When longtime East Hills resident Beatrice Weinstein began planning her retirement from a private therapy practice in Roslyn a little more than five years ago, she decided she wanted to work with young children and began volunteering with the Roslyn School District’s Parent-Child Program.
Now, approximately one year after officially embarking on her retirement, Weinstein is moving on from assisting toddlers develop their language skills, as she and her husband Gene are moving to the Boston area in May to be closer to their son Bruce.
“It was such a treat,” said Weinstein, 87, who on Thursday was presented with a plaque from the Roslyn board of education honoring her for her service to the district. “I loved being with these children and these wonderful parents who needed a bit of help with language and confidence.”
Weinstein, a 52-year Roslyn resident, said her work with the Parent-Child Program involved helping children identify common household items and provide their parents with the skills to continue that education at home.
“Many of these children come from second-language homes, where the parents speak English but very often is not their first language,” said Weinstein, who holds a Ph.D. in school psychology. “[Within the program] you start to bring English into the family.”
The Parent-Child Program is in its 50th year and operates out of Heights Elementary School.
On Thursday, Weinstein said she would always be grateful to the district for helping rear Bruce and her daughter Gail.
She told two anecdotes about her children, the first about how Gail “learned my own self-control and not [teacher] Mrs. O’Leary’s self-control” and the other about Bruce offering to replace a school window after breaking it while playing ball.
“She’s truly been a gift to the Roslyn community,” said Cindy Samide, the Parent-Child Program coordinator. “Bea, I wanted to let you know it’s been a pleasure working with you and getting to know you the last few years.”
Added Roslyn board of education President Meryl Waxman Ben-Levy, who along with Samide presented Weinstein with the plaque and posed for pictures: “She has the true heart of a volunteer.”
Weinstein said Monday she “just couldn’t believe th[e district] would be so kind and lovely,” and that the ceremony prior to the board’s meeting “really moved me.”
“We love Roslyn. The school district was wonderful for our children and I think the Roslyn school system is wonderful in that they’re helping not just the gifted children but also the children who need extra help,” she said.
