Staten Island Parent - November 2024

STORIES & COLUMNS

Giving Thanks by Giving Back

It’s hard to believe the holiday season is upon us already. While December will be one filled with endless to-do lists and last-minute shopping, this month is more like the calm before the end-of-year storm.

As we gear up for everyone’s favorite daylong food marathon known as Thanksgiving, we are reminded of the things we should be grateful for in our lives. One of the best ways to express gratitude is by helping others in need, and there is no better time than the holiday season for doing just that. We’re sharing Holiday Toy Drives and Donation Opportunities (page 38) so you can help brighten the holiday for families who are less fortunate. And after a brutal hurricane season down south, many residents in Florida are displaced and in desperate need of supplies and donations, so we have Ways to Help Hurricane Victims (page 40).

Planning holidays and birthdays at the same time is the definition of stressful. If your child has a birthday coming up, we’re sharing some of the best venues for hosting

birthday parties in our area (page 34).

Our latest Special Needs Resource Guide is here (page 20), featuring tips for both at home and in the classroom, along with helpful directory listings.

Lastly, we’re once again showcasing some of the most successful women in business in Staten Islnd! Meet our new honorees, learn what inspires them and how they are contributing to our community (page 41).

Thankful for all of you!

Jeannine

PUBLISHER: Clifford Luster

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Jeannine Cintron

COMMUNITY CONTENT CREATOR: Shara Levine

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER: Erin Brof

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR: Stacie Goldberg

DEPUTY EDITOR: Danielle Ramos

EDITOR-AT-LARGE: Donna Duarte-Ladd

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PARTNERSHIP MANAGERS: Lauren Alperin, Lauren Anchin, Joan Bergman, Mary Cassidy, Suzanne Cirigliano, Chris Cunnington, Lori Falco, Shelli Goldberg-Peck, LynnMarie Hanley, Lisa Herlihy, Nicole Miller, Janine Mulé, Nina Spiegelman, Gwen Tomaselli

MARKETING & STRATEGY DIRECTOR: Rosalia Bobé

MARKETING & EVENTS ASSISTANT: Ashley Rivera

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ART DIRECTOR: Leah Mitch

WEB DEVELOPER: Sylvan Migdal

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS: Arthur Arutyunov, Connie Sulsenti

CONTACT INFORMATION

ADVERTISING: (718) 260-4554 Advertising@NewYorkFamily.com

CIRCULATION: (718) 260-8336 Tina@NewYorkFamily.com

ADDRESS:

New York Family Media/Schneps Media 15 MetroTech Center, Seventh Floor Brooklyn, NY 11201

PRESIDENT: Victoria Schneps-Yunis

CEO: Joshua Schneps

COO: Clifford Luster

York Family has been awarded the PMA Gold Award for for Overall Design and Bronze for Website General Excellence.

IN TOUCH

Comments? Questions? Suggestions? Email Jeannine at jcintron@siparent.com Get news, tips and humor all month long: siparent.com/signup

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Meta’s Teen Accounts

Will the new rollout revolutionize online safety for kids?

BY THALIA FERNANDEZ

Last month, Meta launched Instagram Teen accounts, and we had the opportunity to speak with a member of the Meta team and get some insight into what these new accounts will bring to families. This latest rollout of teen accounts is the first of its kind and a new approach to the mounting concerns about the influence of social media on today’s teens. As teens are tackling loneliness and social media pressures, parents are left questioning how they can help, and Meta aims to provide that support. The question remains: will these accounts truly impact teen safety online?

Growing concerns about the impact of social media on children’s mental health have

prompted actions at both the state and federal levels. Last year, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy stressed the need for parents to monitor their children’s social media habits. In June, New York Governor Kathy Hochul passed two bills to make social media safer for kids. The federal government is also working on the Kids Online Safety Act to address issues such as bullying and harmful content. Parents nationwide are worried about the lack of online safety measures for children on social media platforms and are calling for these platforms to do something about it.

Meta, among several social media platforms, has faced criticism for not having adequate systems in place for teens. However, they are now the first to roll out protections.

This approach could shift the social media landscape and begin to ensure children’s safety, but it’s honestly too soon to tell. However, what we do know is what these new accounts offer parents, how this all started, and everything you need to know about Teen Accounts.

We had the opportunity to speak with Liza Crenshaw, a member of the Meta team, to understand what these accounts provide to parents and Meta’s goals with Teen Accounts.

What are some standout features that parents should know about?

Teen Accounts were designed specifically with parents’ concerns in mind. We talked to so many parents around the world about what their worries were when it came to their teens using social media. We heard that they have three big concerns: one is contact, who their teens are talking to; two is content, are teens looking at content that is too mature or sensitive, and three is time, is [a] teens’ time being well spent on the app; are they scrolling for too long, using it overnight, or

during school.

With those three big concerns in mind, we designed Teen Accounts’ protections to adjust those things. We will be turning teens’ [accounts] into private accounts automatically. We’ll also be sending reminders when teens have been on the app for 60 minutes. We’re turning on a feature called sleep mode, which mutes notifications overnight and sends auto-replies in DMS. [For example], if someone messages them [the reply will] say, “[this person] is in sleep mode right now; they’ll get back to you in the morning.”

We’re taking steps to limit who can message teens. Teens will only be able to be messaged by people that they follow or who they’re already connected to. That really cuts down on strangers who might be messaging teens and adults who aren’t really appropriate for teens to talk to. We’re also turning on our hidden words feature, which limits bullying or offensive comments in DMS. It’s really a full suite of protections that are built in and automatically on with Teen Accounts.

Will these new features be easy to navigate for parents?

Yes, so again, we did design this with parents in mind. We wanted to make sure that parents didn’t feel like they had another burden being added to their plate but that they could really have the confidence to know that their teens are able to use Instagram safely from the get-go. The idea with teen accounts is that teens are automatically placed into age-appropriate protections, and parents don’t even have to do anything.

However, if teens under 16 want to change any of the protections, they do have to get a parent’s permission to do so. Parents can be reassured that their teens can’t escape these protections unless they give their permission. But we also know that some parents want to be more involved in their day-to-day teens’ online lives, so we added additional features that parents could choose to use, including messaging insights; parents can see who their teens have been chatting with in the past week. They can’t actually read their teen’s DMS, but they can see who they’ve been talking to and whether the teen has any shared connections with those people.

Which is actually one of my favorite features because I heard from a lot of parents who think this is great because they can see if [for example] someone they know has been

“Particularly for younger teens, they see this as an opportunity to build trust with their parent and figure out a way to navigate social media together versus just having the parent have complete oversight and control.”

bullying their child in school sends [their teen] a message, then that’s an opportunity for the parent to say “hey I saw that you were chatting to [this person], I know you guys have had conflicts, what’s going on there?”

But it still lets teens have their own freedom and autonomy to send messages without feeling like their parents are peeking over their shoulders.

Today, kids have Finstas or Fake Instagram accounts where they lie about their age. How will these accounts work around that?

So, from the get-go, we knew that Teen Accounts wouldn’t work unless we were preventing teens from lying or getting around this. So we built a ton of different ways to prevent from lying. For instance, if a teen tries to change their age from under eighteen to over eighteen, for example, if they say, “I don’t want to be in a teen account, I’m just going to say I’m 25”, we will require them to verify their age either with an ID or with a video selfie that estimates their age on the back end.

We’re also building out what we call an age prediction model that uses thousands and thousands of signals, including the type of language that teens use, who they’re talking to, and how old their friends are, to actually really accurately estimate how old a teenager is. If we see that there’s a mismatch between the age the teens told us they are and the age our model predicts them to be, then we’ll place that person into protections automatically out of an abundance of caution.

We think about it as a multilayered approach because it’s really challenging to get

age right, so we’re going at it from a bunch of different angles.

These accounts are currently only available in specific locations but are expected to be introduced globally in 2025. Should we expect to see additional features added to these supervised accounts?

We might. Right now, we’re just really focused on getting this out and right to the tens of millions of teens that will get these changes. It’s a really fundamental change to teens’ experience on Instagram, and we want to get this right first and foremost.

We expect there might be some bumps along the way, but we want to iterate and make sure that we get people into these protections, and then we’ll figure out what’s next.

We’re interested to know what the feedback from teens has been like. How do they feel about the integration of Teen Accounts?

It’s actually really interesting because we had a hypothesis internally that teens would hate this and not really want to be placed into these protections.

But actually, what we heard and what we’ve been hearing since the rollout is that teens themselves also don’t really want to get unwanted contact in their DMS; they really don’t want to see [certain] content. So they’ve actually welcomed the changes to an extent, and I think particularly for younger teens, they see this as an opportunity to build trust with their parent and figure out a way to navigate social media together versus just having the parent have complete oversight and control.

It’s really a way to start conversations. Younger teens, in particular, [feel] they can establish some trust with their parents, they can have some boundaries in place, and gradually maybe the parent might relax some things, and give them a bit more freedom.

We feel like this is an opportunity for parents and teens to start to establish a twoway conversation in a way that still feels safe and age-appropriate, and again lets teens use Instagram for all of the good things like discovering new artists they want to follow, connecting with classmates, talking to friends and family. I think sometimes, people forget all of the good things that come from social media, so our goal with this is to preserve the good and minimize the bad.

For more information on Instagram Teen Accounts, head to about.instagram.com.

5-MileSeawall Will Protect S.I.’s East Shore

BY JOANNE CASTAGNA, ED.D.

During the intense winds and flooding of Hurricane Sandy in 2012, Joseph McAllister, an electrician, was driving around South Beach trying to help his neighbors stranded in the dark.

“I went into my home to get a flashlight and when I left, I couldn’t believe what I saw. The wind pushed the roof off a large catering hall behind my house and it came crashing down, almost landing on a kid, almost killing him!” he said.

New York City was severely impacted by Hurricane Sandy. Staten Island was hardest hit, experiencing winds up to 80 mph, and a 20-foot storm surge that washed away homes along the borough’s east coast. The borough saw 24 deaths, more than any other. Sadly, many of the victims drowned in their homes.

Joseph McAllister doesn’t want to experience this ever again. Today he’s using his role as the President of the South Beach Civic Association, along with his wife and Vice President, RoseAnn McAllister, to ensure that their community is better prepared for future coastal storms that are becoming stronger and more frequent. They are thrilled that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, has a coastal storm risk management plan in place that will help reduce coastal impacts along Staten Island’s east coast, including their community of South Beach, as well as Midland Beach, New Dorp Beach, and Oakwood Beach during future coastal storms.

This wasn’t the first time the borough was severely impacted by a hurricane. Other recent major storms included the Nor’easter of December 1992, the March storm of 1993, Hurricane Irene in 2011, and then came Sandy the following year in 2012.

To better prepare Staten Island for another storm like Sandy, the Army Corps is working on a long-term solution.

Frank Verga, Staten Island resident, and

an project manager for the Army Corps said, “The size and design of this project is for a storm bigger than Sandy. If this project was already in place, it could have alleviated Sandy’s damages.” Verga, a Staten Island resident added, “The project will include a nearly 5-mile seawall that will provide a line of protection, a barrier to the water that will come in from an ocean event, and on the interior, we’ll have all-natural ponding areas that will allow water to hold until events are finished.”

First, all-natural ponding areas will be constructed on land that will receive and store stormwater runoff from large drainage areas to allow water to hold until storm events are finished. These ponds will be in South Beach, where construction is taking place now, and later in Midland Beach and in Oakwood Beach.

