Network, Davis
has advised clients of all ages on how to best
prepare for school, college, graduate school,
gap or postgraduate years, athletic recruitment, summer enrichment, internships,
study abroad and career planning.
Davis is a certified educational planner

Constellation School Based Therapy Developmental Enrichment Program

delivers a complete range of therapeutic and family training within the home and
community environments.

Debbie Davis, president of Davis Education &


Career Consultants.

THINK DIFFERENT!
THINK FENCING FOR YOUR CHILD!!!
COME FOR A FREE TRIAL AT
DARIEN FENCING CLUB
AGES 6-13 SUNDAYS 4 PM TO 5:30 PM NOROTON VFW HALL

205 NOROTON AVENUE (203) 539-6359


www.darienfencingclub.com info@darienfencingclub.com
Celebrating our 5th Anniversary in Darien

September 8th

Join us for an
Open House
Saturday, September 12
9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Ballet
Pointe
Lyrical
Adult Ballet
Zumba
New Classes!

Discover Hotchkiss

An independent, coeducational boarding school | Grades 9 -12 & PG


Program includes informational panels and tours.
Meet faculty, coaches, and students. Visit the Hotchkiss Farm.
For complete program details and to register online:

https://apply.hotchkiss.org/register/fallopenhouse
or contact the Admission Office at 860-435-3102

The Hotchkiss School 11 Interlaken Road, Lakeville, CT 06039 www.hotchkiss.org

THE SPORT OF FENCING IS KNOWN AS THE PHYSICAL CHESS


GREAT FOR THE BODY, GREAT FOR THE MIND, GREAT FOR COLLEGE!!!

Our skilled Occupational and Physical Therapists can help bridge the gap between
home and school to enhance overall functioning and success in areas such as: Motor

Skills, Self-help, Sensory Processing, Functional Mobility and Writing.

Partnerships with local YMCAs to provide play based therapeutic activities for
children with special needs.

Consultations with private preschools for sensory, fine and gross motor

development.

203.845.8000
to speak with Amy
Burton and go
to
CALL

www.constellationhs.com to learn more!

(CEP) and has attended both the Harvard


Summer Institute on College Admissions
and the Independent Educational
Association Consultants (IECA) Summer
Training Institute.
She serves on the executive board of
the Independent Educational Consultants
Association (IECA), and is a member of the
National Association for College Admission
Counseling (NACAC).
She is also a certified practitioner of the
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator personality
assessment. Davis holds a bachelors degree
from St. Lawrence University and a masters
in business administration, with a concentration in human resources, from the Lubin
School of Business at Pace University.
Kristen Esemplare has consulted with
individuals, families, schools and corporations in the field of writing for more than
20 years. She began her career as a news
reporter and went on to work as a business
journalist following the high-tech industry.
Esemplare later moved into public relations where she developed programs for
IBM and other technology companies. As
a freelance writer, Esemplares work has

included magazine writing, executive speech


writing and video script composition.
She also held the position of fiction competition editor at a literary journal. Most
recently, Esemplare has provided professional expertise on essays for numerous clients
applying to college, and has worked with
college students on communication related
to internship and job applications.
Esemplare has worked as an adjunct
professor in the department of writing,
linguistics and creative process at Western
Connecticut State University since 2009.
Kristen holds a bachelors degree in journalism from the University of Southern
California and a masters in writing from
Manhattanville College.
Caroline Legg is a writer, editor and publicist, with a background in strategic communications and journalism.
She has written in a journalistic capacity
for print and digital journalism publications
across the United States. These include
NPR-affiliate radio station KQED in San
Francisco, The San Francisco Chronicle, The
Seattle Times, and a variety of local magazines in the New England area, including
her hometown magazine in Connecticut,
Ridgefield Magazine.
Legg is a senior publicist and writer at
March Communications, a Boston-based
public relations and content marketing
agency that serves emerging startup companies and established global brands.
Prior to her work at March, Legg was a
publicist for two New York public relations
agencies, Hill + Knowlton Strategies and
Alice Marshall Public Relations. Legg holds
a masters degree in communication from
Stanford University and a bachelors degree
in journalism and mass communications
from Washington and Lee University.

