Nassau Parent September 2019 by City Guide NY

LongIsland NASSAU EDITION

Parent NYMETROPARENTS.COM SEPTEMBER 2019

Gif ted&

Talented? What you need to know about G&T programs and test prep Plus, back-to-school resources for every grade

Why are tweens and teens self-conscious? And the Winner Is… A behind-the-scenes look at our cover contest photo shoot!

HELPING PARENTS MAKE BETTER DECISIONS

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contents table of

Original photo by ›› Big Apple Portraits (bigappleportraits.com) Clothing provided by Land’s End (landsend.com)

september 2019

back to school

And the Winner Is...

A behind-the-scenes peek at the 2019 Cover Kids photo shoot.

20 Is Your Child ‘G&T’? 22 Back-to-School Resources

The Age of Self-Doubt

Self-consciousness in early adolesence will lead to greater well being in adulthood.

Remembering 9/11 in Manhattan Visit one of these memorials to remember those who lost their lives.

raising kids

things to do

family life

6 Editor’s Note 8 New Places, New Programs 10 The Nanny-Baby Relationship 12 Savor Each Moment? 14 Empowering Your Differently-Abled Student 16 And the Winner Is... 18 The Age of Self-Doubt 46 Day Care Center, Nanny, or Relative? 49 Party Central 50 Professional Services 51 Open Houses 52 Meet the Health Care Professional 53 Advertisers’ Index 54 You’ve Got Mail

32 Remembering 9/11 in Manhattan

48 Separation Strategies

33 Family Activities Calendar

NYMetroParents

Helping Parents Make Better Decisions ON THE COVER ›› 16 And the Winner Is... 18 Why are tweens and teens self-conscious? 20 Gifted&Talented facebook.com/nymetroparents

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

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raising kids editor’s note

Cute Kid Alert!

id you see the beautiful teen on the cover? That’s 14-year-old Daniela from Suffolk County, the older than 6 grand-prize winner in our 2018 Cover Kids contest! She’s the last of the finalists from 2018 to grace the cover of Long Island Parent, so it’s only fitting that the 2019 grand-prize winners be announced in the behind-thescenes peek of the photo shoot in this issue. It took a lot of work to get here, though. More than 1,000 of you, dear readers, submitted your children in our call for cover models, and our editors narrowed down the list to 10 (who knew looking at cute pictures of kids would be so difficult?!), shopped for outfits at Macy’s Backstage, planned the photo shoot at Sarah Marians Photography & Video Company in Manhattan, and coordinated 10 kids’ schedules. The results, as they say, are priceless! Flip to p. 16 to see our finalists in action—and be sure to keep an eye out in the coming months for our new cover stars! While we can’t stop thinking about the great photos we got of our 2019 Cover Kids finalists, we’re also planning for the back-to-school season. If you’re a parent of a child with a learning disability, you’ll want to read “Empowering Your Differently-Abled Student,” p. 14 wondering how to keep the fun of summer going all year-round, read, circle, and highlight (put those new office supplies you snuck in the cart when buying school supplies to work!) the “Back-to-School Resources” directory on p. 22. It’s full of fun after-school classes that will keep your kids engaged even after the school day ends. With all this thinking about school, don’t forget to soak up the last days of summer with your kids! This issue is packed with fun for September, but you can always find great things to do every day at nymetroparents.com—and get a curated list of weekend fun hand-picked by our editors sent to you at nymetroparents.com/register. Happy first day of school!

Katelin Walling Editorial Director Helping Parents Make Better Decisions P.S. Share your first-day-of-school photos with us by tagging @nymetroparents on Instagram!

Keep in Touch:

SEPTEMBER 2019 • Vol.11 • No.4

NYMetroParents nymetroparents.com

EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Katelin Walling PRODUCTION EDITOR: Melissa Wickes FEATURES EDITOR: Shana Liebman ASSISTANT EDITOR: Jacqueline Neber EDITORIAL INTERN: Laura D’Angelo CALENDARS CALENDAR COORDINATOR: Whitney C. Harris EVENT RESEARCHERS: Lisa Fogarty, Kristina Johnson, Shara Levine DIRECTORIES EDITOR: Alice Van Dyke COPY EDITOR: Christina Vercelletto

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

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MANAGING DIRECTOR: Lauren Alperin Meirowitz 646-736-3609 EDITOR: Jennifer Rojas

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

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Fun for the Whole Family!

DIRECTOR | PUBLISHING MANAGEMENT: Anthony Diaz DIRECTOR | DIGITAL CONTENT: Silvia Balu

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ASSISTANT MARKETING MANAGER: Kristine Pulaski

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CREDIT MANAGERS: Rosa Meinhofer, Dan Finnegan

Long Island Parents Day Sunday, Sept. 15, 11am-3pm LIU’s Pratt Recreation Center, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville • STEM Classes • Ballet • Zumba • Yoga • Music

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

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raising kids new places, new programs

Open enrollment for the Before and After School programs at the Great South Bay Y are offere d for Bay Shore and Massapequa students.

Ballet

Who: Great South Bay YMCA What’s New: Inclusion, homework help, and an arts curriculum added to after-school care program, slated to begin Sept. 4. Students attending the Before and After School programs for Bay Shore and Massapequa school districts can receive homework help and tutoring, participate in CATCH and STEAM curriculum activities, be part of various kids’ clubs, climb the rock wall at the Y, and more. Children with disabilities will be given extra support during homework help. The arts curriculum is also offered to students as they finish their homework. Want More Info: 200 W. Main St., Bay Shore; 631-665-4255 x135; ymcali.org/programs/child-care

Courtesy Great South Bay YMCA

Great South Bay YMCA Adds Inclusion, Homework Help, and Art to After-School Program

Who: Eglevsky Ballet What’s New: A satellite studio at the Garden City Dance Studio for 2019-2020 season. The satellite studio will expand the educational outreach of Eglevsky Ballet beyond its original location in Bethpage. With quality teachers, attention to detail, and performance opportunities, Eglevsky aims to fill the need for quality classical ballet training throughout Long Island, according to Maurice Curry, executive artistic director at Eglevsky Ballet. The satellite studio will employ the same nationally recognized graded curriculum. Dancers will be placed by ability, not by age, and will advance to the next level at the discretion of the faculty. Want More Info: Garden City Dance Studio, 269 Nassau Blvd. S., Garden City; 516-746-1115; eglevskyballet.org

Courtesy Eglevsky

Ballet Studio Opens Satellite Location in Garden City

s for their dancers and ts in-studio showcase Eglevsky Ballet hos ing. spr the in formance workshop theater per

Who: Diocese of Rockville Centre What’s New: Making Connections, informal group meetings between parents, the superintendent of schools, and selected staff members, which are scheduled to be held monthly. There is typically a presentation to inform parents about one aspect of their children’s schools, followed by an open forum in which the successes and challenges facing different schools can be shared with other parents and the superintendent. Meetings are held on Saturdays from 9-11am. Upcoming sessions are slated for Oct. 19, Nov. 16, and Dec 14. Want More Info: Diocese of Rockville Centre Education Office, 128 Cherry Lane, Hicksville; 516-280-2479; licatholicelementaryschools.org 8

September 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Courtesy Diocese of Rockville Centre

Diocese of Rockville Centre to Hold Open Forum for Parents

Making Connections parent forum is one of the many ways parents are involved with their kids’ schoo l experience.

Capturing life at its best

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What rights do students have? 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:

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.

t seems like a given: Your baby should feel comfortable with your nanny. There should be warmth and trust between the two. But since your baby, though adorable, can’t yet spill the beans about the details of her day, how do you know what’s really going on? Here are the two big signs the nanny-child relationship is working.

Happy Reunions

It’s important that your baby is excited, even overjoyed, to see your nanny each day. Once your baby knows your nanny and has spent time with her, your baby should be happy when he sees her. If your nanny enjoys being with your baby, he will feel her care and genuine interest. If your baby seems fearful or anxious when your nanny arrives, you should be concerned.

A Sense of Trust

Another essential sign? Your baby appears to trust and feel safe with your nanny. Babies instinctively know who cares for them, who they can trust and who makes them feel safe. If your baby has sudden behavioral or emotional changes—like waking up at night crying and screaming without obvious cause—you should investigate what’s going on during the daytime. The bottom line: Trust your own intuition about your nanny. You are usually right about whatever you are feeling, aren’t you?

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September 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Mommybites’ nanny boards only feature postings from nannies’ current families. You can rely on their recommendations. If you need a nanny or babysitter, visit Mommybites.com.

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raising kids voices

Savor Each Moment? ››

It wasn’t until my own babies were tweens that I truly understood what “enjoy them while they’re young” means. By Kate Haas

hey were everywhere when my kids were small: older women smiling at me in the grocery store, approaching me at the library, their expressions softening at the sight of my baby’s plump cheeks, my toddler’s irrepressible grin. Before they opened their mouths to speak, I knew exactly what they were about to tell me: It all goes so fast. Enjoy them while they’re young. These women did not tend to catch me at my most serene. Typically, I was attempting to locate the mac and cheese on sale or explain to a distraught 3-year-old that Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! wasn’t on the library shelf today, but there were lots of other books—really!—that we could take home instead. Still, when approached by a member of the “treasure each moment” brigade, I always smiled politely and assured them I would do exactly that. Naturally, I didn’t mean a word of it. Life with young kids is full of moments no one treasures, and the hours until a toddler’s naptime can seem slower than the day of labor it took to produce him. Didn’t those old ladies remember that? Why, I wondered, did they feel so compelled to urge me to enjoy every second? Once my kids were tweens, those older women disappeared. There is universal agreement, it seems, that the parent of a 10-year-old need not be advised to enjoy every second. By then I felt far removed from the world of babies. My friends and I were focused on matters such as basketball practice and homework, and how to get our children to clean up their appalling rooms. I’d certainly acknowledge a cute infant when I spotted one in my daily rounds, but always with quick sigh of thankfulness to be done with diapers and sleepless nights. It was only when my kids were teenagers that I began to notice babies again—really notice them. One day, minding my own business at the grocery store, I became aware of a curious pair of eyes regarding me unblinkingly from over the shoulder of a woman in the produce department. The baby’s cheeks were so delectably plump that I was tempted to give them a squeeze, like an avocado. Instead I smiled—and was rewarded by a huge, delighted grin.

I wanted to scoop that baby up and give her a kiss. The impulse was so strong that I actually had to take a step back to avoid being mistaken for a creepy hoverer. The mother turned around and caught my smile. “Um, your baby’s super cute,” I said. She thanked me and moved on to the bananas. As she walked away, I realized there was something I wanted to tell that woman. But following her and her baby would have been stalkerish, so I didn’t. It was the sight of that baby’s uncomplicated smile that did it, that finally made me understand what those women had been trying to tell me all those years ago, when they repeatedly noted how fast it goes and urged me to enjoy each moment. Frazzled and sleep deprived, I could only interpret that advice literally, and puzzle over it. Which was not, I now realize, the intent. What those women were telling me to enjoy in my little kids was something specific, something I took for granted until it disappeared from my life as a parent: unconditional love and affection. I get it. I was a quiet, withdrawn teen myself, spending hours alone in my room with a book. I wasn’t particularly demonstrative—at least, not where my parents were concerned. I accepted their affection routinely, as my due. So I am unsurprised that my two teen boys don’t greet me with joy when I return home after a few hours away. I don’t expect them to tell me how much they love me, or to offer spontaneous hugs and kisses. But it sure was nice when they did those things. I’ll never be the type to advise a weary mother to treasure each moment. But that day in the produce section, I wanted to tell that woman something else: to soak up the embraces, the sweet heft of a toddler on the hip, the fun of coaxing a smile from a baby, the joy of a preschooler spotting you at pickup. Because if I had understood how much I’d miss all that affection, maybe I really would have tried to savor it a little more. Of course, I didn’t say a word to that mother at the grocery store. I’m not one of those older ladies. Not yet, anyway.

Kate Haas is a freelance writer and editor. A mother of two boys, she has written on parenthood for various publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Slate, and Salon.

September 2019 | nymetroparents.com

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raising kids in the know

Empowering Your Differently-Abled Student ›› By Jacqueline Neber

ood parent-teacher communication is crucial for any successful school year, but being on the same page becomes even more important when your child has a learning disability. You should take a few key proactive steps to ensure your child has the best year possible. Know your rights and speak up. Parents are entitled to receive information about special education from their schools and teachers— reading up and staying informed is the best way to advocate for your kid. When attending Committee for Special Education meetings, annual review meetings, or parent-teacher conferences, if you don’t understand something, ask questions. Communicate with teachers frequently. Kathy Devine and Emily Cole co-teach at Waverly Avenue Elementary School in Holtsville. They say parents of students with special needs must be extra communicative with teachers. “We would like to know sooner when things might be happening at home, whether it’s medication changes or maybe something in the home life has changed,” Cole says. When it comes to homework, “reach out to us as soon as possible so that we’re not waiting until the end of a trimester to know [kids are] struggling,” Devine says. Another tip? Write a letter describing your child and his needs at the beginning of the year.

Understand Individualized Education Plan goals. Equally important is understanding your child’s IEP goals—which can differ from her classroom goals. This difference often confuses parents who see their student accomplishing goals on one end of the spectrum and not the other. Involve your child. Cassie Reilly, the current Transition Coordinator at Northport High School, suggests involving your kid in IEP and parent-teacher conferences. Being open with kids from the time of diagnosis helps them stand up for themselves and understand their learning disability does not make them inferior to others. Be sensitive to difference. Parents should understand their kids might be different at home than at school, Reilly adds. And, even more importantly, their kids might have an atypical path toward success. Communicating with teachers is key to understanding how your kid can progress in the best way.

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September 2019 | nymetroparents.com

ESY ARALTH KKEOEPHINLG’SKIDSCHE Our 5-2-1-0 campaign is easy to remember and lets you work on one set of healthy habits at a time.

Every day we make lots of choices and decisions that can impact our health. Some decisions involve what we eat, where we eat, what we drink, how we get to school or work and how we spend our free time. With overweight and obesity affecting so many of our youth today, parents and caregivers need tools to help establish good habits that can have a lasting impact on their family’s health.

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LongIslandParent 15

And the winner is…

A behind-the-scenes peek at the 2019 Cover Kids photo shoot

t’s official: You, dear readers, have cute kids! We knew picking finalists wasn’t going to be easy. In fact, it wasn’t easy times 1,000—that’s how many children were entered. Well, 1,006 to be exact. Once our editors were done exclaiming, “I love her hair!” “Look at his outfit!” and “Kids wearing glasses are adorable,” we poured over the entries and narrowed it down to nine cuties, plus our Fan Favorite. Those 10 kids were then invited to a photo shoot at Sarah Merians Photography & Video Company in Manhattan. And, boy, did they deliver! All the kids rocked the shoot decked out in clothes from Macy’s Backstage.

Promotional Partners:

The really difficult choice was choosing the two grand-prize winners. We powered through, though, and it’s Jasper from Manhattan and Jordan from Nassau County who are the grand-prize winners! Jasper and his family will celebrate the win with a two-night stay, plus two Paw Passes, at Great Wolf Lodge in Scotrun, PA, and Jordan will get next-level modeling advice with a scholarship to and photo shoot at Barbizon Modeling and Acting Studio. Nyla, our Fan Favorite from Brooklyn, also received a two-night stay at and two Paw Passes to Great Wolf Lodge. Congrats to everyone—and keep an eye out to see these beautiful faces on our future covers!

a Older th

WINNER

n6 a h t r e g n You

WINNER

Jordan

Jasper

Age: 13 y Nassau Count Hometown: t lis a hairsty He wants to be up. s ow gr when he

Age: 2 hattan Hometown: Man e colors in th He can name all d shoes. re lo co tihis very mul

FAN FAVORITE Nyla

Age: 5 Hometown: Brooklyn t Her favorite book is The Ca lly ecia esp She t. in the Ha loves Thing 1 and Thing 2.

