Syracuse Parent March 2013

March 2013

meals in minutes

Snacks & meals to get your family to the table fast!

How are your kid using so s cial media?

flossing 101

Essential to master at an early age!

2013

Child Care Guide

80 th Annual Tigris Shrine Circus April 5, 6, 7, 2013 SHOW TIMES

Friday, April 5, 2013: 7:00 pm Saturday, April 6, 2013: 10:00 am • 2:30 pm • 7:00 pm Sunday, April 7, 2013: 1:00 pm • 5:00 pm Each show is approx. 2.5 hours (Includes 1/2 hr. intermission)

ATTENDANCE LIMITED TO 4,000 SEATS PER SHOW DISABLED Seating Available (EAST ENTRANCE: I-690 SIDE)

To PurchaseTickets:

“Advanced Sale” General Admission Tickets Available at: www.Tigris Shrine Circus.com COST: $13.00 EACH (All Ages) (Buy 3, get 1 complimentary ticket!) ***WEBSITE PURCHASES ONLY*** (No Hidden Fees)

THERE WILL BE NO “RESERVED” SEATING AVAILABLE (First Come, First Served)

The two box offices are located at the “Toyota Coliseum” will be open one hour before each performance for the sale of General Admission tickets at $15.00 each.

Advanced Sale Tickets can also be purchased at a designated store near you! or at www.TigrisShrineCircus.com

135 State Fair Boulevard • Syracuse, NY 13204

32553

Phone: (315) 478-0277 • Fax: (315) 478-0278

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SYRACUSE PARENT MARCH 2013

what’s inside

family FYI 4

Get some quick information on this month’s topics: shopping for a car and getting your child into a flossing routine.

27 Everloop changes the way

kids use social media

meals in minutes 5 Fast & easy meals and snacks

on your watch!

from the editor 6 Meet your Syra-

cuse Parent Magazine editor, Jennifer Wing!

calendar 7

Here is what’s happening around you in March!

7

This month’s giveaway: Be sure to enter for your chance to win tickets to Monster Jam!

contents

learning curve 8 Meeting Megan Coleman 9 Help is there when

we fall

10

Make your Easter basket green

10 Bye-bye diapers 15 Independent

Schools are “academic beacons”

healthy family

Special 2013 Childcare Guide 16-24 Need a new resource

or referral for your childcare needs?

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

11 Nutrition

Facts: Read it before you eat it!

12 The flu:

When to worry

13

Heart health tips no matter the weather

26 A closer look at energy drinks

toy box 14 Read

about the latest and greatest toys and gadgets to make your kids happy.

Cover Photo

Pictured is Wyatt Dann of Palermo, NY in the photograph by Raine C. Dufrane, owner of Raineydayz Photography. 315-430-3229 or raineydayz.com MARCH 2013 SYRACUSE PARENT

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family

FYI

some helpful information for your family

Shopping for child care or shopping for a car…What drives our decisions?

By Patrice Robinson Marketing & Development Director, Child Care Solutions Buying a car…most of us have been there. There are so many questions to ask, decisions to make, and options to choose from. Price, make, model, year, color, new, used? How do you navigate your way through this process? Last time I bought a car I was the most informed customer in the market. I read Consumer Reports, checked out Edmunds and Carfax. I built my potential models on-line then kept changing the options to find just the right fit. My head was spinning after all of the 360 degree exterior and interior views I looked at. Sales people flipped coins to see who wouldn’t have to work with me. I was a woman with a mission who wasn’t going to choose just any car for myself. I was an informed, well versed, car buying machine!

I am more than a little bit embarrassed to admit that when I was “shopping” for

child care I did not put nearly as much effort into the research. Probably one of the biggest decisions I made for my children and I didn’t give it as much credence as I did my car. Ugh … that is awful to admit. Don’t get me wrong, I talked to friends and family. I asked their opinions.

I interviewed the pediatrician to get his thoughts. They were all well intentioned people and I really thought I was doing the right thing. In hindsight, however, I realize what an uninformed consumer I was. Did I contact the local child care resource and referral agency (CCR&R)? No, I didn’t even know such a thing existed.

Did I “test drive” at least three different potential caregivers? No, I chose the first one my friend recommended, because it worked for her family. Did I ask the really important questions? I didn’t even know what some of those questions were.

Did I use a licensed child care provider?

License? What license?

Like many child care consumers, I was a young mother who had very little guid-

ance when it came to this process. I gave it very little thought during my pregnancy and I bet there are others out there just like me. So now that I work for the local child care resource and referral agency, Child Care Solutions, it is a personal mission to help other parents make better decisions than I did. Parents in Onondaga County should start their childcare search is by contacting us. You can reach us on the web at childcaresolutionscny.org, by phoning 315-446-1220, or emailing us at parenthelp@ childcaresolutionscny.org.

We have some of the best parent referral specialists in the field on our staff. They are dedicated and motivated to give families the information they need to navigate through a very complicated set of choices – and their services are free! Consider them your child care GPS system without the annoying “recalculating” message.

Please share with anyone you know who’s looking for child care. Don’t let them drive down that bumpy, unfamiliar road without their child care GPS system.

Flossing for kids 101 Learning to brush their own teeth is a lesson all children must master. Although parents ultimately may have children who become proficient at brushing their own teeth, getting them to floss is generally more difficult.

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 41 percent of children ages 2 to 11 had tooth decay in their first teeth. Dental caries are common among children, likely because they have not become proficient at taking care of their teeth.

Soft, sticky foods are commonplace in young kids’ diets, and these can promote decay. Even well-intentioned gummy vitamins can be sources of dental decay.

Oftentimes, these foods become lodged between the teeth or on the surface of molars. If left in contact with the teeth for too long, food particles become a source of carbohydrates for oral bacteria, and cavities may appear as a result.

To remove food particles from between the teeth, children must floss, advises the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists.

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SYRACUSE PARENT MARCH 2013

It is recommended that parents help their children to floss as soon as two teeth are touching and continue to do so until the child is around the age of 8, when a child should have enough dexterity to do it on his or her own.

Flossing is essential to making sure children do not experience cavities at an early age, and it can establish practices that promote oral health throughout life.

Despite being so important, many parents fail to encourage flossing or are at a loss as to how to make it enjoyable and effective.

Although regular dental floss is one of the first tools for flossing, the dexterity required to wind the floss around little fingers and then thoroughly clean the teeth may discourage children. Parents can look into the wide array of flossing helpers available at the store.

In fact, many age-appropriate flossers are now available that feature fun designs and smaller profiles to fit into kids’ mouths more easily. Flossers may be attached to a handle to make

back teeth more accessible and promote more effective flossing. Manufacturers such as DenTek, Butler GUM, Plackers Kids, Dr. Fresh, Oral-B, and Brush Buddies offer children’s flossers.

Although a water flosser may be more messy, children may enjoy the opportunity to “play” with water and the cleaning sensation provided.

fast & easy meals/snacks to get your family to the table

10

Apple Quesadillas Total Time: Prep Time: Cook Time: Yield: Level:

10 min 5 min 5 min 4 Easy

Directions

Melt some butter in a skillet, then lay a flour tortilla in the pan and top with grated cheddar and thinly sliced apple on one side. Fold the tortilla in half and cook until golden on both sides. Cut into wedges.

20

Cheesy Chex Mix Total Time: Prep Time: Cook Time: Yield: Level:

20 min 5 min 15 min 4 Easy

Directions

Toss 3 cups Chex cereal, 2 cups mini pretzels and 1 cup cheese crackers with 3/4 cup grated parmesan, 1/2 stick melted butter and a pinch of garlic powder. Spread on a baking sheet and bake 15 minutes at 325 degrees F, stirring.

Almost Lasagna

Ready In: Prep Time: Yield:

40 min 20 min 6

40

meals in minutes

5

Fruit Dip Total Time: Prep Time: Cook Time: Yield: Level:

5 min 5 min 0 min 4 Easy

Directions

Mix 1 cup low-fat sour cream and 2 tablespoons each brown sugar and lime juice; sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Thread fruit onto skewers; serve with dip.

25

Pizza Pockets Total Time: Prep Time: Cook Time: Yield: Level:

25 min 5 min 20 min 4 Easy

Directions

Roll out refrigerated pizza dough to 1/4-inch thick; cut into 3-inch rounds. Top with tomato sauce and grated mozzarella and parmesan. Brush the edges with beaten egg, fold in half and press to seal. Brush with egg and sprinkle with parmesan before baking.

Poke a hole in each; bake 20 minutes at 400 degrees F.

Ingredients

2 eggs 1 pound Ricotta cheese 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded 2 cups Veggies , (diced zucchini, matchstick carrots, etc.) salt and pepper

Directions

of Parmesan. Cover with foil.

5. Coat a 9-by-13 baking pan with cooking spray or olive oil and spread half of macaroni mixture evenly over the bottom. Top with a cup of mozzarella and a healthy sprinkle of grated Parmesan. Add the remaining macaroni mixture and top with another cup of mozzarella and another sprinkle of Parmesan. Cover with foil.

6. Heat your oven to 350 degrees F and bake the casserole for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 10 to 20 minutes until the cheese on top is lightly browned and bubbly.

1 pound elbow macaroni, cooked, (or other similarly shaped pastalike small shells) 1 pound Ground turkey, (or beef, chicken, sausage or tofu crumbles) 1 jar Pasta Sauce, (26 ounces) freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1. Brown meat and drain well, if necessary.

