LongIsland NASSAU EDITION
Parent NYMETROPARENTS.COM SEPTEMBER 2018
BACK TO
SCHOOL! • Help your student thrive
• Resources to get ready for class
NEW! After-School and Education planners
e
Find the perfect activity and school for your child
Saving for College It’s never too soon to start!
And the Winner Is…
A behind-the-scenes peek at our cover contest photo shoot
HELPING PARENTS MAKE BETTER DECISIONS
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Social Media Icons 2017:
BECAUSE TRUST IS IMPORTANT Child Health Plus offers the benefits kids need for a healthier future.
Call 866.206.1741 (TTY 711) AffinityPlan.org/CHP To learn more about applying for health insurance, including Medicaid, Child Health Plus, Essential Plan, and Qualified Health Plans through NY State of Health, The Official Health Plan Marketplace, visit www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call 855.355.5777.
CO-ED ■ “MOMMY & ME” THROUGH 8TH GRADE
Where Every Child is Known
... and Inspired to Excel, to Lead, to Care
Superior academics, a
joyful atmosphere, and emphasis on character education lead Green Vale graduates to excel in the top secondary schools and colleges...and in life.
Open Houses October 16 & November 14 9:00 AM RSVP at greenvaleschool.org
250 Valentine’s Lane, Old Brookville, NY | 516.621.2420 LongIslandParent
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contents table of
Original photo by ›› Big Apple Portraits (bigappleportraits.com) Clothing provided by Land’s End (landsend.com)
september 2018
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back-to-school
Cute Stuff Alert!
A behind-the-scenes look at our annual cover contest photo shoot
Family Fun in Manhattan
Two can’t-miss events and two venues to visit while you’re in NYC this month
20 Help Your Young Learner Thrive 22 Back-to-School Directory
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30 After-School Planner 34 Education Planner
Kitchen: Trending
Five big design fads happening in kitchens right now, according to interior designers
raising kids
things to do
family life
6 Editor’s Note 8 New Places, New Programs 10 5 Rights Your Child Has in School 14 A Farewell to My Foster Daughter 18 Cute Stuff Alert! 48 The Benefits of Baby Classes 50 From Friends to Falling Out 56 Party Central 58 Professional Services 59 Open Houses 60 Meet the Doctor 61 Advertisers’ Index 62 Quotables
16 Squeezy Bottle Rocket
52 Saving for Higher Education
36 Family Fun in Manhattan
54 Kitchen: Trending
37 Family Activities Calendar
NYMetroParents
Helping Parents Make Better Decisions ON THE COVER ›› 18 And the Winner Is... 20 Help Your Student Thrive 22 Resources to Get Ready for Class 30 After-School Planner 34 Education Planner 52 Saving for College facebook.com/nymetroparents
@NYMetroParents Visit NYMETROPARENTS.COM for family activities updated daily and more than 2,000 parenting articles!
�is School Year, Anything is Possible.
Every fall is a fresh start. This season, equip your kids for back to school with more than new clothes and school supplies—give them the skills and confidence to transform their year! At Mathnasium, we teach students to truly understand math. Our caring, highly trained instructors assess and teach each child individually, using customized learning plans to help them set and accomplish their academic goals all year long. The Mathnasium Method™ builds confidence, develops critical thinking, and boosts grades and scores. Teaching math is not just what we do, it’s all we do. We’re the authority in math education, with over 900 learning centers worldwide. Start the year with Mathnasium, finish with success.
Check out one of our many great locations throughout Nassau County! Five Towns
414 Central Avenue Cedarhurst, NY 11516 516-569-1500
Great Neck
Lynbrook
381 Sunrise Highway Lynbrook, NY 11563 516-881-7997
11 Great Neck Road Great Neck, NY 11021 516-482-MATH (6284)
New Hyde Park
Roslyn
810 Jericho Turnpike New Hyde Park, NY 11040 516-616-MATH (6284)
217A Mineola Avenue Roslyn Heights, NY 11577 516-484-MATH (6284)
LongIslandParent
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SEPTEMBER 2018 • Vol.10 • No.4
raising kids editor’s note
NYMetroParents nymetroparents.com
EDITORIAL
Lots to Learn!
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Katelin Walling ASSISTANT EDITORS: Anja Webb, Melissa Wickes DIRECTOR OF CONTENT: Deborah Skolnik
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e’re finally settling into a new school year. Your kids will be learning lots of new things, but did you ever stop to think about all you’ll be learning, too? For my family, this fall is the ultimate “teachable moment”: We packed up our older daughter and dropped her off at college for the first time. Now I’m learning how to be a parent even when my child is hours away. I’m figuring out how to temper my worry for her safety and happiness with pride that I raised a kid who’s ready to face the world without me. Whether you’re dropping off your toddler at day care or nursery school, waving your big kid onto a bus, or watching him disappear through those school doors, I’m right there with you in the trenches, feeling that pang of separation—and also that joy. If it makes you feel better, even the smallest of children get big benefits from learning lessons and interacting with their peers. Christina Vercelletto’s piece “The Benefits of Baby Classes,” on p. 58, explores the way infants and toddlers develop both socially and intellectually by being in a structured yet playful setting. And have you ever wondered what you as a parent can do to help your child succeed in school? You’ll want to read Alana Coopersmith’s story, “Help Your Young Learner Thrive” on p. 20. It explores kids’ different learning styles, and explains how to find the schools and activities that can help your unique child excel. Of course, navigating childhood and adolescence can be a challenge for kids at times. As children grow and change, even longstanding friendships can wane or abruptly end. Find out how you can help your child with the transition by reading Samantha Neudorf’s thoughtful article, “From Friends to Falling Out” on p. 60. With the right guidance, kids can find closure—and even a silver lining. And here’s a thought that will blow your mind: From the moment your child is born, it’s a good idea to be thinking about…college. Yes, even though it seems so far away, it’s wise to come up with a plan to shoulder all or part of the expenses. The estimated cost of a four-year private college 18 years from now tops $300,000! That may make you feel hopeless, but we’ll show you how to reach your goals in Barbara Russo’s story “Saving for Higher Education” on p. 62. It’s never too soon—or too late—to start saving! Ready for a lighter lesson? Katelin Walling’s got it for you with her fun piece, “Kitchen: Trending” (p. 64). It gives the 411 on what’s hot in kitchen design and accessories. We’ll show you how to bring the heart of your home up-to-date and make it cozier than ever. (And you don’t need to do a total renovation either—even a few minor changes can do the trick.) Lastly, don’t miss this month’s touching essay by Lindsay Smith, “A Farewell to My Foster Daughter” on p. 12. She cared for a beautiful baby girl from birth, but ultimately realized that the most loving thing she could do was give her to a family to permanently adopt. It’s a lesson that will resonate with every parent, since raising a child, for a year or straight through to adulthood, is ultimately—as I’ve learned—about letting go. Hoping your back-to-school season is exciting and enlightening!
REGIONAL EDITORS: Samantha Beranbom (Rockland); Karen Demeter (Suffolk); Whitney C. Harris (Manhattan, Westchester); Karen Lo (Brooklyn); Dorette Saunders (Nassau); Gail Warren (Queens) DIRECTORIES EDITOR: Alice Van Dyke
ADVERTISING SALES
Big Apple Parent 212-315-0800 Jeunesse Jackson, Manager EJ Morales-Gomez Queens Parent 718-878-4860 Annene Guertin, Manager Westchester Parent 914-397-0200 Nini DeLuca, Manager Merrill Sugarman, Mary Wender Brooklyn Parent 718-878-4860 Phyllis Crupi, Selene Rodriguez Rockland Parent 845-848-8021 Cara Roteman, Jim Russo Long Island Parent, Nassau 516-883-4543 Joan Bergman, Manager Lisa Herlihy Long Island Parent, Suffolk 631-472-5437 Karen Shapiro, Gayle Sherman To Advertise: nympads@davlermedia.com To Submit Events: nymetroparents.com/submitevents To Submit News: nymetroparents.com/submitnews
STATEN ISLAND PARENT
EDITOR/PUBLISHER: Roselle Farina-Hecht 718-494-1932
MOMMYBITES
MANAGING DIRECTOR: Amy Lazar-Pollack 516-851-7004
OPERATIONS
DIR. OF OPERATIONS -- EVENTS: Rebecca Stolcz DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS: Ray Winn OPERATIONS COORDINATORS: Elvins Cruz, Leonard Porter DIRECTOR OF TRAFFIC: Heather Gambaro ADMINISTRATION MANAGER: Erin Jordan
PRODUCTION
DIRECTOR|PUBLISHING MANAGEMENT: Anthony Diaz
MARKETING
Deborah Skolnik Director of Content
MARKETING DIRECTOR: Ryan Christopher ASSISTANT MARKETING MANGER: Kristine Pulaski
P.S. Got a personal story you’d like to share? We’d love to consider it for our Voices essay column. Send your submissions to editor@nymetroparents.com.
FINANCE
CONTROLLER: David Friedman CREDIT MANAGER: Elizabeth Teagarden CREDIT ASSISTANTS: Rosa Meinhofer
Davler Media Group davlermedia.com
CEO: David L. Miller GENERAL MANAGER: Thomas K. Hanlon 213 W. 35th St., Suite 12W, New York, NY 10001 Phone: 212-315-0800; Fax: 212-271-2239
Keep in Touch: @nymetroparents nymetroparents.com editor@nymetroparents.com
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BIG APPLE PARENT, QUEENS PARENT, WESTCHESTER PARENT BROOKLYN PARENT, ROCKLAND PARENT, BERGEN • ROCKLAND PARENT, STATEN ISLAND 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
Patients will always see Dr. Elbaz to ensure consistency and build trust.
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The Personal Attention Your Child Needs and Deserves. Participating with most major insurance plans. Comprehensive Dental Care for Infants, Children, Adolescents and those with Special Needs.
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1756A Merrick Avenue • Merrick • 516-547-1997 www.MerrickPediatricDentistry.com
Conveniently Located less than a mile south of the Southern State Parkway
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raising kids new places, new programs Courtesy Diocese of Rockville Centre
Who: Diocese of Rockville Centre What’s New: STREAM Education The 41 elementary schools under the Diocese of Rockville Centre will be integrating STREAM learning into the curriculum. STREAM adds both religion and art to the already existing focus on science, technology, engineering, and math. “The reason for the shift is that we cannot separate faith and reason and because a STREAM curriculum will align subjects to build context,” says Gary Layton, the director of marketing for the department of education for the Diocese. STREAM schools seek to integrate Catholic Identity into every aspect of the curriculum while providing a challenging learning environment and a culture of innovation.
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Catholic Elementary Schools on Long Island Redefine Curriculum With STREAM Education
It is the goal of the Department of Education of the Diocese of Rockville Centre to create a new model for Catholic education on Long Island.
rry La Courtesy Ge
ytin
Continuing Education Program in Hempstead Introduces Internet Hardware Course for Middle and High Schoolers Who: Hofstra University Continuing Education What’s New: Internet Hardware Hacks: IoT (Internet of Things), which is scheduled start in October. The course integrates the Internet with hardware students will build themselves, which will help them learn the connection between various aspects of technology and how it all communicates. The course is designed to build confidence in the students as they see their creations start to work and to promote teamwork with peers and instructors. Designed for seventh through 12th grades, this course takes place for 2 hours on Saturdays starting in October for a total of eight sessions. The class is typically capped at 15-20 students to ensure each student receives individual attention from the instructor. Want More Info: 101 Oak St., Uniondale; 516-463-7200; hofstra.edu/academics/ce
as lls they will need the students the ski Jay Mir, one of to The course gives ing ord acc g, idly growin technology is rap course. instructors of the the designers and
Who: Lice Tamers What’s New: Dimethicone based products and free head lice checks. The natural, non-pesticide product has been a huge success for the treatment of head lice. The annual back-to-school special offers one free head check with each treatment, which are normally $25 each. Various specials are also offered throughout the year and can be found on the Lice Tamers Facebook page. Lice Tamers is the only lice treatment center on Long Island that is owned and operated by a licensed medical professional, according to owner Melissa Klein. It offers both in-store and at-home treatment for your convenience, as well as two complimentary rechecks with your treatment. Want More Info: 900 Walt Whitman Road, Suite LL2, Melville; 631-479-2595; licetamers.com September 2018 | nymetroparents.com 8
Courtesy Lice Tamers
Lice Removal Service in Melville Offers New Products and Back-to-School Specials
The new Lice Tamers products are dimet hicone-based, which kills the lice by suffocation.
LongIslandParent
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raising kids in the know
GOT DIAPERS? Has your child been successfully potty-trained and now you have diapers you don’t need? Has your child outgrown certain sizes and now you have some leftover? Donate them! #DiaperNeed is severe... September 24-30, 2018 is #DiaperNeedAwarenessWeek Allied Physicians Group divisions collect packages of clean diapers (both unopened and opened) to be distributed by the Allied Foundation Diaper Bank Drop them off, call us at 631.386.4185, or email kgg@alliedfoundation.org to schedule a pick-up! Looking for a service project for your pre-teen/teen? #DiaperDrives are a fantastic way to bring attention to this ongoing crisis. Hosting an upcoming party? Consider asking friends to bring diapers and wipes for families in need. Looking for a charitable corporate project? Join other generous employees who have spearheaded #DiaperDrives... There is a dire need for diapers by families in New York State. We appreciate your generosity.
alliedfoundation.org dfoundation.org e riv D r e iap t y #D a Da s t ren a P I #L 10
September 2018 | nymetroparents.com
5 Rights Children Have in School ›› By Marion M. Walsh, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP
Marion M. Walsh, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP
F
ederal and state laws protect the rights of students in school, yet many parents are unaware of their child’s legal protections as a student. Here are five rights that your child—from kindergarten to high school—possesses in a public school: The right to be safe: Ultimately, every parent’s biggest concern is the safety of his or her child. Luckily, with certain limitations, teachers and administrators have the general duty to act as a parent when protecting their students, under the doctrine of in loco parentis. While this is not a guarantee of safety, your child has the right to supervision in school and the right to be safe from foreseeable harm. The right to freedom of speech: It is important to know when your school district is legally allowed to stop your child from protesting or speaking up. This is far less often than you probably imagine. Students do not “shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate,” according to the U.S. Supreme Court. Under the First Amendment, students have the right to free speech, as long as it does not cause a substantial disruption in school or interfere with the rights of others. The right to be free from severe and pervasive bullying and harassment: Bullying can have a devastating effect on any child and it is the obligation of the school to take reasonable steps to protect students from that harm. New York State’s Dignity for All Students Act seeks to provide students with a safe and supportive environment free from discrimination, intimidation, harassment, and bullying in school or at school-related activities. This includes off-campus harassment or bullying where there is some sort of connection to the school. The right to evaluations and a free appropriate public education for students with disabilities: School districts have an obligation to identify and evaluate students suspected of having a special need that may impact learning. If a student is eligible for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the school district must create an Individualized Education Program, which must provide instruction and services designed to meet the needs of a child. Parents have the right to challenge IEPs or lack of services in a due process hearing. Students with special needs also have the right to receive accommodations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The right to a free public education, regardless of race, color, national origin, or even immigration status: Families do not have to prove their immigration status to enroll their children in school, and public schools cannot deny undocumented children an education. This list is not inclusive of all rights and services your child has in school. If you believe your child’s rights have been abridged, consult with an experienced attorney.
Marion M. Walsh, Esq., a partner with the firm Littman Krooks LLP, leads the education law practice. She has worked in education law for 20 years and has been an advocate for children in many capacities.
Happy. Healthy. Loved. These are the dreams we have for our children. So we cherish the moments when little giggles fill the room, imaginations take us on great adventures, and when it seems our hearts could burst with pride and love. Here and now, we’d stop time if we could. Because when kids are being kids, we all feel better.
Let’s get every child covered. If your child needs health insurance, Fidelis Care is just a call, click, or visit away.
Call: 1-888-FIDELIS Click: fideliscare.org Visit: A Fidelis Care community office near you. Search for locations at fideliscare.org/offices
HHHHH Fidelis Care is a top-rated plan in the 2017 New York State Consumer’s Guide to Medicaid and Child Health Plus.
1-888-FIDELIS • fideliscare.org (1-888-343-3547)
TTY: 711
To learn more about applying for health insurance, including Medicaid, Child Health Plus, Essential Plan, and Qualified Health Plans through NY State of Health, The Official Health Plan Marketplace, visit www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call 1-855-355-5777.
LongIslandParent 11
things to do
long island parents day
An Afternoon of Fun & Resources
Kids participate in a variety of activities while parents meet local businesses.
O
n Sunday, Sept. 16 bring the whole family to LI Parents Day at LIU Post where the kids can play while the parents browse important back-to-school resources. Your children can hit the Kid’s Corner for activities, classes, and demonstrations, including, but not limited to: • a live reptile show with Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium • dance classes with Eglevsky Ballet • robotics with the Catholic Schools of Long Island • an intro to computer programming with The Coder School • face painting with Clowns.com • Zumba with YMCA Long Island • gymnastics to kindermusik with The Little Gym of Roslyn While your kids are having a blast, you’ll have access to more than 50 exhibitors, including after-school activities, health care and special needs providers, and the best birthday party venues on Long Island.
Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium will host a live reptile show at this year’s LI Parents Day.
As if that wasn’t enough fun for one day, NYMetroParents will hand out free goodie bags full of samples for each family! LI Parents Day will be held at the Pratt Recreation Center of Long Island University at 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville from 11am-3pm on Sunday, Sept. 16. Tickets are $10 per family and cover admission for two adults and up to four children. Want to attend for free? Visit liparentsday.com before Sept. 16, and register using the code SITE to receive a free ticket for your family.
Friends Academy
A Quaker coeducational college preparatory school for students age 3 through 12th grade | 516-393-4244
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Friends Academy admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs and activities available to students at the school. Friends does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, ďŹ nancial assistance program, athletic and other school-administered programs.
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September 2018 | nymetroparents.com
Joyous Music Schooll 10th Annual Concert in Carnegie Hall | Global Television Appearances
Piano, Strings, Dance, Arts for children age 3 - 18 Children’s Choir, Youth Orchestra, Pre-School Music Class Performances in Madison Square Garden, Barclays Center and Radio City Music Hall in the 2018-2019 Season. In Home Lessons Available
Syosset
54 Ira Road
Hicksville
21 Jerusalem Avenue
Flushing
156-03 Horace Harding Expy.
For more information: 1-888-628-9865 | www.joyousmusicschool.com
LongIslandParent 13
Ashley Formica Photography
raising kids voices
A Farewell to My Foster Daughter ››
Our story didn’t end in adoption, but it still had a very happy ending. By Lindsay Smith
T
here are some moments you never forget. Those times in your life—happy, tragic, heartbreaking—that are forever seared in your memory. Vivid details, emotions…time freezes, and you know for the rest of your life, you’ll know exactly where you were in that moment. That’s what it was like when I got the text message from the social worker. I was standing outside my car, waiting for my husband to leave work, one day away from giving birth to our third baby. At the sound of the soft ding, I looked down and read the message. “We got the order!” it said. And before I could stop myself, the tears were slipping down my cheeks. I’d wished and hoped for this moment. But standing there on that fall day, looking at that text message, all I felt was the wind being knocked from me. She’s leaving. Oh my God, she’s really leaving. From the first day our foster daughter entered our lives—two days old, right from the hospital—I knew this moment was coming. It had always been expected that she would be adopted. We’re foster parents, this is what we do: take in children for a short period of time, love them well, give them a safe and secure home, and then send them home. We’d been doing it for years at this point; we knew the drill. But we’d never had a newborn. Never raised a baby right from the beginning. I hadn’t gotten up in the middle of the night to feed a newborn, to rock a baby to sleep since my own babies. I hadn’t known the thrill of a first smile, first giggle, hadn’t felt the weight of a sleeping baby in seven years. It wasn’t hard to fall in love; it didn’t take long to wonder if we could adopt her. I feel like we hear a lot of those stories, the ones where the foster family adopts a child. Or adoption stories in general. And we hear them so often for good reason—they’re good stories. Redemptive and hopeful, they remind us of what’s good in the world. That wasn’t our story, though. We talked about it; I thought about it often, but it never felt as though it was the best decision for us. A few months into her placement, we found out we were
Lindsay Smith and her family
(unexpectedly) pregnant with our third child. That news certainly contributed to our decision, but at the core of it was the sense that adoption wasn’t to be our story. I struggled with it. I loved her so much; we all did. Saying goodbye to her was the hardest thing I have ever done, and I wondered if we had done the right thing. Would she understand why we didn’t adopt her? Had we inadvertently made her life more difficult by choosing not to adopt her and asking her to transition to another family? Would I ever stop missing her? It was so hard to believe something that hurt this much was the best thing for everyone involved. And then I met her family. I could see it when they saw her for the first time—this was one of their moments. I knew watching them that they would never forget the first time they laid eyes on their baby girl. It was such a privilege to witness the coming together of this family, to see this girl who I raised and loved so much be so adored by this couple. I saw them fall in love with her the way that we had; I watched how she fit with them, and I knew we made the right decision. This was her family. These were her people. This was their story, and we helped to make it happen. When we started fostering, I expected the most incredible feeling would be adopting a child who had come into your home. It didn’t take too long for me to realize the real gift in fostering is having a small part in bringing families together—in opening your heart and home for children and families who need it, and even breaking your own heart and saying goodbye. Sometimes, I still wonder what our family would have looked like if we’d been able to adopt her. But then I get a text from her mama and it has a picture or a video, and she tells me of new words and silly faces, and I know. I know she is happy. I know her family loves her. I know she will grow up feeling safe and secure. And I know we were so blessed to have been a part of it, to lay a foundation, to bridge the gap until she went to her forever family. That was our story, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
Lindsay Smith believes that stories might just change the world. Her writing tackles issues around feminism, social justice, and parenting, and sometimes the intersection of all three. Learn more about her work and writing at lvsmithauthor.wordpress.com.
