EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER WINTER  JANUARY 2005

EARLY HEAD START • HEAD START • HOME BASED EHS • EXPECTANT MOMS PROGRAM • EZRA MEDICAL • WIC • SPECIAL ED • EARLY INTERVENTIONINK BORO PARK (BP) • CANARSIE (C) • CROWN HEIGHTS (CH) • FLATBUSH (F) • STATEN ISLAND (SI) • WILLIAMSBURG (W)

It is with great excitement that we present IN THE SPOTLIGHT the 3rd issue of YVY INK – our popular Our In The Spotlight feature sheds light on different departments or events at staff newsletter. We thank everyone who YVY. In this feature-packed issue, we take a look at YVY’s holiday festivities, has participated so willingly to ensure the CIRC, and at a new student mentoring program. success of our paper. In our next issue, we would like to start a “Letters to the Editor” column – please contribute your LET’S PARTY - YVY STYLE! suggestions, thoughts and/or experiences This past holiday season provided at YVY. Send your correspondence to numerous opportunities for YVY staff to [email protected]. spend a fun time together and recognize the many blessings we have and share What’s happening at YVY’s Human together in our workplace. Resources Dept.? We have successfully filled almost all available full-time In Boro Park, Gitty Lichtenstein and positions through much advertising, many interviews, calls and careful consideration. Tzivie Marder of Human Resources There are still some openings such as full- took some valuable time out of their time bookkeeper and service coordinator. busy schedules to coordinate and host a If you know of any prospective candidates, delightful Chanukah Chagiga. Employees  Boro Park please contact us as soon as possible.  On of YVY headquarters and administrative YVY Staff having a ball th January 17 , we organized a much needed sites came by to share some holiday Staten Island  and well received workshop for those cheer. Upon arrival at the Sara Schenirer employees who were required to be trained ballroom, each employee was warmly in identifying child abuse. Approximately welcomed and handed a name-tag, a 50 employees attended the course at Gan bingo sheet, and a useful souvenir – an Tziporah by Mrs. Susan Goldberg.  YVY has undertaken a collaboration with several umbrella emblazoned with the YVY logo! area Day Care Centers, thus increasing our Naomi Auerbach, Head Start Director staff and students. The Human Resource started off the program with a welcoming Department is working diligently to message delivered, as usual, in her make sure the transition is as smooth as thoughtful and gracious manner. She possible.  Our new ABRA computer was followed by Gitty, HR Director who program is being fine tuned so that we can delivered a humorous poem (reprinted begin Direct Deposit as soon as possible. on page 3) much to the delight of the Citibank representatives met with many amused audience. Simi Schlafrig (EHS, YVY employees and applications are Cont’d on page 3 currently being processed. Inside This Issue: At our Human Resources Dept. we are always available to meet the needs of our staff; any employee-related questions, any issues for discussion, a listening ear, a friendly face, In The Spotlight...... 1 even a birthday wish! – anything we can do to help you achieve your best in the world of Wellness Scene...... 2 YVY. All conversations are kept strictly confidential. We appreciate your input and hope From The Desk Of ...... 2 our advice and assistance is beneficial to all employees so that YVY can continue to grow Survey...... 2 successfully with our superb and devoted staff. YVY Celebrations...... 5 Staff Development...... 5 Feel free to call us at extensions 575 or 561 or just step in anytime. New Faces...... 6 Gitty Lichtenstein Tzivie Marder Tech Talk/Shop Talk...... 6 Director of Human Resources Asst. to Director of HR

Yeled V’Yalda Ink • June 2004 WELLNESS SCENE FRINGE BENEFITS by Janie Friedman, RN

