Family Times September 2013 by Family Times

The Parenting Guide of Central New York www.familytimes.biz | September 2013

k l c Ba ho o Sc ue to Iss

Make Way for Play Students need imagination time!

Tips for high school success Lunch in a pita pocket How to stop girl bullies The out-of-control school supplies collection

Family Times September 2013

S C H O OL T Y L E

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Family Times September 2013

contents

september 2013

ck l Ba ho o Sc e to Issu

High school means more independence and responsibility as students prepare for life after graduation.

Making the Grade

Editor’s Note

Teachable Moments Young students, including kindergartners, face increasing academic demands, but they still need time to play.

Family Matters

Girls’ bullying doesn’t leave physical marks, but its effects still hurt victims.

14 Storytime Was it hoarding or being prepared when Linda Lowen filled her spare room with years’ worth of notebooks and binders?

Recipe Doctor 18 The Pita pockets pack variety into school lunches.

Family I Said So 12 Atypical 24 Because A daughter feels ready for high A mother’s instincts forced her school—but her mother, a little less so.

RE CAPTU a moment Owen, age 18 months, trots to catch up with his older brother on a visit to the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, in this photo shot by his mother, Tasha Smith of Warners. To submit a photo for our Capture a Moment feature, visit www.familytimes.biz and click on the “Submissions” tab.

to push for blood tests for her son, which led to a diagnosis.

Family Fun Calendar Events Advertiser Index Party...................................16-17 Learn......................................... 9 Practice........................ 10-11, 26 Backpack Directory............... 38 Family Times September 2013

Editor’s Note

family times The Parenting

Guide of Central New York

September 2013

Making Time for Play

es, it’s our September back-to-school issue. Yes, for many of us, the start of the academic year means our kids have less time to play. However, as Emma Kress points out in her column this month (page 6), that’s a problem. I was appalled to read that even kindergartners take standardized tests now. Since my younger son is starting kindergarten, he’ll be spending some of his time not on the playground but learning how to take a test. I cannot begin to get to the bottom of the problems with the proliferation of high-stakes testing, including for 5-year-olds. I can only say I’d rather see my child improving his pumping skills on the swing—even in winter. The pressure is on as the school year begins, and it’s at its peak for high school students. For tips on navigating the final phase of secondary school, Tammy DiDomenico interviewed area students, parents and guidance counselors; her story starts on page 20. To help parents cope with the other challenges of September, we’ve got articles on: girls and bullying (page 8); adjusting to a daughter’s becoming a freshman (page 12); and using the pita pocket to inject some variety into school lunch (page 18). Also, Linda Lowen tells the tale of her towering pile of school supplies: how it got so high, how she cut it down to size, and how she lived to regret its loss (page 14). Lastly, a writer talks about how she came to discover her son’s hemophilia, and she urges other parents to trust their instincts in pursuing the origins of mysterious symptoms (page 24). We hope you find plenty to enjoy and think about in this month’s issue. And when you’ve got spare time, check out the calendar for something to do!

issue No. 137

PUBLISHER/OWNER Bill Brod Editor in chief Reid Sullivan MANAGING EDITOR Bill DeLapp Photographer Michael Davis OFFICE COORDINATOR/CIRCULATION MANAGER Christine Scheuerman SENIOR DESIGNER AND WEBMASTER OF FAMILY TIMES Briana Viel DESIGNERS Meaghan Arbital, Caitlin O’Donnell, Briana Viel DIGITAL MEDIA MANAGER Ty Marshal (ext. 144) Contributors Deborah Cavanagh, Tammy DiDomenico, Eileen Gilligan, Emma Kress, Linda Lowen, Cary Rector, Tonja Rector, Maggie Lamond Simone, Chris Xaver ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Gina Fortino (ext. 115) GinaFortino@syracusenewtimes.com Lesli Mitchell (ext. 140) LMitchell@syracusenewtimes.com Joseph Monkofsky (ext. 112) Jmonkofsky@syracusenewtimes.com Kimberly Rossi (ext. 116) KRossi@syracusenewtimes.com

Reid Sullivan Editor in chief

Holly Timian (ext. 139) Htimian@syracusenewtimes.com COMPTROLLER Deana Vigliotti (ext. 118) CLASSIFIED SALES Lija Spoor (ext. 111)

On the cover: Connor, age 5, is a first grader, but he still likes to spend time playing. Inside: Connor, of Chittenango, hangs out with his mother, Holly Timian, a Family Times advertising consultant, at Critz Farms during the Aug. 17 Blueberry Jam music festival. Michael Davis cover photo. Briana Viel design.

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More than 100,000 readers each issue. Advertising deadline for October is Sept. 12. Calendar deadline for October is Sept. 6. 4

Family Times September 2013

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Family Times September 2013

Teachable Moments

By E m m a K r e ss

Make Way for Imagination School’s demands should not crowd out play

grew up in a house that backed onto eight acres of bird sanctuary. An only child of hard-working parents, I often found myself alone in the woods climbing trees, building forts, or listening to the sounds of leaves crunching beneath my feet and strange birds chattering above my head. Or I got together with the neighborhood kids, creating complex games with elaborate rules that could last whole summers. I also read. A lot. As a result, I developed a pretty good imagination. My family moved several times and I entered unfamiliar schools and towns without the constant of a sibling or even a pet. In second grade, we moved to Delaware for one year. When learning about Australia, I raised my hand and claimed I had a kangaroo. Of course, the teacher didn’t believe me. But I was so persistent and convincing as I invented story after story, day after day, that soon the whole class, including the teacher, believed in my kangaroo—until my mom visited and busted my myth. Still, my imagination eased what might have been a scary transition for a 7-yearold; my stories gave me a voice in a new community; and the belief those stories engendered in my listeners fed a life-long love of writing and storytelling. Although I didn’t articulate it at the time, each move became an opportunity to reflect and improve. I acknowledged the traits I appreciated and examined those I wished to change. My imagination fueled my ability to reinvent myself while developing my ability to analyze and improve

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my performance—critical skills for academ- transformed into a race car or a rainbow. ic success. As an only child, I did not learn to negotiate and share the way many of my friends Imagination also enhanced my self-condid: at the end of the fists or the insults fidence. As I played at being an explorer, teacher, actress or kangaroo owner, I expe- of their siblings. Instead, I observed and interacted with my friends. To be sure, my rienced the world as limitless. In a fantasy world, we can be and accomplish anything social skills were likely honed on the streets of our neighborhood as we role-played or we wish. As parents, we can combat realconstructed those endless games. world injustices by encouraging our children to go beyond the boundaries of our These days I love listening to my own stereotyped world. If you suggest “U.S. two children build a world together. At president” as a role play, your little girl won’t be hemmed in by the fact that there’s never been a female president. In our imagination, Our children’s imagination is at risk. anything is possible. In the last year, school time devoted Imaginary play has the power to stretch us beyond our limits to standardized tests has increased not just in our daily actions but dramatically. Even in kindergarten, in our expression as well. We 5-year-olds are forced to bubble in ancould easily get through our day with very few vocabulary words. swer sheets to tests that measure their Yet when we imagine that we competency in every discipline. are pilots in a rainstorm, knights in a castle or explorers in Egypt, our vocabulary grows and deepfirst, my oldest took the lead as my son ens alongside our stories. repeated her declarations, but lately I’ve I once heard Holly Black, a fantasy seen my daughter step back and her author, say that she thought writers in the brother contribute. Group imaginative play genre were especially adept at detailed helps children take turns with their words descriptions because they had to make as carefully as they do with their toys. In a their created worlds seem real. variety of imagined settings, children take The same might be said about the proownership of their entertainment, try out cess of imagination. As I listen to my chilsocial norms and experiment with solutions dren imagine scenarios, play is accompato problems. nied by a long trail of talk. As they create Imagination is at the core of your child’s this world they plan to inhabit for the next ability to respond well to a nasty comment 15 minutes, their descriptive talk becomes as important as the cardboard box that has on the playground or a snatched-away toy.

