Queens Parent January 2017 by City Guide NY

QueensParent 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

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SUMMER ACTIVITIES IN WINTERTIME

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TIM KUBART & THE SPACE CADETS Music for Kids

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NYMetroParents Helping Parents Make Better Decisions

Contents

January 2017 ››

Features

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

18 Is Homework Necessary? Inside the debate about whether kids really need homework—and what one school is doing instead 22 Not of the Faith How local Catholic schools have integrated students from all types of religious backgrounds 50 Great for Leftovers Three recipes, plus a leftover twist for each

52 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 13 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 32 35 48

Family Activities CALENDAR ››

DIY Corner: Make your own bird feeders Outing: Queens Museum Family Activities Calendar Where-To Guide: Ski & Snowboard

Directories

24 54 55 56 58 59 60 61

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

ON THE COVER ›› 14 Good Failure 16 Summer Activities in Wintertime 18 Is Homework Helpful? facebook.com/nymetroparents

@NYMetroParents

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

180 East 79 St. Suite # 1C New York, NY 10021

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JANUARY 2017 • Vol22• No.7

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. 18), 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. 14), skills that will serve them well throughout their lives. If you want to get your kids to pick themselves up again after they fall down—literally and metaphorically—you could bring them to a ski slope and teach them the sport. Find great spots for skiing and snowboarding around the Northeast (p. 48). And for winter fun closer to home, get great tips on recapturing the joys of summer even when the weather is freezing (p. 16). 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. 22). And if you are seeking a school for your child, check out our education directory to find tons of great choices (p. 24). Stay warm, and have a great January! Michael Kress Editorial Director

NYMetroParents Publications EDITORIAL

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

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

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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

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QueensParent

NEW PLACES, NEW PROGRAMS

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Local Math-Only Learning Center Updates SAT Curriculum Who: Mathnasium of Bayside What’s New: Updated SAT math curriculum, which reflects the changes made to the exam in March 2016. Mathnasium will give each student a skills assessment and review the student’s prior SAT math scores to help identify and improve areas of weakness. Next, SAT sample tests will be used. In addition to SAT tutoring, Mathnasium of Bayside offers homework help and tutoring for students in first through 12th grades. It strives for a ratio of one highly trained instructor for every three students. Want More Info: 43-17 Bell Blvd., Bayside; 718-747-MATH (6284); bayside@mathnasium.com; mathnasium.com/bayside Mathnasium of Bayside helps students better understand math.

Who: Kent Prep What’s New: A 16-week course for pre-kindergarteners to prepare them for school beyond the Gifted and Talented Test. It will be coming this spring. Students will be taught a range of subjects, from phonics to simple math, in groups no larger than seven children. Each child is encouraged to work and learn at his or her own pace and ability. “Our curriculum department will go about providing material that will help the child improve at their own pace,” says Kent Prep manager Sharon Kim. “We want to challenge the students by not going over things that they have already mastered.” Want More Info: 194-11A Northern Blvd., Flushing; 718-423-5757; kentprep.com

Courtesy Kent Prep

Academic Enrichment Center in Flushing to Offer Pre-K Course

Children learn at their own pace at Kent Prep.

Who: Cup O’ Fun Cafe What’s New: A BEAM virtual playground, which combines a projection screen with motion sensors to turn a floor into an interactive surface with physical activities and educational games. A new partnership with Mechy’s Deli provides healthy kosher food and snacks in the café. Inside the more than 8,000-square-foot facility, there’s a multi-level climbing unit with slides, tunnels, and a miniature rock wall. Cup O’ Fun Cafe also has an infant area, train table, dress-up area, dollhouse, and more for children ages 9 and younger. Classes and private birthday parties are available and Stuff-A-Friend stuffed animal making is offered daily. Want More Info: 6 Rockaway Ave., Valley Stream; 516-872-2600; cupofuncafe@hotmail.com; cupofuncafe.com

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Courtesy Cup O’ Fun Cafe

Indoor Play Space Adds Virtual Playground

Cup O’ Fun Cafe’s facility is more than 8,000 square feet.

Success starts with igniting imaginations. Apply Now at SuccessAcademies.org

SA_17_Queens Parent_Jan_2017_imaginations.indd 1

12/13/16 1:35 PM 9 QueensParent

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)

We make math make sense. Enroll now and build your math skills like never before! At Mathnasium, we believe that every child has the ability to be successful in math—it’s just a matter of teaching the way that makes sense to them. When math makes sense, kids leap way ahead—whether they started out far behind or already ahead in math.

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718-726-MATH 718-747-MATH (Parking Available)

(Bwtn Queens Blvd & Austin St)

www.mathnasium.com

QueensParent 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

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. 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.

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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.

Call Ms. Wendy, M.S. Ed. | 718-664-7408 For more information: www.AllKidsCanLearn.net 96-19 69th Avenue, Forest Hills QueensParent 13

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 14

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.

QueensParent 15

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!

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. 16

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

At some beaches, you may be able to even play in the sand, if there’s no snow on the ground—just be careful to stay a safe distance from the water. If you get cold, plan a trip to a nearby venue to warm up. You don’t have to wait until June or July to pay a visit to fantastic sea life: In Coney Island, Brooklyn, Nathan’s hotdogs and the New York Aquarium are open nearly every day of the year.

Visit the Animals at the Zoo

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

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

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Pitch a Tent and Camp Inside

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

Star Gaze at a Planetarium

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

Get Active at an Indoor Sports Facility

Take your kids to an indoor sports center or a batting cage. While Astroturf is not quite the same as fresh grass, it will do until the weather warms up. A family soccer or softball game is sure to get the blood flowing just enough to bear the cold. Indoor sport centers such as A-Game Sports in Westchester or Chelsea Piers in Manhattan have plenty of opportunities for some great family fun. Get all the benefits of being outdoors without having to face frigid temperatures.

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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,

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Ed.D., author of The End of Homework: How Homework Disrupts Families, Overburdens Children, and Limits Learning. “And then 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.

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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.”

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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, continued on next page ››

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both third-grade teachers at P.S. 118. The three teachers looked to the program P.S. 11: The William T. Harris School in Chelsea, Manhattan, uses, 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.”

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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.”

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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 at 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.

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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.” QueensParent 23

Academic Enrichment & Educational Services All Kids Can Learn

96-19 69 Ave., Forest Hills allkidscanlearn.net allkidscanlearn@gmail.com All Kids Can Learn is offering college level courses in GRE and GMAT, and Calculus I, II, and III. The preparatory courses of Regents, AP, SAT, and ACT with all subjects offered by licensed teachers. Merit scholarship is offered for high achievers and free assessment for SHSAT and Hunter exams. The NYS ELA and Math Comprehensive Preparation Program will be offered during the midwinter break (Feb. 20-24) with licensed teachers, and the most current learning materials for third-eighth grades. For more information, please contact Ms. Wendy at 718-664-7408.

Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services, P.C.

114-20 Queens Blvd., Suite CS 2, Forest Hills 180 E. 79th St., Suite 1C, Manhattan 1-888-441-0015 comprehendthemind.com Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services, P.C. is a group of school and neuro-psychologists, who diagnose and assess a variety of conditions in children and adults. We perform neuropsychological, educational, speech, language, and psychiatric evaluations to help you understand your child’s strengths and weaknesses, and plan for their educational success and emotional well-being. We help children and adults with learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD/ ADD), memory and processing deficits, developmental disorders (speech delay, motor and adaptive delays), depression, anxiety, behavioral issues, and mood disorders.

Huntington Learning Center

35-30 Francis Lewis Blvd., Flushing 718-358-7900 huntingtonhelps.com Huntington Learning Center’s tips for parents at mid-year report card time: The new year is upon us, which means it’s time for midyear report cards, which can stir up stress for children struggling with school. Huntington Learning Center reminds parents that the mid-year report card should be used as a tool to identify issues and seek help to address them during the remainder of the school year. Since 1977, Huntington has helped students develop the skills, confidence, and motivation they need to succeed. Call 1-800-CAN-LEARN (226-5327) or visit huntingtonhelps.com for more information.

ISTEIN Education Center

107-06 71st Road, 2nd floor, Forest Hills 718-575-8877 isteinny.com info@isteinny.com ISTEIN after-school program is a different kind of extended day after-school program with featured music programs, Chinese language class, multi-interest activities, plus free school pickup. Enrolling kindergarten-sixth grades only. Our program is designed to not only help your children with their homework, but offer them the opportunity to expand their knowledge, create friendships, and have fun. We also offer rigorous academic enrichment in our State Test Prep (third-sixth grades), and Little Winner Program (kindergarten-second grade). Our staff is comprised of professional teachers and assistants whose goal is to make sure your child has a rewarding experience.

JEI Learning Centers

Auburndale: 347-408-4098 Floral Park: 718-347-3138 Fresh Meadows: 718-740-7888 Great Neck: 516-482-2234 Rego Park: 718-441-3762

Forest Hills: 917-702-8505 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!

Kent Prep

194-11A Northern Blvd., Bayside 718-423-5757 kentprep.com Kent Prep is offering enrichment classes for students in pre-K all the way to the 12th grade! Experienced and certified teachers work with students in a small classroom environment to prepare for the Gifted and Talented program (pre-K to first grade), NY Statewide Exams (third-seventh grade), and other admission test exams. Classes are offered Monday-Friday, 3:505:50pm, and Saturdays, 9am2:45pm. For more information, email us at info@kentprep.com or call 718-423-5757 to speak to a counselor.

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 ed-

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ucation for the gifted: extraordinary teachers recruited from leading high schools, middle schools, and 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 CentersQueens

43-17 Bell Blvd., Bayside 718-747-MATH (6284) 108-14 72nd Ave., Forest Hills 718-544-MATH (6284) LaGuardia Center 43-32 Ditmars Blvd., Astoria 718-726-MATH (6284) 185-10 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows 718-544-MATH(6284) mathnasium.com Mathnasium Learning Centers offer math-only educational programs for students of all ages in more than 600 centers worldwide. In a relaxed, homework-free environment, Mathnasium is where kids catch up, keep up, or get ahead in math, and gain confidence in their math abilities. With a personalized curriculum, instant feedback, and proven, time-tested learning plans designed by experienced instructors, Mathnasium guides students to develop and maintain the mathematics knowledge needed to succeed. Programs, including homework help and test prep, run year-round for students of all ages! Call us today for more information!

