Family Times April 2014

The Parenting Guide of Central New York www.familytimes.biz | April 2014

OVERCOMING THE SOUND BARRIER Deafness and inclusion When school is (too) hard Your child’s educational path How early intervention works

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contents

April 2014

6 4 Editor’s Note

12

& Development 10 Health How does the Early Intervention Program work?

Matters Deafness and Inclusion 6 Family 12 Children with learning Deaf and hard of hearing children disabilities need help getting help.

find acceptance in schools. Plus, an interview with Jodi and Randall Walshvelo of Liverpool.

Find the Special Needs Directory Online!

Special Needs Directory

Family Times’ listings for services for children with special needs can be found at http://bit.ly/1jbdpgz Listings are updated year round; to update or add a listing for Onondaga County services for children, send your organization’s details to editorial@familytimes.biz.

In addition, Exceptional Family Resources’ 2013-2014 Resource Manual is available as a PDF at http://bit.ly/1gKgYLI

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Family 18 Atypical Start early mapping an educational path for your student with special needs.

and Tell 20 Show Family Times earns three national awards.

26 Family Fun

Calendar Events

Advertiser Index Party..................................... 8-9 Learn...................................... 17 Camp Directory.................22-25 Practice....................................26 Backpack Directory............... 34 Family Times April 2014

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family times

editor’s note

The Parenting

Guide of Central New York

APRIL 2014

Signs of Progress

ISSUE NO. 144

PUBLISHER/OWNER Bill Brod EDITOR IN CHIEF Reid Sullivan editorial@familytimes.biz VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Michelle Bowers (Ext. 114)

I

n this month’s issue, Family Times focuses on Central New York families with a deaf or hard of hearing child. Writer Aaron Gifford interviewed several parents and others to find out how deaf children are faring in local schools (page 12). In addition, he talked to Randall and Jodi Walshvelo of Liverpool, deaf parents raising one hearing and one deaf son (page 15).

This sixth annual special needs issue also includes an article that explains the Early Intervention Program (EIP) for children age 3 and younger (page 10); a column on helping a school-age child with a suspected learning disability (page 6); and a piece about planning your child’s educational future (page 18).

Some news: For the previous three years, April marked the beginning of voting for the Family Times Besties, the readers’ picks awards for family-friendly places and services in Central New York. Starting this year, Besties will become part of the Syracuse New Times Best of Syracuse Awards. Best of Syracuse is an established tradition that will acquire a family-friendly section. Winners of the family-friendly BOS awards will appear in both the Syracuse New Times and Family Times in the fall. Starting in the late summer, look in the pages of Family Times and the Syracuse New Times for information about voting for all of your favorite people, places and things in Central New York.

Finally, we want to invite you to the 10th annual Family Times Summer Fun and Camp Fair on Saturday, April 5, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the State Fairgrounds. There you’ll find exhibitors ready to answer your questions about summer camps and programs, as well as information about amusement and daytrip destinations.

We hope to see you there!

Reid Sullivan Editor in chief On the cover: Mary Fiello, age 7, of Baldwinsville, is this month’s cover kid.

Inside: Mary sits with her mother, Jennifer. For this month’s feature story on deafness and educational inclusion, check out the story on page 12.

MANAGING EDITOR Bill DeLapp PHOTOGRAPHER Michael Davis OFFICE COORDINATOR/CIRCULATION MANAGER Christine Scheuerman DESIGNERS Meaghan Arbital Natalie Davis Caitlin O’Donnell DIGITAL MEDIA MANAGER Ty Marshal (ext. 144) CONTRIBUTORS Deborah Cavanagh,Tammy DiDomenico, Eileen Gilligan, Emma Kress, Linda Lowen, Cary Rector,Tonja Rector, Maggie Lamond Simone, Laura Livingston Snyder, Chris Xaver ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Gina Fortino (ext. 115) GinaFortino@syracusenewtimes.com Lesli Mitchell (ext. 140) LMitchell@syracusenewtimes.com Joseph Monkofsky (ext. 112) Jmonkofsky@syracusenewtimes.com Lija Spoor (ext. 111) LijaSpoor@syracusenewtimes.com Holly Timian (ext. 139) Htimian@syracusenewtimes.com COMPTROLLER Deana Vigliotti (ext. 118) CLASSIFIED SALES Lija Spoor (ext. 111)

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Advertising deadline for May is April 17. Calendar deadline for May is April 4.

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The excitement begins

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family matters

PHOTO © FUSE/THINKSTOCK

B Y C A RY A N D TO N J A R E C TO R

Something Wrong at School?

Help your child address learning difficulties

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s the reading aloud portion of instruction begins, David squirms in his seat and talks to his neighbor.

When the teacher asks him to read from the assignment, he calls the teacher a name and gets sent to the principal’s office.

School is the No. 1 activity of children.

When a child begins to experience behavioral or academic problems at school (many times they go hand in hand) it quickly becomes a concern for parents.

In our practice, we see many children having all kinds of school difficulties. As we begin to evaluate and understand the possible causes of a child’s difficulty, we operate under several basic assumptions.

First, children want to do well. They want to be successful and feel competent.

Second, children are born with natural curiosity and an intrinsic desire to learn.

Anyone observing a toddler can see how he or she is constantly exploring the world— tasting, touching, listening, imitating, and pushing to master new skills. Third, we do not believe in “lazy” but rather see a discouraged child or a student who cannot predict a positive outcome to a learning 6

situation. As in our initial example, David would much rather be labeled as having a behavior problem than be humiliated because of his poor reading skills. Part of our evaluation is to try and figure out what is causing a child’s difficulty.

Parents are a child’s first and best teachers. It is a parent who is often the first to notice something does not feel or seem right when it comes to a child’s learning.

We operate under the assumption that no one knows a child better than a parent.

Parents might not be able to name that problem, but if they feel there is a problem, they are probably right.

If your child is experiencing difficulties in school, an important first step is to gather information. Early intervention is important, so don’t hesitate if you suspect a problem.

Talk with your child. Try to understand what he is going through. This would include likes, dislikes, frustrations and your observations of your child in certain situations like doing homework or struggling with a particular subject area.

Talk to the teachers. Teachers can offer valuable information. They spend a lot of time with your child, and experienced teachers have developed “internalized norms” of what are or are not problematic behaviors. Meet with the teacher to discuss concerns and review records and test results. The common goal is to look for the underlying cause of the difficulty.

Rule out any physical factors that might be contributing to a child’s difficulties. You may need to schedule a visit with your child’s primary care provider.

Seek to schedule a psycho-educational evaluation. This may be the next step in trying to determine the cause of a child’s learning difficulty. A series of tests (paper and pencil) both psychological and educational are included. The school psychologist administers the tests and works with your child’s teachers and other school professionals.

This school team approach includes a review of school records and typically classroom observations. It may also include a speech and language evaluation, and a physical therapy or occupational

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therapy evaluation. The schools must provide this at no cost to you.

A parent, however, must make a request for a psycho-educational evaluation in writing to the special education director in the child’s school district. It is important to understand that special education services are intended for students who need specialized instruction and intervention in order to receive an appropriate education. So if your child is already achieving a level comparable to his or her peers, the school may determine a formal special education evaluation is not appropriate.

The psycho-educational evaluation will provide a description of your child’s learning strengths and weaknesses. It can also identify and diagnose specific learning problems. The result of this evaluation is what the school uses to determine if your child is eligible for special education or related services.

The parents have a right to be part of the evaluation team that decides what information is needed to determine eligibility for services.

If you feel this testing does not provide adequate documentation, you can request an independent education evaluation, typically done by a child and adolescent clinical psychologist. There is a process you must follow with specific requirements to have the school pay the cost, or you can pay privately.

New York state has a set of laws regarding appropriate and formal recommendations; these include specific educational accommodations the school will provide to help your child become successful in school. There are also laws and conditions your child’s learning difficulties must meet to be considered for these services Sometimes students with a disability such as attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) require modifications in their instructional program but do not require, or are not eligible for, special education supports. Such students may be eligible for modifications such as untimed tests, quiet workspaces, etc., under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

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Each school system is required to have procedures for evaluating students for Section 504 accommodations and modifications. As in the case of determining special education needs, a team approach involving parents, teachers and support personnel should be followed in developing plans for students with ADD/ADHD. It is also not uncommon for children with ADD/ADHD to have associated learning difficulties that may meet the criteria for special educational services.

For most parents this process is both confusing and intimidating.

However there are many resources to help you navigate the system in trying to meet your child’s educational needs. At www.nysed. gov you can find all of the state’s laws and regulations, as well as a parent’s guide, “Special Education in NYS for Children ages 3-21.”

Advocates for Children of New York (www.advocatesforchildren. org) also has a parent’s guide. The National Center for Learning Disabilities (www.ncld.org) is another resource. Exceptional Family Resources, located in Syracuse, can be reached at 478-1462, or visit www.contactefr.org.

A parent becomes a child’s best educational advocate. It’s an ongoing process, spanning many years. Understanding the procedures, laws and regulations will assist you to ensure your child has the chance to be successful at school.

Cary and Tonja Rector are married and live with their children in Manlius. Cary is a licensed mental health counselor and Tonja is a licensed marriage and family therapist. Consult your own health care provider before making decisions affecting your family’s well-being. To comment on this article, write to editorial@familytimes.biz.

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health & development

B Y TA M M Y D i D O M E N I C O

What’s Early Intervention?

