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Back to School An Anton Media Group Supplement
ANTON MEDIA GROUP • AUGUST 31 - SEPTEMBER 6, 2022 11A
August 31 – September 6, 2022
Postsecondary Student Scams
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ew York is home to nearly 300 higher education institutions—the second highest in the nation. Incoming students have many decisions to make at the start of the academic year and while making choices independently is exciting, dealing with new situations can be challenging. Whether living away from home for the first time, navigating financial aid, or building credit, students have ample opportunities to get scammed. The New York State Division of Consumer Protection (DCP) provides guidance on how to start this new academic year safely with targeted scam prevention and safety tips that can help during this transition.
Scam Prevention Tips
• Fake Scholarships, Grants or Loans: The required paperwork to apply for financial aid is the FAFSA form and it’s completely free. Visit FAFSA’s government’s website (studentaid.gov) directly and don’t believe anyone who offers guarantees or pre-approvals for loans or grants. • Unpaid Tuition Scam: Ignore calls claiming that you’ll be dropped from all classes unless you pay tuition immediately over the phone. Always call the school bursar’s office directly to verify your account status. Schools generally send an invoice to alert students of account status. • Fake Employment or Internship Offers: Never pay an upfront fee to move forward in an interview process or provide too much personal information, such as
your Social Security Number, during the application or interview process. • Buying Books Online: Scam artists set up fake websites and offer great deals on expensive textbooks only to never deliver the textbooks leaving the student out of cash and with no textbook. Learn how to identify fake websites listings for textbooks and supplies. Before you buy, do your research, and confirm it’s a reputable source. Pay attention to contact information and return policies. Legitimate sites provide a physical address and working phone number in the contact section. • Roommate/Rental Scam: Scammers pose as an individual selling or renting a property or as someone on behalf of a property owner. Potential renters are then solicited for money in exchange for promises that the homes will be shown to them or rented to them upon completion of payment. The scam is realized when there is no home for sale, or the property is already occupied. • Credit Cards: If applying for a credit card for the first time, do your own research. Students are often targeted with misleading credit card offers that could be a veiled attempt at identity theft or may charge exorbitant annual fees and interest rates.
Identity theft protection:
• Understand the consequences. Higher education students are at great risk of identity theft, but you can minimize these risks by protecting yourself and keeping your information private. It’s important
that you understand the consequences of identity theft. Criminals can use your personal information to build a fake identity and open new accounts or loans under your name. Restoring credit and correcting false information can be a costly and lengthy process so it’s best to prevent it before it happens. • Keep all personal identifiable information private. Whether it’s in a dorm room, online, or in any social situation, keep all information and documents containing personal information private and securely guarded. Personally identifiable information is information that, when used alone or with other relevant data, can identify a person.
Practice Online Safety
Social media is a great place to connect with friends or catch up with the latest viral trend but remember to save some secrets for yourself. Social media posts often reveal sensitive information unintentionally. Cybercriminals look for content that can reveal answers to security questions used to reset passwords, making accounts vulnerable to identity theft. Avoid downloading free music, games, or apps. Free downloads come with a price—identity theft. Often the free apps, music and games are tainted with keystroke logging malware. Avoid using public WiFi and computers to shop online and pay bills. Monitor privacy settings on all online accounts. Before you get rid of your old laptop or smartphone, protect your
data so it doesn’t end up in the hands of an identity thief.