In addition, an earthen levee, road closure gate and tide gate will be constructed near Great Kills Park to keep tidal waters back. Tide gates will also be constructed in Oakwood Beach along the existing creek, as well as construction of a flood wall around the Oakwood Beach Waste Water Treatment Plant that will also keep water back.

Following this, the approximate fivemile-long seawall, with an elevation of 21 feet will be constructed. The wall will run along the east coast of the borough, from the edge of Fort Wadsworth in the north, just south of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, to Oakwood Beach in the south. In front of the seawall in the Oakwood Beach area a tidal wetlands will be created. The wetland’s vegetation will help stabilize the land, reduce waves and coastal erosion, and will help build the ecological resilience of the coast to respond to increasing sea level rise. As part of the seawall structure,

the Army Corps will be reconstructing the existing boardwalk that will continue to provide public access to Midland Beach and South Beach. New York City has plans to build six natural and recreational areas in and around the seawall that will include bike paths, public spaces, and beach access.

The entire project is expected to be completed within a decade. After this the Army Corps will monitor for any necessary changes due to future sea level increases, while the State and City of New York will be responsible for operating and maintaining the project.

This complex project has been years in the making because it covers such a large area and requires major design and coordination with multiple agencies including the State of New York, City of New York, National Park Service, and local community groups like the South Beach Civic Association. The Association has held many public meetings with the Army Corps to discuss the project.

“The purpose of our organization is to deal with quality-of-life issues for our residents,” said Joseph McAllister who has lived on Staten Island for 60 years and has overseen the South Beach Civic Association with his wife since 2000. Now that the project is starting to move forward, the Army Corps will be attending more meetings with the McAllisters to discuss the project details.

RoseAnn McAllister said, “In the future our hope is to get that seawall so we can protect many generations down the road besides ourselves. Our kids, our grandchildren, and their families. So, they don’t have to worry about getting a seawall. So, their community has quality of life and are not fearful that something like another Sandy could happen again and wash away their homes and businesses.”

June 2024 photo of the coast of Staten Island, New York where coastal restoration work will soon be taking place.

Credit: USACE

Meet New NYC Schools Chancellor

Melissa Aviles-Ramos

By Danielle Ramos

Parents of children in New York City public schools learned there would be a change in leadership during a press conference on September 25. 2024 when Melissa Aviles-Ramos was introduced as the new NYC Schools Chancellor. In an unusual move, the announcement came months before she was set to start the job, and shortly after news broke that Schools Chancellor David Banks would be retiring at the end of 2024. However, Banks announced on October 2. 2024 that he would leave his position on October 16, 2024 instead and Melissa AvilesRamos will take over then.

Who is Melissa Aviles-Ramos?

In the months to come, New York City parents will surely learn a lot more about the

new school chancellor, but for now, here is a sneak peek.

Aviles-Ramos is a dedicated educator with a homegrown yet diverse background that spans multiple roles and responsibilities within the New York City Public Schools system. Though she’s held various roles within New York City Department of Education, her roots began in the classroom.

Her career in education began in 2007 when she started as an English teacher at Harry S. Truman High School in the Co-op City section of the Bronx. There she quickly demonstrated her passion for teaching and her commitment to student success. Over the years, she worked her way up through various leadership positions, ultimately becoming an assistant principal and then a principal.

During her tenure as principal, she achieved notable results. She boosted

graduation rates by an impressive 60 percent in just two years.

In addition, Aviles-Ramos holds the position of the highest-ranking Latina and Spanish-speaking official in New York City Public Schools. She currently works as the deputy chancellor for family and community engagement and external affairs.

A native New Yorker, Aviles-Ramos knows what it’s like to be a school kid in New York City navigating the challenges that come with it. Growing up in the Soundview area of the Bronx, she had a modest upbringing and was raised by a Puerto Rican single mother.

As the first person in her family to finish high school and go to college, she faced plenty of challenges along the way. Those experiences in a resource-limited environment inspired her to fight for access and opportunities for students and families in the city. Consequently, she’s committed to making sure that every child, no matter their background, has a chance to not only succeed in school but to excel.

In an interview with CBS News, AvilesRamos outlined her main focus. “Our priority is for kids to read, do math, be safe, and have access to amazing programs and opportunities that are going to lead to success after graduation,” she explained. “I can’t imagine anyone not prioritizing those things.”

She has plans for addressing school safety and as a mom of a public school student, she relates to the concerns. As a principal, she was in charge of school safety and worked to provide a safe environment for her students and teachers. “It currently is and will remain a top priority in this administration,” says Aviles-Ramos. “As chancellor, it’s my responsibility to make sure that we are working closely with our community leaders, with our families, to really define what safety looks like.”

In addition to safety, Aviles-Ramos emphasizes the importance of supporting teachers. “When we center teacher support, kids win,” she says. “That’s what is important to me.”

The incoming schools chancellor believes that by empowering educators with the resources and training they need, schools can create a more positive and effective learning environment, ultimately benefiting all students. By focusing on teamwork, safety, and creativity, she wants to create a school culture where both students and teachers can thrive.

Yikes! I Dated a Narcissist

And made the mistake of introducing him to my kids

By Jeannine Cintron

Confession time: I broke the cardinal sin of single parenting. I introduced my children to a man I had been dating for a very short time, and everything went as horribly wrong as you might expect.

I was divorced for over four years upon meeting this man and my kids never met anyone I dated up to that point. I was strict about not letting men meet my children. They knew I dated, I talked about it in front of them, but I knew they were not interested in adding anyone new to their lives and I respected that. For context, their father started a relationship perhaps a little too soon after our divorce, when our children were still healing (or should I say reeling), and it didn’t do anyone any favors.

But then I met The Narcissist.

This man practically forced his way into my life at a speed of 100 miles per hour, and after meeting one emotionally unavailable person after another, I thought I finally found someone who I could see myself with. He would show up with flowers and gifts, take me to nice restaurants, send long texts with flowery language describing his feelings for me. Not to mention he fixed so many things around my house!

It was the single mom’s version of giving candy to a baby. And I fell for it, hook, line and sinker.

In the beginning my daughter, 12, was as smitten as I was, highly receptive to the love bombing. He’d bring the kids boba tea and candy, showering them with any food or gifts they requested. It got to a point where I had to ask him to stop bringing so much candy because my daughter was literally getting sick from it.

My son, 16, wanted no part of this man from the get-go. He saw right through the love bombing and phony acts of generosity. I only wish I could be half as intuitive as he is. He would barely talk to him or really even look at him, staying in his room deliberately

for long stretches of time when he was over to avoid potential hallway run-ins. And while he accepted the gifts (he’s a teenager, after all), they certainly didn’t sway his negative feelings for his mom’s overzealous new boyfriend.

I would talk him up all day long, hoping it would make my son start to like him at least a tiny bit, and that it would give my daughter a deeper reason to like him than “because he buys me stuff.” It didn’t work, and my son probably fractured his eyeballs from all the eye rolling.

I knew what gaslighting was, I never felt it so intensely until he started doing it on the regular.

Looking back, I never even asked them if it was okay to let him stay over while they were home, something I feel quite badly about.

I knew they didn’t like it but I was planning a whole future with this man, so in my mind I thought I was just trying to get everyone used to being around each other. I know it seems completely insane to think I was going to marry a man I just met (where is Elsa when you need her?), but if you have ever dealt with a true narcissist, then you know how convincing they can be. Before him, I never even heard of things like future-faking and hoovering. And while

Thankfully, my “romance” with The Narcissist crashed and burned almost as quickly as it took off. Once he realized that I was not as easily manipulated as he initially anticipated, he tucked his sad little tail between his legs and went back to the woman I later learned he dumped the day after he asked me to be his girlfriend, the one he spent the majority of our relationship speaking horribly about. I know, I know, I was dodging red flags left and right. I am not proud of this.

At this point I am just hoping she is no longer with him because she has a daughter of her own, and I would hate for that little girl to grow up thinking it is acceptable to let yourself be treated that way. I also fear for the safety of anyone who gets that close to a potentially dangerous narcissist. I hope she has found the strength to leave him before he hurts her again.

Once, toward the very end of my relationship, I overheard The Narcissist’s 9-year-old son say to my daughter, “My daddy kisses lots of girls.” My heart snapped in half at that moment, not out of jealousy but

sadness for this poor child who had obviously been exposed to so many things that his young eyes should not have had to witness and that his young brain should not have had to comprehend. His son was so sweet but clearly confused and in pain from being raised by someone who I believe is truly evil to his core. It was devastating to see. The snap of my heart must have also snapped me back into reality when that sweet little boy said that, because I realized not long after that this was not at all the man I wanted my children around. This was not the healthy relationship I wanted to model for them.

It dawned on me then, FINALLY, just how sick the whole relationship had been from the very beginning, and how much damage I had already done and would only continue to do to my children and myself if I kept seeing him. It wasn’t easy to break away - the feelings were intense, which is right on par for a narcissist of this magnitude - but eventually I was able to extricate myself from this man’s demented grip completely.

I then immediately apologized to my children. They were just as much a victim

I was planning a whole future with this man, so in my mind I thought I was just trying to get everyone used to being around each other. I know it seems completely insane to think I was going to marry a man I just met, but if you have ever dealt with a true narcissist, then you know how convincing they can be.

of his as I was, and that is fully my fault. I felt terrible when I realized just how badly I had failed them as a parent by letting this monster into their lives without barely a second thought. I had:

– violated their safe space and caused them discomfort in their own home. They had to literally worry about bumping into a stranger on the way to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Teenage me couldn’t even fathom it.

– showed them that my feelings were more important than theirs. I knew my son wasn’t happy when he was over, but I just kept telling myself “he’ll come around.”

– trusted a complete stranger with my children. Shame on me. Seriously.

I am not sharing this story in judgment of parents who linger in toxic situations, nor is it to judge those in happy, healthy relationships they chose to share with their own children and families earlier than most would. It’s merely a cautionary tale for my fellow single parents, a warning to fully vet anyone you decide to allow near your child. Sometimes your heart and your head are saying two very different things, but in the end the ONLY option is to do what is right for your children.

Helping Your DifferentlyAbled Child Succeed

BY JACQUELINE NEBER

Good parent-teacher communication is crucial for any successful school year, but being on the same page becomes even more important when your child has a learning disability. There are a few steps–from understanding your rights to communicating on a regular basis with your child’s teacher–that can help ensure your child has the best year possible, arming you and your child with the knowledge to succeed in and out of the classroom.

Know your rights and speak up. Parents are entitled to receive information about special education from their schools and teachers—reading up and staying informed is the best way to advocate for your kid.

When attending Committee for Special

Education meetings, annual review meetings, or parent-teacher conferences, if you don’t understand something, ask questions.

Communicate with teachers frequently.

Kathy Devine and Emily Cole co-teach at an elementary school in Long Island. They say parents of students with special needs must be extra communicative with teachers.

“We would like to know sooner when things might be happening at home, whether it’s medication changes or maybe something in the home life has changed,” Cole says.

When it comes to homework, “reach out to us as soon as possible so that we’re not waiting until the end of a trimester to know [kids are] struggling,” Devine says.

Another tip? Write a letter describing your child and his needs at the beginning of the year.

Understand Individualized Education Plan goals.

Equally important is understanding your child’s IEP goals—which can differ from her classroom goals.

