| Dear Families and Friends,
Summer 2026 has been a wonderful season of learning, connection, and celebration across our campuses. From block parties and summer activities to Staff Appreciation Day 2026, there have been many opportunities to come together as a community.
This year’s Staff Appreciation Day theme, “Our Staff Is Out of This World,” could not have been more fitting. It was a pleasure to celebrate the exceptional educators, therapists, Children’s Residential Program (CRP) team, and administrators with a day of summer activities, music, and food trucks at the Brookville campus.
Celebration matters, and so does continued advocacy. Students with developmental delays and disabilities, their families, and professionals who support them need us to keep raising our voices. Please take 5 minutes to support these one-click campaigns:
· Protect Disability Rights in Education. Students with disabilities deserve full protection under our public education system. Recent federal proposals would move key special education and civil rights functions out of the U.S. Department of Education, raising concerns about consistency, oversight, and accountability for these students. Share your concerns here.
· Tell Congress to Support the Recognizing the Role of DSPs Act. The bipartisan bill advanced unanimously out of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee—a major step toward creating a dedicated federal occupational classification for DSPs. Keep up the positive momentum here.
As we prepare for the fall session, we look forward to welcoming new families, onboarding new parent association volunteers, and kicking off staff development days.
Until then, I hope families are able to make the most of these summer weeks together. Our educators and staff are planning an amazing fall, and we look forward to welcoming our students back in September.
Best regards, |
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| | | Summer Games, Crafts, and Learning Through Play at
Ed Center |
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| | Summer Fridays brought the best of the season to the Ed Center, giving students opportunities to move, create, explore, and connect during the Summer Events Series on campus in Brookville. |
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| | | Westbury-Post Avenue Students Experience Playful, Sensory-Friendly Bubble Show |
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| For the first time ever, Westbury-Post Avenue students experienced a live bubble extravaganza! The sensory-friendly event filled the room with laughter, wonder, and creative learning opportunities. |
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| The 45-minute show, led by Dan the Bubble Man, kept both students and teachers laughing throughout the performance. |
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| | | Closing Out Summer Session With Camping Week |
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| | “What can you bring when you go camping?” Gabriella Lettieri, Special Education Teacher, at BCCS’ Round Hill Road Preschool asked students as they worked on crafts. Four Round Hill Road students holding up their camping-themed arts and crafts project along with their teacher.
“A tent!” students shouted in unison. When Gabriella asked what else, answers came quickly: fire, a fishing pole, marshmallows, even a buffalo that they were planning to eat.
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| This summer, students in Gabriella’s classroom learned about marine animals, the beach, dinosaurs, pirates and mermaids, and camping on their final week. By Thursday of Camp Week, preschoolers had worked their way through a full lineup of camping-themed lessons and activities. |
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| | | Get to know the new President and Vice President of the Barbara C. Wilson Preschool Parents Association |
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| As the Summer Session came to a close, Malorie Edme, President of the Barbara C. Wilson (BCW) Preschool Parents Association (PA), and Vice President Erin Sachs, met with the school’s administrative team to share ideas for a new school year filled with opportunities for student and families to connect, learn, and have fun together. |
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| “I’m very passionate about children and them receiving all the opportunities they can have,” Malorie said, whose child, Randy, has been attending the school for two years. “We found so much joy in coming up with ideas and little activities for the kids.”
Those ideas range from decorating the school for the first day on September 8th to organizing a trunk-or-treat to a bowling meeting, petting zoo, cooking class, moms’ meetup, and trip to Adventureland. |
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| | | Learning & Growing Continues During Summer Break
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| | Summer break from the Children’s Education Center brings a change of routine for the young people living at the Children’s Residential Program (CRP) and this year, staff have packed the time with new experiences built around what each person enjoys. |
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| Summer trips included the New York Aquarium in Coney Island, a food truck rodeo, the Queens County Farm Museum, a concert at the Jones Beach Bandshell, and so much more.
“This year, we’re trying to do more than usual during the summer,” said Cassie Bradshaw, Director of the CRP. |
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| | | | The Inform Me Educational Workshop Series provides families and people with disabilities with practical guidance and reliable information to help them navigate the IDD system, access services, and address challenges along the way. Offered throughout the year, each workshop focuses on topics that people and families are actively navigating—supporting informed decision-making and helping them feel more confident as they advocate for themselves or their family member.
Upcoming Workshops: |
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| | | | Wheatley Farms Catering offers delicious weekly specials! Local to Long Island? Give us a try!
Catering options also available. The Mansion at Wheatley Farms offers high-quality, personalized services for all your catering needs. Situated on a beautiful and pristine 20-acre estate in Brookville, NY, the Mansion at Wheatley Farms offers a timeless setting with modern dishes for any celebration, big or small! |
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| At Wheatley Farms, we are dedicated to inclusivity. We take pride in providing employment opportunities for people of all abilities. We empower people to gain valuable skills in the culinary arts, fostering independence and self-confidence. |
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| | | | Order summer flowers, plant baskets, and fresh produce from the historic Wheatley Farms Greenhouse located in Brookville.
Wheatley Farms offers beautifully handcrafted selections of annuals, perennials hanging baskets, and more!
Every purchase also supports pre-vocational learning opportunities and employment for people with developmental disabilities, providing hands-on experience in horticulture, teamwork, and workplace skills. |
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| | | Margiotta Memorial Golf Outing 2026 |
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| | September 17, 2026
The Muttontown Club, 5933 Northern Blvd, Muttontown, NY 11732
Join us for 18 holes of golf, brunch, grill on the course, cocktails on the terrace, and an awards dinner — all under the backdrop of our celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary!
Funds raised from this special event advance health, education, independence, and acceptance of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across their lifetime. The American Dream – for all. |
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