Honor Marianne Klotz Service

March 21, 2019 WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that the quality and character of life in this great Empire State is greatly enriched by the faithful and diligent work of those individuals who serve to meet the special needs of the community and its citizenry; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Marianne Klotz upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition by the Friends of Brookville Center for Children's Services, celebrated at its Reach for the Stars Dinner Dance on Thursday, March

21, 2019, at The Mansion at Oyster Bay in Woodbury, New York; and WHEREAS, For more than 50 years, Marianne Klotz, Senior Director of Brookville Center for Children's Services (BCCS), has pioneered new methods for its students to reach their full potential and better connect with their community; and WHEREAS, Under the luminous leadership of Marianne Klotz, BCCS has grown from six classrooms in Brookville, supporting 100 children to more than 1,000 children with nearly 650 staff and schools in Brookville, Westbury, New Hyde Park and Woodbury, as well as the children's residential program (CRP) in Lido Beach; and WHEREAS, Currently, this vital organization offers several programs for those with special needs, infant/toddler daycare, integrated preschool, and special education from pre-kindergarten through the age of 21; and WHEREAS, Marianne Klotz began her long and distinguished career with BCCS as a teacher's aide in 1968, when she was going to college part-time at Hofstra University; her professional milestones of becoming a teacher, speech pathologist and program administrator coincide with the passage of 1975's Education for All Handicapped Children's Act, the key amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in the 1990s, and other initiatives; and WHEREAS, Throughout her tenure, Marianne Klotz has accomplished numerous goals; in 1989, she worked with the New York State Department of Health to develop programs for preschool students, who were medically frail or had multiple disabilities, and two years later, she connected with the Long Island Regional Planning Group to update the preschool/early intervention program; and WHEREAS, In 1993, Marianne Klotz opened one of the first autism programs on Long Island, providing speech, occupational and physical therapy; she also integrated physical education and music programs to assist with the students' behavioral development; and WHEREAS, In recognition of her outstanding leadership, service to and commitment to advocacy and assistance on behalf of children with disabilities, their families and colleagues, Marianne Klotz has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades including the 2008 Award of Distinction from the Long Island Association of Special Education Administrators; and WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her husband, Donald Grundborg, and her daughter Tara (Nieve) Klotz-Fanelli, both of whom have shown her love and support and rejoice in her many achievements; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those individuals who unselfishly devote their energy, talent and thoughtful care on behalf of improving the quality and dignity of life in the community, are worthy and due full praise and recognition for their noble and dedicated efforts; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend Marianne Klotz upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition by the Friends of Brookville Center for Children's Services on March 21, 2019; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Marianne Klotz.