Capital District Parent Pages - April 2020

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Inside:

2020 summer camp listings

arent pages

Capital District

Volume 24 • Number 4 • APRIL 2020 • Complimentary

The Resource for Parents

Middle school milestones Blooming books OK to be different

cdparentpages.com APRIL 2020 — CDPARENTPAGES.COM 1

2020 Albany JCC Summer Camps

Perfect Vision, Epic Summer!

June 29 to September 4, 2020. For Kids ages 3 to 15 More info - www.albanyjcc.org, 518-438-5561

@AlbanyJCC 111368_4

CATCH ALL THE FUN! YMCA ADVENTURE CAMP

Join us at the Capital District’s Premier Day Camp!

Conveniently located off Route 155 in Guilderland.

• New! Rowing Camp • Zip Line • Outdoor Pool • Rock Wall • FREE Before and After-Camp Care

Register Online Today! www.CDYMCA.org/CAMP

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CAPITAL DISTRICT YMCA 518.869.3500 • CDYMCA.org

2 PARENT PAGES — APRIL 2020

The Capital District YMCA is the leading Capital Region charity devoted to strengthening our communities.

Face to face with uncertainty Even though we can’t predict the future, there are things in the present we can control

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hese are strange times. As I write this, my kids are preparing for an extended and unexpected break as schools throughout the Capital District shut down in an effort to slow the rapid spread of an infection that just a few weeks ago none of us had heard of. These days, it seems like we hear of little else.

And by the time you are reading this, things will have changed. My hope is for the better ­— that all of the closures and “social distancing” will have nipped this outbreak of Coronavirus in the bud. But I don’t know.

The current state of things seems to indicate we are in it for the long haul.

There never has existed a crystal ball that could tell me definitively what my future would entail, but I have always been a planner and felt that I had some measure of control over what I’d be doing in the next week, month, year. This current uncertainty is taking some getting used to.

You will notice that this issue of Parent Pages does not have an events calendar.

It was a difficult decision, but as we head to press, many organizations are holding off on scheduling future events and group gatherings are being discouraged. I sure hope that is not the case when this issue comes out, but in the face of this uncertainty, it seemed best to forgo promoting events that have a good chance of not happening.

p Capital District

Editor’s desk

arent pages The Resource for Parents

April 2020 Features Fairy garden fun

10-11

Cards create opportunities

14-17

Cycle as a family

Columnists Let’s Cook!

5

Learning Center

6

Triple Threat

8-9

24-Hour Shift

13

What’s new On the Bookshelf Kids Fun Page

As always, thanks for reading. Check out our articles and resource listings at www. cdparentpages.com and mail your story ideas and pictures to Capital District Parent Pages, P.O. Box 100, Delmar, NY 12054, or e-mail me at robertsk@spotlightnews.com.

advertising sales - Denice Mau

Paxton, 3, of East Greenbush takes a tire swing for a spin in this photo submitted by his mom, Julie.

Parent Pages is always accepting photos for potential covers. Submissions should be at least 8-by-10-inches with a high resolution. They can be sent via email to robertsk@spotlightnews.com.

12

Summer camps 2020

publisher - John McIntyre

On the cover:

4

Resources

Love your children, take care of your neighbors, take care of yourself and wash your hands ­— a lot. These are the things we do have control over, even in unprecedented times.

Kristen Roberts Editor, Capital District Parent Pages

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editor - Kristen Roberts

art director - David Abbott graphic design - Martha Eriksen Engagement Coordinator - Kaitlin Lembo Capital District Parent Pages is a unit of Community Media Group LLC. Published monthly. Deadline for advertising and calendar events is the 5th of the month preceding publication. Display advertising rates are available on request.