2. While meat is cooking, stir together eggs, ricotta, grated Parmesan and salt and pepper.

3. Mix cooked meat, macaroni, sauce and veggies. Add ricotta mixture and blend well.

4. Coat a 9-by-13 baking pan with cooking spray or olive oil and spread half of macaroni mixture evenly over the bottom. Top with a cup of mozzarella and a healthy sprinkle of grated Parmesan. Add the remaining macaroni mixture and top with another cup of mozzarella and another sprinkle

MARCH 2013 SYRACUSE PARENT

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from the editor

publisher

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

editor

Jennifer Wing 434-8889 ext. 340 editor@syracuseparent.net

associate editor

Farah F. Jadran

Luck o’ the Irish

434-8889 ext. 306 calendar@syracuseparent.net

Now that my children are getting older and a bit more independent, I find that it’s even easier to have fun as a family. Outings no longer include diaper bags or the fear of the kids getting lost or throwing embarrassing tantrums.

Last year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade saw unusually warm weather, and we took full advantage, dressing up in green T-shirts and donning sunglasses as we headed to downtown Syracuse.

Kids outnumbered adults in our party as we assembled on the sidelines, but we came well-prepared with snacks and refreshments and assorted Irish embellishments to keep the youngsters occupied.

I’ve learned that a group of kids is actually less work than two or three.

They entertain each other and there isn’t the usual squabbling and whining that can be found when, say, siblings get together.

My tips for a successful St. Patrick’s Day outing to the parade this year?

Have a game plan. Invite other families to go with you – the more the merrier (and easier, as previously stated).

Dress appropriately. It would be great if we had warm temps again, but don’t count on it.

You can’t wear too much green. Beads, hats, sunglasses, even wigs make for festive fun for all ages.

Pack some snacks and drinks. Pretzels and juice boxes save on the wallet and eliminate the aggravation of trying to get a thirsty kid something to drink in a crowded establishment.

Have a plan for afterwards. Don’t want to hang out in a restaurant downtown? There are plenty of eateries to be found elsewhere. Or do something else family friendly, like bowling or, weather permitting, visiting a park or the zoo. One can always hope for fair weather, right? Maybe the luck of the Irish will hit us yet again.

Stay up-to-date with us on Twitter, @SRYparent, and at facebook.com/SyracuseParentMagazine.

Jennifer Wing editor Jennifer Wing can be reached at jwing@eaglenewsonline.com

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Scan, Like, or Follow Us Today!

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SYRACUSE PARENT MARCH 2013

ad sales

Linda Jabbour 434-8889 ext. 329 ljabbour@eaglenewsonline.com

business manager

Lisa Congdon 434-8889 ext. 303 lcongdon@eaglenewsonline.com

circulation manager

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

creative director

Sean Haney 434-8889 ext. 331 art@eaglenewsonline.com We want your news! Contributions can be sent to Farah Jadran, Associate 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.

here is what’s happening around you

Fri March 1 TOYS FROM THE COLLECTION. 10 AM; 11 AM on Sunday only.

Onondaga Historical Society. Visitors will see hand-carved trains and boats, Punch & Judy marionettes, Victorian dolls and more. Exhibit through March 17. Tickets: www. cnyhistory.org

Sat March 2 COMEDIAN DAVE CROWE. Doors open 7 PM; Show 8 PM. The Palace Theater, 19th Utica St., Hamilton.

Tickets are $15; $20. www.palacetheater.org, (315) 824-1420.

Sun March 3 CNY SCRABBLE MEET-UP. 1:30 to 4:30 PM. DeWitt Community library. All Scrabble players are welcome for some games in the Buckland Room of the library. Bring a board if you have one. For more information email CNYScrabble@ gmail.com or visit CNYScrabble. com.

Sat March 9 MONSTER JAM. 2 PM. Carrier Dome. Seats starting at $10 for kids; $25 for adults. Tickets available at the Carrier Dome Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, www. ticketmaster.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000.

Sat March 9 SYRACUSE ST. PATRICKS PARADE. 12 PM. Downtown Syracuse. FREE. For more information, www.syracusestpatricksparade.org

Sun March 10 MUSIC JAM. 1 PM music; 5 PM potluck dinner. Kellish Music Barn, 3192 Pompey Center Road near Manlius. Suggested donation: $2.

All acoustic music welcome. Ongoing event.

Fri March 15 PASTA DINNER. 5 PM. Wellwood Middle School in Manlius. Ongoing event, each Sunday. $4 to $8. Food catered by the soon-to-opened Bella Sign. Take-outs available. Dinner followed by the 7th/8th grade drama production “Broadway Lullaby.”

Volunteers needed; contact Ellen Abbott at 637-7941 or abbott.ellen@ gmail.com.

Fri March 16 MISS KELLY’S STORY TIME. 10:30 AM. Each Saturday. Maxwell Library in Camillus. For children and infants 4 and under, accompanied with parent or guardian. Free event.

SENSORY FRIENDLY TIME. 5:30 to 7:30 PM. The MOST. If you have any questions, please contact cnyspdparents@gmail.

calendar

com or visit www.most.org.

Sat March 17 IRISH HARP CONCERT WITH LISA CRAIG FENWICK. 2 and 4 PM. Willard Chapel, 17 Nelson St., Auburn. $10. Tickets at www.willardchapel.org. Proceeds will benefit the Community Preservation Committee/Willard Memorial Chapel.

Mon March 19 BULLYING: WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL? 7 PM. Down Syndrome Association of CNY is hosting: First Baptist Church of Syracuse. 5833 E. Seneca Turnpike, Jamesville. Open to the Public. (315) 682-4289.

Wed March 21 MARCH SPD MEETING. 7 PM. Beacon Baptist Church (downstairs), Route 31, Clay. Topic: Discipline and Your Sensory Child, Finding a Balance. Q&A and discussion.

If you have any questions, please contact cnyspdparents@gmail.com.

Sat March 30 MUSICAL: “The Truth: Sistah to Sistah”. 2 PM. Ferrante Hall, Storer Auditorium. A musical conversation between Big Sis and Lil’ Sis about the impact of women and music on Civil Rights.

2 FREE TICKETS Email to win 2 free tickets to Monster Jam, Sat. March 9th!

Tell us why you should win! Send entries to fjadran@eaglenewsonline.com by March 7th.

MARCH 2013 SYRACUSE PARENT

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learning curve

the ins and outs of educational and stimulating activities for your children

Meeting: Megan Coleman Megan

I was flattered to be asked to write a monthly column for the new Syracuse Parent Magazine.

Having been raised in the Midwest, I hope to address the ever growing, thriving community that We’re in this we all call home. together As women, our responsibilities are crucial and extraordinarily diverse, as many of us not only play a vital role in the work place, but also, our children depend on us to be nurturing and loving parents, our spouses or significant others need us to be caring and affectionate companions, and others depend on us to be supportive friends. With all that left over spare time, we also want to look good and enjoy an occasional moment pursuing a favorite hobby, a run outdoors, or just a mini-second of peace and quiet.

In truth, our enthusiasm for friends, colleagues, family, and community knows no limit and should one have a friend in need or an organization or school seeking assistance, we are there!

We have the heart and the fortitude to understand how crucial it is to foster a world that values safety, fair-mindedness, and culture and we are willing to dig in our heels to make it happen.

I have lived in Syracuse for more than a decade, after deciding to study journalism at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. At that time, I never dreamt that time and circumstance would someday take me to my current position at CNYCentral, find myself married to a fabulous man from the area, and be the mother of two beautiful children.

I have been blessed to find like-minded friends who kindly accepted me into their circle, despite my daily 7 p.m. bedtime,

Coleman

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SYRACUSE PARENT MARCH 2013

when I previously anchored the morning news. I have been invited to sit on the board of the Museum of Science and Technology, which has provided me with the opportunity to give back to a city that has so generously embraced me, allowing me contribute in some small way to help make our city the best that it can be.

Along with my current role as Evening Anchor/News Content Manager, my current title as “mommy” is my most crucial and important undertaking. Thanks to a supportive and devoted husband, incredible “in-town” in-laws, and the immeasurable assistance of a woman affectionately known as, “Da” – I am able to keep all the balls in the air simultaneously without having to compromise my dedication either to family or to the job that I love.

As readers of my column, I hope that you will inspire me to look within myself to better understand future concerns and issues, which I know I will ultimately face as a parent. As parents, we constantly strive to offer one another suggestions. Be it helping children who find themselves sitting alone in the lunch room, or those excluded from a birthday party, or not chosen to be “on the team”.

Whether it is the healthy meal that can be produced in less than 15 minutes or a magical technique for teaching children to share a specific book or a movie that effectively taught them tolerance and understanding, I envision this column to be a venue to share insight, experiences and wisdom.

As the adage was coined many years ago, “It Takes a Village” to raise a happy, contributing member of society. As women and parents, we are truly in this together…

Megan Coleman is the 5 and 6 p.m. news anchor for NBC 3 and CNYCentral’s news content manager.

CELEBRATING OUR 50TH ANNIVERSARY, 1963-2013!

learning curve

Theressa

McMorris

Movie quotes are a way of life for me.

This particular quote is from “The Matrix.” Trinity, the female character has fallen and she has to remind herself to get up. So, she talks to herself and says, “Get up, Trinity! Get up!” So, the quote is likely to be heard in our house when we don’t want to get up and get something done.

Raising three kids in the teen and early teen years, they are learning that failing and falling are a part of life, and they are not alone in learning the art of falling! I have had a couple really tough months. In many ways, I had fallen hard and it hurt. It is not only true that an object in motion tends to stay in motion. I think an object that has fallen tends to stay fallen. I think we stay fallen because we feel shame, guilt and embarrassment. This is when, I think, we are all grateful we are not famous. Who wants to fall on the world stage? When I fall, I can usually hide it well. Few people are watching.

There are several parts to the art of falling. I am going to hit the highlights. For me, this last time around, I had fallen and as I said before, I fell hard. I wanted to hide even from my closest girlfriend. I tried to hide (or stay fallen). Instead, I got up. As I got up and shared my story, I was reminded of another part of getting up. Let people help you. So, help me she did. She held my hand and lifted me out of the mud (metaphorically). This, inevitably, led to me figuring out why I fell and making sense of this fall and learning from it.

