Parent february 2018

FEBRUARY 2018

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learning curve

New grant spreads positive energy across CNY classrooms

B

y now most have seen the video of Keaton Jones, a Tennessee middle schooler asking through tears why other children bully him. Keaton’s cry for help offered us a glimpse into the often unseen emotional turmoil children go through at school, leading to a wave of support from celebrities, athletes and strangers around the globe. Bullying is now a systemic issue that is often going under the radar of school teachers, administrators and parents. U.S. Army veterans Mike Erwin and Jeff Bryan found a way to turn that often unspoken pain into positivity, right here in Syracuse.

After graduating from West Point and serving a combined total of five deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, Erwin and Bryan launched the Positivity Project, an organization that sets out to empower youth to build strong relationships – by understanding, appreciating and exemplifying certain character strengths. The pair used lessons learned from their deployments to equip schools with training and resources they can use to teach these traits to children in the classroom.

“Negativity and bullying in any form can leave children with feelings of unease and exclusion,” said Mike Erwin, co-founder of the Positivity Project. “We wanted to find a way to empower youth to build strong relationships by seeing the good in themselves and others.”

The program focuses on teaching children 24 character strengths that researchers have found to exist in every individual ranging from bravery and forgiveness to integrity and gratitude. Erwin and Bryan say these character strengths help students build

stronger relationships by recognizing the traits in themselves and each other.

For 15 minutes a day, students discuss weekly character strengths, including optimism, teamwork, self-control and appreciation of beauty and excellence. The discussion is supplemented with a hands-on activity to bring the ideas to life.

In 2016, the organization received funding from the Central New York Community Foundation to implement its teachings in Syracuse. The program has since been active across the Central New York region. Parents have reported that their children are bringing their lessons about character strengths and relationships to discussions at home.

The organization just received a $24,000 grant from the Community Foundation to enhance its training in Central New York. Principals and teachers that will receive advanced lessons on positive psychology

for passing on to their students.

“This project is important to the Community Foundation because it provides our youth with a foundation of character on which they can build throughout the life span,” said Danielle Gill, director, community grantmaking at the Central New York Community Foundation.

“The resulting confidence and empathy will assist them as they graduate high school, go on to a career or college, and have families of their own.”

The new lessons will dive deeper into positive psychology than the initial training the district received. They will be designed to give teachers and administrators additional resources for engaging children in the 24 character strengths.

“We believe that strong character-based relationships are the cornerstones of health, happiness and resilience – and will be crucial in meeting challenges of the future,” said Erwin.

“We are implementing these new training lessons to effectively equip teachers with resources to drive success in classrooms and schools.”

Over the past two years, The Positivity Project has partnered with 44 schools throughout Central New York, and is now serving approximately 18,500 students.

To learn more about future grant opportunities please visit cnycf.org.

SYRACUSE PARENT FEBRUARY 2018

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mealsinminutes

Too busy for home-cooked meals?

crock!

What a

Just set it and forget it

Cinnamon roll French toast Ingredients

Crock pot meatloaf Ingredients

2 eggs, beaten 1 cup milk 1 cup dry breadcrumbs

1 Tbsp garlic powder 1 tsp salt Medium onion, chopped 2 pounds ground beef

Sauce 1/3 cup ketchup 1 tsp mustard 2 Tbsp brown sugar

Directions

Line crock with strip of aluminum foil going up sides (for easy removal.) Whisk eggs; add milk, bread crumbs, garlic powder, salt and onions. Combine, then add meat.

Shape into an oval and place into crock, not touching the sides. Cover and cook on high for 3 hours or on low for 6 hours. Combine sauce ingredients then, half an hour before cook time is over, pour over loaf.

Slow cooker pizza casserole Ingredients

2 pounds browned ground beef 2 medium onions, chopped 1 box rigatoni, cooked and drained 28 ounce can pizza sauce 2 pounds shredded mozzarella pepperoni, sliced any other pizza toppings you like

Directions

Layer the ingredients, starting with beef,then onions, rigatoni, pizza sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, other toppings; repeat. Cook on low for 5 hours. Suggested toppings to add: mushrooms, sausage, olives, green peppers.

