Archives for 2019

2017 Kids Night on Broadway

October 28, 2019 By Michelle Yannaco

THE 21ST KIDS’ NIGHT ON BROADWAY WILL TAKE PLACE IN NEW YORK CITY ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28TH, 2017.

On Kids’ Night on Broadway, young people age 18 and under can see a participating Broadway show for free when accompanied by a full-paying adult. The fun also includes great family-friendly restaurant deals, special offers, events and activities.

Tickets will go on sale December 6th at 10:30am.
Visit www.kidsnightonbroadway.com for information on purchasing tickets.

Participating* 2017 shows to date include:

Aladdin

Beautiful: the Carole King Musical

A Bronx Tale

Cats

Chicago

Come From Away

Dear Evan Hansen

In Transit

August Wilson’s Jitney

Kinky Boots

The Lion King

Natasha

Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812

On Your Feet!

The Phantom of the Opera

School of Rock the Musical

Significant Other

Waitress

Wicked

(*subject to change)

The Gift of Giving

October 28, 2019 By Marjorie Hack

Despite all the communal hype, the holiday season can be a very inward-looking affair.

While you hear phrases like “good will toward men,” and “peace on earth,” let’s face it, for so many Staten Island families, the focus is mainly on their own family.

Kids worry about the gifts they hope to get; parents are caught up in the frenzy of providing a festive meal, a decorative house, and all the requisite shopping. The celebrations are largely family-oriented, with Nana and Poppy coming for latkes and brisket, cousins salivating over lasagna and turkey with all the trimmings.

It can all seem pretty self-serving.

There is a way to balance all this, however, say those knee-deep in the volunteer community: Plan to donate time and effort to help others now and in the coming year.

According to Dennis McKeon, executive director of Where-To-Turn, a nonprofit that promotes a wide variety of volunteer opportunities on Staten Island, this is one gift that will pay it forward for years, when it comes to your children’s emotional development and appreciation of community.

“It’s a learning process,” he explained. “A, it gives kids something to do, and B, it keeps them out of trouble.”

But, added McKeon, it does a lot more than that. “It opens their eyes up to some of the issues we have on Staten Island. And the younger you can get them to volunteer, the more likely you are to get them hooked.”

Thirteen years ago, McKeon’s group started a shoveling program to help out seniors who were shut in after a snowfall, largely because they needed help digging out. Depending on the year, McKeon said he’s had anywhere from 400 to 700 kids who’ve been paired with a senior near their home.

Geared to youngsters in seventh-grade and older, the program has been, for many of the able-bodied shovelers, the source of commitment to a goal. “You get to know a senior citizen. Most of them (the participants) stay with the same senior until they go to college. Then, like a paper route, they pass it on to a younger brother or sister,” explained McKeon.

“That’s the program we are really pushing on because we have over 2,500 seniors requesting the service,” he said.

To date, the bulk of the students participating in the program have come from Monsignor Farrell High School in Oakwood and St. Peter’s Boys High School in New Brighton.

This year, however, said McKeon, he’s extending his outreach by working with City Council members to find a point person to coordinate with in each of the borough’s intermediate and high schools, in an effort to grow the number of shovelers.

McKeon said those who start volunteering usually re-up. “They get some satisfaction out of doing something,” he said.

McKeon isn’t the only resource for volunteer opportunities out there.

Every third Saturday of the month, Trinity Lutheran Church in Stapleton invites families with children 10 years and older to serve about 150 home-cooked meals, restaurant-style in its soup kitchen. The church’s weekly Food Pantry is open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; the meals are served between noon and 1 p.m. Trinity’s Food Ministry has been in operation for 25 years, according to its website.

Parents can reach out to the church directly, or visit newyorkcares.org, where the opportunity is one of several listed on Staten Island — among them helping at the Council of Jewish Organizations’ food pantry in Port Richmond and the Mobile Market in Stapleton.

Volunteers are also needed for a dance program in Stapleton and two Saturday programs at PS 20 in Port Richmond — Sports Explorers where kids learn about healthy lifestyles, games, sports and fun, and Culinary Explorers where the focus is on food sourcing and preparation.

Schools, in fact, are a great source of spirit and willing hands, according to Joe Delaney of Pleasant Plains, who regularly helps spear-head the Staten Island Notre Dame Club’s Bread of Life Drive — a spring-time food collection that last year brought in 70,000 items that were donated to over 20 groups on Staten Island, to be distributed to those in need.

“I get asked all the time — can I get my kids involved? Absolutely,” said Delaney.

