Camille M. Bertram
Educational Consultants
Winter "Wonder-Land:" Pondering the Future of Education and Youth
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As we approach the midpoint in the school year and families return to post holiday life and decision making, the media seem to be filled with articles about issues related to parenting styles, educational options and challenges, and the employment issues recent graduates are facing. We at Bertram are tracking all those trends and are poised to help our families navigate through their decision making at every educational phase.
Please be sure to read through the insights and Bertram team guidance below and look to "From the Quad" for additional perspectives on college and graduate school admissions, independent day and boarding schools, as well as special needs education options. And, as always, we welcome your comments and family news.
Warmly,
Cammie Bertram and The Bertram Team
http://www.cmbertram.com/
191 Post Road West, Westport, Connecticut 06880
203.255.2577
Signs and Signals
The Changing Education Landscape
2010 brought a lot of news in the education sector, including the controversial film Waiting for Superman and the integration of mobile devices into the classroom. What can we expect for 2011? Find out what's trending in education this year here.
Social Entrepreneurship is alive and well on college campuses, according to Stanford University professor Melanie Edwards.
Are students more stressed than ever? The media has recently tackled the issue of stress and over-programming in our children's lives. A film, Race to Nowhere, addresses the risks of our high pressure culture that has invaded the school system. A recent book by Amy Chua, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, highlights the values of a demanding and rigorous schedule for her own children. Read our thoughts on this provocative topic in From the Quad. To push or not to push? That is the question!
According to The Atlantic, "The Great Recession" as it is officially called, will be leaving lasting and traumatic effects for many aspects of our culture and education system. This fascinating infographic illustrates these trends in a colorful and easy-to-digest manner.
The Right Road
Planning and Parenting Guidance
Spikes in depression, more specifically Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) are especially common during the cold and gray winter months.
Parents can look here to learn more about identifying the signs of depression in their teenagers.
We at Bertram have decades of experience helping families find alternative learning situations for at-risk teens, and encourage you to include us in part of your discussions regarding the right options for your children.
The Savvy Guide
Expert Insights
One foreign tongue you probably didn't study in college or graduate school is "Teenage as a Second Language." But now you can. Barbara Greenberg, PhD recently penned this groundbreaking new book, which offers every parent insights into how to communicate better with his or her teenage child.
The book, co-authored by Dr. Jennifer A. Powell, PsyD, teachs parents how to address sensitive topics with teens, how to start conversations, which topics to avoid, and how to translate nonverbal communications.
You can read some of Dr. Greenberg's insights and guidance here.
Bertram Says...
Things We Like
Valentine's Day is right around the corner. And we truly love gifts with a charitable tie-in. Be sure to consider True Prep Jewelry at Jewelry for a Cause. This innovative company has given back to a variety of schools and youth oriented causes.
New Footprints
Latest News from Bertram
We are illuminated this month!
We attended five key educational conferences over the past few months and absorbed news and trends in the boarding, secondary school, college, and green education arenas. We remain one step ahead of ways to help our families make the right choices.
Bertram is a proud sponsor of the Green Cup Challenge, an initiative of the Green Schools Alliance. Students around the globe are coming up with brilliant new ways to reduce energy consumption.
The Compass
Chart the Course
January - March
- Summer activity planning should be starting now. Remember, work experiences, travel, summer coursework, and internships can all be beneficial to a student's future.
- Specialized short-term programs for students with learning differences are filling up quickly. Please contact us to learn more about some options (including new ones for 2011).
- Be sure you are prepared for all standardized tests. Click these links for SAT and Subject Tests, ACT, and GMAT schedules.
- Schedule a FLEX test (SSAT offers one per year per candidate). The test can be administered in our Westport, Connecticut office. Please call or email us.
Off the Beaten Path
Obscure and Entertaining Education Facts
Click here to find out what colleges don't tell you at orientation.
The Socially-Responsible Highway
A Greener Route
College students are finding new and improved ways to help the environment. Read about the latest movement, "Banning the Bottle," featured in The New York Times.
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