Staten Island Parent - February 2024 by Schneps Media Digital Editions

February 2024

siparent.com

A Love Story Sophie Demenge, founder of the popular children’s lifestyle line, Oeuf, on how family is first for both life and her brand

Make Memories at Sleepaway Camp!

Tooth Fairy Tales

What to know before your child’s next dental visit

Flu vs Covid Which one is it?

February 2024 | Staten Island Parent

contents

February 2024 SIParent.com

pg. 44

pg. 14 pg. 28

pg. 42

pg. 24

FEATURES

Stories & columns

32 | Chomper Checkups Top pediatric dentists on Staten Island

8 | Health Is it the flu, COVID, or a cold?

6 | Editor’s Letter

34 | Camp Sleepaway Camps: crafting memories this summer

16 | Health Immunization Schedule 2024: what parents need to know 38 | Travel Visiting Puerto Vallarta 40 | For Parents Only Romantic and fun ideas for couples on Valentine’s Day ... or any winter day! 42 | Cover Sophie Demenge’s on founding, with her husband Michael, the children’s lifestyle brand Oeuf and how family is first for both her brand and life

12 | Camp 8 top tips for saving money on summer camp 14 | Family Day Out Must-see Elephant Exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History 20 | Mom Hacks Teaching your kids about money 24 | Mom Stories Mirror on the Wall: reflections on beauty and aging 27 | Camp New York Family camp fairs are a great place to start your summer camp search 28 | Ask the Expert The right dentist matters for kids with disability challenges

Family fun 44 | Calendar Fun events and activities for February 46| Family Fun Celebrating February birthdays

Directories 22 | Charter Schools Guide

on the Cover Photo: Yumi Matsuo | yumimatsuostudio.com Makeup & Hair: Buffy Hernandez | buffysaintmarie.com Produced by: Donna Duarte-Ladd Cover written by: Serena Norr

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• Free 5-day Pre-K For All for 4-year-olds! • Free ice skating lessons included in the curriculum • Extended hours available

February 2024 | Staten Island Parent

Editor’s Note

Fabulous February Although it comes in the dead of winter, February is actually such a fun month! It has Valentine’s Day, Lunar New Year, Groundhog Day and this year we even have Leap Day (Happy Birthday, Leap Babies!). February is also Black History Month and brings us the Midwinter Break too! Let’s just say there is a lot to celebrate during this short but exciting month. Did you know February is National Children’s Dental Health Month? If you haven’t yet scheduled your child’s dental checkup, check out some of Staten Island’s Top Pediatric Dentists (page 32). And be sure to read Your Neurodiverse Child’s Dental Visit (page 28) if you have a child with disabilities. After the dental stuff is squared away, check out our 2024 Immunization Schedule (page 16) to see if you need to schedule some doctor’s appointments too. With the cold weather comes the cold virus - and its yucky cousins, the flu and covid. How do you tell one from the other? We talked to some experts to help you figure it out (page 8). The chilly weather is why we photographed our cover mom, Sophie Demenge (page 42), inside her family’s cozy home this month. Sophie and her husband Michael founded the children’s lifestyle line Oeuf. Sophie shares with us about living in Brooklyn and why family and Oeuf will

NewYorkFamily.com Publisher: Clifford Luster Deputy Editor: Jeannine Cintron Community Content Creator: Shara Levine Executive Director: Donna Duarte-Ladd Associate Publisher: Erin Brof Advertising Director: Stacie Goldberg Advertising Manager: Janine Mulé Digital Editor: Kaitlyn Riggio

Partnership Managers: Lauren Alperin, Lauren Anchin, Joan Bergman, Mary Cassidy, Suzanne Cirigliano, Chris Cunnington, Lori Falco, Shelli Goldberg-Peck, LynnMarie Hanley, Lisa Herlihy, Nicole Miller, Nina Spiegelman, Gwen Tomaselli Marketing & Strategy Director: Rosalia Bobé Marketing & Events Assistant: Ashley Rivera Sales & Marketing Assistant: Elana Cantor Marketing Assistant: Tilejah Gilead

always go hand in hand. But enough about winter! We are true New Yorkers, and we’re starting to think of the warmer months ahead. You know that means: Summer Camp! Get the scoop on Sleepaway Camps (page 34) and the Staten Island Camp Fair (page 27) from us! Stay warm! Jeannine

Art Director: Leah Mitch Web Developer: Sylvan Migdal Graphic Designers: Arthur Arutyunov, Connie Sulsenti

Contact Information

ADVERTISING: (718) 260-4554 Advertising@NewYorkFamily.com Circulation: (718) 260-8336 Tina@NewYorkFamily.com Address: New York Family Media/Schneps Media 1 MetroTech Center North, Third Floor Brooklyn, NY 11201

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get in touch Comments? Questions? Suggestions? Email Jeannine at jcintron@siparent.com Get news, tips and humor all month long: siparent.com/signup

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2023

New York Family is published monthly by Queens Family Media, LLC. Reproduction of New York Family Media in whole or part without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. All rights reserved. ©2024 Queens Family Media, LLC

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HealtH

Is it the Flu or COVID or a Cold? A helpful guide for parents By BarBara russo

ith flu season still upon us, viruses and early cases of respiratory illnesses on a constant news loop, it’s not hard to wonder when your child has a cold and when it is more. To make matters worse, seasonal influenza activity continues to increase in most parts of the country. As a parent, here’s what you need to know about this year’s flu season and what you can do to help keep your kids flu-free. Here are some tips on what is what when it comes to colds, flu, and Covid. But first the flu. The CDC estimates that there have been at least 1.8 million illnesses, 17,000 hospitalizations, and 1,100 deaths from flu so far this season. “At the moment, the flu season is in

8 SIParent.com | February 2024

high gear,” Samir Undavia, MD, attending physician, NJ ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery in Marlton, NJ, said, adding that the CDC numbers include both children and adults. But to put things into a clearer perspective, this year’s flu season isn’t too different from last year’s. “Parents should expect a similar flu season to last year, which included approximately 11,000 medical visits per 100,000 kids and 119 hospitalizations per 100,000 kids,” Undavia said. Over 80 percent of severe disease were unvaccinated children, Undavia added. In New York during this flu season, cases are rising, but right now, the rates are still lower than around this time last year, according to the state health department. Symptoms of Flu in Kids As anyone who’s had the flu can attest, having it at any age is brutal. Lots of rest and drinking plenty of fluids can help a lot.

Symptoms of the flu in children and adults usually include fever, chills, muscle and body aches, fatigue, headaches, cough, sore throat, and a runny nose. But there are a few differences in symptoms between children and adults, explained Flora Sinha, MD, internal medicine at Cedars Sinai Medical Group. “Gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are also common, although these symptoms are seen more in children versus adults. Children may also have higher fevers,” Sinha said. When to See a Doctor At this point, you might be wondering: The flu is often treated at home. At what point should I bring my child to the doctor? “Parents should bring their child to a doctor if they have complications from the flu, such as ear pain and pressure, shortness of breath, severe fatigue without oral intake of liquids and food, or if the symptoms

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health

Flu vs. Covid vs. a Cold persist for longer than the flu should last, which is over 10-14 days,” explained Undavia. Sinha added that temperature and fever play a big role in when to bring your child to the pediatrician. “For very young babies–younger than 3 months–you’ll want to see your pediatrician if your child has a rectal fever of 100.4 or higher immediately,” Shinha explained. “For healthy adults and children 3 years of age and up we look for a fever that is higher than 104F and/or that won’t respond to fever reducing medications or lasts longer than 72 hours. If your child is extremely fatigued, looking lethargic, you may also bring them in.” One of the best ways for kids and adults to prevent the spread of the flu includes washing hands often Preventing the Flu Not surprising, some of the best ways for kids and adults to prevent the spread of the flu are pretty simple. It’s basically what you’d expect to do when trying to prevent other

Jenean White, MD, a family medicine physician, shared some general symptoms to look if you’re trying to identify which illness is present: Fever

Commonly present in all except cold; more sudden onset with flu

Cough

Present in all; mild to moderate with a cold

Headache

Rare in cold; common in flu; sometimes with COVID

Chills

Rare in cold; sometimes in COVID and flu

Fatigue

Rare in cold; common in COVID and flu

Runny or stuffy nose

Common with cold; sometimes with COVID and flu

Shortness of breath

Rare in flu and cold; sometimes in COVID

respiratory illnesses, including: • Washing hands often • Avoiding close contact with sick people. When you’re sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick. • Covering coughs and sneezes • Staying home if you’re sick The Flu vs. Covid vs. a Cold: Which is it? Your child comes home from school and isn’t

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feeling well. Is it a cold? A Covid test reads negative, okay it’s the flu or is it? Needless to say, differentiating between these three respiratory illnesses can be quite difficult. Without a lab test confirming the diagnosis, identifying which illness is present can be challenging, Undavia said. But in general, colds are more mild, while the flu and Covid can be more severe.

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February 2024 | Staten Island Parent

Camps

8 Top Tips for Saving Money on Summer Camp by Jess Michaels

hen you decide to send your child to camp, you are giving them the opportunity to try new activities, meet new people, gain independence, and learn about who they are as individuals, among so many other benefits. Camp is an amazing experience; however, parents have their family budgets to consider. Here are a few ways for families to save money on summer camp: Look for camp early – It’s not too early to start thinking about camp for summer 2025. Looking early and registering for camp in the summer or early fall will help you save money by taking advantage of the early bird rates camps offer. This is also a good way to ensure you get a spot at your top choice camp. Begin your research now to understand which camps you would like to tour this summer. Seeing a camp in action is one of the best ways to get a feel for a camp. Scholarships & financial assistance – If you are looking for a camp that offers scholarships, financial assistance, and sliding scales, start your search with non-profit summer camps. Families can also reach out to the

12 SIParent.com | February 2024

American Camp Association, NY, and NJ for a list of camps that financial assistance. Assistance offered from the U.S government – The government offers programs that may help families save money on summer camp. • Dependent Care FSA (DCFSA) – A Dependent Care FSA is a pre-tax benefit account that allows you to pay for dependent care such as day camp while you are working. Visit the FSA Feds Website at www.fsafeds. com for more information. • Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit -The IRS allows an income tax credit of up to $6,000 of dependent care expenses if you have two or more dependents and up to $3,000 for one dependent. Day camps can count towards the children and dependent care tax credit. Visit www.irs.gov for more information. Work at camp – Do you enjoy working with children or are you in a profession such as education, social work or nursing? Summer camps are always looking for qualified, enthusiastic adults to work at camp. Besides a competitive salary, many camps will offer your child a discount for camp. Sibling discount – Did you know many

camps offer savings for registering multiple children at camp? Take advantage of these savings by sending more than one child to camp. Give the gift of camp – Giving your child the opportunity to go to summer camp truly is a gift so why not make it part of a birthday or holiday gift. Does your child need that big birthday party and more toys? Asking extending family to contribute to camp as a gift is also a great idea. The skills and experiences gained at summer camp will last for a lifetime while that new toy may be fun for a couple of months. Beware of too good a deal – We all have our budgets to consider but beware of a camp deal that seems too good to be true. Your child’s safety needs to be at the top of mind with any camp decision you make so please do your research. At a minimum, a camp should be inspected by the Department of Health. Choosing an ACA Accredited camp means that the camp goes above and beyond state licensing and meets hundreds of health and safety standards. Call the American Camp Association, NY and NJ – If you would like to send your child to camp, there is a camp for every budget. Families can reach out to the American Camp Association, NY and NJ’s Camper Placement Specialist Renee Flax for free, one-on-one advice on finding the right camp at the right price for your family. Contact: renee@acanynj.org or 212-391-5208.