Stressed Out (part III) “I’M GRATEFUL TO YVY FOR…” Emotional Stress When, disagreements, and conflicts cause CHANGES in your personal life – that is stress. When you take responsibility for …Naomi’s inspirationals…My pay check… Giving me another person’s actions, CHANGES occur in your life over a job…Insurance coverage…The calm and respectful which you have little or no control. Taking responsibility for atmosphere in the work environment, one in which another person’s actions is a major stressor. people are careful about hilchos lashon horah and about other people’s feelings. People judge each other Illness favorably. The atmosphere at 3820 14th Ave. is positive Catching a cold, breaking an arm, allergic and inspirational. Everyone is nice and pleasant to reactions, a skin infection, a sore back, are all be around. I am grateful that when I wake up in the CHANGES in your body condition. morning I look forward to going to work. Thank you!.... Pushing Your Body Too Hard The warm friendly family it has given me… Naomi’s A major source of stress is overdriving yourself. If Parsha Sheets…Terrific friends…Free coffee…Soft you are working 16 hours a day, you will have reduced your available time for rest. Sooner or later, the energy drain on your system will cause the body to fall behind in its repair work. CHANGES will occur in your body’s From the Desk of . . . . internal environment. The body’s fight to stay As we reflect on 2004, we bid farewell to a year filled with good memories and accomplishments healthy in the face of the at YVY. I know that without your commitment, loyalty and devotion YVY would have not been increased energy that you what it is today. The caring and respect that you relay to the thousands of families and children that are expending is major receive YVY services, relieves the parents of their desperation and anxiety of dealing with their stress. unique special situations, and connects them to our family at YVY.

Environmental Factors Whenever I meet people, be it locally or even out of town, there is always positive feedback and Very hot or very cold encouraging success stories that I listen to. It is always about you, the employee, that they talk climates can be stressful. of; how good you are to the children and the families and how sensitive you are to their specific High altitude may be a individualized needs. If I were to attach a recorder to myself and record the positive comments I get stress. Toxins or poisons from people in the communities, I would have to refill the tape repeatedly on a weekly basis. are a stress. (Tobacco is a powerful toxin!! Being a part of your team makes me proud and excited. When I feel this good, I start thinking to Poisoning the body with myself; well, how far are we from being perfect? Or, what else can we do that we didn’t accomplish carbon monoxide, and that will lead us closer to perfection? Maybe this is why YVY is always looking for ways to improve causing the physical doing what we do best. illnesses of emphysema, chronic bronchitis, cancer I personally want to thank each and every one of you at YVY, especially for your excellent work and arterial damage, that recently resulted in a positive federal review report. I also want to congratulate you on the 2005 tobacco is a powerful Outstanding Early Childhood Award that YVY has been awarded by the New York State Education source of added stress Department at the Annual Interagency Early Childhood Professional Development at the New York to one’s life.) Each of Marriot Hotel in Brooklyn. these factors threatens to cause CHANGES Thank you for your outstanding work. You are making a positive impact on every child, family in your body’s internal and on the entire community! environment. Solomon Igel In the next issue we will offer practical suggestions on how to deal with and treat stress. Chief Executive Officer

Yeled V’Yalda Ink • June 2004 IN THE SPOTLIGHT - LET’S PARTY Home-Based Program) and Chaya Kagan (Exp. Moms Program) teamed up to lead a lively Bingo game whereby employees had the chance to learn each other’s names and vie for terrific prizes. ZC Berkowitz, the upbeat, talented aerobics instructor, had the usually sedentary employees groovin’ in a high-energy fat-burning aerobics workout. With lots of tempo and directional changes, accompanied by lively music, the variety kept everyone moving. All throughout the event, YVY staff enjoyed an incredible gourmet buffet spread. It was a time for socializing and sharing a great meal together.

Over in Staten Island, staff from Silver Lake Head Start I & II enjoyed a sunny day and fun time at their holiday luncheon, which took place at the lovely Marina Grand. They were joined by Federal HS Director Wayne Goldberg and by special guest Dr. Gary Ellis.

