About We Rock the Spectrum Staten Island
We are Stefano and Joanna Maniscalco, both born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. We have been together for 21 years. After getting married 14 years ago, we moved to Staten Island. Stefano has been a Longshoreman for over 20 years and I (Joanna) hold a License and a Masters in Social Work. I have worked in middle school, nursing homes, home care, and hospice. I was fortunate to be a stay at home wife and mother when I had my son and daughter. We have two totally awesome children, Giacomo Joseph, 11 years old and Valentina Belle, 4 years old. Giacomo is starting 6th grade in middle school and Valentina is starting Kindergarten this fall! They are both super excited to start the new school year. I am so excited to be opening this gym this summer so I can see all children come to play, attend social groups and classes, fitness class, private play dates, birthday parties, and so much more.
Our Valentina loves to go to the playground, all types of weather and in all of the seasons, and Giacomo loved to go to the park and play outdoors and on playgrounds as much as we could. They always loved having fun and being with other children, and I thought about providing an indoor sensory gym in our home but I knew that a larger scale gym where she can play and interact with her peers would be a much bigger and better idea. So, we came to learn of opening this franchise and we just know how so many other families will love to bring their children to a safe place where they can “play with a purpose” and to “Finally have a place where you never have to say you are sorry”!
I have interacted with so many parents of special needs children and it seems like we all have the same goals in common–we want our children to be loved, happy, and accepted, and to play in a safe space that is inclusive to all. We are all so excited to bring We Rock the Spectrum Kids Gym to Staten Island, New York. We can’t wait to see all the children come to play in this new fun filled facility with their families. We just know all the children will have a great time making new friends and memories!
Our Gym Includes:
- SUSPENDED EQUIPMENT WITH SWINGS – FOR BALANCE AND VESTIBULAR TREATMENT
- CRASH MATS AND CRASH PILLOWS – FOR FUN, MOTOR PLANNING, AND STRENGTH
- ZIP LINE – FOR STRESS RELEASE AND JOINT AND BODY RELAXATION
- TRAMPOLINE – FOR BUILDING LEG AND CORE STRENGTH
- INDOOR PLAY STRUCTURE – FOR CLIMBING AND INCREASING PLAYGROUND SKILLS
- SENSORY-BASED TOYS AND EQUIPMENT– FOR IMPROVED AUDITORY PROCESSING AND FINE MOTOR SKILLS
- FINE MOTOR AND ARTS AND CRAFTS AREA – FOR IMPROVED HAND-EYE COORDINATION
- CALMING ROOM – FOR REGULATING EMOTIONS, AND REDUCE NEGATIVE SENSORY INPUT
- PRIVATE ROOM FOR B-DAY PARTIES, PRIVATE EVENTS AND CLASSES
- RETAIL SHOP + HEALTHY SNACKS AND BEVERAGES
Meet our awesome and friendly staff
Dina Kimmel
Founder of We Rock the
Spectrum Kid's Gym, LLC
Coach Ingrid
Manager at We Rock the
Spectrum Kid's Gym
