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Byram Hills Preschool Association

Yale Farms: Outdoor Living at Its Best

February 21, 2020 by Christine Pasqueralle

Armonk’s Yale Farms sits on the border of Greenwich, CT and its historical roots lie in Connecticut as well. CT native and Yale graduate John W. Sterling once owned the land and upon his death in 1918, donated it to the university. Yale Farms is situated near Whippoorwill Ridge Park and Wampus Brook Park and residents can also enjoy a variety of outdoor activities such as tennis, walking trails, picnicking and more at nearby North Castle Community Park.

The Milim family has lived in Yale Farms since 2013. Rachel, Director of Brant Lake Sports Academy for Girls and Matthew, a small business owner, live with their children Ryan, age 10.5, Samuel, age 8.5 and Jack, age 5. The family was originally looking for a small town community close to the city but with more of a country feel. “We were looking for a place we can raise our family and that included great schools, great activities and a town with true character,” says Rachel.

Living in Yale Farms has given the Milim family a real sense of community. “We love living here because the town has become our family. There is always a sense of support – people go above and beyond to help each other out. Whether it’s a fundraiser, meal trains or just driving carpool, the saying ‘it takes a village’ is very real and it works in this town,” states Rachel.

There are always fun events going on in the neighborhood or in town. As Rachel says, “Community events are BIG in Armonk.” Some of the family’s favorites include the Chamber of Commerce Frosty Day Parade, Byram Hills Preschool Association’s Carnival, various 5K fundraisers and the Armonk Outdoor Art Show.

One favorite holiday of the Milim family is Halloween. “Halloween is a big deal here. The entire town trick-or-treats on Glendale and Wampus Avenues. Homes are decorated to the nines and filled with candy. Police monitor the area to make sure it’s a fun-filled and safe Halloween for kids of all ages!”

Filed Under: Good Neighbors Tagged With: Armonk Outdoor Art Show, Byram Hills Preschool Association, community, Family Favorites, Frosty Day Parade, Neighborhood, Yale Farms

Records Broken for Trio of Events at Chamber’s 2017 Cider and Donut Festival

October 22, 2017 by The Inside Press

‘Twas a fun and mega successful day at Wampus Brook Park bringing together 350 walkers/runners for Jamie’s 5K Run and a record-breaking crowd on September 17, according to Stacy Wilder of the Armonk Chamber of Commerce. Some 1600 donuts were sold “with plenty of apple cider to wash them down with,” she added as families turned up with good cheer to enjoy old fashioned fun at the Chamber-spon-sored Cider and Donut Festival which included the Jamie’s 5K Run for Love, and the Byram Hills Preschool Association’s carnival rides and activities too. All the activities took place at beautiful Wam-pus Brook Park. An array of merchant sponsors made the day possible. Visit armonkchamberofcommerce.com for more info.

From the start of the races ‘till the very last one, supportive cheers and waving banners encouraged the runners braving warm, humid temps. At the race, the male winner was: Kevin Harvey from Fairfield, CT, with a time of 16 minutes. The women’s overall winner was Sydney Durand from Brighton, Massachusetts, with a time of 19 minutes and 26 seconds. – Grace

PHOTOS BY GRACE BENNETT

Beascake Donuts…of course!

Filed Under: Armonk Community Tagged With: Byram Hills Preschool Association, Carnival Rides, Cider and Donut Festival, cider fest, donuts, Jamie's 5K Run for Love, running

The Byram Hills Preschool Association Rolls Out the Welcome Mat for Preschoolers and Parents

August 30, 2017 by Beth Besen

PHOTO BY CAROLYN SIMPSON
BHPA co-presidents (l-r): Danielle Meyer and Stephanie Pitofsky
PHOTO BY CAROLYN SIMPSON

How do you spell “welcome”?

If you’re from Armonk, chances are you eschew the conventional w-e-l-c-o-m-e spelling in favor of B-H-P-A … yes, the Byram Hills Preschool Association (BHPA) is the very definition of what it means to feel welcome!

What started as a small grassroots group way back in 1965, is, today, a fully developed not-for-profit organization serving close to 300 families each year. And, whether you’re a newcomer or native of North Castle, if you have a preschooler, you likely know what it’s like to be enveloped in the warm embrace of the BHPA.

Outgoing BHPA co-president Nancy Rosner came full circle with the organization. She not only grew up in Armonk, but her mom was a BHPA board member too. Rosner moved back to Armonk when her now 5-year-old son was just 18 months old, and immediately joined the BHPA which, she says, “made the move as seamless as possible.”

