ICYMI: Holiday Celebrations and Events at BCCS
Across BCCS campuses, students and staff had many holiday activities and celebrations. Let’s look back on all the fun that took place before we bid farewell to 2023. 
The Marcus Avenue School Diversity Committee looked for ways to give back to the community throughout the year and in November they hosted a food drive, followed by a December coat drive.
This was their first year throwing such an event and they partnered with New York Cares to donate over 80 coats for adults and children.
They capped off the year with a festive holiday staff party at the Brookville Mansion on December 15. This was the first holiday party since the pandemic, and the first party was planned by Social Worker Lisa Kaplan, and Dance/Movement Therapist Danielle Wood.
Lisa and Danielle started planning in September, after receiving generous donations from their Parents Association and staff. This included 18 gift baskets which were raffled off, and delicious food from Italian restaurant Cara Mia, per Administrative Assistant Christine Mikowski’s recommendations.
Special Education Teacher Jessica Metress assisted in getting a photo booth, and “DJ AJ”—a relative of one Teaching Assistant Leondra Coley—kept the crowd dancing all the way through.
With many dessert donations and a “Candy Bar” created by Danielle and Lisa. Everyone in attendance had a fantastic time, Lisa and Danielle made it a memorable night that was fun for all!
Barbara C. Wilson staff were treated to luncheons by members of their Parents Association. They also held a staff potluck organized by the DEI committee. To engage students, activities included a holiday cookie decorating class and a snow person fence post decorating contest. Teachers and staff followed suit with activities of their own, including a cozy mitten exchange and indoor snowball fight.
Students and staff at the Ed Center also enjoyed celebrations that encompassed gingerbread house-making, an end-of-year winter dance, and their very own Winter Wagon Wonderland tradition, which is a play on Halloween where students visit a room with several stations set up for them to play games and win candy prizes.
Check out the full gallery below: