Jessica Laird

Latest posts by Jessica Laird

Diversity and a New Head of School Make NYC's Metropolitan Montessori a Must-See

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Tue, 10/22/2019 - 3:45pm

New Head of School, Racheal Adriko, joined Metropolitan Montessori School in July 2019.

Nestled on a quiet cozy street on the Upper West Side, Metropolitan Montessori School just might be the program you didn’t know you were looking for. Not only is it Manhattan’s only Montessori school for kids ages two years and eight months up to twelve years old, but it's dedicated to diversity in all its forms — from race and religion to family structure and sexuality — and it recently welcomed a new Head of School, Racheal Adriko, whose passion for education is contagious. If you're currently applying to preschool or private school in NYC, MMS's individualized learning approach, small class sizes, commitment to sustainability, and record for prepping grads for top-notch schools (Horace Mann, Riverdale, and Brearley have been the most popular since 2000) will also easily earn it a spot on your list.

As the mother of two New York City tots myself, I was looking forward to having an opportunity to connect with Racheal and hear more about Metropolitan Montessori School, and I found myself listening to her inspiring personal story with my mouth wide open. Read on to learn more about Racheal and everything MMS has to offer.

Family-Friendly Sukkot and Simchat Torah Services and Events Across Westchester

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Thu, 10/10/2019 - 12:45pm

UJA strives to care for Jews and New Yorkers of all backgrounds. Photo courtesy of UJA.

These days, synagogue services aren't the only way for families to celebrate the Jewish holidays! From fall festivals complete with petting zoos, crafts, and sukkah decorating to meaningful volunteer opportunities for all ages, there are so many ways to mark this sacred time of year surrounding the High Holidays.

Together with UJA-Federation of New York, we've created a calendar to help connect families to services, programs, and free events across the Westchester area. Below, you'll find a number of kid-friendly opportunities to celebrate Sukkot and Simchat Torrah 2019. Take a look at the complete calendar for Shabbat services, special yoga classes, and more.

Top Family-Friendly Spots on NYC’s Upper East Side

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Tue, 10/08/2019 - 10:00am

Featuring New York's most iconic park, world-renowned museums, some of the city's most unique play spots, and eateries for all, the Upper East Side has easily earned its spot as a family favorite. Watch Avery, a Kids Access Press student reporter, take us on an action-packed video tour of the fun-filled neighborhood. Then read on below for more details about some of the area's best spots for kids.

Thanks to our sponsor 180 E 88th St for making this video possible. 180 E 88th is a luxury building in the heart of everything that makes NYC’s Upper East Side a perfect fit for families. Take a peek at the stunning full- and half-floor residences, complete with 14’+ ceilings and sweeping views of Central Park, plus the 8 floors of amenities, including a wine room, game room, indoor basketball court and soccer pitch, and a playroom conceptualized by the Children's Museum of the Arts.

How Obé's At-Home Fitness App Actually Helped Me Start Working Out

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Mon, 09/30/2019 - 10:17am

After welcoming my second baby, I wouldn't say I was feeling my best... A tough pregnancy had left me seriously out of shape, lifting my newborn and toddler was taking a major toll on my back, and let's just say the baby weight wasn't exactly "falling off." At 4-months-old, my little one was diagnosed with a milk protein allergy, which forced me to clean up my diet (no dairy or soy — yikes!), and it finally started to show on the scale. But when the ban was lifted 6 months later, cheese plates and pints of ice cream seemed like the obvious way to celebrate. It was right around then that I heard from obé, an at-home workout app and fitness program, and I figured it had to be a sign, right? I've never been much of a gym-goer, but their apartment-friendly signature 28-minute workouts required no equipment and looked manageable. I put down the mint chocolate chip and the heating pad and created an account.

Read on to find out how the obé fitness app actually got me working out, and why it seems like it was made for busy parents everywhere. Mommy Poppins readers can also snag their first month for just $1 with the code below.

HudsonWay Immersion School Brings Mandarin and Spanish Bilingual Education to NYC and NJ

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Wed, 09/18/2019 - 9:10am

Founded in 2005 by an expectant mom committed to giving her soon-to-be-born twins a bilingual education, HudsonWay Immersion School (HWIS) has grown from a home-based class of five kids into an academically rigorous, full immersion Mandarin and Spanish language program for children ages 2 through grade 8. Beginning in PreK, HWIS's core curriculum is taught in both English and the selected foreign language, with the goal of helping students develop advanced cognitive skills, higher second language proficiency, strong social skills, and an increased awareness of the many diverse cultures in our ever-changing world.

Over the last 14 years, the bilingual school has expanded to two campuses in Stirling, New Jersey and New York City, including a brand new facility in Midtown West that just opened in time for the 2019–20 school year. With all this momentum, we sat down with the mastermind mom behind HudsonWay Immersion School, Sharon Huang, to learn more about the unique dual language program and the new Manhattan campus.

Money-Saving Deals on Boston Area Kids Classes

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Tue, 08/20/2019 - 2:02pm

Introduce kids to new skills with these classes around the Boston area, including performing arts programs at Kidstock! Creative Theater.

If you're on the hunt for fall kids activities, your wallet will thank you for this one! Some much-loved children's programs across the Boston area have offered to extend special offers to Mommy Poppins readers just in time for fall 2019 registration. Read on to find deals on STEAM courses, theater and dance classes, soccer lessons, and more for Boston kids.

Don't drag your feet, because these deals will literally disappear as they expire. If you don't see a deal listed below it means the offer is no longer available. If you're looking for even more kids classes, visit our Boston Classes Guide, or you can even search our Directory by location and age!

Great Party Spots in Brooklyn for Baby's First Birthday

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Fri, 08/16/2019 - 11:30am

Enjoy kid-friendly games at Monkey Do Yoga, or opt to just rent the space.

Let’s face it: Your baby's first birthday isn’t just about celebrating the start of toddlerhood. It’s about acknowledging the fact that you’re still standing after a whole year of parenting, even if you can’t remember the last time you slept!

At this age, the kids in attendance probably won't be running in circles (in fact, many of them might not be walking), so you don't need as much space as you will in a few years, and there’s a good chance that your guest list is heavy on the grown-ups. We've already rounded up great best first birthday spots in Manhattan, and now we've put together a list of top Brooklyn baby-friendly first birthday bash spots that adults and kids will appreciate.

Looking for more party-perfect ideas? Take a look at these Brooklyn gym parties, or visit our handy Party Guide and Directory to find entertainers and more.

Deals and Special Offers on New Jersey Kids Classes

Submitted by Jessica Laird on Thu, 08/08/2019 - 3:30pm

Five Star Swim School provides swim lessons to students of all ages and skill levels. Photo courtesy of Five Star Swim School.

If it feels like kids activities are really busting your budget, you're in luck! Some of New Jersey's much-loved children's programs have offered to extend special money-saving offers to Mommy Poppins readers just in time for fall. Read on to find deals on academic enrichment courses, theater and dance classes, swimming lessons, kids cooking classes, and so much more.

Don't dilly-dally, because these deals will literally disappear as they expire. If you don't see a deal listed below it means the offer is no longer available. If you're looking for even more kids classes, visit our New Jersey Classes Guide, or you can even search our Directory by location and age!

Latest posts by Jessica Laird

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