Letter From The CEO

Dear Families and Friends, 

As the 2023/2024 school year unfolds, I'm inspired by the connections our staff and teachers have developed with students and families. These bonds are central to our shared educational journey, fostering a community where every student is supported and valued.

Since September, these relationships have been instrumental in creating a nurturing, inclusive environment, supporting student growth and learning. Our classrooms are a buzz, filled with the energy of engaged students and teachers, united in our goal of educational excellence.

Our commitment to enhancing education is matched by our advocacy for the welfare of our staff and students. We are currently assessing the effects of Governor Hochul’s proposed budget on our preschool and school-age programs.  Once clarified, we will be asking for your support and advocacy to ensure our voices are heard and our educational community receives the support it needs.

Our advocacy continues on other pressing issues. I encourage you to visit our Advocacy Center and lend your support for critical initiatives such as the DSP Wage Enhancement and the 3.2% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), which would directly impact the staff members at our Children’s Residential Program.

Thank you for your trust and support. Together, let's continue to build a supportive, dynamic educational environment for all children.

Best regards,

Stanfort J. Perry

Documentary of Musician Sidiki Conde Spotlights Ed Center Students

Tune in to YouTube to see a special visit by Sidiki Conde, Polio survivor, Guinean drummer and dancer, at the Children's Education Center. This feature of the “Who I Am Life” documentary series includes insight from Transition Coordinator Patti Edwards as well as Sidiki delighting students with a dance workshop. 

The Sidiki feature is part of a documentary series featuring diverse artists, musicians, athletes, and creators all challenging expectations. The series is due to be released on February 3 and will be available on WOWOW On Demand.

Watch a snippet from the upcoming documentary here.

Our History: Celebrating 50+ Years of the Barbara C. Wilson Preschool

For over 50 years, the Barbara C. Wilson Preschool has provided a best-in-class special education experience for students aged three to five years old. The Preschool Development Program was founded by Dr. Barbara C. Wilson in the basement of a church in Roslyn.

Dr. Wilson envisioned a program supporting students with language and communication disorders and developmental disabilities. At the time the school started, there were only eight students enrolled. Today, over 140 students benefit from services ranging from occupational, physical, and speech therapies to music education and discrete trials, which are one-to-one training sessions with clinicians.

“Dr. Wilson's vision for the school was to offer an educational program that addressed the whole child and integrated information including strategies and methods into the classroom so that the child was enhancing skills throughout the day across developmental areas and not just during a 30-minute session,” said Diane Condy, MS, SAS/SDA, Director of the Barbara C. Wilson Preschool. 

Hitting Wellness Goals With PowerPals

Staying healthy and enjoying movement is an important part of life at the Children’s Residential Program (CRP).  Young adults are supported to meet and exceed goals for activities of daily living (ADL). For some residents, this means hitting the gym a few times a week to stay in great shape.

Many work with PowerPals founder, Chris Speziali, who developed a training program that benefits children of all abilities.

Learn more about their weekly training sessions here.

Ed Center Students Complete “Discovering You” Workshops, Prepare Vision Boards for A Bright Future 

Students in the Education Center’s Transition Classes recently completed the three-month, “Discovering You” workshop exploring decision-making, future planning, and the important life plan meetings when the time comes for them to receive adult services.

Starting in November, the six-part series was made possible by a grant from the NYS Department of Education and developed by AHRC Nassau Personal Outcomes Department Coordinator Susan Gil Orange and Samantha Rondonis.

As the series progressed students learned the importance of self-advocacy and touched on everything from likes and dislikes to relationships and lifestyle goals like traveling and exploring different hobbies.

During her workshop, student Abigail Gerber, 18, was excited to share her plans. “I want to go to college, move out on my own, and become a country singer.”

According to Denise Gaughan, Director, “The overall goal is to work with students who are close to transitioning into adult services on self-advocacy and discovery, personal exploration, and help them figure out what they want from their adult services as they begin to create those person-centered plans.  It’s a nice introduction and prepares our students and their families for the transition into adult services.” 

Behind the Scenes at Post Avenue: How Parent Trainings Come Together 

The partnership between parents and school staff ensures that the successes in the classroom continue at home, and vice versa. 

All Brookville schools have robust parent resources available through workshops, support groups and individual parent trainings.

How do these trainings come together? 

At Post Avenue School, keeping material fresh and relevant comes back to regular communication with parents.  
“We polled parents to learn what information they were looking for, and had open forums so that they could lead the discussions and inform presentations,” said Sheri Dvorak, Post Avenue Curriculum Coordinator. 

School Social Worker Elionora “Nora” Silbersack, has monthly virtual workshops covering the school year and leads a virtual parent support group. She’s been with Brookville programs since 2015 and is in tune with parents’ needs. 

“The group sessions offer mutual supports and are parent-driven. They appreciate hearing from other parents in their shoes. They share resources and notes on strategies, it makes their day-to-day life more manageable,” said Nora.

So far trainings have covered topics addressing positive behavior supports, nutrition, toilet training and sibling supports.

“The ‘Healthy Nutrition for your Picky Eater’ presentation was the one that most families went to this year so far. It was presented by Long Island University (LIU) student dieticians,” added Sheri.

For general information about support programs, Post Avenue parents are encouraged to contact Sheri Dvorak at (516) 326-5800.

Looking for a new topic? Let us know at engage@brookvillecenter.org  

ICYMI: Holiday Celebrations and Events at BCCS

Across BCCS campuses, students and staff had many holiday activities and celebrations. Let’s look back on all the fun that took place before we bid farewell to 2023.

The Marcus Avenue School Diversity Committee looked for ways to give back to the community throughout the year and in November they hosted a food drive, followed by a December coat drive.

This was their first year throwing such an event and they partnered with New York Cares to donate over 80 coats for adults and children. 

They capped off the year with a festive holiday staff party at the Brookville Mansion on December 15. This was the first holiday party since the pandemic, and the first party was planned by Social Worker Lisa Kaplan, and Dance/Movement Therapist Danielle Wood. 

Lisa and Danielle started planning in September, after receiving generous donations from their Parents Association and staff.  This included 18 gift baskets which were raffled off, and delicious food from Italian restaurant Cara Mia, per Administrative Assistant Christine Mikowski’s recommendations. 

SAVE THE DATE!

Join us for a fun and festive evening and help our children “Reach for the Stars.”

It’s a dressy casual cocktail party that benefits the students at BCCS Brookville campus.

Wednesday May 15, 2024
6:30 p.m.-10:00 p.m.

LOCATION:
The Crescent Beach Club
333 Bayville Ave.
Bayville, NY 11709