Westchester Exceptional Children's School
35th Anniversary
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Patricia Alison Murphy Our First Student December 1, 1961 - April 19, 1977 "From the Seed of Her Heart, We Have All Blossomed." |
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There comes a moment of appraisal when we go back to the beginning and recount our trails and our triumphs. We have had to meet the familiar specter of debts, loans and mortgages in a stubborn struggle to keep our doors open and our ideals alive. Yet a small band of parents and professionals, filled with a tremendous sense of purpose, helped carry us from the small wooden school house in Goldens Bridge where we started, to our present brick building filled to capacity with seventy-five children, a staff of fifty-four and a multi-million dollar budget.
We opened our doors in the Goldens Bridge Community Bridge Community House in 1969 to two children, a staff of two, and eighty dollars, in what was then considered an "experiment" - day schooling instead of hospitalization. WEC wished to provide therapeutic education for emotionally handicapped children who were, at that time, often excluded from all education.
The philosophy of Westchester Exceptional Children's School is that EACH CHILD, NO MATTER HOW HANDICAPPED, IS A VALUABLE HUMAN BEING WORTHY OF EFFORT. This philosophy translates into a successful learning experience for every child entrusted to us.
We believe that every child should have the opportunity to live his life with as much dignity, happiness and usefulness as is possible for that individual.
Community support made possible the opening of the Westchester Exceptional Children's School in 1969. The ongoing generosity of friends has made it possible to continue and improve our service to children and their families.
Over the years, your support has enabled our dedicated staff to prepare some 100 children for public education in special classes, for normal education, for workshops and for some, employment.
We want to express our gratitude to all who helped make this happen, all of whom are listed in our hearts. With your continued help, we can go on with the unfinished business that is still before us. Outside waiting for us are THE CHILDREN. What we do to help them will be the truest test and measure of our humanity. We encourage everyone to visit the school. Your spirits will be uplifted.
Reprinted from the WEC 35th Anniversary Celebration
September 2004