This difference often confuses parents who see their student accomplishing goals on one end of the spectrum and not the other.

Involve your child.

Cassie Reilly, Transition Coordinator at a Long Island high school, suggests involving your kid in IEP and parent-teacher conferences. Being open with kids from the time of diagnosis helps them stand up for themselves and understand their learning disability does not make them inferior to others.

Be sensitive to difference.

Parents should understand their kids might be different at home than at school, Reilly adds. And, even more importantly, their kids might have an atypical path toward success. Communicating with teachers is key to understanding how your kid can progress in the best way.

Kids & Teens Programs for

JCC with Special Needs

At the JCC of Staten Island, every child feels welcome & included, with unique programs designed to nurture & support kids & teens with special needs!

First Foot Forward

Preschool for Children with Developmental Needs

First Foot Forward assists children 2.5 to 5 years old with developmental needs, helping them reach their full potential in a warm, nurturing environment.

After school programs for kids ages 6-12 and teens ages 13-21 allow participants to socialize and enjoy fun activities including : After School Programs

Marvin’s Camp

For Children with Special Needs

Marvin’s Camp is a social, educational, creative, and safe summer experience for kids and teens with special needs, ages 5-21. Campers enjoy fun activities and go on trips!

How To Choose a Babysitter for a child with special needs

By Dana GreenBerG

My son has autism, so when I need to leave him with a babysitter, I am extremely picky about who that person is going to be. There are so many things that go through my head as a parent of a child with special needs. Who can I trust with him, especially since he has limited verbal skills? Will his babysitter understand his wants and needs? Will he be happy and engaged while I am gone? Over the years, I have come up with a system for choosing a babysitter that has worked well for us. This is how I do it.

Where to Find Babysitters

There are some very good places that you may not have thought of for finding sitters for kids with special needs.

I contact local special education schools and therapy centers, both of which are wonderful resources for this. Try calling them, and you will usually be put in touch with the right person to help you out, such as a social worker or psychologist. When you speak with that person, let them know exactly they type of person you are seeking as a babysitter. Let her know how old your child is and anything else you think may be important to share. You will find that many teachers, teaching assistants, and therapists are looking to earn extra money. The social worker or psychologist can circulate your contact information among the staff. One of the best reasons to get sitters from these places is that they are already fingerprinted and have had background checks done. Referrals from other parents with special needs children can also work as a great resource for finding people. I find that we parents are each other’s best sources of information. You can fully describe your child to other parent without feeling like you need to hold anything back. With that information, they will know if they have someone who would be a good fit.

Meet as Many Candidates as Possible

I like to meet as many potential sitters as I can. You may find that different people or personalities work better in different situations. I have some sitters that I prefer to use if they will be staying at home with my son and others that I prefer to use if they will be doing an outing with him. It is great to have choices, and not everyone may feel comfortable taking him out.

Another reason I like to meet a variety of people is more basic: We all need back-up. You just never know who will be free when you need someone. There have been times when I have gotten to my fourth call before getting a yes. I certainly was glad I had my list of trusted babysitters to call upon when that situation came up. The bigger the list you can compile, the better it will be in the long term. It is important to know that you have multiple great, trusted people to call upon.

Conducting an Initial Interview

After compiling my list of who I would like to meet, it is time to have initial interviews with them. The first time I meet a new person I prefer to do it alone, just me and them, without my son present. That’s because my son has very good receptive language and I do not like to talk about him in front of him. At these meetings, I like to tell the candidate all about

my son--his likes, his dislikes, his routines, what makes him happy, what bowl he likes for his snacks, that he likes ice cubes in his water, everything and anything that might be important to know while watching him.

I truly feel that I cannot give a sitter too much detailed information. I need to be his voice. We can also discuss how much I will pay. This is also the candidates’ opportunity to ask me anything that they want. Based on how this meeting goes, I will decide if I want to continue the process with each person I meet.

Check References

Now that I have done initial interviews, it is time to check references for those I am highly interested in hiring. It is a good idea to do this regardless of where someone’s full time job is. You may want to speak with someone else for whom they babysit (or babysat in the past) or maybe a supervisor or co-worker at their current job. Have your list of questions prepared before you make the calls.

You should feel free and comfortable to ask anything; after all, this is your child’s welfare we are talking about. Ask specific questions about the candidate’s interactions with children, how they’ve handled certain situations, and the like. I always like to ask about punctuality, too. This is the opportunity to get a feel for whether this person may be the right fit and if you want to

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t ion Di s orde r P oo r M emo r y L an g uag e P r oc e ssing Disabi l i t ie s

V ocabu l a r y and Re ading F l u e n c y Re c e pti ve and Expr e ssive Lan g ua g e Dev e l opm e nt in W rit t en Expr e ssio n

Read i ng and Writin g Science , Social Studies and Mat h

SAT/ACT, TACHS , SHSAT PRE P Regents Review; all academic area s ELA and Math Test Preparation; al l levels and grade s YourLeapForward.com

continue moving along with them.

Meeting My Child

Assuming the references check out, I next schedule a meeting between the potential new sitter and my child. The meeting takes place in my home. I will prepare my son the best I can, by telling him the person’s name and that they are coming over to see where he lives and what he likes to play with. Once they arrive I will make the introduction. I will show them around, pointing out where my son likes to hang out and where his favorite snacks are, for instance. I will go over how we do certain things, and our routines. I want all his babysitters to be comfortable handling anything that may arise while I am out.

This is another instance in which I have a list ready so I do not forget anything that may be important. Discussing all of these details in depth at this time will make it a lot easier the first time I go out and leave him with this person. I will not have to take the time then to go over everything from scratch, and instead we can just do a review.

This is also the chance to see how they

interact with him. I pay close attention and try to feel the vibe. Usually I can tell at this point if a particular candidate would be a good match for my son.

Joining Us for an Outing

For those sitters who might take my son out, I will invite them to go on an outing with us. This is where I will train them on how to be outside with him, which is a very different situation than just staying indoors. There is a lot to know: He likes to scare birds, he may not want to hold your hand, he will constantly ask you how many more blocks you’re going. How will the babysitter react to all of this--or whatever else may come up while outside? His safety must be the priority. This person will need to be on high alert the entire time. I need to feel 100% confident that this sitter is up to this task, and they need to be prepared for the unexpected with him. I will guide them through this outing and see how they feel, and again ask if they have any questions or concerns.

The Babysitter’s Commute

Where a sitter lives is important to me. Just

because you are identifying candidates via a school or center it does not necessarily mean that they live nearby. I need to know that all candidates can independently get to and from my apartment. I need to make sure they understand that they will need to leave enough time for the trip. If you have a younger child, you will not want to have to pack them up to pick up or take the sitter home, especially at night. I find that most sitters can come and go on their own, but this is something I like to confirm before hiring someone. It is always good to make sure you are on the same page about anything that you think is important.

This is my process, the steps I like to go through when choosing a sitter for my child who has special needs. Every question is important and no detail is too small to mention. Make your lists, and do whatever it takes to put your mind at ease. Who we leave our children with is one of the most important decisions we make as a parent. We need to feel comfortable and confident with our decisions so we can go out and have peace of mind.

NORTHWELL HEALTH PHYSICIAN PARTNERS (NHPP) PEDIATRIC OPHTHALMOLOGY

DETECTION IS CRUCIAL. TRUST US TO SAFEGUARD YOUR CHILD’S SIGHT.

Our focus encompasses a range of conditions, including:

• Amblyopia, commonly known as "lazy eye"

• Strabismus, addressing eye misalignment

• Refractive issues such as myopia and astigmatism

• Congenital disorders, such as cataracts

At Northwell Pediatric Ophthalmology, our board-certified and fellowship-trained pediatric ophthalmologists provide compassionate, state-of-the-art care for a wide range of eye conditions. Office Hours Mon. to Fri. 9:00am - 5:00pm

• Neurological conditions that may impact a child's vision

• Blunt ocular trauma

• Conjunctivitis (commonly known as "pink eye"),

• Blocked tear ducts

• Chalazia (Stye)

SPECIAL NEEDS DIRECTORY |

A Very Special Place

49 Cedar Grove Avenue 718-987-1234 info@avspny.org avspny.org

A Very Special Place, Inc. (AVSP) was established in 1974 as a not-forprofit organization and today serves more than 1,600 people in Staten Island, Brooklyn and Manhattan. AVSP provides a comprehensive network of programs and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Programs include day habilitation, residential, self-direction, respite and community habilitation. With the guidance and support offered at AVSP, people of all ages find opportunities to achieve independence and self-fulfillment.

The Community School 11 W Forest Avenue, Teaneck, NJ

High School: 201-862-1796 CHSoffice@communityschool. k12.nj.us 1135 Teaneck Road, Teaneck, NJ

Lower School: 201-837-8070 office@communityschool.us communityschoolnj.org

The Community School serves the bright child with learning and attentional disabilities. For 56 years, the school’s primary goal has been to help children achieve a level of classroom performance that is fully commensurate with their abilities, intellects and talents. Community School welcomes students from New York and New Jersey, and is located just over the George Washington Bridge, in Teaneck, NJ.

CrimsonRise

1015 Castleton Ave. crimsonrise.org info@crimsonrise.org

CrimsonRise teaches nonverbal individuals with

autism, ages 5 to 60+, communication access through the Spelling to Communicate (S2C) method. S2C teaches purposeful motor skills to point to letters on a board or keyboard. Through this method, CrimsonRise enables individuals to express their thoughts and emotions. CrimsonRise’s services include one-on-one coaching with parent training and S2C based programs and services. CrimsonRise is uniquely co-founded and guided by nonverbal individuals with autism who gained their voice through S2C.

DJ Masters Academy

265 Main St. 929-899-0939 facebook.com/ groups/766611651761435 djfrankiejteaches@gmail.com

With over 10 years of experience in the special needs community, DJ Masters Academy offers DJ lessons

for children of all abilities. Led by Frank Jaconetti, a seasoned DJ with 25+ years of experience in the industry, the academy provides training in DJing, singing, emceeing, mixing, video/ audio, and line dancing while helping students build confidence and creativity through the art of DJing. They proudly accept selfdirection—creating smiles, one beat at a time.

Dr. Phyllis G. Merlino

Todt Hill Pediatric Dentistry

268 Todt Hill Road 718-761-2090

drmerlino.com

Dr. Phyllis G. Merlino, a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist treats children of all ages and is specially trained to treat patients with special physical, mental and healthcare needs in a calm and caring atmosphere. The office is committed to quality dental services that ensure your child continues on the path

SPECIAL NEEDS DIRECTORY

toward a bright future of good oral health. Children are not always willing to visit the dentist and Dr. Merlino strives to make the experience of each visit more positive for them.

The Grace Foundation

460 Brielle Ave.

718-983-3800

graceofny.org

The Grace Foundation improves the lives of individuals and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Grace provides programs including Site Based Respite/In-Home Respite, Day Hab, Com Hab and for ages 5-30. The ultimate goal is to enable individuals with ASD to lead independent and productive lives.

Illuminart Productions

1000 Richmond Terrace 347 951 9650 ext. 1 our.show/seussical24

Our Mission At LCBS, we bridge the gap between success and failure, understanding and confusion, hope and despair for families. We nurture children with special needs, providing them with the tools to thrive in society.

ariel.illuminart@gmail.com

Join for a sensory-friendly showing of Seussical the Musical on Nov. 16 at 11am. Step into Dr. Seuss’s whimsical world where Horton hears a Who, the Cat in the Hat stirs up fun, and your favorite characters come to life. Other showtimes: Nov. 9, 10 and 16 at 2pm, Nov. 17 at 11am.

Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island

1466 Manor Road

718-475-5200

At the Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island, children with special needs can find the support they need in a fun and nurturing environment. The JCC offers an array of programs for children with special needs, including First Foot Forward for preschool-age children, Marvin’s Camp for children ages 6 to 21, after school activities for kids and teens, a Girl Scouts troop, inclusion

opportunities in traditional programs, and more.

LEAP - Immersive Learning Center

Fusion Programs

300 Cromwell Ave. 718-351-2710

YourLeapForward.com

LEAP is an immersive learning center founded by Dr. Maria Casale, serving families of Staten Island for over 25 years. Leap has successfully partnered with parents in the education of children who require a holistic approach to teaching. In 2022, Fusion Programs was co-founded. Fusion Programs is a stateof-the-art facility inclusive of culinary arts, graphic arts/ video production, fitness/ dance and more. Fusion programs are designed to harness the natural strengths and talents of participants using progressive, brainbalanced approaches.

Lifetime Changes Behavior Services

683 Henderson Ave. 929-256-0231

lcbehavior.com

lifetimechangesbehavior@ gmail.com

Lifetime Changes Behavior Services is an NYC early intervention agency that helps children with disabilities. Free service for all NYC families, free transportation services are also available. LCBS is accepting family tours; spots are available in the morning and afternoon. Call Dana Van Dyke at 718-682-1831 or 929256-0231 to set up a tour.

Los Niños

505 8th Avenue, NYC Floor 12A, Room 2 Los Niños Services is an award-winning agency serving the developmental needs of children and their families. They specialize in home and community-based

Our New Early Intervention Center in Staten Island LCBS, in collaboration with Early Intervention community, has created a unique space for children and families, offering 90-minute learning groups. y ABA Group Individualized learning for children with autism through enhanced group developmental intervention with a 1:1 aide.

Global Delays Group Developmental learning groups tailored for children with global delays.

Crimsonrise teachesthem tospellto communicate

Weworkwithallages.5yearsoldonwardstoadultsofanyage. 929-643-9101 Info@CrimsonRise.org www.CrimsonRise.org DoesyournonverbalAutisticchildcommunicate? WECAN'TWAITTOHEARWHATTHEYHAVETOSAY!!!

WhatisSpellingtoCommunicate(S2C)?

Itisamethodthatteachesthepurposefulmotortopointto lettersonaletterboardorkeyboardtoenablecommunication.

Whocanuseit?

Autistic,nonspeaking(formerlycallednonverbal)people,and peoplewhohavescriptedand/orunreliablespeech.

Howolddoesyourchildneedtobe?

SPECIAL NEEDS DIRECTORY

ABA, special instruction, speech, occupational, and physical therapies. All staff are experienced clinicians who pride themselves on being of great service to others. Serving children and families in Westchester and New York City boroughs. The programs through which they provide services are the Early Intervention Program and ABA through private insurance.

NHPP Pediatric Ophthalmology

2504 Richmond Rd. 718-667-1010

Sipedsoptho@Northwell.edu

It is crucial for parents to recognize ocular manifestations can often be early indicators of systemic disorders. The Pediatric Ophthalmology team at Northwell Physicians Partners collaborates with pediatricians and specialists to ensure coordinated care for children with various health challenges. Board-certified and

fellowship-trained pediatric ophthalmologists provide compassionate, comprehensive care using state-of-the-art medical technology. Dedicated to individualized attention and the latest advancements, the team strives to empower each child with optimal vision and eye health outcomes.

Our Journey NP Psychiatric Services

1036 Victory Blvd. 845-669-7060

info@ourjourneysi.com ourjourneysi.com

Our Journey NP Psychiatric Services is a private practice providing comprehensive psychiatric care for individuals ages 4 through adulthood. They offer psychiatric evaluations, medication management, ADHD testing and treatment, addiction management, psychotherapy, and psychosocial evaluations. Additionally, they conduct evaluations for housing and other support services.

Person Centered Care Services is a not for profit organization creating social change within communities by supporting people with disabilities on their search for identity and acceptance.

OUR CORE VALUES: suPPort

Our responsibility as human beings is to support ourselves and one another

eQuity

To participate in community is to have active citizenship. To be a participating citizen, one must have opportunities which are equitable; which accommodate the differences all human beings have.

aCCeptance

One of the most vital components of having a quality of life is love. It’s okay to tell someone you love them; more importantly, it’s okay to show them. To accept another for who they are and what makes them human can be a most validating experience; it is self-empowering.

SERVICES OFFERED:

Day Supports • Residential Supports • Housing Rental Subsidy Career Supports • Community Habilitation • Respite Family Education & Training • Self-Direction 150 Granite Ave, Staten Island, NY 10303 718-370-1088 info@pccsny.org www.pccsny.org Connect with us! @pccsny

Person Centered Care Services

150 Granite Ave. pccsny.org info@pccsny.org

Person Centered Care Services is a not-for-profit organization creating social change within communities by supporting people with disabilities on their search for identity and acceptance. Services available include Community Supports, Residential Supports, Career Supports, Day Supports, Family Education & Training, and Self-Directed Supports.

Sandra Mazzucco, Speech-Language Pathology

465 Belfield Ave 917-825-9005

Providing speech and language therapy to the Staten Island community for over 40 years for toddlers up to seniors. Specializing in fluency and stuttering,

language and feeding disorders. PROMPT trained for Apraxia of speech and phonological and articulation disorders. ASHA certified. New York state license in Speech and Language Pathology. Department of Education RSA accepted.

Sunny Days Consulting Services

1110 South Ave., Suite 405 718-556-1616 sunnydays.com

Sunny Days provides homebased evaluations and ongoing therapy for infants and toddlers (ages birth to three years) suspected of having any developmental delays. They offer Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Special Educational services. Services are funded by the NY State Department of Health. No out of pocket expenses necessary.

Since 1974, A Very Special Place, Inc., has provided a comprehensive network of programs and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

*Fiscal Intermediary Services * Afterschool Program * Day Habilitation Programs and more*

Please reach out to us today if you or a loved one are in need of services.

RochesteR , NY: A WiNteR WoNdeRl ANd foR fAmilies

For NYC families seeking a memorable winter getaway, Rochester, NY offers a perfect blend of snowy adventures, cozy experiences, and indoor fun—just a few hours away. When the city is draped in a blanket of snow, Rochester transforms into an idyllic winter wonderland, providing the ideal escape from the hustle and bustle.

Embrace the Outdoors

Families can immerse themselves in winter magic at Mendon Ponds Park, offering ice skating, sledding, and guided snowshoeing tours through serene, snowcovered landscapes. For a thrilling day out, head to Bristol Mountain for skiing and snowboarding with runs suitable for every skill level, or experience the exhilarating snow tubing park.

Step Back in Time

At the Genesee Country Village & Museum, families can explore the largest living history museum in New York State, where the winter months bring historical holiday celebrations, horse-drawn wagon rides, and 19th-century

winter traditions. It’s an interactive way for kids to learn about history while enjoying a charming winter atmosphere.

Indoor Escapes from the Cold Rochester’s renowned Strong National Museum of Play and Rochester Museum & Science Center keep kids entertained for hours. The George Eastman Museum offers a cozy respite to explore photography’s rich history in the restored mansion of Kodak founder, George Eastman.

Seasonal Fun

With 140+ annual festivals and events in Rochester, NY there is always something fun and exciting taking place and winter is no different. Don’t miss Roc Holiday Village with complimentary ice skating, arts and crafts for kids, local boutiques and vendors, and more!

With its mix of outdoor adventure, rich history, and family-friendly festivities, Rochester, NY offers the perfect winter escape, ensuring unforgettable memories for families of all ages. Learn more at visitrochester.com.

Come soar. Come smile. Come see what all the excitement is about. Rochester, NY is the perfect family getaway for unique and extraordinary adventures.

Did we mention the world’s largest collection of toys, dolls, and games? Pack your bags and hit the road for an unforgettable trip in a destination full of surprises. With fun for every family, every season of the year, playtime tends to last a little longer in our backyard. Learn more at visitrochester.com.

Winter escape in the Lake GeorGe area

If you’re looking for a winter escape, check out the Lake George Area in the Adirondacks. Featuring three premier ski resorts – Gore, West, and Hickory - ‘Ski the 3’ should be on your winter list of must-dos! Gore Mountain, the largest ski resort in New York State, has seven mountains with a total of 14 lifts, 108 trails, and a 2537’ vertical. West Mountain is family-owned and operated with 25 trails for skiing and boarding, as well as a tubing park. Hickory Ski Center offers a vintage ski experience with a vertical drop of 1,200 feet and challenging and expert-level trails.

The Lake George Area is a host to many winter events, festivals, and carnivals. Every weekend during February, the Lake George Carnival features a chili cook-off, outhouse races, an ATV poker run, and the famous Lake George Polar Plunge. Another annual carnival is held at Brant Lake, where broomball tournaments, human foosball competitions, and hockey shoot-offs take place.

Enjoy the annual Ice Bars in and around Lake George as sculpture-like ice creations accompany local events, like the Adirondack Pub & Brewery’s Funky Ice Fest. Attendees can

frequent hosted ice bar parties at venues like The Gem, the Lagoon, and the Sagamore. If watching sports is more your speed, enjoy puck-passing, net-catching hockey at the Cool Insuring Arena. The Eastern Conference Hockey League and affiliate of the NHL’s New Jersey Devils, Adirondack Thunder, takes the ice to deliver hard-hitting thrills every game.

Dedicated to promoting “The Original

Vacation,” the goal of the Lake George Area is to promote travel and tourism to the over dozen towns and hamlets that make up Warren County, known as the “Southern Gateway to the Adirondacks.”

Learn more about Lake George at visitlakegeorge.com, on Facebook @ TheLakeGeorgeArea, or Instagram and TikTok @lakegeorgearea.

New York’s sullivaN Catskills

At just 90 miles from NYC, New York’s Sullivan Catskills is holiday-ready.

Start your visit by fueling up with Catskill-icious goodness. Restaurant Week is on through November 11. It’s an opportunity to sample farm-fresh 3-course lunches and dinners from $29.95-$44.95 at Blue Fox Motel, Cellaio, Kenoza Hall, Lotus, Roscoe Mountain Club, Seminary Hill Orchard & Cidery, Tavern on Main, The Arnold House, The DeBruce, The Heron Restaurant, The Homestead Restaurant+Lounge, and Yagsur’s Café at the Museum at Bethel Woods.

As you wander the charming small towns, watch for the hand-painted sculptures on the Sullivan Catskills Dove Trail, a tribute to the Woodstock Music and Arts Festival held here in 1969. To help guide you to each dove location, download the trail map at SullivanCatskills.com.

If you’d rather someone else prepare your family’s Thanksgiving meal, consider spending Thanksgiving at Kenoza Hall, Villa Roma, Callicoon Hills, The Bradstan at The Eldred Preserve, Chatwal Lodge, North Branch Inn, The Arnold House, or Roscoe

Mountain Club. Then, see Peace, Love & Lights at Bethel Woods starting November 29. It’s a 1.7-mile drive-thru holiday light show running through December 29.

