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The Parenting Guide of Central New York www.familytimes.biz | September 2016

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Understanding kindergartners

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A champion for a struggling school In search of ‘restorative justice’ Active learning drives STEM

What’s for Lunch? Choose the best options for your kids

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FAMILY TIMES • SEPTEMBER 2016

4 • Editor’s Note 6 • Ready, Set, Kindergarten! Parents can ease the transition for children entering school for the first time.

8 • Nutritional Content

Whether your kid gets a cafeteria lunch or a bag lunch, he or she should eat a variety of foods.

10 • Family Faces Carin Reeve-Larham is a champion for children at Dr. Weeks Elementary.

16 • Seeking Restorative Justice 10

Capture a Moment

A new method of group problem solving aims to cut off the school-to-prison pipeline.

18 • STEM Stories Teachers focus on active learning in science, technology, engineering and math.

28 • Family Fun Calendar of Events Advertiser Index Cassidy, age 1, of Bridgeport, spends time with her family’s chickens in this photo by her mother, Joanna Bishop. We welcome reader submissions, whether photos of your kids or their artwork. Send high-resolution photos (jpg format saved at 3-inches-by-5-inches or larger) or color artwork to editorial@familytimes.biz. Please include the child’s first name, age, hometown, and information about what’s going on in the photo (or art), as well as the parent or guardian’s full name and daytime phone number, for verification.

Learn....................................... 24 Party....................................... 25 Practice....................................26 Backpack Directory................ 36

Family Times September 2016

family times The Parenting

Guide of Central New York

SEPTEMBER 2016 PUBLISHER/OWNER Bill Brod

Continuing Ed

ISSUE NO. 173

EDITOR IN CHIEF Reid Sullivan editorial@familytimes.biz MANAGING EDITOR Bill DeLapp

eptember is the start of the school year in Central New York, and it brings a lot of change for students.

PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Michael Davis

Brand-new kindergartners, arguably, face the steepest learning curve. Laura Livingston Snyder writes about what they’re going through, on page 6.

CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Tom Tartaro (Ext. 134)

For several years now, an emphasis on STEM—science, technology, engineering and math—has been transforming education in these areas. Tammy DiDomenico covers how some local teachers approach STEM subjects (page 18).

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Natalie Davis Greg Minix

And what fuels all that brain work? A healthy lunch, which is dietitian Molly Morgan’s subject on page 8.

DIGITAL MEDIA MANAGER David Armelino

Also, Family Times talks to the principal at Dr. Weeks Elementary, a turnaround school in Syracuse (page 10).

CONTRIBUTORS Deborah Cavanagh,Tammy DiDomenico, Aaron Gifford, Eileen Gilligan, Linda Lowen, Maggie Lamond Simone, Laura Livingston Snyder, Chris Xaver

Michael Gilbert writes about another kind of turnaround on page 16, discussing the role restorative justice aims to play in bringing peace to disrupted classrooms. Like our students, Family Times, is always changing. As of this issue, I’ve been editor in chief of the magazine for 10 years, and I continue to grow and learn on the job. Happy fall!

ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Elizabeth Fortune (ext. 116) EFortune@syracusenewtimes.com Lesli Mitchell (ext. 140) LMitchell@syracusenewtimes.com Lija Spoor (ext. 111) LijaSpoor@syracusenewtimes.com CLASSIFIED/BACKPACK Lija Spoor (ext. 111)

Reid Sullivan Editor in Chief

GENERAL MANAGER/COMPTROLLER Deana Vigliotti (ext. 118)

Correction: The Health Qs interview in the August 2016 issue, with Dr. Luis Castro and nutritionist Lisa Yarah, contained two errors, which are corrected here. In talking about eating while pregnant, Lisa Yarah said, “As far as eating for two, during the second and third trimesters you only need an extra 300 calories per day, basically the amount of one small snack. A small apple, a tablespoon of peanut butter or ounce of cheese, one slice of whole wheat bread and a glass of skim milk is really all you need.”

OFFICE MANAGER Christine Burrows

To properly wash fruits and vegetables, she said: “First wash your hands with good old soap and water, and then rinse the fruits or vegetables thoroughly under running water.”

Subscribe to Family Times by mail and receive 12 issues for only $25. Call (315) 472-4669 to order.

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Whether kids are buying lunch or bringing it from home, they should eat a variety of foods for a healthy meal. For more tips, see the article on page 8.

Cover photo by Mark Bowden/Getty Images Design by Natalie Davis

Advertising deadline for October is Sept. 15. Calendar deadline for October is Sept. 2. 4

Family Times September 2016

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Family Times September 2016

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Ready, Set, Kindergarten!

Attention to a few details can ease the transition | BY LAURA LIVINGSTON SNYDER

hen children enter kindergarten, moms and dads must relinquish control to strangers, sometimes for the first time. And the people and atmosphere of school helps create brand-new versions of our children. For at least 13 more years they’ll be called students, and the expectations are different from when we parents were in their shoes. Here are some ideas for helping kids have a good kindergarten experience.

School Gets Real

This starts with a parent’s realization that her baby is actually starting school. Whether the milestone is anticipated or dreaded, the stress parents feel trickles down to their child. Without adequate ways to handle this stress, kindergartners may struggle. They may become moody, suffer from headaches or even have trouble sleeping. Having children identify what stress feels like is the first step in learning how to cope with it. Allow them to talk about how they feel. It ties their emotions to the situation. Opening this line of communica6

Family Times September 2016

tion helps them work out how to approach it and lets them know they are not alone. Having a way to burn off steam can help, too. Running and playing outside gives kids an outlet for their pent-up anxiety and energy.

What Parents Can Expect

Children begin kindergarten at any age from 4 ½ to 6 ½ years old. That’s a significant difference in developmental readiness and maturity. Sara Zolik, a kindergarten teacher with the Southside Academy Charter School for nine years, has a few ideas on what parents will face. Regardless of the difference in preschool preparation, “look at the whole picture,” she suggests. “The focus should be on the child’s achievement.” She believes there’s more to it than just the academic piece. “If they are excited, they will do well. Know your child and be honest about your child’s strengths and weaknesses. If you know what their needs are, you will be on the same page as the teacher.”

What’s Different Today?

School has changed significantly within the last decade or so. Kids are being ex-

posed to information in kindergarten that years ago might not have been introduced until first or second grade. What’s the biggest difference? Expect your kindergartner to be reading by the end of the school year. Strategies include introducing sight words (as, with, the, is) and memorizing them. Also, expect homework. This high-intensity learning, however, may result in regression in other areas. For instance, potty-trained kids may start to have accidents, and thumb sucking may return. Sometimes all children need is extra cuddling and support while they adapt to the demands of school. With a new full-time schedule without naps, kids are often exhausted at the end of the school day. Teachers see children fall asleep in class by late afternoon. Grumpy children have more meltdowns because they can’t adequately process their feelings. After school, allow time to wind down with a routine. Make electronics off limits in the evening, and set a regular bed time

thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s early enough for a full night of good sleep.

How to Reduce Anxiety

Phil Cleary has taught preschool for 24 years at the North Syracuse Central School Districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Early Education Program at Main Street School in North Syracuse. He believes a child has four basic concerns when starting school. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very much like us starting a new job,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kids want to know where they are going and what it looks like. They will feel better if they know who is going to be there, and if they will have friends.â&#x20AC;?

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He believes parents should give only enough information to satisfy their questions. Too much information overloads them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Keep it simple, positive, and directly address their concerns. Take a tour of the school if itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s offered. Show your child where the bathroom is and where they might put their coat.â&#x20AC;? School can be an especially unfamiliar experience for children who have always been cared for at home. Ashley Stone, a speech-language pathologist, recommends reading picture books together that address this separation. Her favorite book is The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn. Many familiar characters, such as Arthur, Clifford and Winnie the Pooh, also tackle this topic.

Getting Ready for Independence

All kindergarten classes share the same requirements and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s never too late to fine tune abilities. Every child should be able to identify his or her name in print. Children who can write their names starting with a capital letter will have a head start. What can be overlooked most, according to all those I interviewed, is a childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to care for herself independently. Kids should be able to fasten and button clothing after bathroom visits, and they should be able to handle outerwear such as boots and mittens on their own. Teachers simply donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have time to zip up coats on 20 or more children at dismissal.

associate books and print with pleasure. Listening to a parent read gives youngsters a head start in language development and literacy skills. The more they do it, the better they read. Successful readers are more likely to be successful in life. Plus, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s free. Since both parent and child are experiencing school for the first time in these new roles, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s even more important for moms and dads to be involved in the process. Thoughtful preparation and follow-through can set the stage for a lifetime of happy learning. Laura Livingston Snyder is a writer and mother of four who lives north of Syracuse. She blogs at freshapplesnyder.com.

