Our Spring 2020 Newsletter

Hello from our team! We hope you and your family are staying healthy, strong, safe and positive. As we are missing meeting with families in our office right now, we wanted to reach out, letting you know that we are here for you, and share some important information with you. We know inboxes are flooded right now and we are busy with our “new normal,” but we hope you will find this useful and interesting, perhaps you will even forward to a friend. We also welcome any thoughts and questions you might have at this time.

Additionally, we would like to send a big thank you to our doctors, health providers, essential workers, volunteers, and to you, our moms and dads for doing what is needed to help others and your families.

Some news from us…

Our School Placements for 2019-2020:

We are thrilled to report a great year for our families! Our success rate remains above 95% with most of our families for this admission cycle getting their first choice of a school for their children. Within this group of applicants, we have served families within Atlanta, international families, as well as families relocating to Atlanta from other states.

Placement Planning for 2020-2021:

This is a great time of year for us as we wrap up with our current families and begin meeting with clients for next year. We do have different structures planned, and in place, depending on the climate of social distancing and COVID 19, and how it continues to develop over the summer. If you are interested in our services, email us and we will send you a packet of our current school placement information. No matter what the circumstances, we will continue to personally work with each family and focus on individual needs and timing.

Interesting Question: How might the pandemic affect the school admission process next year?

Our Thoughts: Currently, each school is adjusting curriculums and and adapting to our new reality through Zoom, virtual learning and even computer testing. SSAT just announced an online version of the test that will be offered in the near future. We don’t yet  know how this current situation will affect the admission process for the fall of 2020-21. Schools will be reviewing the admission process as the status of COVID 19 unfolds, so check their websites during the summer and we will be in touch with you as we know more.

Launching Our Parent Resource Center:

When: We are excited to announce that our Resource Center will open on May 1st. 

Purpose: To address your educational concerns and parenting needs.

Who: Any family with school age children. You do not need to be a former client. This program is here to help you! No question is too small or too big.

What: A membership to our Resource Center gives you time with us, to address all of your worries and concerns, whether a summer birthday question or an issue with virtual learning. We are here to be your sounding board.

What Next: If you are interested in more information, please email us. We look forward to hearing from you!

Looking Ahead:

In the midst of tough moments right now, we are happy to look forward and want you to know more about events we will be hosting in the fall.

• Life After Preschool Talk: tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, October 7th 
• School Placement Panel with Admission Directors in late September

Our R Words of the Month: 

Replenish, Restore, Recommend, Remember, Refer, Reality

Some Resources/Activities We Love Right Now:

Podcast: Still Becoming Kids: A podcast by local Atlanta counselor, Monica DiCristina, directly speaking to children about dealing with hard things. A great resource to listen to with your kids!

Podcast: Raising Good Humans: This podcast with Dr. Aliza gives thoughtful (and realistic!) support for parents, while not expecting us to parent perfectly and have all the answers.

Activity: Kiwi Crates: These monthly “crates” provide age appropriate, fun and enriching STEAM activities. 

Activity: Radish Kids: This monthly “cooking club” sends you a creative kitchen project, recipe list, as well as a kitchen tool and culinary skills guide.

Magazine: The Week Junior is a new publication geared for children, ages 8-14, “helping kids make sense of the world.” This uplifting magazine shares the news of the week, as well as many other facts and stories to spark your child’s interest.

Book: The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs This cookbook offers “doable” recipes that are fun to make with your children. We recommend the monkey bread!

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”

• Japanese Proverb

Thank you for being part of our Education Connection Advisors Family,

Barbara Levy, Fontaine Draper, and Betsy Metcalf