Tuesday, December 16, 2008

KUDOS TO NYACK RESTAURANTS

Patti Aagaard, owner of Reality Bites Cafe, has pulled together six Nyack restaurants to provide Christams parties for 90 children who attend preschool at Nyack Head Start. The children will enjoy lunch and gifts courtesy of the participating restaurants and community supporters. The participating restaurants in addition to Reality Bites are: Black Bear, 82 Main Street, 675-7020; Manna, 104 Main Street, 353-9846; Nyack Gourmet, 92 Main Street, 348-8855; Olive's, 118 Main Street, 353-4377; O'Malley's, 108 Main Street, 727-0514.

If you would like to donate a gift for a child, drop it off at any of the restaurants or at Nyack Village Hall, 9 North Broadway, Nyack by Friday, December 19th. Everyone who donates a gift receives a coupon for a 15% discount at one of the restaurants.

Thank you, Pat. And, thank you restaurants.

Thursday, December 04, 2008

ESL GROWING THANKS TO TD BANK

We are pleased to report that TD Bank has made a donation of $5,000 to support the new ESL Family Literacy Program headed up by Eric Alcin, thus joining Commerce Bank and Target in a valuable community education program. We believe and know that families that learn together grow together. Parents of our preschool children will enhance their children's education by being involved in education themselves. They will also improve their employability and their ability to move up the economic ladder.

For information on classes beginning in January at our Nyack Head Start preschool at 85 Depew Avenue in Nyack, please call Eric Alcin at 845-358-2234.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Nanny 911 looking for Families

Kate Mack, casting director for Nanny 911, is looking for families in our area who feel a need to spend three or four days working on bettering their lives with their nanny specialist. Among the criteria or issues that moves you up the list are:
* Are your children out of control?
* Do they throw tantrums in public or have meltdowns during meals?
* Would you like to implement structure and restore harmony to your household?

The hit series Nanny 911 is looking for outgoing, charismatic families who need help managing day-to-day family obstacles. Their English nannies are ready to help.

To apply, email Nanny911families@yahoo.com.

For information or questions, call 212-404-1842.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

RESULTS DEMONSTRATE SUCCESS

We have recently commpleted assessment of our outcomes with children attending Head Start preschools in Haverstraw, Nyack, and Spring Valley, West Street, and Kids Corner in 2007-2008. We are pleased to see positive growth and improvement with gains ranging from 46.6% to 52.2%. These included: Language Development, 2.4 to 3.6, 1.2/51.9% gain; Literacy, 2.2 to 3.3, 1.1/46.6% gain; Mathematics, 2.3 to 3.5, 1.2/52.2% gain; Science, 2.3 to 3.5, 1.2/50.6% gain; Creative Arts, 2.6 to 3.9, 1.3/47.5% gain; Social and Emotional Development, 2.7 to 4.0, 1.3/48.3% gain; Applied Learning, 2.7 to 3.9, 1.2/47.1% gain; Physical Health, 2,9 to 4.2, 1.3/46.8% gain.

Congratulations to all of our teachers for a job well done. And,of course, congratulations to each of the children on success in their preparation for academic success in elementary school and beyond.

Friday, October 24, 2008

HOLIDAY BOOK DRIVE - Noember 1 at 1pm

Ouida F. Dawson, executive director of Head Start of Rockland, and Miriam Kahan, director of Spring Valley Head Start joined Jocelyn F. Ford, store manager of Barnes & Noble in Nanuet in announcing plans for a Holiday Book Drive to share the gift of literacy with low income children who attend Head Start preschool. The drive will be kicked off Saturday, November 1st at 1:00 p.m. with a reading by Jason Edwards, author of Will Allen and the Great Monster Detective, at the Barnes & Noble Bookstore at 140 Rockland Plaza in Nanuet.

Dawson said: “All of us at Head Start appreciate the thoughtfulness and generosity of Barnes & Noble staff in Nanuet picking our agency and our children to benefit from this wonderful holiday tradition. The gift of a book lasts a lifetime and puts a child on the road to love of reading and learning.”

Kahan added: “Spring Valley Head Start children, parents, and staff welcome this opportunity to partner with our neighbor, Barnes & Noble in Nanuet, in strengthening our literacy efforts and bringing each child we serve the gift of a treasured book this holiday season.

Ford noted: “Barnes & Noble distributed 1.16 million books to children nationwide last year and we hope to duplicate that success again this year. Our staff in Nanuet have made selections of books recommended for young children and young readers. We hope the entire community will be involved and make a gift for a child in need, a gift that can change a life.”

Peter Flierl, director of development at Head Start, said: “Having been raised by educators and lifetime readers, giving and receiving books was the highlight, the treasured gift in our home at Christmas and at birthdays. We welcome this generous approach to seasonal giving and sharing the gift of literacy by Barnes & Noble.”

Head Start of Rockland is a nonprofit charitable organization, one of the top 200 employers in Rockland County, and is the leading provider of preschool and early childhood education in Rockland County. It is accredited by NAEYC, the National Association for Education of Young Children and is a New York State licensed provider of preschool special education services.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

HOLIDAY BOOK DRIVE KICKOFF - November 1st

Jason Edwards, author of Will Allen and the Great Monster Detective, will join children from Spring Valley Head Start at our Barnes & Noble Holiday Book Drive in Nanuet on Saturday, November 1st at 1:00 P.M. Miriam Kahan, Director of Spring Valley Head Start invites one and all to join us for this exciting new event to benefit Head Start and its myriad services for children and families here in Rockland County.

For information, please call Miriam Kahan at 845-352-6671 or Peter Flierl at 203-273-5168.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

TAPPAN ZEE BRIDGE REVIEW

The New York State Department of Transportation, New York State Thruway Authority, and MTA Metro-North Railroad will hold PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETINGS on October 28, 29, & 30, 2008. They will present the preliminary results andthe project Team's recommendations regarding the transit modes and bridge rehabilitation/replacement options. Written and oral comments will be accepted at the meetings. Get involved in our future!