Rhode Island Parent Magazine September 2016 by Rhode Island Parent Magazine

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September 2016

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RHODE ISLAND

MAGAZINE

Visit the all new RIParentMag.com!

Apple picking Date night for parents Enter to win JackO-Lantern Spectacular tickets!

Fighting

Childhood Cancer New photo exhibit showcases RI kids Anna Kitada, 11, of North Smithfield

Rhode Island Parent Magazine ď&#x201A;§ September 2016

September 2016 ď&#x201A;§ Rhode Island Parent Magazine

Rhode Island Parent Magazine ď&#x201A;§ September 2016

Contents September 2016 / vol. 2 / no. 2

Departments 6 A Note from the Publisher Visit our new website! 10 My Turn The college essay. 12 On the Web The latest information.

12 Dr. Day Care Advice for parents.

14 Get Active Date night for parents. 18 Apple Picking List Farms to pick your own in RI.

20 Education Homework tips from a teacher.

22 The Healthy Child Eye checks for kids.

24 Calendar Things to do in September.

Features 8 Cover Feature: Project 3.8

Fighting for kids with cancer.

16 Apple Picking!

New cookbook by RI author. Looking for a new school?

See school advertising and open houses on page 15 and 24. For birthday parties and other events, see pages 21 and 23.

ON THE WEB: Visit our all new website! Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a one-stop shop for parents in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. Find the latest events in our calendar, read articles about many topics, and search our directory for kid-related businesses non-profits. Find the current magazine and past issues on the website, too! The digital edition is great for reading on a tablet, phone, or computer. Also online, sign up for our email newsletter and join our Facebook and Twitter pages. Visit www.RIParentMag.com, Facebook.com/RIParentMag, and Twitter.com/@riparentmag

September 2016 ď&#x201A;§ Rhode Island Parent Magazine

A Note from the Publisher

can’t tell you how excited I am. After months of working on it, our new website is up at www.RIParentMag.com! The perfect complement to the magazine, our website will provide the most up-to-date information available. Whenever you are looking for things to do with your kids, the calendar of events at www.RIParentMag.com will be your first stop! And if you need a kid-related business or other organization, our directory will provide you with good details that you need. You’ll find all the articles from the magazine, plus new content you can only get on the website – like crafts to do with your kids or stories about local kid-friendly attractions. Plus, you can sign up for our email newsletter, which will feature upcoming events and other important information. Because we won’t put up the newest stories online until well into the month, though, the magazine is still your best bet to see the latest articles. Keep picking up your printed copy each month! No doubt, the website is a big work in progress. We are still inputting calendar items and other information. If you have a public event you’d like to include, go to the calendar page on www.RIParentMag.com and fill out an easy form to get your events in our calendar. Events can be from any organization (non-profit and for-profit) as long as they are kid-friendly and open to the public. There is no cost to be listed! If you are a business or non-profit that wants to be in our directory, contact us! There are new advertising opportunities, too. You’ll want to get in on the ground floor because this website will be the go-to place for parents in RI and southeastern MA. So what are you waiting for? Go check out www.RIParentMag.com! On the web,

Susan Gale

57 Rolfe Square, Box 10094 Cranston, Rhode Island 02910 (401) 337-9240 Founder and Publisher Susan Gale publisher@RIParentMag.com Art Director/Graphic Designer Rob Kenney artdirector@RIParentMag.com Copy Editor Sheila Flanagan editor@RIParentMag.com Business Manager Lisa Koulibaly sales@RIParentMag.com Advertising Sales (401) 337-9240 sales@RIParentMag.com On the cover: photo by Robyn Ivy. Copyright Robyn Ivy 2016. Publisher photo taken by Keith Jochim. KeithJochimPhotography.com Rhode Island Parent Magazine is published monthly by Gale Force Communications. Unless specifically noted, no advertisers, products, or services are endorsed by the publisher. Editorial submissions welcome.

Like us on Facebook and Twitter: Facebook.com/RIParentMag @RIParentMag

Rhode Island Parent Magazine  September 2016

September 2016 ď&#x201A;§ Rhode Island Parent Magazine

Cover Feature By Susan Gale

See Project 3.8’s photo exhibition

All ages are welcome at these receptions; suggested donation of $10. Proceeds will benefit the Dorian J. Murray Foundation. Visit www.3point8.org/attend-the-show for more details. September 3: 6–9 pm, The Ocean House, 1 Bluff Avenue, Watch Hill. September 10: 6–9 pm, Candita Clayton Gallery, Hope Artiste Village, 999 Main Street, Unit #105, Pawtucket. (Exhibit continues until September 18.) September 22: 5–8 pm, RI State Police Headquarters, 311 Danielson Pike, North Scituate. October 1: 7–11:30 pm, The Izzy Foundation’s 5th Annual Izzy Gala, Biltmore Hotel, 11 Dorrance Street, Providence. Visit www.theizzyfoundation.org/events to purchase tickets. October 3: 5–8 pm, State House, 82 Smith Street, Providence. (Exhibit continues until October 7.) October 15: 6–9 pm, Blazing Editions, 42 Ladd St #107, East Greenwich.(Exhibit continues until October 21.) October 23: Noon–5 pm, Newport Vineyards, 909 East Main Road (Route 138), Middletown. October 29: 6–9 pm, Jamestown Art Center, 18 Valley Street, Jamestown.

