Staten Island Parent Magazine Sepember 2015

SEPTEMBER 2015

APPLE AND PUMPKIN PICKING FARMS

Transitioning From a Crib to Bed HELP KIDS FOCUS ON Schoolwork

AFTERSCHOOL ACTIVITIES www.siparent.com

Which Ones are Right for Your Child

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ADVERTISER INDEX PAGE 113

TABLE OF CONTENTS SEPTEMBER 2015

COVER STORY Afterschool Activities:

Which Ones Are Right For Your Child?

Looking to offset your child’s screen time with something more actively challenging? More and more Staten Island parents are concerned that their children aren’t getting enough extracurricular activity. While sports is an obvious choice, there are plenty of other varied options to pique your child’s interest.

Read more on page 58

Melissa can’t wait for her first day of school at Eltingville Lutheran School

COLUMNS

ARTICLES

When Parents Feel Separation Anxiety 32 Ask the Doctor

by Joan Graziano, MD, RUMC Banish Bad Bedtime Behavior 42 Good Sports Remembering 9/11

by Joe LoVerde What to Look for in a Teen’s First Car 52 Dear Teacher Give New Life to Old Toys

by Peggy Gisler & Marge Eberts 9 Ways to Reduce Takeout Expenses 74 Growing Up Online Transitioning from a Crib to a Bed

by Carolyn Jabs Help Kids Focus on Their Schoolwork 98 Life is Grand 5 Ways to Honor Your Grandparents

by Marianna Randazzo Bilingual Parenting Myths Yoga for Beginners S. I. LIVING Turn Apple-Picking into Apple Pies 20 Community & School News Tips for a Healthy School Year 62 Your Island You Know It’s the 96 Birth Announcements First Day of School When...

86 2015/16 School Calendars 92 Safe Travels 100 Family Calendar 28 30 34 36 38 44 48 56 64 66 70 76 80 90

FAMILY NEEDS It’s In The Cards Party Services Family Classifieds Professional Directory

STAFF

97 106 110 112

PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Roselle Farina Hecht

OPERATIONS & FINANCES DIRECTOR Linda Bellesi

SENIOR EDITOR/ DESIGNER Gerri Friscia

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Ilene Cohen Janine Mulé Cecilia Saccomagno Jodi Fatto

DESIGN Michelle Yannaco

Check out our Fall Fun Page on

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40 Fall Fun 96 OMG! I’m a Mom 111 Birthday Club

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EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Nicole Farina Jeannine Cintron

PARENTING MEDIA ASSOCIATION (PMA) AWARD-WINNING MAGAZINE

Page 84 OR Page 84

S.I. Parent magazine is published 12 times a year. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. The publishers of this magazine do not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or writers.

16 Shenandoah Avenue, Suite C • SI, NY 10314 Advertising: 718.494.1932 | Info@siparent.com

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START THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR WITH A NEW SMILE AT MICHAEL D’ANNA, DDS

FAQ’s Q- WHAT IS AN ORTHODONTIST? A- An Orthodontist is a Dentist who furthered their education and are trained to straighten teeth and align jaws.

Q-WHAT AGE SHOULD MY CHILD BE EVALUATED BY AN ORTHODONTIST? A- It is recommended that a child is evaluated by an Orthodontist by the age of 7.

An Orthodontist can spot subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth while some baby teeth are still present.

Q- DO I NEED TO BE REFERRED BY OUR FAMILY DENTIST TO SEE THE ORTHODONTIST? A- No. Although some patients are referred by their dentists, many proactively schedule a consultation appointment themselves.

Q-WHAT DO BRACES COST? A- Braces are affordable. The fee depends on the severity of the problem, the length of treatment, and the type of appliances. The fees will vary from patient to patient.

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Q- HOW DO I SCHEDULE MY FREE NEW PATIENT EXAMINATION? A- Call our office at 718-948-4384 and our staff will ask you basic information and answer any questions you may have. You can also reach us at info@moveatooth.com.

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NYC’S FIRST INDOOR TRAMPOLINE PARK Experience the weightlessness of bouncing, flipping and landing in a pit filled with hundreds of foam cubes.

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S.I. LIVING

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Partial school time for Pre-K public school students.

Mon & Tues, Sep 14 & 15 – Rosh Hashanah (schools closed) Wed, Sep 16 – I.S. Schools Family Night (contact individual school for confirmation) Thurs, Sep 17 – Elementary Schools Family Night (contact individual school for confirmation) Wed, Sep 23 – Yom Kippur (schools closed) Thurs, Sep 24 – Eid al-Adha (schools closed) Wed, Sep 30 – Public High Schools Family Night (contact individual school for confirmation)

the New york Cares Day Fall The 24th annual New York Cares Day Fall will take place on Saturday, October 17, an event that focuses in the beautification of NYC public schools. This year, 4,000 volunteers will spend the day painting classrooms, creating murals, organizing, and planting school gardens, while raising money to support New York Cares’ year-round education programs. Want to join? Registration costs $25 and can be done online.

Go to siparent.com for a link to a registration form and for more information.

SEPTEMBER 2015

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Y t nfo N k S ~ gs I Yor ay to u r w e D ~ N ing Aw us om r il s Fr ~ Sa 22 Cho ur Kid O S. ~ P. tecting Walks g o r n i P ive ~ ais ay L ndr u D F ~ um use ~M

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Sailing Away to St. George St. George will be the next neighborhood featured in the NYCGO Insider Guide by NYC & Company, New York City’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organization, in an effort to encourage visitors to sail across the New York Harbor on the ferry and enjoy the waterfront neighborhood where it docks. This feature includes a short documentary film available online showcasing local insiders who highlight and recommend the must-see attractions of St. George.

Visitors are encouraged to experience all St. George has to offer, touting it as “a historically rich and charming neighborhood with cultural institutions, authentic restaurants and outdoor activities.” Go to siparent.com for a link to view the documentary.

Racing for a Cure Pole Position Raceway recently presented a check for over $10,000 to the Alzheimer’s Association Chapters of Greater New Jersey, Central New York, Rochester & Finger Lakes, Western New York and Long Island.

Funds for the donation were raised at Pole Position Raceway locations in New York and New Jersey in support of The Longest Day, a sunrise-tosunset team event to raise awareness and funds to fuel the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association. The fundraiser is especially important to co-owners Karen and Eyal Farage, as both women lost their mothers to Alzheimer’s disease.

P.S. 22 Chorus Goes Viral The students of P.S.22 chorus have done it again! In their latest and most popular YouTube video, the students are seen serenading a teacher battling breast cancer. The moving video was uploaded to

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S.I. LIVING Community & School News YouTube in July and has since been viewed almost three million times. In the video, teacher Adriana Lopez is brought to tears as the children sing to her Martina McBride’s “I’m Gonna Love You Through It” in their last performance of the school year.

The students of the P.S. 22 chorus are no strangers to the spotlight; their other YouTube clips have racked up millions of views and they even performed at the 2011 Oscars. Go to siparent.com to watch their emotional tribute to Ms. Lopez. Just a warning: you will need tissues!

Protecting Our Kids from Drugs All too often, addiction begins at home right under the nose of an unsuspecting parent. And if you aren’t safely disposing of your unneeded prescription drugs, addiction can easily begin in your home as well. That’s why Borough President James Oddo and NYPD Assistant Chief Edward Delatorre recently held a press conference at Borough Hall to announce a new initiative called the “Drop Box Program: Police and Parents Protecting Our Kids.” The program encourages parents to clean out their medicine cabinets of unused medications and bring them to drop box centers at their local precincts, in an effort to prevent children from experimenting with prescription drugs.

According to Adrienne Abate, project director for Tackling Youth Substance, the majority of youth who have experimented with prescription drugs report that they found them at home. It is essential to break this cycle because, as Abbate said, “people addicted to painkillers are 40 times more likely to get addicted to heroin.” Visit siparent.com for a link to more information.

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Fall Fundraising Walks With summer officially over, it’s time to get back into the workout routine. What better way to start it off than by joining one of the many fundraising walks around Staten Island this fall? Talk about feeling good after a workout! If you’d rather not break a sweat, you could make a donation instead.

Every little bit helps! Here’s a list of local walks taking place this season: • Light the Night Walk (for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) - Sat, Sep 26/Midland Beach

EVER TALK ABOUT “IT?” VAGINAL DRYNESS, ITCHING OR BURNING?

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S.I. LIVING Community & School News • Go Walk Your Dog! (for NYC Urgent Pets on Death Row) Sat, Sep 26/ Wolfe’s Pond Park • Anti-Bully Walk, Saturday Sept. 26 at Clove Lakes Park • Walk to End Alzheimer’s - Sun, Sep 27/South Beach • Out of the Darkness Community Walk (for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention) - Sat, Oct 3/ Clove Lakes Park • Walk Like MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) - Sun, Oct 4/Clove Lakes Park • JDRF One Walk (for type 1 diabetes) Sun, Oct 4/College of Staten Island • Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Sun, Oct 18/Midland Beach • Walk Now for Autism Speaks Sun, Oct 25 /The College of Staten Island For more information about these events, go to siparent.com/fundraisers.

Museum Day Live!

The 11th annual Museum Day Live is Saturday, September 26. Museum Day Live, held by Smithsonian Magazine, is a day where over 1500 museums nationwide open their doors to the public for free.

Here in Staten Island, the participating locations are: Historic Richmond Town, The Noble Maritime Collection, and the Staten Island Museum. You must present a Museum Live Ticket for free entrance to a participating museum, so visit siparent.com to find out where to get yours.

Staten Island Museum Grand Opening

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It’s officially moving day for the Staten Island Museum! The grand opening of the museum’s expansion to Snug Harbor Cultural Center will be marked by a full weekend of festivities on Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20. The celebration kicks off with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10AM on Saturday, followed by lawn games for the whole family, food, live music, and crafts for kids. The day promises to be a full festival of art, science, and history celebrating all things Staten Island. The Grand Opening continues on Sunday with a classical concert with the Musical Chairs Chamber Ensemble, gallery tours, art talks, nature walks, refreshments, and more. Admission is free all weekend long.

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S.I. LIVING Community & School News

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The Staten Island Museum’s new location at Snug Harbor is 1000 Richmond Terr., Building A.

Running the Company Start as a student and finish as a CEO! The Staten Island Chamber of Commerce Foundation Young Entrepreneurs Academy (SICCF YEA!) is offering business-minded high school students the chance to learn how to start and run their own real companies. The YEA! program bridges the business and educational communities, enabling students to be taught by trained instructors and exposed to guest lecturers, successful entrepreneurs and mentors. The classes will meet October through May at Susan Wagner High School. The deadline to apply is September 25. Go to siparent.com to link to an application form.

Standardized Tests The results are in! Test scores for the 2015-16 standardized reading and math exams are available on the NYC public schools website.

You can access your NYC Schools Account to view your child’s scores. If you don’t yet have an account, contact your child’s school to set one up. Curious to see how Staten Island students performed? Visit siparent.com to link to a comprehensive overview of test scores for the English Language Assessment (ELA) and Mathematics exams broken out by borough, grade, gender, year and other variables.

The Zero Energy School P.S. 62 is a lot much more than just Staten Island’s newest elementary school. The supergreen school is the first in New York City (and one of the first worldwide) to harvest as much energy as it uses. Touted as the “zero energy school,” some of its energy-saving features include photovoltaic arrays wrapping both the roof and south facade; a geo-exchange heating and cooling system; energy recovery ventilators and demand-control ventilation; and a solar thermal system for hot water. The 68,680square-foot, two-story school is located in Rossville at the corner of Woodrow and Bloomingdale Roads, and will be open to students this month.

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PARENTING

>>>

WHEN PARENTS FEEL SEPARATION ANXIETY

any new parents are taken by surprise by the intensity and depth of their connection to their child. Of course, you expect love; but the passion that fuels the love for your child is much more than many people expect. The feelings that grow inside you when you hand your baby over to a sitter or when you watch your preschooler hop aboard a school bus can run the gamut from worry all the way to panic.

M

Tips for parents who feel separation anxiety Parent’s separation anxiety is very normal, and can be a big challenge. No matter if your anxiety is slight or intense, and whether it’s short-lived or lasts for years, the following ideas can help you temper your feelings for your own peace of mind as well as your child’s benefit.

CHILDREN ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES WHO CAN EXPERIENCE FEELINGS OF SEPARATION ANXIETY.

Accept that a little bit of separation anxiety is healthy Don’t look to eliminate all your feelings of separation anxiety. These emotions exist for very good reasons. These feeling will guide you as you make choices about when and how to leave your child. They will help you decide if you are choosing the right caregiver and the right setting. These emotions can keep you close to your child so that you will know if something is wrong or troubling him. Your sensitive antenna will keep you alert to any upsets or problems.

Acknowledge that some separation a good thing Part of your anxiety is based on the feeling that you can take care of your child better than anyone else can. That’s probably true! However, even if other caregivers don’t do things exactly as you do, it’s likely that your child will adapt and accept these differences. Even more, your child’s world will be filled with people other than you, and it’s a wonderful growing experience for him to learn that different does not mean bad.

Get busy!

As much as you may miss your child, this is a great opportunity to do things that are easier done without a child attached to your hip. So don’t let the hours pass by nonchalantly. And don’t spend the time absorbed in worry or guilt. Make use of the time that your child is away from you in a healthy and productive way. Enjoy your work or your date

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night. Go for a jog, take a bike ride, go out to lunch, clean your closet, get a manicure, or go shopping. When possible, plan ahead. Create a to-do list and schedule what you’ll do while your child is gone so you don’t find yourself undecided and lacking the motivation to do something.

Curb your nervousness around your child Children are remarkably perceptive. If you are anxious and worried about your separation from her, then she may create worries based on your modeling. Avoid repeated declarations of love. Don’t make passionate promises of a rapid return. Instead, do your best to be cheerful and relaxed at times of separation. Save your worried face, if you still have one, until the door between you closes.

Set up something for the two of you to look forward to Plan an activity for when you and your child are reunited. By setting up something specific you’ll enjoy thinking about the joy you will share at that time. Having a specific purpose in mind gives your mind a precise end to the separation and frees you up to do other things until the prearranged event.

This idea can also help your child weather the separation, as she too will have this special event and time together to look forward to.

By Elizabeth Pantley, Author of The No-Cry Separation Anxiety Solution

SEPTEMBER 2015

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TIPS

>>>

BANISH BAD BEDTIME BEHAVIOR

s much as parents may anticipate their children’s bedtime as a point in the day when they can finally enjoy some peace and quiet, there are those moms and dads who dread bedtime, which can be frustrating for even the most levelheaded parents. Parents may face a host of issues at bedtime each night, but each requires patience and perseverance so bad behaviors can be broken once and for all.

A

Wired Children. What parent hasn't experienced a child who is too excited to go to bed? Experts say that, depending on their age, children need 9 to 11 hours of sleep every night. Most children should be in bed by 8 p.m. to get the sleep their bodies need. If you miss the window of time to get them in bed, you may enter the overtired and wired period. A consistent bedtime SOME PARENTS BELIEVE SLEEP PROBLEMS ONLY OCCUR DURING INFANCY. BUT SLEEP PROBLEMS MAY and wake time can help set the pace for happy kids who are sleepy when CONTINUE THROUGHOUT CHILDHOOD IF THEY ARE NOT ADDRESSED PROMPTLY. they should be. Over time, when Sleep training involves getting toddlers or older children their bodies will adjust to the schedule, they will become tired when accustomed to sleeping in their own beds. It may begin by a parent the time is right. "camping out" in the child's room to provide security. Over a period of days, the parent gradually moves closer to the door and then out Over-stimulation. Children have many more toys and of the room entirely once the child can comfortably sleep recreational activities at their disposal than their parents solo in his or her room. Initially, the process may be and grandparents did when they were children. The uncomfortable for kids and parents alike, but presence of these devices, including video game eventually it may solidify good sleeping habits. consoles and personal tablet computers, do not Set an automatic timer to play make for an ideal sleep environment. Sleep Inconsistency. A routine lets children know when therapists advise that television watching and soothing music 15 minutes before it is time to go to sleep. Lacking a consistent the bedtime routine will begin activities that engage the mind a good deal should schedule may not provide the physical cues that it is be ceased prior to bed and replaced with more every night. This will give your time to go to bed. Adhere to a routine each and every relaxing activities. This can include listening to children enough notice, night so children become trained to go to bed at a soothing music or reading a few pages of a favorite story. Avoid activities that will increase energy levels, and they won’t plead with particular time. This routine may include brushing teeth, you for extra time. picking out pajamas and then snuggling together for a such as exercise or roughhousing, before bed. few minutes. Children are creatures of habit, and knowing Consistency what to expect will help set them up for sleeping success.

The Bed Hog. There are plenty of parents who embrace is key! the concept of the "family bed," where everyone sleeps Safety Issues. Some parents cannot get a good night's sleep comfortably together. However, those who want their beds to because they worry about their kids waking in the middle of the be their private domain may be put off and disturbed by small night and wandering around the house unattended or leaving feet kicking them in the night. But when faced with a midnight the home. Childproofing the home can calm those concerns. temper tantrum, many parents relent and let their child climb Placing a gate at the doorway of the child's room can limit into their bed. This can cause a pattern of behavior that is roaming, while alarms placed on doors and windows alert parents difficult to break. if a child is trying to open a window or exit the home.

Tip!

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Parents can take many steps to fix problematic bedtime behaviors and ensure the entire household gets the sleep they need.

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ASK THE DOCTOR Sponsored by

Coping With Childhood Cancer Learning that your child has cancer usually makes parents feel like their world has been turned upside down. Everything in their life may suddenly feel out of control. Your initial thoughts may be, "How could this have happened to my child?" and "How will we get through this?"

A cancer diagnosis is shocking and overwhelming, particularly in children.

However, prognosis of childhood cancer continues to improve, and the chance of being cured continues to increase.

“Grieving is a normal response to a loss. The loss can include the loss of your previously healthy child, the loss of your normal daily routine, the impact of the diagnosis on other family members, and the financial impact of the diagnosis.

The grieving process varies from person to person in terms of the order in which one experiences the stages of grief, as well as the time it takes to go through the grief process. The child with cancer, the parents, siblings, and other family members, will all experience grief,” says Richmond University Medical Center’s Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist, Joan Graziano, MD. Grief is usually divided into five stages: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance.

Going through the grieving process is the best way to cope with a cancer diagnosis. You may find yourself moving in and out of the various stages as your family goes through the cancer experience. By giving yourself, your child, and your family permission to do this, you will be able to cope. “You may wish to keep a notebook with all of the medical records and information about your child's diagnosis. Sometimes, parents can be too numb or too upset while at the hospital or doctor's office with their child and realize later that they forgot everything the doctor had said. Write things down. You may even want to talk to the doctor about recording your conversations so you can review them later,” Dr. Graziano says.

Some other practical things that you can do to help during this time include the following:

• Learn as much as possible about your child's disease. At times, ignorance or a lack of understanding is your worst enemy. Arm yourself with information in order to lessen frustration. Do not hesitate to ask questions about your child's disease.

