Family Times September 2018 by Family Times

SEPTEMBER 2018 â&#x20AC;¢ FREE

FINDING YOUR WAY

IN MIDDLE SCHOOL

Sistina Giordano takes a look at the Positivity Project Oh, how high school has changed! Family meals: You, too, can have them The right mentors for a young adult with special needs

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FAMILY TIMES SEPTEMBER 2018

BECAUSE I SAID SO

Revisiting high school math, and other unfamiliar subjects.

ATYPICAL FAMILY

Mentors can make a difference for young adults with special needs.

FEATURE

The challenges of finding balance in middle school— and how to face them.

NUTRITIONAL CONTENT Ways to have meals as a family.

A GOOD READ

14 16

Books and websites offer tips on finding the right family pet.

WITH SISTINA GIORDANO Talking to Marc Herron, a teacher who’s helped bring the Positivity Project to his elementary school.

Back-to-School Issue

CONTENTS

SEPTEMBER 2018

EDITOR’S NOTE

LEARN

PRACTICE

FAMILY FUN CALENDAR

PARTY

ADVERTISER INDEX FAMILY TIMES SEPTEMBER 2018

FROM THE

THE PARENTING GUIDE OF CENTRAL NEW YORK

SEPTEMBER 2018 | ISSUE NO. 197

GENIUSES AT WORK

EDITOR

PUBLISHER/OWNER Bill Brod EDITOR IN CHIEF Reid Sullivan editorial@familytimes.biz MANAGING EDITOR Bill DeLapp

September represents a big shift for students and their parents. It’s a time for a fresh start but also a time of unknowns.

PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Michael Davis

Adults have to figure out how to support their kids through new schedules, teachers and extracurricular opportunities, while also pursuing independent goals for themselves and their families.

CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Tom Tartaro (ext. 134)

In this issue, writers consider different aspects of facing a new academic year: dealing with the transitions of middle school (page 12); juggling activities and meal planning for the family (page 14); and a parent’s bewilderment over high school subjects (page 6). In addition, Sistina Giordano talks to teacher Marc Herron about the work his elementary school has done with the Positivity Project (page 19). We’ve also got articles on other subjects, including matching mentors with adults with special needs, and doing research to identify the best pet for your family. Happy reading!

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Robin Barnes GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Greg Minix Rachel Barry STAFF WRITER Kira Maddox CONTRIBUTORS Deborah Cavanagh, Tammy DiDomenico, Aaron Gifford, Eileen Gilligan, Linda Lowen, Molly Morgan, Tami Scott, Maggie Lamond Simone, Laura Livingston Snyder, Chris Xaver SALES MANAGER Tim Hudson (ext. 114) ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Anna Brown (ext. 146) AnnaB@syracusenewtimes.com

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Paige Hart (ext. 111) PHart@syracusenewtimes.com Lesli Mitchell (ext. 140) LMitchell@syracusenewtimes.com SALES AND MARKETING COORDINATOR Megan McCarthy (ext. 115) MMcarthy@syracusenewtimes.com

It doesn’t all have to be about school! Get to know the qualities of dogs and cats with the books on page 16.

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Deana Vigliotti (ext. 118) ADDRESS

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FAMILY TIMES SEPTEMBER 2018

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Learning l v r l a b e u C ’s edu ca ti on I kn ow no th in g ab ou t to d ay B Y NE IL D A VI S JR .

t was an ordinary Tuesday afternoon when it happened. I was helping my daughter, Sadie, with her homework, mulling the different strategies for attacking an algebra problem that had her stumped. I had nearly revived my familiarity with variables and coefficients when Sadie held up her paper. “Got it,” she said casually. “X equals minus seven. I used the quadratic formula.” “Of course,” I replied, pretending her words didn’t sound alien. That was it. My daughter was officially smarter than me. She was only in eighth grade. I’ve had a few years to reflect on that moment, as Sadie will be a junior at Liverpool High School this fall. Each new semester that she begins has proven to be a daunting refresher course for me. The subjects are still the same—Science, English, Social Studies, etc.—but they seem to have dimmed in my memory in the three decades since I graduated. I can blame some of that on the passage of time, my accumulation of useless sports trivia, and the fact that Global History is 6

aggressively dull. (Yeah, I’m looking at you, Mongolian Empire!) But I’ve also determined that my brain might not be entirely at fault. Education itself has evolved—a lot. Technology bears much of the blame. It seems like the entire world turned digital overnight. Textbooks are often online now, allowing for interactive bonus material in the form of videos or questions. Students doing projects have traded in poster board for software programs like Prezi, which

My daughter’s new “ calculator can graph

polynomials, dice carrots and smell fear.

”

takes slide shows to the next visual level. Assignments and other teacher communications can be managed through Edmodo or Google Classroom, web services that offer collaborative coaching platforms for grades K-12. You read that right: They can start as early as kindergarten! Because

BECAUSE I SAID SO

finger paints and keyboards are a wise combination. As the future becomes more high-tech, the past I remember gradually fades. In the same way that my father would speak fondly of his slide rule, I find myself reminiscing to my daughter about typewriters, the toxic aroma of ditto paper, or my first computer modem, which let me communicate with exactly three other people. The nostalgia seems lost on Sadie, as she has grown up in the information age. Her new calculator cost as much as my first used car; it can graph polynomials, dice carrots and smell fear. Even those beloved Trapper Keepers are no longer safe. Sure, they still exist, but Sadie and her classmates were issued school-owned Chromebooks last year. Who needs eight pockets and a Velcro flap when your laptop can store the equivalent of a Prius-sized three-ring binder? Of course, it’s not just how kids are learning today that has changed: It’s what they’re learning. In 2010, the Common Core State Standards Initiative outlined the requirements for what a student should

know at the end of each grade. It’s been a controversial issue since its inception, especially among parents struggling to keep pace with the developing curriculum. I can commiserate. If there is one thing I’ve noticed about the Common Core, it is this: At its core, it’s not all that common, at least not to a dad who closed his textbooks 30 years ago. Math has been around for thousands of years, so the last thing I expected it to do was change, but it somehow did. It’s more conceptual and illustrative now. Students use area models, decompose numbers, and examine the underlying relationship between fractions. In my day, we just did math.

Creat Danc ing th ers of e Tomo rrow. ..

English has let me down, too. Although I was excited to learn that Mark Twain and Edgar Allan Poe are still required reading, some currently acceptable grammar rules would make my fourth-grade teacher pull her hair out. You still can’t dangle your modifiers: Don’t even think about it. However, it’s perfectly acceptable to carelessly split infinitives. I was also taught not to begin sentences with a conjunction. But now you can. And it’s completely fine. What about science? Science principles are infallible, so all that cool stuff I learned back in school must still hold true. Except it turns out that there are five oceans now instead of four, diamonds are not the hardest substance on earth, and dinosaurs likely had feathers. Pluto isn’t even a planet anymore. Researchers and engineers just won’t stop redefining our universe; since my graduation, they have cloned mammals, landed probes on Mars and invented the Snuggie. A blanket with sleeves! How can they possibly top that? At least there’s still history. Scholars can’t simply rewrite the past, right? Actually, maybe they can. See, Van Gogh might not have cut off his own ear, and Napoleon might have been much taller than originally believed. Edison didn’t “invent” the light bulb so much as he perfected someone else’s idea. And Columbus didn’t exactly “discover” America as I once learned; the Iroquois who resided here in Central New York in 1492 would likely agree. To make matters worse, I apparently have forgotten an entire four years of French. My current foreign language skills extend no further than the menus at Starbucks or Taco Bell. “Chalupa Supreme!” “A Caramel Macchiato, please!” Despite all this, I held out hope that there might be one class I could still ace. “What are you doing in gym?” I asked, assuming that few advancements had happened in softball or swimming. “Ultimate Frisbee,” Sadie said. Apparently, the world never stops changing, nor does our understanding of it. Today’s children aren’t necessarily smarter than their parents. But they are growing up with new learning tools, and with an expanding perception of the same subjects that have always been considered the foundation of knowledge. Our job, as parents, is to both trust and question the education system that is molding our children’s minds. To show up on Backto-School Night, pay attention and try not to ask “Hey, where did all the chalkboards go?” To help guide them into this rapidly developing future, one baffling algebra problem at a time. Neil Davis works at Bristol-Myers Squibb and lives in Liverpool with his daughter, Sadie, age 16.

