Our mission is to empower children and adults with developmental disabilities to achieve their potential based on personal choices, abilities and interests...
For more information about our Early Childhood Services please contact:
Fran Porcaro
Director of Educational Services
phone
(914) 327-3227
ext. 106
fporcaro@
westchesterarc.org
The Children's School for Early Development
40 Saw Mill River Road
Hawthorne, NY 10532
Westchester Arc
Herbert Katzenberg Center
121 Westmoreland Avenue
White Plains, NY 10606
(914) 949-9300
info@westchesterarc.org
24-hour
Crisis Intervention:
(914) 949-8200
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Pomp and Circle-Time
Pre-Schoolers Graduate to Community Kindergarten
The Children's School for Early Development partners with 12 community-based pre-schools throughout Westchester. Above, graduates of the Children's Corner in New Rochelle prepare to make an entrance.
Nearly half of the 79 students who just graduated from Westchester Arc’s Children’s School for Early Development will attend typical kindergarten classes in their home school districts next year. Graduates have learned new lessons—reciting the alphabet, spelling c-a-t, counting to 10—and made new friends.
“Twelve of this year’s graduates are no longer considered to have developmental disabilities,” notes Children’s School Director Fran Porcaro. “That’s an amazing accomplishment.”
The Children’s School collaborates with 12 community-based pre-schools throughout Westchester, and each site celebrated graduation with a special ceremony. At Church in the Highlands in White Plains, graduates sang “Let Me Be a Child” (“Let me try my wings, and if I fail, encourage me to try again….”), named the days of the week and received diplomas.
Youngsters at the Boys and Girls Club of Mount Kisco eagerly await their big moment.
Lillian J. is one of the graduates moving on to a typical kindergarten. Prior to attending The Children's School, Lillian could hardly speak or hold a pencil. She also had trouble socializing, often avoiding eye contact with someone she didn't know. After a year in an inclusion class, she speaks in full sentences and writes her name. She waves hello to visitors, chats with classmates and participates in "circle-time."
"Inclusion classes make all the difference," says special ed teacher Rebecca Lindner. "They provide an environment for children with disabilities to learn how to talk, walk and relate to their 'typical' classmates. Meanwhile, the 'typical' children learn to accept and appreciate others for who they are. I've seen many children, with and without disabilities, build true friendships this year. It's a beautiful thing."
