Bergen Rockland Parent September 2018

Bergen Rockland Parent •

NYMETROPARENTS.COM PARENTS.COM SEPTEMBER 2018

BACK TO

SCHOOL! •

Help your student thrive

•

Resources to get ready for class NEW! After-School and Education planners

e

Find the perfect activity and school for your child

Saving for College It’s never too soon to start!

And the Winner Is…

A behind-the-scenes peek at our cover contest photo shoot

HELPING PARENTS MAKE BETTER DECISIONS

RocklandParent

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

SAME-DAY SCHOOL & SPORTS PHYSICALS AVAILABLE IN WEST NYACK & HAVERSTRAW!

Aimée Kahn, MD, MPH Pediatrics Board Certified: Pediatrics Appointments available in West Nyack | 2 Centerock Road



SAVE TIME & BOOK APPOINTMENTS ONLINE!

WE ARE focused on your little learners.

At Crystal Run Healthcare we know how important all of those little milestones are. That’s why our Pediatricians are committed to caring for your child from infancy through adolescence, offering everything from check-ups, sports and school physicals to nutritional guidance and wellness strategies. What’s more, our pediatricians can see your child quickly – including same-day access in West Nyack and Haverstraw and 24/7 availability in case of an emergency. Crystal Run offers the convenience of:

West Nyack | 845.348.1100 Haverstraw | 845.429.3382 CrystalRunHealthcare.com #WeAreCrystalRun

• • • •

Same-Day Appointments for Well and Sick Visits Same-Day School and Sports Physicals Extended-Hours Including Early Mornings, Evenings and Weekends from 7:30AM-7:30PM Prenatal Classes Offered Monthly for Expectant Families: Classes held monthly from 5-6PM. To register, visit CrystalRunHealthcare.com/events.

Extended Primary Care Hours | Onsite Labs & Diagnostic Imaging | Urgent Care Open 7/365 with Pediatricians Available Medicaid Managed Care & most commercial insurance plans accepted. Se habla Español. Easy access via public transportation.

CRH_We Are Color_WN-Haverstraw_Pediatrics-school_Rockland Parent.indd 1

8/9/18 12:55 PM

We are proud to annouce that we have added the Solea dental laser to our practice

Dental Wellness of Suffern Now Offers:

ANESTHESIA-FREE,

VIRTUALLY PAIN-FREE PROCEDURES No drill No numb feeling No needles No jarring noises No soreness And multiple procedures done in one appointment

Dental Wellness of Suffern Sherri Alpert, D.D.S. 2 Executive Blvd., Suite 307, Suffern (845) 918-1801 dentalwellnessofsuffern.com RocklandParent

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contents table of

Original photo by ›› Big Apple Portraits (bigappleportraits.com) Clothing provided

by Land’s End (landsend.com)

september 2018

16 30

back-to-school

Cute Stuff Alert!

A behind-the-scenes look at our annual cover contest photo shoot

Family Fun in Manhattan

Two can’t-miss events and two venues to visit while you’re in NYC this month

20 Help Your Young Learner Thrive 22 Back-to-School Directory

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26 Education Planner 28 After-School Planner

Kitchen: Trending

Five big design fads happening in kitchens right now, according to interior designers

raising kids

things to do

family life

6 Editor’s Note 8 New Places, New Programs 10 5 Rights Your Child Has in School 12 A Farewell to My Foster Daughter 16 Cute Stuff Alert!

40 The Benefits of Baby Classes 42 From Friends to Falling Out 48 Party Central 50 Meet the Doctor 52 Party Planner 53 Advertisers’ Index 54 Quotables

14 Squeezy Bottle Rocket

44 Saving for Higher Education

30 Family Fun in Manhattan

46 Kitchen: Trending

31 Family Activities Calendar

NYMetroParents

Helping Parents Make Better Decisions ON THE COVER ›› 16 And the Winner Is... 20 Help Your Student Thrive 22 Resources to Get Ready for Class 26 Education Planner 28 After-School Planner 44 Saving for College facebook.com/nymetroparents

@NYMetroParents Visit NYMETROPARENTS.COM for family activities updated daily and more than 2,000 parenting articles!

Celebrating Over 28 Years in New City!

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SEPTEMBER 2018 • Vol.12 • No.1

raising kids editor’s note

NYMetroParents nymetroparents.com

EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Katelin Walling ASSISTANT EDITORS: Anja Webb, Melissa Wickes

Lots to Learn!

DIRECTOR OF CONTENT: Deborah Skolnik

W

e’re finally settling into a new school year. Your kids will be learning lots of new things, but did you ever stop to think about all you’ll be learning, too? For my family, this fall is the ultimate “teachable moment”: We packed up our older daughter and dropped her off at college for the first time. Now I’m learning how to be a parent even when my child is hours away. I’m figuring out how to temper my worry for her safety and happiness with pride that I raised a kid who’s ready to face the world without me. Whether you’re dropping off your toddler at day care or nursery school, waving your big kid onto a bus, or watching him disappear through those school doors, I’m right there with you in the trenches, feeling that pang of separation—and also that joy.

If it makes you feel better, even the smallest of children get big benefits from learning lessons and interacting with their peers. Christina Vercelletto’s piece “The Benefits of Baby Classes,” on p. 40, explores the way infants and toddlers develop both socially and intellectually by being in a structured yet playful setting. And have you ever wondered what you as a parent can do to help your child succeed in school? You’ll want to read Alana Coopersmith’s story, “Help Your Young Learner Thrive” on p. 20. It explores kids’ different learning styles, and explains how to find the schools and activities that can help your unique child excel.

Of course, navigating childhood and adolescence can be a challenge for kids at times.

As children grow and change, even longstanding friendships can wane or abruptly end.

Find out how you can help your child with the transition by reading Samantha Neudorf’s thoughtful article, “From Friends to Falling Out” on p. 42. With the right guidance, kids can find closure—and even a silver lining.

And here’s a thought that will blow your mind: From the moment your child is born, it’s a good idea to be thinking about…college. Yes, even though it seems so far away, it’s wise to come up with a plan to shoulder all or part of the expenses. The estimated cost of a four-year private college 18 years from now tops $300,000! That may make you feel hopeless, but we’ll show you how to reach your goals in Barbara Russo’s story “Saving for Higher Education” on p. 44. It’s never too soon—or too late—to start saving!

Ready for a lighter lesson? Katelin Walling’s got it for you with her fun piece, “Kitchen: Trending” (p. 46). It gives the 411 on what’s hot in kitchen design and accessories. We’ll show you how to bring the heart of your home up-to-date and make it cozier than ever. (And you don’t need to do a total renovation either—even a few minor changes can do the trick.)

Lastly, don’t miss this month’s touching essay by Lindsay Smith, “A Farewell to My Foster Daughter” on p. 12. She cared for a beautiful baby girl from birth, but ultimately realized that the most loving thing she could do was give her to a family to permanently adopt. It’s a lesson that will resonate with every parent, since raising a child, for a year or straight through to adulthood, is ultimately—as I’ve learned—about letting go.

Hoping your back-to-school season is exciting and enlightening!

REGIONAL EDITORS: Samantha Beranbom (Rockland); Karen Demeter (Suffolk); Whitney C. Harris (Manhattan, Westchester); Karen Lo (Brooklyn); Dorette Saunders (Nassau); Gail Warren (Queens) DIRECTORIES EDITOR: Alice Van Dyke

ADVERTISING SALES

Big Apple Parent 212-315-0800 Jeunesse Jackson, Manager EJ Morales-Gomez Queens Parent 718-878-4860 Annene Guertin, Manager Westchester Parent 914-397-0200 Nini DeLuca, Manager Merrill Sugarman, Mary Wender Brooklyn Parent 718-878-4860 Phyllis Crupi, Selene Rodriguez Rockland Parent 845-848-8021 Cara Roteman, Jim Russo Long Island Parent, Nassau 516-883-4543 Joan Bergman, Manager Lisa Herlihy Long Island Parent, Suffolk 631-472-5437 Karen Shapiro, Gayle Sherman To Advertise: nympads@davlermedia.com To Submit Events: nymetroparents.com/submitevents To Submit News: nymetroparents.com/submitnews

STATEN ISLAND PARENT

EDITOR/PUBLISHER: Roselle Farina-Hecht 718-761-4800 x140

MOMMYBITES

MANAGING DIRECTOR: Amy Lazar-Pollack 516-851-7004

OPERATIONS

DIR. OF OPERATIONS -- EVENTS: Rebecca Stolcz DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS: Ray Winn OPERATIONS COORDINATORS: Elvins Cruz, Leonard Porter DIRECTOR OF TRAFFIC: Heather Gambaro ADMINISTRATION MANAGER: Erin Jordan

PRODUCTION

DIRECTOR|PUBLISHING MANAGEMENT: Anthony Diaz

MARKETING

MARKETING DIRECTOR: Ryan Christopher ASSISTANT MARKETING MANGER: Kristine Pulaski

Deborah Skolnik Director of Content

FINANCE

P.S. Got a personal story you’d like to share? We’d love to consider it for our Voices essay column. Send your submissions to editor@nymetroparents.com.

CONTROLLER: David Friedman CREDIT MANAGER: Elizabeth Teagarden CREDIT ASSISTANTS: Rosa Meinhofer, Diedra Smith

Davler Media Group davlermedia.com

CEO: David L. Miller GENERAL MANAGER: Thomas K. Hanlon 213 W. 35th St., Suite 12W, New York, NY 10001 Phone: 212-315-0800; Fax: 212-271-2239

Keep in Touch: @nymetroparents nymetroparents.com editor@nymetroparents.com

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BIG APPLE PARENT, QUEENS PARENT, WESTCHESTER PARENT BROOKLYN PARENT, ROCKLAND PARENT, BERGEN •ROCKLAND PARENT, and LONG ISLAND PARENT are published monthly by Davler Media Group, LLC Copyright © 2017, Davler Media Group, LLC No part of contents may be reproduced without prior permission from the publisher.

Subscription rates per year, per publication: $39

Social Media Icons 2017:

BECAUSE TRUST IS IMPORTANT Child Health Plus offers the benefits kids need for a healthier future.

Call 866.206.1741 (TTY 711) AffinityPlan.org/CHP To learn more about applying for health insurance, including Medicaid, Child Health Plus, Essential Plan, and Qualified Health Plans through NY State of Health, The Official Health Plan Marketplace, visit www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call 855.355.5777.

RocklandParent

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Trampoline Park

raising kids new places, new programs

Who: Launch Trampoline Park What’s New: The West Nyack Location, which opened June 9.

It has more than 16,000 square feet of connected trampolines that form a giant jumping surface. Other attractions include a Ninja Course that has two lanes of obstacles based on difficulty, an Extreme Dodgeball Court, an arcade, and a café. The park is designed for all ages.

Special programs for children include Toddler Time for kids ages 5 and younger on Thursdays and Saturdays, 10am-12pm and Glow Night for teens ages 13 and older which is scheduled for Saturdays in the fall.

Want More Info: 260 W. Nyack Road, West Nyack; 845-977-0415; launchrockland.com

Courtesy Launch

Trampoline Park Opens in West Nyack

Park offers great Launch Trampoline

dy cardio and upper bo

workouts.

Courtesy The Max Cha

Who: The Max Challenge What’s New: The New City location, which is scheduled to open at the end of the month.

The Max Challenge is now accepting membership sign-ups before its grand opening. The gym franchise utilizes a 10-week program that encompasses both fitness training and nutritional coaching to help all of its clients achieve their goals in a small group atmosphere.

Instructor supervised and led classes run five days a week, focusing on cardio, strength and toning, and kickboxing.

The gym is open to anyone ages 12 and older. Pre-teens younger than 16 need parental supervision to participate.

Want More Info: 170 S. Main St., New City; 845-253-5840; themaxchallenge.com/new_city

llenge

Gym Franchise Opens in New City

The mission of The Ma x Challenge is to hel p people live healthi happier, and more pro er, ductive lies, according to New City owner John Delgado Jr.

Who: Smile More Kidz What’s New: Jennifer Sunkin, DMD, a dentist whose focus is children with special needs and high anxiety, is joining the staff to lead Toddler Thursdays.

Dr. Sunkin will be joining a group of dentists and dental professionals with more than 27 years of experience. The educational program is designed to teach parents and children about proper dental hygiene. The information is all double-checked by licensed pediatric dental professionals to ensure that everything children learn is age-appropriate and medically accurate.

“Parents can come in, have a coffee and doughnut, and kids sit and watch a puppet show and learn how to brush their teeth,” says Mariliza LaCap, D.D.S., owner of Smile More Kidz.

Want More Info: 140 Oak Tree Road, Tappan; 845-359-1763; 19 Legion Drive, Bergenfield, NJ; 201-384-2425; smilemorekidz.com; smilemoredentist.com

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September 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Courtesy Smile More Kidz

Dentist For Children With Special Needs Joins Tappan Practice

“Kids that go through our office don’t even know what it’s like to be afraid of the dentist,” says Mariliza LaCap, D.D.S.

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raising kids in the know

Highland Medical Obstetrics.

More Reasons Than Ever.

Highland Medical, P.C., Welcomes Olga Tusheva, MD Dr. Olga Tusheva, a skilled Obstetrician and Gynecologist, has joined OBS-GYN of Rockland. A new mother herself, Dr. Tusheva takes great pride in caring for expectant mothers and helping to keep them and their babies healthy.

She is fluent in Russian and Ukrainian and is accepting new patients.

By Marion M. Walsh, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP

Marion M. Walsh, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP

F

ederal and state laws protect the rights of students in school, yet many parents are unaware of their child’s legal protections as a student. Here are five rights that your child—from kindergarten to high school—possesses in a public school: The right to be safe: Ultimately, every parent’s biggest concern is the safety of his or her child. Luckily, with certain limitations, teachers and administrators have the general duty to act as a parent when protecting their students, under the doctrine of in loco parentis. While this is not a guarantee of safety, your child has the right to supervision in school and the right to be safe from foreseeable harm.

The right to freedom of speech: It is important to know when your school district is legally allowed to stop your child from protesting or speaking up. This is far less often than you probably imagine. Students do not “shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate,” according to the U.S. Supreme Court. Under the First Amendment, students have the right to free speech, as long as it does not cause a substantial disruption in school or interfere with the rights of others.

The right to be free from severe and pervasive bullying and harassment: Bullying can have a devastating effect on any child and it is the obligation of the school to take reasonable steps to protect students from that harm. New York State’s Dignity for All Students Act seeks to provide students with a safe and supportive environment free from discrimination, intimidation, harassment, and bullying in school or at school-related activities. This includes off-campus harassment or bullying where there is some sort of connection to the school.

One more reason to choose Highland Medical, P.C.

OBS-GYN of Rockland New City Office 510 Route 304 New City, NY 10956 T: 845.634.8400

5 Rights Children Have in School ››

Stony Point Office 20-21 Liberty Square Stony Point, NY 10980 T: 845.947.2225

HighlandMedicalPC.com 1-866-550-HMPC

The right to evaluations and a free appropriate public education for students with disabilities: School districts have an obligation to identify and evaluate students suspected of having a special need that may impact learning. If a student is eligible for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the school district must create an Individualized Education Program, which must provide instruction and services designed to meet the needs of a child. Parents have the right to challenge IEPs or lack of services in a due process hearing. Students with special needs also have the right to receive accommodations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

The right to a free public education, regardless of race, color, national origin, or even immigration status: Families do not have to prove their immigration status to enroll their children in school, and public schools cannot deny undocumented children an education.

This list is not inclusive of all rights and services your child has in school. If you believe your child’s rights have been abridged, consult with an experienced attorney.

Marion M. Walsh, Esq., a partner with the firm Littman Krooks LLP, leads the education law practice. She has worked in education law for 20 years and has been an advocate for children in many capacities.

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September 2018 | nymetroparents.com

free fun for your little ones! check out our September events at www.palisadescenter.com/munchkin-monday

RocklandParent 11

Ashley Formica Photography

raising kids voices

A Farewell to My Foster Daughter ››

Our story didn’t end in adoption, but it still had a very happy ending. By Lindsay Smith

T

here are some moments you never forget. Those times in your life—happy, tragic, heartbreaking—that are forever seared in your memory. Vivid details, emotions…time freezes, and you know for the rest of your life, you’ll know exactly where you were in that moment.

That’s what it was like when I got the text message from the social worker. I was standing outside my car, waiting for my husband to leave work, one day away from giving birth to our third baby. At the sound of the soft ding, I looked down and read the message. “We got the order!” it said. And before I could stop myself, the tears were slipping down my cheeks. I’d wished and hoped for this moment. But standing there on that fall day, looking at that text message, all I felt was the wind being knocked from me. She’s leaving. Oh my God, she’s really leaving.

From the first day our foster daughter entered our lives—two days old, right from the hospital—I knew this moment was coming. It had always been expected that she would be adopted.

We’re foster parents, this is what we do: take in children for a short period of time, love them well, give them a safe and secure home, and then send them home. We’d been doing it for years at this point; we knew the drill.

But we’d never had a newborn. Never raised a baby right from the beginning. I hadn’t gotten up in the middle of the night to feed a newborn, to rock a baby to sleep since my own babies. I hadn’t known the thrill of a first smile, first giggle, hadn’t felt the weight of a sleeping baby in seven years. It wasn’t hard to fall in love; it didn’t take long to wonder if we could adopt her.

I feel like we hear a lot of those stories, the ones where the foster family adopts a child. Or adoption stories in general. And we hear them so often for good reason—they’re good stories. Redemptive and hopeful, they remind us of what’s good in the world.