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Family Times September 2013

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Imagination is the cornerstone of every story from authors as diverse as Dr. Seuss and Charles Dickens. Imagination feeds beauty in the form of masterpieces by Michelangelo, concertos by Bach, structures by Frank Lloyd Wright, and landscapes by Frederick Law Olmsted. Imagination is also the hidden heart of such academic skills as critical thinking, understanding one’s own thought processes and creative problem-solving. And yet our children’s imagination is at risk. In the last year, school time devoted to standardized tests has increased dramatically. Even in kindergarten, 5-year-olds are forced to bubble in answer sheets to tests that measure their competency in every discipline—even physical education. Worst of all, these tests are high-stakes tests. This means that ranking, funding and even teachers’ job security are tied to standardized tests. As a result, more class time is devoted to test prep, even at the earliest grades. Outside of school, our children are busier than ever, often with multiple events and activities scheduled within a week. It’s no surprise that after exhausting days at school, long sports practices, music lessons and religious commitments, our children just want to unwind in front of a television or video game and lose themselves in someone else’s stories. But imagination is essential. Albert Einstein wrote: “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.” Without the creative problem-solving it teaches us, we resort to violence. Without the critical thinking it allows, we don’t notice injustice, let alone question it. Without the dreaming it nurtures, we are doomed to accept the world as it is rather than as it might be. This year, try to carve out more space for imagination. If you dislike increased testing, write to your representatives and Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Next month, I’ll offer concrete ways to invite imagination back into your children’s lives. p

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Emma Kress, a teacher at Cicero-North Syracuse High School, has held a variety of educational posts at levels from pre-K to 12th grade. Send comments about this article to editorial@familytimes. biz.

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Family Times September 2013

Family Matters

By ca r y and t o nja R e c t o r

Girls and Bullying Females use different tactics but still hurt victims

Family Times September 2013

or supportive statement can make all the difference. Adults often don’t recognize girl bullying. Research shows bullying among girls peaks in middle school. Bullying behavior can be dismissed as “normal” for the age group or as a rite of passage with no reason for adult concern. By contrast, if your child were the target of physical aggression on a daily basis, most parents would immediately get involved. Treat emotional bullying with the same concern. Listen and offer support to your daughter. Don’t insist she “work it out” with the girls involved. Would you expect her to remain friends with someone who was physically aggressive? Girl bullies may use different tactics than boys, but the goals are the same—to intimidate and control. Bullies use an imbalance of social power to hurt and threaten their victims. An imbalance of power can result from the bully being older or higher on the social ladder, or from a group of kids forming an alliance for the purpose of bullying. Bullies expect their actions to hurt, and their behavior is intentional. Bullying is not a one-time event resulting from a conflict or anger over a specific incident. Both bully and target expect it to happen again. Recognizing the ways in which girls bully can help parents and other adults address the situation. It is not “normal” social interaction to isolate, shun or humiliate a peer at any age. With greater awareness and adult guidance, all forms of bullying can be decreased. p

Cary and Tonja Rector are married and live with their children in Manlius. Cary is a licensed mental health counselor and Tonja is a licensed marriage and family therapist. Consult your own health care provider before making decisions affecting your family’s well-being. To comment on this article, write to editorial@familytimes.biz.

ullying among kids has gained national attention and schools now have programs to recognize and address it right away. Parents are more aware of the issue, and what was once considered a rite of passage during childhood is getting a reappraisal. The word “bully” lends itself to an image of a boy who is larger than his peers and uses physical coercion and threats to get what he wants. Bullying among girls can look quite different; they more often use emotional bullying or relationship bullying as a tactic. It includes exclusion, social rejection, humiliation and spreading rumors. This type of bullying is just as harmful as physical aggression. Bullying among girls is often covert, vicious and difficult for adults to detect. Is that group of girls hanging out by the school building simply talking or is one the target of whispers and giggling? The use of social media to bully makes it even more difficult for adults to observe interactions and intervene when needed. Here are some details on girls and bullying, including tips for parents. Relationship bullying is powerful and difficult to detect. According to Barbara Coloroso, author of The Bully, the Bullied and the Bystander (William Morrow; 2009), relational bullying involves the systematic diminishment of a child’s sense of self through isolation and exclusion. When exclusion is paired with rumor, a potent bullying tool is in play. Subtle social interactions are used to bully, such as eye rolling, whispering, aggressive stares, sneers or laughing. Girls bully in packs. One of the hallmarks of girl bullying is the process of recruiting others to gang up on the victim. The victim is ostracized, ridiculed and shunned by the group for no real reason. This tactic is used to gain control and social power. Kids within the group often go along out of fear of being the next target. Bullying can start early. Be aware of social interactions among children in early elementary school. During these years, it is easier for adults to intervene and redirect the social dynamic. Remember to support girls not directly involved in the bullying behavior. Encourage them to not go along with something that doesn’t feel right. Teach children early to stand up for others who are being treated cruelly. A kind word

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Family Times September 2013

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A typical Family

By D e b o r ah C avanagh

Adventures in High School She’s a ninth-grader now

“T

his year I am going to high school. I will be in nine grade!” my daughter, Amanda, tells anyone who asks. She feels confident taking the next step in her academic career. I, on the other hand, am having flashbacks to her first day of kindergarten. Shiny, new students lined up in rows outside the school with teachers leading the way—some crying, some nervous, some chatting with friends. They all marched obediently into school. Amanda waved to me over her shoulder and never looked back. I dragged my feet two blocks home, unwilling to put distance between me and my baby, thankful for sunglasses that hid my tears. How would I survive without her every day? Amanda was born with Down syndrome, a big hole in her heart, and an airway issue that made it almost impossible to breathe. The first two years were spent in and out of intensive care units at various hospitals. Going to kindergarten seemed a vague dream. Through her first years I was by her side for her therapy sessions, doctor appointments and even Mommy and Me preschool. I got used to having her around. I liked it. I knew she was safe. I could keep my hairy eyeball on her, or give that hairy eyeball to any annoying, bullying child who deserved it. To be honest, kindergarten seemed a rude interruption to our routine. My baby would have a “life” without me every day for three and a half hours. I would not be there to protect/interpret/intervene/ applaud her every move. I did not like this

