May 14, 2016

CONNETQUOT TEACHERS CONTINUE THEIR SUPPORT OF THE CHILDREN’S CENTER AT THE COHALAN COURT COMPLEX

Lisa Manzo and Anthony Felicio, Jr. are thanked by Suffolk County District
Administrative Judge the Honorable C. Randall Hinrichs
for the CTA’s support of the Children’s Center.

Bohemia, NY --- Connetquot Teachers Association (CTA) President Anthony Felicio, Jr., was again invited to attend the May 12th Bagels and Books Breakfast at the Children’s Center at the Cohalan Court Complex in Central Islip, NY. Felicio was invited by Ms. Andrea Ramos-Topper, EAC Regional Director, to join fellow children’s advocates who have been working together with the Education & Assistance Corporation (EAC). The EAC operates the Children’s Center to provide a safe area for youngsters while their families are involved in court proceedings.

For the past 10 years, Connetquot teachers have supplied children’s books, clothing, healthy snacks, bottled water and fruit juices, tissues and paper towels to be used by the youngsters at the Children’s Center. On this latest visit, Felicio, and CTA member Mrs. Lisa Manzo, delivered a handcart filled with children’s books, along with jackets, coats, hats and gloves that the center can distribute to visiting children. Felicio thanked the organization for the services and supplies they make available to the children, and their families. He also thanked the advisory board members, and fellow advocates, for allowing the Connetquot Teachers Association to be a part of this important effort.

Felicio noted that the work done by the employees and the volunteers at the Children’s Center is vitally important to the youngsters that visit. The center also allows families to know their children are in a safe, nurturing, environment for the time that they need to take care of business while at the courts.

The center is open 5 days per week, from 9 A.M. to 1 P.M. under the supervision of Head Teacher Tinamarie Bernocco. Last year the Children’s Center serviced over 1,500 children. Since January alone, reflecting an increase in the number of children serviced, over 500 children, along with close to 450 families, have taken advantage of the Children’s Center.

Connetquot teachers stopped by earlier this school year to provide additional hats, scarves, gloves and toys to the Children’s Center. The children leave the center with new books, and warm clothes. Felicio thanked Mrs. Cheryl Zimmer, who is retiring as Supreme Court Advisory Board Co-Chair, for the years she has dedicated to the success of the Children’s Center, and welcomed the Honorable Judge Janine A. Barbera-Dalli who will be her successor.

“As educators, we come to the profession because we love working with, and helping, youngsters. We do that every day within the school house”, said the CTA President. “To be able to have a positive effect on children outside of the classroom is very gratifying to us.” Felicio has assured the EAC of the Connetquot Teachers Association’s continued support.

CTA President Anthony Felicio, Jr. and Lisa Manzo delivered a cartload
of clothing and books for use at the Children’s Center
at the Cohalan Court Complex in Central Islip.

CTA President Anthony Felicio, Jr., joins Ms. Andrea Ramos-Topper,
EAC Regional Director, at the annual Bagels and Books Breakfast.

(photo credit: Joseph Maniaci)