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Archives for 2020

Little League Returns for Young Baseball Players in Staten Island

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For kids like Christian Speciale and John Gano, this was supposed to be a special Little League season. As 12-year-olds, it was their final year in Little League — their last chance to run 60-foot bases, face pitching from 45 feet away and swing for the fences 200 feet from home plate.

But for Speciale and Gano and a bunch of their pals from Great Kills, it was also supposed to be an extra special season.

“Little League in general is really fun,” said Gano, a tall, lanky pitcher. “But also, this year, everyone felt we had a good chance to make it to Williamsport.”

As in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and the Little League World Series.

The Great Kills National all-star team won the Staten Island District 24, New York City and New York State 10-year-old championships in 2018. Last year, that same group of boys won the Eastern Regional as 11-year-olds.

This year, with Great Kills Little League reducing its number of charters from two to one, the best players from its American all-star team were expected to be combined with the National team to make one super team. The anticipation to see how this team performed in all-star play this summer was building in the early months of 2020 when indoor practices began.

And then COVID-19 happened.

Like just about everything else, youth sports seasons were put on hold, and it looked like there might be a lot of disappointed 12-year-olds who would not get to enjoy their final year in Little League. The national organization announced on April 30 that there would be no national tournament — including the World Series in Williamsport — this summer.

“It was upsetting,” Speciale said. “I wanted to make my last year my best year. But I was most disappointed about all stars.”

Not having a chance to compete for the chance for an unforgettable summer with the all-star tournament was disappointing to the kids and parents alike.

“Not too many teams, when they start the season, have a legitimate shot to go to the regionals in Bristol, Connecticut, to be on ESPN, to go to the Little League World Series and play on TV,” said James Speciale, Christian’s dad and the manager of the Great Kills all-star teams that had all that success the past two years. “This team would have had the talent to do that.

“I really felt bad for the kids. They have been talking about it for a year.”
While South Shore Little League, which was expected to be Great Kills’ biggest obstacle in getting off the Island, and Mid-Island Little League have had teams reach the World Series, no team from Great Kills has made it.
It’s an experience like no other for a Little League player — and their families.

“You can’t replace it,” James Speciale said. “There were 1,200 people at the 12-year-old championship at South Shore last year. Twelve-hundred people! You don’t get that anywhere else. You’re lucky if you get 100 people at a high school game.”

A successful Little League all-star team spends the entire summer with each other and it becomes a family for the kids and their parents.

“From Memorial Day to the second week of August, they’re together every day, six nights a week,” James Speciale said. “Going away, staying in hotels, sleepovers, pool parties. We were fortunate to experience that the last two years.”

Gano and Christian Speciale have played at Great Kills since T-ball and are good friends. They are always at the complex, playing their own games, practicing and hanging out to watch their friends play.

Both were expected to be part of that all-star team this year, Gano a stud pitcher on a staff that James Speciale said would have had “six or seven guys who could pitch, but five legitimate pitchers.”

It turned out Little Leagues in the Staten Island district got the OK to begin play in early July, so most of the 12s at least have had the chance to play their final regular season —albeit with masks, social distancing, hand sanitizer in the dugouts and umpires calling balls and strikes from behind the pitcher.

“The game is just as good as it was before,” Christian Speciale.

His mom, Christina, said he’d love it in any form. “He’s probably the smallest kid out there, but no one has more passion,” she said.

And, while everyone concedes it wouldn’t be the same, there is talk of a possible district all-star tournament in the fall.

“I hope so,” John said. “At least we’d get some games out of it.”

And a chance to extend his last year in Little League a bit further.

Joe LoVerde is a local sportswriter and has been coaching youth sports in Staten Island for nearly 40 years. 

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Comfortable and Unique Face Masks for Kids

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As New York continues to reopen, wearing a mask is one of the best ways to keep yourself, and those around you, safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. While we know children under two are instructed to not wear a mask, kids ages three and older can and should. Finding the right mask for your kid can be challenging, whether it’s finding one that fits your little one’s noggin or finding a design that your kid will be excited about. Here are some cute, colorful, and stylish masks that your kids will proudly wear (and some that donate proceeds to good causes!).

Busy Bees Cotton Masks

maisonette.com
These 100 percent cotton, pastel masks are perfect for the summertime, lined and contoured to fit comfortably over the nose. For every mask sold, a donation will be made to Baby2Baby, a non-profit organization devoted to providing children ages newborn to 12 with diapers, clothing, and basic necessities. Browse through several designs on Maisonette.

