Brooklyn Parent January 2017

BrooklynParent JANUARY 2017

NYMETROPARENTS.COM

Is

Homework

Helpful?

Welcoming Everyone

Inside the debate Plus: Find the right school for your child

The surprising religious diversity at Catholic schools

Good Failure Teaching kids grit and resilience

WHERE TO GO SKIING

•

SUMMER ACTIVITIES IN WINTERTIME

Get ready to start your child’s bilingual journey!

Spanish Immersion Preschool

Enrolling Now Fall 2017 Our Spanish Immersion Program offers a stimulating and exciting play-based curriculum where children learn Spanish through play, socialization, music and academics. Start your child’s bilingual journey at their most brilliant stage of development with the help of our qualified Bilingual Teachers!

Spanish Immersion Preschool programs for 2–4 years old

ENROLLING NOW! Other fun programs that we offer: • Play Space • Summer Camp • Birthday Parties • After School Program • Weekend Spanish Classes 323 5th Avenue, Brooklyn NY & 511 5th Avenue, Brooklyn NY 2

(917) 453-1187 • info@juguemos.org • www.juguemos.org

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

BrooklynParent

3

NYMetroParents Helping Parents Make Better Decisions

Contents

January 2017 ››

16

Features

16 The Benefits of Failure Why teaching kids to handle setbacks with grit and perseverance is important 18 Finding Summer Fun in the Depths of Winter Six ways to bring warm-weather fun to the coldest season

56

20 Is Homework Necessary?

Inside the debate about whether kids really need homework—and what one school is doing instead 50 Not of the Faith How local Catholic schools have integrated students from all types of religious backgrounds 52 Great for Leftovers Three recipes, plus a leftover twist for each

52

56 Why Are Boys Failing?

How current norms are contributing to boys falling behind—in school and life

Connections

6 Editor’s Note 8 New Places, New Programs 10 Quotables 15 NYMP Q&A: Ilana Wiles, creator of MommyShorts.com, talks average parenting 62 Voices: Is My Babysitter Doing a Better Job Than Me?

Fun & Activities

20

12 DIY Corner: Make your own bird feeders 14 Media Matters: What Your Kids Should Watch 32 Outing: Queens Museum 35 Family Activities Calendar 48 Where-To Guide: Ski & Snowboard

Family Activities CALENDAR ››

Directories

35

24 58 58 59 60 60 61

Schools and Educational Services Party Central Professional Services Open Houses Meet the Health Care Professional Meet the Director Advertisers’ Index

ON THE COVER ›› 16 Good Failure 18 Summer Activities in Wintertime 20 Is Homework Helpful?

facebook.com/nymetroparents

@NYMetroParents

48 Where to Go Skiing 50 Welcoming Everyone Visit NYMETROPARENTS.COM for family activities updated daily and more than 2,000 parenting articles!

BrooklynParent

5

JANUARY 2017 • Vol.13 • No.6

EDITOR’S NOTE

Education in the Classroom & Beyond

I

remember when my oldest child started getting homework. It was a shock to the system, hers and ours, intruding on her post-school play time and, to the extent we needed to help her, on our quiet time with the kids. Since then, as the volume and difficulty of her homework has increased, I’ve become so grateful and proud to see how diligent and responsible she is at it. Still, there are nights where she remembers well past bedtime about a forgotten assignment or is flummoxed by a particularly difficult task. I sometimes wonder what worth there is in this, and as Katelin Walling reports (p. 20), I am not alone in asking that question. There is a hot debate in education circles about whether to ditch homework altogether, and some schools, including some in our region, have done exactly that.

Speaking of frustration, I am sure you’re familiar with this scene: A child melts into tears and anger, unable to be consoled, because of his inability to complete a task, whether it’s getting that ball into the basket or building a block tower taller than he is. It breaks our hearts to see our kids so angry and hurt, and we naturally try to assure them of their skills and worth. But setbacks can be useful to children, especially if we help channel their feelings in a productive direction, helping them see failures as motivation to try again and harder and conquer the task. We spoke with experts who offer advice on how to teach kids this sort of grit and resilience (p. 16), skills that will serve them well throughout their lives.

If you want to get your kids to pick themselves up again after they fall down—literally and metaphorically—you could bring them to a ski slope and teach them the sport. Find great spots for skiing and snowboarding around the Northeast (p. 48). And for winter fun closer to home, get great tips on recapturing the joys of summer even when the weather is freezing (p. 18). For my family, dead-of-winter visits to the Bronx zoo are a cherished tradition.

For many of us, January is the time to think of September—specifically, where our kids will go to school next year. For some parents, the right choice might sound surprising on the surface: choosing a Catholic school even though they are not Catholic. Samantha Neudorf investigates this phenomenon and explains what’s behind the decision to send kids to a religious school when they are not of the faith (p. 50). And if you are seeking a school for your child, check out our education directory to find tons of great choices (p. 24).

Stay warm, and have a great January!

Michael Kress Editorial Director

NYMetroParents Publications EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Michael Kress MANAGING EDITOR: Katelin Walling DEPUTY EDITOR: Caitlin Berens SENIOR EDITOR: Bethany Braun-Silva ASSISTANT EDITOR: Samantha Neudorf REGIONAL EDITORS: Samantha Beranbom (Rockland); Karen Demeter (Suffolk); Rosalind Muggeridge (Brooklyn); Jamie McGillian (Westchester); Dorette Saunders (Nassau); Emma Steven (Manhattan); Gail Warren (Queens) DIRECTORIES EDITOR: Alice Van Dyke EDITORIAL INTERNS: Jonathan Perry, Kathryn Sheridan

ADVERTISING SALES Big Apple Parent 212-315-0800; Fax: 212-271-2239 Jeunesse Jackson, Linda Pierce Queens Parent 718-878-4860 Annene Guertin, Ellen Klein Westchester Parent 914-397-0200 Nini DeLuca, Manager Randi Shulman, Merrill Sugarman, Mary Wender Brooklyn Parent 718-878-4860 Phyllis Crupi, Ellen Klein, Selene Rodriguez Rockland Parent 845-848-8021 Cara Roteman, Jim Russo Long Island Parent, Nassau 516-883-4543 Joan Bergman, Manager, Dani Pollack Long Island Parent, Suffolk 631-472-5437 Lisa Herlihy, Karen Shapiro To Advertise: nympads@davlermedia.com DIR. OF OPERATIONS -- EVENTS: Rebecca Stolcz DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS: Ray Winn OPERATIONS COORDINATORS: Ray C. Guédez, Leonard Porter DIRECTOR OF TRAFFIC: Heather Gambaro ADMINISTRATION MANAGER: Erin Jordan

PRODUCTION

DIRECTOR | PUBLISHING MANAGEMENT: Anthony Diaz CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Jiyon Son DIGITAL CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Robert Reynolds DIRECTOR | DIGITAL CONTENT DEVELOPMENT: Sara Wentworth

ACCOUNTING

CONTROLLER: David Friedman

MARKETING

HEAD OF MARKETING: Jacqueline Lachman

ADMINISTRATION

CREDIT MANAGER: Elizabeth Teagarden CREDIT ASSISTANTS: Rosa Meinhofer, Diedra Smith EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT: Barbara Byrd

Davler Media Group CEO: David L. Miller General Manager: Thomas K. Hanlon 498 Seventh Ave., 10th Floor, New York, NY 10018 Phone: 212-315-0800; Fax: 212-271-2239 nymetroparents.com davlermedia.com

Join us for an afternoon of family fun at the first-ever Westchester Parents Day! We’re putting together a program sure to put a smile on your kids’ faces—while helping you learn valuable information.

Kids will enjoy entertainment, tasty treats, crafts, a dance party, and raffles and giveaways, while parents can get to know local child-focused businesses, including camps, after-school activities, and birthday party venues.

Westchester Parents Day will be held 12-3pm on Sunday, Feb. 5, at the Crown Plaza, 66 Hale Ave., White Plains. Go to westchesterparentsday.com to learn more and register.

6

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

nybarbatmitzvah.com

BIG APPLE PARENT, QUEENS PARENT, WESTCHESTER PARENT BROOKLYN PARENT, ROCKLAND PARENT, BERGEN PARENT, FAIRFIELD 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

Experience BounceU, where you get to bounce, play, and party. BounceU is where birthdays come to life!

BROOKLYN’S BESTEST Private Birthday Parties Field Trips & Team Parties

NOW OFFERING Day Off Day Camp Summer Camp

Call to reserve your private party today!

BounceU of Brooklyn • 347-450-5867 • Bounceu.com/Brooklyn-NY 6722 Ft. Hamilton Pkwy. 2nd Floor • Brooklyn, NY 11219 BrooklynParent

7

NEW PLACES, NEW PROGRAMS

Mercedes McAndrew

nymetroparents.com/np-bp

Brooklyn Center to Feature ‘Coyote’s Dance’ Who: Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts What’s New: Coyote’s Dance, a performance by the Treehouse Shakers, for the 2017 season.

Coyote’s Dance is a whimsical and interactive children’s show inspired by Native American folklore, in which the coyote is often portrayed as a trickster and a teacher. These stories were adapted and mixed with modern dance for ages 4-10.

Catch Coyote’s Dance on Feb. 11 at 2pm at the Kumble Theater for $15. After the performance, kids can attend a workshop to learn more coyote tales and dance moves (RSVP required).

Want More Info: Kumble Theater: 1 University Plaza, LIU Brooklyn campus, Downtown Brooklyn; 718-951-4500; brooklyncenter.org The Treehouse Shakers perform Coyote’s Dance.

Who: GetATutor.com What’s New: An online tutoring platform for students in kindergarten through 12th grades.

“The idea came about in response to a generation of students using their devices to learn,” says co-owner and founder Mitch Vilinsky. “Instead of being inconvenienced by a tutor coming into your home, children can simply utilize our online platform—and they love it.”

Tutoring sessions are recorded and take place inside the platform’s online classroom, complete with video chat, live text editing, document sharing, and freehand drawing on an interactive whiteboard.

Tutors are verified to ensure quality and safety, and they will use their knowledge of each individual’s learning style to craft more effective lessons.

Want More Info: getatutor.com

8

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Courtesy GetATutor.com

New Brooklyn-Based Online Tutoring Platform

With GetATutor.com kids can receive expert help from the comfort of home.

BrooklynParent

9

UOTABLES I was going to be a perfect stay-athome mom and enjoy every single moment teaching and encouraging my children. Then, I actually had my own kids, three of them, and that is when I fell off my unicorn and tumbled straight back to reality.

—Barrie Bismark, in a post entitled “I’m Not the Mom I Thought (and Hoped) I Would Be,” on The Huffington Post: Parents.

in an instagram in an instagram Cal. Several days ago. In front of a nova that’s he’s completely enamored with. It has been parked on our block since the dawn of time. The owner is a complete mystery, but it does move for alternate side.

(Posted by @megankellicraig, aka Megan C., who blogs at thebrooklyndoll.blogspot.com)

“He won’t do these things forever. These (nearly) three years of waking up every night or changing what feels like millions of diapers, will feel like a short moment in time come 30 years from now. And it’s then that I’ll miss the moments of walking into his dark room with me squinting my eyes half asleep to pick him up out of his crib and have him lay his head on my shoulder and fall quietly back to sleep.

Or the funny faces we make to each other as I lay him on the ground to keep him occupied while I’m changing his diaper.”

—Lauren Jimeson, in a post entitled “No Rush,” on her blog, SincerelyLauren.com.

10

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Having the time of their life! Letting go is scary but they both did plenty of times. #iceskating indoor is definitely the way to go! @chelseapiersnyc @kamikofficial #stepoutside (Posted by @gothamlove, aka Suzanne C., who blogs at gothamlove.com)

WORKING OUT AS A BUSY MOM “You can still move on to your kid’s theatrical debut at school if your lipstick, say, doesn’t make it through Pilates. But if your deodorant gives out? Yikes. You may miss the curtain call.”

—Christina Vercelletto, in an article entitled “Hit the Gym Moms—and Look Great.” Read the whole thing at nymetroparents.com/mom-fitness.

MORE NYMetroParents.com HIGHLIGHTS: GET OUTTA TOWN: Get great winter day trip suggestions at nymetroparents.com/winter-trips.

GLIDE AND SLIDE: Find ice-skating rinks near you at nymetroparents.com/ice-skating.

MORE WINTER FUN: See the top 100 winter activities in the New York metro area at nymetroparents.com/winter-activities.

CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR: How to make resolutions kids can keep (nymetroparents.com/kid-resolutions)

Success starts with taking a hands-on approach.

Apply Now at SuccessAcademies.org

Š2017 Success Academy Charter Schools.

SA_17_Brooklyn Parents_Jan_2017_hands on_indd.indd 1

12/13/16 1:33 PM 11 BrooklynParent

DIY CORNER WINTER CRAFT

Feed the Birds

Invite winged friends to your yard this winter by making one of these bird feeders. Position the feeder in front of a window, and your kids will have an opportunity to become winter bird watchers, especially if they want to stay cozy inside with a cup of cocoa instead of braving the cold.

Bird Seed Ornaments These goodies are so pretty they’d brighten a tree even without the snow. Use walnuts, cranberries, and kumquats to form a garland to add a little extra cheer.

Ingredients ¾ cup flour ½ cup water 1 packet unflavored gelatin 3 Tbsp. corn syrup 4 cup birdseed Directions 1. Mix ingredients together in a large bowl.

2. U se vegetable oil on a paper towel to coat the insides of the cookie cutters (or use vegetable spray); this will allow you to remove the ornaments from the cookie cutters more easily.

3. S pread waxed paper over your work area, then fill the insides of the cookie cutters with birdseed mixture, packing tightly. (We used circle and heart shapes.)

4. P oke a drinking straw through each ornament near the top to make a hole for hanging.

5. C arefully remove each ornament from the cookie cutter and set on waxed paper. Let dry for several hours.

6. Once the ornaments are dry, you can use peanut butter to decorate the rims and insides with other seeds. For example, spread a line of peanut butter around an outside rim, then press thistle onto the peanut butter. Or use peanut butter to create a heart shape atop a circle, and press in thistle and corn kernels.

7. Thread ribbon through the hole, and hang on a tree.

Bird Seed Wreath

Ground Bird Seed Feeder

Trace a bird outline in the snow, then fill the shape with different types of seed.

Bake bread dough in a doughnut shape, slather on peanut butter, and coat with seeds. A yummy dinner for the birds!

Add a pretty bow to make it a decoration for the yard.

Projects and photos courtesy Lowe’s; for two more ways to feed the birds this winter, visit nymetroparents.com/birds.

12

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Summer Day Camps SUMMER 2017 Elementary Day Camp Entering Kindergarten through 4th Grade Full Day program. Specialties in on-site swimming, outdoor sports, arts & crafts, nature, gymnastics & music.

Trips in & around NYC.

Movin' On Travel Camp Entering 4th Grade through 9th Grade

Visit us at 321's School's Out Expo Saturday, January 28th 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm.

Ha'Geemnasia

Entering Kindergarten through 4th Grade This is our unique Israeli-style Hebrew immersion camp.

Activities related to Israeli culture through art, dance, sports, swim and exciting trips.

Children of All Backgrounds are Welcome Call Bobbie Finkelstein 718-768-3814 x210 or www.congregationbethelohim.org/camp

BrooklynParent 13

Media Matters: TV

What Your Kids Should Watch

Splash and Bubbles (PBS Kids)

Recommended Age: 3+

HHHH

Friendly fish introduce preschooler

Dot. (Sprout)

s to ocean science

Recommended Age: 5+

HHHHH

Recommended Age: 6+

HHHH

This charming series strikes the perf ect balance between life and tech .

Milo Murphy’s Law (Disney XD)

An unlucky teen’s fortune lies in frien

dship and a positive outlook

MARS (National Geographic Channel)

Recommended Age: 12+

HHHHH

This outstanding Mars mission serie

s has suspenseful moments.

In Theaters Jan. 27: A Dog’s Purpose

Our Partner: Common Sense Media An independent nonprof it that helps families make smart media choices.

Check out thousands of ratings and reviews at commonsensemedia.org

See more at NYMetroParents.com/media

14

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Parents need to know that A Dog’s Purpose provides a bit of a twist on the standard talkinganimal movie. The story is narrated by a dog (voiced by Josh Gad), who begins his life as a golden retriever named Bailey whose best friend is a young boy named Ethan (Bryce Gheisar). Bailey remains loyally by Ethan’s side through his teenage years, even through Ethan’s first love (so expect some kissing and romance), until Bailey dies of old age—only to be reincarnated as a (female) German shepherd police dog. The dog continues to come back, living many lives as many different breeds. With each new human he—or she—lives with, the dog learns a little more about his purpose, until, years later, he returns to a familiar home and a familiar friend (Dennis Quaid). Although this movie will likely have emotional moments that might be too intense for sensitive younger kids—including the recurring death of a pet—for the most part it looks like a heartfelt family dramedy for all dog lovers.

NYMP Q&A

BROOKLYN

Here’s to the Average Parent ››

ARTS

Ilana Wiles is the creator of the successful parenting blog, MommyShorts.com. She recently wrote The Mommy Shorts Guide to Remarkably Average Parenting.

Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company

CENTER for the PERFORMING

By Bethany Braun-Silva

What is an average parent?

I think everyone is an average parent. And the reason I say remarkably average parenting, in my book, is because I think it should be an aspirational thing. The people who are striving to be a perfect parent or to do everything correctly are never going to get there. So once you accept there is no one correct way to do things, I think we can all feel much better about the parenting job we’re doing, which ultimately is much better for ourselves and our children. I think everybody is having the same experience, no matter what kind of parent you are. There are helicopter parents, attachment parents, free-range parents, and they all have children who are developing and going through the same things. They have tantrums, they need to be potty trained, they have accidents, they’re tough on a long road trip.

Where does the pressure of being a perfect parent come from? I think a lot of it is due to social media. Even on Instagram, everybody posts these beautiful pictures of motherhood, and everybody is putting up their highlight reel and the reality is you’re taking, like, 50 pictures of your kids not being able to stand still and then the one where they’re both smiling is the one you’re posting. Which is totally normal and fine, but as we’re looking through our feeds and we’re seeing all these pictures of kids in these perfect scenarios and smiling, you make your own assumptions about what the rest of that person’s life or day looks like and you forget that you’re only seeing a very small piece of it. We can’t look at what people are posting on social media and think that represents real life, because people are posting the best versions of their life. It’s very healthy to talk about the realities of parenting so we don’t think that we’re alone in this and we’re the only ones who can’t get our kids to stand still for a picture.

How do you incorporate humor into your everyday life? I think my kids are hilarious, and I think a lot of how you enjoy parenthood is using your pain as entertainment. If everything went according to plan, you wouldn’t have any good stories to tell. If you go on the plane and everything goes smoothly, that’s wonderful. If you go on the plane and everything goes awry, you have a really good story to tell.

How do you determine how much to share on social media? I never want my kids to be embarrassed about anything I’m putting out there about them. I’m very cognizant of how things might make them look or if something is too personal. At the moment, I still feel like I’m able to talk about the struggles of parenthood or some of the things I’m dealing with and I feel like it’s all universal.

So I have to figure out how to walk a line with being honest but not saying anything that might upset them or might be too personal.

LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION Sun, Jan 22 at 3pm

Whitman Theatre at Brooklyn College 2900 Campus Road, Brooklyn

Tickets: $25 adults $12.50 children

Treehouse Shakers

COYOTE’S DANCE Sat, Feb 11 at 2pm Recommended for ages 4 and up

Kumble Theater LIU Brooklyn campus 1 University Plaza, Brooklyn

Tickets: $15

BrooklynCenter.org or 718-951-4500 Supported by:

Brooklyn Center’s presentation of Lunar New Year Celebration: Year of the Rooster is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts’ Challenge America Fast Track program.

BrooklynParent 15

The Benefits of Failure

››

Teaching kids to handle setbacks with grit and perseverance is more valuable than trying to help them avoid ever failing at anything. By Madeleine Burry

A

re you raising kids who can cope with setbacks? Does your child respond to obstacles by persevering—or by calling it quits?

Lately, it may seem as if the concepts of grit and failure—specifically, how to have more of the former and deal productively with the latter—are everywhere, making them the buzzy parenting concepts of the moment. It’s hard to escape the headlines and books about the perils of allowing kids to grow up without failing.

But as these ideas have entered the zeitgeist, it’s easy for them to assume a bumper sticker-like simplicity (Failure is great! Go grit!), cautions Richard Rende, Ph.D., and co-author of Raising Can-Do Kids: Giving Kids the Tools to Thrive in a Fast-Changing World.

The reality is a bit more complicated. It’s not that failure is good; there is no need to root for your children to flounder and fail to achieve goals. But failure is inevitable; if you’ve lived, you’ve experienced setbacks and disappointments. That goes for everyone: Even our century’s big success stories, such as J.K. Rowling, Simone Biles, and Steve Jobs, have histories littered with rejection letters, torpedoed projects, bad reviews, and missed medals. And because failure is ever present, it’s important for your child to be able to respond appropriately. “Kids need practice failing so they can learn how to deal with it in both a practical and emotional way, and know how to move on from 16

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

failures,” says Ami Schwab, Ph.D., who specializes in child psychology and teaches parenting classes.

Help Kids Focus on Feedback—Not Failure

Carol Dweck, Ph.D., the author of Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, is known for her groundbreaking research into what she calls “fixed” and “growth” mindsets. In a fixed mindset, abilities and intelligence are set: Tanisha is so smart; Abby has a natural talent for math; Arjun is better at music than writing; Sean is a real artist! In this framework, failure becomes an endpoint. If you see yourself as “good” at math, a poor grade on an algebra test can feel devastating, as though you’ve reached the end of your abilities in math. Or, if you’ve always thought of yourself as “bad at math,” a poor grade acts as reinforcement.