• Continue doing at least some of your usual, daily activities. You will still have grocery shopping, laundry, and going through the mail to do on a daily or weekly basis. Having some of these "regular" activities will help you cope and feel more in control. Using a cell phone to communicate with the hospital is one way to accomplish these activities and still be in touch with what is happening with your child.

• Use support groups in the area, as well as national support groups and their resources. Find out about supportive services available at the hospital to help you cope, such as the availability of social workers and/or meeting with other families.

Do not be afraid to ask for help. Each family's need for support is unique. Friends and family members will often ask, "Is there anything I can do to help?" Consider saying, "yes" to this question and ask them to pick up your groceries, help with the laundry or housecleaning, pick up your other children from their extracurricular activities, or make dinner. "Assigning" a friend or family member something to do to help you will also help them feel like they are contributing.

• Share what you have learned. You will have important knowledge and skills that you learn as you experience your child's illness. You could help other parents and their families by sharing your experiences in a support group or other setting.

The various members of the cancer team can assist your family, as needed. The seriousness of a cancer diagnosis and the difficulties of treatment cannot be forgotten.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Graziano, please call (718) 987-5717 or visit our website, www.rumcsi.org.

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SEPTEMBER 11

>>>

REMEMBERING 9/11, TODAY AND EVERYDAY

was a clear-headed nineteen year-old college student when the 9/11 attacks took place. I was at my home in Brooklyn and relieved to not be in school that day because my 9am journalism class was canceled for election day. I stood next to my father and held his hand as I watched each tower collapse, weeping and filled with complete terror.

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Hoping to someday become a writer, I immediately took in the massive media coverage. I observed how it affected us all, and wondered how anyone could even accurately portray with words the enormity of the tragedy and chaos that was currently happening right there in my backyard.

As a New Yorker, I worried about friends and family who were in Manhattan that day, at school or at AS THE ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11 APPROACHES, work, walking miles over bridges MEMORIES OF THAT TRAGIC DAY ARE AS CLEAR IN OUR MINDS AS EVER. and desperately trying to locate of these little people who are literally my EVERYTHING, it just seems so loved ones while escaping the horror unfolding downtown. I was angry damn unfair. So senseless. So wrong. that someone had done this to the place I’d called home my entire life.

I’d always viewed 9/11 that way, through Perhaps I’ll never stop gaining new the eyes of an angry but very, very proud perspective on the events and New Yorker. Fellow New Yorkers will aftermath of September 11, 2001. understand this, and fellow Americans Because everyone has a story, everyone will too but in a different way I suppose. knows exactly where they were and what they were doing; and here in New Someday many years later I’d York, everybody knew somebody experience memories of 9/11 in a forced to say goodbye. different, new way– as the wife of a Borough President James Oddo Marine and a proud supporter of our has invited the general public to attend a We may change and grow as people brave troops who continue to sacrifice so Memorial Ceremony in honor of a little more in our everyday lives. But as much in order to avenge the atrocities of witnesses to this catastrophic piece of that day and keep us safe from experithose Staten Islanders who so tragically our nation’s history, one thing will encing that kind of evil ever again. lost their lives on September 11, 2001. always remain a constant: the memory The ceremony will be held at the Postcards of the fallen, the bravery of the heroes, Today I am a parent, and I see Memorial at the St. George Esplenade, and the unity of our people as a nation memories of 9/11 through yet a different set of eyes. Children losing parents– adjacent to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal. will always live very deeply within the hearts of every single one of us. No one babies who will only know the person can ever take that away. who gave them life as a face in a photograph; this is not the way it is supposed to be. As a parent who can’t even fathom not being around

By Jeannine Cintron, a Staten Island mom. to witness the first steps and birthdays and graduations and weddings

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TIPS

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WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A TEEN’S FIRST CAR

any parents contribute money toward the purchase of their teenagers’ first car. But even those who don’t help kids finance the purchase of their first vehicle may still want to offer some advice as their teens start to look for the car they will no doubt remember for the rest of their lives.

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Different drivers need different things out of their vehicles, so a car that might be perfect for adults will not necessarily be the best fit for teen drivers without much experience traversing the nation’s roadways. The following are a few factors to consider when helping teens find their first car.

Size Teenagers have little to no experience behind the wheel, so it’s best that they not drive cars that are CONSIDER THESE FACTORS WHEN PURCHASING A CAR FOR YOUR NEW DRIVER. especially small or large right away.

According to the National Highway Under the hood Traffic Safety Administration, young drivers between the ages of 16 and Few teens would not light up at the sight of a muscle car awaiting 17 are significantly overrepresented in fatal crashes. The NHTSA them in the driveway. But cars that accelerate quickly and those with suggests such drivers’ immaturity and inexperience plays a significant substantial horsepower and high-performance engines may tempt role in that overrepresentation. So parents likely do not want their teens to speed or spark the development of poor driving habits. Look children in the smallest car possible, as such vehicles may not protect for a vehicle with modest acceleration instead of an imported sports teens as adequately as slightly larger vehicles in the case of an accident. car that teens may be too immature and inexperienced to handle.

In addition, very large cars, such as pickup trucks or SUVs, can be difficult to control and are best suited to older drivers who already have Wear and tear years of driving experience under their belts. A mid-size sedan is big Teens’ first cars are often preowned vehicles, and such cars may have enough to protect teens and their passengers in the case of an significant wear and tear on some important safety features. Wear and accident, and such vehicles are small enough to handle easily. tear may not be a reason to avoid purchasing a preowned vehicle, but parents may want to replace the brake pads and tires on recently Passenger capacity purchased preowned vehicles. Brake pads in strong condition may Another factor to consider when shopping for cars for teenagers is prove the difference between avoiding an accident or getting into one. passenger capacity. The more seats there are in a car, the more friends In addition, poorly inflated or worn down tires pose a safety risk to teens can pack into their vehicles. Numerous teenagers in a car at once teens and their passengers. If such features seem to be worn down, can prove distracting to the driver, and that distraction can pave the replace them before letting teens hit the open road on their own. way for an auto accident. Steer clear of minivans, SUVs or other vehicles that feature a third row of seats, as teens may be unable to stay focused Teens will remember their first cars for the rest of their lives. Parents on the road with so many passengers in tow. can ensure those memories are positive by finding a car that teens can handle comfortably and operate safely.

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TIPS

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GIVE NEW LIFE TO OLD TOYS

hildren can be rough on their toys, and many a toy has found its way into the garbage pile long before parents could have imagined it would when they purchased the item. But there are various, easy ways to rehabilitate toys so they can go on to have more utility and not end up in the trash prematurely.

The following suggestions can help restore some of the luster that made kids love their now-damaged toys.

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• Tangled doll hair. Dolls come out of the box looking pristine, but after a few play sessions, their nylon locks can become a knotted mess, and brushing only seems to make it worse. Rather than giving that princess doll a “buzz cut” to remedy the bad hair day, visit your laundry room. Fill a spray bottle with a 50-50 mix of water and liquid fabric softener. Spray the solution onto the A LITTLE ELBOW GREASE CAN KEEP TOYS LOOKING NEW doll hair. Use a comb or brush to work out the tangles, then rinse the Adding a little more stuffing to a beloved plush toy can make a hair with clean water. Allow to dry before putting it back into your world of difference as well. Find a seam and make a small hole in the youngster’s toy box. stitching. Stuff in some more batting or loose fill purchased from a craft store. Use an unsharpened pencil to push the stuffing into hard-to• Plush toys. Often a child’s first and most beloved companions, reach areas, such as thin arms and legs of the doll. Then stitch up the plush toys are quick to show signs of constantly being dragged hole before giving the toy back to your child. through areas that are not always very clean. Many plush toys can be run through a washing machine’s gentle cycle. Place the stuffed toy in • Clean gummed-up electronics. Electronic toys are favorites for a light-colored pillowcase, being sure to securely close the pillowcase to many children. Toys with keyboards or buttons that need to be pressed protect the plastic eyes and other components of the plush. Wash and can become stuck over time, rendering the toy useless thanks to debris tumble dry on low to refresh the toy. that accumulates. It can be challenging to clean electronic toys because they are sensitive to water. Soak a cloth with dish liquid and water, then If the tag says “surface clean only” and is in dire need of a cleaning, ring it out before wiping down the surface of the toy.This will help clean it’s your call if you want to attempt running it through the washing up any sticky residue and other dirt. Use a cotton swab dipped in machine. It might be worth it if they toy would be disposed of if not rubbing alcohol to clean in between tight areas, such as between keys. cleaned. In that case, it’s do or die, so why not give it a try? Be sure all the Rubbing alcohol evaporates quickly, so it is generally safer to use on seams are intact and any adornments (eyes, buttons, etc.) are secure. electronics than water. The alcohol also can help disinfect the toy.

Naturally, if there are moving parts or battery compartments that cannot be removed, heed the “surface clean only” warning. Use a Before discarding kids’ toys, parents can first explore the many ways mixture of liquid dish soap and water. Air dry for the most part, but you to give the items new life. can toss in the dryer (in that zippered pillowcase!) for a few minutes to fluff the fur.

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12 FUN FACTS ABOUT AUTUMN

As fall foliage creates a colorful display and kids frolic in leaf piles on the lawn, autumn may call to mind Halloween and the return of school, but there are some other lesser-known facts that make this season unique: 1. The first day of autumn is known as the autumnal equinox. On this day, the number of hours of daylight and darkness are equal because the sun is aligned with the center of the Earth between the north and south of the planet. Spring equinox occurs in the third week of March.

they built to shelter them from harsh weather. When squirrels come out in winter, they are tunneling under the snow to find the food they buried during the fall.

8. Other cultures have traditions that coincide with 2. In Greek mythology, autumn was a time when Demeter’s daughter, autumn; i.e., the Chinese celebrate the Moon Festival to Persephone, was abducted by Hades. Because Demeter (the goddess give thanks for a successful summer harvest. of the harvest) was distraught, the ground grew sparse and cold. When 9. Halloween Persephone returned in the part springtime, plants and life APPLE AND PUMPKIN PICKING FARMS isofa large autumn. bloomed anew because of The concept Demeter's happiness.

Battleview Orchards Masker Orchards Stony Hill Farm Market 91 Wemrock Rd 45 Ball Rd 8 Route 24 of wearing NJ 07728 Warwick, NY 10990 Chester, NJ 07930 masks and 3. Those who live closest to the Freehold, 732-462-0756 845-986-1058 908-879-2908 costumes center of the planet - the Melick’s Town Farm Strawberry Hill Farm hails from equator - never experience the Demarest Farms Wierimus Rd Califon Farm 3 Waln Rd ancient season of autumn. Around the 244 Hillsdale, NJ 07642 472 County Road 513 Chesterfield, NJ 08515 C e l t i c equator, the temperature 201-666-0472 Califon, NJ 07830 609-298-0823 908-832-2905 tradition, remains consistently warm.

Duffield’s Farm Market Stuart’s Farm w h e r e Cider Mill & Orchards 280 Chapel Heights Rd 62 Granite Springs Rd 19 King Street 4. Yellow, orange, and Sewell, NJ 08080 Granite Springs, NY 10527 people wore Oldwick, NJ 08858 914-245-2784 disguises to variations thereof always reside 856-589-7090 908-439-3888 hide from in the pigmentation of tree Eastmond Orchards Sun High Orchards Mood’s Farm Market spirits they leaves, but they are just 169 County Rd 19 Canfield Ave 901 Bridgeton Park Randolph, NJ 07869 believed overpowered by the Colts Neck, NJ 0722 Mullica Hill, NJ 08062 973-584-4734 856-478-2500 roamed on abundance of green from the 732-542-5404 Halloween. chlorophyll in the leaves. In Giamarese Farms Terhune Orchards Outhouse Orchards 330 Cold Soil Rd 130 Hardscrabble Rd autumn, however, the sun 155 Fresh Ponds Rd Princeton, NJ 08540 North Salem, NY 10560 10. The pumpkin, a weakens, days grow shorter, East Brunswick, NJ 08816 732-821-9494 609-924-2310 914-277-3188 common autumn and the amount of chlorophyll Tree-Licious Orchards decoration, was first in leaves diminishes, allowing Hill Creek Farms Phillips Farm 135 Karrville Rd 290 Church RR named by the Greeks. They other pigments in the leaves to 1631 Rt. 45 South Harrison Township, Port Murray, NJ 07865 Milford, NJ 08848 called this edible orange item show through.

NJ 08062 908-689-2906 908-995-0022 856-223-0028 "pepon," which means "large Valley Crest Farm Pochuck Valley Farms melon."

5. Red and purple leaves are Hillview Farms & Preserve 962 McAfee Glenwood Rd actually caused by the presence 223 Meyersville Rd 14 Allerton Rd Glenwood, NJ 07418 11. Evergreen trees will not of sugars from sap trapped Gillette, NJ 07933 Lebanon, NJ 08833 973-764-4732 908-647-0957 908-238-9696 lose their leaves like deciduous inside the leaves.

Riamede Farm trees. Their leaves, also called Johnson’s Corner Farm Von Thun’s 122 Oakdale Rd needles, are covered with a 6. During autumn, birds will fly 133 Church Rd County Farm Market Chester, NJ 07930 505 Ridge Rd 908-879-5353 thick wax, which protects the to other areas as they seek Medford, NJ 08055 609-654-8643 Monmouth Junction, inner components of the more hospitable climates. The NJ 08852 Ripple Hill Farm needles and prevents them Arctic tern journeys about Lee Turkey Farm 732-329-8656 181 Mountain Rd Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 from freezing.

11,000 miles each way for its 201 Hickory Corner Rd East Windsor, NJ 08520 Wightman’s Farm 908-647-1300 annual migration. That is like 609-448-0629 1111 Mt. Kemble Ave 12. Autumn signals another going all the way across the Morristown, NJ 07960 Russo’s Orchard 973-425-9819 Lane Farm colorful spectacle – the aurora United States about three and Longmeadow Farm 561 Blairstown Rd 310 Extonville Rd borealis, also known as the a half times!

Hope, NJ 07844 Windy Brow Farms Chesterfield, NJ 08515 Northern Lights, which tends to 908-459-5351 359 Ridge Rd 609-259-3684 Newton, NJ 07860 be visible this time of year 7. Contrary to popular belief, Mackey’s Orchard 973-579-9657 Silverman’s Farm because geomagnetic storms squirrels don’t hibernate for the 284B County Rt. 519 451 Sport Hill Rd are more likely to occur during winter. Rather, they spend the Belvidere, NJ 07823 Easton, CT 06612 203-261-3306 cool evening weather. majority of their time in nests 908-475-1507

See S.I. Parent’s List of Apple and Pumpkin Picking Farms on www.siparent.com

Pumpkin Picking Tips

When visiting a pumpkin patch, dress accordingly. That means wearing shoes that you don't mind getting dirty, as the patch may be muddy. Layer clothing in case it is a chilly day. Breezes are more pronounced in open fields.

Pumpkins are "long-keepers," which means if they are uncut or not damaged, they can last for several weeks. When selecting a pumpkin, look for one that’s completely orange. After picking, a green or yellow pumpkin may never ripen to orange.

Many pumpkin patches have wagons you can use as you walk through the fields.

Others may offer hay wagon rides, which will cut down on the amount of walking.

Call ahead to see what options are available and if you should bring along a small wagon and knife so that you can cut the vine, if necessary.

Ripe pumpkins should not dent easily. Examine your pumpkin for holes or insects, which could indicate internal rot that greatly reduces the shelf life of the pumpkin.

Remember, carving the pumpkin reduces its life expectancy, so be sure to reserve that task until close to Halloween.

If you are planning to turn a pumpkin into a baked treat or other dish, you will need a type of small, sweet cooking pumpkin known as a "sugar pumpkin." The meat of this pumpkin is smoother and much less stringy than decorative pumpkin varieties.

Apple Picking Tips

Many orchards that have open picking seasons plant dwarf apple trees to make the picking process easier, particularly for young children, so there's no need to bring along a ladder. You should still be able to find plenty of apples close to the ground.A good farmer will know when certain varieties of apples are ripe, and he or she will likely cordon off trees that are not ready for picking. Ripe apples will be crisp and firm.

Keep in mind that apples ripen from the outside of the tree inward.

Those are usually picked first, anyway.

Try to get to an orchard earlier in the season. Waiting too long trees may be picked of the best fruit. Although apple-picking season dates in New York and New Jersey vary due, in part, to weather conditions, the most active times are throughout September and October.

Apples can bruise, so don't toss them into baskets when picking.

Also, wait to wash apples until right before eating to prevent moisture-related spoilage. Apples keep best in a cool location.

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by Joe LoVerde

Balancing School and Sports September means it’s back to the books for children across Staten Island. And while that might mean less time for play than during the summer, it shouldn’t mean no play.

The question many parents ask themselves when school is back in session is: Is there room for organized sports in our child’s life with the responsibilities of homework and studying to deal with? As someone who has been managing this for the more than 25 years while at least one of our four children has been playing sports, and is still doing so with a 19-year-old who is a college athlete, my vote is a resounding yes!

In fact, I think it should be mandatory.

After spending much of some seven hours a day at their classroom desks, kids need an outlet. Just as adults need relief from the day’s stresses, so do children. They also need to avoid developing a habitual sedentary lifestyle that has contributed to the childhood obesity problem in this country.

That’s why the National Football League has been running a campaign for several years called Play 60, encouraging children to be active for at least 60 minutes a day to help reverse the trend of childhood obesity. It is also why First Lady Michelle Obama developed and has promoted a program called Let’s Move, also geared toward eliminating raising a generation of overweight, out-ofshape kids.

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GOOD SPORTS

Back in the olden days of my childhood, we ran out the door after returning home from school to play something with a ball, or tag, or ice skate, or have a snowball fight. It wasn’t organized, but it got us moving and it worked off a day spent mostly in our seats. And while we had organized sports specific to the season, the choices weren’t as extensive as those today.

Today, it seems the only kind of recreation children get is through organized sports. There are more of them, and the seasons for each never end. This can be intimidating to some parents, who fear that it can get in the way of schoolwork.

Of course, school should come first. But there should always be room for play in a child’s life.

As a coach, I always became frustrated when parents told me they weren’t going to sign up their child for a team because there wasn’t enough time.

Let’s look at the actual time commitment needed to participate in a recreational sport. If you sign up your child for soccer, for example, there is one game a week consisting of about an hour, plus another hour when you consider arriving to the game early and driving to and from the field.

If a coach holds two two-hour practices a week, which is a lot on the rec level, that’s six hours a week devoted to being on a team.

There are 168 hours in a week. Thirtyfive of those are spent in school. If a child gets eight hours of sleep a night, that’s 56 hours. That leaves 77 hours for homework, meals and other commitments. When there are 77 hours to fill up, six of them playing on a sports team doesn’t seem like too much of a commitment now, does it?

Specializing in Children’s Optometry

There will, of course, be times when your child will have to skip a practice or maybe even a game because of a schoolrelated activity or family function, but every rec team coach will make allowances for that.

Dr. Linda Bui is a graduate of the Southern California College of Optometry where she graduated with honors. An optometrist who loves taking care of children, she is an expert at performing eye exams on children age 5+ and a contact lens specialist as well.

There is simply no reason to deprive your child the fun, recreation and life-skill lessons that come with participating in youth sports. In fact, I insist.