Better yet, come the weekend before and bring your family to The Farmhouse Project’s Holiday Maker’s Market on

November 23 and 24 in Callicoon. It’s a modern interpretation of the traditional craft fair with artisans throughout the region. To book your trip, visit SullivanCatskills.com. You’ll also want to download the Sullivan Catskills Go App, a valuable tool to guide you to the fun.

Get in the holiday spirit in New York’s Sullivan Catskills.

Start your adventure at Peace, Love & Lights — a Bethel Woods drive-thru holiday light show through December 29. Kids love to walk with alpacas and pet our goats. And everyone loves a Catskill-icious hot cocoa or apple cider. Restaurant Week is October 28-November 10

STATEN ISLAND’S

9 BEST Birthday Party Places

Planning a birthday party for your child can be equal parts exciting and overwhelming. With so many options available, choosing the perfect venue can make all the difference in creating a memorable celebration. From whimsical indoor play rooms to scenic outdoor spaces, the right location sets the stage for fun-filled activities and priceless moments with friends and family. We’re sharing some of the best kids’ birthday party venues in your area, highlighting unique features, capacity, and themes that cater to a variety of interests and age groups. Below you will find options that offer everything from interactive experiences to all-inclusive packages, ensuring you find the ideal spot that fits your budget and party size while giving your child an unforgettable birthday party they will treasure for years to come.

A.F. Bennett

350 New Dorp Lane

718-979-9000

afbennett.com

A.F.Bennett curates each party to the specific needs and wants of the birthday child by creating a theme, utilizing specific items and services, decorations, etc. Little pink A.F. Bennett Spa robes are distributed during the party, bringing out true inner spa divas. Complimentary spa gift bags with beauty items are provided for all guests to take home. Popular add-ons include a “mini facial” which consists of cucumbers on the eyes, and a Gua Sha face “massage”. The most popular kids spa party package includes hair styling with braids, curls in any style, plus with beautiful eyeshadow and lip-gloss for makeup and a magical manicure. This package begins at $85 per child and ranges depending on add-on services and ages of the group.

Blue Man Group

Astor Place Theatre

434 Lafayette Street

800-BLUE-MAN

blueman.com

Want to party like a Blue Man? Whether you’re celebrating a 5th or 50th, the birthday packages promise an unforgettable experience. For groups of 10 or more, get the ultimate ultra-cool gift for your birthday buddy and guests to create a memorable adventure. The birthday packages include party bags, a photo with Blue Man, one canvas spin art (for the birthday child) and personal birthday greeting on LED board. Rock, laugh and party with Blue Man Group!

Dave and Busters

Multiple Locations

888-300-1515

daveandbusters.com/us/en/bookings jessica.foley@daveandbusters.com

With kid-friendly menus, stellar Power Card deals to play tons of arcade games, and a one-of-a-kind experience, what’s not to love?

Dave & Buster’s has everything you need for an unforgettable party. Birthday packages are available for groups of all sizes. Book online at your convenience, or work with one of D&B’s professional party planners to tailor your experience. Mention BEST BIRTHDAYS to get an extra $20 in game play for the guest of honor when booking a kid’s birthday package at any one of the 10 area locations.

Fun Station, USA

3555 Victory Blvd.

718-370-0077

funstationsi.com

Fun Station is an established arcade and family entertainment center that offers a full service entertainment extravaganza under one roof that is fun, colorful and exciting. Their birthday packages are recommended for kids ages 2 to 12 and all include a private

VIP room, an hour of unlimited rides, soft play maze and bounce house, plus pizza, ice cream cake and party supplies, plus game card credits for the birthday child and their guests.

Monster Mini Golf ®

775 US 1, Edison, NJ

732-248-4400

edison@monsterminigolf.com

monsterminigolf.com/locations/us/nj/edison/ Monster Mini Golf is the planetary leader in glow-in-the-dark mini golf every day of the year. Their goal is to provide an exceptional and engaging family entertainment experience in a unique and fun environment. At Monster Mini Golf, prepare for a monstrous birthday party experience like no other. Their full-service Memory Makers will make your child’s birthday an unforgettable

experience for not only the little monsters but for all the big monsters as well. Their twohour events provide nonstop entertainment and engagement with staff who specialize in turning wow moments into lasting memories. From setup to cleanup and everything in between, your dedicated Memory Maker will handle everything for the duration of the event. Monster Mini Golf guarantees a stress-free experience for party parents, at an affordable cost.

R’berry Arts

101 Ellis St

646-599-3386

instagram.com/rberryarts.si/ rberryarts.statenisland@gmail.com

Make your child’s birthday unforgettable at R’berry Arts Studio! R’berry Arts specializes in creative, customizable celebrations that

will leave a lasting impression on all your guests. Let your child and their friends unleash their creativity by painting on canvases, ceramics, wood, cloth, and more. Each guest takes home a personalized piece of art, a unique keepsake to remember the day forever. No two parties are the same, and staff works closely with parents to design the perfect event. If you’re looking for a fun, hands-on experience where creativity takes center stage, this is the party you’ve been searching for.

Urban Air

4422 2nd Ave, Brooklyn 347-732-5438, option 2

UrbanAirBrooklyn.com

The best kid’s birthday parties are at Urban Air Trampoline & Adventure Park in Brooklyn! Urban Air is the perfect place

to celebrate your child’s special day! With wall-to-wall trampolines, exciting obstacle courses, and thrilling attractions, your child and their friends will bounce, climb, and have non-stop fun. At Urban Air, party planning is simple and stress-free! All party packages include a party host, digital invitations, balloons, utensils, bottled water and so much more! Urban Air is the go-to destination for birthday excitement and endless adventures every day of the week.

Victory Gymnastics Center

3575 Victory Blvd 718-983-9090 victorygymnasticscenter.com

Planning a birthday party for your little gymnast? VGC’s popular birthday parties consist of one hour of fun-filled, ageappropriate gym activities followed by 45 minutes of celebration time in the refreshment area. Gym activities during your party may include relay races, obstacle course, rope swing, trampoline and other gymnastics, parachute games and more. All parties are led by staff members to ensure that the children and guests have a safe and exciting experience. Victory Gymnastics Center, Staten Island’s longest running gymnastics facility, has been providing safe, fun recreational classes, tumbling classes, private instruction, and, of course, birthday parties for over 40 years. In addition to parties, VGC offers classes for all age groups from Tiny Tots parent and child classes through Adult private sessions.

Wildlife Conservation Society Education

Bronx Zoo, Queens Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, New York Aquarium and Central Park Zoo 2300 Southern Blvd

800-433-4149 wcs.education/birthday bronxzoo.com/birthday-parties BZeducation@wcs.org

Celebrate your little party animal! Planning your child’s best day ever is easy with family-approved party packages in a fun and educational setting. The Wildlife Conservation Society’s aquarium and zoos each offer different educational birthday programming. Parties include park admission for your group, space to celebrate, exhibit experiences, up-close animal visits and more. WCS Educators bring learning to life with fun hands-on activities that keep kids engaged. Party package themes, prices, availability, and offerings vary at each park.

Holiday Fun

The holiday season is the perfect time for families to come together and celebrate with fun, festive events! From dazzling light displays to exciting local festivals, there are endless opportunities to create joyful memories. Whether you’re baking cookies, visiting a winter wonderland, or enjoying a holiday parade, these moments are what make the season magical. Here are some kid-friendly holiday events to attend with your family this season.

Annadale Tree Lighting

Dec. 1, 5-7pm Annadale Park

Annadale Rd., Jefferson Blvd.

The Annadale Tree Lighting is back this season featuring photos with Santa, rides, live performances and more. This event is free to the community courtesy of The South Shore BID and Councilman Joe Borelli

Health and Harvest Festival

Nov. 23, 11am-4pm 441 Clarke Ave.

historicrichmondtown.org

Explore native life and culture through presentations of indigenous dance, storytelling, and crafts in the 3rd County Courthouse and the Native Encampment. See demonstrations of hearth cooking in North America by costumed interpreters who use 18th and 19th century recipes, tools and techniques in historic kitchens throughout the village.

Storybook Land

6415 Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township, NJ storybookland.com

Each operating night at dusk Santa Claus will wave his magic wand and light up Storybook Land with over 1 millions lights for the Holiday Season. This South Jersey spectacle has been a family tradition for over 35 years. Along with being featured on ABC’s Great Christmas Light Fight, Storybook Land was honored as #10 in USA Today’s Top Ten Theme Park Holiday Events in 2023.

High Hopes Child Care

INFANT TODDLER PROGRAM Born in 2023 Full Days Only NURSERY PROGRAM 2-3 YEARS Full and Half Days

In a state-of-the-art, private facility with an outdoor play area, your children will enjoy small class sizes ensuring your child gets the attention they deserve

TENDER-LOVING

CARE FOR YOUR INFANTS & TODDLERS

Holiday Toy Drives

Plus food pantries and other local donation opportunities

BY STATEN ISLAND PARENT

The holiday season is a wonderful time to show how thankful you are for life’s blessings by giving to those who are less fortunate. There are many ways to give back to the community and plenty of Staten Island volunteer opportunities this year. You can donate to toy or coat drive, dress like Santa Claus and visit children in need, collect food for a local food pantry, and so much more. And if you prefer to make a difference by making a monetary donation, there are many important and worthwhile organizations and charities on Staten Island that need financial support. Browse our guide for opportunities for kids, families, and individuals to help fellow Staten Islanders this holiday season.

Catholic

Charities of Staten Island

cc-si.org/about

The organization serves the Staten Island community through a variety of direct services. These services include infant and preschool daycare, residential and other programs for developmentally challenged youth, social services to families in crisis, assistance to senior citizens, and more. To learn how you can support the organization, visit the website.

City Harvest cityharvest.org

City Harvest is a food rescue organization that brings fresh, nutritious food to communities throughout NYC, free of charge, to help feed New Yorkers who are experiencing food insecurity. Since 1982, City Harvest has rescued and delivered over 1 billion pounds of food to help feed New Yorkers in need. There are many ways to support the organization. You can make a

donation, hold a food drive, or volunteer.

Meals On Wheels Of Staten Island mealsonwheelsofstatenisland.com

Meals on Wheels serves to ensure elderly people in the community receive nutritious meals and the human connection they need to help them live independently, by delivering two meals per day to senior citizens who can no longer shop for or prepare their own meals. Anyone older than 18 with a driver’s license and 2 free hours one morning per week can apply to deliver meals.

New York Cares

newyorkcares.org

The organization holds an annual coat drive and addresses issues including hunger and

homelessness. Volunteers serve in schools, soup kitchens, senior centers, public parks, libraries, and other nonprofits. Volunteer projects are in all five boroughs, designed to suit your schedule and your interests.

One Warm Coat onewarmcoat.org

One Warm Coat promotes sustainability while providing resources on where to donate coats to individuals in need. Use their search tab to locate coat drives all over Staten Island, New York and the United States.

Project Hospitality

projecthospitality.org/how-you-can-help/

This Staten Island-based organization serves those in need, including the poor, hungry,

and homeless residents of the borough. You can make a donation, donate food or supplies, or volunteer (check out the many ways to volunteer on the website). Food donations can be dropped off at the Community Services Center at 514 Bay St. Items in greatest demand include canned meats, fish and vegetables, fruit or vegetable juices, pasta and tomato sauce, non-perishable milk, cereals, and rice.