12

Education Hersam Acorn Newspapers 

July 30, 2015

Graduate from NCC debt-free


What would you do with $100,000?
Thats how much you could save by completing two years at Norwalk Community
College and transferring to a four-year
institution to finish a bachelors degree.
U.S. college graduates owe $1.2 trillion
in student loan debt, according to Forbes
magazine. But not NCC graduates.
NCC offers an education and value.
Tuition is just about $4,000 a year a
fraction of the cost of other colleges.
According to the College Board, the average cost of tuition and fees for the 20142015 school year was $31,231 at private
colleges, $9,139 for state residents at public colleges, and $22,958 for out-of-state
residents attending public universities.
The price tag for many private colleges
exceeds $50,000 a year.
NCC tuition is low because of state and
federal funding, major grants and philanthropy. In addition, the NCC Foundation
provides over $1 million in free scholarship money each year to both current students and graduating scholars transferring
to four-year institutions.
Registration is now underway for the fall
semester. Classes begin Aug. 31.

NCC offers 43 associate degree programs


and 22 certificate programs. The college

boasts state-of-the-art facilities including a


$35 million center for science, health and

wellness, hospital simulation unit, Student


Success Center, TV and film studio, culinary arts complex and child Development
Laboratory School. Paid internships and
Service-Learning opportunities provide
work experience that sets students apart.
NCC graduates transfer to the nations
finest colleges, including Harvard,
Yale, Cornell, Smith, Mount Holyoke,
Georgetown, Rensselaer Polytechnic
Institute and New York University.
Recent NCC graduate Carlos Julca got a
$90,000 scholarship to Georgia Institute
of Technology and made the All-USA
Academic Team. Class of 2015 graduates
Sandra Botha and Christiana Giaune will
both attend Mount Holyoke College this
fall with full-tuition transfer scholarships.
A Norwalk Community College education prepared me to earn a bachelors and
get accepted to New
York Medical College, said alumnus
Robert Mseteka. Now Im earning a Ph.D.
in cancer epidemiology.
Register now for fall classes. To schedule
a tour, or for information on advising and
course selection, call 203-857-7060 or visit
www.norwalk.edu.

ST. ALOYSIUS SCHOOL


A BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL

Accredited by the New England Assoc. of Schools and Colleges

For a Distinguished Academic


and Values-Based K-8 Education

OPEN HOUSE
October 18, 2015
11:30-1:00 PM
Registration at 11:30
Program begins at 11:45 am
33 South Avenue
New Canaan, CT 06840
Admissions:
203-966-0786 ext. 109
www.staloysiusschool.net

@Sacred Heart
greenwich

are determined.
Our girls are also confident
learners, critical thinkers,
and creative problem solvers.
Upper School Open House
Wednesday, October 21 at 6:30 p.m.
K12 Open House
Saturday, November 7 at 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday Tour Days (PreSGrade 12)
October 7, November 4, December 9
and January 13 from 9:00 a.m.noon

Convent of the Sacred Heart


1177 King Street, Greenwich, CT
203-532-3534
www.cshgreenwich.org

July 30, 2015

Education Hersam Acorn Newspapers 

13

Ensure a great semester


by Michelle Sagalyn

ask to see their notes when they come home.


Good and thorough notes will not only give
your child a better understanding of the
material for long term, but also will also significantly increase test and quiz results.

School will be back in session before you


know it. As such, is important to make sure
your child gets off to a good start because
this could have impact over their entire academic year.
To support your child, Successful Study
Skills 4 Students recommends four ways you
can make sure your student has a great first
semester.
Set goals
Before school starts, sit down with your
child and talk about their goals for the
semester. You might be surprised at how
seriously they take the challenge. The goal
doesnt have to be big either much can be
accomplished with little steps, which supports the bigger mission of giving your child
confidence with the sense of accomplish that
come from achieving the goal.
For example, the goal might be to finish
and hand-in all homework on time, use a
planner or calendar for all assignments, and
take notes on all test book readings. Setting
realistic goals will motivate your child to do
well because theyll have something concrete

to shoot for.
The most important element is to make
sure that your child is active in planning
and thinking about what goals they set for
themselves.
Check notes
Make sure your child is taking good notes
in school. This is easy to check you can

Homework
Another way to ensure success is to make
sure your child is doing their homework.
Homework usually is an important component of the final semesters grade, so it is
important to make sure your child does their
homework and turns it in.
Homework is also a great way for your
child to start to assume independence and
responsibility. Especially for a middle school
student, the best way for you to assist in
your students homework is to make sure
they establish a routine and have a quiet,
distraction free place to do their work,
which we discuss below.
Get a study space
It is very important for your child to have
a quiet distraction-free space to study and
do homework. This means, no television, no
texting, no online time unless it is strictly
for homework purposes.

