June 7, 2005, Pleasantville, New York – The sixth graders from the Pleasantville, New York Middle School culminated a year-long project focused on rasing funds and awareness for people with Down syndrome. When all was said and done, this amazing group of kids raised $3,800 for Down syndrome research, advocacy and education. Under the guidance of Mrs. Nancy Pregiato, a special education teacher at the Middle School, the class staged various fundraising events. Among them were a bake sale; “Dollar Day” on which each student contributed one dollar; “Hats Off to Down Syndrome Day” where participants paid one dollar to wear their favorite hat to school; a school-wide Easter egg sale; and various raffles. The centerpiece of this astounding effort was the design and sale of blue wrist bands inscribed with the word “DOWNTIME.”
The students presented their check at a class assembly attended by the District Superintendent, School Principal, Anna Lazare and her family (Anna’s brother Alex is a member of the sixth grade class), and NDSS representatives Abbey Haber and Aileen Leonard. Abbey and Aileen thanked the sixth graders and Mrs. Pregiato, and gave the kids a sneak preview of three NDSS public service announcements that will soon run on the Nickelodeon network. The Lazare family had an opportunity to describe their experiences with Anna and thank the students for a day they would never forget.
As one student said, Mrs. Pregiato taught them the difference between tolerance and acceptance. These dedicated kids touched the lives of many through this effort, and have learned and spread a lesson far more valuable than the funds themselves.
(l to r) Abbey Haber (NDSS), Aileen Leonard (NDSS), Nancy Pregiato (PMS Teacher), Steve Lazare, Alex Lazare, Donald Antonecchia (Sup't of Schools), Mary Costello-Lazare, Anna Lazare and Vivian Ossowski (PMS Principal).