In Williamsburg, YVY Staff had their own share of holiday festivities. They held a memorable Chanuka party after classes in one of the classrooms. Amid chuckles and grins ‘Pin the Latka on the Pan’, a spin-off of the traditional ‘Pin the Tail on the Donkey’ was played by the participants. A creative memory game was also organized. Envelopes of pictures were passed around so that everyone would have a chance to look at the pictures. The pictures were models cut out from magazines – the faces replaced by staff members! Afterwards the pictures were collected and questions were asked about the pictures. Surie K. of YVY’s 2 Lee Ave. Head Start site says, “I still laugh when I remember those hilarious pictures!” …A great idea for your next family gathering…

Enthused over the successful events, one of the directors was heard commenting, “It’s a pleasure to see our hard-working staff let their hair down once in a while!”

L’CHAIM!

Bookeeping gang letting loose - Go Figure! BINGO!

Welcome to our Chanukah Chagiga – we’ve tried our best to please, And it’s worthwhile to stand and wait even if you’re number 24. Thanks to all who helped us prepare this beautiful party with ease. And what would the Human Resources Dept. be like without our vivacious dear YvY’s new Human Resources Department has responsibilities galore, Tzivi, And every week, believe it or not, we get a little more. Efficient, devoted, quick-witted – a dynamic personality! Chanukah is a time for –, so I’d like to take this time to say, Yes, Human Resources means “people”, how thankful and fortunate are we, Thank you to those so near and dear who guide us on our way. To be part of all the “people” in the YVY family. Henny, Raizy, Devoiry – You’ve taught us what to do, Though our work can get difficult with pressures and deadlines to meet, Personnel files, CA courses, SQ89, salary agreement – are only but a few. Our YVY staff is fun, kind, opinionated, active, diligent, a combination that can’t be beat. And though at the beginning we were quite frightened by your style, Whether it’s sharing Yom Tov recipes or learning how a pedometer keeps you fit and alive, We have learned you’re really not so tough- we even get you to smile! Or debating major issues like shidduchim, babies, husbands, Chassidim, Boro Shaynee’s always so helpful with her insurance expertise, Park, Flatbush or who raised the thermostat to 75, And Shira continues to take care of the licensing piece. Whether it’s deciding where to order lunch or cutting veggies by the sink, Ruchie has made the newsletter so exciting for our staff, Whether it’s munching honey wheat pretzels, so few calories we all think, And Chaya Rivka’s always available for advice, moral support and a laugh. Whether it’s sharing one’s opinions – on Direct Deposit or not, Naomi, Wayne and all Ed Directors cooperate so that we, Whether it’s sharing each others Simchos – Baruch Hashem we do that a lot. Can run YvY’s HR Department as effectively as can be. YvY’s hard-working staff is an amazing and wonderful crew, And if we think all is under control and we can catch our breath for a moment or Of devoted and loyal employees who enjoy each other’s company too. two, The Human Resources Department is trying to its best as we continue to grow, Mina gives us a call with a few more things to do! And if you have any suggestions- we’re sure you’ll let us know! A personal thanks Mina – for your invaluable guidance and encouragement from A Listigen and Freilichen Chanukah to all our dear friends gathered here, the start, Enjoy the Chanukah party and may we all be together IY”H next year!! Your wise and well thought out advice is a combination of mind and heart.. And that’s why there’s always a long line waiting outside your door,

Yeled V’Yalda Ink • June 2004 IN THE SPOTLIGHT - CIRC It’s finally here! You may have read about CIRC in YVY’s Parent Newsletter – but now, after putting in much time and effort, the doors to the new Library are officially open. The Community Information and Resource Center, located at 3820 14TH Ave., features a state of the art library program in which all books are scanned into the computer and bar coded. Every patron is issued his/her very own library card with which he/she may borrow 2 books per visit and keep them for up to 2 weeks. The library is basically a parent/family oriented one in that virtually all books are on topics of interest to expectant parents, new parents or old- hand parents. Topics range from pregnancy/nursing to parenting, nutrition, education, discipline, learning disabilities/disorders, mental health, social development, child health and development, and publications such as Spirit!, Down Syndrome Amongst Us, and Exceptional Parent. There is a shelf with Hebrew language books for those who read Hebrew as a first language and new books are continually being added.