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September 2018 | nymetroparents.com
Fundraiser
Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium
Love alone can’t protect them If you’re caring for a disabled loved one – a child, spouse, sibling or parent – the Law Of�ices of Andrew M. Cohen can assist you with the following:
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from the start! Sylvan of Mineola 393 Jericho Turnpike, Mineola, NY 11501
Sylvan of Huntington 1160 E. Jericho Turnpike, Huntington, NY 11743
iPad is a registered trademark of Apple, Inc, which does not sponsor Sylvan services.
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Sylvan of Mineola 393 Jericho Turnpike, Mineola, NY 11501
IEP and Section 504 requirements • Disciplinary action Lack of services • Improper placement • Bullying
Safeguarding legal rights is often critical to a student’s success. In situations where school districts aren’t complying with the law, Ms. Adler-Greene – a determined, experienced attorney – can advance a resolution that best serves your child’s well-being and education. Manhattan
420 Lexington Avenue New York, NY 10170 (212) 244-0595
1160 E. Jericho Tpke, Huntington
Sylvan of Huntington 1160 E. Jericho Turnpike, Huntington, NY 11743
iPad is a registered trademark of Apple, Inc. which does not sponsor Sylvan Services. iPad is a registered trademark of Apple, Inc, which does not sponsor Sylvan services.
SYLVANLEARNING.COM
Andrew M. Cohen
Children do have legal rights, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is a law designed to ensure that all students with disabilities receive a free appropriate public education that meets their unique needs and prepares them for the future. Violations can pertain to:
Huntington and Mineola only. Expires 10/31/18.
631-424-5600 516-743-9943
1100 Franklin Avenue Garden City, NY 11530 (516) 877-0595
What rights do students have?
Sylvan of Huntington
Sylvan of Mineola
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Start now.
393 Jericho Tpke, Mineola
www.amcohenlaw.com ac@amcohenlaw.com
Long Island
www.amcohenlaw.com lag@amcohenlaw.com
Long Island
1100 Franklin Avenue Garden City, NY 11530 (516) 877-0595
Laura Adler-Greene
LongIslandParent 15
things to do
diy corner
Squeezy Bottle Rocket Before & After Care Available
Licensed by NYS OCFS
Quality Child Care for all children 6 weeks to 5 years 6:45AM - 7:00PM
Now Accepting Enrollment 47 Humphrey Drive Syosset, NY 11791 516-921-7171 At the Levittown School 72 Farmedge Road Levittown, NY 11756 516-490-3301
For more information please contact VCLC at 516-921-7171 or email childcare@vclc.org
Now that summer is coming to an end, it’s time for the kids to put their thinking caps back on. And what better way to kick off the back-toschool season than by making a science craft? Get down to learning business by making this bottle rocket from Emma Vanstone’s “This is Rocket Science” to learn about trajectory! Trajectory is the path an object follows as it flies through the air. Imagine the path a ball takes when you throw it. If you throw the ball straight upward, its trajectory is different than if you throw it forward toward someone else. Rockets initially fly vertically upward through the lower, denser parts of the atmosphere but then turn so they are on the correct path to enter orbit around the Earth. This means their overall trajectory is a curved path, rather than the vertical path you might expect. This easy-to-construct rocket is great for investigating how the angle a rocket is launched from affects its flight. The rockets work because as you squeeze the bottle, air is forced out of the straw in the bottle and pushes against the rocket straw. This force causes the rocket straw to fly through the air. Materials
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Empty water bottles with a sports cap Scissors 2 straws, 1 wide enough fit over the other
Modeling clay Cardstock or paper Felt tip pens Tape
Directions To make the bottle part of the rocket, it’s really important to make sure the sports cap is completely airtight. If air can escape, your rocket won’t fly very far. Cut the thinner straw into quarters and put one segment into the center of the sports cap. Seal the straw around the cap using modeling clay. You can check if the seal is complete by squeezing the bottle: If the seal is secure, all of the air from the bottle should come out of the straw, not the bottle neck. This is your rocket launcher! To make the rocket part, first cut the wider straw into quarters and seal one end with tape; this is to stop air from escaping. Draw a rocket shape with felt tip pens on the cardstock or paper. Remember, the lighter the rocket, the farther it will fly. Attach the paper rocket onto one side of the rocket straw using tape and place it onto the straw in the rocket launcher. Squeeze the rocket launcher hard, and you should find that the rocket shoots up into the air. Try launching at different angles to see how you can make the rocket fly farther.
516-221-3653
Reprinted from This is Rocket Science by Emma Vanstone with permission from Page Street Publishing Co. Photography by Charlotte Dart.
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September 2018 | nymetroparents.com
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Cute Stuff
Alert!
Meet the winners and finalists of the 2018 NYMetroParents Cover Contest!
W
Daniela ››
GRAND PRI
ZE
Age: 3 Hometown: Manhattan Jaden loves to play Fortnite.
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WINNERS
Jaden
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Age: 14 Hometown: Suffolk Daniela’s role model is her mom because of everything she does for her and her family.
Daniela
Age: 14 Hometown: Suffolk County Daniela’s role model is her mom because of everything she does for her and her family.
e knew it wasn’t going to be easy to pick finalists in our annual contest. But it was 1,300 times harder than we even imagined— that’s how many adorable entries poured in from every corner of the New York metro area! Once we were done oohing and aahing and narrowed it down, we invited the finalists to a glam photo shoot at Big Apple Portraits in Manhattan (unfortunately one finalist couldn’t make it). It was pouring that day, but inside it was pure sunshine, thanks to the kids’ radiant smiles and way-cool outfits (thank you, Lands’ End!) Everybody rocked the runway, but in the end it was 3-year-old Jaden from Manhattan and 14-year-old Daniela from Suffolk County who won the grand prizes. Jaden and his family will celebrate the big win with a two-day stay at Woodloch Pines Resort, while Daniela will take her modeling skills to the next level with a scholarship to Barbizon Modeling and Acting Studio. Scarlett, our Fan Favorite from Queens, received a family pack of tickets to Sesame Place. Want to see more of these beautiful faces? We don’t blame you. Stay tuned—many if not all of our finalists and winners will appear on our future covers—and Sophia is featured this month!
›› Dillon
Age: 11 Hometown: Westchester County Dillon’s favorite subject in school is English. He says he’s pretty good at it and he finds it interesting.
Chazz ››
Age: 12 wn: Hometo n tta Manha ve any ha ld u o zc If Chaz would r owe it superp ability to be the hift. shape s
›› Aaliyah
Age: 4 Hometow n: Rockland County Aaliyah’s favorite th ing to do for fu n is to play upsta irs all by herself .
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A n: etow Hom County d lan Rock ia loves Soph tures. g pic takin
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Age: ty au Coun , n: Nass w up Hometo antha grows m a ist S rt n a Whe e an and nts to b she wa likes to draw e fts. h s ra c e s d u n beca o arts a d to s she like favorite store Her aels. is Mich
›› Brielle
Age: 12 Hometown: Rockland County t in Brielle’s favorite subjec s say She th. school is ma ause bec and it— at d goo ’s she her Dad is a math teacher. Promotional Partners:
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Help Your Young Learner Thrive ›› Just as your child is one-of-a-kind, her learning style is unique, too. Here’s how to help her succeed regardless of how she processes information. By Alana Coopersmith
P
icture this: There’s a classroom full of students singing songs about plant cycles. In the next classroom, students are planting their own bean sprouts to observe the plant cycle in action. In still another classroom, students are creating diagrams to see plant structures and systems. While the children are learning in different ways in each of these scenarios, they’re all learning the same science curriculum. In an ideal world, all schools would be set up in a similar manner or all teachers would incorporate each teaching method in their classrooms because just as each child has a unique personality, likes, and dislikes, each child has a unique learning style. But what is a learning style exactly? It refers to a person’s preference for how she learns, processes, and retains information—“how [people] make sense of the world around them,” says Jeff Wu, representative for The Tutorverse, a tutoring company that supplements classroom learning. There are eight commonly identified learning styles: • Visual-Spatial learners do well with visual aids such as pictures, diagrams, colors, and mind maps. • Auditory-Rhythmic learners retain information by using melodies, rhythms, sounds, and recordings. • Kinesthetic-Tactile learners need hands-on learning opportunities, including building, drawing, and role-play. • Verbal-Linguistic learners crave words, reading aloud, writing, speaking, and creating mnemonic devices. • Logical-Mathematic learners prefer to learn by using logic, reasoning, and systems to explain and understand concepts. • Social-Interpersonal learners thrive by relating to and working with others. • Solitary-Intrapersonal learners prefer study and work alone. • Naturalist learners thrive by experiencing nature. 20
September 2018 | nymetroparents.com
Learning styles are on a spectrum and are not mutually exclusive; there are countless style combinations. And numerous variables influence your child’s learning style, including internal factors such as personality and interests, and external factors such as how he interacts with other people and how he perceives the world. No matter what your child’s learning style is, though, there are ways to help her thrive, both in and out of the classroom.
Determine Her Learning Style
Parents have an innate sense of how their child learns just by observing and knowing him, says Mariaemma Willis, M.S., education specialist, author, and co-founder of Learning Success Institute, an educational consulting service that offers services catered to personal learning styles. Ever since your child was a baby, she has been hinting at how her brain best processes and retains information. Did he grow up building with Legos? He might learn best by doing, not seeing or hearing. Did she start making to-do lists before she even had anything to do? She may learn best by writing down and seeing information. In addition to your observations, there are plenty of resources available to further your understanding of how your child learns. Assessments like Willis’s Self-Portrait Power Traits Online Assessment will pinpoint your child’s learning strengths and preferences. Even simply Googling “learning style assessment” will result in millions of helpful resources.
Find the Right School
Alina Adams, author of Getting Into NYC Kindergarten and Getting Into NYC High-School and a columnist for NewYorkSchoolTalk.org, emphasizes the significance of making sure your child’s school is the best one for his learning needs. “Schools exist for nearly every sort of learner, but the challenge is finding this school,” she explains. For parents whose
children are struggling in the classroom, Adams recommends first figuring out the problem. Is your daughter constantly reprimanded because she can’t stay in her seat? Look for a school that allows students to move around during the day. Is your son frustrated because schoolwork is simply being explained? There are schools that allow kids to learn by doing. The most positive effect of choosing the right school for your child is she won’t get turned off to learning, Adams says. “We’re happiest when we’re learning and applying what we’ve learned towards a goal. A school that reinforces a child’s passion for learning by fitting how they best learn is a school that will set them up well for the rest of their life” she says. “Deciding you hate learning at the start of your life is as devastating as deciding you hate drinking, eating, or breathing.”
Seek Outside Help
A major issue for students of all learning styles and abilities tends to be that a teacher instructs a class of 27-32 kids, on average, in one way, at one pace. This may be fine for some students, but for many others it may not be the right style or speed. “There are only three to five students in every class that have the magic formula that traditional classrooms are set up for…the rest are shortchanged,” Willis says. Because of this, Wu advises parents seek out a tutor for their child, which will reinforce what he learned in school. Oftentimes too, the tutor will translate your child’s work in a way he can best understand it. To pick the right outside help for your child, Wu suggests two pre-emptive steps. First, understand what your personal goal is for your child, what your child’s goal is for herself, and what she is struggling with. Second, look at the education professionals’ experience and reputation. There are two standard goals for your child when working with an outside educator, Wu explains. The first is to build his confidence and get him to recognize he can do it! The second is to achieve an improvement in your child’s results. The benefit of working with a tutor 1-on-1
is “they can really hone in on the strengths of your child and figure out new ways to explain things to really help your child,” Wu says.
Support Your Child at Home
There are steps you can take at home to help build and reinforce positive learning habits for your child. Wu, Willis, and Adams all agree that the best way to help is to engage her using the following techniques: Create and encourage real-life learning experiences. Visit one of the numerous museums in the New York metro area and explore and talk about the exhibits, or go on a hike and talk about the native species you pass. The opportunities to create real-life learning are endless. Ask him questions. Find out his likes and interests. Doing this creates the perfect opportunity to customize real-life learning to his interests. Model good educational behaviors. David Norment, an educator for 22 years and father of three, stresses the importance of not only spending positive quality time with your children, but also being an educational role model. “If you want them to read, read in front of them. If you want them to prioritize current affairs, watch the news with them,” he suggests. Establish guidelines and an environment for homework. Eliminate distractions, whatever they may be for your child, and create an environment in which she can best work. Some kids study best in short bursts with music in the background, while others prefer to get it all done in one sitting with nothing else going on in the room. Wu emphasizes the importance of setting clear expectations for your child as well as creating a system that includes a schedule. To figure out which environment and schedule works best for your child, ask. If the system doesn’t work on the first try, make small tweaks until you find the right fit. Alana Coopersmith was a summer 2018 editorial intern for NYMetroParents.
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Back-to-School Directory Affinity Health Plan
866-247-5678 affinityplan.org Affinity is an independent, non-profit organization driven by the mission to help its members, their families, and their communities lead healthier lives. Over the past 32 years, Affinity has built one of the area’s largest physician networks, which includes 40,000 providers and 85 hospitals. Affinity offers a variety of programs under Medicare, Medicaid, Child Health Plus, Essential Plan, and Enriched Health on the New York State of Health Marketplace for members in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, as well as Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, and Orange counties.
Allied Physicians Group
3 Huntington Quadrangle, Melville 866-621-2769 alliedphysiciansgroup.com Allied Physicians Group is a partnership of more than 150 dedicated, caring physicians and 650 highly trained support staff, serving more than 180,000 patients throughout Greater New York City, Long Island, Westchester County, the Hudson Valley, and beyond. When you bring your children to an Allied pediatric practice, you know they are getting the very best care. Our doctors have access to resources, technology, and support that other, stand-alone pediatric practices simply cannot offer. Our doctors have more time for what matters most: you and your child!
Bailey-Woods Institute
190 Landford Drive, Elmont 646-327-8080, 917-283-8727 At Bailey-Woods kids will explore their interests, learn social skills, and have fun! We offer drama, dance, culinary arts, academics, introductory volleyball, woodworking, and lots of free play! Private and group tutoring available all year. For more information call 917-283-8727.
Berkshire Farm Center and Services For Youth
535 Broad Hollow Road, Suite B30, Melville 631-420-4444 berkshirefarm.org Berkshire Farm Center & Services for Youth trains and supports foster parents throughout New York State. Each year Berkshire helps hundreds of children find safety and comfort in the homes of foster parents, but hundreds more are waiting for good foster homes. If you have love and patience, plus an extra bedroom, becoming a foster parent may be for you. Give us a call and allow us to answer your questions and provide you
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with free, no-obligation information. Become a foster parent and give the gift of family!
BounceU Farmingdale
101 Carolyn Blvd., Farmingdale 631-777-JUMP (5867) bounceu.com/cities farmingdale.ny@bounceu.com It’s not your birthday yet? That’s okay! Our Open Bounces are perfect for children to come in with their parents and bounce to their hearts’ content. Every Friday morning we host a Preschool Playdate that includes bounce and snack for children ages 6 and younger, Wednesday nights we have Family Bounce Night, and Thursday nights are our All Ages Open Bounces. Sessions may be added or cancelled based on availability, so please make sure to call us at 631-777-5867 or go online to bounceu.com/farmingdale-ny/calendar/ to reserve your spot!
Catholic Elementary Schools of Long Island Diocese of Rockville Centre
Multiple Locations 516-678-5800 licatholicelementaryschools.org Long Island’s Catholic elementary schools are 43 unique and beautiful schools in Nassau and Suffolk counties. Academically, the expectations of each student are high and the historical performance has been exceptional. The schools are differentiated from their public counterparts by their integrated program of learning and living the Catholic faith and values. We help instill the moral values, self-respect, and study habits that go on to serve our students well as they continue their education, and for the rest of their lives.
Code Ninjas
613 Jericho Turnpike, Syosset 631-760-1335 codeninjas.com Ever feel like coding is boring? Sitting there listening on and on while someone else tells you what to do. Why not experience hands-on fun instead? Code Ninjas has different programs tailored to your interests. We have drones, beginning Javascript, Minecraft and Roblox world creation, and game building sessions. And best of all our drop-in programs are year-round so no need to wait until fall to join.
Andrew Cohen, Esq., Law Offices of Andrew M. Cohen
250 W. 57th St., Suite 1216, Manhattan 212-244-0595 1100 Franklin Ave., Suite 305, Garden City 516-877-0595 amcohenlaw.com
September 2018 | nymetroparents.com
ac@amcohenlaw.com Andrew Cohen’s vast professional and personal experience has led him to become an author and frequent lecturer on special needs planning. In order to legally protect loved ones with disabilities, a comprehensive estate plan must consider the following: eligibility for government benefits, a supplemental needs trust, guardianship proceedings, and the letter of intent. The Law Offices of Andrew M. Cohen can help you achieve your objectives through careful legal planning, regardless of the size of your estate. All clients are provided with high quality service at a reasonable cost.
Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium
1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor 516-692-6768 cshfishhatchery.org info@cshfishhatchery.org Join us for a fun-filled hour of nature activities (fish feeding included). Using live animals, crafts, stories and games, we guide you and your little ones through nature adventures sure to last a lifetime. Juice and snack available to all participants ages 2-5 at the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium Pollywog Adventures program. Catch & Keep Trout Fishing spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Bring your own fishing equipment or rent from the hatchery. Call us for details and registration information for Pollywog Adventures and fishing.
Countryside Montessori School
354 Lakeville Road, lower level, Great Neck 516-466-8422 cmsgn.com info@cmsgn.com Countryside Montessori School was founded in 1998. We were founded with the aim of providing a high quality early childhood education based on the philosophy, methods, and techniques developed 100 years ago by educational pioneer and Nobel prize nominee Dr. Maria Montessori. Our children become responsible for their own learning and their own behavior. They learn to respect themselves and others. Everything in our school is designed to encourage and aid the child’s natural curiosity.
Dr. Steve Imber, Psychoeducational Consultants
Serving Nassau and Suffolk counties as well as the five boroughs of NYC 61-43 186th St., Fresh Meadows 516-273-1961 Sprout Building 166 Valley St., Providence, RI 401-421-4004
dr-imber.co scimber1@aol.com Dr. Imber has more than 40 years of experience consulting, evaluating, and advocating for children, adolescents, and adults with various disabilities including autism (e.g. Asperger’s syndrome), attention deficit disorders, intellectual disabilities, emotional and behavioral disorders, and learning disabilities. Dr. Imber is a professor of special education and a special education expert. He addresses needs of students in public, private, and charter schools. Services are available to parents, students, pediatricians, and attorneys. A confidential complimentary phone consultation is available upon request (Nassau and Suffolk counties and the five boroughs of NYC).
Drama Kids
Locations throughout North Nassau County 516-360-5026 dramakids.com/ny6 Drama develops kids. Build confidence and have fun! Drama Kids offers exciting programs for children ages 4-18. Kids have tons of fun and develop important self-confidence, self-esteem, and verbal communication skills that will help them personally and academically. Activities include mini scripts, speaking skills, creative movement, character analysis, improvisations, performances, and everyone’s favorite theater games. If you want your child to get a jump on achievement, enroll today. Space is limited! The difference is dramatic!
Eye Level Nassau
Eye Level Hicksville 760 S. Broadway, Hicksville 516-597 5300, Jyoti Dhingra Eye Level Williston Park 61 Hillside Ave., Williston Park 516-747-7700, Alida Vucemilovich Eye Level New Hyde Park Coming Soon! 1 Jericho Turnpike 516-775-1000, Min Bittaf myeyelevel.com Many parents today are facing educational challenges and looking for answers to help their children succeed academically. Whether the immediate goal is for early learning, remedial education, or academic advancement, Eye Level is the answer. Eye Level offers math and English programs for ages 3-14. Our instructors tailor a curriculum by understanding the learning abilities of the student. With ongoing guidance, each student will set attainable goals and learn at a comfortable pace. With each success, the student grows more self-confident, self-motivated, and self-directed in the quest for knowledge. continued on page 24 ››
Saturday – The Best Learning Day
Of The Week!
Saturday Classes for Young People and the Precollegiate Career Discovery Institute offers classes in a variety of subjects from academics to video game development.
Register today!
516-463-7400
|
ce.hofstra.edu/youth
LongIslandParent 23
‹‹ continued from page 20
Friends Academy
270 Duck Pond Road, Locust Valley 516-676-0393 fa.org A Quaker school, Friends Academy is firmly committed to the testimonies of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, service, and stewardship. These testimonies, which have guided the school for 140 years, are evident in every corner of the campus: in classrooms and offices, on fields and stages, in gymnasiums and art studios. Our superior academic program and our commitment to an exciting learning environment are among many of the reasons we are one of the most sought after independent schools on Long Island.