Young children with disabilities receive services for a good start

E

very child deserves a good start in life. For parents and guardians of children with disabilities, it is particularly important to connect with the services and resources that enable their children to have just that. The New York State Early Intervention Program helps families find the services to foster children’s physical, social, emotional and cognitive development.

Congress created the national Early Intervention program in 1986 under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA. Through state and county agencies, children under age 3 with special needs can be evaluated and connected with services through approved providers.

Amy Pilacky, early intervention program coordinator for Onondaga County, says her staff—which includes two additional supervisors and 11 service coordinators (along with 16 coordinators contracted through other local agencies)—handles referrals in writing from physicians, or by

intervention staff to establish an individualized family service plan, or IFSP. This is a written document outlining what services the child is entitled to, and what goals—or desired outcomes—should be met. This document is specific, describing where and how often the child should receive services and who will provide them. The plan is reviewed after six months, and then evaluated each year. Services can be added, changed or stopped as needs change.

phone from parents. The office receives about 1,300 referrals each year.

Some children are recommended shortly after birth, usually for diagnosed conditions such as hearing impairments, Down syndrome or spina bifida.

These children are generally referred to early intervention services through their physicians. But any county resident under age 3 with a medical, cognitive, communication or developmental delay that has been measured by qualified clinical experts can be evaluated for services. Multidisciplinary evaluations are scheduled for children who demonstrate clear developmental or physical delays.

The list of services that may be included in a child’s IFSP can include: assistive technology, hearing aids, training and counseling for family members, coverage of medical diagnostic procedures, nursing care, nutrition services, occupational and physical therapy, psychological care, coordination of services, social work services, vision assistance, care instruction, health care related to early intervention services, and transportation to and from services.

“If somebody calls and says, ‘I want to see if my child is not on target. . . ’ well, that’s not what we do,” Pilacky says.

Family members can be present for all aspects of the evaluation, and all information collected is confidential.

Parents can accept or reject any of the early intervention office’s recommenda-

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tions. The goal is to get children started in their intervention programs within 45 days of referral which, Pilacky admits, is challenging. Service coordinators are typically juggling at least 35 cases at any one time, and families have their own time demands.

Glenda Criss is a regional coordinator for Parent to Parent of New York State, a support organization. She says the county does a good job of connecting parents and services in Central New York. But the process can be daunting at first.

“Parents often want to know the laws and their rights,” says Criss, responding via email. “They want to learn how the system works.”

For parents, the process means more paperwork and more self-education. “Parents are often also busy learning about their child’s diagnosis,” says Criss. “They want to know what they can do to assist their child and how to access the services that would help.”

Criss says many of the questions she gets are about access. Many variables go into formulating an effective service plan.

Talking with other parents who have used need-specific services is one way to obtain feedback. Criss says all Parent to Parent of New York State employees have a child or

Parents and early intervention staff together write a plan—the individualized family service plan, or IFSP—that outlines services to which a child is entitled and a desired outcome. close family member who has a disability.

“Oftentimes, other parents are able to also help with strategies or connections, which can benefit your child and your family,” she says.

Pilacky says the process of formulating an individual plan is purposefully family-driven. “It’s written in very straightforward terms. We take the goals right from the child’s parents, and that’s what goes into the plan. It’s not technical jargon.”

Criss, mother of two young children— one with special needs—says one of the most important results of a successful collaboration is a solid goal for services.

“As a parent, I felt this was quite difficult,” she says. “I didn’t know what I wanted for my child, other than to have what other ‘typically developing’ children have.”

Pilacky says her office helps parents

develop the skills to advocate for their children later on, when the family no longer has the support of a service coordinator, and services are administered through their local school districts.

“Parents are their children’s first and best teachers,” Pilacky says. “Meeting the families where they’re at is key. And sometimes, that may mean they are just not ready for early intervention yet. And that is a valid choice.”

“At the end of the day, why are we here?

We’re here to help the children and families of Onondaga County,” she says.

For more information, contact the Onondaga County Early Intervention Program at 435-3230 or http://www. ongov.net/health/EI.html. To learn more about the local branch of Parent to Parent of NYS, visit www. parenttoparentnys.org; contact Glenda Criss at gcriss@contactefr.org; or call 478-1462, Ext. 322, or (800) 305-8815.

Award-winning writer Tammy DiDomenico lives in DeWitt with her husband and two sons.

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Mary Viello, age 7, uses hearing devices in both ears after a hearing loss diagnosed when she was 2. She’s in second grade, and she competes in soccer and hip-hop dancing.

OVERCOMING THE SOUND BARRIER GLORIA WRIGHT PHOTOS

Deaf and hard of hearing students find a place in numerous school settings B Y A A RO N G I F F O R D

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fter a full day of school, sports and socializing, Andrew likes to enjoy the silence for a little while. The 12-year-old Central Square resident, who was born deaf in both ears, uses a cochlear implant device that was surgically attached to his brain nine years ago. That has given him the ability to hear others within close proximity.

He has worked hard to develop speech and become proficient at reading lips. He has been in a mainstream classroom since kindergarten, consistently makes the honor roll, and has excelled in lacrosse, says his mother, Mandy Zinger-Gutchess.

GLORIA WRIGHT PHOTOS

“He never considers himself different because of it (hearing loss),” Zinger-Gutchess says. “It is a lot of work on his brain, though. At the end of the day, he’ll take the devices (detachable portions) off, maybe play a video game or watch TV with close captioning. He likes that quiet time.”

Improvements in technology, teaching methods and attitudes have led to huge changes in how students with hearing loss are educated. Today, parents, educators and audiologists say Central New York

After a long, busy school day, Andrew Zinger, 12, likes to take off the detachable portions of his cochlear implants and enjoy a bit of silence. children who are partially or profoundly deaf are allowed the same pathways as typical children without having to deny their true selves. Like Andrew, they, too, get a break from the noise once in a while.

Ann Elliot is an Onondaga Cortland Madison BOCES speech language pathologist based at the Park Hill School in East Syracuse. Since she began her career in the mid-1970s, she has witnessed a sea change in methods of educating children with hearing loss. Four decades ago, teachers, parents and some members of the deaf or “hearing impaired” (now an obsolete and unaccepted term) community discouraged sign language and pushed kids to learn speech instead. Residential schools for the deaf were commonplace.

“Sign language was a subculture,” she says.

Today, there is an emphasis on educating children based on their individual strengths, needs and interests. The total communication model—using any combination of sign language, speech, lip reading, visualization and technology like table computers—is the preferred method, Elliot says.

“The main focus,” she says, “is to get there however we can get there. Minor adjustments result in major gains for every child.”

Elliot mainly works with children from ages 3 to 5. The vast majority of them were diagnosed with hearing loss by age 2 and enrolled in the county-funded Early Intervention Program, which covers some of the costs for hearing aids. It’s extremely important to get the diagnosis, equipment and education plan in place early, Elliot says, because after age 5 the human brain becomes less efficient in developing communication ability if it is not getting input.

Erica Bird, a teacher of the deaf who also works at Park Hill School, says it is important to have young children with hearing loss interact with typical children as well as with children with other special needs in a classroom setting. Teacher aides, occupational therapists and physical therapists are also in the mix.

The typical kids benefit from helping out their peers and developing leadership skills. But, she emphasizes, while the program prepares children with hearing loss for mainstream classrooms, the students and their families can elect to remain in special education programs for as long as they’d like. Some kids prefer to stick with sign language through graduation.

“There’s a strong deaf culture in Syracuse,” Bird says. “Each child is unique and their needs are different. Maybe they have deaf parents and their home situations are different.” continued on page 14 Family Times April 2014

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GLORIA WRIGHT PHOTO

Mary’s Viello’s Baldwinsville elementary school provides “a loving atmosphere, which is a huge help,” says her father, Scott Viello. Scott is sitting with his wife, Jennifer; Mary; and Mary’s little sister, Samantha. continued from page 13 That’s the case with the Walshvelo family of Liverpool. Parents Jodi and Randall were born profoundly deaf. Son Dylan, known as DJ, age 11, is deaf in one ear.

Son Lamar, 9, has full hearing. DJ attends classes in Solvay, where he splits time between special education and mainstream classrooms. Lamar attends Elmcrest Elementary School in Liverpool. Both ski and participate in competitive sports. At home, the family communicates with sign language.

Jodi, who grew up in Minnesota, was mainstreamed through elementary school before attending a residential school for the deaf until graduation. Randall graduated from Altmar-Parish-Williamstown High School in Oswego County before continuing his education at National Technical Institute for the Deaf, an engineering college at Rochester Institute of Technology. While Jodi and Randall embraced the deaf culture at different points in their lives, they fully support today’s total communication model for their children.

“I prefer that DJ learns about the deaf culture as well, because his parents are deaf,” Jodi signs as interpreter Trisha Schwartz translates. “But we also want him to develop speech skills.”

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“Whichever he does, he enjoys,” Randall signs. “Speech is his preference (at school) right now, and that’s OK.” Here’s the typical arrangement for most public school districts: After a hearing loss diagnosis, referrals are made to the early intervention program, as well as preschool programs that help students to prepare to be mainstreamed at kindergarten or later, depending on what the family chooses.

Parents meet with their respective board of education to discuss a learning plan and available resources in the schools. Classrooms have an audio system for which the teacher wears a microphone that interfaces with whatever device the student uses. An aide works with the student in the mainstream classroom as needed, and in some instances the student completes coursework in an individual setting depending on his or her needs.

