Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Letter To The Editor - Summer Session News


With the ending of the school year and now the beginning of the summer session there has been less of a focus to update this blog with this transition. Today is a good day to make an entry to announce the release of the Letter to the Editor submitted by Lola Johnson, Press Republican, July 8th, 2008, copied below.

On behalf of the Pyramids' Employees, and the families that support Pyramids and myself, we are appreciative of Lola Johnson's submission in her efforts to bring attention to the mission of Pyramids.

"TO THE EDITOR: Ever since I read the front-page story nearly a month ago, I have been shaken by the misrepresentation of Pyramids Child Development Center and the impugned reputation of its founding director, Mellisa Felicelli.There are always two sides to a story, and it certainly seems that Melissa Felicelli and Pyramids have not had a fair opportunity to present theirs. Implied judgment by front-page journalism which, in my opinion, was incomplete and unexpectedly biased, is unworthy of good, small-town newspaper reporting. I am disappointed and fret for an appropriately balanced presentation of the facts. A truly transformative, compassionate and effective educational concept was developed by Melissa and realized through endless hours of labor, the high energy of conviction and the desire to better serve a needy population. The creative renovation of an entirely empty school building was undertaken, and the implementation of a truly imaginative curriculum, which served handicapped and other pre-school children was carried out, successfully, by Melissa and a truly dedicated staff. They are to be applauded in a role-model situation.I taught yoga to these wonderful staff people, and my three grandchildren have attended and benefited by participation in this unique program. There is no hesitation in my conviction that Melissa is a person of complete integrity and absolute commitment. If some kind of problem has arisen, it will be because of the complexity of her achievement.I trust that her side of the story will receive equal pronouncement."
Lola Johnson,Chazy


In closing, Pyramids Child Development Center is pleased to say their summer program for preschool special education is in session and child care is in full operation. Pyramids is operating two fewer preschool special education classrooms this summer. With the support and understanding of parents who pay for child care services, child care services are now ending a half hour earlier each day with a 5:30 pm pick up. This is amounting to a fiscal savings and a benefit to the child care employees as well.

A number of the employees work reduced summer schedules, while some take the summer off and others take positions they would not normally perform during the course of the school year. Summer is always a pleasant change, with plenty of opportunities for fresh air and out door instruction appreciated by the children and the teaching staff alike.

Thank you to all our readers and those who continue to seek information to better understand the situation concerning the creation of the debt.

Pyramids Child Development Center continues to seek Charitable Donations to help pay down the debt. Pyramids is a 501-c3 approved as a NYSED Educational Charter. All interested parties may contact the following for further information.
mdfelicelli@pyramidspreschool.org vreiner@pyramidspreschool.org and mcarter@pyramidspreschool.org

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