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Family Times September 2013

at all! I did not want her to go. I was not ready. Typical, yes? But when your child has limited communication skills, added concerns arise. Could Amanda tell me if a student was mean to her? Would she be able to express if a teacher was not including her in classroom activities? No, she couldn’t. I had to trust people I barely knew. It was frightening. I knew I had to let her go, as all of us who send our children to school do. I volunteered at the library and on field trips to get a peek into daily activities. I chatted with moms to find out what their children were telling them about recess and table time. With great anticipation I waited my turn at parent/teacher conferences. I eventually got over my separation anxiety. By fourth grade I was happily dropping Amanda off at school for her now six-anda-half-hour day away from my clutches. I even dared to go to lunch every now and then with friends. And then middle school was upon us. Parental volunteering seemed no longer welcome. The curriculum became impossible. Mountains of homework were heaped upon students’ heads every night. And puberty! To assist with my transition, Amanda’s teachers allowed me

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to attend her school visit. This gave us the opportunity to see her classrooms, lunchroom, gymnasium and nurse’s office—everywhere she would be traveling during her day. The class bell rang as we stepped through the school doors. What seemed like millions of eighth-graders propelled out of their classrooms. I was awash in a sea of pubescent students. They were loud. They were tall. And when did eighth-graders start looking this mature? My mama bear instinct was to scoop Amanda up, cover her eyes and head to the nearest closet. How would she not get trampled? How would she not get lost? Visions of her being swept in the current of students ending up in the wrong classroom God knows where danced in my head. “We keep the fifth-graders separate from the rest of the school,” I was told. “She will be fine,” I was assured. “She is ready,” I was guaranteed. And she was. I worked in the school store once a month. I couldn’t quite let go. Amanda always gave me a smile and hug when she spied me at my post. I was able to say hi to her teachers and aides, gather tidbits from the day, and stay connected. Four years flew by and Amanda, like all other eighth-graders, outgrew her surroundings. If you ask her if she is excited about going to high school, she will immediately say yes. I, however, have become content in my cocoon of support and sameness. I am familiar with the teachers and staff, the routine, the building. I am not ready to graduate to high school. The campus is so big. The students look like adults. The clothing is intimidating. The hair and makeup is scary. Amanda’s high school experience will be “modified.” Her curriculum will be challenging but appropriate. She will not have the academic stress. She will not be as aware of social pressures. Still, there will be a new routine. Expectations of ability and learning need to be set. She will be among unfamiliar teachers and aides. Once again I have to trust. I feel we are back at the beginning. But I have to remind myself this is not “Kindergarten Amanda” I am leaving at the front of the high school; this is “Ninth-Grade Amanda.” She holds all the knowledge, experience and maturity we as a team of teachers, friends and family have given her. I pray that will be enough. I am sure I will be driving away from the high school building misty with tears, again thankful for sunglasses that hide my eyes. My baby is going to high school. And Amanda will head into the building with a wave of her hand, not looking back but looking forward to her new adventure. p Deborah Cavanagh lives in Manlius with her husband and two children. She has written for local organizations supporting children and adults with special needs and publishes the blog www.momofmanyneeds.com.

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Family Times September 2013

e By Linda Low

The Museum of School Supplies Years’ worth of notebooks and binders is quite a collection

ple discard leftover supplies at the end of dentifying the age of ancient artifacts June. Not me. I kept everything. involves scientific methods and carbon dating. Frequently, these artifacts are Which brings me to my second bad everyday objects that have turned to habit. At the end of June, when my stone from sitting around so long. The daughters dragged home backpacks burstitems in my school supply stash aren’t ing with old notebooks, battered but fully stone just yet—but some have been sitfunctional three-ring binders and packs of ting around for 15 years or more. I know still unsharpened pencils—I’d hold onto this without the aid of carbon dating them. I’d rescue notebooks, tearing out because I remember the various styles used pages and erasing or whiting over and trends in back-to-school supplies writing on the cover, and scrub binders to throughout the years. remove a year’s worth of wear and marks. I know because I keep everything. I had two shelves of school supplies in the spare bedroom. One held new items If this is not a problem you have, connever used, and the other held recycled gratulations. Guess we won’t be seeing supplies. Throughout the year, whenever you on an episode of Hoarders anytime anyone asked for a new notebook, folder soon. I, on the other hand, had accumuor other item, I’d reply, “Go shopping in lated a school supply stash many years the spare bedroom.” and layers deep. This worked when they were younger Two bad habits led me down this and we bought plain-colored notebooks dysfunctional path. First of all, each fall I and folders. But as they got older and would buy additional supplies just in case someone ran out midyear. They added up insisted on cartoon characters, big-eyed puppies and kitties, or whatever was over time. Some items were on sale—too popular that year, they were less inclined good a bargain to pass up—so I stockto go to school with untrendy materials. piled. (How can you say no to a 17 cent Nothing looked worse than passing off last spiral notebook?) Others were purchased year’s school supplies because my as new. two daughters begged—loudly, That’s why I menOnce the girls went off to obnoxiously, tion carbon dating. It knowing I’d be college, you’d think I’d have works when the item at my breaking is barely recognizable, been shed of school supplies. point seven but those of us with hours into the And you’d be mistaken. a school supply stash back-to-school know our sins. Moms shopping marand dads like me have athon. long memories, and we don’t need no stinkin’ science. We need only examine What they wanted was never stuff that showed up on any teacher’s list of required the cover of a notebook to know its “born school supplies. Nope, it was impulse buy- in” year. We’d gone through Lisa Frank’s rainbow unicorns, Paul Frank’s monkey ing, an ugly “I want it!” moment backed faces, Disney’s Buzz Lightyear, various by claims that they’d start school off on Disney princesses, dolphins leaping across the right foot if only this wondrous object the seascape of the cosmos, gothic swirls was theirs. Years later, here I was, turning and splotches of ink or blood, skulls interover said object in my hands, realizing it twined with roses, city skylines and famous was never actually used. tourist locales like the Eiffel Tower, finally Smart parents know if it wasn’t used that year, it will never be; these savvy peo- returning to plain solid-color covers once 14

Family Times September 2013

my daughters were too old and too cool for childish designs. Once the girls went off to college, you’d think I’d have been shed of school supplies. And you’d be mistaken. I continued to hold onto my hoard, rationalizing that if they came home during winter or spring break or returned next summer, one or both might need something from the stash. To be honest, they rarely did. Nobody was “shopping” in the spare bedroom for school supplies anymore, but I couldn’t let them to go to waste. So I kept a to-do list in a marbled composition notebook and loose recipes in a three-ring binder, while my husband took notes in a black-and-white splattered notebook with a faintly emo theme. But the two of us only made a tiny dent. I had to do something. I kept thinking I’d donate everything to a charity that gathered supplies for kids but decided that underprivileged kids did not need to be saddled with outdated notebook designs. Then one evening in May over dinner, my friend Gayle—a teacher at JordanElbridge—told me of her efforts to collect new and used school supplies for kids in Malawi: “I was hoping the students at my school would just donate their used notebooks instead of throwing them out. The organizers said they’d be grateful for items in any condition.” Next time I saw Gayle, I handed her four big bags. She was delighted, but her joy didn’t match mine. I had excavated down to the bare shelves. No monkeys, spacemen, or rainbow unicorns on my back anymore. I was free. Then the thing that I’d been worrying about for years—the thing that drove me to hoard school supplies—came to pass. My younger daughter, taking a summer course at a nearby college, ran past me half an hour before her first class. “I didn’t have a chance to get a notebook and binder. I’m going shopping in the spare bedroom.” Then I heard a scream.

