YOU CAN BECOME A NONSMOKER

The Rockland County Department of Health is bringing two smoking cessation programs to Rockland this Fall as part of its PUT IT OUT ROCKLAND campaign. When used as directed, Put It Out Rockland helps you quit smoking and become a nonsmoker for life. If you are ready to become a nonsmoker and would like to join the over 1,000 new nonsmokers who have quit with the program, call 845-364-2651 or visit www.putitoutrockland.com to register for a series of FREE classes.

Scheduled classes include:

Mondays, 6-7:30pm on September 29 and October 1, 6, 8, 14, 20, 27 and November 3, 10, and 17 at Helen Hayes Hospital.

Tuesdays, 5-6:30pm 0n October 14, 16, 21, 23, 28 and November 4, 11, 18, 25 and December 2 at Blue Hill Plaza in Pearl River.

Program provides FREE NRT Patches, Gum, or Lozenges.

Save money. Live well.

Death in the Family

Funeral arrangements for Ouida’s mother, Katie Foster, are as follows:

The wake is on Friday, September 12, 2008 from 10:00am until 11:00am.

The funeral will take place immediately following the wake.

The wake and the funeral will take place at:

Lee’s Funeral Home
160 Fisher Avenue
White Plains, NY 10606

UNDOING RACISM WORKSHOP

SAVE THE DATES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov 16 - 18, 2008

The Undoing Racism Workshop is presented by the People's Institute for Survival & Beyond. Registration Limited! "Repeaters" encouraged! Special Discount! Only for those who live or work in Rockland County, New York. Special thanks to the Rockland County Commission on Human Rights for its support. Fee: $95.00 includes continental breakfast, lunch and snacks on Monday and Tuesday.

Participants are asked to commit to attend the entire 2½ day workshop: Sunday, November 16, 6:30-8 pm; Monday, November 17, 9 am-5 pm & 6:30 - 8 pm; Tuesday, Nov 18, 9 am-3:30 pm.

Location: The Nyack Seaport, 21 Burd St, Nyack New York. Ample Parking! To Register: By credit card, call 845-634-5729. By check, payable to VCS Community Change Project, mail or bring to VCS, 77 S. Main St., New City NY 10956

WALK AND ROLL

The Rockland County Department of Health announces that it is not too late for residents to participate in the innovative stroller exercise and socialization program, Walk & Roll, at the Palisades Center that meets each Wednesday morning at 10 a.m.

In partnership with Good Samaritan Hospital and the Palisades Center, the Walk & Roll program is part of the WALK IT! mall walking program. Families with young children, ages birth to four, are invited to join Walk & Roll sessions to ‘Socialcise’ (socialize and exercise) as a key to a healthy lifestyle.

Participants gather each Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. in the H&M Court located on Level 1 of the Palisades Center. The program will continue through Wednesday, August 13, 2008, so there are still five more weekly sessions for interested families. Registration is not required so lace up and join us!

Each week features a mild exercise session involving a one-mile group walk around the mall, during which parents socialize with each other, and relevant nutrition and health information for both parents and their children is discussed. Participants in the program earn prizes just for walking. Attendance and participation at the remaining five weekly Walk & Roll sessions will guarantee parents or guardians one $20 gift card to the Palisades Center or to select stores located there, including Target and Macy’s among others.

Walk & Roll participants also receive access to monthly health and wellness programs offered at the mall, complimentary healthy refreshments for both adults and children, fun activities for children, time to socialize, and free giveaways and goodies. And don’t forget to allow some time for walking the mall, after all, you are already there… just WALK IT!

The Palisades Center offers two miles of an indoor climate-controlled environment, plenty of window shopping, entertainment, child play areas, and more, making the center an excellent place to be physically active. Open for walkers from 6 a.m., Monday – Saturday, and 8 a.m. on Sunday, the Palisades Center is accessible at almost any time of the day, rain or shine.

For more information about the Walk & Roll program or Walk It! call the Department of Health at 845-364-2500 or the Palisades Center at 845-348-1000.