Children’s Rainbow Face Coverings: Uncommon Goods

uncommongoods.com
These vibrant kids masks are designed by kids for kids, with rainbow artwork that was created by children all around the world. In addition to the cheerful design, each mask includes a label with a positive message, like “lift others up” and “keep smiling.” Uncommon Goods is donating 100 percent of the profits to NYC hospitals, and each set of two masks can be purchased for $25. The entirely cotton masks are targeted toward ages 4-10. Choose from three different sets, each with two designs.

Cubcoats Face Masks

cubcoats.com
Available in packs of two for only $13, Cubcoats masks are durable, secure, and cute. These masks, which come in packs of orange and gray, or pink and purple, are 100 percent cotton and contain an inner pocket to add filters easily. 10 percent of proceeds will be donated to support Feeding America’s COVID-19 efforts.

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Disney’s Cloth Face Masks

shopdisney.com/face-masks
Coming in packs of four, these Disney-inspired cloth masks come in six varieties: Mickey and Minnie Mouse, PIXAR, StarWars, Disney Princesses and Frozen, Marvel, and Disney. Each pack is $19.95, and comes in small, medium, and large sizes. Disney has donated 1 million cloth face masks through MedShare to children and families in vulnerable communities, and has donated $1 million of proceeds to support MedShare’s efforts to keep people safe globally.

Gap Kids Masks

gap.com
Choose from 15 different designs—like floral, pineapples, sky blue, and fish print— that your child is bound to love. These masks are light-weight and comfortable with over-the-ear straps and an adjustable nose piece. Each 3-pack can be purchased for $15, or you can browse family packs

Janie and Jack

janieandjack.com
These pastel printed masks come in packs of two, and can be purchased for $12. For every pack sold, Janie and Jack will be donating $5 to Baby2Baby, a non profit organization devoted to providing children ages 0-12 with diapers, clothing, and basic necessities.

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Mabel’s Labels

mabelslabels.com
These fun, pleated masks are designed specifically for children, and are available in eight designs, including space, unicorn, ice cream, and camo. Each mask includes an inner layer of moisture wicking fabric to keep skin dry and comfortable, a middle layer of moisture repelling fabric to protect the face from droplets, and an outer layer of moisture wicking fabric preventing particles from entering the mask. Masks can be purchased for $18.50.

Onzie

onzie.com
Onzie’s stylish masks are made from upcycled fabric used in the company’s yoga clothing, and are stretchy and breathable. Kids will be excited by trendy prints like floral, snakeskin, cheetah, camo, and peacock. Proceeds are donated to healthcare workers nationwide through a donation to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy. These masks come in packs of two in pre-assorted colors, and one pack can be purchased for $20. They are one size fits all, and targeted toward children ages 5-10.

Sanctuary Camo Kids Masks

sanctuaryclothing.com
The Essential Lifestyle Kids Pack is designed for children ages 2-10, and each mask should be hand washed or disposed of after a few uses. Each pack of five masks includes two dino prints, one heritage camo, one pink camo, and one baby leopard print. A pack can be purchased for $25, and with every purchase Sanctuary will donate to an organization in need. Masks are available for preorder, and are expected to ship the week of July 20.

Spongebob Shop

spongebobshop.com/collections/face-masks
Nickelodeon’s F.U.N’s durable Spongebob masks include designs of all your child’s favorite Spongebob characters, like Spongebob, Patrick, Mr. Krabs, and Squidward. Each mask is $18.95 and Nickelodeon will be donating 100 percent of proceeds to support Save the Children’s COVID-19 global response, a foundation devoted to helping children stay safe around the world.

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Supersoft Mask- Socialite

socialiteclothing.com
These children’s masks come in eleven different colorful designs, including several trendy tie dye variations, cheetah, snakeskin, and polka dot. Coated with a supersoft finish, these $14 masks are comfortable with ample coverage. They are designed with slim self-covered loops and include an EasySlide Filtration system. For every children’s mask purchased, Socialite will be donating one mask to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

TSK Face Masks: Adult & Kids Color Me!

thesiskiss.com
Let the creativity begin with this Color-Me face mask. Adults can choose from two mask design options- black with TSK Lips or the TSK vibrant graphic print, while kids can color their own unique design with fabric markers. The 100 percent cotton mask features adjustable straps for comfort, and is designed for use of a PM2.5 filter. While the mask is currently sold out, interested customers can join the email list to find out when it is available.

Vida Protective Masks

shopvida.com
Effective and simple, Vida’s protective masks can be purchased either as individuals ($10), pairs ($18) or 4-packs ($36). The masks come in a variety of colors and can easily adapt to various sizes with adjustable straps and a hidden metal nose piece allowing it to conform to your face. Every mask comes with a multilayer PM2.5 filter, which should be replaced every 7 days. 5-packs of protective mask replacement filters are available for $12.

