Jody Mercier

When asked to illustrate her dream job as a first grader, Jody drew a picture of a mom with one kid on each hip and another clinging to her leg. All these years later, that is her reality, raising three kids in New York City. Since that gig only pays in hugs and kisses, she has spent her professional career as a journalist covering health, fitness, sports, and parenting topics. She's currently the regional editor overseeing the Mommy Poppins NYC, New Jersey, Long Island, and Westchester sites and can be reached at jody@mommypoppins.com.

Latest posts by Jody Mercier

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.

16 Pieces of Public Art to See During Summer 2020 in NYC

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 08/14/2020 - 12:00pm

A field of sunflowers pops up in the middle of NYC as an homage to the women's suffrage movement. Photo courtesy of Four Freedoms Park.

Looking to get out of the apartment, but in need of an out of the ordinary destination? This season's crop of public art displays in NYC might be just what you need to spice up your next socially distant adventure and provide a bit of culture in a time when museums have been shuttered for months. From a fresh crop of Black Lives Matter murals in every borough to site-specific pieces in Queens, a giant gorilla on the west side, and even an augmented reality installation in the Rockaways, we've rounded up 16 cool pieces of public art to check out this summer.

Some are in familiar locations, like the newly reopened New-York Historical Society while others are off the beaten path, in spots like LaGuardia's new Terminal B. Whatever the location, you're sure to see something new.

For more family-friendly diversions, be sure to check off all the fun things to do on our list of 50 top summer activities to do before school starts, and find lots of seasonal fun in our Summer Fun Guide.

Mayor Says NYC Schools Will Open Despite Educator Pushback

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 08/13/2020 - 4:53pm

Mayor Bill De Blasio and Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza tour a school in Far Rockaway to asses its progress in planning for reopening. Photo by Ed Reed/Mayor's Office

With New York City barreling toward reopening of schools this fall, the plan set forth by Mayor Bill De Blasio and Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza has received plenty of pushback from educators and other stakeholders. The city's hybrid model, which combines in-person and remote learning, may have seen its most vocal opposition this week as some school leaders implored the mayor to reconsider the in-person start date to allow more time for teacher training and planning.

Currently, students are expected back in the classroom on Thursday, September 10; teachers would report just two days prior, which presents a learning curve in setting up classrooms to accommodate smaller, more socially distant seating arrangements, while also tackling the planning challenges of teaching a blended model.

Yet, despite the pressure, the administration seems set on its plans, which were given the green light by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo last week.

50 Top Summer Activities in NYC to Do Before School Starts

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 08/06/2020 - 4:06pm

Beat the heat with a visit to a recently reopened NYC outdoor pool. Photo of Hamilton Fish pool by Daniel Avila/NYC Parks

Before long, we'll be singing the back-to-school blues, but in the meantime, NYC parents are staring down a few more weeks of unstructured time with kids who—like their parents—are tired of being cooped up. We know the struggle and have rounded up 50 summer activities in NYC for kids that are sure to take the edge off a little.

Though many of our favorite summer haunts (like industrially cooled museums!) are still dark, we've managed to find plenty of things to do in NYC with kids this summer. From fun, at-home summer activities for those rainy days, to plenty of action in our favorite playgrounds, and enjoying the sand and surf on our newly reopened seashores, here are 50 summer activities in NYC. Find more seasonal fun in our Summer Fun Guide for NYC Kids.

Latest posts by Jody Mercier

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