IN THIS ISSUE

One to One Learning, Inc.640 North Midland Avenue

Upper Nyack, New York 10960

845.512.8176 Fax 845.512.8178

Sister Cecilia La Pietra, Director

clpangel59@gmail.com and

sr.cecilia@one2one-learning.org

www.one2one-learning.org

newsletterone2one-learning.org

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS ...............2

PROGRAMS ................................3

OUR TEACHERS........................5

IN MEMORIAM............................6

A THANK YOU.............................7

CALENDAR OF EVENTS.........8

N E W S L E T T E R M A R C H 2 0 1 4

March 20142

CIRCLE OF FRIENDSThanksgiving and Christmas Giving

Each year at this time I report on our Circle ofFriends who make Thanksgiving and Christmasheartwarming experiences for our students andtheir families. The baskets of holiday foods and staples and the gifts for students and their childrenare real signs to our students that they are welcome to this part of the world, RocklandCounty. This truly counteracts some of the negativeattitudes of some folks towards immigrants.

We distributed 110 baskets of food on Monday, thelast class before Thanksgiving. Some students didnot ask for food either because they are single menor they are not in need. There were many surprisesin the generous baskets, not just staples but somesweets, things that they don’t normally have intheir homes.

On La Fiesta de los Reyes, 115 children receiveda gift of clothing and two toys each. Over 200 students received gifts. Family gifts were in largebags. Although the children were anxious to seetheir gifts, no one opened their bags since the parents decided that it would be better to openthem in their homes. Students and teachers celebrated with delicious foods that are typical oftheir cultures. We had the procession of the children, carrying flowers and statues from theBethlehem scene, with all singing Noche de Paz,played by Hernan Rivas.

For Thanksgiving and Christmas-Feast of the Kingswe took some time to pray, with eyes closed, for ourCircle of Friends who had made all of this possible.

circle of friends... Language Empowers. Language Unites.

One to One Newsletter

March 20143

WE ARE GRATEFUL...

For Thanksgiving

� Inserra Supermarkets (ShopRite, Northvale)20 turkeys

� St. Augustine’s Church New City (Ellen Rice)10 turkeys and baskets of food

� Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt

For Thanksgiving and Christmas

� St. John the Baptist Church21 baskets with turkeys, Clothing children/adults

� Albertus Magnus High School75 baskets plus 50 turkeys from Mary and Gary Parisi

� Children’s toys

� St Thomas Aquinas College6 baskets with turkeys, Clothing plus toys for 3 families

For Christmas

� St. Anthony School NanuetChildren’s toys

� Holy Name School of Religion, New RochelleChildren’s toys

� St. Francis of Assisi Church West NyackChristmas stockings for Christmas Eve

� St. Ann’s Church NyackHats and gloves for adults and children

� Romanesque LodgeHats and gloves for men and women

� Nicole LozicTeddy Bears

� Jeanne LambertClothing for 20 children

� Mary Ann AaronToys for 3 children

PROGRAMS

� The end of the first semester finds our 275 students progressing:

� Our citizenship group of thirteen students is focusing on writing skills for the dictation part ofthe test and studying United States history.

� Our two literacy groups are advancing, having mastered consonants, long and short vowels,blends, and of course sight words. Their spellingtests are almost perfect.

� Our pre-literacy group of fourteen are veryfaithful to attending. The section of the group,who learned to read in Spanish last year, are nowin the first English learning packet. They are veryproud of themselves.

� Our GED group is spending a lot of time writingessays since this is a major part of the Englishtest. In these exercises they are sharing their lifestories. (See story on page 5)

�We started with twelve beginner groups whoused a packet that started with simple vocabu-lary and moved into the verb to be. At this point,they have taken tests and are now in the “Side bySide” book.

�We have three beginner groups who have juststarted their packets.

� Three groups of students from last year are advancing in “Side by Side“. Seven groups are indifferent chapters of the next level of “Side bySide”. Teachers work with their students’ abilities.Some need more concentrated review. Othersmove ahead more quickly.

� Three groups have advanced to the third level ofconversation with more concentration in writingand reading, since this level moves into the pre-GED level.

circle of friends... one2one-learning.org

One to One Newsletter

March 20144

MINI-COURSESTake place an hour before English class begins.