Vistaprint
vistaprint.com/masks
Children can choose from dozens of designs that are not only stylish, but are also breathable. Masks offer advanced protection with lightweight and moisture-preventative material, and are machine washable. The design is conducive to easily swapping out replaceable filters, which can be purchased in packs of 10 for $10. For every reusable mask purchased, Vistaprint will be donating a portion to local businesses impacted by COVID-19.

Corey Paige Designs

coreypaigedesigns.com
These fun and colorful face masks are made by a local Long Islander, from high-quality performance fabric that is soft to the skin. While they are not specifically designed for kids yet (they are in the works!), the ones currently on the site are one-size fits most and the band can be tied to make them smaller if necessary. You can purchase a pre-pack of six for $65 (around $10 per mask), and designs include snakeskin, stars, butterflies, tie dye, stripes, hearts, and even college prints. Twenty percent of net proceeds go toward the fight against COVID-19 and you can enter the code PICKUP at checkout for pick up in Old Westbury.

Jamie Fischer is an editorial intern for Davler Media Group. She is a rising sophomore at Lehigh University, and enjoys playing tennis and spending time outdoors with her friends.

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Make Your Next Family Road Trip the Best One Yet

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Many families end up taking road trips over the summer in order to visit the beach, parks, or other fun destinations. Unfortunately, family road trips can also be very stressful for parents if they are not properly planned out. After all, children can become grumpy and frustrated when trapped in the car all day, and this can lead to you feeling tired and frustrated as well. The good news is many of the annoyances of family road trips can be avoided with a little bit of foresight and planning. Here are five ways you can prepare for a family road trip that will make it the best one yet.

Plan out your route before you leave.

Before you even pull out of the driveway, plan out your trip and the route you will take. Figure out how many hours per day you will be driving, when you will stop, etc. If you have smaller children, make sure you plan out some stops where they can stretch their legs and get some exercise. This could be at a park or rest area, for example, where there is some green space to get some movement in before heading back to the car. You could even do some research to see if there are any roadside attractions to stop at for a short break—world’s largest gnome, anyone?

Figure out some entertainment options.

You can bring audiobooks, movies, family-friendly podcasts, and more, but have a few entertainment options planned out before you leave. This can help shorten the long hours in the car. And think about some games you can play as a family—think: I Spy, finding something that starts with ‘A’ and working your way through the alphabet, or 20 Questions.

Have each child pack a “fun bag.”

Have each child fill a bag with books, toys, art supplies, magazines, or other entertainment options for the trip. Let them keep this bag beside them throughout the trip. That way, when they feel bored, they can find something to entertain themselves all on their own.

Stock up on drinks, snacks, and comfy pillows and blankets.

It’s no secret that children become cranky when they are thirsty, hungry, or tired. However, when you’re on a road trip, you may not be able to stop right away when your child is hungry or thirsty. To solve the problem, stock a cooler with drinks and snacks before you leave. That way, your children will never end up too hungry or thirsty. Additionally, bring a blanket and pillow for each child, so they can take a nap whenever they want to.

Practice safe driving.

Did you know that car crashes are a leading cause of injuries and deaths among young children in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention? In order to keep your children safe during a road trip, make sure you’re practicing safe driving. Avoid distracted driving and driving while drowsy. Make sure your car is in good condition before you head out. Make sure you’re obeying the rules of the road and not engaging in dangerous activities, such as speeding.

Additionally, if you have younger children, make sure they are in the proper car seat for their age and weight. The proper car seat can provide a lot of extra protection in the event of a crash. Make sure your child is properly restrained in the seat before you even start driving.

These are just a few ways that you can prepare for your family road trip and make it a little more enjoyable and safe for everyone. Follow these tips and enjoy your next vacation with your little ones.

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The Staten Island Zoo is Open

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After being closed to the public since March, the Staten Island Zoo is now open to members and non-members. Only outdoor exhibits are currently open and all visitors must reserve tickets in advance.

Although Covid-19 caused “NYC’s biggest little zoo” to shut its gates for several months, the animals inside have been thriving, well-cared for by Zoo staff. Zookeepers aired weekly live demonstrations during quarantine via Facebook and Instagram, keeping the public updated on the animals and educating curious kids and adults. They celebrated hornbill, binturong, and fossa birthdays, held a bee-naming contest (oh hey, Queen Ruth Bee-der Ginsburg), welcomed a new baby lemur and baby porcupine, hosted virtual field trips for local schools and more.