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FAMILY TIMES SEPTEMBER 2018

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Supporting Your Adult Mentors are key to a satisfying life for a person with a developmental disability | BY DEBORAH CAVANAGH

am that person who starts preparing for what’s ahead way before the rest of the general population. My oldest child, Amanda, has Down syndrome, type 1 diabetes and celiac disease. When Amanda, who is now 21, was still in middle school, I began looking to see what was available when we left the world of school-supported services. Options have changed significantly since I began my search. To put together a self-directed plan that suited Amanda, I relied on information and services from Advocates Incorporated (advocatesincorporated.org), an agency that helps people with developmental disabilities and their families. (Some of the information in this column was taken from Advocates’ site.) Self-direction allows families to plan and manage life for their adult child with special needs after school district-supported services have concluded. The benefits to this model are that the supported adult’s program is directed by their interests and chosen activities. The challenge for families and caregivers is that you become primarily responsible for all coordination and management of that plan on a daily basis. If done successfully, self-direction can provide a lifestyle that is meaningful and productive for an adult with special needs. 8

A key to the success of self-direction are the mentors you choose and the activities you plan. A mentor helps the adult with special needs meet goals she has set. The mentor also communicates with the person and other members of the support team, including parents or caregivers. A mentor can also support the individual at home, on the job, and in the community. When your child is still in school, the match with the teaching assistant working directly with him or her can determine how well the year goes. The same is true of the mentors you hire: How well they work with your adult and others is a significant factor in meeting everyone’s needs. Amanda has a definite interaction style that works best for her. We learned this through trial and error during her school career. She responds best to people who are fun but firm, people who can change strategy on the fly and creatively redirect. Heaven forbid Amanda senses she can get the upper hand and gain control. She can figure this out in the first moments of the relationship, and the pattern can take a long time to correct. It is critical that anyone working with her develop a way to let Amanda think she is in charge without her totally being so. Head-on confrontation

ATYPICAL FAMILY

never works—a fact I myself tend to forget when I am frustrated. Another factor: A busy Amanda is a happy Amanda. When she was in school, seven-plus hours of her day were filled without much effort on my part. I was responsible for evenings and weekends, but that was relatively easy. I knew I had to keep her active and engaged in her community. I did not want everything she did centered on eating and socializing. I began coordinating activities during her junior year in high school. Amanda started volunteering at three different nonprofits close to our home. These were jobs we hoped to keep after she graduated. We also hired two mentors to begin working with Amanda while she was still a student. One was specifically hired to do “fun things” on Friday nights with friends. The other picked her up from school and was in charge of physical fitness activities, which reflected valued outcomes within her plan. It became apparent that pairing activities with mentors worked well for Amanda. She enjoyed the variety and it made sense in her brain, and mine too. As we added endeavors we matched mentors that fit. I started scouting potential mentor hires even before our self-direction plan was continued on page 10

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approved. I considered family members and friends in the area; retired teachers; teaching assistants who worked in our school district; college students looking for a little extra money, who had connections to the special needs community; and siblings of Amanda’s friends with special needs, who totally “got it.” Almost anyone was a potential mentor. The agency you are working with will assign you to a support broker who can line up interviews with prospective mentors who work for their agency. (More information on this topic can be found at the website of the state Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, https://opwdd.ny.gov/opwdd_services_ supports/self-direction-support-brokers.) A support broker helps you and your individual exercise as much choice and control over their life as possible. They guide individuals through initiation of a self-directed budget and provide ongoing support. You can encourage friends and family members to apply and then become eligible. We have found that working with mentors of various ages has worked best. Amanda has a couple of mentors who are college aged, a mentor in her 20s, two who are middle aged and a few a bit beyond that range. They each bring different skills to the table, given their personalities and life experiences. A benefit of having multiple mentors throughout the week is that if one has a scheduling challenge such as illness, car issue, vacation, or training, we have a pool of trained mentors, familiar with Amanda, who can cover. I created a Google calendar specific to Amanda to keep everything straight and hopefully not double-book her or her mentors. I color-coordinated each mentor and then listed their names and the activities they were assigned. I listed their phone numbers so each mentor could reach out to others if needed. There were days and times when Amanda was going directly from one mentor activity to another and the dropoff and pickup was out in the community. The mentors needed to connect. This system took trust. Amanda went from being in one place with the same set of people her whole day in school, to bopping around the greater Syracuse area with a variety of people.

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ATYPICAL FAMILY

Amanda and I both need to feel comfortable with the people she works with. Amanda gives input regarding the mentors we choose. If we are hiring someone we are not familiar with, I have Amanda interview the individual along with myself and our support broker. I do this after I have already pre-interviewed the person to determine if I think they may work out. During the interview, it is important to see how the candidate interacts with Amanda. Do they make eye contact with her? Do they direct questions to her or to me or the support broker? Do they ask her relevant questions? Do they look comfortable given the situation? How does Amanda respond to them? Plus, it gives me a second time to meet with them and ask any questions I may have forgotten in the initial interview. When it comes down to it, you are the employer. If, given time and effort, the mentor does not work out, you may need to look in another direction. It is important for the adult you are supporting that their plan be successful. Having mentors who fit their activities, personality and lifestyle is crucial. Planning and creativity ahead of time can make the transition from high school student to active and fulfilled adult life a relatively smooth one. Isn’t that a goal we have for all our children? Deborah Cavanagh lives in Manlius with her husband and two children. She has written for local organizations supporting children and adults with special needs.

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MANAGING IN MIDDLE SCHOOL Parents can help kids cope by paying attention to critical factors

BY TAMI SCOTT

he first couple months of a new school year can be exciting, draining, full of hope, and full of fear. This is particularly true when students are leaving behind the familiarity of a K-6 classroom and heading to middle school.

Parents and students alike may feel anxiety about the change, from getting to know multiple teachers, to juggling after-school activities, to confronting complex social situations. For suggestions, we consulted two teachers, a guidance counselor and a pediatrician—all well-versed in early teen wellbeing. These experts offer ideas to help alleviate concerns, clarify expectations, and ensure a healthy transition back to school. 12

FEATURE STORY

“The first day of school is always stressful,” says Matina Sterio, who teaches seventh-grade Spanish at Gillette Road Middle School in Cicero. But as they get off the buses and rush to find their rooms, students will see school staff standing at each doorway, greeting them with smiles, she says. “First contact is very important.” Most teachers will provide handouts on the first day, detailing classroom guidelines so both the students and their parents know what to expect throughout the year. Sterio advises parents to be involved, both academically and socially. Meet the teachers at the open house, and get to know their kids’ friends as well as the friends’ parents.

set it 30 minutes earlier for the first week, then gradually adjust the schedule until you reach the desired time for bed. Ideally, this should begin some time before school starts, but it can be implemented at any time. When getting up and out early, many kids aren’t hungry for breakfast and will skip the meal altogether. Nicolais suggests throwing a snack in their backpack such as a granola bar so they can eat it between classes and before lunch. This works for after-school activities, too, so they don’t reach for the candy bars and chips.

“Check in with their work regularly, but also give them the responsibility to get organized and become independent. Middle school is the time to start good habits with routines and managing time,” she says. “With the addition of extracurricular activities and sports, it can get tricky to fit it all in a day.”

iSTOCK PHOTS

Positive thinking “Physical education is a building block and foundation for students to start focusing on a healthy lifestyle,” says Jeff Ross, who teaches seventh- and eighthgrade physical education at Chestnut Hill Middle School in Liverpool. At the start of each school year, Ross wants his students not only to feel comfortable in his class, but also to learn their potential for success through positive thinking and team spirit. “My goal for my students is to be great to everyone, and in return, you will feel good about yourself. Treat everyone with respect and never, ever make fun of anyone. Help people that need help,” he says. “When you have goals like this, the students take ownership in behaving the way people want to be treated. I truly believe we do not stress this enough in school or in life.” Ross lists his top three reasons why participating in team sports at this level is important. First, it teaches the kids to be unselfish: It’s about the team, not the individual. Second, it teaches them about balancing school, sports, and social life, which involves discipline and sacrifice. Third, it teaches responsibility and develops a good work ethic. “It’s hard to be a student-athlete,” he says. “If you can balance these elements, it gets you prepared for life.”