Olivia

Age: 9 Hometown: Westchester County She loves to swim, and her favorite movie is Trolls.

Henry

Age: 3 Hometown: Brooklyn If he could pick a superpower to have, he would fly. His favorite superhero is his mommy!

Teagan

Age: 7 unty Hometown: Suffolk Co do! on ekw Ta do to es lov She

Leilani

Age: 9 Hometown: the Bronx the Her favorite books are sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and , ies ser ter Pot Harry . an up to Prisoner of Azkab

Zachary

Age: 4 Hometown: Queens He has an older sister and a younger brother who came to watch his photo shoot, and he liked answering questions with his sister.

Anthony

Age: 3 Hometown: Suffolk County His favorite colors are green and yellow.

Ghianna

Age: 11 unty Hometown: Rockland Co is w sho te Her favori es DanTDM, and she lov playing Minecraft.

raising kids teen

The Age of Self-Doubt

››

While self-consciousness in early adolescence can seem crippling for your child, it’s a phase that will lead to greater well-being in adulthood. By Jaimie Seaton

nyone with a teenager has witnessed the transformation: Their fearless, confident child becoming a reticent, self-conscious teen. One day, he marches out of the house on adventures, happily clad in clothes picked out by his parents. The next? He’s hiding out in his room with his phone, with zero interest in any ideas you have in regard to his clothes, his hairstyle, or even his backpack. She becomes obsessed with her looks and studies her face in the mirror as if it were an undiscovered country. A bad hair day or emergence of a pimple can turn into a crisis and leave her wishing she could stay home from school. As a parent, it’s hard to make sense of this—and even harder to know how to help.

Belonging Above All

Parents may be tempted to dismiss their teen’s behavior as typical adolescent self-absorption, but what may seem like egocentricity actually serves a higher purpose. It goes back to evolution and our need to belong. “If the goal in adulthood, at the most basic level, is to have social skills in order to ensure social belonging and the associated positive outcomes, then adolescence is a time of learning social competency,” explains Alexandra Rodman, Ph.D., lead author of a 2017 Harvard study on how adolescents and adults process and integrate peer feedback. “One way in which we learn all the complex social rules is by being hyper-attuned to feedback from others.” For example, your teen isn’t fixated on his looks, per se, but because he is so highly preoccupied by what others may think of him, he notices changes in himself more keenly than he did as a child, Dr. Rodman explains. His reaction to those changes depends on how he is viewed in the peer group. “It all depends on what enhances belonging and it corresponds with changing trends,” Dr. Rodman says. “If it was a sign of health and highly coveted to have a pimple, then maybe it wouldn’t lead to such distress to have a pimple.”

The Instagram Age

Most teenagers think they have it worse than their parents—and they’re right. When it comes to pressure to fit in, at least, today’s

Because your teen is preoccupied with how others perceive him, he’ll notice changes in himself more keenly than when he was younger.

teens really do have it worse, according to Seoka Salstrom, Ph.D., a child and adolescent psychologist who practices in New Hampshire. “There are so many more opportunities for compare and despair,” Dr. Salstrom says. “Before social media, we had half of our day at school and half of our day at home or with a few friends, but we didn’t have 45 people that we were interacting with in some way, often times in picture perfect form. Every time we see something like that, our mind is automatically geared toward, ‘How do I fit in to this?’ and sees the inadequacies.”

Coping Strategies

When teens express anxiety or distress about their looks or not fitting in, Dr. Salstrom advises parents to start from a place of “your feelings make perfect sense.” “It’s not to say that you agree with the statement behind it or the content. If they say, ‘I’m so ugly,’ of course you’re not going to agree with that,” Dr. Salstrom says. “But if we don’t start from the place of ‘it makes perfect sense that this thought/feeling is showing up’ (given our evolutionary and cultural context), then anything we say in that moment has the potential to be invalidating.” There’s no denying it can be difficult for parents to see their teens go through this stage, but Dr. Rodman explains it’s a normal and healthy part of development—and it does eventually end. “When you have this low-level or moderate level feedback from your peers, and you feel this drop in self-esteem, that actually feels bad in the short term, but in the long term it leads to greater gains and better outcomes and well-being in adulthood,” Dr. Rodman says. In late adolescence, a self-protective bias kicks in and teens no longer experience that drop in self-esteem after rejection, Dr. Rodman explains. Older teens start to buffer themselves from their peers’ rejection because they’ve gained social skills and learned the social rules they didn’t have or know as an early adolescent. “That’s all to say for parents that a little bit of feedback from peers isn’t a catastrophe, and feeling a little down on yourself, that’s just part of being a teenager,” Dr. Rodman says. “I think a helpful reframe is, it just helps kids learn how to get along with their peers.”

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

September 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Questions about breastfeeding? We’ve got answers.

Stop by one of the FREE Long Island Baby Cafés and find: resources for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, support from specifically-trained staff, opportunities to share experiences and make friends, comfortable seating, open-forum discussions and refreshments. Bayshore Southside Hospital 301 Main Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 When: Tuesdays 1:30pm - 3:30pm Contact: (631) 894-5282

Wyandanch Community Nazarene Church 58 Cumberbach Street Wyandanch, NY 11798 Contact: (631) 920-6844 for hours

Pronto Long Island, Inc. 128 Pine Aire Drive Bay Shore, NY 11706 When: 1st and 3rd Thursdays every month 11:00am - 1:00pm Contact: (631) 231-8290

Southampton Child Care Center of the Hamptons 502 N Sea Road Southampton, NY 11968 When: Tuesdays 5:30pm-7:00pm Contact: (631) 353-3331 Glen Cove – opening soon

Baby Cafés offer information and support to help you reach your breastfeeding goals. For more information, contact us at BFREE@northwell.edu or (516) 838-6418 Establishment of Baby Cafés is a joint initiative of the Breastfeeding Resiliency, Engagement and Empowerment (BFREE) team and its community partners, supported by NYSDOH grant 530390.

SEPTEMBER 28TH – DECEMBER 15TH YOUTH HOUSE LEAGUE Ages 9 – 14

MITE ADM PROGRAM Ages 6 – 8

HOCKEY ACADEMY: MINI ISLANDERS Ages 5-7

HOCKEY ACADEMY: HOCKEY 101 Ages 7-12

CALL 516-441-0070 FOR MORE INFO & TO REGISTER FOR THE FALL HOCKEY PROGRAMS! Northwell Health Ice Center – Long Island’s Premier Hockey Destination Located in Eisenhower Park: 200 Merrick Ave, East Meadow | NorthwellHealthIceCenter.com | 516-441-0070

LongIslandParent 19

Is Your Child ‘G&T’? ››

What parents need to know about the Gifted & Talented program in New York—and how to prep for the test By Madeleine Burry

very year, tens of thousands of kids across New York City— and some in the suburbs of NYC—opt to take a test to qualify for the Gifted and Talented program. The program holds classes (within public schools) that are geared to the test’s highest scorers: kids the Department of Education deems “exceptional” students. The test is administered to kids entering kindergarten through third grade. Will your child be one of those test-takers? Find out what you need to know about the program and the exam—including the best way to prep your little ones for it.

The Basics

The city actually offers two separate district and citywide G&T programs. In the citywide option, children from all of the city’s neighborhoods attend a school with only G&T students. Districtlevel programs, in contrast, prioritize admitting students who live within the district, and these G&T students share the school with non-G&T kids. They also take some classes, such as art and PE, with the non-G&T students. Both programs rely on test results to determine eligibility. A score of 90 or above qualifies kids to apply to district programs; a score of 97 or above is required for application to the citywide programs. However, test score alone is not enough to guarantee entrance for either program—students are entered into a lottery system for programs since more kids qualify than there are available seats. That’s what happened to mom-of-two Dahlia Thompson’s oldest child. “Maya ended up scoring a 97 and made citywide,” Thompson says. But since Maya didn’t get a spot in a citywide school, she instead attended a neighborhood district G&T school 20

September 2019 | nymetroparents.com

for kindergarten. If you live in a school district in New York City or the metro area that doesn’t offer a Gifted and Talented program, you can explore after-school programs that offer this type of enrichment. For example, Village East Gifted in Huntington Station and Roslyn Heights and G-tec Kids in New Rochelle offer hands-on activities and classes designed for advanced students to strengthen their cognitive skills.

Taking the Test

Any child who lives in New York City, and is entering kindergarten through third grade in September, can take the G&T test during the previous January (they just have to register by late fall). This includes students with disabilities (with accommodations potentially available for kids who have IEPs, IESPs, or 504 Plans). The exam is also administered in many languages other than English, including Arabic, Mandarin, Spanish, and Cantonese. Emily Levitt, vice president of education at Sylvan Learning, explains that the test is divided into two parts. Test-takers get both a raw and percentile score on each part, which are then combined into an overall score used to determine eligibility. The first part of the exam is nonverbal, Levitt says. Questions are drawn from the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test—students are shown pictures and asked to predict which one would come next in a pattern or combine objects to form a new pattern. The second part of the exam is verbal, with questions from the Otis-Lennon School Ability Test. This multiple-choice portion tests verbal comprehension and reasoning, Levitt says. With applying for kindergarten, the proctor will read the questions aloud once and mark down the child’s responses.

The test is untimed, but according to the NYC Department of Education, students usually complete it within 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Practice and Prepare

The biggest challenge for test takers is age. “Really little kids and tests don’t always go well together, for no other reason than that the kids are so little,” Levitt says. “Trying to prep a four-yearold for a test is going to look different than prepping your high schooler for the SAT.” One way to prepare your kid for the G&T exam (without causing undue stress) is to practice abstract lessons at home. Make it feel like playtime! Starting a few months before the exam, have kids identify patterns and sequences, Levitt suggests. Use toys to create a pattern of small, medium, large, and then have your child continue the pattern. Or use M&M’s to make color-based patterns. Another strategy she recommends is to ask questions throughout the day to help get kids in the habit of explaining their thinking and reasoning. The NYC DOE also publishes a booklet with practice exams (you can find it at schools.nyc.gov), though some warn against taking this too seriously. “We went through the examples in the DOE booklet a few times beforehand and that’s it,” Thompson says. Levitt also suggests parents avoid being drill sergeants—do a few questions per sitting, she says. Don’t forget: Your attitude toward the test can be contagious, and stress and anxiety aren’t helpful to your child. Frame any prep you do in terms of getting kids comfortable, so they know what to expect, Levitt says. And no need to go into detail about test results or their

implications. Thompson’s son missed the cut-off score by one point. “Lev vaguely knows he didn’t pass the test, but we didn’t make a big deal out of it,” she says.

Should your kids take the test?

There are few reasons not to take the test: A strong test result opens the door to potential inclusion in the program—and your child’s score will not be shared with schools. That said, the test—and in fact, the G&T program as a whole— is not without controversy. Students in wealthier districts are more likely to take the exam than students in poorer ones. And, while there are many G&T programs in Manhattan and parts of Queens, there are fewer G&T options in historically Black and Latinx districts in the Bronx and Brooklyn, according to a report from the DOE’s School Diversity Advisory Group. “The racial demographics of kindergarten G&T programs are not representative of the racial demographics of kindergarteners as a whole,” the SDAG report notes. Black and Latinx students make up 63 percent of all kindergartners, but only 18 percent of the G&T kindergarteners. Some schools are now considering phasing out their G&T programs because of these types of diversity issues. Levitt argues that you should only avoid the test if it will be a stressful event for your child. Thompson’s advice: Consider your kid’s personality. “I don’t think there’s harm in taking the exam to expand your options if the kid does well, but gauge the kid. My kids think workbooks and puzzles are fun, so the test didn’t stress them out,” she says. “But it’s not for everyone.” Madeleine Burry is a freelance writer and editor who has held staff positions at Parents. com, Scholastic, and About.com. Burry lives in Park Slope, Brooklyn, with her husband and their cat. You can follow her on Twitter @lovelanewest.

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*Photo by Elizabet Puksto LongIslandParent 21

Back-to-School Resources AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT/ LANGUAGE Advanced Academic Programs of Roslyn

20 Roosevelt Ave., Roslyn 516-484-1789 roslynacademics.com info@roslynacademicprograms.com Roslyn Academic Programs offers enrichment programs for school age children in mathematics, physics, chemistry, robotics, programming and engineering, languages, music, and art. We also offer standardized test (ACT, SAT, etc.) and subject test preparation for high school students.

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. Ages 2-5 at the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium Pollywog Adventures program. Catch & Keep Trout Fishing-spaces available first-come, first-served.

Eye Level

Eye Level Williston Park 61 Hillside Ave., Williston Park 516-747-7700 eyelevelny.com Whether the immediate goal is for early learning, remedial education, or academic education, 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 each success the student grows more self-confident.

Grady edu

1399 Jerusalem Ave., N. Merrick 516-401-4100 gradyedu.com info@gradyedu.com Grady edu offers elite educational programs such as fashion design, culinary arts, woodworking building, dance, drama and acting, music, creative creation arts, and steam science. Grady edu is also the place for after-school programs in tutoring and homework help, and study classes for major exams, finals, or tests.

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. There are many classes to choose, including reading, math, writing, STEM/STEAM, cartooning, theater, art, video game development, Minecraft, and swimming.

Huntington Learning Centers

Baldwin: 516-867-4041 Bay Shore: 631-968-5100 Carle Place: 516-747-5600 East Northport: 631-462-8900 Lynbrook: 516-568-1900 Manhasset: 516-365-4455 Massapequa Park: 516-799-9500 Patchogue: 631-289-4900 Plainview: 516-681-0400 Smithtown: 631-360-0422 huntingtonhelps.com Huntington is the premier tutoring and test prep provider for students kindergarten-12th grades, including SAT, ACT, and state tests. The company prides itself on personalized attention and proven results. Founded in 1977, Huntington’s mission is to give every student the best education possible. Learn more about our mission at huntingtonhelps.com.

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 1979 in response to the recognition of society’s special responsibilities for children with demonstrably superior intellectual ability. The LIU Center for Gifted Youth offers extraordinary teachers recruited from leading schools in the metropolitan area, and university-level facilities.

Main St. Board Game Cafe - Unplug Your Game 307 Main St., Huntington 631-729-0060 mainstboardgamecafe.com/ reservation info@mainstboardgamecafe.com In these two-hour drop-off sessions, kids will learn a wide

September 2019 | nymetroparents.com

variety of strategic board games with our expert staff while having a blast with friends in a screen-free, fun, caring, and individualized environment. Playing board games develops social and critical thinking skills that will last a lifetime.

Mathnasium Learning Centers

414 Central Ave., Cedarhurst 516-569-1500 11 Great Neck Road, Great Neck 516-482-MATH (6284) 381 Sunrise Highway, Lynbrook 516-881-7997 810 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park 516-616-MATH (6284) 217A 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.

Sands Point Preserve

127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point 516-571-7901 sandspointpreserve.org info@sandspointpreserve.org We offer exciting education programs for every age–science, STEAM, horticultural, fitness sessions, outdoor exploration, and mindful meditation. Accredited educators help visitors discover the natural beauty of the environment, methods to conserve its treasures, and the fascinating cultural history of the Guggenheim Estate and legendary Gold Coast of Long Island.

Sylvan Learning Centers of Mineola and Huntington 393 Jericho Turnpike, Mineola 516-743-9943 locations.sylvanlearning.com/us/ mineola-ny 1160 E. Jericho Turnpike, Huntington 631-424-5600 locations.sylvanlearning.com/us/ huntington-ny 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.

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.

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), open seven days-a-week, offers a rigorous and highly-creative academic program, in all subject areas, to gifted students ages 2-16. Its CORE curriculum includes instructional writing/grammar, geography, global studies, STEAM, mathematics, Latin/Greek Etymology, SAT/ACT vocabulary enrichment, business, anatomy/ physiology, advanced study skills, and creative problem solving.