That wasn’t our story, though. We talked about it; I thought about it often, but it never felt as though it was the best decision for us. A few months into her placement, we found out we were

Lindsay Smith and her family

(unexpectedly) pregnant with our third child. That news certainly contributed to our decision, but at the core of it was the sense that adoption wasn’t to be our story.

I struggled with it. I loved her so much; we all did. Saying goodbye to her was the hardest thing I have ever done, and I wondered if we had done the right thing. Would she understand why we didn’t adopt her? Had we inadvertently made her life more difficult by choosing not to adopt her and asking her to transition to another family? Would I ever stop missing her? It was so hard to believe something that hurt this much was the best thing for everyone involved.

And then I met her family. I could see it when they saw her for the first time—this was one of their moments. I knew watching them that they would never forget the first time they laid eyes on their baby girl. It was such a privilege to witness the coming together of this family, to see this girl who I raised and loved so much be so adored by this couple. I saw them fall in love with her the way that we had; I watched how she fit with them, and I knew we made the right decision. This was her family. These were her people. This was their story, and we helped to make it happen.

When we started fostering, I expected the most incredible feeling would be adopting a child who had come into your home.

It didn’t take too long for me to realize the real gift in fostering is having a small part in bringing families together—in opening your heart and home for children and families who need it, and even breaking your own heart and saying goodbye.

Sometimes, I still wonder what our family would have looked like if we’d been able to adopt her. But then I get a text from her mama and it has a picture or a video, and she tells me of new words and silly faces, and I know. I know she is happy. I know her family loves her. I know she will grow up feeling safe and secure.

And I know we were so blessed to have been a part of it, to lay a foundation, to bridge the gap until she went to her forever family.

That was our story, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Lindsay Smith believes that stories might just change the world. Her writing tackles issues around feminism, social justice, and parenting, and sometimes the intersection of all three.

Learn more about her work and writing at lvsmithauthor.wordpress.com.

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September 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Come on in!

Being a part of a synagogue community can enrich your life like nothing else. And there are many warm and welcoming congregations in Rockland just waiting to invite you inside!

Download our guide to the Rockland County Board of Rabbis synagogues at jewishrockland.org/RJI Learn more about Rockland’s vibrant and diverse Jewish community on the popular Facebook page Facebook.com/RCjewish

Shanah Tovah from the Jewish Federation and the Rockland County Board of Rabbis

jewishrockland.org/rji

facebook.com/RCjewish

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things to do

diy corner

Squeezy Bottle Rocket

Now that summer is coming to an end, it’s time for the kids to put their thinking caps back on. And what better way to kick off the back-toschool season than by making a science craft? Get down to learning business by making this bottle rocket from Emma Vanstone’s “This is Rocket Science” to learn about trajectory!

Trajectory is the path an object follows as it flies through the air.

Imagine the path a ball takes when you throw it. If you throw the ball straight upward, its trajectory is different than if you throw it forward toward someone else.

Rockets initially fly vertically upward through the lower, denser parts of the atmosphere but then turn so they are on the correct path to enter orbit around the Earth.

This means their overall trajectory is a curved path, rather than the vertical path you might expect.

This easy-to-construct rocket is great for investigating how the angle a rocket is launched from affects its flight. The rockets work because as you squeeze the bottle, air is forced out of the straw in the bottle and pushes against the rocket straw. This force causes the rocket straw to fly through the air.

Materials

PROVIDING KID APPROVED DENTAL CARE!

Empty water bottles with a sports cap Scissors 2 straws, 1 wide enough fit over the other

Marita Smith, DDS Board Certified Pediatric Dentist

Specializing in Dental Care for Children of All Ages State of the Art Dental Care & Facility Evening & Saturday Hours Available 24 Hour Emergency Service Available Most Dental Insurances Accepted Nitrous Oxide available for children when necessary Se Habla Espanol

Smith’s Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry 5C Medical Park Drive, Pomona, NY 10970 drsmith@smithslittlesmiles.com

Cardstock or paper Felt tip pens Tape

Directions To make the bottle part of the rocket, it’s really important to make sure the sports cap is completely airtight. If air can escape, your rocket won’t fly very far.

Cut the thinner straw into quarters and put one segment into the center of the sports cap. Seal the straw around the cap using modeling clay. You can check if the seal is complete by squeezing the bottle: If the seal is secure, all of the air from the bottle should come out of the straw, not the bottle neck. This is your rocket launcher!

To make the rocket part, first cut the wider straw into quarters and seal one end with tape; this is to stop air from escaping.

Draw a rocket shape with felt tip pens on the cardstock or paper.

Remember, the lighter the rocket, the farther it will fly.

Attach the paper rocket onto one side of the rocket straw using tape and place it onto the straw in the rocket launcher.

Squeeze the rocket launcher hard, and you should find that the rocket shoots up into the air. Try launching at different angles to see how you can make the rocket fly farther.

(845) 414-9626

www.smithslittlesmiles.com

facebook.com/smithslittlesmilespd

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Modeling clay

@smithslittlesmiles

September 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Reprinted from This is Rocket Science by Emma Vanstone with permission from Page Street Publishing Co. Photography by Charlotte Dart.

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RocklandParent 15

Cute Stuff

Alert!

Meet the winners and finalists of the 2018 NYMetroParents Cover Contest!

W

Daniela ››

GRAND PRI

ZE

Age: 3 Hometown: Manhattan Jaden loves to play Fortnite.

››

WINNERS

Jaden

››

Age: 14 Hometown: Suffolk Daniela’s role model is her mom because of everything she does for her and her family.

Daniela

Age: 14 Hometown: Suffolk County Daniela’s role model is her mom because of everything she does for her and her family.

e knew it wasn’t going to be easy to pick finalists in our annual contest. But it was 1,300 times harder than we even imagined— that’s how many adorable entries poured in from every corner of the New York metro area! Once we were done oohing and aahing and narrowed it down, we invited the finalists to a glam photo shoot at Big Apple Portraits in Manhattan (unfortunately one finalist couldn’t make it). It was pouring that day, but inside it was pure sunshine, thanks to the kids’ radiant smiles and way-cool outfits (thank you, Lands’ End!) Everybody rocked the runway, but in the end it was 3-year-old Jaden from Manhattan and 14-year-old Daniela from Suffolk County who won the grand prizes. Jaden and his family will celebrate the big win with a two-day stay at Woodloch Pines Resort, while Daniela will take her modeling skills to the next level with a scholarship to Barbizon Modeling and Acting Studio. Scarlett, our Fan Favorite from Queens, received a family pack of tickets to Sesame Place.

Want to see more of these beautiful faces? We don’t blame you.

Stay tuned—many if not all of our finalists and winners will appear on our future covers—and Sophia is featured this month!

›› Dillon

Age: 11 Hometown: Westchester County Dillon’s favorite subject in school is English. He says he’s pretty good at it and he finds it interesting.

Chazz ››

Age: 12 wn: Hometo n tta Manha ve any ha ld u o zc If Chaz would r owe it superp ability to be the hift. shape s

›› Aaliyah

Age: 4 Hometow n: Rockland County Aaliyah’s favorite th ing to do for fu n is to play upsta irs all by herself .

phia ›› So ge: 4

A n: etow Hom County d lan Rock ia loves Soph tures. g pic takin

tha ›› Saman 6½

Age: ty au Coun , n: Nass w up Hometo antha grows m a ist S rt n a Whe e an and nts to b she wa likes to draw e fts. h s ra c e s d u n beca o arts a d to s she like favorite store Her aels. is Mich

›› Brielle

Age: 12 Hometown: Rockland County t in Brielle’s favorite subjec s say She th. school is ma ause bec and it— at d goo ’s she her Dad is a math teacher.

Promotional Partners:

Scarlett

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Age: 4 ens wn: Que d to Home foo te ri o v ’s fa Scarlett te la o is a choc . h sandwic

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Karate • Jiu-Jitsu • Kickboxing Birthday Parties • Camp & Mini Camps • Adults Classes

The back-to-school checklist is far more than pencils and paper these days. Stop by or call our studio to see how we can make a positive difference in your child.

8 Orangetown Center Orangeburg, NY 10962 www.TheAcademyForMartialArts.com

(845) 359-4500

THE ACADEMY FOR MARTIAL ARTS

7-11 Suffern Place Suffern, NY 10901 www.MartialArtsSuffern.com

(845) 368-3209

MAKE THIS THE BEST SCHOOL YEAR EVER! SAVE $100*

ON YOUR BACK-TO-SCHOOL CHECKUP

1.800.CAN.LEARN www.HuntingtonHelps.com

TUTORING

OUR STUDENTS TYPICALLY

INCREASE 2+ GRADE LEVELS IN 3 MONTHS**

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ENGLEWOOD • RIDGEWOOD • WESTWOOD EASTCHESTER • NANUET • SCARSDALE • YORKTOWN

©2018 Huntington Mark, LLC. Independently Owned and Operated. *Offer valid for Academic Evaluation, new students only. Not valid with any other offer. **Grade level results are based on cumulative average grade level increases in reading and math for 17,445 students from 2010-2014 using the full set of available student data. Individual results may vary, and are not guaranteed.

HLC3597.2BR

Kids Clubhouse Daycare, Inc. We offer a Safe, Nurturing, Learning Preschool Environment for Your Child • Ages 6 weeks to 12 years old • NYS Licensed & Insured • CPR & First Aid Certified • We Follow NYS Pre-K Curriculum • Full Time/Part Time • Before & After School Program • Monday-Friday 6:30am-6:00pm

Learning Preschool/Daycare for Your Child!

Contact Co-owners: Debra & Gregory Raho at 1kidsclubhouse@gmail.com 845-570-1549 • Location in New City, NY • www.kidsclubhousedaycare.com

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September 2018 | nymetroparents.com

• Weekly Cooking Classes For Kids • Themed Birthday Parties • Weekly Themed Summer Camp • School Holiday Break Camps • School Field Trips • Holiday Workshops • Adult Cooking Workshops Young Chefs Academy of New City | 59 South Main Street, New City, NY Newcityny.youngchefsacademy.com | Newcityny@YOUNGCHEFSACADEMY.COM

Mention Rockland Parent for a 10% discount

inside

raising kids back to school

online extras Wondering what type of school to send your child to? Learn about parochial, charter, magnet, private, home, and international schools at ›› nymetroparents.com/school-types If you have an older teen, she’ll likely take the SAT or ACT this year.

Find out which one is best for her at ›› nymetroparents.com/sat-act

Is your teen starting to apply to college? Get tips to craft the perfect college admissions essay at ›› nymetroparents.com/college-essay An older sibling’s departure for college can spark mixed emotions in the younger child. Read tips for how to help your younger child cope at ›› nymetroparents.com/college-sibling

20 H elp Your Young Learner Thrive: Just as your child is oneof-a-kind, her learning style is unique, too. Here’s how to help her succeed in school. ack-to-School Directory: All 22 B the resources you need to get ready for the school year.

28 A fter-School Planner: Find the perfect after-school program.

26 E ducation Planner: Find the perfect school for your child.

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Help Your Young Learner Thrive ›› Just as your child is one-of-a-kind, her learning style is unique, too. Here’s how to help her succeed regardless of how she processes information. By Alana Coopersmith

P

icture this: There’s a classroom full of students singing songs about plant cycles. In the next classroom, students are planting their own bean sprouts to observe the plant cycle in action. In still another classroom, students are creating diagrams to see plant structures and systems. While the children are learning in different ways in each of these scenarios, they’re all learning the same science curriculum.

In an ideal world, all schools would be set up in a similar manner or all teachers would incorporate each teaching method in their classrooms because just as each child has a unique personality, likes, and dislikes, each child has a unique learning style. But what is a learning style exactly? It refers to a person’s preference for how she learns, processes, and retains information—“how [people] make sense of the world around them,” says Jeff Wu, representative for The Tutorverse, a tutoring company that supplements classroom learning.

There are eight commonly identified learning styles: • Visual-Spatial learners do well with visual aids such as pictures, diagrams, colors, and mind maps.

• Auditory-Rhythmic learners retain information by using melodies, rhythms, sounds, and recordings.

• Kinesthetic-Tactile learners need hands-on learning opportunities, including building, drawing, and role-play.

• Verbal-Linguistic learners crave words, reading aloud, writing, speaking, and creating mnemonic devices.

• Logical-Mathematic learners prefer to learn by using logic, reasoning, and systems to explain and understand concepts.

• Social-Interpersonal learners thrive by relating to and working with others.

• Solitary-Intrapersonal learners prefer study and work alone.

• Naturalist learners thrive by experiencing nature.

20 September 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Learning styles are on a spectrum and are not mutually exclusive; there are countless style combinations. And numerous variables influence your child’s learning style, including internal factors such as personality and interests, and external factors such as how he interacts with other people and how he perceives the world. No matter what your child’s learning style is, though, there are ways to help her thrive, both in and out of the classroom.

Determine Her Learning Style

Parents have an innate sense of how their child learns just by observing and knowing him, says Mariaemma Willis, M.S., education specialist, author, and co-founder of Learning Success Institute, an educational consulting service that offers services catered to personal learning styles. Ever since your child was a baby, she has been hinting at how her brain best processes and retains information. Did he grow up building with Legos? He might learn best by doing, not seeing or hearing. Did she start making to-do lists before she even had anything to do? She may learn best by writing down and seeing information.

In addition to your observations, there are plenty of resources available to further your understanding of how your child learns. Assessments like Willis’s Self-Portrait Power Traits Online Assessment will pinpoint your child’s learning strengths and preferences. Even simply Googling “learning style assessment” will result in millions of helpful resources.

Find the Right School

Alina Adams, author of Getting Into NYC Kindergarten and Getting Into NYC High-School and a columnist for NewYorkSchoolTalk.org, emphasizes the significance of making sure your child’s school is the best one for his learning needs. “Schools exist for nearly every sort of learner, but the challenge is finding this school,” she explains. For parents whose

children are struggling in the classroom, Adams recommends first figuring out the problem. Is your daughter constantly reprimanded because she can’t stay in her seat? Look for a school that allows students to move around during the day. Is your son frustrated because schoolwork is simply being explained? There are schools that allow kids to learn by doing.

The most positive effect of choosing the right school for your child is she won’t get turned off to learning, Adams says. “We’re happiest when we’re learning and applying what we’ve learned towards a goal.

A school that reinforces a child’s passion for learning by fitting how they best learn is a school that will set them up well for the rest of their life” she says. “Deciding you hate learning at the start of your life is as devastating as deciding you hate drinking, eating, or breathing.”

Seek Outside Help

A major issue for students of all learning styles and abilities tends to be that a teacher instructs a class of 27-32 kids, on average, in one way, at one pace. This may be fine for some students, but for many others it may not be the right style or speed. “There are only three to five students in every class that have the magic formula that traditional classrooms are set up for…the rest are shortchanged,” Willis says.

Because of this, Wu advises parents seek out a tutor for their child, which will reinforce what he learned in school. Oftentimes too, the tutor will translate your child’s work in a way he can best understand it. To pick the right outside help for your child, Wu suggests two pre-emptive steps. First, understand what your personal goal is for your child, what your child’s goal is for herself, and what she is struggling with. Second, look at the education professionals’ experience and reputation.

There are two standard goals for your child when working with an outside educator, Wu explains. The first is to build his confidence and get him to recognize he can do it! The second is to achieve an improvement in your child’s results. The benefit of working with a tutor 1-on-1

is “they can really hone in on the strengths of your child and figure out new ways to explain things to really help your child,” Wu says.

Support Your Child at Home

There are steps you can take at home to help build and reinforce positive learning habits for your child. Wu, Willis, and Adams all agree that the best way to help is to engage her using the following techniques: Create and encourage real-life learning experiences. Visit one of the numerous museums in the New York metro area and explore and talk about the exhibits, or go on a hike and talk about the native species you pass. The opportunities to create real-life learning are endless.

Ask him questions. Find out his likes and interests. Doing this creates the perfect opportunity to customize real-life learning to his interests.

Model good educational behaviors. David Norment, an educator for 22 years and father of three, stresses the importance of not only spending positive quality time with your children, but also being an educational role model. “If you want them to read, read in front of them. If you want them to prioritize current affairs, watch the news with them,” he suggests.

Establish guidelines and an environment for homework. Eliminate distractions, whatever they may be for your child, and create an environment in which she can best work. Some kids study best in short bursts with music in the background, while others prefer to get it all done in one sitting with nothing else going on in the room. Wu emphasizes the importance of setting clear expectations for your child as well as creating a system that includes a schedule. To figure out which environment and schedule works best for your child, ask. If the system doesn’t work on the first try, make small tweaks until you find the right fit.

Alana Coopersmith was a summer 2018 editorial intern for NYMetroParents.

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NORTHERN VALLEY DANCE ACADEMY REGISTER TODAY FOR FALL CLASSES! Newly renovated warehouse - 4 studios!

Budding ballerinas to advanced classes Award winning Competition Teams Inspiring NVDA dancers since 2006

75 Oak Street, Norwood, NJ 07648 (just 2 mins from Rockland County border)

(201) 784-6400 nvdanceacademy.com Enroll your child by 8/30 and

SAVE $50 *New dancers only.

RocklandParent 21

Back-to-School The Academy For Martial Arts

8 Orangetown Shopping Center, Orangeburg 845-359-4500 theacademyformartialarts.com Children are precious. As a parent, you know it is your responsibility to protect your child from all sorts of dangerous situations. It isn’t easy. They grow up fast. Time flies, and eventually children must learn to defend themselves. You certainly do not want your son or daughter to be bullied, or to become a bully. Martial Arts lessons are a fantastic solution. Every kid should learn self-defense. It’s like learning to swim—it’s lots of fun, it can save your life, and it builds self-control and self-confidence.

