New York Edge launched its third season of Formative, a podcast co-hosted by middle school students.

As part of the podcast, nine middle school students interview various leaders from fields ranging from business, arts, and media. The students researched each guest’s background, developed questions, and conducted the interviews. Each of the 10, 30-minute episodes begins with an introduction by New York Edge CEO Rachael Gazdick, followed by the student-led interview in which Formative guests reflect on their childhoods, career paths, and how they have overcome challenges both personally and professionally.

“We are proud to launch the next season of Formative and continue this important initiative that provides our students with the opportunity to build their confidence, gain fresh perspectives from diverse leaders, and visualize themselves in their dream field,” said Rachael Gazdick, CEO of New York Edge. “We are grateful to Macy’s for their generous support as our lead sponsor, and to our incredible guests for inspiring these students. We encourage everyone to tune in and hear the insightful conversations between our young people and these leaders.”

The new season is sponsored by Macy’s. Formative season three launches on March 14, and will be streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, and Audible, among other platforms each week. This season features guests including Senior Director of DEI Marketing & Community Partnerships at Macy’s Simone Harris-Laws; former U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein Suzan G. Levine; Robinhood CEO Richard Buery Jr.; Emmy-Award winning WNBC sports anchor John Chandler; entrepreneur, musician and clothier Amaurys Grullon; President of the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) Patricia Vance; Broadway costumer and Broadway Bears designer Islah Abdul-Rahim; Executive Director of Chocobar Cortés Carlos Cortés; Host of Entrepreneur.com’s How Success Happens Podcast Robert Tuchman; and children’s author Chrystal Giles.

To listen to Formative, please visit: newyorkedge.org/formative

A group of fifth grade students from P.S. 193Q in Whitestone were recognized for their storytelling and promoting positive self-image in an Instagram reel they created and starred in as part of the New York Edge after-school program. Their reel debuted at New York Edge’s #GetReel Film Festival in February at the Museum of the Moving Image. [read more]

By Drs. Lisa Moreno, Steve Materetsky, Saurabh Bahl, and Camille Pearte,  Fidelis Care Medical Directors 

As winter approaches, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning of an  increase in respiratory infections, especially in children.  

Respiratory infections are expected to soar this winter after two years of declines that can be linked  to the COVID-19 practices of social distancing, masking, and remote schooling that occurred in  2020 and 2021. 

Earlier increases of certain respiratory infections have already been seen this year, according to  the CDC. There are three viruses to be on alert for this winter: Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV),  Influenza (“the flu”), and COVID. This has led to the term, the “Triple-demic.” 

1) RSV 

RSV is a virus that peaks in winter and affects people of all ages. In smaller children and infants,  RSV leads to swelling of the small airways of the lungs, causing a condition called bronchiolitis.  This viral infection can cause severe symptoms, such as trouble breathing and a fever. In adults,  RSV is usually just a cold.  

There is a medication available to prevent severe illness with RSV. This medication is an injection  called Synagis. This injection is NOT a vaccine. It is a medication that consists of antibodies (cells  that fight infection) that only attack the RSV virus. However, this option is only available for  infants with certain conditions such as infants born prematurely (born extremely early before their  expected delivery date), infants born with heart disease, or infants with severe lung disease. 

There is no specific treatment for RSV bronchiolitis, but there is supportive care. These measures  include ensuring that the sick child is nursing or drinking fluids, giving fever-reducing medications when needed, and, in more severe cases, getting oxygen in a hospital setting. The best way to  prevent children from getting RSV is frequent handwashing for adults and children, especially  around infants. If you have a premature baby, consult your doctor to determine if Synagis is  necessary.  

2) The Flu 

Influenza virus (“the flu”) is another respiratory virus that peaks during winter. As with RSV,  there has been an increase in cases earlier than is typically seen in the fall, largely due to  communities returning to pre-pandemic practices. The best way to prevent the flu is to get an  annual flu shot. 

3) COVID 

The COVID virus is also known to rise in winter months as people spend more time indoors. In addition, a rise in COVID is expected because of new variations of the virus, and a decrease in social distancing and masking.

The best ways to prevent flu and COVID infections are: 

∙ Getting vaccinated can help protect you and your family from severe illness from these  infections and is the single best way to fight the flu and COVID. In addition to protecting  yourself, getting vaccinated also protects people around you, including people who are  more likely to become seriously ill, like babies and young children, older people,  pregnant women, and people with certain chronic health conditions. Talk to your doctor  if you have any concerns about these vaccinations. 

∙ Washing hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an  alcohol-based sanitizer (such as Purell).  

∙ Staying home when sick. 

∙ Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.  

∙ Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs.  

Let’s all do our part to keep our children, ourselves, and our communities healthy and safe this  winter! 

Do you or your child need health insurance?  

Learn more about quality, affordable health insurance coverage options offered by Fidelis Care. 

Recently, the team at ace-ed.org sat down to talk with Rachael Gazdick, CEO, New York Edge. Rachael is the chief executive officer of New York Edge, the metropolitan region’s largest provider of after-school programs. With more than 20 years’ experience in education advocacy, Rachael has dedicated her career to building equity in education. [read more]

To teach and inspire children for whom art education is not always accessible through the art and life story of Vincent van Gogh.