Capital District Parent Pages reserves the right to refuse advertising for any reason. We do not guarantee any of the information, services or products published in this or any issue. The opinions expressed by the contributors do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this paper. Copyright 2013 by Capital District Parent Pages. No portion of Capital District Parent Pages may be reproduced without written permission from Community Media Group LLC. Rachelle & Lawrence Stallman Founders of Capital District Parent Pages

APRIL 2020 — CDPARENTPAGES.COM 3

On the Bookshelf

April showers? Time to read!

‘Feast of Peas’

‘Under the Lilacs’

By Kashmira Sheth

By E.B. Goodale

Illustrated by Jeffrey Ebbeler

Jenny runs away from home because her mother and sister are too busy for her, but being independent is only fun for a little while. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

A hardworking gardener from the country of India sings uplifting songs about what he hopes will be a delicious feast of vegetables beside an admiring friend, before his peas disappear just as they are ready to harvest.

Peachtree Publishing Company

‘Saturday’

By Oge Mora A specially planned mother-anddaughter Saturday is upended by a series of disappointments that end in the daughter comforting her mother by saying that being together was the most important thing.

Little, Brown and Company

Ages 3-12

2020 Woodland Hill welcomes you to play, cook, create, and invent! Explore nature, tackle design challenges, play with clay, tap into your inner musician, become a reporter, launch rockets and more!

Space is limited.

Register today!

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June 22 - August 28 Woodland Hill Montessori School 100 Montessori Place • North Greenbush 518.283.5400 woodlandhill.org 111397_4

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Let’s Cook! by

Jodie Fitz

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Peanut butter’s smooth move

air some peanut butter with a banana for a protein-packed treat that comes together in a snap. It’s great for those on-the-go moments, when you need a quick, nutritious pickme-up. When we say this recipe

is easy, we mean it. The most challenging step is peeling the banana.

Get more recipes from Jodie Fitz through the Price Chopper Cooking Club at pricechopper. com or visit www.jodiefitz.com.

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

at RPI! Swimming, arts and crafts, nature walks, sports, drama, field trips ... SamaritanRensselaer Children’s Center Discovery Day Camp has it all!

June 29 - September 3 6:30 am - 5:30 pm • For children entering Kindergarten through age 12.

• Full and part-time enrollment.

• Located on the campus of RPI. • Fees include all trips, supplies and two snacks daily. Campers bring their own lunch.

• Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information, or to register, call Deirdre or Kristina at (518) 271-3748. Or go to sphp.com/childrens-day-care-sam.

1 banana, frozen 1 cup milk, low-fat ¼ cup peanut butter 1 tablespoon maple syrup 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Peel the banana. Place the banana, milk, peanut better, maple

syrup and vanilla into a blender.

Blend well and serve.

Got peanut allergies? Swap the peanut butter with WOWButter or other allergy-friendly substitute.

Same thing for dairy. Swap the milk for your favorite dairy free alternative.

Presented by:

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APRIL 2020 — CDPARENTPAGES.COM 5

Learning Center

Education insight for parents

Ready for summer camp?

Let your child be part of the planning process

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he snow is melting and the signs of spring have arrived. Summer may seem far off, but now is the time to start planning and preparing for camp.

Whether your kids are interested in day camp or sleep-away camp, there’s no denying the educational and social benefits summer camps can have. However, some kids find it easier to adjust to the new routine than others.

For children returning to a camp they’ve attended in the past, the process can be exciting! They’re looking forward to seeing old friends, practicing sports, arts and crafts, exploring interests, and discovering talents. For other kids, especially if they’re attending a new camp, the idea can be stressful. Now’s the time to address potential issues and put them to rest. Here are some tips to consider.

Decide together When your child is given a say, they are more likely to be invested in the selection process. This will help build their confidence that camp will be a positive experience.

Talk about what kind of camp you would like for your child to attend. Then ask what they would like as well. Discuss what they thought of last year’s camp experience. Are you looking at half-day, day or sleep-away camp? What are their interests?

