October 2020 established 1986
newyorkfamily.com
Take your pick:
Pumpkin Patches! Book Smart Fall Reading for All
Queens mom Kimberly Seals Allers creates Irth app to fight Black and Latina maternal mortality
Find the Best
High School for Your Teen
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October 2020 | New York Family
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contents
October 2020
NewYorkFamily.com
pg. 10
pg. 16 pg. 38
pg. 32
pg. 22
32 | Kimberly Seals Allers: Power Mom Queens mom Kimberly Seals Allers creates Irth app to fight Black and Latina maternal mortality
6 | Editor’s Note October Moving Forward
14 | Family Day Out The best fall leaf peeping in NYC
38 | Family Day Out Fall pumpkin patches in and near NYC
8 | Mom Hacks Halloween face masks including a fun bat DIY
16 | Education How to choose the best high school for your teen
42 | Books Hester Aba rounds up five must-read books perfect for fall reading
FEATURES 10 | Pets Adopting or fostering a dog or cat during COVID
22 | Books Your go-to roundup of the latest kids’ books to start up the school year 30 | Health Why kids should still get a flu shot
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NewYorkFamily.com | October 2020
Stories & columns
Directories 18 | High School Listings
on the Cover Photo: Yumi Matsuo | yumimatsuostudio.com Hair & Makeup: Buffy Hernandez | buffysaintmarie.com
If sending your child to school in the city is not for you… …and you value social jus ce, diversity, equity and inclusion as essen al to their educa on, consider Oakwood Friends School. Founded in 1796, guided by Quaker principles, on a picturesque, 60 acre campus infused with nature, Oakwood prepares students for lives of accomplishment, achievement, compassion and conscience, in a wide open, spacious environment designed for the safety of all.
Join our Virtual Open House
Tues Oct 13 • 7:00 PM For complete details about our Health & Safety Protocols, and 2020 life at Oakwood, go to: OakwoodFriends.org
Upper School Day & Boarding Programs (5 and 7-day) Middle School Day Program 22 Spackenkill Road, Poughkeepsie, NY Easily reachable via Metro North to Poughkeepsie station
admissions@oakwoodfriends.org (845) 462-4200
Discover! oakwoodfriends.org October 2020 | New York Family
5
Editor’s Note
NewYorkFamily.com Publisher: Clifford Luster Executive Editor: Donna Duarte-Ladd Digital Editor: Katarina Avendaño Senior Adviser: Susan Weiss Digital Director: Erik Bliss Partnership Managers: Erin Brof, Mary Cassidy, Shelli Goldberg-Peck Ad Operations Manager: Rosalia Bobé Art Director: Leah Mitch Web Developer: Sylvan Migdal Graphic Designers: Arthur Arutyunov, Connie Sulsenti Editorial Contributors: Jana Beauchamp, Mia Salas Nina Gallo Photography
October — Moving Forward Fall has arrived, and while the weather chill greets us most mornings, the seasonal change reminds us more than ever, so does life. School is in session in its new form; our city is working toward recovering, and parents are keeping it together. If looking for a weekend outing, we have a roundup of Fall Pumpkin Patches (page 38) to pick up that Halloween pumpkin! For city nature outings, we have the best spots to do leaf-peeping (page 14). We are also excited for book reading for
those cozy days in; check out our fall picks for the kids (page 22) and parents (page 42). Lastly, we are thankful to have Kimberly Seals Allers of the Irth app (Power Mom, page 32) as our cover mom this month. Kimberly is on a mission to help end racism and bias in maternity and infant care. We appreciate this busy mother taking the time to share her knowledge and story! Donna Ladd Executive Editor
Editorial Interns: Grace Benninghoff, Katrina Makayan, Marta Rybczynski
Contact Information
ADVERTISING: (718) 260-4554 Advertising@NewYorkFamily.com Circulation: (718) 260-8336 Tina@NewYorkFamily.com
Address: New York Family Media/Schneps Media 1 MetroTech Center North, Third Floor Brooklyn, NY 11201
President: Victoria Schneps-Yunis CEO: Joshua Schneps Group Publisher: Clifford Luster
New York Family has been awarded the PMA Gold Award for Excellence both overall and in Website Design
2020
New York Family is published monthly by Queens Family Media, LLC.
get in touch Share your feedback and ideas about family life in the city! Email us at editorial@newyorkfamily.com and tag us at #newyorkfamily
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NewYorkFamily.com | October 2020
Reproduction of New York Family Media in whole or part without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. All rights reserved. ©2020 Queens Family Media, LLC
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October 2020 | New York Family
7
MOM HACKS
Hal��we�n Face Mask�! BY DONNA DUARTE �LADD
G
overnor Cuomo (as of press time) has shared that he has no plans to ban Halloween trick-or-treating. However, this will depend on how parents choose to celebrate. While schools are adjusting to being open, there hasn’t been any news if costumes will be allowed on this day. Regardless of you have a chill Halloween or go full costume, kids are going to be encouraged to wear face masks. We have themed masks that celebrate the spirit of Halloween. So find your fun Halloween mask and order early for all your goblins and creatures. DIY Bat Mask Crafter and teacher extraordinaire Bee Zizzo designed this mask, especially for New York Family readers. Use a mask you already have in a fun color or use white like our bat mask. Instructions below!
MATERIALS: • kid size face mask (I used the Japanese Seamless Comfort mask) • black wool felt • HeatnBond Ultrahold iron-on adhesive • iron • craft scissors STEPS: • place adhesive on backside of felt (paper liner should face up) • hold medium heat iron on paper liner for two seconds, repeat until the surface of felt is bonded • allow to cool • draw outlines of bat shapes onto the paper liner
• cut out the outlines of the bats, peel off paper liners (use craft or household scissors, the adhesive could ruin your fabric scissors) • place felt bats (adhesive side down) on top of the mask • press and hold iron for 10 seconds on each bat until the entire bat is bonded to the mask (best to hand wash and air dry)
Ghost Halloween Reusable Face Mask Practice social distancing with this classic Halloween themed mask that includes an insert slot allowing you to insert a disposable mask inside (you’ll have to provide a disposable mask). $12.95, zazzle.com
Sesame Street Elmo Face Face Mask Your little one will love this Sesame Street Elmo mask this Halloween as well as after for it is washable and with the embedded nose wire, easy to wear! $14.99, maskclub.com
8
Scary Eyeball & Halloween Blue Eye / Spooky Mask This is a bit on the creepy side but hey its Halloween. Perfect for the kid who isn’t planning a costume and wants a mask that brings in the spooky fun of the holiday. $12.95, zazzle.com
NewYorkFamily.com | October 2020
Cloth Face Masks 2-Pack – Mickey & Minnie Mouse These limited release Halloween masks are fun for all the Disney lovers who wish to incorporate a bit of Mickey magic to their Halloween costume or want their mask to be the costume! $11.99, shopdisney.com
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Frank D. IsolDI Coldwell Banker realty
209 Central avenue westfield nJ 07090 office: 908.233.5555 Cell: 908.787.5990 frankisoldi@gmail.com
TheIsoldiCollection.com #lovewhereyoulive Instagram: frankdisoldi twitter: @Homeswestfield Facebook: the Isoldi Collection
This information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor sales associates, not employees. ©2020 Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Not intended as a solicitation if your property is already listed by another broker.
October 2020 | New York Family
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pets
Welcoming a Pet into Your Family NYC animal shelters that offer fostering and adoption of dogs and cats during COVID By Marta ryBczynski
A
re you feeling ready to welcome a cuddly new family member? Dogs and cats make for the best of companions, and give a lifetime of memories for the family. With all this time spent at home, now is the perfect opportunity for adopting or fostering a pet. We’ve put together a list of some animal shelters around New York City that value rescues and give them the love and care they need before you can. Second Chance Rescue 260 6th St, Verplanck, NY 10596
This shelter has rescued thousands of animals in New York City and taken care of these four-legged friends like they’re family. Each rescue is taken to a veterinary clinic for proper medical treatment, where they are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and tested for heart worm before they’re available for adoption or fostering. The applications for adoption and fostering are all online. Potential adopters can see all the animals they have available listed online! Contact: nycsecondchancerescue.org/contact/ for email form Best Friends in New York 307 West Broadway New York, NY 10013
Adopt a dog or a cat completely online! Best Friends offers a virtual adoption process, where applicants are able to peruse a list of available pets, interviewed through videoconference, and meet their potential pet over Zoom. If you’re in the market for a more mature pet, adoption fees are waived for pets that are over the age of 8! Contact: contactnyc@bestfriends.org ASPCA in NYC 424 E. 92nd St. New York, NY 10128
The ASPCA adoption center in NYC is persevering through COVID, thanks to the kindness of their volunteer foster caregivers. These caregivers are conducting remote animal adoptions, with videoconference calls and minimal-contact meetups. ASPCA also works to give affordable medical care
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NewYorkFamily.com | October 2020
to animals, making it so that financially struggling families can give their pet the proper treatment it needs. Contact: (212) 876-7700 ext. 4120.
Animal Care Centers of NYC 11 Park Place, Ste 805, New York, NY 10007
This animal shelter houses not only dogs and
Inspiring
creativity, collaboration, and the spark of genius in every child
since 1872
Nursery – Grade 12 Register for a virtual open house admissions@dwight.edu 212.724.6360 | dwight.edu Educating global leaders on campus and virtually New York | London | Seoul | Shanghai | Dubai | Global Online October 2020 | New York Family
11
pets
With all this time spent at home, now is the perfect opportunity for adopting or fostering a pet.
cats, but bunnies too! Adopters can browse Animal Care Center’s website for cats, dogs, and bunnies, and contact this organization identifying which friend they’d like to adopt. Animal Care Centers of NYC is dedicated to serving the community by partnering with over 200 animal placement organizations. They act as a huge resource to the NYC animal community. Contacts: adopt@nycacc.org; foster@nycacc.org City Critters
Animal Haven
Petco, 991 Second Ave; PetSmart, 632 Broadway
200 Centre Street New York, NY 10013
10016
Bideawee’s mission is to make sure that your new furry friend’s transition from shelter to home goes as smoothly as possible. First, they make sure the condition of the shelter is absolutely flawless so that the animals stay content and comfortable. Bideawee’s also sure to give these furry friends the necessary medical treatments to make sure their health is in tiptop shape. They also make sure to properly socialize the animal before placing it into a new home, keeping them engaged in socially-focused activities. Contact: 212-271-2984
Operating by appointment only, Animal Haven works their hardest to make sure that every animal is at its highest chance of being adopted. They take excellent care of their cats and dogs, spaying/neutering them, giving them core vaccines, and microchipping them. Animal Haven also provides behavior intervention to animals that need it, giving them the best chance at being adopted. Contact: 212-274-8511
City Critters takes animal adoption very seriously, making sure their animals get the best home possible. They conduct several rounds of interviews with adopters, as well as requiring references from adopters’ friends/family/or coworkers before giving permission to adopt. Of course, due to COVID, this will be a fully virtual process done through videoconference, phone, and email. Contact: Petco: 212-593-7213; Petsmart: 212475-0893
Badass Brooklyn Rescue This animal rescue program doesn’t have a physical location but instead relies on foster families to take care of animals before they’re adopted. Even though there’s no “one shelter,� their program’s volunteers couldn’t be more close-knit. Badass Brooklyn Rescue makes sure that each animal is provided with vetting, boarding, spaying/neutering, and a collar and leash. Contact: adopt@badassbk.com
Bideawee 410 East 38th Street, New York, NY
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NewYorkFamily.com | October 2020
A Waldorf High School, Outdoors We have reinvented many aspects of school life for Fall 2020 while remaining true to the core principles of Waldorf education. Small class sizes, new outdoor learning spaces, thoughtful safety protocols, and farm, forest, and field as “classroom� are just part of what we offer. Our students graduate with strong academic and life skills, go on to top colleges and a wide range of careers, and are known for creativity and resilience.