Also, reinforce a childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to be patient. Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s during lessons, while a teacher attends to others or during circle time, kids should be able to tolerate waiting. Practice waiting without using handheld devices, since children wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be allowed to use them in school.

Reading for Success

The importance of a parent reading to her son or daughter, at any age, cannot be stressed enough. And itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s at the top of every teacherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wish list. Readaloud.org advocates for 15 minutes every day. Reading to a child strengthens the parent-child relationship. It also helps kids

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Family Times September 2016

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nutritional CONTENT

Liking Lunch

Best bets for serving kids a yummy, nutritious meal | BY MOLLY MORGAN

hen it comes to school lunch, deciding what to pack—or not to pack—or allow your child to buy—or not to buy—can quickly become a weekday dilemma. As a mom of two schoolage boys and a registered dietitian, I can relate on many different levels. Here is some perspective on school lunch: The modern school lunch program has served more than 224 billion lunches since it first started in 1946, providing many of those meals at no cost or a reduced cost. I have had the privilege of working with school lunch programs, and providing a well-balanced meal with plenty of fruit, vegetables, protein, grains (mostly whole grains), and dairy that meets the budget, serving capabilities, and that children will actually eat is a gigantic challenge. Imagine your dinner has to please not just your family but hundreds of little ones every day—and also meet federally mandated nutrition guidelines. Besides meeting nutrition guidelines, school meals must also offer a variety of foods every day, including fruits, vegeta8

Family Times September 2016

bles, protein (meat or meat alternatives), dairy and grains. What’s more, legumes (such as black beans and chickpeas) must be offered every week! A challenge with school lunch is that most elementary schools use what is called an “offer versus serve” format and high schools must use offer versus serve. What offer versus serve means is that while schools must offer students five components, the student is only required to select three of the five components and one of those selections must be a fruit or vegetable. With this in mind, the best tip I can share with families is if your children are buying lunch, review the school lunch menu with them and talk about what foods (also known as components) they are going to select. This will help you get a better understanding of what your child is eating and give you the chance to stress the value of eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains. If you are packing your child’s lunch, here are the most important considerations: assembling 1) a nutritionally balanced meal, 2) that your child will eat

(and have time to eat), and 3) that can be safely stored at the correct temperature to avoid food-borne illness. When it comes to packing a nutritionally balanced lunch, I like to use a checklist, similar to the one school meal planners employ. Every day aim to include: grains (mostly whole grains), a meat or meat alternative, fruit, vegetable and dairy. Grains: whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta, whole grain crackers, whole wheat pita bread. Meat or meat alternative: roasted turkey breast, cheese, yogurt, peanut butter or other nut or seed butter, beans. Fruit: applesauce, fruit strips (made with whole fruit), dried fruit, apple slices, bananas, fruit cups. Vegetables: mini salad cups, baby carrots, sliced cucumbers, sliced peppers. Dairy: milk (for example, a milk drink box), yogurt, cheese. To make sure your child will eat it, engage him or her in the planning process of what to pack. Try narrowing down the selections for your children, like: Would you

rather have an applesauce cup or a banana today in your lunch? Would you like baby carrots or cucumber slices?

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Changing up what you send for lunch can help ensure your child actually eats what you pack. I find that my children love alternatives to a sandwich like: a whole grain wrap filled with roasted turkey, cheese, and vegetable; a “cheese and cracker lunch” with slices of cheddar cheese and whole grain crackers; or a tossed vegetable salad topped with a variety of vegetables and cubes of grilled chicken. To ensure the food starts and stays safe, keep in mind that harmful bacteria grow when food is between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Having an insulated lunch box can help to keep cold food cold, and using insulated containers for sending warm foods will help keep hot foods hot. To keep your child’s lunch out of the danger zone: Try freezing items like drinks or yogurt tubes to help keep the foods cold

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As for packaging, if your child is a slow eater, try not to overwhelm him with too much food in his lunch box. Also consider how the foods are packaged and purchase types that are easiest for kids to manage by themselves. For example: Reusable baggies maybe easier to open than sealed containers.

within the lunch, or add ice packs to the lunch bag. When it comes to school meals, whether your child is eating at school or at home, my best tips are to engage them in the conversation, encourage tasty (and healthy) choices, and offer a variety of options.

Molly Morgan is a registered dietitian and author of three books, including, most recently, Drink Your Way to Gut Health. She lives in the Southern Tier area with her two children and husband.Visit her website at creativenutritionsolutions. com.

Family Times September 2016

MICHAEL DAVIS PHOTOS

family FACES

A Champion for Change Principal at Dr. Weeks Elementary is ‘all in’ | BY TAMMY DiDOMENICO

hen Carin Reeve-Larham accepted the job as principal at Dr. Weeks Elementary School in Syracuse, it wasn’t just a challenging career move. It was personal. “I lived in this neighborhood when I younger,” explained Reeve-Larham, 47, during a recent visit to the school, which serves over 800 students on the North Side of Syracuse, many of whom are immigrants grappling with extreme poverty. “I personally feel connected to this school. I knew what this school meant to the people who live here, and I feel like I understand how we got here.” Dr. Weeks is one of 17 schools in the Syracuse City School District designated as struggling by a July 2015 New York State Education Department report. As a result of the report (and a New York state law implemented in June 2015), Dr. Weeks had two years to show progress with then-district superintendent Sharon Contreras overseeing the process. The school entered a period of receivership, or “tough love,” so to speak. “Turnaround status, in terms of the state, means that we had been in significant decline in our student achievement for a long period of time,” said Reeve-Larham, who was appointed principal in 10

Family Times September 2016

2014. “First, we had been a ‘focus’ school because our scores had gone down; then a ‘priority’ school because our scores had gone down even further. Then, the classification of ‘turnaround’ was given to us.” Since then, Reeve-Larham has been undeterred in her efforts to get parents and the greater community to believe that their school could be great. “No parent wants to hear that their child’s school is failing,” she said bluntly. “The negative language that was in the press about Dr. Weeks was hard for parents to hear. But it also was a motivator for us; you want to be viewed as ‘not failing’ really, really quickly.” It wasn’t easy. Reeve-Larham—who began her career as a music teacher and later worked at Dr. Weeks as an administrative intern—had to sell new hires on the idea of working harder at a school that faced possible closure. That meant not just an extended school day but also a commitment to data-based support and training in collaborative team planning. “(Embracing this) was really one of the criteria of working here,” Reeve-Larham said, detailing the expectations for Dr. Weeks’ 75 teachers and support staff. “This is working to turn around a school. And it takes some different competencies on the part of teachers. It’s what I’d call a relentless commitment, and it really has

to come from everybody. The pressure is constant. It’s tiring and frustrating. You really have to give of yourself. But we’ve built a great team here.” Initially, that team had little time to orient themselves to their new surroundings. Few knew the extent of the problems their students’ families faced each day and how those problems could manifest in student behavior. “For us, year one was all about culture and climate. There were issues of safety that were concerning,” Reeve-Larham said. “There were a lot of suspensions and a culture that was not really conducive to learning. As a turnaround principal, you are really charged with setting a vision, establishing some clear priorities, and seeing some significant growth pretty quickly.” The staff worked hard to build student pride, which Reeve-Larham saw as a gateway toward establishing a learning community based on trust. They established schoolwide routines and customs. “We were creating a sense of pride around being a Wildcat (the school’s mascot), and identifying what that means,” Reeve-Larham said. “It’s one thing to be a Wildcat when you’re walking in the hall. It’s another thing when you’re in the classroom. . . . For us, that focused

Fittingly, organization and transparency are key aspects of her leadership style. During a recent visit to her office, large lists of goals and achievements for each month of the school year were posted on her walls. She eagerly shares data on her students’ reading and math goals and achievements that she compiled and documented all last year. She studies demographics and subgroups within each grade level to see how teachers can fine-tune their teaching strategies. And she posts to a blog, Keep Calm and #Turnaround!, as a way to share her progress with her school and instructional leadership teams, and with the public. Reeve-Larham’s personality and work ethic enable her to sustain the focus necessary to lead a turnaround school. “Every moment has to be all-in, for me. It’s kind of like Dr. Weeks is part of my family,” she said.