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SYRACUSE PARENT FEBRUARY 2018

2 tubes of 8 count cinnamon rolls with icing Cooking spray 4 eggs ½ cup heavy whipping cream 2 tsp of vanilla 1 tsp of cinnamon 2 Tbsp maple syrup ½ cup chopped pecans

Directions

Cut cinnamon rolls into quarters, reserving the icing containers. Spray pot with cooking spray and place half of the quartered cinnamon rolls in a layer on the bottom. Top with half of the chopped pecans. Mix eggs, cream, vanilla, cinnamon and maple syrup and pour over rolls. Top with remaining rolls.

Melt one container of the icing until easy to pour over the rolls; top with pecans and cook, covered, on low for four hours. pour other container of icing on top when done.

Perfect ‘baked’ potatoes Rinse off 10 or so small potatoes. Stab potatoes with fork and wrap each in tinfoil.

Place in the slow cooker, cover and cook on high for four hours.

Note: larger potatoes will take longer, and it’s better to cook longer than needed rather than for too short of a time.

contents learning curve 3 New grant spreads positive energy across CNY classrooms.

meals in minutes

calendar 8

Family-friends events and programs to be found in and around Central New York.

4 Too busy for home-cooked meals? What a crock!

from the editor 6 Really? Yet another school vacation?

family fyi 7

The snow day: a child’s dream laced with hot chocolate and marshmallows.

10 Annual event comes to Four Seasons in Fayetteville.

Discover the power of family music making Offering early childhood music and movement classes to children, and the adults who love them. Classes located all over CNY. To find the one nearest you, call or visit our website

www.bluebirdmusictogether.com (315) 427-6985

SYRACUSE PARENT FEBRUARY 2018

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fromtheeditor Really? Yet another school vacation?

It seems like the holiday break was a few short weeks ago. Oh, that’s right; It was. And yet, here we are again, with another week off for the kids. I’m not sure there is a winter break in February but, the schools apparently feel there needs to be a “Mid-Winter Recess” around Presidents Day. All sarcasm aside, the truth is that now parents have to not only come up with child care (in the case of younger students with parents who work), but also some fabulous, fun activities for the kids to enjoy.

Many parents take things a step further, and plan a Jennifer Wing family vacation during the break - either the snowy, ski Editor mountain type that can be found in the Adirondacks or Vermont, or the warm, “beachy” vacation to be found as close as Florida or as far away as Mexico.

Why do we often feel the need to spend money on a vacation when the kids are out of school? Don’t get me wrong, I love traveling. Well, maybe not the stress associated with traveling – having to plan everything, then dealing with elevated airfare, fear of lost luggage, etc. – but I do enjoy spending time with my family without the distraction of work, school, chores and day-to-day stress.

There are ways around having to spend a lot of money and energy on a “big” trip.

Fun can be found right in our own backyard – skiing, ice skating, tubing and sledding outside, visiting area science museums or going to the zoo (at discounted rates!) and countless other indoor and outdoor activities to keep the little ones busy.

Everyone talks about buying local. Well, what’s more local than grabbing a bite to eat at a neighborhood restaurant, then going to a hockey game at the War Memorial? Or taking a spin on the ice at Clinton Square, then sipping a cup of hot cocoa and grabbing a pastry at one of the Downtown Syracuse barristas?

Parents who have to work can bring the kids out afterwards to enjoy a night of pizza, wings and bowling at one of the area lanes or to savor some popcorn and other snacks while watching the latest movie on the big screen.

If you feel that you need to do a “mini vacation,” there are options out there that won’t break the bank.

