Parent Support

More Parent Quotes:

“ Since birth he has faced many “ life and death" experiences…..Pyramids has given him the support and tools ...to make incredible strides…devastating….to close the doors on such a fantastic school.” John and Debbie A., Lewis, NY

“ A year ago, my family and I were so scared that Quentin would not have the capabilities to adjust to life beyond the four corners of his bedroom…..with the help of Pyramids programs….Quentin has excelled beyond our beliefs…discontinuing …will be detrimental to my grandson” Deborah C., Plattsburgh, NY

“ has come a long way in a year….loosing Pyramids would be shameful….disappointing…..( he was)3 yrs(old) before speaking….at this point hasn’t stopped …since beginning Pyramids”
Shana B., Plattsburgh, NY



Tuesday, June 3rd, resulted in another successful support meeting attended by parents with preschool children who have been found to have special needs. Many children attended this meeting and were filmed by WPTZ Channel 5 news. The Press Republican sent a reporter to interview parents to understand what Pyramids means to them and it what it would mean if Pyramids is unable to continue full operations for the preschool child with a disability.


Another 54 support letters were collected.


As support letters are being collected they are being sent to state officials and regional stakeholders able to shed light on the expense of educating a preschool child with special needs and to see that these programs are sufficiently funded to meet with actual cost.

Pyramids operates a total of 7 preschool special education classrooms and like BOCES, operator of these programs prior to Pyramids with a reported loss of 1.7 million, Pyramids has experienced insufficient funding since 2004. In the past, Pyramids has used early intervention revenues, infant/toddler intervention program, to help off-set these losses. Currently Pyramids does much less with regards to early intervention services. That said, special education for the preschool child must stand alone with revenues to match the expense of each classroom. Depending on the nature of the needs of the children attending these federally mandated programs, year to year, these expenses will vary. With the assistance of an Albany based consultant, Pyramids has submitted revisions to reflect actual cost for the 05-06 school year. This in effect will adjust the 05-06 school year reimbursement rates and the past two school years ending a cycle of debt created out of insufficient rates. Pyramids is awaiting a response from the New York State Department of Education concerning the revisions submitted by an independent consultant.

Pyramids is also using parent support letters with our fundraising efforts that are well underway. As of today oever 70 packets have been sent out to individuals and foundations in the state of NY who have in the past shown a history of sponsoring and supporting programs for children. Revised rates with donations can end the pattern of creating debt to pay for insufficiently funded preschool special education services.


Prospective donors may contact our main office at 518-562-3847 and request to speak to Margi Carter, Vivian Reiner, Melissa Dorsett-Felicelli, Dawn Recore or Karen Hachigian.


To all those staying up with the blog, we will try to update at least twice a week and more often as information is learned about rates, donations and anything else we can share with our regional community supporting Pyramids Child Development Center.



A set of FAQ's developed as a result of the inaccurate press release 5/15/08 and the truth concerning a number of issues can be requested by contacting drrecore@pyramidspreschool.org.



Questions concerning the blog or any other matter may be addressed to mdfelicelli@pyramidspreschool.org. Melissa may also be reached at 518-593-8945 (cell). Melissa is happy to answer any and all questions directed at efforts to make it appear Pyramids mismanaged the preschool special education funding.