Fighting back against childhood cancer

t was the photo heard ‘round the world. Dorian Murray with boxing gloves up to his cheeks, staring at the camera. The little boy with cancer wanted to be “famous in China” and raise awareness about childhood cancer. He got his wish as #D-Strong became a catchphrase throughout social media, reaching thousands of people from all walks of life. Now, Robyn Ivy, the professional photographer behind that iconic photo, wants to build on Dorian’s legacy in order to help other Rhode Island families struggling to support a child with cancer. Dorian, of Westerly, was 8 years old when he passed away in March 2016. “Dorian was representative as one of many children still right here,” Ivy said. “I think we can become a role model for the country in how to rally as a state and lift these families while in treatment.” Nationally, about 15,000 kids are diagnosed with cancer annually, with the average age of six years old at diagnosis. Cancer cuts across all ethnic, gender, and socioeconomic groups. Each year about 150 Rhode Island families have children in active treatment for cancer, said Ivy, who is a friend of Dorian’s mother Melissa. Ivy and Dorian’s mother collaborated to created Project 3.8, a series of 20 photos y ra of Rhode Island children, ages 2 to 18, who r Mu Dorian are either fighting cancer or are in remission. Project 3.8 got its name because only about 3.8% of all U.S. cancer research funding is dedicated to childhood cancers. As a result, there have been very few new pediatric cancer medicines developed in the last 20 years. Coinciding with National Childhood Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, an exhibit of Project 3.8 photos will travel the state starting in September. All proceeds will go to the Dorian J. Murray Foundation, which works to increase support for pediatric cancer initiatives and supports local groups such as The Tomorrow Fund. The fund is a Rhode Island-based non-profit which provides daily financial and emotional support to families seeking treatment in The Tomorrow Fund Clinic at Hasbro Children’s Hospital.

“Like your life is a burning building”

All photos: Copyright Robyn Ivy 2016

Ivy said that RI’s children with cancer are largely invisible, often because others don’t want to be reminded that something like cancer could happen to their own children. As one mother put it to Ivy, people often “run out of your life like your life is a burning building” when they learn of a child’s cancer.

Rhode Island Parent Magazine  September 2016

For some cancers, children must spend years in treatment. The initial help of friends and family can dwindle over time and even turn into resentment as the family cannot make social engagements due to the uncertain nature of their child’s health, she said. Most families must go down to one income during treatment so a parent can be with the child, and siblings can feel like they’ve lost that parent to the disease. The financial and emotional burdens on families are devastating. Am In the Project 3.8 exhibit, Ivy ay aD shows the variety of faces of cancer – evin e, 7, Johnston some children do not look sick. Others have more obvious medical issues. Dorian will be the only “angel” in the exhibit, Ivy said. “The fight looks different based on the personality of the kid,” she said. “They are so full of life even though they are sick. Their whole life is an act of surrender. They are at the mercy of that disease and the side effects of treatment.”

Susan Gale is founder and publisher of Rhode Island Parent Magazine.

4, W est G reenwich

Ivy feels that the #D-Strong movement was a good start, but now it’s time to do more. “We talked about [Dorian] wanting to be famous but not about his cancer,” she said. “It’s easier to talk about why he wanted to be famous. Let’s take the #D-Strong framework as a model. Let’s change how we go about the cause, change how we support these families.” #D-Strong was about people feeling part of something bigger than themselves. Ivy hopes to spark a revolution in caring for Rhode Island families facing childhood cancer – one where people won’t look away in fear or be afraid of doing or saying the wrong thing. A revolution that will stay consistent over the long term for each family. “You can hold a sign,” Ivy said, referring to the social media photos of people holding signs saying #D-Strong. “But what about mowing a lawn, giving gas cards, movie tickets, or gift certificates to restaurants? What about businesses offering services? “We forget in this digital and technology age how good it feels to do something kind for someone else,” she said. “It felt so good to hold up a sign, imagine how it will feel to actually help someone.” And there is reason for optimism. In the 1950s, almost all children with cancer died. Today, despite the small amount spent on childhood cancer research, survival rates have risen to 90% for the most common kinds of pediatric cancers. “The percent of hope is way higher than the percent of fear,” Ivy said. “It’s one person at a time doing whatever small thing they can.” 

Walk the family's dog Mow the lawn Gift mom a massage Take siblings to the park Buy the family movie passes Take over carpool duties for a week Do the laundry or dry cleaning Get friends together to clean the house Get the car washed Hire a housekeeper once or twice a month Donate gas cards Host a gift card drive Donate restaurant or pizza gift certificates Hire a handyman for odd jobs around their house Buy gift certificates for online and local grocery stores Give iTunes gift cards for apps and music while in the hospital Prepare meals Educate yourself about cancer Treat them like normal people Donate to the Tomorrow Fund

nt on ,

Using #D-Strong as a model

Here are tangible, meaningful actions you can take to help the family of a child with cancer:

a St n vi Ga

September 2016  Rhode Island Parent Magazine

My Turn By Susan Poor

Become your child’s writing coach for the college essay

our senior has read, reflected on, and chosen one of the several prompts for the Common Application. Brainstorming for ideas related to this topic is completed and now it’s time to write. He will allow you to assist him, so what do you do? Here is some advice for helping your teen create an effective essay.

Since the college essay is a personal response to a prompt, be sure your teen is using the first person (I, me, mine). There is no need to use “you.”

Your role in this project

To encourage detail, tell your child to “show, not tell.” College admissions officers want to get to know your son or daughter, so detail is absolutely necessary. Look for places in the essay where detail will enhance the point(s) being made.

Encourage your son or daughter to begin the writing process as soon as possible. He will want plenty of time for revising. The sooner he starts, the less anxiety there will be. It’s no easy task, but you must become your teenager’s writing coach who offers constructive criticism, and not his parent. You need to step back and let him or her take responsibility for this task. Rather than telling him how to improve a sentence or a paragraph, ask questions about what he wrote. For example, “What is the most effective sentence in this paragraph? Why? How can you improve the other sentences in the paragraph?” In this way, your teen, and not you, is taking ownership of the piece. Encourage your teen to read his work aloud. You recognize awkward and choppy writing, missing words, and many other weaknesses if you hear the text. In fact, if you notice issues, offer to read the passage aloud so your child will be able to identify and correct the problem. This is a most effective but simple revision technique.