In a growth mindset, on the other hand, abilities are framed as something that can, well, grow—this transforms failure from debilitating to a “what’s next” moment. In this mindset, a poor grade indicates the need to study more or to seek tutoring. To foster a growth concept, align feedback toward effort: Tanisha studied hard for her math test; Connor’s not good at drawing realistic people yet; Abby’s practice before the piano recital paid off— she went from three missed notes last year to just two this year.

Dr. Dweck believes mindset plays a powerful role in relationships, personality, and how a person’s life unfolds. “In one

world, failure is about having a setback. Getting a bad grade.

Losing a tournament. Getting fired. Getting rejected. It means you’re not smart or talented,” Dr. Dweck writes. “In the other world, failure is about not growing. Not reaching for the things you value. It means you’re not fulfilling your potential. In one world, effort is a bad thing. It, like failure, means you’re not smart or talented. If you were, you wouldn’t need effort. In the other world, effort is what makes you smart or talented.”

Focusing on Your Own Response

Throughout your child’s life, there will be setbacks. Many times, the scale may seem small, especially for young kids—a missed goal; a broken toy; a poor grade in a topic that doesn’t come naturally—but from a developmental perspective, these moments are hugely important. The way you respond to these events, and, in turn, how your child processes them, will play an outsized role in your child’s personality and response to setbacks over a lifetime.

Try these strategies to raise kids who can persevere past obstacles and process failures as feedback (and not dead ends): Phrase feedback right (and be cautious with your compliments). Given Dr. Dweck’s research, it’s clear that the way we speak to kids about their successes and failures has a huge impact in whether they view themselves as having core abilities, or whether they’re focused on effort and improvement.

“Compliments can be negative for your child’s internal motivation and self-esteem,” says Dr. Schwab, a Bronx resident.

Praise feels good, but when it’s for fixed qualities, it doesn’t foster your child’s esteem or sense of worth. Instead of saying, “Good job!” Dr. Schwab advises, ask your child, “Are you proud of yourself?” This allows kids to think through how they feel— proud or determined to do even better next time.

Resist the temptation to smooth things over. Here’s a classic scene: A wheel has fallen off your child’s small truck, and she is wailing in dismay as a result. For parents, it can be tempting to fix the truck. After all, for us, that’s easy (and stops the tears handily). But doing so might not be doing your child any favors. “Remember who owns the problem, and try to avoid bailing your child out,” Dr. Schwab says. Instead, offer empathy (Isn’t it frustrating that the wheel fell off!) and ask helpful questions geared toward your child’s age and understanding (What do you want to do? How can we fix this? Do you think that wheel can be reattached?) “This strategy gives kids the confidence and ability to fix problems on their own and encourages them to think for themselves,” Dr. Schwab says.

Don’t keep your own failures hidden. Think about how you share stories of your own life with your children. Do you talk only about your successes? Here, as in every other area of your life, be a role model to your children: Share your triumphs in work and life, but don’t shield your child from the process—the successful meeting that was the result of devoting a full weekend to creating and practicing a presentation, for instance. Share the negative feedback and disappointments as well, along with how you overcame those challenges.

Encourage kids to be intelligent risk takers. Dr. Rende recommends parents “let kids do things where they might not be the stars” and encourage kids to take risks. Doing this helps inculcate a growth mindset in your child—and encourages them to not settle for only doing tasks where they’ll perform well. “Failure is an important part of the learning process,” Dr. Schwab says. He recommends parents get in the habit of

tacking on the word “yet” to negative statements. If your child is crying that he can’t fix that truck’s wheel, you might subtly inspire him by responding, “You can’t fix that truck’s wheel— yet!” Practice and perseverance alone can’t make a person run as fast as Usain Bolt, Dr. Schwab points out, but that doesn’t mean it won’t lead to improvements. In everyday life—unlike the Olympics—there’s more value to trying and improving than to chasing after the gold medal.

Separate out external markers. In a child’s world, there are a lot of definitive moments of evaluation: grades, competitions, sports victories, and defeats. Perhaps more than adults, children have to deal with rankings and concrete feedback. Dr. Rende describes all of these evaluations as being a statement in a moment of time, and encourages parents to keep kids focused on the process, instead of the result. “We really want to eliminate the word failure, but we also want to eliminate the word success. It’s best for kids to focus on process and being in control of their learning,” he says. Ask children to think about what they learned from the experience, and encourage them to be open to feedback beyond the grade.

As parents, it can be painful to think of your child experiencing pain, frustration, or failure. But research tells us allowing your child to fail—and then helping them think through how to respond to this setback—allows kids to build the framework they need to learn from the moment, and get insight into how to move on from failure in the future.

Madeleine Burry is a Brooklyn-based freelance writer and editor, covering everything from parenting to open data to workplace productivity. She’s held staff positions at Parents.com, Scholastic, and About.com. You can follow her on Twitter @lovelanewest.

BrooklynParent 17

Finding Summer Fun in the Depths of Winter ››

Ignore the cold and the snow, and bring some of the joys of summertime to your kids year round. By Bethany Braun-Silva

T

here are so many fun summer activities we must forgo when the weather is too cold. But in fact, you don’t have to wait for warmer weather to enjoy some summer fun. Gather the family and check out these great summer activities you can do in winter, swimsuits required—seriously!

Get Wet at an Indoor Water Park

If a day at the waterpark is your child’s idea of a great time, it’s guaranteed to be even more fun in the winter. Who says you have to wait until Memorial Day to throw on your swimsuit? Family resorts such as Great Wolf Lodge and Camelback Resort in the Poconos region of Pennsylvania have huge indoor water parks that are a great way to get your summer fix in the winter. Your kids will love being allowed to put on their swimsuits in freezing temps, and there is nothing cooler than watching the snowfall from a heated pool!

Watch the Waves at the Beach

While beaches are closed for swimming during the winter, most of the boardwalks remain open. Take a stroll and watch the ocean, where the waves are usually huge in the colder months, making for a really great sight. Or hop on a bike on a boardwalk and grab a hot dog for lunch.

18

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

At some beaches, you may be able to even play in the sand, if there’s no snow on the ground—just be careful to stay a safe distance from the water. If you get cold, plan a trip to a nearby venue to warm up.

You don’t have to wait until June or July to pay a visit to fantastic sea life: In Coney Island, Nathan’s hotdogs and the New York Aquarium are open nearly every day of the year.

Visit the Animals at the Zoo

While temps may be low, lots of local zoos remain open all year long. Bundle up and take a trip to visit the animals, or at least those that remain on display in the winter. You and the family can pop into an indoor exhibit when it gets too cold. There are some great ones happening this winter, including the 96 Elephants Global Origami Tribute at the Bronx Zoo. You can also pay a visit to the beloved seals and penguins at the Central Park Zoo, or take a spin (or several) on the carousel at many area zoos. Added bonus: No crowds. Be sure to pack a thermos of hot chocolate or cider. The animals are waiting!

Pitch a Tent and Camp Inside

Enjoy summer fun without leaving your home. You and your family can plan a camping trip right in your living room. If space

allows, pitch a tent and throw in some sleeping bags. If space is tight, any kind of makeshift fort will do. Roast some marshmallows on the stove or break out the grill for a wintertime cookout. Tell some ghost stories, blast the summertime jams, or throw on a favorite summer-themed movie. The kids will love the feeling of camping in their own house!

Star Gaze at a Planetarium

Lay (or, at least, sit back) under the stars at a local planetarium. While it may be too overcast in January and February to get a good look at the galaxies, a planetarium is a great way to take in some of the outdoors without actually being outside. The best part, you’ll be nice and warm! The Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History in Manhattan is a classic and offers various show times throughout the week; there are several other options around the region, many of which include kid-focused shows.

A virtual trip under the stars should hold your family over until you can see the real thing.

Get Active at an Indoor Sports Facility

Take your kids to an indoor sports center or a batting cage.

While Astroturf is not quite the same as fresh grass, it will do until the weather warms up. A family soccer or softball game is sure to get the blood flowing just enough to bear the cold.

Indoor sport centers such as A-Game Sports in Westchester or Chelsea Piers in Manhattan have plenty of opportunities for some great family fun. Get all the benefits of being outdoors without having to face frigid temperatures.

Math Love

World-class your child will

Our award-winning, after school program helps K-12 students build excellence in math and critical thinking. Families of over 17,000

Schedule a Free Math Evaluation

students trust RSM to deliver a world-class math education for their children.

RSM - Brooklyn • 2115 Benson Ave Brooklyn, NY 11214 • (516) 551-6428 www.RussianSchool.com/Brooklyn

RSM_ brooklyn3.55x4.7_fall.indd 1

7/15/16 1:51 PM

Register

NOW for our

SAT program!

Limited Space Available!

Convenient locations: • 8696 18th Avenue, Brooklyn • 1902 Avenue T, Brooklyn

BrooklynParent 19

Courtesy Oliver Stockhammer

Jovan Stockhammer, a third-grader at P.S. 118: The Maurice Sendak Community School in Park Slope, works on creating a 3-D model of the Titanic as part of the school’s Exercise Your Brain program (left), and presents it in class (right).

Is Homework Necessary?

›› Inside the debate about whether kids really need homework—and what one elementary school is doing instead By Katelin Walling

H

“

omework is one of the most stressful parts of a family’s day,” says Elizabeth Garraway, principal at P.S. 118: The Maurice Sendak Community School in Park Slope. “Families argue about homework and instead of being something that kids enjoy or something they learn from, it becomes a source of stress for parents and for kids.”

At School Leadership Team meetings last year, parents kept bringing up concerns regarding homework. “A lot of families were feeling like the homework was kind of making their children feel under pressure or frustrated after school,” says Alexis Hernandez, a first-grade teacher at P.S. 118.

These sentiments about homework are not unique to P.S. 118.

Homework has been “a part of the discussion around education throughout the 20th century as people debated what should kids be doing in school and what should kids be doing outside of school,” says Thomas Hatch, Ed.D., co-director of the National Center for Restructuring Education, Schools, and Teaching. “I think the latest incarnation of the concerns about homework has come along with the concerns of the proliferation of testing. So, I think, right now concerns about homework, concerns about testing, concerns about academic pressure on kids are all kind of coming to the forefront.”

While those concerns are being voiced, there is a huge divide in this country among parents. There are “parents who are very focused on high academic achievement and really push their kids.

Those are the parents who want homework,” says Etta Kralovec, Ed.D., author of The End of Homework: How Homework Disrupts Families, Overburdens Children, and Limits Learning. “And then

20

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

there’s another group of parents who want their kids to have well-rounded lives, who want their kids to be involved in church activities, or they want their kids to be in Scouting.”

With the regular school day, extracurricular clubs and activities, and sports teams, many parents and students are lamenting how much time homework takes, and parents and educators are questioning whether it really benefits the kids.

Finding a Balance

Hatch doesn’t think teachers should stop assigning homework altogether, but should work to find a balance between activities that support academic development and activities that support other aspects of development.

“My take on that is really to look at it in the broader perspective.

It’s not just about homework per se, it’s about how much time and focus do we want to see kids having on academic activities,” says Hatch, who is also a professor at Teachers College, Columbia University. “It’s really about how do we create a balance between a focus on academics and activities to embrace a wider set of abilities.”

The question of balance isn’t just a hot topic in the U.S.; there are debates going on in many countries, including Korea, China, and Singapore, according to Hatch. The concern is kids are spending too much time in tutoring centers. “It’s kind of like an educational arms race where the parents are concerned about kids spending too much time outside of school cramming for tests…but at the same time they’re worried that if they don’t put their kids into those centers or don’t support continuing their academic focus after school,

then those kids are going to fall behind,” Hatch says. “That’s in part what you see in the U.S. as well.”

It’s possible to find that balance with and without homework, Hatch says. If students are spending their entire school day on reading, math, writing—the basic academic skills—and going home with worksheets, “that’s a problem,” he says. If, on the other hand, students have time for recess, play, music, and art during the school day, it’s okay, developmentally, for them to have some homework relating to their academic work.

Ending Homework

“I don’t see any benefit to keeping homework,” says Kralovec, who is also an associate professor of Teacher Education and the program director of Graduate Teacher Education at the University of Arizona South. “There’s just no research that says it develops any kind of abilities or characteristics in student behavior that they actually need in life.”

At the elementary level, there is no research that shows homework increases academic achievement. “In fact, most of the research says that it’s detrimental to kids because they’ve been in school all day and they need to exercise other parts of themselves other than just their school self,” Kralovec says. “I think that’s why a lot of elementary schools are really looking at getting rid of it.”

At the middle- and high-school levels, though, the research is less clear that homework doesn’t support academic achievement.

“There’s a correlation between homework and grades, but the correlation is very weak. Homework may be part of a good student practice by the time you get to high school, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that the homework is actually effective,” she says.

With the proliferation of articles in the past few years about

school-induced stress, we know today’s students feel significant pressure to achieve—especially kids who want to go to college and think they have to be involved in various activities and in the community.

Kralovec says homework, in some way, impedes high school students’ ability to become involved in their communities and develop interests that don’t grow out of school experiences.

“I know some people say [homework] teaches kids responsibility, it teaches kids discipline, but there are just no studies that show it does any of that,” she says. “So for me, I like to think that there’s almost a firewall between the school and the child’s family life.”

Homework Alternatives

Back at P.S. 118’s SLT meetings, “parents were asking the teachers what they were doing with the homework,” Hernandez says.

Not much, as it turns out. Rather than grading the homework and using it to plan future instruction, the teachers at P.S. 118 were mostly just checking to make sure the students completed and turned in their homework packets, Hernandez says.

“So we really just kind of sat back and we thought what kind of program can we implement that would be more beneficial to our students, to our families, and to the teachers,” Hernandez says. “At P.S. 118, we really try to put a lot of play and hands-on learning in our curriculum, and so we thought why don’t we extend that into our after-school homework program as well and try to make it more interactive, more play-based, and more hands-on?”

The result of that brainstorm session was Exercise Your Brain, which Hernandez created with Matt Weeks and Laura Willeford, both thirdgrade teachers at P.S. 118. The three teachers looked to the program P.S. 11: The William T. Harris School in Chelsea, Manhattan, uses, continued on next page ››

SCHOOL MARKETPLACE

Serving 3 months - 6 years of age (ALL MEALS INCLUDED)

www.preschoolofamerica.us | A Year-Round Program Mon-Fri 8:00am-6:00pm

Special Programs Piano class • Art class Dance class • Karate class Yoga class • Soccer class Foreign language class Competitive strategy and literacy based PRE-K CURRICULUM preparing children for KINDERGARTEN & BEYOND

Brooklyn Schools 382 Baltic Street/Cobble Hill (718) 855-2889

859 60th Street/Bay Ridge (718) 686-8335 BrooklynParent 21

‹‹ continued from previous page

the Home-Based Optional Practice. With HOP, teachers provide families with a list of optional activities (with individual and family approaches to each activity) for every grade level.

“We put together a menu of activities that would hit on a lot of different profiles of learning,” Willeford says. “We wanted to create an opportunity where kids could express their learning and their engagement in school in a variety of modalities.

EYB is a menu of activities that changes monthly from which kids can choose an activity to complete. While participation in EYB is not required, Weeks has found that “100-percent of students participate, and they’ve participated a handful of times so far,” he says.

Exercise Your Brain was implemented at the beginning of the school year, and though it met with some hesitation from the parents, the feedback now is positive.

“I remember having mixed feelings, because while I support innovation in education, this no homework idea was foreign to me,” says Debbie Farrell, a mother of first- and second-grade boys at P.S. 118.

“My 7-year-old son used to delay starting his homework, or skip it altogether. Now he and his brother both start talking about which EYB activity they can do, even before we are home from school.

They are also able to do some EYB activities together, like the science experiment making invisible ink. They seem more patient with each other as well.”

Oliver Stockhammer, father of third-grade Jovan, says, “Maria [Jovan’s mother] and I feel that this program has engaged the children on such a higher level than simple homework worksheets, getting them ownership of the projects, selecting and following through.”

“I’m also seeing [increased engagement] in the classroom,” Willeford says. “My class is probably the most engaged class I’ve

had, and I think a lot of that is attributed to the fact that they have been able to be creative and have self-initiated learning.”

The kids are loving EYB, too. “You have fun with EYB because you’re making something and learning a lot about different things,” Jovan says. “You don’t have to do homework all night long, and you get to present to the class and get to show what you did. With normal homework you just hand it in.”

Making Changes in Your School

The one resounding piece of advice everyone gave: Changing the homework policy at your children’s school should be a major discussion within the school community. Each school “needs to deal with the issue from the context of that school community. It really requires all parents to get involved to try to shape the work at the school so there’s a balance between school life and family life,” Kralovec says.

“You do really have to look at your population, and you need to talk to the stakeholders. Talk to the principal, go to the SLT and make a presentation,” Garraway says. “We talked about it in SLT all last year, and we implemented [Exercise Your Brain] this year because homework just kept coming up” as an issue.

It’s also important to look at how scaling back or ending homework will affect all kids in terms of their performance at school.

“Those who love academics may thrive when there’s more to do.

Those who are already disengaged from school may find it even more problematic if there’s too much activity, and then they respond when the homework is cut back, but it may not benefit them unless they’re also given alternate ways to improve their educational performance or to get engaged in academic activities,” Hatch says. “It’s about finding that right balance that allows every student to get the kind of academic support they need.”

SCHOOL MARKETPLACE

Success without Stress Make a New Year’s Resolu�on For Your Child!

TEACHING CHRISTIAN VALUES

INTEGRATING NYS LEARNING STANDARDS • Stress-free learning environment • Small class size

51

• Designated as a “No Place for Hate” school by the ADL

MUSIC EDUCATION

COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY

• Equips students with social and intellectual skills • State of the art facility and components • Project-based learning

• Performing Arts Program

OPEN HOUSE

Sun. Feb. 12th, 2017

2:00pm - 4:00pm or CALL FOR A PERSONAL TOUR!

22

Leif E ricson Day School 1037—72nd Street, Brooklyn NY • 718-748-9023

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

org

like us on facebook

Open School Night for New Families

Wednesday, January 18, 2017 • 7:00 pm-8:30 pm

Serving children in Nursery through Grade 8

DGK

SCHOOL MARKETPLACE "Continuing a Tradition of Excellence in Education"

Dimitrios & Georgia Kaloidis

Parochial School Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church

MIDDLE SCHOOL TESTING PROGRAMS H.S. Entrance Exam Test Prep SHSAT - TACHS - ISEE ELA & MATH State Exam Test Prep

Middle School Open House January 18th, 2017 6:00 P.M. New York State Regents Credits

Integrated Algebra, Living Environment, Greek Language, American History and Government

NYS Common Core Curriculum Greek Orthodox, Ethics, Values, and Religion Extracurricular Activities

Basketball, Volleyball, Cheerleading, Greek Dance, Community Service, and More Scholarship & Financial Assistance Available DGK is a Nursery, Pre-K For All and Grades K-8 School.

New York State Certified Faculty Individualized Instruction for Students

Currently Accepting Applications | All Grades | 2017-2018 School Year 8502 Ridge Boulevard, Brooklyn N.Y. 11209 | 718-836-8096 | www.dgkschool.org | info@dgkschool.org

Creativity. Laughter. Imagination.

All the essentials are here.

CURRICULUM • TECHNOLOGY • HEALTH & FITNESS • CHARACTER

COMING SOON! We have a designated time for learning. Always.

®

Come see how Life Essentials®, including our Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum, Technology, Health & Fitness and Character Education programs, are preparing children for school and for life.

Enroll your child by 12/15/2016 and be entered to win an

NOW ENROLLING!

Call today to reserve your spot.

Kiddie Academy® of Williamsburg | 718-599-5437 288 South 5th Street Brooklyn, NY 11211 | kiddieacademy.com/williamsburg I N FA N T S

•

TODDLERS

•

PRESCHOOL •

BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL

IPAD MINI! New customers only.

Not redeemable for cash.

One offer per child.

Call academy for details.

•

SUMMER CAMP

BrooklynParent 23

6802 8th Ave. 718-748-6802 aplusnewyork.com A+ Academy is a neighborhood supplemental education provider and test prep center. We provide enrichment classes for all grades in math, ELA, and creative writing.

In addition, we offer extensive summer and fall SHSAT prep courses and SAT/ACT prep courses for rising eighth and 11th graders as they prepare for high school and college admissions.

Our classes run from Monday-Friday during the summer, and on Saturdays or Sundays during the school year. New courses are offered every year, so please stop by any of our three Brooklyn locations to inquire if interested.

Manhattan Corlears School, 324 W. 15th St., Manhattan Avenues: The World School, 259 Tenth Ave., Manhattan Bard Graduate Center, 38 W. 86th St., Manhattan Dwight School, 291 Central Park West, Manhattan constructionkids.com info@constructionkids.com Old-school tools, new-school learning. Holiday programs, birthday parties, and field trips.

Kids love to make things and be creative. It’s how they learn about the world around them.

They just need their imagination, some great materials, and a safe, encouraging environment. Our kids work on projects adapted for small hands, using real tools. Surrounded by other kids and great instructors, we see their creativity come alive. And most of all, they have fun!

Brienza’s Academic Advantage

FasTracKids

Academic Enrichment & Educational Services A+ Academy

8696 18th Ave. 1902 Avenue T 259 Rose Ave., Staten Island 718-232-0114 brienzas.com Brienza’s Academic Advantage offers a wide variety of academic programs for students attending kindergarten through 12th grade. We specialize in reading and math tutoring along with TACHS, SHSAT, Regents, SAT and ACT preparation. Our programs provide students with the opportunity to increase their skills and knowledge, enabling them to reach their full potential.

