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Likely device detox in classrooms
by Kristen Guglielmo Associate Editor
As the 2024-25 school year approaches, schools in Queens and across the city are grappling with the potential of a policy shift that could see cell phones banned during school hours.
Conversations around the issue have gained momentum following recent comments from Gov. Hochul, Mayor Adams and Schools Chancellor David Banks, who all have expressed concerns over the impact of smartphone use on student mental health and academic performance. Hochul has said the state is exploring legislative measures that would restrict smartphone access in schools.
In a NY1 appearance earlier this month, Hochul said phone use causes students to lose the interpersonal skills needed in the workforce.
“It’s going to affect the next generation of workers,” she said. “I’ve done five roundtables around the state. I need to work with the Legislature, but I want to liberate these kids from the stress.”
In a June press conference, Banks told reporters, “We are very much leaning towards banning cell phones.”
While no formal proposal had been made as of publication, one may be coming soon.
a formal announcement.”
Asked if an announcement will come before the start of the 2024-25 school year, Adams said, “It has to.”
The issue has sparked debate among teachers, parents and students. As Adams said, some schools already enforce their own phone policies, ranging from the use of Yondr pouches, which are locked with a magnet to securely store devices, to the collection of phones at the start of the day.
An Ozone Park middle school teacher, under the condition of anonymity, told the Chronicle, “Telling students they can’t have their phones opens a can of worms. You have the overprotective parents who want to check in with their child through text during the day. And then you have the students who want to chat with their friends, who are maybe in other classrooms, and constantly post to Instagram or Snapchat or TikTok — whatever website they’re on.”
School Tech timeout
“We’ve had a number of conversations,” Adams said during a recent News 12 interview. “This is one of those issues where on both sides of the issue, there are those who are strong proponents of it and those who are saying, ‘Wait a minute. Hold on for a moment.’ Because there’s a real safety issue. 9/11 has changed the game, where parents want to get in contact with their loved ones right away.”
He continued, “But here are the facts we know: it is a real interference. It’s a distraction. It hurts our children. It promotes violence in school. A lot of bullying takes place. It is just something that has impacted our young people a lot. So we’re now looking at, strongly encouraged, to [do] a full ban. Some schools already are voluntarily doing bans and they say it has worked out. So we want all stakeholders involved be ready
Asked about her own classroom’s phone policy, she said, “I tell them on the first day, ‘Checking your phone within these four walls is unacceptable unless you or someone you know is bleeding, dying or sick.’ But if they’re sneaking glances at their device, I won’t question it unless they’re fully distracted or disruptive.”
The teacher also supported the use of Yondr pouches, but said financially they may not be feasible.
“I went to a stand-up show last summer and the venue made us use those pouches,” she said. “They would be great in classrooms, but I don’t think the Department of Education is going to pay for that. And we’d likely need parental permission to actually lock away their kids’ phones.”
Speaking on the possibility of a phone ban, the teacher said, “I think it would be really, really difficult to enforce. If the powers that be can provide us with support for enforcement, I’m on board with it. But I know most students — and plenty of moms and dads — won’t be.”
Adams tried to assure overprotective parents during a recent interview that there will be a middle ground.
“During the times when parents are just so used to communicating with their children, we don’t want to do something that’s going to be overly harmful to their public safety concern,” Adams said. “But at the same time, we know cell phones are major distractions to learning. They’re major distractions to learning. And so, as I like to say, we have to find that sweet spot. We have to find how we balance being able to reach a child during a time of emergency, but how it does not continue to distract with the learning environment. And that’s what the chancellor is working on right now.”
While some argue that smartphones have no place in the classroom and welcome the idea of a ban, others remain skeptical.
One parent, Michelle Persaud of Jamaica, said the idea makes her nervous.
“As a parent, with the lack of gun control in this country, sending my kid to school without a phone would give me anxiety,” she said. Her son is an incoming high school freshman, and she bought him his first phone when he started middle school.
“We live in New York City,” Persaud said. “Anything could happen, and I want my son to be able to call the police — or his mom — if something goes wrong. They do drills for shootings, terrorist attacks, fires — but having a way to call for help is important, too.”
Asked if she was in favor of restrictions, such as Yondr pouches or having her son’s phone locked away for the school day, she said, “Again, if something happens — they have to rush to go retrieve it. I think it needs to be a case-by-case basis. If a student is all on their phone and distracted, take it away. But let ones who are focused keep theirs. Make it a privilege.”
She added, “College students know better than to check their phones during class, right? Prepare the younger generation — show them you have the confidence in them to not get distracted.”
In Queens, some politicians are supportive of a potential phone ban.
“As a member of the New York City Council’s Education Committee, I am supportive of the city’s consideration of a ban on cell phones in schools, with input from educators and parents,” said Councilmember Lynn Schulman (D-Forest Hills) in a statement.
She added, “Studies show that extended use of screen time by kids on their cell
phones can lead to or exacerbate mental health issues. Our kids only get one chance at a good education, and that requires an environment that maximizes learning and minimizes distractions. Cell phones, while valuable tools in many contexts, can often disrupt classroom instruction, hinder academic performance, and contribute to issues like cyberbullying. This type of measure is a step in the right direction.”
Councilmember Jennifer Gutiérrez (D-Brooklyn, Queens), also on the Education Committee, said in a statement, “I’m not entirely against a cell phone ban in NYC schools — I’ve heard from principals, teachers, and even students about how distracting phones can be, and I’ve seen it myself during school visits. However, it’s 2024, and it’s unrealistic to expect students to leave home without their phones.”
She added, “Parents want to be able to reach their kids, phones are used for directions to get to after school jobs. While we want classrooms to be focused on learning, we also need to ensure that schools handle this fairly and without a surge in punitive actions. It’s going to take time to undo a deeply ingrained culture, and we must approach this with care.”
Asked about the status of the prospective phone ban, city Department of Education press secretary Nathaniel Styer said via email, “We’ve not made an announcement!” However, with Banks expected to make an announcement sometime soon, all eyes are on the DOE. Whether the proposed ban will strike the right balance between maintaining safety and fostering a distractionfree learning environment remains to be seen. Q
As New York State considers restrictions on smartphone use in schools, citing distractions and bullying, the city has said it intends to make a formal announcement on a ban by the start of the school year.
Yondr pouches, which have a magnetic lock, could potentially be used to curb use of phones in classrooms.
COURTESY PHOTO
Six school expansions in boro
by Sophie Krichevsky Editor
Getting new school supplies to start the new year is something most students are accustomed to — but new school facilities are a whole other matter.
With the start of the 2024-25 academic year, some lucky students throughout the World’s Borough will enter those new structures for the first time.
According to Kevin Ortiz, a spokesperson for the city’s School Construction Authority, six of the city’s 24 new expansions ready for the first day of school on Sept. 5 are in Queens.
seats, up from 592. The school was at 142 percent capacity last school year with 839 students enrolled; the addition to the building will bring the school below capacity, the Department of Education said.
The pre-K-5 school, which is located at 171-11 35 Ave., is newly equipped with four new pre-K classrooms, two new kindergarten classrooms, five standard ones and three special education classrooms. It also includes a new music and art room, a science resource room, a cafeteria and kitchen, a staff lunchroom, administrative, medical and guidance suites and new outdoor play space.
School
Those are among the 32 new school facilities — which includes new schools, additions and annexes — that have opened in Queens between fiscal years 2020 and 2024. In that time, the borough has gotten 18,735 more public school seats, Ortiz said. Of those 18,735, 2,445 are in buildings opening in September.
