Staten Island Parent March 2015

MARCH 2015 AwardWinning Parenting Media Association Member

SOLUTIONS FOR EVERYDAY PARENTING

Get The Lowdown On VITAMINS For Kids

DISTRACTED STUDENTS HOW TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE

The Magic Of

STORYTELLING COMMUNION PARTY PLANNING

FOR EVERYONE! DIGITAL CAMP DIRECTORY AVAILABLE AT

www.siparent.com/camps

STARTS ON PAGE 44

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ADVERTISER INDEX PG. 89

TABLE OF CONTENTS MARCH 2015

COVER STORY Summer Camp for Everyone

Parents looking for the right summer camp for their kids will soon discover a variety to choose from. With camps to meet every interest, price range, and schedule, it is easy to see that camping is a beneficial activity for just about everyone! Read on to see some options parents can expect to encounter as they search for the right experience for their little campers.

Read more on page 46

COLUMNS

ARTICLES 26 32 38 42 44 48

Planning for Communion Day The Magic of Storytelling Vision Myths Cleared Up How to Help Distracted Students Get Ready for Camp The Lowdown of Vitamins for Kids

62 The Relationship Between Paint and Mood 64 Shopping Locally

30 Ask the Doctor

by Kevin McDonough, M.D.

36 Good Sports

by Joe LoVerde

40 Life Is Grand!

by Marianna Randazzo

by Carolyn Jabs

siparent.com!

60 Dear Teacher

by Peggy Gisler & Marge Eberts

66 Gigi’s World

S. I. LIVING 16 Community & School News 58 Birth Announcements 68 Family Calendar

SPECIAL SECTION 45 Camp Directory 56 Easter Events & Activities 58 OMG...I’m a Mom!

FAMILY NEEDS

STAFF

85 Birthday Club

It’s In The Cards Party Services Family Classifieds Professional Directory

find all on

54 Growing Up Online

by Gigi & Gina LaGuardia-Schrecker

59 82 84 86

EASTER ACTIVITIES, SPRING EVENTS, BASKET AUCTIONS AND MORE

Party Planning & New !

Photography ne Onli Directories

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Roselle Farina Hecht

DESIGN Michelle Yannaco

PUBLISHERS Roselle Farina Hecht Luciano Rammairone

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS & FINANCES Linda Bellesi

SENIOR EDITOR/ DESIGNER Gerri Friscia

EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Nicole Farina Jeannine Cintron

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Ilene Cohen Janine Mulé Cecilia Saccomagno Jodi Fatto

Join over 14,000 of your friends & neighbors by signing up for S.I. Parent’s Family of Friends Weekly Newsletter. (see the link on siparent.com)

You’ll find up-to-date information, coupons, special offers & more!

S.I. Parent magazine is published 12 times a year. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. The publishers of this magazine do not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or writers.

1200 South Avenue, Suite 202 • SI, NY 10314 Advertising: 718.761.4800 x7139 | Email: info@siparent.com

www.siparent.com

Regi Now ster Sum for m & Sa er ve!

Register Now for Spring Classes!

Sports Center

Newly Expanded 14,000 Sq. Ft Air-Conditioned Facility

2015

Photo by Sal-Mar Studios

At Athletic Edge Sports Center Summer Camp, children ages 4-12 will receive professional instruction in Gymnastics, Dance and Cheer Technique. Other activities will include: arts & crafts, basketball, soccer, football, baseball, hockey & martial arts. Our full time campers will also enjoy special days which include pizza, ice cream, water games and movies. Our camp will be indoors and outdoors (weather permitting). Our staff is full of trained professionals with the goal of teaching your child the sport of their expertise in a safe and fun environment. All employees are safety certified and trained in CPR.

YOU CHO OSE THE SCH ED ULE THA T WOR KS FO R Y OU!

(MON, JULY 6- FRI, AUGUST 14 • 1 to 6 Weeks • 2 to 5 Days a Week • Full Days (9-3) or Half Days (9-12) EXTENDED HOURS AVAILALBLE

20 Off

$

ANY CAMP PROGRAM With early camp registration. One coupon per family. Expires 4/30/15.

SAMPLE DAILY SCHEDULE 9:00-9:35am Morning Stretch • 9:35-10:15am Tumble Track & Vault • 10:15-10:50am Sports 10:50-11:25am Art & Snack • 11:25am-12:00pm Beam & Bars • 12:00-12:35pm Trampoline & Cheer 12:35-1:15pm LUNCH • 1:15-1:50pm Tumbling & Free Plays • 1:50-2:25pm Dance, Boys-Rings & PBars • 2:25-3:00pm Sports Conditioning • 3:00pm Pick-Up

1/2 Off REGISTRATION New students only.

Expires 3/31/15.

10 Nassau Place (Off Arthur Kill Road) 718.608.0100 • www.AthleticEdgeNY.com

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CREATING BEAUTIFUL, HEALTHY SMILES FOR OVER 20 YEARS! SOME IMPORTANT FACTS TO KEEP IN MIND: • Good dental health starts early • To have a healthy smile that's good for life, your child needs teeth & jaws that are properly aligned • By the age of 7, your child has enough permanent teeth for Dr. D'Anna to determine whether a problem exists or is developing dule your Call to sche tary • If early treatment is needed, Dr. D'Anna complimen will be able to achieve results that may & allow us evaluation not be possible once the face & jaws p those elp you kee h to have finished growing y! py & health smiles hap • Putting off a FREE orthodontic evaluation until your child has lost all baby teeth could be a disservice.

t men ts quip n e e l l a rum for inst d and terilize 's s e e n r o a y ever ety saf

MICHAEL D’ANNA, DDS $500 OFF

LUCKY SAVINGS

FULL MOUTH BRACES OR

FULL INVISALIGN TREATMENT

Must be a 2 year case. New patients only, one coupon per family.

Not valid with other offers. Cannot be combined with reduced fee insurance, or gift certificate. Must bring coupon. Expires 3/31/15.

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718.948.4384

www.moveatooth.com 115 Seguine Avenue SI, NY 10309 "LIKE" us on Facebook! facebook.com/Michael D’Anna DDS

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League Play

Open Play

Staten Island's ONLY XTREME Family Entertainment Center BOWLING • ARCADE • BAR SNACK BAR • PRO-SHOP

CLASSIC BIRTHDAY PACKAGE 1 hour of bowling, party attendants, 45 minutes in a private room, 20 arcade tokens per child, shoe rental, pizza with unlimited soda, paper goods, invitations, balloons & Bowling Pin Sport Cup for Birthday Child.

ADULT PARTIES ALSO AVAILABLE Have a fun night out with family, friends or co-workers.

Packages available.

MONDAY NIGHT BOWL-TILL-YOU-DROP 9:30 PM to 12:30 AM $10 per person (minimum 4 people per lane) ALL YOU CAN BOWL!

$2 TUESDAYS from 9:30 PM to 11:00 PM $2 Games (maximum 4 games) $2 Shoes, $2 Slices of Pizza, $2 Tap Beers

DAILY BOWLING SPECIAL– ONLY $25

MERS SUMG E LEANOU W FO

G RMIIN

Monday thru Friday / Noon till 5 PM 1 Hour of Bowling, up to 4 shoe rentals & a pizza pie

SATURDAY & SUNDAY MORNING MADNESS 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM $10 per hour / per Lane

Subject to Lane Availability. Management Reserves All Rights. Rain Days, Holidays & Black Outs may Void All Specials. Mention at Desk upon Check-In.

Gift s icate Certif

WE PUT THE 'FUN' IN FUNDRAISERS & CORPORATE EVENTS

141 East Service Rd (Exit 7 Off West Shore Expwy)

www.showplacebowling.net • (718) 477-BOWL (2695)

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Birt h Par day ties

Find Us On Facebook, Twitter & Instagram

STATEN ISLANDS #1 PRIVATE DAY CAMP SINCE 1995!

OPEN

Marc HOUSE h 12-4p14th Gam m es & En

terta Meet inme nt Enroll Directors & Sta at Pr e-Sea ff son R With FREE ates LUNC H

Private, Air-Conditioned Facility ALL SPORTS AND SWIMMING ARTS & CRAFTS, DANCE, AND MARTIAL ARTS DAILY TRIPS & SPECIAL EVENTS MOVIES, SKATING & BOWLING, BASEBALL GAMES, AMUSEMENT PARKS & MUCH MORE!

Adult supervision, F/T medical staff, CIT programs Sibling Discounts, Free Payment Plans No Registration Fees or Hidden Costs

Kathy & Larry Marantz, Directors

718-761-1492 • 1075 Woodrow Rd

www.rcdaycamp.com Follow Us on Facebook

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NY & Fi C Police re Call fighter s... for s disc pecial oun ts.

ur All ocome s e cakem Kiddi o s fr ake C

Newly Renovated Party Rooms

te Priva oms o VIP Rilable Ava

BIRTHDAY SPECIAL $50 OFF ANY PARTY 10,000 PRIZE TICKETS

AND A FREE PIZZA PIE With minimum 12 paid children. Any package. See all our packages on www.funstationsi.com.

Must present coupon at time of booking.

Save $250

INVITE YOUR DOUBLE WHOLE CLASS! TICKETS ON INCLUDES 24 KIDS AND THE BIRTHDAY CHILD IS FREE!

25 kids, 1 round of Lazer Tag or Virtual Reality Ride, Bumper Cars, Himalaya, Airplane, Mini Twister & Maze, 10 tokens for each child & 50 tokens for the birthday child. Pizza, soda, chips & cake.

Coffee & tea for adults. Add'l kids $27.95 each

FRIDAY'S IN MARCH !

PLUS $5 OFF ALL DAY PASS!

LAZER EXTREME TPAG ARTY

1 hr rid 1 session o es, f la 10 tokens p zer tag, er ch goody bag ild, ice cream s, cak pizza, soda e, & chips.

Per Teen

Free Fun Station T-shirt for birthday child in all packages!

3555 Victory Blvd • 718.370.0077 • VISIT US AT FUNSTATIONSI.COM MARCH 2015

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Pouch Day Camp Owned and operated by Boy Scouts of America

A fun-filled outdoor experience consisting of 120 acres of pristine wilderness in the heart of Staten Island’s Green Belt.

William H. Pouch Scout Camp has miles of hiking trails and a gorgeous 17-acre lake.

Pouch Day Camp is accredited by the Boy Scouts of America and regularly inspected by the NYC Dept. of Health.

Children are supervised by well-trained counselors and accredited program staff.

Boy Scouts of America

William H. Pouch Scout Camp 1465 Manor Road • 212.651.3073 • Marcelle Grant www.PouchCamp.org PROGRAM ACTIVITIES:

Learn About: Science Technology Engineering Mathematics

• Theater Arts • Trains, Planes, Boats & Maps • Swimming • Crafts • Scavenger Hunts • Water Bottle Rockets • Fishing • Nature and Ecology • Field Sports/Olympics • Archery • Hiking • Climbing Wall • Knot Tying • Camp Olympics • Weekly Themed Activities • Friday BBQ MONTHLY TRIPS: • BounceU • S.I. Yankees • Aquarium FOR SCOUTERS: • Artist • Citizenship • Emergency Preparedness • Scientist

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For Grades 2-6 $199 by May 31st $300 after May 31st Call Today!

Mon-Fri 9am-4pm Extended Hours 7am-6pm

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S.I. LIVING

y t i n u m Com & l o o h C s

Bakery Bakery

Children’s s Boutique

important march school Dates: Mar 4 – Registration Day for Catholic High School Students Mar 10 – Catholic School Touring Tuesday Mar 16 – Pre-Kindergarten Registration Begins Mar 23 – Pre-K Information Session at P.S.69 Spring Parent Teacher Conferences: Mar 2 – D75 Evening Parent Teacher Conference Mar 3 – D75 Afternoon Parent Teacher Conference Mar 11 – Middle School Evening Parent Teacher Conference Mar 12 – Middle School Afternoon Parent Teacher Conference Mar 18 – Elementary School Evening Parent Teacher Conference Mar 19 – Elementary School Afternoon Parent Teacher Conference Mar 26 – High School Evening Parent Teacher Conference Mar 27 – High School Afternoon Parent Teacher Conference

Daylight saving time It’s that time of year again to “spring ahead” one hour. Daylight Saving Time begins at 2am on March 8. Not to be confused with “fall back” in autumn, Daylight Saving Time provides some much-needed relief from the dark days of winter when the sun sets before the start of the evening commute. It’s also a pleasant reminder that warm, spring days are on the horizon!

Pre-Kindergarten Admissions Believe it or not, your toddler’s first day of school is not as far away as you might think. If your child was born in 2011, he or she

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k huc g C d o slan oundh ty I n t r tate on G en pre S e ow d! be nc r si is shad we’ve starte d e v E h ng up an h, sed mont t spri s s i m last ge warm s off, ng o t i r y Da yched ather r wea t head e e ve ps he w ar n fe ally st joy th r t i s b a A c ou en in the will f in. So with y lot a e ne ga ryo oors a nshin snow ! e v e u e d s th nk out time iss ey thi g m ll h in spr they’ than t — s less kid

Pet Shop

is eligible to attend pre-kindergarten in September. The pre-k application period begins Monday, March 16 and ends Friday, April 24. Pre-k is free for all families in NYC. You can submit your application online, over the phone or in person. The Department of Education will be holding a Pre-K Admissions Session at 6pm on Monday, March 23, at P.S. 69 (155 Keating Place). For a comprehensive list of Staten Island Early Education Centers offering Pre-K For All programs, as well as the number of seats available in each school, visit siparent.com/prek.

And here’s some good news for those of you looking to enroll your child in a full day prek: the application process is now going to be easier than ever. Chancellor Carmen Fariña recently announced that families will be able to apply to both district schools and NYC Early Childhood Education Centers in one convenient application. The new streamlined process will allow parents to apply to up to twelve different schools on the same application. According to the DOE, the priority structure will remain the same, with preference given to current students of the Early Education Center’s three-year-old program, as well as siblings of students currently enrolled.

Free mental health screenings for Kids The Child Mind Institute’s new research initiative, the Healthy Brain Network, is launching this spring on Staten Island. The Healthy Brain Network offers FREE clinician administered mental and physical health diagnostic evaluations to participants, ages

We accommodate up to 110 guests for parties such as christenings, sweet 16, baby & bridal showers, graduations, communions & more!

Serena’ s

CATERING HALL 192 Ebbitts Street • SI NY 10306 www.serenascateringhall.com• serenascateringhall@aol.com 718.980.0001

More Than A Birthday Center – It's A Magical Experience!

9 THEMED PARTY PACKAGES

Plumkin, Doll & Me, Fashionista, Dragon, Stuffkins, Princess & Knights, Ice Princess, Fairies & Pirates, Spa In our Enchanted Forest with 10,000 flowers, butterfly garden and mushrooms

GLASS SLIPPER PRINCESS MEET & GREET & ROYAL TEA PARTY Sun, April 19 • 10am Includes: Royal Makeover, Tiara, Wand, Princess Necklace, Games, Activities, Tea Party with bagels, fresh fruit & mini pastries on royal china.

Purchase tickets through Eventbrite on our Facebook page. All sales are final.

718.494.6000 • 800.203.4157 3801 Victory Blvd • SI 10314 www.plumkinvillesi.com Follow us on Facebook @ plumkinville of staten island party@plumkinvilleofsi.com

All Packages Include: Invites, crafts, games, food, beverage & cupcakes NO HIDDEN COSTS! MARCH 2015

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S.I. LIVING Community & School News 5-21, along with a consultation to include treatment recommendations and local referrals. All participants will be compensated for their time. Link to their website at siparent.com, or email hbn@childmind.org for more information.

Catholic School Week Celebrations Catholic School students from around Staten Island celebrated the 41st annual Catholic Schools Week with acts of charity, peace, friendship, and gratitude. Here are some highlights: • Students from Our Lady Queen of Peace School honored members of the NYPD on Tuesday, February 4, presenting them with songs, cards, baskets, bouquets, posters and badges. More than 60 parents in the school as well as members of the 122nd precinct and Highway Unit #5 were in attendance at the moving demonstration.

• 250 students from the Sacred Heart School created a chain of hearts and affixed it to the walls around the school on Monday, January 26, in the name of world peace.

• St. Charles School received a special visit from Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis on Friday, January 23, who stopped by to thank the students for their generous donations during the holiday season. The school collected over 1,000 toys with the help of Marine Toys for Tots, which were then distributed to various charities.

• Tuesday, January 27, was declared “Friendship Day” at St. Christopher School, when 55 pre-k students and 20 fifth-grade students bonded over the course an afternoon by crafting friendship quilts to symbolize their newfound friendships with each other.

Go Team!

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Congratulations to the talented Varsity Cheerleading Squad at St. Joseph Hill Academy, first place champions in their division at the 2015 UCA National High School Cheerleading Competition! The big victory took place on Sunday, February 8, at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, and marks the first time a team from Staten

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S.I. LIVING Community & School News Island snagged a first place win in the tournament.

Big Break for Breastfeeding Moms There’s a new benefit to breastfeeding, but it isn’t the nutritional kind. Nursing moms may now include breast pumps and other lactation supplies to their list of taxdeductible items. The IRS has agreed to recognize these as medical devices, allowing women up to $1,000 annually of tax-deductible breastfeeding supplies.

Kohl’s Cares Scholarship Program Just how outstanding are the kids you know? Kohl’s is accepting applications for its annual scholarship program, recognizing kids who have made a positive impact on their community through volunteering. This years program will award over $400,000 to over 2,500 kids between the ages of 6 and 18. Nominations will be accepted until March 13. Head over to siparent.com for a link to the nomination form.

A Decade of Giving at IHOP

Bring your child with an athletic uniform (football, karate, dance gymnastic, etc.) & we'll give you

Free flapjacks all around! To celebrate its 10th Annual National Pancake Day, IHOP is offering a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes to customers all day on Tuesday, March 3. Although the pancakes are free, guests are encouraged to pay it forward by making a donation to a local participating charity. The annual event has helped raise over $16 million for children’s and local charities across the country to date. The Staten Island IHOP is located at 935 Richmond Ave.

The Garibaldi-Meucci Museum C a n n o t b e c o m b in e d w it h o t h e r o f f e r s .

KI D S EAT FR EE SUNDAY & WEDN ESDAY

Ki d s 1 2 & u n d e r wi t h p u rc ha s e o f a d u l t m e a l .

C a n no t b e co m b i n e d w i th o t h e r o f f e r s.

www.southshorebarNgrill.com We er v De l i

Like us on Facebook at South Shore Bar & Grill Follow us on instagram at southshorebarNgrill

225 Ellis St. Tottenvile • 718.227.2258

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2 for Tuesdays Buy 1 item & get the 2nd FREE.* *Equal or lesser price.

Did you know that Staten Island is home to the highest percentage of ItalianAmerican residents in the country? It’s also home to the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum, a local cultural institution whose mission is to preserve and promote understanding of Italian heritage. The museum offers guided tours, Italian language classes, as well as fun and educational school programs for students of all ages. Each program incorporates the culture, history, language, customs and traditions of Italy-- from Pinocchio to Verrazano and everything in between! Educators interested in booking a

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Staten Island Pediatric Dentistry rating 39 Years Celeb ing for Your Childre r a C n of

S.I. LIVING Community & School News field trip should call 718-442-1608 to make a reservation for their school. The GaribaldiMeucci Museum is located at 420 Tomkins Avenue. Visit siparent.com for the link to their website, and check out the S.I. Parent Family Calendar to learn about upcoming museum events.

Free Online Encyclopedia for Kids

Deborah Gries, D.M.D. , M.S. Michelle Flanigan, D.M.D. Board Certified Pediatric Dentist

Sara Skurnick, D.M.D. Orthodontist Specializing in Dentistry and Orthodontics for Children, Adolescents & Patients with Special Needs

Invisalign Available • Digital X-rays

Move over, Wikipedia; there’s a new, free online education resource available, and this one is just for kids. DKFindout! is a bright, colorful, kid-friendly information website which offers content on a wide variety of topics using detailed images, videos, and even quizzes to aid every type of young learner. The site is designed to help children with homework or general questions, and to assist parents and teachers at home or in the classroom. It’s targeted for the 7-11 age group, but can be used by kids as young as 4 years old. Check out www.DKfindout.com or link to it at siparent.com

SIUH Offers Free Career Series Staten Island University Hospital is currently offering a free career series for high school students interested in a possible future in the medical field. The classes will offer insight into various healthcare professions, and allows students the opportunity to learn directly from doctors, nurses, therapists, and technicians.

