Back to School - Fall Guide - Queens Chronicle 2016

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2016

Queens’ Largest Weekly Community Newspaper Group

Back to School & Fall Guide 2016

QUEENS

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, August 25, 2016 Page 2

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The Class of 2016 earned over 150 million dollars in scholarships.

“Invest in your child’s future.”

• Meet Chancellor Carmen Fariña . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 • Getting the kids to school safely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 • What the state test scores mean . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Back to School & Fall Guide 2016

• Prepping for the elite HS exam . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

“High school is for four years; the Prep is forever”

• The battle over charter schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 • The Dream Act: still a dream? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 • Clinton vs. Trump on education . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

• Queens arts and entertainment . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 • Children’s activities of all kinds . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

ST. FRANCIS PREPARATORY SCHOOL 6100 Francis Lewis Blvd., Fresh Meadows, NY 11365 (718) 423-8810 www.sfponline.org STFR-070188

• Traditional vs. online shopping. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 • Day trips: Pick your own goodies. . . . . . . . . . . . 21 • The new season on network TV . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 PHOTO COURTESY YVONNE SHORT / QUEENS ART INTERVENTION SUPPLEMENT EDITOR: PETER C. MASTROSIMONE; COVER DESIGN: JAN SCHULMAN; EDITORIAL LAYOUT: TERRY NUSSPICKEL

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, August 25, 2016 Page 4

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Looking forward to a new academic year Fariña talks STEM training, arts, Renewal Schools and more by Anthony O’Reilly

A

student had somehow found his way to the rooftop of his school and proceeded to cause significant damage to the building.

The principal of that school suspended the student — the only time she had ever done that — but didn’t want to just punish him; she wanted to look for the root cause of his behavioral issues. She later found out he came from a “very dysfunctional family” and worked with them to try to better the student.

That principal was Carmen Fariña, the city’s schools chancellor.

During her time as a principal, Fariña would continue to use a similar philosophy when working on behavioral issues at her school. One such tactic was to find out what times of day saw the most disciplinary issues.

“I found out it was during lunch time and dismissal,” Fariña said last Friday during an exclusive sitdow n inter view with the Queens Chronicle’s editorial board.

Another strategy was to use students as peer mediators. For example, one student would walk around the cafeteria during lunchtime and defuse any tense situations between fellow classmates.

She also created the “Principal’s Pizza Club,” a group of troublesome students who, if they behaved during the week, were invited to Fariña’s office on Friday for a slice.

The chancellor recalled one club member, whom she has since reconnected with, telling her, “I know I didn’t want to be in your office for the wrong reason because you were so nice to us when we were good.”

Since taking over the nation’s largest public school system, Fariña has kept her philosophy on discipline much the same.

Under her direction, New York City was already looking into how to decrease the number of minority students being suspended before a federal directive instructed educators to do so.

“We were ahead of the directive,” she said.

Just like her days in the principal’s office, Fariña is looking to get to the root cause of students’ issues.

One such way the Department of Education is getting that done is by student-led conferences, where pupils, parents and educators can get together to discuss what they’d like to see changed at a school.

Some of the conferences have seen 100 percent attendance rates, Fariña said.

The chancellor is also looking to use academics to curb behavioral issues.

The department’s introduction of Algebra for All — which requires that by 2022 all eighth-graders must have completed algebra, thereby preparing them for more difficult courses in high school — is also targeted at

City Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña gave an exclusive sitdown interview with the Queens Chronicle’s editorial board ahead of the 2016-17 school year. While she touted much of the Department of Education’s initiatives, the chancellor said there’s still work to be done. PHOTO BY PETER C. MASTROSIMONE getting students to behave.

“If you actually raise the curriculum, a student is more likely to behave in class,” the chancellor noted.

The initiative, she said, could also help to increase scores on the state math exams.

Although all city school districts saw a jump in overall state test scores this year, the gains in the math tests were modest. Citywide, the percentage of students who scored a proficient grade — a 3 or 4 — jumped 1.2 percentage points, from 35.2 to 36.4 in math. In English, the proficiency rating went up 7.6 percentage points in the five boroughs.

Noting the city needs to do better in math, Fariña called Algebra for All “a game changer.”

But it’s not just discipline Fariña has an eye on for this coming school year.

She also spoke at length about how the DOE is not only making sure students are prepared, but teachers as well.

More than 7,000 teachers city wide enrolled in some type of professional development over the summer, she said.

A large majority of the training dealt with science, technology, engineering and mathematics, commonly referred to as STEM. “Training teachers is conducive to student learning,” Fariña said.

The DOE is also ensuring first-year teachers already have some type of classroom experience on their first day on the job by putting aspiring educators in an apprenticeship program.

But Fariña said some incoming teachers aren’t getting the best pedagogical education at their colleges, noting that many are trained the same way people were decades ago.

“If you’re teaching the way you were years ago, it’s just not going to work,” she said.

One major issue Fariña is looking to hone in on is finding teachers who can not only speak more than one language, but can teach a class in more than just English.

On the dual-language front, she also said the department is looking to build on its success with forums held in foreign languages in immigrant communities.

At the forums, parents are able to learn about school programs and opportunities available to them and their children. Fariña said many of them would otherwise have been left in the dark about the initiatives.

She added that it’s important to get parents involved with the school system.

“Parents have been left out of the component of education for too long,” she said.

While the chancellor spoke in-depth about the DOE’s efforts to fortify STEM instruction in schools, she also said they’re making sure programs such as music, arts and dance are being cared for as well.

“The arts are alive and well,” Fariña said.

The chancellor spoke of “arts boot camp” programs around the city and said some of the best musical and dance classes can be found in Queens.

While Fariña spoke glowingly of the school system’s successes, she did admit that there is some work to be done. Overall, she gave the schools a B+ or A-. The chancellor said one area the city needs to focus on in the coming weeks is the Renewal Schools initiative — which provides additional resources to troubled institutions in an effort to improve academic performance and address disciplinary problems.

“Quite some work has to be done there,” Fariña said.

When the renewal initiative was first announced, Mayor de Blasio and the chancellor said they would close any school that did not meet expectations. Asked if she’s ready to keep that promise, Fariña said she is but that there will be more mergers and consolidations of the still-troubled schools.

For those that will close, of which she said there would be about three or four, Fariña promised extensive community outreach on the shuttering of the schools.

Another thing the chancellor is looking forward to is visiting first-year principals throughout the city. Every year she visits a number of schools, but for the 2016-17 year she wants to focus on those with brand-new principals. Speaking on her philosophy toward school visits, Fariña said she lets people know ahead of time when she’s coming to a given institution.

The reason for this, she explained, is that it gives educators a chance to prepare for that day — but that doesn’t necessarily mean the school will be in tip-top shape.

“I’ve visited schools where the teachers aren’t doing anything or there’s no student work hanging on the wall,” Fariña said. “If I announce ahead of time that I’m coming and you’re still not prepared, then we really have a problem.”

After each visit, Fariña writes a letter to the principal of the school detailing the positives she saw during her trip and anything she believes could use some improvement.

The chancellor also said the city’s public school system will soon introduce a cursive writing curriculum — right now, students aren’t required to know how to write in script.

Fariña also touched on the issue of overcrowding, which is prevalent in all five boroughs.

She said one way of addressing the issue might be to place pre-K programs in new developments, which would free up space in existing school buildings.

She discusses such proposals with each borough president but encouraged the general public to propose any developments with free space as well. Fariña also said parents should be aware of what she called “hidden gems,” schools most people may not be aware of or that used to be troubled but have since picked themselves up.

On the topic of mayoral control, she said de Blasio deserves more than a one-year extension — which is all he’s gotten from the Republican-held state Senate the past two sessions.

“I think it’s important to have stability,” she said.

When asked if there’s anything she would like to change about mayoral control, Fariña Q couldn’t think of anything.

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From beginning foreign language instruction in PreSchool to providing a Collegiate-style Writing Center and comprehensive 4-year College Guidance program to our growing Global Education program, LWA seeks to provide students with skills that resonate on a global scale and insight into the opportunities that await them.

Page 5 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, August 25, 2016

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, August 25, 2016 Page 6

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Getting to school safely and on time Whether going by bus, train, bike, car or foot, tips can help by Victoria Zunitch

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hat if New York City’s transportation system was suddenly flooded one weekday morning with 1.5 million additional travelers and their escorts?

That’s exactly what will happen on the morning of Thursday, Sept. 8, when all of the city’s 1.1 million public school students, along with what privateschoolreview.com estimates are its nearly 485,000 independent and religious school students, attend their first day of school.

That’s a somewhat unusual occurrence, as many private schools usually open a few days later.

A good number of private schools that usually get started a few days after the city Department of Education’s starting date will be opening earlier this year to slip in a few extra September instructional days before an unrelenting series of October holidays kick in.

The Jewish High Holy Days occur on weekdays in 2016. Rosh Hashana falls on Monday, Oct. 3 and Tuesday, Oct. 4, while Yom Kippur occurs on Wednesday, Oct. 12. Sandwiched in between is Columbus Day, which falls on Monday, Oct. 10. This ensures a blissful pair of consecutive long weekends for students and teachers but an interruption of the school calendar that requires an earlier start than usual for many non-DOE schools.

Add in the parents and caregivers who escort most elementary-age children, as well as teachers and school staff, and your breezy summer commute will screech to a halt.

Further muddying the picture is the fact that many students travel outof-borough to new schools for the first time each September.

It’s obvious that everyone should leave extra time for the trip those first few mornings, until everyone settles in to traffic patterns for the year.

Here’s some information to help Queens residents plan ahead.

Sign up for electronic alerts Feet, bikes, trains and motor vehicles, as always, will be transporting children to the schoolhouse. No matter which mode of transportation your student will be taking, it’s probably a good idea to sign up for email or text alerts so you’ll be notified of last-minute problems and changes.