Affinity Health Plan

866-247-5678 affinityplan.org Affinity is an independent, not-for-profit organization driven by the mission to help its members, their families, and their communities lead healthier lives. Over the past 32 years, Affinity has built one of the area’s largest physician networks, which includes 40,000 providers and 85 hospitals.

Affinity offers a variety of programs under Medicare, Medicaid, Child Health Plus, Essential Plan, and Enriched Health on the New York State of Health Marketplace for members in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, as well as Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, and Orange counties.

Bach to Rock - Nanuet

150 E. Route 59, Nanuet 845-215-9536 nanuet.b2rmusic.com nanuet@bachtorock.com Bach To Rock is a comprehensive music school offering individual and group lessons, parties, and music camps. They teach rock and classical instruments, voice, and DJ instruction. B2R uses special arrangements of today’s music, which is a great motivator for learning and practice.

Individual instruction is combined with band instruction that leads to regularly scheduled public performances. The experience of performing before audiences in bands from the beginning is an exciting component of music instruction— building self-confidence, garnering peer recognition, and providing a strong social incentive for continued progress.

Beth Am Temple

60 E. Madison Ave., Pearl River 845-735-5858 bethamtemple.org Your child deserves a caring and quality Jewish education. Our religious school principal, Karen Herskowitz is a beloved and acclaimed veteran teacher in the local community and at Beth Am. Rabbi Dan Pernick and Cantor Marcy Kadin, both graduates of Hebrew Union College, have been serving our community for 33 and 10 years respectively. Together with Karen, they oversee a program which provides works at both the group and individual levels. With special financial incentives available this year, Beth Am Temple Religious School is the right place for your child.

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Bright Beginnings Preschool & Childcare

6 Charles St., New City 914-420-5785 2 Mountainview Court, Pomona brightbeginningsofrockland.com We provide a safe, loving environment accredited by the National Association for Family Childcare Accreditation (NAFCC). Two great locations meet your preschool and childcare needs for ages newborn to school-age. Owned and operated by a NYS-certified elementary teacher with a literacy specialization, we offer before- and after-school programs, as well as a drop-in for school delays and closures. We work with your schedule, and offer discounted rates for teachers! We are a NYS-licensed facility and follow a full NYS pre-K curriculum. All staff is CPR- and first-aid certified.

Brilliant Minds Daycare and Learning Center

67 N. Little Tor Road, New City 845-535-9658 brilliantmindsdaycare.com myra@brilliantmindsdaycare.com We are a NYS-licensed daycare and learning center for children ages 6 weeks–5 years and after-school care for children 12 and younger. Children are taught following a common core-based curriculum and evaluated to ensure kindergarten readiness. Additional activities include baking, Spanish, dance, yoga and exercise, science experiments, daily outdoor play (weather permitting), learning centers with iPads and computers, dramatic play, and art. Infants are cared for in a designated area providing safety and space to rest, play, and eat. All staff First Aid- and CPR-certified. Flexible scheduling.

Clarkstown Theatre Company

8 Second St., Lower Level, New City 845-708-2288 clarkstowntheatrecompany.com Clarkstown Theatre Company began in our community to create and develop artists as actors and performers. We are a year-round studio that offers acting classes, musical theater workshops, and intimate, original showpieces. Join us where the craft of theater is experienced in a warm and positive environment with professional instructors. Give us a call to see if your child might flourish in our studios, where imagination, and the craft of acting are taught with a sense of humor!

Coupé Theatre Studio

430 Market St., Nanuet 845-623-2808 coupedance.com For more than 45 years Coupé Theatre Studio has offered the finest training in all areas of the performing arts. Classes include Ballet, Pre-pointe and Pointe, Variations, Partnering, Jazz, Contemporary Jazz, Acro, Tap, Modern Dance, Hip-hop, Theatre Dance, Musical Theatre, Acting, and Vocal Technique. For students ages 3 through adult.

Recreational and pre-professional training available from highly qualified teachers with degrees in dance or professional performing equivalent.

Reasonably priced exceptional training, caring staff, and beautiful studios.

September 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Danceworks

69 Lake Road, Congers 845-268-4669 Danceworks has been in the Clarkstown area for more than 37 years. The studio offers classes in creative dance, pre-ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, and hip-hop for ages 3 through teen. Danceworks specializes in children—encouraging a friendly and non-competitive atmosphere. Several children have gone on to study at the School of American Ballet in Manhattan. Our adult ballet workout (free babysitting) teaches you to work with your body, not against it. Beginners are welcome, and no special clothing is needed. Free trial classes are available to all.

German Language School-Westwood Saturday only class

47 Berkeley Ave., Westwood 201-825-9770 germanschoolnj.org info@germanschoolnj.org The German Language School Westwood is a non-profit organization in Bergen County. We welcome students of all nationalities and backgrounds. Most classes meet on Saturday mornings, with additional adult classes offered on evenings.

All teachers are experienced language instructors.

Classes for children range from “Mommy-Daddy and Me” through high school. Students can prepare for the SAT II German, AP German, and the German Government sponsored Sprachdiplom tests, which can result in the opportunity to study at a German university. Adult classes include conversation, literature, composition, business German, and grammar.

Help Is Here Coaching, L.L.C. Isabel Ebrahimi Certified ADHD Coach and Certified Life Coach

66 N. Broadway Suite 9, Nyack 917-359-5442 80 Theodore Fremd Ave., Rye helpisherecoaching.com isabel@helpisherecoaching.com Isabel is a compassionate, supportive, certified coach offering help to children, teens, and adults dealing with ADHD, stress, anxiety, and feelings of being overwhelmed. She effectively helps identify factors contributing to these issues, and can customize steps to facilitate and address these struggles in a concrete way. She teaches cognitive tools such as mindfulness, organizational skills, and specific strategies to bring about the achievement of their goals, through the acquisition of skills needed to create positive and lasting change in their lives. Isabel works in office or virtually. Call for a free consultation.

Huntington Learning Center

58 East Route 59, Nanuet 845-624-6800 23 Jefferson Ave., Westwood, NJ 201-664-2000 75 N. Maple Ave., Ridgewood, NJ 201-447-1200 huntingtonhelps.com Huntington Learning Center is the premier tutoring and test prep provider for kindergarten to 12th grades. Founded in 1977, its mission is

AFTER-SCHOOL MARKETPLACE

to give every student the best education possible. The company prides itself on personalized attention and proven results with individualized programs taught by certified teachers at accredited centers. Areas of instruction include phonics, reading, writing, vocabulary, math, science, ACT, SAT, PSAT, high school entrance exams, and state and other standardized exams. To learn more and locate a center near you, visit huntingtonhelps.com.

Jill’s Ceramics

180 Germonds Road, West Nyack 845-623-4975 jillceramics.com jillsceramics@aol.com “Where children and adults create their own functional works of art.”

Established for more than 36 years, we offer a huge variety of plaster pieces that can be painted and taken home in the same day, or glazed ceramics with a large assortment of finishes. Open Ceramic times and free instruction offered weekly— please call for days and hours. No hourly fees and all supplies are included—you pay one price per finished piece. Come and see our wonderful seasonal items as well; there’s something for everyone at Jill’s Ceramics.

Joffrey Ballet School

434 Sixth Ave., 5th Floor, Manhattan 888-438-3808 joffreyballetschool.com The Joffrey Ballet School offers classes in Musical Theater, HipHop, Jazz and Contemporary Ballet, and more. We specialize in dancers ranging in age from 2-18. We also offer superb adult evening dance fitness classes. The Musical Theater classes for kids are instructed by actual Broadway stars.

Come and experience our more than 60 years of excellence in dance training. You will love the way we care for your child’s dance training.

Come and grow with us.

Kids Clubhouse Daycare, Inc.

40 Gregory St., New City 845-570-1549 kidsclubhousedaycare.com 1kidsclubhouse@gmail.com We are a licensed preschool and daycare in New City offering a safe, nurturing, learning, preschool environment for your child. Some of our activities include story time, arts and crafts, pre-reading activities, puzzles and games, music, and outside playtime in our large fenced in area. Before- and after-school care program. Open year-round

including summer, school vacations, during school delays and early dismissals. Monday-Friday, 6:30am6pm. Ages 6 weeks-12 years.

Reasonable rates. Contact co-owners Debra and Gregory Raho to schedule a private tour. Flexible scheduling to accommodate your family’s needs.

Kreative Kids & Vicki’s Dance Studio

61 Maple Ave., New City 845-634-2202 vickistudio.com Kreative Kids is a toddler and nursery program for boys and girls ages 16 months to 4 years (diapers welcomed)! Classes are divided by age. We offer arts and crafts, music with instruments, singing, creative movement, tumbling, story time, snack time, and early learning skills.

Our professional staff balances active and quiet activities, as they provide comfort and love to each child, making separating from parents easy.

Classes are kept small to provide individualized attention. We also offer flexible, extended hours to fit your work schedule.

Launch Trampoline Park

260 West Nyack Road, West Nyack 845-977-0415 launchrockland.com Launch Trampoline Park is a new family fun park located in West Nyack. This brand new, state-ofthe-art facility features extreme dodgeball, one-on-one basketball, a battle beam, dunk basketball, a warrior ninja course, more than 15,000-square-feet of open jump trampoline space, a full arcade with redemption, and a cafe. The park also offers three private party rooms for hosting birthday parties and other events, as well as a variety of specialty programs, including toddler time, “Ignite” (teen glow night), VIP Night (sensory night), fundraisers, field trip, and group rates.

The Lindgren Nursery School and Camp

211 Irving Ave., Closter 201-768-3550 lindgrenschool.com It is our mission to engage young children in direct and meaningful experiences with the natural world and other people. We encourage questions and exploration. We invite free expression through language, songs, drama, art, play, and invention at all levels. We value individuality and teach respect for others. Our campus includes seven classrooms, three-and-a-half acres of gardens, play areas, and farm animals.

Daily program is a balance of indoor continued on next page ››

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‹‹ continued from previous page

and outdoor free-play, teacher directed experiences, and small group activities. Full- and half-day programs, before- and after-care, and summer camp available.

New City Bowl and Batting Cages

90 N. Main St., New City 845-634-4977 newcitybowlandbattingcages.com Children love bowling! We offer something for everyone—all ages and abilities are welcome. All league members get awards, trophies, and membership in our VIB club for discounts all year long.

Join a league and you participate in every game.

Unlike other sports, nobody sits on the bench.

All leagues are handicapped to even the playing field. Experienced and inexperienced bowlers can compete against each other—everybody is a winner! We offer inexpensive parties for bowlers of all ages. Visit our website and Facebook page for monthly specials.

Northern Valley Dance Academy

75 Oak St., Norwood 201-784-6400 nvdanceacademy.com nvdance@hotmail.com At NVDA, we offer beginner through advanced classes for both recreational and competitive dancers in all styles, ages 3-18. Since 2006 we’ve been creating an environment where children can thrive through the art of dance while building lifelong friendships. Incredibly diverse and highly trained faculty teach in our newly constructed studio that features four beautiful, industrial-inspired dance spaces with sprung floors, one-way parent viewing windows, a spacious student lounge, and comfortable lobby. NVDA is a proud winner of 2018 Bergen Health and Life Magazine Reader’s Choice award!

Otto Specht School

260 Hungry Hollow Road, Chestnut Ridge 845-352-5020 x130 ottospechtschool.org info@ottospecht.org At the Otto Specht School, we work to discover each child’s path to lifelong learning, offering a variety of educational programs designed to meet the needs of students with developmental delays, social and sensory sensitivities, and learning challenges. We have looked beyond both typical and special educational models to provide an extraordinary education to those who need it most.

We offer kindergarten, grades first–eighth, high school (with the opportunity to earn a diploma), High School Practical Life Skills (certificate program), and Transitional Life Skills (post-secondary program).

Palisades Climb Adventure

4590 Palisades Center Drive, Level 4 of the Palisades Center, West Nyack 845-727-3500 palisadesclimb.com Palisades Climb Adventure offers the world’s tallest indoor ropes challenge course. Standing 85-feet tall, it has five levels and 75 unique challenge elements to explore, climb, and conquer.

More advanced athletes will find a challenge, while “just for fun” climbers will experience a sense of athletic accomplishment. Our Sky Tykes kids’ ropes course is designed for ages 2-7, 48-inches max and our new Sky Rail attraction is now open! Both courses are available for birthday parties, other groups, and special events. Book your party today!

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Palisades Country Day School

Palisades Country Day School and Camp 212/248 Herbert Ave., Closter, NJ 201-784-7600 Palisades Preschool and Kindergarten 2324 Fifth St., Fort Lee, NJ 201-947-3898 palisadescountryday.com With more than 50 years in early childhood education, our conveniently located schools are trusted and proven to be a positive first step for young children. Palisades enhances learning through small group size and age appropriate curriculum, taught by experienced, professional educators.

Palisades offers a child-centered, hands-on learning environment. Each student is taught in a setting that stimulates his or her senses and critical thinking skills. A memorable experience for every child who attends.

St. Catharine Early Childhood Center

517 Western Highway, Blauvelt 845-359-4330 stcatharineprek.org Our program provides an opportunity for young children to join together in a loving, nurturing, educational, fun environment. Each child is introduced to a full curriculum of early learning in a center-based setting. Hands-on activities and participation in all areas provide the perfect setting for young children to develop and grow.

Each child is recognized as a unique individual with special talents and abilities. Phonemic awareness skills, social, cognitive, fine and gross motor skills are introduced through creative curriculum. A wonderful place for preschoolers to learn, grow, and have fun!

Surge Studio

917-882-6660 partypackcrew.com We host creative workshops and classes for all ages. Family fun and after-school activities of art, beading, dancing, and crafts. We also create fun and effective fundraising events. We have lots of creative ideas or bring us your own ideas and we will help bring them to life. Our fabulous birthday and themed parties include more than just your favorite characters, we also decorate, and entertain your party guests to make your moments of celebration unforgettable! Join us! Call us now! Check out our website for more details.

285 N. Route 303, Congers 845-589-0990 surgestudioarts.com info@surgestudioarts.com Surge Studio is a true dance home for students of all ages and levels. Experience the Surge vibe, Surge love, and dance technique as you flourish in knowledge, confidence, and life skills that go beyond the dance floor. Perfect for students taking dance for recreational purposes, as well as students who want to take the next step in establishing a professional dance career! High energy, unforgettable memories, and smiles all appear for your child’s experience at Surge Studio, so come surge with us!

Phoenix Aquatic Club

Tumble-Bee Gymnastics and Fitness

Rockland Theatre Company

Tutor Time Childcare Learning Center

Party Pack Crew

Lessons held at HNA Palisade Conference Center 334 Route 9W, Palisades 845-708-5349 phoenixaquatic.com PAC is a USA Swimming program guided by certified coaches for ages 4-adult. Our programs encompass Swim Lessons, Developmental Age Group Swim Teams, and Master’s Swimming Programs. PAC coaches focus on step-by-step technical development for beginners to Olympic Trial Qualifiers. Try-outs for fall 2018 teams start in August. Check website for details and email us at donwagnercoach@gmail. com to confirm a try-out date and time. Lessons offered at our Palisades location. We also offer our programs out of Stony Brook Swim Club in Hillsdale, NJ and Felix Festa in West Nyack.

67 Walter Drive, Stony Point 845-548-6699 rocklandtheatrecompany.com rocklandtheatreco@yahoo.com Rockland Theatre Company programs promote positive self-identity and confidence. Our fall and winter programs provide varied performing experiences. Children ages 7-18 have the opportunity to participate in a number of theater productions.

Beginning this fall, we will be providing various master classes for acting, dancing, and singing.

Please email or check our website regularly for updates to our fall and winter schedules.

Sky Zone Allendale

80 Commerce Drive, Allendale 201-574-1800 skyzone.com/allendale Sky Zone is the world’s first indoor trampoline park. Experience “wow”–the weightlessness of bouncing, flipping, and landing into 10,000 foam cubes. Enjoy Open Jump, Toddler Time, Sky Slam, Foam Zone, Dodgeball, and now Sky Wars for ages 8 and older! Perfect for parties, events, groups, and fundraisers.

September 2018 | nymetroparents.com

401 Market St., Nanuet Mall South, Nanuet 845-623-2553 tumble-beegymnastics.com Tumble-Bee Gymnastics, offers programs for boys and girls, ages 10 months to 12 years.

Serving Rockland for more than 30 years, our preschool program offers exciting weekly lessons and theme weeks. We are the only gym in Rockland County teaching the nationally recognized Fun & Fit Gymnastics after-school program for children entering kindergarten through sixth grade. Our warm and well-trained staff will teach your children the skills that give them the confidence and self-esteem they need to achieve success in the future. Register early! Classes close out quickly.

227 N. Main St., New City 845-708-8270 tutortimenewcity.com Tutor Time Childcare Learning Center in New City, provides early education and care to children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Its proprietary LifeSmart™curriculum was designed to grow the whole child cognitively, socially, physically, and emotionally. We believe children are unique and need a safe and secure environment, where they are given love, outstanding care, and a variety of opportunities to grow and learn! Our center is open Monday–Friday 6:30am to 6:30pm. We offer fulland part-time programs, and a state-of-art facility with security cameras throughout. Call for a tour!