For example, one year a friend and I brought a our kids to an indoor water park that is but an hour or so away. No airfare or hotel needed. If you do decide you want to spend a night away, there are many great areas to visit, such as Old Forge, with its cute shops and restaurants and opportunities for outdoor fun, or Cooperstown, with the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

These outings create memories that are no less valuable than a photo with Mickey, but don’t carry a hefty price tag.

And the fact that they also help to support the local economy and stimulate tourism throughout the area is just icing on the cake.

Jennifer Wing can be reached at jwing@eaglenewsonline.com

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SYRACUSE PARENT FEBRUARY 2018

publisher

David B. Tyler 315-434-8889 ext. 302 dtyler@eaglenewsonline.com

editor

Jennifer Wing 315-434-8889 ext. 340 jwing@eaglenewsonline.com

ad sales

Linda Jabbour 315-434-8889 ext. 304 ljabbour@eaglenewsonline.com

business manager

Luba Demkiv 315-434-8889 ext. 303 ldemkiv@eaglenewsonline.com

circulation manager

Lori Newcomb 315-434-8889 ext. 333 lnewcomb@eaglenewsonline.com

creative director

Sean Haney 315-434-8889 ext. 331 art@eaglenewsonline.com

We want your news! Contributions can be sent to Jen Wing, Editor, Syracuse Parent Magazine, 2501 James Street, Suite 100 Syracuse, New York 13206. Original contributions become the property of Syracuse Parent Magazine. Contributions cannot be acknowledged or returned. To contact us please call 315.434.8889, or fax 315.434.8883

Syracuse Parent Magazine is a unit of Community Media Group LLC. Published monthly. Deadline for advertising and calendar events is the 10th day of the month preceding publication. Display advertising rates available upon request. Syracuse Parent Magazine reserves the right to refuse advertising for any reason. We do not guarantee any of the information, services, or products published in this or any issue. The opinions expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this paper. Copyright © 2008 by Syracuse Parent Magazine. No portion of Syracuse Parent Magazine may be reproduced without permission from the editor.

familyfyi The Snow Day: a child’s dream laced with hot chocolate and marshmallows

A

snow day really starts the relegated to snack provider. night before, with kids Eventually, my presence isn’t putting their snow day going to be needed at all on mojo to work - inside out a snow day as the teen years pajamas, ice cubes flushed down progress. the toilet, spoons placed under Until then I can hope there will pillows - all in hopes for the text still be a couple days where I’m declaring school cancelled. needed for more than snacks. I Kids today don’t know how might even get a hug or two in good they have it with the almostthe deal. instant notification.

Karen Bergamo-Moore Karen Bergamo Moore Back in the day, circa 2004, A mother’s lives in Camillus with her families had to gather around husband and son. She works perspective the radio to listen as the DJ read in the communications office a long list of school closings or at the SUNY College of Environmental watch the crawl at the bottom of the TV Science and Forestry and enjoys running screen hoping you saw your school.

5Ks with her son. Follow her on twitter at It never failed - I would tune in one school @kmoore623. past the one I needed to hear and would have to wait for the list to come around again.

Snow days fall into a couple of categories, FREE depending on your child’s age.

Prenatal Consultation!

In the early days of elementary school, snow days can be exhausting - for the parent.

You want to think it’s a day to sleep in and be lazy. Your child has other ideas.

What young child faced with a day off and a world full of snow wants to stay inside? There are hills to sled, snowmen to build, forts to construct and snowballs to toss.

However, that changes if the snow day is called due to wind chill.

Then you have a child who wants nothing more than to go outside and play in the snow and you have to explain why they can’t - over and over.

This can lead to marathon Lego builds, train tracks that encompass the whole house and, if you’re lucky, some snuggles Pediatric Associates, LLC while watching a favorite cartoon.

Caring for Syracuse’s youth since 1968 As said child gets older, the parents’ role morphs from partner in crime to HOURS A day! chaperone. No longer is Mom or Dad Staff on call or even a sibling enough to keep a child occupied. Now it’s friends that show up to CAMILLUS LIVERPOOL go sledding.

