Long Island Parent (Nassau) January 2017 by City Guide NY

LongIslandParent NASSAU EDITION

JANUARY 2017

NYMETROPARENTS.COM

Homework

Helpful?

Welcoming Everyone

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

The surprising religious diversity at Catholic schools

Good Failure Teaching kids grit and resilience

WHERE TO GO SKIING

â&#x20AC;¢

SUMMER ACTIVITIES IN WINTERTIME

New Winter Programs Featuring over 450 interactive play exhibits, 3D movie theater and more. Open Daily.

47-01 111th Street, Queens, NY 11368. Easy on-site parking. Birthday parties, slumber parties and groups call (718) 699-0005. ÂŠ2016 New York Hall of Science

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Caring for kids is what we do. Calm, comfortable dentistry for children and special needs patients.

Serving three generations of satisfied - and relaxed families on Long Island

for Voting Us Best Pediatric Dental Practice

Ehrenman & Khan P E D I AT R I C D E N T I ST RY

Board Certified • Kid Approved

959 Brush Hollow Road • Suite 101 • Westbury, NY 11590 516.333.3033 • www.KidsTeeth4LI.com LongIslandParent

NYMetroParents Helping Parents Make Better Decisions

Contents

January 2017 ››

Features

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

20 Is Homework Necessary? Inside the debate about whether kids really need homework—and what one school is doing instead 24 Not of the Faith How local Catholic schools have integrated students from all types of religious backgrounds 48 Great for Leftovers Three recipes, plus a leftover twist for each

50 Why Are Boys Failing? How current norms are contributing to boys falling behind—in school and life

Connections

6 Editor’s Note 8 New Places, New Programs 10 Quotables 14 NYMP Q&A: Ilana Wiles, creator of MommyShorts.com, talks average parenting 62 Voices: Is My Babysitter Doing a Better Job Than Me?

Fun & Activities

12 DIY Corner: Make your own bird feeders 33 Family Activities Calendar 46 Where-To Guide: Ski & Snowboard

Directories

Family Activities CALENDAR ››

26 52 54 56 58 60 61

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

ON THE COVER ›› 16 Good Failure 18 Summer Activities in Wintertime 20 Is Homework Helpful? facebook.com/nymetroparents

@NYMetroParents

24 Welcoming Everyone 46 Where to Go Skiing Visit NYMETROPARENTS.COM for family activities updated daily and more than 2,000 parenting articles!

LongIslandParent

JANUARY 2017 • Vol8• No.8

EDITOR’S NOTE

Education in the Classroom & Beyond

remember when my oldest child started getting homework. It was a shock to the system, hers and ours, intruding on her post-school play time and, to the extent we needed to help her, on our quiet time with the kids. Since then, as the volume and difficulty of her homework has increased, I’ve become so grateful and proud to see how diligent and responsible she is at it. Still, there are nights where she remembers well past bedtime about a forgotten assignment or is flummoxed by a particularly difficult task. I sometimes wonder what worth there is in this, and as Katelin Walling reports (p. 20), I am not alone in asking that question. There is a hot debate in education circles about whether to ditch homework altogether, and some schools, including some in our region, have done exactly that. Speaking of frustration, I am sure you’re familiar with this scene: A child melts into tears and anger, unable to be consoled, because of his inability to complete a task, whether it’s getting that ball into the basket or building a block tower taller than he is. It breaks our hearts to see our kids so angry and hurt, and we naturally try to assure them of their skills and worth. But setbacks can be useful to children, especially if we help channel their feelings in a productive direction, helping them see failures as motivation to try again and harder and conquer the task. We spoke with experts who offer advice on how to teach kids this sort of grit and resilience (p. 16), skills that will serve them well throughout their lives. If you want to get your kids to pick themselves up again after they fall down—literally and metaphorically—you could bring them to a ski slope and teach them the sport. Find great spots for skiing and snowboarding around the Northeast (p. 46). And for winter fun closer to home, get great tips on recapturing the joys of summer even when the weather is freezing (p. 18). For my family, dead-of-winter visits to the Bronx zoo are a cherished tradition. For many of us, January is the time to think of September—specifically, where our kids will go to school next year. For some parents, the right choice might sound surprising on the surface: choosing a Catholic school even though they are not Catholic. Samantha Neudorf investigates this phenomenon and explains what’s behind the decision to send kids to a religious school when they are not of the faith (p. 24). And if you are seeking a school for your child, check out our education directory to find tons of great choices (p. 26). Stay warm, and have a great January! Michael Kress Editorial Director

NYMetroParents Publications EDITORIAL

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

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

PRODUCTION

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

ACCOUNTING

CONTROLLER: David Friedman

MARKETING

HEAD OF MARKETING: Jacqueline Lachman

ADMINISTRATION

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

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

Join us for an afternoon of family fun at the first-ever Westchester Parents Day! We’re putting together a program sure to put a smile on your kids’ faces—while helping you learn valuable information. Kids will enjoy entertainment, tasty treats, crafts, a dance party, and raffles and giveaways, while parents can get to know local child-focused businesses, including camps, after-school activities, and birthday party venues. Westchester Parents Day will be held 12-3pm on Sunday, Feb. 5, at the Crown Plaza, 66 Hale Ave., White Plains. Go to westchesterparentsday.com to learn more and register. 6

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

nybarbatmitzvah.com

BIG APPLE PARENT, QUEENS PARENT, WESTCHESTER PARENT BROOKLYN PARENT, ROCKLAND PARENT, BERGEN PARENT, FAIRFIELD PARENT and LONG ISLAND PARENT are published monthly by Davler Media Group, LLC Copyright © 2017, Davler Media Group, LLC No part of contents may be reproduced without prior permission from the publisher. Subscription rates per year, per publication: $39

Patients will always see Dr. Elbaz to ensure consistency and build trust.

Dr. Rania Elbaz, DDS Board Certified Pediatric Dentist Columbia Dental School Graduate

The Personal Attention Your Child Needs and Deserves. Participating with most major insurance plans. Comprehensive Dental Care for Infants, Children, Adolescents and those with Special Needs.

Our office is a warm and kid-friendly environment that our patients look forward to visiting! • Evening and Saturday appointments available • 24-hour emergency coverage for our patients • Sedation available when needed

1756A Merrick Avenue • Merrick • 516-547-1997 www.MerrickPediatricDentistry.com

Conveniently Located less than a mile south of the Southern State Parkway

LongIslandParent

NEW PLACES, NEW PROGRAMS

nymetroparents.com/np-np

Who: Wine & Design What’s New: The second location of the paint studio on Long Island owned by Pamela and Juan Paredes, which opened in November. It offers paint classes for all ages and skills, including Art Buzz Kids. Sessions are led by local artists, including Pamela, who has been painting for more than 40 years. The location is now taking reservations and is available for birthday parties, baby or bridal showers, private classes, and more, and attendees can bring food and beverages. Programs are available for children, businesses, organizations, and those who want the painting party to come to them. Want More Info: 21 N. Village Ave., Rockville Centre; 516-442-0330; rvc.ny@wineanddesign.com; wineanddesign.com/locations/rvcny

Courtesy Wine & Design

Family-Friendly Painting Studio Opens in Rockville Centre

Owners Pamela and Juan Paredes celebrate the grand opening of Wine & Design.

Who: Catholic Elementary Schools of Long Island What’s New: Almost 800 new Chromebooks, which support the access to and use of “G Suite for Education.” G Suite provides a complete online environment for students to research and collaborate. Part of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, the 43 Catholic schools throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties aim to be places for students to learn and develop into intelligent, well-rounded, and faithful children. Gary Layton, the director of marketing and enrollment for the schools, calls them places “where timeless values meet cutting-edge technologies.” Want More Info: A series of open houses will take place during Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 29-Feb.4. Visit website for locations: licatholicelementaryschools.org.

Courtesy Catholic Elementary Schools of Long Island

Innovative Technology Added to Area Classrooms

Almost 800 new Chromebooks have been added to Catholic Elementary Schools of Long Island.

Who: The Long Island Whole Child Academy, School for Twice Exceptional Learning What’s New: A nonprofit private school for students in third through eighth grades who learn differently, which will welcome its first class in January while accepting applications through June. LIWCA aims to create a unique learning environment for students who are highly capable academically and also contend with social cognition, executive functioning and sensory processing challenges, anxiety, ADHD, or dyslexia. Teachings are personally tailored through project-based learning, a nontraditional environment, and approaching students individually. Children are encouraged to work in small groups when they are ready, with a student-to-staff ratio close to 1-to-1. Want More Info: St. Elizabeth’s Church, 175 Wolf Hill Road, Melville; 347-668-3676; liwholechild.org

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Ellen T. Richer

School for Students Who Learn Differently to Open in Melville

At Long Island Whole Child Academy, students learn through hands-on projects and real-life problems.

LongIslandParent

UOTABLES I was going to be a perfect stay-athome mom and enjoy every single moment teaching and encouraging my children. Then, I actually had my own kids, three of them, and that is when I fell off my unicorn and tumbled straight back to reality. —Barrie Bismark, in a post entitled “I’m Not the Mom I Thought (and Hoped) I Would Be,” on The Huffington Post: Parents.

in an instagram in an instagram Cal. Several days ago. In front of a nova that’s he’s completely enamored with. It has been parked on our block since the dawn of time. The owner is a complete mystery, but it does move for alternate side. (Posted by @megankellicraig, aka Megan C., who blogs at thebrooklyndoll.blogspot.com)

“He won’t do these things forever. These (nearly) three years of waking up every night or changing what feels like millions of diapers, will feel like a short moment in time come 30 years from now. And it’s then that I’ll miss the moments of walking into his dark room with me squinting my eyes half asleep to pick him up out of his crib and have him lay his head on my shoulder and fall quietly back to sleep. Or the funny faces we make to each other as I lay him on the ground to keep him occupied while I’m changing his diaper.” —Lauren Jimeson, in a post entitled “No Rush,” on her blog, SincerelyLauren.com.

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

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

WORKING OUT AS A BUSY MOM “You can still move on to your kid’s theatrical debut at school if your lipstick, say, doesn’t make it through Pilates. But if your deodorant gives out? Yikes. You may miss the curtain call.” —Christina Vercelletto, in an article entitled “Hit the Gym Moms—and Look Great.” Read the whole thing at nymetroparents.com/mom-fitness.

MORE NYMetroParents.com HIGHLIGHTS: GET OUTTA TOWN: Get great winter day trip suggestions at nymetroparents.com/winter-trips. GLIDE AND SLIDE: Find ice-skating rinks near you at nymetroparents.com/ice-skating. MORE WINTER FUN: See the top 100 winter activities in the New York metro area at nymetroparents.com/winter-activities. CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR: How to make resolutions kids can keep (nymetroparents.com/kid-resolutions)

Where Every Child is Known and Inspired to Excel, to Lead, to Care

Scholar. Artist. Athlete. Citizen. Leader. Recognized for

academic excellence since 1923, Green Vale’s exceptional teachers, extraordinary learning environment, and careful attention to each student lead to outstanding high school placements.

Admissions Open House Dates Join us @ 9:00 am • January 24 • April 6

Please contact the Admissions Office at 516.628.5146 or admissions@greenvaleschool.org

The GreenVale School 250 Valentine’s Lane, Old Brookville, NY 11545

•

greenvaleschool.org LongIslandParent 11

DIY CORNER WINTER CRAFT

Feed the Birds

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

Bird Seed Ornaments These goodies are so pretty they’d brighten a tree even without the snow. Use walnuts, cranberries, and kumquats to form a garland to add a little extra cheer. Ingredients ¾ cup flour ½ cup water 1 packet unflavored gelatin 3 Tbsp. corn syrup 4 cup birdseed Directions 1. Mix ingredients together in a large bowl. 2. U se vegetable oil on a paper towel to coat the insides of the cookie cutters (or use vegetable spray); this will allow you to remove the ornaments from the cookie cutters more easily. 3. S pread waxed paper over your work area, then fill the insides of the cookie cutters with birdseed mixture, packing tightly. (We used circle and heart shapes.) 4. P oke a drinking straw through each ornament near the top to make a hole for hanging. 5. C arefully remove each ornament from the cookie cutter and set on waxed paper. Let dry for several hours.

6. Once the ornaments are dry, you can use peanut butter to decorate the rims and insides with other seeds. For example, spread a line of peanut butter around an outside rim, then press thistle onto the peanut butter. Or use peanut butter to create a heart shape atop a circle, and press in thistle and corn kernels. 7. Thread ribbon through the hole, and hang on a tree.

Bird Seed Wreath

Ground Bird Seed Feeder

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

Bake bread dough in a doughnut shape, slather on peanut butter, and coat with seeds. A yummy dinner for the birds! Add a pretty bow to make it a decoration for the yard.

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

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

2 0 17 ?

LongIslandParent 13

Enroll Now!

NYMP Q&A

Here’s to the Average Parent ›› By Bethany Braun-Silva

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

S uc ce s s f ul F r ie n d s h i p s a re Po s s i ble !

•••••••••• •••••• We ca n h elp you r ch ild su cc ee d one st ep at a ti m

S2S

STEPS TO

SOCIALIZATION 14

516.767.0266 www.s2sny.com

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Where does the pressure of being a perfect parent come from? I think a lot of it is due to social media. Even on Instagram, everybody posts these beautiful pictures of motherhood, and everybody is putting up their highlight reel and the reality is you’re taking, like, 50 pictures of your kids not being able to stand still and then the one where they’re both smiling is the one you’re posting. Which is totally normal and fine, but as we’re looking through our feeds and we’re seeing all these pictures of kids in these perfect scenarios and smiling, you make your own assumptions about what the rest of that person’s life or day looks like and you forget that you’re only seeing a very small piece of it. We can’t look at what people are posting on social media and think that represents real life, because people are posting the best versions of their life. It’s very healthy to talk about the realities of parenting so we don’t think that we’re alone in this and we’re the only ones who can’t get our kids to stand still for a picture. How do you incorporate humor into your everyday life? I think my kids are hilarious, and I think a lot of how you enjoy parenthood is using your pain as entertainment. If everything went according to plan, you wouldn’t have any good stories to tell. If you go on the plane and everything goes smoothly, that’s wonderful. If you go on the plane and everything goes awry, you have a really good story to tell. How do you determine how much to share on social media? I never want my kids to be embarrassed about anything I’m putting out there about them. I’m very cognizant of how things might make them look or if something is too personal. At the moment, I still feel like I’m able to talk about the struggles of parenthood or some of the things I’m dealing with and I feel like it’s all universal. So I have to figure out how to walk a line with being honest but not saying anything that might upset them or might be too personal.

DEMI

E X YEARS - OF E CE LLENC

LongIslandParent 15

The Benefits of Failure

››

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

re you raising kids who can cope with setbacks? Does your child respond to obstacles by persevering—or by calling it quits? Lately, it may seem as if the concepts of grit and failure—specifically, how to have more of the former and deal productively with the latter—are everywhere, making them the buzzy parenting concepts of the moment. It’s hard to escape the headlines and books about the perils of allowing kids to grow up without failing. But as these ideas have entered the zeitgeist, it’s easy for them to assume a bumper sticker-like simplicity (Failure is great! Go grit!), cautions Richard Rende, Ph.D., and co-author of Raising Can-Do Kids: Giving Kids the Tools to Thrive in a Fast-Changing World. The reality is a bit more complicated. It’s not that failure is good; there is no need to root for your children to flounder and fail to achieve goals. But failure is inevitable; if you’ve lived, you’ve experienced setbacks and disappointments. That goes for everyone: Even our century’s big success stories, such as J.K. Rowling, Simone Biles, and Steve Jobs, have histories littered with rejection letters, torpedoed projects, bad reviews, and missed medals. And because failure is ever present, it’s important for your child to be able to respond appropriately. “Kids need practice failing so they can learn how to deal with it in both a practical and emotional way, and know how to move on from 16

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

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

Help Kids Focus on Feedback—Not Failure

Carol Dweck, Ph.D., the author of Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, is known for her groundbreaking research into what she calls “fixed” and “growth” mindsets. In a fixed mindset, abilities and intelligence are set: Tanisha is so smart; Abby has a natural talent for math; Arjun is better at music than writing; Sean is a real artist! In this framework, failure becomes an endpoint. If you see yourself as “good” at math, a poor grade on an algebra test can feel devastating, as though you’ve reached the end of your abilities in math. Or, if you’ve always thought of yourself as “bad at math,” a poor grade acts as reinforcement. In a growth mindset, on the other hand, abilities are framed as something that can, well, grow—this transforms failure from debilitating to a “what’s next” moment. In this mindset, a poor grade indicates the need to study more or to seek tutoring. To foster a growth concept, align feedback toward effort: Tanisha studied hard for her math test; Connor’s not good at drawing realistic people yet; Abby’s practice before the piano recital paid off— she went from three missed notes last year to just two this year. Dr. Dweck believes mindset plays a powerful role in relationships, personality, and how a person’s life unfolds. “In one

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

Focusing on Your Own Response

Throughout your child’s life, there will be setbacks. Many times, the scale may seem small, especially for young kids—a missed goal; a broken toy; a poor grade in a topic that doesn’t come naturally—but from a developmental perspective, these moments are hugely important. The way you respond to these events, and, in turn, how your child processes them, will play an outsized role in your child’s personality and response to setbacks over a lifetime. Try these strategies to raise kids who can persevere past obstacles and process failures as feedback (and not dead ends): Phrase feedback right (and be cautious with your compliments). Given Dr. Dweck’s research, it’s clear that the way we speak to kids about their successes and failures has a huge impact in whether they view themselves as having core abilities, or whether they’re focused on effort and improvement. “Compliments can be negative for your child’s internal motivation and self-esteem,” says Dr. Schwab, a Bronx resident. Praise feels good, but when it’s for fixed qualities, it doesn’t foster your child’s esteem or sense of worth. Instead of saying, “Good job!” Dr. Schwab advises, ask your child, “Are you proud of yourself?” This allows kids to think through how they feel— proud or determined to do even better next time. Resist the temptation to smooth things over. Here’s a classic scene: A wheel has fallen off your child’s small truck, and she is wailing in dismay as a result. For parents, it can be tempting to fix the truck. After all, for us, that’s easy (and stops the tears handily). But doing so might not be doing your child any favors. “Remember who owns the problem, and try to avoid bailing your child out,” Dr. Schwab says. Instead, offer empathy (Isn’t it frustrating that the wheel fell off!) and ask helpful questions geared toward your child’s age and understanding (What do you want to do? How can we fix this? Do you think that wheel can be reattached?) “This strategy gives kids the confidence and ability to fix problems on their own and encourages them to think for themselves,” Dr. Schwab says. Don’t keep your own failures hidden. Think about how you share stories of your own life with your children. Do you talk only about your successes? Here, as in every other area of your life, be a role model to your children: Share your triumphs in work and life, but don’t shield your child from the process—the successful meeting that was the result of devoting a full weekend to creating and practicing a presentation, for instance. Share the negative feedback and disappointments as well, along with how you overcame those challenges. Encourage kids to be intelligent risk takers. Dr. Rende recommends parents “let kids do things where they might not be the stars” and encourage kids to take risks. Doing this helps inculcate a growth mindset in your child—and encourages them to not settle for only doing tasks where they’ll perform well. “Failure is an important part of the learning process,” Dr. Schwab says. He recommends parents get in the habit of

tacking on the word “yet” to negative statements. If your child is crying that he can’t fix that truck’s wheel, you might subtly inspire him by responding, “You can’t fix that truck’s wheel— yet!” Practice and perseverance alone can’t make a person run as fast as Usain Bolt, Dr. Schwab points out, but that doesn’t mean it won’t lead to improvements. In everyday life—unlike the Olympics—there’s more value to trying and improving than to chasing after the gold medal. Separate out external markers. In a child’s world, there are a lot of definitive moments of evaluation: grades, competitions, sports victories, and defeats. Perhaps more than adults, children have to deal with rankings and concrete feedback. Dr. Rende describes all of these evaluations as being a statement in a moment of time, and encourages parents to keep kids focused on the process, instead of the result. “We really want to eliminate the word failure, but we also want to eliminate the word success. It’s best for kids to focus on process and being in control of their learning,” he says. Ask children to think about what they learned from the experience, and encourage them to be open to feedback beyond the grade. As parents, it can be painful to think of your child experiencing pain, frustration, or failure. But research tells us allowing your child to fail—and then helping them think through how to respond to this setback—allows kids to build the framework they need to learn from the moment, and get insight into how to move on from failure in the future. Madeleine Burry is a Brooklyn-based freelance writer and editor, covering everything from parenting to open data to workplace productivity. She’s held staff positions at Parents.com, Scholastic, and About.com. You can follow her on Twitter @lovelanewest.

