10 The Courier sun • AUGUST 27, 2015 for breaking news visit www.couriersun.com Howard Beach native elected governor of New York Kiwanis BY ANGELA MATUA [email protected] @AngelaMatua After one year acting as lieutenant governor of the Queens West Kiwanis, Stephen Sirgiovanni realized he wanted to make a bigger difference. The Howard Beach native accomplished this when he was elected governor of New York Kiwanis on Aug. 15. Sirgiovanni’s campaign trail spanned across all of New York state, from his hometown in Howard Beach to Niagara Falls. His father was one of the founding members of the Howard Beach Kiwanis and Sirgiovanni grew up volunteering around his community. He raised $18,000 for juvenile diabetes as lieutenant governor and also raised money for local Howard Beach nonprofit New York Families for Autistic Children. “I started to run for governor because I knew I could make a difference and implement what I want to do,” Sirgiovanni said. He will start his position as governor elect on Oct. 1 and shadow New York District Governor Forbes Irvine for one year as he learns how to take over an organization with more than 7,000 members and 250 clubs. Sirgiovanni is looking forward to attracting more members and expanding Kamp Kiwanis, a free summer camp for 800 children 8 to 14. He also Stephen Sirgiovanni (left) was elected governor of New York Kiwanis on Aug. 15. wants to raise money for the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Center, which aims to reduce trauma-related death and injuries for children. Pediatric lyme disease, cerebral palsy and autism are among the causes he wants to raise funds for. Support from the Howard Beach community, including elected officials, has poured in, he said, because his community involvement has been extensive. Though he was deeply affected Photo courtesy of Facebook/Joel Harris by Hurricane Sandy, Sirgiovanni still found time to deliver food to relief centers all across Queens. “The work that I do, I do for the community and for the children,” Sirgiovanni said. DOH Has New Health Requirements Before Children Can Go Back to School The back-to-school season is always a good time to consider your child’s health and be sure that he or she is ready for the increased activities that school brings. But now new government mandates from the NYC Department of Health and the NY State Department of Health are requiring parents to demonstrate that their children have received speci c vaccinations or u shots before they can attend school. According to pediatrician Sandy Saintonge, M.D., the Jackson Heights Family Health Center offers a full breadth of pediatric services, including well baby care, immunizations and pediatric medical care. “Our staff is also able to handle culturally sensitive communications. We are well-equipped to help parents in the diverse community of Queens understand and comply with the new regulations, “she says. Among the new regulations, for children who are starting at a new school for the rst time, either in kindergarten or rst grade, or in middle school grades 6 and 7, both the New York State Department of Health and the NYC Department of Health now require each child to have two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines, as well as two doses of the chicken pox vaccine. Children in day care and prekindergarten are required to have u shots, which will be available in the fall. Beyond these public health requirements, the back to school season is a good time for parents to bring their children in for annual physicals, says Dr. Saintonge. The physical includes routine testing for hearing and vision, checks for anemia, and sometimes overlooked assessments for growth and development. “Having your child’s growth progress evaluated is crucial because problems in early development can have longterm impact on how your child’s life unfolds. Your child’s ability to communicate affects school readiness and ultimate school success,” Dr. Saintonge explains. If a young child is not talking, not vocalizing or even interacting with his or her family, the child might be a candidate for the free early intervention program that the city offers to children under the age of 3 years, regardless of income status of the family. The Jackson Heights Family Health Center is part of NewYork-Presbyterian/Queens, which offers access to a full spectrum of preventive and advanced health care services that your family may need. The Center has extended hours that t with parents’ varied work schedules. Located at 73-15 Northern Blvd, the Center is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. On Friday, the staff sees patients between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. New Saturday hours are available for pediatric visits twice a month, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Phone (718) 424-2788 for appointments.
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