The program is already underway, with the last session occurring at the end of May. Visit siparent.com for a link to the session schedule, where you can register for individual classes.

Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK EVENING & SATURDAY HOURS AVAILABLE

195 Bridgetown Street (Corner of Richmond Hill Road)

www.sikidsdentist.com sikidsdentist@gmail.com

Tel: 718-761-7316

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Construction on the Ocean Breeze Track and Field Athletic Complex is slated to finish in March, with an opening day set for April.

The $93 million, 135,000-square-foot center, located on Father Capodanno Boulevard, will feature a state-of-the-art hydraulically banked competition track, as well as fitness and cardio rooms and a covered parking lot.

The complex will offer stunning views of the Verrazano Bridge and the Freedom Tower in lower Manhattan. It will serve as premier destination for athletic events, as well a way

Staten Island Family Music 3 Convenient Locations!

North Shore, South Shore & Mid Island

Morning, Afternoon and Weekend Classes

MUSIC TOGETHER® The internationally renowned music and movement enrichment program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, children with special needs and the adults that love them.

NEW: g Amazin oir Kids Ch 7 Ages 4-

WOULD YOUR CHILD BENEFIT FROM A SMALL NURTURING ENVIRONMENT?

Welcoming eds Special Ne Students Small Classes

New Social & Academic Programs Coming Fall 2015

STATEN ISLAND MONTESSORI SCHOOL is the place for you!

PRE-K AND KINDERGARTEN-8TH GRADE 2 & 3 YEAR OLD TODDLER PROGRAM AVAILABLE Edu Progressive Elementary Curriculum Exc cationa Sincellence l Full Academic Program e 19 65 Full Size Gym (including yoga) Science, Cultural Subjects, Computers, Art & Music Fun, Interactive & Educationally Enriched Day Trips

for Call our aT

718-967-2196 • 4240 Amboy Rd (Great Kills) www.simontessorischool.com Licensed by NYC, Chartered by NYS

Check Out Our Spring Class Schedule & REGISTER ONLINE at www.SIFamilyMusic.com 718.207.1128

Classes Starting in April

GARIBALDI-MEUCCI MUSEUM

Staten Islands's Italian-American Historical Landmark

Offering School Programs Including: Pinocchio, Explorers, Pompeii, Immigration, Strega Nona, Carnevale, Meucci vs. Bell Trial, Traditional Art, Sicily During WW II (Special Title 1 Rates), We Also Offer Historical Tours, Italian Language Classes and Private Student Tutoring

Upcoming Special Events: Celebrating Renaissance Paintress: Sofonisba Anguissola Saturday, March 14 • 2pm Sculptor Denny Pizzini in our gallery April 25

Museum Hours: Wed-Sat • 1-5pm.

Special events & school visits scheduled individually.

Works of Artist Wm.J.Castello in our gallery thru April 22

Author: John Anselmo, The Newsstand May 2 • 2pm www.facebook.com/GaribaldiMeucciMuseum www.garibaldimeuccimuseum.org

420 Tompkins Ave • 718-442-1608 MARCH 2015

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imagine

S.I. LIVING

Dea Music & Art School

Community & School News to promote healthier lifestyles for Staten Islanders.

Springtime Basket Auctions

What Your Child Could Accomplish...

We teach in a unique way which challenges the student intellectually and creatively. Skills to be used for life.

After-School Programs Added

OUR PROGRAMS INCLUDE: Music - individual classes in piano, guitar, violin, voice Visual Arts - painting, drawing, sculpture and more Musical Theater - acting, pantomiming, singing with harmonies Music Theory - reading and writing music, prepare for ABRSM exams (extra credit toward college) Guitar Ensembles/Rock Band - performing in band, from Beatles to pop

Its not too early to think about summer.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR 20% OFF EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT.

Interested in getting your child accepted to Mark Twain or LaGuardia High School?

We’ll prepare them to bring out their inner talent and demonstrate their skills in a natural way.

FREE TRIAL CLASS

Sign up today and choose your dates to attend later.

We'll work with your busy summer schedule.

Enhance your child’s summer with art, group and individual music classes.

585 North Gannon Avenue (Willowbrook) 718.370.7733 19 St. Mary’s Avenue (Rosebank) 718.876.5223

www.deamusicandart.com

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Holiday Fair season seems like a distant memory by now, but Spring Basket Auctions are right around the corner! Visit siparent.com for a list of auctions held in Staten Island this spring. Feeling generous?

Be sure to contact the schools in your area if you are interested in donating a basket of your own.

After enrollment in city funded afterschool programs for middle schools reached 121 percent this year, Mayor De Blasio announced that 49 new SONYC (School’s Out NYC) programs will be added to non-public and community charter schools around NYC. Of the 49 schools, three are located in Staten Island, at the Miraj Islamic School, African Refuge Inc., and the Faber Park fieldhouse (run by the City Parks Foundation).

That’s What Friends Are For Fun family-friendly events, exclusive online giveaways, big savings from local merchants, and always up-to-date seasonal happenings are just a few great reasons to become a Family of Friends member! To start receiving the SI Parent weekly newsletter, just go to siparent.com and fill out the form in the upper right box of our home page. You can also sign up directly from our Facebook page by clicking on the “Sign Up” app button. We promise we won’t spam you; we’ll only send you the good stuff!

Here’s What You’ll Find Online...

For loads of more info on the items above, check out SIParent.com’s Community and School News Section (it’s under the SI Living tab) for links: ~NYC Public School Calendar ~UPK Early Education Centers ~Child Mind Institute ~Kohl’s Cares Scholarship ~DKFindout! ~Spring Basket Auctions

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PARTY!

>>>

PLANNING FOR COMMUNION DAY

arm weather and blooming flowers are telltale signs that spring has arrived. Another such sign that spring is upon us is a church brimming with children decked out in their white Communion finery.

W

The First Holy Communion is a significant day in your child’s life. You want their day to be perfect – without being overly stressful on you. This can be done with some planning, organization, and details.

Early Planning - Once Communion dates have been announced, the rush is on for families to secure the necessary venue and services to celebrate such a momentous event.

Communion season shares the party spotlight with many other springtime occasions like graduations, Mother’s Day and WITH JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF ORGANIZATION AND DETAIL, Father’s Day, wedding season, YOU CAN PLAN YOUR WAY TO THE PERFECT DAY FOR YOUR CHILD. Memorial Day, and the end of the Invitations - If you are ordering printed invitations, place the order school year. Add in the year-round celebrations such as birthdays, early enough to allow for possible shipping delays and order a few anniversaries, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, and family reunions and you can see extra for last minute additions to the guest list. Many invitation printing why booking your plans early is important. Staten Island has many websites offer additional coordinating products, so you can carry your great party resources available, so make a list of your favorites and let theme through a personalized banner and thank you cards. You can the planning begin! purchase store bought invitations or you can lessen your carbon footprint by telephoning the guests or sending emailed invitations.

Location - The first step to a successful party starts with determining Just be sure those guests who do not have (or do not check) email the budget you have for the event. From there, decide if the party will don't fall through the cracks. Set the response date to give yourself be held at home or at an outside location. You can do a side-by-side enough time to prepare party favors if you are planning to have them, comparison to determine costs, factoring in what will need to be rented or to give the final count to the party location. Then mail out your or bought such as food, decorations, tables, chairs, or a tent for an atinvitations approximately four to six weeks prior to the Communion home party versus the expense of having it at an outside venue. date, so the guests will have ample time between their receipt and the RSVP date to reserve the date on their social calendar.

Next, choose a date and write out an invitation list. If the party is going to be at an outside location, do your homework. Check local Wardrobe – The perfect Communion dress or suit is out there—you resources (like S.I. Parent magazine!) for venues and special offers. Ask just have to find it. Shop early for the best selection of styles and sizes, friends for recommendations. Call several places and make especially if your child is hard to fit or hard to please. Keep in mind the appointments to visit and speak with the banquet manager. If your time needed to complete alterations in off-the-rack dresses and suits. date is not flexible, make sure it is available before you go to a venue.

This is one aspect of party planning that can’t be done too early with a When speaking with the manager, be clear on what is being included growing child, however. It’s a good idea to book the fitting and get it in writing. Ask about any extra expenses or charges, such as appointment early, but choose a date not more than a few weeks tips for the wait staff. If you are having the party at home, you may want before the ceremony. to hire some help so you won’t be overwhelmed. Consider a caterer, servers, and/or a bartender. Whether the party is home or not, decide Photography - There aren’t many occasions which call for your child on entertainment or a DJ. to be so elegantly dressed as his or her First Communion. Therefore, you may want to hire a professional photographer to do portraiture or MARCH 2015 capture candids during the day. Since the spring season is such a www.siparent.com

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popular time for parties, you’ll need to book well in advance so you can secure the photographer of your choice. For a list of great local photographers, visit siparent.com and click on the Directories tab, then scroll down to Photography.

Dessert – Guests often look forward to dessert even more than lunch or dinner.

Consider incorporating colorful, Communionthemed cake pops, specialty cakes, or cupcakes into your dessert menu, then leaving them on display for the duration of the party. Decked-out dessert tables are the newest trend in attractive party décor; partygoers will always appreciate a beautifully arranged dessert table.

Organization - Get a folder, large envelope or small box to keep all party-related paperwork in one place. Make a list of items needed, grouped by stores. One of the best tools in planning a successful party is preparing a timeline. Seeing tasks on a chart or list will help you avoid over-scheduling at the last minute.

Last-minute Details - Don't be afraid to enlist some volunteers to help with last minute errands, like picking up the balloons, flowers, or ice. Once you have all your responses, order or make the party favors.

Keep a few extra on hand for unexpected guests or mishaps. Review seating arrangements. Submit them to the venue, or if the party is at your home, plan out if you need to borrow some chairs or rearrange furniture to make room for seating or for dancing.

Choose the music you want played and make a playlist. Plan a separate area with toys where young children can play safely, or provide a craft to keep them busy.

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Try to accomplish as much of the party preparation as you can by a day or two before the event, so you can concentrate on your child receiving his or her First Communion that day.

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S ArvY D Y N e ic N SU ervention Se s Early Int

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In recognition of National Poison Prevention Week (March 15–21), parents should be aware of accidental poisoning and its extreme dangers. Poisoning is one of the leading causes of death from injuries in the United States, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Over two million poisonings are reported each year and more than 90% of them occur in the home. The majority of non-fatal poisonings occur in children younger than six.

It is always the right time to teach these words to your children: DANGER, WARNING, CAUTION and KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. Be aware that accidental poisoning can happen at any age and not only to small children.

The Most Dangerous Poisons for Children Include: Medicine: Medicine is safe in the right amount for the right person. A child should be told that medicine is to make them feel better. We know it can be a struggle to give medication to a resistant child, but never “trick” a child into taking medicine by calling it “candy.” By lowering a child's fear or respect for a medication, they may ingest it on their own, which may cause a toxic overdose.

Iron pills: Adult-strength iron pills are very dangerous for children to swallow. Children may start vomiting blood or passing bloody stool/diarrhea within the first hour.

Cleaning products: Cleaning products can cause chemical burns that are just as bad as burns from fire. Products that cause chemical burns include drain openers, toilet bowl cleaners, rust removers, and oven cleaners. Note that an extremely dangerous gas forms when mixing bleach and ammonia, called Chloramine gas. It causes upper and lower airway irritation. Window glass cleaners, which are often attractive to young children because of their purple or blue coloring, can cause serious eye and skin irritation.

Nail glue remover and nail primer: Many products used for artificial nails or to remove nail polish can be poisonous. Some nail glue removers have caused cyanide poisoning when swallowed by children. Some nail primers have caused burns to the skin and mouth of children who tried to drink them.

Hydrocarbons: Hydrocarbons is a broad category that includes gasoline, kerosene, lamp oil, motor oil, lighter fluid, furniture polish, and paint thinner.

These liquids are easy to choke on if someone tries to swallow them. If that happens, they can go down the wrong way, into the lungs instead of the stomach. If they get into someone’s lungs, they make it hard to breathe and can also cause lung inflammation. Hydrocarbons are among the leading causes of poisoning death in children.

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Pesticides: Chemicals to kill bugs and other pests must be used carefully to keep from harming humans. Many pesticides can be absorbed through skin.

Some can also enter the body by inhaling the fumes. Additionally, some have the potential to affect the nervous system and can make it difficult to breathe.

Windshield washer solution and antifreeze: Small amounts of windshield washer fluid and antifreeze are poisonous to both humans and pets.

Windshield washer fluid can cause blindness and death if swallowed. Antifreeze can cause kidney failure and death if swallowed.

Alcohol: When children swallow alcohol, they can have seizures, go into a coma, or die. This is true no matter the source of the alcohol. Mouthwash, facial cleaners, and hair tonics can have as much alcohol in them as alcoholic beverages.

Caffeine: Caffeine is a widely-used stimulant and is found in coffee and soda in modest amounts. Energy drinks and energy shots are a popular source of caffeine among young people and may contain larger amounts of caffeine than soda. Pure caffeine powder can be purchased online. While deaths related to caffeine are rare, overdoses are becoming more common. High doses of caffeine can cause nausea, vomiting, nervousness, sweating, tremor, increased heart rate, headache, and seizures.

Know the following guidelines: Ages 1 to 6: Most accidental poisonings happen to this age group while exploring, which turns into shaking, spilling, smelling, tasting, and wiping of hands on skin or clothing.

Ages 5 to 10: Most accidental poisonings occur when children try to clean with household products. Often, they are looking to help mom or dad with the household cleaning.

Ages 8 to 18: Many in this age group are not completely aware of the dangers of poison, and could be huffing or sniffing household products to get high. Parents should talk to their adolescent and teens about inhalants to educate the child about these drugs, so they can avoid them. The drugs themselves can be called "Poppers," or “Whippets.” They are highly addictive and are extremely dangerous. They can be easily found in anyone’s home and include: paint, spray paint, glue, butane gas, propane gas, gasoline, felt tip pen ink, room deodorizers, and whipped cream dispensers.

Keep the Poison Center number, 800-222-1222, on or near your phone. If you suspect a child ingested something poisonous, and/or the child is acting in a strange manner, contact emergency services and take the child to the nearest emergency room. In the case the child may have had contact with poison but is showing no signs, call the poison control or your doctor immediately.

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CREATIVITY

>>>

THE MAGIC OF STORYTELLING

y 6-year-old nephew inquired, “Why do you have a badger skin?"

M

My family, along with a small group of other adults and children, formed a semicircle in the shadowy quiet of a reconstructed Indian encampment earth lodge at a children's nature center. Christine Freeman, an employee, had been guiding us through the lifestyle of the Kanza Indians, showing us how the Plains tribe crafted bows and arrows and used turtle shells for soup bowls and as calendars.

She reached over and picked up the skin. "This is actually a raccoon," she said as she placed it over her shoulder. Sitting down, she ran her hand along the fluffy, circled tail. "If you have time for a story, I'll tell you how the animals worked out night and day," she said. We all leaned in a little closer.

FEW THINGS ARE AS CAPTIVATING FOR A CHILD AS STORYTELLING.

Listening to Freeman recount the myth about the animals, we learned how the Indians taught their children about why days are split into nighttime and daytime hours. Freeman, who is also a mom of two adult sons, knows that when she weaves information into a story, her audience is more likely to listen and retain the information. "Storytelling is ageless. It appeals to everyone," she says. "With children, it's a great way to catch their attention."

Learn through storytelling. Stories put our experiences into perspective, comforting us with the knowledge that we aren't alone in our human experiences. Stories serve to entertain, inspire, teach compassion and other values and stoke admiration and respect for the generations of individuals who came before us. Studies also show storytelling enhances a child's language development, emergent reading and comprehension skills.

"A story is a way to be in connection with our children and be in empathy and sympathy with them without giving advice or laying down the law," says Robin Moore, professional storyteller and author of Creating a Family Storytelling Tradition: Awakening the Hidden Storyteller.

A penny for your thoughts? Nicole Keck, mom of three boys, ages 6, 4 and 2, found storytelling is like a window into her children's minds.

Her sons take turns telling stories before bedtime. "(The stories) may be funny or serious, true or fiction. We like...that it gives us precious insight into what they're thinking about," Keck says. "Knowing what makes

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them tick is an invaluable tool in guiding and supporting them. Besides, they're very witty and it's just great entertainment!"

Expand creativity. Just like imaginative play, stories help children sort through problems and work through issues. "The more stories that kids can relate to others, the more ability they have to use their imagination and to become problem solvers," says Joyce Slater, artistic director for the Kansas City Storytelling Celebration, performing arts teacher, and a Missouri Touring Performer for the Missouri Arts Council.

Research suggests that families who tell stories report higher levels of happiness, closeness and adaptability. "My favorite thing about storytelling has to be showing my kids how fun it is to really embrace one's own creativity and to not be shy about exploring and sharing one's imagination," says Kevin Doyle, a children's book author and father of two, ages 7 and 3. He began telling stories to his daughter when she was just a toddler.

Doyle's children especially desire imaginative, adventurous stories with pretend characters. "Those are my favorite to think up and the kids' favorites to hear. Bedtime is our primary story time. That's the best time to unwind and help everyone relax," he says. As a staff writer for Knowonder.com, an online children's story site, Doyle knows a thing or two about spinning yarns that appeal to kids. But, you don't have to be a professional storyteller to entertain your kids with your tales.

Tell life stories. Kids love to hear about parents' adventures when they were kids. Family stories, in particular, shape a child's understanding of his family's values, a sense of right and wrong and appropriate social behavior both in the family and in the world.

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"One of the stories that kids should always know is the story about their birth," Slater says. "'What was the day like? Who was there?

Why do I have this name?' It becomes a real self-identifying process if you know how you came into being and why somebody chose your name."

Encourage listening. Most of all, storytelling creates space for you to connect with your children. Begin with books. "Find a subject that you like, read the story and then talk about it. It's a great way to open up a conversation with your children," Freeman says. "Listen to each other. Sometimes we don't listen enough. There's nothing wrong with just sitting and talking."

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• Use a puppet or act out a story instead of reading it.

• When your child asks a question, try providing the answer in story form.

• Look through the family photo album together and share stories about the people in the photos.

• Play charades to tell a story.

• Take turns pulling an object out of a box or bag and telling a story about the object.

• Integrate old photos into your home decor of grandparents, interesting relatives or ancestors to spark storytelling opportunities.

• Check out Knowonder.com's The Story Game, www.knowonder.com/storygame, a family storytelling game using collectible cards that promote creativity, literacy, the elements of a story, and family engagement.

Freelance journalist Christa Melnyk Hines thinks it's magical how the question "Can I tell you a story?" turns her two rambunctious sons into captive listeners.

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Vanessa Maldonado-Nardone My 3 year old insists that I tell him about the day he was born almost every night (minus some crucial story details, of course) lol...

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Daiany O'Brien My husband is the best at making up stories and our almost 5 year old seems to have inherited the gift! The LO tells the best stories where he exaggerates everyday things.

Cecilia Capua Saccomagno My 13 year old told me yesterday that likes to go on car rides with me to get my dad so I can tell him stories from my past!

Jeannine Benedicks Cintron My son loves to hear all about how his dad was in Iraq when he was born. That story never gets old.

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GOOD SPORTS

by Joe LoVerde

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Bundle up — It’s Spring!

Ready it not, your children are about to start heading outside to begin their spring sports seasons.

I say ready or not, because the weather in these parts this time of year is not always conducive to playing outdoor sports — and often is even less conducive to watching.

Unless there is snow on the field making it unplayable, or a driving rainstorm, chances are the games will be played. If your son or daughter is playing a spring high school sport, you need to understand that the games need to be completed before the playoffs are scheduled. It’s rarely too cold to play.

And even if the game begins in bearable conditions, temperatures will dip as the sun does, so those last minutes or innings of a game can be pretty tough to take if you’re not prepared.

