Archives for 2019

The winners of the 2019 Design & Editorial Awards were announced at the Parenting Media Association (PMA) Annual Conference March 1, 2019 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Staten Island Parent is honored to be the recipient of two Gold Medals, one Silver Medal, and one Bronze Medal for excellence!

The Staten Island Parent Weekly E-Newsletter earned a Gold Medal in the digital category! Judges said of our highly informative newsletter: “A simple design is supported by a nearly endless supply of events, activities and links to family-friendly directories and other resources.”

Also earning a Gold Medal in the Family Fun Column category is our monthly Good Sports column by sportswriter Joe LoVerde. The judges said Joe “embraces and enhances the sense of community that evolves around sports with short features that celebrate local residents’ competitive accomplishments. His experience as a coach and a veteran sports writer lends his pieces an authentic voice.”

A Silver Medal in the editorial category for Profile goes to Staten Island Parent Editor Jeannine Cintron for Giving Thanks on Veteran’s Day from the November 2018 issue. Judges had this to say of the piece: “This thoughtful essay by the wife of a U.S. Marine provides a full-throttled tribute to veterans and inspires pride and compassion for all their sacrifice and unsung heroism, at home and on the battlefield.”

And last, but certainly not least, we are very proud to earn a Bronze Medal for General Excellence for our website siparent-com.go-vip.net. The judges were very impressed by our Family Calendar, saying “Particularly notable is the extensive, often-updated calendar of events, including many that are specific to the borough and don’t require a long trip. Content is carefully curated and up to date.”

Staten Island Parent is proud to serve the community with award winning digital and editorial content. Thank you to the Parenting Media Association, a national trade association of regional parenting publications spanning the world. With a global reach of 6 million readers per month, we are truly humbled to be recognized by such an esteemed organization.

And a huge THANK YOU goes to our wonderful, loyal readers, who inspire us every day to continue being the number one parenting resource for families in Staten Island!

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Starting Monday March 18, motorists in Staten Island will be able to report their property-damage-only vehicle collisions directly to the DMV, instead of waiting for police to respond. If you Read More Here about how tedious the process really can be, you’d thank the Staten Island govt. for implementing this change.

The department is implementing a pilot program on Staten Island wherein motorists involved in vehicle collisions with only property damage will be responsible for exchanging information, preparing their own report of motor vehicle accident and forwarding it to the DMV as per the instructions on the form. Police communications technicians will connect the caller to a pre-recorded message explaining that the police will not respond and the motorist will be provided with further instructions.

The New York City Police Department recently released the following information to guide drivers if they are unfortunately involved in a vehicle collision.

First and foremost, your safety is the number one priority. If you are involved in a vehicle collision:

• Shift your vehicle into “park.”
• Check yourself and any passengers for injuries.
• If you cannot move your vehicle, or if medical assistance is needed, dial “911” and follow the operator’s instructions.

If your vehicle is operable, and no one in your vehicle has suffered any injuries, you should move to secure location. This can be the nearest shoulder or the median. Once your vehicle is in a safe area you may exit to assess the situation. Following these guidelines will:

• Protect you from oncoming traffic
• Allow safe passage for other motorists not involved
• Provide easier access for emergency responders to reach you, if necessary.

COLLISIONS WITH MINOR PROPERTY DAMAGE (per the new program)

If you are involved in a vehicle collision that only results in property damage motorists are not required to report the incident to the police. If there is only property damage, motorists are only responsible for exchanging their driver’s license information, insurance and vehicle registration with all other motorists involved. For insurance purposes, a Report of Motor Vehicle Accident should be filed with the Department of Motor Vehicles. This form can be found online at dmv.ny.gov/forms.mv104.pdf once the program has begun.

Motorists should note that A Report of Motor Vehicle Accident must be filed with the Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days of a collision, if the collision caused damage over $1,000 to the property of any one person. Failure to file the report within 10 days can result in suspension of your driver’s license.

Leaving the scene of a collision before exchanging your information with other motorists is illegal under the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law. Additionally, you are required to remain on the scene and contact the police immediately after a vehicle collision when:

• Any person is injured or killed;
• A domestic animal is injured or killed
• A parked vehicle, or any other property is damaged, and the owner cannot be located.
• Suspected criminality (e.g. allegations of intoxication, etc.)
• Disputes
• A city-involved vehicle collision
• Motorist is unwilling to exchange information

Property damage can be caused in different ways, so unless you have an experienced property damage attorney, many insurance providers are likely to try to avoid compensating you. Consult with Singleton Law Firm to make your damage claim so you can receive the full benefits of insurance policy.