Brand-new facilities
Three of the new buildings opening in the World’s Borough are in Northeastern Queens. PS 32 in Auburndale has a new addition ready for students to use, with 346 more
Even more seats are available over at PS 41 in Bayside this fall. With its new 473-seat addition, the school will more than double its current capacity of 359 seats; PS 41 was more than full last year as it had 402 pupils. Thirty-six of those new seats will be dedicated to special education, the DOE said. The addition includes four new pre-K classrooms, two for kindergarten, three dedicated to special education and 12 standard classrooms. On top of that, it features a new reading and speech resource room, a science resource room, a staff lunch-
room, a new kitchen and cafeteria, a music room and an art room as well as guidance, medical and administrative suites and outdoor play space.
Rego Park’s PS 174 will also enjoy a significant increase in its seating capacity this school year, as the addition opening next week will include 403 new seats for the 541-student school.
Located at 65-10 Dieterle Crescent, the pre-K-5 school will have a brand new library, cafeteria and outdoor space available for students to use this academic year and for many more to come.
And in Bay Terrace, PS 169 — which is co-located with Bell Academy, a middle school — will open its new 627-seat addition with the beginning of the new academic year. The space will feature five new kindergarten classrooms, three for special education and 16 standard ones, on top of new music and art rooms, a reading and speech resource room, a science prep room and a science resource room. There will also be a library, a staff lunch room, outdoor play space and medical and guidance suites.
The addition also includes four new pre-K classrooms, four kindergarten classrooms, eight standard ones and two for special education. Among other highlights are a new reading and speech resource room, music and art classrooms, a staff lunchroom, a kitchen and administrative, guidance and medical suites.
Other new school spaces opening this fall in Queens are spread throughout the borough: South Ozone Park’s PS 96, PS 85 in Astoria and Rego Park’s PS 174.
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Over at PS 96, located at 130-01 Rockaway Blvd., a 145-seat addition will welcome students for the first time next week (DOE records list the school’s enrollment at 519).
Students at the South Ozone Park school will have a brand-new gym, as well as a science resource room, music and art rooms, medical and administrative suites and a cafeteria and kitchen. The addition also includes two new pre-K classrooms and two kindergarten classrooms.
Also opening next week is PS 85’s new annex, which is distinct from an addition in that it is a separate building. As the Astoria school cuts the ribbon on the annex, it will get 451 more seats — nearly double the preK-5 school’s previous enrollment at 565.
With the new annex, PS 85 will have four new pre-K classrooms, three kindergarten classrooms, two special education classrooms and 15 new standard ones. Among the highlights is the addition of a new gymatorium and exercise room, as well as a library, reading and speech resource room, music room, cafeteria and kitchen, medical and guidance suites, a staff lunchroom and a conference room.
While there are six new facilities in the World’s Borough that are ready for this school year, Ortiz noted that the SCA has more coming on the horizon. Perhaps most notable among those coming next year is the new 3,066-seat high school slated for Northern Boulevard in Woodside, the largest in the agency’s history. The school will be focused on preparing students for careers in the healthcare field. Q
Six new school expansions will welcome students for the first time this academic year. That includes the new annex at PS 85 in Astoria, seen above, and the 346-seat addition to PS 32 in Auburndale.
PHOTOS COURTESY NYC SCA
Nurturing minds beyond grades
by Kristen Guglielmo Associate Editor
As the school bell rings in the start of a new academic year, there’s an unspoken syllabus item parents should consider. In the age of social media, academic pressure and the lingering effects of a global pandemic, mental health has become as essential to children’s success as their grades. Parents are tasked with ensuring their kids are not only excelling in their studies, but also thriving mentally and emotionally.
Dr. Nicole Carrozza, a psychologist based out of Rockaway Park, and Dr. Terry Gomez, a mental health clinician, spoke to the Chronicle about mental health concerns in children. Both professionals offer telehealth sessions. More information can be found on psychologytoday.com.
The doctors said among the most prevalent mental health conditions in school-age children is anxiety.
“Of course, sometimes there’s comorbidities,” Carrozza said. “Maybe there’s some ADHD, maybe there’s some depressive symptoms as well, but primarily, I’m seeing a lot of anxiety.”
“The trend that I’m seeing a lot of is anxiety and depression,” Gomez said, adding that she’s seeing high amounts of attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder as well, which she said can often be misdiagnosed.
“They’ll see hyperactivity and immediately they’re just like, ‘That kid has ADHD,’” Gomez said. “You can’t expect a 4-year-old to be sitting for an hour listening to a story and then say the kid has ADHD. Everybody wants a kid to sit still, but it has to be within their limit.”
She continued, “A 12-year-old should be able to sit for a longer period of time. It has to fit within the capacity for their age.”
Still, inattention, getting easily
distracted and sleep difficulties are all signs parents should look out for if they suspect their child may have ADHD. It’s best to notify a professional and avoid a self-diagnosis.
Anxiety symptoms can, however, appear differently depending on the child.
“I think parents need to feel confident that they know their child better than anybody else,” Carrozza said. “And kind of go with their gut if they’re noticing a major change in behavior or mood.”
Signs of a child experiencing an anxiety disorder or a depressive disorder can include staying indoors more when they’re usually outside, a change of sleeping habits, a change of eating habits, poor grades, withdrawal from friends, lack of motivation or losing interest in activities.
“They’ll just start to have these big feelings, and big behaviors behind the big feelings,” Gomez said. “So a lot of times the parents are just like, ‘Oh my gosh, this kid is acting out.’ But it’s not really that they’re acting out, it’s more about them having these big internalized feelings.”
Gomez said stomach pains can be a key symptom of anxiety.
“Children don’t have the language to really express what’s going on in their bodies, so they’ll just say, ‘I feel something in my stomach.’ So then you can usually narrow it down,” she said.
She added that parents should encourage labeling a feeling to help children express themselves.
“The more that kids start to understand that there are an array of different feelings and they can label them, I think that would help a parent understand what is going on with them.”
If a parent is unsure if a child is experiencing anxiety or depression, Carrozza encouraged speaking to school staffers.
“I would say if a parent is con-
cerned, go to the teacher and speak to them. Get their perspective as to what’s going on in school,” Carrozza said. “And then they can always reach out to the school psychologist or guidance counselor as well to have another conversation with the child and kind of get an idea of what’s going on.”
Other than considering the help of a professional, what do parents need to keep in mind?
“Parents have to be aware of their own anxiety,” Carrozza said. “Especially with going back to school, we see it — parents are anxious about going back. Maybe parents are also teachers, so they’re doubly anxious about going back at the beginning of the school year.”
ahead of the start of the school year is to try to get back into the routine — and maybe do a practice run to rule out anything going awry on the morning of the first day.
Carrozza said it’s important to model a calm, confident demeanor.
“The kids are going to feed off of that,” she said. “They see you, and if you’re anxious and you’re rushing around, they’re also going to be anxious.”
She added that it is OK for a parent to be anxious — and to admit it.
“It’s OK to say, ‘Mom’s feeling a little anxious too. We’re going to take some deep breaths,’ and model appropriate coping strategies.”
Another way to mitigate anxiety
“Around now, maybe get back into a routine and start implementing a bedtime again, waking up at an earlier time around when they’d have to get up for school,” Carrozza suggested. “And if you feel like your child’s really going to struggle maybe do a practice run. Wake up and get ready as though you’re going to school, drive or walk to the building, and then go out for a nice breakfast or something fun.”