Districts are expected to follow state guidelines for testing, which may allow the student more time to complete a task or for different test forms or devices to be used. Parents are expected to meet with the teachers monthly.

Elliot, the speech pathologist, cannot recall any instances in her four decades of teaching where a district said there wasn’t

enough money or staff to accommodate a student with hearing loss. And while early intervention covers hearing devices for younger children, other programs fill in the gaps for the older kids. Aurora of CNY Inc., an organization that also serves the blind, provides hearing devices, which can cost upward of $2,000, for children over age 5. Aurora also helps older students with college applications, says Anne Costa, Aurora’s assistant director.

Whole Me Inc. is another non-profit agency that supplements school and county programs. It provides an after-school program where deaf children and adults from various communities come together, says Christine Kovar, program director.

Whole Me also teaches sign language in the home.

“We meet the families where they are,” Kovar says. “If they want their kids to speak, we respect that. But we also encourage the parents to use sign language.

It doesn’t matter if implants, supersonic hearing aids, smart phones or computers are involved. We want to give the kids a full toolbox. Technology is great when it’s working. But when it fails, they need something else.”

Arlene Balestra-Marko, a pediatric audicontinued on page 16

3/20/14 11:44 AM

At Home with the Walshvelos

J

odi and Randall Walshvelo, a deaf couple who live in Liverpool, have one son with severe hearing loss (DJ, age 11) and another with full hearing (Lamar, age 9). Jodi and Randall met at a deaf social event in Chicago and later moved to Central New York. Jodi works as an integrative community specialist at Arise Inc., while Randall is a full-time student at Le Moyne College. He was previously employed as an engineer but is now pursuing a career in special education. Lamar attends school in the Liverpool district, and DJ attends a program in the Solvay district that blends special education with mainstream classrooms. With the help of sign language interpreter Trisha Schwartz, the family recently discussed their experiences of living in two different worlds with a reporter.

Jodi: My mom has deafness in her family. I have a brother who is deaf and two sisters who can hear. We kind of expected it.

Randall: My family is hearing except for me and my sister.

With DJ, we were happy that we’d have that connection. The nurse said, “I’m sorry: Your son has hearing loss.” We said, “We’re not sorry. We’re just happy he’s healthy.”

FT: What were your thoughts when your second child was born with hearing?

Randall: We were delighted that he has 10 fingers and 10 toes.

FT: Talk about your experience in schools Jodi: I was mainstreamed up to sixth grade. It was a small program in a small town in Minnesota. Then my parents decided to put me in a residential school for the deaf. They gave up their jobs to move closer to the school to see me and my brother. I stayed until I graduated. I was on the basketball team. I was a cheerleader. I was involved with political activities. I had a great experience.

Randall: I’m from Williamstown (Oswego County). I grew up in the hearing world. I was one of two deaf kids in school. I went to RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology). That’s when I got involved in the deaf community. I was able to function in both worlds.

FT: Talk about the dynamics of your family. How do (your sons) handle being in two worlds?

Jodi: Sometimes they both sign, sometimes they both talk. They know each other’s speech. There are no rules about how they should communicate with each other in the house. But at the dinner table, we want to be included in the conversation, so no devices.

Randall: We don’t want to impose anything on them in their own communication. We encourage them to sign when they are with us, but we don’t enforce it.

FT: What responsibilities, if any, fall to your sons?

Randall: We don’t depend on them for anything. In a restaurant, even, we usually work it out without them. We feel it is important to be independent. We want them to enjoy their childhood.

—Aaron Gifford

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MICHAEL DAVIS PHOTOS

GLORIA WRIGHT PHOTO

Family Times: What were your thoughts when your first child was born with hearing loss?

DJ, in glasses, is deaf in one ear.

His younger brother, Lamar, has full hearing.

“Sometimes they both sign, sometimes they both talk,” says their mother, Jodi. “We don’t want to impose anything on them in their own communication,” says their father, Randall.

3/20/14 11:45 AM

continued from page 14 ologist, works closely with school districts, county programs and non-profits that serve children with hearing loss. These days, she says, children as young as 3 months old can be fitted with hearing devices. The devices are digital and contain computer chips that reduce noise and are adjusted based on the root of the hearing loss within the ear. By contrast, the old analog devices were essentially microphones that did not have the ability to amplify speech sounds while turning down background noises.

Many hearing devices come with a credit-card sized streamer that allows the device to interface with computers, televisions and phones, she says. In addition, a few area schools have classroom audio systems that work with tablet computers so the words spoken into the teacher’s microphone appear in print.

“I think we’ll see more of that in the future,” Balestra-Marko says. “I also think they (devices) will get smaller, more kid-friendly.”

Families of children with hearing loss say they are thrilled with the available services, technology and support.

Scott and Jennifer Fiello’s daughter, Mary, was not diagnosed with hearing loss until age 2. At that point, the condition was severe, with 90 percent loss in one ear and 75 percent in the other. Fearing that Mary’s hearing would further deteriorate, the Fiellos worked diligently to help her develop language skills as quickly as possible.

Now 7, Mary uses hearing devices in both ears. She performs well in a second-grade class in the Baldwinsville school district and excels at competitive hip-hop dancing. She also plays indoor soccer.

“It (diagnosis) scared the heck out of us, to tell the truth,” Scott Fiello says. A pre-kindergarten program in the North Syracuse School District prepared Mary well for a regular classroom. In Baldwinsville, Mary leaves her mainstream classroom once a day to work on speech.

“It’s a loving atmosphere, which is a huge help,” Scott Fiello says. He and his wife are teachers in the Syracuse City School District and have experience in working with boards of education. At the beginning of this school year, Mary did a PowerPoint presentation for her class on her hearing loss and the devices she uses.

Similarly, the severity of 7-year-old Giovanna’s hearing loss was not known until after her second birthday. By starting preschool at age 3, Giovanna got on the fast track to developing communication skills, says her mother, Nicole Curro.

Giovanna uses hearing devices and can also read lips. Her experience in the Liverpool School District has been challenging yet rewarding, her mother says.

“For her, making friends is a little difficult,” Curro says.

“You have to tap her on the shoulder to get her attention.”

Giovanna completes spelling and math tests one on one with a teacher, and she also gets speech therapy services. But everything else, including physical education class and homework, is the same as her classmates. Her grades are excellent because in the past she enrolled in summer school to keep up with the curriculum.

“This year,” Curro says, “she’s not going to have to go because she’s made so much progress.”

Aaron Gifford is an award-winning writer who lives in Cazenovia with his wife and two children.

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Manlius Pebble Hill School

uncommon

TO THE CORE!

Apply Now! Space is limited. www.mph.net

5300 Jamesville Rd. | DeWitt, NY 13214 | 446-2452 An independent school for grades Pre-K through 12 Financial assistance and merit scholarships available

elmcrest early education center

St. Margaret’s Summer Camp Join us for a summer you will always remember!

Space Is The Place

Open to all Catholic School and Catholic Parish Children

Summer Camp Hours: 9am-3pm 960 Salt Springs Rd., Syracuse, NY 13224

Small Wonders Daycare Infant • Toddler • Preschool • UPK Open 7:30 a.m. — 5:30 p.m. Monday - Friday • NYS certified & experienced teachers • Early literacy curriculum focus • Bright, engaging, integrated setting • Supportive child/teacher ratios • Nurturing and caring environment • Indoor & outdoor motor areas • Breakfast, lunch & afternoon snack • Syracuse City UPK classrooms FREE 8-1 with option for extended daycare www.elmcrest.org • Please contact Gretchen at 446-3220 or by email at Glee@elmcrest.org for enrollment information.

Extended Hours: 7-9am & 3-5:30pm

Weekly Camp Themes Week#1 June 30th “Welcome to My planet” Week #2 July 7th “One Step for Man Kind” Week #3 July 14th “Which Way To Mars” Week #4 July 21st “Where is the Watering Hole” Week #5 July 28th “What kind of Alien are You” Week #6 August 4th “Space Ships and More “ Week #7 August 11th “Off we go Into the Wild Blue Yonder”

Daily Activities include weekly themed activities, sports, out-door games, arts-n-crafts, swimming and more!

Campers will also go on field trips weekly. Breakfast, Lunch and Snack included in price

$35 Per Day • $175 Per Week Field Trips extra $15 Call St. Margaret’s School for more information or to receive your summer camp packet. 455-5791

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atypical family

B Y D E B O R A H C AVA N A G H

Map Your Child’s School Path Graduation options for kids with special needs have changed

S

pring finds families considering new graduation options for kids with special needs.

It’s scary to be thinking about the future—and my daughter’s life as an independent young adult. Amanda was born with Down syndrome and health problems that required intensive medical intervention the first two years of her life. We concentrated on helping her gain weight and stay alive.

Every now and then I would ponder the future. Would she walk and talk?

Could she someday go to school? Might she ever have her own apartment or live with a friend? But those thoughts of the future brought more questions, angst and sleepless nights. Keeping my nose to the grindstone seemed best.

Eventually, though, I had to confront the fact that my daughter, now 16, had achieved many of the goals I’d imagined for her during those sleepless nights of her babyhood. So now my family is looking at the end of high school and the next phase of Amanda’s life. In hopes that I can help other families whose children have special needs, I’m providing information in this column about the new graduation options for students like my daughter.

18

Spring is the season of Committee on Special Education meetings for those who have children with special needs. These meetings consist of teachers, administrators, support staff, parents, advocates and sometimes attorneys discussing plans for the next school year.