Would they like one with an emphasis on sports? Computer skills? The arts? STEM? Maybe you want to set up multiple types of camps. This is a good time for your child to try something new. However, don’t go overboard with a new camp

6 PARENT PAGES — APRIL 2020

Give your child plenty of input as you search for a summer camp that’s the right fit. There are camps out there that cater to every interest or allow your child to try something new. each week. This may become too overwhelming for both you and your child.

Emphasize the positive Talk about the fun things that will be a part of the daily camp life, such as doing new and different activities and spending loads of time on a favorite sport or hobby.

happy memories of summer camp, share them. Kids want to be independent, but they need a little help. Learning from your experiences can be helpful.

Give your child opportunities by to talk about his or her Patrick concerns

Be realistic

McNamara

Camp is like real life. Some days are fantastic. Some days aren’t. It’s what we make it.

Teach your kid to recognize and appreciate the good things and to learn from setbacks, not to dwell on them. If you have

Listen and stay positive. If they worry about the “what ifs” let them tell you what they are worried about. Listen to their concerns and try to bring the conversation back to the positive “what ifs.” (“What if you make a great new friend!”

or “What if you finally crush that difficult soccer move?”)

Visit ahead of time Plan a short trip to campgrounds with a friend or co-camper if possible. Seeing what the place looks like and being familiar with it will help your child feel less surprised on the first day. If you can’t visit, look at brochures and videos together. You could also talk with other kids who’ve been to the camp before and hear about their experience.

Patrick McNamara is the Executive Director of Sylvan Learning of Albany and Clifton Park, which provides tutoring services and academic coaching (www.SylvanLearning.com).

2020 Summer Camps AFRIM’S Summer Camps Summer Action and Summer Soccer camps for ages 3-14. Full and half day.

636 Albany Shaker Road, Albany Call (518) 438-3131 or visit www.AfrimSports.com

Albany Academy

Customized summer programs for students entering grades 3-8. Sports, arts, science and more.

135 Academy Road, Albany Call (518) 429-2300 or visit www.AlbanyAcademies.org

Albany Berkshire Ballet

1360 Albany St., Schenectady Call (518) 372-5282 or visit www.

MerrittDanceCenter.com

Ohav Shalom Nursery School

Summer weekly themed camp for preschoolers ages 18 months to 5 years. Full or part-time availability.

113 New Krumkill Road, Albany Call Sheryl at (518) 489-4894 or visit www.OhavShalom.com/Early-Childhood

Samaritan-Rensselaer Children’s Center: Summer Fun at RPI

Dance camps and intensives for ages 4 to adult, beginner to professional.

25 Monroe St., Albany Call (518) 426-0660 or visit www.SchoolofABB.org

For kids entering kindergarten through age 12 with swimming, arts and crafts, sports, drama, field trips and more. Full or part-time availability.

Call (518) 271-3748 or visit www.SPHP.com/childrens-day-care-sam

Experience summer fun for ages 3-15 with water sports, the arts, science, specialty camps and more.

340 Whitehall Road, Albany Call (518) 438-6651 or visit www.AlbanyJCC.org

Sylvan Robotics Camp

Albany JCC Summer Camp

Capital District YMCA

Nine convenient locations. From day camps to overnight camps to specialty camps, field trips and weekly themes, there is something for everyone.

Call (518) 869-3500 or visit www.CDYMCA.org

Circle of Friends Preschool

Summer camp for ages 3-5 with locations in Delmar and Ravena.

Delmar: (518) 478-0722 Ravena: (518) 756-3124 or visit www.CircleofFriendsPrek.com

Drama Kids International

Weekly full and half-day summer camps for ages 4-11.

Call (518) 458-1313 or visit www.DramaKids.com

HVCC Kids on Campus

Summer program with athletics, technology, Circus Theatricks, theater, summer academy and more.

Visit www.HVCC.edu/kidscamps.com

Merritt Dance Center

Dance camp from July 27 to Aug. 6 for dancers, acrobats and gymnasts.

For grades 2-6. Create and animate robots using Legos and WeDo software.

