Rockland Parent November 2016

RocklandParent NOVEMBER 2016

NYMETROPARENTS.COM

An Ounce of Prevention Tips for keeping your kids healthy

Toddlers & 911

Teaching kids to handle emergencies

t n e

r R a lP G FO Y

Decision 2016

The election comes to local classrooms

ia IN THE P c pe NN EN U

S PLA H OW W R G

WHERE TO GO ICE-SKATING

•

THANKSGIVING SIDE DISHES

Mitzvah Market magazine Your Source for Ideas & Inspiration Get Your FREE Copy New Issue in 2016

2015-2016

MIT ZVA HM ARK ET.C

.

OM

Your single source for:

g Entertainers g Caterers g Favors g Photographers g Invitations and more...

FREE COPY

I want a free copy of the 2016 Mitzvah Market magazine Name

How to create

a Program for Your Service

ation Homeland CeleMbr itzvah Planning a Bar/Bat in Israel

Address State

Phone

Email

Zip

2

November 2016 | nymetroparents.com

Photo Credit: André Maier

Photo Credit: Beth Capuano

Davler Media Group Fax: 212.271.2239 • Call: 914.290.4716 Email: Distribution@davlermedia.com 498 Seventh Ave., 10th Floor New York, NY 10018

GRO UP PUB LICA TION A DAV LER MED IA

Photo Credit: André Maier

City

Get This Party Started!

a Fun Ways to Make Grand Entrance

Mitzva

h

Family Spotligh ts

VISIT SANTA AT PALISADES CENTER! LOCATED ON LEVEL 1 IN THE WEST COURT

Santa arrives on Friday, November 11th with a parade starting at 6pm!

RocklandParent

3

NYMetroParents Helping Parents Make Better Decisions

Contents

November 2016 ›› Features

14 The Voters of Tomorrow How local teachers are using the election to engage students and raise civic awareness

46

16 Better Than an Apple a Day Tips to help kids aviod common health problems, and how to treat them when it fails 20 Why Messy Can Be Better Not all bacteria are bad 36 A New Spin on Thanksgiving Favorites Three variations on traditional side dishes to amp up our favorite fall feast 40 All Grown Up What to consider when your child with special needs turns 21—and is no longer a child

14

42 Taking a Child with Autism to the Movies Five tips from a mom who’s been there

40

46 Planning for the Worst Teaching toddlers and preschoolers how to handle emergencies

Connections

36

Family Activities CALENDAR ››

6 Editor’s Note 8 New Places, New Programs 10 Quotables 11 Voices: When Awkward Becomes Unsafe 13 NYMP Q&A: Marie Kondo talks about the art of organizing

Fun & Activities

12 Media Matters: Apps for Learning & Fun 12 DIY Corner: Hot Glue Magic Wand 24 Outing: Morris-Jumel Mansion 27 Family Activities Calendar 34 Where-To Guide: Ice-Skating

27

Directories 22 44 48 49 50

Health & Wellness Directory Special Needs Directory Meet the Health Care Professional Party Planner Advertisers’ Index

ON THE COVER ›› 14 Decision 2016 16 An Ounce of Prevention 34 Where to Go Ice-Skating

facebook.com/nymetroparents

@NYMetroParents

36 Thanksgiving Side Dishes 40 Planning for When They Grow Up

46 Toddlers & 911

Visit NYMETROPARENTS.COM for family activities updated daily and more than 2,000 parenting articles!

DISCOVER THE GOLDEN AGE OF MAGIC WITH AN ALL NEW SHOW LIMITED ENGAGEMENT I NOVEMBER 25–JANUARY 1 Ticketmaster.com I 877.250.2929 Palace Theatre, 47th St. & Broadway I TheIllusionistsLive.com

RocklandParent

5

NOVEMBER 2016 • Vol.10 • No.1

NYMetroParents Publications

EDITOR’S NOTE

Planning for Whatever Comes

W

e had a fire in our home last year, small but terrifying. A crackling noise woke my wife and me early one morning, and it took only a groggy second to notice flames leaping up just beyond the foot of our bed, sparked by an old extension cord.

While my wife hustled the kids outside, I doused the fire before the firefighters even arrived.

Afterward, we talked to our children about what to do in case of another fire, especially if a grown-up can’t get to them. I was reminded of this scary episode while editing this month’s feature about teaching toddlers to handle emergencies (p. 46)—and learned that we didn’t go far enough in training our children to handle such situations. There is more we can do to prepare them for a moment we hope will never come, and I hope all of you will do the same.

When it comes to avoiding dangerous situations, we parents are always on guard. But illness—short-term and long-term, serious and less so—seems to lurk everywhere. To help, we’ve put together a helpful guide to preventing common childhood health problems, from cold and flu to diabetes and depression (p. 16). And since illness will sometimes come despite our best efforts, we offer our seasonal directory of health care professionals (p. 22).

One thing we cannot avoid this season is politics. Melissa Kagan looks at how local educators are using the campaign in creative ways to engage students and teach them about the candidates, the issues, and the importance of participating in the process (p. 14).

Voting is one of those exciting rites of passage that comes with growing up, along with learning to drive, going to college, and eventually moving out and starting a life of one’s own. For parents of children with severe special needs, however, these milestones are not always possible, and the vision of their children’s future may be very different. As their children approach adulthood, there are many unique issues parents of kids with special needs face. To help them, Samantha Neudorf speaks with experts about how parents should prepare for the future (p. 40).

As Thanksgiving approaches, we can all take a moment to reflect on the blessings we have in life, no matter what challenges we face. It’s also a time when many of us focus on helping others through community service. If your kids—or your whole family—volunteer to help others at any time during the year, we want to hear about it! We’re launching the NYMetroParents Caring Kids Awards to recognize those who are giving their time and energy to make the world a better place. See below for details.

Wishing everyone a happy Thanksgiving, filled with blessings and peace.

Michael Kress Editorial Director

The NYMetroParents Caring Kids Awards So many children and teenagers dedicate time to helping in our communities, and plenty of families do volunteer work together. If this describes your kids or your family, enter The NYMetroParents Caring Kids Awards, and be eligible to win a $500 gift card!

Here’s how it works: • Go to nymetroparents.com/caring-kids between Nov. 1 and Nov. 30.

• F ollow the directions there to tell us—in 75 words or less—about your child’s or your family’s community service efforts and the impact this volunteer work has on others. If you’d like, you can upload a photo or link to a video of them volunteering.

• E ight Caring Kids will each receive a $500 gift card and a letter of commendation, and many more will be featured in our magazine and/or website.

6

November 2016 | nymetroparents.com

EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Michael Kress DEPUTY EDITOR: Bethany Braun-Silva MANAGING EDITOR: Katelin Walling ASSISTANT EDITOR: Samantha Neudorf REGIONAL EDITORS: Karen Demeter (Fairfield, Suffolk); Rosalind Muggeridge (Brooklyn); Jamie McGillian (Westchester); Samantha Beranbom (Rockland); Dorette Saunders (Nassau); Emma Steven (Manhattan); Gail Warren (Queens) DIRECTORIES EDITOR: Alice Van Dyke EDITORIAL INTERNS: Jonathan Perry, Kathryn Sheridan

ADVERTISING SALES Big Apple Parent 212-315-0800; Fax: 212-271-2239 Jeunesse Jackson, Linda Pierce Queens Parent 718-878-4860 Annene Guertin, Ellen Klein Westchester Parent 914-397-0200 Nini DeLuca, Manager Randi Shulman, Merrill Sugarman, Mary Wender Brooklyn Parent 718-878-4860 Phyllis Crupi, Ellen Klein, Selene Rodriguez Rockland Parent 845-848-8021 Cara Roteman, Jim Russo Fairfield Parent 914-397-0200 Judy Samuels, Randi Shulman Long Island Parent, Nassau 516-883-4543 Joan Bergman, Manager, Dani Pollack Long Island Parent, Suffolk 631-472-5437 Lisa Herlihy, Karen Shapiro To Advertise: nympads@davlermedia.com DIR. OF OPERATIONS -- EVENTS: Rebecca Stolcz DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS: Ray Winn OPERATIONS COORDINATORS: Ray C. Guédez, Leonard Porter DIRECTOR OF TRAFFIC: Heather Gambaro TRAFFIC MANAGER: Alexis Brower ADMINISTRATION MANAGER: Erin Jordan

PRODUCTION

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR: Anthony Diaz CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Jiyon Son DIGITAL CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Robert Reynolds GRAPHIC ARTIST: Sara Wentworth

ACCOUNTING

CONTROLLER: David Friedman

MARKETING

HEAD OF MARKETING: Jacqueline Lachman

ADMINISTRATION

CREDIT MANAGER: Elizabeth Teagarden CREDIT ASSISTANTS: Rosa Meinhofer, Diedra Smith EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT: Barbara Byrd

Davler Media Group CEO: David L. Miller General Manager: Thomas K. Hanlon 498 Seventh Ave., 10th Floor, New York, NY 10018 Phone: 212-315-0800; Fax: 212-271-2239 nymetroparents.com fairfieldparent.com davlermedia.com nybarbatmitzvah.com

BIG APPLE PARENT, QUEENS PARENT, WESTCHESTER PARENT BROOKLYN PARENT, ROCKLAND PARENT, BERGEN PARENT, FAIRFIELD PARENT and LONG ISLAND PARENT are published monthly by Davler Media Group, LLC Copyright © 2015, Davler Media Group, LLC No part of contents may be reproduced without prior permission from the publisher.

Subscription rates per year, per publication: $39

Keep Your Family’s Smiles Bright!

Healthy, nuturing, emotionally supportive environment • Dental Wellness of Suffern & Monroe Dental Office, P.C. provide natural, effective, quality dental care for you and your family.

• We help children who are apprehensive about visiting the dentist feel comfortable and have fun.

• We also treat adults for dental implants, crowns and other dental treatments.

“Dr. Alpert is a portrait artist who can make your smile a true work of art”

“Our staff & dentists will make your smile beautiful while keeping you comfortable”

Accepting new families.

Book your Appointment today.

Most Insurances Accepted

Dental Wellness of Suffern 2 Executive Blvd., Ste. 307, Suffern 918-1801 – dentalwellness@optonline.net Learn more at DentalWellnessofSuffern.com

Sherri Alpert, DDS

Author of two books: Cassandra Gets Her Smile Back and Attack of the Sugar Bugs.

Both books help children enjoy their dental visit.

Books can be ordered on Amazon.com

Monroe Dental Office – Bobby Crohn, DDS 400 State Rt. 17M, Suite 2, Monroe 782-0189 – monroedental@optonline.net Learn more about MonroeDentalOffice.com

WE KNOW THE MOMENTS… The ones that define us and give meaning to our lives.

The moments that make us breathe deeply and then take our breath away… the ones when having our health makes everything possible.

This is what we’re made of.

At Fidelis Care, we provide quality, affordable health coverage for children and adults of all ages and at all stages of life.

Compassion.

Commitment.

Community.

And a mission to always care for you and the ones you love – moment by moment.

Quality health coverage. It’s Our Mission.

Estimate Costs:

It only takes a minute to view product choices and estimate costs with the Fidelis Affordable Care Advisor at fideliscare.org/enroll

Meet with a Representative:

Call 1-888-FIDELIS to meet with a Representative or visit fideliscare.org/offices to find a community office close to you

1-888-FIDELIS (1-888-343-3547) TTY: 1-800-421-1220

fideliscare.org

To learn more about applying for health insurance, including Child Health Plus and Medicaid through NY State of Health: The Official Health Plan Marketplace, visit www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call 1-855-355-5777.

RocklandParent

7

nymetroparents.com/np-rp

Courtesy Michelle Varvaro Confidence Coach

NEW PLACES, NEW PROGRAMS

Confidence Coach for Teens Offers Support and Socialization Who: Michelle Varvaro Confidence Coaching for Teens What’s New: A coaching service that assists shy, introverted, and socially uncomfortable young adults in Rockland and Bergen counties.

Confidence Coaching offers individual sessions, small social groups, and lager activity group sessions for teens to use their social skills and make new friends. All group activities encourage interaction and conversation.

Owner Michelle Varvaro has more than 25 years of experience counseling both adults and teens and holds Master of Arts degrees in both counseling and special education.

Want More Info: 845-709-0047; michellevarvaro.com

Michelle Varvaro, owner of Confidence Coaching for Teens

Who: Crystal Run Healthcare What’s New: The physician-owned and -operated multispecialty medical group recently expanded with the opening of a state-of-theart facility in West Nyack.

The 70,000-square-foot, two-story building houses more than 20 medical and surgical specialties including primary care, pediatrics and adolescent medicine, an infusion center, urgent care, and full diagnostic testing services, including women’s imaging.

“We offer a one-stop health care shop for a diverse range of medical conditions, all under one roof,” says Mark Trocino, director of marketing and public relations.

Want More Info: 2 Centerock Road, West Nyack; 845-348-1100; crystalrunhealthcare.com/westnyack

8

November 2016 | nymetroparents.com

Courtesy Crystal Run Healthcare

Health Care Facility Opens in West Nyack

Crystal Run Healthcare offers a variety of medical services in West Nyack.

AFTERSCHOOL CLASSES COD I N G, ROBOTI CS, GAME D ESI GN , CH EMI STRY, VI D EOGR APHY AN D MUCH M OR E !

BIRTHDAY PARTIES XBOX ON E GAMI N G AN D OTH ER S.T. E . M . TH EMED PARTI ES

SUMMER CAMPS GAMING TOURNAMENTS SPEC TATORS FR EE .

COOL PR I ZES! Tech Adventure 404 Route 59 E Nanuet, NY 10954 (845) 627-7000 www.TechAdventureNY.com RocklandParent

9

UOTABLES My daughter, a quintessential all-American girl, loves to sing, dance, and perform. She has indulged in ballet, gymnastics, drama, musical theater, piano lessons—and she’s only 6 years old. I tell her she can do anything she can imagine and I want to make sure she knows it and gets to try.

—NYC mom Galina Nemirovsky in a post entitled “’Living Vicariously Through My Children’ Club” on her blog heartseverywhere.com

in an instagram Raise your kids to reach new heights...Literally and figuratively. #ApplePicking #Fall #Autumn #HoodieSeason #DamianJai #Dadlife #dedicateddads #idad #toddlerproblems #Citydads #LifeofDad (Posted by @itzmvp, aka Mario Coronado, a dad in Valley Stream)

THE BLESSING OF SIBLINGS

in an instagram Another day, another Instagram wall. Love spotting these colorful murals all over town. #nyc #streetart #instanyc #citystreets #instagramwall #underthesea #instaart #exploreyourcity #chelsea #mural

“Having a sibling is a gift, which should be savored forever.”

—Roslyn Haber, Ed.D., and Marlyn Press, Ed.D., in an article on nymetroparents.com entitled “How to Promote Positive Sibling Relationships.” Read more at nymetroparents.com/siblings

(Posted by @globetrottingmommy, aka Lyla Gleason, a Manhattan mom who blogs at globetrottingmommy.com)

“Listen to your body, and especially to that little voice deep inside. I promise there are no guidebooks that will lead you into this journey of parenting feeling fully equipped, but if you listen to that voice you will always be led in the right direction for you.”

—Holly Schumacher in a post entitled “My Best Parenting Advice: Go Easy On Yourself “on the website scarymommy.com

10

November 2016 | nymetroparents.com

MORE NYMetroParents.com HIGHLIGHTS: MAKE IT A MEANINGFUL THANKSGIVING: Find new traditions to try at nymetroparents.com/thanks NURTURE GRATITUDE: How to teach your kids to be thankful (nymetroparents.com/thankful) MAKE A DIFFERENCE: Find places to volunteer this Thanksgiving (nymetroparents.com/volunteer) NAVIGATING THE SYSTEM: Find tips for applying to NYC high schools at nymetroparents.com/high-school

VOICES When Awkward Becomes Unsafe ›› Our kids interact regularly with people who are different and might make them uncomfortable. Sometimes, though, ‘uncomfortable’ becomes dangerous. By Ann Lapin

I

don’t know if it was a parenting fail or not but it certainly didn’t feel good—not for me, and not for her.

Our middle child had an after-school function with three other schools. Gavri, our eldest, had attended the same function two years before and joined us, curious to see if she’d recognize any alumni from her year.

Sure enough, close to the end of the evening, I spotted Gavri sitting on a windowsill with a teenager from one of the other schools. I snapped a picture of the two girls in long skirts, one with fair skin and a sweater modestly covering her shoulders, one with dark skin and a hijab. I planned to caption it, “Stolen Moments,” along with some witty hashtag, no doubt. I recognized the young woman from earlier in the evening: She had approached me when the schools—two Jewish and two Muslim—took time to recite their respective afternoon prayers.

I suspected from her overly affectionate behavior that she might have some social delays. But Gavri was smiling and nodding her head as the girl talked to her.

My children spend a lot of time with people who are “different.”

Our family hosts a free meal at our synagogue every week. Every week, my children interact with folks who want a free meal and folks who need a free meal. My husband serves as rabbi for a local retirement residence, and we visit their Shabbat (Sabbath) table at least monthly. My kids help set the table and serve the residents.

My children are used to feeling uncomfortable. They are sometimes annoyed that this is how we have chosen to live our lives—surrounded by people who are “different”—as well as the fact that we expect them to actively engage with all of these people.

“Arrrrgh! But I’m BORED! I don’t WANT to!” they might argue.

“I don’t care,” I have responded. I have definitely told my children that I don’t care about their feelings in situations like these.

Big mistake.

At one point during the after-school function, I looked up and the girl had her arm around Gavri. But what had at first looked like two teenage girls sharing personal space and innocent secrets soon looked more like the other girl dragging my daughter from one person to the other. I finally realized Gavri had a combined look of “I’m so flattered she likes me!” and “OK, this dragging is a little awkward and uncomfortable—OMG, when will she STOP?!”

I had ignored any inclination I had that my daughter was unsafe

because they were such a vision of harmony—a picture of peace and unity and the innocence of youth. But there was something about the way Gavri was pressing her lips into a smile as she was dragged from person to person. There was something about the way she seemed to plead with me with her eyes. I knew something was wrong even if I didn’t know what it was.

So I approached them.

“Do you need a break?” I asked Gavri.

She didn’t quite answer.

So I asked in Hebrew, a language we both speak but I knew the other child would not understand, “Do you need help?”

She replied. “Maybe...kinda...yeah...”

