April - May
NUMBER 404
2020
9 PAG.
A Special Mother’s Day
A Mother’s Day with Mariana Rodriguez
13 Family
• Autism and water safety
PAG.
19
PAG.
22
Community
• What are the True Facts of the Coronavirus? • Learning about the Chinese Culture.
Nutrition
Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations to Avoid a Stroke
• • • •
Summer Camp Guide II Sponsored by iSwim Academy
38
PAG.
11
PAG.
PAG.
20
Feature
PAG.
Parenting
Social
For the Love of Learning Gala Superintendent’s 5K Challenge Miami Lighthouse Celebrates 90Th Anniversary Miami Kids Magazine was a proud sponsor of The Coconut Grove Arts Festival
The Love of a mother is so unique and only you realize the importance of a mom when you become one. When I become a mom, I started to see life in a different perspective,
PUBLISHER - EDITOR Karla C. Richey
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Enrique Chavez Pincilotti
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
my priorities changed, and I gained more respect for my mom. Just a few days ago I lost my grandmother. She was a special person in my life. When I was a child, she used to take me on weekend rides, she used to cook, sing, dance, make jokes with me, and those memories are the one that will last forever. I want to dedicate this issue to her and my mother who is always giving me her support and love. Also, to all the moms and grandmothers who are reading the magazine, thank you for their dedication, sacrifice and love to their children.
SPANISH EDITOR Nelly Lusich
MARKETING AND SALES Karla C. Richey
On the cover page of this Mother’s Day issue we have Mariana Rodriguez with her family. She is telling us how much she loves her daughter Valerie and stepsons Manny Jr. and Nico. Don’t miss the full interview on page 20.
EDITORIAL ASSOCIATE
April is National Autism Awareness Month, and we feel proud to be an inclusive magazine. Let’s share our good vibes to members of our community who have an autism relative in their families. Check out page 34 for a great article.
Lucia Galeano
It is very important to take care of our health as parents and on page 11 we have a great article on how to prevent a stroke. May is National Prevention Stroke Month and it is important to have a healthy lifestyle to prevent a stroke. These days we are being aware of the Corona Virus and how fast it is spreading around the world. Please don’t panic! With well care and information, we can get prepared in case many more cases are detected in our community. Read a great article on page 19. Also check out our web page often for weekly updates. Don’t miss our Summer Camp Guide Number 2 sponsored by Iswim Academy on page 22. Let’s get prepared and start searching for the best camps for our little ones. I wish you all a great Easter Celebration and a Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms.
Karla C. Richey 6
Diane Landsberg The American Heart Association Joanna Hsu Chen Coach Nick Bevilacqua Charles Lawrence
Miami Kids Magazine April - May 2020
Claudia Del Castillo
CRM PHOTOGRAPHY Enrique Tubio Malena Vasquez
DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT Jessica Almeida
GRAPHIC DESING
jhonriverarera@gmail.com Jhonn Rivera
WWW.MIAMIKIDSMAGAZINE.COM @MiamiKidsMagazine @MiamiKidsMagazine © 2020 Miami Kids, LLC. All rights reserved. Issue 404. Miami Kids™ Magazine is published bimonthly in the USA. Reproduction in whole or in partial without written permission is prohibited. Publisher is not responsible for claims and content of advertisements.
A Special
By Diane Landsberg
This year I intend to do something a little different. On this Mother’s Day, I will acknowledge my Daughters-inLaw and express my gratitude to them. Not only am I very grateful that they made me a Grandmother, but I am even more grateful that they entrust their children with me. I cherish the hours we spend together and enjoy the sleepovers. Yes, they sometimes make a mess, but we have so much fun. I also have to admit that I am not strict about not eating ice cream or Dorito’s at 10:00 in the morning or staying awake after 10:00 at night.
When your child has a child, you have the opportunity to reinvent yourself. I believe I became a better version of myself when I became a Grandmother, and Elle, Mia, Luca and Jace bring out the best in me and expand my capacity to love. Selecting what name your Grandchildren call you is important. It can be traditional, ethnic, international or just cute. The popular choices are Grandmother, Grandma, or Grammy. The name can be from a language of your heritage such as Abuela (Spanish), Bubbe (Yiddish), Nonna (Italian), Grand-mere (French), Avo (Portuguese), and Yaya (Greek) just to name a few. Other common special names are Gigi, Mimi, or Memaw. A friend’s two year old grandson started to call her Glammy, which she is convinced is because she is glamorous! I choose to be called Abby. But regardless what you are called, Mother’s Day is always a special day to celebrate.
