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Pines Bridge Student Named Boces' Student Of Distinction

CORTLANDT, N.Y. -- Emma Weinstein, a student from the Hendrick Hudson School District who attends Putnam | Northern Westchester BOCES’ Pines Bridge School, was honored as a Student of Distinction for the month of March.

Hendrick Hudson School District Superintendent Joseph Hochreiter presents Emma Weinstein with her Student of Distinction award, as Pines Bridge teacher Carolyn Schneider looks on.

Hendrick Hudson School District Superintendent Joseph Hochreiter presents Emma Weinstein with her Student of Distinction award, as Pines Bridge teacher Carolyn Schneider looks on.

Photo Credit: Contributed

Emma was recognized at this week’s Hendrick Hudson Board of Education meeting at Hendrick Hudson High School, where she received a certificate and medal from Hendrick Hudson School District Superintendent Joseph Hochreiter.

The Pines Bridge School is for students, ages 5 to 21, with multiple disabilities. The school is located in Yorktown Heights.

Emma started attending Pines Bridge in 2010. She was non-verbal when she first arrived, although she was able to communicate using an iPad, according to a release from PNW BOCES.

Teacher Carolyn Schneider praised Weinstein for making “amazing progress” in the past seven years.

“Emma slowly began talking in a very quiet voice,” said Schneider. “Now her social language has expanded and she greets familiar people with ‘hi’ and ‘bye.’ She has grown into a delightful young lady and enjoys all aspects of her school day.”

Emma has a wonderful sense of humor and enjoys being silly with both staff and students, the release said. She loves doing puzzles, swimming and dancing at school functions.

“Last year Emma gave us all a very big scare when she got sick and spent a number of months in the hospital,” said Schneider during the award ceremony. “But she is such a fighter, and we are so proud of her. Today is Emma’s 14th birthday, and I’m sure this award will be a present she will treasure.”

After Emma received her certificate and award, Board of Education members broke out into a round of “Happy Birthday” to mark the occasion, according to the release.

BOCES Assistant Superintendent John McCarthy said, “Emma is a wonderful young lady, and we are delighted to recognize as our March Student of Distinction for the great things she is accomplishing.”

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