YMCA of Long Island

855-2YMCALI (962254) Bay Shore, East Hampton, Glen Cove, Holtsville, Huntington, and Patchogue ymcali.org camp@ymcali.org info@ymcali.org The YMCA of Long Island’s before- and after-school programs support children in reaching their full potential by providing academic support and hands-on enrichment experiences in a safe, structured environment for children in kindergarten through middle school. The YMCA of Long Island partners with school districts in Nassau and Suffolk counties.

ART Not Just Art

183 South St., Oyster Bay 516-922-8300 notjustart.com create@notjustart.com Engaging natural curiosity and imagination is the heart of our Music Together, art, and science programs. Inclusive hands-on activities emphacontinued on page 24 ››

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LongIslandParent 23

‹‹ continued from age 22

size 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!

DANCE The Argyle Academy of the Arts at The Argyle Theatre

34 W. Main St., Babylon Village 844-631-LIVE (5483) argyletheatre.com boxoffice@argyletheatre.com The Argyle Academy of the Arts Fall Intensive offers classes in acting, singing, and dancing for grades kindergarten-12th. Classes are taught in a supportive environment with theatre professionals. Students build self-confidence and have fun while learning and working on acting, singing, and dancing skills. Fall Intensive runs Sept. 23–Dec. 17.

Eglevsky Ballet

700 Hicksville Road, Suite 102, Bethpage 516-746-1115 eglevskyballet.org Eglevsky Ballet, under the artistic direction of Maurice Brandon Curry, provides professional caliber training for students of

all ages and abilities. Eglevsky presents an annual production of The Nutcracker, two summer intensives, master classes, performing opportunities, and community outreach. Classes are offered in ballet, pointe, modern, character, Pilates, pre-ballet, and adult ballet.

MOMMY & ME 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-makin’ 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. Find a location in Queens or on Long Island.

MUSIC Music Together

and play with your baby, toddler, or preschooler in a play-based, developmentally appropriate musical environment. Find a location in Queens or on Long Island.

STEM 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), open seven days-a-week, offers a rigorous and highly-creative academic program, in all subject areas, to gifted students ages 2-16. Its CORE curriculum includes instructional writing/ grammar, geography, global studies, STEAM, mathematics, Latin/Greek Etymology, SAT/ACT vocabulary enrichment, business, anatomy/ physiology, advanced study skills, and creative problem solving.

THEATER The Argyle Academy of the Arts at The Argyle Theatre 34 W. Main St., Babylon Village

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS

September 2019 | nymetroparents.com

844-631-LIVE (5483) argyletheatre.com boxoffice@argyletheatre.com The Argyle Academy of the Arts Fall Intensive offers classes in acting, singing, and dancing for grades kindergarten-12th. Classes are taught in a supportive environment with theatre professionals. Students build self-confidence and have fun while learning and working on acting, singing, and dancing skills. Fall Intensive runs Sept. 23–Dec. 17.

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Thomas School of Horsemanship continued on page 26 ››

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS

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AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS

‹‹ continued from page 24

Riding Academy

250 Round Swamp Road, Melville 631-692-6840 tshcamp.com; tsh@tshcamp.com Thomas School of Horsemanship offers unique after-school programs for all levels of riding from beginners to advanced. We offer group or private lessons in seasonal series. Many students ride all year-round and compete in horse shows. We also offer our students the possibility of leasing a horse.

GYMNASTICS & CHEERLEADING Gold Medal Gymnastics Centers After School Classes & Programs - Grades K-12

Mathematics • Physics • Robotics • STEAM Coding • Test Prep • Homework Help • Private Tutoring

Our advanced curriculum provides deeper understanding of concepts and development of logic and creative problem solving.

Art, Music, Chess, Dance, Sports and Foreign Language classes are also available! Contact us today

www.rosalynacademicprograms.com 20 Roosevelt Ave. Roslyn, NY (516) 484-1789

NASSAU: 1100 Stewart Ave, Garden City 516-357-3636 gardencity@gmgc.com 210 Gardiners Ave., Levittown 516-735-4653 levittown@gmgc.com; gmgc.com Long Island’s leading gymnastics center, “Where Every Child is a Champion” since 1973. Island-wide with six locations and fully certified instructors. We offer classes for boys and girls 3 months to 18 years, beginner to advanced, licensed Ninja Zone Program and action-packed birthday parties!

HORSEBACK RIDING Thomas School of Horsemanship Riding Academy

READING/WRITING LEARNING CLINIC

ICE-SKATING & ICE HOCKEY Northwell Health Ice Center

at the

Joan and Arnold Saltzman Community Services Center 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

FALL CLASSES ARE NOW FORMING For more information, including registration and fall program options, visit hofstra.edu/rwlclinic or call 516-463-5805.

200 Merrick Ave., East Meadow 516-441-0070 northwellhealthicecenter.com Northwell Health Ice Center, the coolest place on Long Island, is the premier hockey destination and official practice facility of the New York Islanders. Starting Sept. 28, our in-house hockey programs are perfect for young players (ages 5-14) to learn and develop their hockey skills in a fun, exciting atmosphere.

SWIMMING & WATER SPORTS

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September 2019 | nymetroparents.com

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BACK TO SCHOOL SERVICES DENTISTS & ORTHODONTISTS 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.

PDM Family Dental

295 N. Broadway, Jericho 516-388-5002 pdmfamilydental.com info@pdmfamilydental.com PDM Family Dental provides comprehensive care for your family’s dental needs. Dr. Makkar is an advocate of educating families to take care of their dental needs and of supporting communities. We accept most insurances and provide in-office dental plans so that dental care is accessible to all. We are open evenings.

The Tooth Pillow Dentistry

775 Park Ave., Suite 340, Huntington 516-317-2476 toothpillowny.com The Tooth Pillow Dentistry is a group of board-certified pediatric dentists and dentist anesthesiologists who work together to safely provide dental treatment while your child “sleeps.” We provide this service for children who cannot be treated in the typical dental chair setting due to age, behavior, or other factors that hinder treatment.

DOCTORS Long Island Center for Speech and Myofunctional Therapy

Locations across Suffolk and Nassau: East Yaphank, Farmingville, Stony Brook, Commack, Jericho, continued on next page 28 ››

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS

SANDS POINT PRESERVE GUGGENHEIM ESTATE

Is your child GIFTED? REGISTER TODAY FOR FALL CLASSES • AGES 2-15

LEARNING ADVENTURES After-School Art, Science, Yoga for Preschool – 5th Grade Earth Expeditions for 6th – 8th Grades Horticultural Programs in Our Organic Vegetable Garden Programs for Individuals with Special Needs Family & Adult Nature Programs Four Seasons of Family Yoga

All Academic Subjects • Open 7 days Daytime, After School & Weekend Classes

INSTRUCTIONAL WRITING WORKSHOPS AGES 5-16

Monthly Guided Nature Walks

“The Goddard Connection” Exhibition in tribute to the ‘Father of Modern Rocketry,’ whose inventions were sponsored by the Guggenheims and formed the basis for all future space travel. THE SANdS POINT PRESERVE on the original Guggenheim Estate embodies the grandeur that defines the legendary Gold Coast “Gatsby” era, when prominent American families built great estates as summer retreats along the shores of the LI Sound. Today, the magnificent 216acre public park is owned by Nassau County and run by the Sands Point Preserve Conservancy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

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Enriching brilliant minds every day… in every way. Convenient Nassau & Suffolk Locations 631-549-2313 • www.VillageEastGifted.com

Support the mission to preserve this legendary site, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and receive free parking and discounted admission to select events.

For information: SandsPointPreserve.org 516.571.7901 • info@sandspointpreserve.org 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point, NY LongIslandParent 27

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS

‹‹ continued from page 26

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Laura Adler-Greene, 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; lag@amcohenlaw.com The Law Offices of Andrew M. Cohen provides personalized, high quality special needs estate planning and special education legal services at a reasonable cost. Attorneys Cohen and Adler-Greene also conduct free workshops on several topics for agencies, schools, and parent groups.

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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 across Long Island, specializing in PROMPT, feeding, myofunctional therapy, voice disorders, fluency, augmentative communication, articulation, auditory processing disorders, expressive and receptive language disorders.

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September 2019 | nymetroparents.com

playosmo.com Osmo merges tactile exploration with iPad and Fire tablets, actively engaging children in the learning process. Whether your child is a music lover, budding coder, or aspiring mathematician, Osmo has the right games to inspire your child.

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Family First

100 E. Old Country Road, Suite 14, Mineola 516-804-1010 hello@familyfirstli.org Family First is a sliding-scale psychotherapy practice offering professional services for children age 6 and older, teens, and their families. Effectively addressing the mental health concerns students are facing as they navigate the transition back to school is vital for their overall growth, development, and well-being. Call us today, 516804-1010.

Fidelis Care New York

888-FIDELIS (343-3547) fideliscare.org Fidelis Care is a mission-driven health plan offering quality, affordable coverage for children and adults of all ages and at all stages of life. With more than 1.7 million members statewide, Fidelis Care believes that all New Yorkers should have access to affordable, quality health insurance.

Laura Adler-Greene, 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 lag@amcohenlaw.com The Law Offices of Andrew M. Cohen provides personalized, high quality special needs estate planning and special education legal services at a reasonable cost. Attorneys Cohen and Adler-Greene also conduct free workshops on several topics for agencies, schools, and parent groups.

Lice Clinics of America - Long Island

47 Jackson Ave., Syosset 516-336-4099 566 Merrick Road, Rockville Centre 401 Hawkins Avenue, Ronkonkoma liceclinicslongisland.com We remove lice in just one hour! All lice and eggs-even Super Lice-are eliminated in a single, one-hour treatment. Our treatments are affordable, starting at $99, and never more than $199. Gentle heated air treatment, no toxic chemicals! continued on page 30 ››

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS

BETTER SAVE GRADES WITH $100* HUNTINGTON! OUR STUDENTS INCREASE

2+ GRADE LEVELS

IN THREE MONTHS ON AVERAGE**

Registration is open for our 2019 - 20 season in Bethpage and Garden City

TUTORING Reading - Writing - Math - Study Skills - Vocabulary - Phonics ADHD - Algebra - Geometry - Trigonometry - Pre-Calculus - Calculus Earth Science - Biology - Chemistry - Physics TEST PREP SAT - ACT - State Tests - Advanced Placement (AP) SSAT - ISEE - SHSAT - TACHS - HSPT - ASVAB

Bethpage

Garden City BALDWIN 516-867-4041

516-828-6671

CARLE PLACE 516-747-5600

MANHASSET 516-365-4455

FLUSHING 718-358-7900

MASSAPEQUA PARK 516-799-9500

LYNBROOK 516-568-1900 PLAINVIEW 516-681-0400

CALL 1-800 CAN LEARN HuntingtonHelps.com

Satellite location!

Main Location Eglevsky Ballet www.eglevskyballet.org

©2019 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 to 2014 using the full set of available student data. SAT is a registered trademark of College Board. ACT is a registered trademark of ACT, Inc. None of these entities endorses or was involved in the production of the program.

516-828-6671

Whether you’re a seasoned rider or a beginner, we have the right program for you!

Our Long Island Riding School offers lessons for all skill levels, from very beginner to those looking to compete in USEF Horse Shows. Programs for ages 3-adult. You will get to utilize our state-of-the-art grounds, bond with our horses, and make new friends while learning new skills. Our Instructors are certified to ensure that safety is the first priority.

GIVE YOUR CHILD A BIRTHDAY TO REMEMBER FOR A LIFETIME!

HORSEBACK RIDING BIRTHDAY PARTIES!

Parties are more fun with horses and friends! Ride, Play Outside, and have exclusive use of our Party Room! Call today to speak with our party specialists to plan the perfect party!

(631) 692-6840 • TSHCamp.com • 250 Round Swamp Road, Melville LongIslandParent 29

‹‹ continued from page 28

Call us 24/7. Appointments available seven days-a-week; we can even handle your after-hours emergency!

Once Upon A Child

1089 Hicksville Road, Seaford 516-579-4200 onceuponachildseaford.com kndkidsouac@aol.com We buy and sell gently used and new kids clothing, furniture, equipment, and toys! We pay cash for an array of gently used name brand items. Each item brought into our store is individually reviewed. We will purchase gently used and new items that meet current style and safety standards.

Osmo

TUTORS & TEST PREP Advanced Academic Programs of Roslyn

Eye Level

Grady edu

in tutoring and homework help, and study classes for major exams, finals, or tests.

Huntington Learning Centers

Mathnasium Learning Centers

Sylvan Learning Centers of Mineola and Huntington

393 Jericho Turnpike, Mineola 516-743-9943 locations.sylvanlearning.com/us/ mineola-ny 1160 E. Jericho Turnpike, Huntington 631-424-5600 locations.sylvanlearning.com/us/ huntington-ny 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 stateof-the-art assessment, personal learning plans, and certified teachers to ensure the high level of quality instruction and support that Sylvan prides itself on.

September 2019 | nymetroparents.com

EDUCATION DAY CARE & CHILD CARE Ivy Prep Early Learning Academy of Deer Park

80 W. Industry Court, Deer Park 631-667-3507 ivyprep.org/locations/deer-park deerpark@ivyprep.org Licensed daycare dedicated to providing a fun, safe, and enriching environment for the care of your young ones. Our dedicated staff work to get to know every child to develop a trusting bond. We strive to give the best possible care to all children ages 6 weeks to pre-K.

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. 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.

YMCA of Long Island

855-2YMCALI (962254) Bay Shore, East Hampton, Glen Cove, Holtsville, Huntington, and Patchogue ymcali.org; info@ymcali.org The YMCA of Long Island’s beforeand after-school programs support children in reaching their full potential by providing academic support and hands-on enrichment experiences in a safe, structured environment for children in kindergarten through middle school. The YMCA of Long Island partners with school districts in Nassau and Suffolk counties.

PAROCHIAL & RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS Catholic Elementary Schools of Long Island

Diocese of Rockville Centre Multiple Locations 516-280-2479 licatholicelementaryschools.org Long Island’s Catholic elementary schools are 43 unique and beautiful schools in Nassau and Suffolk counties that educate the whole child in the spirit of service and compassion. Coupled with God’s love, we strive to inspire each child to grow spiritually and academically in a diverse and challenging world.

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, 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.

St. Dominic Elementary School

35 School St., Oyster Bay 516-922-4233 stdomsob.org Saint Dominic Elementary School was established in 1924 as one of the first Catholic schools on Long Island. Our primary mission is to incorporate the teachings, values, and traditions of Catholic faith into the religious, academic, physical, and social development of students to prepare them to become leaders of tomorrow.

PRESCHOOLS 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 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 Dr. Maria Montessori. Everything in our school is designed to encourage and aid a child’s natural curiosity.

Ivy Prep Early Learning Academy of Deer Park

80 W. Industry Court, Deer Park 631-667-3507 ivyprep.org/locations/deer-park deerpark@ivyprep.org Ivy League Learning Academy Preschool Program is designed to allow children to grow and develop into lifelong learners. Our certified teachers and specialized curriculum embrace each child’s individuality. The pre-K program focus is on preparing children for kindergarten. We make sure all children are on track with developing socially, cognitively, communicatively, and physically.

Trinity Episcopal Church Roslyn Childcare Center

PRIVATE SCHOOLS Catholic Elementary Schools of Long Island Diocese of Rockville Centre Multiple Locations 516-280-2479 licatholicelementaryschools.org Long Island’s Catholic elementary schools are 43 unique and beautiful schools in Nassau and Suffolk counties that educate the whole child in the spirit of service and compassion. Coupled with God’s love, we strive to inspire each child to grow spiritually and academically in a diverse and challenging world.

East Woods School

31 Yellow Cote Road, Oyster Bay 516-922-4400 eastwoods.org East Woods, in Oyster Bay, is a private school for age 2-eighth grade. We are a friendly community of students, faculty, and parents that feels more like one big family. We have been inspiring confidence, excellence, and kindness since 1946. We develop confident, motivated, and kind leaders.