If you are blessed to have a Grandmother, Mother’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to express love and appreciation. Expensive gifts or cards aren’t necessary. My favorites have always been homemade that I will treasure forever. If your Grandmother has passed away, it is also a wonderful opportunity to share stories and pictures with your children. Your memories become their memories. Maybe someday they will recall the time when we pulled out my Grandma’s recipe box of her carefully written delicious recipes and made her chocolate cake from scratch. I always recall with delight being told that when Jace was about six years old, he asked his Mom, “Please call me an Uber, I want to go to Abby’s”. Now, imagine me doing a victory dance! Enjoy those short, precious years with your grandchildren. To make it even better, my house carries the same slogan as Las Vegas, only with a little change. “What happens at Abby’s, stays at Abby’s”.
April - May 2020
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Diet and
Lifestyle
RecommendationS
to Avoid a
Stroke By The American Heart Association
Stroke is a leading cause of death and severe, long-term disability. Most people who’ve had a first stroke also had high blood pressure (HBP or hypertension). A healthy diet and lifestyle are your best weapons to fight cardiovascular disease. It’s not as hard as you may think! Remember, it’s the overall pattern of your choices that counts. Make the simple steps below part of your life for long-term benefits to your health and your heart.
Use up at least as many calories as you take in. •
• • •
Start by knowing how many calories you should be eating and drinking to maintain your weight. Nutrition and calorie information on food labels is typically based on a 2,000 calorie per day diet. You may need fewer or more calories depending on several factors including age, gender, and level of physical activity. If you are trying not to gain weight, don’t eat more calories than you know you can burn up every day. Increase the amount and intensity of your physical activity to burn more calories. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity (or an equal combination of both) each week.
As you make daily food choices, base your eating pattern on these recommendations: • • • • • • •
Eat a variety of fruit and vegetables without high-calorie sauces or added salt and sugars. Choose fiber-rich whole grains for most grain servings. Choose poultry and fish without skin and prepare them in healthy ways without added saturated and trans fat. If you choose to eat meat, look for the leanest cuts available. Select fat-free (skim) and low-fat (1%) dairy products. Avoid foods containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils to reduce trans fat in your diet. Cut back on beverages and foods with added sugars. Choose foods with less sodium and prepare foods with little or no salt. To lower blood pressure, aim to eat no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day. Reducing daily intake to 1,500 mg is desirable because it can lower blood pressure even further. If you can’t meet these goals right now, even reducing sodium intake by 1,000 mg per day can benefit blood pressure.
April - May 2020
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By Coach Nick
Hello again, Coach Nick here. This issue April / May covers three big things for me, Mother’s Day, Autism Awareness Month, and Water Safety Awareness Month. I have 2 very important mothers in my life, my wife and my mom. Although I could spend the entire article expressing my love and appreciation for my wife Carla and mother Noreen, I will spare you all the mushy, mushy side of Coach Nick for now and just tell them both I love them dearly and wish them the Happiest of Mother’s Days!
To me, and likely to most of us at iSwim Academy, Water Safety Awareness Month and Autism Awareness Month should be connected in some way. Water Safety in South Florida is overtly important. The number of pools and bodies of water is almost countless. We also have the privilege of teaching several autistic children and continue to teach them throughout their childhood. One of the most common things we have seen in this connection is the sensory sensation the pool creates on the skin and the lightness of the body. “LOOK!!! A Shiny!” What do I mean, a shiny? A shiny is anything easily distracting to you. When you leave toys in and around the pool you attract the potential for a child to see “a shiny” and want to go get. I would guess parents of autistic children and other related child challenges would agree with me, their chidden can be easily distracted and once they get focused on something, there is no stopping them. Quite a paradox, yes.
left outside, and it was in the pool. They are unable to determine if this is a good idea or not. They can only access their human mind and engineer a way to solve their problem. How do we prevent this? One way is to clean the pool and the pool deck EVERY time you are finished with the pool area. Leave your children zero reason to head outside and investigate. Follow your steps from the pool to your door and secure all pool fences or other pool security devices. Remove all toys and other non-essential poolside items. Lock and secure all exit doors. Finally, take the time and speak to your children about the door and the door lock, about the pool and pool time versus non- pool time.
