The VBFS Vibes and Sound Waves, led by Music Director Jo Thiele, leads off this evening’s entertainment at 6:30 PM at  the 6th annual One Love Festival, hosted by Virginia Wesleyan College. ” Through music, art, words, and performance, One Love Festival seeks to create a community united in hope and a world at peace where all are joined in One Love.”  Virginia Beach Friends School is a proud participant and encourages everyone to support this celebration of what is possible.

Admissions Open House & “Parent Toolbox” – Saturday, October 22, 1-3 pm 

Students learn about bird conservation

Parents of students in pre-k through 11th grade are invited to visit and explore Virginia Beach Friends School campus, meet faculty, and discover how a Quaker educational environment can meet the needs of their child.

Parent Toolbox – 2 pm -”How to Identify and Nurture Your Child’s Innate Talents”

“Everybody is a genius.  But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” ~Albert Einstein

Parents and educators of students of all ages are invited to join our panel in the Upper School history classroom for a discussion followed by Q & A as we explore tips, insights, and ideas for identifying and helping to cultivate your child’s unique talents.

What if your “fish” child can’t climb a tree?  Does s/he become the “black sheep?”  Or can you provide a pond instead?

Albert Einstein never quite fit the mold by which others tried to shape him.  Reportedly, his teachers and some family members pegged the young boy as intellectually delayed.  He wasn’t interested in climbing their trees as he grew; he showed far more interest in the potential of the undiscovered than in the traditional wisdom of his day.  No doubt others had dubbed him an “aloof” or “difficult” child.

Turns out Einstein broke molds.  He lived the life of a fish swimming upstream,  but only because he didn’t buy into the belief that he was stupid.  Instead, he believed in his own unique talents enough to climb down out of that rigid old fish-defying tree and find himself a suitable stream where he could thrive as the genius he was born to become.

We’re not all Einsteins, but we all have the potential for some degree of genius in some area/s of expertise.  How can we help instill this concept in children of all ages?

We’ll start by exploring the fundamentals:

• What does it mean to recognize and nurture your child’s innate talents and why is this important?
• Negative vs. positive approaches and their typical impacts
• Parent’s roles
• Educator’s roles
• How to choose a school that best meets your child’s needs
• Q & A
• Additional resources to take home

For additional information, or to RSVP to the seminar, please call 757-428-7534 or email admissions@friends-school.org

Congratulations to the Virginia Beach Friends Middle School for placing first in their divisional category for the 2011 Neptune Festival School Sand Sculpting Competition!

Middle School took the prize thanks to enthusiastic participation on the part of students, creative design by students and Art Director T. James and great coaching on the part of T. James, T. Lauren and T. Linda S.  Huge thanks also go to the Middle School teachers for their presence and support and the many parents who braved the chilly sea breeze to cheer their students on.

It was great fun and we can’t wait to do it again next year.