Albany, (518) 869-6005: July 6-9 or Aug. 3-6 Clifton Park, (518) 373-7995: July 20-23 or Aug. 17-20

Temple Israel: Herman & Libbie Michaelson Early Childhood Education Center Summer fun program for kids under 5 with creative play and activities.

600 New Scotland Ave., Albany Call Amie at (518) 438-7858, ext. 120, email AmieBloom@tialbany.org or visit www.tialbany.org

The Arts Center of the Capital Region Summer camps for kids ages 6-17 with cooking, pottery, stained glass, mixed media, photography and more Full or part-time.

265 River St., Troy.

Call (518) 273-0552 or visit www.ArtsCenteronline.org

Woodland Hill Montessori Summer day camp for ages 3-12 with fun and creative play, music, arts, invent and exploration.

100 Montessori Place, North Greenbush Call (518) 283-5400 or visit www.WoodlandHill.org

APRIL 2020 — CDPARENTPAGES.COM 7

Triple Threat

parenting triplets in the Capital District

Middle school moments

T

Tween angst times three does not outshine triplets’ accomplishments

he first year of middle school is half over already. In some ways, everything is as we thought it would be, in others … wow, has it kicked the door in and changed everything. Tween angst is a real and pervasive. Sixth grade is one of the toughest so far, not academically, but more so with the social interactions and, to be cliché, finding out who they are. Middle school is a tough time because of a new environment, hormones, new people, new teachers and trying to find the people they want to hang out with.

Report cards, interim reports and communication with teachers and guidance coun-

selors have helped us realize is a good fit for her. Without how amazing Olivia, Benjamin telling us, Olivia auditioned for and Rebecca are. Academically, All-City Chorus, and she made they are doing a phenomenal it. That’s my baby, and I am job. The first 10 weeks very proud! ended with honor The school hours roll status! We by and after-school went to the celeoptions are difbration for all the ferent. There honor roll stuare clubs after dents and loved school! There is every minute of the school musithe ceremony. And cal!

And there is also guess what? We got the option of going to to repeat the celebration a friend’s house after school. after the second quarter!

Another giant difference is Harlan and I are so proud of the way Olivia, Benjamin the way the kids are handling and Rebecca get to and from the academics of middle school. school. Getting to school used There is an option to take choto mean walking out the door rus as the music requirement. and after 100 feet or so walkOlivia loves to sing so chorus ing into the elementary school.

Jennifer Steuer

Witness the magic of spring!

May 30, 10am-4pm

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• Music with Dan Dugan, The WhipperSnappers and B95.5 • Live Wildlife • Craft & Food Vendors • Meet the Lupine Lady • Nature Activities with Community Partners • Wildland Fire Trucks • Make Your Own Crafts & Tie-dye Shirt • Storywalk & Guided Tours • Photobooth • Games & MORE • All ages • FREE!

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Parking at 302 Washington Ave. Ext. Shuttle bus provided.

AlbanyPineBush.org

8 PARENT PAGES — APRIL 2020 2020 Lupine Fest.indd 1

3/10/2020 9:14:34 AM

Now the kids take a bus. The day is longer, there are more choices in extra-curricular activities and that leads to being more independent. The independence can make me want to pull my hair out sometimes because as much as I want to let go, I am afraid. My fear isn’t that they will do something wrong. My fear is that “the world” will do something wrong to my kids.

The three little people Harlan and I sent off to pre-K in 2012 have become 12-yearold young adults with big attitudes. Tween is a word I am not fond of, but it is an accurate description of this age

Continued on Page 9

Summer Dance the

School of the

ALBANY BERKSHIRE BALLET Madeline Cantarella Culpo, Director

•

Ballet

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Modern

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Pointe

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Pilates

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Jazz

SCAP Early Head Start Child Care Partnerships (EHS-CCP)

WEEKLY CLASSES DANCE CAMPS DANCE INTENSIVES admin@schoolofabb.org www.schoolofabb.org 518-426-0660 25 Monroe Street Albany, NY

We provide: • Free diapers and formula • Nutritious meals and snacks • Family support services • Developmental screenings • Special Education Services (Speech, OT, PT) • Assistance getting health services • Nurturing learning environment Give us a call today.