I have watched a 2-yearold and a 3-year-old move 2 pieces of furniture, create a makeshift ladder, and get over the pool fence and fall into the pool. What were they doing you might wonder? They were going for a toy they
April - May 2020
Miami Kids Magazine
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Learning
about the
CHINESE CULTURE I By Joanna Hsu Chen
n April, the chinse community celebrates The Ching Ming Festival, known as Qingming in Chinese. The festival is celebrated in the fifth solar term of the Chinese calendar. The festival commemorates the on-set of spring and is the time when people remember their ancestors by visiting their graves. Learning about the chinse culture it as important as to learn the language. Chinese is now considered as an important language worldwide because of its increase in presence in the business world. Chinese are involved in many businesses throughout the world including Hollywood. Chinese Learning Center of Miami offers a variety of Mandarin Chinese programs that will cater to the needs of all the students enrolled, providing classes to students as young as four years old all the way to adults. There are group, private, online and even Saturday classes that are offered to different
age-group of students. The curriculum used provides a way for students to increase their Mandarin Chinese proficiency in speaking, reading and writing. Not only are the classes fun and effective but they also use a variety of methods to teach as most students have different styles of learning. Technology, such as online library, is used to aid students in learning Chinese. Music and art are also used to provide a different interactive way of learning the language. Depending on the age and level of the students, each are placed with a curriculum that best fits their learning ability. Following the world-readiness standards of learning languages, ACTFL guidelines, the Chinese Learning Center of Miami ensures to incorporate the five “C� of foreign language education. The goal areas: Communication,
Culture, Connection, Comparison and Communities, is to stress the application of learning a language beyond the instructional setting. It also helps the students establish a link between the language and culture. In addition to learning the language, Chinese Learning Center of Miami introduces the Chinese culture in an intentional way so students have the knowledge and appreciation as well as an open world view. The students are able to see a different country through the cultural lessons and the pen pal writing program. One of the programs that many young students enjoy is writing letters to their pen pals in Taiwan. The students are able to use what they have learned and write in Chinese to their pen pals as they await a return letter that is written in English. Through this pen pal letter exchange, it provides a window view of the world and allows students to build relationships with new friends.
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What are the
True Facts of the
By Charles Lawrence
F
amilies are understandably concerned about the Coronavirus these days. The news seems so bad, that you just want to stay in bed and shut out the world. Of course, our families have survived all kinds of scary times. We will get through the Coronavirus, just like we have everything else. But in the chaos of the current information about the Coronavirus, you may be asking yourself, “What are the true facts? How scared do I need to be about this disease? How can I protect myself and my family?” Fortunately, the Health Channel is your source for the most reliable and up-to-date critical information you need to be informed. https://allhealthtv.com/coronavirus-in-realtime/.
In fact, if you need help explaining the Coronavirus to your kids, you’ll find a specially produced comic book about the disease. It’s now on the Health Channel’s website (www.allhealthtv.com). This comic book was produced by an NPR education reporter and is based on interviews with experts from universities and the National Institute of Mental Health. What information U.S health authorities do have about children and the Coronavirus are only from China so far. Children there who have the disease usually present with the symptoms of a common cold. As far as the health authorities know, children in China with the Coronavirus are no more suspectable to the disease than adults. The health information from China is limited, but past infectious disease outbreaks, like SARS and MERS, suggest that infections like these in children is uncommon. Of course, concerned parents wonder what to do if the Coronavirus disease spreads further. The advice from U.S. health authorities is
probably advice you’ve heard about many times about protecting yourself against infections. Wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds (Count out loud to 20 while doing it. It might feel longer than you think!). Avoid sick people. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Clean and disinfect surfaces (don’t forget your doorknobs). Throw dirty tissues away in the trash and stay home if you are sick! Maybe the best advice has come from the World Health Organization (WHO),
…it’s understandable that you may feel stressed and anxious about the situation. It’s a good idea to get the facts to help you accurately determine your risks so that you can take reasonable precautions. (Sources: CDC, WHO)
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A Mother’s Day with
Mariana Rodriguez Mariana, tell us about your manage your time with upbringing your family. My parents Tony and Cristina left Cuba in 1967, like many immigrants in that era escaping from the communist Castro regime and moved to Puerto Rico with my older siblings, Tony, Babi and Cristy. Years later, I was “the surprise” child and grew up with both the Cuban and Puerto Rican culture in me. They are both very similar culturally, with an amazing work ethic and kindness which Caribbean people possess. At the age of nine, my parents decided to move to Miami, and I have lived here ever since. Now, I describe myself as a true Miami girl, being surrounded by all the great cultures that are part of our big “small” community. I’m proud to say that I’m a product of Miami Dade County Public Schools. I started working on TV at the age of 15 in a show on Telemundo Network called “La Feria de La Alegria”. As you can imagine, it was a little bizarre for me as I was known as the girl who worked on Spanish TV in High School. At that time, Spanish TV was not as popular as it is today as programming was much more limited back then.