The École is excited to relaunch its Middle School Scholarship program for the 2020-2021 school year! Check out our website or email us at scholarship@theEcole.org for more info!
Now busing from Tarrytown and NYC!
gmws.org
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The École is an independent, FrenchAmerican bilingual school serving an international community of Maternelleto-Middle School students in New York City’s Flatiron District. Nursery-8th Grade
Fifth Avenue Building 206 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10010
Main Campus
111 East 22nd Street New York, NY 10010
www.theEcole.org October 2020 | New York Family
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FAMILY DAY OUT
Fal� F�liage in �he Ci�y for some leaf peeping in the upcoming fall season. The park also offers other great amenities such as playgrounds, barbeque areas and various hiking trails.
New York’s most famous spot has a handful of spots to go admire some amazing fall foliage during the season. Go to the 90-acre North Woods located in the northwest corner of Central Park. According to many visitors, this area can be considered the most natural portion of the entire park, making it a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. To capture some serious colors, walk along The Mall which is located in the middle of the park. It is lined with the largest collection of American Elms.
Brooklyn Bridge Park 334 Furman St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Inwood Hill Park Dyckman St, Hudson River, Harlem River S
Offering amazing views of Lower Manhattan and the Harbor, this is the perfect mix of nature and the city. With various walkways throughout the park and alongside the river, you are able to pass by several piers with access to some serious fall foliage. With their COVID-19 response, various locations are closed until further notice. This includes the Environmental Education Center, 99 Plymouth and Jane’s Carousel. Be sure to check out their website for more guidelines.
Located in upper Manhattan, this park honors the history and prehistoric roots of old New York. The park has existing caves, valleys, and ridges left by the shifting of the prehistoric glaciers. Today, a hiking trail and the Hudson River Bike Trail is open to visitors who want to appreciate this park’s natural history and beauty. Especially during the fall season, its forested areas are perfect for fall foliage.
Where to experience the best fall leaf peeping, right in NYC! BY KATRINA MAKAYAN
W
ith Fall just around the corner, the city will soon be filled with classic autumn colors. In this list, we have updated the latest COVID-19 guidelines that parks are following. All of these will be open for the season that you can visit at any time or with reserved time tickets. Make sure to check each website for specific information.
Alley Pond Park Little Neck Bay, L.I.E., Union Tpk, bet. Springfield Blvd, Douglaston Pkwy, Hanford St
A park located in Queens offers various glimpses into New York’s colonial history, geologic past and even its current conservation efforts. Its natural features of freshwater and saltwater wetlands, meadows and forests create the perfect environment
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NewYorkFamily.com | October 2020
Central Park New York, NY
New York Botanical Garden 2900 Southern Blvd, The Bronx, NY 10458
Finally open to the public under COVID-19 restrictions, you are welcome to reserve your timed-entry tickets in advance. Spanning over 250 acres in the Bronx and housing over one million plants, the New York Botanical Garden is the spot for some extreme leaf peeping. The garden ensures safety by having advanced timed entry, daily staff health checks and the use of face coverings. Although the garden is now open, they have reduced Garden capacity and amenities so be sure to check out their website for more information. Prospect Park Brooklyn, NY
A 585-acre park nestled in Brooklyn serves as the ultimate spot for nature and admiration for some fall foliage. The amenities in the park like LeFrak Center at Lakeside, Prospect Park Zoo, Prospect Tennis Center and playgrounds are open to the public with safety protocols in place. Whether you are looking to go for a stroll or a bike ride, the park offers everything you need to enjoy the upcoming fall season.
Randall’s Island Park 20 Randall’s Island Park, New York, NY 10035
Randall’s Island Park has various ways to enjoy their recreational space. There are approximately ten miles of biking trails and pedestrian pathways, making it a getaway to admire nature while in the city. While monitoring COVID-19 closely, the park continues to make changes to day-to-day operations. Over nine miles of waterfront pathways and all passive recreational activities are available, barbecuing and grilling areas are open. Be sure to check the website for more detailed information. Queens Botanical Garden 43-50 Main St, Flushing, NY 11355
Queens Botanical Garden is now open to the public with limited operating hours. As reopening unfolds, the garden hours will be adjusted over time so be sure to check their website for the latest updates before planning a visit. To ensure safety, the garden requires you to wear a mask and maintain a 6-foot distance from others. Hand sanitizer dispensers will also be available at several
different locations throughout the garden. Wave Hill 4900 Independence Ave, The Bronx, NY 10471
A public garden and cultural center finally back open to the public. With new precautions in place, Wave Hills requires everyone to reserve an admission ticket in advance. When reserving a ticket, you will not be restricted to a time of day since it will be valid from noon to 5:30 pm on the date of your reservation. Usually open all year round, the gardens expose autumn’s beautiful colors making it another option for a fall getaway. Van Cortlandt Park Broadway and Van Cortlandt Park S, The Bronx, NY 10471
Ranked as New York City’s third largest park, Van Cortlandt park spans over a thousand acres with ridges and valleys highlighting the Bronx. With various playing fields and playgrounds scattered throughout the park and oak forests surrounding them, it creates a wonderful atmosphere for an autumn trip.
The only private, nonprofit K–12 school on the East End.
ross.org NURSERY–GRADE 12, DAY AND BOARDING 18 GOODFRIEND DRIVE EAST HAMPTON, NY ROSS.ORG
October 2020 | New York Family
15
education
High School Guide How to choose the best type of high school for your teen By Mia SalaS
H
igh school will surely look different this year with blended learning, but we’re confident NYC schools will find a way to make high school as valuable as it was in the past. Your not-so-little little ones are on their way to becoming adults, which means that those last four years in high school are so important! You want your kiddos to be prepared with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in college and beyond. Yet NYC has a lot of options for high school, so it can be overwhelming to decide which type of school is right for your teen. That’s why we’ve rounded up NYC high schools, including public, private, charter, and more. If you’re looking for a high school that best suits the needs of your family, check out our guide! Public Schools Getting a diploma, attending college, and pursuing a career are top priorities for NYC public high schools! We love NYC public schools, as they really care about prepping our kids for the future with extracurricular activities, internships, and volunteer experiences. Your kids will have lots more flexibility in their schedule so that they can figure out what they really enjoy learning. We also support NYC public school’s commitment to diversity & inclusion, which they not only actively reflect in the classroom, but use in their teaching to assure that students can embrace their identities. There are plenty of resources for multilingual and special education learners, so no child is left behind in NYC public high schools! As your teen takes on more responsibility in high school, they’ll also learn how to better manage their time, balance their interests and graduation requirements, plan for college and career, and more. Private Schools At NYC private schools, your high schooler will have an abundance of opportunities, activities and clubs, meaningful projects, and more to choose to get involved in. With
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NewYorkFamily.com | October 2020
expansive indoor and outdoor facilities, technology resources, student publications, athletic teams, and summer opportunities, your teen will have what they need to succeed. With NYC private high schools, we love the emphasis on individuality and responsibility. Your kids are treated like adults, in that teachers trust and respect them, they’ll have plenty of ways to pursue their independent interests, and they’ll get to exercise leadership through various outlets, in and out of the classroom. Because of smaller class sizes, kids get to really get to know the people in their classes and form meaningful connections with their teachers, all while getting the help and support they need. Boarding Schools If you really want your high schooler to have a more independent experience, consider NYC boarding schools! At boarding high schools, students may come from all over the world, so your kids will be immersed into a diverse environment where they’ll learn and grow. Your high schooler will also have access to incredible facilities complete with libraries, studios, tech and science labs, and more. They’ll get to take on University coursework and leadership opportunities that will prepare them for college, in addition to having beyond excellent resources for college counseling. Our favorite thing about NYC boarding schools for high schoolers is that they’ll get to experience dorm life before college, where they’ll get to form meaningful connections with their peers that go beyond classroom interactions. There’s a few boarding schools in NYC, but you can even expand your search to boarding schools in New York state, NJ, or even further to have more options! Charter Schools With now 260 charter schools in NYC, we’ve grown to know and appreciate these free public schools open to all NYC kids, but independent of the Department of Education (DEO). So what’s the benefit of a charter school? These schools have more freedom
and accountability (if charter schools don’t meet certain goals, then they can be closed), so they can try out new approaches to learning and easily adapt to the needs of their students and the broader school community. Many charter schools have longer days and years because they are not confined to a certain school calendar set by the DEO, and your family can choose the charter school that best suits your needs. Charter schools also support kids with special needs and students who are learning English. With clear performance goals, charter schools are incredibly motivated to set your kids up for success as they head into college and careers through honing in on written and verbal communication skills, improving time management and study habits, encouraging extracurricular activities, and preparing students for excellent academic performance.