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“MOM! What have you done? Where’s the school supply stash?” Halfway to Malawi by now, I wanted to say. But instead, I ripped the to-do list out of my composition notebook, removed the recipes from the binder, and handed both to her along with a twenty. “I’ll explain later. Take these for now. Buy what you want after class. And have a good first day.” p Linda Lowen writes for MSN.com, teaches at the Downtown Writer’s Center and is co-producer and co-host of Take Care, a health and wellness radio show on WRVO. She lives in Syracuse with her husband and two daughters.

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Family Times September 2013

RECIPE DOCTOR By C h r i s X av e r

Pita Power A bread change can expand school-lunch options

e’re at the start of the school year, when the kids are eager to go back, armed with their No. 2 pencils and new backpacks. And we’re packing school lunches, which, after the first week or so can become quite a chore. More than once, I’ve turned to my cookbooks for inspiration. The kids are happy with peanut butter and bananas, or tortilla roll-ups, but I’m not. Some clichés are more than just overused phrases: They

have real truth behind them, including variety being the spice of life. I’m always looking for something that will make the kids happy, something that will inspire them to eat their lunch, rather than toss it in the trash. And I know you are, too. So, sometimes my little ones’ lunches include leftovers. Ham or chicken with a salad. Sometimes I make them oatmeal and put it in an insulated container such as a Thermos, put in a hard-boiled egg, and add a piece of fruit for a complete

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Family Times September 2013

meal. Sometimes they go with chili, or our own version of Lunchables—a multigrain English muffin with pizza sauce, turkey pepperoni, and a slice of skim-milk mozzarella to top it all off. The recipe I’m sharing isn’t on an English muffin, or in a vacuum jug. It’s in a pita: a fun little pocket you can fill with whatever your kids love the best. Do they like tuna fish? Then fill the pocket with tuna. Do the kids like peanut butter and fruit? Yum, that fits in the pocket,

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RECIPE

One Pita, Two Plays

1 multigrain pita cut in half (you’ll only use one half) 2-4 large lettuce leaves (I like butter lettuce for the kids) Shredded carrots (bagged is fine, no apologies needed) Veggies of your kid’s choice. Suggestions: cucumbers, tomato slices (watery seeds removed), red peppers 1 tablespoon whipped cream cheese (or Neufchatel cheese) 1 tablespoon black olives (sliced, or whole if the kids prefer) 1 tablespoon fat-free buttermilk ranch dressing or Italian Open the pita and smear the whipped cream cheese on the inside. This does two things: First, it gives an added shot of protein. Second, it creates a barrier to protect the bread from getting soggy during transport. Press the lettuce leaves against the cream cheese layer and stuff the carrots, olives, and assorted veggies inside. Follow directions above but add protein of choice. Suggestions include: sliced turkey, hardboiled eggs, roast beef, chicken, ham, tuna, sliced thin pork roast from last night’s dinner.

My Favorite Buttermilk Ranch Dressing 2/3 cup fat free buttermilk 6 tablespoons canola or olive oil mayonnaise 4 tablespoons cider vinegar Salt and pepper to taste Pour into a jar or bottle. Cap. Shake. Enjoy.

too. I’ve filled them with scrambled eggs, brie cheese, meatballs or salad. You name it, pita pockets are the perfect vessel for making an exciting lunch. So, let me tell you why I like pitas. I fell in love with them in Ankara, Turkey, handmade by women on the side of the street, warm and wonderful. The pita’s “magic”—the pocket is created from steam when the pieces of bread bake. What I also love about the multigrain version is that they’re not as dense as a

piece of bread. That means fewer carbs, which means less sugar. And my personal goal, for me and the kids, is less sugar. Plus, the whole grains slow digestion, which is good to maintain steady blood sugar. Chris Xaver, Ph.D., is a local TV and radio personality with three children and five grandchildren. Her healthy lifestyle show, The Sweet Life, is airing on public television stations nationwide.

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Tip: I keep my “squeeze” mayonnaise bottles to use for this purpose. Easy to squeeze out into the pita pocket and great for storage. Recycle and reuse are my two middle names!

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Starting high school means more work, more independence By Tammy DiDomenico

Although “high school” means more responsibility, it does not necessarily include a move to a new building. Some students don’t change locations at all after seventh grade; others move to a high school building in 10th grade. Wherever they are, students begin their academic journeys as high schoolers in ninth grade. To get a sense of what new high school students can expect, Family Times interviewed area administrators, counselors, parents and students. By all accounts, the high school years are an increasingly rigorous, and sometimes tumultuous, phase of teenage life. Young people can transition successfully with the right mindset—

accepting the increased responsibility— and by using the support of their teachers, counselors, peers, and yes, their parents. “Accountability—that increases in all aspects of school,” says Najah Salaam, a former academic dean at Jordan-Elbridge and Syracuse City School districts. “On the academic side, repeating courses is a reality. With behavior, there’s no more timeout: It’s detention. Horseplay can get you suspended. That can be hard to process.” Salaam says high school students need more than just academic support. “Kids that age are still learning in all aspects of their lives,” she says.

tudents entering the final phase of secondary school face numerous academic, social and behavioral demands. Pressures mount, and more than at any time before, mistakes like missed homework, failed tests and texting in class can have serious consequences.

Family Times September 2013

Independence is greater

Nanette Szczesny, mother of C.J., who graduated last spring, and Michael, an incoming sophomore at Cicero-North Syracuse High School, says a good transition program and collaborative district resources help students ease into high school life. C-NS students—about 2,100 from six elementary schools—come together in two middle schools, then junior high, before entering the high school at 10th grade. For many, the hardest adjustment is dealing with the sheer size of the building. But students are also expected to be more responsible. “Teachers expect students to keep track of assignments and deadlines,” Szczesny says. “I think some kids do run into trouble adjusting to the increased independence.” With a few transitions under his belt already, Michael is relatively unfazed about his first year in the high school building. C.J., a freshman at Mount St. Mary College in Newburgh, says he was well prepared for high school, and expects that his brother will do just fine. Since C-NS students attend the same junior high, social problems are rare. “If they are involved in sports or band or other activities, they’re probably somewhat connected to the peer groups they will have in high school,” Szczesny says. “In a big school like ours, I think it’s a good idea to stay connected to your core group of friends as much as you can,” adds C.J. Extracurricular activities help. “Those connections they make by being involved in sports, or music, are good,” says Szczesny, whose sons play baseball. “Also, the coaches know these kids have to keep their grades up, so they encourage them to put academics first. The structure helps them with time management.” While Szczesny cites expectations of independence as a potentially difficult aspect of the high school transition,

michael davis photo

Even high-achieving students can get caught off guard. “Good students in middle school can see their grades drop in freshman year,” Salaam says. “They tend to get a lot more social, and then you add on the increased academic demands. . . things get overlooked.” Salaam advises parents to develop a deeper relationship with their teen—not a more casual one. “Parents tend to want to give their child more space when they get to high school. Don’t do that,” she advises. “Be involved. They are trying to belong, and they don’t yet. They’re trying to develop their personality. So, get to know your child. They will appreciate it no matter what they say.”