If your child may be having trouble with their vision or you just want to be sure they have healthy eyes, call us today at 718-984-7616 to make an appointment.

Dr. Bui also can fit first time contact lens wearers as well, and we have a wide selection of both eyeglasses for children and contact lenses to offer in our optical shop.

www.silasik.com Joe LoVerde has been coaching youth sports on Staten Island for nearly 40 years. He’s also a longtime newspaper editor and sportswriter.

Read Good Sports on siparent.com Click on “Columns”

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TIPS

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9 WAYS TO REDUCE TAKEOUT EXPENSES

n a time when nearly everything is available at our fingertips, we're growing more dependent on convenience, especially when it comes to food.

With a number of food delivery apps like OrderUp, Seamless, and the newly launched UberEats requiring a single tap on a smartphone to order dinner, it's no wonder more people are choosing takeout. While ordering out is a time-saving measure, it's important to weigh the additional costs of this convenience: every year, Americans spend an average of $1,100 per year on takeout alone.

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While working families are more inclined to reach for their smartphones over the frying pan during the back-to-school rush, there are ways to keep dinner simple and inexpensive without depending on restaurants. Consider these 9 tips for quick and affordable meals.

PUT THAT PHONE DOWN! ORDERING TAKEOUT IS COSTING YOU MORE MONEY THAN YOU THINK.

1. Track your takeout spending.

To reduce spending takeout, you first have to know how much it's actually costing you each month. Track how much money you dish out each month by using a service like Mint, which links all your accounts in one place and categorizes your spending. This will help you quickly pinpoint the dollars going toward dining out so you can create a better budgeting plan.

2. Order groceries online.

If the task of grocery shopping is holding you back from cooking your own meals, consider ordering all your food online. Services like AmazonFresh and FreshDirect may not be the cheapest way to buy groceries, but they offer a convenient service that will ultimately help you reduce your takeout dependence and save money in the long run.

Many grocery stores offer delivery services too, so do your research and compare rates.

3. Download free meal plans.

Creating a meal plan is a great way to save money on dinner, but in itself requires quite a bit of time! While services like eMeals make the task of meal planning and creating grocery lists easier, they can be

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costly. Instead, turn to Pinterest or the Internet for meal plans. You can find them at LifeAsMom, 100DaysofRealFood, and A Month of Dinners

by Real Simple magazine.

4. Buy ready-made.

Purchasing ready-made meals may seem pretty similar to takeout, but typically you get more bang for your buck in the form of leftovers.

Most grocery stores offer ready-to-eat rotisserie chicken for around $6, offering a quick and healthy main course for your family. Any leftovers can be made into sandwiches or thrown into salads and pastas for extra protein. For added convenience and nutrients, grab a bag of frozen veggies - these side dishes are flash-frozen at peak ripeness and nutrient levels, which means they're both healthful and convenient!

5. Stock the freezer.

When you or your family are hungry and there's nothing in the refrigerator to eat, ordering out seems like a fast and simple solution after a long day. Avoid these situations by stocking your freezer with meat and fish, stir-fry veggies, pizza and other ready-to-cook foods to make meals in a snap. This way, you have a back-up plan that doesn't include pricey takeout meals.

6. Schedule a prep day.

Prepare food for the week on Sunday (or whatever day you have some spare time) and make quick meals that your family can heat up

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45

before and after work or school. Do all the chopping, dicing, and mincing of the ingredients you'll need throughout the week for faster cooking.

7. Get a slow cooker.

The closest you can get to having dinner ready when you get home is a slow cooker!

Throw all your ingredients together in the morning and come home to the delicious smells of dinner ready to serve. Stores like Macy's, Kohl's and Best Buy offer a range of slow cookers, so compare prices and look for coupons for additional savings. For example, you can use a Best Buy coupon code from CouponSherpa.com to save 20% on a highly-rated Hamilton Beach appliance, spending less than $45.

8. Repurpose leftovers.

While leftovers are the easiest way to save money and avoid food waste, consuming lasagna for the third time in a week is a tough sell for most kids. Instead of letting the meal rot in the back of your fridge, look for ways to repurpose leftovers into new dishes. Use the LoveYourLeftovers App for inspiration and recipes to remake the food you're sick of eating.

9. Cook what you have.

If spending over $1,000 per year on takeout wasn't shocking enough, consider this: Americans waste an average of $165 billion in food every year, with a family of four throwing away over $2,200 annually.

Be a better steward of your food and your finances by using SuperCook.com, a website that creates recipes around items you already have in your refrigerator and pantry. Spend a few minutes entering the ingredients and you'll be greeted with several recipe options to prepare.

By Andrea Woroch, a consumer and moneysaving expert for Kinoli Inc., who has been featured on top news outlets as Good Morning America, Today, CNN, Dr. OZ, New York Times, MONEY Magazine, Huffington Post, Forbes and many more. For more information, visit AndreaWoroch.com or follow her on Twitter for daily savings advice and tips.

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PARENTING

>>>

HELP YOUR CHILD TRANSITION FROM A CRIB TO A BED

uch of a young child's life revolves around adapting to new situations. Even when a routine is established, things can change and new skills must be learned. From moving from bottle to cup, to giving up a pacifier, to no longer using diapers or training pants, young children must tackle a lot of transitions.

M

One such transition is making the switch from sleeping in a crib to sleeping in a bed. A crib can be a safe, comforting place for a child. But over time, the crib may no longer be the right place for the child to rest and this can manifest itself in a number of ways. For instance, a child may attempt to climb over the railing edge. When such behavior persists, most parents consider switching to a toddler bed, or a twinsized bed with safety railings.

IS YOUR CHILD READY TO MOVE OUT OF THE CRIB AND INTO A BED?

Not every child has the same feelings about a "big boy or girl" bed. Some are excited about the prospect while others feel a bit frightened. There are certain things a parent can do to make the process go more smoothly for all involved.

• Get talking. Before buying the bed, start talking about it with your child. Talk about how the new bed will be comfortable and exciting and how your child is no longer a baby. Go to the store and look at all of the beds available. If your toddler has an older sibling, let the youngster try out his or her older sibling's bed.

• Childproof the room. Chances are your child already plays in his or her room, so it already may be full of safety features. To be on the super-safe side, however, give it another look and be sure all electrical outlets are sealed, top-heavy furniture is secured, and items that pose safety risks are removed.

• Repurpose a safety gate. Since your child will now have free reign to get out of bed when he or she desires, prevent middle-of-the-night roaming or leaving the house while you are sleeping by blocking the bedroom doorway with a gate. This will be for the child's protection and give you peace of mind.

• Choose the right time. It's best not to make a substantial change to your child's sleeping environment when there are other major

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events going on. Moving to a new home or welcoming a new baby into the house can be stressful. Wait until later to move to the bed.

• Stick to the same pre-sleep routine. Children are creatures of habit and like to know what is coming next. Therefore, stick to the same routine around bedtime so that all will feel familiar. This may include reading a story, brushing teeth, putting on pajamas, straightening up the room, or singing a lullaby together.

• Choose the transition type that works for your family. Some parents choose to leave the crib up and slowly transition to the bed. For example, parents may let the child nap in the bed during the day and sleep in the crib at night. Still, some parents prefer the out-of-sight, outof-mind method of taking apart the crib and making the bed the sole option for sleeping. Gauge your child's reaction to the bed and select the option that you think will work. And remember, if the crib is still safe and comfortable for your child, there is no rush in switching to a bed.

Just like other milestones in a kid's life, this one is reached when the child is ready.

Parents should also avoid letting their children sleep in Mom and Dad's bed. This promotes a habit that will be hard to break down the line. Although the first few nights of the new bed may be hard for your child, with time he or she will grow comfortable with his or her new sleeping arrangements.

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DEAR TEACHER

Help for when the Phonics Approach Fails

Question: My first-grader has only been exposed to a total phonicbased reading program since kindergarten. She is no closer to reading now than she was last year. She just does not get phonics. Is there any way to help her? -- Need a Solution Answer: One thing that you can do to make learning phonics easier for your child is to introduce her to the well-researched word family approach.

For example, "pan," "man," "tan," and "van" all share the -an ending, so these words are all part of the -an word family.

It will be much easier for your child to treat the -an sound as a unit and to only sound out the initial consonant rather than trying to blend the sounds of several individual letters together. Plus, your daughter is probably familiar with rhymes making word family stories easier and lots more fun to read. Think of how easy it would be for her to read: Nan ran.

Nan ran and ran. Nan ran to Dan. Online, you should be able to find many word family stories. Our website (dearteacher.com) has 42 word family stories with audio and accompanying worksheets in our Skinny Books series. Plus, for your child to have more fun learning to read, get our Skinny Book app (available on our website) that not only has stories with audio, but also games that reinforce the learning of word family words. The app is also a perfect way to teach younger children how to read.

Motivating a Young Child

Question: I thought all young children were eager to learn. However, my first-grader is just not interested in school. Is there any way to motivate my young son? -- Unmotivated Answer: You definitely need to be your son's motivational coach.

When it comes to learning to read and write at this level, activities – both home and at school – need to be fun or at least enjoyable. Otherwise, it is possible to dampen or even kill a child's desire to learn.

What is happening at your son's school? You might want to go and observe. Are the classroom activities drudgery instead of delight because of too many worksheets and uninspired teaching? Or is your son becoming disinterested in school because he can't keep up with his classmates?

While you are not likely to change what the teacher is doing, you can take his school activities and turn them into fun at home. You can play games such as Memory and Go Fish with the words he is learning to read.

You can also make learning to add fun by using counters and devising simple number games.

The more success your child has in school, the more likely he will be motivated to do his best in school. So talk with the teacher now to discover if your son is slow to catch onto reading or learning the basic math facts.

If so, do find out how you and the teacher can help him catch up to the rest of the class.

Finding Programs for the Gifted

Question: I would like some information about good programs for young gifted students. I am looking for programs for my second grade son

who really needs to have more intellectual stimulation. Where can I find some solid sites online? -- Mother of a Genius Answer: Your best immediate resources are local, not online. Find out from your child's teacher what he or she can do to offer more challenging assignments in the classroom. Also find out if the school has any special programs for gifted children. Beyond this, investigate what programs are offered at local museums and colleges.

Joining a local gifted organization is a smart move that you should take. You will then be able to connect with parents who have children the same age as your son. These parents will be a great resource for finding quality gifted programs in your area. Plus, some of these children may turn out to be great playmates for your son.

You can find the names of many helpful websites online at the American Psychological Association website (apa.org). Just search for "Related Gifted Education Web sites." Ask the teacher for websites, too.

Helping a Visual Learner Succeed in School

Question: My child is a visual learner, according to her teacher. Knowing this, how can I help her do better in school? -- Want to Help Answer: Many researchers are now challenging the theory that there are different learning styles and that teachers should teach to a particular style for a child to succeed in school. Instead, the focus is now on children not being a specific type of learner but having a preferred style of learning. In fact, learning through different senses (visual, auditory, tactile) is a good idea.

Apparently, your child likes to learn visually, as most people do. This means that she prefers reading or observing to learning through talking and listening or a hands-on approach.

Therefore, you should encourage her to read more. And she might do better on tests by using flash cards, class notes and book summaries to prepare for tests.

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TIPS

>>>

STRATEGIES TO HELP KIDS FOCUS ON SCHOOLWORK

ome youngsters experience difficulty when the time comes to focus on their schoolwork. Such difficulties may be linked to a variety of factors, and parents can be overwhelmed as they attempt to identify the root cause of their youngsters' struggles in the classroom.

S

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 6.4 million American children between the ages of four and 17 have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. ADHD most often occurs in children, and these children may have difficulty with concentrating, paying attention, staying organized, and remembering details. But not all children struggling to focus on their studies have ADHD. Parents who want to help their kids overcome their issues with regard to focusing can consider a host of approaches and strategies.

WHETHER YOUR CHILD HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH ADHD OR NOT, THERE ARE WAYS TO OVERCOME ATTENTION ISSUES AND HELP HIM STAY FOCUSED.

• Speak with a qualified healthcare professional. Because ADHD is so common, parents should seek the opinion of a licensed healthcare professional to determine if their child has the disorder. According to the National Resource Center on ADHD (www.help4adhd.org), psychiatrists, pediatricians, neurologists, psychologists, and certain licensed counselors or therapists are qualified to diagnose ADHD. Determining if a child has ADHD is a great first step toward helping that youngster overcome his or her struggles in the classroom. A qualified healthcare professional can help develop a strategy to improve focus, and that may include prescribing medication to improve the child's ability to concentrate.

• Speak with your child's teacher. Students who don't have ADHD can still have trouble focusing on their schoolwork, and parents of such students may want to speak to their children's teachers to solve the problem. Educators have significant experience dealing with students who have trouble focusing, and they may be able to make certain suggestions to help kids focus on their work.

• Minimize distractions at home. Some kids may do well in class but find it hard to focus once they arrive home. That's because home often has far more distractions than the classroom. Once the time comes for

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your child to do his or her homework, minimize distractions that can compromise his or her ability to focus. Turn off the television and take kids' phones away if they have their own phones. During homework time, only allow them to use their computers for their lessons and not to connect with friends via social media. Parents also should make sure they aren't the distraction. Let kids do their work in peace and quiet, offering to help if need be, but steering clear of kids work areas so they are encouraged to focus and not strike up conversations with mom or dad.

• Make lists. Some kids focus better when they know exactly what they have to do. Encourage such youngsters to make lists of their assignments and check items off as they are completed. Checking items off can give kids a sense of accomplishment, which can motivate them to stay focused on their schoolwork going forward.

• Encourage breaks. A breather every so often can help kids avoid growing tired. Make sure kids don't take up another task, such as playing video games or watching television, during their breaks. But keep in mind that standing up every so often to walk around or get a glass of water can help them stay sharp and energized over the long haul.

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By Women SEPTEMBER 2015

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57

AFTERSCHOOL ACTIVITIES

COVER STORY

WHICH ONES ARE RIGHT FOR YOUR CHILD?

The start of a new school year has many Staten Island parents searching for activities that will keep their children, active, interested, and enriched. Our Island offers many options for every type of interest, through cultural institutions (siparent.com/cultural-centers), local branches of the New York Public Library (siparent.com/staten-island-libraries) or any number of schools, organizations, and private businesses.

Once you identify an interest your child wants to pursue, you can find a compatible class or activity that will help them reach their potential.

Whether your child is interested in competitive team sports or following an individual passion, here are some ideas to start exploring enrichment activities: Art Classes Baseball / Softball / Tee Ball Ceramics Cheerleading Cooking Dance Debate Team Fencing

Football Foreign Language Gardening Golf Gymnastics Hiking / Outdoor / Nature Hockey Horseback Riding

Ice Skating / Figure Skating Journalism Kayaking Knitting / Crocheting / Sewing Lacrosse Magic Martial Arts Musical Instrument Lessons

Reading / Book Club Robotics Roller Skating Scouts – Boy/Girl Soccer Swimming / Diving Tennis Theatre / Drama

Track / Running Voice Lessons Volleyball Volunteering Fundraising Wrestling Yoga/ Tai Chi

Sports may be the first thing that comes to mind when many parents think of extracurricular activities for their children, but not all kids are cut out for or interested in competitive athletics. But just because a youngster may not be the next star quarterback or captain of the soccer team does not mean he or she can't find an extracurricular activity to be passionate about.

design games. When trying to find extracurricular activities for your children, resist the urge to write off any of their interests. Instead, use those interests as jumping off points to further engage their passions.

Availability

Keep in mind kids' existing workloads when helping them find the right afterschool activities.

Many organizations are especially flexible with teenage volunteers or employees, but parents still must keep a watchful eye to ensure kids do not overextend themselves. Kids who overcommit to extracurricular activities may end

up feeling burnt out, which can have a negative impact on their schoolwork. Encourage kids to find activities they care about, but emphasize that these activities should not become bigger priorities than schoolwork, making sure kids don't devote too much of their time to afterschool activities during the school year. A couple of hours per week and even some additional time on the weekends should not distract kids from their responsibilities at school, and that's still ample . time for kids to explore their interests

Parents know that schoolwork comes first, but extracurricular activities can be important to a child's development, serving as an avenue to meet new people and an opportunity to learn the Internships importance of teamwork. The Internships were once following are a handful of exclusive to college students, Here’s what a few of our friends said when asked: things parents should but many organizations now “Do you feel extracurricular activities are important?” consider when trying to help offer internship opportunities their children find the right to high schoolers as well.

Yes, but not inundated with them! ~ Marie Smith extracurricular activities.

Kids who find themselves In addition to the exploration of various activities, these programs help children to interested in particular Interests develop socially, allowing them to interact with peers that they may not get to subjects at school, whether know otherwise throughout the school day. These activities support a balance of One of the easiest ways to it's graphic design or a educational and recreational experiences for optimal child development, provided help kids find an extracurbeginner's course on finance, that the balance is healthy. Each child is different. It is important to use the ricular activity they can be knowledge of your child to design and maintain that balance. may be eligible for passionate about is to ~ Tabatha Romano, Assistant Principal, NYC Board of Education internships with local discuss their interests with companies. Such opportuYes, as long it's fun for the child/children who are interested in that activity. them. Youngsters with a love nities may even encourage ~ Cathy Koneschusky of animals might enjoy kids to pursue a particular volunteering at a local When it comes to extracurricular activities I believe in quality and not quantity. course of study once they animal shelter or hospital, They should enhance children's childhoods, not steal it. What, in part, makes a enter college. person a well rounded human being?

Art, music, movement, and positive social while those who love to write interaction. Children are not small adults. They need to be ushered through their may find writing for the Extracurricular childhood with meaningful fun. ~ Marsha Jones-Ho school newspaper is a great activities can help way to apply that passion in Absolutely!!! Helps keep them out of trouble. Too much of anything is no good youngsters develop into but nothing is also no good. Balance. ~ Rosa Capellan-Rodriguez a practical setting. Even kids well-rounded adults. with a passion for video They should try different activities based on their interests, not ours. We should Parents can help kids find games might be interested in the right activities while stop them when it becomes a task to get them up and out for practices. They learning about computer should do it for fun and not being the best at it unless there's the legit case that still encouraging them to graphics and what it takes to they are both loving it and awesome at it. Keeps them amongst great groups of keep schoolwork atop kids and out of trouble. Unplanned time is important too, though!!! ~ Ruby Freeman

Yes, but not too much that interferes with school. School is always priority. ~JoAnne Sayers Not every kid is inclined toward competitive sports, but I think having some kind of extracurricular outlet is a great way to build confidence.

Whether it's karate, dance, art or chess, figure out what excites your child. Don't just sign them up for things they don't enjoy because you think they're "supposed to" like it. ~Dawn Papandrea, Oakwood Yes, as long they are not in 3 or more things at the same time.

Kids need some time off to chill. ~ Flavia Picciotto I believe after school activities are important for children to grow and expand their interests and talents. I have had children come to the school where I teach unprepared due to a long or late practice, which is unacceptable. There must be a balance between school and extracurricular activities. ~ Ann Hughes, Richmondtown

their priority lists.

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SCHOOL SENSE CASH FOR SCHOOL

DRINKING WATER

Don’t send your child to school thirsty!