Catholic Schools At an NYC Catholic high school, your teen will learn to better understand themselves and their relationship to God and others. All high school programs are rooted in Catholic religious beliefs and values, fostering a safe and nurturing environment. NYC Catholic schools are known for their stellar record with high graduation rates, college acceptances, and successful careers. There are many different schools to choose from,
including co-ed and single sex. The three main types of Catholic high schools are independent, parish, and private, each with a unique atmosphere. If your eighth grader is considering applying to a Catholic high school, be sure to look into the required Test for Admission into Catholic High Schools (TACHS) exam. Jewish Schools Combining education with traditional
Jewish values, Jewish high schools in NYC offer a stellar experience for your kids as they transition into young adults. In high school, your child will continue to study Torah and develop their relationship to God, practice meaningful observance, recognize their shared history with Jewish people, deepen their knowledge and respect for the State of Israel, learn Hebrew language and literature, and actively engage through self-reflection and social and political activism. We really love the emphasis on learning experiences that happen both inside and outside of the classroom at NYC Jewish schools through clubs and extracurriculars, religious observances, and trips in and beyond NYC. There are many Jewish high schools to choose from in NYC, both co-ed and single-sex, so find out which one is best for your family. October 2020 | New York Family
17
high schools Directory | Special Advertising Supplement
Catholic College Preparatory School for Girls
Virtual visits, real Community! Dominican Academy has been recognized twice as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education and is ranked the #3 Catholic girls high school in New York for 2020-2021! s $URING THIS GLOBAL HEALTH CRISIS $ ! REMAINS COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AND THE SAFETY OF ALL MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY 3TUDENTS ALWAYS RECEIVE live instruction 5 days a week AS PART OF OUR $ISTANCE ,EARNING 0ROGRAM OR (YBRID ,EARNING -ODEL s ,OCATED IN AN historic mansion on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, $ ! IS EASILY ACCESSIBLE BY THE % & AND . 1 2 TRAINS s ! diverse community of 250 students COME FROM ALL BOROUGHS OF .EW 9ORK #ITY #ONNECTICUT ,ONG )SLAND .EW *ERSEY 7ESTCHESTER AND ABROAD s $ ! STANDS ALONE AS the only all-honors high school for girls IN .EW 9ORK OFFERING ELECTIVES AND !DVANCED 0LACEMENT COURSES
s 7E ARE PROUD OF OUR 100% graduation rate WITH GRADUATES IN OUR #LASS OF AVERAGING OVER EACH IN MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS s Student-Faculty ratio of 8:1 WITH OF FACULTY HOLDING AT LEAST ONE ADVANCED DEGREE s /UR UNIQUE Service Learning Program ENCOURAGES STUDENTS TO ENGAGE IN SERVICE AND TO UNDERSTAND THE ROLE OF &AITH IN THEIR LIVES s 30 + clubs and 8 Varsity teams: "ASKETBALL #ROSS #OUNTRY 3OCCER 3OFTBALL 3WIMMING )NDOOR AND /UTDOOR 4RACK AND 6OLLEYBALL s ! well-rounded Performing Arts curriculum WITH REQUIRED $RAMA -USIC AND $ANCE CLASSES
R.S.V.P. for our Virtual Open Houses Saturday, October 17, 2020 //10 to 11:30 AM Wednesday, October 28, 2020 // 5 to 6:30 PM DominicanAcademy.org / 44 East 68th Street, New York, NY 10065 T 212.744.0195 / F 212.744.0375 / @DominicanAcademy Direct all questions to Madeleine Metzler, ‘07, Director of Admissions at 212.744.0195, ext. 131 or admissions@dominicanacademy.org.
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NewYorkFamily.com | October 2020
BASIS Independent Manhattan Upper 556 W. 22nd Street, New York, NY 347- 305-4960 manhattan-admissions@ basisindependent.com BASIS Independent Manhattan, a PreK–12 private school, is opening a second location in Chelsea in fall 2021! The beautiful new Upper School campus will be home to the school’s advanced Middle & High School program (grades 6–12), while their flagship Upper West Side campus will continue to serve PreK–5 students. From the spacious outdoor terrace to the bright, thoughtfully-designed classrooms, the BASIS Independent Manhattan Upper campus is the ideal setting for student learning and growth.
Brillantmont International Avenue Charles Secrétan 16 005 Lausanne Switzerland +41 21 310 04 00 brillantmont.ch summer.brillantmont.ch admissions@brillantmont.ch Give your child a life-changing experience in an inspirational setting at Brillantmont International School in French speaking Switzerland. Small classes, close teacher support, amazing opportunities in and out of the classroom in our independent, family owned and run boarding school, founded 1882. Grades 8-12 with British and US curricula with SAT. Full year or semester, 13th Grade Gap year and Summer Course (1017). A home from home with an international education in the heart of Europe. Join our Brillantmont family today!
Cardinal Spellman High School One Cardinal Spellman Place, Bronx, NY 718-881-8000 ext. 206 www.cardinalspellman.org Cardinal Spellman High School, a co-educational college preparatory school, was founded by the archdiocese in 1959. Cardinal Spellman offers: College Credit, Advanced Placement, Regents, Honors and Elective Courses. A 13-acre campus located in
the Tremont section of the Bronx, equipped with two all-weather athletic fields and track, a fitness room, and a weight room. Spellman prides itself on small school friendliness with big school opportunities. They have a 100% graduation rate, and 100% acceptance rate — with many graduates being awarded college scholarships. Learn more by visiting their website and taking their virtual tour.
Cathedral High School Midtown East 350 E. 56th St., New York, NY 212-688-1545 cathedralhs.org Cathedral High School, a Catholic College Preparatory school of the Archdiocese of New York located in the heart of Manhattan, welcomes young women of all faiths and cultures. It is a community of students, teachers, staff, parents and alumnae committed to achieving excellence in education. They continually challenge their students to become productive members of society who will conduct themselves with religious and moral integrity in the pursuit of social justice.
Dominican Academy Catholic College Preparatory School for Girls 44 East 68th Street, New York, NY 10065 212-744-0195 DominicanAcademy.org Direct all inquiries to: Madeleine B. Metzler, ‘07, Director of Admissions, 212-744-0195, ext. 131 or admissions@ dominicanacademy.org. Located in a mansion on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, D.A. unites academic excellence with a family-like atmosphere. Sponsored by the Dominican Sisters, we are the only all-honors high school for girls in NYS. D.A. challenges and empowers students to be leaders on a local and global scale. Students come from all boroughs of NYC, CT, Long Island, NJ, and Westchester. Students benefit from a robust academic program with 15+ A.P.s and 20+ electives, our 30+ clubs and
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CARDINAL SPELLMAN HIGH SCHOOL
Where Boys and Girls with Dreams, Become Men and Women of Vision.
VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE CARDINALSPELLMAN.ORG TACHS CODE 303
100% GRADUATION RATE I 100% COLLEGE ACCEPTANCE RATE 30+ SPORTS TEAMS I 50+ CLUBS I COLLEGE CREDIT, ADVANCED PLACEMENT, REGENTS, HONORS & ELECTIVE COURSES CARDINAL SPELLMAN HIGH SCHOOL One Cardinal Spellman Place, Bronx NY 10466
@SPELLMANBX
718-881-8000 x 206 I Fax (718)515-6615
October 2020 | New York Family
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high schools Directory | Special Advertising Supplement
8 Varsity Athletic teams, and our Service Learning Program.
leadership conferences all foster the development of global citizens.
Dwight School
Green Meadow Waldorf School
18 West 89th Street Main Campus: 212-724-3630 Dwight.edu An internationally renowned independent school (nurserygrade 12) committed to educating the next generation of global leaders. Dwight is dedicated to “igniting the spark of genius” in every child. Each Dwight School shares the same commitment to igniting the spark of genius in every child. Regardless where in the world students attend Dwight, they are inspired to find their passions and receive the same highquality IB education. Dwight provides benefits and countless opportunities. Travel and exchange programs, cross-campus curricular and creative collaborations, online learning programs, international athletic competitions, and global
307 Hungry Hollow Rd. Chestnut Ridge, NY 10977 845-356-2514 www.gmws.org Wondering what school will look like this Fall? Green Meadow Waldorf School plans to reopen on September 9, 2020. We are also creating hybrid learning plans for any students unable to return to campus, and have distance learning plans ready. A Green Meadow education has always included lots of outdoor time in all grades; we are leveraging that strength to expand our outdoor classroom spaces. Class sizes throughout the school will be kept small for safety and our popular, all-outdoor Forest Preschool is open. Join us for a virtual Information Session or a private in-person tour to
learn more. Busing available from Westchester & NYC!
The IDEAL School of Manhattan 270 West 89th St., New York, NY 10024 212-769-1699 theidealschool.org/ admissions/open-houses Admissions @theidealschool. org The IDEAL School of Manhattan is a uniquely studentdriven, inclusive program. In small, seminar-style classes, our dedicated and knowledgeable faculty cultivate the voice, skills, and confidence of each student. A flexible program supports students seeking an individualized environment and personalized options while emphasizing the nurturing relationships, arts integration, and community that are the hallmarks of an independent school. Immediate placement for 202021 is available for in-person and remote learning.
Lower East Side Prep High School
Belong. Believe. Become.
CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE Join us and discover how your daughter will succeed! • State-of-the-Art STEM Academy • Medical Gateways Academy including a partnership with The Memorial Sloan Kettering Science Enrichment Program • Business and Law Academy featuring internship opportunities and career awareness • Honors Academy • All students receive chrome books and use Google classroom making remote learning when necessary seamless and effective • Strong Arts Program • Competitive Sport program and rich extracurricular activities • The Class of 2020 earned over $20 million in college scholarships and grants • Academic Scholarships and Financial aid packages available
Sunday, October 18th, 12 PM–2PM Wednesday, October 28th, 6PM–8PM Registration Required. Visit cathedralhs.org/visit-our-school for details 350 East 56th Street, NYC • www.cathedralhs.org • 212.688.1545
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145 Stanton Street New York, NY 10002 212-505-6366 www.lespnyc.com ranaya@schools.nyc.gov Lower East Side Preparatory HighSchool boasts a safe, supportive, and Technologyrich environment that motivates all students to succeed. With a renowned ESL/Transitional Bilingual Program in Spanish and Chinese and a variety of Enrichment, AP, Regents, Prep and extended day courses, LESP sends more than 80% of their graduates to college. The Transfer School provides structure and support to those who are over-aged and under-accredited and helps students get a new start, whether from around the world or around the block.
Oakwood Friends School 22 Spackenkill Road Poughkeepsie, NY 845.462.4200 oakwoodfriends.org In September, Oakwood Friends School launched the Fall semester with in-person programming, academic and extracurricular, with highly-
advanced safety protocols to keep students learning and growing — academically and socially! On a 60-acre campus with luxurious space to spread out for safety, students experience a challenging curriculum, with social justice, diversity, equity and inclusion central to community. Grades 5-12, boarding & day programs available. Easily reachable from NYC and Westchester via Metro North to Poughkeepsie. Visit website for full details re: VIRTUAL Open Houses and Campus Tour.
Ross School 18 Goodfriend Drive East Hampton, NY 631- 907-5000 admissions@ross.org ross.org Ross School is a co-educational boarding (Grades 6–12, PG) and day school (NurseryGrade 12, Post Graduate) located on a beautiful campus in East Hampton, about two hours east of New York City. Integrated curriculum with engaging courses in science, math, arts, humanities, and wellness, with opportunities for independent study, competitive athletics, extracurricular activities, and travel. Ross School has a successful college placement program, with 100% of applicants receiving acceptances at competitive colleges and universities.
Stuart Hall School 235 West Frederick Street, Staunton, Virginia 24401 540-213-7774 shughes@stuart-hall.org / A co-ed boarding school for students in Grades 8-12,. Through our mastery learning program, students master the skills needed for a life of creativity, curiosity, and engaged contribution to the world. Our project-based learning approach develops students who are independent, motivated, resilient, and self-directed, and our holistic focus promotes physical, social, and emotional wellbeing. Outside the classroom, students can explore the safe town of Staunton and enjoy the rich arts, history and outdoors.