Nanette Szczesny sits with her son Michael, who’s starting 10th grade at Cicero-North Syracuse High School.

C.J. says it was actually the best part of his high school experience. “They’re getting you ready to be an adult,” he says. “They’re not controlling your every move.” Quite often, it’s parents who struggle most with the high school transition. “I think we make it harder on ourselves than it has to be,” Szczesny says. “Sometimes you just have to trust them. If they make mistakes, they’ll hopefully learn from them. These guys are so much more resilient than we give them credit for.”

500—grow into independent adults. “They need to take responsibility for their work, so we encourage students to use their agendas (a school-supplied planner) to document their homework assignments,” McIntyre says. “It’s critical for time management.” McIntyre says bullying is not a problem at J-E, but technology and its potential for abuse has been a frequent concern. “We spend much more time addressing issues with social media than when I started here in 2001,” McIntyre says. “Phones certainly were not in school the way they are now. Kids notice problems and bring them to the guidance office. We’ve even Rob McIntyre, counselor for ninth and had to call the state troopers—and we’re 10th graders at Jordan-Elbridge High not alone. There’s currently some debate School, helps students avoid those mistakes. Like C-NS, the district has an exten- about how much we are going to allow (phones) to be used in the fall, but most sive orientation process. of our students do use them in positive ways. For example, the calWe have some (students) who, in endar options on some the past, have hardly had to do any phones are very helpful.” work outside of the classroom. Then Salaam, the former they get up here and find it difficult. dean, has helped students navigate emo—Kristen Foote, tional issues at both J-E C.W. Baker guidance counselor and Syracuse. “High school is a huge psychosocial adjustment,” “Middle school and high school are very she says. “The girls tend to be more reactive and impulsive. Young men tend to different,” McIntyre says. “Your status in hold things in. They don’t want to snitch high school is based on credits and credon a friend who has done something its only. There are 22 required credits for wrong. If someone is bothering them, graduation. So, there’s not a lot of wiggle they tend to laugh it off at first—let it room to repeat failed courses.” Freshmen attend orientation prior to the build up. Helping students defuse some start of school to get acquainted with their of these issues includes providing resources and support as necessary.” new surroundings. From Day One, the staff focuses on helping students—about continued on page 22

Responsibility grows

Family Times September 2013

Starting High School continued from page 21

McIntyre checks in with all J-E freshmen at some point before January. Most have made smooth transitions into high school life. “A lot of those kids are on cruise control, but we let them know that we are their advocates. If they need something, they should come ask for it.” A good home-school rapport also helps. “Teenagers always want more freedom,” McIntyre says. “We approach that with the thinking of, ‘demonstrate responsibility and you will get freedom and flexibility.’ We try to get parents to reinforce that same idea with homework.” Students at C.W. Baker High School in Baldwinsville also enter the building in

10th grade. Building-wide activities, for the school’s some 1,500 students, and numerous extracurricular opportunities make it easier for new students to connect. “We really push that when they come up here. We want them to get involved,” says Kristen Foote, guidance counselor. “We have everything from environmental club to Key Club to debate and Model U.N.”

Help is at hand

Orientations for parents and students enable Foote to spread the word about resources. “I think more sophomores access the supports because the parents know about them,” she says. “I think it’s michael davis photo

Gabrielle Piraino, left, a junior at C.W. Baker High School in Baldwinsville, walks with guidance counselor Kristen Foote.

important for parents to know things like: Is the library open after school? Do the teachers have certain days that they stay after? Is there a help-lab or support available during their study hall or during their lunch? When they get that first fiveweek report, it can be an eye-opener. One assignment or one quiz, at the high school level, can make a big difference.” C.W. Baker students can use a peer-tutoring program, among other resources. “Seek out help,” Foote says. “Parents can contact the teachers, but they will put the responsibility on the student.” Gabrielle Piraino, a junior at C.W. Baker, says teachers are willing to help students adjust to the increasing academic demands of high school, but they want students to take initiative. “I tell my brother (now in ninth grade), ‘The teachers are here for you.’ They are always willing to stay after school to help students,” she says. “Some are even willing to give up part of their lunch to help students.” Sometimes, even the best preparations and services are not enough. “There are students who struggle with the course load,” Foote says. “Not all students have great study skills. We have some who, in the past, have hardly had to do any work outside of the classroom. Then they get up here and find it difficult to manage everything.”

Parents can monitor academics

Students in the Tully School District stay in one building from seventh grade through 12th. Principal Mary Ann Murphy says this configuration makes the transition for students—and teachers—relatively smooth. Jennifer Newton, counselor at Tully Junior-Senior High School, says having consistent expectations for behavior and academic effort also helps. “The junior high teachers really know what the high school teachers’ expectations are. They’re not across town, they’re not in another building, they are right here.” Erynn McNerney, a sophomore, says the hardest part for her was adjusting to different teaching styles and the emphasis on preparing for Regents examinations—the optional standardized tests in core subjects required for a Regents diploma in New York state. “Teachers’ expectations are really high. But it’s good because they’re raising the bar for us.” Like other local schools, Tully uses an online program so students and parents can track academic progress. “I like the online system,” says McNerney. “I can log onto my computer when I’m in study hall 22

Family Times September 2013

demanding, he finds that he is better able to balance his time. But there is a fine line between a well-balanced student and an overburdened one. “In a small school, there are kids who try to do everything,” says Phelps, who runs cross-country and track, and plays basketball. “Making those choices is hard.” Murphy, who has two busy teens (Students) need their in the school, notes that most high academics, their extracurricuschool sporting events can last late into the evenings, leaving less time lars, and maybe to fit in some for homework. “That’s just one of kind of job experience. As a the many little things that students have to consider at the high school parent, there’s a dance we do level,” she says. in making kids understand that For college-bound students, those these things count—without considerations are numerous. “They start building a resume, overwhelming them. for lack of a better word, at such a young age,” says Wendy Kosalek, —Wendy Kosalek, parent of a senior and a freshman parent of two high school students at Tully. “Everything seems to start counting in ninth grade. My kids realized that it means business. Students ents check it a lot. I have heard kids say need community service—especially if they are studying more because they they are on a college track. They need know their parents are going to see their their academics, their extracurriculars, and grades.” maybe to fit in some kind of job experiTo new high schoolers, Yeomans suggests ence. As a parent, there’s a dance we do in reviewing study and organization strategies. making kids understand that these things “Know how you learn best, and how you count—without overwhelming them.” study best,” she says. “That’s something you have to develop on your own.” Many Tully students are very active With her daughter entering ninth grade, in extracurricular activities. Newton says Kosalek expects her role to evolve. “For busy students are typically better students. my husband and me, the role of being a “They are much better organized,” the parent to high schoolers is not micromanguidance counselor says. “But I suggest aging; it’s helping them see the bigger setting parameters for juggling extracurric- picture,” she says. “We know where we ular and social activities with their academ- need to be involved and where we really ic demands.” need to let the kids take their chances— Bradley Phelps, a Tully junior, agrees. He and fail. I think we’re more focused on life says while participation in school sports is and see how I’m doing, see if there’s a quiz I missed or anything I should make up.” The immediate access to grades can be a motivator. “As far as I know, my parents don’t check it that much because they trust what I am doing,” says Chrissy Yeomans, a junior. “But some kids’ par-