Even on what seems like the best of days in March, the conditions can turn quickly. It’s a windy month, and many of the Island’s fields are near the shoreline (New Dorp High School, Midland and South Beach parks) or on a hill (Susan Wagner High School, Wagner College, Staten Island Academy).

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So here are some survival tips to help you get through the toughest time for parents of young athletes in the Northeast.

Your vehicle should be stocked with all of your foul-weather gear. When it’s 35 degrees with a howling wind in your face, it’s better to be comfortable than stylish. Having things available and not having to use them is a lot better than shivering while watching your child’s game and not being able to do a thing about it.

Until further notice (and often this means through April, too), keep a heavy coat or at least a jacket with you at all times, and a sweatshirt to wear underneath, along with your winter gloves.

It’s also a good idea to have a blanket, as well as one of those canvas folding chairs. Metal bleacher seats retain the cold so, unless you enjoy sitting on ice, or if the bleachers at your field are made of wood, BYOC (bring your own chair).

Having a towel handy to dry off the wooden bleachers is also advisable.

The sun sets early in the spring and if you’re facing it, you’ll be dealing with glare. Always have your sunglasses or a baseball cap to help block the sun. And, of course, bring an umbrella. Springtime gets its share of rain.

If the weather happens to be nice, it’s a bonus. And you can watch your child play with comfort in knowing that you have whatever you need walkingdistance away in your car.

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Dressing your young athlete during this month is a bit trickier, since he or she needs to be unrestricted while also remaining warm. Think layers.

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A light, long-sleeved or three-quarters T-shirt (like the old baseball undershirts) or mock-turtleneck or Dri-FIT-type of shirt should always be worn underneath a uniform shirt during this time of year for games. And jackets or hoodies, as well as a wool cap, also should be worn to keep your child warm if they’re on the sidelines waiting to go in.

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It’s also a good idea for your son or daughter to wear gloves or mittens to keep their fingers and hands from getting numb and stiff. They can take them off just before going into the game or taking an at-bat.

If it the temperature rises, or if your child warms up while he or she is running, they can always remove the outside layers to make themselves comfortable.

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Being prepared for whatever weather March might bring will make playing more fun for kids and more comfortable and enjoyable for parents.

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Joe LoVerde has been coaching youth sports on Staten Island for nearly 40 years. He’s also a longtime newspaper editor and sportswriter.

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37

VISION MONTH

>>>

VISION MYTHS CLEARED UP

ision can easily be taken for granted, but when a person's sense of sight is compromised, the results can present a number of challenges and affect quality of life in some profound ways.

V

Millions of people rely on corrective lenses to see clearly. The National Eye Institute says more than 150 million Americans use corrective eyewear, spending more than $15 billion annually on contact lenses and glasses.

Those who must rely on glasses and contact lenses may wonder if there was something they could have done to protect their vision.

Myths and misconceptions about vision have prevailed through generations, but many of these myths are to be taken with a grain of salt.

SEPARATE FACT FROM MYTH WHEN CONSIDERING EYE CARE.

Myth: Sitting too close to the television will hurt your eyes.

Fact: Being too close to the screen will not harm your vision. In fact, it could be a coping mechanism for nearsightedness and a symptom of existing vision problems. If you find yourself or your child sitting close to the television, speak with an eye doctor.

Myth: Wearing someone else's glasses will hurt your eyes.

FACT: Wearing someone else's glasses forces your eyes to work harder, which can cause fatigue or headache. But once the glasses are taken off, your eyes will automatically readjust, leaving no permanent damage.

Myth: Reading in dim light will be harmful to your vision.

FACT: Good lighting can prevent eye fatigue and headaches.

However, working in dim light will not harm your eyes.

Myth: Crossing your eyes will make them get stuck like that.

FACT: Telling a joke and crossing your eyes for a few laughs will not result in them getting stuck. They will return to their normal place after you tell your latest knee-slapper.

Myth: Eating carrots improves your vision.

FACT: A healthy diet helps the body maintain its eyes. But eating an abundance of carrots will not give your eyes superpowers. Vitamin A deficiency may lead to poor vision, but eating a lot of the vitamin by way of carrots will not enhance your vision.

Myth: Using corrective lenses will make your eyes dependent on them.

FACT: Eyesight naturally deteriorates as we age. Corrective lenses do not change the physiology of the eye; they just make it easier to see.

Similarly, not wearing glasses if you need them will not make vision deteriorate faster.

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Myth: Foods and medicines will not affect vision.

FACT: Using artificial sweeteners can make your eyes more sensitive to light. Also, certain medicines, like antibiotics, high blood pressure drugs, contraceptives, and diabetic medications, can make the eyes more sensitive to light.

Myth: All eye professionals are medical doctors.

FACT: Only an ophthalmologist is an actual medical doctor with special training to diagnose and treat diseases of the eye. Optometrists and opticians are trained in some aspects of eye care but cannot prescribe medications nor treat diseases of the eye.

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LIFE IS GRAND! Families On The Move of NYC, Inc. Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow...Families On The Move.

Parenting & Anger Management Classes on-going!

Classes available in Staten Island, Bklyn, Queens, & Bronx

by Marianna Randazzo

Culture in the Fifth Borough with the Grandchildren One of the grandest things about being a grandparent is an opportunity to share the things we are passionate about with a new audience. When my own children were young, I dragged them through museums, mostly on Mother’s Day or my birthday–occasions when I got to pick the activity.

Although they complained that all the Monets at MOMA looked alike to them, they could identify a French Impressionist piece of art from a mile away.

We exposed the children to music by playing “Name That Tune” in the car to Rolling Stones or Beatles songs to make sure Rock and Roll would not be lost on the next generation. My husband took our kids to sports events, even in diapers. They were exposed to books, nature, and other interests to help develop their curious minds. And now we get to do it all over again!

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This time, we know what works best and can provide input their parents cannot. We have the benefit of interacting on a level that is removed from the day-to-day responsibilities of parents. We are now the family historians and will add a rich sense of family tradition to our grandchild’s life. Also, we will give our young ones positive attitudes towards aging. Something, unfortunately, my generation did not always experience. My own grandmother, dressed in black with her gray hair rolled in a bun under a hairnet, seemed ancient and sedentary at age 70.

So, the best grandparenting activities flow naturally from the interests of both the grandparents and the grandchildren. The good news is that you don’t have to leave Staten Island to find cultural things to do. Many Staten Island grandparents take the kids to local museums, neighborhood theater, and historical landmarks without having to leave the borough!

Visit S.I. Parent online (www.siparent.com/cultural-centers) to see a list of Staten Island Cultural Centers. Check out gems such as Sandy Ground Historical Society, where children will learn about its instrumental role on the Underground Railroad. Also visit The Garibaldi-Meucci Museum, home of the true inventor of the telephone–Antonio Meucci.

Remember, concerts, plays, movies, science centers such as those at the Staten Island Children’s Museum, provide opportunities to be together and to exchange ideas and opinions. A simple ride on the Staten Island Ferry turns fun into education as you are presented with an up-close view of the magnificent Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Read up ahead of time and impress your grandchildren with a few facts and trivia.

Do not underestimate the value of educating our children about recent history. A short distance from the St. George Ferry Terminal stands Postcards, a minimalist marble sculpture stretching 30 feet in the air. This understated memorial to the 9/11 World Trade Center tragedy was erected to honor the lives of the 274 Staten Island victims. Stand directly between the two structures to see across the water to the exact location of the former Twin Towers.

If you only have a short amount of time to spend together, simply going to parks or walking in the neighborhood can be both fun and educational. Bring binoculars on walks; kids love the adventure of seeing nature up close or landscapes in the distance.

Regardless of a child’s age, there are endless ways to have fun with the grandchildren. Every age offers its own challenge, as well as opportunity. It is a lot cheaper to entertain younger children than teens, but keep an open mind and look for various resources to accommodate everyone.

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By Staten Islander Marianna Randazzo, author, educator, and a newly minted grandmother.

MARCH 2015

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EDUCATION

>>>

HOW TO HELP DISTRACTED STUDENTS

s you are headed to this month’s Parent Teacher conferences, take a few moments to prepare for your meeting with the person your child spends his or her days with. Meet first with your child to get a heads-up on any potential problem they may be having in the classroom. Ask if there are any missing homework assignments, any upcoming projects they should currently be working on, or any other issues in the classroom you should be aware of.Take note of how long it takes your child to complete homework assignments so you can discuss with the teacher if they are on target with their time management skills and are not unduly burdened. Are they able to complete the assignments with minimal assistance? This will give the teacher a good measure of how well their students are grasping the lessons and concepts. If your child is struggling, consider their seat PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES ARE A GOOD TIME TO ADDRESS ISSUES LIKE DISTRACTIONS. assignment in the classroom. Are they distracted by certain other students, Kids who have no trouble focusing in the classroom may find it's a traffic near their desk, proximity to windows, use of technology? whole different ballgame when they arrive home to study or do their If your child has difficulty staying focused on tasks, consider the culprit homework. Parents no doubt have their own gadgets around the house, may be overload of technology. Today's students have more gadgets at and such devices as well as television may be too difficult for youngsters their disposal than ever before. As technology like tablets and to ignore. Parents can create a safe haven from distraction by designating smartphones have become more prevalent in the lives of adults, such a room or area of the house for schoolwork, clear of distractions like devices also have become more commonplace in the classroom. Some television, phones, video games, and other gadgets that can compromise kids thrive when teachers utilize technology to enhance lesson plans, a student's focus. Make such areas off limits to cell phones and block social while others may be distracted by access to technology. media websites from computers in such rooms so kids aren't tempted to spend study time chatting with friends online. If a child's study area is not According to the National Institute of Mental Health, attention deficit in a separate room, avoid turning on the television until kids have finished hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is one of the most common childhood their studies. disorders. ADHD can make it difficult for kids to maintain focus in the classroom, and that focus may be enhanced or further compromised by Time to unwind is important, but parents should keep a watchful eye technology that's capable of serving different functions. Kids who use the on just how much time their kids are unwinding. Too much time spent technology to their advantage may find it improves their ability to grasp online or in front of the television can compromise academic lessons, but some kids may be distracted by devices or even other items performance. Establish limits as to how much time kids can spend online, in the classroom that make it difficult for them to absorb lessons. watching television and playing video games, and enforce those limits so kids have time to focus on their academics Many teachers recognize the value of active participation in the classroom, but kids who are struggling to focus may shy away from particConsider playing games designed to improve attention and focus as a ipating because they are worried about embarrassing themselves in front fun way for parents to help their youngsters conquer their concentration of their classmates. Parents and teachers can work with students to issues. For example, the creators behind Lumosity.com collaborated with encourage them to participate, reassuring them that they don't need to researchers from universities around the world in an effort to design be experts on a given subject to contribute to lessons. Even if students' games to improve visual attention in people of various ages and participation is limited to asking questions rather than answering them, backgrounds. Few kids are not enamored with games, and games to encouraging kids to raise their hands and participate in class may help improve focus and attention may help kids without making them feel as them focus more on the lessons being discussed. though they are back in a classroom.

A

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center stage

Little Smarties Learning Center

Classes for children of all ages and adults!

Now enrolling new students at two convenient locations

Where fun and learning go hand in hand

DANCE CO. LTD.

~Two Convenient Locations~ 718.351.6102 347.631.5441 259 Slater Blvd 81 Husson St SI, NY 10305 SI, NY 10305

www.facebook.com/littlesmartiesdc

Photo Credit: DSM Photography

Now accepting ages 8 months–5 years old

• Family Daycare – only 12 children with a minimum of 2 teachers • Babies ages 8 months–24 months with a ratio of 2 children to 1 adult • Highly skilled teachers in early childhood education. CPR and First Aid Certified.

• 3 homemade hot meals + healthy snacks (Most ingredients delivered from Amish Farms) • Outdoor play and field trips • The best comprehensive curriculum After School & for young children Tutoring • Curriculum aligned with for Older Common Core Learning Standards Kids • Program promotes readiness for the available Gifted and Talented Test • Hands-on activities, music, art, sports & more LITTLE SMARTIES LEARNING CENTER

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(Between Chilis and Applebee's on Richmond Ave) Amanda Dalli - Owner/Director (BA in Dance from Hunter College)

T R Y S O M E TH I N G N E W & E X C IT I N G T H IS S U MM E R

Summ r at Segue ine

SEGUINE EQUESTRIAN CENTER invites horse loving children to enjoy an experience that includes all aspects of horsemanship, from riding to daily care.

Daily riding, hands-on lectures about horses, daily grooming lessons, arts and crafts in a beautiful setting.

One week sessions start July 6th on the beautiful grounds of the historic Seguine Mansion.

718.317.1121 for more info Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/seguineequestriancenter MARCH 2015

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Get Ready

! p m a C

for

THE NIGHT BEFORE SUMMER CAMP

By Natasha Wing • www.natashawing.com In this sweetly reassuring story, the first day of summer camp is approaching and one little camper doesn’t know what to expect. For a while everything is hunkydory . . . until rest time rolls around and he gets a bad case of nervous butterflies. But an unlikely friend appears out of the crowd and reassures him that the best cure for the summertime blues is tons of summertime fun!

SUMMER CAMP IS MEANT TO BE A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE IN A CHILD’S LIFE, BUT NOT EVERY KID IS EXCITED ABOUT IT AT FIRST.

•Make sure you have chosen the camp most targeted toward your child’s interests or needs.

•Visit the camp before the first day to familiarize your child with the surroundings.

•Review the camp’s schedule so your child knows what to expect each day.

•Go shopping together for new camp gear and materials in order to build her excitement.

•Share your own camp experiences as a child, if possible.

•Offer words of encouragement when she tells you she is scared or worried about going to camp.

•Praise him for being brave and trying something new, letting him know you are proud of him for stepping outside of his comfort zone.

•Don’t linger at the bus stop or drop-off on the first day; this will only make saying goodbye more difficult for you both.

•Help her make new friends by offering conversation-starters or use role-play to show how easy it can be to meet new people.

•Inform the counselors when you drop him off on the first day that he is feeling very uneasy, so that they can be particularly sensitive to his feelings.

10 TIPS FOR NERVOUS CAMPERS

LABEL IT! NAME BUBBLES

Every camp has a different supply list to fit campers' needs. But the one thing every list has in common is the part where they ask Mom and Dad to label everything! Name Bubbles offers affordable, stylish, personalized, waterproof labels that easily adhere to all of your little camper's gear. Never ruin your child's clothes with a Sharpie again!

Day Camp Lables Pack starts at $27.88. www.NameBubbles.com.

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VISIT OUR CAMP DIRECTORY ONLINE! Click on the “Directories” tab on www.siparent.com then click on “Camps” For Videos, Photos & More Info!

2015 Camp & Summer Program Directory Art Lab, Inc. The School of Fine & Applied Arts in Snug Harbor 1000 Richmond Terrace d on 718.447.8667 • Malissa Priebe See ae 65 pag www.artlabsi.org Boy Scout Pouch Day Camp 1465 Manor Road n 212.651.3073 • Marcelle Grant ad o See ge 14 bsa-gnyc.org/camping a p

Children at Play 40 Merrill Avenue n 718.370.7529 ad o Christine DiStasio, MS, Ed., SAS Seeage 65 p www.childrenatplayeic.org

on Kids ‘N Shape e ad 52 e S e 153 Main Street (Tottenville) pag 718.227.8300 • Paul Guarneri www.kidsnshape.com

Monsignor Farrell Summer Camps 2900 Amboy Road Tony Garofalo / Ed Hynes farrellcamp@gmail.com monsignorfarrellalumni.org/camp15 Next Step Dance Studio Dance & Arts and Crafts Camp 6264 Amboy Road 718.683.8458 • Linda Dolan www.nextstepds.com nextstepdancestudio@yahoo.com

Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation-Camp Oasis Elizaville, NY 646.943.7480 camp@ccfa.org www.ccfa.org/camps

Notre Dame Academy World of Exploration 74-134 Howard Avenue 718. 442.1139 • Kristina D’Agostino www.notredameacademy.org

on

ad Foresight School See ge 60 pa 2221 Richmond Avenue 718.761.6060 • Joyce Horowitz

n Fun Station Day Camp ad o See ge 12 3555 Victory Boulevard pa 718.370.0077 • Chris Mancusi www.funstationdaycamp.com

Greenbelt Summer Day Camp 200 Nevada Avenue 718.667.7475 • Martiza Cuevas www.sigreenbelt.org Harbor Lights Theatre Company “Enter Stage Right” Musical Theatre 718.273.7516 • Tamara Jenkins tamarahltc@gmail.com • www.HLTC.org JCC Lillian Schwartz Day Camp n HKC Campgrounds ad o See ge 35 1131 Manor Road a 718.475.5231 • Glenn Wechsler p http://camp.sijcc.org Kids Connect USA 144 Bloomingdale Road 718-874-6100 or 718-966-4925 Chris Caruso or Piera Santangelo www.kidsconnectusa.com

Staten Island Day Camp 2800 Victory Boulevard (College of SI) 800.301.2267 • Michael Halpern www.statenIslanddaycamp.com

on

ad Mini World Preschool See ge 67 pa 7516 Amboy Road 718.948.9535 • Debra Ercole miniworld2001@aol.com

n College of Staten Island– ad o Summer Camp See ge 68 pa 2800 Victory Boulevard 718.982.2182 • csi.cuny.edu/continue

Ed Hynes Hall of Fame Soccer Camps 2900 Amboy Road 917.386.5063 • Ed Hynes / Jim Welch www.hofsoccer.com

n ad o See ge 9 pa

Staten Island YMCA Outdoor Adventure Day Camp n Pouch Camp 1465 Manor Road ee ad o7 S e g 718.227.3200 • Robert Palmeri pa www.ymcanyc.org/statenisland n Staten Island YMCA ad o See ge 7 Early Childhood/Youth pa Summer Day Camps 651 Broadway • 718.981.4933 3939 Richmond Ave • 718. 227.3200 www.ymcanyc.org/statenisland

Talented and Gifted Camp n at Staten Island Academy ad o See ge 19 715 Todt Hill Road a p 413.429.1323 • Kate Meyer statenislandacademy.org/camp n

ad o The Tanglewood School See ge 73 15 Tanglewood Drive pa n 718.967.2424 • Fay Taranto ad o1 e e 1 d on Richmond County Day Camp S ge ee ae 68 a S p The Village Preschool 1075 Woodrow Road pag 76 St. Alban’s Place 718.761.1492 • Larry & Kathy Marantz 718.967.5809 • Lisbeth Brandefine www.rcdaycamp.com www.villagepreschoolsi.com Richmond Hill Children’s Center n Young People’s Day Camps 501 Richmond Hill Road ad o of NY & NJ 718.494.7422 • Donna M. Bak Seeage 73 p 3465 Victory Blvd (Nansen Park) www.rhccny.com n 718.701.3600 • Keith Glauber ee ad o5 2 S e St. John Villa Academy Summer Camp Cell: 732.768.2279 pag 57 Cleveland Place www.ypdc.com n o 718.447.4150 x156 • Mary Ellen See ad 34 e www.sjva.org pag Wagner College External Programs 1 Campus Road n o d on Seguine Equestrian Center ad 718.390.3221 ee ae 61 See ge 43 S 440 Seguine Avenue pa pag Sharon Guinta/Caitlin Miller 718.317.1121 • Christine Carrieri www.wagner.edu/external d on Silhouette Dance Studio ee ae 51 S g 230 Livingston Avenue pa 718.727.2649 • Sandy Osgood www.silhouettedancestudio.net on Small World Preschool e ad 73 e S e 144 Bloomingdale Road pag 718.356.7795 • Maria Schraidt

Staten Island Academy Day Camp n 715 Todt Hill Road ad o See ge 19 718.303.7845 • Darlene Crowe a p statenislandacademy.org/camp n Staten Island Community Tennis ad o 2800 Victory Boulevard (at CSI) See ge 34 718.982.3355 • Mathew Buxbaum pa sitenniscenter@gmail.com

Xaverian Sports Camps 7100 Shore Road • Brooklyn, NY 11209 718.836.7100 x118 n ad o Eddie Mayrose, Director See ge 27 pa xaverian.org/sportscamps

COVER STORY

Fo r

! e n o y r Eve

Summer camp is a beloved tradition in many families. Many parents of young children fondly recall spending their summers at summer camp, where they made lifelong friends and learned the finer points of roasting marshmallows, competing in three-legged sack races, and weaving lengthy lanyard bracelets.