Asked how to help kids who may be experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression, Carrozza reiterated that modeling is important.
“I think sometimes parents feel like they can’t be angry in front of their kids, or they can’t be anxious in front of their kids,” she said. “And in reality, it’s OK to express that emotion and to label it for them. ... The more they see that modeled for them, the more they’re going to learn how to do that themselves. So saying, ‘I’m feeling angry,’ and then saying, ‘What coping strategies do you use?’ Maybe mom goes for a walk, maybe she
works out to deal with her anxiety, or maybe dad goes for a drive.”
She added, “We want to make sure that we validate how our children are feeling, if they’re feeling anxious, but also encouraging to them to do the thing that’s making them feel anxious. So if they’re avoiding school because they’re feeling nervous about it, it’s OK to say, ‘I’m so sorry that you’re feeling nervous, but I know that you can do this and we’re going to go to school.’ Because the more that we let them avoid the thing that makes them feel anxious, the worse they usually get.”
In school, Carrozza, who previously taught special education and early childhood education, said teachers can create a “calm down area” in their classrooms.
“It’s a place for the kids to go when they’re feeling a little anxious with things available for them to use to cope with their emotions,” she said. “And in a lot of the schools that I worked in, we had a poster up where the kids could even point to how they were feeling if they were too young to really be able to express that verbally.”
Gomez said it’s imperative for parents to really listen to their kids.
“I think it’s really important to check in with them and ask them, ‘How are things going?’” she said. “Listen to their words and pay attention to the changes in their behavior. I think that would go a long way.” Q
The start of a new school year can trigger different emotions for kids and their families, so it’s important to know how to identify when something is wrong — and how to help.
Dr. Nicole Carrozza, left, and Dr. Terry Gomez spoke to the Chronicle about mental health in kids ahead of the school year. COURTESY PHOTOS
How the Diocese tackles closures
by Michael Gannon Senior News Editor
Since being appointed superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens in 2022, Deacon Kevin McCormack had been spared the experience of closing schools until this past spring.
When the decision was made to close three, including the 114-year-old St. Matthias in Ridgewood, the primary goal was a straightforward one.
“The initial reaction is always, ‘How do we help the families?’” McCormack told the Chronicle in a recent interview.
Salve Regina Catholic Academy in East New York and St. Catherine of Genoa-St. Therese Lisieux Academy in Flatbush also closed at the end of last school year, as did Visitation Academy, also in Brooklyn. The latter, however, was not a diocesan school, but run by the order of the Sisters of the Visitation of Holy Mary, and not under McCormack’s purview.
“What we immediately did ... because of the way everything worked out, we were able to very, very quickly put up information which offered students different opportunities within their areas to which they could apply, so the families could start to do their due diligence,” McCormack said. “This was totally up to the parents. They were given priority, and the vast majority decided to go to neighboring schools. And we were happy that we could give them the help to get there.
border,” he said.
Many students who did not apply, he said, opted for charter or private schools, as well as traditional public schools in the area.
McCormack also said about one-third of all students in the diocese receive financial aid from the Futures in Education program.
“Many of our students in the closed schools were in the program,” he said. “They continue to keep [the scholarships] in their new schools.
“They do not start from zero.”
Tuition, costs and enrollment all played roles in the decisions to close the three schools. McCormack said the decision is never made lightly or impulsively.
Enrollment for the 2024-25 year is steady, McCormack said.
“There are about 30,000 families involved between 3K and grade 12 in the two boroughs,” he said. “That number is a great thing because we had been trending down 1, 2, 5 percent. We’re a solid product that people believe in.”
School School Catholic education
“Nobody was rejected. I want to make that clear — nobody was rejected. Everyone who applied, we found a place for them.”
McCormack said the diocese doesn’t recognize the Brooklyn-Queens border when it comes to schools, and that parents were free to apply to another borough if it was a matter of convenience.
“Many of the schools are close to the
The three schools, he said, were caught in the years-long trend.
“In September [2023], we worked with these schools,” he said. “We did the best we could. Two of the schools were part of a program to save them. They just couldn’t make it. Not that the leadership was bad. It was just the burden and pressure of a decrease in enrollment and an increase in deficits. It was just too much to handle.”
Frank Gulluscio, a member of Community Board 10, a retired Catholic school teacher and a fixture on Queens’ civic and political scenes for decades, was chairman of the board of St. Mary’s Gate of Heaven School in Ozone Park when the decision came down to close it in 2020.
“The parents were angry,” Gulluscio said, even with reassignments, while acknowledging that finances always need to be a consideration.
The retired teacher said at the time that St. Mary’s teachers were notified and that the diocese and principals helped them get reassignments within the diocese.
“Some of them did it on their own,” Gulluscio said. “They went to other schools in the diocese. Most of them, that I recall, ended up locally.”
A few veterans, he said, decided to retire.
Fred Bedell, grand knight of the Knights of Columbus Council 5911 at St. Anastasia Parish in Douglaston, is a firm backer of Catholic schools.
He said when the Divine Wisdom Catholic Academy was established in the longtime St. Anastasia building, parents were accepting and liked the results.
“They created the academy and the school is now thriving,” Bedell told the Chronicle.
He said other schools have survived mergers and become stronger and success-
ful as a result.
McCormack said the reassignment of teachers is not always as easy a process as it is for students, but that every effort is made.
“We put the names of the teachers on a list. We sent the list to all principals. Many of the teachers went to other schools.”
One principal, he said, now is an administrator at another school in the diocese, while two others have gone on to other positions.
Other school personnel, McCormack said, were sometimes not under diocesan control. Nurses are hired and assigned by the city. Building custodians often are employed by individual parishes.
The headaches of redrawing bus assignments also fall on the city.
McCormack said the future use of the St. Matthias school building at 58-25 Catalpa
Ave. is being handled at a higher diocesan level in coordination with consultants.
“Buildings are rented and leased,” the superintendent said. “It helps the schools, it funds scholarships, it funds programs in the schools.
McCormack acknowledged that the diocese and the schools may have an adjustment period when things begin in September, but that they are ready.
“One never knows what one doesn’t know,” he said. “That’s the key. We’re prepared for the reality of life to take place. But not only in the schools that are receiving new students, but all our schools.
“There’s always an August surprise, things the board of eduction was not expecting to have. We’re not seeing that on the horizon. But we are prepared for the vagaries of modern life in Catholic schools.” Q
St. Matthias School in Ridgewood was one of three in the Diocese of Brooklyn that closed at the conclusion of last school year. The diocese said it was able to transfer every student who asked for a transfer.
PHOTO BY MICHAEL SHAIN / FILE
St. Mary Gate of Heaven in Ozone Park closed in 2020. PHOTO BY JASON ANTOS / FILE
C M BTS page 11 Y K
New world, new college courses
by Naeisha Rose Editor
The jobs landscape has changed drastically around the world in just a few short years. To meet the needs of the next generation of people in various industries, institutions of higher education have developed new courses and programs to both attract new students to their halls and shape the leaders of tomorrow.
LaGuardia Community College, Queensborough Community College, Queens College, St. John’s University and York College are the general interest post-secondary institutions from the World’s Borough doing just that for the fall semester underway.
Three courses will serve the new Business Adminstration: Facilities Management major at LaGuardia, which is designed for scholars interested in business operations and maintenance for spaces such as warehouses, office complexes, storefronts or residential buildings.
