Wyandanch, NY - September 16, 2016 - Approximately 200 incoming freshmen at Long Island’s Wyandanch High School received new school uniforms to start the 2016-17 academic year courtesy of a donation by Long Island philanthropist and Gersh Academy and West Hills Day Camp Founder Kevin Gersh.
Photo: LI Philanthropist Kevin Gersh, founder of Gersh Academy and West Hills Day Camp (back row, middle), stands with 200 incoming freshmen after they received Mr. Gersh’s donation of new uniforms during a back to school event at Wyandanch High School. Photo Credit: Courtesy Corbett Public Relations.
“Wyandanch High School thanks Kevin Gersh for supporting us in our uniform initiative to ensure that our students come to school dressed in appropriate attire for learning,” said Wyandanch High School Principal Paul Sibblies. “We thank Mr. Gersh for this donation as this initiative has shown to increase student achievement in each department over the past school year. We look forward to an even better 2016-17 school year with the expectation that students will continue to excel in the classroom.”
Photo: LI Philanthropist Kevin Gersh, founder of Gersh Academy and West Hills Day Camp (center, standing), helps to distribute uniforms to 200 incoming freshmen at a back-to-school event at Wyandanch High School. Photo Credit: Courtesy Corbett Public Relations.
Wyandanch High School implemented a school uniform dress policy at the beginning of the 2015-16 academic year. The experience has resulted in a positive change in both the students’ attitudes and performance in the classroom.
Photo: Pictured is a close-up of a Wyandanch High School uniform before being distributed at a back-to-school event for 200 incoming freshmen at Wyandanch High School that was donated by LI Philanthropist Kevin Gersh, founder of Gersh Academy and West Hills Day Camp. Photo Credit: Courtesy Corbett Public Relations.
The funds for the uniforms were raised by Mr. Gersh, who also found a new uniform supplier, saving the school nearly 50 percent of the previous year’s uniform prices.
Photo: LI Philanthropist Kevin Gersh, founder of Gersh Academy and West Hills Day Camp (right), helps to distribute uniforms at a back-to-school event for 200 incoming freshmen at Wyandanch High School. Photo Credit: Courtesy Corbett Public Relations.
“These uniforms boost students’ self-esteem while providing them with respect for themselves and others. The uniform program that the Wyandanch High School has implemented has shown considerable result in the students’ academic, social and emotional growth – demonstrating how positive effort and right direction can result in a dramatic transformation and impact,” said Kevin Gersh.
Photo: Wyandanch High School uniforms obtained for the school through the efforts of Kevin Gersh hang in their racks before being distributed at a Wyandanch High School back-to-school event for its 200 incoming freshmen. Photo Credit: Courtesy Corbett Public Relations.
Wyandanch High School’s uniform consists of a cardigan sweater, two polo shirts and a blazer in the school’s colors of green and yellow and can cost almost $200 per student. Wyandanch High School covers the entire cost of uniforms for each student.
For more information about the Gersh Academy, please visit http://gershacademy.org/
In 1991 Kevin Gersh was inspired by a very unique autistic child who was enrolled in one of his educational programs. Mr. Gersh recognized that this one child and all children, with the right educational environment, appropriate instruction and highly trained dedicated staff, can learn and thrive despite their challenges. Mr. Gersh founded Gersh Academy based on this belief and philosophy. Today Gersh Academy’s successful and much needed programs for children K-12 focus their educational efforts on students on the autism spectrum.
Currently, Gersh Academy has five locations, with three on Long Island and two in Puerto Rico. Gersh Academy in West Hempstead, Long Island, New York is led by veteran Principal Celeste Gagliardi and a team of dedicated professionals. The school provides K-12 educational services for students from across the New York Metropolitan area. It is the goal of Mr. Gersh as well as the school’s teachers and staff to offer exceptional services and programs and, whenever possible, provide students the opportunity to return to their home and school districts with all of the tools, knowledge and skills needed for being successful and achieving their full potential. For more information about Gersh Academy, please visit http://gershacademy.org/