7 Books to Get Middle Schoolers Excited About Reading
September is not only back-to-school, it’s also National Literacy Month. To celebrate, we’re sharing book recommendations from our after school students at NIA/IS 187 in Brooklyn. You probably already know about favorite series like Harry Potter and Percy Jackson, but take a look at the list below to learn about seven books you may not have read for grades 6-8. Full of adventure, suspense, fantasy, thought-provoking drama, and emotional impact, there are stories to appeal to a variety of reader’s interests.
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10 Tips to Prepare for Back-to-School
Hard to believe it but the start of a new school year is just around the corner! The start of every school year is ripe with excitement and challenges for both parents and students alike. However, due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 school year may feel especially full of uncertainties and anxiety-inducing questions. Here to help you navigate going back-to-school, we have 10 strategies to set you and your child up for success.
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4 Ways for Parents to Support LGBTQIA+ Youth
Pride Month may be ending, but LGBTQ+ youth deserve our love and support whatever month it is. Whether you are a parent, a teacher, or a friend, there are things we can all do to make our homes, our classrooms, and our communities a more welcoming place for all of us. What will you do to show support for the LGBTQ+ youth in your life?
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5 Free Family Events to Celebrate this 4th of July
School’s out and it’s time for summer celebrations to begin! July 4th, officially known as Independence Day, commemorates the United States independence from British rule and the signing of the Declaration of Independence in the summer of 1776. Check out these family-friendly ideas for celebrating the 4th across Brooklyn and Staten Island.
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Q&A: Families Talk About What NIA Beacon Community Centers Mean to Them
Our Beacon Community Centers have impacted the lives of thousands, but today, we’re putting the spotlight on seven participants. Some live in the surrounding neighborhoods and some live in other areas of Brooklyn but attend our events virtually, which has become the norm during this pandemic (and will likely continue to be). The opportunity to have an accessible community center has been crucial, especially in this last year, as families have struggled to connect with the outside world and participate in engaging activities at home together.
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8 Free NYC Juneteenth Celebrations for Families
This Saturday, June 19, marks the 156th anniversary of Juneteenth, otherwise known as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day. Just yesterday, President Joe Biden signed a bill establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday. June 19, 1865 marks a significant moment in American history, when 250,000 enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas first learned of their freedom, two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. It is the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States with celebrations varying across the country.
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5 Fun Ways to Engage Your Child in Literacy This Summer
The school year is wrapping up and summer vacation is a great opportunity for children to explore their interests, make new discoveries, and use their imaginations. This also means families need ways to balance unstructured play time with academic practice. Check out these tips and activities to keep your child actively engaged in reading all summer long!
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10 Fun and Affordable Ways to Celebrate Your Child’s Milestones During the Pandemic
Just in time to celebrate graduation season, the world is finally starting to open again and we've got you covered on fun and affordable ways to celebrate! For many of our children, this is year two of milestones celebrated in less than “normal circumstances.” Though things may look a little different, they should be no less special. Below are 10 suggestions to help recognize our children’s milestones in the way they deserve!
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After School Students Celebrate NIA Day
NIA Day is a celebration of our anniversary of incorporation on May 26th. This year’s celebrations are especially exciting to us as it marks our 40th anniversary and coincides with our first-ever Virtual 5K Run & Walk (May 20-31)! Along with engaging in fun activities, like the NIA/IS 281 SONYC ice cream event above, students throughout our after school programs have been celebrating by answering the question, “What does NIA mean to you?”
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A Conversation with Mike Bové, NIA Founder & President
It all began in 1980. NIA’s creator and Board President, Michael A. Bove, was working in the community services division of the DSNY when one fateful day a mysterious stranger knocked on his door. The man turned out to be Monsignor Piombini and he was looking for help at the local Saint Rosalia Regina-Pacis Parish. Rather than simply responding to the Monsignor’s request to volunteer for a few hours at the church, the encounter unexpectedly resulted in the beginning of something much bigger.
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