Parents looking for the right summer camp for their kids will soon discover there are various types of summer camps, each offering youngsters something different. With camps to meet every interest, price range, and schedule, it is easy to see that camping is a beneficial activity for just about everyone! The following are some of the summer camp options parents can expect to encounter as they search for the right experience for their little campers.

Day camp Day camps are not overnight camps, which means kids will return home each night rather than sleep over at camp. Day camps typically offer many of the activities people have come to associate with camps, including crafts, sports and even day-trips to experience local museums or attractions. Many day camps are co-ed, and counselors typically live within the community.

Faith-based camp Faith-based camps offer many of the same activities as more traditional summer camps, but do so while simultaneously

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offering campers the opportunity to celebrate and further explore their religious beliefs. Some faith-based camps may focus heavily on religion, incorporating faith into daily camp activities, while others may be more subtle with regard to integrating religious beliefs and lessons into camp activities.

Sports camps Some summer camps focus on a particular sport, catering to young athletes who want to further develop their athletic talents. Sports camps may feature guest lectures and lessons from notable local athletes and coaches, while some camps may provide instruction from current and/or former professional athletes.

Some sports camps are overnight, while others are day camps.

Special interest camps Some camps focus entirely on one particular activity that will serve the main interest of its campers. Campers will spend the majority of their time on this main activity. Types of special interest camps could include drama, nature, computer/technology, dance, music, art, or science/math.There are many special interest camp options right here in Staten Island.

Special needs camps There are many camps that accommodate children with special needs.

These camps may cater to campers who are blind, deaf, learning disabled, or mentally or physically challenged. Staff at special needs camps typically undergoes extensive training, which helps to calm some of the fears parents may have about leaving their special needs children at camp. Facilities are often built to accommodate the specific needs of these campers.

Questions to Consider in Selecting a Day Camp: • What is a typical day like? Can the children select their activities or do they follow a strict schedule?

• Are parent visits permitted? Can you “drop in” any time or is there a parent visit day?

• What is the ratio of counselors to campers? The American Camp Association guidelines for Day Camps call for a 1:6 ratio for ages 5 and younger; 1:8 for ages 6-8 years; 1:10 for ages 9-14 years; and 1:12 for ages 15-18 years old. There should be a higher ratio of counselors for any challenging activities, such as swimming or horseback riding, as well as for special needs campers.

• What are the qualifications and training requirements for the staff? Are there Counselors in Training (CIT)? You may want to consider a CIT program if your teen is aging out of the camping experience.

• What is included in the camp fee? Is there an extra charge for certain activities, camp shirt, food, lessons, field trips, transportation, extended care?

• Is there a lunch program, or do campers bring their own lunch, drinks, and snacks? Will it be kept in a refrigerator or cooler? Are their food/drink restrictions, such as no soda, or no peanuts?

• Is transportation available, and is it door-to-door?

• Is there a before and/or after care program?

• Is there a pool or other water activities? If there is a pool, is there a lifeguard on duty? Are swimming lessons offered?

• How are discipline issues resolved?

• Is the camp accredited? ACA collaborates with experts from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Red Cross, and other youth-serving agencies to be sure required practices are current and sound.

• What is the camp policy regarding cell phones and other technology items brought to camp?

Start your search for the perfect summer camp at

www.siparent.com/camps MARCH 2015

www.siparent.com

47

STAYING HEALTHY

>>>

THE LOWDOWN ON VITAMINS FOR KIDS

daily multivitamin is a healthy basic for adults and kids alike, right?

Maybe not; the journal Annals of Internal Medicine recently deemed multivitamin and mineral supplements massive money drains that don’t deliver promised health benefits.

A

Though the supplement industry is robust — Americans spend nearly $27 billion on supplements annually — doctors and researchers aren’t sold on the value of vitamins. Per a 2009 study by researchers at the University of California, Davis, most kids and teens who pop a daily pill probably don’t need one because they get adequate nutrition from their diet.

The same study found that kids with nutritional deficiencies are the least likely to take a supplement.

IF YOUR CHILD IS EATING A WELL-BALANCED DIET, A DAILY MULTI-VITAMIN MAYBE UNNECESSARY. This leaves confused parents holding the bag — or, in this case, Then there’s the challenge of finding a kids’ vitamin that’s not full of the bottle of brightly colored chewables. Read on to discover if unwanted additives or worse: A 2008 study by the U.S. Food and Drug nutritional help makes sense for your child.

Administration found significant number of popular children’s vitamins to be contaminated lead. And they may not contain the vitamins or The diet defense doses promised — with independent testing service ConsumerLab Is a multi a must for your kid? Possibly, but maybe not. As it turns out, found labeling errors in 40 percent of the vitamins studied. deciding whether kids need a daily pill isn’t simple, because the answer lies in your child’s food preferences and daily diet, says Kristi King, MPH, Mom Julie Gallagher ran into this problem when she wanted a R.D., L.D., senior clinical dietitian at Texas Children’s Hospital and clinical quality multivitamin for her 4-year-old. “A good diet should cover instructor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine. everything, but I know I don’t prepare a perfect meal every night,” If your child eats a varied diet that includes a few servings of fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat and plenty of whole grains (see sidebar), a multivitamin probably isn’t necessary, she notes.

"We encourage parents to help kids meet their nutritional requirements through food, because the nutrients in food are better absorbed than those in supplements,” King says.

In fact, for kids already downing vitamin-rich foods such as leafy greens, milk, meat and fish on a daily basis, a pill could be overkill, she notes. That’s because certain fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K) are toxic in very high doses.

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Gallagher says. But when she started looking, she found that nearly every kids’ vitamin contained a questionable ingredient: added sugar, artificial dyes (linked to behavior problems in children since the 1970s) or lead.

Is it safe to skip?

With all the questions surrounding supplements, some parents choose to bypass them altogether. But that may be a mistake, too. Picky eaters, exceptionally slow growers, chronically ill children or those who avoid certain food groups due to allergies or preferences may need added vitamins, King says:“It can be very hard on a restrictive diet to get everything kids need for growth.”

In those cases, King recommends a multivitamin and mineral supplement, as opposed to single-vitamin supplementation (with the

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49

exception of vitamin D — see below), because vitamins and minerals must be balanced appropriately to be effective. Too much of a single nutrient can be problematic: An excess of iron may cause abdominal pain, while too much magnesium may lead to diarrhea.

Kids in the restrictive-diet camp may actually need a multi and then some. “For some kids who avoid entire food groups, a multivitamin might not be enough,” says Pirayeh Pedarsani, M.S., R.D., a clinical dietitian at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Multivitamin supplements are designed to complement a typical varied diet, so kids who avoid entire food groups — say, dairy or all animal products — may need a multivitamin plus other supplementation.

For example, dairy avoiders may need additional calcium and vitamin D for healthy bones and teeth, and vegans can benefit from supplemental B-12, a vitamin found mainly in animal foods that’s important for nerve function. Those who avoid grains or gluten might miss out on the magnesium or vitamin E found in whole grains.

Research shows that most Americans are deficient in vitamin D, so the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 400 IU (international units) per day for babies and children via a nutritional supplement.

Vitamin D isn’t readily available in food, so even an immaculate diet won’t provide enough, King says.

Supplement savvy

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What’s a parent to do? If your child won’t drink milk or gets stuck in an “I hate veggies!” phase, or if your family follows a restrictive diet, King says that a daily multi is worth considering. Though food-based nutrition is ideal, she recognizes that it’s not possible or practical for all kids all the time. Multivitamins are probably safe for most children, she notes.

A few simple blood tests can eliminate nutritional guessing games. Your family doctor can easily check levels of nutrients such as D, B12 and iron, and offer customized advice about supplementation, says Kimberly L. Braly, R.D., a pediatric dietitian at Seattle Children’s Hospital.

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Mon-Sat 10am-6pm Credit & Debit Cards Accepted

But deciding whether to supplement is only half the battle; now you have to pick one. All vitamins aren’t created equal, and some manufacturers use cheaper ingredients that don’t absorb well, says Haylie Pomroy, a nutritionist, mom and author of

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Great competitive and non-competitive sports programs including basketball, baseball, soccer and swimming

Science and Health & Wellness Clubs AdvancEd Accredited • Academic Pre-school Full Day Kindergarten Smart Boards in Every Classroom Science Lab • Honors Math Art • Music • Band • Journalism Club Early morning drop off and after school program available

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The Fast Metabolism Diet. Go for one with folate (look for “5-methyltetrahydrofolate” or “L-methylfolate” on the label) instead of synthetic folic acid; methylcobalamin (the bioactive form of B12); and cholecalciferol (the most active form of vitamin D). If a vitamin contains these superstars, Pomroy says, it’s likely high-quality.

JUNE 29–AUGUST 14

Half Day Program 9am–12pm | Extended Hours 8-9am • 12-2pm

What about buzzy supplements such as probiotics and fish oil? While research is still emerging, it’s promising, says King. Probiotics have been linked to reduced colic in breastfed babies, and fish oil may improve cognitive function.

But because recommended dosages haven’t been established for children, be sure to check with your pediatrician before supplementing.

After spending a “ridiculous” amount of time reading labels, Gallagher settled on a natural gummy vitamin. Now the real challenge: finding a safe spot to stash them so Will doesn’t overindulge. “He loves them,” Gallagher says. “He’d eat a whole bottle if he could!”

Age Groups: 3-5 year olds • 6-8 year olds Includes: daily snacks, weekly waterslide, fitness training, sports training, arts & crafts, martial arts & dance

By Malia Jacobson, author and nationally published, award-winning journalist specializing in parenting and health.

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Sibling Discount $50 Off (Per week for each additional sibling)

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Well Rounded If your kiddo downs most of the following foods on most days, a multivitamin might not be necessary.

Check with your pediatrician to be safe.

Whole grains* Ages 2–3 • 3 oz.

Ages 4–8 • 4–5 oz.

Ages 9–13 • 5–6 oz.

Ages 14–18 • 6–7 oz.

Dairy Ages 2–3 • 2 cups Ages 4–8 • 2 cups Ages 9–13 • 3 cups Ages 14–18 • 3 cups

Fruits Ages 2–3 • 1 cup Ages 4–8 • 1–1 1/2 cups Ages 9–13 • 1–1 1/2 cups Ages 14–18 • 1 1/2–2 cups

Meat & beans Ages 2–3 • 2 oz.

Ages 4–8 • 3–4 oz.

Ages 9–13 • 5 oz.

Ages 14–18 • 5–6 oz.

Vegetables Ages 2–3 • 1 cup Ages 4–8 • 1 1/2 cups Ages 9–13 • 2–2 1/2 cups Ages 14–18 • 2 1/2–3 cups

* At least half the grains children consume should be whole grains, such as oatmeal or whole wheat.

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture

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ELTINGVILLE LUTHERAN SCHOOL

michelle giumenta, dds p edia tric den

ry

Small enough to know your child”

• Child friendly atmosphere will make your child’s dental visit a pleasant experience.

ENRICHMENTS INCLUDE: Smartboards, iPads, Laptops, Spanish, Robotics, Band, CYO Sports, Drama Club, Chess Club Pre-School 3 & 4 year old Program 2-5 full or half days available Extended Day Available • Reasonable Rates

SUNDAY, MARCH 15 • 1-3PM 300 Genesee Ave • SI, NY 10312 email: elselc@yahoo.com www.eltingvillelutheranschool.org

©

• Digital radiography • In office sedation

• On staff with Staten Island University Hospital, with Operating room privileges for over 15 years.

OPEN HOUSE

718-356-7811

• Practice is limited to children, young adults and those with special needs.

tist

Most students are accepted to Pre-School 3 Year Old Thru Grade 8 their first FOR OVER 50 YEARS WE HAVE BEEN: choice high “Large enough to serve your child… school

A Caring Christian Environment

Celebrating Over 15 Years Practicing

Call for a Tour

Eltingville Lutheran School admits students of any race, religion, national or ethnic origin.

718-979-6462

www.mgiumentadds.com 2530 AMBOY ROAD Like Us (NEW DORP) On Facebook at Richmond Road & First Street

Richmondtown Soccer Club is growing stronger every year.

Over 400 children, from ages 3 to 14, think it's the place to be to learn the game of Soccer. Richmondtown Soccer is dedicated to teaching kids about the world's most popular game, with an emphasis on good sportsmanship. Boys and girls from Pre-School to High School play with Richmondtown.

" S oc c e r i s a m a g i c a l g a m e . " - D avid Beckh am YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY

“ W h e r e t e ac h i n g and lead in g by exam ple is the ONLY way t o c o a c h t h e g am e ”

Our Youth Development Academy is for children ages 3 & 4 years old. It's a perfect way to introduce your child to the game of soccer and also other children their own age.

Summer Join us on Saturday mornings at Miller Field where Clinics boys and girls learn the sport from the beginning.

Ages 4-8 Call for info

YOUTH TEAM REGISTRATION OPEN

Our youth teams ages 5 - 14 are always looking for new players.

Our experienced licensed coaches make learning the game fun and enjoyable.

Go to www.richmondtownsoccer.com to register your child for a great learning experience • Staten Island Contact - 516-84 SCORE MARCH 2015

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53

ESTABLISHED

2010

Early Learning Center For Ages 2-6 ONGOING REGISTRATION

Personalized care & professionally planned curriculum

Small classes taught by certified teachers Summer programs/educational trips Low teacher to student ratio first month's tuition!

Full and half day services New students only.

Personalized care Mention ad.

Outdoor play Late hours

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Circle Time Creative Story Time Arts and Crafts Ask us about Games Summer Camp!

CPR First Aid Certified

We welcome all special service providers to our site to accommodate your child's needs. Speech therapy, O/T, P/T. FULLY LICENSED BY NYC DEPT. OF HEALTH 140 Harvest Avenue, Staten Island • 718-273-6141 www.hugsnkiddies.com

GROWING UP ONLINE

by Carolyn Jabs

The Pros and Cons of Anonymous Social Media Keeping secrets is part of growing up. Deciding what you’ll tell people about yourself—and others—is one way children develop an understanding of privacy and trust.

With Facebook and other forms of public social media, nothing is secret. Even young children now know that comments or photos become part of a person’s “permanent record.” And that’s one reason many teens are switching to anonymous apps with names like Whisper, Secret, Yik Yak, Street Chat and FessApp. With anonymous apps, teens can let off steam without worrying about repercussions. They confess crushes and mistakes, make edgy jokes, laugh over embarrassing moments, and divulge sensitive information. Some people also feel free to open up about serious problems–abusive relationships, conflicts with friends and family, concerns about mental and physical health, and even self-destructive behaviors such as anorexia, cutting, and suicidal thoughts.

That kind of communication is very different from more public forms of social media where everyone puts their best food forward all the time.

Living in a glass house can be boring, exhausting, and even lonely because no one is spontaneous or even honest. At their best, anonymous apps are an opportunity for young people to explore the edges of who they are and find out that their problems are not unique.

Of course, anonymity also has a well-documented dark side. Many people do things they wouldn’t otherwise do when they can’t be held accountable. On anonymous sites, people slander and threaten other people. They spread cruel rumors and solicit sex. Given the potential for serious problems, it’s easy for parents to overreact.

That won’t help. Without understanding the allure of anonymous social media, parents can’t set effective limits. Although every anonymous app is a little different, parents quickly gain insight into the appeal of no-name social media by browsing whisper.sh, a site where “whispers” are shared, classified, rated, and assembled into lists. Even a cursory look reveals whispers that are witty and confessional, harmless fun, and seriously disturbing. Taken together, they provide a remarkable window into the anxieties, preoccupations, embarrassments, and fears of other people– a collage that’s compelling for teens trying to figure out how they fit into the world.

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Armed with a basic understanding of anonymous social media, parents are in a better position to talk to teens. Here are questions worth asking:

What apps are you using? Find out what apps your child has installed. Just as important, find out what apps your child’s friends are using. Many kids feel they need to have a particular app simply to keep track of what’s being said by others.

How are apps being used? Some teens use anonymous apps wisely—posting funny messages or even supporting people who seem to be having a tough time. Other kids are seduced by the popularity contest. In order to get more “likes,” they push the envelope with posts that are increasingly outrageous, sexual, or cruel. Children need to hear from you that you expect them to live up to their values in private as well as public settings.

What’s the appeal of anonymity? Help your child think through the pros and cons of anonymity. How does it influence what people post? Be sure your child understands that privacy policies for websites often change. Even though anonymity is likely with these apps, it’s never guaranteed. Also police can and do track down people who break the law by making threats or posting sexual photos of minors.

What’s the role of GPS? Many popular anonymous apps depend upon the location service built into every smart phone.

YikYak, for example, was designed by college students so people on the same campus could share random messages. In high schools, the program has been used for bullying, bashing teachers, and even bomb threats. Yik Yak erected “geofences” that are supposed to make the program off limits for many public schools but, of course, that doesn’t stop students from accessing the program in other settings. If sites like this are causing problems at your child’s school, consider disabling the GPS feature on the phone.

Which sites should be off-limits? Make it clear that you don’t want your child to use “random chat apps” such as Omegle, Chatrandom, and Tiny Chat. These are adult apps which make it all too easy for teens to connect with strangers. You may also want to steer your child away from sites that have developed a reputation for bullying. Ask.fm, for example, is notorious for cruel questions such as “why are you fat?” or even “why don’t you kill yourself?” “ Some people are trying to create anonymous social networks that bring out the best in people. Let (let.com) is an app that encourages people to award stars to each other. It claims to have zero tolerance for bad behavior. Outpour (www.outpour.io) allows users to share positive comments they might be too shy to make in person. Their motto: “Go find the beauty in people and tell them.”

Even sites that try to monitor and remove offensive posts won’t be successful all the time, so teens who use anonymous apps are likely to encounter material that is confusing or even upsetting.

Opening up candid conversation about these apps defuses their power. Teens may not tell their parents everything, but they should have confidence that, when they are burdened by a secret, the best people to confide in are still Mom and Dad.

By Carolyn Jabs, M.A., who raised three computer savvy kids including one with special needs. She has written Growing Up Online for ten years and is working on a book about constructive responses conflict. Other columns are available at www.growing-up-online.com. @ Copyright, 2014. Carolyn Jabs. All rights reserved.

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SUMMER

>>>

TO POOL OR NOT TO POOL?

he weather will soon be warming up and many homeowners' thoughts are drifting toward days spent soaking up some sun by the pool. Early spring is a great time to install a pool so the family has a go-to hangout by the time summer arrives.

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Installing a pool is a large financial investment, and homeowners considering adding a pool should not take that decision lightly. When attempting to determine if a pool is for them, homeowners may want to ask themselves the following questions.

Is my yard suitable for a pool?

Some yards may not be large enough for pools, while others may not meet the zoning requirements.

Still other yards may have soil that's not suitable for putting in an inground pool, or may have a high water table that can delay construction.

BACKYARD SWIMMING POOLS MAKE FOR AN ENJOYABLE PLACE TO CONGREGATE WHEN THE WEATHER IS HOT.

Shade or Sun? When deciding the location of your pool, will you want full sun or some shade from nearby trees. Many people in this area would choose a sunny spot in their yard, for as much of the day as possible. Trees mean more work keeping the pool clean of leaves, bugs, and pollen and the filter unclogged, while the sun will help keep the temperature of the water warmer with less need for a heater. If you need some relief from the sun, a strategically-placed sun sail shade or large market umbrella could solve the problem.

Can we afford it? Your budget will dictate which type of pool you can afford to install. With a wide price range - from a few hundred dollars for inflatable or self-installing models to many thousands for elaborate in-ground designs – there are options to fit most budgets.

How will we use the pool? Decide if you're putting in a pool for the kids, to entertain the family, or to make an architectural statement in the yard. Having a clear sense of purpose will help to guide the decision-making process.