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We are a FREE Infant Toddler Program for families who qualify and live in Schenectady County.

518.377.2015

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920 Albany St. • Schenectady

The Steuer triplets are making the most of middle school.

continued from Page 8 group. Going from elementary school to middle school is hard because the change in what the kids hear and talk about is enough to push my blood pressure through the roof. I can’t flinch or react in any way because they will have found the chink in my armor. We can’t censor what the kids see and hear from their peer groups at school. For the most part this is fine, but when the information is incorrect or painful, Harlan and I work together to pick up the pieces.

The adolescent angst fills every inch of my home. I feel it dripping down, and I step in it regularly. Even though I am 45, I do remember what being 12-year-old girl felt like. Harlan and I are told on an endless loop that we don’t understand

or won’t get it. Most questions we ask are answered with a deep sigh and an eye roll. They are willing to be with us out in public for the most part as long as we aren’t embarrassing.

They are willing to talk eventually and maybe even snuggle up for a little bit.

I love the way Olivia, Benjamin and Rebecca are committed to school and have found the different clubs that fit their own personalities. Their accomplishments are real and done by them. Harlan and I may have given them a sturdy starting point and nudged them along the way. The rest was up to them.

Jennifer Steuer is an Albany mon whose busy household includes her husband, Harlan, and 12-year-old triplets Olivia, Benjamin and Rebecca. Follow her on Instagram: jennifersteuer.

Preschool

5-hour Integrated Preschool Program

Building Kindergarten Readiness Skills Fostering Self-Esteem and Confidence Developing Leadership Skills for Life

Prepare Them For Learning.

Prepare Them For Life.

OPEN HOUSE Wednesdays, 9:30 am Clifton Park & Fort Edward 23 Sitterly Road, Clifton Park | 220 Broadway, Fort Edward newmeadow.org | Facebook.com/NewmeadowSchool

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n Triple Threat

APRIL 2020 — CDPARENTPAGES.COM 9

Inspire a love of gardening and the outdoors in your child by creating a space for mag Gardening can be an enjoyable activity for adults and children alike. It encourages creative thinking and can make for an ecofriendly activity as well.

sketch out a garden design. This gives you an idea of how the finished product will look. Even before planting, gently place plants and other components in their spo and move them around accordingly until you find the desired look.

Adding a touch of whimsy to gardening can make it that much more attractive to children. Perhaps that is why fairy gardens have become so popular among youngsters.

4.

Include similar-needs plants.

Mixing plants that have different requirements can make it challenging to care for the fairy garden, so select plants that require similar leve of sunlight, prefer similar soil condition and require roughly the same amount of watering. Herbs are a smart choice because they stay small and are easily maintained.

Fairy gardens can be designed in outdoor gardens, wooded areas or in containers that children can tend to and enjoy indoors.

Here are six steps to get your fairy garden up and running.

1.

Choose your container or location.

Decide where to place the fairy garden. Hollowed-out tree stumps are both contained and outdoors, and kids may feel like the fairies inhabited this neglected area of the yard and made it their own.

Otherwise, use containers you already have, such as old pots, hanging baskets, picnic baskets or cookie tins. Wooden birdhouses with their roofs removed also can make for clever places to house the gardens.

2.

Choose a theme. Fairy houses can take on any theme their creators prefer. Themes help children decide what to include in their gardens. For example, a seaside retreat may work well with

10  PARENT PAGES — APRIL 2020

Fairy gardens are a fun way to introduce children to gardening. Once families get started, they may want to create entire fairy villages. little reclining chairs, sea grasses and succulents. You can then complete the theme by adding some seashells and colored stones.

3.

Draw up your design. Before securing anything in the container or digging into your garden bed,

5.