This year marks a change in graduation options. While for some graduation from high school seems a distant dream, choices made as early as the end of second grade can have a significant impact.

The New York Board of Regents has eliminated the “IEP (Individualized Education Program) diploma,” a certification typically offered to students with disabilities who had completed their individualized education program but did not fulfill the requirements for a regular high school diploma.

The IEP diploma was recognition of an individual student’s achievement of his or her educational goals. It was not a standards-based diploma and was not recognized in this state as equivalent to a high school diploma. It was not accepted by the military as a diploma and could not be used for college matriculation.

The replacements for the IEP diploma are two newly created credentials: the New York State Career Development and Occupational Studies Commencement credential (CDOS) and the Skills and Achievement Commencement credential (Skills Credential).

The CDOS Credential is meant to be a more meaningful substitute for students to achieve than the IEP diploma. It is recognized by the NYS Board of Regents as a certificate that the student has the knowledge and skills necessary for entry-level employment.

The requirements for a CDOS Credential include that the district has provided opportunities to earn a high school diploma and has allowed the student access to the general education curriculum. The student and his education team have developed and annually reviewed a career plan.

The student has demonstrated achievement of the commencement level CDOS learning standards in the areas of career exploration and development; integrated learning; and universal foundation skills and has completed at least 216 hours of career and technical education coursework or 54 hours’ worth of work-based learning experiences.

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Finally, the student must have at least one completed employability profile that documents the student’s employability skills and experiences; attainment of each of the commencement level CDOS learning standards; and, as appropriate, attainment of technical knowledge and work-related skills, work experiences, performance on industry-based assessments and other work-related and academic achievements.

Certain students with disabilities will be able to graduate with a regular Regents or local diploma. The state designed compensatory safety net and low-pass options for students with IEPs to assist with graduation diploma goals. If the student has completed the required career and technical education coursework he or she can add the CDOS Credential as a supplement to the diploma, giving more information to future employers. Syracuse University Parent Advocacy Center (www.supac.org) offers free parent training and other services to assist with these changes.

Students who are unable to earn a diploma due to their disability may graduate with the CDOS Credential as their only exiting credential, provided they meet the requirements and have attended school for at least 12 years, excluding kindergarten.

The Skills Credential is the option provided for students who have been designated as New York State Alternatively Assessed (NYSAA). The determination for a student to be NYSSA is made at a CSE meeting. This testing route is only available for students who have severe disabilities. There are multiple criteria that now must be met to be eligible.

The Skills Credential may be awarded any time after a student has attended school for at least 12 years, excluding kindergarten, received a substantially equivalent education elsewhere, or at the end of the school year in which a student attains the age of 21.

The credential must be issued together with a summary of the student’s academic achievement and functional performance.

It must include documentation of the student’s achievement against CDOS learning standards, academics and independence as measured by NYSAA, skills, interests and, if appropriate, other accomplishments.

Discontinuation of the IEP diploma has created the need for pointed conversation during CSE meetings for students with special needs at all grade levels. Parents and guardians of students in elementary school need to be aware that choosing NYSSA will limit those students’ graduation possibilities to the Skills and Achievement Commencement Credential.

Celebrating FAMILY

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We provide excellent care for our patients and celebrate their smiles! We know a beautiful, healthy smile boosts self-esteem and confidence. Our patients are always satisfied with the results they receive and know that every visit is going to be comfortable and fun!

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Parents and guardians of students entering middle and high school on Regents or Local Diploma paths need to be aware of guidelines for the compensatory safety net and low-pass options.

Working with special education teachers and school counselors will determine the strategies needed to succeed in graduating with a diploma.

For those students exiting with a CDOS Credential, class choices and work-based learning need to be available and accessed to meet the 216-hour requirement. Students may need help balancing the two and locating job training sites within their district.

Families, students and school staff must have these conversations to ensure they are making informed decisions. Sometimes we do need to lift our heads and look toward the future to bring focus to today.

Deborah Cavanagh lives in Manlius with her husband and two children. She has written for local organizations supporting children and adults with special needs and publishes the blog www.momofmanyneeds.com.

We are conveniently located & would be delighted to have your child as our patient.

Drs. Kristina Hingre, Elizabeth Nguyen, Nick Massa, Celeste Madden and Kathleen Shefner.

475 Irving Ave. Suite 210 • Syracuse, NY • 315-471-2646 • www.mipeds.net Family Times April 2014

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show & tell

Magazine Lands National Awards

F

amily Times won three awards in the annual Parenting Media Association competition, announced at the PMA annual convention in Philadelphia on March 1.

The PMA is the national association that represents regional parenting publications; it has more than 100 members.

Family Times became a member in 2002, when the magazine started publishing, and since then it’s earned a total of 32 awards, including the last three.

Family Times and the Syracuse New Times are owned by publisher Bill Brod.

Meaghan Arbital earned a silver award for Front Cover Illustration, for her July 2013 cover.

The “illustration has a fun throwback appeal,” the judges wrote, and “the thought behind this style of illustration and the logo shows a good sense of teamwork.” Arbital is a graphic designer and illustrator who has worked for Family Times and sister publication the Syracuse New Times since 2007.

In the Personal Essay category, Wendy Loughlin won the gold award for her essay on becoming a working mother, in the August 2013 issue. The judges said the essay “captures the essence of the conflict and provides first-hand advice that many new parents— especially employed mothers—will find useful and encouraging.”

Loughlin, a mother of two, is the director of communications and media relations for the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.

Linda Lowen earned the bronze award in the same category.

The judges said, “This is an entertaining but educational account of one mother’s realization that she needs friends who aren’t chosen on the basis of being the mothers of her child’s friends.” Lowen writes for MSN.com, teaches at the Downtown Writer’s Center and is co-producer and co-host of “Take Care,” a health and wellness radio show on WRVO, and has raised two college-age daughters.

Need advice? Have a question?

Join the conversation!

Check out events, contests, discussions, tips and tricks and more on Facebook

@

The Parenting Guide

of Central New York

facebook.com/FamilyTimes

Summerwood Pediatrics Robert A. Dracker, MD, MHA, MBA, CPI Medical Director

• Caring for children from birth - 22 years of age • Open evenings Mon-Thurs • Open Sat/Sun mornings for sick visits at our Liverpool office • All major insurances accepted • Onsite certified full service laboratory • Only local Certified Medical Home • Home Visits for first time parents

www.summerwoodpediatrics.com

Two Locations:

4811 Buckley Rd., Liverpool, NY 13088 • 457-9966 5700 W. Genesee St. Ste 1, Camillus, NY 13031 • 488-2868 20

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Where Health and Fun Bounce Hand in Hand!

205,440 gue sts Ser ved!

2036 Birthday Part ie s Hosted! & 17 Dif ferent Inflatable s! ... And 4 ye ars later we are going

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‘Like’ our facebook to keep up! )

Visit our website or FB for our weekly posted hours!

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Upstairs in Drivers Village • 315-299-8096 • LIVE2BOUNCE.COM Family Times April 2014

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Summer Fun & Activity Planner

THE WILD ANIMAL PARK

Directory of Exhibitors Adams Eden Camp adamsedencamp.com

Enchanted Forest Water Safari watersafari.com

Live 2 Bounce live2bounce.org

Rothschild Early Education rothschildearlychildhoodcenter.org

Auburn Public Studio auburnpublictheater.org

Fidelis Care New York fideliscare.org

Mad City Money 463-8333

Shoppingtown Mall shoppingtownmall.com

Bascol Ultimate Summer Escape bascol.org

Five Star Urgent Care fivestaruc.com

Mike Carters Cartoon Island 469-2078

Strive Program striveinternational.org

Basic Baby basicbabyshop.com

Flamingo Bowl www.flamingobowl.com

Molly’s Wish mollyswish.org

Sunshine Horses sunshinehorses.org

Bath Fitter www.bathfitter.com

Focal Point FCU focalpointfcu.com

Mystical Acres 559-1319

Syracuse Children’s Chorus, Inc. syracusechildrenschorus.org

HABA Toy Company habausa.com

North Syracuse Early Education Program nscsd.org/main.cfm

Syracuse Kayak cnykayakclub.com

Bernice M. Wright Child Development Laboratory School falk.syr.edu/ChildFamilyStudies/BMW

i9 Sports i9sports.com

Onondoga County Public Library onlib.org

The Ultimate Goal ultimategoalonline.ezleagues.ezfacility.com

Bricks 4 Kidz bricks4kidz.com

Jewish Community Center - Camp Rishon jccsyr.org

Onondaga County Sheriff ’s Dept. ongov.net/sheriff

The Wild Animal Park thewildpark.com

Burdick Drivers Village driversvillage.com

Jumpin Jupiter www.jumpin2jupiter.com

Redhouse Arts Center theredhouse.org

YMCA Camp Y-Owasco www.ycamp.com

Dave & Busters daveandbusters.com

Karate Johns Martial Arts karatejohns.com

Rohe Farms / Summer on the Farm facebook.com/Rohe Farms

YMCA of Greater Syracuse ymcaofgreatersyracuse.org

Berkshire Farm Center berkshirefarm.com

C R EATI VE EN VI RO NMENT

Summer Day Camp Program 2014. Since 1966

- Horses - Full Acre Sports Field - Music led by our own “Mr. Songflower” - Red Cross Swim Lessons taught by certified WSI/Red Cross Instructors - Sports - Nature Study - Lakefront Swim Lessons for Older Campers - Swimming in our own on-site heated in-ground pool

For more Information Call

637- 6071

531 E. Genesee St. Fayetteville, NY 13066 Sheila C. Brittain, Director For children 18 months - 13 years daily lunches & snacks served in our outdoor pavilion C.E.D.S. is accredited by the NYS Education Department and licensed by NYSOCFS Our Summer Day Camp is licensed by Onondaga County.