“We start to create a culture of giving among the kids,” Delaney continued, speaking of the Bread of Life Drive. He said, as an adult organizer, he can feel “the pride the kids take in giving back to their community in making a difference. Kids take away a sense of accomplishment. And for older students, it starts to become something they can put on their resume. ‘Not only did I do good, I learned how to do it,’” explained Delaney.

McKeon agrees that school children are ready, eager and able.

“Academy of St. Dorothy just called me up,” he said. “They’re going to adopt the Old Town train station this year and keep it litter-free. We’re going to supply the bags and materials they need. We’re going to try this with other schools, asking them to adopt locations around their schools. We’ll give them community service credits for doing that.” (The train station is right behind the school grounds in Grasmere.)

Community service credits are something that schools on Staten Island are demanding that kids compile before they graduate, said Jim Scarcella, who works with the Natural Resources Protective Association on Staten Island and helps kids track the hours they put in at beach cleanups. According to Scarcella, high-school students need 25 community service credits to graduate; intermediate school students need 12.

According to generationOn, a website devoted to the global youth service movement, the benefits of volunteering as a family are five-fold:

Kids and teens cultivate positive values, such as caring and empathy, and develop a commitment to service both now and in the future.
By participating in volunteer activities, kids and teens feel appreciated and respected as well as learn new skills.
Parents get to spend quality time with their children in a positive environment while serving as role models, leading by example, and passing on important values.
Families increase their sense of cohesion, well-being and connections to the broader community.
The combination of ages and generations within a family means they have everything needed to make meaningful change in the community: Energy, creativity, passion, knowledge and experience, as well as different perspectives and skills.

Perhaps, McKeon said it best: “ We do a lot of cleanups now. We work with my clean team; we work with the Natural Resources Protective Association or Friends of Abandoned Cemeteries. You can see that the kids are shocked at how much stuff, how bad litter and dumping is on Staten Island. ‘I’ll think twice now about dropping my gum wrapper on the floor,’ they’ll say. They can physically see they’re doing something to make Staten Island a better place to live.”

WANT TO VOLUNTEER?

(CLICK HERE to visit the volunteer opportunity page.)

Here are some places to reach out to if you or your family wants to donate some time to a good cause. (By the way, ask at almost any house of worship or civic association near your home and chances are, there will be plenty of volunteer initiatives to pick from.)

newyorkcares.org — A New York City-wide clearinghouse that lists projects in need of volunteers, by borough. It is updated throughout the year.

Where-to-Turn.org — Staten Island-based volunteer initiatives, for all ages ranging from 7th-grade and up, including snow shoveling for seniors, graffiti removal, prom-dress collection, cleanups, outdated campaign sign tear-downs, and opportunities at New York Blood Services, which is looking for students to work at the donor center. (Most opportunities come with community service credits.)

Bread of Life Drive — Call Joseph Delaney at 718-967-9825 or jodelaney@deloitteretired.com. Most schools participate and will send home information as the collection time nears, but if your family or a civic group wants to get involved and you haven’t been tapped yet, reach out and get the particulars.

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church — To find out more about its Food Ministry, call the church at 718-447-0526.

Natural Resources Protective Association (NRPA) — This group organizes shore-front cleanups throughout the year and maintains a calendar of upcoming opportunities on its website at www.nrpa.com; email nrpa2@aol.com, or call 718-987-6037 (Community service hours are certified by Jim Scarcella at 718-873-4291).

Project Hospitality — Project Hospitality, Inc. reaches out to community members who are hungry, homeless or otherwise in need in order to work with them to achieve their self-sufficiency — thereby enhancing the quality of life for our community. If you would like to volunteer, please contact the group at 718-448-1544, ext. 134, or e-mail at paul_kosinski@projecthospitality.org. Families, children and groups are welcome to volunteer.

TIPS FOR SELECTING A SELECT A GOOD CAUSE: TALK IT OVER

What interests us? What do we care about most?
What do we like to do?
What skills and talents can we offer?
What projects would be suitable for all our family members?
How much time do we have?
How might the volunteering experience benefit our family?

SOURCE: generationOn

By Marjorie Hack, a Staten Island writer.

Am I Crazy, or Am I Just Pregnant?

October 28, 2019 By Michelle Yannaco

No one really talks about how most pregnancies are not spent being blissfully happy or symptom-free. In fact, you’ve probably heard it a million times: Pregnant women glow. It is something we all want to believe; wouldn’t it be wonderful to be radiant for nine months? The reality of pregnancy is not so glittery or glamorous.

