Beach Friends

08/22/2026

08/22/2026

08/22/2026

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08/19/2026

Meet Phyllis Parisi Ellis

Phyllis Parisi Ellis is an experienced educator, behavioral analyst, and educational leader with a background in general and special education, applied behavior analysis, and school leadership. She is certified in General and Special Education K–6 and holds certifications in School Building and School District Leadership.

Phyllis currently works as a Special Education Teacher with the Manhasset School District and as a Behavioral Analyst with M&R Kids. She previously served as Educational Director of Little Friends Academy and created BRIDGES, a social skills program focused on communication, confidence, and relationship-building.

This week, Phyllis worked alongside our Beach Friends team, providing hands-on support, guidance, and staff training. She helped our teachers strengthen classroom management, transitions, behavioral strategies, communication, and positive learning environments for our children.

We are so grateful to have Phyllis share her knowledge and experience with our team as we continue to learn, grow, and provide the very best environment for every child at Beach Friends.

08/19/2026

Embrace Your Features by Christina Testut is a children’s picture book about self-confidence, body acceptance, and celebrating what makes each child unique.

The main message is that characteristics children may think of as “flaws” are simply features that make them one of a kind. It encourages children to appreciate differences in appearance, including things like hair, skin, body type, and other physical characteristics, while recognizing that who they are inside matters even more.

The author is a longtime NYC educator and an advocate for social-emotional learning. She specifically focuses on building confidence and healthy self-esteem in children.

One of the book’s strongest themes is essentially: you are worthy exactly as you are—and kindness, empathy and compassion are more important than appearance.