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family day out

Celebration of Elephants Must-see exhibit at American Museum of Natural History By BarBara russo

f you haven’t yet - it is time to walk into the new The Secret World of Elephants exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History, and you’ll get a sense of just how amazing these gentle giants are in the wild. In a narrow but sprawling curatorial space at the uptown museum, The Secret World of Elephants, now opened, tells the story of elephant species and their relatives through life-size models, videos, graphics, and more. “We are delighted to present The Secret World of Elephants, a comprehensive look at these intriguing and important animals and the latest scientific thinking about their abilities, environmental roles, social structure, history and future,” Sean M. Decatur, president of the American Museum of Natural History, said. “This exhibition is an example of what the American Museum of Natural History does so well: by starting at a point of shared curiosity and fascination we can share larger stories about evolution, the environment, animal behavior, and the interactions between human and animals, thereby expanding understanding of the natural world and our impact on it.” What to Expect at The Secret World of Elephants Some of us have been fortunate enough to see an elephant at a zoo or even in the wild. However, the new museum exhibit allows visitors of all ages to learn more about these beautiful creatures. The Secret World of Elephants offers so much insight into these animals through interactive exhibits including: A station where visitors can feel the extremely low sound waves elephants use— called infrasound—to send messages through the ground and to other elephants’ feet, which conduct vibrations up their legs and to their brains A life-size African elephant model with a video projection on one side of its body showing the skeleton of this massive mammal and

14 SIParent.com | February 2024

providing an inside look at how it processes the huge amount of food it eats—about 300–500 pounds per day—and elephant gestation, which can last for nearly two years, longer than any other living mammal A miniature elephant model that prompts visitors to turn a wheel to flap its ears, a process that helps elephants keep cool in hot environments And—brace yourself!—an exploration of elephant poop, featuring replica dung, that provides key nutrients for plants and other animals and helps expand plant ranges by transporting seeds. (Pretty fascinating!) Additionally, life-size models, including a scientifically accurate representation of a woolly mammoth shedding its fur, fossils and casts, and videos reveal the amazing story of these massive mammals. A Bit About Elephants It’s hard to find anyone who doesn’t see how majestic elephants truly are. By the way, there are three species of elephants native to two continents: the African savanna, African forest and Asian elephant. But at one time, animals like this, who had tusks and trunks, lived on almost every continent and many islands. Although only these three elephant species remain, their abilities remain remarkable. Elephants’ trunks are strong enough to pull down a tree, yet nimble enough to pluck a single blade of grass. They communicate extensively with each other, maintaining complex emotional ties with other herd mem-

bers. They shape their environment, creating habitat for countless plants and animals. And over centuries of interactions with humans, they’ve been trained for war and work, and are powerful religious and political symbols across cultures. “Elephants are the world’s largest land animal, but we understand surprisingly little about them,” The Secret World of Elephants curator Ross MacPhee, curator emeritus in the museum’s department of mammalogy, said. “Researchers are working toward assembling a much more complete picture of elephants and we’re learning new secrets about their minds, bodies, and ecological importance every day. We also know elephants face an uncertain future. The global demand for ivory, along with climate change and habitat loss, are pushing them along the path to extinction. If we don’t act quickly, elephants could be gone before we ever truly get to know them.” What You Need to Know About Visiting the AMNH The American Museum of Natural History is located at 200 Central Park West, Manhattan. Hours: The museum is open daily, 10 am–5:30 pm; at presstime the exhibit has tickets available until June 30th, 2024. Tickets: Tickets that include admission to The Secret World of Elephants start at $28 for adults, $16.50 for children (ages 3-12) and $22.50 for seniors and students. Timed-entry tickets must be reserved in advance at amnh. org/tickets. For more information, visit amnh.org.

February 2024 | Staten Island Parent

HealtH

Immunization Schedule 2024 What parents need to know By Kaitlyn Riggio

ith the new year comes a new, updated immunization schedule from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). This is especially important for parents of children attending school in New York. Children attending day care and pre-K through 12th grade in New York State must receive all required vaccinations from the recommended schedule in order to remain in school. We sat down with some health experts to put together this guide of what you need to know about the immunization schedule, including what it is, what’s new this year and why it’s important to follow it.

What is an immunization schedule? How is it determined, and why is it important for parents to follow it? Immunization schedules are specific guidelines on when vaccines should be administered. Determined by the ACIP, schedules are determined by factors including the patient’s age and when they received their last dose of vaccine. The immunization schedule is carefully studied and created under many levels of oversight. Health professionals do not recommend deviating from the schedule or vaccinating on a delayed schedule. “Any delay in vaccines just is putting your child at risk for these serious conditions,” says Dr. Ashley Stephens, pediatrician and assistant professor of pediatrics at Columbia University. “We don’t recommend it, and there’s actually a lot of practices who don’t allow that.” Dr. Wendy Johnson, pediatrician at Tribeca Pediatrics, says that the timing of the immunization schedule is determined to protect children from illnesses when they’d be most vulnerable to them. As a result, deviating from the schedule can have serious consequences. “That’s kind of like a hole where that particular disease can get through and their

16 SIParent.com | February 2024

child could get sick,” Johnson says. “And all of the things that we have vaccines for are things that potentially can cause serious harm and maybe even death.” Why is there a new immunization schedule every year? What updates to the immunization schedule should parents be aware of this year? The CDC puts out a new immunization schedule every year to keep up to date with changes in formulations of vaccines, new vaccines and updated recommendations regarding who should receive which vaccines and when. This year, the updated immunization schedule saw the addition of a new RSV vaccine (under the brand name Beyfortus) for children under eight months old and some high-risk kids between eight and 19 months old. What’s unique about Beyfortus is that it gives protection against RSV right away, meaning infants will be protected from RSV more quickly. “It’s actually giving you the protection

that your body usually develops,” Stephens says. “You don’t need those couple weeks to give protection.” Every schedule includes an updated flu shot to target new strains that may be going around, and this year the recommendations suggest that everyone six months and older should get a flu shot. Some vaccines were taken off the schedule as well, including the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-13), diphtheria and tetanus toxoid vaccine (DT), bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and Menactra. Even though a new immunization schedule is put out every year, parents shouldn’t worry if they previously vaccinated their children according to the “old” schedule. “The immunization schedule is constantly changing as new technology and data emerge,” says Dr. Whitney Casares, pediatrician and host of the Modern Mommy podcast. In cases where a child might have missed a vaccination (for example, they’ve moved to the United States from a country where cer-

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Health

tain vaccines aren’t required), Johnson says there’s a catch-up immunization schedule to get kids on track. When looking at the vaccine schedule, parents might be confused to see diseases that aren’t common anymore, like polio or measles. Why is it important to continue vaccinating against these illnesses, even when they don’t pop up much anymore? Vaccinating large groups of people for diseases that have become rare is what keeps them rare, Casares says. “Scientists call this ‘herd immunity,’” Casares says. “Even though we don’t see these diseases often, they can still re-emerge if there’s not enough immunity in a community.” Herd immunity is especially important for members of the population who aren’t able to get vaccinated. For example, children can’t get a measles vaccine until they’re a year old, so it’s up to the adults around them to get vaccinated to avoid spreading the illness. Johnson refers to diseases like these as “opportunistic,” on the lookout for any entry-

“Any delay in vaccines just is putting your child at risk for these serious conditions.” point to spread. “Even though you don’t hear about these cases, these things are still there,” Johnson says. “And if you don’t vaccinate against it, it’s like an open door.” Just because there hasn’t been a local outbreak of a disease in a while doesn’t mean the disease is gone for good. “It doesn’t make news when you say, ‘Oh, we didn’t see a case of measles this year,’” Stephens says. “But these are serious illnesses that vaccines prevent.” Some parents might be wary about vaccinating their children for different reasons. How can they manage some of

these anxieties? Casares says that while parents might have some hesitations surrounding vaccines, it’s important to remember that they’re important to keeping children healthy and safe. “It’s completely understandable that parents may worry about vaccinating their children,” Casares says. “It’s important to remember that the risk of not vaccinating kids is significantly higher than any side effects associated with the vaccines themselves.” Johnson advises parents to “stay away from Dr. Google,” as much of the information online is put out by individuals not qualified to give medical information to generate clicks. She also recommends doctor-reviewed sites like kidshealth.org if parents are on the look out for information online. If you have questions about vaccines or anything on the immunization schedule, don’t be afraid to ask. “It’s important to talk with your pediatrician or other trusted health professionals to make sure your questions are answered and you feel confident getting the vaccine,” Stephens says.

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mom hacks

Teaching Your Kids About Money By Serena norr

y jaw dropped when my younger daughter told me that MOM stands for Made Out of Money! I had to set her straight on that one, but it had me thinking about how we talk about and teach money to our kids. Learning about money is a valuable life skill where kids and teens can understand how money works and how to budget, invest, and save. Below, we’re sharing some helpful programs and resources to help your kids understand that the meaning of MOM has nothing to do with money. One World This Westchester-based program offers an online and bi-lingual 21st Century Youth Program. Serving Middle and High School students, programming supports teens in Elmsford, Port Chester, and Ossining, covering financial and technology readiness skills. 55 Hillandale Road, Rye Brook, NY 10573. 914United 914United offers a range of classes for teens. For money, teens in Westchester can take their One Step Ahead program. A careerreadiness and financial literacy focused program, kids will gain tips as they learn how to managing money and how to stand out during a job search. 54 McGeory Ave, Bronxville, NY 10708 Teach Me Wall Street This online program teaches kids and teens the dynamics of money related to the stock market. This includes workshops, an after-school program, and a summer camp. Current classes include teen bond basics, Wall Street 101, learning about stocks, budgeting, and more. Check out their website for the latest classes. Pockets for Change This organization works with local schools

20 SIParent.com | February 2024

(K-12) to bring their financial literacy program to kids and teens. Recently, they partnered with The Chappaqua Summer Scholarship Program to teach teens financial literacy. Pocket Change believes understanding money is a tool for self-care and social justice. The organization educates and provides tools to teens to help them discover their relationship with money, build skills to navigate financial systems and create a community for action and advocacy. biz Kid$ This TV program, focused on money for teens and kids, teaches how to make money and start businesses. Additionally, this includes easily accessible workshops and lessons online. Some programs include budgeting basics, understanding allowance, money math, banking, and more. Get Your Child a Kid Credit Card If you have been considering a credi card for your child a smart way to teach kids about credit cards by getting them a kidversion. Kids can learn how to save, invest, build credit, use them to make purchases, and even earn rewards. Some kid-friendly options include Greenlight (greenlight.com), Step (step.com), and Go Henry Debit Card

(gohenry.com/us). Additionally, all of these cards include a phone app where you can monitor your child’s spending and savings. Greenlight, for instance, also includes features that track chores and savings goals. Additionally, you can also receive real-time alerts, block spending categories, and limit their spending. Help Them Create a Budget Teach kids the importance of saving by creating a family budget together. Be realistic about your weekly spending as you show your child how much money comes in and out per week. As you do this, you are showing them the importance of managing money as well as how money literally doesn’t grow on trees. Help Them Get a Job When your child reaches the early teen years, encourage them to get a job and make their own money. This can be as simple as an every now and again babysitting job to working at a local store. As they bring in money, teach them how to put money away in savings (or on their debit card) and how much can be used for fun. This will allow them to both grow their money and learn that they can enjoy it, too.

