Empowering students with language-based learning differences
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Welcome to Siena's blog, your source for helpful, cutting-edge resources tailored to teachers, parents, and other advocates in the learning differences community. We are dedicated to providing a wealth of curated knowledge spanning various topics, ranging from dyslexia advocacy and awareness to classroom teaching strategies, heritage month profiles, and social and emotional health.
Discover innovative classroom strategies that inspire creativity and foster a love of learning.
Our commitment to social-emotional wellness ensures that we provide valuable insights into healthy student development and self-advocacy.
Discover resources, reading and podcast recommendations, volunteering opportunities, and more for parents in the LD community.
Our important heritage month posts highlight key people, offer reading and podcast recommendations, and more.
Archives - January 2025
How Outdoor Recess Benefits Students
January 24, 2025
Avg. read time: 3 min.
Outdoor recess and physical activity have always been crucial parts of the school day at Siena.
By keeping up with relevant research, Siena has made specific choices of playground equipment to benefit our population of students with language-based learning differences. Such intentionality ensures that our students at all three Siena campuses are regularly practicing their fine and gross motor skills, physical and mental flexibility, creativity, and much more on the playground.
Brain and Body Development on the Playground
Alongside the cardiovascular work of outdoor activities as a physical outlet for excess energy, there are numerous benefits for adolescents inside and outside the classroom. All three Siena campuses have plenty of open outdoor space for these and other games, including imaginative play.
In addition, Siena’s Satellite campus for grades 3 and 4 has a new climbing and slide playground and Gaga ball pit to keep our young learners moving and collaborating.
Our Northern Virginia campus regularly has outdoor PE and other activities (e.g., yoga), and our Forest Glen campus recently installed a climbing structure and Gaga ball pit. Getting elementary and middle schoolers outside regularly helps all of our students work their bodies and their brains.
Occupational therapists especially value climbing for adolescents’ brain development, social-emotional learning, and a host of other skills:
Decision making and problem solving in the moment: “As children climb, they need to make decisions, solve problems, and even visualize the solution: What will it take for me to get to the top? Do I have to put my hand or foot in a specific place to move upward?” (The Genius of Play)
Collaboration and Communication: “By exploring a climbing structure and working together with other children to forge a path to the top, many young climbers learn valuable lessons about teaching, listening, and communicating” (Luckey Climbers)
Controlled Risk-Taking: “Climbing also provides a thrilling experience that feels risky to kids. Giving them opportunities to enjoy the excitement of perceived risk can help build their confidence and independence” (Miracle Recreation)
Spatial Awareness: “As this skill is practiced [while climbing] children become better at navigating the surface they are climbing, making them more efficient to get up and down and safer. They learn where their body is, how they can use their body on the surface to climb, and begin to learn ways to avoid falling” (Arizona Orthopedic Physical Therapy)
Research on the Benefits of Play for Children
There is a lot of research available on the benefits of climbing and other forms of outdoor physical activity. For more information, see:
- 7 Elements of Play & How They Impact Learning In The Classroom Element
- 4 Ways Climbing Boosts Kids' Development
- Climbing is the Perfect Activity for Your Kids
- The Importance of Climbing in Child Development
- The Importance of Climbing for Kids
- Key Benefits of Climbing for Children
- University of North Florida, Science Daily
Additional Resources for Families
See the Siena blog’s Parents and Community section for more pieces of interest for young learners, including Why Is Early Intervention Important? and Common Acronyms in LD Education.
The Siena School, a national leader in dyslexia education, serves bright, college-bound students with language-based learning differences on DC Metro area campuses in Silver Spring, MD (grades 3-4 and 5-12) and Oakton, VA (grades 3-12).
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Parents and Community
College Prep Begins in High School
January 15, 2025
Avg. read time: 3 min.
Without the guidance of teachers and the Siena community, I wouldn’t have developed the skills and tools necessary for success. - Ozzie, Siena Class of ‘24
A high school curriculum tailored to LD students’ needs is especially important in offering an academically rigorous, supportive learning environment.
We’re taking this opportunity to highlight what Siena offers as part of our regular high school curriculum—such as counseling, test preparation, and overall college readiness—to best prepare our students for their next academic step.
Siena’s high school program at our campuses in Silver Spring, MD, and Oakton, VA, focuses on our mission and supports our high school students and families in various ways.