Experience The IDEAL Difference
In our diverse and inclusive K-12 community and within our robust academic program, IDEAL students recognize their potential to effect change and are equipped with the tools to do so. They strive for excellence in and out of the classroom and recognize and draw out the potential for excellence in their peers. They possess the self-awareness to advocate for themselves and the compassion to stand behind others. They not only appreciate but also seek out difference, understanding that only in community are we IDEAL.
IDEAL is New York’s only K-21 independent inclusion school, where we celebrate the tremendous social, emotional, and academic growth born in a diverse and nurturing educational community. Visit our website to learn more about IDEAL’s rigorous and differentiated program, innovative social justice curriculum, and uniquely inclusive community, and also about IDEAL’s Next Steps Transition Program, open to students aged 18-21. IDEAL is currently accepting applications in select grades for 2020-21 placement
LOWER SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE 314 West 91st Street October 8, 9-11 AM
For further information, contact us at admissions@theidealschool.org or 212-769-1699
UPPER SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE 270 West 89th Street October 15, 2020, 9-11 AM
www.theidealschool.org
A NYC Public School Dedicated To Giving A Highly Personalized Student Experience
Lower East Side Preparatory High School Get into the college or career of your dreams! • Nine AP Courses • 80+ Paid Internships • Flexible Programming • Extensive Clubs and • After-school Programs
Register directly at LESP, 9am-1pm daily, or call for more information.
145 Stanton Street, 4th Floor, New York, New York 10002 • 212-505-6366 • lespnyc.com October 2020 | New York Family
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books
Fall Books for Kids Your go-to round-up of the latest releases By Mia SalaS
L
ooking to sneak in some extra fall reading in between remote and in-person classes? Maybe you want your kiddos to brush up on their reading skills? Well, we have the go-to fall reading list for you! We scoped out the latest in children’s books to round up new releases (and some throwbacks) for all reading levels, from early readers to young adults. We’re really loving some of the reads centered around diversity & inclusion, and we were sure to include a lot in our guide to fall reading. Browse our list and start reading with your kiddos! Early Readers (Preschool – 1st Grade)
There’s an Alien in Your Book by Tom Fletcher, illustrated by Greg Abbott
We’re obsessed with this picture book that was just released in late June. For little ones who just can’t seem to sit still to read a whole book (classic kiddos!), this story is interactive. Little readers have to jiggle, bounce, and turn their book around as they try to launch Alien back up into space. You may remember Fletcher’s There’s A Superhero in Your Book, There’s an Elf in Your Book, or many more, so this latest release is an addition to his engaging series. I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. James
This is a must-read for your preschoolers. This confident Black narrator is proud of who he is, and he
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perfect for all reading levels
encourages young readers to take the time to understand the people around them. What we love about this book is that your little ones will not only see someone who knows who he is, what he wants, and what he can accomplish, but they’ll also see someone who is often misunderstood. We highly recommend this timely children’s book this fall. The Tiny Chef by Rachel Larson, Adam Reid, and Ozi Akturk
From the creators of The Tiny Chef Show comes their debut children’s book about the Tiny Chef who misplaces his favorite recipe book. How could he possibly whip up the best creations without his recipes? After looking for it for a while, Tiny Chef decides to go for a walk, and suddenly he has an idea for a new recipe. Your kiddos will love the Tiny Chef illustrations, and they’ll take away a message about perseverance, creativity, and confidence. She Persisted in Sports by Chelsea Clinton, illustrated by Alexandra Boiger
This is our top pick for your little girl. An inspiring story about women in sports, your young girls will feel a sense of empowerment as they read about some of the greatest female athletes of all time. While we’ve come a long way, women have constantly been told that they can’t achieve their dreams. In this third She Persisted book, Clinton tackles the challenges that women athletes have overcome, just in time for the Olympics!
Will You Be My Friend? by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram
Remember Guess How Much I Love You, written twenty-five years ago? Well we now have a sequel to this popular children’s book! Little Nutbrown Hare finds a new friend while he’s out on one of his adventures. Young readers will follow this heartwarming story of friendship, and maybe even learn something about how to be a great friend in their lives. We recommend pairing this with Guess How Much I Love You if your little one hasn’t read it yet! On sale September 29, so this is the perfect October read to look forward to. Just Like Me by Vanessa BrantleyNewton
We’re crazy about this collection of poetry and illustrations filled with stories about all kinds of girls: girls who feel happy, sad, scared, powerful; girls who love their bodies and girls who don’t; country girls, city girls; girls who love their mother and girls who wish they had a father. This book explores self-esteem, positivity, diversity and inclusion, and so much more. The artwork is absolutely beautiful, and your little ones will definitely appreciate a glimpse into poetry, art, and the power that this form of writing can have. First Chapter Books (Grades 1 – 3) Absolutely Alfie and the Furry, Purry Secret by Sally Warner, illustrated by Shearry Malone
If you were a fan of the Judy Moody books, then we highly recommend this debut children’s chapter book for your kiddos. A story of a bossy friend and her kittens that Alfie becomes very obsessed with, we’re loving the humor and lessons of friendship that this book has. But be careful— your kiddo may start asking for a kitten after they’re done with this read! Or they may just want to get their hands on the next book in the series: Absolutely Alfie and the First Week Friends. Dory Fantasmagory: Tiny Tough by Abby Hanlon
If you’ve been following this super popular series, then your kiddos will be very excited to know that the fifth book is coming out this fall on September 8! Dory thinks
that her sister’s lost treasure (a friendship bracelet) has something to do with pirates, so she heads to the sea to meet up with a pirate crew. This is a great introduction to chapter books, full of imagination, adventure, and much more!
never get to travel anywhere, but the fair unlocks a ton of possibilities. The series is inspired by the life of 11-year old viral sensation and social activist Sarai Gonzalez. We’re here for the Latinx representation in children’s first chapter books!
Sarai and the Around the World Fair by Sarai Gonzalez, illustrated by Monica Brown
The 17th book in the Dragon Masters series is finally here this fall on October 6! The series is a part of Scholastic’s early chapter book line with easy-to-read text, illustrations, and a super engaging plot. In this book, the Dragon Masters have to stop an evil wizard from becoming the most powerful wizard in the world. For your adventure-loving kiddos, this book is just for them.
In the fourth and latest book in the series, Sarai goes to her school’s first Around the World Fair. After she outgrows her bike, she worries that she’ll
Fortress of the Stone Dragon, by Tracey West, illustrated by Matt Loveridge
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books
Upper-Level Chapter Books (Grades 4 – 6) Brave. Black. First. by Cheryl Hudson, illustrated by Erin K. Robinson
Published in collaboration with the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, this is a must-read for the fall! Your kiddo will read the stories of over 50 incredible African American women, like Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Serena Williams, Michelle Obama, and many more. A book of inspiration, bravery, and heroism, we 100% recommend this for your daughters (and sons!) in middle school or late elementary school. The Lonely Heart of Maybelle Lane by Kate O’Shaughnessy
Your middle schooler is sure to binge-read this book in one day! Maybelle loves sounds and music, especially the recording she has of her dad’s laugh saved in a voicemail. Then one day, she hears his laugh on the radio, and he announces that he’s going to be a judge for a singing contest in Nashville. Maybelle decides to take a trip to Nashville to compete in the contest and meet her dad in person. Along the way, Maybelle finds courage and true friends in her journey to Nashville.
Orange for the Sunsets by Tina Athaide
When Idi Amin announces that Indians have ninety days to leave the country, suddenly Asha and her best friend Yesofu are forced to confront their different backgrounds: Indian and African. As tensions between Indians and Africans rise, the friends are torn apart between family, friends, and society. Living under Ugandan President Amin’s divisive rule, they must consider where and who they call home. This upper level chapter book is such a powerful read that will introduce your kids to diverse perspectives. Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga
A heartwarming story about losing, but then rediscovering home, Other Words for Home is one of our top picks for upper level chapter books. A young girl has to leave Syria to move to America with her mom as things in her hometown start to get volatile. At first, Jude struggles with the cultural differences and her new label of “Middle Eastern”, an identity she’s never known before. But soon Jude finds family and friends in America, and along the way she also finds herself. Both a New York Times Bestseller and Newbery Honor Book, this story will teach your tweens a lot about multiculturalism, diversity and inclusion, and what it means to empathize with someone else’s experience.
Wink by Rob Harrell
For your kiddos who are nervous about starting middle school or moving up a grade, this story will give them a new perspective that will calm their nerves and encourage empathy. A seventh grader is diagnosed with eye cancer, and all he wants is to live a normal life. He doesn’t want to be called “the cancer kid” or have to wear a hat to cover up his hair loss. Both heartbreaking and hilarious, uplifting and unforgettable, this novel is based off of the author’s real experience, making it personal and moving for your middle schooler.
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Young Adult (Grades 7 – 10) Smile Like You Mean It by Willow Hadley
After Charlotte’s father died, her mother changed. One night after an incident with her mother, Charlotte is arrested and taken to juvie. When Charlotte is released, her uncle surprises her and takes her home, where she meets his step-son who is her age and has four best friends who are all so welcoming. As Charlotte deals with anxiety and her troubled past, she also learns to let people in, and she grows close to the group. Just released this
summer in late August, we really like this story of overcoming challenges for teens and young adults. Good Talk by Mira Jacob
We really recommend this book for both young adults and adults, but it can especially have an effect on teens who are still learning, absorbing, and discovering who they are. This is a unique read because it’s a graphic memoir told through conversations. The story takes readers through key moments in America’s history, like 9-11, Obama’s presidency, and the 2016 presidential election. Through it all, Jacob tries to explain to her mixed race, six-year-old son what it all means, and he has a lot of questions. This memoir tackles racism in America, interracial families, American identity, and much more as Jacob reflects on her own childhood and how she learned the answers to some of her son’s questions. The Gravity of Us by Phil Stamper
When Cal’s father is selected for a highly publicized NASA mission to Mars, Cal and his family move to Houston from Brooklyn, where Cal meets (and falls in love with) another “Astrokid,” Leon. But when secrets about the program surface, Cal tries to reveal the truth without hurting the people closest to him. Stamper explores self-doubt, first love, and identity in this young adult novel. We love the LGBTQ+ representation in literature for teens! This is All Your Fault by Aminah Mae Safi
Coming out on October 13, 2020, we are patiently waiting for this fall read to print! Set over the course of one day, the story follows three young women determined to save their indie bookstore. We’re all about this feminist young adult novel, perfect for kids in grades 7 through 9 who are looking for a story of empowerment (and a transition from the “kiddy” books they’ve grown out of).