Programs offered: tutoring in all subjects, test preparation courses, and SETSS (P-4) services. Call our office to speak with our educational specialists who can help you choose the best option for your child.

ConstructionKids

Brooklyn Navy Yard, BLDG92, 63 Flushing Ave. The Co-Op School, 40 Brevoort Place The British International School Of New York, 20 Waterside Plaza,

24

Williamsburg, Sheepshead Bay, Bay Ridge/Dyker Heights, Park Slope 347-983-2229 ftkny.com FasTracKids offers supplemental programs and classes for children ages 2-14. We offer a suite of world-class educational enrichment programs, which are designed to help children accelerate their education, utilizing the latest in research driven, brain-based learning. Our centers offer a variety of programs ranging from preschool, to gifted and talented test prep and programs, to math and English tutoring and enrichment including NYS test prep, to science, as well as STEAM enrichment classes. FasTracKids is an international organization with locations in more than 52 countries worldwide. Visit us at ftkny.com

Get-A-Tutor

getatutor.com info@getatutor.com Get-A-Tutor is a new online tutoring platform that specializes in creating a safe and effective

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

learning experience for young learners, kindergarten to 12th grades. Our tutors are hand-selected to ensure safety and quality, as well as their ability to identify your child’s unique learning style for a tailored tutoring session. The Get-A-Tutor platform also provides a secure learning environment filled with tools to help enhance any lesson.

Huntington Learning Center

808 Union St., Park Slope 718-230-4600 huntingtonhelps.com Huntington Learning Center’s tips for parents at mid-year report card time: The new year is upon us, which means it’s time for midyear report cards, which can stir up stress for children struggling with school. Huntington Learning Center reminds parents that the mid-year report card should be used as a tool to identify issues and seek help to address them during the remainder of the school year. Since 1977, Huntington has helped students develop the skills, confidence, and motivation they need to succeed. Call 1-800-CAN-LEARN (226-5327) or visit huntingtonhelps.com for more information.

Lango Kids NYC

93 3rd Ave. (at Bergen Street) 917-300-8789 langokidsnyc.com langonewyork@gmail.com Lango Kids NYC is an award-winning, Boerum Hillbased language school, offering an array of Spanish and Mandarin immersion classes to children ages 12 months to 8 years. In all of our classes—be it a toddler-caregiver, preschool alternative, after-school, or summer program— children learn a new language through our innovative teaching approach called Adventure Learning™. Combining music, movement, arts, and storytelling, this method is strategically designed to foster an interest in language-learning and cultural studies and to keep students actively engaged in every class.

S

OO CH L

SPECIA

L

Schools & Educational Services Guide

A directory of top area schools, tutors, and other academic services to help you make the best decisions for your child

New York City Tae Kwon Do

7909 3rd Ave. 718-625-5425 526 Court St. nyctaekwondo.com nyctkd@aol.com Every child needs a sense of achievement. There is no greater reward than seeing yourself do what you set your mind to. Our program helps give children the foundation for commitment, dedication, and greatness in athletic ability. It provides children with the necessary basic skills to do well in all sports. It helps develop their balance, coordination, patience, good listening skills, respect, courtesy, and self-confidence. It provides children with the necessary body control and endurance that are the cornerstones of success. After-school program includes pick-up at school, help with homework, and taekwondo classes.

Probot Artistry

1000 Dean St., Suite 242 718-230-0383 probotartistry.com Probot Artistry is an exciting and innovative out-of-school time robotics program for children ages 5 and older. We provide after-school programming, school holiday mini camps, weekend workshops, and summer enrichment programs. Our classes include Lego® Robotics, 3D Printing, Arduino, Chess, and Brain Science. Probot Artistry’s goal is to spark interest in the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) fields by providing hands-on, project-based learning in an engaging, dynamic setting in which children use critical thinking, creativity, problem solving, and higher order thinking skills to solve complex real world problems.

RSM Russian School of Mathematics

2115 Benson Ave. 516-551-6428 brooklyn@russianschool.com 322 Port Washington Blvd., Port Washington

continued on p. 26 ››

SCHOOL MARKETPLACE

MIND POWER

Special Program for 2 & 3 year olds!

Register Now!

S TORY B OOK L AND 8638 20th Ave 718-996-8714

2017 - 2018

Advanced Pre-K Program Available Call for Information!

Beginning Reading & Math Programs...

Extend your child’s current knowledge. Remember, a Child’s basic development takes place before Age 5!

We accept ACD Vouchers

“Join us for a free session”

You’ll be glad you did!

(718) 221-5095

(718) 384-1386

Apply by April 1st, 2017 At CWC your child will receive:

PREPARE FOR FIRST GRADE! $50 Off Registration Fee Call for Information Register Now!

K - 5th GRADE STUDENTS

Apply online at www.cwc-crownheights.org or www.cwc-williamsburg.org

START COMMON CORE YOUNG!

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS AVAILABLE FOR KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS

APPLY NOW

2017 - 2018

Keep Your Child’s Skills Sharp.

Tutoring For K-8 Call For Info.

CARING FOR CHILDREN FOR OVER 40 YEARS!

+ A free progressive education within a diverse school setting; + Small class size where all students receive individualized attention; + in every room; + Art, music, dance, and yoga instruction for all students; + After-school enrichment program until 5:45pm; + Pupil transportation Citizens of the World Crown Heights Charter School 791 Empire Boulevard, Brooklyn, NY 11213 enroll.ch@cwc-newyork.org

Citizens of the World Williamsburg Charter School 424 Leonard Street, 3rd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11222 enroll.wb@cwc-newyork.org

“The BEST Investment in Your Child’s Future!!”

ST. BERNADETTE CATHOLIC ACADEMY Catholic Elementary School - 1313-83rd Street, Brooklyn, New York 11228

Over $350,000 awarded in scholarships to the Class of 2016!

NCLB NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE Pre-K 3 year through Grade 8 | Moms and Tots (2 years old)

OPEN HOUSE TOURS January 29th

January 31st

February 2nd

10:30am–12:30pm

9:15am–11:15am & 12:45pm–2:15pm

5:00pm–7:00pm

REGISTER BY APPOINTMENT

“WELCOME WEDNESDAYS”

Pre-K 3 year through Grade 6

(All Wednesdays that school is in session) Guided tours available by appointment

Tuesday, February 7th & Thursday, February 9th, 2017

9:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

For more information please contact us by: Phone: (718) 236-1560 • Fax: (718) 236-3364 • Email: stbernadette83@yahoo.com • Website: www.stbernadetteschool.org Facebook: St. Bernadette School, Brooklyn, NY • Twitter: stbernadettebk • Instagram: stbernadettebk

BrooklynParent 25

SCHOOL MARKETPLACE

n Us For Come Joi , and music yo ba, ga kid‛s zum ccredited E A N YC A Program!

Registration for September 2017 will take place in January.

Please call for details.

Free Full Day U.P.K. Program for All Call for Information!

ResouRces ARticles

Find everything you need, faster at

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

portwashington@russianschool.com 516-551-6428 russianschool.com The Russian School of Mathematics is an award-winning, after-school math enrichment program for students in kindergarten to 12th grades. Our approach is based on the best practices of advanced math schools in the former Soviet Union and Europe, adapted to the U.S. educational environment for students of all abilities.

We help our students to become thinkers and analysts by enabling them to understand mathematical concepts at a high level, and at an early age.

The Tutoring Club of Bay Ridge

Need a staycation?

26

‹‹ continued from p. 24

7811 3rd Ave., Bay Ridge 718-748-8867 bayridgeny@tutoringclub.com The Tutoring Club is dedicated to helping students increase their subject skills and self-esteem. We utilize the most advanced curriculum in tutoring, maintain low student-to-tutor ratios, pinpoint and correct problems, motivate our students, and provide qualified instructors certified in the use of the programs and committed to ensuring each child’s success. Our Core Programs are Math, ELA, and Writing Skills. We have high school math and sciences tutors available. Test prep programs for NYS Grade Level, Gifted and Talented, SSHSAT, TACHS, ISEE, GED, and SAT tests. Homework Help sessions.

Ume Ume Music + Arts

319 4th Ave., (between 2nd and 3rd streets), Park Slope 718-768-0800 umeumearts.com info@umeumearts.com Our name, “ume ume”, reflects the focus of our program and the importance of bringing everyone together (ume = you + me), as we create and learn about our world through music and the arts. Our enrichment programs implement a completely original curriculum through an arts integrated approach, introducing children to both classical and modern music focusing on instruments such as the piano and violin, while also learning about history’s most famous artists, musicians, and composers. Programs offered are group enrichment classes, drop-in

classes (sing-alongs, open-play, and art), private lessons, and birthday parties.

Charter Schools Citizens of the World Charter School

Citizens of the World Charter School Crown Heights 791 Empire Blvd.

718-221-5095 cwc-crownheights.org Citizens of the World Charter School Williamsburg 424 Leonard St. 718-384-1386 cwc-williamsburg.org enroll@cwcbrooklyn.org Our mission is to provide a socioeconomically, culturally, and racially diverse community of students. Our schools offer an intellectually challenging, experiential learning environment that develops the student’s confidence, potential, and individual responsibility as a citizen of the world. Both of our schools offer differentiated class size and teaching models, as well as art, dance, and music instruction for all students. Contact us today to apply.

Hellenic Classical Charter School

Kindergarten through eighth grade Joy Petrakos, director 646 5th Ave., Park Slope 718-499-0957 x209 hccs-nys.org HCCS offers a rigorous classical education that is rich in challenging content, instructs all students using the Core Knowledge curriculum, and supplements all instruction with classical study of the Greek and Latin languages, as well as history, art, and other cultural studies.

Preschools ABC Child Center

109 Nassau Ave., Greenpoint 718-389-9004 abcchildcenter.com info@abcchildcenter.com Providing child care since 1993.

ABC’s goal is to provide safe, age-appropriate, and stimulating programs for children from ages 3 months to 5 years, while fulfilling their need to laugh, learn, play, make new friends, and discover new things. Utilizing age-appropriate curriculum,

along with the support of its families and devoted staff, ABC will ensure that every child achieves success and set them on a path of lifelong learning. ABC is open year-round, Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm with rolling admission. For more information or to schedule a tour, email info@ abcchildcenter.com.

Juguemos a Cantar

357 6th St. 511 5th Ave. 917-453-1187 juguemos.org info@juguemos.org Juguemos a Cantar is a group of Spanish Immersion Preschools based in Park Slope, and serving the community with programs and classes designed to provide an environment in which children learn Spanish through play, music, socialization, and academics.

Contact us for information on the different programs available to start your child’s bilingual journey at their most brilliant stage of development with the help of our qualified bilingual teachers or join one of our tours!

For this and more, please visit our website

Kiddie Academy

288 S. 5th St. 718-599-KIDS (5467) kiddieacademy.com/williamsburg Kiddie Academy, the leading provider of comprehensive education-based child care programs, is coming soon to the Brooklyn area. For more than 30 years the company has been successful in combining learning with child care, preparing young children for school and for life. The new, two-story Kiddie Academy of Williamsburg will offer more than 8,000-square-feet of learning space, with a capacity to serve 99 from ages 6 weeks to 12 years. The Williamsburg location utilizes the Kiddie Academy Life Essentials® curriculum created to promote each child’s intellectual, social, physical, and emotional growth. For more information, visit kiddieacademy.com/ williamsburg.

Little Hands & Feet

1270 Bay Ridge Parkway 718-680-KIDS (5437) littlehandsandfeetdaycare.com Little Hands & Feet was found-

ed by Aneshah, who has been certified in child care for 20 years. Our goal is to provide a healthy, safe, and nurturing environment while focusing on educational and social development.

We believe each child is special and unique. Our staff is dedicated, qualified, and trained in CPR. At Little Hands & Feet be assured it is a home away from home and your child will have the best care available. Hours of operation: Monday-Friday, 6:30am-6:30pm. Free full-day UPK program for all! Call for information.

Music Together

Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Sheepshead Bay, Flatbush, Mill Basin, Marine Park 718-499-2866 musictogetherbr.com Park Slope (two locations) nikoskids.com 718-369-3099 Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Bed-Stuy 212-604-4307 musictogetherfortgreene.com Music Together is an international educational program founded on the belief that all children are musical, and that music is a perfect way for children to learn and grow. We sing, dance, and play instruments in a fun, informal, supportive atmosphere. Limited to 12 children with parent or caregiver.

Classes meet once a week for 45 minutes. Morning, afternoon, evening, or weekend class times available. Newborn to age 5.

Free demonstration classes offered. Sessions start in September, January, April, and July.

SCHOOL MARKETPLACE

SMART START Early Childhood Center, Inc.

8411 Fort Hamilton Parkway Brooklyn, NY 11209 Phone 718-921-1868 Fax 718-921-6713

Registration for Fall 2017!

Full /School Day Sessions Available OPEN HOUSE TOURS!

Thursday • January 5th & 12th 2017 • 9:45 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

Monday • January 9th, 2017 • 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

FREE Full Day D.O.E. Pre-K For All!

Our curriculum helps children understand and develop skills which will enable them to succeed and make sense of the world through: Dramatic Play, Free Play, Outdoor Play, Arts, Crafts, Music and Movement while incorporating: Literacy, Math, Science and Social Studies

Child Centered, Certified Teachers, Extended House, Year Round Care

Our Lady of Grace Montessori School

“Inspiring confidence, lifelong learning and compassionate citizenship rooted in a rich Montessori curriculum for Nursery through Third Grade since 1968.”

Park Slope North / Helen Owen Carey

71 Lincoln Place 718-638-4100 universitysettlement.org/us/ programs/early_childhood/park_ slope_north/ psnhoc@universitysettlement.org Park Slope North / Helen Owen Carey is an early care and education program serving children ages 2-4. In collaboration with the DOE, it offers pre-K for all. Park Slope North / Helen Owen Carey has a wonderful rooftop playground, and a partnership with Brooklyn / Queens Music Conservatory.

For more information, please call 718-638-4100. continued on next page ››

KIND • JOYFUL • COMPASSIONATE • COLLABORATIVE PEACEFUL • RESPECTFUL • CONFIDENT

“Montessori education provides a child-centered curriculum based on each individual student.”

29 Shelter Rock Road Manhasset, NY 11030

www.olgmanhasset.com 516.365.9832

Call Now to Enroll. Space Is Limited.

BrooklynParent 27

SCHOOL MARKETPLACE Play-based. Progressive.

Serving families and children since 1999.

Tours are available for applying families!

We have full and half day options for 2, 3 and 4 year olds.

Applications for the 2017-2018 school year are available on our website.

The Williamsburg Neighborhood Nursery School

54 South Second Street, Brooklyn, NY 11249 wnns.org • (718) 782-4181 • info@wnns.org

Redeemer- St. John’s Toddler - 2 Half Days Nursery - 3 Full Days Nursery School PRE-K - 5 Full Days Early Childhood School for 2, 3 & 4 Year Olds Fully Accredited

A CREATIVE CURRICULUM FOR ALL ASPECTS OF GROWTH INCLUDING READING READINESS AND MATH SKILLS Call for Information about Our Free Full Day U.P.K. Class

Open House:

Saturday January 21, 2017 • 10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.

939-83rd St.

718.833.7700

Quality Education In A Nurturing Environment Become Part of Our Family!

Our unique, inclusive and welcoming experienced staff , engaging, innovative programs - state of the art environment will astonish you!

Flexible Schedule and Fees

Customize your preferred days per week and hours per day

Call to Schedule a FREE Tour Now! 718-388-5600 • twobytwoacademy.com 418 Keap Street • Brooklyn , NY

need to plan the perfect party?

Find venues, entertainers, suppliers, and other ideas to create the ideal party in our online Parent Resources Directory.

NYMetroParents.coM 28

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

‹‹ continued from previous page

Redeemer St. John’s Nursery School 939 83rd St. 718-833-7700 Redeemer St. John’s Nursery School has served the community for more than 40 years and is licensed by the New York City Department of Health. Our goal is to foster a child’s positive self-image, encourage curiosity, and promote cooperation by providing rich experiences and opportunities for problem solving, self-expression, and logical thinking. Our thematic curriculum focuses on fun, age-appropriate activities integrated into all subject areas. In addition to offering a two-day toddler program, we offer a three-day (fullor half-day) nursery program and a free UPK program for children born in 2012.

Smart Start Early Learning Center

8411 Fort Hamilton Parkway 718-921-1868 smartstart@verizon.net While providing a safe, warm, and nurturing environment, our staff addresses the social, emotional, and physical needs of children. Through thematic units, arts and crafts, and dramatic play, the “whole” child will flourish.

Full- and part-time classes for ages 2-3, and free universal pre-K for age 4, with extended-day option. Open year-round; summer program available.

Stepping Stones Nursery School

245 86th St., Bay Ridge 718-630-1000 steppingstones86.com Join our programs and share the joys of early exploration and discovery. Watch your child grow through hands-on learning and small group instruction with our certified, warm, and friendly teachers. Stepping Stones offers programs for ages 2, 3, preschool (age 4), and pre-K. Full- and part-time enrollment available. We are open from 7am-6:30pm. An after-school program is also available for kindergarten-fifth grades.

Storybook Land

8638 20th Ave. 718-996-8714 Give your child a superior beginning! All teachers are certified in early childhood development.

Programs include half- and fullday, and extended time from ages 2-5. Mind Power is our special

program for ages 2-3. Preschool and kindergarten activities, fitness program, trips, music, math, and reading readiness are available.

We offer a powerful first-grade prep for kindergarten students only! Give your child a head start with our after-school tutoring program focusing on common core standards. After-school tutoring program is available for homework help and test prep for kindergarten through eighth grade. Call for information: 718996-8714.

Treasure Island

347 74th St. (corner of 4th Avenue and 74th Street) 718-238-7676 silbekidz@aol.com Every child deserves a champion who connects with them and helps them to become the best they can be. At Treasure Island, you will find that our staff are champions for all children helping each child to become confident, motivated, engaged learners. The program promotes social competencies, active thinking, problem solving skills, and an awareness of the diversity in our world, building a foundation of respect for differences. We serve children ages 2½-4. Hours are 7:15am6pm, Monday-Friday. Meals included. Music and Zumba. UPK, Maria Nogueira, director.

Two By Two Childcare

418 Keap St. twobytwoacademy.com Two By Two Childcare Academy is a locally owned day care center, serving clients in the Brooklyn area. Our ultimate goal is to guide and nurture each child’s development using materials that aide in their social, physical, emotional, aesthetic, and creative expression and cognitive development. We create a community in which the staff, children, and parents work together to achieve our shared vision. We take pride in the quality of trustworthy child care we provide, and know you will agree. Contact us today for more information!

The Williamsburg Neighborhood Nursery School

54 S. Second St. 718-782-4181 wnns.org info@wnns.org At the Williamsburg Neighbor-

hood Nursery School our curriculum is play-based, child-centered, and focused on social-emotional growth. Here at WNNS we combine the safety and comfort of home with the social and intellectual stimulation of school.

Private Schools ABC Child Center

109 Nassau Ave., Greenpoint 718-389-9004 abcchildcenter.com info@abcchildcenter.com Providing child care since 1993.

ABC’s goal is to provide safe, age-appropriate, and stimulating programs for children from ages 3 months to 5 years, while fulfilling their need to laugh, learn, play, make new friends, and discover new things. Utilizing age-appropriate curriculum, along with the support of its families and devoted staff, ABC will ensure that every child achieves success and set them on a path of lifelong learning. ABC is open year-round, Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm with rolling admission. For more information or to schedule a tour, email info@ abcchildcenter.com.

Leif Ericson Day School

1037 72nd St. 718-748-9023 Christine Hauge, principal ledsny.org Leif Ericson Day School, celebrating more than 50 years of quality Christian education for children in nursery-eighth grade, offers an outstanding Early Childhood Education program. Small class sizes promote personalized attention.

Focus is on full development of the child to foster innate love of learning in a caring, safe environment. LEDS offers developmentally appropriate lessons in music, math, science, social studies, computers, and reading readiness. Rest time promotes alertness, memory, and performance. Playtime fosters imagination and creativity while promoting socialization, problem-solving, and language skills. Call for a personal tour!

Two By Two Childcare

418 Keap St. twobytwoacademy.com Two By Two Childcare Academy is a locally owned day care center, serving clients in the Brooklyn

area. Our ultimate goal is to guide and nurture each child’s development using materials that aide in their social, physical, emotional, aesthetic, and creative expression and cognitive development. We create a community in which the staff, children, and parents work together to achieve our shared vision. We take pride in the quality of trustworthy child care we provide, and know you will agree. Contact us today for more information!

Parochial Schools The Dimitrios and Georgia Kaloidis Parochial School (DGK)

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church, 8502 Ridge Blvd.

718-836-8096 dgkschool.com principal@dgkschool.org The Dimitrios and Georgia Kaloidis Greek American Parochial School is committed to providing students from nursery, pre-K, and kindergarten through eighth grade, with a quality education that emphasizes academic achievement, and social, emotional, and spiritual development, while preparing them for 21st-century college and career readiness.

SCHOOL MARKETPLACE We’re learning step-by-step at...

School Programs

• Two Year Old Classes • Three Year Old Classes • Four Year Old Classes

Kindergarten through 5th grade

Full and Half Day Programs Available

FOR SUMMER & FALL

2017 ENROLLMENT Open House

School Session:

Tuesdays 5:30pm to 7:30pm at 245 86th Street January 24th

September – June

Summer Session:

for children born 2013 and 2014

July – August

January 31st

for children born 2013 and 2014

Please call or email us to schedule a tour to view the school.