Don’t forget a fairy dwelling. You will need to add a house for the fairies to inhabit. Small bird hou can work, but you also can consider old t pots, bird-nesting boxes or even homema houses assembled out of bark and twigs.

Use your imagination and the garden will take on a life of its own.

6.

Invite the fairies. Children can invite fairies to take up residen (fairies often show up at night and tend to remain unseen), or children can create their own fairies using craft materials.

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APRIL 2020 — CDPARENTPAGES.COM  11

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Coloring Fun

12 PARENT PAGES — APRIL 2020

The 24-hour shift

parenting is a full-time job

It’s OK to be different

‘W

Celebrate and support the ways your adopted child is unique hy am I the only one who looks different?”

Oh, boy. That is a question that covers biology, genetics and emotional support. If you really want to get your hands dirty, throw in sociology. Maybe even some socioeconomics, too!

If you think your adopted or foster child is too young to know about human reproduction, don’t tell them how babies are made but why. Babies grow from love. Which is sometimes true. From there, one day, you’re going to have to go into

what is either going on with your child’s birth parents or what happened between them that made them separate from each other or separate from your child. Oh, the joys of adoptive parenthood!

homeschooled biology lesson.

Physical differences aside, your adoptive child may enjoy things that the adoptive family by doesn’t or may be the quiet one in a rowdy family crowd. Or your Your child is child may be going to feel difmore sensitive ferent in your family, or react to stress especially if their race or differently than their ethnicity is different from your adoptive family. Yes, your child family’s. You can explain briefly will be different in some way to about genetics to your young your family. What’s important child or go more in depth for an is that those differences are older one. It makes for a good celebrated.

Theresa Davis

Your child is unique. Encourage ownership of her differences while pointing out what you have in common. Your child will find her place in the family, because she is your family.

Being a little different won’t change that. Biology and genetics do make people who look and think and talk alike, but only love can make a family.

Theresa Davis is a former early childhood educator and has worked in childcare centers for more than 15 years. She is also an adoptive mother, living and taking care of her family in the Capital District.

Your child is unique. Encourage ownership of her differences while pointing out what you have in common.

L O O Want to draw more H PRESCHOOL C S E L R business online?

O P O H PRESCHOOL To advertise on our website,ESC call Denice Mau at 518-439-4949 PR 2.5 & 5 Hour Programs • Daycare Offered

2.5 & 5 Hour Programs • Daycare Offered SPEND ER YOUR SUMM AT OUR CAMP!

PRESCHOOL

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D SPENMMER SU D YOURUR CAMP! SRPSEUNMMER! YOU UR CAMP AT O AT O

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Locations in DELMAR 518-478-0722 and RAVENA 518-756-3124

www.cdparentpages.com

D R EN MME !

P S SU MP R CA U YO OUR AT

FA P RO G L L MS ENROLRLAIN N OW! G

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APRIL 2020 — CDPARENTPAGES.COM 13

It’s in the cards Paper Pastries provides meaningful work for Bethlehem students with disabilities

B Bethlehem Central School District’s Paper Pastries card shop has provided opportunities to special needs students by equipping them with lifelong skills.

Photos by Diego Cagara

ethlehem Central Paper Pastries.

High School’s Paper “Unfortunately, with Pastries card work skills needed shop, today, it’s very hard staffed by by to find things that students with our students [with special needs special needs] can for a year now, do,” DiBiase said. has been an “The goal for them opportunity to is to be independent, equip them with and some of them can lifelong skills and do things independently received support from when you show them.” the local community, according to teacher Paula DiBiase.

Diego Cagara

DiBiase, a teacher at the Bethlehem Central School District since 2005, heads

About

Paper Pastries, which celebrated its one-year anniversary

Continued on Page 15

Spring!

