--- title: Congressional School Blog | Alyce Penn --- [Infant - Grade 8 Private School. 40 Acre Campus in Falls Church, Virginia.](https://congressionalschool.org/about) [** Colts Corner](https://congressionalschool.myschoolapp.com/app#login) • [Calendar](https://www.congressionalschool.org/calendar/) • [703-533-9711](tel:703-533-9711) [facebook](https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Congressional-Schools-of-Virginia/92739413575) [twitter](https://twitter.com/colts1939) [vimeo](https://vimeo.com/colts1939) [instagram](https://www.instagram.com/colts1939/) [rss](https://www.congressionalschool.org/blog/) [![Congressional School](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/6431429/CongressionalSchool_October2019/images/1a-final-01-logo.png)](https://www.congressionalschool.org) - [About](https://www.congressionalschool.org/about/) - [Welcome from Head of School](https://www.congressionalschool.org/about/) - [Vision, Mission, Values](https://www.congressionalschool.org/about/mission/) - [At a Glance](https://www.congressionalschool.org/about/at-a-glance/) - [Faculty & Staff](https://www.congressionalschool.org/fsdirectory/faculty-and-staff/) - [Contact Us](https://www.congressionalschool.org/about/contact-us/) - [Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion](https://www.congressionalschool.org/community/diversity/) - [Board of Trustees](https://www.congressionalschool.org/about/board-of-trustees/) - [Careers](https://www.congressionalschool.org/about/careers/) - [Strategic Plan](https://www.congressionalschool.org/about/2023-strategic-plan/) - [Admission](https://www.congressionalschool.org/welcome/) - [Admission Welcome](https://www.congressionalschool.org/welcome/) - [Applying to Congressional](https://www.congressionalschool.org/welcome/applying-to-congressional/) - [Admission Calendar](https://www.congressionalschool.org/welcome/admission-calendar/) - [Why Congressional](https://www.congressionalschool.org/welcome/why-congressional/) - [Portrait of a Graduate](https://www.congressionalschool.org/portrait-of-a-graduate/) - [Tuition and Financial Aid](https://www.congressionalschool.org/welcome/financing-your-education/) - [Transportation](https://www.congressionalschool.org/welcome/transportation/) - [High School Placement](https://www.congressionalschool.org/welcome/highschool-placement/) - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.congressionalschool.org/welcome/frequently-asked-questions/) - [Academics](https://www.congressionalschool.org/academics/) - [Academic Overview](https://www.congressionalschool.org/academics/) - [Primary School (Preschool-Grade 2)](https://www.congressionalschool.org/academics/primary-school/) - [Lower School (Grades 3-4)](https://www.congressionalschool.org/academics/lower-school/) - [Middle School (Grades 5-8)](https://www.congressionalschool.org/academics/middle-school/) - [Faculty & Staff](https://www.congressionalschool.org/fsdirectory/faculty-and-staff/) - [Social Emotional Learning](https://www.congressionalschool.org/academics/social-emotional-learning/) - [Curriculum](https://www.congressionalschool.org/academics/curriculum/) - [Design Labs](https://www.congressionalschool.org/stem/designlabs/) - [Fine and Performing Arts](https://www.congressionalschool.org/the-arts/) - [Experiential Learning](https://www.congressionalschool.org/academics/field-trips/) - [Library & Technology](https://www.congressionalschool.org/academics/librarytechnology/) - [Physical Education](https://www.congressionalschool.org/academics/physical-education/) - [Campus Life](https://www.congressionalschool.org/campus-life/) - [Around Campus](https://www.congressionalschool.org/campus-life/) - [Athletics](https://www.congressionalschool.org/campus-life/athletics/) - [Before and After School](https://www.congressionalschool.org/auxiliary/) - [Extended Hours Program](https://www.congressionalschool.org/auxiliary/ehp/) - [After School Activities](https://www.congressionalschool.org/auxiliary/afterschool/) - [Childcare Days](https://www.congressionalschool.org/auxiliary/childcaredays/) - [Congressional Horses](https://www.congressionalschool.org/campus-life/horses/) - [Events & Traditions](https://www.congressionalschool.org/community/events-traditions/) - [Early Childhood](https://www.congressionalschool.org/academics/early-childhood-program/) - [Summer](https://www.congressionalschool.org/summer-at-congressional/) - [Congressional Camp](https://www.congressionalschool.org/auxiliary/camp/) - [Summer Academy](https://www.congressionalschool.org/summer-at-congressional/summer-academy/) - [Support](https://www.congressionalschool.org/support/) - [Gala & Auction](https://www.congressionalschool.org/gala/) - [Your Gift Matters](https://www.congressionalschool.org/support/) - [The Congressional Fund](https://www.congressionalschool.org/support/annual-fund/) - [Matching Gifts Information](https://www.congressionalschool.org/double-the-donation/) - [John J. Cavanaugh Endowed Fund](https://www.congressionalschool.org/endowed-fund/) - [Parent Organization (CSPO)](https://www.congressionalschool.org/cspo/) - [Alumni](https://www.congressionalschool.org/community/alumni/) - [Affinity Groups of Congressional School](https://www.congressionalschool.org/support/affinity-groups-of-congressional-school/) - [Campus Transformation Projects](https://www.congressionalschool.org/support/renovate/) - [CTLI](https://www.congressionalschool.org/ctli/) - [The Center for Teaching, Learning, and Innovation](https://www.congressionalschool.org/ctli/) - [Faculty Innovation Grants](https://www.congressionalschool.org/about/innovation-grants/) ![Blog-Title-01-300x119](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/6431429/CongressionalSchool_October2019/images/Blog-Title-01-300x119.png) [Home](https://www.congressionalschool.org) » Congressional School Blog # Congressional School Blog **[ALL POSTS](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog) [Informative](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/tag/informative) [Stories](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/tag/stories) [Counselor's Corner](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/tag/counselors-corner)** ## Alyce Penn ### Recent Posts [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/6431429/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Welcome2.jpg?width=710&name=Welcome2.jpg)](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/overcoming-challenging-transitions) Nov 15 2019 ### [Overcoming Challenging Transitions](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/overcoming-challenging-transitions) ##### Nov 15, 2019 **By Rebecca Ginnetti, M.Ed.