Changing bodies When pediatrician Steven Nicolais’ oldest son came home from his first day of middle school, their conversation went something like this: “What was your favorite thing about middle school?’ “My locker.” “Oh, that’s great! So what was the worst thing that happened today?” “I couldn’t open my locker!” “I think that says it all in that age group,” says Nicolais, who is in practice with Pediatric Associates LLP and who shares this story with many of his patients today. “That is a big fear for a lot of kids: ‘Oh my gosh, I gotta deal with a locker.’ And as an adult, you look at that and say that’s such a small little thing, but it’s a big thing to them.” Kids are roiled by so many changes during the middle school years, not the least of them physiological. “They’re dealing with their bodies changing and their relationships changing, and they’re going from little kids to young adults. It produces so much uncertainty in their lives,” says Nicolais. “Everybody is questioning themselves.” Parents should “let them know that we had those same worries, and their friends have those same worries. They’re no different than anybody else.” Adults can help their kids cope by encouraging them in developing healthy habits such as getting enough rest and eating well. Nicolais says he believes many of students’ ailments, such as headaches and stomachaches, stem from a lack of sleep. Parents can help their kids adjust to the new school routine again by setting earlier bedtimes. For example, if their child goes to bed at 10 p.m. during the summer,

Families should also aim to protect their time together. “Dinnertime is really important,” he says. It gives the parents and kids an opportunity to catch up on the day’s events and what’s going on in their kids’ lives. “Sometimes middle school can put a strain on that with athletics and band activities, that take you away from home during the dinner hour, but try.”

Stress and anxiety As a school counselor at Chestnut Hill Middle School, David Marvar works with students on a variety of issues, whether academics, unproductive behavior, friendships or family matters. Marvar observes signs of stress in many forms, but typically they involve students avoiding work associated with the class that’s causing the anxiety. “I don’t believe kids do this purposely, but rather I think they become overwhelmed and they don’t always know how to dig themselves out,” Marvar says. Another sign of anxiety is wanting to avoid school altogether, by expressing to their parents or school staff they feel sick. Marvar encourages parents to be aware of this behavior pattern, rule out any physical illness, then talk to their child ASAP to identify any possible underlying issues. Marvar also advises calling the school for support. “We can often give very good insight into what we are seeing here, and then we can work together with the parent to help resolve the situation,” he says. For relieving stress and finding ways to relax outside of school, Marvar suggests families take time to do activities together, and foster healthy interests that enrich their lives like exercise, music and art. “Have a schedule for homework, but also time for fun and to de-stress,” he says. “Most importantly, let them be kids.” Tami Scott is an award-winning writer who lives in Liverpool.

FAMILY TIMES SEPTEMBER 2018

All Together Now iSTOCK PHOTO

Make family meals a reality | BY MOLLY MORGAN

• Children who have regular family meals are 35 percent less likely to engage in disordered eating.

The Plan My best tip for eating together more as a family is to develop a meal plan. Without a plan, it is nearly impossible to all sit down and enjoy a meal together. To work on the plan, start by evaluating your schedule for the week ahead. Then plan out a couple of meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. For dinners, balance what night you are having the meals based on the time that is required to prepare the meal. For extra-busy weeks, consider getting a meal or two ready on the weekend or on an evening when you have some downtime. Once the plan is together, get your grocery list ready and stock up. Although this step seems obvious, without the supplies to make dinner happen, family meals will likely not become a reality.

Simple Dinner Ideas Likely the meal that most families can have together is dinner, and simple is usually best. Of course, a family meal could even be breakfast or lunch if schedules did not allow for dinner to be together. Try some of these meal ideas: • Taco night. Make taco toppings ahead of time and store them in containers. This way all that needs to happen at mealtime is to brown the ground beef or opt for a bean mixture filling. If you want another side dish to go with the meal, try pairing it with brown rice or even sautéed corn. Stock up on frozen vegetables. While it is great to prepare and cook fresh veggies to serve with meals, it can be too time-consuming for some nights. Keeping bags of frozen vegetables on hand can help you add them to your meals speedily. Engage your children in helping select what vegetables are going with the meal.

ife is so busy that sometimes it can become challenging to have a meal together. As a mom, I know that having even one family meal every day is not always possible—given the demands of work, volunteer commitments, sports and activities. With that in mind, instead of focusing on how often you can’t have meals together, shift the focus to making the most of the times when you can.

The Benefits There is lots of research on family meals and the linked benefits: academic performance, language development, nutrition, prevention of eating disorders. Here are some of the highlights from the studies: • Teens who have dinner with their family frequently are likely to score better in school and had fewer emotional and behavioral problems. • Family meals provide an opportunity for children to develop and expand their vocabularies. • Teens and children who have regular family meals eat more fruits and vegetables. 14

Pack dinner to take with you. Sometimes schedules do not allow you to actually be home for mealtime. If you are all together at a practice or sporting event, try packing a simple lunch or dinner to bring with you; that way some members of your family can eat together between activities. What to pack? How about chicken wraps, baby carrots and fruit? And remember the ice pack to keep foods in the proper and safe temperature range. Breakfast at dinner (or lunch). One of the quickest meals to get onto the table is breakfast at dinner; that is a favorite at our house. A quick breakfast at dinner formula: scrambled eggs (add in some veggies like peppers or onions), fruit and whole grain toast. Freeze leftovers. Make the most of your leftovers by freezing and storing in well-marked containers. Even make double of some meals that are family favorites. Then during super-busy weeks, you can pull from your leftovers stockpile. (On a notepad or in your phone, keep a list of what you’ve got in the freezer so your leftovers aren’t forgotten.)

Kitchen Gadgets and Ideas There are many gadgets available now to make getting meals on the table easier. One of my favorite kitchen gadgets is a slow cooker. A few slow cooker meals at our house: Roasted chicken with vegetables: Place a whole roast-

NUTRITIONAL CONTENT

ing chicken in the slow cooker. Add baby carrots and large slices of onion. Fill the pot with chicken or vegetable stock and cook on low for eight to 10 hours. Chili: The best part about chili is there are so many different ways to vary the stew, from the types of beans you add to the spices you use. A bowl of chili on a cold night makes a great meal! Pair it with a slice of whole grain garlic toast. Curry: Similar to chili, there are numerous ways to make curry, and it is a go-to slow cooker meal in our house.

Growing in popularity as well is the pressure cooker (brand name Instant Pot). In contrast to a slow cooker, it can actually cook foods quickly. Long grain brown rice or soup can be ready in 12 to 15 minutes in a pressure cooker! Also, many pressure cookers are now equipped with a slow cooker option, so your cupboards do not get overfilled. Don’t be too hard on yourself when it comes to family meals: If you aren’t eating any meals together today, start small. Make a goal of one or two meals a week as your

schedules allow. Then over time, find ways to eat together even more often. Molly Morgan is a registered dietitian and author of three books, including Drink Your Way to Gut Health. She lives in the Southern Tier area with her two children and husband.Visit her at creativenutritionsolutions.com.

Slow Cooker Vegetable Curry Serves 6 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 1/2 cups sweet onion, chopped 1 cup carrots, chopped 1 tablespoon curry powder 1 teaspoon brown sugar 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, peeled and grated 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 cans (15 ounces) chickpeas, drained and rinsed 1 1/2 cups red potato, cubed 1 cup red bell pepper, diced 1 cup (1-inch) frozen green beans 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper (optional)

1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained 1 (14-ounce) can vegetable or chicken broth 1 can (14-ounce) coconut milk Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion and carrot; cover and cook five minutes or until tender. Add curry powder, sugar, ginger, garlic; cook one minute, stirring constantly. Place onion mixture in a five-quart electric slow cooker. Stir in chickpeas and next eight ingredients (through broth). Cover and cook on high for six hours or until vegetables are tender. Add coconut milk.