What to look for

If your teen is anxious about writing, encourage him to begin writing anything. Eventually the focus of the essay will develop from this prewriting. The first paragraph in an essay, called the “lead,” introduces the specific topic of the essay but should also hook the reader’s interest. When your teen writes, the lead may end up being in the second or third paragraph. Ask, “Where does your essay really begin?” Example: A student began a college essay with “Baseball was the first of many sports that my parents signed me up for. Baseball is the only sport I have really loved playing.” This is prewriting which needed to come out of the student, but wasn’t pertinent to his essay and he also switched verb tenses in it. When he revised, he gave a brief synopsis of his baseball career and then explained how the disappointment of being cut from the varsity team helped him to learn a valuable lesson. Now he had the reader hooked. 10

Rhode Island Parent Magazine  September 2016

Since the prompt asks for something that has happened in the past, the past tense should be used. Also avoid shifting verb tenses.

Example: The student wrote that he was devastated because he didn’t make the baseball team. When told to “show” his emotion, he wrote, “I had an unimaginable pain in my stomach similar to when I was hit by a pitch while at bat.” Your teen may be at a loss for how to end this piece of writing. The best advice is to return to the lead. Here he finds his focus and hook. Now, use different words and phrases to restate and enhance the main idea. In this way your teen “ties up” his writing in a neat, wellwritten package. Example: In the student’s conclusion he explained that his baseball “failure” helped him to “reprioritize his goals” and to mature.

When the first draft is done

Once the rough draft is complete, the essay is not finished. Tell your child to ignore the essay for at least a day or two. Then return to the draft refreshed, and begin the revision process. In fact, revise, revise, revise until the piece is the best it can possibly be! The student in the examples wrote four drafts before he was satisfied with his college essay. You might even encourage your senior to find an objective third party to help him continue the revision process. The college essay takes a great deal of time and effort, but with the assistance of his “writing coach” your senior will have the help he needs. Good luck!  Susan Poor, owner of Your Writing Coach, has 34 years of teaching experience, has been an English Department Chairperson, and was trained by the Rhode Island Writing Project.

September 2016 ď&#x201A;§ Rhode Island Parent Magazine

On the Web

www.RIParentMag.com

Announcing our new website!

ave you ever wished there was one website where you could go for all the local information you need as a parent? Now there is. Introducing Rhode Island Parent Magazine’s comprehensive new website at www.RIParentMag.com.

A one-stop shop for parents in RI and southeastern MA

On our website, you’ll find an extensive calendar of things to do, answers to pressing questions, a kid-related business and non-profit directory, and inspiration and advice. While there, you can subscribe to our email newsletter to receive updates on local events and other helpful information right in your inbox. (And we won’t go crazy and clog up that inbox!) Plus, sign up for great giveaways – this month you can enter to win tickets to the Roger Williams Zoo Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular! We will continuously add new information to the site, so check back often.

Promote your events

Having a public event for kids and families? Fill out a form on the site to promote it in our calendar. (We approve all events, so it won’t go up immediately – but won’t take too long.) Our calendar will be the premier way to reach families, so you’ll definitely want to list your events!

Promote your business

Do you own a business that wants to reach families? Our new website will be the go-to place for parents in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. We offer you a place in our business directory, as well as ad space on the website and in our email newsletter. We also do dedicated e-blasts to our list of 1,600+ subscribers to further focus your marketing. 

Ask Dr. Day Care: Advice for Parents By Mary Ann Shallcross Smith, Ed.D.

Dr. Day Care answers your questions about children from infancy to school age. Send questions to: editor@RIParentMag.com or ask them on facebook.com/RIParentMag.

Dear Dr. Day Care, My son’s preschool groups children in mixed age groups – three, four, and five-year-olds together. Previously, the school grouped children of the same age in individual classrooms. Why would a preschool change grouping policy? – Grouping question

while socially, they may need more experience in play with other children. • Many children benefit from peer role models. Some threeyear-olds can tie their shoes, which can be modeled by other three, four, and five-year-olds. • With mixed age groups, administrators have the flexibility to place a child into a class with low teacher/child ratio.

I am a fan of mixed age grouping. It reflects the philosophy of our society. Mixed age groups provide opportunities to teach different components of the curriculum in an interrelated approach. As the subjects are taught, children of mixed age groups can be creative and play/work at their own age level with the guidance of a teacher. 

• A child’s chronological age does not always reflect his/her development in social, emotional, physical, and intellectual areas. All children develop at a pace and stage level of their own. For example, some children are more physically adept

“Dr. Day Care” is Mary Ann Shallcross Smith, Ed.D., CEO/ President of Dr. Day Care and Kids Klub, which has locations in Cumberland, Foster, Pawtucket, Providence, Smithfield, West Warwick, and the newest location in South County. She is also a children’s book author: Edgar Graduates. www.drdaycare.com

Dear Grouping, There are many reasons a program may decide to change grouping styles. I suggest you talk to the program administrator and ask for an explanation. I am sure the center has a particular reason that is tailored to meet the program’s needs. Some reasons a preschool program might want to change its grouping policy:

Rhode Island Parent Magazine  September 2016

September 2016 ď&#x201A;§ Rhode Island Parent Magazine

Get Active By Stephanie Bernaba

Parents’ self-care:

Don’t skimp on date night!

s parents, we all know it's a struggle to get out of the house for a date night with life's worries on our shoulders. The truth is, though, all parents need a break sometimes. So, when you finally get out of the house, you should enjoy it. If you want to find great food (and maybe a little fun, too), head out to one of these hot spots, handpicked for your special night.