EMPLOYEES HONORED

WILBUR ALDRIDGE, President of Head Start of Rockland and Chairman of the Board of Directors presented distinguished service awards to three long time Head Start staffers, including: DEBORAH JONES, a teacher at Nyack Head Start for 25 years of service working with children in the classroom; MARY HURLER, RN, Director of Health responsible for overseeing the health and wellbeing of our nearly 900 children with 25 years of service; and PAT PETCH, Human Resources Director responsible for a staff of 150 employees and contractors with 29 years of service. We join WILBUR in saluting these outstanding child care professionals for their commitment to children here in Rockland County. Their work has been and remains a labor of love. We are blessed to have them with us.

RECORD CHARITABLE GIVING IN 2007

The Indiana University Center on Philanthropy in its annual Giving USA reports a record high of $306.39 Billion in charitable donations in 2007, an increase of 3.9% over 2006. This estimated $306.39 Billion is an increase of 88% since 1997 when charitable giving totaled $163 Billion. Donations accounted for 2.2% of U.S. Gross Domestic Product. Think of the impact were we all to tithe and have that figure multipled 4.5 times?

It is heartening to note that donations to educational organizations like Head Start rose 6.4% to $43.32 Billion, while contributions to human services charities grew 8.4% to $29.64 Billion. We are always heartened to see this annual growth and understand that we Americans are the most generous people on Earth.

Foor information on giving to the Campaign for Children by Head Start of Rockland, please contact Peter Flierl, Director of Philanthropy & Communications at 845-358-2234 ext 43 or e-mail Peter at peterjflierl@gmail.com. You can also request information on making a bequest to Head Start of Rockland and on other forms of legacy giving.

GUIDE TO YOUR TEEN

A new video series, Guide to Your Teen, from from the Partnership for a Drug-Free America® will air on Comcast's Video On Demand. Comcast, the nation's leading provider of entertainment, information and communications products and services is working with the Partnership for a Drug-Free America to deliver educational programming to help parents connect with their teens.

Comcast's commitment to helping the Partnership educate and empower parents to have frequent, open conversations with their kids about making healthy choices, especially when it comes to drugs and alcohol, is now available at the touch of a button. Comcast customers can view the newly created VOD Series titled Guide to Your Teen to learn why "normal" teen behavior can appear to be anything but normal to parents, find tips and tools to help parents navigate the teen years, and explore the science behind teenage brain development. The series can be accessed by choosing "Top Picks" and then "Guide to Your Teen." The series is running June 12-26.

Comcast is promoting the series via its cable systems, which can be seen by customers who receive Comcast Central (VRN). This new interactive channel allows viewers to press one button using their remote control when they are watching a "What's On" segment and go to "On Demand Top Picks," where the series will reside.

To learn more about ON DEMAND visit: http://www.comcast.com/ondemandsa
Don't have Comcast video on demand? Visit A Parent's Guide to the Teen Brain at www.drugfree.org/teenbrain, an engaging, interactive website that helps parents understand new and relevant information about how the brain develops - it is just one of many easy-to-use tools the Partnership is developing for parents and caregivers as part of our new Parents Resource Center.

PARTNERS IN CARING - FOOD BANK

The Food Bank of the Hudson Valley recently awarded Head Start of Rockland a grant of $1,000 for its Food Bank program for children and families attending Nyack Head Start. The awrd is given as part of the Partners in Caring program of the Wakefern Food Corporation in conjunction with 23 Shop Rite and 2 Price Rite stores in a nine-county region of the Hudson Valley. Awards support programs for food pantries, soup kitchens, after school and day programs. We appreciate their continuing generous support.

UNITED WAY - YOU'RE THE TOP!

Ouida Dawson and I had the privilege of representing Head Start at You’re the Top!, the United Way of Rockland Recognition Breakfast held at Good Samaritan Hospital. The highlight of the morning was a talk by Pamela Floyd, an English teacher at Rockland Community College and a recipient of services from the Association for Visually Impaired. Pamela is virtually blind and an imposing figure at over six feet tall. Her talk brought back memories of my own study of American and English literature. She is a reminder that any challenge is an opportunity for growth. It is either in Japanese or Chinese that the word for opportunity and disaster are the same. She concluded with a message from James Joyce in Finnegan’s Wake about the power and impact of casual kindness of strangers.

Among the innumerable awards presented were the largest corporate donor won by Orange & Rockland’s 1,100 employees with total giving of $275,000 for an average gift of $250. There were 19 top corporate campaigns, each of which raised $10,000 or more. For Head Start, this would require 100% participation and an average gift of $66.66 or $1.28 a week. If each staff member were to do without a single cup of coffee each week, Head Start could reach that level of giving.

