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A Progress Report from Peekskill Education Foundation

To the Editor:

The Board of the Peekskill Education Foundation (PEF) is excited to welcome our entire community back to another exciting school year in the Peekskill City School District! As our classrooms come alive with energy and promise, the PEF is proud to continue standing beside you in support of every child’s journey toward academic success and personal growth.

Over the past several years, with the incredible support of our community, PEF has:

• Raised $69,000 to funded innovative classroom programs that spark creativity and critical thinking like the Class VR Program, the purchase of new instruments, and the brand new music studio.
• Supported teacher-led initiatives that expand learning opportunities beyond the standard curriculum.
• Partnered with local businesses and organizations to bring valuable resources directly to our students.

These accomplishments are a direct result of the generosity, engagement, and belief that our community shares in the power of education. For this, we extend our heartfelt thanks.

As we look ahead, our Board is energized and committed to building on this momentum. We are excited to deepen our partnerships with local businesses, strengthen community connections, and invest in programs that ensure every Peekskill student has the tools and opportunities to thrive.

We invite you to stay engaged with us throughout the year. Whether through volunteering, attending events, or sharing your ideas, your involvement helps us create an even stronger and more vibrant educational community.

Here’s to a year filled with learning, laughter, and limitless possibilities. Welcome back—we are so glad you’re here.

With gratitude and enthusiasm,
The Peekskill Education Foundation
Peekskill, N.Y.

Sal Frega, President
Adriana Frega, Vice President
Katrina Mullaney, Secretary
Shelley Kessler
Janice Molloy
Meghan Sheldon-Brungard

Strengthening Our Ties, Shaping Our Future

To the Editor:

With the November election on the horizon, I want to take a moment to reintroduce myself and share why I am running for Peekskill City Council.

I have dedicated my career to education, creating opportunities, and building community. When I moved to Peekskill in 2019, I was looking for a place that reflected the values that matter most to me — a community that is diverse, inclusive, and the perfect blend of city energy and small-town charm. I found that here in Peekskill, and I’ve been proud to call it home ever since.

For the past 20 years, I have taught high school English in the Bronx, working with students from every background and academic ability. As a teacher, I have learned that listening, patience, and collaboration are essential to solving problems and helping people succeed. In 2020, I became actively involved with Peekskill Pride, where I now serve as president, working alongside neighbors, families, and local organizations to create inclusive spaces where everyone can participate and feel welcome. These experiences strengthened my commitment to Peekskill and inspired me to run for City Council.

For Peekskill to continue growing and succeeding, we should advance practical solutions for the city while strengthening ties among neighbors. Empty storefronts, for example, shouldn’t just sit unused or be replaced by more of the same in new buildings. I want to explore ways the city can encourage creative uses for empty storefronts because they have untapped potential to foster community engagement and support economic growth. I also want to strengthen partnerships with the Youth Bureau, enhancing opportunities for young people to lead, learn, and thrive here in Peekskill. And reviving the Community Congress would provide a consistent, structured way for residents to bring forward ideas and concerns, ensuring that City Council remains accessible and that citizen voices are heard.

I am proud to be part of a slate of candidates who share a vibrant vision for Peekskill’s future, running alongside Vivian McKenzie for Mayor and Beverley Chang and Darren Rigger for Council. At the same time, I know voters will be choosing individuals, and I hope to earn your trust and your vote based on my record of service and the perspective I bring. When elected, I will continue to advocate for young people, support working families, and help ensure city government remains connected and responsive to residents.

Peekskill is at its best when we come together — when we honor our diversity, invest in our young people, and build a future rooted in fairness and opportunity. That is the vision I will bring to the council, and I am asking for your support this November.

Sincerely,
Charles DiGruccio
Peekskill, N.Y.

Mental Health Services Deserve Public Funding

To the Editor:

Governor Hochul has made a commendable promise to improve access to mental health care providers for New Yorkers, so why are so many still paying out-of-pocket for mental health care services that are proven to work?

As a Licensed creative arts therapist (LCAT), I offer trauma-informed, evidence-based psychotherapy and am part of the second largest population of licensed mental health care providers in New York State—and yet the State does not require commercial health insurers to cover my services. Fortunately, Governor Hochul has the power to change this by signing S1001/A3319 into law.

Access to my services shouldn’t depend on a client’s ability to pay—or on my ability to subsidize my own work. To become an LCAT, I had to attend an accredited graduate school program, meet stringent fieldwork and internship requirements, and undergo extensive testing and supervision to become licensed. 

And the research is clear, creative arts therapy is effective. Whereas talk therapies can have limitations in communication, creative arts therapy transcends such barriers through visual art, dance/movement, music, drama or poetry, which can be particularly necessary for children, those with serious mental illness, or anyone with verbal challenges. The healing is in the process, and the process is based on evidence.

In my own private practice in Peekskill, I have had the great fortune of witnessing clients process traumas, gain personal insights, and develop practical skills through the use of movement and body-based therapy directives. One of my clients, plagued daily by intrusive fears about her safety, was able to uncover and reprocess the root of her trauma through somatic and movement-based therapy. By engaging her body directly, she accessed healing pathways that talk therapy alone hadn’t been able to reach.

Such transformation toward better mental health should not be accessible only by those who can pay a great fortune. And at the same time, LCATs must be able to make a living in accordance with the investment they put into earning and maintaining their professional licenses. As such, it is imperative that Governor Hochul sign S1001/A3319 into law, holding insurance companies responsible for covering these vital therapies and making good on her promise to improve access to mental health care.

Callie Tepper
Peekskill, N.Y.

To the Editor:

For the past 10 years, Street Beatz Dance Studio in Cortlandt Manor has proudly hosted the annual fundraiser “Dancers Against Cancer” — a powerful event that unites local dance studios and individuals in the fight against cancer. As founding owner and director of Street Beatz, I am proud to say that the event has raised between $13,000-$15,000 annually, benefiting local cancer organizations and directly supporting those in need.

Thanks to the overwhelming support of our community, Dancers Against Cancer has become more than just a fundraiser — it has become a symbol of hope, strength, and resilience. Each year, dancers of all ages come together to make a real difference in the lives of cancer patients and their families.

As we approach our 11th year, we face an unexpected challenge: the venue that has generously hosted us for the past decade is no longer renting to charity performances, leaving us without a location for this critical event. To make matters more challenging, we’ve been able to use our past location at a discounted rate, which made it possible for us to keep the event affordable while maximizing the funds raised for cancer support. With this venue now unavailable, we are urgently seeking a new space that can accommodate our needs.

We are specifically looking for a venue that meets the following criteria:

• A stage or open dance area for performances
• Seating for attendees
• Basic sound equipment 
• Availability in February 2026 (date flexible, but ideally early February)

The show must go on. Cancer doesn’t wait, and neither do we. With the continued support of our local community, we know that we can overcome this obstacle and ensure this important event continues to thrive.

If you know of any venues that might fit our needs — or if you have connections that could help — we would be incredibly grateful for your assistance. Additionally, if you’re able to help share this message within your network, it could make all the difference in finding the right space.

Thank you for your time, your support, and your dedication to helping us fight cancer. Together, we can make the 2026 Dancers Against Cancer event our best one yet!

You can reach us at [email protected] or 914.737.6080.

Alexis Menendez
Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.