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SCHOOL SAFETY

NO TV BEFORE BED

State is ranked #34 on the overall quality and safety of the school system. The states with the best school systems are Massachusetts, Colorado, & New Jersey (in that order). Who ranked lowest? Alaska, District of

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It is a common misconception that American students spend less time in school than in other countries around the world.

Students in the United States receive an average of 900 to 1,000 hours of instructional time in school each year. However, more hours of instruction will not necessarily translate to better grades. Finland requires 608 annual instructional hours for its elementary-level students and 777 hours for middle-schoolers, but their test scores consistently top the charts globally.

Want to earn cash for your child’s school? Shoparoo is a free mobile app where users take pictures of their receipts and earn rewards for their school of choice.

In the last year, over $800,000 has been raised for schools across the country, including Our Lady Queen of Peace, Academy of St. Dorothy, and Blessed Sacrament School right here in Staten Island.

Download the Shoparoo app on the Apple App Store or Google Play, and go to www.Shoparoo.com to learn more.

According to WalletHub, New York

AUGUST 2015

SCHOOL DAYS

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Watching TV or other electronics before bed can interfere with melatonin production, the hormone which controls sleep cycles. Just one hour of TV before bed can keep your child up for an extra two hours!

School-age children need between 9 and 12 hours of sleep per night, so be sure to shut the TV (and all other devices) at least two hours before bed to ensure your little student gets enough rest for school the next day.

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FRESHKILLS PARK

It’s time to dump the tired “Staten Island dump” cliche, because Freshkills Park (which hasn’t functioned as a landfill since 2001) is getting a major makeover. At 2,200 acres, the park will be almost THREE TIMES the size of Central Park! Its transformation has begun. The Parks Department is working from the outside in to create New York City’s largest park in over 100 years. Schmul Park and Owl Hollow Fields are already popular spots for communities surrounding the park, and a multiuse path along Richmond Ave, called the New Springville Greenway, is under construction and opening soon. Upon completion, Freshkills Park will be a world-class park with a variety of amenities for public use, as well as facilities for social, cultural, and physical activities. This includes sports fields, nature trails, horseback riding, outdoor dining, recreational boating, biking, public art, and seven miles of park drives for getting around. CHECK OUR CALENDAR AT SIPARENT.COM/EVENTS TO FIND OUT ABOUT EVENTS THAT ARE ALREADY HAPPENING AT FRESHKILLS PARK!

your island.

S.I.’S HIGH POINTS

Ocean Terrace and Todt Hill Road, at approximately 410 feet above sea level, is the highest natural point along the East Coast, south of Maine.

The highest point on the East Coast is Mount Mitchell in western North Carolina, rising 6,684 feet above sea level.

Rising 20,237 feet above sea level, Mt. McKinley is the highest point in North America, according to Live Science. It is part of the AlaskaRange and the third highest mountain in the world.

THE NEW YORK WHEEL

Staten Island may soon be home to the world’s tallest Ferris wheel! At 630 feet, The New York Wheel will measure a colossal 60 stories high. From its waterfront St. George location, the wheel will hold up to 1,440 riders and offer breathtaking views of the New York Harbor and beyond. It is slated to open in 2017.

A rendering of the proposed New York Wheel on Staten Island. Credit Perkins Eastman The original “Ferris Wheel” was named after George Washington Gale Ferris Jr., who created the 264-foot wheel for the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893.

Although the spectacular wheel was a huge hit at the 19-week long Chicago fair, Ferris fell into debt afterward and eventually died of typhoid fever at just 37 years old. Sadly, after an unsuccessful stint elsewhere, the original Ferris wheel was demolished in 1906.

The Original Ferris Wheel

Here are some other notable Ferris wheels: The Dubai Eye - The New York Wheel may not be the world’s tallest for long (or at all), as construction is underway for a 690-foot Ferris Wheel in Dubai.

The High Roller – At 550 feet high, the current largest Ferris wheel in the world was opened just last year in Las Vegas, Nevada, outside of Caesar’s Palace along the famous Las Vegas Strip.

Cosmo Clock 21 – This 353-foot observation wheel in Yokohama, Japan was the world’s tallest when it was constructed in 1989 and also currently serves as the world’s largest clock.

Wiener Reisenrad – Located in Vienna, Austria, this is currently the oldest operating Ferris wheel in the world. At 212 feet high, it was the tallest in the world from 1920 until 1985.

The Pacific Park Wheel – This wheel overlooks the Southern California coastline from atop the Santa Monica Pier. It measures a mere 85 feet tall, but is the only solar-powered Ferris wheel in the world.

GRANDPARENTS

>>>

5 WAYS TO HONOR YOUR GRANDPARENTS

randparents hold a special place in the hearts of people all over the world. In many cultures, elders are revered and celebrated, and many people know their grandparents as funloving folks who sneak their grandchildren candy and let them get away with things when their parents aren’t looking.

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The American Grandparents Association says there are 70 million grandparents in the United States, and more than a million people become first-time grandparents every year. Many grandparents even serve as the primary caregivers for their grandchildren.

CELEBRATE GRANDPARENTS DAY THIS SEPTEMBER 13 BY HONORING GRANDMA AND GRANDPA IN A SPECIAL WAY.

The roles grandparents play in the lives of their children and grandchildren are significant, and the following are some ways to honor the grandparents in your life.

• Create a customized brag book. Grandparents often enjoy sharing photos and stories of their family members with others.

Thanks to user-friendly software, it is now easier than ever to design a brag book, photo album or even a photo calendar that grandparents can cherish. Rely on a photo-sharing site to get started. Remember to include special moments, such as family trips or milestone occasions that highlight what your grandparents mean to you.

• Develop a family history project. Forays into genealogy don’t need to be limited to class assignments. Examining the family tree can be a unique way to spend more time with grandparents or other seniors in your life. Chronicle moments in your family history and compile a catalog of genealogical data.

You never know which details of historical significance you may uncover when exploring your family history.

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• Organize a special outing. Take an interest in a grandparent’s hobby or occupation. Schedule a date when you spend time together exploring this interest, whether it be fishing, scrapbooking or taking in a sporting event. This will reinforce bonding time. On another day, reverse roles, inviting a grandparent or elderly relative to participate in an activity you enjoy.

• Travel together. Planning a vacation with a grandparent is an ideal way to see some sites and make great memories together. If traveling internationally, investigate how people of different generations live in the country you are visiting.

• Catalog family recipes. Before hosting your next family meal, invite a grandparent over to help with the cooking and to share family recipes. Arrange a day to write all the family recipes down in a single book or file so they can be shared with future generations.

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PARENTING

>>>

5 BILINGUAL PARENTING MYTHS

hen it comes to bilingual parenting it seems everyone has their two cents to share. For German-American mom Patricia Weis, opinions from friends, family, neighbors, and even co-workers flooded in as she chose to parent her two-year-old daughter, Chloe, bilingually. At home, Patricia only speaks her native language with Chloe in hopes she will better learn that culture, in addition to having the ability to interact with her extended family.

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For so many parents, bilingual parenting is a way of life. But with all the outside opinions pouring in, it’s easy to see how myths about bilingual parenting can quickly turn to facts and vice versa. To help you learn the truth, here are five bilingual parenting myths.

! o a ci

RAISING A BILINGUAL CHILD CAN REAP LIFELONG BENEFITS. Myth: Raising a child to be bilingual often leads to speech Myth: Parents must be bilingual to raise bilingual children. delays.

While maybe a bit more challenging, children can be raised bilingual One of the biggest misconceptions about bilingual parenting is the despite their parents only being fluent in one language. With the help increased chance of your child developing speech delays. Though of other learning resources parents are able to raise children who speak sometimes a temporary delay occurs similar to a learning curve, this multiple languages. However, we recommend taking the time to learn delay disappears quickly and has no effect on your child’s overall together. As you help teach your child new pronunciations and words, speech development. take the time to also learn them yourself. Both you and your child will be glad you did.

Myth: Learning more than one language confuses children.

A child’s brain has a great capacity for quick and broad Myth: It’s too late to teach my child to be bilingual. development. From even as young as infancy children are able to It’s never too late to learn something new, including a new decipher languages. By teaching your child to not only speak one language. No matter the age of your child, weather two years old or language, but two- you are only expanding their learning capacity and twelve years old, they can reach bilingual success with your help. encouraging them to explore a variety of sounds, not confusing them.

Decide to make a commitment to parenting bilingually and then follow through no matter their age!

Myth: Parenting a child to be bilingual takes little to no effort.

While children will certainly learn language through everyday For so many parents like Patricia, bilingual parenting is a way of life. interaction with you, it’s important to note that successful bilingual While for many others, it’s a new journey they are just embarking on. parenting takes quite a bit of additional effort. Make a point to elongate With so many outside opinions, it’s easy to mix myths with facts. But pronunciations for little ones, use flash cards or physical objects, and don’t let the confusion hold you back. By keeping these five common even take it a step further through games or field trips such as the zoo myths in mind as you tackle bilingual parenting you can better help to focus on the different animals’ names. Simply invest the time needed your child succeed and even share a few truths to encourage others. to help your child succeed in both languages.

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By Samantha Bronsing

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Dr. Vetere has over 25 years experience evaluating, diagnosing and provide behavioral interventions.

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HEALTH

>>>

TIPS FOR YOGA BEGINNERS

hough it might once have been considered a trend, yoga has long since moved on from trendy territory to become a more widely accepted discipline that is practiced by millions for its positive impact on mental and physical health. A recent survey found that roughly 20 million Americans over the age of 18 engage in this ancient practice.

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The growing popularity of yoga likely comes as no surprise to its many practitioners, who often credit yoga with relieving stress and improving overall fitness. In addition, yoga can also help alleviate chronic pain and, according to the Mayo Clinic, reduce risk factors for chronic conditions such as heart disease and high blood pressure.

YOGA CAN HELP IMPROVE OVERALL PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH.

While yoga is beneficial in many ways, it's important that men and women not substitute yoga exclusively for medical treatment. Yoga on its own may be effective, but men and women should still seek professional medical treatment when dealing with health problems.

It's also important that men and women beginning a yoga regimen not take it lightly. Though the atmosphere in a typical yoga studio tends to be serene, yoga is a physically demanding discipline, and those unprepared to deal with such demands often find themselves suffering from injuries. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, injuries to the neck, shoulders, spine, legs, and knees are possible when practitioners of yoga do not exercise proper technique and caution.

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So it pays for beginners to heed the following warnings when beginning a yoga regimen. • Work with a professional. No matter how long your neighbor insists he or she has practiced yoga, it's still best that you learn the discipline from a certified instructor.Your neighbor might know all of the poses, but an instructor with credentials can help men and women with pre-existing medical conditions avoid poses that can exacerbate such conditions. Novices might not know that certain poses can increase injury risk for sufferers of osteoporosis, spinal problems, and high or low blood pressure. When trying yoga for the first time, always work with a professional, making sure to discuss any pre-existing medical conditions before your initial session. • Take things slowly. Its reputation as a calming discipline often gives beginners the mistaken impression that yoga is an

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easy discipline to grasp. However, it's best for beginners to take things slowly before attempting to perform difficult stretches and poses. Yoga is not a competition, so give yourself adequate time to learn proper breathing techniques and figure out ways to maintain your balance. Once you have mastered such techniques, you can then begin to try your hand at more advanced poses.

• Warm up before each session.

Men and women should warm up before beginning any exercise regimen, and yoga is no exception. Stiff, cold muscles can lead to serious injury whether you're playing basketball or stretching into a yoga pose. Warm up your muscles with a few minutes of light cardiovascular exercise before beginning a yoga session to reduce your risk of muscle tears or pain when you start stretching or posing.

• Dress appropriately. Flexibility is essential when practicing yoga, so make sure your clothing is not restrictive. Women can buy pants made specifically for yoga that stretch easily, making it easier to perform various poses and stretches. Men may also be able to find pants made specifically for yoga, but if not, athletic shorts or track pants can work just as well.

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• Stop if you feel any physical problems. It is not uncommon, especially for beginners, to experience feelings of dizziness or feel as if your body is becoming overheated during yoga. In such instances, stop immediately, as yoga is supposed to be a pain-free discipline. Ask the instructor for help the moment you start to feel faint, dizzy, overheated, or injured.

Physical problems during yoga may be a byproduct of dehydration, so be sure to begin your session fully hydrated and remain so throughout your workout.

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GROWING UP ONLINE

by Carolyn Jabs

Becoming Mindful about Photos Social media has become the new back fence, a place where parents can tell stories, swap tips and even brag a bit. A recent survey from the Pew Research Center found that moms, in particular, give and get lots of encouragement as well as useful parenting information from networks like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Almost all of these efforts involve photos, which would be great if those photos would stay put. Unfortunately, they don’t. Photos of cute kids—especially babies—have been misappropriated by people who use them for their own, sometimes dubious, purposes. Baby role-playing, for example, involves young women who use random photos of children to fantasize about motherhood. By posting pics and inventing details about babies they don’t know, they attract attention on social media.

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In these so-called digital kidnappings, the child may not be in physical danger. Still, most parents find it disconcerting to see their child’s face in someone else’s fantasy, especially if there’s a preoccupation with breastfeeding or bathtime. In other cases, parents have stumbled across familiar photos that have been used in advertising or to create memes, those Internet placards that sometimes take on a life of their own.

Obviously, people vary a great deal in what they feel comfortable saying on social media, and parenthood doesn’t necessarily change that.

Some new parents find that they are very protective about a baby’s online presence; others become Mommy bloggers who build a loyal following by chronicling intimate details about domestic life.

All parents should, however, think seriously about what impact a post that seems cute today might have on a child in the future. Just as couples need to negotiate what they are willing to share on social media, parents must also try to imagine how a child will feel when he or she is an eyerolling eight-year-old, an easily embarrassed teen, or a young adult looking for a job. How can parents balance the benefits of social networking with its risks? Here are a few tips:

Use privacy settings. The report from Pew found that parents typically had 150 friends on Facebook, and of those, one-third were “actual” friends. Consider sharing photos of kids only with those friends.

Most social media sites make it easy to establish different groups within your online community. (Details about privacy settings for the main social media venues are available at socialmediaexaminer.com/socialmedia-privacy-settings/) Go through your network and think about whether your relationship is close enough to share details about your child. Grandparents, other family members, close friends? Absolutely!

Colleagues, associates, and friends of friends. Probably not.

Share your reshare policy. Even if you are careful about privacy, photos can escape your network if they are reshared. To discourage

resharing, remind friends and family that photos are “for your eyes only.” Talk to other parents, too. Explain your concerns about oversharing and ask that they not post photos of playdates and other outings without your permission. Extend the same courtesy to them.

Use a nickname. Instead of using your child’s real name, use a pseudonym. This makes it harder to connect an escaped photo with your family. It will also spare your child the embarrassment of having baby pics show up when someone Googles them in the future.

Make copying difficult. A few techniques will make it harder for people to use your photos for other purposes. Try saving photos with the lowest possible resolution. Not only will the file transmit more quickly, but it will also be blurry if someone tries to enlarge it. Parents can also borrow a trick from professional photographers by putting a signature or watermark on photos.

Visualwatermark.com is one of several free services that make it easy to brand digital pics.

No naked pictures. Ever. No matter how cute or innocent they may seem, naked pictures should not be posted online. Even if you don’t attract the attention of a predator or run afoul of the obscenity standards on your social network, you run the risk of distributing a picture that will be used to harass your child in the future.

Use an alternative album. Some parents use social media as a kind of baby album, keeping track of “firsts” as they happen.

Really important photos deserve better protection. Try making albums on password-protected sites like Flickr or Photobucket.

Share passwords only with family members and other trusted friends who really want to see all your great photos. Back up photo files in the Cloud and on a separate hard or flash drive. For photos that really matter, consider making prints or photo books, which are likely to last longer than any digital format.

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Be selective. Taking digital pictures is sooooo easy. Be ruthless about culling your photos. Review and delete at least once a week.

And only share photos that are special in some way. Close-ups with only a few props tend to be more interesting, and they also they make it harder for strangers to identify your child or locate your home. Post vacation pictures after you return home so people won’t know when your house is unoccupied.

Now that every cellphone includes a camera, parents also need to think about when photos are an intrusion. Yes, childhood is fleeting and a photo can help you remember. But photos can also turn you into an observer instead of a participant, especially if you are thinking ahead to the number of “likes” a photo will get on social media. Instead of reflexively reaching for the camera, get in the habit of asking whether a photo will deepen—or interrupt—a special moment with your child.

By Carolyn Jabs, M.A., who raised three computer savvy kids including one with special needs.

She has written Growing Up Online for ten years and is working on a book about constructive responses conflict. Other columns are available at www.growing-up-online.com. @ Copyright, 2015. Carolyn Jabs. All rights reserved.

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RECIPE

>>>

TURN APPLE-PICKING EXCURSIONS INTO APPLE PIES

ertain activities are unique to autumn, and apple picking certainly falls into that category. Many families look forward to their annual trips to nearby apple orchards, where they can spend beautiful autumn afternoons picking fresh apples everyone can't wait to take a bite out of.

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While fresh apples are a delight on their own, few apple aficionados can resist the temptation to make an apple pie. If homemade apple pie is on your agenda this year, consider the following recipe for "French Apple Pie" from Mollie Cox Bryan's "Mrs. Rowe's Little Book of Southern Pies" (Ten Speed Press).

French Apple Pie Makes one 9-inch pie • 1 recipe Plain Pie Pastry (see below) Raisin Filling: • 2/3 cup raisins • 6 tablespoons water • 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice • 1/4 cup light corn syrup • 11/2 teaspoons all-purpose flour • 11/2 teaspoons sugar • 2 apples (preferably a tart variety) • 1/4 cup brown sugar • 1/2 cup sugar • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg • 11/2 teaspoons cornstarch

NOTHING BEATS A FRESH HOMEMADE APPLE PIE! Icing: • 1 cup confectioners' sugar • 2 tablespoons water • 1 tablespoon butter, softened To make the raisin filling, combine the raisins, water and lemon juice in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally until the raisins are plump, about 15 minutes.

Separately, combine the corn syrup, flour and sugar and mix well, then add to the raisins and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until thick and syrupy, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool until the mixture is just warm, about 10 to 15 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 400 F. Line a 9-inch pie plate with 1 rolled-out crust.

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Peel the apples, cut them into thin wedges, and put them in a large bowl.

Separately, combine the sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch, then add to the apples and gently stir until evenly mixed.

Spread the apple mixture in the crust in an even layer, then spread the raisin filling evenly over the apples. Brush the rim of the crust with water, cover with the second rolled-out crust, seal and flute or crimp the edges, and cut a steam vent in the center.

Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack for 1 to 2 hours, until completely cool.

To make the icing, combine the sugar and water and mix well. Add the butter and mix until smooth. Brush over the top of the cooled pie before serving.

Plain Pie Pastry: Makes two 9-inch pie crusts • 2 cups all-purpose flour • 1 teaspoon salt • 2/3 cup vegetable shortening • 5 to 7 tablespoons cold milk Sift the flour and salt into a bowl. Cut in the shortening with a pastry blender until it is the size of small peas. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the milk over part of the flour mixture. Gently toss with a fork and push to the side of the bowl. Sprinkle another tablespoon of milk over another dry part, toss with a fork and push to the side of the bowl. Repeat with the remaining milk until all of the flour mixture is moistened.

