Dear Friends of Ivy Street School,
It is an honor to join the Ivy Street community. For those of you I have yet to meet, my name is Brandon Cardet-Hernandez. I am the new Executive Director of the Ivy Street School.
While it has been just a few short weeks here at Ivy Street, I have immediately been struck by the integrity and compassion that shapes the work here. I have been moved by the creativity that drives the program design. I have been inspired by the commitment to care that shapes every relationship. With such a full heart, I can say: The more I get to know Ivy Street, the more my excitement to be part of the Ivy Street family deepens.
And yes, while it is an imperfect time to move cities and jobs, it is equally filled with opportunity. The Ivy Street team has been leading incredible work before the pandemic and, undoubtedly, throughout. Where other organizations and schools could not, Ivy Street could. I join this team from New York City, having taught students with disabilities, led our district strategy for failing schools, run a turnaround public high school in the South Bronx, and most recently, having served as the Education Advisor to the NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio. I have visited hundreds of schools and dozens of school districts. Few have shown the fortitude, ingenuity, and outcomes-driven modalities that Ivy Street does.
I have committed to spending my first 90 days at Ivy Street getting to know the staff, students, families, and partners that make the organization what it is. It has been a gift learning from and with so many new faces, and I look forward to meeting others soon!
While Ivy Street begins vaccinations, we are also starting the relentless reflection necessary to make meaning and build learning from the pandemic. While we are planning ways to safely bring back the things that make an Ivy Street education what it is, we are also honoring how we have grown and looking for ways to capitalize off that learning. Whether that is new dynamic service delivery models, increased capacity for digital learning, a shake-up in what and how we deliver student enrichment programs, growth in digital literacy, or streamlined ways of communicating internally and externally -we will come out of this pandemic stronger, sharper, and more attuned to our collective goals.
It is a gift to shepherd the organization into its next chapter, and I am so grateful for the warm welcome!
Sincerely,
Brandon Cardet-Hernandez
Executive Director
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The COVID-19 vaccine has arrived at Ivy Street! We are excited to be one step closer to stopping the spread of COVID-19. Ivy Street has partnered with Walgreens, whose pharmacists have come to the school to administer vaccines.
We began our vaccination process on January 20, providing vaccines for all school staff. Students aged 16+ will have the opportunity to be vaccinated on February 10.
Many members of the school community have expressed gratitude for having access to the vaccine. Lead Teaching Assistant Stevie Stevens shares, "Receiving the vaccine felt like the beginning of a new positive chapter. It's a shot that symbolizes so much more: hope for our future and a return to normal." We are so grateful for this new step forward in maintaining safety for the Ivy Street community.
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With COVID precautions in place, life at Ivy Street has arrived at a "new normal." In September, we re-opened our doors to day students on a hybrid model. Many of our day students are now able to attend in-person school full-time based on our phased re-entry plan. Those who learn remotely have been active and engaged from home, a product of their commitment to their own learning and growth.
Residentially, students continue to participate in around-the-clock programming. Students on the Residential Floor and at the Cottage Farm Program attend school in person and spend their evenings and weekends practicing life skills, exploring hobbies and interests, and connecting with one another. Many of our residential students went home for the holidays and adapted to a separate re-entry space upon their return to mitigate risk within our community. Students also enjoy visits at Ivy Street from family within our ventilated conference room and our new heated outdoor tent.
Our staff, students and leadership have all demonstrated a remarkable commitment to keeping everyone safe. Within our community, we have had a very low number of COVID cases among staff, and none among students. This success has been the result of careful planning of and commitment to our new guidelines. The selfless spirit of the Ivy Street community is on full display: students and staff prioritizing the health of others, despite the challenges that more restrictions bring.
In the coming weeks and months, we look forward to bringing more students and staff back to school full-time. With vaccinations occurring over the next several weeks, our team is eager to explore ways in which we can continue our path towards normalcy while taking a conservative approach to our community's safety.
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Student Artwork Spotlight |
Ivy Street student Maya loves making art in her free time. Painting can be a meditative escape; this lighthouse piece was inspired by a relaxing scene of her imagination. She says of her work, "Sometimes the paintings are fun places I've been to when I was a kid, but most of my paintings are from my imagination." Maya also creates jewelry and is working on a graphic novel! |
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We are excited to re-introduce Louise Perryman as our new Education Director. You may remember Louise (pictured center at prom 2015) from her previous work in many other positions at Ivy Street, including as a teacher, teaching assistant, and residential supervisor. In her time away from Ivy Street, Louise worked in administration in other Special Education schools as well as Weymouth Public Schools.
Louise is thrilled to be rejoining the community as Education Director. She shares, "Ivy has a wealth of experiences to offer anybody who is setting out in their career in education. I am grateful for my formative experiences as an educator at Ivy Street, and am so excited to be returning in this new capacity." As Education Director, Louise will focus on implementing Ivy's curriculum-driven education. Her vision for the school's academic program includes excellence in all areas of instruction. "The educational experience at Ivy Street propels our students forward and enables them to chart the direction of their own futures. By focusing on high academic standards and a uniquely individualized approach, our team will support each student in receiving and accessing a truly excellent education." Welcome back, Louise!
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Emma Weiner, MS, OTR/L is an Occupational Therapist at Ivy Street. Her work centers on supporting students in attaining meaningful goals for independent living. Emma provides OT services within the classroom and on a one-to-one basis. |
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As an Occupational Therapist at Ivy Street, I support students in the roles, routines, and activities that are meaningful and important to them in their transition to adulthood. This month, our Life Skills classes have been centered on health management and understanding the body. Students enjoyed learning about one of our hidden senses: interoception. Interoception is a sensory system that detects how our bodies are feeling on the inside. It involves sensing body clues, like a grumbling stomach or pounding heartbeat, and perceiving those as signs of body state emotions, like hunger or anxiety. Interoceptive skills are important for increasing self-awareness and body awareness which leads to independence in emotional regulation, advocacy, health management, and goal setting.
Looking for ways to increase interoceptive skills in your child, student, or self? Try building healthy routines around sleep, eating, hygiene and drinking water. Increase awareness by pointing out changes in appearance and behavior as they relate to emotions. Don’t forget to practice grounding activities like yoga, mindfulness and exercise to increase body sensations!
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Despite the COVID-related restrictions, Ivy Street students and staff have been active in and around the city. Students often spend evenings and weekends exploring new places and finding ways to get active while staying safe. Some popular activities have included walking, hiking, and biking. Now that the colder weather has arrived, students are still motivated to bundle up and get outside. We are so grateful to have access to so many fun and exciting outdoor spots! |
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Touring murals around Boston |
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Did you know that you can support the work of MAB Community Services, the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Ivy Street School, and MAB Disability Services, by shopping at Amazon with the Amazon Smile program. Make sure you designate MAB COMMUNITY SERVICES as the charity. Shop here
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