From The Desk of The CEO

Dear Families, Staff and Friends,

It’s been a busy spring season full of memorable moments and advocacy efforts.

From the eclipse to eco-friendly collaborations with Lynbrook High School, the BCCS community continues to thrive on shared learning experiences. At the heart of these achievements is our exceptional staff, who daily create opportunities for our students to explore the world in new ways.

Unfortunately, the recently passed New York State 2024/2025 budget did not adequately address the needs of our students or staff—providing only a 5% increase in the Early Intervention Rate, instead of the 11% requested; failing to increase funding for our 853/4410 schools; and allocating a 2.84% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) instead of the 3.2% requested. This COLA includes a flexible 1.5% for nonprofit sustainability and a 1.7% increase for wage enhancements for direct support professionals, clinical staff, and support positions. We are grateful to everyone who supported these critical provisions. As a nonprofit, we rely on state funding and will continue to keep you informed about the latest developments and advocacy opportunities. Your continued engagement in education advocacy is essential.

Thank you for being a part of our community. Together, we are building a better future for the children and families we serve.

Best regards,

Stanfort J. Perry

Eclipse Mania Hit BCCS 

On Monday April 8, BCCS students were able to witness a partial eclipse from their side of the Island. Students and teachers prepared for the event with different activities, including worksheets, arts and crafts, and live viewings.

School-aged students even got a chance to see the one-of-a-kind event outdoors with their special eclipse lenses.

Teachers included the special celestial event in their lesson plans and taught students about space, the galaxy and stars, and the special interaction that occurred between the sun and the moon.

The event was the perfect occasion for Barbara C. Wilson Special Education Teacher Gabrielle “Gabby” Guarrera to do another STEM activity with her students.

“STEM activities hit so many modalities of the teaching realm. They’re a great way to expand their discovery instead of just play,” said Gabby.

Ahead of Earth Day, BCCS Students Gain a Green Thumb
Spring Project With Lynbrook High School Teaches Eco-Friendly Skills

On a beautiful spring day, a Lynbrook High School sociology class visited the Children's Education Center in Brookville to assist students with a craft that will continue to grow. 

The craft, similar to a Chia Pet, was an interactive learning experience for the students. Students will monitor the growth of the grass in their classrooms, learning what a plant needs to thrive.

With the guidance of their teachers and the Lynbrook High School class, the students filled little pots with soil and planted grass.

They then had the creative freedom to decorate their pots like a Chia Pet, complete with a silly set of eyes, nose, and mouth.

Marcus Avenue DEI Committee Spotlights 
Women’s History Board

For the month of April, Marcus Avenue Preschool’s DEI committee created a bulletin board honoring women who impacted their lives.

The board is filled with women from all walks of life, mostly a mixture of family members but also notable public figures. 

Regine Toussaint, a Special Education Teacher Assistant who’s been with the school over seven years shared that the Women’s History Board is meant for people to celebrate themselves and the women in their lives.

The DEI community was formed two years ago and currently consists of seven members. They meet once a month on average and share discussions that range from classroom experiences to advocacy to topics of cultural awareness. 

“We feel proud being a part of it. It gives me a sense of leadership because we are giving back to the staff,” said Regine.

Children’s Residential Program Celebrates Passover

This year, residents, and staff from House 28 of the Children’s Residential Program continued their annual cultural tradition: gathering and enjoying a Passover seder together. 

Speech and Language Pathologist Deborah Lapidus led the celebratory meal and storytelling while Assistant House Manager and resident chef Ronny Fisher, prepared the food served on the seder plate.

With Deborah’s help, Ronny incorporated all the traditional fixings including bitter herbs, greens, and shank bone, among others.

With the children seated around the table and listening intently, Deborah led the Haggadah, a Jewish text that sets forth the order of the Passover seder telling the story of the exodus from Egypt.

Building Lifelong Skills in the 
Brookville Center Model Apartment

The model apartment at the Children’s Education Center is part of the curriculum for school-age students preparing for the transition to adult services. The model apartment is situated on the lower level of the Center’s Cissy Birnbaum Building. It’s a large space equipped with a full-size kitchen, laundry, bedroom, and closet area serving as a small market where students “shop” and fulfill orders.

Students use the model apartment along with community engagement activities to build on the skills that will serve them throughout their lives. From ages 14–21, students start transition services and work on goals in their Individual Education Plan (IEP).

Over seven years, students learn skills of independence that will help them participate in the world as much as possible. There, they also practice caring for themselves and their space as well as pre-vocational tasks needed take the next steps into their future. 

Explore the Opportunities with the 
Blanche Fierstein Memorial Scholarship

We invite the entire BCCS community—staff, families, and all who are passionate about the education of children with special needs—to discover the opportunities provided by the Blanche Fierstein Memorial Scholarship offered by AHRC Nassau. This initiative honors the legacy of Blanche Fierstein, whose dedication and innovative approaches significantly advanced the field of special education.

This $5,000 scholarship is available to members of AHRC Nassau who are pursuing or planning to pursue advanced education in special education. To see if you qualify, please visit www.ahrc.org/scholarship. The scholarship aims to continue Blanche’s legacy of excellence and advocacy by supporting those dedicated to enhancing their educational skills, innovating teaching methods, or leading new initiatives in the field.

Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your educational journey and make a meaningful impact on the lives of children with developmental delays/disabilities. 

For more details and to apply, please visit AHRC Nassau’s scholarship page www.ahrc.org/scholarship. Apply by May 15th.  

Email questions to fiersteinaward@ahrc.org

Coming Up

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

Register here