Great Play of Syosset
180 Michael Drive, Syosset 516-364-1500 greatplay.com/syosset info@syosset.greatplay.com Our mission is for every child to develop a love of physical activity that will lead to an active, healthy, and confident life. Starting with our Great Start program (6 months–3 1/2 years). Through directed play, children build confidence, self-esteem, and social skills, with a strong physical foundation making them ready for our preschooler programs (ages 3½-5½). Through games and instruction, preschoolers develop fundamental motor skills along with sport skills, giving them all they need to progress into our school-aged programs (ages 4 1/2-10), which offer a full range of fun programs.
Hofstra University Continuing Education - Saturday Classes for Young People and Precollegiate Career Discovery Institute
516-463-7400, Jessica Dease, program director ce.hofstra.edu/youth jessica.dease@hofstra.edu Saturday Classes for Young People wants your child to love learning. Our small classes provide individual attention and help encourage students’ curiosity. Winter and summer programs are six-weeks, while spring and fall sessions run eight weeks. There are many classes to choose including reading, math, writing, STEM/STEAM, cartooning, theater, art, video game development, Minecraft, and swimming. Your child will love learning on a “grown-up” college campus in first-rate facilities. For middle and high school students, we offer the Precollegiate Career Discovery Institute where they explore future jobs in many fields.
Hofstra University Museum
112 Hofstra University, Hempstead 516-463-5672 hofstra.edu/museum Free family fun at the Hofstra University Museum! More than just a museum! Engage! Pick up an Art Quest in the exhibition, Romare Bearden: Storyteller and solve
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puzzles related to Bearden’s art. Discover! Borrow an activity-filled Let’s Explore Backpack to explore the outdoor sculpture and take home your own artwork. Funding provided by Bethpage Federal Credit Union. Enjoy! Become a detective and use The Great Art Caper to solve a mystery about the outdoor sculptures on campus. All activities are for children ages 5-12 with an adult companion.
Holy Family School
17 Fordham Ave., Hicksville 516-938-3846 x329 hfsli.org Making a difference one child at a time. Students come from 31 Catholic parishes and 34 Long Island school districts to be a part of this one great school. Our nurturing yet challenging program educates the whole child in mind, body, and spirit. At Holy Family each child is known by name and loved for their God-given talents. Holy Family students share love, understanding, compassion, and kindness. Fulland half-day nursery and pre-K, kindergarten through eighth grade, morning and aftercare, academic intervention and enrichment and after-school enrichment clubs. Call anytime for a tour.
Huntington Ballet Academy @ HCPA
310 New York Ave., Huntington 631-271-4626 huntingtonballet.com/ huntingtoncenter@yahoo.com The school follows the American Ballet Theatre® National Training Curriculum and is divided by levels of study based upon proficiency. Study of ballet, conditioning, and character dance begins at age 4 1/2. In addition to ballet, pointe, modern, and classical variations are offered for ages 11 and older. The curriculum provides a safe, nurturing environment in which to master this challenging, beautiful art form. Students are encouraged to audition for productions produced by LI Ballet Theatre which is also in residence at Huntington Center.
Huntington Center for Performing Arts
310 New York Ave., Huntington 631-271-4626 huntingtoncenteronline.com/ huntingtoncenter@yahoo.com HCPA musical theater classes, for ages 6-12, offers training needed to participate in a musical theater production. The objective is to build confidence and discipline in each child. Acting: We will develop skills in delivering lines in character as well as reacting to dialogue within a scene. In addition, improvisation will be practiced. Singing: Explore music from current musical theater productions, child-friendly classics as well as pop and rock tunes. The use of proper breathing and related vocalization exercises will be incorporated as well as sight-singing, note reading, and harmonizing.
September 2018 | nymetroparents.com
Huntington Learning Centers
656 Sunrise Highway, Baldwin 516-867-4041 607 E. Main St., Bay Shore 631-968-5100 79-81 Westbury Ave., Carle Place 516-747-5600 Elwood Shopping Center 1928B Jericho Turnpike, East Northport 631-462-8900 Phillips Plaza 639 Sunrise Highway, Lynbrook 516-568-1900 1506 Northern Blvd., Manhasset 516-365-4455 South Gate Shopping Center 49-34 Merrick Road, Massapequa Park 516-799-9500 Gateway Plaza 499-5 Sunrise Highway, Patchogue 631-289-4900 443 South Oyster Bay Road, Suite B, 2nd floor Plainview 516-681-0400 Smithtown Shopping Center 8 Miller Place, Smithtown 631-360-0422 huntingtonhelps.com Huntington Learning Center is the premier tutoring and test prep provider for kindergarten-12th grade. Founded in 1977, its mission is to give every student the best education possible. The company prides itself on personalized attention and proven results with individualized programs taught by certified teachers at accredited centers. Areas of instruction include phonics, reading, writing, vocabulary, math, science, ACT, SAT, PSAT, high school entrance exams, and state and other standardized exams. To learn more and locate a center near you, visit huntingtonhelps.com.
Joffrey Ballet School
434 Sixth Ave., 5th Floor, Manhattan 888-438-3808 joffreyballetschool.com The Joffrey Ballet School offers classes in musical theater, hip-hop, jazz, contemporary ballet, and more. We specialize in dancers ranging in age from 2-18. We also offer superb adult evening dance fitness classes. The Musical Theater classes for kids are instructed by actual Broadway stars. Come and experience our more than 60 years of excellence in dance training. You will love the way we care for your child’s dance training. Come and grow with us.
Joyous Music School
54 Ira Road, Syosset 21 Jerusalem Ave., Hicksville 156-03 Horace Harding Expressway, Flushing 1-888-628-9865 joyousmusicschool.com Joyous is a top performing arts school with programs in classical instruments, dance, and arts. World renowned faculty members led by artistic director, Julian Yu. Creative music programs and innovative teaching methods help students reach
their full potential. Our mission is to create a music community where students can receive a professional music education while having fun. In our 10th year hosting our concert series in Carnegie Hall, our students have been performing guests at the White House, UNICEF, and featured on NBC’s Today Show, Ellen DeGeneres, and Good Morning America.
Landmark on Main Street
232 Main St., Port Washington 516-767-1384 landmarkonmainstreet.org Landmark on Main Street is a non-profit community center serving Port Washington, Nassau, and western Suffolk. Our Jeanne Rimsky Theater is an intimate performing arts venue that presents top quality music, comedy, and kids’ performers, as well as hosting local music, theater, school recitals, and community events. It’s the perfect place to introduce your kids to the excitement of live entertainment–or to get away for parents night out. See our full lineup at landmarkonmainstreet.org.
Lice Clinics of America - Long Island
47 Jackson Ave., Syosset 516-336-4099 566 Merrick Road, Rockville Centre liceclinicslongisland.com Let us check your kids’ hair for critters as they head back to school. We remove lice in just 1-hour! All lice and eggs-even Super Lice-are eliminated in a single, one-hour treatment. No need for your child to sit still for 3-hours of combing twice or return for additional visits. Our treatments are affordable, starting at $99, and never more than $199. No toxic chemicals! Call us 24/7. Appointments available seven daysa-week; we can even handle your after-hours emergency!
Lice Tamers, Inc.
900 Walt Whitman Road, Suite LL2, Melville 631-479-2595 licetamers.com licetamers@gmail.com Head lice infestations can be traumatic for families. At Lice Tamers our goal is to make the experience of having lice as stress-free as possible. Owned and operated by a medical professional, Lice Tamers offers same-day lice treatment and head checks at our comfortable, child-friendly treatment center or in the comfort of your home. All of our products are safe and non-toxic. We are dedicated to dispelling the myths surrounding head lice and offer free presentations to schools and camps. Call us today to learn more!
LIU Post Center for Gifted Youth
Dr. Lynne Manouvrier, director LIU Post, Brookville 516-299-2160 liu.edu/giftedyouth The Long Island University program for gifted children was established in continued on page 24 ››
Bring in your nearly new kid’s stuff, and we’ll pay you cash on the spot for all items accepted
Shoes and Accessories
• Casual and Dress Shoes • Sleepwear
WE ACCEPT ALL SEASON CHILDREN’S APPAREL All equipment and toys must be less than 5 years old and not be recalled
Furniture
• Changing Tables & Dressers • Bassinets & Cradles • Glider Rockers, Book Cases, Toy Boxes
Books and Toys
• Children’s Books • Infant-Preschool Toys • Outdoor Toys • Puzzles
Clothing
• Newborn to Size 14
(0-12 months must have tags)
• Play Clothes • Dresswear & Outerwear
Equipment • High Chairs & Swings • Gates • Pack N Plays , Bouncy Seats, Walkers, Exersaucers
REGISTER NOW FOR FALL
Make your next birthday party come to life by hostine it at Bounce U!
Every Home A Safe Home ANNUAL GALA THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2018 | 6:00PM - 10:00 PM | GARDEN CITY HOTEL
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Publisher and CEO of Anton Media Group
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$3 OFF
One Admission to Open Bounce! Valid at BounceU of Farmingdale location only. Coupon not valid with any other offer or discounts. No Cash value. One Coupon per visit per family. Not valid on Special Events or Charity Events. Expires 9/30/18.
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Community Human Rights Advocate and Activist
Valid at BounceU of Farmingdale location only. Coupon not valid with any other offers or discounts. No cash value. One Coupon per visit per party. Expires 9/30/18.
DAVID S. TAUB AWARD RECIPIENT Dr. Andrew Jacono, M.D. , F.A.C.S
The New York Center for Facial Plastic & Laser Surgery
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BounceU of Farmingdale (631) 777-JUMP (5867) • BounceU.com/farmingdale 101 Carolyn Blvd., Farmingdale, NY 11735 LongIslandParent 25
‹‹ continued from page 22
1979 in response to the recognition of society’s special responsibilities for children with demonstrably superior intellectual ability. The LIU Center for Gifted Youth brings together two important elements of education for the gifted: extraordinary teachers recruited from leading schools in the metropolitan area, and university-level facilities. These factors, combined with an administrative and psychological team schooled in the needs of gifted children, give the program at LIU Post unique strengths in producing positive benefits for young people admitted to the program.
Long Island Center for Speech and Myofunctional Therapy
Locations across Suffolk and Nassau: East Yaphank, Farmingville, Stony Brook, Commack, Jericho, Wantagh, and Lake Success Nassau: 516-216-1791, Suffolk: 631-689-6858, Queens: 718-640-6767 lispeech.com Janine Stiene, speech-language pathologist, owns and operates Long Island Center for Speech and Myofunctional Therapy. With her group of therapists, she supports families and children across Long Island, specializing in PROMPT, feeding, myofunctional therapy, voice disorders, fluency, augmentative communication, articulation, auditory processing disorders, expressive and receptive language disorders (adults and children). Intensive feeding therapy for individuals who suffer from texture and consistency aversions, and FEES (Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing) are also offered. Seven affiliated offices across Long Island participate with most health insurance and offer evening and Saturday hours.
Long Island Studio of Music
718-809-7116, 646-387-6501 lismlessons@gmail.com Offering quality music lessons on all instruments and voice in the privacy, comfort, and convenience of your home. Serving students of all ages across Long Island in Nassau and Suffolk counties. Award-winning, professional, caring faculty foster love, appreciation, and enjoyment of music through music education. Fully insured and background-checked for your peace of mind. Experts in New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) preparation with outstanding results. Recitals offered in a state-of-the-art performance hall at Adelphi University. Through music instruction and performance, students develop skills, build confidence, find passion, creativity, and a deeper enjoyment of music.
Mathnasium Learning Centers
Five towns 414 Central Ave., Cedarhurst 516-569-1500 Great Neck 11 Great Neck Road, Great Neck
26
516-482-MATH (6284) Lynbrook 381 Sunrise Highway, Lynbrook 516-881-7997 New Hyde Park 810 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park 516-616-MATH (6284) Roslyn 217 A Mineola Ave., Roslyn Heights 516-484-MATH (6284) mathnasium.com Mathnasium Learning Centers, the nation’s leading math-only learning center franchise with centers throughout Nassau County, specializes in teaching kids of all ages math in a way that makes sense to them. Students go to Mathnasium year-round to catch up, keep up, and get ahead in math. Our experienced math tutors utilize our proprietary teaching materials and techniques, The Mathnasium Method™, to deliver a customized learning plan designed to address each student’s needs. Our instructional approach goes beyond traditional math tutoring to develop understanding and build a love for math.
Merrick Pediatric Dentistry
1756 A Merrick Ave., Merrick 516-547-1997 merrickpediatricdentistry.com Dr. Rania Elbaz is a board-certified pediatric dentist. She earned her dental degree from Columbia University. She then completed her pediatric dental training at UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School. Dr. Elbaz loves working with children and strives to create a warm and fun environment that children look forward to visiting. Dr. Elbaz sees every patient in order to ensure the consistency that is so important to young children. The office welcomes and gives extra time and attention to patients with special needs. The office also participates with most major insurance plans.
Music Together
Various locations, find the location near you musictogetherli-queens.com While the big kids head back to school this fall, have some family-style, music-making fun with your little ones. Once a week for 10 weeks, you’ll sing, dance, and play with your baby, toddler, or preschooler in a play-based, developmentally appropriate musical environment. Some centers offer classes for the big kids, too! Founded in 1987, Music Together is a research-based program. Each family receives a CD or download set and songbook so you can continue the fun at home. Find a location near you in Queens or on Long Island: musictogetherli-queens.com.
Not Just Art
183 South St., Oyster Bay 516-922-8300 notjustart.com create@notjustart.com More than ever, children need places to wonder, discover, play, create, experience joy, and express their
September 2018 | nymetroparents.com
ideas! Engaging natural curiosity and imagination is the heart of our Music Together®, art, and science programs. Inclusive, hands-on activities emphasize the learning process over product and performance. Staffed with experienced teachers, classes are developmentally appropriate and thoughtfully designed to nurture children and their families at each age and stage! Infants, toddlers, pre-kindergarten, elementary, flexible classes, camps, and workshops. Music Together ® locations in Nassau and Suffolk.
Our Lady of Lourdes
76 Park Blvd., Malverne 516-599-7328 ollmalverne.org Nourishing hearts, minds, and souls. It’s more than religion classes. Our faith comes alive when we live it. OLL provides an opportunity for each child to grow in knowledge, friendship, and love of the Lord while aspiring to reach their full potential spiritually, academically, and socially. All classes have a special Saint they align with and each year has a unique theme. Each child is known by name and loved for their unique qualities. We offer early childhood, lower school, and middle school with a special enrichment program. After-care available.
Our Lady of Mercy
520 S. Oyster Bay Road, Hicksville 516-433-7040 olmshicks.org Our Lady of Mercy School strives in the spirit of service and love to inspire our students to grow spiritually, academically, and socially. Our goal is to enable all students to meet the challenges of the future through a strong faith-based academic program enhanced by extracurricular activities. A variety of early childhood classes, full-day kindergarten-eighth grade, before- and after-care programs are available. Weekday, evening, and weekend tours are available by appointment.
The Reading/Writing Learning Clinic at the Joan and Arnold Saltzman Community Services Center of Hofstra University
131 Hofstra University, Hempstead 516-463-5805 hofstra.edu/rwlclinic Located at Hofstra University, the Reading/Writing Learning Clinic at the Joan and Arnold Saltzman Community Services Center is dedicated to providing literacy support to children and youth in a safe and supportive environment. The Clinic is committed to valuing students’ linguistic and cultural lives, which allows them to take risks and gain confidence as they move toward developing mature control of literacy skills. All classes are taught by New York state-certified teachers; individual or small group instruction is available. Evaluations are conducted by appointment only. Call 516-463-5805 for more information.
RoboMindTech STEM Education Center Creativity, Science, Robotics, Coding & L-E-G-O Learning Fun!
Great Neck Kids Center 25 Cuttermill Road #4, Great Neck 718-264-7626, 860-944-3654 robomindtech.com robomindtech@gmail.com 185-10 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows 718-264-ROBO (7626) robomindtech.com robomindtech@gmail.com RoboMindTech is an award-winning STEM education center that inspires young minds with practical learning. From robotics, coding, video game design, to Lego® creative play, we offer a variety of immersive kindergarten-eighth grade STEM after-school and summer programs all year long. Our experienced team also works with schools and groups to create off-site STEM programs and in-house field trips. Home to FIRST Lego® League and National World Robot Olympiad Champions. Call to RSVP for next open house!
Smithtown Christian School
1 Higbie Drive, Smithtown 631-265-3334 learnwithscs.org Smithtown Christian School was founded in 1978. Its student body is comprised of more than 400 students from pre-school-twelfth grade and draws from numerous churches and more than 40 school districts. The mission of Smithtown Christian School is to teach with excellence in the classroom and through life-onlife influence to produce exceptional young Christian leaders with a heart for God, a mind for truth, and a passion to change the world. The curriculum at SCS is designed to prepare students for college and exceeds NYS requirements for graduation.
Soccer Shots
171 Eileen Way, Syosset 516-558-2266 soccershots.org Soccer Shots is an engaging children’s soccer program with a focus on character development. Our caring team positively impacts children’s lives on and off the field through best-in-class coaching, communication, and curriculum. Our expert-approved curriculum is age-appropriate and aligns with childhood education standards, visit the website at soccershots.org/liwest.
St. Dominic Elementary School
35 School St., Oyster Bay 516-922-4233 stdomsob.org St. Dominic Elementary School, established in 1924 as one of the first Catholic schools on Long Island, provides an academic program for students grades pre-K-eighth grade. Our curriculum focuses on development of reading and writing skills, critical and computational thinking, and problem-solving skills. As a faith-centered program, we connect continued on page 26 ››
AFTER-SCHOOL MARKETPLACE
GET A HEAD START ON THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR
$50 Off Registration fee
Eye Level’s individualized approach to education empowers students with the ability to take on new challenges, setting them on the path to find success in Math, English and beyond. Send your child back to school feeling confident! • Individualized Instruction • Low Student to Instructor Ratio • Basic Thinking & Critical Thinking Math • Reading Comprehension & Vocabulary • Writing Program Eye Level Learning Center of Williston Park 61 Hillside Avenue Williston Park, NY 516-747-7700 www.eyelevelny.com
www.myeyelevel.com
LongIslandParent 27
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Catholic values to students’ lives. An integrated STEM program, and student-based technology help make learning relevant, accessible, and current. Curriculum based on Next Generation Learning Standards, and guidelines of the NY State Education Department and Diocesan Office of Education.
Stars of Tomorrow
171 Eileen Way, Syosset 516-932-9173 stars-of-tomorrow.com The name “Stars of Tomorrow” was chosen for a very specific reason. Success doesn’t happen overnight. It takes hard work, discipline, and confidence. Students work with top instructors and are challenged. Classes are limited in size. Students are prepared for auditions and focus is on work and coaching, not costumes and glitzy productions. All shows are open classrooms in which every student is featured. Students are required to attend classes in a uniform shirt. This is effective in eliminating competition and puts everyone on an even playing field especially when meeting industry professionals.
Steps to Socialization
13 S. Bayles Ave., Port Washington 516-767-0266 s2ny.com Steps to Socialization was created by Evelyn Kashinsky, a parent of children with special needs, to help children who have difficulty socializing. Steps to Socialization is more than just a social skills program. We teach children how to think socially, step by step. Working in small groups of three to four students, we cover a variety of topics, including how to establish and maintain friendships and initiating and maintaining conversations.
Suzuki Music School at Huntington Center for Performing Arts
310 New York Ave., Huntington 631-271-4626 huntingtoncenteronline.com HCPA uses the Japanese method of
violin instruction. A weekly, 45-minute group class is the key to the success of this method of learning. In the group students socialize, develop their listening skills, and have fun while they learn. There are two solo concerts, and an end-of-year performance. Additionally, the student has a weekly private lesson with parent and teacher. HCPA also offers traditional piano, string, and voice lessons. Huntington Suzuki Music Program runs 32 weeks. Suzuki Program for violin age 3 and older, piano for age 6 and older.
Sylvan Learning Centers of Mineola and Huntington
393 Jericho Turnpike, Mineola 516-743-9943 1160 E. Jericho Turnpike, Huntington 631-424-5600 sylvanlearning.com sylvanlearning@optonline.net Sylvan’s Personalized Tutoring programs in reading, writing, mathematics, SAT and ACT Prep will improve your child’s skills and confidence. We use a state-of-the-art assessment, personal learning plans, and certified teachers to ensure the high level of quality instruction and support that Sylvan prides itself on. Plus, our sessions are available in the afternoons, evenings, and on Saturdays, so that you can pick what works best with your busy schedule.
Temple Sinai of Roslyn Religious School
425 Roslyn Road, Roslyn Heights 516-621-8016 mysinai.org cantorelenaschwartz@mysinai.org Finally, a religious school your children will love! Temple Sinai Religious School is committed to providing families with the richest, most creative Jewish learning opportunities, in ways that are relevant to today’s young learners! We offer flexible models that fit the needs of our families, including options for children with special needs. All our programs deliver the perfect combination of Jewish learning and fun. Under the direction of Cantor-Educator Elena Schwartz, Temple Sinai Religious
School prepares children to take an active role in the future of the larger Jewish community.