The courses are Introduction to Facilities Management, which offers an overview of the core competencies of the field; Buildings Systems: Anatomy of a Building, examines the basic systems required to service such structures; and Project Management, a class that gives students the skills to roll out an initiative, estimate budgets and schedules, manage a team and explore methods of monitoring, evaluating and terminating a plan.
“The Facilities Management program is the first of its kind in New York State at a two-year college,” said Dionne Miller, associate dean of Academic Affairs at LAGCC, which is located at 31-10 Thomson Ave. “With new high-rise buildings
dotting the Long Island City skyline, and the ongoing challenges of maintaining older buildings, the need for facilities managers can be seen outside our windows.”
The major was developed in collaboration with the International Facility Management Association Foundation.
The school will also introduce a Community Health and Wellness Department for those who want careers in nonclinical healthcarerelated jobs, while new courses will offer experiential learning and health humanities classes for existing majors in Liberal Arts and English, as well as skills training for Industrial Design majors.
Additional courses include Introduction to Integrative Research Methods, which will give students hands-on expereince using research methodologies to address global issues; Literature, Health and Medicine, which examines the understanding of health and illness shaped by literature; and Computer Aided Industrial Design II and III, which teach 2D and 3D computer graphics.
QCC, located at 222-05 56 Ave. in Bayside, is offering an Assocaites of Science degree in Computer Science and an Applied Associates of Science in Cybersecurity.
“Our new Computer Science and Cybersecurity degree programs are in response to the high need of employers for candidates who have degrees in this field and our desire to prepare our students to compete successfully for these high-paying jobs,” said QCC President Christine Mangino, to the Queens Chronicle via email.
Additional resources this fall include a brand new LGBTQ+ Resource Center and The Vault Clothing Closet.
“As a college, we are committed to fostering a culture of equity and inclusion in a respectful, welcoming, and caring environment,” Mangino said. “The new LGBTQ+ Resource Center is a continuation of our collective work to make Queensborough a safer and more inclusive space.”
QCC also offers Continuing Education and Workforce Development programs for middle and high scool students in Algebra 1 (grades 7-9, Saturdays, Sept. 21-Dec. 14, 12:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.) and Chemistry (grades 9-10, Saturdays, Sept. 21-Dec. 14, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.).
Queens College has new Africana Studies and Psychology courses and new Policy and Business Analytics and Chemistry and Biochemistry programs, along with affiliation, exchange and articulation agree-
ments with other institutions.
Linda Pacheco, a spokeswoman for QC, said the following programs and courses were developed in response to student feedback and interest, an assessment of industry need, and in support of the Queens College mission, which is to prepare innovative leaders.
The Africana Studies courses include AFST 160, Introduction to Dance in the African Diaspora, and; AFST 199, The Dance Practices of the African Diaspora and the American experience.
University.
Another program is QueensHochscule Bielefeld, a University of Applied Sciences and Arts exchange agreement.
School
Au courant concentrations
There is also the Queens-Shanghai Theater Academy articulation agreement, which lays out a transfer guide between QC and STA that ensures all completed credits transfer and shows a clear pathway for continued advancement at both schools.
The other classes include Psych 230, Cognitive Psychology; Psych 229, Language and Mind; and Psych 344, Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience.
The affiliation agreements, which are contracts between the school and other educational institutions, include the Queens-Film Academy at Magic Hour, Queens-Florence University of the Arts and the Queens-Hellenic American
nursing program and house existing and forthcoming health sciences programs in one facility. The building comes with state-of-the-art technology, simulation labs and flexible room layouts for instructors.
Biomedical science students enrolled in the 4+4 BS and Doctor of Medicine Program will spend their first four years of study at St. John’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and then qualified students may enter SGU’s four-year MD program.
“We are excited about our partnership with St. George’s University medical school because a guaranteed seat in medical school provides a clear path for qualified students to become physicians,” said Annie Lin, the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences dean at SJU. “The strong foundation our biomedical sciences students receive prepares them well for medical school. This partnership with St. George’s University Medical School will provide a path for them to meet the anticipated shortage of physicians.”
The new MBA program will be a deep dive into the foundations of artificial intelligence and will explore advancements in machine learning and how AI tools are being used in various business settings.
York College, located at 94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd. in Jamaica, is offering fully online programs and a BA/MA journalism program with the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism.
The Clinical Trial Management and Community Health Education MS and BS programs, respectively, are fully online.
The 4+1 Program in Journalism allows York students to complete an MA in journalism within one year by taking 12 credits’ worth of courses at the graduate school in Manhattan in their senior year, which counts toward both the BA and MA degrees.
QC is located at 65-30 Kissena Blvd. in Flushing.
St. John’s University, located at 8000 Utopia Pkwy. in Jamaica Estates, plans on opening its new St. Vincent Health Sciences Center, has an agreement to combine its Biomedical Sciences program with a medical degree program at St. George’s University in Grenada and will debut a new Masters of Business Adminstration program in September.
The 70,000-square-foot, $125 million St. Vincent center will be a permanent home for the school’s
“New programs and educational opportunities stem initially from data on high-growth jobs and anticipated needs over the next 10 years,” said Derrick Brazill, provost and vice president of academic affairs at York.
“Additionally, academic program offerings CUNY-wide are examined to identify gaps and prevent duplicative efforts. Finally, we work with local industries to ascertain their upcoming needs in workforce development. When put together, these steps help us to focus our efforts on developing academic opportunities that better serve our students, our industry partners, and our community.” Q
With a new school year comes new courses, programs and more at LaGuardia Community College, Queensborough Community College, Queens College, St. John’s University and York College this fall. PHOTOS COURTESY LAGCC, ABOVE, AND, SJU
St. John’s University’s St. Vincent Health Science Center will be a home for its nursing program and more.
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Oct. 14
Nov. 1
2024-25 public school calendar
(schools closed)
Italian Heritage Day / Indigenous People’s Day (schools
Diwali (schools closed)
Nov. 5 Tuesday Election Day (fully remote, asynchronous instructional day)
Nov. 7 Thursday Afternoon & Evening Parent-Teacher conferences: elementary schools (early dismissal)
Nov. 11 Monday Veterans Day (schools closed)
Nov. 14 Thursday Afternoon & Evening Parent-Teacher confs: middle schools and Dist 75 schools (early dismissal)
Nov. 21 Thursday
Nov. 22 Friday
Afternoon & Evening Parent-Teacher conferences: high schools, K-12 and 6-12 schools
Afternoon Parent-Teacher conferences: high schools, K-12 , 6-12 schools (early dismissal)
Nov. 28-29 Thursday and Friday Thanksgiving recess (schools closed)
Dec. 24-Jan. 1 Tuesday to following Wednesday Winter recess (schools closed). School resumes Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025.
