Happy Holidays
On October 31, 2024, students, program participants and staff celebrated Halloween in unseasonably warm weather. From trick or treating to partying, to a pumpkin contest and parading, everyone enjoyed dressing up in their best thought-of costume and having a blast!
Halloween
On October 31, 2024, students, program participants and staff celebrated Halloween in unseasonably warm weather. From trick or treating to partying, to a pumpkin contest and parading, everyone enjoyed dressing up in their best thought-of costume and having a blast!
Family Fun Day
On September 28, 2024, hundreds of students, alumni, staff, family & friends gathered at the Plainview Preschool in support of the ACDS Community for a day of food and fun, carnival games and entertainment, music and raffle prizes. Many thanks to sponsors Sackman Enterprises, Frank and Theresa Cherba and The Zaffos Family. Special thanks to the ACDS PTO, Best Buy, Brian Forkos, Garden City Service League, Let’s Groove Zumba Group, Melissa Castro, Soccer Shots, The Carey Family, Plainview Old-Bethpage Library, The Tracy Family and all the wonderful volunteers!
Buddy Bench Installation in Memory of Jill Silverstein
On Friday, September 13, we honored Jill Silverstein, a Teacher’s Assistant at ACDS who passed away on August 4, 2023. Jill was a tremendous part of ACDS and we all greatly miss her. She was all about inclusion, love and lots of fun. Therefore, it was fitting to honor her by dedicating a Buddy Bench in the large playground in her memory, in celebration of her birthday, September 14. The bench, painted yellow, Jill’s favorite color, is accompanied by Stepping Stones which include rocks painted by students and staff in Jill’s honor.
The 5+ Program at Pelham
The 5+ Program at Pelham is a Saturday, 8-week session that includes a variety of activities including art and gardening. The program helps the children gain appropriate socialization skills while developing friendships that are maintained throughout the year.
Summer Adventure
Summer Adventure 2024 was an incredible success. We had a fantastic week full of fun activities, smiling faces, and lots of laughs that created many new memories for our 100+ campers and staff – our largest group to date. Held on the beautiful Camp Chen A Wanda property, our one-week program gave campers the chance to enjoy a variety of recreational activities with their peers. It also promotes independence as they stay in bunks with friends and our amazing counselors.
Plainview Prom
With their fancy clothes and dancing shoes, students and staff alike had an absolute blast dancing the day away at Plainview’s Prom!
Kathy’s & Nivea’s Retirement
After 40 years of employment, physical therapist Kathy Dillon and occupational therapist Nivea McGee have retired from ACDS. In their honoree, they were each presented with a memorial leaf for ACDS’s Tree of Life to honor their incredible contributions. Both Kathy and Nivea have had a huge impact on our children. Their presence at ACDS will be greatly missed, but the memorial leaves will serve as lasting tributes to their dedication and passion.
Summer Music Instrument Festival
Among the wonderful activities that took place at the Plainview Preschool this past summer included a Music Instrument Festival, otherwise known as the Music Petting Zoo. Children had an opportunity to try out numerous instruments and see what amazing sounds they could make.
Plainview Preschool Graduation
At the end of June 2024, amidst music and decorations, 100 students from ACDS’s Plainview Preschool proudly graduated in front of their families.