Sixth-grader attends Presidential Inauguration with family

The Garvin family had (almost) front-row seats at President Obama's Inauguration Ceremony.

While he had visited our nation's capital before, Dylan's recent trip to Washington, D.C., was one of historical significance - an experience only a rare few are part of. He and his parents had the unique opportunity to take part in the festivities surrounding President Barack Obama's Inauguration. 

The weekend's highlight was the ceremony at which Obama was sworn in for his second term as President of the United States. As family friends, Vice President Joe Biden secured seats for the Garvins that were just behind the U.S. Marine Band. "We were really close and could see everything," Dylan said. "I was standing right there - it was amazing." 

That night, the Garvins attended the Inaugural Ball, followed by the Bidens' after-party at the Naval Conservatory. Dylan also got to take part in the Martin Luther King Day of Service at the D.C. Armory, where he watched Vice President Joe Biden speak, and then joined volunteers to assemble 100,000 care kits for deployed U.S. service members, wounded warriors and veterans. He even was lucky enough to score a coveted invitation to Saturday's Kids' Inaugural Concert, a star-studded event that honors America's military families and featured musicians like Usher, Mindless Behavior, Far East Movement, cast members from the show "Glee" and Dylan's favorite performer of the evening Katy Perry.

"I thought it was incredible," Dylan told the Associated Press in an article about the concert. "It's a great way to celebrate." 

Dylan is no stranger to political events - his parents met while working for then-Senator Joe Biden, and his father currently serves as Administrator for the EPA's Mid-Atlantic Region (some of you might remember him from his visit to WMS for last year's Earth Day festivities). Because of his family's friendship with the Bidens, Dylan also had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel to Chicago to spend election night 2012 with the Bidens, another experience that Dylan described as "amazing."

After all of these unique opportunities to see U.S. politics in action, Dylan tells us that he may have political aspirations of his own. He discussed running for governor first, then possibly President of the United States (as well as being a professional baseball player).

All of us at WMS look forward to seeing what's next for this bright and outgoing 12-year-old!

The Garvin family at the Inaugural Ball

Dylan dons his University of Delaware Joe Flacco jersey while assembling care packages for U.S. service members, wounded warriors and veterans.

    

Wilmington Montessori School presents: 

"Follow the Child: Parenting Class - for you and your child!"

Birth to 2 years

9-10:30 a.m.

Fridays, February 22 through March 22

Cost: $100

Registration deadline is February 15 - class fees due upon registration.

This weekly class offers moms, dads, grandparents and other caretakers mutual support and guidance in the beginning months of their child's life. Sara Grant, an Infant/Toddler Montessori teacher and mother of two, brings her many years of experience and observations to assist with the challenges of parenting and help parents enjoy the wonders of connecting their little one to the world around them. 

Set in an authentic Infant/Toddler Montessori classroom, this class will focus on nutrition, developing healthy eating habits, discipline, nursing and every-day life with your infant and toddler.  Meet other parents of infants and toddlers and enjoy lively discussions while your little one keeps busy in the classroom, prepared specifically for them at their stage of development.

Sara, who is also completing her doula certification training, will bring to life the Montessori Method through a wide range of enriching, hands-on activities in a fun environment for you and your child to explore.      

 "So much happens in the first 18 months of your child's life!" Sara says. "I look forward to helping you apply Montessori principles at home to make the most of this amazing stage of your child's development."

This workshop is open to families outside the WMS community so please tell a friend! 

Questions? Please contact Theresa_Conaty@wmsde.org or call 302-475-0555.   

How encouraging is your discipline style?  There are 3 styles of discipline:  

1. Giving orders, where the parent has the power and is controlling and strict
2. Giving in, where the child has the power and the parent is pleasing and permissive
3. Giving choices, where the power is shared and the parent and child are both respected 

Discipline can only be encouraging when a parent is firm and kind, teaching the child how to take responsibility for his or her actions. Firmness comes from establishing limits and house rules based on the needs of the family and the community. Kindness is expressed by demonstrating mutual respect and sharing what will happen when the child tests the limits. 

Consistency teaches and builds trust. Following through with natural or logical consequences (not punishment) allows the child a choice. When they decide to ignore the rules, they learn they can handle the outcome and decide what they can do differently the next time.  

To contact Yvonne for more information about this and other parenting topics, contact MyNass@aol.com.