Trinity Episcopal Church Roslyn Childcare Center
1579 Northern Blvd., Roslyn 516-626-0293 trinitychild.org At Trinity Episcopal Church Roslyn Childcare Center, we specialize in pre-K, preschool, and all-day quality childcare, and we look forward to welcoming you and your family! We are licensed for children from 6 weeks-5 years. Our commitment is to provide a loving, positive, spirited setting that builds self-esteem, and forms character and a positive self-image. We are open to people of all faiths or no faith, and offer all a respectful, broadly spiritual childcare program. Our teachers are highly educated and all are CPR- and First Aid-certified. Contact us while openings are still available!
Variety Child Learning Center
47 Humphrey Drive, Syosset 516-921-7171 Variety Child Learning Center at the Gallow School 72 Farmedge Road, Levittown 516-490-3301 vclc.org Variety Child Learning Center provides programs and services to more than 750 children (ages newborn to 7) and their families annually, at sites in Syosset and Levittown, and off-site. Services include Evaluation Center to determine eligibility, early intervention, special education preschool and kindergarten-second grade, Special Classes in an integrated setting (SCIS), Special Education Itinerant Services (SEIS ) at nursery schools, childcare locations, and homes; Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA Home Program); Family Center Sunday Respite and Recreation Programs; social skills training groups; Lufrano Training Program for early childhood personnel, and Saturday enrichment groups.
Village East Gifted - Enrichment Center for the Gifted Learner
Village East Gifted of Huntington 33 Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station 631-549-2313 Village East Gifted of Roslyn 216 Willis Ave., Roslyn Heights 631-549-2313 villageeastgifted.com info@villageeastgifted.com Village East Gifted® (VEG) is open seven days a week offering a highly rigorous, academic enrichment program for gifted and talented students ages 2-16. VEG prepares its students, at a very young age for the SAT, ACT, early college admissions, and accelerated degree programs. Curriculum includes vocabulary enrichment, etymology, Latin, writing and grammar, global studies, math, geography, study skills, STEAM, medical science, and creative problem solving. VEG offers highly rigorous CORE (all subjects) and instructional writing classes. VEG Preschool, Pre-K, and kindergarten implement a 100 percent academic curriculum designed for young accelerated learners ages 2-5.
YMCA of Long Island
855-2YMCALI (962254) Locations: Bay Shore, East Hampton, Glen Cove, Holtsville, Huntington, and Patchogue ymcali.org tamar.simpson@ymcali.org YMCA of Long Island works daily to improve lives through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Each year, we serve more than 65,000 people island-wide of all ages and backgrounds. Our locations in Bay Shore, East Hampton, Glen Cove, Huntington, Holtsville, and Patchogue provide programs and services for youth, teens, adults, and seniors including state-of-the-art fitness centers, group exercise classes, pristine pools, youth and teen programs, cultural arts programs, family activities, preschool, before and after-school programs, and summer day camp for children ages 3-15 with all interests!
AFTER-SCHOOL MARKETPLACE
MAKE THIS THE BEST SCHOOL YEAR EVER! SAVE $100*
ON YOUR BACK-TO-SCHOOL CHECKUP
1.800.CAN.LEARN www.HuntingtonHelps.com
TUTORING
OUR STUDENTS TYPICALLY
INCREASE 2+ GRADE LEVELS IN 3 MONTHS**
READING AND PHONICS • WRITING • MATH STUDY SKILLS • ADHD SUPPORT • MORE OUR CONVENIENT LOCATIONS INCLUDE:
BALDWIN • CARLE PLACE • FLUSHING • LYNBROOK MANHASSET • MASSAPEQUA PARK • PLAINVIEW
©2018 Huntington Mark, LLC. Independently Owned and Operated. *Offer valid for Academic Evaluation, new students only. Not valid with any other offer. **Grade level results are based on cumulative average grade level increases in reading and math for 17,445 students from 2010-2014 using the full set of available student data. Individual results may vary, and are not guaranteed. HLC3597.2NAS
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September 2018 | nymetroparents.com
AFTER-SCHOOL MARKETPLACE
Fall& Spring
2018/2019 CHILDREN’S DANCE Ages 2-7
COME GROW WITH US
LETS START LEARNING BALLET
YOUTH BALLET Ages 8-18
Register today to be a part of our amazing Nutcracker Performance - Available to all age groups! Use code: JOFFREYDANCE and save $50.00 www.joffreyballetschool.com | 434 Ave. of the Americas, 3rd Fl, NY NY 10011
Want more parenting tips, tools & resources...
Want more activities to do this fall…
NYMetroParents.com
NYMetroParents.com
Be Social
Be Social
Helping parents make better decisions
Helping parents make better decisions
Enriching brilliant minds every day… in every way. Academic Enrichment in All Subj bjject Are reas Classes Offere red 7 Day ayys a We a W ek
•
•
Ages 2-16
Nassau & Suffolk L Lo ocat ations
631-549-2313 • www.VillageEastGifted.com LongIslandParent 29
After-School Planner
Classes & Programs
Activity
Academic Enrichment
Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium
cshfishhatchery.org
516-692-6768
myeyelevel.com
visit website
eyelevelny.com
516-747-7700
myeyelevel.com
visit website
Hofstra University Continuing Education Saturday Classes for Young People and Precollegiate Career Discovery Institute
ce.hofstra.edu/youth
516-463-7400
Hofstra University Museum
hofstra.edu/museum
516-463-5672
Huntington Learning Centers
huntingtonhelps.com
visit website
liu.edu/giftedyouth
516-299-2160
mathnasium.com
visit website
The Reading/Writing Learning Clinic at the Joan and Arnold Saltzman Community Services Center of Hofstra University
hofstra.edu/rwlclinic
516-463-5805
RoboMindTech STE. Education Center Creativity, Science, Robotics, Coding & L-E-G-O Learning Fun! Creativity, Science, Robotics & L-E-G-O Learning Fun
robomindtech.com
718-264-7626
s2ny.com
516-767-0266
Sylvan Learning Centers of Mineola and Huntington
sylvanlearning.com
516- 638-0823
Village East Gifted Enrichment Center for the Gifted Learner
villageeastgifted.com
631-549-2313
Eye Level Nassau Eye Level of Williston Park Eye Level Queens
LIU Post Center for Gifted Youth Mathnasium Learning Centers
Steps to Socialization
YMCA of Long Island Art
Hofstra University Museum
30
855-2YMCALI (962254)
hofstra.edu/museum
516-463-5672
notjustart.com
516-922-8300
Huntington Ballet Academy at HCPA
huntingtonballet.com
631-271-4626
Joffrey Ballet School
joffreyballetschool.com
888-438-3808
Not Just Art Dance
ymcali.org
September 2018 | nymetroparents.com
continued on page 32 ››
AFTER-SCHOOL MARKETPLACE
Theatre Workshop INC.
THEATRICAL SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN, TEENS & ADULTS ~ ALL LEVELS
STUDIO
EXCEPTIONAL MUSIC INSTRUCTION IN YOUR HOME www.LongIslandStudioOfMusic.com The Long Island Studio of Music fosters the love, appreciation and enjoyment of music. Through music instruction and performance, students develop skills, build confidence, find passion and creativity, and acquire a deeper enjoyment of music. Private music instruction in the comfort of your home for Piano, Voice, Guitar, Violin, Viola, Cello, Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Trumpet, Oboe, Trumpet, Saxophone, Drums and more. Recital opportunities throughout the year.
NOW ACCEPTING REGISTRATION FOR FALL 2018 • On-Camera TV/Film Technique • Commercials • Song & Dance • Musical Theatre • Scene Study • Kids Fitness
• Private Voice Lessons • Private Acting Coaching • Summer Camp • Industry Events
CALL NOW TO REGISTER
516-932-9173 OR VISIT
WWW.STARS-OF-TOMORROW.COM * NEW LOCATION *
171 EILEEN WAY - SYOSSET
• We accept students of all ages and levels — child to adult • Serving all communities throughout Long Island • Study with Superior Faculty • Award-winning, highly-trained, experienced, caring faculty teaching ALL instruments • Fully insured and backgroundchecked for your peace of mind • Expert NYSSMA prep with outstanding results Jennifer Barsamian • Spring recitals in a state-of-the-art Co-founder performance hall at Adelphi University. • College audition prep We also offer individual instruction and group classes in: • Music Theory • Music Composition • Sight-singing and more • Early Childhood Group Classes
Jennifer Grimaldi-Toohey Co-founder
Enhance your child’s music education beyond their academic school environment!
Call us today to schedule your first lesson at 646.387.6501 or 718.809.7116 or email us at LISMLessons@gmail.com LongIslandParent 31
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After-School Planner Classes & Programs
Activity Music
Joyous Music School
joyousmusicschool.com
Long Island Studio of Music
Music Together
Not Just Art
Suzuki Music School at Huntington Center for Performing Arts Sports
Great Play of Syosset
Soccer Shots
YMCA of Long Island STEM
Theater
718-809-7116
musictogetherli-queens.com
visit website
notjustart.com
516-922-8300
huntingtoncenteronline. com/category/music
631-271-4626
greatplay.com/syosset
516-364-1500
soccershots.org
516-558-2266
ymcali.org
855-2YMCALI (962254)
RoboMindTech STEM Education Center Creativity, Science, Robotics, Coding & L-E-G-O Learning Fun! Creativity, Science, Robotics & L-E-G-O Learning Fun
robomindtech.com
718-264-7626
Sylvan Learning Centers of Mineola and Huntington
sylvanlearning.com
516- 638-0823
Village East Gifted Enrichment Center for the Gifted Learner
villageeastgifted.com
631-549-2313
dramakids.com/ny6
516-360-5026
huntingtoncenteronline.com/ category/theater
631-271-4626
Stars of Tomorrow
stars-of-tomorrow.com
516-932-9173
Key to My Art, Inc.
keytomyart.com/ nymetroparents.html
516-218-2920
Drama Kids Huntington Center for Performing Arts
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1-888-628-9865
September 2018 | nymetroparents.com
AFTER-SCHOOL MARKETPLACE
Join
LIU POST’S CENTER FOR GIFTED YOUTH
www.notjustart.com 183 South Street Oyster Bay, NY 516-922-8300
NYMetroParents Nurturing
FALL 2018 AND SPRING 2019 SATURDAY PROGRAM Oct 6th – Dec 15th, 2018 & Feb 2nd – April 27th, 2019 for students entering K in Sept. 2018
Creativity
Get advance notice on activities, ® participate in group discussions ® music together • art • science and receive special notices. classes • vacation camps • studio days • parties
Are You the Parent of a Gifted Child?
play groups • homeschoolers • scouts Music Together® locations in Babylon,
www.facebook.com/nymetroparents Bellmore, Garden City, Huntington,
Manhassett, Massapequa, Oyster Bay, Plainview, Sea Cliff
LIU Post’s Center for Gifted Youth announces its 38th annual fall and spring program for gifted children. The fall
Join
NYMetroParents Get advance notice on activities, participate in group discussions and receive special notices.
program runs on Saturdays from Oct. 6th to Dec. 15th, 2018 and the spring program runs on Saturdays from Feb. 2nd to April 27th, 2019. The program is open to gifted children entering grades K-8 in September 2018. The program expands
students’ knowledge, develops creative and critical thinking skills, and offers children the opportunity to learn in an exciting and accepting environment.
For information call 516-299-2160 liu.edu/post/giftedyouth Now find us on Facebook
www.facebook.com/nymetroparents
Follow us on Twitter
Admission is highly selective and enrollment is limited.
LIU Post • College of Education, Information and Technology • 720 Northern Blvd. • Brookville, NY 11548-1300 liu.edu/post/giftedyouth • Dr. Lynne Manouvrier, Director
LongIslandParent 33
Education Planner Schools
Type Parochial Schools
Nursery & Preschools
Catholic Elementary Schools of Long Island Diocese of Rockville Centre
Special Education
hfsli.org
Our Lady of Lourdes
ollmalverne.org
516-599-7328
Smithtown Christian School
learnwithscs.org
631-265-3334
St. Dominic Elementary School
stdomsob.org
516-922-4233
Temple Sinai of Roslyn Religious School
mysinai.org
516-621-8016
Trinity Episcopal Church Roslyn Childcare Center
trinitychild.org
516-626-0293
Countryside Montessori School
cmsgn.com
516-466-8422
Village East Gifted Enrichment Center for the Gifted Learner Kindergarten and Preschool
villageeastgifted.com
631-549-2313
Friends Academy
ymcali.org
516-938-3846 x329
855-2YMCALI (962254)
fa.org
516-676-0393
Green Vale School
greenvaleschool.org
516-621-2420
Our Lady of Mercy
olmshicks.org
516-433-7040
huntingtonhelps.com
visit website
sylvanlearning.com
631-424-5600
vclc.org
516-921-7171
Huntington Learning Centers Sylvan Learning Centers of Mineola and Huntington Variety Child Learning Center
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516-678-5800
Holy Family School
YMCA of Long Island Private Schools
licatholicelementaryschools.org
September 2018 | nymetroparents.com
AFTER-SCHOOL MARKETPLACE
BUILD CONFIDENCE AND HAVE FUN
READING/WRITING LEARNING CLINIC
Drama Kids offers exciting programs for children ages 4-17. Kids have tons of fun and develop important self-confidence, self-esteem, and verbal communication skills that will help them personally and academically.
Enroll today! “The difference is dramatic.”
at the
Joan and Arnold Saltzman Community Services Center
Locations throughout North Nassau County 516-360-5026 | dramakids.com/ny6
Literacy instruction programs for children and youth offer: • Individual or small-group classes in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere • Classes taught by New York state-certified teachers • Personalized consultations that offer parents straightforward advice
about how to support their child’s literacy growth • Literacy instruction that builds on each learner’s strengths to build
confidence and improve reading and writing proficiency
“A uniquely engaging experience for children of all ages!” - USA TODAY
Mommy & Me Classes
Intro to Motor Skills | AGES 6 MO. - 3 1/2 YRS.
Motor & Athletic Skills Development
FALL CLASSES NOW FORMING For more information, including registration and summer program options, visit hofstra.edu/rwlclinic or call 516-463-5805.
AGES 3 1/2 YRS. - 5 1/2 YRS.
Ad SaltzmanRW_Fall2018_NassauParent_QtrPg.indd 1
7/20/18 3:50 PM
Sports Skills Classes
GRADES K - 5TH, SOCCER AGES 3+
Award-Winning Birthday Parties
For locations near you, visit
AGES 1-10
soccershots.org/liwest
180 Michael Dr • Syosset, NY 11891 • 516-364-1500 • greatplay.com/syosset
Bringing NYC Arts Training Experience to Long Island
“Training for Life” Huntington Ballet Academy ENROLL NOW for Fall Classes Age 4 thru Professional Levels
AGES 2-8
or call
(516) 558-2266
With over 70 locations in Nassau and Suffolk, Soccer Shots is the premier intro to soccer program in the nation. We provide: • Expert approved curriculum aligned with New York State Early Learning Guidelines • Best trained coaches in the business • Weekly communications so you always know what your child is learning
THE CHILDREN’S SOCCER EXPERIENCE
Dreams Start Here
LOOKING FOR
GREAT DEALS? American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum 631-271-4626 www.HuntingtonBallet.com
Saving money on a New York City family day is easy! 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.
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things to do
city bound
N Y C
Photo courtesy of Hudson River Park
Courtesy Fraunces Tavern Museum
Family Fun in Manhattan
The Long Room, where George Washington gathered with his officers in 1783 to bid them farewell at the end of the American Revolution.
Kids get in on the aquatic action all day long.
Fun for All on the Water
Fraunces Tavern Museum
Learn about the history of the American Revolutionary era through buildings, public programs, and museum collections. Exhibits include the Long Room, the site of George Washington’s farewell address at the end of the Revolution, the Clinton Room, and the upcoming Fear & Force: New York City’s Sons of Liberty, where you can view objects preserved from important moments relating to the Sons of Liberty. Visit it: 54 Pearl St., Financial District; 212-425-1778; frauncestavernmuseum.org Can’t-miss event: Spy Week; Sept. 15-22; see website for schedule Directions: Approximately a 1-hour LIRR and subway ride from Garden City
Loup-William Théberge
NY Carousel Entertainment
Wild about water? Hudson River Park’s SUBMERGE festival heads north this year to Pier 84 in Midtown to celebrate NYC’s coastal waters while bringing marine science to life. Environmentally minded families will enjoy hands-on activities, kid-approved science entertainment, kayaking, fishing, and more. This annual event is a must-do for anyone who appreciates the many gifts of the river and wants to help raise awareness. Rain date is Sept. 23. Saturday, Sept. 22, 11am-4pm. Age: All. Free. Pier 84, West 44th Street, Midtown. hudsonriverpark.org.
The Pier 62 Carousel is conveniently located next to popular outdoor attractions such as a skate park, gardens, and special community events.
The sky’s the limit when it comes to this troupe’s anatomical acrobatics!
It’s a Circus Machine!
If your family likes physical performance, they’ll flip for Machine de Cirque at the New Victory Theater in Midtown this fall. Five fellows are building a contraption to communicate with the outside world, but their fun-loving natures keep distracting them! These awe-inspiring acrobats swing by their toes high above the stage, bicycle upside-down and backwards, and flip and fly off teeterboards. Sept. 28-Oct. 7. Age: 8 and older. $17 and up. The New Victory Theater, 209 W. 42nd St., Midtown. newvictory.org.
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September 2018 | nymetroparents.com
Pier 62 Carousel
What better way to enjoy beautiful summer weather in NYC than on Hudson River Park’s custom-designed Hudson River Animals carousel in Chelsea? The 36-foot carousel allows for up to 36 passengers per ride. The whole family will enjoy this relaxing ride complete with beautiful views and rich historical culture. The best part? Tickets are extremely affordable! Visit it: Hudson River Park, between 22nd and 23rd streets, Chelsea; 718-899-2676 Can’t-miss event: Making Magic with Ethan on Sept. 16 at 2pm and 4pm Directions: Approximately a 1-hour LIRR ride from Garden City
Ideas When You Need Them:
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Turn the page for details on Long Island Parents Day (No. 6 on our list).
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SEPTEMBER CALENDAR
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Editor’s Hot Tickets
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Fun Fairs & Festivals
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We Can’t Believe It’s FREE!,
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Mini Musicians, Show Time!
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Movers & Shakers, Kindness Crusaders
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Crafty Kids
Browse & Buy, Animal Lovers WANT US TO INCLUDE YOUR EVENT?
nymetroparents.com/submitevent UPDATED DAILY AT nymetroparents.com/calendar
EDITOR: KAREN DEMETER nassaucal@davlermedia.com
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Once Upon a Time
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Smarty Pants
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!
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Sensory Sensitive Sundays
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 2, 9-11am WHERE: Chuck E. Cheese’s, 162 Fulton Ave., Hempstead AGES: All WHAT: Chuck E. Cheese’s is open 2 hours early, specifically for children with autism and other special needs. WHY WE LOVE IT: An inclusive opportunity for all kids to enjoy Chuck E. Cheese! WANT TO GO? Cost varies. 516-483-3166. chuckecheese.com.
Blue Star Museums FREE
WHEN: Through Sept. 3: see website for schedule WHERE: Museums in Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Long Island AGES: All WHAT: Museums across the country offer free family admission for active duty military families through Labor Day. WHY WE LOVE IT: A special treat for military families. WANT TO GO? arts.gov.
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‘Love, Gilda: The Eternal Spirit of Gilda Radner’ Gold Coast Film Festival Screening
WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 12, 7:30pm WHERE: Soundview Cinemas, 7 Soundview Market Place, Port Washington AGES: 9 and older WHAT: This screening on the life of comedienne Gilda Radner is part of the Gold Coast International Film Festival’s film series. WHY WE LOVE IT: Love, Gilda offers a unique window into the honest and whimsical world of a beloved performer whose greatest role was sharing her story. WANT TO GO? $15; $10 students. 516-829-2570. goldcoastfilmfestival.org. 38
September 2018 | nymetroparents.com
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Celtic Thunder X Tour
WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 13, 8pm WHERE: NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury AGES: All WHAT: Celtic Thunder live shows are known for dramatic lighting and choreography, realistic Irish stage sets, and authentic Irish instruments. WHY WE LOVE IT: The performances have dramatic solos, compelling ensembles, and comedic acts. WANT TO GO? $49 and up. 516-334-0800. thetheatreatwestbury.com.
Glow-in-the-Dark Dance Party
WHEN: Friday, Sept. 14, 6pm WHERE: Stew Leonard’s, 261 Airport Plaza Blvd., Farmingdale AGES: All WHAT: Expect pizza, beverages, an ice cream bar, a disco ball, and today’s hits. Each child will receive a glow stick. WHY WE LOVE IT: Who doesn’t love the glow? We’ll be practicing our dance moves! WANT TO GO? $14.99; $12.99 children younger than 12. 516-9628210. stewleonards.com.
