Basketball is the answer

How does one rise up after being knocked down? Find out in “Bounce – the Opera” at Paerdegat Park on June 25, 26, and 27.

Based on the Greek myth “The Flight of Icarus,” “Bounce” is the tale of a high school basketball star Isacc “Ike the Flight” Harris, who is bound for stardom, but is benched due to the actions of a jealous teammate. Can he rebound? The mix of Greek drama, Shakespeare, “Carmen,” the movie “Grease,” and hip-hop deal with themes facing today’s kids, including teen violence.

Local high school students are paired with seasoned professionals and are integrated into the production, which is performed on an actual basketball court, using the powerful medium of basketball. They become the players, the cheerleaders, and Flight’s classmates and teammates. Local and national community leaders also play a number of the adult roles.

Ardea Arts has been developing “Bounce” in partnership with The University of Kentucky Opera Theatre. The production’s partners and advocates include prominent local Council members, community leaders, and basketball-industry advocates. This project is made possible in part by the support of The Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund, The John and Jody Arnhold Foundation, with in-kind contributions from Boylan Bottling Company, Newman’s Own, Inc. and Marquee Screen Printing.

“Bounce – the Opera,” June 25, 26, and 27 at 6 pm. Tickets are free, but bring your own chair!

Paerdegat Park (E. 40th Street and Farragut Road in Canarsie, www.ardeaarts.com/bounce).

Lycee Francais de New York

One of the most renowned bilingual French schools in North America. We welcome students from more than 50 nationalities each year and prepare them to be thinkers, leaders and innovators at home in the world.

Twin Parks Montessori Schools

TwIn Parks Montessori Schools nurtures a child&rsquo;s natural tendency to learn.&nbsp; Our three campuses on the Upper West Side of Manhattan serve children from 3 months to 5 years of age.&nbsp; We are called Twin Parks because each of our campuses are across from Central Park or Riverside Park.&nbsp; Being close to nature is just one of many things that make Twin Parks a wonderful school.&nbsp; Twin Parks is well known for its warm stimulating environment, joyful, active, independent learners, and welcoming community.&nbsp; At Twin Parks, each child is regarded with profound respect and care. Our nurturing teachers foster a beautiful learning environment designed to help each child reach their full potential.&nbsp;&nbsp; All of our students, even our youngest children, have enriched experiences in math, language, science, cultural arts, music, art and movement.&nbsp; The Montessori approach is internationally renowned for the development of each child&rsquo;s creativity, individual resourcefulness, and potential. All of our classrooms share a deep commitment to the Montessori Method and at each level our program is carefully constructed around the developmental stages of the child. The Montessori curriculum varies at the levels of our school, but the goals are consistent throughout the programs: - To partner with parents in the education of their children - To foster a love and joy of learning - To help children develop a positive self-image&nbsp; - To foster open minds, compassion, and respect for others - To develop independence and confidence. - To instill in each child a sense of responsibility for the world in which we live - To maintain the highest standards for a safe and clean program.

The Long Island School For The Gifted

A smart start of an educational journey.&nbsp; For over 40 years, The Long Island School For The Gifted has provided an accelerated experience for gifted children in pre-kindergarten through ninth grade, in a nurturing environment where they will be both intellectually challenged and comfortable socially. LISG helps gifted students develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed for life. Emotional, and social needs of the gifted child are addressed whilst building strong character as part of the commitment to developing the whole gifted child. The beauty of an independent gifted school like LISG is that students can learn and grow with others who are like them.&nbsp; We have found that LISG&rsquo;s whole-school approach to gifted education has benefitted our students both more broadly and more deeply than alternative approaches&mdash;like isolated &ldquo;enrichment&rdquo; activities, single accelerated classes, or simply placing exceptionally intelligent children with older students in higher-grade classes.&nbsp; With gifted peers, students learn in a cooperative environment that provides for their social and emotional development and in which giftedness is valued and nurtured by every teacher and staff member in the school. &nbsp;LISG has rolling admissions. Availability is limited based on the grade.&nbsp; Contact them today.