CIRC also has a data base of National Organizations for varying disabilities and disorders which people can refer to if necessary. CIRC is constantly on the look out for new information and ask people who are knowledgeable about different organizations which were helpful to them to keep them informed. Reference books on Top Doctors in the tri-state area, The Merck Manual, The American Medical Association Family Medical Guide as well as the Portable Pediatrician are also available. At CIRC, patrons can also access information electronically.

In addition to all of the above, the testing material for YVY’s therapists is now housed at the library. By utilizing scanning methods, an accurate inventory is constantly available.

CIRC looks forward to serving the community and invites everyone to come on by. The hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 10:00-3:00, and Wednesday 1:00-6:00. 

Editor’s Note: Mrs. Miriam Berger, who is uniquely qualified to hold this position, serves as deputy director of CIRC. She has a great deal of experience working with the community in the social service environment, having served as ombudsmen for Ohel for several years as well as being a parent member of the Committee on Special Education at the Bd. of Ed. and being in Chinuch for 2 decades. Miriam is working at Yeled V’Yalda in various capacities for approximately four years. She can be reached at (718) 686-3700 x477. The hours of operation are Mon., Tues., Thurs. 10:00-3:00, Wed. 1:00-6:00.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT - Student Mentoring Program We are excited to begin implementing our Student Mentoring Program, for building self-esteem for Teens who are in need of such a program. A meeting between Mr. Igel, the We Care staff, Principals of local High Schools, and Rabbi Niederman of the UJO, took place at our Center last week. We are beginning this week to have teens coming to our Center to observe the classroom and familiarize themselves with the children. Hopefully, this will lead into their visiting the homes assigned to them and building their skills and confidence as they go along. Submitted by: Hindy Halberstam, EHS Director We Care (W)

We’d love to hear from you! We would like to thank everyone for their input, encouragement and suggestions for the newsletter. Please be advised that due to edito- rial content, time or space constraints it is not always possible to include all submissions. At the same time, however, we would like to encourage you to continue writing us. Look for our next issue in the spring! Please e-mail your comments, suggestions, letters to the editor and news to: [email protected] or to [email protected] (please put “newsletter” in the subject line) or fax to: (718) 871-2100