February 7th

for children born 2015

Nursery School

245 86th street • brooklyn, ny 11209 • p.718-630-1000 • f.718-630-1446

The Next Step

9321 ridge boulevard • brooklyn, ny 11209 • p.718-630-1001

steppingstones86.com • Steppingstones86@aol.com

Fig Tree Jewish Education Program

Multiple locations figtreeprogram.com Fig Tree is an independent Jewish education program for children ages 3-11. We offer small, engaging, weekly classes throughout Brooklyn, for families seeking a Hebrew School alternative. In a fun and inclusive environment, kids learn about Jewish holidays, rituals, culture, and text experientially, through art, crafting, drama, filmmaking, cooking, and gardening. We teach Hebrew, too!

Leif Ericson Day School

1037 72nd St. 718-748-9023 Christine Hauge, principal ledsny.org Leif Ericson Day School, celebrating more than 50 years of quality Christian education for children in nursery-eighth grade, offers an outstanding Early Childhood Education program.

Small class sizes promote personalized attention. Focus is on full development of the child to foster innate love of learning in a caring, safe environment. LEDS

continued on next page ››

WINDMILL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Accredited Preschool, Elementary, JHS & Academic Summer Camp A PEACEFUL PLACE TO LEARN SINCE 1941 Proudly Celebrating 75 Years of Quality Education

Windmill’s environment encourages children to • learn naturally at their own pace • find and develop their own interests, and get the individual attention needed to thrive

CURRICULUM ADVANTAGES Montessori Method, French, Computer Skills, Physical Education, Yoga, Music, Art

PLUS MORE

Small Class Size, Dedicated Staff,

After School Program (3:40-5:45pm) 718-375-7973

OPEN H January OUSE 1 Februa 1& 26 ry 8 & 23 9:00 10:30 a m

718-375-4277

e -m a i l : admissions@windmontsch.org website: www.windmontsch.org Windmill is non-sectarian. Licensed by The New York City Department of Health Affiliated with The American Montessori Society

1 3 1 7 A v e n u e T @ E a s t 1 4 t h S t r e e t B r o o k l y n, N Y 1 1 2 2 9

BrooklynParent 29

SCHOOL MARKETPLACE

St. Sebastian Catholic Academy BUILDING STRONG VALUES Nursery through Grade 8

OPEN HOUSE January 31st and February 2nd 9:00 AM - 11:AM 39-76 58th Street Woodside, NY 11377 718-429-1982 www.stsebastianacademy.org

• FREE Universal Pre-K for All • FREE in grades 6, 7 & 8 sponsored by Maspeth Town Hall.

• Partnership with Monsignor McClancy High School for advanced classes • The Graduating Class of 2016 earned over $800,000 in Catholic high schools in NewYork City.

Open year-round, Rolling admission Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 6:00 pm

ABC Infant & Toddler Center ABC’s goal is to provide safe, age-appropriate and stimulating programs for children up to five years old, while fulfilling their need to laugh, learn, play, make new friends and discover new things.

Providing quality child care since 1993. Child Care for Infants & Toddlers, ages 3 - 24 months

ABC Child Center

Child Care and Preschool for children ages 2 - 5 years

Full Day, Half Day Programs & Drop-off Care Available 109 Nassau Avenue, Greenpoint - Brooklyn, NY (718) 389-9004 • www.abcchildcenter.com For more information or to schedule a tour email us at info@abcchildcenter.com

Registering Now!

1270-Bayridge Pkway BIG BEAUTIFUL BRIGHT STIMULATING WELCOMING & NURTURING ENVIRONMENT Professional Dedicated Experienced Staff who will care for your children!

Call for Information about our Infant and Toddler Program!

FREE FULL DAY U.P.K for ALL!

“We believe every child is special” Hours of operation is Mon-Fri 6:30am to 6:30pm

718-680-KIDS

www.littlehandsandfeetdaycare.com All Teachers Certified and Licensed by Dept of Ed & CPR trained

30

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

‹‹ continued from previous page

offers developmentally appropriate lessons in music, math, science, social studies, computers, and reading readiness. Rest time promotes alertness, memory, and performance. Playtime fosters imagination and creativity while promoting socialization, problem-solving, and language skills.

Call for a personal tour!

Our Lady of Grace Montessori School

29 Shelter Rock Road, Manhasset 516-365-9832 olgmanhasset.com sister.kelly@olgmanhasset.com Our Lady of Grace is committed to providing an atmosphere that is conducive to spiritual and educational growth. The school strives to foster and maintain an educational experience for children from nursery to third grade, inspiring them to pursue life-long learning. The school has offered high quality education for more than 48 years and is rooted in the core values of love, spirituality, respect, community, and beauty. Our teachers recognize that children learn in different ways and accommodate all learning styles.

Saint Saviour Catholic Academy

Julian Parham Santana, director of admissions, marketing, and development 701 8th Ave., Park Slope 718-768-8000 x4 saintsaviourcatholicacademy.org Saint Saviour Catholic Academy prepares students from nursery to eighth grade for higher education. We welcome and support diversity of ethnicity and race, religion, socioeconomic background, and learning style.

Our academy offers a balanced curriculum of rigorous academics, designed to meet the common core standards, and a vibrant arts program paired with the spiritual teachings of Catholicism. We welcome you to visit our academy! Schedule a visit with our director of admissions, Julian Parham Santana, see contact information above.

St. Bernadette Catholic Academy

1313 83rd St. 718-236-1560 stbernadetteschool.org stbernadette83@yahoo.com St. Bernadette Catholic Acade-

my provides an atmosphere that fosters religious beliefs, moral values, and a well-balanced academic education resulting from our dedicated faculty and administration. Technology, art, music, Italian, and physical education also add an essential dimension to student life. In addition to academics, students are offered the opportunity to join student council along with a variety of extra-curricular activities. It is always our goal to support the needs of every student to not only prepare for high school, but to prepare for life!

St. Sebastian Catholic Academy

39-76 58th St., Woodside 718-429-1982 stsebastianacademy.org Nursery through eighth grade, including free Universal Pre-K for All. Free after-school academic and recreational programs are offered daily for students in sixth-eighth grades, sponsored on-site by Maspeth Town Hall. An extended day program for students in nursery-fifth grades is available for an additional fee. A partnership with Monsignor McClancy High School Regents classes are offered in algebra and Earth science. Title 1 reading and math, SETSS, speech, and OT are available. You may be eligible for tuition assistance!

Special Education Bakshi Law

Offices in the Financial District, Long Island, and Westchester 917-244-6133 lawbakshi.com lara.bakshi@gmail.com Bakshi Law specializes in special education law. We represent parents and children with disabilities, acquire correct classification under IDEA, ensure proper implementation of IEP, ascertain correct placement for children, and tuition reimbursement. We attend CSE meetings, resolution meetings, and suspension hearings, and all disciplinary hearings for special needs and general education students. Bakshi Law’s attorneys are passionate about your child’s education and offer assistance on a sliding scale for parents experiencing financial difficulties.

SCHOOL MARKETPLACE

Charter School

646 Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn, New York www.hccs-nys.org • 718.499.0957 Grades PRE-K to Eight Open House Dates: December 8th, 2016 @ 6 pm • February 9th, 2017 @ 6 pm • March 11th, 2017 @ 10 am

Goal: To provide students with a rigorous classical education rich in challenging content.

• Partnership with Teachers College Columbia University, The Greek Government, The Sports and Arts Foundation, The Brooklyn Public Library, The Urban Advantage STEM Program, The NYC Ballet, Carnegie Hall Kids, Project Green Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

• NYSED REWARD SCHOOL and High Performance School 2016-2017 • Universal PreK Programs • Received the 2016 Building Brooklyn Award for Community and Culture • NYS and NYC Winners of The National History Day Fair 2015 and 2016 • Paideia Seminars • Regents Courses: Algebra, Earth Science and Greek • Studio in a School Art Residency • Enrichment classes in Greek and Latin • Junior National Honor Society, Student Government and Community Service Projects • NFTE (Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship) • Book Clubs, Chess Fridays, Athletic Clubs, Mighty Milers, Greek Dance Troupe, Science Olympiad, Math Olympiad, NYC Spelling Bee and Geography Bee

Mitzvah Market magazine Your Source for Ideas & Inspiration

Get Your FREE Copy

2016-2017

MITZVAHMARKET.COM

Rituals & Customs:

HOW TO

Personalize Your Service •••

Your single source for:

FASHION TRENDS

g Entertainers g Caterers g Favors g Photographers g Invitations and more...

for the Whole Family •••

MITZVAH PROJECTS: Great Ideas to Give Back

❒ I want a free copy of the 2017 Mitzvah Market magazine Name Address City

State

Phone

Email

Zip

Davler Media Group Fax: 212.271.2239 • Call: 914.290.4716 Email: Distributon@davlermedia.com 498 Seventh Ave., 10th Floor New York, NY 10018

.

WAYS TO CREATE

An Unforgettable Simcha

FREE + COP Y Your Mitzvah CHECKLIST, Budget Worksheet and TIMELINE

BrooklynParent 31

OUTINGS: Queens Museum

nymetroparents.com/outings

Queens’ Most Versatile Museum The 4-in-1 institute is an art museum, classroom, community center, and historical site. ››

Courtesy Queens Museum

4

Courtesy Queens Museum

3

5

Max Touhey

2

Courtesy Queens Museum

The Neustadt Collection of Tiffany Glass

1

By Lauren Diaz

1 A peacock lamp from The Neustadt Collection of Tiffany Glass, a collection that fosters a better understanding and appreciation of the artwork of Louis C. Tiffany. 2 Families can snap a photo in the phosphorescent photo booth at the museum’s annual Spooktacular event in January. 3 Circus Amok!, a New York City-based circus-theater company, provides musical entertainment as guests dance at the museum’s Spooktacular. 4 The museum’s west façade is covered in glass panels spanning the length of the building, which are backlit by programmable LED lighting. 5 The Panorama of the City of New York is a 9,335-squarefoot model of the entire city, which was planned using aerial photographs, fire insurance maps, and other city materials.

The New York City Building was originally built with the purpose of housing the New York City Pavilion at the 1939 World’s Fair.

After hosting another World’s Fair in 1964, it finally became home to The Queens Museum. Within this building you will find a host of unique and educational exhibits, galleries, and fun and interactive programming for your family.

Year-Round Fun

Billed as an indoor helicopter tour and often referred to as the “jewel of the crown of the collection” by staff, The Panorama of the City of New York was one of the most successful attractions at the 1964 World’s Fair. Each of the city’s 895,000 buildings constructed prior to 1992 and every street, park, and some 100 bridges are represented.

Other permanent exhibits include The Neustadt Collection of Tiffany Glass, an extraordinary array of colorful lamps and windows, a 540-square-foot Relief Map of the New York City Water Supply System, and a World’s Fair Visible Storage collection.

The Queens Museum prides itself on educa32

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

tional programming and offers weekly Dropin Family Art Workshops. Families with children ages 5-12 are invited to take part in a number of diverse art projects ranging from designing city blocks to making puppets.

Each year, the museum also offers a number of programs for children and adults with varying abilities through its ArtAccess initiative. The Museum Explorers Club specifically aims to aid families affected by autism. Families participate in creating art inspired by the work in the galleries while exploration and play help bridge connections and build literacy.

for Queens residents who are entering seventh to ninth grades.

Annual Events

Details

The Queens Museum hosts Queens International, a biannual exhibition of artists living or working in Queens. The exhibit aims to highlight and contextualize the vibrancy of the borough through cultural productions in all media.

The museum also offers a number of summer programs including two-week summer camps for children ages 7-11 and a six-week Summer Youth Arts program

January Highlights

Each year, with the help of Circus Amok!, the Queens Museum turns into a spooky wonderland for its Spooktacular event.

The afternoon is full of exciting performances, face painting, art making, and scavenger hunts. This event is ticketed with proceeds benefitting the museum’s Education Department, which provides arts programs for students and adults of all abilities.

Spooktacular will be held Jan. 21, 2-4pm.

Address: New York City Building, Meridian Road, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens Directions: Approximately a 1-hour, 30-minute subway ride from Park Slope Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 11am-5pm Admission: $8; $4 seniors; free for children 18 and younger For more information: queensmuseum.org or 718-592-9700

WHERE EXPLORATION

BEGINS

Our comprehensive educational program provides an optimal environment for every child to create a foundation for a successful future.

• Math, Literacy, Art & Enrichment Programs • Ages 6 months through 5 years • Full and half day childcare services

• Monday - Friday from 7am to 7pm.

Additional hours may be accommodated • We offer home cooked Kosher meals!

NEW LOCATION. REGISTER NOW. (718) 210-3233 littlescholarsnyc.com

52 Quentin Road Now Open Register Today!

PARK SLOPE’S ULTIMATE MUSIC AND ARTS EXPERIENCE FOR CHILDREN NEWBORN TO 12 YEARS OLD

448 Neptune Ave Now Open Register Today!

104 West End Ave Opening Fall 16 Register Today!

4123 Ave U Coming Soon Opening Spring 17!

• Group Music + Arts Enrichment Classes (6 months - 7 years)

• Drop-in Classes Open Play, Story Time, Sign-a-Long, Art Classes & Baby Rhythm-Makers

• Seasonal Music + Arts Day Camps (3 - 8 years)

• Birthday Parties (1 - 12 years)

• Private Piano & Violin Lessons (Beginners 4 years and up)

Our name “ume ume” reflects the focus of our program and the importance of bringing children together (ume = you + me) as we create and learn about our world through music and the arts.

319 4th Avenue @ 3rd Street • Brooklyn • 718-768-0800 www.umeumearts.com • info@umeumearts.com BrooklynParent 33

BAR/BAT MITZVAHS ❖ SWEET SIXTEENS ❖ WEDDINGS

FEBRUARY 12 MANHATTAN | 12-4PM Hilton Midtown 1335 Avenue of the Americas

FREE TICKET With Online Registration & be entered to win a FitBit

CelebrateShowcase.com $10 at the door

34

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

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 First Sundays (No. 4 on our list).

y-day day-b : r u o t ou line ar Check alendar on alend c ood, hborh cost. g i e n h by and Searc type, age, t n eve ily! ted da a d p U

t

nyme

com/c

ents. ropar

WANT US TO INCLUDE YOUR EVENT?

nymetroparents.com/submitevent UPDATED DAILY AT nymetroparents.com/calendar EDITOR: ROSALIND MUGGERIDGE bkcal@davlermedia.com

JANUARY CALENDAR

36 Editor’s Hot Tickets

43 Dance Party

38 We Can’t Believe It’s FREE!,

Smarty Pants

44 Crafty Kids

39 Animal Lovers

45 Holiday Fun

Browse & Buy

40 The Great Outdoors,

Mini Musicians

46 Once Upon a Time,

Show Time!

41 On Screen

47 Special Needs

42 Movers & Shakers

9

EDITOR’S HOT TICKETS

Our calendar is full of great ideas. First, here are the 10 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

Coney Island Polar Bear Club Annual Ocean Swim

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 1, 1pm WHERE: Riegleman Boardwalk, Stillwell Avenue, Coney Island AGES: All WHAT: Help the historic Coney Island Polar Bear Club—the nation’s original winter bathing club—as it embraces 2017 with the annual New Year’s Day Plunge in the Atlantic Ocean in Coney Island.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Celebrate the (chilly!) new year and have fun while raising money for a good cause.

WANT TO GO? $20 suggested donation. 917-533-3568. polarbearclub.org.

Grand Opening Story Time Celebration FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 7, 1:30pm WHERE: Greenlight Bookstore, 632 Flatbush Ave., Prospect Lefferts Gardens AGES: All WHAT: Now that the rush of the holidays are over, Greenlight is officially celebrating the opening of its second location.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Kids and families are invited to join for a staff-led story time, tasty treats, giveaways, activities, and more.

WANT TO GO? 718-246-0200. greenlightbookstore.com.

2

Three Kings Day Parade FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 8, 3-5:30pm WHERE: Graham Avenue, starting at Meeker Avenue and ending at Broadway, Williamsburg AGES: All WHAT: The 20th anniversary edition of the Brooklyn Three Kings Day Parade will travel down Graham Avenue to the sound of Caribbean, Latin American, and European beats. Local school children dressed as Kings and angels will lead the Three King’s and their camels, and other animals, to a performance stage on Graham Avenue and Broadway.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Immediately after the parade, the Kings will distribute gifts to children participating in the day’s events.

WANT TO GO? eventbrite.com.

3

36

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

4

First Sundays

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 8, 10am-2pm WHERE: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 900 Washington Ave., Prospect Heights AGES: All WHAT: Join this series of pop-up programs inspired by water, in honor of the opening of the Shelby White and Leon Levy Water Garden. This month’s activities include creating a paper waterlily pad for origami frogs and a glittery globe to take home.

WHY WE LOVE IT: For the little ones, this event includes a pretend petting zoo and a “pillow pond” at which toddlers can enjoy waterinspired children’s books and old-school board games.

WANT TO GO? $12; free for children younger than 12. 718-623-7200. bbg.org.

2017 Zlatne Uste Golden Festival

5

WHEN: Jan. 13-14, Friday-Saturday, see website for times WHERE: Grand Prospect Hall, 263 Prospect Ave., South Slope AGES: All WHAT: New York’s largest Balkan music event, featuring multiple stages, Balkan and Middle Eastern refreshments, arts vendors, and textile displays.

WHY WE LOVE IT: From international stars to local musicians, modern Balkan stylists to folk traditionalists, more than 50 bands provide hours of ecstatic listening, dancing, and celebration.

WANT TO GO? $35 and up; $30-$45 students. 718-859-4759. goldenfest.org.

Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. FREE

WHEN: Monday, Jan. 16, 10:30am WHERE: BAM, Howard Gilman Opera House, 30 Lafayette Ave., Fort Greene AGES: 5 and older WHAT: BAM’s annual tribute to iconic civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. returns for the 31st year. This free event brings world-renowned activists, intellectuals, and civic leaders together with musicians, poets, and other performers to honor King’s legacy and keep his message alive.

6

Tutoring Club of Bay Ridge

Get weekend activities delivered to you!

7811 3rd Ave. Ground Fl. Brooklyn, NY 11209

nymetroparents.com/register ››

Featuring Tutoring for: WHY WE LOVE IT: This year, BAM welcomes back the Institutional Radio Choir, a gospel legend since its founding in Brooklyn more than half a century ago.

WANT TO GO? 718-636-4100. bam.org.

Donut Fest

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 21, 9am-5pm WHERE: Verboten, 54 N. 11th St., Williamsburg AGES: All WHAT: The best restaurants and bakeries in NYC submit their top cruller, ring, or long-john and compete against each other with only one walking away with the coveted title of “Best Donut.” Children tickets will be available, but because of the amount of tickets sold and the size of the event space, no strollers will be allowed.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Taste the delicious entries from some of your city’s best bakers and finest coffee purveyors.

WANT TO GO? See website for prices. donutfest.com.

7

Sandglass Theater: ‘Punschi’

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 21, 11am and 2pm WHERE: Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, Upper West Side, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Two stories of adventure and circus will engage little ones. First is the story of Kasper, a beloved puppet hero of Germany, and the story of what happens when a cow steals his suitcase. The second is a flea circus with Fritzi: a tiny flea with a big personality.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Turn off the TV and put down the iPad for oldfashioned but brilliant entertainment for kids.

WANT TO GO? $17. 503-293-9498. symphonyspace.org.

8

Lunar New Year Celebration: Year of the Rooster

• Math

- NY State Math Tests (All grades)

• Algebra

- NY State ELA Tests (All grades)

• Geometry

- Regents Exams (All Tests)

• Trigonometry

- SHSAT, TACHS, HSPT, & ISEE Tests

• Beginning Reading • Reading

- SAT Tests

• Writing • Chemistry

- K, 1st, and 5th Grade Gifted and Talented Tests

• Biology

- GED

• Earth Science

- Nursing and EMT Test Prep

• Homework Help

- Armed Forces Test Prep

Packages of Classes Available in either single subject or multi-subject groups Contact John or Bruni McCauley - See contact list below

Phone: (718) 748-8867

Fax: (718)748-8868

Email: BayRidgeNY@TutoringClub.com

Do you need a location for his 7th birthday party?

ResouRces

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 22, 3pm WHERE: Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts, 2900 Campus Road, Flatbush AGES: All WHAT: The prestigious Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company performs an all-new celebration of Chinese arts commemorating the Year of the Rooster, cousin to the mythical Phoenix, whose song awakens the world each morning and whose confidence and loyalty are well regarded.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Graceful dancers and astounding acrobats showcase the rich culture of one of Brooklyn’s most vibrant communities.

WANT TO GO? $25. 718-951-4500. brooklyncenter.org.

9

ARticles

Firecracker Ceremony & Cultural Festival FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 28, 10am-3pm WHERE: Sara D Roosevelt Park, Grand and Chrystie streets, Chinatown, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate the Lunar New Year with a bang at this annual festival. Thousands of firecrackers are set off to celebrate the start of the Year of the Rooster.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Take part in one of NYC’s famous (and loudest!)

Chinese celebrations.

WANT TO GO? betterchinatown.com. ››

10

Find everything you need, faster at

BrooklynParent 37

SMARTY PANTS Lego Skyline London and Chicago Event FREE

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.

MulchFest FREE

WHEN: Jan. 7-8, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-2pm WHERE: Prospect Park, Park Circle entrance, Prospect Park Southwest and Parkside Avenue, Windsor Terrace AGES: All WHAT: Join in to recycle your Christmas trees into wood chips that are used to nourish trees and plants on streets and gardens citywide. Or, take home your very own bag of mulch to use in your backyard.

WANT TO GO? 718-287-3400. nycgovparks.org.

Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative March FREE

WHEN: Monday, Jan. 16, 10am WHERE: Manhattan Country School, 150 W. 85th St., Upper West Side, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Every year, Manhattan Country School eighth-graders honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by taking to the streets of Manhattan to speak out about what they consider to be the most pressing civil rights issues of their time. With the inaugaration at the end of this week, find out what impact this is having on the next generation.

WANT TO GO? 212-348-0952. manhattancountryschool.org.

Ezra Jack Keats Story and Craft FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 19, 4pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Central Branch, Youth Wing, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Librarians read aloud to children and lead a craft activity related to the themes and images of the book. At the end of each session, every child is given a free copy of one of Mr. Keats’ books to keep.

WANT TO GO? 718-230-2100. bklynlibrary.org.

Annual Open School Days

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 28, 11am FREE WHERE: Williamsburg Charter High School, 198 Varet St., Williamsburg AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Come see one of the charter world’s oldest successful high schools, offering individualized instruction, clubs, activities, and more.

WANT TO GO? 347-217-6995. thewcs.org.

Free Family Art Day FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 28, 10:30am-12pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Park Slope Branch, 431 6th Ave., Park Slope AGES: All WHAT: Free Family Art Days are opportunities for families to play, imagine, and explore through a variety of different art forms. Each month storytellers present crafts, songs, stories, and creative play around a theme.

WANT TO GO? 718-832-1853. spellboundtheatre.com.

38

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 5, 7pm WHERE: Barnes & Noble, 267 7th Ave., Park Slope AGES: All WHAT: Join this event to help build the new Lego Skyline collection instore display for London and Chicago. Then, enjoy being creative and collaborative with other customers by building with Lego Architecture Studio white bricks.

WANT TO GO? 718-832-9066. bn.com.

Mad Science of New York: Earth Awareness FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 25, 3:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Macon Branch, 361 Lewis Ave., Bedford-Stuyvesant AGES: All WHAT: Get to know the planet earth and see how important conservation is. Design and create your own water filtration systems, and then harness solar power to create a work of art you can keep.

WANT TO GO? 718-573-5606. bklynlibrary.org.

The Amazing Brooklyn Museum Scavenger Hunt

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 28, 12:30-3:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, Prospect Heights AGES: 5 and older WHAT: A series of clues leads you around the Brooklyn Museum performing mental challenges along the way. It is a great way to connect with friends or meet new ones. Each member of the winning team receives a New York City gift package.

WANT TO GO? $39. 718-344-8962. fareharbor.com.

Brooklyn Open FREE

WHEN: Through June 5: First Monday of each month, 5pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library Central Branch, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Teens enjoy an open mic event at which poets, spoken work artists, emcees, scholars, and activists share their powerful and important voices. Run by youth for youth, with youth DJs, youth hosts, and a monthly featured poet.

WANT TO GO? 718-230-2100. bklynlibrary.org.

Pediatric Immediate Care, PLLC Pediatric Urgent Care

Library Lab: Coding FREE

WHEN: Through Dec. 20: Wednesdays, 4pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library Central Branch, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Explore science, technology, engineering, and math concepts with fun, free activities that will spark curiosity through hands-on experiments.

WANT TO GO? 718-230-2100. bklynlibrary.org.

Where Kids Come First ® www.pediatricimmediatecare.com • CERTIFIED URGENT CARE CENTER

by Urgent Care Association of America

• PEDIATRIC SPECIALTY CARE Hematology • Oncology • Pediatric Psychology

Explorers’ Day

WHEN: Jan. 9-Dec. 31, Tuesdays, 10am-5pm WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights AGES: All WHAT: There is tons to explore at BCM and Tuesdays are dedicated to permanent exhibits together with your child.

WANT TO GO? $11; free for children younger than 1. 718-224-5863. brooklynkids.org.

ANIMAL LOVERS

COMPLETE PEDIATRIC & ADOLESCENT CARE

OPEN 7 DAYS Including Holidays 8am - 11pm

• Rapid Laboratory Tests • EKG • Digital X-Ray • Ultrasonogram • IV Hydration • IM Medications • Attention Deficit Disorder • Developmental Test • IVA & IMPACT Test

Certified Concussion Center

Winter Holiday in Prospect Park FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 1, 10am-4pm WHERE: Prospect Park Audobon Center, Lincoln Road and Ocean Avenue, Flatbush AGES: All WHAT: Join Prospect Park Alliance naturalists to discover the winter survival strategies of animals that live in Prospect Park. Enjoy nature games, science activities, and bird watching.

WANT TO GO? 718-287-3400. prospectpark.org.

• Minor Surgeries • Splints / Casts • Allergy Injections • Inhalation Therapy • Pulmonary Function Test • Computerized Vision Test • Hearing Tests • CPR Classes • Pharmacy Service & More

We Speak Your Language:

English, Polish, Russian, Spanish, & Turkish

FREE FLU SHOTS & ALL SHOTS

Kid Friendly • Walk-ins Welcome • Most Insurance Plans Accepted

CONVENIENT LOCATIONS LINDENHURST • SMITHTOWN • BROOKLYN

150 East Sunrise Hwy.

631-956-PEDS

1077 West Jericho Tpke.

631-864-PEDS

698 Manhattan Ave.

718-389-PEDS

American Museum of Natural History Presents Dinosaurs Among Us

WHEN: Through Jan. 2: 10am-5:45pm WHERE: The American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West and 79th Street, Upper West Side, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Dinosaurs Among Us examines how one group of dinosaurs evolved into the fascinating living creatures we call birds. The exhibition will highlight the continuities between living dinosaurs—birds— and their extinct ancestors, showcasing remarkable new evidence for what scientists now call one of the best-documented evolutionary transitions in the history of life.

WANT TO GO? $27; $16 children. 212-769-5100. amnh.org.

Touch Tank

WHEN: Through Dec. 31: Saturdays and Sundays, 12:30-1pm WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights AGES: All WHAT: Meet and touch real sea creatures such as starfish and sea urchins.

WANT TO GO? $11. 718-224-5863. brooklynkids.org. ››

For 6 children.

Each additional child $15.95

BrooklynParent 39

Free Admission FREE

WHEN: Through Jan. 31: Wednesdays, 2pm until closing WHERE: Staten Island Zoo, 614 Broadway, Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: Take advantage of free admission to the zoo every Wednesday.

WANT TO GO? 718-442-3101. statenislandzoo.org.

Shayne Dark Exhibit

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

WHEN: Through July 31: Tuesday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10am-4:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 900 Washington Ave., Prospect Heights AGES: All WHAT: Shayne Dark is known for making complex sculptures from tree branches, trunks, and roots that evoke nature while taking on majestic new forms. In July 2016, the artist worked on the grounds of Brooklyn Botanic Garden to create a new site-specific, large-scale installation on Cherry Walk.

WANT TO GO? $12; free for children younger than 12. 718-623-7200. bbg.org.

Winter Nature Walks with Brad Klein

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 8, 11am-12pm WHERE: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Visitor Atrium, 990 Washington Ave., Prospect Heights AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Explore BBG’s new Water Garden and observe the birds, mammals, and insects that remain active in winter. Meet at Steinhardt Conservatory entrance.

WANT TO GO? $12; free for children younger than 12. 718-623-7200. bbg.org.

Chase Away the Winter Blues Outdoor Tour

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 8, 12pm WHERE: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 900 Washington Ave., Prospect Heights AGES: Adult WHAT: Join psychotherapist Lynne Spevack for this narrated walk designed to relieve the winter doldrums. Meet on Magnolia Plaza at the steps.

WANT TO GO? $12; free for children younger than 12. 718-623-7200. bbg.org.

Winter Jam FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 28, 11am-3pm WHERE: Central Park Bandshell, Central Park and 72nd Street, Upper West Side, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: A free winter sports festival for New Yorkers of all ages. Events from previous years included cross-country skiing, showshoeing, learning to ski, and snowboarding. Equipment provided at no cost, or bring your own snow sports gear and enjoy the terrain.

WANT TO GO? 212-254-1109. nycgovparks.org.

Lenape Landscape: Trees as Tonic by Artist Susan Stair FREE

WHEN: Through Jan. 29: Monday-Saturday, 10am-4pm WHERE: Conference House Park, Hylan Boulevard and Satterlee Street, Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: This exhibit of clay castings by Susan Stair forms portraits in trees used by the Lenape Indians for food and medicine. Conference House Park is home to the largest burial site of the pre-Columbian Lenape tribe in the five boroughs of New York City.

WANT TO GO? 718-227-1463. nycgovparks.org.

40

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

MINI

MUSICIANS Sing-Along Shabbat FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 7, 10:45am WHERE: Bay Ridge Jewish Center, Fourth Avenue and 81st Street, Bay Ridge AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Experience Shabbat morning with singing, guitar, puppetry, and musical prayer. Families will participate in playful setting. Challah and grape juice to follow with the BRJC community.

WANT TO GO? 718-836-3103. brjc.org.

Neighborhood Family Concerts FREE

WHEN: Through Jan. 14: Saturdays, 4pm WHERE: Bargemusic, 334 Furman St., Brooklyn Heights AGES: All WHAT: Walk across the gangplank of a renovated coffee barge for a 1-hour, family-friendly performance, including a Q-and-A session with the musicians.

WANT TO GO? 718-624-4924. bargemusic.org.

Greg Weiss Sing-Along

WHEN: Through Dec. 27: Wednesdays, 11am WHERE: Elk Cafe, 154 Prospect Park Southwest, Windsor Terrace AGES: All WHAT: With his guitar and a wagon full of kids’ instruments, Greg sings both originals and favorites, old and new.

WANT TO GO? $5. 718-853-5500. elkcoffee.com.

The Buttons Sing-Along

WHEN: Through Dec. 31: Sundays, 12pm; Fridays, 11am WHERE: Elk Cafe, 154 Prospect Park Southwest, Windsor Terrace AGES: All WHAT: Join this sing-along for sweet, silly original kids music geared toward kids of all ages.

WANT TO GO? $8 per family. 718-853-5500. elkcoffee.com.

Sing-Alongs

WHEN: Through Dec. 31: Monday-Friday, 10:30am WHERE: The Dean Street, 755 Dean St., Prospect Heights AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Enjoy these weekday sing-alongs featuring a different favorite local musicians each day including Rolie Polie Guacamole and the Dirty Sock Funtime Band.

WANT TO GO? $8 per family. 718-783-3326. deanstreetbrooklyn.com.

Planning an Activity or Event for Children or Families?

ON SCREEN

Get FREE Exposure on

Film Night

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 14, 7pm WHERE: Bay Ridge Jewish Center, Fourth Avenue and 81st Street, Bay Ridge AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Come to Bay Ridge Jewish Center to see Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window. Cost includes popcorn, refreshments, and dinner.

WANT TO GO? $20. 718-836-3103. brjc.org.

BAMKids Film Festival

WHEN: Jan. 28-29, Saturday-Sunday, see website for times WHERE: Brooklyn Academy of Music, 30 Lafayette Ave., Fort Greene AGES: 3 and older WHAT: With a total of 58 films from 27 countries, the 19th annual BAMkids Film Festival is a great way to introduce your family to the world of international film. In addition to the movies, this year’s festival will include various free activities in the Opera House lobby, including face painters, balloon artists, walkabout entertainment, and the opportunity to meet and greet the Hip-Hop Juggler, who will provide pre-film entertainment for the festival.

WANT TO GO? $14; $10 for children 13 and younger. 718-6364100. bam.org/kidsfilmfest.

‘Journey to Space’ 3-D Movie

WHEN: Through June 30: Monday-Friday, 12pm and 3pm; Saturday-Sunday, 1pm and 4pm WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona, Queens AGES: All WHAT: Moviegoers will learn about the important role of the International Space Station, uncover what NASA and the space community are working on, and the challenges they face to carry out bold missions such as capturing asteroids and landing astronauts on Mars.

WANT TO GO? $6; $5 children, students and seniors with admission: $15; $12 children, students, and seniors. 718-699-0005. nysci.org. ››

NYMetroParents.com

7

s 201 e i t i v i t c ly A

Fami

d Wednes

ay

y Thurssda

Frida

6

5

4

se u o H Open JCC at

13

12

11

20

19

18 27 26 25

Submit your entries online to

NYMetroParents.com/submitevent All entries subject to editor’s review and acceptance.

Announce it to more than 100,000 parents who are visiting NYMetroParents.com every month.

Be featured on the largest family activities Calendar in the metropolitan New York area.

BrooklynParent 41

Ice-Skating

WHEN: Through March 26: Monday-Thursday, 9am-5:15pm; Friday, 9am-9pm; Saturday, 11:30am-9pm; Sunday, 11:30am-5:15pm WHERE: Prospect Park Lakeside, Parkside/Ocean avenues entrance or Lincoln Road/Ocean Avenue entrance, Prospect Park AGES: All WHAT: The Samuel J. and Ethel LeFrak Center at Lakeside is now open for its first full season of ice-skating. In addition to public iceskating, the LeFrak Center features figure skating, ice hockey, and curling, indoor and outdoor dining at Bluestone Café, and an array of special events and public recreational programming.

WANT TO GO? $6 weekdays; $9 weekends and holidays; $6 skate rentals. 718-462-0010. lakesidebrooklyn.com.

The Rink at Rockefeller Center

MOVERS & SHAKERS Powershares QQQ Cup Tennis Event

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 7, 7-10pm WHERE: Barclays Center, 620 Atlantic Ave., Prospect Heights AGES: All WHAT: Tennis champions John McEnroe, Andy Roddick, Jim Courier, and James Blake compete in the PowerShares QQQ Cup. This event will be the first-ever tennis event played at Barclays Center and will be the 2016 PowerShares Series finale.

WANT TO GO? $35 and up. 718-942-9574. barclayscenter.com.

J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions, Dunlop Kids Day

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 15, 11:30am-3pm WHERE: Grand Central Terminal, 89 E. 42nd St., Upper East Side, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Kids event as part of this global squash tournament.

WANT TO GO? $8 and up. 212-829-0002. tocsquash.com.

Bank of America Winter Village

WHEN: Through March 5: daily, 8am-10pm WHERE: Bryant Park, 40th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues, Midtown, Manhattan AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Not just for tourists, a festive skate during the holiday season is a fun NYC treat. It does get crowded so make your reservations early in the season.

WANT TO GO? Free entry, skate hire starts at $20. wintervillage.org.

Wollman Rink Public Skating

WHEN: Through March 10: Monday-Tuesday, 10am-2:30pm; Wednesday-Thursday, 10am-10pm; Friday-Saturday, 10am-11pm; Sunday, 10am-9pm WHERE: Trump Wollman Rink, 59th Street and Central Park South, Central Park, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Don’t miss a skate around the rink with the amazing view of the Manhattan skyline in front of you. Central Park’s famous rink is a tourist favorite, but worth doing even if you are a local. There is also a carousel to ride on in between skates with a $3 fee.

WANT TO GO? Monday-Thursday: $12; $6 children ages 11 and younger; $5 seniors. Friday-Sunday and holidays: $19; $9 seniors; $6 for children 11 and younger. 212-819-8165. wollmanskatingrink.com.

42

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Through April 1: 8:30am-10pm, see website for session times WHERE: The Rockefeller Center, 600 Fifth Ave., Midtown, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: The most famous rink in NYC. Skate around this landmark and get in the seasonal mood.

WANT TO GO? $25-$32; $15 seniors and for children 11 and younger; $12 skate rental. 212-938-0005. therinkatrockcenter.com.

Mommy and Me FREE

WHEN: Through June 15: Third Thursday of each month, 9-10am WHERE: P.S. 307, 209 York St., Vinegar Hill AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: P.S. 307 hosts mommy-and-me playdates for kids in the family resource center at the school with story time, STEM activities, arts and crafts, and more for the entire community.

WANT TO GO? 718-834-4748. ps307.org.

Stay-at-Home Parents Meet-Up

WHEN: Through Dec. 19: Tuesdays, 10am WHERE: Elk Cafe, 154 Prospect Park Southwest, Windsor Terrace AGES: All WHAT: Bring the little ones to this event to get their wiggles out while the adults get to know other stay-at-home parents.

WANT TO GO? $5. 718-853-5500. elkcoffee.com.

New York Road Runners Open Run FREE

WHEN: Through Dec. 27: Tuesdays, 7pm WHERE: Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 6, Atlantic Avenue and Furman Street, Brooklyn Heights AGES: All WHAT: Open Run is a community-based initiative that empowers local volunteers to bring free weekly runs to local neighborhood parks all over NYC. All runs are directed by volunteers, and courses are usually between 2½-3 miles. Open to all ages, experience levels, walkers, strollers, and dogs.

WANT TO GO? 718-222-9939. brooklynbridgepark.org.

SPARK by Brooklyn Children’s Museum

WHEN: Through Dec. 31: Tuesday and Friday-Sunday, 1-5pm; Wednesday, 1-3pm; Thursday, 1-6pm WHERE: Brooklyn Bridge Park, 1 John St., DUMBO AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: SPARK is an art and play space located in Brooklyn Bridge Park and features an outpost of the popular Brooklyn Block Lab exhibit, as well as daily art and design workshops, music classes, birthday parties, and more.

WANT TO GO? $15; free on Thursdays. 718-624-4719. brooklynkids.org.

DANCE PARTY Stam-Pede

New Year’s Special!

4 weeks for $49 and Free Uniform!

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 8, 3pm WHERE: Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, Upper West Side, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: An annual showcase featuring the best of percussive dance by several celebrated companies. From lively Irish dancing to body percussion and tap dance, an exhilerating show for all ages.

WANT TO GO? $17. 503-293-9498. symphonyspace.org.

‘The Sleeping Beauty Ballet’

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 8, 2pm WHERE: Master Theater, 1029 Brighton Beach Ave., Brighton Beach AGES: 3 and older WHAT: This family-friendly performance involving more than 130 young, talented dancers of the New York Children’s Dance Theater, features unique classical, neoclassical, and contemporary choreography for a heartwarming theatrical experience.

WANT TO GO? $25 and up. 718-732-3838. mastertheater.com.

Open House FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 10, 9am-5pm WHERE: Mark Morris Dance Center, 3 Lafayette Ave., Fort Greene AGES: All WHAT: Visitors enjoy a free sampling of the dance center’s wide array of programming, including dance, music, and fitness classes for all ages and abilities, and performances by the Mark Morris Dance Group, Student Company, and participants in two of MMDG’s community programs: Urban Rhythms and Arts Immersion.

WANT TO GO? 718-624-8400. mmdg.org/openhouse.

526 Court Street • Brooklyn, NY

(718) 625-5425

7909 3rd Avenue • Brooklyn, NY

(718) 492-5425

After School Program Available!

Bay Ridge only

Call for details

www.gonyctaekwondo.com

The Little People Party

WHEN: Through Dec. 15: Mondays, 3-5pm; Wednesdays, 9-11am WHERE: The Backyard, 196 N. 14th St., Greenpoint AGES: 3-5 WHAT: The Little People Party is a twice-weekly, daytime playgroup for young children and their caregivers. The giant, enclosed, Astroturf-covered field is decked out with games and toys for kids.

WANT TO GO? $10 children. 646-707-4372. facebook.com/thelittlepeopleparty. ››

Lois A. Jackson, D.D.S., P.C. and Associates

Pediatric Dentistry 505 LaGuardia Place, New York • 212.995.8888 16 Court Street, Suite 2211, Brooklyn • 718.855.8833 BrooklynParent 43

Creativity Lab FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 8, 4-5:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, Prospect Heights AGES: All WHAT: Visitors of all ages are invited to drop by our studios and explore their creative side. In this drop-in workshop, take inspiration from our galleries and get messy, experiment with materials, and learn artistic techniques with a new project each month. Bring the whole family and stay for as long as you’d like.

WANT TO GO? 718-638-5000. brooklynmuseum.org.

CRAFTY KIDS Olive Press Workshop

WHEN: Through Jan. 1: Sundays, 1:30pm and 2:30pm WHERE: Jewish Children’s Museum, 792 Eastern Parkway, Crown Heights AGES: All WHAT: In this hands-on workshop, visitors will learn how olive oil is made, using methods that have been around since temple times. Participants choose the choicest olives, extract the oil, and finally light a Hanukkah menorah using their handmade wicks and freshly produced oil.

WANT TO GO? $13; $10 seniors; free for children 2 and younger. 718467-0600. jcm.museum.

Historic Crafts and Games

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 1, 1-3pm WHERE: Lefferts Historic House, Flatbush Avenue and Empire Boulevard, Flatbush AGES: All WHAT: Join Lefferts Historic for their last week of the season. Make and play 9-Man Morris, a historic board game, and try your hand at creating a small needlework sampler to take home.

WANT TO GO? $3 suggested donation. 718-789-2822. prospectpark.org.

Free Family Day FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 21, 1-4pm WHERE: The Wyckoff House Museum, 5816 Clarendon Road, Canarsie AGES: All WHAT: Visit the Wyckoff Farmhouse this winter for a free family day.

While public tours on Fridays and Saturdays are normally geared to an adult audience, this day features engaging, kid-friendly tours, hands-on activities, and scavenger hunts. If the weather’s nice, bring a picnic and enjoy our grounds before or after your visit to the house.

WANT TO GO? 718-629-5400. wyckoffmuseum.org.

Kidz Cook

WHEN: Jan. 1-Dec. 31, Fridays, 2-4pm WHERE: Staten Island Children’s Museum, 1000 Richmond Ave., Staten Island AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Kids make and eat a different dish from around the world each week.

WANT TO GO? $6. 718-273-2060. statenislandkids.org.

Clay Day

WHEN: Jan. 1-Dec. 31, Wednesdays, 1:30-4:30pm WHERE: Staten Island Children’s Museum, 1000 Richmond Ave., Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: Join this clay workshop in which kids get the chance to create something out of air-dry clay.