I ended up having to remove the girl’s arm from around Gavri’s shoulders. When she walked away, Gavri started crying. She hadn’t really believed that anything bad would happen, but felt scared nonetheless. The girl had actually whispered threatening comments in her ear, but Gavri could tell the girl had delays and didn’t want to hurt her feelings by asking for help “I realized afterward I should have asked you for help in Hebrew,” she said the next day. I pointed out that because she is regularly pushed outside her comfort zone, spending time with people who are different than she is, she is used to suppressing expressions of discomfort. But this crossed a line.

“There doesn’t have to be a ‘should have,’” I told her. “Now you know, going forward, sometimes your feelings have to be more important than someone else’s. It wasn’t so nice for me to speak to you in Hebrew in front of someone else (who wouldn’t understand), was it?”

Gavri nodded.

“It’s not my job to be nice. It’s my job to be your mommy.”

I know it’s the exposure Gavri has to people who make her feel uncomfortable and the fact that she placed greater emphasis on the other girl’s feelings than her own that caused Gavri to not ask for help outright or even to really advocate for herself.

It really is important to us that our children learn to tolerate a little discomfort. I’m hoping, going forward, our children will feel confident and understand the distinction between “uncomfortable” and “unsafe.”

I’ve also made an effort to begin reminding my children that everybody’s feelings count—including theirs.

Ann Lapin and her family live in Riverdale, Bronx. They have been an interim boarding care family for more than four years. Ann owns a Mary Kay business and teaches classes at Fit Figure Boot Camp in the northwest Bronx. Follow her at facebook.com/annephrat and on Twitter @ann4marykay.

RocklandParent 11

Puffin Rock Music (iPhone, iPod Touch,

Media Matters: APPS

Recommended Age: 3+ H H HH This

iPad, Chromebook)

gentle music-maker won’t overwh

elm the senses.

Apps for Fun & Learning

Homer—#1 Learn to Read Progra m: Educational Games, Stories and Songs (iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad) Recommended Age: 4+ H H H H H This beautifu l app promotes skills and a love

Isoland (iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad) HHHH An artis Recommended Age: 9+

of reading.

tic, atmospheric, tough puzzle adv

enture

Mimo: Learn How To Code Throug h Interactive Tutorials and Quizzes! (iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad) Recommended Age: 12+ HHHH Mini-lesson s build big coding know-how for

tweens to adults.

In Theaters Nov. 18: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Parents need to know that Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is based on J.K. Rowling’s original story about Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), the author of a Hogwarts textbook that describes various beasts and dragons. The movie follows Newt’s adventures in New York’s secret community of witches and wizards 70 years before Harry Potter first arrived at Hogwarts. As in the Harry Potter movie saga, there may be some action and violence to watch out for as Newt searches for his misplaced magical creatures in the No-Maj (American for “Muggle”) world.

Our Partner: Common Sense Media An independent nonprof it that helps families make smart media choices.

Check out thousands of ratings and reviews at commonsensemedia.org

See more at NYMetroParents.com/media

DIY CORNER IMAGINARY PLAY

Hot Glue Magic Wand

Constructed from everyday materials, this magic wand is both customizable and quick to assemble, making this a project perfect for mass production and outfitting a classroom full of wizards.

Supplies 1 sheet of copy paper Clear tape or masking tape 1 unsharpened wooden pencil 1 marble or similar small trinket Craft paint (brown suggested)

Tools Hot glue gun Pliers (optional) Paintbrush

Directions 1. On a flat surface, slowly roll a sheet of copy paper (or an old wizard wanted poster) into a tight paper cone. When finished, one end should come to a point, while the other end should have a ¼to ½-inch opening in it. Once it’s tightly rolled, use clear tape or masking tape along the side of the cone to fasten it in place. The finished cone will be roughly 10-13 inches long.

2. Slide an unsharpened wooden pencil into the open end of the paper cone, with the eraser end facing out. Wedge the pencil into the tip of the cone until the combined assembly is 11-15 inches long. Secure the pencil by adding some hot glue to the open end of the paper cone, around the wedged pencil. Additional hot glue can be used to strengthen the wand tip as well.

12

November 2016 | nymetroparents.com

3. With your fingers, dislodge the pencil’s eraser from the metal band that holds it in place. Avoid bending the metal band. Add hot glue to the inside of the empty metal band, and then attach a small marble or a similar small trinket. Add more hot glue around the bottom of the attached item for increased strength. When dry, the attached item will serve as the wellspring of your wand’s mystical powers—and the ideal base for your wand’s finger grip!

4. With the glue gun, add front and back grip details 3-4 inches apart. As the glue dries, increase the thickness of the new grip details by adding additional layers of glue. With more glue, create custom textures around the grip area of the wand shaft. When the hot glue has dried, use craft paint to add some color.

Excerpted from John Austin’s Labcraft Wizards, currently in stores. © 2016 by John Austin.

Used with permission from Chicago Review Press. All rights reserved.

NYMP Q&A

Tidying Up With Kids ››

Creating Beautiful, Healthy Smiles For the Whole Family!

By Bethany Braun

Marie Kondo is an organizing guru, founder of the KonMari method, and author of the New York Times best-sellers The Life‑Changing Magic of Tidying Up and Spark Joy. What are your tips for parents to stay organized with kids?

The first thing parents should teach their child is not how to organize toys, but how to fold clothes correctly. Folding clothes is equivalent to taking care of what you wear daily, and by habituating your children to fold clothes, they naturally begin to learn the KonMari way of organizing—to value the things that are important to you.

Do you find that there is value for children in being raised in an organized home? Being organized means knowing what is important to you, and also knowing what it means to value what is important to you. Children with these skills have the power to make decisions and accomplish things under their own criteria when they face many situations as they grow up.

Any tips for negotiating with a child who might not want to give up or let go of certain items? If the item is something valuable to the child, there is absolutely no need to let go of it.

Parents should not decide whether the item is necessary or not.

What is important is how the child feels about it, and whether the child wants to keep and take care of the item.

Can you recommend any organizational tips that children can practice? Like I said before, to teach children how to fold clothes first. Other than that, it is basically the same with adults—to keep only what you want to keep and value, to designate a “home” (a specific spot to keep things) for each item that you own, and to put the items back to their “homes” every day.

How do you balance children’s creativity, which can also be messy, with an organized home? There are two points.

First, designate a play area for the child. Teach the child where the play area is, and whatever goes out of the area, put it back every time. The second point is to put each item back to its “home” every day. It depends on the age of the child, but if they are still little, parents should put the item back in its “home.” If they are big enough to think for themselves, parents should teach them to put the things that they value back to their “home” every day.

Dr. Marita Smith, DDS · Board Certified Pediatric Dentist · Treating Infancy through Adolescence · Nitrous Oxide Option for Children · Gentle, caring environment

Dr. Roman Izmailov, DDS Dr. Anna Alekseyeva, DDS · Over 30 years experience in general, implant, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry · State of the art dental care and facility

A&R Advanced Dental Group | 5C Medical Park Drive, Pomona 845-364-9400 | www.ARadvanceddental.com Evening Appointments Available · Most Insurances Accepted

GYMNASTICS & FITNESS 10 months to 12 years

Register NOW! Fall Classes Pro-Rated

Ask about payment plan options!

PRE SCHOOL CLASSES (PARENT PARTICIPATION) TODDLER GYM:

(WITHOUT PARENTS) BUSY BEE/TUMBLE BEE

(10 months - 24 months)

(3-1/2 yrs. - 5 yrs. Old)

ROMP & ROLL:

SPECIAL CLASSES

(2 yrs. - 3 yrs. Old)

(4 yrs. - 10 yrs. Old)

FUN & FIT GYMNASTICS KINDERGYM (5-6 YRS.)

SCHOOL AGE GYMNASTICS (6-12 YRS.)

401 Market Street Nanuet Mall South Nanuet, NY

(845) 623-2553

Reserve Your Private Birthday Party 4hr Camp Every Monday, Open Gym, Exciting Theme Weeks, Tumble-Bee Kids Club

www.Tumble-beegymnastics.com RocklandParent 13

The Voters of Tomorrow

››

How local teachers are using the election and its aftermath to engage students and raise civic awareness. By Melissa Kagan

E

very four years, educators use the presidential election to impart valuable lessons to students about the electoral process, democracy, government, and the responsibilities of citizenship. While many teachers avoid discussing matters of personal opinion, they are finding creative ways to use the campaign as fodder for especially impactful lessons and classroom activities. Teachers across the region have implemented lesson plans and programs for students of all ages, and many have ambitious plans for the weeks leading up to Election Day and beyond, as they dissect and discuss the results.

Because the 2016 election has been especially contentious, Jen Hickey, a sixth grade Individuals and Societies (formerly known as social studies) techer at Dobbs Ferry Middle School in Dobbs Ferry is using this opportunity to teach her students about respect and how it’s possible to get a point across without using inflammatory language. “This will prepare them for adulthood,” she says. “In order to be taken seriously, it’s important to sound educated while discussing topics such as the election.”

Hickey oversees a lesson in which students work in small groups and read excerpts from the candidate’s websites.

They focus on five issues the students have identified as being important to them. However, the excerpts are labeled 14

November 2016 | nymetroparents.com

as Candidate A and Candidate B, instead of identifying the candidate with whom they are associated.

“After reading all of the text excerpts, students decide which candidate their views align better with and vote for that candidate,” Hickey says. “After all of the classes have voted, at the end of the day, we announce who was Candidate A and who was Candidate B. In our next class, we talk about their vote and would it have been any different if they knew which candidate was A and B. It’s a great opportunity for students to have conversations with each other and also their families about how they voted on certain issues.”

Debating the Issues

Students at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Hall Regional School in Bellmore are required to watch the presidential debates and engage in discussions about the campaign during time set aside for current events every Friday. “I want my students to know where each candidate stands on key issues so they can see how their opinions impact our country’s economy,” says Laura Sena, a middle school social studies teacher at the school.

The seniors in Richard Salerno’s Advanced Placement Government class at Iona Preparatory School in New Rochelle are also encouraged

to engage in debate. “I partner up with our speech-and-debate coach Charles Sloat, using his debate methodology on our shared project,” Salerno says. “We coordinate topics to be debated by my students on our blog. This year our first two topics were fashioned to discuss the 2016 presidential election.”

The first topic for debate was whether social media coverage of the presidential race this year will do more to influence the outcome of the election than traditional news outlets. The second topic focused on whether contempt for the candidates has made many Americans feel disenfranchised—and whether that will lead to a particularly low voter turnout.

Voter Registration

Speaking of turnout, eighth grade students at Pelham Middle School in Pelham are focusing heavily on voter registration and how to get people to the polls. The students have been tasked with creating public service announcements to encourage voting, and discussions and lessons have emphasized citizens’ responsibilities.

“In addition to the PSAs and the analysis of last year’s voter turnout, we are also asking students to interview relatives about their voting experiences,” says Maria Thompson, director of humanities at the Pelham Public Schools. “We want to find out what they remember most about their first time voting and their last time voting.”

Some schools took their election lessons outside of the classroom. Five Oceanside High School students were randomly selected by their social studies teacher, Laura Trongard, to attend a day-long series of election-related events at Hofstra University in Hempstead. Their day culminated with attending the first debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, which took place on campus.

Members of the Massapequa mock trial team also spent the day on Hofstra’s campus, taking part in various media events. They were involved in panel discussions led by political correspondents, witnessed historical reenactments of the 1872 and 1972 debates, learned about the role social media is playing in this election, saw a video art display on the issues at stake, and participated in a mock vote.

Their day concluded by participating in a debate party, during which they were able to watch a live feed of the debate in an auditorium on campus with students from other area high schools.

Mock Elections

Pelham students will participate in a mock online election, which will occur just prior to Election Day, with the results posted online as well. Mock elections like this are particularly successful at energizing young people to take an interest in voting, teachers say.

“The mock election gives students the chance to understand how the election system works,” Hickey says. “My hope is that when the students become old enough to vote, they will remember what they learned here and take the time to study the issues before they vote in a real election.”

The mock election at Dobbs Ferry Middle School will require students in sixth through eighth grades to “sign in” at a polling site and cast their vote. The school will post interviews with students at the “polling site” throughout the day on its Facebook page and announce who the students “elected” for President.

Engaging Even the Youngest Students

This time of the year, even the youngest children know something is up. They see a running stream of political advertisements on television, flyers coming in the mail with photos of politicians, and the ubiquitous lawn signs. To address the election with the younger set, many schools are turning to visual displays. Elementary schools in Pelham, for instance, have set up “word walls” highlighting vocabulary related to the election so kids can make the connection between what they sometimes hear at home and how it relates to the real world.

Some educators, such as those at the Green Ivy Schools in Manhattan, approach the topic differently when it comes to the younger grades, waiting for them to raise the issue and ask questions. “Because we are committed to relevant and purposeful inquiry, we would explore the particular aspects of the election children ask about and want to pursue deeper knowledge in,” says Christina Stanfield, chief marketing officer at Green Ivy, “rather than preformulating how we want them to view any important election.”

Whatever the approach, teachers know that a presidential election offers a once-in-four years opportunity to add some real-world excitement and engagement to their curriculum. “Our lessons are ideal for preparing students for life outside of the classroom,” Hickey says. “We want to open their eyes beyond Dobbs Ferry to create educated global citizens,” she says.

Melissa Kagan is the former editor-in-chief of the now-defunct lifetimemoms.com.

She is currently a freelance writer whose work has been featured in Mommy Poppins, Westchester Magazine, and Westchester Family. She lives in Pelham with her husband and two children.

Jill’s Ceramics Where children & adults create their own functional works of art

Established for over 35 years, Offering: • KIDS BIRTHDAY PARTIES • Adult’s Night Out • Specialty Items For Every Holiday • Paint & Go - Same Day • Glaze & Fire

Mon., Tues., Weds. 9 30 am-300pm Tues. & Thurs. 700-930 Friday Kids Classes 300-500 Call For Weekend Hours

Call for Extended Group Hours/Pricing & Current Weekend Hours

Look Us Up on Facebook

180 Germonds Rd. West Nyack, NY • 845-623-4975 • www.jillsceramics.com

Come paint a holiday item & receive a free gift to take home & paint RocklandParent 15

Better Than an Apple a Day

››

Prevention is always preferable to having to treat your sick child. We asked area pediatricians how to help kids avoid common childhood health problems—and how to treat them when that fails. By Alison Kotch

W

hat’s more challenging than dealing with the ever-changing demands of parenting? Dealing with sick children: They’re miserable, and you want to do everything you can to make them better, fast. Your first instinct might be to call your pediatrician for advice once they’re under the weather, but let’s face it: You’d rather they didn’t get sick in the first place. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by conflicting online research and advice, so we asked local pediatricians how to prevent and treat several common health problems, so your little one can get back to happy and healthy, fast.

Cold and Flu

Among the most common and easily transmitted fall/winter/backto-school illnesses, colds and flu can strike regularly, as they’re spread by mucus and saliva.

Symptoms: While a stuffy or runny nose, coughing, sore throat, and fever can be symptoms of both cold and flu, you’ll know if it’s the flu if your child is complaining—a lot. “I tell my parents all the time that snots are ok—kids are full of snots,” says Elissa Rubin, M.D., of Happy and Healthy Pediatrics in Mineola. “If they’re miserable, that’s what you should pay attention to and look to avoid.”

Causes: Sharing food or drink, or spending time in close contact with someone who is already sick Prevention: The flu vaccine is the best preventative measure: Once your child is 6 months old, it’s safe to get it. Other than that, “there’s no bubble to put our kids in to avoid all germ 16

November 2016 | nymetroparents.com

exposure,” says Stanley Jacob, M.D., of Helping Kids Pediatrics in New City. But you can reduce the spread of germs by encouraging frequent hand washing to stop the illness from spreading.

Treatment: Lots of rest, and avoiding exposure to others who are sick will help; electrolyte-enhanced fluids such as juice will go a long way toward helping strengthen the immune system to help it fight off infection.

Ear Infection

Aside from cavities, ear infections are one of the most common bacterial infections, and they occur when the middle ear becomes inflamed: Fluid builds up behind the eardrum, causing an earache.

While five out of six kids will have one by their third birthday, these infections drop off by age 5 or 6.

Symptoms: While ear pain is the most recognizable (your child will probably tell you she’s hurting), look out for ear pulling, which could be a sign of wax buildup and/or infection.

Causes: In some children, viruses are the culprit; others might just be more prone to them. However, environmental factors such as smoking in the home or allowing your child to go to sleep with a bottle can also contribute.

Prevention: “There is no way to prevent an ear infection, but talk to your doctor if your child is having recurrent ones for a otolaryngology referral,” recommends Dyan Hes, M.D., medical director of Gramercy Pediatrics in Manhattan.

Treatment: While your initial reaction might be to agree to put your child on antibiotics, stat, many physicians and parents are opting for the “watch and wait” approach. “If a child comes in with pain and an infection and has a cold, the recommendation is to wait for 24 hours and see how they’re doing, rather than just knee-jerk prescribe antibiotics,” says Christina Johns, M.D., senior medical advisor for PM Pediatrics, which has locations in New Jersey and the New York metro area. “Sometimes they feel better naturally, and the body becomes better at getting rid of it faster.”

Diabetes

In children without diabetes, the pancreas releases insulin into the bloodstream after meals, helping the body regulate blood sugar naturally; between meals, the liver releases stored glycogen and converts it into glucose, keeping blood sugar within a normal range. While the causes of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are different, both cause a buildup of sugar in the blood that needs to be regulated.

Symptoms: Extreme hunger, weight loss, excessive thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, irritability, and blurred vision Causes: While Type 1 diabetes is thought to be caused by genetics or exposure to viruses such as Coxsackie or EpsteinBarr, as children’s lifestyles become increasingly more sedentary (thanks, television and technology!), Type 2 diabetes is becoming more common: “We think of Type 2 as adult-onset diabetes, but with the obesity epidemic on the rise, we’re seeing it in 9- and 10-year-old kids,” Dr. Johns says.

Prevention: There is no known way to prevent or cure Type 1—you’ll need to administer insulin shots for life—but Type 2 is avoidable. To prevent Type 2 diabetes, it’s important to be a good role model through your own exercise and dietary habits. “If you keep your children active with at least 30-45 minutes of exercise daily and limit television and video games to no more than two hours, you can stay ahead of the potential development of diabetes and manage it if it comes—hopefully prevent it,” Dr. Jacob says.