Press the dough together to form 2 equal balls, then flatten into disks. Roll out the crusts right away, or wrap the dough tightly, smoothing out any little wrinkles or air pockets and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each ball to a thickness of 1/8 inch. Use a light touch and handle the dough as little as possible.

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S ArvY D Y N e ic N SU ervention Se s Early Int

MAKING THE WORLD BRIGHTER, ONE CHILD AT AT TIME

PROVIDING A FULL RANGE OF SERVICES: Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Psychological Services & ABA Special Instruction Services.

We tailor these services to specifically target each child’s needs with an individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)

718.556.1616 OR 311 1535 Richmond Avenue, 3rd Floor • SI, NY 10314

www.sunnydays.com

Richmondtown Soccer Club is growing stronger every year.

Over 400 children, from ages 3 to 14, think it's the place to be to learn the game of Soccer. Richmondtown Soccer is dedicated to teaching kids about the world's most popular game, with an emphasis on good sportsmanship. Boys and girls from Pre-School to High School play with Richmondtown.

" S oc c e r i s a m a g i c a l g a m e . " - David Beckh am YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY

“ W h e r e t e ac h i n g and lead in g by exam ple is the ONLY way t o c o a c h t h e g am e ”

Our Youth Development Academy is for children ages 3 & 4 years old. It's a perfect way to introduce your child to the game of soccer and also other children their own age.

Join us on Saturday mornings at Miller Field where boys and girls learn the sport from the beginning.

YOUTH TEAM REGISTRATION OPEN Our youth teams ages 5 - 14 are always looking for new players.

Our experienced licensed coaches make learning the game fun and enjoyable.

Go to www.richmondtownsoccer.com to register your child for a great learning experience • Staten Island Contact - 917-860-2180 SEPTEMBER 2015

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PARENTING

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TIPS FOR A HEALTHY SCHOOL YEAR

tudents are most likely to get sick when school starts because being at school puts their immune systems to the test, offers The Mayo Clinic. Young children who are in close proximity to others in large groups tend to spread organisms like bacteria and viruses that cause illness. Breaking the cycle can take some work, but it's possible to make this a healthy school year.

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Encourage Handwashing Frequent handwashing is a great way to prevent illness. Handwashing habits are essential for school-aged children. Children should wash their hands after they use the bathroom, before they eat, and as soon as they come home from school. If they've been playing outside or have interacted with children who are SICK CHILDREN SHOULD STAY HOME FROM SCHOOL TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND THEIR CLASSMATES AND TEACHERS. sick, handwashing can help remove some of the germs lingering on their to minimize the spread of germs. They should also be reminded to hands. Antibacterial wipes are another option, but they may not be as wash their hands all the way up to their elbows after they have sneezed effective as washing hands with warm, soapy water. or coughed.

Handwashing should be encouraged as early as possible in a child’s life so that they are already in the habit of doing so once they attend school. Make hygiene routines fun for young kids by singing songs about germs and handwashing together at the sink, or by reading books about the importance of good hygiene.

Cover Your Mouth!

Parents should always remind their children to cover their mouths when sneezing or coughing. However, children should be aware that they should never sneeze into their hands because hands touch so many other surfaces that are vulnerable to germs. Children should be encouraged to sneeze into the crook of their arm, inside of the elbow,

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Parents can purchase small, travel-sized packages of tissues for kids to carry inside their school bags or pockets at all times, in case a sneezing or coughing episode occurs outside of the classroom.

Take a Sick Day Rare is the student who will never come down with an illness. When kids get sick, keep them at home. A child who is running a fever should be kept home from school until at least 24 hours after his temperature has returned to normal. If a child has been infected with lice or is diagnosed with a contagious illness, such as chicken pox, pink eye, coxsackie, mononucleosis, strep throat or the flu, parents should report

Halloween is Coming.....

to tudeanttio S ll a Sm acher R s Te • Beam ng Barsg • Tumbli a V ultin

Greatay Birthtdies Par

find pumpkin patches, events and activities and more for your little goblins on

siparent.com

truction s s n I t r e t Exp pic Even ne m ly O ll a li of Trampo Including

Call for Registration Info 718-983-9090

3575 Victory Blvd (Top Tomato Plaza, Travis) www.victorygymnasticscenter.com

SEPTEMBER 2015

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HIGH HOPES : OPEN M 6:30A TO 0PM 6:3

Celebrating our 20th year serving Staten Island Families.

TENDER-LOVING CARE! Flexible schedules • Age appropriate curriculum Half and Full Days available

INFANTS

TODDLERS

6 Weeks - 2 Years

2 Years - 3 Years

NURSERY SCHOOL

COME & E JOIN TH FUN!

FREE UPK For children born in 2011. Extended hours available.

3 year old program Half days or Full days!

1298 Woodrow Rd 718-317-8143 Call for nal a perso tour

the illness to the child’s teacher or principal immediately so that other parents can look for symptoms in their own children.

Schools typically have guidelines indicating when it is acceptable for children to return to school, and it's important that parents adhere to those guidelines so illnesses cannot spread around the school.

Promote Adequate Sleep and Nutrition While adults may need between seven and nine hours of sleep a night, children often require more. The National Sleep Foundation recommends eight to 13 hours of sleep a night for school-aged children.

Begin adjusting sleep schedules during the latter part of summer vacation so that children can readjust to their regular sleep schedules.

Parents should also feed children nutritious diets consisting of a variety of foods. Eating healthy food is a great way to boost the immune system. In addition to plenty of fruits and vegetables, children should be offered other nutrient-rich foods such as eggs, yogurt, beans, whole grains, and nuts (if allergies aren’t an issue, of course). Avoid processed foods and junk foods containing excess saturated fats and/or sugar, reserving such items only as special treats every so often.

Donate Cleaning Supplies Some schools may be underfunded and might not have enough supplies to keep all of the classrooms and surfaces clean.

Parents can help by donating cleaning wipes and sprays so that students and teachers can thrive in clean, healthy environments. If the child’s school supply list calls for one roll of paper towels, parents should consider sending in two or three rolls instead, being sure talk to the teacher to find out which items are needed most.

FREE TUITION Your Child Can Dance Tuition Free!

Register With A Friend & Both Pay HALF PRICE

TAKE A CLASS For $1.00!

SPECIALS ARE FOR NEW CLIENTS ONLY. CANNOT BE COMBINED. EXPIRATION DATES APPLY.

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UNLIMITED CLASSES For $100 BOYS TUITION $25 per month

Stop (some) Sharing Sharing develops good manners and can foster new friendships. But children should be discouraged from sharing food, drinks and other personal items. Once the item has been placed in a child's mouth, it should not be shared. Parents should enforce this rule when children are young to avoid any issues when school begins.

SEPTEMBER 2015

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Win Four Tickets to See

Sunday, November 22 at 1:00pm Prudential Center, Newark, NJ

Enter online @ www.siparent.com

Still time to enter to win 4 tickets to see

Shrek the Musical at the St. George Theatre

Sunday, October 25 at 3pm

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SEPTEMBER 2015

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PUBLIC SCHOOLS

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

September

September

Sept. 9 - First day of school for all students; early dismissal for kindergarten/pre-K Sept. 14-15 - Rosh Hashanah; schools closed Sept. 23 - Yom Kippur; schools closed Sept. 24 - Eid al-Adha; schools closed

Sept. 9 - Classes begin for all students

October

Oct. 12 - Columbus Day; schools closed

November

October

Oct. 12 - Columbus Day; schools closed Oct. 22 – No school for pre-K

Nov. 1 – All Saints Day; some schools closed Nov. 11 - Veterans Day; schools closed Nov. 26-27 – Thanksgiving Recess

November

December

Nov. 3 - Election Day; no classes for students Nov. 11 - Veterans Day; schools closed Nov. 26-27 – Thanksgiving Recess

December

Dec. 3 – No school for pre-K Dec. 24-Jan. 1 - Winter Recess

January

Jan. 4 - Classes resume after Winter Recess Jan. 18 - Dr. Martin Luther King Day; schools closed Jan 28 - No school for pre-K

Dec. 8 – Immaculate Conception; some schools closed Dec. 24-Jan. 1 - Christmas Recess

January

Jan. 4 - Classes resume after Christmas Recess Jan. 18 - Dr. Martin Luther King Day; schools closed

February

Feb. 15 - Presidents' Day; schools closed

March

February

Feb. 1 – No classes for high school students Feb. 8 - Lunar New Year; schools closed Feb. 15-19 - Midwinter Recess

March 17 - St. Patrick's Day; some schools may be closed March 24 – Holy Thursday; schools closed March 25 – Good Friday; schools closed TBD Easter Recess dates vary by school

March

May

March 25 - Good Friday; schools closed

April

April 21 - No school for pre-K April 25-29 - Spring Recess

May

May 30 - Memorial Day; schools closed

June

June 9 - No classes for students; staff development day for teachers June 14 - No classes for elementary and intermediate school students June 23 - No classes for high school students June 28 - Last day of school for all students

May 5 – Feast of the Ascension; schools may be closed May 30 Memorial Day; schools closed

June

June 20-24 Last week of school, half-day dismissal

Zion Lutheran Preschool 4 year old Pre K INFORMATION ~ LIMITED SEATS FOR SEPTEMBER ENROLLMENT ~ CLASSES BEGIN 9/16–THERE IS STILL TIME TO REGISTER! Terrific 2's Separation Class Preschool for 3 year olds PreK for 4 year olds

Call 718.981.3623 • Text 917.853.ZION Miss Kim, Zion Lutheran Preschool Director www.zionlutheranpreschoolsi.com • misskimzion@aol.com 505 Watchogue Rd. c/s Willowbrook Rd.

www.zionlutheranpreschoolsi.com

At Zion we know you have a choice to send your child to free UPK but a child's experience at our "ZPK" is priceless

Zion Lutheran Preschool created our very own PreK program we call the Common CARE Curriculum and do NOT follow the Common Core.

We prepare our students for Kindergarten in our safe, extremely academic and nurturing Christian environment.

If your child begins UPK in September and after giving it a try you decide to join our family at Zion.... Call or text and we will gladly offer you a seat in an available PreK class!

718.981.3623 or text 917.853.ZION

SEPTEMBER 2015

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e t e fr en ev

baby health fair & expo 0RQGD\, 2FWREHU WK 12:00 – 3:00pm LOCATED AT BABIES ‘R US 2655 RICHMOND AVENUE STATEN ISLAND, NY

ALL ACTIVITIES ARE FREE. BRING YOUR FAMILY! • Educational Sessions for Parents & Parents-to-Be • Bring your Favorite Doll for a Check Up • Children’s Activities & Giveaways • Health Screenings • Vendors • Refreshments • Prizes

For more information, call 718-818-2100.

Co-Sponsored by Richmond University Medical Center & Babies ‘R Us

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STATEN ISLAND PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY Specializing in Dentistry & Orthodontics for Children, Adolescents & Patients with Special Needs INVISALIGN AVAILABLE • DIGITAL X-RAYS Deborah Gries, D.M.D., M.S.

Michelle Flanigan, D.M.D. Board Certified Pediatric Dentist Sara Skurnick, D.M.D. Orthodontist

OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK | EVENING & SATURDAY HOURS AVAIL.

718.761.7316

195 Bridgetown St.

(Corner of Richmond Hill Rd)

www.sikidsdentist.com • sikidsdentist@gmail.com

MONSIGNOR FARRELL HIGH SCHOOL

FALL 2015

DRIVERS EDUCATION (Must be 16 by September 15, 2015) • Early morning and afternoon driving and lecture classes • New air-conditioned cars • Experienced, patient instructors

FOR AN APP LICATION CALL ROBERT BESIGNANO

7 18 - 98 7- 29 0 0 x 2 19 Applications can also be picked up & dropped off at the school’s main office between 8:30am-3:30pm starting 9/14/15.

2900 Amboy Rd (Oakwood) (please bring signed application & check made out to Msgr. Farrell H.S. Driver Ed to the Main Office) SEPTEMBER 2015

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PARENTING

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YOU KNOW IT’S THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL WHEN . . .

ike the vibrant sights and sounds of any festive time of year, the telltale signs of the first day of school can be spotted from at least a mile away.

Images come to mind of zombielike children shuffling miserably to the bus stop while moms and dads follow gleefully behind, toasting with their coffee mugs like champagne flutes.

L

Sound familiar? Of course it does!

Here are a few more ways to tell the first day of school is upon us once again: 1. Your social media networks are flooded with pictures of kids sporting new book bags and forced smiles.

2. Your trip to Staples was like Toys ‘R’ Us on Christmas Eve. 3. Your teacher friends are all on suicide watch.

WHETHER THEY’RE LAUGHING OR CRYING, EVERYONE KNOWS WHEN IT’S THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.

4. You made the exact face in the picture above trying (unsuccessfully) to locate everything on your child's lengthy supply list.

TV, and liking everyone’s first day pictures on Facebook and Instagram.

5. The line in the haircutting place was even longer than the one in Staples.

12. You’ve signed so many permission slips that you’re no longer reading them first. You’re not sure, but you might have just accidentally nominated yourself for PTA president.

6. Your kids spent the majority of Labor Day completing two months’ worth of summer homework assignments.

13. You haven’t heard the words “common core,” or “standardized test,” in over two months (but that will change very soon).

7. You lost your toddler at least once amidst the chaos of first day dismissal.

14. You spent a small fortune on brand new fall clothes for school and you’re dying to see how great the kids look in them. Too bad it's 85 degrees and humid outside.

8. So. Much. Contact. Paper.

9.You've mentally prepared a list of all the parents you hope to avoid running into (and inevitably end up seeing every single one of them).

10.You forgot to set your alarm and almost missed morning drop off.

OR you pressed snooze so many times you almost missed morning drop off. OR you missed morning drop off.

11. You've made a long list of things to do when the kids leave for school, but instead you spend the morning drinking coffee, watching

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15. Your daughter tells you her best friend isn’t in her class, and it’s an actual crisis.

16. Your eyes sort of watered a bit when you dropped off your youngest, but you're not entirely sure if they were tears of sadness or tears of joy. Probably both.

By Jeannine Cintron, a Staten Island mom of two, who is a little sad about the end of the school break…. but she’ll get over it.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES PRESCHOOL NYS Licensed Preschool Teachers

UNIVERSAL PRE-KINDERGARTEN through NYC Board of Ed

LIMITED SEATS AVAILABLE

Youth MusicalTheatre Classes

CPSE EVALUATION SITE FEE FOR SERVICE

• Full & half day program ages 2-5 • Flexible schedule & extended hours

TECHNIQUE IN: Drama • Song • Dance • Children Ages 5-12 & 13-17 REGISTRATION September 11 at 4:15pm • Classes Begin September 11 at 4:45pm ~ Shows in November/December & May ~

JOAN P. HODUM EARLY LEARNING CENTER FREE NYS SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

• Diagnostic Evaluations • Full, Half Day & Integrated Classes • SEIT • Round-Trip Transportation In a secure & nurturing environment, our multi-sensory, language-based curriculum stimulates development & encourages parental involvement.

REGISTRATION HELD AT Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church • 309 St. Pauls Avenue • SI, NY 10304 Like us on Facebook @ Triple Threat Theatre,formerly known as The Jr.Talisman Players.

Follow us on Twitter @ TripleThreatSI

917-754-8957

3651 Richmond Rd 718.568.3106

Anna Glenn Sparks and Tina Montalvo, Directors Dee Kanevsky, Choreographer

United Sports Youth League REGISTER NOW FOR NFL FLAG FOOTBALL FALL 2015 FREE NFL PUNT, PASS AND KICK COMPETITION SEPTEMBER 5!

Be Active 2015

S ea s o n B eg i n s : Sept 1 2 th

A g e s : 5 D i v i si o n s (6 & u nder, 8 -U, 1 0 -U, 1 3 -U, 1 6- U) G e n d e r : C o ed D i v i s i o n & G i r l s D i v i s i o n s Ga me Tea m Fr ame: 9 -3 pm L oca tio n: Fa ther Ma cr is Pa r k (L amb er t Lan e and Faye Aven ue) G a m e s a r e p l a ye d o n S a t u r d a y s

SAVE $5

Use code siparent during online registration

CALL OR TEXT

646.423.8853 www.usyl.org

For more details or other sports visit

SEPTEMBER 2015

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TIPS

>>>

TRAVEL SAFE

eptember is Child Passenger Safety Awareness Month.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 75% of car seats on the road are installed incorrectly. Here are some easy tips to think about before hitting the road from the travel experts at Safety 1st.

S

• The safest place to install a car seat is typically in the center of the rear seat.

• Check in with a child passenger safety technician to ensure your child’s seat is installed correctly. You can visit a local police station, fire station, or AAA office.

• The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises parents to keep their toddlers in rear-facing car seats until age 2. It also advises that YOU MIGHT THINK YOUR CHILD IS SAFE IN HER CAR SEAT, most children will need to ride in a BUT SURPRISING STATISTICS SHOW SHE MIGHT NOT BE. belt-positioning booster seat until “Every heatstroke death caused by leaving a child unattended in a they have reached 4 feet 9 inches tall and are between 8 and 12 years hot car is 100 percent preventable,” said NHTSA Administrator Mark of age.

Rosekind.“The message is simple: never leave a child alone in a vehicle and always check the back seat before walking away. As a bystander, if • Don’t leave a child alone in the car. Hyperthermia is a severe form you see a kid alone in a hot car, take action. Working together, we can of heat stroke and last year 30 children died after being left or trapped prevent these tragedies.” in a hot vehicle, and an unknown number of others were moderately to severely injured.

• Childproof the inside of the car and eliminate projectiles. Anything in the car that is not secured is a possible projectile – even a child’s toy, According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or a water bottle. In a crash, objects take on greater weight due to crash vehicles heat up quickly, and not even a window rolled down two forces. inches can prevent that. The temperature inside a vehicle can reach deadly levels in only 10 minutes if the outside temperature is in the low • Make sure unused shoulder belts are not in reach of children as 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Even with temperatures in the 60s or 70s, they can pose strangulation risk. heatstroke poses a serious risk. A child will die of heatstroke once their body temperature reaches 107 degrees.

• Car seats expire! You can find the expiration date on the back of the car seat. Also, another very important tip - once a car seat has been in a “Everything we know about these needless tragedies indicates crash you should not use it, as plastic can warp and materials can fray. heatstroke in hot cars can happen to any parent from any walk of life," To properly dispose of a car seat check with your local waste said U.S Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “The Department of management facility to see if they recycle number 5 plastic.

Transportation is providing research and technical support to bring technology to bear on this tragic problem. But we all have a role to play, by taking practical, effective measures to protect our own kids and by calling 911 if we see a child in distress.”

