Jody Mercier

Jody Mercier always dreamed of being a mom, and she's raised three wonderful kids in New York City. Since that job only pays in hugs, she’s spent her career as a journalist covering health, fitness, sports, and parenting for Sports Illustrated, espnW, and Mommy Poppins. Follow her family’s adventures on Instagram @momtakesmanhattan or reach her at jody@mommypoppins.com.

Latest posts by Jody

Support for Hybrid Learners and Homeschool Pods on Long Island in Fall 2020

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 09/10/2020 - 2:55pm

Fish Academy provides a safe learning environment and aquarium educators who provide support. Photo courtesy of the aquarium

School is upon us, but the 2020-21 school year is anything but ordinary. Whether your district is doing remote learning, a hybrid model, or you've created a homeschooling pod, it's likely you're going to need a little more support than normal.

Luckily, community organizations, small businesses, and local entrepreneurs are here to help, filling the void left by extraordinarily challenging school schedules. We've rounded up a handful of spots offering support for hybrid and remote learners, plus organizations willing to provide a little programming for your pod.

Here's the NYC Public School Calendar for 2020-2021

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 09/07/2020 - 9:33am

The NYC DOE has finally announced its schedule for the 2020-21 school year.

If you've got a child in public school, you live by the school calendar. The 2020-21 school year has already been off to a surprising start, with last week's announcement that the first day of school has been pushed back. Many local NYC preschools follow the public school schedule, too. The New York City Department of Education's calendar for the 2020-2021 school year is below, and you'll want to bookmark it now for reference—and to help with planning family vacations and school break camp coverage.

Of course, we've been reminded over and over again that this school year will be one unlike any other, so the dates may not be as set in stone as in years past, but at least parents have a framework now.

These are all of the dates you can count on your kiddos being out of school—or away from their remote learning device—during the 2020-2021 school year.

Edge Welcomes Visitors to Western Hemisphere's Highest Open-Air Observation Deck

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 09/03/2020 - 5:19pm

The Edge's glass cutout offers a terrifying view 1,131 feet above street level. Photo courtesy of Related-Oxford

Daring New Yorkers have a brand new observation deck to take in sweeping city views: Edge had a short-lived debut way back in March, before shutting down with the rest of the city, but the attraction in Hudson Yards has reopened and is ready to welcome visitors.

Even before its debut, the highest open-air observation deck in the Western Hemisphere made its mark on the city skyline. One glance at the towering skyscrapers of the new neighborhood, and you can't miss it—it's the triangular platform jutting out 100 stories high from 30 Hudson Yards.

Read on for details on our visit to the new attraction, and learn what sets it apart from the city's other sky-high observation decks at the Empire State Building, One World Observatory, and Top of the Rock.

Jersey Shore Beaches, Long Island Beaches Extend Summer Seasons

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 09/03/2020 - 2:53pm

The sun hasn't set on beach season. Several beaches on Long Island and along the Jersey Shore are staying open through September. Photo courtesy of Discover Long Island

Labor Day weekend is nearly upon us, and the milestone typically marks the end of the beach season in the tri-state area, but from the Jersey Shore to the sands of Long Island and Westchester County, area beaches are extending their seasons, giving visitors a chance to enjoy a little more sun and surf.

Read on for the details on which family-friendly beaches are welcoming visitors into September.

NYC Schools Delay Reopening

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 09/01/2020 - 11:06am

New York City has delayed the start of its school year.

New York City has pushed back the start date for its public school children to Wednesday, September 16, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday. The move is part of an agreement between the city and the UFT, which had long been pushing for enhanced safety protocols before schools reopened, even threatening legal action and laying the groundwork for a strike if its safety concerns weren't addressed.

In-person instruction will not begin until Monday, September 21, meaning all students will start with remote learning.

NYC Museums Reopen With Free Admission Deals and New Exhibits

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Wed, 08/26/2020 - 6:23pm

Take in a Jackson Pollock or one of the other masters when The Met reopens Saturday, August 29. Photo by the author

After a nearly six-month hiatus, New York City's world-class museums are reopening to the public. So, if you've been missing your dose of local culture, anxiously awaiting your chance to mark The Met's 150th anniversary, or really want to reacquaint yourself with the newly renovated MoMA, the time has come to explore these cultural gems once again.

Outdoor Classrooms Coming to New York City Schools This Fall

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 08/24/2020 - 5:08pm

School yards, streets, and city parks can all become outdoor classrooms under a new plan announced by Mayor Bill De Blasio on Monday. Photo by Mommy Poppins

Outdoor classes are coming to NYC, Mayor Bill De Blasio and Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza announced at a press briefing Monday, August 24, as they invited principals to develop plans to utilize outdoor spaces on school property and those nearby as outdoor classrooms and offered to help facilitate street closures or the use of nearby parks to make outdoor space available to school communities who wanted to utilize it.

The policy announcement is the latest development in a busy week of school reopening news.

NYC Schools Reopening With Free Childcare for Some and More Pushback

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sun, 08/23/2020 - 3:11pm

Mayor Bill de Blasio and Chancellor Richard Carranza have visited a number of school buildings to check in on reopening preparations. Photo by Ed Reed/Mayor's Office

New York City's public schools are scheduled to open in less than three weeks, but each day seems to bring more questions than answers about the reopening plans as key stakeholders question the reopening timeline.

From Learning Bridges to a Back-to-School Pledges, and more pushback from educators and public officials, here's the latest news from the nation's largest school district.

Jody Mercier

Latest posts by Jody

Pages