Honor Westbrook Prep Anniversary

February 5, 2018 WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and commend institutions of commitment and high achievement whose purpose and endeavor have been dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in the education of the children of the State of New York; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Westbrook Preparatory School upon the occasion of its 7th Anniversary celebrated on Monday, February 5, 2018; and WHEREAS, For several years, the founders of Westbrook Preparatory School diligently worked to create a residential school which was customized to children's unique needs; these passionate individuals partnered with SCO Family of Services, an organization which provides human services throughout New York City and Long Island, and which had already provided five other schools for special needs students; through the work of many, the new school opened its doors to the public for the first time on February 5, 2011, in Westbury, New York; and WHEREAS, Westbrook Preparatory School is the first residential New York State Regents junior/senior high school for students with Asperger's syndrome, high-functioning autism and related conditions; and WHEREAS, Westbrook Preparatory School provides a therapeutic environment for its students while following the New York State Common Core Learning Standards; and WHEREAS, The school's caring teachers and staff not only provide the required coursework so students can earn their Regents and Advanced Regents diplomas, but also give them the tools they need to successfully manage their lives into adulthood; 95% of the students proudly receive their diplomas at their graduation ceremony; and WHEREAS, In addition to offering daily academic support, the Westbrook Preparatory School provides its students with counseling, speech and language and other related services throughout the school day; parent-teacher conferences; curriculum-based field trips; and community internships and work-based learning opportunities; and WHEREAS, Students are given instruction under a low student-to-teacher ratio of 6:1:1, and they have access to laptops, audiobooks, and iPads; they are also offered courses in Microsoft Office suite, computer programming and coding; innovative art and music courses, including digital music theory and notation; and health and wellness to promote safe dating, healthy body image, and self-advocacy; and WHEREAS, The schools of a community reflect the character and values of that community; the residents, school officials, parents, faculty and students of Westbrook Preparatory School may, on the occasion of its 7th Anniversary, take just pride in its history of quality in leadership, teaching, achievement and community support; and WHEREAS, Today, Westbrook Preparatory School stands prepared to reach out, in an earnest and enthusiastic quest of its mission, to promote the maximum growth of every student, establishing standards and building skills which will carry its students and the citizens of its community into the future; and WHEREAS, Westbrook Preparatory School is proudly aware of its past; eager to fulfill its commitment to parents, students and community; and planning with vision and purpose for the ebb and swell of growth and change it will encounter in the years to come; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend Westbrook Preparatory School upon the occasion of celebrating its 7th Anniversary on February 5, 2018; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Westbrook Preparatory School.