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Long Island Parents Day
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 16, 11am-3pm WHERE: Long Island University, Pratt Recreation Center, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville AGES: All WHAT: Kids play in the Kids Corner and participate in activities while parents meet birthday party venues, after-school classes and programs, special needs providers, health and wellness professionals, local museums, and day trip locations! WHY WE LOVE IT: Use code “NYMP” for free tickets when registering online. WANT TO GO? $10. 646-736-3619. liparentsday.com.
Give Our Regards to Broadway
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M A I N S TR E E T
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 23, 3pm WHERE: Madison Theatre at Molloy College, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre AGES: All WHAT: The evening guides you through the musical explosions of the ’70s with anecdotes. WHY WE LOVE IT: This performance will transport you directly to Broadway! WANT TO GO? $35. 516-323-4444. madisontheatreny.org.
Mid Autumn/Moon Festival
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Tusk: The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 23, 1-5pm WHERE: Planting Fields Arboretum, 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay AGES: All WHAT: Traditional Asian dance, music, and martial arts on stage. Cultural activities showcase and festival games, arts and crafts booths, children’s activities, and fun for all. WHY WE LOVE IT: Thousands of unique Chinese traditional handicrafts will be given away as prizes for interactive games. WANT TO GO? $25 in advance, $30 day of. 516-922-8678. plantingfields.org.
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10/5/18
kids!
Traveling Exhibit: TINKERTOY: Build Your Imagination
Manhattan Comedy Night 10/6/18
WHEN: Sept. 29-Jan. 6, 2019, Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: All WHAT: Visitors can explore a walk-in size replica of a canister, create their own designs, experiment with renewable energy and water filtration, and take part in a scavenger hunt. WHY WE LOVE IT: A great way to introduce children to STEM concepts! WANT TO GO? $13; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. ››
Mill Neck Family’s
kids!
Pete The Cat 12/1/18
Pinocchio 11/11/18
232 main street port washington, ny 11050 landmarkonmainstreet.org box office 516.767.6444
ON MAIN STREET J E A N N E R I M S K Y T H E AT E R
Our Lady of Mercy School
APPLE Festival
Saturday and Sunday, October 6 and 7 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. FACE PAINTING•FOOD TRUCKS•CARNIVAL RIDES FREE HEARING SCREENINGS•COUNTRY STORE PUMPKIN PATCH•WHITE ELEPHANT SALE and MUCH MORE!
SAVE on prepaid parking!
millneck.org/apple MILL NECK MANOR
40 Frost Mill Road, Mill Neck, NY 11765
• Full and Half day Nursery and Pre-K
• 55 Years of Academic Excellence
• Full Day Kindergarten through 8th Grade • CYO Sports Programs •
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Open Registr on - Call an me for a Tour (516) 433-7040 | www.olmshicks.org 520 South Oyster Bay Rd. Hicksville, NY 11801
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WANT TO GO? $12; $10 seniors; $7 children 7-17; free for children 6 and younger. 516-252-3392. oldwestburygardens.org.
The Power of Food with Chef/Dr. Robert Dell’Amore FREE
WE CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S FREE
WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 13, 7pm WHERE: Garden City Public Library, 60 7th St., Garden City AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Learn easy to prepare, nutritious cooking techniques. WANT TO GO? 516-742-8405. gardencitypl.org.
Fancy Nancy Parfait Soiree 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.
WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 18, 7pm WHERE: Island Trees Public Library, 38 Farmedge Road, Island Trees AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Make ice cream parfaits and pick your own toppings! WANT TO GO? 516-731-2211. islandtreespubliclibrary.org.
Georgia O’Keeffe: Visions of Hawaii at NYBG: Visual Lecture FREE
Mommy and Me Chocolate Molds
WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 6, 2pm WHERE: Garden City Public Library, 60 7th St., Garden City AGES: 13 and older WHAT: On view at the NYBG are 20 of O’Keeffe’s depictions of Hawaii. WANT TO GO? 516-742-8405. gardencitypl.org.
Kidstock FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 15, 12-5pm WHERE: Clark Botanic Gardens, 193 I.U. Willets Road, Albertson AGES: All WHAT: An open-air family festival featuring musical entertainment WANT TO GO? 516-484-2208. clarkbotanic.org.
Beginner Genealogy FREE
WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 20, 7pm WHERE: Floral Park Library, 17 Caroline Place, Floral Park AGES: 13 and older WHAT: DNA Genealogy Group of Long Island helps find family histories. WANT TO GO? 516-326-6330. floralparklibrary.org.
Dr. Frankenstein’s Gummy Bear Science Lab FREE
WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 25, 4pm WHERE: Syosset Public Library, 225 S. Oyster Bay Road, Syosset AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Teens will help kids with fun science experiments with gummy bears! WANT TO GO? 516-921-7161. syossetlibrary.org.
Grandparents’ Day FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 8, 2pm WHERE: Glen Cove Library, 4 Glen Cove Ave., Glen Cove AGES: All WHAT: Spend time together reading and creating a simple craft. WANT TO GO? 516-676-2130. glencovelibrary.org.
Fall Events FREE
WHEN: Sept. 15-Oct. 28, see website for schedule WHERE: Hicks Nurseries, 100 Jericho Turnpike, Westbury AGES: All WHAT: Visit Otto the Ghost, enjoy a hayride, and see farm animals. WANT TO GO? 516-334-0066. hicksnurseries.com.
LITTLE FOODIES Eat Up! What’s cooking in the Gardens: Seeds
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 8, 10:30am WHERE: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury AGES: All WHAT: Discover tasty delights growing in our garden beds! 40
September 2018 | nymetroparents.com
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 23, 11am-12:30pm WHERE: Chocolate Works, 2350 Merrick Road, Bellmore AGES: All WHAT: Eat breakfast while decorating your breakfast-themed chocolate molds. WANT TO GO? $30 per parent-child pair, $10 per extra child. 516-900-1119. chocolateworks.com/bellmore.
Read, Cook, Eat: Jacques Pepin FREE
WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 27, 2pm WHERE: Rockville Centre Library, 221 N. Village Ave., Rockville Centre AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Choose a recipe from a cookbook, prepare it, and bring it to share. WANT TO GO? 516-766-6257. Rvclibrary.org.
BROWSE & BUY Rockville Centre Farmers Market FREE
WHEN: Through Nov. 18: Sundays, 7am-12pm WHERE: Rockville Centre Railroad Station, Municipal Lot #12, Sunrise Highway and Long Beach Road, Rockville Centre AGES: All WHAT: View an array of produce and products. WANT TO GO? 631-323-3653. longislandgrowersmarket.com.
Garden City Farmers Market FREE
WHEN: Through Nov. 20: Tuesdays, 7am-1pm WHERE: Behind State Supreme Court, 101 County Seat Drive, Mineola AGES: All WHAT: Pick from an assortment of fruits, vegetables, eggs, soaps and more. WANT TO GO? 631-323-3653. longislandgrowersmarket.com.
Summer Family Festival & Raffle Auction FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 1, 10am-6pm WHERE: Holy Trinity Orthodox Church of East Meadow, 369 Green Ave., East Meadow AGES: All WHAT: Greek, Slavic, and barbecue foods; live Slavic music by “Barynya;” raffle auction; kids’ games and prizes; and flea market, and vendors. WANT TO GO? 516-387-4299. htocem.org.
ANIMAL LOVERS Children’s Event- Frogs, Bugs, and Animals FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 15, 10am WHERE: Syosset Public Library, 225 S. Oyster Bay Road, Syosset
Steve C. Imber, Ph.D.
Psychoeducational Consultants AGES: 3-8 WHAT: This program features reptiles, frogs, bugs, and fluffy chickens! WANT TO GO? 516-921-7161. syossetlibrary.org.
Nassau and Suffolk Counties, Queens other NYC Boroughs
Is Your Child struggling with Learning or Behavioral Problems at Home or in School?
Fall Bird Watching Walks
WHEN: Saturdays, Sept. 1, 8, and 22, 10am WHERE: Garvies Point Museum, 50 Barry Drive, Glen Cove AGES: 9 and older WHAT: The exhibit hall deck offers a spectacular eye-level view of the birds! WANT TO GO? $4; $2 children 12 and younger. 516-571-8010. garviespointmuseum.com.
The Decision to Ask for Help is Important Dr. Imber addresses the needs of children, adolescents and adults through multiple services and support.
Bird & Butterfly-Friendly Gardens
WHEN: Through Sept. 29: Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm WHERE: Garvies Point Museum, 50 Barry Drive, Glen Cove AGES: All WHAT: Mostly native flowers that attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and more. WANT TO GO? $4; $2 for children younger than 12. 516-571-8010. garviespointmuseum.com.
ONCE UPON A TIME Listen Up! Storybook Stroll: The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 1, 10:30am WHERE: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Listen to various tales as we stroll the gardens and create a craft. WANT TO GO? $10. 516-252-3392. oldwestburygardens.org.
Arthur Visits Manhasset Storytime FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 8, 12pm WHERE: Barnes and Noble, 1542 Northern Blvd., Manhasset AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Meet Arthur the aardvark and read stories of his adventures WANT TO GO? 516-365-6723. barnesandnoble.com.
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Independent Education Evaluations Parent, School, Attorney Consultation Support services for Students in Public and Private Schools Support with Individualized Educational Program meetings Special Education Expert Services Dr. Imber is a Special Education Expert providing Independent Education Evaluations since 1976 www.dr-imber.com Contact: 516-273-1961 or scimber1@aol.com 61-43 186th Street | Fresh Meadows, NY 11365
HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL
Rosh Hashanah Story Time FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 8, 11am WHERE: The Dolphin Bookshop, 299 Main St., Port Washington AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Jane Breskin Zalben launches A Moon for Moe and Mo. WANT TO GO? 516-767-2650. thedolphinbookshop.com.
Family Preschool Hour FREE
WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 18, 11am WHERE: Floral Park Library, 17 Caroline Place, Floral Park AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Enjoy an hour of singing, dancing, storytelling, and a craft. WANT TO GO? 516-326-6330. floralparklibrary.org.
Author Visit: María Cristina Marrero FREE
WHEN: Friday, Sept. 21, 7pm WHERE: Freeport Public Library, 144 W. Merrick Road, Freeport AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with María Cristina Marrero presenting her recent book Las Imperfectas. WANT TO GO? 516-379-3274. freeportlibrary.info.
Nighttime Storyhour FREE
WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 25, 7pm WHERE: Island Trees Public Library, 38 Farmedge Road, Island Trees AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Wear PJs and enjoy some stories, make a craft, and have a snack! WANT TO GO? 516-731-2211. islandtreespubliclibrary.org. ››
Holy Family School. Our nurturing yet challenging environment educates the whole child, in mind, body and spirit. At Holy Family each child is known by name and loved for his/her God-given talents. Holy Family students share love, understanding, compassion and kindness each school day. Nursery through 8th Grade
OFFERING NEW PROGRAMS THIS YEAR STREAM Fridays, Fine Arts, Theatre, Music, Art History and Drama! Visit us online at www.hfsli.org or call (516) 938-3846 to arrange a tour. 17 Fordham Avenue, Hicksville, NY 11801 516-938-3846 x 329 LongIslandParent 41
WHERE: Wantagh Public Library, 3285 Park Ave., Wantagh AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Learn how to play beginner chess and play friendly games against other children with varied experience levels. WANT TO GO? 516-221-1200. wantaghlibrary.org.
Back to School Computer Skills FREE
SMARTY PANTS Oyster Bay Walking Tour FREE
WHEN: Through Sept. 2: Saturday-Sunday, 2pm WHERE: Sagamore Hill NHS, 20 Sagamore Hill Road, Oyster Bay AGES: All WHAT: Join a park ranger on a 1½-mile stroll as they interpret the points of interest significant to Theodore Roosevelt. WANT TO GO? 516-922-4788. nps.gov/sahi.
Traveling Exhibit: Hands-On Harley-Davidson
WHEN: Through Sept. 2: Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: All WHAT: Explore a pretend motorcycle dealership with activities that promote STEM themes with hands-on opportunities to build and ride. WANT TO GO? $14; $13 seniors; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.
Adult Lecture: Tommy Hitchcock: American Hero
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 2, 2pm WHERE: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury AGES: 13 and older WHAT: This year marks the 100th anniversary of Tommy Hitchcock’s daring escape from a German POW camp. WANT TO GO? $12; $10 seniors; $7 children 7-17; free for children 6 and younger. 516-252-3392. oldwestburygardens.org.
Imagination Station Sundays
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 2, 12-4pm WHERE: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury AGES: All WHAT: This changing discovery space provides children with an opportunity to build, observe, ponder, and foster young minds. WANT TO GO? $12; $10 seniors; $7 children 7-17; free for children 6 and younger. 516-252-3392. oldwestburygardens.org.
Mothers’ Center Circle FREE
WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 5, 10am WHERE: Rockville Centre Library, 221 N. Village Ave., Rockville Centre AGES: Adult WHAT: Connect on the joys and challenges of motherhood and support each other through our own journeys. WANT TO GO? 516-766-6257. Rvclibrary.org.
Imagination Station FREE
WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 6, 11am WHERE: Freeport Public Library, 144 West Merrick Road, Freeport AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Play-Doh, building blocks, and STEM-based challenges for kids WANT TO GO? 516-379-3274. freeportlibrary.info.
Chess Club FREE
WHEN: Friday, Sept. 7, 4pm
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WHEN: Monday, Sept. 10, 6pm WHERE: Glen Cove Library, 4 Glen Cove Ave., Glen Cove AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Librarians will show students basic word processing skills including cutting and pasting, printing, and saving to a USB. WANT TO GO? 516-676-2130. glencovelibrary.org.
MS Word for Job Seekers FREE
WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 11, 1pm WHERE: Floral Park Library, 17 Caroline Place, Floral Park AGES: 13 and older WHAT: This hands-on intro to Microsoft Word provides computer skills for those who are seeking employment in the current job market. WANT TO GO? 516-326-6330. floralparklibrary.org.
ASLI Stargazers
WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 13, 8:30pm WHERE: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Join the Astronomical Society of Long Island for sky watching. WANT TO GO? $12; $10 seniors; $7 children 7-17; free for children 6 and younger. 516-252-3392. oldwestburygardens.org.
Terry Bradshaw: Why Not Your Best?
WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 13, 8pm WHERE: Tilles Center for the Performing Arts at LIU Post, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville AGES: 9 and older WHAT: The Hall of Famer shares his strategies for maintaining success through persistent self-improvement. WANT TO GO? $45 and up. 516-299-3100. tillescenter.org.
Countdown to College 2018 FREE
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 16, 3pm WHERE: Syosset Public Library, 225 S. Oyster Bay Road, Syosset AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Step-by-step guide of what to do throughout high school so your child maximize college acceptance odds without stress. WANT TO GO? 516-921-7161. syossetlibrary.org.
Inaugural Literary Tea
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 16, 2pm WHERE: Madison Theatre at Molloy College, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre AGES: 13 and older WHAT: In addition to specialty teas and baked goods by Flour Shoppe Café, Larry Davidson will moderate a discussion with three authors. WANT TO GO? $50. 516-323-4444. madisontheatreny.org.
Long Island Author Series: Andrew Sparberg FREE
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 16, 1:30pm WHERE: Rock Hall Museum, 199 Broadway, Lawrence AGES: 9 and older WHAT: View an illustrated lecture about the history of the Long Island Rail Road and its 186-year history. WANT TO GO? 516-239-1157. friendsofrockhall.org.
From Birds to Planes
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 22, 2pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Learn how birds were the inspiration for airplane design and take
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a closer look at their wings, shape, and method of flying. Then create your own airplane to take home! WANT TO GO? $4 with museum admission: $13; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.
nymetroparents.com/register ››
Think Up! Old Westbury Whodunits: Climate Quandaries
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 22, 10:30am WHERE: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury AGES: 9-17 WHAT: Enjoy fact-finding hunts through the house and gardens to uncover clues and solve riddles. WANT TO GO? $12; $10 seniors; $7 children 7-17; free for children 6 and younger. 516-252-3392. oldwestburygardens.org.
The Long Island National College Fair FREE
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 23, 11am WHERE: NYCB LIVE, Home of The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 1255 Hempstead Turnpike, Uniondale AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Attendees meet 1-on-1 with college admission representatives and discuss individual needs with college experts at the fair’s counseling center. WANT TO GO? 516-231-4848. nycblive.com.
Common App Essay Writing Workshop Fall 2018 FREE
WHEN: Monday, Sept. 24, 7pm WHERE: Syosset Public Library, 225 S. Oyster Bay Road, Syosset AGES: 13-17 WHAT: This workshop will provide a systematic and analytical approach to tackling the common application essay questions. WANT TO GO? 516-921-7161. syossetlibrary.org.
Respect: You Give It, You Get It FREE
WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 26, 4pm WHERE: Syosset Public Library, 225 S. Oyster Bay Road, Syosset AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Children learn the importance and positive effects of respect. WANT TO GO? 516-921-7161. syossetlibrary.org.
How to Monitor Your Child’s Social Media FREE
WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 27, 6:45pm WHERE: Floral Park Library, 17 Caroline Place, Floral Park AGES: Adult WHAT: Sharper Training will show you how to set up and monitor the most common devices and programs. Bring your tablet, iPad, or smartphone. WANT TO GO? 516-326-6330. floralparklibrary.org.
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney: Sculpture Exhibition
WHEN: Through Sept. 30: daily, 11:30am-3:30pm WHERE: Planting Fields Arboretum, 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay AGES: All WHAT: More than 30 of Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney’s sculptures and drawings will be featured. WANT TO GO? $5. 516-922-8678. plantingfields.org.
Hempstead House Tour
WHEN: Sept. 5-30, Wednesday, 2pm; Saturday-Sunday, 11am and 2pm WHERE: Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point AGES: 9 and older WHAT: See the rooms inside the 50,000-square-foot Tudor-style mansion. WANT TO GO? $10. 516-571-7901. sandspointpreserve.org.
Baby Sign Language 101 FREE
WHEN: Sept. 4-Oct. 2, Tuesdays, 11:30am WHERE: Mineola Memorial Library, 195 Marcellus Road, Mineola AGES: 3-5, adult WHAT: More than 80 signs will help your child communicate more clearly. WANT TO GO? 516-746-8488. mineolalibrary.info.
FUN FAIRS & FESTIVALS Hofstra University’s 26th Annual Italian Festival
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 16, 11am-5pm WHERE: Hofstra University, 100 Hofstra University, Hempstead AGES: All WHAT: The festival features food, vendors, handmade crafts, exhibits by cultural organizations and more. WANT TO GO? $6; $5 seniors; free for children younger than 12. 516463-6582. hofstra.edu/community/fest/fest_italian.html.
38th Annual Antique Motorcycle Show
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 16, 11am-4pm WHERE: Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park AGES: All WHAT: See a display of motorcycles that have been out of production for ten years WANT TO GO? $7. 718-347-3276. queensfarm.org.
Kidfest
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 16, 12-4pm WHERE: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury AGES: All WHAT: Fun and educational activities featuring a high-energy performance. WANT TO GO? $12; $10 seniors; $7 children 7-17; free for children 6 and younger. 516-252-3392. oldwestburygardens.org.
Long Island Fair
WHEN: Sept. 15-23, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-5pm WHERE: Old Bethpage Village Restoration, 1303 Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage AGES: All WHAT: See culinary, craft, and horticultural exhibits, magic shows, dancing, concerts, pony and camel rides, an exotic petting zoo, and more. WANT TO GO? $15; $13 seniors and children 5-12 years; free for children younger than 5. 516-572-8401. lifair.org.
32nd Annual Bellmore Family Street Festival FREE
WHEN: Sept. 22-23, Saturday-Sunday, 11am-6pm WHERE: LIRR Parking Lot & Sunrise Highway, 2100 Pettit Ave., Bellmore AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy a kids expo, pony rides, and petting zoo, plus the Dr. Bones Show and Dragon Scales & Faerie Tales Show, live music, and carnival rides. WANT TO GO? 516 809-5892. bellmorechamber.com.
Levittown Fall Festival FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 29, 10am-4pm WHERE: St. Bernard’s, 3100 Hempstead Turnpike, Levittown AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate the arrival of autumn with vendors, gifts, and more. WANT TO GO? 866-666-3247. dreamlandamusements.com. ››
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Bangladeshi American Night: International Nights FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 1, 7pm WHERE: Eisenhower Park, Eisenhower Park, Field 6 and 6A, East Meadow AGES: All WHAT: Don’t miss this night of Bangladeshi culture on display! WANT TO GO? 516-572-0200. nassaucountyny.gov/parks.
AR Rahman Concert
MINI
MUSICIANS Music In The Garden: Cabaret Classics By Jack Kohl
WHEN: Friday, Sept. 7, 7pm WHERE: Planting Fields Arboretum, 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Imagine being a guest of the Coe’s on a summer night, with a 1920s singer WANT TO GO? $20 and up. 516-922-8678. plantingfields.org.
Concert in the Park- WMD’s FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 8, 6pm WHERE: Planting Fields Arboretum, 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay AGES: All WHAT: An outdoor picnic to enjoy upbeat music. WANT TO GO? 516-922-8678. plantingfields.org.
Poetica Musica: Nights in a Spanish Garden
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 22, 6:45pm WHERE: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Works by Granados, Schumann, Schubert, Waxman, and more, performed by Hayk Arsenyan and Jesus Reina. WANT TO GO? $30. 516-252-3392. oldwestburygardens.org.