Those taking mass transit or traveling out of the borough can sign up

streets in Long Island City and for alerts from the Metropolitan Jamaica subject to closure, as well Transportation Authority online at as routes adjacent to the Brooklyn mymtaalerts.com. Travelers can Queens Expressway and the Whitchoose to receive email or text estone Expressway. alerts for any or all specific bus, If your route pops up as “subsubway, railroad, bridge and tunject to closure,” it might be worth nel crossings. driving past the area ahead of the Those taking cars or yellow first day of school to read posted school buses will probably need signs because some street work to know about roadwork and cloonly occurs overnight or outside of sures that could affect street trafthe morning commute. fic. For email updates from the Since no one ever (never!) city Department of Transportawould dream of looking at a cell tion, visit nyc.gov/dot and click phone for traffic alerts while drivon the “Motorists & Parking” tab ing a child to school, local radios on the left side, then on one of the stations can fill the gap. Local AM traffic advisory links and then on radio station 1010 WINS reports “Subscribe to Traffic Advisory traffic and weather “Every 10 Updates.”

For a narrative summary of Bus stop information for public school students will be available on the city minutes on the ones” and WCBS street closures in plain English, the Department of Education’s website as of Aug. 28.

FILE PHOTO 880 reports “traffic and weather together on the eights.”

DOT’s Weekly Traffic Advisories If you haven’t already arranged are published each Saturday and Students in seventh grade and up can be found on the same website by aren’t eligible for a school bus, but bus service, time is running out. Even Feet and bicycles choosing “Motorists & Parking” on they do qualify for a full-fare Metro- when the bus service is run by a priPedestrian transpor tation to the left and then “Weekly Traffic card if they live at least one and one- vate company, information about school is no doubt the oldest and available services is available directly most pleasant way to get there, if Advisories.” Scroll down to check if half miles from their school. your route will be affected.

The MetroCards are available for from your public or private school. you can manage it. Here, too, planIn some cases, especially within ning can help. Rain gear such as both public and private school students through each school’s transpor- the borough, some savvy parents find boots, ponchos and umbrellas posted School buses that a car service or taxi for students at the front door will ease mornings.

The DOE calls families and tation coordinator. who are old enough is actually more Don’t forget to equip parents or caresends information via snail mail to cost-effective than paying for a yel- givers, as well. ensure students have transportaPrivate school buses tion details before the start of the Some students who aren’t eligible low school bus. In this case, parents Cross intersections with crossing school year. for a DOE school bus might still arrange ahead of time with the car guards, if at all possible. And it couldn’t hurt to check the weather Also, starting Aug. 28, parents and need to arrange for a private bus. service for a daily run. each night to plan your commute guardians can find their child’s bus That includes students at private around thunderstorms. stop information on the DOE’s Office schools that don’t provide a bus serPublic transportation The NYPD has been advertising of Pupil Transportation’s website, vice or public school students travelThe MTA’s website listed no Sept. optnyc.org/parents/information.htm, ing long distances.

8 daytime planned service changes the availability of school crossing Public school students who are for Queens bus lines as of press time, guard positions at nyc.gov/html/ or by calling the OPT Customer Serattending out-of-district or out-of- but it will be important to check for nypd/html/careers/school_crossing_ vice Center at (718) 392-8855.

The OPT website also provides borough schools often find that a pri- updates before the first day of school guard.shtml. Last school year, regular officers were used to fill in for c om ple t e i n for m at ion a b out vate bus company runs buses from and especially that morning.

To check your particular route, shortages of guards. school-year bus procedures, such their neighborhood. For example, To stay safe, it can’t hurt to remind as how to track late buses and Bronx High School of Science runs you can use the Trip Planner, which information about special educa- Queens buses, as does the High is displayed in the column on the far even the oldest students to put their School of American Studies, through right and top of the page at mta.info. electronic devices in their pockets tion transportation.

Or you can click on the “Planned Ser- while walking to school, especially Bus families also can email the Whitestone’s Vallo Transportation.

“I am grateful there is private bus vice Changes” gray tab on the banner when crossing streets. Even listening OPT at pupiltransportationteam@ s c h o o l s . n y c . g o v f o r m o r e service from Forest Hills to the menu at the top of the page to check to music with earbuds or headphones Bronx for students attending Bronx on particular routes. can cause students to miss traffic information. hazards, so the volume should be low All New York City public school High School of Science,” said the enough to allow them to hear shouts students in sixth grade or lower are Queens parent of a ninth-grader Private vehicles eligible for a yellow school bus or a entering Bronx High School of SciIn addition to last-minute alerts and horns while walking.

With the increasing availability of full-fare MetroCard if they live at ence. “Without a guaranteed seat on from the MTA and DOT, drivers least a mile from their school and the bus, the daily commute to school can get advance information about bike lanes, the DOE says it accomreside in the same district as their would be difficult.” street closures, road construction modates bicycles as needed. Here, Otherwise, the parent added, and other road work that may affect too, prior planning should be done to school. If they attend a charter or nonpublic school, they are eligible for “Most likely, my daughter would traffic via email, Twitter or the determine whether or not your child can lock a bicycle outside the school. a yellow bus if they live in the same need to stand in a crowded subway DOT’s website. car from Queens until changing Who knows, this might just be borough as their school.

The city’s Street Closures map lets Children in second grade and trains in Manhattan.” you enter a date and time to see the year we all start leaving for Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute, an which streets are subject to closure. work and school a little earlier each under are eligible for a school bus or full-fare card if they live at least a independent school in Brooklyn, pro- For example, entering Sept. 8, 2016, day to avoid trouble. Stranger things Q vides several bus stops in Queens. half-mile from school. at 7 am currently shows numerous have happened.

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by Jane Park n the most expensive city in the country, New York City’s rental market continues to be a challenge for current as well as future residents. With rates of salary growth unable to keep up with the rising rental rates, those seeking affordable housing in Manhattan face a dilemma, forced to live well above their means. The standard rule of thumb criteria that most real estate agents use to qualify prospective tenants is 30 percent of gross annual income or 40 times the monthly rent being equal to the annual salary. That said, an individual, to qualify for an average one-bedroom (non-doorman) apartment at $3,300 a month, must make a minimum income of $132,000 per year. With an average two-bedroom apartment rent of $4,300 a month, each roommate must make at least $86,000 per year. According to payscale. com, a median starting salary in New York City is $51,183.

Therefore, recent graduates can afford up to only $1,279 rent per month. This group in particular entering the early stages of their career represent one of the most challenged renters.

As potential renters are becoming increasingly priced out of Manhattan-level rates, they have been turning to the outer boroughs as the next best alternative. In comparison to Manhattan, the average two-bedroom rental in the outer borough of Queens is $2,500. Based on these statistics, finding roommate housing outside Manhattan becomes a more viable option for young students and professionals. Not only are they paying less for more square footage outside the city, but opting for a roommate situation allows for extra savings.

COMPANY BEGINNINGS In 2012, Literati Group Housing, a young, dynamically growing housing company based in Long Island City, Queens was founded by Edwin Siu with the goal of providing long-term solutions to the lack of affordable housing. The company offers fully furnished roommate housing, managing over 100 rooms located mostly in Astoria/Long Island City as well as neighboring areas of western Queens.

Unlike the typical New York real estate agent, Literati Housing utilizes unorthodox selection criteria. Flexible lease terms (one month and up) and no credit checks are part of the advantages for potential tenants. Appealing to

I

affordable housing increases in the most expensive city in the nation. To meet the demand of the millennial market who seeks affordability, reliability, and convenience, Edwin Siu strategically chooses housing units within a ten-minute walk to the nearest train station.

“Our goal is to continue to provide affordable transit-oriented housing.”

Literati began its early stages during a time when no other similar type of affordable roommate housing concept existed in the borough of Queens. Its unique housing product continues to provide many advantages that other mainstream real estate companies have yet to offer.

Literati Group is continually seeking partnerships for expansion with investors, property managers, brokers and agencies. For this or any press inquiries, please contact Jane Park (Public Relations Manager) at jane@literatillc.com

LITERATI GROUP HOUSING 37-24 24th Street, Suite #228, Long Island City, NY 11101 Jane Park 718-280-5111

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students, interns and professionals in the 20-35 year range, both domestically as well as from overseas, this unique housing company often serves as a social and professional networking community for its tenants.

It is common for students at NYU, Columbia, Fordham University, etc., to select Literati Housing as an off-campus housing option. Also, Literati is a popular short-term option for interns at the United Nations, CIEE and the Clinton Foundation. Foreign and domestic transplants pursuing their career and educational goals in NYC often lack the necessary resources or network to find reliable housing. ESL students especially have benefited from Literati Group Housing. The company essentially serves to structure the roommate and apartment search process.

Of all the subgroups, graduate students in particular are at a disadvantage when it comes to finding affordable housing in the NY metro area. Living on campus, for instance, NYU graduate student housing for a single academic year (8 months) costs on average $21,100 – roughly $2,630 per month. Deducting meal plan expenses up to $5,000 per year, monthly housing is estimated to be around $2,000 per month. With no income and substantial debt, students have limited options to affordable offcampus housing. On the other hand, Literati Housing offers fully furnished rooms averaging $950 - $1,450 a month.

The company works on long-term lease contracts with local landlords and apartment brokers to manage its 100+ units, investing in renovation to provide dormitory style accommodation for its prospective tenants. Literati tenants often comment that living with roommates from different cultural backgrounds but similar aspirations have contributed to an atypical, positive New York City living experience. Students from all six continents have lived in Literati apartments. Many have also found that a social and professional network can be created with fellow roommates and within the larger Literati community as well.

