--- title: Congressional School Blog | Ru Odell --- [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/)  [![Logo](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/hs-fs/hubfs/01-logo-header-2.png?width=560&height=84&name=01-logo-header-2.png)](https://www.congressionalschool.org/?__hstc=45788219.4bf6c7a1100937f09d9bf691293ec63f.1792082315384.1792082315384.1792082315384.1&__hssc=45788219.1.1792082315384&__hsfp=8a460b484ba1b16b62d9e37ce972a11a) - [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)** ## Ru Odell ### Recent Posts [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/6431429/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Congressional_Fall2017_187.jpg?width=710&name=Congressional_Fall2017_187.jpg)](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/how-to-choose-the-right-school) Oct 23 2024 ### [How to Choose the Right School](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/how-to-choose-the-right-school) ##### Oct 23, 2024 **A Guide for Parents as They Search for the Perfect-Fit School for Their Child** [Read More →](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/how-to-choose-the-right-school) [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/6431429/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/imaging_seesaw-1.jpg?width=710&name=imaging_seesaw-1.jpg)](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/inspiring-lifelong-readers) Nov 09 2020 ### [Inspiring Lifelong Readers](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/inspiring-lifelong-readers) ##### Nov 09, 2020 Familiar Childhood Reflections and a Crucial Balance Needed in Schools [Read More →](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/inspiring-lifelong-readers) [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/6431429/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/IMG_5608.jpg?width=710&name=IMG_5608.jpg)](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/up-for-debate) Jul 01 2019 ### [Up for Debate](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/up-for-debate) ##### Jul 01, 2019 *Through Congressional’s Speech and Drama curriculum, middle school students engage in specialized training to refine critical public speaking skills that they will carry forward into high school, college, and their careers.* [Read More →](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/up-for-debate) [![Mirtha](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/6431429/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Mirtha.jpg?width=710&name=Mirtha.jpg)](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/celebrating-30-years-with-infants-and-toddlers) Jun 21 2019 ### [Celebrating 30 Years with Infants and Toddlers](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/celebrating-30-years-with-infants-and-toddlers) ##### Jun 21, 2019 ***Congressional School's 30th Anniversary for their Day Care Program*** [Read More →](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/celebrating-30-years-with-infants-and-toddlers) [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/6431429/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Congressional_Fall2017_013.jpg?width=710&name=Congressional_Fall2017_013.jpg)](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/right-on-the-money) Dec 08 2018 ### [Right On the Money](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/right-on-the-money) ##### Dec 08, 2018 **A Guide for Parents as They Look to Finance a Private School Education** [Read More →](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/right-on-the-money) [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/6431429/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Congressional_Fall2017_051.jpg?width=710&name=Congressional_Fall2017_051.jpg)](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/some-thoughts-on-the-writing-process) Oct 03 2018 ### [Some Thoughts on the Writing Process](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/some-thoughts-on-the-writing-process) ##### Oct 03, 2018 English Teacher, Cameron Yassine, Discusses His Personal Writing Process [Read More →](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/some-thoughts-on-the-writing-process) [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/6431429/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Screen-Shot-2018-09-21-at-3_38_58-PM.jpg?width=710&name=Screen-Shot-2018-09-21-at-3_38_58-PM.jpg)](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/painting-without-sight) Sep 21 2018 ### [Painting Without Sight](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/painting-without-sight) ##### Sep 21, 2018 **Learning About John Bramblitt and the Five Senses in Kindergarten** [Read More →](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/painting-without-sight) [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/6431429/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Vance-2.jpg?width=710&name=Vance-2.jpg)](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/life-is-about-choices) Aug 17 2018 ### [Life is About Choices](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/life-is-about-choices) ##### Aug 17, 2018 **Our Parent Organization President Shares About Her Time in Houston Helping After Hurricane Harvey** [Read More →](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/life-is-about-choices) [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/6431429/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/MG_2817_1-1.jpg?width=710&name=MG_2817_1-1.jpg)](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/developing-lifelong-readers) Jul 20 2018 ### [Developing Lifelong Readers](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/developing-lifelong-readers) ##### Jul 20, 2018 Our Approach to Inspiring A Love of Reading in Our Students [Read More →](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/developing-lifelong-readers) [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/6431429/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/IMG_8777_1.jpg?width=710&name=IMG_8777_1.jpg)](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/wisdom-and-reflection) May 24 2018 ### [Wisdom and Reflections from Student Athletes](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/wisdom-and-reflection) ##### May 24, 2018 **Interviews with Our Varsity Student Athletes of the Year: Ava and Liam** [Read More →](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/wisdom-and-reflection) [1](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/author/ru-odell/page/1) [2](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/author/ru-odell/page/2) [3](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/author/ru-odell/page/3) [Next »](https://blog.congressionalschool.org/blog/author/ru-odell/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)