Over time, in dealing with the little tragedies of my children, which are, in no way, little to them, I have taught these three valuable lessons. When devastation hits one of my kids, I remind them that there is nothing we can’t deal with and probably figure out. So I take their little hands and, when it comes to Jack, his gargantuan 15-year-old hand, and we figure it out together. I remind them there is no shame in falling.

I have heard so many times that people can’t come to counseling because it is a sign of weakness or failure. Is it a sign of failure to ask for a hand out of the mud or is it a sign of failure to stay in the mud? I have often heard people say that they aren’t going to marriage counseling because it is a sign of failure. Instead, they got a divorce. That logic makes my brain hurt.

So, as for me and my house, we fall. When we fall, we remind ourselves that we need to get up. Then we ask for the Trinity to show up and we look for the hand that is provided.

We then get up, wash off the mud and hug the person that has helped. We look back; figure out why we fell; give thanks and get moving.

Theressa McMorris, MS, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice in Syracuse and Rome. Her experience includes church conflict management, guest speaker and retreat leader. You can connect with her at Theressa@ harvesthousecounseling.com.

Barefooting it

ALL AGES! At CNY Karate and Kobudo Schools, the focus is on

physical strength, growth and on important skills that lead to personal success in life.

A healthy individual is characterized by a strong body and a strong mind.

In our classes, you can expect to sweat, lose weight, decrease body fat and tone your muscles in an enjoyable environment.

Now is the perfect time to “test drive” martial arts with professional and friendly instructors who will take into account your specific needs.

You are never too old or too young for Martial Arts.

Beginner Classes available for seniors, adults, teens and children!

KARATE KIDS PROGRAM

ONE FREE MONTH

1 month of Karate for only $99 & get 2nd month FREE. Plus FREE uniform. ($35 value)

Cannot be combined with other offers. For new students only.

KICKBOXING

ONE FREE MONTH

1 month of Kickboxing for only $99 & get 2nd month FREE. Plus FREE bag gloves. ($30 value) Cannot be combined with other offers. For new students only.

KARATE FOR ADULTS

ONE FREE MONTH

1 month of Karate for only $99 & get 2nd month FREE. Plus FREE uniform. ($35 value)

Cannot be combined with other offers. For new students only.

32467

Help is there when we fall

Fun, Fitness & Self Defense for

Call Today 437-9417 or visit: www.cnykarate.com 720 West Manlius Street East Syracuse, NY 13057 MARCH 2013 SYRACUSE PARENT

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learning curve

the ins and outs of educational and stimulating activities for your children

Make your Easter basket green this year Easter calls to mind a basket full of candy, toys less on the cheap stuff that and colored eggs — but of all the colors, why not will end up in the garbage. keep it green? Many of the things used for Easter Coloring Easter eggs celebrations are not necessarily eco-friendly. But is a tradition. So are there are ways to embrace greener options to enthe coloring kits that sure Easter is a happy time for celebrants and the may be made from environment. Here’s how to get started: chemical food dyes. Instead,





Instead of pre-packaged Easter baskets, individuals can construct their own. Look for baskets made from reusable materials, such as wicker or other wood-based materials, steering away from plastic. Instead of plastic grass, shred paper that is headed for the recycling bin.

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Look for treats without excessive packaging. You can gather healthy treats and toys individually and put together in the basket. This way you can cater more to what your child enjoys and rely

Staff on call 24 HOURS A day!

look to natural foods to add a festive hue to the eggs. Cranberry juice or beet juice can turn eggs pink. Red cabbage leaves or mashed blueberries can dye eggs blue. And turmeric can give eggs a yellow tint.

These all-natural dyes are safe for little fingers.

Bye-byediapers Tips to take the stress out of potty training

By Jennifer Wing Is it that time? Time to say goodbye to diapers, now that you’re certain your child is prepared for this milestone, here are a few hints for making the experience a little less daunting:

CAMILLUS

601 North Way Phone: 487-1541

LIVERPOOL

8086 Oswego Rd. Phone: 652-1070

www.pediatricassociatesny.com

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SYRACUSE PARENT MARCH 2013

32464

FREE

Prenatal Consultation!

Chart a course Potty charts are very helpful during the training process. Make up a chart with your child, allowing them to decorate it and make it their own. Use colorful stickers or foil stars to mark each successful try in the bathroom. When they put the sticker on the chart they will feel a sense of accomplishment.

Praise them Make sure to let them know how proud you are when they are successful. It is equally important to not turn the experience stressful by being overly critical when they have an accident. It’s a learning ex-

perience, one they will eventually get, and negativity can have an adverse effect on their progress.

Give rewards Make up a bag of goodies for your child to choose from when they’ve finished using the bathroom. As they go through the process, and become more successful, you can offer a greater reward – such as a trip to the zoo, a new book or DVD or a visit to their favorite restaurant, for instance.

Instill good habits Make sure they understand the importance of washing their hands after using the toilet.

This will put them in good stead as they get older.

tips and ideas for keeping your family fast, fit, and feeling great

Nutrition Facts:

Read it before you eat it!

By Julie Mellen RD, CDN, CDE, Dietitian at Upstate Medical University The Nutrition Facts provide a lot of information about the foods we eat.

I tell my clients to “read it before you eat it!” Reading food labels help you make educated choices about the foods you put in your body.

So where do you begin? That is a personal choice and likely depends on what you are interested in; whether you have a food allergy or you are looking to lose weight, build muscle, or control diabetes or just interested in calories, carbohydrate, sodium or fat intake, etc.

I first check out the ingredients. The ingredients are always listed in the order of weight from highest amount to lowest. If sugar or saturated fat is listed as the first 3 ingredients, I think twice about that food. If the ingredient list includes a lot of words I have never heard of or can’t pronounce, I think twice about putting that food into my body!

Then I look at the serving size. ALL the information on a food label is based on the serving size listed. If I choose to eat double (or triple) the serving size posted, then I have to double (or triple) all the nutrition facts as well!

Nutrition-related claims: Have you ever wondered what the difference between “low calorie”, “reduced calorie” and “calorie free” on a food label is? The Food and Drug Administration has strict guidelines on how these food label terms can be used. Here are some of the most common claims seen on food packages and just what they mean.

• Low calorie: 40 calories or less per serving • Calorie free: Less than five calories per serving

healthy family

• Reduced: At least 25 percent less of the specified nutrient or calories than the usual product • Low cholesterol: 20 mg or less and 2 grams or less of saturated fat per serving • Fat free: Less than ½ gram of fat per serving • Sugar free: Less than ½ gram of sugar per serving • Low sodium: 140 mg or less of sodium per serving • Good source of: Provides at least 10 to 19 percent of the Daily Value of a particular vitamin or nutrient per serving • High in: Provides 20 percent or more of the Daily Value of a specified nutrient per serving • High fiber: Five or more grams of fiber per serving The Food and Drug Association (FDA) also sets standards for Healthrelated claims on food labels to help consumers identify foods that are rich in nutrients that may help to reduce their risk for certain diseases.

For example, health claims may highlight the link between calcium and prevention of osteoporosis, dietary saturated fat and heart disease, total fat and some types of cancers, sodium and high blood pressure, good sources of folate and prevention of neural tube defects, or foods rich in soluble fiber and heart disease prevention. For more information on nutrition labels, nutrition claims and health claims visit fda.gov/Food

Learning to Read Food Labels

MARCH 2013 SYRACUSE PARENT

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healthy family

tips and ideas for keeping your family fast, fit, and feeling great

The flu: When to worry This year thus far has seen a particularly aggressive national flu outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that at least 40 states are currently dealing with a moderate to serious flu outbreak, and some deaths have been reported.

Typical symptoms of the flu include fever, sore throat, runny nose and upper respiratory symptoms, headache, fatigue, and muscle or body aches. To get over it quickly, doctors advise that you drink plenty of liquids, get rest, and if diagnosed early take antiviral medication.

So, when should parents seek emergency care for their child?

If they show any of the following symptoms: • Fast breathing or trouble breathing • Blue-ish skin color • Not drinking enough fluids • Not waking up or not interacting • Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held

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SYRACUSE PARENT MARCH 2013

• Flu-like symptoms that improve, but then return with fever and increased cough • Fever with a rash In addition to all of the symptoms above, an infant who has any of the following signs should get emergency care: • Irritability/ being inconsolable • Inability to eat or drink • Trouble breathing • No tears when crying • Significantly fewer wet diapers than normal • Persistent fevers It is not too late to get their children the flu vaccine if they haven’t had it yet. Parents should make sure that their entire family takes routine preventative measures like washing hands regularly, wiping down work stations and covering their nose and mouth when they sneeze or cough.

healthy family

Heart health tips no matter the weather The weather and temperature outdoors can have a large impact on energy levels and motivation to exercise. Warm, sunny weather can beckon one outdoors, while cold or rainy weather could keep one hibernating inside - which is not good for the spirit or the body, including cardiovascular health.

Staying active when the weather seems to be pitted against you can be challenging. However, there are many things you can do to make the best of things and still get the exercise needed for a healthy heart. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Head outdoors Instead of the regular workouts you do, consider something that makes the most of the weather outdoors. If it's cold sledding or skiing remain fun ways to burn calories. All of these activities count as moderate to vigorous exercise, which is recommended daily for most people.

Workout indoors

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This doesn't necessarily mean heading to the nearest gym. It's possible to get recommended exercise at home or at another location. Walking briskly around a mall is good exercise and you can window shop in the process. Lift heavy items around the house in place of dumbbells. Doing regular household chores with more vigor is another way to get blood flowing and your heart pumping.