- State of the art playground - All groups are led by certified teachers - Recreational outdoor activities - Weekly special events - Extended hours & breakfast available - Four supervised, exciting optional overnights throughout the summer for grades one through seven -And much more!

School year program runs from Sept - June for children 18 months through kindergarten

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BFA,CAS MFA,! CAS! BFA, MFA,

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Weeks of July & August Develop your child’s horse riding skills through daily riding and instruction. We provide week-long camps from July through August for children ages 6 and older. Weekly horse topics and fun crafts in our separate classroom built in 2012.

5300 Jamesville Rd. | DeWitt, NY 13214 | 446-2452 An independent school for grades Pre-K through 12 Financial assistance and merit scholarships available

4786 Roberts Rd. canterburystablesny.com Family Times April 2014

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Summer Fun & Activity Planner

Summer Fun Days at

Spring & Summer Karate CampS It’s more than Kicks and Punches!

Your kids will learn and enjoy karate and safety skills, friendship and confidence building activities, crafts, tumbling, exciting games and glow-in-the dark fun too!

Summer Camps for children Ages 6-14 years.

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Discounts for multiple camps and siblings Free T-shirt with sign up

Register online www.karatejohns.com or call 699-1500 for more details.

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Meet Dash the Donkey at our Open House in May!

Additional camps aimed at improving executive functioning skills & relaxation strategies.

For more info, contact Dr. Mettelman at (315) 559-1319. Call now to enroll!

Camps held in July and August

2709 Brennan Rd., Pompey, NY- 8 miles S. of 481 or 6 miles E. of 81

Engage your child during Spring Break with our fun filled model plans. At Bricks 4 kidz®, we tap into a child’s potential by encouraging their curiosity and creativity. Our theme-based project kits also provide an energizing platform that teaches children to learn with LEGO® Bricks using S.T.E.M.-based principles.

LEGO® is a registered trademark of the LEGO® Group of companies which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse these programs.

Creative Learning Corporation common shares are listed on OTCBB under the ticker symbol CLCN. ©2013 Bricks 4 kidz

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Practice

Joan Condlin’s LIVERPOOL School of Dance

Registration begins May 1st

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Early Registration for Summer & Fall!

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July 7 - 11 July 14 - 18 July 21 - 25

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For course information and to register for any of Onondaga Community College’s 2014 summer programs, go to www.sunyocc.edu/community.

Questions? Email lifelong@sunyocc.edu or call 498-6000.

www.lemoyne.edu/summerinstitute (315) 445-4230 Le Moyne College

arts Summer

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North Syracuse Central School District

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We offer top-notch private & group lessons from beginner to advanced Summer Pony Day Camp Showing opportunities at all levels Leasing options are also available 2096 Berwyn Rd Lafayette, NY (315) 677-3643 Cell: 315-256-8252 trilliumstablesinc.com

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Looking for the ideal place for your child to learn and grow?

Bernice M. Wright Child Development Lab School now enrolling children ages 2-5

Openings are now available for Fall 2014 at the Bernice M. Wright Child Development Laboratory School.

Classes are offered 9 a.m.-noon for toddlers and preschoolers. An extended-day program from either 9 a.m.-1 p.m. or 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. is offered for preschoolers, only. Five-, three- and two-day program options are available.

The school is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and licensed by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

Applications are available at falk.syr.edu. Mention this ad when you apply.

For more information, or to schedule a tour of the school, contact: Bernice M. Wright Laboratory School (315) 443-2471 | bmwlab@syr.edu Family Times April 2014

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April 2014

event details, call the sponsoring organization’s phone number or visit the website.

FRIDAY, MARCH 28 Syracuse Crunch. 7 p.m. The American Hockey League team faces the Adirondack Phantoms. War Memorial, 800 S. State St., Syracuse. $16-$20, plus applicable processing fees. 473-4444.

SATURDAY, MARCH 29 CNY Baby Expo. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Information and

services for new and expecting parents, with more than 75 vendors, a car seat check and entertainment including balloon art and face painting. Presented by Basic Baby. Shoppingtown Mall, 3659 Erie Blvd. E., DeWitt.

Free admission. 256-0116.

Syracuse Chiefs Baseball Opening Day, April 3 26

Kidsignment Sale. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Shop for gently

used children’s clothing, toys and gear; sale benefits the Fayetteville Free Library. Across from Rite Aid, Shoppingtown Mall, 3649 Erie Blvd. E., DeWitt. 637-6374.

Sleeping Beauty. 12:30 p.m. The Magic Circle Children’s Theatre presents an original version of the fairy tale, in which children in the audience help the Prince save Sleeping Beauty from her jealous sister’s spell. Children can dress up as fairy tale characters to enhance their fun. Spaghetti Warehouse, 689 N. Clinton St., Syracuse. $5. 449-3823.

Sciencenter Showtime. 2 p.m. Learn where insects live, what they eat and how to recognize them.

Sciencenter, 601 First St., Ithaca. Admission: $8/adults; $7/seniors; $6/ages 3-17; free/under 3. (607) 272-0600.

Syracuse Crunch. 7 p.m. Vs. Binghamton Senators. See March 28 listing.

SUNDAY, MARCH 30 CNY Science and Engineering Fair. 7:45 a.m.-3 p.m. Students in fourth-12th grades conduct research projects and display their results at the event formerly known as the Greater Syracuse Scholastic Science Fair. SRC Arena, Onondaga Community College, 4585 W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse. Free. 425-9068.

Breakfast with the Bunny. 9-10 a.m. & 11 a.m.noon.; also April 5, 6 & 12. Hop on over to the zoo and enjoy a buffet meal with the bunny, plus face painting and more. Rosamond Gifford Zoo, 1 Conservation Place, Syracuse. $16/person (including zoo admission).

Reservations required: 435-8511, Ext. 113.

St. Baldrick’s Day. 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Participants get their heads shaved for donations toward childhood cancer research. Kitty Hoynes Irish Pub & Restaurant, 301 W. Fayette St., Syracuse. Donations. 424-1974.

MICHAEL DAVIS PHOTOS

Please note: Mistakes happen. To confirm

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Calendar Moto-Inventions. 1-2 p.m.; also Sundays in April.

Tinker with recycled materials and electricity to make whirling, moving machines. Sciencenter, 601 First St., Ithaca. Admission: $8/adults; $7/seniors; $6/ages 3-17; free/under 3. (607) 272-0600.

MONDAY, MARCH 31 See Ongoing Events

TUESDAY, APRIL 1 Creation Club. 3:30-5 p.m.; Part 2 on April 15.

Students in grades 6-9 will learn the basic elements and design of video game systems. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. Registration required: 637-6374.

Craftastic Critters. 4:30-5:30 p.m. Kids ages 4-10 can drop in to make a paper mask. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. 637-6374.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2 Read, Sing, Play Storytime. 10 a.m.; also

April 9, 16, 23 & 30. Stories, songs and fingerplays for preschoolers. Paine Branch Library, 113 Nichols Ave., Syracuse. Free. 435-5442.

Creation Club Junior. 4-5:30 p.m.; also April

16. Students will use podcasting, the green screen and video cameras to make a book review. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. Registration required: 637-6374.

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

meeting of mothers and expectant mothers of multiples. Ruby Tuesday, 3220 Erie Blvd. E., DeWitt.

Reserve: 308-0277.

THURSDAY, APRIL 3 Syracuse Chiefs Baseball Opening Day. 2

On Saturday, April 5, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the State Fairgrounds, families can put their summer together in one day. Learn about summer camps and programs as well as day-trip destinations, amusement parks, vacation rentals and many more warm-weather opportunities. Also, watch performances and demonstrations, visit a petting zoo or slide down a 22-foot bounce slide. Admission is free. For more information, call 472-4669.

Family Times Summer Fun and Camp Fair. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Families can learn about summer

camps and programs as well as day-trip destinations, amusement parks, vacation rentals and many more warm-weather opportunities. Visit a petting zoo, slide down a 22-foot bounce slide, or watch demonstrations and entertainment on stage. State Fairgrounds, Geddes.

Free. 472-4669.

Teeny Yogini. 10-10:45 a.m. A family yoga class for

children ages 2 ½ to 6 and a parent or other special adult. Willow Health and Wellness Center, 3090 Belgium Road, Baldwinsville. $15/adult & child; $20/family.

Register: 622-3423.

p.m. Cheer the hometown Minor League Baseball team as they face the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders on the grass field. Alliance Bank Stadium, 1 Tex Simone Drive, Syracuse. $5-$12. Parking: $5. 474-7833.

April 6. See April 4 listing.

From Page to Screen Event. 7 p.m. Dress up

Superheroes Weekend. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; also

in faction clothing and talk about the book and movie Divergent with fellow fans. Barnes & Noble, 3454 Erie Blvd. E., DeWitt. Free. 449-2948.

FRIDAY, APRIL 4

Tigris Shrine Circus. 10 a.m., 2:30 & 7 p.m.; also

Syracuse Crunch. 7 p.m. Vs. Utica Comets. See March 28 listing.

SUNDAY, APRIL 6 Tigris Shrine Circus. 1 & 5 p.m. See April 4

listing.