The Green Vale School

250 Valentine’s Lane, Old Brookville 516-621-2420 greenvaleschool.org Green Vale is Long Island’s premier and largest coed, independent elementary school for pre-nursery through eighth grade. A program of exceptional academics and small class sizes is combined with emphasis on athletics, visual and performing arts, and character education at every grade level.

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, 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.

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Love of Learning Montessori School

105 Prospect Road, Centerport 631-629-5599 lolmontessori.org An AMS member school, Love of Learning Montessori has for 20 years provided an authentic handson education for children ages 3 through sixth grade. Exploration in our woods and on our beach is actively encouraged. Love of Learning-where we love to learn and learn to love. Financial aid is available.

St. Dominic Elementary School

SPECIAL NEEDS 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 services to more than 750 children and families annually. Services include evaluation to determine eligibility, early intervention, special education, Special Classes in an Integrated Setting, Special Education Itinerant Services, Applied Behavioral Analysis, Family Center Sunday Respite and Recreation Program, Social Skills Training Groups, and Lufrano Training.

www.notjustart.com 183 South Street Oyster Bay, NY 516-922-8300

Nurturing Creativity ®

music together ®• art • science classes • vacation camps • studio days • parties play groups • homeschoolers • scouts

Music Together® locations in Babylon, Bellmore, Garden City, Huntington, Manhassett, Massapequa, Oyster Bay, Plainview, Sea Cliff

LIU POST’S CENTER FOR GIFTED YOUTH

FALL 2019 AND SPRING 2020 SATURDAY PROGRAM

Are You the Parent of a Gifted Child? LIU Post’s Center for Gifted Youth announces its 40th annual summer program for gifted children. The fall program runs on Saturdays from Oct. 5th to

Dec. 14th, 2019 and the spring program runs on Saturdays from Feb. 1st to April 25th, 2020. The program is open to gifted children entering grades 2-8 in Sept. 2019. The program expands students’ knowledge,

develops creative and critical thinking skills, and offers children the opportunity to learn in an exciting and accepting environment.

INQUIRE ABOUT TRANSPORTATION!

Admission is highly selective and enrollment is limited.

Oct 5th - Dec 14th, 2019 & Feb 1st - April 25th, 2020 for students entering Kindergarten in September 2019

For information call 516-299-2160 liu.edu/post/giftedyouth Now find us on Facebook

LIU Post • College of Education, Information and Technology • 720 Northern Blvd. • Brookville, NY 11548-1300 liu.edu/post/giftedyouth • Dr. Lynne Manouvrier, Director

LongIslandParent 31

things to do

city bound

N Y C

Remembering 9/11 in NYC By Melissa Wickes

The Table of Silence Project aims to celebrate and honor peace in a united moment of silence.

A Moment of Silence

Courtesy NYC Fire Museum

The 9th Annual 9/11 Table of Silence Project is a free public dance tribute to Sept. 11 designed to commemorate those lost and pray for peace. More than 100 dancers from major companies and schools in New York City come together for a presentation that begins at 8:15am and ends exactly at 8:46am, the time the North Tower was struck. Wednesday, Sept. 11. Ages: All. Free to attend. Josie Robertson Plaza, 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, Upper West Side. tableofsilence.org.

The NYC Fire Museum’s 9/11 Memorial Room is the first permanent memorial to the members of the FDNY who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001.

Honor and Commemorate First Responders

The NYC Fire Museum holds a 9/11 Memorial Ceremony on the anniversary each year, led by a NYFD commissioner with a speech by the museum director. While you are there, spend some time at the museum’s memorial to the 343 members of the FDNY who lost their lives that day. The exhibit chronicles and commemorates with a marble and tile memorial, tools recovered from Ground Zero, and opportunities to learn more about the late firefighters. Wednesday, Sept. 11, 11am. Ages: All. Free to attend event. NYC Fire Museum, 278 Spring St., Hudson Square. Visit website for museum admission information: nycfiremuseum.org. 32

September 2019 | nymetroparents.com

On Sept. 11, 9/11 Memorial & Museum visitors place flowers in the names of victims on the memorial panels.

9/11 Memorial & Museum

Every year on Sept. 11, New Yorkers and Americans remember the thousands of lives lost in 2001. The reflecting pools and the new 9/11 Memorial Glade, a dedication to recovery workers and community members who have become sick or died due to toxins at the WTC site, offer a peaceful place for remembrance and meditation. And the museum offers an in-depth experience for families of all kinds. Visit it: 180 Greenwich St., Tribeca. 911memorial.org. Can’t-miss event: Tribute in Light; Wednesday, Sept. 11

Courtesy 9/11 Tribute Museum

Terri Gold

Ciara Bergin

W he hile y re ou , v ’r isit e …

9/11 Tribute Museum Walking Tours are personal, emotional tours given by people who were there and directly affected by Sept. 11, 2001.

9/11 Tribute Museum Walking Tours

Survivors, family members of lost loved ones, first responders, recovery workers, and other people who lived and worked in lower Manhattan in 2001 offer their personal, emotional experiences of Sept. 11. Each tour is unique to your guide while also providing history of the WTC and the aftermath, stops at the Firefighter Memorial Wall, an opportunity to tour the 9/11 Tribute Museum, and more. Visit it: 92 Greenwich St., Tribeca. 911tributemuseum.org. Can’t-miss event: Annual 9/11 National Day of Service & Remembrance: Bike Build; Wednesday, Sept. 25, 10am-3:30pm

Ideas When You Need Them:

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

nymetroparents.com/register

Turn the page for details on Long Island Parents Day (No. 4 on our list).

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

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WANT US TO INCLUDE YOUR EVENT?

nymetroparents.com/submitevent UPDATED DAILY AT nymetroparents.com/calendar

nassaucal@davlermedia.com

SEPTEMBER CALENDAR

34 Editor’s Hot Tickets

41 Special Needs

35 We Can’t Believe It’s FREE! 36 Crafty Kids

42 The Great Outdoors, On Screen

37 Mini Musicians

43 Browse & Buy

38 Movers & Shakers

44 Smarty Pants

39 Holiday Fun

45 Fun Fairs & Festivals

40 Kindness Crusaders, Little Foodies

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! The Wiggles: Party Time Tour!

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 4, 11am WHERE: NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Join Emma as she performs Irish, ballet, and other bow-tiful dancing. Listen to Anthony play his guitar, banjo, and bagpipes. Do the actions with Simon as he sings “Simon Says.” And if Lachy falls asleep, call out “Wake up Lachy!” WHY WE LOVE IT: You can sing and dance along to all your favorite classic Wiggles songs, as well as plenty of new favorites. WANT TO GO? $40. 516-247-5200. thetheatreatwestbury.com.

Village Day Fall Festival

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 8, 12-4pm WHERE: Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate the autumn season with outdoor activities for children of all ages, including a petting zoo, pony rides, and hayrides. WHY WE LOVE IT: Kids can paint pumpkins while parents peruse awardwinning artisanal cheeses and farm-picked vegetables. WANT TO GO? $20 per car; $10 per car members. 516-571-7901. sandspointpreserve.org.

Peppa Pig Live! ‘Peppa Pig’s Adventure!’

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WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 11, Doors: 4:30pm, Show: 6pm WHERE: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Peppa Pig, George, and their friends are back with a

September 2019 | nymetroparents.com

brand new live show, Peppa Pig’s Adventure. WHY WE LOVE IT: Bring younger siblings! Babies 1 year and younger can sit on a lap for free. WANT TO GO? $25.50 and up. 631-673-7300. paramountny.com.

Long Island Parents Day FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 15, 11am-3pm WHERE: Long Island University, Pratt Recreation Center, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville AGES: All WHAT: LI Parents Day is a fun day for the whole family. Kids can enjoy activities, classes, crafts, animals, sports, treats, and more while parents meet back-to-school exhibitors, such as after-school classes and programs, birthday party venues, special needs providers, health and wellness professionals, local museums and day trip locations, and more! WHY WE LOVE IT: Tip alert! Use code “NYMP1” to receive free tickets when registering online. WANT TO GO? 646-736-3619. liparentsday.com.

27th Annual Italian Festival

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 15, 11am-5pm WHERE: Hofstra University South Campus, 1000 Hempstead Turnpike, Hempstead AGES: All WHAT: This popular tradition features a full itinerary of crafts, live entertainment, children’s activities, and food. WHY WE LOVE IT: Expect a festive atmosphere with lots of music, dancing, and costumes. WANT TO GO? $6; $5 senior citizens; free for children younger than 12. 516-463-6582. hofstra.edu.

Get weekend activities delivered to you!

nymetroparents.com/register ››

Family Fall Festival FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 22, 1:30-3pm WHERE: Floral Park Library, 17 Caroline Place, Floral Park AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy fun activities, including playing with giant games, munching on delicious popcorn, and a visit to the famous pumpkin patch. WHY WE LOVE IT: Every kid can pick and decorate a pumpkin! WANT TO GO? 516-326-6330. floralparklibrary.org.

The Big Chocolate Show

WHEN: Sept. 21-22, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-5pm WHERE: Resorts World NYC, 110-00 Rockaway Blvd., South Ozone Park, Queens AGES: All WHAT: This family-friendly event features samples, chocolate tastings, live demonstrations, classes, and more. Families will enjoy the s’mores workshop and lollipop making, truffle making, and cake decorating classes. WHY WE LOVE IT: Indulge for a good cause! The show benefits Cookies for Kids Cancer, a national nonprofit committed to putting an end to pediatric cancers. WANT TO GO? $15 and up. 800-630-4405.thebigchocolateshow.com.

‘Sesame Street Live! Make Your Magic’

WHEN: Sept. 20-22, Friday, 2pm and 5:30pm; Saturday, 10:30am, 2pm, 5:30pm; Sunday, 10:30am and 2pm WHERE: NYCB LIVE, Home of The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 1255 Hempstead Turnpike, Uniondale AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Your favorite Sesame Street friends are back in Sesame Street Live! Make Your Magic! WHY WE LOVE IT: See all your favorite Sesame Street residents in person! WANT TO GO? $20 and up. 516-231-4848. nycblive.com.

Long Island Fair

WHEN: Sept. 21-29, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-5pm; last admission is 3:30pm WHERE: Old Bethpage Restoration Village, 1303 Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage AGES: All WHAT: Families will enjoy pig racing, a high dive show, a bicycle stunt show, a petting zoo and camel rides, The Butterfly Experience, musical performances, and magic shows. WHY WE LOVE IT: Get a taste of history too with Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders and The Old Bethpage Village Brass Band. WANT TO GO? $15; $13 seniors older than 60 and children ages 5-12; free for children younger than 5. 516-572-8401. lifair.org.

The 27th Annual Malverne Fall Festival & Classic Car Show

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 29, 11am-4pm WHERE: Malverne Village, Park and Lots surrounding Malverne Train Station, Malverne AGES: All WHAT: The festival will feature a craft fair, live entertainment, inflatable kids’ rides, dance and martial arts demos, and a pumpkin patch. WHY WE LOVE IT: Stay for lunch with the delicious chili cook off. WANT TO GO? Admission is free, prices vary for goods. lifairs.com.

WE CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S FREE

Think a freebie has to be ho-hum? Don’t let the price tag (or lack of one) fool you. Here are the five no-cost events we’re excited about now. You’re welcome.

3D Printed Cosplay Ideas For Teens FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 4, 3:30-5pm WHERE: Syosset Public Library, 225 S. Oyster Bay Road, Syosset AGES: 11-17 WHAT: Learn how to 3-D print on mesh fabric and make accessories for your costume ideas. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-921-7161. syossetlibrary.org.

Rise Above (a Bully Defense Workshop) FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 8, 12:30-1:30pm WHERE: Warren Levi Martial Arts & Fitness, 136 Washington Ave., Cedarhurst AGES: All WHAT: Parents and children are invited to this important Bully Defense Workshop. Register online. WANT TO GO? 516-569-0808. sparkpages.io/cart/2/Default. aspx?i=lqd&l=&c=.

Tots’ Night Out FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 19, 7-8pm WHERE: North Merrick Public Library, 1691 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick AGES: 18 months to 3½ years WHAT: Enjoy an hour of music, movement, fine and gross motor development, and storytelling. There will also be a lunch box craft. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-378-7474. nmerricklibrary.org.

Mothers’ Center Circle FREE

WHEN: Sept. 18-25, Wednesdays, 10-11:30am WHERE: Rockville Centre Public Library, 221 N. Village Ave., Rockville Centre AGES: Adult WHAT: At each meeting, facilitators help connect moms on the joys and challenges of motherhood and support each other through the journey. WANT TO GO? 516-766-6257. rvclibrary.org.

Potty Time with Christina FREE

WHEN: Friday, Sept. 27, 10:30-11:15am WHERE: Oceanside Library, 30 Davison Ave., Oceanside AGES: 2-5 WHAT: Need help setting up a potty time routine? Try singing and signing your way through it! WANT TO GO? 516-766-2360. oceansidelibrary.com.. ››

LongIslandParent 35

Back to School Paint Event: Paint Minion with Apple

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 14, 1:30-3pm WHERE: Key to My Art East Rockaway, 131 Main St., East Rockaway AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Kids will paint a Minion character with an apple! WANT TO GO? $20. 516-218-2920. keytomyart.com.

Beaded Backpack Tassel Tags FREE

CRAFTY KIDS Paw Patrol Adopt-A-Puppy Event

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 4, 10:30-11:15am WHERE: Once Upon A Treetop, 151 Dupont St., Plainview AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Enjoy crafts, a story time, and treats, while making new friends. WANT TO GO? $30. 516-349-1140. onceuponatreetop.com.

‘Chicka Chicka Boom Boom!’ Time to Play in Ms. Dawn’s Room WHEN: Friday, Sept. 6, 10:30-11:15am WHERE: Once Upon A Treetop, 151 Dupont St., Plainview AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Make a Chicka Chicka Boom Boom alphabet tree. WANT TO GO? $25. 516-349-1140. onceuponatreetop.com.

Finger Paint Fun FREE

WHEN: Friday, Sept. 6, 10:30-11:30am WHERE: Glen Cove Public Library, 4 Glen Cove Ave., Glen Cove AGES: 2-5 WHAT: Preschoolers will finger paint while wearing an apron. Dress to mess! WANT TO GO? 516-676-2130. glencovelibrary.org.

WHEN: Monday, Sept. 16, 4-8pm WHERE: West Hempstead Public Library, 500 Hempstead Ave., West Hempstead AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Create a beaded tassel tag to make your backpack unique. WANT TO GO? 516-481-6591. whplibrary.org.

Washi Tape Notebooks FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 19, 7-8pm WHERE: Island Trees Public Library, 38 Farmedge Road, Island Trees AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Bring a notebook to decorate with washi tape. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-731-2211. islandtreespubliclibrary.org.

LOL Doll Paint Event: Paint Teacher’s Pet

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 21, 1:30-3pm WHERE: Key to My Art East Rockaway, 131 Main St., East Rockaway AGES: 5-17 WHAT: Kids will have fun while painting LOL Doll’s Teacher’s Pet. WANT TO GO? $20. 516-218-2920. keytomyart.com.

Children’s Workshop: Make Your Own Scrimshaw Candle

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 22, 12-2pm WHERE: Planting Fields Arboretum, 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Make a scrimshaw candle to take home. Reservations required. WANT TO GO? $5; free for members and children younger than 12. 516922-8672. plantingfields.org.

Shark Mania

3D Printing with TinkerCad FREE

Handprint Owls FREE

Animal Dot Painting

WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 10, 12:15-1:15pm WHERE: Island Trees Public Library, 38 Farmedge Road, Island Trees AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Create a fun fall picture using your handprints! Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-731-2211. islandtreespubliclibrary.org.

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 25, 6-7pm WHERE: Oceanside Library, 30 Davison Ave., Oceanside AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Create a painting of an animal. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-766-2360. oceansidelibrary.com.