GET YOUR ONLINE TUTORING SLOT FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR TODAY! Reading in Preschool www.readinginpreschool.com info@readinginpreschool.com
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Wetherby-Pembridge School For more information: info@wetherbypembridge.org • 646-213-3400
www.wetherbypembridge.org 7 e aSt 96th Str eet, NeW york, Ny
October 2020 | New York Family
25
ask the expert
Screen Time “Common Sense” on how to manage your children’s online content and interactions
By Jana Beauchamp
W
hen it comes to screen time and online content, what is age and content appropriate is different for different families. Families must figure out what is in their wheelhouse of comfort. To help parents navigate this, we spoke with Caroline Knorr, Common Sense Media’s Parenting Editor, to get her insights and expertise, and learn salient steps to help protect our kids’ safety, sanity, and overall well-being online. Screen time can be many different things Caroline Knorr shared with us that, “The idea we have identified at Common Sense Media is that parents and everybody have been indoctrinated to think about screen time as this monolithic block of something and we have been working toward a model to tell parents that screen time can be many different things. Everyone has learned in the past few months that it is so many things and some of it is really good. It can be educational and they can learn a lot and they can do selfdirected learning. There’s social connection which has been so important to kids. Not a perfect substitute but it allows kids to have social connections. There’s play time and games. There’s family time with media. Some of the best moments can be media moments with kids. I think one of the best ways parents can approach this is to be really clear about the different categories are and talk about balance and trying to achieve balance. So to some extent we want to give the different types of screen time different weights in your mind.” Create your family rules and routine If you are a family that really enjoys doing contracts then get it all down on paper. Sometimes that can work in different formats. Ms. Knorr said, “I feel like it’s really dependent on your family. Kids like to have rules and we are in such an amorphous time
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“Make it clear for kids when screen time makes them feel good or not feel good. help kids tap into that self-awareness.” so having a routine is good for parents and kids and it helps with the issue of creating boundaries around their work time.” Create boundaries around work time as a parent. Prioritize, incentivize, and motivate your kid. For older kids doing more hybrid learning you can give them a digital learning pledge. She added that we have to take this responsibility as parents since we have to take so much ownership over this and make sure there are clear boundaries. And check in to make sure how kids are feeling around the technology. Technology is manipulative so always monitor activity Technology is manipulative. It manipulates us to spend more time than is good for us. Ms. Knorr noted, “It’s really hard for kids to stop and parents to stop and kids have trouble saying no. We need to teach them to selfregulate and achieve balance for themselves by trying to tap into how they are feeling at a certain time.” It seems that a lot of parents are allowing kids to have access to social media at younger ages than previously the norm and she added that the tech companies are perfectly happy to have parents break the rules.
Ms. Knorr flagged Facebook Messenger as a good example of a good social media program designed just for kids under 13. Parents are in charge of the whole platform. And TikTok also does that and parents can also have a physically adjunct account for their kids’ TikTok. She reminds us that it is very controversial but kids use it and the point is that “the social apps kids are using have built in settings on the app themselves so encourage parents to explore that. Do your own research on it and find out why they want to use the app and keep the account private to protect your kid from being contacted by strangers.” However, this doesn’t completely eliminate the potential since they are social apps so the company pushes potential contacts. For example, you can have a private account but it still might say you may want to be friends with so and so since they consider that opting in. And she doesn’t know of any apps that completely eliminate that. Scaffolding Social Media for Kids “I want to make to make clear for kids when screen time makes them feel good or not feel good,” added Ms. Knorr. “Help kids tap into that self-awareness. If online school is so stressful and they are sick of being on the computer, try to get into how are you feeling and check in and figure it out and try to get your kid to figure out which types of activities and interactions online are positive and fulfilling and which stuff doesn’t make them feel good.” She reminds us that even check ins with a friend can add a big benefit but sometimes they can go wrong, too. So tap into helping them have some self-awareness about how their choices make them feel. Ms. Knorr informed us that, “You could also have a login on your phone, too, so you can see what they are doing and that’s a way of scaffolding your kid on social media. You can’t be there all the time so keep monitoring it. While monitoring it, you don’t want your kid to be contacted by people they don’t know
since they can be manipulated and don’t want your kid’s network to grow so big since it can introduce a large network of people they don’t know. There are risks involved. And it benefits the company and not your kid. It benefits your kid to keep a small, close knit
network.” Common Sense Media has a series of Parents Ultimate Guides and there’s one to TikTok and Instagram and more. Investigate the app they are interested in and be sure to talk about the safest settings to have.
Partner with your kids, doing what’s within reason for your family Another great point she discussed is that parents should ask kids how you want this to work? How would you feel comfortable? She advised to “Start with private settings October 2020 | New York Family
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ask the expert
and its safest. Lots of social media apps have controls for who can contact you and how. You can go through with your kids and say I want to support this for you since I want you to be social and be involved with your friends and know what’s going on but we know there are risks with social media and we need to proceed with safety and caution.” As a parent, go and turn on and off settings and experiment with that to see what works best. Ms. Knorr feels like the partner approach with this, and mentor approach, sets your kid up for success with social media and other digital citizenship and online responsibility. She advises, parents to, “Partner with them versus closing it all down and thinking it’s all bad and don’t want to talk about it. You want to make sure they are being safe.” Being within reason came up as a theme. She urges parents to do what’s in reason for your family. Families should also know that if they receive a laptop from school there are not restrictions on it but if you have your own laptop, you can use parental controls to limit where kids can go and when. With one from school you can’t put controls on it. Even with parental controls, there aren’t any parental controls that will let your kid be on YouTube for the instructional video but cut them off at Fortnite. No one has created that technology. Instead, Ms. Cross said, “It goes back to helping identify activities online. Get them to internalize they need to do half an hour of work and then have 15 minutes of play time. As far as managing the multitasking, there aren’t many parent controls that will do that so try to help your kid stay on task. Don’t make them feel like they are sneaking. Let them finish school work and then play a game.” Strategies for longer term remote learning and resources for families Ms. Knorr’s thoughts as remote learning looks more long-term are that “In some ways I feel sad. I think there may be more technical difficulties than educators and tech people want to think could happen. To the extent you have a backup plan or work with your teacher so if we can’t get on this app, know what else can we do instead? Have other learning activities. Lots of other kids are using the time to get more into hobbies that they love since in their moment the pressure seems off. Try to have a backup plan. And also audio books are a great resource and developing audio skill is very,
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Additional Resources • Student Digital Learning Agreement: Start the year off on the same page as your kid with a mutual understanding of how to care for the device, where and when to use it, and consequences. This is a contract that lays out your kid’s responsibilities and goals—as well as yours—to set your whole family up for success. For K–5 students, use the Digital Learning Pledge. Download now • The Cheat Sheet: This doc has spots for all your kid’s school info, like teacher’s name and contact, how to turn in assignments, and whatever else you need to have at a glance—including a place
very beneficial. BrainPop is great and still going strong. There are actually so many great educational apps (see attached guides for more info).” If we are going to do the contract idea or family value around technology, Ms. Knorr suggests we frame it like, “We love technology and it has helped us so much to be with friends, learn stuff, have fun and bond, but we are all pretty aware that it can isolate us and the human connection is so important.” Our lives are so wrapped up in the technology that we have to be intentional with our family time. Make tech free zones and keep kids invested in the process and let them choose a time for a tech free zone. She reminds us that “Some kids are desperate for parents’ attention and will ask for the free time during work but establish it as a family value. We are around each other more often now than ever but we really need to connect and to do that we need to put devices away and build that into our family structure.” On a final and significant note she said, “I am worried and reading a lot about families already in crisis or stressed and this is just not helping. If your kids are in school, we want to make sure we know what mental health resources are available to them. With their digital learning pledge there’s also
to note any technical difficulties you or your kid is having with their device. Print it out, fill it out, review it with your kid, and display it prominently—you can print a fresh one every week if that’s helpful. Download now • Parents’ Ultimate Guides: Struggling to keep up with the media and tech your kids are using? Common Sense’s Parents’ Ultimate Guides can help keep you up to date and answer your questions about all the latest titles and trends. Whether you’re trying to figure out if a new app is safe for your teen or if a popular game includes blood and gore, we’ve got you covered.
an emergency contact list for school. On Monday here is the class, teacher and zoom link. Keep all resources for online schooling in one place and find out what your school is recommending for mental health resources.” We can also find some Zen and calm by downloading a family meditation or breathing app to help already stressed out families with the school year ahead. In conclusion, Ms. Knorr urges us to “Protect your mental health and know resources to connect with someone in the moment, if necessary.” About Caroline Knorr As Common Sense Media’s parenting editor, Caroline helps parents make sense of what’s going on in their kids’ media lives. From games to cell phones to movies and more, if you’re wondering “what’s the right age for…?” Caroline can help you make the decision that works best for your family. She has more than 20 years of editorial and creative marketing writing experience and has held senior-level positions at Walmart.com, Walmart stores, Cnet, and Bay Area Parent magazine. She specializes in translating complex information into bite-sized chunks to help families make informed choices about what their kids watch, play, read, and do. Email Caroline at support@ commonsensesupport.desk-mail.com.
October 2020 | New York Family
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HealtH
Why Kids Should Still Get a Flu Shot Yes, even during the pandemic By Donna Duarte-LaDD
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hile parents have been focusing on keeping the family safe during the pandemic, the arrival of the new school year brings up the yearly flu shot. COVID-19 is still a threat, and some may forget even to get the flu shot or have the kids get their annual shots. We chatted with Dr. Beata Dygulska, Pediatrician, and Director of the Newborn Nursery at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital on the importance of the flu shot during COVID-19. Should kids get the flu shot? Every child over 6 months of age should get the flu shot (with the exception of children with previous anaphylaxis or an extreme reaction to the vaccine). Ideally, the flu shot should be administered as soon as it is available as it takes a few weeks for it to reach its full effectiveness. Each year children suffer severe illness and even death as a result of the flu. Getting your child the flu shot is an easy, safe, and effective way to keep them healthy. This winter will be even more challenging as we face the COVID-19 pandemic with symptoms that overlap with the flu infection. How can you tell the difference between the flu and COVID? What are the different symptoms and what should a parent do if their child comes down with certain symptoms, e.g., when should a parent keep a child home from school? Unfortunately, flu symptoms are very similar to COVID-19 symptoms. If your child experiences symptoms like fever, cough, stomach-issues, body-aches, they should be kept at home while you get in touch with your healthcare provider. Children that are infected with COVID-19 are also at risk of developing MIS-C (Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome in Children). MIS-C usually develops several weeks after the COVID-19 infection and is a result of an overactive immune system response to the virus. The MIS-C syndrome is very rare, however, can be life-threatening and requires
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immediate medical attention. Symptoms of MIS-C include high fever, abdominal pain, respiratory distress, and/or a rash. Does the flu shot help with COVID? This is still unknown, there is currently no data that supports the idea that the flu shot may help with COVID-19. However, the flu shot is still very effective for the flu and is the best available option to keep your child as healthy as possible during the pandemic. Is COVID-19 in children different than in adults? If yes, how so? Why? Children are affected less frequently and less severely by COVID-19 than adults and while a child that is infected with COVID-19 may show little to no symptoms, they can still be contagious. Recent evidence suggests that children have the same or potentially higher viral loads as adults do in their noses and can spread the virus easily throughout
their homes, schools, camps etc. This is why handwashing, social distancing and wearing masks is critical in preventing the spread of the virus. As we head into flu season, is there any other information or guidance you’d like to share with parents about flu/COVID in children? Your child’s mental wellbeing is very important in this time. Just like the rest of us, children are worried about themselves, their family, and their friends, so it is important to reassure them that they are safe. Try to maintain a normal routine, talk to them, listen to what they have to say, give honest and accurate information, monitor their behavior and health, and reassure them about their safety and well-being. Teach your children everyday actions like handwashing, wearing a mask (over 2 years of age), and social distancing. And don’t forget the flu shot!