College Dormitory Safety
For those living on campus this fall, there are safety precautions to keep in mind, especially for first-time residential students. Fires are one of the biggest hazards. • Locate the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms within your dorm or off-campus housing. Verify or obtain assurances that all alarms are in proper working order. Participate in any needed safety demonstrations on campus. • Check for working sprinkler systems and fire extinguishers. Most at risk are those staying in off-campus housing, where these systems are not regulated by the university. • Locate the nearest emergency exits. Make note of where to go if there is an emergency. • Never overload outlets with too many demands for power to prevent fires. Students with laptops, televisions, mini-refrigerators, and more can overload the outlet and spark a fire. • Review the emergency plan in case of fire or a carbon monoxide leaks. Ensure all those residing in the room know where to meet and what to do if there is an emergency. Remember to call 911 in case of any emergency and follow safety protocol. Visit www.dos.ny.gov/consumerprotection to learn more. —New York State Division of Consumer Protection
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12A AUGUST 31 - SEPTEMBER 6, 2022 • BACK TO SCHOOL
Catholic Education Inspires
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BY ANTON MEDIA STAFF
t’s the education of a lifetime. Nine Catholic high schools on Long Island present their own unique opportunity for students to explore a faith-based education that challenges, inspires, and prepares them for college, careers, and life. The total experience makes the difference in a Catholic education. Families are strongly encouraged to attend open house programs held at each Long Island Catholic school to learn first-hand about programs, facilities, faculties, activities, and the character of each institution. Rigorous academic learning is reinforced at each of Long Island’s Catholic high schools with engaging extra-curricular activities and and a strong foundation in faith. These high schools offer a wide range of exciting choices for families considering a Catholic education. All of the high schools located in the Diocese of Rockville Centre use the Test for Admission into Catholic High Schools (TACHS) for admission into ninth grade. The TACHS admissions testing registration is open through 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 27. Students in the eighth grade during
the 2022-2023 school year wishing to apply for fall 2023 admission into Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of New York, the Diocese of Brooklyn/Queens and the Diocese of Rockville Centre Long Island are eligible. The TACHS test for Long Island high schools will be held on Saturday, Nov. 5. The test is designed to measure school
aptitude and scholastic achievement in reading, mathematics, and language. A registration fee of $65 per student is payable by credit card, debit card or pre-paid card. A copy of the TACHS Student Handbook can be found on www. tachsinfo.com. There will be no printed handbooks this year.
Getting Ready For School Ethical Friends of Children is a free shop run by the Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island in Garden City. This outreach program assists more than 2,500 children and their families each year by providing them with clothing, backpacks for school and infant furniture. The service is set up like a store so people can select what they want from a wide variety of clothes. “Customers are referred by many of the area’s social service organizations and are supported by both religiously affiliated and private agencies funded by Nassau and Suffolk counties,” said volunteer Pat Spencer of Port Washington. Ethical Friends of Children, established in 1985, is staffed entirely by volunteers and there is no charge for any services. Individuals, families or community groups donate gently
used clothing and other things children may require, such as backpacks. Any cash donations go entirely towards purchase of needed items for children, such as diapers and formula. Volunteers are always welcome to help sort, organize and deliver clothing and goods. “We will even pick up and deliver larger items like cribs,” said volunteer Judy Rosemarin of Long Beach. “Sometimes it’s the only way needy families can obtain these important pieces.” Visit www.ehsli.org/social-action/give to make a monetary donation. Contact Jim LoPresti by email at efoc@ehsli.org or call 516-280-5526 for details about making item donations and volunteering. —Ethical Humanist Society
Yousselyn Gomez, 6, finds a great pair of shoes for the new school year. She and her brother also found some fun toys too. Photo by Judy Rosemarin
All fun. No filter. Imagine it—Your girl and her friends dreaming up adventures and making the whole world sparkle with their own personal brand of magic. Register for an information session in your area at gsnc.org/programs. Once registered, you will have the opportunity to sign your daughter up for a Daisy Discovery activity.