Eat right Be sure to eat breakfast every day, and choose fruits and vegetables as snacks over sweet and salty items. Canned varieties are just as healthy as fresh produce and can offer a variety of flavors when certain foods are not in season. Be sure to include plenty of foods high in fiber. Not only will they help keep cholesterol levels in check, but it will also help you to feel full faster and longer.

Dress appropriately Dress in layers so you can remove or add clothing as needed to remain comfortable. Children and older adults are more susceptible to the effects of cold weather. According to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, when temperatures are low your heart works harder to keep the body warm. Dressing warmly can help avoid taxing the heart.

KidSpeak is an interactive puppet workshop that helps children and adults understand learning style differences, especially in children with autism spectrum disorders. It is designed for children ages 6 to 9 in school and community settings.

For More Information: Margaret L. Williams DEVELOPMENTAL Evaluation Center 215 Basset St., Syracuse, NY 13210 315.427.4404 • KohlsAutism.com

MARCH 2013 SYRACUSE PARENT

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toy box

the latest and greatest toys and gadgets to keep your kids happy

There is no operation more covert, more stealth than a mother culling toys from their child’s stash.

Karen BergamoMoore

occasionally my house would resemble the back room of Toys R Us. The tchotchke toys are easy to eliminate; it’s the bigger toys that pose the A mother’s problem. I’ve tried the perspective “let’s go through your toys and see what you no longer play with” tactic which leads to toys getting rediscovered. The toys then enter the “I can’t part with this. It’s precious” category. Gollum and his ring have nothing on a kid asked to part with a miniature helicopter.

I’ve used the ‘if you sell it at the garage sale you can keep the money’ gambit. This works well but doesn’t happen often enough to keep a room from looking like a primer for a Hoarders episode.

This leads to Ninja Cleaning. First you have to know which toys won’t be missed and can go to the donation center. The next level is the ‘haven’t been played with in ages, but not totally forgotten’ category. These go to an unlabeled bin in the basement where they sit for a cooling off period. If after a couple months their absence hasn’t been noticed they too get donated.

Next the remaining toys are rearranged, making it appear like nothing’s missing. Pulling out a toy that hasn’t been seen in awhile diverts suspicion should he go looking for something that’s left the house.

Some toys go to the attic for future generations. How long does the storage last? You can ask my mom since there are “precious” boxes in her attic still.

SEAL Team 6 has nothing on a mother bent on decluttering their child’s room.

This materialistic purging wouldn’t be difficult if children didn’t possess photographic memories for every toy they ever owned.

My son may not remember where his shoes are, but he knows he had a blue Hot Wheel car with a red stripe when he was 3.

I stand in awe of parents who can say “it’s time for this to go” and out it goes. I imagine they are also excellent at ripping off Band-Aids in one fell swoop.

Unfortunately, I’m not that parent. But send the kid to his grandparents overnight and I can plow through two years’ worth of birthday party goodie bags quicker than a child opens Christmas gifts.

It sounds cruel, this underhanded thinning of the toy herd, but if it wasn’t done

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SYRACUSE PARENT MARCH 2013

This game has been around for years, but it’s still one of today’s hottest buys.

Catch Phrase is great for all ages and any number of players. You’ll be learning new words and having fun while trying to beat the buzzer, and you’ll never grow tired of playing.

the ins and outs of educational and stimulating activities for your children

learning curve

Independent schools are ‘academic beacons’

The benefits of independent education are significant, particularly in times of government belt-tightening and reliance on mandated accountability testing. Sometimes labeled “private” schools, independent schools are not fond of that elitist moniker. We prize diversity, not exclusivity, and enroll academically talented young scholars from all walks of life.

Independent schools serve as academic beacons because we are not hamstrung by state curricula and state tests that are faulty assessments of student knowledge and understanding. We determine our own missions, values, and curricula to prepare our students to be academic leaders in college and to flourish as contributing world citizens.

The school I head, Manlius Pebble Hill, is the region’s only pre-kindergarten through 12th grade independent school. So how are we a distinct educational alternative to our public and parochial counterparts?

For starters, we can select the students we want, and we select motivated students eager to take on rigorous academics. We have the autonomy to develop challenging curricula that emphasize higher order thinking and problem solving skills rather than memorization.

In our unique pre-k-12 environment, lower school children interact daily with high schoolers, making MPH a powerful incubator of leadership. Younger students become friends with older ones and learn from them how to conduct themselves.

Older students revel in serving as role models.

Our outstanding visual and performing arts programs inspire creativity and provide students a safe environment in which to stretch themselves in affirming ways. Our no-cut policy in athletics allows every student, not just the superstar, to play a sport, to be part of a team – opportunities generally limited in large public schools.

What is the most powerful advantage of an MPH education? I would point to the transformative relationships that develop between students and faculty. Faculty members at MPH delight in truly knowing their students, in being mentors and advisors, as well as teachers. It is through these student-teach-

Scott Wiggins is Manlius Pebble Hill School head of school.

For more information about MPH visit mph.net or call 446-2452.

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By Scott Wiggins

er relationships that character development, so pivotal to an MPH education, is imparted bit by bit, day by day, as teachers avail themselves of the “teachable moments” that constantly occur. From these relationships, students derive inspiration to reach for higher goals, to grow as students and human beings.

The result: Nearly 100 percent of MPH graduates move on to four-year colleges and universities. They arrive there prepared to do the work, to advocate for themselves with Scott Wiggins, Manlius Pebble Hill professors, to manage their School, Head of School time so they can excel academically and participate in the extracurricular life of their schools with purpose and dedication. This is the MPH advantage.

MARCH 2013 SYRACUSE PARENT

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2013

Child Care Guide

Child Care Solutions is your local child care resource

and referral agency. We assist parents and families by providing information about child care programs, financial resources and parenting. Whether you are a parent of an infant, toddler or school-age child, choosing child care is one of the most important and often times difficult decisions you will make. We wish we could tell you that high-quality care is easy to find and easy to afford. The truth is, the child care system is complicated, confusing and costly. When you are making this choice you have to be an informed consumer and a comparison shopper.

We have parent service specialists on staff that are available to help you navigate the child care system. They can provide referrals to regulated child care providers in Onondaga and Cayuga Counties. You can reach them at 446-1220, ext. 303 or email them at parenthelp@childcaresolutionscny.org. You might also like to obtain a copy of our “Parent Guide to Finding High Quality Child Care.” It will help you determine average cost of care, understand the seven indicators of high-quality care and learn about financial assistance. Call us for a copy, or view it on the Web at www.childcaresolutionscny.org.

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SYRACUSE PARENT MARCH 2013

The following list includes child care programs that operate in non-residential settings. However, some parents prefer homebased child care. If you are interested in receiving a list of available home-based family child care providers that are regulated by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, please call Child Care Solutions at 446-1220, ext. 303 or visit our website at www.childcaresolutionscny.org.

Child Care Centers

A child care center provides care in a non-residential facility.

Children are cared for in groups according to their age and the number of caregivers. Care can be provided for children ages 6 weeks through 12 years. Each center determines the ages of children it will accept into its program. Several child care centers do offer a school-age option within their program. All child care centers are licensed by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services. Programs must meet minimum standards for health, safety, nutrition and children’s programming. The staff and Director are required to meet specific education and/or work standards.

2013 Childcare Guide Unless otherwise noted, all child care centers listed here are open during school holidays, breaks and summers.

Atonement Lutheran Church Child Care Center 116 West Glen Ave., Syracuse 13205 Director: Pam Coppola 492-7407

Bernice M. Wright Child Development Laboratory School Syracuse University M-17 Lambreth Lane, Syracuse 13244 Director: Daria Webber 443-2471

Brewerton Community Child Care

5395 Orangeport Road, Brewerton 13029 Director: Desiree Phillips 668-7444

Bright Starts of CNY

5962 Route 31, Cicero 13039 Director: Kristen Pearce or Margaret Southard 698-0033

Children’s Beginnings

100 South Clinton St., Syracuse 13261 Director: Lorinda Bennett 448-0980

Children’s Learning Center

4585 West Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse 13215 Director: Michele Ferguson 498-2346

Childtime Learning Centers

Five centers offer care: 7453 Morgan Road, Liverpool 13090 Director: Lisa Fingerman 451-5246 4645 Nixon Park Drive, Syracuse 13215 Director: Missy Blanchard 492-0294 8439 Loop Road, Baldwinsville 13027 Director: Lisa McLaughlin 635-1693 3217 East Genesee St., Syracuse 13214 Director: Darlene Strodel 446-2027 5112 West Taft Road, Liverpool 13088 Director: Pamela Frear 452-7955

Cicero Family Sports Center

5575 Meltzer Court, Cicero 13039 Director: Mary Cowles 752-9622

County North Children’s Center, Inc. 205 School Road, Liverpool 13088 Director: Beth Pastel 451-8520

Huntington Family Centers, Inc. Program

Marcellus Community Child Care Center

Jewish Community Center Early Childhood Development Program

North Area Family YMCA Sweetheart Day Care Center

Jordan-Elbridge Country Kids Day School

Northminster Early Childhood Center

405 Gifford St., Syracuse 13204 Contact: Robin Manning 476-3157

5655 Thompson Road, Dewitt 13214 Director: Jo David 445-2360

Located in the Jordan United Methodist Church 63 Elbridge St., Jordan 13080 Director: Leora Chilson 689-9686

Jowonio School

3049 East Genesee St., Syracuse 13224 Director: Ellen Barnes 445-4010

KinderCare Learning Centers 5009 Campuswood Drive, East Syracuse 13057 Director: Danielle Luc 433-0089 3787 Canvasback Drive, Liverpool 13090 Director: Kristine Kline 622-0286

Koala Kare Day Care

3476 Route 31, Belgium Meadows Baldwinsville 13027 Director: Karen Russell 652-8021

Lean On Me Day Care Center

422 West Onondaga St., Syracuse 13202 Contact: Laura Shaw 421-6380

Learn As You Grow, Inc.