WANT TO GO? $2 with admission: $8; free for children younger than 1. 718-273-2060. statenislandkids.org.

Totally Tots Studio Program: Meet the Artist

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 7, 9am-12pm WHERE: Home Depot, 550 Hamilton Ave., Gowanus AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Join this hands-on workshop and you and your child can get to work on a wood toolbox they can use for keeping anything, from art supplies to toys, neat and portable. Once the toolbox is built, your child can paint it in their favorite color.

WANT TO GO? 718-832-8553. homedepot.com.

WHEN: Jan. 3-Dec. 31, Wednesdays, 10am-1pm WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Each week, children are introduced to an artist and an activity inspired by their techniques, materials, and ideas. Activities invite young artists to build and refine their fine motor skills; engage in sensory exploration of materials; and learn how to share with others in this open art studio.

WANT TO GO? $11. 718-224-5863. brooklynkids.org.

Brooklyn Museum’s Target First Saturday FREE

Paint Day

Kids DIY Workshop: Crate Toolbox FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 7, 5-11pm WHERE: Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, Prospect Heights AGES: All WHAT: Brooklyn Museum’s Target First Saturday events attract thousands of visitors to free art and entertainment programs each month. Some Target First Saturday programs have limited space and are ticketed on a first-come, first-served basis.

WANT TO GO? 718-638-5000. brooklynmuseum.org.

44

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Jan. 1-Dec. 31, Thursdays, 1:30-4:30pm WHERE: Staten Island Children’s Museum, 1000 Richmond Ave., Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: This workshop offers plenty of time for experimenting with paints and other media.

WANT TO GO? $2 with admission: $8; free for children younger than 1. 718-273-2060. statenislandkids.org.

HOLIDAY FUN Chanukah Art Festival

WHEN: Through Jan. 1: Sunday, 10am-5:30pm; Monday-Thursday, 10am-4pm WHERE: Jewish Children’s Museum, 792 Eastern Parkway, Crown Heights AGES: All WHAT: Learn about the ancient art of oil-pressing in an interactive olive pressing workshop, customize a doughnut, create your own bead design to add to the giant dazzling Menorah, and experiment with vibrant ink and customizable stencils in a silk-screening workshop.

Program varies by day, see website for complete schedule.

WANT TO GO? $13. 718-907-8833. jcm.museum.

‘Come Calling’ on New Year’s Day

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 1, 2-5pm WHERE: Merchants House Museum, 29 E. 4th St., Noho, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Paying calls on friends and family on New Year’s Day was one of Old New York’s most cherished customs. Take part in tours of the house, 19th century readings about New Year’s Day celebrations, and punch and confectionery, as you continue the 19th century tradition of renewing, reviving, and reaffirming friendships.

WANT TO GO? $20. 212-777-1089. merchantshouse.org.

‘Radio City Christmas Spectacular’ Featuring The Rockettes

WHEN: Through Jan. 2: see website for show times WHERE: Radio City Music Hall, 1260 Sixth Ave., Midtown, Manhattan AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Celebrate the holiday season in a way that only Radio City can deliver, with this celebrated Christmas spectacle in an iconic venue.

Be wowed by favorite numbers that only the Rockettes can perform, including The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers and The Living Nativity.

WANT TO GO? $46 and up. 866-858-0007. radiocitychristmas.com.

El Museo del Barrio’s 40th Annual Three Kings Day Parade FREE

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 6, 11am-2pm WHERE: El Museo del Barrio, 1230 Fifth Ave., East Harlem, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy live camels, colorful puppets, parrandas, music and dancing in East Harlem. This parade will celebrate its 40th anniversary and honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the Latino community.

WANT TO GO? 212-660-7176. elmuseo.org.

Origami Holiday Tree

WHEN: Through Jan. 8: daily, 10am-5:45pm WHERE: The American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West and 79th Street, Upper West Side, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: For a Christmas tree with a difference, look no further. Nimble fingered volunteers began folding in July to complete nearly 1,000 creations that will be displayed on the tree.

WANT TO GO? $22; $17 students and seniors; $12.50 children ages 2-12; free for children younger than 2. 212-769-5100. amnh.org.

12th Annual A Shared Dream Concert FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 18, 6-9pm WHERE: Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts, 2900 Campus Road, Flatbush AGES: All WHAT: Join the 12th annual A Shared Dream tribute and concert in honor of the late, great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; Ricky Dillard and New G, the Brooklyn United Marching Band, Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy, and IET Band will be performing live.

WANT TO GO? 718-629-6401. brooklyncenter.org.

Holiday Express: Toys and Trains from the Jerni Collection

WHEN: Through Feb. 26: Tuesday-Thursday and Saturday, 10am-6pm; Friday, 10am-8pm; Sunday, 11am-5pm WHERE: New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park W., Upper West Side, Manhattan AGES: 5-17 WHAT: The moving display will appeal to all age groups, showcasing toys from a bygone era. It may not be the biggest holiday train show, but it will still delight little train lovers thanks to the beautiful detail of the pieces.

WANT TO GO? $20; $15 seniors; $12 students; $6 children ages 5-13; free for children 4 and younger. 212-873-3400. nyhistory.org.

New York Transit Museum Holiday Train Show FREE

WHEN: Through Feb. 28: see website for times WHERE: Grand Central Terminal, NY Transit Museum Gallery Annex and Store, 89 E. 42nd St., Midtown, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Presented annually by the New York Transit Museum, this popular model railroad exhibition features Metro-North, New York Central, and subway trains departing from a miniature Grand Central Terminal on a 34-foot-long layout.

WANT TO GO? nytransitmuseum.org.

BROWSE & BUY

Bank of America Winter Village Holiday Shops FREE

WHEN: Through Jan. 2: daily, 11am-8pm WHERE: Bryant Park, 40th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues, Midtown, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: European-style, open-air market full of gift ideas from artisan jewelry and kids toys to decor and food.

WANT TO GO? wintervillage.org.

Friends Group Book, Craft, and Jewelry Sale FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 7, 10:30am WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Sheepshead Bay Branch, 2636 E. 14th St., Sheepshead Bay AGES: All WHAT: Browse the large selection of fiction and non-fiction books for children, young adults, and adults, and don’t forget to check out the craft and jewelry sale. All profits go to Sheepshead Bay Branch Library.

WANT TO GO? 718-368-1815. bklynlibrary.org. ›› BrooklynParent 45

SHOW TIME! ‘Les Parfaits Inconnus’

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 7, 11am and 2pm WHERE: Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, Upper West Side, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: This fun troupe combines circus, comedy, and music for great entertainment for all ages.

WANT TO GO? $17. 503-293-9498. symphonyspace.org.

‘Playing by Air’

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 8, 11am and 2pm WHERE: Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, Upper West Side, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: A fun combination of juggling, comedy, and musical instruments from a troupe based in both Nashville and NYC. WANT TO GO? $17. 212-864-5400. symphonyspace.org.

Spellbound Theatre: ‘Under the Tree’

ONCE UPON A TIME Saturday Story Time FREE

WHEN: Jan. 14-28, Saturdays, 1:30pm WHERE: Greenlight Bookstore, 632 Flatbush Ave., Prospect Lefferts Gardens AGES: All WHAT: For the first Story Time event in two store locations, Greenlight is proud to host their friends Selina Alko and Sean Qualls, a Brooklyn-based husband and wife author and illustrator team, to present two of their powerful recent picture books about love and justice.

WANT TO GO? 718-246-0200. greenlightbookstore.com.

‘Alice in Wonderland’ FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 28, 1pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Central Branch, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights AGES: All WHAT: After Alice tumbles down a mysterious rabbit hole, she finds herself in a strange land. With the help of a Cheshire Cat, an astute Caterpillar, The Queen of Hearts, the Mock Turtle and the Mad Hatter, Alice finds her way home in this fast-paced musical adaptation.

WANT TO GO? 718-230-2100. bklynlibrary.org.

‘Elephant and Piggie’

WHEN: Jan. 28-Feb. 2, Saturday-Sunday, 11am, 3pm, and 7pm WHERE: New Victory Theatre, 229 W. 42nd St., Theater District, Manhattan AGES: 3-12 WHAT: A musical adaptation of Mo Willems’s best-selling children’s books, Elephant and Piggie. The BFFs sing and dance their way across the stage.

WANT TO GO? $25. 646-223-3010. newvictory.org.

Tots Time Plus

WHEN: June 2-Dec. 31, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11am WHERE: Staten Island Children’s Museum, 1000 Richmond Ave., Staten Island AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Your preschooler will create artwork, sing-along, and listen to stories.

WANT TO GO? $5 with admission: $8; free for children younger than 1.

718-273-2060. statenislandkids.org.

46

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 15, 10am and 11:15am WHERE: The Old Stone House, Washington Park, Third Street and 5th Avenue, Park Slope AGES: All WHAT: A young girl escapes her noisy life and takes us on an immersive exploration of a magical world in her own backyard. Told through puppetry, multimedia, and interactive storytelling.

WANT TO GO? $15. 718-768-3195. oldstonehouse.org.

Baze and His Silly Friends FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 21, 1pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Central Branch, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights AGES: All WHAT: Award-winning Baze and His Silly Friends are a super creative, super fun, and a super duper talented children/family rock band. No show is complete without tons of bubbles, laughs, hip shaking, and toe tapping songs.

WANT TO GO? 718-230-2100. bklynlibrary.org.

‘All Aboard with Thomas and Friends’

WHEN: Through Jan. 22: Saturday-Sunday, 9am-3:30pm WHERE: The New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx AGES: All WHAT: Children join Thomas and Driver Sam on a fun-filled, singalong, mini-performance adventure in All Aboard with Thomas & Friends™. Kids will help Thomas discover the steps to growing a beautiful garden.

WANT TO GO? $30; $18 children ages 2-12; free for children younger than 2. 718-817-8700. nybg.org.

Mil’s Trills 7th Annual Winter Bash

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 29, 10am WHERE: Shapeshifter Lab, 18 Whitwell Place, Gowanus AGES: All WHAT: Award winning children’s project, Mil’s Trills, celebrates its 7th year of creating positive inspirational music experiences for families throughout Brooklyn and beyond.

WANT TO GO? $15. 718-809-8850. milstrills.com.

The Grammy Museum: Taylor Swift Experience

WHEN: Through Feb. 19: Monday-Thursday, 12-6pm; Friday, 10am-7pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-6pm WHERE: The Seaport District, 19 Fulton St., South Street Seaport, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: A must for Swifties, this exhibition gives an in-depth look at the multi-platinum-selling artist as a singer, musician, songwriter, and producer. See personal photographs and home videos, interactive experiences, handwritten lyrics of Swift’s top-charting hits, and iconic performance outfits.

WANT TO GO? $9; free for children 5 and younger. southstreetseaport.com.

Shadow Box Theater Presents ‘The African Drum’

WHEN: Jan. 15-March 10, see website for schedule WHERE: P.S. 3, The Bedford Village School, 50 Jefferson Ave., Bedford-Stuyvesant AGES: All WHAT: The Shadow Box Theater honors Black History Month with its adaptation of this African folktale. As always, the show features unique shadow puppetry and accompaniment from drums and guitar.

WANT TO GO? $15. 212-724-0677. shadowboxtheatre.org.

SPECIAL NEEDS Wheels: Workshop for Children with ASD

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 21, 10:30am WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona, Queens AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Explore the physics of how things move, tinker with cars and trains on ramps, paint with wheels, and build vehicles from recycled materials.

WANT TO GO? $15; $12 children ages 2-17. 718-699-0005. nysci.org.

DON’T WAIT FOR THE NEXT REPORT CARD GET HELP NOW! Our program offers:

Free consultation Comprehensive academic evaluation Personalized tutoring Highly qualified teachers Flexible payment options for all budgets

SAVE

100

$

WHEN YOU CALL BEFORE 2/28/17*

Tutoring

Reading and Phonics - Writing - Math - Study Skills - Algebra - Geometry Trigonometry - Calculus - Biology - Chemistry - ADHD support - More

Test prep

ACT - SAT - PSAT/NMSQT - AP - GED - ASVAB - High School Entrance Exams

Personalized Attention. Proven Results.

BAY RIDGE

PARK SLOPE

MANHASSET

FLUSHING

CARLE PLACE

LYNBROOK

718-491-0900 718-358-7900

718-230-4600 516-747-5600

516-365-4455

BRONX

718-597-1500

MANHATTAN

516-568-1900

212-362-0100

1.800.CAN.LEARN www.HuntingtonHelps.com ©2017 Huntington Mark, LLC. Independently Owned and Operated.

SAT and Advanced Placement (AP) are registered trademarks of the College Board. PSAT/NMSQT is a registered trademark of the College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. ACT is a registered trademark of ACT, Inc. None of these entities endorses or was involved in the production of the program.*Offer valid for Academic Evaluation, new students only. Not valid with any other offer. HLC3132BRG

Does Your Kid need a haircut?

ResouRces ARticles

Five Senses Exploration: Workshop for Children with ASD

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 28, 10:30am WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona, Queens AGES: 3-5 WHAT: It takes the nose to know, and your hands, eyes, ears, and tongue, too. Children will explore their five senses and learn how they work together to help them discover the world around them.

WANT TO GO? $15; $12 children ages 2-17. 718-699-0005. nysci.org.

Coming up next month: FEB. 11: Coyote’s Dance at Kumble Theater, LIU Brooklyn Campus, Downtown Brooklyn FEB. 11-12: Do Not Disturb at BAM Fisher, Fort Greene

Find everything you need, faster at

FEB. 23-MARCH 3: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents Out of This World™ at Barclays Center, Prospect Heights ®

BrooklynParent 47

WHERE-TO GUIDE

nymetroparents.com/where-to

Ski & Snowboard

Research by Jonathan Perry

›› and Kathryn Sheridan

Slice across the snowy slopes this winter with the entire family. Whether your little ones are hitting the bunny slope for the first time or you’ve got an experienced snow leopard navigating tricky trails, a mountain getaway offers winter charm, activities to keep you moving through the cold, and fun for the whole bunch. Almost all mountains and resorts offer lessons for skiing and snowboarding, so don’t be shy!

Please note: We recommend checking snow conditions before visiting any of the mountains listed here.

Mount Peter 51 Old Mount Peter Road, Warwick 845-986-4940; mtpeter.com Has nearly a dozen trails, from beginner to black diamond, a terrain park, and tubing.

Offers free beginner lessons on weekends and holidays with the purchase of a lift ticket (for ages 5 and older). There’s also a Tiny Tots program for children ages 4 and younger (must be potty trained), which includes a lesson, equipment rental, lift ticket, and hot chocolate. Ski racing program for ages 6-18.

Southeast New York Belleayre Mountain 181 Galli Curci Road, Highmount 845-254-5600; belleayre.com Features 50 trails, parks, and glades. Offers ski and snowboard lessons for kids ages 4-6, 7-12, and 13 and older. Round-trip bus service from NYC via Adirondack Trailways (trailwaysny.com) includes lift ticket and luggage lock-up.

Catamount State Route 23 E., Hillsdale 518-325-3200; catamountski.com Has 36 trails, seven lifts including a summit quad chairlift, five terrain parks, and a novice area for beginning boarders.

Fourth- and fifth-graders ski free on weekends and holidays with a paying adult (registration and $25 processing fee required). Season passes available: $510 adults; $440 children ages 7-13; $170 for children ages 6 and younger.

Holiday Mountain Ski and Fun Park 99 Holiday Mountain Road, Monticello 48

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

845-796-3161; holidaymtn.com Boasts seven trails, four lifts, night skiing, snow tubing, and ice-skating. Beginner lessons available. Thursday and Saturday nights (5-8pm) are Family Nights, with reduced lift ticket and rental pricing. Friday night is Family Tubing Night. On Tuesday nights (5-9pm), buy any lift ticket and get another at half price.

Hunter Mountain Route 23A, Hunter 518-263-4223; huntermtn.com Spans three mountains and includes 58 trails and 10 lifts. Programs for kids include Mighty Mights (ski only) for ages 5-6 and Junior Adventure (snowboarding and skiing) for ages 7-12. Snow tubing for those 42 inches and taller on Friday evenings and weekends. Mini Park for those shorter than 42 inches. Day care available for children ages 6 months to 6 years on weekends (Friday-Sunday) and during school holidays.

Several bus services offer round-trip transportation from the New York metro area; see website for details.

Plattekill Mountain 469 Plattekill Mountain Road, Roxbury 607-326-3500; plattekill.com Features 38 trails and a terrain park. Child care on weekends and holidays for children ages 6 months and older; group ski lessons for kids as young as 4. Lift-serviced snow tubing on weekends and holidays; children must be at least 3 feet tall. Kids younger than 7 ski free. Lift tickets are reduced to $20 from Jan. 29-31, and the first 50 skiers or riders get a $25 lift ticket on the following dates: Jan. 6, Feb. 3, and March 3. Round-trip bus service available from New York metro area locations via Adirondack Trailways (trailwaysny.com) and online via skedaddle.com.

Rocking Horse Ranch 600 Route 44/55, Highland GPS address: 13 Pancake Hollow Road, Highland 845-691-2927; rockinghorseranch.com A family resort that includes downhill skiing, snow tubing, horse-drawn sleigh ridges, timber shoots, and ice-skating. Best for the ski “dabbler.” Offers beginner classes (in the Never Ever Area) and free equipment rentals (snowboards not available) with your stay. All-inclusive packages available. Free pickup service available from the Amtrak train station in Poughkeepsie and Stewart International Airport in Newburgh.

Thunder Ridge Ski Area 137 Birch Hill Road, Patterson 845-878-4100; thunderridgeski.com

Boasts 22 trails with many slow and gentle slopes for beginners and intermediates. Has a ski racing program for kids ages 6-19. On weekends and holidays through March 12, you can take the Metro-North ski train to Patterson station ($61.50; $44 seniors; $49.50 children ages 12 and older; $25 children ages 6-11; $12 children age 5; $10 for children younger than 5) and a the free shuttle to Thunder Ridge. Ticket includes all-day/ all-night lift ticket (night skiing not available on Sundays) and $5 discount on rental equipment.

get three free lift tickets ($10 processing fee). Discounted tickets for beginners; free lift tickets for children ages 4 and younger (with purchase of accompanying adult ticket).

Southern Vermont Smugglers’ Notch Resort 4323 Vermont Route 108 S., Smugglers’ Notch, Jeffersonville 802-644-8851

smuggs.com One of the Top 30 resorts in North America and winner of best family programs (SKI Magazine). It spans three mountains and has 78 trails, including 13 easy trails and six lifts. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, dog sledding, and snowmobile touring are available. Families enjoy indoor pool and hot tubs, arts and

crafts, and kids of all ages can play in the FunZone. Treasures Child Care available for ages 6 weeks to 3 years. Ski lessons for kids as young as 2½ and snowboarding lessons for kids as young as 3. Have fun on the ArborTrek Zip Line canopy tour, the only one of its kind in Vermont, where you can whiz through trees higher than 65 feet off the ground.

Find the full guide at ›› nymetroparents.com/ski

Windham Mountain 19 Resort Drive, Windham 800-754-9463 windhammountain.com Nearly 50 trails and six terrain parks (for beginner to expert riders), plus a Mountaintop Adventure Park with iceskating, snow tubing, two rope tows, and two zip lines. Ski and riding programs for kids ages 4-12 (private lessons for kids as young as 3). Lessons for children with disabilities are offered through the Adaptive Sports Foundation (call 518-734-5070 for more information). Child care is available. Bus service available from NYC via Adirondack Trailways (trailwaysny.com).

Connecticut Mohawk Mountain Ski Area 46 Great Hollow Road, Cornwall 860-672-6100 mohawkmtn.com The Parent & Tots program teaches parents (who must be at least intermediate-level skiers) how to ski safely with their 4-year-old children, while the children learn to ski; available Wednesdays at 1:30pm, weekends, and holidays (registration required).

Skiing and snowboarding lessons for kids as young as 5, as well as adaptive lessons for children with special needs. Ski racing program for ages 6-14.

Connecticut fourth-graders BrooklynParent 49

John Raiola

Not of the Faith

Students at Iona Prep’s Upper School work on a class assignment.

›› How local Catholic schools have integrated—and accommodated—students from all types of religious backgrounds By Samantha Neudorf

A

rthur Tobias is the father of three kids in New Rochelle and was brought up in an Italian-Catholic family. His wife is Jewish and his kids identify as Jewish, yet his two sons attend Iona Preparatory School—an all-boys Catholic school in New Rochelle.

Tobias says that when it was time for his older son to consider high schools, he was either going to continue attending public school or enroll in Iona Prep, where the elder Tobias had gone himself years earlier. But he did not know if the school would accept non-Catholic students until he had a conversation with a colleague who had been in the same situation: his wife and kids were Jewish, yet he sent his kids to Iona Prep.

The colleague was a member of the school’s board and said that at one point board members had asked, “Who do we admit into the school?” They decided that being Catholic was not required, opening the school to kids with different religious backgrounds.

Tobias and his wife then discussed sending their son to Iona Prep. They were concerned he might be teased or experience prejudice because he is Jewish. “She understood that I went there and that I valued my four years there and still do,” Tobias says.

They came to an understanding and agreed to enroll him.

Four years later, Tobias’ son graduated from Iona Prep and thanked his parents for allowing him to go there.

50

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Catholic School Policies

Edward O’Neill, the principal of the Upper School at Iona Prep, says that out of the 750 boys in ninth through 12th grades, 171 identify as not Catholic, which is approximately 23 percent of the student population. That number includes students who are Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and Hindu, as well as non-Catholic Christians. O’Neill says he believes non-Catholic students apply to Iona Prep because of the school’s values.