Treatment: If your child has Type 1 diabetes, topical anesthetics and a pep talk can ease the anxiety that can come with daily shots, Dr. Jacob says. A child psychiatrist can also assist with open communication about how to manage a chronic disease. For kids with Type 2, a healthy diet and daily exercise is key. Plus, studies have shown that people with diabetes tend to have low vitamin D, so adding dairy can help, too: Aim for two or three 8-ounce glasses of milk per day.

Depression

While the occasional bout of sadness is normal, depression can often go untreated because parents mistake it for normal emotional or psychological changes that occur as your child matures—and early depression can also be masked by acting out.

Symptoms: Loss of interest in activities at home or school, hopelessness, appetite or sleep fluctuations, lack of energy, anxiety, anger, and not spending time with friends Causes: Change in family setting (divorce, death of a family member, moving); bullying, academic or social pressure. Lack of parental connection can also be an issue: “We live in a generation where parents look at their cellphones more than their children,” Dr. Rubin says. Be aware that the causes of a child’s depression are not always apparent, and it may not take a major event or obvious problem to spark depression. continued on next page ››

Special Education Advocacy Guardianship Transition Planning Special Needs Planning www.littmankrooks.com 399 Knollwood Road ▪ White Plains, NY 10603 ▪ 914.684.2100 655 Third Avenue ▪ New York, NY 10017 ▪ 212.490.2020

RocklandParent 17

‹‹ continued from previous page

Prevention: Trust your instincts, and let your children know you’re there to talk (and just as importantly, listen) during the tough times. “Let them know that you’re there but be open minded, and remember what it was like to be their age,” Dr. Jacob advises. “Actively listen and engage, be observant and ask questions—but realize when they need space.”

Treatment: Since depression can be caused by neurotransmitters being out of balance, this is one case where a child’s psychiatrist can recommend medication—in combination with cognitive behavioral therapy—as a form of treatment. Just as important: Tending to your own mental health. “Parents need to be aware of their own anxieties, since issues from their own childhood often resurface,” adds Dr. Rubin. “Anxiety and depression is taught behavior. Break that cycle by being aware of your own emotions and monitoring them.”

Obesity

Does Your Kid need a haircut?

ResouRces ARticles

While some children are naturally heavier due to excess muscle from fat, bone, muscle, water, or a combination of all of the above, obesity is on the rise: According to the CDC, 1 in 6 children in the United States is obese.

Symptoms: Children are considered obese when their body mass index is at or above the 95th percentile compared to children of similar age and sex. (To calculate BMI, divide your child’s weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters).

Causes: Poor diet and a lack of exercise are top causes, but stress (and the emotional eating response to it) can also be contributing factors, especially if you’re guilty of this as a parent. “If you eat when you’re stressed or relate emotions to food, kids will notice that and do it too,” Dr. Rubin says.

Prevention: Getting your kids interested in and excited about food at an early age is key. Try taking them to the store and letting them pick out their own fruits and vegetables, or allowing them to be involved in food preparation at home. Doing this will encourage kids to select fruit as a snack instead of sugary treats, Dr. Johns says. Another tip: Instead of rewarding accomplishments like a great report card with ice cream, ask your child what activity or outing he wants to do to celebrate instead.

Treatment: If your child isn’t involved or interested in sports, take a walk with her, or offer to watch him doing his favorite activity.

“What kids like more than anything is attention,” Dr. Johns says.

“Whether it’s jumping rope or shooting hoops, they’ll be more likely to do something if you watch and give them positive feedback.”

Asthma

Find everything you need, faster at

18

November 2016 | nymetroparents.com

If you’re wondering if your child’s cough could possibly be asthma, consider this: Most children with asthma have symptoms before age 5 and experience recurring coughing or wheezing that gets worse in the presence of irritants such as smoke or dust mites.

Symptoms: Coughing at night, wheezing while breathing out, and/or fast breathing that causes the skin to tighten around the neck or ribs. A good test if you can’t tell: Have your child take a deep breath. If he starts coughing at the end or has spastic, relentless coughing fits, he likely has asthma, Dr. Rubin says.

Causes: Although allergens and exercise can trigger asthma, the change in seasons can, too—especially the cold, dry air that winter brings. Genetics can also play a part, and so can your family pet (but don’t worry, you won’t need to get rid of it!)

Prevention: If your household has pets, your pediatrician can administer a blood test to find out if your fluffy loved ones are the culprit. If they are, don’t worry: You can limit the pet to certain rooms in the house, or install a HEPA air filter to purify air in your

child’s room. Cleaning your home regularly (to reduce dust) and not smoking indoors can also help her breathe easy.

Treatment: While a rescue inhaler can help children with intermittent asthma ward off periodic attacks, children with prolonged attacks will need to administer medication from a controller inhaler daily. Regardless of the type of asthma your child has, it’s wise to have an inhaler on hand—at home and at school.

“Kids will let you know when they have tightness in their chest and ask for relief,” Dr. Rubin adds.

Bedwetting

Also known as enuresis, bedwetting is a common childhood problem that can be embarrassing for children, and frustrating and stressful for parents. The good news is that it’s usually easy to treat and typically stops on its own as your child learns how to control his or her bladder during the late stages of potty training.

Symptoms: Touch your child’s sheets in the morning. If they’re wet or she comes downstairs with wet PJs, you’ll know something’s up.

Causes: While some children can inherit it from their parents, others fall into such a deep sleep that their bladder just lets go.

Even if your child is already potty trained when it occurs, younger children often regress due to divorce, separation, or during life changes, such as moving.

Prevention: Behavioral change, such as limiting drinks and caffeine prior to bedtime, can help. In addition, products designed to treat the condition, called wet stop alarms, trigger an alarm that reminds your child to get up to use the bathroom.

Treatment: Whatever you do, don’t make your child feel ashamed. Some children experience it until age 9 or 10, and pullups are a great solution to avoid frequent loads of laundry. Finally, don’t torture yourself thinking you’re doing something wrong.

“No child will go to college wearing a diaper—they just need time to mature,” Dr. Rubin says.

Rated #1 FAT BURNING cardio workout

By Muscle & Fitness Magazine

Why wait for New Years?

Get in shape before the holidays!

Kickboxing helps you: • Tone Up • Lose Weight • Build Energy • Reduce Stress • Learn How To Defend Yourself

Introductory Course Special ONLY $9.95!

Includes:

• Orientation Lesson • A Group class • FREE Workout Apparel • FREE Kickboxing Gloves

Karate - Jiu-Jitsu - Kids Classes Camps – Birthday Partie

Serving the community in Rockland & Bergen County for over 18 years.

We are now The Academy For Martial Arts.

THE ACADEMY FOR MARTIAL ARTS

8 Orangetown Center, Orangeburg, NY 10962 (845) 359-4500 • www.RocklandKarate.com

Nightmares

Any parent who’s had to comfort her child in the middle of the night knows that nightmares are a common—but easily fixed— childhood health problem. While young children in their “afraid of the dark” phase are most susceptible to nightmares, they can affect children at any age.

Symptoms: Luckily, this one’s easy: Your child will likely let you know that she’s scared to go to bed (or wake you in the middle of the night, looking for comfort).

Causes: Fear of the dark, lack of sleep, exposure to scary or unsettling TV without context Prevention: “Parents should make sure that children aren’t exposed to anything frightening on the TV or internet, and discuss if there are any stressors leading to nightmares. Often, they will pass with time,” Dr. Hes says.

Treatment: “There’s not much a parent can do but comfort during these times,” Dr. Hes says. A night light, bedtime security object, or temporary distraction—such as face-washing, a back rub, or calming conversation about what’s troubling them—can help soothe them back to sleep.

Remember, no child is healthy all the time and no amount of preventative effort is going to be 100-percent effective. So don’t beat yourself up when your child gets sick, and focus instead on giving her the TLC and medical care she needs to get back on her feet as quickly as she can!

Alison Kotch is a writer living in Brooklyn.

• Specialist in dentistry for children and adolescents • New, state of the art facility • Digital X-rays used • Insurance friendly • Patients seen on time • Warm and friendly staff.

Stop in and meet us!

Angela Boudounis-Hatzis, DDS Board Certified in Pediatric Dentistry

265 N. Highland Ave - Suite 101 (Rte 9W-in Children of America Bldg) Nyack, NY Tel: 845-512-8434 • www.nyackpediatricdentistry.com RocklandParent 19

HEALTH

Why Messy Can Be Better

››

It turns out bacteria aren’t always the enemy. By Patricia Schnabel Ruppert, DO, MPH

I

n the wake of the recent news that the Food and Drug Administration has ordered many antibacterial soaps off the shelves, I have a surprising call to action for parents: Sit your toddlers on the floor, let the dog lick their faces, and use plain soap and water later to wash your toddler’s hands. A move away from antibacterial products isn’t a call to avoid dirt—it’s a reminder that what lives in mess is often our friend.

The FDA’s concern is that in our effort to rid our lives of microbes, we are doing two things that will harm us. First, we are wiping out the bacteria that actually help us in countless ways, from digesting food to supporting our immune system in avoiding disease. The other concern is that we are contributing to the growing threat of bacteria that are resistant to medications, the so-called “superbugs.”

The Role Microbes Play

To really understand the thinking behind the FDA’s decision, it’s important to understand the countless microbes that surround us and the billions that inhabit our bodies. We cannot and should not live without them.

As referenced in Ed Yong’s book, I Contain Multitudes, when it comes to microbes in our environment, diversity is best. We have more bacteria in our intestines than there are stars in the sky, yet a small fraction of those—fewer than 100 species—actually cause infection. The rest do not cause disease, and many actually work to protect our health. These include those bacteria that synthesize vitamin K to protect us from bleeding to death.

20

November 2016 | nymetroparents.com

At birth, legions of microorganisms “set up shop” in and on the newborn, aiding digestion and keep harmful microbes away.

There is a temporary suppression of the infant’s immune system that allows for this establishment of microorganisms. Sugars in human milk actually nourish the bacteria that live in the baby’s intestine. Keeping the bacteria healthy keeps the infant healthy.

Research even shows that an antibody in human milk (Secretory Immunoglobulin A or SIgA) assists in setting up the healthier environment in the baby’s intestine, which is associated with less diarrheal illness in the infant and a reduction of inflammatory bowel disease and other chronic diseases later in life.

In our industrialized society with its antibacterial soaps, lotions, and cleansers we have almost “sterilized” our microbe environment, leaving fewer “good” bacteria to fight the “bad” bacteria. However, it is frequent challenges to our immune system from everyday bacteria that keep our army of good microbes in fighting shape for the more dangerous threats to our health.

In fact, you may be surprised to know that the licks of dogs contain microbes that are thought to strengthen the immune system of children, which may relate to a decrease in the frequency of asthma and other allergies.

None of this, however, is to discount the danger of some bacteria and the millions of lives that have been saved by hygienic practices and the judicious use of antibiotics. Hand washing with plain soap and water for 20 seconds or cleansing with an alcoholbased sanitizer for 15 seconds remains the most effective way to prevent infection.

MASTER JUNG & MASTER YU TRADITIONAL

TAEKWONDO

The Rise of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

The other issue the FDA is addressing through this action is the rise of bacteria that are now resistant to treatments such as antibiotics. Antibiotic resistance is the ability of a microorganism to resist the effects of an antibiotic to which it was once sensitive. The unnecessary and broad prescribing of antibiotics has led to this increase in resistance and serious infections, which are becoming more deadly. Each year, there are more than 700,000 deaths worldwide due to antibiotic resistance with 10 million per year predicted to occur by the year 2050.

One example of an increasingly antibiotic-resistant bacterium is Clostridium Difficile (or “C.Diff”), which causes more than 200,000 cases of a serious and often fatal infection of the colon in the U.S. each year. C.Diff can make your grandparent’s simple hospital stay morph into a life-threatening contagious illness. This can occur because of the altered balance of “good vs. bad” bacteria in the intestines and the overgrowth of the toxic C.Diff bacteria. Complications can occur even when antibiotics are used appropriately, but we need to focus on decreasing unnecessary prescribing, including for patients with viral conditions such as the common cold. Antibiotics don’t treat viral infections. Never. Ever.

While the main cause of this increasing resistance is the misuse of antibiotics, this is part of a much larger issue. We are also contributing to resistance when we overuse antibacterial products. You can think of the issue of antibiotic resistance as an arms race between humans and the bad bacteria. Our efforts to blindly avoid bacteria are only tipping this arms race in the favor of the bad bacteria.

So what can you do? Remember: Bacteria aren’t the enemy, and we need a diverse balance of good and bad bacteria in and on our bodies and in our environments. Help your children build up their own defense to the bad bacteria. Let the dog lick your child. Allow your child to play on the floor. Don’t follow her around with antibacterial wipes. And only take antibiotics when it is appropriate. Remember that we can be clean without trying to be sterile. And we’ll all be much better off.

Patricia Schnabel Ruppert, DO, MPH, is the Health Commissioner of Rockland County, an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Columbia University Medical Center, and Fellows Ambassador of the New York Academy of Medicine.

www.B4Kcenter.com Bricks4Kidz.RcklndNY 121 W. NYACK RD. SUITE 11 NANUET, NY

845-501-7800 • After-School Enrichment • Birthday Parties • Kidz Night Out • Camp • Creative Play • WEDO/EV3 Robotics • Stop Motion Animation

After-School STEM Enrichment Classes Offered at Our Center or at Your Child’s School (offered at select schools)

Building Leaders One kick at a time!!!

• • • • •

PHYSICAL FITNESS STRONG BODY! SELF-DEFENSE STRONG RESPECT MIND! CONFIDENCE YES I CAN! DISCIPLINE

Ask about our

CALL FOR A FREE TRIAL LESSON!

Fun & Educational Birthday Parties

Home of the US National Team Head Coach & International Referee

70 North Main St. New City, Shop Rite Plaza (845) 638-4000 • www.mytaekwondolife.com Check out masterjungtkd on YouTube

A Dental Office That Moms and Kids LOVE! Peace of Mind for Moms: Seen "On Time” Guarantee, Workmanship Guarantee, “You’ll Love Us” Guarantee Friendly Smile Team and Fun environment for children!

Saturday hours available.

No Insurance?

No Problem!

Exam, X-Rays, Cleaning and Consultation Adults $89 (reg $450) Kids $69 (reg $270)

Invisalign® fall special $1,500 off

140 Oak Tree Road, Tappan, NY 19 Legion Drive, Bergenfield, NJ

Call: 845.367.4866 Call: 201.384.2425 TappanDentist.com

RocklandParent 21

Health & Wellness A LOCAL GUIDE FOR YOUR FAMILY’S NEEDS! HEALTH A & R Advanced Dental Group, Anna Alekseyeva, D.D.S., Roman Izmailov, D.D.S., Marita Smith, D.D.S.

5C Medical Park Drive, Pomona 845-364-9400 aradvanceddental.com We are a state-of-the-art practice that offers treatment for adults and children. Patient satisfaction and comfort is our top priority.

Dr. Izmailov and Dr. Alekseyeva have more than 30 years of experience in all phases of dentistry, including cosmetic dentistry, root canal treatment, crowns, bridges, and implant placement. Dr. Marita Smith is a board-certified pediatric dentist who sees children from birth to adolescence. Dr. Smith completed her pediatrics specialty at a Level 1 Trauma Center and has extensive training caring for children with special needs through her training at the Rose F. Kennedy Center. We have flexible appointment times and accept most insurance.

Clemente Orthodontics

603 S. Route 304, New City 845-638-6646 60 W. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood, NJ 201-447-2888 clementeorthodontics.com At Clemente Orthodontics, our patients receive the benefit of experience, quality, and energy that comes with a multigenerational team. Dr. Michael Clemente and his daughters, Drs. Nicole Clemente and Marissa Clemente, work together seamlessly to care for your orthodontic needs. They run a state-of-the-art practice with digital X-rays, private treatment rooms, impression-free Invisalign, and a highly experienced staff.

They are an Invisalign Super Elite Premier provider, offering Invisalign and Invisalign Teen as treatment options. As always, consultations are complimentary.

We are excited to now offer Acceledent to our patients.

Crystal Run Healthcare

2 Centerock Road, West Nyack 845-348-1100 crystalrunhealthcare.com

22

Crystal Run Healthcare is a physician-owned, physician-led, multi-specialty medical group practice offering the convenience of Primary Care and more than 40 specialties all under one roof.

Our 70,000-square-foot West Nyack facility offers patients easy access to quality health care by way of more than 20 medical and surgical specialties, an infusion center, urgent care, diagnostic testing services, on-site laboratory services, diagnostic imaging, and women’s imaging—a one-stop health care destination for all.

We are here to meet the needs of every family member regardless of age or medical condition.

Dental Wellness of Suffern Sherri Alpert, D.D.S.

2 Executive Blvd., Suite 307, Suffern 845-918-1801 dentalwellnessofsuffern.com dentalwellness@optonline.net Dental Wellness of Suffern provides quality dentistry for people of all ages. Is offers a wide range of dental services, including preventive, restorative, cosmetic, implant, and reconstructive dentistry. It teaches children the best way to care for their teeth, from their first dental visit at age 1 to adulthood. It is the staff’s goal to care for many generations within each family it is privileged to treat. The team of compassionate professionals aims to improve patients’ health, appearance, and self-confidence by gently caring for their dental needs.

Fidelis Care New York

888-FIDELIS (343-3547) fideliscare.org Fidelis Care offers free or lowcost health insurance coverage for children and adults of all ages and at all stages of life, including products available through NY State of Health: The Official Health Plan Marketplace. With more than 1.3 million members statewide, Fidelis Care was founded on the belief that all New Yorkers should have access to affordable, quality health insurance.

For more information, call Fidelis Care at 888-FIDELIS (3433547), or visit fideliscare.org.

November 2016 | nymetroparents.com

Helping Kids Pediatrics

180 Phillips Hill Road, Suite 4A , New City 845-499-2339 helpingkidspediatrics.com hkp@helpingkidspediatrics.com Dr. Stanley and Dr. Elizabeth are board-certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and have specialized training in caring for pediatric patients. They offer customized care and look forward to caring for the health and well-being of your children from birth through adolescence. Dr. Elizabeth is also an internationally board-certified lactation consultant, offering consultations in the office. In addition, they have specialized training in the Ear Well™ system for correction of newborn congenital ear deformities. This is a noninvasive, pain free, nonsurgical option for newborns.