Parents’ role evolves

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lessons with our ninth-grader. With our son, there was more focus on academics.” Certainly, every student has different needs. Kevin Antshel, associate professor of psychology at Syracuse University, works with high school students navigating a variety of problems such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorders. For those students, starting high school can be daunting. “For students with ADHD, the biggest challenge is academic,” Antshel says. “More is expected, but these students can have trouble meeting those expectations. Change is hard for all of us, but particularly so for someone who is internally disorganized.” Antshel cautions parents of typical as well as special needs students not to compare their kids with others; base expectations on individual abilities and goals. While straight A’s might be a fair expectation for one child, it isn’t for all. “Teens are constantly assessing themselves through their peers,” Antshel says. “Overly high expectations at home may create heightened anxiety.” The first year of high school is one of the bigger milestones for parents and kids. Yet, amazingly, most students—and parents—emerge unscathed. C.W Baker’s Piraino has friends now in college who report that the preparations that happen with each step in high school have prepared them well for college and beyond. “That’s a very reassuring feeling, knowing that what you’re doing in high school is getting you ready,” she says. p Award-winning writer Tammy DiDomenico lives in DeWitt with her husband and two sons.

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Because I Said So

By L a u r a L i v i ngs t o n S nyd e r

Listen to Your Gut Mother’s intuition possibly saved my son’s life

mother’s intuition is a powerful feeling I’ve learned not to ignore. The moment that gut feeling became unbearable was when Evan was 11 months old. His wrist, without apparent reason, had gradually become swollen and painful. We made a doctor’s appointment for later that day, and my anxiety increased as the hours went by and Evan stopped using that hand to play with. He’d had similar symptoms with another body part a few weeks before: pain, swelling, redness and warmth. Our doctor couldn’t pinpoint a cause and Evan was given an antibiotic in case it was some type of skin infection.

That’s why I say trust your instincts: If something doesn’t feel right, it’s always best to get a second medical opinion. It’s worth the peace of mind. Looking at his tearstained face, I finally caved in to my fears and asked for blood work. Something had to give me a definitive answer. That was when we found out he had hemophilia. Evan had bruised easily since he started to move around. But with two daughters, I figured boys would be boys. Even though I was a registered nurse, I didn’t consider a bleeding disorder because no one in either my husband’s or my family had a history of them. Our son would have been diagnosed at least six months earlier. Luckily,

Evan learned to crawl and walk without any injuries that became life threatening. Few children are born with hemophilia. But, according to the Central New York Bleeding Disorders Association, up to 45,000 people in the area may be affected by bleeding disorders, of which there are several. Some 400 babies a year are diagnosed with hemophilia in the United States, but many more are under-diagnosed. One could be yours, and most doctors don’t discuss this with parents of newborn boys. More important than statistics is having information that could possibly save your child’s life. Though most prevalent in boys, bleeding disorders such as hemophilia can affect girls as well. The odds of being affected are greater if there is a family member with bleeding problems, especially on the mother’s side, but it has been known to show up without any history at all, just like mine did. Most boys are diagnosed shortly after birth if they’ve been circumcised because the site continually oozes blood and concerns the parents enough to contact their physician. Bleeding disorders mean a part of the blood clotting factor is missing or low, so areas bleed longer because a clot cannot form—or when one does, it is so weak it breaks with even the slightest touch. Some bleeds are easy to see, as with a cut or a circumcision. Sometimes the bleed is not so obvious. Another sign that something may be amiss is a strong reaction to immunizations. Redness, warmth and tenderness are common, but if the area seems to get bigger

and the baby is not moving the limb as much as usual, it could be an internal bleed. That usually means a blood vessel has broken while the skin remains intact. Instead of blood oozing everywhere, it collects under the skin and causes symptoms that can permanently affect joints and muscles. Those areas become “target” areas for further injuries that can lead to muscle contractures or joint replacements later in life. That’s why I say trust your instincts: If something doesn’t feel right, it’s always best to get a second medical opinion. It’s worth the peace of mind. My son’s bruising led me to consider the chance that he had a bleeding disorder. He was more physically active than our girls had been at his age, but I wondered if boys really bruised that much. By 9 months, he was almost constantly covered with several bruises. I didn’t want to traumatize him with a blood draw, but I knew it was the only way to figure out if we had a problem. It turns out Evan, and

When to Consider a Bleeding Disorder • Circumcision of a newborn results in oozing blood from site long after the procedure. • Injections lead to heat, redness, pain and swelling at injection sites that increases over time. • Minor cuts continually bleed despite pressure, or re-bleed with slight handling. • Crawling causes bruising. • Bruises appear on the body with no obvious origin or minor trauma. 24

Family Times September 2013

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3275 Cold SpringS rd. Baldwinsville • 638-sPUd (7783) www.abbottfarmS.Com

our youngest child, Brody, both have a severe deficiency in clotting factor VIII, also known as type A hemophilia. Although most with severe hemophilia are diagnosed within the first month of life, the median age of diagnosis is 36 months, well into running, tumbling and climbing. For a toddler with this condition, a small bump on the head can be life threatening, especially since he can’t communicate well at that age. Diagnosing early can prepare parents to keep their

children safe with protective helmets, padding and medication when needed. Evan and Brody are now 8 and 6, and happy kids who are able to let us know when something is wrong. I’m glad I spoke up and trusted that uncomfortable feeling. p Laura Livingston Snyder is a writer and mother of four who lives north of Syracuse. She blogs at nestingdolll.blogspot.com. Send email to her at editorial@familytimes.biz.

Curtain Climbers Consignment

family times

Now accepting Fall consignments!

calendar deadline:

We buy & sell Baby Furniture & Toys Clothes: Preemie to Pre-teen

1288 W. Genesee St., Syracuse • 428-1153 • curtainclimbers.biz

DeaDlines

OctOber issue september 6th

advertising deadline:

september 12th published:

september 27th place your ad today

315.472.4669

Adams Eden Camp 4812 Cook Rd, LaFayette AdamsEdenCamp.com • 677-5121 info@adamsedencamp.com Family Times September 2013

The

Ballet

Dance Center Creating the dancers of tomorrow...today!

Welcomes you to enroll in our 2013-2014 Dance Year

Excellence in dance training for over 25 years. Professional and experienced teaching faculty. Sprung marley studio flooring. A Training School committed to nurture, develop and enrich the lives of each student as an individual, in the numerous benefits of Dance!!

Teaching the Love of Dance to All! Karen Menter, Danya Wikowski-Eades, Andrea Leigh Smith, Krystin Paci, Laurie Deyo, Cheryl Wilkins-Mitchell, Lisa Stuart, Hanni Schwarzlander, Akilah Cage

Now Enrolling for the 2013-2014 School Session

3470 Erie Blvd E. DeWitt 446-6600 Call or visit our website for details

TheBalletAndDanceCenter.com

Martial Arts

Moscow Ballet “Nutcracker” Auditions- September 7th Call for information.

101 W. Molloy Rd., Syracuse • 455-8641 dancecentrenorth.com • dancecentrenorth@gmail.com

for

Preschoolers is more than just games:

It’s Lessons For Life!