Nina’s Tutoring Center

8702 Grand Ave., Elmhurst 718-205-7508 92-22 Corona Ave. Elmhurst 718-606-1056 tutornina@hotmail.com We tutor kids in kindergarten to 12th grades. For the past seven years, we have provided quality continued on page 26 ››

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

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‹‹ continued from page 24

education that helps kids excel in school. Our excellent, highly dedicated, and experienced tutors are very competent. We specialize in homework help and offer critical thinking and writing classes. We help improve skills in math, ELA, science, and social studies. We also have an intensive preparation program for ELA, math, science, and citywide and statewide exams. We opened our second branch on Corona Avenue to serve our community better. Please call to find out more about the programs we run throughout the year.

Noah’s Ark Preparatory

38-20 Bell Blvd., Bayside 718-279-4251 62-48 Mt. Olivet Crescent, Middle Village 347-335-0044 noahsarkschool.com noahsarkpreparatory@gmail.com Noah’s Ark Preparatory Inc. strives to create a learning environment that invites the fullest potential of each person’s gifts. Both nursery and pre-kindergarten classrooms are divided into distinct learning areas and foster in the children the love of learning. The setting offers the children the opportunity to teach themselves through their own discoveries. Noah’s Ark also offers an after-school program with bus service for ages 6-12, during which time will be spent building academic skills and addressing the needs of each individual student. Please call for further information about all our programs, including UPK.

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 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.

Preschools All My Children Daycare and Nursery School

Various locations; call for information or check us online Queens: 347-708-7827 Brooklyn: 347-708-7827 Manhattan: 212-419-5416 allmychildrendaycare.com info@allmychildrendaycare.com All My Children Daycare is the eco-friendly choice for your infant or young child. We have various locations throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens to accommodate your needs. AMC offers a holistic approach to education inspired by nature, and our staff is highly trained. Growth and development of the child as a whole is our No. 1 goal. We also offer a broad range of content on our website for parents. Call to inquire about registration or schedule a tour of a facility near you: 212-466-6262 or email: info@allmychildrendaycare.com.

Apple Tree Nursery School

82-25 164th St., Flushing 718-374-0002 Led by experienced, caring, dedicated, and certified staff, Apple Tree offers an enriched early

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

childhood curriculum including computer, math, and literacy activities. There are immediate openings for 3-year-olds, with low tuition rates, full-day, and half-day options. Registering now for full-day free pre-K classes for children born in 2013 for September 2017. Call to find out more about any of our dynamic programs. Visitors always welcome. Open houses during the month of January.

Braithwaite Nursery School

160-21 13 Ave. 718-767-2776 9am-12pm (Prime Time for Little Ones) braithwaitenurseryschool.com Lynne and Ron Braithwaite, certified teachers, have been operating the Braithwaite Nursery School for 14 years, serving children ages 2-4 in a safe and nurturing environment. Our goal is to foster a love of learning through varied experiences. A Green Schoolyard gives children the opportunity to observe and appreciate their environment. Seasonal changes and migrating birds introduce a love of science. We focus on the total child, academically and socially. Reading readiness, art, music, math, and science are an everyday part of our program in an exciting fun way. Your child will be governed only by his or her limitless imagination.

The Church-in-the-Gardens Nursery School

50 Ascan Ave., Forest Hills 718-268-7980 thecitg.org nurseryschool@thecitg.org Our nursery and pre-K programs reflect research that encourages learning through play and handson activities. Each individual child is supported as he or she becomes a successful, lifelong learner. We offer a diversified, multicultural program, a print-rich environment, hands-on, developmentally appropriate small group instruction, a music and movement program that promotes fine and gross motor skills, and reinforced acceptance of others through teaching the basic strategies for coping with issues that may arise when our students enter elementary school. All programs offer enhanced enrichment throughout the school year.

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.

Noah’s Ark Preparatory

Pee Wee Folks

12-45 Clintonville St., Whitestone 718-746-6107 peeweefolkspreschool.com Pee Wee Folks has been providing child care in our community for more than 36 years. Our pre-K program offers students a thematic unit curriculum as well as the “Building Blocks” math program, which introduces a comprehensive approach to mathematical concepts. All students in our school enjoy a challenging educational program set in a warm, loving, and very continued on page 28 ››

SCHOOL MARKETPLACE

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

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

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

MUSIC EDUCATION

COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY

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

• Performing Arts Program

OPEN HOUSE

Sun. Feb. 12th, 2017

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

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

like us on facebook

Open School Night for New Families

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

Serving children in Nursery through Grade 8

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

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

Over $350,000 awarded in scholarships to the Class of 2016! NCLB NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE Pre-K 3 year through Grade 8 | Moms and Tots (2 years old)

OPEN HOUSE TOURS January 29th

January 31st

February 2nd

10:30am–12:30pm

9:15am–11:15am & 12:45pm–2:15pm

5:00pm–7:00pm

“WELCOME WEDNESDAYS”

Pre-K 3 year through Grade 6

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

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

9:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

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

QueensParent 27

‹‹ continued from page 26

personal environment. We offer schedules to meet the needs of our working families and a full summer program with a traveling group as well! Come and visit the wonderful world of Pee Wee!

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.

Redeemer St. John’s Nursery School

Garden School

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

Tiny Footsteps

167-01 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows 718-969-5500 tinyfootstepsny@yahoo.com Tiny Footsteps is the place to be for kids ages 1-5! Our handson curriculum is theme-based allowing for student growth, exploration, and creativity. Students are prepared academically and socially for the big step into elementary school. All of our educators are dedicated to the profession of early childhood with extensive experience. Nutritious, kosher meals are prepared on-site three times daily. Free pre-K for all for children born in 2013. Various schedules and transportation are available for busy parents. Call 718-969-5500 for more information.

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

33-16 79th St., Jackson Heights 718-335-6363 gardenschool.org Garden School is a coed, nursery to 12th grade, fully accredited, independent college prep school, offering a realistic educational alternative. Small by design, 310 students participate in a strong, highly enriched program, and thrive in small classes in which individual attention cultivates each student’s unique identity and awakens intellectual curiosity, independent thinking, and scholastic excellence. Garden teaches traditional academic and critical thinking skills using proven, progressive teaching methods. Our comprehensive program includes field trips, extracurricular activities, community service, and leadership opportunities. Private bus transportation, lunch program, and tuition assistance are available.

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.

St. Sebastian Catholic Academy

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

An extended day program for students in nursery-fifth grades is available for an additional fee. A partnership with Monsignor McClancy High School Regents classes are offered in algebra and Earth science. Title 1 reading and math, SETSS, speech, and OT are available. You may be eligible for tuition assistance!

United Nations International School 173-53 Croyden Road, Jamaica Estates 718-658-6166 unis.org rsorrentini@unis.org The UNIS Queens campus provides an intimate learning environment, promoting individualized academic development, personal growth, and a passion for learning. Inspired by the principles of the United Nations, students become active and thoughtful world citizens. The curriculum includes English, math, social studies, science, modern languages, music, art, drama, design and technology, and physical education. Critical and creative thinking, hands-on learning, and presentation skills provide a balanced education.

Vincent Smith School

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.

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

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church, 8502 Ridge Blvd., Brooklyn 718-836-8096 dgkschool.com

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

Leif Ericson Day School

1037 72nd St., Brooklyn 718-748-9023 Christine Hauge, principal ledsny.org Leif Ericson Day School, celebrating more than 50 years of quality Christian education for children in nursery-eighth grade, offers an outstanding Early Childhood Education program. Small class sizes promote personalized attention. Focus is on full development of the child to foster innate love of learning in a caring, safe environment. LEDS offers developmentally appropriate lessons in music, math, science, social studies, computers, and reading readiness. Rest time promotes alertness, memory, and performance. Playtime fosters imagination and creativity while promoting socialization, problem-solving, and language skills. Call for a personal tour!

Our Lady of Grace Montessori School

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

continued on page 30 ››

SCHOOL MARKETPLACE

Garden School

Nursery to Grade 12, Independent, College Prep School Accredited, strong academics in small classes, private transportation

The Finest Private School in Queens A Realistic Alternative to Manhattan Schools

Open House Every Wednesday At 9:00 AM No RSVP and Your Child is Welcome

OPEN HOUSES

• PE, Sports, Art, Music, 3 World Languages

Wednesdays, 9:00 AM

Children welcome, No RSVPs

• 7 AP Courses in Major Subject Areas

Nursery to Grade 12, Independent, College Prep School • Strong Academics, Small Classes Academic Achievement • PE, Sports, Art, Music, Languages • APPersonal Courses in 7 Subject Areas • College Counseling Development • Lunch and Transportation Available • Tuition Assistance Social Involvement

• College Counseling • Strong Community • Lunch • Tuition Assistance

33-16 79th Street, Jackson Heights, NY 11372 Tel: (718) 335-6363 | www.gardenschool.org

33-16 79th Street, Jackson Heights, NY 11372 | 718-335-6363 | www.gardenschool.org

TINY FOOTSTEPS

COMING SOON Toddler Program 12-24 Months

FREE

Bus Service with Extended Stay For UPK Children*

UND PR RO O

AGES 1-5

*Starting Fall 2017

AM GR

Expires 1/31/2017

718

A YE A

Child Learning Center

-9 69- 5

Transportation Available

Monday - Friday 8:00am - 6:00pm • Extended Hours Available • Spacious Classrooms • Licensed Teachers • Warm Caring Environment • Creative Academic Programs

• Science & Explorations • Themes Aligned with Common Core • Large Indoor/Outdoor Playground

• Free Potty Training • Hot Meals Prepared Daily • HRA & ACS Vouchers Accepted

www.tinyfootstepsny.com • 167-01 Union Turnpike • Fresh Meadows, NY 11366 EARLY REGISTRATION STARTS JANUARY 2017 • FREE FULL DAY UPK FOR CHILDREN BORN IN 2013 QueensParent 29

SCHOOL MARKETPLACE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS • PRE SCHOOL • FREE FULL DAY UNIVERSAL PRE K

NYC Department of Education Spotlight School of Excellence Registration Begins in January! Universal Pre-K

Free Full-Time Program for children born in 2013

Exciting Thematic unit curriculum with the progressive "Building Blocks Math Program" Outdoor Music Garden in our HUGE well stocked Playground

OPEN HOUSES

January 25, 2017 • 6pm – 7pm January 31, 2017 • 10am – 11am

FALL 2017 • Ages 2-4

Flexible Schedule • Low Rates Ask About Our FREE Extended Programs Pee Wee Folks Serving the Whitestone Community since 1981.

12-45 Clintonville Street • Whitestone, NY

718-746-6107

Long Standing Excellent Reputation

PEEWEEFOLKSPRESCHOOL.COM

BUS SERVICE AVAILABLE • AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM

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

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

• FREE Universal Pre-K for All • FREE in grades 6, 7 & 8 sponsored by Maspeth Town Hall. • Partnership with Monsignor McClancy High School for advanced classes • The Graduating Class of 2016 earned over $800,000 in Catholic high schools in NewYork City.