270 Township Blvd. 8086 Oswego Rd. While there’s a sigh of relief that you are Phone:315-487-1541 Phone: 315-652-1070 no longer necessary to carry sleds or dig www.pediatricassociatesny.com out the snow fort, it’s bittersweet being

Women that smoke have a 25 % higher risk of developing heart disease as compared to men

goredforwomen.org

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315.471.1359 SYRACUSE PARENT FEBRUARY 2018

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calendar Through Feb. 10

Hunchback of Notre Dame 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, First Presbyterian Church of Baldwinsville, 64 Oswego St.; baldwinsvilletheatreguild.org. Based on the Victor Hugo novel and songs from the Disney animated feature. Ticket prices vary.

Through Feb. 11 “Next to Normal” Syracuse Stage, 820 East Genesee St.; 315-443-3275, syracusestage.org. This Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning musical about a family coping with dysfunction with the insight of fine drama with the emotional impact of a moving rock score. Show times and ticket prices vary.

Through Feb. 25 Try Snowshoeing 12:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Beaver Lake Nature Center, Baldwinsville;

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315-638-2519. Includes instructions and a short snowshoe hike. Registration is required at 8 a.m. the day of the hike. $5 per person, includes snowshoe rentals. Call 315-638-2519 that day to register and check conditions. If not enough snow for snowshoeing an indoor program on identifying winter, wildlife tracks will be held at 1 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 1 JCC Early Childhood Development registration Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center of Syracuse, 5655 Thompson Road, DeWitt; 315-445-2040, ext 120, jccsyr.org. Early bird registration for the Jerome & Phyllis Charney Early Childhood Development Program.

Immaculate Conception School Open House 4 p.m., 400 Salt Springs Street, Fayetteville; icschool.org.

SU basketball vs. Virginia

SYRACUSE PARENT FEBRUARY 2018

4 p.m., Carrier Dome; cuse.com.

Symphoria Kids: The Melodic Life 10:30 a.m., Inspiration Hall, 709 James St.,; experiencesymphoria.org. Trace the life of Bob, from childhood to middle age, with events such as going to school, playing sports and even getting a job.

Symphoria’s Instrument Discovery Zone opens at 10 a.m.,. $10-$15. Under 18 free.

Wednesday, Feb. 7 Blessed Sacrament School Open Enrollment Day

ages 3-5. Each week participants will discover the many wonderful patterns of trees, birds, snowflakes, tracks and even sounds. Weekly themes: Mirror, Mirror; Tree Patterns; Bird Patterns; Sound Patterns; Snowflakes!; Animal Track Patterns. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Dress for the weather. $50, $35 for members.

Friday, Feb. 9, & March 7 & 28 MPH Open House

9 a.m.-4 p.m., 3129 James St., Syracuse; 315-463-1261, blessedsacramentschool.org.

8:30 a.m. Feb. 9, March 28, 4 p.m.

March 7, Manlius Pebble hill School, 5300 Jamesville Road, Syracuse; 315446-2452. Register at mphschool.org.

Wednesdays, Feb. 7,14,28

Friday-Saturday, Feb. 9-10

Nature’s Little Explorers Winter’s Patterns 10-11 a.m., Baltimore Woods Nature Center, Marcellus; baltimorewoods. org. This series is recommended for

Syracuse Crunch Hockey 7 p.m. Friday vs. Hartford Wolf Pack, Saturday vs. Laval Rocket, War Memorial Arena ; syracusecrunch.com, 315-473-4444.

continued on page 10

Pre-School Registration

BLESSED SACRAMENT SCHOOL

For Fall Classes is now taking place for

Sacred Heart Pre-School in Cicero

3 year olds through 6th grade Elementary School Accredited by the Middle States Commission Offering Faith, Knowledge, Discipline, Morals, and Dividends for Life since 1931.

Open Enrollment Day February 7th from 9:00am to 4:00pm.

Tours available. Call for an appointment.