Rick's Roadhouse 370 Richmond Street, Providence (401) 272-PORK, www.ricksroadhouseri.com

Serving up a combination of great atmosphere and tasty barbecue, Rick's Roadhouse is a perfect place to have a little fun with your honey. With an open kitchen, large dining room, and expansive outdoor patio area, I guarantee you'll both be comfy. The brisket is amazing, and the chili is fresh and flavorful. You can tell by clothing available for purchase and the décor that the restaurant doesn't take itself too seriously. Thinking double date? Rick's Roadhouse is definitely the place.

Matunuck Oyster Bar 629 Succotash Road, Wakefield (401) 783-4202, www.rhodyoysters.com

Recently named one of the 21 Best Seafood Restaurants in America by Timeout.com, the Matunuck Oyster Bar is one of my all-time favorite date-night spots. Recently renovated to accommodate additional guests, this restaurant is an all-out win. Farm-to-table plates, fresh (and we mean right-from-theback-door fresh) oysters, thoughtfully crafted specials, and unique wines and mixed drinks are only the beginning. The food is phenomenal, and the views are breathtaking. Have a seat outdoors on the spacious patio, or grab a cocktail at the large patio bar. The restaurant fills up quickly, however, so be sure to plan accordingly.

Jacky's Galaxie 1488 Mineral Spring Avenue, North Providence (401) 353-0088, www.jackysrestaurant.com

If you like neo-Asian cuisine in a sleek, ultra-modern, spacious dining room, head to Jacky's. With a large selection of drinks, traditional and modern takes on Chinese, Japanese, Cambodian, and Thai dishes, and amazing desserts (try the red bean ice cream), Jacky's will make for an unforgettable (and sexy) dining experience. 14

Rhode Island Parent Magazine  September 2016

Boneheads Wing Bar 131 Washington Street, West Warwick (401) 828-9464, www.boneheadwings.com

Given the explosion of wing culture around the country, no one seems to bat an eyelash when another opens its doors. Enter Boneheads. With multi-award-winning flavors, a rockin' atmosphere, and inventive drink and menu specials, Boneheads is the perfect place to kick back with your sweetie. Visit on Wednesday night for Wing Tour Wednesdays, offering samplers of fun flavors like ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ and ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’, or sweet alternatives like ‘Pour Some Sugar on Me’ and ‘Dazed and Confused.’ Enjoy your wings with a side of country coleslaw and hand-cut fries, and wash it down with an Angry Orchard® with a cinnamon sugar rim.

Siena Providence 238 Atwells Avenue, Providence (401) 521-3311, www.sienari.com

Located on Historic Federal Hill, award-winning Siena provides its guests with unparalleled offerings, a sophisticated atmosphere, and an extensive beverage selection. Dinner specials are complex in flavor, and rich in fresh, high-quality ingredients. Celebrating? Cuddle while a bottle of champagne chills tableside. Ponder the menu over a signature Tasting Board featuring cured meats, cheeses, and olives. Linger long after your meal with an espresso or cappuccino, and one of their decadent desserts. Want more relationship brownie points? Slip a gift certificate into your love's card or holiday stocking.

Los Andes Restaurant 903 Chalkstone Avenue, Providence (401) 649-4911, www.losandesri.com

Recently named one of Yelp's Top 100 Places to Eat, Los Andes is a restaurant not to miss. Offering fusion specialties with Bolivian and Asian influences rich in fresh herbs and seafood, and unique plates like beef tongue, any of your exotic tastes will be satisfied. Share a pitcher of sangria and a Ceviche Martini on the outdoor patio – but be sure to make a reservation. The restaurant is busy all week long.  Stephanie Bernaba, of Richmond, is a freelance writer and blogger specializing in parenting, modern life, and entertainment. She blogs at SheKnows.com, Redbook Magazine, and BlogHer. www.stephaniebernaba.com

BACK TO SCHOOL

September 2016 ï&#x201A;§ Rhode Island Parent Magazine

Feature Story By Linda Beaulieu

New England’s orchards:

It’s a family affair

ome of my fondest childhood memories involve Sunday drives into the country with my parents. In the summer, there was sweet corn to be bought and there were wild blueberries to be picked. If I was a good girl that week, there would be pony rides at a local farm. In the fall, it was all about the apples that we picked in fragrant orchards, apples that my mother would transform into delicious baked goodies. In today’s hectic high-tech world, it would do all of us a great deal of good to put our smartphones away and take a ride out into the Rhode Island countryside where there are dozens of orchards, farms, and farm stands waiting to be experienced. That’s what I discovered when I was asked to write my new book, The New England Orchards Cookbook. In the six months I had to write this book, I explored all six New England states, motoring south into Connecticut, then north into Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Even in my home state of Rhode Island, I found myself driving down rural roads I had never before traveled, and I got to see firsthand the many orchards I had heard about, from Appleland Orchards in Smithfield to the Young Family Farm in Little Compton. I also got to sample some of the best apple cider doughnuts on earth. Everywhere I went, I met the nicest people, orchard owners and farmers, and one word came up again and again – family. New England’s beautiful orchards and farms are run by families, and their primary customers are other families in search of locally produced fruit at the peak of each season. Almost every pick-your-own orchard has dwarf fruit trees with low-hanging branches that make for easy picking by children. If you are purchasing “drops,” children will feel like they are being very helpful as they gather up the fruit that has dropped from the trees and is on the ground. Drops are usually sold at a lower price because they might be bruised, but this fruit can still be used in many recipes. Check first with the orchard staff to see if they are selling their drops to the public. Some apple orchards use their drops to make cider. Many orchards do make cider, but that often takes place behind the scenes. It’s best to visit a genuine cider mill to watch the old-fashioned methods of turning apples into sweet cider. B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill in nearby Old Mystic, Connecticut, is the oldest steam-powered cider mill in the United States. 16

