Kennedy Children's Center

Our donor community accomplished so much in 2020, including raising over $100,000 for KCC's Saturday Play Program at our first ever virtual fundraiser this past July. Our monthly Saturday program helps to address a widespread need for weekend activities that are safe and appropriate for young children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. You can read more about what our community has helped us accomplish in our 2019-2020 Annual Report: https://static1.squarespace.com//160754814/KCC+AR19-20.pdf ... And visit https://www.kenchild.org/donate to learn more about our year-end fundraiser!

As part of our mission to celebrate the power of education at every stage of life, we want to share stories of staff members' educational journeys and accomplishments. Krystal was first introduced to KCC as a parent. When she saw how much progress her son was making, she was inspired to become a teacher so that she could help other children, too. When asked how she found the strength to pursue her teacher certification while working full time, Krystal says: "I wanted to lear...n what else I could do to better myself, better my education, better my students, and better my son. It was all for a greater purpose." And, she says, "My journey is just beginning." Thank you, Krystal, for sharing your story and inspiring us all with your teaching journey! Read more about Krystal's story and our year-end fundraiser at www.kenchild.org/donate

#AllIn4NYC campaign. #NewYorkers are key to rebuilding our city! Here are a few things that our neighbors Kennedy Children's Center, Poppa and Momma Jones Histo...ric Community Garden and TaylorAde Lemonade are doing. Thanks to our campaign sponsors TD and #MollieParnisLivingstonFoundation #ShareYourStory #Contest #RebuildNYC #PitchIn #TakeAction #TDBank #MollieParnis

Shout out to these kind co-workers who were caught going above and beyond for their colleagues this week during our 12 Days of Kindness challenge! Jessica R. made thank you cards for her supervisors in the Bronx; Anthony C. and Kristy C. gave thank you cards in Manhattan; and Deandra H. and Arelys M. brought in flowers, balloons, and cake for Arlene R. in recognition of her 20th Anniversary of working at KCC!

KCC is celebrating 12 Days of Kindness this holiday season, and today's challenge is to take the time to say THANK YOU to someone special. We wanted to thank Foodtown of East Harlem for not only providing our staff with many delicious lunch break options but for bringing so much kindness into our community. We are so lucky to have neighbors like Foodtown! (You can check out more #12DaysofKindness challenges every day on our Instagram, @kennedychildrenscenter)

2020 in review: This year, our staff assembled and distributed hundreds of remote learning kits filled with books, art supplies, and toys to keep students entertained and engaged at home! Learn more at www.kenchild.org/donate

Early voting starts October 24th. Make your voting plan now! Click the link below to locate your nearest voting station and see a copy of the ballot in advance. Pick a date and a time that fits your schedule and mark it on your calendar. Will you need child care? Will you need transportation? Your vote shapes our future. Make a voting plan, and make your voice heard! https://vote.nyc/page/how-vote

How adorable is this video from Serena Williams of daughter Olympia giving her a pretend "COVID test"? Even preschoolers know that getting tested is important! https://www.instagram.com/p/CIgh2RUHE53/

Your year-end gift positively impacts almost 400 preschoolers who are enrolled in our two school sites' remote and hybrid learning programs! Make your gift at https://www.kenchild.org/donate

At KCC, we were wearing masks BEFORE it was cool! Check out this pre-COVID throwback to Class 8's "INCREDIBLE" superhero costumes during last year's Halloween festivities at our Bronx site.

We are so proud of our Bronx Classroom Support Coordinator, Michelle Boyd, who was highlighted by the New York Early Childhood Professional Development Institute for her work as an early childhood leader! Our students, staff and families are lucky to benefit from Michelle's people-centered focus every day. Congratulations, Michelle! https://earlychildhoodny.org//lessons-in-leadership-spotl/

TA's at our Bronx site get ready for students' return in October by creating visual aids and preparing classroom materials. All while staying safe and socially distant!

