This week at Riverview

Ms. Brabrants and Mrs. Blackwell pictured receiving their COVID vaccines

Riverview Vaccine Update: Faculty: We had a great turnout for our employee vaccine clinic on Thursday, and expect all faculty who intend to get the vaccine to have received it by the end of next week. We anticipate by the end of next week that approximately 85% of our employees will be vaccinated! Students: We are still working out details with the Sandwich Health Department for providing a vaccine clinic for our students who are 18+ years old​. As of today, we do not know when this will be. We will be certain to provide more information when a definitive plan has been confirmed. We’ve received questions from families about pharmacy partnerships and about why other programs have had earlier access to the vaccine. All of these programs with earlier access qualify as programs with adult services and therefore qualified to be part of the federal pharmacy program. Because Riverview is licensed as a school program (Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Early Education and Care), we are not eligible for this program.

Reopening Campus and Spring Break Update: Our hope is that next week we’ll see decrease in COVID impact in our staff, converging with staff being vaccinated, and be in a better position to confirm a timeline to reopen campus for in-person learning. It’s possible that we will ask families to begin their pre-arrival quarantine next Saturday in preparation for a February 13-14 reopening.  We are also contemplating the concept of an earlier and/or modified “spring break” in February that would take place during time students are home to allow us to maximize in-person learning time. It is important to note that no decisions have been made; however, we want to give you as much notice as possible and insight into what we’re considering so you can begin to plan.  The Riverview Board of Trustees will be meeting next week to discuss reopening and spring break plans. We will share a communication with families on these topics on Wednesday of next week.

Exciting News! Riverview School and Stonehill College Launch Master's Degree Partnership Riverview School in Sandwich and Stonehill College in Easton today announced the launch of an innovative partnership bringing the College’s master’s degree program to Riverview’s scenic campus and providing expanded graduate degree opportunities for residents of Cape Cod and the surrounding towns. The partnership will offer a Stonehill Master of Education degree in Inclusive Education, leading to Massachusetts licensure in special education, grades PK-8 or 5-12. The master’s degree program can be completed in approximately 18 months and caters to working professionals.  Classes will be taught at Riverview’s 22-acre scenic campus in Sandwich by Stonehill faculty one weekend a month, Saturday and Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning in September 2021. Stonehill is offering a special partnership rate to Riverview staff looking to expand their education toward a graduate degree, with incentives to join the Riverview staff and receive tuition support. For non-Riverview staff, the cost is $2,500 per three-credit course plus fees. Applications are being accepted now. For more information, visit: Stonehill at Riverview | Stonehill College.   Learn more in a story published in the Sandwich Enterprise. CLICK HERE.

Academic News During at-home learning, Mr. Pino’s (Scorton Shores) and Mr. DePasqua’s (Rock Harbor) science classes joined forces with the Sandwich Fire Department for a virtual egg drop challenge. The students worked collaboratively to design housings made from recycled household materials. Two contraptions survived the 1st drop of 15 feet and moved on to the final round which consisted of a 35 foot drop from a fire truck. Although none of the eggs were able to remain intact after falling from the fire truck, the students had fun learning about the scientific method and gravity. A special thanks to our friends at the Sandwich Fire Department who are as kind as they are brave!

Residential News Students, Parents and Staff Please join the Riverview Unites Facebook Unites Group This is a Riverview run, staff monitored, group for current Riverview students, their immediate families and Riverview staff. It is a great way to stay in touch, to share, and to get to know each other in our Riverview community, especially while we are virtual. We hope that you will join the group and have fun getting to know your fellow Riverview students, families and staff.

Sign up for Riverview Unites - Click HERE!

Sign Up! (click titles / links to sign up) Mon., Jan. 25 – noon -- 1:30 p.m. Transition Planning Webinar Navigating Employment Services through the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission Wed., Jan. 27 – 4:00 p.m. -- Virtual Information Session 

Join Aishea Henry, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor from the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) for a webinar especially for Riverview families

Reminder! Please send photos of your son or daughter participating in Riverview from home to 857-222-7139 or mcahoon@riverviewschool.org) Your photos will be posted here every week!