DIY Stress Balls FREE

Pressed Leaf Drawstring Bag FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 12, 7:30-8:30pm WHERE: Island Trees Public Library, 38 Farmedge Road, Island Trees AGES: 9-17 WHAT: Make DIY stress balls! Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-731-2211. islandtreespubliclibrary.org.

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 25, 4:30-5:30pm WHERE: Island Trees Public Library, 38 Farmedge Road, Island Trees AGES: 5-10 WHAT: Bring real leaves and paint a canvas bag ready. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-731-2211. islandtreespubliclibrary.org.

After-Hours Perler Bead Party FREE

Stress Stinks! FREE

WHEN: Monday, Sept. 9, 10:30-11:15am WHERE: Once Upon A Treetop, 151 Dupont St., Plainview AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Listen to Bedtime for Baby Shark, then make shark-related crafts! Registration required. WANT TO GO? $30. 516-349-1140. onceuponatreetop.com.

WHEN: Friday, Sept. 13, 6-7pm WHERE: Wantagh Public Library, 3285 Park Ave., Wantagh AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Design your own perler bead creations. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-221-1200. wantaghlibrary.org. 36

September 2019 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Monday, Sept. 23, 7-8:30pm WHERE: North Merrick Public Library, 1691 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick AGES: 10-17 WHAT: Learn 3-D printing basics! Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-378-7474. nmerricklibrary.org.

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 26, 7-8pm WHERE: Glen Cove Public Library, 4 Glen Cove Ave., Glen Cove AGES: 13-17 WHAT: After a mindfulness activity, make a calming glitter jar. WANT TO GO? 516-676-2130. glencovelibrary.org.

MINI

MUSICIANS

C O AT E V E N T

SEPT 28 - 29

Saturday, 9am - 6pm Sunday, 11am - 5pm

Tot’s Night Ou t FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 10, 7-8pm WHERE: Island Trees Public Library, 38 Farmedge Road, Island Trees AGES: 18 months to pre-K WHAT: Interactive fun includes singing, dancing, storytelling, a fun craft, and much more! Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-731-2211. islandtreespubliclibrary.org.

Songs with Dara: Apple Songs FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 17, 10:30-11:15am WHERE: Merrick Library, 2279 Merrick Ave., Merrick AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Children will listen to Dara sing songs and tell stories. WANT TO GO? 516-377-6112. merricklibrary.org.

Be the first to pick from our great selection of cold weather gear!

PlayHooray Kids FREE

WHEN: Friday, Sept. 20, 12:30-1:15pm WHERE: Floral Park Library, 17 Caroline Place, Floral Park AGES: 6 months to prßeschool WHAT: Music, movement, and loads of fun! Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-326-6330. floralparklibrary.org.

SAVE UP TO 70% OFF MALL PRICES. 1089 Hicksville Road, Seaford ¼ Mile North of Southern State Parkway (exit 29N,Rte 107)

Steel Impressions Steelband Concert FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 21, 2-3pm WHERE: Baldwin Public Library, 2385 Grand Ave., Baldwin AGES: All WHAT: Join the library for an interactive concert featuring authentic Caribbean music. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-223-6228. baldwinpl.org.

Music for Aardvarks FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 21, 10-10:45am WHERE: Syosset Public Library, 225 S. Oyster Bay Road, Syosset AGES: 6 months to 5 WHAT: Song, dance, and rhythm for a rockin’ good time. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-921-7161. syossetlibrary.org.

Musical Play FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 25, 10-10:45am WHERE: Syosset Public Library, 225 S. Oyster Bay Road, Syosset AGES: Newborn to 4, adult WHAT: Explore and respond to musical experiences. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-921-7161. syossetlibrary.org.

Family Fun with PlayHooray FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 28, 10:30-11:15am WHERE: Merrick Library, 2279 Merrick Ave., Merrick AGES: 6 months to 5, adult WHAT: Sing, dance, and play! Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-377-6112. merricklibrary.org.

BabyJam Music & Movement Class FREE

WHEN: Sept. 14-28, Saturdays, 11-11:45am WHERE: Great Neck Library, 159 Bayview Ave., Great Neck AGES: 6-36 months WHAT: Enjoy guitar sing-alongs, movement, early learning, and play with your little ones. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-466-8055. greatnecklibrary.org. ››

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BounceU of Farmingdale (631) 777-JUMP (5867) • BounceU.com/farmingdale 101 Carolyn Blvd., Farmingdale, NY 11735 LongIslandParent 37

11th Annual Blazing Trails for Autism 4 Mile Run/Walk

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 8, registration 7-8:15am; race 8:30am WHERE: William A. Shine Great Neck South High School, 341 Lakeville Road, Lake Success AGES: All WHAT: This event brings everyone together for a day to raise funds and autism awareness. WANT TO GO? $30; $25 pre-registration. 516-937-1397. eden2.org.

Zumba FREE

MOVERS & SHAKERS Soccer Class for Children FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 1, age 2: 9:30-10am; ages 3-4: 10:30-11:10am; ages 5-7: 11:30am-12:20pm WHERE: Cedar Creek Park, 3340 Merrick Road, Seaford AGES: 3-4 WHAT: See what Soccer Shots is all about. Must register to participate! WANT TO GO? 516-558-2266. longislandwest.soccershots.com.

Back-to-School Bingo FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 12, ages 4-7: 5-5:45pm; ages 8-12: 5:45-6:30pm WHERE: Merrick Library, 2279 Merrick Ave., Merrick AGES: 4-12 WHAT: Children will learn dance routines, hear music from all over the world, and have fun at a Zumba class. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-377-6112. merricklibrary.org.

Imagination Station FREE

WHEN: Monday, Sept. 16, 2-2:45pm WHERE: Wantagh Public Library, 3285 Park Ave., Wantagh AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Let your child’s imagination guide them through this fun session of unstructured creativity. There will be Play-Doh, building bricks, and STEM-based challenges around the room for them to explore. WANT TO GO? 516-221-1200. wantaghlibrary.org.

Yoga and Mindfulness FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 5, 4:30-5:30pm WHERE: Oceanside Library, 30 Davison Ave., Oceanside AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Celebrate the new school year with bingo! Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-766-2360. oceansidelibrary.com.

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 21, 2-2:45pm WHERE: Wantagh Public Library, 3285 Park Ave., Wantagh AGES: 5-9 WHAT: This engaging class fosters a sense of community and fun! Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-221-1200. wantaghlibrary.org.

Baby & Me Yoga

Family Yoga

WHEN: Friday, Sept. 6, 10-11am WHERE: Oceanside Library, 30 Davison Ave., Oceanside AGES: Newborn to 2, adult WHAT: Meet local moms and build friendships in a relaxed and welcoming environment while moving with your baby. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $4. 516-766-2360. oceansidelibrary.com.

Chess Nuts Unite FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 7, 2:30-4pm WHERE: Baldwin Public Library, 2385 Grand Ave., Baldwin AGES: 5-17 WHAT: Join the library for a game of chess. There will be plenty of snacks for everyone. WANT TO GO? 516-223-6228. baldwinpl.org.

Open House FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 8, 9am-1pm WHERE: Friedberg JCC, 15 Neil Court, Oceanside AGES: All WHAT: A free day of fun! Expect basketball, Zumba, open swim, pickleball, arts and crafts, refreshments, personal training specials, and raffles. WANT TO GO? 516-766-4341. friedbergjcc.org.

Friedberg JCC 5K Run for a Cause

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 8, 8am WHERE: Friedberg JCC, 15 Neil Court, Oceanside AGES: 9 and older WHAT: The 5K race will benefit the Senior Adult Day Care Program, a social model day care for adults 60 and older suffering from Alzheimer’s or related dementia. WANT TO GO? $25; $20 members. 516-766-4341. friedbergjcc.org. 38

September 2019 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 22, 10-10:45am WHERE: Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point AGES: All WHAT: Experience the wonderful benefits of yoga with family and friends. Yoga practice aligns naturally with children’s imaginations as they create the shapes of animals and plants using their bodies. Pre-registration required. WANT TO GO? $15 per car; $5 per car members. 516-571-7901. sandspointpreserve.org.

18th Annual Family Walk

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 22, check-in and day-of registration: 7:30am; kids fun run: 8:45am; walk: 9am WHERE: Eisenhower Park, Parking Field 2, East Meadow AGES: All WHAT: Raise money for a good cause then enjoy food, refreshments, games, music, and activities for kids! WANT TO GO? $35; $30 pre-registration; $25 day-of ages 6-12; $20 ages 6-12 in advance; free for children 5 and younger. 314-942-7201. itsyourrace.com.

Teen Scavenger Hunt FREE

WHEN: Monday, Sept. 23, 7-8pm WHERE: West Hempstead Public Library, 500 Hempstead Ave., West Hempstead AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Compete in a library scavenger hunt and meet one of the Teen Librarians. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-481-6591. whplibrary.org.

Tween Maker: Bloxels FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 24, 7-8pm WHERE: Merrick Library, 2279 Merrick Ave., Merrick

AGES: 9-12 WHAT: Tweens will learn how to create their own videogame using Bloxels. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-377-6112. merricklibrary.org.

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PlayHooray FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 24, 10:15-11am and 11:15am-12pm WHERE: North Merrick Public Library, 1691 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick AGES: 6 months to 4, adult WHAT: Music, dancing, music, and Molly the Mouse! Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-378-7474. nmerricklibrary.org.

Baby Ballet

WHEN: Sept. 11-25, Wednesdays, 11-11:45am WHERE: Great Neck Library, 159 Bayview Ave., Great Neck AGES: Walkers to 4 years, adult WHAT: Engage in age-appropriate dance while learning rhythm, posture, coordination, and balance through a fun and structured class. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-466-8055. greatnecklibrary.org.

KerboomKidz Dance FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 25, 7-7:45pm WHERE: Syosset Public Library, 225 S. Oyster Bay Road, Syosset AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Have fun while gaining rhythm and confidence with this high energy dance fitness class. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-921-7161. syossetlibrary.org.

Imagination Playground

WHEN: Sept. 5-26, Thursdays, 11am WHERE: Great Neck Library, 159 Bayview Ave., Great Neck AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Children will play with large blocks to create temporary worlds and their own games. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-466-8055. greatnecklibrary.org.

Imagination Playground Family Day FREE

WHEN: Friday, Sept. 27, 4-5pm WHERE: Wantagh Public Library, 3285 Park Ave., Wantagh AGES: All WHAT: Families are invited to build, collaborate, and create using very large interlocking blocks. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-221-1200. wantaghlibrary.org.

MINECON Live Party FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 28, 12pm WHERE: Microsoft Store at Roosevelt Field, 630 Old Country Road, Garden City AGES: 5-12 WHAT: There’ll be trivia, giveaways, a costume contest, and, of course, plenty of opportunity to play Minecraft itself. Limited to first 50 children on line. WANT TO GO? 516-368-0060. microsoft.com

Old Time Base Ball

WHEN: Through Oct. 6: select Saturdays and Sundays, 11:30am WHERE: Old Bethpage Restoration Village, 1303 Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage AGES: All WHAT: Watch as teams from the 1864 league play “base ball” following the rules of the 19th century. WANT TO GO? $13; $8 children 5-12, seniors, volunteer firefighters, and persons with disabilities; free for children 4 and younger and active military. 631-930-9054. obvrnassau.com.

HOLIDAY FUN Labor Day Barbecue

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 1, 12-4pm WHERE: American Legion Post 1711, 3123 N. Jerusalem Road, Levittown AGES: All WHAT: Join American Legion Post 1711 for its annual Labor Day barbecue and enjoy clam chowder, baked clams, chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, and more. WANT TO GO? $20. 516-731-9114. facebook.com/ events/2864593940277429/.

Labor Day BBQ FREE

WHEN: Monday, Sept. 2, 1pm WHERE: Moonlight Pub, 99 Hillside Ave., New Hyde Park AGES: All WHAT: Join Moonlight Pub for a fun Labor Day barbecue! There will be giveaways and more. WANT TO GO? Admission is free, prices vary for food. 516-3522979. facebook.com/events/663843124095243/.

Scarecrow Planter FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 7, 9am-12pm WHERE: Home Depot, 600 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Kids will sand, glue, and paint pieces of wood to create this holiday planter. Register online. WANT TO GO? 516-488-8500. homedepot.com.

Bagels & Blox: A Free PJ Library Event in Celebration of Rosh Hashanah FREE WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 15, 9:30-11am WHERE: Temple Judea, 333 Searingtown Road, Manhasset AGES: 1-7 WHAT: Welcome the Jewish new year with free play, crafts, food, storytelling, music, and movement. WANT TO GO? 516-581-2217. temple-judea.com.

Talk Like a Pirate Day FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 19, 6-7pm WHERE: Oceanside Library, 30 Davison Ave., Oceanside AGES: 4-7 WHAT: Join Ms. Ilene and have a pirate party! Games, music, and a craft. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-766-2360. oceansidelibrary.com.

Family Rosh Hashanah Service FREE

WHEN: Monday, Sept. 30, 1:30pm WHERE: Temple Judea, 333 Searingtown Road, Manhasset AGES: All WHAT: Families with young children are invited to experience the prayers and music of the High Holidays. WANT TO GO? 516-581-2217. temple-judea.com. ›› LongIslandParent 39

LITTLE FOODIES Baking Days

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 7, 11am-3pm WHERE: Old Bethpage Restoration Village, 1303 Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage AGES: 9-12 WHAT: Make lemonade, French toast, pickles, ice cream, and other hands-on activities with staff. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $50. 631-930-9054. obvrnassau.com.

Family Quick Meal FREE

KINDNESS CRUSADERS Animal Lover’s Club FREE

WHEN: Monday, Sept. 9, 3:30-4:30pm WHERE: North Merrick Public Library, 1691 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Teens will create beautiful flower crowns for shelter dogs. Shelter dogs can wear them in adoption photos and to adoption events. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-378-7474. nmerricklibrary.org.

9/11 National Day of Remembrance Memorial Ceremony FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 11, 12:30pm WHERE: Denton Green Park, 99 Nichols Court, Hempstead AGES: All WHAT: Remember and give respect to those who lost their lives at the World Trade Center tragedy. WANT TO GO? 516-478-6286. villageofhempstead.org.

Let’s Walk, Let’s Talk...Stepping Together to Prevent Suicide

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 15, 10:30am: on-site registration: 10:30am; programs and awards: 11am; walk begins: 11:30am WHERE: Long Beach Boardwalk, 45 Riverside Blvd., Long Beach AGES: All WHAT: The walk is an opportunity for people from across Long Island to come together, walk together, and raise awareness of suicide prevention in our community. WANT TO GO? $25 registration. 516-826-0244. longislandcrisiscenter.org.

Long Island Heart Walk FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 15, check in: 8:30am; walk begins: 10am WHERE: Jones Beach Field 5, 1 Ocean Parkway, Wantagh AGES: All WHAT: Walk for a good cause and enjoy some fun at the Voxx International Kid Zone with face painting, crafts, and carnival games. WANT TO GO? 800-242-8721. longislandheartwalk.org.

International Coastal Cleanup FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 21, 10am-12pm WHERE: Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point AGES: All WHAT: Help collect debris on the preserve’s beach and be a part of the international initiative to clean up beaches and waterways around the globe. Free admission to the preserve for all participants! WANT TO GO? 516-571-7901. sandspointpreserve.org. 40

September 2019 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Monday, Sept. 9, 6:30-8pm WHERE: Great Neck Library, 159 Bayview Ave., Great Neck AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Program is for caregivers and children who need to make delicious meals in 20 minutes or less with a pressure cooker. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-466-8055. greatnecklibrary.org.

Hooray for Chocolate FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 10, 6-7pm WHERE: Oceanside Library, 30 Davison Ave., Oceanside AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Dip yummy treats like graham crackers, marshmallows, and strawberries into melted chocolate. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-766-2360. oceansidelibrary.com.