During pregnancy—especially the first months—you are far more likely to be gagging than glowing. Early pregnancy symptoms can indeed be intense. In fact, it’s common to feel all kinds of surprising physical and emotional symptoms. Then, on top of it all, pregnant women often feel guilty because they don’t feel fabulous. Even if you are totally thrilled to be pregnant, you’re likely to start your nine-month journey experiencing some of these uncomfortable symptoms:

Frustrating Fatigue

Fatigue and pregnancy go hand in hand. In fact, fatigue is frequently the first pregnancy symptom that women notice. (The other common first is breast tenderness.) Pregnancy fatigue is unlike other kinds of fatigue; it makes you feel heavy and exhausted, not so much tired, but just burned out. It brings about a bone-deep weariness that has many women in bed, fast asleep, by 8:00 p.m. What causes this? The most likely culprits are the hormonal changes of pregnancy. Another contributor is the fact that other pregnancy symptoms—for example, having to urinate more frequently—can interfere with your ability to get a good night’s sleep. Even low levels of stress or anxiety wear on you, increasing fatigue levels and making you feel less energetic. Studies show that stress and anxiety have an effect on our ability to fall asleep, to stay asleep, and to wake up feeling refreshed.

Impish Insomnia

With all that fatigue, it might seem counterintuitive that most pregnant women experience insomnia. After all, when you are exhausted, sleep should come easily. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case during pregnancy. Insomnia is one of the most frequently reported symptoms during pregnancy but also one of the least talked about. Getting up in the night to pee does not usually result in falling back to sleep immediately, because your mind tends to take over and you find yourself lying in bed, thinking and worrying and planning. Many of my patients find this so frustrating. They are exhausted and they crave sleep, but they lie in bed and worry that they aren’t sleeping. There are many ways to learn how to sleep better during pregnancy, however, and we devote a chunk of chapter 5 to specific non-medication solutions. The main thing to focus on is to recognize that most pregnant women have problems getting a good night’s sleep but there are ways to overcome your insomnia.

Nasty Nausea

Next up on the pregnancy symptom hit parade is nausea. Personally, I refuse to refer to this noxious ordeal as “morning sickness” because I had it during both my pregnancies, and believe me, I wish it only transpired in the morning. Unfortunately, it can come on at any time of day (or all day). The low point of my second pregnancy? When my four-year-old realized that she could count the number of times I vomited. As in, “Guess what, Daddy? Mommy threw up seven times!” Even if you know that your pregnancy nausea is likely to disappear by thirteen weeks, you’re still dealing with a lot of crummy feelings. I remember one day, early in my first pregnancy, hanging over the toilet with tears in my eyes thinking, “I didn’t sign up for this.” Nobody wanted a baby more than I did, and yet, as I endured wave after wave of nausea, I questioned the whole idea of pregnancy—which left me feeling shocked, bewildered, and ashamed. If I couldn’t handle a bit of nausea, I wondered, what kind of a mother would I be?

Arduous Anxiety

The definition of anxiety is a feeling of worry or nervousness, usually about the uncertain outcome of a future event. Anxiety occurs throughout life, but it is more likely to happen when we have something big on our radar screens for the near future—like, say, having a baby. Pregnancy brings out our anxious inner voices the way few other life experiences do. I can’t tell you how common it is for pregnant women to be plagued with anxiety. Here are just a few of the common questions that nag at them:

Is my baby healthy?
What if something goes wrong with my baby or my pregnancy?
Will I be able to endure labor and delivery?
What if I do something embarrassing during labor?
Will I be a good mother?
Will my partner be a good parent?
Will I ever lose all this weight I’m gaining?
If I go back to work after my baby is born, will my baby get the right kind of care?
If I follow my dream to be a stay-at-home mom, how will we pay our bills?
Will I ever feel like myself again?

Bummed by the Blues

Because pregnancy mimics depression, to determine the cause of your symptoms you should focus on the emotional rather than the physical symptoms of depression. Ask yourself the following questions:

Do I look forward to things the way I used to?

Do I look forward to the future?

Am I content or happy much of the time?

Do I get as much pleasure from activities as I used to?

Am I as interested in things as I used to be?

If you answered no to two or more questions, it is possible that you are in fact experiencing depression. But as you will read about later in this book, there are lots of ways to find relief from your symptoms and feel better during pregnancy.

Substantial Stress

Pregnancy has always caused stress, but it’s even more stressful in today’s overly wired world. When our moms were pregnant, they felt concerned about their pregnancy and their babies’ health. But today, a pregnant woman’s list of pressures is so much longer, fostered by social-media-fueled perfectionism, alarmist news reporting, celebrity baby-bump watching, and intense product marketing. All of these contribute to a widespread belief that if you do everything just right, your baby—and your life—will be perfect.