315-463-1261 • 3219 James Street • Syracuse, NY 13206 www.blessedsacramentschool.org

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Providing your child with academic excellence in a positive and personal environment!

We offer a 3 and 4 year old program Any questions please Call 315-699-2752 8229 Brewerton Rd., Cicero, NY 13039

61352_5

OPEN HOUSE FEBRUARY 13TH, 2018

SYRACUSE PARENT FEBRUARY 2018

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calendar Saturday, Feb. 10

Symphoria Pops Series: A Night At The Oscars 7:30 p.m., The Oncenter Civic Center Theaters, 421 Montgomery St., Syracuse; experiencesymphoria. org. Music from edge-of-yourseat thrillers, epic dramas, and Hollywood classics. Don your best and walk the red carpet.

A Taste of Chocolate 10 a.m.- 2 p.m., Columbian Presbyterian Church Session Building.

Routes 11 and 20, Lafayette; 315677-3293. A food-sampling event where you can purchase samples of dozens of home-made goodies with one thing in common: Chocolate! Samples are only 50 cents, or 22 samples for $10, with 50 percent of the proceeds donated to Lafayette Outreach (local food pantry.)

Sled for Red 4-7 p.m., Four Seasons Golf and Ski Center, Fayetteville. Annual fundraiser hosted by ACR Health.

Registration 4 p.m.; cardboard sledding derby starts at 5 p.m. and a tubing party follows, Food and Drink Sampling will be held in the heated tent after the derby. Also featured will be the Bell’s Brewery Ice Bar. For more information and to register visit acrhealth.org.

Sweet Treats 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Rosamond Gifford Zoo, 1 Conservation Place, Syracuse; rosamondgiffordzoo.org. Watch the animals receive special Valentine treats and heart-shaped items throughout the day as part of the zoo’s enrichment program! Free with zoo admission; Snow Leopard Days half-price admission applies.

Sundays, Feb. 11,18,25 Irish Film Series 2 p m at Jazz Central Theater, 441 East Washington St, Syracuse; 315-4880006. Presented by the Irish American Cultural Inst. Irish Film Series and shown by James MacKillop, Sundays .

Films: Feb. 11 – “Odd Man Out,” Feb. 18 – “Dancing in Lughnasa” and Feb. 25 – “The Story of Ireland.”

Tuesday, Feb. 13 Holy Cross School Open House 5:30-7 p.m., 4200 E. Genesee St., DeWitt; 315-446-4890, hcschooldewitt.org. Open registration held for pre-k through sixth grade, tours by appointment.

Wednesday, Feb. 14 SU basketball vs. NC State 9 p.m., Carrier Dome; cuse.com.

Winter Farmers Market

Saturday, Feb. 17

10 a.m.-1 p.m., Baltimore Woods, Marcellus; baltimorewoods.org, info@ baltimorewoods.org. Visitors to the market will enjoy a diverse mix of local farm and artisinal food products from top regional producers. Held indoors with free parking.

The Earth History of Oxygen

Sunday, Feb. 11 Montessori School of Syracuse Open House 2-4 p.m., 155 Waldorf Parkway, Syracuse; mssyr.org, 315-449-9033. A preschool and elementary school for children ages 3-12.

SU men’s basketball vs.

Wake Forest 1 p.m., Carrier Dome; cuse.com.

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9:30–11 a.m., Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology, Syracuse; most.org.

Junior Café Scientifique will feature Zunli Lu, PhD, associate professor, director of graduate studies, department of earth sciences, Syracuse University, who will explore the Earth history of oxygen, addressing causes and evidences for changes in oxygen levels. A light breakfast is provided, and participants must be accompanied by an adult. Free, but RSVP to jrcafe@ tacny.org. After the event, participants are welcome to explore the museum for free.

SYRACUSE PARENT FEBRUARY 2018

Sunday, Feb 18 Symphoria Casual Series: Water Music 2:30 p.m., St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, 310 Montgomery St., Syracuse; experiencesymphoria.org.