In addition, Literati Housing has implemented hospitality metrics and standards via an in-house property management system. Integration with other tech companies to create a full-service housing product is on the horizon. From package delivery to guest and staff arrival notification, Literati constantly seeks to use technology to solve mundane property management issues.

T h e c o mp a ny i s work ing w it h cred it bureaus to provide foreign tenants and recent graduates with the opportunity to build U.S.- based credit history during their residence, rewarding those with a good payment history.

All that said, Literati holds a unique position in the world of roommate housing as the demand for

Page 7 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, August 25, 2016

Literati.nyc - Co-Living Housing in Queens

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, August 25, 2016 Page 8

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Were state tests easier than usual this year?

Advocates say proficiency bar was lowered; Fariña still lauds NYC’s success by Anthony O’Reilly

W

hen New York City students’ scored higher proficiency ratings on state tests this year than in those past, officials immediately rejoiced.

“We have much to celebrate today but no time to slow down,” Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña said in a prepared statement at the time.

But not everyone was so quick to celebrate the so-called accomplishment.

Some advocates say more students were able to get a proficient grade because the state Department of Education made the tests easier to pass by lowering the number of correct answers needed to pass.

According to a report from the New York Post, citing an analysis from a former test specialist for the city, the number of correct answers needed to get a passing mark dropped in both subjects and every grade, with the exception of one — in the eighth grade English exams, students needed to get 44 out of 57 answers right, compared to 48 out of 66 last year, a 4.5 percentage point increase.

In every other exam, those numbers dropped and in one case by double digits.

In sixth-grade, those taking the math exam only needed to get 35 out of 67

answers correct to pass compared to the necessary 46 out of 72 last year, an 11.7 percentage point decrease.

“The number of questions needed to achieve a certain score changes from one year to the next,” state Education Department spokeswoman Emily DeSantis said.

DeSantis, though, said calling the tests any easier than previous ones is “flawed, irresponsible and misleading.”

During an exclusive sitdown interview with the Queens Chronicle’s editorial board last Friday, Fariña said whether the tests were easier or not does not negate the successes of city students.

“We’re comparing apples to apples here,” the chancellor said.

For the first time since state standardized tests were put in place for grades 3 to 8 in 2006, city students outperformed their state peers in the English and math exams.

Across the five boroughs, 38 percent of students met proficiency standards in English, a 7.6 percentage point increase from last year. Throughout the state, the proficiency rating went up 6.6 percentage points.

In math, proficiency went up in New York City 1.2 percentage points compared to 1 across the Empire State.

“These results represent important progress and outline real improvements across each borough of our City,” Mayor de Blasio said of the results. “We congratulate our students, families and devoted educators for this critical step forward.”

Not everyone was so quick to celebrate the rise in test scores.

“It’s unconscionable that the state should put out numbers to show big improvement where none seems to exist,” Leonie Haimson, founder of the advocacy group Class Size Matters, told the New York Daily News.

“There is enough evidence to put these big jumps in proficiency into a lot of doubt.”

Haimson said the supposed trickery has been pulled off by the state in the past.

“It’s the big lie all over again,” she told the New York Post.

If New York is indeed making its tests easier, it wouldn’t be the only one.

According to the Columbus Dispatch, a daily Ohio newspaper, the state Board of Education there is considering lowering proficiency standards after test scores came in lower than expected.

Advocates in that state have criticized the proposal, saying the exams would not accuQ rately gauge the readiness of students.

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, August 25, 2016 Page 10

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City aims for more diverse ‘elite eight’ DOE seeks more Latinos, blacks at specialized schools by Ryan Brady

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s the 2016-17 school yea r approaches, whether the Speciali z e d H ig h School Admissions Test — the exam for entry into the city’s elite eight high schools — should be the only admissions criteria remains one of the most controversial issues with New York City public schools.

Asians and whites score higher on the tests than other ethnic groups, especially Latinos and blacks, and are demographically overrepresented in the “elite eight” —Queens High School for the Sciences, Stuyvesant, Bronx Science, the High School for Math, Brooklyn Tech, Science and Engineering at City College, the High School for American Studies at Lehman College and Staten Island Tech — as are kids from Queens.

“Queens has a really big stake in this,” David Lee, the executive director of Coalition EDU, told the Chronicle. “These specialized high schools are very important to us, especially since high school seats are very overcrowded in Queens.”

Despite the fact that blacks and Latinos make up more than two thirds of the city’s public school students, they make-up a small number of the students at the specialized schools, each of which has outreach coordinators dedicated to reaching out to families at minority schools about the test. This year, just 3.6 percent of the offers for admission to the specialized schools went to black students and 5.3 percent went to Hispanic students. The NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education charging that the test is racially discriminatory in 2012.

To make the schools more diverse, legislation to change the admissions criteria — such as ensuring that boroughs are equally represented or adding subjective measures like grades and attendance to them — has been pushed in the state Legislature but has not succeeded. Three of the schools have their criteria because of state law and the others do it out of tradition.

Although Mayor de Blasio has said that he wants to change the admissions criteria to include more than just the admissions exam in an effort to increase diversity at the schools, no such change has been made.

However, the DOE aims to achieve the same goal by a different method: reaching out to the underrepresented demographics.

In June, the agency announced a $15 million set of new initiatives to increase diversity at the specialized schools.

“These new initiatives are an important step towards more diverse specialized high schools,” City Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña said in a prepared statement. “This is about equity and excellence for all of our high-performing middle school students, regardless of their zip code or background.”

The Department of Education is trying to bolster groups that are underrepresented in the city’s elite eight technical schools — such as Queens High School for the Sciences at York College — by increasing access to preparation for its controversial entrance exam.

PHOTO BY RICK MAIMAN One component of the plan includes enhancing and expanding the DREAM program, an initiative that provides free afterschool tutoring to sixth- and seventh-graders for SHSAT preparation, to high-performing eighth-graders, which began this summer. Providing wraparound services for the program’s participants and expanding coaching and professional development opportunities for DREAM staff are also part of the initiative. Out of the 530 Latino and black students who received offers for the specialized schools, 77 of them participated in the DREAM program.

“Offering expanded test prep is a step in the right direction,” Lee said.

Although the city aimed to enroll 500 qualifying eighth-graders from underrepresented schools across the city for the program this summer, only about 300 enrolled because the plan was announced in June, according to WNYC. The Pre-K for All Outreach Team also partnered with Office of Student Enrollment to reach out to Latino and black students who qualified for the Discovery program, which resulted in an increase in the number of Latinos and blacks who registered to participate in this summer’s Discovery program. The team hired for outreach will continue to do this work, according to the DOE. “Not all the students in the city or the parents are aware of specialized high

schools and what they are and what it takes to get into them,” Lee said.

For students who score in a certain range below the eligibility requirement for the SHSAT, the city’s Discovery program is an intensive summer course to help them get a seat. To make Latinos and blacks more represented in the elite eight, the city is expanding the program at Brooklyn Technical High School and created one for the High School of American Studies at Lehman College. This summer, 100 more students participated in the program — 220 — than the year before.

The DOE’s Office of Student Enrollment also will have hired five outreach specialists to seek out high-achieving, low-income students for the DREAM, Discovery and SHSAT programs before the next exam in October. Although 96 percent of the highest-performing Asian students took the SHSAT, only 80 percent of Latinos and 76 percent of blacks did.

Another component of the city increasing diversity for the specialized schools is its plan for five pilot schools to administer the SHSAT on a school day. According to the DOE, this prevents issues with family or work obligations, traveling to a testing site and taking the exam at an unfamiliar location. When the SAT and PSAT were given on school days before, there have been significant increases in the number of test-takers.

In an effort to give resources to students from underrepresented areas, the DOE has pr ior it i zed est ablish i ng pa r t nersh ips between test prep agencies interested in providing test prep resources for the SHSAT or scholarships and middle schools that offer after-school programs.

Latinos and blacks accept their offers to the specialized schools only 73 percent of the time, while 86 percent of Asians accept them. To increase the rate at which the offers are accepted by the underrepresented demographics, the DOE aims to make the culture and climate at the specialized schools stronger. Each of the elite eight institutions has been encouraged to identif y alu m ni of color and st udent ambassadors to reach out to students who have been accepted. In addition, more culturally relevant curricula may be integrated by the schools and there will be opportunities for additional professional development for teachers.

“Kids that are good test takers shouldn’t get penalized,” Assemblyman Ron Kim (D-Flushing), who represents a large Asian community in northeast Queens, told the Chronicle.

Kim, who used to support changing the criteria, said that his “stance on SHSATs has somewhat evolved” and does not want to change the rules for getting into the top eight schools. However, he supports adding and expanding more specialized schools such as Townsend Harris High School, an elite school that does not use the SHSAT for admissions.

“I think we should definitely expand specialized schools but we should not get rid of the current way the standards are,” the assemblyman, who is on the Education Committee of the state’s lower chamber, said.

State Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Flushing) says that universal pre-K will help make the schools more diverse.

“I think that with universal pre-K, you’re gonna find an improvement in the diversity of the specialized high schools,” Stavisky, who graduated from Bronx Science and taught at Brooklyn Tech, said. “Children will be learning to read and verbalize and socialize at a younger age.”

State Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside), state Sen. Jeff Klein (D-Bronx) and other members of the upper chamber’s Independent Democratic Conference secured $2 million in the 2016-17 state budget to support Brooklyn Tech’s STEM pipeline program for middle school students and expand test preparation to underrepresented students and middle school outreach programs at each specialized high school.

“That’s the way to go,” Avella said.

“Lowering standards doesn’t help anybody but we have to increase diversity in these Q premier high schools.”