With the Zoo’s reopening, visitors can expect some changes and safety protocols, such as:

  • Additional staff, with enhanced equipment, will clean and disinfect Zoo grounds, consistently and often.
  • Zoo admittance is limited to the Clove Rd. entrance (across from the Zoo parking lot on the corner of Martling Ave and Clove Rd.). The broadway entrance is closed.
  • Admission tickets must be purchased in advance.
  • Ticketing terminals are now contactless.
  • Face coverings and social distancing are required.
  • Sanitizing stations can be found throughout the Zoo.
  • The Zoo Café is closed for indoor dining.  Food can be ordered and picked up at windows outside.
  • The Carousel and Kids Korral is temporarily closed.

The Staten Island Zoo is located at 614 Broadway in the West Brighton section of Staten Island. The Zoo is open seven days a week, 10am-4:45 pm. Entrance for adults and teens is $10, $7 for seniors, $6 for kids and free for babies and toddlers age 2 and under.

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5 Tips to Encourage Picky Eaters

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Feeding an entire family can be difficult enough on its own with busy evenings full of hustle and bustle. Dealing with a picky eater doesn’t make it any easier, especially one whose preferred menu ranges from hot dogs to candy.

If you’re looking to widen the palate of your picky eater (or eaters), consider these tips to start down a path toward a more expansive slate of family meals.

Start Slow

Loading up your little ones’ plates with steamed veggies and sautéed fish may be a surefire way to send them to the pantry for a less nutritious snack. Instead, try combining personal favorites with small portions of foods you’d like to introduce, such as chicken nuggets alongside green beans or topping pizza with black olives.

Don’t Force It

While it can be frustrating to constantly hear “no” to fruits and veggies, forcing them upon children may turn them away for good. In addition, a struggle over eating certain foods may create a constant sense of frustration around mealtime, which may only decrease a child’s desire to expand his or her horizons.

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Create a Fun Experience

Remember not every meal has to include something new. On occasion, mix up mealtime by serving your children’s favorites, even if it’s as simple as a hamburger or as creative as breakfast for dinner.

Bring Your Sidekicks to the Store

Introducing your children to the place your family’s food comes from may help them feel more comfortable with new flavors. Plus, by letting them in on the shopping process, you can have some help choosing foods they’re more likely to be willing to try.

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Let Children Help Cook

Much like choosing their own ingredients increases the likelihood they’ll try something new, perhaps becoming part of the cooking process can help children see how a meal comes together. It doesn’t have to be a gourmet experience – simply seasoning roasted asparagus with salt and olive oil, for example, can introduce your up-and-coming chefs to the kitchen while helping make the cooking (and eating) process a fun adventure.

For more food tips and kid-friendly recipes, visit Culinary.net.

Provided by Culinary.net via Family Features.

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Is the One-Room School House Making a Comeback in 2020?

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With little concrete information from the NYS DOE on the 2020-2021 school year, some parents are taking matters into their own hands and facilitating “micro-schools.”

Over the course of the coronavirus pandemic, we’ve watched the debate of whether or not kids should go back to school perpetuate, with vocal advocates on both sides. In the past few weeks, a lot of information from the Governor, the state’s Department of Education, and the state’s Department of Health regarding the reopening of New York’s public schools has been released, and most districts are still figuring out concrete decisions for the fall. Some parents are taking matters into their own hands: They’re hiring teachers to instruct their children at home and are even joining forces with other families to create “pandemic pods,” or clusters of students receiving professional instruction for several hours each day. The Washington Post calls it the 2020 version of a one-room schoolhouse.

While in-person teaching has its risks, pandemic pods, also known as micro-schools, allow the same group of children to be in contact with one another on a day-to-day basis, minimizing some of the risks of being exposed to a full classroom of students. As long as each family participating in the pod is practicing safe social distancing and wearing masks in public, this is one solution for parents to provide schooling, child care, and socialization to their children in a world where options are very limited.

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How does a micro-school work?

Micro-schooling can look different from family to family, but the main goal is to provide students, whose schooling has been upended, with a structured, at-home learning experience led by an educator the family can trust. Facebook groups as well as the Micro-School Coalition are connecting families, teachers, and caregivers who are looking to build or join pandemic pods with each other and with the resources they need to get started. Many local businesses—like the Sheldrake Environment Center, for example—are beginning to offer virtual programming for kids that can be used as a supplement to online learning in pandemic pods.