February 2024 | Staten Island Parent

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715 Ocean Terrace 718-274-3437 bridgeprepcharter.org info@bridgeprepcharter.org Bridge Prep Charter School is a diverse community of learners that serves elementary school students from every zip code across Staten Island. As the city’s only public school that is both rooted in the Science of Reading and committed to the development of the whole child, Bridge Prep’s unique, rigorous academic program has a proven track record of success in improving literacy outcomes and supporting language development for learners at all levels.

1641 Richmond Avenue hccs-nys.org 718-499-0957 The Hellenic Classical Charter Schools provide their diverse student populations with a rigorous education enriched with the classical study of the Greek and Latin languages, Paideia Socratic Seminars, and career and college ready curriculum, preparing students for long term academic success. HCCSPark Slope was named a National Blue Ribbon School in 2019. HCCS ranks among the top New York City charter schools and is designated a Repeat Reward School and High Performing School by the New York State Education Department.

285 Clove Road 718-705-8990 Ext. 211 sgonzalez@newworldprep. org New World Preparatory Charter School (NWP) is a public college preparatory charter school serving kindergarten through 8th Grade. NWP’s Guiding Values are Pride, Respect, Excellence, and Purpose. NWP supports the academic, social and emotional needs of their students. They primarily serve the North Shore Community of Staten Island. Lottery preference is given to scholars who come from a home where English is not the primary language spoken in the home. NWP’s new building will be open in 2024.

829 Father Capodanno Blvd. 347-694-5090 hebrewpublic.org/schools/ staten-island info@sihebrewpublic.org Staten Island Hebrew Public is a tuition-free charter school open to students of all backgrounds. Serving the community in a state-of-theart facility in Midland Beach, our school fosters a culture of academic excellence. At Staten Island Hebrew Public, students receive daily instruction in Modern Hebrew, coupled with rigorous literacy, math, and science programming. With a focus on global citizenship, they provide a holistic educational experience to ensure future success for every student.

Preparing Students for Long Term Academic Success We are a growing tuition-free school that offers a rigorous math and literacy curriculum, immersive Modern Hebrew instruction, and a nurturing school community. Apply online for the 2024-25 school year

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22 SIParent.com | February 2024

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ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2024-2025 ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THEK2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR. SERVING GRADES 8TH. SCHOOL YEAR. SERVING GRADES 8TH. OPEN HOUSE ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THEK2024-2025 OPEN HOUSE SCHOOL YEAR. SERVING GRADES K- 8TH. March 7, 2024 March 13 2024 3PM -5pm 4:15PM March-5:45pm 7, 2024OPEN HOUSE March 13 2024 4:15PM -5:45pm

Grades: 2nd-4thWest Campus March 7, 2024 355 Morningstar Grades: 2nd-4thWestRd, Campus 4:15PM -5:45pm Staten Island, NY 10303 355 Morningstar Rd, Grades: 2nd-4thCampus Staten Island, 10303 Grades: 5th - 8th NY - West East Campus 355 Morningstar Rd, 285 -Clove Rd, Campus Grades: 5th 8th - East Staten Island, NY 10303 Staten 285Island, CloveNY Rd,10310 Grades: 5thIsland, - 8th - NY East Campus Staten 10310 285 Clove Rd, Staten Island, NY 10310

3PM -5pm Grades: K-1st -13South March 2024Campus 3PM -5pm Villa Ave,Campus Grades:465 K-1st - South Staten Island, 465 Villa NY Ave,10302 Grades: - South Campus StatenK-1st Island, NY 10302 465 Villa Ave,

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February 2024 | Staten Island Parent

mom stories

Mirror on the Wall Reflections on beauty & aging By Drew IsserlIs Kramer

very night, I look in the mirror at the 39-year-old woman staring back at me. I am not young. I am not old. But things are changing. I pluck a gray hair and wonder, do I have jowls? Are my lips wrinkling, or am I just dehydrated? In truth, I don’t take great care of myself. I don’t moisturize enough. I don’t speak the language of dermatology. Sometimes I forget to wear a hat. I wonder what will happen if I continue down this course. Will I look like a little old lady while everyone else I know has the skin of a baby’s bottom? What will I look like if I look 87? The rebellious side of my personality toys with being a silver fox. What if I let my skin leather with decades of happy summers in the sun? Maybe I can be a fearless, cool crone like Iris Apfel. In some ways, I can present as low maintenance. I’ll never be a woman with a perfect manicure or blowout, but I have a vibe and my own vices. I haven’t taken the leap into injectables because I am scared. I work out three days a week and start the day with a Gwenyth Paltrow intermittent fast until lunch to keep carbs, cheese, and wine in my major food groups. There are months that I become fed up with my graying hair and impulsively drive to a salon for a single process rinse. Maybe I am not ready to look old. In today’s filtered online world, no one needs to look old. Mainstream photo-editing tools like Facetune and Instagram’s Paris filter shrink my pores and waistline in a swipe and a pinch. Such advances in technology and media created our youth-obsessed culture and standards of beauty so unattainable that even celebrities cannot keep up. In December 2023, 56-year-old actress Maria Bello made headlines for lamenting that “every housewife on TV was seemingly getting younger” while she was getting older. Try she did to beat the clock, but it only brought misery and pain. Eventually, she learned to “own it.” Self-acceptance is always the goal, but every day every woman must confront the mirror and ask herself: is this the best she can do? The best one can do is a personal assess-

24 SIParent.com | February 2024

ment. It is the lowest amount of work one is willing to put in to look and feel presentable when leaving the house. While this changes depending on the occasion, for the purpose of this examination, my personal best will be defined as good enough to run into an old friend on the street without feeling naked in my aging face. As I grapple with the shifting shape of my head, I consult the women in my life to understand how they approach growing older. My first call is to my lawyer and mother, who is 69. I asked her if I could refer to myself as “coming from vain people ‘’ in print without offending her. She responds with knowing agreement. She believes that her mother, a beautiful woman with never a blonde hair out of place, would be “rolling over in her grave to know that her daughter let her hair go white.” During the pandemic, my mother went cold turkey on hair dye, declaring herself free. “As you get older,” she says, “everything changes.” While she no longer cares much about clothes or makeup, she admits she misses her blonde era. Asked for her current definition of “good enough,” she says she doesn’t want to give up Botox because she doesn’t want to “look like a hag.” My first lesson in aging: everyone has a relationship with appearance and their own line for its maintenance, one that might shift over time. At the mention of Botox, I call Dr. Margo

Lederhandler–the go to dermatologist of my thirty-something mom friends in Westchester, NY. My first line of questions came from my observation of a group of 29-year-old girls at a neighboring table at a restaurant. In a discussion of their addiction to Botox, one joked that she “didn’t know what was in it, but didn’t care.” When probed about the science and risk factors of looking good, Dr. Lederhandler expertly detailed the history of Botulinum toxin-A, first used as an ophthalmological treatment in the 1970s. When injected into the nerve under the skin near the eye, doctors saw offensive muscle spasms go away with a wrinkle reduction bonus. This cosmetic purpose was FDA approved in 2002, launching a multimillion-dollar antiaging revolution of injectable products that smooth lines and fill sag. Aside from the occasional bruise or a reversible eyelid or eyebrow droop, Dr. Lederhandler assures that the risks are low when the facial anatomy is assessed properly. Reassured that the toxins that freeze muscles won’t scramble my brain, I ask Dr. Lederhandler if I’ve missed my boat not starting at 29. What’s the deal with preventative? She advises patients to “begin injectables when bothered by lines that remain when the face is at rest.” The lines on the skin show signs of repeated muscle movement. The longer those lines are ingrained, the harder

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February 2024 | Staten Island Parent

mom Stories

it will be to erase them. In that sense, earlier can be better. As we ponder the many other options to prevent aging, my mind races. Overwhelmed by the magnitude of treatments that range from surgical to injectable to topical to lasers, Dr. Lederhandler brings me back to the present with the admission: It is OK to age. “We will all age,” she reminds. “Some people don’t want to be lineless.” For her patients and herself, her goal is “not to defy aging, but to look like the best version of herself.” She uses injectables, lasers, topicals and sunscreen to help patients look rested and refreshed. To Dr. Lederhandler, “aging gracefully does not mean giving up; rather, it is to help patients understand what is reasonable and to feel good in their skin.” Armed with more information, I toy with the idea of a laser to keep my pores cute for in real-life encounters on the street. As I consider the many other things I could do with the price of eternal youth, I slink back into my regular life. While chatting with my writer friend Fran Scheffler, I ask her how she approaches beauty as she ages. A stunning silver fox at 77, I learned that her dark hair started to go gray at the age of 15. In college, she got away with a Clarol wash-in

Self-acceptance is always the goal, but every day every woman must confront the mirror and ask herself: is this the best she can do? shampoo, but in her early 30s, she “stopped needing to be that vain” and embraced the slow transformation of age. Reflecting on the impact of her own mother’s vanity, she adds, “in her mother’s generation, dress, makeup and hair was an artform.” It was very important to keep herself looking good. Fran attributes her more simple approach to beauty to the validation she received for her intelligence. With a Ph.D. in Speech, Language, and Hearing, her work as a clinician and academic shifted her focus to bigger things than the mirror. While she worries

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that “women who are too caught up in looks believe that is all they offer,” she admits that “the women who do nothing look unkempt.” Anything too extreme is unhealthy. Today, Fran wants to look healthy. As we discussed her style and new hair styling tool, it struck me that a little vanity is important. It is healthy to care about one’s physical appearance. Keeping the body mentally and physically fit is not an irrational quest for youth and beauty. Instead, I rebrand it a pursuit of wholeness in mind, body, and spirit. It is a commitment to accept what is while, as my Grammy would say, “doing the most with what we have.” If it takes a facelift or a crisp new pair of blue jeans to confront the mirror and move on to a greater purpose, you receive no judgment here. I cannot predict how I will feel or the lengths I will go to feel like I am my best self. We all struggle to accept change at every age. If we are lucky, we will get to mourn the youthful glow that recedes with each passing year and become accustomed to a new face in the mirror. Aging is scary, but I do like the person that I am becoming. My collagen is waning, but my chutzpah grows.

