Four Reasons Why It’s Time to Hire a Manny (Or a Nanny)
By Susan Payne
Being a parent is enjoyable and rewarding, but certain aspects of the lifestyle can be tiring and stressful — especially with a trying economy and rising inflation this year.
To give parents extra support, Mannies of LA has made it their mission over the last ten years to connect parents with positive male, or female, role models that can spend extra time nurturing, engaging and bonding with the little ones.
In case you’re on the fence about hiring someone, here are five reasons why you should:
Making A Difference
Positive role models are critical during child development. While soaking up the world around them, children emulate actions and values of the close circle around them. Role models who demonstrate upstanding behavior and good habits can instill those same values in your children as they are developing.
Mannies of LA is a small referral agency that gives your family a chance to decide who those positive role models are. If your child is showing interest in a particular subject, sport or activity, there’s a good
chance a manny or nanny in Mannies of LA’s pool of vetted caretakers specialize, or have extensive experience, in that area.
“Most of our mannies and nannies are college educated, extremely responsible and have gone through an extensive interview process and reference checks. We do the heavy lifting so parents don’t have to, so they can be at ease during the process of hiring a caretaker,” said Michael Lin, founder of Mannies of LA.
Children Thrive on Routine
Finding a manny or nanny that prioritizes bonding and engaging with your children can be difficult. Among the pool of qualified mannies and nannies through Mannies of LA, you are sure to find that one that adds special routine to your child’s life.
Routines support healthy social emotional development in early childhood, help children build confidence and give them security and predictability in their daily lives. Having a manny or nanny to keep them engaged, centered and immersed in activities can help your child thrive.
For children, emotional bonding is vital, not just with parents and family members. Keeping in mind that attachment styles vary, the relationship between and a child and caregiver are essential to child development. Emotional bonded children are found to perform higher in academics and have improved social skills and lower levels of anxiety and depression.
Mannies of LA highly considers the needs of the family and children while placing caregivers and looks for qualities in the caregiver that will meet those specific needs — whether it’s behavior, special needs, or families simply needing extra hands around the house, or a mix of everything.
Personalized Care / Flexibility
Unlike other agencies, Mannies is a boutique agency and with that comes personalized care.
Mannies of LA is known to have a 90% success rate in matchmaking. In fact, some families have said among the carefully picked selection of manny and nanny candidates, they wish they could have hired them all.
“We build a relationship so that I can understand your needs as a parent. We are diligent in the process of finding the right fit. Even if we don’t have a timeline, we will continue to work with our clients until we find the perfect manny or nanny,” Lin said.
Some parents might need fulltime caregivers, part time caregiver, vocational or temporary, and the flexibility that Mannies of LA provides for clients is the grace that some families need. The application and interview process is simple.
To read more about the process and testimonials from several families, visit ManniesofLA.com.
Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles Celebrates 60 Years of Excellence in Education and a Bilingual Advantage
By Susan Payne
An international private school in West Los Angeles is celebrating 60 years of excellence in broadening student perspectives and offering more than a bilingual advantage.
Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles, hailed as a world-renowned institution and one of the best private international schools and well-respected college prep school in Los Angeles, offers a full program from preschool to 12th grade following a bilingual immersion curriculum.
The school was founded in Los Angeles in 1964 by Raymond and Esther Kabbaz, former teachers of Le Lycée in New York, parents of Clara-Lisa Kabbaz, the current president of the school. During that time in California, schools were prohibited from teaching in any language other than English.
“My parents petitioned in Sacramento to change the code of Education. Their historic effort paved the way for the opening of Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles and for the many other multilingual schools, such
Armenian or Korean, that now flourish in California,” Kabbaz said.
“It has been a joy to grow up in this school and it has also been an honor to follow in my parents’ footsteps. We are blessed watching our students grow from preschoolers into knowledgeable, talented, and dedicated high school graduates who are motivated to go further and attend college with the determination to go out into the world and achieve greatness,” she added.
Starting as early as second grade, a Le Lycée student can pursue either the French School Program or International School Program, both of which prepare students for bilingual advancement and college.
The school’s innovative approach to education means each student can find the right fit, while still being part of one multifaceted community. In addition to college preparation, Le Lycée students experience global perspectives, introductions to multiple cultures, build character and leadership, and balance academia with arts, sports and extracurricular activities.
While attending Le Lycée, students at every age level are introduced to the
benefits of learning a second language early on. As they develop fluency in a second language, they are tapping into cognitive benefits, such as enhanced problem-solving and multitasking, cultural awareness, professional edge, including career opportunities and earning potential, social connectivity and academic improvement. Outside of French, Le Lycée offers courses in Latin, Greek, Mandarin, Spanish and German.
