THE WORLD READS WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER — 8,324,077 VISITS IN ONE YEAR

WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. From Assemblyman Adam Bradley, 89th Assembly District. October 11, 2008:Fourth and fifth grade students in local elementary schools and High School public policy classes are gathering in auditoriums, gyms and classrooms throughout Northeastern Westchester to get a lesson in how a bill becomes a law in the State Legislature from the area’s expert:  State Assemblyman Adam Bradley (89^th A.D.)

In his annual tour of schools throughout the Katonah-Lewisboro, Bedford, Chappaqua, Harrison and White Plains School Districts, students are treated to an interactive lesson in what the State Legislature is, what it does and how state laws are made in a dynamic presentation Bradley brings to over 25 schools every year.

“I think it is important for students to learn as early as possible about how government works, how it affects their lives and how an informed and involved public is the foundation of our democratic process,” Bradley said.

“The kids love it.  They ask a ton of questions and I think it’s a great learning experience for them to hear someone who works in this every day to talk about their job and what it means.  I think it helps them make some of what they read real, and I hope it ignites an interest in the minds of our young future leaders,” said Bradley.

So far this school year, the Assemblyman has spoken to twelfth grade Public Policy students at Horace Greeley and Fox Lane High Schools.  While the school visits are throughout the year, many of them occur in the fall.  Bradley will be visiting eight schools in the coming month, speaking to fourth and/or fifth graders.  The schedule is:

Robert E. Bell Middle School                             Wednesday, 10/15/08

Lewisboro Elementary School                           Thursday, 10/16/08

Increase Miller Elementary School                    Tuesday, 10/21/08

Bedford Hills Elementary School                       Wednesday, 10/22/08

West Patent Elementary                                     Thursday, 10/23/08

Mount Kisco Elementary                                    Monday, 10/27/08

Katonah Elementary                                            Thursday, 11/06/08

Samuel J. Preston Elementary                            Friday, 11/07/08

“We informally call it our “Back to School Program” because for me, it’s invigorating to go into classrooms, interact with the students and learn from them as much as I hope they’re learning from me,” Bradley added.

WPCNR SLATER CENTER CHRONICLE.  October 10, 2008:  The Thomas H. Slater Center recently held two fundraising events as a part of its Step-Up! Girls Program to promote the “Big Give” project, based on Oprah Winfrey’s reality show “The Big Give.”  The announcement was made today by Heather Miller, Executive Director of the Center.

Step Up! Girls, funded by the New York State Department of Criminal Justice Services, began in February 2008.  Currently, twenty-two girls, ages 14-17, are registered with the program which meets twice weekly.  In April, 10 girls traveled with Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity on a five day college tour, visiting thirteen colleges.  Other activities include life skills development, academic assistance, employment assistance, among others.  Step Up! Girls is modeled from the White Plains Youth Bureau’s Step Up! Boys, a program which is being duplicated by many communities.

Ms. Miller offered the challenge to the girls to use a $500 donation to raise additional funds and decide on a charity to donate the proceeds.  The girls chose the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Hurricane Relief Efforts for Haiti as the recipients of the donation.

Step Up! Girls held a fashion show that featured local designers, Lou Torres-Gardner, Zebulon Crawford and Tara deVere.  The models, many of who was Step Up! Girls themselves were likened to the best of the models on television series “American Next Top Model” and the designers to the best of “Project Runway.”  “The audience of over 100 was enthralled and awed by the professionalism and expertise of the young people, both the models and designers,” said Miller.

The girls raised $3000, between the two events. Proceeds from both events will be split amongst the two charities. 

Donations are still being accepted and checks should be made payable to the Thomas H. Slater Center/Big Give, and sent to 2 Fisher Court, White Plains, NY 10601.

Donors may also drop off non-perishable donations and items for the hurricane relief efforts for Haiti at the Center.

For more information on the Step Up! Girls program, please contact Martha Leonard or Naiyma Ford at (914) 948-6211 and/or [email protected], [email protected].