Want to know the Best Activities for Families?

Subscribe to our family activity email newsletter.

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January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Want to know

‹‹ continued from page 28

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

Saint Saviour Catholic Academy

Julian Parham Santana, director of admissions, marketing, and development 701 8th Ave., Park Slope 718-768-8000 x4 saintsaviourcatholicacademy.org Saint Saviour Catholic Academy prepares students from nursery to eighth grade for higher education. We welcome and support diversity of ethnicity and race, religion, socioeconomic background, and learning style. Our academy offers a balanced curriculum of rigorous academics, designed to meet the common core standards, and a vibrant arts program paired with the spiritual teachings of Catholicism. We welcome you to visit our academy! Schedule a visit with our director of admissions, Julian Parham Santana, see contact information above.

St. Sebastian Catholic Academy

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

Special Education Bakshi Law

Offices in the Financial District, Long Island, and Westchester

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

Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services, P.C.

114-20 Queens Blvd., Suite CS 2, Forest Hills 180 E. 79th St., Suite 1C, Manhattan 1-888-441-0015 comprehendthemind.com Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services, P.C. is a group of school and neuro-psychologists, who diagnose and assess a variety of conditions in children and adults. We perform neuropsychological, educational, speech, and language and psychiatric evaluations to help you understand your child’s strengths and weaknesses, and plan for their educational success and emotional well-being. We help children and adults with learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD/ADD), memory and processing deficits, developmental disorders (speech delay, motor and adaptive delays), depression, anxiety, behavioral issues, and mood disorders.

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

SCHOOL MARKETPLACE 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 roleplay, 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.

Serving Flushing, Rego Park, Forest Hills and Jamaica since 1994

Limited Space! As low as $15/week

Vincent Smith School

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-toschool connection, and college and career counseling in small supportive classes.

DGK

Dimitrios & Georgia Kaloidis

Parochial School Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church

Call Today

allmychildrendaycare.com | 347-708-7827 Private Tuition and Government Subsidized Programs. Visit our blog at allmychildrendaycare.com/blog A Great Interactive Resource for Parents of Young Children

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

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

Open House:

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

939-83rd St.

718.833.7700

Quality Education In A Nurturing Environment

"Continuing a Tradition of Excellence in Education"

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

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

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

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

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

New York State Certified Faculty Individualized Instruction for Students

OUTINGS: Queens Museum

nymetroparents.com/outings

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

Courtesy Queens Museum

Max Touhey

Courtesy Queens Museum

The Neustadt Collection of Tiffany Glass

By Lauren Diaz

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

The New York City Building was originally built with the purpose of housing the New York City Pavilion at the 1939 World’s Fair. After hosting another World’s Fair in 1964, it finally became home to The Queens Museum. Within this building you will find a host of unique and educational exhibits, galleries, and fun and interactive programming for your family.

Year-Round Fun

Billed as an indoor helicopter tour and often referred to as the “jewel of the crown of the collection” by staff, The Panorama of the City of New York was one of the most successful attractions at the 1964 World’s Fair. Each of the city’s 895,000 buildings constructed prior to 1992 and every street, park, and some 100 bridges are represented. Other permanent exhibits include The Neustadt Collection of Tiffany Glass, an extraordinary array of colorful lamps and windows, a 540-square-foot Relief Map of the New York City Water Supply System, and a World’s Fair Visible Storage collection. 32

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

The Queens Museum prides itself on educational programming and offers weekly Drop-in Family Art Workshops. Families with children ages 5-12 are invited to take part in a number of diverse art projects ranging from designing city blocks to making puppets. Each year, the museum also offers a number of programs for children and adults with varying abilities through its ArtAccess initiative. The Museum Explorers Club specifically aims to aid families affected by autism. Families participate in creating art inspired by the work in the galleries while exploration and play help bridge connections and build literacy.

Annual Events

The Queens Museum hosts Queens International, a biannual exhibition of artists living or working in Queens. The exhibit aims to highlight and contextualize the vibrancy of the borough through cultural productions in all media. The museum also offers a number of summer programs including two-week

summer camps for children ages 7-11 and a six-week Summer Youth Arts program for Queens residents who are entering seventh to ninth grades.

January Highlights

Each year, with the help of Circus Amok!, the Queens Museum turns into a spooky wonderland for its Spooktacular event. The afternoon is full of exciting performances, face painting, art making, and scavenger hunts. This event is ticketed with proceeds benefitting the museum’s Education Department, which provides arts programs for students and adults of all abilities. Spooktacular will be held Jan. 21, 2-4pm.

Details

Address: New York City Building, Meridian Road, Flushing Meadows Corona Park Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 11am-5pm Admission: $8; $4 seniors; free for children 18 and younger For more information: queensmuseum.org or 718-592-9700

SCHOOL MARKETPLACE 185-10A Union Turnpike Fresh Meadows, NY 11366 718-264-ROBO (7626) Immerse. Make. Inspire robomindtech@gmail.com Hands-On Projects in Science and Technology Inspiration & Development for Young Minds Unique Robotics & Research Experience

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! > LEGO Science & Robotics Programs (K-8) > Coding Programs > Vacation Camps > Robotics Competition Development > S.T.E.M. Programs for School / Community Group

OPEN HOUSE FREE TRIAL CLASS! Please RVSP via email

1/7 Sat 1-2:30pm 1/8 Sun 1-2:30pm (Please e-mail or Call to RSVP Open House or Free Trial) Home to NYC FIRST Lego League & National World Robot Olympiad Champions

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

Need a staycation?

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

VINCENT SMITH SCHOOL

ResouRces ARticles

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.

Find everything you need, faster at

QueensParent 33

HILLCREST JEWISH CENTER DAY CAMP

Like us on

@hjcdaycamp

“The Camp Where Everybody Knows Your Name”

Extended hours for Working Parents • LARGE INDOOR POOL

Sunday March 26th, 2017 Open House 1-4 p.m. Early Bird Special - Available Starting Sunday, January 8th, 2017 the office will be open from 10am - 12pm for tours and registrations

FULL & PARTIAL SEASON PROGRAMS AVAILABLE

A Program For Children From 4 - 14 Years of age • Red Cross Swim Program • Krav Maga • Hip-Hop & Gymnastics Instruction • Sports (Basketball, Soccer, Softball,Volleyball) • Music & Arts and Crafts • Free Camp T-Shirt & Group Photo

• Weekly Theme Days • Large Gymnasium & Recreation Room • Catered Kosher Lunches & PM Snacks • End of the Summer Carnival • Oneg Shabbat Services • Day Trips (Adventureland, Laser Bounce, Splish Splash and more)

Learn Basketball

• Early Morning Supervision • Family Swim Day & Movie Night • Overnight Trip • In Camp Overnight • Weekly Cookouts • Door to Door Transportation • Color War

Play Basketball

Trained and caring coaches will build your child's skills and confidence. Friendly camp-like environment where everyone plays all the time.

NON-COMPETITIVE BEGINNER PROGRAMS

COMPETITIVE OLYMPIX & POWERBALL TRAINING

Ages 3-4, 5-6, 7-10

Ages 8-15

• Child sensitive programs • 1 trained coach for 5 players • Low baskets and youth size balls • Free T-Shirt and Graduation Trophy

• Games and Skill Contests • Shooting Clinics • Special Training for Team Tryouts • 1 trained coach for 5 players • Free T-Shirt and Graduation Trophy

REGO PARK • BAYSIDE • JAMAICA ESTATES WWW.FIRSTSHOTBASKETBALL.COM

The Premier Basketball Program in Queens

FREE TRIAL LESSON

FIRST SHOT BASKETBALL SCHOOL ®

Teaching Basketball and Sportsmanship Since 1997

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 GingerBread Lane House Giveaway (No. 3 on our list).

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

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nymetroparents.com/submitevent UPDATED DAILY AT nymetroparents.com/calendar EDITOR: GAIL WARREN qpcal@davlermedia.com

JANUARY CALENDAR

36 Editor’s Hot Tickets

41 Special Needs

38 We Can’t Believe It’s FREE!, On Screen

42 Holiday Fun, Show Time!

39 Movers & Shakers

44 Dance Party, Smarty Pants

40 Crafty Kids, Once Upon a Time

46 Mini Musicians

EDITOR’S HOT TICKETS

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

Michel Lauzière: Science of Sound

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 14, 1pm workshop, 2:15pm show WHERE: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing AGES: All WHAT: The workshop features hands-on activities and demonstrations by Michel Lauzière on how he uses basic scientific laws regarding sound to build his bizarre contraptions and original musical instruments. In his highly entertaining, interactive, and musical show, Lauzière uses basic scientific principles to play his bizarre, original musical instruments and more. WHY WE LOVE IT: Lauzière has a unique way of transforming noise into music, and making science fun! WANT TO GO? Workshop: $7; $4 children. Show: $10; $7 children. 718-939-0647. flushingtownhall.org.

Karaoke At The Movies: ‘Tarzan’

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 14, 6:30pm WHERE: Queensborough Performing Arts Center, 222-05 56th Ave., Bayside AGES: All WHAT: Disney’s Tarzan takes the well-known story of a man who is raised by gorillas to a new level with spirited animation. Tarzan must decide where he really belongs when he discovers he is a human. WHY WE LOVE IT: This series makes you the star of the movie, as the audience is encouraged to sing and dance their way through this Disney favorite. Dressing up as your favorite Disney character is encouraged. WANT TO GO? $5. 718-631-6311. qcc.cuny.edu/qpac.

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

GingerBread Lane House Giveaway

WHEN: Monday, Jan. 16, 2-5pm WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona AGES: All WHAT: Houses will be given away on a first-come, first-served basis until every piece of GingerBread Lane is gone. Be sure to bring a box or bag with you so you can carry your gingerbread houses home. WHY WE LOVE IT: A great way to bring some yummy post-holiday fun into the new year! WANT TO GO? $15; $12 children ages 2-17. 718-699-0005. nysci.org.

Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and Award Ceremony FREE

WHEN: Monday, Jan. 16, 9am WHERE: First Baptist Church, 100-10 Astoria Blvd., East Elmhurst AGES: All WHAT: A celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and a ceremony to uplift the student winners of an essay competition related to Dr. King’s views and their relevancy for today’s generation. WHY WE LOVE IT: This memorial and ecumenical event provides college scholarships to students in the Queens community. WANT TO GO? 718-446-0020.