Spring Fling. 3-5 p.m. Enjoy a magic show, face

Perusing with Pups. 11 a.m.-noon. Kids ages 6-10 can read to a dog from Sunshine Friends in a 10-minute session. Onondaga Free Library, 4840 W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse. Free. Registration required: 492-1727.

The Princess and the Pea. 12:30 p.m. The Mag-

SATURDAY, APRIL 5

ic Circle Children’s Theatre presents an original version of the fairy tale, in which children in the audience help the Queen and her staff test the visitor to the castle to determine if she’s a real princess. Children can dress up as fairy tale characters to enhance their fun. Spaghetti Warehouse, 689 N. Clinton St., Syracuse. $5. 449-3823.

Artisan and Craft Show. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. More

Classical Guitar for Children. 2-3 p.m. Peter

than 50 makers of handcrafts sell their wares. Proceeds help students travel internationally. Elbridge Elementary School, 130 E. Main St., Elbridge. Free admission. 2241120 or 558-3408.

RailRiders. See April 3 listing.

The Pigeon Needs a Bath Storytime. 11

Tigris Shrine Circus. 7 p.m.; also April 5 & 6.

See acrobats, clowns, elephants and more. The show lasts about two and a half hours, including a half-hour intermission. A benefit for Shriners Children’s Hospitals. Coliseum, State Fairgrounds, Geddes. $13-$15.

478-0277. www.TigrisShrineCircus.com.

March 28 listing.

Syracuse Chiefs. 2 p.m. Vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre

Superheroes Weekend. 1-4 p.m. See April 5

a.m. Toddlers and preschoolers will enjoy this storytime with the book by Mo Willems. Barnes & Noble, 3454 Erie Blvd. E., DeWitt. Free. 449-2948.

Syracuse Crunch. 7 p.m. Vs. Albany Devils. See

energy from the sun can power your home. Sciencenter Showtime, with a different topic each week, takes place Saturdays at 2 p.m. Sciencenter, 601 First St., Ithaca.

Admission: $8/adults; $7/seniors; $6/ages 3-17; free/ under 3. (607) 272-0600.

April 6. Meet Marvel Comics superheroes Thor and Iron Man, and join a how-to-draw session with comic book artists. Strong National Museum of Play, 1 Manhattan Square, Rochester. Admission: $13.50/general; free/younger than 2. (585) 263-2700.

Syracuse Chiefs. 2 p.m. Vs. Scranton/Wil-

kes-Barre RailRiders. See April 3 listing.

Sciencenter Showtime. 2 p.m. Explore how

Fletcher will perform and give children a chance to ask questions and try plucking the guitar’s strings. Central Library, Galleries of Syracuse, 447 S. Salina St., Syracuse. Free. 435-1900.

listing.

Syracuse Chiefs. 2 p.m. Vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. See April 3 listing.

painting, crafts and music by Colin Aberdeen and Kambuyu Marimba at this benefit for Jowonio School.

Temple Adath Yeshurun, 450 Kimber Road, Syracuse. $5; free/under 2. 445-4010.

MONDAY, APRIL 7 Spring Storytime Miniseries. 10:15-11 a.m.;

also April 10, 14 & 17. Children ages 2-5 with a caregiver can come in for a puppet show, songs, stories and a craft. (Same program on Thursdays.) Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. Registration required: 457-0310. lpl.org.

Secret Science Club. 3:30-5 p.m.; also April 21. Students in grades 6-9 read a science fiction book and then do related experiments involving science and technology. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. Registration required: 637-6374. continued on page 28

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April 2014 Classical Guitar for Children, April 5

SATURDAY, APRIL 12 Biggest Bake Sale Ever and Easter Basket Sale.

9 a.m.-5 p.m. In addition to sale of baked goods, Easter baskets for children and pets will also be sold to benefit the Humane Association of CNY. Towne Center at Fayetteville, 102 Towne Drive, Fayetteville. 396-8401.

Public Fishing. 9:30-11:30 a.m.; also April 19. Families and individuals can come for a morning of fishing; bait, rods and reels provided. Volunteers are on site to help beginners. (Fishing license not required.) Carpenter’s Book Fish Hatchery, 1672 Route 321, Elbridge. $5/person. Registration required: 689-9367.

Egg Hunt. 10 a.m. Onondaga Free Library holds its egg hunt, with candy and prizes. For age 10 and under. Santaro Memorial Park, Velasko Road, Onondaga. Free. Registration preferred: 492-1727.

Family Train Day. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. See trains on the permanent layout and running in loops on the floor. Also, Thomas and Friends trains. Presented by the Central New York Large-Scale Railway Society. A raffle benefits the Food Bank of CNY, and donations of non-perishable food items are requested. The Commons, Driver’s Village, 5885 E. Circle Drive, Cicero. Free.

451-3199.

Toddlers’ Tango. 11 a.m. Little ones can take part in creative music and dance using props and instruments. Central Library, Galleries of Syracuse, 447 S. Salina St., Syracuse. Free.

435-1900.

Animal ABCs. Noon. A Rosamond Gifford Zoo staffer gives a presentation that features live animal visitors, animal artifacts and other fun; best for birth to age 5, accompanied by an adult.

White Branch Library, 763 Butternut St., Syracuse. Free. 4353519.

June 30 – July 4

July 7 – July 11

July 14 – July 18

July 21 – July 25

continued from page 27

The Princess and the Pea. 12:30 p.m. See April 5 listing.

TUESDAY, APRIL 8

My Son Pinocchio Jr. 1 p.m. See April 11 listing.

Teen MOPS. 4-6 p.m. Young mothers, ages 13-21, with children under 6 enjoy a faith-based program with fun, food and activities while their children are cared for by the childcare program. Liverpool First United Methodist Church, 604 Oswego St., Liverpool. Free. 569-2542.

Sensory Friendly Time. 5:30-7:30 p.m. MOST staffers

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9

28 listing.

I’m a Canada Goose. 1-2:30 p.m. Kids ages 3-5, with an adult, will learn about animals by acting out how they behave.

There will also be a craft and outdoor activities. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. $5/child; $3/vehicle. Reservations required: 638-2519.

Teen Geeks. 6-8 p.m. Kids in grades 7-12 can hang out, play games, eat snacks and create. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. 457-0310. lpl.org.

THURSDAY, APRIL 10 MOMS Club of Syracuse-East. 9:30 a.m. Gathering for local kids and moms. Manlius United Methodist Church, 111 Wesley St., Manlius. Free. 395-5009. http://momsclubofcuseeast. webs.com/.

FRIDAY, APRIL 11 My Son Pinocchio Jr. 7 p.m.; also April 12. See Gepetto,

315.253.6669

www.auburnpublictheater.org

28

the Blue Fairy, Pinocchio and the rest of the cast of kids, ages 5-12, in this Christian School of Performing Arts production.

Lincoln Middle School, 1613 James St., Syracuse. $10. 278-7914.

Syracuse Crunch. 7 p.m. Vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. See March 28 listing.

turn down the noise, turn off the flashing lights and shut off the air compressors so people with sensory issues can enjoy the museum. Museum of Science and Technology (MOST), 500 S. Franklin St., Armory Square, Syracuse. Cost: $5. 425-9068, Ext. 2143.

Syracuse Crunch. 7 p.m. Vs. Toronto Marlies. See March

SUNDAY, APRIL 13 Breakfast with the Bunny. 8 a.m.-noon. Enjoy a pancake breakfast and visit from the Bunny. A benefit for the North Syracuse Family Festival. VFW Post 7290, 105 Maxwell Ave., North Syracuse. $6/adults; $5/seniors; $3/ages 5-12; free/age 4 & under. 458-0375.

Pancake Breakfast and Bake Sale. 9 a.m.-noon.

Pancake breakfast with sausages, hash browns and more; plus door prizes. St. Daniel’s School gym, 3004 Court St., Syracuse.

Breakfast: $6/adults; $5/seniors; $4/ages 6-12; free/under 6.

454-4946.

Chemsations. 2 p.m.; also April 27. High school students

demonstrate chemistry reactions such as disappearing ink and dry ice. Sciencenter, 601 First St., Ithaca. Admission: $8/adults; $7/seniors; $6/ages 3-17; free/under 3. (607) 272-0600.

MONDAY, APRIL 14 PASSOVER BEGINS American Girl. 6 p.m. Explore the time periods of the different American Girls through crafts, games and food. For ages 8-12. Onondaga Free Library, 4840 W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse. Free. Registration required: 492-1727.

Syracuse Chiefs. 6 p.m. Vs. Lehigh Valley IronPigs. See April

3 listing.

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Calendar TUESDAY, APRIL 15 Little Makers. 5:30-6:30 p.m. Read a story about

I’m a Canada Goose, April 9

a topic, then make something based on the book. For ages 5-8. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. Registration required: 637-6374.

Syracuse Chiefs. 6 p.m. Vs. Lehigh Valley IronPigs.

See April 3 listing.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16 Anime Night. 6-8 p.m. Teens in grades 7-12 can watch and discuss anime and take part in related contests and games. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. 457-0310. lpl.org.

Syracuse Chiefs. 6 p.m. Vs. Lehigh Valley IronPigs.

See April 3 listing.

Syracuse Crunch. 7 p.m. Vs. Adirondack Phantoms. See March 28 listing.

THURSDAY, APRIL 17 Terrific Thursdays. 11:30 a.m. In this session of the series for homeschooling families, kids in grades K-12 can learn about the water cycle from Adrienne Canino of Onondaga Earth Corps. Additional children in the group can take part in activities in a separate room. DeWitt Community Library, Shoppingtown Mall (below food court), 3649 Erie Blvd. E., DeWitt. Free.