Who will maintain the pool? Many homeowners tackle the day-today maintenance required to keep their pools clean and safe. Others hire pool cleaners to maintain their pools and ensure the water is properly balanced. Maintenance can cost additional money, so consider this potential cost when determining if a pool is for you.

Are there any safety concerns? Parents of young children may be hesitant to install a pool, but today's pool installation codes consider

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many of the potential hazards of a pool and attempt to eliminate them.

Fences surrounding in-ground pools with self-locking gates, as well as locking ladders for above-ground pools can eliminate accidental falls into unattended pools. The current requirements for swimming pools can be found on the New York State Department of State, Office of Planning & Development website (dos.ny.gov).

If the decision has been made to move ahead with a pool, it can be helpful to understand a few facts about the process of installing a pool.

Always work with a pool-installation company that has earned positive reviews and has a stellar record of service. While this does not guarantee that the job will not encounter problems, contractors with glowing reviews tend to have earned those reviews. Read reviews from unbiased, online customers as well as any friends or family members who have used a particular pool company.

It's important that homeowners recognize that the installation of a pool may require some heavy machinery, which can damage lawns.

Fence panels may have to be removed to let in excavation equipment.

Sand, soil, backfill or gravel may be needed to level out a landscape, and things may get noisy and messy when the installation hits full swing.

Some homeowners can handle installing above-ground pools on their own, but less DIY-savvy homeowners may want to leave the installation to a professional installer to ensure the job is done right.

Always secure the proper permits and inspections prior to using the pool. This not only ensures the safety of swimmers, but also guarantees the pool is legal. Follow a few guidelines and ask the necessary questions to make a pool installation go more smoothly.

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Tips • Prod Fun uc t

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Singing to Baby

Facebook Chatter:

We asked which songs you enjoy singing to your children. Here’s what you had to say:

Tom Coote: I'm not much of a singer, and I'm not good at remembering songs, but when my eldest was in the womb I used to sing Amazing Grace.

Whenever I sang he moved. When he was born he didn't start breathing right away. I prayed and I sang that to him as the midwives worked on him. I'll never forget that first faint movement as his tiny fingers first gripped my finger ever so weakly. I didn't realize at the time but the midwife later told me that his first response came when I started singing Amazing Grace.

Kayla Oseguera: Might sound silly but I still sing Bruno Mars "Just The Way You Are" to my now 4 year old. Because she's amazing just the way she is and there's not a thing that I would change!

Vanessa Defeo: While pregnant, I created playlists of songs from each decade and different genres. I used belly buds and my son loves music! I sing Edelweiss, You Are My Sunshine and Fly me to the Moon; they are his favorites.

Angela Vallerino: You are my sunshine is one of my favorites, but I love to sing to my daughters Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. I sang many others in Spanish. No matter how awful I sang, they loved them.

If you often find yourself talking or singing to your baby bump, you’re not alone. It’s not unusual to find an expectant mom serenading her unborn child throughout the course of her pregnancy. Sometimes even the dad-to-be will chime in with a tune of his own. This type of bonding with baby is not only enjoyable, but is believed to benefit both you and your child in a multitude of ways.

By the start of your second trimester, your baby will begin to hear sounds outside of your body. She will also quickly grow accustomed to the sound of your voice, a sound which she will find comforting for the duration of your pregnancy and beyond.

Singing to her will relax you as well, increasing endorphin and serotonin levels and thus creating the perfect environment for fostering a strong attachment between mother and child.

Though not scientifically proven, there is speculation that exposing your child to music

before birth may increase language and communication skills later on. It is also believed that the songs and sounds a baby often hears when inside the womb are the songs and sounds he will enjoy hearing most upon entering the world. At the very least, these sounds can provide healthy stimulation which your baby will enjoy.

If you haven’t started singing to your baby yet, it’s never too late to give it a try. Not sure what to sing? Any song will do, although babies respond well to music that mimics mom’s heart rate of about 60 beats per minute. You can easily make up your own songs by reciting regular sentences in a lyrical, sing-songy tone (like “mommy wants ice creeeeeeam!”). Don’t feel silly; just try to have fun with it. And don’t worry about your singing voice, either. Babies don’t mind if you are a little—or a lot—tone deaf!

Still in need of some inspiration? Visit siparent.com/babysongs for a list of suggested songs and lyrics you can sing to your baby in utero and after birth as well.

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS Joshua Liam Gutman

Marvin Riche

November 20, 2014 7 pounds, 15 ounces Parents:Diana & Michael

Calee Grace

January 23, 2015 7 pounds, 7 ounces Parents: Akeem & Kimberly

Juliann Rose Fiore

December 1, 2014 7 pounds, 8 ounces Parents: RoseAnn & Joseph

January 15, 2015 8 pounds Parents: Richard & Camelie

Newbies

Adele Rose Coogan

January 24, 2015 7 pounds, 1 ounce Parents: Jeffrey & Divonne

Mia Dattolo

January 14, 2015 7 pounds, 2 ounces Parents: Vito & Lauren

Win a Champion Juicer

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Celebrate National Nutrition Month this March by entering to win a Champion Juicer!

The Champion Juicer is a masticating juicer designed to avoid the destruction of essential vitamins and nutrients by slow-crushing to avoid friction heat.

It's perfect for making healthy and delicious MOMMY-MADE baby food; and it's so quiet you can even use it while your little one sleeps! Make soups, shakes, juices, dips, gluten-free pizza crust, or even cocktails for a well-deserved ladies night! www.championjuicer.com

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Determining a Child’s Readiness for Kindergarten Question: My son will start kindergarten this September even though he will not turn 5 until a month later. What is your opinion of this? Is he too young to start school? He has been going to preschool for the past two years and loves it. I just don't want to make the biggest mistake without all the facts. -- Want Answers Answer: Almost every research study on the age of entry to school concludes that the youngest children in kindergarten classes usually do not do as well as the oldest children. There is disagreement about how long the effects of being youngest last. Many researchers feel that by third grade the differences due to age disappear. On the other hand, other researchers found that some slight academic difficulties continue throughout the elementary years. Remember this, although statistics seem to support older children doing better in kindergarten, many younger children are extremely successful as well.

When children are ready for kindergarten, their first encounter with school is likely to lead to future success in school. Children who are only marginally ready may or may not be able to catch up with their readier classmates before the start of first grade.

The issue for you is readiness more than age. You may find it helpful to consult with your child's preschool teacher, pediatrician and others who know the child well in order to evaluate his readiness. It is also a good idea to look at your school district’s kindergarten readiness checklist if they have one. Our Dear Teacher website has a very comprehensive list of skills children need to be ready for kindergarten in the checklist section.

In the end, your own opinion is the most important, because you are the one who knows your child best. If you have very strong doubts about your child's readiness for a particular kindergarten program, the child probably is not ready.

Working Too Slowly Question: My fourth-grader does very well in school -- all A's. The main problem is she works very slowly in class, losing interest in what she is doing along the way. As a consequence, she has loads of homework every night.

None of her teachers have been able to speed her up. I dread facing a continuation of this problem. -- Any Suggestions Answer: You are definitely right about the need for your daughter to handle her work in a timelier manner. Otherwise, her workload is going to become more than she can possibly handle in the near future. Two avenues need to be used to address this problem.

First of all, she needs to be tested to investigate by the school to determine whether there are some big holes in her study skills and whether a learning disability is the problem or part of the problem. You and the teachers also need to consider the possibility of the child being a perfectionist -- unable to do less than perfect work.

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Second, your role in learning more about your child's problem is to observe her doing homework for several days. You should observe how she

approaches the task, organizes her work and what causes her to slow down. Note also what tasks she handles quickly.

If you and the school can figure out why she works slowly through testing and observation, a solution to this problem can be formulated. If it is a learning disability, an Individual Education Plan should be able to turn things around. If it is perfectionism, try at home to project the idea that mistakes are acceptable and to not give any indication that you expect the child to get all A's. Her teacher should also promote the idea that making mistakes is a part of learning.

One approach that could be helpful both at home and at school is to set time limits for a task. After the time has elapsed, the child should relax or go onto another activity.

Value of Oral Reading of Textbooks Question: Because some of the students in my child's fourth-grade science class are struggling readers, the teacher has the students take turns reading the textbook chapters aloud. My child, a good reader, finds this time to be incredibly boring. What are the pros and cons of reading material aloud in the classroom? -- Reading Aloud Answer: There are definitely a lot more cons than pros to having children read textbook material aloud in the classroom. It can be helpful for those with very poor reading skills. However, they would be better served by listening to recordings of the material. The quality of the reading would be higher, and the time spent on reading aloud could be better spent if it was devoted to meaningful discussion or projects related to the material.

For good readers, hearing the material read aloud in a classroom is not beneficial.

Because oral reading is a lot slower than silent reading, good readers can cover the material faster by reading it silently. There is also the problem of comprehension. Hearing material read aloud is passive reading -- not the active reading needed for good comprehension. Furthermore, many students suffer embarrassment and anxiety about reading aloud without any opportunity to look over and practice the material.

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G i f t C er t i f i c a t e s A v a i l a bl e MARCH 2015

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Easter Events & Activities New Jersey Events

23rd Annual Easter Bunny Express 1 Railroad Plaza, Whippany, NJ 07981 Saturday, March 28, Sunday, March 29 & Saturday, April 4 1, 2, 3 & 4pm

Children one year and under–FREE Children under 12–$9 • Adutls and Children over 12–$14 973-887-8177 • Buy tickets online: www.whippanyrailwaymuseum.net The 45-minute round-trip ride along the Morristown and Erie Railway’s historic Whippanong Trail, departs from and returns to the Whippany Railway Museum site. The Easter Bunny will be on board to meet the kids!

Easter Celebration @ Alstede Farms 84 Route 513 (Old Route 24), Chester, NJ 07930 Thursday, March 26 - Monday, April 6 (closed on Easter) Cottaintail Pass & Hop-A-Long Pass–$12.99 kids • $4.99 adults Jack Rabbit Pass–$21.99 kids • $4.99 for adults 908-879-7189 • Buy tickets online: www.alstedefarms.com Come take a hay wagon ride to see the baby animals, meet the Easter Bunny and go on an Easter Egg hunt. Activities include: Playing in our “Corn Kingdom,” climbing the Giant Hay Pyramid, visiting with Baby Farm Animals.

Easter Egg Hunt at Dearborn Market 2170 Route 35, Holmdel Twp, NJ 07733 Saturday, April 28 • 10am-3pm Mad Tea Party–$5 • Easter Egg Hunt–$5 • Ages 0-8 732-264-0256 • Preregister on March 2 at www.dearbornmarket.com Complimentary scones, cupcakes, tea, and cookie decorating at the Mad Hatter’s Spring Tea Party. Ducks, bunnies & lambs petting zoo, facepainting, and much more.

Bunny Chase @ Terhune Orchards 300 Cold Soil Rd, Princeton, NJ 08540 Saturday, April 4 & Sunday, April 5 • 10am-4pm Children ages 2-8 • Free 609-924-2310 • www.terhuneorchards.com Follow the treasure hunt clues and find a spring surprise at the end of the hunt.

Enjoy a bunny cookie and make a bunny to take home. Enjoy wagon rides around the farm and pony rides too.

Staten Island Events

Egg-Stravaganza and Breakfast with the Bunny @ the S.I. Zoo 614 Broadway, SI, NY 10310 Saturday, March 28 • 9:30am Members–$25 • Non-Members–$30 • Ages 2 &under free 718-442-3101 ext. 33 (Call for reservations) • www.statenislandzoo.org A hot sit-down breakfast, egg hunt, carousel ride and encounters with our wildlife friends. Take a picture with the Bunny. Gift for each child.

New Dorp Moravian Church Easter Egg Hunt 2205 Richmond Rd, 10306 Saturday, April 4 • 11am & 2pm $6 per child • Adults free • Rain or Shine 718-351-0090 • www.newdorpmoravian.org Bring a basket and package of cookies. Refreshments, arts & crafts, decorating and more. Meet the Easter Bunny!

Painting With The Easter Bunny @ Created By You 59 New Dorp Plaza, SI, NY 10306 Saturday, March 21 • Sunday, March 22 • 11am, 12pm, 1pm $25 per person • All ages • Reservations required 718-979-1841 • www.created-by-you.com Each painter will paint a ceramic bunny. Meet and take pictures with the Easter Bunny. Cookies and juice will be provided.

Egg-citing Easter at Grand Oaks Country Club 200 Huguenot Avenue, 10312 Sunday, April 5 • 2 hour seatings beginning at 10am $32.95 pp • Kids 10 & under half price, under 3 free 718-356-2771 (Call for reservations) • www.grandoaksnyc.com Egghunt, Petting Zoo, Easter Bunny photo opportunities, Brunch Buffet.

Easter Egg Hunt @ Historic Richmond Town 441 Clarke Ave, SI, NY 10306 Saturday, April 4 • 11am $10 per child, $5 per adult • Ages 3 & up • Prepaid reservations required.

718-351-1611 ext 270 • www.historicrichmondtown.org Bring an egg carton to decorate in high Victorian style, transforming it into an egg-holder. All decorations provided. Meet the Easter Bunny as you hunt for eggs in a Victorian town house. Refreshments will be served.

More Events & Activities Added Daily!

Please visit www.siparent.com/spring 62

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S.I. COMMUNITY

>>>SHOPPING

LOCALLY HELPS YOU AND YOUR COMMUNITY

oday's consumers have more shopping options at their disposal than they did in years past. Though the Internet may put the world at one's fingertips, more and more shoppers are discovering that buying locally makes for a superior shopping experience.

T

The benefits associated with shopping locally are many, and the following are just a few reasons why shoppers may want to look no further than their own communities when planning their next shopping excursions.

Keeps money in the local economy. Locally owned businesses often put a larger share of their revenue back into their communities. Small business owners may be more inclined to employ local residents, giving more SHOPPING LOCALLY BENEFITS CONSUMERS IN VARIOUS WAYS, people in the community solid MANY OF WHICH CONTRIBUTE TO A HEALTHY LOCAL ECONOMY. employment. Business owners may Help establish local pride. Independent shops contribute to the reach out and support other neighborhood efforts, such as fundraising fabric of a community and what makes it special and unique. Tourists initiatives for charities and schools. By shopping at local stores, you have and other visitors will be much more inclined to remember a local shop a hand in supporting these efforts as well. rather than a big chain in a particular neighborhood. When travelers want to get a feel for a community, they seek out small, local stores that Save money. When factoring in travel time and the cost of fuel, are much more likely to stock a high percentage of locally sourced shopping locally makes more sense than driving to a faraway mall. In goods. addition, repeat customers who establish a rapport with a local business owner may find that such owners are more inclined to price Attract other businesses. Private and public sector businesses tend match or work with loyal customers to find lower prices through to gravitate around anchor stores. Should a local store be successful, suppliers. banks, restaurants, salons, and other businesses may move in as well.

Diversify your home and lifestyle. Shoppers who prefer more unique styles may find local businesses cater to their needs better than large chain stores. Larger retailers offer the same products to customers You can help regardless of where those customers live, so a person in California may support local be decorating his or her home with the same furnishings as a person in Staten Island. But local shops tend to produce more unique items that businesses are not available nationwide.

Promote entrepreneurship. Small businesses are an essential element to the country's economic growth. By shopping locally, consumers are showing their support for this important segment of the national economy.

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SIGN UP FOR OUR E-NEWSLETTERS ON WWW.SIPARENT.COM’S HOME PAGE!

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INFANTS • TODDLERS • PRESCHOOL BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL • SUMMER CAMP

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I Get Lost in Panem…

My latest obsession? Reading!

By far, The Hunger Games is my favorite book and movie series. I love how Jennifer Lawrence portrays Katniss Everdeen. I also love the books more than the movie versions because they have so much detail in them, not to mention they leave a lot of stuff out that’s often really, really crucial.

My favorite characters in The Hunger Games are Katniss, Prim, and Caeser.

My favorite book is The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 and Part 2. I love all the drama.

I also enjoy reading and writing Hunger Games fan fiction. My favorites are "Cinna's back" and "Prim+Rory." I’ve even written some fan fiction myself “The Tree” based on the willow tree in the first book. Only my friend Jessica and I have read "The Tree," and we will never share it. It’s “our thing.”

For those of you who don't know about The Hunger Games, it’s so interesting. The book and movie series focus on a girl named Katniss Everdeen who is sucked into these terrible games far, far in the future, trying to protect her sister. She eventually wins with a boy from her home district, District 12, and the Capitol is not happy.

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The story is pretty involved, but in a nutshell, the Capitol rulers force all the victors from each District into what’s called a “Quarter Quell,” where they subject them to more dangerous games. This time, five out the 24 Tributes (that’s what they’re called) make it out alive instead of just one.

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Of course, lots of drama follows: The Capitol bombs District 12, but Katniss' best friend, Gale Hawthorne, saves her sister Prim, her mother, and a few other townspeople, but they must then move to District 13 to protect themselves.

Soon after, Katniss joins the Rebellion and becomes the sole Rebel – “The Mockingjay” – with the support of her mentors, Haymith Abernathy, Effie Trinket, Plutarch Heavensbee, and President Coin, the leader of District 13.

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I won’t give away the rest because there’s still another movie coming out … I can’t wait! I hope to have a Hunger Games-themed 12th birthday this summer. Thanks to Pinterest, I have it all planned out. We’ll be having "Nightlock" berry kabobs, "Mallark Bakery" cakes, and "Peeta" bread (ha ha – get it? Peeta/Pita Bread!?).

Like I said, I’m a big fan! I have my own Mockingjay pin, which I wear pretty much everyday. I also have a “Catching Fire” shirt and a “Train like you've been picked for The Hunger Games” shirt for the gym. Needless to say, The Hunger Games and Catching Fire DVDs are popular in my house; as soon as I get the chance, Mockingjay will be part of my collection.

I know how some fandoms want to go places … like Narnians want to go to Narnia, Harry Potter fans want to go to Hogwarts, and Percy Jackson fans want to go to Camp Half Blood, but I'm like, "I'm good!" The Hunger Games’ Panem is a horrible place. Starvation, dehydration, reaping, and the Capitol can come in at any moment to take away your possessions, or worse…

Good thing it is all fantasy! It’s something to spark my imagination.

According to my mom, reading is good for that.

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By Gigi Schrecker (with a little help from her mom, Gina LaGuardia-Schrecker, VP of Content Development for CareerCo). Since she was 4 months old, Gigi has been providing S.I. Parent readers with a kids'-eye perspective into life growing up on Staten Island.

Servicing the South Shore for 20 years

Universal Prekindergarten Free UPK for 4 Year Olds (Extended Hours Available)

OPEN HOUSE

Full Day Universal Pre-K Available

March 2nd- March 27th

9am-2:30pm. Come for a tour!

Mini Tots Program

Ages 2.4–3.9 (Not Potty Trained OK) Register NOW! • Fun Outdoor Play Area • Licensed & Certified Teachers • Nurturing Staff • Enriched Learning Program • Summer Camp Available

SUMMER CLASSES!!!

2 WEEK SESSIONS July 6-17 and July 20-31 • Ages 5-8 and 9-12 Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm Dance, Crafts, Activities A Summer Of Dance Fun!!!

Check Out Our Website For More Details!!

Jamz5b Cardio Ballet Barre - Monday & Wednesday at 9pm

Open Enrollment For All Classes Year Round

718-948-9535 • 7516 Amboy Rd Conveniently located near PS 1 & PS 6

www.miniworldpreschool.com

1071 Targee St & Rome Ave • (Across the Street from PS/IS 48) For More Information Call 347.466.4113 or

www.missjessicasjamz.com

J&J Academy

718-698-0280 55 Wyona Ave, S.I. NY 10314

Just bring your little prince or princess and WE will take care of the rest!!!

Saturday & Sunday care available.

Check website for details.

NO REGISTRATION FEE, OR DEPOSITS.

FREE FULL DAY UPK

& EXTENDED DAY AVAILABLE

SPRING 2015

REGENTS REVIEW

TACHS SHSAT ELA & Math Grades 1 to 8

SAT TEST PREP

Feb. Early Start for Algebra & Geometry All other subjects starting in the Spring

January to June Program Weekly Math & Verbal Classes Two Full Length Exams Weekly Vocabulary

SUMMER 2015 Registration has started for Summer SHSAT, TACHS and SAT classes!