Sandglass Theater: ‘Punschi’

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 21, 11am and 2pm WHERE: Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, Upper West Side, Manhattan

AGES: All WHAT: Two stories of adventure and circus will engage little ones. First is the story of Kasper, a beloved puppet hero of Germany, and the story of what happens when a cow steals his suitcase. The second is a flea circus with Fritzi: a tiny flea with a big personality. WHY WE LOVE IT: Turn off the TV and put down the iPad for old-fashioned but brilliant entertainment for kids. WANT TO GO? $17. 503-293-9498. symphonyspace.org.

Lunar New Year Celebration FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 28, see website for times WHERE: Main Street, Flushing AGES: All WHAT: The annual Chinese New Year celebration in Chinatown of Flushing is very spectacular, featuring lion and dragon dances, Chinese traditional lanterns with good luck messages, drummers, music, and firecrackers. WHY WE LOVE IT: A great way to learn about and celebrate Chinese culture. WANT TO GO? newyearseveblog.com/flushing-queens-cny.

‘Elephant and Piggie’

WHEN: Jan. 28-Feb. 5, see website for show times WHERE: New Victory Theatre, 229 W. 42nd St., Theater District, Manhattan AGES: 3-12 WHAT: A musical adaptation of Mo Willems’s best-selling children’s books, Elephant and Piggie. WHY WE LOVE IT: Everyone’s favorite BFFs inject some fun into January. WANT TO GO? $25. 646-223-3010. newvictory.org.

Science Inspires Art: Food

WHEN: Through Feb. 26: Monday-Friday, 2-5pm; Saturday-Sunday, 11am-3pm WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona AGES: All WHAT: This 18th art-science, juried exhibition includes more than two dozen images of art that reflect on the topic of food from all angles. WHY WE LOVE IT: The exhibit explores foods from the historical record to today’s molecular gastronomy. WANT TO GO? $15; $12 children ages 2-17, students, and seniors. 718699-0005. nysci.org. ››

QueensParent 37

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 Club FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 7, 8-10am WHERE: Queens Center Mall-Lower Level, JCPenney Wing, 90-15 Queens Blvd., Elmhurst AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Powered by National Geographic Kids, this a great opportunity for kids to learn in a fun, interactive setting featuring creative activities and games that focus on discovery through play. WANT TO GO? 718-592-3900. shopqueenscenter.com/events.

Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. FREE

WHEN: Monday, Jan. 16, 10:30am WHERE: BAM, Howard Gilman Opera House, 30 Lafayette Ave., Fort Greene, Brooklyn AGES: 5 and older WHAT: BAM’s annual tribute to iconic civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. returns for the 31st year. This free event brings world-renowned activists, intellectuals, and civic leaders together with musicians, poets, and other performers to honor King’s legacy and keep his message alive. WANT TO GO? 718-636-4100. bam.org.

Kickoff Lunar New Year! FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 21, 10am WHERE: Hillcrest Library, 187-05 Union Turnpike, Flushing AGES: All WHAT: Kickoff Lunar New Year with origami demonstrations and red envelope decorating all week long! WANT TO GO? 718-454-2786. queenslibrary.org.

Firecracker Ceremony & Cultural Festival FREE

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

Children’s Matinee FREE

WHEN: Jan. 6-27, Fridays, 3:30pm WHERE: Mitchell-Linden Library, 31-32 Union St., Flushing AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Enjoy these screenings of blockbuster children’s movies, including Frozen, Stuart Little, Finding Dory, and The Secret Life of Pets. WANT TO GO? 718-539-2330. queenslibrary.org.

ON SCREEN

Winter Recess Family Matinee: ‘Kubo and the Two Strings’

WHEN: Jan. 1-2, Sunday-Monday, 12pm WHERE: Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria AGES: 9 and older WHAT: A young boy named Kubo leads a peaceful existence, making origami characters come to life for his village, but then his life is turned 38

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

upside down when he unwittingly summons a spirit from his past. WANT TO GO? $15; $11 seniors; $7 children ages 3-17. 718-429-2579. movingimage.org.

Family Movie Night FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 5, 5pm WHERE: LeFrak City Library, 98-30 57th Ave., Corona AGES: All WHAT: Bring in the family to view new movie releases. This month’s feature is Disney’s The BFG. WANT TO GO? 718-592-7677. queenslibrary.org.

Lincoln Center Local Screening: ‘Villalobos Brothers’ FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 5, 5:30pm WHERE: Whitestone Library, 151-10 14th Road, Whitestone AGES: All WHAT: The Villalobos Brothers masterfully blend the indigenous rhythms and melodies of their native Veracruz, Mexico with the intricate harmonies of jazz and classical to create a new sound in Latin music. WANT TO GO? 718-767-8010. queenslibrary.org.

Kid’s Afterschool Movie: ‘The Wild Life’

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 6, 3:30pm WHERE: St. Albans Library, 191-05 Linden Blvd., St. Albans AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Times are good for Mak the parrot, Scrubby the goat, Carmello the chameleon and the rest of the wildlife that inhabits a tropical island. See what happens when their day-to-day routine gets shaken up after a mysterious creature washes up on shore. WANT TO GO? 718-528-8196. queenslibrary.org.

Lincoln Center Local Screening: ‘The American Revolution’ FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 12, 4pm WHERE: South Jamaica Library, 108-41 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., South Jamaica AGES: 5 and older WHAT: A cheeky troupe from Chicago brings our country’s epic origin story to life, with loads of laughs and ingenious storytelling, by using their bodies, voices, and (pantomimed) cannons. WANT TO GO? 718-739-4088. queenslibrary.org.

‘Felix the Cat’ & Other Vintage Toon Characters

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 22, 2pm WHERE: The Voelker Orth Museum, 149-19 38th Ave., Flushing AGES: All WHAT: Experience the magical world of vintage animation, projected on 16mm film as it often was in homes through much of the 20th century. Film historian Tom Stathes returns with a delightful afternoon of vintage cartoons from Pat Sullivan Studios, including Felix the Cat. WANT TO GO? $5; free for children younger than 3. 718-359-6227. vomuseum.org.

BAMKids Film Festival

WHEN: Jan. 28-29, Saturday-Sunday, see website for times WHERE: Brooklyn Academy of Music, 30 Lafayette Ave., Fort Greene, Brooklyn

AGES: 3 and older WHAT: With a total of 58 films from 27 countries, the 19th annual BAMkids Film Festival is a great way to introduce your family to the world of international film. In addition to the movies, this year’s festival will include various free activities in the Opera House lobby, including face painters, balloon artists, walkabout entertainment, and the opportunity to meet and greet the Hip-Hop Juggler, who will provide pre-film entertainment for the festival. WANT TO GO? $14; $10 for children 13 and younger. 718-636-4100. bam.org/kidsfilmfest.

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.

Martin Scorsese Exhibition

WHEN: Through April 23: Wednesday-Thursday, 10:30am-2pm; Friday, 10:30am-8pm; Saturday-Sunday, 11:30am-7pm WHERE: Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Drawing extensively from Scorsese’s own collection, the exhibition includes production material from his key films, objects from his childhood, behind-the-scenes images, and large-scale projections of scenes from his work. WANT TO GO? $15; $11 seniors; $7 children ages 3-17; free for children younger than 3. 718-429-2579. movingimage.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 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.

MOVERS & SHAKERS Family Bounce Night

WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 11, 6-8pm WHERE: BounceU College Point, Whitepoint Center, 132-25 14th Ave., College Point AGES: All WHAT: A evening of family fun including music, games, and, of course, play time on the giant inflatable toys. Parents must stay on the premises and are welcome to join in the fun. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $13.99 per child. 718-747-5867. bounceu.com.

Tween Yoga

WHEN: Jan. 21-28, Saturdays, 10:30am WHERE: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston AGES: 9-12 WHAT: This class mixes traditional poses, such as sun salutations, with partner work, breath and body awareness, and strength builders. Bring a towel and water; mats provided. WANT TO GO? $16. 718-229-4000. alleypond.com.

MonsterJam

WHEN: Jan. 28-29, Saturday, 1pm and 7pm; Sunday 1pm WHERE: Prudential Center, 25 Lafayette St., Newark, NJ AGES: 3 and older WHAT: The famous rally comes to New Jersey. This event is loud so bring earplugs for kids. WANT TO GO? $18-$106. 973-757-6600.

Music and Movement for Infants and Toddlers FREE

WHEN: Jan. 4-30, Mondays 12:15pm, Wednesdays, 10:30am WHERE: Glen Oaks Library, 256-04 Union Turnpike, Glen Oaks AGES: Newborn to 5, adult WHAT: Little ones and caregivers enjoy songs, movement, finger plays, puppets, and more. WANT TO GO? 718-831-8636. queenslibrary.org.

Family Fun Night

WHEN: Mondays, Jan. 9, 23, and 30, 3:45pm WHERE: Middle Village Public Library, 72-31 Metropolitan Ave., Middle Village AGES: All WHAT: There’s something for everyone to enjoy at this fun-filled night featuring classic board games. WANT TO GO? 718-326-1390. queenslibrary.org.

Bank of America Winter Village

WHEN: Through March 5: daily, 8am-10pm WHERE: Bryant Park, 40th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues, Midtown, Manhattan AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Not just for tourists, a festive skate during the holiday season is a fun NYC treat. It does get crowded so make your reservations early in the season. WANT TO GO? Free entry, skate hire starts at $20. wintervillage.org.

Wollman Rink Public Skating

WHEN: Through March 10: Monday-Tuesday, 10am-2:30pm; Wednesday-Thursday, 10am-10pm; Friday-Saturday, 10am-11pm; Sunday, 10am-9pm WHERE: Trump Wollman Rink, 59th Street and Central Park South, Central Park, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Don’t miss a skate around the rink with the amazing view of the Manhattan skyline in front of you. Central Park’s famous rink is a tourist favorite, but worth doing even if you are a local. There is also a carousel to ride on in between skates with a $3 fee. WANT TO GO? Monday-Thursday: $12; $6 children ages 11 and younger; $5 seniors. Friday-Sunday and holidays: $19; $9 seniors; $6 for children 11 and younger. 212-819-8165. wollmanskatingrink.com.

The Rink at Rockefeller Center

WHEN: Through April 1: 8:30am-10pm, see website for session times WHERE: The Rockefeller Center, 600 Fifth Ave., Midtown, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: The most famous rink in NYC. WANT TO GO? $25-$32; $15 seniors and for children 11 and younger; $12 skate rental. 212-938-0005. therinkatrockcenter.com. ›› QueensParent 39

Family Art Project: A Hand In Freedom

WHEN: Jan. 14-15, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-1pm WHERE: Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx AGES: All WHAT: In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, consider his powerful message of justice and freedom. Trace hands on fabric to cut out and then layer and paste on muslin, and use fabric markers and sprays to embed messages and quotes that speak out for kindness to all. WANT TO GO? $8; $2 for children age 6 and older; free for children younger than 6. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.