Principal Oboist Jillian Honn performs Mozart’s delightfully cheerful “Oboe Concerto.” Music of Beethoven and selections from Handel’s stately “Water Music” complete the program.

Sunday-Sunday, Feb. 18-25 Winter Break Activities 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Rosamond Gifford Zoo, Syracuse, Enjoy the winter break with a visit to the zoo!

Special keeper chats and animal demonstrations offer a chance to learn what happens behind-thescenes at zoo exhibits. Free with zoo admission.

Monday-Friday, Feb 19-23 Winter Wonders Week Beaver Lake Nature Center, Baldwinsville; 315-638-2519. During school vacation there will be guided walks and critter talks for families and individuals. Walk down one of the nature center’s trails tracking winter wildlife. Learn about beaver, turtles, owls or other wildlife in the visitor center. Schedule, subject to change, includes: 10 a.m. Monday, Wednesday: Try Snowshoeing (or A Winter Hike.); 10 a.m. Tuesday, Thursday: Snow Sculptures ; 10 a.m.

Friday: Build a Snow Cave; 1:30 p.m.

Monday through Friday: Creature Feature; 2 p.m. Monday through Friday: Guided Snowshoeing (or A Winter Hike.Free with nature center admission.

Wednesday, Feb. 21 SU vs. North Carolina 7 p.m., Carrier Dome. Ticket prices vary; cuse.com.

Feb. 21-March 11 “A Raisin in the Sun” Syracuse Stage, 820 East

Genesee St., Syracuse; 315- 4433275,syracusestage.org. Lorraine Hansberry’s story of the Younger family—three generations trying to build a better life on Chicago’s South Side— is as vital today as in 1959.

Show times and ticket prices vary.

Friday-Sunday, Feb. 23-March 4 “The Seagull” 2 p.m. Sundays, 8 p.m.

Wednesdays-Saturdays, Syracuse Stage, 820 East Genesee St., 315- 4433275,syracusestage.org. This 1895 play by Anton Chekhov catapulted the famed Moscow Art Theatre to prominence. It’s all quite simple: Medvedenko loves Masha who loves Konstantin who loves Nina who loves Trigorin who’s involved with Arkadina. Meanwhile, Paulina is married to Shamreyev, but she pines for Dr. Dorn. What could go wrong?

Ticket prices vary.

Saturday, Feb. 24 Be the Flight Engineer Noon-4 p.m., Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology, Syracuse; most.org.

This new museum program enables you to learn, engage and explore the activities of a different type of “scientist” on the last Saturday of each month. You receive a “Passport” tracking your progress through the program’s three steps: Learn, Engage, Explore. Earn your passport stamp each month to win a prize, and enter your completed passport into a drawing for a chance to win the grand prize.

Sunday, Feb. 25 Open House and Train Show 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Eastwood American Legion Hall, corner of Nichols Avenue and James Street, Syracuse; syracusemodelrr.org , 315706-7580. Hosted by the Syracuse Model Railroad Club. Admission is $4 adult, $2 for 12 and under, $12 family maximum. An operating HO layout, LEGO layout and dealers selling train models and railroad items. The entire Thomas gang will attend!

Shining Stars Daycare Centers

shiningstarschildcare.org

ATTENTION LEAGUES, TEAMS, SCHOOL DISTRICTS, GROUPS, OR FOR ANY SPECIAL OCCASION CALL JOHN FOR SPACE & TIME SLOTS 315-569-7777 Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer, Baseball, Dance, Karate, Women’s Self Defense, Yoga & all other activities. Indoor Full Size Gym (Liverpool), 1/2 Court Gym (East Syracuse). Available weekdays after 6pm & anytime on weekends.

MANLIUS 4595 Enders Rd. • 315-682-3257 LIVERPOOL 120 Metropolitan Dr. • 315-457-4500 EAST SYRACUSE 5930 Bowman Rd. • 315-656-2180