C M Bts page 11 Y K Page 11 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, August 25, 2016

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, August 25, 2016 Page 12

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Charter chat heats up over summer Three new schools but same old differences in the city by Michael Gannon

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On top of that, Success Academy, the chool is out in the summer. But the battle over charters in New York City has become most-high-profile operator of charters in a year-round argument, and this year heat- the city, was founded by former city councilwoman Eva Moskowitz, de Blaed up in direct proportion to temperatures.

On July 1, Success Academy, which has 41 schools across sio’s frequent critic and occasional sparthe city, including two new ones in Queens, announced that ring partner.

In a statement issued Tuesday, Ann it would not offer pre-K services this fall as part of an ongoPowell, executive vice president of public ing dispute with the city over contracts and funding.

Then on Aug. 10, shortly after trumpeting increases by affairs and communications at Success, city schools on standardized test scores, Mayor de Blasio was direct.

“In the face of unprecedented parent appeared to discount somewhat larger gains made by charter demand and public polling, Mayor de schools on the same exams.

Mayor de Blasio said charter schools are outscoring tradi- Blasio remains hell-bent on halting the tional public schools because of their heavy emphasis on test public charter sector’s growth,” Powell wrote. “As long as there are parents on prep, drawing criticism from charter advocates.

“It’s not a state secret that some substantial piece of that waiting lists and children trapped in failis based on charters that focus on test prep,” de Blasio said ing schools, families and educators will in the New York Daily News. “And if that’s where they put a do whatever it takes to stop City Hall lot of their time and energy, of course it could yield better from blocking access to the high-pertest scores. But we don’t think that’s good educational poli- forming charters.”

Merriman said the bar is set far too cy. So we’re going to do it the way that we believe is right low if the conversation was only about a for our children.”

In 2016, 38 percent of city public school students in grades mayor not trying to stop charters.

“The bar should be that a mayor is doing three through eight reached state proficiency standards for reading, up from 30.4 percent in 2015. Math proficiency rates everything to help schools operate and The new Success Academy charter school on 141st Street in South Jamaica will open, expand and be viable, because those eventually house grades K to 5 in the old St. Clement’s School building. It now has went from 35.2 to 36.4 percent.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL GANNON Scores for charter schools went from 29.3 percent to 43 students are his constituents,” he said. “One grades K and 1. percent in reading, and rose from 44.2 percent in math to of his jobs is to get children educated.”

Austin Finan, a spokesman for Mayor de Blasio, said the parochial school for their children.

48.7 percent.

The group Families for Excellent Schools rallied outside administration is well aware of its responsibilities.

The chancellor said a great deal of charter applications “We’re focused on providing all students with an equitable involve parental school choice.

City Hall on Aug. 11 calling on the mayor to apologize to charter students. James Merriman, CEO of the New York and excellent education, whether at a district or charter “Parents make choices about parochial schools. They school, and we’re committed to lifting up every school across make choices about yeshivas,” she said, noting that she City Charter Center, an advocacy group, was not surprised. the city,” he said in an also works closely with education leaders of all faiths.

“We get by now that email to the Chronicle. the mayor doesn’t like Fariña also said the waiting list to get into charter Schools Chancellor schools — Merriman said Tuesday there were 44,000 charter schools and that Carmen Fariña, in an applicants this year who did not get seats — should be he seems constitutionally inter view last Friday examined through the lens of parental school choice. incapable of hiding it, with the editorial board Merriman said in a state“I think that if you could open enrollment to other of the Queens Chroni- schools in Queens, like at my former school, you might ment on the group’s webcle, said no such war have 15,000 apply,” she said. “It’s that we have zones in site that same day. exists, citing her own the public sector. If you could open any school in the “But it is ungraceful long and ongoing expe- city to any parents, you could easily have 20,000 or a nd mea n-spi r ited to rience with charters. show his contempt by 15,000 apply.

“I don’t think so,” belittling the record num“At my old school, which was zoned, we had people Success Academy Founder Eva Moskowitz, left, Mayor de Blasio and Fariña told the Chronicle. who lied about their addresses to apply. It comes back to ber of students of color who worked so hard to Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña are central players in the sometimes “I work with charters all what parents want, and why they want it.” the time. I actually have a master the Common Core heated arena of charter schools.

Three sources said the city is in compliance with state FILE PHOTOS LEFT AND CENTER. PHOTO, RIGHT, BY PETER C. MASTROSIMONE visit with one next week.” law and relevant court rulings regarding the provision of standards as this year’s Farina said fur ther space or rental assistance. state test results reflect.”

The United Federation of Teachers, generally a close ally that she encourages her superintendents to bring in charter Where Success Academy has an issue is with contracts of the mayor, opposes charters, which are largely exempt principals to their regular meetings to get feedback and that the city said the group had to sign allowing for city from much of the direct oversight and many of the faculty exchange ideas with district schools. supervision and authority over aspects of the charter’s One she cited was in Brooklyn, where a high school has pre-K programs in return for city funding. union rules that apply at regular city public schools.

They assert that the charters drain funding from other been bringing back its graduates to help current students.

Success Academy refused to sign the contracts last year Fariña said charters are part of the DOE’s learning part- and funded its pre-K programs itself. schools and students where they believe it is more badly needed; and that charters cherrypick top students while not ners network. Merriman, in an interview, said she serves on Losing its argument this past winter before state educaadmitting the number of special needs applicants whom dis- the board of his organization. tion officials, Success representatives now are appealing “I attend their meetings and also hear feedback,” Farina the ruling in court. Merriman said his organization has trict schools must accept without exception.

Merriman, on the other hand, pointed out that some of the said. filed an amicus brief on Success’ behalf in the case.

One of the earliest charter schools in the city, Farina said, charters started up last week, while district schools will open At the moment, there is a limit of 460 charters throughgoing back more than 15 years, was in a district where she out New York State. There are 18 charters operating in in September.

He said if that continues to be true, there should be little was serving as superintendent.

Queens, including new ones in South Jamaica, Briarwood “I worked very hard to help them in any way that they and Far Rockaway. wonder that students in charters, particularly African-American and Hispanic students, are showing more proficiency needed help,” she said, adding that many parents who opt Merriman said there are 32 open but approved slots Q for charters also are ones who might otherwise choose a remaining in the city. than students in district schools.

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Qns. lawmakers want it but fate of immigrant-aid bill remains unclear by Ryan Brady

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ueens is one of the most diverse areas in the world and according to a Migration Policy Institute study from last year, it is the borough most populated with undocumented immigrants. To many people and advocates in the borough, the passage of the New York State DREAM Act has been one of the most important issues.

Thousands of undocumented high school graduates go to college each year and their lack of citizenship is a barrier to receiving tuition assistance. The bill — the full name of which is the New York State Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act — aims to remove that barrier.

The bill, which was first introduced in the state Legislature in 2011 and is supported by Gov. Cuomo, was passed by the Assembly earlier this year but again was not supported by the state Senate, which is controlled by Republicans. All Queens state lawmakers support it.

“Unfortunately, we were not in the majority when the DREAM Act was introduced.

If [we] had been, we wouldn’t be standing here pushing for this bill because it would already be in effect,” state Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Flushing) said recently at a

press conference in support of the bill.

However, even if Democrats run the state’s upper chamber, according to state Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside), the passage of the bill is not guaranteed.

“Not every Democratic senator supports the DREAM Act so it’s not automatic that if the Senate changes hands, there still will be enough votes to pass it,” said Avella, a member of the breakaway Independent Democratic Conference. Without a very large Democratic majority, the senator said, it could fail in the Senate again.

When the upper chamber rejected it two years ago, two Democrats — former state Sen. Ted O’Brien, who has been succeeded by a Republican, and state Sen. Simcha Felder (D-Brooklyn), who caucuses with the Republicans — voted no on it.

Since that vote, the seat of former Majority Leader Dean Skelos was won by state Sen. Todd Kaminsky (D-Long Beach), a supporter of the bill, in a special election.

Advocates for the DREAM Act say that the financial aid will make college more affordable and easier for unauthorized immigrants who otherwise might have to work during the semester to pay for their tuition.

“The only affordable place to go to college

is CUNY but even then paying two to three thousand dollars a semester out of pocket in cash is very difficult,” Nayim Islam, an undocumented Jackson Heights resident with the immigrant advocacy group Desis Rising Up & Moving, said. “When you’re working to support yourself financially, it’s very difficult without financial aid.”

Multiple Republican state senators did not return requests for comment from the Chronicle prior to deadline.

According to Queens Village Republican Club President Phil Orenstein, the DREAM Act’s pa ssage wou ld h ave negat ive consequences.

“It would incentivize more illegal immigration,” Orenstein said. “But I have no problems with it once the border is secure.”

State Sen. Jose Peralta (D-East Elmhurst) is expecting Democrats to take control of the upper chamber next year, a change that would make passing the bill possible.

“This year is gonna be a very positive year for us because ... it’s a presidential year and in every presidential year, we do very well,” said Peralta, who introduced the bill in the Senate two years ago. The senator added that it would probably be put to a vote before the Q state budget passes.

The New York State DREAM Act, which would allow undocumented high school graduates to apply for the state’s Tuition Assistance Program, has been blocked in Albany by the Republican-controlled Senate, but advocates and Democrats are still trying to get it passed.

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, August 25, 2016 Page 14

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How will the election affect schools in the U.S.?

Hillary promises investments in education while Trump wants to cut spending by Anthony O’Reilly

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uch has been said of Hillary Clinton’s and Donald Trump’s policies heading into the presidential election this November.

But what of their educational policies?

While the media cycle has been dominated with talks of a wall along the Mexican border and email servers, both candidates have also aired their thoughts on the country’s school system — and, just like many other topics, the two have vastly different plans for how students would be taught.

While Clinton’s school plans are outlined on her campaign website, Trump’s site offers little to no insight into his educational policies; however, during his countless media and rally appearances he’s offered a slight glimpse into his plans.