Yeled V’Yalda Ink • June 2004 STAFF DEVELOPMENT YVY CELEBRATIONS • This past October, Cynthia De La Cruz, Janice Mitchell, Fatumata Massalee, Nancy Alfonso, Melody Lenza, Madeline O’Donohue, Smyrna Casado, Rose Ziselman, Laura Rivell, Upon the birth of a baby Boy: Veronica Hynes, Cristian Hernandez Rivky Bronchtain (BP), Ruchama Fishelis (BP) Chana King (BP), Jennifer Lopez(SI), Henny Mr. Weber (BP) Krasnianski, Bashie Teitlebaum, Esther Szanzer (BP), and Ita Grinblat Upon the birth of a baby Girl: (W) attended the Region II Headstart Rochel Leah Fisch (BP), Henny Fried (C), Chaya Sara Hahn Conference entitled, “Remembering (W), Mr. Orlander (BP) the Past, Planning for the Future” in Lake George NY. They attended Proud new grandparents! workshops on topics ranging from Bayla Andrusier (W) new granddaughter, Vicki Edelstein (BP) new granddaughter, using art as a learning medium, Mr. Solomon Igel CEO (BP) upon the birth of a grandson and a granddaughter, policies for sick children, and other MaryAnne Haggerty (SI) became a first-time grandma to granddaughter Fionna, helpful issues. Exciting new ideas Hindy Halberstam (W) new grandson Ari, Rochelle Jeager (BP) new grandson and and strategies were brought back to granddaughter, Mrs. Aggie Lemmer (BP) upon the birth of her first granddaughter, share with colleagues. Melody Lenza (SI) became a grandma in Sept. to a baby boy, Naomi Mardi (C) new grandson,Kreindi Myers (BP) new grandson, Josephine Polizzi (SI) on the birth of • Nancy Alfonso and Melody Lenza her third grandson, Rochel Rosen (BP) three new grandchildren!, Judy Schlanger are scheduled to attend the National (BP) upon the birth of her first grandchild Shrage Feivel, Rabbi & Mrs. Szanzer Head Start Hispanic Institute in (BP) new granddaughter Albuquerque, New Mexico- 1/30 – 2/4/05 Henny Elishevitz (BP) upon her engagement to Chananya Hoffinger Rochel Goldstein (C) upon her engagement to Shimi Becker UPCOMING SEMINARS Goldy Guttman (BP) upon her engagement to Yitzchok Mandelbaum • Prompt Seminar for Speech Deana Martin (SI) upon her engagement Therapists Led by instructors from the Prompt Fraydie Orzel (C) upon her engagement to Eli Kutner Seminar 3/10, 11, & 13 Zissy Ringel (BP) upon her engagement to Yisroel Yitzchok Linder Simi Schlafrig (BP) upon her daughter Chayala’s engagement to • Goal Setting As An OT Knopfler Instructor: Chaya Lederer, M.S., OTR- Ruchie Sternhell (BP) upon her engagement to Duvi Herzig ATP 2/16/05 Shiffy Tauber (BP) upon her engagement to Moshe Braunstein

For further info about these seminars, Janine Geritano (Azzopardi) (SI) married 8/04 please contact Vicki Edelstein, Esty Hammer (Susholz) (BP) upon her marriage BA, Professional Staff Workshop Tzippy Iwaniski (C) Lowinger) upon her marriage Coordinator 718-686-3700 ext. 532 Frieda Waldman (Kohn) (W) upon her marriage  Chaya Blimi Ostreicher (Oshry) (BP) upon her marriage Rochel Rosen (BP) upon the marriage of her daughter Chavy Faigy Teitlebaum (Werzberger) upon her marriage 1/05 EZRA Celebrations Leah Vorst (Stark) (BP) upon her marriage Mazel Tov to: Mazal Waxler (C) (Fayezev) upon her marriage Ed Koenig, PA on the engagement of his son Yospy (BP) upon her son’s marriage to Malky Weber Rivky Kraus upon her new baby girl, Shifra Gitty Bronstein (BP) upon the Bar Mitzvah of her son Sruli Jennifer Henle, MD passed her boards and is Aviva Weiss (BP) upon the Bas Mitzvah of her daughter Naomi now board certified in pediatrics Congratulations To: Daniella Ruttner, OD became a fellow in the American Academy of Optometry. Her Cathy Hershey (SI) earned CDA certification credentials are now Daniella Ruttner, OD, Deana Martin (SI) earned CDA certification FAAO