Vicki’s Dance Studio and Kreative Kids

61 Maple Ave., New City 845-634-2202 vickistudio.com For more than 30 years, we have been inspiring and motivating students to follow their dreams both in dance and in their lives. Instructors at Vicki’s Studio are dedicated to their students and teaching technique, while creating fun and exciting choreography

in our non-competitive studio. We offer beginner to advanced classes for boys and girls ages 2½-adult, including jazz, tap, hip-hop, ballet, pointe, lyrical, modern, creative movement, boysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; hip-hop, gymnastics, combination classes, and our new musical theater classes. For experienced dancers, we also offer a competitive dance team (try-outs required).

West Rock Indoor Sports and Entertainment Complex

21 Pralle Lane, Nanuet 845-623-3636 westrockindoor.com Rocklandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier facility for sports training, development, birthday parties, and special events, offers programs for children and adults in basketball, soccer, lacrosse, baseball, tennis, and fitness. Our skilled staff ensures your child has the perfect mix of fun, physical activity, and training.

Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s our Basketball Academy, Tiny Tots Soccer classes for young children, or tennis academy, we offer many programs to meet your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs, no matter the age or ability.

Allow West Rock to be your one and only stop for your familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sports and entertainment needs!

Young Chefs Academy of New City

59 S. Main St., New City 845-638-0601 newcityny.youngchefsacademy.com newcityny@youngchefsacademy.com We offer fun and creative cooking

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classes for kids and adults throughout the year as well as exciting school holiday break camps, summer camps, and birthday parties. You can sign up for one class at a time or our monthly memberships which include frequency discounts and other perks. No annual contracts required and you can join at any time during the year. We offer different themes each month and cover topics such as kitchen safety, proper food handling, food preparation, cooking and baking techniques, table setting, and etiquette.

Young World Day School

585 Wyckoff Ave., Mahwah, NJ 201-327-3888 youngworlddayschool.org director@ywdschool.org Young World Day School provides a safe, nurturing environment for children to grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Experienced staff utilizes an interdisciplinary approach to learning using individualized instruction and small group instruction.

Traditional preschool begins at age 2.

Montessori begins at ages 3-6. Our elementary school begins with TK/K through sixth grade and is comprised of small, mixed-age classrooms providing individualized instruction for your child. Spanish, music, yoga, computers, and athletics are included in the school-wide curriculum. Challenging, enriching, and engaging.

Motivating your children to achieve their personal best. Since 1972.

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RocklandParent 25

Education Planner Schools

Type Nursery & Preschools

Bright Beginnings Preschool & Childcare

brightbeginningsofrockland.com

914-420-5785

Brilliant Minds Daycare and Learning Center

brilliantmindsdaycare.com

845-535-9658

Kids Clubhouse Daycare, Inc.

kidsclubhousedaycare.com

845-570-1549

vickistudio.com

845-634-2202

The Lindgren Nursery School and Camp

lindgrenschool.com

201-768-3550

Palisades Country Day School

palisadescountryday.com

201-784-7600

St. Catharine Early Childhood Center

stcatharineprek.org

845-359-4330

Tutor Time Childcare Learning Center

tutortimenewcity.com

845-708-8270

Young World Day School

youngworlddayschool.org

201-327-3888

Young World Day School

youngworlddayschool.org

201-327-3888

helpisherecoaching.com

917-359-5442

Huntington Learning Center

huntingtonhelps.com

Visit website

Otto Specht School

ottospechtschool.org

845-352-5020 x130

Kreative Kids & Vickiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dance Studio

Private Schools

Special Education

26

Help Is Here Coaching, L.L.C. Isabel Ebrahimi Certified ADHD Coach and Certified Life Coach

September 2018 | nymetroparents.com

AFTER-SCHOOL MARKETPLACE

Acting Workshops For Kids Of All Ages!

• Learn acting fundamentals in a creative environment • Gain confidence – by contributing to the process • PRIVATE COACHING

GLSW

German Language School Westwood

GERMAN LANGUAGE CLASSES

Call Now for Fall Registration

• COLLEGE PREP / PRESCREENS • Creating original theatre & performances for all ages!

8 Second Street, New City | 845-708-2288 clarkstowntheatrecompany.com

Small Classes All Ages and Levels Preparation for all College Admissions Tests

Accredited Non-Profit Since 1972

REGISTER NOW FOR FALL CLASSES

OPEN ENROLLMENT 2018 • NYS Licensed Facility • Daycare for Ages 6 weeks – 5 yrs • Flexible Hours to Fit Your Schedule

www.germanschoolnj.org

201-825-9770

• After School & Holiday Break Care for Children up to 12 yrs • Learning Center Equipped with Ipads & Computers • Full & Part Time Summer Program • We Follow NYS Pre-k Curriculum • Fun activities including baking, dance, yoga/exercise, science experiments, daily outdoor play (weather permitting), dramatic play, Spanish and Art.

Brilliant Minds Daycare & Learning Center

New City, NY | 845-535-9658 | Brilliantmindsdaycare.com

Danceworks Ballet Workout

For Adults & Kids

Develop a lean, strong dancer’s body with flexibility and grace

Learn to work with your body, not against it • Barre stretch • Mat Work • Reverance • No Special Clothing Needed • All Levels • No Prior Training Necessary • Beginners Welcome • 10 Week Session $75 or $10/class • Free Babysitting • Monday & Wednesday 9:30am-10:45am • Free Trial Class

69 Lake Road • Congers Call for details and brochure 845-268-4669

To Advertise Call 212-315-0800

Online Registration is Now Open!

Locations Include:

HNA Palisades Conf. Ctr. Palisades, NY Year Round

•

• • • •

Felix Festa Pool West Nyack, NY Winter

Stony Brook Swim Club Hillsdale, NJ Fall, Spring, Summer

•

Warm Water, Indoor Facility perfect for swim lessons Swim lessons for Ages 4 and up (Small Groups) Pre & Competitive Swim Teams (Fall Registration) All programs are guided by qualified, certified ASCA and USA Swimming Coaches

845-708-5349 | newmemberinfo@phoenixaquatic.com | www.phoenixaquatic.com

RocklandParent 27

After-School Planner Classes & Programs

Activity ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT/ LANGUAGE

Beth Am Temple Huntington Learning Center

Art

Jill’s Ceramics Otto Specht School Party Pack Crew

Cooking

Chocolatier Matisse Young Chefs Academy of New City

Dance

Coupé Theatre Studio

bethamtemple.org

845-735-5858

huntingtonhelps.com

Visit Website

jillceramics.com

845-623-4975

ottospechtschool.org partypackcrew.com

917-882-6660

chocolatiermatisse.com

845-365-0285

newcityny. youngchefsacademy.com

845-638-0601

coupedance.com

845-623-2808

Danceworks

845-268-4669

Joffrey Ballet School

joffreyballetschool.com

888-438-3808

Northern Valley Dance Academy

nvdanceacademy.com

201-784-6400

surgestudioarts.com

845-589-0990

vickistudio.com

845-634-2202

germanschoolnj.org

201-825-9770

Surge Studio Vicki’s Dance Studio and Kreative Kids FOREIGN LANGUAGE

845-352-5020 x130

German Language SchoolWestwood Saturday only class

GYMNASTICS

Tumble-Bee Gymnastics and Fitness

tumble-beegymnastics.com

845-623-2553

MARTIAL ARTS

The Academy For Martial Arts

theacademyformartialarts.com

845-359-4500

MUSIC

Bach to Rock - Nanuet

nanuet.b2rmusic.com

845-215-9536

SPORTS & FITNESS

The Academy For Martial Arts

theacademyformartialarts.com

845-359-4500

launchrockland.com

845-977-0415

newcitybowlandbattingcages.com

845-634-4977

Launch Trampoline Park New City Bowl and Batting Cages September 2018 | nymetroparents.com

After-School Planner Classes & Programs

Activity SPORTS & FITNESS

Palisades Climb Adventure

palisadesclimb.com

845-727-3500

Phoenix Aquatic Club

phoenixaquatic.com

845-708-5349

skyzone.com/allendale

201-574-1800

tumble-beegymnastics.com

845-623-2553

West Rock Indoor Sports and Entertainment Complex

westrockindoor.com

845-623-3636

Clarkstown Theatre Company

clarkstowntheatrecompany.com

845-708-2288

coupedance.com

845-623-2808

rocklandtheatrecompany.com

845-548-6699

Sky Zone Allendale Tumble-Bee Gymnastics and Fitness

THEATER

Coupé Theatre Studio Rockland Theatre Company Vicki’s Dance Studio and Kreative Kids

vickistudio.com

845-634-2202

Family Owned & Operated for 62 Years!

New Jersey's Only Western Theme Park!

LIVE ACTION SHOWS • TRAIN, STAGECOACH & PONY RIDE MEET LEGENDS OF THE WEST • EXPLORE FRONTIER LIFE FAMILY FUN • AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

OPEN DAILY June 18th – Labor Day

OPEN WEEKENDS Labor Day – Columbus Day N

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(973) 347-8900 WildWestCity.com 50 LackawannA Dr. Stanhope, NJ 07874 RocklandParent 29

things to do

city bound

N Y C

Photo courtesy of Hudson River Park

Courtesy Fraunces Tavern Museum

Family Fun in Manhattan

The Long Room, where George Washington gathered with his officers in 1783 to bid them farewell at the end of the American Revolution.

Kids get in on the aquatic action all day long.

Fun for All on the Water

Fraunces Tavern Museum

Learn about the history of the American Revolutionary era through buildings, public programs, and museum collections. Exhibits include the Long Room, the site of George Washington’s farewell address at the end of the Revolution, the Clinton Room, and the upcoming Fear & Force: New York City’s Sons of Liberty, where you can view objects preserved from important moments relating to the Sons of Liberty.

Visit it: 54 Pearl St., Financial District; 212-425-1778; frauncestavernmuseum.org Can’t-miss event: Spy Week; Sept. 15-22; see website for schedule Directions: Approximately a 1-hour, 5-minute drive from New City

Loup-William Théberge

NY Carousel Entertainment

Wild about water? Hudson River Park’s SUBMERGE festival heads north this year to Pier 84 in Midtown to celebrate NYC’s coastal waters while bringing marine science to life. Environmentally minded families will enjoy hands-on activities, kid-approved science entertainment, kayaking, fishing, and more. This annual event is a must-do for anyone who appreciates the many gifts of the river and wants to help raise awareness. Rain date is Sept. 23. Saturday, Sept. 22, 11am-4pm. Age: All. Free. Pier 84, West 44th Street, Midtown. hudsonriverpark.org.

The Pier 62 Carousel is conveniently located next to popular outdoor attractions such as a skate park, gardens, and special community events.

The sky’s the limit when it comes to this troupe’s anatomical acrobatics!

It’s a Circus Machine!

If your family likes physical performance, they’ll flip for Machine de Cirque at the New Victory Theater in Midtown this fall. Five fellows are building a contraption to communicate with the outside world, but their fun-loving natures keep distracting them! These awe-inspiring acrobats swing by their toes high above the stage, bicycle upside-down and backwards, and flip and fly off teeterboards.

Sept. 28-Oct. 7. Age: 8 and older. $17 and up. The New Victory Theater, 209 W. 42nd St., Midtown. newvictory.org.

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W he hile y re ou , v ’r isit e …

September 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Pier 62 Carousel

What better way to enjoy beautiful summer weather in NYC than on Hudson River Park’s custom-designed Hudson River Animals carousel in Chelsea? The 36-foot carousel allows for up to 36 passengers per ride. The whole family will enjoy this relaxing ride complete with beautiful views and rich historical culture. The best part?

Tickets are extremely affordable!

Visit it: Hudson River Park, between 22nd and 23rd streets, Chelsea; 718-899-2676 Can’t-miss event: Making Magic with Ethan on Sept. 16 at 2pm and 4pm Directions: Approximately a 50-minute drive from New City

Ideas When You Need Them:

Sign up for our FREE newsletter & never hear “I’m bored!” again. We email the top kids’ events every Thursday—just in time to make weekend plans!

nymetroparents.com/register

Turn the page for details on Slide The City: Pearl River (No. 4 on our list).

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WANT US TO INCLUDE YOUR EVENT?

nymetroparents.com/submitevent UPDATED DAILY AT nymetroparents.com/calendar EDITOR: SAMANTHA BERANBOM rpeditor@davlermedia.com

SEPTEMBER CALENDAR 32

Editor’s Hot Tickets

34

We Can’t Believe It’s FREE!, The Great Outdoors

35

Kindness Crusaders

36

Fun Fairs & Festivals

37

Smarty Pants

38

Browse & Buy, Animal Lovers

39

Movers & Shakers

8

EDITOR’S HOT TICKETS

Our calendar is full of great ideas. First, here are the eight events we consider can’t-miss—the ones we’re taking our own kids to. Consider it your cheat sheet to the best of what’s great this month!

1

Movie Under The Stars -Coco FREE

WHEN: Friday, Sept. 7, 7:40pm WHERE: Veterans Memorial Park, Main Street and Cedar Street, Nyack AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy this new family classic in the outdoors and under the stars.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Celebrate the beginning of fall...or the end of summer depending on the weather!

WANT TO GO? 845-353-2221. rivertownfilm.org.

Mario the Magician

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 8, 6:30pm -8pm WHERE: Rockland Center for the Arts, 27 South Greenbush Road, West Nyack AGES: All WHAT: Mario the Maker Magician is known for his robotic creations, props, and slapstick character.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Nothing sparks creativity like a little magic!

WANT TO GO? $15. 845-358-0877. rocklandartcenter.org.

2

3

9th Annual Highlands Bluegrass Festival & Craft Fair

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 9, 1pm-6pm WHERE: Great Lawn of Harmony Hall, 15 Liberty Rock Road, Sloatsburg AGES: All WHAT: Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the outdoor Bluegrass festival. Shop at the outdoor craft fair featuring local artisans 32

September 2018 | nymetroparents.com

like jewelers, potters, winemakers, and have some fun and games at the Kid’s Corner.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Dance and shop till you drop!

WANT TO GO? Donations appreciated. 845-712-5220. friendsofharmonyhall.org.

4

9th Annual Blauvelt Sons of Italy Italian Feast & Carnival

WHEN: Sept. 13-16, Thursday 5pm-11pm, Friday 5pm-midnight, Saturday noon to midnight, Sunday noon-9pm WHERE: Tappan Masonic Park Fair Grounds, 89 Western Highway, Tappan AGES: All WHAT: The Feast features Italian food, pizza, pasta, seafood, as well as rides and carnival games, live entertainment, and 50 vendors on-site.

WHY WE LOVE IT: This feast of family fun is one of the biggest and best!

WANT TO GO? $5; free for kids younger than 12. 845-627-3000. blauveltsonsofitaly.org.

New York Air Show

WHEN: Sept. 15-16, 9am-5pm WHERE: New York Stewart International Airport, 1180 1st St., New Windsor AGES: All WHAT: The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds performs alongside the West Point Parachute Team and more.

WHY WE LOVE IT: A spectacular show for airplane lovers young and old.

WANT TO GO? $21.50; $10.50 children ages 6-12. 877-766-8158. airshowny.com.

5

Get weekend activities delivered to you!

nymetroparents.com/register ››

6

Bergen County Fall Festival FREE

WHEN: Sept. 28-30, Friday 6pm-9pm; Saturday and Sunday Craft Fair 10am-5pm, Rides, Food 12pm-10pm WHERE: Van Saun County Park, 216 Forest Ave., Paramus AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate fall with a crafts fair, carnival rides, farmers’ market, animals, music, face painting, food trucks, and Master Gardener exhibits.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Celebrate the unofficial start of fall with the whole family.

WANT TO GO? 201-262-3771. co.bergen.nj.us.

Healthy Kids Running Series

WHEN: Sept. 16-Oct. 14, 4pm WHERE: Bryan Elementary School Field, 51 Brookside Ave., Cresskill AGES: 3-12 WHAT: A five-week running program where kids compete each week for a chance to earn points and receive a trophy.

WHY WE LOVE IT: A fun event that encourages a healthy lifestyle and improves self-esteem? Sign us up!

WANT TO GO? $35 for series or $10 per race.

516-413-9788. healthykidsrunningseries.org.

7

8

Personalized Education for Your Child’s Specific Needs

Age 2-Grade 6

• Traditional Preschool Age 2-5 years • Montessori School Age 3-6 years • Elementary School TK/K-Grade 6

Since 1972

585 Wyckoff Avenue • Mahwah, NJ 201-327-3888 • youngworlddayschool.org • info@ywdschool.org

“Feel the beat, live the rhythm”

Apple Picking

WHEN: Sept. 1-Nov. 14, 9am-4pm WHERE: Demarest Farms, 244 Wierimus Road, Hillsdale AGES: All WHAT: Featuring pick apples and enjoy a hay ride, two petting zoos, adventure playground, corn box, photo display area, crooked house village, wooden play sets, and picnic area with tables.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Take a bite of the fall season!

WANT TO GO? $7 per person; $10 per bag. 201-666-0472. demarestfarms.com.

Youth & Adult Dance Classes | Competition Dance Team Private Instruction | Birthday Parties & more!

POSITIVE, CREATIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR DANCE STUDENTS OF ALL AGES AND LEVELS.

285 N. Route 303, Congers, NY • 845-589-0990 • www.surgestudioarts.com

Preschool & Childcare Open Enrollment

The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze

WHEN: Sept. 28-Nov. 24, see website for times WHERE: Van Cortlandt Manor, 525 S. Riverside Ave., Croton-onHudson AGES: All WHAT: Meander through an 18th-century riverside landscape and see a display of jack o’ lanterns.

WHY WE LOVE IT: What better way to celebrate fall than a thousand hand carved pumpkins?