Call now for details.

• New York State certified teacher, small class ratio, all CPR trained staff • We follow DOE Common Core

• Follow UPK curriculum for 4 years old • Open Mon to Fri 7:00am to 7:00pm • 4000sq. ft of playground • ACD Voucher accepted

Please visit our website: www.jjacademy.org for more information MARCH 2015

www.siparent.com

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FAMILY CALENDAR CALL FOR A VISIT • ON-GOING REGISTRATION

• Core Curriculum

THE VILLAGEOur • Emphasis on Language and Celebrating Communication Skills PRE-SCHOOL • Over 25 Years Experience

300th Issue!

A Multi-Sensory Approach to Learning

Early Bird Special For Camp & Fall Registration

VISIT US ON FACEBOOOK AGES 2-6

• FLEXIBLE PROGRAM SCHEDULE Monday-Friday Half & Full Days Available • Discount for families With More Than One Sibling

• Early Drop Off

718.967.5809 • 76 St. Albans Pl (off Amboy) www.villagepreschoolsi.com • village.preschool@gmail.com Liz Brandefine - Educational Director • Established 1990

Created By You

Licensed by the Bureau of Day Care

where learnigngis and growin

fun!

Call for a Tour

PAINTING WITH THE EASTER BUNNY

Serving the Staten Island Community for Over 4 Decades Academic Readiness Reading & Math Program Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum Licensed Staff 1 1/2 Acre Play Yard Onsite Guests, Visitors & Shows

Exciting Summer Camp Monday, June 29 through Friday, Aug 28 Open 6:30am-7pm Serving children ages 1 month thru 6 years

718-948-4220

Find us on Facebook

366 Oakdale St. (corner of Richmond Ave) www.OakdaleAcademy.net

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MARCH 2015

PAINT YOUR OWN POTTERY STUDIO

www.siparent.com

March 21 & 22 $25 per painter Reserve Your Spot– 3 Sittings Each Day: 11am, 12pm, 1pm • Paint an Easter Ceramic • Story Time & Pictures with Easter Bunny (Bring your camera!)

• Cookies and Juice

WE ALSO OFFER: Birthday Parties • Canvas Painting Ladies Night • Field Trips

$30 OFF

birthday parties booked in April 2015.

718.979.1841 • Walk Ins Welcome!

59 New Dorp Plaza North • 10306 www.created-by-you.com

MARCH IS: American Red Cross Month Women’s History Month Music in our Schools Month Save Your Vision Month

IMPORTANT DATES: National School Breakfast Week - Mar 2-Mar 6 Nat’l Poison Prevention Week - Mar 15-Mar 21 NEA’s Read Across America Day - Mar 2 Daylight Saving Time Begins - Mar 8 Saint Patrick’s Day - Mar 17 Solar Eclipse- Mar 20 First Day of Spring - Mar 20 Palm Sunday - Mar 29

LOOKING FOR SPRINGTIME FUN? Visit www.siparent.com to check out our Spring page for Spring Basket Auctions, Easter Egg Hunts and Events, Spring Crafts, and lots more!

Or browse our Family Calendar for other fun spring events.

718-980-1700 7:00 pm • Free • All ages

Tuesday Storytime Barnes & Noble 718-982-6983 11:00 am • Free • All ages PLEASE NOTE: Events announced in this calendar are subject to change. We strongly suggest calling to confirm times, prices, ages, etc. before you attend.

SUNDAY, MARCH 1

St. Patrick’s Day Parade Forest Ave & Hart Blvd 718-983-2300 12:00 pm • Free • All ages Art Studio SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 1:00 pm • Free • Ages 2-10 Reed’s Basket Willow Park Reed's Basket Willow Swamp 718-768-9036 1:00 pm • Free • All ages Black History Month Reading & walk Clay Pit Ponds 718-967-1976 2:00 pm • Free • All ages

MONDAY, MARCH 2 All Join In! Stapleton Library 718-727-0427 11:00 am • Free • Ages 2-4

Toddler Story Time Great Kills Library 718-984-6670 11:00 am • Free • Ages 1.5-3 Baby Space Stapleton Library 718-727-0427 11:45 am • Free • Ages 0-1.5 Teen Cafe Remixed New Dorp Library 718-351-2977 2:00 pm • Free • Ages 12-18 Wii Gaming Port Richmond Library 718.442.0158 2:45 pm • Free • Ages 5-11 Read Aloud Huguenot Library 718-984-4636 4:00 pm • Free • All ages

TUESDAY, MARCH 3

Baby Bounce Port Richmond Public Library 718.442.0158 10:30 am • Free • Ages 0-1.5 Tot’s Time Plus SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 11:00 am • $5 • Ages 1-5

THURSDAY, MARCH 5 Greenbelt Tree Tots Greenbelt Nature Center 718-351-3450 10:00 am • $4 • Ages 3-4

Teen Lounge Tottenville Library 718.984.0945 2:30 pm • Free • Grades 6+

Tot’s Time Plus SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 11:00 am • $5 • Ages 1-5

Teen/Tween Sewing Workshop Great Kills Library 718-984-6670 3:30 pm • Free • Ages 8+

Baby & Me Tottenville Library 718.984.0945 11:00 am • Free • Ages 0-1.5

Afternoon Story Time and Craft Port Richmond Library 718.442.0158 3:30 pm • Free • Ages 3-5

The Story Museum Historic Richmond Town 718-351-1611 11:30 am • $3 • Ages 0-5

Read Aloud South Beach Library 718-816-5834 4:00 pm • Free • All ages

Paint Day SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 1:30 pm • Free • Ages 2-10

LiteracyINC: Story Hour Stapleton Library 718-727-0427 5:30 pm • Free • All ages

A Helluva Choir Noble Maritime Collection 718-447-6490 1:30 pm • Free • All ages

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4 Greenbelt Peepers Greenbelt Nature Center 718-351-3450 10:00 am • $8 • Ages 2-4

Midweek Bird Walk: South Beach/Fort Wadsworth Fort Wadsworth 718-354-4500 10:00 am • Free • All ages Baby Time South Beach Library 718-816-5834 10:30 am • Free • Ages 0-3 Clay Day SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 1:30 pm • Free • Ages 2-10 Teen Club New Dorp Library 718-351-2977 2:00 pm • Free • Ages 12-18 Board Game Afternoon South Beach Library 718-816-5834 3:30 pm • Free • All ages Family Storytime Tottenville Library 718.984.0945 4:00 pm • Free • Ages 3-12 Picture Book Time/ Reading Aloud New Dorp Library 718-351-2977 4:00 pm • Free • Ages 3+ Miles and Miles of Milestones Thursday's Child

Teen Lounge Tottenville Library 718.984.0945 2:30 pm • Free • Grades 6+ Teen Lounge Great Kills Library 718-984-6670 3:30 pm • Free • Ages 12-18

FRIDAY, MARCH 6

Baby Rhyme Time New Dorp Library 718-351-2977 10:30 am • Free • Ages 0-1.5 Toddler Time Tottenville Library 718.984.0945 10:30 am • Free • Ages 1.5-3 Toddler Time Port Richmond Library 718.442.0158 10:30 am • Free • Ages 1.5-3 Preschool Story Time Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library 718-494-1642 11:30 am • Free • Ages 3-5 Doodlebug FunTime: Series 1 Blue Heron Nature Center 718-967-3542 12:00 pm • Free • Ages 1.5-4 Kidz Cook SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 2, 3, & 4:00 pm • Free • All ages Fun Fridays Great Kills Library 718-984-6670 3:30 pm • Free • Ages 4+

CALENDAR EVENTS at siparent.com Expanded & Enhanced

Wii Love Gaming Stapleton Library 718-727-0427 3:30 pm • Free • Ages 5-11

SATURDAY, MARCH 7 Winter Stroll Clay Pit Ponds 718-967-1976 10:00 am • Free • Ages 5+ Birding: Winter Birds Clove Lakes Park 212-639-9675 11:00 am • Free • All ages Herb and Weed Walk at Conference House Park The Conference House 718-984-6046 12:00 pm • Free • All ages Art Studio SI Children's Museum

ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE Sunday, March 1 12:00pm Free Forest Ave. & Hart Blvd.

Show your Irish pride!

Staten Island’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade kicks off at noon on March 1st. Put on the greenest outfit you own and find a spot along Forest Avenue to see it!

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718-273-2060 1:00 pm • Free • Ages 2-10 Family Film: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 New Dorp Library 718-351-2977 2:00 pm • Free • All ages Cinema Saturdays Stapleton Library 718-727-0427 3:00 pm • Free • All ages

SUNDAY, MARCH 8

Black Horse Ravine/Buck’s Hollow Greenbelt Nature Center 718-351-3450 10:00 am • Free • All ages Art Studio SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 1:00 pm • Free • Ages 2-10 Old Mill Road St. Andrew's Church 718-351-0900 1:00 pm • Free • All ages

MONDAY, MARCH 9

All Join In! Stapleton Library 718-727-0427 11:00 am • Free Ages 2-4 Toddler Story Time Great Kills Library 718-984-6670 11:00 am • Free Ages 1.5-3 Baby Space Stapleton Library 718-727-0427 11:45 am • Free Ages 0-1.5

Teen Cafe Remixed New Dorp Library 718-351-2977 2:00 pm • Free • Ages 12-18 Wii Gaming Port Richmond Library 718.442.0158 2:45 pm • Free • Ages 5-11 Story Time Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library 718-494-1642 4:00 pm • Free • Ages 3-12

Read Aloud Huguenot Library 718-984-4636 4:00 pm • Free • All ages

TUESDAY, MARCH 10 Baby Bounce Port Richmond Public Library 718.442.0158 10:30 am • Free • Ages 0-1.5

Tot’s Time Plus SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 11:00 am • $5 per child • Ages 1-5 Tuesday Storytime Barnes & Noble 718-982-6983 11:00 am • Free • All ages Teen Lounge Tottenville Library 718.984.0945 2:30 pm • Free • Grades 6+ Teen/Tween Craft Great Kills Library 718-984-6670 3:30 pm • Free • Ages 10-18 Afternoon Story Time and Craft Port Richmond Library 718.442.0158 3:30 pm • Free • Ages 3-5 Read Aloud South Beach Library 718-816-5834 4:00 pm • Free • All ages Anti-Bully Support Workshop Rossville A.M.E. Zion Church 718-356-0200 4:00 pm • Free • All ages LiteracyINC: Story Hour Stapleton Library 718-727-0427 5:30 pm • Free • All ages

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11 Greenbelt Peepers Greenbelt Nature Center 718-351-3450 10:00 am • $8 • Ages 2-4

Clay Day SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 1:30 pm • Free • Ages 2-10 Teen Club New Dorp Library

Check Out What’s Happening At

Michael De Simone Ph.D, LCSW

michaeldesimonetherapy.com

United Sports Youth League Be Active 2015

HELPING ADULTS, CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH

Anxiety • Fears & Worries • Anger Depression • Grief & Sadness Insecurity & Shyness Self Esteem & Relationship Problems In a Private, Comfortable and Confidential Setting

REGISTER NOW F OR NFL FLAG FOOTBALL S P R I NG 20 1 5

A ges: 4 Di vi sio ns (6 -Under, 9 -U, 12 -U, 1 5 -U) G e n de r : C o e d D i v i s i o n a n d G i r l s D i v i s i o n s G a me T i m e F r a m e : 10 - 6 p m L o c a t i o n : B l o o m i n g da l e P a r k o r T B A S e a s o n Be g i n s : A p r i l 4 t h

For information or consultation call 718-650-9000 or e-mail michael.w.desimone@gmail.com 175 Burbank Ave (New Dorp)

SAVE $5

Use code siparent during online registration

Follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/MichaelDeSimonePhD

HIGH HOPES 1298 Woodrow Rd • 718-317-8143

: OPEN M 6:30A TO M 6:30P

TENDER-LOVING CARE!

Flexible Flexible schedules schedules •• Age Age appropriate appropriate curriculum curriculum Half and Full Days available Half and Full Days available

INFANTS

6 Weeks - 2 Years

TODDLERS

2 Years - 3 Years

NURSERY SCHOOL 3 year old program Half days or Full days!

NOW ACCEPTING REGISTRATION SUMMER CAMP

CALL OR TEXT

646.423.8853 www.usyl.org

For more details or other sports visit

BUILDING BLOCKS MONTESSORI SCHOOL at beautiful Silver Lake

CALL FOR A TOUR

FREE UPK For children born in 2011. Extended hours available.

AGES 2-6 • THEMED CURRICULUM: “LAUA,” “PAJAMA PARTY,” “BEACH PARTY,” AND MORE! OUTDOOR PLAY AREA

Preschool • Kindergarten Elementary Grades 1st - 5th

Complete Montessori Curriculum • Small Classes Individualized Instruction • Spanish • Yoga Art • Music • Gym • Multi-Cultural Studies

OPENINGS AVAILABLE CALL FOR A TOUR Flexible & Extended Hours • Convenient to Ferry NYC Licensed

Quality Education Since 1972

55 Forest Avenue 718-448-2992

www.buildingblocksmontessori.com MARCH 2015

www.siparent.com

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CALENDAR EVENTS at siparent.com Expanded & Enhanced

718-351-2977 2:00 pm • Free • Ages 12-18 Board Game Afternoon South Beach Library 718-816-5834 3:30 pm • Free • All ages Family Storytime Tottenville Library 718-984-0945 4:00 pm • Free • Ages 3-12 Picture Book Time/ Reading Aloud New Dorp Library 718-351-2977 4:00 pm • Free • Ages 3+

THURSDAY, MARCH 12 Greenbelt Tree Tots Greenbelt Nature Center 718-351-3450 10:00 am • $8 • Ages 3-4

SPRING HAS SPRUNG! Want to be included on all of the latest springtime happenings in Staten Island?

Check out siparent.com for Easter Events, Spring Basket Auctions, and lots more spring fun!

And don’t forget to join our Family of Friends list for access to our exclusive online giveaways, the S.I. Parent e-Shop, and tons of other great stuff! Sign up at siparent.com today!

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Tot’s Time Plus SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 11:00 am • $5 • Ages 1-5

Preschool Story and Craft Huguenot Library 718-984-4636 10:30 am • Free • Ages 3-5

Baby & Me Tottenville Library 718.984.0945 11:00 am • Free • Ages 0-1.5

Preschool Story Time Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library 718-494-1642 11:30 am • Free • Ages 3-5

The Story Museum Historic Richmond Town 718-351-1611 11:30 am • $3 • Ages 0-5

Teen Advisory Group New Dorp Library 718-351-2977 2:00 pm • Free • Ages 12-18

Paint Day SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 1:30 pm • Free • Ages 2-10

Kidz Cook SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 2, 3, & 4:00 pm • Free • All ages

A Helluva Choir Noble Maritime Collection 718-447-6490 1:30 pm • Free • All ages

Fun Fridays Great Kills Library 718-984-6670 3:30 pm • Free • Ages 4+

Teen Lounge Tottenville Library 718.984.0945 2:30 pm • Free Grades 6+

Wii Love Gaming Stapleton Library 718-727-0427 3:30 pm • Free • Ages 5-11 Teen Lounge Great Kills Library 718-984-6670 3:30 pm • Free Ages 12-18 Bubbles Kids Show Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library 718-494-1642 3:30 pm • Free Ages 1.5-12

Movies South Beach Library 718-816-5834 4:30 pm • Free • All ages

FRIDAY, MARCH 13 Preschool Storytime South Beach Library 718-816-5834 10:30 am • Free • Pre-K Toddler Rhyme Time New Dorp Library

SATURDAY, MARCH 14 Winter Hike: Scavenger Hunt Clay Pit Ponds 718-967-1976 11:00 am • Free • Ages 14+ Dinos and More Staten Island Zoo 718-442-3100 12:00 pm • Free • All ages Jurassic Journey Staten Island Zoo 718-442-3100 12:00 pm • Free • All ages ssSecond ssSaturday ssSnakes SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 12:30 pm • Free • Ages 2-10 Art Studio SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 1:00 pm • Free • Ages 2-10

718-351-2977 10:30 am • Free • Ages 1.5-2.5

Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve Clay Pit Ponds 718-967-1976 1:00 pm • Free • All ages

Toddler Time Tottenville Library 718-984-0945 10:30 am • Free • Ages 1.5-3

Family Films: Mars Needs Moms New Dorp Library 718-351-2977 2:00 pm • Free • All ages

8 Week Program Op ned & Ages 2.0 & Up Sinceerated 1983 Half & Full Days Music, Arts & Crafts, Science 1/2 Acre Outdoor Play Area Air-Conditioned • Driveway Service

Call for a Tour!

THE

TANGLEWOOD SCHOOL 15 Tanglewood Drive Corner of Arthur Kill Road

718.967.2424

Academic Curriculum • Certified Teachers

y read in our .

Sept mmer Su mp Ca

F R E E Full Day UPK

Large Outdoor Play Yard

REGISTER NOW FOR FREE FULL DAY UPK. REGISTER NOW FOR SUMMER Fa CAMP: Get or Ow mily f

Diapers OK • Video Security

Quality Education for Young Children

5 Spacious Classrooms

Preschool • Daycare • Free UPK • Summer Camp Children Ages 2-6 • Open 7am-6:30pm

Seats are Limited Call to schedule a Tour

718 494-7422 • 501 Richmond Hill Rd www.rhccny.com Check us out on www.siparent.com & Facebook

ed t i s i u V om ? o Y e Hav iparent.cster .s n E a ies w u f w w u ’ l l f i n d A c t i vi t Yo re! r in g o p m S an d o m u c h s p lu s

MARCH 2015

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CALENDAR EVENTS at siparent.com Expanded & Enhanced

Women’s History: “Celebrating a Neglected Renaissance Paintress” Garibaldi-Meucci Museum 718-442-1608 2:00 pm • $10 • All ages Bricks 4 Kidz Stapleton Library 718-727-0427 2:00 pm • Free • Ages 6-12 Taking the Pressure Blue Heron Nature Center 718-967-3542 2:00 pm • Free • Ages 8-12 Pi Day! SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 3:00 pm • Free • All ages

SUNDAY, MARCH 15

William H. Pouch Camp (1975 – 2015) William H. Pouch Scout Camp

SSSECOND SSSATURDAY SSSNAKES Saturday, March 14 SI Children’s Museum 12:30pm Ages 2-10 Free w/admission 718-273-2060 sichildrensmuseum.org

Meet, greet, touch and learn all about live, exotic snakes with Warren Taylor, the resident reptile expert.

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718-351-7195 10:00 am • Free • All ages Art Studio SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 1:00 pm • Free • Ages 2-10 Crooke’s Point Great Kills Park 718-987-6729 1:00 pm • Free • All ages Irish Stepping with Dawn Daniels SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 1:30 pm • Free • All ages Sea Chanty Sessions Noble Maritime Collection 718-447-6490 2:00 pm • Free • All ages

MONDAY, MARCH 16 Toddler Story Time Great Kills Library 718-984-6670 11:00 am • Free • Ages 1.5-3 Teen Cafe Remixed New Dorp Library 718-351-2977 2:00 pm • Free Ages 12-18 Story Time Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library 718-494-1642 4:00 pm • Free Ages 3-12 Read Aloud Huguenot Library 718-984-4636 4:00 pm • Free All ages

TUESDAY, MARCH 17 Baby Bounce Port Richmond Public Library 718.442.0158 10:30 am • Free • Ages 0-1.5

Tot’s Time Plus SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 11:00 am • $5 per child • Ages 1-5 Preschool Fun Tottenville Library 718-984-0945 11:00 am • Free • Ages 3-5

Tuesday Storytime Barnes & Noble 718-982-6983 11:00 am • Free • All ages Teen Lounge Tottenville Library 718-984-0945 2:30 pm • Free • Grades 6+ Preschool Program New Dorp Library 718-351-2977 3:30 pm • Free • Ages 2.5-5 Afternoon Story Time and Craft Port Richmond Library 718.442.0158 3:30 pm • Free • Ages 3-5 Read Aloud South Beach Library 718-816-5834 4:00 pm • Free • All ages LiteracyINC: Story Hour Stapleton Library 718-727-0427 5:30 pm • Free • All ages

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18 Greenbelt Peepers Greenbelt Nature Center 718-351-3450 10:00 am • $8 • Ages 2-4

Midweek Bird Walk: Clove Lakes Park Clove Lakes Park 212-639-9675 10:00 am • Free • All ages Clay Day SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 1:30 pm • Free • Ages 2-10 Teen Club New Dorp Library 718-351-2977 2:00 pm • Free • Ages 12-18 Board Game Afternoon South Beach Library 718-816-5834 3:30 pm • Free • All ages Family Storytime Tottenville Library 718.984.0945 4:00 pm • Free • Ages 3-12 Picture Book Time/ Reading Aloud New Dorp Library 718-351-2977 4:00 pm • Free • Ages 3+

N EW D ORP CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

Does Your Child Have A Disability or Special Health Care Needs?