Rhode Island Parent Magazine  September 2016

Perhaps the best part of a day spent visiting local orchards and farms is getting home with all the ingredients needed to make delicious home-baked goodies, such as the Apple Crisp from Sweet Berry Farm in Middletown, or the PeachBlueberry Upside Down Cake from the Rhode Island Fruit Growers, an association of 40 local farmers dedicated to growing the highest quality fresh fruits. With all that said, I hope you get to go exploring the orchards of Rhode Island and beyond. Visit orchards near and far. Start making memories your children will someday cherish.  Linda Beaulieu, of Lincoln, is an award-winning food and travel writer who received the prestigious James Beard Award for magazine writing for a National Culinary Review article on Native American food. In addition to The New England Orchards Cookbook, she is the author of The Providence & Rhode Island Cookbook and the Providence and Rhode Island Chef ’s Table.

Two of the 18 recipes from RI orchards and farms in The New England Orchards Cookbook

Apple Cider Muffins

Apple Crisp

Appleland Orchards, Smithfield

Sweet Berry Farm, Middletown

• • • • • • • • • • •

• 1 ½ cups sugar • 3 tablespoons cornstarch • 1 tablespoon cinnamon • 1 teaspoon nutmeg • 8 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced • Juice and zest from 1 large lemon For the topping: • 2 cups brown sugar • Oats, if desired • 1 cup flour • 1 stick cold butter, cut into cubes

4 cups flour 4 teaspoons baking powder 4 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup canola oil 1 cup apple cider 1/2 cup walnuts 1/2 cup raisins 1 cup chopped apples

Preheat oven to 400°F. Prepare a muffin tin with paper liners or grease and flour. In a large bowl, combine the flour and baking powder. In another bowl, beat the eggs and add the vanilla, cinnamon, sugar, oil, and cider. Mix well and then add to the flour mixture. Fold in the walnuts, raisins, and chopped apples. Pour an equal amount of batter into each part of the muffin tin. Bake for 20 minutes, or until a muffin tests done with a toothpick. Makes 12 large muffins.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a baking pan or casserole dish (9 x 12-inch or the equivalent). In a large bowl, sift the dry ingredients together. Toss the apples and lemon into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Mix well. Place the apple mixture into the prepared baking dish. In another bowl, gently mix together all the topping ingredients. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apple mixture. Bake in the 350°F oven for 30–40 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve with ice cream or whipped cream, if desired. Makes 8–10 servings.

September 2016  Rhode Island Parent Magazine

Feature

Family Fun: Rhode Island Apple Orchards

n her new book, The New England Orchards Cookbook, Rhode Island author Linda Beaulieu visited the local orchards listed below and got apple and berry recipes from them, which appear in the cookbook. She writes “The first North American apple variety was developed in Rhode Island by William Blackstone in the 1600s. The Rhode Island Greening apple—crisp, juicy, and quite tart—is the official state fruit. That apple originated around 1650.” Now is your family’s chance to get out into the pick-your-own orchards!

Appleland Orchard

Harmony Farms

Phantom Farms

Barden Family Orchard

Hill Orchards

Pippin Orchards

Dame Farm And Orchard

Jaswell’s Farm

135 Smith Avenue Smithfield, RI 02828 (401) 949-3690 www.applelandorchardri.com

56 Elmdale Road North Scituate, RI 02857 (401) 934-1413 www.bardenfamilyorchard.com

91B Brown Avenue Johnston, RI 02919 (401) 949-3657 www.damefarmandorchards.com

359 Saw Mill Road North Scituate, RI 02857 (401) 934-0741 www.harmonyfarmsri.com 86 Winsor Avenue Johnston, RI 02919 (401) 949-2940 www.hillorchards.com 50 Swan Road Smithfield, RI 02917 (401) 231-9043 www.jaswellsfarm.com

Elwood Orchard

Knight Farm

Goodwin Brothers Farm Stand

Narrow Lane Orchard

58 Snake Hill Road North Scituate, RI 02857 (401) 949-0390 www.elwoodorchard.com 458 Greenville Road North Smithfield, RI 02896 (401) 765-0368 www.goodwinsfarm.com 18

1 Snake Hill Road North Scituate, RI 02857 (401) 349-4408 www.knightfarm.com

213 Narrow Lane North Kingstown. RI 02852 (401) 294-3584 www.facebook.com/

Rhode Island Parent Magazine  September 2016

2920 Diamond Hill Road Cumberland, RI 02864 (401) 333-2240 www.phantomfarms.com 751 Pippin Orchard Road Cranston, RI 02921 (401) 943-7096 www.facebook.com/PippinOrchard

Rocky Brook Orchard

997 Wapping Road Middletown, RI 02842 (401) 851-7989 www.rockybrookorchard.com

Steere Orchard

150 Austin Avenue Smithfield, RI 02828 (401) 949-1456 www.steereorchard.com

White Oak Farm

74 White Oak Lane North Scituate, RI 02857 (401) 934-3018 www.farmfresh.org

Your Ad Here (401) 337-9240 sales@RIParentMag.com

September 2016 ď&#x201A;§ Rhode Island Parent Magazine

Education

9 ways to support your child’s By Rick Cruikshank

homework & school success

our child will spend 13 years in school learning academic skills and guiding principles she will need to be successful. Your parental support, combined with her teachers’, will help your child gain the confidence and self-esteem she needs to reach her full potential. As a parent, there are few responsibilities greater than supporting your child’s success in school. In fact, many studies have linked student academic performance to parental support; this is what shapes and determines her sense of purpose and attitude toward school and life. As a parent of three boys, and with extensive experience as a middle school science teacher, I have developed an opinion that doing well in school is mostly about daily effort, attitude, and parental support. As a teacher, I have a front row seat to see how essential these elements are toward encouraging a child to work hard and practice persistence. It is my hope that you will gain some good ideas and inspiration from the following nine tips to support your child’s success in school.

