The Sands Point Preserve Conservancy is holding its White Party, a benefit for educational programming for children and adults, to be held on Thursday, Aug. 18, at 7 p.m. in the historic Hempstead House and beautiful rose garden overlooking the Long Island Sound. The event honors two outstanding educators, Lisa Cusano and Eric Powers, who are being recognized for their dedication to the preserve and the high-quality programs they conduct for children and adults throughout the year.
The Sands Point Preserve currently offers a wide range of educational programming for adults, children and families including nature programs, after-school yoga and art, reading programs and activities for school, Scouts and camp groups. “Teaching children art and yoga are two of my own personal passions,” said honoree Cusano. “The Preserve enables me to give these children a limitless environment to be creative. The ability to offer this and touch a child’s life is magical.” The conservancy’s new education fund is designed to bring even more activities and educational programming to the preserve.
“Our goal is to expand and improve all educational offerings,” stated Beth Horn, the conservancy’s managing director, “so that adults and children of all ages as well as families with special needs can find exciting programs across this beautiful site—inside the historic mansions and outside on the magnificent grounds.”
To that end, the conservancy recently engaged two new educators: Lainie Lieber, former director of high school social studies curriculum at the NYC Department of Education, and Leah Master, previously with the Whaling Museum and educated at the Bank Street School. Together, the new educators are focusing on original and innovative initiatives, including co-curricular programs for school visits (K-12); original STEAM-based (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) nature programs for children; custom programs for families with special needs; expanded after-school classes for pre-K through middle school; and expanded adult nature classes, including overnight survival courses.
The preserve itself is inspirational for education. “The beauty of the preserve is evident from the moment you drive or walk onto the grounds,” said Master, the new education manager. “The preserve has an amazing number of resources for an educator to use. The outdoor classroom is an amazing space to use with younger visitors, while the hiking trails offer hands-on science exploration for visitors that cannot be replicated in a classroom setting.” In the future, she hopes to “add more cultural and science programming for families, utilizing the learning center, outdoor classroom and Hempstead House for more varied, immersive experiences.”
“We want the Sands Point Preserve to be an extension of the classroom,” said Lieber, the new education consultant. “Customizable field trips will bring The Great Gatsby, Roaring ‘20s and the American Dream to life for high school students. In addition, we are adding more rigor and variety to our family programming. Exciting things are happening here!”
The preserve’s White Party provides an opportunity to meet, mingle and celebrate the inspiring work of educators while supporting the preserve’s educational programming. The evening includes cocktails, dinner, dessert and dancing. Acute Inflections, a NYC-based jazz duo, will provide live music. Dress code is casual white.
The Conservancy is partnering with Atelier Swarovski for this elegant event; magnificent jewelry from the collection will be on display and available for purchase, and a portion of sales proceeds will be donated to the Conservancy.
Tickets are $85 and are available on the website
at www.sandspointpreserveconservancy.org/events/the-white-party-a-benefit-for-education
-programming or by calling 516-304-5076. To purchase an ad in the preserve’s Online Journal, contact Meghan Straesser, development and membership officer, at Meghan.Straesser@sandspointpreserve
.org or 516-571-7967.