BALDWIN Wednesday, 10/12/2022 7:00 PM BAY (Oyster Bay and surrounding areas) Wednesday, 10/19/2022 7:00 PM BELLMORE Thursday, 10/6/2022 7:00 PM CARLE PLACE/ WESTBURY Tuesday, 10/11/2022 7:00 PM CENTRAL PARK (Bethpage, Plainview, and Old Bethpage) Thursday, 10/13/2022 7:00 PM EAST MEADOW Monday, 10/3/2022 7:00 PM
ELLM (East Rockaway, Lakeview, Lynbrook, and Malverne) Wednesday, 10/19/2022 7:00 PM ELMONT Saturday, 10/1/2022 10:00 AM FLORAL PARK/BELLEROSE Wednesday, 10/12/2022 7:00 PM FREEPORT Tuesday, 10/11/2022 7:00 PM GARDEN CITY Wednesday, 10/12/2022 7:00 PM GLEN COVE Thursday, 9/29/2022 7:00 PM GREAT NECK Wednesday, 10/26/2022 7:00 PM
HARDSCRABBLE (Farmingdale and N. Massapequa) Monday, 10/24/2022 7:00 PM HEMPSTEAD Friday, 10/28/2022 5:00 PM HERRICKS Wednesday, 9/21/2022 7:00 PM HICKSVILLE Monday, 10/17/2022 7:00 PM ISLAND BEACH (Island Park and Long Beach) Tuesday, 10/11/2022 7:00 PM JERICHO/SYOSSET Thursday, 9/22/2022 7:00 PM
MANHASSET Tuesday, 10/18/2022 7:00 PM MASSAPEQUA Tuesday, 10/25/2022 7:00 PM MERRICK Tuesday, 10/25/2022 7:00 PM NORTH BELLMORE Thursday, 9/22/2022 7:00 PM OCEANSIDE Tuesday, 10/18/2022 7:00 PM PARK (New Hyde Park, Garden City Park, and parts of Floral Park) Thursday, 9/29/2022 7:00 PM PLAINEDGE Wednesday, 10/26/2022 7:00 PM
PORT WASHINGTON Tuesday, 10/18/2022 7:00 PM ROCKVILLE CENTRE Tuesday, 10/25/2022 7:00 PM ROOSEVELT Friday, 10/28/2022 5:00 PM SEAFORD/WANTAGH Tuesday, 10/11/2022 7:00 PM SHORE (Glen Head, Glenwood Landing, Sea Cliff) Thursday, 9/29/2022 7:00 PM THE PLAINS (Island Trees and Levittown) Wednesday, 9/21/2022 7:00 PM
UNIONDALE Friday, 10/28/2022 5:00 PM VALLEY STREAM/ FIVE TOWNS Thursday, 10/27/2022 7:00 PM WARM (Williston Park, East Williston, Old Westbury, Albertson, Roslyn and surrounding areas, Mineola) Monday, 10/3/2022 7:00 PM WEST HEMPSTEAD/ FRANKLIN SQUARE Thursday, 10/13/2022 7:00 PM
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BACK TO SCHOOL • AUGUST 31 - SEPTEMBER 6, 2022 13A
Let’s Talk School Smarts BY NICOLLE VASSELMAN, LMHC AND JENNIFER SCHECK, LCSW, CASAC
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ack to school is a different experience for every adolescent. Some are excited to see their friends, show off a new outfit, or get back into a routine. For others, school can present many more challenges than reading, writing, and arithmetic. Family & Children’s Association (FCA), one of Long Island’s oldest and largest health and human services organizations, has been helping parents and children cope with challenges from anxiety to peer pressure to truancy, sexual activity and drug use, offering communication strategies, support, intervention and counseling. Most services are free, low cost or covered by insurance. No one is turned away for inability to pay. While every family situation is unique, supportive techniques have universal applications. Parents are the first line of defense against negative behaviors in their children. Effective parenting skills practiced early and often yield the most success but it’s never to late to start. Whether you’re a parent or a professional, it’s difficult to initiate conversations about sex, drug use, and other
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Nicolle Vasselman activities. Acknowledging your discomfort at the start of the conversation is a good way to break the ice and sets the tone for a more honest exchange in a safe space. It’s important to realize that you may hear things that dismay or surprise, and even shock you, but your job is to be receptive, granting your child permission to be themselves by providing nonjudgmental support and an avenue to resources that can help you both make well-informed decisions. The greatest hurdle to talking with your adolescent may simply be getting started.
