Meetings with Legislators Highlight Resource Requests and Showcase Artistic Talent.
Students from the 4201 Schools Association, a network of 10 New York-based schools serving children who are blind, deaf and severely physically challenged will be visiting Albany on February 25 and 26 to meet their legislators, demonstrate civic activism and showcase their talents. The two day visit is part of the 4201 School Association’s 2020 Advocacy Day.
The Association’s 2020-2021 resource priorities include: requesting continued direct budget appropriations, maintaining par funding with public schools, recruiting and retaining qualified staff, and investing in long-term capital needs that ensure the health and safety needs of the children are maintained.
“Our students and their families are able express to our legislators the benefits of attending our schools – and how it prepares them for a meaningful future,” said Dr. Bernadette Kappen, Chair of the 4201 Schools Association and Executive Director of the New York Institute for Special Education in the Bronx. “We are proud of our students and what they achieve – graduation rates and student performance are outcomes that stem from a robust rate of attendance and a dedicated and engaged corps of teachers and staff.”
Timothy Kelly, the Association’s Co-Chair, and Superintendent of St. Mary’s School for the Deaf in Buffalo said: “Educational success starts with continuing to have a warm and safe place for learning. Many of the buildings on our campuses are 100 or more years old, key systems such as security, heating/cooling and building envelopes need to be repaired, replaced, or adapted to meet new accessibility, security and technology demands.”
The Association has requested a re-appropriation of $30 million in funds approved in Fiscal Year 2019-20 for short term deferred maintenance and improvements; and additionally requests to access existing Dormitory Authority authorization of $110 million for long-term projects focused on campus health and safety needs.
While in Albany, the students will also show case their talents and creativity by displaying 28 various pieces of artwork prepared and on display in legislators’ offices. The featured schools and artists ranging from grades 1 – 12, include:
New York Institute for Special Education (Bronx)
• Chayna (Grade 3) A clay self-portrait – ‘My Face,’
• Milagros (Grade 4) Ceramic piece – ‘The braille letter M’
• Darlin (Grade 12) Painting- ‘Starry Night’
Lavelle School for the Blind (Bronx)
• Danielle (Grade 11) Painting – ‘Untitled’
St. Francis de Sales School for the Deaf (Brooklyn)
• Kimberly (Grade 1) Painting – ‘Ice Skater’
• Damien (Grade 7) Drawing- ‘What I Did On the Weekend’
• Soraya (Grade 7) Drawing – ‘What are my Hobbies?’
Lexington School for the Deaf (Queens)
• Julia (Grade 10) Painting – ‘3D Hand,’
• Lillianna (Grade 11) Painting- ‘Love Beach’
Henry Viscardi School (Albertson)
• Eric (Grade 1) Watercolor Painting – ‘Rainbow Fish’
• Adryana (Grade 4) Graphic Design – ‘Silhouette of Sunny’
• Franklyn (Grade 9) Graphic Design – ‘The Great Wave—Recreation’
• Catherine (Grade 11) Acrylic Painting – ‘Van Gough Floral’
• Raul (Grade 12) Graphic Design ‘Sunny’s Fishing Trip’
Rochester School for the Deaf (Rochester)
• Cori (Grade 12) Painting – ‘Diversity’
• Nirveli (Grade 7) Painting – ‘Hand’
• Julia (Grade 10) Canvas Painting – ‘Eye’
St. Mary’s School for the Deaf (Buffalo)
• Alima & Gabriella (Age 2 & 3) Drawing – ‘Circles’
• Middle and High School Students – Chalk Art – ‘Access, Inspire, Achieve, Create.’
• Julia – Photograph – Buffalo Zoo
Cleary School for the Deaf (Nesconset)
• Elloise – (High School) – Charcoal – Untitled
• Leana – (High School) – Allegorical Still Life – Untitled
• Slevin – (High School) – Electronic Illustration – Untitled
• Slevin – High School) – Electronic Illustration – Untitled
New York School for the Deaf (White Plains)
• Aline – (Third Grade) – Untitled
• Hilda – (First Grade) – Untitled
• Gio – (Pre-K) – Untitled
• No Name – (High School) – Untitled
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About 4201 Schools Association:
The 4201 Schools Association’s mission is to enhance and advocate for the education and future of New York’s children with low-incidence disabilities. Each school has its own board of directors and receives financial support for operations and programming from the New York State Department of Education. There are 10 private, state-supported 4201 schools across New York State that are members of the Association.
To learn more, visit www.4201schools.org or follow us on Twitter at @4201Schools
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