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Michael De Simone Ph.D, LCSW

michaeldesimonetherapy.com

HELPING ADULTS, CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH

Anxiety • Fears & Worries • Anger Depression • Grief & Sadness Insecurity & Shyness Self Esteem & Relationship Problems In a Private, Comfortable and Confidential Setting

For information or consultation call 718-650-9000 or e-mail michael.w.desimone@gmail.com 175 Burbank Ave (New Dorp) Follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/MichaelDeSimonePhD

GARIBALDI-MEUCCI MUSEUM

STATEN ISL AND C O MMU NI T Y T E N N I S C E N T ER

6 Indoor Air Conditioned Courts 6 Outdoor Courts

www.statenislandtennis.com

718.982.3355

.

Also Available:

• Leagues/Random Courts • Junior Tennis Program (ages 4 & up • beginner-advanced) • Day~Evening ~Weekends Available • Private or Group Instruction

• Educational School Trips, K-12 • Italian Language Classes and Private Tutoring for Students • Mommy & Me Bilingual Italian Classes for ages 2.5-4 • Italian Opera: A Reflection of Life , 6 week Lecture series-Lou Barella (Call 718.442.1608 or more information) • Individual and Group Tours BRIAN CANO OF HAUNTED COLLECTOR AND CHRIS MANCUSO OF “SCARED!” PRESENT: Haunted Evening at the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum October 2nd or 3rd • 7:30 pm Reserve Now! $50 in advance $6o at door.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sept 12 Concert: Enzo Boscarino @ 2pm Sept 20 Dr. Mauro Peroni-Presentation of the Le Marche Region @ 2pm

Visit New exhibits and our Art Gallery at the Museum.

Sign up for event alerts at: www.garibaldimeuccimuseum.org www.facebook.com/GaribaldiMeucciMuseum www.garibaldimeuccimuseum.org

420 Tompkins Ave • 718-442-1608 SEPTEMBER 2015

www.siparent.com

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CAN YOUR DENTIST DELIVER THESE SERVICES? • Intravenous and Oral Sedation • Nitrous Oxide “sweet air”

• 42 years of experience with over 3,000 hours of continuing education

• Painless injections with “The Wand.”

• CPR and emergency management trained staff

• Doctor’s cell phone number

• Comfort care cleanings

• Drill free dentistry

• Always see the same Doctor

• 5 year warranty on dental work

• One hour hygiene visit devoted to oral health

• State of the art oral cancer screening with Vizilite • Financing available • An overall heath approach with blood pressure and blood sugar testing • Be seen on time!

• Evening and weekend hours

and comfort • Availability of topical gels for gum comfort during hygiene visits • Understand your dental needs; see it on TV with our intra-oral camera!

• Ask us about the 25 other ways we can help you!

If your answer is “no,” you need to call

STATEN ISLAND DENTAL CARE 718.761.5757 Dr. Frederick S. Hecht, D.M.D., P.C. Crown Council Humanitarian Dentist award for overseas dental missionary trips

Special Web Offer! www.AfraidOfTheDentist.com 1520 Richmond Avenue Staten Island, NY 10314 We are sorry but we are not able to accept Medicaid

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A Multi-Sensory Approach to Learning

Register Now For Fall!

• Core Curriculum • Emphasis on Language & Communication Skills CALL FOR A VISIT • FLEXIBLE PROGRAM SCHEDULE ON-GOING REGISTRATION Monday-Friday, Half & Full Days Available Liz Brandefine - Educational Director • Early Drop Off Established 1990 Licensed by the Bureau of Day Care • 4 year old Pre-K program Call for a Visit • 3 year old Pre-K program • 2 year old Nursery program

www.villagepreschoolsi.com village.preschool@gmail.com s Age 2-6

Pediatric Multi-Disciplinary Diagnostic Evaluation Site SEIT Program & Treatment Center Special Education Services: SEIT Services • CPSE & Private Evaluations CPSE Related Services (approved tertiary) PRIVATE THERAPY Speech, Occupational, Physical, Vision, Counseling, Signing to Enhance Vocabulary Special Education Services are at No Cost to Parent funding provided by county taxes & state funds for special education services

718.967.5809

76 St. Albans Pl (off Amboy)

All Ages Welcome

Services and their location are determined by the CPSE (local school district)

718.984.5826

905 Annadale Rd (Handicapped Accessible) Email: Therapy905@aol.com

www.wordsnmotion.com

INSTILLING CONFIDENCE, DISCIPLINE, TECHNIQUE AND EXPRESSION WHILE HAVING FUN

Register Now For Fall Classes

C r e a t i ve Mo v e m e n t , B allet, Tap, Jazz, M o d e r n , H ip Ho p , A c ro , P i l a t e s & Ad u lt F it n e s s C la s s es

Inspirations in Dance 718-494-6280

No Registration Fee with this ad.

FRIENDLY & FAMILY ORIENTED SCHOOL WITH A POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT

Expires 9/30/15.

MISS JENN’S CENTER FOR DANCE AND FITNESS ★ Ages 2 to Adult ★

www.inspirationsindance.com

1652 Richmond Avenue – Minutes from the S.I. Mall

Coral Island Shopping Center • Corner of Richmond and Victory

SEPTEMBER 2015

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Tips • Prod Fun uc t

ws • Birth Ann ou vie Re

O.M.G. I’m a MOM!

ents • Giveaw ay em nc

s

SEPTEMBER IS CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY MONTH

PRODUCT REVIEW Chicco NextFit Zip Convertible Car Seat

The NextFit is engineered with innovative safety and convenience features.

The ComfortFlex Harness Management holds both sides of the waist belt up and out of the way during loading / unloading and keeps them in the right spot once baby is ready to be buckled. The ReclineSure 9-position Leveling System provides the most recline options to accommodate a wider range of vehicles, and the SuperCinch LATCH tightener ensures a super tight and secure vehicle fit with less effort. When you’re ready to move to forward-facing, an integrated slide path makes it easy to re-position the LATCH strap. And when it’s time for a cleaning, the Zip & Wash Seat Pad zips out from shell for convenient machine washing.

The NextFit Zip Convertible Car Seat is for use with children from 5-40 lbs in rear-facing mode, and from 22-65 lbs in forward-facing mode. www.chiccousa.com SRP $349.99

Child safety seats have been around for a while, since as early as the 1960’s.

But the very first car seats barely took safety into consideration at all, focusing more on keeping children entertained while looking out the window than keeping them protected from injury. It took many years for the child safety seat to gain popularity, finally becoming mandatory in every state in 1985. Many of us likely recall riding willy-nilly in the back of our parents’ station wagons or roughhousing with siblings in the backseat while the car was in motion, never giving a second thought to fastening a seatbelt. Given what we know now about the importance of child safety seats, it’s horrifying to imagine how dangerous these practices were.

Thankfully, times have changed. Today’s child car seats are safer than ever. But to keep their

children as safe as possible, parents must install and utilize the seats properly. According to various reports from NHTSA, 75% of child car seats are not installed correctly!

To maximize your own child’s level of safety, it’s a good idea to have your car sear installed or inspected by a certified car seat technician. Once you begin to use the seat, be mindful of the expiration date. Car seats typically expire 6-9 years after the manufacture date (not the purchase date). If your vehicle is involved in an accident (even a minor one), your child’s car seat must be replaced. For these reasons, it’s probably not a good idea to purchase a used car seat with an unknown history. Be sure to keep your child rear-facing as long as possible – a minimum of two years and ideally until the child reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seat's manufacturer. For more tips on car seat safety, go to siparent.com/carseats.

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS Submit Your BABY’S ANNOUNCEMENT on www.siparent.com Haley Grace Schantz June 27, 2015 8 pounds, 6 ounces Parents: Steven & Julie

Newbies

Joshua Anthony Jimenez July 28, 2015 7 pounds 4 ounces Parents: Iris and Antonio

Giveaway

Professional Car Seat Installation & Lesson by How-To-Safety Correct car seat selection, installation, and use can be challenging. A certified Child Passenger Safety Technician can help you know for sure that your precious cargo is riding safely in the car! Three lucky winners will win a complete car seat concierge service for one car seat, with an installation and comprehensive safety lesson at your convenient Staten Island location (home, hospital, baby store, etc).

To set up an appointment with How-To-Safety visit www.HowToSafety.com.

A $50 VALUE! • VISIT SIPARENT.COM/CONTESTS TO ENTER.

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FAMILY NEEDS It’s In The Cards

Interested in Advertising?

Call 718.494.1932 26 Years of Proven Results.

SEPTEMBER 2015

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OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA SCHOOL

Start your child off on the right path!

Become a part of the Catholic school tradition.

• Advance ED Accredited/NCA • NYS Certified teaching staff • Common Core Curriculum PreK 4 to Grade 8 • High tech computer lab • Interactive Smartboard in all classrooms • Internet access throughout the school • Grades 7 & 8 use online textbooks for science, reading and social studies through school provided IPads.

• Remediation program, school counselor & meeting room • NJHS Chapter; Student Government • Science, Engineering and Technology Club; • Grade 8 Honors Math • Spanish Grades 3-8 Pre-K • State of the art athletic center with two new gymnasiums and an outdoor soccer field to 8th • Before and after care school program Grade • Full time school nurse

Pre K 3 Half Day: Tues & Thurs • 8:30-11:00 & 12:00-2:30 Pre K 4 Full Day: Mon, Wed & Fri • 8:30-2:30 Pre K 4 Emergent Literacy with Happily Ever After Reading Program, Formal Music and Computer Classes.

Rolling Registration.

Call for an Appointment.

To Register Call 718-984-5750 Irma Cummings, Principal or 718-984-0593 Debbie Emigholz, Parish Manager 5411 AMBOY ROAD • SI, NY 10312

Does Your Child Have A Disability or Special Health Care Needs?

You are not alone! “We care, we’ve been there.”

LIFE IS GRAND!

by Marianna Randazzo

Communication is a Work of Art “If everyone is thinking alike then somebody isn’t thinking.” George S. Patton.

What’s your communication style? How can it keep you sharp mentally?

Today, many methods of interaction do not even require people to come together, such as reading this text. Granted, communicating could be frustrating, especially when you spend 20 minutes on a phone call and then get disconnected, or when you try phoning someone who doesn’t pick up the phone, even when you know it is in his hand. How many times have you spent far too long re-reading texts that just don’t seem to make sense? What about the frustration of finding out vital information on Facebook? So, how do we get back to the art of conversation?

Don’t succumb to technology to speak with your grandchildren. Imagine if Martin Luther King, Jr. had not had the opportunity to reach people with his speeches. Words add joy to celebrations, inspire friends, and impress grandchildren– even when we think they are not listening.

If you have lived for 40, 60, or 100 years, you certainly have a lot to say. As my dad would say, “Listen to this old man, I’ve been around.” We have experience and a perspective on the important things in life. We have witnessed much, and have hopefully acquired an optimistic view on aging.

Growing up, many baby boomers were told, “Children should be seen and not heard.” For some, it has taken years to unlearn that philosophy. The “Silent Generation” of our parents’ age held their privacy in great regard. For whatever reason, secrecy was dominant, and much important family history was either lost, or passed on only once old age liberated their minds.

Talk to your grandchildren, but don’t ask the standard questions like, “How’s school?” You’ll get the standard answers like, “Fine.” Instead, begin with something more creative like, “Tell me something good (or silly, or sad) that happened today, or “What superhero or cartoon character does your teacher remind you of?” Chat casually, talk about the lunchroom or the bus, and try to get a full picture of their social lives. While you’re talking, give them the lowdown on your school days. Even better, their dad’s or mom’s school days. Kids love to hear stories about their own parents as children.

STATEN ISLAND SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENT CENTER

Seize every opportunity for speaking your mind – it is a good brain workout. My mother used to talk politics with her grandchildren. Although she never voted in 84 years, she had interesting opinions from watching the news all day. She also kept up with celebrity gossip, which always impressed her grown grandchildren.

Parent to Parent is a support network and is the Staten Island Parent Resource Center for children with Special Education Needs, Developmental Disabilities, Behavioral Challenges and Special Health Care Needs.

Listen to other people’s opinions, and you will always continue to learn.

When someone is truly interested in your point of view, consider it a gift, a compliment. Show respect for the young ones, and they will value you.

Founded & directed by parents of children with special needs.

For More Information 718.494.4872 1050 Forest Hill Rd • SI, NY 10314 Email: siptp@aol.com

www.parenttoparentnyinc.org

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Need icebreakers? Speak hypothetically. Clichéd questions from our youth, such as: “What would you do with a million dollars?” are new to kids.

Turn it into a writing game for a great way to be creative and practice math!

Their answers will give you a window into their hearts and minds.

Of the four essential human freedoms, the first is the freedom of speech.

Speak your mind, and be a good role model for the grandkids.

SEPTEMBER 2015

www.siparent.com

By Staten Islander Marianna Randazzo, author, educator, and a newly minted grandmother.

SEPTEMBER 2015

www.siparent.com

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 Compost Project: Turn & Learn Snug Harbor Cultural Center 718-448-2500 9:30am • Free • All ages Tot Time Tuesday The Interpretive Center 718-605-3970 10am • Free • Ages 1-4 Toddler Time Dongan Hills Library 718-351-1444 10:30am • Free • Ages 1.5-4 La Leche Meeting Christ Church of New Brighton 347-432-1134 10:30am • Free • Adults Tot’s Time Plus SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 11am • $5 • Ages 1-5 Tuesday Storytime Barnes & Noble 718-982-6983 11am • Free • All ages Buzzy Bees Garden Club Stapleton Library 718-727-0427 2pm • Free • All ages Read Aloud South Beach Library 718-816-5834 2pm • Free • All ages Teen Lounge Tottenville Library 718-984-0945 2:30pm • Free • Grades 6+ Kiddie Game Time Mariners Harbor Library 212-621-0690 3pm • Free • Ages 6-11 Teen/Tween Sewing Great Kills Library 718-984-6670 3:30pm • Free • Ages 10+ Craft Corner Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library 718-494-1642 4pm • Free • Ages 3-11 ABC Read with Me Picture Book Time St. George Library 718-442-8560 4pm • Free • Ages 3-8 LiteracyINC: Story Hour Stapleton Library 718-727-0427 5pm • Free • All ages

Events announced in this calendar are subject to change. Call to confirm before you attend.

718-727-0427 2pm • Free • Ages 4-9

718-494-1642 4pm • Free • Ages 6+

Read Aloud/Picture Book Time New Dorp Library 718-351-2977 2pm • Free • Ages 3+

Family Story Time Mariners Harbor Library 212-621-0690 4pm • Free • All ages

Voice of the People Tour Historic Richmond Town 718-351-1611 2:30pm • Free w/ admission • All ages

Unstructured Activity Time for Kids St. George Library 718-442-8560 4pm • Free • Ages 5-12

Board Games South Beach Library 718-816-5834 3:30pm • Free • All ages

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3

Picture Book Time Tottenville Library 718-984-0945 4pm • Free • Ages 3+

Bird Watching Clay Pit Ponds 718-967-1976 10am • Free • All ages

Outdoor Story Time St. George Library 718-442-8560 10:30am • Free • Ages 0-4

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES MORE EVENTS & DETAILS ON SIPARENT.COM

PLEASE NOTE: Events announced in this calendar are subject to change.

We strongly suggest calling to confirm times, prices, ages, etc. before you attend.

SEPTEMBER IS:

Child Passenger Safety Month Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Hispanic Heritage Month (Sep 15 - Oct 15) National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month

IMPORTANT DATES: Labor Day - September 7 First Day of School - September 9 Grandparents Day - September 13 Rosh Hashana Begins at Sundown - August 19 Harvest Moon - September 27

Family Movie Time Dongan Hills Library 718-351-1444 4pm • Free • All ages

Baby & Me Tottenville Library 718-984-0945 11am • Free • Ages 0-1.5

Evening Fireworks at South Beach The Vanderbilt at South Beach 718-477-0800 12am • Free • All ages

Bookcraft Stapleton Library 718-727-0427 4pm • Free • Ages 4-8

Tot’s Time Plus SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 11am • $5 • Ages 1-5

Baby Time South Beach Library 718-816-5834 10:30am • Free • Ages 0-3

End of Summer Reading Party West New Brighton Library 718-442-1416 4pm • Free • All ages

A Helluva Choir Noble Maritime Collection 718-447-6490 1:30pm • Free • All ages

Clay Day SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 1:30pm • Free • Ages 2-10

Crafternoon West New Brighton Library 718-442-1416 4pm • Free • Ages 5-12

CloseKnit Noble Maritime Collection 718-447-6490 2pm • Free • Adults

Create Your Own Super Hero Stapleton Library

Origami Wednesdays!

Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library

Teen Lounge Tottenville Library

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2

718-984-0945 2:30pm • Free • Grades 6+ Behind the Scenes at the Museum Historic Richmond Town 718-351-1611 2:30pm • Free w/admission • All ages Kids’ Movie Mariners Harbor Library 212-621-0690 3pm • Free • All ages Lego Club West New Brighton Library 718-442-1416 4pm • Free • Ages 5-12 Summer Sunset Concert Series Clove Lakes Park 212-639-9675 7pm • Free • All ages The Pipes Are Calling St. Alban’s Episcopal Church 718-984-6060 7:30pm • Free • All ages

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 Toddler Time Tottenville Library 718-984-0945 10:15am • Free • Ages 1.5-3

Baby & Me Time West New Brighton Library 718-442-1416 10:30am • Free • Ages 0-1.5 Baby and Me Great Kills Library 718-984-6670 11am • Free • Ages 0-1.5 Preschool Story Time Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library 718-494-1642 11:30am • Free • Ages 3-5 The Story Museum Historic Richmond Town 718-351-1611 11:30am • $3 • Ages 0-5 Kidz Cook SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 2pm • Free • All ages Light, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness Tour Historic Richmond Town 718-351-1611 2:30pm • Free w/admission • All ages Family Yoga Mariners Harbor Library 212-621-0690 3pm • Free • All ages Board Games St. George Library 718-442-8560 3pm • Free • All ages Farm Stand Fridays Snug Harbor Cultural Center 718-448-2500 3pm • All ages Fun Fridays: Stories and a Craft Great Kills Library 718-984-6670 3:30pm • Free • Ages 4+ Wii Time South Beach Library 718-816-5834 3:30pm • Free • All ages

Friday Hikes Clay Pit Ponds 718-967-1976 4pm • Free • All ages

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 Bicycle Association Bicycle Ride New Dorp High School 718-667-8686 8:30am • Free • Ages 18+ Gardening at Gericke Gericke Farm 718-967-1976 9am • Free • All ages Bank of America Museums On Us Staten Island Museum 718-727-1135 10am • Free • All ages Freshkills Park Tour Fresh Kills 212-360-3440 10am • Free • All ages The Full Moon at the Napping House Storytime Barnes & Noble 718-982-6983 11am • Free • All ages Richmond County Fair Historic Richmond Town 718-351-1611 11am • $11-16 • All ages Wild About Birds Staten Island Zoo 718-442-3100 12pm • Free w/ admission • All ages Staten Island Beach Fest Street Fair Richmond County Bank Ball Park 718-720-9265 12pm • Free • All ages FEASTival Staten Island Borough Hall 718-816-2300 12pm • Free • All ages Staten Island Beach Fest Carnival Midland Beach Promenade statenislandbeachfest.com 12pm • Free • All ages Beach Fest Dance Party South Beach statenislandbeachfest.com 12pm • Free • All ages Art Studio SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 1pm • Free • Ages 2-10 Freshkills Park Tour Fresh Kills 212-360-3440 1pm • Free • All ages Skats the Clown Fantasy Shore Amusement Park 718- 788-2676 2pm • Free • All ages

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6

Richmond County Fair Historic Richmond Town 718-351-1611 11am • $11-16 • All ages

Bank of America Museums On Us Staten Island Museum 718-727-1135 12pm • Free • All ages

Events announced in this calendar are subject to change. Call to confirm before you attend.