Although stress is a normal reaction to a new situation and there are multiple reasons why pregnant women feel stress and anxiety, it is important to find ways to reduce stress for your own peace of mind canadian online gambling and the health of your baby. Research shows that excessive stress during pregnancy can be truly harmful: It’s associated with premature birth and low birth weight, which can lead to a range of health problems for babies. In addition, having anxiety during pregnancy is a significant predictor of postpartum depression.

Adapted from Finding Calm for the Expectant Mom: Tools for Reducing Stress, Anxiety, and Mood Swings During Your Pregnancy by Alice D. Domar, Ph.D. with the permission of TarcherPerigee, an imprint of Penguin Random House. Copyright © 2016 by Alice D. Domar.

30 Kid-Friendly Holiday Craft Ideas

October 28, 2019 By Michelle Yannaco

The holidays are the perfect time to get crafty with your family. Get into the holiday spirit with these super cute, super easy projects you can do with children of all ages, then display them in your home for all to see!

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR HOLIDAY UPDATES AND MORE!

Salt-Dough Christmas Tree Ornaments

Craft Stick Snowflakes

Paper Plate Christmas Ornament Craft

Holiday Light Chalk Stencil Art

Santa Beard

Santa Slime

Kwanzaa Handprint Wreath

Gingerbread Man Paper Garland

Elf Paper Plate Craft

Nativity Suncatcher

Cardboard Tube Chanukah

Hot Cocoa Craft

Watercolor Dreidel

Q-Tip Painted Snowman

3D Paper Snowflake

Play Christmas Tree

Beaded Ornaments

Paper Bag Rudolph

Stained Glass Menorah

Hanukkah Menorah

Craft Stick Manger Craft

Santa Handprint

Santa and Reindeer Stick Puppets

Handprint Christmas Tree

Kwanzaa Kinara

Christmas Wreath

Paper Plate Grinch

Mistletoes

Explaining Sensory Processing Disorder

October 28, 2019 By Michelle Yannaco

Educators and parents are more cognizant today about the various needs of their students and children. The lines between certain learning disabilities and conditions are not always easy to decipher, and this is especially true with a condition known as sensory processing disorder.

What is Sensory Processing Disorder

Sensory processing disorder (SPD), sometimes referred to as sensory integration dysfunction, involves the way the nervous system receives messages from the senses and transforms them into appropriate motor functions and behavioral responses. When a child has SPD, his or her sensory signals are not organized into appropriate responses. This can present challenges when performing everyday tasks, says the Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation. Clumsiness with regard to motor skills, behavioral problems, difficulties in school and anxiety are just some of the conditions that may result from SPD if no treatment is sought.

A person with SPD may find clothing, physical contact or some sort of sensory input, like light or sound, to be uncomfortable, while another may under-respond to certain stimulation, such as not reacting quickly enough to pain. Others with SPD may not have adequate motor skills, leading them to consistently fall or trip. Some people with SPD overly seek out stimulation and sensation to a point where they are often misdiagnosed with ADHD.

Detecting Sensory Processing Disorder

Identifying and understanding SPD is essential, as such an understanding can mean the difference between getting the right treatment or being misdiagnosed. Some people with SPD are medicated for other issues, when SPD really is the cause of their problems. A Pennsylvania injury attorney from Console and Associates PC can help in such cases.

SPD is most common in children, although it can occur in adults. The exact cause of the condition, and other neurodevelopmental disorders, have not been entirely identified. Doctors believe SPD is often inherited and SPD causes are ingrained in DNA. Prenatal and birth complications also have been implicated, and environmental factors may be involved. However, researchers believe SPD is the result of factors that are both genetic and environmental.

Treating SPD

An accurate diagnosis of SPD means that most children will be treated with some form of occupational therapy. Listening therapy and other therapies may be combined. Therapy may take place in a sensory-rich location that is challenging but fun. Additional support may be needed in the classroom for school-aged children. Because kids with SPD have brains that are wired differently, they may require different approaches to learn their lessons. The disorder does not make them any less intelligent; it just means lessons need to be tailored to meet their needs.

The best course of action is to ask a doctor to conduct tests to determine if a child has SPD. Research shows that families who work together with educators, therapists and other family members have the highest levels of success with regard to making life easier for someone with sensory processing disorder. Furthermore, parents who suspect their child has SPD can refer to this checklist, which is available here. A child may not exhibit all signs of SPD, but the list can be a good starting point for conversations with a doctor.