If your child has a cell phone, you might


consider holding on to it until their homework is finished. Make sure your child
has all the supplies needed before they sit
down to do homework. If your student does
homework in a public place, such as the
kitchen or dining room, set the tone through
example by not talking on the phone or
watching TV near your child.
Your child can have a great semester with
the right support and motivation. Every
child wants to succeed; they just need the
tools, skills, and determination to achieve
their goals.
About S4
Successful Study Skills 4 Students (S4)
provides students with the tools, strategies,
and study skills needed to build successful academic careers. By teaching logical,
easy-to-implement study skills, S4 helps students establish and build habits for a foundation for learning and academic success.
Information: S4StudySkills.com or 203418-2003.
Michelle Sagalyn is CEO and president of
Successful Study Skills 4 Students.

PUMPKIN PRESCHOOL
E A R LY L E A R N I N G C E N T E R S
INQUIRE
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203.926.1800 - SHELTON
203.255.7505 - FAIRFIELD
203.226.1277 - WESTPORT
www.PumpkinPreschool.com
OPEN 7AM - 6PM

Connecticut Boat Club


New Englands Leading Girls
Rowing Club
Fall Tune Up Camp
August 24-28, 4:00-6:15PM
Regular Fall Program begins August 31
For more information email sue@ctboatclub.org

Graduate Debt-Free!
At approximately $4,000 a year, Norwalk Community
College is an outstanding value. State and federal
support keep tuition affordable and ensure the highest
standards for an exceptional education.
NCC offers 43 Associate Degree Programs and 22
Certificate Programs. If you complete two years at NCC,
then transfer to a four-year institution to finish a
bachelors degree, you could save over $100,000 on
the overall cost of your education!
And each year the NCC Foundation awards over
$1 million in free money to current students and
graduating scholars transferring to four-year schools.
Register now for Fall classes begin August 31.

www.norwalk.edu / (203) 857-7060

14

Education Hersam Acorn Newspapers

July 30, 2015

Explore the animal world


Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo gives
students of all ages the opportunity to
learn about conservation, inform about
animals, inspire curiosity and teach sci-

Clockwise from top: Azarea and


Ariana ride a camel, an otter gets
fed, a tiger and an eagle.

Photos by
John Kovach

ence. It's about teaching youth and


adults to have a wonder and respect
for nature.
Everyone learns differently, whether
it's hands-on, reading a book, listening
to someone or a little bit of everything. The zoo offers all that and more
to help everyone understand the importance of animals (hidden in fun and
adventure).
In Beardsley Zoo Tots, parents can
bring their 22-month-old to four-yearold child to have an animal adventure,
learning about creatures. There are presentations, play time, take-home craft
and a story.
Zoo Patrol gives children a week of
zoo-based activities, tours and behindthe scenes experiences at the zoo.
Scouts can set up overnight adventures at the zoo. Those events include
carousel rides, animal encounters, games
and more.
Teens can foster their love of animals
by joining the zoo explorers, to learn
about possible future careers.
To learn more, visit beardsleyzoo.com
or call 203-394-6565.

July 30, 2015

Education Hersam Acorn Newspapers 

Music school looks to help


youth learn and have fun
The Crescendo School of Music offers
music instruction to students of all ages and
experience.
Their accredited instructors teach all styles
of music while educating their students with
necessary fundamentals and tools they will
need to enjoy music for the rest of their lives.
The goal, administrators at the school said, is
to give every student a musical gift to cherish
a lifetime.
While most of the students will simply
enjoy the benefits of music, some of their students have and will continue to go on to be
much more, such as professional musicians,
actors, school band and choir directors and
even Crescendo School of Music instructors.
The objective at Crescendo is to provide

a total music resource for beginners, amateurs and advanced musicians. Students can
learn, perform, make new friends and have
fun. Students learn with instructors who are
currently practicing their art and have established respect and reputations in their fields.
All private lessons are scheduled by the
schools lesson coordinators who will place
the student with the proper instructor based
on ability level, musical preference and availability. Sight reading, theory and technique
are part of all instruction and recitals are
scheduled twice per year in which all students are encouraged to participate.
For more information on Crescendo at
203-656-2155.