Le Lycée’s rigorous traditional curriculum and higher-level courses, including 27 advanced placements, fosters responsibility, ethics and discipline by integrating character education, ethical discussions and a structured environment. While being present among a body of students that encompasses over 50 nationalities, students are also encouraged to participate in community involvement in an environment that promotes a wellrounded, responsible and engaged student body.
Students who have graduated from a Le Lycée have found success attending top universities and outstanding professionalism as college preparation is
foundational at every grade level. Le Lycée has five age-appropriate campuses in West Los Angeles and Pacific Palisades, designed for interactive and effective learning. The school is equipped with resource-rich libraries for studying, research and collaboration, labs for science and technology, and areas for physical education and sporting activities.
Graduating students can earn a U.S. high school diploma, AP Capstone Diploma/Certificate, in addition to the French Baccalaureate (Classic of BFI) in the French School Program. Excitedly, no knowledge of French is required to enroll at any grade.
For more information on the school, visit LyceeLA.org.
Emotional Bonding
CELEBRATING 60 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION
LE LYCÉE FRANÇAIS DE LOS ANGELES
REGISTER FOR AN OPEN HOUSE TODAY!
PRESCHOOL - 12TH GRADE
FRENCH & ENGLISH CURRICULUMS
5 CAMPUSES - WEST LA & PACIFIC PALISADES
Notre Dame Academy Helps Middle, High School Girls Discover Unique Gifts
By Susan Payne
For the first time in Notre Dame Academy’s 75-year history, more girls are graduating and pursuing higher education in traditionally male-dominated fields such as male-dominated fields such as astrophysics, artificial intelligence, cyber security, and engineering.
Last year, 56% of the graduating 2024 class entered college with a STEMrelated major — a testament to the all-girl Catholic school’s dedication to equipping young women with the knowledge, skills and confidence to excel in higher education and beyond.
Notre Dame Academy is a modern college preparatory school that emphasizes an exploratory approach and personalized college counseling. Girls are encouraged to embrace their academic potential and a life of purpose, starting in grade six.
Informed by timeless Catholic values, an NDA education reflects the most current, well-researched methods tailored to how girls learn, grow and thrive. Newly expanded to middle school, NDA believes in the relevance of an all-girls education and the importance of girl-only spaces, particularly through adolescence.
With rigorous academics, intentional leadership training and the support of a sisterhood, NDA prepares young women to impact their workplaces, industries and communities. The school’s exploratory approach challenges each student to forge her own unique education path with an academic emphasis that reflects her interests and talents.
Although every NDA graduate entertains acceptances from multiple four-year institutions, NDA prepares young women for lives of purpose for which college is simply a steppingstone. Last year, NDA was the only Catholic school in West Los Angeles to earn the Advanced Placement Platinum with Access Award for its exceptional commitment to AP excellence across all socioeconomic levels.
NDA students are motivated to consider ways to use their gifts to support their community, reflecting the school’s holistic approach to educating young women, encompassing academic preparation, spiritual formation and social-emotional learning while exposing students to a wide array of related career options.
Students explore diverse fields and have meaningful conversations in NDA’s Symposium Series, which features guest
speakers. By relying on the expanse of Los Angeles as an extension of the classroom, Regals gain valuable realworld insights through enriching field research and company visits.
“Our students are not only wellprepared academically but have also developed exceptional leadership skills and emotional intelligence because they’ve consistently applied classroom learning to practical situations,” said Lilliam Paetzold, President/Head of School.
“The girls support each other both in class and in between. Those bonds — that connectedness — enable them to build teamwork and life skills, weather challenges, and grow not just as students, but as people,” she added.
Alongside a sisterhood of other students, NDA faculty foster academic excellence and a love for learning, while its competitive athletic program and dynamic arts offerings guarantee a comprehensive middle and high school experience. NDA Regals consistently earn league and conference championships in indoor volleyball, basketball, swim and beach volleyball, a unique offering among high schools.
The school’s dynamic arts programs feature dance, drama and visual arts,
encouraging creative expression and offering frequent performance opportunities. Among the school’s student life programs, more than 50% of students hold a leadership position within clubs and organization. NDA students also participate in award-winning cocurriculars such as rocketry, robotics and Academic Decathlon.
NDA students are bright, curious and goal oriented young women from over 75 zip codes. The student body is a diverse microcosm of the City of Los Angeles While 70% of the student body is Catholic, the school welcomes students of all faith traditions. With competitively priced tuition, NDA offers tuition assistance.
To learn more about the school, visit https://academy.ndasla.org.
NOTRE DAME ACADEMY
School of Rock Celebrates 25 Years of Teaching Music
Venice and West LA Locations
Welcome New Students
By Susan Payne
School of Rock is back in session and this year, the Venice and West LA locations are looking to do what it does best for students of any age — build community within the school.