We know that you are a journalist with many years of experience in the Latin market. Now you are the host of “Acceso Total” a show played every day by Telemundo at 11:30 am. Tell us about your job and how you 20
I have been working on TV for more than 30 years and am blessed with a career on TV that has helped me become the person who I am today. Acceso Total show on Telemundo 51 has been the most important aspect of my career to date. It started as a segment in the news cast and evolved to an entertainment show that will enjoy it’s 11-year anniversary in April. Miami was the first show for the brand Acceso Total, which is now in every Telemundo market across major cities in the USA. To tell you the truth I didn’t know that I was going to be able to manage work and family. It takes practice and, in some cases, asking for help and logistics. This past year, Valerie started school for the first time and my priority was to be there for her. Not surprisingly, the first day of school was your classic scene where she was so excited and I was a mess crying. I even considered retiring from TV to be part of all her activities. The good news is that it has worked out and I have been able to manage both. Management support at my job at Telemundo 51 has been very important. I am thankful for my amazing colleagues who let me switch make-up and hair times and to the producers of the show in helping
Miami Kids Magazine April - May 2020
Motherh amazing job in
hood is the most n the world
CREDITS: Photographer: Malena Vasquez Location: Shops at Merrick Park CLOTHING: Manny and Mariana: Neiman Marcus Valery: boy meets girl
accommodate the morning schedule which allows me to be late to attend school events. I have even taken days off to volunteer at her school and class. Worklife balance is important and understanding that some events at my job will be a priority to continue a successful career, and at the same time I know there are occasions and events where my job as a mother and wife take priority. This has made me a better professional at work and Wife/Mom at home.
We know you are a mother and also a stepmother. What message can you say to other parents about the important role of being a stepparent? Being a stepmom to Manny Jr, (18) and Nico (15) is one of the biggest blessings of my life. It is a role that requires the same love and dedication as if they were yours. The key is Love, Respect and Friendship. Respect for the role of their Mother and Father and knowing my place as a stepmom. They know that they can always count on me unconditionally. Currently, we are struggling with the reality of Manny Jr. going to college this fall. I guess as many parents it’s a combination of feeling proud but dealing with the reality that they are going away and our home is not going to be the same without them. I always knew I wanted more than one kid, as for me having siblings is very important. Manny Jr. and Nico are great brothers to Valerie.
You are Puerto Rican, and your parents are Cuban. Do you teach your daughter to speak Spanish? How is the Latin culture applied at your home? This is a work in progress in our home! I speak to Valerie in Spanish, but she answers in English. One of the main reasons I wanted her to be at my parents’ house as a toddler was for her to learn the language and culture. My mom and her nanny only speak Spanish to her, and I thought the process was going to be easier. Her brothers speak English around the house and my husband, and I get caught also speaking English. For me it is extremely
important that she speaks fluent Spanish and we are thinking of putting her in Spanish tutoring classes during the summer. For the boys, we encourage them to learn more Spanish and the topic of the importance of a second language is often discussed at our dinner table.
What do you do in your spare time?
In my spare time I enjoy doing photo albums of our family vacations. I love when we sit around the living room to re- live the experiences and remind them of how they didn’t want to take the picture then, and how great it is for them to have the memory. I take a lot of pictures when we travel and sometimes, they are not happy about it. LOL
Please leave us a final message for all of the mothers reading this article.
Motherhood is the most amazing job in the world. The meaning of your life completely changes the moment you become a parent. It is scary and tiring, but rewarding and exciting. I wouldn’t change it for anything in this world. Sometimes we get caught up in our children’s lives and forget to live ours. It is important to remember that in order for them to be happy, you have to be happy. It is fundamental to take time for yourself and take the time to nourish the relationship with your husband. When we do that not only, we do it for ourselves, but we are doing it for them. Having a relationship with your partner that is based on love, respect, loyalty and friendship is the key for the family’s happiness, and a lesson you are teaching your kids for their future.
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Sponsored by
GUIDE # 2 22
Miami Kids Magazine April - May 2020
ISWIM ACADEMY iSwim academy managed by coach Nick, is a fun way for children to learn how to swim. The classes are divided into two main areas: Private and group classes. Each class is 30 minutes long. The academy also has a non- competitive swim team and a kids triathlon team. Phone: 305-456-0518
YOUNG AT ART MUSEUM Have an ARTrageous adventure at Young At Art Museum’s Summer Art Camp running June 3 through August 18 from 9am to 5pm. Join us for a variety of camps for ages 3 to 14 including Art Exploration, Drawing, Video Game Design, Digital Arts, Painting, Ceramics & Sculpture and Fashion Design. Email: ArtInstitute@ youngatartmuseum.org Phone: 954-424-5031
UM SUMMER THEATRE ACADEMY Six weeks of fun and learning! Students gain theatre skills, confidence, self-esteem, and a love of creativity through theatre games and performing arts exercises. Operated by the UM Department of Theatre Arts. A safe, fun, and supportive place to learn and grow. For students aged 6-15. (305) 284-2211 REAL FOOD ACADEMY In our Summer Cooking Camp, we teach your kids to have fun, eat healthy, develop or hone their cooking skills, experiment in the kitchen, improve math and reading skills...all in a fun way, while expanding their culinary palate. Address: 570 NE 81st Street, Miami FL 33138 Phone: (786) 395-0355 Web page: https://therealfoodacademy. com/summer-camp/
MIAMI LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired provides fun and educational summer camp programs for blind and visually impaired youth and their sighted peers. Through a variety of instructional programs children ages one to twenty-two have the opportunity to participate in community field trips and specialized activities that promote independence and academic development. For more information, please call Silvia Volonte @ 786.362.7484.