Richard Gardner Jr. Memorial Fund toys@rgtoydrive.org

In memory of Police Officer Richard Gardner, Jr., the organization has been donating toys at Christmas time to kids in need since 1995. Every year, the organization reaches out to underprivileged families, sick children, underprivileged daycare centers, children without families, organizations assisting families of domestic violence, underprivileged churches, and children with sick parents.

Secret Sandy Claus Project facebook.com/groups/secretsandyclausproject

The organization originally began as a way to deliver toys and relief items to thousands of families affected by Hurricane Sandy. It has since helped many more children in need, whether they be children battling cancer, with a disability, experiencing homelessness, in a foster home, or who are economically disadvantaged.

South Shore Community Pantry southshorecfp.com/home

The mission of this organization is to provide an uplifting experience through food, advice, and mental stability. Among the ways it helps those in need, it holds fundraisers to provide necessities including clothing, toiletries, and blankets. Check out the website to learn more, including ways to support the organization.

Staten Island Board of Realtors siborblog.com/2024/10/staten-island-realtorsconduct-coat-drive-to-benefit-local-kids-inneed/

The Staten Island Board of Realtors (SIBOR) is requesting donations of new children’s

coats, which will be distributed to local kids in need through the organization’s “Keeping Kids Warm” initiative. Check the website for ways to donate and support the organization.

Toys For Tots www.toysfortots.org

The organization is run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, and their mission is to collect new, unwrapped toys and distribute them to less fortunate children at Christmas. Check the website for ways on how to donate and support the organization.

Where To Turn’s Holiday Toy Drive

where-to-turn.org

This organization works to provide crisis relief services for victims of tragedies by aiding them in obtaining the help they need during the recovery process. Each year, the organization collects and distributes toys through its warehouse at 22 Brienna Court. Check the website or email Dennis McKeon at dennis.mckeon@where-to-turn.org for details about the drive.

Smugglers’ Notch

Smugglers’ Notch Resort has been a premier winter destination for over 50 years, offering a family-friendly atmosphere that keeps guests returning year after year. Nestled in Vermont’s stunning Green Mountains, Smugglers’ Notch Resort promises an unmatched winter wonderland experience. Spanning over 1,000 acres of snow-covered mountain terrain, with trails designed for all ability levels, and 78 trails across three majestic mountains with convenient mountainside lodging, adventure is always just steps away.

Smuggs’ award-winning Snow Sport University (SSU) is recognized as one of the best in the country. Expert instructors teach children as young as 3, ensuring a fun and effective learning experience. This winter, Smuggs is the ideal place for little ones to make their first tracks and develop a lifelong

love for the sport. Smuggs guarantees fun— if guests aren’t satisfied, the resort offers a no-questions-asked refund.

With gentle beginner slopes, Wonder Carpet surface lifts, and easy-to-navigate terrain parks, Smugglers’ Notch has everything to help children feel comfortable on skis. The resort’s dedicated beginner areas allow fami-

lies to explore together without the pressure of advanced skiers.

Beyond skiing, Smugglers’ Notch offers a full array of winter activities, from snow tubing and ice skating to snowcat rides and hot cocoa by the fire. It’s a winter wonderland where skiing and riding are just part of an unforgettable family experience.

When it’s time to warm up, guests can enjoy indoor pools, hot tubs, and FunZone 2.0, complete with an arcade, climbing wall, and inflatables for kids.

For those seeking the perfect family vacation with big mountain adventures and savings, Smugglers’ Notch offers winter packages, including ski-and-stay deals. Whether for a family reunion, couples’ retreat, or solo getaway, Smugglers’ Notch has the perfect package.

For guests that want to be at the mountain on opening take advantage of their Thanksgiving Package. Visit smuggs.com/ vacation-packages for more information.

new york Family partner

How to Help in Hurricane Aftermath

By Alex A lutter

Last month, Florida was pummelled by two catastrophic hurricanes, leaving mass destruction in their wake. Many Florida residents are displaced and, tragically, some hurt and even killed by the devastating storm. Many have absolutely nothing left, losing all their pocessions to the angry storms.

Many of us recall being in a similar seemingly-hopeless situation after Superstorm Sandy in 2012. The way many communities came together to heal in the days, weeks, and months following Sandy’s destruction was a testament to how generous and caring New Yorkers can be. Although we are hundreds of miles away, we can still help our friends in Florida who have been impacted by these unprecendented events. Any donation of any size will help in rebuilding communities that have lost so much.

Here are some ways you can aid in hurricane relief efforts.

American Red Cross redcross.org

The Red Cross has deployed hundreds of disaster workers to the grounds of affected areas from Hurricane Helene. Through their donation portal, you can donate any amount to the victims of Hurricane Helene. $10 is the minimum online donation. All donations are tax-deductible. Another way to donate through the American Cross is to text the word HELENE to 90999.

Salvation Army give.helpsalvationarmy.org

The Salvation Army is aiding in hurricane relief by providing emergency aid, food, drinks, emotional and spiritual care, and critical supplies to both survivors and rescue workers in all affected areas. 100% of your donation goes to disaster relief. On their donation portal, you can donate to both Hurricane Helene and Milton victims.

Americares my.americares.org

Americares helps get medical needs and

supplies to the victims of Hurricane Helene. You can make a one-time donation or monthly payment to help fund medical supplies and deliveries in affected areas.

Baby2Baby

baby2baby.org

Baby2Baby is a nonprofit organization that is helping families affected by hurricanes get essential supplies such as formula, diapers, blankets, and more.

Save the Children savethechildren.org

Save the Children is dedicated to helping and saving families in all emergency situations. They currently have an emergency fund open to help the families from Hurricane Milton who have been left with no power and destroyed homes.

Florida Disaster Relief

volunteerflorida.org/donatefdf

The Florida Disaster Relief has been created to directly support communities during and after emergencies. Donations will fund various organizations that specialize in the communities’ disaster relief.

Feeding Tampa Bay Disaster Relief donate.feedingtampabay.org

Tampa Florida was hit by Hurricane Helene and is now projected to get hit even harder by Hurricane Milton. By donating to Feeding Tampa Bay’s disaster relief efforts, you will be helping communities that have been devastatingly affected. Feeding Tampa Bay

Disaster Relief allows you to donate a onetime gift or a monthly amount.

The North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund pay.payitgov.com/ncdonations

The North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund is accepting monetary donations for grants. These grants are currently being utilized to support nonprofit organizations that are directly serving affected communities.

Send Relief sendrelief.org

Send Relief is deploying teams to aid communities in the South affected by the hurricanes. Your donations will aid in the gathering of supplies such as meals, water, temporary roofing, flood recovery supplies, and more.

Samaritan’s Purse samaritanspurse.org

Samaritan’s Purse International has started a five-site response to Hurricane Helene. Donations will help thousands of volunteers be able to assist and help communities hit hard by Hurricane Helene.

The Humane Society of the United States secured.humanesociety.org

The Humane Society of the United States is dedicated to helping animals in emergency situations. Their team is operating mobile veterinary clinics to assist animals in need during this time as well as supplying essential supplies.

STATEN ISLAND'S Women in Business

Staten Island’s Women Are Leading the Way in the Business World

Staten Island’s business community is flourishing, thanks in large part to the growing presence of women in leadership roles. From influential figures in educational institutions to entrepreneurs driving small businesses, one thing is clear: women are shaping the future of the borough. Their leadership is essential not only for economic growth but also for creating a more diverse, equitable, and thriving Staten Island.

Women in high-ranking positions bring unique perspectives that help drive innovation, foster collaboration, and promote inclusivity. Entrepreneurs and business leaders on Staten Island are not only building successful companies but are also role models, inspiring the next generation of women to pursue their ambitions.

It should come as no surprise that many of the women we are featuring in this section

were heavily inspired by their own mothers and grandmothers, some of whom built their own successful careers while raising children, others merely by demonstrating the qualities of a leader that any family matriarch would possess naturally.

“My mom, Rosalia (RIP), was my greatest inspiration. Her unwavering belief in me, selflessness, and devotion to family shaped my values. She taught me honesty, respect, and integrity, and the importance of keeping traditions alive as a grounding force. Through her example, I learned to lead with kindness and serve others, which has been the foundation of my work in the community. Her simple yet profound wisdom continues to guide me in everything I do.’

— Gina Biancardi, President/ Founder, The Italian Cultural Foundation

“My mother inspires me, first and foremost. She was a nurse and physician herself and I was blessed to see firsthand what a powerful woman, wife and mother looks like. She exemplifies hard work, tenacity, and selflessness in family and professional life. Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman in America to earn a medical degree, also inspires me. She faced every challenge you can imagine, and not only accomplished her goals, but thrived and became a trailblazer for the rest of us.”

— Dr. Fiona Shehaj, Chief, Women’s Cardiovascular Health, Richmond University Medical Center

“I come from a line of remarkable women, including my mother, whose unwavering work ethic inspires me daily. I also draw inspiration from activists like Yuri Kochiyama, whose dedication to human rights empowers many, artists like Frida Kahlo who inspire with their creative vision and resilience, leaders like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez exemplify the power of advocacy and businesswomen such as Leah Penniman, founder of Soul Fire Farm, who embody the importance of committing ourselves to help others.”

— Kelly Vilar, Founder and CEO, Staten Island Urban Center

The contributions of women in leadership positions cannot be overstated. Their influence extends beyond the boardroom, shaping the cultural and economic landscape of Staten Island. As more women rise to leadership roles, they will continue to pave the way for future generations, demonstrating that when women lead, entire communities thrive.

We celebrate the accomplishments of successful women not to further the gender divide, but to bridge the gap created by years of imbalance in the work environment. It is no secret that women face more challenges than their male counterparts at work, ones that can impact their careers and leadership opportunities. Gender bias and stereotypes, pay inequality, work-life balance difficulties, lack of representation in leadership, and even low self-confidence are just some of the obstacles women are much more likely to face as they attempt to climb the corporate ladder than men. When women are seen in positions of authority, it challenges outdated gender norms and inspires a cultural shift toward greater equality in the workplace and beyond.

Many of the women we are honoring this

year faced — and overcame — those obstacles to become a symbol of female empowerment and success. When asked what advice they’d offer their younger selves, many expressed a strong tenacity to power through those tough moments to reach their ultimate goal, offering helpful advice to any woman about to embark on her own professional journey.

“I would tell my younger self to embrace every opportunity and take risks. Trust your instincts, and don’t shy away from asking questions or seeking mentorship. Authenticity is key—stay true to who you are, as it will attract the right people and opportunities. Surround yourself with supportive individuals and adhere to your values. Finally, celebrate your achievements, no matter how small, as they all contribute to your growth and journey.”

— Tatiana Arguello, Executive Director, Nonprofit Staten Island

“If I could give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be to embrace every opportunity for growth, even the

challenges. I wish I had known that setbacks are just stepping stones to success.”

— Dr. Chikodiri Gibson, CEO/CMO, Chi Aesthetics Medspa & Wellness Center

“Whether through my lived experience or via history, strong women have inspired me to become my own greatest asset. Learning that assertiveness doesn’t equal aggression, criticism can be constructive for growth, and that opinions and standards do not equal attitude; I am a mosaic of all the female leaders in my life.”

— Jennifer Larsen, Associate Executive Director, On Your Mark

Our Staten Island Women in Business section aims to highlight just a few of the women making waves in our borough, but we know that there are countless other such women leading the way forward in our local business community. We hope that even more women are encouraged to follow their passions and continue to show the wider community that women are here, they’re powerful, and they’re excelling in the business world.

proudly supports and congratulates Staten Island’s Influential Women in Business, including our own Meagan Sills.