The top nonprofit campaign was won by Meals on Wheels of Rockland, while the highest percentage increase at 30% was won by HSBC. If any of you have participated in team sports, you know you like to win. I hope we will challenge ourselves this Fall and strive to increase our level of giving and our percentage of participation. For example, a 35% increase would make us a contender, if not a winner. If you gave $10 last time around, this is just a $13.50 gift. We can do this!

Among the tips we picked up from those who did well this year were:

* An internal slogan contest for our United Way campaign.
* A breakfast to kick off our drive.
* One-on-One contact by campaign leaders, your colleagues.
* Meetings at each site on the campaign.
* Presentations by other United Way member agencies to our staff.

We are hoping to put together a team to lead our United Way Campaign this Fall. If you’d like to help, please e-mail pflierl@headstartofrockland.org or give me a call at 845-358-2234 or 203-273-5168. Thank you for your support. And do send some suggestions for our slogan!

JOB OPENINGS - PROFESSIONALS

Head Start of Rockland, Inc.
85 Depew Avenue
Nyack, New York 10960
845-358-2234
Attn: Human Resources
info@headstartofrockland.org

Head Start of Rockland, Inc., a large preschool program with several locations throughout Rockland County, has several openings. Please forward resumes to the above address or email.
Teacher(s) New York State Certified and/or CDA
Teacher Assistant CDA/AA/NYS Certification
Speech Therapists
Nurse RN
Home Visitor
Positions are full time with great benefits, follow school calendar.
Substitutes - Teachers, Assistants, Cook

RAFFLE WINNERS

We are pleased to announce results of our raffle at the Blackbear Saloon on May 20th in Nyack. Our winners are: Eleanor Conway, Carmen Freeman, Susan Gruenwald, and Sarah Hayes. Special thanks to Kristin Ozanian and Justin Gatoliato for their support of the event.

If you would like to volunteer to help with fundraising for Head Start programs and services, our Campaign for Children, please call Peter Flierl at 845-358-2234 ext 43 or e-mail pflierl@headstartofrockland.org.

Special thanks to Maryann Perunna, Ouida Dawson, and Mary Hurler for their support at the event, particularly Maryann's solicitation of raffle purchases. An artist!

Annual Meeting

Head Start of Rockland will hold its Annual Meeting and Board of Directors meeting on Thursday, June 5, 2008 at 7:00pm at Nyack Seaport, 21 Burd Street, Nyack, New York. For information, please call 845-358-2234 or e-mail pflierl@headstartofrockland.org.

AFRICAN DANCE & DRUM AUDITIONS

Auditions for Chiku Awali African Dance and Drum Company of Rockland will be held on June 5, 2008 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Ramapo Cultural Arts Center, 64 N Main Street, Spring Valley, New York. Auditions are open to children, teens and adults.

The company is looking for individuals to join the company to perform West, East and Congolese African dances on a regular basis. The audition will require dancers to learn a short routine and execute it. Dancers must be able to work well in a group setting, be punctual and maintain a positive demeanor.

Please call to reserve your time slot. For additional information, contact Yaa Dreena at 845-357-5062, or info@chikuawali.org.

GRACIAS...

Les doy las gracias por que Head Start a estado ensenado mi hijo muy bien. Minino a prendido mucho despues que esta con ustedes. Por eso les doy las gracias.

We want to give thanks to Head Start because it has been teaching my son well. he has learned a lot since he has been attending there. that is why i give thanks to everyone in the program.

Rosibell Rockibuel, Stony Point

CPR TRAINING IN NYACK

Nyack Community Ambulance Corps will offer Heartsaver CPR/AED (Automated External Defibrilator) on May 4th from 9am to 1pm and other CPR classes at the Nyack Community Ambulance building at the corner of North Midland and Sixth Avenue in Nyack. The schedule includes:
May 4 - Heartsaver CPR/AED
June 7 - Friends & Family CPR
July 9 - Heartsaver CPR/AED
August 3 - Friends & Family CPR
September 6 - Heartsaver CPR/AED
October 5 - Friends & Family
November 1 - Heartsaver CPR/AED
December 7 - Friends & Family

For information and registration, please call 845-358-4824.