Registration required (including names and ages of all children attending): 446-3578.

Tinkering Trifecta. 6-8 p.m. Children, teens and adults can use provided supplies and tools to explore, experiment and create. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. 457-0310. lpl.org.

Syracuse Chiefs. 6 p.m. Vs. Lehigh Valley IronPigs.

See April 3 listing.

FRIDAY, APRIL 18 Toddler Dance Party. 10:30 a.m. Kids ages 18 months-5 years old, with caregivers, can dance with their friends. There will be musical instruments, bubbles and more. DeWitt Community Library, Shoppingtown Mall (below food court), 3649 Erie Blvd. E., DeWitt.

Free. 446-3578. continued on page 30

Calendar listings are free!

Send information about your family-friendly event to: Family Times calendar, 1415 W. Genesee St., Syracuse; fax to 422-1721; or email to editorial@familytimes.biz.

Include date and time of event, location with numbered street address and town, price, and phone number for publication. We give priority to low- or no-cost events aimed at parents, kids, or parents accompanied by kids. For consideration, listings are due by April 4 for the May issue.

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April 2014 Museum of Science and Technology (MOST), 500 S. Franklin St., Armory Square, Syracuse. Free. Register by email: jrcafe@tacny.org.

Easter Egg Hunts!

Animal Egg-Stravaganza. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Reptile Max. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Come see Diane the Reptile Lady, her helpers and their creatures. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. Registration required: 457-0310. lpl.org.

Super-Natural Egg-Stravaganza. 10 a.m.-2

Earth Day Celebration. 1-3 p.m. Try sun tea, check out the craft table and visit interactive exhibits that offer information about everyday purchases.

Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. Admission: $3. 638-2519.

Lunch with the Easter Bunny. Noon-2 p.m.

Enjoy a hamburger or hot dog and sides, an Easter goody bag for the kids, and a chance to meet the Easter Bunny. Presented by the Syracuse Parks Department.

American Legion Valley Post No. 1468, 110 Academy St., Syracuse. Free. Reservations required. Call 4734330 or send email to bfarmer@syrgov.net with name, number of tickets, phone number and mailing address.

The Princess and the Pea. 12:30 p.m. See April

5 listing.

Trickster Tales with Vanessa Johnson. 1 p.m. Kids age 4 and up will enjoy this storytime featuring tales from African and African-American traditions.

Onondaga Free Library, 4840 W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse. Free. Registration preferred: 492-1727.

Meet Graphic Novelist Chris Giarrusso.

1-3 p.m. Meet the author and artist of Mini Marvels: The Complete Collection and more. Barnes & Noble, 3454 Erie Blvd. E., DeWitt. Free. 449-2948.

Amazing Library Race for Families. 11 a.m.

Family teams with 3-5 members complete challenges, vying for prizes for first place and best team name.

Paine Branch Library, 113 Nichols Ave., Syracuse. Free.

Registration required: 435-5442.

Syracuse Chiefs. 6 p.m. Vs. Rochester Red Wings.

See April 3 listing.

SATURDAY, APRIL 19 Junior Café Scientifique. 9:30-11 a.m. The Technology Alliance of Central New York presents a talk called “The Snowball Earth,” about how the earth nearly froze solid twice, how it warmed up, and how life survived. The talk is geared toward middle school students, who must be accompanied by an adult.

Attendees can visit the exhibits after the presentation.

EARTH DAY

Animals receive egg and egg-shaped items to enjoy.

Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park, 1 Conservation Place, Syracuse. Admission: $8/adults; $5/senior citizens; $4/children; free/age 2 and younger. 435-8511. p.m. Children up to age 10 can hunt for eggs with natural spots and camouflage colors, then stay to learn the amazing science of eggs. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. $4/child; $3/ vehicle. Registration required: 638-2519.

continued from page 29

TUESDAY, APRIL 22

Syracuse Chiefs. 2 p.m. Vs. Rochester Red Wings.

See April 3 listing.

Nova Making Stuff. 1-2 p.m. Kids age 5 and up

can make hand-powered fans out of paper and then experiment with different materials and designs to maximize their fans’ effectiveness. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. Registration required: 637-6374.

Earth Day Party. 2 p.m. Kids ages 6-16 can decorate a planter and plant a seed, and assemble a “dirt cake” to take home or eat right away. DeWitt Community Library, Shoppingtown Mall (below food court), 3649 Erie Blvd. E., DeWitt. Free. Registration required: 446-3578.

Mama Pajama’s Earth Day Show. 6:30 p.m.

Children age 3 and up will enjoy this musical story show that celebrates the earth. Wearing pajamas is encouraged. Onondaga Free Library, 4840 W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse. Free. Registration preferred: 4921727.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23 Magic Show. 2 p.m. Ray Cerio, The Wizard of Ahs,

SUNDAY, APRIL 20 EASTER Syracuse Chiefs. 2 p.m. Vs. Rochester Red Wings.

See April 3 listing.

MONDAY, APRIL 21 Syracuse Chiefs. Noon. Vs. Rochester Red Wings.

See April 3 listing.

Life-Sized Candy Land. 2 p.m. In this game for

all ages, the children’s room is the game board and participants are the pieces. DeWitt Community Library, Shoppingtown Mall (below food court), 3649 Erie Blvd.

E., DeWitt. Free. 446-3578.

performs. Central Library, Galleries of Syracuse, 447 S. Salina St., Syracuse. Free. 435-1900.

Candy Sushi. 2 p.m. Kids age 9 and up can make candy sushi that looks like the real thing; materials provided. DeWitt Community Library, Shoppingtown Mall (below food court), 3649 Erie Blvd. E., DeWitt. Free.

Registration required: 446-3578.

Cooking Up Literacy. 2 p.m. Kids ages 5-13 can take part in a session that combines reading, math, cooking and eating. White Branch Library, 763 Butternut St., Syracuse. Free. Registration required: 435-3519.

Birth Basics. 6-7:30 p.m. A fun and informative meeting gives pregnant women a foundation for a great birth experience. Natur-Tyme, 3160 Erie Blvd. E., Syracuse. Free. 395-3643 or 263-8749.

Tune in Wednesday, April, 30, 2014, at 9:15 a.m., for columnist Maggie Simone’s preview of what’s in the next edition of Family Times!

Pediatric Associates, LLP Caring for CNY children for more than 40 years. www.PediatricAssociatesNY.com

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Family Times April 2014

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Calendar Animal Egg-stravaganza, April 19

THURSDAY, APRIL 24 Drop In for Crafts. 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Children from preschoolers to those in grade 6, with a caregiver, can make seasonal crafts with provided materials. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. 457-0310. lpl.org.

Willy Wonka Party. 12:30-2:30 p.m. Kids age 5 and up can enjoy themed crafts, activities, candy and more. DeWitt Community Library, Shoppingtown Mall (below food court), 3649 Erie Blvd. E., DeWitt. Free. Registration required: 446-3578.

Nova Making Stuff. 1-2 p.m. Kids age 5 and up can make a single “eagle toe” out

of various materials and test its motion control and strength. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. Registration required: 637-6374.

Photo Editing for Tweens. 4-5 p.m. Kids ages 9-12 can bring a photo on a flash drive and learn to edit it using Pixlr, an online photo app. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. Registration required: 457-0310. lpl.org.

FRIDAY, APRIL 25 Lego Ninjago Party. 2 p.m. Kids age 6 and up can take part in a program with

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

SATURDAY, APRIL 26 The Very Hungry Caterpillar Celebration. 11 a.m. Commemorate the 45th anniversary of Eric Carle’s story with a reading and hands-on activity. Barnes & Noble, 3454 Erie Blvd. E., DeWitt. Free. Registration required: 449-2948.

The Princess and the Pea. 12:30 p.m. See April 5 listing.

SUNDAY, APRIL 27 See Ongoing Events

MONDAY, APRIL 28 See Ongoing Events

TUESDAY, APRIL 29 See Ongoing Events

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30 I’m a Barred Owl. 1-2:30 p.m. Kids ages 3-5, with an adult, will learn about animals by acting out how they behave. There will also be a craft and outdoor activities.

Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. $5/child; $3/vehicle.

Reservations required: 638-2519.

Real Moms of Syracuse. 1-3 p.m. A Syracuse Healthy Start meeting for pregnant

women, new moms, babies and toddlers. Southwest Community Center, 401 South Ave., Syracuse. Free. 424-0009, Ext. 106. continued on page 32

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April 2014 continued from page 31

THURSDAY, MAY 1 Dinner, Auction and Game Show. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Prevention Network’s annual fundraiser benefits the organization’s programs. Traditions at the Links, 5900 N. Burdick St., East Syracuse. $100/person. Reserve: 471-1359. PreventionNetworkCNY.org.

Baltimore Woods Nature Center. Hiking trails and parking are free and open every day from dawn to dusk. Interpretive Center open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed Sundays. Snowshoe rental: $5/day. 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus. 673-1350.

Petit Branch Library Storytimes. Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. Toddler and preschooler storytime for children ages 18 months-5 years and caregivers.

Includes stories, rhymes, finger plays and songs.

Petit Branch Library, 105 Victoria Place, Syracuse.

435-3636.

Barnes & Noble Storytimes. Thursdays, 10

Wegmans Playground. Boundless Playground for children (and parents) of all ages and abilities includes accessible swings, slides, bridge and more, including special section just for the tiniest tykes.