Carin Reeve-Larham, principal of Dr. Weeks Elementary School (opposite page), sits with students Nay Kpaw, Zion McFadden and Mohammed Al Tameemi. On this page, she reads with student Anjuli Chapagain.

on being a good reader. We embedded that into our whole process of creating a culture and climate that was conducive to student learning. We really focused on building the capacities within our staff, within our students and within our families to embrace the fact that this was different. The expectations were different. It was about getting students to really buy into academic expectations and goal-setting; getting parents to really support the changes that we were making in terms of restorative practices and supporting the code of conduct.” By the end of the 2015-16 school year, there were clear indicators that Dr. Weeks was making progress. Reeve-Larham set high goals for grade-level achievement in reading and math, and many were achieved. The hardworking staff not only stayed but has flourished and is making inroads toward building strong relationships with the community they serve. Suspensions have been significantly decreased since the 2013-14 school year, and summer school enrollment was up. “Now, there is a culture of reading here, and students know where they are going,” Reeve-Larham said. “I feel really good about how we ended the year. We know from looking at our data that our students have improved. We know this is a different place than it was two years ago.” The school will move into the next phases of the turnaround plan in Sep-

tember—putting even more emphasis on improving academics. There is also excitement about a new vice principal; Ski-Yaun Ware has joined the Dr. Weeks team, coming from Frazer School. Reeve-Larham is optimistic about the possibilities, but she and her staff are also more acutely aware of the many factors that contribute to—or undermine—student success. No assessment can account for basic needs that cannot be met at school. So in whatever ways they can, they attempt to address those. “There are just a lot of stressors on these families,” Reeve-Larham said, describing parents who juggle multiple jobs, new immigrants who struggle to learn the language and culture, and families dealing with serious health issues exacerbated by poverty. “You have to meet families where they are. The hardest thing about this job is knowing that people are struggling, but not having the answers. You don’t want to say to a family, ‘We can’t help you.’” So, the effort to strengthen the school’s commitment to the surrounding community will be even stronger this year. The school is looking to partner with mental health, eye and dental care providers in order to expand services to its families. With Dr. Weeks taking these larger steps toward becoming a community hub—officially or unofficially—Reeve-Larham’s to-do list keeps growing.

Being “all-in” means helping others reach their potential. Reeve-Larham places a strong emphasis on teacher development and takes an active role in challenging and supporting the staff. She also stays on site as much as possible during the month of September, to help get teachers off on the right foot. “Making sure everyone has a good, solid toolbox to help address issues is really important,” she said. “You have to get the expectations, and the routine, right in September. Consistency is important.” Since Dr. Weeks has a shorter summer break than other local schools, downtime is treasured, and Reeve Larham is sustained by the support of her family—husband Tallon and sons Jacob, 14 and Sam, 17. “The longer I’ve been there, the better I’m getting at being purposeful about my time,” she says. “You know, you miss things. But having everyone at home believe that this is the right thing for me to do means a lot.” As Dr. Weeks School prepares for another busy fall, the SCSD remains in a period of uncertainty. Contreras recently started a new position as superintendent of Guilford County Schools in North Carolina, and the Board of Education Commissioners has embarked on a nationwide search for her replacement. Reeve-Larham is not concerned about the transition, reassured by the support she has from other administrative leaders at the district level. “They really do trust in the vision we have for Dr. Weeks,” Reeve-Larham said. “There is lots of transparency, and I’m pretty confident that whoever comes in as a leader here will support what we are doing.” Award-winning writer Tammy DiDomenico lives in DeWitt with her husband and two sons. Family Times September 2016

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Family Times September 2016

Is everything OK?

What happened?

How do you feel about it now?

THINKSTOCK PHOTO

How did it happen?

Who did your actions hurt?

What’s ‘Restorative Justice’?

City schools are trying a new way to achieve peace in the classroom | BY MICHAEL GILBERT

ow should schools respond to behavioral infractions? What needs to happen when there is defiance, aggression or other destructive behavior? How is justice viewed and applied? In 2014, The New York State Office of the Attorney General reported that the Syracuse City School District had failed to afford students adequate legally required appeals. The attorney general also found SCSD had demonstrated bias against disabled students and students of color in discipline processes. The state attorney general and the school district came to an agreement to ensure fair and appropriate disciplinary practices. The goal was to reduce the use of school suspensions through preventative and positive behavioral interventions, as well as ensure students’ due process rights in the event of suspensions. A new code of conduct was developed that outlined expectations for student behavior and consequences for violations. Unfortunately, the rollout of the new system was flawed. With its adoption, there has been a decrease in the number of suspensions as a result in the change of the approval process for discipline. However, the reduction in suspensions was not related to improved behavior. In fact,

there has been an overall deterioration of school climate. Similar issues were seen in other school districts, such as in California, which implemented comparable procedures without a clear vision and the resources required for success. Students were kept in the buildings but there was not meaningful change or increase in supportive approaches.

For the past year, Syracuse city schools have begun to implement restorative practices.

School districts across the country are looking towards the practice of restorative justice as a model to end the “school-toprison pipeline.”

Restorative practices focus on repairing harm and creating a safe space for open communication, relationship building, healing and understanding. Restorative justice can offer a chance to those affected by conflict to be part of finding solutions that meet their needs and promote community safety and well-being. It can help students develop skills needed to manage their own behaviors, treat others with respect and solve their own problems.

Numerous reports have found that African-American students across the country are more likely to be suspended from school. Decades of evidence show that the suspension and expulsion of students does little to change negative behavior. Instead, it tends to shut students out of school, which can lead to a cycle of futility: falling behind in the classroom, ultimately dropping out, lack of employment opportunities—all elevating the risk of crime and incarceration. So districts nationwide are moving away from zero-tolerance discipline policies and, through restorative practices, are looking to strengthen safe and supportive schools, address conflict, improve school climate, and build a positive school culture that students feel connected to.

What does that mean? Restorative justice is a cultural shift based on respect, responsibility, relationship building and relationship repairing. It aims to keep kids in school and to create a safe environment where learning can flourish.

Restorative justice helps students resolve conflicts on their own and in small groups. The idea is to bring students together in peer-mediated small groups to talk, ask questions and resolve any conflicts. It’s really all about relationships—building and repairing them. We should be responding to a student’s social-emotional and behavioral struggles the same way we do to academic concerns. We need to sit down beside them and help them get it right—not isolate them.

Family Times September 2016

family time

Many schools are using a three-tiered approach: prevention, intervention and supported re-entry. The first tier is all about community building as a preventive measure, such as frequent classroom circles. The circles are based on Native American practices that value inclusiveness, dealing with concerns as a community, and healing.

THINKSTOCK PHOTO

Skills that are developed during these proactive circles include respect, equality, empathy and emotional literacy, problem solving, responsibility, self-regulation and self-awareness, and shared leadership. This helps create a foundation on which restorative practice can thrive. It gives all students a voice and the opportunity to share their insights. The second tier is intervention, such as restorative chats, in which teachers use restorative discipline practices to discuss and mend the harm that was done. When a student misbehaves, the offending student is given the opportunity to come forward and make things right. He or she will sit in a circle and work together with the teacher and the affected individuals. To facilitate the process, the teacher or support staff asks non-judgmental and restorative questions like, Is everything OK? What happened? How did it happen? What were you thinking then? How do you feel about

it now? Who did your actions hurt? What can we do to make it right? Through their discussions, participants in the circle all gain a better understanding of what happened, why it happened, and what can be done to repair the harm. Students will have a central role in developing and carrying out a plan to repair any harm. And the efforts help strengthen the relationships of those involved. When a student is suspended, a restorative circle can be used to eventually help him or her rejoin the classroom community and get a clean state. What are the potential benefits? Using restorative practices keeps students in school. Everyone works together to keep them in the classroom where they can learn. When you get kids talking, you learn about the traumas they may have faced. And just getting kids to talk about what they did and why they did it is a more constructive way to teach students how to resolve conflict without aggression or further harm. Teachers who use restorative practices have an opportunity for better relationships with their students and therefore less stress from unresolved conflicts. There is less time wasted on discipline and more time available for teaching and interaction.

Students aren’t afraid to admit when they’ve done something wrong and are more likely to accept responsibility. There are a number of challenges with the implementation of restorative justice practices, and it requires time for meaningful shifts in school culture to take hold. Syracuse city schools are in the early phases of weaving these practices into the fabric of the educational environment. The resources and time need to be available. All levels of district staff, including administrators, need adequate training in order to have a solid understanding of the restorative practices. Parents, family and community also need to be included and active participants. We need to balance the rights of students who have social-emotional and behavioral struggles with the rights of all students to have classrooms that are safe. Michael Gilbert, Psy.D., is a school psychologist with the Syracuse City School District and founder of the non-profit It’s About Childhood & Family, Inc. He has worked in a variety of settings with children and families for the past 25 years. He lives with his wife and two daughters in DeWitt.

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STORIES

Teachers focus on problem solving and hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering and math work BY TAMMY DiDOMENICO

Family Times September 2016

n a warm morning in mid-June, as the final hours of the school year were winding down at Cazenovia High School, engineering and technology instructor Chris Hurd was putting the finishing touches on his 27th year with the district. But it wasn’t the upcoming summer break that had him energized—it was the classes that he still had to teach that day. “Things have changed so much in these fields since I started teaching,” Hurd says of his long career. “I’ve gone from doing tech projects with seventh and eighth graders, to doing physics with high schoolers. You can teach a kid anything if they want to learn it. Once they apply it, they get it.” Using hands-on problem solving to teach science, technology, engineering and math—commonly known as STEM—has become a focus for educators at all grade levels. Methods of teaching the separate, related subjects encourage learning through trial and error, with teachers guiding students’ efforts. Hurd was one of the first teachers in the area to participate in Project Lead the Way when Cazenovia began offering STEM courses in 1999. PLTW is a nonprofit educational organization that emphasizes student exposure to problem-solving strategies and critical thinking through computer science, engineering and biomedical science curriculums. Today, Hurd is a PLTW Engineering Master Teacher—one of just 350 nationwide—helping to develop the curriculums and teaching other teach-

ers. He was one of five educators recognized nationally this year with PLTW’s Teacher of the Year Award.

Chris Hurd, a Cazenovia High School technology teacher, is pictured at the Ohio factory Robotworx, where he went for training in using a robotic arm. (The one used in the classroom is much smaller.)

Hurd, a father of two, says programs like PLTW can have widespread influence on the modern classroom. “My field, technology, has always been student-driven,” he says. “But PLTW has been doing that in an expanded way since before STEM was cool. I love it because I don’t ever teach the same thing twice. These fields are evolving so quickly, and the curriculum is never the same. There are updates and changes throughout the year.” While the integration of science, technology, engineering and math education may not be as far along as some experts would like, Hurd says opportunities for interdepartmental collaboration are growing. “The math and science departments here at Cazenovia are outstanding,” he says. “These kids come into my class already knowing things like statistics. So I can be confident in incorporating those concepts into a project. And the problem-solving we do benefits students in other classes.” Family Times September 2016

In the photos on this page, students at Syracuse high schools do work in science, technology, engineering and math classes.

With these skills, students can, potentially, be marketable in the workforce with fewer years of college education. Kristen Angelo was a civil engineer before becoming a science and engineering teacher at LaFayette Central High School four years ago. Angelo was inspired to teach after participating in student outreach programs through the Society of Women Engineers. Angelo now teaches four STEM courses at LaFayette, and engages her students on a higher level. “I push them to discover things on their own,” she says. “Sometimes that means stepping back and letting them make mistakes that they can learn from. Project Lead the Way has helped the higher-level classes become more project-based. Students need to address a problem by breaking it down and figuring it out. It’s not about just giving the right answer.” Angelo knows how valuable this is. “We are, as a society, looking ahead and seeing that we need people who are ready to fill certain roles in industry, engineering or design,” she says. “Experts predict that by 2025, there will be three computer science jobs for every person with a degree.” Angelo says, for her, the integration of two or more STEM content areas happens naturally. “I try to do a lot of applied projects, so my PLTW students really use their physics concepts,” she says. “And I try to do those open-ended projects with my physics students, too, which draws from other components of STEM.” Angelo—one of five recipients of the Technology Alliance of Central New York’s Outstanding Teacher Award last spring—says LaFayette will be expanding its STEM commitment. “(They) just hired a new technology teacher. And in two years I will be teaching a course in civil engineering.” In Syracuse, career and technical education courses are available at all five city high schools. Students 20

Family Times September 2016

can choose the high school with offerings that best fit their academic interests, including programs in fields such as geographic information systems (GIS), cybersecurity and drone technology. Syracuse students can also work toward an associate in applied science degree in electrical engineering technology or mechanical engineering technology from Onondaga Community College through a six-year program that combines high school and college coursework with career preparation and work experience. Angelo says LaFayette is also encouraging more project-based learning in the middle and elementary schools. “I think you’ve got to start exposing students to these concepts at the earliest level,” she says.

“I push them to discover things on their own. Sometimes that means stepping back and letting them make mistakes they can learn from.” — Kristen Angelo Tracy Derrenbacher, who teaches Regents earth science and physical science at Onondaga Hill Middle School in the Westhill School District, agrees. “Project-based learning has truly transformed my teaching,” she says. “Along with the flipped classroom format I have developed over the past six years, I find project-based, and problem-based learning allows students to work in both teams and individually.” This flipped classroom approach, in which the order of instruction and problem-solving activities is reversed from the traditional classroom model, has measurable benefits, Derrenbacher says. “Students can learn at their own pace, review materials as needed (while) class time is devoted to the more difficult concepts. Students are more responsible for their time management. (It) is preparing students for real life. It is authentic learning. Employers will expect this,” she says. Manlius Pebble Hill, a private kindergartenthrough-grade-12 school in DeWitt, is planning an enclosed STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) park as part of a multimillion-dollar renovation project. Kendall Hoekstra, head of the lower and middle levels at the school, says it will include interactive tools for long-term projects, and a performance and presentation space. This project points to the school’s long-held emphasis on project-based learning. “When (students) engage in real life, hands-on problem solving, they can see how it relates to what is going on in the world around them and it helps them to feel connected to it,” Hoekstra says. The Liverpool Central School District has also sought to incorporate STEM and project-based learning into classrooms at all levels. Debbie Jeneault, another of the five TACNY Outstanding Teacher Award winners, teaches fourth

Nate Franz, executive director of curriculum and instruction for Syracuse schools, says local companies have helped make the district’s technology programs relevant to area employers. Photos courtesy of Syracuse City School District

grade at Donlin Drive Elementary School. Teachers, she says, use a variety of strategies for getting STEM-based strategies for problem solving into their classrooms. For example, tools such as Science Notebooking are an interactive way to get students to research a focus question. “Teachers are finding that with this protocol, it really reaches all subjects. This is learning that can go everywhere—‘aha’ moments that they can apply to different subjects,” Jeneault says. Half-days for students are designated as STEM days. “We do it crossgrade level,” she says. “Kids get to pick from a list of projects, work in teams, and help each other solve design problems. … There can be anything from Rube Goldbergs to marble mazes, to

airplane challenges to catapults.” Introducing STEM to younger students is also a goal for the SCSD, according to Nate Franz, executive director of curriculum and instruction. “We really doubled down on that. Project Lead the Way curriculums (called Gateway to Technology at the middle school level) for sixth, seventh, and eighth graders are now done in all of our middle schools.” The Syracuse district has an ongoing STEM-based partnership with the Museum of Science and Technology in Syracuse. And, last spring, students from Syracuse’s Danforth Middle School competed in a regional Marine Advanced Technology Education competition. The task was to design, build and operate unmanned vehicles capable of performing tasks in a cold, Family Times September 2016

underwater environment. Each of the three Syracuse teams won awards and is eligible to compete nationally this November. Students from several of the district’s middle and high schools have participated in the State Vex Robotics Competition, held on the Onondaga Community College campus. Last spring, a team from Corcoran High School qualified for international competition. Representatives from local companies also serve on a district task force that gives industry-based feedback on the district’s technology programs. “They helped us think about what the needs are in the region and how we can align our programs with those,” Franz says. “We can ask questions like, ‘What does a comprehensive computer science program look like?’”

Beyond the Walls Several local schools and libraries now offer summer programs. One of the most popular is the STEM Camp offered as part of Onondaga Community College’s College for Kids. Scott Stagnitta, an engineering and technology teacher at Skaneateles High School who has offered the courses for 16 years, still gets a kick out of seeing kids figure out how to make things work— or why they don’t. “With these camps, kids get the opportunity to take some of these STEM concepts a step further,” he says. “There is a lot of open-ended problem solving.”

In addition to the STEM camp, Stagnitta offers courses in aerospace engineering, Lego Mindstorms NXT and mechanical engineering. When kids start building the rockets, mousetrap cars or robots, they tend to focus on the end result. Stagnitta encourages them to consider each step in the design process. “We call it failing forward,” he says. “They are more concerned with getting the rockets to work. But I want them to learn when it doesn’t work. When they fail, that’s when they learn. It’s about capturing their imagination.” Stagnitta offers two sections of the STEM camp—one for boys, another for girls. “The girls work better if they are on their own,” he says. “Once they do it, their confidence just grows. Then they can take that confidence back to school with them in the fall and be more confident when they work with the boys in their class.”