Kastin & Newman Orthodontics

6 Medical Park Drive, Pomona 845-354-7233 rocklandorthodontics.com info@kastin-newmanortho.com Drs. Brett Kastin and Warren Newman utilize state-of-the-art materials and customized treatment planning for every patient, ensuring the highest quality of care. Dr. Kastin is a certified Invisalign® provider, and has been president of the Rockland County Dental Society since 2006. Dr. Newman has more than 40 years of orthodontic experience. They have been a team for more than 10 years, and have been voted Rockland’s “Top Orthodontists” by the dentists of Rockland County. Their practice offers an experienced staff and flexible appointment times. Initial exams are complimentary, as are children’s recall appointments.

Kupchik Dental Dr. Anna Kupchik, D.D.S.

2 Medical Park Drive, Suite 16, West Nyack 845-535-3500 kupchikdental.com info@kupchikdental.com At Kupchik Dental, patients’ comfort is our No. 1 priority.

We strive to make every dental experience easy and relaxing by

practicing gentle touch dentistry.

Our state-of-the-art dental office is committed to providing the best quality of care for the entire family.

Dr. Kupchik and her team believe in educating patients and keeping them informed of their oral health every step of the way. We are open seven days a week for your convenience, and have an in-house insurance plan for the uninsured.

Michelle Varvaro - Confidence Coaching for Teens serving Rockland and Bergen counties

845-709-0047 michellevarvaro.com michellevarvaro@live.com Confidence Coaching is a new, unique, and well-needed resource available for teens who may be shy, introverted, and uncomfortable in social situations.

Social activity groups offer safe and fun opportunities to practice socializing and create friendships. All activities encourage interaction, staff is available to assist small groups, and individual sessions are available as well.

Confidence coach Michelle Varvaro has more than 25 years of counseling experience and holds an M.A. in rehabilitation counseling, and an M.A. in special education. For more information or to contact Michelle, please visit michellevarvaro.com.

MVP Health Care

1-800-TALK-MVP (825-5687) mvphealthcare.com MVP Health Care has a range of affordable, high-quality health plans—from free or low-cost New York State sponsored Medicaid Managed Care and Child Health Plus, to our many individual and family plans available through the NY State of Health™ Marketplace. Call us today and see if you qualify for free or low-cost health insurance.

Nyack Pediatric Dentistry Dr. Angela Boudounis-Hatzis

265 N. Highland Ave., (Route 9W), Nyack 845-512-8434 nyackpediatricdentistry.com drb@nyackpediatricdentistry.com Nyack Pediatric Dentistry is a

cutting-edge practice that delivers state-of-the-art oral health care to the pediatric population, from birth through their teenage years.

We believe that good oral health begins with prevention. Using age-appropriate techniques, we accomplish this through education and motivation. Our office is bright and cheerful and equipped with video games, flat screen TVs, toys, books, and prizes.

We believe that by providing a comfortable and understanding atmosphere, patients will develop a positive attitude toward dental care that will last a lifetime.

Pediatric Physical & Occupational Therapy of Hudson Valley

873 Route 45, Suite 107, New City 845-362-7787 pptskids.com info@pptskids.com Pediatric Physical and Occupational Therapy, P.L.L.C. offers therapy to children, birth through adolescence. We treat children with many diagnoses including torticollis, developmental delays, cerebral palsy, congenital anomalies, post-surgical, post-fracture, autism, and sensory processing disorder. Our therapists work exclusively in pediatrics and have many years of experience. We are trained in Sensory Integration, the Listening Program, Handwriting without Tears, Theratogs, Kinesotaping, Intensive Therapy, Partial Weight Bearing Treadmill Training, and Whole Body Vibration. Our facility is child friendly, with equipment geared toward children. We accept insurance and have been successful in getting insurance authorized for therapy.

Smile More Dentistry

140 Oak Tree Road, Tappan 845-367-4866 tappandentist.com Drs. LaCap, Tong, and their “Smile Team” have been providing exceptional dental care with a gentle touch and state-of-the-art technology for more than 25 years. Children love going to their office because of the friendly and fun environment. Busy moms love the office because they offer an “on time” workmanship guarantee, and “you will love us” guarantee. Dr. Tong was voted one of NJ’s top children’s dentists five years in a row. The office receives a perfect five-star rating in patient satisfaction.

Tenafly Pediatrics

74 Pascack Road, Park Ridge, NJ 201-326-7120 Offices also in Tenafly, Fort Lee, Clifton, Paramus, and Oakland, NJ tenaflypediatrics.com Tenafly Pediatrics has expanded its Park Ridge, NJ location, which is just 2 miles from the Rockland County border. Established in the mid-1970s, Tenafly Pediatrics has grown due to the quality of medical care provided to its young pa tients. The Park Ridge office is the newest location, and is equipped with an in-house lab and the latest in visual and hearing testing. Check out our website at tenaflypediatrics. com and see for yourself how convenient the practice is to your home, and the quality of care your family will receive.

FITNESS The Academy For Martial Arts

8 Orangetown Shopping Center, Orangeburg 845-359-4500 rocklandkarate.com Children are precious. As a parent, you know it is your responsibility to protect your child from all sorts of dangerous situations. It isn’t easy. They grow up fast. Time flies, and eventually children must learn to defend themselves. You certainly do not want your son or daughter to be bullied, or to become a bully.

Martial arts lessons are a fantastic solution. Every kid should learn self-defense. It’s like learning to swim—it’s lots of fun, it can save your life, and it builds self-control and self-confidence. After serving the Rockland and Bergen communities for 18 years under a different name, we are now The Academy For Martial Arts, and we have a program that is perfect for your child.

Camp Venture Equestrian Center

15 Fernald Road, Stony Point 845-786-3939 campventure.org facebook.com/campventure. equestrianprogram/?fref=ts Our horse program provides recreation for both children and adults and is open to the public for lessons and birthday parties, year-round. Riding is done in our state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor arenas. Our program delivers hands-on instruction

geared to the ability of each rider. Helmets provided. Our horse program has been in existence for 28 years. In addition, The Camp Venture Equestrian Program specializes in working with challenged individuals.

Our equestrian staff is trained in First Aid, CPR, and OSHA, and receives ongoing training to better meet the needs of our challenged riders. Volunteers always welcome.

i9 Sports®

Leagues held in all seasons at facilities throughout Rockland 845-624-PLAY (7529) i9sports.com ahenry@i9sports.com The nation’s largest provider of youth sports leagues promotes and educates the public on the health and wellness benefits of youth athletic participation.

Regular exercise decreases obesity.

Children who exercise are more likely to continue the practice into adulthood and lead healthier lives.

Playing sports is fun. It gives kids a sense of belonging to a group and develops new friendships.

Motor skills, strategic thinking, teamwork, and leadership skills are learned by playing sports.

Research has found that kids who play sports, especially girls, have higher levels of confidence and self-esteem.

Master Jung & Yu Traditional Taekwondo

70 N. Main St., New City 845-638-4000 mytaekwondolife.com Blending Korean culture and philosophy with traditional taekwondo, Master Jung and Master Yu’s school is unique in martial arts training. By combining physical with spiritual, we offer the most complete and satisfying training, embodying mind, body, and spirit. Classes are open seven days a week for all ages. Our unique birthday parties open the door for future leaders and martial artists and are available on weekends.

Energize your whole being at Traditional Taekwondo. Call for more details.

Palisades Climb Adventure

4590 Palisades Center Drive, Level 4 of the Palisades Center, West Nyack 845-727-3500 palisadesclimb.com Palisades Climb Adventure

offers the world’s tallest indoor ropes challenge course. Standing 85-feet tall, it has five levels and 75 unique challenge elements to explore, climb, and conquer.

More advanced athletes will find a challenge, while “just for fun” climbers will experience a sense of athletic accomplishment. Our Sky Tykes kids’ ropes course is designed for ages 2-7, 48 inches tall and shorter. Both courses are available for birthday parties and special events for groups of 10 or more. Book your group today!

Look out for our new Sky Rail coming soon!

Tumble-Bee Gymnastics and Fitness

401 Market St., Nanuet Mall South, Nanuet 845-623-2553 tumble-beegymnastics.com Tumble-Bee Gymnastics and Fitness is more than just tumbling. We offer an education in gymnastics, fitness, and fun.

Serving Rockland for more than 30 years, we offer private birthday parties, and programs for children ages 10 months to 12 years. Our preschool program offers exciting lessons and theme weeks. We teach the nationally recognized Fun & Fit Gymnastics program and International Smart Moves for our after-school program.

Our staff is warm, caring, and well trained to work with your child building confidence and self-esteem to achieve success in the future.

West Rock Indoor Sports and Entertainment Complex

21 Pralle Lane, Nanuet 845-623-3636 westrockindoor.com Rockland’s premier facility for sports training, development, birthday parties, and special events offers programs for children and adults in basketball, soccer, lacrosse, baseball, tennis, and fitness. Our skilled staff ensures your child has the perfect mix of fun, physical activity, and training. Whether it’s our Basketball Academy, Tiny Tots Soccer classes for young children, or revamped tennis academy, we offer plenty of programs to meet your child’s needs, no matter his or her age or ability. Allow West Rock to be your one and only stop for your family’s sports and entertainment needs!

RocklandParent 23

OUTINGS: Morris-Jumel Mansion

nymetroparents.com/outings

Manhattan’s Oldest House 1

2

4

3

5

1 Inside the historical mansion, visitors can see the way people lived centuries ago. 2 Children take care of the lush gardens surrounding the property. 3 The outside of the Morris-Jumel Mansion, NYC’s oldest house. 4 Many people including George Washington have called the mansion home. 5 The mansion offers

yoga on the grounds.

Morris-Jumel Mansion serves as a cultural resource for national and international visitors and particularly the diverse residents of New York City. Visitors will learn about the lives of the people who have been an important part of the history of this mansion, which includes both the Morris and Jumel families and even George Washington. Harlem Renaissance artists and many immigrant groups have been neighbors to the mansion as well.

Year-Round Features

The mansion provides an unsurpassed educational history for children and young adults via writing, critical thinking, and art.

The adult program focuses on theater, music, lectures, and tours of the mansion.

Docent-guided tours of the mansion are offered regularly—$12 for adults and $9 for students and seniors. Lead by one of the mansion’s expert docents, families can learn about the rich history of the mansion, the famous people who have come through it over the years, and the rich lives of people from centuries ago.

24

November 2016 | nymetroparents.com

School tours, full of hands-on learning adventures, are beloved by students. Kids learn about archaeology, the Revolutionary War, and more.

The garden and grounds are spectacular, and events such as yoga and picnicking are a wonderful way to see the manicured landscape, the lush greenery, and fresh flowers. Various art exhibitions from artists worldwide are on display year-round and change season by season.

illusions that create a moving image. The event is free with the price of museum admission. RSVP by calling 212-923-8008 or email education@morrisjumel.org. This event is recommended for kids ages 8-14.

An additional Family Day is scheduled for Nov. 19 during which you can make homemade butter and learn about colonial-style cooking to prep for Thanksgiving. It’s free to attend this mouthwatering event with the price of museum admission.

November Highlights

Details

This month offers some exciting programs and events that are not to be missed. From Nov. 3-5, see a theatrical performance from 8-9pm entitled Fancy Me Mad. The play is set in Baltimore and will intrigue the audience with a story of a young man visiting the home of his recently deceased grandmother at which he learns of her obsession with Edgar Allen Poe. Family Day will be held Nov. 5 from 11am1pm. Families can create a movie as they were made in the 1860s using zoetropes—optical

Address: 65 Jumel Terrace, Manhattan Directions: About a 20-min drive from Flushing Hours: Monday, by appointment only; Tuesday-Friday, 10am-4pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-5pm. The museum is closed on New Year’s, Memorial, Labor, Thanksgiving, and Christmas days.

Admission: $10; $8 seniors and students; free for children 12 and younger and members For more information: 212-923-8008 or morrisjumel.org

Courtesy Morris-Jumel Mansion

See an example of domestic life in New York City as the immigration of people from Europe to Washington Heights came forth in the late 1800s in this historical mansion. ›› By Melissa A. Kay

RJ_Coming Soon_WestchesterParent.pdf

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

1

10/13/16

11:06 AM

COMING SOON RIDGE HILL

CMY

• • • • •

K

DUNK ZONE DODGEBALL BIRTHDAY PARTIES PRIVATE EVENTS AND MORE...

RidgeHill.RockinJump.com | RidgeHill-NY@RockinJump.com | 914.510.9119 241 Market Street, Yonkers, NY 10710

• Quality benefits…annual checkups, emergency care and more • Top-rated customer service • Large network of doctors and hospitals • You can’t be turned down for a pre-existing condition

Call 1-800-TALK-MVP Visit mvphealthcare.com

Quality health insurance you can afford.

Find out if you are eligible today for free or low-cost health insurance.*

Look for MVP Health Care® when applying for health insurance on the NY State of Health™ Marketplace.

To learn more about applying for health insurance through NY State of Health™, the official Health Plan Marketplace, visit nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call 1-855-355-5777.

Health benefit plans are issued or administered by MVP Health Plan, Inc.; MVP Health Insurance Company; MVP Select Care, Inc.; and MVP Health Services Corp., operating subsidiaries of MVP Health Care, Inc. Not all plans available in all states and counties. *Discounted rates are dependent on subsidy eligibility and are not available in all counties. Individual premium rate may vary.

RocklandParent 25

26

November 2016 | nymetroparents.com

Ideas When You Need Them:

Sign up for our FREE newsletter & never hear “I’m bored!” again. We email the top kids’ events every Thursday—just in time to make weekend plans!

nymetroparents.com/register

Turn the page for details on The New York City Ballet Performs George Balanchine’s ‘The Nutcracker’ (No. 7 on our list).

y-day day-b : r u o t ou line ar Check alendar on alend c ood, hborh cost. g i e n h by and Searc type, age, t n eve ily! ted da a d p U

t

nyme

com/c

ents. ropar

NOVEMBER CALENDAR

28 Editor’s Hot Tickets 29 We Can’t Believe It’s FREE! 30 Animal Lovers,

Browse & Buy

WANT US TO INCLUDE YOUR EVENT?

nymetroparents.com/submitevent UPDATED DAILY AT nymetroparents.com/calendar EDITOR: SAMANTHA BERANBOM rpeditor@davlermedia.com

31 Smarty Pants,

Must-Sees in NYC

32 Show Time!,

Movers & Shakers 33 Holiday Fun,

The Great Outdoors

EDITOR’S HOT TICKETS Our calendar is full of great ideas. First, here are the seven events we consider can’t-miss—the ones we’re taking our own kids to. Consider it your cheat sheet to the best of what’s great this month!

1

Plein Air Painting

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 6, 1pm WHERE: Storm King Art Center, 1 Museum Road, New Windsor AGES: All WHAT: Discover Josephine Halvorson’s Measures and consider how scale, space, and paint work together in the Storm King landscape.

WHY WE LOVE IT: A hands-on program that brings art and nature together.

WANT TO GO? 15; $12 seniors; $8 children ages 5-18; free for children younger than 4. stormking.org.

2nd Annual Barnes & Noble Mini Maker Faire FREE

WHEN: Nov. 5-6, Saturday-Sunday, see website for times WHERE: Barnes & Noble Booksellers, check website for addresses and phone numbers, Nanuet, Palisades Center, and Paramus, NJ locations AGES: 5-17 WHAT: Tech enthusiasts, crafters, educators, engineers, science club members, students, entrepreneurs, hobbyists, and makers of all kinds come together to learn from each other, get craft and science fair project ideas, hear the experts, and work on projects.

WHY WE LOVE IT: An amazing forum for innovation and imagination.

WANT TO GO? barnesandnoble.com.

2

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 6, 10am-1pm WHERE: Crystal Run Healthcare, 2 Centerock Road, West Nyack AGES: All WHAT: Attendees will have access to complimentary health screenings including flu shots, blood pressure checks, and glucose screenings. Enjoy raffle prizes, giveaways, and educational seminars presented by Crystal Run Healthcare Providers.

WHY WE LOVE IT: There are prizes for getting a flu shot? We are so there!

WANT TO GO? 845-615-6813. crystalrunhealthcare.com.

3

Live Animals

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 20, 10am-4pm WHERE: Barnes & Noble, 1245 Route 300, Newburgh AGES: All WHAT: Hudson Highlands Museum staff will be in attendance and hold live animal presentations in the children’s section.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Kids, animals, books, and supporting a great cause... these are a few of my favorite things.

WANT TO GO? Shop to benefit the museum. hhnm.org.

4

November 2016 | nymetroparents.com

5

Nyack Outdoor Farmers’ Market FREE

WHEN: Through Nov. 25: Thursdays, 8am-2pm WHERE: Main Street Parking Lot, Depew Avenue and South Broadway, Nyack AGES: All WHAT: Featuring more than 30 vendors specializing in locally sourced produce, fresh fish, grass-fed beef, prepared foods, and artisanal crafts.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Last chance of the season to enjoy this favorite fresh air market before it heads indoors for the winter.

WANT TO GO? 845-353-2221. nyackchamber.com.

‘Odd Squad Live!’

Crystal Run’s Community Health Fair FREE

28

4

6

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 27, 2pm or 5:30pm WHERE: Bergen PAC, 30 N. Van Brunt St., Englewood, NJ AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Team up with brand new agents Owen and Ophelia in this live, interactive adventure. With help from Ms. O back at headquarters, kids will put their STEM skills to the test and decode, decipher, and unravel clues to stop villains such as Father Time and Lady Terrible.

WHY WE LOVE IT: It’s secretly been one of our favorite TV shows, too.

WANT TO GO? $15-$39. 201-227-1030. bergenpac.org.

7

The New York City Ballet Performs George Balanchine’s ‘The Nutcracker’

WHEN: Nov. 25–Dec. 31, see website for show times WHERE: David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln Center, 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, Upper West Side, Manhattan AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Tchaikovsky’s beloved melodies will transport you to a magical world where mischievous mice besiege a battalion of soldiers, and an onstage blizzard leads to an enchanted Land of Sweets.

WHY WE LOVE IT: A New York holiday tradition—the original and the best!

WANT TO GO? $40 and up. 212-496-0600. nycballet.com.

Get weekend activities delivered to you!

nymetroparents.com/register ››

WE CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S FREE Think a freebie has to be ho-hum? Don’t let the price tag (or lack of one) fool you. Here are the five no-cost events we’re excited about now. You’re welcome.

Open House FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 5, 10am-12pm WHERE: Palisades Preschool & Kindergarten, 2324 Fifth St., Fort Lee AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Tour the school, meet the teachers, and learn about the age appropriate programs for toddlers, preschoolers, and pre-kindergarten.