ENABLE at Exploring Your World

Little Lukes

(The) Gingerbread House

2500 Grant Blvd., Syracuse 13208 Director: David Cole 471-4198

(The) Growing Place

3800 East Genesee St., Syracuse 13214 Director: Nene Thornton 446-5788

Honey Tree Day Care

3212 James St., Syracuse 13206 Director: Teresa Sobolewski 463-8118

Honey Tree Infant Center

7444 Buckley Road, North Syracuse 13212 Director: Cindi Fowler 458-2669

On The Hill Child Care Center

4640 Nixon Park Drive, Syracuse 13215 Director: Elizabeth Martini 492-9112

Partners in Learning, Inc. — MANOS 108 Shonnard St., Syracuse 13204 Director: Theresa Pagano 744-3831

Partners in Parenting

5402 West Genesee St., Camillus 13031 Director: Karen Sweeney 468-3902

Pave the Way Daycare Center

610 North Central Ave., Minoa 13116 Director: Jamie Landry 751-728

P.E.A.C.E. Inc. Head Start/Early Head Start

P.E.A.C.E. Inc. operates multiple Head Start sites throughout Onondaga County; most of the sites are licensed by New York state. Sessions for 3- to 5-year-olds run either part or full day.

Participants must meet income guidelines.

Little Apples Child Care Center at Blodgett School

531 East Genesee St., Fayetteville 13066 Director: Sheila C. Brittain 637-6071 1603 Court St., Syracuse 13208 Director: Christopher Davis 475-1382

4775 Wetzel Road, Liverpool 13090 Director: Kelly Wentworth 451-5101

5684 South Bay Road, Cicero 13039 Director: Katelyn Decker 458-4233 158 Highland Ave., Syracuse 13203 Director: Heather Rice 474-5627 120 North Orchard Road, Solvay 13209 Director: Stephanie Misner 487-0821 3711 Milton Ave., Bldg. A, Camillus 13031 Director: Laura Sgouris 487-4132 3711 Milton Ave., Bldg. B, Camillus 13031 Director: Nicole Bloodgood 468-1491 8381 Elta Drive, Cicero 13039 Director: Beth Chiasson 699-7189

401 Loomis Ave., Syracuse 13207 Director: Heather Luchsinger 435-5813 Only for children whose parents are employed by the Syracuse City School District.

Creative Environment Day School

1 East Main St., Marcellus 13108 Director: Sharon Morgan 673-2608

5820 Heritage Landing Drive East Syracuse 13057 Director: Kathleen Mahoney 701-1107

Early Bird Registration is now open for 2013-2014

Little Lukes — Radisson

8282 Willett Parkway, Baldwinsville 13027 Director: Meg Kellogg 857-0800

Living and Learning Centers, Inc.

4845 West Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse 13215 Director: Kathy Fiermonte 492-6609

Lydia’s Lullaby

213 Cannon St., Syracuse 13205 Director: Lanikah Cage 471-4750 32554

3218 James St., Syracuse 13206 Director: Teresa Sobolewski 463-8118

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2013 Childcare Guide Home-based, center-based and Early Head Start program options are available. For an application or more information call 470-3300 or 470-3346. Head Start and Early Head Start center-based programs are regulated by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. No fee.

Baldwinsville Head Start 110 Oswego St., Baldwinsville 13027 Cicero Head Start 6221 Route 31, Cicero 13039 Dunbar Head Start 1453 South State St., Syracuse 13205 Jordan-Elbridge Head Start 25 North Main St., Jordan 13080 Lafayette Head Start 2777 Route 11 North, Lafayette 13084 Merrick Head Start 175 Hudson St., Syracuse 13204 Rockwell Head Start 208 Rockwell Road, Nedrow 13120 St. Brigid’s Head Start 810 Willis Ave., Syracuse 13204 St. Daniel’s Head Start 3020 Court St., Syracuse 13208 Sumner Head Start 215 Bassett St., Syracuse 13210

St. Matthew’s Over The Rainbow Child Care Center

World of Wonder Child Care Center

St. Vincent DePaul Day Care Center

Universal Pre-K Programs (UPK)

214 Kinne St., East Syracuse 13057 Director: Jessica Warren 438-4328

1103 Burnet Ave., Syracuse 13203 Director: Helen O’Malley 476-7508

(The) Salvation Army

Operates several child care facilities in our area.

Salina Street Infant and Parenting Day Care 667 South Salina St., Syracuse 13202 Director: Mary Beth Kimball 479-1305 Priority enrollment for teen parents.

Cab Horse Commons Day Care Center 677 South Salina St., Syracuse 13202 Director: Nina James 479-1113

Shining Stars Daycare Center, Inc.

Three centers offer care: 5930 Bowman Road, East Syracuse 13057 Director: Greta McDowell 656-2180 4581 Enders Road, Manlius 13104 Director: Amy Coffey 682-3257 120 Metropolitan Park Drive, Liverpool 13088 Director: Melissa Buczek 457-4500

Skaneateles Early Childhood Center, Inc.

1574 Cherry Valley Turnpike, Skaneateles 13152 Director: Sarah Redding 685-8248

Small Wonders Child Care at Elmcrest Early Education Center

960 Salt Springs Road, Syracuse 13224 Director: Gretchen Lee 446-3220

SonShine Child Care Center

107 Pleasant St., Manlius 13104 Director: Carol Luebbert Contact: Shelly Daignault 682-2895

5355 West Taft Road, North Syracuse 13212 Contact: Dan Bowles 218-2147 Cicero-North Syracuse residents only.

Cicero-North Syracuse Pre-K Collaboration Sites:

Cicero-North Syracuse residents only.

Learn As You Grow 5684 South Bay Road, Cicero 13039 Director: Katelyn Decker 458-4233 Learn As You Grow 8381 Elta Drive, Cicero 13039 Director: Beth Chiasson 699-7189 Northminster Nursery School 7444 Buckley Road, North Syracuse 13212 Director: Cindi Fowler 458-2669 Cicero Head Start — P.E.A.C.E., Inc. 6221 Route 31, Cicero 13039

East Syracuse Minoa School District 303 Roby Ave., East Syracuse 13057 Contact: Carol Feldmeier 434-3800 East Syracuse-Minoa residents only.

Jordan-Elbridge Central School District

Syracuse University Early Education and Child Care Center

Lafayette School District

Temple Adath Rothschild Early Childhood Center

450 Kimber Road, Syracuse 13224 Director: Cheryl Livshin 445-0049

Together We Grow

7020 Manlius Center Road, East Syracuse 13057 Director: Heather Hunter 656-2399

Tutor Time Child Care Learning Center 32466

Cicero-North Syracuse School District

130 East Main Street, Elbridge 13060 Contact: Janice Schue 689-8540 Jordan-Elbridge residents only.

Bldgs M-0 and M-1 Lambreth Lane, Syracuse 13224 Director: Holley Burfoot 443-4482 Priority enrollment is given to SU students, faculty and staff.

4081 Route 31, Clay 13041 Director: Amy Boyzuck 652-4301

Upstate Day Care Center

650 South Salina Street, Syracuse 13202 Director: Clare White 464-4438

SYRACUSE PARENT MARCH 2013

UPK is a developmentally appropriate educational program for 4-year-olds offered by school districts in both school and community-based settings, such as local day care centers for 2 ½ hours per day. UPK is funded by the NYS Department of Education. The following is a list of school districts currently offering UPK and the local programs that collaborate with each district.

Stepping Stone Child Care Center

2827 Cold Springs Road, Baldwinsville 13027 Director: Jennifer Sofia 635-2344

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5633 West Genesee St., Camillus 13031 Director: Danielle Macholl 487-1487

5957 Route 20 West, Lafayette 13084 Contact: Greg Bump 677-3152

Solvay School District

103 Third St., Solvay 13209 Contact: Eric Larison 468-1111

Solvay Collaboration Sites: Solvay residents only.

Learn As You Grow 120 North Orchard Road, Solvay 13209 Director: Stephanie Misner 487-0821

Syracuse City School District

The Syracuse City School District operates state funded Pre-K programs at various sites throughout the city. For more information call 435-4276.

Pre-K Programs Bellevue 530 Stolp Ave., Syracuse 13207 Blodgett 312 Oswego St., Syracuse 13204 Central Village Housing 203 East Castle St., Syracuse 13205

2013 Childcare Guide Delaware Academy 900 South Geddes St., Syracuse 13204 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 416 East Raynor Ave., Syracuse 13202 Dr. King Toddlers (EI) 419 East Raynor Ave., Syracuse 13202 Dr. Weeks 710 Hawley Ave., Syracuse 13203 Elmwood 1728 South Ave., Syracuse 13205 Franklin Magnet 428 South Alvord St., Syracuse 13207 Frazer Magnet 741 Park Ave., Syracuse 13204 Grant 2400 Grant Blvd., Syracuse 13208 Hughes Magnet 345 Jamesville Ave., Syracuse 13210 Huntington 400 Sunnycrest Road, Syracuse 13206 Lemoyne 1528 Lemoyne Ave., Syracuse 13208 Levy 111 Fellows Ave., Syracuse 13210 McKinley-Brighton Magnet 141 West Newell St., Syracuse 13205 Meachem 171 Spaulding Ave., Syracuse 13205 Park Street Pre-K 501 Park St., Syracuse 13208

Roberts Pre-K 715 Glenwood Ave., Syracuse 13207 Salem Hyde 450 Durston Ave., Syracuse 13203 Seymour Magnet 108 Shonnard St., Syracuse 13204 Ed Smith at Sumner 211 Bassett St., Syracuse 13210 Van Duyn 401 Loomis Ave., Syracuse 13207 Webster 500 Wadsworth St., Syracuse 13208

Syracuse City Pre-K Collaboration Sites:

Syracuse City residents only.