WELCOME

Capital District

p

arent pages

from the staff at:

The Resource for Parents

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14 PARENT PAGES — APRIL 2020

n Paper Pastries continued from Page 14 on last month, sells colorful greeting cards with positive messages for many occasions like birthdays, graduation, the new year and the holiday season. It is located in room A108, although it sometimes does business at a temporary location in the hallways. It has even appeared at the Delmar Farmers Market.

All of the shop’s envelopes, stamps and stamp pads were donated from the school and local community, DiBiase added. I Love Books, a Delmar store near the Four Corners, donated display racks and The Paper Mill, from Delaware Plaza, donated develop their communication envelopes. and motor skills; handle monetary transactions and inventoDiBiase said 10 students ry; and learn to use technology — from the LEAD (Linking to print designs via Bluetooth Education and Development) and a special Cricut cutting program as part of the school’s machine. Several aides and a Special Education Student Serspeech therapist help DiBiase vices — work on Mondays to Thursdays during eighth period. with the students throughout the week.

They cut and make the cards;

YOU YOU ARE ARE WILL WILL BE BE

Teacher Paula DiBiase said Paper Pastries has received a lot of support from the local community.

“It’s not a steady stream of business because kids these days don’t buy cards much because everybody sends messages with their phones,” she said. “But on Valentine’s Day, we did great, and then there’s Mother’s Day and the holidays, too. Also, we found that most of our business comes from adults in the build-

ing overall.”

She added that all money made from purchases at Paper Pastries stays within the business to help it grow and buy more materials.

David DeCancio, a member

Continued on Page 16

THE THE GENERATION GENERATION THAT THAT STEPPING STEPPING FOOT FOOT ON ON MARS. MARS. TIERA FLETCHER

GIRLS GIRLS LEARN LEARN

IN STEM BECOME WOMEN WHO CHANGE THE WORLD. IN STEM BECOME WOMEN WHO CHANGE THE WORLD. MORE @SHECANSTEM ON INSTAGRAM MORE @SHECANSTEM ON INSTAGRAM

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FLETCHER STRUCTURAL ANALYSISTIERA ENGINEER, BOEING STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS ENGINEER, BOEING

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Capital District

p

arent pages The Resource for Parents

Upcoming Monthly Themes & Deadlines May

Summer Camp Guide (Part 2) Mother’s Day The Family Rensselaer County: Parenting Resources Deadline: April 6st

June

Father’s Day Adolescents Saratoga County: Parenting Resources Deadline: May 4th

Paper Pastries cards are sold at the high school, with the money going to purchase more card-making materials.

n Paper Pastries continued from Page 15

July Summer Fun

& Local Travel Summer Birthdays Schenectady County: Parenting Resources Deadline: June 1st

August

Child Care Guide & After School Activities (Part1) Planning Back To School Deadline: July 6th

“It’s great to see these kids work together and learn good life skills together,” DeCancio said. “The BOU and I wanted to support them with the bulk purchase, and it’s one of the many interesting things being done at the school.”

To advertise in one or more of these issues please call

Denice Mau at 518-439-4940 or email: maud@spotlightnews.com 16 PARENT PAGES — APRIL 2020

of Bethlehem Opportunities Unlimited’s board of directors, recently visited Paper Pastries to pick up a bulk order of 50 “thank you” cards he ordered last November. He said he planned to distribute them at the eighth annual Bethlehem Community Spelling Bee to people who donated money to that event as a form of gratitude and community support for Paper Pastries.

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Cindy Ferrari, BOU’s president, said, “I’m just thrilled that

David thought of that, and it’s such a great connection from our community group to the high school. David bought the cards with our [BOU] money, and it’s a nice and really positive way to connect our non-profit community.”

Inspiration DiBiase said she and former teacher Susan Deierlein came up with the idea for Paper Pastries, adding she was inspired by a North Carolina-based cafe called Bitty and Beau’s Coffee, owned by Amy Wright. Wright is a mother of four; two of them, named Bitty and Beau, have Down syndrome.

The cafe opened in early 2016 and has since expanded to South Carolina, Georgia and Maryland; it employs around 120 people with special needs.

