Congressional School Podcast: Recent Episodes
Congressional School
What do our school parents and parents in general have an interest in learning about? This is what we ask ourselves each time we sit down to create a new podcast. From general parenting tips to deeper information about about our school's curriculum, our goal is to provide information that parents find useful. Each podcast is hosted and guest-starred by experts in their fields, and we hope you enjoy listening! Congressional School is a co-ed, independent day school for preschool - 8th grade located in Falls Church, VA. Contact us to inquire. And remember that we also have a day care program!
Middle School English Teacher Holly Keimig explores the topic of misinformation in our second episode of the 2022-2023 school year. Learn about misinformation and disinformation and how to spot the two online in this 10-minute podcast!
Dr. Gordon, Head of School, hosted a panel of COVID-19 experts in a conference call to discuss a topic on many parents' minds—their children and the COVID-19 vaccine. Panelists give an overview of the vaccine as a whole and answer parent questions. What exactly is an emergency vaccine? Could there be long-term side effects? Could schools require the vaccine for teachers or students? Listen in and learn more.
Panelists:
Robin Wallin, DNP, RN, CPNP-PC, NCSN
Assistant Director of Health Services (School Health Program)
Fairfax County Health Department
Dr. Benjamin Schwartz
Division Director of Epidemiology and Population Health
Fairfax County Health Department
Dr. Tracy Krauss
Public Health Expert and Co-Chair of Congressional School's Medical Advisory Council
Moderator:
Dr. James Bicksel
Neurology, Clinical Neurophysiology, Behavior Neurology & Neuropsychiatry
As a part of Congressional School's COVID Collection, we talked with our Head of School, Dr. Edwin P. Gordon, about what it was like for him personally during COVID-19.
How did he balance some of the difficult business decisions while keeping the Congressional School family together?
What was his biggest fear about the prospect of prolonged remote learning?
How much was he in communication with other Heads of Schools?
Would he have changed COVID-19 was handled this last year as he looks back?
Listen to our exclusive interview and find out!
The COVID Collection is an archive of stories and information representing different voices in our community talking about living, working, and going to school through a pandemic. To view the entire collection, visit www.congressionalschool.org/covidcollection.
Having a difficult time guiding your child to engage with educational material at home? There are strategies out there to help you, and our experts are here to help.
Our learning specialists discuss homework and study tips from the perspective of how learning happens—strategies that can also help with remote learning. What does cognitive, emotional, and behavioral learning look like? How can it be encouraged at a deeper level? Join us to find out!
Hosted By: Stefanie Hjalmervik, Learning Specialist
Guest Expert:
- Dr. Silvia Moore, Director of Learning Center
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are hot topics right now. Creating environments that recognize, respect, engage, and celebrate individual differences and identities is crucial to building cohesive and caring communities.
So what is being done at Congressional School? Listen in as Dr. Silvia Moore, Co-Chair of Congressional's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (DEIC), facilitates a discussion among staff, faculty, and parents from Congressional.
See the chapter markers to jump ahead and learn about the history of DEI work at Congressional, what the DEIC is, what the committee's work groups are working on, and hopes and dreams for the future. Or just push play on your commute or while you're cooking dinner, and give the whole thing a listen!
Hosted By: Dr. Silvia Moore, Director of Learning Center and Co-Chair for the DEIC
Guest Experts:
- Tinelle Davies, Director of Human Resources and Co-Chair for the DEIC
- Rebecca Ginnetti, School Counselor
- Servio Medina, Current Parent
- Desmond McGlone, Grades 7-8 Math Teacher
- Mary Beth Testa, Current Parent & Parent Organization (CSPO) President
Parenting is a world often lacking clear-cut answers and direction that we desire. Every child is different and every family is different. Learning about child development and their needs in each stage of life socially, emotionally, physically, and intellectually is an insightful way to better understand your child and their response to parenting.
Join us as Rebecca Ginnetti, our school counselor, leads a discussion with our division directors about the social and emotional needs of children and how parents can support their development.
Hosted By: Rebecca Ginnetti, School Counselor
Guest Experts:
- Brent Hinrichs, Associate Head of School and Director of Lower and Middle School
- Kim O'Neil, Assistant Head of School and Director of Early Childhood and Primary School
We are happy to share with our community our first podcast. This episode is hosted by Dr. Edwin Gordon, Head of School, and discusses STEM and the Arts at Congressional. Listen to Dr. Gordon lead an engaging discussion with several of our faculty who reveal their own views of our new Design Labs, how they integrate STEM in ways you may not expect, and their visions for the future.
Hosted By: Dr. Edwin Gordon, Head of School
Guest Experts:
- Carlos Hernandez, STEM Educator
- Maithili Mankar, Grades 6 and 8 Science Teacher
- Dr. Mariana Pavon, Grades 5 and 7 Science Teacher
- Ashley Spalletta, Grades 4-8 Music Teacher
- Andrea Weiss, Director of Innovation and Learning