LongIslandParent 17

Finding Summer Fun in the Depths of Winter ››

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

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

Get Wet at an Indoor Water Park

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

Visit the Animals at the Zoo

While temps may be low, lots of local zoos remain open all year long. Bundle up and take a trip to visit the animals, or at least

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

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

Watch the Waves at the Beach

While beaches are closed for swimming during the winter, most of the boardwalks remain open. Take a stroll and watch the ocean, where the waves are usually huge in the colder months, making for a really great sight. Or hop on a bike on a boardwalk and grab a hot dog for lunch. At some beaches, you may be able to even play in the sand, if there’s no snow on the ground—just be careful to stay a safe distance from the water. If you get cold, plan a trip to a nearby venue to warm up. You don’t have to wait until June or July to pay a visit to fantastic sea life: In Coney Island, Brooklyn, Nathan’s hotdogs and the New York Aquarium are open nearly every day of the year.

Pitch a Tent and Camp Inside

Enjoy summer fun without leaving your home. You and your family can plan a camping trip right in your living room. If space allows, pitch a tent and throw in some sleeping bags. If space is tight, any kind of makeshift fort will do. Roast some marshmallows on the stove or break out the grill for a wintertime cookout. Tell some ghost stories, blast the summertime jams, or throw on a favorite summer-themed movie. The kids will love the feeling of camping in their own house!

Museum of Natural History in Manhattan is a classic and offers various show times throughout the week; there are several other options around the region, many of which include kidfocused shows. A virtual trip under the stars should hold your family over until you can see the real thing.

Get Active at an Indoor Sports Facility

Take your kids to an indoor sports center or a batting cage. While Astroturf is not quite the same as fresh grass, it will do until the weather warms up. A family soccer or softball game is sure to get

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

Enrichment Programs

START THE NEW YEAR STRONG ADVANCE YOUR CHILD’S ACADEMIC SKILLS! • JEI’s personalized learning programs in Math & English will help boost your child’s grades and confidence. • We are different than other tutoring centers. At JEI, our curriculum is state aligned with a focus on critical thinking skills. • Your child will study at his or her own pace to build a solid foundation while having fun and keeping minds active.

Star Gaze at a Planetarium Lay (or, at least, sit back) under the stars at a local planetarium. While it may be too overcast in January and February to get a good look at the galaxies, a planetarium is a great way to take in some of the outdoors without actually being outside. The best part, you’ll be nice and warm! The Hayden Planetarium at the American

FREE

Call us to GET Started today!

IN JANUARY

1-855-JEI-MATH

ASSESSMENT

JEILearning.com

JEI Herricks-Williston Park JEI Hicksville-Jericho JEI Merrick-Bellmore

516-742-5534 917-815-0977 516-308-4705

OR GO TO JEI.COM TO FIND YOUR NEAREST CENTER!

LongIslandParent 19

Courtesy Oliver Stockhammer

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

Is Homework Necessary?

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

“

omework is one of the most stressful parts of a family’s day,” says Elizabeth Garraway, principal at P.S. 118: The Maurice Sendak Community School in Park Slope, Brooklyn. “Families argue about homework and instead of being something that kids enjoy or something they learn from, it becomes a source of stress for parents and for kids.” At School Leadership Team meetings last year, parents kept bringing up concerns regarding homework. “A lot of families were feeling like the homework was kind of making their children feel under pressure or frustrated after school,” says Alexis Hernandez, a first-grade teacher at P.S. 118. These sentiments about homework are not unique to P.S. 118. Homework has been “a part of the discussion around education throughout the 20th century as people debated what should kids be doing in school and what should kids be doing outside of school,” says Thomas Hatch, Ed.D., co-director of the National Center for Restructuring Education, Schools, and Teaching. “I think the latest incarnation of the concerns about homework has come along with the concerns of the proliferation of testing. So, I think, right now concerns about homework, concerns about testing, concerns about academic pressure on kids are all kind of coming to the forefront.” While those concerns are being voiced, there is a huge divide in this country among parents. There are “parents who are very focused on high academic achievement and really push their kids. Those are the parents who want homework,” says Etta Kralovec, Ed.D., author of The End of Homework: How Homework Disrupts Families, Overburdens Children, and Limits Learning. “And then

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

there’s another group of parents who want their kids to have well-rounded lives, who want their kids to be involved in church activities, or they want their kids to be in Scouting.” With the regular school day, extracurricular clubs and activities, and sports teams, many parents and students are lamenting how much time homework takes, and parents and educators are questioning whether it really benefits the kids.

Finding a Balance

Hatch doesn’t think teachers should stop assigning homework altogether, but should work to find a balance between activities that support academic development and activities that support other aspects of development. “My take on that is really to look at it in the broader perspective. It’s not just about homework per se, it’s about how much time and focus do we want to see kids having on academic activities,” says Hatch, who is also a professor at Teachers College, Columbia University. “It’s really about how do we create a balance between a focus on academics and activities to embrace a wider set of abilities.” The question of balance isn’t just a hot topic in the U.S.; there are debates going on in many countries, including Korea, China, and Singapore, according to Hatch. The concern is kids are spending too much time in tutoring centers. “It’s kind of like an educational arms race where the parents are concerned about kids spending too much time outside of school cramming for tests…but at the same time they’re worried that if they don’t put their kids into those centers or don’t support continuing their academic focus after school,

then those kids are going to fall behind,” Hatch says. “That’s in part what you see in the U.S. as well.” It’s possible to find that balance with and without homework, Hatch says. If students are spending their entire school day on reading, math, writing—the basic academic skills—and going home with worksheets, “that’s a problem,” he says. If, on the other hand, students have time for recess, play, music, and art during the school day, it’s okay, developmentally, for them to have some homework relating to their academic work.

Ending Homework

“I don’t see any benefit to keeping homework,” says Kralovec, who is also an associate professor of Teacher Education and the program director of Graduate Teacher Education at the University of Arizona South. “There’s just no research that says it develops any kind of abilities or characteristics in student behavior that they actually need in life.” At the elementary level, there is no research that shows homework increases academic achievement. “In fact, most of the research says that it’s detrimental to kids because they’ve been in school all day and they need to exercise other parts of themselves other than just their school self,” Kralovec says. “I think that’s why a lot of elementary schools are really looking at getting rid of it.” At the middle- and high-school levels, though, the research is less clear that homework doesn’t support academic achievement. “There’s a correlation between homework and grades, but the correlation is very weak. Homework may be part of a good student practice by the time you get to high school, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that the homework is actually effective,” she says. With the proliferation of articles in the past few years about

school-induced stress, we know today’s students feel significant pressure to achieve—especially kids who want to go to college and think they have to be involved in various activities and in the community. Kralovec says homework, in some way, impedes high school students’ ability to become involved in their communities and develop interests that don’t grow out of school experiences. “I know some people say [homework] teaches kids responsibility, it teaches kids discipline, but there are just no studies that show it does any of that,” she says. “So for me, I like to think that there’s almost a firewall between the school and the child’s family life.”

Homework Alternatives

Back at P.S. 118’s SLT meetings, “parents were asking the teachers what they were doing with the homework,” Hernandez says. Not much, as it turns out. Rather than grading the homework and using it to plan future instruction, the teachers at P.S. 118 were mostly just checking to make sure the students completed and turned in their homework packets, Hernandez says. “So we really just kind of sat back and we thought what kind of program can we implement that would be more beneficial to our students, to our families, and to the teachers,” Hernandez says. “At P.S. 118, we really try to put a lot of play and hands-on learning in our curriculum, and so we thought why don’t we extend that into our after-school homework program as well and try to make it more interactive, more play-based, and more hands-on?” The result of that brainstorm session was Exercise Your Brain, which Hernandez created with Matt Weeks and Laura Willeford, both thirdgrade teachers at P.S. 118. The three teachers looked to the program P.S. 11: The William T. Harris School in Chelsea, Manhattan, uses, continued on next page ››

SCHOOL MARKETPLACE

An Education Where Children Thrive Under the Guidance of Great Teacher in an Environment that Stimulates Creativity and Individual Potential! • A proven system celebrating 100 years of practice, research and worldwide recognition. • Our fully equipped spacious classroom offer the most enriched curriculum available for 18 months - 6 years. • Fully affiliated with the American Montessori Society since 1998. • Early drop-off / Extended day available.

LongIslandParent 21

SCHOOL MARKETPLACE

Our Lady of Grace Montessori School

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

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

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

29 Shelter Rock Road Manhasset, NY 11030

www.olgmanhasset.com 516.365.9832

Call Now to Enroll. Space Is Limited.

Our Lady of Mercy 520 South Oyster Bay Road Hicksville, NY 11801

‹‹ continued from previous page

the Home-Based Optional Practice. With HOP, teachers provide families with a list of optional activities (with individual and family approaches to each activity) for every grade level. “We put together a menu of activities that would hit on a lot of different profiles of learning,” Willeford says. “We wanted to create an opportunity where kids could express their learning and their engagement in school in a variety of modalities. EYB is a menu of activities that changes monthly from which kids can choose an activity to complete. While participation in EYB is not required, Weeks has found that “100-percent of students participate, and they’ve participated a handful of times so far,” he says. Exercise Your Brain was implemented at the beginning of the school year, and though it met with some hesitation from the parents, the feedback now is positive. “I remember having mixed feelings, because while I support innovation in education, this no homework idea was foreign to me,” says Debbie Farrell, a mother of first- and second-grade boys at P.S. 118. “My 7-year-old son used to delay starting his homework, or skip it altogether. Now he and his brother both start talking about which EYB activity they can do, even before we are home from school. They are also able to do some EYB activities together, like the science experiment making invisible ink. They seem more patient with each other as well.” Oliver Stockhammer, father of third-grade Jovan, says, “Maria [Jovan’s mother] and I feel that this program has engaged the children on such a higher level than simple homework worksheets, getting them ownership of the projects, selecting and following through.” “I’m also seeing [increased engagement] in the classroom,” Willeford says. “My class is probably the most engaged class I’ve had, and I think a lot of that is attributed to the fact that they have been able to be creative and have self-initiated learning.” The kids are loving EYB, too. “You have fun with EYB because you’re making something and learning a lot about different things,” Jovan says. “You don’t have to do homework all night long, and you get to present to the class and get to show what you did. With normal homework you just hand it in.”

Making Changes in Your School

The one resounding piece of advice everyone gave: Changing the homework policy at your children’s school should be a major discussion within the school community. Each school “needs to deal with the issue from the context of that school community. It really requires all parents to get involved to try to shape the work at the school so there’s a balance between school life and family life,” Kralovec says. “You do really have to look at your population, and you need to talk to the stakeholders. Talk to the principal, go to the SLT and make a presentation,” Garraway says. “We talked about it in SLT all last year, and we implemented [Exercise Your Brain] this year because homework just kept coming up” as an issue. It’s also important to look at how scaling back or ending homework will affect all kids in terms of their performance at school. “Those who love academics may thrive when there’s more to do. Those who are already disengaged from school may find it even more problematic if there’s too much activity, and then they respond when the homework is cut back, but it may not benefit them unless they’re also given alternate ways to improve their educational performance or to get engaged in academic activities,” Hatch says. “It’s about finding that right balance that allows every student to get the kind of academic support they need.” 22

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

SCHOOL MARKETPLACE ANNUAL CHARITY DRIVE Collecting new pajamas for “The L. I. Pajama Program”helping L. I.’s children in need

Kids’s Night Out “Pajama Party”

Friday February 3rd 6:15-8:15

$25, Siblings $20 Incl. Dinner, crafts & games/gymtime

DayCare & InfantCare (in Syosset)

2017-2018 SCHOOL PROGRAM* (Ages 18 mos.- 5 yrs.)

• Engaging academic & gymnastics curriculum • Diapers welcome • 2*-5 day options & toilet training • NYS Certified • Lunch Program & Option Teachers

TODDLER Separation & AFTERSCHOOL CLASSES* (Ages 20 mos.-12 yrs.)

Sessions run Jan. 26th- June 13th

WINTER RECESS MINICAMP Feb. 21-23rd (Ages 2-12 yrs.)

Weekend Birthday Party Service Birthday Child always FREE!

*programs may vary by location

Tour our spacious classrooms & gyms (available by appointment) Visit us on www.matsskidsgym.com

LongIslandParent 23

John Raiola

Not of the Faith

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

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

rthur Tobias is the father of three kids in New Rochelle and was brought up in an Italian-Catholic family. His wife is Jewish and his kids identify as Jewish, yet his two sons attend Iona Preparatory School—an all-boys Catholic school in New Rochelle. Tobias says that when it was time for his older son to consider high schools, he was either going to continue attending public school or enroll in Iona Prep, where the elder Tobias had gone himself years earlier. But he did not know if the school would accept non-Catholic students until he had a conversation with a colleague who had been in the same situation: his wife and kids were Jewish, yet he sent his kids to Iona Prep. The colleague was a member of the school’s board and said that at one point board members had asked, “Who do we admit into the school?” They decided that being Catholic was not required, opening the school to kids with different religious backgrounds. Tobias and his wife then discussed sending their son to Iona Prep. They were concerned he might be teased or experience prejudice because he is Jewish. “She understood that I went there and that I valued my four years there and still do,” Tobias says. They came to an understanding and agreed to enroll him. Four years later, Tobias’ son graduated from Iona Prep and thanked his parents for allowing him to go there.

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Catholic School Policies

Edward O’Neill, the principal of the Upper School at Iona Prep, says that out of the 750 boys in ninth through 12th grades, 171 identify as not Catholic, which is approximately 23 percent of the student population. That number includes students who are Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and Hindu, as well as non-Catholic Christians. O’Neill says he believes non-Catholic students apply to Iona Prep because of the school’s values. “Our values system is fairly clear, so people can identify with that,” O’Neill says. “We’re able to project a set of values of right and wrong, why we think kids should pursue their values and a good life.” The school requires all students to take four years of a course in Catholic religion and to attend school Mass once per month. The class is just like any other course in that the students receive a grade and have homework, and while Mass attendance is mandatory, participation is not. “The guys don’t have to actively participate, but we do want them to be familiar with our liturgies and how we celebrate our religion,” O’Neill says. Many other Catholic schools have similar policies, in which non-Catholic students can enroll and must go to Mass, but are not forced to participate or share the same beliefs. Maria Ljubich, the advancement director of St. Bernadette Catholic Academy in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, says 4 percent

SCHOOL MARKETPLACE of the 400 students in pre-K through eighth grades are non-Catholic, but all participate in prayer and school Mass. “Religion is taught as a subject on a daily basis and prayer permeates our day,” Ljubich says. Catholic students may prepare sacraments and non-Catholic students are welcome to help, but they do not have to receive them. Ljubich says no problems have come up from nonCatholic students and their families. Jane Harrigan, the principal of Our Lady of Mercy School in Hicksville, says approximately 31 students out of the 300 in pre-K through eighth grades identify as non-Catholic. She says some parents have asked questions about what it will mean for their child to receive an education in a Catholic school. “We talk about…what the child would be experiencing because especially with the little ones, they’re learning ABCs, numbers, and also prayer,” Harrigan says. Students at Our Lady of Mercy School take a religion class, and though they are learning about the faith, they do not have to agree with it, Harrigan says. “If there are any places where perhaps our [religion] and theirs is not exactly the same, then the parents take it upon themselves to say [to their kids], ‘This is what you’re learning in the Catholic school, this is what we believe in. We’re respectful of both,’” Harrigan says. Unlike Iona Prep and St. Bernadette Catholic School, tuition prices vary at Our Lady of Mercy School: Tuition is slightly cheaper for a Catholic student whose family attends a church in the diocese in Rockville Centre. The reasoning behind the difference is these families are already making monetary contributions to their Catholic church along with tuition, and some of that goes toward Our Lady of Mercy church, which is adjacent to the school.

Misconceptions, Debunked

In the beginning, Tobias’s eldest son was unsure about Mass and did not want to attend. “He was anxious about it because any time he had been to church, it was with me and it was a family setting,” Tobias says. At the school, all students are expected to get up and stand in line for communion, but they do not have to receive it. “It removes the stigma of, ‘Well, why aren’t you going up and going to communion?’” Tobias says. If his son did not like Iona Prep, Tobias says he would not have enrolled his kids in any other Catholic school. His daughter is currently a senior at a public high school because she did not like the private school she and her parents considered. It’s a matter of researching the school and constantly checking in with your child, Tobias says. “[See] if there are any anxieties or concerns they may be having around the idea that they’re in a school different from their religion,” he advises. “A lot of kids are adjusting to high school life and religious differences may be just another part of that adjustment.” O’Neill has been an educator at Catholic schools for 44 years and attended one as a student 50 years ago. Catholic schools used to be viewed as extremely rigid, he admits, with an emphasis on discipline and order. But, he says, educators’ mindsets have changed in the past 20 years because a lot of them are modernizing and adapting to the times. “The older approach was ‘Here’s a group of kids and everybody is going to conform,’” O’Neill says. “At some point, Catholic schools got it that they needed to treat people as individuals and adjust to their learning styles.”

St Raymond School 1/8 pg ad:Layout 1 9/22/16 4:33 PM Page 1

Building solid foundations for ninety years.

ST. RAYMOND SCHOOL 263 Atlantic Ave., East Rockaway, NY 11518 516-593-9010 • www.srsny.org

All Saints Regional School 1-8 pg ad:Layout 1 9/23/16 1:23 PM Page 1

Developing intellectual gifts. Fostering spiritual growth.

All Saints Regional Catholic School 12 Pearsall Ave., Glen Cove, NY 516 -676-0762 • www.asrcatholic.org

LongIslandParent 25

Academic Enrichment & Educational Services Eye Level Learning CenterWilliston Park

61 Hillside Ave., Williston Park 516-747-7700 myeyelevel.com Eye Level is a supplemental education program with a curriculum that is tailored to meet the needs of each individual student. We are the leading provider in supplemental education in the areas of math, reading, and writing. We enable students to realize their potential by bringing our instructional materials to the eye-level of your child and teaching them important skills that they can take with them into their scholastic future and beyond. Call to schedule your free diagnostic placement test! 514-747-7700.

Huntington Learning Centers (LI)

656 Sunrise Highway, Baldwin 516-867-4041 607 E. Main St., Bay Shore 631-968-5100 79-81 Westbury Ave., Carle Place 516-747-5600 Elwood Shopping Center, 1928B Jericho Turnpike, East Northport 631-462-8900 Phillips Plaza, 639 Sunrise Highway, Lynbrook 516-568-1900 1506 Northern Blvd., Manhasset 516-365-4455 South Gate Shopping Center, 49-34 Merrick Road, Massapequa Park 516-799-9500 Gateway Plaza, 499-5 Sunrise Highway, Patchogue 631-289-4900 443 South Oyster Bay Road, Suite B, 2nd floor, Plainview 516-681-0400 Smithtown Shopping Center, 8 Miller Place, Smithtown 631-360-0422 huntingtonhelps.com Huntington Learning Center’s tips for parents at mid-year report card time: The new year is upon us, which means it’s time for mid-

year report cards, which can stir up stress for children struggling with school. Huntington Learning Center reminds parents that the mid-year report card should be used as a tool to identify issues and seek help to address them during the remainder of the school year. Since 1977, Huntington has helped students develop the skills, confidence, and motivation they need to succeed. Call 1-800-CAN-LEARN (226-5327) or visit huntingtonhelps.com for more information.