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ask the expert

Your Neurodiverse Child’s Dental Visit The right dentist matters for kids with disability challenges By Donna Duarte-LaDD

ot many of us go to a dental office excitedly; I still, from childhood visits, have needle fear. You know that long silver needle that goes in your mouth? Just why? I ask myself any time I’m in the dental chair. This is why, as parents, we can all understand why kids may face challenges when visiting the dentist. Imagine how sensory or kids with disability challenges may feel on these visits. As a mom with a child on the ASD spectrum, dental visits are one of the most challenging of doctor visits as they incorporate things my child hates to do, like sit still and have you look into his mouth. Like most special needs parents, we not only want doctors to get our kid; We need you to vibe with all the uniqueness they bring to the table or rather the chair- for these visits can be nerve-racking for them and us parents. This is why when I found Dr. Alice Hoang at Brooklyn Mint Dental, I knew we may have found ‘our person.’ Dr. Alice specializes in treating neurodiverse patients, both adults and children. The office aims to make dental visits more practical and enjoyable, which isn’t easy if you have an anxious child. I was super impressed not only with Dr. Alice and her entire office, who took the time to get to know my son, but how she slowly worked to make him comfortable and was able to get him in the medical chair without him once freaking out (she was ready with the weighted blankets and his favorite shows-brilliant.) I appreciated Dr. Alice’s advice about using a gentler three-sided toothbrush, which can do more when your child has limited teeth brushing time, and using toothpaste with fun flavors. Most notably, her understanding and natural caring personality that most special needs parents know our kids have a superpower of knowing who is real and who is not and gravitating only toward the people who naturally connect with them. I asked the doctor for some pointers for parents wondering what dental office may work for them and the questions they need to ask when choosing a dentist. How should parents approach long-term dental care planning for special needs

28 SIParent.com | February 2024

children? The more that guardians are mindful of their child’s triggers, sources of comfort, communication style, and behavioral profile, the easier it is for a provider to tailor their care to be more approachable. When we care for special needs children, the guardian’s input is uniquely critical to the care of their children. Appointments should be on the shorter side, especially at the beginning for special needs children, so they can get acclimated with the space and staff. Easing into treatment slowly can prevent fear leading up to future dental visits. I am not physically or mentally challenged, yet I am still not a fan of dental visits, so what strategies work for you when you have a patient with high anxieties or sensory challenges? The tools we use for our sensory-sensitive patients work for even the most anxious patients. Ultimately, our amenities are intended to ease behavioral management of our patients in most circumstances, no matter the patient’s diagnosis. What should parents look for in a dentist when seeking treatment for this child with disability challenges? The most important aspect of anyone’s

care is finding a provider they trust and feel safe with. When seeking treatment for a child with disability challenges, this applies to both the guardians and the patient. My philosophy is meeting any patient where they are to help them achieve the highest level of dental health possible. I would encourage any guardian to find a dentist that values relationships with all patients no matter their needs. Ultimately, dentistry varies from dentist to dentist, and the philosophy, values and personality of the dentist shape the practice. Is it essential for the doctor to have parental involvement, or should they (the parents) step back a bit? Collaboration is an important aspect of general dentistry, whether with other professionals and/or with our patients and their guardians. I would encourage parents to be involved in familiarizing and desensitizing the patient in the new environment. Establishing trust with the dentist helps build rapport and makes the patient feel comfortable with the parent or guardian’s support. When a treatment plan is suggested, dentists like to offer choices, explaining the difference of the pros/ cons of each option, allowing both the patient and their guardian to choose the best option with the dentist’s support. When booking the first appointment, I

February 2024 | Staten Island Parent

ask the Expert

would also ask the dental practice if it’s possible to have shorter appointments initially for your child to get acquainted with their new environment. With time, your child will feel more in control of their environment and less anxiety towards a new, but now familiar face. You can ask if you can bring some items that might help your child in the chair such as weighted blankets or stuffed animals, their favorite show or music cued up, noise-canceling headphones and sunglasses. Involve your child in this process so they know they have some autonomy and their opinion matters. A boost in self-esteem and confidence does wonders for everyone. Pertaining specifically to sleep needs, how does treatment for neurodiverse patients and/or patients with dental traumas differ? The assessment and screening of sleep and airway will be the same. However, the treatment may vary, and patients with prior trauma or sensory sensitivity may reject the possible options available depending on the etiology and manifestations of their trauma or sensory sensitivity.

“Establishing trust with the dentist helps build rapport and makes the patient feel comfortable with the parent or guardian’s support.” As a dentist who treats sensory-sensitive patients and children with disabilities? What measures do you take to make the dental experience more comfortable for the kids and parents? When we created Brooklyn Mint, we wanted to put the most anxious patient at ease, whether they are triggered by sensory stimulation or by the environment. In every treatment suite, we have individualized speakers for music (or white noise), a television with noise-canceling headphones, massaging heated eye masks, cooling eye masks, weighted blankets, a weighted stuffed toy, microfiber blankets, light dimmers, a selection of fidget toys, guided meditation virtual and traditional nitrous oxide as well as an option for moderate sedation. While each amenity we offer helps elevate the patient experience,

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each is also very intentional and evidencebased. We also have a children’s sensory room with a nursing chair for any chest-feeding parents. More importantly, our doctors and team can ease the most anxious and/or sensory-sensitive patient. When a patient receives our initial forms, there is an “Optional Handle Me with Care Questionnaire.” When patients (or their guardians) decide to complete this form, it allows us to customize the care of our patients before they even step through our doors. We can cue preferred television shows and music, dim the lights, have any amenity readily available, and customize our approach for each patient. Dr. Alice Hoang can be found at: Brooklyn Mint Dental, 567 Pacific Street, Suite B, Brooklyn, NY 11217. 718-360-0365

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February 2024 | Staten Island Parent

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and uses computer-based charting and digital X-rays to streamline patient education. He understands how important it is for a child to be supported during their dental care, so he strongly encourages parents to become engaged in their child’s oral health and to ask questions as they arise throughout treatment. Lisa Lazzara, Kids Dental sikidsdental.com 718-356-5437

Meet the top 5 pediatric dentists on Staten Island

et’s be honest; no one likes going to the dentist. It’s nothing personal! Many people just tend to wince at the thought of being asked to “open wide!” This is a common hurdle for dentists to overcome with their patients, one that is especially difficult when those patients are children. Pediatric Dentists have the difficult task of keeping anxious young patients comfortable while providing the kind of skilled care that brand new sets of teeth require. It isn’t easy, but the Staten Island dentists below sure make it look that way. Each of these practices offer expert but gentle dental care for little ones, allowing for both parents and kids to stress less when it’s time for their annual chomper checkup! Community Health Center of Richmond

439 Port Richmond Ave. 917-830-0838 135 Canal Street 917-830-1950 chcrichmond.org/services/dentistry

Community Health Center of Richmond Dental and Medical Specialty Center believes in making dental care a breeze for kids. Their skilled team of dentists and hygienists provide top-notch care for little ones starting from the age of 2. They go beyond just ensuring healthy smiles; they teach kids and parents how to keep those smiles bright and healthy. They also welcome all families, no matter their ability to pay. CHCR accepts most insurances and also offers a schedule of sliding fees based on family size and income. CHCR believes keeping your child’s teeth healthy should be easy and affordable.

32 SIParent.com | February 2024

Salvatore Indelicato, D.M.D., P.C. 444 Huguenot Avenue bracesbydrindelicato.com 718-967-5213

Dr. Indelicato and his highly motivated, trained, certified and friendly staff are dedicated to making patients feel comfortable while providing high quality personal care. They offer all new Orthodontic treatment technology, Invisalign, braces of all types (ceramic/clear, metal, Iconix), digital x-rays and scanning technology for the comfort of patients. They also offer free new patient consultations and a freshly baked cookie at each visit, too! Dr. Indelicato and his staff keep up with continuing education courses, ensuring patients benefit from new advancements in dental care. He’s been making smiles since 1991! Dr. Brandon Jackson Quality Care Pediatric Dental Specialists 821 Clove Rd. 718-448-0976 qualitycaredds.com

Dr. Jackson is a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist serving the greater Metropolitan area who specializes in the treatment of anxious pediatric patients. His energetic and engaging approach to dentistry creates an atmosphere that puts patients at ease. He strives to provide evidence-based dentistry and individualized treatment plans for each child, and all treatment plans are explained and reviewed with every parent to ensure the best standard of care. Dr. Jackson keeps up with the latest dental technology

The doctors at Kids Dental pride themselves on specialized, comprehensive, and personalized dental care solely focused on a child’s complete needs. Every child’s dental health needs are as unique as their smiles and require an individualized approach. Receiving routine dental care is crucial for a child’s well-being and overall health. Kids Dental’s delightful and cheerful decor will ensure the most favorable and stress free dental visit as their team creates a positive and supportive dental experience. From the moment of arrival at a first appointment, patients immediately feel at ease as the staff maintains full focus making the visit comfortable and enjoyable, leaving parents feeling confident about managing their child’s dental needs. Phyllis G. Merlino, DDS Todt Hill Pediatric Dentistry 268 Todt Hill Road Staten Island, NY 10314 718-761-2090 DrMerlino.com

Dr. Phyllis G. Merlino and her staff provide pediatric dental services to children of all ages and to those with special physical, mental and healthcare needs. They are committed to quality care ensuring that children continue on the path to good oral health; together they strive to make the experience of each patient a positive one. Dr. Merlino is involved on a local level with the dental community as an active member of the Richmond County Dental Society and visits schools to educate children on the importance of good dental hygiene, dental care and diet. Dr. Merlino is a native Staten Islander and a Board-Certified specialist in Pediatric Dentistry, practicing since 2000.

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February 2024 | Staten Island Parent

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onths before summer, many parents entertain an age-old question: how can we make this summer special for their kids? One tradition is summer sleepaway camps. Sleepaway camps nourish kids while giving them a break from everyday routine, whether from the city or from playing videos all day (#iykyk.), This allows kids to step out of their comfort zones after a long school year and explore new or familiar friendships in a supportive and supervised setting. These camp experiences contribute to personal development, resilience, and a deeper connection. The best part is that there is a camp for every kid that is the perfect fit for a fantastic summer. Check out our picks!

Camp Tuku Huguenot, N.y., 12746 Camptuku.org 928-224-5855, info@camptuku.org

Camp Chateaugay 233 Gadway Road, merrill, Ny 12955 Chateaugay.com info@chateaugay.com

Tucked away on the pristine shores of a beautiful mountain lake in New York’s Adirondacks, Camp Chateaugay has been the summer “home away from home” for campers aged 7 -17 years old, since 1946. Camp Chateaugay is a co-ed, traditional, sleep-away summer camp focused on building independence, self confidence and friendships as well as providing world-class training in a variety of land sports, water sports, and arts — all while having fun and creating life-long memories. Camp Chateaugay offers campers the chance to unplug from technology and connect with nature. They provide a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment with experienced and passionate staff who are dedicated to ensuring every camper has an unforgettable summer, filled with fun, learning and growth.