We know he’s against Common Core, saying it takes control of education out of area school districts’ hands. He’s in favor of a system that would allow each district to control how it teaches its students.

“Common Core is a disaster,” said Trump during his campaign launch last June.

He used Common Core to attack one of his primary opponents, Jeb Bush.

“How the hell can you vote for this guy? You just can’t do it. We have to end [Common Core] — education has to be local.”

Clinton, on the other hand, said she has “always supported national standards.” She has also criticized its rollout, calling it too fast and that it expected school districts to “turn on a dime” with very little notice.

Trump has said, even before he started his run for

HABF-070117

How will November’s elections affect our country’s school FILE PHOTOS system? commander-in-chief, that he’s in favor of school vouchers, government-funded checks that allow students to attend the schools of their choice.

“Who’s better off? The kids who use vouchers to go to the school of their choice, or the ones who choose to stay in public school? All of them. That’s the way it works in a competitive system,” he wrote in “The America We Deserve.”

Clinton believes vouchers are not constitutional and that they take money away from public schools that could use them for teachers or other school improvements.

One topic the two agree on are charter schools —

both have expressed support for them.

Like vouchers, Trump believes the implementation of charter schools will increase competition in the country’s education system, thereby improving schools.

Similarly, Clinton has remarked that charter schools give more choice to parents, specifically those whose children may have special needs.

But her comments on charters, unlike Trump, have gotten her booed on at least one occasion.

During a July speech at the National Education Association’s representative assembly, the former First Lady was jeered at when she said charters and traditional public schools should share ideas.

“We can do that,” she said after being booed. “We’ve got no time for all of these education wars.”

The crowd went back to cheering her after she made a firm stance against for-profit charters.

“That is not acceptable,” she said to the audience’s applause.

The biggest difference between the two candidates is in how they would spend, or save, taxpayer money when it comes to the Department of Education.

Clinton, on her website, outlines plans to have nationwide pre-K, make college debt-free and have community colleges be tuition-free and improve technology in schools.

Trump, meanwhile, would look to cut DOE funding by millions.

“I may cut the Department of Education,” he said during Q a Fox News interview.

C M Bts page 15 Y K Page 15 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, August 25, 2016

TEEN

HEALTHY LIFEST YLE & SUPPORT GROUP

St. John’s Episcopal Hospital invites teens in our community who are interested in their health to participate in a healthy lifestyle program and support group. Learn about healthy eating, exercise, weight management and diabetes prevention.

Join us the first Wednesday of the month: September 7th , October 5th , November 2nd , & December 7th from 4:30-6pm.

ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL HOSPITAL E P I S C O P A L H E A LT H S E R V I C E S I N C .

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Location: St. John’s Episcopal (BOCES Building) 327 Beach 19th Street, Far Rockaway, New York 11691, 718.869.7000

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, August 25, 2016 Page 16

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Endless arts and entertainment Performances, exhibits and more to appeal to all tastes and interests

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ig-name performers appearing in concert, multicultura l a t t r a c t io n s , eve n a behind-the-scenes look at how movies get made — these are just some of the fall entertainment offerings announced so far that are sure to satisfy every age and interest over the next few months, all right here in Queens.

A wide variety of musical performances will likely provide some of the season’s highlights.

The Queensborough Performing Arts Center (222-05 56 Ave., Bayside, (718) 631-6311) kicks off its season on Sept. 18 at 3 p.m. with “Tony Danza Standards and Stories,” featuring a live band and a selection of timeless hits from the Great American Songbook. Following him on Sept. 25 at 3 p.m. is “Rita Moreno in Concert,” billed as “a thrilling afternoon of music with a true superstar!” Other attractions include The Havana Cuba All-Stars, sharing their musical heritage on Oct. 1 at 8 p.m. and chart-toppers KC and the Sunshine Band on Nov. 19 at 8 p.m. The center also presents “A Christmas Carol,” the Dickens classic tale as performed by the North Country Center for the Arts’ National Touring Co., on Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. Ticket prices vary.

The Kupferberg Center for the Arts at Queens College (65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, (718) 793-8080) presents El Gran Combo, a Puerto Rican salsa orchestra with choreography known to inspire spontaneous dance fever, at Colden Auditorium on Sept. 9 at 8 p.m.($39-$89). Award-winning singer-songwriter Judy Collins follows on Oct. 22 at 8 p.m. at LeFrak Concert Hall ($40-$50). Her special guest will be Ari Hest, the popular musician who hails from the Bronx.

Flushing Town Hall (137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing, (718) 463-7700, ext. 222) presents wide-ranging cultural attractions.

Sept. 4 at 1:30 p.m. brings an afternoon of

by Mark Lord

El Gran Combo will spice up Colden Auditorium at Queens College with their salsa show on Sept. 9, while Rita Moreno, below, will provide “a thrilling afternoon of music” at the Queensborough PHOTOS COURTESY QUEENS COLLEGE, ABOVE, AND QPAC Performing Arts Center on Sept. 25.

Taiwan Campus Folk Songs, performed in Chinese with English and Chinese subtitles ($35; $25). On Sept. 16 at 7 p.m., the Colombian Drum Circle will celebrate the Harvest Moon with master drummers and workshops ($25). And on Sept. 30 at 8 p.m., the main event will feature Orlando Marin, the last Mambo King. A dance workshop will precede the concert at 7 p.m. ($16).

Queens Theatre (14 United Nations Ave. South in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, (718) 760-0064) offers dance, theater and family series, as well as additional special attractions. Keigwin & Company, a contemporary dance troupe, returns with a tribute to composer Leonard Bernstein on Oct. 22 at 2 and 8 p.m. and Oct. 23 at 3 p.m. ($25). “In the Car with Blossom & Len,” described as a “smart, biting and poignant comedy about growing up and growing old, not necessarily in that order,” is a play by Joni Fritz that will run at various times from Nov. 11 to 20 ($42, $25). Children will revel in performances of “Pete the Cat” (Oct. 2, 1 and 3 p.m., $14) and “Junie B.’s Essential Survival Guide to School” (Nov. 25, 1 and 3 p.m., $14).

Theater lovers have plenty of additional selections with which to satisfy their desire for all things dramatic.

The Thalia Hispanic Theatre (41-17 Greenpoint Ave., Sunnyside, (718) 729-3880), the only bilingual Latino theater in Queens, presents the American premiere of a comedy by Spanish contemporary playwright Juan Carlos Rubio, “Apartment For Sale (Tenant Included),” which runs from Sept. 23 to Oct. 23 ($25). Back by popular demand is “The History of Salsa,” from Nov. 4 to Dec. 11, featuring the award-winning Jackson Heights-based Colombian dance company Cali Salsa Pal’ Mundo ($40; $37 students and seniors).

Over at the New York Irish Center (10-40 Jackson Ave., Long Island City, (718) 4820909), “The Cure,” a one-man play steeped in the history and topography of Cork City, will

be performed on Sept. 15 at 8 p.m. The following week, on Sept. 22, “Great White American Teeth,” a piece written and performed by Fiona Walsh, about a young Irish girl craving the excitement of America, will be presented at 8 p.m. The annual Ladies Victorian Tea Party, which will take place on Oct. 16 at 2 p.m., is touted as an afternoon of “chats and giggles.”

All you need to bring is your tea cup! And the center offers a monthly ceili and house party on the fourth Saturday of each month from September through July at 8 p.m. for an evening of Irish set dancing.

The art world will be well represented in the borough this fall at various venues.

Being offered through Sept. 11 Thursdays through Sundays from 1 to 6 p.m. at The Flux Factory (39-31 29 St., Long Island City, 347(718) 669-1406) is “Artificial Retirement,” featuring artworks and performances by artists that attempt to answer the question, “What is failure in this technologically aided era?”

Titles of exhibitions include “Tunnel Vision,” “Microuniverse” and “Slow Hot Computer.”

The Queens Museum (New York City Building in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, (718) 592-9700) presents through Jan. 1 “Nonstop Metropolis: The Remix,” which includes two new artworks by Mariam Ghani and Duke Riley, focusing, respectively, on the linguistic diversity of the borough and water and power, as well as printed broadsides, four-color pieces that excerpt selected essays and include maps visitors can take home free of charge. Also up and running now is “A Passion for Tiffany Lamps,” on view in the Neustadt Gallery, with examples of Tiffany’s most iconic lamps — the Wisteria and Dragonfly, along with unusual lamps produced in limited numbers. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

Suggested admission is $8 for adults; $4 for students; free for children 18 and under.

MoMA PS1 (22-25 Jackson Ave., Long Island City, (718) 784-2084), one of the oldest and largest nonprof it contemporar y art

institutions in the country, is known for its displays of some of the most experimental art in the world. The works of British artist Mark Leckey, known for addressing the effect of technology on popular culture and exploring class and history, will be on view Thursdays through Mondays from noon to 6 p.m. starting Oct. 23. MoMA PS1 is also presenting “Rockaway!” at Gateway National Recreation Area at Fort Tilden through Nov. 30, a site-specific outdoor installation that serves as a final celebration of the iconic aquatics building, which was rendered structurally unsound by Hurricane Sandy and is set for demolition later this year.

At the Godwin-Ternbach Museum, part of Kupferberg Center for the Arts at Queens College (405 Klapper Hall on the college campus, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, (718) 9974747), several upcoming exhibitions are of particular interest. First up is “Richard Hennessy: Free Hand Free Spirit,” running Sept. 8 to Oct. 1, and featuring the artist’s abstract paintings spanning a 30-year career. This will be followed by “Queens Collects: 60 Years at the GTM,” from October to December, highlighting the museum’s 6,000 works. The museum is free and open to the public, Mondays to Thursdays 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Museums, it seems, are catering to an even wider variety of interests than they used to.