Parenting class was a six week course sponsoredby The Association of Mental Health of Rockland.Twelve couples attended the course given byVahid Najafi, a licensed psychologist who has writtena book on parenting. Students generally understoodDr. Najafi, but Rosa Liam did some translation.Parents came away with some helpful communicationskills, methods to reinforce positive behavior, andways to develop confidence with their children.

Nutrition classwas a seven week course sponsoredby Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rockland andgiven by Lizzette Ruíz who had the adult classbefore English class and took the children duringtheir program time. This was very practical becauseMs. Lizzette prepared simple nutritional foods forstudents to eat.

programs... Language Empowers. Language Unites.

One to One Newsletter

Valentine Party A fun raiser and fund raiser

Sponsored by Alumni and Students of One to One Learning

CHILDRENOur children have had a lot of fun this year in their time when parents are in class. Eileen Grimm, the Mondaynight coordinator has story telling time and then she has a craft for the children to make. You can see picturesof their pumpkins, their penguins, and their dragons. They also get lots of homework help from their Wednesdaynight teacher, Linda Bean. The children love the young people who help them and serve them snacks. Twowonderful volunteers from Tappan Zee High School, Chang Seob Lim and Ryan Zobar, who have been vol-unteering for four and three years, have seen the children grow. They will receive the 2014 Youth Award at ourHands of Hope Gala on Friday, May 2nd.

Clean'up Four chefs--none was chopped ok Lots of life at this party

DJ Young Dancers Service with a smile Service with a smile

March 20145

our teachers... one2one-learning.org

One to One Newsletter

ach teacher takes pride in his or her students, building up their confidence to learnEnglish and recognizing their abilities. The small groups provide an opportunity forthe community aspect of the program.

There are twenty-nine returning teachers and eighteen new teachers who come to usthrough the community.

We have a wonderful connection with Saint Thomas Aquinas College for many years.

Sharon Mullin, now a Junior, has been teaching for three years. Last semester four seniorsassisted with the children and this semester we have six seniors teaching adults.

We have had students from Albertus Magnus High School volunteering and thissemester eight students from the English Honor Society of Nyack High School will beteaching adults.

We continued the tradition of thanking our teachers at Christmas again this year withsmall gifts and a delicious feast of appetizers and desserts prepared by board members.

Sister Cecilia and the Board of Directors showed their appreciation again this year witha Christmas gathering for the teachers. Appetizers and desserts were prepared and served byboard members. Nyack Seaport assisted with delicious salads. We had door prizes and theteachers received gifts.

We had some new teachers join us in January. With the increased registration this wasgreat. Also during college break from December to January we lost five of our teachers.However, some of our past volunteers who are away at college and were back inRockland assisted us. We also have lost some of our snow birds for awhile but will be finewith our new teachers. God provides with the goodness of so many people.

OUR TEACHERS ARE OUR GREATEST RESOURCE

E

I have an impor-tant person in mylife, after my kidsand my parents.She is my sisterFlor. She is like my second mother,and in a way she is my son’smother, too.

When I left mycountry eleven years ago, she told me: “If youwant to have a better life, you always have tolook in front of you. If you have to climb a moun-tain, you have to find the best way to get over it. “

It was hard to leave my country, but I felt betterknowing Flor would take care of my son,

Michael. She took care of him for eight and ahalf years. I didn’t see him again until he wastwelve years old.

Every week, Flor and I spoke about how my sonwas doing, but the most important detail wasabout my son’s school. When he was little, hedidn’t like to do his homework. After school, hejust wanted to play outside with his friend.

My sister told me my son doesn’t like to eat well.He hates to eat soup and vegetables.

One day I decided to bring my son to this country.I remember I couldn’t find the best way to tell mysister about my idea to bring my son with me,because she loves him. I knew she would miss him.

I spoke with her, and she said: “It’s your decision,that’s OK. I am going to miss him, but he is your

Many of our students have this same experience of having to leave their children with family in their country. They come here to work and to send money back to support them. We ask for reunification of families in any reform of our immigration law.

son and yes, I took care of him for eight yearsand a half.” When she told me her answer, Iremember I felt better.

Flor is very honest, friendly, and sweet. She likesto share, and she shared the most precious thingin my life: my child.