Family Cooking with Chef Rob Scott FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 15, 2-4pm WHERE: Merrick Library, 2279 Merrick Ave., Merrick AGES: All WHAT: Chef Rob Scott will help families prepare delicious apple pie doughnut muffins. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-377-6112. merricklibrary.org.

Caramel Apples FREE

WHEN: Monday, Sept. 16, 6-7pm WHERE: Oceanside Library, 30 Davison Ave., Oceanside AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Dip delicious, crisp apples into gooey melted caramel and decorate with candy. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-766-2360. oceansidelibrary.com.

Guacamole & Salsa FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 18, 6-7pm WHERE: Oceanside Library, 30 Davison Ave., Oceanside AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Recognize Hispanic Heritage Month by making your own guacamole and salsa from scratch. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-766-2360. oceansidelibrary.com.

Marshmallow Mum Cupcakes FREE

WHEN: Monday, Sept. 23, 7-8pm WHERE: North Merrick Public Library, 1691 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick AGES: 9-12 WHAT: Decorate cupcakes using marshmallows, colored sugar, and buttercream frosting, and then take them home in a bakery box! Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-378-7474. nmerricklibrary.org.

Fruit Kabobs FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 26, 6-7pm

WHERE: Oceanside Library, 30 Davison Ave., Oceanside AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Enjoy a healthy treat using fresh fruit such as strawberries, melon, and pineapple. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-766-2360. oceansidelibrary.com.

Books to Belly FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 26, 4:30-5:15pm WHERE: Oceanside Library, 30 Davison Ave., Oceanside AGES: 3-6 WHAT: Read the story The Day the Crayons Quit and enjoy a raw veggie platter with ranch dressing. Registration is required. WANT TO GO? 516-766-2360. oceansidelibrary.com.

Fall Treats FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 26, 4-4:45pm WHERE: Merrick Library, 2279 Merrick Ave., Merrick AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Children will enjoy making fall-themed treats. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-377-6112. merricklibrary.org.

The Great Oreo Taste-Off FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 26, 7-8pm WHERE: Baldwin Public Library, 2385 Grand Ave., Baldwin AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Try out different flavors of Oreos and vote for your favorite. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-223-6228. baldwinpl.org.

• Infant, Toddler, Preschool & Pre-K Available • Open 7:00 am – 6:00 pm, Monday – Friday, Year Round • New Playground • Loving & Experienced Teachers • Licensed by NYS Office of Children & Family Services • Excellent Kindergarten Readiness Prep

SPECIAL NEEDS Sensory Sensitive Sundays

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 1, 9-11am WHERE: Chuck E. Cheese’s, 162 Fulton Ave., Hempstead AGES: All WHAT: The facility reduces the lighting and noise and offers food, games, and a trained staff. WANT TO GO? Cost varies. 516-483-3166. chuckecheese.com.

HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL

For Special Needs: A is for Apples FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 14, 10:30-11:10am WHERE: Bethpage Library, 47 Powell Ave., Bethpage AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Miss Dara will serenade you with her guitar and engage you in age-appropriate activities related to the new season. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-931-3907. bethpagelibrary.

Help Hope & Smiles FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 21, 10-10:45am WHERE: Wantagh Public Library, 3285 Park Ave., Wantagh AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Visit different stations that will encourage students to experience the fun of making music, singing along, or just enjoying sounds! Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-221-1200. wantaghlibrary.org.

Italian for Children

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 28, 10am-11pm WHERE: Camp Italia, 223 Stewart Ave., Garden City AGES: 3-11 WHAT: Italian language and culture classes for children in three different age groups: 3-5, 5-7, 8-11. WANT TO GO? $27.50. 855-226-7481. campitaliausa.org. ››

Holy Family School. Making a difference one child at a time. 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

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 Ave, Hicksville, NY 11801 • 516-938-3846 x 329 LongIslandParent 41

Astronomy Night

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 21, 7:30pm WHERE: Sagamore Hill NHS, 20 Sagamore Hill Road, Oyster Bay AGES: All WHAT: Get your folding chairs and flashlights ready for an evening of gazing into the cosmos! Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-922-4788. eventbrite.com/e/astronomy-nights-at-sagamore-hill-nhs-tickets-58442396782?aff=ebdssbdestsearch.

National Public Lands Day FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 28 WHERE: Various parks throughout New York state AGES: All WHAT: Find your local national park and enjoy the day! WANT TO GO? nps.gov.

Butterfly Walk FREE

THE GREAT OUTDOORS Stargazers

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 5, 8:30-10pm WHERE: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury AGES: All WHAT: Join members of the Astronomical Society of Long Island for a nighttime skywatching session. All ages. WANT TO GO? $12; $10 seniors older than 62 and students with valid ID; $7 ages 7-17; free for members and children 6 and younger. 516-252-3392. oldwestburygardens.org.

Discover Geocaching FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 7, 11am WHERE: Sagamore Hill NHS, 20 Sagamore Hill Road, Oyster Bay AGES: All WHAT: Try geocaching, a real-world modern treasure hunt. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-922-4788. nps.gov.

A Night of Star Gazing FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 28, 9-11am WHERE: Jones Beach State Park, 2400 Ocean Parkway, Wantagh AGES: All WHAT: Take a walk along the barrier island. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-780-3295. parks.ny.gov.

Bethpage Polo at the Park

WHEN: Through Sept. 29: Sundays, 3pm WHERE: Bethpage State Park, Plainview Road and Manchester Drive, Bethpage AGES: All WHAT: Catch a live polo match this summer. WANT TO GO? $15; $5 senior citizens, active military, college ID; see website for more options. bethpagepolo.com.

ON SCREEN Celebrate the Library’s Centennial: 1980s FREE

WHEN: Friday, Sept. 6, 2pm WHERE: Baldwin Public Library, 2385 Grand Ave., Baldwin AGES: All WHAT: The Library is counting down to its October Centennial with a decades movie series. See Back to the Future as its film dedicated to the 1980s. WANT TO GO? 516-223-6228. baldwinpl.org.

WHEN: Monday, Sept. 9, 7-8:45pm WHERE: Wantagh Public Library, 3285 Park Ave., Wantagh AGES: All WHAT: Join the library on the back lawn for a night of stargazing. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-221-1200. wantaghlibrary.org.

Friday Afternoon Movie: ‘A Dog’s Journey FREE ’

Tiny Tots: Nature Discoveriesv FREE

Kids Movie: ‘The Secret Life of Pets 2’ FREE

Village of Hempstead Play Day FREE

Family Movie Night FREE

WHEN: Tuesdays, Sept. 3 and 17, 10:30-11:30am WHERE: Jones Beach State Park, 2400 Ocean Parkway, Wantagh AGES: 3-5 WHAT: These programs will connect children and their parents with nature through short walks, animal visitors, and crafts. WANT TO GO? 516-780-3295. parks.ny.gov. WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 21, 3-6pm WHERE: Kennedy Memorial Park, 335 Greenwich St., Hempstead AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy a Family Play Day at Kennedy Memorial Park. WANT TO GO? 516-489-3400. villageofhempstead.org. 42

September 2019 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Friday, Sept. 13, 2-4pm WHERE: Island Trees Public Library, 38 Farmedge Road, Island Trees AGES: All WHAT: See this heartwarming film at the library. Rated PG. WANT TO GO? 516-731-2211. islandtreespubliclibrary.org. WHEN: Monday, Sept. 30, 2-4pm WHERE: Island Trees Public Library, 38 Farmedge Road, Island Trees AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy a movie on the big screen! Bring your own snacks and drinks. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-731-2211. islandtreespubliclibrary.org. WHEN: Through Nov. 21: Thursdays, 5:30-7:30pm WHERE: Hicksville McDonald’s, 280 N. Broadway, Hicksville AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Join McDonald’s on Thursdays for free movie nights. WANT TO GO? mcdonalds.com.

BROWSE & BUY

Long Long Island Island Speech Speech & Myofunctional & Myofunctional Therapy Therapy

Once Upon a Child’s Coat Kick-off Event

WHEN: Sept. 28-29, Saturday, 9am-6pm; Sunday, 11am-5pm WHERE: Once Upon a Child, 1089 Hicksville Road, Seaford AGES: 3-17 WHAT: Shop thousands of coats, snow suits, boots, hats, and gloves of all brands at up to 75 percent off retail. WANT TO GO? Prices vary. 516-579-4200. onceuponachildseaford.com.

718-640-6767 • 516-216-1791 www.LIspeech.com

Valley Stream Farmers Market

Licensed Speech Pathologists & Myofunctional Therapists Specializing in the Treatment and Correction of:

WHEN: Through Nov. 21: Thursdays, 7am-12pm WHERE: Arthur J. Hendrickson Park and Pool, 123 W. Merrick Road, Valley Stream AGES: All WHAT: See everything that the Valley Stream Farmers Market has to offer, including fruit, veggies, pies, honey, eggs, cider doughnuts, flowers, plants, and more. WANT TO GO? Prices vary for goods. 631-323-3653. longislandgrowersmarket.com.

Language Disorders • Memory & Auditory Processing Difficulties • Fluency • • Voice Disorders • Motor Planning Disorders • Deviate Swallowing • Tongue Thrust • • Feeding & Swalling Problems /Aversions • Thumb Sucking • Articulation Disorders • Oral Facial Muscle Weakness •

Specialized Therapy Approaches Including: PROMPT Therapy • Individual FEEDING Therapy Augmentative Communication Evaluations & Therapy

“FEES”...Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing Participating with most Major Health Insurance Companies

WHEN: Through Nov. 23: Saturdays, 7am-12pm WHERE: Railroad Street East, end of parking lot of Seaford Railroad Station, corner of Washington Avenue and Sunrise Highway, Seaford AGES: All WHAT: The market includes fruits, veggies, fresh- made donuts, soup, homemade ice cream, artisan breads, and more. WANT TO GO? Prices vary for goods. longislandgrowersmarket.com.

A SE Jericho

KE TA

Rockville Centre Farmer’s Market

Seaford Farmer’s Market

Wantagh

Lake Success

Long Island Speech & Myofunctional Therapy 500 North Broadway, Suite 141 Jericho, NY 11752

Speech Pathology & Swallowing Disorder Services of Nassau 3375 Park Avenue., Suite 4010 Wantagh, NY 11793

Speech Pathology and Swallowing Disorder Services of Long Island 444 Lakeville Road Lake Success, NY 11042

516-597-4344

516-221-3653

516-216-1791 • 718-640-6767

WHEN: Through Nov. 24: Sundays, 7am-12pm WHERE: Railroad Parking Lot Number 12, Long Beach Road and Sunrise Highway, Rockville Centre AGES: All WHAT: Find everything you need from fruits to breads to homemade pickles. WANT TO GO? Prices vary for goods. 631-323-3653. longislandgrowersmarket.com.

Roslyn Farmer’s Market

WHEN: Through November 27: Wednesdays, 7am-1pm WHERE: Christopher Morley Park, 500 Searington Road, Roslyn AGES: All WHAT: See what this market has to offer, from homemade peanut butter to biscotti. WANT TO GO? Prices vary for goods. 631-323-3653. longislandgrowersmarket.com. ››

Call us 24/7 at (516) 336-4096

Appointments available seven days a week; we can even handle your after hours emergency!

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LongIslandParent 43

WHAT: Children and a caregiver are invited to learn baby sign language. WANT TO GO? 516-377-6112. merricklibrary.org.

Techie Time FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 7, 2:30-3:30pm WHERE: Oceanside Library, 30 Davison Ave., Oceanside AGES: 9-12 WHAT: Play and explore with Dash, VR Cubes, and Little Bits. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-766-2360. oceansidelibrary.com.

Countdown to College 2019 FREE

SMARTY PANTS Cottage Imagination Station

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 1, 12-4pm WHERE: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury AGES: All WHAT: This discovery space provides children with an opportunity to build, observe, ponder, and foster their young minds. WANT TO GO? $12; $10 seniors older than 62 and students with valid ID; $7 ages 7-17; free for members and children 6 and younger. 516252-3392. oldwestburygardens.org.

Messy Afternoons

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 1, 3:30-5pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Get up to your elbows in oobleck, clean mud, and slime for the type of artistic activities that everyone loves. WANT TO GO? $14; $13 seniors. 516-224-5800. licm.org.

Code Your Own Video Game with MakeCode Arcade FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 1, 12-2pm WHERE: Microsoft Store at Roosevelt Field, 630 Old Country Road, Garden City AGES: 8-12 WHAT: Students use block coding to create a video game with MakeCode Arcade. WANT TO GO? 516-368-0060. microsoft.com.

Blue Star Museumsv FREE

WHEN: Through Sept. 2: see hours and locations on website WHERE: Various museums on Long Island AGES: All WHAT: Blast off at a science museum, take a walk through nature, encounter animals at the aquarium, or meet heroes at a historic site. Blue Star Museums can help families create memories! Museums across the country offer free family admission for active duty military families through Labor Day. WANT TO GO? arts.gov.

The College Application Process FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 5, 7-8:30pm WHERE: Wantagh Public Library, 3285 Park Ave., Wantagh AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Learn about the college application process from an experienced school guidance counselor. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-221-1200. wantaghlibrary.org.

Baby Sign Language FREE

WHEN: Friday, Sept. 6, 10:30-11:15am WHERE: Merrick Library, 2279 Merrick Ave., Merrick AGES: 3 months to 3 44

September 2019 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 8, 3-4pm WHERE: Syosset Public Library, 225 S. Oyster Bay Road, Syosset AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Step-by-step guide of when and what to do throughout high school so you maximize college acceptance odds without stress. WANT TO GO? 516-921-7161. syossetlibrary.org.

Common App Essay Writing 2019 FREE

WHEN: Monday, Sept. 9, 7:30-8:30pm WHERE: Syosset Public Library, 225 S. Oyster Bay Road, Syosset AGES: 13 and older 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.

Full STEAM Ahead: Candy Science FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 12, 6-7pm WHERE: Oceanside Library, 30 Davison Ave., Oceanside AGES: 9-12 WHAT: Try some awesome candy experiments. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-766-2360. oceansidelibrary.com.

Little STEAMers: Bubbles FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 18, 4:30-5:15pm WHERE: Oceanside Library, 30 Davison Ave., Oceanside AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Explore bubbles and take home your own bubble wand! Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-766-2360. oceansidelibrary.com.

Introduction to Robotics FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 18, 7-8pm WHERE: Syosset Public Library, 225 S. Oyster Bay Road, Syosset AGES: 8-11 WHAT: Children will work in teams to build a motorized crawler. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-921-7161. syossetlibrary.org.

Let’s Learn to Sign FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 19, 1-1:45pm WHERE: Wantagh Public Library, 3285 Park Ave., Wantagh AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Sign language is a great way to jumpstart communication, reduce frustration, and develop literacy skills for your little one! Registration required. WANT TO GO? 516-221-1200. wantaghlibrary.org.

College Aid with Barry Fox FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 25, 7-9pm WHERE: North Merrick Public Library, 1691 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick AGES: Adult WHAT: Barry Fox will share his expertise in obtaining financial aid for your college student. WANT TO GO? 516-378-7474. nmerricklibrary.org.

FUN FAIRS & FESTIVALS

Art Rocks! Fest FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 8, 10am-4pm WHERE: One River School, 150 Woodbury Road, Woodbury AGES: All WHAT: Take a tour of their space, enjoy art-themed workshops, create cyanotypes, and take advantage of exclusive discounts for fall classes. Register for a class of your choosing online. WANT TO GO? 516-268-3566. woodbury.oneriverschool.com.

Fall Festival FREE

WHEN: Sept. 6-8, Friday, 6pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-5pm WHERE: Merrick Chamber of Commerce, Merrick Avenue from Sunrise Highway to Loines Avenue, Merrick AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate the annual Fall Festival with Chamber members, rides, crafts, and food! WANT TO GO? Admission is free; prices vary for rides and goods. 516-771-1171. merrickchamber.org.