The Museum of the Moving Image (36-01 35 Ave., Astoria, (718) 777-6888) presents on Sept. 2 at 7:30 p.m. “O Brasil: Contemporary Brazilian Cinema,” featuring new films by women filmmakers of different generations, including “The Second Mother,” an intimate drama of a housekeeper torn between her employers and her family. An ongoing exhibit, “Behind the Screen,” immerses visitors in the creative and technical process of filmmaking.

Included are nearly 1,400 artifacts from the museum’s collection. Museum admission is $15; $11 for seniors and students; $7 for children. Free admission is offered on Fridays from 4 to 8 p.m. Paid tickets are required for each individual screening.

King Manor Museum (153-03 Jamaica Ave., Jamaica, (718) 206-0545), a historic house museum that preserves the legacy of U.S. Constitution signatory Rufus King, a national figure in the early anti-slavery movement, provides diversions for all ages. Sept. 3 from 1 to 4 p.m. offers a free event called “Hands On History: Old News, New News.”

Participants will create paper out of recycled materials, read news stories aimed at youngsters and take a tour of the manor, where they will be able to see a copy of the Long Island Farmer, the first newspaper published in the borough. The manor’s Fall Festival, also free, takes place on Oct. 15 from 1 to 4 p.m.

Guests are invited to experience a slice of country life, learn to churn butter and press apple cider, and participate in various crafts and historic games. A classical music concert performed by Ensemble 1816 takes place on Oct. 28 from 6 to 10 p.m. ($25, $30). continued on page 18

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Kids sure can’t say there’s nothing to do!

Queens has endless activities for toddlers, teens and everyone in between by Peter C. Mastrosimone

K

ids in Queens are lucky to have at le a s t a s m a ny options for fun and educational activities as their parents do — and of course many are for families to enjoy together. Here are just some examples of what you and the young’uns can do this fall.

The Queens County Farm Museum kicks off the season just right with its annual county fair, a traditional, down-home event with competitions in livestock, produce, home crafts and more. There’ll be pie-eating and corn-husking contests, pig races, hayrides and plenty more to entertain the kids. The fair runs Sept. 24 and 25, and also marks the opening of the farm’s Amazing Maize Maze, the three-acre cornfield puzzle featuring you as the game piece — if you dare to enter. All you need to know about the fair and the maze — along with pumpkin picking, sheep shearing and other fall events — is detailed at queensfarm.org.

Among the Queens institutions with constant programming for children is the Alley Pond Environmental Center, with classes for those as young as 12 months. Broken down by age and always making nature the theme, APEC’s ongoing courses and single weekend classes range from Just Hatched, for 1-year-olds and their families, with songs and the promise of meeting

Stomp Rockets, in which kids get to make their own creations fly, is one of many workshops at the New York Hall of Science. PHOTO COURTESY NYSCI an animal; to Sunny Bunnies, for 3- and 4-yearolds, with animals and educational activities prepping the wee ones for prekindergarten; to Animal Care Trainee, for those 8 to 12 to learn about taking care of various critters; and Vet Tech, which teaches kids 10 to 13 about keeping animals healthy in a more specialized manner.

Details on those classes and many more are posted at alleypond.com.

The New York Hall of Science boasts 450

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exhibits, demonstrations and activities geared toward the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. No wonder it’s where you’ll find a mini-golf course sitting beneath rockets from America’s space program, where kids — adults too — learn about the laws of physics as they play. Inside, there are programs like Little Makers, in which youngsters might build their own little rockets that take off when they stomp on a launch pad, or learn about magnetism by tinkering with everyday objects, or even make “superhero gadgets.” And the hall offers plenty more; it’s all at nysci.org.

On the entertainment side, the Secret Children’s Theatre in Long Island City has two plays for kids that each show once a month: “Pirate Pete’s Parrot” and “Princess Particular.”

The former is a musical in the British pantomime tradition about a swashbuckler seeking his lost bird, while the latter is a comedy about a girl used to getting what she wants. Details and tickets are available at secrettheatre.com.

The Secret Theatre, Hall of Science, APEC and Farm Museum all host children’s birthday parties too.

For kids’ activities that range from the educational to pure fun, all around the borough, it’d be impossible to beat the Queens Library.

Take just one day, Saturday, Sept. 10, as an example (thanks to increases in the city budget,

all libraries are now open six days a week).

Among the activities that day are a street fair at the Central Library in Jamaica, craft-making at the Poppenhusen branch in College Point, family storytime celebrating National Grandparents Day in Flushing, a meeting of the Chess Club in the same location, playtime and crafts in Rosedale, family storytime in Baisley Park and teen time at the Windsor Park branch in Hollis Hills. That’s just one day at the library!

The system’s detailed calendar of events and much more are posted at queenslibrary.org.

Queens institutions of all kinds have their own activities for young people. The Central Queens Y in Forest Hills has basketball and soccer leagues starting in the fall, as well as an afterschool program for kids in kindergarten through sixth grade. Its partner, the Samuel Field Y, operates Beacon afterschool programs at middle schools in Bayside, Floral Park and Fresh Meadows. The Black Spectrum Theatre in Jamaica offers theater training classes that start in November. Socrates Sculpture Park in Long Island City has a six-week course for teens interested in becoming police officers, firefighters, emergency service personnel or members of the Coast Guard. And so on.

Queens would seem to be The Kids’ Borough as much as The World’s Borough — take Q advantage of it!

Queens arts and entertainment continued from page 16

The New York Hall of Science (47-01 111 St., Corona, (718) 699-0005) offers an exhibit through Sept. 18, “Going Places,” which finds visitors flying a place on a flight simulator, riding a mini hovercraft and guiding a blimp through sky hoops (free with admission.). A new 3-D movie, “Tiny Giants,” running through June 30, 2017, looks into the astonishing world of chipmunks ($6; $5 for children, seniors and students, in addition to museum admission.; shown daily 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m.). Museum hours are Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Admission is $15; $12 for children (2 to 17), seniors and students. Free admission is offered Fridays from 2 to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 10 to 11 a.m.

If museums here are defying their kind’s former staid reputations, so, too, are cemeteries, some of which have become meccas of arts and entertainment.

Maple Grove Cemetery (127-15 Kew Gardens Road, Kew Gardens, (718) 5443600) offers on Sept. 17 at 5 p.m. in The Center at Maple Grove an art exhibit in honor of Hispanic History Month, followed by a concert at 6 p.m. featuring international singing star Fran Brunetta, dubbed the Michael Bublé of Argentina (free). Oct. 1 from 2 to 5 p.m. brings “Spirits Alive” to Monumental Park (Victorian Section), an annual event featuring

actors in full costume portraying many of the notable people resting at Maple Grove.

Those who prefer outdoorsy pastimes should enjoy the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge (Broad Channel, (718) 318-4340), part of Gateway National Recreation Area, one of the most significant bird sanctuaries in the northeastern United States and one of the best places in New York City to observe migrating species. A variety of ranger-led programs are offered year round. Activities offered include birding, nature walks, exhibits, talks and cruises. The trails are open daily from sunrise to sundown. Free walking permits are required.

Another popular attraction for nature lovers is Alley Pond Environmental Center (228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston, (718) 229-4000), which is dedicated to establishing awareness and appreciation of the environment and to preserving nature in an urban setting. APEC is open seven days a week: Mondays through Fridays 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; on Saturdays and Sundays hours vary. Walking trails are open dawn to dusk year round. The suggested donation is $5.

Many more events, exhibits and other things to see and do in Queens will be announced as summer fades into fall, so be sure to check “What’s Happening,” our community calendar, each week in the Queens Chronicle’s qboro section.

There’s bound to be much that appeals Q to you!

C M Bts page 19 Y K

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Online shopping vs. traditional stores Brick-and-mortar locations struggle to maintain clients in the internet age

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hen Nate Hudson walked into Macy’s in Elmhurst one recent Saturday afternoon, he made a beeline for the men’s department. The 19-yearold college student knew what he needed: new button downs and dress pants.

About an hour later he walked out with two shopping bags in tow.

Mission accomplished.

For clothing retailers, back to school shopping is big business.

The six-week season is the second largest shopping event of the year, according to marketing firm Cardlytics, trailing only the winter holidays.

This year, total back-to-school spending is expected to reach $75.8 billion, up from $68 billion last year, the National Retail Federation said in a recent report. Families with children in grades K-12 plan to spend, on average, about $235 on clothes.

But as the school year approaches, brick-and-mortar stores find themselves fighting an ongoing battle for customers with onlineonly businesses like Amazon. For Hudson, there’s something to be said about the in-store experience.

“It’s a lot more personal of an experience,” Hudson said. “Seeing the items in person is a lot different, as opposed to online. And you can talk to the salespeople if you have questions. You don’t get that feature online.”

Another feature you don’t get online, Whitney Greene said, is the immediate gratification.

“I don’t want to wait a few days for my clothes to come in the mail,”

by Matthew Bultman

said the 28-year-old as she left the Queens Center mall.

Still, more consumers are trading the perks of shopping in-store for the convenience of shopping from their couch. For the first time, a United Parcel Service survey this year found consumers made more purchases online, compared to in the store.

This survey underscores the transformation in the shopping patterns of consumers that has been taking place over the last decade, with retailers having to adapt in the cyber shopping era.

But that’s not all they’re having to contend with, experts say.

Younger consumers are also spending less on clothing. Last year, a report from Morgan Stanley showed millennials were spending more on things like rent and iPhones. This leaves them with less money for clothes. And even when people do buy clothes, increasingly they want deep discounts.

“With coupons, discounts, loyalty points and gifts-with-purchase more the rule than the exception today, consumers are spending less because they can,” retail expert and author Robin Lewis recently wrote on his website.

Large department stores have been trimming locations for some time, struggling to keep pace.