For more information call 435-4276.

Atonement Day Care Center 116 West Glen Ave., Syracuse 13204 Catholic Charities Hawley Youth Center 716 Hawley Ave., Syracuse 13203 Catholic Charities Northside CYO 923 North McBride St., Syracuse 13208 Elmcrest Early Education Center (Small Wonders) 960 Salt Springs Road, Syracuse 13224 Erwin Nursery School 920 Euclid Ave., Syracuse 13210 ENABLE 1603 Court St., Syracuse 13208 Exploring Your World 620 West Genesee St., Syracuse, 13204

t’s For Children 18 months - 13 years Look Wha at Daily lunches & snacks served in our outdoor pavilion g Happenin nment Enviro Creative ay Camp D Summer 2013 Program 66 since 19

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Faith & Values • Academic Excellence • Family & Community • Full Day Kindergarten • Hot Lunch Program • Pre-K - 6th grade • Art Appreciation • One of the top academic schools • Technology Classes integrated in a three-county area on NYS tests. throughout the school • Spanish taught beginning in • Transportation available • Tuition Scholarships available Kindergarten • Instrumental & Vocal Music Programs • After School Program

531 E. Genesee Street Fayetteville, New York 13066 Sheila C. Brittain, Director

C.E.D.S. is accredited by the NYS Department of Education and licensed by NYSOCFS Our Summer Day Camp is licensed by Onondaga County.

School yr. program runs Sept.- June for 18 mo.- Kindergarten.

400 Salt Springs Street • Fayetteville • 637-3961 www.icschool.org Applications now being accepted. Please call for an appointment and personal tour.

Prestigious Middle States Accreditation

MARCH 2013 SYRACUSE PARENT

32351

637-6071

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For More Information Call

(ORSES &ULL !CRE 3PORTS &IELD -USIC LED BY OUR OWN h-R 3ONGmOWERv 2ED #ROSS 3WIM ,ESSONS TAUGHT BY CERTIlED 73) 2ED #ROSS )NSTRUCTORS 3PORTS .ATURE 3TUDY ,AKEFRONT 3WIM ,ESSONS FOR Older Campers s 3WIMMING IN OUR OWN ON SITE HEATED in-ground pool s 3TATE OF THE ART PLAYGROUND s !LL GROUPS ARE LED BY CERTIlED TEACHERS s 2ECREATIONAL OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES s 7EEKLY SPECIAL EVENTS s %XTENDED HOURS BREAKFAST AVAILABLE s &OUR SUPERVISED EXCITING OVERNIGHTS throughout the summer s !ND MUCH MORE

Huntington Family Center 405 Gifford St., Syracuse 13204 Jowonio School 3049 East Genesee St., Syracuse 13224 Learn As You Grow 158 Highland Ave., Syracuse 13203 MANOS West 108 Shonnard St., Syracuse 13204 P.E.A.C.E. Inc. Head Start at Merrick School 175 Hudson St., Syracuse 13205 P.E.A.C.E. Inc. Head Start at St. Brigid’s 810 Willis Ave., Syracuse 13204 P.E.A.C.E. Inc. Head Start at St. Daniel’s 3020 Court St., Syracuse 13208 P.E.A.C.E. Inc. Head Start at Sumner School 215 Bassett St., Syracuse 13210 P.E.A.C.E. Inc. Head Start at Dunbar 1453 South State St., Syracuse 13205 Parkside Children’s Center 301 Valley Drive, Syracuse 13207 The Salvation Army (Cabhorse Commons) 677 South Salina St., Syracuse 13202 St. Vincent DePaul Day Care Center 1103 Burnet Ave., Syracuse 13203 Vincent House 514 Seymour St., Syracuse 13204

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2013 Childcare Guide School-Age Care

School-age child care programs provide care for children ages 5 through 12 years in a group setting. School-age programs that operate separately from other child care programs are registered by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services. Registered programs must meet minimum requirements for health, safety, nutrition, child’s programming and staff training.

Drop-in programs and programs operated by public or private schools, for enrolled students only, are exempt from NYS School-Age Child Care Registration. See listings under “Child Care Centers” for centers that provide a schoolage option within their program.

Atonement Child Care Center - SACC Program 116 West Glen Ave., Syracuse 13205 Director: Pam Coppola 492-7407

B.A.S.C.O.L., Inc. (Before and After School Childcare on Location) Business offices located at: 4610 Wetzel Road, Liverpool 13090 Contact: Terry Liberty 622-4815 B.A.S.C.O.L. offers before and after school care for children ages 5 through 12 years. Sites are located in elementary schools in the Liverpool, West Genesee, Onondaga Central and Westhill school districts.

Chestnut Hill Elementary 200 Saslon Park Drive, Liverpool 13088 Donlin Drive Elementary 299 Donlin Drive, Liverpool 13088 Elmcrest Elementary 350 Woodspath Road, Liverpool 13090 Liverpool Elementary 910 Second St., Liverpool 13088 Longbranch Elementary 4035 Longbranch Road, Liverpool 13090 Morgan Road Elementary 7795 Morgan Road, Liverpool 13090 Nate Perry Elementary 7053 Buckley Road, Liverpool 13088 Northside Baptist Church 7965 Oswego Road, Liverpool 13090 (Summer program only.)

Rockwell Elementary 202 Rockwell Road, Nedrow 13120 St. Ann’s Church 4471 Onondaga Blvd., Syracuse 13219 Solvay Elementary 701 Woods Road, Solvay 13209 Soule Road Elementary 8338 Soule Road, Liverpool 13090 Stonehedge Elementary 300 Sanderson Drive, Camillus 13031 Willowfield Elementary 3900 Route 31, Liverpool 13090

Blessed Sacrament School-Age

3129 James St., Syracuse 13206 Director: Andrea Polcaro 463-1261

Boys and Girls Club of Syracuse

Four locations available: Hamilton Street Club 201 Hamilton St., Syracuse 13204 Director: Cherre Petrivelli 579-1050 Summer program is available.

East Fayette Street Club 2100 East Fayette St., Syracuse 13224 Director: Tina Dee 579-1105 Summer program is available.

Shonnard Street Club 201 Shonnard St., Syracuse 13204 Director: Cheree Petrivelli 475-5069 Summer program is available.

Central Village Club 212 Van Buren St., Syracuse 13202 Director: Marie Fratto 579-5401 Summer program is available.

Cathedral Academy at Pompei

923 North McBride St., Syracuse 13208 Contact: Sister Helen Ann Charlebois 422-8548

Community Kids

1654 West Onondaga St., Syracuse 13204 Director: Bettie Graham 396-0148

For over 40 years, Pediatric Cardiology Associates, LLC has been providing cardiovascular services throughout the Central New York region, to children and young adults with congenital heart disease.

PCA performs noninvasive services, including fetal, transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography, EKG services, stress/exercise testing and MRI/MRA.

Accepting referrals from pediatricians and primary care physicians.

725 Irving Suite 804, Syracuse, NY 13210

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SYRACUSE PARENT MARCH 2013

Marie S. Blackman, M.D., Director Emeritus Nader H. Atallah-Yunes, M.D., FACC Craig J. Byrum M.D., FACC Matthew Egan, M.D. Daniel A. Kveselis, M.D., FACC Frank C. Smith, M.D., FACC

32524

32523

Phone: (315)-214-7700 | Toll Free: (877) 404-5868 | Fax: (315) 214-7701

2013 Childcare Guide

Holy Family Extended Day Care

130 Chapel Drive, Syracuse 13219 Director: Joseph Celentano 487-8515

Huntington Family Centers, Inc. School Age Program

the opportunity to benefit from two extra hours of academic instruction, tutoring and enrichment programming four days/week (Monday-Thursday). Contact your Elementary School Office or the Say Yes Administrative Office at 443-4260.

STRIVE / Samuel and Lydia Clark Foundation 218 Webster Ave., Syracuse 13205 Director: Shannon Proctor 471-4750

Temple Adath Yeshurun — SACC Program

405 Gifford St., Syracuse 13204 Director: Donald Pier 476-3157

450 Kimber Road, Syracuse 13224 Director: Alicia Gross 445-0049

Jewish Community Center After School Program

The Salvation Army — Citadel Corporation

5655 Thompson Road, Dewitt 13214 Director: Lori Innella-Venne 445-2360

749 South Warren St., Syracuse 13202 Director: Nina James 479-1334

King’s Kids Christian Child Care SACC Program

Town of Dewitt/Y.E.S. (Youth Enrichment Series) at Tecumseh Elementary

408 Pleasant St., Manlius 13104 Director: Marjorie Edwards 682-5034

901 Nottingham Road, Jamesville 13078 Contact: Lori Wirth 446-9250

Koala Kare School Age Program

Tully After School Program

3444 Route 31, Belgium Meadows, Baldwinsville 13027 Director: Karen Russell 652-8021

Tully Elementary School 20 South State St., Tully 13159 Contact: Kelly Uyehara 345-6390

Lafayette After School Program

Y.E.S. — See “Town of Dewitt”

Route 20, Grimshaw Elementary School, Lafayette 13084 Director: Beverly Oliver 677-3152

YMCA School Age Child Care Programs

Marcellus Community Child Care Center SACC Program

YMCA of Greater Syracuse

1 East Main St., Marcellus 13108 Director: Sharon Morgan 673-2608 Summer program is available.

Merriday School

1636 James St., Syracuse 13203 Director: Jackie Pickard 478-1031 Summer program is available.

Montessori School of Syracuse

155 Waldorf Parkway, Syracuse 13224 Director: Mary Lawyer-O’Connor 449-9033

Muddy Sneakers, Inc.

At Fabius-Pompey Elementary 7800 Main St., Fabius 13063 Contact: Jennifer Proper 683-5250

The YMCA sponsors programs for children in grades K-7.

