RIVERVIEW SCHOOL - Summer 2008 - Middle and Secondary School
Riverview School was established on beautiful Cape Cod in 1957 and has an international reputation for excellence in special education. The scenic 16-acre campus features outstanding classroom facilities and condominium-like dormitories. The campus is an easy walk to Sandy Neck Beach and is located on historic Route 6A just one hour from Boston or Providence, RI. Beaches, lighthouses and quaint villages are among the many treasures found on Cape Cod.
Riverview Summer is a five-week co-educational summer experience for students between the age of 12 – 18 with complex language, learning and cognitive disabilities scoring within the 70 –100 range. Riverview’s Summer program is designed to build the student’s individual skills while maintaining progress achieved during the school year. The program is committed to developing student competence and confidence in academic, social and independent living skills.
Staffed by experienced faculty and residential staff from Riverview's school year program, this summer experience serves as an ideal opportunity for students entering the Middle School or Secondary School for the first time in September to become acquainted with campus life, the faculty and staff and their peers. This helps to ensure a smooth and successful transition to Riverview. The “philosophy of the whole child” guides the ongoing dialogue between faculty, residential staff and advisors to ensure that student needs are addressed quickly and comprehensively.
ACADEMIC LIFE
Academic instruction is provided each weekday morning using a thematic, integrated curriculum where reading, writing, history, and the arts are connected to a central theme. This provides a multi-sensory learning environment which makes learning more meaningful. With an emphasis on high expectations and research-validated instructional approaches, two hours a day are devoted to Reading and English Language Arts, in addition to instruction in math, science and/or social studies. With access to two computer labs, students are able to utilize technology for word processing, internet and e-mail. Under the direction of a speech and language pathologist, speech and language services are also offered during the summer program. While maximum class size is eight students, many opportunities are available for small group and individualized instruction.
Physical fitness is also an important component of the summer program. Students enhance their levels of fitness by receiving daily instruction in a state-of-the-art fitness facility called The Wellness Center and by participating in various sports and activities designed to strengthen cooperative skills and individual growth. Using Project Adventure, students also take part in games, trust initiatives and problem-solving activities to improve social skills, teamwork and self-confidence.
PERSONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
As adolescents, our students are often faced with issues such as previous school failure, lack of friends or poor self-esteem. Therefore, each student is assigned an advisor who serves as a liaison between home and school and provides student support in areas such as self-awareness, self-advocacy and problem solving.
The head teacher, advisor and residential staff meet on a regular basis to discuss specific issues which may assist in the student’s transition from the classroom to the residential program. This communication ensures that the “philosophy of the whole child” prevails.
Social competency guidance is given to students by all staff. Rather than providing social skills instruction in isolation, all staff are trained to assist students in understanding social errors and preventing their reoccurrence by reviewing these situations as they occur.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
With a focus on proper nutrition, students eat a healthy breakfast in the dormitory each morning while lunch and dinner are served in the dining room. Access to healthy foods such as a salad bar, fresh fruit, main entrée, soup and sandwich choices, etc. provide ample, yet healthy access for all.
Health care services are provided by full-time registered nurses. The campus has a six-bed health center where students can be assessed or rest if they are ill. Health care staff encourage students to better understand and advocate for their health needs by providing instruction regarding health and wellness.
RESIDENTIAL LIFE
Because living and learning are fully integrated on campus, the residential program is designed as thoughtfully and thoroughly as the academic program. When students leave class, they enter another important dimension of their day.
In all of the residential programming, Riverview’s goal is to develop responsible, independent, community-oriented students. With staff/student ratios of 1:6, skills such as room and dorm care, hygiene, time management, organization and budgeting are taught during weekday and weekend activities in a structured, supportive setting. All recreational and cultural activities are designed to provide typical teenage experiences where students play an active role in the selection of these activities.
A TYPICAL RIVERVIEW SUMMER DAY
Monday through Friday
7:00 Wake-up, complete morning routine
8:00 - 8:30 Breakfast, clean up, dorm meeting
8:30 - 12:30 Morning Instruction -
• Small group academic instruction
• Sports lessons/fitness
12:30 - 1:00 Lunch
1:00 – 2:00 Preparation for activities (money management, organization, etc.)
2:00 - 5:00 Recreational and cultural opportunities which may include:
• Swimming at local ponds/beaches/pools
• Arts and Crafts
• Golf/Miniature golf
• Professional sporting events
• Plays/concerts
• Conservation area hiking
• Barnstable County Fair
• Softball, volleyball, kickball
• Roger Williams Zoo
• Canobie Lake Park
• Outermost Adventure (seal tour)
• Blanket project
• Scenic Cape Cod Tours
• Museum of Natural History
• Circus Smirkus
• Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute
• Deep sea fishing
• Kayaking lessons
• Coastal Explorer (mobile museum)
• Archery
• Waterwizz Park
5:00 - 5:30 Chores, room care, laundry preparation
5:30 - 6:30 Dinner
6:30 - 8:30 Evening and weekend activities which may include:
• Cape Cod Melody Tent
• Red Sox/Pawtucket and Cape Cod Baseball league games
• Beach bonfire
• Scavenger hunts
• Games in the gym
• Exercise in fitness center
• Sandcastle creation
• Star Lab demonstration
• Jewelry making
• Sock hops/dances
• Talent show
• Computer lab
• Bingo, Jeopardy, Scene It, game nights
• YMCA
• Theme nights
• Various entertainers
• Weekly shopping trips
• Digital photography
• Pottery classes
8:30 - 9:30 Dorm activities (computers, movies, games, dorm and personal responsibilities)
9:30 – 10:00 Quiet time, lights out