Onondaga Lake Park, Route 370, Liverpool. Free.

451-PARK.

Syracuse Chiefs. 7 p.m. Vs. Toledo Mud Hens. See

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

FRIDAY, MAY 2

Maxwell Library Storytimes. Storytimes

April 3 listing.

Syracuse Chiefs. 7 p.m. Vs. Toledo Mud Hens. See

and book groups for all ages. Call for dates and times.

Maxwell Memorial Library, 14 Genesee St., Camillus.

Free. 672-3661.

ONGOING EVENTS

Northeast Community Center Library Storytimes. Preschool storytimes with rhymes and

April 3 listing.

KidsArt Exhibit. Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.;

Saturday, noon-3 p.m.; through April 5. Numerous types of media by nearly 300 budding CNY artists displayed. Earlville Opera House, 18 E. Main St., Earlville.

691-3550.

Great Swamp Conservancy Nature Trails.

Daily, dawn to dusk. Visitors can grab their walking shoes (or snowshoes) and explore 4.5 miles of wellgroomed, flat trails. Open year round. Cross-country skis ($4/day) and snowshoes ($3/day) for rent. Trails feature a 900-foot boardwalk, osprey nesting platform, and wetland and grassland restoration areas. The area is a stop for many migratory waterfowl and songbirds; other wildlife include muskrats and beavers. Great Swamp Conservancy, 3.5 miles off I-90, Exit 34, 8375 N. Main St. Canastota. Free. 697-2950.

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

472-6343, Ext. 208.

DeWitt Community Library. Library offers hundreds of free programs for parents and children.

DeWitt Community Library, Shoppingtown Mall (below food court), 3649 Erie Blvd. E., DeWitt. 446-3578.

Fayetteville Free Library Storytimes.

(Excluding holidays.) First Steps: (Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m.) for children who are good walkers.

Fabulous 4s and 5s: (Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.) for preschoolers to get skills to prepare for reading. Terrific 2s and 3s: (Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.) kids can learn letters, sounds and words. Cuddletime: (Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.) for babies not yet walking and an adult. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. 637-6374.

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Weekend Walks With a Naturalist. Saturdays and Sundays, 2 p.m. Nature discovery hike with different topics each weekend. Beaver Lake Nature Center, Route 370, Baldwinsville. Admission: $3 per vehicle. 638-2519.

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

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

479-9073.

Regional Market Farmers’ Market.

Saturdays, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. (year-round); Thursdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (May through November only).

Shop seasonal produce, meat, fish, poultry, eggs, specialty foods and more on display throughout covered sheds; heated shops of Regional Market Commons feature gift and unique items including jewelry, paintings and home decor. Also, flea market, Sundays, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. 2100 Park St., Syracuse.

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Calendar MUSEUMS Corning Museum of Glass. 1 Corning Glass

Center, Corning. Daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. $14/adults; free/age 19 and under. (607) 937-5371. Ongoing: You Design It, We Make It: Glassblowers choose from among designs submitted by young visitors and create that work on the spot.

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

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

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

International Mask and Puppet Museum.

518 Prospect Ave., Syracuse. Fridays by appointment.

First two Saturdays of the month, 10 a.m.-noon (October-April). 476-0466. Permanent collection includes masks, marionettes, shadow puppets and more.

ONONDAGA COUNTY PARKS PHOTO

H. Lee White Museum and Maritime Center.

W. First St., Oswego. Monday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $7/adult; $3/teen; free/age 12 & under. 342-0480. Exhibits highlight more than 400 years of maritime history.

Vessels on display include: New York State Derrick Boat 8 from the Canal System, schooner Ontario and Eleanor D, the last U.S. commercial fishing vessel to work Lake Ontario.

Public Fishing, April 12 & 19

Museum of Science and Technology (MOST).

500 S. Franklin St., Armory Square, Syracuse. Wednesdays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Museum admission: $10/ adults; $8/seniors and ages 2-11. IMAX admission only: $10/adults; $8/children and senior citizens; (473-IMAX).

Planetarium (only available with museum admission): $2.

425-9068. Through Aug. 17: Dr. Entomo’s Amazing Arthropods, an exhibit of insects. Hands-on science center features the Bristol Omnitheater, Science Playhouse, Earth Science Discovery Cave, Technotown, and Flight and Space Exhibit. Silverman Planetarium shows “Zoo in the Sky,” for kids under age 8, Saturdays, Sundays and school holidays, 11:15 a.m.; “Seasonal Sky” Saturdays, Sundays and school holidays, 3:15 p.m.

Onondaga Historical Association Museum.

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

Just a Click Away!

Proudly serving CNY since 1975 • FREE estimates

Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park. 1 Conserva-

tion Place, Syracuse. Daily, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. $8/adults; $5/ senior citizens; $4/children; free/age 2 and younger. 4358511. Ongoing attractions include Humboldt penguins.

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

10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m. Admission: $8/ adults; $7/seniors; $6/ages 3-17; free/under 3. (607) 2720600. www.sciencenter.org. Inspires people of all ages to discover the excitement of science through exhibits and programs.

Strong National Museum of Play. 1 Manhat-

tan Square, Rochester. Admission: $13.50; free/younger than 2. (585) 263-2700. Permanent exhibits include National Toy Hall of Fame with inductees such as alphabet blocks, Barbie, Crayola crayons, G.I. Joe and the ever-versatile cardboard box. Also, super-sized kids’ market and more; lunch available at Bill Gray’s Skyliner Diner.

Online Parenting Resources Available 24/7 familytimes.biz

• Gutters and Downspouts • 5-Year warranty on workmanship • .032 Gauge Aluminum Gutters • 20 Custom Colors Available • 20-year warranty on Manufacture Finish

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BACK PACK CLASSIFIED DIRECTORY To advertise call 472-4669 and press 2.

May Issue Deadline: April 17, 2014

HEALTH & WELLNESS Abilities Speech Language Therapy, LLC

ACTIVITIES

Private practice. Free phone consultation (315)416-4344, abilitiesslp@gmail.com or visit www.abilitiesspeechlanguage.com

EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

LESSONS

Attend College online

body recognition class

movement. music. instruments. imagination.

We will explore the motions of our bodies with dance. For children 8 mos.-5 yrs old.

Birthday parties available. Call Tamar @ 446-2750 or www.toddlerstango.com

Flag Football, Soccer, Basketball & T-Ball Leagues for Kids 3-14 years old i9sports.com 315-766-2006

AUTOMOTIVE $18/Month Auto

from home: *Medical, *Business, *Criminal Justice, *Hospitality.

Job placement assistance.

Computer available.

Financial aid if qualified. SHEV Authorized.

800-494-3586 www.CenturaOnline.com

Horseback Riding Lessons Bylund Hill Stables Jen Bylund 315-391-7559 www.CazenoviaHorses.com Jen@bylundstables.com

EMPLOYMENT

MUSIC

NOW HIRING!!! $28/HR. Undercover Shoppers Needed To Judge Retail & Dining Establishments. PT/FT. No Experience. If You Can Shop - You Are Qualified!! www.AmericanShopperJobs. com.

EVENTS April 6, 3p-5p $5 /under 2 free Temple Adath* more info: call 445-4010 Benefit for Jowonio School

HOME IMPROVEMENT

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

FOSTER CARE

Carl’s Balloon Creations Balloon twisting for any occasion.

315-469-3149 *** 315-741-9947 cdickhut@yahoo.com

CHILD CARE Mickey’s Daycare

699-7767 ** Mon - Fri / 7am-5pm experienced daycare provider Bear Rd district~lunches & snacks included

COMPUTERS

Change a Child’s Life

Why Pay Rent when you can play for Keeps? Appts. only please: 315-478-7840 contact@signaturemusic.org www.signaturemusic.org

SERVICES

Spring Fling Concert & Fair

Insurance - Instant Quote - Any Credit Type Accepted Get the Best Rates In Your Area. Call (800) 869-8573 Now.

BIRTHDAY PARTIES

!!! Used Music Instruments Sale !!!

Protect Your Family Against Dryer Fires

Become a Foster and/or Adoptive Parent For Information, Call Glove House 315.539.3724

Dryer Vent: Cleaning, Repairs, New Installation, Free-Estimates, Fully Insured!

A Plus+ Property Services **** 430-1121

What’s in our Back Pack Giveaway?

Strawberry Shortcake “Berry Big Help” DVD

*TEK HOW *315-497-7663

Educating the technology challenged Bryant & Stratton trained ***your help for ALL electronic devices***

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4 Winners

To enter: Send all contact information to promotions@familytimes.biz with “DVD” in the subject line.

Entry deadline April 23, 2014

3/20/14 11:52 AM

Shotsor

Are your child's immunizations up to date?

Spots

C

Call your child’s doctor today!

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Fidelis Care is working to keep our members and the community healthy.

Measles and Chickenpox are just two of the diseases that you can prevent by having your child immunized.

Children under the age of 2 don't have all the defenses they need to fight off infection. Immunizations (shots) protect them from dangerous childhood diseases like: • Whooping Cough • Hepatitis • Rotavirus

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Is Your Child Covered? Fidelis Care offers New York State sponsored free or low-cost health insurance coverage for children under 19 through the Child Health Plus program.

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Some children who had employer-based health insurance coverage within the past three months may be subject to a waiting period before they can enroll in Child Health Plus. This will depend on your household income and the reason your children lost employer-based coverage.

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