CRAFTY KIDS Winter Warrior Workshop

WHEN: Jan. 1-2, Sunday-Monday, 11:30am WHERE: Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Participate in creative media-making inspired by Kubo and the Two Strings. Activities include character design, origami, and animating your own samurai scene. WANT TO GO? $15; $11 seniors; $7 children ages 3-17; free for children younger than 3. 718-429-2579. movingimage.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.

Express with Lines and Color

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 8, 2pm WHERE: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing AGES: All WHAT: Peruvian-American artist Renzo Ortega introduces the art of drawing and painting. Learn basic composition, color concepts, and enjoy his Journey to Infinity exhibition of paintings that are the pictorial representation of emotions and feelings he experienced as an immigrant artist living in New York for more than 16 years. WANT TO GO? $5. 718-939-0647. flushingtownhall.org.

Martin Luther King Craft FREE

WHEN: Monday, Jan. 9, 4pm WHERE: Queens Village Library, 94-11 217th St., Queens Village 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.

Tuesday Create Space FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 10, 3:45pm WHERE: Long Island City Library, 37-44 21st St., Long Island City AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Kids will engage in a crafting or creation activity after school to make all kinds creations and stretch their imaginations. WANT TO GO? 718-752-3700. queenslibrary.org. 40

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Creative Spectrum Art Social FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 22, 10am WHERE: Queens Museum, NYC Building, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Flushing AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Engage in a creative workshop in which families can enjoy making hands-on art projects together. The goal of this workshop is to provide a creative space for children with disabilities, so they can explore a variety of creative outlets of expression. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 718-592-9700. queensmuseum.org.

Family Program: Moving Image Studio

WHEN: Jan. 7-28, Saturdays, 12pm WHERE: Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Families can create media and other projects. Activities range from making hand-drawn flipbooks and thaumatropes (optical toys) to building computer-based stop-motion animations and video games. WANT TO GO? $15; $11 seniors; $7 children ages 3-17; free for children younger than 3. 718-429-2579. movingimage.org.

Coloring Club FREE

WHEN: Jan. 4-30, Mondays and Wednesdays, 12pm WHERE: Mitchell-Linden Library, 31-32 Union Street, Flushing AGES: Newborn to 5, adult WHAT: Young children and their caregivers create and color. Coloring pages will be provided. WANT TO GO? 718-539-2330. queenslibrary.org.

Tweens and Teens Puzzles & Coloring Club FREE

WHEN: Jan. 3-Feb. 27, Monday-Friday, 3-8pm WHERE: Laurelton Library, 134-26 225 St., Laurelton AGES: 9-17 WHAT: Relax and color the stress of the school day away, or maybe look for more of a challenge with visual, spatial, mathematical, and logical geometric and pictorial puzzles; Legos; wooden blocks; and more. All supplies will be provided. WANT TO GO? 718-528-2822. queenslibrary.org.

ONCE UPON A TIME Girl Power Bookclub: ‘Halfway to Perfect’ FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 4, 4pm WHERE: St. Albans Library, 191-05 Linden Blvd., St. Albans AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Dyamonde loves eating her mom’s pancakes, but lately Damaris just pushes her food around her plate, and Dyamonde suspects it has something to do with the mean things classmates have been saying about people’s weight. Dyamonde knows that Damaris doesn’t have a weight problem and is perfect just the way she is—so now it’s time for her to make sure Damaris knows that, too. WANT TO GO? 718-528-8196. queenslibrary.org.

APEC Adventure Time: Snowflakes and Snowballs

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 8, 10am WHERE: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Enjoy playing with “snow,” a winter story, sing a song about snow, and play matching snowflakes games. Animal friends, a brisk outdoor walk, and a craft are included. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $21. 718-229-4000. alleypond.com.

Animal Tales: Who’s Been Here?

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 21, 1:30pm WHERE: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston AGES: 5-6 WHAT: Read about animal clues left in the snow. Kids will enjoy a craft and nature walk, weather permitting. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $21. 718-229-4000. alleypond.com.

Toddler Tales: ‘Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?’

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 21, 10:30am WHERE: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Enjoy one of Eric Carle’s classic stories. Have a snack, create a nature craft, and meet some of APEC’s animals. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $21. 718-229-4000. alleypond.com.

Pre-K Pajama Time FREE

WHEN: Jan. 5-26, Thursdays, 7pm

WHERE: Peninsula Library, 95-25 Rockaway Beach Blvd., Rockaway Beach AGES: 3-8, adult WHAT: Children are welcome to enjoy bedtime stories, songs, and more. WANT TO GO? 718-634-1110. queenslibrary.org.

Toddler Storytime FREE

WHEN: Jan. 4-27, Wednesdays and Fridays, 10:30am WHERE: Bellerose Library, 250-08 Hillside Ave., Bellerose AGES: Newborn to 5, adult WHAT: Children engage in stories, songs, and fingerplays. WANT TO GO? 718-831-8644. queenslibrary.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 AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Explore the physics of how things move, tinker with cars and trains, 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 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. ››

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QueensParent 41

Lunar New Year Celebration: Year of the Rooster

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 22, 3pm WHERE: Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts, 2900 Campus Road, Flatbush, Brooklyn AGES: All WHAT: The prestigious Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company performs an allnew celebration of Chinese arts commemorating the Year of the Rooster, cousin to the mythical Phoenix, whose song awakens the world each morning and whose confidence and loyalty are well regarded. WANT TO GO? $25. 718-951-4500. brooklyncenter.org.

A Bright New Year

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

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 6, 11am-2pm WHERE: El Museo del Barrio, 1230 Fifth Ave., East Harlem, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy live camels, colorful puppets, parrandas, music, and dancing in East Harlem. This parade will celebrate its 40th anniversary and honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the Latino community. WANT TO GO? 212-660-7176. elmuseo.org.

Family Art Project: Create Your Year

WHEN: Jan. 7-8, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-1pm WHERE: Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx AGES: All WHAT: Create your own vision of the new year. Take home your own hanging calendar. WANT TO GO? $8; $4 children. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.

Origami Holiday Tree

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City, Long Island 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.

Holiday Express: Toys and Trains from the Jerni Collection

WHEN: Through Feb. 26: Tuesday-Thursday and Saturday, 10am-6pm; Friday, 10am-8pm; Sunday, 11am-5pm WHERE: New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park W., Upper West Side, Manhattan AGES: 5-17 WHAT: The moving display will appeal to all age groups, showcasing toys from a bygone era. It may not be the biggest holiday train show, but it will still delight little train lovers thanks to the beautiful detail of the pieces. WANT TO GO? $20; $15 seniors; $12 students; $6 children ages 5-13; free for children 4 and younger. 212-873-3400. nyhistory.org.

SHOW TIME!

WHEN: Through Jan. 8: daily, 10am-5:45pm WHERE: The American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West and 79th Street, Upper West Side, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Nimble fingered volunteers began folding in July to complete nearly 1,000 creations that will be displayed on the tree. WANT TO GO? $22; $17 students and seniors; $12.50 children ages 2-12; free for children younger than 2. 212-769-5100. amnh.org.

‘Mother Africa: My Home’

Dreaming with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Kids’ Acting Theater FREE

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 AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate with The Greater New York Inter-Alumni Council of UNCF when it hosts its 27th annual awards event. This year’s keynote speaker will be Rev. Jeffery Shawn Thompson, of Amity Baptist Church (Jamaica Queens), and the 2017 Honoree is National Association University Women, Queens Chapter. WANT TO GO? $50. 917-294-7914. uncf.org. 42

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Through Jan. 2: see website for show times WHERE: New Victory Theater, 229 W. 42nd St., Theater District, Manhattan AGES: 5 and older WHAT: This holiday season visit Cape Town’s largest township for a unique, circus spectacular with a diverse cast of 26 acrobats, musicians, and dancers, featuring exuberant afro-beats and colorful sets. WANT TO GO? $20 and up. 646-223-3010. newvictory.org. WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 3, 4pm WHERE: Queens Village Library, 94-11 217th St., Queens Village AGES: 7-12 WHAT: Children engage in some casual acting with their peers. WANT TO GO? 718-776-6800. queenslibrary.org.

First Friday Residency Program FREE

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 6, 6pm WHERE: Jamaica Center Arts and Learning, 161-4 Jamaica Ave., Jamaica AGES: 13 and older WHAT: This program provides a nurturing environment and platform for musicians, poets, and writers to exhibit their work, then perform their finished work for the public. WANT TO GO? 718-658-7400. jcal.org.

‘The Wizard of Oz’

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 8, 2pm WHERE: Queensborough Performing Arts Center, 222-05 56th Ave., Bayside AGES: All

WHAT: Join Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, 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.

‘Red Riding Hood’

WHEN: Jan. 10-13, Tuesday-Friday, 10am and 12pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City, Long Island 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.

integrity and discipline in service of peace. WANT TO GO? $28; $15 children ages 8-18. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.

‘Princess Particular’

‘Pirate Pete’s Parrot’

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 14, 2:30pm WHERE: The Little Secret Theatre, 44-02 23rd St., Long Island City AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Can you imagine what it’s like to be a princess, but want to be something else? Everyone can find out the answer to the question in this fun musical. WANT TO GO? $10-$40. 718-392-0722. secrettheatre.com.

‘I Go On Singing: Paul Robeson’s Life in Song’

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 15, 2pm WHERE: Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx AGES: All WHAT: Robeson was a monumental 20th-century figure—an all-American athlete, scholar, international recording artist, and star of stage and screen. Regarded as the best-known African American entertainer in the world during his lifetime, he was also a courageous example of

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2:30pm WHERE: The Secret Theatre, 44-02 23rd St., Long Island City AGES: 3-8 WHAT: The play revolves around Pirate Pete, a lovable rogue on a mission to find his beloved runaway parrot. This show promises music, mischief, and a boatload of laughs for both children and adults. WANT TO GO? $15; $10 children; $40 for family of four. 718-392-0722. secrettheatre.com.