You are not alone! “We care, we’ve been there.”

259 Rose Ave & 10th St (New Dorp)

tion” ve Excellence in Academic and S “Achie piritual Educa

$100 OFF REGISTRATION FIRST TIME REGISTRANTS ONLY.

COME VISIT US!

CALL TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO TOUR NDCA Nursery School Classes for 3 & 4 Year Olds Extended Day Care Hours Also Available Full Day Kindergarten Through 8th Grade Christian Performing Arts Program K-8th Grade Computer Classes After School Activities • Safe Environment Discounts for Siblings • Free Bus Service Operating Since 1974

718.351.4442

STATEN ISLAND SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENT CENTER

Parent to Parent is a support network and is the Staten Island Parent Resource Center for children with Special Education Needs, Developmental Disabilities, Behavioral Challenges and Special Health Care Needs.

Founded & directed by parents of children with special needs.

For More Information 718.494.4872 1050 Forest Hill Rd • SI, NY 10314 Email: siptp@aol.com

www.parenttoparentnyinc.org

MARCH 2015

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CALENDAR EVENTS at siparent.com Expanded & Enhanced

THURSDAY, MARCH 19 Greenbelt Tree Tots Greenbelt Nature Center 718-351-3450 10:00 am • $8 • Ages 3-4 Tot’s Time Plus SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 11:00 am • $5 • Ages 1-5 Baby & Me Tottenville Library 718.984.0945 11:00 am • Free • Ages 0-1.5 The Story Museum Historic Richmond Town 718-351-1611 11:30 am • $3 • Ages 0-5 Paint Day SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060

JR. SCIENCE CLUB: BEAT GRAVITY Saturday, March 21

1:30 pm • Free • Ages 2-10 A Helluva Choir Noble Maritime Collection 718-447-6490 1:30 pm • Free • All ages

Forest Restoration Workshop at Hourglass Pond at High Rock High Rock Park 718-667-2165 10:00 am • Free • All ages

Teen Lounge Tottenville Library 718-984-0945 2:30 pm • Free • Grades 6+

Jr. Science Club: Beat Gravity Staten Island Museum 718-727-1135 10:00 am • Free • Ages 8-13

Teen Lounge Great Kills Library 718-984-6670 3:30 pm • Free • Ages 12-18

Spring Blooms Clay Pit Ponds 718-967-1976 11:00 am • Free • Ages 5+

The Pipes Are Calling St. Alban’s Episcopal Church 718.984.6060 7:30 pm • Free • All ages

Spring Hike Blue Heron Nature Center 718-967-3542 11:00 am • Free • Ages 5-7

FRIDAY, MARCH 20

Toddler Time Tottenville Library 718-984-0945 10:30 am • Free • Ages 1.5-3 Toddler Time Port Richmond Library 718.442.0158 10:30 am • Free Ages 1.5-3

Staten Island Museum 10:00 am Ages 8-13 Free 718-727-1135 statenislandmuseum.org

Learn to fly & Bernoulli’s effect as you build parachutes and gliders. For kids 8-13.

Register online

76

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SATURDAY, MARCH 21

Preschool Story Time Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library 718-494-1642 11:30 am • Free Ages 3-5 Doodlebug FunTime: Series 2 Blue Heron Nature Center 718-967-3542 12:00 pm • Free Ages 1.5-4 Kidz Cook SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 2, 3 , & 4 pm • Free • All ages

Art Studio SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 1:00 pm • Free • Ages 2-10 Buck’s Hollow and Heyerdahl Hill Greenbelt Nature Center 718-351-3450 1:00 pm • Free • All ages Spring Craft Blue Heron Nature Center 718-967-3542 1:00 pm • Free • Ages 4-10 Family Films: African Cats New Dorp Library 718-351-2977 2:00 pm • Free • All ages Cinema Saturdays Stapleton Library 718-727-0427 3:00 pm • Free • All ages Youth Career Fair Stapleton Library 718-727-0427 7:45 pm • Free • Ages 13+

SUNDAY, MARCH 22

Fun Fridays Great Kills Library 718-984-6670 3:30 pm • Free • Ages 4+

Semi-annual Spring Meeting, 40 Years and counting (1975–2015) Blue Heron Nature Center 718-967-3542 12:00 pm • Free • All ages

Wii Love Gaming Stapleton Library 718-727-0427 3:30 pm • Free • Ages 5-11

Sing-along with Patrick SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 12:00 pm • Free • Ages 0-10

OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA SCHOOL

Start your child off on the right path!

Become a part of the Catholic school tradition.

THASC Sales Company, Inc. is a company dedicated to the employment of handicapped people and senior citizens for over 35 years.

We offer promotional products such as pens, cards, business cards, magnets, key chains, pocket planners and more.

TO PURCHASE PRODUCTS VISIT

www.thasc.com Your orders help us in our mission to increase the number of disabled persons, handicapped artists, and senior citizens.

THASC SALES COMPANY, INC. IS AN ACCREDITED BUSINESS WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU WITH AN A+ RATING.

• Advance ED Accredited/NCA • NYS Certified teaching staff • Common Core Curriculum PreK 4 to Grade 8 • High tech computer lab • Interactive Smartboard in all classrooms • Internet access throughout the school • Grades 7 & 8 use online textbooks for science, reading and social studies through school provided IPads.

• Remediation program, school counselor & meeting room • NJHS Chapter; Student Government • Science, Engineering and Technology Club; • Grade 8 Honors Math • Spanish Grades 3-8 Pre-K • State of the art athletic center with two new gymnasiums and an outdoor soccer field to 8th • Before and after care school program Grade • Full time school nurse

Pre K 3 Half Day: Tues & Thurs • 8:30-11:00 & 12:00-2:30 Pre K 4 Full Day: Mon, Wed & Fri • 8:30-2:30 Pre K 4 Emergent Literacy with Happily Ever After Reading Program, Formal Music and Computer Classes.

Rolling Registration.

Call for an Appointment.

To Register Call 718-984-5750 Irma Cummings, Principal or 718-984-0593 Debbie Emigholz, Parish Manager 5411 AMBOY ROAD • SI, NY 10312

Come Visit Us!

ST. JOSEPH HILL ACADEMY

OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY, MARCH 8 • 10:00AM-1:00PM PRE-K 3 THROUGH GRADE 7 (limited spots in Junior High)

A Blue Ribbon Nominated School Providing a premier education, Pre-K through Grade 8, to the Staten Island community for over 90 years.

718-981-1187 x9136 • 850 Hylan Boulevard • www.stjhill.org MARCH 2015

www.siparent.com

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CALENDAR EVENTS at siparent.com Expanded & Enhanced

Art Studio SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 1:00 pm • Free • Ages 2-10 Signs of Spring Blue Heron Nature Center 718-967-3542 2:00 pm • Free • Ages 6-12

MONDAY, MARCH 23

Wii Gaming Port Richmond Library 718.442.0158 2:45 pm • Free • Ages 5-11

Thursday's Child 718-980-1700 7:00 pm • Free • All ages

Movies South Beach Library 718-816-5834 3:00 pm • Free • All ages

Greenbelt Peepers Greenbelt Nature Center 718-351-3450 10:00 am • $8 • Ages 2-4

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25

All Join In! Stapleton Library 718-727-0427 11:00 am • Free • Ages 2-4

Story Time Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library 718-494-1642 4:00 pm • Free • Ages 3-12

Clay Day SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 1:30 pm • Free • Ages 2-10

Baby Space Stapleton Library 718-727-0427 11:45 am • Free • Ages 0-1.5

Read Aloud Huguenot Library 718-984-4636 4:00 pm • Free • All ages

Teen Club New Dorp Library 718-351-2977 2:00 pm • Free • Ages 12-18

Teen Cafe Remixed New Dorp Library 718-351-2977 2:00 pm • Free • Ages 12-18

FAMILY STORYTIME Wednesday, March 25 Tottenville Library 4:00pm Ages 3-12 Free 718-984-0945 nypl.org

Join in for wonderful picture books old and new, shared by library staff.

Pre-registration is required.

TUESDAY, MARCH 24 Baby Bounce Port Richmond Public Library 718.442.0158 10:30 am • Free • Ages 0-1.5

Tot’s Time Plus SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 11:00 am • $5 per child • Ages 1-5 Tuesday Storytime Barnes & Noble 718-982-6983 11:00 am • Free All ages Teen Lounge Tottenville Library 718-984-0945 2:30 pm • Free • Grades 6+ Afternoon Story Time and Craft Port Richmond Library 718.442.0158 3:30 pm • Free • Ages 3-5 Read Aloud South Beach Library 718-816-5834 4:00 pm • Free • All ages LiteracyINC: Story Hour Stapleton Library 718-727-0427 5:30 pm • Free • All ages

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Potty Training: From Wet Pants to Underpants

Board Game Afternoon South Beach Library 718-816-5834 3:30 pm • Free • All ages Family Storytime Tottenville Library 718-984-0945 4:00 pm • Free • Ages 3-12 Picture Book Time/ Reading Aloud New Dorp Library 718-351-2977 4:00 pm • Free • Ages 3+

THURSDAY, MARCH 26 Greenbelt Tree Tots Greenbelt Nature Center 718-351-3450 10:00 am • $8 • Ages 3-4

Tot’s Time Plus SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 11:00 am • $5 per child • Ages 1-5 Baby & Me Tottenville Library 718.984.0945 11:00 am • Free • Ages 0-1.5 The Story Museum Historic Richmond Town 718-351-1611 11:30 am • $3 • Ages 0-5 Paint Day SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 1:30 pm • Free • Ages 2-10 Teen Lounge Tottenville Library

MARCH 2015

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CALENDAR EVENTS at siparent.com Expanded & Enhanced

718-984-0945 2:30 pm • Free • Grades 6+ Teen Lounge Great Kills Library 718-984-6670 3:30 pm • Free • Ages 12-18 Spring Craft Program New Dorp Library 718-351-2977 4:00 pm • Free • Ages 5-12

FRIDAY, MARCH 27

Toddler Time Tottenville Library 718-984-0945 10:30 am • Free • Ages 1.5-3 Toddler Time Port Richmond Library 718.442.0158 10:30 am • Free • Ages 1.5-3

OWLS Saturday, March 28 Blue Heron Nature Center 11:00am Ages 5-7 Free 718-967-3542 preserve2.org

We have many owls in Staten Island. Learn to identify them and enjoy a craft, story or game indoors.

Preschool Story and Craft Huguenot Library 718-984-4636 10:30 am • Free • Ages 3-5 Preschool Story Time Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library 718-494-1642 11:30 am • Free • Ages 3-5 Kidz Cook SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 2:00 pm • Free • All ages Fun Fridays Great Kills Library 718-984-6670 3:30 pm • Free • Ages 4+ Wii Love Gaming Stapleton Library 718-727-0427 3:30 pm • Free • Ages 5-11

SATURDAY, MARCH 28

Eggstravagant Breakfast with the Bunny Staten Island Zoo 718-442-3100 9:30 am • $30 • All ages Owls Blue Heron Nature Center 718-967-3542 11:00 am • Free Ages 5-7 Art Studio SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 1:00 pm • Free Ages 2-10 Owl Craft Blue Heron Nature Center 718-967-3542 1:00 pm • Free Ages 4-10

MARCH 2015

www.siparent.com

SUNDAY, MARCH 29 Early Spring Hike Blue Heron Nature Center 718-967-3542 10:00 am • Free • All ages

Art Studio SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 1:00 pm • Free • Ages 2-10

MONDAY, MARCH 30 All Join In! Stapleton Library 718-727-0427 11:00 am • Free • Ages 2-4

Toddler Story Time Great Kills Library 718-984-6670 11:00 am • Free • Ages 1.5-3 Baby Space Stapleton Library 718-727-0427 11:45 am • Free • Ages 0-1.5 Story Time Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library 718-494-1642 4:00 pm • Free • Ages 3-12 Read Aloud Huguenot Library 718-984-4636 4:00 pm • Free • All ages

TUESDAY, MARCH 31 Tot’s Time Plus SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 11:00 am • $5 • Ages 1-5

Tuesday Storytime Barnes & Noble 718-982-6983 11:00 am • Free • All ages

Family Films: Narnia The Voyage of the Dawn Treader New Dorp Library 718-351-2977 2:00 pm • Free • All ages

Teen Lounge Tottenville Library 718-984-0945 2:30 pm • Free • Grades 6+

Storyteller Walter Rutledge SI Children's Museum 718-273-2060 2:00 pm • Free • All ages

Read Aloud South Beach Library 718-816-5834 4:00 pm • Free • All ages

Cinema Saturdays Stapleton Library

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718-727-0427 3:00 pm • Free • All ages

LiteracyINC: Story Hour Stapleton Library 718-727-0427 5:30 pm • Free • All ages

mu l t i - m e d i a advertising & marketing in staten island For over 26 years, S.I. Parent has been the leading and most trusted parenting brand in Staten Island.

Oh, and did we mention we’re award-winning too?

Just take a look at what our readers and advertisers have to say: “When I first moved to Staten Island five years ago, S.I. Parent became my goto magazine for family activities, calendar, and businesses. I love it!”

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FAMILY NEEDS Party Services Party Smarty 718-556-9475 Entertainment 718.556.9475

Affordable Party Packages Face Painting, Glitter Art Tattoos Sculpture Balloons, Temporary Tatoos, DJ’s, Entertainers, Karaoke, Rides, Spin Art, Sand Art, Candy Art, Arts & Crafts, Theme Parties, Stuff a Bear Parties, Candy Cart, Cotton Candy, Popcorn, Snokones, Pretzels, Sundae Bar, Carnival Games, & More!

www.partysmartyentertainment.com DJs, MCs, Vocalists, Dancers, Videographers, Photographers, Pro Light Shows, Intelligent Lights, Photo Booth, Live Animal Shows, Candy Carts, Cotton Candy, Popcorn, Plasma TVs, Rides, Magicians, Clowns, Limousines, Karaoke, Costume Characters, Casino Night Tables, Fully Insured

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ONLINE ADVERTISING Opportunity for Party Service Businesses...

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82 www.siparent.com MARCH 2015

Games • Carnival Parties

Costume Characters

• Magicians • Face Painting • Clowns • Balloon Artists • D.J.’s •

Featuring DJ Chris Est 1985

(Excluding Sweet Sixteens or Weddings)

c: 718-986-6510 • p: 718-698-2712

PARTY TIME ENTERTAINMENT

Party With Us Now!

• Disc Jockeys • Video Taping • Karaoke • M/F Dancers • Party Servers • Dancing Gorillas • Caricaturist • Magicians • Singing Telegrams • Celebrity Look-a-Likes

• Costume Characters • Clowns • Puppet Show • Petting Zoo • Theme Parties • Double Dare Mini Circus • Dress Up Tea Parties • Carnival Games • Cotton Candy

• Candy Carts • Ice-Cream Sundae Bar • Sno-Cone Machines • Hot Dog Wagon • Candy Sticks • Craft Parties • Sand Art • Spin Art, T-Shirts & Pictures

• Stuffed Bears • Airbrushed Tattoos • Wax Hands • Candle Art • Rides • Moon Walks • Ball Crawl • Super Slide • Dunk Tank • Gyro • Train • Carousel

• Jousts • Catapillar • Lazer Maze • Birthday Machine • Obstacle Course • Casino Parties • Photo Favors • Balloon Typhoons • Chair Rental • And More!

www.PartyTimeEntertainmentInc.com • 718.667.8998

CAN YOUR DENTIST DELIVER THESE SERVICES? • Intravenous and Oral Sedation • Nitrous Oxide “sweet air” • Painless injections with “The Wand.” One of only

• 38 years of experience with over 2,000 hours of continuing education • CPR and emergency management trained staff

four Dentists in the NY area to have this technology • Comfort care cleanings • Doctor’s cell phone number

• Always see the same Doctor

• Drill free dentistry

• One hour hygiene visit devoted to oral health

• 5 year warranty on dental work • State of the art oral cancer screening with Vizilite • Financing available • An overall heath approach with blood pressure and blood sugar testing • Be seen on time!

and comfort • Availability of topical gels for gum comfort during hygiene visits • Understand your dental needs; see it on TV with our intra-oral camera!

• Ask us about the 25 other ways we can help you!

• Evening and weekend hours

If your answer is “no,” you need to call

STATEN ISLAND DENTAL CARE 718-761.5757 Dr. Frederick S. Hecht, D.M.D., P.C. Crown Council Humanitarian Dentist award for overseas dental missionary trips

Special Web Offer! www.AfraidOfTheDentist.com 1520 Richmond Avenue Staten Island, NY 10314 We are sorry but we are not able to accept Medicaid MARCH 2015

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FAMILY NEEDS Classifieds Ms. H.’s Place Small Group Tutoring & Enrichment

KAREN L. GOLDMAN, MA, LMHC-BC

Grades 2-5 1-3 Students Per Class

PSYCHOTHERAPIST & BEREAVEMENT SPECIALIST

$25

Per Hour

917.923.9044

151 Woolley Ave • Entrance on Garrison Ave

www.mshsplace.com

By Appointment Only • 1076 Forest Ave 347-850-2322 karengoldmansitherapy.com kl.goldman@yahoo.com NYS Licensed Mental Health Counselor Treating Adults, Teens, Children & Families for Over 20 Years Evening and Weekend Hours

ONLINE ADVERTISING Opportunity for Classified Business Get your business listed on siparent.com!

Tots “R” Us Daycare, Inc. 6 WEEKS–12 YEARS • EARLY PRE-SCHOOL CURRICULUM OPEN 6AM-6PM (EXTENDED HOURS AVAILABLE) • Free Breakfast, Lunch & Supper • Over Nights & Weekends • Hablamos Espanol • Summer Camp & Recreational Activities • NYS Licensed, ACD & HRA Accepted Accepting Admission at our Newest Location–Call for Info!

Call 718.761.4800 x7139 or email info@siparent.com

LOCATIONS LOCATED OFF AVE, NEAR PS 22 718-954-4108 5FOREST

Email: totsrusdaycare@hotmail.com

Certified Private Tutor Dyslexic and Non-Dyslexic Is your child struggling with reading, spelling, writing or comprehension?

COMMON CORE STANDARDS WILSON READING PROGRAM MULTI-SENSORY APPROACH ORTON-GILLINGHAM METHODOLOGY

Carol: 347-215-2417 www.carolvisoky.com

“Help Bring Your Child’s Education to the Next Level”

ADVANCED TUTORING All Grades & Subjects K-12 NYS CERTIFIED TEACHERS READY TO WORK WITH YOUR CHILD

C: 718-755-3025

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Interested in Advertising?

Call Today! 718.761.4800 x7139 Be part of the S.I. Parent Family of Advertisers & watch your business grow!

26 years of PROVEN results!