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Camp Tuku is a traditional sleepaway camp with a mindful approach! With summer camps hosted in Mayer, Arizona, and Huguenot, NY, Camp Tuku welcomes girls and boys ages 6-17 from all over the country. In everything they do – from yoga, innovations, archery, low ropes, arts & crafts, swimming, and pet care – they do it mindfully, always integrating the mind, body, and heart to build resilience in their campers! In collaboration with Emory University’s Center for Contemplative Science (The Center), Camp Tuku has integrated its mindfulness summer camp program with The Center’s SEE Learning™ curriculum, integrating competencies, resources, and skills that support kids’ well-being and flourishing. Campers will build relationships and focus on community while building resilience, confidence, focus, reflection, and awareness.

Dorothy P Flint 4-H Camp

Frost Valley YMCA

3186 Sound Ave. Riverhead NY 11901 ccenassau.org/dpf-4-h-camp DPF4hCamp@cornell.edu

2000 Frost Valley Road, Claryville, NY 12725 Frostvalley.org 845-985-2291, info@frostvalley.org

Dorothy P.Flint 4-H Camp is proudly embarking on its 100th year of creating unforgettable memories! Nestled on the picturesque Long Island Sound in Riverhead, NY, the 140-acre co-ed overnight and day camp is a haven for campers aged 5-16. DPF 4-H Camp celebrates diversity and provides a nurturing environment for youth to reach their fullest potential as capable, competent, and caring citizens. 4-H educational programs are designed to inspire curiosity, creativity, and a love for learning in our natural world, ensuring that each camper’s experience is fun and enriching. Programs in Archery, Nature & Ecology, Outdoor Living & Cooking, Farm & Agriculture, Sport & Recreation, Performing Arts, and Visual Arts & Crafts.

Frost Valley YMCA is the premier summer camp in the heart of New York’s Catskill Mountains, just a few hours from New York City. At Frost Valley YMCA, your camper can participate in sports, arts and crafts, hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing, canoeing, swimming, singing, storytelling around the campfire, sleeping underneath a canopy of stars, and so much more! Frost Valley is guided by 8 core values: caring, community, diversity, honesty, inclusiveness, respect, responsibility, and stewardship, which are infused into all camp programs. At Frost Valley, children and teens become campers for life. Help your child experience the magic of camp for the upcoming Summer of 2024! Tiered pricing and financial assistance are available.

Ghostlight Theater Camp

Incarnation Camp

7 Camp Eastwood Circle Ghostlighttheatercamp.com 207- 358-0641, chris@ghostlighttheatercamp.com

253 Bushy Hill Road, Ivoryton, CT 06442 Incarnationcamp.org info@incarnationcamp.org

Unleash the Spotlight at Ghostlight Theater Camp! Elevate your child’s summer with the ultimate stage experience! Their unrivaled productions, dynamic classes, and engaging activities set them apart as the premier theater camp. Immerse your young stars in a world of creativity where every moment is a chance to shine. At Ghostlight, they cultivate more than talent; they build confidence and independence. Their carefully crafted program empowers campers to discover their unique voices, fostering lifelong skills that extend beyond the stage. With top-notch instructors, cutting-edge productions, and a supportive community, your child will leave Ghostlight Theater Camp with newfound skills and a shining sense of self.

Incarnation Camps - Wilderness adventure & classic summer camp fun! Located in coastal Connecticut, on over 700 wooded acres surrounding a mile-long private lake, Incarnation Camps are the country’s oldest coed camps. Since 1886, they have provided programming that offers funfilled, traditional camp experiences with experiential learning and many options for campers, including ceramics, sports, woodworking, arts & crafts, sailing, archery, farm care, music, and so much more! Campers are guided through well-rounded & adventurous programs that develop an appreciation for nature & celebrate the uniqueness of each individual. Incarnation Camp programs serve over 1000 campers each summer, and our alumni network is far-reaching. February 2024 | Staten Island Parent

Camps

Woodward Action Sports Camp Pocono Springs Camp

Woodward, PA woodwardpa.com 814-349-5633, office@woodwardcamp.com

48 Pocono Springs Way, East Stroudsburg PA 18302 poconospringscamp.com summer@poconospringscamp.com

Located in the Pocono Mountains, just 75 miles from NYC, Pocono Springs offers a unique concept in the world of sleepaway camps: a traditional co-ed camp experience in a 5-week program. Their five-week program allows families to provide their children with a full-season summer camp experience while also having the flexibility for family travel, specialty camps, and other summer fun outside of camp. Additionally, they’re not a session camp! This means every camper starts and ends together - creating a truly cohesive community filled with down-to-earth families and mature staff who are genuinely excited to be part of your camper’s growth. A three-week “intro program” is available for 1st year campers entering grades 2nd-5th.

For those who love action sports, a week at Camp Woodward is beyond anything you could imagine. With a more than 50-year legacy of teaching kids the art of balance and agility, Woodward knows what it takes to learn and progress in the most popular action sports. That is why they have built the most innovative parks, hired the most capable instructors, and partnered with the world’s top action sports athletes to create the ultimate summer camp experience. All located on a beautiful 48-acre campus, the summer camp experience at Woodward includes a wide range of recreation activities in addition to sports instruction and competition. Plus, Woodward’s supportive community, fueled by a shared passion for action sports culture, lifts all athletes and ignites their complete potential. There’s simply no place like it.

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Visiting Puerto Vallarta By Serena norr

t’s around this time of year when many New Yorkers search for vacation options to beat the cold. While many factors come into play, an easy direct flight, great weather, amazing food, and a connection to culture are up there on our must-experience list with the kids or during solo getaways. During a recent trip to Puerto Vallarta, I discovered such a destination. A unique gem renowned for its stunning beaches, access to nature, close proximity to the Sierra Madre mountains, and bustling city center, Puerto Vallarta was the perfect mini escape I needed. Here, I also discovered an area rich in tradition and culture, fantastic food, beautiful views, and much more. Read on to learn more about why Puerto Vallarta (or PV as locals call it) is the ultimate destination for girlfriend getaways, couples trips, or trips with the kids. About Puerto Vallarta Puerto Vallarta is a beautiful coastal town in the Mexican state of Jalisco. A thriving Mexican village and fishing town, Puerto Vallarta has grown to become an increasingly popular tourist destination. During my stay, I saw many cruise ships dock at its ports and tons of tourists from around the world. There was an air of ease and accessibility

for Americans as many PV locals speak English (and even use the U.S. dollar). The area is very walkable, with great shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions. There is also a feeling of inclusivity in the air where I saw a prominent LGBT+ community and nightlife – should you travel solo or with girlfriends. The Accommodations During my time in PV, I enjoyed comfortable and luxurious accommodations at The Westin Resort & Spa, Puerto Vallarta. I was floored by the cozy room and its jaw-dropping views of the pool, the Banderas Bay, and lush grounds with flowers and over 600 palm trees. Incredibly, the resort is located on a former palm tree farm, where a natural shade evoked a sense of calmness and ease throughout the property. I also loved the ‘homey’ vibe of the room with warm wood accents, serene earth tones, and vibrant pictures. The best part of the room was its king-size heavenly bed, plush pillows, and crisp linens. Additionally, the room had marble tiling, a comfy living/sitting area, a TV, fridge, a balcony, a mini bar, room service, and much more. In between activities, it was so lovely to have a peaceful and quiet place to go to. Families who stay at The Westin can enjoy time in the family studio, where they

WPV

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will find a king-sized bed, a sofa bed, and views of the pool. There is also a twobedroom suite with a king-sized bed and a king-sized sofa bed for a bigger family. Dogs (up to 40 pounds) are even allowed to stay at the Westin who can even get their own dog bed. Resort Food The food was one of the stand-out experiences from the trip. From traditional Mexican fare to options from their Eat Well menu, I enjoyed a collection of diverse and flavorful options from the Arrecifes Seafood & Steakhouse, El Palmar Restaurant, La Cascada Restaurant, and Bar, to name a few options. Cocktail and mocktail making at La Cascada Restaurant and Bar. Some favorites included a bountiful seaside sunset picnic; a cocktail and mocktail-making lesson at La Cascada Restaurant and Bar; braised short ribs and tuna carnitas at Arrecifes Seafood & Steakhouse; and healthy breakfast of smoothies and quinoa and salmon from the ‘Eat Well’ menu at El Palmar Restaurant. There is also a breakfast and dinner buffet at El Palmar where you can enjoy a la carte options as you overlook the lush greenery. The resort also has an all-day snack and swim-up bar by the pool and 24-hour room service. They even have healthy – and kid-friendly options – in partnership with SuperChefs. They work with doctors and

equipment you can even order for your room. Enjoy spa services outdoors. At the spa, guests can also enjoy facials, a couples massage, or an in-suite massage. For an extra special experience, you can also enjoy a beachfront massage in one of the hotel’s outdoor pergolas. During my stay, I also enjoy a relaxing morning session of seaside yoga and meditation.

WPV

nutritionists to create a menu for kids that is both healthy and delicious. Wellness Wellness is a huge pillar of the experience at

The Westin Resort & Spa, Puerto Vallarta. This includes the modern Westin Workout Fitness Studio, The Spa at The Westin Puerto Vallarta, healthy food, including their Eat Well menu, and exercise

Must-See Experiences in Puerto Vallarta Vallarta Botanical Gardens My visit to the Vallarta Botanical Gardens felt like a dream. Filled with lush greenery, the garden is an environmental organization in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, with the mission to study, preserve, and display Mexican native plants. Open for the past 17 years, I enjoyed a walking tour of the grounds, where I saw a stunning collection of plants, flowers, rocks, birds, and more.

Centro, 48400 Jal., Mexico

Tequila Tasting After visiting the garden, I enjoyed a traditional Mexican lunch and a fascinating lesson where I learned about tequila at the Rancho Los Veranos. I also learned the details of how tequila is made, including the farming process. This was eye-opening as our guide, passionately told us about the process in Mexico. Juntas y Veranos Av. Copinole 115,

Malecon Boardwalk Even if you didn’t have a specific agenda, you could walk along the Malecon Boardwalk and find something to do. This includes delicious restaurants, churches, street art, art galleries, and shopping. There are also tons of open-air galleries, stunning sculptures along the boardwalk, and daring street performers to watch in awe as you explore the boardwalk.

Visit the Romantic Zone One of the oldest areas in PV, the Romantic Zone is home bars, shops and restaurants, and the Los Muertos Pier. You’ll also discover beautiful mosaics in the Lazaro Cardenas Park Puerto Vallarta. For a night out, sing some karaoke or enjoy a show at Act II Theater or Incanto.

On-Site Attractions for Families Kids will love having instant access to two outdoor pools and a 410-foot private beach. Here, you can enjoy water sports such as kayaking, swimming, or simply relaxing in the sun. There is also a swim-up bar, lounge chairs around the pool for relaxation and snacking, and a kids’ club where kids (ages 4-12) can go to enjoy kid-friendly activities. This includes movies, Mexican crafts, sandcastle competitions, and more. Resort Location The Westin Resort & Spa, Puerto Vallarta is located at Paseo de la Marina Sur #205, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, 48354.