Andre Rieu Concert
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 22, 8pm WHERE: NYCB LIVE, Home of The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 1255 Hempstead Turnpike, Uniondale AGES: All WHAT: Rieu’s shows mix thrilling, romantic, and emotional melodies WANT TO GO? $53. 516-231-4848. nycblive.com.
I Hate Classical Music: ‘Is it a bird or a flute? Nature in Classical Music’ FREE
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 23, 2:30pm WHERE: Freeport Public Library, 144 West Merrick Road, Freeport AGES: All WHAT: Become a maestro by learning about the orchestra and conducting. WANT TO GO? 516-379-3274. freeportlibrary.info.
SHOW TIME!
Concert In The Park: River Of Dreams FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 1, 6pm WHERE: Planting Fields Arboretum, 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay AGES: All WHAT: River of Dreams is a Billy Joel tribute band that you will love! WANT TO GO? 516-922-8678. plantingfields.org. 44
September 2018 | nymetroparents.com
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 1, 8pm WHERE: NYCB LIVE, Home of The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 1255 Hempstead Turnpike, Uniondale AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Rahman’s works mix Indian classical music with various genres. WANT TO GO? $50. 516-231-4848. nycblive.com.
When Change Comes: Dance Theatre
WHEN: Sept. 7-8, Friday, 8pm; Saturday, 2pm and 8pm WHERE: Madison Theatre at Molloy College, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre AGES: 5 and older WHAT: What happens when you fall for someone and the odds are against you? WANT TO GO? $35 and up. 516-323-4444. MadisonTheatre@molloy.edu.
An Afternoon with Warren Schein FREE
WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2pm WHERE: Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Suite 1, Port Washington AGES: All WHAT: Warren sings songs from the Great American Songbook and show tunes. WANT TO GO? 516-767-1384. landmarkonmainstreet.org.
Broadway @ the Madison Theatre
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 15, 8pm WHERE: Madison Theatre at Molloy College, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre AGES: All WHAT: A spontaneous evening of show-stopping songs and hilarity WANT TO GO? $45. 516-323-4444. madisontheatreny.org.
‘Rosie Revere, Engineer’
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 15, 2pm WHERE: Tilles Center for the Performing Arts at LIU Post, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville AGES: 5-12 WHAT: A fun new musical based on the books Rosie Revere, Engineer; Iggy Peck, Architect; and Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty WANT TO GO? $15 and up. 516-299-3100. tillescenter.org.
Michael Feinstein: The Crooners
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 16, 7pm WHERE: Tilles Center for the Performing Arts at LIU Post, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville AGES: 13 and older WHAT: A salute to legendary vocalists Bing Crosby, Dean Martin and more WANT TO GO? Call for cost. 516-299-3100. tillescenter.org.
Dick Fox’s Fall Doo Wop Extravaganza
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 16, 3pm WHERE: NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Don’t miss The Duprees, Sonny Turner, Jay Siegel’s Tokens and more. WANT TO GO? $49 and up. 516-334-0800. thetheatreatwestbury.com.
‘Little Shop of Horrors’
WHEN: Sept. 1-16, see website for exact dates and times
WHERE: BroadHollow Theatre at Elmont, 700 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Little Shop Of Horrors has been loved for more than 30 years. WANT TO GO? $29. 516-775-4420. broadhollow.org.
‘The Million Dollar Quartet’
WHERE: Bethpage State Park, 99 Quaker Meeting House Road, Farmingdale AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy an afternoon of polo games at Bethpage State Park. WANT TO GO? $10; $5 children younger than 12; $8 vehicle fee. 631-669-1000. bethpagepolo.com.
WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 20, 8pm WHERE: NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury AGES: All WHAT: This musical is inspired by the true story of the recording session that brought together Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins. WANT TO GO? $40 and up. 516-334-0800. thetheatreatwestbury.com.
Yoga in the Gardens
Wayne Newton: Up Close and Personal
Tai Chi in the Gardens
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 22, 8pm WHERE: NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Newton shares the fantastic stories and videos that were influential on his legendary career, as well as singing crowd favorites and playing instruments. WANT TO GO? $13 and up. 516-334-0800. thetheatreatwestbury.com.
Great Marques Car Show at Old Westbury Gardens
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 23, 9am-3pm WHERE: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury AGES: All WHAT: See classic, exotic, and European cars featuring Mercedes-Benz, with class judging and awards. WANT TO GO? $12; $10 seniors; $7 children 7-17; free for children 6 and younger. 516-252-3392. oldwestburygardens.org.
Chris Monty & Friends with Eric Haft & Tina Giorgi
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 29, 7pm WHERE: Madison Theatre at Molloy College, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Chris Monty returns with a new show about his travels, experiences, and first year of marriage! WANT TO GO? $35. 516-323-4444. madisontheatreny.org.
Family Theatre Musical: ‘Pinkalicious’
WHEN: Sept. 21-30, Friday, 7pm; Saturday-Sunday, 11:30am and 2pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Pinkalicious is the tale of a young girl with an appetite for pink cupcakes that lands her at the doctor’s office with Pinkititis. WANT TO GO? $12. 516-599-6870. plazatheatrical.com.
MOVERS & SHAKERS Family Yoga
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 16, 10am WHERE: Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point AGES: All WHAT: Bring a mat for each person, and wear comfortable clothing. WANT TO GO? $20 per car. 516-571-7901. sandspointpreserve.org.
Kids & Family Programs: Jump Up! Bonus Play Saturday
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 29, 10:30am WHERE: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury AGES: All WHAT: Test your family’s fun factor in a series of energetic team relay races! WANT TO GO? $10. 516-252-3392. oldwestburygardens.org.
Polo at Bethpage State Park
WHEN: Through Oct. 14: Sundays, 3pm
WHEN: Sept. 1-Oct. 27, Thursday and Saturday, 11:15am WHERE: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury AGES: All WHAT: Bring a yoga mat and towel for a continuous flow of yoga. WANT TO GO? $18. 516-252-3392. oldwestburygardens.org. WHEN: Sept. 2-Oct. 31, Sunday and Wednesday, 10:30-11:30am WHERE: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury AGES: All WHAT: Tai Chi calms the mind, relaxes the body, and strengthens the spirit. WANT TO GO? $18. 516-252-3392. oldwestburygardens.org.
Zumba with Desiree
WHEN: Sept. 13-Nov. 1, Thursdays, 5:30-6:30pm WHERE: Wantagh Public Library, 3285 Park Ave., Wantagh AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Zumba combines Latin and international music with exercise. WANT TO GO? $44. 516-221-1200. wantaghlibrary.org.
Old Time Base Ball
WHEN: Through Nov. 3: Saturdays, 11am WHERE: Old Bethpage Restoration Village, 1303 Round Swamp Road, ]Old Bethpage AGES: 5 and older WHAT: 1864 league teams will play following customs of the 19th century WANT TO GO? See website for cost. 631-930-9054. obvrnassau.com.
KINDNESS CRUSADERS Long Island Heart Walk FREE
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 16, 8:30am registration and health fair; 10am walk WHERE: Jones Beach, 1000 Ocean Parkway, Field 5, Wantagh AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy the non-competitive, 3-mile walk. Families can enjoy face painting, crafts, carnival games, and more. WANT TO GO? 516-962-0797. longislandheartwalk.org.
Let’s Walk, Let’s Talk ... Stepping Together to Prevent Suicide
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 16, 10:30am WHERE: Long Island Crisis Center, Long Beach Boardwalk at Laurelton Boulevard, Long Beach AGES: All WHAT: This is an opportunity to come together to honor those who have died by suicide and raise awareness of suicide prevention. WANT TO GO? $25 donation. 516-826-0244. longislandcrisiscenter.org.
FARE Food Allergy Heroes Walk FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 29, 12pm WHERE: Wantagh Park, 1 King Road, Wantagh AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Games and activities for the kids, allergy-friendly product samples, Ask the Allergist session, and much more! WANT TO GO? 646-607-9739. fare.foodallergy.org. ››
LongIslandParent 45
WHAT: Create a clever tissue dispenser that looks like a composition book. WANT TO GO? 516-731-2211. islandtreespubliclibrary.org.
Minecraft Paint Event for Kids
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 22, 11am-12:30pm WHERE: Key to My Art East Rockaway, 131 Main St., East Rockaway AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Paint Steve from Minecraft! WANT TO GO? $20 per painter. 516-218-2920. Keytomyart.com.
Made with Love Knitting Group FREE
WHEN: Mondays, Sept. 3-24, 7pm WHERE: Floral Park Library, 17 Caroline Place, Floral Park AGES: 9 and older WHAT: All are welcome to this weekly evening knitting and crocheting group. WANT TO GO? 516-326-6330. floralparklibrary.org.
Mola Mola
CRAFTY KIDS Lee’s Layered Lines (Abstract Art Series)
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 1, 1-3pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: 3-12 WHAT: We will create intricate drawings while exploring the “controlled chaos” Lee Krasner created on her canvases! WANT TO GO? $13; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.
Craft Corner FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 1, 10am WHERE: Wantagh Public Library, 3285 Park Ave., Wantagh AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Stop by each week to design and build your own musical instrument, while supplies last! WANT TO GO? 516-221-1200. wantaghlibrary.org.
WHEN: Sept. 18-28, Tuesday-Friday, 2:30-4pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by making your own paper mola fish design with glue, scissors, and brightly colored construction paper. WANT TO GO? $13; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.
Narwhal Paint Event for Kids
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 29, 11am-12:30pm WHERE: Key to My Art East Rockaway, 131 Main St., East Rockaway AGES: 5-17 WHAT: Learn how to paint an adorable Narwhal! WANT TO GO? $20 per painter. 516-218-2920. Keytomyart.com.
Cup of Sorpresas
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 30, 2-4pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Sorpresas are round objects, such as a fruit or animal, that opens to reveal a miniature scene inside. Create your own fruit sorpresa and mold a miniature to put inside. WANT TO GO? $13; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.
Joy of Water Color
WHEN: Sept. 10-Oct. 29, Mondays, 10am WHERE: Island Trees Public Library, 38 Farmedge Road, Island Trees AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Learn to communicate what you sense and feel about the world you see. Beginner as well as intermediate students are welcome. WANT TO GO? $16 library fee; $12 materials fee. 516-731-2211. islandtreespubliclibrary.org.
Nature Sunday: Magnificent Mansion
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 9, 12pm WHERE: Planting Fields Arboretum, 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay AGES: All WHAT: Be inspired by Coe Hall’s original stained glass windows and create your very own stained glass masterpiece. WANT TO GO? $8 parking. 516-922-8678. plantingfields.org.
Composition Mason Jar Tissue Holder FREE
WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 12, 4:30pm WHERE: Island Trees Public Library, 38 Farmedge Road, Island Trees AGES: 5-12 46
September 2018 | nymetroparents.com
Coming up next month: OCT. 5-29: The Rise at Old Westbury Gardens, Old Westbury OCT. 7: Fall Family Festival at Planting Fields Arboretum, Oyster Bay OCT. 20-21: Rock Hall Country Fair at Rock Hall Museum, Lawrence
things to do
where-to guide
Fall You Want and More
Compiled by Anja Webb
With back-to-school season in full swing and cooler weather on the way, September is the perfect time to take a moment to relax with your family and clear out a weekend for these quintessential fall activities. Take a day trip to pick apples and de-stress on the farm. Or, if you’re looking for something a little more exhilarating, venture out to some of our favorite amusement parks and catch a rollercoaster or two. And now that it’s not too hot, you can spend a little more time outside, connecting with nature. Try an after-school trip to a zoo or botanical garden to keep your kids busy. And for a night on the town with your family, what better activity than good ol’ fashioned bowling? With these guides, you won’t have to hear “I dunno, whatever you wanna do” this September!
BOWLING ALLEYS Dani’s Strike Zone
20 Village Ave., Elmont 516-328-2695; danisstrikezone.com Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9:30-12am; Friday, 11-2am; Saturday, 9:30-2am; Sunday, 12-11pm Enjoy an arcade room, air hockey, foosball tables, ping-pong, a concession stand, and the pro-shop. Guests 21 and older can also enjoy the full-service bar and pool tables. Available for children’s birthday parties, corporate parties, and events. Dani’s Strike Zone has several league options, for all age groups from juniors to seniors. Leagues are available seven days a week, for singles and up to four-bowler teams. Tournaments also hosted. Find more>> nymetroparents.com/bowling
AMUSEMENT PARKS Adventureland
2245 Route 110, Farmingdale 631-694-6868; adventureland.us Hours vary; see schedule on the website Price: $1.50 per ticket (rides cost three to five tickets). Pay-oneprice bracelet: $31.99. Free admission and parking. Open since 1962, Adventureland has roller coasters and thrill rides; family, kiddie, and water rides; and games. Season passes, gift cards, birthday party packages, and group rates available. See the Mystery Mansion, a two-story dark ride to replace the Ghost House.
ZOOS, NATURE CENTERS, AND BOTANICAL GARDENS Long Island Aquarium
431 E. Main St., Riverhead 631-208-9200 x426; longislandaquarium.com Hours: daily, 10am-5pm (closed Christmas and Thanksgiving days) Prices: Aquarium tickets (includes exhibition center): $29; $25 seniors; $22 children ages 3-12; free for children 2 and younger. Exhibition center: $10; $8 children ages 3-12 and seniors; free for children 2 and younger. Add-on fun: $6 (includes $5 arcade card, unlimited rides on Simulator Ride and Discovery Tower). Memberships available. Features one of the largest all-living coral reef displays in this hemisphere, a 120,000-gallon shark tank, year-round sea lion shows, numerous touch tanks, butterflies from all over the world, and more than 100 exhibits and interactive experiences, including Shark Dive, Penguin Encounter, Pirate Snorkel, and Shark Keeper. Find more>> nymetroparents.com/zoos
Find more>> nymetroparents.com/amusementparks
APPLE PICKING Milk Pail Fresh Market
1346 Montauk Highway, Watermill 631-537-2565; milk-pail.com Apple and pumpkin picking Labor Day through late October. The Country Store offers cider, donuts, muffins, pies, cookies, and more. Open Mondays and WednesdaySaturday, 9:30am-5:30pm; Sundays, 10am-5:30pm. Find more>> nymetroparents.com/apples
raising kids baby
Sponsored by
The Benefits of Baby Classes ›› Time spent with your baby in the company of other wee ones is more than just fun for both of you. It’s a solid plan for bolstering your child’s burgeoning social skills. By Christina Vercelletto
T
he first time my son had any real interaction with a fellow child, he was maybe 4 months old. It was right before the Thanksgiving turkey was served. The son of a family friend, scarcely a month older than he and held on an adjacent lap, clutched my bambino’s calf. He turned, smiled, and promptly blew a raspberry. The two of them proceeded to coo at each other with hands flapping and gums smacking until the pumpkin pie came out. I then realized it was time to get my little one out of our house more regularly. Part of the reason I signed the two of us up for our first class— Babies Boogie at the West Islip library—was my interest in…okay, desperation for…conversing with grown-ups and feeling like a human being once in a while. And there isn’t any shame in that game. “Mothers tend to flock to these programs because of the opportunity to interact and socialize with other mothers who are at a similar stage of life. An upbeat outlook and positive mood in mothers transfers to their babies and is overall a wonderful benefit for all,” says Karen Hopkins, M.D., a developmental-behavioral pediatrician at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone in Manhattan. But aside from the perks for you, these types of classes actually can play an important part in your little one’s healthy development. Read on for a rundown for all the ways it can help her grow.
A Tiny Caterpillar Becomes a Social Butterfly
According to Jasmin Terrany, LMHC, a Manhattan psychotherapist and author of Extraordinary Mommy: A Loving Guide to Mastering Life’s Most Important Job, infant interaction builds both social skills 48
September 2018 | nymetroparents.com
and budding confidence. Of course, your child’s first playmate is you. All that talking, beaming, and singing you do throughout the day become the first building blocks of your newborn’s socialization. At around 3 or 4 months, your little guy is ready to spread his wings in larger groups outside of your home. “Many new parents get accustomed to shutting out the world in order to bond with their new babies,” says Mandi Silverman, Psy.D., a clinical psychologist at Manhattan’s Child Mind Institute. But attending classes with other babies and unfamiliar adults, can help get an infant comfortable with the outside world, Dr. Silverman says. Social learning—when babies are motivated to try new skills because they see others using them—can take hold. Mom of two Melly Shotter, an office manager on Long Island, was pleasantly surprised by her 5-month-old son’s reaction to his first music class. “Practically from the start of the very first session, he started giggling and seemed so alert and interested in everything...It was a wake-up call that I’m not the only one who needed a social life!” Shotter laughs.
Big Payoffs; Plenty of Options
Parent and baby classes come in many variations, from massage, music, and swimming to movement—even yoga! These classes often welcome participants as young as 3 months. But before you register, you might wonder: Can babies this little really pick up any social skills to speak of in these play date-classroom hybrids? The short answer from child development experts? Yep. “The benefits are vast,” Dr. Silverman insists. “It’s never too early for parents to expose their babies to the world in small, developmen-
tally appropriate ways. Mom-baby classes are a perfect way to do so, which is why there are so many options to choose from.” A study published in Developmental Science compared babies and parents who took part in music classes with parent-baby pairs who just listened to the same music while doing other things. The babies in the participatory classes were more musically aware and had finer-tuned gestures and increased social skills after the classes ended. “The benefits of Mommy- or Daddy-and-Me classes on a child’s development cannot be overstated,” agrees Katie Davis, M.D., a developmental psychologist at Park Avenue Pediatric Neuropsychology in Manhattan. Although your baby won’t be communicating with her tiny classmates verbally, “repeated exposure to other children in a safe, supported setting can help build social skills and confidence,” Dr. Hopkins notes. And that repeated part is important. “If you are doing the class so that they will learn a specific skill, then frequency and consistency would be the key,” Terrany agrees. Indeed, Darci Falcone of Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, shares how sticking to the baby signing class her daughter took made it a success. She was dubious at first, though. “I was ready to stop after a few sessions, but at the encouragement of a friend who attended with us, we kept going regularly,” Falcone recalls. Given the range of options to choose from, it’s simple enough to try out a few classes and see which type your baby seems to enjoy most.
Love and Learning for the Long Term
That fun class you take with baby right now can also have far-reaching positive effects. A study in Early Child Development and Care discovered that compared to a control group, moms who attended music and movement classes were more adept at responding to their infants and using a more variable pitch when speaking to their child. That could give a baby a head start on language skills. Plus experts agree group baby classes can represent an early opportunity to develop social and behavioral skills that are crucial for academic readiness down the road. Keep in mind, though, that you shouldn’t let your best of intentions get in the way of keeping your baby’s age and developmental stage top of mind. “As in any setting a mother or caregiver is in with a baby, it is important to understand your baby’s cues, to know when a situation that started out as fun may not continue to be positive or pleasurable, and to not force the interaction this time, so that the next time he or she will be ready,” Dr. Hopkins urges. The most important gift you can give your child, in a group class or any other setting for that matter, is being fully present. While it’s wonderful to make friends, Terrany cautions against letting the babies in a class entertain each other, so to speak, while the parents just chat away and check their phones the whole time. The No. 1 benefit of most baby classes is the undistracted, quality time we are giving our children. “With babies, who can’t demand our attention the same way older kids do, it can be so easy to get distracted, so setting aside this time to connect with our children can be beneficial,” Terrany says. Just take it slow, following your baby’s lead. Then as you learn and grow together, you’ll be enjoying classes side by side for years to come. Christina Vercelletto is a former editor at NYMetroParents, Parenting, Scholastic Parent & Child, and Woman’s Day.
From our sponsors: The mission of Allied Foundation is to impact and improve the health and well-being of residents within Allied Physicians Group’s geographical footprint, which currently includes Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk), Queens, Brooklyn, Richmond, Westchester, Rockland, and Orange. The Allied Foundation funds community-based strategies and initiatives, including Breastfeeding Support (toll-free Support Line: 866-621-2769; Breast Milk Depots), Community Education (free app—AlliedPG—and lectures about such topics as ADHD, managing food allergies, behavioral health, and infant CPR), Early Childhood Literacy (proud partner of Reach Out and Read and The BookFairies); and Community Service (Diaper Bank of Long Island). For more information, visit alliedfoundation.org.
C on t u s to a c t v i s it a cla s s!
Discover the joy of making music together with your family! Find a location near you in Long Island or Queens: www.MusicTogetherLI-Queens.com
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raising kids teen
From Friends to Falling Out
How teens can cope with friendship breakups
››
By Samantha Neudorf
A
t the end of my freshman year in high school, two friends I thought I was close with stopped talking to me for no reason. They decided not to invite me to one of their birthday parties and when I asked why I was excluded, their response was one of them “just did not want to be friends with you anymore.” Navigating friendships as a teenager can be tricky. This is the age when kids are trying to figure out who they are, meeting new people, getting involved in different activities, and going through physical and emotional changes. Kids who have been friends since childhood may drift away from each other because they no longer have anything in common. Though friend breakups are common in the teen years, they can be devastating—after all, friends can act as a strong support system. It’s important to remember not all friendships may last, but going through a rough patch can help kids learn how to build better relationships with others. Here are some ways to help your teen learn how to resolve problems, be a better friend, and know when to move on from a bad friendship.