JEI Learning Centers (Nassau)

Herricks-Williston Park: 516-742-5534 Hicksville-Jericho: 917-815-0977 Merrick-Bellmore: 516-308-4705 jei.com JEI Learning Centers have helped children achieve academic success around the world since 1977. We offer a variety of academic enrichment and tutoring programs for children in pre-K through ninth grade, including math, problem solving, English, reading, and writing. Our program is designed to elevate each student’s abilities to the next level and beyond. JEI’s scientific diagnostic system pinpoints the missing links in learning and prescribes individual study programs based on specific needs. Our curriculum is aligned with the Common Core Standards. Call us for more information.

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 increasing recognition of society’s special responsibilities for children with demonstrably superior intellectual ability. The Long Island University Center for Gifted Youth brings together two important elements of education for the gifted: extraordinary teachers recruited from leading high schools, middle schools, and

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

elementary schools in the metropolitan area and university-level facilities. These two factors, combined with an administrative and psychological team schooled in the needs of gifted children, give the program at LIU Post unique strengths in producing positive benefits for young people admitted to the program.

Mathnasium Learning Centers

1759 Grand Ave., Baldwin 516-544-2525 414 Central Ave., Cedarhurst 516-569-1500 11 Great Neck Road, Great Neck 516-482-MATH (6284) 661 Old Country Road, Plainview 516-881-7997 1003 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. Our experienced math tutors utilize our proprietary teaching materials and techniques, The Mathnasium Method™, to deliver a customized learning plan designed to address each student’s needs. Our instructional approach goes beyond traditional math tutoring to develop understanding and build a love for math.

Music Institute of Long Island

90 Community Reformed Church, Manhasset 516-627-7052 milimusic.com miligirls@aol.com Now in our 27th year, Music Institute of Long Island was voted No. 1 “Best Music School On The North Shore 2016.” Programs include violin, viola, cello, guitar, piano, voice, clarinet, sax-

OO CH L

SPECIA

Schools & Educational Services Guide

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

ophone, trumpet, trombone, and tuba. Instructions in traditional and Suzuki methods for ages 3-99, beginner-advanced. MILI offers Chamber Music, Theory, Sight Reading, NYSSMA, and College Audition Preparation. Performances eight times annually at Lincoln Center, Steinway Hall, Carnegie Hall, and for charities. First prize music competition winners and soloists with orchestras. MILI: “Educating the Next Generation of Great Musicians.” Outstanding faculty. Spring semester begins Feb. 8.

New York Hall of Science

47-01 111th St. (7 Train to 111th St.), Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens 718-699-0005 nysci.org New York Hall of Science is science at play. A hands-on science center with more than 450 interactive exhibits and play spaces, NYSCI also features Rocket Park Mini Golf, New York’s largest science playground, 3-D movie theater, and year-round workshops, events, and traveling exhibits. Children indulge their curiosity and nurture their creativity. NYSCI offers professional development for teachers, produces curricula and resources for classrooms, and studies how technology and play affect how we learn. For more information, please visit nysci.org. Open daily.

The Reading/Writing Learning Clinic at the Joan and Arnold Saltzman Community Services Center of Hofstra University

131 Hofstra University 516-463-5805 hofstra.edu/community/slzctr/ slzctr_reading.html 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. Each class—taught by New York state-certified

teachers—incorporates students’ experiences with literacy in innovative ways to help them develop their strengths as readers and writers. Personalized consultations offer parents advice about how to support their child’s literacy growth. Individual or small group instruction is available. Evaluations are conducted by appointment only.

RoboMindTech

25 Cuttermill Road, No. 4, Great Neck 516-418-6101 robomindtech.com robomindtech@gmail.com Build a Lego holiday ride or play sports in the Robot Olympics! Channel your child’s creative energy into exciting projects in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) with our unique, hands-on curriculum. Home to NYC FIRST Lego League and National World Robot Olympiad Champions, RoboMindTech is an award-winning STEM education center that inspires young minds with engineering. From robotics, video game design, and coding, to Lego creative play, we offer a variety of immersive weeklong summer camps and after-camp studios. Call to RSVP for our open house!

RSM Russian School of Mathematics

322 Port Washington Blvd., Port Washington 516-551-6428 portwashington@russianschool.com 2115 Benson Ave., Brooklyn 516-551-6428 brooklyn@russianschool.com russianschool.com The Russian School of Mathematics is an award-winning, after-school math enrichment program for students in kindergarten to 12th grades. Our approach is based on the best practices of advanced math schools in the former Soviet Union and Europe, adapted to the U.S. educational environment for students of all abilities. We help our students to become thinkers and analysts by enabling them to understand mathematical concepts at a high level, and at an early age.

Steps to Socialization

13 South Bayles Ave., Port Washington 516-767-0266

At Steps to Socialization, we understand that not all children process social information the same way. Our curriculum, designed for children through 12th grade, makes the hidden rules of daily social interactions simple and clear. Through targeted activities and role-play, your child will gain the communication skills needed to navigate the social world. Parents and caregivers are an integral part of the team. We work together to

reinforce the program at home and school.

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® is a highly rigorous, creative, and engaging academic enrichment program for gifted students ages 3-16. Its curriculum includes Latin, writing, geography, global studies, world history, STEM, advanced linguistics, SAT vocabulary enrichment, public speaking, art, and creative problem solving. Gifted pre-kindergarten (ages 3-4) is offered as well as parallel classes for bright children not classified as gifted. More than continued on next page ››

SCHOOL MARKETPLACE

Providing Services For Over 45 Years

The Hagedorn Little Village School, Jack Joel Center for Special Children (HLVS), is a not-for proﬁt program that provides services for infants and children up to 11 years of age with learning language and social delays, motor impairments and autism with no direct cost to families: *Evaluations *Early intervention (Birth - 3) •SEIT *CSE Itinerant Services •ABA Home Programs

•Related Services: -Speech - OT/PT - Parent Training - Family Support Services

•Special Ed Classes: - Developmental Groups (2 -3) - Pre-School (3-5) - School-Age (5-11) - Inclusion

750 Hicksville Road Seaford, NY 11783 • 516-520-600 www.littlevillage.org

Funded and regulated by Nassau County (NCDOH) and Suﬀolk County (SCDOH) Department of Health, NYS, NYS ED Department Early Intervention (EI) and Committee for Preschool Special Education (CPSE) services are for children who have or are suspected of having a developmental delay or disability. Evaluations must be referred by NCDOH/SCDOH for EI and/or to the local school district for CPSE. Services are provided based on an individual child’s eligibility as established by NYS DOH and/or NYS ED department and local government at no direct cost to parents. Parents are responsible for fees/costs associated with childcare. LongIslandParent 27

‹‹ continued from previous page

400 students have enrolled in the program, all of whom have placed in the 90th percentile or higher on national tests with IQ scores between 130 and 155.

YMCA of Long Island

855-2YMCALI (962254) ymcali.org tamar.simpson@ymcali.org YMCA East Hampton RECenter 2 Gingerbread Lane, East Hampton 631-329-6884 YMCA at Glen Cove 125 Dosoris Lane, Glen Cove 516-671-8270 Great South Bay YMCA 200 W. Main St., Bay Shore 631-665-4255 YMCA Boulton Center for the Performing Arts 37 W. Main St., Bay Shore 631-969-1101 Huntington YMCA 60 Main St., Huntington 631-421-4242 Patchogue Family YMCA 255 W. Main St., Patchogue 631-891-1800 Brookhaven Roe YMCA Center 155 Buckley Road, Holtsville YMCA Family Services-Counseling 1150 Portion Road, Suite 6, Holtsville 631-580-7777 YMCA of Long Island works daily to improve lives through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Each year, we serve more than 65,000 people island-wide of all ages and backgrounds. Our locations in Bay Shore, East Hampton, Glen Cove, Huntington, Holtsville, and Patchogue provide programs and services for youth, teens, adults, and seniors including state-of-the-art fitness centers,

group exercise classes, youth and teen programs, pristine pools, family activities, preschool, before- and after-school programs, and summer day camp for children ages 3-15 of all interests!

Charter & Public Schools Long Island High School for the Arts

239 Cold Spring Road, Syosset 516-622-5678 nassauboces.org/lihsa The Long Island High School for the Arts offers a free, public, halfday high school program (ninth to 12th grades) for talented young artists who are passionately exploring the world of dance, drama, filmmaking, instrumental and vocal music, theater technology, musical theater, and visual arts. We also offer the LIHSA Summer Arts Academy open to sixth to 12th grades. Open house: Feb. 4 from 10am–2pm. For more information, contact us at 516-622-5678, mstencel@ nasboces.org, or nassauboces. org/lihsa.

Preschools Countryside Montessori School

354 Lakeville Road, lower level, Great Neck 516-466-8422 cmsgn.com csmontessori@cmsgn.com Countryside Montessori School was founded in 1998. We were founded with the aim of providing a high-quality early childhood education based on the philosophy, methods, and techniques developed 100 years ago by educational pioneer and Nobel Prize nominee Dr. Maria Montessori.

Our children become responsible for their own learning and their own behavior. They learn to respect themselves and others. Everything in our school is designed to encourage and aid the child’s natural curiosity.

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 Infant, toddler, and separation classes bridge development to a comprehensive early childhood education-nursery school-gym program. After-school classes provide movement, gymnastics, sports, and enrichment instruction for both our on-site center children and community schoolage kids (7 months to 12 years). Summer camp, holiday minicamps, weekend birthday party, and Friday “Kids’ Night Out” events provide a year-round place to play and celebrate! Extended day available. Full day care (3 months and older) available at our Syosset location. Diapers welcome. Dedicated teachers and staff are N.Y.S CPR- and First Aid-certified. Since 1985, A Rainbow of Programs to Play, Learn, and Grow!

Private Schools Buckley Country Day School

2 I.U. Willets Road, Roslyn 516-472-2702 buckleycountryday.com Buckley Country Day School is

an independent, coeducational day school providing a superior elementary education to an intellectually capable and diverse student body. Buckley provides the foundation that enables our students to achieve their full potential and excel as educated, ethical, and self-confident individuals. Our graduates are well prepared for secondary schools and beyond.

Our Lady of Grace Montessori School

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

Vincent Smith School

SCHOOL MARKETPLACE

ST. AIDAN SCHOOL Together in Learning Together in Christ

Early Childhood Programs • Full Day Pre K–8th Grade • After School Care Program State of the Art Technology • Extra-curricular Programs • Enrichment Programs

510/525 Willis Avenue Williston Park • www.staidanschool.org 516-746- 6585 ext. 9202 or 9302

OPEN HOUSE: SUNDAY, JANUARY 29th, 2017 10:00AM – 12:30PM Accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

~ Over 65 years of excellence in education ~

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

SCHOOL MARKETPLACE disabilities such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, auditory processing disorders, and language (expressive or receptive) processing disorders. Emphasis is placed on academic excellence, differentiated instruction, strong home-to-school connection, and college and career counseling in small supportive classes.

Parochial Schools All Saints Regional Catholic School

12 Pearsall Ave., Glen Cove 516 -676-0762 asrcatholic.org All Saints Regional Catholic School, founded in 1990, serves nursery through eighth grade students. Our mission is to educate our students within a family-centered Catholic community. We commit ourselves to Gospel values as we seek to develop our students’ intellectual gifts and foster their spiritual growth. Our aim is to prepare our students to lead creative and productive lives, which contribute to the growth of both God’s kingdom and our nation. We offer early childhood programs, kindergarten-eighth grade, after-school activities, and before and after care.

Catholic Elementary Schools of Long Island Diocese of Rockville Centre

128 Cherry Lane, Hicksville 516-678-5800 drvcschools.org Long Island’s Catholic elementary schools are 43 unique and beautiful schools in Nassau and Suffolk counties. Academically, the expectations of each student are high and the historical performance has been exceptional. The schools are differentiated from their public counterparts by their integrated program of learning and living the Catholic faith and values. We help instill the moral values, self-respect, and study habits that go on to serve our students well as they continue their education, and for the rest of their lives.

Holy Trinity Diocesan High School 98 Cherry Lane, Hicksville 516-433-2900 x151 holytrinityhs.org jgovernale@holytrinityhs.org Holy Trinity High School is a private, coeducational Catholic

high school founded in 1966 drawing students from Nassau, Suffolk, and Queens counties. We seek to educate the whole person: mind, heart, soul, and body, and to motivate all students in the pursuit of truth and academic excellence, preparing them for future educational opportunities and service to both the church and to the world. We offer a wide range of advanced placement and college-level courses. We are also nationally recognized for our athletics, performing arts, and fine arts departments.

Our Lady of Grace Montessori School

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

Our Lady of Mercy

520 S. Oyster Bay Road, Hicksville 516-433-7040 olmshicks.org Our Lady of Mercy School strives in the spirit of service and love to inspire our students to grow spiritually, academically, and socially. Our goal is to enable all students to meet the challenges of the future through a strong faith-based academic program enhanced by extracurricular activities. A variety of early childhood classes, fullday kindergarten through eighth grade, before- and after-care programs are available. Weekday, evening, and weekend tours are available by appointment.

Our Lady of Victory

2 Bellmore St., Floral Park 516-352-4466 olvfp.org Our Lady of Victory School seeks to ensure that the Catholic faith within each of our students becomes alive and active through continued on next page ››

Specializing in individual program for students with AD/HD and Learning Disabilities, including Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Auditory Processing Disorder and Language (Expressive/Receptive) Processing Disorders Call TODAY for a Private Tour! Academic Excellence Differentiated Instruction College & Career Counseling Social Emotional Learning Small, Supportive Classes Skills for Social & Academic Success

ADMISSIONS OPEN HOUSE Sunday, January 22, 2017 12p.m - 3 p.m

VINCENT SMITH SCHOOL

322 Port Washington Boulevard Port Washington, New York 11050 516-365-4900 ext.105 Visit our website at: www.vincentsmithschool.org

Grades 1-12!

Registered by the New York State Board of Regents-Accredited by the New York State Association of Independent Schools. The Vincent Smith School is a non-profit corporation and is open to all without regard to race, creed or national origin.

ST. CHRISTOPHER SCHOOL Where Faith Meets Learning

For 90 years St. Christopher School has been providing quality Catholic education to young people. • Pre-K through Grade 8 • After School Activities • Before & After Care Accredited by the Middle States Association of Schools

o e St. Chri st ph r School WHERE

FAITH

MEETS

LEARNING

Principal: Mrs. Anne Lederer

OPEN HOUSE Sunday, Jan 29th -10:30-2:00 & Tuesday Jan 31 9:30 - 11:30 (516) 223-4404 www.stchris-school.org St Christopher School 15 Pershing Boulevard Baldwin, NY 11510

Visit us during Catholic Schools Week OPEN HOUSE January 29 11am - 1pm St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Regional School

2341 Washington Avenue, Bellmore, NY 11710 Phone 516Ͳ785Ͳ5709 WWW.STEAS.COM

LongIslandParent 29

‹‹ continued from previous page

the light of instruction. Our school fittingly adjusts itself to the circumstances of advancing times while remaining true to our beliefs. Staying current on the latest technology, while being steadfast in providing excellent, faith-based instruction, creates an environment dedicated to the future of intelligent, well-rounded Catholics. Cooperation and support among home, school, church, and community are the cornerstones for the excellent education that is provided at OLV School.

Saint Aidan School

510/525 Willis Ave., Williston Park 516-746-6585 x9202 or x9302 staidanschool.org Saint Aidan School, in partnership with the home and parish, commits itself to nurturing students’ lifelong faith formation, spirituality, compassionate service, and intellectual growth by promoting Gospel values and by fostering an environment of academic excellence. This is accomplished by a rigorous curricula. We offer extracurricular activities, several early childhood programs, full-day pre-K through eighth grade, and after-school care program. Tours are available upon request. Catholic School Week Open House: Sunday, Jan. 29, 10am-12:30pm.

St. Christopher School

15 Pershing Blvd., Baldwin 516-223-4404 stchris-school.org St. Christopher School has been educating children for more than 90 years in a safe, caring, Catholic environment. Tours are always available. We offer programs for pre-K to eighth grades. We recognize that each child is unique and strive to help them reach their potential. We offer an AIS program, enrichment, and STEM classes. Technology is integrated throughout the curriculum. Each student in sixth-eighth grades has their own Chromebook, and uses it in every subject. Extracurricular activities, before- and after-school programs are available.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School

2341 Washington Ave., Bellmore 516-785-5709 steas.com St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Regional School is a middle states accred-

ited parochial school for nursery through eighth grade children providing a top-quality education since 1992. We offer an early childhood program that consists of half-day nursery, half- and full-day pre-K and kindergarten, as well as Our Time, which is a transitional program for children age 2 with a parent. “SEAS” provides a comprehensive curriculum that includes language, music, art, computer technology, academic intervention services, sports, clubs, and after-school enrichment and care. At SEAS we learn and grow in respect, responsibility, and reverence.

St. Peter of Alcantara

1321 Port Washington Blvd., Port Washington 516-944-3772 stpeterspw.org St. Peter of Alcantara School provides a Roman Catholic education dedicated to preparing students for the future within a supportive, safe, and caring environment. We teach faithbased leadership skills that will instill a lifelong commitment and devotion to the church. Our teachers challenge students academically to make connections to become creative and independent problem solvers. We recognize the importance of the integration of technology for academic and future career success. We offer Little Learners nursery to pre-K programs, full-day kindergarten-eighth grade, after-school enrichment, and after-school care.

St. Raymond School

263 Atlantic Ave., East Rockaway 516-593-9010 srsny.org St. Raymond is a Catholic elementary school dedicated to nurturing a Christ-centered community for more than 90 years in which students serve God and others, develop their talents, strive for academic excellence, and become lifelong learners. Our academic purpose is to develop each student to achieve scholastic success. Spiritual, intellectual, emotional, social, physical, and aesthetic growth opportunities are provided while keeping in mind individual differences. We offer nursery, half-day and full-day pre-K programs, fullday kindergarten through eighth

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

grade, after-school activities, and before- and after-school care.

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 child care, and we look forward to welcoming you and your family! We are licensed for children from 6 weeks to 5 years. Our commitment is to provide a loving, positive, spirited setting that builds self-esteem, and forms character and a positive self-image. We are open to people of all faiths or no faith, and offer all a respectful, broadly spiritual child care program. Our teachers are highly educated and all are CPR- and First Aid-certified. Contact us for a visit!

Special Education Bakshi Law

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

The Hagedorn Little Village School, Jack Joel Center for Special Children

750 Hicksville Road, Seaford 516-520-6000 littlevillage.org jon.feingold@littlevillage.org The Hagedorn Little Village School is a nonprofit school highly regarded for providing outstanding educational and therapeutic services for children with a wide range of developmental disabilities. HLVS provides year-round programs and services that include diagnostic

evaluations and treatment, early intervention, a preschool, an elementary school, SEIT, and related services. Services provided on-site and in homes, nursery schools, and day care centers include speech, feeding, occupational, physical, and movement therapies; behavior management or Applied Behavior Analysis; counseling; and support groups.

Law Offices of Brad H. Rosken, P.L.L.C.

1772 E. Jericho Turnpike, Suite 2, Huntington 631-379-9569 specialedcounselor.com brad@specialedcounselor.com School districts consult their attorneys, why shouldn’t you? Brad H. Rosken is an experienced trial attorney. He’s also a parent of a child with special needs. He knows how far to push a school district to obtain the maximum that your child is entitled to under law. He’ll guide you, decipher lingo, and develop effective strategies. He’s also a New York state-certified impartial hearing officer who hears cases in New York City, Rockland, and Westchester counties.

Long Island Whole Child Academy School for Twice Exceptional Learning

175 Wolf Hill Road, Melville 347-668-3676 liwholechild.org; etrdream@aol.com The Long Island Whole Child Academy, School for Twice Exceptional Learning, is the only Long Island school dedicated to serving once highly capable students who also cope with anxiety, executive functioning, social cognition and sensory processing challenges, ADHD, and high-functioning ASD youth, who do not thrive in a traditional school setting. Our mission is to provide a cutting-edge, integrated educational experience that raises the academic bar while building social and emotional strength and resilience through individualized attention and best clinical and gifted education practices. We also offer Saturday adventures and mid-week homeschoolers’ clubs.