October 2020 | New York Family
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Power Mom Kimberly Seals Allers on fighting to lower Black and brown maternal mortality rates By Donna Duarte-Ladd
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imberly Seals Allers is that human. She speaks truth to power and is the mother that women and, more importantly, Black and Latina mothers have in their corner. A former editor of Essence and writer at Fortune, she is also an award-winning journalist, author, international speaker, strategist, and, most importantly, an advocate for maternal and infant health. Kimberly is fighting for racial equity in birth and breastfeeding and to end the unconscionably high Black maternal mortality rates. Something that is much needed in New York. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand stated last year, “Over the past decade, New York State has experienced a 60 percent increase in maternal mortality. According to the NYS Department of Health, the rate of maternal deaths in New York City has risen from 18.7 per 100,000 live births in 2007 to 31 per 100,000 live births in 2015. Racial disparities are also very evident, particularly in New York City, where more than half of all births in the state take place. In New York City, Black women are estimated to be up to 12 times more likely to die during pregnancy and childbirth than white women and are three times more likely to suffer from life-threatening complications according to a 2018 study.”
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As we have seen with the recent deaths of Bronx mother Amber Rose Issac and new mother Sha-Asia Washington from Brooklyn, this is startlingly true and downright frightening. Kimberly Seals Allers knows this needs to change. To empower Black and brown mothers before they go to a hospital, she developed an app called Irth — as in Birth but without the B for bias — where mothers of color can share their experiences of care, and pregnant women and new moms can find a hospital or doctor review from a fellow mother who is like them. We chatted with Kimberly on the state of Black and brown mothers and why the Irth app matters. When I heard you speak at a past mom summit you shared that your own personal birth experience led you to create the concept for the Irth app, can you share how this experience changed your life? When I gave birth to my first child, just as I was completing my Masters degree at Columbia University and, I was anxious and elated. During my pregnancy, I asked many colleagues and girlfriends with children, most of whom were white, where to give birth. I read all the rankings list and listened to their glowing experiences and I went exactly where they recommended. While they walked out of the same hospital raving about their care, I left feeling traumatized. I had a C-section I still can’t fully explain,
Yumi Matsuo
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Greg Scaffidi Photography
Kimberly Seals Allers with her children, Michael-Jaden and Kayla. my baby was given infant formula despite my explicit direction that I was breastfeeding, I had to fight and cry to have my baby with me in my room. They could not believe the things that I experienced. It was as if I was at a completely different place. However, the truth was that at that time of my life, I was not yet married and I was still on student health insurance. And I was treated like an unwed Black woman with basic coverage. I felt that, I lived that. Imagine having such high expectations for your childbirth experience and then having a starkly different experience. Imagine knowing that other people who didn’t look like you were raving about a place that treated you so disrespectfully. That experience always stayed with me — because it was clear that people are not being treated the same way even at the same place. Although these women were my “peers” in many ways — we attended the same college or worked at the same companies — based on my life circumstances at that time — they were not the best sources for referrals or reviews. I wish I could have
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found a review from someone actually like me — race, socio-economics, relationship status — all of it. That’s the key problem Irth seeks to solve — giving you reviews from someone like you. Amber Rose Issac and Sha-Asia Washington’s deaths from complications of childbirth has brought to light the crisis that Black and Latina women face in childbirth in New York City. Why are Black and Latina mothers more likely to have complications in childbirth than white women? All women can face complications after childbirth — but Black and Latina women disproportionately die from those complications — this is the problem. Often and especially in the case of Amber Rose and Sha-Asia — both had expressed that their concerns were being ignored. Complaints about their health were ignored, concern about pain was ignored — these are common threads in many experiences of Black and Latina women and sadly they too often
lead to a preventable death. The New York State Task Force on Maternal Mortality and Disparate Racial Outcomes has directly linked racism and implicit and explicit bias to New York’s rising maternal mortality and morbidity rates. The fact is that despite socio-economic status and access to prenatal care, these disparities still exist. We can look at the harrowing story of Serena Williams’ near-death experience during childbirth to know that income and celebrity status do not prevent disrespectful, dismissive or poor care. Secondly, many of the complications are due to how we birth. Black women have some of the highest rates of C-sections. According to studies, Black women are more likely to be given cesarean sections than other races, even in low-risk pregnancies. (In 2018, over 30% of Black women with low-risk pregnancies delivered via C-section, compared to under 25% of white women.) And a 2008 review found a race-based discrepancy in C-section rates that persisted even after adjusting for the fact that Black
people are more likely to have preexisting conditions that might necessitate the procedure. C-sections are indeed at times necessary, but they are risky and increase the chance of hemorrhage, surgical errors and other post-operative complications — this is often what kills Black and Latina women. Also we can’t ignore the fact that the medical system is actually rooted in racism. In my first book, The Mocha Manual to Fabulous Pregnancy, a guidebook for Black women, I wrote: “Just being a Black woman places you at a higher risk of poor birth outcomes...and at the root of it are the stresses of racism and the biased treatment you may receive.” That was in 2006 — and sadly, not much has changed. According to the CDC and many other agencies, 60% or more of childbirth-related deaths are preventable. Recently in NYC, a statue of Dr. Marion Sims was taken down in Central Park. Dr. Sims was known as the “Father of Gynecology” but most of his studies were performed on enslaved Black women — without their permission and often without anesthesia. Then there’s Henrietta Lacks and her cells and the history of eugenics — throughout history Black women’s bodies have been disrespected and mistreated by the medical establishment and sadly there is more work to be done. How and why did you develop the Irth app? In my past eight years of experience working on the ground developing community engagement strategies and community-led interventions to improve birth and breastfeeding outcomes across the U.S. — one thing was clear: far too many Black and brown women had a story. Of mistreatment, or neglect or dismissiveness — those were the ones that lived to share their story. Or they knew a friend or family member who died in childbirth. Countless scientific studies have also documented the problem of provider bias with one landmark study showing doctors giving different treatment options for hypothetical Black patients than for hypothetical white patients presenting the same symptoms. Right now, hospitals are primarily addressing this problem with an anti-bias or cultural competency training. This is an important start. However, these trainings lack public accountability. Nobody is checking or publicly tracking these hospitals to see if the patient experience of care is actually being
“Imagine knowing that other people who didn’t look like you were raving about a place that treated you so disrespectfully.” impacted positively, negatively or not at all. Meanwhile, these one-size-fits-allproviders trainings that focus on the individual, don’t have the granular details of what exactly are the spectrum of experiences that leave Black and brown birthing people feeling traumatized. Plus, they call it unconscious bias for a reason. It often occurs unconsciously, so we must detail what is perceived as an experience of bias to better inform these efforts. We can’t change what we don’t see or know about. When I created the concept for Irth — I knew that it needed to do two things to be a meaningful disruptor. It needed to create public accountability for hospitals and providers — who often survey patients privately but never share that information publicly. And, it needed to empower Black & brown birthing folks with a new decisionmaking tool that leverages the collective consumer power of women of color as a lever for change. Additionally, Irth plays a critical role in shifting the narrative of Black maternal health which is often one of doom and gloom, with headline after headline of deaths but little coverage of solutions. At Irth, we say two things: one, “I am my sister’s keeper” and, two, your story has the power for change, when put together with others just like you and turned into data. I started the process of building Irth by attending app development classes at NYU (the classes were free to alumni) with my then 13-year-old son, Michael-Jaden, who is a math and science kid/coding fanatic. This became a way for us to bridge our worlds and he began creating the very first wireframes for making Irth a reality. Knowing my first childbirth experience inspired the concept and my second child has worked with me on creating a solution, brings me immense joy. Since then, I’ve raised over $600,000 in grants so we can build Irth with undiluted capital and without the constraints of investors so we can make sure it is safe,
accessible and truly community-centered. I am also proud that Irth is being built by a team of femmes of color — literally built by women of color for women of color. Motherhood is my passion and working to make the motherhood experience better for all mothers is my life mission. How does the Irth app work and what has been its impact? As a consumer tool, when Irth launches nationwide in early November, it will be a Yelp-like review and rating platform for physicians and hospitals that helps Black women and birthing people of color find providers with good reviews from people just like them. Irth captures prenatal, birthing, post-partum and pediatric visits for up to one year to offer a new lens for looking at experiences of bias across the maternity and infant care continuum. You can leave a review to inform others or you can search for reviews and filter it by race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identification, income and etc. — to find reviews from people just like you. Irth empowers a low income Black woman or a Latina same sex couple with information they’ve never had before to find a real-time, peer-reviewed and trusted provider—a known factor in improving patient compliance & behavior change. For the past year, we have been working on the ground pre-Covid and virtually at www.BirthWithoutBias.com during the pandemic, to capture the reviews of Black and brown birthing people in five cities — NYC, New Orleans, Sacramento, Detroit, and the metro Washington D.C./DMV area. These reviews are being used to seed the app so when it launches nationwide it will already be useful and informative. On the back end , Irth creates the first ever national repository of experiences of care among marginalized groups. We know these experiences are everywhere — from New York City to Detroit to California. This new data set will be used to provide critical patient reported insights to hospitals, that can reveal and detect blind spots, specific behaviors in care & identify specific trends in experiences of bias. We can then work directly with hospitals to create more respectful, culturally responsive care. Thus, Irth becomes an innovative tool to advance equity in quality improvement measures. Through our preliminary data we have already been able to identify trends in hospital care and we are starting to share October 2020 | New York Family
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that information with hospitals and providers. This is critical! Hospitals can’t change what they can’t see — and having an intellectual, 90-minute training about bias for healthcare professionals versus literally seeing actual experiences of patients and what was perceived as disrespectful, uncomfortable or traumatizing is an important piece in addressing the Black maternal mortality and morbidity crisis. There is also great momentum with Maternal Mortality Review Committees (MMRCs), but these efforts look to address the problem “from the grave” — Irth gives front end insights so we can prevent death by identifying the behaviors that lead to neglect. Also, although the app is “Yelp-like” — Irth is not a free form commenting space. You have to literally identify what happened that you perceived as bias — was it lack of eye contact? Dismissiveness about pain levels? A rude comment? Lack of receiving a diagnostic test in a timely fashion? We already have about 20 frequently reported experiences that we keep adding to as women share reviews--so we are literally decoding bias to provide specific information to providers and institutions. You can’t change what you can’t see! This is the most important part of how Irth will be a game changer. On the back end, we will also be able to run reports by hospital or zip code, for example, to identify patterns on both sides. When we find hospitals with patterns of good reviews — what is going on there? And how can this be examined and potentially replicated as a best practice for others in the field? And for those with patterns of poor reviews — what are the exact experiences and what is the training or other solution that can address it? Are there bad actors who need to be revealed and addressed? Irth can help reveal those blind spots, create more transparency and public accountability and ultimately help devise solutions informed by our data. How can a woman of color WOC best advocate for herself at a hospital? Women of color should not have to save themselves. I often push back on questions of what can women do — because we should be asking more of what hospitals and providers
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“At Irth, we say two things: one, ‘I am my sister’s keeper’ and, two, your story has the power for change, when put together with others just like you and turned into data.” have to do. We are paying for a service and they are failing us miserably. So the first thing will be — check the Irth reviews before you choose a hospital or provider. Next, we certainly know the value of doulas — not just in being an advocate at the hospital but also their ability to educate women prenatally about their bodies, what actually is happening during childbirth and what are the questions to ask. Some of those basics include: what are my options? May I have some time to think about this? What happens if we do nothing? But much of what happens is due to ignorance and power — women being stripped of their bodily knowledge about birth and what is “normal” or “necessary” and physicians exercising their perceived power and control over the birth process. What resources if any can a Black and brown mother with limited financial resources find available to support her post birth? In NYC, the Health Department has a number of prenatal and postpartum resources including low or no-cost community doulas, who also support families postpartum. For example, Healthy Start Brooklyn offers the By My Side Doula program, the Healthy Women, Healthy Futures program and other city-wide resources include Ancient Song Doula services in Brooklyn. There are also a number of amazing online resources such as The Black Mamas Guide by Mamatoto Village and of course, my Mini Mocha Manual to Pregnancy and Childbirth ebook on Amazon and don’t underestimate the power of social media to find support. However, we must make sure doulas are paid a living wage and out of hospital births at childbirth centers become more of a standard option for New York birthing people. The SaveARose Foundation, started by Amber Isaac’s partner, is currently raising funds to bring a childbirth center to the Bronx.