340 Montgomery St., Syracuse 13202 Director: Liz Horne-Baxter 474-6851, ext. 315 East Hill Elementary 410 Blackmore Road, Camillus 13031 Camillus Middle School and West Genesee Middle School also at East Hill Elementary.

K. C. Heffernan Elementary 2 Reed Parkway, Marcellus 13108 Lyncourt School 2707 Court St., Syracuse 13208 Onondaga Road Elementary (including Split Rock and Stonehedge schools) 703 Onondaga Road, Syracuse 13215

YMCA of Greater Syracuse (Baldwinsville)

St. Vincent DePaul Day Care Center

YMCA of Greater Syracuse (North Area)

5205 Jamesville Road, Dewitt 13214 Contact: Tamara Breed 475-6453

Northminster Nursery School

7444 Buckley Road, North Syracuse 13212 Director: Cindi Fowler 458-2669

St. Margaret’s

201 Roxboro Road, Mattydale 13211 Principal: Susanne Donze 455-5791 Summer program is available.

St. Matthew’s Over the Rainbow

1103 Burnet Ave., Syracuse 13203 Director: Kimberly Johnson 476-7508

Say Yes to Education

Extended Day programs located at Syracuse City Elementary schools provide K-5 students

4775 Wetzel Road, Liverpool 13090 Director: Holly Kontak 451-2562 Allen Road Elementary 803 Allen Road, North Syracuse 13212

YMCA of Greater Syracuse (East Area)

200 Towne Drive, Fayetteville 13066 Director: Megan Davis 637-2025, ext. 231 East Area 200 Towne Drive, Fayetteville 13066 East Syracuse Elementary 230 Kinne St., East Syracuse 13057 Immaculate Conception Church 400 Salt Springs St., Fayetteville 13066 Minoa Elementary 421 North Main St., Minoa 13116 Woodland Elementary 6316 Fremont Road, East Syracuse 13057

Hercules Candy Company

? Bring the kids to watch us make candy!

Call First.

? Chocolate Carrots, Lambs & Chicks. ? Easter Baskets made from Chocolate. ? Bunnies made from Antique Molds. ? Peanut Butter filled Bunnies. ? Prize Drawings every Month! ? Homemade Cream Eggs.

Win an Easter Basket in March!!

JOIN OUR CANDY BAR CLUB

209 West Heman St. East Syracuse, NY

463-4339

Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10-8 Sat. 10-6 • Sun. 12-5

Hercules Candy Company St. Matthew’s School



214 Kinne St., East Syracuse 13057 Director: Jessica Warren 438-4328

2725 West Entry Road, Baldwinsville 13027 Director: Kelly Exware 635-1050 Elden Elementary 29 East Onieda St., Baldwinsville 13207 Palmer Elementary 7864 Hicks Road, Baldwinsville 13027 Reynolds Elementary 222 Deerwood Drive, Baldwinsville 13027 Van Buren Elementary 14 Ford St., Baldwinsville 13027 Northwest Area 2725 West Entry Road, Baldwinsville 13027 Ray Middle School Van Buren Road, Baldwinsville 13027

(The) New School

Bear Road Elementary 5590 Bear Road, North Syracuse 13212 Smith Road students are bused to Bear Road Elementary site.

Cicero Elementary 5979 Route 31, Cicero 13039 Lakeshore Road students are bused to Cicero Elementary site.

Kinder Kids Club, North Area YMCA 4775 Wetzel Road, Liverpool 13090 Roxboro Elementary 200 Bernard St., Mattydale 13211 Roxboro Middle school students are transported to the Elementary site.

Brewerton Elementary 9530 Brewerton Road, Brewerton 13029

209 W. Heman St.

St. Matthew’s Church

Byrne Dairy

Yates St. Ellis St. W. Manlius St.

www.herculescandy.com MARCH 2013 SYRACUSE PARENT

32552

Lincoln Middle School 1613 James St., Syracuse, 13203 Contact: Carrinda Shanes 251-1400

Silver St.

Contact Community Services — Paving R Way

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2013 Childcare Guide YMCA of Greater Syracuse (Downtown)

340 Montgomery St., Syracuse 13202 Director: Liz Horne-Baxter 474-6851, ext. 315 Roberts Elementary School 715 Glenwood Ave., Syracuse 13207 Christ Community Church 3644 Warners Road, 13031

YMCA-WEIU of Auburn

Ramsdell Elementary School 9 North Chappell St., Jordan 13080 Director: Cynthia Wingood 253-5304

YWCA School Age Care Programs

Sponsors programs for children in grades K-6 in multiple elementary schools in various school districts.

Contact: Tiano Palermo 424-0040 Fremont Elementary 115 West Richmond Road, East Syracuse 13057 H.W Smith Elementary 1130 Salt Springs Road, Syracuse 13224 Salem Hyde Elementary 450 Durston Ave., Syracuse 13203 Zonta House 401 Douglas St., Syracuse 13203

Pre-School and Nursery School Programs

Pre-school and nursery school programs generally serve children 3 to 5 years of age and follow the school calendar, closing for the summer, school breaks and holidays. Private or public schools may operate full-day programs in their buildings, but non-school programs generally operate less than three hours per day unless they are licensed as child care centers.

Hours of operation are not listed as they vary greatly. Please call programs for their specific schedules.

Though some of the programs listed below are licensed as child care centers and some are school-based programs that fall under State Education Department standards, part-day community nursery and pre-school programs are not required to be regulated in New York state.

Some may choose to voluntarily register with the State Education Department, but are typically not inspected. Parents are encouraged to inquire about health and safety standards when interviewing programs.

A Time to Grow Nursery School The Wesley Center, Main Street, Fabius 13063 Director: Deborah Gleason 683-9824

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SYRACUSE PARENT MARCH 2013

Abundant Life Academy

7000 All Nations Blvd., East Syracuse 13057 Director: Allyson Neves 463-7300

Baldwinsville Nursery School

First United Methodist Church 17 West Genesee St., Baldwinsville 13027 Director: Julie Dillon 635-5723

Bellevue Heights Nursery School

2112 South Geddes St., Syracuse 13207 Co-Directors: Deb Coman and Chris Johnson 475-2344

Holy Family School

130 Chapel Drive, Syracuse 13219 Director: Deacon Joseph Celentano 487-8515

Most Holy Rosary School

1031 Bellevue Ave., Syracuse 13207 Director: Brenda Reichart 476-6035

Blessed Sacrament 3 & 4 year old Pre-K 3129 James St., Syracuse 13206 Director: Andrea Polcaro 463-1261

Bright Beginnings Nursery School

601 East Genesee St., Fayetteville 13066 Director: Terry Doolittle 637-4413 or 637-5837

Bright Visions Early Learning Center-Preschool O’Brien Road, Baldwinsville 13027 Director: Barbara Pedrotti 638-0124

2013 Childcare Guide 112 Chapel St., Fayetteville 13066 Director: Donna Scofield 637-6124

Cathedral Academy at Pompei School

923 North McBride St., Syracuse 13208 Director: Sister Helen Ann Charlebois 4228548

Catholic Charities

Operates UPK programs for children ages 3 to 5 years of age.

Hawley Youth Center 716 Hawley Ave., Syracuse 13203 Director: Cynda Lamb 472-6343, ext. 224 Northside CYO Preschool 527 North Salina St., Syracuse 13208 Director: Cynda Lamb 472-6343, ext. 224 Vincent House 500 Seymour St., Syracuse 13204 Contact: Cynda Lamb 472-6343, ext. 224

(The) Crayon Box Nursery School at OCM BOCES

6820 Thompson Road, Syracuse 13221 Director: Nancy Slominski 433-2635

East Syracuse-Minoa Pre-K Program at Park Hill School 303 Roby Ave., East Syracuse 13057 Director: Carol Feldmeier 434-3801

Elbridge ABC Preschool

119 Main St., Elbridge 13060 Director: Madeline Nolan 689-3797 or 253-8969 (home)

Erwin Nursery School Erwin Methodist Church 920 Euclid Ave., Syracuse 13210 Director: Nancy Pulver 472-5580 UPK also available.

Fairmount Nursery School

4801 West Genesee St., Syracuse 13219 Director: Deborah Luke 487-8507

Faith Lutheran Nursery School

6142 Route 31, Cicero 13039 Director: Barb Snyder 699-6087

Friends in Faith Christian Preschool 603 Tulip St., Liverpool 13088 Director: Becky Krebs 457-4090

Holy Family Extended Day Care

130 Chapel Drive, Syracuse 13219 Director: Joseph Celentano 487-8515

Holy Trinity Pre School

37 West Genesee St., Skaneateles 13152 Director: Helen Glowacki 685-5820

Huntington Family Center Pre-K

405 Gifford St., Syracuse 13204 Director: Robin Manning 476-3157

Eastwood Baptist Nursery School

Ivy League Nursery School

4461 Onondaga Blvd., Syracuse 13215 Director: Patty Halpin 399-6634

Little Lamb Christian Preschool

420 South Main St., North Syracuse 13212 Director: Janice Cooper 452-3302

Liverpool Christian Preschool

800 4th St., Liverpool 13088 Director: Judy Wight 530-5539

Luther Memorial Nursery School

435 South Main St., Syracuse 13212 Director: Cajsa Sheen 458-1481

Manlius Pebble Hill Pre-K

5300 Jamesville Road, Dewitt 13214 Director of Admissions: Nicole Cicoria ncicoria@mph.net or 446-2452, ext. 131

MANOS West

108 Shonnard St., Syracuse 13204 Director: Theresa Pagano 744-3831

Marcellus Parent Nursery School

15 West Main Street, Marcellus, NY 13108 Director: Charlene Welsh 673-4395

Merriday School

1636 James St., Syracuse 13203 Director: Jackie Pickard 478-1031

Montessori Discovery School

109 Waring Road, Syracuse 13224 Director: Kristin Colton 446-0204

32353

3212 James St., Syracuse 13206 Director: Cheryl Clark 463-1930

32518

Broadbent Nursery School

MARCH 2013 SYRACUSE PARENT

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2013 Childcare Guide Montessori School of Syracuse