PINECREST SCHOOL Pine Crest Summer allows families flexibility to fit camp into summer plans. Choose one camp for the entire summer or try something new each week from our Signature, Academic, Arts, or Sports offerings on two campuses. It all starts at Pine Crest Summer! Phone: (954) 492-4100
FROST SCIENCE CAMP School may be out for the summer, but science is in! Children ages 4-14 will explore the wonders of science through week-long camps themed around the amazing science showcased at Frost Science, including engineering, marine sciences, paleontology and technology. Summer Camp runs from June 8 through August 14, 2020. Reserve your spot today! http://www.frostscience.org/ summercamp
DEZERLAND All-in-One Summer Camp week consists of karate, dance, aerial silks, parkour, ninja training, and STEM classes with lunch and snacks every day. We also include all the attractions we have at Dezerland Park. We exceed all expectations because we offer so much more! Phone: 786-590-5006
FUNDIMENSION Let your kids have a FUN, INSPIRATIONAL, ENRICHED Summer at FunDimension! Art projects, Yoga/Cooking/Craft/Dance classes, Water Games and STEAM activities will be a focus to keep camper’s minds and bodies active. They’ll also have interactive games such as Virtual Reality, Laser Tag, Spin Zone, Bungee Dome, Arcade Games, Bumper Cars, and much more! Lunch & snacks are included! Book with our Director at 786461-7333 or learn more at https:// fundimensionusa.com/summer-camp/
SCHOOL OF ROCK With camp choices for all ages and skill levels, School of Rock is the perfect summer activity for your child. Choose from any of our weekly themed camps where students learn to play by rehearsing and performing together in a fun environment, all culminating with a live show at the end of the week. Contact: School of Rock Coral Gables (786)564-866 https://locations.schoolofrock.com/ coralgables/music-camps
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CORAL GABLES PRESCHOOL SUMMER CAMP Eleven weeks of fun, interactional Summer Camp for children 1-12. Our fantastic summer camp will offer a great variety of activities like music, kidokinetics, cooking, Spanish classes, karaoke, arts and crafts, magic shows, pet in zoo and much more. It is a fun and friendly program under the constant supervision of Certified teachers. Address: 320 Giralda Ave., Coral Gables, Fl. 33134 Phone: 786-332 / 786-322-3650 E-Mail: preschoolingables@gmail. com Website: www.preschoolingables. com
INDOOR SOCCER PRO Come make friends, gain independence, and learn at Indoor Soccer Pro’s Summer Day Camp. We cater to the whole child with sports training, arts & crafts, music, science, and field trips throughout the summer. Our camp offers boys and girls ages 6-17 top-rated facilities, equipment, activities, and talented personnel that ensure fantastic days rich with unparalleled learning experiences. 1128 Northwest 159th Drive Miami Gardens, FL 33169 info@indoorsoccerpro.com 305-454-0900 www.indoorsoccerpro.com/ summercamp
CITY TREKKER CAMP - CORAL GABLES MUSEUM Explore the City of Coral Gables through a variety of disciplines and take advantage of the cultural destinations The City Beautiful has to offer. Phone: 305-603-8067
GLOBAL CONNECTION Global Connection International School is proud to offer a fun, interactive Summer Camp experience for children ages 1 to 12. Our spectacular Summer Camp will offer an array of activities for your children to enjoy. Activities include cooking projects, music education classes, Mandarin Chinese and Spanish classes, water splash days, gardening, field trips and more! Join us for a summer full of fun and exploration! Address: 2401 SW 3rd Ave, Miami, FL 33129 Phone: (786) 476-2105 www.globalconnectionpreschool. com
PINEVIEW PRESCHOOLS Pineview Preschools welcomes children ages eight weeks to five-years old, engaging children in active learning while providing a safe and nurturing environment. Our S.T.E.A.M. thematically inspired summer camp includes water days, science experiments, sensory experiences and interactive shows ensuring children are stimulated and challenged in all areas of development. We provide a catered meal program and extended day program options. Coral Gables | South Miami Downtown | Parkland License # C11MD0096 305.567.5855 Info@pineviewpreschools.com
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RANSOM EVERGLADES DAY CAMP Ransom Everglades Day Camp is organized to give each camper opportunities for individual growth, for learning new skills, for making friends, for developing teamwork, and most of all, having fun. Phone Number: Mr. Thomas Willis (305) 460-8874 Address: 3575 Main Hwy, Miami, FL 33133