M o s t r e c e n t l y, M a c y ’s announced earlier this month it was closing 100 stores nationwide.

There is no word yet on which stores will be closed. JCPenney and Kohl’s are among other big-name brands who have closed under-performing stores in recent years.

In some respects, Queens might be fortunate.

A shopper walks out of the Armani Exchange location inside the Queens Center mall in Elmhurst.

The JCPenney location inside the Queens Center mall in Elmhurst is hoping to make a killing this year during the back to PHOTOS BY MATTHEW BULTMAN school shopping season over the next few weeks.

The Queens Center mall is widely regarded as one of the most profitable malls in the country. In 2009, U.S. News & World Report found it had sales above $875 per square foot, the fifth highest of any shopping center nationwide. It would seem then that Macy’s and other large retailers would be especially reluctant to close their doors there.

But that’s not to say there aren’t concerns.

“If you ask any brick-and-mortar store if they feel threatened by online retailers, I think they absolutely would say yes,” said Rachel Thieme, the executive director of the Sunnyside Shines Business Improvement District.

Some stores have transformed themselves, making their selection more innovative and “hip,” hoping to appeal to younger shoppers, T h ie me s a id . A nd bu si ne s s improvement districts throughout Queens are doing their best to help promote the “shop local” message.

For instance, the Sunnyside BID offers what’s known as a “Shop Sunnyside” card, a rewards card that gives residents deals and discounts on stores in the neighborhood. While online retailers like Amazon offer certain conveniences, Thieme said she thinks people

really do want to shop locally.

“The Shop Sunnyside card is a helpful reminder,” she said.

Ted Renz, the executive director of the Myrtle Avenue BID in Ridgewood, said the BID has been active online, promoting local businesses and events through its website and on social media. He said a number of retailers are also trying to do more on the web to service that sector.

The BID also has a number of events, including a Labor Day/Back to School sidewalk sale in the upcoming weeks.

Any help businesses can get to lure shoppers away from their computers this time of year is likely welcome, as the National Retail Federation said 46 percent of parents planned to back-to-school shop online this year, up from 36 percent last year.

This could spell bad news for the bottom line at the brick-and-mortar stores.

CNBC, using Cardlytics data, reported that back-to-school revenue at brick-and-mortar stores was down almost 2.5 percent in 2015, compared to the year before. At the same time, online-only stores, like Amazon, saw 14.5 percent more revenue and almost 19 percent

more purchases in 2015.

Based on the NRF’s numbers, it appears that gap could likely grow this year.

“The budget-conscious consumer is not forgetting about price, quality or value, and we continue to see this when it comes to back-toschool shopping,” Pam Goodfellow, an analyst at Prosper Insights & Analytics, said a statement accompanying the NRF report. “That is why many parents are taking advantage of shopping early, scouring ads and websites for the best deals, and taking advantage of free shipping with online purchases.”

The bright spot for stores are shoes, Cardlytics data shows. In its 2015 report, the firm found parents visited physical storefronts to try on shoes an average of 44 percent during the back-to-school period, as compared to the rest of the year.

Online shoe retailers, in contrast, saw an average increase of 5 percent.

“Not only were customers willing to hit the pavement to try on new shoes, they were ready to open their wallets once they got there,” the report said, finding spending on children’s shoes, in particular, was up 624 percent compared to the rest Q of the year.

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Hudson Valley orchards offer fat pumpkins, sweet treats and fun memories

F

or Queens residents, buying fresh fruit a nd produce ca n mean battling with other shoppers to grab the best blemish-free apples or strawberries from the bins at the supermarket down the street.

When the borough’s grocery stores are the busiest, finding that one red delicious at the bottom of the pile that hasn’t been touched by God knows how many other people may seem like an impossible task.

If you want a break from that shopping experience, we recommend spending a crisp fall Sunday in the Lower Hudson Valley, picking the freshest fruits and veggies around.

Arguably the most popular produce farm in the valley is Dutchess County’s picturesque Barton Orchard, approximately 70 miles up the Taconic State Parkway at 63 Apple Tree Lane in Poughquag, NY. Open from July through November, the sprawling orchard attracts thousands each weekend in late September and early October during the heart of harvest season — with the vast majority of patrons being families enjoying their yearly apple and pumpkin picking tradition.

Hayrides are the most popular means of transportation on the campus, transporting people to and from the 120-acre apple orchard, the massive pumpkin patch and the fields of pickable peppers, squash, cucumbers, green beans, egg plant and tomatoes.

In recent years, the farm has added on to its entertainment portion of the venue, with woodcutting artists, painters and live bands showing off their skills throughout the fall.

For parents with young children, the petting zoo, pumpkin slide and corn maze are hits. And for those over 21, the farm’s new bar — complete with pumpkin brews and cider beers — has become one of the venue’s biggest attractions.

by Christopher Barca

Arguably Barton’s most attractive product, however, is its cider donuts, something former Queens Chronicle intern and Fresh Meadows resident Suzanne Ciechalski makes sure she brings home during her family’s annual Columbus Day weekend outing to the orchard.

“My favorite thing about Barton is definitely the baker y,” said Ciechalski, a Dutchess County native. “Naturally, there’s a huge selection of baked goods, homemade jams and apple cider, among other things.

The absolute best part is the apple cider donuts, though. They’re to die for!”

But at the end of the day, it’s the tradition of spending an afternoon chomping on a McIntosh and sipping cider while searching for that perfect pumpkin with your loved ones that keeps the Ciechalski family and so many others coming back to Barton.

“My family has gone apple and pumpkin picking at Barton Orchards for as long as I can remember,” she said. “We usually go Columbus Day weekend and of course it’s packed, but that’s part of the fun. The atmosphere is wonderful.”

Barton isn’t the valley’s only popular farm, as just 50 miles from Queens is Westchester County’s family-owned and operated Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard at 130 Hardscrabble Road in North Salem, NY. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., you can pick whatever kind of apple your heart desires from the venue’s rows of trees or scoop up a huge Halloween pumpkin from the farm’s patch.

But what separates Harvest Moon from other area orchards, according to manager Christine Covino, is its proximity to MetroNorth, as the farm is just two miles from the Croton Falls station on the Harlem line.

“It’s pretty accessible,” Covino said.

“We’re one of the closest pick-your-owns to the city.”

Each weekend from Sept. 10 to Oct. 30, Harvest Moon will be hosting a Fall Festival, where attendees can enjoy live music, fresh kettle corn, pumpkin cheesecake and other seasonal treats, while bounce houses, pony rides and other games are available for the younger apple pickers. Admission is $5.

Once you’re done scarfing down the delectable desserts, Covino encourages you to purchase some fresh eggs and meats produced on-site.

“We’re a farm for the whole year,” she said.

“We have other fruit trees, we have chickens for eggs, we sell our own meats. To me, that makes us stand out too. We’re doing so much more.”

While the crowds at Harvest Moon often make Covino’s fall afternoons incredibly busy, she said seeing moms and dads explore the orchard with their children never fails to put a smile on her face.

“It’s nice to see families with their young children, showing them where apples come from and how to get them off the trees,” she said.

“You’re so connected to the land.

That connection to the earth is something that not many people experience.”

Another prime produce picking location in the Hudson Valley is Putnam County’s Salinger’s Orchard at 230 Guinea Road in Brewster, NY, a 40-minute drive away.

If you’re looking for a pumpkin in time for Halloween, Established in 1901 and open upstate farms like Barton Orchards have you covered. year-round, the small, family-owned PHOTO COURTESY ALYSSA BARCA

Back to School & Fall Guide 2016

Kids of all ages are encouraged to get into the apple picking act at Blue Jay Orchards in Bethel, FACEBOOK PHOTO Conn.

Tucked away in the rolling hills of the Hudson Valley are orchards plentiful in apples, pumpkins, PHOTO BY AMY RIO squash, berries and fall flowers, like the ones here for sale at Barton Orchards.

and operated farm has 18 different kinds of apples available for purchase at its market, along with peaches, pears, plums, nectarines, cherries, tomatoes and other fresh fruits and veggies.

Nearby residents and those traveling from other counties frequent the farm to pick up its more than a dozen varieties of homemade pies — baked by the owners themselves — but the orchard’s pure, raw honey is arguably its most popular product, as around 30,000 pounds of it is sold each year.

New York doesn’t have a monopoly on popular orchards and farms, however, as Blue Jay Orchards at 125 Plumtrees Road in Bethel, Conn. is one of the Hudson Valley’s most trafficked destinations during the fall.

Voted the best apple orchard in the southwestern part of the state by Connecticut Post readers in 2015, more than 30 varieties of apples can be picked from the 120 acres of trees from Sept. 2 through the end of November.

Located in northern Fairfield County just 60 miles from the Whitestone Bridge, the orchard is a prime location for perfect pumpkins, freshly baked pies, jams, jellies, tarts and apple cider.

And like Barton, Blue Jay is also famous throughout the state for its cider donuts coated in cinnamon sugar. In fact, the Connecticut Post called them “the stuff of dreams” in a 2015 profile of the orchard.

While it’s true Queens has more diverse food and culture to offer than just about anywhere else on Earth, you can’t pick a Ginger Gold apple or a juicy nectarine straight from the tree in Forest Hills, Long Island City or Jamaica.

So take a day this fall to embrace your inner farmer. Take a drive to where the leaves are falling, the cider is flowing and the apple pies are steaming.

Q Your palate will thank you.

Page 21 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, August 25, 2016

Only the freshest at these fine farms

Back to School & Fall Guide 2016

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, August 25, 2016 Page 22

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What’s new on the small screen Don’t fight for the remote; there’s plenty to see on traditional TV

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h e a r r i v a l of fall has always meant two things to all generations: namely that school starts up again and the broadcast TV networks launch their new primetime lineup. Here is a look at what’s new that you’ll be seeing on your television shortly.

by Lloyd Carroll

CBS The Tiffany Network under the aegis of its CEO, Les Moonves, has long been television’s most watched network. Success has never meant complacency to Moonves as his company has not relied on popular standby shows until they run out of gas as Fox did with “American Idol.”

