Wyckoff July 18, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 13 For nearly 50 years, Anthony Accavallo, a long-time Wyckoff resident, has been serving Paterson’s children. It all started back in 1963 when Accavallo and some fellow area businessmen decided that young people in Paterson needed a safe and positive place to go after school and during the summer months. With Accavallo’s help, and through the efforts of people like Walter Porter, a Patersonian and now retired police officer and former politician, the Boys Club of Paterson opened its doors for the first time at a tiny abandoned firehouse on Gould Avenue. Much has changed since those early days at the club. The Boys Club is now known as the Boys & Girls Club of Paterson & Passaic and meets the needs of all young Accavallo: Still serving children after nearly 50 years people. Instead of serving a few dozen children, the club now cares for almost 1,000 kids on a daily average. The little clubhouse is long gone; in its place stands an impressive 38,000 square foot facility on 21st Avenue. The building features classrooms, a gymnasium, and one of only three indoor pools in the entire City of Paterson. Kids can attend the club at the main site or at a number of satellite units throughout the city and in the neighboring City of Passaic. But, even with all of the growth and changes, one thing remains the same: Accavallo is still an active member on the board of directors and he continues to help disadvantaged youth reach their full potential. Today, 49 years after Accavallo helped form the non-profit organization, professional staff and volunteers at the Boys & Girls Club are working hard to keep young people away from the negative influences of the street. “Growing up in Paterson these days is not easy,” Accavallo said. “In fact, it might be tougher than ever to be a kid in Paterson. Crime, drugs, and gang activity can pull some kids in the wrong direction. That’s why the Boys & Girls Club is so important. We give kids hope by helping them with their school work, encouraging them to become and remain physically fit, and teaching them how to grow into caring and responsible citizens.” These efforts are paying off. The vast majority of club kids get good grades, achieve on-time grade advancement, graduate from high school, and move on to college or technical school. These young people also are adopting healthy lifestyles and participating in community service projects. “We give kids a fighting chance to succeed in school and in life. That is extremely satisfying,” Accavallo added. “We are incredibly fortunate to have Tony on our board of directors. He is a driving force behind so many initiatives aimed at improving young people’s lives,” said Paul Scire, the director of resource development at the Boys & Girls Club and a Wyckoff resident. “Wyckoff has played a critical role in the club’s growth and impact over the years. We are lucky to have Tony and several other board members from Wyckoff. It is safe to say that without Tony and the others from When school reopens this fall, students in Wyckoff’s K-8 district will be meeting eight new teachers, three of whom are partyear replacements and five of whom are full-year candidates for permanent employment. The board has also hired Sibley Ruggles as a district behaviorist at a full-time salary of $54,677 for the full school year for a total of nine new elementary educators to be on hand in September. Pamela DelGrande has been hired as a sixth grade social studies teacher at the Eisenhower Middle School. She holds a master’s degree and has five years of teaching experience. She will receive a salary of $56,719. Kristina Leckie, who holds a master’s degree and has logged four years of experience, has been hired as a resource room teacher at the Washington School at a salary of $55,698. She will be on board from Sept. 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013. Erica Petela has been hired as a kindergarten teacher at the Washington School from Sept. 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013 at Trustees appoint full-term and replacement teachers a salary of $53,656 with a master’s degree. William Walz has been hired as a fourth grader teacher at the Lincoln School through June 30, 2013. He will receive a salary of $53,656 with a master’s degree Kristin Terza has been hired through June 30, 2013 as a fifth grader teacher at the Washington School at a salary of $48,656. Diana Brown has been hired as a replacement room teacher for the second grade at Washington School. She holds a bachelor’s degree and will receive a salary of $48,656. Christin Racioppi has been hired as a leave replacement resource teacher at the Sicomac School from September through December at a salary of $48,656 with a bachelor’s degree, pro-rated for the length of actual service. Jacqueline Farley has been appointed as a leave replacement teacher at the resource room of the Washington School. She holds a bachelor’s degree and has four years of teaching experience. She will earn a salary of $50,187. J. KOSTER Anthony Accavallo town – loyal and generous people like Bill Rush, Sid Gold, Al Daloisio, Barbara Collins, Tom Shara, Bob Nixon, Brian Heidtke, and Dennis Oberle – we would not be where we are today. Wyckoff and the Paterson Boys & Girls Club have a very special relationship and we hope it remains that way.”