Jan. 20, 2025 Monday Rev. Dr Martin Luther King Jr Day (schools closed)
Jan. 21-24 Tuesday through Friday Regents Exams Administration
Jan. 27 Monday Professional Development for 9-12 & 6–12 schools (students in these schools do not attend)
Jan. 28 Tuesday Spring term begins (semester-based schools)
Jan. 29 Wednesday Lunar New Year (schools closed)
Feb. 17-21 Monday through Friday Midwinter recess (schools closed)
Mar. 6 Thursday Afternoon & Evening Parent-Teacher confs: Pre- K Centers & elementary schools (early dismissal)
Mar. 13 Thursday Afternoon & Evening Parent-Teacher confs: middle schools and Dist 75 schools (early dismissal)
Mar. 20 Thursday Evening Parent-Teacher conferences: high schools, K-12 and 6-12 schools
Mar. 21 Friday Afternoon Parent-Teacher conferences: high schools, K-12 , 6-12 schools (early dismissal)
Mar. 31 Monday Eid al-Fitr (schools closed)
April 14-18 Monday through Friday Spring recess (schools closed)
May 1 Thursday Evening Parent-Teacher conferences: elementary schools & Pre-K Centers
May 8 Thursday Evening Parent-Teacher conferences: middle schools and District 75 schools
May 15 Thursday Evening Parent-Teacher conferences: high schools, K-12 and 6-12 schools
May 16 Friday Afternoon Parent-Teacher conferences: high schools, K-12 , 6-12 schools
May 26 Monday Memorial Day (schools closed)
June 5 Thursday Eid al Adha / Anniversary Day (schools closed)
June 6 Friday Clerical Day for 3-K, Pre-K, elementary & middle schools, and K–12 schools
June 17-26 Tuesday to following Thursday Regents Exams Administration
June 19 Thursday Juneteenth (schools closed)
JUNE 26, 2025 THURSDAY LAST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR ALL STUDENTS 26, DAY FOR ALL
D75 (no classes)
Note: Parent-Teacher conference dates are citywide — however, please check with your school for changes. For testing dates and other events, visit schools.nyc.gov/calendar.
School
Dept. of Ed. dates to know
Warm, classic and baggy are trending
by Stephanie G. Meditz Chronicle Contributor
As the blazing summer sun starts to cool down, the neon greens of “brat summer” will fade into neutrals and jewel tones.
Whether you’re gearing up for a new semester or another chilly season at the office, Queens Center has something trendy and practical for you.
This summer’s trends dipped into various color palettes, from vibrant pinks and greens to beachy pastel blues and yellows.
Green will stick around for the fall, just in a darker hue of olive, forest or emerald. Armani Exchange employee Ravendra Singh said camouflage is always a hit during the fall, whether it’s classic “wilderness” camo or a “city” black-andwhite twist.
The racks were stocked with warm beige and caramel-colored styles as well as classic black, white and cream.
As the weather gets cooler, trendsetters will trade summer’s lightweight linen fabrics for thermal shirts and puffer jackets. Though Cotton On employee Danilo Tamayo said the newly arrived “waffle” shirts had not taken off with customers as of August, he anticipates that they will.
Sleeveless vests are also trendy, yet practical layers to have in your wardrobe.
“The vest is always a must because you can always layer it. Some people wanna do T-shirt and a vest, hoodie and a vest,” Singh said. “You don’t wanna wear jackets all the time. You put the vest on because fall is mild weather. It’s not cold all the time.”
Leather jackets are another fall favorite, but expect to find more ecoleather on the shelves, which is made from plant-based or vinyl sources instead of animals.
“Eco-leather is more sustainable, it’s more friendly to the environment and it’s resistant to cuts and everything, so you’re better with that,” Singh said.
Denim will continue to be a fall classic, and both men and women can expect to see a lot of baggy pants this season.
Gap employee Carlos Gomez said the newly arrived baggy fit denim for men is already flying off the shelves.
“This is the newest fit that I know of for men. It comes in three washes, this light wash, dark wash and then a medium wash,” he said. “This is probably the most popular even though it’s the newest.”
He noticed that younger demographics tend to opt for baggy jeans and parachute pants, or loose-fitting, lightweight pants cuffed at the ankle. Older men generally like to “[stick] to what they know” in a classic slim fit or straight leg jean.
fits, flare jeans are all the rage, with a slim fit through the hip and thigh and an outward flare on the bottom.
Styling baggy pants is all about proportionality. Many wearers opt for a “little top” with “big pants,” or a form-fitting shirt that creates a stark, satisfying contrast with wider, longer pant legs. Women might pair a crop top or bodysuit with their baggy jeans, and men may go for simple graphic tees.
Cotton On’s display perfectly captures this contrast — solid-color crop tops, including one in a deep shade of red, are paired with relaxed-fit, wideleg jeans in different washes.
Baggy pants were a common thread among stores at Queens Center. At Cotton On, mannequins were decked out in baggy jeans and pocket-laden cargos. For men, baggy denim shorts are also a staple for the end of the summer and even warmer fall days.
On display next to women’s neutral long-sleeved tees, American Eagle Outfitters promoted the “baggy wide leg” pant in various washes and rises. Women’s demand for low-rise jeans has risen in alignment with the “Y2K” aesthetic that evokes fashion trends of the early 2000s. Other women are adamantly team high-rise. In addition to all-around baggy
“I’ve been working here for a year and a half and this is the first time I’ve seen red colors in the store,” Tamayo said, speaking to the “coquette” aesthetic popularized by social media.
This aesthetic emphasizes dainty clothing with traditionally feminine colors and details, such as pastel pink lace and bows. Cotton On layers a white and red floral, lace-detailed tee under a red leather jacket with baggy jeans for a trendy fall look.
Other popular fall patterns include stripes and plaids. A matching plaid or houndstooth set like the ones on display at Armani Exchange are perfect for the office or even an evening on the town.
At American Eagle Outfitters, employee Rosanna G said young women enjoy styling plaid skirts with fitted button down polos, with one or two buttons left open on the top. The cozy knit “long weekend” sweater also comes in stripes of several colors
and various shades of blue.
Solid colors are all the rage, too — for a cozy but still put-together look, you may opt for a monochrome sweatsuit, such as a neutral toned sweatshirt and sweatpant combo at Armani Exchange.
“Sweatsuits are mainly a New York thing,” Singh said. “You’re not from New York if you don’t love a hoodie. You could be steaming in an underground subway, 95 degrees, you’re always gonna have a hoodie.”
On display at Hollister are comfy loungewear sets with flared bottoms and zip-up sweaters, perfect for college students on their way to class with their favorite warm, caffeinated beverage.
Athleisure will also be hot on campus this fall, from playful athletic dresses on warmer days to cozy quarter-zip sweatshirts. Also available for those who want to show their school spirit are T-shirts and crewnecks bearing several universities’ names, colors and mascots.
Oversized sweatshirts and other comfies are hot at American Eagle Outfitters, especially for those anxiously awaiting “spooky season” in October.
The elusive Snoopy pajamas from the store’s Halloween shop went viral on TikTok in July, with many users
rushing to get their hands on a pumpkin-printed pair before they sold out. While the Queens Center location did not have any sets on the floor, fans can get their Snoopy fix with a crew neck sweatshirt, T-shirt or striped pair of ankle socks.
Other apparel that features cozy characters includes a crew neck sweatshirt complete with Mickey Mouse as a jack o’lantern and fuzzy socks patterned with orange, costumed Care Bears.
As for footwear, Singh said comfort is the top priority. Thick sneakers with platforms will be big this fall, both for the extra foot support and their visibility under baggy and wideleg pants. Black leather chelsea boots are also an option for formal or business wear — women might style heeled boots with a dress for a sophisticated look.
“I always recommend something with a higher arch,” he said. “The white and the black [sneakers] I really like because you have the logo, but also it’s minimalist. People want to show off the brand, but they don’t want to make it look as if they’re sponsored.”
Whether it’s minimalist monochromes or patterned statement pieces, Queens is forecast to meet the cool air with even cooler fashions. Q
Denim will continue its reign over fall fashion this year, especially baggy and loose-fitting styles. Above, a display at the Gap.