A hilarious glimpse into married life - full of laughter, entertainment, and insights to help you reconnect.

Friday, September 28 Cortland, NY Grace Christian Fellowship

Visit n.org/events or call 800.927.9083.

Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door (one ticket per couple). FAMILY TIMES SEPTEMBER 2018

Cats vs. Dogs

Books and a website offer tips on how to find the right family pet | BY MERRILEE WITHERELL

hen our daughter wanted a new puppy, we were treated to a digital slide show with reasons we needed a beagle, complete with very cute photographs. Despite the compelling presentation we knew that the decision of when, whether, and what type of pet to adopt is best undertaken with a bit of research and planning. There are lots of factors to weigh. Living in a downtown apartment? Maybe a Newfoundland puppy isn’t the best choice. Is your child’s best friend allergic to cats? Maybe a dog would be a better choice. Books and websites with information on different types of pets are plentiful and can help you and your family make a decision about finding the “just-right” pet. The first consideration will be whether a dog or cat is the best fit for your home and lifestyle. Beforeyougetapet.com is produced by the Veterinary College at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. Based on extensive research about pet ownership, including the causes for pets being surrendered to shelters, this site is comprehensive in its approach to guiding decisions about pet ownership. 16

Perusing this site with your children could offer opportunities for meaningful discussion of the realities of pet ownership. With quizzes to test your knowledge of cats and dogs, lists of recommended supplies, and budget information on common pet-related expenses, this site enables users to make an informed decision. It even provides a suggested list of questions to ask, based on whether you are obtaining your pet from a friend, a pet store, a rescue group or shelter, an online source, or a breeder. Once you’ve settled on a pet species, there are some books designed with kids in mind that can further help you. Most books will profile dogs by specific breed, giving the physical and behavioral characteristics that are typical. When choosing a mutt or mixed-breed dog, looking at the characteristics of various ancestors will give some idea of what to expect, particularly size and appearance. The Everything New Puppy Book by Carlo De Vito and Amy Ammen is both kid-friendly and parent-worthy. The first fifth of the book is devoted to choosing the right dog, with emphasis on finding the right fit between a family’s lifestyle and the behavioral needs of different breeds

A GOOD READ

of dogs. For example, the book notes that certain breeds need frequent exercise, room to run, and have “herding” instincts, which cause them to circle around children. The book has information of value to parents, and children from about grade 4 and up will be able to read and garner worthwhile tips for choosing and caring for a dog. A particularly good section covers safety, with advice about the dangers of household and garage chemicals, toxic flower bulbs, and other hazards. Two books specifically for the younger set are the Cat Encyclopedia for Kids and the Dog Encyclopedia for Kids. These books are best for browsing when you don’t have a particular breed or type of cat or dog in mind, but you will want to consult other sources as well. Good Dog!, a Scholastic book by Nicola Jane Swinney, has large photographs that will appeal to even the youngest pet seekers, together with brief factual information adults can use as guidance in selecting a dog. One feature of this book that adds interest is a description of the history of each featured breed. The breeds are divided into groups, such as popular dogs, hunting dogs, farming dogs and unusual breeds.

iSTOCK PHOTO

Good Dog! covers most well-known breeds, with the exception of the now-ubiquitous pit bull terrier. This book does not address training and safety needs specifically, so it’s a good place to start, but once you bring home a pet you may want other resources to guide you. The Dog Encyclopedia, by DK, bears the subtitle “The definitive visual guide,” and it lives up to its billing. Weighing in at five pounds, this is not a book for your first-grader to carry home on the bus. Covering everything from the evolution of dogs to grooming and first aid, this book offers a history and description of each breed, and explanations of dogs’ biological systems and needs. For adults, this provides the opportunity to make informed judgments based on temperament, lifespan, size and more. Hundreds of breeds are described in the book, organized based on their group characteristics and historic roles, and includes a section on crossbreeds, such as the Labradoodle, Goldendoodle and Puggle. If your child is doing a report on dogs, this would be an excellent reference source and dog lovers may want to read it cover to cover. One thing the books did not address specifically is whether to get only one pet, or more than one. All I can say is that my daughter’s slide show was very persuasive. We adopted three beagles on a trip to the humane society. Merrilee Witherell is the K-12 librarian at Red Creek Central School District. She lives in Cayuga County with her husband, daughter and dogs.

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FAMILY TIMES SEPTEMBER 2018

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FAMILY TIMES SEPTEMBER 2018

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MICHAEL DAVIS PHOTOS

Marc Herron, a teacher at Morgan Road Elementary School

Herron lives in Syracuse and has three children, 5-year old twins, and a 2-year-old. Sistina Giordano recently discussed the details of the project with him. (This interview has been edited and condensed.) How did the Positivity Project start? For me it started with Mike Erwin. He is the founder. We grew up together and we went to elementary school and played basketball together and just stayed in touch throughout the years. He was in the Army and has always been actively involved in helping people. He started posting different quotes and messages on Facebook, and I have always been into character education at school so his posts caught my attention. Being able to shape a student’s character was one of the biggest reasons why I wanted to get into teaching, so I started simply taking his messages and using them in my own classroom. Eventually I reached out to him to let him know how helpful I thought they were. I said to him, “I don’t know what this is but I want this in my school.” How did it all come to fruition as something within Morgan Road Elementary? It initially started with a conversation about what it was, which is positive psychology. Myself along with three other colleagues, Meg Hurley, Sarah Angotti and Amy Figger, put our heads together to come up with a plan to bring to our principal. After speaking with Mike, I knew I had to get my principal on board. Brett Woodcock knew Mike and knew what he stood for; he agreed that if Mike was doing this then this was definitely something worth doing. How and when was is it implemented in the school?

A Show of Strengths

How one school started focusing on the positive | BY SISTINA GIORDANO

We started the Positivity Project in September 2015; prior to that it was just us talking with Mike and him giving us the knowledge of what he knew to be able to make it happen. Initially the criteria for the project was to teach our students 24 words within the project. As teachers, we knew that 24 words in one school year was a lot. We didn’t think it was possible at first, but Mike was insistent that we needed to teach all 24 words. Mike sent along examples of what he thought we could do, and we worked to make it possible for our elementary students. We created PowerPoint slides for our entire building to use and we came up with a four-day schedule. Teachers at all levels from kindergarten through sixth grade would teach the Positivity Project for 10 minutes in their classroom four days a week. Each week focused on a character strength. How do you attribute this coming together, especially since it was a challenge at first?

he Positivity Project came at a time when second-grade teacher Marc Herron needed some words of encouragement. After watching close friends Sheila and Scott Ungerer deal with their son Luke’s cancer diagnosis, Herron went on a mission to become more optimistic both inside and outside of the classroom. He already helped raise funds for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, in honor of Luke, but he wanted to do more.

My colleagues are amazing and they are the ones that really helped propel this forward. We had quotes, video clips, activities that we could use. We came up with different ideas including fictional characters and real-life people that we could attribute the lessons and words to. Our greatest challenge was not only teaching all 24 words but doing so in a way that the lesson plans could be used at all levels.

Then he started reading positive quotes by his friend Mike Erwin, posted on Facebook. Erwin, a fellow Central New Yorker, created the Positivity Project to spread powerful words and actions to people of all ages. Herron’s interest combined with Erwin’s posts led to the beginning of a schoolwide program that Herron and his colleagues eventually started at Morgan Road Elementary School in the Liverpool Central School District.

Can you give us a few examples of what a lesson might look like or some of the words you’re teaching students?

Since 2015, the Positivity Project has gone from one school to many others across Central New York and beyond. The project’s curriculum (posproject.org) aims to teach students character-building skills demonstrating the interconnectedness of all people, using the phrase and hashtag #OtherPeopleMatter.