Continued on Page 17

students conduct business at the monthly Delmar Farmers Market in May, June, September, October, November and December.

n Paper Pastries continued from Page 16 “[Wright] started Bitty and Beau’s for her children because when they get older, she wants to have a place for them to work, so all employees at Bitty and Beau’s have special needs and have job coaches there to help them,” said DiBiase.

“Each summer, my family and I vacation at North Carolina and three years ago, I visited [Bitty and Beau’s] in Wilmington and I was so inspired.”

“We had a lot of people stop by there and for the kids in the past, and it gave them so much experience to handle the cards and interact with them and be outside,” she said.

She also said there is a business called Puzzles Bakery and Cafe, located on 515 State Street in Schenectady, that employs adults with developmental disabilities. Owned by Sara Mae Hickey, DiBiase said Hickey’s mother used to work at Bethlehem Central as a physical therapist and her sister has autism.

DiBiase said, looking ahead, she hopes to expand Paper Pastries’ presence at the Farmers Market.

This caused DiBiase and Deierlein to pitch the idea for a similar business to Principal

This led to a ribbon-cutting ceremony in March 2019, attended by students and faculty

David Doemel Jr. at the high school.

“We said what we wanted to do and if we could set up shop somewhere. And everybody has been so, so, so supportive of it,” DiBiase said.

including Doemel, Superintendent Jody Monroe and Director of Special Education and Student Services Kathleen Johnston.

Reflection Looking ahead, DiBiase hopes to move the shop into a permanent location in the school and wants to help the

She said she would also like to collaborate with some general education students, especially those with art or graphic design skills, to help make more cards with original designs.

DiBiase added that she continues to enjoy working with the LEAD students at Paper Pastries.

“The best thing that can happen for these kids is for people to just think outside the box,” she concluded. “They’re the most loyal and honest employees. Once they learn something, it’s great.”

An exciting new era is coming soon.

FamilyNow CAPITAL DISTRICT

GENERATIONS TOGETHER

Look for it this summer.

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Cycling is not only earth-conscious and convenient, but it also is a fun and popular activity that anyone can enjoy.

Let’s ride!

G

Family cycling is an enjoyable escape, but be mindful of ages and abilities when planning your outings

oing for a bike ride is one of the best ways for people to exercise in fresh air.

Adults may have fond memories of their own cycling adventures as children that they want to pass down to their kids. Since families may feature cyclists with various levels of experience, it can be safe to employ certain strategies in the hopes that everyone gets the most out of their time in the cycling saddle.

Buy the right bikes. Take time to research different brands of bicycles and what they offer. Some bikes are ideal for streets or paved trails, while others are better for rustic roads and

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trails. A qualified bike retailer can help shoppers find the right bike for them and their families, ensuring everyone in the family is riding the right size bike and the one commensurate with their skill level.

marathon biking session.

Limit the distance. Children won’t be able to put in as many miles as their parents or older siblings. Limit cycling excursions to a reasonable amount of time so youngsters’ health is not compromised.

Know the terrain. Stick to routes you have ridden before. Leave the more intense courses that include extreme climbs and dips for those times when kids are not in tow. Stick to lightly trafficked routes, or travel during off-peak hours. Consult with trail guides and read reviews as well.

Focus on fun. Consider what kids will get out of the trip and gear the afternoon around that. Choose a path that leads riders to a playground or one that circles a scenic lake. Make your cycling excursion more of an afternoon out than a

Take frequent breaks. Little legs may not be able to keep up, and adults will need to anticipate stopping along the way.

Check bikes before departing.

Make sure tires are inflated and everything else is in working order. Bring a small tool kit along in case a repair needs to be made.

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Summer Academy

2020

KIDSON CAMPUS SUMMER PROGRAMS

Technology enrichment

Theater Workshops Circus Theatricks

www.hvcc.edu/kidscamps

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Athletic Camps

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