College students can head to Hollister to get their school spirit ready for the start of the semester. PHOTOS BY STEPHANIE G. MEDITZ
Matching sets are not just for athletic wear — matching plaid blazers and bottoms create a put-together look, such as here at Armani Exchange.
Jamaica Hospital Medical Center is proud to be named one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals by Healthgrades
Serving our patients and the community in a way that is second to none
Traditional TV down but not out
by Lloyd Carroll Chronicle Contributor
The conventional wisdom just a few months ago, was the fall 2024 television season was going to be a return to what life was like five years ago, when none of us had heard the term, “Covid-19,” and there was labor peace between the various Hollywood studios and the unions representing all the crafts that serve the entertainment industry. In fact, there were understandable expectations 2024 would be a bonanza because of the pent-up demand for new shows, as well as the fact there were no longer any obvious impediments.
The famous Scottish poet, Robert Burns, would chuckle about the bestlaid plans of mice and men, with respect to the television industry. The economy has cratered many of the networks.
CBS has been a shell of itself since Les Moonves was removed as CEO because of sexual harassment charges. His ouster led to inept Viacom CEO Shari Redstone folding the Tiffany Network into her company. Viacom’s red ink-stained financial statements led to massive belt-tightening at CBS and would lead to Skydance
Media’s recent takeover of the company from Redstone in a multi-billion-dollar deal.
David Zaslav was an incredibly successful CEO of Discovery Networks, whose cable properties were immensely profitable because of popular yet low-cost reality show programming. Zaslav had dreams of being a Hollywood mogul like Jack Warner or Louis B. Mayer, and wound up overpaying for Warner Media from its prior owner, AT&T.
ing services collect all the Emmy Awards nominations these days, as well as the lion’s share of the buzz at the spring upfront presentations to advertisers, the reality is old school broadcast networks, the ones which baby boomers and their parents grew up with, still get far more viewers. Here is a look at what they have in store for us this fall.
Fall
Prime-time programs
If Discovery were to make a documentary about Zaslav’s company now, it would resemble the Titanic. The company’s inferior performance has taken a toll on its cable stations such as TBS, TNT, and CNN. It also has affected the number of projects coming out of Warner Bros. Television Studios. Warner Brothers has been a major programming supplier for every network.
AWARDS:
While cable networks and stream-
• Five-Star Nursing & Rehabilitation Facility awarded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
• Administrator member of American College of Health Administrators
• Administrator recipient of CMS Outstanding Achievement award for Reducing Hospitalizations
NBC
It would not be a television season without a new hourlong medical drama. “Brilliant Minds,” stars Zachary Quinto as unorthodox neurologist Dr. Oliver Wolf who is based on the life of the late Dr. Oliver Sacks. Dr. Wolf works in a fictional Bronx hospital, but to its credit, the show is filmed in New York City.
NBC humorously pays tribute to its 1980s hospital, “St. Elsewhere,” with a new sitcom, “St. Denis Medical,” which promises to spoof medical shows of today and yesteryear.
Comedy vets David Alan Grier and Wendy McLendon-Covey, who was last seen as the mom on ABC’s “The Goldbergs,” star. Country music legend Reba McEntire has been a valuable performer for the Peacock Network as a coach on “The Voice.” NBC executives have not forgotten McEntire has both acting and comedy chops as she starred in the eponymous “Reba,” on the old WB Network from 2001 through 2007. They have given her another sitcom starring lead in “Happy’s Place,”
in which she inherits a bar from her deceased brother, who had another family she had no idea existed. Belissa Escobedo stars as Reba’s half-sister. She is one of the few actors in primetime who wears glasses.
CBS Spinoffs have long been part of television programming, and CBS has enjoyed tremendous success with them over the years. Their “NCIS” franchise is proof. CBS is
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• Administrator is 2016 Recipient of Lily Leadership Award
Kyle Schmid as Mike Franks in “NCIS: Origins.” PHOTO BY SONJA FLEMMING / CBS
Fall TV preview
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going back to the spinoff route yet again with “NCIS: Origins.” Austin Stowell plays a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs, the role made famous by Mark Harmon, who serves as an executive director on the series.
“Young Sheldon” was spun off from “The Big Bang Theory,” and now that series is doing the same for “George and Mandy’s First Marriage,” which stars Montana Jordan and Emily Osment as the title characters.
Damon Wayans, Sr. and Jr., star in “Poppa’s Place,” in which the senior Damon plays a morning radio shock jock, while the junior Damon is a slacker “trying to find himself.” The last Wayans to have a CBS sitcom was Damon Jr.’s brother, Marlon, who played an accountant in 2018’s “Happy Together,” which was happily canceled after one season. The Wayans should send a gift basket to George Lopez. The popularity of his NBC show which also stars his daughter as his chief antagonist, obviously encouraged CBS executives to greenlight this show.
It has been a quarter of a century since the groundbreaking action elimination series, “Survivor” debuted. The latest progeny in the world of obstacle course reality series is “The Summit,” in which 16 contestants try to make it through the New Zealand Alps.
The series that appears to be the most fun is “Matlock,” starring Kathy Bates as a country lawyer who seeks fame and fortune working for a tony New York City corporate law firm. Longtime viewers will remember the Andy Griffith legal series of the same name, but there is no relation between the two since Bates’ character refers to it as a joke in the trailer.
ABC
The Alphabet Network, to use Variety magazine lingo, is only introducing two new scripted series this fall, “High Potential” and “Doctor Odyssey.” The reasons for the lack of new programming range from the return of several successful series, such as “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Abbott Elementary” and “Shark Tank,” to the preference of ABC’s parent company, Disney, to steer new shows to its streaming services, Hulu and Disney Plus.
“High Potential” stars the always welcome Kaitlin Olson as a single mom with three kids and a low-paying job, who manages to solve crimes the police cannot. Expect the snappy one-liners to be flying.
Ryan Murphy may be the Aaron Spelling of
the 21st century. His latest series, “Doctor Odyssey,” borrows heavily on Spelling’s late ’70s to mid-’80s escapist cruise ship series, “The Love Boat.” Don Johnson takes on the Gavin MacLeod role as the ship’s captain, while Joshua Jackson channels his Bernie Kopell as the ship’s physician. With Ryan Murphy running things behind the scenes, expect less lighthearted comedy than what we saw in “The Love Boat,” and more steamy romantic storylines, as well as seeing passengers being pulled back from the brink by the ship’s medical staff.
Fox
Unlike the old-school “Big Three” broadcast networks, Fox only has two hours of primetime per night to work with instead of three. Fox Entertainment president Rob Wade ran the network’s reality series division for years and is responsible for returning hits such as “The Masked Singer,” “Hell’s Kitchen” and “The Floor.” Interestingly, Fox is not debuting any new unscripted series this fall.
The latest entrant in its Sunday night “animation domination” bloc is “Universal Basic Guys.” The premise is based on former presidential candidate Andrew Yang’s prediction that technology would make human labor obsolete, and everyone would receive a check from the government to survive.
On the more traditional drama front, Fox is heading to the north shore of Oahu to look at the heroic Hawaiian lifeguards who must keep the adrenaline junkies safe in “Rescue: HiSurf.” Kiefer Suthemland’s younger sibling, Rossif Sutherland, stars as a sheriff in a not-soidyllic coastal town in the Pacific Northwest in “Murder in a Small Town.”