Presbyterian Weekday Nursery School

St. Rose of Lima Pre-K

Northminster Nursery School

Radisson Nursery School

Skaneateles Nursery School

Rockefeller Nursery School

Trinity Nursery School

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Preschool

United Church of Christ Nursery School

155 Waldorf Parkway, Syracuse 13224 Director: Mary Lawyer-O’Connor 449-9033 7444 Buckley Road, North Syracuse 13212 Director: Cindi Fowler 458-2669

North Syracuse Early Education Pre-K

205 South Main St., North Syracuse 13212 Director: Dawn Hussein 218-2200

Onondaga Central Preschool

Rockwell Elementary School 208 Rockwell Road, Nedrow 13120 Director: Margaret Hart 552-5078

Parkside Children’s Center

301 Valley Drive, Syracuse 13207 Director: Lauren Merola 468-1632

Peanut Butter Nursery School

64 Oswego St., Baldwinsville 13027 Director: Susan Wolken 635-7391

North Entry Road in the Aspen House Baldwinsville 13027 Director: Kristine Weaver 635-2815 350 Nottingham Road, Syracuse 13210 Director: Gretchen Brown 472-8130 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church 3494 Route 31, Baldwinsville 13027 Director: Karen Gell 652-9364

St. Joseph’s Preschool

5600 West Genesee St., Camillus 13031 Director: Shari Wolfe 484-2153

126 Terry Road, Syracuse 13219 Director: Karen Delano or Jen Gilmartin 488-0284

St. Margaret’s Nursery School

Playschool Preschool First Baptist Church

Saint Paul’s United Methodist Nursery School

408 Pleasant St., Manlius 13104 Director: Wendy Mapstone 416-3374

201 Roxboro Road, Mattydale 13211 Principal: Sue Donze 455-5791

411 South Main St., North Syracuse 13212 Director: Susan Sees 458-6036 St. James Episcopal Church East Genesee Street, Skaneateles 13152 Director: Darcy Sisto 685-8543 8396 Morgan Road, Clay 13041 Director: Donna Klopfer 652-9186 215 Blackberry Road, Liverpool 13090 Director: Sharon Catalino 652-3650

Village Nursery School

310 East Genesee St., Fayetteville 13066 Director: Martha Bradshaw 637-9683

West Side Nursery

303 Kasson Road, P.O. Box 266, Camillus 13031 Director: Nancy Jenner-Gabriel 488-0147

2200 Valley Drive, Syracuse 13207 Director: Rebecca Emerson 492-1764 or 469-0541

be an informed consumer and a comparison shopper

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SYRACUSE PARENT MARCH 2013

MARCH 2013 SYRACUSE PARENT

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Top 7 Ways to have Patty’s Day with the kids Everyone is a little Irish come St. Patrick’s Day, and children are no exception. While kids can’t indulge in some of the spirits-induced revelry that accompanies the festivities this holiday, there are many things little ones can do to have a good time on St. Patrick’s Day. 1. Dress in green: Encourage kids to dress and accessorize in all shades of green. For even more flair, they can use face paint to draw shamrocks on their cheeks and hands.

2. Crafts: From paper four-leaf clovers to homemade leprechaun hats and belt buckles, children can get in the spirit by fashioning crafts that correspond with the theme of the day.

3. Treasure hunt: Send little leprechauns in search of gold at the end of the rainbow. Like an Easter egg hunt, hide gold-wrapped chocolate coins around the house and set kids off to find the treasure.

4. Blarney Stone toss: Play a game of “hot potato” to Irish music using a garden rock to serve as the “Blarney Stone.” When the music stops, the person holding the stone is disqualified.

5. Coin toss: Set up a pot or hat and see how many coins each child can toss into the hat. The one who gets the most in the hat wins.

6. Freeze dance: Play Irish music and children have to “freeze” when the music is shut off. If someone moves, he or she has to sit out.

7. Baking specialties: Invite the kids to help bake some delicious treats, such as cupcakes with green frosting or Irish soda bread.

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SYRACUSE PARENT MARCH 2013

healthy family

A closer look at ‘energy drinks’

By Mary Ann Russo, MS, RD, CDN, Pediatric Nutritionist New research has found that kids are big consumers of energy drinks. Adolescents and young adults represent 30 to 50 percent of the rapidly growing billion-dollar market. The energy market is also not confined to beverages. Products such as Cracker Jack, jelly beans, gummy bears, brownies, mints and maple syrup are just a few products being promoted as “energy boost” products. The growing popularity of energy drinks and some recent adverse effects have parents and medical professional concerned about children’s intake of caffeine.

What is in energy drinks that could cause concern?

Most energy drinks claim their boost of energy from caffeine or vitamins and herbs. The caffeine content can vary and most products do not list it on the nutrition fact label.

Why is caffeine not listed?

Energy drinks are regulated as dietary supplements, a designation that means the product label does not have to list caffeine content.

Also, there

are no limits to how much caffeine they can contain. Some products have up to 240 mg of caffeine per serving and some packages contain more than one serving. This is in stark contrast to the FDA rule that a 12-ounce soda cannot contain more than 71 mg of caffeine!

Why the concern over caffeine?

The American Academyof Pediatrics (AAP) recommends adolescents get no more than 100 mg of caffeine a day and that younger children should not consume caffeinated beverages on a regular basis. Health professionals have become more cautious due to the increasing number of health problems tied to caffeine intake of young children. Health issues that can occur with intake of caffeine are nervousness, irritability, insomnia, rapid heartbeat, and increased blood pressure.

Children and adolescents are more susceptible to the adverse health effects of caffeine compared to adults. This may be because they are not used to regular caffeine consumption. The first time a kid buys an energy drink that contains 300 mg of caffeine and drinks it, his/her body won’t be used to it.

Remember, caffeine is a stimulant!

Other experts add that energy drinks may be harmful if they replace drinks like water and milk that contain minerals and proteins for growing bodies.

Energy drinks also provide non-nutritious calories that could contribute to obesity.

The beverage industry’s response to these concerns is that caffeine is one of the thoroughly tested ingredients in the food supply and has been deemed safe by the FDA. The agency state most energy drinks contain about half the caffeine of a similar size cup of coffee.

If your child is having problems sleeping or has become more anxious, investigate what they are drinking and eating. If you find out they are utilizing these products for an energy boost, educate them on the negative side effects of excessive caffeine. Discuss healthier options for an energy boost such as getting adequate sleep, a healthy diet, and daily physical activity.

some helpful information for your family

family

FYI

Everloop changes the way kids use social media

BY FARAH F. JADRAN We’re never going to know what each generation wants or likes in the realm of technology. In general, everyone has a tech toy they enjoy. Be it a Droid, a Mac Book, an iPhone or a Kindle, we all have our favorites and kids are no exception.

Three businesswomen founded Everloop: Hilary DeCesare, CEO; Kim Bruce, vice president of partnerships and Paige McCullough, vice president of content production. Together they developed a safer place for kids to create, collaborate, communicate and learn to navigate the sometimes-treacherous ins-and-outs of the Internet. With powerful technology and safety controls, Everloop provides kids all the opportunities of the online experience without the dangers.

“We’re creating a platform that’s safe,” Hilary said. The team’s mission is to allow kids to get involved in social media and make it fun and make it relevant to them.

Everloop has become the leading online social media site for kids and tweens to connect with friends, play games, discover new talents, create and have fun in a safer environment. Created specifically for kids, “loops” are the central features of the site. Loops are small communities centered around interests in such categories as music, sports, hobbies, movies, nature, story writing, photo sharing and more.

Patent-pending technology allows kids to start loops of their own or join loops that match their interests and the breadth of content on Everloop supports development of core skills including creativity, collaboration and communication.

Above all, safety is the top priority and Everloop employs the most comprehensive privacy protection and 24/7-moderation technology of any social networking site built for kids to guard young users against bullying, bad language and inappropriate sharing of information. “[Everloop] gives you a chance to parent,” Hilary said, and this is without coming off as invasive to kids’ growing desire to have privacy.

“Ultimately it’s your decision,” she said.

“You decide what you want them to be able to do. We’re not saying Everloop is the almighty, we’re just the tool.”

What it comes down to is this: Kids are texting at least 100 times a day. There is no way any parent can track that, but there is a way to track their social media usage and still give them room to grow.

With 300,000 users and counting on www.everloop. com, kids are finding out what they like and how they want to

communicate with their peers.

They’re setting up custom loops with backgrounds, colors and stickers. It’s each child’s own unique homebase in cyberspace.

Just like the homepage says, it’s just for kids, it’s safe; and there’s no grownups, no swearing and no bullying allowed. For more information, visit www.everloop.com.

MARCH 2013 SYRACUSE PARENT

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PRESENTS

CONFERENCE

THE BULLY, THE BULLIED & THE BYSTANDER

BREAKING THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE

Presenter: Barbara Coloroso Internationally renowned author and educator

Tuesday, April

30, 2013 from 9 am to 3:30 pm

Drumlins Country Club 800 Nottingham Rd., Syracuse, NY 13224 Professionals: $85 (by April 5) $95 (April 6 -19) Parents: $55 (by April 5) $95 (April 6 -19)

For more information call (315) 472-4404 or Register: KohlsAutism.com

AUTISM AWARENESS WALK

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SYRACUSE PARENT MARCH 2013

“one piece at a time”

32462

Saturday, April 27th 10:00 am Long Branch Park in Liverpool Register: KohlsAutism.com