Staten Island Beach Fest Street Fair Richmond County Bank Ball Park 718-720-9265 12pm • Free • All ages FEASTival Staten Island Borough Hall 718-816-2300 12pm • Free • All ages Staten Island Beach Fest Carnival Midland Beach Promenade statenislandbeachfest.com 12pm • Free • All ages Beach Fest Dance Party South Beach statenislandbeachfest.com 12pm • Free • All ages

718-351-1444 10:30am • Free • Ages 1.5-4 Tuesday Storytime Barnes & Noble 718-982-6983 11am • Free • All ages Teen Lounge Tottenville Library 718-984-0945 2:30pm • Free • Grades 6+ Read Aloud South Beach Library 718-816-5834 4pm • Free • All ages Game Day West New Brighton Library 718-442-1416 4pm • Free • Ages 5-11

Art Studio SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 1pm • Free • Ages 2-10

Craft Corner Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES MORE EVENTS & DETAILS ON SIPARENT.COM

RICHMOND COUNTY FAIR

Saturday, September 5 to Monday, September 7 Historic Richmond Town 11am - 5pm historicrichmondtown.org The annual Richmond County Fair features rides, games, food, and live entertainment for all ages. The Fair raises funds to support the educational programs at Historic Richmond Town. Rain or shine, the fun is happening all Labor Day Weekend long!

Boardwalk Concert Series The Vanderbilt at South Beach 718-477-0800 4pm • Free • All ages Read Aloud & Craft Dongan Hills Library 718-351-1444 4pm • Free • All ages

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

Richmond County Fair Historic Richmond Town 718-351-1611 11am • $11-16 • All ages

Omar’s Summer Send-Off Fantasy Shore Amusement Park 718- 788-2676 2pm • Free • All ages

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8

Tot Time Tuesday The Interpretive Center 718-605-3970 10am • Free • Ages 1-4 Toddler Time Dongan Hills Library

718-494-1642 4pm • Free • Ages 3-11 ABC Read with Me Picture Book Time St. George Library 718-442-8560 4pm • Free • Ages 3-8 LiteracyINC: Story Hour Stapleton Library 718-727-0427 5pm • Free • All ages Baby Space St. George Library 718-442-8560 10pm • Free • Ages 0-1.5

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 Midweek Bird Walk Clove Lakes Park 212-639-9675 10am • Free • All ages

Read Aloud/Picture Book Time New Dorp Library 718-351-2977 2pm • Free • Ages 3+

Voice of the People Tour Historic Richmond Town 718-351-1611 2:30pm • Free w/ admission • All ages Board Games South Beach Library 718-816-5834 3:30pm • Free • All ages Picture Book Time Tottenville Library 718-984-0945 4pm • Free • Ages 3+ Family Movie Time Dongan Hills Library 718-351-1444 4pm • Free • All ages Bookcraft Stapleton Library 718-727-0427 4pm • Free • Ages 4-8 Crafternoon West New Brighton Library 718-442-1416 4pm • Free • Ages 5-12 Origami Wednesdays!

Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library 718-494-1642 4pm • Free • Ages 6+ Family Story Time Mariners Harbor Library 212-621-0690 4pm • Free • All ages Unstructured Activity Time for Kids St. George Library 718-442-8560 4pm • Free • Ages 5-12 Puppet Mobile: Tales of Brier Rabbit Westerleigh Park 718-442-0336 4pm • Free • All ages

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 Baby & Me Tottenville Library 718-984-0945 11am • Free • Ages 0-1.5

A Helluva Choir Noble Maritime Collection 718-447-6490 1:30pm • Free • All ages Teen Lounge Tottenville Library 718-984-0945 2:30pm • Free • Grades 6+ Behind the Scenes at the Museum Historic Richmond Town 718-351-1611 2:30pm • Free w/admission • All ages Lego Club West New Brighton Library 718-442-1416 4pm • Free • Ages 5-12 Kiddie Tech Time Mariners Harbor Library 212-621-0690 4pm • Free • Ages 6-11 Movies South Beach Library 718-816-5834 4:30pm • Free • All ages The Pipes Are Calling St. Alban’s Episcopal Church

718-984-6060 7:30pm • Free • All ages

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 Toddler Time Tottenville Library 718-984-0945 10:15am • Free • Ages 1.5-3 Preschool Story and Craft Huguenot Library 718-984-4636 10:30am • Free • Ages 3-5 Preschool Storytime South Beach Library 718-816-5834 10:30am • Free • Pre-K Baby & Me Time West New Brighton Library 718-442-1416 10:30am • Free • Ages 0-1.5 Baby Rhyme Time New Dorp Library 718-351-2977 10:30am • Free • Ages 0-1.5 Baby and Me Great Kills Library 718-984-6670 11am • Free • Ages 0-1.5 Itty Bitty Play Time Mariners Harbor Library 212-621-0690 11am • Free • Ages 0-3 Preschool Story Time Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library 718-494-1642 11:30am • Free • Ages 3-5 The Story Museum Historic Richmond Town 718-351-1611 11:30am • $3 • Ages 0-5 Light, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness Tour Historic Richmond Town 718-351-1611 2:30pm • Free w/admission • All ages Board Games St. George Library 718-442-8560 3pm • Free • All ages Farm Stand Fridays Snug Harbor Cultural Center 718-448-2500 3pm • All ages Fun Fridays: Stories and a Craft Great Kills Library 718-984-6670 3:30pm • Free • Ages 4+ Wii Time South Beach Library 718-816-5834 3:30pm • Free • All ages Lego Hour Mariners Harbor Library 212-621-0690 3:30pm • Free • Ages 5-11 Friday Hikes Clay Pit Ponds 718-967-1976 4pm • Free • All ages

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

Bicycle Association Bicycle Ride New Dorp High School 718-667-8686 8:30am • Free • Ages 18+

Events announced in this calendar are subject to change. Call to confirm before you attend.

Gardening at Gericke Gericke Farm 718-967-1976 9am • Free • All ages

Eating America Tour Historic Richmond Town 718-351-1611 2pm • Free w/admission • All ages

Fitness Saturday Mariners Harbor Library 212-621-0690 10:15am • Free • All ages

Viva Italy Garibaldi-Meucci Museum 718-442-1608 2pm • $5 • All ages

Science Saturdays Dongan Hills Library 718-351-1444 11am • Free • Ages 4-12

Cinema Saturdays Stapleton Library 718-727-0427 3pm • Free • All ages

D.E.A.R. Time (Drop Everything And Read) St. George Library 718-442-8560 11am • Free • All ages

Knitting Hour South Beach Library 718-816-5834 3pm • Free • Adults

Grandparents Day Storytime Barnes & Noble 718-982-6983 11am • Free • All ages

The Night Sky Wolfe's Pond Park 718-390-8000 8pm • Free • All ages

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES MORE EVENTS & DETAILS ON SIPARENT.COM

9/11 MEMORIAL CEREMONY Friday, September 11 Postcards Memorial 6:30pm statenislandusa.com

Borough President James Oddo has invited the general public to attend a Memorial Ceremony in honor of those Staten Islanders who so tragically lost their lives on September 11, 2001. The ceremony will be held at the Postcards Memorial at the St. George Esplenade, adjacent to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal.

1776 Peace Conference Celebration The Conference House 718-984-6046 11am • All ages

Stargazing in Great Kills Great Kills Park 718-987-6729 8:30pm • Free • All ages

La Leche Meeting Huguenot Library 718-984-4636 12pm • Free • Adults

Kayak the Creeks Fresh Kills kayakstatenisland.org 12pm • Free • All ages

Naturalist-Led Hike Fresh Kills freshkillspark.org 1pm • Free • All ages Summer Safety Saturdays Clay Pit Ponds 718-967-1976 2pm • Free • All ages Kiddie Game Time Mariners Harbor Library 212-621-0690 2pm • Free • Ages 6-11 Free Family Films New Dorp Library 718-351-2977 2pm • Free • All ages

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

Ranger’s Choice: Archery Willowbrook Park 718-698-2186 1pm • Free • Ages 8+

All Join In! Stapleton Library 718-727-0427 11am • Free • Ages 2-4 Baby Space!

Stapleton Library 718-727-0427 11:45am • Free • Ages 0-1.5 Read Aloud Huguenot Library 718-984-4636 4pm • Free • All ages Story Time Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library 718-494-1642 4pm • Free • Ages 3-11 Homework Help St. George Library 718-442-8560 4pm • Free • Ages 5-12 Homework Help Mariners Harbor Library 212-621-0690 5pm • Free • Grades 1-6

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 Compost Project: Turn & Learn Snug Harbor Cultural Center 718-448-2500 9:30am • Free Tot Time Tuesday The Interpretive Center 718-605-3970 10am • Free • Ages 1-4 Toddler Time Dongan Hills Library 718-351-1444 10:30am • Free • Ages 1.5-4 Preschool Fun Tottenville Library 718-984-0945 11am • Free • Ages 3-5 Tuesday Storytime Barnes & Noble 718-982-6983 11am • Free • All ages Teen Lounge Tottenville Library 718-984-0945 2:30pm • Free • Grades 6+ Kiddie Game Time Mariners Harbor Library 212-621-0690 3pm • Free • Ages 6-11 Teen/Tween Painting Great Kills Library 718-984-6670 3:30pm • Free • Ages 10+ Preschool Program New Dorp Library 718-351-2977 3:30pm • Free • Ages 2.5-5

Building the American Dream Tour Historic Richmond Town 718-351-1611 2pm • Free w/admission • All ages

Children’s Poetry Hour West New Brighton Library 718-442-1416 4pm • Free • Ages 6-12

Read Aloud & Craft Dongan Hills Library 718-351-1444 4pm • Free • All ages

Craft Corner Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library 718-494-1642 4pm • Free • Ages 3-11

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

ABC Read with Me Picture Book Time St. George Library 718-442-8560 4pm • Free • Ages 3-8

Toddler Story Time Great Kills Library 718-984-6670 11am • Free • Ages 1.5-3

LiteracyINC: Story Hour Stapleton Library 718-727-0427 5pm • Free • All ages Baby Space St. George Library 718-442-8560 10pm • Free • Ages 0-1.5

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 Read Aloud/Picture Book Time New Dorp Library 718-351-2977 2pm • Free • Ages 3+

Voice of the People Tour Historic Richmond Town 718-351-1611 2:30pm • Free w/admission • All ages Board Games South Beach Library 718-816-5834 3:30pm • Free • All ages Picture Book Time Tottenville Library 718-984-0945 4pm • Free • Ages 3+ Bookcraft Stapleton Library 718-727-0427 4pm • Free • Ages 4-8 Family Movie Time Dongan Hills Library 718-351-1444 4pm • Free • All ages Crafternoon West New Brighton Library 718-442-1416 4pm • Free • Ages 5-12

Events announced in this calendar are subject to change. Call to confirm before you attend.

212-621-0690 3pm • Free • All ages Lego Club West New Brighton Library 718-442-1416 4pm • Free • Ages 5-12 Homework Help St. George Library 718-442-8560 4pm • Free • Ages 5-12

Unstructured Activity Time for Kids St. George Library 718-442-8560 4pm • Free • Ages 5-12

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17

Toddler Time St. George Library 718-442-8560 10:30am • Free • Ages 1.5-4 Baby & Me Tottenville Library 718-984-0945 11am • Free • Ages 0-1.5 A Helluva Choir Noble Maritime Collection 718-447-6490 1:30pm • Free • All ages Teen Lounge Tottenville Library 718-984-0945 2:30pm • Free • Grades 6+

Behind the Scenes at the Museum Historic Richmond Town 718-351-1611 2:30pm • Free w/admission • All ages Kids’ Movie Mariners Harbor Library

Family Yoga Mariners Harbor Library 212-621-0690 3pm • Free • All ages Board Games St. George Library 718-442-8560 3pm • Free • All ages

Back to School Stories & Craft Program New Dorp Library 718-351-2977 4pm • Free • Ages 5+ The Pipes Are Calling St. Alban’s Episcopal Church 718-984-6060 7:30pm • Free • All ages

Farm Stand Fridays Snug Harbor Cultural Center 718-448-2500 3pm • All ages A Curious George Extravaganza Great Kills Library 718-984-6670 3:30pm • Free • Ages 4+

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES MORE EVENTS & DETAILS ON SIPARENT.COM

CURIOUS GEORGE EXTRAVANGANZA

Origami Wednesdays!

Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library 718-494-1642 4pm • Free • Ages 6+ Family Story Time Mariners Harbor Library 212-621-0690 4pm • Free • All ages

Light, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness Tour Historic Richmond Town 718-351-1611 2:30pm • Free w/admission • All ages

Friday, September 18 Great Kills Library 3:30pm nypl.org

Let’s monkey around! Celebrate everyone’s favorite trouble-making monkey with stories, crafts and fun. Space is limited, so be sure to pre-register in advance.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 Toddler Time Tottenville Library 718-984-0945 10:15am • Free • Ages 1.5-3

Baby & Me Time West New Brighton Library 718-442-1416 10:30am • Free • Ages 0-1.5 Toddler Rhyme Time New Dorp Library 718-351-2977 10:30am • Free • Ages 1.5-2.5 Baby and Me Great Kills Library 718-984-6670 11am • Free • Ages 0-1.5 Preschool Story Time Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library 718-494-1642 11:30am • Free • Ages 3-5 The Story Museum Historic Richmond Town 718-351-1611 11:30am • $3 • Ages 0-5

Wii Time South Beach Library 718-816-5834 3:30pm • Free • All ages Beach Ball Math West New Brighton Library 718-442-1416 3:30pm • Free • Ages 8-12 Friday Hikes Clay Pit Ponds 718-967-1976 4pm • Free • All ages St. John Villa High School Fundraiser St. John Villa High School 718-447-4150 7pm • $10 • Adults

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 Bicycle Association Bicycle Ride New Dorp High School 718-667-8686 8:30am • Free • Ages 18+ Gardening at Gericke Gericke Farm 718-967-1976 9am • Free • All ages

SI Museum Grand Opening Staten Island Museum 718-727-1135 10am • Free • All ages Fitness Saturday Mariners Harbor Library 212-621-0690 10:15am • Free • All ages Saturday Morning Cartoons West New Brighton Library 718-442-1416 10:30am • Free • Ages 4+ Science Saturdays Dongan Hills Library 718-351-1444 11am • Free • Ages 4-12 Japanese Story Time St. George Library 718-442-8560 11am • Free • All ages Bug in a Vacuum Storytime Barnes & Noble 718-982-6983 11am • Free • All ages Autumn Moon Festival Snug Harbor Cultural Center 718-448-2500 12pm • Free • All ages Art Studio SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 1pm • Free • Ages 2-10 Open Craft Hour Mariners Harbor Library 212-621-0690 2pm • Free • Ages 6-16 Free Family Films New Dorp Library 718-351-2977 2pm • Free • All ages Eating America Tour Historic Richmond Town 718-351-1611 2pm • Free w/admission • All ages The Other Italian Garibaldi-Meucci Museum 718-442-1608 2pm • $10 • Adults Cinema Saturdays Stapleton Library 718-727-0427 3pm • Free • All ages Knitting Hour South Beach Library 718-816-5834 3pm • Free • Adults

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 Historic New York: Photography Pioneers Alice Austen House Museum 718-816-4506 11am • Free • All ages SI Museum Grand Opening (Part 2) Staten Island Museum 718-727-1135 12pm • Free • All ages Art Studio SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 1pm • Free • Ages 2-10 Sea Shanty Sessions Noble Maritime Collection

718-447-6490 2pm • Free • All ages Building the American Dream Tour Historic Richmond Town 718-351-1611 2pm • Free w/admission • All ages Le Marche Garibaldi-Meucci Museum 718-442-1608 2pm • $10 • Adults Read Aloud & Craft Dongan Hills Library 718-351-1444 4pm • Free • All ages

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 All Join In! Stapleton Library 718-727-0427 11am • Free • Ages 2-4

Toddler Story Time Great Kills Library 718-984-6670 11am • Free • Ages 1.5-3 Baby Space!

Stapleton Library 718-727-0427 11:45am • Free • Ages 0-1.5 Read Aloud Huguenot Library 718-984-4636 4pm • Free • All ages Story Time Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library 718-494-1642 4pm • Free • Ages 3-11 Homework Help St. George Library 718-442-8560 4pm • Free • Ages 5-12

Events announced in this calendar are subject to change. Calling to confirm before you attend.

LiteracyINC: Story Hour Stapleton Library 718-727-0427 5pm • Free • All ages

Bookcraft Stapleton Library 718-727-0427 4pm • Free • Ages 4-8

Decoding the Diagnosis of Autism Thursday's Child 718-980-1700 7pm • Free • All ages

Family Story Time West New Brighton Library 718-442-1416 4pm • Free • Ages 3+

Baby Space St. George Library 718-442-8560 10pm • Free • Ages 0-1.5

Origami Wednesdays!

Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library 718-494-1642 4pm • Free • Ages 6+

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

Family Story Time Mariners Harbor Library 212-621-0690 4pm • Free • All ages

Toddler Dance Party New Dorp Library 718-351-2977 10:30am • Free • Ages 1-3

Clay Day SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 1:30pm • Free • Ages 2-10

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES MORE EVENTS & DETAILS ON SIPARENT.COM

S.I. MUSEUM GRAND OPENING Saturday, September 19 Staten Island Museum 10am-5pm statenislandmuseum.org

Homework Help Mariners Harbor Library 212-621-0690 5pm • Free • Grades 1-6

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 Tot Time Tuesday The Interpretive Center 718-605-3970 10am • Free • Ages 1-4

Toddler Time Dongan Hills Library 718-351-1444 10:30am • Free • Ages 1.5-4 Tot’s Time Plus SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 11am • $5 • Ages 1-5 Tuesday Storytime Barnes & Noble 718-982-6983 11am • Free • All ages Teen Lounge Tottenville Library 718-984-0945 2:30pm • Free • Grades 6+ Craft Corner Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library 718-494-1642 4pm • Free • Ages 3-11 ABC Read with Me Picture Book Time St. George Library 718-442-8560 4pm • Free • Ages 3-8

Unstructured Activity Time for Kids St. George Library 718-442-8560 4pm • Free • Ages 5-12

The doors will open to the Staten Island Museum at Snug Harbor!

Free admission, ribbon-cutting ceremony, lawn games for the whole family, food, live music, crafts for kids, and some special surprises.

The day will be a full festival of art, science, and history celebrating all things Staten Island!