CW
When Nexstar bought the CW from its former owners, Viacom, and Warner Media, they were determined to expand the breadth of its programming from teen soap operas to being a full-service broadcast network. In that regard, they expanded into sports with the LIV Golf Tour, ACC college basketball, and this year, there will be some college football telecasts.
The CW weathered last year’s SAG-AFTRA and Writers Guild of America strikes better than most of its rivals because it had a bunch of series made in Canada for the CBC ready to go. This year, the CW is dipping into the international well again with a British series, “Joan,” starring “Game of Thrones” alum Sophie Turner.
The network also was planning to revive a TNT fantasy adventure from a decade ago,
“The Librarians,” naturally calling it “The Librarians: Next Chapter,” but Variety recently reported the series was nixed.
Beloved board games are getting a television life, as “Scrabble” and “Trivial Pursuit” will be a part of the CW schedule.
Raven-Symone hosts Scrabble, while “Roots” and “Star Trek: The Next Generation” actor Levar Burton, who also has guest-hosted “Jeopardy!”, is the emcee for “Trivial Pursuit.” Q
At left, Reba McEntire as Bobbie, Melissa Peterman as Gabby and Belissa Escobedo as Isabella in “Happy’s Place.” At right, Kaitlin Olson as Morgan in “High Potential.” PHOTOS BY TRAE PATTON / NBC, LEFT, AND PAMELA LITTKY / DISNEY
Your neighbors are acting out again
by Mark Lord Chronicle Contributor
The curtain is about to rise on the borough’s fall community theater season, ushering in an unusually eclectic assortment of plays and musical entertainments, including little-known takes on classic works, popular titles from the pens of theatrical royalty, and a tribute to two of the theater world’s most enduring songwriters.
Kicking things off in high gear is Royal Star Theatre’s production of “Nunsense: The MegaMusical,” with opening night set for Sept. 14.
Created by Dan Goggin, the show has had an estimated 5,000 productions worldwide and spawned no fewer than six sequels. RST’s offering is a slightly expanded remake of the original, the one that started it all — a musical comedy about the misadventures of five nuns who are trying to put on a fundraising event.
Director Tara Mangione recently explained in a telephone interview, “I didn’t focus on the nun part.” Instead, she sees the characters as “a bunch of friends putting on a show who just happen to be nuns.”
They will be played by Amanda Doria, Monica Maddock, Jessica Lausell, Jessica Manion and Gianna Nicoletta.
Mangione is proud that she has been able to work with an all-female creative team: Musical direction is by Laura DePalo, with choreography provided by Alessia Secli.
Performances at The Mary Louis Academy (176-21 Wexford Terrace, Jamaica Estates) are on Sept. 14, 20 and 21 at 8 p.m. and Sept. 15 and 22 at 3 p.m.
Tickets are $20, or $17 for seniors and children 12 and under, and $2 more if purchased at the door. For further information, visit royalstartheatre.com or call (516) 672-7912.
The music continues courtesy of Maggie’s Little Theater, which is presenting “Some Enchanted Evening — The Songs of Rodgers & Hammerstein” beginning Sept. 28.
A revue featuring some of the most memorable theater compositions, the show is set both backstage, where the songs are sung as personal interplay among the performers, and then onstage, when they are presented to an audience.
Originally conceived for a cast of three women and two men, the current rendering has been expanded to include nine performers:
Farah Diaz-Tello, Regina Fischedick, Danielle Fleming, Traci Weisberg Gang, Robert Gold, Joseph Paciullo, David Stein, Dolores Voyer and Jonathan Zaccarini.
Barbara Auriemma is directing the production, with musical direction provided by Ray Naccari.
Performances at St. Margaret Parish Hall (66-05 79 Place, Middle Village) are on Sept. 28 and Oct. 4 and 5 at 8 p.m. and Sept. 29 and Oct. 6 at 2:30 p.m.
Tickets are $25, or $22 for seniors and children 11 and under. For further information, visit maggieslittletheater.org or call (347) 286-5508.
the female characters, gives them a little more agency.”
Of course, it’s the monster who tends to be the main attraction in plays such as this, and Harmon said that, when it comes to the character’s make-up (being designed by Caitlyn Piccirillo), “We’re putting some budget into it!” He anticipated the outcome will be “unique” and “compelling.”
Set in a small town in Norway, the play focuses on the title character, an upper-class, headstrong and spoiled woman who is bored with her recent marriage to an academic from the middle class. She manipulates the people around her, particularly her husband and former lover, leading to tragic consequences.
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For the first time ever, beginning Oct. 18, local theatergoers will have the opportunity to see Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” in an adaptation by Vincent S. Hannam, thanks to City Gate Productions.
Fall Stages full of variety
The New York City premiere will be under the direction of Jorden CharleyWhatley, with an ensemble cast featuring Austin Hust, Juliet Wolfe, Tyler Fewin, Allison Fletcher, Michaela Tramuta, Daniel Wolfe Mitnik, Jennifer Kim and Jack Tavcar.
According to one of the show’s producers, Thom Harmon, this version “elevates a lot of
He cautioned that the show will include some physical violence, which he described as “not overly gratuitous,” but probably not suitable for young children.
Performances at The Secret Theatre (38-02 61 St., Woodside) are on Oct. 18. 19, 25 and 26 at 8 p.m., Oct. 20 and 27 at 3 p.m., and Oct. 24 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $25, or $20 for seniors and students. For further information, visit citygateproductions.org or call (929) 377-7495.
Neil Simon’s “Rumors” comes to Douglaston Community Theatre beginning Nov. 8.
The play, one of Simon’s lesser-known efforts but a popular attraction on the community theater circuit, begins as a wedding anniversary party is about to commence, but the husband has just shot himself (suffering only a flesh wound) and the wife is nowhere in sight. The guests arrive and a series of events leads to what has been described as “a severe attack of farce.”
JK Larkin directs an ensemble cast including Christopher Tyrkko, Monica Maddock, Danny Stravino, Rebecca Drew, Dan Prior, Kelly Ronayne, Johnny Egan and Virginia Harmon.
Performances at Zion Church Parish Hall (242-20 Church St., Douglaston) are on Nov. 8, 9, 16, 22 and 23 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 17 and 23 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $22, or $20 for seniors and students. For more information, visit dctonline. org or call (718) 885-4785.
Opening one night later, on Nov. 9, is “Hedda Gabler,” the Henrik Ibsen play being brought to life by The Gingerbread Players of St. Luke’s Church.
The cast, directed by Bill Logan, includes Brooke Lynn McGowan as Hedda, Mike Miller as her husband, Rich Feldman as the lover, Farah Diaz-Tello as a friend and Andrew Dinan as an unscrupulous judge.
Performances, which take place at 85 Greenway South, Forest Hills, are on Nov. 9 and 16 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 10 and 17 at 2:30 p.m.
Tickets are $15. For further information, visit gingerbreadplayers.org or call (718) 268-7772. November’s third offering from a noted playwright comes with the Parkside Players’ presentation of Noel Coward’s “Hay Fever,” opening on the 16th.
Part farce, part comedy of manners, the play is set in an English country house in the 1920s, focusing on four eccentric members of a family.
Performances at Grace Lutheran Church (103-15 Union Tpke. Forest Hills) are on Nov. 16, 17, 22, 23, 24 and 30 and Dec. 1.
Tickets are $22, or $20 for seniors and students. For further information, go online to parksideplayers.com or call (646) 847-9429.
