LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 60th Anniversary of The Brook-
side School in Cottekill, New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend institutions of true purpose and high achievement whose exem-
plary programs and accomplishments clearly demonstrate the pursuit of
excellence in education and service to the community; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 60th Anniversary of The Brookside School in Cottekill, New
York, to be celebrated at an Anniversary Alumni Reunion Picnic on Satur-
day, June 25, 2016, at The Brookside School Campus, Cottekill, New York;
and
WHEREAS, Established in 1956, The Brookside School, formerly The Arc
Center, started in the basement of Temple Emmanuel in Kingston, New
York, for children whose parents bucked the trend at the time of sending
their children with disabilities to an institution; this was a momentous
civil and human rights movement for people with disabilities which
continues today; and
WHEREAS, The Brookside School has served children from throughout the
Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountains region; this milestone marks the
beginning of its 60 year partnership with The Arc of Ulster-Greene whose
mission is to support children and adults with developmental and other
disabilities; and
WHEREAS, The Brookside School provides services for students with
disabilities from ages three to 21 as well as an integrated preschool
program for 3 to 5 year-old children from the community; it is also an
approved Universal Pre-Kindergarten provider for the Rondout Valley
Central School District; and
WHEREAS, As students graduated from The Brookside School, parents also
realized the need for adult services; The Arc of Ulster-Greene grew to
support more than 1,200 people annually over the course of their life-
times through educational and clinical services, employment training and
job placement, day and community habilitation, advocacy, guardianship,
and residential services; and
WHEREAS, Today, The Brookside School continues to achieve its laudato-
ry educational goals, and is eager to fulfill its commitment to its
students, faculty, and others, while planning with vision and purpose
for the growth and change it will encounter in the years to come; and
WHEREAS, The success of The Brookside School is in direct correlation
to the efforts of its faculty and staff, whose involvement is, and
always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled
enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all endeav-
ors on behalf of this remarkable institution and the community it
serves; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when educa-
tional institutions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought
to our attention, they should be recognized and applauded by all the
citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 60th Anniversary of The Brookside School in Cottekill,
New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Brookside School, Cottekill, New York.