Teaching the Teachers While Project Lead the Way offers intensive training for educators, teachers also get support and ongoing STEM-based development from various local sources. Derrenbacher, of Onondaga Hill Middle School, says social media and online learning communities offer easy ways for educators to stay connected and discuss emergent teaching strategies and classroom technology. She says professional development in these areas has improved

greatly in recent years, inspiring teachers’ confidence in meeting the fast-changing demands of these disciplines. “I look for professional development opportunities that are technology-rich and will take my class to the next level,” she says. “I’m certainly not afraid to try something new. Sometimes this is met with failure, but that is part of the learning.” For Jeneault, at Donlin Drive Elementary, a collaborative approach to teaching and implementing the use of professional learning communities is crucial. “We can’t even begin the teaching process unless we collaborate on where we are going,” she says. While collaboration can be harder in a larger district, Franz says he and Corcoran make consistent efforts to facilitate that. “Our curriculums are dynamic and we make sure we are implementing those skills into other content areas,” he says. “We are learning right along with our students.” At the State University of New York at Oswego, Mark Springston, associate professor of technology, is a fierce proponent of teaching STEM education as an instructional method, or pedagogy. “We need to give students context, especially for children in grades K to 6,” Springston says. “They need practice in active context, doing meaningful things that integrate the core components of STEM. It’s not preparing a generation of engineering professionals; it’s more that everyone is going to have to problem solve. Whether it’s designing and constructing a tree house, or creating things in makerspaces, students are going to need these skills in life, in daily practice, regardless of their career choice.” Springston, who has been at SUNY Oswego for 10 years, says his experience as a parent has also influenced his approach to working with the next generation of educators. His daughter, Liliana—now 10— wasn’t getting sufficient opportunities to develop STEM skills in elementary school. “I saw that she was not getting meaningful experiences with STEM problem solving,” he says. “People coming into teaching now grew up with the internet and they take a lot of technology courses, but they have to learn how to apply that and engage students.” Springston says educators-in-training would do well to focus on helping students gain something far more valuable than technology skills. “The information age is pushing all kinds of things,” he says, “But the process of human problem solving is more consistent.” Award-winning writer Tammy DiDomenico lives in DeWitt with her husband and two sons.

Family Times September 2016

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Family Times September 2016

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Family Times September 2016

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September 2016 event details, call the sponsoring organizationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s phone number or visit the website.

Friday, Aug. 26 New York State Fair. 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; through

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Sept. 5. The fair features thousands of animals, hundreds of commercial attractions, scores of rides and countless styles of deep fried food. New York State Fairgrounds, Syracuse. Admission: $10/ general; free/age 12 and younger. $3/Thursdays. $1/Sept. 5. Parking: $5. (800) 475-FAIR. nysfair.org.

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KidsFest. 11 a.m. Time for Three performs fiddle music in a mix of genres: classical, bluegrass, jazz and country. Part of the Skaneateles Festival. First Presbyterian Church, 97 E. Genesee St., Skaneateles. $5/adults; free/under 18. 685-7418. skanfest.org.

Youth Engineering. 12:30 p.m. Young people

New York State Fair. 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; through Sept. 5. See Aug. 26 listing.

Monday, Aug. 29 Sept. 5. See Aug. 26 listing.

Tuesday, Aug. 30 New York State Fair. 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; through Sept. 5. See Aug. 26 listing.

Wednesday, Aug. 31

in grades 3-6 can make, design and build rockets using paper and tape. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. Registration required: 637-6374. fflib.org.

New York State Fair. 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; through

Sleeping Beauty. 12:30 p.m. The Magic Circle

Thursday, Sept. 1

Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Theatre presents an original, interactive version in which Sleeping Beauty falls asleep every time she hears her name spoken. Children in the audience can dress up to join the royal court. Spaghetti Warehouse, 689 N. Clinton St., Syracuse. $6. Reservations recommended: 449-3823.

Family Times September 2016

Sept. 5. See Aug. 26 listing.

Friday, Sept. 2 New York State Fair. 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; through Sept. 5. See Aug. 26 listing.

Life with Your New Baby. 11:30 a.m.; every

Friday. Support group for pregnant and postpartum mothers and significant others; babies welcome. Topics include baby blues, mother guilt, and anxiety and breastfeeding. Chicks and Hens, Empire Plaza, 3150 Erie Blvd. E., Syracuse. Free. 470-7940.

Saturday, Sept. 3 New York State Fair. 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; through Sept. 5. See Aug. 26 listing.

Sleeping Beauty. 12:30 p.m. See Aug. 27 listing. Sciencenter Showtime. 2 p.m.; Saturdays.

Learn about a different topic first hand each week, including chemistry, synthetic biology, DNA and more. Sciencenter, 601 First St., Ithaca. Admission: $8/adults; $7/seniors; $6/ages 3-17; free/under 3. (607) 272-0600.

Sunday, Sept. 4 New York State Fair. 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; through Sept. 5. See Aug. 26 listing.

New York State Fair. 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; through Sept. 5. See Aug. 26 listing.

Moto-Inventions. 1-2 p.m.; Sundays in September. Tinker with recycled materials and electricity to make whirling, moving machines to take home. Sciencenter, 601 First St., Ithaca. Admission: $8/ adults; $7/seniors; $6/ages 3-17; free/under 3. (607) 272-0600.

MICHAEL DAVIS PHOTO

Please note: Mistakes happen. To confirm

can read to one of four lovable, trained dogs. Mundy Branch Library, 1204 S. Geddes St., Syracuse. Free. 435-3797.

Tabletop Games. 6-8 p.m. Teens can hang out, eat snacks and play tabletop games. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. 4570310. lpl.org.

Thursday, Sept. 8 Action Art. 4 p.m. Children can explore art

New York State Fair. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. See Aug. 26 listing.

Tuesday, Sept. 6 Yoga Storytime. 10:30 a.m.; also Sept. 20. Kids

ages 3 to 6 can learn yoga and literacy skills in a session that features puppets, stories, songs and breathing exercises. Participants must wear socks; mats provided. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. Registration required: 637-6374. fflib.org.

Wednesday, Sept. 7 Homeschool STEAM Club. 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Children ages 5 to 12 (and parents and siblings) can learn about science, technology, engineering, art and math through activities and experiments. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. 457-0310. Registration required: lpl.org.

Tails to Tell. 3:30-4:30 p.m. Children ages 5-12

through movements such as snapping, tossing, jumping and running. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. 637-6374. fflib.org.

Friday, Sept. 9 Central New York Tomatofest. 6-8 p.m.;

also Sept. 10. Join the celebration of tomato season’s end—with crafts for sale, activities for kids, and more. Children’s activities at Case Memorial-Seymour Library, 176 Genesee St., Auburn, on Sept. 9, 6-8 p.m. Various locations in downtown Auburn Sept. 10. Proceeds benefit local food pantries. Free. 729-1548. cnytomatofest.org.

Saturday, Sept. 10 Golden Harvest Festival. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; also

Sept. 11. An old-fashioned country fair and harvest festival in one, with arts and crafts, live music, storytelling, super-natural midway for kids, wildlife programs, hay rides, canoeing and kayaking, and more. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. $5/adult; $1/ages 6-17; free/age 5 & under. 638-2519.

Star Trek Celebration. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the groundbreaking TV show by dressing up (no masks or weapons) and taking part in games and activities. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. 457-0310. lpl.org.

Paws and Books. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Kids ages

6-12 can read to Cooper, a dog certified as a Canine Good Citizen. Hazard Branch Library, 1620 W. Genesee St., Syracuse. Free. Registration required: 435-5326.

Reading to Rover. 11 a.m.-noon. Children ages

6-10 can read to and get their pictures taken with a dog from Paws of CNY in a 10-minute session. Onondaga Free Library, 4840 W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse. Free. Registration required: 492-1727.

Fishing Class. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Kids of all ages can

learn how to fish with Spider Rybaak. Live bait and lures will be used; bait and tackle are provided. Those over age 16 must have a valid New York state fishing license. Lake Neatahwanta pier, Route 3, Fulton. Free. srybaak@yahoo.com.

Central New York Tomatofest. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. See Sept. 9 listing.

Sleeping Beauty. 12:30 p.m. See Aug. 27 listing. Sensory Friendly Time. 5:30-7:30 p.m. MOST

staffers turn down the noise, turn off the flashing lights and shut off the air compressors so people with sensory issues can enjoy the museum. Museum of Science and Technology (MOST), 500 S. Franklin St., Armory Square, Syracuse. Admission: $12/adults; $10/ages 2-15. 425-9068.