Children’s Classics

WHEN: Through April 28: see website for dates, 10:30am WHERE: Once Upon A Time Inc., 87-61 111th St., Richmond Hill AGES: 3-8, adult WHAT: Enjoy an intro to live musical theater, in this production that features old friends and new. Pinocchio, Alice In Wonderland, Peter Pan, Charlie Brown, and Mary Poppins will all be met in a whirlwind morning. WANT TO GO? $5. 718-849-6954. onceuponatime-inc.com. ››

PRIVATE/GROUP MUSIC LESSONS Piano - Guitar Violin - Viola - Cello -Drums - Bass - Vocal Clarinet - Saxo - Trumpet - Flute - Recorder - Chorus MUSIC THEORY AND SOLFEGE / MUSIC COPYST, LATIN

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Wishing Everyone Very Happy Holidays and A Wonderful New Year!

www.paconyschool.com | info@paconyschool.com PACONY

35-57 89th St. Jackson Heights, NY 11372

(718) 639-1425 (917) 774-3411 QueensParent 43

SMARTY PANTS Animal Care Trainee

WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 4, 9am WHERE: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston AGES: 9-12 WHAT: This program teaches children about the unique job of an animal caretaker. Children will learn about the needs of APEC’s animals, and gain hands-on experience. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $23. 718-229-4000. alleypond.com.

ECOclub Ice Extremes

DANCE PARTY Stam-Pede

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 8, 3pm WHERE: Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, Upper West Side, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: An annual showcase featuring the best of percussive dance by several celebrated companies. From lively Irish dancing to body percussion and tap dance, an exhilarating show for all ages. WANT TO GO? $17. 503-293-9498. symphonyspace.org.

QL International Resource Center Presents Music and Dance of the Philippines FREE WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 8, 2pm WHERE: Flushing Library, 41-17 Main St., Flushing AGES: All WHAT: Kinding Sindaw Melayu Heritage brings a glimpse of the Philippine heritage through dance, kulintang music, chants, silat martial arts, and storytelling. These art forms originate from legends, epics, and myths, and unwritten history of the Filipinos who hailed from 7,100 islands of the Philippines. WANT TO GO? 718-661-1200. queenslibrary.org.

Dance Theatre of Harlem

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 15, 4pm WHERE: Kupferberg Center for the Arts, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing AGES: All WHAT: From neo-classical works by George Balanchine and resident choreographer Robert Garland, to cutting edge contemporary works and works that use the language of ballet to celebrate African-American culture, the company brings new life to the art form of classical ballet. WANT TO GO? $35. 718-793-8080. kupferbergcenter.org.

Learning the Basic Steps of Chinese Folk Dance FREE

WHEN: Jan. 5-26, Mondays and Thursdays, 6pm WHERE: Woodside Library, 54-22 Skillman Ave., Woodside AGES: 5 and older WHAT: The Chinese have cultivated a folk dance for many different times in life. A good number of these survive today, and are still being performed in China and around the world. WANT TO GO? 718-429-4700. queenslibrary.org. 44

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 5, 12:30pm WHERE: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston AGES: 9-12 WHAT: Ever wonder why ice floats in a glass instead of sinking to the bottom? Young discoverers will do cool science experiments with dry ice, learn about extremophiles, and take home their own DIY moss gardens. WANT TO GO? $25. 718-229-4000. alleypond.com.

Pre-K Enrollment Information Sessions Hosted by the NYC Department of Education FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 11, 11:15am WHERE: Queens Library at Poppenhusen, 121-23 14th Ave., College Point AGES: 3-5, adult WHAT: The session will help parents understand the enrollment process and allow them to ask any questions they may have. Space is limited. WANT TO GO? 718-359-1102. queenslibrary.org/poppenhusen.

Young Chefs: Snowman Breakfast

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 14, 10:30am WHERE: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston AGES: 9-12 WHAT: Young chefs should come hungry as we create snowman pancakes, snowman kabobs, and snowman hot cocoa! All materials included. WANT TO GO? $24. 718-229-4000. alleypond.com.

Science Fair 101: Can You Hear Me Now?

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 21, 1:30pm WHERE: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 22806 Northern Blvd., Douglaston AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Kids will test the theory of how sound travels, and leave with their own primitive telephone device. Need of a project is not a prerequisite. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $24. 718-229-4000. alleypond.com.

Science Rocks! FREE

WHEN: Jan. 9-30, Mondays, 4pm WHERE: Peninsula Library, 95-25 Rockaway Beach Blvd., Rockaway Beach AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Join us for our winter-themed science experiments! WANT TO GO? 718-634-1110. queenslibrary.org.

Study Hall FREE

WHEN: Jan. 3-31, Monday-Thursday, 3pm WHERE: Glen Oaks Library, 256-04 Union Turnpike, Glen Oaks AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Children will receive support in reading and homework. If interested, they may also participate in book discussions or reading circles. WANT TO GO? 718-831-8636. queenslibrary.org. ››

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Specialized Sports Program Specialized Sports Program • Gymnastics • Karate • Swimming • Music Specialized Sports Program • Gymnastics • Karate • Swimming • Music • Private Outdoor Pool • Small Groups • Trips • Gymnastics Karate Swimming • Music •• Private Pool •• •Free Small Groups • Trips Dance •Outdoor Arts &•Crafts Transportation • Private Outdoor Pool • Small Groups • Trips • Dance • Arts & Crafts • Free Transportation • Dance • Arts & Crafts • Free Transportation

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MINI

MUSICIANS Monthly Jazz Jam

WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 4, 7pm WHERE: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Come join the Queens Jazz OverGround as they lead the house band in this jam session. WANT TO GO? $10; free for students and performers. 718-463-7700. flushingtownhall.org.

SsingSsing: Korean Folk Songs Meet Rock

DEMI

E X YEARS - OF E CE NC L LE

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 6, 7pm WHERE: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing AGES: All WHAT: Six Korean musicians from diverse genres join creative forces in this eccentric band. The group melds two totally disparate elements: rock music and authentic Korean folk singing, Minyo, while also including elements from ballads, pop music, and shamanist rituals with an extravagant visual style and stage presence. WANT TO GO? $16; $10 children. 718-939-0647. flushingtownhall.org.

Contemporary Piano Concert with Sunny Choi FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 7, 1:30pm WHERE: Flushing Library, 41-17 Main St., Flushing AGES: All WHAT: Sunny Choi will perform her uniquely improvised renditions of some of todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most popular music. WANT TO GO? 718-661-1200. queenslibrary.org.

Thursday Night Jazz: Nat Adderley Jr. Trio

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 12, 8pm WHERE: Jamaica Center Arts and Learning, 161-4 Jamaica Ave., Jamaica AGES: 13 and older WHAT: The scion of a famed jazz family has returned to his jazz roots, performing his own works as well as tributes to his father and selected jazz masters. WANT TO GO? $10. 718-658-7400. jcal.org. 46

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Celebrating Lunar New Year Concert With The Hayuin Chorus FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 19, 6:30pm WHERE: Flushing Library, 41-17 Main St., Flushing AGES: All WHAT: The chorus will perform traditional Chinese New Year’s songs such as “Gong Xi Gong Xi” and “Happy Every Year,” as well as Uighur folk songs, popular songs, Scottish songs, and songs from other nations. WANT TO GO? 718-661-1200. queenslibrary.org.

Gustavo Casenave Quartet Featuring John Patitucci

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 21, 7:30pm WHERE: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Pianist and composer Gustavo Casenave presents his eclectic quartet featuring legendary jazz bassist John Patitucci, performing Casenave’s original chamber jazz, tango, and classical works. WANT TO GO? $16; $10 students. 718-939-0647. flushingtownhall.org.

Dayramir Gonzalez & Habana enTRANCé FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 21, 2:30pm WHERE: Central Library, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., Jamaica AGES: 5-12 WHAT: In 2009, Dayramir Gonzalez became the first Cuban national to receive a full scholarship to the Berklee School of Music in Boston. Gonzalez is building his legacy in America, and is fast becoming a leader in the Afro-Cuban Jazz community. WANT TO GO? 718-990-0700. queenslibrary.org.

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Jazz in the Civil Rights Era

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2:30pm FREE WHERE: Laurelton Library, 134-26 225 St., Laurelton AGES: All WHAT: The Ken Simon Ensemble performs music of socially conscious musicians such as Billy Taylor, Ornette Coleman, John Coltrane, Charles Mingus, and Eddie Harris, whose music told the story of life in the ’60s, social injustice, and the struggle of a people for civil and economic freedom. WANT TO GO? 718-528-2822. queenslibrary.org.

QL International Resource Center Presents Marimba Music from Guatemala FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2pm WHERE: Flushing Library, 41-17 Main St., Flushing AGES: All WHAT: The marimba expresses centuries of traditional Guatemalan music. The popular melodies, sentimental harmonies, and dance rhythms are the signature of Guatemala’s musical instrument with influences from African, Indian, and Creole roots of Central America’s colonial heritage. WANT TO GO? 718-661-1200. queenslibrary.org.

Open HOuse SAT., JAnuAry 28 Th, 2017 1:00pm - 3:00pm JIB LANES 67-19 Parsons Blvd. Flushing, NY 11365

Call 1-800-856-1043

Coming up next month: FEB. 5: Madagascar at Queensborough Performing Arts Center, Bayside FEB. 11-12: Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana at Queens Theatre, Corona FEB. 21: Celebrate Black History Month: George Washington Carver Workshop at Queens Botanical Garden, Flushing QueensParent 47

WHERE-TO GUIDE

nymetroparents.com/where-to

Ski & Snowboard

Research by Jonathan Perry

›› and Kathryn Sheridan

Slice across the snowy slopes this winter with the entire family. Whether your little ones are hitting the bunny slope for the first time or you’ve got an experienced snow leopard navigating tricky trails, a mountain getaway offers winter charm, activities to keep you moving through the cold, and fun for the whole bunch. Almost all mountains and resorts offer lessons for skiing and snowboarding, so don’t be shy! Please note: We recommend checking snow conditions before visiting any of the mountains listed here. Mount Peter 51 Old Mount Peter Road, Warwick 845-986-4940; mtpeter.com Has nearly a dozen trails, from beginner to black diamond, a terrain park, and tubing. Offers free beginner lessons on weekends and holidays with the purchase of a lift ticket (for ages 5 and older). There’s also a Tiny Tots program for children ages 4 and younger (must be potty trained), which includes a lesson, equipment rental, lift ticket, and hot chocolate. Ski racing program for ages 6-18.