Closing out the season will be the St. Mary’s Drama Guild production of “Alice in Winter Wonderland,” a contemporary reimagining of the classic story by Lewis Carroll, adapted by Janet Allard and Michael Bigelow Dixon.
The show is directed by Claire Spinetti, who indicated it’s “more on the drama side,” suggesting that “kids will enjoy it,” while older folks will see it as a “nostalgic piece.”
Many of the beloved characters remain in place, among them Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee, Cheshire Cat, White Rabbit and Mad Hatter.
Performances, at the former St. Mary’s Parochial School (70-20 47 Ave., Woodside), are on Dec. 7 and 14 at 6:30 p.m. and Dec. 8 and 15 at 3:30 p.m.
Tickets are $20, $15 for children. For further information, go to stmarydrama guild.org or call (718) 672-4848. Q
Doing a read-through of City Gate Production’s “Frankenstein” at Donovan’s Pub in Woodside are, clockwise from rear left, Allison Fletcher, Austin Hust, Tyler Ferwin, Caitlyn Piccirillo, Grace Wylie, Michaela Tramuta, Jack Tavcar, Jorden Charley-Whatley, Cathy Chimenti and Virginia Harmon. The show is a first for Queens.
PHOTO BY THOM HARMON
Danielle Fleming, left, Traci Weisberg Gang and Ray Naccari work on “Some Enchanted Evening — The Songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein,” by Maggie’s Little Theater. PHOTO BY ALAN PERKINS
Rehearsing Royal Star Theatre’s production of “Nunsense: The Mega-Musical” are Ellen Armet, left, Kristine Puvogel, Lori Diaz, Gianna Nicoletta, Jessica Lausell, Amanda Doria, Monica Maddock, Jessica Manion, Linda Lefton and Maryellen Pierce. SCREENSHOT VIA VIDEO BY TARA MANGIONE
Head up to the original Orange Co.
by Michael Gannon Senior News Editor
If the threshold of autumn has you looking for a getaway that doesn’t have to be overly burdensome on your schedule or travel budget, chances are you can find at least a few things to suit any interest just up and across the Hudson River in Orange County.
There is fall foliage to be seen, whether from scenic spots or while taking a more interactive approach on numerous hiking trails throughout the scenic Hudson Highlands and Hudson Valley. Tributes to the fall harvest include apple and pumpkin picking as well as a monthlong family-friendly celebration of corn.
There are museums, antique shops and restaurants for every taste and budget.
Arts and culture
The Orange County Farm Museum in Montgomery shows off vintage farm equipment, a blacksmith shop, saw mill, barnyard and visitors center. Children and adults can get hands-on demonstrations of farm life. It runs weekends mid-May to mid-October.
The Motcyclepedia Museum has one of the largest motorcycle collections in the United States, with more than 600 bikes from 1897 to the present, including more than 100 classic Indian models.
The 500-acre Storm King Art Center in New Windsor is billed as the largest outdoor sculpture park in the United States.
There also are more than a dozen art galleries and live performance theaters.
There is Bear Mountain State Park; Brotherhood winery, the nation’s oldest; the site of Gen.
George Washington’s longest-occupied headquarters in Newburgh; and West Point, as famous in Washington’s time as it is today. For those with more modern interests, there is the Motorcyclepedia Museum, also in Newburgh, and the Legoland theme park in Goshen.
Family-friendly
Who wouldn’t love a day at the Legoland New York Resort in Goshen with its rides, shows and attractions?
The workshops, demonstrations and activities are limited only by a child’s imagination. And you’ll be wearing shoes, so don’t worry about any strays underfoot.
“Orange County, NY, is just an hour from NYC, making it a quick escape for Queens residents who want to experience the true beauty of fall,” said Amanda Dana, director of tourism for Orange County, in an email to the Chronicle.
“Even though we’re so close, it feels worlds away from city life — with vibrant landscapes, charming farms, and authentic seasonal experiences that offer the perfect contrast to the urban hustle.”
Asked why New York’s Orange County is better than California’s “The OC,” tourism coordinator Rachel Carr said simply, “We’re the original Orange County.”
Full listings of attractions and events can be found at pickocny.com.
The Trailside Museums & Zoo at Bear Mountain features museums along outdoor trailways and numerous exhibits related to local environment. The spectacular views of the Hudson River are just a bonus.
The Hudson Highlands Nature Museum Wildlife Education Center in Cornwall-onHudson features “live native animals, special events and a story walk at this woodsy environmental museum.”
The Pine Bush UFO & Paranormal Museum in Pine Bush offers insights into “the mysterious, the strange and the unexplained with a tour of the history of the UFO visits and paranormal of Pine Bush and the Hudson Valley.” The museum’s website asks why the area is host to so many sightings, but is noncommittal as to whether Sasquatch roams the museum grounds.
There also are paintball, an airsoft facility, arcades and multiple amusement parks.
Agriculture
If it’s late summer or early fall, apple picking and soon pumpkin picking can tempt the most dedicated city residents. And in only 10 weeks or so, Christmas trees. the website Pickocny.com lists dozens of farms and orchards already primed for all comers.
Pierson’s Farm in Middletown, as just one example, has pumpkin patches, sunflower fields, live music, two corn mazes, gem mining, hayrides to feed the cows, barrel train, animal barn and both active and passive recreation activities.
Speaking of corn, Dogwood Acres Family Farm in Middletown will have a month-long celebration of the staple on weekends from Sept. 20 to Oct. 20. The carnival atmosphere will include corn-shucking and corn-eating contests. And, of course, farm animals, wagon rides and a corn maze, among other
festive diversions. Ticket information is available online at dogwoodacres.farm.
And among nine listed wineries and distilleries is the Brotherhood winery of Washingtonville, the oldest in the country, being founded in 1839. Tours of the largest underground wine cellars in the country are available.
History
With its commanding view of the Hudson River, West Point was a historic site during the American Revolution, long before it became home to the United States Military Academy in 1802. The site and the West Point Museum are open for tours. Information is available on the county tourism website.
During the Revolution, Washington kept headquarters for his Continental Army in a farmhouse at what is now 84 Liberty St. in Newburgh from April 1782 to August 1783. Hours of operation vary season to season. Reservations are sometimes required.
Among the numerous historic homes in Orange County is the Bull Stone House in Campbell Hall, which was built in 1722 and
stayed in the family for 10 generations. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Tours are by appointment.
Outdoors
There are numerous state parks on the region. Among myriad outdoor activities is the Heritage Trail in Goshen, an 18-mile scenic route along a converted rail bed of the Erie Railroad. Visitors are invited to walk, jog and bike at a pace and to the distance of their liking. Trail entrances are in Goshen, Chester, Middletown and Monroe.
More passive pursuits include the Upper Delaware Scenic byway on New York Route 97 in Sparrow Bush, with an unforgettable view of the river no matter what the season.
Middletown has opportunities for hot air balloon rides. Reservations are required.
The Stony Creek Wildlife Sanctuary in Warwick, owned and maintained by the Orange County Audubon Society, has short trails for bird watching.
There also are opportunities for guided nature tours along the Hudson River, boating and fishing. Q
An entire world of fun and imagination for the whole family awaits Queens residents up in the Orange County municipality of Goshen, including Legoland. PHOTOS COURTESY ORANGE COUNTY TOURISM
Pumpkins, apples, corn and more await upstate at farm stands and entire festivals.
Young men and women who will help write the country’s history march on the historic parade ground at West Point, where so many who made history came before them.