HELPFUL LINKS

trafficstats.nypdonline.org – Offers statistics on the total collisions, type of collisions, injuries, fatalities, etc. Information can be broken out by borough and precinct

www1.nyc.gov/site/nypd/stats/traffic-data/traffic-data-collision.page – Offers location info for the sight of collisions, including intersection, bridge, tunnel, or highway.

nycvzv.info – Offers collision breakdown and safety/danger areas for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists that can be viewed easily on a map.

By Michael Reilly, NYS Assemblyman, former District 31 Community Education Council President and former NYPD Lieutenant.

The spotlight is on female empowerment this month, so let story time inspire accordingly! Celebrate the accomplishments of the most memorable women in history with these powerful and fascinating reads from Macmillan Publishers.

A IS FOR AWESOME by Eva Chen (Ages 1-3)

Instagram superstar and New York Times bestselling author Eva Chen has created an alphabet board book depicting 23 feminist icons — including Amelia Earhart, Coco Chanel, Malala, and Oprah Winfrey. This book serves both as a fun ABC story and a delightful ode to powerful women.

SECRET ENGINEER: HOW EMILY ROEBLING BUILT THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE by Rachel Dougherty (Ages 5-8)

An empowering tale of an innovative, clever woman who succeeded in a man’s world. Not only is this a biography, but the author/artist took great care to incorporate digestible bits of information about structural engineering throughout the text and illustrations.

BRAVE BALLERINA by Michelle Meadows; illustrated by Ebony Glenn (All ages)

A lyrical picture book tribute to Janet Collins, the first African American principal dancer at the Metropolitan Opera House. The narrative is inviting and will engage young readers in thoughtful reflection about overcoming challenges and inspire them to think “big” from an early age.

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HISTORY VS WOMEN: THE DEFIANT LIVES THAT THEY DON’T WANT YOU TO KNOW by Anita Sarkeesian and Ebony Aste (For teens & adults)

This book reclaims the stories of twenty-five remarkable women who dared to defy history and change the world around them, fom Toltec queens to Chinese pirates, Native American ballerinas to Greco-Egyptian scientists, Japanese novelists to British Prime Ministers. The standout nonfiction title is the perfect read for teens and adults who want the true stories of phenomenal women from around the world and insight into how their lives and accomplishments impacted their societies.

COUNTING ON KATHERINE: HOW KATHERINE JOHNSON SAVED APOLLO 13 by Helaine Becker; illustrated by Dow Phumiruk (Ages 5-9)

This is the bold story of Katherine Johnson, an African-American mathematician who worked for NASA during the space race and was depicted in the film Hidden Figures. The narrative is inviting and will engage young readers in thoughtful reflection about overcoming challenges, inspiring them to think “big” from an early age.

SO TALL WITHIN by Gary D. Schmidt; illustrated by Daniel Minter (Ages 4-8)

Sojourner Truth: an important figure in the struggle for civil rights and rights for women, her ideas were far ahead of her time and are surprisingly resonant today. Lyrical, commanding, and profound, the text by Gary Schmidt is a powerful piece of prose and makes Sojourner Truth both larger than life and remarkably human.

WILD HORSE ANNIE by Tracey Fern; pictures by Steven Salerno (Ages 4-7)

This book celebrates Wild Horse Annie, a woman who spoke up and made an impact in her community. Wild Horse Annie was the nickname of Velma Bronn Johnston, a girl who spoke up after seeing mustangs being rounded up and killed to make room for ranchers’ livestock. She began writing letters to local newspapers and politicians, defending the horses’ right to roam free. Her letter-writing campaign by schoolchildren that helped establish laws protecting wild horses offers a model for contemporary kids about how they too can participate in politics.

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Each spring, many schools in Staten Island hold Basket Auctions to raise money. Attending an auction can mean big money for the school, but you can win some pretty sweet prizes for yourself too. Sounds like a win/win, right?

Please note that dates, times, locations, and seating availability are subject to change without notice. In addition, many of these events require tickets be purchased in advance. If you are interested in attending, please call the school and speak with the PTA or Parent Coordinator to confirm first.

Don’t see your school listed? Email jcintron@siparent-com.go-vip.net (subject line: Basket Auction) to include your school’s auction.