Malecon Boardwalk Sculptures Everywhere you turn, you can enjoy viewing beautiful sculptures. Some highlights include In Search of Reason by Sergio Bustamante; Nature as a Mother by Adrián Reynoso; The Arches by Martin Distancia; and The Boy on the Seahorse by Rafael Zamarripa, to name a few favorites. Beaches There are several beaches to explore in this coastal town. This includes Playa Los Muertos, Colomitos, Los Muertos Beach, and Playa Flamingos, to name a few options. Beaches are located in the north bay, south bay, south of the bay, and north of the bay. In addition to swimming and soaking in the sun, you can enjoy snorkeling, kayaking, whale-watching, diving, and other water sports during your stay. From beaches to lush landscapes to modern amenities, Puerto Vallarta is the ultimate escape. I enjoyed the sunshine, culture, and amazing food. I returned relaxed, restored, and excited to return with my kids.

February 2024 | Staten Island Parent

just for parents

40 Winter Date-nights

Romantic and fun ideas for couples on Valentine’s Day ... or any winter day! By Jeannine Cintron

njoying time alone weekly or at least monthly is a major component of any healthy relationship. It doesn’t always have to be a fancy dinner by candlelight, either. Sometimes, you just have to think outside the box. Here are some great date ideas for celebrating Valentine’s Day in and around NYC that range from romantic to simple to slightly scandalous. Have fun, you crazy kids!

points for romance, but you’ll definitely have fun (and maybe relieve a little stress, too). Comedy Club. Comedy clubs are a classic

but underrated date idea. The setting is very intimate, yet you’re guaranteed to spend the night laughing together. Pro tip: don’t sit in the front row unless you can take a joke at your own expense. Botanical Garden. Despite its urban status,

areas showcase many scenic spots that offer the perfect, picturesque backdrop for a shareworthy date selfie. Go window shopping on 5th Ave., walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, or head to one of the many boardwalks on a nice day for a seaside stroll.

New York is home to many lush botanical gardens, perfect for walking arm-in-arm while taking in the beauty of the many floral displays. The world-famous NYBG spans over 250 acres and is located in the Bronx, but there are gardens in Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, New Jersey and Long Island that will create the perfect backdrop for a romantic date night.

Just Stay In. Plan an indoor picnic for two,

Rent an Igloo. Also called bubble tents, these

complete with baskets and blankets. Or rent a movie and cozy up on the couch with some popcorn. Try a board game night for something with a quicker pace (get more players if you make it a double date). Sometimes, you just make your own fun.

translucent, heated domes started popping up in the pandemic era to allow for outdoor dining while still technically inside, and they never really went away. Many restaurants - particularly rooftop ones in NYC - still offer this experience. You can pair it with some skating (or Bumper Cars on Ice!) in Bryant Park and Wollman Rink in Central Park.

Scenic Stroll. NYC and the surrounding

York is home to many sprawling mansions and historic estates - some hundreds of years old that are open to the public for exploring? Visit historichousetrust.org to see which ones pique your interest. Attend a Show-Taping. If you and your date are big fans of a show taped in NYC - there are many - why not score some tickets to see it taped live? Think SNL, Jimmy Fallon, The View, Drew Barrymore, The Daily Show, etc. Trivia Night. Many local bars offer trivia

nights where participants can sip brews and compete in live quiz games for prizes, answering questions about everything from sports to pop culture, history and more. If you watch Jeopardy daily in your house, this is the perfect date. Cooking Class. Is the way to your partner’s

Central Park. According to a survey con-

ducted by glamira.com, Central Park is the 9th most romantic place to propose in the world, based on social media data. But you don’t have to get down on one knee to enjoy the city’s most iconic park. Have a picnic, take a walk, go skating - make an afternoon of it. Just pick a warmer day if you’re not big on being cold. Candlelight Concert. These dreamy

concerts are all about ambiance. Watch a live concert with your date in an intimate setting, surrounded by a sea of candles. Candlelight concerts have grown immensely in popularity in the last few years, so naturally, there are plenty scheduled for this winter in NYC. Axe-Throwing. Axe-throwing locations have

been popping up around NYC in the last few years, and it’s easy to see why. They’re a great group activity, but they can make for an exciting date night as well. You might not get any

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heart through their stomach? Many restaurants offer classes where patrons can learn new culinary skills that will impress them. It’s a great way for couples to bond over a shared love of food. Arcade. Classic arcade games, video games, air hockey, virtual reality, plus food and cocktails; you can’t go wrong when you get to be a kid and an adult all at once. It’s the fun-loving couple’s perfect date destination.

Hot Chocolate Date. Can’t get away from

the kids for too long? Go for a cozy cup of steaming cocoa instead at one of NYC’s many famed hot chocolate spots. Speakeasy Bar-Hopping. Unlike when

they started during the Prohibition era, these secret bars and cocktail lounges are perfectly legal today. They’re just not that easy to find. If you and your date are the adventurous type, speakeasy bar hopping is perfect for you. It just requires a little bit of basic research.

Dance Class. Are you more Fred & Ginger or

Elaine from Seinfeld? Dancing together can be a wonderful way to get closer to your partner. Many dance studios offer adult dance classes or even private lessons. Archery/Shooting Range. Maybe you

want to share your love of hunting with the one you love; maybe you’re both really into the Walking Dead. Either way, an archery class or a trip to the shooting range is definitely a different kind of date night.

Museum Late Nights. Some museums offer

late-night hours where the vibe is a little more mature, sometimes even offering cocktails. Most notable is Date Night at the Met (Fridays and Saturdays). Tour an Estate. Did you know that New

Rooftop Bars. NYC’s many rooftop bars of-

fer a way to appreciate the views while sipping a cocktail and enjoying each other’s company. NYC has the best views, after all. Many open in the winter if the weather is above freezing - just remember to bundle up.

too cold outside, opt for an indoor rink, of which there are plenty in and near NYC. Hot chocolate afterward is a must, either way! Bookstore or Library. Bond over books! Stop by a bookstore or library and pick something you will both enjoy, then cuddle up by the fireplace at home and get lost in the pages together. The Zoo. If you both love animals, and you

love each other, then a zoo date is a win/win. While some seasonal exhibits are closed in the winter months, most zoos are open all year round. At the Bronx Zoo, you can even name a roach after each other (or each other’s ex). Yoga. Nama-stay together this Valentine’s Day! Enjoy a yoga class together or schedule a private lesson for date night. Volunteer. Giving back to those in need can help couples to strengthen their own connection while doing a good deed together.

Bargain Hunting. This date night idea

screams thrifty couple goals. Map out a list of flea markets and vintage shops nearby (there are TONS in our area) and make a day of it! Dinner Cruise. Sometimes, dinner cruises can feel a little touristy but they offer stunning panoramic views that you can’t get anywhere else. Unless you ride the Staten Island Ferry a lot, which is not the worst - and certainly the cheapest - alternative. In fact, there are some great restaurants where the ferry docks on Staten Island’s North Shore to try.

can snuggle up and catch a new (or newish) movie On Demand or via a streaming service from your couch. There’s also year-round drive-in theaters, dine-in theaters, and even some that throw public viewing parties, like Alamo Drafthouse, which has locations in Brooklyn, Manhattan and Staten Island.

Rock Climbing. You’ve probably been to a kids’ birthday party where there was rock climbing, but this activity is fun for grown-ups, too. Test your physical endurance on the wall, and maybe impress your date!

jam-packed with eateries boasting beautiful views and even better food.

Escape Room. Not many dates start off with people locked in a room together. Escape rooms require participants to solve riddles and puzzles in order to make their way out of a series of closed rooms. It’s the perfect date idea for the adventurous couple.

Museum-Hopping. There are so many muse-

Spa Day. Pamper yourselves with a relaxing

there are so many to choose from and you’ll easily find something to fit your budget.

ums and cultural institutions in NYC you could never visit them all. We love a museum date because there’s plenty of material to spark good conversation for the most cultured of couples.

massage after a busy week, get a couples’ pedicure, soak in a hot tub, hot the sauna; the point is to slow the pace and enjoy time together.

Cosmic Bowling. Cosmic bowling takes a

Paint and Sip. Show off your art skills (or

regular (read: boring) game of bowling and elevates it with neon lights, upbeat music and a glowing atmosphere. Check your nearest bowling alley to see when and if it is offered.

comical lack thereof) with the added bonus of sipping tasty cocktails while you and your date paint the night away.

See a Show. Catch a play on or off Broadway;

Grab a Bite. NYC and surrounding areas are

Sign-Making. This DIY activity has grown Mixology Class. If a cooking class is a little more work than you want to do on date night, but you still want to try something new, a mixology class should do the trick. Learn how to make all kinds of delicious cocktails - then drink them!

in popularity tremendously over the past few years, probably because it’s so much fun to do and you get to take home the finished product to hang proudly in your home. For an entertaining twist, make a sign for your date and vice versa.

Movie Night. Remember when you had to go to a theater to watch a movie? But today you

Ice Skating. Ice skating can be romantic for couples who want to glide along. If it’s a little

Get a Room. Sometimes a few hours away is just not enough. Book a night at one of the countless luxurious hotels around the city and spend the time reconnecting. Roller Skating. Hit the local roller rink later on at night for some grown-up skating time. Why not make it even more fun with a 50’s theme, sipping a milkshake with two straws afterward. Wine-Tasting. Most local wineries offer wine-tasting nights, where various types of wine are served with appetizers. Occasionally they include demonstrations as well. Romantic? Yes. Fun? For sure. February 2024 | Staten Island Parent

A New York Love Story Sophie Demenge on founding with her husband Michael, the children’s lifestyle brand Oeuf and how family is first for both her brand and life

By Serena norr

or many New Yorkers, when one hears any conversation regarding the brand Oeuf (oeufnyc.com), the line French born Sophie Demenge started over 20 years ago with her husband, Michael Ryan, many have the same reaction, mostly of Ahhh. Memories may toggle somewhere from nostalgia to aspirational home goals. For us parents who now have kids in their tween and teenage years, we have memories of that dreamy baby stage where we chose a unique item or two (or three!) and placed it delicately in our baby’s room or carefully hunged in the closet. Then we recall with a warmth how each room, each closet, was eventually upgraded to reflect a new stage with Oeuf’s beautiful pieces. Which is the point. Oeuf was created to design their daughters’ room with a modern and high quality (non-existent at the time) that evolved into a brand renowned for its modern, sustainable, and durable furniture and clothing. This further expanded when their son was born, and they haven’t looked back. Over the years, their Prospect Park home - particularly the kids’ rooms - became the backdrop of many photoshoots (where we recently enjoyed spending time during this cover shoot!). Today, Sophie, Michael, and their small team (which is a family affair as it sometimes includes help from their kids: Mae, now 21, and Marius, now 19) continue to be strongly rooted in their values of craftsmanship and quality. Much of Sophie’s design and focus on sustainability comes from her background growing up in France, surrounded by quality products that weren’t thrown away. Oeuf and family are still growing as the brand and Sophie, now an empty nester, evolve into new designs and new adventures. Read on to learn more about this seasoned mom and entrepreneur who embraces life - and her business - with heart, love, and a mission to always stay true to herself.