Sunday, Sept. 11 Golden Harvest Festival. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. See Sept. 10 listing.

MICHAEL DAVIS PHOTO

New York State Fair, through Sept. 5

Family Times September 2016

Calendar

Monday, Sept. 5

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Calendar Paws and Books, Sept. 10

Anime Club. 2-4 p.m. Tweens and teens can

meet fellow anime and manga fans and check out the library’s comics. NOPL at North Syracuse, 100 Trolley Barn Lane, North Syracuse. Free. Registration requested: 458-6184. nopl.org.

Craftastic Critters. 4:30 p.m. Kids in pre-

school through grade 2 can drop in to make a craft. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. 637-6374. fflib.org.

Must-Have Items for Baby. 6 p.m. Learn

what items are most essential for your nursery in this session hosted by CNY Doula Connection. Refreshments provided. Simpson Family Wellness, No. 1, 309 Kasson Road, Camillus. Free. Registration preferred; call 447-4343.

Multiple Moms Mingle. 6:30 p.m. Monthly

meeting of mothers and expectant mothers of multiples. Tully’s, 2943 Erie Blvd. E., Syracuse. Reserve if you wish to attend: multiplemomsmin gle@gmail.com.

Tuesday, Sept. 13 Coding for Kids. 4 p.m. Students in grades 3-5

will learn about coding and computer programming through a variety of technology and tools. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. Registration required: 637-6374. fflib.org.

Wednesday, Sept. 14 Homeschool Book Club. 1:30-3 p.m. Students 30

Family Times September 2016

age 7 and up can discuss the monthly book (one each for younger and older groups). Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. 4570310. Registration required: lpl.org.

of Syracuse City Hall, Washington and Montgomery streets, Syracuse. Free admission. festaitaliana. bizland.com.

Pokemon Party. 4-5:30 p.m. Kids ages 5 to 11

Saturday, Sept. 17

can enjoy themed crafts, snacks and activities. DeWitt Community Library, Shoppingtown Mall (below food court), 3649 Erie Blvd. E., DeWitt. Free. Registration required: 446-3578.

Anime Night. 6-8 p.m. Teens can view and

discuss anime. Cosplay welcome, but costumes must be approved by library staff. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. 457-0310. lpl.org.

Thursday, Sept. 15 Smartplay. 1-1:30 p.m. Children age 6 and under

can explore a free-play environment that promotes discovery, creativity and the development of early literacy skills. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. 637-6374. fflib.org.

Peppa Pig Live. 6 p.m. The live version of the

Nick Jr. show for preschoolers brings puppets, costumed characters and music. Crouse-Hinds Theater, 411 Montgomery St., Oncenter, Syracuse. Tickets: $27.50-$40.50, plus fees. ticketmaster.com.

Junior Café Scientifique. 9:30-11 a.m. The

Technology Alliance of Central New York presents a talk about bionanotechnology by Syracuse University physics professor Liviu Movileanu. The talk is geared toward middle school students, who must be accompanied by an adult. Attendees can visit the exhibits after the presentation. Museum of Science and Technology (MOST), 500 S. Franklin St., Armory Square, Syracuse. Free. Register by email: jrcafe@tacny.org.

Bonsai Show. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; also Sept. 18.

Families can learn about these small trees from members of the Bonsai Club of Central New York. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. 457-0310. lpl.org.

New Sciencenter Exhibition Opens. 10

a.m.-5 p.m. Lift, launch and levitate as you explore how things move in the fall exhibition From Here to There. Sciencenter, 601 First St., Ithaca. Admission: $8/adults; $7/seniors; $6/ages 3-17; free/under 3. (607) 272-0600.

Fairytime Fun. 11 a.m. Kids age 7 and up can

Friday, Sept. 16

make a fairy, a fairy snack and a fairy house. Onondaga Free Library, 4840 W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse. Free. Registration required: 492-1727.

La Festa Italiana. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; through Sept.

18. Celebrate Italian culture, including food and music, and watch some really good bocce players in the tournament (starts Sept. 17, 9 a.m.). In front

18. See Sept. 16 listing.

Fayetteville Festival. Noon-dusk. Family event

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Monday, Sept. 12

Sleeping Beauty. 12:30 p.m. See Aug. 27 listing.

Sunday, Sept. 18 Walk for Children with Apraxia of Speech. 9 a.m.-noon. Walk supports awareness

of childhood apraxia of speech, a neurological speech disorder. Santaro Park, 4979 Velasko Road, Syracuse. $25/adults; $15/children. (412) 343-7102. hwhitemccormick@gmail.com.

Westcott Street Cultural Fair. Noon-6:30

p.m. The neighborhood puts on its 25th annual festival, starting with a parade at noon and followed by live music, dancing, crafts for sale, and a chance to learn about local nonprofit organizations. Children’s performances and activities take place at the Petit Branch library on Victoria Place. Westcott Street between Concord and Dell streets, and on side streets, Syracuse. Free. 313-5447. westcottstreetfair.org.

Tuesday, Sept. 20 Drop In Craft and Storytime. 4:15-5 p.m.

Children ages 4 to 8 and their families can listen to stories and do crafts. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. 457-0310. lpl.org.

Wednesday, Sept. 21 Discovery Club. 4:15-5 p.m. Children ages 7 to 12 can explore the wonders of science. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. 4570310. lpl.org.

Thursday, Sept. 22

AUTUMN BEGINS

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Monday, Sept. 19 See Ongoing Events

up can make chlorophyll prints, transplant a plant to take home, take home seeds to sprout and eat, and do more activities in this series devoted to science, technology, engineering, art and music. Onondaga Free Library, 4840 W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse. Free. Registration required: 492-1727.

Fancy Nancy Soiree. 4 p.m. Children in kindergarten through grade 5 can dress in their fanciest clothes for this party that celebrates the Fancy Nancy books. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. Registration required: 637-6374. fflib.org.

Friday, Sept. 23 See Ongoing Events

Saturday, Sept. 24

listing. listing.

p.m. Children age 7 and up can attempt to build a marshmallow and toothpick structure that can survive a Jell-O earthquake. NOPL at Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane, Cicero. Registration required: 699-2032. nopl.org.

Learn About Plants. 4 p.m. Children age 8 and

Bonsai Show. Noon-3:30 p.m. See Sept. 17 La Festa Italiana. Noon-7 p.m. See Sept. 16

Earthquake Building Challenge. 3:30-5

Sing-Along Friends Storytime. 10:15-11:15

Library Used Book Sale. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; also

Art Lab. 10:30 a.m. Kids ages 1-6 can explore

Sportsmen’s Days. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; also Sept.

a.m.; also Sept. 29. Children ages 2 to 5 and caregivers can share songs, stories and rhymes. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. 457-0310. Registration required: lpl.org. colors, textures and different mediums while learning creative thinking. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. 637-6374. fflib.org.

Sept. 25. Peruse more than 80,000 items for sale, including children’s books, DVDs and CDs. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. 457-0310. lpl.org. 25. Festival is an opportunity for those of all ages to try outdoor pursuits such as skeet shooting, turkey calling, archery, fly fishing, canoeing, muzzle

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Must-Have Items for Baby, Sept. 12

Family Times September 2016

Calendar

includes displays by local organizations; music; children’s activities; and a fireworks show at dusk. Beard Park, South Manlius Street, Fayetteville. Free. 637-9864. fayetteville.gov.

Calendar

loading and more. Demonstrations by woodsmen and displays of local wildlife art. Carpenter’s Brook Fish Hatchery, 1672 Route 321, Elbridge. Admission: $5/vehicle. 689-9367.

Fishing Class. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Kids of all ages

can learn how to fish with Spider Rybaak. Live bait and lures will be used; bait and tackle are provided. Those over age 16 must have a valid New York state fishing license. Oneida Lake Hatchery, Hatchery Road, off Route 49, Constantia. Free. srybaak@yahoo.com.

Chocolate Train Wreck Celebration.

Noon-4 p.m.; also Sept. 25. The Great Hamilton Chocolate Train Wreck of 1955 Celebration spotlights the wreck that spread two broken box cars full of Nestle products across the fields of Hamilton. See photos of the wreck, buy treats and take a walk (2 p.m.) to see the site of the 1955 incident with an expert guide. Good Nature Farm Brewery and Tap Room, 8 Broad St., Hamilton. 824-2337.