Yeled V’Yalda Ink • June 2004 TECH TALK  NEW FACES - YVY 

Toby Cisner (BP) Family Worker Are POP-UP ADS Driving You Crazy?? Tova Zissie Deitel (F) Family Worker If you use a popular Web browser like Internet Explorer, then you are susceptible to Adware. Joseph Dinarcia (BP) Custodian This is software designed to deluge your computer with pop-up advertisements banner ads and other Winter Emery (SI) Asst. Caregiver type of ads while you surf. It is a cumbersome and rather annoying feature of the Internet and it will slow down your computer. Batsheva Fleischman (BP) Record Clerk Examples of Adware programs on your computer might be eZula, 180solutions and WhenU downloaded via Sara Fruma Goldberg (F) Assistant Teacher spyware. Gator is one of the industry’s biggest Adware broadcasters. Leah Goldstein (BP) Family Worker Adware works like this: you visit a web site, the origins of which you are not 100% sure of. This web site has Peshy Herman (BP) Family Service Coord. hidden inside of it instructions to download onto your computer a program that will deliver ads constantly to your browser. You’ll start to see these pop-up ads or a banner program as soon as you open internet explorer. Dena Kanarek (F) Teacher You can try to use many popular programs like Norton Antivirus, McAfee, or any other kind of Rachel Kenigsberg (BP) Home Based antivirus software to get rid of Adware on your computer but it won’t do you any good since Coord. Adware is not a virus per say. Rochel Levin (BP) Assistant Teacher One interesting thing to remember is Adware is not illegal, since the user has to click on specific link or the user has to go to a web site in order for it to install on your computer, Chana Malka Levy (BP) EI Support Staff sometimes a user downloads a free program and in the terms and agreement which we always Rivka Lieberman (BP) Record Clerk accept without reading first it openly says that it will also download Adware on your computer Miriam Lindner (BP) Teacher and you computer will be used for advertising, so you actually gave permission for it to Kelly McCully (SI) Assistant Teacher download. Here is an excerpt of the terms and agreements of one popular free program called KAZAA. This is part of the terms: ”The Software includes a Cydoor Technologies Mafata Keita-Michi (SI) Assistant Teacher advertising delivery program, which may display web content such as banner ads, Leah Moskovits (BP) Assistant Teacher e- commerce offers, news headlines and other value-added content. The Cydoor component Malka Moster (BP) Assistant Teacher uses your Internet connection to update its selection of available ads and stores them on Dvoshy Orgel (BP) Record Clerk your hard drive, Kazaa incorporates a software component called the GAIN AdServer, which is provided by GAIN Publishing. The GAIN AdServer software identifies your Emma Saidov (F) Family Worker interests based on some of your computer usage and uses that information to deliver Leah Schlafrig (BP) Family Worker advertising messages to you. This software helps keep Kazaa free”- well, free but not Toby Schonberger (BP) Record Clerk free of annoyances! If you are concerned about Adware, you should download an anti- Rivka Schwartz (BP) Assistant Teacher Adware program. It will first scan your computer to find out if you have any of these programs. Then it will work to eradicate them. Some of the Yocheved Schweid (W) Family Worker Ruchy Spira (BP) Record Clerk more popular free Adware removers are Spybot-S&D By and Ad-Aware. Ari Ungar Libby Sprei (BP) Record Clerk A+, MCSE Certified Tova Travitsky (BP) Eval Coord./Welcome Back! Frieda Waldman (W) Assistant Teacher SHOP TALK Sara Weissman (F) Teacher One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries. -A.A. Milne Surie Sternhell (F) changed responsibilities and is currently serving as a Teacher. Talk about being disorderly! Did you know that Americans waste an estimated 9 million hours a day looking for misplaced items?! Taking into account that the average person spends 2,000 hours a year at his/her desk, here are some great organizing tips you can implement today. 1. Create a “Command File” with folders of bills to pay, phone lists/directories, take-out menus and other vitals. 2. Organize your desk by convenience – the A, B, and C areas. • The A area is within your reach. This is where you keep things you use constantly: the Command File, pens, Post-its, etc. • The B area is within a chair’s roll. Here you keep things you use almost every day. • The C area is for less-frequently used items like reference materials. By getting the C stuff out of the A area, you can save yourself 10 trips across the room to get the scissors. 3. Once you have a basic structure of organization, just 10 minutes a day can keep the desk mess under control.

Julie Morgenstern, author of the best seller, “Organizing from the Inside Out,” says: “Many people think organizing is about getting rid of things. It’s not. Organizing is actually the opposite - it’s about identifying what’s important to you and making those things easily accessible. This is a much more positive, much less punishing approach. The idea is to store things where they are used, not just where they fit. People need to look where the piles are, and create storage there.”

Yeled V’Yalda Ink • June 2004