LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 30th Anniversary of Cortelyou
Early Childhood Center, Inc.

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend institutions of commitment and high achievement whose purpose
and endeavor have been dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in the
education of the children of the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 30th Anni-
versary of Cortelyou Early Childhood Center, Inc., to be celebrated on
June 26, 2013; and
WHEREAS, The schools of a community reflect the character and values
of that community; the residents, school officials, parents, faculty and
children of Cortelyou Early Childhood Center (CECC), on the occasion of
its 30th Anniversary, take just pride in its history of quality in lead-
ership, teaching, achievement and community support; and
WHEREAS, CECC is a premier childcare center located in Flatbush Brook-
lyn; it has been serving the children in the community for over 30
years; and
WHEREAS, CECC takes pride in providing the children with a stimulating
and integrated curriculum, along with social awareness; it believes that
hard work leads to success, and it strives to foster an environment
where all essential parts of the community are involved with the educa-
tion process; and
WHEREAS, CECC was established on April 3, 1983, in the East Flatbush
area of Brooklyn; the school was founded by Mrs. Leonie Francis-Bryan, a
mother, wife, nurse, and educator; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Francis-Bryan saw the need for child care services with-
in the community; with a growing population of children and the need for
additional space, CECC added an Annex building on Marlborough Road in
1996; and
WHEREAS, In 1999, Mrs. Francis-Bryan's daughter, Sophia Francis, had a
vision to start an elementary school; in 2001, the vision became a real-
ity and the elementary school began with 15 children and was extended to
the Annex building to accommodate 2nd and 3rd graders; and
WHEREAS, In 2004, Mrs. Francis-Bryan's son came on board and assumed
the role of Marketing/Building Operations Director at Cortelyou Early
Childhood Centers; the elementary school moved into its own building on
Bedford Avenue in 2005; and
WHEREAS, CECC believes that education is essential for empowering
children to function creatively and efficiently in today's society; the
program is specifically designed to foster growth and development in its
children where they gain a sense of self respect through a variety of
learning strategies contingent on their ability, needs and interest; and
WHEREAS, CECC's integrated curriculum enables children to understand
reading, math and science; through playing, listening, asking questions
and observing, children learn to interact; and
WHEREAS, The children eventually gain knowledge which will assist in
their decision making process and they work individually and in a coop-
erative group setting; teachers organize various activities based on the
child's mode of learning; and
WHEREAS, CECC maintains a warm, cheerful and stimulating environment
to enhance the total development of the child; it provides an atmosphere
where the child feels secure, confident and free to explore; and
WHEREAS, Ideally, parents and educators play a pivotal role in the
educational process; as such, a strong parent-teacher relationship is an
integral part of education and CECC tries to make the experience a
rewarding one for both parent and child; and

WHEREAS, CECC is proudly aware of its distinguished past; eager to
fulfill its commitment to parents, students and community; and planning
with vision and purpose for the ebb and swell of growth and change it
will encounter in the years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 30th Anniversary of Cortelyou Early Childhood Center,
Inc; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Cortelyou Early Childhood Center, Inc.