Sy-Con 2019

WHEN: Sept. 13-14, Friday, 6:30-8:30pm; Saturday, 9am-4:30pm WHERE: Syosset Public Library, 225 S. Oyster Bay Road, Syosset AGES: All WHAT: Meet artists, play board games and retro video games, make crafts, and enjoy the food trucks. WANT TO GO? 516-921-7161. sycon.org.

Art in the Park FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 15, 11am-4pm WHERE: On the Green, Main Street, Farmingdale AGES: All WHAT: Bring the family out for this art show and sale with Clothesline Art and live entertainment. Expect more than 30 magnificent artists! WANT TO GO? Admission is free; prices vary for goods. 516-249-0993. farmingdalevillage.com.

Fall Family Festival

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 21, 10am-4pm WHERE: St. Bernard’s School Gym, 3100 Hempstead Turnpike, Levittown AGES: All WHAT: Visit vendors, play games, and enjoy kids activities. WANT TO GO? Admission is free; prices vary for goods. 516-520-8000. levittownchamber.com.

25th Annual Covert Avenue Street Fair FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 21, 11am-5pm WHERE: Downtown Floral Park and Stewart Manor, Covert Avenue between Tulip and Cisney avenues, Stewart Manor AGES: All WHAT: This annual festival features food, a rock wall, huge inflatables, live music, vendors, and more. WANT TO GO? Admission is free; prices vary for goods. covertchamber.com.

AGES: All WHAT: A day of fun and educational activities concluded by a concert. WANT TO GO? $12; $10 seniors; $7 ages 7-17; free for children 6 and younger and members. 516-252-3392. oldwestburygardens.org.

Ompahfest 2019

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 22, 11am-10pm WHERE: Plattduetsche Park, 1132 Hempstead Turnpike, Franklin Square AGES: All WHAT: The day features authentic German food and beer, music, raffles, vendors with imported goods, demonstrations, and activities for children. WANT TO GO? $10; free for kids 12 and younger. 516-354-3131. parkrestaurant.com.

The 18th Annual West Hempstead Fall Street Fair FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 22, 10am-5pm WHERE: Nassau Boulevard, Hempstead Avenue North to Johnson Lane, West Hempstead AGES: All WHAT: Featuring a craft fair, live entertainment, inflatable kids’ rides, an autumn pumpkin patch, and a corral of food trucks! WANT TO GO? Admission is free; prices vary for goods. lifairs.com.

Antoni Ravioli Italian Street Fair FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 29, 11am-6pm WHERE: Antoni Ravioli, 879 N. Broadway, North Massapequa AGES: All WHAT: A day of fun for the whole family, with a classic car show and DJ Night Train playing music. WANT TO GO? 516-799-0350. antoniravioli.com.

Friday Night Car Show

WHEN: Through Oct. 4: Fridays, 6-10pm WHERE: Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores, Bellmore and Bedford Avenues, Bellmore AGES: All WHAT: See all types of cars at this weekly event. WANT TO GO? $5 admission fee for cars; free for spectators to walk through. 516-679-1875. bellmorechamber.com.

Fall Festival

WHEN: Sept. 14-Oct. 27, see website for schedule WHERE: Hicks Nurseries, 100 Jericho Turnpike, Westbury AGES: All WHAT: Hayrides, crafts, stories, animals, face painting, and more are all at Hicks Nurseries ready to help welcome in the fall season. WANT TO GO? Purchase activities a la carte or a pay-one price $25 bracelet. 516-334-0066. hicksnurseries.com.

Farmingdale Weekly Farmers Market on the Village Green FREE WHEN: Through Nov. 17: Sundays, 10am-3pm WHERE: Farmingdale Village, 361 Main St., Farmingdale AGES: All WHAT: Shop the fresh selection of produce and other items. WANT TO GO? farmingdalevillage.com.

Bellmore Family Street Festival and Carnival FREE

WHEN: Sept. 19-22, Thursday, 6-10pm; Friday, 10am-11pm; Saturday, 11am-11pm; Sunday, 11am-9pm WHERE: Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores, 2700 Pettit Ave., Bellmore AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy carnival rides, games, food, and the chance learn about local businesses at the expos. WANT TO GO? Admission is free; prices vary for goods. 516-809-5892. bellmorechamber.com.

Kidsfest

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 22, 12-4pm WHERE: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury LongIslandParent 45

raising kids baby

Day Care Center, Nanny, or Relative? ››

Choosing a child care provider can be an anxiety-filled decision—you are leaving your infant with someone else, after all—but selecting the best option for your family is easier if you understand the pros and cons of each. By Christina Vercelletto

dding a new baby to your family, whether it’s your first or your fifth, is probably life’s most memorable milestone. And of course, along with the excitement and joy comes a long list of to-dos, including the task of identifying the right child care arrangement for your family if you’re heading back to work. This should be sorted out as early as possible—before birth, if possible. (Trust us: Your three months of maternity leave will feel more like three weeks.) But how do you make this very important and often challenging decision? Here, we weigh the three most popular options to help you choose.

That said, day care centers are not cheap. In our area, you’re easily looking at $1,500 a month, if not more, for full-time day care. It can start to get cost prohibitive if a second child comes along and you, naturally, want both your kids in the same place. Also, day care centers charge extra for late pick-up or early drop-off.

Day Care Center

Pros: Nannies (and plenty of mannies!) are committed sitters who enjoy being part of a family and watching their charges grow up. It’s hard to beat the concept of a caring professional utterly dedicated to your child.

Pros: One major advantage of day care centers is they are state-licensed and regulated. (The U.S. Administration for Children & Families recommends you ask about a license when you visit.) They offer a structured day for children (yes, even for infants), with outdoor time, naps, meals, and snacks. And caregivers typically have a degree (or are earning one) in early childhood education. Many parents like the social aspect of day care centers— children are grouped by age, and starting at 2 years old spend the day in a preschool classroom with a real curriculum and progress reports. Plus, a familiar environment from infanthood through kindergarten is appealing. “The social element cannot be overstated,” says Jessica Wertheim, chief learning officer at Dearest Inc., a child care-sharing marketplace based in New York City. “Social-emotional skills that support children’s ability to focus and engage in other classroom environments, manage their own emotions, and socialize well with peers are often taught more directly during day care and preschool than at any other time.” Cons: The day will come when your baby will have a wet diaper at pick-up, or your child will be given the center-provided snack instead of the special one you bring in every day, no matter how great the caregivers are. If these sorts of instances sound like dealbreakers, this probably isn’t the way to go. Cost: Due to state-regulated child-to-teacher ratios, the older the child, the lower the cost. Centers have to charge the most for infants, since they are required to hire more people to care for them. 46

September 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Bottom Line: Day care centers can be the right choice for parents with a 9-5 job, who don’t often work late, and prefer a socialized group setting for their child.

Nanny

Cons: All your eggs are in one person’s basket. Nannies get the flu, wake up to a busted water pipe in their home, have car trouble, and need to take their suddenly-sick cat to the vet like anyone else. When that happens, you’re stuck scrambling. Also, nannies can quit even under the best of circumstances (say, their spouse gets a new job out of state), and depending on the age of your child, this can be a devastating loss. Cost: Nannies are costly. In our area, parents can expect to pay upwards of $15 an hour for one child, according to payscale.com. As her employer, you need to provide your nanny with disability insurance, and you may need to pay the IRS an employment tax. It’s also expected that you ante up for birthday and holiday gifts, food in the fridge, and paid vacation. Live-in nannies earn a lower salary, but many families don’t have enough space to make that option possible. Bottom Line: If you can afford it and prize personal attention above all else, this is the way to go.

Family Care

Pros: “Having a relative care for their baby often gives parents a sense of relief,” says Martha Mendez-Baldwin, Ph.D., a psychology of childhood assistant professor at Manhattan College in the Bronx.

Cons: Your mother or mother-in-law may have offered to step in, but as tempting as this alternative may feel, assess the situation realistically. She may not be prepared for the hard work of caring for a newborn. “Is this relative aware of today’s best child care practices? Do they know the safest sleep position is on the baby’s back?” Dr. Mendez-Baldwin asks. Plus, with a relative, you will still have to lay out a few ground rules and make requests about how you want things done, which can create conflict in an already-delicate relationship. You still need a back-up plan for early mornings when the phone call starts with, “I’m so sorry, but…” Cost: While this could be a free arrangement, you may want to insist on paying your relative to underscore the fact that this is a real responsibility. On the other hand, she might refuse payment, so cost really depends on the individual family. Bottom Line: If Grandma is energetic, and you have a solid relationship that can withstand honest and open communication, this may be worth considering (especially if money is an issue). Child care arrangements are a big decision, and there is no one-size-fits-all option, Wertheim says. However, there is no bad option either. “When any adult creates experiences that are personalized and respond to a baby’s interests with enthusiasm, positivity, and warmth, they support that baby’s social and cognitive development,” she says.

C on t u s to a c t v a c l a i s it 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

School Districts Consult Attorneys.

At Love of Learning, we educate the whole child.

Why Shouldn’t You?

We provide an excellent academic education as we cultivate our students with an intrinsically driven joy in learning that will last throughout their lives. CHILDREN AGES 3 THROUGH SIXTH GRADE WELCOME

Please Join Us for Our Open House September 21st & October 5th 2:00PM – 4:00PM

• Full Day Programs • Extended Hours Available • Community Oriented School and Faculty • Beautiful Natural Setting for School • Accredited Early Childhood and Elementary Programs

Love of Learning - where we love to learn and learn to love. Love of Learning Montessori School (631) 629-5599 105 Prospect Road Centerport, NY 11721 www.lolmontessori.org

School Districts ask their attorneys what is the minimum amount of services the law requires them to provide to special education students. Why shouldn’t you ask your attorney what are the maximum amount of services the law requires the School District to provide? Going for your child’s first Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and don’t know what to expect? I can give you the answers to those questions and many more. As your attorney, I solve problems.

Brad H. Rosken,

Counselor at Law

534 Broadhollow Road, Suite 275, Melville, New York 11747 (631) 379-9569 • Brad@specialedcounselor.com www.specialedcounselor.com LongIslandParent 47

family life legal

Fundraiser

Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium

Fall Festival

September, 28th 10am – 4:30pm

ate Rain d r, 5th Octobe

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!

Admission: $7 General • $5 Children • $6 Senior • Members Free

Petting Zoo Environmental Exhibitors

MUSIC • GAMES • FOOD

Kid’s Fishing

Live Animal Encounters

516-692-6768 • cshfishhatchery.org 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor

Separation Strategies

››

How to develop a solid co-parenting plan you both will follow By Lambeth Hochwald

f you’re separated or divorced, you know how important it is to make a plan for sharing time with your child. However, this isn’t always easy, and can lead to frustration or even anger. Here are eight tips to develop—and agree on—a plan to co-parent successfully. Consider everyone’s schedules. If a father leaves for work at 6am and doesn’t come home until 7pm, his schedule could make shared parenting hard, says Tanya Helfand, a divorced mom, lawyer in New York City, and author of 20 Great Tips for a Successful Divorce. “In this case, it’s important for his ex-partner to allow him to have a nanny so he can get to work,” she suggests. Keep it consistent. A set schedule is key for fostering stability, says Emily Stulman Klein, a divorced life strategist and mom of a 12-year-old daughter who lives in Montclair, NJ.

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Put yourself in your kids’ shoes. Children should have an open relationship with both parents—and never feel like the gobetweens. “A major problem arises when the parents prevent that relationship from happening and then put the children in the middle,” Helfand says. Be practical and precise. Leave the emotion out of discussions and decisions as much as possible. “I also suggest that communication between the parties be in a written form,” says Steven J. Mandel, a family law attorney in NYC. Skip the good-cop, bad-cop scenario. It’s very common for kids to play the “mommy vs. daddy” game. “That is why it is in the best interests of all concerned for everyone to be on the same page,” Mandel says. Make kids feel treasured. Kids should feel like both parents are choosing to spend time with them. “We use the words who ‘gets to’ be with [our daughter] rather than who ‘has to’ be with her.” Klein says. Be accommodating. Life happens and sometimes you will need to swap times. Do your best to always be gracious about it. Remember: You will be in each other’s lives—for life. “Just because it didn’t work out for us doesn’t mean we have to be mean,” Klein says. “The happier we are individually, the happier we all are as co-parents.” Lambeth Hochwald is a journalist covering trends, relationships, and life in NYC.

September 2019 | nymetroparents.com

PartyCentral

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

PARTY ENTERTAINMENT CLOWNS.COM

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

PARTY PLACES 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 stateof-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!

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/cities/farmingdale.ny 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.

GOLD MEDAL GYMNASTICS CENTERS

Nassau: 1100 Stewart Ave, Garden City 516-357-3636 gardencity@gmgc.com 210 Gardiners Ave., Levittown 516-735-4653 levittown@gmgc.com; gmgc.com Long Island’s leading gymnastics center, “Where Every Child is a Champion” since 1973. Island-wide with six locations and fully certified instructors. We offer action-packed birthday parties!

GRAVITY VAULT MELVILLE INDOOR ROCK GYM

40 Melville Park Road 516-777-9255 gravityvault.com/locations/melville-ny melville@gravityvault.com Climbing is a great way to celebrate your birthday! Our awesome climbing parties give kids an exciting day they will never forget! Offering different party package options to accommodate your needs.

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™.

INTREPID SEA, AIR & SPACE MUSEUM

Pier 86, W. 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!

KIDDIE PLAYLAND

310 Hillside Ave., Williston Park 516-294-0111 kiddieplayland.com Celebrate your child’s special day at our eco-friendly indoor play space and enjoy watching your child have lots of fun. Three packages available with free invitations, pizza and drinks, play time, games, and dancing!

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!

LONG ISLAND NETS NYCB LIVE, HOME OF THE NASSAU VETERANS MEMORIAL COLISEUM

1255 Hempstead Turnpike, Uniondale longisland.gleague.nba.com Long Island Nets birthday party packages are a great way to celebrate your next birthday. Receive exclusive gear and birthday shout outs.

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!

MAIN ST. BOARD GAME CAFE UNPLUG YOUR GAME

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 beyond. Choose from our treasury of super imaginative projects or use favorite themes and activities as a creative springboard.

SAF-T-SWIM SCHOOL

Nassau: 2050 Bellmore Ave., Bellmore 516-557-2114 625 Merrick Ave., East Meadow 516-538-6900 Located inside New York Sports Club 210 Gardiners Ave., Levittown 516-597-5193 1 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park 516-519-8787 3194 Lawson Blvd., Oceanside 516-442-2825 570 Main St., Westbury 516-876-0848 saf-t-swim.com Saf-T-Swim pool parties are never rained out! Our year-round parties include 24 guests, a private party room, pool time, lifeguard, invitations, and pizza.

SPLISH SPLASH

2549 Splish Splash Drive, Calverton 631-727-360; splishsplashlongisland.com Splish Splash makes birthday party planning a piece of cake! Enjoy admission to the park and lunch! Let our staff members make your day stress-free. Book your party today!

SUGAR FACTORY

Sugar Factory - Meatpacking District 835 Washington St. Sugar Factory - The Row 700 8th Ave. Sugar Factory - Upper West Side 1991 Broadway 212-414-8700 sugarfactory.com; sfny@sugarfactory.com Party where the stars play! Here at The Sugar Factory, we offer pre-fixed and customizable party packages for any celebration and budget! From private large-scale events to private dinners for two, a Sugar Factory celebration is one you will never forget!

307 Main St., Huntington 631-729-0060 mainstboardgamecafe.com/reservation info@mainstboardgamecafe.com Unplug your game! Main St. Board Game Cafe hosts parties for kids, tweens, and teens. Supervised by our staff of board game experts, our parties are a fun yet enriching experience for your next birthday or event.

THOMAS SCHOOL OF HORSEMANSHIP RIDING ACADEMY

MY GYM CHILDREN’S FITNESS CENTER

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, drinks, and birthday cake in a private room.