WANT TO GO? 201-947-3898. palisadescountryday.com.

My Fairytale Party: ‘Frozen’ Performance FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 12, 10am-1pm WHERE: Westfield Garden State Plaza, 1 Garden State Plaza, Macy’s Court Level 2, Paramus, NJ AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Experience an interactive and memorable performance by Elsa and Anna. The Snow Queen and Princess perform songs from the hit Disney movie Frozen through fun sing-alongs, dancing, and interactive games.

WANT TO GO? 212-986-7080. westfield.com.

Thanksgiving Storytime FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 19, 11am WHERE: Barnes & Noble Booksellers, check website for addresses and phone numbers, Nanuet, Palisades Center, and Paramus, NJ locations AGES: 3-8 WHAT: In celebration of Thanksgiving, come and enjoy two special stories, There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey! and The Great Thanksgiving Escape. Coloring and activities to follow.

WANT TO GO? barnesandnoble.com.

Need a staycation?

ResouRces ARticles

Outdoor Storywalk Exhibit FREE

WHEN: Through Dec. 1: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm; Saturday-Sunday, 11am-4pm WHERE: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Hikers can read a nature-themed story while they walk in the woods. Designed for beginning readers, the stories will appeal to all ages.

WANT TO GO? 201-568-6093. tenaflynaturecenter.org.

Friday Fun FREE

WHEN: Through Dec. 16: Fridays, 4-5pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Village Branch, 85 Main St., Haverstraw AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Families can enjoy different programs every week including Builder’s Club, games, 3-D fun with 3-D pens, PS4, Code Club, Science Squad, and more.

WANT TO GO? 845-429-3445. hkdpl.org. ››

Find everything you need, faster at

RocklandParent 29

BROWSE & BUY 4th Annual Stage Left Children’s Theater Shop and Win Fundraiser FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 5, 10am-3pm WHERE: The Manse Barn, 32 Old Tappan Road, Tappan AGES: All WHAT: Don’t miss out on the annual craft fair featuring fabulous and unique vendors just in time for holiday shopping, with raffles and more.

WANT TO GO? 845-365-9000. stageleftct.org.

Made By Hand Art and Craft Fair FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 19, 10am-4pm WHERE: Nyack Center, 58 Depew Ave., Nyack AGES: All WHAT: Find a selection of the finest local crafts, including handcrafted jewelry, knitwear, fiber crafts, pottery, fine art, and other curiosities. More than 40 artisans will be in attendance, featuring original handcrafted items for everyone, adults, children, and even pets.

WANT TO GO? 845-358-2600. nyackcenter.org.

Piermont’s Farmers’ Market FREE

ANIMAL LOVERS For Goodness Snakes!

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 5, 10am WHERE: Hudson Highlands Nature Museum, Wildlife Education Center, 25 Boulevard, Cornwall AGES: All WHAT: Meet several live snakes and learn about life cycle, habits, and habitats of these often misunderstood reptiles. Make a fun snake craft to take home. Registration required.

WANT TO GO? $8; $6 children. 845-534-5506. hhnaturemuseum.org.

Ramsey Farmers’ Market FREE

Mutts Gone Nuts: Canine Caberet

WHEN: Through Nov. 30: Wednesdays, 8am-3pm WHERE: Spring Valley, Main and Church streets, Spring Valley AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy fresh local produce, goods, and more.

WANT TO GO? 914-923-4837. rocklandgov.com.

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 6, 1pm WHERE: Bergen PAC, 30 N. Van Brunt St., Englewood, NJ AGES: All WHAT: From shelters to showbiz, these amazing mutts unleash havoc and hilarity in an action-packed comedy, featuring some of the world’s most talented four-legged performers.

WANT TO GO? $19-$29. 201-227-1030. bergenpac.org.

PAWS for Reading FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 12, 10:30am-12pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Main Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Young readers can share a favorite book with a furry friend in 15-minute sessions. Registration required.

WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.

Playtime at the Zoo

WHEN: Through Dec. 12: Mondays, 10am-12pm WHERE: Bergen County Zoo, Van Saun County Park, Paramus, NJ AGES: 2 and younger WHAT: Toddlers and their caregivers meet in the Education Discovery Lab to play with animal-themed toys, interact with other visitors, and meet animals.

WANT TO GO? $8; $5 children ages 3-14; $2 seniors; free for children younger than 3. 201-262-3771. co.bergen.nj.us/parks 30

WHEN: Through Nov. 20: Sundays, 9:30am-3pm WHERE: M&T Bank Parking Lot, Piermont Avenue and Ash Street, Piermont AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy local produce, area food makers who source locally, seasonal tastings, music, and more.

WANT TO GO? 914 923-4837. downtoearthmarkets.com.

November 2016 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Through Nov. 27: Sundays, 9am-2pm WHERE: Main Street Train Station, Erie Plaza, Ramsey, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Featuring more than 50 outstanding, local farmers and food purveyors, talented musicians, children’s crafts, special guests, and more.

WANT TO GO? 201-675-6866. ramseyfarmersmarket.org.

Spring Valley Farmer’s Market FREE

Author Lecture with Dr. Catherine Steiner-Adair

WHEN: Tuesday, Nov. 1, 7:30pm WHERE: Rose Hall, Green Meadow Waldorf School, 307 Hungry Hollow Road, Chestnut Ridge AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Lecture, book signing, and Q-and-A with Dr. Steiner-Adair, who offers advice that can help parents achieve greater understanding, authority, and confidence as they engage with the tech revolution unfolding today.

WANT TO GO? $15. 845-356-2514 x311. gmws.org.

CityBound

Must-Sees in N Y C Macy’s Inc.

SMARTY PANTS

Push Pull

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 13, 1pm WHERE: Storm King Art Center, 1 Museum Road, New Windsor AGES: All WHAT: Explore the forces of tension and compression in Kenneth Snelson’s Free Ride Home and create a sculpture in this hands-on workshop.

WANT TO GO? $15; $12 seniors; $8 children ages 5-18; free for children younger than 4. 845-534-3115. stormking.org.

Sally Savage’s Nyack Photographs

Dennis Oppenheim: Terrestrial Studio and Outlooks: Josephine Halvorson

WHEN: Through Nov. 27: Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-5:30pm WHERE: Storm King Art Center, 1 Museum Road, New Windsor AGES: All WHAT: Dennis Oppenheim: Terrestrial Studio is an exhibition featuring sculpture, installation, sound, film, and photography. Josephine Halvorson is featured in the Outlooks series, which invites one emerging or mid-career contemporary artist to create a new, site-specific work.

WANT TO GO? $15; $12 seniors; $8 children ages 5-18 and students; free for children 4 and younger. 845-534-3115. stormkingartcenter.org.

Flying High for 90 Years The Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade marches onto Central Park West for its 90th (yes 90th!) year this month. Get up really early (6am) on Turkey Day to secure a spot to see the parade and take in the holiday atmosphere. Seeing the giant helium balloons, performers, and marching bands in person is a must-do Thanksgiving tradition. The whole family will be transfixed at the sight of favorites such as Spider-Man, Buzz Lightyear, and SpongeBob. You can also check out the helium giants up close at the popular big balloon inflation event the day before, which has become as big an event as the parade itself! See nymetroparents. com for details. Nov. 24, 9am-12pm. Age: All. Parade begins at 77th Street and Central Park West, Upper West Side. 212-494-4495. macys.com/parade.

MSG Entertainment

WHEN: Through Nov. 26: Saturdays, 1-4pm WHERE: Historical Society of the Nyacks Museum, 50 Piermont Ave., Nyack AGES: All WHAT: Savage has been focusing her camera on Nyack people, events, and scenes, and has produced a commentary on the community that will delight.

WANT TO GO? Donations accepted. 845-418-4430. nyackhistory.org.

Play the PS4 FREE

WHEN: Nov. 1–Dec. 13, Tuesdays, 4:30-5:30pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Village Branch, 85 Main St., Haverstraw AGES: 5-17 WHAT: Gamers are invited to play the PS4 on the library’s big screen.

WANT TO GO? 845-429-3445. hkdpl.org.

Hogwarts Book Club FREE

WHEN: Through Dec. 15: Thursdays, 7-8pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Main Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: 9-12 WHAT: Discuss the stories and adventure of Harry Potter and his days at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Registration required.

WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.

Stories & Craft FREE

WHEN: Through Jan. 9, 2017: Mondays, 2pm; Wednesdays, 10:30am WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Main Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Stories, crafts, and more for the littles to enjoy. Registration required.

WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org. ››

High Kicks and Holiday Fun Whether it’s your first time or your 10th, a visit to the iconic Radio City Music Hall to see the The Christmas Spectacular Featuring The Radio City Rockettes is a New York holiday tradition.

Audiences have been lining up since 1933 to see classic routines such as The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers and The Living Nativity as well as high-kicking new numbers. Old fashioned fun that will appeal to all ages. Nov. 11-Jan. 2, 2016. Check website for show times. Age: 6 and older. $49-$120. Radio City Music Hall, 1260 Sixth Ave., Midtown. 866-858-0007. radiocitychristmas.com.

RocklandParent 31

MOVERS & SHAKERS Blue Rock School Family Barn Dance

WHEN: Friday, Nov. 4, 7-10pm WHERE: Congers Lake Memorial Park Auditorium, 6 Gilchrist Road, Congers AGES: All WHAT: Renowned dance caller, Eric Hollman, will lead the way as guests keep step to live, traditional fiddle tunes. All proceeds will benefit the Ruth Schaeffer Scholarship Fund at Blue Rock School.

WANT TO GO? $10. 914-318-4157. bluerockschool.org.

Open Play

SHOW TIME!

The Children’s Shakespeare Theatre Presents ‘Much Ado About Nothing’

WHEN: Nov. 11-18, see website for dates, 7pm WHERE: Palisades Presbyterian Church, 117 Washington Spring Road, Palisades AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Beatrice and Benedick are destined to be together, but there’s just one problem: they despise each other. Set in a late ’70s club, it features plenty of dancing, bellbottoms, platform shoes, and all of your favorite disco tunes.

WANT TO GO? $15; $12 seniors; $10 for children younger than 18.

845-262-0278. childrensshakespeare.org.

Kidz Cabaret Series: Turtle Dance Music

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 19, 1pm and 3pm WHERE: Bergen PAC, 30 N. Van Brunt St., Englewood, NJ AGES: 3-8 WHAT: This interactive music and movement concert engages all children including children on the autism spectrum with a novel 60-minute movement and music experience. Kids will play instruments, try out interactive music technology, and dance along through the whole show.

WANT TO GO? $17. 201-227-1030. bergenpac.org.

Klassic Rock for Kids featuring Alice Leon

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 19, 11am WHERE: Milk and Cookies Playhouse, Clarkstown Community Learning Center, 9 Lake Road, Congers AGES: All WHAT: Local favorite, Alice Leon, is a vocalist extraordinaire and multi-instrumentalist. The concert will be followed by an interactive hour with face painting, album art coloring station, geology station, a photo booth, and milk and cookies.

WANT TO GO? $15; free for children younger than 18 months. 855278-7762. artsrock.org.

‘Pippin’

WHEN: Nov. 18-20, Friday-Saturday, 7pm; Sunday, 1pm WHERE: Porch Light’s Youth & Family Productions, 555 Broad St., Glen Rock AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Enjoy this modern classic musical about a young prince’s search for the secret to true happiness and fulfillment.

WANT TO GO? $15. 201-857-3520. porchlightproductions.org.

32

November 2016 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Nov. 8-11, Tuesday and Friday, 10am-2pm WHERE: West Rock Indoor Sports & Entertainment Complex, 21 Pralle Lane, Bardonia AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Enjoy a day filled with sports, inflatables, face painting, crafts, and fun activities. Teams to compete in different sports and games.

WANT TO GO? $30; $5 lunch. 845-507-0260. westrockindoor.com.

Open Bounce

WHEN: Nov. 1-30, Monday-Thursday, 4-5:30pm WHERE: BounceU, 424 Market St., Nanuet AGES: All WHAT: Nonstop bouncing, climbing, sliding, and more in two giant bounce stadiums. Reservations required.

WANT TO GO? $12.95. 845-623-5400. bounceu.com.

Pee Wee Playtime

WHEN: Nov. 3–March 30, 2017: Mondays and Thursdays, 10am-1pm WHERE: The Joseph T. St. Lawrence Center, 115 Torne Valley Road, Hillburn AGES: 3-5, adult WHAT: Participate in a variety of developmental activities including a bounce house, balance beams, bouncy balls, and mat activities to develop balance and coordination skills in preparation for kindergarten.

WANT TO GO? $5 per day. 845-753-2324. ramapoparks.org.

Sensory Tuesdays

WHEN: Nov. 1–June 27, 2017: Tuesdays, 6-7pm WHERE: Bounce! Trampoline Sports, 612 Corporate Way, Valley Cottage AGES: 3-8 WHAT: For children with sensory issues and those with autism, this program offers fun structured activities with decreased auditory and visual stimuli in a less crowded environment with limited class size.

WANT TO GO? $12. 845-268-4000. bouncevalleycottage.com.

Tales and Tunes FREE

WHEN: Nov. 7–Dec. 5, Mondays, 11:30am or 7pm; Tuesdays, 11:30am WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Main Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: 3-5, adult WHAT: Stories, fingerplays, songs, bubbles, and fun. Registration required.

WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.

Thanksgiving Time FREE

WHEN: Nov. 26-27, Saturday-Sunday, 1-4pm WHERE: Kearney House, North End of the Alpine Picnic Area, Palisades Interstate Parkway to Exit 2 to bottom of hill AGES: All WHAT: Open-house history program at the Kearney House with hot cider, treats, music, storytelling, and games.

WANT TO GO? 201-768-1360. njpalisades.org.

Thanksgiving Weekend at WEC

HOLIDAY FUN Terrific Turkeys

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 20, 2-3:30pm WHERE: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly, NJ AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Discover the real lives of wild turkeys. Learn about hens, toms, poults, caruncles, wattles, and snoods, then make a terrific turkey to take home.

WANT TO GO? $6. 201-568-6093. tenaflynaturecenter.org.

Turkey Day

WHEN: Nov. 19-20, Saturday-Sunday, 11am-3pm WHERE: Bergen County Zoo, Van Saun County Park, Paramus, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Learn all about these feathered friends. Activities may include crafts, animal encounters, short programs, and exhibit chats.

WANT TO GO? $8; $5 children ages 3-14; $2 seniors; free for children younger than 3. 201-262-3771. co.bergen.nj.us/parks.

Thanksgiving Centerpiece Floral Arranging Class

WHEN: Nov. 19-22, Haverstraw Library: Saturday, 1-3pm; Nyack Library: Tuesday, 7-8:30pm WHERE: Cornell Cooperative Extention of Rockland County, Haverstraw King’s Daughter Public Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville; Nyack Library, 59 S. Broadway, Nyack AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Develop floral arranging skills and learn how to create a lovely Thanksgiving centerpiece. Materials will include flowers in fall colors and a cornucopia basket for each student. Registration required.

WANT TO GO? $20. 845-429-7085 x117. rocklandcce.org.

Holiday Workshop

WHEN: Nov. 1-22, Monday and Tuesdays, 10am-12pm; Fridays, 3-5pm WHERE: Jill’s Ceramics, 180 Germonds Road, West Nyack AGES: All WHAT: Paint Thanksgiving-themed items for the holiday. Choose from a large selection of seasonal items including turkey-themed plates, mugs, bowls, napkin holders, and indoor and outdoor decorative figurines. Items can be painted and taken home the same day or left for glazing. Registration recommended.

WANT TO GO? Prices vary per piece. 845-623-4975. jillsceramics.com.

WHEN: Nov. 25-27, Friday-Sunday, 12-4pm WHERE: Hudson Highlands Nature Museum, Wildlife Education Center, 25 Boulevard, Cornwall AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Visit with live animals and find out what they had for Thanksgiving Dinner. Take part in Meet the Animals presentations at 1pm and 2:30pm and enjoy fun crafts for kids.

WANT TO GO? $3. 845-534-5506. hhnaturemuseum.org.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS Guided Nature Walk

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 6, 3-4pm WHERE: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Whether a first time visitor or a regular on the trails, participants will enjoy different sensory experiences in the forest each month with a guided walk along one of TNC’s trails.

WANT TO GO? $6; free for children younger than 2. 201-568-6093. tenaflynaturecenter.org.

Seasonal Scavenger Hunt

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 12, 2-3pm WHERE: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly, NJ AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Families will receive a set of clues to help solve nature riddles along TNC’s trails. Each family will need to work as a team to complete the hunt and receive a small prize.

WANT TO GO? $10; $20 for families of four or more. 201-568-6093. tenaflynaturecenter.org.

Special Nature Play Event: Closing Nature Hike

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 13, 10am-12pm WHERE: Hudson Highlands Nature Museum, Outdoor Discovery Center, Muser Drive, Cornwall AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Enjoy a family friendly hike and then play in Grasshopper Grove for one last time before it closes for the winter.

WANT TO GO? $3. 845-534-5506. hhnaturemuseum.org.

90th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 24, 9am-12pm WHERE: Central Park West and 77th Street to Macy’s Herald Square on 34th Street, via Central Park South and Sixth Avenue, Upper West Side and Midtown, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: If you want to see it in person, arrive early and well before the parade starts to secure a good spot, or watch the whole thing on TV while still in your PJs. WANT TO GO? 212-494-4495. macys.com/parade.

Coming up next month: DEC. 3: Holiday Lights of Nyack DEC. 3: Village of Suffern Christmas Parade DEC. 10: Santa in the Park, Ridgewood, NJ DEC. 11: Laurie Berkner Band Holiday Celebration Concert, Bergen PAC, Englewood, NJ

RocklandParent 33

WHERE-TO GUIDE

Ice-Skating

nymetroparents.com/where-to

›› Research by Jonathan Perry and Kathryn Sheridan

Time to lace up your skates and practice your figure eights! Winter is upon us and local rinks are ready to have you on the ice. Whether you’re just learning to skate or a total pro, ice-skating is fun for the whole family. Plus, if you don’t land that jump you’ve been working on, you can always cheer up with a cup of cocoa at many ice rink concession stands. As always, call ahead to verify hours and prices before your ice-skating outing.

