Author: Tammy DiDomenico

At the beginning of the 20th century, teachers didn’t assign much homework because parents didn’t want it to interfere with children’s chores. Today, students do twice as much homework as their counterparts did in the 1950s. Homework is virtually synonymous with school—even for kindergarteners. But what role does homework serve in today’s classroom? Family Times asked five veteran teachers about the role of homework in their classrooms, and what parents can expect in light of today’s educational demands. The condensed and edited interviews follow. Kindergarten Holly Giannuzzi has been a kindergarten teacher at Ed Smith Elementary School in Syracuse for…

When Sarah Schiffer gave birth to her son, Danny, six years ago, there was nothing amiss. A healthy, bright-eyed boy, Danny joined big sister Emily (now 7) and Sarah and her husband, Don, in the busy Schiffer home in Camillus. A few weeks later, Sarah noticed a strawberry-colored patch of skin forming on the right side of Danny’s face. “He wasn’t born with it. In fact, I didn’t notice anything until he was about 2 weeks old,” Schiffer, 34, recalls. “At first, I just thought it was the acne that babies sometimes get.” The Schiffers were referred to a pediatric…

Every child deserves a good start in life. For parents and guardians of children with disabilities, it is particularly important to connect with the services and resources that enable their children to have just that. The New York State Early Intervention Program helps families find the services to foster children’s physical, social, emotional and cognitive development. Congress created the national Early Intervention program in 1986 under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA. Through state and county agencies, children under age 3 with special needs can be evaluated and connected with services through approved providers. Amy Pilacky, early intervention…

The cold and snow of Central New York are of little concern to Rob Zettler. After all, Zettler, coach of the Syracuse Crunch hockey team, hails from Sept-Îles, Quebec, and has had skates on his feet for most of his 45 years. “It was pretty typical for the kids in our neighborhood to play a lot of hockey,” says Zettler. “Canadians see hockey as a game we can put our stamp on. My two brothers and I, we all played. Somebody was always organizing neighborhood games at nearby ponds in the winter—street hockey in the summer. The better players would…

Parents who establish fitness habits early just may lead their children to a healthier adulthood. “I think it’s important for parents to be good role models. Make fitness a priority in your own life,” says Tiffany Sisko, owner of O Yoga Studio, on West Fayette Street in Syracuse. “Make it part of family time. Make it fun. If you want to be healthier, make one little change at a time and find a balance.” Family Times recently talked to four area fitness professionals about the importance of modeling an active lifestyle. (Interviews have been condensed and edited.) Jill Perry Jill…