OUR GOOD NEIGHBOR - HEAD START OF ROCKLAND

The children of Head Start of Rockland interact with the Nyack Senior Center once a month.

The children and seniors work together doing arts and crafts, and sometimes the children perform for the seniors by singing or dancing. The children learn to enhance their social and emotional skills by having self control and knowledge of family and community.

The seniors enjoy watching or helping the children finish their tasks.

The smiles of both the children and the seniors are words that you cannot describe.

Teachers Nancy, Joan,and Grandma Flora

Excerpted from Nyack Senior Center Newsletter, Spring 2008

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS - SPECIAL NEEDS

The Rockland County Department of Health, Office of Children eith Special Health Care Needs will present a talk on Disaster Preparedness for Families of Children with Special Health Care Needs on May 6, 2008 from 7-8:30pm in the Exhibition Hall, Building A, Robert Yeager Health Center, 50 Sanatorium Road, Pomona. The talk features Andrew Garrett, MD,MPH,FAAP, Director of Preparedness Planning and Response for Columbia University and the national Center for Disaster Preparedness.

Space is limited. Please call 845-364-2622 to reserve your seat.

HEARST FELLOWSHIPS FOR MINORITY STUDENTS

William Randolph Hearst Endowed Fellowship for Minority Students

Deadline: July 15, 2008 (Fall 2008 Program)

The Nonprofit Sector and Philanthropy Program ( http://www.aspeninstitute.org/nspp ) of the Aspen Institute ( http://www.aspeninstitute.org/ ) in Washington, D.C., offers the
William Randolph Hearst Endowed Fellowship three times annually. The fellowship, which is based on academic excellence and need, is open to both undergraduate and graduate students of color. The Hearst Fellow serves as an intern with NSPP. Through this fellowship, NSPP seeks to introduce a diverse group of students to issues relating to philanthropy, volunteerism, and nonprofit organizations. Recipients may arrange with their colleges or universities to receive academic credit for this experience.

The ideal candidate for this fellowship is a highly motivated continuing graduate or undergraduate student from an under- represented community. She or he should have an excellent academic record and also have the following: outstanding research skills; demonstrated interest or experience in the nonprofit sector; excellent writing and communication skills; demonstrated financial need; and American citizenship.

The student must be able to intern for ten to fifteen weeks at the Washington, D.C., office of the Aspen Institute. It is generally expected that the fall and spring internships will be part-time (ten to twenty hours a week) and summer internships will be full-time. All travel and housing costs must be covered by the student.

A fellowship grant of between $2,500 and $5,000 will be awarded, depending on the recipient's educational level, financial need, and time commitment.

See the Aspen Institute Web site for complete program information and application procedures.

LET'S MAKE PROM A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

Let's Make Prom A Night To Remember

Prom season is fast approaching and how teens choose to make prom night memorable often differs from how a parent would hope it would be remembered. For many teens, this time of year offers a taste of new freedoms, and the temptation to engage in risky behavior. Visit The Partnership for a Drug Free America blog, "Decoder" at www.decoder.drugfree.org - a destination for parents to discuss and offer insights on teen culture and teen behavior - and post a comment about prom season.

According to the National Highway Safety Administration, between now and graduation:
58 percent of traffic fatalities are attributed to alcohol-related incidents involving teen drivers during the prom and graduation period; This compares with 41 percent for the rest of the year, while 36 percent of all alcohol-related traffic fatalities are young people between the ages of 15 and 20, below the legal age to consume alcoholic beverages.

Even though teens think they're making good decisions, new science shows that the brain isn't fully developed until age 25. In the busy months to come, help your teen make healthy responsible decisions for themselves. Get tips and share your own insights at www.decoder.drugfree.org.

NEAT AND CLEAN - KUDOS

Wayne T. Ballard, Superintendent of Highways for the Town of Clarkstown, and his staff thanked us for our Adopt-A-Rod efforts on Second Avenue in Spring Valley. They drove down the road after the last scheduled pick up and said the area looks good. They appreciate our commitment and effort in keeping Second Avenue clean and tidy.

If you would like to volunteers to help during a Saturday morning cleanup, please call Spring Valley Head Start at 845-352-6671 or e-mail info@headstartofrockland.org.