BIRTHDAY CLUB

Join S.I. Parent Magazine’s BIRTHDAY CLUB! Log on to www.siparent.com and click on the “Contests & Clubs” Tab

March MARCH 1 Dylan McAree John Michael Pearson Nayalin Guzman Mark Chertkov Hadiyah Ali Isabella La Greca John Marfoglio Angelina Rose Frascona Lucca Ulitto MARCH 2 Michael Robert O’Neill Kashayla Jackson Angelina Milata Allison Arazi Corianne Rallis Kaylina Garcia Austin Fraser Angeliah Negron Giordana Florio Marcus Payet Breanna Body Kristina Chu MARCH 3 Dylan Ivers Christopher Mazza Karon Eley Brendan DiCerbo Alexa Geary Richard Longo Kayla Wagner Daniela DiBenedetto Keil Ortiz Jr. Antoinette Chow Josiah Montantine Christopher Allegretti Aiden Reese MARCH 4 Michael Curatolo Kerry Egan Carla Jimenez Jeremy Trigo William-Izaiah Eason IV Samantha Smith Billy Jernigan, Jr. Isaiah Pizarro Hiba Ahmed McKenna Whitney MARCH 5 Leilani Jenkins Emily Guercia Sarah Rivera Christopher Redmond Kellie Betances Lena Lane Eddie Kraus MARCH 6 T. Nicole Adragna John Anthony Serrapica BriAnna D. Davison

Jason Osio TaJuan Martinez Justin Michael Louisson Justin Guaragno Amanda Rose Davies Timothy Aust Kayla Mulvey Kaitlyn Alavarces Shannon Delaney Justin Joiner Joseph Nerone Ethan Sverdlov MARCH 7 Christian Adams Stefania R. Santoro Lauren Padula Joseph Gavin Nerone Aidan Doctor Adrianna Flynn-Taliercio Mateo Palacios Lucia Alfano

Chloe Sophia Antabi MARCH 12 Sarah Mauceri Victoria Rose Brescia Gianna Nicole Brescia Jianna Jackson Ryan Patrick Davies Derek Paul van Rouendal Joseph Sciarrone Joshua DiDonna Nicholas Rocchio Jenna Scalia Georgia Rose Correll Matthew Cocozello Vincent LaBella Liana Bowman Taylor Marie Billera Jonathan Crockett Harper Omholt

MARCH 8 Samantha Faith Mazzei Steven Costigan Jr. Haley F. Chapan Sean Bosch Nicole Pepe Michelangelo Monterroso

MARCH 13 Bobby Velez Randy DeGregorio Carmine Mazza Sarah Mauceri Naveen Abdepuiahab Gabrielle Iacono Catherine Farley Cameron Bracker

MARCH 9 Ryan Siuffe Summer Kayla M. Fisher Caelen Ryan Jenna Dian Zaluk Bethany Werth Jason Dennis Mitchell Samantha Stein Matthew Jernigan Bridgette Ryan

MARCH 14 Christopher Marchisotto Alexa Puzio Camryn Vitale Madilyn Dolce Joshua Elias Lyla Atlas Riviera Marie Occhipinti Gabriella Juliette Alonso Sydney Cilente

MARCH 10 Alexa Giammanco Angelina Fasulo Madilyn Rose Dolce Anthony LaMorte Haneen Ali Abigail Intravia Nicholas Cisak Julia Gabrielle Goldstein Nathaniel Jackson Peter Velotti Chase Macri Evan Lash

MARCH 15 Miranda Drake Kaityln Sitro John Lopez Jodi Walters Ciara Dove Ryan Villamagna Joseph Ditre Ryan Villamagna

MARCH 11 Jonathan Burrell Katie Schoenau John Rutherford Destiny De Jesus Brianna Intravaia Emily Pollio Aidan Doctor Brianna Portney

MARCH 16 Suzy Mark Isabella Delgado Fran O’Neill Michelle O’Neill Paul Hansen Anna Kalil Samantha Weisselberg Isabella Marie Ramos Ethan Gorinshteyn Justin Vargas Breanna Rice Juan Hernandez

Nicaletta Zumbo MARCH 17 Natalie Nowlen Jenna Nicolosi A.J. Mistler Alyssa Bobchin T.J. Coyne Patrick Budge Steven Rivera Rocco Santiago-Vergo Sophia Bonsangue Patrick Cashin Santana Fonseca Jacklyn Pellegrino Shane Santomassino Nicole Marolla MARCH 18 Victoria Fay Kaitlyn Hopkins Michael Fieros Michelle Bruno Samantha Troia Meleena Troia Chianne Montgomery Brianny Montanez Madison Rivera Danielle Parisi Isabella Rose Alba Liam Reese Tiffanee Gentner MARCH 19 Lenor Arce Nicolas Purante Samantha Temkin Simone Waxman Hailley Dora Estevez Antoine Nicome Joseph Cuzzocrea Gene Gregoretti Andreas Romero Ryan Gould Eugene Gregoretti Isabella Moreira Thomas Patrick Moane Gabriella Grinberg Daniella Cordova Usha Lingala Madison Catalano Ava Lynn Correa MARCH 20 Janelle Dina Boakye Cayla Cruz Cassidy Cruz Matthew Piccione David Kurbalidze Zack Douhour Kaylie Portaro Ivanna Elkik John Santora Ronald Gasparik Vincent Charles Villarreal

MARCH 21 Brianna Laiacona Ryan Clinton Noel Torres Christina Nicole Fallon Jamie Pugliese Lauren Marino Kaylie Portaro Frank Paoli Mallory Colon Jeffrey Huhem MARCH 22 Stephen Klein Meghan M. Wilson Brandi Rau Lauren Pilatsky Veronika Hirsch Vincent Grillo Lucas Velasquez Karinna Marie Ramos Marianna Finn Romina Greco MARCH 23 Anthony Geocos Emily Maldari Arlena Marie Haley Matthew Geary Sabrina Warraich Anthony Santoro Marissa Mauro Anthony D'Alessandro Angela Dinkle Briaca Gosk Brian Edward Donges Kayleigh Echavarria MARCH 24 Dante Gardner Mark Stroud Haley Ferri Victoria Roca Jessica Pavia Joseph Ferrandino Jamir McNab MARCH 25 Christopher Quadrino Nicholas Quadrino David Shang Margaret Anna Smith Emily Enriquez Vinessa Vasquez Nikita Kasmauskas Nicholas Appugliese Nicholas Lombardi MARCH 26 Jaclyn A. Horvath Chianne Jenkins Kaityln Valentino Jessica Agu Joseph Devito

Darby De Sapio Jayden Luke Alexandria Sicari Robert Goldstein Alexis Fox MARCH 27 Matthew Trimmer Christina Hernandez Najea Smith Dona Anna Kiriella Kasey Marie Malanga Michael Bassolino Stephania Gangemi Henson Cho Gianna Colon Julian Chapman MARCH 28 Jonathan Konviser Benjamin Zarelli Jesse Deliberti Ryan Falco Anthony Naselli Maria Tirado Natalie Bland Samantha Bergstrom MARCH 29 Mark Egan Gianna A. Davide Vincent Mammi Adrian Rosales Alexandria Rodriguez Kayla Callahan Khamani Clapp Joseph Orlando Bryonna Pearson Dante DiPietro Sebastian Lopez Reginald Jordan MARCH 30 Michael Williamsen Amanda Nieves Antonio Brittain Jackie Rocchio Nicholas Pizzo Brian Badalamenti Anthony Siminson Jr. Jessica Orihara John Santomassino MARCH 31 Gloria Danza Hailey Kohler Birttany Blacknall Paige Marie Campanelli Meaghan Harris Michael Pira Egidio Fioribello Matthew Mascetta

Birthday Club members are entitled to receive

10 FREE TOKENS AT FUNSTATION Funstation is located on 3555 Victory Boulevard • 718.370.0077 Good only for birthday club members on this list. Not to be combined with any other offers. Offer valid on child’s birthday only.

FAMILY NEEDS Professional Directory

DIVORCE ATTORNEY

Family Court • Child Custody Spousal & Child Support Domestic Violence • Adoptions Name Changes • Annulments Separation Agreements Free Initial Consultation for Divorce Actions 24 Kurt T. Richards, P.C.

Hour Phone Service

COUNSELING SERVICES

KAREN L. GOLDMAN

NYS Licensed Psychotherapist Bereavement Specialist

MA, LMHC-BC

For Individuals, Groups, Adults and Children

Attorney at Law

• Play & Art Therapy • Anxiety • Grief & Loss Issues • Relationship Issues • School/Career Issues • Depression

www.krichardspc.com 718.720.1000

1076 Forest Ave • S.I. 347-850-2322

COUNSELING SERVICES

THE THERAPY ZONE

Licensed Clinical Social Work Services

Angela Mullane, LCSW 718-967-0490 • 3710 Richmond Ave (Eltingville) www.thetherapy.zone

COUNSELING FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Play Therapy, Social Skills Training, OCD, and Autism Spectrum Disorders, Learn Coping Strategies, Relaxation & Calming Techniques, Private Insurance, CPSE and RSA

1200 South Ave, Ste 201 • SI, NY

By Appointment • Day & Evening Hours

ORTHODONTICS

PSYCHOTHERAPIST

PSYCHOTHERAPIST

Kim Williams-Jenkins

DIANE MILIO, L.C.S.W.

LCSW-R, MSEd, CRC, CASAC Culturally Competent Compassionate Counseling

Salvatore R. Indelicato, D.M.D. Specialist in Orthodontics

GENTLE, PERSONAL, QUALITY CARE FOR CHILDREN & ADULTS 444 Huguenot Avenue • SI, NY 10312

(718) 967-5213

Member American Association of Orthodontists

• Advanced Integrative Therapy • Indiv/Couples/Family • Special Needs/Identity/Self Esteem • Work & Educational Issues/ Abuse-Recovery • Autism/Aspergers SOME CREDIT CARDS ARE ACCEPTED

2504 Richmond Road • 10306

917-613-4009

Over 25 Years Experience Most Insurance Accepted Evening & Saturday Appointments Available

718.317.5782 47 Lucy Loop • SI, NY 10312

SPEECH PATHOLOGY FIND THE FUN IN FEEDING is a twelve-week feeding program, utilizing the SOS Approach to Feeding. It utilizes a non-invasive developmental model, that teaches your child how to interact, tolerate and eat a variety of foods in a non-stressful, supportive environment. Parent/caregiver training is a key part of this program to foster success at home.

A multidisciplinary approach is also utilized, incorporating the expertise of a feeding therapist, an occupational therapist, a nutritionist, a pediatrician or any relevant professional working with your child.

Individualized and Customized: Language Enhancement Programs, Auditory Training Programs, Fluency Enhancement Programs, Oral-Sensory-Motor Plans, Voice Treatment Programs, Accent Reduction Programs, Feeding Treatment Plans, Pediatric & Adult Clients We welcome NYC DOE clients, and we are now an associate of The Perfect Playground for all CSE cases.

www.pediatricandadultspeech.com

www.pediatricandadultspeech.com NEW LISA JIANNETTO, MA, CCC-SLP, DIRECTOR LOCATION 718.356.6604 • 4056 Amboy Rd • 10308

718-447-5501 Certified professional, providing quality evaluations and treatment of adults and children for over 35 years.

ADDITIONAL SERVICES: Public Speaking Improvement, Accent Reduction, Corporate Speech Pathology & Lecturing

PSYCHOTHERAPIST

Specializing in the treatment of children, adolescents, adults, couples and families

PROMPT TRAINED THERAPISTS SOS FEEDING APPROACH ORTON-GILLINGHAM & WILSON TRAINED THERAPISTS EAROBICS

1076 FOREST AVE. (corner of Manor Rd.)

ART THERAPY Stephanie Socolick, ATR-BC, LCAT NYS Licensed, Board Certified Art Therapist Improves coping and communication skills in an engaging and supportive environment.

PSYCHOTHERAPIST

SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY ASSOCIATES OF STATEN ISLAND, PLLC

CLAIRE GUTTSMAN M.A., C.C.C. - SLP

Working with children ages 3 & up with Anxiety

Psychotherapy and Art Therapy for ADULTS TOO!

SPEECH PATHOLOGY

SPEECH PATHOLOGY

PLLC

LISA JIANNETTO, MA, CCC-SLP, DIRECTOR

718.356.6604 • 4056 Amboy Rd • 10308

SPEECH PATHOLOGY

SPEECH, OT/PT

PreCare Speech Language Pathology PC

QUALITY CARE SPEECH CENTER, INC.

• Diagnosis & treatment of infants, toddlers, adults • Autism, learning and communication disabilities • Articulation, impaired language, stuttering or lisps • All major credit cards and insurances

WWW.SLPMD.COM 718.259.4001 • 1829 Richmond Rd

NYS Licensed Speech Pathologists, Occupational & Physical Therapists Evaluation and Treatment of Pediatric Speech, Language, Feeding, Oral, Fine & Gross Motor Disorders, P.R.O.M.P.T., Russian Bilingual Services, State of the Art Sensory Gym Dept of Ed Provider (CPSE & RSA) Top of Tertiary Tier Designation

718.605.4301 3767 Hylan Blvd (Great Kills) Randi Pino M.A., CCC-SLP/TSHH, Director

www.qualitycarespeech.com

SPEECH PATHOLOGY

DOE APPROVED TO PROVIDE MONO AND BILINGUAL SERVICES FOR PRE-SCHOOL AND SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN.

Speech and Language Pathology Practice Serving You and Your Children

Autistic Spectrum Disorders, PDD, Craniofacial Differences, Fluency Disorders, Apraxia of Speech, “Late Talkers,” Hearing Impairments & Phonological / Articulation Disorders 347.640.4SLP (4757) • 188 Hylan Blvd • 10305 www.bbslp.org • Email: info@bbslp.org

Most Insurances Accepted

SPEECH PATHOLOGY 718-967-0359 • 3767 Richmond Ave www.brightstartspeech.com brightstart@si.rr.com

• Private practice with energetic & talented Speech Language Pathologists • Extensive experience Now • Full range of services Offering (diagnostics & evaluations) Homecare • Occupational Therapy • NYS & ASHA Certified

Speech & Language Pathology, P.C.

• Multi-Lingual Therapists • NYC Dept of Ed Contracted Agency for Preschool & School Age Children

WE ACCEPT ALL MAJOR INSURANCE PLANS. FREE CONSULTATIONS.

SPEECH & OT

EVALUATION & TREATMENT OF PEDIATRIC SPEECH & LANGUAGE, FINE & GROSS MOTOR DELAYS & DISORDERS • Department of Education CPSE & CSE Tertiary Designation • Most Insurance Accepted • Homecare and School Services Offered

718-608-1508

southshorespeechtherapy.com 520B Bloomingdale Rd SI, NY 10309 415 Route 34, Suite 218 Colts Neck, N.J. 07722

SPEECH PATHOLOGY

Sandra Mazzucco M.A., C.C.C.-SLP

NYS Licensed Speech Language Pathologist

EVALUATIONS & THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTION FOR CHILDREN & ADULTS PROMPT Trained Oral Motor & Feeding Therapy Specializing in Fluency ASHA Certified 465 Belfield Ave • Annadale Town North Shore: 1076 Forest Ave

718-815-6024

26 YEARS OF PROVEN RESULTS!

Call to advertise or email info@siparent.com 718-761-4800 x7139

Family of Friends Members gain access to exclusive contests and giveways!

SIGN UP FOR OUR FAMILY OF FRIENDS ON SIPARENT.COM

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ADVERTISER INDEX A Taste of Honey ..................................28

J+J Academy ......................................67

South Shore Bar and Grill ..................20

Academic Advantage ......................67

JCC Day Camp ..................................35

SI Academy ..........................................41

Access to Patients ................................23

JCC Early Childhood Center ..............8

SI Academy Camp ............................19

Affordable Care Act ............................18

Kiddie Academy..................................66

SI Museum ............................................51

American Karate ................................36

Kiddie Wonderland ............................55

SI Community Charter School ..........63

Art Lab....................................................65

Kids ‘N Shape........................................52

SI Community Tennis ..........................34

Athletic Edge ..........................................5

Learning Express ..................................40

SI Day Camp ..........................................9

Bario’s Pizzeria ......................................49

Little Smarties Daycare ......................43

SI Dental ................................................83

Big Bird’s Playhouse ............................57

Master Curry Karate..............................3

SI Family Music ....................................23

Bricks 4 Kidz ..........................................54

Mathnasium ........................................20

SI Montessori School ..........................23

Brienza Academic Advantage ........75

Mini World Preschool ..........................67

SI Pediatric Dentistry ............................22

Building Blocks Montessori ................71

Miss Jessica Jamz ................................67

SI Skating Pavilion ..............................33

CareerCo ..............................................60

Moms in Training..................................30

Silhouette Dance Center....................51

Casa Belvedere ..................................88

Music Together of SI ............................27

SMB Studio Arts ....................................50

Center Stage Dance Co. ..................43

New Dorp Christian Academy ........75

St. George Theatre..............Back Cover

Children at Play....................................65

New Dorp Moravian Church ..........34

St. John Villa Academy Camp..........34

Created By You ....................................68

Oakdale Academy ............................68

St. Joseph Alumni ................................79

CSI Summer Programs........................68

Once Upon A Child ............................61

St. Joseph Hill Academy ....................77

Dea Music ............................................24

Our Lady Star of the Sea ....................77

St. Paul’s School of Nursing ................63

Delco Drugs ..........................................49

Parent to Parent ..................................75

St. Teresa School ..................................51

Dr. Lisa Lazzara (Kids Dental) ............36

Party Jam Party Centers ....................39

Sunny Days ..........................................30

Dr. Michael D’Anna ..............................6

Pinot’s Palette........................................28

Suzanne’s Fashion Corner ................50

Dr. Michael D Simone ........................71

Plumkinville............................................17

THASC ....................................................77

Dr. Michelle Giumenta ......................53

Pole Position ........................................55

Total Dental ..........................................79

Dr. Phyllis Merlino..................................66

Pouch Day Camp ..............................14

The Foresight School ..........................60

Ed Perpetua Tennis Academy ..........52

Rab’s Country Lanes ..........................15

The Stone House ..................................65

Eltingville Lutheran School ................53

Richmond County Day Camp ........11

The Tanglewood School ....................73

Families on the Move..........................40

Richmond County Savings Bank ......2

The Village Preschool ........................68

Fastrackids ............................................21

Richmond Hill Children’s Center ......73

Thursday’s Child ..................................90

Fun Station ............................................13

Richmond University Med. Ctr. ..........29

United Sports Youth League ..............71

Fun Station Day Camp ......................12

Richmondtown Soccer ......................53

Victory Gymnastics ............................36

Garibaldi-Meucci Museum ..............23

Seguine Equestrian..............................43

Volunteers of America ........................57

Genesis Fertility ....................................43

Serena’s Catering Hall ........................17

Wagner College External ..................61

Gingerbread Learning Center..........91

Showplace Entertainment ................10

YMCA........................................................7

High Hopes............................................71

Small World Dental ..............................31

Young People’s Day Camp ..............25

Hugs and Kiddies ..............................54

Small World Preschool ........................73

Xaverian ................................................27

MARCH 2015

www.siparent.com

89

90

MARCH 2015

www.siparent.com

8 Week Program: $1500 Register Early Before June 1st.

For Only $1300

Gingerbread Pre-K Summer Program Registration I s Going On Now !

A $200 SAVINGS! As per Section 4410 of Article 89 of the Education Law

• Group or Individual Curriculums at Your Home, Preschool or our Center.

• Diagnostic Evaluations and Therapy by Licensed Certified Professionals. Placement determined by NYC CPSE. • NYS Approved Preschool Evaluation Site.

• FREE TUITION AND TRANSPORTATION* * For all eligibile children. Funding provided through state and local agencies. Parent may transport for reimbursement.

• Developmental Areas: Behavior and Socialization,

Cognitive Development, Speech and Language Hearing Loss, Physical and Occupational Therapy.

• Three Convenient Staten Island Locations.

• Call or Visit our School & Pick Up a Free Brochure.

• For Information Concerning the Early Intervention Program Call 311.

WWW.GINGERBREADLCTR.COM ~Equal Opportunity Employer~

Ages 0-5 Programs Available 718 80 Woodrow Rd • 471 North Gannon Ave • 144 Bloomingdale Rd E-Mail: gingerbread@gingerbreadlctr.com

5 Days - Full Day/Half Day

Not responsible for any typographical errors.

Extended Daycare Hours 7am-7pm Available MARCH 2015

www.siparent.com

91

PRST STD

SOLUTIONS TO EVERYDAY PARENTING

1200 South Avenue • Suite 202 Staten Island, New York 10314

www.siparent.com

U.S. POSTAGE PAID STATEN ISLAND, NY PERMIT NO. 493