Steps to Socialization

13 S. Bayles Ave., Port Washington 516-767-0266 At Steps to Socialization, we understand that not all children

process social information the same way. Our curriculum, designed for children through 12th grade, makes the hidden rules of daily social interactions simple and clear. Through targeted activities and role-play, your child will gain the communication skills needed to navigate the social world. Parents and caregivers are an integral part of the team. We work together to reinforce the program at home and school.

Variety Child Learning Center

47 Humphrey Drive, Syosset 516-921-7171 Variety Child Learning Center at the Gallow School 72 Farmedge Road, Levittown 516-490-3301 vclc.org Variety Child Learning Center provides programs and services to more than 750 children (ages newborn to 7) and their families annually, at two sites in Syosset and Levittown, and off-site, including Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA Home Program); special education preschool and K-2; Early Intervention; Evaluation Center to determine eligibility; Special Classes in an Integrated Setting

(SCIS); SEIT (Special Education Itinerant Teachers) at nursery schools, child care locations, and homes; Family Center Sunday Respite and Recreation Program; Social Skills Training Groups; Lufrano Training Program for early childhood personnel; and Saturday Enrichment Groups.

SCHOOL MARKETPLACE

ST. PETER OF ALCANTARA SCHOOL 1321 Port Washington Blvd. Port Washington, NY 11050

Vincent Smith School

Come Share the Spirit!

322 Port Washington Blvd., Port Washington 516-365-4900 vincentsmithschool.org Located in Port Washington, the Vincent Smith School is a private, independent day school serving students in Nassau, Suffolk, and Queens counties since 1924. The school is well known for its individualized program for students in first through 12th grades with ADHD and learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, auditory processing disorders, and language (expressive or receptive) processing disorders. Emphasis is placed on academic excellence, differentiated instruction, strong home-to-school connection, and college and career counseling in small supportive classes.

CAMPAIGN FOR THE

Accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

Open Registration Call any time for a Tour (516) 944-3772 www.stpeterspw.org

Mommy & Me Program â&#x20AC;˘ Nursery - 8th Grade Before and After Care â&#x20AC;˘ After School Enrichment Program

Principal: Mrs. Marianne Carberry

WE WELCOME YOU

Trinity Episcopal Church Roslyn Childcare Center 1579 NORTHERN BLVD. ROSLYN (Just east of the Roslyn Viaduct) www.trinitychild.org 516-626-0293 HOURS: 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM OPEN TO CHILDREN 6 WEEKS TO 5 YEARS

PURSUE YOUR PASSION...

The Long Island High School for the Arts (LIHSA) offers a unique opportunity

as part of your free, public high school education to talented young artists who are actively exploring the world of

dance, drama, filmmaking, instrumental & vocal music, theater technology, musical theatre and visual arts

Also check out our

Summer Arts Academy for Grades 6-12th

OPEN HOUSE Saturday,

FEB 4

239 Cold Spring Rd, Syosset (516) 622-5678 mstencel@nasboces.org

10am-2pm

SNOW DATE FEB 11 LongIslandParent 31

Long Island Speech & Myofunctional Therapy 718-640-6767 • 516-216-1791 www.LISpeechandMyo.com

Licensed Speech Pathologists & Myofunctional Therapists Specializing in the Treatment and Correction of: • 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 Including: PROMPT Therapy • Individual FEEDING Therapy Augmentative Communication Evaluations & Therapy

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

Jericho

500 North Broadway Suite 141

Lake Success 444 Lakeville Road Suite 202

Wantagh

3375 Park Avenue Suite 4010

Skate to your inner amazing. Group ice skating classes are a great way to get your child started in the sport. The Learn to Skate USA at Northwell Health Ice Center program offers something for everyone—from first steps on the ice to mastering advanced skating skills.

New classes start on Thursday, January 5th

Enroll now! Visit NorthwellHealthIceCenter.com to learn more.

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Ideas When You Need Them:

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

nymetroparents.com/register

Turn the page for details on KLUTZ® Amazingly Immature (No. 10 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

nyme

com/c

ents. ropar

JANUARY CALENDAR

34 Editor’s Hot Tickets

40 Crafty Kids, Smarty Pants

36 We Can’t Believe It’s FREE!, Holiday Fun

41 Show Time!

37 Must-Sees in NYC WANT US TO INCLUDE YOUR EVENT?

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

EDITOR: DEE SAUNDERS nassaucal@davlermedia.com

42 Animal Lovers, Special Needs

38 Mini Musicians, Once Upon a Time

43 Movers & Shakers

39 Little Foodies

45 On Screen

44 Dance Party, Open Houses

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!

Olate Dogs

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 14, 2pm WHERE: Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Suite 1, Port Washington AGES: All WHAT: Led by Richard Olate and his son Nicholas Olate, the Olate Dogs are a high-energy, fast-paced canine theatrical act filled with amazing dog tricks, human acrobatics, and humor. WHY WE LOVE IT: The Dogs themselves have been touring the U.S., performing sold out shows and commanding standing ovations at high profile sporting events. WANT TO GO? $25 and up. 516-767-6444. landmarkonmainstreet.org.

Rubber Duckie Party

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 14, 2:30pm WHERE: The Whaling Museum and Education Center, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Children blow tons of bubbles, color duckie feet, go on a rubber duck scavenger hunt, and design their own rubber duck. WHY WE LOVE IT: The beloved rubber duckie provides simple yet creative fun! WANT TO GO? $5 with admission: $6; $5 children ages 4-18; free for children younger than 4. 631-367-3418. cshwhalingmuseum.com.

Barnstorm Theatre Company presents ‘The Bockety World of Bucket and Henry’

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 15, 11:30am and 2pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: 5 and older WHAT: This production explores friendship through a day in the life of two friends who have been likened to a modern-day Laurel and Hardy. WHY WE LOVE IT: We can examine what friendship is, what happens if it goes wrong, and how it can be fixed. WANT TO GO? $9 with museum admission: $13; $12 seniors; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org. 34

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Super Family Sunday: Merrymaking in a Gold Coast Mansion

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 15, 1-4pm WHERE: Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor AGES: All WHAT: Come to the museum dressed for a party inspired by the Frick family. Create a fancy hat and have your picture taken, just like the many portraits on view in the 100 Years of Photos exhibition, before embarking on a scavenger hunt throughout the museum. WHY WE LOVE IT: Dressing up, photo op, and food—need we say more? WANT TO GO? $10 with museum admission: $10; $8 seniors; $4 children ages 4-12. 516-484-9337. nassaumuseum.org.

‘Sister Act’

WHEN: Jan. 7-22, Friday-Saturday, 8pm; Sunday, 2:30pm WHERE: BroadHollow Theatre, 700 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont AGES: 9 and older WHAT: A feel-good musical comedy smash based on the hit 1992 film that has audiences jumping to their feet. WHY WE LOVE IT: It’s hilarious and uplifting! WANT TO GO? $11 in advance, $13 at door. 631-581-2700. broadhollow.org.

‘Hazel: A Musical Maid in America’

WHEN: Jan. 27-28, Friday-Saturday, 8pm WHERE: Madison Theatre at Molloy College, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Can a simple maid debone a turkey, save a marriage, uncover a matter of national security, and lead a conga line? She can if she’s Hazel. WHY WE LOVE IT: George Baxter’s maid made taking over his household and his life is a laugh riot. WANT TO GO? $25. 516-323-4444. madisontheatreny.org.

Get weekend activities delivered to you!

The Fab Four

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 28, 8pm WHERE: NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury AGES: 13 and older WHAT: The Emmy Award-winning Fab Four is elevated far above every other Beatles Tribute due to its precise attention to detail. WHY WE LOVE IT: Its incredible stage performances include three costume changes representing every era of the Beatles’ everchanging career. WANT TO GO? $20 and up. 516-247-5213. thetheatreatwestbury.com.

‘Berenstain Bears Live! Family Matters the Musical’

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 29, 3pm WHERE: Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Suite 1, Port Washington AGES: All WHAT: In this live musical production filled with fun songs and dancing, the Berenstain Bears learn important life lessons. WHY WE LOVE IT: You and your family will see Bear Country come to life on stage while learning about the importance of honesty, health, and safety. WANT TO GO? $23. 516-767-6444. landmarkonmainstreet.org.

nymetroparents.com/register ››

Celebrate the Year of the Rooster FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 29, 1pm WHERE: Manhasset Public Library, 30 Onderdonk Ave., Manhasset AGES: All WHAT: Bring your families, neighbors, and friends, and enjoy a special lion dance and other treats. WHY WE LOVE IT: It’s a great way to learn about and enjoy Chinese culture. WANT TO GO? 516-627-2300. manhassetlibrary.org.

KLUTZ® Amazingly Immature

WHEN: Jan. 21-May 7, Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Families are encouraged to embrace their inner zany genius while exploring what these behaviors can teach about science, engineering, math, and literacy. WHY WE LOVE IT: We never miss the opportunity to play and be zany! WANT TO GO? $13; $12 seniors 65 and older; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org. ››

$50 REGISTRATION 00

OFF

Expires February 28th, 2017 • Restrictions may apply • Must present coupon • Only valid at participating Learning Centers • Coupon cannot be combined with other offers

Williston Park

61 Hillside Avenue | 516-747-7700 EyeLevelWillistonPark.com

LEARN MORE TODAY

myevelevel.com

LongIslandParent 35

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. Kids Workshop FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 7, 9am-12pm WHERE: Home Depot, 600 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Workshops teach children do-it-yourself skills and tool safety, and instill a sense of pride and accomplishment. WANT TO GO? 516-488-8500. homedepot.com.

The Basics of MS Word FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 10, 6:45pm WHERE: Floral Park Public Library, 17 Caroline Place, Floral Park AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Sharper Training Solutions is here to ‘sharpen’ your Microsoft Word skills. WANT TO GO? 516-326-6330. floralparklibrary.org.

Re-Envisioning Theodore Roosevelt’s Sagamore Hill FREE WHEN: Jan. 1-15, Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm WHERE: Sagamore Hill National Historic Site, 20 Sagamore Hill Road, Oyster Bay AGES: All WHAT: The show features the artwork of previous participants in the juried Teaching Studios of Art Plein Air Competition juxtaposed with historic landscapes from Sagamore Hill’s museum collection. WANT TO GO? 516-922-4788. nps.gov/sahi.

Let’s Play Scrabble FREE

WHEN: Monday, Jan. 30, 11am WHERE: Massapequa Public Library, 40 Harbour Lane, Massapequa AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Come in and enjoy a game of Scrabble. WANT TO GO? 516-799-0770. massapequalibrary.org.

The Walter & Joan Hobbs Art Gallery: Artists’ Shows FREE

WHEN: Jan. 3-31, Tuesdays, 4pm WHERE: Mineola Public Library, 195 Marcellus Road, Mineola AGES: 9 and older WHAT: The featured artist takes a picture with her cellphone and tweaks it until it “pops,” as one might tweak a recipe until it tastes just right. WANT TO GO? 516-746-8488. mineolalibrary.info.

HOLIDAY FUN Dreaming with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

WHEN: Monday, Jan. 16, 11am, 1pm, and 3pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Be inspired by Dr. King’s vision of peace, love, and equality to create a ‘stained glass’ collage to commemorate him this year. WANT TO GO? $3 with museum admission: $13; $12 seniors 65 and older; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Awards Breakfast

WHEN: Monday, Jan. 16, 9am-12pm WHERE: Antun’s of Queens Village, 96-43 Springfield Blvd., Queens Village, Queens 36

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate with The Greater New York Inter-Alumni Council of UNCF (the IAC) when it hosts its 27th annual awards event. This year’s keynote speaker will be Rev. Jeffery Shawn Thompson of Amity Baptist Church in Jamaica, Queens, and the 2017 Honoree is NAUW- National Association University Women, Queens Chapter. WANT TO GO? $50. 917-294-7914. uncf.org.

Martin Luther King Day Celebration

WHEN: Monday, Jan. 16, 12-2pm WHERE: What’s Cooking?, 30 E. Main St., Oyster Bay AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Children create a delicious menu for lunch and take home goodies, too. WANT TO GO? $49.95. 516-922-2665. whatscookingny.com.

Martin Luther King Day: Dream Big Workshop

WHEN: Monday, Jan. 16, 1pm WHERE: The Whaling Museum and Education Center, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Learn about the diverse cultures that made up local whaling crews. See a “Temple Iron,” the harpoon that revolutionized whaling, invented by freed slave Lewis Temple; and sew a special My Dream pillow to take home. WANT TO GO? $5 with admission: $6; $5 children ages 4-18; free for children younger than 4. 631-367-3418. cshwhalingmuseum.org.

A Bright New Year

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Come celebrate the Year of the Rooster. Learn about the customs and celebrations surrounding this vibrant holiday. WANT TO GO? $3 with museum admission: $13; $12 seniors 65 and older; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.

Lunar New Year

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2:30pm WHERE: The Whaling Museum and Education Center, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Learn the history of this holiday, play a good luck symbol match game, write “whale” in Chinese, and enjoy theme-related craft stations around the museum. WANT TO GO? $5 with admission: $6; $5 children ages 4-18; free for children younger than 4. 631-367-3418. cshwhalingmuseum.org. ››

CityBound Must-Sees in

N Y C

Bring in your nearly new kid’s stuff, and we’ll pay you cash on the spot for all items accepted

Shoes and Accessories Teresa Wood

• Casual and Dress Shoes • Sleepwear

WE ACCEPT ALL SEASON CHILDREN’S APPAREL All equipment and toys must be less than 5 years old and not be recalled

Furniture

• Changing Tables & Dressers • Bassinets & Cradles • Glider Rockers, Book Cases, Toy Boxes

Books and Toys

• Children’s Books • Infant-Preschool Toys • Outdoor Toys • Puzzles

Clothing

• Newborn to Size 14

(0-12 months must have tags)

• Play Clothes • Dresswear & Outerwear

Equipment • High Chairs & Swings • Gates • Pack N Plays , Bouncy Seats, Walkers, Exersaucers

Elephant and Piggie rock out with The Squirelles.

We are in a Play!

Courtesy New York Boat Show

A musical adaptation of Mo Willems’s best-selling children’s books of the same name: Elephant and Piggie. The famous BFFs dance across the stage and sing songs alongside their backing singers The Squirrelles. They address very important questions such as: What do you wear to a fancy costume pool party? Should you share your ice cream? Like the books, this show won’t fail to put a smile on your face. Jan. 28-Feb. 5; see website for show times. Age: 4-7. $25. The New Victory Theater, 229 W. 42nd St., Times Square Theater District. 646-223-3010. newvictory.org.

Reading/Writing Learning Clinic at the

Joan and Arnold Saltzman Community Services Center Literacy Instruction programs, for children and youth, offer: A fun day out for all ages

• Individual or small-group classes, in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere

Ahoy There, Manhattan

• Classes taught by New York state-certified teachers

The world’s first and longest-running boat show, the Progressive® Insurance New York Boat Show is a fun day out for the whole family. Take the helm and try out boats of all sizes, from luxury motor yachts and sport fishers to performance boats and sailboats. There’s a family zone with activities that include a toy workshop, balloon fun, and a photo opportunity with a pirate. Ooh-ahhh. Jan. 25-29; see website for times. Age: All. $16, free for children 15 and younger (with an adult). Jacob K. Javits Center, 655 W. 34th St., Hell’s Kitchen. 718-707-0711. nyboatshow.com.

• 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. SPRING CLASSES ARE NOW FORMING! For more information, including registration and summer program options, visit hofstra.edu/RWLClinic or call 516-463-5805.

LongIslandParent 37 Ad SaltzmanRW_Spring2017_NassauParent_QtrPg.indd 1

12/15/16 2:39 PM

Music at the Mansion: West Side 5

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 20, 7pm WHERE: Planting Fields Arboretum State Park, 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay AGES: All WHAT: West Side 5, an award-winning vocal jazz ensemble based in New York City, is known for its refined sound and sophisticated approach to jazz. WANT TO GO? $30. 516-922-8678. plantingfields.org.

Jazz on Stage with Matt Wilson: Renee Rosnes Quartet

MINI

MUSICIANS Long Island Harmonica Club Workshop FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 4, 7pm WHERE: Massapequa Public Library, 40 Harbour Lane, Massapequa AGES: 9 and older WHAT: If you have an interest in learning to play the harmonica, this is the place to be. WANT TO GO? 516-799-0770. massapequalibrary.org.

Linda Ciofalo and Her Quartet FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 8, 2pm WHERE: Manhasset Public Library, 30 Onderdonk Ave., Manhasset AGES: All WHAT: Welcome songstress Linda Ciofalo and her gifted quartet as they warm your heart with foot-tapping music. WANT TO GO? 516-627-2300. manhassetlibrary.org.

The Isley Brothers

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 15, 8pm WHERE: NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Ronald Isley and Ernie Isley with special guests Russell Thompkins Jr. and The New Stylistics, and The Delfonics. WANT TO GO? $45 and up. 516-247-5213. thetheatreatwestbury.com.

TOBAY Concert FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 15, 3pm WHERE: Massapequa Public Library, 40 Harbour Lane, Massapequa AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy a lively presentation of songs and ditties from all corners of the Empire State with banjo, mandolin, bones, spoons, and more. WANT TO GO? 516-799-0770. massapequalibrary.org.

Vocalosity

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 20, 8pm WHERE: Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Twelve performers in unlimited combinations explore styles from the old to the most YouTube-worthy hits. WANT TO GO? $25 and up. 516-299-3100. tillescenter.org.

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 22, 2:15pm WHERE: Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Rosnes has recorded and toured with a veritable “who’s who” of jazz, being the pianist of choice for such legendary musicians as Joe Henderson, Wayne Shorter, JJ Johnson, Buster Williams, and Bobby Hutcherson. WANT TO GO? $40. 516-299-3100. tillescenter.org.

Music and Movement

WHEN: Through Jan. 25: Wednesdays, 11:30am WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Musical instruments and sing-along songs get the youngest children’s bodies moving. WANT TO GO? $3 with museum admission: $13; $12 seniors 65 and older; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.

ONCE UPON A TIME Sunday Morning Storytime FREE

WHEN: Through Jan. 8: Sundays, 10:30am WHERE: Barnes & Noble, 1542 Northern Blvd., Manhasset AGES: 3-8 WHAT: What exciting adventures will your children discover in the pages of a book this week? Join in and see. WANT TO GO? 516-365-6723. barnesandnoble.com.

Frosty the Donut Man FREE

WHEN: Monday, Jan. 9, 4:20pm WHERE: Mineola Public Library, 195 Marcellus Road, Mineola AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Listen to snowman stories and then make a snowman out of a stack of doughnuts. WANT TO GO? 516-746-8488. mineolalibrary.info.

Book Buddies FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 11, 4:15pm WHERE: Floral Park Public Library, 17 Caroline Place, Floral Park AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Children will enjoy stories read to them by our Teen Book Buddy Volunteers. WANT TO GO? 516-326-6330. floralparklibrary.org.

Family Preschool Hour FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 12, 11am WHERE: Floral Park Library, 17 Caroline Place, Floral Park AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Kids enjoy an hour of singing, dancing, storytelling, and a craft. WANT TO GO? 516-326-6330. floralparklibrary.org.

Storycraft FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 21, 2pm WHERE: Franklin Square Public Library, 19 Lincoln Road, Franklin Square AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Kids make a craft after listening to a story. WANT TO GO? 516-488-3444. franklinsquarepl.org.

Pajama Storycrafters FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 25, 7-8pm WHERE: Mineola Public Library, 195 Marcellus Road, Mineola AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Put on your pajamas, grab your favorite stuffed animal, and get ready for exciting stories, favorite songs, and simple crafts. WANT TO GO? 516-746-8488. mineolalibrary.info.