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Tell us about the history of Oeuf and how you and your husband, Michael Ryan, created it 21 years ago? We kind of created it by necessity because in 2002, there was really nothing. It was a very different landscape in the kids’ design space, especially in furniture. At the time, we actually had another design business for grownups where we were creating ceramics wood, one-of-a-kind pieces, and metal pieces. Since we had that business, we already had a design studio in Brooklyn. So, when I was expecting, Michael and I started looking around for furniture where we realized that there was this giant gap. So, we decided to make everything for my daughter in the studio, and it took off. At first, we actually didn’t plan on making it a business. The pieces were just for her. We curated and made her rugs, the bedding, the crib, all the furniture, and the toys. It was really, really fun to do. When they went to the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) in NYC where we presented some of our kids’ stuff. A few weeks later, we were in The New York Times! It was incredible, but I think people saw that there were items out there that weren’t made well or clunky. Plus, they weren’t a variety of great design and kids were not kind of honored that way. We kept designing things for the kids and continued to expand. Two-and-a-half years later, I had my son, Maus and then we made a toddler bed. We then made a desk, a bunk bed, and expanded to clothing. While we did still have the other business, we realized that what we were creating at Oeuf was a lot more fun and went for it. What has been the experience like working with your husband? We do very different things that compliment each other. We have a division of labor and tasks. It has changed and evolved over the years. Sometimes it does feel like we are in a never-ending round of couples therapy and other times it’s exhilarating. I

think it’s important to be able to separate marriage and our work relationship a little bit. We also know each other so well and know when we need to leave when one of us needs a bit more space. We’re also both goofballs and laugh a lot. I think that’s the super glue in the relationship. I also still feel like we’re in this 20-year-old startup where we’re still learning. We’ve had to adapt together really quickly, and even when we feel like we have a handle on things, something else happens. This is very similar to parenting and nice to know that Michael is the one I can bounce ideas off of and connect with about everything from parenting to business. Have you ever felt the need to change your products over the years to conform to trend? We believe in staying true to ourselves and I don’t think we are influenced by the outside world. We try to do what makes sense and we’re not trying to please anyone or even guess what people want. As with our history, we created what was best for our own children and it resonated. We only launch a new product when we’re excited about something or when we feel like it is missing in the market. Tell us how your now-grown children are involved in Oeuf. It’s wonderful! They’ve done really everything from the behind the scenes styling to modeling when they were newborn to helping out at photo shoots or selling at sample sales! They’ve also grown up in this world since a lot of our photo shoots are held at home. They’re used to seeing stylists, photographers,and people come in and out of their rooms with equipment. The business has become a part of our creative family adventure. However, they do have their own lives- and I welcome them back to help whenever they are around. What was it like raising Mae and Marius in Brooklyn? How was it different from your experience growing up in Paris?

mothers who are inundated with products. I actually think you don’t need much. For example, in France we don’t throw things away. In our line, we encourage people to resell items, use them on other kids, or give them a friend. This is our sustainable model, which is rooted in our design and mission. Tell us about what it’s like now that your kids are older and you are in the empty nester phase - what are you excited about? I’m really excited when they come home but I also love seeing them out in the world and becoming their own people. I actually like being in the background (of their lives) where I almost become irrelevant. I think a great testament to my parenting is to let them shine and be their own people. In terms of my day-to-day, it freed up some time, including my mental time. Women and mothers take on so much that we don’t even realize. I feel like I was wearing these different backpacks - like what’s for dinner or appointments - that I don’t have to be burdened with. I’m also a new empty nester cause my son just graduated from high school so I haven’t even really figured out how I want to use this newfound energy. Especially, as a mom, I think we always put ourselves last. I don’t even know what I would love to be doing yet, because I’m so used to doing everything for everybody else. It’s also shocking (in a good way) to have this time. I think having more time with friends, and even reading a book is going to be amazing. There’s this French comedian who says that being an empty nester is kind of like being a teenager with a credit card. I resonate with that a lot in this stage.

Photo by Yumi Matsuo

I started out as a mom in the East Village. When May was two, two years old, we moved to Brooklyn. I wanted her to have a community and roots. I find Brooklyn very similar to Paris in that way. When I grew up in Paris, I always walked to school, which is similar to how they grew up in Park Slope. We used to walk everywhere. When they were younger, the kids would walk to the orthodontist or to their friends’ house or for sleepovers. Brooklyn feels like a village (like Paris) that I love. I also love having access to Prospect Park, which is similar to my walks to the Luxembourg Garden. Now, it is also beautiful to see my kids’

connection to France. We all go all the time. My daughter actually lived there last year and wants to move back when she graduates. My son is there now, too! What do you think influences your design sensibility? I think design and creativity is very personal. We’re not really a big consumer type of family so I think there’s this French sensibility from how I grew up about quality and not quality. When we first started, we would tell people to buy less, really buy less. Especially young

Is there anything about the brand you’d like to share that people might not be familiar with. Consistency and quality is important to us where all of the furniture is made in Europe for the past 20 years. Michael often goes to Latvia where the products are made as well as Bolivia where our knitters live. We even invited the five original knitters to spend a week with us in Brooklyn. At the end of the day, our family (and the people who work for us) are interwoven in the business. At the end of the day that’s what really matters. Discover more about Oeuf at oeufnyc.com and on Instagram @oeufnyc.

This piece has been edited for clarity and brevity. To read the entire cover article please visit newyorkfamily.com February 2024 | Staten Island Parent

calendar Things to do in February

Valentine’s Day Art Friday, Feb. 2, 3:30-4:30pm Richmondtown Library 200 Clarke Ave. Calling all teens! Bring your creativity to the library’s Art Club to make Valentine’s Day-themed art.

Black History Month: Abstract Painting Tuesday, Feb. 6, 3:30-4:30pm West New Brighton Library 976 Castleton Ave. Celebrate painter, Alma Thomas, in honor of Black History Month. Explore her art works and create abstract paintings of your own. (For ages 13-18).

Louie’s Legacy Pet Adoption Event Saturdays, 11am-1pm PetSmart 1525 Forest Ave. See pets available for adoption from Louie’s Legacy. More details available at louieslegacy.org. Zimmer Club Youth Conservation Program Saturdays, 9am-noon, through March 30 The Zimmer Club 4411 Arthur Kill Rd. The Zimmer Club Youth Program uses the great outdoors as a classroom to teach youngsters about outdoor activities, conservation, and embracing nature. The program blends learning with recreation to heighten awareness of the environment and beauty of the outdoors. Classes are free and for ages 5 to 17 (age restrictions apply week to week). Register online. Post-Groundhog Day Hike and Shadow Craft. Clove Lakes Park Forest Ave. & Victory Blvd. Saturday, Feb. 3, 11am-12:30pm Are we getting more Winter or an early Spring? Join the Urban Park Rangers as they celebrate Staten Island Chuck’s prediction with a hike and craft! Along the way, learn the history of Groundhog Day and explore the way light shapes our vision of nature and the seasons with a paper-craft.

Celebrate the Year of the Dragon at NJPAC on Feb. 10 & 11 Dances from the Ivory Coast Workshop. Saturday, Feb. 3, 4pm Staten Island Children’s Museum 1000 Richmond Terrace The Cumbe Center for African and Diaspora Dance presents KOUKOU: Gathering Together at the Staten Island Children’s Museum. KouKou is a dance of community that often guides children in learning the fundamentals of African dance. This workshop will highlight the importance of community–building through the magnetic and joyful rhythms and dances of Ivory Coast, West Africa. Included with admission. Maple Sugaring Sundays, 11:30am and 1pm, through March 17 Tenafly Nature Center 313 Hudson Ave. Tenafly, NJ Learn how to identify a maple tree. Discover the history of syrup

44 SIParent.com | February 2024

making and how technology has changed the way we gather sap over the centuries. The group will check Tenafly Nature Center’s tapped tree and boil down sap to make fresh, warm maple syrup, a sweet treat for all to taste. Victorian Valentine Workshop Sunday. Feb. 4, noon Historic Richmond Town 441 Clarke Ave. In the 19th century, exchanging handmade Valentine cards was the ultimate romantic gesture. Featuring lace, pressed grasses and flowers, ornamentation and elaborate detail, Victorian Valentines epitomized the sentimental sensibility of the age. Make your own dazzling Valentines in this special workshop. Participants make three Valentine cards in an hourlong workshop.

Greenbelt Native Plant Center Winter Tree ID Workshop Friday, Feb. 9 10am-1pm Greenbelt Native Plant Center 3808 Victory Blvd. Join the NYC Parks Stewardship team and Greenbelt Native Plant Center staff to learn the basics of how to identify trees in the winter using buds, bark, branches, and more. No background knowledge is required and the event is is open to all. Black History Month: Audre Lorde Saturday, Feb. 10, 11am Silver Lake Park Forest Avenue and Silver Lake Park Road Celebrate Black History Month with the Urban Park Rangers. Join on the Audre Lorde Walk at Silver Lake Park to honor the famous poet and draw inspiration from your surroundings as you practice creating your own poetry. Painting with Soul Saturday, Feb. 10, 2-5pm Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden 1000 Richmond Terr. Celebrate Black history, and enjoy a drum circle by Greg Taylor and painting with soul, a self-guided paint project. Light refreshments will be served.

February Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company: Year of the Green Wood Dragon. Saturday, Feb. 10 and Sunday, Feb. 11, 2pm NJPAC 1 Center St, Newark, NJ Every year, the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company celebrates the lunar New Year with a spectacular performance at NJPAC. This year, embrace the spirit of the dragon — a symbol of power, strength, good luck, prosperity and happiness. Bring the whole family for this joyful display of Chinese dance, contemporary dance, acrobatics, vibrant costumes and live music. Pre-Valentines Day Love in Nature Hike. Sunday, Feb. 11, 11am Greenbelt Nature Center 700 Rockland Ave. Join the Urban Park Rangers in learning about the courtship habits of local wildlife while taking a scenic stroll on the nature trails of The Greenbelt. Celebrating International Day of Women and Girls in Science Walk Sunday, Feb. 11, 1pm Blue Heron Park 222 Poillon Ave Join the Urban Park Rangers to celebrate influential women and girls in science as they go for a hike and collect specimens to view through a microscope. They will be joined by Ocean Scientist, Dr. Elizabeth Suter with the Friends of Blue Heron. STEM Tuesday: Crystals. Tuesday, Feb. 14, 4-5pm Dongan Hills Library 1617 Richmond Road Join in on the second Tuesday of every month for STEM Tuesdays. Each meeting will focus on experiments related to Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math. For February’s program, grow your own crystals! Light refreshments will be served. Best for ages 10-14. First come, first served.

calendar

and then create a strawberry and oyster themed craft.