Indoor Rinks

EJ Murray Memorial Skating Center: Ice Skating Rink 348 Tuckahoe Road, Yonkers 914-377-6469 yonkersny.gov Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 9:30am12:30pm; Friday, 9:30am-12:30pm and 8:30-10:30pm; Saturday, 12:30-2:50pm and 8:30-10:30pm; Sunday, 12:30-2:50pm and 7:10-8:30pm. Extended hours during holiday periods; call for schedule.

Price: $10; $4 skate rental.

Outdoor Rinks

Bear Mountain State Park Ice Rink Palisades Parkway/Route 9W North, Bear Mountain 845-786-2701; bearmountainicerink.com Hours: Scheduled to open Saturday, Nov. 5. Monday-Tuesday, 10-11:30am and 121:30pm; Friday, 8-9:30pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10-11:30am, 12-1:30pm, 2-3:30pm, 4-5:30pm, 6-7:30pm, and 8-9:30pm (last session is on Saturdays only). See website for additional holiday schedule information.

Price: $5; $4 children ages 4-11; $2 non-skaters and seniors; free for children ages 3 and younger; $4 skate rental; $5 skate sharpening; $8 parking on weekends and holidays.

Indoor Rinks

Palisades Center Ice Rink 4900 Palisades Center Drive, West Nyack 845-353-4855; palisadescentericerink.com Hours: Daily, year-round. Call or check the website for public skating times.

Price: $10; $8 seniors and children younger than 10; $4 skate rental. Ten-visit punch cards and season passes available.

34

November 2016 | nymetroparents.com

Sport-o-Rama 20 College Road, Monsey 845-356-3919 sportorama.com Hours: Wednesday skate sessions: 3:305pm until Nov. 2. Times subject to change and were not released at the time of publication; call to verify.

Price: $6.50 Wednesdays; weekend and holiday prices were not confirmed at the time of publication; $4 skate rental.

Westchester County Outdoor Rinks

Ebersole Ice Rink Delfino Park, 110 Lake St., White Plains 914-422-1390 914-422-1348 ebersoleicerink.com Hours: Wednesday, 12-2pm; Thursday, 12-2pm; Friday, 3-5pm and 8-10pm; Saturday, 1:15-4:30pm and 8:30-10:15pm (adults only); Sunday, 1-5pm.

Price: $10 adults; $8 children 18 and younger; $5 seniors; $5 skate rental.

Hommocks Park Ice Rink 140 Hommocks Road, Larchmont 914-834-1069 hommocksparkicerink.org Hours: Oct. 1–April 15, 2017: Monday, 12:30-2:30pm; Tuesday and Thursday, 1-5:15pm; Friday, 1-5:15pm and 7:159:15pm; Saturday, 1-5:15pm; Sunday, 11am-5:15pm (During October, the Sunday Public Sessions end at 4pm).

See website for special holiday weekday schedule.

Price: $8.50; $7.50 children younger than 12; $6.50 seniors; $4.50 skate rental.

Discount with resident ID card (and Discount Cards for 12 sessions) and season passes available.

The Ice Hutch 655 Garden Ave., Mount Vernon 914-699-6787 914-668-1165 icehutch.com Hours: Year-round. Call for weekly schedule. Sept. 1–Oct. 31: Tuesday, 3-5pm; Saturday, 1-2:30pm. Schedule updated two months in advance; November and December schedule available end of October.

Price: $8 adults and children; $5 seniors; $4 skate rental.

Westchester Skating Academy 91 Fairview Park Drive, Elmsford 914-347-8232

skatewsa.com Hours: Year-round: Monday, 11:40am-1:10pm and 1:304:30pm; Tuesday, 9:3011:30am and 1:30-3:30pm (Mondays and Tuesdays are subject to change during the winter season); Wednesday, 9:30-11:30am, 11:40am1:10pm, and 1:30-4:30pm; Thursday, 9:30-11:30am; Friday, 9:30-11:30am, 11:40am-1:20pm, 1:304:30pm, and 7:30-10pm; Saturday-Sunday, 1:30-4pm.

Extended hours during holiday periods. Hours subject to change. Check website.

Price: $11; $10 children ages 4-10; $6.25 seniors and children ages 3 and younger; $4.50 skate rental.

Indoor Rinks

Fritz Dietl Ice Rink 639 Broadway, Westwood 201-666-9883 fritzdietlicerink.com Hours: Monday-Friday, 3:305:30pm; Saturday-Sunday, 1-3pm until Christmas.

Prices: $10 for a two-hour session for adults and children; $3 skate rental.

Inline Skating Club of America 170 Schuyler Ave., North Arlington 201-998-4722 iscahockey.com Hours: Friday, 4-6pm; Saturday, 1-3pm and 4-6pm; Sunday, 1-3pm.

Prices: $9; $4 skate rental.

Mackay Ice Rink 130 W. Englewood Ave., Englewood 201-568-3133 mackayicerink.com Hours: Tuesday, 3:30-5:30pm; Friday, 3:30-4:45pm; Saturday, 1:30-4:30pm; Sunday, 1-5pm.

Prices: $6 residents; $5 nonresidents and weekdays; $4 skate rental.

Find the full guide at ›› nymetroparents.com/ice-skating

Bergen County, NJ Outdoor Rinks

Rutherford Ice Skating Rink Rutherford Memorial Park, Monona and Darwin avenues, Rutherford 201-460-3000 x3177 rutherford-nj.com Hours: Weather permitting.

Monday-Friday, 6-9pm; Saturday-Sunday, 3-9pm; call the weather hotline for updates.

Prices: $10 residents; $20 non-residents; $10 skating badge for the whole season; free for seniors and children.

Saddle Country River Park Prospect Avenue, Glen Rock 201-336-7275 co.bergen.nj.us Hours: Weather permitting, see website for updates.

Prices: Not available at the time of press.

Samuel Neklin County Park Rose Street, Wallington 201-336-7275 co.bergen.nj.us Hours: Weather permitting, see website for updates.

Prices: Not available at the time of press.

RocklandParent 35

FOOD & NUTRITION

A New Spin on Thanksgiving Favorites ›› Three cookbook authors share their takes on traditional side dishes to amp up our favorite fall feast.

Oyster Stuffing for American Thanksgiving American Thanksgiving is always a big hit at our farmhouse. Each year, I carefully plan a harvest menu using as many ingredients from the farm as possible. We invite family and friends and generally serve the traditional stuffed turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie, but I always like to add a few surprises depending on what is left in the garden as well.

One Thanksgiving, a fellow American expat living in Dublin joined us at the farm. She made an unforgettable oyster stuffing that we have adopted as a new Thanksgiving tradition ever since. Here’s my take on it.

Serves 8-10 Ingredients 11 cups crusty bread cut into ½-inch cubes 6 slices bacon, coarsely chopped 6 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted, plus more for greasing the pan 6 shallots, thinly sliced 1 leek, thinly sliced 4 celery stalks, thinly sliced 40 medium (about 1 lb) oysters, shucked, with 1 cup of the liquor reserved

1 cup chicken stock ¼ cup sherry 1/ 3 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley 2 tbsp. chopped thyme leaves 2 tbsp. chopped sage leaves 1 tsp. sweet marjoram, chopped 1 tbsp. fennel seeds ½ tsp. hot pepper sauce Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions 1. P reheat the oven to 300˚F. Butter a 2-quart oval baking dish; set aside.

36

November 2016 | nymetroparents.com

2. Arrange the bread cubes on a baking sheet in a single layer and bake, stirring occasionally, until dried but not browned, approximately 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool.

3. Cook the bacon in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until it is crisp and the fat has rendered, approximately 10 minutes. Add 4 tablespoons of the melted butter. Add the shallots, leek, and celery; reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft, approximately 10 minutes.

4. Add the oyster liquor, chicken stock, sherry, parsley, thyme, sage, marjoram, fennel seeds, hot pepper sauce, and salt and pepper. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Scrape the mixture into a large bowl, and stir in the bread cubes and oysters. Set aside to allow the flavors to come together for 10 minutes.

5. Raise the oven temperature to 400°F. Transfer the oyster mixture to the prepared baking dish and cover with foil. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil, drizzle with the remaining butter, and continue baking until golden brown and crusty, approximately 15 minutes more.

6. Serve immediately.

Scullery Notes Fresh oysters are best, but if you are in a pinch, canned or jarred oysters in liquor will work as well.

From The Farmette Cookbook, © 2016 by Imen McDonnell.

Reprinted by arrangement with Roost Books, an imprint of Shambhala Publications Inc., Boulder, CO. roostbooks.com

Eggplant Mashed Potatoes

Roasted Squash with Ginger Shallot Browned Butter

Eggplant mashed potatoes? Sounds a little crazy, right? Trust me— they’re not! This recipe is perfection, as well as a wonderfully creative way of hiding extra veggies in a well-loved dish. The inspiration for this was sort of random: I once had a comment on my blog about putting tahini in mashed potatoes. Months and months later, while I was cooking, my mind jumped back to that comment. My taste buds and brain went from tahini to hummus to babaganoush to eggplant to “Hey! That might not be too bad!” And it wasn’t bad—in fact, it was awesome! Just make sure you roast the eggplant to complete creaminess, and you’ll have yourself a surprisingly delicious side dish featuring a double dose of vegetables!

I could happily eat plain roasted squash on a regular basis. Its natural sweetness paired with a sprinkle of salt and wrapped in a crisp-on-theoutside, soft-on-the-inside bite is near perfection. But since I like to make it easy to spice things up, I often dress my roasted squash in ginger shallot browned butter. And boy, is it mouthwateringly good.

Serves 4 as a side dish Ingredients 1 small eggplant, halved Olive oil for roasting 1 tsp. salt, plus more for baking eggplant 3 medium creamer potatoes, chopped

2 tbsp. dairy-free butter Splash of dairy-free milk Freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Directions 1. P reheat the oven to 400°F. 2. B rush the flesh side of the eggplant with olive oil and sprinkle it with salt.

3. P lace the eggplant halves peel side down on a baking sheet and cook for 30-40 minutes (depending on the size), until the insides are very, very tender. Pierce through the top to test the inside; the softer, the better.

4. W hile the eggplant is roasting, place the potatoes in a medium pot and cover them with water. Bring to a boil, then simmer until the potatoes are soft.

5. D rain the water from the potatoes and place them in a large bowl. Remove the peel, if you prefer.

6. S coop out the inside of the eggplant and place it in the mixing bowl with the potato. Discard the peel.

7. W hip the potatoes, eggplant, butter, and salt together until smooth and creamy. Add a splash of milk, if necessary.

8. Season with salt and pepper.

A Note About This Recipe: While I don’t like to rely on “hidden vegetable” meals, since I think kids should learn to love every vegetable on its own (okay, well, maybe not every one), sometimes they are the quickest way to get your kid to start eating less-palatable veggies. This dish works like a charm.

Tip: Garlic mashed potatoes? Yes, please! Since you’ll be heating up the oven to cook the eggplant anyway, consider roasting a whole head of garlic, too, and mixing it in with the potatoes.

Kid-Friendly Tip: Nutritional yeast, always and forever. A sad day for Marlowe (the author’s daughter) involves mashed potatoes without it. Throw in a tablespoon when you whip the potatoes.

Recipe from The Plantiful Table: Easy, From-the-Earth Recipes for the Whole Family, copyright © Andrea Duclos, 2015. Reprinted by permission of the publisher, The Experiment. Available wherever books are sold. theexperimentpublishing.com

Serves 4 Ingredients Approximately 6 cups peeled, seeded, and cubed butternut squash, cut into 1- to 2-inch pieces (from one mediumsize squash or two 20-ounce packages of precut squash) 2 tbsp. olive oil

¼ tsp. salt, plus more to taste Freshly ground black pepper 4 tbsp. (½ stick) unsalted butter ½ cup thinly sliced shallots 2 tsp. chopped fresh ginger Chives, chopped, for garnish (optional)

Directions 1. Preheat the oven to 425°F. In a large bowl, toss the squash with the olive oil, the ¼ teaspoon of salt, and a pinch of pepper.

Spread the squash in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet (set the empty bowl aside to keep cleanup to a minimum) and roast until tender all the way through and caramelized in spots, approximately 40 minutes. (Make sure that the squash can hold its shape well enough to be handled without getting mushy.)

2. In the meantime, in a small pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once the butter has melted completely and begins to foam, start swirling the pan continuously. Watch carefully as the butter cooks and turns color: once you see it turn chestnut brown, remove the pan from the heat and add the shallots and ginger.

Swirl the pan a couple more times and return to the heat.

3. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the ginger is fragrant and the shallots are soft and caramelized in spots, approximately 3 minutes. Take off the heat for good and set aside.

4. R emove the squash from the oven and carefully transfer it to the bowl you’ve set aside. Pour the ginger shallot browned butter over the squash and gently toss. Season with more salt and pepper to taste, if desired, and garnish with chives, if using. Serve immediately.

Make It Easier: Get help from the store—or a very sharp knife.

Let’s be honest, dealing with butternut squash can be a total drag. Although you don’t always get the same vibrant flavor out of the precut kind you can find in most supermarkets nowadays, I find the shortcut totally worth it, especially when roasting will coax out so much delicious flavor. If you can’t find or just refuse to buy precut (hey, we all choose the hard path for something!), make it easy by using a sharp knife and sharp peeler.

Start by cutting off each end of the squash, then peel—with a peeler, not your knife. Once you’ve removed all the skin, stand the squash upright on one of the cut ends. It should be stable so that you can cut the vegetable in half lengthwise. Once split open, you can scoop out the seeds with a spoon and cut each half where the neck meets the body. The neck will be solid; cut it into slices at whatever thickness you like (1½-2 inches is good), then cut each slice into strips and, after that, cubes. Cut each remaining half in slices and each slice into cubes. You did it.

Excerpted from Make It Easy: 120 Mix-and-Match Recipes to Cook From Scratch—with Smart Store-Bought Shortcuts When You Need Them by Stacie Billis. Copyright © 2016. Available from Da Capo Lifelong Books, an imprint of Perseus Books, LLC, a subsidiary of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

RocklandParent 37

We can help your child improve their Developmental Skills Gross Motor skills Walking skills Handwriting skills Fine motor skills

Trained In: Vibration Therapy, The Listening Program, Theratogs, Handwriting Without Tears, Intensive Suit Therapy and much more

Call us today to learn how we can help your child achieve their full potential Insurance Accepted

New Sensory Gym

873 Route 45, New City (845) 362-7787 • info@pptskids.com www.pptskids.com

Angie’s List Winner

Visit Us At Our Newly Expanded

Call about evening hours for check-ups!

Park Ridge Office!

74 Pascack Road, Park Ridge

We’re closer than you think!

Just 2 miles from Rockland.

NEW online appointment booking for sick visits.

Equipped with an in-house lab and the latest in visual/hearing testing.

201.326.7120 TenaflyPediatrics.com Tenafly • Clifton • Oakland Fort Lee • Paramus • Park Ridge 38

November 2016 | nymetroparents.com

TheJewishWeek TheJewishWeek

Attention Parents of children with special needs and developmental delays

The Jewish Week I N PA R T N E R S H I P W I T H

AMERICAN FRIENDS OF TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY IS PROUD TO PRESENT

After Obama: America, Israel, the World WITH

JEFFREY GOLDBERG

National correspondent for the Atlantic, columnist for Bloomberg View, and author of Prisoners: A Muslim & A Jew Across The Middle East Divide.

AND

JULIA IOFFE

Frequent writer for Politico Magazine and Huffington Post Highline, and has a column in Foreign Policy.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27 7:00 PM TEMPLE EMANU-EL SKIRBALL CENTER (10 EAST 66TH STREET) TICKETS $25 ONLINE / $30 AT DOOR FREE FOR STUDENTS WITH VALID ID

To purchase tickets go to www.thejewishweek.com/goldberg-ioffe

www.thejewishweek.com PRINT

|

DIGITAL

|

CUSTOM PUBLISHING

EVENTS

SpecialParent

ONLINE EXTRAS Don’t let your child’s needs be a burden on your savings. Learn about financial and future planning for those with special needs at ›› nymetroparents.com/special-finances.

Does your college-bound rely on assistive technology to compensate for a learning disability? Learn what questions to ask colleges at ›› nymetroparents.com/at.

The Achieving a Better Life Experience Act was signed into law in 2015. Find out how it benefits your child with special needs at ›› nymetroparents.com/able.

Learn about a strategy that works to teach your child with ASD important life skills at ››nymetroparents.com/special-skills.

INSIDE

NG EY I NN N TH A PL HE UP R W ROW O F G 40 A ll Grown Up: What to consider when your child with special needs turns 21—and is no longer a child.

42 T aking a Child with Autism to the Movies: Five tips from a mom who’s been there 44 R esource Directory: Special needs businesses in Rockland and Bergen counties you’ll want to know about

RocklandParent 39

SPECIAL NEEDS

All Grown Up

››

What to consider when your child with special needs turns 21—and is no longer a child. By Samantha Neudorf

A

s parents, we hope for our children to grow up and— difficult though it may be for us emotionally—fly the coop to live on their own as full-fledged, independent adults.

But if you have a child with special needs, these concerns may run deeper, and that goal may seem elusive or even impossible.

That is why parents should start to consider what happens to their children with special needs, no matter how young they may be, well before they turn 21.

The first thing to consider is what your child with special needs will do after completing high school. Will she go to college? Will he attend a vocational school? Will she live on her own? These are all conversations you should be having now. Here are some points to consider when planning the future for your child with special needs.

Obtaining Guardianship

If your child has health issues, you may want to consider applying for guardianship, because once your child with special needs turns 18, you as the parent may not have access to his health care information because of HIPAA: the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. Under HIPAA, patients older than 18 have their own rights to privacy for their medical records, meaning parents or caregivers do not automatically have the right to this information. One way to work around this, if your child is unable to take care of himself,

40

November 2016 | nymetroparents.com

is to obtain guardianship—which means, essentially, that you will retain legal responsibility for your child even though he is of age to be considered an adult.

Bernard Krooks is an attorney and founding partner of Littman Krooks, a law firm that specializes in elder law and special-needs planning, with offices in Manhattan and White Plains. Krooks advises that parents start to apply for guardianship by the time their child is 17 years old because the process could take longer than six months.

The guardianship process involves petitioning the court. Parents begin by filling out an application to certify that their child does indeed have a disability, and a doctor must submit a form to verify this. The application must also specify why the child with special needs is not able to care for himself. Then there will be a hearing in front of a judge, which is why it may be valuable to hire a special needs attorney to assist in the process.