“We really look at a situation and ask both parties to take responsibility for whatever occurred, whether that was a miscommunication or any action that was not a positive one,” Wilson says. “Then we look at both of their parts to see if they’re willing to apologize to each other and come to some kind of a meeting of the minds.” If the problems lie beyond a counselor’s realm of expertise, parents may choose to send their teen to a behavioral psychologist to try to help her with any deeper issues within herself. “A lot of times it’s just helping [teens] navigate their own self-esteem and identity formation to develop healthy relationships around them,” says Adam S. Weissman, Ph.D., a clinical-behavioral psychologist and the founder and director of The Child & Family Institute, a cognitive-behavioral therapy center with locations in Westchester, Manhattan, and Brooklyn. “Sometimes if they really are trying to maintain a friendship or develop a new friendship, there’s definitely some social skills and tips for overcoming social anxiety or worry about what that person thinks of them,” Dr. Weissman says.
Suggest a Sit-Down
Encourage Equal Friendships
If a teen is having issues with a friend at school and needs to seek advice from someone, a guidance counselor’s role is to be a mediator. A counselor can set up separate or group meetings with the students involved, depending on how comfortable they are being in a room together. Jeanmarie Wilson has been a high school guidance counselor for more than 20 years at Smithtown High School West in Suffolk County and recommends having all parties communicate to work through the issue they are trying to resolve. 50 September 2018 | nymetroparents.com
Oftentimes teens may put themselves in situations in which the people they call friends are using them, or they are not being their authentic selves in order to gain popularity and please others. Explain to your teen that if the dynamic feels as though he’s giving more than he’s getting, it’s a sign the friendship is unbalanced. “A friendship is a product of how [teens] choose to engage with their social environment, and that’s usually a reflection on how they feel about themselves,” Dr. Weissman says.
The key to any relationship, whether it’s platonic or romantic, is to have two-way communication and for both parties to feel there is reciprocity. Let your teen know that if she’s unhappy in a situation, conveying her feelings to the other person lets them know she cares enough to be open and honest in communicating, and that she respects herself enough to say she is upset. Then she also needs to be a good listener and understand where the other person is coming from. “Give thought in what you say to people, how you say it, and respect others for who they are—you can’t expect them to be perfect all of the time,” Wilson says.
Help Your Teen Limit His Social Media Exposure
Social media nowadays can really mess with a teenager’s head. He can find himself overanalyzing subtext that may or may not be in captions and Instagram stories, fretting over not receiving enough likes and comments on a post, or feeling FOMO (fear of missing out) when friends are hanging out without him. Social media can create unnecessary drama, so it’s best to avoid spending too much time on apps and have more face-to-face conversations. “It’s really important not to use social media as a form for expressing things that are really sensitive topics,” Wilson says. “I would advise communicating to the person directly and not posting your feelings or texting anything that needs to be said in person to avoid miscommunication.” Teenagers may feel pressure to look or live like “influencers” on the Internet, which can lead to feeling inadequate or unhappy. Remind your child social media is curated and the best way to feel better is to log off once in a while (this advice can apply to adults too). Apps such as Moment or Checky can monitor how many times she checks her phone to make her more aware of reducing screen time. “Spending hours on social media becomes more depressing over time and you start feeling guilty of the things you’re not doing,” Dr. Weissman says. “If you’re that kid who’s going on there and self-esteem is an issue for you, you’re going to use that as your barometer to find how people value you.”
Put a Friendship’s End in Perspective
Though it is ideal to resolve an issue among friends and continue the friendship, sometimes after laying all of the problems and feelings out on the table, the friendship cannot go back to what it was and does not work out. Not everyone will remain your teen’s friend, but every friendship or brief encounter can help him understand what types of qualities he values in a friend moving forward. Encourage your child not to view a friendship breakup as a failure, but rather as an opportunity to grow and continue to learn how to be a better friend. Once she lets the not-so-great-people out of her life, she can make room for better ones to create more meaningful friendships. “Some kids are going through the motions and figuring out who they are and trying to be popular, and sometimes those kids have a hard time being a good friend,” Dr. Weissman says. “Having open and real conversations about what’s going on for each other can be an important sense of support and can make a real valuable friendship that can last beyond high school, but it takes a certain level of maturity for that to happen and I think some kids are not there yet.” As high school progressed beyond my freshman year, those two friends who excluded me ended up drifting apart themselves, and finding new groups to hang out with. Teens who say they’ve found their BFFL (best friends for life) may not always end up staying friends for life, and that’s okay. Friends come and go throughout high school to make room for better ones down the road. Samantha Neudorf is a former editor at NYMetroParents. She currently resides in Astoria, Queens with her cat and holds a journalism degree from Hofstra University. You will most likely find her gallivanting around New York City or at brunch.
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family life finances
Saving for Higher Education
››
College is costly, but more often than not, necessary for your child’s success in life. Here’s how to start saving for higher education so you get the most for your dollar without breaking the bank. By Barbara Russo
A
new baby in the house is certainly something to celebrate. This wonderful addition to the family also brings with it some heavy responsibilities for parents for many years to come. Sleep cycles change, babysitters need to be found, and soon enough it’s time for baby to start day care and preschool. Expenses will accompany every milestone a child hits. One of the most costly ones is college. When you have a newborn or toddler, college seems a world away. But time flies, so it’s never too early to start saving for higher education. “Parents should begin to plan for their children’s education as soon as they are born,” says Nancy Curtin, CFP, CLTC. Another reason to save: Admission costs are likely to increase as the years go by. Today, the average four-year cost for a public university is $101,000 and $167,000 for a private university. In 18 years, the projected average cost for a public college is $184,000 and $303,000 for private, according to Curtin. With such exorbitant expenses, how exactly should you begin to save? What are some steps to take to ensure college will be paid for?
Some of these options include 529 plans, Roth IRAs, and high-yield savings accounts. The 529 is one of the most common ways parents start saving for college. It is specifically designed for higher education expenses. “You put after-tax money into this account, your earnings are not taxed, and you can withdraw the money tax-free to pay for college. Many states will give you a state tax deduction for your contributions,” Epperson says. “Plus, this year there’s an extra perk. Under the new federal tax laws, up to ten thousand dollars a year of your 529 plan money can be used to pay for private school tuition for kindergarten through twelfth grade. Your money in the 529 can be invested in a range of assets based on your child’s age and when they will be going to college.” Parents who have multiple kids may think they need to open separate 529s for each child, but that’s not necessarily the case. Plus, it can be overwhelming to manage. Epperson suggests parents contribute as much as they can to a 529 for their first child. If they wind up not needing all of the money, they can change the beneficiary of the account without any penalties.
Diversify Your Savings
The 529 plan is a great foundation, but once he starts school, it’s important to start focusing on his academic success, too. “The reality is that grades and test scores weigh heavily in the scholarship and financial aid process for college,” says Anne Huntington, vice president of Huntington Learning Center. “One way that parents can save for their children’s college education is by investing in their academic and skills progress early.”
“There are several ways to save, and the best way to go may be to put your college savings in several places,” says Sharon Epperson, CNBC senior personal finance correspondent and host of Retire Well, a digital video series designed to help viewers of all ages manage their money. “Diversify where you save in terms of the type of accounts that you choose and what you invest in.” 52
September 2018 | nymetroparents.com
Encourage Good Grades
Huntington cites how students who attend the learning center achieved higher grades and ultimately received an impressive amount in scholarship funding. “Our individualized test prep programs’ results are tremendous and show that after only three months of tutoring, students on average achieved a 5.2 point increases on the ACT and 238 point increase on the SAT,” she says. “In addition to the point increases, on average, our seniors in the tri-state area last year [each] received over $50,000 in scholarship offers.”
value, there’s any number of college education calculators online. I do this typically during financial planning. You can search to solve for how much you need to save each month, each year to actually achieve that goal.” There are some other factors to keep in mind within these calculations, Boneparth adds. “There [are] a lot of assumptions in there—the return on the money you’re investing, the inflation rate of college education and tuition. But if you’ve quantified it by time and value and have used
the calculator and have solved for what it’s going to take every month, you’ll have something here that you can use. You can take that information and plug it into your budget.”
Include Your Kids
One last tip from the experts is to get your kids involved. Talk about school with them, and get them to start saving once they have a job and start earning money. “Encourage each child to open a Roth IRA when they start earning money. You want to get them
in the habit of saving a portion, at least twenty percent, of what they earn,” Epperson says. “Saving more early on will encourage them to keep saving, even if it’s a little less, later. Also, each child can have their own high yield savings account. When you start teaching them to manage their own money, show them the benefits of saving in their own account. Talking about saving can provide some great teachable moments.” Barbara Russo is a freelance writer who holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the City University of New York.
Create a Registry
As your child grows, there are other ways to keep the savings going. For example, when arranging birthday parties or other special events, consider asking guests to contribute to your child’s 529 rather than giving a physical gift. “It may not win best gift on the day of the birthday party, but it sure will come in handy down the road,” says Pete Wylie, vice president of Student Lending at CommonBond, a financial service that refinances graduate and undergraduate loans. There are even websites that allow people to register online to send gifts to 529 accounts, including Ugift529.com, GiftofCollege. com, and LEAF College Savings (leafsavings.com).
Remember It’s Never Too Late
As important as it is to start saving early, it’s never too late. It might also give you a better idea of what type of education you’re saving for, and whether your child is likely to attend community college, a private institution, or another type of school. If your child knows what kind of career path she wants to take, that can also be helpful in figuring out which school to attend. The most expensive school doesn’t always mean the best education. “The first step to do is to get some kind of idea as to what college education we’re talking about,” says Douglas Boneparth, a certified financial planner and author of The Millennial Money Fix. “Once you have time and
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Courtesy Debra Funt
Courtesy Jennifer Morris
Courtesy Jennifer Morris
family life home
This kitchen in the Bronx, designed by Jennifer Morris, perfectly displays the color trend in cabinets.
Brooklyn-based designer Jennifer Morris added a pop of color in this Fort Greene kitchen with a yellow sink.
Debra Funt, a Scarsdale-based interior designer, incorporated metal barstools, pendant lights, and more in an all-white kitchen.
Kitchen: Trending
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Interior designers share the five big design fads happening in kitchens right now.
M
ore and more, the kitchen is becoming the heart of the home—just look at home design shows, including Nate & Jeremiah by Design and Fixer Upper, for inspiration. “It’s not only the central hub for a family,” says Debra Funt, founder and president of Debra Funt Interiors in Scarsdale, “it looks like it’s integrated into your living space.” So just how do you achieve that integration in your kitchen? Here are five big trends you can incorporate now to give the new heart of the home a cozy feel, whether you’re a homeowner and can make drastic changes, or you’re a renter who can, at most, paint.
Pops of Color
While soft neutrals that create a serene space are still popular in the kitchen, Jennifer Morris, principal at Brooklyn-based JMorris Design, says more people are being adventurous with color accents including navy and cobalt blues, jewel tones, and bright yellow. And these colors are being incorporated in numerous ways. If you’re feeling daring, paint the walls (or just an accent wall) or cabinetry a bold color. “It also can just be one half of the cabinetry instead of feeling like you’re investing in the expression of a full kitchen,” Morris says. “I’ve seen it in just the lower cabinets where you’re seeing a dark, rich color and then the upper cabinets are a little bit safer.” If you decide to paint your cabinets, “for durability reasons as well as aesthetic, the high-gloss trend for cabinets is not going away anytime soon, but we are also seeing a lot more satin finishes, 54
September 2018 | nymetroparents.com
By Katelin Walling
which is a great option if you want an overall more matte look,” says Nivara Xaykao, Benjamin Moore color and design expert. “Also be sure to consider the light in the kitchen, as this will impact how the color will look on walls and cabinets.” Another color trend in kitchens is pale and milky colors (think matte too), according to Xaykao. And appliance brands are following suit with matte finishes, including De’Longhi’s Dedica DeLuxe Espresso Maker and Lattissima One, which come in matte white, and Café, A Matte Collection of appliances that come in matte white and matte black. If you just want to dip your toe in adding color to your kitchen, go for colorful accessories, such as hand towels, area carpets, soap containers, curtains, and décor items.
Metal Accents
“People are into a more modern aesthetic. Right now I’m seeing a lot of industrial happening,” Funt says. “In the city, people tend to be open to a lot of metal accents right now when I’m doing a kitchen renovation.” If you have barstools at an island or counter, swap out your old ones for some trendy metal ones, change the knobs and pulls on cabinets for metallic options, replace the outdated lighting fixture for one that looks industrial, update your faucet for a trendier style, or upgrade some old countertop appliances to ones with metallic finishes. Café, A Matte Collection is on-trend in this aspect, too. After choosing matte black or matte white, you can “update and
personalize with these accessories in the form of hardware and knobs,” says Maggie Bellinger, CMF, senior designer with Café, A Matte Collection. That hardware is offered in four finishes in line with the metallic trend: brushed copper, bronze, black, or stainless. Want to add metallic accents but not sure what finish to choose? “Warmer gold tones are looking particularly fresh at the moment,” Xaykao says.
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Fun Backsplashes
If you want to add color but adding accessories isn’t enough color for you (and painting is too much), Morris suggests updating the backsplash because it’s “very low risk.” It’s also a fun way to incorporate metal accents in the kitchen, with metallic inlays or tiles as part of the design. “It is something that can be removed or replaced in a relatively inexpensive way for the labor and materials. …It’s usually in the smallest area, but it’s something you see so much,” she says. If you want the wow-factor without a lot of color, try one large piece of frosted glass or sandblasted mirror (bonus: They’re both easy to clean with Windex!). And if monochromatic is more your style, install single-color tiles in an unexpected pattern (think herringbone).
Living Room Décor in the Kitchen
“A lot of times we think of it as a sterile environment, but we’re starting to see framed artwork and paintings and photography…in the kitchen. I find that pretty fascinating where it’s almost a second living space,” Bellinger agrees. “So people want their pieces in the kitchen to actually look like the rest of their home.” Incorporate items in your kitchen that you would typically put in a living room, such as vases, candlesticks, artwork, and sofas or loveseats at the breakfast table, to give your kitchen a lived-in feel.
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Tech-y Touches
As with other facets of our lives, technology is slowly creeping into kitchen design and trends. “I think generally a lot of people are looking at their home system as something they can maintain the control of from an environmental point of view, such as power saving, and in the kitchen there’s room for all of those things,” Morris says. The easiest thing you can do to incorporate the energy-saving tech trend is to replace your old light bulbs with LED ones. They use 2025 percent of the energy and last 15-25 times longer than traditional incandescent light bulbs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. In terms of kitchen appliances, they’ve been “making huge leaps and bounds,” Morris says. Samsung’s Family Hub refrigerator, for example, is Energy Star-certified and has a touchscreen, which allows you to take photos of the inside of your fridge to see what you have and what you need when you’re not home, create grocery lists you can share instantly to any connected smartphone, write memos and sync family calendars, and even keep you entertained in the kitchen with streaming music and TV mirroring. And brands such as LG, GE, and Bosch offer smart ovens, dishwashers, microwaves, and more that can all be controlled and monitored from brand-specific apps on a smartphone. If you’re ready to tackle some of bigger design changes mentioned above, start “paying attention to other friends’ homes,” Morris advises. Ask questions about how certain materials have worked out for them, how they like their smart appliances, and whether they have any recommendations for contractors or handymen. And do your research: how are smart appliances rated and do they come with warranties, what is the best value for you, is one material easier to care for and more durable than another? Once you figure out your needs, “the trends should be the icing on your cake,” Morris says.
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PartyCentral 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.
MAD SCIENCE OF LONG ISLAND Call for locations throughout Long
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PARTY PLACES @ PLAY AMUSEMENTS 229 NY-110, Farmingdale
631-815-5355 atplayamusement.com info@playamusement.com Have your next party at the newly renovated @ Play Amusements! It offers 40,000-square-feet of fun ranging from 92 arcade games, inflatables, bumper cars, roller coaster, a carousel, disco room, and laser tag!
AS YOU WISH PARTIES 418A Bedford Ave., Bellmore
516-590-7878 asyouwishparties.org As You Wish Parties will make your child’s party dreams come true. Themes include Pretty Princess, Knightly Knights, Traditional Tea, PJ Party, Rock Star and Superheroes, Dessert Party, or Kids Canvas Painting.
BACH TO ROCK MUSIC SCHOOL 1015 Port Washington Blvd., Port
Washington 516-441-5526 portwashington.bachtorock.com portwashington@bachtorock.com Be a STAR at B2R! At Bach to Rock music school, our parties will have everyone recording in a state-of-the-art studio with pro engineers. Choose from current pop and classic rock tunes, then sing on the main stage and enjoy pizza and cake!
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BE THE BEST SPORT 30 Beechwood Ave., Port Washington
516-453-0990 bethebestsport.org info@bethebestsport.org Be The Best Sport provides sport birthday parties for children with special needs. Our qualified staff will make sure your son or daughter has a once in a lifetime experience! Please contact us to inquire about a birthday party!
BOUNCEU FARMINGDALE 101 Carolyn Blvd., Farmingdale
631-777-JUMP (5867) bounceu.com/ farmingdale.ny@bounceu.com BounceU Farmingdale was voted “Best of Long Island” for Children’s Party Place and Family Amusement Center. We provide the ideal combination of inflatable structures, a clean environment, incredible customer service, and non-stop excitement in a private party atmosphere.
CELEBRATIONS IN THE KITCHEN 63 E. Old Country Road, Hicksville
516-396-2193 celebrationsinthekitchen.com celebrationsinthekitchen@gmail.com The most unique, fun-filled, joyous event! We have created a true baking experience for everyone to enjoy, including sugar cookie baking, all about pizza, cupcakes from scratch, doughnuts, chocolate, and candy projects. Come in, call, or visit celebrationsinthekitchen. com for more information on parties.
COLD SPRING HARBOR FISH HATCHERY & AQUARIUM 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor
516-692-6768 cshfha.org; steved@cshfha.org Celebrate your child’s next birthday at the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium! See the Hatchery & Aquarium’s exciting live exhibits. Feed the hungry trout and learn about fish, reptiles, and amphibians with an up-close animal encounter.
GREAT PLAY OF SYOSSET 180 Michael Drive, Syosset
516-364-1500 greatplay.com/syosset info@syosset.greatplay.com We offer customized parties for ages 1-10. Your guests will have a blast and your child will receive all-star treatment in our amazing Interactive Gym™.
HUNTINGTON CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS 310 New York Ave., Huntington
631-271-4626 huntingtoncenteronline.com huntingtoncenter@yahoo.com Make your child’s birthday a memorable and
September 2018 | nymetroparents.com
Your local guide to entertainers, party places, activities, and other resources.
creative event with our dance-themed birthday parties. As a special treat, a guest artist will come in costume to perform for your guests!
INTREPID SEA, AIR & SPACE MUSEUM Pier 86, West 46th Street and Twelfth
Avenue, Manhattan 646-381-5010 intrepidmuseum.org groupsales@intrepidmuseum.org Celebrate your child’s birthday with a one-of-a-kind party! The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum will captivate groups of all ages and interests. Choose from exciting themes, value packages, and customization options to create a birthday adventure they’ll remember forever!
KEY TO MY ART, INC. 10 W. Oak St., Amityville
131 Main St., East Rockaway 877-539-2278 keytomyart.com At Key to My Art, our children’s paint parties include all supplies from aprons to easels. The guest of honor picks the theme, we provide the instruction, and each guest leaves with a finished painting!
THE LANYARD LADIES 433 Merrick Road, Oceanside
516-578-2248 thelanyardladies.com info@thelanyardladies.com The Lanyard Ladies friendship bracelet and lanyard birthday parties bring the party to you, or you can come to their brand-new party place! Many amazing themes and packages to choose from.
THE LITTLE LADIES CLUB 246 W. Old Country Road, Hicksville
516-939-CLUB (2582) thelittleladiesclub.com party@thelittleladiesclub.com The Little Ladies Club has been providing glamorous makeover parties for girls since 1998! Her Majesty will be sure to receive the royal treatment!
LONG ISLAND AQUARIUM 431 E. Main St., Riverhead
631-208-9200 xH20 (426), 631-208-9200 x125 longislandaquarium.com Have your child’s birthday party at the Long Island Aquarium. Party options include a choice of private rooms, select food items, and an ice cream cake. All parties get a guided tour, special seating at the sea lion show, and rides on the submarine simulator!
M.A.T.S.S. KID’S GYM & EARLY CHILDCARE EDUCATION CENTER A Rainbow Of Programs Under One Roof!
2629 Grand Ave., Bellmore 516-221-1330 171 Eileen Way, Syosset
516-496-7765 matsskidsgym.com corporate@matsskidsgym.com M.A.T.S.S. Kids’ Gym offers a rainbow of themes and activities that will make your child’s next birthday party the ultimate celebration of their special day!
MY GYM CHILDREN’S FITNESS CENTER 1320 Stony Brook Road, Stony Brook 631-751-KIDS (5437) mygym.com/stonybrook 128 W. Jericho Turnpike, Huntington Station 631-427-GYMS (4967) mygym.com/huntingtonstation My Gym parties include exclusive use of the gym, including a zip line, rock wall, trampoline, trapeze, climbing structures, and slides. Instructors lead your guests through action-packed activities with theme options including superheroes, princesses, Mickey Mouse, or any theme you want.
