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Visit any classroom at Virginia Chance School, and you will see two highly qualified teachers.

Dear Families and Friends of Virginia Chance School,

As a school, we are dedicated to providing a culture of mutual respect. We invite each other to understand and value multiple perspectives, identify and reject stereotypes and biases, and work for equity and peace within the school and beyond. We all have a role to play, as educators, parents, and community members. Here are some resources that were sent out to faculty and staff that we've found helpful:

Progressive Schools, traditional schools, boarding schools, day schools, college-prep schools, parochial schools, public schools, private schools, magnet schools and home schools…the choices are many! Making the right choice for your child can be a bit daunting for parents. As a Head of an independent school, I get to answer the question, “What’s so special about your school?” and “What does it mean that Virginia Chance School is a progressive school?”

We kindly request donations towards the financial aid fund for Virginia Chance School. Our educational approach fosters lifelong learners and develops charisma, which families find valuable for their children. Although investing in an independent school education requires careful financial planning for most families, some may still struggle to make it a reality for their child. Discover how to contribute to our cause and join our Give for Good Picnic, where parents, grandparents, and special friends can celebrate the joy of giving.

The difference between being able to learn or try something new is often the difference between having a growth or a fixed mindset.

Thanksgiving is the time when we all pause to count our blessings, to give thanks, be with family and friends, and be grateful. While it is always good to stop and focus on gratitude at this time, it is even better to continue this attitude of gratitude all year long if we are to experience the benefits.

For most parents traditional unstructured play seems pretty unrealistic in today’s society. Justified unease has lead to unrealized positive outcomes for children- until now. There is a happy medium: the hummingbird approach, observing from a distance, but always keenly. While the hummingbird parent is vigilant in observing, the idea is that the child doesn’t feel the full presence of the parent and thus free to develop those positive benefits of unstructured play.

Today, I saw an engineer building a robot, an artist painting a masterpiece, an explorer going into the woods, a mathematician measuring volume and gardener planting seeds. Today, I witnessed a doctor taking care of patients, an athlete running and jumping, a musician singing and playing an instrument, a dancer performing, a negotiator working out a problem. Today, I watched an architect building a skyscraper, a king giving a royal decree and a sculptor manipulating clay.

This weekly newsletter is authored by K/1 Co-Teacher Team, Alayne Vokurka and Heather Isham.

You probably don’t need a bit of help pouring out that love or responding when your child says, “I love you!” and “You are the best mom ever!” (I saw both of those on a written note today for one of our moms). We all know how to respond with “I love you too” or “I love you on Valentine’s Day and every day that is not Valentine’s Day too”. I wonder though, would you like to think a bit more about how to respond when your child screams, “I hate you!” (Or perhaps, “I hate Billy!” I hate Martie!”).