Krooks also suggests setting up a special needs trust to create a supplementary source of funds to pay for everyday necessities that government benefits will not cover, such as services that are not covered by Medicaid.

“The reality is what the government gives you is decreasing due to fiscal constraints,” Krooks says, “so it’s very important to have a special needs trust to pay for things that help improve the quality of life of somebody with disabilities.”

Pursuing Higher Education

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, children are entitled to free and appropriate public education by federal law, and schools must provide them with an education through 12th grade. The IDEA covers 13 kinds of disabilities, including autism, deafness, orthopedic impairment, and visual impairment.

As a part of the IDEA, children with special needs will receive an Individualized Education Program, which is a document that specifies what your child’s disability is and how the school will support her. The IEP will specify how the child is doing in school, educational goals, and transition planning to prepare him for life after high school.

In order for a child to move on to college, she will need a regents diploma if she went to high school in New York, and will have to undergo psychoeducational testing to analyze the mental processes that might affect her educational performance. Once a child takes this test, he can apply to college and the school will provide the proper accommodations when taking exams.

Lara Bakshi, special needs and special education attorney and founder of Bakshi Law in Manhattan and West Islip, strongly advises that, if they are able to, children with special needs either receive a higher education or pursue a vocational program.

“The most important thing for a child with special needs is to be able to interact with their peers that are not special,” Bakshi says.

Bakshi suggests that a child with special needs attend a small liberal arts college because it will be more structured and less overwhelming than a large university.

If he decides to attend a vocational school, programs such as the Boards of Cooperative Educational Services, which has 37 locations across New York state, are popular choices. There are programs, such as Career and Technical Education to learn how to operate different machineries.

Littman Krooks, among other companies, employs people with special needs in its office to help with administrative tasks that include making photocopies, filing paperwork, and helping with shredding and scanning documents.

Deciding Where to Live

The other big question to consider is where your child with special needs should live because she will technically no longer be a child after turning 21. Krooks says that parents tend to keep their children at home, but the problem is it’s not preparing them to live independently.

“Statistically speaking, the parents will predecease the child,” Krooks says. “Years ago, children with special needs did not have a normal, typical life expectancy, but now many kids, even with Down syndrome and other special needs, are able to live a full or close to full life expectancy.”

Parents should therefore consider helping their child with spcial needs find a place to live in proximity to his doctors, he says. Krooks suggests finding a specialist who has worked in the area for a long time and to establish a relationship with the doctor throughout the child’s lifetime.

“The sooner you plan for this, the fewer things that you’ll be unprepared for along the way,” Krooks says.

HELPS STUDENTS AT ALL LEVELS ACHIEVE RESULTS

WITH THIS OFFER*

OUR PROGRAMS WORK BECAUSE:

• • We testify on behalf of a student, attend IEP or • We develop a customized learning plan 504 meetings, and visit the student’s school • We provide personalized instruction by • We update you on your student’s progress certified teachers at accredited centers • We offer flexible schedules We begin with an Academic Evaluation

TUTORING

TEST PREP

Phonics • Reading • Writing • Math Study Skills • Executive Functioning Skills ADHD • Dyslexia • Learning Disabilities ACT • SAT • Regents NEW JERSEY

ENGLEWOOD • RIDGEWOOD WESTWOOD

NEW YORK

HARTSDALE • NANUET SCARSDALE EASTCHESTER SHOPPING CENTER YORKTOWN HEIGHTS

©2016 Huntington Mark, LLC. Independently owned and operated. *Offer valid for Academic Evaluation, new students only. Not valid with any other offer. SAT is a registered trademark of College Board. ACT is a registered trademark of ACT, Inc. None of these entities endorses or was involved in the production of the program.

HLC1818RCK-BRG1016

Register NOW!

Find us at:

facebook.com/i9sports

Winter 2017 Basketball League in our New City, West Nyack & Stony Point locations

The earlier you register, the more you save!

• Organized programs for boys & girls, ages 4 – 14 • Focused on fun, safe play and convenience • Just one day a week. All skill levels welcome. No tryouts!

New City & West Nyack locations: Reg ends 11/12/16. League starts 12/3/16 Stony Point location: Reg ends 12/10/16. League starts 1/7/17

Helping Kids Succeed in Life Through Sports

Register Online: www.i9sports.com or Call: (845) 624-7529

Each location independently owned and operated.

®

i9sports.com

Confidence Coaching for Teens A unique and valuable service for introverted, shy, or socially uncomfortable teens.

• Individual Sessions: Practical and individualized coaching provided in one on one sessions.

• Group Sessions: Activities and events to promote interaction where teens can practice social skills and create friendships.

Free consultation with mention of this ad.

Michelle Varvaro 845-709-0047 | MichelleVarvaro.com RocklandParent 41

SPECIAL NEEDS

Taking a Child with Autism to the Movies ›› Five tips from a mom who’s been there. By Dana Greenberg

M

y son has autism and, at age 13, recently saw a movie in a theater for the first time. It is not something I thought would work for him—until now.

When we walked past the movie theater and he said he wanted to go see a movie, I got so excited. It was time to plan for this event. Challenges I knew we would face included the darkness, the loud sounds, sitting still, and staying quiet. This is what I did to prepare him and what I’d advise any parent of a child with autism to do to get your child ready to see a movie in the theater: Pick the right movie and prepare for it: I did research to see what was playing that would be appropriate and keep his interest for as long as possible. I looked to see what the running times were as well—the shorter the better for him. Once I found the right movie, we watched the trailer a bunch of times. We talked about it for a few days before actually going. I pointed out any ads I saw for that movie on top of taxis or at bus stops. I tried my best to keep the title in his head, to keep him exciting about going.

Plan snacks beforehand: If your child is a popcorn lover, like mine is, this is an easy one! I also brought a few others for back up. Ask your child what he would like to eat—let him be part of choosing so there will be no surprises. Plan to bring everything inside with you, so once you are watching the movie you will not need to get up out of your seats. I had water ready, also, and plenty of napkins.

Choose the best time: Think about what time of day would be easiest for your child. For me, it was the first show on a Sunday morning, with the hope of a small audience. Before heading over, we ran around in the park to let out some energy. I was hoping this would make it easier for him to sit longer.

Skip the previews: We thought that for his first time at the theater, it would be a good idea to skip the previews. We arrived just in time for the main event. That cut approximately 15 minutes off the sitting time. If necessary, leave the moment the movie finishes instead of sitting through the credits. This also helps you avoid any crowds at the end. Do whatever you need to limit the sitting-still and staying-quiet time.

Ease into the theater: We started out standing in the back of the theater, not even being able to see the screen at first. I let my son guide me about what he felt comfortable doing. After standing for a few minutes, we turned the corner where the screen became visible. After standing in that spot for a few more minutes, my son walked over and sat down in a chair. We were in!

I did not know if this day would ever come, but I could not have been more pleased with how it went. He sat beautifully and watched the entire movie. I think the prep really paid off. Not only was I proud of him, but I am so happy we now have another activity we can add to our list.

Dana Greenberg is a mom of twins living in Manhattan. Dana’s site theautismclub.com was created as a way to connect moms who have kids with special needs, like her son Jack—who has autism—and offer them a space to tell their stories.

42

November 2016 | nymetroparents.com

Clemente Orthodontics

Mention this Ad for a FREE Trial Lesson!

Where Excellence Is A Family Tradition

• Lessons • Group Classes • Rock Camps • Instrument Rentals • Recording • Live Performances

www.RnRmusicschool.com

16 N. Route 9W - Congers, NY • 845-267-3311

Dr. Marissa Clemente Dr. Michael Clemente Dr. Nicole Clemente • Private Treatment Rooms • All Digital X-Rays • Flexible Payment Plans Accepted •

We are excited to now offer Acceledent to our Patients.

• Impression Free Invisalign • Super Elite Premier Invisalign Provider • Complimentary Consultations • Orthodontics for Adults & Children

Tr F ia re lC e la ss !

All Children Should Have An Orthodontic Screening By Age 7

603 South Route 304 New City, NY 845-638-6646 • clementeorthodontics.com Birthday Parties Ages 2-18 Class/Camps Certified Teachers Spacious Studio

60 Dutch Hill Rd, Orangeburg www.ArtAdventureNY.com • (845) 680-6780

Do you still need to find a summer camp?

Math Help

Math Enrichment

Test Prep

Homework Help

We make math make sense.

50% OFF on Assessement Fee + $100 OFF the First Month!

Some restrictions apply. New students only.

Mathnasium of Nanuet ResouRces ARticles

(845) 624-6284

Nanuet@mathnasium.com www.mathnasium.com/Nanuet 209B W. Route 59, Nanuet, NY 10954

A Lavishly Illustrated Children’s Story of Friendship and Overcoming Obstacles

Tilly...

A Deer’s Tale (BASED ON A TRUE STORY)

Follow the adventures of a rescued baby deer.

Share Tilly’s courage and valiant recovery.

Call 914-764-5564

to schedule a free Tilly Event for schools, libraries & hospitals

Find everything you need, faster at

Available at Barnes & Noble, Walden Books and at Amazon.com For books preview and sale, visit us at:

www.tillyadeerstale.com

RocklandParent 43

SpecialParent Resource Directory A & R Advanced Dental Group, Marita Smith, D.D.S.

5C Medical Park Drive, Pomona 845-364-9400 aradvanceddental.com Dr. Marita Smith is a board-certified pediatric dentist who is dedicated to providing excellent dental care for children from infancy through adolescence in a warm and friendly environment. Dr. Smith completed her pediatrics specialty at a Level 1 Trauma Center, where she received extensive training at the Rose F. Kennedy Center in caring for children with special needs. We are a cutting edge practice that delivers state-of-the-art, evidence-based dental care to our patients. Dr. Smith places great focus on prevention and her goal is to keep your child’s smile healthy!

Camp Huntington

56 Bruceville Road, High Falls 855-707-2267 camphuntington.com dfalk@camphuntington.com Camp Huntington is a coed, residential program for children (ages 6-22) with autism and related learning and developmental needs. Our summer and weekend camp programs maximize a child’s potential, and locate and develop strengths and hidden abilities. Campers enjoy fun-filled days while learning practical social and life skills. Our unique program of adaptive, therapeutic recreation combines key elements that encourage progress: structured programming, nurturing care, a positive setting, and academic instruction to meet IEP goals.

Camp Venture Equestrian Center

15 Fernald Road, Stony Point 845-786-3939 campventure.org facebook.com/ campventure.equestrianprogram/?fref=ts The Camp Venture Equestrian Program specializes in working with challenged individuals. Our equestrian staff is trained in First Aid, CPR, and OSHA, and receives ongoing training to better meet the needs of our challenged riders. Our horse program provides recreation for both children and adults and is open to the public.

44

November 2016 | nymetroparents.com

Riding is done in our state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor arenas. Our program delivers hands-on-instruction geared to the ability of each rider. Helmets are provided to all riders. Our horse program has been in existence for 28 years. Volunteers always welcome.

Crystal Run Healthcare

2 Centerock Road, West Nyack 845-348-1100 crystalrunhealthcare.com Crystal Run Healthcare is a physician-owned, physician-led, multi-specialty medical group practice offering the convenience of Primary Care and more than 40 specialties all under one roof. Our 70,000-square-foot West Nyack facility offers patients easy access to quality health care by way of more than 20 medical and surgical specialties, an infusion center, urgent care, diagnostic testing services, on-site laboratory services, diagnostic imaging, and women’s imaging—a one-stop health care destination for all. We are here to meet the needs of every family member regardless of age or medical condition.

Dental Wellness of Suffern Sherri Alpert, D.D.S.

2 Executive Blvd., Suite 307, Suffern 845-918-1801 dentalwellnessofsuffern.com dentalwellness@optonline.net We believe in stress-free preventive dental care. This enables children to heal more effectively, and tolerate procedures sometimes accompanied by fear or pain. We take pride in making dental visits a fun, friendly experience with balloon sculptures, magic, and Wii games. Dr. Alpert is the author of Cassandra Gets Her Smile Back (available on Amazon.com; published

by Small Horizon Press) and Attack of the Sugar Bugs, books that help children relax at dentist visits.

Huntington Learning Center

58 East Route 59, Nanuet 845-624-6800 23 Jefferson Ave., Westwood, NJ 201-664-2000 75 N. Maple Ave., Ridgewood, NJ 201-447-1200

huntingtonhelps.com Huntington Learning Center is an accredited K-12 tutoring and test prep leader with certified teachers providing individualized instruction in phonics, reading, writing, math, science, study skills, executive functioning skills, SAT, ACT, and state and standardized exams. Huntington helps students at all levels achieve results including students with dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning disabilities. The skills, confidence, and motivation developed by Huntington help students succeed and meet Common Core State Standards. A former parent states: In just four months, the improvements I have seen in Jessica’s grades and confidence were incredible.

Littman Krooks, L.L.P.

399 Knollwood Road, White Plains 914-684-2100 655 Third Ave., Manhattan 212-490-2020 littmankrooks.com Identifying the best services for someone with special needs can be daunting. Littman Krooks can help you navigate the system, understand your child’s legal rights, and establish the financial foundation that will enable as much independence as possible. Our goal is to empower families with the tools they need to advocate for their loved ones for a free and appropriate education, public benefits, and social services. Let our team of attorneys and advocates help you safeguard the future of your loved one.

Michelle Varvaro - Confidence Coaching for Teens serving Rockland and Bergen counties 845-709-0047 michellevarvaro.com michellevarvaro@live.com Confidence Coaching for Teens is a unique and well needed resource for shy, introverted, and socially uncomfortable teens. Both individual sessions, small social group sessions, and larger activity groups are available. Perfect for adolescents with high-functioning autism and Asperger’s syndrome. Groups are geared toward having teens participate in fun activities in a safe atmosphere. Socialization is guided and encouraged by staff. Social

265 N. Highland Ave., (Route 9W), Nyack 845-512-8434 nyackpediatricdentistry.com drb@nyackpediatricdentistry.com Nyack Pediatric Dentistry is a cutting-edge practice that delivers state-of-the-art oral health care to the pediatric population, from birth through their teenage years. We believe good oral health begins with prevention. Using age-appropriate techniques, we accomplish this through education and motivation. Our office is bright and cheerful and equipped with video games, flat screen TVs, toys, books, and prizes. We believe by providing a comfortable and understanding atmosphere, patients will develop a positive attitude toward dental care that will last a lifetime.

Pediatric Physical & Occupational Therapy of Hudson Valley

873 Route 45, Suite 107, New City 845-362-7787 pptskids.com info@pptskids.com Pediatric Physical and Occupational Therapy, P.L.L.C.

Tumble-Bee Gymnastics and Fitness

401 Market St., Nanuet Mall South, Nanuet 845-623-2553 tumble-beegymnastics.com Tumble-Bee Gymnastics is offering programs for children ages 10 months to 12 years.

On Tuesdays, we offer a class for special children designed for those with mild to moderate physical disabilities or developmental delays. Safety is our first priority, so class size is limited. Children must be evaluated prior to joining. Call today to set up an appointment and a trial class.

The Jewish Week I N PA R T N E R S H I P W I T H

Hadassah

IS PROUD TO PRESENT

WHAT IS ISRAEL’S STORY REALLY ABOUT? A CONVERSATION WITH TWO OUTSTANDING THOUGHT

I S R AE L HADAR I P HOTOGRAP HY

Nyack Pediatric Dentistry Dr. Angela Boudounis-Hatzis

offers therapy to children, birth through adolescence. We treat children with many diagnoses including torticollis, developmental delays, cerebral palsy, congenital anomalies, post-surgical, post-fracture, autism, and sensory processing disorder.

Our therapists work exclusively in pediatrics and have many years of experience. We are trained in Sensory Integration, the Listening Program, Handwriting without Tears, Theratogs, Kinesotaping, Intensive Therapy, Partial Weight Bearing Treadmill Training, and Whole Body Vibration.

Our facility is child friendly, with equipment geared toward children. We accept insurance and have been successful in getting insurance authorized for therapy.

TheJewishWeek TheJewishWeek

activity groups are offered both in really great spaces or out in the community with activities such as bowling, barbecues, or dining out. For more information, visit michellevarvaro.com.

LEADERS

DR. DANIEL GORDIS

Author and close observer of Israeli life, Senior Vice President and the Koret Distinguished Fellow at Shalem College in Jerusalem.

JONATHAN GREENBLATT

National Director of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the top executive of one of the most respected civil rights organizations in the country.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16 7:00 PM TEMPLE EMANU-EL SKIRBALL CENTER (10 EAST 66TH STREET) TICKETS $20 ONLINE / $25 AT DOOR FREE FOR STUDENTS WITH VALID ID PUBLIC FORUM AND BOOK SIGNING BOOKS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE

To purchase tickets go to

www.thejewishweek.com/gordis-greenblatt

www.thejewishweek.com PRINT

|

DIGITAL

|

CUSTOM PUBLISHING

EVENTS

RocklandParent 45

Planning for the Worst

››

Teaching toddlers and preschoolers how to handle emergencies. By Melissa Kagan

D

o your little ones know what to do in the event of an emergency? If the answer is no, it’s time to equip them with some basic skills so they can manage worst-case scenarios independently and confidently. While it’s a topic many parents avoid because they don’t want to scare their toddlers and preschoolers, readying your family for a fire, serious injury, or any other emergency is one of the most important lessons you can teach them.

Most small children can be taught to handle the basics of emergency situations, but the first step is to define what an actual emergency is. Generally speaking, a problem requires the attention of a parent or trusted adult, while an actual emergency warrants the assistance of police, emergency medical, or firefighter services.

Giving examples will make it easier to establish which situations fall under which category. A fire in the house or an unconscious family member qualifies as emergencies. A stolen bike, a scraped knee, or a lost pet do not.

Calling 911

The first step is to teach your kids how to dial 911. You can unplug a landline and teach even a 3-year-old to dial the numbers.

46

November 2016 | nymetroparents.com

And while you may think your kid is an expert at mobile devices, show them how to use a cellphone. “Many cellphones also have an emergency button that can be used to call for help,” explains Michelle Tween, director of early childhood education at The Chapel School in Bronxville. It’s also important to stress to kids that they should only dial 911 for emergencies. “Kids of all ages need to realize that police or fire trucks will arrive, even if the kids call just out of curiosity,” says Barbara Schori, director of the Ridge Street Country School in Rye Brook.