Tips for school success 1. Effort counts. Remember that you do not need to

understand how to do an assignment to support your child with homework. Your role is to make sure your child is putting forth a strong effort every day. This will help her develop the strong work ethic and persistence she needs to become a confident, self-motivated, and independent learner.

2. Daily routine matters. Develop a daily homework

5. Coach on persistence. Monitor your child’s homework

folder and homework assignment planner each evening to determine which assignments she finished and which ones she struggled with. Coach her on the importance of patience, focus, and not giving up as she works through solving problems and completing her assignments each day.

6. Guide her when she gets stuck. You also need to let

your child know that if she is stuck on a problem, it is ok to skip that problem and ask her teacher for help the next day. Your child needs to know that her teacher is there to support her with the content skills that you may not know.

7. Teach how to learn. Explain to your child that her

teacher is an ally and wants her to do well in school. Remind your child how essential it is to ask questions during class so the teacher has a chance to reteach any concept she may not understand.

8. Ask for help. Teaching your child to ask for help when

she needs it is important for her to build her confidence and maturity. This is an essential step as she moves toward being a self- motivated and independent student who takes responsibility for her own learning.

9. Use the time to connect. Homework time is an

excellent opportunity to connect with your child and have conversations about what classes she likes and what struggles she may be having. As you listen to your child and learn about her world at school, this gives you the quality time with her that will deepen your connection and relationship.

Hopefully, you have found some useful tips and ideas to routine that works for your child’s schedule. It is also a guide and inspire you as you encourage your child’s success good idea to allow your child to have a snack and relaxing break right after school before she works on her homework. throughout the school year. Through your support each day, your child will develop the guiding principles, positive 3. A homework area is important. Establish an area to do attitude, academic skills, confidence, and self-motivation she homework that will allow your child to focus and have easy needs to be successful in school and life.  access to common school supplies.

4. Cut out distractions. Once your child starts her

homework, it is important that a parent is available to monitor and help with homework. In order to minimize distractions, establish a rule that television, social media, music, and phones are turned off during homework time.

Rhode Island Parent Magazine  September 2016

Rick Cruikshank, of Lancaster, MA, is a parent of three boys and is a middle school science teacher in Milford, MA.

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September July 2016 ď&#x201A;§ Rhode Island Parent Magazine

The Healthy Child

By Dr. Katherine Rispoli

tips for back-to-school eye care

chool supplies – check. New clothes – check. Sports physicals – check. Eye exam – wait. Eye exam? Is that on your back-to-school list for your kids? If it’s not, it should be. According to the American Optometrist Association, about 25 percent of school-aged children have undiagnosed vision problems that inhibit their ability to read properly or cause fatigue, among other effects. Parents and teachers may mistake these symptoms for the child not getting enough sleep, being dehydrated or, unfortunately, not focusing. If we risk our eye sight, we risk losing a lot. Eighty percent of learning is through our visual system. Make sure your child’s eyes are healthy and ready to process all they need to in school. Here are five tips to keep in mind as the new school year gets underway:

Have your child get a comprehensive eye exam. Sure, your kids get their eyes checked by the school nurse, but that does not compare to a comprehensive eye exam done at an eye doctor’s office. Eye doctors can diagnose nearsightedness, farsightedness, eye alignment, and focusing problems before signs of learning difficulties start to show up. Eye doctors can also diagnose underlying health issues such as diabetes and hypertension. Children as young as six months can be seen to check for issues. All children should have an eye exam at three years old; starting at five years old, they should have a regular eye exam every year. These ages are recommended but if you suspect a problem, you can take your child to the eye doctor at any age. Encourage children to wash their hands. Once the kids are back in school, germs spread quickly. One study, in the American Journal of Infection Control, shows 164 million school days are missed due to the spread of infectious diseases. Three million of those missed days are due to viral conjunctivitis or “pink eye.” Remind your kids to wash their hands regularly and encourage them not to touch their eyes – both can limit the spread of germs.

Rhode Island Parent Magazine  September 2016

Protect kids’ eyes. It’s important to wear protective eyewear when playing sports and sunglasses when out in the sun. The National Eye Institute estimates 42,000 kids get eye injuries every year while playing sports. Remind them to use protective eyewear such as goggles or face shields to help reduce the risk of an eye injury. Any question of a concussion injury should be checked so quick treatment can be given. Kids should wear high SPF prescription glasses or sunglasses. Too much sun exposure can lead to vision problems later in life, including cataracts and macular degeneration. Give children’s eyes a rest. With more school districts using computers, tablets, and iPads to help with daily instruction, kids are getting a lot of screen time (not to mention playing on screens at home). Too much screen time can cause headaches, blurred vision, or even nearsightedness. Invest in glare-reducing screen covers and instill the 20/20/20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look away at a distance of 20 feet for 20 seconds. Ask your eye doctor about blue light blocking lenses for computer use, which will reduce strain, help with sleep, and decrease the chance of long term retinal damage. Whip up healthy meals. Make sure your kids get plenty of nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin E, lycopene, beta-carotene, and omega-3 fatty acids. All of these play an important role in eye health. Visit www.visionsource.com for eye-healthy smoothie recipes.