Some examples of the words include kindness, zest, social intelligence, humility. But what’s important to note is that some of those words on the list, like “social intelligence,” they really made us think. So we knew that we had to come together to figure out how we could teach those words in a way that students would not only understand but then absorb the knowledge and then know how to recognize it. How has the Positivity Project changed over the years? The first year, our PowerPoint presentations are what did it. Since continued on next page

WITH SISTINA WITH GIORDANO SISTINA GIORDANO

FAMILY TIMES SEPTEMBER 2018

What is the goal of the Positivity Project? The goal is to implement it in as many schools as possible. We’ve definitely tried to get the message across by word of mouth. I try to talk about it with other teachers and parents when I can. I’m a believer and it’s not hard to be a believer because it’s tried and true. My principal has been an active part of trainings in the area. It has multiplied quite a bit since its inception. It’s part of the Liverpool and Westhill elementary schools. And those are just a few of the Central New York schools that are participating. We also have a phrase or hashtag that we use: #OtherPeopleMatter. That is the mindset we are trying to instill in our students. Using their strengths to build relationships and help a fellow person. It could be as small as asking how someone is doing or as big as raising money for a cause. My school has been behind my efforts with St. Baldrick’s from the get-go, and that has been a way to teach them how we can use our strengths to have an #OtherPeopleMatter mindset. continued from previous page then, we’ve expanded to include different ways that we can reach out to students. As an example, we found a Disney character or cartoon that showed or possessed one of the strengths. We are still very much in touch with Mike. Now fast-forward a few years and he has a whole team creating this project for schools in other areas. Now these words are part of our everyday language and we don’t necessarily use the PowerPoint presentations anymore. It’s no longer at a separate time, either. The project started out as 10-minute blocks but even in the first year we realized that this is language that you use all day long. For example, in math and science we use these words to help students by saying “We know this can be difficult but we want you to persevere.” And those words then take on positive reinforcement as well. We’ve also used the language when there’s an issue in the classroom. It’s really become common language. Not only that, our principal made it a goal to then have every student know what their own strengths are.

What is the greatest lesson you’ve learned from being part of this project? The biggest lesson is really building relationships with other people that might be different than you, that we’re a lot more alike than we realize. When you take away all the superficial things about yourself—really these 24 words are within us and you can find those common words within other people. The differences, too, help form relationships because different people’s strengths help you out. Someone else’s strength of bravery can help you be brave. That’s what we want to do: Make sure that the kids are using their strengths to help others. Sistina Giordano is co-host of Bridge Street on WSYR-Channel 9. She was born and raised in Sault Ste Marie in Ontario, Canada, and now makes her home in Central New York, with her daughter and son.

What has the response been from students? By the time they get to the upper levels, kids not only understand the words but they’re using them in proper context. It’s also taught students to realize that they can find similarities within themselves. They may not excel in certain subjects, but their top strength could be “kindness,” and regardless of how you solve a math problem, you can bond on the common ground that you share that same strength. What is the response from parents? I’ve chosen to implement the words and ideas behind the project with them through our parent-teacher conferences. I talk with them about their students’ strengths because it’s a nice thing for a teacher to be able to pick out something that their students are excelling in. Even if the student is struggling in an area, when you can still find their strengths and focus on that, it’s positive reinforcement for the parents as well. My principal was instrumental in getting everyone on board. His willingness to really get this off the ground has helped with parents, too. We do a lot on Twitter and we reached out to the community as well to help us create different videos. The idea was that we chose a different person or parent and showcased their strengths. An example was a parent who is a Syracuse police officer. We showed students and the community how his bravery is a strong character strength and how he shows bravery each day. Parents have also been involved to guest-speak. They say that they not only use the words at home but that their children have taken the message home and the lessons continue long after the bell rings. 20

The 24 Character Strengths Perseverance Integrity Zest/Enthusiasm Love Kindness Social Intelligence Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence Gratitude Hope/Optimism Humor Connection/Purpose Self-Control

Prudence Humility/Modesty Forgiveness Leadership Fairness Teamwork/Citizenship Perspective Love of Learning Open-Mindedness Curiosity Creativity Bravery

Source: Nansook Park, Christopher Peterson and Martin P. Seligman (adapted by posproject.org)

WITH SISTINA GIORDANO

Jordan Elbridge

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Offering early childhood musicto andchildren, movement classes to Offering early childhood music and movement classes children, and the adults who love them. Classes located all over and the adults who love them. Classes located all over CNY. CNY. To find the one nearest you, call or visit our website To find the one nearest you, call or visit our website www.bluebirdmusictogether.com 427-6985 www.bluebirdmusictogether.com • (315)(315) 427-6985

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FAMILY TIMES SEPTEMBER 2018

iSTOCK ILLUSTRATION

2017 Please note: Mistakes happen. To confirm event details, call the sponsoring organization’s phone number or visit the website.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 1 Canoeing & Kayaking. 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; through

Sept. 3. Paddle around Beaver Lake searching for beaver lodges, turtles and herons. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. $10/hour of rental. Admission: $4/ vehicle. Call for current weather conditions: (315) 638-2519.

Dinosaur Invasion. 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; through

Sept. 3. See a dozen animatronic dinosaurs throughout the outdoor zoo, including T. Rex, Brachiosaurus, and a couple of adult Parasaurolophus with a nest and babies. Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park, 1 Conservation Place, Syracuse. Admission: $8/adult; $5/senior; $4/ages 3-18; free/age 2 and under. (315) 435-8511.

New York State Fair. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. (exhibits); through Sept. 3. The fair features thousands of animals, hundreds of commercial attractions, scores of rides and countless styles of deep fried food. Also see the works of New York artists and crafters. New York State Fairgrounds, Syracuse. Admission: $10/general; free/age 12 and younger. $1/Sept. 3. Parking: $5. (800) 475FAIR. nysfair.org. Paws to Read. 10:30-11:30 a.m.; also Sept. 8, 15,

22 & 29. Kids can read to a friendly dog from Paws Inc. of CNY. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. lpl.org.

The Little Mermaid. 12:30 p.m. In the Magic 24

CALENDAR

Circle Children’s Theatre presentation, children in the audience can help the Little Mermaid get her voice back and win the Prince’s heart. Spaghetti Warehouse, 689 N. Clinton St., Syracuse. $6. Reservations recommended: (315) 449-3823.

Sciencenter Showtime. 2 p.m.; Saturdays.

Weekly interactive experience has a different theme each week; this month topics include: the properties of water; citizen science projects; space research; and more. Sciencenter. 601 First St., Ithaca. Admission: $8/general admission, ages 2-64; $7/seniors; free/under 2. (607) 272-0600. sciencenter.org.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 2 New York State Fair. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. (exhibits); through Sept. 3. See Sept. 1 listing.

MONDAY, SEPT. 3

Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. (315) 637-6374. fflib.org.

Sally’s Storytime. 10:30-11 a.m.; also Sept. 11, 18 & 25. A storytime for children ages 3-5, accompanied by caregivers. Maxwell Memorial Library, 14 Genesee St., Camillus. Free. (315) 672-3661. Baby Storytime. 10:30-11 a.m.; also Sept. 11,

18 & 25. Babies and caregivers can share rhymes, songs, stories and signs in this language-building program. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. (315) 637-6374. fflib.org.

Read, Sing and Play. 10:30 a.m.; also Sept. 11, 18 & 25. Children ages 1 1/2-5 years and families or caregivers can enjoy stories, rhymes, fingerplays and songs. Petit Branch Library, 105 Victoria Place, Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-3636. Drop-In Crafts. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Children of all

ages can make seasonal crafts. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 4570310. lpl.org.

School Spirit Crafts. 2-4 p.m. Kids of all ages

LABOR DAY

can drop in and create fun crafts. Salina Library, 100 Belmont St., Mattydale. Free. (315) 454-4524. salinalibrary.org.

Teen Tuesday. 3:30-5:30 p.m. Young people in

1 listing.

grades 6-12 can bring in their notebooks, pencil cases and more, and decorate them with washi tape, fabric paint and more. There will also be cookies and a movie. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. (315) 637-6374. fflib.org.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 4

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 5

New York State Fair. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. See Sept.

