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NOVEMBER 2007 ■ EDUCATION UPDATE ■ COLLEGES & GRADuate Schools 15The Big Apple Circus Turns 30Fumagalli (top) with his brother-inhilarityDarisBy Lydia WinklerThe big blue tent is up in bloom in the middleof Lincoln Center. It means the annual Big AppleCircus has arrived. It’s back and better than evercelebrating its thirtieth anniversary. Runningthrough January 13th it definitely is a show thatcan be enjoyed by people of all ages.Artistic and creative directors Paul Binder andMichael Christensen have compiled an unforgettableshow including the infamous Barry Lubinas “Grandma” the iconic clown filled with laughterand Irina Markova with her talented cats anddogs. “Grandma,” my personal favorite, has beena member of the Big Apple Circus since 1982.His captivating performance as a cross dresserwith a pocketbook full of tricks can make themost serious person burst into laughter. BarryLubin is Mary Poppins meets Nathan Lane in hishilarious persona as “Grandma.”This circus is one big family…literally. NatalinoHuesca “Fumagalli” known as one of the world’sbest comedians is the younger brother of DarisHuesca, an accomplished acrobat. Let’s not forgetGiovanni and Nikilai Huesca, the talented sons ofNatalino, who have one of the most entertainingBertrand Guay/Big Apple CircusEducating Citizensin a Multicultural SocietySecond EditionJames A. BanksIn this second edition, Banks argues that an effectivecitizenship education helps students to acquirethe knowledge, skills, and values needed to functioneffectively within their cultural communities,nation states, regions, and the global community.216 pp. /Paper, $27.95 / Hardcover, $64Grandma the Clown (Barry Lubin)acts in the circus foot juggling. All Huesca menbring different humor and talent to ring and adddifferent flavor to each act.Juggling is more than a skill, it’s an art. KrisKremo has certainly mastered it. His ability tojuggle top hats, bowling pins, boxes, and ballswith speed make it look like an optical illusion.In terms of costumes, The Big Apple definitelydeserves high marks, with people painted goldfrom head to toe or dogs in outfits made forroyalty. The unforgettable hairstyle of Fumagalliwith his three mohawks gelled toward the tip ofthe tent still sticks out in my mind.This circus is one of a kind in the sense thatit doesn’t leave anyone out. The constant flowof audience participation between acts preventsany dull moments. “Grandma” makes fun of, sitson, and even throws popcorn on the audience, allin good fun, of course. This circus is an artisticexperience. The Big Apple Circus brings talentand laughs to New York City and should be onevery “To See” list.#Lydia Winkler is a student at Summit HighSchool in New Jersey.Diversity &EducationFROM THE SUPERINTENDENT’S SEATYou’ve Got To Have Friends?By Dr. Carole G. Hankinwith Randi T. SachsWhen our children go off to school, twoof our biggest concerns are how they willperform academically and how they will dosocially. Academic success is fairly easy toassess. From the very start we know if they arelearning to read, to solve problems, and are ableto keep up with the work they are given by theirteachers. Social success is much harder to defineand even harder for a parent to impact.Making friends is a social skill that is greatlyadmired and encouraged by parents and teachersalike. It’s wonderful to watch your child run offon a playground as part of a group of childrenwho are delighting in some game they’ve madeup and in one another’s company.But what, if anything, should a parent do ifinstead, they see their child sitting alone on abench with a book while the other kids appearto be having so much fun together? Before youpanic, try to determine how he or she is feeling.Is he engrossed in the book? If so, you may haveto accept that he is choosing to do what he likes.Sometimes parents need to take a step backand assess the situation before trying to changethings. Talk to your child’s teacher and ask howhe or she is getting along with classmates duringschool. Talk to your child and find out if he or shewants to play with the group or prefers to pickhis or her own activity. The reality is that not allchildren enjoy the same things or feel comfortablewith everyone they happen to be placed ina group with. Your child may be one of thosewho walk to a different beat, and as difficult as itmay be for you, the best thing may be to let himchoose his own path.Did you knowwww.EducationUpdate.comreceives 2 million hits per month?For advertising banners,animated & stationary,email us: ednews1@aol.comIndividually designed studies in educationBachelor of Arts Master of ArtsLow-residency programsNext Residency- January 15-22, 2008(applications now being accepted)We’ve talked often in this columnabout the importance of encouragingyour children to find their ownpersonal interests and to pursue itwith passion. It’s pretty simple toknow what to do if your childrenshow a talent in music, or art, orsports. You’re there cheering them on every stepof the way. It’s harder to cheer on the childrenwho clearly don’t fit the norm and stand out asdifferent from their peers. But it’s crucial thatyour children know that you love and accept themeven if they’re not the most sought-after playdatesin the class.Childhood is very short. Ask any parent withgrown children and they’ll agree that it went byin a flash. Look around at all your own co-workers,friends, and family. Look at successful publicfigures. Do they all conform to the same pattern,share the same interests, and get along with whoeverhappens to be in the room? Of course not. Ihave three children, and each one was a differentparenting experience. They all had very differentinterests, talents, strengths, and weaknesses.Parents need to help their children have the bestchildhood they can. That may require the flexibilityto accept and applaud individuality.#special concentrations in:School Guidance, Partnership EducationCommunity Education, LicensureOther Kindsof FamiliesEmbracingDiversity in SchoolsEdited byTammy Turner-Vorbeck & MonicaMiller Marsh“Will provide teachers with knowledgeand ideas important to working with allfamilies.”—Carl A. Grant,University of Wisconsin–Madison216 pp. /Paper, $27.95 /Hardcover, $60We Can’t TeachWhat We Don’tKnowWhite Teachers,Multiracial Schools /Second EditionGary R. Howard“Offers a healing visionfor the future of education in pluralisticnations.” —Rethinking Schools192 pp. / Paper, $19.95Spend eight days on campus to begin eachsemester. Live in NY, get your degree in Vermont!Customize a study plan around your interestsStudy independently at home while keeping yourlife and work on schedule—Available at fine bookstores—Teachers College Press 800.575.6566www.tcpress.comW W W. G O D DA R D. 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