Jennifer Scheck Suggest an activity—going for ice cream, shooting hoops, catching a movie—no one size fits all. Initiate the conversation while you’re out together. Your child may be relieved to talk about their fears, temptations, what they don’t know, and what they can’t handle on their own. Don’t let it stop there. Make time for regular informal or planned family time. It’s comforting to a child to know there’s a caring parent to support them, whether they want it or not. Equally important is articulating your expectations and boundaries. Don’t believe that children don’t
like structure, no matter what they say. Households are different, as are parenting styles, but whatever a family’s make-up, income level, cultural or ethnic background, the adults must be willing to hear what the child in their care has to say and offer a level of acceptance to help that child embrace their unique identity. FCA’s first focus is on harm-reduction and safety. You cannot force a child to act a certain way, but you can educate them to make good choices within that framework to help keep them safe. FCA does not come from an abstinence-only model or sit-in judgement. The organization’s commitment is to educate and encourage discourse on ways to stay safe and healthy in body and mind. If you find condoms in your child’s room, for example, don’t remove them—that’s taking away their health and safety. Use the discovery to acknowledge their responsible behavior, and as an avenue to an open-minded discussion. Many kids experiment with pot and alcohol. Engaging in these behaviors doesn’t generally lead to addiction, so try to avoid extreme reactions. Keep communication open, be a good listener. You don’t have to navigate childrearing
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Back to School at Winston Prep Long Island!
OPEN HOUdSayE, Thurs th Sept. 29 9:30am
Winston Prep Long Island is a leading school for students with learning differences, including dyslexia, ADHD, and nonverbal learning disorders (NVLD). Winston Prep’s individualized learning model focuses on understanding each student’s learning challenges. Our expert teachers conduct daily in-depth assessments, helping each child advance at a meaningful pace and thrive!
REGISTER TODAY FOR AN OPEN HOUSE AT www.winstonprep.edu/admissions/open-houses or contact Karen Preston, Admissions Director, kpreston@winstonprep.edu
30 Deforest Road, Dix Hills, NY 11746, Tel: 631-779-2400
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14A AUGUST 31 - SEPTEMBER 6, 2022 • BACK TO SCHOOL
German Is For Everyone
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Classes Start Second Week in September.
alone. It takes a village. Your pediatrician, school counselors and social workers can be excellent resources, as can FCA. FCA’s Our Turn program provides sexual health information and assistance to sexually active persons, ages 14 to adult, free of charge. Our Turn is part of a county-wide initiative, the Regional Prevention & Support Services Initiative (RPSSI) Nassau. Seven community-based organizations and four clinical care organizations participate. Funded through a subcontract with Northwell, Our Turn assesses risk factors for sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and provides navigation services for people living with or at risk for HIV. The program busts myths and provides instructions on healthy practices such as condom usage
German Lessons Since 1897
AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM NY State Accredited Language Program
for more information email: kidslearngerman@aol.com or go to german-american-school.org
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• No previous German necessary • Minimum age: 6 years • Low tuition • Manhattan location: Upper East Side • Locations also in Franklin Square and Garden City (Long Island)
and regular testing, and connects clients with medical care. Youth can enter treatment without their parents’ knowledge, but it is without question more productive with family involvement and open communication. There are no income limits to receive services through the RPSSI Nassau Program. Immigration status is not asked. All services under the program are provided with no cost to the client. The goal is to help clients regain their health and stay healthy by addressing any obstacles that interfere with their ability to seek proper medical care or follow their clinician’s advice. —Nicolle Vasselman, LMHC, CASAC-2, is the senior director of prevention and treatment services, FCA. Jennifer Scheck, LCSW, CASAC is a clinic director with FCA Family Treatment & Recovery Centers.
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