Congratulations to Roseann Holt on being recognized as a SI Parent Business Woman! Your dedication and leadership inspire us all.

With over 23 years of dedicated service at Meals on Wheels of Staten Island, Inc., Roseann has made a lasting impact on our frail, aging older adult community as she serves as the Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and is a Certified Volunteer Administrator. Roseann’s role ensures the coordinated efforts of the kitchen, staff meal delivery drivers and over 250 volunteers to guarantee the daily delivery of not only healthy nutrition but also the vital human face to face connection that is of equal importance to the meals themselves.

Thank you, Roseann, for your outstanding leadership, dedication, and the difference you've made in so many lives.

Meals On Wheels Of Staten Island

STATEN ISLAND'S Women in Business

Staten Island is full of incredible women making their mark in the business world, and we are shining a light on their achievements. From trailblazing entrepreneurs to leaders in established companies, these women are not just excelling in their careers—they’re shaping the future of our community. Their stories are inspiring, their dedication is unwavering, and they’re breaking barriers every day, paving the way for the next generation of leaders. Let’s dive into their journeys and celebrate the impact they’re making right here in Staten Island.

Allison Cohen

Chief of Communications & Fundraising, Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island

Allison Cohen has devoted her career to helping serve the needs of her community. She currently serves as the Chief of Communications & Fundraising at the Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island. Allison previously worked for Borough President James Oddo and NY1 News. She has received several awards and was chosen to be in a professional fellowship run by the JCC Association of North America. In her free time, she volunteers with local charities.

Arlene Sorkin

President & CEO, IlluminArt Productions

Cathy Del Priore

Executive Director, The GRACE Foundation

Dr. Chikodiri Gibson

CEO/CMO, Chi Aesthetics Medspa & Wellness Center

Dr. Chikodiri Gibson, DNP, MBA, ACNS, FNP-C leads Chi Aesthetics in Staten Island. With over 20 years in aesthetic medicine, she’s a certified nurse injector who has performed tens of thousands of cosmetic procedures. Chi specializes in anti-aging treatments, PDO thread facelifts, laser rejuvenation and facial injectables. Her holistic approach also includes hormone replacement and IV therapy.

Dr. Fiona Shehaj

Arlene Sorkin has a Bachelors in Business Administration from Temple University and a Masters in Social Work from Bryn Mawr. She co-founded IlluminArt Productions, a nonprofit that empowers students to use artistic expression to illuminate critical social issues, creating conversations for positive change through theatrical performances and arts residencies, incorporating socio-emotional learning skills. Arlene serves on the board of Nonprofit Staten Island. She is married with a daughter, son-in law, and two granddaughters.

Chief, Women’s Cardiovascular Health, Richmond University Medical Center

Dr. Shehaj is currently the Chief of Women’s Cardiovascular Health at Richmond University Medical Center. Her professional focus includes women’s health, preventative cardiology, and student education. She completed her medical education and training at SUNY Downstate College of Medicine. Dr. Shehaj is also a Staten Islander herself and so it came naturally that upon completing her training, her desire was to return to her roots and serve the patient population she grew up amongst.

Gina Biancardi

With over three decades of marketing and PR experience, Cathy’s journey began at Ketchum Communications, leading to a 25-year tenure at Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall. During her eight years at GRACE, Cathy spearheaded numerous initiatives to raise awareness and enhance the foundation’s brand. Notable achievements include breaking two Guinness Book of World Records: orchestrating the world’s largest human puzzle piece with 2,423 participants and the world’s largest infinity symbol with 1,530 participants.

President/ Founder, The Italian Cultural Foundation

Gina Biancardi is a prominent figure in education and culture, co-founding The College Bound Network in 1989 and later fulfilling her dream of establishing Casa Belvedere, an Italian Arts & Cultural Center. Since 2009, Gina spearheaded the restoration of a NYC Landmark mansion, transforming it into a thriving cultural hub for thousands of visitors to enjoy. Today, she continues to be a driving force for progress, while balancing her professional endeavors with cherished family time.

Gina DeSantis

President, Moore Catholic High School

Having attended Catholic school from kindergarten through undergraduate school, Gina is a proud product of Catholic education.She later returned to school as the mother of two small children, earning a MSEd degree at night. Gina’s more than 25 years as a Catholic High School educator has led her from a classroom teacher, department chairperson and, finally, school building leader. In addition to holding permanent State Certification in Secondary Education, with specialization in Biology, she also holds permanent State Certification in School Building Leadership.

Jackie Scarcella

Executive Director, A Very Special Place, Inc.

Jamie Fialo

Executive Account Manager, Extended Home Care

Jennifer Larsen

Associate Executive Director, On Your Mark, Inc.

Jennifer Larsen began her human services journey in 1998 at On Your Mark, spending over half her life focusing on supporting people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Through her work at On Your Mark, she supports and mentors girls and women of all backgrounds to help them find their voice, and to stand tall, proud, and with confidence in their own unique skills and abilities.

Kim Avilez

VP, Community Manager, JPMorgan Chase

Kim Avilez is a business owner and community impact leader. She is the Immediate Past President of the National Association of Women Business Owners-NYC, sitting on several boards including the SIEDC. Kim returned to the banking industry to make a difference in her community. As VP, Community Manager for Staten Island at JPMorgan Chase, she collaborates with neighborhood leaders to break down economic barriers, bringing the resources of a global firm locally through financial education.

Jacqueline Scarcella started at AVSP in 1994 as a pre-vocational specialist. Over the years, she has served in many different roles at AVSP and currently serves as the Executive Director with administrative responsibility over the entire agency and its various programs. She serves on the Inter-Agency Council (IAC) Board, advocating for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Karen Goldman

Founder and Executive Director, Emma’s Place, Staten Island Grief and Loss Center for Children and Families

Karen Goldman has dedicated over thirty years to grief and loss education. She is a NYS Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a Board Certified Psychotherapist in private practice, with a background in Hospice Bereavement Counseling. Through leading her team Emma’s Place, she offers free grief counseling to children and grief education programs to local institutions, assisting individuals on thir bereavement journey.

Kim Beckett

Owner / Operator, Burrito Bar & Restaurant

After graduating from NYU in 1993, Kim Beckett started the Burrito Bar in Tribeca, NYC, fulfilling her dream of owning her own restaurant. To be closer to family, she then relocated the restaurant to Staten Island’s West Brighton area. While growing her business, she raised three wonderful sons and became actively involved in many community organizations, including the Forest Avenue BID and the Chamber of Commerce. Kim’s goal for the future is to continue to be inventive, creative and involved in her community.

For over 20 years Jamie Fialo has worked in the home care industry and is now a huge asset to the special needs community. Previously, she worked as a DSP and ABA Therapist. After her son was diagnosed with autism she was inspired to work with - and became passionate aboutthe special needs community. In her current role, Jamie educates parents and guardians on services their children and family members are eligible to receive.

Kelly Vilar

Founder and CEO, Staten Island Urban Center

Kelly Vilar is the founder and CEO of the Staten Island Urban Center, dedicated to cultural equity and empowerment for marginalized communities. In 2023, she received a community service award from Nonprofit Staten Island and was named one of the Top 100 Most Powerful People by City & State Magazine. She contributed to the 2030 NYC Waterfront Plan and led the formation of the Environmental Justice Coalition of Staten Island. Kelly has received multiple awards for her impactful work in community development.

Maria

Casale Owner/Founder, LEAP Learning Center

Dr. Casale has devoted her expertise to leading schools and change, having co-founded a charter school for those with learning differences. She seeks to bring innovation to teaching through the establishment of Fusion programs, providing enriching tutoring programs and homeschool, alternative education options to parents seeking to independently educate their children. She has enjoyed a long and fulfilling career as a master teacher, board-certified Orton Gillingham specialist, educational leader, and visionary.

Congratulations, Stephanie Debes!

We proudly celebrate Stephanie founder

We proudly celebrate Stephanie, founder of The Makeup on Wheels Foundation, for being honored as a SIParent Business Woman.

Her dedication to empowering the disabled community through advocacy, support, and awareness is truly inspiring. Thank you for making a difference!

Phyllis Esposito Bellocchio

on being named a Staten Island Woman In Business! This well-deserved honor is a reflection of your hard work and unwavering dedication to your family and our community. Your contributions have made a lasting impact, and we are truly inspired by your continued efforts to make a difference.

Meagan Sills

VP, Deputy Hospital President, Staten Island University Hospital/ Northwell

Phyllis Bellocchio

Owner, The Polishing Pad, Inc.

Phyllis Merlino

Dr. Phyllis G. Merlino: Todt Hill

Pediatric Dentistry, Pediatric Dentist/ owner

Meagan began her career in 2009 as a GME Coordinator at SIUH. Quickly noticed for her leadership potential, Meagan was promoted in 2013 to Director of Research and Senior Director in 2018 where she was responsible for operational oversight of their Prince’s Bay campus. Since 2021, Meagan has operated as Deputy Executive Director at SIUH focusing on capital projects, programmatic development, and executing strategic plans.

Roseann Holt

Vice President/COO, Meals on Wheels of Staten Island, Inc.

Roseann Holt has worked at Meals on Wheels of Staten Island, Inc. for over 23 years. She began implementing recruitment strategies, designed and increased meal delivery routes, eventually building the corps to over 400 volunteers who, pre-pandemic, delivered 80% of the total meals provided to homebound seniors who rely on Meals on Wheels of S.I. She was a Kennedy Fellow, holds a Certificate in Executive Leadership, is the Chairwoman of the AmeriCorps Seniors/RSVP Advisory Council on S.I. and is a member of Soroptimist International of S.I.

Originally from Brooklyn, NY, Phyllis is a Staten Island business owner, mother, and advocate for women’s health. Alongside her late husband, Vaughn Bellocchio, she established The Polishing Pad, Inc. in 1992. In 2008 her cousin was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, leading to the origination of the T.E.A.L organization aimed to spread ovarian cancer awareness. Phyllis has been deeply involved in fundraising, organizing events, and educating women in hopes of reducing ovarian cancer mortality rates.

Stepanie Debes

CEO / Makeup Artist, The Makeup On Wheels Foundation

Stephanie Debes, founder of The Makeup on Wheels Foundation, turned her childhood love of cosmetics into a mission for change. After becoming a certified makeup artist in 2015, she faced rejection due to her disability. Refusing to give up, Stephanie launched the foundation to advocate for inclusivity and accessibility in the beauty industry. Through her work with the foundation, she helps empower individuals with disabilities, providing opportunities and challenging barriers in an often exclusive field.

Tatiana Arguello

Dr. Merlino is a Staten Island native, where she still resides. A graduate of Susan Wagner High School, NYU College of Arts and Science and NYU College of Dentistry, she completed a one-year general residency at SIUH and a two-year pediatric program at Brookdale University Hospital, Brooklyn. Within six months of receiving her specialty certificate, Dr. Merlino started her own private practice limited to Pediatric Dentistry, and remains in that location today.

Executive Director, Nonprofit Staten Island

Tatiana M. Arguello is the Executive Director of Nonprofit Staten Island, where she supports over 160 local nonprofits with resources, advocacy, and educational programs to enhance their impact. She chairs the Capacity Building Committee for the Mayor’s Office for Nonprofit Services and serves on Community Board #1. Tatiana has secured millions in funding to address critical issues such as public health, gun violence, and environmental protection, significantly contributing to SI’s nonprofit sector and civic engagement efforts.