Weekly Storytime FREE

WHEN: Through Jan. 26: Wednesday-Thursday, 10am WHERE: Barnes & Noble, 91 Old Country Road, Carle Place AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Join in for a fun story time. Kids will read and do a related activity. WANT TO GO? 516-741-9850. barnesandnoble.com.

LITTLE FOODIES Life-Size Candy Land FREE

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 13, 4pm WHERE: Mineola Public Library, 195 Marcellus Road, Mineola AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Come design your own candy box and fill it with sweets as you make your way through a life-size version of the classic board game. WANT TO GO? 516-746-8488. mineolalibrary.info.

Central Avenue Chefs FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 14, 3pm WHERE: Massapequa Public Library, 40 Harbour Lane, Massapequa AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Join us as we learn to make some delicious soups—perfect for a cold, winter night. WANT TO GO? 516-799-0770. massapequalibrary.org.

Home Cooking for Your Cat and Dog FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 19, 6:30pm WHERE: Floral Park Library, 17 Caroline Place, Floral Park AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Learn how easy and affordable it is to make your own pet food and treats. WANT TO GO? 516-326-6330. floralparklibrary.org.

Read, Cook, Eat: Soup and Sandwiches FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 19, 2pm WHERE: Rockville Centre Library, 221 Village Ave., Rockville Centre AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Choose a recipe from one of the cookbooks at the Reference Desk, then make it and bring it in to share. WANT TO GO? 516-766-6257. rvclibrary.org.

Teen Chinese New Year Celebration FREE

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 20, 4pm WHERE: Floral Park Public Library, 17 Caroline Place, Floral Park AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Ring in the Chinese New Year by making fresh and tasty Chinese dumplings from scratch. WANT TO GO? 516-326-6330. floralparklibrary.org.

Chinese Cooking Class for Teens FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 26, 7pm WHERE: Massapequa Public Library, 40 Harbour Lane, Massapequa AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Learn how to make lo mein, egg rolls, and Chinese doughnuts. All materials will be provided. WANT TO GO? 516-799-0770. massapequalibrary.org.

Cooking Class: Chinese New Year

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 26, 7pm WHERE: Levittown Public Library, 1 Bluegrass Lane, Levittown AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Join Penn Hongthong as she prepares some Chinese dishes. WANT TO GO? $5. 516-731-5728. levittownpl.org.

Kids in the Kitchen

WHEN: Through Jan. 27: Fridays, 11:30am-12pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Create tasty treats, take home recipes, and enjoy your yummy creations at the end of each class. WANT TO GO? $5 with museum admission: $13; $12 seniors 65 and older; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.

Junior Chefs: Kung Fu Panda Cupcakes FREE

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 27, 4:30pm WHERE: Mineola Public Library, 195 Marcellus Road, Mineola AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Help Po, the panda from the Kung Fu Panda movies, celebrate Chinese New Year by decorating a cupcake to look like him, and color a Chinese zodiac animal placemat to take home. WANT TO GO? 516-746-8488. mineolalibrary.info. ›› LongIslandParent 39

Green Teen Series: Reuse and Rethink

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 29, 11am-3pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Activities will bring science to life and create awareness of the importance of conservation. WANT TO GO? $13; $12 seniors 65 and older; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.

CRAFTY KIDS Minecraft Monday FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 3, 3:30pm WHERE: Levittown Public Library, 1 Bluegrass Lane, Levittown AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Build something in Creative World and print it out on the 3-D printer or play on Survival World. WANT TO GO? 516-731-5728. levittownpl.org.

Teen Program: Make Mala Beads for the New Year FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 5, 3:45pm WHERE: Levittown Public Library, 1 Bluegrass Lane, Levittown AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Create a beautiful Mala that you can use to help you meditate. WANT TO GO? 516-731-5728. levittownpl.org.

Traditional Torans

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 8, 2-4pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: 5 and older WHAT: In Indian culture, torans are traditionally placed above the main door of a house on holidays as a sign of welcome. Come make your own. WANT TO GO? $13; $12 seniors; free for children younger than 1. 516224-5800. licm.org.

Martin Luther King Craft FREE

WHEN: Monday, Jan. 9, 4pm WHERE: Queens Village Library, 94-11 217th St., Queens Village, Queens AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Children will enjoy some arts and crafts fun based on Martin Luther King Jr. WANT TO GO? 718-776-6800. queenslibrary.org.

Tween Crochet Club FREE

WHEN: Monday, Jan. 23, 7pm WHERE: Floral Park Public Library, 17 Caroline Place, Floral Park AGES: 9-12 WHAT: The library will provide all you need to learn basic crochet stitches and complete a small project. WANT TO GO? 516-326-6330. floralparklibrary.org.

Winter Craft Fun with Angela DePalma FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 26, 4:15pm WHERE: Floral Park Public Library, 17 Caroline Place, Floral Park AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Make a craft to celebrate the winter season with a participating adult. WANT TO GO? 516-326-6330. floralparklibrary.org.

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Neiman Marcus Family Sundays at the Museum

WHEN: Jan. 8-29, Sundays, 1pm WHERE: Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor AGES: All WHAT: Be inspired by the works in the galleries and explore new art materials while talking about and making art together. WANT TO GO? $10; $8 seniors; $4 children ages 4-12; $2 weekend parking fee. 516-484-9338. nassaumuseum.org.

Crafts For Kids FREE

WHEN: Jan. 1-29, Saturday-Sunday, 11am-3pm WHERE: Lakeshore Learning Store, 2079 Hillside Ave., New Hyde Park AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Kids will have a ball making exciting crafts that they can use or display. WANT TO GO? 516-616-9360. lakeshorelearning.com.

Silly Snow People

WHEN: Jan. 2-31, see website for dates, 2-4pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Make a silly snow person from cotton balls and craft materials that’s perfect for the season. WANT TO GO? $13; $12 seniors 65 and older; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.

SMARTY PANTS Braille Fest: Happy Birthday Louis Braille

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 7, 1-4:30pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Louis Braille was the inventor of a tactile system that assists blind and visually impaired people read and write. Learn about his life and invention through hands-on experiences. WANT TO GO? $13; $12 seniors; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.

KaleidoZone: Portraits by Many Hands

WHEN: Through Jan. 8: Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: All WHAT: In this exhibition, you’ll learn to see characteristics of both the person on the canvas and the person who put them there. WANT TO GO? $13; $12 seniors; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.

Traveling Exhibit: Your House, My House

WHEN: Through Jan. 8: Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: All WHAT: See how culture, climate, tradition, and geography influence the way a house is built. WANT TO GO? $13; $12 seniors; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.

SHOW TIME! ‘The Wizard of Oz’

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 8, 2pm WHERE: Queensborough Performing Arts Center, 222-05 56th Ave., Bayside, Queens AGES: All WHAT: Join Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tinman, and the Cowardly Lion as they come to life in an adaptation featuring the music of the MGM movie. The performance is followed by a meet-and-greet with the cast. WANT TO GO? $12. 718-631-6311. qcc.cuny.edu/qpac.

Sunday Science: Siege the Castle

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 8, 1-3pm WHERE: Center for Science Teaching and Learning, 1450 Tanglewood Road, Rockville Centre AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Learn how to make your own catapult with some simple physics and engineering. WANT TO GO? $14. 516-764-0045. cstl.org.

Parent-Child Workshop FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 18, 3:30pm WHERE: Levittown Public Library, 1 Bluegrass Lane, Levittown AGES: 3-8, adult WHAT: Learn different aspects of parenting and early childhood skills, while you and your child play together. WANT TO GO? 516-731-5728. levittownpl.org.

Air-Mazing Dynamos

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 21, 2-4pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Feel free to be silly and ridiculous as you design your own characters to test out our air-mazing wind tunnel. WANT TO GO? $13; $12 seniors 65 and older; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.

A Conversation with Billie Jean King

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 26, 7:30pm WHERE: Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Billie Jean King was named one of the “100 Most Important Americans of the 20th Century” by Life magazine and a 2009 recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. WANT TO GO? $35 and up. 516-931-6849. tillescenter.org.

Italian Program for Kids

WHEN: Jan. 7-28, Saturdays, 10-11am WHERE: Camp Italia, 38 Old Country Road, Garden City AGES: 3-12 WHAT: A fun way for kids to learn Italian language and culture through games, songs, and interactive play. WANT TO GO? $25. 855-226-7481. campitaliausa.org.

Tom Papa Comedy Show

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 13, 8pm WHERE: Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Suite 1, Port Washington AGES: 13 and older WHAT: As a veteran stand-up comedian, Tom Papa has found success in film, television and radio as well as on the live stage. WANT TO GO? $35. 516-767-6444. landmarkonmainstreet.org.

‘Red Riding Hood’

WHEN: Jan. 10-13, Tuesday-Friday, 10am and 12pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Experience this innovative musical that offers an interactive take on a classic tale. WANT TO GO? $9 with museum admission: $13; $12 seniors 65 and older; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.

Paradise Garden Festival

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 15, 12-4pm WHERE: Planting Fields Arboretum State Park, 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay AGES: All WHAT: Come and enjoy a touch of paradise in our winter garden at Planting Fields in our Main Greenhouse, featuring live steel drum music, and crafts for children throughout the day. WANT TO GO? $5. 516-922-8678. plantingfields.org.

‘The Wizard of Oz’

WHEN: Jan. 14-28, Saturdays, 11am; Sundays, 1pm WHERE: The Showplace at Bellmore Movies, 222 Pettit Ave., Bellmore AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Join Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tinman, and the Cowardly Lion as they come to life in an adaptation featuring the music of the MGM movie. WANT TO GO? $12. 516-599-6870. plazatheatrical.com.

‘Peter Pan’

WHEN: Jan. 7-Feb. 4, Saturdays, 2pm; Sundays, 12pm WHERE: BroadHollow at Elmont, 700 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont AGES: All WHAT: Fly away to Neverland with Peter and the Darling children in this adaptation of Disney’s beloved, animated film. WANT TO GO? $11. 516-775-4420. broadhollow.org. ››

Lego Club FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 31, 4:15pm WHERE: Mineola Public Library, 195 Marcellus Road, Mineola AGES: 3-17 WHAT: Create unique structures and meet other Lego enthusiasts. WANT TO GO? 516-746-8488. mineolalibrary.info. LongIslandParent 41

ANIMAL LOVERS Junior Zookeepers Workshop

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 14, 1-3pm WHERE: Center for Science Teaching and Learning, 1450 Tanglewood Road, Rockville Centre AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Kids can learn the basics of animal care, including feeding, cleaning, and handling. WANT TO GO? $14 per child. 516-764-0045. cstl.org.

Sunday Science: Animals in Action

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 22, 2-4pm WHERE: Center for Science Teaching & Learning, 1450 Tanglewood Road, Rockville Centre AGES: 5-12 WHAT: In this workshop, kids will hone their animal observation skills, investigating how animals behave, move, and communicate. WANT TO GO? $14 per child. 516-764-0045. cstl.org.

North Shore Audubon Presents A Murder of Crows FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 24, 7am WHERE: Manhasset Public Library, 30 Onderdonk Ave., Manhasset AGES: All WHAT: As a species, crows are remarkably intelligent animals. Learn about what these amazing feathered friends can do. Note: “Murder” is a group name for crows, instead of “flock.” WANT TO GO? 516-627-2300. manhassetlibrary.org.

‘Into the Deep’ Film Screening

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 29, 2pm WHERE: Westhampton Beach Elementary School, 301 Main St., Westhampton Beach AGES: All WHAT: Explore America’s 400-year enthrallment with whales and whaling’s impact on the world in this 2010 Ric Burns documentary. WANT TO GO? $6; $5 children ages 4-18; free for children younger than 4. 631-367-3418. cshwhalingmuseum.org.

Seal Walks

WHEN: Jan. 1-March 12, Saturday-Sunday, call for times WHERE: Theodore Roosevelt Nature Center, Jones Beach State Park, 1000 Ocean Parkway, Wantagh AGES: All WHAT: A State Parks naturalist leads a 1½-hour walk to an area where up to four species of seal can be seen. The outdoor walk to view seals in the waters surrounding Jones Beach is preceded by an indoor introduction. WANT TO GO? $4; free for children younger than 3. 516-785-3614. nysparks.com/events.

Seal Watching Weekend Cruises

WHEN: Jan. 1-April 30, Saturday-Sunday, 1pm WHERE: Captain Lou Fleet & Sapphire Cruises, 28 Woodcleft Ave., Freeport AGES: All WHAT: A naturalist is on board to discuss the behavior and biology of seals and other wildlife encountered. WANT TO GO? $26; $22 children ages 4-12. 631-369-9840. captloufleet.com.

The Butterfly Conservatory

WHEN: Through May 28: daily, 10am-5:45pm 42

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

WHERE: The American Museum of Natural History, 200 Central Park W., Upper West Side, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: One of the museum’s most popular, annual events, this exhibit features up to 500 live, iridescent, tropical butterflies from the Americas, Africa, and Asia. WANT TO GO? $27; $22 seniors and students; $16 children ages 2-12; free for children younger than 2. 212-769-5100. amnh.org.

SPECIAL NEEDS Wheels: Workshop for Children with ASD

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 21, 10:30am WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona, Queens AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Explore the physics of how things move, tinker with cars and trains on ramps, paint with wheels, and build vehicles from recycled materials. WANT TO GO? $15; $12 children ages 2-17. 718-699-0005. nysci.org.

Five Senses Exploration: Workshop for Children with ASD

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 28, 10:30am WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona, Queens AGES: 3-5 WHAT: It takes the nose to know, and your hands, eyes, ears, and tongue, too. Children will explore their five senses and learn how they work together to help them discover the world around them. WANT TO GO? $15; $12 children ages 2-17. 718-699-0005. nysci.org.

Sensational Kids Open Play Time

WHEN: Through Jan. 30: Mondays, 5-7pm WHERE: Bounce Trampoline Sports, 310 Michael Drive, Syosset AGES: All WHAT: These evenings are tailored to create a more secure environment for individuals with autism. Bounce! staff have experience working with children and individuals with special needs and have received sensitivity training from the Elija School. WANT TO GO? $12 per hour. 516-762-1300. bouncesyosset.com

MOVERS & SHAKERS First Day Hikes FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 1, 10am WHERE: Bethpage State Park, 99 Quaker Meetinghouse Road, Farmingdale AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Bethpage State Park will host a 5-mile hike, which will start at the playground in the picnic area. WANT TO GO? 516-249-3560. nysparks.com/parks.

Infant & Toddler Classes

WHEN: Through Jan. 25: daily, 10am-12:15pm WHERE: M.A.T.S.S. Kids’ Gym, 171 Eileen Way, Syosset AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Kids socialize with other children and play, learn, and grow through movement, tumbling, and music. WANT TO GO? See website for prices. 516-496-7765. matsskidsgym.com.

Winter Hike

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2-3:30pm WHERE: Center for Science Teaching & Learning, 1450 Tanglewood Road, Rockville Centre AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Take a walk through the trails to learn about what wild animals are up to in the cold winter. Afterward, visit the exhibit to see how animals cope with the cold. WANT TO GO? $7. 516-764-0045. cstl.org.

Open Bounce

WHEN: Jan. 12-Dec. 28, 4:15pm WHERE: BounceU, 101 Carolyn Blvd., Farmingdale AGES: 3-12 WHAT: The sessions include music, games, and, of course, play time on the giant inflatable toys. Parents must remain on premises. WANT TO GO? $12.95. 631-7775867. bounceu.com. ››

Little Tikes Jump

WHEN: Monday, Jan. 9, 10am WHERE: Pump It Up, 135 Dupont St., Plainview AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Come play for up to 2 hours of fun on giant, soft, funfilled, interactive inflatables. WANT TO GO? $10 per child. 516575-2300. pumpitupparty.com.

Camp Pump It Up

WHEN: Monday, Jan. 16, 10am WHERE: Pump It Up, 225 Community Drive, Suite 250, Great Neck AGES: All WHAT: Kids will have fun laughing, jumping, playing games, and creating cool arts and crafts projects to make and take home. WANT TO GO? $30 per session. 516-466-7867. pumpitupparty.com.

Preschool Play Date

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 20, 10am WHERE: BounceU, 101 Carolyn Blvd., Farmingdale AGES: 3-5 WHAT: As long as they’re old enough to walk, they’ll enjoy the music, games, and all the bouncing they can handle. WANT TO GO? $12.95. 631-7775867. bounceu.com.

Summer . 2017! WELCOMES..

LIU Post

to the Oasis Family of Camps in Nassau County! • Traditional Day Camp for kids ages 5-11 • Early Start Imagination Camp for pre-K kids ages 3-5 • Teen Travel for emerging teens ages 12-14 • 8:30am - 5:30pm with extended hours available • Beautiful outdoor facilities • Ample air-conditioned indoor space • Sports, Visual & Performing Arts & Outdoor Adventure • Red Cross Swim Instruction. • Healthy Hot Lunch & Transportation Available • Low Ratios with Mature Staff • Flexible enrollment for 2-8 weeks • Specialized Sports Academy available • CIT & LIT Programs for teens ages 14-16

Our other Nassau County Camps include:

Tully Park (Michael J. Tully Park) On the Sound (Manorhaven Park) Info Session - Jan. 25 at 6:30 pm, Hillwood Commons Building LIU Post campus - 720 Northern Blvd. Brookville, NY 11548 Visit us online for future info session dates!

www.oasischildren.com • 718-596-4900

Yoga Fitness Class FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 21, 10:15am WHERE: Mineola Public Library, 195 Marcellus Road, Mineola AGES: 13 and older WHAT: At the core of each class is music from all over the world, resulting in a class that has international rhythms and moves, making the class time fly by. WANT TO GO? 516-746-8488. mineolalibrary.info.

@oasisdaycamps

gc sa

IU Post: New at L asketba ll, B ed z G O L D C O A S T S P O R T S A C A D E M Y 646-902-9600 Sp ecia li Footba ll & Flag ms! www.goldcoastsportsacademy.com a r og r P Volleyba ll TM

LongIslandParent 43

DANCE PARTY

OPEN HOUSE

Oldies Dance Party FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 7, 12-8pm WHERE: The CIIT Center, 131 Sunnyside Blvd., Suite 100, Plainview AGES: All WHAT: This center offers advanced, integrative therapies to treat people with autism. WANT TO GO? 516-243-8660. theciitcenter.com.

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 6, 6:30pm WHERE: Mineola Public Library, 195 Marcellus Road, Mineola AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Have fun as you dance to the music of the 1950s and 1960s. WANT TO GO? 516-746-8488. mineolalibrary.info.

Dance Class FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 28, 10am WHERE: Manhasset Public Library, 30 Onderdonk Ave., Manhasset AGES: All WHAT: Join this class to learn steps and and have fun. WANT TO GO? 516-627-2300. manhassetlibrary.org.

Parsons Dance Company

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2pm and 8pm WHERE: Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville AGES: All WHAT: The company’s style is a fusion of the gesture and movement that make up the modern dance vocabulary, and the discipline and precise execution one expects from a classical company. WANT TO GO? $25 and up. 516-931-6849. tillescenter.org.

Open House: New Autism Treatment Facility FREE

Day Camp Open House FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 22, 10am-12pm WHERE: Beth Sholom Day Camp, 401 Roslyn Road, Roslyn Heights AGES: 3-17 WHAT: Meet camp leadership, tour the indoor and outdoor facility, and have all of your questions answered. WANT TO GO? 516-621-9257. bethsholomdaycamp.com.

Open House FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 25, 7-9pm WHERE: M.A.T.S.S. Kids Gym, 171 Eileen Way, Syosset AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Learn about M.A.T.S.S. and our Rainbow of Programs all under one roof, from toddler classes to nursery school, full day care, summer programs, and MiniCamps, to weekend birthday parties. WANT TO GO? 516-496-7765. matsskidsgym.com.

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Regional School Open House FREE

LIU POST’S CENTER FOR GIFTED YOUTH

SPRING 2017 SATURDAY PROGRAM January 28th, 2017 - April 22nd, 2017 for students entering grades K-8 in 2016

Are You the Parent of a Gifted Child?