Gaynor McCown Expeditionary Learning School
Saturday, April 13 • 2pm
100 Essex Drive, 10314
(718) 370-6950

Girl Scout Volunteers of Staten Island Pick a Prize Basket & Gift Auction
Friday, March 29 • 7pm
Zion Lutheran Church • 505 Watchogue Rd

Holy Child Ladies Night Raffle
Thursday, April 11 • 6:30pm
Grand Oaks Country Club • 200 Huguenot Ave.
(718) 356-5159 or holychildprek@gmail.com

Holy Rosary School
Saturday, May 4 • 2pm
80 Jerome Avenue (enter on Bionia Avenue)
(718) 447-1195

I.S. 24
Friday, April 12 • 6pm
225 Cleveland Avenue, 10308
(718) 982-4700

I.S. 27 Spring Auction
Thursday, May 23 • 6pm
LiGreci’s Staaten • 697 Forest Ave.
(718) 981-8800

Petrides School
Friday, March 29 • 6:30pm
715 Ocean Terrace
(917) 202-5870

P.S. 23
Friday, March 29 • 6pm
30 Natick Street, 10306
(718) 351-1155 or ps23ptabac@gmail.com

P.S. 373R Raffle & Play
Saturday, March 30 • 1pm
We Rock the Spectrum Gym • 639 Veterans Rd. W
(718) 816-8897

P.S. 48 Spring Fling
Thursday, April 11 • 7pm
Labetti Post • 390 Hylan Blvd.
ps48pta@ps48.org

P.S. 53 Vegas Nights Auction
Thursday, April 18 • 6pm
Old Bermuda Inn • 2512 Arthur Kill Rd.
(718) 987-8020

P.S. 68 Raffle Rendezvous
Friday, May 10 • 6pm
Oriental Plaza • 1845 Richmond Avenue
ThePS68PTA@gmail.com

P.S./I.S. 48
Thursday, April 11 • 7pm
The Vanderbilt at South Beach • 300 Father Capodanno Blvd.
(718) 447-0800 • psis48pta@gmail.com

Our Lady of Pity-St. Anthony of Padua Youth Group Spring Fling Basket Auction
Sunday, March 31 • 11:30am
E.J. Michael’s • 137 Bernard Ave.
fmarchese@olpsare.com

Saint Adalbert
Friday, March 22 • 6pm
355 Morningstar Rd.
(718) 442-2020

St. Alban’s Episcopal Basket Auction
Friday, April 12 • 6pm
76 St. Alban’s Place (behind Denny’s)
(718) 984-7756

St. Christopher’s Basket Auction
Friday, April 12 • 6pm
15 Lisbon Place
718) 351-0902

St. Teresa Holy Name Society Spaghetti Dinner & Raffle
Sunday, March 24 • 1pm
Lower Church Hall • 1634 Victory Blvd
(718) 442-5412

Staten Island Giving Circle Basket Bash
Tuesday, May 7 • 7-10pm
Confections Dessert Lounge • 65 Page Ave.
statenislandgivingcircle.org

Team Valente’s 9th Annual Spaghetti Dinner for MS & Basket Auction
Saturday, March 30 • 12pm
ATU Local 726 • 3948 Amboy Rd.
(917) 403-5795

A massive measles outbreak in Rockland County has led officials to declare a state of emergency, banning all unvaccinated minors from public spaces (defined as “a place where more than 10 persons are intended to congregate). Anyone under 18 years old who has not had the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccination will not be allowed in public for the next 30 days. Violators’ parents could face fines or even jail time.

The ban comes on the heels of the largest measles outbreak New York State has seen in decades. There are 156 confirmed reported cases of measles in Rockland County as of today.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has seen six outbreaks in addition to Rockland County’s, including 214 confirmed cases in Brooklyn and Queens.

The outbreaks are mostly concentrated in ultra-orthodox Jewish communities, where resistance to vaccination is high due to religious and personal reasons. The current cases in New York and New Jersey are both linked to a measles outbreak in Israel last year.

Rockland county has administered 17,000 doses of the MMR vaccine since the outbreak started in October 2018, and nearly 6,000 unvaccinated children were sent home from school, thanks to an earlier executive order.

“We have the worst outbreak of the measles in the nation and great challenges call for bold action,” Rockland County Executive Ed Day said at a news conference held March 26. “This is a public health crisis, and it is time to sound the alarm and take the appropriate action that, while it may be the first in the nation, is necessary to address the crisis right here in Rockland.”

“We must not allow this outbreak to continue indefinitely. We will not sit idly by while children in our community are at risk. This is a public health crisis, and it is time to sound the alarm, to ensure that everyone takes proper action to protect themselves and their neighbors; for the health and safety of all of us in Rockland,” concluded County Executive Day.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease (in the lungs and breathing tubes) caused by a virus that is spread by direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected people (when a person infected with the measles virus breathes, coughs, or sneezes). Measles is one of the most contagious viruses on earth; one measles infected person can give the virus to 18 others. In fact, 90% of unvaccinated people exposed to the virus become infected. You can catch measles just by being in a room where a person with measles has been, up to 2 hours after that person is gone. And you can catch measles from an infected person even before they have a measles rash.

The New York State Department of Health Measles Information Line is (888) 364-4837. For more information, visit the New York State Department of Health website.

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