** [Read More →](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/overcoming-challenging-transitions) [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/6431429/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/ART1.jpg?width=710&name=ART1.jpg)](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/you-are-more-than-what-you-see) Oct 03 2019 ### [You Are More Than What You See](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/you-are-more-than-what-you-see) ##### Oct 03, 2019 **8th grade art project helped students look at themselves in a very different way. ** [Read More →](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/you-are-more-than-what-you-see) [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/6431429/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Reading.jpg?width=710&name=Reading.jpg)](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/the-power-of-reading-aloud) Mar 28 2019 ### [The Power of Reading Aloud](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/the-power-of-reading-aloud) ##### Mar 28, 2019 **By Stefanie Hjalmervik, Learning Specialist** [Read More →](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/the-power-of-reading-aloud) [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/6431429/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/IMG_4156.jpg?width=710&name=IMG_4156.jpg)](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/welcome-to-little-colts-academy) Feb 21 2019 ### [Welcome to Little Colts Academy](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/welcome-to-little-colts-academy) ##### Feb 21, 2019 ***Congressional's athletic clinic primes young student for intramural sports.*** [Read More →](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/welcome-to-little-colts-academy) [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/6431429/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/003.jpg?width=710&name=003.jpg)](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/chincoteague) Nov 01 2018 ### [Chincoteague Bay Field Study](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/chincoteague) ##### Nov 01, 2018 **7th graders venture out on an inspiring ecological study of a wildlife refuge** [Read More →](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/chincoteague) [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/6431429/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/IMG_8996.jpg?width=710&name=IMG_8996.jpg)](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/thinking-green) Apr 05 2018 ### [Thinking Green](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/thinking-green) ##### Apr 05, 2018 ***Congressional Sixth Graders Win 2018 Green Difference Award*** [Read More →](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/thinking-green) [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/6431429/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/COLLAGE-1-1.jpg?width=710&name=COLLAGE-1-1.jpg)](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/celebrating-unsung-heroes) Mar 15 2018 ### [Celebrating Unsung Heroes](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/celebrating-unsung-heroes) ##### Mar 15, 2018 **Congressional Students Question, Collaborate, Create, and Lead as They Come Together to Celebrate Black History Month** [Read More →](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/celebrating-unsung-heroes) [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/6431429/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/MATH-1A.jpg?width=710&name=MATH-1A.jpg)](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/learning-from-0-to-10) Jan 22 2018 ### [Learning From 0 to 10](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/learning-from-0-to-10) ##### Jan 22, 2018 **Building foundational math skills in preschool.** [Read More →](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/learning-from-0-to-10) [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/6431429/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Congressional_390-3.jpg?width=710&name=Congressional_390-3.jpg)](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/yes-i-can) Jan 10 2018 ### [Yes, I Can!](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/yes-i-can) ##### Jan 10, 2018 **An Interview with Tavis Laws, Director of Athletics and Physical Education** [Read More →](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/yes-i-can) [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/6431429/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/IMG_2561.jpg?width=710&name=IMG_2561.jpg)](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/the-rhythm-of-a-folk-dance) Oct 17 2017 ### [The Rhythm of a Folk Dance](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/the-rhythm-of-a-folk-dance) ##### Oct 17, 2017 ***A Look Inside Music Class in Primary School*** [Read More →](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/the-rhythm-of-a-folk-dance) [1](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/author/alyce-penn/page/1) [2](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/author/alyce-penn/page/2) [Next »](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/author/alyce-penn/page/2) [INQUIRE](https://www.congressionalschool.org/inquire/) [VISIT](https://www.congressionalschool.org/welcome/admission-calendar/) [APPLY](https://congressionalschool.myschoolapp.com/app#login/apply) [GIVE](https://forms.diamondmindinc.com/congressional/giving?token=597319632) [Site Map](https://www.congressionalschool.org/site-map/) • [Contact Us](https://www.congressionalschool.org/about/contact-us/) ![Congressional School](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/6431429/CongressionalSchool_October2019/images/congressional2.png) 3229 Sleepy Hollow Road ● Falls Church, VA 22042 ● 703-533-9711 Preschool - Grade 8 Private School Day Care Program (6 Weeks - 3 Years)