If at any time you suspect your child may be having vision issues, please consult your family eye doctor. Help your child do their best in school by making sure they are “eyeready” to learn!  Dr. Katherine Rispoli, of Vision Source Specs Eyecare in Middletown, has a Doctor of Optometry degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry and 32 years of experience in the field. For 12 years, she served as co-chair of the RI Vision USA Project, a charity program of the American Optometric Association, and has served on the board of the Rhode Island Optometric Association. www.visionsource-specsmiddletown.com

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Do you do birthday parties and other events for children? Put your ad here to reach thousands of Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts parents! (401) 337-9240 or sales@RIParentMag.com September July 2016 ď&#x201A;§ Rhode Island Parent Magazine

September 2016 Always check with event sponsors for updated information. Visit the calendar at www.RIParentMag. com for the latest information and the best way to submit calendar items. Or email to editor@ RIParentMag.com.

Special events

September 3: Dragon Boat Races

and Taiwan Day Festival. This familyfriendly event showcases a handful of the area’s best food trucks and vendors. Great competition, fun and excitement, and the chance to learn a little bit more about Chinese culture. 8 am–5 pm. School Street Pier, School Street, Pawtucket. Free. www.dragonboatri.com

School Open House and Fair Calendar September 24: Rhode

Island Private School Fair. Representatives from New England private day and boarding schools will be in attendance. Fair sponsored by CollegeBound Savings. 9 am–noon. Agawam Hunt Club, 15 Roger Williams Avenue, Rumford. Free.

October 23: Rhode Island

College Fair. Representatives from many colleges will be in attendance. Students can meet one-on-one with admission counselors at their booths to discuss entrance requirements, campus life, application deadlines, and majors. Pick up brochures, catalogs and other literature. 1–3 pm. Rhode Island College Recreation Center, Field House, 600 Mt. Pleasant Avenue, Providence. Free.

October 30: The Wolf School

Open House. A school with an educational model to meet the academic, social, and therapeutic needs of complex learners. 1–3 pm. 215 Ferris Avenue, East Providence. Free. 24

making using a variety of instruments and hands-on activities. Rebekah's extensive background in music will inspire young musicians to get creative and sing and groove along to the beat. 11:30 am–12:30 pm. Repeats weekly. Henry’s Bear Park, 736 Hope Street, Providence. Free.

September 10–11: Raptor Weekend 2016. Eagles, owls, hawks, and falcons. They have razor-sharp talons, highly developed eyesight and hooked beaks. Wildlife rehabilitators and experts will present. Flight demonstrations, educational programs, and activities for bird enthusiasts. 10 am–4 pm. Audubon Environmental Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol. $15/adults; $10/children 4-12. www.asri.org September 18: Fall Out of

September 4: “A Day in the Park” Water Safety Community Festival. Learn CPR, become an organ donor, donate blood, back-to-school backpack drive, face painting, photo booth, free life jackets and door alarms, meet Coastie the Tug Boat, Josh The Otter, Larry the Life Vest and Sparky The Fire Dog. Go into Sparky’s cool smoke house to learn about fire safety. There will also be entertainment, multiple vendors distributing information, selling products, or offering services, and the chance to win raffle prizes. Noon–5 pm. Slater Park, 86 Slater Park Avenue, Pawtucket. Free. www.jaycethehealer.org September 8: Henry’s Bear Park Music with Rebekah Zabinski. Make a joyful noise as Rebekah Zabinski hosts a melodious hour of music-

Rhode Island Parent Magazine  September 2016

Summer Arts Festival. Fun and family-friendly event featuring live music and theater, artisans, art activities, contests, and more! Rain date, September 25. 11 am–5 pm, Artists’ Exchange, 50 Rolfe Square, Cranston. $1/person; Free/children 3 and under. www.artists-exchange.org

September 19: Talk Like a Pirate Day!

September 29–October 2: RI Kids Consignment Sale. Large consignment sale on kid's clothing, toys, books, etc. Presale on September 29. Requires ticket for entry. Closed on September 30. See page 7 for dates and times. Wide World of Indoor Sports South, 1610 Davisville Road, North Kingstown. Free except for first day. www.rikidsconsignment.com

Fridays

Weekends

September 4/Sunday

September 16: Celebrate Hispanic

September 3/Saturday

Waterfire. A multisensory art installation featuring a series of bonfires that seem to float along the rivers of Providence. Full lighting with tango music and performances. 7:15 pm. Waterplace Park, Providence. Free.

Heritage Month. Activities for Hispanic Heritage Month 2016, a statewide celebration of Latino art and culture in Rhode Island. Also explore the Coming to Rhode Island exhibit, a time-traveling adventure that celebrates the state's cultural diversity, and shop in the 1960s bodega of Dominican immigrant Josefina Rosario. 6 pm. Providence Children’s Museum. 100 South Street, Providence. Free.

Every Friday: Food Truck Friday. Enjoy a smorgasbord of great food from some of the area’s best food trucks, ride the carousel, and explore Hasbro's Boundless Playground. Live music and a beer garden. 5–8 pm. Roger Williams Park Carousel Village, 1000 Elmwood Avenue, Providence. Free entry.