I KNOW SCIENCE Award winning SCIENCE CAMP created to inspire and empower kids as they explore all the beauty science has to offer while broadening their knowledge of how the world works through hands-on experiences and clever breakdowns of complex scientific concepts. Spring & Summer Camp - Ages 5-11yrs. Weekly or Daily Rates - Early Bird Discounts Available - Space is Limited) iknowscience.com Phone: 786.633.6978
MIAMI SEAQUARIUM Camp Seaquarium is back from June 8 – August 14. At camp, children will enjoy up-close animal interactions, field and art activities, and much more! Special offer: Pre-register your camper for only $195 for your desired week of camp. With 6 different themes, your child will have an unforgettable summer! Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Price: $195/week (pre-registration) | $250/week (walk-ins) Phone: (305) 361-5705 x526 Email: education@msq.cc Website: https://www. miamiseaquarium.com/camp
PALMER TRINITY Palmer Trinity School invites boys and girls in Kindergarten and up in the greater Miami community to experience arts, academics, enrichment, and sports at our Falcon Summer Camp. Join our world-class faculty, staff, and summer camp specialists for a fun-filled and activity-based program for all ages. Phone: 305-259-1104
MIAMI COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL With over 90 years of summer fun at Miami Country Day Summer Camps we remain one of the premier camps of South Florida. We offer Day Camp, Sports Camps, Tech Camps, Young Entrepreneur workshops, Musical workshops and so much more! Let us build your best summer yet! Register now! Phone: 305.779.7200
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Miami Kids Magazine April - May 2020
At camp, kids are going to work on communication, collaboration, creativity, leadership, socialization, and problem-solving. That’s why it is very important to select the right camp for your child.
WHITE TIGER & DRAGON White Tiger and Dragon Martial Arts offers kempo karate/brazilian jiu-jitsu/mixed martial arts/kickboxing and self-defense. These classes promote a sense of physical and psychological well-being. The main goal is for students to learn independence and self-confidence that can be used inside and outside of the dojo. Phone: (305) 505-4919 Address: 2460 SW 28th St, Miami, Fl. 33133
AREA STAGE COMPANY Ages 5-18. Enroll your child now in our summer production of Moana JR., or in our Broadway Bites Musical Theatre Camp! See your children learn and grow in a fun, nurturing environment, while improving their self-confidence and creativity. All students will perform at the end of each session! Address: 1560 S Dixie Hwy, Coral Gables, FL 33146 Phone: (305) 666-2078
DEERING ESTATE Campers will explore, learn, and become environmental stewards. During five-day sessions, campers will get the chance to hike, play, and discover how they can contribute to the protection of our natural environment. Activities are nature-based and include hiking, kayaking (age 9-14), science experiments, arts and crafts, and more! Phone: (305) 235-1668
COCONUT GROVE BALLET CGB Kiddie Campers learn to dance where their favorite characters learned to dance, dress up like their favorite royalty, improve their coordination, meet other royal friends, learn other dance forms, crafts, stories, sharing, and, of course, try many types of dance forms. We also offer programs for older children and teens! Phone: (305) 448-0336 http://coconutgroveballet.com/ CAMP KLURMAN AT MIAMI BEACH JCC Camp Klurman is a fun-filled summer to remember. We are committed to providing an excellent, safe, well-rounded blend of traditional day camp activities, field trips, Jewish culture and amazing specialists. Fun-loving, dynamic staff will facilitate your child’s summer of a lifetime, filled with excitement and adventure! Contact: (305)5343206 / camp@ mbjcc.org Visit https://mbjcc.org/campklurman/ camp/ for more information! CAMP J AT ALPER JCC Camp J Miami introduces your child to new experiences while building confidence in a fun and safe environment. Tradition Summer Camp & Specialty Camps including Sports, Performing Arts & Tennis. Campers enjoy age appropriate activities like sports, art, STEM, swim instruction, field trips and more. Our 23-acre campus has something for everyone. Inclusive camp program. All are welcome. June 15 - August 7. Register now! Contact us: 305.271.9000 x271 | michelle@alperjcc.org 11155 SW 112 Avenue, Miami, FL 33176 Go to alperjcc.org/camp for more information! ZOO MIAMI CAMP A fun adventure at Zoo Miami exploring and learning about nature and wildlife through animal encounters, science experiments, nature play activities, games and more! Make new friends and memories as we stampede the zoo. Zoo Camp is from 8:30am-4:30pm with free aftercare until 5:30pm for children ages 4-12. Website: https://www.zoomiami.org/ zoo-camps
