Thanks for all of your support for Sue and her amazing art classes. The seniors are gone, but Sue is already winding up for next year. She depends on your support, and we are all grateful for it. Jon.

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IIt’sodd without the seniors here; they are in and out for testing, but no longer full-time in classes  It’soften a summer of excitement and uncertainty for them  All this time, since 6th grade for many of them, in September, they came back to what they knew  Now they will have new beginnings, and new faces on the horizon  It’sfunny to watch the juniors during these last weeks  They have decided they are seniors now!

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Next week is the annual Festival of the Arts here, literally hundreds of pieces of art to tag, and display  I save work all year for display, so it gets a little wild in the art room  This summer, I plan to spend quality time deep cleaning and sorting  It’sa huge space with many different rooms to keep track of  It is a program with so many available materials to choose from thanks to all of you that I must keep it organized or chaos ensues.

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Amayah, one of our international students, has done a little of everything this year. She is simply a joy to be around. This week she sewed a foldable travel game board. She painted the game designs on, too!

The dresser do-over crew has it down to almost bare wood. They have decided on a combination of stain and paint. I’m really happy that they have taken to refinishing. Some of that particular group are not terribly fond of painting and drawing; they like hands-on projects and getting dirty.

Avisha is painting a beautiful mural all the way up the stairs. She’s adding the finishing touches to the foundation that Leah and Eliana laid down a couple of weeks ago. Teamwork!

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We did some cake decorating today in a class that is now half its original size without the seniors. The room smells very good. The kids wait for the end of the year because they know that unit is the last one, and they, of course, love to taste-test for quality control purposes!

I want to thank whoever sent the sandpaper and glue sticks. You are a lifesaver!

Thank you to Marianna from PA for the box of what I like to call imagination starters!

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Thank you to Kathy for the extra cookie delivery this week. It came on the seniors’ last day. They thought they were made especially for them. Today, a beach-themed box arrived. Oh, how I personally love the ocean. If I were wealthy, I’d have a summer home by the ocean. I am not wealthy; of course, I do have a garage in my backyard that sometimes floods.

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Imagination is key.

We could not do what we do without the help of all of you. Thank you to everyone who supports our program or sends good thoughts our way. We are truly blessed!

Right now, our greatest needs are sandpaper and wood stains, but any art supplies are always appreciated!

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Don’t forget the kids love your letters, and we will hang them in the room. Send us photos too!

The address is: NDBG    2600 Albany Street,  Schenectady, New York 12304

I love hearing from you. My email is [email protected]

Have a blessed day!

Sue

ND-BG

2600 Albany Street

Schenectady, New York 12304