Sleeping Beauty. 12:30 p.m. See Aug. 27

300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. 637-6374. fflib.org.

Lego Club. 4-5 p.m. Kids ages 7-14 can ex-

plore their creative side with the library’s vast collection of minifigures and Legos. NOPL at Brewerton, 5440 Bennett St., Brewerton. Free. 676-7484. nopl.org.

Wednesday, Sept. 28 See Ongoing Events

Thursday, Sept. 29 Apple Day. 10:15 & 11 a.m. Celebrate apples

with storytimes or with games and more throughout the day. Have an apple and some apple cider, too, while supplies last. Onondaga Free Library, 4840 W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse. Free. 492-1727.

listing.

Family Festival. 1-4 p.m. People of all ages

can enjoy games, bounce houses, entertainment by Jeff the Magic Man, live music and more. Each family receives a free pumpkin. Vintage Faith Church, 6836 Route 3, Cicero. Free. vintage faithcicero.com.

Friday, Sept. 30 See Ongoing Events

her son Paul will teach participants all about rabbits—including bringing a couple to meet. Onondaga Free Library, 4840 W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse. Free. Registration required: 492-1727.

Sunday, Sept. 25 National Down Syndrome Society Buddy Walk. 10:30 a.m. (registration at 9:30 a.m.). Individuals with Down syndrome along with their friends and families promote acceptance and advocacy with a two-mile walk; followed by picnic lunch and festivities. Music by Bill Ali and the Shotgun Trio. T-shirts available for purchase. Long Branch Park, Longbranch Road, Liverpool. Free. Registration required: 682-4289. dsaofcny.org.

Sportsmen’s Days. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. See Sept. 24 listing.

Library Used Book Sale. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. See Sept. 24 listing.

Chocolate Train Wreck Celebration. Noon-4 p.m. See Sept. 24 listing.

Jewish Music and Cultural Festival.

Noon-5:30 p.m. Ethnic music, children’s activities, and an abundance of kosher foods featuring Middle Eastern and Eastern European favorites. Jewish Community Center of Syracuse, 5655 Thompson Road, DeWitt. Free admission. 4452040, Ext. 114. SyracuseJewishFestival.org.

Monday, Sept. 26 See Ongoing Events

Tuesday, Sept. 27 Signing Storytime. 10:30 a.m. Children ages

3-6 can learn six to seven signs that correspond to the week’s story. Fayetteville Free Library,

Family Times September 2016

Wegmans Playground. Boundless Playground

for children (and parents) of all ages and abilities includes accessible swings, slides, bridge and more, including special section just for the tiniest tykes. Onondaga Lake Park, Route 370, Liverpool. Free. 451-PARK.

Barnes & Noble Storytimes. Thursdays, 10

a.m. Join a storytime for toddlers and preschoolers that’s features a book, songs and coloring. Barnes & Noble, 3454 Erie Blvd. E., DeWitt. Free. 449-2948.

DeWitt Community Library. Library offers

hundreds of free programs for parents and children. DeWitt Community Library, Shoppingtown Mall (below food court), 3649 Erie Blvd. E., DeWitt. 446-3578.

Fayetteville Free Library Storytimes. (Ex-

cluding holidays.) First Steps: (Sept. 7, 14, 21 & 28, 9:30-10 a.m.) for good walkers up to age 3. Sing, Learn, Sign for Babies: (Sept. 7, 14, 21 & 28, 10:30-11 a.m.) for babies, with instruction in six basic signs to use before children can talk. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. 637-6374.

Maxwell Library Storytimes. Storytimes and

ONGOING EVENTS Webster Pond Fishing. Through Sept. 26:

Bunny Bonanza. 3 p.m. Linda Adams and

from dawn to dusk. Interpretive Center open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed Sundays. 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus. 673-1350.

book groups for all ages. Call for dates and times. Maxwell Memorial Library, 14 Genesee St., Camillus. Free. 672-3661.

Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon (kids); Sundays, 8 a.m.noon (adults). Seasonal fishing sponsored by the Anglers Association of Onondaga. Webster Pond, 2004 Valley Drive, Syracuse. $15/age 16 and older, season; $10/ages 7-15, season. 7272922. websterpond.org.

Northeast Community Center Library Storytimes. Preschool storytimes with rhymes and

Canoeing & Kayaking. Through Sept. 5:

NOPL at Brewerton Storytimes. Age 3 and

Saturdays & Sundays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; weekdays: 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Paddle around Beaver Lake searching for beaver lodges, turtles and herons. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. $10/hour of rental. Admission: $4/vehicle. Call for current weather conditions: 638-2519.

Downtown Syracuse Farmers’ Market.

Through Oct. 11: Tuesdays, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Farmers and produce dealers offer vegetables, fruit, nuts, flowers, baked goods and more for sale. Clinton Square, Syracuse. 422-8284. downtownsyracuse. com.

Weekend Walks With a Naturalist.

Saturdays and Sundays, 2 p.m. Nature discovery hike with different topics each weekend. Beaver Lake Nature Center, Route 370, Baldwinsville. Admission: $4/vehicle. 638-2519.

Salt Museum. Through Oct. 9: Saturdays

& Sundays, 1-6 p.m. Learn about the industry that created the city of Syracuse and supplied the nation with salt. See kettles, barrels and other gear used in the process that ended in the 1920s. Onondaga Lake Park, Onondaga Lake Parkway, Liverpool. Free. 453-6712.

Great Swamp Conservancy Nature Trails. Daily, dawn to dusk. Throughout the

year, visitors can grab their walking shoes and explore 4.5 miles of well-groomed, flat trails. Trails feature a 900-foot boardwalk, osprey nesting platform, and wetland and grassland restoration areas. The area is a stop for many migratory waterfowl and songbirds; other wildlife include muskrats and beavers. Great Swamp Conservancy, 3.5 miles off I-90, Exit 34, 8375 N. Main St., Canastota. Free. 697-2950.

Baltimore Woods Nature Center. Hiking trails and parking are free and open every day

occasional games; youngsters learn group listening and participation skills. Call for times. Northeast Community Center Library, 716 Hawley Ave., Syracuse. Free. 472-6343, Ext. 208.

older: Mondays, 10:30-11 a.m. NOPL at Brewerton Library, 5440 Bennett St., Brewerton. Free. 676-7484.

NOPL at Cicero Library Storytimes. Toddler Story Hour: Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 10-11 a.m. Preschool Story Hour: Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-noon. NOPL at Cicero Library, 8686 Knowledge Lane, Cicero. Free. Registration required: 699-2032.

NOPL at North Syracuse Library Storytimes. Birth-age 3: Wednesdays, 10-11:15 a.m. Ages 4-7: Thursdays, 11 a.m.-noon. Daycare Storytime: Fridays, 10-10:30 a.m. NOPL at North Syracuse Library, 100 Trolley Barn Lane, North Syracuse. Free. Registration required: 458-6184.

Onondaga Free Library Storytimes. Mother

Goose Time: Sept. 13, 20 & 27, 11 a.m. (for children age 2 and younger). Family Storytime: Sept. 14, 21 & 28, 11 a.m. (for children age 2 and up). Toddler Storytime: Sept. 15, 22 & 29, 10:15 a.m. (for ages 2-3). Preschool Storytime: Sept. 15, 22 & 29, 11 a.m. (for ages 3-5). Onondaga Free Library, 4840 W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse. Free. 492-1727.

Petit Branch Library Storytimes. Tuesdays,

10:30 a.m. Toddler and preschooler storytime for children ages 18 months-5 years and caregivers. Includes stories, rhymes, finger plays and songs. Petit Branch Library, 105 Victoria Place, Syracuse. 435-3636.

Syracuse Go Club. Every Monday, 7-10 p.m.

Wegmans sit-down dining area, 6789 E. Genesee St., Fayetteville. Club devoted to the ancient Chinese game of Go; players of all ages. Free. 479-9073.

Regional Market Farmers’ Market. Saturdays, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. (year-round); Thursdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (May through November only). Shop seasonal produce, meat, fish, poultry, eggs, specialty foods and more on display throughout covered sheds;

Calendar

heated shops of Regional Market Commons feature gift and unique items including jewelry, paintings and home decor. Also, flea market, Sundays, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. 2100 Park St., Syracuse. 422-8647.

ATTRACTIONS Cayuga Agricultural Museum. Route 38A,

Emerson Park, Auburn. Free. 253-5611. Antique farm life on display.

Corning Museum of Glass. 1 Corning Glass

Center, Corning. Daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. $18/adults; free/age 17 and under. (607) 937-5371. Ongoing: You Design It, We Make It: Glassblowers choose from among designs submitted by young visitors and create that work on the spot.