ALEXANDER MONTESSORI A family-owned & operated school dedicated to providing school & camp programs since 1963, Alexander Montessori School has been serving South Miami-Dade families with a great summer camp experience to thousands of children just like yours. Preschool-6th Grade. For Elementary Campers, Alexander has an “All-Around” Camp as well as Sports Track, a sports-intensive program focusing on football, basketball, & soccer, directed by Coach Rudy Fernandez. Air-conditioned gymnasium. 9am-3:30pm (Early Arrival & Extended Day available). Pre& Post-Camp Fun Weeks available, too. Preschool: 6050 SW 57 Ave. Toddler & Preschool: 17800 Old Cutler Rd. Toddler & Preschool: 14400 Old Cutler Rd. Elementary: 14850 SW 67 Ave. 305-665-6274. VILLAGE MONTESORRI Why a Montessori environment for Summer Camp? The objective of The Village Montessori summer camp is to create a curriculum that engages children in a fun and exciting way while we continue their academic progress in a safe prepared outdoor and indoor environment within a flexible schedule. Our theme this year is The Outdoors. Throughout each of the eight weeks, the children will have an opportunity to create art, explore nature, make music and play soccer in their outdoor classroom! Website: https://www. montessorischoolmiami.com/copyof-summer-camp Coral Way Campus Phone #: 305-8589199 Killian Campus Phone #: 305-2389375 CODE NINJAS At Code Ninjas, kids learn to code through an engaging game-based curriculum that teaches teamwork, logic, math, and problem-solving. They gain vital skills while having a blast. Campers ages 7-14 To register online please go to: West Kendall Location: https://www.codeninjas.com/camps/ fl-west-kendall or call 305-800-2633 Aventura Location: https://www. codeninjas.com/camps/fl-aventura or call 305-395-7080
April - May 2020
Miami Kids Magazine
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I U M A S T Awareness Month “If they can’t learn the way we teach, we need to teach the way they learn.” Dr. O. Ivar Lovaas
By Diane Landsberg
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that affects communication and behavior. 34
Diagnosing ASD can be difficult, since there is no medical test like a blood test. Doctors look at the child’s behavior and their development to make a diagnosis. Early recognition, as well as behavioral, educational, and family therapies may reduce symptoms and support development, communication, behavior and learning. Frequently the signs and symptoms are avoiding eye contact, prefer not to be held or hugged, experience strong reactions to sound, smell, taste and feel. They can have difficulty with interaction with others, making friends, have trouble expressing their needs, have trouble adapting with routine changes, and reaching typical milestones. If you are concerned about your child, ask your pediatrician for a referral to a specialist who can do a more in-depth evaluation of your child. Specialists who can do a more in-depth evaluation and make a diagnosis include Developmental Pediatricians, Psychiatrists/Psychologists and Child Neurologists. If you are autistic, you are autistic for life. Autism is not an illness or disease and cannot be “cured”. All autistic people share
Miami Kids Magazine April - May 2020
certain difficulties, but being autistic will affect them in different ways. Starting in the 1990s, milder forms were recognized, including high-functioning Autism and Asperger’s syndrome, which share many of the same symptoms. Then in 2013, the American Psychiatric Association grouped the autismrelated disorders into one term: Autism Spectrum Disorder. Each day, more is being learned about Autism Spectrum Disorder, bringing advanced therapies, special education techniques and better community understanding. The more a family knows about ASD, the better they can deal with it. If you have a friend or family member experiencing this, support, assist and learn. Stuart Duncan said, “Autism is not a disability, it’s a different ability”. Wise words to remember. Autism Spectrum Disorder isn’t a tragedy, but ignorance about it is. Rainbows appear in seven colors because water droplets break white sunlight into the seven colors of the spectrum, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. Nature can bring beauty in many spectrums, we just need to look beyond the obvious sometimes.
Larry, Marta Perez, Maria and Alberto Carvalho
Alberto M. Carvalho, Stephen M Ross, Sam Moore, Mitchell Kaplan, Tarell Alvin McCraney & Louis Aguirre
Bob & Manya Lowman, Cameron Sisser, Margarita & Rick Tonkinson, Karla & Scott Richey, Susan & Robin Shelley, Virginia Jacko.