WANT TO GO? $22-$27; $16-$20 children ages 3-17; free for children younger than 3. 914-631-8200. hudsonvalley.org. ››

9

Infants to School Age • Operated and run by a NYS certified Elementary Teacher with a Literacy Specialization.

• All Staff – CPR & First Aid Certified • We offer special rates for teachers!

• Before and after school programs as well as drop-ins for school delays and closures.

• We follow a NYS pre-k curriculum • NYS Licensed Facility & NAFCC Accredited

Now Includes Weekly Dance Lessons

(914)420-5785 Two Great Locations in New City & Pomona

BrightBeginningsofRockland.com RocklandParent 33

Contemporary Rockland Artists FREE

WHEN: Sept. 8-23, 1pm-4pm WHERE: Rockland Center for the Arts, 27 South Greenbush Road, West Nyack AGES: All WHAT: This fall season of exhibits in the Emerson Gallery celebrate the present vision of the teaching artists at RoCA. WANT TO GO? 845-358-0877. rocklandartcenter.org.

Weekly Drop-In at Rockland Baby Cafe FREE

WHEN: March 25-Jan. 31, Tuesdays, 10:30am-12:30pm WHERE: Rockland Baby Cafe, 14 S. Main St., Spring Valley AGES: Newborn to 2, Adult WHAT: Meet and talk to new moms, learn how to make breast-feeding easier, ensure your baby is latching and gaining well, and get tips on pumping, going back to work, and other parenting topics.

WANT TO GO? 914-922-2240. rocklandgov.com.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS WE CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S FREE Think a freebie has to be ho-hum? Don’t let the price tag (or lack of one) fool you. Here are the five no-cost events we’re excited about now. You’re welcome.

Ridgewood Chamber 25th Annual Car Show FREE

WHEN: Friday, Sept. 7, 6pm-9pm WHERE: Memorial Park at Van Neste Square, East Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood AGES: All WHAT: View some of the oldest and newest cars ever made from all over the world.

WANT TO GO? 201-445-2600. ridgewoodchamber.com.

Art in the Park FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 16, 1pm-6pm WHERE: Flywheel Park, Ash Street and Roundhouse Road, Piermont AGES: All WHAT: Come to see artists work on site, take part in special workshops, and buy art at this family friendly art festival.

WANT TO GO? 914-691-0409. psfdn.org.

Corporate Wellness Open House FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 19, 12pm-2pm WHERE: CGI Holistic Fitness & Spa, 111 Homans Avenue, Closter AGES: Adult WHAT: Learn about corporate wellness memberships for your employees, enjoy tea, tour CGI Holistic Fitness Club, and get a free massage coupon.

WANT TO GO? 201-784-5575. cgiholisticfitness.com.

Rocket Launch FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 22, 3pm-5pm WHERE: Weldler Park, West Maple Avenue, Monsey AGES: All WHAT: Bring your own low-powered rockets (A – D motors) to launch or just come to watch. All level rocketeers are welcome.

WANT TO GO? 845-357-3416. ramapoparks.org.

34

September 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Butterfly House

WHEN: June 6-Sept. 5, Wednesday-Sunday, 11am-3pm WHERE: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly AGES: All WHAT: Observe butterflies flying and collecting nectar, chrysalis, and maybe see a butterfly emerge!

WHY WE LOVE IT: A total immersion experience for the young and old.

WANT TO GO? $5. 201-568-6093. tenaflynaturecenter.org.

Biodiversity Celebration

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 15, 11am-3pm WHERE: Trailside Museum and Zoo at Bear Mountain State Park, 55 Hessian Drive, Highland Falls AGES: All WHAT: Discover ways you can help protect and provide habitat for wildlife by visiting different habitat stations.

WANT TO GO? $1 per person suggested donation; $10 parking fee. 845786-2701 x293. trailsidezoo.org.

Autumn Campfire & Night Hike

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 22, 6:30pm-8:30pm WHERE: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Explore seasonal changes, listen to stories, and roast marshmallows for s’mores, develop night vision, play games, and listen for animals.

WANT TO GO? $10. 201-568-6093. tenaflynaturecenter.org.

Free Fishing Days FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 22, all day WHERE: New York State Parks, see website for locations across the Hudson Valley AGES: All WHAT: During Free Fishing Days/Weekends, anyone can fish the fresh waters of New York State, even without a fishing license.

WANT TO GO? dec.ny.gov.

Children and Family Programs FREE

WHEN: May 6-Nov. 25, Sundays, 1pm WHERE: Storm King Art Center, 1 Museum Road, New Windsor AGES: All WHAT: Hands-on experiences are created and led by artists, conservators, arts educators, and environmental educators at these drop-in workshops.

Check the website for activity details.

WANT TO GO? 845-534-3115. stormkingartcenter.org.

Harvest Moon Beach Fire FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 23, 6pm-9pm WHERE: Alpine Picnic Area and Boat Basin, Exit 2 of the Palisades Interstate Parkway, Alpine AGES: All WHAT: Grab a chair and celebrate the full moon closest to the Autumnal equinox, the “Harvest Moon.”

WANT TO GO? 201-985-6580. njpalisades.org.

Apple Cider Making

WHEN: Sept. 9-30, Sundays 12:30pm, 2pm, 3:30pm WHERE: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly AGES: All WHAT: Participants will use an apple press, help to make cider, and learn about the history of apple cultivation and cider making.

WANT TO GO? $10; $40 max for family of 6. 201-568-6093. tenaflynaturecenter.org.

Movie Night: Spookley the Square Pumpkin

WHEN: Sept. 21-Oct. 5, Fridays September 21, September 28 and October 5th 5:30pm WHERE: Demarest Farms, 244 Wierimus Road, Hillsdale AGES: All WHAT: Movie-goers will take a tractor-pulled hayride to pumpkin patch where they will watch the Spookley Movie on an outdoor screen.

WANT TO GO? $16; free for children younger than 2. 201-666-0472. demarestfarms.com.

The Haunted Orchards

WHEN: Sept. 29-Nov. 3, Weekends; times vary; see website for exact dates and times WHERE: Demarest Farms, 244 Wierimus Road, Hillsdale AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Featuring a spooky hayride, haunted houses, and a forgotten graveyard nestled within the apple trees.

WANT TO GO? $25 online; $30 at the door. 201-666-0472. hauntedorchardsfarm.com.

Pick-Your-Own-Apples

WHEN: Sept. 1-Nov. 3, 9am-5pm WHERE: Masker Orchards, 45 Ball Road, Warwick AGES: All WHAT: Come pick apples and enjoy live family-friendly music, pony rides, barnyard baby animals, wagon rides, trivia, and a chance to win prizes.

WANT TO GO? prices vary.. 845-986-1058. maskers.com.

Nature Strollers

WHEN: Sept. 18-Nov. 6, Tuesdays, 9:30pm WHERE: Hudson Highlands Nature Museum’s Outdoor Discovery Center, Muser Drive, Cornwall AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Join this hiking group for families with babies, toddlers, and young children led by a museum educator.

WANT TO GO? $5. 845-534-5506. hhnaturemuseum.org.

KINDNESS CRUSADERS Seasonal Trail Cleanup FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 1, 10am WHERE: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Come help the animals by picking up trash and cleaning up our forest!

WANT TO GO? 201-568-6093. tenaflynaturecenter.org.

Blood Drive FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 4, 9am-3pm WHERE: Crystal Run Healthcare West Nyack, 2 Centerock Road, West Nyack AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Save lives with your donation!

WANT TO GO? 845-348-1100. crystalrunhealthcare.com.

SeptemberFest Street Fair FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 9, 10am-5pm; Fashion Show 12pm-1pm at Veteran’s Park Gazebo WHERE: Downtown Nyack, Main Street and Broadway, Nyack AGES: All WHAT: Support a Breast Cancer Awareness Fashion Show where survivors take the runway! Featuring over 300 vendors, live entertainment, food, outdoor dining, and activities for the kids.

WANT TO GO? 845-353-2221. nyackchamber.org.

Suffern Jamfest

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 15, 12pm WHERE: Mahwah Elks, 1 Foxwood Ln., Mahwah AGES: All WHAT: An afternoon of music, food, and fun benefiting Humanitarian Rotary Programs.

WANT TO GO? $15; $5 children ages 6-12; free for children younger than 6. suffernrotary.org.

Out of the Darkness Community Walk FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 22, 10am WHERE: Rockland Lake State Park-The Pavilion, 299 Rockland Lake Road, Valley Cottage AGES: All WHAT: Walk to raise awareness about mental health and benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

WANT TO GO? 845-570-1560. afsp.org. ››

RocklandParent 35

The 5th Annual Haverstraw Riverwide Arts & Music Festival FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 15, 11am-5pm WHERE: Emeline Park, 16 Front St., Haverstraw AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy live music and professional artists creating art, plus kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; activities featuring a music instrument-making workshop, puppet making and storytelling, and a yarn bombing event.

WANT TO GO? 845-372-6552. haverstrawriverwidearts.org.

Food Truck Festival FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 16, 12pm-6pm WHERE: Closter Commons, 570 Piermont Road, Closter AGES: All WHAT: There will be a variety of food trucks, entertainment for the kids, vendors, live music, and more!

WANT TO GO? eventbrite.com.

FUN FAIRS & FESTIVALES Family Water Festival FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 1, 1pm-4pm WHERE: Crestwood Lake -East Beach, West Crescent Avenue, Allendale AGES: All WHAT: A day full of swimming, relays, a sand castle contest, a cannon ball competition, raffles, and more.

WANT TO GO? 201-818-4400. holidayobservers.org.

Dead Mans Curve Presents The Wild Hot Rod Weekend 7

WHEN: Aug. 30-Sept. 2, 12-11pm WHERE: Sheraton Crossroads Hotel, 1 International Blvd., Route 17N, Mahwah AGES: All WHAT: See more than 25 bands, celebrities, nostalgia funny cars, dragsters, vendors, a swap meet, and much more!

WANT TO GO? $20. deadmanscurveusa.com.

General Montgomery Day FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 8, 9am-10pm WHERE: Village of Montgomery, Clinton Street and Union Street, Montgomery AGES: All WHAT: Come for a day chock full of events including an 8K race, parade, soap box derby, live entertainment, vendors, food, and an evening of fireworks!

WANT TO GO? 845-457-9661. villageofmontgomery.org.

Ridgewood Music Fest FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 9, 1pm WHERE: Memorial Park at Van Neste Square, South Walnut Street, Ridgewood AGES: All WHAT: A full day of music with food, desserts, and a Beer and Wine Garden.

WANT TO GO? 201-493-9911. ridgewoodguild.com.

Fall Festival and Family Fun Day FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 15, 10am-4pm WHERE: Kirkbride Hall, 5 Patriots Hill Drive, Stony Point AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy bouncy rides, Two by Two Zoo, pony rides, and more!

WANT TO GO? 845-786-2242. stonypointpal.org.

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September 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Ridgewood Fall Craft & Art Street Festival FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 16, 12pm-5pm WHERE: Downtown Ridgewood, East Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood AGES: All WHAT: Features 165 exhibitors with arts, crafts, photography, all day music, and a food court. Stop by the Kidz Zone with pony rides, a petting zoo, inflatables, and games.

WANT TO GO? pjspromotions.

Fall Festival

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 22, 2pm-6pm WHERE: Palaia Winery, 10 Sweet Clover Road, Highland Mills AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate the fall harvest with live music, food and drink, pumpkin picking, wagon rides, pumpkin painting, pumpkin bowling, and bounce slides.

WANT TO GO? $10. 845-928-5384. palaiavineyards.com.

Suffern Day FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 22, 11am-3pm WHERE: Suffern Baseball Complex, 87 Chestnut St., Suffern AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy local restaurants, refreshments, pony rides, hayride, inflatables, games, and civic organizations.

WANT TO GO? 845-357-2600. suffernny.gov.

Chalk Art Festival FREE

WHEN: Sept. 29-22, 12pm-4pm WHERE: The Shops at Nanuet, 5101 Fashion Drive, Nanuet AGES: All WHAT: Bring the whole family out for a day of fun as you enjoy entertainment and activities while taking in the beauty of the chalk art!

WANT TO GO? 845-367-9450. simon.com.

Cornwall Fall Festival FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 23, 10am-5pm WHERE: Downtown Cornwall, Main Street, Cornwall AGES: All WHAT: Live shows, food, raffles, inflatables, a hay maze, petting zoo, and more.

WANT TO GO? cornwallchamber.org.

Port Jervis Fall Foliage Festival FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 23, 10am-5pm WHERE: Downtown Port Jervis, Jersey Avenue, Port Jervis AGES: All WHAT: The celebration features continuous live entertainment, as well as food, antiques, craft vendors, and antique cars.

WANT TO GO? facebook.com/FallFoliageFestivalPortJervisNy.

68th Annual Autumn Festival FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 29, 10:30am-3:30pm WHERE: Sisters of Saint Dominic of Blauvelt, 496 Western Highway, Blauvelt AGES: All WHAT: Ring in the fall season with a day filled with shopping, food, games, pony rides, and more!

WANT TO GO? 845-359-5600. opblauvelt.org.

Good Life Ridgewood 4th Annual Wellness Festival FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 30, 11am-3pm WHERE: Memorial Park, Van Neste Square, Ridgewood AGES: All WHAT: This festival showcases the community’s social services, health lifestyle businesses, kids health, mental health services, and more.

WANT TO GO? 201-445-2600. ridgewoodchamber.com.

Nyack High School Food Truck Festival

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 30, WHERE: MacCalman Field, 5th Avenue and North Midland Avenue, Nyack AGES: All WHAT: Grab your lawn chairs and visit the Food Truck Festival, live music, and kids zone.

WANT TO GO? $5; $2 for children, students, and seniors. nyackschools.org.

New York Renaissance Faire

WHEN: Aug. 4-Sept. 30, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-7pm WHERE: Sterling Forest, 600 Route 17A, Tuxedo AGES: All WHAT: Feast on savory sweets and tempting treats, see acrobats, fairies, pirates, and more! Check the website for special events and theme weekends.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Everyone’s favorite faire is back!

WANT TO GO? $29.95; $13 children; $25.95 military and seniors.

845-351-5171. renfair.com.

SMARTY PANTS

Brain Education for Kids -Open Class FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 22, 12pm-1pm, 2pm-3pm WHERE: CGI Holistic Fitness Club, 111 Homans Ave., Closter AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Help your child build healthy habits, discover creativity, and build self-confidence with Brain Education (BE), a holistic education model.

WANT TO GO? 201-784-1300. cgiholisticfitness.com.

Full Moon Party! @ RoCA

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 22, 4pm -8pm WHERE: Rockland Center for the Arts, 27 South Greenbush Road, West Nyack AGES: Adult WHAT: Dancing, BBQ, a silent auction, and more. All proceeds benefit RoCA’.

WANT TO GO? $60. 845-358-0877. rocklandartcenter.org.

NAMI Basics FREE

WHEN: Sept. 25-Oct. 30, 7pm-9pm WHERE: NAMI Rockland (National Alliance on Mental Illness), 140 Old Orangeburg Road, Orangeburg AGES: Adult WHAT: A course designed for parents with a mental difficulty that provides strategies for taking care of your child, communication, and recovery.

WANT TO GO? 845-359-8787. namirockland.org/namibasics.html.

DivorceCare for Women

WHEN: Sept. 4-Dec. 11, 6:30pm WHERE: Bethany Community Center, 605 Pascack Rd., Township of Washington AGES: Adult WHAT: Join this weekly Divorce Support Group to experience healing.

WANT TO GO? $15. 201-891-7494. bethanychurch.tv. ››

SHALOM and Welcome!

StoryWalk Opening Day

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 8, 10am-4pm WHERE: Hudson Highlands Nature Museum’s Outdoor Discovery Center, Muser Drive, Cornwall AGES: All WHAT: Read “Teeny, Tiny, Toady” and look for clues as you take a guided walk along the StoryWalk™ Trail and meet one of the animals from the book.

WANT TO GO? $5. 845-534-5506. hhnaturemuseum.org.

Public Planetarium Show

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 9, 2pm-4pm WHERE: Town of Ramapo Challenger Center, 225 Route 59, Airmont AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Following a planetarium show, participants will take part in an astronomy-related project to learn about the wonders of the universe.

WANT TO GO? $10 children 9 and older; $5 younger than 9 and seniors.

845-357-3416. ramapoparks.org.

Lighthouse Day: The Civil War Era FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 15, 12pm-4pm WHERE: Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site, 44 Battlefield Road, Stony Point AGES: All WHAT: Learn about life during the American Civil War and hear the story of the Stony Point Lighthouse. Children’s games, crafts, and refreshments for all!

WANT TO GO? 845-786-2521. parks.ny.gov.

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Ridgewood Farmers Market

WHEN: June 24-Nov. 18, Sundays, 9am-3pm WHERE: Train Station Parking Lot, Godwin and West Ridgewood avenues, Ridgewood AGES: All WHAT: Find farm-to-table, fresh produce; homemade jams with unique flavors; preservative-free baked goods; and more.

WANT TO GO? FREE admission. 201-445-2600. ridgewoodchamber.com.

Ramsey Farmers’ Market

BROWSE & BUY

Community Tag Sale

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 8, 9am-2pm WHERE: Germonds Park Parking Lot, Germonds Road, West Nyack AGES: All WHAT: The biggest yard sale you’ve ever seen!

WANT TO GO? free admission. 845-639-6200. town.clarkstown.ny.us.