Fall Registration is Open Now!


Programs for Men & Women start August 24
Learn to Row: Youth & Adult
Youth Racing Adult Masters

Norwalk
River Rowing

norwalkriverrowing.org 203 866-0080

15

Empowering Women for Life

OPEN HOUSE
sunday, october 4 1:003:00pm

ENTRANCE EXAM
october 17 or 24 8:00am

Transfer Students Welcome | Scholarships and Financial Aid Available

Strengthen Your Core


freshman physics
womens studies
global vision
Lauralton Hall

academy of our lady of mercy

Connecticuts First
Catholic College-Prep
School for Girls

Milford, Connecticut
203.877.2786
LauraltonHall.org

HVWS_generic_Acorn_5.3125x10.5_Aug2015_forPRINT_HVS PM K_CT par 2007 7/24/15 1:22 AM Page 1

There is Nothing Common About It

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40 Dodgingtown Road
Newtown, CT 06470
203.364.1113 www.waldorfct.org
Accredited by CAIS and AWSNA

16

Education Hersam Acorn Newspapers 

July 30, 2015

Empowering
students
to
shape
the
future!
Empowering students to shape the future!

Academy of
Information
Technology &
Engineering

21st Century High School


A 21stAEducation
Century
High
in a Small,
Caring Environment
School
Education
in
a Small Caring students
Empowering
students to
shape
the
future!
Empowering
to
shape
the
future!
What makes AITE
Environment
unique?

What makes
AITE unique?
Small Student Population
IT & Pre-Engineering
Programs
Technology Rich
Environment

Rigorous Academic
Preparation
Early College Experience
Integration of Technology in
all Classes
Virtual High School
Multicultural Diversity
Develops the Whole Child

An Interdistrict Magnet Public


College Preparatory High School
Serving Lower Fairfield County

Small Student
Population
IT, Pre-Engineering &
Bio-Medical
Programs
A
21st
Century
High
School
A 21st
Century
High
School
Education
Small,
inin
aa
Small,
Education
Technology
Rich
OPEN HOUSE
Caring
Environment
Caring Environment
Environment
AITE @ Rippowam Campus
SCHEDULE
411 High Ridge Road
Rigorous Academic
Stamford, CT 06905
What
makesAITE
AITE
Saturday, November
7, 2015
What
makes
Preparation
(203) 977-4336
10:00 AM
2:00 PM
(203)
977-6638
(fax)
unique?
unique?
Early College
www.aitstamford.org
Experience
Small
Student
Population
Saturday, December 12, 2015
Small
Student
Population
& Pre-Engineering
IT IT
& Pre-Engineering
10:00 AM 2:00 PM
Integration
of
Programs
Programs
Technology
Technology
Rich in all
Technology
Rich
Saturday, January 9, 2016
Environment
Environment
Classes
10:00 AM 2:00 PM
Rigorous
Academic
Virtual
High
School
Rigorous
Academic
An
Interdistrict
Magnet
Public
Interdistrict
Magnet
Public
Preparation
Thursday, January 21, 2016
Preparation
Multicultural
Diversity College Preparatory
Early
College
Experience
Early
College
Experience
7:00 PM 8:30
PM School
High
College
Preparatory
High
School
Integration
of
Technology
in
Integration of Technology in
Develops
Classes the Whole
all all
Classes
AllLower
applications
due County
byCounty
Serving
Fairfield
Serving
Lower
Fairfield
Virtual
High
School
Child
Virtual High School
Multicultural
Diversity
Multicultural
Diversity
Develops
WholeChild
Child
Develops
thethe
Whole

Academy
Academyofof
Information
Information
Technology
Technology&&
Engineering
Engineering
January 29, 2016

AITE
Campus
AITE@@Rippowam
Rippowam
Campus
411
Road
411High
HighRidge
Ridge
Road
Stamford,
CTCT
06905
Stamford,
06905
(203)
(203)977-4336
977-4336
(203)
(fax)
(203)977-6638
977-6638
(fax)
www.aitstamford.org
www.aitestamford.org
www.aitstamford.org

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