Students learn on a song-first approach, individual lessons combined with group rehearsals in an atmosphere that encourages learning in a supportive environment where students of all skill levels are comfortable and engaged. Through School of Rock’s song-first
School of Rock regional manager.
“By teaching our students real songs from day one, we’re teaching them scales and rudiments and theory so they can play those songs with the band and develop a camaraderie that allows their passion for music to thrive. Kids find the joy of music, get better faster and make a ton of friends while doing it,” Salmons added.
Salmons has been a part of School of Rock for more than 13 years and recently introduced his 4-year-old son to the Little Wing program. This program features a special curriculum where students play games and participate in interactive activities to help them internalize foundational music skills. Little Wing students have one weekly group lesson and learn about rhythm, song structure, melody and dynamics through play.
lessons every week. My 6-year-old has been in the program for over two years now and has been exploring different instruments. He really loves singing, keyboard, guitar and drums. We’re just waiting for him to pick the right one for him. They say music class is their favorite part of the week,” Salmons said.
Rock 101 is a beginner and intermediate band program that includes individual lessons and band rehearsals. These students have opportunities to shake off any stage fright before moving on to the next level of instruction, which is the Performance Program.
“Performance is the hallmark of School of Rock’s performance-based education. We cast the students into a culturally relevant, historically and musically rich show in an ensemble format, about 15 to 20 kids in each band. They rehearse the set over the course of
them to on-stage performance.
“We are the most revolutionary music school in the world and your kids will never have as much fun learning music
Willows School Celebrates 30 Years of Great Minds Growing
By Susan Payne
Thirty years ago, a group of educators banded together to create a new school in the spring of 1994 — one envisioned to be progressive and innovative. The school would have an educational approach with strong academic roots that instilled character and compassion, inspired intellectual fearlessness and flexibility, and appealed to a broader demographic throughout Los Angeles.
Several months later, The Willows Community School broke ground and hosted its first cohort of 93 students in an old Culver City warehouse under the prolific vision of Lisa Rosenstein, the head of school.
Today, The Willows flourishes behind its strong foundation and commitment to each student on a beautiful fouracre campus. The Willows’ acclaimed educational program, thriving professional development program, lauded speaker series and inclusion and outreach across the city gives the school a unique combination of innovation and tradition.
Children who started at The Willows in the early and mid-90s are now in their 30s, some taking positions on the
board of school and becoming educators themselves, others taking the spirit of their early education into adulthood and others introducing their littles to an educational experience designed to inspire, motivate and impel students to question, investigate and take hands-on ownership of their learning.
“One of the greatest privileges for me is to see how many alumni come back to become teachers and how they talk about what their Willows education meant to them and how they want to continue that legacy, and how that gives them real meaning and purpose in their lives,” Rosenstein said. “That’s one of the most gratifying experiences for me.”
As the founding head, Rosenstein has witnessed The Willows as first an idea, to a haven that encourages flexibility, resiliency and beauty at every stage of development — even during the hard times. During 2020, a global pandemic touched nearly every continent and caused mass school and business closures. In response to this, The Willows created a nimble transition to hybrid learning and allowed students to continue to grow as the school eventually facilitated a safe re-entry to on-campus learning.
“When I looked back on COVID, I see how the faculty and administration came together and were committed to try their best to keep those connections going between themselves and the students while also holding onto the progressive approach of education. People stepped up and met the challenge and they really did embody the can-do spirit, that was a proud moment for me,” Rosenstein recalled.
True to its roots, The Willows has continuously prepared students for a rapidly changing modern world while sustaining the vision of the founding families — a reality with a community of students filled with the joy of learning, passionate about giving back.
“There are so many proud moments. But it’s the moments where the dayto-day become extraordinary, like when kids have that ‘aha!’ moment or a teacher so excited, that’s the fuel that ignites the school to continue to move forward and be dynamic,” Rosenstein said.
The Willows educational program places emphasis on knowing yourself, cultivating empathy and promoting well-being for its students, parents and extended community through life skills
classes, service learning projects and visiting speakers.
As The Willows prepares to embark on its 30-year anniversary, Rosenstein is looking forward to reuniting students with their beloved teachers — colleagues and staff that carry the spirit of The Willows as they develop young minds.
“I feel privileged to have been the leader for 30 years and being able to continue to work with such a dedicated and bright group of people — they are who moves the needle,” she said.
Students Gain Global Perspective Rooted in Service at Marymount
By Susan Payne
Tradition meets innovation at Marymount, an all-girl Catholic independent high school in Los Angeles.
As a Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary (RSHM) school, Marymount’s core purpose is to educate and empower young women to live lives of consequence as ethical leaders with a global perspective and an unshakeable commitment to the common good.
That global perspective is taking students worldwide in conjunction with
the global network of RSHM schools — 22 schools in eight countries that share common values and vision.