First Steps. 9:30-10 a.m.; also Sept. 11, 18 & 25.

Children who are good walkers, up to age 3, can with a caregiver take part in a program with music, movement, crafts and more. Fayetteville Free

Stories for Little Kids. 10:30-11 a.m.; also Sept. 10, 12, 17, 19, 24 & 26. A storytime for babies and toddlers. Maxwell Memorial Library, 14 Genesee St., Camillus. Free. (315) 672-3661.

Early Learners Storytime. 11 a.m.-noon; also Sept. 12, 19 & 26. Children ages 2-4, with an accompanying adult, can enjoy stories, interactive rhymes, songs and a craft. Salina Library, 100 Belmont St., Mattydale. Free. (315) 454-4524. salinalibrary.org.

HOME IMPROVEMENT

Back to Homeschool Party. 1:30-3 p.m. Homeschooling students

and parents can gather to connect with one another and learn about library resources. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. lpl.org.

Teen Anime Night. 6-8 p.m. Teens can watch and discuss anime;

cosplay is acceptable if costumes are deemed appropriate by library staff. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. lpl.org.

Words and Music Songwriter Woodshed. 6:30-9 p.m. Songwriters of all ages and skill levels can bring work, and get and give constructive opinions and suggestions. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. lpl.org.

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THURSDAY, SEPT. 6 See Ongoing Events

FRIDAY, SEPT. 7 Free to Be. 10:30-11:15 a.m. Children ages 3-6

(though younger siblings are welcome) can sing along to a live guitar and explore early acting techniques. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. (315) 637-6374. fflib.org.

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Toddler Dance Party. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Toddlers and preschoolers, ages 18 months to 5 years, accompanied by caregivers, can enjoy musical instruments, bubbles and tunes. Community Library of DeWitt and Jamesville, 5110 Jamesville Road, Jamesville. Free. CLDandJ.org. (315) 446-3578.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 8 Golden Harvest Festival. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; also Sept. 9. Highlights of the festival include: arts and crafts, live music, storytelling, puppet and magic shows, and a petting zoo. Homemade seasonal foods and beverages for sale. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. Admission: $5/adult; $1/ages 6-17; free/age 5 & under. (315) 638-2519.

• Birthday Parties • Celebrations • Church Functions www.FunJump.b iz • 378-920 • School Fundraising • 16’ x 16’ - Holds up to 8 kids 2

Paws and Books. 10:30 a.m.; also Sept. 29. Kids ages 5-12 can read a

story to Cooper, a trained Canine Good Citizen. Hazard Branch Library, 1620 W. Genesee St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-5326.

Toddlers’ Tango. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Toddlers and preschool-aged chil-

dren, accompanied by an adult, can take part in this music and movement class. Salina Library, 100 Belmont St., Mattydale. Free. Registration required: (315) 454-4524.

Central New York Tomatofest. 11 a.m.-6

p.m. Join the celebration of tomato season’s end— with crafts for sale, activities for kids, and more. Live music in various locations in downtown Auburn. Children’s entertainment located at Auburn Public Theater, 8 Exchange St. Proceeds benefit local food pantries. Free admission; fee for some activities. cnytomatofest.org.

Fishing Class. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Kids of all ages can learn how to fish. Live bait and lures will be used; bait and tackle are provided. Those over age 16 must have a valid New York state fishing license. Bullhead Point, Lake Neatahwanta, Route 3, Fulton. Free. srybaak@yahoo.com. The Little Mermaid. 12:30 p.m. See Sept. 1 listing.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 9 Golden Harvest Festival. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. See Sept. 8 listing.

MONDAY, SEPT. 10 Gaming for Adults with Special Needs. 1:30-3 p.m. Adults with special needs can play Wii games and board games; caregivers must

PARTY PLANNER

remain in the room. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. lpl.org.

Young Naturalists. 4-5 p.m. Students

in grades 3-8 learn about the environment through hands-on activities and observation. Community Library of DeWitt and Jamesville, 5110 Jamesville Road, Jamesville. Free. Registration required: CLDandJ.org. (315) 446-3578.

Multiple Moms Mingle. 6:30 p.m.

Monthly meeting of mothers and expectant mothers of multiples. Twin Trees Too, 1029 Milton Ave., Syracuse. For more details and to reserve if you wish to attend: multiplemomsmingle.com.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 11 Homeschool Creative Writing Club. 1:30-3 p.m. Homeschooling

teens, in grades 7-12, can bring a notebook or laptop and work on fiction or poetry. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 4570310. lpl.org.

Teen MOPS. 5-7 p.m.; also Sept. 25. Young mothers, ages 13-21, with children under 6 enjoy a faith-based program with fun, food and activities while their children are cared for by the childcare program. Liverpool First United Methodist Church, 604 Oswego St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 569-2542.

Kids Craft Drop-In. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Children can make a seasonal craft. NOPL North Syracuse, 100 Trolley Barn Lane, North Syracuse. Free. (315) 458-6184.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 12 Fancy Nancy Party. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Children age 2 and up are invited

to dress up and take part in a celebration of Jane O’Connor’s Fancy Nancy books, with stories, crafts and light refreshments. Community Library of DeWitt and Jamesville, 5110 Jamesville Road, Jamesville. Free. Registration

required: CLDandJ.org. (315) 446-3578.

Teen Geeks. 6-8 p.m.; also Sept. 19. Teens can play board games in the first session of the month and video games in the second. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. lpl.org.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 13 Smartplay. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Children age 6 and under can explore a free-play environment that promotes discovery, creativity and the development of early literacy skills. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. (315) 637-6374. fflib.org.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 14 La Festa Italiana. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; through Sept. 16. Celebrate Italian culture, including food and music, and bocce. Children’s events on Sept. 15 and 16. In front of Syracuse City Hall, Washington and Montgomery streets, Syracuse. Free admission. festaitaliana.bizland.com. Wings of the Night. 6 p.m. Learn all about bats, then accompany a naturalist on a walk to look for some. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. $2/person. Preregistration required: (315) 638-2519. Front Row Players Fundraiser. 6-8 p.m. Local artists perform acts, with Sistina Giordano of Bridge Street as emcee. Appetizers, dessert and coffee served. A benefit for the program that welcomes performers of all abilities. Eastern Hills Bible Church, 8277 Cazenovia Road, Manlius. $35. frontrow players.org/events. (315) 663-8390.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 15 Fall Migration Festival. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Festival features educational and en-

vironmental exhibits, live animals, music, games, crafts, a chicken barbecue and more. Great Swamp Conservancy, 8375 N. Main St., Canastota. Admission: $4/ adults; $1/age 12 & under; $8/family maximum. (315) 697-2950. greatswamp conservancy.org.

Mini Childbirth Education Class. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Learn about the birth

process and comfort measures, and address concerns. Course book available for $10. Bring a yoga mat and small pillow; partner or support person encouraged to attend. Presented by CNY Doula Connection. Natur-Tyme Community Room, 3160 Erie Blvd. E., Syracuse. Free. Registration recommended: (315) 395-3643.

Canine Carnival. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Hundreds of animals available for adoption (dogs, cats, horses), animal demonstrations, horse carriage rides, music, and food for sale. Jamesville Beach Park, Apulia Road, Jamesville. Free admission. (315) 435-5252. Pups ‘n’ Pages. 11 a.m.-noon. Peo-

ple of all ages can read to a dog or just enjoy some canine company. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane, Cicero. Free. (315) 699-2032. nopl.org.

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CALENDAR

Every day is a new adventure at...

Baltimore Woods Nature Center Nature’s Little Explorers Preschool Series Wednesdays, Sept.19 - Oct. 24 Night at The Woods Family Program September 22 School Break Nature Day Camp November 12

Come explore nature with us! Sign up at baltimorewoods.org

Marcellus, NY (315) 673-1350

and college player. White Branch Library, 763 Butternut St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-3519.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 16 International Red Panda Day.