Congratulate the

calendar

Howl-oween Doggie Day

Hike

Clove Lakes Park at Martling Ave. and Brooks Pond Pl.

Saturday, November 2, 11am-12pm

All ages

Free

Dress your pet in a costume and see who’s the best. Take a stroll through the forest with your four legged friend on this dog-friendly hike. Dogs are required to be on-leash.

Messiah Lutheran Church Holiday Fair

Saturday, November 2, 9am –3:30pm

Messiah Lutheran Chuch, 205 Jefferson Blvd

All ages

Free Admission

Vendors, Raffle Baskets, 50/50, and Light Cafe Baked Goods. Take a photo with Santa at his workshop!

Family Movie Matinee: Ratatouille

Saturday, November 2, 2pm –3:30pm

Mariners Harbor Library, 206 South Ave.

All Ages

Free

Why go to the movie theater when you can watch a movie at the library? Join the library for a family-friendly movie, coloring, and a snack.

Archery

Willowbrook Park at Archery Field Parking Lot

Sunday, November 3, 11am –12:30pm

Free Ages 8+

Bullseye! Join free archery classes taught by expert Urban Park

THINGS TO DO IN NOVEMBER

Experience indigenous culture and historic cooking at the Hearth & Harvest Festival at Historic Richmond Town on November 23.

Rangers at the archery range in Willowbrook Park.

Get Crafty! Paper Bag Turkeys

Monday, November 4, 4pm –4:45pm

Mariners Harbor Library, 206 South Ave.

Ages 5-12

Free Gobble gobble! Celebrate the season by creating your own paper bag turkey!

Doughnut Day Bingo for Kids

Tuesday, November 5, 3pm – 4pm

Great Kills Library, 56 Giffords Lane

Ages 5 and up

Free

Celebrate National Doughnut Day with some fun Bingo and prizes!

DJ Dance Party

Tuesday, November 5, 4pm – 5pm

Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library, 2550 Victory Blvd.

Ages 4-12

Free

DJ Presto and DJ Incredulous bring back their DJ Dance Party for the Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library’s 40th Birthday! Clean

music, fun dancing, and activities will have kids jumping and bopping to the music!

Church of St. Andrew’s Annual Holiday Fair

Friday, November 8, 10:30am5:30pm & Saturday, November 9 11am-5pm

Church of St. Andrew’s, 4 Arthur Kill Rd

All Ages

Free Admission

Crafts, homemade decorations, baked goods, cheese, lottery baskets, and more!

Crafternoons: Winter Wreaths

Saturday, November 9, 1pm – 3pm Staten Island Museum, 1000 Richmond Terr.

$35, $30 for members. Includes museum admission

Give the gift of homemade with this craft-based workshop just in time for the holiday season. Make one-of-a-kind creations for loved ones or decorate your own home and treat yourself!

New Dorp Moravian Church Holiday Fair

Saturday, November 9, 10am –4pm

New Dorp Moravian Church, 2205 Richmond Rd

All Ages

Free admission

A showcase of local vendors offering holiday decorations, food, and gift items for you and your loved ones.

The Canine Stars: Stunt Dog Show

Sunday, November 17, 4pm

St. George Theatre, 35 Hyatt St.

All Ages

Tickets: $19-$39

Learn about Staten Island’s wild turkeys at Silver Lake Park on November 24.

The Canine Stars Stunt Dog Show features a world-class team of dog trainers and their adopted dogs. As seen on America’s Got Talent, Nickelodeon Unleashed, and American Ninja Warrior, these incredible pups have gone from Rescues to Rockstars!

Sensory Playdate & Candy

Corn Craft

Monday, November 18, 4:15pm –5:15pm

Tottenville Library, 7430 Amboy Road

Ages 3-5

Free

Join Tottenville Library for a sensory learning experience for children that will allow them to explore various, tactile educational materials and take part in beneficial activities like stacking, building, balancing, etc!

Staten Island Nature

Spotlight: Pond Habitats

Clove Lakes Park (parking lot), Clove Rd. and Park Dr.

Saturday, November 23, 11am –12pm

All ages

Free Lakes and ponds are thriving habitats to various species of birds, invertebrates, fish, reptiles, amphibians and plants.

FEATURED EVENT

Hearth & Harvest Festival

Historic Richmond Town, 441 Clarke Ave.

Saturday, November 23, 10am –

4pm

All ages

Free with admission

Explore native life and culture through presentations of indigenous dance, storytelling, and crafts in the 3rd County Courthouse and the Native Encampment. See demonstrations of hearth cooking in North America by costumed interpreters who use 18th & 19th century recipes, tools and techniques in historic kitchens located throughout the village.

Urban Wildlife: Wild Turkeys

Sunday, November 24, 10-11am

Silver Lake Park at Forest Ave.

All ages

Free

Join the Urban Park Rangers and learn about the wild turkeys that are seen on Staten Island.

Learn about their habits, history, significance to the ecosystem, and ways we can coexist with our feathered friends.

Native American Heritage

Month: Lenape of Staten Island

Von Briesen Park at School Rd. and Bay St.

Sunday, November 24, 1-2pm

All ages

Free

During Native American Heritage Month, explore the past and present experience of Native Americans with the Urban Park Rangers.

JOIN STATEN ISLAND PARENT’S

Birthday Club!

FREE KIDS MEAL at WENDY’S

(Staten Island only)

300 Bay St, 10301 | 1761 Forest Ave, 10303 1661 Hylan Blvd, 10305 | 6420 Amboy Rd, 10309 25 Putnam St, 10312 | 26 Richmond Hill Rd, 10314

NOVEMBER 1

Mason Mastropiero

Olivia Pierce

Alice Longobardi

Giana Pellizzi

Dale Cocozza

Emma Moskowitz

Victoria Lakunin

Logan McMillen

NOVEMBER 2

Sarah Gambino

Gianna-Jade Favorito

Gabriella Siminson

Amanda Rivera-Lugo

Brianna Narducci

Leila Wong

Kal-El Carrington

NOVEMBER 3

Jonathon Konviser

Connor McCulloch

Liazia Tolbert-Francis

Michael Grace

Dominic Rey Luna

Olivia Rosendo

Kehlani Liu

NOVEMBER 4

Milena Scalzo

Kayla Marie Becker

Lea Marie Scelzo

Matthew Luele

Brayden Ditre

NOVEMBER 5

Alyssa Cannizzaro

Shahmir Vanees

Gwen Samarasekera

Jaivon Mercado

Gabriella Candela

Giada Bonella

NOVEMBER 6

Michelle Hernandez

Fabio Fonseca

Vincent Saleh

Ava Weis

Makayla Gharam

Livia Stanly

Jaxon Byrne

NOVEMBER 7

Elena Yuile

Tayvon Nelson

Kasmera Green

Ella Sanseverino

John Williams

Sabrina Escalante Zamudio

NOVEMBER 8

Mohamed Abdelhamid

Amira Jahaj

Angela Sierra

Kinsley Slyman

Morgan Moore

Julian Seda

NOVEMBER 9

Joseph Lombardi

Eva Fatto

Ashley Alfano

Avery Ortega

Rayden Ramos

110 Schanck Road • Freehold, NJ 07728-2938

732-577-8200

Sammy Corbett

Maya Marszalski

NOVEMBER 10

Angelina Marie Singh

Patrick Hurley

Giuliana Mastropasqua

Antonia Geandomenico

Bradley Rrakulli

Ava Walsh

NOVEMBER 11

Jahdiar Godwin

Kaitlyn Pulzone

Gabriel Aguilar

Amayah Abuhamda

Antoine Rose Jr.

Maya Marszalski

NOVEMBER 12

Kiana Yard

Lailah Villa

Alexis Galitsin

Jason Corona

Juliet DeTeresa

Nico Rosso

NOVEMBER 13

Ashley Lucchese

Robert Belajonas

Adrianna Cinquemani

Joseph Koutros

Lucas Fernandez

Samir Moore

Ja’Niya Mitchell

NOVEMBER 14

Anthony Colon Jr.

Alyssa Latchman

Sophie Roccanova

Phoenix Garcia

Kaitlyn Schiavo

Nico Gilsenan

Remy Fion

Rhianna Robinson

NOVEMBER 15

Samantha Tabb

Andrew Tabb

Elena Gonzalez

Anthony Ameno

Joseph Bruzon

Evelyn Bustamante

NOVEMBER 16

Regginae Jordan

Giovanni Tarsio

Gianna Samuel

Valentina Fiorentino

Matteo Picciallo

Jake Guarderas

Emma Fici

Emma Rey

NOVEMBER 17

Julia Falvey

Joey Falvey

Edward Johnson

Paul Townsley

Giada Arciprete

Elijah Merizalde

NOVEMBER 18

Christopger Risley

Delilah Cintron

Vanessa Popa

Isaiah Glover

Lorenzo Citera

Christian Forte

NOVEMBER 19

Gianluca Pirro

Sarah Abdelhamid

Angelina Pipitone

Chloe Joy Reynolds

Giuseppe Bongiorno

Chloe Reynolds

NOVEMBER 20

Rihanna Barriffe

Jessica Jorgensen

Kaitlyn Jorgensen

Vito Maniscalco

Christopher Acker

Emily Petrosino

Arianna Priscilla

Klapak

NOVEMBER 21

Nicolena Plantamura

Subhan Salman

Michael Chirieleison

Evan Michael

Chernov

Rory Cahill

Melody Brown

NOVEMBER 22

Avery Canfield

Dominic Mercurio

Dylan McCarthy

Aleksandra Dvorak

Christine Aidiniou

Reagan Loock

NOVEMBER 23

John Campagna

Carolyn Ellis

Allie Harrell

Kaylee Sands

Charles Savage

NOVEMBER 24

Valentina Loverso

Olivia Vrakas

Maliyah Mitchell

Olivia Vrakas

Abigail Kurtz

Luis Rodriguez

NOVEMBER 25

Noah Valenzuela

Justin Taunton

Haley Doctor

Kaela Castro

Ava Aponte

Adalyn Harjo

NOVEMBER 26

Zachary Pritchard

Emma Johnson

Juliette Pennacchio

Gianna Pizzimenti

Emma Johnson

Valentina Ducalo

NOVEMBER 27

Alyssa Ferrandino

Nicholas Robbins

Please present this page. Good only for birthday club members on this list. Offer valid for the month. Call before to check availabilty.

Chaamy Yapa

Lenny Dimatteo

Autumn Weisberg

NOVEMBER 28

Delasi Agbe

Dominic Mills

Julian Saldana

Bria Jeffers

Kayla Carrington

Rocco Curcio

NOVEMBER 29

Gabrielle Anselmo

Elias Tavarez

Eva Duran

Aiden Kilcullen

Leilani Collazo

NOVEMBER 30

Jadah McCombs

Amelie Spinella

Michael Magi

Carly Moore-Stuart

Carmelo Mcmanus

Solomiya Koylyak

Liam Hidalgo

There’s no other state quite like Rhode Island, and when you’re here, you can feel it. This fall, go from outdoor adventures to immersive history to delicious dining all in one unforgettable family trip! We invite you to stop by the Ocean State and get on our wavelength. VisitRhodeIsland.com