NOT JUST ART 183 South St., Oyster Bay
516-922-8300 notjustart.com; create@notjust art.com Not Just Art has oodles of excellent music, art, and science parties for ages 1-12 and older. Choose from our treasury of super imaginative projects or use favorite themes and activities as a creative springboard.
SPIN DJ ACADEMY 202 Merrick Road, 2nd floor, Rockville
Centre 16 Broadway, Amityville 631-608-8858 spindjacademy.com Customize your own DJ dance party with the songs and instruments your child loves. Then head to our playspace for play and pizza!
THOMAS SCHOOL OF HORSEMANSHIP RIDING ACADEMY 250 Round Swamp Road, Melville 631-692-6840 tshcamp.com; tsh@tshcamp.com Birthday parties, scout parties, and class trips are always a blast at the Thomas School of Horsemanship. For groups of 14-18 children. They receive one hour of riding time.
UNLIMITED SPORTS ACTION 30 Beechwood Ave., Port Washington
516-767-7675 unlimitedsportsaction.com info@unlimitedsportsaction.com Unlimited Sports Action offers sports birthdays for ages 2 and older. Our parties offer one hour of sports and activities on a climate-controlled turf field, followed by 30 minutes of food, drink, and birthday cake in a private room.
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LICE FAIRY LICEMOTHERS 2463 South Long Beach Road, Oceanside 866-561-0492 1755 Deer Park Ave., Deer Park 866-561-0492 679 Glen Cove Ave., Glen Head 866-561-0492 fairylicemothers.com fairylicemothers@gmail.com Our treatment centers are kid-friendly and our products are 100 percent non-toxic. Treatments include two free re-checks. Whether or not you use our service, we are here to help you.
September 2018 | nymetroparents.com
LICE CLINICS OF AMERICA - LONG ISLAND 47 Jackson Ave., Syosset 566 Merrick Road, Rockville Centre 516-336-4099 liceclinicslongisland.com Lice Clinics of America will remove lice in just one hour! All lice and eggs—even super lice—are eliminated in a single, 1-hour treatment. Affordable treatments, no toxic chemicals. LICE TAMERS, INC. 900 Walt Whitman Road, Suite LL2, Melville 877-237-LICE (5423) licetamers.com licetamers@gmail.com Lice Tamers offers same-day lice treatment and head checks at our comfortable, child-friendly treatment center or in the comfort of your home. All of our products are safe and non-toxic.
SPECIAL NEEDS ANDREW COHEN, ESQ., LAW OFFICES OF ANDREW M. COHEN 250 W. 57th St., Suite 1216, Manhattan 212-244-0595 1100 Franklin Ave., Suite 305, Garden City 516-877-0595 amcohenlaw.com ac@amcohenlaw.com The Law Offices of Andrew M. Cohen can help you achieve your objectives through careful special needs legal planning, regardless of the size of your estate. All clients are provided with high quality service at a reasonable cost.
DR. STEVE IMBER, PSYCHOEDUCATIONAL CONSULTANTS
Serving Nassau and Suffolk Counties as well as the five boroughs of NYC 61-43 186th St., Fresh Meadows 516-273-1961 Sprout Building 166 Valley St., Providence, RI 401-421-4004 dr-imber.com scimber1@aol.com Dr. Imber has more than 40 years of experience consulting, evaluating, and advocating for children, adolescents, and adults with various disabilities including autism (e.g. Asperger’s syndrome), attention deficit disorders, intellectual disabilities, emotional and behavioral disorders, and learning disabilities.
LIFE’S WORC THE FAMILY CENTER FOR AUTISM 1501 Franklin Ave., Garden City
516-741-9000 familycenterforautism.org The Family Center for Autism provides services and support for people with autism and their families. Programs include insurance services, birthday parties, art, music, sports and culinary classes, camps, parent and sibling programs, social events, vocational programs, and behavior intervention.
LITTLE OPTICS, INC. 192-07 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows
53-15 Roosevelt Ave., Woodside 718-468-7500 Hablamos Español. littleopticsinc@yahoo.com We provide eyeglasses and professional eye care for children, including infants, and young adults. We also alleviate any self-esteem issues associated with the stigma of wearing glasses. When your child leaves Little Optics, rest assured that they will feel confident.
LONG ISLAND CENTER FOR SPEECH AND MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY Locations across Suffolk and Nassau:
East Yaphank, Farmingville, Stony Brook, Commack, Jericho, Wantagh, and Lake Success lispeechandmyo.com Nassau: 516-216-1791, Suffolk: 631-
689-6858, Queens: 718-640-6767
Janine Stiene, speech-language pathologist, along with her group of therapists, supports families and children across Long Island, specializing in PROMPT, feeding, myofunctional therapy, voice disorders, fluency, augmentative communication, articulation, auditory processing disorders, and expressive and receptive language disorders.
LAW OFFICES OF BRAD H. ROSKEN, P.L.L.C. 534 Broadhollow Road, Suite 275, Melville 631-379-9569 specialedcounselor.com brad@specialedcounselor.com Brad H. Rosken is an experienced trial attorney. He’s also a parent of a child with special needs. He knows how far to push a school district to obtain the maximum that your child is entitled to under law.
STEPS TO SOCIALIZATION 13 South Bayles Ave., Port Washington 516-767-0266
Steps to Socialization was created to help children who have difficulty socializing. We teach children how to think socially, step by step. Working in small groups, we cover a variety of topics, including how to establish and maintain friendships and initiating and maintaining conversations.
TUTORS & TEST PREP EYE LEVEL NASSAU Eye Level Hicksville
760 S. Broadway, Hicksville 516-597 5300, Jyoti Dhingra Eye Level Williston Park 61 Hillside Ave., Williston Park 516-747-7700, Alida Vucemilovich Eye Level New Hyde Park-Coming Soon! 1 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park 516-775-1000, Min Bittaf myeyelevel.com Eye Level offers math and English programs for ages 3-14. Whether the immediate goal is for early learning, remedial education, or academic advancement, Eye Level is the answer.
MATHNASIUM LEARNING CENTERS Five Towns
414 Central Ave., Cedarhurst 516-569-1500 Great Neck 11 Great Neck Road, Great Neck 516-482-MATH (6284) Lynbrook 381 Sunrise Highway, Lynbrook 516-881-7997 New Hyde Park 810 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park 516-616-MATH (6284) Roslyn 217A Mineola Ave., Roslyn Heights 516-484-MATH (6284) mathnasium.com Students go to Mathnasium year-round to catch up, keep up, and get ahead in math. Our instructional approach goes beyond traditional math tutoring to develop understanding and build a love for math.
SYLVAN LEARNING CENTERS OF MINEOLA AND HUNTINGTON 393 Jericho Turnpike,
Mineola 516-743-9943 1160 E. Jericho Turnpike, Huntington 631-424-5600 sylvanlearning.com sylvanlearning@optonline.net Sylvan of Mineola and Huntington offer personalized tutoring programs in reading, writing, mathematics, and SAT and ACT prep. Sylvan will help identify the right program for your child and exactly where your child needs to start to get the best results.
TAS NEW YORK – THEORY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES 153 S. Broadway, Hicksville
1915 Deer Park Ave., Deer Park 1-888-827-8188 tasnewyork.com Here education matters. The No. 1 learning center in New York. We offer after-school programs, private and group tutoring, kids and adult art classes, computer coding, SAT and ACT prep, Create and Meditate sessions, and summer camp!
OPEN HOUSES 2018 Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium
1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor 516-692-6768 cshfishhatchery.org info@cshfishhatchery.org Join us at our open house and Fall Festival, Saturday, Sept. 29, 10am4:30pm. Enjoy kid’s fishing, petting zoo, pumpkin patch, castle bouncer, games, food, and live animal encounters.
Friends Academy
270 Duck Pond Road, Locust Valley 516-676-0393 fa.org Come see Friends Academy for yourself! First Wednesday and last Wednesday of each month. No appointment necessary. Enter at Frost Hall between 9-10am.
Green Vale School
250 Valentine’s Lane, Old Brookville 516-621-2420 greenvaleschool.org Join us for an open house on Tuesday, Oct. 16 from 9-10:30am.
Our Lady of Mercy
520 S. Oyster Bay Road, Hicksville 516-433-7040 olmshicks.org Call or email us to arrange a tour.
RoboMindTech STEM Education Center Creativity, Science, Robotics, Coding & L-E-G-O Learning Fun! Great Neck Kids Center 25 Cuttermill Road #4, Great Neck 718-264-7626, 860-944-3654 robomindtech.com robomindtech@gmail.com Join us for an open house and free trial on Saturday, Sept. 8 at 4:30pm. Please email or call to RSVP free trial.
Winston Preparatory School
30 Deforest Road, Dix Hills 212-719-5598 x2213 winstonprep.edu liadmissions@winstonprep.edu Winston Prep is an individualized and responsive setting for third-12th grade students with specific learning differences. Join us at our open house Thursday, Sept. 27 at 9:15am.
VILLAGE EAST GIFTED ENRICHMENT CENTER FOR THE GIFTED LEARNER
Village East Gifted of Huntington 33 Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station 631-549-2313 Village East Gifted of Roslyn 216 Willis Ave., Roslyn Heights 631-549-2313 villageeastgifted.com info@villageeastgifted.com Village East Gifted provides after-school enrichment and private tutoring. Enriching every qualified, gifted child. We are also a John Hopkins CTY info and SAT testing center.
Need to plan the perfect party? FIND venues, entertainers, suppliers, and other ideas to create the ideal party in our online Parent Resources Directory.
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LongIslandParent 59
Meet the
Health Care Professional Ehrenman & Khan Pediatric Dentistry 959 Brush Hollow Road, Suite #101, Westbury 516-333-3033 pediatricdentistlongislandny.com kidsteethli@gmail.com
Ehrenman & Khan Pediatric Dentistry cares for all of your child’s oral health needs in a fun, kid-friendly environment that includes iPads and chairside TV monitors. Drs. Ehrenman and Khan are dedicated and trained to ease dental anxieties for young children as well as patients with special needs. Their years of advanced training include hospital and sedation dentistry. Please visit kidsteeth4li.com to learn more about what Ehrenman & Khan Pediatric Dentistry has to offer!
Mesbah OB-GYN Women’s Health Care & Wellness 877 Stewart Ave., Suite 3, Garden City 516-794-1500 mesbahobgyn.com
Michael Mesbah, M.D. is board-certified with more than 20 years of private practice experience. His experience and expertise in obstetrics has made him one of the most respected physicians on Long Island. He has extensive training in gynecological surgery, and is a certified robotic surgeon. Karyn Wat, M.D. is multilingual in English, Spanish, and Chinese. She has been trained in general and high-risk obstetric care, as well as gynecological surgery. She is compassionate, dedicated, and knowledgeable in issues pertaining to teenagers, family planning, menstrual and hormonal abnormalities, and menopausal symptoms.
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September 2018 | nymetroparents.com
Merrick Pediatric Dentistry 1756A Merrick Ave., Merrick 516-547-1997 merrickpediatricdentistry.com
Dr. Rania Elbaz is a board-certified pediatric dentist. She earned her dental degree from Columbia University. She then completed her pediatric dental training at UMDNJNew Jersey Dental School. Dr. Elbaz loves working with children and strives to create a warm and fun environment that children look forward to visiting. Dr. Elbaz sees every patient in order to ensure the consistency that is so important to young children. The office welcomes and gives extra time and attention to patients with special needs. The office also accepts with most major insurance plans.
Long Island Center for Speech and Myofunctional Therapy Locations across Suffolk and Nassau: East Yaphank, Farmingville, Stony Brook, Commack, Jericho, Wantagh, and Lake Success lispeechandmyo.com Nassau: 516-216-1791 • Suffolk: 631-689-6858 • Queens: 718-640-6767 Janine Stiene, speech-language pathologist, owns and operates Long Island Center for Speech and Myofunctional Therapy. With her group of therapists, she supports families and children across Long Island, specializing in PROMPT, feeding, myofunctional therapy, voice disorders, fluency, augmentative communication, articulation, auditory processing disorders, and expressive and receptive language disorders (adults and children). Intensive feeding therapy for individuals who suffer from texture and consistency aversions, and FEES (Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing) are also offered. Seven affiliated offices across Long Island participate with most health insurance and offer evening and Saturday hours.
raising kids NYMetroParents.com features more than 20,000 businesses serving the NY metropolitan area! birthday / party services
education
Joffrey Ballet School.......................................................29
@ Play Amusement........................................................17
Bailey-Woods Summer Institute ....................................55
Joyous Music School .....................................................13
Bounce U - Farmingdale................................................25
Countryside Montessori School......................................25
CodeNinjas.....................................................................27
Diocese of RVC .............................................................64
play spaces
Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery .................................15
Eye Level Learning Center ............................................27
@ Play Amusement........................................................17
Great Play of Syosset.....................................................35
Friends Academy ...........................................................12
Bounce U - Farmingdale................................................25
Music Together LLC .......................................................49
Green Vale School ...........................................................3
Not Just Art ....................................................................33
Hofstra University / Saltzman Center ............................35
religious
Holy Family School ........................................................41
Diocese of RVC .............................................................64
camps
Huntington Learning Center ..........................................28
Holy Family School ........................................................41
CodeNinjas.....................................................................27
LIU Center for Gifted Youth............................................33
Our Lady of Lourdes - Malverne ....................................51
Countryside Montessori School......................................25
Mathnasium - Roslyn .......................................................5
Our Lady of Mercy .........................................................39
Eye Level Learning Center - Corporate............................9
Our Lady of Lourdes - Malverne ....................................51
St. Dominic Elementary School .....................................51
Friends Academy ...........................................................12
Our Lady of Mercy .........................................................39
Temple Sinai of Roslyn...................................................13
Lice Clinics of America...................................................51
Psychoeducational Consultants ....................................41
Trinity Episcopal Church Roslyn Childcare Center ........55
LIU Center for Gifted Youth............................................33
RoboMind Tech ..............................................................33
Music Together LLC .......................................................49
St. Dominic Elementary School .....................................51
retail
Sylvan Learning Center - Huntington ............................15
Once Upon A Child.........................................................25
RoboMind Tech ..............................................................33
child care / day care Bailey-Woods Summer Institute ....................................55 Berkshire Farm Cter & Services for Youth .....................55 Trinity Episcopal Church Roslyn Childcare Center ........55 Variety Child - Child Care & Social Skil .........................16
classes CodeNinjas.....................................................................27 Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery .................................15 Drama Kids ....................................................................35 Eye Level Learning Center - Corporate............................9 Great Play of Syosset.....................................................35
Temple Sinai of Roslyn...................................................13 Village East Gifted .........................................................29
family entertainment / events / outings @ Play Amusement........................................................17 Bounce U - Farmingdale................................................25 Hofstra University Continuing Education........................23 Hofstra University Museum............................................33 Landmark on Main Street Inc ........................................39 Millneck Family of Organization .....................................39
financial planning / insurance Affinity Health Plan...........................................................2
Hofstra University / Saltzman Center ............................35
health
Hofstra University Museum............................................33
Affinity Health Plan...........................................................2
Joffrey Ballet School.......................................................29 Joyous Music School .....................................................13 LIU Center for Gifted Youth............................................33 Long Island Studio of Music ..........................................31
Allied Foundation ...........................................................10 Ehrenman & Khan Pediatric Dentistry............................60 Fidelis Care New York ...................................................11
special events Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery .................................15 Hofstra University Museum............................................33 Landmark on Main Street Inc ........................................39 Long Island Press ..........................................................21 Millneck Family of Organization .....................................39 The Safe Center LI ........................................................25
special needs Andrew M. Cohen Esq ...................................................15 Berkshire Farm Cter & Services for Youth .....................55 Ehrenman & Khan Pediatric Dentistry............................60 Huntington Learning Center ..........................................28 Janine Stiene Suffolk Center for Speech..................16, 60 Psychoeducational Consultants ....................................41 Steps To Socialization ...................................................53 Variety Child Learning Center.........................................23
Lice Clinics of America...................................................49
RoboMind Tech ..............................................................33
Merrick Pediatric Dentistry..........................................7, 60
Soccer Shots .................................................................35
Mesbah OB GYN............................................................60
Soccer Shots .................................................................35
Steps To Socialization ...................................................53
legal services
theater
Sylvan Learning Center - Huntington ............................15
Andrew M. Cohen Esq ...................................................15
Drama Kids ....................................................................35
sports
Stars Of Tomorrow..........................................................31
Landmark on Main Street Inc ........................................39
Village East Gifted .........................................................29
music
Stars Of Tomorrow..........................................................31
dance
Huntington Center of Performing Arts ............................35
Huntington Center of Performing Arts ............................35
Joyous Music School .....................................................13
tutors
Joffrey Ballet School.......................................................29
Long Island Studio of Music ..........................................31
Bailey-Woods Summer Institute ....................................55
Music Together LLC .......................................................49
Eye Level Learning Center ............................................27
Not Just Art ....................................................................33
Eye Level Learning Center - Corporate............................9
developmental
Huntington Learning Center ..........................................28
Berkshire Farm Cter & Services for Youth .....................55
Mathnasium - Roslyn .......................................................5
Janine Stiene Suffolk Center for Speech..................16, 60
performing arts / acting
Steps To Socialization ...................................................53
Drama Kids ....................................................................35
Sylvan Learning Center - Huntington ............................15
Variety Child Learning Center.........................................23
Huntington Center of Performing Arts ............................35
Village East Gifted .........................................................29
LongIslandParent 61
raising kids quotables
How do you get your kids excited to go back to school? “I tell my daughter my favorite memory from whichever grade she’s entering that year. This year she will be going into second grade, so I told her that was the year I won an award at the science fair. She’s psyched!” —Melissa Ann Ferreira, Queens
“Tell them they’ll be able to see their friends every day.” —Noelle Sarno Uno, Brooklyn
“I look up really cool DIY projects for school supplies and once a week throughout the summer we make the projects ourselves. My daughter can’t wait to show her friends all the cool stuff we made for school.” —Tyaisha Harvey Greene, Suffolk
“I would leave notes in my children’s lunchboxes to get them excited and remind them that I love them.” —Adena Saperstein, Nassau
“We go to Target and get back-to-school supplies!” —Melissa Brown Eisenberg, Westchester
Downtime is rare in the life of a mom. Between deciding on schools and creating spreadsheets, it seems the day has begun and finished before we’ve had time to take a single breath. Downtime might seem like a thing of legend to us, but it can be a reality if we make it a priority. How we each make it happen is up to us, but happen it must. — Jazmin Cybulski, in a post entitled “Simple Ways to Minimize the Stress of Being a Supermom” on themogulmom.com
“Are you stressing about gathering school supplies, schedules and time management? Parental stress can be picked up by your child so stay calm, watch what you say, and show confidence.” — Michelle Spreckels, in a post entitled “How to Ease Back-to-School Anxiety” on momtrends.com
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“I remind them that they can’t go back to camp until they finish another year of school!” —Lisa Novick Bloom, Manhattan
“We talk about the exciting things they will learn in their new grade and all the upcoming fall happenings they look forward to.” —Tara Suzanne, Rockland
LET TWEENS ARGUE “Rather than shut down arguments, give your child ample time to execute her case. Arguing is a critical skill that tweens desperately need as they proceed into adolescence. Think about it: To turn down a beer at a party or resist a boyfriend’s sexual advances, your child needs a strong argumentative muscle. Standing up to you serves as practice for standing up for his or her beliefs and values.” — Margaret Sagarese in an article entitled “Why Your Difficult Tween is Right on Track.” Read the whole story at nymetroparents.com/difficult-tween
More NYMetroParents.com Highlights: FARM FRESH: Your guide to farmers’ markets in the New York area (nymetroparents.com/farmers-markets) SPORTS SAFETY: Learn how to keep your child safe and healthy during sports practices and games (nymetroparents.com/safe-sports) OH BABY: 5 Things to Know About Your Postpartum Body (nymetroparents.com/postpartum) BAKE IT SPECIAL: Try the Ace of Cakes’ favorite brownie recipe for bake sales (nymetroparents.com/brownies)
SOMETHING for the
WHOLE FAMILY LIU - PRATT RECREATION CENTER, BROOKVILLE 11AM–3PM Live Reptiles • Gymnastics • Soccer • Zumba Inflatable Basketball Pop-A-Shot • Clowns • Magic Computer Coding • Robotics • Face Painting Balloon Twisting • And Much More!
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Early Childhood Education Week • October 21-27
Give your children a leg up, with Early Childhood Education. You want to give them a safe, loving environment. With structure and discipline. Not just day care, but a real school with certified teachers. A school that supports working Moms (and Dads), with before and after care—and gives students as young as three years old the fundamental skills they need to develop a lifetime love of learning. Of course, choosing a Catholic education gives them much more than an educational advantage. It also helps them understand their purpose in life and their obligations to others, reinforcing the values you live at home. Isn’t that what you want for your children? To learn more about why Catholic Elementary School is a better place to start, and to find a school near you, visit us online at www.LICatholicElementarySchools.org or call 516-678-5800 x 258.