Every Friday: Bring Your Own

Improv. Family–friendly comedy show. 7–8:30 pm. Warwick Museum of Art, 3259 Post Road. $8/adults; $4/ children under 12 and seniors. www. bringyourownimprov.com

Every Friday: Frosty Drew Observatory & Sky Theater. Public stargazing. 6:30–11:30 pm. 61 Park Lane, Charlestown. $1/person suggested donation. www.frostydrew.org

Hoop-la! Kids invent their own fun and games with hoops of all sizes and colors in the Children's Garden. Continues through Monday, September 5. 9 am–6 pm. Providence Children’s Museum. 100 South Street, Providence. $9/person; free/ children under 12 months. www. childrenmuseum.org Franklin’s Hatch Day Party & Family Fun Day. All ages. No registration required. Celebrate the birthday of Franklin, the resident Eastern Box Turtle at the Audubon Environmental Education Center. 9 am–5 pm - Spot the Box Turtle; 10 am–2 pm -Turtle Party Crafts; 10 am and 2:30 pm - Turtle Tale Nature Story; 11 am and 2 pm: Meet Franklin! Animal Interview; 1 pm: Turtle Party Games. Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol. Free with admission. $6/non-member adults; $4/non-member child 4–12. Kid’s Storytime. Storytellers. Mondays, 10:30–11 am. Saturdays, 11 am–noon. For children six months to six years old. Occasionally cancelled, call 401-331-9097 to check. Books on the Square, 471 Angell Street, Providence. Free. Storytime. Storytime and an activity. 11–11:30 am. Barnes & Noble, 1350 Bald Hill Road. Warwick. Free.

Hoop-la! See September 3.

September 10/Saturday Research Vessel Endeavor Open House. The University of Rhode Island's Graduate School of Oceanography will host a Research Vessel Endeavor Open House at the Narragansett Bay campus. Tours of the ship, a touch tank for kids, and exhibits about Narragansett Bay, oceans, and marine life. Food will be available from local food trucks. Shoes with flat soles and closed toe and heel required for the ship tour. 10 am–4 pm. 215 South Ferry Road, Narragansett, RI. Free. www.gso.uri. edu/event/endeavor-open-house Riverside Gardening. Seed saving workshop. You will be able to take home some seeds. Riverside Park, 11 am–12:30 pm. 65 Aleppo Street, Providence. Free. www.wrwc.org Collage Creators. Children create funky works of art from an array of colorful fabrics and papers in Discovery Studio, a hands-on art and science exploration space, and make object collages from natural and craft materials. Also on September 9 and 14-18. 10 am–3 pm. Providence Children’s Museum. 100 South Street, Providence. $9/person; free/children under 12 months. www.childrenmuseum.org (continued on next page)

September 2016  Rhode Island Parent Magazine

September 2016 Kid’s Storytime. See September 3.

September 11/Sunday Open Auditions for The Nutcracker. Open audition for girls and boys ages 7 and up. See website for specific time slots and height requirements. Must be available for performances Dec. 16–18 at Providence Performing Arts Center. 10 am–5 pm. Festival Ballet, 825 Hope Street, Providence. www.festivalballetprovidence.org

Grandparents’ Day. Admission to Providence Children’s Museum is free all day for grandparents, who also save $10 on all memberships purchased at the museum. Children craft cards and collages in Discovery Studio, the Museum’s hands-on art and science exploration space. 10 am–3 pm. 100 South Street, Providence. $9/person; free/children under 12 months. www. childrenmuseum.org Toe Jam Puppet Band. Bring a blanket for this hands‐on children's entertainment that grown‐ups can actually enjoy, too. A dynamic group, the Toe Jam Puppet Band has a unique combination of original songs, masterful shadow puppetry,

storytelling and just plain old good fun. 3–4 pm. Governor Henry Lippitt House Museum, 199 Hope Street, Providence. $5/suggested donation.

Collage Creators. See September 10.

September 17/Saturday

Collage Creators. See September 10.

Lippitt Labs at the Lippitt House Museum. Interactive activities for the whole family with a new theme each month as the Lippitt House Museum, a National Historic Landmark, is transformed into a laboratory for exploring the Victorian era. Not wheelchair accessible. 2–4 pm. Governor Henry Lippitt House Museum, 199 Hope Street, Providence. $10/adults; $5/students; free/children under 12; Free/active duty military; $8/person for groups with advanced registration.

29th Annual Apple Festival. See September 17.

29th Annual Apple Festival. The Apple Festival fills Johnston Memorial Park with music, laughter, and the scent of apple pies and great food. 10 am–6 pm. Johnston Memorial Park, 1583 Hartford Avenue, Johnston. Free entry. 7th Annual Woony River Fundraising Ride. Families and avid cyclists enjoy the scenic greenway of the Woonasquatucket River. Funds raised support the expansion of the Greenway and youth programs. Afterparty at the finish line with live music, food, and prizes. Ride times: 8 am/60-mile ride; 9 am/40-mile ride; 10:30 am/30-mile ride; 11 am/10-mile ride; 11:30 am/5-mile ride or walk. Waterplace Park, 1 Financial Way, Providence. $60/adult; $40/child 1521; Free/14 and under.

Rhode Island Parent Magazine  September 2016

Kid’s Storytime. See September 3.

18/Sunday

24/Saturday Craft Bash. Different crafts each month. 11 am–2 pm. Artists’ Exchange, 50 Rolfe Square, Cranston. Free. www.artists-exchange.org Imagination Playground. Kids invent their own ways to play as they stack and build with huge blue foam blocks, wheels, spools, tubes and a variety of loose parts. Construct castles and forts, invent interesting sculptures and more! 11 am–2 pm. Providence Children’s Museum. 100 South Street, Providence. $9/person; free/children under 12 months. www.childrenmuseum.org Waterfire. A multisensory art installation featuring a series of bonfires that seem to float along the rivers of Providence. Chinese Culture Night. Full lighting with interactive displays on Steeple Street all evening. 6:38 pm. Waterplace Park, Providence. Free. Kid’s Storytime. See September 3. Storytime. See September 3.

25/Sunday Imagination Playground. See September 24.

September 2016 ď&#x201A;§ Rhode Island Parent Magazine

Rhode Island Parent Magazine ď&#x201A;§ September 2016