Jump! Laugh! Learn! Grow! 2 FREE WEEKS AND FREE UNIFORM ($99 Value)

CELEBRATING

50 Years! 1963 - 2013

437-9417

E. Syracuse

For more information visit our website: www.cnykarate.com

Family Times September 2013

Convenient classes in 33139

CNY Karate & Kobudo Schools The Recognized Leader Of Traditional Martial Arts Since 1963.

NOW ACCEPTING ENROLLMENT

GYMNASTICS

at the JCC of Syracuse

Will Your Child Be Prepared for Kindergarten?

Floor • Beam • Vault • Bars

• NYS approved curriculum that aligns with the Common Core Standards and the Early Learning Guidelines • Physical education, music and library programming • Promotes sharing, cooperation and learning through play • Half-day options available • Early and late care available for preschoolers

To schedule a tour please call 445-2040 ext. 120 School Year 2013-2014 STARTS September 3rd! 5655 Thompson Rd, DeWitt • 315.445.2040 • www.jccsyr.org

33196

The JCC Program Helps Ensure TheEarly JCCChildhood Early Childhood Program the the Answer will be YES! Ensures Answer will be YES!

Everyone Welcome!

Boys and Girls Ages 3-14

You do not need to be a member to join dance.

Placement is based on skill, not age. Busing available from some city schools, select private schools, FM and all public schools Jamesville-DeWitt school district. within the Jameville-DeWitt

Members receive a discount! Become a Full Fitness member and excercise exercise while your child is in class!

Classes begin in September

The JCC of Syracuse • 5655 Thompson Road in DeWitt 315-445-2360 • www.jccsyr.org

sls 24; CNY Woman, 080413 #220037, 1st proof Colors shown may not match publication colors.

Family Times September 2013

michael davis photo

New York State Fair, through Sept. 2

Please note: Mistakes happen (sometimes)! To confirm event details, call the sponsoring organizationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s phone number or visit the website.

Friday, Aug. 30 New York State Fair. 8 a.m.-midnight;

through Sept. 2. Enticing eats, thrilling rides, bigname entertainmentâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;not to mention the Sand Sculpture, and exhibits showcasing arts, crafts, agricultural products and all manner of farm animals. New York State Fairgrounds, Geddes. Admission: $10/general; free/age 12 and younger. Parking: $5/car; $3/motorcycle. (800) 475-FAIR. www.nysfair.org.

Saturday, Aug. 31 New York State Fair. 8 a.m.-midnight; through Sept. 2. See Aug. 30 listing.

Family Times September 2013

Sunday, Sept. 1

Tuesday, Sept. 3

New York State Fair. 8 a.m.-midnight;

Creation Club. 3:30-5 p.m.; also Sept. 24. Students in grades 5-8 will create and edit videos, postcasts and images, and make 3D models using software and hardware at the library. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. Registration required: 637-6374. www.fflib.org.

through Sept. 2. See Aug. 30 listing.

Syracuse Chiefs Baseball. 6:30 p.m. Cheer the hometown Minor League Baseball team as they face the Buffalo Bisons in the last home game of the season. Fireworks follow the game. NBT Bank Stadium, 1 Tex Simone Drive, Syracuse. $8/adults; $4/children; $20/behind-home-plate seats. Parking: $5. 474-7833.

Monday, Sept. 2 LABOR DAY New York State Fair.

8 a.m.-10 p.m. See Aug. 30 listing.

Wednesday, Sept. 4 Creation Club Junior. 3:30-5 p.m.; also

Sept. 25. Students in grades 3-5 will learn introductory skills for making their own videos, podcasts and 3D models. At the second meeting of the month, participants show their projects. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. Registration required: 637-6374. www.fflib.org.

September 2013 Multiple Moms Mingle. 6:30 p.m. Monthly meeting of mothers and expectant mothers of multiples. Ruby Tuesday, 3220 Erie Blvd. E., DeWitt. Reserve: 308-0277.

Thursday, Sept. 5 See Ongoing Events

Friday, Sept. 6 Music Together Demo Class. 9:30 a.m.

Kids from infants to kindergartners, accompanied by a caregiver, can check out a Bluebird Music Together class. DeWitt Community Library, Shoppingtown Mall (below food court), 3649 Erie Blvd. E., DeWitt. Free. Registration required: 446-3578.

Stories and Crafts. 2:30 p.m. Kids ages 5-12

can hear stories and make crafts. Hazard Branch Library, 1620 W. Genesee St., Syracuse. Free. 4355326.

Irish Festival. 5-10:30 p.m.; also Sept. 7. Be

Ukelele Workshop. 1-2 p.m. Musician Pat

Doherty leads a ukulele workshop for age 12 and older in which participants learn to play one to three songs per session. Participants must bring their own instruments. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. Registration required: 457-0310. lpl.org.

ca Turnpike, Syracuse. $5/individual; $20/family of 5; free/age 2 and under. 422-4833, Ext. 338.

Monday, Sept. 9 My Gym Mobile Class. 10 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.;

Cashore Marionettes. 2 p.m. A master

Mondays, through Oct. 28. Children ages 1-4 do gymnastics, sing songs and dance. KidzClub Indoor Play & Party Place, 219 Route 57, Phoenix. $75/eight weeks. Registration required: 695-2211. www.kidzclubfun.com.

Sciencenter Showtime. 2 p.m. Learn about DNA and genes, and get a chance to make DNA necklaces. Sciencenter, 601 First St., Ithaca. Admission: $8/adults; $7/seniors; $6/ages 3-17; free/under 3. (607) 272-0600.

Toddlers’ Tango Demo Class. 10:30 a.m.

puppeteer gives a performance called Simple Gifts for families and children age 8 and up. Waterman Theatre, Tyler Hall, SUNY Oswego, Oswego. $5. 312-4581. oswego.edu/arts.

Sunday, Sept. 8 CNYSPCA Walk and Four-Legged Festival. 9 a.m-2 p.m. Fund-raiser benefits

Kids ages 1-4 years old can dance, sing and play toy instruments, accompanied by caregivers. DeWitt Community Library, Shoppingtown Mall (below food court), 3649 Erie Blvd. E., DeWitt. Free. Registration required: 446-3578.

Tuesday, Sept. 10 Drop in for Crafts. 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. A caregiver and child ages preschool-6 years can make seasonal crafts. Materials provided. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. 4570310. lpl.org.

Irish for a couple of days in this celebration that focuses on music and dance. Clinton Square, downtown Syracuse. Free admission. 473-4330.

CNYSPCA and offers contests, games, demonstrations, food, music and more. Long Branch Park, Longbranch Road, Liverpool. $25/minimum pledge for walk. 454-4479. www.cnyspca.org.

Saturday, Sept. 7

See Sept. 7 listing.

Wednesday, Sept. 11

Arc Race. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Event features a

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

Lego Brainstorm. 3:30-5 p.m. Kids in grades

half-marathon, 5K, 3K (family fun walk) and 1-mile fun run for kids, as well as live music, giveaways and more to raise funds for programs for people with developmental disabilities. Long Branch Park at Onondaga Lake Park, Longbranch Road, Liverpool. $10-$35/depending on race. 4767441. www.arcon.org.