Read Aloud/Picture Book Time New Dorp Library 718-351-2977 2pm • Free • Ages 3+ Voice of the People Tour Historic Richmond Town 718-351-1611 2:30pm • Free w/ admission • All ages

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 Tot’s Time Plus SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 11am • $5 • Ages 1-5

Baby & Me Tottenville Library 718-984-0945 11am • Free • Ages 0-1.5

Board Games South Beach Library 718-816-5834 3:30pm • Free • All ages

A Helluva Choir Noble Maritime Collection 718-447-6490 1:30pm • Free • All ages

The Bricks of our Foundation Clay Pit Ponds 718-967-1976 4pm • Free • All ages

Teen Lounge Tottenville Library 718-984-0945 2:30pm • Free • Grades 6+

Picture Book Time Tottenville Library 718-984-0945 4pm • Free • Ages 3+

Behind the Scenes at the Museum Historic Richmond Town 718-351-1611 2:30pm • Free w/admission • All ages

Family Movie Time Dongan Hills Library 718-351-1444 4pm • Free • All ages

Lego Club West New Brighton Library 718-442-1416 4pm • Free • Ages 5-12

Kiddie Tech Time Mariners Harbor Library 212-621-0690 4pm • Free • Ages 6-11 Homework Help St. George Library 718-442-8560 4pm • Free • Ages 5-12 Movies South Beach Library 718-816-5834 4:30pm • Free • All ages The Pipes Are Calling St. Alban’s Episcopal Church 718-984-6060 7:30pm • Free • All ages

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 Preschool Story and Craft Huguenot Library 718-984-4636 10:30am • Free • Ages 3-5

Baby & Me Time West New Brighton Library 718-442-1416 10:30am • Free • Ages 0-1.5 Baby and Me Great Kills Library 718-984-6670 11am • Free • Ages 0-1.5 Itty Bitty Play Time Mariners Harbor Library 212-621-0690 11am • Free • Ages 0-3 Preschool Story Time Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library 718-494-1642 11:30am • Free • Ages 3-5 The Story Museum Historic Richmond Town 718-351-1611 11:30am • $3 • Ages 0-5 Kidz Cook SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 2pm • Free • All ages Light, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness Tour Historic Richmond Town 718-351-1611 2:30pm • Free w/admission • All ages Board Games St. George Library 718-442-8560 3pm • Free • All ages Farm Stand Fridays Snug Harbor Cultural Center 718-448-2500 3pm • All ages Fun Fridays: Stories and a Craft Great Kills Library 718-984-6670 3:30pm • Free • Ages 4+ Wii Time South Beach Library 718-816-5834 3:30pm • Free • All ages Lego Hour Mariners Harbor Library 212-621-0690 3:30pm • Free • Ages 5-11 Friday Hikes Clay Pit Ponds

718-967-1976 4pm • Free • All ages Opening Reception of Robbins Reef Lighthouse: A Home in the Harbour Snug Harbor Cultural Center 718-448-2500 6pm • Free • All ages

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 Bicycle Association Bicycle Ride New Dorp High School 718-667-8686 8:30am • Free • Ages 18+ “Hard Times” Clove Lakes Park 212-639-9675 8:30am • $65 • Adults Gardening at Gericke Gericke Farm 718-967-1976 9am • Free • All ages Fitness Saturday Mariners Harbor Library 212-621-0690 10:15am • Free • All ages Science Saturdays Dongan Hills Library 718-351-1444 11am • Free • Ages 4-12 Sensory Story & Activity Time St. George Library 718-442-8560 11am • Free • Ages 2-10 Max the Brave Storytime Barnes & Noble 718-982-6983 11am • Free • All ages Nature Photography Hike Arthur Von Briesen Park 212-639-9675 11am • Free • All ages Art Studio SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 1pm • Free • Ages 2-10 Kids’ Book Club St. George Library 718-442-8560 1pm • Free • All ages Kiddie Game Time Mariners Harbor Library 212-621-0690 2pm • Free • Ages 6-11 Free Family Films New Dorp Library 718-351-2977 2pm • Free • All ages Eating America Tour Historic Richmond Town 718-351-1611 2pm • Free w/admission • All ages Cinema Saturdays Stapleton Library 718-727-0427 3pm • Free • All ages Knitting Hour South Beach Library 718-816-5834 3pm • Free • Adults

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27

Art Studio SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 1pm • Free • Ages 2-10

Events announced in this calendar are subject to change. Call to confirm before you attend.

Building the American Dream Tour Historic Richmond Town 718-351-1611 2pm • Free w/ admission • All ages

“Glow in the Dark” Storytime Tottenville Library 718-984-0945 7pm • Free • Ages 5-12

St. Luke’s Chamber Ensemble: Subway Series 2015 Snug Harbor Cultural Center 718-448-2500 2pm • Free • All ages

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29

Doggie Boot Camp Henry Kaufmann Campgrounds 718-761-1423 3:30pm • Free • All ages Read Aloud & Craft Dongan Hills Library 718-351-1444 4pm • Free • All ages

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 All Join In! Stapleton Library 718-727-0427 11am • Free • Ages 2-4

Tot Time Tuesday The Interpretive Center 718-605-3970 10am • Free • Ages 1-4

Toddler Time Dongan Hills Library 718-351-1444 10:30am • Free • Ages 1.5-4 Tot’s Time Plus SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 11am • $5 • Ages 1-5 Tuesday Storytime Barnes & Noble 718-982-6983 11am • Free • All ages

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES MORE EVENTS & DETAILS ON SIPARENT.COM

AUTUMN MOON FESTIVAL Sunday, September 19 Snug Harbor Cultural Center 12-4pm snug-harbor.org

Celebrate the fall harvest time! Featuring tours, traditional music, and dance performances, Martial Arts and Tai Chi demos, as well as lessons in Chinese calligraphy around and in the New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden.

Toddler Story Time Great Kills Library 718-984-6670 11am • Free • Ages 1.5-3

Baby Space!

Stapleton Library 718-727-0427 11:45am • Free • Ages 0-1.5 Read Aloud Huguenot Library 718-984-4636 4pm • Free • All ages Story Time Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library 718-494-1642 4pm • Free • Ages 3-11 Homework Help St. George Library 718-442-8560 4pm • Free • Ages 5-12 Homework Help Mariners Harbor Library 212-621-0690 5pm • Free • Grades 1-6

Teen Lounge Tottenville Library 718-984-0945 2:30pm • Free • Grades 6+ Kiddie Game Time Mariners Harbor Library 212-621-0690 3pm • Free • Ages 6-11 Stemology West New Brighton Library 718-442-1416 4pm • Free • Ages 7-12 Craft Corner Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library 718-494-1642 4pm • Free • Ages 3-11 ABC Read with Me Picture Book Time St. George Library 718-442-8560 4pm • Free • Ages 3-8 LiteracyINC: Story Hour Stapleton Library 718-727-0427 5pm • Free • All ages

Baby Space St. George Library 718-442-8560 10pm • Free • Ages 0-1.5

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 Clay Day SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 1:30pm • Free • Ages 2-10

Read Aloud/Picture Book Time New Dorp Library 718-351-2977 2pm • Free • Ages 3+ Board Games South Beach Library 718-816-5834 3:30pm • Free • All ages Herbarium Art Clay Pit Ponds 718-967-1976 4pm • $5 • All ages Picture Book Time Tottenville Library 718-984-0945 4pm • Free • Ages 3+ Bookcraft Stapleton Library 718-727-0427 4pm • Free • Ages 4-8 Family Movie Time Dongan Hills Library 718-351-1444 4pm • Free • All ages Crafternoon West New Brighton Library 718-442-1416 4pm • Free • Ages 5-12 Origami Wednesdays!

Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library 718-494-1642 4pm • Free • Ages 6+ Family Story Time Mariners Harbor Library 212-621-0690 4pm • Free • All ages Unstructured Activity Time for Kids St. George Library 718-442-8560 4pm • Free • Ages 5-12

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FAMILY NEEDS Classifieds “Help Bring Your Child’s Education to the Next Level” KAREN L. GOLDMAN, MA, LMHC-BC PSYCHOTHERAPIST & BEREAVEMENT SPECIALIST

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BIRTHDAY CLUB

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September SEPTEMBER 1 Danielle Hepkins Vanessa Conti Ruthy Martinez Jennifer Romano Stephanie Mazzeo Aydrea L. Meaders Ryan Beyl Brianna Centeno Teresa Carrington Garrett Yohananov Thalia Cano Mila Joe Yannaco Massimo Stephen Yannaco SEPTEMBER 2 Jazmin Erica Roman Melanie Jane Palmieri Kelsey Noel Weeks Rebecca Adamo Justina Calabrese Solange Henriquez Dennis Aponte Catherine Hanna Max DiDonna SEPTEMBER 3 William Boland, Jr. Rebecca Dietrich Joshua Isaiah Walker Alyssa Baer Brandi Strickland Dennis Coluccio Colleen Geraghty Kaitlin Geraghty Kadeem Reefer Alayne Gilbert Summer Valenzuela Thomas Murphy Gabriela Bonsangue Autumn Hughes Joseph Demarest SEPTEMBER 4 Michael Hunter Cavallo Ruth Ivette Geldres Christina Maggiore Kristina Post Julianna Garbarino Joseph Ferretti Beth Badeaux SEPTEMBER 5 Michael Louis Csorba Michael Desando, Jr. Amanda Sarantos Taylor Gaglia Andrew Clementoni Robert Dennis Ryan Armstrong Jennifer Nicole Sciascia Lily Ahlborn SEPTEMBER 6 Javier Belisle Christopher Galati Natalee Caryn Torres Damilola Adedapo Shannon Cruz Nicole Grube

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SEPTEMBER 11 Blaze Earle James Tagliaferro Joab Jerome, Jr. Courtney Feliciano Drew Bertinelli Mitchell Levine Victoria Poccio John Egan Samantha Ritter Tamia Nicole Nappo Devine Agu Bianca Battipaglia Nicholas Richter Gabriella Greenspan Ashley Giordano Ramesh Lingala Michael Ortiz SEPTEMBER 12 Michael A. Venezia Jr. Alexander Louis Sarno Casey E. McCulloch Samantha Alayon Justin David Fowler Alana Paige Figueroa Richard Behan Natalie Giordano Matthew Richter Lian Beriguete Andrew Aponte Olivia Barry Carlie Orlando Mayson Bowers Olivia Rose Barry SEPTEMBER 13 John Anthony Romano Sofia Nicole Vallejo Andrea Cacace Jon Cody Weaver Christopher Talarico Allison Seery Jennifer Cardella Daniel Cestigan Corrado Barcia Angelo Stalone Aren Kempf Jeremy Flores Jahmir Smith Joshua Smith, Jr. SEPTEMBER 14 John Edward Franzreb V Anthony John Scanni Michael Guy Gia Marie Piccolomini Madison Leigh Alvarez Nicole Armstrong Stella Minguez Gerard Coogan SEPTEMBER 15 Annalisa Rivera Gerald Hall, III Serena Maria Zinsley Angela R. Matrone Daniel Joseph Pearson Tyrell Rodgers Shyla Dharmabalan

Kristen Jaenicke Gianna Rossilli Justin Medina Jayla Williams Gianluca Bruno Robert Campbell Sophia DeLeon Antonios Agorastos SEPTEMBER 16 John Sullivan James Joseph Guastella Brian Jude Muller Emily Rose Chiominto Marilyn Ricco Robert J. McGlyn Shakenya Lyons Noah Young Anthony Altobelli Christopher Spurrell Lauren Scimeca Nicholas Mezzadri Joseph Vinocur SEPTEMBER 17 Michelle Winfield Scott Burzumato Jr. Chaka Jasmine Smith Erin Mackey Samantha Hernandez Andrew Nunziato Bove Devin Macdonald Joseph Anthony Marani Alex Cisak Giana Long SEPTEMBER 18 Megan Coughlan Nicole Cristina Ponisi Anthony Striano, III Caroline Guirguis Amanda Casella Emilio Flores Anthony Giammanco Julianna Javier Sebastian Andres Bonilla Aniyah-Shant’e Jackson Aria Maccarelli SEPTEMBER 19 Vincent DeSantis Matthew Bocola Connor Lewis Albert Mashkulli Nicholas John Persing Isabella Roccaforte Nicholas James Maksim Kasmauskas Matthew Reno Gianna DiGiovanni Mia Litrell John Borazzo Vivian Orlando Amin Jahaj SEPTEMBER 20 Nicolette M. Columbia Kristina Mema Alexa Amoroso Jeremy Cruz

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Birthday Club members are entitled to receive

10 FREE TOKENS AT FUNSTATION Funstation is located on 3555 Victory Boulevard • 718.370.0077 Good only for birthday club members on this list. Not to be combined with any other offers. Offer valid on child’s birthday only.

FAMILY NEEDS Professional Directory

DIVORCE ATTORNEY

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COUNSELING SERVICES

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SPEECH PATHOLOGY

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southshorespeechtherapy.com 520B Bloomingdale Rd SI, NY 10309 415 Route 34, Suite 218 Colts Neck, N.J. 07722

SPEECH PATHOLOGY

PreCare Speech Language Pathology PC • Diagnosis & treatment of infants, toddlers, adults • Autism, learning and communication disabilities • Articulation, impaired language, stuttering or lisps • All major credit cards and insurances

WWW.SLPMD.COM 718.259.4001 • 1829 Richmond Rd

718-447-5501 Certified professional, providing quality evaluations and treatment of adults and children for over 35 years.

ADDITIONAL SERVICES: Public Speaking Improvement, Accent Reduction, Corporate Speech Pathology & Lecturing

Psychotherapy integrating latest eclectic approaches.

Office in Dongan Hills

347. 424. 2638

Contact us to find out how our multidisciplinary feeding program can help your child overcome feeding issues ranging from the mild picky eater to more complex issues, such as failure to thrive, pediatric dysphagia, or the transition from tube to oral feedings. We turn mealtime for you and your child into a HAPPY and ENJOYABLE experience!

UTILIZING THE SOS APPROACH TO FEEDING

www.pediatricandadultspeech.com LISA JIANNETTO, MA, CCC-SLP, DIRECTOR

718.356.6604

4056 Amboy Rd • 10308

SPEECH PATHOLOGY

SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY ASSOCIATES OF STATEN ISLAND, PLLC PROMPT TRAINED THERAPISTS SOS FEEDING APPROACH ORTON-GILLINGHAM & WILSON TRAINED THERAPISTS EAROBICS

Individualized and Customized: Language Enhancement Programs, Auditory Training Programs, Fluency Enhancement Programs, Oral-Sensory-Motor Plans, Voice Treatment Programs, Accent Reduction Programs, Feeding Treatment Plans, Pediatric & Adult Clients We welcome NYC DOE clients, and we are now an associate of The Perfect Playground for all CSE cases.

www.pediatricandadultspeech.com NEW LISA JIANNETTO, MA, CCC-SLP, DIRECTOR LOCATION 718.356.6604 • 4056 Amboy Rd • 10308

SPEECH PATHOLOGY 718-967-0359 • 3767 Richmond Ave www.brightstartspeech.com brightstart@si.rr.com

• Private practice with energetic & talented Speech Language Pathologists • Extensive experience Now • Full range of services Offering (diagnostics & evaluations) Homecare • Occupational Therapy • NYS & ASHA Certified

Speech & Language Pathology, P.C.

• Multi-Lingual Therapists • NYC Dept of Ed Contracted Agency for Preschool & School Age Children

WE ACCEPT ALL MAJOR INSURANCE PLANS. FREE CONSULTATIONS.

SPEECH PATHOLOGY

DOE APPROVED TO PROVIDE MONO AND BILINGUAL SERVICES FOR PRE-SCHOOL AND SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN.

Speech and Language Pathology Practice Serving You and Your Children

Autistic Spectrum Disorders, PDD, Craniofacial Differences, Fluency Disorders, Apraxia of Speech, “Late Talkers,” Hearing Impairments & Phonological / Articulation Disorders 347.640.4SLP (4757) • 188 Hylan Blvd • 10305 www.bbslp.org • Email: info@bbslp.org

CALL US AND HAVE YOUR BUSINESS ADVERTISED HERE!

Most Insurances Accepted

SPEECH PATHOLOGY

Sandra Mazzucco M.A., C.C.C.-SLP

NYS Licensed Speech Language Pathologist

EVALUATIONS & THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTION FOR CHILDREN & ADULTS PROMPT Trained Oral Motor & Feeding Therapy Specializing in Fluency ASHA Certified 465 Belfield Ave • Annadale Town North Shore: 1076 Forest Ave

718.494.1932

718-815-6024

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Eltingville Lutheran School ..............52 Evolution Dance Co. ........................52 Exposure Dance Studio....................49 Farrell Drivers Ed. ................................89 Fast Break Basketball ........................53 Fastrackids ..........................................19 Fantasy Shore Amusement Park ....75 Fidelis Care New York ......................29 Fly High Trampoline Park..................13 Fun Station ..........................................27 Garibaldi Meucci Museum ............93 Genesis Fertility ..................................78 Gingerbread Learning Center ....115 Grade Power Learning ....................71 High Hopes..........................................82 Holy Child Family Fair ......................69 Hugs and Kiddies ..............................69 Inspirations in Dance ........................95 Iplay America ..............................25, 73 Island Eye Surgery ............................43 JCC of Staten Island........14, 18, 45, 47 Kathy Brier Studios ............................32 Kiddie Academy of SI-Great Kills....17 Kiddie Academy-Corporate Park..26 Kiddie Wonderland ..........................75 Kings Building Supply........................83 LA Dance ............................................61 Lickety Split ..........................................10 Little Excellence ................................50 Mabel’s Labels ..................................45 Master Curry Karate............................3

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114www.siparent.com SEPTEMBER 2015

UPK/Pre-K For All Full Day Program

~Equal Opportunity Employer~

To you, they’re learning.

To them, they’re having fun.

For Information About The EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM Call 311.

available with Master Degree level teachers

Classroom Based Programs With ABA Instruction for 2-3 years olds (limited space) PROGRAMS AVAILABLE FOR AGES 0-5 5 DAYS - FULL DAY/HALF DAY EXTENDED DAYCARE HOURS 7AM-7PM AVAILABLE As per Section 4410 of Article 89 of the Education Law

• Group or Individual Curriculums at Your Home, Preschool or our Center.

• Diagnostic Evaluations and Therapy

by Licensed Certified Professionals.

• FREE TUITION AND TRANSPORTATION* * For all eligibile children. Funding provided through state and local agencies. Parent may transport for reimbursement.

Placement determined by NYC CPSE.

• NYS Approved Preschool Evaluation Site.

Call or Visit our School & Pick Up a Free Brochure.

Not responsible for any typographical errors.

• Developmental Areas: Behavior and Socialization, Cognitive Development, Speech and Language Hearing Loss, Physical and Occupational Therapy.

718-356-0008 WWW.GINGERBREADLCTR.COM ~TWO CONVENIENT STATEN ISLAND LOCATIONS~ 80 Woodrow Rd • 471 North Gannon Ave Email: gingerbread@gingerbreadlctr.com SEPTEMBER 2015

www.siparent.com

115

PRST STD

SOLUTIONS TO EVERYDAY PARENTING

16 Shenandoah Avenue • Suite C Staten Island, New York 10314

www.siparent.com

U.S. POSTAGE PAID STATEN ISLAND, NY