“Marymount’s internationality and connection to the RSHM global community are differentiators for families. Our students are excited to connect with other students around the world in the classroom and through service learning programs,” said Dawn Regan, Interim Head of School.
“Our mission and 100-year history resonate with parents seeking an independent Catholic school education.
BRENTWOOD ART CENTER
They want their daughters to have a mission-centered education so, when they go on to college and beyond, they are wellpositioned to make informed decisions that will be right for themselves, their communities, and the world.” Regan said.
With rich diversity and a sense of sisterhood across the community, the school’s innovative approach to teaching gives each student the opportunity to thrive, and the freedom to forge her path within the challenging college-preparatory curriculum.
Marymount’s unique humanities and science offerings include STEAM courses for future designers, artists, coders, engineers, and more. The school’s robust curriculum also includes 22 advanced placement and 30 honors courses.
“The depth with which our faculty and staff know each student helps to ensure that all students feel valued, respected, and heard. These mentors are committed to seeing every student achieve her fullest potential and do great things for this world,” Regan said.
Additionally, Marymount provides students with summer internship opportunities, through which they work with extraordinary professionals in a variety of fields and careers outside of the classrooms. These internship opportunities
foster personal, educational, and professional growth as students deepen and broaden their knowledge through reallife experiences.
Throughout its 100-year history, Marymount Sailors have worked hard, played smart, and shown resilience in athletics. The school has earned over 160 league championships and nine state championships in various sports. Each year, approximately 11% of graduating seniors go on to play at the collegiate level.
“While we are fortunate to have highly competitive teams, we are also proud that our athletic program is broad in scope and provides ample opportunities for students to learn a sport that may be new to them,” Regan said.
In a world where faith can sometimes divide, Marymount shapes thoughtful, compassionate leaders with a keen sense of responsibility for the common good. Approximately 60% of the student body is Catholic, and 40% enrich the school community from other faith traditions. The school’s student body is 345, drawing from 63 zip codes throughout Los Angeles.
For more information on the school, visit MHS-LA.org.
Grades 5-10 are welcome to come to our beautiful campus to meet Marymount’s incredible Faculty, Staff, and Student Ambassador Team! This is an interactive and exciting event featuring various breakout sessions, giving you the opportunity to learn about everything Marymount, including: Academics, College Counseling, Athletics, STEM, Arts, and more! Join us as we proudly celebrate over 100 years of educating and empowering young women.
HOUSE Sunday, Nov 3, 2024 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Winning Academics Founder Brings Customized Tutoring and Mentorship to Los Angeles
By Susan Payne
Helping students achieve exceptional academic results and personal growth is no small feat.
For the last 15 years, Hamid Rahmani, founder of Winning Academics, a premier tutoring and educational consulting firm, has been employing a holistic approach to mentoring students that combines academic coaching, personal mentorship, and strategic college planning, ensuring their success is on the horizon.
With foundations in Orange County, Hamid has recently planted roots in Los Angeles, hoping to transform his next cohort of students — middle- and highschool-aged — into leaders.
More than just a tutor, Hamid is a dedicated educational coach. He has guided countless students to not only achieve academic excellence but also build lasting confidence through mastery and personalized support.
“While the school system provides a solid foundation through rigorous coursework, it can sometimes overshadow a student’s unique strengths
and passions. My role is to bridge that gap, offering mentorship that highlights and nurtures these qualities. I also serve as a liaison between students and parents, helping them navigate this journey together,” Hamid said.
Hamid offers several services to parents and students who want to hire an education coach: one-on-one tutoring for math and science courses, customized test prep programs, holistic student development, and comprehensive family support. His methodology fosters strong study habits, critical thinking, resilience, and leadership skills.
“The results speak for themselves, with students generally scoring in the top one percent of all test takers,” Hamid said.
During the initial consultation session, Hamid establishes a strong foundation with a personalized mentorship plan tailored to the unique needs of the student. Midweek, students meet with Hamid virtually, designed to fit seamlessly into busy schedules while providing consistent support and reinforcement of learning. Hamid makes in-person checkins available to students as schedules permit. These check-ins are tailored to
address students’ specific needs and are meant to build student confidence.
Connecting with students is one of the main factors to success in Hamid’s business because he believes in his students and knows their potential is limitless.
“I like to instill a growth mindset in students. A crucial aspect of my mentorship is being able to relate to my students because that way, I can make a bigger impact,” Hamid said. “In addition to academics, part of my job is to understand what students are interested in and how they can show leadership in those areas. Colleges look for highperforming students who also give back to their communities through outside independent projects.”
Hamid offers in-person coaching, mentorship, and tutoring in West Los Angeles, virtually throughout Southern California, and worldwide.
The best way to reach Hamid is to call or text him at 949-439-2444. For more information about Winning Academics, visit https://www.winningacademics. com.