LIU Post’s Center for Gifted Youth announces its 37th annual spring program for gifted children. The spring program runs on Saturdays from January 28-April 22. The program is open to gifted children entering grades K-8 in 2016. The major focus of the program is to expand students’ knowledge and develop creative and critical thinking skills. The program offers children the opportunity to learn in an exciting and accepting environment.

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

Admission Admi miissio sio i n iis h highly ighly s selective and enrollment is limited.

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

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 29, 11am-2pm WHERE: Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Regional School, 2341 Washington Ave., Bellmore AGES: All WHAT: Come kick off Catholic Schools Week with a tour of our school. Learn how a Catholic education will change your child’s life, offering a comprehensive all-in-one curriculum including language, arts, music, service, clubs and after-school enrichment, sports, and after-school care for nursery school through eighth grade. WANT TO GO? 516-785-5709. steas.com.

Make your next birthday party come to life by hosting it at Bounce U!

ON SCREEN

• • • • •

$3 OFF

Private Party Experience Giant Inflatable Rides Dedicated Party Pros Easy to Do We Clean Up!

One Admission to Open Bounce! Valid at BounceU of Farmingdale location only. Coupon not valid with any other offer or discounts. No Cash value. One Coupon per visit per family. Not valid on Special Events or Charity Events. Expires 1/31/17.

Friday Cinema: ‘Florence Foster Jenkins’ FREE

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 6, 1:30pm and 6:30pm WHERE: Levittown Public Library, 1 Bluegrass Lane, Levittown AGES: 9 and older WHAT: A wealthy New York heiress attempts to become an opera singer despite her horrible singing voice. WANT TO GO? 516-731-5728. levittownpl.org.

$25 OFF Plus 3 FREE Additional Kids with a Premier or a Spec-Tac-U-Lar Party. Valid at BounceU of Farmingdale location only. Coupon not valid with any other offers or discounts. No cash value. One Coupon per visit per party. Expires 1/31/17.

Movie: ‘Light Between Oceans’ FREE

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 27, 2pm WHERE: Rockville Centre Library, 221 Village Ave., Rockville Centre AGES: 13 and older WHAT: A lighthouse keeper and his wife living off the coast of Western Australia raise a baby they rescue from a drifting row boat. WANT TO GO? 516-766-6257. rvclibrary.org.

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

Tuesday Afternoon Movies FREE

WHEN: Jan. 10-31, Tuesdays, 3:30pm WHERE: Bellerose Library, 250-08 Hillside Ave., Bellerose AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Children accompanied by their caregivers can enjoy these movie screenings: The Secret Life of Pets on Jan. 10; Jason Bourne on Jan. 17; The BFG on Jan. 24; and Suicide Squad on Jan. 31. WANT TO GO? 718-831-8644. queenslibrary.org.

‘Journey to Space’ 3-D Movie

WHEN: Through June 30, Monday-Friday, 12pm and 3pm; Saturday-Sunday, 1pm and 4pm WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona, Queens AGES: All WHAT: Moviegoers will learn about the important role of the International Space Station, uncover what NASA and the space community are working on, and the challenges they face to carry out bold missions such as capturing asteroids and landing astronauts on Mars. WANT TO GO? $6; $5 children, students and seniors with admission: $15; $12 children, students, and seniors. 718-699-0005. nysci.org.

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

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

SAVE

100

WHEN YOU CALL BEFORE 2/28/17*

Tutoring

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

Test prep

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

Personalized Attention. Proven Results. MASSAPEQUA PARK

PLAINVIEW 516-681-0400

516-867-4041

BALDWIN

CARLE PLACE

BAY SHORE

LYNBROOK

EAST NORTHPORT

MANHASSET

SMITHTOWN

FLUSHING

PATCHOGUE

516-799-9500 631-968-5100

Coming up next month: FEB 5: Alice in Wonderland Follies at Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, Brookville FEB. 12: Masters of Illusion - Live! at NYCB Theatre at Westbury, Westbury FEB. 21 AND 23: Aesop’s Fables at BroadHollow at Elmont, Elmont

631-360-0422

516-568-1900 718-358-7900

631-462-8900

516-747-5600 516-365-4455

631-289-4900

1.800.CAN.LEARN www.HuntingtonHelps.com ©2017 Huntington Mark, LLC. Independently Owned and Operated. SAT and Advanced Placement (AP) are registered trademarks of the College Board. PSAT/NMSQT is a registered trademark of the College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. ACT is a registered trademark of ACT, Inc. None of these entities endorses or was involved in the production of the program.*Offer valid for Academic Evaluation, new students only. Not valid with any other offer. HLC3132LI

LongIslandParent 45

WHERE-TO GUIDE

nymetroparents.com/where-to

Ski & Snowboard

Research by Jonathan Perry

›› and Kathryn Sheridan

Slice across the snowy slopes this winter with the entire family. Whether your little ones are hitting the bunny slope for the first time or you’ve got an experienced snow leopard navigating tricky trails, a mountain getaway offers winter charm, activities to keep you moving through the cold, and fun for the whole bunch. Almost all mountains and resorts offer lessons for skiing and snowboarding, so don’t be shy! Please note: We recommend checking snow conditions before visiting any of the mountains listed here. black diamond, a terrain park, and tubing. Offers free beginner lessons on weekends and holidays with the purchase of a lift ticket (for ages 5 and older). There’s also a Tiny Tots program for children ages 4 and younger (must be potty trained), which includes a lesson, equipment rental, lift ticket, and hot chocolate. Ski racing program for ages 6-18.

snow tubing, and ice-skating. Beginner lessons available. Thursday and Saturday nights (5-8pm) are Family Nights, with reduced lift ticket and rental pricing. Friday night is Family Tubing Night. On Tuesday nights (5-9pm), buy any lift ticket and get another at half price.

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

Catamount State Route 23 E., Hillsdale 518-325-3200 catamountski.com Has 36 trails, seven lifts including a summit quad chairlift, five terrain parks, and a novice area for beginning boarders. Fourth- and fifth-graders ski free on weekends and holidays with a paying adult (registration and $25 processing fee required). Season passes available: $510 adults; $440 children ages 7-13; $170 for children ages 6 and younger.

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

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

Holiday Mountain Ski and Fun Park 99 Holiday Mountain Road, Monticello 845-796-3161; holidaymtn.com Boasts seven trails, four lifts, night skiing,

Mount Peter 51 Old Mount Peter Road, Warwick 845-986-4940; mtpeter.com Has nearly a dozen trails, from beginner to

Thunder Ridge Ski Area 137 Birch Hill Road, Patterson 845-878-4100; thunderridgeski.com Boasts 22 trails with many slow and gentle

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

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

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

Connecticut fourth-graders get three free lift tickets ($10 processing fee). Discounted tickets for beginners; free lift tickets for children ages 4 and younger (with purchase of accompanying adult ticket). Mount Southington 396 Mount Vernon Road, Plantsville 860-628-0954 mountsouthington.com Features 14 trails, most of which

are beginner and intermediate level, and two terrain parks. Ski Threes, for parents and 3-yearolds, introduces toddlers to skiing while teaching parents to use tip connectors and harnesses while skiing (registration required). Introductory ski lessons for ages 4-10 are offered on weekends and holidays. Private ski and snowboard instruction also available.

Powder Ridge Ski 99 Powder Hill Road, Middlefield 866-860-0208 powderridgepark.com Features 19 trails and four terrain parks, plus snowtubing and snow biking. Beginner, intermediate, and advanced lessons for kids and adults, as well as lessons for ages 3-5. Accessible via the MetroNorth train to Bridgeport.

Find the full guide at â&#x20AC;şâ&#x20AC;ş nymetroparents.com/ski

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

Connecticut Mohawk Mountain Ski Area 46 Great Hollow Road, Cornwall 860-672-6100 mohawkmtn.com The Parent & Tots program teaches parents (who must be at least intermediate-level skiers) how to ski safely with their 4-year-old children, while the children learn to ski; available Wednesdays at 1:30pm, weekends, and holidays (registration required). Skiing and snowboarding lessons for kids as young as 5, as well as adaptive lessons for children with special needs. Ski racing program for ages 6-14. LongIslandParent 47

Great for Leftovers

››

Each of these recipes makes enough for two servings, plus enough for two servings of a leftover twist. By Elana Karp and Suzanne Dumaine Creamy polenta with mushroom ragoût and the polenta cakes with fried eggs that can be made with the leftovers (inset)

Creamy Polenta with Mushroom Ragoût

Using a mix of fresh and dried mushrooms in sauces and soups is ideal; fresh provide meaty texture and heartiness, while dried bring concentrated flavor, released when they’re reconstituted. You could use this ragoût over pasta, but we particularly like the way this dish can became an all-in-one leftover: Mix ragoût into polenta, let it harden, then fry it in olive oil. Enjoy it any time of day. Ingredients 1 cup water ½ cup dried porcini mushrooms 6 sprigs fresh thyme 1½ pounds mixed fresh mushrooms (we like cremini, oyster, and shiitake) 2 shallots ¼ bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley

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

Directions 1. In a small saucepan, bring the water to a boil over high heat. As soon as it comes to a boil, add the dried mushrooms, remove from heat, and soak for approximately 10 minutes. 2. Meanwhile, strip the thyme leaves from the stems. Cut the fresh mushrooms into ¼-inch slices. Thinly slice the shallots. Roughly chop the parsley leaves. 3. Drain the dried mushrooms, reserving the soaking liquid. Roughly chop and pat dry. 4. Heat a large pan over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add the dried and fresh mushrooms in a single layer and immediately season with salt and pepper. Cook without moving until beginning to crisp, 3-4 minutes. Add the butter, thyme, and shallots. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring, until the mushrooms are tender and browning and the shallots are softened, approximately 5 minutes. 48

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

5. Add the wine, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Increase the heat to medium-high and simmer until the wine is reduced by half, approximately 3 minutes. Add the reserved mushroom-soaking liquid to the pan and continue to simmer until reduced by half, 3-4 minutes longer. Reduce the heat to low and keep warm until ready to serve. 6. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, bring the chicken stock, milk, and a large pinch of salt to a boil over high heat. As soon as the liquid is boiling, while whisking, slowly add the polenta. Immediately reduce the heat to as low as possible and whisk slowly and continuously until the polenta is tender and all the liquid has been absorbed (cooking time may vary; check package instructions). Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the cheese. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. 7. Taste the ragoût and add salt and pepper as needed. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the parsley. 8. To serve, divide half the polenta evenly between two bowls and top with half the ragoût. Note: Stir the remaining polenta and ragoût together to save as leftovers. Spread into an even layer in a medium baking dish and store, covered, in the fridge for up to 4 days. Leftovers: Polenta Cakes with Fried Eggs Ingredients Leftover polenta with mushroom ragoût, chilled 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 2 large eggs Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

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

cook until browned and warmed through, approximately 3 minutes per side. Remove and set aside. 2. Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in the same pan over medium heat. Crack the eggs into the pan and season with salt and pepper. Fry without moving until the whites are set, 2-3 minutes. Slide the fried eggs over the polenta cakes and eat hot. Cheffy Nugget: Polenta has two possible textures: creamy and delicious or totally solid. Make sure you have everything else ready before beginning to cook the polenta; you’ll want to eat it as soon as it comes off the stove.

Garlicky Shrimp Stir-Fry with Shiitakes and Bok Choy

Rice is pretty much the perfect leftover—in fact, we love purposely making too much, just so we can repurpose it the next day. The steamed rice in this stir-fry is perfect for mopping up sauce, but once the rice dries out, it’s no longer a moisture sponge. In the leftover fried rice dish, it crisps up, becoming the star feature. Ingredients 1½ cups jasmine or basmati rice 2½ cups water 4 baby bok choy 4 cloves garlic 1 pound shiitake mushrooms 1-inch knob fresh ginger ½ cup chicken or vegetable stock

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

Directions 1. In a medium pot, combine the rice, water, and a pinch of salt and bring to a boil over high heat. As soon as the water comes to a boil, stir once, cover, and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 12 minutes, covered, then remove from the heat. Keep covered and allow to steam for at least 10 minutes. 2. While the rice cooks, cut the bok choy crosswise into ½-inch slices, keeping the leaves and stalks separate. Mince the garlic. Stem the shiitakes and thinly slice the caps. Peel and mince the ginger. In a small bowl, whisk together the stock, cornstarch, and mirin. 3. In a large pan, heat the sesame oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the bok choy stalks and shiitakes, spreading into a single layer. Season with salt and pepper. Cook without moving until starting to brown on the bottom, 2-3 minutes. Stir and cook until softening, 2-3 minutes. Add the crushed red pepper, garlic, ginger, and bok choy leaves and stir to combine. Cook until fragrant, approximately 1 minute. Season the shrimp on both sides with salt and pepper. Add to the vegetables and cook until just pink, 1-2 minutes per side. 4. Push all the ingredients to the outer edges of the pan. Pour the stock mixture into the center, and simmer until thickened, approximately 2 minutes. Stir everything together to combine and coat, then remove the pan from the heat. Taste the stir-fry and add salt and pepper as needed. 5. Uncover the rice and fluff with a fork. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. 6. To serve, top the rice with the stir-fry. Find the Garlicky Shrimp Stir-Fry leftover twist, plus a spaghetti squash recipe and leftover twist at

School Districts Consult Attorneys. Why Shouldn’t You?

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

1772 East Jericho Tpke., Suite 2, Huntington, New York 11743 (631) 379-9569 • Brad@specialedcounselor.com www.specialedcounselor.com

Need a staycation?

ResouRces ARticles

Find everything you need, faster at

›› nymetroparents.com/plated.

LongIslandParent 49

Why Are Boys Failing?

››

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

very day after school Peter comes home, drops his backpack and heads to his room to grab his laptop. Before he even gets a snack, he’s logged on and surfing between YouTube and his favorite video games. Unless an adult intervenes, he’ll spend the rest of his afternoon locked in an online trance. Peter is not unlike most 13-year-old boys in this country. Instead of heading to the ball field after school, or hanging out with friends, Peter spends his afternoons online. If he has homework he does exactly what’s required, never more. He gets A’s and B’s but has been conditioned to believe that learning is a means to an end (doing well on tests) and not a means in itself. He’s rare in that he enjoys reading for fun, but views reading as an activity to pursue when he’s not able to get online, not as a pleasurable way to spend his leisure time. In many ways Peter is the quintessential modern boy, and that’s the problem, according to Leonard Sax, M.D., Ph.D., a primary care physician in Maryland, and the author of four books, including Boys Adrift: The Five Factors Driving the Growing Epidemic of Unmotivated Boys and Underachieving Young Men. The 2009 book was updated and re-released this year, and examines why boys are less ambitious and less resilient than they were 20 years ago. Dr. Sax argues that a combination of social, cultural, and biological factors has created a toxic environment that leaves boys disengaged from school, less likely to go to college (and of those

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

who do, less likely to earn a degree), and more apt to live with their parents as adults. Currently, one-third of men ages 22-34 are still living at home, which is a nearly 100-percent increase in the past 20 years. Meanwhile, the proportion of girls who are anxious and depressed has at least quadrupled; it’s risen at a much higher rate than the rate for boys. “I need to stress that girls are not the winners here,” Dr. Sax says. Between the book’s initial release and the revision this year, the problem has only got worse, according to Dr. Sax. “We now have a great deal more research showing the growing gender gap in academic achievement—with boys falling further and further behind—not because girls are doing better, but because boys are doing worse,” Dr. Sax says. “If the gender gap was growing because girls were doing better, that wouldn’t be a problem. That would be cause for celebration.” Dr. Sax says the gap is evident in many parameters, both formal and informal. For instance, girls are less likely to read for fun in their spare time than they were 30 years ago. But American boys have practically stopped reading for fun. “The gender gap widened not because girls are reading more but because boys stopped reading,” Dr. Sax says.

Contributions to the Decline

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

household, leaving Americans uncomfortable with the notion of authority, the decline of masculine role models, the need to make schools more boy-friendly, misguided parenting, and an over-reliance on pharmaceuticals to control children, according to Dr. Sax. “American parents are now parenting their kids badly, compared to other countries. An American kid is now fourteen times more likely to be on medication for ADD compared to a kid in the U.K. An American kid is forty times more likely to be on medication for bipolar disorder than a kid in Germany. In this country we use schizophrenia medications to keep kids from having temper tantrums. There’s been a collapse of parenting in the United States,” Dr. Sax says. Parents are grappling with challenges not faced by their parents, particularly the proliferation of screens and social media. We learn to parent from our own parents, and if we can’t draw on experience, we look to our peers for guidance. The problem with this approach, according to Dr. Sax, is many parents don’t have a clue what they’re doing. “I encourage parents to turn off the screens,” Dr. Sax says. “We have a great deal of research showing the more time kids spend in front of a screen, the less engaged they are in the real world. We have very substantial evidence that finds that screens actively undermine kids’ ability to concentrate and focus.” The American Academy of Pediatrics recently came out with new guidelines, recommending no more than 40 minutes of screen-time a night during the week and 1 hour on weekends. Even if parents turn off the screens at home, however, a growing number of students are looking at screens in school. “I think a big piece of it is too much technology in their daily lives, there’s such a rush to get the technology into the classrooms,” says Greg Stott, an eighth-grade science teacher at the Francis C. Richmond School in Hanover, NH, where students have individual iPads. “The students look to that for stimulation, and when that’s not provided, they don’t know what to do.” “I’m not a fan of the iPad program. Parents can limit screen time at home, but we’re not thinking that maybe we should limit screen time here at school,” Stott says. He added that students are less willing to solve problems, and that boys in particular either don’t know how to begin or simply give up. Girls tend to be more meticulous, more patient; girls typically do better overall because they do better work. Boys tend to be more impulsive, get it done quickly, and don’t go back and check their work. “This generation of young adults seems to be expecting stuff and when it doesn’t come through, they’re at a loss of what to do, and maybe that’s why a lot of them move back home and don’t have the motivation to get out,” Stott says. Peter Gray, Ph.D., research professor in the department of psychology at Boston College, has seen a profound lack of resilience among college students, which he attributes to the change in parenting and education methods over the past 50 years. Part of the problem, he says, is children are not left to their own devices to play outside, to push their own limits, and to get into situations or conflicts with other children that they must solve. “Children are almost always in the presence of adults. They’re not getting into trouble and out of trouble, and negotiating with their playmates. We’re depriving children of free play, and we’re seeing the consequence of that in college stu-

dents,” says Dr. Gray, author of Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life. Paradoxically, though “helicopter parenting” has turned out kids who are unable to cope with the slightest set back at college (a fight with a roommate or a bad grade, for instance). Parents have ceded their power to their kids because of their own discomfort with authority. Too many parents today are asking their children what they want—from meals to vacations—rather than setting the rules.

Closing the Gap

A look at television shows from the 1950s and ’60s offers a glimpse at an important difference between parenting styles then and now: Children in those shows are free to play on their own (both in and out of school) and often get into sticky situations. Indeed, many plots turn on the child doing something reckless and learning a valuable lesson as a result. In today’s hyper-vigilant world, children have fewer and fewer opportunities to challenge themselves through play. No where is this more evident than at school, where the fear of litigation has turned playgrounds into outdoor gym classes, where adults closely supervise play, and many kids stand idly looking at their phones. “Over the last forty years education changed in multiple ways, and schools became less friendly to boys,” Dr. Sax says. “Are kids allowed to throw snow balls on school grounds during school hours? No. We used to throw snowballs and the teachers would come out and join us. Today if a kid starts throwing snowballs a teacher comes running out to stop him.” Dr. Sax says there is a better way that costs nothing. He suggests making the football field the designated snowball throwing zone, where both boys and girls can choose to participate, or holding a tournament with teachers setting up targets and letting the kids compete. He added that boys’ behavior must be channeled and it extends to the classroom. For instance, he says many boys like to write violent stories. An acceptable story might be a generic depiction of violence that suits the period being written about (Roman gladiators, for example). Writing a story depicting personal or threatening violence is out of bounds. “Boys understand in bounds versus out of bounds very well,” Dr. Sax says. There’s been so much concern about gender parity in schools that we’ve thrown the baby out with the bathwater. Dr. Sax says gender is complicated but it doesn’t mean gender doesn’t matter. “What boys need to get excited about school is different from what girls need, and if you don’t understand that, you end up with what we have, which is a lot of boys who think school is just for girls,” Dr. Sax says. “If we don’t turn the tide we’ll have boys who are less likely to be engaged in the real world and more likely to be looking at their screens, and less likely to fulfill their potential.” Jaimie Seaton has been a journalist for more than 20 years, and is the former Thailand correspondent for Newsweek. Her work on divorce, parenting, dating, and a wide range of topics has been featured in the Washington Post, the Guardian, Glamour, and numerous other publications. Follow her on Twitter @JaimieSeaton.