What does the future hold for you and the Irth app? My vision for Irth is that it becomes the go-to brand for bias-free care for all mamas and birthing people — that all women will “Birth with Irth.” I want everyone to seek out a physician who is Irth-approved — and that sign will be proudly displayed in a physician office or hospital lobby. I’m on a mission to make Irth the “Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval” for Black women and birthing people of color in maternity and infant care and that our company will create and provide a new set of trainings, education and certifications to and for providers that are literally rooted in the lived experience of care not just medical science. Along the way, we also want to decolonize “data” and uplift the lived experience of care. Data should not just be quantitative — the qualitative aspects of care must be prioritized too. We expect hospitals to value this information and care about Irth’s consumer reports and rankings as we develop these products for the field. And while Irth is squarely focused on the maternal and infant health space now, we know that a crowd-sourced, peer reviewed model would be helpful for other areas of women’s health whether you are looking for a fertility specialist or a breast cancer doctor, so I see Irth scaling to other areas of women’s health, as we build out the brand. Ultimately, Irth is also a vehicle for allyship. White women say to me all the time, if a provider is not treating Black and brown women well then I don’t want to go there either. That’s important! We need white women to also use Irth in their own decision-making and to let that be known, so Irth becomes a tool for all women to leverage our collective consumer power in service of the Black and brown women who are being disproportionately harmed by the system. That will be a beautiful moment. When we say, Irth is birth, but we dropped the B for bias — we are fighting to remove the bias for good, and for all.
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family day out
Fall Pumpkin Patches!
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Our ultimate guide to this classic autumn activity that’s closer than you think
ctober is almost here which means it’s that time again to head to a pumpkin patch. Head to one of these pumpkin farms in and near New York City to choose from a variety of gourds, munchkins, and other pumpkins. The best part is that it’s also apple-picking season, which means there will be plenty of apple cider, apple cider donuts, and baked goods for you and your family to enjoy as you roam the pumpkin patch, pet farm animals, and pick jack-o’-lantern worthy pumpkins to carve. We’ve even included the travel distance from Midtown so you know how long the journey will be. So find a weekend, and take a trip to one of these pumpkin patches and experience fall to its fullest. Visit websites for COVID updates and guidelines before visiting.
come during the week to purchase pumpkins in the Farm Store. Open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays, October 3–October 25, 2020 and Mon, October 12 11:00 am–4:30 pm. General admission is free to the public, except during special events. Hillview Farms 223 Meyersville Road, Gillette, NJ 908-647-0957 (50 min from Midtown)
Choose the best pumpkins at Hillview Farms! In October, you and your family can visit this family-owned and operated farm that has 53 acres of locally grown food. You can even visit their roadside market that has apples, pumpkins, vegetables, tomatoes, donuts, cider, and bakery items. Open 9 am-6 pm (field closed to the public at 5 pm), daily.
Under One Hour Demarest Farms 244 Wiermus Road, Hillsdale, NJ 07642 201-666-0472 (40 min from Midtown)
Demarest Farms’ pumpkin season starts September 19th! Make your reservation on their site and choose out the perfect pumpkin. Once you make a reservation, you will be given a date and time to arrive at the farm. Although hayrides are limited this year, you can still take a private hayride throughout the orchard and take home a pumpkin of your choice. The cost for general admission is $7, includes free parking and entrance to pumpkin patch; plus $12 for the largest pumpkin you pick. Children 2 and under can enter for free. Open 8-5 pm, daily. Queens County Farm 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy., Queens, NY 11004 718-347-3276 (40 min from Midtown)
As the longest continually farmed site in New York State, Queens County Farm opens their pumpkin patch up again this October for families to enjoy. Pumpkin month at Queens County Farm is full of excitement with autumn in the air. While the pumpkin patch is open primarily on weekends, feel free to
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One Hour to One Hour and a Half Secor Farms 85 Airmont Ave, Mahwah, NJ 07430 201-529-2595 (1 hr from Midtown)
Make picture-perfect memories at Secor Farms’ storefront pumpkin patch. No reservations are required to enter the pumpkin patch, though there may be lines, as they will be limiting their capacity in the patches. Don’t leave before browsing the farm’s market, full of freshpressed apple cider and homemade apple cider donuts. Open 9 am-5 pm, daily. The pumpkin patch will be open through Oct. 31st. Dr. Davies Farm 306 NY-304, Congers, NY 10920 845-268-7020 (1 hr & 10 min from Midtown)
With a scenic trailer ride that takes you to the Pumpkin Patch, Dr. Davies Farm is a great spot to enjoy an autumn day outside and find beautiful pumpkins! The hayrides have been a farm favorite for decades, transforming your pumpkin patch experience into much more than choosing a pumpkin. Call ahead to ensure availability for the hayride as the farm will be limiting the number of guests. Open 10 am-4 pm, daily.
Riamede Farm 122 Oakdale Road, Chester, NJ 07930 908-879-7762 (1 hr & 20 min from Midtown)
You might know Riamede Farms for iconic apple orchards, but they also have a Cut-YourOwn-Pumpkin Patch! Cut pumpkins right from the vine in this pumpkin patch at the beginning of the season. Riamede Farm recommends that you bring your own cutting shears as well. Make sure to also grab some delicious apples, donuts, and baked goods during your visit. Pumpkin and squash fields open in late September. Open 9 am-4:30 pm, daily. Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard 130 Hardscrabble Road, North Salem, NY 10560 914-485-1210 (1 hr & 20 min from Midtown)
Every weekend in October, head to Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard to pick pumpkins! Their Farm Store offers fresh donuts, local produce, eggs, meat, jams, honey, maple syrup, and more! Access to the pumpkin patch is available only through purchasing apple orchard tickets, so reserve your ticket on their website. One ticket gives entry up to four guests. Kids under 10 get free entry. Your pumpkin patch experience is sure to be an exciting one for the whole family here! Cash only with an ATM available in the farm store. They’re open 10 am-5 pm daily, and pumpkin picking is available on weekends only, (10 am- 4:30 pm). Stuart’s Fruit Farm 62 Granite Springs Road, Granite Springs, NY 10527 914-245-2784 (1 hr & 20 min from Midtown)
Not only a fruit farm, Stuart’s Fruit Farm features the perfect pumpkin patch for families, and it is family-operated! Enjoy the autumn air and the farm views as you survey the pumpkins and choose your favorite. You can also buy pre-cut pumpkins and gourds at the farm stand if you don’t have the time to venture into the pumpkin patch. Open 9
am-6 pm from August 1st to November 1st, daily. Cash or check only. Alstede Farms 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester, NJ 07930 908-879-7189 (1 hr & 20 min from Midtown)
Head to Alstede Farms to choose the freshest pumpkins with your family! There are plenty of pumpkins in all shapes and sizes to choose from: orange and white, munchkins, gourds, and assorted winter squash. Due to COVID, there will be limited tickets on the weekends to avoid crowding; guests are encouraged to visit on the weekdays where there is less attendance. Open 9 am-6 pm, daily. Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm 1335 White Hill Rd, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 914-245-5111 (1 hr and 20 min from Midtown)
The pumpkin patch is open for the season at Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm! Spend the day with your family in the patch as you search for your favorite pumpkin. Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm is also very well known for their markets: the bakery, apple farm market and the country market. Purchase tasty treats, decorations, and, of course, pumpkins! Currently, the farm is operating at a reduced capacity, so try to get there early! They’re open 10 am-4:30 pm, Wednesday-Monday (closed on Tuesdays). F&W Schmitt’s Family Farm 26 Pinelawn Rd, Melville, NY 11747 631-271-3276 (1 hr and 30 min from Midtown)
Catch the Annual Fall Festival at F&W Schmitt’s Family Farm for pumpkins, hayrides and more! The festivities run until October 31. F&W really encourages parents to bring their children to find pumpkins, so
come on out for this family tradition. Check out LI’s largest straw pyramid, play mini-golf, and have playground access. $10 entry fee per person, children under 2 years old enter for free. Open 12-4:30 pm Monday-Friday, 10 am-5 pm Saturday-Sunday. Apple Ridge Orchards 101 Jessup Road, Warwick, NY 10990 845-987-7717 (1 hr & 30 min from Midtown)
Looking for an educational and interactive experience at the pumpkin patch? Check out Apple Ridge Orchards for some family fun with pumpkins! Take photos in front of the custom farm displays, such as an old tractor and portrait paintings. You can also taste sweet treats and pet the farm animals as you visit the farm. No reservations needed. Pumpkins cost $10 and general admission is $3 which includes free parking and entrance to the farm. Open to the public 9 am-6 pm, October 2020 | New York Family
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family day out
Thursday-Sunday and holidays. Lawrence Farms Orchards 306 Frozen Ridge Road, Newburgh, NY 12550 845-562-4268 (1 hr & 30 min from Midtown)
Not too far of a drive from NYC, Lawrence Farms Orchards has a pumpkin patch with a wide selection for families to choose from. After you find your perfect pumpkin, browse the concession stand, which features apple cider donuts, pies, cookies, chicken tenders, paninis, hot dogs, roasted nuts, fries, pizza, nachos, ice cream and more! Enjoy a morning out in the pumpkin patch and delectable lunch or snack afterwards to celebrate the fall season. Open 9 am- 4 pm, from June to October. Admission is $5 per person, children under 2 years old are free. Season passes available. Barton Orchards 63 Apple Tree Lane, Poughquag, NY 12570 845-227-2306 (1 hr & 30 min from Midtown)