“Our values system is fairly clear, so people can identify with that,” O’Neill says. “We’re able to project a set of values of right and wrong, why we think kids should pursue their values and a good life.”

The school requires all students to take four years of a course in Catholic religion and to attend school Mass once per month.

The class is just like any other course in that the students receive a grade and have homework, and while Mass attendance is mandatory, participation is not. “The guys don’t have to actively participate, but we do want them to be familiar with our liturgies and how we celebrate our religion,” O’Neill says.

Many other Catholic schools have similar policies, in which non-Catholic students can enroll and must go to Mass, but are not forced to participate or share the same beliefs.

Maria Ljubich, the advancement director of St. Bernadette Catholic Academy in Dyker Heights, says 4 percent of the 400

students in pre-K through eighth grades are non-Catholic, but all participate in prayer and school Mass. “Religion is taught as a subject on a daily basis and prayer permeates our day,” Ljubich says.

Catholic students may prepare sacraments and non-Catholic students are welcome to help, but they do not have to receive them. Ljubich says no problems have come up from nonCatholic students and their families.

Jane Harrigan, the principal of Our Lady of Mercy School in Hicksville, says approximately 31 students out of the 300 in pre-K through eighth grades identify as non-Catholic. She says some parents have asked questions about what it will mean for their child to receive an education in a Catholic school. “We talk about…what the child would be experiencing because especially with the little ones, they’re learning ABCs, numbers, and also prayer,” Harrigan says.

Students at Our Lady of Mercy School take a religion class, and though they are learning about the faith, they do not have to agree with it, Harrigan says. “If there are any places where perhaps our [religion] and theirs is not exactly the same, then the parents take it upon themselves to say [to their kids], ‘This is what you’re learning in the Catholic school, this is what we believe in. We’re respectful of both,’” Harrigan says.

Unlike Iona Prep and St. Bernadette Catholic School, tuition prices vary at Our Lady of Mercy School: Tuition is slightly cheaper for a Catholic student whose family attends a church in the diocese in Rockville Centre. The reasoning behind the difference is these families are already making monetary contributions to their Catholic church along with tuition, and some of that goes toward Our Lady of Mercy church, which is adjacent to the school.

Misconceptions, Debunked

In the beginning, Tobias’s eldest son was unsure about Mass and did not want to attend. “He was anxious about it because any time he had been to church, it was with me and it was a family setting,” Tobias says.

At the school, all students are expected to get up and stand in line for communion, but they do not have to receive it. “It removes the stigma of, ‘Well, why aren’t you going up and going to communion?’” Tobias says.

If his son did not like Iona Prep, Tobias says he would not have enrolled his kids in any other Catholic school. His daughter is currently a senior at a public high school because she did not like the private school she and her parents considered. It’s a matter of researching the school and constantly checking in with your child, Tobias says. “[See] if there are any anxieties or concerns they may be having around the idea that they’re in a school different from their religion,” he advises. “A lot of kids are adjusting to high school life and religious differences may be just another part of that adjustment.”

O’Neill has been an educator at Catholic schools for 44 years and attended one as a student 50 years ago. Catholic schools used to be viewed as extremely rigid, he admits, with an emphasis on discipline and order. But, he says, educators’ mindsets have changed in the past 20 years because a lot of them are modernizing and adapting to the times.

“The older approach was ‘Here’s a group of kids and everybody is going to conform,’” O’Neill says. “At some point, Catholic schools got it that they needed to treat people as individuals and adjust to their learning styles.”

Music & Movement Classes for Infants, Toddlers, Preschoolers and the Grownups Who Love Them!

Offering Morning, Afternoon, Evening, and Weekend Classes.

Call for a Free Demonstration Class!

Now enrolling for Winter Session!

Bay Ridge/ Bensonhurst Sheepshead Bay / Flatbush / Mill Basin Marine Park musictogetherBR.com • 718-499-2866 Park Slope (2 Locations) nikoskids.com • 718-369-3099 Fort Greene/Clinton Hill/Bed Stuy musictogetherfortgreen.com • 212-604-4307

Want to know the Best Activities for Families?

Subscribe to our family activity email newsletter.

NYMetroParents.com/register BrooklynParent 51

Great for Leftovers

››

Each of these three recipes makes enough for two servings, plus enough for two servings of a leftover twist.

By Elana Karp and Suzanne Dumaine Creamy polenta with mushroom ragoût and the polenta cakes with fried eggs that can be made with the leftovers (inset)

Creamy Polenta with Mushroom Ragoût

Using a mix of fresh and dried mushrooms in sauces and soups is ideal; fresh provide meaty texture and heartiness, while dried bring concentrated flavor, released when they’re reconstituted. You could use this ragoût over pasta, but we particularly like the way this dish can became an all-in-one leftover: Mix ragoût into polenta, let it harden, then fry it in olive oil. Enjoy it any time of day.

Ingredients 1 cup water ½ cup dried porcini mushrooms 6 sprigs fresh thyme 1½ pounds mixed fresh mushrooms (we like cremini, oyster, and shiitake) 2 shallots ¼ bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley

2 Tbsp. unsalted butter ½ cup white wine 3 cups chicken or vegetable stock 2 cups whole milk 2 cups polenta ¹⁄³ cup grated Parmesan or pecorino cheese Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions 1. In a small saucepan, bring the water to a boil over high heat. As soon as it comes to a boil, add the dried mushrooms, remove from heat, and soak for approximately 10 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, strip the thyme leaves from the stems. Cut the fresh mushrooms into ¼-inch slices. Thinly slice the shallots. Roughly chop the parsley leaves.

3. Drain the dried mushrooms, reserving the soaking liquid.

Roughly chop and pat dry.

4. Heat a large pan over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add the dried and fresh mushrooms in a single layer and immediately season with salt and pepper. Cook without moving until beginning to crisp, 3-4 minutes. Add the butter, thyme, and shallots. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring, until the mushrooms are tender and browning and the shallots are softened, approximately 5 minutes.

52

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

5. Add the wine, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Increase the heat to medium-high and simmer until the wine is reduced by half, approximately 3 minutes. Add the reserved mushroom-soaking liquid to the pan and continue to simmer until reduced by half, 3-4 minutes longer. Reduce the heat to low and keep warm until ready to serve.

6. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, bring the chicken stock, milk, and a large pinch of salt to a boil over high heat. As soon as the liquid is boiling, while whisking, slowly add the polenta.

Immediately reduce the heat to as low as possible and whisk slowly and continuously until the polenta is tender and all the liquid has been absorbed (cooking time may vary; check package instructions). Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the cheese. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.

7. Taste the ragoût and add salt and pepper as needed. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the parsley.

8. To serve, divide half the polenta evenly between two bowls and top with half the ragoût.

Note: Stir the remaining polenta and ragoût together to save as leftovers. Spread into an even layer in a medium baking dish and store, covered, in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Leftovers: Polenta Cakes with Fried Eggs Ingredients Leftover polenta with mushroom ragoût, chilled 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 2 large eggs Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions 1. Cut the chilled polenta into 3-inch squares. In a large nonstick pan, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the polenta cakes in a single layer and

cook until browned and warmed through, approximately 3 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.

2. Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in the same pan over medium heat. Crack the eggs into the pan and season with salt and pepper. Fry without moving until the whites are set, 2-3 minutes. Slide the fried eggs over the polenta cakes and eat hot.

Cheffy Nugget: Polenta has two possible textures: creamy and delicious or totally solid. Make sure you have everything else ready before beginning to cook the polenta; you’ll want to eat it as soon as it comes off the stove.

BAKSHI LAW C. Lara Bakshi

Special Needs Attorney & Special Education Specialist Providing a clear road map of the law and zealously advocating for you and your child.

WINNING Record against DOE & Districts Winning record at due process hearings including failure to provide FAPE and tuition reimbursement.

SPECIALIZING in disciplinary matters for both special needs and general education students.

Suspensions • Expulsions • Manifestation • Determination Hearings

Garlicky Shrimp Stir-Fry with Shiitakes and Bok Choy

CALL 917-244-6133 to set up a consultation

305 Broadway, 14th Fl., NY, NY 10007 Sliding Scale Depending on Income

lara.bakshi@gmail.com • www.lawbakshi.com Servicing Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk Counties), NYC Boroughs, Westchester, Rockland and Upstate NY

Since 2006, Lango Brooklyn has successfully taught languages to thousands of children through culturally-based crafts, games, stories and movement.

We’re excited to announce that applications for our preschool programs and registration for our winter weekly classes are now open!

Rice is pretty much the perfect leftover—in fact, we love purposely making too much, just so we can repurpose it the next day. The steamed rice in this stir-fry is perfect for mopping up sauce, but once the rice dries out, it’s no longer a moisture sponge. In the leftover fried rice dish, it crisps up, becoming the star feature.

Ingredients 1½ cups jasmine or basmati rice 2½ cups water 4 baby bok choy 4 cloves garlic 1 pound shiitake mushrooms 1-inch knob fresh ginger ½ cup chicken or vegetable stock

LOOKING FOR Directions

1 tsp. cornstarch 1 Tbsp. mirin 2 Tbsp. sesame oil ½ tsp. crushed red pepper 1½ pounds shrimp, peeled and deveined Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1. In a medium pot, combine the rice, water, and a pinch of salt and bring to a boil over high heat. As soon as the water comes to a boil, stir once, cover, and reduce the heat to low. Cook for Saving money on then a New York City 12 minutes, covered, remove from the heat. Keep covered family day is easy! and allow to steam for at least 10 minutes.

2. While the rice cooks, cut the bok choy crosswise into ½-inch slices, keeping the leaves and stalks separate. Mince the garlic. Stem the shiitakes and thinly slice the caps. Peel and mince the ginger. In a small bowl, whisk together the stock, cornstarch, and mirin.

3. In a large pan, heat the sesame oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the bok choy stalks and shiitakes,

GREAT DEALS?

For more information, visit langokidsnyc.com

LOOKING FOR

GREAT

Saving money on a New York City family day is easy!

DEALS? Cityguideny.com has coupons and discounts for NYC sightseeing attractions, restaurants, stores and more.

Great New York deals, savings, special offers and deep discounts—for you and your family—are yours with just a click of the mouse.

continued on next page ››

BrooklynParent 53

LOOKING FOR

Saving money on a

›› continued from previous page

Leftovers: Shrimp Fried Rice with Egg

spreading into a single layer. Season with salt and pepper.

Cook without moving until starting to brown on the bottom, 2-3 minutes. Stir and cook until softening, 2-3 minutes. Add the crushed red pepper, garlic, ginger, and bok choy leaves and stir to combine. Cook until fragrant, approximately 1 minute. Season the shrimp on both sides with salt and pepper. Add to the vegetables and cook until just pink, 1-2 minutes per side.

4. Push all the ingredients to the outer edges of the pan. Pour the stock mixture into the center, and simmer until thickened, approximately 2 minutes. Stir everything together to combine and coat, then remove the pan from the heat. Taste the stir-fry and add salt and pepper as needed.

5. Uncover the rice and fluff with a fork. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.

Note: Before serving, set aside half the rice and half the stir-fry to use as leftovers. Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

6. To serve, top the rice with the stir-fry.

Ingredients Leftover shrimp and vegetable stir-fry 3 Tbsp. sesame oil 2 large eggs

Spaghetti Squash Ragù

Spaghetti squash gets its name from the thin, pasta-like strands that are pulled out of it after roasting. Don’t be fooled by its size; it makes an unexpectedly enormous amount of food—ideal for leftovers! This and the leftovers recipe are two of our favorite preparations, but there’s ample opportunity for you to invent your own.

Ingredients 2 small or 1 large spaghetti squash 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1 pound ground beef 2 carrots 1 yellow onion 3 sprigs fresh thyme 3 cloves garlic 1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes

¼ tsp. crushed red pepper 1 tsp. dried oregano ½ Tbsp. tomato paste ½ cup red wine 1 cup beef or chicken stock ¼ cup grated pecorino or Parmesan cheese Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions 1. Preheat the oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with foil.

2. Halve the spaghetti squash lengthwise. Using a large spoon,

54

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Leftover cooked rice ½ tablespoon soy sauce Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions 1. Chop the leftover shrimp into bite-size pieces.

2. In a large nonstick pan, heat 1 tablespoon of the sesame oil over medium heat. Beat the eggs in a medium bowl and season with salt and pepper. When the oil is shimmering, add the eggs and scramble, 2-3 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.

3. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons sesame oil to the pan and heat over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add all the leftovers—chopped shrimp, vegetables, and rice—and cook, stirring, until warmed through and the rice begins to crisp, approximately 5 minutes. Drizzle with the soy sauce and return the eggs to the pan. Stir to combine, approximately 1 minute.

scoop out and discard the seeds. Drizzle the cut sides with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Arrange cut-side down on the lined baking sheet and roast until browning along the edges and very tender, approximately 35 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, in a large sauté pan, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium-high heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until the meat loses its color, 8-10 minutes.

Using a slotted spoon, transfer the beef to a medium bowl and discard any liquid from the pan.

4. Meanwhile, halve the carrots lengthwise and slice them crosswise. Dice the onion. Strip the thyme leaves off the stems.

Mince the garlic. Drain the tomatoes.

5. Heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil in the same pan over medium-high heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the carrots, onion, thyme, garlic, crushed red pepper, and oregano. Sauté until the onion is soft and translucent, approximately 5 minutes. Return the meat to the pan. Add the tomato paste and stir to combine. Cook until brick red, approximately 2 minutes. Add the red wine and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook until reduced by half, approximately 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and stock. Increase the heat to high and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the ragù is thickened and the flavors are melded, approximately 15 minutes.

6. While the ragù simmers, when the spaghetti squash is cool enough to handle, use a large fork to pull and release the spaghetti-like strands into a large bowl.

Note: Set aside half the shredded spaghetti squash to use as leftovers.

Cover and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

7. Add the spaghetti squash to the ragù and stir to combine. Cook until warmed through and beginning to soak up the sauce, 2-3 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cheese.

Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.

Leftovers: Spaghetti Squash with Pine Nuts and Parmesan

Ingredients ¼ cup pine nuts 3 cloves garlic 6 sprigs fresh flat-leaf parsley 1/ 8 tsp. crushed red pepper ½ tsp. dried oregano ¼ cup chicken or vegetable stock

Leftover shredded spaghetti squash ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions 1. In a medium pan, spread out the pine nuts in a single layer and cook over medium heat, shaking the pan occasionally, until fragrant and toasted, approximately 5 minutes. Transfer the pine nuts to a small bowl.

2. Meanwhile, mince the garlic and roughly chop the parsley leaves.

3. In a large sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the garlic, crushed red pepper, and oregano. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, approximately 1 minute. Stir in the spaghetti squash and stock. Simmer until the pan is almost dry and the squash is warmed through, 3-5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the Parmesan. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. Serve garnished with the toasted pine nuts and parsley.

Joyful Jewish education program for kids ages 3 – 11 After-school and weekend classes throughout Brooklyn!

www.figtreeprogram.com Hebrew School. Reimagined.

Reprinted from Plated. Copyright © 2016 by Dine in Fresh, Inc., d/b/a Plated. Photographs copyright © 2016 by Robert Bredvad.

Published by Clarkson Potter/Publishers, an imprint of Penguin Random House, LLC.

Described by SKI Magazine as

“A True Family Mountain”

Where Midweek Skiing is

AFFordAble!

$25

Lift tickets Monday-friday (Excludes All Holiday Periods)

or Join Us for a Weekend!

In addition to skiing we also offer:

TUbing

Enjoy 2 hours of screaming good fun for $20

Learn More at: www.Skibutternut.com

22 Trails | 11 Lifts | 100% Snowmaking | Lesson | Rentals | Ski & Stay Packages | A FUN Family Mountain An easy drive from the NY Metro area into the Berkshires | 380 State Rd., Great Barrington, MA 01230 | (413) 528.2000

BrooklynParent 55

Why Are Boys Failing?

››

How current societal norms are contributing to boys falling behind—in school and in life By Jaimie Seaton

E

very day after school Peter comes home, drops his backpack and heads to his room to grab his laptop. Before he even gets a snack, he’s logged on and surfing between YouTube and his favorite video games. Unless an adult intervenes, he’ll spend the rest of his afternoon locked in an online trance.

Peter is not unlike most 13-year-old boys in this country. Instead of heading to the ball field after school, or hanging out with friends, Peter spends his afternoons online. If he has homework he does exactly what’s required, never more. He gets A’s and B’s but has been conditioned to believe that learning is a means to an end (doing well on tests) and not a means in itself.

He’s rare in that he enjoys reading for fun, but views reading as an activity to pursue when he’s not able to get online, not as a pleasurable way to spend his leisure time.

In many ways Peter is the quintessential modern boy, and that’s the problem, according to Leonard Sax, M.D., Ph.D., a primary care physician in Maryland, and the author of four books, including Boys Adrift: The Five Factors Driving the Growing Epidemic of Unmotivated Boys and Underachieving Young Men. The 2009 book was updated and re-released this year, and examines why boys are less ambitious and less resilient than they were 20 years ago.

Dr. Sax argues that a combination of social, cultural, and biological factors has created a toxic environment that leaves boys disengaged from school, less likely to go to college (and of those

56

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

who do, less likely to earn a degree), and more apt to live with their parents as adults. Currently, one-third of men ages 22-34 are still living at home, which is a nearly 100-percent increase in the past 20 years. Meanwhile, the proportion of girls who are anxious and depressed has at least quadrupled; it’s risen at a much higher rate than the rate for boys.

“I need to stress that girls are not the winners here,” Dr. Sax says.

Between the book’s initial release and the revision this year, the problem has only got worse, according to Dr. Sax. “We now have a great deal more research showing the growing gender gap in academic achievement—with boys falling further and further behind—not because girls are doing better, but because boys are doing worse,” Dr. Sax says. “If the gender gap was growing because girls were doing better, that wouldn’t be a problem. That would be cause for celebration.”

Dr. Sax says the gap is evident in many parameters, both formal and informal. For instance, girls are less likely to read for fun in their spare time than they were 30 years ago. But American boys have practically stopped reading for fun.

“The gender gap widened not because girls are reading more but because boys stopped reading,” Dr. Sax says.

Contributions to the Decline

A number of factors have contributed to the situation, including a cultural shift in which political sensibilities have infiltrated the

household, leaving Americans uncomfortable with the notion of authority, the decline of masculine role models, the need to make schools more boy-friendly, misguided parenting, and an over-reliance on pharmaceuticals to control children, according to Dr. Sax. “American parents are now parenting their kids badly, compared to other countries. An American kid is now fourteen times more likely to be on medication for ADD compared to a kid in the U.K. An American kid is forty times more likely to be on medication for bipolar disorder than a kid in Germany.

In this country we use schizophrenia medications to keep kids from having temper tantrums. There’s been a collapse of parenting in the United States,” Dr. Sax says.

Parents are grappling with challenges not faced by their parents, particularly the proliferation of screens and social media.

We learn to parent from our own parents, and if we can’t draw on experience, we look to our peers for guidance. The problem with this approach, according to Dr. Sax, is many parents don’t have a clue what they’re doing.

“I encourage parents to turn off the screens,” Dr. Sax says.

“We have a great deal of research showing the more time kids spend in front of a screen, the less engaged they are in the real world. We have very substantial evidence that finds that screens actively undermine kids’ ability to concentrate and focus.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics recently came out with new guidelines, recommending no more than 40 minutes of screen-time a night during the week and 1 hour on weekends.

Even if parents turn off the screens at home, however, a growing number of students are looking at screens in school.

“I think a big piece of it is too much technology in their daily lives, there’s such a rush to get the technology into the classrooms,” says Greg Stott, an eighth-grade science teacher at the Francis C. Richmond School in Hanover, NH, where students have individual iPads. “The students look to that for stimulation, and when that’s not provided, they don’t know what to do.”

“I’m not a fan of the iPad program. Parents can limit screen time at home, but we’re not thinking that maybe we should limit screen time here at school,” Stott says.

He added that students are less willing to solve problems, and that boys in particular either don’t know how to begin or simply give up. Girls tend to be more meticulous, more patient; girls typically do better overall because they do better work. Boys tend to be more impulsive, get it done quickly, and don’t go back and check their work.

“This generation of young adults seems to be expecting stuff and when it doesn’t come through, they’re at a loss of what to do, and maybe that’s why a lot of them move back home and don’t have the motivation to get out,” Stott says.

Peter Gray, Ph.D., research professor in the department of psychology at Boston College, has seen a profound lack of resilience among college students, which he attributes to the change in parenting and education methods over the past 50 years. Part of the problem, he says, is children are not left to their own devices to play outside, to push their own limits, and to get into situations or conflicts with other children that they must solve.

“Children are almost always in the presence of adults.

They’re not getting into trouble and out of trouble, and negotiating with their playmates. We’re depriving children of free play, and we’re seeing the consequence of that in college stu-

dents,” says Dr. Gray, author of Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life.

Paradoxically, though “helicopter parenting” has turned out kids who are unable to cope with the slightest set back at college (a fight with a roommate or a bad grade, for instance).

Parents have ceded their power to their kids because of their own discomfort with authority. Too many parents today are asking their children what they want—from meals to vacations—rather than setting the rules.

Closing the Gap

A look at television shows from the 1950s and ’60s offers a glimpse at an important difference between parenting styles then and now: Children in those shows are free to play on their own (both in and out of school) and often get into sticky situations. Indeed, many plots turn on the child doing something reckless and learning a valuable lesson as a result.

In today’s hyper-vigilant world, children have fewer and fewer opportunities to challenge themselves through play. No where is this more evident than at school, where the fear of litigation has turned playgrounds into outdoor gym classes, where adults closely supervise play, and many kids stand idly looking at their phones.