LongIslandParent 51

PartyCentral PARTY ENTERTAINMENT CLOWNS.COM Proudly Serving Westchester, Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx 516-577-0000; 718-971-5862 clowns.com We are a family-owned and -operated entertainment company, offering a wide range of party and entertainment services including clowns, inflatable bounce houses, characters, magicians, princesses, magic shows, face painting, and party concession rentals. GAMETRUCK LONG ISLAND 917-327-8700 gametruck.com david.schwartz@gametruck.com Video Game Party, laser tag arena, inflatables, or bubble soccer—GameTruck’s unique mobile video gaming theaters and arenas can make your ultimate party wishes come true! MAD SCIENCE OF LONG ISLAND Call for locations throughout Long Island: 516-620-6768 madscienceli.com info@madscienceli.com Mad Science hands-on, high-energy parties are performed by a trained Mad Scientist who brings all the necessary equipment to your home or location of your choice. PARTY PLACES @ PLAY AMUSEMENTS 229 NY-110, Farmingdale 631-815-5355 atplayamusement.com info@playamusement.com

Have your next party at the newly renovated @ Play Amusements! It offers 30,000 square feet of fun including 92 arcade games, inflatables, bumper cars, roller coaster, a carousel, disco room, and laser tag! 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 cookie baking and decorating, cupcakes “from scratch,” muffin and scone baking, and brownies. 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.

C O L L E G E AT O L D W E S T B U R Y F A R M I N G D A L E S TAT E C O L L E G E S T. J O E ’ S C O L L E G E P AT C H O G U E S O U T H A M P T O N AT N O R T H S E A P A R K

20+camps 516.876.3490 or 631.609.0438 52

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

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

FABULOSITY AT THE TODDLEWOOD STUDIOS 818 Merrick Road, Baldwin 646-596-4227 toddlewoodparties.com parties@toddlewood.com Welcome to Toddlewood! This high-end fashion photo studio has a large hair and makeup station, nail station, arts and crafts, dancing, music, and the best professional photography session for your next top model birthday girl and her friends. KEY TO MY ART INC. 10 W. Oak St., Amityville 631-608-9048 keytomyart.com At Key to My Art, we have a birthday party package to fit all budgets. The guest of honor picks the theme, and we provide the instruction so each guest leaves with a masterpiece! 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 & EXHIBITION CENTER 431 E. Main St., Riverhead 631-208-9200 xH20 (426) 631-208-9200 x186 longislandaquarium.com Have an Aquatic Birthday Party at the Long Island Aquarium! Take a private tour of the Aquarium, receive preferential treatment at our Submarine Simulator and Discovery Tower rides, and special seating at our Sea Lion Show!

Summer 2017 Enroll Early

WEEKLY SESSIONS SPORTS & SPECIALTY PROGRAMS

fscamps.com

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! SLOTS-A-LOT RACEWAY AND PARTY PLACE 1100 HempsteadTurnpike, Franklin Square 516-616-7075 slotsalotraceway.com info@slotsalotraceway.com Partygoers race 6-inch scale model cars around three 150-foot, professionally built slot-car tracks, in a safe, clean, brightly lit, and colorful venue. All will enjoy “going fast, having fun.” UNLIMITED SPORTS ACTION 30 Beechwood Ave., Port Washington 516-767-7675 unlimitedsportsaction.com info@unlimitedsportsaction.com Unlimited Sports Action offers sports birthdays for ages 2 and older. Our parties offer 1 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. WHAT’S COOKING? 30 E. Main St., Oyster Bay 516-922-COOK (2665) whatscookingny.com info@whatscookingny.com Martha Stewart, Newsday, and News 12 boast What’s Cooking? is a No. 1 Choice Birthday Party Place where children can explore their creativity in culinary arts.

SPORTIME SUMMER CAMPS

Licensed by NYS OCFS (Office of Children and Family Services) NY Certified Lead Teachers

Quality Child Care for all children 6 weeks to 5 years 6:45AM - 7:00PM

Before Now & After Care Accepting Available Enrollment

LONG ISLAND’S BEST SUMMER TENNIS & SPORTS CAMPS FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES With camp locations throughout Long Island, the Hamptons and in New York, Westchester and the Capital Region, we’ve got your summer fun covered!

VCLC Main Office 47 Humphrey Drive Syosset, NY 11791 516-921-7171

LOOKING FOR www.SportimeCamps.com | 888-698-3664 Camp programs vary at each SPORTIME location.

GREAT

For more information please contact VCLC at 516-921-7171 or email childcare@vclc.org

At the Levittown School 72 Farmedge Road Levittown, NY 11756

Visit us online to find the perfect camp for you! Saving money on

a New York City family day is easy!

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

Math

World-class your child will

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

Love

Our award-winning, after school program helps K-12 students build excellence in math

LOOKING FOR

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

GREAT

and critical thinking. Families of over 17,000

Schedule a Free Math Evaluation

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

DEALS? Cityguideny.com has coupons and discounts for NYC sightseeing attractions, restaurants, stores and more. Great New York deals, savings, special offers and deep discounts—for you and your family—are yours with just a click of the mouse.

RSM - Port Washington • 322 Port Washington Blvd. Port Washington, NY 11050 • (516) 551-6428 www.RussianSchool.com/location/port-washington LongIslandParent 53

RSM_portwashington_3.55x4.7_general.indd 1

7/15/16 1:52 PM

Professional services

Your local guide to tutors, teachers, lawyers, financial planners, and other professionals LEGAL SERVICES BAKSHI LAW Offices in the Financial District, Long Island, and Westchester 917-244-6133 lawbakshi.com lara.bakshi@gmail.com Bakshi Law specializes in special education law, representing parents and children with disabilities, attending suspension hearings, CSE, and resolution meetings. Our attorneys offer assistance on a sliding scale. LAW OFFICES OF BRAD H. ROSKEN, P.L.L.C. 1772 E. Jericho Turnpike, Suite 2, Huntington 631-379-9569 specialedcounselor.com brad@specialedcounselor.com Brad H. Rosken is an experienced trial attorney. He’s also a parent of a child with special needs. He knows how far to push a school district to obtain the maximum that your child is entitled to under law. SPECIAL NEEDS

SALES DEPARTMENT OPENINGS

BAKSHI LAW Offices in the Financial District, Long Island, and Westchester 917-244-6133 lawbakshi.com lara.bakshi@gmail.com Bakshi Law specializes in special education law, representing parents and children with disabilities, attending suspension hearings, CSE, and resolution meetings. Our attorneys offer assistance on a sliding scale.

LAW OFFICES OF BRAD H. ROSKEN, P.L.L.C. 1772 E. Jericho Turnpike, Suite 2, Huntington 631-379-9569 specialedcounselor.com brad@specialedcounselor.com Brad H. Rosken is an experienced trial attorney. He’s also a parent of a child with special needs. He knows how far to push a school district to obtain the maximum that your child is entitled to under law. LITTLE OPTICS INC. 192-07 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows, Queens 53-15 Roosevelt Ave., Woodside, Queens 718-468-7500 Hablamos Español littleopticsinc@yahoo.com We provide eyeglasses and professional eye care for children, including infants and young adults. We also alleviate any self-esteem issues associated with the stigma of wearing glasses. When your child leaves Little Optics, rest assured that they will feel confident. TUTORS & TEST PREP VILLAGE EAST GIFTED ENRICHMENT CENTER FOR THE GIFTED LEARNER Village East Gifted of Huntington 33 Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station 631-549-2313 Village East Gifted of Roslyn 216 Willis Ave., Roslyn Heights 631-549-2313 villageeastgifted.com info@villageeastgifted.com Village East Gifted provides after-school enrichment and private tutoring. Enriching every qualified, gifted child. We are also a John Hopkins CTY info and SAT testing center.

WE HAVE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES • SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE - dmgsales@davlermedia.com • SALES SUPPORT - adoperations@davlermedia.com

Want to know the best

activities for families? Subscribe to our family activity

email newsletter

NYMETROPARENTS.COM/REGISTER 54

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Is your child interested in

ACTING, MODELING or SINGING?

is the place to get them started!

We specialize in afterschool & weekend development for Actors, Models, & Performers ages 4-18.

On Camera Scene Study TV Commercials Audition Runway With TOP NYC CASTING Fashion Print AGENTS Improv & Comedy Voice Overs & Many More! To apply for a FREE live on-camera audition Call 516-765-2400 or visit www.TowerTalent.com

•

Unlimited Sports Action

Winter Programs

SPORTS ENRICHMENT CLASSES •AGES 2-10

Developmental classes that work on motor skills, hand-eye coordination, socialization, and sport-specific skills. Classes include baseball, basketball, flag football, lacrosse, multi-sport, soccer & volleyball.

SCHOOL VACATION PROGRAMS •AGES 3-10

Half-day and Full-day drop-off is offered to our athletes when school is not in session. “Turf-time” is a multi-sport program where the athletes are broken down by age. Athletes can choose from playing baseball, dodge ball, soccer, basketball, obstacle coarse, and more!

BIRTHDAY PARTIES

Arts & Crafts

OpEn HOusE

SAT., JAn. 21ST, 2017 • 11Am-2pm

Call 516-650-1856 OR

OUR LAdy OF MeRCy SChOOL 520 S Oyster Bay Road hicksville, Ny 11801

1-800-dAycAmp (329-2267)

LACROSSE

We provide everything needed so that parents can sit back, relax, and enjoy the party! Athletes can choose from a variety of sports and we will make sure to cater to your every need!

Swimming, Sports with Instruction & Martial Arts

•

•AGES 2 & UP

Weekly Field Trips

BASEBALL

FLAG FOOTBALL

MULTI -SPORT

We Accept All Union Rates

•

VOLLEYBALL

LACROSSE

BASKETBALL

Operated by Licensed Teachers & Administrators

•

2-8 Week Programs Available

SOCCER

BASEBALL

For Boys & Girls, 4-14

•

VOLLEYBALL

•

Days Filled With Fun & Excitement!

30 Beechwood Avenue • Port Washington, NY 11050 • (516) 767-7675

www.UnlimitedSportsAction.com LongIslandParent 55

Meet The

DIRECTOR Long Island Whole Child Academy

Kenwal Day Camp

100 Drexel Ave., Melville 631-694-3399 kenwaldaycamp.com Dena and “Uncle Howie” Feinstein (brother and sister) are still the two biggest “kids” in the camping industry. “As adults, safety is always our first concern. Once the children are safe, we just want them to have the time of their lives,” they say. “We are in the summer camp business because we love the children! Watching the campers grow, building their self-esteem, and helping them make new friends is just a small part of what we achieve each summer!”

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts

School for Twice Exceptional Learning 175 Wolf Hill Road, Melville 347-668-3676; liwholechild.org; etrdream@aol.com Dr. Ellen Richer, founder and head of The Long Island Whole Child Academy, the first and only school for Twice Exceptional Learning, earned her doctorate at Teachers College Columbia University, specializing in the psychology of motivation, behavior change, and learning styles of at-risk youth, and creating non-traditional learning environments to reignite motivation and achievement. Also a trained literacy specialist, she has spent her career investigating, observing, and interacting with highly capable learners who are limited by a variety of learning challenges: executive functioning, sensory processing, social cognition, ADHD, extreme anxiety, Asperger’s syndrome, ASD, and dyslexia.

Village East Gifted - Enrichment Center for the Gifted Learner

185 Colonial Springs Road, Wheatley Heights 844-824-9790 usdan.com In October 2015, Lauren Brandt Schloss became executive director of Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts. With her appointment, she became Usdan’s third leader in a half century. With 20 years of experience in arts education at the Queens Museum, MoMA, and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, she is committed to ensuring that Usdan is at the forefront of educational and artistic practices. Ms. Schloss earned a B.A. in art history from Princeton University and an M.A. in arts administration from Columbia University.

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 Tobi J. Phillips, Ed.D. (certified), is the founder and director of Village East Gifted Inc., an after-school enrichment program for gifted and talented students ages 4-16. The teachers utilize Ms. Phillips’ RBM™ teaching approach to engage its students in advanced studies in all academic subjects. Since its inception in 2007, more than 400 students have enrolled in VEG programs. Ms. Phillips enjoys sharing her diverse skills, interests, and life experiences with her students through her teaching styles, challenging and unique curriculum ideas, and her creative approach to learning.

Join

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

www.facebook.com/nymetroparents 56

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

MUSIC INSTITUTE OF LONG ISLAND

Get Healthy With ChiroMom · Innovative Chiropractic Care for the Whole Family

Clensing and Detoxification Programs Available!

· Prenatal & Pediatric Care · Prenatal, Infant, Child And Adult Therapeutic Massage · Nutrition & Weight Management · Specializing in treating children with ADD/ADHD 2874 Merrick Road· Bellmore, NY · 516-221-1212 (In Lakeview Plaza across from Mill Pond)

www.mychiromom.com

Voted # 1 Best Music School on the North Shore 2016

Open to all ages & levels Suzuki & Traditional methods

All Instruments & Voice OUTSTANDING FACULTY

Free Concerts:

January 21 & January 22 Directors: Carol & Geri Kushner

90 Plandome Road, Manhasset, NY 11030 www.MiliMusic.com • 516-627-7052

BAKSHI LAW

LONG ISLAND’S NEWEST, COOLEST BIRTHDAY PARTIES!!!

C. Lara Bakshi

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

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

SPECIALIZING in disciplinary matters for both special needs and general education students. Suspensions • Expulsions • Manifestation • Determination Hearings

CALL 917-244-6133

Wine & Design Syosset 35 Jackson Ave., Syosset, NY 11791 516.802.4954 www.wineanddesign.com/syosset

Wine & Design Rockville Centre 21 N. Village Ave., Rockville Centre, NY 11570 516.422.0330 www.wineanddesign.com/rvcny

to set up a consultation

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

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

Our Lady of Victory School

Long Island’s Premier Lice Treatment Centers

866-561-0492

Where Faith and Knowledge Meet Established 1931

• Full Day Pre-K & Kindergarten through 8th grade • Faith-values integrated curriculum • Extended After Care

Oceanside

• After school Enrichment

2463 S. Long Beach Rd.

• SMART Board in every K-8 Classroom

Open House: Sunday, January 29th, 2017 11:30 AM – 1 PM

2 Bellmore Street Floral Park, NY 11001 516-352- 4466 • www.olvfp.org

Deer Park

$10 OFF One HeadCheck OR 10% OFF One Treatment

1755 Deer Park Ave.

Glen Head

679 Glen Cove Ave.

www.FairyLiceMothers.com

May Be Covered Under Insurance * Covered under FLEX Health Spending We Accept Competitor’s Coupons—One coupon per visit

LongIslandParent 57

OPEN HOUSES 2017 All Saints Regional Catholic School

Our Lady of Mercy

Catholic Elementary Schools of Long Island Diocese of Rockville Centre

Our Lady of Victory

12 Pearsall Ave., Glen Cove 516-676-0762 asrcatholic.org An open house is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 29, between the hours of 10am and 1pm.

128 Cherry Lane, Hicksville 516-678-5800 drvcschools.org Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 29-Feb. 4, is the best opportunity of the year to attend an open house to learn about the lifelong advantages of a Catholic education.

Green Vale School

250 Valentine’s Lane, Old Brookville 516-621-2420 greenvaleschool.org Attend an open house at 9am on Jan. 24 and April 6 to discover how our outstanding faculty and small class sizes can help your child excel.

Long Island High School for the Arts

239 Cold Spring Road, Syosset 516-622-5678 nassauboces.org/lihsa Join us for an open house on Feb. 4 from 10am–2pm.

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 Come join us for our annual open house on Jan. 25, meet our nurturing teachers and staff, and learn about our Rainbow of Programs, to Play, Learn, and Grow!

Oasis at Tully Park

Jason Miradoli, camp director Michael J. Tully Park 1801 Evergreen Ave., New Hyde Park 718-596-4900 oasischildren.com tullypark@oasischildren.com Join us for an open house on Jan. 13, Feb. 2, March 7, April 6, May 9, and June 8, from 7:30-8:30pm in the multi-purpose room and concessions room.

Oasis On the Sound

Mike Caramanico, camp director 158 Manorhaven Blvd., The Pool Room, Port Washington 718-596-4900 oasischildren.com onthesound@oasischildren.com Join us for an open house Jan. 31, Feb. 28, March 21, April 4 and 25, May 9 and 23, and June 6, from 5:30-6:30pm at the Senior Center by Manorhaven Beach Park.

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

520 S. Oyster Bay Road, Hicksville 516-433-7040 olmshicks.org Join us for an open house, Jan. 11 from 12:30-2pm; Jan. 18 from 9:3011am; Jan. 29 from 12-2pm; Feb. 1 from 9:30-10:30am; or Feb. 2 from 9:30-10:30am. Weekend and evening tours are available by appointment. 2 Bellmore St., Floral Park 516-352-4466 olvfp.org Join us for an open house on Sunday, Jan. 29 from 11:30am-1pm.

RoboMindTech

25 Cuttermill Road, #4, Great Neck 516-418-6101 robomindtech.com robomindtech@gmail.com Join us for a RoboMindTech open house on Jan. 21 at 1:30pm.

Saint Aidan School

510/525 Willis Ave., Williston Park 516-746-6585 x 9202 or x9302 staidanschool.org Tours are available upon request. Catholic School Week Open House: Sunday, Jan. 29, 10am-12:30pm.

St. Christopher School

15 Pershing Blvd., Baldwin 516-223-4404 stchris-school.org Join us for one of our open houses on Sunday, Jan. 29 from 10:30am2pm, and Tuesday, Jan. 31 from 9:30-11:30am.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School

2341 Washington Ave., Bellmore 516-785-5709 steas.com Join us for an open house on Jan. 29 from 11am–1pm.

St. Peter of Alcantara

1321 Port Washington Blvd., Port Washington 516-944-3772; stpeterspw.org Join us for an open house during Catholic Schools Week; Jan. 29–Feb. 4. Please call for times.

St. Raymond School

263 Atlantic Ave., East Rockaway 516-593-9010; srsny.org Join us for an open house on Sunday, Jan. 29 from 10am-1pm, or call anytime for a tour.

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts

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

Vincent Smith School

322 Port Washington Blvd., Port Washington 516-365-4900; vincentsmithschool.org Join us for an admissions open house, Sunday, Jan. 22 from 12-3pm.

Described by SKI Magazine as

“A True Family Mountain”

Where Midweek Skiing is

AFFordAble!

$25

Lift tickets Monday-friday (Excludes All Holiday Periods)

or Join Us for a Weekend! In addition to skiing we also offer:

TUbing

Enjoy 2 hours of screaming good fun for $20

Learn More at: www.Skibutternut.com

Mitzvah Market magazine Your Source for Ideas & Inspiration

Get Your FREE Copy

2016-2017

MITZVAHMARKET.COM

Rituals & Customs:

HOW TO

Personalize Your Service •••

Your single source for:

FASHION TRENDS

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

for the Whole Family •••

MITZVAH PROJECTS: Great Ideas to Give Back

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

State

Phone

Zip

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

WAYS TO CREATE

An Unforgettable Simcha

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

LongIslandParent 59

Meet the Health Care

PROFESSIONAL

To be in this section, call 516-883-4543 or email nympads@davlermedia.com

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics 1000 F. Park Blvd., Massapequa Park 516-798-1111 62 Lake Ave. S., Suite A, Nesconset 631-360-PEDS (7337) 615 Montauk Highway, West Islip 631-661-PEDS (7337) ampediatricdental.com; adelbergped@optonline.net

We are Drs. Adelberg, Montalvan, Bennet, Pistilli, Postel, Schecter, and Abraham. Our purpose is to provide outstanding dentistry in a child- and family-friendly environment. We treat your family like they are our own. All of our doctors are board-certified specialists and offer the most combined laser dentistry experience on Long Island. We want your visit to our office to be an extraordinary experience, that will make you say, “Wow!” Our three offices even look like a theme park. We hope to make your children love visiting the dentist.

