Yonkers Early Childhood Academy Students, Mayor Spano’s School Spotlight Award. Photo Credit: Maurice Mercado/City of Yonkers
Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano joined Superintendent of Schools Aníbal Soler, Jr. to present his School Spotlight Award to the deserving administration, faculty, staff, parents, and students at Yonkers Early Childhood Academy. Under the leadership of Principal Stefanie Felidi, Yonkers Early Childhood Academy has achieved notable progress in two pivotal areas: Early Literacy Foundation and Family & Community Engagement.
“Under the exceptional leadership of Principal Stefanie Felidi, Yonkers Early Childhood Academy’s achievements are a testament to the dedication and collaborative efforts of the entire school community, including the teachers, staff, students, and families,” said Mayor Spano. “Yonkers Early Childhood Academy stands as a model of what can be accomplished when innovation, equity, and family partnership come together.
Principal Stefanie Felidi and her team at Yonkers Early Childhood Academy have worked tirelessly to meet the needs of their learning community in the past year. Their dedication has resulted in significant improvements in the school’s performance.
Initiatives that have contributed to the school’s success include:
- Early Literacy Foundation – Yonkers Early Childhood Academy (YECA) has fully implemented district core instructional programming in English Language Arts throughout the school.
- Multilingual Learner Growth: Students are demonstrating remarkable progress on the New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test (NYSESLAT). Kindergarten through grade 2 learners are advancing into the expanding and commanding ranges—clear indicators of growth toward English proficiency.
- Family & Community Engagement – Yonkers Early Childhood Academy (YECA) continues to lead the district in fostering meaningful partnerships with families and community organizations. Notable achievements include:
- First-of-its-kind partnership with Yonkers Special Education PTA (YSEPTA): YECA became the first school honored for a formal collaboration with YSEPTA. Principal Stefanie Felidi was recognized as the district’s first principal to receive this distinction, underscoring her commitment to supporting families of students with disabilities.
- Family workshops on critical topics: YECA hosts workshops that help families understand the importance of attendance, provide strategies to support grade-level achievement, and offer guidance on accessing services through the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD).
- Community partnerships for student success: YECA builds strong relationships with Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS), Early Steps, the Yonkers Department of Public Works (DPW), the Yonkers Fire Department, and the Yonkers Police Department and K9 Unit. These collaborations connect early learners and their families to essential health, safety, and social-emotional supports. Together, these efforts advance My Brother’s Keeper Milestone 1, ensuring that children enter school ready to learn.
“Mayor Spano’s School Spotlight program brings important attention to the achievements across our district. This recognition supports the Board’s focus on clear goals and accountability. Yonkers Early Childhood Academy reflects those priorities through gains in literacy and strong engagement with families and community partners. Principal Felidi and the school community show how focused leadership and shared responsibility produce results for students,” noted Board of Education President Dr. Rosalba Corrado Del Vecchio.
Superintendent of Schools Aníbal Soler, Jr. added, “Yonkers Early Childhood Academy continues to show strong gains in early literacy and in the growth of multilingual learners. Students are building key skills and families are engaged in the work. This progress aligns with the Yonkers 2030 Strategic Plan, and I commend the school for keeping that alignment at the center of its practice. Under the leadership of Principal Stefanie Felidi, the team has built systems that support steady improvement. This is a strong way to begin the year and a worthy first School Spotlight.”
Mayor Spano’s School Spotlight Award highlights four Yonkers Public Schools within the academic school year for their significant academic success, extracurricular achievements, and community involvement.