This Is the NYC Public School Outdoor Recess Policy

October 28, 2019 By Michelle Yannaco

When seasons change and temperatures fluctuate, parents sometimes have questions regarding the New York City Department of Education’s outdoor recess policy. Hopefully the following will alleviate some of the confusion about temperature guidelines for outdoor recess:

COLD WEATHER

Several years ago, school personnel were advised to keep children inside when the outside temperature dropped below 32 degrees. In 2004, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene revisited this policy, recommending that a combination of factors be used to determine whether schools conduct outdoor play during cold weather days.

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene guidelines regarding outdoor play in cold weather states;

Children benefit from vigorous exercise and should be given the opportunity to play outside whenever possible. Unless it is snowing or there is ice on the playground, low temperatures should not be a barrier to outside play, as long as children are appropriately dressed. The City’s Health Department strongly encourages principals to maintain outdoor play periods on the vast majority of winter days.

Each day, school administrators take multiple factors into consideration when determining whether children will be going outdoors for gym classes and/or recess. Some of these considerations include; a) visual inspection of the play area, checking for ice patches and/or other defects. b) monitoring weather reports for temperature, wind chill factors, and precipitation c) possible safety concerns.

According to The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, every classroom must have a top rated dehumidifier as to avoid infestation of bacteria and other germs when the doors and windows are sealed tight during cold weather.

Sometimes children with asthma may experience increased symptoms while playing outside in cold weather. It is important to note that exercise-related asthma can be heightened at any temperature and can usually be prevented by taking the necessary medication or treatment before engaging in activities.

HOT WEATHER

When the outdoor temperature rises above 95°, children can be at risk for a heat-related illness. They may also have a lower tolerance for exercise.

When the temperature is less than 95º and the humidity or heat index is high, it can increase the risk of heat related illnesses. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene recommends that schools limit the intensity of outdoor activities lasting more than 15 minutes to minimize the possibility of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Students should be provided with access to water and be reminded to drink often during periods of high temperatures and humidity. It also may help to have students dress in appropriate light colored and lightweight clothing.

Read Next | Choosing a Day Camp Post-Quarantine

RECESS TO ENHANCE LEARNING

Over the past several years there has been much debate about the limited outdoor recess activity at schools. Much of this debate is related to the Common Core Standards and emphasis on state standardized testing. Parents and educators alike have been advocating for increasing the amount of time allocated for outdoor recess.

The Patchogue-Medford School District on Long Island recently doubled the amount of time for recess to 40 minutes from 20.

“Some of the things we’re going to focus on are the social, emotional, physical and cognitive needs of all of our students. We’re going to start to look at, from a structural standpoint, aspects of play, yoga, meditation, and most notably project-based learning.

Our school board and administration are completely aligned on these groundbreaking measures that will continue to define our school district as a beacon for progressive educational fundamentals and values,” said Michael Hynes, the Patchogue-Medford School District Superintendent.

It is an interesting perspective and as we have heard time and time again as adults, exercise can have a tremendous impact on both our physical and mental health. This concept should hold true for our children as well.

By Community Education Council 31 President Michael Reilly

Read Next | Find Great After School Programs in Staten Island

2017 Kids Night on Broadway

The Gift of Giving

WANT TO VOLUNTEER?

TIPS FOR SELECTING A SELECT A GOOD CAUSE: TALK IT OVER

Am I Crazy, or Am I Just Pregnant?

Frustrating Fatigue

Impish Insomnia

Nasty Nausea

Arduous Anxiety

Bummed by the Blues

Substantial Stress

30 Kid-Friendly Holiday Craft Ideas

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR HOLIDAY UPDATES AND MORE!

Explaining Sensory Processing Disorder

What is Sensory Processing Disorder

Detecting Sensory Processing Disorder

Treating SPD

This Is the NYC Public School Outdoor Recess Policy

COLD WEATHER

HOT WEATHER

RECESS TO ENHANCE LEARNING

Staten Island Parent

Important Links

Get Weekly Activities Emailed To You

Archives for 2019

WANT TO VOLUNTEER?

TIPS FOR SELECTING A SELECT A GOOD CAUSE: TALK IT OVER

Frustrating Fatigue

Impish Insomnia

Nasty Nausea

Arduous Anxiety

Bummed by the Blues

Substantial Stress

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR HOLIDAY UPDATES AND MORE!

What is Sensory Processing Disorder

Detecting Sensory Processing Disorder

Treating SPD

COLD WEATHER

HOT WEATHER

RECESS TO ENHANCE LEARNING

Staten Island Parent

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Important Links

Get Weekly Activities Emailed To You