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 Great South Bay Shopping Center 985 W. Montauk Highway, West Babylon 631-314-GYMS (4967) mygym.com/babylon At My Gym the goal is to make your party an amazing, customized celebration. You will have exclusive use of the entire gym with a rock wall, trampoline, trapeze, climbing structures, and slides.

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

WOWMOMS WORLD LONG ISLAND

328 E. Jericho Turnpike, Mineola 516-741-6667 wowmomsworld.com We do children’s birthday parties differently-ours are health-oriented, educational, and fun! Kids’ meals and cake are included, choose from activity options like princess and superhero visits, face painting, and obstacle courses!

LongIslandParent 49

Professional services

Your local guide to tutors, teachers, lawyers, financial planners, and other professionals DENTISTS & DENTAL PROVIDERS

EHRENMAN & KHAN PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

PDM FAMILY DENTAL

295 N. Broadway, Jericho 516-388-5002 pdmfamilydental.com info@pdmfamilydental.com PDM Family Dental is a new dental office at the Hicksville Jericho border. We are here to provide comprehensive care for your entire family’s dental needs. We are open evenings.

THE TOOTH PILLOW DENTISTRY

775 Park Ave, Suite 340, Huntington 516-317-2476 toothpillowny.com Your child will leave our office with all of their dental work completed, free from pain and bad memories. Trust your child with the experts in pediatric dental sedation.

DOCTORS & MEDICAL PROVIDERS

ADVANTAGE CARE HEALTH CENTER

189 Wheatley Road, Brookville 230 Hanse Ave., Freeport 516-686-4400 advantagecaredtc.org Advantage Care Health Centers and The Fay J. Lindner Center are Long Island’s premier Federally Qualified Health Care Centers (FQHC). We provide comprehensive medical, dental, and mental and behavioral health services to children and adults.

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.

LEGAL SERVICES

ANDREW COHEN, ESQ., LAW OFFICES OF ANDREW M. COHEN

250 West 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 provide personalized, high quality special needs estate planning and special education legal services at a reasonable cost. It also conducts free workshops on several topics for agencies, schools, and parent groups.

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 is 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.

VISHNICK MCGOVERN MILIZIO L.L.P.

3000 Marcus Ave., Suite 1E9, Lake Success 516-437-4385 570 Lexington Ave., Suite 1600, Manhattan 212-759-3500 255 Monmouth Road, 2nd floor, Oakhurst, NJ 732-531-8900 vmmlegal.com For 50 years, the law firm of Vishnick McGovern Milizio has helped private and business clients ensure their well-being, plan for their future, and protect their interests.

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 2019 | 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, one-hour treatment. Affordable treatments, no toxic chemicals.

SPECIAL NEEDS

ANDREW COHEN, ESQ., LAW OFFICES OF ANDREW M. COHEN

250 West 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 provide personalized, high quality special needs estate planning and special education legal services at a reasonable cost. It also conducts free workshops on several topics for agencies, schools, and parent groups.

LAW OFFICES OF BRAD H. ROSKEN, P.L.L.C.

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.

LONG ISLAND CENTER FOR SPEECH AND MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY

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.

MARRA & GLICK APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSTS

1737 Veterans Memorial Highway, Suite 1, Islandia 2341 New Hyde Park Road, New Hyde Park 631-479-2900 mg-aba.com Marra & Glick Applied Behavior Analysts specialize in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)to serve people with autism spectrum disorders in our center-based programs, at school, in the home, and community.

THE TOOTH PILLOW DENTISTRY

THERAPY & COUNSELORS

FAMILY FIRST

100 E. Old Country Road, Suite 14, Mineola 516-804-1010 hello@familyfirstli.org Family First is a sliding-scale psychotherapy practice offering professional services for children age 6 and older, teens, and their families. Effectively addressing the mental health concerns students are facing is vital for their overall growth, development, and well-being.

TUTORS & TEST PREP

ADVANCED ACADEMIC PROGRAMS OF ROSLYN

EYE LEVEL

Eye Level Williston Park 61 Hillside Ave., Williston Park 516-747-7700 eyelevelny.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.

LONG ISLAND TUTORIAL SERVICES

173 N. Main St., Sayville 631-316-0426 litutorialservices.com litutorialservices@gmail .com Long Island Tutorial Services (LITS) provides award-winning customer service and first-rate instruction to families island-wide. Call for a confidential consultation.

MATHNASIUM LEARNING CENTERS

OPEN HOUSES 2019 Buckley Country Day School

2 I.U. Willets Road, Roslyn 516-627-1910 buckleycountryday.com Please join us for our upcoming Admissions Open House on Oct. 6. Meet our headmaster, principals, faculty, students, and alumni; Q&A with a panel of upper school students, and tour of the Buckley campus

Holy Family School

17 Fordham Ave., Hicksville 516-938-3846 x329 hfsli.org Making a difference one child at a time. Come see what we’re all about–call anytime for a tour.

Five Towns 414 Central Ave., Cedarhurst 516-569-1500 11 Great Neck Road, Great Neck 516-482-MATH (6284) 381 Sunrise Highway, Lynbrook 516-881-7997 810 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park 516-616-MATH (6284) 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.

Love of Learning Montessori School

SYLVAN LEARNING CENTERS OF MINEOLA AND HUNTINGTON

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 Great South Bay Shopping Center 985 W. Montauk Highway, West Babylon 631-314-GYMS (4967) mygym.com/babylon Join us for an open house in Babylon, Friday, Sept. 13 from 2-6pm, and Saturday, Sept. 14 from 9am-12pm.

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, 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.

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 for gifted and talented students. We are a designated Johns Hopkins CTY and SAT testing center.

105 Prospect Road, Centerport 631-629-5599 lolmontessori.org Please join us to learn more about how we promote a love of learning and positive character development. Drop in anytime from 2-4pm on Sept. 21, and Oct. 5.

Main St. Board Game Cafe - Unplug Your Game

307 Main St., Huntington 631-729-0060 mainstboardgamecafe.com/reservation info@mainstboardgamecafe.com Join us for an open house Sept. 9-12, from 4:30-6:30pm. Weekly board game and Dungeons and Dragons classes for grades first-12th. Meet like-minded kids and learn together in a supportive, screen-free environment.

My Gym Children’s Fitness Center

St. Dominic Elementary School

35 School St., Oyster Bay 516-922-4233 stdomsob.org One journey through faith and education. Call anytime for a tour.

Trinity Episcopal Church Roslyn Childcare Center

1579 Northern Blvd., Roslyn 516-626-0293 trinitychild.org Looking for a safe and nurturing childcare center for your child? We welcome families from all backgrounds. Please call us for more information or to schedule a visit.

Winston Preparatory School

30 Deforest Road, Dix Hills 212-719-5598 x2213 winstonprep.edu/our-campuses/li; liadmissions@winstonprep.edu Winston Prep is a highly individualized setting for third-12th grade students with specific learning differences. Open house on Thursday, Sept. 26 at 9:30am.

LongIslandParent 51

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!

PDM Family Dental 295 N. Broadway, Jericho 516-388-5002 pdmfamilydental.com info@pdmfamilydental.com

PDM Family Dental is a new dental office at the Hicksville Jericho border. We are here to provide comprehensive care for your children and your entire family’s dental needs. We strive to provide a comfortable dental experience and aim to help you walk out with a smile. Dr. Makkar is a huge advocate of educating families to take care of their dental needs and of supporting communities. We do accept most insurances but also provide in-office dental plans so that dental care is accessible to all. We are open evenings.

The Tooth Pillow Dentistry 775 Park Ave, Suite 340, Huntington 516-317-2476 toothpillowny.com

The Tooth Pillow Dentistry is a group of board-certified pediatric dentists and dentist anesthesiologists who work together to safely provide dental treatment while your child “sleeps.” We provide this service for children who cannot be treated in the typical dental chair setting due to age, behavior, or other factors that hinder treatment. Your child will leave our office with all of their dental work completed, free from pain and bad memories. We will treat your child as if they were our own. Trust your child with the experts in pediatric dental sedation.

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, expressive and receptive language disorders (adults and children). Intensive feeding therapy for individuals who suffer from texture and consistency aversions, and Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) are also offered. Seven affiliated offices across Long Island participate with most health insurance and offer evening and Saturday hours.

Our Editors Find the Best Events for You! Every Thursday, you’ll receive a curated list of the best of what’s happening that weekend—from sports and theater to festivals and petting zoos.

NYMETROPARENTS.COM/NEWSLETTER 52

September 2019 | nymetroparents.com

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

Countryside Montessori School ......................................... 48

play spaces

Bounce U - Farmingdale ................................................... 37

Diocese of RVC .................................................................. 56

Bounce U - Farmingdale ................................................... 37

Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery .................................... 48

East Woods School ............................................................ 15

Grady Edu ........................................................................... 23

Holy Family School ............................................................ 41

religious

Main Street Board Game Cafe .......................................... 28

Huntington Learning Center ............................................... 29

Diocese of RVC .................................................................. 56

Music Together LLC ........................................................... 47

Law Offices of Brad H Rosken .......................................... 47

Holy Family School ............................................................ 41

Not Just Art ......................................................................... 31 Pip’s Island Corporation ..................................................... 21 Thomas School of Horsemanship Riding Academy & Summer Camp ................................................................... 29

LIU Center for Gifted Youth................................................. 31 Love of Learning Montessori School ................................. 47 Osmo .................................................................................. 55 St. Dominic Elementary School ......................................... 14

St. Dominic Elementary School ......................................... 14

retail Northwell Health ................................................................. 15 Once Upon A Child.............................................................. 37

camps

Sylvan Learning Center - Huntington & Mineola .............. 28

Advanced Academic Programs of Roslyn ......................... 26

Trinity Episcopal Church Roslyn Childcare Center ........... 41

services

Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery .................................... 48

Village East Gifted .............................................................. 27

Blank Slate........................................................................... 23

Countryside Montessori School ......................................... 48

Family First.......................................................................... 31

Grady Edu ........................................................................... 23

family entertainment / events / outings

LIU Center for Gifted Youth................................................. 31

Argyle Theater at Babylon Village ..................................... 25

special events

Music Together LLC ........................................................... 47

Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery .................................... 48

Thomas School of Horsemanship Riding Academy &

Landmark on Main Street Inc ............................................ 43

Summer Camp ................................................................... 29

Sarah Merians Photography ................................................ 9

Northwell Health Ice Center/ NY Islander ......................... 19

child care / day care Trinity Episcopal Church Roslyn Childcare Center ........... 41

classes

Pip’s Island Corporation ..................................................... 21

special needs Andrew M. Cohen Esq ....................................................... 10

financial planning / insurance

Ehrenman & Khan Pediatric Dentistry................................ 52

Affinity Health Plan ..............................................................11

Huntington Learning Center ............................................... 29 Janine Stiene Suffolk Center for Speech.....................43, 52

Advanced Academic Programs of Roslyn ......................... 26 Eglevsky Ballet Co. of Long Island Inc. ............................. 29

health

Law Offices of Brad H Rosken .......................................... 47

Eye Level Learning Center of Williston Park ..................... 25

Affinity Health Plan ..............................................................11

Sands Point Preserve Conservancy ................................. 27

Grady Edu ........................................................................... 23

Cohen Children’s Medical Center/BFREE ........................ 19

Hofstra University / Saltzman Center ................................ 26

Ehrenman & Khan Pediatric Dentistry ............................... 52

LIU Center for Gifted Youth................................................. 31

Fidelis Care New York .......................................................... 3

Main Street Board Game Cafe .......................................... 28

Lice Clinics of America ....................................................... 43

Mathnasium - Roslyn ........................................................... 5

Northwell Health ................................................................. 15

Not Just Art ......................................................................... 31 Sands Point Preserve Conservancy ................................. 27 Sylvan Learning Center - Huntington & Mineola .............. 28 Village East Gifted .............................................................. 27

dance Eglevsky Ballet Co. of Long Island Inc. ............................. 29

PDM Family Dental ........................................................7, 52 Tooth Pillow Dentistry (The) ............................................... 52

Tooth Pillow Dentistry (The) ............................................... 52 Variety Child Learning Center ............................................ 24

sports Northwell Health Ice Center/ NY Islander ......................... 19 Thomas School of Horsemanship Riding Academy & Summer Camp ................................................................... 29

theater legal services Andrew M. Cohen Esq ....................................................... 10

Argyle Theater at Babylon Village ..................................... 25

tutors music

developmental

Music Together LLC ........................................................... 47

Janine Stiene Suffolk Center for Speech.....................43, 52

Not Just Art ......................................................................... 31

Variety Child Learning Center ............................................ 24

Advanced Academic Programs of Roslyn ......................... 26 Eye Level Learning Center of Williston Park ..................... 25 Hofstra Summer Camps ...................................................... 2 Huntington Learning Center ............................................... 29

performingarts / acting

Mathnasium - Roslyn ........................................................... 5

education

Argyle Theater at Babylon Village ..................................... 25

Osmo .................................................................................. 55

Cohen Children’s Medical Center/BFREE ........................ 19

Eglevsky Ballet Co. of Long Island Inc. ............................. 29

Sylvan Learning Center - Huntington & Mineola .............. 28

LongIslandParent 53

raising kids stuff we like

You’ve Got Mail

››

By Kirsten Clodfelter

Creative Reading

KidArtLit draws inspiration from specially curated children’s books to combine a love of reading with a love of making art. Unbox a beautiful new book to read together each month. Then, dig in to open-ended, process-based art projects that help kids unleash their creativity. Choose from Deluxe or Spark options and enjoy a monthly digital PDF with every subscription. (Ages 3-8; $39.95; kidartlit.com)

Lil’ Chefs, Big Appetites

Little Sous Kitchen Academy was launched from a Kickstarter campaign, and it’s working to inspire culinary interest from a young age. First, unbox a new kid-friendly kitchen tool or non-perishable ingredient each month. Next, learn how to put the special item to use with a step-by-step cooking lesson that empowers kids to cook confidently. Each box also includes collectable recipe cards, hands-on activities, a ready-to-color poster with games and puzzles, and a themed sticker sheet. MasterChef Junior, here you come. (Ages 5-12; $24.99 and up; mylittlesous.com)

World Culture at Home

Encourage your little ones’ wanderlust and open their minds with Little Global Citizens, an interactive culture box. Co-founders, parents, and world travelers Akeelah Kuraishi and Tim Minnick are on a mission to foster kids’ global awareness and compassion with a bimonthly box exploring a new country. Each box includes a guide booklet, a children’s book, cultural crafts and activities, a recipe, and country souvenirs. (Ages 3-8; $39.95; little-global-citizens.com)

Adding Art to STEM

To encourage a love of science, technology, engineering, art, and math, start by getting your hands dirty. That’s the premise behind this monthly STEAM box subscription from Banyan Tree Kidz. Each box includes a hardcover book to introduce an idea, activity, or experiment. After reading, kids will find all the supplies they need for hands-on creative learning. You’ll appreciate the helpful parent’s instruction guide. (Ages 2-7; $29.99 and up; banyantreekidz.com)

Imagination Beyond the Page The super-fun, unique Little Bookish Wardrobe inspires imaginative play each month with an engaging hardcover book, plus a costume and craft to go along with it. After reading, kids can extend the life of every story through dress up and art. Bonus: The boxes have gender-neutral and sibling options for customization that fits any family. (Ages 3-7; $32.99; littlebookishwardrobe.com)

Kirsten Clodfelter is a Midwest-based freelance writer, the co-founder of Rise Marketing, Inc., and a mom of three. Learn more at kirstenclodfelter.com or follow her on Instagram: @icanmotheranyway.

September 2019 | nymetroparents.com

LongIslandParent 55

Their journey continues.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just a short bus ride back to school. But their real journey is their life long journey towards Christ. A Catholic education helps chart their course. We invite you to explore how the Catholic Elementary Schools of Long Island can help your children on their most important journey. To learn more about Long Islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Catholic Elementary Schools and to find a school near you, visit us online at www.LICatholicElementarySchools.org or call 516-678-5800 x 258.