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, is owner and operator of Long Island Center for Speech and Myofunctional Therapy. Along with her group of therapists, she supports families and children across Long Island, specializing in PROMPT, feeding, myofunctional therapy, voice disorders, fluency, augmentative communication, articulation, auditory processing disorders, and expressive and receptive language disorders (adults and children). Intensive feeding therapy for individuals who suffer from texture and consistency aversions, and FEES—Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing—are also offered. There is a total of seven affiliated offices across Long Island, all participating with most major health insurance companies and offering evening and Saturday hours.

Ehrenman & Khan Pediatric Dentistry 959 Brush Hollow Road, Suite #101, Westbury 516-333-3033 kidsteeth4li.com kidds@optonline.net

ChiroMom 2874 Merrick Road, Bellmore 516-221-1212 mychiromom.com mychiromom@gmail.com

Dr. Michael Gruttadauria, and Dr. Muneer Imam: The Center for Integrative and Innovative Therapies (The CIIT Center) 131 Sunnyside Blvd., Suite 100, Plainview 516-243-8660; theciitcenter.com

Merrick Pediatric Dentistry 1756A Merrick Ave., Merrick 516-547-1997 merrickpediatricdentistry.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!

Dr. Muneer Imam and Dr. Michael Gruttadauria are heading up the operations at an advanced treatment center for autism spectrum disorder called The CIIT Center. The CIIT Center’s mission is to approach each child with autism as a total entity by enhancing the biomedical, neurological, nutritional, electrical, and immune system of each of our patients and combining this with occupational, physical, and speech therapies, along with applied behavioral analysis. Our comprehensive approach starts with identifying the underlying factors that may be holding the child back, not just treating their symptoms. This gives each child every opportunity to reach their potential.

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Dr. Dana Walters is a chiropractor specializing in prenatal and pediatric care. Dr. Walters has practiced in a variety of areas, including Manhattan’s Upper West Side, and has brought her passion for helping families discover the benefits of chiropractic care to Bellmore, as ChiroMom. ChiroMom offers chiropractic care utilizing techniques including immune boosting treatments, musculoskeletal and nutritional work, activator techniques, massage therapy, and lifestyle education. As a mom, Dr. Walters experiences first-hand how chiropractic care throughout pregnancy, birth, and childhood sets a solid foundation for greater health and well-being.

Dr. Rania Elbaz is a board-certified pediatric dentist. She earned her dental degree from Columbia University. She then completed her pediatric dental training at UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School. Dr. Elbaz loves working with children and strives to create a warm and fun environment that children look forward to visiting. Dr. Elbaz sees every patient in order to ensure consistency that is so important to young children. The office welcomes and gives extra time and attention to patients with special needs. The office also participates with most major insurance plans.

AD INDEX

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

ACROBATICS / GYMNASTICS M.A.T.S.S. Kids’ Gym..................................................... 23 BIRTHDAY / PARTY SERVICES Art Buzz Kids.................................................................. 57 BounceU - Farmingdale................................................. 45 Dinosaurs Rock.............................................................. 53 M.A.T.S.S. Kids’ Gym..................................................... 23 New York Hall of Science................................................. 2 Northwell Health Ice Center / NY Islanders.................... 32 Unlimited Sports Action.................................................. 55 CAMPS Countryside Montessori School...................................... 21 Future Stars - Old Westbury........................................... 52 Green Vale School.......................................................... 11 Kenwal Day Camp.................................................... 13, 56 M.A.T.S.S. Kids’ Gym..................................................... 23 Mathnasium .................................................................... 5 Nassau Boces Educational Foundation.......................... 31 New York Hall of Science................................................. 2 Oasis Children Services................................................. 43 RoboMindTech................................................................ 32 Russian School of Mathematics..................................... 53 Sportime......................................................................... 53 Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts.................................. 56 Village East Gifted.................................................... 15, 56 Young People’s Day Camp............................................. 55 CHILD CARE / DAY CARE M.A.T.S.S. Kids’ Gym..................................................... 23 Our Lady of Grace Montessori School........................... 22 Variety Child - Child Care............................................... 53

EDUCATION

MUSIC

All Saints Regional Catholic School............................... 25 Bakshi Law..................................................................... 57 Buckley Country Day School............................................ 9 Countryside Montessori School...................................... 21 Diocese of Rockville Centre........................................... 64 Eye Level Learning Center............................................. 35 Green Vale School.......................................................... 11 Hagedorn Little Village School....................................... 27 Holy Trinity Diocesan High School................................. 25 Huntington Learning Center........................................... 45 JEI Learning Center - Nassau........................................ 19 Law Offices of Brad H Rosken....................................... 49 LIU Center for Gifted Youth............................................ 44 Long Island Whole Child Academy........................... 31, 56 M.A.T.S.S. Kids’ Gym..................................................... 23 Mathnasium .................................................................... 5 Music Institute of Long Island......................................... 57 Nassau Boces Educational Foundation.......................... 31 Our Lady of Grace Montessori School........................... 22 Our Lady of Mercy.......................................................... 22 Our Lady of Victory......................................................... 57 RoboMindTech................................................................ 32 Russian School of Mathematics..................................... 53 St. Aidan School............................................................. 28 St. Christopher School.................................................... 29 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton ................................................. 29 St. Peter of Alcantara...................................................... 31 St. Raymond School....................................................... 25 Trinity Episcopal Church Roslyn Childcare.................... 31 Variety Child Learning Center......................................... 23 Village East Gifted.................................................... 15, 56 Vincent Smith School..................................................... 29

Music Institute of Long Island......................................... 57 Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts.................................. 56

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT / EVENTS / OUTINGS

CLASSES Art Buzz Kids.................................................................. 57 Eye Level Learning Center............................................. 35 Hofstra University / Salzman Center.............................. 37 LIU Center for Gifted Youth............................................ 44 RoboMindTech................................................................ 32 Sportime......................................................................... 53 Steps To Socialization.................................................... 14 Tower Talent - Melville.................................................... 55 Unlimited Sports Action.................................................. 55 Village East Gifted.................................................... 15, 56 DEVELOPMENTAL

C.I.I.T. Center........................................................... 17, 60 Hagedorn Little Village School....................................... 27 Huntington Learning Center........................................... 45 Janine Stiene Suffolk Center for Speech.................. 32, 60 Law Offices of Brad H Rosken....................................... 49 Long Island Whole Child Academy........................... 31, 56 Steps To Socialization.................................................... 14 Vincent Smith School..................................................... 29 Variety Child Learning Center......................................... 23

Art Buzz Kids.................................................................. 57 BounceU - Farmingdale................................................. 45 Dinosaurs Rock.............................................................. 53 New York Hall of Science................................................. 2 Northwell Health Ice Center / NY Islanders.................... 32 Ski Butternut................................................................... 59 Smithtown Performing Arts Center................................. 54 Smugglers’ Notch........................................................... 47 FAMILY TRAVEL

Smugglers’ Notch........................................................... 47 HEALTH

Adelberg Montalvan - Massapequa Office..................... 60 C.I.I.T. Center........................................................... 17, 60 ChiroMom................................................................. 57, 60 Ehrenman & Khan Pediatric Dentistry........................ 3, 60 Fairy LiceMothers........................................................... 57 Merrick Pediatric Dentistry.......................................... 7, 60 Steps To Socialization.................................................... 14 LEGAL SERVICES

Bakshi Law..................................................................... 57

PERFORMING ARTS / ACTING

Nassau Boces Educational Foundation.......................... 31 Smithtown Performing Arts Center................................. 54 Tower Talent - Melville.................................................... 55 Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts.................................. 56 PLAY SPACES

BounceU - Farmingdale................................................. 45 RELIGIOUS

All Saints Regional Catholic School............................... 25 Diocese of Rockville Centre........................................... 64 Holy Trinity Diocesan High School................................. 25 Our Lady of Grace Montessori School........................... 22 Our Lady of Mercy.......................................................... 22 Our Lady of Victory......................................................... 57 St. Aidan School............................................................. 28 St. Christopher School.................................................... 29 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton ................................................. 29 St. Peter of Alcantara...................................................... 31 St. Raymond School....................................................... 25 Trinity Episcopal Church Roslyn Childcare.................... 31 RETAIL

Once Upon a Child......................................................... 37 SPECIAL NEEDS

Adelberg Montalvan - Massapequa Office..................... 60 Bakshi Law..................................................................... 57 C.I.I.T. Center........................................................... 17, 60 ChiroMom................................................................. 57, 60 Ehrenman & Khan Pediatric Dentistry........................ 3, 60 Hagedorn Little Village School....................................... 27 Huntington Learning Center........................................... 45 Janine Stiene Suffolk Center for Speech.................. 32, 60 Law Offices of Brad H Rosken....................................... 49 Long Island Whole Child Academy........................... 31, 56 Variety Child Learning Center......................................... 23 Vincent Smith School..................................................... 29 SPORTS

Future Stars - Old Westbury........................................... 52 Kenwal Day Camp.................................................... 13, 56 M.A.T.S.S. Kids’ Gym..................................................... 23 Sportime......................................................................... 53 Unlimited Sports Action.................................................. 55 THEATER Smithtown Performing Arts Center................................. 54 TUTORS

Eye Level Learning Center............................................. 35 Hofstra University / Salzman Center.............................. 37 JEI Learning Center - Nassau........................................ 19

LongIslandParent 61

Courtesy Judy Koutsky

VOICES

The author and her children swim with the dolphins on a recent trip.

Is My Babysitter Doing a Better Job Than Me? ›› Though my sons’ caregivers can sometimes seem to be better role models than me, that doesn’t mean I am a bad parent. By Judy Koutsky

ork has been super busy lately, so we recently tried out some new babysitters. When I asked my sons afterward what they thought of the new recruits, they said they didn’t like any of them. I was worried: Were the babysitters doing something wrong? Were they being mean? Were they not parenting the way I would parent? I asked my kids to give me examples of why they disliked those babysitters. My older son said that one babysitter “forced” him to eat his dinner. “How?” I asked. “Did she physically force open your mouth?” He thought about it, paused, and said, “Well, no, but she wouldn’t let me watch the rest of my TV show until I promised to finish half my fruit and veggies and eat three more bites of chicken.” Other atrocities? “At bedtime,” my younger son chimed in, “she’s so mean.” Again, I asked for details. “She gave me a fiveminute warning to go to the bathroom, get a glass of water, and find my favorite book. Then at exactly eight o’clock, she said lights out!” he exclaimed. “You always lay with us for a long time and when you tell us just one book you often read many, many more.” So it turns out the “mean” babysitters were making my kids eat healthy, stick to rules I implemented, and were consistent. Hmmm, what does that say about me? I started to feel bad, as if I wasn’t parenting correctly. Why were the babysitters able to get my kids to do things that I let slide? I think one of the biggest changes in parenting today is that we parents are so much more involved in our kids’ lives day to day. I grew up 1 of 6 kids, and my mom made sure we had a family dinner (homemade) each night at 6. But parents didn’t get as involved in every little detail in their kids’ lives. I need a babysitter, because in addition to working, I’m full-on with the kids. That includes being class parent for both of my boys (planning class parties, organizing field trips and volunteers,

and making sure everything runs smoothly). Then there are all of the extras, such as volunteering to be the pizza mom as well as the art appreciation mom at school. Plus, there’s the playdates, and after-school sports and activities. I also try to take my kids outside each day for fresh air and fun, and I need to help them with homework and reading each night. I love my mom and the way she raised me, but she wasn’t nearly as involved. (None of the moms were back then.) I love being a big part of my kids’ lives, but it’s also exhausting. Come dinner and bedtime, I’m beat. So while the babysitter comes in fresh and ready to work, I’m ready to throw in the towel (having been up since 5am). She has the energy to negotiate three more bites, or a spoonful of broccoli, but I feel like I’ve been negotiating for hours. When it comes to bedtime, I admit, I’m terrible about being strict. Truth be told, I love reading stories to my boys. I love the extra snuggle time. I love telling them about when they were a baby, or a story about when I was their age. So while I wish I had the energy to stick to a schedule and keep it consistent and structured, I also feel like I need to cut myself some slack. I don’t always make them finish their dinners (or eat their veggies and fruit), but I do make them three full meals a day. If they skimp on something at dinner, hopefully they make up for it at lunch. If I don’t always have the strong will to enforce bedtime, I hope they have happy memories of their mom telling them lots of bedtime stories about their childhood (and mine) and reading lots of books. Maybe babysitters can be consistent and more structured because they watch my kids at most 20 percent of the time I do. If I had my kids 20 percent of the time, maybe I could strive for perfection or good modeling all that time. But I’m on 24/7, so even though I slip up and bend the rules quite a bit, I like to think it evens out in the end. And that I’m still a good mom.

Judy Koutsky is an award-winning writer and editor whose work has appeared in more than 30 publications, including Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, Redbook, Parents, Scholastic, and Prevention. She writes often about travel, parenting, health, and lifestyle. Follow her @JudyKoutsky or visit her website, judykoutsky.com.

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

We've got everything for a…

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! NYMetroParents.com is parents' Party Central—one-stop shopping for the best in: H Party Places (for the trendiest, newest, or most classic locale) H Entertainers (clowns, balloon twisting, magicians, spa parties & so much more!) H Gift-Giving (from charitable ideas to the best presents for every age) H At-Home Party Themes (think pirates, princesses, superheroes, Harry Potter…) H Planning Help H Tips & Tricks from the Pros (…and parents who’ve been there!) Bergen•RocklandParent NORTH

HILLSDALE • MONTVALE

SEPTEMBER 2012

NORTHVALE • NORWOOD • OLD TAPPAN • PARK RIDGE • RAMSEY • RIDGEWOOD • SADDLE RIVER/UPPER SADDLE RIVER • WALDWICK • WESTWOOD • WYCKOFF

NYMETROPARENTS.COM

LongIslandParent Parent SPETEMBER 2012

Class Is In!

After-School Activities

✓ ❑

Resource Guide

✓ ❑

SLOW DOWN!

✓ ❑

NYMETROPARENTS.COM

Back-to-School Resource Guide Pack a Smarter Lunch Ease the Morning Rush Advocate for Your Twins

How to Manage Kids’ Schedules

What Makes a Good Mentor?

+ 174 Family

+ 130 Family

(see our calendar, p. 26)

(see our calendar, p. 32)

Events

Plus: Learning to Let Go

Vaccines at Every Age Plus: Journaling for Your Child

Where-To Guide: Berry Picking

•

Dinosaur Fun

Where-To Guide: Apple Picking • Outing: New York Hall of Science

NYMetroParents

Helping Parents Make Better Decisions

Catholic Schools Houses, Jan. 29-Feb. Catholic Schools Week Open Houses,Week Jan. 29-Feb.Open 4 Catholic Schools Week is January 29-February44 Learn why a Catholic education is an advantage that will last a lifetime. At a Catholic Schools Week Open House near you. Nassau County St. Christopher School Baldwin (516) 223-4404 www.stchris-school.org St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Regional School Bellmore (516) 785-5709 www.steas.com

Our Lady of Lourdes School Malverne (516) 599-7328 www.ollmalverne.org

Our Lady of Victory School Floral Park (516) 352-4466 www.olvfp.org

Our Lady of Grace Montessori* Manhasset (516) 365-9832 www.olgmanhasset.com

St. Anne's School Garden City (516) 352-1205 www.stannesgcschool.org St. Joseph School Garden City (516) 747-2730 www.st-josephschool.com All Saints Regional Catholic School Glen Cove (516) 676-0762 www.asrcatholic.org

kindness and respect, the ethos of a Catholic school emerges from the fact that students know that God loves them and that they are precious in His eyes. That they are accepted for who they really are. Uniforms remove many of the surface-level distractions of social status and peer pressure, and children learn that their value is not based on how others see them but on Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always faithful love for them. To learn more about Catholic Schools Week Open Houses and to find a school near you, call 516-678-5800 x 258 or visit us online at www.LICatholicElementarySchools.org

Our Lady Of Peace School Lynbrook (516) 593-4884 www.olpschoollynbrook.org

St. Raymond's School East Rockaway (516) 593-9010 www.srsny.org

The De La Salle School* Freeport (516) 379-8660 www.delasalleschool.org

We create a better environment for learning. Rooted in

Long Beach Catholic Regional School Long Beach (516) 432-8900 www.lbcrs.org

St. Mary's Elementary School Manhasset (516) 627-0184 www.stmary11030.org St. Rose of Lima School Massapequa (516) 541-1546 www.stroseschool.net Notre Dame School New Hyde Park (516) 354-5618 www.ndsnet.org Holy Child Academy* Old Westbury (516) 626-9300 www.holychildacademy.org

Holy Family School Hicksville (516) 938-3846 www.hfsli.org

St. Dominic Elementary School Oyster Bay (516) 922-4233 www.stdomsob.org

Our Lady of Mercy School Hicksville (516) 433-7040 www.olmshicks.org

St. Peter of Alcantara School Pt Washington (516) 944-3772 www.stpeterspw.org

St. Martin of Tours School Amityville (631) 264-7166 www.smtschool.org

S S Cyril and Methodius School Deer Park (631) 667-6229 www.sscmweb.org

St. Patrick School Bay Shore (631) 665-0569 www.spsbayshore.org

St. Mary School East Islip (631) 581-3423 www.saintmaryschoolei.org

Our Lady of Providence Regional Central Islip (631) 234-6324 www.olprov.org

Trinity Regional School East Northport (631) 261-5130 www.trinityregional.org

St. Agnes Cathedral School Rockville Centre (516) 678-5550 www.stagnes-school.org Maria Regina School Seaford (516) 541-1229 www.mariareginaschool.org St. William the Abbot School Seaford (516) 785-6784 www.stwilliamtheabbot.net St. Edward The Confessor School Syosset (516) 921-7767 www.stedwardconfessor.org St. Martin De Porres Marianist School* Uniondale (516) 481-3303 www.stmartinmarianist.org St. Brigid/Our Lady of Hope Regional School Westbury (516) 333-0580 www.stbolh.org St. Thomas the Apostle W Hempstead (516) 481-9310 www.stthomasschool.net St. Aidan School Williston Park (516) 746-6585 www.staidanschool.org Holy Name of Mary School Valley Stream (516) 825-4009 www.hnomschool.org *Private Schools

Suffolk County

Our Lady Queen of Apostles School Ctr Moriches (631) 878-1033 www.olqany.org Holy Family Regional School Commack (631) 543-0202 www.holyfamilyregional.com Our Lady of Mercy Regional School Cutchogue (631) 734-5166 www.olmregional.org

St. Patrick School Huntington (631) 385-3311 www.stpathunt.org Holy Angels Regional School Patchogue (631) 475-0422 www.holyangelsregional.org Our Lady of Wisdom Regional School Port Jefferson (631) 473-1211 www.olowregional.org

St. Isidore Catholic Elementary School Riverhead (631) 727-1650 www.sisriverhead.com St. Joseph School Ronkonkoma (631) 588-4760 www.stjoeronkelem.org Sts. Philip and James School St. James (631) 584 - 7896 www.sspjschool.net St. Patrick School Smithtown (631) 724-0285 www.spssmith.org Our Lady of the Hamptons Regional School Southampton (631) 283-9140 www.olhamptons.org Our Lady of Lourdes School West Islip (631) 587-7200 www.ollschool.org