Beginning in late September and running through the end of October, Barton Orchards boasts a wonderful, family-friendly pumpkin patch. Barton Orchards started as an apple farm, but they have since expanded to include tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, peppers, squash, and, of course, pumpkins! There are plenty of other exciting activities to do and food to taste during your visit. Online ticketing is required, with tickets available one weekend at a time. Open 11 am-5 pm, daily. $10 minimum purchase required. Fishkill Farms 9 Fishkill Farm Road, Hopewell Junction, NY 12533 845-897-4377 (1 hr & 30 min from Midtown)
The pumpkin patch has both edible and decorative pumpkins to choose from, as well as gourds, squash, corn stalks and straw bales for your fall decor! Make sure to book your reservation to find pumpkins with the family at Fishkill Farms and don’t leave without tasting their freshly made donuts at the farm store! Open 9-4:45 pm (field closes at 5:45 pm), Tuesday through Sunday for PYO. Over an Hour and a Half Apple Dave’s Orchards 82 4 Corners Road, Warwick, NY 10990 845-772-1242
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(1 hr and 40 min from Midtown)
Pick your own pumpkins at Apple Dave’s Orchards and choose your favorite pumpkins. Apple Dave’s Orchards will soon be announcing their pumpkin patch dates so you and your family can head to the farm for a day of fun. Browse the Country Farm Store on your way out, which has fresh apple cider donuts, pumpkins, jams, jellies, pure honey and more. Open 9 am – 4:30 pm, September 5 through late October. Elwood Pumpkin Farm 1500 E Jericho Turnpike, Huntington, NY 11743 631-368-8626 (1 hr and 40 min from Midtown)
As Long Island’s most western pumpkin farm, Elwood Pumpkin Farm opens up pumpkin picking off the vine to you and your family this fall! Kids also will love the child corn maze and wagon ride around the farm. Pumpkins are priced by size. Open 10 am – 5 pm, September 26, 27, weekends in October, and Columbus Day. Open weekdays at 3-5 pm or by appointment. Hurd’s Family Farm 2187 State Route 32 Modena, NY 12548 845-883-7825 (1 hr and 50 min from Midtown)
There are pumpkins in all shapes and sizes at Hurd’s Family Farm. Small pumpkins are $5, Medium $10, Large $15, and XL pumpkins are $20. Enjoy an assortment of fall activities while you’re there, such as pony rides for kids under 4 ($8), and wagon rentals ($5). Activity wristbands can be purchased for $15 in advance, giving access to activities like obstacle courses, a bounce house, duck racing, and so much more! In order to keep capacity limited, the farm is offering activities in two time groups. Activity groups are on Saturdays and Sundays, 10 am-1 pm and 1 pm-4 pm. “Pick Your Own” is open on Saturdays and Sundays, 9 am-5 pm. Reservations open by 8am on the day for which they apply. You must make your reservation on the same day you plan to visit! Dykeman Farm 31 Dykeman Lane Pawling, NY 12564 845-832-6068 (1 hr and 50 min from Midtown)
This long-established farm has had pick your own pumpkins since 1974! Pumpkin patch season will be starting September 26 and will be open on weekends throughout October. There are also plenty of photo spots all around the pumpkin patch for you to take
photos of your little ones as they find great pumpkins this year. The farm stand is open 10am – 5 pm, daily. The pumpkin patch is open September 26 – October 3 on weekends, Yom Kippur, and Columbus Day. Harbes Family Farm 715 Sound Ave, Mattituck, NY 11952 631-298-0800 (2 hrs from Midtown)
With 8 acres of on-the-vine pumpkins, Harbes Family Farm has a huge selection of pumpkins just waiting for you to take home! There are many different varieties available, so you will have no shortage of options here. Enjoy their apple cider donuts and other options as you choose your pumpkins. Pumpkins are sold by the pound. Farmstand open Monday – Friday from 10 am – 6 pm, and Saturday – Sunday from 9 am – 6pm. Bishop’s Orchards 1355 Boston Post Road, Guilford, CT 06437 203-453-2338 (2 hrs from Midtown)
Although Bishop’s Orchards may be a bit of a drive from NYC, it will surely be worth it once you’re making family memories in the pumpkin patch, which opens mid-September and runs through Halloween. These sphereshaped pumpkins are perfect for decoration during Halloween and Thanksgiving, or just the fall season in general! Grab a scoop (or three) of ice cream while you’re there from Bishop’s Orchards’ new Creamery Ice Cream stand. Open 10 am-5 pm, daily. Hank’s PumpkinTown 240 Montauk Hwy, Water Mill, NY 11976 631-726-4667 (2 hrs from Midtown)
The name says it best, as Hank’s PumpkinTown truly is a pumpkin town with pumpkins of all sizes! Other fall decorations available include gourds, corn stalks, straw bales, Indian Corn, mums, Montauk daisies, door hanging and more. New this year is the Pink Tractor, which features pink porcelain doll pumpkins! Hanks’ PumpkinTown donates a portion of the proceeds from each sale to Breast Cancer Research. There is gem mining for an additional cost on weekends and an exciting wooden playground. The Market includes apple cider slushies, apple cider and pumpkin donuts, kettle corn, candy and caramel apples, corn dogs, chicken tenders and many more treats. Open 9:30 am-5:45 pm, daily.
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Collaborate with the New York Family Media team to spread the word about your launches, promotions and news. Reach us by emailing info@newyorkfamily.com or calling 718.260.4554 October 2020 | New York Family
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books
Book Smart Our picks for Fall reading By Hester ABA
F
all is the ultimate reading season, and there has never been a better time to escape from our current reality and curl up with a great book. We’ve rounded up five notable recent and upcoming fiction releases, including the highly-anticipated Cobble Hill by the author of the Gossip Girl series, Cecily von Ziegesar, from a diverse group of authors.
Cobble Hill by Cecily von Ziegesar
If you’re expecting Gossip Girl part deux, adjust your expectations, as in this novel von Ziegesar has exchanged glam, sexy teens for some middle-aged Brooklyn parents going through various life crises. Fun and fluffy, this is not, but if you’re looking to get lost in someone else’s problems and savor the Cobble Hill setting, pre-order this. Out November 10. When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole
In the historically Black fictional Brooklyn neighborhood where heroine Sydney Green lives, gentrification is on the rise. But when Sydney’s Black neighbors start going missing at an alarming speed, she starts to suspect something more sinister is happening. Billed as Rear Window meets Get Out, this book is filled with suspense, social commentary and a wonderfully drawn female lead. The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson
There’s nothing like a spooky read in October, and The Year of the Witching is a great novel to dive into! The story follows Immanuelle, a young woman living in Bethel, a deeply puritanical town led by a Prophet. When Immanuelle accidentally gets lost in the nearby forest, she discovers the secret of her past as well as four witches who call down plagues upon Bethel. Can Immanuelle step into her power in time to save her family, and Bethel? Light a candle, and get ready to hide under the covers. The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi
The Death of Vivek Oji is a book to reach for if you want a really thought-provoking read
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NewYorkFamily.com | October 2020
Hester Aba
this month. Written by a non-gender-binary author, set in Nigeria, the story begins with the unexplained death of the title character, Vivek Oji, a troubled young trans woman (though this book avoids such labels). Their naked body is left at their parents’ door on the day the market burns down. Kavita, Vivek’s mother, and Osita, their cousin and lover, work through their grief and try to understand what happened, and what power they might have had to change things. The Grace Year by Kim Liggett
The Grace Year is The Handmaid’s Tale meets Lord of the Flies with a dollop of The Hunger Games. Set in a dystopian world where upon reaching the age of 16, girls are sent away for a year to live as a group on a remote island.
The girls must figure out how to survive the elements, lack of food and being hunted by poachers, but their greatest threat is each other. If you’re a fan of dystopian fiction, you’ll really enjoy this (if you can overlook the slightly unnecessary and vaguely disturbing love affair that skirts this book close to YA territory). Hester Aba is an Editor, Creative Director, and Mama to two girls. She is also the Founder of Delilah Creative, a creative agency. Hester loves to partner with brands and publications in the parenting and lifestyle spheres and, most recently, held the role of Publisher for New York Family Magazine. You can peep Hester’s work and creative portfolio at hester.co or get in touch by emailing hesteraba@gmail.com
Middle & High School Students:
Win $500!
Your Voice, Your Viewpoint: An Open Call For Students To Speak Out As our city has been through many challenges these last few months we know that one issue that is relevant and part of so many kids lives is racism. And we want you to be heard, really! We want middle school to high school students to submit their stories to us. So whether this is in a story, video, or Tik Tok, share your viewpoint or experience with racism. You have until October 30th, midnight to enter your voice, viewpoint to Schneps Media.
Students can either choose from the following prompts or choose to submit work beyond the prompts, but still related to the overall goal of sharing YOUR VOICE AND YOUR VIEWPOINT. • I experienced racism when… • I’ve fought against racism by… • I was racially profiled when… • My first experience with racism was when…
Submit virtual or written entries limited to 250 words either by email or by using the hashtag #YourVoiceYourViewpoint on social media including: Instagram or TikTok. Video entries can be emailed to YourVoiceYourViewpoint@schnepsmedia.com. Please include your name, age, and school with entries. Submissions will be published in Schneps Media’s multiple platforms of print, digital, and broadcasting. 3 middle school students and 3 high school students will each be awarded a prize of $500 by a panel of Queensborough Community College students. Submissions will be accepted through Friday, Oct. 30, and winners of the prize will be announced on Friday, Nov. 6. For additional information please call 718-260-2500. Thank you to Claire Friedlander Foundation for providing prizes to Your Voice, Your Viewpoint Schneps Media is the parent company of Brooklyn Paper, Brooklyn Courier Life Newspapers, Queens Courier, Times Ledger Newspapers, Caribbean Life, Bronx Times, El Correo, Ridgewood Times, Long Island Press, New York Family, Noticia, Gay City News.