For the Love of Learning Gala Board Members
School Board Member Dr. Larry Feldman, Karla & Scott Richey
Alberto M. & Maria Carvalho, Trish & Dan Bell
More than 500 leaders of Miami’s social and corporate communities gathered to support student achievement by raising funds for new and innovative public education initiatives, and to honor the 2020 inductees of the MiamiDade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) Alumni Hall of Fame. Chaired by Maria and Alberto M. Carvalho, Schools Superintendent; and philanthropists Trish and Dan Bell, the gala announced this year’s class of honored alumni: filmmaker and Academy Awardwinning screenwriter Barry Jenkins; literary impresario and founder of the Miami Book Fair Mitchell Kaplan; Academy Award-winning screenwriter and playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney; GRAMMY and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame musician Sam Moore; and philanthropist and Miami Dolphins team owner Stephen M. Ross. The gala was organized by the Foundation for New Education Initiatives (FNEI), which was created by the School Board in 2008 as a District direct-support organization charged with seeking philanthropic funding to support students and innovative programs.
Jose and Jose Fereira
Gladys Uzcategui, Ivan Sanchez, & Iker Sanchez
Helen Gamayo, Robert Gamayo, Anthony Gamayo, andRyan Chirino
Lopez Regueira Family
Jennifer, Catalina, Emma, Camilo, Helen, and Juan Restrepo
Superintendent Alberto Carvalho
Superintendent’s 5K Challenge
Luman Guittard, Henri De Matos, and Dylan De Matos
Maurina Maggi, Chloe and Zuri Deppen
Monica Batista and Marcus Lee
Luis and Daniel Arias
Thousands of teachers, students, parents and community supporters began gathering before dawn, joining Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho to run and walk in support of education at the fifth annual Superintendent’s 5K Challenge held Saturday March 7th in downtown Miami’s Maurice A. Ferré Park. This year’s fastest male runner was 16-yearold Alexandre Chevalier an 11th grader from Coral Gables Senior High, with a time of 18:15. The female winner was Ana D. Cadreche, a Special Education teacher from Georgia Jones-Ayers Middle with a time of 21:51.
Nataliia, Iaroscar, Mark, Adrian, and Luka Doroshenko
Isahuri, Jacob, and Isaac Cathey
Pablo de Leon, Agustina de Leon, Carolina de Leon, and Maria Ruiz
Chair George Foyo; David Lawrence Jr., Chairman, The Children's Movement of Florida; President and CEO Virginia Jacko, and Miami
Past Chairman Louis Nostro and John Fumagalli, President of Northern Trust Florida, Presenting Sponsor
Miami Lighthouse Celebrates 90th Anniversary at the Historic Biltmore Hotel
Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, 90th Anniversary Celebration Emcee Laurie Jennings with Trish and Dan Bell
A celebratory evening beginning with fireworks and a champagne toast, followed by an elegant five- course dinner with wine provided by El Carajo and cocktails by Bacardà was enjoyed by 350 generous supporters on Saturday, January 25th. The Presenting Sponsor was Northern Trust and the Platinum Signature Sponsor was FP&L. Co-chairs of the celebration were Scott and Karla Richey and Walter and Terri Shikany. The silent auction committee was chaired by Lourdes Collett. Instructors and students from the Miami Lighthouse’s nationally-recognized Music Program performed throughout the evening.
Board Director Scott and Karla Richey
Laurie Jennings served as Mistress of Ceremonies, and the keynote speaker was Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho.
Elizabeth and Mitchell Taylor
Board Chair-Elect Charles Nielson and Olga Nielson & Family
Liz and Adolfo Henriques
Anniversary Celebration Host Committee .
Board Treasurer Peter Harrison, President and CEO Virginia Jacko and Honorary Director Steven Solomon
Board Director Christian Infante, Christina Infante with Jorge and Monica Vinals
Board Director Anne Helliwell and William Krekeler
Cecelia Amato and Jenna Martinke
Alonso Family
Miami Kids Magazine was a proud sponsor of The Coconut Grove Arts Festival
Camila Rodriguez and Valentina Hernandez
Danny and Mia Radillo
Enk, Andrew, Amanda, Jenny Batelelder
Miami Kids team with Gaspari William
Elena and Maria Lucia Hedocia
On February 15- 17 in the beautiful city of Coconut Grove, the community came together as family to enjoy art, food, and many other activities. Miami Kids Magazine was very proud to support the CGAF in their mission to raise funds to provide scholarships to students who attend fine arts programs in local schools.
Serena & LUNA
Emily Holland and Madison Renee Emmy and Danielle Rovirosa
The Richey Family
Morgan, Kol, and Ami Porgas
Valerie and Marc Dilmynar