Also, prepare youngsters for any questions they will be asked by an emergency operator, such as “Where are you calling from?” or “What is your emergency?” It’s natural to be nervous when urgent situations arise, but being prepared for these questions will help. “A small child may forget his or her own address,” Tween says, “but calls can be traced, so if they do forget, they will still get the help they need.” Paul J. Donahue, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist and founder and director of Child Development Associates in Scarsdale, recommends telling kids ahead of time that the operator is there to help them and that they can trust the voice at the other end of the line. “This will help little kids to remain calm so that they will be able to stay on the line for as long as the operator needs to them to.”

Take the Fear Out of Situations Ahead of Time

Loud sirens, smoke alarms, and firefighters in uniform are all examples of things that can be very scary to young children.

Tween recommends taking the time to familiarize toddlers and preschoolers with them ahead of time. “Take a family trip to your local fire department and show them the equipment the firefighters will be wearing or holding,” she says. “This will give them a frame of reference should a fire actually occur and the fire department shows up.” This would also be a good time to have a discussion about the Stop, Drop, and Roll and Stay Low and Roll techniques.

Tween also recommends intentionally setting off fire alarms and the carbon monoxide detectors in your house during a family meeting so that your kids can hear what they sound like in a controlled environment. (If your alarms connect directly with the local fire department, don’t forget to disable them beforehand, or else you will have real-life firefighters at your door in minutes.) “These sounds can be very loud and scary so you want your kids to be familiar with what they sound like ahead of time in order to reduce panic or anxiety,” she says.

You can further involve toddlers and preschoolers by asking them to help you change batteries in fire detection devices and assemble emergency supply kits. Create and practice your escape plan with your family from every room in the house. Practice staying low to the floor and checking for hot doors using the back of your hand. It’s just like a routine school fire drill—but in your home. “Involving your kids will empower them,” Tween says.

Provide Reassurance

It’s easy to become so wrapped up in teaching small children the basics of emergency preparedness you forget how easily overwhelmed they can become. While you’re teaching them how to handle an emergency, make sure you also explain they are safe and protected. Let them know these things probably won’t happen, but it’s your job to make sure they know what to do in a worst-case scenario.

Barbara Klein, director of the Huguenot Nursery School in Pelham, runs emergency drills during the school year, but it is done without frightening her students. “Our goal is to be prepared for any event, but to keep it low key for the children,” she says. “I feel strongly that at this age the children should not have to worry about ‘what might happen’ and to feel safe knowing the teachers will always look out for them.”

• Videotape your child treating a friend’s mock injury and then review the tape with all of the children, asking what could have been done better or more safely.

• Engage with their natural love of playing “doctor” by pretending to be their imaginary patient and telling them your symptoms.

• Ham it up! Use ketchup for blood, white rags for bandages, socks stuffed inside clothing to indicate swelling.

• Go through the first aid kit together, and have some extra bits of gauze, tape, and cotton balls on hand so your child can practice with real tools—smaller kids get a special thrill out of these materials.

• Focus on emergencies your family is most likely to encounter such as someone who has epilepsy. Make sure your child is aware of the conditions and knows how to name them to emergency personnel.

• Finally, remember part of our job as parents is to assure kids they never need to be a hero or overstep their abilities. Make sure children know their first and most important job is to stay safe themselves.

Melissa Kagan is the former editor-in-chief of the now-defunct lifetimemoms. com. She is currently a freelance writer whose work has been featured in Mommy Poppins, Westchester Magazine, and Westchester Family. She lives in Pelham with her husband and two children.

MORE NON-THREATENING IDEAS TO GET YOUR KIDS READY FOR EMERGENCIES • B rainstorm words that relate to emergency preparedness and create flashcards to review and discuss with your child.

• Encourage children to prepare a skit or role-play how your family should respond to an emergency such as a fire in the house.

• Preschoolers may find it easier to use songs to learn your phone number. Tunes such as “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” and “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” lend themselves to this exercise.

• Break out the glitter glue, scissors, and construction paper to have your child write out important phone numbers in a decorative fashion.

First Aid

Emergencies happen, but it isn’t always the child who needs emergency care. If a parent or caregiver is injured, it may be the child who must administer basic care until emergency medical services arrives. For this reason, children should be taught basic first aid. If a child finds herself with an incapacitated caregiver, her own survival may depend on knowing what steps to take.

Her sharp mind is limited only by her physical strength and emotional state.

Helping feels good and soothing someone feels important and grown-up. Learning a few first-aid principles does more than prepare kids for the worst: It also helps them develop their compassion, self-esteem, and sense of purpose.

Here’s how to do it in an age-appropriate way: • Introduce basic first aid (treating scrapes and bruises) by using a doll.

Englewood Wyckoff • Norwood, NJ

Bronxville Woodcliff Lake

Pinatas • Crafts • Entertainment • Sombreros • Birthday Cake (packages range from $8.95 - $21.00 per child)

for party info

201.848.4088 • www.bluemoonmexicancafe.com RocklandParent 47

Meet the Health Care

PROFESSIONAL To be in this section, call 845-848-8021 or email nympads@davlermedia.com A & R Advanced Dental Group, Anna Alekseyeva, D.D.S., Roman Izmailov, D.D.S. 5C Medical Park Drive, Pomona 845-364-9400 aradvanceddental.com

At A&R Advanced Dental Group, patient satisfaction and comfort is our No. 1 priority. We are a cutting edge practice that delivers state-of-the-art dental care to our patients. Dr. Roman Izmailov and Dr. Anna Alekseyeva have more than 30 years of experience in all phases of dentistry, including high quality and affordable dental implants, zirconia crowns, porcelain veneers, fixed bridges, root canal treatments, teeth whitening, and composite fillings. Evening appointments are available, and we accept most insurances.

Kupchik Dental Dr. Anna Kupchik, D.D.S. 2 Medical Park Drive, Suite 16, West Nyack 845-535-3500 kupchikdental.com info@kupchikdental.com

Smile More Dentistry 140 Oak Tree Road, Tappan 845-367–4866 tappandentist.com

Drs. LaCap, Tong, and their “Smile Team” have been providing exceptional dental care with a gentle touch and state-of-the-art technology for more than 25 years. Children love going to their office because of the friendly and fun environment. Busy moms love the office because they offer an “on time” workmanship guarantee, and “you will love us” guarantee. Dr. Tong was voted one of NJ’s top children’s dentists five years in a row. The office receives a perfect five-star rating in patient satisfaction.

A & R Advanced Dental Group, Marita Smith, D.D.S. 5C Medical Park Drive, Pomona 845-364-9400 aradvanceddental.com

Dr. Marita Smith is a board-certified pediatric dentist who is dedicated to providing excellent dental care for children, from infancy through adolescence, in a warm and friendly environment. As a mother of two, Dr. Smith knows how important it is for children to be comfortable and stress-free during their dental visits. Dr. Smith places great focus on prevention and her goal is to keep your child’s smile healthy! We accept most insurances and evening hours are available.

Dental Wellness of Suffern Sherri Alpert, D.D.S. 2 Executive Blvd., Suite 307, Suffern 845-918-1801 dentalwellnessofsuffern.com dentalwellness@optonline.net

At Kupchik Dental, patients’ comfort is our No. 1 priority.

We strive to make every dental experience easy and relaxing by practicing gentle touch dentistry. Our state-of-the-art dental office is committed to providing the best quality of care for the entire family. Dr. Kupchik and her team believe in educating patients and keeping them informed of their oral health every step of the way. We are open seven days a week for your convenience, and have an in-house insurance plan for the uninsured.

Dental Wellness of Suffern provides natural, effective, quality dental care for your family, making your visit enjoyable, comfortable, and relaxing. A parent herself, Dr. Alpert enjoys working with children who are apprehensive about the dentist, creating a fun environment with magic tricks, interactive Wii games, a wall mural, and a Find the Dental Helpers game. Author of two books, Cassandra Gets Her Smile Back and Attack of the Sugar Bugs, Dr. Alpert makes visiting the dentist fun. Dental Wellness of Suffern—let them create the smile you were born to have.

Kastin & Newman Orthodontics 6 Medical Park Drive, Pomona 845-354-7233 rocklandorthodontics.com info@kastin-newmanortho.com

Clemente Orthodontics 603 S. Route 304, New City 845-638-6646 60 W. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood, NJ 201-447-2888; clementeorthodontics.com

Drs. Brett Kastin and Warren Newman utilize state-of-the-art materials and customized treatment planning for every patient, ensuring the highest quality of care. Dr. Kastin is a certified Invisalign® provider, and has been president of the Rockland County Dental Society since 2006. Dr. Newman has more than 40 years of orthodontic experience. They have been a team for more than 10 years, and were voted Rockland’s Top Orthodontists by the dentists of Rockland County. Their practice offers an experienced staff and flexible appointment times. Initial exams are complimentary, as are children’s recall appointments.

48

November 2016 | nymetroparents.com

At Clemente Orthodontics, our patients receive the benefit of experience, quality, and energy that comes with a multigenerational team. Dr. Michael Clemente and his daughters, Dr. Nicole Clemente and Dr. Marissa Clemente, work together seamlessly to care for your orthodontic needs.

They run a state-of-the-art practice with digital X-rays, private treatment rooms, impression-free Invisalign, and a highly experienced staff. They are an Invisalign Super Elite Premier provider, offering Invisalign and Invisalign Teen as treatment options. Consultations are complimentary.

Bobby Crohn, D.D.S. Monroe Dental Office 400 State Route 17M, Suite 2, Monroe 845-782-0189 monroedentaloffice.com monroedental@optonline.net

LOOKING FOR

Dr. Crohn graduated from SUNY Stony Brook with a degree in biology. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University at Buffalo in 1992, and he completed his general practice residency at Danbury Hospital in 1993. Dr. Crohn has done extensive additional training in implant dentistry including training with Dr. Nick Elian at Vistara Institute, DentalXP Symposiums, and training at Zimmerman Institute.

GREAT DEALS? Saving money on a New York City family day is easy!

Helping Kids Pediatrics 180 Phillips Hill Road, Suite 4A, New City 845-499-2339; helpingkidspediatrics.com hkp@helpingkidspediatrics.com

Dr. Stanley and Dr. Elizabeth are board-certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and have specialized training in caring for pediatric patients.

They offer customized care and look forward to caring for the health and well-being of your children from birth through adolescence. Dr. Elizabeth is also an internationally board-certified lactation consultant, offering consultations in the office. In addition, they have specialized training in the Ear Well™ system for correction of newborn congenital ear deformities. This is a noninvasive, pain free, nonsurgical option for newborns.

Cityguideny.com has coupons and discounts for NYC sightseeing attractions, restaurants, stores and more.

Great New York deals, savings, special offers and deep discounts—for you and your family—are yours with just a click of the mouse.

PARTY PLANNER

To advertise: 845-848-8021 or nympads@davlermedia.com Looking for the perfect birthday gift?

Come visit our Unique Toy Boutique!

Want to know the best

activities for families?

Available all seasons.

Indoor/Outdoor facilities Private party room & host

Subscribe to our family activity

email newsletter

NYMETROPARENTS.COM/REGISTER

Small animal farm on site FREE riding photo for each child PATH certified staff

Mention this ad for 10% OFF!

We offer over 7000 games, toys, crafts, puzzles, gadgets & more to choose from!

Also Year-Round Lessons & Therapeutic Riding

Camp Venture Equestrian Center (845) 786-3939 15 Fernald Rd., Stony Point Visit Us on Facebook

1581 Route 202 • Pomona, NY

845-362-6053

Visit Us at NYMetroParents.com RocklandParent 49

AD INDEX

NYMetroParents.com features more than 20,000 businesses serving the NY Metropolitan area!

ACROBATICS / GYMNASTICS

Pediatric Physical Therapy Services............................. 38

Tenafly Pediatrics.......................................................... 38

Master Jung & Yu Traditional Taekwondo..................... 21

Varvaro, Michelle........................................................... 41

Varvaro, Michelle........................................................... 41

EDUCATION

LEGAL SERVICES

Mathnasium of Nanuet.................................................. 43

Littman Krooks, LLP...................................................... 17

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT / EVENTS / OUTINGS

MUSIC

Tumble-Bee Gymnastics............................................... 13

BIRTHDAY / PARTY SERVICES Academy for Martial Arts............................................... 19 Art Adventure................................................................. 43 Blue Moon Mexican Café ............................................. 47 Bricks 4 Kids - Rockland................................................ 21 Jill’s Ceramics................................................................ 15 Master Jung & Yu Traditional Taekwondo..................... 21 Palisades Climb Adventure.............................................. 9

ArtsRock of Rockland.................................................... 17 Illusionists: Turn of the Century....................................... 5 Palisades Center ............................................................ 3 Rockin’ Jump - Mount Kisco.......................................... 25

Tech Adventure................................................................ 9

RESTAURANT / FOOD SERVICES Blue Moon Mexican Café ............................................. 47

Smugglers Notch Resort............................................... 35

Rockin’ Jump - Mount Kisco.......................................... 25 Rockland Parent Party Planner..................................... 49

R & R Music School....................................................... 43

RETAIL FAMILY TRAVEL Smugglers Notch Resort............................................... 35

Palisades Center ............................................................ 3 Tilly...A Deer’s Tale......................................................... 43

Tumble-Bee Gymnastics............................................... 13 West Rock Tennis Club................................................. 29

FITNESS Academy for Martial Arts............................................... 19

CAMPS Art Adventure................................................................. 43 Bricks 4 Kids - Rockland................................................ 21 Camp Ramaquois.......................................................... 18

i9 Sports - Rockland County.......................................... 41 Master Jung & Yu Traditional Taekwondo..................... 21

SPECIAL EVENTS ArtsRock of Rockland.................................................... 17 Illusionists: Turn of the Century....................................... 5 Jewish Week (The).................................................. 38, 45

Palisades Climb Adventure.............................................. 9 Tumble-Bee Gymnastics............................................... 13

SPECIAL NEEDS Huntington Learning Center.......................................... 41

Mathnasium of Nanuet.................................................. 43 R & R Music School....................................................... 43

HEALTH

Littman Krooks, LLP...................................................... 17

Tech Adventure................................................................ 9

A&R Advanced Dental Group.................................. 13, 48

Nyack Pediatric Dentistry.............................................. 19

West Rock Tennis Club................................................. 29

Clemente Orthodontics............................................ 43, 48

Pediatric Physical Therapy Services............................. 38

Crystal Run Healthcare................................................. 52

Tumble-Bee Gymnastics............................................... 13

CLASSES

Dental Wellness of Suffern.................................. 7, 48, 49

Art Adventure................................................................. 43

Fidelis Care New York..................................................... 7

SPORTS

Bricks 4 Kids - Rockland................................................ 21

Helping Kids Pediatrics.................................................. 49

Academy for Martial Arts............................................... 19

Mathnasium of Nanuet.................................................. 43

Kastin & Newman Orthodontics..................................... 48

Camp Ramaquois.......................................................... 18

Tech Adventure................................................................ 9

Kupchik Dental, PLLC............................................. 45, 48

i9 Sports - Rockland County.......................................... 41

Tumble-Bee Gymnastics............................................... 13

MVP Health Care........................................................... 25

Master Jung & Yu Traditional Taekwondo..................... 21

Nyack Pediatric Dentistry.............................................. 19

Palisades Climb Adventure.............................................. 9

DEVELOPMENTAL

Pediatric Physical Therapy Services............................. 38

Rockin’ Jump - Mount Kisco.......................................... 25

Huntington Learning Center.......................................... 41

Smile More Dentistry............................................... 21, 48

West Rock Tennis Club................................................. 29

50

November 2016 | nymetroparents.com

We've got everything for a…

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! NYMetroParents.com is parents' Party Central—one-stop shopping for the best in: H Party Places (for the trendiest, newest, or most classic locale) H Entertainers (clowns, balloon twisting, magicians, spa parties & so much more!)

H Gift-Giving (from charitable ideas to the best presents for every age) H At-Home Party Themes (think pirates, princesses, superheroes, Harry Potter…)

H Planning Help H Tips & Tricks from the Pros (…and parents who’ve been there!)

Bergen•RocklandParent NORTH

HILLSDALE • MONTVALE

SEPTEMBER 2012

NORTHVALE • NORWOOD • OLD TAPPAN • PARK RIDGE • RAMSEY • RIDGEWOOD • SADDLE RIVER/UPPER SADDLE RIVER • WALDWICK • WESTWOOD • WYCKOFF

NYMETROPARENTS.COM

LongIslandParent Parent SPETEMBER 2012

Class Is In!

After-School Activities

✓ ❑ ✓ ❑

Resource Guide

✓ ❑ ✓ ❑

SLOW DOWN!

NYMETROPARENTS.COM

Back-to-School Resource Guide Pack a Smarter Lunch Ease the Morning Rush Advocate for Your Twins

How to Manage Kids’ Schedules

What Makes a Good Mentor?

+ 174 Family

+ 130 Family

(see our calendar, p. 26)

(see our calendar, p. 32)

Events

Events

Plus: Learning to Let Go

Vaccines at Every Age Plus: Journaling for Your Child

Where-To Guide: Berry Picking

•

Dinosaur Fun

Where-To Guide: Apple Picking • Outing: New York Hall of Science

NYMetroParents

Helping Parents Make Better Decisions RocklandParent 51

WEST NYACK HEALTH FAIR

FROM INFANTS TO ADOLESCENTS

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6 10AM-1PM 2 Centerock Rd.

Meet Crystal Run’s Pediatrics Team in West Nyack

Aimée Kahn, MD Pediatrics

Daniel Sinyor, MD Pediatrics

Sephora Marsha Germain, MD Pediatrics

Michele E. Calderoni , DO Adolescent Medicine, Pediatrics

Coordinated, family-focused pediatric care close to home!

• • • • •

Same-Day Appointments Available for Well and Sick Visits Walk-in Sick Visits Before School, 7:30AM-9AM Daily Extended-Hours Including Early Mornings, Evenings and Weekends from 7:30AM-7:30PM Adolescent Medicine Specialist treating Adolescents and Young Adults Prenatal Classes Offered Monthly for Expectant Families: For more information, class dates and to register to attend, visit CrystalRunHealthcare.com/events.

Visit CrystalRunAppointments.com or Call 845.348.1100 to Schedule An Appointment Most insurance plans accepted. Se habla Español.

2 Centerock Road, West Nyack, NY | 845.348.1100 | CrystalRunHealthcare.com/WestNyack

CRH_West Nyack_PEDS_TEAM Ad_73x96_Rockland Parent.indd 1

10/7/16 4:02 PM