Baby 101: Take sons to work-- everyday

For middle school humanities teacher Katrien Vance, every day is "take your child to work" day. And now the North Branch School, where she works, has an award to prove it.

"Look up 'family-friendly' in the dictionary, and you should see a picture of North Branch School," Vance wrote in her essay nominating her employer for the "Family Friendly Business" award. "The school has built its core around the idea that family comes first."

In an April 22 ceremony, Boyd Tinsley, Charlottesville's famous fiddler from the Dave Matthews Band, presented the award from Children, Youth, and Family Services.

"We're not exactly a business," says Head Teacher and founder Charlotte Zinser-Booth. Still, she likes the award– and having the babes in the classrooms.

"Interacting with a baby at school we consider one of the most important experiences a child can have," says Zinser-Booth, who says the infants mostly sleep, but when they awaken, students clamor for baby time.

"No one I've met has ever had an easier time raising her children and keeping the job she loves," Vance wrote.

Zinser says Tinsley– a longtime Children, Youth, and Family Services supporter– agreed to present the award after the original speaker, Virginia First Lady Lisa Collis, broke a bone in her foot and cancelled all public appearances.

North Branch School is a small private school serving 75 children ages 3-14 in Afton.

Adelaide Ruffner, of Region Ten's Infant and Toddler Connection of the Blue Ridge, also won an award at the event.

Tinsley, Vance, and her younger son, Luke.
PHOTO BY DAVID FERRALL