POUGHKEEPSIE – Kids played games, got temporary tattoos and jumped on bounce houses while parents learned about programs, services and resources available during Saturday’s second annual Bridge 2 Poughkeepsie event.
Designed to introduce families new to Poughkeepsie or just to the district to all that the district has to offer directly or through its many community partners, the event featured two bounce houses, a DJ, tattoo artist, bubble table and tables 28 community organizations. and several from the district. There was also food, popcorn and soft drinks.
Dylan Alonzo, who is entering kindergarten, throws a ring at the district’s annual dual language table.
All children in attendance also received a backpack filled with school supplies and books, courtesy of Marist Liberty Partnership and Staples.
Event coordinator Julie Maserjian, who works in the Community Schools department, said it took about four months to organize the event.
“Everything is free for families,” she said.
According to Natasha Cherry, executive director of the community schools, about 450 new families enrolled children in the school this year. About 350 attended the event.
“This is like a new family orientation where we talk about the district and let them know all the programs, services and resources they can take advantage of,” Cherry said, adding that the Early Learning Center had the largest concentration of new families. probably because of the expanded full-day preschool program.
Luis Maces graduated from Poughkeepsie High School in 2016 and attended the event with his nephew, Dylan Alonzo, and Alonzo’s grandmother, Irene Garcia.
“They just started a new dual language program and that’s something I didn’t have. It’s a pretty good program for him because he’s bilingual, so he has a better learning experience,” Maces said.
Alonzo enjoyed playing a ring toss game in the bilingual show booth, but he was more excited to get to the bounce house across the field.
Sabrina Brown spent some time painting a butterfly in one of the booths. She said her favorite colors are blue, pink and purple. He even held up a necklace with a charm filled with sand in those colors.
“My dad helped me get it,” she said, pointing to Everton Brown standing behind her.
For Melodie and Kamal Minus, the day was exciting as it was their chance to introduce Mack Minus to school
“Mack is so ready to learn,” Melodie Minus said, adding, “I’m really excited to see what projects they get involved with and how Mack learns.”
Community partners for the event included: Dutchess County Department of Community and Family Services, Sun River Health, Community Action/Dress for Success, Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse, District of Poughkeepsie Public Library, Dutchess County Department of Community Health and Behavior, Vassar College, Marist College Community, Literacy Connections, Grace Smith House, Fidelis Care, The Art Effect, Crime Victims Safety and Support, Poughkeepsie Farm Project, The Growing STEMZ Foundation Feelings and Music Productions, The Boys and Girls Club of Newburgh, Hudson River Housing , Catholic Charities/Archdiocese of New York, Dutchess County Progessive Action Alliance, City of Poughkeepsie Youth Baseball Softball League, City of Poughkeepsie Flag Football, Community Tai Chi, JROTC, Dr. Ben Innate Chiropractic, Public Policy Education Fund, Children’s Integrated Center for Success, Rhinebeck Bank, La Voz, City of Poughkeepsie Fire Department, City of Poughkeepsie Police Department to Mayor Rob Rolison.
