West
Thom Westfield Infant Toddler Services hosted its Annual
Picnic and Reunion on August 7 at Stanley Park in
Westfield. Staff was excited to see the currently enrolled children
and families enjoying the afternoon, and they were pleased
to welcome several graduate families as well. After feasting on
pizza and goodies, families had an opportunity to network while
the children played at the playground.
Thom Westfield Infant
Toddler
is also pleased to announce that the groundbreaking for
its new building will be taking place this month!
The Thom Western Regional Consultation Program (WRCP)
had a busy and exciting summer. In July, it hosted a SibShop
program at Mt. Tom State Reservation. The program was attended
by 8 siblings of children with special needs who are or
were enrolled in the RCP. The children, ranging in age from 6
to 12, spent the day playing, hiking and having fun.
On August 7, the RCP hosted their annual Summer Get Together at
the Castle of Knights in Chicopee. The WRCP also has a busy
fall planned, with several workshops and events for families. On
September 27th, the program will host a training on "Enhancing
Communication All Day Long, Naturally" by Maureen Dacey
Nevers from 1 to 4 p.m. at Criterion Heritage in South Hadley.
On Oct. 20, the Statewide Regional Consultation Programs will
host a Halloween Party for all RCP families, past and present,
at Criterion Milford Early Intervention Program from 11 a.m.
to 2 p.m. Western Regional Consultation Program families are
also invited to attend the Annual Skating Party on Nov. 4
at Interskate 91 in Wilbraham from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Criterion-Heritage Early Intervention Program offered a
summer drop-in playground time for parents and children of all
ages and their families during July and August. Families were
able to meet and enjoy the outdoor playground while children
practiced their gross motor skills on the equipment and under the
covered play space. Children also enjoyed a variety of sensory
play areas (sand, water, easels). This time has proven to be a
wonderful opportunity for socialization with peers, language
stimulation and a chance for parents to network with other parents.
On June 6, the Pediatric Development Center, Inc (PDC) celebrated
its 25th year of services to the communities in Central
Berkshire County and surrounding hilltowns with a gala
event at the historic Stoneover Farm in Lenox. Approximately
200 people gathered to celebrate the milestone event with the
PDC Team! Many were former families and friends of the
agency. Several awards were given for the outstanding contributions
made to the growth of the agency over the years. The PDC
Family Award, a crystal globe inscribed with "Changing The
World, One Child At A Time," went to Jan and Mick Mangano for
their work with foster children with special medical or developmental
needs over the last 43 years.
The PDC Community
Award went to a longtime friend of PDC and now Early Childhood
Coordinator for Pittsfield Public Schools, Linda Carnevale.
Linda proudly mentions her involvement with PDC at its inception,
due to her son David's developmental needs. She was honored
for her strong commitment to ensuring a smooth and seamless
transition for children and families. Presentations by the PDC
Board included numerous awards for founding PDC member,
Maureen O'Connell Atwood, executive director, who celebrated
her 25th year at the agency.
Patricia Hall Pellegrino, was also
recognized for her contribution of 19 years as PDC's Program
Director. Photographs shared by parents ranging back as far as
25 years ago were displayed under the heading: "Then & Now"
depicting the children when they were under 3 years of age to the
present day, demonstrating their multiple talents now! PDC and
its team owe so much to the families we have been privileged to
serve over the past quarter century. Our thanks to all who made
this achievement possible.
On July 27, MSPCC Holyoke Early Intervention Program
held a Community Picnic and Fun day at the Springdale Park in
Holyoke from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All children enrolled in the program
and their families were invited as well as those families who
attend the MSPCC Parent Center and G.E.D. programs. The
Holyoke Parks and Recreation staff was on hand to provide
sports activities and crafts. All the families who attended were
recognized and awarded with Early Intervention Participation
Certificates for 2007.
Last updated Aug. 31, 2007