It's not too late! The 2020 U.S. Census ends on September 30th. If you haven't already, fill it out today at https://my2020census.gov/ Why fill out the Census The U.S. Census is conducted only once every ten years. The federal government will use the data collected from the Census to determine how approximately $1.5 TRILLION dollars will be distributed annually across federal programs such as Medicaid and direct student loans, as well as schools (like us!), health cli...nics, roads, and fire departments. It also determines the number of representatives in Congress each state in the U.S. will receive for the next TEN years! BE COUNTED and fill out the U.S. Census by next Wednesday, September 30, 2020.

The air is getting cooler and we’re remembering how much fun we had at last year’s Fall Festival! Pumpkin decorating is a great activity for preschoolers. Grab a pumpkin from your local grocery store and give your child stickers, markers, buttons and glue, or any other art supplies you have handy! Have you been doing any fun fall crafts at home? #fall #preschool #artsandcraftsforkids

Today is National Voter Registration Day! If you haven't already done so, register to vote TODAY and remind your friends and family to do the same. Your vote is your voice, and your voice matters. Be heard on November 3! Visit https://nationalvoterregistrationday.org/ to learn more.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2020, and the deadlines to register to vote and/or request a mail-in ballot are fast approaching! Please take note of the following important deadlines: - The deadline to register ONLINE to vote is Friday, October 9, 2020. - The deadline for registering BY MAIL to vote is (postmarked by) Friday, October 9, 2020. - The deadline to register IN PERSON to vote is Friday, October 9, 2020.... - You must apply online, postmark, email or fax a completed application for the General Election Absentee ballot by October 27, 2020. Apply for a mail-in ballot here: https://www.elections.ny.gov/votingabsentee.html - The early voting period runs from Saturday, October 24, 2020 to Sunday, November 1, 2020, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live. CLICK HERE to register: https://www.ny.gov/services/register-vote

New York’s families and early childhood community are invited to jump in their pajamas and tune into QUALITYstarsNY's Facebook page to watch an animated read-along of WE COUNT!, a children's counting book about the U.S. Census -- read by Auli'i Cravalho, the star of Disney's Moana! By joining in, children and the grownups who love them will learn why it’s important to ensure that each one of us is counted in the 2020 Census.

Interested in a fun and easy way to help provide books to KCC kids? Until September 30th, purchase a participating Kellogg's product and upload a picture of your receipt to receive a free book of your choice to keep or donate! You can choose from a variety of picture books in both English and Spanish that are appropriate for our Pre-K learners, such as "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" and "Llama Llama Red Pajama". Click here to learn more about participating products and how you can claim your free book to either keep for your family or donate to ours! https://www.kelloggsfamilyrewards.com//feeding-reading-nat

Although school will look a bit different when students return to our halls, we are so excited to welcome students back to in-person learning as soon as we are able! In September, KCC students will attend remote therapy and learning sessions. Meanwhile, our teachers, therapists, maintenance team, and other staff have been busy setting up classrooms, preparing to welcome new and returning parents, and outfitting both of our schools (pictured: KCC's Manhattan site) with social distancing reminders, directional arrows, six-foot markers and grids, sanitizing stations, and more to keep students, staff, and parents alike SAFE!

Only 56% of New Yorkers have filled out the U.S. Census, which ends on September 30th. BE COUNTED and fill out the census today at https://my2020census.gov/ or by calling 844-330-2020. The census determines how federal funding is distributed to schools, roads, health clinics, and other public services. As the city struggles to recover from the effects of COVID-19, an accurate count of ALL New Yorkers matters more than ever.

Your vote matters; don't forget to register! The deadline to register is October 9. You can register online here: https://www.ny.gov/services/register-vote

Attention Parents! Einstein/Montefiore wants to talk to parents and guardians of children (0-21) with special health care needs (CYSHCN) who live in New York City or on Long Island. Discussions will be held through phone calls and video chat. You can earn up to $75 in gift cards for participating from the safety of your own home. To learn more, fill out the following survey: www.tinyurl.com/EinsteinNeeds