“Over the last forty years education changed in multiple ways, and schools became less friendly to boys,” Dr. Sax says.

“Are kids allowed to throw snow balls on school grounds during school hours? No. We used to throw snowballs and the teachers would come out and join us. Today if a kid starts throwing snowballs a teacher comes running out to stop him.”

Dr. Sax says there is a better way that costs nothing. He suggests making the football field the designated snowball throwing zone, where both boys and girls can choose to participate, or holding a tournament with teachers setting up targets and letting the kids compete.

He added that boys’ behavior must be channeled and it extends to the classroom. For instance, he says many boys like to write violent stories. An acceptable story might be a generic depiction of violence that suits the period being written about (Roman gladiators, for example). Writing a story depicting personal or threatening violence is out of bounds.

“Boys understand in bounds versus out of bounds very well,” Dr. Sax says.

There’s been so much concern about gender parity in schools that we’ve thrown the baby out with the bathwater.

Dr. Sax says gender is complicated but it doesn’t mean gender doesn’t matter.

“What boys need to get excited about school is different from what girls need, and if you don’t understand that, you end up with what we have, which is a lot of boys who think school is just for girls,” Dr. Sax says. “If we don’t turn the tide we’ll have boys who are less likely to be engaged in the real world and more likely to be looking at their screens, and less likely to fulfill their potential.”

Jaimie Seaton has been a journalist for more than 20 years, and is the former Thailand correspondent for Newsweek. Her work on divorce, parenting, dating, and a wide range of topics has been featured in the Washington Post, the Guardian, Glamour, and numerous other publications. Follow her on Twitter @JaimieSeaton.

BrooklynParent 57

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

PARTY ENTERTAINMENT CLOWNS.COM Proudly Serving Westchester, Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx 516-577-0000 718-971-5862 clowns.com We are a family-owned and -operated entertainment company, offering a wide range of party and entertainment services including clowns, inflatable bounce houses, characters, magicians, princesses, magic shows, face painting, and party concession rentals.

PARTY PLACES BOUNCEU 6722 Fort Hamilton Parkway (entrance on 67th Street and 9th

Avenue), Dyker Heights 347-450-5867 bounceu.com/brooklyn-ny BounceU is the ultimate party and play experience. BounceU is an indoor recreational facility with large inflatable play equipment in a 10,000-square-foot space. Relax!

Enjoy! Be our guest!

KIDS ‘N ACTION 1149 McDonald Ave. 718-377-1818 kidsnaction.com steven@kidsnaction.com Fun and thrills are what your kids will have at Kids ‘N Action. Kids never get bored enjoying our thrilling indoor roller coaster, amusing winding train, exciting go-karts, and action-filled arcade games. Parties include unlimited soft play and rides.

Your local guide to tutors, teachers, lawyers, financial planners, and other professionals DOCTORS & MEDICAL PROVIDERS

.

SPECIAL NEEDS

BAKSHI LAW PEDIATRIC IMMEDIATE CARE Offices in the Financial District, 150 E. Sunrise Highway, Suite 105, ACTIVITIES EVENTS MORE Long Island, and Westchester North Lindenhurst 917-244-6133 631-956-PEDS (7337) lawbakshi.com 1077 W. Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown lara.bakshi@gmail.com 631-864-PEDS (7337) Bakshi Law specializes in special pediatricimmediatecare.com education law, representing parents Pediatric Immediate Care is a team of and children with disabilities, attending hearts where kids come first. State-ofsuspension hearings, CSE and resolution the-art medical office equipment allows meetings. Our attorneys offer assistance us to deliver your test results during on a sliding scale. your visit. Kid-friendly; walk-ins welcome; most insurance plans accepted.

LITTLE OPTICS INC. 192-07 Union Turnpike, LEGAL SERVICES Fresh Meadows 53-15 Roosevelt Ave., Woodside BAKSHI LAW 718-468-7500 Offices in the Financial District, Hablamos Español Long Island, and Westchester littleopticsinc@yahoo.com 917-244-6133; lawbakshi.com We provide eyeglasses and professional lara.bakshi@gmail.com eye care for children, including infants Bakshi Law specializes in special and young adults. We also alleviate any education law, representing parents self-esteem issues associated with the and children with disabilities, attending stigma of wearing glasses. When your suspension hearings, CSE and resoGet advance notice onleaves activities, child Little Optics, rest assured lution meetings. Our attorneys offer that they will feel confident. assistance on a sliding scale. participate in group discussions

Join

NYMetroParents

Do you still need to find a summer camp?

and receive special notices.

ResouRces ARticles

www.facebook.com/nymetroparents ACTIVITIES

EVENTS

MORE

Join

NYMetroParents Get advance notice on activities, participate in group discussions and receive special notices.

Find everything you need, faster at

58

www.facebook.com/nymetroparents

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com ACTIVITIES

EVENTS

MORE

OPEN HOUSES 2017 The Dimitrios & Georgia Kaloidis Parochial School (DGK)

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church, 8502 Ridge Blvd.

718-836-8096 dgkschool.com principal@dgkschool.org Dimitrios & Georgia Kaloidis Parochial School for a memorable academic experience.

Open house Jan. 18 from 6-8pm.

St. Bernadette Catholic Academy

104 West End Ave. The Wave 347-913-5437 4123 Avenue U 718-210-3233 littlescholarsnyc.com littlescholarsnyc@gmail.com At Little Scholars Learning Center, children will learn, play, and discover in an environment like no other. Schedule a private tour any time!

1313 83rd St. 718-236-1560 stbernadetteschool.org stbernadette83@yahoo.com Join us for an open house on Jan. 29 from 10:30am-12:30pm, Jan. 31 from 9:1511:15am, or 12:45-2:15pm, or Feb. 2 from 5-7pm. “Welcome Wednesdays” weekly from 9:15-11am. Guided tours available by appointment.

Mill Basin Day Camp

Lango Kids, NYC

93 3rd Ave. (at Bergen Street) 917-300-8789 langokidsnyc.com langonewyork@gmail.com Join us for preschool open houses on Tuesdays, Dec. 6 and 20 and Jan. 10 and 17 from 8:30-9am. Prospective Student Playdates (Preschool): Spanish, Saturday, Dec. 17, 10:30-11:40am; Mandarin, Saturday, Jan. 7, 10:30-11:40am.

Leif Ericson Day School

1037 72nd St. 718-748-9023 Christine Hauge, principal ledsny.org Visit our Open School Night for new families on Wednesday, Jan. 18 from 7-8:30pm, and our open house on Sunday, Feb. 12 from 2-4pm.

5945 Strickland Ave. 718-251-6200 millbasindaycamp.com Please join us for an open house. Call our office for details: 718-251-6200.

The Park Slope Day Camp

Ronny Schindler, executive director 718-788-7732 parkslopedaycamp.com Join us for an open house, Jan. 28 at 1pm and 2:30pm at 339 8 St. and 6th Avenue.

Redeemer St. John’s Nursery School

939 83rd St. 718-833-7700 Join us for an open house on Saturday, Jan. 21 from 10am-12pm.

Smart Start Early Learning Center

8411 Fort Hamilton Parkway 718-921-1868 smartstart@verizon.net Join us for open house tours Thursdays, Jan. 5 and 12 from 9:45-10:15am, and Monday, Jan. 9 from 5:30-6:30pm.

Little Scholars Learning Center 52 Quentin Road 718-373-7046 448 Neptune Ave. 718-743-9009

Stepping Stones Nursery School

We treat:

• Food Allergies • Asthma • Eczema • Hay Fever • Sinus Issues • Recurrent Infections • Hives • Insect Allergies & much more!

245 86th St., Bay Ridge 718-630-1000 steppingstones86.com steppingstones86@aol.com Join us for an open house on Tuesdays from 5:30-7:30pm at 245 86th St., on Jan. 24 and 31 for children born in 2013 and 2014, and Feb. 7 for children born in 2015.

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts

185 Colonial Springs Road, Wheatley Heights 844-824-9790 usdan.com Young artists flourish at Usdan. Be part of a Usdan for a visit and information session: Jan. 8, Feb. 5, March 5, April 2, and May 7.

Windmill Montessori School

1317 Avenue T 718-375-7973 windmillmontessorischool.org Join us for an open house, Wednesday, Jan. 11; Thursday, Jan. 26; Wednesday, Feb. 8; Thursday, Feb. 23; Wednesday, March 8; or Tuesday, March 21.

Probot Artistry an exciting and innovative out-of-school time robotics program for children ages 5 and up.

Classes in LEGO® Robotics, 3D Printing, Arduino, Chess, and Brain Science.

Robotics. Engineering. Art. Summer Camp • After-School Programs School Holiday Mini Camps • Saturday Workshops

Board certified pediatric & adult allergist.

10 Plaza Street East Suite 1E Brooklyn, NY 11238 & 311 Saint Nicholas Ave., Ridgewood, NY 11385

(347) 564-3211 www.brooklynallergyDR.com

Birthday Parties • Private Classes

1000 Dean Street, Suite 242 Brooklyn, NY 11238 718.230.0383 • info@probotartistry.com

www.probotartistry.com BrooklynParent 59

Meet the Health Care

PROFESSIONAL

To be in this section, call 212-315-0800 or email nympads@davlermedia.com

Dr. Cascya Charlot - Allergy and Asthma Care of Brooklyn 10 Plaza St. E., Suite #1E 347-564-3211 311 Saint Nicholas Ave., Ridgewood 347-564-3211; brooklynallergydr.com

Dr. Cascya Charlot is an award-winning, Harvard Medical School-trained physician who is board-certified in pediatric and adult allergy and immunology. She is the chief of pediatric allergy at Methodist Hospital in Park Slope, and medical director of Allergy and Asthma Care of Brooklyn in Park Slope and Williamsburg.

She evaluates patients for a wide variety of allergic conditions including asthma, eczema, food allergies, sinusitis, and environmental allergies. Throughout her career, she has received numerous accolades including the prestigious Patients’ Choice “Most Compassionate Doctor” award in 2012 and 2013.

Park Slope Kids Dental Care 150 4th Ave. 718-488-0200 parkslopekidsdental.com

At Park Slope Kids Dental Care, children who are first seen for a friendly examination and cleaning are able to enjoy the dental experience and build a bond of trust with us. A customized dental plan that includes prevention, growth development, and possible treatment is created to fit your child’s specific dental needs. We are committed to giving children the best possible experiences at our office to help set them up for a lifetime of good oral health.

Meet The

0

DIRECTOR 60

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Pediatric Immediate Care 698 Manhattan Ave.; w718-389-PEDS (7337) 150 E. Sunrise Highway, Suite 105, North Lindenhurst; 631-956-PEDS (7337) 1077 W. Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown 631-864-PEDS (7337); pediatricimmediatecare.com

Pediatric Immediate Care is a team of hearts where kids come first. State-of-the-art medical office equipment allows us to deliver your test results during your visit. Kidfriendly; walk-ins welcome; most insurance plans accepted. Complete pediatric and adolescent care, as well as baby, camp, school, and sports physicals. Certified urgent care recommended by Urgent Care Association of America. Thirty years of dedication to our patients. The offices are open seven days a week including holidays, 8am-11pm.

Lois Jackson, D.D.S., P.C. and Associates 16 Court St., Suite 2211; 718-855-8833 505 LaGuardia Place, Suite L4, Greenwich Village near Washington Square Park 212-995-8888; lajacksondds@aol.com

Dr. Lois Jackson is very experienced in pediatric dental care for children, adolescents, and patients with special needs. She is the president of the New York State Association of Pediatric Dentists.

To give back to the community, Dr. Jackson volunteers and supports numerous civic and cultural organizations. She is a member of the Board of Directors for the Camp Brooklyn (sending children to camp), Flatbush Development Corporation, East Midwood Jewish Center, and Fisk Terrace Neighborhood Association. Dr. Jackson was a Nickelodeon Parents’ Pick for Best Dentist for two years running!

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts

185 Colonial Springs Road, Wheatley Heights 844-824-9790 usdan.com In October 2015, Lauren Brandt Schloss became executive director of Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts. With her appointment, she became Usdan’s third leader in a half century.

With 20 years of experience in arts education, at the Queens Museum, MoMA, and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, she is committed to ensuring that Usdan is at the forefront of educational and artistic practices. Ms. Schloss earned a B.A. in art history from Princeton University and an M.A. in arts administration from Columbia University.

AD INDEX

NYMetroParents.com features more than 20,000 businesses serving the NY Metropolitan area!

BIRTHDAY / PARTY SERVICES

Probot Artistry................................................................. 59

Llingsworth Music........................................................... 55

BounceU........................................................................... 7

Rab’s Country Lanes........................................................ 9

Rab’s Country Lanes........................................................ 9

Construction Kids........................................................... 17

Redeemer St. John Nursery School............................... 28

Ski Butternut................................................................... 55

Kids N Action.................................................................. 39

Smart Start..................................................................... 27

Ume Ume Music & Arts.................................................. 33

St. Bernadette School..................................................... 25

FITNESS

Tutoring Club of Bayridge............................................... 37

NYC Tae Kwon Do.......................................................... 43

CAMPS

Two by Two Childcare.................................................... 28

Congregation Beth Elohim.............................................. 13

Ume Ume Music & Arts.................................................. 33

HEALTH

Construction Kids........................................................... 17

Williamsburg Neighborhood School............................... 28

Allergy & Asthma Care of Brooklyn.......................... 59, 60 Jackson, Lois Dr....................................................... 43, 60

FasTracKids Brooklyn / Staten Island............................ 14 Leif Ericson Day School................................................. 22

DEVELOPMENTAL

Park Slope Kids Dental Care.................................... 49, 60

Mill Basin Day Camp........................................................ 5

Huntington Learning Center........................................... 47

Pediatric Immediate Care......................................... 39, 60

Rab’s Country Lanes........................................................ 9

EDUCATION

LEGAL SERVICES

Russian School of Mathematics..................................... 19

A+ Academy................................................................... 63

Bakshi Law..................................................................... 53

Smart Start..................................................................... 27

ABC Child Center........................................................... 30

Stepping Stones Preschool............................................ 29

Bakshi Law..................................................................... 53

MUSIC

Storybook Land.............................................................. 25

Brienza’s Academic Advantage...................................... 19

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts......................... 15

Treasure Island............................................................... 26

Citizens of the World - Williamsburg............................... 25

Juguemos a Cantar.......................................................... 2

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts.................................. 60

DGK Parochial School of Holy Cross............................. 23

Llingsworth Music........................................................... 55

FasTracKids Brooklyn / Staten Island............................ 14

Music Together of Bay Ridge.......................................... 51

CHILD CARE / DAY CARE

Fig Tree.......................................................................... 55

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts.................................. 60

ABC Child Center........................................................... 30

GetATutor.com.................................................................. 3

Citizens of the World - Williamsburg............................... 25

Hellenic Classical Charter School.................................. 31

PERFORMING ARTS / ACTING

Kiddie Academy - Brooklyn............................................. 23

Huntington Learning Center........................................... 47

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts......................... 15

Little Hands and Feet..................................................... 30

Juguemos a Cantar.......................................................... 2

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts.................................. 60

Little Scholars................................................................. 33

Kiddie Academy - Brooklyn............................................. 23

Preschool of America...................................................... 21

Lango Kids, NYC............................................................ 53

PLAY SPACES

Smart Start..................................................................... 27

Leif Ericson Day School................................................. 22

BounceU........................................................................... 7

St. Sebastian School...................................................... 30

Little Hands and Feet..................................................... 30

Kids N Action.................................................................. 39

Stepping Stones Preschool............................................ 29

Little Scholars................................................................. 33

Storybook Land.............................................................. 25

Music Together of Bay Ridge.......................................... 51

Treasure Island............................................................... 26

Our Lady of Grace Montessori School........................... 27

DGK Parochial School of Holy Cross............................. 23

Two by Two Childcare.................................................... 28

Preschool of America...................................................... 21

Fig Tree.......................................................................... 55

Williamsburg Neighborhood School............................... 28

Redeemer St. John Nursery School............................... 28

Our Lady of Grace Montessori School........................... 27

Park Slope Day Camp.................................................... 64

RELIGIOUS

Russian School of Mathematics..................................... 19

Redeemer St. John Nursery School............................... 28

CLASSES

St. Bernadette School..................................................... 25

St. Bernadette School..................................................... 25

A+ Academy................................................................... 63

St. Saviours Catholic Academy...................................... 31

St. Saviours Catholic Academy...................................... 31

Brienza’s Academic Advantage...................................... 19

St. Sebastian School...................................................... 30

St. Sebastian School...................................................... 30

Citizens of the World - Williamsburg............................... 25

Stepping Stones Preschool............................................ 29

Congregation Beth Elohim.............................................. 13

Storybook Land.............................................................. 25

SPECIAL NEEDS

Construction Kids........................................................... 17

Success Academy.......................................................... 11

Bakshi Law..................................................................... 53 Huntington Learning Center........................................... 47

DGK Parochial School of Holy Cross............................. 23

Treasure Island............................................................... 26

FasTracKids Brooklyn / Staten Island............................ 14

Tutoring Club of Bayridge............................................... 37

Fig Tree.......................................................................... 55

Two by Two Childcare.................................................... 28

SPORTS

Juguemos a Cantar.......................................................... 2

Williamsburg Neighborhood School............................... 28

NYC Tae Kwon Do.......................................................... 43

Lango Kids, NYC............................................................ 53

Windmill Montessori School........................................... 29

Leif Ericson Day School................................................. 22

TUTORS

Little Hands and Feet..................................................... 30

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT / EVENTS / OUTINGS

A+ Academy................................................................... 63

Music Together of Bay Ridge.......................................... 51

BounceU........................................................................... 7

Brienza’s Academic Advantage...................................... 19

NYC Tae Kwon Do.......................................................... 43

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts......................... 15

GetATutor.com.................................................................. 3

Our Lady of Grace Montessori School........................... 27

Kids N Action.................................................................. 39

Tutoring Club of Bayridge............................................... 37

BrooklynParent 61

Courtesy Judy Koutsky

VOICES

The author and her children swim with the dolphins on a recent trip.

Is My Babysitter Doing a Better Job Than Me? ›› Though my sons’ caregivers can sometimes seem to be better role models than me, that doesn’t mean I am a bad parent. By Judy Koutsky

W

ork has been super busy lately, so we recently tried out some new babysitters. When I asked my sons afterward what they thought of the new recruits, they said they didn’t like any of them. I was worried: Were the babysitters doing something wrong? Were they being mean? Were they not parenting the way I would parent?

I asked my kids to give me examples of why they disliked those babysitters. My older son said that one babysitter “forced” him to eat his dinner. “How?” I asked. “Did she physically force open your mouth?” He thought about it, paused, and said, “Well, no, but she wouldn’t let me watch the rest of my TV show until I promised to finish half my fruit and veggies and eat three more bites of chicken.”

Other atrocities? “At bedtime,” my younger son chimed in, “she’s so mean.” Again, I asked for details. “She gave me a fiveminute warning to go to the bathroom, get a glass of water, and find my favorite book. Then at exactly eight o’clock, she said lights out!” he exclaimed. “You always lay with us for a long time and when you tell us just one book you often read many, many more.”

So it turns out the “mean” babysitters were making my kids eat healthy, stick to rules I implemented, and were consistent.

Hmmm, what does that say about me?

I started to feel bad, as if I wasn’t parenting correctly. Why were the babysitters able to get my kids to do things that I let slide?

I think one of the biggest changes in parenting today is that we parents are so much more involved in our kids’ lives day to day.

I grew up 1 of 6 kids, and my mom made sure we had a family dinner (homemade) each night at 6. But parents didn’t get as involved in every little detail in their kids’ lives.

I need a babysitter, because in addition to working, I’m full-on with the kids. That includes being class parent for both of my boys (planning class parties, organizing field trips and volunteers,

and making sure everything runs smoothly). Then there are all of the extras, such as volunteering to be the pizza mom as well as the art appreciation mom at school. Plus, there’s the playdates, and after-school sports and activities. I also try to take my kids outside each day for fresh air and fun, and I need to help them with homework and reading each night. I love my mom and the way she raised me, but she wasn’t nearly as involved. (None of the moms were back then.)

I love being a big part of my kids’ lives, but it’s also exhausting.

Come dinner and bedtime, I’m beat. So while the babysitter comes in fresh and ready to work, I’m ready to throw in the towel (having been up since 5am). She has the energy to negotiate three more bites, or a spoonful of broccoli, but I feel like I’ve been negotiating for hours. When it comes to bedtime, I admit, I’m terrible about being strict. Truth be told, I love reading stories to my boys. I love the extra snuggle time. I love telling them about when they were a baby, or a story about when I was their age.

So while I wish I had the energy to stick to a schedule and keep it consistent and structured, I also feel like I need to cut myself some slack. I don’t always make them finish their dinners (or eat their veggies and fruit), but I do make them three full meals a day. If they skimp on something at dinner, hopefully they make up for it at lunch.

If I don’t always have the strong will to enforce bedtime, I hope they have happy memories of their mom telling them lots of bedtime stories about their childhood (and mine) and reading lots of books.

Maybe babysitters can be consistent and more structured because they watch my kids at most 20 percent of the time I do.

If I had my kids 20 percent of the time, maybe I could strive for perfection or good modeling all that time. But I’m on 24/7, so even though I slip up and bend the rules quite a bit, I like to think it evens out in the end. And that I’m still a good mom.

Judy Koutsky is an award-winning writer and editor whose work has appeared in more than 30 publications, including Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, Redbook, Parents, Scholastic, and Prevention. She writes often about travel, parenting, health, and lifestyle. Follow her @JudyKoutsky or visit her website, judykoutsky.com.

62

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

BrooklynParent 63