LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the Pleasantville Cottage School upon
the occasion of celebrating its 100th Anniversary

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those organiza-
tions and individuals that are devoted to the welfare 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 honor the
Pleasantville Cottage School upon the occasion of celebrating its 100th
Anniversary; and
WHEREAS, To observe this most auspicious occasion, the Pleasantville
Cottage School held its "A Tree Grows In Pleasantville" event on Satur-
day, January 7, 2012; and
WHEREAS, Established by the Hebrew Sheltering Guardian Society, the
Pleasantville Cottage School opened its doors to 480 children on July 1,
1912; that day, the boys and girls made their new homes within the
school's original 25 cottages; and House Mothers for the Pleasantville
Cottage School were carefully selected and trained; and
WHEREAS, The Pleasantville Cottage School was initially built as a
residential facility for orphans, replacing the Hebrew Sheltering Guard-
ian Society's large orphan shelter located in Manhattan; and
WHEREAS, Exceptionally innovative for its time, the Pleasantville
Cottage School was described as being the best equipped institution for
children in the world; child care workers from Europe and America came
to study the campus; and
WHEREAS, In its early years, the Pleasantville Cottage School primari-
ly catered to the Jewish population; as social policies shifted in favor
of foster care over institutionalized care, the school began to evolve;
and
WHEREAS, Following World War I, children entering the Pleasantville
Cottage School were frequently youngsters with psychological problems;
subsequently, the Pleasantville Cottage School created the first psychi-
atric clinic established at any American child care institution, and the
only one in which care was available round the clock; and
WHEREAS, The population of the residents at the Pleasantville Cottage
School continued to change after World War II, and reflected a greater
diversity of racial, religious and ethnic backgrounds and this led to
additional facilities, services and programs including a new gymnasium,
swimming pool and dining room on the campus; and
WHEREAS, Today, the Pleasantville Cottage School campus is home to
four residential centers: Pleasantville Cottage School; Edenwald Center;
Pleasantville Diagnostic Center; and Gateways; and
WHEREAS, Moreover, this remarkable institution has two special-educa-
tion schools, the Mount Pleasant Cottage School, and the Edenwald
School; both are run by the Mount Pleasant Union Free School District;
and
WHEREAS, Within the 21st Century, the Pleasantville Cottage School
stands prepared to reach out, in earnest and enthusiastic quest of its
mission, to promote the maximum growth of every young person it serves,
establishing standards and building skills which will carry its students
and the citizens of its community into the future; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Pleasantville Cottage School upon the occasion of celebrating its
100th Anniversary; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Pleasantville Cottage School.