My sister never wanted to come to the UnitedStates, but now she has changed her mind. Shewants to come to the United States and see herfamily, especially my son and me.

I’m really waiting for that day, and I’ll want tosay “Thank God” for giving me a specialmoment with my sister. And I want to say to her:“Thanks, Flor, for everything you’ve helped mewith in my life. I love you so much.”

The Person I Most AdmireBy Silvia Leiva

)PROGRAMS (cont’d from pg 3)

March 20146

in memoriam... Language Empowers. Language Unites.

One to One Newsletter

We have experienced much sadness this year

with the passing of Judith Platt.

In 1995 when One to One Learning was only a

dream, about to be born, Sister Cecilia met

Judy Platt and their friendship began with the

focus on teaching English to Spanish-

speaking neighbors. Sister Cecilia’s teaching

experience was in chemistry but Judy’s experience was in ESL. Judy

knew just what books and materials were needed. Sister Cecilia

learned so much from Judy. Together they went to the Diplomat in

Piermont, meeting newly arrived women and men. They went to

homes to teach English.

Judith Platt was one of the incorporators of One to One Learning on

March 15, 2000.

Judy continued teaching at One to One Learning up till about 5 years

before her death on October 27, 2013.

Judy’s memory lives on in the students she taught. As a memorial to

her, a beautiful black bronze crucifix, designed by Suzanne Nicolas

and previously hanging in the Platt home, now hangs in the main

classroom of One to One Learning. The picture is of Frank Platt and

their daughter, Sophie Pollock, taken on the day that the crucifix was

presented to Sister Cecilia.

The Platt Family asked that donations would be made to One to One

Learning in memory of Judith van der Gracht Platt.

Judith Platt will be honored at our Hands of Hope Galaon May 2, 2014, receiving the Founder's Award (posthumously).

Katherine Cheney ChappellJoan and Charlie Platt

Dr. Oliver CobbJoyce Gavin/Bernie DoyleRust GilbertHearthstoneNicholas and Sheila Platt

Morrie and Marianne BrownAnn CobbJeffrey D. De BoerRobert and Kristen DelamaterJudy and David EnglanderTracy Kennedy FlynnRobert and Diana HardingRoger HookerJoan and Sidney RosoffUgo and Ceil VolpatiSteven and Caryn Wechser

Jane and Ray BernickVirginia BarrettFrank and Elaine CappadonaDuane DesiderioCarol Ann DyerKelly FlisterPatricia O’PreyRichard SmithClaire WhiteWilhelmina Van Ness

We mourn the passing of Javier Alejandro Quintuña, a third year student

of One to One Learning. He passed away on January 23, 2014. His mother,

Leonor, is also a student. Javier was a fun-loving young man, intelligent,

handsome and advancing in his study of English. Students and teachers

donated money to help with the funeral expense and sending Javier’s body

back to Ecuador. Donations will be accepted .

March 20147

Linda and Jon EwigAugustine and Elizabeth NolanSean Scully

Mary Dunning OPIn memory of her parents, Thomasand Elizabeth and parents of MaryAnn Biller-Fischetti’s parents,Katherine and George, Irish immi-grants whose faith and hard workbuilt AmericaAntonio EstadellaWilliam Josiger-Janet KeyesBarbara La PietraLucille and Alan LevineIra and Jill LipsonJohn and Mary McCoyTherese McSherryTimothy and Pat O’NeillPhyllis and Bruce SchweizerMargaret Shea

Mark and Mary Ann Aaron(matching grant TimesSquare Capital Mgt.)Beva EastmanGift card to Pickwick Book ShopMichael and Helen BradyCheryl BurtonIn memory of Ann RosanaRust GilbertKenneth GoldJackie and Angelo IuliucciDr. and Mrs. Paul KimBeva Eastman Donna and Robert KnoebelMaureen and Tom LeahyLarry McKearneyLiza MieleCatherine Moran OPDonna Nye and Debbie BellMary O’Sullivan

Nancy Richter OPRobert RichterMarilyn and Robert TimbergerPeter and Mary Ann TurriseMark and Dana Van der Hyde