10 a.m.-3 p.m. Listen to keeper chats at the red panda exhibit, visit a biofact station, and enter a raffle for a red panda plush. Help support red panda conservation in the wild. Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park, 1 Conservation Place, Syracuse. Admission: $8/adult; $5/senior; $4/ages 3-18; free/age 2 and under. (315) 435-8511.

La Festa Italiana. Noon-7 p.m.

See Sept. 14 listing.

MONDAY, SEPT. 17 Teens Minecraft. 3-4:30 p.m. Kids in grades 6-12 can hang out and play on the library’s server. Salina Library, 100 Belmont St., Mattydale. Free. Registration required: (315) 454-4524. salinalibrary.org. Homeschooling 101 for Parents. 7-8:30 p.m. In this session,

MICHAEL DAVIS PHOTO

discuss curriculum choices and paperwork for high school students. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. lpl.org.

GUITAR LESSONS All styles

International Red Panda Day, Sept. 16 Rice Creek Rambles. 11 a.m.; also Sept. 22 & 29.

Explore trails, woods and wetlands with a naturalist on a family-friendly hike. Those under 17 must be accompanied by an adult. Rice Creek Field Station, SUNY Oswego, Thompson Road, 1 mile south of Route 104, Oswego. Free. Call day of to check trail conditions: (315) 312-6677. oswego.edu/rice-creek/rice-creek-rambles.

activities; and a fireworks show at dusk. Beard Park, South Manlius Street, Fayetteville. Free. (315) 637-9864. fayettevilleny.gov.

ALL AGES

all skill levels

The Little Mermaid. 12:30 p.m. See Sept. 1 listing.

WESTCOTTGUITARSTUDIO.COM

See Sept. 14 listing.

Harvest Book and Bake Sale. 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Peruse hundreds of books, CDs, DVDs, and other materials for sale. Purchase baked goods as well. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane, Cicero. Free admission/9:30 a.m.1:15 p.m.; $2/bag sale, 1:30-3 p.m. nopl.org.

Fayetteville Festival. Noon-dusk. Family event

Soccer Clinic. 2 p.m. Kids age 8 and up can learn some

open by appointment

La Festa Italiana. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; through Sept. 16.

includes displays by local organizations; music; children’s

technical elements of the game with a former high school

607.382.7702

466 WESTCOTT STREET

FAMILY TIMES SEPTEMBER 2018

TUESDAY, SEPT. 18 DIY Day. 6 p.m. Kids ages 5-12 can make pinback

buttons; bring a picture or take a clipping from a magazine. Hazard Branch Library, 1620 W. Genesee St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-5326.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 19 Nature’s Little Explorers. 10-11 a.m.; Wednesdays through Oct. 24. Children ages 3-5 and their caregivers can engage in hands-on exploration and make nature crafts. Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus. $50/6 sessions (must register for all sessions). (315) 673-1350. Preregistration required: baltimorewoods.org. Mystery Solvers.

4-4:45 p.m. Students in grades 3-5 can answer riddles using clues in order to solve a mystery. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. (315) 6376374. Registration required: ffl.org.

ing, archery, fly fishing, BB gun, canoeing and more. Carpenter’s Brook Fish Hatchery, 1672 Route 321, Elbridge. $5/vehicle. (315) 689-9367.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 27

Fishing Class. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Kids of all ages can

learn how to fish. Live bait and lures will be used; bait and tackle are provided. Those over age 16 must have a valid New York state fishing license. Oneida Fish Hatchery, 3 Hatchery Road, off Route 49, Constantia. Free. srybaak@yahoo.com.

through Jan. 6. In the new traveling exhibit, learn about more than 100 of the world’s most dangerous plants. Sciencenter. 601 First St., Ithaca. Admission: $8/general admission, ages 2-64; $7/ seniors; free/under 2. (607) 272-0600. sciencenter. org.

The Little Mermaid. 12:30 p.m. See Sept. 1

Trail Tales. 1 p.m. Children ages 3-5, accompa-

listing.

Early Autumn Paddle. 4 p.m.; also Sept. 29.

Go on a paddle with a naturalist. Snack on cheese, crackers and cider. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. $25/canoe, including rental. Registration required: (315) 6382519.

A Night at the Woods. 7:30-9:30 p.m. In this

Talk Like a Pirate Day. 6-7 p.m. Learn how to talk and look like a pirate with Captain Jack, author of A Pirate I Be. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. lpl.org.

event for all ages, participants can go on a forest walk, see what creatures glow under a black light, and listen to stories by the fire. Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus. $5. (315) 673-1350. Registration recommended: baltimorewoods.org.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 20

SUNDAY, SEPT. 23

Teen Writer’s Guild. 4-5 p.m. Students in

grades 6-12 can take part in a creative workshop, writing in a variety of genres. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. (315) 637-6374. ffl.org.

Moms of Multiples. 6-9 p.m. Presented by

Crouse Perinatal Education, class addresses delivery expectations for multiples, breastfeeding, and other issues related to having twins or triplets. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. $35, plus fees (for two people). Preregistration required: fflib.org/moms-multiples

FRIDAY, SEPT. 21 Taste of David’s Refuge Fundraiser. 7-10

p.m. An evening of food and drink, with emcees Kaylea Nixon and Todd Caputo, raises money for the nonprofit that devotes itself to “caring for the caregiver.” RedBarn20, Windridge Estate, 2527 Route 20, Cazenovia. $125/person. (315) 6824204. davidsrefuge.org.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 22

23. Visitors of all ages can try their hands at outdoor pursuits including skeet shooting, turkey call-

CALENDAR

FRIDAY, SEPT. 28 Kids Minecraft. 3:30-4:30 p.m. Kids in grades 3-5 can hang out and play on the library’s server. Salina Library, 100 Belmont St., Mattydale. Free. Registration required: (315) 454-4524. salina library.org. Moth March. 6 p.m. Learn about the habits moths; then spread some fruit-and-molasses mash on tree trunks, and see what insects come to feed on it. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. $2/person. Admission: $4/vehicle. Registration required: (315) 638-2519.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 29 The Little Mermaid. 12:30 p.m. See Sept. 1 listing.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 30

Petit Book Sale. 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Thousands

National Down Syndrome Society Buddy Walk. 10:30 a.m. (registration at 9:30 a.m.). In

listing.

of books, music CDs, DVDs and audiobooks will be on sale, more for $2 or less each. Bring your own bag. Petit Branch Library, 105 Victoria Place, Syracuse. (315) 435-3636.

Westcott Street Fair. Noon-6:30 p.m. The neighborhood puts on its 27th annual festival, starting with a parade at noon and followed by live music and dance performances, crafts for sale, and a chance to learn about local nonprofit organizations. Children’s performances and activities take place at the Petit Branch library on Victoria Place. Westcott Street between Concord and Dell streets, and on side streets, Syracuse. Free. (315) 313-5447. westcottstreetfair.org.

MONDAY, SEPT. 24 Baby Storytime. 9:30-10 a.m. Babies from 3

months to 24 months, accompanied by a caregiver, can take part in stories, songs, rhymes and play. NOPL Brewerton, 5440 Bennett St., Brewerton. Free. (315) 676-7484.

See Ongoing Events

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 26 Gaming. 4-6 p.m. Young people ages 7-18 can

learn and play games including Pokemon, Magic: The Gathering and Yu-Gi-Oh. Maxwell Memorial Library, 14 Genesee St., Camillus. Free. (315) 672-3661.

Teen Trading Card Game Day. 6-8 p.m.

Sportsmen’s Days. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; also Sept.

nied by an adult, can hear two stories and then head out on a hike led by a naturalist. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. Admission: $4/vehicle. (315) 638-2519.

Sportsmen’s Days. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. See Sept. 22

TUESDAY, SEPT. 25

Autumn Begins

Wicked Plants Exhibition. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.;

Young people in grades 7-12 can join TCG Player, a local company, for games. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. lpl. org.

the 20th anniversary event, individuals with Down syndrome along with their friends and families promote acceptance and advocacy with a two-mile walk; picnic lunch and festivities follow. Music by Skip Clark Entertainment. T-shirts available for purchase. Long Branch Park, Longbranch Road, Liverpool. Free. Early preregistration recommended: (315) 682-4289. dsaofcny.org.

