February Meeting Recap: Schooling Options for the Holistic Family

On February 2, we welcomed a terrific panel of representatives from different schools/schooling philosophies to speak to our group about schooling options in the DC area. Our panelists included Cara Elkins, Program Director/Teacher at the Amazing Life Games Cooperative Preschool; Lezlie Lawson, Enrollment Director at the Washington Waldorf School; Celeste Land, Director of Government Affairs for the The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers; Ariana Quinones-Miranda, Director of Education and Outreach for Friends of Choice in Urban Schools (FOCUS); Emma LePore, Office of the Chancellor for DC Public Schools; and Andrew Kutt, Founder and Executive Director of the Bethesda Oneness-Family School.

In addition to speaking about the overall educational approach of their particular school/schools, the panelists also covered such topics as nutrition in school, recycling, gardening, and the integration of nature, health, and wellness to their school's curriculum. Panelists also spoke on how they are working towards a non-toxic environment, and how their educational approach relates to mindful/conscious parenting, positive discipline, and nonviolent communication. We also appreciated the many parenting insights each panelist provided, whether it be to make quiet time to share with our children, or to leave our children alone for periods of time to encourage creative and imaginative play.

Thank you to all of our panelists, and to the Cleveland Park Library for providing us with a great meeting room!