Another school year

September is the month of new beginnings. New temperatures, new clothes and shoes, new books for our kids, new teachers, new schools sometimes, new friends and new lessons to be learned.

Here in New York City all our kids are back in school, whether private or public, and the summer is now officially at an end, in spite of days that often seem like beach days with clear blue skies, teasing us into thinking fall is not on its way. But it is.

This issue presents our ANNUAL FALL ACTIVITY GUIDE displaying great programs around our communities. There’s a broad range of afterschool activities or weekend adventure/learning enrichment classes/programs to enhance our children’s academic and developmental progress. There are really talented and nurturing professionals who are running programs designed to expand our children’s horizons and give us peace of mind and the opportunity to be elsewhere when we need to be.

New York being what it is, there is no lack of possibilities, and many of them are comfortably affordable and/or are accepting vouchers. With so many Moms working outside of the home and many viable careers developed, there is enormous need for these activities. Signing up early will be the ideal, but many of them are accepting registration well into the weeks ahead.

Here in New York September will painfully continue to remind us of that fateful day 11 years ago when our city was in chaos. Personally, I don’t think those of us who lived here through that day are likely to ever forget the memories that will long be with us. September 11th will always mark the day when we lost a kind of innocence and freedom from fear that we no longer have. Everything changed and nothing changed, we are the same, but we are also different.

September also marks many important holidays and historic rituals to many New Yorkers. Labor Day, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur are all important dates that close our schools. In my house, my daughter is beginning her senior year in college, which continues to amaze me. Just yesterday, it seems, I was taking her to preschool and in the speeded up film that is much of life, as one grows older; she is now 21 and taller than me.

There are articles and columns in this issue we hope will make your life a bit easier. They cover babies, toddlers, school age kids and teens heading off to college, and are largely designed to help with the transition of this Back to School season.

Being a parent is a long pleasure with little training. It is up to each of us individually and as a community to rise to the occasion.

Thanks for reading!

Relevant Directory Listings

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The Co-op School

<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: #fefefe; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Founded in 2003, the Co-op School </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">is a student-centered and parent-aided cooperative school serving preschool through 8th grade at their new building located in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.</span></p> <p><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; background-color: #ffffff; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Co-op School provides a safe and stimulating micro-environment in which students experiment and learn.</span><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Their approach to teaching kindergarten through eighth grade is firmly rooted in our philosophy that students learn best when they are invested in finding answers to their own questions. Their teachers use the Responsive Classroom approach to facilitate this process and provide meaningful learning experiences for each student, preparing them for the grades ahead. </span><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; background-color: #fefefe; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As students learn to work together, preparing for a global environment, families also work in committees and on the board to support the school and its core values: compassion, uniqueness, innovation, community action, and joy. Families interested in joining our community are welcome to reach out for a one-on-one meeting by emailing </span><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; background-color: #ffffff; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; color: #1a73e8; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a style="color: #1155cc;" href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank" rel="noopener">[email protected]</a></span><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; background-color: #fefefe; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to learn more about their approach to learning; their newly built facility, which is optimized for airflow and safety; and their cooperative commitment.</span></p>

Amazing Explorers Academy Williamsburg

<p>Welcome to Amazing Explorers Academy, a premier STEAM-based preschool dedicated to fostering a love of learning and exploration in children aged 0 to 5. Our innovative and dynamic programs provide a nurturing environment where young minds can thrive and develop essential skills that will shape their future.</p> <p>At Amazing Explorers Academy, we embrace the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) approach, integrating these disciplines into our comprehensive curriculum. Through hands-on experiences and age-appropriate activities, children are encouraged to inquire, investigate, and discover, igniting their natural curiosity.</p> <p>We have many Enrichment programs included in our curriculum like Tiny Chefs, where your child is introduced to the joys of cooking and nutrition. Under the guidance of our incredible team, they learn to create delicious and healthy treats, fostering independence and creativity in the kitchen. Music and Movement is another integral part of our curriculum, enhancing children's motor skills, coordination, and self-expression. Beyond being a creative outlet, music’s rhythmic and melodic patterns stimulate the brain, exercising it and aiding memory development.</p> <p>We also place a strong emphasis on Nature Exploration, recognizing the importance of connecting with the natural world. Nature as a classroom allows children to engage all their senses, appreciate nature, and form stronger connections to their environment and community.</p> <p>Central to our philosophy is the belief in the power of play-based learning. We understand that children learn best through play, and our skilled educators design play-based activities that promote cognitive, social, and emotional development. Play-based learning nurtures creativity, problem-solving, and communication skills, all essential for success in the 21st century. Our highly trained and caring teachers are committed to creating a safe and nurturing atmosphere, where every child feels valued and supported.</p> <p>At Amazing Explorers Academy, we strive to inspire a lifelong love of learning, providing a solid foundation for future academic and personal achievements. Join us on this exciting journey of exploration and discovery, where every day is an opportunity to learn, play, and grow together!</p>

ABC Infant & Toddler Center & ABC Child Center

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; color: #000000;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">Since 1993, ABC's goal is to provide safe, age-appropriate, and stimulating programs for children from ages 3 months to 4 years, while fulfilling their need to laugh, learn, play, make new friends, and discover new things. Open year-round, Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm with rolling admission.</span></p>