From the Desk of the CEO

Dear Families and Friends,

Every day, we see the impact teachers, clinicians, direct support professionals (DSPs), and administrators make as they support students to learn, grow, and reach important milestones. We need to help legislators understand what is truly at stake.  
 
This advocacy reflects our community’s deep roots in the civil rights movement. As we recognize Black History Month, we honor the leaders who advanced civil rights and helped pave the way for disability inclusion. We must continue to build on our legacy to ensure this generation — and the next — receive the services and supports they need to succeed in school and beyond.  
 
In New York State, the Senate and Assembly are in the process of developing their one-house budgets. We must continue bringing attention to the importance of Early Intervention and 4410 Preschools and 853 Special Education Schools. At the federal level, important supports also remain at risk. Cuts to the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights have led to the startling statistic that 9 out of 10 discrimination complaints were closed through dismissal, rather than receiving the thorough review they deserve. 
 
I encourage you to stay informed and take action through our Advocacy Center. Parent advocacy is especially powerful, and by speaking up and sharing your story, you help shape policies that support students, families, and dedicated staff.  
 
Thank you for being part of our community and for answering this call to action.

Best regards, 

Stanfort J. Perry

Little Athletes, Big Fun: BCW Celebrates the Winter Olympics

There’s no need to travel to Italy for the Winter Olympics, the Barbara C. Wilson (BCW) Preschool Parents’ Association (PA) brought their very own winter games to Woodbury.

Working with BCW therapists, parents volunteered their time and creativity to create a series of obstacle stations where students could balance, throw, crawl, and play with their classmates, staff, and parents who joined them.

“With it being my son’s last year, I wanted to get involved as much as possible,” said Bri Stark, the President of the BCW PA.

Festive decorations of streamers, snowflakes and balloons added to the excitement. “They just love that,” said Bri.

In addition to the activities and decorations, the PA designed custom t-shirts for the students and volunteers. The shirts were printed by Spectrum Designs, which creates opportunities for adults with autism.

Fridays at the Education Center in Brookville are filled with energy, laughter, and discovery during Preschool Exchange, a favorite activity that supports social interaction, imaginative play, and independence.

Every Friday afternoon, preschoolers enjoy thirty minutes of open play, exploring themed activities in different classrooms and making new friends.

“In the first few weeks of the school year, we focus on getting the students acclimated to their classrooms,” Abbe Finz, Curriculum Coordinator, said. “Once they’re comfortable in that type of environment, then we start Preschool Exchange.”

Post Avenue Preschool Gets Active for Wear Red Day

It’s never too early to care about heart health. Post Avenue Preschool students and staff did just that on Wear Red Day on Feb. 6, the national awareness day dedicated to heart disease prevention and cardiovascular health.

Julianne Sullivan, Post Avenue School Nurse, organized engaging activities to educate students and staff on the importance of maintaining a healthy heart.

As preschoolers are being introduced to so many things, Julianne thoughtfully incorporated the message of heart health in the ways they learn best—movement and play.

Students participated in making a giant red heart, painting a hand red and high-fiving the poster on the wall to leave bright handprints. After painting, each student was rewarded with a bright red heart sticker for taking part in the project.

At Round for Round Boxing & Fitness Studio in Freeport, Faith O’Hare-Dunphy 15, has been joining a group of young people for workout drills, boxing lessons, and strength training as part of the Nassau County Police Activity League Boxing Non-Contact Training.

Faith chose purple boxing gloves to practice jabs, uppercuts, and hooks. And to finish strong, each participant takes turns flipping a heavy tire across the mat while the others cheer and shout words of encouragement.

“I like doing the tire because it’s heavy,” Faith said.

Marjorie Guerrier, a Direct Support Professional at the Children’s Residential Program (CRP), goes with Faith to her boxing lessons every week. “She enjoys it. She loves it,” Marjorie said.  

Celebrating Our Employees of the Quarter

Brookville Center for Children’s Services kicked off the year by honoring staff members who go above and beyond supporting students and strengthening our community.  

“Your steady presence, your willingness to show up, to listen, to advocate, and to care, is the foundation of our strength,” said Stanfort J. Perry, CEO.

Recognized at the Jan. 13 Employee of the Quarter event were Pam Clifford, a Teaching Assistant at Post Avenue Preschool, and Joe Senatore, a Physical Therapist at the Children’s Education Center.

“Pam is an energetic and creative early childhood teaching assistant who brings joy and enthusiasm to the classroom every day,” said Debi Doyle, Senior Director.

🌟 Save the Date!
Sunday, May 3, 2026

 Steps Toward Tomorrow is BCCS’ first-ever fundraising walk, bringing children, families and staff together from across our schools for a healthy, family-friendly event! Being held on the BCCS Brookville campus, Steps Toward Tomorrow will celebrate our children, schools, their teachers and staff while raising funds to make even more possible.

Register now!

Wheatley Farms Catering

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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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