Suffern Street Fair

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 16, 10am-5pm; The Beer & Wine Garden is open until 7pm WHERE: Downtown Suffern, Lafayette Avenue, Suffern AGES: All WHAT: Great craft vendors, delicious food vendors, karaoke, photo booth, and children’s rides and activities perfect for the entire family! Also enjoy the Beer, Wine & Spirits Garden with live music and discounted beer.

WANT TO GO? free admission; $5 admission to Beer and Wine Garden.

845-659-9203. suffernchamber.org.

New City Street Festival

WHEN: July 1-Nov. 25, Sundays, 9am-2pm WHERE: Erie Plaza, 2 W. Main St., Ramsey AGES: All WHAT: Stroll the market and enjoy a variety of local produce and products, music, children’s crafts, chef demos, and more.

WANT TO GO? free admission. 201-675-6866. ramseyfarmersmarket.org.

Nyack Farmers Market FREE

WHEN: May 3-Nov. 29, Thursdays, 8am-2pm WHERE: Downtown Nyack, Main Street Parking Lot, Nyack AGES: All WHAT: Local artists and craftspeople in the region come together to bring local products like fresh produce, baked goods, and sweets.

WANT TO GO? 845-642-0859. nyackchamber.org.

ANIMAL LOVERS National Iguana Day

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 8, 11am-2pm WHERE: Bergen County Zoo, 216 Forest Ave., Paramus AGES: All WHAT: Come learn about iguanas and meet some lizard cousins.

WANT TO GO? $8, $5 for children ages 3-14, $2 for seniors.

201-262-3771. co.bergen.nj.us.

Hudson River Birding Ramble

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 30, 10am-5pm WHERE: New City Business District, Main Street, New City AGES: All WHAT: A great day of fun, food, vendors, live music, kids activities, and more!

WANT TO GO? free admission. newcitychamber.org.

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 8, 8am-10am WHERE: Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site, 44 Battlefield Road, Stony Point AGES: All WHAT: Grab your binoculars and explore the diverse bird habitats of Stony Point.

WANT TO GO? $3. 845-786-2521. parks.ny.gov.

Piermont’s Down to Earth Farmer Market

Dog Swim

WHEN: May 6-Oct. 14, Sundays, 9:30am-3pm WHERE: M&T Bank Parking Lot, Piermont Avenue and Ash Street, Piermont AGES: All WHAT: Local farmers and area food makers who source locally are brought together for a delicious experience.

WANT TO GO? FREE admission. 914-923-4837. downtoearthmarkets.com.

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 9, 10am-9pm WHERE: Spook Rock Pool, Spook Rock Road, Suffern AGES: All WHAT: Take your pup for a swim to end those dog days of summer!

WANT TO GO? $10. 845-357-6100. ramapoparks.org.

Suffern Farmers’ Market

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 15, 10am WHERE: Hudson Highlands Nature Museum’s Outdoor Discovery Center, Muser Drive, Cornwall AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Learn about subterranean animals through fun activities.

WANT TO GO? $10;$7 children. 845-534-5506. hhnaturemuseum.org.

WHEN: May 5-Oct. 27, Saturdays, 8:30am-1pm WHERE: Commuter Parking Lot A, Lafayette Avenue, between Orange and Wayne avenues, Suffern AGES: All WHAT: A family-friendly market with food and craft vendors, children’s activities, and live entertainment.

WANT TO GO? FREE admission. 845-659-9203. suffernchamber.org.

Farmers’ Market at the Village of Haverstraw

WHEN: May 20-Oct. 28, Sundays, 9am-1pm WHERE: Village Hall, Maple Avenue, Haverstraw AGES: All WHAT: Support local businesses selling fresh produce, jams, spices, and more.

WANT TO GO? FREE admission. 845-429-0300. voh-ny.com.

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September 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Secrets in the Soil

World Rhino Day

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 23, 11am-2pm WHERE: Bergen County Zoo, 216 Forest Ave., Paramus AGES: All WHAT: Chat with the staff about rhinos throughout the world. Enjoy one of the craft sessions, and bring your stuffed rhino to story time.

WANT TO GO? $8, $5 for children ages 3-14, $2 for seniors.

201-262-3771. co.bergen.nj.us.

MOVERS & SHAKERS Rockland County Volunteer Firefighters’ Association Parade FREE WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 8, 2pm WHERE: Village of Piermont, Piermont Avenue, Piermont AGES: All WHAT: Come celebrate the brave men and women of the Volunteer Firefighter Association.

WANT TO GO? piermontchamber.com.

Slide The City: Pearl River

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 15, 12pm-6pm WHERE: Downtown Pearl River, North Henry Street and East Central Avenue, Pearl River AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Grab your inner-tube and enjoy a family-friendly party with music, food, drinks, water, and the biggest slip-and-slide ever to hit asphalt. Tickets purchased for the August 11 date will be honored September 15.

WANT TO GO? $30 purchased in advanced; $45 day-of. slidethecity.com.

Public Space Mission

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 16, 2pm-5pm WHERE: Town of Ramapo Challenger Center, 225 Route 59, Airmont AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Kids will conduct research, perform scientific experiments, and even deploy a probe. Tasks are detailed enough to feel challenging, but simple enough for kids!

WANT TO GO? $10 children 9 and older; $5 seniors; $5 children younger than 9. 845-357-3416. ramapoparks.org.

260 WEST NYACK ROAD · NYACK, NY 10994

845-977-0415 LAUNCHROCKLAND.COM

A Video Game Con 2018

WHEN: Sept. 15-16, Saturday 10am-11pm, Sunday 10am-5pm WHERE: Meadowlands Exposition Center, 355 Plaza Drive, Secaucus AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy a retro video game marketplace, free play arcade machines and consoles, tournaments, panels, and special guests!

WANT TO GO? Saturday is $40 Sunday is $35 at the door; Saturday: $27.50 Sunday: $22.50 in advance. 201-330-7773. mecexpo.com.

Enchanted Princess Breakfast

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 22, 10am-12pm WHERE: Dave & Buster’s Palisades Mall, 4661 Palisades Center Drive, West Nyack AGES: 9-12 WHAT: Meet & Greet your favorite princesses and join in all the royal activities!

WANT TO GO? Flexible Options. 845-348-6006. daveandbusters.com.

Back to School Party & Movie Night

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 22, 5pm WHERE: Ridgewood Karate Academy, 30 Cottage Place, Ridgewood AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Children will learn safety tips, play games, and enjoy competitions and a movie-night!

WANT TO GO? 201-447-2272. rka-karate.net.

Coming up next month: OCT. 6: Pearl River Day, Pearl River OCT. 20: Halloween Festival at Congers Lake Memorial Park, Congers OCT. 21: Great Fall Festival at Flat Rock Brook, Englewood, NJ

RocklandParent 39

raising kids baby

Sponsored by

The Benefits of Baby Classes ›› Time spent with your baby in the company of other wee ones is more than just fun for both of you.

It’s a solid plan for bolstering your child’s burgeoning social skills. By Christina Vercelletto

T

he first time my son had any real interaction with a fellow child, he was maybe 4 months old. It was right before the Thanksgiving turkey was served. The son of a family friend, scarcely a month older than he and held on an adjacent lap, clutched my bambino’s calf. He turned, smiled, and promptly blew a raspberry. The two of them proceeded to coo at each other with hands flapping and gums smacking until the pumpkin pie came out. I then realized it was time to get my little one out of our house more regularly.

Part of the reason I signed the two of us up for our first class— Babies Boogie at the West Islip library—was my interest in…okay, desperation for…conversing with grown-ups and feeling like a human being once in a while. And there isn’t any shame in that game.

“Mothers tend to flock to these programs because of the opportunity to interact and socialize with other mothers who are at a similar stage of life. An upbeat outlook and positive mood in mothers transfers to their babies and is overall a wonderful benefit for all,” says Karen Hopkins, M.D., a developmental-behavioral pediatrician at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone in Manhattan.

But aside from the perks for you, these types of classes actually can play an important part in your little one’s healthy development.

Read on for a rundown for all the ways it can help her grow.

A Tiny Caterpillar Becomes a Social Butterfly

According to Jasmin Terrany, LMHC, a Manhattan psychotherapist and author of Extraordinary Mommy: A Loving Guide to Mastering Life’s Most Important Job, infant interaction builds both social skills 40

September 2018 | nymetroparents.com

and budding confidence. Of course, your child’s first playmate is you.

All that talking, beaming, and singing you do throughout the day become the first building blocks of your newborn’s socialization.

At around 3 or 4 months, your little guy is ready to spread his wings in larger groups outside of your home. “Many new parents get accustomed to shutting out the world in order to bond with their new babies,” says Mandi Silverman, Psy.D., a clinical psychologist at Manhattan’s Child Mind Institute. But attending classes with other babies and unfamiliar adults, can help get an infant comfortable with the outside world, Dr. Silverman says. Social learning—when babies are motivated to try new skills because they see others using them—can take hold.

Mom of two Melly Shotter, an office manager on Long Island, was pleasantly surprised by her 5-month-old son’s reaction to his first music class. “Practically from the start of the very first session, he started giggling and seemed so alert and interested in everything...It was a wake-up call that I’m not the only one who needed a social life!” Shotter laughs.

Big Payoffs; Plenty of Options

Parent and baby classes come in many variations, from massage, music, and swimming to movement—even yoga! These classes often welcome participants as young as 3 months. But before you register, you might wonder: Can babies this little really pick up any social skills to speak of in these play date-classroom hybrids?

The short answer from child development experts? Yep. “The benefits are vast,” Dr. Silverman insists. “It’s never too early for parents to expose their babies to the world in small, developmen-

tally appropriate ways. Mom-baby classes are a perfect way to do so, which is why there are so many options to choose from.”

A study published in Developmental Science compared babies and parents who took part in music classes with parent-baby pairs who just listened to the same music while doing other things. The babies in the participatory classes were more musically aware and had finer-tuned gestures and increased social skills after the classes ended. “The benefits of Mommy- or Daddy-and-Me classes on a child’s development cannot be overstated,” agrees Katie Davis, M.D., a developmental psychologist at Park Avenue Pediatric Neuropsychology in Manhattan.

Although your baby won’t be communicating with her tiny classmates verbally, “repeated exposure to other children in a safe, supported setting can help build social skills and confidence,” Dr. Hopkins notes. And that repeated part is important. “If you are doing the class so that they will learn a specific skill, then frequency and consistency would be the key,” Terrany agrees. Indeed, Darci Falcone of Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, shares how sticking to the baby signing class her daughter took made it a success. She was dubious at first, though. “I was ready to stop after a few sessions, but at the encouragement of a friend who attended with us, we kept going regularly,” Falcone recalls.

Given the range of options to choose from, it’s simple enough to try out a few classes and see which type your baby seems to enjoy most.

Let Them GROW with us!

Mrs. Feeney and her staff are celebrating another fabulous year educating and nurturing the children in our community

Registration Ongoing for September 2018

Half and Full Day Sessions for 3-5 yr old • Extended Care Hours Readiness Skills

Including: Math, Science, Reading, History, Religion, Fine & Gross Motor Skills Technology

Touch Screen Tablets, Smart Boards Fun

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Love and Learning for the Long Term

That fun class you take with baby right now can also have far-reaching positive effects. A study in Early Child Development and Care discovered that compared to a control group, moms who attended music and movement classes were more adept at responding to their infants and using a more variable pitch when speaking to their child. That could give a baby a head start on language skills. Plus experts agree group baby classes can represent an early opportunity to develop social and behavioral skills that are crucial for academic readiness down the road.

Keep in mind, though, that you shouldn’t let your best of intentions get in the way of keeping your baby’s age and developmental stage top of mind. “As in any setting a mother or caregiver is in with a baby, it is important to understand your baby’s cues, to know when a situation that started out as fun may not continue to be positive or pleasurable, and to not force the interaction this time, so that the next time he or she will be ready,” Dr. Hopkins urges.

The most important gift you can give your child, in a group class or any other setting for that matter, is being fully present. While it’s wonderful to make friends, Terrany cautions against letting the babies in a class entertain each other, so to speak, while the parents just chat away and check their phones the whole time. The No. 1 benefit of most baby classes is the undistracted, quality time we are giving our children. “With babies, who can’t demand our attention the same way older kids do, it can be so easy to get distracted, so setting aside this time to connect with our children can be beneficial,” Terrany says.

Just take it slow, following your baby’s lead. Then as you learn and grow together, you’ll be enjoying classes side by side for years to come.

Christina Vercelletto is a former editor at NYMetroParents, Parenting, Scholastic Parent & Child, and Woman’s Day.

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raising kids teen

From Friends to Falling Out

How teens can cope with friendship breakups

››

By Samantha Neudorf

A

t the end of my freshman year in high school, two friends I thought I was close with stopped talking to me for no reason.

They decided not to invite me to one of their birthday parties and when I asked why I was excluded, their response was one of them “just did not want to be friends with you anymore.”

Navigating friendships as a teenager can be tricky. This is the age when kids are trying to figure out who they are, meeting new people, getting involved in different activities, and going through physical and emotional changes. Kids who have been friends since childhood may drift away from each other because they no longer have anything in common.

Though friend breakups are common in the teen years, they can be devastating—after all, friends can act as a strong support system. It’s important to remember not all friendships may last, but going through a rough patch can help kids learn how to build better relationships with others. Here are some ways to help your teen learn how to resolve problems, be a better friend, and know when to move on from a bad friendship.

“We really look at a situation and ask both parties to take responsibility for whatever occurred, whether that was a miscommunication or any action that was not a positive one,” Wilson says. “Then we look at both of their parts to see if they’re willing to apologize to each other and come to some kind of a meeting of the minds.”

If the problems lie beyond a counselor’s realm of expertise, parents may choose to send their teen to a behavioral psychologist to try to help her with any deeper issues within herself. “A lot of times it’s just helping [teens] navigate their own self-esteem and identity formation to develop healthy relationships around them,” says Adam S. Weissman, Ph.D., a clinical-behavioral psychologist and the founder and director of The Child & Family Institute, a cognitive-behavioral therapy center with locations in Westchester, Manhattan, and Brooklyn. “Sometimes if they really are trying to maintain a friendship or develop a new friendship, there’s definitely some social skills and tips for overcoming social anxiety or worry about what that person thinks of them,” Dr. Weissman says.

Suggest a Sit-Down

Encourage Equal Friendships

If a teen is having issues with a friend at school and needs to seek advice from someone, a guidance counselor’s role is to be a mediator. A counselor can set up separate or group meetings with the students involved, depending on how comfortable they are being in a room together. Jeanmarie Wilson has been a high school guidance counselor for more than 20 years at Smithtown High School West in Suffolk County and recommends having all parties communicate to work through the issue they are trying to resolve.

42 September 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Oftentimes teens may put themselves in situations in which the people they call friends are using them, or they are not being their authentic selves in order to gain popularity and please others. Explain to your teen that if the dynamic feels as though he’s giving more than he’s getting, it’s a sign the friendship is unbalanced. “A friendship is a product of how [teens] choose to engage with their social environment, and that’s usually a reflection on how they feel about themselves,” Dr. Weissman says.

The key to any relationship, whether it’s platonic or romantic, is to have two-way communication and for both parties to feel there is reciprocity. Let your teen know that if she’s unhappy in a situation, conveying her feelings to the other person lets them know she cares enough to be open and honest in communicating, and that she respects herself enough to say she is upset. Then she also needs to be a good listener and understand where the other person is coming from. “Give thought in what you say to people, how you say it, and respect others for who they are—you can’t expect them to be perfect all of the time,” Wilson says.

Help Your Teen Limit His Social Media Exposure

Social media nowadays can really mess with a teenager’s head. He can find himself overanalyzing subtext that may or may not be in captions and Instagram stories, fretting over not receiving enough likes and comments on a post, or feeling FOMO (fear of missing out) when friends are hanging out without him. Social media can create unnecessary drama, so it’s best to avoid spending too much time on apps and have more face-to-face conversations. “It’s really important not to use social media as a form for expressing things that are really sensitive topics,” Wilson says. “I would advise communicating to the person directly and not posting your feelings or texting anything that needs to be said in person to avoid miscommunication.”

Teenagers may feel pressure to look or live like “influencers” on the Internet, which can lead to feeling inadequate or unhappy.

Remind your child social media is curated and the best way to feel better is to log off once in a while (this advice can apply to adults too). Apps such as Moment or Checky can monitor how many times she checks her phone to make her more aware of reducing screen time. “Spending hours on social media becomes more depressing over time and you start feeling guilty of the things you’re not doing,” Dr. Weissman says. “If you’re that kid who’s going on there and self-esteem is an issue for you, you’re going to use that as your barometer to find how people value you.”

Put a Friendship’s End in Perspective

Though it is ideal to resolve an issue among friends and continue the friendship, sometimes after laying all of the problems and feelings out on the table, the friendship cannot go back to what it was and does not work out. Not everyone will remain your teen’s friend, but every friendship or brief encounter can help him understand what types of qualities he values in a friend moving forward.

Encourage your child not to view a friendship breakup as a failure, but rather as an opportunity to grow and continue to learn how to be a better friend. Once she lets the not-so-great-people out of her life, she can make room for better ones to create more meaningful friendships. “Some kids are going through the motions and figuring out who they are and trying to be popular, and sometimes those kids have a hard time being a good friend,” Dr. Weissman says. “Having open and real conversations about what’s going on for each other can be an important sense of support and can make a real valuable friendship that can last beyond high school, but it takes a certain level of maturity for that to happen and I think some kids are not there yet.”

As high school progressed beyond my freshman year, those two friends who excluded me ended up drifting apart themselves, and finding new groups to hang out with. Teens who say they’ve found their BFFL (best friends for life) may not always end up staying friends for life, and that’s okay. Friends come and go throughout high school to make room for better ones down the road.