Golden Harvest Festival. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; also Sept. 8. Arts and crafts, live music, storytelling, a petting zoo, puppet and magic shows, and seasonal foods for sale like fresh pie, corn on the cob and apple cider. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. $5/adult; $1/ages 6-17; free/age 5 & under. 638-2519.

Golden Harvest Festival. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

p.m. See Sept. 7 listing.

Literature Live. Noon-5 p.m. See Sept. 7 listing.

3-5 can work in groups of four to design and program a robot to complete a mission. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. Registration required: 637-6374. www.fflib.org.

Fall Festival. 1- 5 p.m. Assumption Church

presents a festival with tractor rides, a hay jump, farm animals, face painting, games and more to support its ministries. The Hollow, 3735 W. Sene-

continued on page 30

My Gym Mobile Class, Sept. 9

Literature Live. 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; also Sept. 8.

Beloved literary characters jump off the pages in this series. This weekend meet Mama Bear. Strong National Museum of Play, 1 Manhattan Square, Rochester. Admission: $13; free/younger than 2. (585) 263-2700.

FFL 10th-Anniversary Celebration. 11

a.m.-2 p.m. Learn about the library’s numerous offerings and take part in activities including an interactive art exhibit, Mission Lego, 3D printing and sewing. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. 637-6374. www.fflib.org.

Central New York Tomatofest. 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; also Sept. 8. Join the celebration of tomato season’s end—with crafts for sale, activities for kids, terrific food, and fresh produce. Proceeds benefit local food agencies. Emerson Park Pavilion on Owasco Lake, Auburn. $3/adults; $1/age 10 and under, or free with the donation of a canned good. 252-2225. www.cnytomatofest.org. Parade of Homes First Day. 11 a.m.-6

p.m., Saturdays & Sundays. Mondays-Fridays, 1-8 p.m.; through Sept. 22. Visit decorated homes that feature the latest in design and construction techniques. Parade of Homes at Jamesville Grove Estates, Flying Fish Lane, LaFayette. $10/general; $9/seniors; free/age 16 & under with adult. 4636261. www.hbrcny.com.

Irish Festival. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. See Sept. 6 listing.

Family Times September 2013

calendar of events continued from page 29

La Festa Italiana, Sept. 13-15

Thursday, Sept. 12 MOMS Club of Syracuse-East. 9:30 a.m. Gathering for local kids and moms. Manlius United Methodist Church, 111 Wesley St., Manlius. Free. 395-5009. momsclubofcuseeast.webs.com/.

Friday, Sept. 13 La Festa Italiana. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; through Sept. 15. Listen to musicians play Italian pop, watch bocce players compete in the tournament, and sample pasta and pastries that will make you swoon. In front of Syracuse City Hall, Washington Street, Syracuse. Free admission. 463-5134. www.festaitaliana.bizland.com.

Saturday, Sept. 14 Critz Cross. 9 a.m. Family-friendly cyclo-cross

races take place on courses of different lengths for various age and ability groups. Critz Farms, 3.5 miles south of Route 20 on Route 13, Cazenovia. Registration: $30 (day-of ) plus $10 USA Cycling membership fee. 662-3355.

Fall Bird Migration Festival. 10 a.m.-4

p.m. Celebrate bird migration with a festival of wildlife artists, crafters, children’s activities, live animals, music, and a chicken barbecue. Great Swamp Conservancy, 3.5 miles off I-90, Exit 34, 8375 N. Main St., Canastota. Admission: $3/adult; $1/child. 697-2950.

Little Makers. 10:30 a.m.-noon; also Sept. 17. Children ages 5-8 can learn about the stars and make their own galaxy play dough. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. Registration required: 637-6374. www.fflib.org. Arts and Puppet Festival. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Performances of music, dance and puppetry, art projects and workshops, storytelling and a giant puppet parade (1:45 p.m.) and circus (2 p.m.). International Mask and Puppet Museum, 518 Prospect Ave., Syracuse. Free. 382-2998.

Spot Visits Storytime. 11 a.m. A special storytime features Where’s Spot and other books by Eric Hill, and a guest appearance by Spot. Barnes & Noble, 3454 Erie Blvd. E., DeWitt. Free. 449-2948. MMM Clothing, Toys & Equipment Sale. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Multiple Moms Mingle, the

group for mothers of twins and triplets, holds its semi-annual sale. Justin’s Grill, 6400 Yorktown Circle, East Syracuse. 308-0277.

La Festa Italiana. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; through Sept. 15. See Sept. 13 listing. Aladdin. 12:30 p.m. The Magic Circle Children’s Theatre presents an original, interactive version of the familiar tale. Children in the audience can dress up as a fairy tale character and help Aladdin find the magic lamp and win the princess’ heart. Spaghetti Warehouse, 689 N. Clinton St., Syracuse. $5. 449-3823.

The Great Wild Weekend Sept. 20 • 6PM-10:30PM Sept. 21 & 22 • 10:30AM-6PM

GRAND OPENING for our African Lion & Tundra Wolf Exhibits Join us Friday night at 6pm for The Lion King on a giant outdoor movie screen! Flashlight Safari and Trick or Treating in October.

Meet Kovu!

7621 Lakeport Rd., Chittenango • 727-5587 thewildpark.com • Hours: 10:30AM-6PM on Weekends through October 30

Family Times September 2013

September 2013 Maxwell Family Movie. 1 p.m. Family-friendly movie, plus popcorn! Maxwell Memorial Library, 14 Main St., Camillus. Free. 672-3661.

Sunday, Sept. 15

Sciencenter Showtime. 2 p.m. Find out

listing.

about the chemistry and life of a neighborhood stream. Sciencenter, 601 First St., Ithaca. Admission: $8/adults; $7/seniors; $6/ages 3-17; free/ under 3. (607) 272-0600.

La Festa Italiana. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. See Sept. 13 Annual Book Sale. 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Thou-

sands of books, CDs, DVDs and more for sale. Petit Branch Library, 105 Victoria Place, Syracuse. 435-3636.

Cashore Marionettes, Sept. 7

Westcott Street Cultural Fair. Noon-6:30 p.m. Check out the musical and dance performances, the craft vendors and the food in one of Syracuse’s funkiest neighborhoods. Children’s entertainment 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. 703-6848. www.westcottstreetfair.org. Wild Mushroom Festival. 1-4 p.m. Mem-

bers of the Central New York Mycological Society lead woodland hikes in search of mushrooms (1 & 1:30 p.m.); also, demonstrations on cooking, growing your own mushrooms and making paper from mushrooms. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. Admission: $3/vehicle. 638-2519.

Monday, Sept. 16 Smart Play. 10:30 a.m.-noon; also Sept. 21.

Children age 5 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. 637-6374. www.fflib.org.

Tuesday, Sept. 17 Little Makers. 5:30-7 p.m. See Sept. 14 listing. continued on page 32

Critz Farms Annual

Fall Harvest

Celebration Fun for the Whole Family!

A L E M CRI

V I T C E DET

Lots of apples!! Pick-Your-Own Daily Harvest Moon Cider Mill & Farm Winery Mustang Madness Corn Maze Pumpkins

Harvest Moon Cidery Open. Call for hours.

Cow Train for Kids Wagon Rides Farm Animals

Admission 7.50 per person includes Season Pass