Maurice BibeauMary E BickelPius Fagan OP Mary Jo Heman OPElliot FreifeldGerard GeisingerJohn Rose Hartling OP Catherine McKillop OPFrances MallozziPamela MilesMary Reynolds OPRichards FamilyRockland Friends MeetingDolores and Richie RodriguezJohn and Lynn ScileppiMary E. Warner

Mariano, Beata, and RoxanaBartolomePauline Blandina OPMr. and Mrs. C. CapezzutoJo CaponePeggy ConcannonPat Conway OP Maureen Conway OP Dorothy CoxDallas and Susan DillonTheresa Dockerty OP Elizabeth Gatto OPMaureen Foy OPMary Grey OP Pat Murtha OPCarolyn KentBetty KeyesPeter and Pat LacombeJean LooneyDiane MenaMartha Monitto

a special thank you... one2one-learning.org

One to One Newsletter

Mary Rose Mullervy OPCharlotte and Tom MurrayMargaret Murphy OPMarie Murphy OPDiane McSherry OPBarbara Paul OPAlice and Ken ParchinskiRose Patrice Sasso OP Margaret Rose Moran OPAngie SassanoDolores Shortal OPTed Simone and Paul JohnsonEileen Sullivan OP Marie Hess OPAnne Tahaney OPCarole Valentino OP

If it were not for your generous donations, we would not be able to continue ourministry at One to One Learning. Development studies report that individualdonations keep many good works going. You gifted us with $11,915.

We bring our benefactors to prayer each morning.

John and Eileen Lawler continue to partnerin mission with One to One Learning with adonation to educate 6 of our students. Ourcost is approximately calculated at $400 astudent. John and Eileen invite you to participate with them in the second semesterby taking on the expense of $200 for asmany students as you are able to support.

Peter and Mary Beth Modafferi supportedour mission with a donation to educate 1 student in memory of Christopher Arroyo.

PARTNERINGWITH ONE TOONE LEARNING

DOMINICAN SISTERS OF SPARKILLWomen Making a Difference

This sign stands on the grounds of Dominican Convent in Sparkill, NY.Dominican Sisters have been making a difference in the lives of so manypeople throughout these 138 years of their existence. As sponsors of Oneto One Learning, they support this ministry that brings them back totheir roots of working with immigrants to this country in 1876.Throughout the history of One to One Learning, Dominican Sisters andAssociates have been teachers and benefactors.

Each year at their Christmas liturgy the sisters make personal donationsat the Offertory for different ministries of the Congregation. This yearthe total was $2,145 and One to One Learning was the recipient. Wethank the Sisters and the Leadership Team of the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill.

We received a grant from NY ARCHDIOCESE CATHOLIC CHARITIES

For $5,000 from the Cardinal’s Christmas LuncheonSponsored by the Ladies of Charity

OUR MISSION

To provide

English Classes

and other

supportive

services for

immigrants to

empower them

to reach their

full potential

and lead

meaningful lives

within their

communities.

One to One is a sponsored ministry of The Dominican Sisters of Sparkill

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

175 Route 340, Sparkill, NY 10976

Here’s a simple way for you to help support One to OneLearning or any other cause that you care about.

Each time you search the web with GoodSearch's Yahoo-powered search engine, about a penny will go to your charity orschool. Also, every time you shop online at 2,000 participatingstores including Target, Apple, Staples, Expedia, etc., a percentageof your purchase will be donated for free! The site also has thousands of money-saving coupons!

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

TRUSTEESSr. Irene Ellis

Sr. Eileen GannonSr. Lorraine LaRoccaSr. Mary Murray

Sr. Margaret PalliserSr. Carolyn Wolfbaurer

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Friday, May 2, 2014 Hands of Hope Gala

Wednesday, June 18, 2014 Student Award Ceremony

In our list of donations you may notice names noted with “in memory of” or “in honor of” or “in the name of”.

We now have cards for your use on these occasions. When such a donation is made, if requested,

a card will be prepared.

M E M O R I A L C A R D S

Ms. Yolanda AguilarSr. Joan Beairsto

Ms. Adriana BernalMr. David EnglanderSr. Virginia JohnsonMs. Theresa Lewis

Mr. Ira Lipson

Sr. Ursula McGovernSr. Margaret MurphyMr. Paul PiperatoSr. Anne SchwartzMr. Gino SilvestriMr. Hank Whittemore

Language Empowers. Language Unites.one2one-learning.org

We hope that you will join us at our Hands of Hope Gala Friday May 2, 2014 at the Nyack Seaport.