CBS’s safest bet is bringing Mr. King of Queens, popular comic Kevin James, back to the fold as a recently retired NYPD officer in “Kevin Can Wait.” Although many of the films he has made since leaving TV have been critically panned, nearly all of them have made a ton of money so the audience should be sizable for this cleverly titled James vehicle.

A show which should nicely complement “The Big Bang Theory” is “The Great Indoors,” which stars popular comedic actor Joel McHale.

Fans of McHale will be happy to know that he is basically transporting his wiseguy Jeff Winger character from “Community.” He is Jack Gordon, a world traveler who is forced to be the managing editor of a digital publication whose staff is a bunch of politically correct millennials who are perfect fodder for his snarky, exasperated persona.

CBS is counting on a revival of interest in former “Friends” star Matt LeBlanc, who stars as a contractor with three kids in “Man with

Kiefer Sutherland becomes president after a catastrophic terror attack in “Designated Survivor.” ABC TELEVISION

a Plan.” The Eye Network is also hoping that folks are nostalgic for a reboot of the comic action series “MacGyver,” with Lucas Till taking over the title role from Richard Dean Anderson. Its executives are also crossing their fingers that fans of Phil McGraw, aka “Dr. Phil,” will want to see a drama based on the early years of his psychology practice with “Bull,” as former NCIS star Michael Weatherly portrays a McGraw-like character.

to Comic Con aficionados with numerous superhero programs.

It still retains some of that pedigree as it welcomes “Supergirl” f rom CBS but it has also become known for some unexpectedly daring fare such as “Cra z y Ex- Girlf r iend” and “Jane the Virgin.”

“No Tomorrow” continues the CW’s stab at edgy comedy. It features Tori Anderson as a play-it-safe Southern California 20-something who throws caution to the wind when she meets her Prince Charming, played by NBC British actor Joshua Sasse. The It wasn’t that long ago that the only hitch is that he thinks the Peacock Network was the butt of world will be destroyed in a year industry jokes because of its poorly rated shows. NBC Entertain- The old “King of Queens,” Kevin James, plays a retired NYPD officer in “Kevin Can and they should fulfill their ment CEO Bob Greenblatt, who Wait,” opposite Erinn Hayes as his wife, Donna.

CBS TELEVISION bucket list now.

“Frequency” was a terrific succeeded the controversial Jeff 2000 movie that dealt with a sciThis network is known for pushtrack down Jack the Ripper in modZucker a few years ago, has nicely stopped the bleeding thanks primari- ern-day New York City. Freddie ing the envelope when it comes to fi fantasy of being able to alter the ly to “The Voice,” which has become Stroma succeeds Malcolm McDow- broadcast network comedy and this time-space continuum as a ham a pop culture phenomenon, as well ell as Wells while Josh Bowman season will be no exception. “Lethal radio enthusiast finds himself comsupplants David Warner as murder- Weapon,” the popular late ’80s and municating with his police officer as the action drama “The Blacklist.” early ’90s film franchise, is being dad on his old set. His late dad is NBC is only rolling out three ous Jack. new shows this fall. The show with A number of shows would appear rebooted and will have Clayne talking to him in 1969, when the the biggest expected buzz should be to be dicey at first glance. “Down- Crawford and Damon Wayans in the Miracle Mets are about to shock “The Good Place,” which stars ward Dog” looks at life from a Mel Gibson and Danny Glover mis- the world. The film shot many of its scenes here in Queens.

Kristen Bell as a wild 30-something depressed pooch’s point of view. matched cop roles.

That probably won’t be the case Sorry, Yankees fans: “The Mick” who winds up in heaven with Ted “Imaginary Mary” has sitcom veterDanson as the guy who oversees an Jenna Elfman as a single woman has nothing to do with the legendary with this new television version that has actress Peyton List and “the good place.” We’ll find out if hitting 40 who finds a make-believe Mickey Mantle.

The title refers to the nickname of actor Riley Smith updating the there are laughs in the afterlife with friend from her childhood is now this comedy. very real and wants to be her life Kaitlin Olson’s character, Macken- roles played by Jim Caviezel and “This Is It” is an ensemble come- coach. “Speechless” has Minnie zie, a grifter and party animal hop- Dennis Quaid. In a bit of heresy, dy-drama starring Milo Ventimiglia Driver as a matriarch of a family ing to sponge off her older sister, the current action is moved to 2016 and Mandy Moore in which a vari- whose oldest child has cerebral who married a high-powered invest- and the bonding between daughter ety of people’s lives intersect in dif- palsy, and she has to fight to make ment banker and lives in a Green- and father revolves around the 1996 ferent ways. The show appears to be sure that he gets the same treatment wich mansion. The joke is that she World Series run of the Yankees. inspired by those holiday romantic and privileges other kids his age get. gets to live in the house and enjoy movies that the late Garry Marshall The show’s heart is in the right place the good life only after Mick agrees Cable was making in recent years. but from what I saw at the ABC to care for her sister’s three kids, Turner Entertainment has creat“Timeless” is a drama in which a Upfront in May, Driver is shrill and after she and her billionaire husband ed two successful cable brands, flee the country to avoid prosecution TBS for comedies and TNT for trio of young detectives (Abigail the preview came off as too preachy.

Spencer, Matt Lanter and Malcolm ABC’s marquee new show is for securities fraud. Think of this as dramas.

Bennett) try to stop terrorists who “Designated Survivor” starring an edgier “Married with Children” In a move to get a jump on the steal a time machine to change Kiefer Sutherland as a cabinet mem- with a nod to both Bernie Madoff competition, TBS has already startAmerican history for the worse. ber who becomes the president when and Marc Rich. ed showing “Wrecked,” a spoof of Fox’s big new drama is “Pitch,” desert island survival dramas such Baby boomers can think of this as terrorists launch a devastating attack “The Mod Squad” meets “The in Washington on the night of the which stars Kylie Bunbury as Ginny as “Lost.”

Time Tunnel.”

State of the Union address. “24” fans Baker, who we are told is the first TNT will debut “Animal Kingwho tune in hoping to see Suther- female pitcher in Major League dom” this fall and it has nothing to land in Jack Bauer kick-butt mode Baseball history. This show owes a do with the beloved wildlife show ABC The last few years have been will be disappointed as his character huge debt to the exploits of Mo’ne starring Marlon Perkins and Jim rough in the Nielsen ratings for the is a Cornell University alum who Davis, who led her Philadelphia Fowler that ran on Sunday afterteam to the Little League World noons on NBC when I was a kid.

Alphabet Network. To say that being uses brains more than brawn.

Series. Major League Baseball sees This “Animal Kingdom” stars president of ABC Entertainment has this show as a great way to market to Ellen Barkin as a Southern Califorbeen to take the hot seat is an underFOX statement. Last spring Channing Last year was a rough one for Fox women and is allowing its producers nia crime boss. We’ll see if a West Dungey succeeded Paul Lee, and the as both of its hyped comedies, to film at San Diego’s Petco Park Coast “Sopranos” can work.

FX will debut a series about hiplineup that she is putting out this fall “Grandfathered” and “The Grinder” and use all of the logos and likenesshop that stars “Community” alumis eclectic to say the least. f lopped. Adding pressure to this es of the San Diego Padres. nus Donald Glover and “Better ABC is giving NBC competition coming season is the fact that Things” about a single mom trying in the time travel genre with a TV “American Idol,” a Fox fixture since CW version of the 1979 film “Time After the start of the 21st century, has conFor years the CW marketed itself to make it in the cutthroat acting Q Time,” in which H.G. Wells has to cluded its run. to teenage girls. It then shifted focus world of LA.

C M Bts page 23 Y K Page 23 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, August 25, 2016

ALL ROADS LEAD TO JAMAICA HOSPITAL

The many roads that make up our community are the same roads that lead to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center.

As your neighbor, our wide variety of clinical services are always available to you and your family.

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Learn More About our Many Quality Services Including Emergency Medicine • Cardiology • Pulmonary Medicine • Ambulatory Care Advanced Radiology Services • Sleep Center • Obstetrics and Gynecology • Pediatrics

By Calling us at 718-206-6000 or Visit our Website at www.jamaicahospital.org

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, August 25, 2016 Page 24

C M Bts page 24 Y K

The

Kew-Forest

School

Inspired Education Since 1918

Don’t you want the best education for your child?

Established in 1918, The Kew-Forest School is an independent, co-ed, college preparatory school for students in early childhood through 12th grade.

With more than 250 students hailing from 65 countries around the globe, Kew-Forest produces citizens of our school and the world.

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Today the School maintains a rich tradition of fostering “high standards of excellence, discipline and a sincere spirit of service.”

We invite you to come see what we’re all about.

For more information, please contact: Henry C. Horne Director of Admission and Enrollment Management e: hhorne@kewforest.org | t: (718) 268-4667 ext. 125

Fall 2016 Open House Schedule LOWER SCHOOL (Early Childhood - Grade 5) Saturday, September 17 • 11am - 1pm Saturday, October 15 • 10am - 12pm Saturday, November 12 • 11am - 1pm

MIDDLE/UPPER SCHOOL (Grades 6 - 12) Thursday, September 29 • 5pm - 7pm Thursday, October 13 • 5pm - 7pm Thursday, November 17 • 5pm - 7pm

To RSVP please visit www.kewforest.org

1 1 9 -1 7 u n io n tu r n p ike , forest hi lls, ny 11375- 6143 | 718.26 8 . 4 6 6 7 | www. kewfo r est . o r g KEWF-070128