Southeast New York Belleayre Mountain 181 Galli Curci Road, Highmount 845-254-5600; belleayre.com Features 50 trails, parks, and glades. Offers ski and snowboard lessons for kids ages 4-6, 7-12, and 13 and older. Round-trip bus service from NYC via Adirondack Trailways (trailwaysny.com) includes lift ticket and luggage lock-up. Catamount State Route 23 E., Hillsdale 518-325-3200; catamountski.com Has 36 trails, seven lifts including a summit quad chairlift, five terrain parks, and a novice area for beginning boarders. Fourth- and fifth-graders ski free on weekends and holidays with a paying adult (registration and $25 processing fee required). Season passes available: $510 adults; $440 children ages 7-13; $170 for children ages 6 and younger. Holiday Mountain Ski and Fun Park 99 Holiday Mountain Road, Monticello 48

January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

845-796-3161; holidaymtn.com Boasts seven trails, four lifts, night skiing, snow tubing, and ice-skating. Beginner lessons available. Thursday and Saturday nights (5-8pm) are Family Nights, with reduced lift ticket and rental pricing. Friday night is Family Tubing Night. On Tuesday nights (5-9pm), buy any lift ticket and get another at half price. Hunter Mountain Route 23A, Hunter 518-263-4223; huntermtn.com Spans three mountains and includes 58 trails and 10 lifts. Programs for kids include Mighty Mights (ski only) for ages 5-6 and Junior Adventure (snowboarding and skiing) for ages 7-12. Snow tubing for those 42 inches and taller on Friday evenings and weekends. Mini Park for those shorter than 42 inches. Day care available for children ages 6 months to 6 years on weekends (Friday-Sunday) and during school holidays. Several bus services offer round-trip transportation from the New York metro area; see website for details.

Plattekill Mountain 469 Plattekill Mountain Road, Roxbury 607-326-3500; plattekill.com Features 38 trails and a terrain park. Child care on weekends and holidays for children ages 6 months and older; group ski lessons for kids as young as 4. Lift-serviced snow tubing on weekends and holidays; children must be at least 3 feet tall. Kids younger than 7 ski free. Lift tickets are reduced to $20 from Jan. 29-31, and the first 50 skiers or riders get a $25 lift ticket on the following dates: Jan. 6, Feb. 3, and March 3. Round-trip bus service available from New York metro area locations via Adirondack Trailways (trailwaysny.com) and online via skedaddle.com. Rocking Horse Ranch 600 Route 44/55, Highland GPS address: 13 Pancake Hollow Road, Highland 845-691-2927; rockinghorseranch.com A family resort that includes downhill skiing, snow tubing, horse-drawn sleigh ridges, timber shoots, and ice-skating. Best for the ski “dabbler.” Offers beginner classes (in the Never Ever Area) and free equipment rentals (snowboards not available) with your stay. All-inclusive packages available. Free pickup service available from the Amtrak train station in Poughkeepsie and Stewart International Airport in Newburgh.    Thunder Ridge Ski Area 137 Birch Hill Road, Patterson 845-878-4100; thunderridgeski.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Connecticut Mohawk Mountain Ski Area 46 Great Hollow Road, Cornwall 860-672-6100 mohawkmtn.com The Parent & Tots program teaches parents (who must be at least intermediate-level skiers) how to ski safely with their 4-year-old children, while the children learn to ski; available Wednesdays at 1:30pm, weekends, and holidays (registration required). Skiing and snowboarding lessons for kids as young as 5, as well as adaptive lessons for children with special needs. Ski racing program for ages 6-14. Connecticut fourth-graders QueensParent 49

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. 50

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.

d lishes b a t s r E Yea 42

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 ›› nymetroparents.com/plated.

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Why Are Boys Failing?

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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.

QueensParent 53

The DanceSource Have you ever tried a Dance Class?

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

PARTY ENTERTAINMENT

Our smaller classes provide more attention in class, and more detail provide for each dancer. NEW: Russian speaking teacher on Thursdays! Наши новости: Уроки Танцев на русском языке по четвергам! The Dancesource oﬀers Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Gymnastics, Zumba, Hip-Hop, Classical Barata Nathyam, Modern, Ballroom (Latin & Classics), Bollywood, Georgian Dance and Private Wedding Classes, Bat/Bar Mitzvah, Quincinera dances, Birthday Parties oﬀered.

Administration available after school Monday-Thursday 4:30-7:30pm, Saturday 9:30am-2pm, and Sunday 9:30am-12:30pm. Rental space is available.

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www.dancesource.net • Check out our website!

BAKSHI LAW C. Lara Bakshi

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CLOWNS.COM Proudly Serving Westchester, Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx 516-577-0000; 718-971-5862 clowns.com We are a family-owned and -operated entertainment company, offering a wide range of party and entertainment services including clowns, inflatable bounce houses, characters, magicians, princesses, magic shows, face painting, and party concession rentals. PARTY PLACES AMERICAN DANCE & DRAMA 188-22 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows 718-479-8522 68-02 Metropolitan Ave., Middle Village americandanceanddramastudio.com We are one of Queens’s largest and most exciting birthday party locations, offering dress-up, disco, and gymnastics parties. We also offer bubbles and fog machines, cotton candy, plus crazy craft, and princess parties! BOUNCEU OF COLLEGE POINT Whitepoint Center, 13225 14th Ave., College Point 646-883-JUMP (5867) bounceu.com/college-point-ny collegepoint.ny@bounceu.com BounceU of College Point is where birthdays come to life! We provide the ultimate private party and play experience. Come celebrate with us today!

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January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

MUSIC TOGETHER® WITH MUSIC AND ME Celebrating our new look with our new name! Wendy DeAngelis, center director (Mommy, Music & Me Inc. since 2003) Gym-Azing in Astoria

Shotokai USA Karate in Bayside Babies “R” Us in College Point Queens Botanical Garden in Flushing The Reform Temple of Forest Hills in Forest Hills The Church-in-the-Gardens in Forest Hills Tiger Schulmann’s MMA in Glendale LICAM in Long Island City 718-229-0033 musictogetherwithmusicandme.com info@musictogetherwithmusicandme.com We provide unique birthday party musical experiences for 1st through 6th birthdays. Call us to customize your child’s musical birthday. We can also come to your space. SOCCER FRIENDS USA INC. 106-06 Queens Blvd., 3rd Floor Gym, Forest Hills 718-261-2403 347-756-2568 (para Español) soccerfriendsusa.com soccerfriendsusa@hotmail.com Soccer Friends USA wants to celebrate your child’s next birthday party with you! We offer soccer parties for children ages 2 and older at several fantastic locations. THINKERTOTS 222-14 Union Turnpike, Bayside 718-740-1616 1818 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park 516-488-3414 thinkertots.com thinkertotsnhp@gmail.com We can custom design your party with open playtime and music or you can rent out our location. We provide theme paper goods. 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.

Professional services

Your local guide to tutors, teachers, lawyers, financial planners, and other professionals DENTISTS & DENTAL PROVIDERS AVENUE ORTHODONTICS 150-33 14th Ave., Suite 100, Whitestone 718-767-8400 avenueortho.com Dr. Eleni Michailidis and Dr. Abraham Chahine are highly trained orthodontic specialists. Schedule a complimentary consultation at Avenue Orthodontics to learn about the options available for your entire family. 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. THE LAW OFFICES OF JOSEPH H. NIVIN, P.C. 118-35 Queens Blvd., Suite 1220, Forest Hills 347-642-0376 153-01 Jamaica Ave., Suite 201, Jamaica The Chanin Building 122 E. 42nd Street, Suite 2100, Manhattan nivinlaw.com; jhnivin@nivinlaw.com The Law Offices of Joseph H. Nivin, P.C. focuses on family and matrimonial law, including contested and uncontested matrimonial proceedings, custody, visitation, orders of protection, child support, spousal maintenance, and paternity. SPECIAL NEEDS 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.

Belle Arti Center for the Arts CELEBRATING 10 YEARS IN THE COMMUNITY! At Belle Arti we pave the way to success for your children from birth through college through premium music instruction & so much more!

HUG MUSIC, CREATIVE & NURTURING MUSIC LESSONS FOR EVERYBODY MUSIC LESSONS AND MUSIC THERAPY 112-01 75th Ave., Lower Level, Forest Hills 718-487-4309; hugmusicny.com contact@hugmusicny.com We offer various fun and nurturing music classes, including music lessons on multiple instruments, music therapy for children with special needs, and baby-toddler music classes. LITTLE OPTICS INC. 192-07 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows 53-15 Roosevelt Ave., Woodside 718-468-7500 Hablamos Español littleopticsinc@yahoo.com We provide eyeglasses and professional eye care for children, including infants and young adults. We also alleviate any self-esteem issues associated with the stigma of wearing glasses. When your child leaves Little Optics, rest assured that they will feel confident.

Spring 2017 Registration is OPEN Deadline January 31st, 2017 Discounts Available for Newcomers!

(NEW: Special Discount when you register for one full year!) Follow Belle Arti Center for the Arts L.L.C. on Facebook!

Belle Arti Center for the Arts • www.belleartiny.com 108-10 72nd Avenue Forest Hills, NY 11375 • (718) 261-2237

THERAPY & COUNSELORS COMPREHENSIVE CONSULTATION PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES, P.C. 114-20 Queens Blvd., Suite CS 2, Forest Hills 180 E. 79th St., Suite 1C, Manhattan 1-888-441-0015 comprehendthemind.com Dr. Sanam Hafeez, an expert in diagnosing and treating all childhood psychological and learning conditions, has a refreshing approach: direct, warm, and competent. These qualities have made her sought after in the field of neuropsychology and child development. TUTORS & TEST PREP VILLAGE EAST GIFTED: ENRICHMENT CENTER FOR THE GIFTED LEARNER Village East Gifted of Huntington 33WaltWhitman 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.

LIU POST’S CENTER FOR GIFTED YOUTH

FALL 2016 AND SPRING 2017 SATURDAY PROGRAM Oct 8th-Dec 17th and Jan 28th- April 22nd, 2017 for students entering grades K-8

Are You the Parent of a Gifted Child?

LIU Post’s Center for Gifted Youth announces its 37th annual fall and spring program for gifted children. The fall program runs on Saturdays from October 8 to December 17 and the spring program runs on Saturdays from January 28 to April 22. The program is open to gifted children entering grades K-8 in September 2016. The program expands students’ knowledge, develops creative and critical thinking skills, and offers children the opportunity to learn in an exciting and accepting environment.

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

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

QueensParent 55

Meet The

DIRECTOR Garden School

Long Island Whole Child Academy

33-16 79th St., Jackson Heights 718-335-6363 gardenschool.org Dr. Richard Marotta, Ph.D., or “Doc”, as he is affectionately known in school, has been headmaster of Garden School for more than 25 years. That’s more than one-quarter of the school’s 94-year history! As well as managing the school and ensuring the safety and excellent education of more than 500 students in nursery to 12th grade, Doc is very accessible and frequently in the hallways greeting everyone, sitting in classes and learning alongside the students. Doc also teaches AP English and French literature courses at Garden, and he is an adjunct professor at Queens College CUNY.

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.