ONGOING EVENTS Horseback Riding. Through Oct. 28: Friday,

Saturday & Sunday,10 a.m.-5 p.m. See Highland Forest on an hour-long guided horseback ride; age 5 and up. Highland Forest Park, Route 80, 3 miles east of Fabius. $35/hour. Reservations required at least 24 hours in advance: (315) 289-3775.

Downtown Syracuse Farmers’ Market. Tuesdays,

7 a.m.-3 p.m.; through Oct. 9. Farmers and produce dealers offer vegetables, fruit, nuts, flowers, baked goods and more for sale. Clinton Square, Syracuse. (315) 422-8284. downtownsyracuse.com.

Peanut Butter Jelly Time.

Thursdays, 5 p.m. Members of the community can join in making more than a hundred bagged lunches to hand out to the hungry and homeless in downtown Syracuse. The Road, 4845 W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse. Free. (315) 218-6066. wholelygroundsattheroad.org.

Weekend Walks With a Naturalist. Saturdays and Sundays, 2 p.m. Nature discovery hike with different topics each weekend. Beaver Lake Nature Center, Route 370, Baldwinsville. Admission: $4/vehicle. (315) 638-2519.

Great Swamp Conservancy Nature Trails.

Daily, dawn to dusk. Throughout the year, visitors can grab their walking shoes and explore 4.5 miles of well-groomed, flat trails. Trails feature a 900foot boardwalk, osprey nesting platform, and wetland and grassland restoration areas. The area is a stop for many migratory waterfowl and songbirds; other wildlife include muskrats and beavers. Great Swamp Conservancy, 3.5 miles off I-90, Exit 34, 8375 N. Main St., Canastota. Free. (315) 697-2950.

10:15 a.m. Creative Kids (stories and crafts for preschoolers): Mondays, 11:15 a.m., Thursdays, 10:15 a.m. Fairmount Community Library, 406 Chapel Dr., Syracuse. Free. (315) 487-8933.

Maxwell Library Storytimes. Storytimes and

book groups for all ages. Call for dates and times. Maxwell Memorial Library, 14 Genesee St., Camillus. Free. (315) 672-3661.

Baltimore Woods Nature Center. Hiking

Northeast Community Center Library Storytimes. Preschool storytimes with rhymes

Wegmans Playground.

NOPL Brewerton Storytimes. Age 2 and up: Mondays, 10:30-11:30 a.m. NOPL Brewerton, 5440 Bennett St., Brewerton. Free. (315) 676-7484.

trails and parking are free and open every day from dawn to dusk. Interpretive Center open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed Sundays. Snowshoe rental: $5/day. 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus. (315) 673-1350. Boundless Playground for children (and parents) of all ages and abilities includes accessible swings, slides, bridge and more, including special section just for the tiniest tykes. Onondaga Lake Park, Route 370, Liverpool. Free. (315) 451PARK.

and occasional games; youngsters learn group listening and participation skills. Call for times. Northeast Community Center Library, 716 Hawley Ave., Syracuse. Free. (315) 472-6343, Ext. 208.

10:30 a.m. Toddler and preschooler storytime for children ages 18 months-5 years and caregivers. Includes stories, rhymes, finger plays and songs. Petit Branch Library, 105 Victoria Place, Syracuse. (315) 435-3636.

Regional Market Farmers’ Market. Saturdays, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. (year-round); Thursdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (May through November only). Shop seasonal produce, meat, fish, poultry, eggs, specialty foods and more on display throughout covered sheds; heated shops of Regional Market Commons feature gift and unique items including jewelry, paintings and home decor. Also, flea market, Sundays, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. 2100 Park St., Syracuse. (315) 422-8647.

Calendar listings are

NOPL Cicero Library Storytimes. Toddler

Story Hour: Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 10-11 a.m. Preschool Story Hour: Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-noon. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane, Cicero. Free. (315) 699-2032.

FREE

NOPL North Syracuse Library Storytimes. Birth-age 3: Wednesdays, 10-11 a.m.

Barnes & Noble Storytimes. Thursdays, 10

a.m. Join a storytime for toddlers and preschoolers that’s features a book, songs and coloring. Barnes & Noble, 3454 Erie Blvd. E., DeWitt. Free. (315) 449-2948.

Fairmount Community Library Storytimes. Little Movers (good walkers ages 1-3):

Mondays & Wednesdays, 10:15 a.m. Small Steps (unstructured play for ages 0-2 years): Tuesdays,

Ages 3-5: Thursdays, 11 a.m.-noon. NOPL North Syracuse, 100 Trolley Barn Lane, North Syracuse. Free. (315) 458-6184.

Onondaga Free Library Storytimes. Mother Goose Time (age 2 and under): Tuesdays, 11 a.m. Family Storytimes (age 2 and older): Wednesdays, 10 a.m., and Thursdays, 11 a.m. Onondaga Free Library, 4840 W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse. Free. (315) 492-1727.

Email information about your family-friendly event to: editorial@familytimes.biz. Listings are due by September 7 for the October issue.

Petit Branch Library Storytimes. Tuesdays,

Rothschild Early Childhood Center

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The RECC After School Program includes a healthy snack, playground and/or gym time, and special afternoon choices in our Art Studio or Game Room. Children who wish to complete homework will be offered a quiet space during afternoon choices. Our program is open to children Kindergarten through age 12 in the Syracuse City and Jamesville-DeWitt School Disctricts.

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For more information, or to schedule a tour, call 315-445-0049.

PIG ROAST SUNDAY, SEPT. 23

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FAMILY TIMES SEPTEMBER 2018

ADVERTISERS INDEX

BEST OF SYRACUSE 2018:

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Voting starts September 12th and runs through September 30th at midnight.

HOW TO VOTE: 1. Go to syracusenewtimes.com 2. Click the Best of Syracuse voting banner 3. Choose a category 4. VOTE!

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93Q........................................................................................ 18 Akira Family Therapy......................................................... 18 Baltimore Woods............................................................... 26 BASCOL (Before and After School Child Care)......... 22 Blaze Gymnastics................................................................ 22 Bluebird Music Together................................................... 22 Boy Scouts of America Longhouse Council..................31 Canterbury Stables................................................................5 CNY Tix................................................................................ 30 Critz Farms, Inc....................................................................17 Crouse Hospital.....................................................................2 Dance Centre North............................................................7 Edge Federal Credit Union................................................17 Elevation Contemporary Dance..................................... 23 Faith Heritage School........................................................ 22 Family Life Network........................................................... 15 Flamingo Bowl..................................................................5, 25 Four Seasons RV Rental.................................................... 18 Fun Jump............................................................................... 25 Hematology/Oncology Associates.................................. 18 J&B Seamless Gutter Co. Inc........................................... 18 Jewish Community Center................................................21 Joan Condlin’s Liverpool School of Dance.................... 23 Joe Ball’s Home Improvement......................................... 25 Jordan Elbridge Country Kids...........................................21 Light of the World Ballet.................................................. 23 Lioness Club of Central Square.........................................5 Mike Carter’s Cartoon Island.......................................... 25 Onondaga Nation Arena................................................... 10 Paciorek Orthodontics...................................................... 26 Pathfinder Bank......................................................................9 Pediatric Associates............................................................ 29 Rothschild Early Childhood Center............................... 29 Shining Stars Day Care.......................................................21 Spinnaker Custom Products.............................................21 Springside Farm................................................................... 29 St. Vincent De Paul Day Care.......................................... 22 Syracuse City Ballet .............................................................9 Syracuse School of Dance................................................. 23 The Dance Studio CNY.....................................................21 Upstate Medical University........................................ 11, 32 Weiss, Savedoff & Ciccone............................................... 10 Westcott Guitar Studio.................................................... 27

• Hiking • Biking • Swimming • Archery • Kayaking • Building race cars • Sledding • Community service

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For boys and girls 5 - 10 years of age.

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