Preparing High School Students for College and Future Careers
A cornerstone of Siena’s high school curriculum is the multi-year college counseling program and dedicated college counselor and internship coordinator. These deliberate curricular choices guide students through all four years of high school to break down the process of applying to and then attending college.
Highlights of our scaffolded program include:
- Specializing in sciences, arts, or other areas of strength to pursue a particular field of interest in a deep, thoughtful, and rigorous manner
- Exploring potential colleges and majors and making the most of visits from college reps
- Participating in a robust internships program that allows students to follow a field or job opportunity of interest for each year of high school
- Following a structured application timeline with individualized support at each step
- Preparing for standardized tests and guidance on how to help students stand out in their applications
- Writing and revising college application essays as part of class
- Receiving merit scholarship offers (For example, Siena's Class of 2024 was offered $6,704,800 over 4 years in merit scholarships by the various colleges they applied to.)
- Guidance on selecting a supportive learning center at the college level
Such intentional design embeds opportunities for students to explore the interests they are most passionate about in high school. In addition, this develops their overall college preparedness, ranging from how to approach a writing assignment to requesting accommodations and using faculty office hours.
By the end of 10th grade, I [...] had developed strong relationships with both my teachers and peers. This made it easier for me to manage my workload with all the support around me and it made me stretch myself into other opportunities offered by Siena. - Jude, Siena Class of ‘24
College Prep and Admissions Resources
Families wanting to ensure college preparedness can review some recent articles on current college admissions trends, such as:
- Campus to Career Crossroads (2024)
- College Data (2024)
- College Matchpoint 2024
- College Matchpoint 2025
- Passion Prep (2024)
- Top Tier Admissions (2024)
These and other resources typically outline some key skills colleges look for in their applicants, such as collaboration, social awareness, and leadership.
Dyslexia Resources for Families
Families in the LD community can read some recent blog posts about dyslexia, including Dyslexia Reading and Podcast Recommendations and Building Confidence in LD Students.
The Siena School, a national leader in dyslexia education, serves bright, college-bound students with language-based learning differences on DC Metro area campuses in Silver Spring, MD (grades 3-4 and 5-12) and Oakton, VA (grades 3-12).
Posted in
Parents and Community
MLK Day Volunteering and Service Opportunities
January 14, 2025
Avg. read time: 2 min.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is celebrated on Monday January 20th this year. This important holiday provides students and their families with a great chance to give back to their local community on a national day of service.
Below are some options for students to volunteer time in the DC metropolitan area—either for the MLK holiday weekend or at other times this year.
Volunteer Opportunities in the DC Area
- See Volunteer Fairfax’s MLK Jr. Week of Service 2025 or Montgomery County’s MLK Day of Service & Volunteer Fair for opportunities offered by the county.
- Montgomery County parks has information about park cleanups in the area. In addition, Josiah Henson Museum and Park in Bethesda is holding a special Family Day event on Monday, January 20th, between 10:00am and 4:00pm. Learn more here on Montgomery Parks website.
- Girls on the Run Montgomery County and Northern Virginia have opportunities for junior coaches, race volunteers, and more. Fill out the interest form on their website.
- Animal lovers could look into shelters and similar organizations such as Animal Welfare League of Montgomery County, Montgomery County Animal Services & Adoption Center, and Humane Rescue Alliance. The Montgomery County Humane Society has opportunities for group service projects to collect donations for animals, and Homeward Trails Animal Rescue in Virginia has a program for youth volunteers. (Note: Animal rescue organizations usually require parent or guardian accompaniment for volunteers under 18. See their websites for specifics.)
- Food accessibility organizations such as DC Capital Area Food Bank, Shepherd’s Table, Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland, Manna Food Center, and Nourish Now always need volunteers to sort, pack, and distribute food to those experiencing food insecurity.
Additional Resources for Families
- Small Things Matter (serving families in Takoma Park, Silver Spring, and Rockville, MD)
- Fairfax Youth & Family Volunteering
- Teen Volunteer Opportunities | Fairfax County Libraries
- Montgomery County Volunteer Center
- Volunteer Opportunities in Washington, DC | TeenLife
The Siena School proudly serves students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences in grades 3-12 on DC Metro area campuses in Silver Spring, Maryland, and Oakton, Virginia.
Posted in
Parents and Community