The Zimmer Club Youth Conservation Program meets on Saturdays. 8th Annual Early Childhood Enrollment Event Saturday, Feb. 17, 12-4pm Staten Island Children’s Museum 1000 Richmond Terr. Meet with representatives from local PreK programs who will answer questions about the experience for children and enrollment and get free museum admission! The Early Learn Environment Working Group will connect with families with children 0-4 years old seeking childcare, resources and support as their children start to enter into Early Childhood Programs. Chinese New Year Celebration Saturday, Feb. 17, 12-3pm Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden 1000 Richmond Terr. Head to this exciting Chinese New Year celebration featuring treats, tales and traditional crafts. Event will be in the Building P lobby. Dance Party with DJ Baba Yako Monday, Feb. 19, 4-4:45pm Staten Island Children’s Museum 1000 Richmond Terr. Transform your family’s afternoon into a vibrant celebration at this dance party featuring DJ Baba Yako, who specializes in Afrobeat music, a genre known for its rhythms and rich cultural influences. Kids Week: Animal Tracking Scat-venger Hunt Monday, Feb. 19, 11 am

Freshkills Park Event Entrance 350 Wild Ave Join the Urban Park Rangers on an animal tracking scavenger hunt. Learn how to track animals using scat, footprints and other clues. Kids Week: Campfire Story Time Tuesday, Feb. 20, 1pm Clove Lakes Park Forest Avenue & Victory Boulevard Join the Urban Park Rangers for a cozy campfire and story telling session. Rangers will read books and use puppets paired with visual props. Dress warm and bring a blanket! Lunar New Year Celebration Tuesday, Feb. 20, 3pm Staten Island Children’s Museum 1000 Richmond Terr. Chinese Theatre Works presents a Traditional Music Program & Ribbon Dance! Come ring in the Lunar New Year by participating in this interactive celebration of music, dance, and Chinese culture. Grab a ribbon, a percussive instrument, or just enjoy the spectacle— this program is fun for the whole family! Kids Week: Sandy Ground History Thursday, Feb. 22, 11am Fairview Park Englewood Ave., W. Shore Expwy., & Veterans Rd. Celebrate Black History Month by learning about the oldest freed black settlement in New York City. Participants will walk the trails of Sandy Ground Woods,

Free Paint Watercolors Thursday, Feb. 22, 4pm Dongan Hills Library 1617 Richmond Road Let your creativity show by painting with watercolors. The library will provide the materials, and you provide the creativity! Light refreshements will also be served. First come, first served due to limited supplies. Best for ages 13-18. Kids Week: Meet the Critters Friday, Feb. 23, 1pm Blue Heron Park 222 Poillon Ave From stick bugs to snakes, meet the animals that call the center their home. Bubblemania! Friday, Feb. 23, 4pm Staten Island Children’s Museum 1000 Richmond Terr. Experience a high-energy mix of visual comedy, quick wit, swing music, and amazing soap bubble manipulations that range from intricate bubble art to GIANT bubbles big enough to encase an audience member! Included with admission. Pop-Up Exhibit: Learning Korean through Calligraphy Saturday, Feb. 24, 2-3:30pm Staten Island Museum 1000 Richmond Terr. Head to a pop-up display of student work and try your hand at a traditional art form. Light refreshments provided. Astronomy: Leap Day Stargazing Thursday, Feb. 29, 6pm Freshkills Park Event Entrance 350 Wild Ave. Why does February usually only have 28 days? Explore the sky while learning the history of how our modern day calendar came to be. See how astronomy and other factors shaped our days, weeks, months, and years.

February 2024 | Staten Island Parent

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FREE KIDS MEAL at WENDY’S (Staten Island only) 300 Bay St, 10301 | 1761 Forest Ave, 10303 1661 Hylan Blvd, 10305 | 6420 Amboy Rd, 10309 25 Putnam St, 10312 | 26 Richmond Hill Rd, 10314 February 1 Riley Corson Robert Ralph Russo Rebecca StengleWilson Patricia Aponte Kylie Olivia Norman Michael Casale Shannon Riley Carter Ogbu Anthony Lodestro Kylie Rodriguez Mateo Ortiz February 2 Abigail Harlow Angeliah Negron Dominic Hughes Zacari Kizer Gabrielle Peragine Landon Zeng Ethan Oliveras Kristen Oliveras John Przybysz February 3 Justin Levine Juan Carlos RoblesCorona George Elkik Giavanna Anwar Corey Newell-Hopkins Kyle Kavanagh Luna Velasquez Raina Garcia Amiya Harris February 4 Amanda Guarino Silvia Sereno Hiba Ahmed Blake Benevento Samantha Smith Alyssa Bavaro February 5 Lori Caban Mariham Tharwat Leilani Jenkins Jason Anzalone

Matthew Tzur Mirai Adame Gracie Abel Emily Sciusco Nadia Delvois February 6 Nicole Buccellato Kevin Schoenau Nicholas Dropp Elizabeth Maira Adam Shapiro Roty Grais Isabella Rose Butler February 7 Noah Samuel Liebman J.D. Overton Xavier Gonzalez Stefania R. Santoro Gabrielle Darretta Arianna Monteleone Alexandra Velez February 8 Gianna Clarke Gabrielle Morri Kyle Taylor Jacob Alvarez Jake Terzo Amy Bautista Justin Crespo Leah Ayzenberg Amy Bautista February 9 Dennis Mitchell Giada Gagliardotto Susan Borazzo Byrant Sandiford Caleb Larsen Pedro Rivera Dominic Acevedo Naeyli Francia Caleb Larsen February 10 Roshan Mathew Alexandra Nat Bajek

46 SIParent.com | February 2024

FREE $5 BONUS PLAY & 250 TICKETS at iPLAY AMERICA 110 Schanck Road • Freehold, NJ 07728-2938 732-577-8200 Kristinia Lamberti Nicholas Barbieri Lily Olsen Ryan Milone Rivka Steinherz Michael O’Leary Juliana Rae Melisi Ameer Elsamanoudy Dorothy Coogan February 11 Katie Schoenau Gianna Borriello Ayana Angell Aiden Ciero Liam Morales Aza Villodas Halle Marie Nova Isabella Carrescia Aiden Briggs Theresa Diaz February 12 Hunter Pesin Lisa Lamberti Ryan Rocchio Kassandra Mojica Sasha Tolbert-Francis Kailani Collado Kassandra Mojica Violet Rivera Vicente Guevara February 13 Olivia Becker Julianna Milillo Joel Rivera Rebecca Holzer Alishah Warraich Sophia Deserto Brianna Sampson Joseph Turturro Dominick Capuano Kaitlyn Hebner February 14 Angelica Reyes Maxwell Roach Salvatore Isolda

Sophia Esposito Teddy Novick Sabrina Velez Damian Moran

Emmett McCoyDickerson Lily Cammarata Jaxon Papio

February 15 Joseph Anthony Guarnieri Michael Joyce Chris Best Brianna Osorio Alyssa Cianfrone Ralphie Cimmino Joshua Bocchiaro

February 19 Anaya Fieros Joseph Vann Jordan Clanton Emily Retino Jade Yu Joseph Gottlieb Juan Diego Cordova Tyrese Tucker Devon Nieves Henry Cartier Blake Breland Mohamed Shehata

February 16 Joseph McDonough Alexandra Nonnenmacher Isabella Delehanty Antonio Bordwick Aria Brousseau Kalvin Ball Isabella Delahanty Nicolette Brancoccio Carter Eisenberg Nathaniel Gomez February 17 Michael Joyce Kaitlin Jennifer Arroyo Joseph A. Temperino Jr. Samantha Taylor Slovitz Michelle Piazza Joseph DePalo Alyssa Sperrazza Connor Higgins Marianna Goriva Nia Sanders Julian Munoz February 18 Gia Koppie Christina Losinno Christian Wikande Jenna Hershkowitz Daniel Palmeri Sydney Eil

February 20 John Chernack Nadia Chernack Francesca Saccomagno David Kurbalidze Joe Lamberti Paulie Battipaglia David Ginsburg Oliver Rijo Christina Mangia February 21 David Kholodovsky Christena Armento Victoria Lopez Tyler Wise Lucas Gasparino Joseph DiStefano Mya Vasquez-Ortiz Victoria Diaz Bryant Baez February 22 Haelee Chan Pamela Aliotta Mikayla Prather Matteo Herrera Olivia Rijo Aviana Noia Giuliana Boffa

Matteo Herrera Alexis Stathopoulos February 23 Samantha Sicari Sabrina Mogollon Jenna Labarbera Michael Vergo Olivia Medordi Brandon Gentner Isabella Tadros Leigham Guzman Zhyier Jenkins Nicholas Valentine February 24 Jose Carlos Aguilar Jr. Antonio M. Antonaros Matthew Marino Christopher Zandler Vincent Villani Sean Keag Hunter McCarthy Anthony Del Re Lucas Jiminez Shardasza Johnson Massimo Gambino February 25 Anthony R. Cassieri Lawrence Frank Joseph Pellegrino Daniel Guariglia Daniel Dewakumara Giselle Rau Giavanni Esposito Luis Rios Hallie Roteman Kayla Ortiz Olivia Murtagh February 26 Zachary Bellantoni John Marsh, Jr. Francesca Delapi Nicholas Garcia Jessica Paoli Ava Valenti

Please present this page. Good only for birthday club members on this list. Offer valid for the month. Call before to check availabilty.

Meaghan Viviani Julia Jamrog Makai Jenkins Julia Jamrog Olivia Foster February 27 Jordan Hafiz Thomas Mantellino Dominique Litrell Lauren Minks Amaya Lewis Hunter Mahoney Sydney Calabrese Dominique Litrell Benjamin Mailloux Mila Martinez February 28 Victoria Rymer Jordan Roman Jordana Roman Andrew Trapani Cristina Mogollon Diandre Green Ayden Villodas Ta’Jon Duncan Kelton Cheuk Andrew Gise Duwa Shah February 29 Joseph A. Toto Daniel Korenski

Join our Learn to Skate Classes & Learn to Play with the NY Rangers!

HOLIDAY BREAK PUBLIC SESSIONS February 18 12:00 - 4:00pm February 19 through February 22 12:00 - 5:00pm February 23 12:00 - 5:00pm & 8:10 - 11:10pm February 24 12:00 - 5:00pm & 6:00 - 9:30pm February 25 2:30 - 6:00pm

Celebrate your next birthday at the Pavilion

Visit our website www.thepavilion.org Visi to register for classes

Stat Staten Island Skating Pavilion 3080 Arthur Kill Road | Sl, NY 10309 718-948-4800 | skateschool@thepavilion.org

JCC Early Childhood Education Center

OR ALL F K E R P E E FR LL! & 3-K FOR A NT 4 CONVENIES LOCATION

With over 50 years of experience in early childhood education, the JCC will give your child the best start!

Extended AM & PM hours, extracurricular activities available

First F irst F Foot oot Forward Forward The JCC has more than 30 years of experience serving preschool children with special needs! Funded by New York City and State 3 convenient locations

Specializing in helping children with: Speech/Language Delays Developmental Delays Socialization Concerns Poor Motor Skills Sensory Needs Autism Spectrum Disorder

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