Senate Resolution No. 4687

BY: Senator PHILLIPS

COMMENDING Westbrook Preparatory School upon the
occasion of celebrating its 7th Anniversary on
February 5, 2018

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, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Westbrook Preparatory School upon the occasion of its 7th
Anniversary celebrated on Monday, February 5, 2018; and

WHEREAS, For several years, the founders of Westbrook Preparatory
School diligently worked to create a residential school which was
customized to children's unique needs; these passionate individuals
partnered with SCO Family of Services, an organization which provides
human services throughout New York City and Long Island, and which had
already provided five other schools for special needs students; through
the work of many, the new school opened its doors to the public for the
first time on February 5, 2011, in Westbury, New York; and

WHEREAS, Westbrook Preparatory School is the first residential New
York State Regents junior/senior high school for students with
Asperger's syndrome, high-functioning autism and related conditions; and

WHEREAS, Westbrook Preparatory School provides a therapeutic
environment for its students while following the New York State Common
Core Learning Standards; and

WHEREAS, The school's caring teachers and staff not only provide the
required coursework so students can earn their Regents and Advanced
Regents diplomas, but also give them the tools they need to successfully
manage their lives into adulthood; 95% of the students proudly receive
their diplomas at their graduation ceremony; and

WHEREAS, In addition to offering daily academic support, the
Westbrook Preparatory School provides its students with counseling,
speech and language and other related services throughout the school
day; parent-teacher conferences; curriculum-based field trips; and
community internships and work-based learning opportunities; and

WHEREAS, Students are given instruction under a low
student-to-teacher ratio of 6:1:1, and they have access to laptops,
audiobooks, and iPads; they are also offered courses in Microsoft Office
suite, computer programming and coding; innovative art and music
courses, including digital music theory and notation; and health and
wellness to promote safe dating, healthy body image, and self-advocacy;
and

WHEREAS, The schools of a community reflect the character and values
of that community; the residents, school officials, parents, faculty and

students of Westbrook Preparatory School may, on the occasion of its 7th
Anniversary, take just pride in its history of quality in leadership,
teaching, achievement and community support; and

WHEREAS, Today, Westbrook Preparatory School stands prepared to
reach out, in an earnest and enthusiastic quest of its mission, to
promote the maximum growth of every student, establishing standards and
building skills which will carry its students and the citizens of its
community into the future; and

WHEREAS, Westbrook Preparatory School is proudly aware of its 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
commend Westbrook Preparatory School upon the occasion of celebrating
its 7th Anniversary on February 5, 2018; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Westbrook Preparatory School.