Soon thereafter, she decided to become involved with the BHPA board in order “to be a more active participant in this group that I really felt lucky to be part of.” She started as one of the Children’s Committee co-chairs. Then, last year, feeling ready to take on even more responsibility and give back in a bigger way, she joined forces with fellow BPHA member Tina Mannix to become co-presidents for what she describes as an incredibly fulfilling year.

This year’s new co-presidents, Danielle Meyer and Stephanie Pitofsky met through the BHPA Book Club for parents last year and soon became fast friends. Each has an older child who has aged out of BHPA (children/families age out with the start of kindergarten) and a second child happily involved.

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Happy preschoolers enjoy their new balloons at the BHPA’s annual Winter Family Festival fundraiser at HC Crittenden Middle School in Armonk PHOTO BY JESSICA DiMATTEO

Not only did the women “hit it off right away” in Book Club, but they soon recognized that their individual skill sets are wonderfully complimentary; Meyer has her degree in Special Education and was a teacher in East Harlem before moving to Armonk, while Pitofsky is a CPA and Project Management Professional currently with PwC. Together and already hard at work, they’re a powerhouse team eager to make their mark and build on last year’s many wonderful success stories. There’s “a lot of work up front” says Meyer, “but we expect it to start to flow.” Adds Pitofsky with a laugh, “We’re in constant communication! We’re looking forward to the year–and think it’ll be a lot of fun!”


Last Year’s gala fundraiser Night at the Museum was a huge success; another evening is already in the planning stages! PHOTO COURTESY OF BHPA

What’s first and foremost on the agenda for this year? Squaring away the many committee chairs, which are listed at www.bhpa.info. BHPA committees are the backbone of the organization and as diverse as the membership served. From Playgroups to S.O.S. (School Orientation Session) and Working Moms to Mom’s Night Out, the organization is equally child and parent-focused; there is truly something (or multiple somethings) for everyone.

Playgroup is, perhaps, the jewel in the BHPA committee crown. After all, playgroups are where children learn to socialize–and parents, grandparents, sitters etc develop their social networks too. Groupings are based on who brings/stays with the child, the child’s age/year attending kindergarten and which day of the week works best. As fabulous as this program has been, Meyer and Pitofsky are nonetheless working to streamline the process and make it even more user-friendly, including developing a plan that would turn a Monday-Friday program into a full seven-day-a-week option.

Of equal acclaim is S.O.S., a wonderful program that introduces preschoolers to Coman Hill Elementary School in a very gentle way. Says Pitofsky, “The intention is to get the children comfortable with the school they’ll be attending.”

To that end, the program runs January through May, one day per month. Families choose their preferred day, and on that day each month, their children rotate through the library, the art room, the cafeteria and playground, enjoying activities and teacher supervision in each setting. The final visit includes a bus safety video followed immediately by a practice ride on the school bus!

Pumpkin picking event
PHOTO COURTESY OF NANCY ROSNER

The Children’s Committee hosts many fun-filled, child-centric events. Last year, under Rosner and Mannix’s stewardship, the BHPA partnered with the Armonk Chamber of Commerce to combinethe annual BHPA Fall Carnival with the Chamber’s Cider and Donut Festival. The weather wasn’t perfect, but the partnership “was incredibly successful and fun,” says Rosner. Meyer and Pitofsky are already working with the Chamber on once again combining events this year. As September fades, October gears up for the BHPA’s Halloween Ball and pumpkin painting. This always anticipated treat-not-trick is another annual event not to be missed. Members can look forward to something genuinely fun every month of the academic year!

At the BHPA aCarnival
A BHPA preschooler enjoying the Fall Carnival PHOTO COURTESY OF NANCY ROSNER

Another new event–one which will surely become an annual hallmark evening–was last year’s inaugural gala fundraiser, Night at the Museum. The well-attended event took place at the Neuberger Museum of Art in Purchase and, shares Rosner, “It was a beautiful, fun night…we surpassed our goal for ticket sales and fundraising efforts, which was really wonderful!”

With so much to look forward to , who wouldn’t want to join the BHPA?! Dues are just $50 per family for the year, which entitles members to any and all events.

For events listings and more information, visit www.bhpa.info. The BHPA looks forward to welcoming you and your little ones!

Filed Under: Armonk Cover Stories Tagged With: Armonk Moms, Byram Hills Preschool Association, Fall Carnival, kids, Parents, Preschoolers, Wampus Brook Park

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