(See Invitation and Raffle Inserts)

Will you help us to make this event successful?

BE A SPONSOR Take Out An Ad in Our Journal

Purchase Raffle TicketsDonate a Gift for the Silent Auction

(Your donated gift can be added to the many items that we have had in the past --vacation homes in Cape Cod, vacation weekend at the Lodge at Woodloch Pines, tickets to sports events, art work, airline miles, rounds of golf, gift certificates,

spa gift baskets, Bee-Alive gift basket, Italian dinner for 4 prepared by Sister Cecilia, family portrait from Madrigal)

Please call or e-mail Sister Cecilia at 845-512-8176 or clpangel59@gmail.com if you are able to donate a gift

CELEBRATING 17 YEARS OF SUCCESS

Hands of Hope Gala

Make check payable to One to One Learning, Inc. and return entry form(s) and donation to:One to One Learning, Inc., 640 North Midland Avenue, Upper Nyack, New York 10960

PrizesFirst Prize..............................

$ 500

Second Prize .......................$200 Third Prize .............................$100Tickets$5 each or 5 for $20Drawing: Friday, May 2, 2014Anniversary CelebrationNyack Seaport

Additional Tickets are available by calling Sr. Cecilia at 845-512-8176 or emailing clpangel59@gmail.comWinner need not be present to Winwww.one2one-learning.org

One to One 17t

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Hands of Hope GalaCELEBRATING 17 YEARS OF SUCCESS

Friday, May 2, 2014 at 6:30

RAFFLE

One To One Learning, Inc, 640 N. Midland Avenue, Upper Nyack, NY 10960 845-512-8176 • Fax 845-512-8178www.One2One-Learning.org

Name ________________________________________________________

Address______________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Phone________________________________________________________

E-mail ________________________________________________________

PLEASE RESERVE

____Tickets @ $100.00/ticket $_______

� Cocktail Hour Sponsor $__________

� Dinner Sponsor $___________

� Dessert Sponsor $___________

� Journal Ad $___________

� I am unable to attend, but wish to support One to One Learning with a donation of $ __________

� I would like to donate an auction giftDESC__________________________________________________________________

� Total amount enclosed $ ___________

RSVP by April 18, 2014

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIESCocktail Hour Sponsor ..........$250

Dinner Sponsor ........................$500

Dessert Sponsor......................$250

MULTIPLE SPONSORSHIPS WELCOME

JOURNAL OPPORTUNITIES$500 � Back cover$300 � Inside front cover$300 � Inside back cover$200 � Full page$ 100 � Half page$ 50 � Quarter page$ _____ � Friend’s Listing

($25, 15, 10)

Please make check payable to: One to One Learning, 640 N. Midland Avenue, Upper Nyack, NY 10960

CELEBRATING 17 YEARS OF SUCCESS

Hands of Hope GalaFriday, May 2, 2014 at 6:30Cocktail Hour and Dinner

NYACK SEAPORT 21 Burd Street, Nyack, New York 10960 (Valet parking available)

Honoring

ANNE NISSEN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ANDFAMILY RESOURCE CENTER DIRECTORSROCKLAND 21ST COLLABORATIVE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH2014 ADVOCATE AWARD

ROMANESQUE LODGE #2198SYBIL DESIMONE AND JEANETTE BONARDI2014 HUMANITARIAN AWARD

MARGARET MURPHY OP2014 FOUNDER’S AWARD

JUDITH PLATTFOUNDERS AWARD (POSTHUMOUSLY)

CARMEN CASTROJPMORGAN CHASE FOUNDATION 2014 CORPORATE SERVICE AWARD

CHANG SEOB LIM AND RYAN ZOBAR2014 YOUTH AWARD

FRANK CAPADONA • MARIANNE SGROI 2014 TEACHER SERVICE AWARD

TO BE ANNOUNCED2014 STUDENT SERVICE AWARD

FABULOUS SILENT AUCTION AND RAFFLE$100 per person RSVP by April 18, 2014