One of my favorite memories is when I first came to SpiderSmart...

First, I felt a little nervous and thought it was boring because I had never been to an academy and learned there. Then I got more nervous when I met all the teachers. I stopped getting nervous and got used to everything. I started to enjoy SpiderSmart now. I call SpiderSmart a fun place. I am learning to learn at a fun academy. David C. - 2nd grade

Our Beloved Jeannie

A student recently wrote an essay about our beloved owner/founder, Jeannie Jung: Ms. Jeannie is an amazing teacher. She is special to me because when I go to SpiderSmart, she helps me to learn. I know a lot more than what we are learning at school. If Ms. J is not there, I think I'd be failing all my clases. She means the whole world to me. If I would have anything to help me remember her, I would have a photo of her in front of SpiderSmart and I would wear a green shirt. I would love a photo of her in front of SpiderSmart because that's where she taught me. I would have a green shirt on because that is her favorite color. I love Ms. J and without her, I wouldn't know a lot. Before I thought I stunk at math and reading. Along the way, she helped me realize that I am smarter than I think I am. Naseeb - 3rd grade

A most enthusiastic congratulations to our teachers, who somehow manage to be unbelievable WRITERS too! Miss Susan recently had another unforgettable short story published, Miss Julie was a finalist in a HUGE fiction contest, and Mrs. Sufiya just completed her MFA with a timeless piece fusing elements of journalism, research, and memoir. We are SO LUCKY to have these incredible writers teaching your children!

Sending waves of good luck to our SAT students today! You've worked SO hard and you're going to do SO well!!!

Our warmest congratulations to our very own Annie Tang, who has won FIRST PLACE among all Montgomery County third graders for her short story, "King Neptune and the Crazy Flute!!!" On Saturday, May 26, the Montgomery County Council of the International Reading Association (MCCIRA) will sponsor a reception to honor Annie and the other Montgomery County winners. At this celebration, Annie will meet other young authors, read her short story aloud, receive a certificate, and participate in a special writing workshop presented by Gilda Joyce author, Jennifer Allison. Annie will also receive an invitation to the Young Authors' Reception in the near future. We are SO PROUD OF YOU, Annie!

Welcome back from Spring Break, students! We're so happy to see you!

From DeLillo--an author to surely read--a comment on our symbolic mascot, the oh-so-interesting spider:

"Time seems to pass. The world happens, unrolling into moments, and you stop to glance at a spider pressed to its web. There is a quickness of light and a sense of things outlined precisely and streaks of running luster on the bay. You know more surely who you are on a strong bright day after a storm when the smallest falling leaf is stabbed with self-awareness. The wind makes a sound in the pines and the world comes into being, irreversibly, and the spider rides the wind-swayed web."