Samantha Neudorf is a former editor at NYMetroParents. She currently resides in Astoria, Queens with her cat and holds a journalism degree from Hofstra University.

You will most likely find her gallivanting around New York City or at brunch.

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RocklandParent 43

family life finances

Saving for Higher Education

››

College is costly, but more often than not, necessary for your child’s success in life. Here’s how to start saving for higher education so you get the most for your dollar without breaking the bank. By Barbara Russo

A

new baby in the house is certainly something to celebrate. This wonderful addition to the family also brings with it some heavy responsibilities for parents for many years to come. Sleep cycles change, babysitters need to be found, and soon enough it’s time for baby to start day care and preschool. Expenses will accompany every milestone a child hits. One of the most costly ones is college.

When you have a newborn or toddler, college seems a world away.

But time flies, so it’s never too early to start saving for higher education. “Parents should begin to plan for their children’s education as soon as they are born,” says Nancy Curtin, CFP, CLTC. Another reason to save: Admission costs are likely to increase as the years go by.

Today, the average four-year cost for a public university is $101,000 and $167,000 for a private university. In 18 years, the projected average cost for a public college is $184,000 and $303,000 for private, according to Curtin.

With such exorbitant expenses, how exactly should you begin to save? What are some steps to take to ensure college will be paid for?

Some of these options include 529 plans, Roth IRAs, and high-yield savings accounts. The 529 is one of the most common ways parents start saving for college. It is specifically designed for higher education expenses.

“You put after-tax money into this account, your earnings are not taxed, and you can withdraw the money tax-free to pay for college.

Many states will give you a state tax deduction for your contributions,” Epperson says. “Plus, this year there’s an extra perk. Under the new federal tax laws, up to ten thousand dollars a year of your 529 plan money can be used to pay for private school tuition for kindergarten through twelfth grade. Your money in the 529 can be invested in a range of assets based on your child’s age and when they will be going to college.”

Parents who have multiple kids may think they need to open separate 529s for each child, but that’s not necessarily the case. Plus, it can be overwhelming to manage. Epperson suggests parents contribute as much as they can to a 529 for their first child. If they wind up not needing all of the money, they can change the beneficiary of the account without any penalties.

Diversify Your Savings

The 529 plan is a great foundation, but once he starts school, it’s important to start focusing on his academic success, too.

“The reality is that grades and test scores weigh heavily in the scholarship and financial aid process for college,” says Anne Huntington, vice president of Huntington Learning Center. “One way that parents can save for their children’s college education is by investing in their academic and skills progress early.”

“There are several ways to save, and the best way to go may be to put your college savings in several places,” says Sharon Epperson, CNBC senior personal finance correspondent and host of Retire Well, a digital video series designed to help viewers of all ages manage their money.

“Diversify where you save in terms of the type of accounts that you choose and what you invest in.”

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September 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Encourage Good Grades

Huntington cites how students who attend the learning center achieved higher grades and ultimately received an impressive amount in scholarship funding. “Our individualized test prep programs’ results are tremendous and show that after only three months of tutoring, students on average achieved a 5.2 point increases on the ACT and 238 point increase on the SAT,” she says. “In addition to the point increases, on average, our seniors in the tri-state area last year [each] received over $50,000 in scholarship offers.”

value, there’s any number of college education calculators online.

I do this typically during financial planning. You can search to solve for how much you need to save each month, each year to actually achieve that goal.”

There are some other factors to keep in mind within these calculations, Boneparth adds.

“There [are] a lot of assumptions in there—the return on the money you’re investing, the inflation rate of college education and tuition. But if you’ve quantified it by time and value and have used

the calculator and have solved for what it’s going to take every month, you’ll have something here that you can use. You can take that information and plug it into your budget.”

Include Your Kids

One last tip from the experts is to get your kids involved. Talk about school with them, and get them to start saving once they have a job and start earning money.

“Encourage each child to open a Roth IRA when they start earning money. You want to get them

Create a Registry

As your child grows, there are other ways to keep the savings going. For example, when arranging birthday parties or other special events, consider asking guests to contribute to your child’s 529 rather than giving a physical gift.

“It may not win best gift on the day of the birthday party, but it sure will come in handy down the road,” says Pete Wylie, vice president of Student Lending at CommonBond, a financial service that refinances graduate and undergraduate loans. There are even websites that allow people to register online to send gifts to 529 accounts, including Ugift529.com, GiftofCollege. com, and LEAF College Savings (leafsavings.com).

Remember It’s Never Too Late

As important as it is to start saving early, it’s never too late. It might also give you a better idea of what type of education you’re saving for, and whether your child is likely to attend community college, a private institution, or another type of school. If your child knows what kind of career path she wants to take, that can also be helpful in figuring out which school to attend. The most expensive school doesn’t always mean the best education.

“The first step to do is to get some kind of idea as to what college education we’re talking about,” says Douglas Boneparth, a certified financial planner and author of The Millennial Money Fix. “Once you have time and

in the habit of saving a portion, at least twenty percent, of what they earn,” Epperson says. “Saving more early on will encourage them to keep saving, even if it’s a little less, later. Also, each child can have their own high yield savings account. When you start teaching them to manage their own money, show them the benefits of saving in their own account.

Talking about saving can provide some great teachable moments.”

Barbara Russo is a freelance writer who holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the City University of New York.

“SPONSORED CONTENT”

IS THERE A CONNECTION BETWEEN ORAL HEALTH AND SCHOOL PERFORMANCE? By Dr. Mariliza LaCap The answer is a resounding YES! The start of the school year is the perfect time to prepare your children for academic success. You can support them by taking an interest in their activities, being enthusiastic about attendance, and helping them with homework. There may also be one more way you can help your children succeed at school.

Surprisingly, research suggests that children with better oral health are likely to do better in school.

What the Research Says

In a scientific study published in the Journal of Pediatrics, it was concluded that dental problems were significantly associated with reductions in school performance and psychosocial well-being. Children with undiagnosed dental problems and infections were more likely to have problems at school, miss school and were less likely to do all required homework. This was prevelant with children 14 years and younger, since this age group seldom complains to their parents about dental pain.

Dental malocclsion (crooked teeth) were also associated with shyness, unhappiness, feeling of worthlessness, and reduced friendliness. The effects of dental malocclusion were largest for adolescents between 15 and 17 years. The study concluded that preventing and treating dental problems and improving dental health may benefit child academic achievement and cognitive and psychosocial development.

What you can do to help

You can help your child improve oral health and do better in school by encouraging good oral hygiene.

This includes brushing at least twice a day with a fluoride-containing toothpaste, and reminding your child to drink water after eating. Also, regular trips to the dentist can help prevent serious tooth problems and dental pain.

What our office is doing to help

In light of the apparent benefits of good oral health for school performance, we have taken a pro-active approach in helping parents give their children a head start. We have made it convenient for the whole family to get all their dental needs met under one roof. We have all the specialties needed for the whole family. Our smile team also includes a Pediatric dentist (dentist for children) and Orthodontist (dentist who specializes in straightening children’s teeth), 1. Free early screening of dental decay as early as 1 years old.

2. “Toddler Thursdays” where we teach parents and toddlers good oral hygiene through an interactive puppet show.

3. Early screening for Orthodontic care 4. Dental sealants, or plastic coatings, on back teeth to guard against decay 5. Oral hygeine and nutritional counseling 6. FUN and friendly smile team so visits are stress free and comfortable 7. We are open Saturdays and weekdays as late as 7pm.

We look forward to meeting you and your family. Visit us in 2 convenient locations: 140 Oak Tree Road, Tappan, NY 10983. SmileMoreDentist.com or call (845) 359-1763 19 Legion Drive, Bergenfield, NJ 07621 | (201) 384-2425 RocklandParent 45

Courtesy Debra Funt

Courtesy Jennifer Morris

Courtesy Jennifer Morris

family life home

This kitchen in the Bronx, designed by Jennifer Morris, perfectly displays the color trend in cabinets.

Brooklyn-based designer Jennifer Morris added a pop of color in this Fort Greene kitchen with a yellow sink.

Debra Funt, a Scarsdale-based interior designer, incorporated metal barstools, pendant lights, and more in an all-white kitchen.

Kitchen: Trending

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Interior designers share the five big design fads happening in kitchens right now.

M

ore and more, the kitchen is becoming the heart of the home—just look at home design shows, including Nate & Jeremiah by Design and Fixer Upper, for inspiration. “It’s not only the central hub for a family,” says Debra Funt, founder and president of Debra Funt Interiors in Scarsdale, “it looks like it’s integrated into your living space.”

So just how do you achieve that integration in your kitchen? Here are five big trends you can incorporate now to give the new heart of the home a cozy feel, whether you’re a homeowner and can make drastic changes, or you’re a renter who can, at most, paint.

Pops of Color

While soft neutrals that create a serene space are still popular in the kitchen, Jennifer Morris, principal at Brooklyn-based JMorris Design, says more people are being adventurous with color accents including navy and cobalt blues, jewel tones, and bright yellow. And these colors are being incorporated in numerous ways. If you’re feeling daring, paint the walls (or just an accent wall) or cabinetry a bold color. “It also can just be one half of the cabinetry instead of feeling like you’re investing in the expression of a full kitchen,” Morris says.

“I’ve seen it in just the lower cabinets where you’re seeing a dark, rich color and then the upper cabinets are a little bit safer.”

If you decide to paint your cabinets, “for durability reasons as well as aesthetic, the high-gloss trend for cabinets is not going away anytime soon, but we are also seeing a lot more satin finishes, 46

September 2018 | nymetroparents.com

By Katelin Walling

which is a great option if you want an overall more matte look,” says Nivara Xaykao, Benjamin Moore color and design expert.

“Also be sure to consider the light in the kitchen, as this will impact how the color will look on walls and cabinets.”

Another color trend in kitchens is pale and milky colors (think matte too), according to Xaykao. And appliance brands are following suit with matte finishes, including De’Longhi’s Dedica DeLuxe Espresso Maker and Lattissima One, which come in matte white finishes, and GE’s Café Collection of matte white and matte black appliances.

If you just want to dip your toe in adding color to your kitchen, go for colorful accessories, such as hand towels, area carpets, soap containers, curtains, and décor items.

Metal Accents

“People are into a more modern aesthetic. Right now I’m seeing a lot of industrial happening,” Funt says. “In the city, people tend to be open to a lot of metal accents right now when I’m doing a kitchen renovation.”

If you have barstools at an island or counter, swap out your old ones for some trendy metal ones, change the knobs and pulls on cabinets for metallic options, replace the outdated lighting fixture for one that looks industrial, update your faucet for a trendier style, or upgrade some old countertop appliances to ones with metallic finishes.

GE’s Café Collection is on-trend in this aspect, too. After choosing matte black or matte white, you can “update and

personalize with these accessories in the form of hardware and knobs,” says Maggie Bellinger, CMF, senior designer with GE. That hardware is offered in four finishes in line with the metallic trend: brushed copper, bronze, black, or stainless.

Want to add metallic accents but not sure what finish to choose?

“Warmer gold tones are looking particularly fresh at the moment,” Xaykao says.

Fun Backsplashes

If you want to add color but adding accessories isn’t enough color for you (and painting is too much), Morris suggests updating the backsplash because it’s “very low risk.” It’s also a fun way to incorporate metal accents in the kitchen, with metallic inlays or tiles as part of the design. “It is something that can be removed or replaced in a relatively inexpensive way for the labor and materials. …It’s usually in the smallest area, but it’s something you see so much,” she says.

If you want the wow-factor without a lot of color, try one large piece of frosted glass or sandblasted mirror (bonus: They’re both easy to clean with Windex!). And if monochromatic is more your style, install single-color tiles in an unexpected pattern (think herringbone).

Living Room Décor in the Kitchen

“A lot of times we think of it as a sterile environment, but we’re starting to see framed artwork and paintings and photography…in the kitchen. I find that pretty fascinating where it’s almost a second living space,” Bellinger agrees. “So people want their pieces in the kitchen to actually look like the rest of their home.” Incorporate items in your kitchen that you would typically put in a living room, such as vases, candlesticks, artwork, and sofas or loveseats at the breakfast table, to give your kitchen a lived-in feel.

Tech-y Touches

As with other facets of our lives, technology is slowly creeping into kitchen design and trends. “I think generally a lot of people are looking at their home system as something they can maintain the control of from an environmental point of view, such as power saving, and in the kitchen there’s room for all of those things,” Morris says.

The easiest thing you can do to incorporate the energy-saving tech trend is to replace your old light bulbs with LED ones. They use 2025 percent of the energy and last 15-25 times longer than traditional incandescent light bulbs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

In terms of kitchen appliances, they’ve been “making huge leaps and bounds,” Morris says. Samsung’s Family Hub refrigerator, for example, is Energy Star-certified and has a touchscreen, which allows you to take photos of the inside of your fridge to see what you have and what you need when you’re not home, create grocery lists you can share instantly to any connected smartphone, write memos and sync family calendars, and even keep you entertained in the kitchen with streaming music and TV mirroring. And brands such as LG, GE, and Bosch offer smart ovens, dishwashers, microwaves, and more that can all be controlled and monitored from brand-specific apps on a smartphone.

If you’re ready to tackle some of bigger design changes mentioned above, start “paying attention to other friends’ homes,” Morris advises. Ask questions about how certain materials have worked out for them, how they like their smart appliances, and whether they have any recommendations for contractors or handymen. And do your research: how are smart appliances rated and do they come with warranties, what is the best value for you, is one material easier to care for and more durable than another? Once you figure out your needs, “the trends should be the icing on your cake,” Morris says.

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201-825-7481 fudgietheclown.com Invite Fudgie or Mystique to your next party, picnic, or event! A professional family entertainer specializing in magic, face painting, and balloon animals. Ask about midweek special rates. Fully insured.

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K & A HOUSE OF BOUNCE PARTY RENTALS 845-825-6617 kahouseofbounce.com

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Our fabulous birthday and themed parties include more than just your favorite characters. We also decorate, and entertain your party guests to make your moments of celebration unforgettable!

BIRTHDAY GIFTS TILLY...A DEER’S TALE 914-764-5564 tillyadeerstale.com

Tilly...A Deer’s Tale is about a real deer that lives in upstate New York and faces challenges after an accident. This powerful story is meant to inspire children living with physical challenges or limitations. The book makes a great birthday gift!

TOYRIFFIC2 TOY STORE 1581 Route 202, Pomona 845-362-6053 toyriffic2.com

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Your local guide to entertainers, party places, activities, and other resources.

toyriffic2@aol.com Looking for the perfect birthday gift? Come visit our unique toy store in Pomona. We offer a great selection of Melissa & Doug crafts and many other quality, affordable, educational toys, crafts, games, and puzzles for kids of all ages, both boys and girls.

PARTY PLACES ABRAKADOODLE ART STUDIO FOR KIDS 53 Prospect Place, Hillsdale

201-383-0027 abrakadoodle.com/nj04 Facebook: abrakadoodlenj04 Instagram: abrakadoodlenorthjersey kroberts@abrakadoodle.com Paint, slime, draw, fun, clay, and glitter are all the cool things we do at our studio! Abrakadoodle has been serving the community for more than 11 years offering arty parties for ages 3 and older.

THE ACADEMY FOR MARTIAL ARTS 8 Orangetown Shopping Center, Orangeburg 845-359-4500 theacademyformartialarts.com

JILL’S CERAMICS 180 Germonds Road, West Nyack

845-623-4975 jillceramics.com jillsceramics@aol.com We offer a fully-equipped ceramics and plaster studio where children and adults let their creativity run wild.

Parties for kids include paper goods, a painter’s hat for the birthday child signed by their friends, and an item for each child to paint.

NEW CITY BOWL AND BATTING CAGES 90 N. Main St., New City

845-634-4977 newcitybowlandbattingcages.com We are well known for our great birthday party packages and offer Glow Bowling for our Sunday parties. All parties include bowling, shoe rental, food, paper goods, invitations, setup, and cleanup. We do the work, you enjoy the party!

PALISADES CLIMB ADVENTURE 4590 Palisades Center Drive, Level 4 of the Palisades

A karate party is a great way to enter the world of martial arts. It’s also a great way for experienced students to share the martial arts with friends and family. Spacious, fully-equipped facility, an energetic, cheerful, and professional staff, and martial arts-themed fun and games.

Center, West Nyack 845-727-3500 palisadesclimb.com Palisades Climb Adventure offers the world’s tallest indoor ropes challenge course with 75 unique challenge elements. Our Sky Tykes kids’ ropes course is designed for ages 2-7. Both courses are available for birthday parties.

Book your party today!

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PARTY ANIMALS 1302 Palisades Center Drive, Palisades Mall, 1st floor

914-337-4000 42 Kinderkamack Road, Woodcliff Lake, NJ 201-782-9500 23 E. Palisade Ave., Englewood, NJ 201-541-0600 327 Franklin Ave., Wyckoff, NJ 201-891-1331 595 Broadway, Norwood, NJ 201-784-3311 bluemoonmexicancafe.com Looking to spice up your child’s next birthday party without sending your savings south of the border? Your party guests will revel in a fun-filled celebration with a mouth-watering menu. Call today to find out more!

CHOCOLATIER MATISSE 32 Orangetown Shopping Center, Orangeburg

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September 2018 | nymetroparents.com

near Best Buy, West Nyack 914-336-0144 partyanimalsonline.com Whether at our location or yours, Party Animals provides a fun and customized party experience with plush electronic animal rides, bouncy house, arts and crafts, and face painting.