As of now, the plan for New York City schools is to offer a hybrid of online and in-person classes but parents can opt into a fully digital learning experience, pending a determination made by Governor Andrew Cuomo regarding whether it’s safe for NYC to offer in-person learning. Each school district in the state has to submit plans for the fall to the Governor’s office by July 31, and the determination of whether it’s safe to open schools will be made Aug. 1-7 based on data.

Jennifer Kraus-Czeisler, a full-time attorney in Melville and mom of two, puts safety at the very top of her list of priorities when it comes to the reopening of schools, and therefore has her own qualms with primary schools opening at all. As a single mom, Kraus-Czeisler says she faces unique challenges with respect to elementary online learning, along with the challenges of her 8-year-old daughter’s IEP that “failed to translate to online learning” and her son’s loss of interest. Kraus-Czeisler hopes to work with the teacher she hires to create a plan that ensures her children are staying up to date with necessary mandates and requirements, while also having a plan tailored to their individual needs.

“The benefits of having a professional with the proper educational knowledge base is paramount,” Kraus-Czeisler says. “This is all uncharted territory and at the end of the day, I hope for my children to not only learn, but develop a love of learning. With the right person, I see that happening and perhaps [she] will help take the drudgery out of learning and make it more personalized and unique to their personalities.”

Fallon Roher, an educator based on Long Island who holds a master’s in Childhood and Special Education for first-sixth grades, was approached by a pair of parents who have already decided to choose the hybrid learning model for their children, if their school is allowed to reopen for in-person learning.

“[The parents] are looking to have me facilitate the remote learning on the days the kids are home,” Roher says. “I think the parents really want me to use the lessons the teacher will be providing online to keep the learning coherent as well as offer some supplemental lessons.”

Roher explains this family has connected her to a lot of friends who are also interested in this modality, so she has plans to teach around 12 third graders in the fall.

Laurie Smith, a mom of a first-grader and a third-grader in Battery Park City, was faced with a choice regarding this school year: Either she or her husband quit their jobs, their kids miss out of months of school, or they hire child care. By hiring a qualified teacher to instruct at home, she was able to solve all three problems.

“With young children, kids still need to be supervised even with a best-in-class distance-learning curriculum, so when the schools confirmed they would not be offering in-person school for the five days we work, we knew we had to figure out a solution,” Smith says. “We did not want to have to make the choice of educating our children or working.”

Smith hopes that by forming pods of kids from her children’s classes at school, they can still achieve the socialization level that schools provide while keeping kids safe in a lower-risk environment than day care.

An Upper East Side educator, who wishes to remain anonymous, has been offered many micro-schooling opportunities in the last month, but with not much structure or consistency in regard to what kind of learning experience the parents are looking for for their children.

“One pair of parents who has reached out to me is asking me to instruct a few kids from different families in a group at one of their homes,” she says. “Another [parent] asked me to teach the multiple kids of one family in one room. I think people are just blindly hoping for solutions and looking for genuine, in-person connections for their children.”

When Bridget Kelly, an educator from East Williston, was asked to be an in-home teacher for a Long Island family, she was even offered a living space within the home. She provided some guidance to the parents as to how she felt the micro-schooling experience should be set up, suggesting the family designate a space for learning that is separate from the child’s space to play.

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The Inequalities of Pandemic Pods

While having an at-home teacher may be an option to ease the burden of this school year for some, it isn’t an option for the vast majority. Most families are not able to afford a private education and many low-income children don’t have access to computers and adequate Wi-Fi for at-home learning; these same families may now worry that their children’s peers may have access to at-home, private teachers. Kraus-Czeisler points out that many economically disadvantaged children will be alienated from the benefits and unique opportunity of micro-schooling given its costs, which she calls “incredibly unfair.”

Colleen Ganjian, an education consultant in the D.C. area, told the Washington Post she is seeing prices for such arrangements start at $25-$30 an hour for a college or graduate student, $50-$100 an hour for a trained tutor, and $100,000 for a year of private teaching from a public school teacher.

While micro-schooling is a concept you may have not be familiar with up until now, creating pods to share child care resources is not new. Families have been participating in nanny shares for years—and it may be an option for you if you’re trying to decide what to do with your kids when they aren’t in school and you need to work. They can save your family money, give you greater flexibility with your schedule, and even provide that social interaction your child might be missing in her new schooling situation.

Whichever path your family chooses to take this school year, we will continue to provide you with the resources, advice, and guidance you need to make the schooling decisions that work best for you and your children.

Melissa Wickes, a graduate of Binghamton University and the NYU Summer Publishing Institute, is the production editor for NYMetroParents. When she’s not writing, she can be found playing the guitar or eating pasta.

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