Erie Canal Museum. 318 Erie Blvd. E., Syracuse.

Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; closed holidays. Free. 471-0593. Interactive exhibit: Work the Weighlock. The Stonecutters: Exhibit reveals the fascinating world of the stonecutters and quarrymen who built the 83 locks and 18 aqueducts along the 363-mile Erie Canal.

Everson Museum of Art. 401 Harrison St. Tuesday-Friday, Sunday, noon- 5p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $8. 474-6064. World-class museum includes Children’s Interactive Gallery designed to acquaint beginning art viewers with basic art principles, with areas dedicated to portraiture, hands-on activities, and a classroom.

Fort Rickey Discovery Zoo. Route 49, three

miles west of Rome. Daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $9.95/ adults, $6.95/children; $8.50/seniors. 336-1930. Animal presentations of the exotic and native alike.

a.m.-5 p.m. $7/adult; $3/teen; free/age 12 & under. 342-0480. Exhibits highlight more than 400 years of maritime history. Vessels on display include: New York State Derrick Boat 8 from the Canal System, schooner Ontario and Eleanor D, the last U.S. commercial fishing vessel to work Lake Ontario.

Museum of Science and Technology (MOST). 500 S. Franklin St., Armory Square,

Syracuse. Wednesdays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Museum admission: $12/adults; $10/seniors and ages 2-15. IMAX admission only: $10/adults; $8/senior citizens and ages 2-15; (473-IMAX). Be the Builder, exhibit that encourages visitors to build something, whether a castle, dinosaur or other item out of hundreds of foam blocks. Make Your World, exhibit of various kinds of miniatures including toothpicks, being built throughout September. Planetarium (only available with museum admission): $2. 4259068. Hands-on science center features the Bristol Omnitheater, Science Playhouse, Earth Science Discovery Cave, Technotown, and Flight and Space Exhibit. Silverman Planetarium shows “Zoo in the Sky,” for kids under age 8, Saturdays, Sundays and school holidays, 11:15 a.m.; “Seasonal Sky” Saturdays, Sundays and school holidays, 3:15 p.m.

Octagon House. 5420 W. Genesee St., Camillus.

MICHAEL DAVIS PHOTO

H. Lee White Museum and Maritime Center. W. First St., Oswego. Monday-Sunday, 10

National Down Syndrome Buddy Walk, Sept. 25 p.m. $8/adults; $5/senior citizens; $4/children; free/age 2 and younger. 435-8511. Ongoing attractions include Humboldt penguins.

Sciencenter. 601 First St., Ithaca. Tuesday-Sat-

urday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m. Mondays in July and August: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission: $8/adults; $7/seniors; $6/ages 3-17; free/under 3. (607) 272-0600. www.sciencenter.org. Inspires people of all ages to discover the excitement of science through exhibits and programs. Summer’s Motion Mania exhibit focuses on the science of amusement parks and rides. Sciencecenter MiniGolf (through Nov. 30, weather permitting) is 18 holes of science fun, $7/person; free/age 3 and under. Sciencenter, 601 First St., Ithaca. Center admission: $8/adults; $7/seniors; $6/ages 3-17; free/under 3. (607) 272-0600.

Sundays and some holidays, 1-5 p.m. Weekdays by appointment. Free tours. 488-7800. House on the National Register of Historic Places and complete with 1856 kitchen and six stories restored to 18561900 style.

Strong Road, Tully. Free. 422-4503, 492-9118.

Onondaga Historical Association Museum.

Harriet Tubman Home. South Street Road,

321 Montgomery St., Syracuse. Wednesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Donation. 428-1864. Syracuse’s only comprehensive local history museum, with exhibits on architecture, local industries, transportation and more.

Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park. 1

Conservation Place, Syracuse. Daily, 10 a.m.-4:30

Syracuse Astronomical Society Observatory. Open Friday-Saturday, weather permitting.

Auburn. Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday, call ahead. 252-2081. Dwelling of the heroine of the Underground Railroad.

Women’s Rights National Historical Park. 136 Fall St., Seneca Falls. Daily, 9 a.m.-5

p.m. Closed national holidays. 568-2991. History of the women’s rights movement.

WonderWorks. 9090 Destiny USA Drive,

Syracuse. Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Experience more than 100 hands-on exhibits, compete in a game of lazer-tag and take part in the Canyon Climb Adventure. Suspended 70ft in the air it’s the World’s largest indoor ropes challenge course. Various admission prices. Children age 3 and under are free. 466-7700. Wonderworksdestiny.com.

Calendar listings are free! Email information about your family-friendly event to: editorial@familytimes.biz. Listings are due by Sept. 2 for the October issue. Family Times September 2016

ACTIVITIES

BACK PACK CLASSIFIED DIRECTORY

PET SERVICES Body Recognition Class Movement. Music. Instruments. Imagination. We will explore the motions of our bodies with dance. For children 8 mos.-5 yrs old. Birthday parties available. Call Tamar @ 480-3975 or www.toddlerstango.com.

CHILD CARE

Jordan Elbridge Country Kids Childcare Center NOW ENROLLING 3 YEAR OLDS Pre-School Program: Ages 3-5yrs & Before & After School Program: UPK-6th Jordan United Methodist Church 63 Elbridge Street, Jordan ** 689-9686**

DANCE INSTRUCTION

SECOND CHANCE THRIFT SHOPPE TO RE-OPEN The Second Chance Thrift Shoppe of CNY inc. is operated 100% by volunteers and raises funds for local animal rescue programs. The shoppe is incorporated in New York as a nonprofit Charity Corporation and is in the process of applying for Federal status as a 501c3 tax exempt corporation. The thrift shoppe will reopen March 11th for its 5th year of operation and will remain open until Mid December. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Friday & Saturday. Second Chance Thrift Shoppe is located on Route 20 just 1/4 mile west of Morrisville in the former Buzzy’s Diner. Volunteers are always needed for 3 hour shifts to wait on customers during business hours or Wednesday evenings from 6:30 until 8 p.m. for general cleaning and restocking merchandise. The homeless puppies and kittens (and other animals) will love you for it. Stop in for volunteer information or contact Gail Smith at rsmith39@twcny.rr.com or call (315) 480-0336.

SERVICES TheDanceStudioCNY.com Camillus & Manlius Classes for Age 1 & Up! Spring & Summer Class Schedules Coming Soon! 682-7877 or thedancestudiocny@gmail.com*

MISCELLANEOUS

HOME IMPROVEMENT Painting, roofing, siding, power wash, stain, & build decks gutters, door & window installation, carpentry, masonry, & all inside work. Joe Ball, Retired teacher, 436-9008

Remedy Intelligent Staffing in Syracuse has openings in your area! if you are seeking work, register with us TODAY at www.remedystaff.com or call us at 299-6977 “We Get People!”

TO ADVERTISE IN BACK PACK DIRECTORY

Call 472-4669 and press 2. October issue deadline: 9-15-16

Family Times September 2016

BACKPACK GIVEAWAY

Dave & Busters GIFT CARD!

CONGRATS! Aime From Liverpool! WINNER of our August Giveaway!

TO ENTER:

Send contact info to promotions@familytimes.biz with “Dave & Busters” in the subject line. Entry deadline is noon on 9/8/16.

Summer is here! Don’t forget to pick up your Family Times every month to see what fun and exciting events are happening in Central New York!

PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT:

HERE WHEN YOU NEED US Upstate University Hospital has the area's only Pediatric Emergency Department, now in its own newly renovated and expanded space. Only at Upstate will you find physicians and nurses specially trained in pediatric emergency medicine 24/7/365.

Pediatric Emergency Department

C A R I N G F O R PAT I E N T S . S E A RC H I N G F O R C U R E S . S AV I N G L I V E S .

Family Times September 2016

Family Times

Our students say it all. Love of learning

is what it’s all about for students at Rochester School for the Deaf. Since 1876, our students have been discovering the art of communication and education in a nurturing, inclusive environment—at no cost to families.

As a private school, our dynamic educational programs employ skilled professionals who

educate students in a vibrant multicultural and

bilingual scholastic setting which includes American Sign Language and English.

H Building futures for deaf and

hard of hearing students

H Focusing on infant, early childhood, K-12 grades, up to age 21

H Sign language learning programs and community outreach services

Get in touch today and give your student the love of learning. Ailani, 7th Grade signing “Love”

Rochester School for the Deaf Celebrating our 140th Year! 1545 St. Paul Street | Rochester, NY 14621 585-544-1240 • www.RSDeaf.org • email info@RSDeaf.org