ROCKLAND FENCERS CLUB 40 Lydecker St., Nyack

718-697-1440 rocklandfencersclub.com info@rocklandfencersclub.com Rockland Fencers Club (RFC) is excited to announce their new Private Fencing Party Package for ages 8-16. No experience required and all necessary equipment included.

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845-589-0990 surgestudioarts.com info@surgestudioarts.com Enjoy a memorable birthday party experience for your child and friends at Surge Studio! Birthday parties consist of games, activities, pictures, choreography to the birthday

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SKY ZONE ALLENDALE 80 Commerce Drive, Allendale

201-574-1800 skyzone.com/allendale Experience “wow”–the weightlessness of bouncing, flipping, and landing into 10,000 foam cubes at Sky Zone indoor trampoline park. Call or check our website for customizable party packages.

TUMBLE-BEE GYMNASTICS AND FITNESS 401 Market St., Nanuet Mall South,

Nanuet 845-623-2553 tumble-beegymnastics.com Our bright, colorful facility is the perfect place for your child’s private birthday party (ages 1-12) We’ll provide two wonderful, exciting, and energetic party instructors.

Also, free invitations, paper products, and utensils. The birthday child receives a free gift and balloons. Reserve in advance. They book quickly!!

VICKI’S DANCE STUDIO AND KREATIVE KIDS 61 Maple Ave., New City 845-634-2202 vickistudio.com

We offer a variety of birthday parties for boys and girls of all ages. Great party theme options include Hip-Hop Dance Party & Games Mix, Jumping Gymnastics, Disney Dance Mix, and Dress-up Princess Party!

WEST ROCK INDOOR SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX 21 Pralle Lane, Nanuet

845-623-3636 westrockindoor.com West Rock offers the ultimate place to hold your birthday party. Our unique and versatile facility boasts 40-foot ceilings, 26,000-square-feet of turf, two regulation-size basketball courts, six Har-Tru tennis courts, indoor bouncers, and private party room.

YOUNG CHEFS ACADEMY OF NEW CITY 59 S. Main St., New City

845-638-0601 newcityny.youngchefsacademy.com newcityny@youngchefsacademy.com Birthday party options include “Make Your Own Pizza” or “Little Princess Tea” (ages 4 and older), “Pasta Party” (make your own pasta and sauce from scratch), or “Fun-todo Fondue” with cheese and chocolate for dipping (ages 8 and older).

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Meet the

Health Care Professional

Smile More Kidz Meet Your Smile Team 140 Oak Tree Road, Tappan 845-367–4866 smilemorekidz.com

At Smile More Kidz, we are part of a local tradition of providing your children with the very best that dentistry has to offer in a friendly, comfortable setting. Our entire team understands how children develop and learn and make sure nervous kids feel comfortable and respected. We offer 8am–7pm and Saturday appointments so our patients don’t have to miss school for their care. We believe in building a foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles by making every visit to our office a fun and informative experience.

Dental Wellness of Suffern Sherri Alpert, D.D.S. 2 Executive Blvd., Suite 307, Suffern 845-918-1801 dentalwellnessofsuffern.com dentalwellness@optonline.net

Kastin Orthodontics 6 Medical Park Drive, Pomona 845-354-7233 kastinorthodontics.com drkastin09@yahoo.com

Dr. Alpert is excited to offer drill free, needle free dentistry with the Solea CO2 Laser. Her practice offers comfortable cosmetic dentistry for the entire family including implants and full mouth reconstruction if necessary.

Dental Wellness of Suffern provides natural, effective, quality dental care to make your visit as enjoyable, comfortable, and relaxing as possible.

A parent herself, Dr. Alpert enjoys working with children who are apprehensive about the dentist, creating a fun environment with magic tricks, a wall mural, and a Find the Dental Helpers game.

With 17 years of orthodontic experience, Dr. Brett Kastin prides his practice on conservative early treatment and cost-free childhood dental monitoring, enabling the most effective treatment possible, as well as being a knowledgeable, compassionate clinician and friend. He utilizes state-of-theart materials and customized treatment. Dr. Kastin is a certified Invisalign® provider, has been president of the Rockland County Dental Society since 2006, and was voted Rockland’s “Top Orthodontist” by the dentists of Rockland County for the past 10 years. Initial exams are complimentary, as are children’s recall appointments.

Marita Smith, D.D.S. Smith’s Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry 5C Medical Park Drive, Pomona 845-414-9626 smithslittlesmiles.com; drsmith@smithslittlesmiles.com

Tenafly Pediatrics 74 Pascack Road, Park Ridge 201-326-7120 Offices also in Tenafly, Fort Lee, Clifton, Paramus, and Oakland, NJ tenaflypediatrics.com

Sachdev Family Orthodontics 124 E Ramapo Road, Suite 2, Garnerville 845-786-7736 sfojustsmile.com sfojustsmile@gmail.com Facebook.com/sachdevfamilyorthodontics Instagram: @sachdevfamilyorthodontics

Crystal Run 2 Centerock Road, West Nyack 845-348-1100 crystalrunhealthcare.com

Dr. Marita Smith is a board-certified pediatric dentist dedicated to providing excellent dental care for children from infancy through adolescence in a warm and friendly environment. As a mother of two, Dr. Smith knows how important it is for a child to be comfortable and stressfree during their dental visits. Dr. Smith places great focus on prevention and her goal is to keep your child’s smile healthy! Most insurances accepted. Evening and Saturday hours and 24-hour emergency service available. Se Habla Espanol.

At Sachdev Family Orthodontics, we provide individualized braces and Invisalign treatment to kids and adults. Dr. Ameeta Sachdev has been in the dental field for two decades with dual dental degrees, from India and U.S. She teaches orthodontics at St. Barnabas Hospital, Bronx. She pays attention to detail, whether it is designing the state-of-the-art office herself or perfecting your smile. Being committed to serve, she is an active supporter of community events and local art. Free consults, most insurance accepted, evening and Saturday hours and 24-hour emergency service available.

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September 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Dr. David Schaumberger is one of the pediatricians working out of our newly expanded Park Ridge office. As someone who lives nearby, he enjoys working in Northern Bergen and Rockland counties. Dr. Schaumberger completed his pediatric residency from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York and has been working at Tenafly Pediatrics since 2001. On a personal note, he enjoys ethnic cuisine and spending time with his three children. Tenafly Pediatrics is a recent Angie’s List Winner with offices conveniently located throughout Bergen County.

Crystal Run Healthcare is a premier multispecialty group medical practice with more than 400 providers, offering the convenience of Primary Care and nearly 50 medical specialties. Our state-of-the-art West Nyack facility offers patients easy access to quality health care with more than 20 medical and surgical specialties, including Adolescent Medicine, Pediatrics, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, including Urogynecology. Our innovative facility boasts an Infusion Center, Urgent Care, diagnostic testing services, on-site laboratory services, diagnostic imaging, and women’s imaging. Crystal Run also has offices in Haverstraw, Stony Point, and Suffern.

Bobby Crohn, D.D.S. Monroe Dental Office 400 State Route 17M, Suite 2, Monroe 845-782-0189 monroedentaloffice.com monroedental@optonline.net

Dr. Crohn graduated from SUNY Stony Brook with a degree in biology. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University at Buffalo in 1992, and he completed his general practice residency at Danbury Hospital in 1993. Dr. Crohn has done extensive additional training in implant dentistry including training with Dr. Nick Elian at Vistara Institute, DentalXP Symposiums, and training at Zimmerman Institute.

Dr. Crohn is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. He offers state-of-the art treatment including on-site cone beam 3-D imaging.

Bear Brook Dental Care Dr. Kiwon Lee, D.D.S. Adult Dentistry & Dental Medicine for Sleep Apnea 305 W. Grand Ave., Suite 100, Montvale 201-746-9474 bearbrookdentalcare.com; info@bearbrookdentalcare.com

Dr. Kiwon Lee received his D.D.S. degree from Columbia University and completed his residency at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center. Dr. Lee is a fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists.

He is also a Diplomate of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine.

Dr. Kiwon Lee is well-recognized in the industry as one of the most experienced dental sleep medicine providers, having successfully managed more than 500 obstructive sleep apnea patients during his career and being featured as an expert on “American Health Front” on WCBS-TV, CBS, Channel 2.

A & R Advanced Dental Group, Anna Alekseyeva, D.D.S., Roman Izmailov, D.D.S. 5C Medical Park Drive, Pomona 845-364-9400 aradvanceddental.com

At A&R Advanced Dental Group, patient satisfaction and comfort is our No. 1 priority. We are a cutting edge practice that delivers state-of-the-art dental care to our patients. Dr. Roman Izmailov and Dr. Anna Alekseyeva have more than 30 years of experience in all phases of dentistry, including high quality and affordable dental implants, zirconia crowns, porcelain veneers, fixed bridges, root canal treatments, teeth whitening, and composite fillings.

Evening appointments are available and we accept most insurances.

Bear Brook Children’s Dental Specialists Dr. Tommy Lee, D.M.D., Pediatric Dentist 305 W. Grand Ave., Suite 100, Montvale 201-746-9474 bearbrookdentalcare.com info@bearbrookdentalcare.com

Dr. Tommy Lee specializes in pediatric dentistry. He treats patients from infancy to adolescence, including special needs children. Understanding that many dental phobias develop in early childhood, Dr. Lee will take great care to ensure your kids grow up with a positive outlook on oral health. Even the most nervous child will leave with a healthier smile under Dr. Lee’s care. Dr. Lee earned his Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry degree at Boston University and completed his pediatric dental specialty training at Yale School of Medicine. Most major insurance accepted.

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NYMetroParents.com Your #1 Source for Party Rentals 52

September 2018 | nymetroparents.com

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raising kids ad index NYMetroParents.com features more than 20,000 businesses serving the NY metropolitan area! acrobatics / gymnastics

Kreative Kids & Vicki’s Dance Studio...............................5

Help is Here Coaching, LLC...........................................49

Tumble-Bee Gymnastics................................................23

Northern Valley Dance Academy....................................21

Kastin & Newman Orthodontics......................................50

Surge Studio...................................................................33

Nyack Pediatric Dentistry...............................................47

birthday / party services Academy for Martial Arts................................................18 Bach to Rock - Nanuet ..................................................25 Launch Trampoline Park ................................................39 Palisades Climb Adventure.............................................14 Rockland Parent Party Planner......................................52 Sky Zone - Allendale.......................................................41 Surge Studio...................................................................33 Tumble-Bee Gymnastics................................................23 West Rock Indoor Sports Complex................................39 Young Chefs Academy...................................................18

camps Academy for Martial Arts................................................18 Bright Beginnings Preschool & Childcare.......................33 Brilliant Minds Daycare & Learning Center.....................27 Clarkstown Theatre Company .......................................27 Coupe Theatre Studio....................................................25 German Language School Westwood............................27 HPAL - Rockland Theatre Company ..............................18 Kreative Kids & Vicki’s Dance Studio...............................5 Lindgren School & Camp ...............................................15 Palisades Country Day School & Camp...........................9 West Rock Indoor Sports Complex................................39 Young Chefs Academy...................................................18

child care / day care Bright Beginnings Preschool & Childcare.......................33

developmental Help is Here Coaching, LLC...........................................49 Otto Specht School.........................................................15

education Beth Am Temple.............................................................37 Bright Beginnings Preschool & Childcare.......................33 Brilliant Minds Daycare & Learning Center.....................27 German Language School Westwood............................27 Huntington Learning Center ..........................................18 Kids Clubhouse Daycare, Inc.........................................18 Kreative Kids & Vicki’s Dance Studio...............................5 Lindgren School & Camp ...............................................15 Otto Specht School.........................................................15 Palisades Country Day School & Camp...........................9 St Catharine Early Childhood Center ............................41

Rockland Behavioral Health ..........................................43 Sachdev Family Orthodontics...................................49, 50 Smile More Dentistry .....................................................50 Smith’s Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry...................14, 50 Spots OT........................................................................43 Tenafly Pediatrics ..........................................................50 Valley Pediatrics.............................................................47

home services Suez...............................................................................29

music Bach to Rock - Nanuet ..................................................25

performing arts / acting Clarkstown Theatre Company .......................................27 HPAL - Rockland Theatre Company ..............................18

Tutor Time - New City ....................................................47

Joffrey Ballet School.......................................................15

Young World Day School................................................33

Northern Valley Dance Academy....................................21

family entertainment / events / outings

play spaces

Hurd’s Family Farm........................................................43

Sky Zone - Allendale.......................................................41

Palisades Center ...........................................................11 Palisades Climb Adventure.............................................14 Wild West City................................................................29

family travel Hurd’s Family Farm........................................................43

Launch Trampoline Park ................................................39

religious Beth Am Temple.............................................................37 Jewish Federation of Rockland County .........................13

restaurant / food services

Wild West City................................................................29

Palisades Center ...........................................................11

Kids Clubhouse Daycare, Inc.........................................18

financial planning / insurance

retail

Palisades Country Day School & Camp...........................9

Affinity Health Plan...........................................................7

Brilliant Minds Daycare & Learning Center.....................27

St Catharine Early Childhood Center ............................41 Tutor Time - New City ....................................................47

fitness

Young World Day School................................................33

Academy for Martial Arts................................................18 Danceworks..............................................................25, 27

classes

Launch Trampoline Park ................................................39

Bach to Rock - Nanuet ..................................................25

Phoenix Aquatic Club.....................................................27

Clarkstown Theatre Company .......................................27

Sky Zone - Allendale.......................................................41

German Language School Westwood............................27

Surge Studio...................................................................33

HPAL - Rockland Theatre Company ..............................18

Tumble-Bee Gymnastics................................................23

Joffrey Ballet School.......................................................15 Northern Valley Dance Academy....................................21

health

Tumble-Bee Gymnastics................................................23

Affinity Health Plan...........................................................7

Young Chefs Academy...................................................18

Bear Brook Dental Care ..........................................13, 51 Clemente Orthodontics ..................................................43

Palisades Center ...........................................................11 Tilly...A Deer’s Tale.........................................................49

special needs Coupe Theatre Studio....................................................25 Help is Here Coaching, LLC...........................................49 Huntington Learning Center ..........................................18 Nyack Pediatric Dentistry...............................................47 Otto Specht School.........................................................15 Spots OT........................................................................43 Tumble-Bee Gymnastics................................................23

sports Academy for Martial Arts................................................18 Palisades Climb Adventure.............................................14 Phoenix Aquatic Club.....................................................27

dance

Crystal Run Healthcare..............................................2, 50

Coupe Theatre Studio....................................................25

Dental Wellness of Suffern...................................3, 50, 51

Danceworks..............................................................25, 27

Dr Olga Tusheva, OBS/GYN, Highland Medical Group......10

tutors

Joffrey Ballet School.......................................................15

Fidelis Care New York....................................................56

Huntington Learning Center ..........................................18

West Rock Indoor Sports Complex................................39

RocklandParent 53

raising kids quotables

How do you get your kids excited to go back to school?

“I tell my daughter my favorite memory from whichever grade she’s entering that year. This year she will be going into second grade, so I told her that was the year I won an award at the science fair. She’s psyched!”

—Melissa Ann Ferreira, Queens

“Tell them they’ll be able to see their friends every day.”

—Noelle Sarno Uno, Brooklyn

“I look up really cool DIY projects for school supplies and once a week throughout the summer we make the projects ourselves. My daughter can’t wait to show her friends all the cool stuff we made for school.”

—Tyaisha Harvey Greene, Suffolk

“I would leave notes in my children’s lunchboxes to get them excited and remind them that I love them.”

—Adena Saperstein, Nassau

“We go to Target and get back-to-school supplies!”

—Melissa Brown Eisenberg, Westchester

Downtime is rare in the life of a mom. Between deciding on schools and creating spreadsheets, it seems the day has begun and finished before we’ve had time to take a single breath. Downtime might seem like a thing of legend to us, but it can be a reality if we make it a priority. How we each make it happen is up to us, but happen it must.

— Jazmin Cybulski, in a post entitled “Simple Ways to Minimize the Stress of Being a Supermom” on themogulmom.com

“Are you stressing about gathering school supplies, schedules and time management? Parental stress can be picked up by your child so stay calm, watch what you say, and show confidence.”

— Michelle Spreckels, in a post entitled “How to Ease Back-to-School Anxiety” on momtrends.com

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September 2018 | nymetroparents.com

“I remind them that they can’t go back to camp until they finish another year of school!”

—Lisa Novick Bloom, Manhattan

“We talk about the exciting things they will learn in their new grade and all the upcoming fall happenings they look forward to.”

—Tara Suzanne, Rockland

LET TWEENS ARGUE “Rather than shut down arguments, give your child ample time to execute her case. Arguing is a critical skill that tweens desperately need as they proceed into adolescence.

Think about it: To turn down a beer at a party or resist a boyfriend’s sexual advances, your child needs a strong argumentative muscle. Standing up to you serves as practice for standing up for his or her beliefs and values.”

— Margaret Sagarese in an article entitled “Why Your Difficult Tween is Right on Track.” Read the whole story at nymetroparents.com/difficult-tween

More NYMetroParents.com Highlights: FARM FRESH: Your guide to farmers’ markets in the New York area (nymetroparents.com/farmers-markets) SPORTS SAFETY: Learn how to keep your child safe and healthy during sports practices and games (nymetroparents. com/safe-sports) OH BABY: 5 Things to Know About Your Postpartum Body (nymetroparents.com/postpartum) BAKE IT SPECIAL: Try the Ace of Cakes’ favorite brownie recipe for bake sales (nymetroparents.com/brownies)

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