Performing Arts Conservatory of New York

Village East Gifted - Enrichment Center for the Gifted Learner

35-57 89th St., Jackson Heights 718-639-1425; 917-774-3411 paconyschool.com; info@paconyschool.com Performing Arts Conservatory of New York was founded in the year 2000. Mrs. Theresa Rishik became executive director in 2001 and with the help of Mr. Daniel Rishik, the school expanded its programs. Music, art, dance, drama, photography, and Spanish for children are offered. The conservatory provides after-school music programs in different private and public school settings including the Renaissance Charter School. PACONY offers the students the opportunity to perform in serious concerts or recitals (Steinway Hall, Bechstein Hall, WMP Concert Hall). Call to make an appointment to visit: 718-639-1425.

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 founder and director of Village East Gifted Inc., an after-school enrichment program for gifted and talented students ages 4-16. Teachers utilize Ms. Phillips’ RBM™ teaching approach to engage 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.

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January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

BAR/BAT MITZVAHS ❖ SWEET SIXTEENS ❖ WEDDINGS

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

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QueensParent 57

Meet the Health Care

PROFESSIONAL

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

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 Queens: 718-640-6767 • Nassau: 516-216-1791 • Suffolk: 631-689-6858

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.

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

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.

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January 2017 | nymetroparents.com

OPEN HOUSES 2017 Apple Tree Nursery School

82-25 164th St., Flushing 718-374-0002 Call to find out more about any of our dynamic programs. Visitors always welcome. Open houses during the month of January.

Garden School

33-16 79th St., Jackson Heights 718-335-6363 gardenschool.org We welcome you to our open houses, held every Wednesday at 9am. No RSVP required, and your child is welcome to attend as well.

Hug Music, Creative & Nurturing Music Lessons for Everybody Music Lessons and Music Therapy

112-01 75th Ave., Lower Level, Forest Hills 718-487-4309 hugmusicny.com contact@hugmusicny.com Hug Music will host open house registration on Saturdays, Jan. 7 and 14 from 9am-4pm. Please contact us for more information.

bayside@oasischildren.com Join us for an open house on Jan. 14, and Feb. 18, from 11 am-1pm, LB-25, March 11 from 11am-1pm LB-6, April 1 from 11am-1pm LB26, April 30 from 11:30am-12:30pm, tour 12:45-2pm, May 13 from 11am-1pm LB-25, May 14 11:30am-12:30pm-tour 12:45-2pm, June 3 from 11:30am-12:30pm, tour 12:45-2pm.

Pee Wee Folks

12-45 Clintonville St., Whitestone 718-746-6107 peeweefolkspreschool.com Please join us at our two open houses on Wednesday, Jan. 25 from 6-7pm or Tuesday, Jan. 31 from 10-11am to learn more about our programs.

Rhythm NY

213-01 Northern Blvd., Bayside 718-224-3364 7068 Kissena Blvd., 3F, Flushing rhythmny.com Rhythm NY will host open houses on Sundays during January and February, 9am-2pm. Sign-up is required, please visit our website.

St. Sebastian Catholic Academy

ISTEIN Education Center

107-06 71st Road, 2nd floor, Forest Hills 718-575-8877 isteinny.com info@isteinny.com To learn more about our programs you can call to schedule an appointment or join us at our January open houses on Saturdays, Jan. 14 or 21 from 10am-5pm.

Mill Basin Day Camp

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

39-76 58th St., Woodside 718-429-1982 stsebastianacademy.org St. Sebastian Catholic Academy, building strong values. Nursery through eighth grade. Join us for an open house Jan. 31 and Feb. 2, from 9-11am.

United Nations International School

173-53 Croyden Road, Jamaica Estates 718-658-6166 unis.org rsorrentini@unis.org Join us for an open house, Friday, Jan. 20 at 9am. RSVP: rsorrentini@unis.org.

Vincent Smith School

Oasis Day Camp in Bayside

at Queensborough Community College, Bayside Library room 14 (basement) 646-519-5055 oasischildren.com

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

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QueensParent 59

FAMILY RESOURCE GUIDE

To advertise: 212-315-0800 or nympads@davlermedia.com

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ACROBATICS / GYMNASTICS All Star Studio................................................................. 45 DanceSource (The)........................................................ 54 BIRTHDAY / PARTY SERVICES American Dance & Drama.............................................. 51 BounceU - College Point................................................ 59 RoboMindTech................................................................ 33 Soccer Friends, USA Inc................................................ 59 CAMPS All My Children Day Care............................................... 31 All Star Studio................................................................. 45 American Dance & Drama.............................................. 51 Belle Arti Center for the Arts........................................... 55 Countryside Montessori School...................................... 25 DanceSource (The)........................................................ 54 First Shot Basketball....................................................... 34 Garden School.......................................................... 29, 56 Hillcrest Jewish Center Day Camp................................. 34 IStein.............................................................................. 41 JEI Learning Center........................................................ 64 KENT Prep..................................................................... 33 Leif Ericson Day School................................................. 27 Magic Day Camp.............................................................. 2 Mathnasium - Forest HIlls............................................... 11 Mill Basin Day Camp ..................................................... 11 Noah’s Ark...................................................................... 19 Pee Wee Folks Pre School............................................. 30 Performing Arts Conservatory.................................. 43, 56 Rhythm NY..................................................................... 37 RoboMindTech................................................................ 33 Soccer Friends, USA Inc................................................ 59 The Church-in-the-Gardens Nursery School.................. 25 Tiny Footsteps................................................................ 29 Vienna Music.................................................................. 49 Village East Gifted.................................................... 46, 56 World of Discovery Camp............................................... 45 Young People’s Day Camp - Queens............................. 47 CHILD CARE / DAY CARE All My Children Day Care............................................... 31 Apple Tree Nursery School............................................. 20 Braithwaite Nursery School ........................................... 21 Garden School.......................................................... 29, 56 Noah’s Ark...................................................................... 19 Pee Wee Folks Pre School............................................. 30 Preschool of America...................................................... 21 St. Sebastian School...................................................... 30 The Church-in-the-Gardens Nursery School.................. 25 Tiny Footsteps................................................................ 29 CLASSES All Kids Can Learn.......................................................... 13 Belle Arti Center for the Arts........................................... 55 DGK Parochial School of Holy Cross............................. 31 Leif Ericson Day School................................................. 27 LIU Center for Gifted Youth............................................ 55 Mathnasium - Forest HIlls............................................... 11 Our Lady of Grace Montessori School........................... 20

Performing Arts Conservatory.................................. 43, 56 Redeemer St. John Nursery School............................... 31 Rhythm NY..................................................................... 37 RoboMindTech................................................................ 33 St. Bernadette School..................................................... 27 United Nations International School - Queens............... 23 Village East Gifted.................................................... 46, 56

FITNESS

First Shot Basketball....................................................... 34 Hillcrest Jewish Center Day Camp................................. 34 Kids RX - Queens........................................................... 17 Magic Day Camp.............................................................. 2 World of Discovery Camp............................................... 45 HEALTH

DANCE

All Star Studio................................................................. 45 American Dance & Drama.............................................. 51 DanceSource (The)........................................................ 54 Hillcrest Jewish Center Day Camp................................. 34

C.I.I.T Center............................................................ 15, 58 Comprehensive Consultation Psychological.................... 5 Kids RX - Queens........................................................... 17 LEGAL SERVICES

Bakshi Law..................................................................... 54 DEVELOPMENTAL

C.I.I.T Center............................................................ 15, 58 Comprehensive Consultation Psychological.................... 5 Huntington Learning Center .......................................... 45 Janine Stiene Suffolk Center for Speech.................. 45, 58 Long Island Whole Child Academy........................... 33, 56 Vincent Smith School..................................................... 33 EDUCATION

All Kids Can Learn.......................................................... 13 All My Children Day Care............................................... 31 Apple Tree Nursery School............................................. 20 Bakshi Law..................................................................... 54 Braithwaite Nursery School ........................................... 21 Buckley Country Day School............................................ 7 Comprehensive Consultation Psychological.................... 5 Countryside Montessori School...................................... 25 DGK Parochial School of Holy Cross............................. 31 Garden School.......................................................... 29, 56 Huntington Learning Center .......................................... 45 IStein.............................................................................. 41 JEI Learning Center........................................................ 64 KENT Prep..................................................................... 33 Leif Ericson Day School................................................. 27 Long Island Whole Child Academy........................... 33, 56 Mathnasium - Forest HIlls............................................... 11 Noah’s Ark...................................................................... 19 Our Lady of Grace Montessori School........................... 20 Pee Wee Folks Pre School............................................. 30 Preschool of America...................................................... 21 Redeemer St. John Nursery School............................... 31 St. Bernadette School..................................................... 27 St. Saviours Catholic Academy...................................... 23 St. Sebastian School...................................................... 30 Steps To Socialization.................................................... 17 Success Academy............................................................ 9 The Church-in-the-Gardens Nursery School.................. 25 Tiny Footsteps................................................................ 29 United Nations International School - Queens............... 23 Village East Gifted.................................................... 46, 56 Vincent Smith School..................................................... 33

MUSIC

Belle Arti Center for the Arts........................................... 55 IStein.............................................................................. 41 Performing Arts Conservatory.................................. 43, 56 Rhythm NY..................................................................... 37 Vienna Music.................................................................. 49 RELIGIOUS

DGK Parochial School of Holy Cross............................. 31 Our Lady of Grace Montessori School........................... 20 Redeemer St. John Nursery School............................... 31 St. Bernadette School..................................................... 27 St. Saviours Catholic Academy...................................... 23 St. Sebastian School...................................................... 30 RETAIL

Kids RX - Queens........................................................... 17 SPECIAL EVENTS

Flushing Town Hall........................................................... 3 SPECIAL NEEDS

Bakshi Law..................................................................... 54 C.I.I.T Center............................................................ 15, 58 Comprehensive Consultation Psychological.................... 5 Huntington Learning Center .......................................... 45 Janine Stiene Suffolk Center for Speech.................. 45, 58 Long Island Whole Child Academy........................... 33, 56 Steps To Socialization.................................................... 17 Vincent Smith School..................................................... 33 SPORTS

First Shot Basketball....................................................... 34 Magic Day Camp.............................................................. 2 Soccer Friends, USA Inc................................................ 59 World of Discovery Camp............................................... 45 THEATER

Flushing Town Hall........................................................... 3 TUTORS

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT / EVENTS / OUTINGS

Flushing Town Hall........................................................... 3 Ski Butternut................................................................... 58

All Kids Can Learn.......................................................... 13 JEI Learning Center........................................................ 64 KENT Prep..................................................................... 33

QueensParent 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

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